Written Answers Nos. 1022-1041
1022. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated amount it would cost to re-establish the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36200/23]
View answerThe National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism (NCCRI) was established in 1998 as an independent expert body focusing on racism and interculturalism. The NCCRI was a partnership body, bringing together government and non-government organisations to develop strategic approaches to combating racism and promoting an intercultural Irish society.
In 2020, the Government established an independent Anti-Racism Committee to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism, and build on the antiracism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. This is part of Ireland’s response to the UN call for global action to eliminate racism.
In March 2023, the Government launched the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR); a five-year plan that aims to effect meaningful and measurable change.
As part of the plan, the Committee proposed arrangements for its implementation, monitoring and review. These include the appointment of an independent Special Rapporteur on Racial Equality and Racism, to independently monitor and report on progress towards the objectives of the Plan.
The Committee also proposed the formation of two new groups: an interdepartmental working group will comprise of senior officials across government departments, working towards implementing the actions in the plan. An Advisory Committee on Racial Equality and Racism, which will include individuals with lived experience of racism, will provide knowledge and expertise to the Special Rapporteur.
It is my intention that the Special Rapporteur, along with a NAPAR Co-ordination Committee and the Advisory Committee, will bring together Government and affected parties to fulfil the role of monitoring and implementation of the action plan. Costs associated with the establishment of the Special Rapporteur and groups will be included as part of the Estimates process.
The Government has decided that these mechanisms will form the basis for challenging racism rather than re-establishing the NCCRI. As a consequence, an estimate of potential costs for re-establishing the NCCRI has not been undertaken.
1023. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when service providers (details supplied) will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36206/23]
View answerI am advised by my officials that one of the invoices referred to in the Details Supplied has been paid and the remaining invoices are currently being processed with payment expected to issue shortly subject to final checks.
Whilst there have been some delays in payment due to the very large volume of invoices received, progress has been made. Additional resources have been assigned within my Department and the volume of payments issuing is steadily growing. My Department will continue to press on to eliminate any backlog in payments which is now much reduced while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
1024. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount that Tusla currently spends on external trauma specialists to assist with its obligations to children in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36224/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1025. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average childcare vacancy rate for children aged 0-2 years in Dublin Bay north from 2015-2023 in centres (details supplied), in tabular form; the incentives that are in place for childcare providers to offer childcare for 0-2-year-olds, given the increased adult-child ratio; whether TUSLA's childcare register will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36239/23]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority. My Department monitors early learning and childcare capacity on an ongoing basis, with a particular focus on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
The annual data captured by Pobal on behalf of my Department - through the Early Years Sector Profile Survey - is one important data source that allows us to monitor supply and demand. In addition to this survey data, the Department also relies on data from the register of services held by Tusla, data provided by services as part of their application for Core Funding and has also conducted several surveys with parents. Since 2020, five parent surveys have been undertaken by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Department.
Data captured from the 2021/22 iteration of the Early Years Sector Profile, indicated that the vacancy is 8% across Dublin for children aged 0-2. Data collection for the 2022/23 Early Years Sector Profile is currently underway and will give an updated position.
The data in Dublin Bay North shows the following:
Number of children by age range (0-2 years) for services in Dublin Bay North
|
- |
Enrolled |
Vacant Places |
Vacancy Rate |
|
2015/16 |
393 |
27 |
7% |
|
2016/17 |
489 |
29 |
6% |
|
2017/18 |
535 |
19 |
4% |
|
2018/19 |
446 |
7 |
2% |
|
2020/21 |
132 |
30 |
23% |
|
2021/22 |
320 |
21 |
7% |
Due to data quality/technical issues which resulted in a higher degree of missing data, the capacity data for 2019/20 had been excluded from the report. 2020/21 data was gathered in Spring 2020 with a response rate of 57%.
A series of steps are being taken to address issues of undersupply for the 0 to 2 years old bracket.
Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. As part of this work, my Department has been included in the updated list of prescribed bodies that need to be notified on certain planning matters, including the formulation of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.
In addition, Core Funding - introduced in September 2022 - has already proven to be effective in expanding capacity, particularly in areas of undersupply and additional funding secured in Budget 2023 for year two of Core Funding provides further opportunity to invest in an additional 3% growth in capacity.
The Tusla registers of early years services and school age services are publicly available on the Tusla website at www.tusla.ie/services/preschool-services/early-years-providers/register-of-early-years-services-by-county/ and www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/External_Register_School_Age.pdf. The Early Years Register is broken down by county.
1026. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the distribution of both international protection and temporary protection applicants across the State, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36241/23]
View answerDeputy, please find in tabular format, the number of international protection applicant's (IPA's) and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP's) currently residing in each county.
Please note that these figures do not include BOTPs that are residing in pledged accommodation or Offer a Home accommodation.
These figures are also published weekly on the Government websites:
gov.ie - July 2023 (www.gov.ie)
gov.ie - Accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) (www.gov.ie
|
County |
Number of IPA’s |
Number of BOTP's |
|
Carlow |
92 |
906 |
|
Cavan |
139 |
1089 |
|
Clare |
613 |
3803 |
|
Cork |
1495 |
5059 |
|
Donegal |
1144 |
5440 |
|
Dublin |
7914 |
7128 |
|
Galway |
870 |
4243 |
|
Kerry |
589 |
6782 |
|
Kildare |
859 |
386 |
|
Kilkenny |
135 |
842 |
|
Laois |
652 |
330 |
|
Leitrim |
106 |
1047 |
|
Limerick |
392 |
3036 |
|
Longford |
85 |
310 |
|
Louth |
717 |
798 |
|
Mayo |
922 |
3090 |
|
Meath |
895 |
1742 |
|
Monaghan |
552 |
295 |
|
Offaly |
184 |
992 |
|
Roscommon |
165 |
640 |
|
Sligo |
316 |
1954 |
|
Tipperary |
514 |
1065 |
|
Waterford |
585 |
1572 |
|
Westmeath |
736 |
1855 |
|
Wexford |
300 |
1410 |
|
Wicklow |
1081 |
1381 |
|
Grand Total |
22052 |
57195 |
1027. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 30 May 2023, of the 610 development posts that have been allocated to Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) since 2019, the number of which have been filled; the number of staff in Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) in the same period who have retired or resigned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36250/23]
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.
1028. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 614 of 30 May 2023, of the 180 additional staff awaiting approval for 2024, the number of HSCP and the number of administrative staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36251/23]
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.
1029. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he will advocate for a greater allocation of funding in order to support youth work for all young people in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36257/23]
View answerMy Department is making a significant investment in youth services in 2023, the full package of funding for youth services and programmes in my Department is €75 million. This includes €72.95 million for current funding and €2.7 million in capital funds for minor works, equipment, and contributions towards playgrounds with local authorities.
From 2020 to Budget 2023, current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.789 million to €72.95 million, an 18% increase overall.
With regard to future funding of youth work, the total amount allocated to this area will be determined in the annual budgetary process. I remain committed to supporting the future of this important sector.
1030. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether steps can be taken to facilitate the opening and/or reopening of crèches in the Dublin 6 and or Dublin 6W areas where a number of crèches have closed down in recent times; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36279/23]
View answerSome €69 million has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the National Development Plan 2023-2025. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:
• Pillar 1: Building Blocks – Improvement Grant
• Pillar 2: Building Blocks – Capacity Grant
• Pillar 3: Building Blocks – Innovation Grant
The Building Blocks – Improvement Grant is now closed. Under this Pillar, €9m was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects.
Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillar 2 which has an allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €25 million in 2025. The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant will address capacity gaps, fund an expansion in existing services and invest in the development of new services where most needed.
A working group has been established to oversee the design and delivery of the Capacity Grant. The group is conducting a need analysis, which will identify areas of unmet need, by geographical area and by age cohort. The group comprises officials from my Department, representatives of the County Childcare Committees and Pobal.
I hope to be in a position to provide more information on the delivery of this Building Blocks – Capacity Grant in the coming weeks.
There are also a number of supports which intending early learning and childcare providers, can access.
City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs), funded by my Department, who offer a wide variety of supports to providers, including advice on setting up an early learning and childcare business, information on grants and low cost local enterprise loans which may be available to services, as well as commercial borrowing. The CCCs also offer support on applying for the various funding schemes administered by my Department. Contact details for all of the CCCs are available at myccc.ie
1031. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the consultation report on the new Action Plan for Youth Services will be published; if so, the timeframe for publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36297/23]
View answerMy officials are currently carrying out a widespread consultation on the proposed Action Pan for Youth Services. The consultation is a key part of the development of the Action Plan, will be published in Quarter 1 of 2024.
The public consultation is one of a number of strands of consultation and stakeholder engagement to inform the development of the new Action Plan for Youth Services. The Action Plan will set out a clear policy and strategic direction for the further development of youth services in Ireland, identity key actions to improve access and quality, and enhance the role of youth services in supporting young people’s well-being and improving their lives.
1032. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting times for an occupational therapist to make an assessment for a housing adaptation in the CHO3 and CHO5 areas. [36321/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
1033. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children waiting to attend or attending the Cashel children disability network team that have a diagnosis of autism, broken down by the age groups of 0-4 years, 5-12 years and 13-17 years old. [36322/23]
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.
1034. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people on disability services waiting lists for each service type, excluding children disability network teams as of 17 July 2023. [36323/23]
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.
1035. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider increasing the funding for HSE disability services in Budget 2024, as the service is completely underfunded at the moment (details supplied). [36366/23]
View answerIn recent years, significant resources have been invested in disability services. Building on previous years, an unprecedented level of funding of €2.6bn for Disability services has been allocated for 2023. This follows substantial increases in the budget in 2021 and 2022; and reflects this Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and working to act to address the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.
The delivery of services for people with disabilities is a matter for the HSE, funding is provided by way of the agreed annual National Service plan.
At this time, engagement continues between my Department and key stakeholders, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the HSE, in relation to the 2024 Estimates.
These discussions will inform the finalisation of the Estimate for the DCEDIY Vote for 2024 over the coming weeks and the final position will be announced in the Budget communications / speeches on Budget Day.
Pending this, it would be inappropriate to comment on specific funding proposals.
In saying this I wish to reiterate that I and this Government are committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. Our determination to improve services and supports for people with disabilities and their families is clear in the Programme for Government, our objective is to put the rights of people with Disabilities at the heart of Government policy.
1036. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many childcare facility closures have been notified to his Department to date in 2023; and their county location, in tabular form. [36386/23]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
1037. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to address the staffing crisis in the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36390/23]
View answerI acknowledge that many early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services report staffing difficulties in relation to recruitment and retention. In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover.
Recruitment and retention difficulties are undoubtedly linked to pay and conditions. Providers of ELC and SAC are private businesses. As the State does not employ staff in ELC and SAC services, neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. However, there is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates for different roles in ELC and SAC services.
On 15 September 2022, two Employment Regulation Orders for Early Years Services, negotiated through the JLC, came into effect, providing for minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in ELC and SAC services.
The Orders are being supported by Core Funding – which has an allocation of €259 million in its first year – to support amongst other things, improvements in staff wages, alongside a commitment to freeze parental fees and support for sustainability of services. As announced in Budget 2023, the Core Funding allocation will increase by €28 million for the second year.
I understand that the JLC for Early Years Services is continuing to meet to discuss possible changes to the EROs.
I am also committed to addressing other challenges which may impact on the recruitment and retention of staff in the sector. In December 2021, I published "Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for ELC and SAC, 2022-2028". Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in the sector. One of the five "pillars" of Nurturing Skills comprises commitments aimed at supporting recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce, and it includes actions to raise the profile of careers in the sector.
Furthermore, in light of the current staffing pressures in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services, my Department has arranged an accelerated process for assessment of equivalence with the NFQ level 5 minimum qualification requirement for students currently enrolled on a recognised level 6, 7 or 8 course. This is a temporary measure specifically to help services with short-term staffing shortages over the summer period. Students who are approved through the accelerated assessment process will receive a “Letter of Temporary Permission to Practise” from my Department.
1038. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the governance structure of the new regional assessment of need teams; how many of these teams are or will be composed entirely of staff from the private sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36409/23]
View answer1039. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the total budget allocated for the regional assessment of needs teams; how many children are projected to have their assessments of need completed by these regional teams by the year-end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36410/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1038 and 1039 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.
1040. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, the six planned regional assessment teams will be fully set up and operational by 1 August 2023 to address the significant waiting lists for assessments of needs; if, in the event that the teams are not fully operational by this date, he will consider allowing for the full reimbursement of private treatment expenses for children with disabilities from the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36411/23]
View answerThe development of Regional Hubs to undertake AON Assessments is currently underway within the HSE, with National Units working with the local CHO Areas. The HSE has informed the Department that it remains committed to the development of six Regional Hubs and is working across the CHO Areas to have these in place by 1st August this year. While the CHOs are at various stages in the development process, there are a number of Hubs that have been established already.
These will accelerate the process of dealing with the waiting lists for assessment, and allow the Children’s Disability Network Teams to provide therapy services to children with disabilities and their families.
Approximately €11.5m has been allocated this year to address waiting lists for clinical assessments identified through the Assessment of Need process. There are some challenges with the outsourcing of these assessments due to a number of factors, including:
• The lack of availability of suitable Private Providers;
• The limited capacity of the Private Sector to deliver assessments due to recruitment issues;
• The location of the Private Provider - In some situations, it is not possible or advisable for a child to travel to certain locations;
The Department is keen to see the full development of the Assessment Hubs and their successful establishment should assist in our common objective; ensuring children, young people and their families have access to services in a timely manner.
It is proposed to allow the HSE to finalise this process with other options to be considered should the HSE not be in a position to complete its objectives in this regard.
