Written Answers Nos. 415-422
415. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the pathways available to families of children requiring needs assessments to secure private assessments funded by the State in the absence of the availability of timely assessments in the public system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23816/23]
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.
416. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on his plans to address the prevalence and use of non-disclosure agreements in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23679/23]
View answerThe ongoing review of the Equality Acts is examining the use of non-disclosure agreements by employers in cases of sexual harassment and discrimination. The Review is also considering issues that were raised in the Private Member's Bill, the Employment Equality (Amendment) (Non-Disclosure Agreement) Bill 2021, along with the recommendations detailed in the report on the prevalence and use of non-disclosure agreements in discrimination and sexual harassment disputes, that was carried out by my Department.
The Department invited written submissions to a public consultation on the review of the equality legislation in 2021 and these submissions have been analysed by officials in my Department. A report outlining the findings of the public consultation will be published in the coming weeks.
Legislative proposals arising from the review of the Equality Acts will be brought forward later this year. The proposals advanced will be dependent on the issues raised in the consultation process as well as on further research.
417. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the situation whereby a number of tents have been erected in close proximity to the International Protection Office in Dublin city centre, the impact on local residents, the controversies which have already occurred there between different groups; if those persons can be accommodated adequately elsewhere; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23724/23]
View answerThe violence directed towards vulnerable people in Dublin city centre this weekend was deeply disturbing. There can be no excuse for such sinister intimidation.
I have spoken to Minister Harris and the local Gardaí about the incidents.
The Department is continuing to engage with providers on new accommodation and a number of repurposed buildings will shortly be brought into use as adult male accommodation.
It is hoped that two properties will come into use this week, pending finalisation of fire certification matters with the relevant authorities. These will accommodate a significant number of those currently unaccommodated resulting in a reduction of the numbers of people currently unaccommodated.
418. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 11 May 2023, if he will provide the practical implications for the operation of the Houses of the Oireachtas arising from the introduction of maternity leave for Members; and the actions he has taken to date to address these concerns. [23744/23]
View answerThe Government is very committed to ensuring that Members of the Oireachtas can avail of maternity leave and I have indicated my intention to bring forward legislative proposals as a stand-alone Bill.
However, before legislative proposals can be brought forward, any practical concerns for the operation of the Oireachtas arising from the introduction of such leave must be addressed.
The operation of the Houses of the Oireachtas in the first instance is a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and my officials are engaged with the relevant officials on the practical implications of introducing maternity leave.
419. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 532 and 533 of 9 May 2023, if he can detail the steps his Department takes in cases where a service provider has beached the terms of the core funding agreement; If a company (details supplied) has broken the terms of core funding by imposing a charge on parents for afterschool/out-of-term services, regardless of whether parents use this service and by making payment of this charge a condition of the continued use of the regular service, where previously parents who did not avail of out-of-term afterschool hours were not charged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23771/23]
View answerCore Funding is a payment to Partner Services designed to support quality, sustainability, and enhanced public management, with associated conditions in relation to fee control and cost transparency, incorporating funding for administration and to support the employment of graduate staff.
Partner Services must uphold their contractual obligations regarding their fees charged to parents/guardians as laid out in the Core Funding Partner-Service Funding Agreement
Where an individual identifies a case of a potential breach of Core Funding fee rules by a Partner Service, they may seek to have this examined and a conclusion reached through the Core Funding Fee Review process. This is the appropriate mechanism to determine such cases as those the Deputy raises.
Further details on the Fee Review process can be found here: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Together-for-Better-Guidelines-on-Fee-Management.pdf
As per my response to Parliamentary Question Nos. 532 and 533 of 9 May 2023, a Partner Service may create a new Service Type and must ensure that the fee for any new Service Type will be calculated as not more than a proportion of the closest equivalent fee extant on September 30th 2021 which, all other things being equal, would apply to the eligible child.
Where a Partner Service increases the level of service offered, a higher fee can be charged for this, but the higher fee must be in direct proportion to the increase. For example, an increase in full-day care from 40 hours/week to 50 hours/week represents an increase of 25%. A higher fee can be charged for this but it cannot exceed 25% more than the previous fee that was charged to parents as of 30 September 2021. Similarly, an increase in weeks from a 38 week offering to a 52 week offering must be charged proportionately.
I would encourage any parent or person with concerns or questions about fees and/or to initiate a Fee Review process to contact their local CCC for support and guidance, contact details available here: My CCC .
420. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline he is working towards for providing enhanced medical cards to mother-and-baby-home survivors; if this will be commenced immediately after the legislation is signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23803/23]
View answerI 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 the Scheme as soon as possible. The legislation for the Payment Scheme was passed by Dáil Éireann in February and commenced Committee Stage in the Seanad on 16th May.
The other important element to allow for the opening of the Scheme is the establishment of an independent Executive Office to administer it. Intensive preparatory work is underway in my Department to establish this Office. Subject to the legislation being passed and enacted, and the administrative structures being established, the Scheme will open for applications - for both financial payments and enhanced medical cards - as soon as possible in 2023.
421. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if discussions are expected to provide more services for disadvantaged children in Limerick city and county. [23820/23]
View answerWe are deferring this PQ as we are awaiting clarifications from your office that are required in order for officials in my Department to prepare a response.
422. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the case of a child (details supplied) who has been diagnosed with autism and was referred to the Children's Disability Network Team on the Armagh Road in July 2021 and has received no support from the CDNT; when he will receive an assessment of need; if he will provide guidelines and support for parents and guardians whose children underwent PTA or are awaiting an assessment of need; his views on the current understaffing at the Children's Disability Network Team on Armagh Road; and the plans he has to address it. [23890/23]
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.
