Written Answers Nos. 895-920
895. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the staffing to caseload ratios used to calculate the numbers, types and scale of therapists and clinicians required for each CDNT; how regularly these ratios are reviewed; and what processes are in place to reconfigure services according to local needs. [12466/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
896. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if exit interviews are conducted with therapists leaving CDNTs; if so, if the information from these interviews is anonymously collated; and the primary reasons individuals cite for leaving CDNTs. [12467/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
897. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to provide community neuro-rehabilitation services. [12474/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
898. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) can expect to receive a date for both an appointment for a speech and language therapist and an occupational therapist. [12506/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
899. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an application by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12513/23]
View answerAs this relates to a service matter , I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
900. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if families with children and those who are in bad health will remain in a hotel (details supplied). [12515/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, more than 76,000 people have fled to Ireland from the war in Ukraine of which over 56,000 have sought accommodation from my Department.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 720 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response. The wider situation in regards to accommodation remains extremely challenging. Ireland is now accommodating approximately 77,000 people between those fleeing war in Ukraine and International Protection applicants.
Generally moves of BOTPs occur due to contracts ending, or where the provider reduces the number of rooms available to the Department, as in the case referenced. The contractor in question has reduced the number of rooms available to us and intensive efforts are now being undertaken to source alternative emergency accommodation. The Department understands that the situation is difficult for those being asked to leave. UCTAT is working within the context of a severe accommodation shortage but will endeavour to minimise the disruption to residents as much as possible. The decision on those to remain in the hotel will be informed by medical need and potential vulnerability.
My Department endeavours to provide as much advance notice as possible of moves. Generally 48 hours confirmation is issued in advance of such moves and where possible in certain circumstances greater notice periods may be provided. Generally, transfer is by way of coach or, if the group size is small enough, by minibus. This has enabled all those in need of transport to avail of the accommodation offered where they wish to do so. Medical cases are, where at all possible, accommodated close to the medical centre in which the beneficiaries are receiving treatment.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are also entitled to make their own private arrangements and can avail of some supports to do so. In addition, Beneficiaries may be able to avail of offers of pledge accommodation or unoccupied houses under the offer a home scheme. Those wishing to avail of such accommodation should contact the relevant Local Authority in that area they wish to reside in.
901. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) will receive services from the local disability network team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12516/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. Answered By HSE.
902. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 195 of 5 May 2022, when the archive of the McAleese commission will be transferred to the National Archives; the steps he is taking to ensure this happens without delay; if the transfer will include an instruction to publish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12553/23]
View answerNational Archives legislation governs the management of records of Departments of State, including their disposal or retention as archives. Documents in the archive of the McAleese Commission that are currently held by my Department constitute departmental records and, as such, are subject to the requirements of that legislation. Departments are obliged to transfer Departmental records more than 30 years old to National Archives. This obligation will extend to the Mc Aleese archive.
In March 2022 Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry in Sean McDermott Street, which will stand as a site of conscience, and will be a national memorial to honour all those who were resident in Industrial Schools, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby Institutions, Reformatories and related institutions. The Centre will comprise, inter alia, a museum and exhibition space, the development of which will be led by the National Museum of Ireland; a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, which will form part of the National Archives; and a place for reflection and remembrance.
In April 2022, a Steering Group, comprising the key State stakeholders involved in the development of the National Centre, was established. The Group is responsible for developing the overall vision of the Centre and providing strategic oversight for the design, development, coordination and implementation of the composite elements.
Work on the creation of the central repository of records to sit within the National Centre is being led by the National Archives under the auspices of the Steering Group. It is envisaged that the repository will include the historical records of residential institutions, including Industrial Schools, Magdalene Laundries, Mother and Baby and County home institutions and Orphanages.
Work on the creation of the central repository is supported by a dedicated Legal and Legislative Subgroup which is considering whether any additional legislative measures are needed to support the creation and management of the archive.
903. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will instruct his Department to take immediate action to ensure provisions are made for an assessment and treatment for a child (details supplied). [12566/23]
View answer904. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason payments have not issued to an accommodation centre housing Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) for December, January and February; when these payments will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12567/23]
View answerMy Department has engaged over 750 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, I temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that one payment to this provider was paid this week. Two further Invoices are in hand and will be processed as a priority, with payment expected in the coming weeks.
The delay in payment is due to the large volume of invoices being received by my Department. Additional resources have been assigned within my Department, in addition to outsourcing of some tasks to accelerate processing. The volume of payments issuing is steadily growing. My Department will continue to press on to eliminate the backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
905. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any projects under his remit are on hold due to capital funding pressures; if he will indicate the projects concerned, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12618/23]
View answerMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
906. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will acknowledge the huge work, support and solidarity shown by communities around the country in welcoming Ukrainians into their homes and wider communities; if he will listen to these voices of support and, in particular, a community group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12638/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, the Department Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine, coming to over 76,000 people, of which over 56,000 have sought accommodation.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 720 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response.
Regarding moves of beneficiaries, accommodation for new arrivals will continually need to be found. The wider situation in regards to accommodation remains extremely challenging. Ireland is now accommodating approximately 76,000 people between those fleeing war in Ukraine and International Protection applicants. As a result of current constraints on temporary accommodation, it is sometimes necessary for the Department to transfer beneficiaries to such accommodation as and when it becomes available. This helps ensure accommodation is available for all those who seek it.
Generally moves occur due to contracts ending, or where the provider reduces the number of rooms available to the Department as in the case referenced, and the Department endeavours to provide as much advance notice as possible. Generally 48 hours confirmation is issued in advance of such moves and where possible in certain circumstances greater notice periods may be provided. Generally, transfer is by way of coach or, if the group size is small enough, by minibus. This has enabled all those in need of transport to avail of the accommodation offered where they wish to do so. Medical cases are, where at all possible, accommodated close to the medical centre in which the beneficiaries are receiving treatment.
The Department is mindful of the impact that all such moves have on those affected, and will continue to deliver a humanitarian response to the needs of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and those seeking International Protection.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements and can avail of some supports to do so. In addition, Beneficiaries may be able to avail of offers of pledge accommodation or unoccupied houses under the offer a home scheme. Those wishing to avail of such accommodation should contact the relevant Local Authority in that area they wish to reside in.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth will continue to work with our implementing partners and accommodation providers to make such transfers as easy as possible in continuing to assist those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
907. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, in light of the recent announcement that one in ten asylum seekers has no accommodation, there are plans to allow members of the public to offer a place to stay to those applying for asylum; if he envisages a payment to homeowners who provide accommodation similar to the accommodation recognition payment currently offered to people who provide a place for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12679/23]
View answerMy Department is not considering a scheme or payment for homeowners to offer accommodation to International Protection applicants.
The Accommodation Recognition Payment is a scheme to pay a financial contribution for the hosting of Temporary Protection Beneficiaries from Ukraine, as provided in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and does not provide for the provision of material reception conditions for International Protection applicants.
Work is ongoing to procure accommodation for International Protection applicants in centres across Ireland.
Over 5,000 persons currently accommodated in International Protection accommodation have status and have the same entitlements to accommodation as Irish nationals. They have access to homeless Housing Assistance Payment and to the services of the Peter McVerry Trust and De Paul to help them to move into accommodation in the community.
908. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is the intention of his Department or IPAS to house refugees or asylum seekers in buildings in Bailieboro, County Cavan (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12695/23]
View answerThe properties as stated are not known to International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) or Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT) and therefore have not been examined nor considered for use. A detailed assessment must take place before any property can be deemed suitable as accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs)/beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs).
IPAS will respond to all offers of accommodation made in due course.
The Department continues to explore all offers of accommodation for IPAs/ BOTP's in as far as it can. However, there remains an acute shortfall with respect to accommodation for single IPAs in particular.
I trust this information clarifies the matter.
909. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports and services offered to international protection applicants who are not offered material reception conditions when requesting them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12697/23]
View answerDaily expenses allowance is paid to persons who are accommodated in designated International Protection Accommodation Service centres. I have asked Minister Humphreys for the Department of Social Protection to make arrangements for the payment of a payment similar to the Daily Expenses Allowance to applicants for International Protection who are currently without IPAS accommodation. That Department is making the necessary arrangements to facilitate this request.
Since 23 January 2023, staff from the Department of Social Protection are also present in the IPO for the purposes of accepting applications for PPSNs. These arrangements apply to all applications from individuals applying for international protection, regardless of whether they have an address or not.
If a person is not in IPAS accommodation but indicates they have a need for financial support when they attend at an Intreo Centre to collect their PPSN, they can apply for an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Staff in Intreo Centres are aware of this and are available to assist with applications.
Those who are not accommodated are also offered food vouchers. The HSE is also providing access to health services through a facility in Dublin city centre.
910. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if international protection applicants are entitled to the daily expenses allowance or any other payment or support if they are not given material reception conditions; the way in which they can access that payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12698/23]
View answerDaily expenses allowance is paid to persons who are accommodated in designated International Protection Accommodation Service centres. I have asked Minister Humphreys for the Department of Social Protection to make arrangements for the payment of a payment similar to the Daily Expenses Allowance to applicants for International Protection who are currently without IPAS accommodation. That Department is making the necessary arrangements to facilitate this request.
Since 23 January 2023, staff from the Department of Social Protection are also present in the IPO for the purposes of accepting applications for PPSNs. These arrangements apply to all applications from individuals applying for international protection, regardless of whether they have an address or not.
If a person is not in IPAS accommodation but indicates they have a need for financial support when they attend at an Intreo Centre to collect their PPSN, they can apply for an additional needs payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Staff in Intreo Centres are aware of this and are available to assist with applications.
911. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if international protection applicants accommodated at a location (details supplied) are entitled to the daily expenses allowance or any payment or support; the way in which they can access that payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12699/23]
View answerDeputy, Individuals who arrive in the country and seek International Protection (IP) attend at the International Protection Office (IPO) to make their initial application.
International Protection applicants (IPAs) who are currently residing in CityWest transit hub are entitled to claim the daily expenses payment which is administered by the Department of Social Protection.
912. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the situations in which childcare providers can refuse to provide specific care for children (details supplied). [12741/23]
View answerEarly learning and care (ELC) and school aged childcare (SAC) services are provided by private enterprises, either privately owned or operated by community organisations. While service providers are contracted by my Department to provide services at a subsidised rate to parents they are free to set their own policies having regard to scheme rules and legal obligations.
Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018, all early years services are required to have in place a policy on administration of medication. This policy should be available to all parents or guardians of children attending the service.
My Department funds a national network of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who provide support and advice to parents and childcare providers. Any parents who have concerns around any aspect of childcare can contact their local CCC. The contact details for the CCCs can be found on www.myccc.ie.
913. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 470 of 7 March 2023, when a person (details supplied) who is awaiting a substantial payment from his Department for housing Ukrainian families will receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12744/23]
View answerMy Department has engaged over 750 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, I temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that a payment to the business in question relating to November, December and January is issuing this week. I am further advised that my officials have engaged with this Supplier in relation to Invoice No. 11 and this will be processed shortly.
The delay in payment is due to the large volume of invoices being received by my Department. Additional resources have been assigned within my Department, in addition to outsourcing of some tasks to accelerate processing. The volume of payments issuing is steadily growing. My Department will continue to press on to eliminate the backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
914. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of his engagement with the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications concerning the compulsory provision of subtitles by all television stations and visually based broadcast companies operating in Ireland. [12763/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media as the accessibility of audio-visual media services is the responsibility of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
915. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the publication of a report concerning historical abuse in an organisation (details supplied). [12764/23]
View answerThe Review of the Handling of Past Complaints of Abuse in St John Ambulance Ireland carried out by Dr Geoffrey Shannon, was published on 16th of March 2023.
I welcome the publication of this report while being cognisant of the distress its contents may cause to victims/survivors. I would like to thank the people who participated in the review and acknowledge how difficult it can be to tell others about abuse experienced in childhood.
My Department has been advised that the organisation has made supports available to those affected following the publication of the report. The Department has been informed that these supports will include a helpline /counselling support service which will be available from the date of the report’s publication.
Following the publication of the report, there will be further engagement between my Department and also primarily by Tusla , the Child and Family agency, with the organisation in respect of the report’s findings and the organisation’s proposals regarding Dr Shannon’s recommendations.
Any person who has been impacted by child abuse, whether neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse should contact their local social work department. Child abuse is a crime, and should also be reported to An Garda Síochána.
916. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the provision of community neuro-rehabilitation teams in each CHO. [12796/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
917. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the 2023 emergency accommodation contracts will be issued to property owners; the duration of the contacts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12815/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge following the invasion of Ukraine with over 77,000 people arriving in Ireland, of which over 57,000, have sought accommodation from this Department.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 720 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
My Department will continue to work with accommodation providers to ensure there is an adequate supply of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine. In this regard, my Department is negotiating to renew contracts with our existing providers, in chronological order of the expiry dates of their current contract. Duration of new contracts is part of the negotiation process.
I trust this information is of assistance.
918. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and percentage of complaints made to the disability complaints office under section 14(1)(b) of the Disability Act 2005 that have been contested by the HSE in the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12835/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
919. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reassurance he proposes to give persons with autism and their families who were diagnosed by a person (details supplied); if their diagnosis will continue to be accepted by State authorities; if he plans to provide reassessment for those young people who were assessed by the person at their parents' expense, given the HSE was not in a position to provide timely assessments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12843/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
920. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department can confirm the total number of persons who are permitted to reside in St. Anne's, Roscrea; if this facility is being considered as a potential site for the use of modular dwellings to house Ukrainian refugees or for persons seeking asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12846/23]
View answerThere are currently 96 international protection applicants (IPAs) residing in St. Anne's Roscrea as of week ending 12 March 2023.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) are currently developing a programme of rapid build homes on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who are the Approving Authority for the programme.
St. Anne's in Roscrea is not currently being considered as a potential site for the location of these rapid build homes.
The OPW are the Sponsoring Agency for the purposes of rolling out the programme, with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage identifying sites that might be suitable.
Once sites are offered, an assessment is carried out in terms of location and access to local facilities. OPW then undertakes the necessary technical site assessments. When sites are confirmed as suitable, a programme of engagement is carried out by DCEDIY which involves meeting with Councillors and officials of local authorities, service providers, community groups etc. The OPW are responsible for site preparation and the acquisition and installation of the homes onto the sites.
