Alan Farrell
Question:622. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting their AON in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26316/23]
View answerDisabilities Assessments
Questions (622)
Written answers
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (623)
Alan Farrell
Question:623. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting their initial appointment with the CDNT in CHO 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26317/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Questions (624)
Sorca Clarke
Question:624. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE speech and language therapists in the children's disability network teams in County Westmeath that are currently vacant, in tabular form; and when these vacancies are expected to be filled. [26346/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
International Protection
Questions (625)
Sorca Clarke
Question:625. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the inspections, per county, conducted by his Department on sites being utilised for those seeking international protection in this country in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26353/23]
View answerWritten answers
At present, all IPAS permanent accommodation centres are subject to three unannounced inspections per year. In 2022, inspections were carried out in each centre by an independent inspections company (QTS Ltd) and one by officials of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).
The third round of inspections were delayed as the usual mid-year round of inspections had been delayed due to the Department’s response to the Ukraine crisis.
In 2022, all IPAS centres with the exception of 2 permanent centres had 2 inspections carried out. 5 centres had 3 inspections carried out.
Further details of inspections are available on the Government website gov.ie - IPAS Inspection Reports (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/
Please see in tabular format, the number of inspections that have taken place of IPAS accommodation in the years 2022 and 2023, thus far.
|
County |
Inspections carried out |
|
|
2022 |
2023 |
|
|
Clare |
6 |
0 |
|
Cork |
13 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
0 |
|
Dublin |
5 |
2 |
|
Galway |
9 |
0 |
|
Kerry |
12 |
0 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
0 |
|
Laois |
6 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
4 |
0 |
|
Longford |
3 |
0 |
|
Louth |
2 |
0 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
0 |
|
Meath |
1 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
0 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
0 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
0 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
0 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
0 |
|
Waterford |
12 |
0 |
|
Westmeath |
4 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
0 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
0 |
|
Total |
105 |
2 |
International Protection
Questions (626)
James O'Connor
Question:626. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Government will consider a vastly enhanced community funding programme to support communities hosting refugees and people in direct provision services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26376/23]
View answerWritten answers
My department already administers several funding programmes to support NGOs and communities hosting migrants. These funding programmes include the:
- Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund
- Communities Integration Fund
- International Protection Integration Fund
- National Integration Fund
Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund
Ireland's national programme for the 2021-2027 Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) was adopted by the EU Commission on 19 December 2022. Under Ireland’s national programme, it is intended to provide a range of supports for refugees, asylum seekers and third-country nationals arriving in Ireland, ranging from information and assistance with basic needs through to specialist supports in areas such as medical/psychosocial and legal assistance; to delegate and oversee activities via Direct Awards to specialised bodies; and to fund the management of returns of third country nationals to their country of origin, where appropriate. Implementation of the 2021-2027 AMIF national programme will commence in Q3 2023.
Communities Integration Fund
The purpose of the Communities Integration Fund (CIF) is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants.
Each year, a total of €500,000 is available to local community-based organisations to carry out integration projects in their local areas. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, sports clubs, faith-based groups, arts groups, cultural organisations, and schools. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.
The CIF has been in place since 2017 and arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees. Since its inception, the CIF has supported over 820 projects, with grant funding totalling €3.82 million.
International Protection Integration Fund
The purpose of the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of International Protection applicants (IPAs).
Annually a total of €500,000 is made available to community-based organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, provincial or local level. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, charities, faith-based groups, and cultural organisations. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.
The IPIF supports chapter 5.2.2 of the commitments within A White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. In the white paper, the Government committed to developing a community integration fund for International Protection applicants. A total budget of €5 million was established, with an annual allocation of €500,000 to be paid out over the course of the project.
National Integration Fund
The purpose of the National Integration Fund (NIF) is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants at a national or regional level.
Approximately €750,000 is committed per year, subject to the availability of funds in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth vote. This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and projects rolled out over a maximum of three years. Projects must take an inclusive approach, aiming to bring migrants and host communities together.
The NIF 2023 open call for proposals will be launched in Q4 2023. The minimum annual grant amount that can be applied for will be €25,000, and grants may range up to €200,000 over the lifetime of the project. The NIF arises from Action 6 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to promote positive action initiatives to address areas where migrants find it difficult to avail of opportunities on an equal basis with other members of Irish society.
I am currently working to establish other funds to support communities hosting international protection applicants, conscious of the needs that can arise when new centres are being opened.
International Protection
Questions (627)
Bernard Durkan
Question:627. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to ensure that adequate provision is being made available throughout the country for refugees, Ukrainians or applicants of the International Protection Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26381/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is now accommodating over 84,875 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants (IPAs). This compares with over 8,575 at the end of February 2022.
Since the beginning of January 2022, the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) have brought 148 emergency accommodation locations into use in 23 counties. All offers of accommodation received have been considered.
IPPS continues to evaluate all offers of accommodation made to it as quickly as possible and welcomes offers from providers who will accommodate IPAs.
There is no delay from the Department in regard to its evaluation of offers and proposals are being appraised and agreed at a rapid pace.
My Department is availing of office buildings, decommissioned Defence Forces barracks and tents to try to address the shortfall it currently faces where demand for accommodation outstrips supply.
My Department is continuing to engage with providers of new accommodation. A number of repurposed buildings will shortly be brought into use as adult male accommodation.
In addition, the Department is progressing with a plan to deliver capacity through ‘floating accommodation’. And is expected to publish a Request for Tender on eTenders shortly. It is envisaged that circa 1,500 bed spaces will be created from this accommodation type.
Accommodation has been acquired under the White Paper model and a funding scheme to support approved housing bodies to source White Paper related accommodation will be launched shortly. Work is also ongoing to purchase turnkey larger reception centres under the White Paper model. Work is also being undertaken to use rapid build technologies to develop larger reception centres under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group which has a mandate to devise accommodation solutions for international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection.
In terms of the Ukraine crisis, in excess of 770 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Contracted accommodation capacity at present comes to approximately 47,000 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
Efforts to secure additional accommodation include the continued matching of pledge offers. Since March 2022, my Department in collaboration with the Irish Red Cross and the Implementing partners has contributed to ensuring as many appropriate pledge offers as possible have been activated. To date, over 7,300 beneficiaries of temporary protection have been accommodated in over 3,200 properties. The Irish Red Cross has resumed ownership of the pledge process in 2023 with the objective of advancing matches to the greatest extent possible.
My Department continues to engage with sporting organisations and other bodies to bring any other venues or other suitable buildings on stream to house those fleeing the war in Ukraine. My Department is also working as a member of the Senior Officials Accommodation Working Group set up by the Department of An Taoiseach and including the Department of Housing to advance certain refurbished properties in a timely manner. The unoccupied homes campaign is also coordinated by Local Authorities and as of 24 May, over 3000 beneficiaries of temporary protection have been accommodated under the Offer a Home Scheme.
My Department is also collaborating with the OPW in implementing the rapid build homes programme to house BOTP's. The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The rapid build homes will be constructed on state owned land. After a programme of engagement with local representatives and local authorities, work has begun on the first phase of sites. Further sites will come on stream in the coming weeks following the completion of suitability assessment work. My Department is working with other Departments and agencies (D/Health, D/Education, HSE) to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place.
Child Protection
Questions (628)
Bernard Durkan
Question:628. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the needs of children, in the home, in care, or any other situations where the voice of the child needs to be heard or specific action needs to be taken medically or psychologically, with a view to ensuring that not only is the voice of the child being heard but is seen to be heard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26382/23]
View answerWritten answers
Statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Tusla has a role in referring children to external services such as medical or psychological services which are deemed necessary through assessment of needs. These services are not provided by Tusla and Tusla does not have governance of service provision in health care, whether in an acute or a community setting.
Children First, National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children sets out the steps which should be taken to ensure that the child or young person is protected from harm.
If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website.
At the end of January 2023, the most recent period for which figures are available, there were 22,418 cases open to social work nationwide. This figure includes cases at all stages from referral and assessment, children listed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) and children in alternative care. The CPNS is a securely held national list that records the names of children who have been identified as being at ongoing risk of significant harm and are, or have been, subject to a Child Protection Plan agreed at a Child Protection Conference.
70% of open cases were allocated to a named social worker. Other cases received a service from dedicated duty teams or rotating social workers on a duty roster.
The placements of children in alternative care, both foster care and residential care, are subject to the Placement of Children in Care Regulations 1995, the National Standards for Foster Care 2003 and the National Standards for Children's Residential Services 2018. Adherence to foster care standards is monitored by HIQA and inspection reports are published on HIQA's website. Adherence to residential care standards is monitored by both HIQA (in the case of Tusla operated centres) and Tusla (in the case of private and voluntary operated centres). All national standards require that the voice of the child is heard throughout the period they receive a service from Tusla.
Below is an example of Residential Care standards which relate to the child’s voice being heard. These include but are not limited to:
1.3 - Each child exercises choice, has access to an advocacy service and is enabled to participate in making informed decisions about their care.
1.6 - Each child is listened to and complaints are acted upon in a timely, supportive and effective manner.
4.2 - Each child is supported to meet any identified health and development needs.
Child Protection
Questions (629)
Bernard Durkan
Question:629. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of cases of child neglect brought to the attention of his Department over the past three years; the extent to which a necessary follow-up took place as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26383/23]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. If I, or my officials, become aware of a situation in which a child is considered to be at risk, that concern is communicated to Tusla as a matter of urgency.
The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Disability Services
Questions (630)
Bernard Durkan
Question:630. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which children with special needs continue to receive the support of Tusla in all situations where required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26385/23]
View answerWritten answers
I must assume that the Deputy is referring to a situation where a child in the care of Tusla may have additional needs.
The thresholds for taking a child in to care are set out in the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. The thresholds are based on the risk that the child may not receive adequate care or protection unless they are taken into care, and do not explicitly reference any additional needs of the child.
Tusla in discharging its statutory responsibilities under the Child Care Acts must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. On coming into care, an assessment of the child's needs will be carried out where required, and will include, as appropriate, any additional needs. The child's care plan will then reference the support to be provided to the child to meet the child's needs
Tusla actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards or Regulations are addressed in this context.
Rights of the Child
Questions (631)
Bernard Durkan
Question:631. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to monitor the needs of children who are refugees or in the Traveller community or who have special issues, and who, if they are not attended to, may not be in a position to take their rightful place in society in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26387/23]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is preparing a new policy framework for children and young people (0-24), covering the period 2023-2028 for publication in the coming months. This framework is adopting a rights-based approach, focused on realising the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
While the framework will work towards realising the rights of all children and young people, I am mindful that there are groups of children and young people with vulnerabilities which need to be specifically addressed. In drafting the framework, my Department has taken into account recent data and evidence on the needs of vulnerable groups of children, as well as the findings of consultations with children and young people from affected groups, and working across Government to ensure their vulnerabilities are addressed to the greatest possible extent.
The framework includes a number of high level systemic actions to ensure that children and young people are a central consideration in all decision making. These actions are largely based on the UNCRC General Measures of Implementation, including the further development of reliable data, disaggregated to enable identification of discrimination and/or disparities in the realisation of rights.
This will build on existing work which includes Growing Up in Ireland, the national longitudinal study of children, which aims to inform Government policy relating to children, young people and their families. A key objective of the study is the identification of sources of inequality across all aspects of child development; this includes inequalities relating to gender, family structure, socio-economic status, and other socio-demographic indicators (including membership of minority groups). Across 11 waves of data collection from around 20,000 young people and their families (with extensive plans for increased data collection and a new birth cohort in the coming years), the study has repeatedly highlighted inequalities in terms of education, physical and mental well-being, and economic engagement (amongst other outcomes of child development). The study has and will continue to act as a key source of robust, reliable and contemporary information on the nature and extent of inequalities experienced by children and young people in Ireland today.
In line with a commitment in First 5, and informed by recommendations in Partnership for the Public Good, officials in my Department are currently developing a tailored policy response in order to progress the development of a new strand of funding - Tackling Disadvantage: the Equal Participation Model.
Through this work, services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.
I January 2022 I launched a research and data project examining the lives of children in care and adults who were in care as children project led by my Department in collaboration with Tusla as a key partner. The Project will provide a wealth of new information and data concerning all children in care, which will be used to inform policy and service development.
My Department is also working in collaboration with Tusla and the CSO on a project, which will link children in care data with school enrolment, attendance and attainment data for the first time in Ireland. Having a greater insight and empirical data on how this cohort of children and young people are getting on in their education will provide important insights to inform policy and service development.
In relation specifically to Traveller and Roma children, the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) provides a framework for action on Traveller and Roma issues and represents a whole-of-Government approach, bringing together Government agencies, Departments, members of the Traveller and Roma communities and the NGOs that work with them.
Moreover, the Traveller and Roma Care Project aims is to increase the number of Traveller and Roma foster carers available to provide a culturally appropriate foster care placement for children from the Traveller and Roma communities. The aim is to recruit a pool of general foster carers for Traveller and Roma children and to encourage social worker to look at relative care when a child from either community is taken into care.
My Department has also provided funding annually to the Tusla Traveller Parent Supports Pilot Programme since 2020. €199,050 was allocated to this programme in 2023. This funding has been provided through the What Works initiative, which is funded through the Dormant Accounts Fund. Officials within my Department work closely with Tusla’s National Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Team to realise the goals of this project.
In relation specifically to refugees, a key element of the International Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) whole of government’ approach to integration begins with resettlement in the community. Tusla also takes special measures to recruit specialised foster carers to offer suitable placements to separated children seeking international protection (SCSIP) in Ireland.
The integration of programme refugees is supported through the provision of access to mainstream State services. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth funds local resettlement support teams by way of grants to local authorities. Each Support Teams consist of a Resettlement Support Worker with social care and integration experience, and an Arabic-speaking Intercultural Support Worker.
Direct Provision System
Questions (632)
Bernard Durkan
Question:632. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of direct provision centres currently available and inhabited throughout the country; the extent to which he and his Department continue to endeavour to meet the needs of those for whom such centres were provided initially; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26388/23]
View answerWritten answers
Please see, in tabular format, the accommodation types and current occupancy of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres as of 21 May 2023.
|
Accommodation Types |
Number of Centres |
Total Occupancy |
Of Whom Children |
|
Accommodation Types |
Number of Centres |
Total Occupancy |
Of Whom Children |
|
IPAS Accommodation Centres |
48 |
6,894 |
2,087 |
|
Emergency Accommodation Centres |
148 |
12,526 |
2335 |
|
National Reception Centre |
1 |
436 |
45 |
|
City West Transit Hub |
1 |
690 |
0 |
|
Temporary Tented Accommodation |
2 |
102 |
0 |
|
Total |
200 |
20,648 |
4,467 |
My Department is responsible for providing accommodation and services to international protection applicants (IPAs) while their application for international protection is being assessed. In addition to accommodation, IPAs are provided with three meals per day in their accommodation centre.
They are also entitled to a Daily Expense Allowance that is paid at the rate of €38.80 per adult per week or €29.80 per dependant child per week.
Other State services for IPAs are mainstreamed, and applicants access them through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens. Health service referrals, including referrals to disability and mental health services, are made through primary care, GP referral and emergency services. Education is also fully mainstreamed, and children have the same access to educational supports as Irish nationals.
International Protection
Questions (633)
Bernard Durkan
Question:633. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department have identified vacant buildings throughout the country which might be used for asylum seekers or refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26389/23]
View answerWritten answers
In March 2022, the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) was tasked with identifying multi-unit vacant properties (both privately and state owned) that may be suitable and available as accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine, and worked closely with Local Authorities and other state organisations and Departments throughout this process.
More recently in an effort to streamline the process, particularly for private owned properties, a more central registration system has been developed. Buildings that are in need of refurbishment are now submitted through DCEDIY's Offers of Commercial Accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine.
The Department of the Taoiseach has established the Accommodation Working Group, to consider potential strands of accommodation offers for BOTPs and applicants for International Protection, and to determine a process for deciding on projects involving the refurbishment of buildings.
These decisions are made by a Technical Working Group (TWG) working under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group. Membership of the TWG includes DHLGH, DCEDIY, the Department of the Taoiseach, the Office of Public Works, the Local Government Management Agency and the City and County Management Association.
Separately, the International Protection Accommodation Service works with contractors to repurpose vacant buildings for use in accommodating International Protection applicants. A number of such projects are currently in development.
Mental Health Policy
Questions (634)
Mark Ward
Question:634. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will report on workforce planning for the mental health care sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26034/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.