Written Answers Nos. 1013-1021
1013. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 547 of 9 May 2023, if he will identify the two permanent centres that did not receive two inspections; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36103/23]
View answerDeputy, my officials have identified these two centres at Mosney Accommodation Centre, Co. Meath and the Central Inn, Dublin 1.
Since the beginning of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, immense pressure has been placed on both the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) and the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to accommodate those displaced by the conflict and the vastly increased numbers seeking international protection.
In 2022, over 15,000 IP applicants arrived in Ireland, the largest number of arrivals accommodated since records began. For context, the average annual arrival figure for IP applicants for the 3-year period from (2017 to 2019) was 3,500.
Inspection resources were deployed in this period to inspect new centres or centres where higher than average numbers of complaints were registered.
Planning is well advanced for the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to monitor permanent IPAS centres against national standards as part of transitional arrangements for moving to a new model of accommodation. This will ensure that all permanent centres are monitored regularly.
Inspections of emergency accommodation will continue to take place through the Department's independent inspector at both pre- and post-occupancy stages as deemed appropriate in order to ensure the properties meet the requisite criteria and to address service provision issues should they arise.
1015. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied with the significant delay in his replying to a letter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36109/23]
View answerA response will issue to the Deputy in respect of the correspondence cited in the coming days.
1016. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the case of a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36116/23]
View answerBetter Start in pobal are responsible for supporting Early Learning and Childcare services through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM).
Key to AIM is assessment of a child’s needs. In many instances this will require an onsite visit and observation by a Better Start Early Years Specialist. This generally occurs in September or October once ECCE has commenced and the child can be observed.
In some instances this can occur through earlier or where there is a particular circumstance warranting earlier assessment.
Bette Start has informed the Department that the assessment has occurred and a decision has been made. This Department understands that the decision was communicated to both parent and provider on July 20th.
1017. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a child (details supplied) has yet to receive an assessment of needs through the local HSE system, despite two requests having been made by his family since 2018; when they will receive the assessment they need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36134/23]
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.
1018. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of respite beds currently available in County Kildare for children with disabilities; and the proposals to increase these numbers. [36162/23]
View answerAs the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1019. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the post of CEO of Tusla will be filled on a permanent basis. [36163/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
1020. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the HSE is operating a protocol whereby correspondence from a solicitor in relation to a child awaiting an assessment of need report under Section 8 or a service statement under Section 11 of the Disability Act 2005 are prioritised and completed out of the chronological basis the applications were received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36165/23]
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.
1021. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated amount it would cost to implement a 10% increase across the board for youth funding schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36193/23]
View answer1067. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional funding required to increase funding to the youth services grant scheme by 10%, and all other youth grant schemes by same, and if he will provide a breakdown in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36794/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1021 and 1067 together.
The total cost to implement a 10% increase across the board for youth funding schemes is €7,294,800 in current funding and €270,000 in capital funding.
Table - Cost of increasing funding to Youth Funding Schemes by 10%
|
Current Funding |
2023 Funding Provision |
Funding Provision incorporating 10% increase |
Cost of a 10% increase on 2023 Funding Provision |
|
Youth Services Grant Scheme |
€13,402,061 |
€14,742,267.10 |
€1,340,206.10 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,534,012 |
€1,687,413.20 |
€153,401.20 |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€5,007,879 |
€5,508,666.90 |
€500,787.90 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,500,000 |
€2,750,000.00 |
€250,000.00 |
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams |
€861,645 |
€947,809.50 |
€86,164.50 |
|
Policy and Support Programmes (inc. contingency) |
€1,399,922 |
€1,539,914.20 |
€139,992.20 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€1,952,353 |
€2,147,588.30 |
€195,235.30 |
|
UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme and other targeted youth funding |
€46,290,128 |
€50,919,140.80 |
€4,629,012.80 |
|
Total |
€72,948,000 |
€80,242,800.00 |
€7,294,800.00 |
|
Capital Funding |
2023 Funding Provision |
Funding Provision incorporating 10% increase |
Cost of a 10% increase on 2023 Funding Provision |
|
Youth Capital Funding |
€2,250,000 |
€2,475,000 |
€225,000 |
|
Play and Recreation Funding |
€450,000 |
€495,000 |
€45,000 |
|
Total |
€2,700,000 |
€2,970,000 |
€270,000 |
