Written Answers Nos. 1192-1206
1192. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on providing temporary funding assistance to the families of children on waiting lists for children’s disability network teams to get an assessment of need through a regulated and registered private provider. [16509/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1193. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff within his Department who are based in and working with the European Union in Brussels; their present roles and responsibilities; the posts and responsibilities currently vacant; the corresponding figures on 23 June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16554/23]
View answerThere is one officer assigned to the Permanent Representation in Brussels acting as the attaché for my Department. Their main role is to service the relevant working groups, support effective Ministerial engagement at EU Meetings, provide effective briefing to the Department and to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders.
My Department had no attaché on 23 June 2016.
1194. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment with the national children disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16613/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1195. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the delay in assessing a child (details supplied) in County Donegal for speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16651/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1196. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is considering introducing specific leave for women who have suffered a miscarriage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16654/23]
View answerI recognise the enormous impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents, and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a loss.
As the Deputy may be aware, work to examine the needs of bereaved parents coping with pregnancy loss is being advanced at present. My Department has commissioned a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss. The study will examine whether policy interventions are required at a national level to better to support these bereaved parents in the workplace.
The study will focus on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, as people who have a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks’ gestation can avail of full maternity leave and paternity leave entitlements. The study has three phases and will conclude in September 2023, with a report to be published thereafter. The recommendations that arise from this study will help to inform Government policy, including the development of legislation to address the issue of miscarriage leave if required.
1197. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what appeals process is open to a patient when their symptoms are attributed solely to a diagnosis of ASD, to the automatic exclusion of consideration of other causes of illness or disease with similar symptoms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16666/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1198. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the key services and supports available to children with learning disabilities such as autism in counties Sligo and Leitrim or CHO 1 once diagnosis takes place; the wait list numbers and wait list times for children to see OTs and SLTs publicly; the number of WTE posts for OTs and SLTS in the same region; the number of posts open; the steps the HSE is taking in terms of recruitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16669/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1199. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and location of each accommodation property for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine; the occupancy and contracted capacity of each centre and location in each of the approved accommodation categories (details supplied), in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16671/23]
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 80,000 people arriving in Ireland, including 59,000 who 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 47,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 750 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings. In addition, more than 7,000 beneficiaries have also been accommodated in pledged accommodation properties.
The priority is to place people fleeing the war in safe and secure accommodation.
The wider situation regarding provision of accommodation remains challenging. Between those fleeing the war in Ukraine and those seeking international protection, my Department is accommodating approximately 80,000 people in state-funded accommodation. Contingency planning continues and my Department sources accommodation from multiple streams when it comes to providing shelter and security to those fleeing the war.
In addition to the above and the more than 7,000 BOTPs accommodated through the pledge process, my Department is also engaged in the implementation of rapid build homes units and is exploring the option of refurbished buildings with both the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities. I am pleased to say that as of 11 April, 2,495 beneficiaries have completed moves into Offer a Home Scheme accommodation.
In line with the Government decision of 22 October 2022, all efforts are being made to develop a sustainable multi-strand accommodation solution as part of the whole of Government response. My Department is actively contributing through participation in the Accommodation Working Group established by the Department of Taoiseach to facilitate the agile delivery of accommodation required.
My Department is also engaging with existing providers. My Department continues to engage with providers regarding the move to a standard accommodation model as per the Government decision of October 2022. I am advised by my officials that, while some contractors have stated that it is their wish to return to their tourism offering, early indications are positive, with a number of providers still to confirm their position.
The contribution of individuals, communities, local authorities and the Community Response Forums across the country has been truly remarkable. The standard and scale of response is only possible due to such efforts and I wish to commend all those who have provided assistance to those seeking refuge.
The information requested has been extracted from our systems and is outlined (including locations and capacity) in tabular form below. It should be noted that the information provides an overview at a given point in time and is contingent on a number of factors that are subject to change including accommodation availability, providers in contract at any given time, configurations, transfers resulting from contracts ceasing etc. Both capacity and occupancy levels fluctuate in line with changes regarding all of the above. The below table provides a snapshot of accommodation on a location and capacity basis to the extent that our records can provide at this time.
I trust this information is of assistance.
1200. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to increase the direct provision allowance, as welfare allowances have been increased several times while the direct provision allowance of €38.80 per week remains unchanged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16699/23]
View answerDeputy, thank you for your correspondence. While an application for international protection is being examined by the International Protection Office, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to international protection applicants (IPAs) who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State.
This offering includes food and utilities while the person is an IPA. Access to public medical services is provided and a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person.
In 2021, this was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children.
At present, the funding of IPAS accommodation and ancillary services, are met solely by the Exchequer. Any increase in payments must be considered under the budgetary process.
After six months in Ireland, IPAs are eligible to work if they have not received a first instance decision on their application.
In some cases, where a resident is experiencing undue hardship, they may also be entitled to an Additional Needs Payment.
Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision based on the individual's circumstances. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
1201. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if someone in receipt of a blind welfare allowance from the HSE will continue to receive this allowance when their blind pension from the Department of Social Protection switches over to the State pension. [16711/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
1202. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of young people within Oberstown Children Detention Campus offered temporary release for each Christmas from 2020 to 2022; the number of young people who accepted temporary release; the number of young people who turned it down over this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16716/23]
View answerThe number of young people within Oberstown Children Detention Campus that were offered temporary release for Christmas in 2020 is Nil, Christmas in 2021 is Nil and Christmas in 2022 is Nil.
1203. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a service provider (details supplied) will be paid. [16805/23]
View answerMy 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 this invoice for this provider is being processed as priority, with payment expected to issue in the coming weeks, pending final checks.
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.
1204. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a service provider (details supplied) will be paid. [16806/23]
View answerMy 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 the invoice referred to by the Deputy has been discharged in full recently.
The delay in payment was 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.
1205. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase the ECCE capitation to address the operational costs of preschools (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16829/23]
View answerOn 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme.
Regarding an increase in ECCE capitation to cover operational costs, increased funding is available through Core Funding. Under Together for Better, ECCE sessional services who operate for 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year can avail of weekly funding of at least €78.75 per child in ECCE (€69 ECCE capitation plus €9.75 per week in Core Funding base rate). Core Funding is payable whether or not the place is filled. The statutory regulations that apply for ECCE sessional services allow for a ratio of up to 11 children per adult. The ECCE scheme rules allow for up to 22 children (with two adults) in a session.
Under Core Funding, the overwhelming majority of services will see an increase in their funding, most will see very substantial increases, and no services will see a decrease in funding if their circumstances remain the same. ECCE services without a graduate lead educator will see capitation increase by at least 9.5% through Core Funding. ECCE services with a graduate lead educator will almost all see increases in income, although it may be smaller proportionally given the significant level of funding available under the old funding model. Additionally, if a lead educator of an ECCE session is a graduate with a relevant qualification and the necessary experience, an additional amount of €66.60 will be paid to the service per week. If there is a separate manager who is a graduate with a relevant qualification and the necessary experience a further €66.60 if available to the service per week.
A very small number of services, approximately 60 of the over 4,200 signed-up, will see no increase with their income matched to 2021/2022. For this small number of services who do not experience an increase, a Funding Guarantee will apply. This will top-up Core Funding payments to match the difference in ECCE higher capitation and PSP from last year, provided they offer the same amount of graduate led provision as last year. These are larger ECCE-only services – with 20+ children in a session.
My Department is not seeing evidence of a significant lack of sustainability for ECCE-only services or to suggest that services will face closure as a result of Core Funding. For any services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support can contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. As a new development to the suite of supports available, a further stand of sustainability funding is now available to Core Funding partner services, both community and private, who are experiencing financial difficulty. Since this new funding strand launched, no service has availed of this funding. However, the Department, Pobal and the CCCs continue to closely monitor trends concerning services entering case management and will continue to maintain the availability of Sustainability Funding for individual services at risk.
I would also note that I have appointed of Stranmillis University College, Belfast to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review will assess whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and will identify any changes or improvements that can be made to the Programme, based on international evidence and experience to date. The review will also examine whether services are adequately resourced in providing the ECCE programme. As part of the ECCE Review, there will be a wide stakeholder engagement which will include parents and pre-school providers. The review is due to conclude in H2 of 2023.
1206. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 472 of 7 March 2023, if an informal offer or discussions have taken place in relation to the use of the property (details supplied) to provide accommodation for migrants, asylum seekers or refugees from any country outside of the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16861/23]
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 from the invasion of Ukraine, including 79,000 people, of which over 58,000 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 47,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 750 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
I am advised by my officials that the property referred to was submitted for consideration as part of the Emergency Refurbishment Programme in the D/Housing, Local Government and Heritage but is not under further consideration.
