Michael Healy-Rae
Question:135. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22047/23]
View answerSocial Welfare Appeals
Questions (135)
Written answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was received in that office on 5 May 2023. The appeal was registered on 8 May 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Appeals
Questions (136)
Michael McNamara
Question:136. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a decision will be made in relation to an invalidity pension appeal by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22051/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 24 April 2023. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought. When these papers have been received from the Department, the case in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Visa Applications
Questions (137)
Bernard Durkan
Question:137. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the progress to date in the determination of the appeals for visas in the case of the family of a person (details supplied); when the appeals can be expected to be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21876/23]
View answerWritten answers
The visa applications referred to by the Deputy were refused by the Visa Office in Dublin. The reasons for these decisions were set out in the refusal letters sent to the applicants on 24 January, 2023. Appeals of these decisions were received on 8 March, 2023.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on our website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
It should be noted that visa appeals are dealt with in strict chronological order. Processing times and decisions at the Dublin Visa Office can be checked at the following link which is updated each Tuesday:
www.irishimmigration.ie/visa-decisions/ .
Processing times can change during the year, for example before holiday periods or for study applications prior to a new college year.
A decision will be issued to the applicants as soon as full consideration has been given by a Visa Appeals Officer.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie ), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Domestic Violence
Questions (138)
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:138. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Justice the number of domestic violence incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023; the breakdown of these incidents by incident types (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21880/23]
View answerWritten answers
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based remains a priority for this Government, the Department of Justice and the Garda Commissioner.
'Zero Tolerance,' the Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV), published by Minister McEntee last year, sets out an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV and seeks to provide supports for and empower those who have suffered domestic violence.
Historically, people may have felt unable to come forward to report domestic violence, however An Garda Síochána and my Department continue to work hard to strengthen trust and confidence in the criminal justice system, so that victims can feel supported when reporting their experience.
My Department has also worked with criminal justice agencies and civil society frontline partners on national awareness-raising campaigns and to co-design our most ambitious domestic, sexual and gender-based violence strategy.I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána prioritise and proactively respond to incidents of domestic abuse. There is now a Divisional Protective Services Unit in each Garda Division, meaning specialised teams are in place nationwide to engage with vulnerable victims in these most difficult cases.An Garda Síochána have also introduced new mandatory domestic violence training, as well as training for using the ‘Risk Evaluation Tool’ to ensure all vulnerable victims receive the service and supports they need.As part of delivering on the commitments under the Third National Strategy, I am strengthening the law in this area, including by increasing the penalty for assault causing harm, introducing standalone offences of non-fatal strangulation and stalking, and by progressing a new Sexual Offences Bill which will, among other things, improve supports for victims.Work also continues on the implementation of 'Supporting a Victim’s Journey,' our plan to reform the criminal justice system at every point a victim comes into contact with it.
In relation to the Deputy's query, the table below outlines the number of domestic violence incidents reported to An Garda Síochána in each of the years 2018 to 2022 and to date in 2023 and the breakdown of these incidents by incident types inclusive of:
- Breach of Interim Barring Order
- Breach of Protection Order
- Breach of Barring Order
- Breach of Safety Order
- Domestic Dispute - No Offence Disclosed
- Breach of Emergency Barring Order
Please note that the Type “Domestic Dispute – No Offence Disclosed” has been renamed “Domestic – No Offence Identified”.
|
Incident Type |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 YTD |
|
Breach of Barring Order |
552 |
698 |
786 |
742 |
695 |
226 |
|
Breach of Emergency Barring Order |
* |
* |
||||
|
Breach of Interim Barring Order |
82 |
143 |
137 |
144 |
138 |
44 |
|
Breach of Protection Order |
1,139 |
1,364 |
1,975 |
2,095 |
2,307 |
831 |
|
Breach of Safety Order |
1,262 |
1,527 |
1,452 |
1,694 |
1,601 |
635 |
|
Domestic - No Offence Identified |
15,107 |
19,547 |
22,845 |
24,644 |
27,734 |
9,400 |
* indicates a count below 10
Data is as available on the PULSE system 5/5/23, is operational and is subject to change.
Legislative Process
Questions (139)
Brian Leddin
Question:139. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Justice the position regarding the legislative progress of the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022; his intentions to move the Bill to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21970/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices Digital Recordings) Bill will, when enacted, provide a legal basis for the deployment and use of body-worn cameras by An Garda Síochána and extend the powers governing Garda use of CCTV and Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) technology to help prevent crime and prosecute those involved in criminal activity.
The Bill will also repeal section 38 of the 2005 Garda Síochána Act and will set out a new approach to Community CCTV schemes. The new approach is General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) compliant and only allows for local authorities or An Garda Síochána personnel to be authorised to apply for community CCTV schemes in the future.
Following Government approval, the Garda Síochána (Recording Devices) Bill 2022 was published in August 2022. The Bill completed Dáil Second Stage on 9 February 2023 and, as in line with Justice Plan 2023, I hope to see it enacted later this year.
Legislative Process
Questions (140)
Carol Nolan
Question:140. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that the majority of views expressed as part of the public consultation process on the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 were not in favour of the legislation’s objectives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21999/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can assure the Deputy that a considerable body of work has been undertaken by my Department to ensure that the new legislation dealing with incitement to violence or hatred and hate offences is well researched, well balanced, and grounded in the lived experiences and reality of what individuals facing hate speech and hate crime in this country actually need.
One element of this work was a widespread public consultation which included an online survey. There was also a detailed question and discussion paper distributed to stakeholder groups which was also publicly available on the Department’s website. In addition, discussion workshops were facilitated around the country and a series of meetings with victims of hate speech and hate crime, civil society organisations, academics, law enforcement, professionals and other experts were held.
In the course of this work there was significant consultation with representatives of vulnerable and minority groups, many of whom forwarded detailed submissions that reflected their lived experiences of being targeted on the basis of their identity characteristics. This was an important part of the consultation process as it was imperative that the voice of those whose lives are most impacted by hate speech and hate crime could be taken into account in formulating proposals as to how new legislation could better protect them. Comparative research on approaches to hate crime and hate speech legislation in neighbouring jurisdictions was also undertaken
Based on this multi-faceted and comprehensive consultation and research work, the Department of Justice drew ten balanced conclusions which were published in a report in December 2020 and which informed development of the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill.
In April 2021, after the legislative proposals for the Bill were published, it was referred to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice for pre-legislative scrutiny which took place in November 2021.
The Justice Committee’s Report was subsequently published in April 2022 and all of the recommendations made by the Committee have been carefully considered by my Department. As part of that work my Department engaged in additional consultation and research in relation to some of the recommendations that proposed strengthening certain provisions. This further consultation included liaising with counterparts in the UK and Northern Ireland and with An Garda Síochána and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions on different approaches that could be adopted here.
The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill was subsequently published in October 2022. Having passed through final stages in the Dáil on April 26th , this important piece of legislation will now go to the Seanad to be debated.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (141)
Matt Shanahan
Question:141. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Justice if he will provide an update on community alert schemes in Waterford, following his visit there (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22004/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice provides funding to Muintir na Tíre to cover the costs incurred by communities in administering the Text Alert Scheme. The Scheme is administered on a refund basis whereby communities submit their annual costs to Muintir na Tíre and a maximum refund of up to €450 is provided to the community. This funding is provided for in the Department of Justice’s Crime Prevention Budget.
In recent years, the Department of Justice has made the following payments to Muintir na Tíre for schemes in Waterford:
2021 - €2,480.65
2020 - €2,510.15
2019 - €2,749.80.
Muintir na Tíre are currently compiling the 2022 Text Alert Rebate and the Department will work with them on this.
There is continued engagement between officials in my Department and Muintir na Tíre on their review of the Text Alert Scheme with a view to delivering more cost effective options, such as the use of apps, for future versions of the Scheme.
As the Deputy may also be aware, the Waterford Local Community Safety Partnership (WLCSP) Safety Plan 2023 – 2028 contains an action to continue to engage with established Neighbourhood Watch/Community Alert schemes and strive to encourage the development of new schemes.
This action will be jointly led by the WLCSP, Waterford Age Friendly Alliance and An Garda Síochána.
Travel Documents
Questions (142)
Martin Browne
Question:142. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Justice the process that must be followed to enable a person (details supplied) to obtain a travel document; the options open to them given that the Embassy is only open on an intermittent basis and may also prove unsuitable for the person concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22007/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that a travel document was issued to a person with the same name, address and date of birth as supplied by the Deputy in 2022. This travel document is valid until the 14 January 2025.
If the person is seeking a national passport from their country of citizenship, I can advise that foreign embassies who do not have a physical presence in Ireland usually provide consular assistance to its citizens who encounter difficulties through a variety of methods, which can include the provision of consular clinics in Ireland and the issuance of emergency travel or laissez-passer documentation similar to those afforded to Irish citizens who find themselves in trouble whilst abroad where there is no embassy of consular presence.
The person referred to should register with their nearest embassy if they have not done so already. Regrettably, I am not in a position to provide assistance with obtaining new or replacement national passports of other jurisdictions. While I appreciate there may be difficulties in obtaining a new passport the issuance of same is a matter for the authorities of the country in question and the individual seeking the passport.
Departmental Correspondence
Questions (143)
Pearse Doherty
Question:143. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice when a response to correspondence (details supplied) can be expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22010/23]
View answerWritten answers
I can advise the Deputy that following full consideration by a Visa Officer, the visa application he refers to was refused. A letter issued to the applicant on the 8 May 2023 outlines the reasons for this refusal.An appeals process, which is free of charge, is available which allows applicants, in the event of a refusal of the application at first instance, to address the factors which gave rise to that decision. It is open to the applicant to appeal this decision, in writing, within two months of the date of the refusal. Appeals must be in written form and sent to the Visa Appeals Officer in the relevant Visa Office. Faxed or emailed appeals will not be considered.
All visa applicants are advised that the onus is on them to provide as much information in support of their application as they feel is necessary. Guidelines in this regard are posted on the Department's website. Applicants that meticulously follow these guidelines have an improved prospect of receiving a positive decision at first instance.
When making an appeal, the applicant should take into account the reasons for refusal listed in the refusal letter. The appeal should include any further information or additional documentation they wish to have considered, and should be sent for the attention of the Visa Appeals Officer, in the relevant Visa Office, where the matter will be considered afresh. You will find further details on the appeals process at the following link:www.irishimmigration.ie/appeal-a-negative-decision/.
Full consideration will be given to any appeal received on behalf of the applicant. However, the onus is on the applicant to satisfy the Visa Officer that a visa should be granted.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie) which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (144)
Michael Fitzmaurice
Question:144. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a Glas payment for 2022 will issue to a person (details supplied) given the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21898/23]
View answerWritten answers
The person named was approved to GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1st January 2017. GLAS payments have issued to this Herd for scheme years 2017 to 2021 inclusive.
Processing of the 2022 Advance payment for the person named is currently at an advanced stage. Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks and are approved for payment.
Animal Welfare
Questions (145)
Holly Cairns
Question:145. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to regulate the use of horses for drawing vehicles for commercial purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21915/23]
View answerWritten answers
The licensing of horse drawn carriages comes under the remit of the local authority concerned. Regulations for horse-drawn carriages for commercial purposes should be regulated by these local authorities. I am aware that this is the intention of the current draft primary legislation, the draft Horse-Drawn Carriages Bill, which falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Transport.
The welfare issues in respect of horses involved in horse drawn carriages continue to be carefully monitored by my Department and the relevant local authorities.
Agriculture Industry
Questions (146)
Holly Cairns
Question:146. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking examine the impact of Brexit on the Irish sheep sector and the resultant eligibility for sheep farmers to access support through the Brexit Adjustment Reserve fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21916/23]
View answerWritten answers
A vibrant sheep sector is an integral element of a balanced regional economy and I know that sheep farmers are committed to producing a world-class, safe and sustainable product.
Although there has been a solid and sustained increase in average sheep prices since the end of February, I recognise that sheep farmers are experiencing more difficult market conditions in 2023 compared to recent years. The Government has no role in determining commodity prices in the sheep sector. However, it is heartening to see that markets are now returning consistently better prices for farmers than at the start of the year.
According to my Department’s weekly Meat Market Report, the national average price for Irish sheep at the end of April (week 17) was over €7.31/kg and was similar to the levels prevailing during the corresponding periods in 2021 and 2022. The evidence in the two years immediately following the Brexit deal is that sheepmeat prices increased.
It should be noted that, to bolster the sustainability of sheep farming, my Department already provides significant support to the sector under the new CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), both through a new targeted scheme for sheep farmers - the Sheep Improvement Scheme which aims to improve sheep health and welfare - and through the broad range of schemes in the CSP.
My Department has received over 19,000 applications for the new Sheep Improvement Scheme, which has a 20 percent increase in the payment rate per ewe - from €10 to €12 - compared to the previous Sheep Welfare Scheme.
The CSP provides almost €10 billion in supports to farmers and rural communities over the period to 2027. Sheep farmers are eligible for several other CSP schemes, including the ACRES and Organics schemes, which are particularly suited to sheep enterprises or mixed beef and sheep enterprises, and which are likely to provide higher direct payments to sheep farmers this year.
I have secured places for all 46,000 farmers who joined ACRES which I am certain will also benefit many sheep farmers.
Furthermore, support for early-stage producer organisations, which will be introduced later this year, will strengthen the position of sheep farmers in the supply chain.
Additionally, over the last year I have supported livestock farmers in dealing with increased costs by introducing:
- a €56 million fodder incentive scheme;
- an innovative €8 million national liming programme to improve soil capacity and condition; and
- a €2.5m package for multi-species swards and red clover to reduce reliance on chemical fertilisers.
While market returns have reduced for sheep farmers, mainly because of increased input costs, Teagasc forecasts suggest that family farm income for specialised sheep farms in 2023 will be €19,500, a reduction of 2% on 2022. This reflects the important role which direct payments play in supporting sheep farm incomes.
The sheepmeat price data published by my Department does not provide conclusive evidence that the sector has suffered any persistent adverse impact since the UK's decision to withdraw from the EU - in fact, the overall price trend has been predominantly positive for primary producers during that period.
With regard to the current challenges facing the sector, I have requested my officials to closely monitor the sheep market situation over the coming months and the Government will continue to make every effort to support the sector.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (147)
Claire Kerrane
Question:147. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will increase the budget for the national liming programme to meet demand and ensure that farmers who applied in good faith do not lose out on the financial support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21992/23]
View answerWritten answers
There has been a phenomenal level of demand for the National Liming Programme with 4.5 million tonnes sought by almost 41,000 applicants. To put this in context, the annual tonnage of lime applied nationally in recent years has ranged from 700,000 tonnes to 1.4 million tonnes. This includes applications of lime on those farms ineligible for support under the Programme.
The level of interest in the Programme underlines clearly how engaged farmers have become in addressing soil fertility and reducing their chemical fertiliser usage. I very much welcome how farmers have engaged with this new Programme and the fact applications are well ahead of farming norms.
Based on a payment rate of €16 per tonne and an average application of 111 tonnes, the applications received would require a budget of €72 million, if all lime sought was to be grant aided. Provision of €8 million was made for the Programme as part of Budget 2023. In line with the Programme’s Terms and Conditions, there will be a need to limit approvals to stay within the allocated budget for the Programme.
We are currently carrying out checks to confirm each applicant's eligibility prior to issuing letters of approval. This will influence the level of aid that can be granted per applicant.
Every eligible applicant will receive a Letter of Approval in the coming weeks informing them the quantity of lime they are approved to receive aid on.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (148)
Neasa Hourigan
Question:148. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the oversight that is in place within his Department on the collection, distribution and operation of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund; the responsibility and future plans of his Department in the continuance of this fund within the annual budgetary cycle; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21315/23]
View answerWritten answers
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
The horse and greyhound racing industries receive financial support from the State through the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund, under Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001. The Fund is distributed in accordance with Section 12(6) of the Act, with 80% going to HRI and 20% to RCÉ.
In the period 2001 to 2022, a total of some €1.54 billion has been paid from the Fund to the horse and greyhound racing industries in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
The initial funding model for the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund provided that the Fund would each year be financed by an amount equal to the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting in the preceding year or the year 2000 increased by reference to the Consumer Price Index, whichever was greater (section 12(4) of the Act). This formula applied for the years 2001-2008.
The indexation formula was abandoned in 2009. The approach employed since then has been to decide on the amount to be provided to the Fund each year as part of the annual budgetary process. I have no plans to change this process.
My Department operates a number of procedures and processes to ensure that both HRI and RCÉ comply with the Code of Practice for Governance of State bodies 2016 (the Code) associated circulars and relevant legislation, including full consideration of financial statements, maintenance of communication at all levels, written oversight documentation and Ministerial appointments to the Board.
Agriculture Schemes
Questions (149)
Paul Kehoe
Question:149. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the 2023 horticultural grants will be opened for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22075/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector grant aids capital investments in specialised plant and equipment in the horticulture sector.
The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector is subject to EU Guidelines for State Aid in the Agricultural and Forestry Sector and in Rural Areas (Agricultural Guidelines). New Agricultural Guidelines came into force on 1st January 2023. As a result, the Department was required to notify the Scheme to the EU Commission under these new Agricultural Guidelines. We are currently awaiting approval from the EU Commission which has resulted in the delayed opening of the 2023 Scheme.
We are fully cognisant of the importance of this Scheme to the horticulture sector and will open the Scheme without delay as soon as approval is received.
Youth Services
Questions (150)
Patricia Ryan
Question:150. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he and his Department have to address the crisis in recruitment and high staff turnover in qualified professionals across a range of disciplines in the youth services sector due to salaries being frozen, and gaps of 20% with salaries available elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22118/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides grant funding to support a range of youth services which are delivered by voluntary youth organisations and carried out by both paid youth workers and volunteers.
My Department has no role in the setting of pay scales or other matters that belong properly to the individual employer. The youth workers and other staff involved in youth services are employed directly by the organisation in receipt of funding.
The grants are provided on an organisational and a 'provision of service' basis, in particular through the Youth Services Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres Scheme and the targeted scheme UBU Your Place Your Space. Each grant recipient organisation received a 4% increase in their 2023 allocation under these schemes.
Mother and Baby Homes
Questions (151)
Bernard Durkan
Question:151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will indicate the eligibility for redress/compensation as part of the mother-and-baby homes redress scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); if he will outline the procedure to apply for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21907/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will provide financial payments and health supports in the form of an enhanced medical card to eligible persons who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
The Payment Scheme is designed to be non-adversarial and will not require applicants to bring forward evidence of abuse or harm suffered. It will consist of a general payment rising based on time spent in one of the institutions, so that those who suffered most from the harsh institutional conditions will receive the highest level of payment. Under the Scheme proposals, currently being considered in the Oireachtas, any person who was resident as a child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution for a period of six months or more will be eligible for a financial payment and an enhanced medical card. It is not possible to comment on eligibility in individual cases in advance of the Scheme being open and an application assessed in full in accordance with all eligibility criteria.
Details about the Scheme are available at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme. In advance of being opened for applications, the Scheme will be advertised extensively both nationally and abroad and detailed information on how to apply for it will be made available as part of this publicity campaign.
I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I am focused on delivering it as soon as possible. The Payment Scheme Bill was passed by Dáil Éireann in February and has just completed second stage in the Seanad.
In parallel with the legislative process, work is well underway in my Department towards establishing the administrative structures necessary to deliver the Scheme. Subject to the legislation being enacted and these administrative structures being established, the Scheme will open for applications as soon as possible in 2023.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Questions (152)
Duncan Smith
Question:152. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of creche workers supervising children who do not hold qualifications; how many non-compliance issues relating to unqualified workers in creches have not been addressed through the Corrective and Preventative Action process by TUSLA to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21912/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
Residential Institutions
Questions (153, 163)
Holly Cairns
Question:153. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he has taken to appoint a special advocate for survivors of institutional abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21917/23]
View answer
Pa Daly
Question:163. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a timeline on the appointment of the special advocate for survivors of mother-and-baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22134/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 163 together.
In November 2022, Government approved proposals for the appointment of a Special Advocate for Survivors of Institutional Abuse. The Special Advocate will manage and facilitate consultation with survivors to identify and discuss issues of concern for them. Their primary role will be to represent the collective interests of those who suffered institutional trauma.
The remit of the Special Advocate will cover Industrial and Reformatory Schools, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, and the comparable experiences of those who were boarded out. This holistic approach recognises both the unique and shared elements of survivors’ experiences.
The Special Advocate will be operationally independent of my Department in their work, and will be supported by a dedicated secretariat and an Advisory Council of survivors.
A campaign to recruit the Special Advocate commenced through the Public Appointments Service in March and is ongoing at present.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (154)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:154. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm the total number of successful family reunifications facilitated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency during its operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21929/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.