Written Answers Nos. 301-320
301. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children waiting for initial contact with each children's disability network team nationwide and in County Mayo; the total number that have been waiting for more than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26965/23]
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.
302. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a full response will issue to correspondence from this Deputy (details supplied) sent in March 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26971/23]
View answer
303. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date in developing new accommodation and services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27033/23]
View answerAs this PQ refers to matters on service delivery , I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
304. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a strategy is being developed to provide respite places for families caring for people with special needs, such as those within an organisation (details supplied) in north Dublin; if there are initiatives to ensure that such resources do not get removed to meet emergency situations which often arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27036/23]
View answerAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
305. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the current status of respite services at Mulcahy House in Gorey, County Wexford; the discussions he has had with regard to the re-opening of the respite service at Mulcahy House; the expected date for its re-opening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26758/23]
View answerAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any plans in place to support mothers with newborns who wish to defer their maternity leave if they need to start cancer treatment following on from giving birth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26759/23]
View answerThe Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which will be extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.The Acts include provisions for the postponement of maternity leave in the event of the hospitalisation of the child and for the termination of additional unpaid maternity leave in the event of illness of the mother.All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children. I have asked my officials to examine the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society regarding the deferral of maternity leave where a mother falls ill during this period and this work is ongoing.
307. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the respite services available for people with an intellectual disability in Gorey, County Wexford, following the closure of the respite house in St. Aidan's, Gorey, County Wexford; the measures being taken to ensure that an adequate replacement is sourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26773/23]
View answerAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
308. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment for speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26775/23]
View answer309. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment for occupational therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26776/23]
View answer310. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment for physiotherapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26777/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 308 to 310, inclusive, together.
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
311. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment with the children's disability network team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26779/23]
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.
312. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, given the vulnerability of domestic violence victims, domestic violence leave will be paid in full, at 100% of the person's normal rate of pay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26786/23]
View answer322. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the domestic violence leave regulations provided for in the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 to prescribe the daily rate of domestic violence leave pay; and if he will clarify that the prescribed rate of pay will not involve a reduction in the rate of pay for victims of domestic violence as previously committed to. [27007/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 312 and 322 together.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, which was recently signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins, includes provisions which will introduce 5 days paid domestic violence leave in a 12-month period. Ireland has become one of the first countries in European to introduce a right to such leave.
The level of pay for the leave will be set out by regulations, and these regulations will be prepared in the coming months to allow for the commencement of the domestic violence leave provisions. In preparing these regulations, I have invited views from domestic violence victim support organisations, employers, and social partners, as they provide a crucial perspective on how family leaves could and should operate in practice. I am acutely aware of the need to support employees in taking up this leave, and this will be a fundamental consideration in developing the regulations.
The introduction of domestic violence leave is an important achievement and a key commitment that was set out in the 2020 Programme for Government. It is hoped that it will make a meaningful difference for victims of domestic violence in all its forms, and will provide the support that victims need to stay in employment and to ensure their own safety and the safety of their loved ones.
313. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review a case whereby a child (details supplied) has been recommended to participate in another year of ECCE, but falls outside the allocated timeframe, given their age; if he will engage with the family and the Montessori school in relation to this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26813/23]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides universal, free pre-school to children in the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months.
The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for ECCE was set in consultation with the Department of Education and ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers.
In a limited number of circumstances, it is possible to apply for an exemption to the upper age limit of 5 years 6 months for finishing ECCE.
Current policy requires that any request for an overage exemption from ECCE eligibility must be supported by a letter from a medical specialist/social worker, not a GP/PHN, specifically recommending why an ECCE service would meet the child’s specific needs in a more appropriate way than a primary school.
This requirement is not intended to undermine the view of a parent/teacher or other professional in relation to the child’s needs but, rather, to maintain a clear and standard basis for applying exemptions.
Examples of accepted specialist/medical recommendations are as follows:· Speech and Language Therapist· Occupational Therapist· Senior Psychologist· Physiotherapist· Paediatrician/developmental Neurologist· Psychiatrist· Psychotherapist· Cardiologist· Oncologist· Ophthalmologist· Otolaryngologist (ENT specialist)· Gastroenterologist· Social Worker/Early Intervention Team
This is not an exhaustive list, however it provides an example of what is accepted.
If the parents of the child referred to can provide a letter of recommendation from one of the professionals listed above, my Department can begin to process her application as soon as it is received.
Applications for an overage exemption must be made by the parents and can be sent directly to my Department via email to eyqueries@equality.gov.ie. Applications cannot be considered without this documentation.
314. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the childcare centre project run by the family resource centre at St. Michael's Estate in Dublin 8, which previously had a special status and related funding, had that status removed, resulting in the centre struggling to remain open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26824/23]
View answer315. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that funding for the national childcare scheme is not enough to fund the afterschool element of childcare facilities such as the family resource centre at St. Michael's Estate in Dublin 8, which caters for children coming from seriously disadvantaged and marginalised family backgrounds; and if it is intended to raise the grant-aid to reflect the costs, overheads, and so on of today. [26825/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 314 and 315 together.
The service to which the Deputy refers had previously availed of funding through the Special Category of the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme. Following a review of this programme in 2018, it was determined that a number of services no longer fell under the Specials category as they had either equalled or exceeded their funding allocation through the regular funding streams. Furthermore, they had not requested this Specials funding support for a number of years. This services was one of those no longer deemed eligible for this particular strand of funding.
The service is receiving early learning and childcare funding through other schemes, including through Core Funding, the new grant funding to support services with their operating costs such as staff costs, overheads etc. It should be noted the service can also avail of alternative supports through the Case Management process.
As part of this process, local City and County Childcare Committee (CCC’s) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to ELC and SAC services experiencing difficulties. This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. In some instances, financial supports may be deemed appropriate in tandem with the case management process.
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. As with previous strands of the Sustainability Fund, it focuses on the provision of operational as well as short term financial supports where appropriate, and will assist services in managing their immediate financial difficulties, providing advice to support their long term sustainability, while transitioning to a more sustainable model of service delivery.
In terms of supporting families, the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a subsidy provided to help parents to meet the cost of childcare and allow children to access Early Learning and School Age Childcare. The NCS is not designed to provide grant aid for the cost of provision for early learning and school age childcare settings.
In most instances the overall quantum of funding is not changed by the NCS rates, but rather the respective proportions contributed by the parent and state through three separate subsidies:
• Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €1.40 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
• Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on individual family circumstances.
• The Sponsorship subsidy available under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) makes special provision for vulnerable children. The sponsorship subsidy allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme where childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a child is approved for a sponsor subsidy the Department will fund their childcare place entirely without any cost to the parent.
If any service has viability concerns, I would encourage them to reach out to their local CCC to start availing of supports through the aforementioned case management process.
316. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many social workers are employed by Tusla in children in care teams; how many social care workers are employed by Tusla in children in care teams; how many unfilled positions for social workers there are in children in care teams; and how many unfilled positions for social care workers in children in care teams, broken down by CHO area. [26831/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
317. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Ukrainians who are accommodated in hotels are allowed to have people visit them in their accommodation; if there are rules around such provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26835/23]
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 extensively as part of the cross-governmental response to assist over 83,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, of which 61,000 have sought accommodation from this Department.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 47,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 770 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the war in safe and secure accommodation.
My Department enters into contracts with commercial accommodation providers for the purposes of the provision of temporary accommodation for those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Contracts do contain obligations for the accommodation provider in relation to access for State agencies and NGOs in the context of the State’s emergency response, but these obligations do not extend to policy about visitors in general. Outside of what is specified under the terms of the contract, access to a commercial premises is a matter for the provider.
318. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26859/23]
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.
319. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how long an assessment for a child (details supplied) will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26892/23]
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.
320. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of submissions that have been received to his Department's consultation on the Referendums on Family, Care and Equality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26895/23]
View answerOn 8 March 2023 the Government announced the intention to hold a referendum on gender equality as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. It is envisaged that the referendum will take place in November of this year.My Department has convened an Interdepartmental Committee, involving all Government Departments, to develop policy recommendations on the wording of the proposed referendums for consideration, decision and approval by Government.As part of its work, the IDC invited submissions from interested parties and approximately 1,850 were received. My Department is continuing to carry out a detailed analysis of these submissions.
