Written Answers Nos. 1361-1380
1361. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will request that Tusla respond to this Deputy on Parliamentary Questions which were referred to it for reply more than ten days ago (details supplied). [37304/23]
View answerIt is my understanding that the replies to the referenced questions have now issued to the Deputy. It is concerning that a delay was experienced by the Deputy in receiving these replies from Tusla. Officials from my Department have raised this matter with Tusla, with a view to ensuring that responses are issued within the appropriate timeframes in the future.
1362. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of special emergency accommodation companies that have been set up, or contracted, by Tusla in Ireland in each of the past ten years, for the purposes of accommodating children in State care; the names of such companies; and the amounts paid to each company, per child per year, in each of the past ten years, in tabular form. [37305/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1363. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care who were residing in special emergency accommodation on the first day of each of the past 24 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37306/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1364. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 567 of 27 June 2023, if he will list the names of the four non-statutory foster care agencies that the Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS) recommended Tusla cease placements with. [37334/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1365. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of all contracts to businesses and individuals who hold contracts to house both refugees and international protection applicants, by location (nearest town and village), the cost of contract, name of business or individuals, over the years 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37337/23]
View answerContractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive. It would not serve the public interest to divulge location lists of property providers or contracts held to contractors for services, as it could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations.
IPAS is currently engaged with over 220 providers across 26 counties. As at 28th August 2023, there are 23,194 international protection applicants (IPAs) accommodated in the IPAS system as a whole. Please see, in tabular format, the occupancy per county. It should also be noted that new arrivals requiring accommodation will impact these numbers.
|
County |
Occupancy |
|
Carlow |
86 |
|
Cavan |
143 |
|
Clare |
737 |
|
Cork |
1505 |
|
Donegal |
1239 |
|
Dublin |
8103 |
|
Galway |
884 |
|
Kerry |
609 |
|
Kildare |
970 |
|
Kilkenny |
133 |
|
Laois |
652 |
|
Leitrim |
103 |
|
Limerick |
407 |
|
Longford |
102 |
|
Louth |
778 |
|
Mayo |
952 |
|
Meath |
1097 |
|
Monaghan |
576 |
|
Offaly |
183 |
|
Roscommon |
165 |
|
Sligo |
341 |
|
Tipperary |
518 |
|
Waterford |
597 |
|
Westmeath |
740 |
|
Wexford |
476 |
|
Wicklow |
1098 |
|
Total |
23194 |
I trust this information clarifies the matter.
1366. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what steps are being taken to ensure that all persons in tents on Mount Street outside the International Protection Office have been provided with alternative sheltered accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37338/23]
View answerThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) officials and staff from the Jesuit Refugee Service visited all tents outside of the International Protection Office, Mount Street, on the 16th June 2023.
The purpose of this visit was to ensure all persons who have applied for international protection in Ireland and who were staying temporarily in the tents were informed of the offer of accommodation available to them at the City West transit hub.
All people who availed of the offer of accommodation at that time were offered transport to City West campus via minibus.
There were 66 tents on Mount Street on Friday 16th June. Many appeared unused but some were securely locked. An information note, translated into French, Arabic and Georgian, was left at each tent. The note advised the occupant that DCEDIY IPAS officials had visited and how to contact IPAS for accommodation.
IPAS visited the site on a second occasion in the company of DCC and Dublin Simon Outreach team. Further offers of accommodation were made to persons eligible for IPAS accommodation at the location, and transport was arranged for any person who accepted the offer of accommodation.
The Department continues to engage with accommodation providers to bring more accommodation into use for international protection applicants (IPAs) and had accommodated all IPAs who were previously without any accommodation offer - a total of more than 1,540 IPAs. All IPAs who have arrived in Ireland and sought accommodation are currently accommodated within IPAS accommodation.
1367. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a detailed breakdown of the costs and works of the proposed development of the modular homes situated on the outskirts of Charleville, County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37365/23]
View answerUnder European Council Directive 2001/55/EC Ireland agreed to assist with the relocation of those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Following government decisions in March and June 2022, it was agreed to commence installation of Rapid Build homes to be occupied by those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) was asked by Government to develop a pilot programme of an initial 500 rapid build homes on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). That number was subsequently increased to 700 in October 2022. The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.
In 2022, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) was asked to assist in identifying sites that might be suitable by seeking information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership. In that regard, a site at Rathgoggin, Charleville was identified as potentially suitable for the programme. The development planned on the site is for 68 single storey rapid build housing units for families fleeing the war in Ukraine. Once completed, the development will be to a high standard and will include permanent infrastructure, high quality public realm, streets, water, waste, roads, pedestrian routes, lighting, landscaping, semi-private front curtilage and small private rear gardens.
Following a procurement process, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd was appointed as the main contractor to manage the site enabling works and to arrange for the procurement, transportation and installation of the modular units for the overall programme of works. Subsequently, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd engaged in a separate competitive tender process with the rapid build homes manufacturers and assessed them to determine their capacity and capability to produce the homes to the required standard. Following this tender and assessment, John Sisk & Son (Holdings) Ltd established a framework of five suppliers around the country to manufacture the homes.
In October and November 2022, the OPW placed two orders (through Sisk), with the manufacturers on this framework for 500 homes. In December 2022, to secure the additional 200 homes at a fixed cost, the OPW gave an instruction to place a third order (bringing the total to 700). The production, transportation and installation of the rapid build homes is timetabled for delivery as site-enabling works are completed, ensuring the process is conducted as efficiently as possible.
In terms of cost information, the project is still ongoing and further sites are under consideration to facilitate the additional units. Until that process is completed, it is not possible to fully specify a final programme figure.
A process of information sharing regarding this project has been undertaken by DCEDIY in each area. This has comprised: briefing of councillors, leaflet drop, Information Session and ongoing communications with those directly impacted. This has resulted in the successful delivery of rapid build homes in 5 areas of the country and is also the process which will be followed for the site at Charleville, County Cork which is at an early stage of development.
There is also an ongoing assessment of access to education, health, and social care to ensure that access will be available for those who arrive in a community. A DCEDIY official is meeting all local agencies in the locations to ensure that all services can be accessed and that they are aware of what is required and can prepare in advance.
1368. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1025 of 25 July 2023, what is defined as vacancy in the table provided (details supplied); the average childcare waiting lists for children aged 0-2 years in Dublin Bay North from 2015 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37369/23]
View answerThe vacancy table previously supplied in Question No. 1025 was taken from data captured from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile, which is conducted by Pobal. Within this data, vacancy has been defined as the number of places a service is currently in a position to offer per day, minus the current number of places occupied.
Waiting list data in Dublin Bay North shows the following:
Number of children by age range (0-2 years) for services in Dublin Bay North
|
Total Waiting List |
Average waiting List (per service offering ELC to 0-2 year olds) |
Response rate overall |
|
|
2015/16 |
215 |
7 |
78.8% |
|
2016/17 |
287 |
9 |
84.3% |
|
2017/18 |
309 |
8 |
88.2% |
|
2018/19 |
255 |
7 |
85.0% |
|
2020/21 |
116 |
7 |
57.4% |
|
2021/22 |
429 |
15 |
82.4% |
Services completing the Sector Profile were asked to provide the number of children on a waiting list by age and service type. While the number of children on waiting lists is an indication of demand, it must be noted that parents often place their child/children on multiple lists. Therefore, this figure cannot be used to indicate overall demand but is useful in assessing demand for services for a particular age group or type of service.
Due to data quality/technical issues which resulted in a higher degree of missing data, the waiting list data for 2019/20 was excluded from the report. 2020/21 data was gathered in Spring 2020 with a response rate of 57%. Data collection for the 2022/23 Early Years Sector Profile is currently underway and will give an updated position.
1369. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on any research that is being, has been or continues to be undertaken in relation to the rising incidence of autism both at home and internationally (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37378/23]
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.
1370. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of children of the 90 per cent in foster care that are fostered through private companies and not directly through Tulsa. [37396/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1371. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1467 of 19 January 2021, to provide an update on the status of and position regarding transitional plans to ensure that young persons with a disability who wish to reside outside of nursing home settings and who wish to live independently have sufficient choice and options available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37414/23]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question.
Published in May 2021, the Ombudsman's Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in Nursing Homes looked at the appropriateness of the placement of people under the age of 65 in nursing homes.
It is recognised that nursing homes can, at times, be appropriate care options where the person concerned has a clinically assessed complex medical and social care requirement that cannot be supported in the person’s home.
Nonetheless, for many people under the age of 65, nursing homes are not an appropriate setting, and alternative, more sustainable supported living solutions are needed to give them greater independence and choice in their daily lives.
There is a clear Government commitment to reduce and provide a pathway to eliminate the practice of inappropriately accommodating young people with serious disabilities in nursing homes and to facilitate where appropriate, people under 65 who wish to live elsewhere.
In 2023, Specialist Community-Based Disability Services received funding of c. €2.5 billion to deliver a range of services in the areas of Residential and Respite Services, Day Services, PA and Home Support Services, and Therapeutic Supports.
The HSE National Service Plan (NSP) 2021 provided for an investment of €3m in 2021 to enable 18 people under the age of 65 years to move from nursing homes to move to more appropriate homes in the community. In 2021, 14 had moved into the community.
Budget 2022 provided a further allocation of €5.5m (part-year funding) to address the situation of people with disabilities who may be inappropriately placed in nursing homes, thus commencing the move of a further cohort of individuals. In 2022, 22 transitions took place.
The HSE advises that as of June 2023, 17 individuals have moved from nursing homes to more appropriate homes in the community. The transitions to the community have been to own home (adapted), family home (adapted), new council house (adapted) and specialised residential services.
In addition to supporting individuals who wish to transition into the community, the HSE is also funding enhanced quality of life supports for individuals who through either will and preference and/or assessment of need will be continuing their placement in the Nursing Home. For these individuals, the aim of these supports is, to improve the daily life of these younger people, while they are still in a nursing home or to help them prepare for a future transition. By end June 2023, 37 individuals have received additional enhanced quality of life supports, while they are currently continuing their placement in a Nursing Home.
The availability of appropriate housing, challenges in recruiting care staff and clinical staff and have been cited as barriers to successful transitions. The HSE is identifying different actions to mitigate against these barriers.
The National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022 – 2027 sets out the Government’s vision for delivering housing and related supports for disabled people. The overarching vision of the Strategy is to facilitate people with disabilities to live independently and to have their housing needs met in the community. Officials in my Department provided input into the Strategy.
1372. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to quantify how many private assessments with occupational therapists have been funded through the AON process, in which CDNT areas they have been made, and the moneys spent, in tabular form; how many private assessments with speech therapists have been funded through the AON process, in which CDNT areas they have been made, and the moneys spent, in tabular form; how many private assessments with psychologists have been funded through the AON process, in which CDNT areas they have been made, and the moneys spent, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37418/23]
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.
1373. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children participating in ECCE; if he will provide a breakdown of the number of children who are denied by virtue of their birth date the full two years’ participation in ECCE; if he will review the age eligibility criteria to ensure maximum availability of the two-year early childhood care and education programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37427/23]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides free universal pre-school to eligible children for two programme years. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks for each year. The programme year runs from the end of August to the following June in line with the primary school year.
A total of 108,614 children participated in ECCE for the programme year 2022/2023
All children between 2 years and 8 months and 5 years and 6 months with a PPS number are eligible to avail of ECCE, where a child has reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible.
Children who have not reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31 August are not eligible to commence ECCE in September of that programme year. However, they will be able to commence ECCE the following September and continue to avail of 2 ECCE years.
While ECCE is available to all eligible children for two programme years, some parents may prefer their children to start school at age 4 rather than 5 years and may therefore choose to avail of only one ECCE year. This is a matter for individual parents.
I have appointed Stranmillis University College, Belfast, to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review will assess whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and will identify any changes or improvements that can be made to the Programme, based on international evidence and experience to date. This will include the age range for ECCE. As part of the review there will be consultation with a wide array of stakeholders who are affected by current policy. The final report is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. I will then consider the review fully and consider any policy changes that may need to be made to the programme.
1374. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of early childhood care and education-only providers, that is, providers that do not offer a service outside of ECCE provision; the amount of annual funding they received; the number of childcare providers in receipt of State funding for same; the amount of annual funding received; the number of providers in receipt of funding that do not provide ECCE; and the amount of annual funding received in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, respectively. [37438/23]
View answerThe number of services that have only signed an ECCE funding agreement is outlined in the table below. While these services do not have contracts with my Department for the provision of other funded early learning and childcare schemes, such as the NCS and the CCSP Saver Programme, they may be providing additional early learning and childcare services to parents on a fee paying basis. If they are providing additional services, they would not be an ECCE only service. My Department does not collect data from providers on private early learning and childcare arrangements.
With regard to services who have entered into contracts with my Department for subsidy schemes other than ECCE, the data is also outlined in the table below.
Funding outlined below is as advised by Pobal the administrators of the schemes on behalf of my Department. It is all funding paid under all childcare funded schemes including for example Capital and AIM.
|
No. of Services in Contract for Calendar year 2023 (to end July 2023) |
Cumulative Payments for Calendar year 2023 (to end July 2023) € |
|
|
ECCE Only |
1,217 |
€56,000,070.40 |
|
Non-ECCE |
598 |
€27,505,004.21 |
|
Total |
1815 |
€83,505,074.61 |
|
No. of Services in Contract for Calendar year 2022 |
Cumulative Payments for Calendar year 2022 € |
|
|
ECCE Only |
1,380 |
€94,400,659.74 |
|
Non-ECCE |
583 |
€26,847,297.53 |
|
Total |
1963 |
€121,247,957.27 |
|
No. of Services in Contract for Calendar year 2021 |
Cumulative Payments for Calendar year 2021 € |
|
|
ECCE Only |
1,612 |
€104,740,502.76 |
|
Non-ECCE |
430 |
€17,121,015.73 |
|
Total |
2042 |
€121,861,518.49 |
1375. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding provided to Tusla in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37459/23]
View answerFunding allocations for Tusla are published annually in December, in an Agency Statement as part of the Revised Estimates Volume (REV).
Tusla receives core funding from DCEDIY as well as from the Department of Education (for Education Welfare Services).
The table below outlines the overall funding for Tusla as published in the annual Agency Statement, since Tusla’s establishment in 2014.
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
|
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
609.124 |
658.401 |
679.142 |
716.675 |
759.736 |
815.610 |
843.927 |
900.007 |
964.749 |
1,020.370 |
These are the total figures according to Tusla's annual published Agency Statements. These figures include any Supplementary or Further Revised Estimates secured. Figures do not include one-off funding provided for Covid-19 related costs or for response to Ukraine crisis. For example, in 2023 Tusla have been allocated €31 million to aid in their response to the crisis in Ukraine. In 2020, Tusla received approximately €8 million to help with the costs of the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
1376. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a report (details supplied); and what he intends to do about issues raised within Tusla. [37465/23]
View answerThe Child Law Project is funded by my Department to report on child care proceedings before the Courts. The Project publishes biannual volumes of court reports, which provide invaluable insight and accountability to court care proceedings.
The latest volume of 67 court reports has been given due consideration by my officials. It is important to highlight that many of the reports illustrate the excellent work undertaken by Tusla social workers, foster carers and residential care staff and many positive outcomes for children.
I and my officials will continue to work closely with Tusla, Government colleagues and with other stakeholders on matters impacting on children in the care of the State.
1377. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for capital expenditure running €23 million behind profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37471/23]
View answerAt the end of June 2023 my Department was €23m behind profile on its capital allocation. The variance in the capital underspend is mainly due to an underspend on Subhead E05 (Ukraine Accommodation and other costs) of €20m and reflects the timing of payments in respect of the Modular Housing project being progressed with the OPW. There was also an underspend of €1.9m on subhead E04 (International Protection Seekers Accommodation) in relation to delays in regard to capital works in respect of properties to accommodate International Protection Applicants. This was offset by some minor overspends against allocation in other areas on the vote.
1378. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for current expenditure running €458 million ahead of profile, as outlined in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37472/23]
View answerAt the end of June 2023 my Department's spending was €458m ahead of profile on its current allocation. The variance in the current overspend is mainly due to spending on subhead E05 (Ukraine Accommodation & Other Costs) which at end June was €361m ahead of profile. Spending on subhead E04 (International Protection Seekers Accommodation) was €94m ahead of profile. Spending on these programme areas on the vote reflect the costs associated with providing accommodation and other supports for international migrants from Ukraine and other countries. In addition Subhead A03 (Child & Family Agency) is ahead of profile by €26m due to increasing demand for services and time related matters.
My Department is currently engaging with DPENDR regarding the need for additional funding for 2023 for my Vote and these discussions are ongoing.
1379. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received the pre-Budget 2024 submission from an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37481/23]
View answerThank you Deputy for raising this matter. I can confirm receipt of the National Forums pre-budget submission. I am giving their proposals serious consideration as I make preparations for Budget 2024. You may be interested to know, the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, administers the Family Resource Centre programme. Where possible I make it a point to engage with Family Resource Centres and had the honour of speaking at the National Forums 25th anniversary event earlier this year.
Family Resource Centres play a pivotal role for so many communities across the country providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs. Their commitment to the people who use their services is exemplary and they also support those newly arrived to the country. I look forward to continuing to work with members of the Family Resource Centre programme in the years ahead.
1380. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is planning to reform the system under which some AIM workers with children have to sign on for jobseeker’s benefit during school vacations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37490/23]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) operates in tandem with the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Provision of AIM supports are directly linked with participation in the ECCE programme and hours of operation.
Early learning and childcare services are private businesses and their policies on operating hours and staffing are a matter for the service provider. As such, the decision to close a service during non-ECCE periods, e.g. over the summer, lies with the service provider. The State does not employ staff in early learning and care (ELC) services.
I am very conscious of the need for improvement in pay and working conditions for early year’s educators. While my Department does not determine early year’s educators working conditions, it has provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages, working conditions and support the recruitment and retention of staff.
One of the commitments in First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, was to undertake an evaluation of AIM and subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, to consider enhancements to, and/or extension of, AIM to, for example, all early learning and care services, all school-age childcare services and to children with additional needs other than a disability. Included in this consideration would be extending AIM (including level 7 AIM) to time outside of ECCE or through school holidays if the service opened during that period. An End-of-Year-Three evaluation of the AIM programme has now been completed, with the final report due to be published by the end of 2023 to inform such decisions.
