Written Answers Nos. 489-505
490. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the long-standing arrangement remains that the national FRC programme budget is a distinct budget within the Tusla Vote, with appropriate Departmental oversight, aligned to the unique policy orientation of the programme as a national community development and social inclusion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32179/23]
View answer491. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department retains oversight of the national FRC programme budget and its unique policy purpose, whilst devolving the operational administration of the programme to Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32180/23]
View answer492. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a shared understanding between his Department and Tusla in respect of the difference between the national FRC programme budget inherited by Tusla from the former Family Support Agency versus additional funding Tusla may allocate to FRCs for specified service provision aligned to the statutory objectives of Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32181/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 490, 491 and 492 together.
On 01 January 2014, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, was established as an independent body to improve wellbeing and outcomes for children and to support families Tusla has other objectives and functions in addition to those.
As Minister, I retain oversight of the budget of Tusla. One of Tusla's many competing priorities is the management of the Family Resource Centre Programme. Tusla Commissioning develops the administration and operational processes for that programme and is responsible for the dissemination of the related funding.
The Family Resource Centre Programme currently provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme. Funding to the program in 2018 was approximately €17.5 million. It has risen to over €21 million in 2023.
In 2014, the Family Resource Centre Programme was incorporated into Tusla. Previous to that, the core budget for FRCs came from the Family Support Agency which ceased to exist in 2014.
The funding from my Department represents only a portion of the total funding available to Family Resource Centres. Family Resource Centres draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments and agencies. Tusla National Office may receive additional once-off funding from DCEDIY for example Dormant Account Funding for the Family Resource Centres. The allocation of funding to services is an operational matter for Tusla.
Independent of the Programme, Tusla Local Offices may also award different amounts of funding to individual Family Resource Centres to carry out specific pieces of work. Tusla Commissioning sign a yearly contract with each Family Resource Centre. A Schedule of Service which outlines the work to be carried out for each specific piece of funding must be completed and uploaded to the Tusla Portal which then once reviewed will be accepted by Tusla Commissioning. A monitoring and review meeting is carried out to ensure governance and compliance also to offer support and information.
Family Resource Centres are a national cross-agency programme. They are independent limited companies who offer community-based family support in defined catchment areas. Family Resource Centres promote participation, equality, awareness raising, early intervention, strengths, and advocacy across a range of issues for people and on behalf of people.
A spending review of Tusla-funded family support services is ongoing. A summary of the review was published in December 2022 and two detailed chapters are expected in the near future. This review will help inform future priorities for investment in such family support services.
I will continue to engage with Tusla, and Family Resource Centres on the key issues of their funding and sustainability of the valuable services they provide to our communities. I will consider Tusla's provision of family support services in the Performance Framework for Tusla for the period 2024-2026. The Performance Framework allows me to set prioritisation parameters for Tusla over a three year period and ensures Tusla are aligned with the strategic direction I have set for them.
In the meantime, Tusla continues to work with community-based family support organisations to best meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities.
493. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the long-standing arrangement that decisions on expanding the national FRC programme either in respect of funding for existing FRCs, which is a priority, or admission of additional FRCs, remains with the Minister whereas the administration of the decision on the most appropriate geographical location of any new FRC is administered by Tusla, based on an assessment that is carried out in partnership with communities seeking an FRC; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32182/23]
View answer494. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has departed from the long-established position of providing Ministerial direction to Tusla in respect of specifying the total level of funding of the national FRC programme and direction on the admission of new FRCs to the programme; if he is aware that such position differs to that communicated by Tusla recently when a community group received funding from Tusla but was advised formally by Tusla that this funding did not form part of the national FRC programme budget and that the group could not form an FRC as the decision to expand the national FRC programme was a matter for the Minister; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32183/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 493 and 494 together.
I recognise and value the very positive impact of the work of the Family Resource Centres in supporting families and local communities. The centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community. This universal accessibility allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions, and timely referrals to appropriate services for more intensive and targeted work as required.
I continue to provide Ministerial direction to Tusla in respect of specifying the total level of funding of the Family Resource Centre programme and direction on the admission of new Family Resource Centres to the programme. I regularly attend many Family Resource Centre events, including their National Forum's recent anniversary celebration.
As the Deputy has indicated the community group referenced in the question received funding from Tusla to become a Family Support Service and not a Family Resource Centre under the programme.
Tusla’s Area Managers engage in the commissioning process and participate in meetings and discussions with community NGOs. Tusla aims to utilise the total resources available in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. Local Tusla Area Managers and the Tusla Commissioning Team can be contacted in relation to Family Resource Centres planned service delivery and potential to develop services.
Tusla National Commissioning Office have received several requests to become members of the FRC Programme from organisations in various parts of the country. In the event the FRC Programme is expanded, a transparent process will be established to ensure all applications are treated equitably. The Tusla Area Commissioning Plan will be a critical contribution to the decision-making process. If a new process is established, it will be published, and local Tusla Managers will be made aware of the process. Organisations that wish to join the Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance, with regard to the potential next steps. Currently, there are no plans to expand the Family Resource Centre Programme or to establish new funding schemes for the Programme in the immediate future.
However, as you may already be aware, a spending review of Tusla-funded family support services is being finalised. A summary of the review was published in December 2022 and two detailed chapters are expected in the near future. This review will help inform future priorities for investment in the programme.
I will continue to engage with Tusla, and Family Resource Centres on the key issue of their funding and sustainability of the valuable services they provide to our communities. I will consider Tusla's provision of Family Support Services in my Performance Framework for Tusla for the period 2024-2026.
In the meantime, Tusla continues to work with community-based family support organisations to best meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities.
495. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the transport support scheme to come into operation; if the scheme will encompass both public and private transport; if he agrees that ten years without such a scheme has created an unnecessary cost burden on those who would benefit from such a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32206/23]
View answerThe Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative Schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both Schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022.
The Group's work has now concluded and the final report was published in February 2023. The Report sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities. It is incumbent on all Ministers, Departments and Agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities to consider the recommendations of the Transport Working Group, as I will be giving due consideration to the recommendations in the context of the schemes outlined above, and in the context of the concerns previously and recently raised by the Ombudsman.
The Minister for Transport has responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport, other than any specialised door-to-door services for people who because of the severity or nature of their disabilities are not able to avail of public transport services. The National Transport Authority has statutory responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. The Minister for Transport has indicated that he is fully committed to strengthening public transport and progressively making services accessible for all, especially for people with disabilities, people with reduced mobility and older people.
In addition, the Minister for Transport has indicated that in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the Minister and the agencies under his Department are progressively making public transport accessible, including in rural areas, by ensuring that new infrastructure and services are accessible from the start, and retrofitting older infrastructure and facilities to make them accessible. Accessibility features, such as wheelchair accessibility and audio/visual aids, are built into new public transport infrastructure projects and vehicles from the design stage.
I have also been advised that in line with Article 9 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the National Transport Authority supports people with a disability to travel independently on the public transport network through initiatives such as the Just a Minute (JAM) Card for anyone with a communications difficulty, and the provision of Disability Awareness Training to public transport staff. Furthermore, the Travel Assist Scheme provides free assistance for people to access public transport or plan public transport journeys in the Greater Dublin Area. In September 2022, the National Transport Authority and Bus Éireann began piloting the rollout of the Travel Assist Scheme in Cork.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) has been working with the National Transport Authority regarding transport to day services, through the ‘Open Routes’ project. Open Routes is based on the idea that transport to HSE services such as day services would be best served by accessible local public transport such as the Local Link, transporting people to their day services, but also serving the wider local community as well with enhanced public transport provision. The approach is being piloted in Leitrim and to date all feedback with regard to the pilot from stakeholders such as HSE, HSE Day Centres, external stakeholders and passengers has been very positive. My Department will be meeting shortly with officials from the Department of Transport to evaluate next steps for this project.
I am aware that the Department of Transport and its Agencies are also increasing access to public transport services by spearheading several initiatives focused on reducing the cost of public transport services. Collectively, these measures will benefit all members of society, including those with hidden disabilities. The Department of Transport has confirmed that together with the National Transport Authority and public transport operators it is committed to working together with other relevant Government Departments and agencies to continue making public transport accessible for all.
496. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether any groups or individuals contacted his Department to express concerns in relation to the timeframe for making submissions to the consultation on the referendums on family, care and equality and/or in relation to the process for finalising the wordings to be put to referendum more generally; if so, how many individuals or groups expressed such concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32212/23]
View answerThe Request for Submissions regarding the proposed Referendums on Family, Care and Gender Equality was published on gov.ie on 25 April 2023, and posted on the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth’s Twitter account on the same day. The original deadline for submissions was 12pm on Tuesday 9 May 2023. Following contact from a small number of stakeholder groups, this deadline was subsequently extended to 12pm on Friday 19th May 2023, to allow more time for responses. When the deadline was extended, information regarding the request for submissions was again posted on the DCEDIY Twitter account – this was on 5 May 2023.
Of the circa 1,850 submissions received in response to the Request for Submissions, four requested a further extension, while approximately 20 expressed discontent with the submissions process overall. Due to the nature of the work of the Inter-Departmental Committee, and the timeframe involved, it was unfortunately not possible to extend the deadline further.
497. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 421 of 21 January 2023, when he will publish findings of the consultation to examine the functioning and effectiveness of the Equality Acts, which was expected early this year. [32216/23]
View answerIn 2021, I announced my Department would be conducting a Review of the Equal Status Acts 2000 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 (The Equality Acts). The Review, which is ongoing, is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.
The Review is also examining the 2020 Programme for Government commitments to amend the gender ground in equality legislation to ensure that someone discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity is able to avail of the legislation, and to examine the introduction of a new ground based on disadvantaged socio-economic status.
In July 2021, I launched a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.
The Department invited written submissions to the public consultation from 06 July 2021 - 08 December 2021, and was pleased to receive an extensive response to the consultation. The public were asked for their views on the functioning and accessibility of the acts; the scope of the current grounds; whether existing exemptions should be modified or removed; and whether the legislation adequately addresses intersectionality.
The report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation is currently being prepared for publication and will be published in the coming weeks.
It is intended that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward this year, however, the nature of these proposals will be dependent on decisions around further consultation and research.
498. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps by which a refugee family can get on a list for modular housing. [32224/23]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that an allocation policy has been developed and approved for the allocation of beneficiaries of temporary protection to the rapid build units. Priority criteria are being applied in allocating the units, prioritising families of four located in the county / counties close to the site. My Department will make decisions on assignments to the accommodation based on the priority criteria. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM) is assisting my Department in contacting families with a view to confirming their suitability and arranging moves to these new modular homes.
499. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to provide services for autistic adults/adults with autism; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32225/23]
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.
500. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline when the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871, concerning wards of court, will be repealed. [32226/23]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 (the 2022 Act) was signed into law on December 17 last year. The Act makes amendments to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act), particularly with regard to the streamlining of processes in the interests of those using the provisions of the Acts, and the strengthening of safeguards under the 2015 Act. Both Acts were commenced on 26th April this year.
The 2015 Act abolished the wards of court system for adults and replaces it with a system of tiered and rights based decision-making supports.
With the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making Acts in April of this year, the Regulation of Lunacy (Ireland) Act 1871 is now repealed, save for where the Act specifies the transitional arrangements that are to apply to persons currently in wardship. Under the Act all such persons will exit wardship on a phased basis over the next three years.
The 2015 Act is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a more rights based and flexible approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis.
The Decision Support Service (DSS), which is the organisation that will operate the provisions of the 2015 Act, will respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties.
501. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a parent can expect to receive an ASD assessment through the HSE for their child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32235/23]
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.
502. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether his Department is accepting proposals for accommodation related to the temporary protection directive or international protection, where the proposal is causing displacement of students from student accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32255/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to accommodate over 85,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, of which 63,000 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, the Department has contracted in excess of 49,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 800 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The Department has contracted more than 5,000 student accommodation beds at various locations nationwide for use during the summer months. A strategy to leverage these beds in the most effective way throughout the summer is being implemented. They will be used to accommodate BOTPs:
where existing accommodation contracts are ending
newly arriving into the State
The Department has commenced using these accommodations and a number of them are at full capacity. Best efforts are made by the Department to relocate BOTPs to accommodation close to their current location but this is not always possible due to availability. At the end of the summer, universities and colleges will open again for students and BOTPs will move to another short-term accommodation.
Some additional temporary student accommodation beds will also come into use on a phased basis to accommodate International Protection applicants – these are in addition to the 5,000+ beds for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. At the end of the summer, these beds will revert to the provider.
In terms of the longer-term contracting of accommodation that has been used by students, I am conscious of the potential impact on the student population. Both I and Minister Harris and our respective officials have been in regular contact on the matter.
503. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a schedule of the grants, grant-aid, low-cost borrowing and funding that his Department can provide to an association (details supplied) heading under which the grants, grant-aid, low-cost borrowing and funding is provided; the maximum amount that can be accessed; and the dates on which the schemes operate. [32272/23]
View answerThe 6 funding calls listed below are open to not for profit organisations. Each fund has its own goals and areas of concern. The association referred to may set up or already have projects that would fall under each fund’s criteria.
4 of the funds listed below are annual funding calls. The exceptions to this are the National Integration Fund which is every 3 years and International Decade for People of African Descent Funding Call which is a once off call.
|
Title |
Goals |
Maximum Funding Amounts |
Open Date |
Close Date |
|
Communities Integration Fund |
Small grants to community organisations for initiatives to promote integration. |
€5,000 |
15-Feb-23 |
15-Mar-23 |
|
International Decade for People of African Descent Funding Call |
A one off funding call celebrating the International Decade for People of African Descent. |
€5,000 |
26-May-23 |
20-Jul-23 |
|
International Protection Integration Fund |
Celebrates rich cultural diversity and enables community based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection Applicants. |
€20,000 |
26-Apr-23 |
24-May-23 |
|
Ireland Against Racism Funding Call |
Funding aimed to combat racism and foster racial equality and community cohesion. |
€100,000 |
02-May-23 |
31-May-23 |
|
LGBTI+ Community Services Funding Call |
Funding aimed to promote inclusion, protect rights and to improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTI+ people in Ireland. |
€100,000 |
23-Jun-23 |
26-Jul-23 |
|
National Integration Fund |
Facilitates the effective integration of Migrants into communities all over Ireland. |
€200,000 (Over 3 years) |
Late Q3 |
|
504. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and type of residential care centres provided by Tusla; the location of each centre; and the bed placement capacity for each centre for 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [32314/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
505. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to establish a neurorehabilitation team in CHO8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32330/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government – 'Our Shared Future’ - includes a commitment to advancing neuro-rehabilitation services in the community.
The Health Service Executive is leading on the implementation framework in respect of the recommendations of the National Policy and Strategy for the provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015.
The Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy Implementation Framework (IF) was launched in February 2019. The aim of the Strategy is the development of neuro-rehabilitation services to improve patient outcomes by providing safe, high quality, person-centred neuro-rehabilitation at the lowest appropriate level of complexity.
This must be integrated across the care pathway and provided as close to home as possible or in specialist centres where necessary. These services are to be configured into population based managed clinical rehabilitation networks (MCRNs).
The overarching aim is the development of these networks around the country.
In order to test the feasibility of this new MCRN model in the Irish context, a decision was made by the Neuro-Rehab Steering Group to run two demonstrator projects within CHO6 and CHO7 to inform national roll-out.
The demonstrator project was expanded in budget 2023 to incorporate CHO2 and CHO4 who will see Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Teams established this year.
While there is currently no Community Neuro-Rehabilitation Team operational within CHO 8,
moving forward with the strategy, the plan will be to roll out these services on a national basis.
