Written Answers Nos. 1082-1104
1088. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36953/23]
View answerAs the query refers to an individual's case, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1089. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail, in tabular form, the number of supported childcare spaces and the capital budget for the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area for the years 2016 to 1 June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37124/23]
View answerMy Department provides funding through three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme.
The number of children that have benefited from DCEDIY schemes in the programme years 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown are outlined in the table below:
|
- |
Programme call 2021/22 |
Programme call 2022/23 |
|
CCSP Saver Programme |
70 |
9 |
|
ECCE |
4,437 |
4,314 |
|
NCS Income Assessed |
737 |
1,047 |
|
NCS Sponsor |
79 |
90 |
|
NCS Universal |
2,090 |
5,860 |
Since 2015 my Department has administered an annual capital funding programme, under which providers are invited to apply for capital funding to increase the capacity of their services, and to maintain and improve their services. The table below shows capital funding received by providers in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown for the period 2016 to 1 June 2023:
|
- |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Building Blocks Modernisation Grant - Green |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€101,018 |
|
Building Blocks Modernisation Grant - Retrofit |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€287,385 |
|
Covid-19 Capital Grant 2020 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€498,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Covid-19 Reopening Support Payments |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€542,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2015 Strand 2 |
€4,630 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2015 Strand 4 |
€9,380 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2016 |
€121,536 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2017 Strand 1 |
€0 |
€72,429 |
€5,334 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2017 Strand 2 |
€0 |
€19,100 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2017 Strand 3 |
€0 |
€54,213 |
€1,874 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2018 Strand 1 |
€0 |
€0 |
€30,873 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2018 Strand 2 |
€0 |
€0 |
€12,183 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Early Years Capital 2018 Strand 3 |
€0 |
€0 |
€12,128 |
€700 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Fire Safety Capital Grant 2021 for Early Learning and Care & School Age Childcare Services |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€144,422 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Grant Programme for Improved Ventilation 2021 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€150,000 |
€129,000 |
€0 |
|
School Age Childcare 2019 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€30,258 |
€1,302 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
School Aged Childcare 2017 Strand A |
€0 |
€20,000 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
School Aged Childcare 2017 Strand B |
€0 |
€8,955 |
€995 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
School Aged Childcare 2017 Strand C |
€0 |
€31,394 |
€1,318 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
€0 |
|
Grand Total |
€135,546 |
€206,091 |
€64,705 |
€30,958 |
€1,041,302 |
€294,422 |
€129,000 |
€388,403 |
1090. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the progress that has been made on the review of equality legislation; what the timeline for this review is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37158/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the review of the Equal Status Acts 2000 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 (The Equality Acts) 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 encompassing 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. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published on the 12th of July 2023.
Submissions were received on a wide variety of subjects including all the equality grounds: gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community, and the housing assistance ground. Other issues raised in the submissions included the proposed protections for gender identity, the proposed ground for disadvantaged socio-economic status and the use of NDAs in discrimination settlements. Incorporating intersectionality into the legislation was also raised throughout the submissions.
Many submissions also commented on the functioning and accessibility of the Equality Acts and proposed how the legislation could be more accessible to the public and better protect people from discrimination.
It is intended that legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward this year, following detailed examination of the issues raised in the consultation process and of relevant research in this area.
1091. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the engagement there has been with foster carers to deliver on their asks regarding the foster care allowance, pension issues, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37159/23]
View answerFoster care is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their birth family. Foster carers play a vital role in enabling our most vulnerable children to live in a safe, secure and stable home environment. Approximately 90% of children in care in Ireland are being cared for by foster carers. I am aware of a number of issues affecting foster carers which have been highlighted in recent times. My Department and I continue to engage with stakeholders and colleagues in Government in relation to improving supports for foster carers in recognition of the important work they do. In this context, I have met with foster care representative organisations.
It has been highlighted by a number of foster carers and organisations that the foster care allowance has not been increased since 2009 and in this context, I am very conscious of the disappointment among foster carers that no increase to the foster care allowance was secured in Budget 2023. However, I can assure the Deputy that it is a priority of mine to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in the upcoming budget.
Foster carers have also raised concerns about a number of issues relating to supports under the remit of the Department of Social Protection. These include the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and the issue of State Pension contributions. I have highlighted matters concerning foster carers with the Minister for Social Protection and engagement between our Departments on this issue is ongoing.
In addition, my Department has had ongoing engagement with Tusla in relation to improving supports for foster carers in line with the Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services 2022-2025. As part of the development of this plan, the lived experiences of people who are both providing and accessing Tusla foster care services were considered in the consultation process, and a number of key recommendations were identified. In this context, I welcome the recent appointment of a National Lead for Foster Care in Tusla, who will have responsibility for implementation of the key recommendations from the Strategic Plan.
My Department and I will be seeking to improve foster care supports in the lead-up to Budget 2024. I will continue to engage closely with relevant stakeholders, including representative organisations, in seeking to review and improve supports available to foster carers.
1092. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what engagement there has been between his Department and other Government Departments to deliver timely and suitable assessments and therapies for children with autism in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37160/23]
View answerThe numbers of applications for AON under the Disability Act, 2005 have risen steadily since its implementation in June 2007. 6,755 applications for AON were received in 2022. This was the highest number of applications received in any year since Part 2 of the Act was commenced in June 2007.
Additional funding has been secured to support the additional AONs required. Assessments have been procured from the private sector and further procurement is planned.
The delivery of timely assessments and therapy interventions is highly dependent on the availability of suitably qualified health and social care professionals. There are ongoing challenges recruiting staff across a range of disciplines and grades in all areas of the health services; in relation to Children’s Services in particular, the HSE and Lead Agencies are operating in a very competitive global market for healthcare talent.
To assist in this process and to broaden the pool of available talent for CDNTs, my Department has been engaged with, in conjunction with the HSE, the Department of Health, the Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to explore all options to expand the availability of health and social care professionals.
The recent Government announcement of an increase of 100 places in the undergraduate intake in key therapies, as well as the roll-out of Post-Leaving Cert courses to train speech and language therapist assistants in five Education and Training Boards (with an estimated 120 students expected on these programmes) is testament to the ongoing commitment to children and their families.
Finally, I will be chairing a cross departmental group on workforce planning in the disability sector in the very near future and will be engaging directly with colleagues in the Departments of Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Sciences in particular to ensure that all options are explored to attract personnel to the disability sector.
1093. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if he is considering plans for the sustainable funding of the family addiction support network (FASN); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37165/23]
View answerThe National Drug Strategy, Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, recognises the role of families affected by drug use in contributing to the planning, design and delivery of effective addiction services. In Budget 2021,the Department of Health announced €280,000 in additional funding to support family services. This funding was used to develop and broaden the range of peer-led, mutual aid and family support programmes in accordance with best practice, in line with Strategic Action 16 of the National Drugs Strategy.
I would like to take this opportunity to provide an update on Family supports across the Louth/Meath area, funded by the HSE and provided under contract by Merchant Quay Ireland (MQI).
MQI are allocated in the region of €109,000 by the HSE to provide family supports in the Louth/Meath area.
MQI Family Support Service in Louth/Meath have engaged with many community, voluntary and statutory services in the region including members of FASN. I understand from the HSE that MQI has advised FASN that it will accept referrals for family support across the Louth/Meath area.
I welcome that fact that that there are no current waiting list/times for families engaged with the MQI family support services in the area.
I have set out below information on funding allocated to FASN by the HSE in the period 2022 and 2023.
Family Addiction Support Network Allocations 2022 and 2023
|
- |
Louth Meath |
Cavan Monaghan |
|
2022 Allocation |
€7, 508 |
€7,500 |
|
2022 Once Off Allocations |
€29,635
Made up of:
€20, 000 (to support additional costs incurred around cost of living. However, by end of March 2023 FASN advised that this funding has not been fully spent yet)
€9,635 (once off allocation for identified training) |
€18,100
Made up of:
€12,000 (to support additional costs incurred around cost of living and training, conference etc)
€5,100 (additional costs for family support services)
€1,000 (inflationary costs) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2022 Total allocations |
€37,143 |
€25,600 |
|
|
|
|
|
2023 Allocations |
€7,508 |
€11,868 |
|
2023 Once Off Allocations |
|
€40,000
(per year for 2023 and for 2024, to employ a full-time family support worker through the CSEF (Community Services Enhancement Fund) with a primary focus on the counties of Cavan & Monaghan, staff member is due to take up this position in mid- 2023. This will be recurring in 2024 also |
|
2023 Allocation |
€7,508 |
€51,868 |
1094. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Health if there are plans to engage with the HSE and other Government Departments to source further funding for the expansion of the Changing Lives initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37168/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1095. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 759 of 23 May 2023, when a reply will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35588/23]
View answerThe matter concerned was referred previously to the HSE for response, I have requested that the HSE issue the response to this question as a matter of urgency.
1096. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with the 19 representative bodies representing community care cancer support services to discuss the ongoing issues they have raised with him; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35601/23]
View answer1101. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Health if he will provide sustainable funding to an organisation (details supplied), as the funding is vital to ensure the viability of these centres, which are recognised as having a significant role in the patient pathway of cancer patients in the HSE National Service Plan 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/23]
View answer1129. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of correspondence from an organisation (details supplied) requesting a meeting with him to discuss the urgent need for core Government funding for community cancer support centres; if he will organise this meeting as requested; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35810/23]
View answer1163. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health if he has received correspondence from an organisation (details supplied); and if he intends to engage with the organisation in order to discuss funding of services. [35910/23]
View answer1294. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with an organisation, further to correspondence on 7 July 2023 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36480/23]
View answer1316. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by an organisation (details supplied) regarding to a lack of sustainable funding for the sector; and if he would consider meeting with the group to discuss said concerns. [36504/23]
View answer1317. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the introduction of multi-annual funding for community cancer support centres and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36505/23]
View answer1335. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health whether it is intended to provide core funding for the 19 community cancer support centres to allow them to continue to provide vital supports and services to cancer patients and their families nationally. [36591/23]
View answer1336. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if he has received representation from an organisation (details supplied) for adequate sustainable base funding for its vital community services throughout the country; if he will ensure that a minimum of €10 million is provided annually to ensure the survival of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36592/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1096, 1101, 1129, 1163, 1294, 1316, 1317, 1335 and 1336 together.
The National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026 recognises cancer support centres as a valuable resource, providing access to support to cancer patients and their families outside of the acute care setting. The HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) works closely with a network of Community Cancer Support Centres, particularly in regard to the psycho-oncology model of care and the implementation of survivorship programmes for those living with and beyond cancer.
Community cancer support centres are voluntary and charity organisations delivering services directly to cancer patients and their families that emphasise the importance of quality of life during and after cancer treatment. These services can be availed of free of charge and in local communities. The NCCP Revised Best Practice Guidance for community cancer support centres was published in March 2022. The Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres was also established in 2022. The Alliance is a HSE initiative which aims to develop a collaborative framework for community-based cancer support centres and services. This programme promotes participation in capacity-building activities and communication and networking forums aimed at ensuring that community-based cancer support services are integrated.
The NCCP operates an activity-based funding model for organisations who have joined the NCCP Alliance of Community Cancer Support Centres & Services. Funding for current expenditure, including cancer services, is allocated on an annual (single-year) basis through the Estimates process with future levels of funding considered as part of the national estimates and budgetary process.
Decisions on the funding of cancer services are being made in the context of the Estimates process for 2024. Representative bodies have submitted a request to meet to my office. As with all requests submitted to my office, my officials will consider the appropriateness of meeting with them, and I will revert to the requesters after considering the many competing demands on my diary.
1097. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the work of the National Vaginal Mesh Implant Oversight Group; and if the group will report in Q3 of 2023. [35604/23]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
1098. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the amount of savings that have been achieved under the best value biologic medicines scheme and gain share initiative in each year since its establishment; the full-year costs in each year of the gain share initiative; whether this initiative is still in use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35620/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1099. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver on the promise in the Programme for Government to support clinical genetic services at CHI, Crumlin, by appointing six genomic resource associate roles to reduce the currently unacceptable two-year waiting list. [35622/23]
View answer1100. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health his plans, if any, to deliver clinical genetic services at CHI Crumlin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35623/23]
View answer1102. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver on the promise in the Programme for Government to support Clinical Genetic Services at CHI, Crumlin, by appointing six genomic resource associate roles to reduce the currently unacceptable two-year waiting list, as called for by a campaign (details supplied). [35627/23]
View answer1103. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver on the promise in the Programme for Government to support clinical genetic services at CHI, Crumlin, by appointing six genomic resource associate roles to reduce the currently unacceptable two-year waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35643/23]
View answer1104. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when six genomic resource associate roles will be appointed to support clinical genetic services at CHI, Crumlin, in an effort to reduce the current two-year waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35646/23]
View answer1107. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver on the promise in the Programme for Government to support clinical genetic services at CHI, Crumlin, by appointing six genomic resource associate roles to reduce the currently unacceptable two-year waiting list. [35651/23]
View answer1197. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver on the promise in the Programme for Government to support clinical genetic services at CHI, Crumlin, by appointing six genomic resource associate roles to reduce the currently unacceptable two-year waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36015/23]
View answer1211. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver on a promise made in the Programme for Government (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36070/23]
View answer1385. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health if he will deliver on the promise in the Programme for Government to support clinical genetic services at CHI, Crumlin, by appointing six genomic resource associate roles to reduce the currently unacceptable two-year waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1099, 1100, 1102, 1103, 1104, 1107, 1197, 1211 and 1385 together.
The Government and I are fully committed to improving genetics services in Ireland. One of the key ambitions of the National Strategy for Accelerating Genetic and Genomic Medicine in Ireland, launched in December 2022, is to build a strong national genetics service. This will be a patient and family-centred service that can be accessed equitably across the country and across the lifespan of patients. In 2023, the Government allocated €2.7 million to the implementation of this Strategy. This allocation included the establishment of a National Office of Genetics and Genomics and the appointment of frontline staff. To ensure frontline staff posts are allocated in line with the Sláintecare vision of providing an equitable national service, these initial appointments have been made across the Health Regions in areas of immediate need.
2023 Allocation of Frontline Staff
This year, the following genetics/genomics posts have been allocated to CHI, Crumlin (Health Region B):
• 2 genomic research associates
• 1 genetic counsellor
In addition to these Crumlin allocations, the following posts have been allocated:
• 1 genetic counsellor to each of the following locations:
• Health Region A - Beaumont Hospital
• Health Region F - Galway University Hospital
• Health Region B & Health Region C - St. James Hospital / St. Vincent’s University Hospital
• 1 Consultant Clinical Geneticist to Health Region F - Galway University Hospital
Before the conclusion of this year, the following additional roles will be allocated:
• 1 x Consultant Clinical Geneticist
• 2 x Genetic Counsellors
2024 Allocations
One of the key outputs for the National Genetics and Genomics Office in 2023 is the development of a model of care for genetics and genomics. The model of care will determine where additional posts are required and outline a plan for recruitment. The Interim Director and Interim National Clinical Director will be responsible for progressing this work package.
Training and Development for Genetics and Genomics
As part of the implementation of the National Strategy, there is a plan to build a strong genetic workforce for the future. This will be achieved by not only recruiting new staff, but training and development for a future workforce, and professional development for current staff within the health service. A plan will be developed by the National Genetics and Genomics Office to increase training and development opportunities in genetics and genomics to help support workforce demand.
