Written Answers Nos. 998-1013
998. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of beds, in tabular form, in each unit, in each LHO, assigned for respite for children and families of those with additional needs; and the cost per centre and staff allocated per centre of respite, in tabular form. [27750/23]
View answerAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
999. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline on delivery of funding for a service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28262/23]
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.
1000. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many of the 22 neurologist speciality nurse positions that were announced have been filled to date; if he will list the areas that still have vacancies in these positions after funding being allocated to hire these nurses, in tabular form, by HSE region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28270/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
1001. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of HSE-run residential care homes for persons with mental health difficulties and an acquired brain injury in the State; how many beds are there in the State for such residential places for these vulnerable persons to support them, especially when care at home can no longer be provided as parents get older; what plans are there to increase these places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28278/23]
View answerAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
1002. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the crisis in the recruitment and retention of staff in Section 39-funded disability organisations, which is caused by a disparity in pay and conditions in Section 39-funded organisations compared to their HSE and Section 38 counterparts; if he agrees that a resolution for this issue needs to include a formal agreement to address the pay disparity of Section 39 organisations, a multi-annual, sustainable funding model for voluntary organisations and a review of the out-of-date Health Act 2004, which does not reflect the reality and essential nature of services provided by Section 39 organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28424/23]
View answerUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant for the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide.
I acknowledge the hugely important role section 39 organisations and their workers play in our health and social care services. They are essential in providing services to many families and vulnerable people in society. In 2022, the HSE provided in excess of €675m to Section 39 providers for Specialist Disability Services.
These organisations are privately owned and run. Their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. While they are private organisations, we recognise their sustainability, and ability to pay staff, is highly dependent on state funding.
I am aware that organisations funded under Section 39 are experiencing challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the caring and public facing professions across the State. The sustainability of the sector who deliver valuable services through their staff on our behalf is a concern for both the Department and the HSE. Similar considerations arise in respect of organisations funded by Tusla under Section 56 of Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and in other sectors across Government.
Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisation are private sector employees with no employment relationship with the HSE, Tusla or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October last year and we remain fully committed to the process.
On 17 April, officials from my Department, the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Health met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers. A follow up engagement took place at the WRC on 15 May. None of the organisations attending the exploratory talks is the employer of the staff in question. As this is an ongoing facilitated process I am limited in what I can say, however I want to see matters effectively and quickly resolved in the interests of services users and providers.
It is important to note that this is a broader cross-sectoral issue, so individual components cannot be dealt with in isolation.
Unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are made within the National Development Plan, the Estimates process for current expenditure allocates funding on an annual (single- year) basis and no formal mechanism currently exists to provide funding on a multi-annual basis to providers. However, I note a commitment by the Health Service Executive to seek to introduce this for disability funding within the HSE Corporate Plan 2021-24 and a discussion paper published by the Department of Public Expenditure in relation to the possible future introduction of multi-annual funding for other votes. In this regard, I am open to exploring avenues to consider how multi-annual funding might be introduced in the future for disability services.
My colleague the Minister for Health is the sponsor of the Health Acts, so the question of any review of the legislation is primarily a matter for him and his department.
In terms of ongoing engagement, I also want to highlight to role of the Dialogue Forum with Voluntary Organisations was established in 2019 by the then Minister for Health with the aim of building a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector for the benefit of patients and service users. The Forum facilitates regular dialogue with the voluntary sector on future policy and strategic developments. The Forum recently developed and agreed a set of Partnership Principles. These provide the foundation for the future relationship between the State and the voluntary sector and demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening this relationship. The Partnership Principles are available here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/fda1d7-dialogue-forum-with-voluntary-organisations/#key-forum-documents.
1003. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will seek an update from the HSE on much-needed plans to establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO8 area; if he will provide a timeline for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28455/23]
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.
1004. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can guarantee to a person (details supplied) that four home care hours will become four 'actual' hours rather than 'pending' hours prior to the end of this month. [28493/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1005. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address three specific matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) [28496/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1006. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the need and acknowledgement from the HSE that a population-based community neuro-rehabilitation team needs to be developed within CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28508/23]
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.
1007. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to address the recruitment and retention crisis in Section 39 disability organisations which is having a catastrophic impact on essential services (details supplied). [28512/23]
View answerUnder section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant for the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide.
I acknowledge the hugely important role section 39 organisations and their workers play in our health and social care services. They are essential in providing services to many families and vulnerable people in society. In 2022, the HSE provided in excess of €675m to Section 39 providers for Specialist Disability Services.
These organisations are privately owned and run. Their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. While they are private organisations, we recognise their sustainability, and ability to pay staff, is highly dependent on state funding.
I am aware that organisations funded under Section 39 are experiencing challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the caring and public facing professions across the State. The sustainability of the sector who deliver valuable services through their staff on our behalf is a concern for both the Department and the HSE. Similar considerations arise in respect of organisations funded by Tusla under Section 56 of Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and in other sectors across Government.
Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisation are private sector employees with no employment relationship with the HSE, Tusla or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October last year and we remain fully committed to the process.
On 17 April, officials from my Department, the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Health met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers. A follow up engagement took place at the WRC on 15 May. None of the organisations attending the exploratory talks is the employer of the staff in question. As this is an ongoing facilitated process I am limited in what I can say, however I want to see matters effectively and quickly resolved in the interests of services users and providers.
It is important to note that this is a broader cross-sectoral issue, so individual components cannot be dealt with in isolation.
Unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are made within the National Development Plan, the Estimates process for current expenditure allocates funding on an annual (single- year) basis and no formal mechanism currently exists to provide funding on a multi-annual basis to providers. However, I note a commitment by the Health Service Executive to seek to introduce this for disability funding within the HSE Corporate Plan 2021-24 and a discussion paper published by the Department of Public Expenditure in relation to the possible future introduction of multi-annual funding for other votes. In this regard, I am open to exploring avenues to consider how multi-annual funding might be introduced in the future for disability services.
My colleague the Minister for Health is the sponsor of the Health Acts, so the question of any review of the legislation is primarily a matter for him and his department.
In terms of ongoing engagement, I also want to highlight to role of the Dialogue Forum with Voluntary Organisations was established in 2019 by the then Minister for Health with the aim of building a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector for the benefit of patients and service users. The Forum facilitates regular dialogue with the voluntary sector on future policy and strategic developments. The Forum recently developed and agreed a set of Partnership Principles. These provide the foundation for the future relationship between the State and the voluntary sector and demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening this relationship. The Partnership Principles are available here - www.gov.ie/en/publication/fda1d7-dialogue-forum-with-voluntary-organisations/#key-forum-documents.
1008. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to queries raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28605/23]
View answerI am determined to improve services and supports for people with disabilities and their families. The Government’s strong commitment in this regard is clear from the Programme for Government. An Action Plan for Disability Services is being finalised to provide a strategic framework for building the necessary additional capacity and driving reforms across the different service areas in order to address the needs identified in the published Capacity Review.
Under section 39 of the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) provides financial assistance to organisations by means of a grant for the provision of services similar or supplementary to a service that the HSE may provide.
I acknowledge the hugely important role section 39 organisations and their workers play in our health and social care services. They are essential in providing services to many families and vulnerable people in society. In 2022, the HSE provided in excess of €675m to Section 39 providers for Specialist Disability Services.
These organisations are privately owned and run. Their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between private sector employers and their employees. While they are private organisations, we recognise their sustainability, and ability to pay staff, is highly dependent on state funding.
I am aware that organisations funded under Section 39 are experiencing challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the caring and public facing professions across the State. The sustainability of the sector who deliver valuable services through their staff on our behalf is a concern for both the Department and the HSE. Similar considerations arise in respect of organisations funded by Tusla under Section 56 of Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and in other sectors across Government.
Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisation are private sector employees with no employment relationship with the HSE, Tusla or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October last year and we remain fully committed to the process.
On 17 April, officials from my Department, the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Health met with union representatives under the auspices of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). This engagement sought to understand and explore the scope of the unions claim for pay rises for Community and Voluntary sector workers. A follow up engagement took place at the WRC on 15 May. None of the organisations attending the exploratory talks is the employer of the staff in question. As this is an ongoing facilitated process I am limited in what I can say, however I want to see matters effectively and quickly resolved in the interests of services users and providers.
It is important to note that this is a broader cross-sectoral issue, so individual components cannot be dealt with in isolation.
Unlike the position for capital expenditure, where multi-annual commitments are made within the National Development Plan, the Estimates process for current expenditure allocates funding on an annual (single- year) basis and no formal mechanism currently exists to provide funding on a multi-annual basis to providers. However, I note a commitment by the Health Service Executive to seek to introduce this for disability funding within the HSE Corporate Plan 2021-24 and a discussion paper published by the Department of Public Expenditure in relation to the possible future introduction of multi-annual funding for other votes. In this regard, I am open to exploring avenues to consider how multi-annual funding might be introduced in the future for disability services.
My colleague the Minister for Health is the sponsor of the Health Acts, so the question of any review of the legislation is primarily a matter for him and his department.
In terms of ongoing engagement, I also want to highlight to role of the Dialogue Forum with Voluntary Organisations was established in 2019 by the then Minister for Health with the aim of building a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector for the benefit of patients and service users. The Forum facilitates regular dialogue with the voluntary sector on future policy and strategic developments. The Forum recently developed and agreed a set of Partnership Principles. These provide the foundation for the future relationship between the State and the voluntary sector and demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening this relationship. The Partnership Principles are available here -www.gov.ie/en/publication/fda1d7-dialogue-forum-with-voluntary-organisations/#key-forum-documents.
1009. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on outstanding payments to an accommodation centre for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27055/23]
View answerMy Department is prioritising making more timely payments of valid invoices, including providing more resources to address any issues, and outsourcing of elements of the process to speed up processing and to respond to supplier calls.
Every effort is being made to pay businesses as promptly as possible in respect of Ukraine accommodation. The Deputy will be aware of the challenges involved given the scale of accommodation provision (now standing at 64,000 serviced and emergency accommodation beds provided).
With regard to the service provider referred to, I am advised by my officials that the outstanding invoices are currently being processed with payments expected to issue shortly, pending final checks.
My Department will continue to press on to eliminate the payments backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
1010. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) will receive appointments for speech and language and occupational therapy; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27056/23]
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.
1011. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many young adults with an intellectual disability on the south side of Dublin are on the wait list for day services. [27084/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1012. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the progress that is being made on his previously stated confirmation in February 2021, as to the development of a modern multidisciplinary centre, inclusive of providing early intervention and respite, for children with additional needs in the Waterford area and as a replacement for a current HSE facility at the Sacred Heart Centre, Lady Lane, Waterford. [27085/23]
View answerAs the queries relate to service matters, I am referring them to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
1013. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost to undertake the external expert report 'Towards a new governance framework for children and youth policies in Ireland'; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27087/23]
View answerThe report mentioned in the Deputy's question, "Towards a new governance framework for children and youth policies in Ireland", is being funded by the European Commission (DG REFORM) under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI). The TSI is an EU programme that provides tailor-made technical expertise to EU Member States to design and to implement reforms at the national level.
As the Deputy is aware, "Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures", the first national framework for children and young people expired in 2020. The new policy framework for children and young people (0-24) is expected to be published this year, covering the period 2023-2028.
This TSI project is focused on the successful and coherent implementation of the European Child Guarantee and the new policy framework for children and young people, and assist in determining and developing the optimum governance structures and practices to improve interagency cooperation.
This work follows my Department's successful application for technical support under TSI for 2022. Under TSI, the Commission can identify and appoint external consultants to provide technical support to a Member State. In this instance the Commission has appointed the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), following engagement and consultation with DCEDIY.
There is no cost to Ireland for the project, and we are very grateful to be benefitting from the knowledge and experience of the project team.
There has been extensive engagement and consultation across relevant Government Departments with the OECD on the report, with the OECD paying a number of study visits to Ireland - the most recent one being last week. It is expected that the final report will be published in March 2024 and I look forward to reading the findings.
