Written Answers Nos. 958-977
958. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider allowing Teagasc farm advisors and other independent farm advisors to conduct visits to vegetable farms on a more regular basis to give advice and update growers on research findings which Teagasc conduct at present (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48799/23]
View answerThe provision of advisory services to horticulture is a commercial matter in the first instance between the grower and advisor.
Insofar as Teagasc is concerned, its Horticultural Development Department provides integrated research and advisory services to growers on horticultural-related matters. The deployment of Teagasc advisory resources to horticulture and the dissemination of research findings is an operational matter for Teagasc to determine.
Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's question to Teagasc for consideration and direct reply
959. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider a review of the current Bord Bia criteria and requirements of Irish vegetable growers registered with the food body (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48800/23]
View answerBord Bia's commitment to sustainability, and in particular to the sustainability of the Irish food, drink and horticulture sector is manifested through the development and continued evolution of the Origin Green programme, which in 2022 celebrated its 10th year.
Irish vegetable growers, through their membership of the Bord Bia Horticulture Sustainable Quality Assurance Scheme, form part of Origin Green, demonstrating the credentials at producer level. The Origin Green programme enables Ireland's food industry to set and achieve measurable sustainability targets that respect the environment. It is about measuring and improving on an ongoing basis, with independent accreditation and verification built into every stage of the supply chain, including at primary producer level.
The issues raised by the Deputy are not policy matters that fall under my remit, rather, operational matters for Bord Bia, the independent State Body. The Deputy is invited to contact Bord Bia directly at the agreed Oireachtas email contact address: info@bordbia.ie.
960. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to ensure that the Irish horticulture sector is a viable option for Irish vegetable growers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48801/23]
View answerMy Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of initiatives.
The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector is intended to assist in the development of the horticulture sector by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production. I recently secured €10 million for the 2024 Scheme which is due to open shortly for applications.
The EU funded Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables, administered by my Department, provides an invaluable support to the horticulture sector. The Scheme delivered €4.2 million in aid in 2022 and similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
Recognising the challenges currently facing the horticulture sector, I secured €2.382 million in funding under the EU Agricultural Reserve. The Horticulture Crisis Fund is open for applications until 8 November 2023. It targets the horticulture sub-sectors most at risk due to losses incurred as a result of a combination of high input prices, low output prices and reduced yield. The field vegetable sector is one of the horticulture sub-sectors included in this scheme, which provides a once-off payment to eligible applicants. The scheme seeks to ensure the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of growers in the sub-sectors supported.
Earlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. The stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential.
I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027.
961. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what financial support schemes and incentives are in place to support Irish vegetable growers in the horticulture sector; if he will consider the provision of additional financial supports in view of increased fuel, fertiliser, seed and labour costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48802/23]
View answerI am acutely aware and fully appreciate the many challenges that horticulture growers have experienced in 2023 as a result of continued high costs of production and reduced output prices. These challenges were further compounded by the unfavourable weather conditions throughout the 2023 growing season.
In recognition of these challenges I secured €2.382 million under the EU Agricultural Reserve for the horticulture sector. The Horticulture Crisis Fund is now open for applications until 8 November 2023. The horticulture sub-sectors included in this scheme are field vegetables (excluding potatoes), high-wire glasshouse grown tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers, brown mushrooms, field grown salad crops, energy reliant protected crops (heated strawberries and vertically grown greens) and apples. The Scheme will provide a once-off payment to eligible applicants. The scheme seeks to ensure the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of growers in these sub-sectors.
My Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of initiatives including the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector. I secured €10 million in the recent Budget for the 2024 Scheme which is due to open shortly for applications.
The EU funded Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables, administered by my Department, provides an invaluable support to the horticulture sector. The Scheme delivered €4.2 million in aid in 2022 and similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
Earlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. The stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in this strategy.
962. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to increase the production of vegetables in the Irish horticulture sector for the Irish market and to reduce dependence on imports of vegetables from other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48803/23]
View answerMy Department provides a range of significant supports to the sector which facilitate and support an increase in the production of vegetables.
Recently, I secured €10 million in Budget 2024 for the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector. This scheme is expected to open shortly for applications and will support investments across the horticulture sector, including vegetable production. The Scheme provides capital grant aid at a rate of up to 40% on all approved investments, with qualifying young farmers receiving up to 50% grant aid.
The EU funded Producer Organisation Scheme for Fruit and Vegetables, administered by my Department, provides an invaluable support to the horticulture sector, including vegetable producers. The Scheme delivered €4.2 million in aid in 2022 and similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
Recognising the challenges currently facing the horticulture sector, I secured €2.382 million in funding under the EU Agricultural Reserve. The Horticulture Crisis Fund is open for applications until 8 November 2023. It targets the horticulture sub-sectors most at risk due to losses incurred as a result of a combination of high input prices, low output prices and reduced yield. The field vegetable sector is one of the horticulture sub-sectors included in this scheme, which provides a once-off payment to eligible applicants.
Earlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. The stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in this strategy.
963. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to support the Irish horticulture sector to incentivise Irish vegetable growers to remain in the sector and for new vegetable growers to enter the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48804/23]
View answerMy Department continues to support the horticulture industry in Ireland with a range of initiatives.
The Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Horticulture Sector is intended to assist in the development of the horticulture sector by grant aiding capital investments in specialised plant and equipment including renewable energy, as well as technology adoption specific to commercial horticulture production. The Scheme provides capital grant aid at a rate of up to 40% to all approved investments with qualifying young farmers receiving up to 50% grant aid. The 2024 Scheme has a budget of €10 million and is due to open shortly for applications.
The EU funded Producer Organisation scheme for fruit and vegetables, administered by my Department, provides an invaluable support to the horticulture sector. The Scheme delivered €4.2 million in aid in 2022 and similar levels of aid will be payable for 2023 activities.
Recognising the challenges currently facing the horticulture sector, I recently secured €2.382 million in funding under the EU Agricultural Reserve. The Horticulture Crisis Fund is open for applications until 8 November 2023. It targets the horticulture sub-sectors most at risk due to losses incurred as a result of a combination of high input prices, low output prices and reduced yield. The field vegetable sector is one of the horticulture sub-sectors included in this scheme, which provides a once-off payment to eligible applicants. The scheme seeks to ensure the short-term security and thus the long-term viability of growers in the sub-sectors supported.
Earlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. The stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential. I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in this strategy.
964. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider, in conjunction with Teagasc and other independent farm advisors, conducting a review of the current Irish vegetable exports area, given that vegetable imports which could be grown successfully here are increasing as Irish growers exit the horticulture sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48805/23]
View answerEarlier this year, together with my colleague, Minister Pippa Hackett, I launched the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027. This stakeholder led Strategy sets down a clear vision to grow a more profitable, value-added sector, driven by innovation and sustainability and provides a roadmap for the sector to achieve this potential.
The Strategy is underpinned by eight Key Strategic Actions with an ambition to achieve an increase in growth of 30% in the farm gate value of the sector from €529 million in 2022 to €688 million by the end of 2027.
Key Strategy Action 6, Better data and information for better insights, seeks to identify opportunities for growth in the sector and to inform policy. The focus of this action is to collect data to assess the potential opportunities for Irish horticulture, facilitate an analysis of import substitution, export potential and diversification opportunities. The collection and analysis of this data will help to inform policy and will assist in leveraging growth and innovation in the sector.
I am committed to seeing this sector grow and flourish in the years ahead and my Department, together with stakeholders, are working collaboratively to progress all actions in this strategy.
965. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all current agricultural research and development initiatives in Ireland; the status of these initiatives; the details of plans to boost agricultural innovation and technology adoption in accordance with EU initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48833/23]
View answerPublicly funded agricultural research in Ireland primarily occurs through the competitive, public-good research funding provided by my Department, and through the core grant in aid that Teagasc receives on an annual basis. To a lesser extent, other state agencies and government departments, such as Science Foundation Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, the Environmental Protection Agency, among others, also support agricultural research. Funding can also be secured through the Europe research programme termed Horizon Europe, specifically under Cluster 6 ‘Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment’ and the associated Soil Mission.
For my own Department, over €245 million has been committed since 2010 to research conducted across the agriculture, food, forestry and bioeconomy sectors. The research is currently supported through five strands comprising;
1. Thematic Research Strand,
2. an International Outreach Strand,
3. a Strategic Studies Strand,
4. an Industry Focused Strand, and
5. Coordination and Support Activities. Examples of activities include running large research calls every second year under the Thematic Research Strand.
In addition, my Department engages internationally under such initiatives as the US – Ireland R&D Partnership, or the Ireland – New Zealand Joint Research Mechanism in Agriculture and Climate.
In developing the specifications and topics for research calls, cognisance is taken of a variety of issues including EU policy developments. Therefore, the 2023 Thematic Call included topics such as agricultural systems with reduced reliance on chemical fertiliser or pesticides, in line with the EU Farm to Fork Strategy.
In order to boost innovation and technology adoption from the research funded, my Department requires all research proposals to include knowledge transfer plans and an impact statement. In addition, projects are encouraged to build relationships to promote the uptake of new solutions through an enhanced Agricultural Knowledge & Innovation System (AKIS). This will be an important feature in the implementation of our CAP Strategic Plan, and will enhance the transfer of research outputs onto farms.
966. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action his Department is taking to address the under-representation of women in the Irish agriculture sector, in particular at management level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48834/23]
View answer967. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine what action is being taken by his Department to challenge and change cultural stereotypes and biases that may discourage women from pursuing agricultural careers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48835/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 966 and 967 together.
The Deputy may already be aware of the various supports and interventions currently being provided by my Department via the CAP and also, the "Highlighting pathways to Empower Rural women to have Sustainable & Equitable Livelihoods in Farming", (HER-SELF) research project.
Food Vision, our stakeholder strategy for the agri-food sector, recognises the importance of gender balance to the long-term sustainable future of the sector and includes actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels, such as:
• Promote women’s participation in farming through Knowledge Transfer Groups.
• Capture and publish gender data on policy implementation.
• Represent the sector in the development of the new National Women and Girl’s Strategy
• Promote/improve gender balance in the sector, particularly senior management & board level.
• Promote & support women’s networks and mentoring programmes, eg. ACORNS and
• Host a National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture.
I hosted the National Dialogue on Women in Agriculture, on 1 February this year, St Brigid's Day. The event was chaired by former Tánaiste and Minister for Agriculture, Mary Coughlan, and it examined gender issues in farming and the wider agri-food sector generally encompassing themes of Leadership and Visibility, Education and Awareness, Sustainability and Legal & Financial. The areas of cultural bias and under-representation was a strong thread throughout the event and opportunities to improve in these areas was discussed in depth via the panel discussions and workshop sessions.
Panellists representing CERES, the women in agri-business leadership network, and the the Agri-Food Diversity & Inclusion Forum (AgDIF) contributed to the discussion on increased inclusivity and diversity in the sector. The outcome of the Dialogue is currently being compiled into a report that will inform policy in this regard in the coming years. My Department will work with stakeholders to develop an action plan to progress these and other issues raised via the Dialogue.
I am committed to achieving better gender representation on state boards. I am delighted to see several appointments secured by highly qualified female candidates in 2023 and to report that we are well on track to achieve the 40% gender representation target set for the 12 state boards under my remit.
I look forward to continuing to work with the various stakeholders to progress these important issues.
968. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an organisation (details supplied) and its staff are included in the recent pay agreement for section 39, 56 and 10 workers; if this organisation will come under the recent pay agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48506/23]
View answerThank you for highlighting this organisation. You may be interested to know, the organisation received funding under section 56 of €371,000 in 2022 and €375,000 in 2021.
As they are a section 56 organisation they are in line to benefit from the recent successful WRC talks. The Agreement reached proposes increases in pay related funding phased over a number of phases:
• 3% backdated to Apr 2023
• an additional 2% from Nov 2023
• and a further 3% form March 2024
I understand that the relevant representative unions have indicated they will seek to ballot their members on the agreement.
969. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the Stop the Stigma campaign to address issues related to menstruation and menopause in the workplace (details supplied); if he will mandate a menstruation and menopause workplace policy for employers and relevant State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48748/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring that workplaces consider the reality of employees’ lives and recognises that menopause is a key health issue for women. The work of the Women’s Health Taskforce, which was convened in September 2019 by the Minister for Health, has been very important in driving progress in this area. The need for more awareness within the workplace of the impact of the symptoms of menopause and menstruation is also acknowledged in the Government's Healthy Workplace Framework, which aims to promote changes in the culture, policies and practices in workplaces in order to lead to improvements in physical and mental health and wellbeing and work-life balance.
My Department is commissioning research with a view to providing a range of advice to employers to better support employees suffering from either menstrual symptoms or going through menopause. It will focus on understanding the factors in terms of working conditions that can affect employees whose menstrual or menopause symptoms limit their daily activities. It will also look at effective support mechanisms that employers have put in place, whether formal or informal and at workplace support mechanisms in place in other countries that have been recognised as good practice and that may be suitable for trial in Ireland.
The project aims to integrate the experiences of a diverse range of employees as much as possible, including disabled and LGBTI+ employees. It is planned that this study will begin early next year and the research will inform the development of Government policy in this area, including guidance for employers, so we can continue to improve the work life balance for all.
The Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform is responsible for the working conditions of civil servants. On 17 October, Minister Donohoe published a Menopause in the Workplace Policy Framework for the Civil Service that commits all Civil Service employers to recognise the impact of menopause and actively support all employees who are affected.
970. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department intends to increase the early years providers funding or capitation grant, with a view to increasing capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47201/23]
View answerInvestment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1 billion in 2023 – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Budget 2024 allocated an additional €37.4m to Core Funding. This increase on the 2023 allocation will support continued implementation of the scheme for the second programme year (September 2023 to August 2024) and into the third programme year from September 2024.
With additional funding of €14.65m being made available from September 2024, this translates into a full year allocation of €331m for year 3 of Core Funding, an increase of €44m, or 15%, on the current allocation of €287m.
Core Funding is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery. Core Funding is allocated to services based on the number of child places being made available (whether filled or not), the age group of children for whom the places are available and the number of hours per week and the number of weeks per year, the places are available for, as well as the graduate qualifications of leaders in the service. These are the primary drivers of services costs and this is therefore the most proportionate and transparent manner to allocate funding.
Structuring Core Funding primarily based on capacity means that services have an allocation each year that does not fluctuate in line with children’s attendance and providers have a stable income source based on the service they deliver.
Through ECCE capitation and Core Funding combined, services receive minimum of €79.20 per child per week in capitation under the ECCE programme and maximum of €95.85 with additional funding for graduate lead educators and graduate managers in the case of sessional services. This includes a flat rate allocation of €4,075 for all sessional-only services, which will benefit approximately 1,700 services delivering ECCE, and a minimum base rate allocation of €8,150, which will benefit small, part time and school-age services.
In a continued commitment to supporting these services, these targeted measures will continue to apply in the 2024/2025 programme year. Moreover the additional €44m for Year 3 of the Scheme includes:
• €9.27m which will support a 3% increase in capacity in the sector in year three of the scheme, driven both by new services joining the sector and existing services offering more places and/or longer hours to families;
• The allocation for administration will increase by €3.21m; and
• The allocation for non-staff overheads will increase by €10.07m to ensure the Scheme continues to keep pace with cost pressures facing services.
The remaining €21.49m will be used for other developments, to be informed by the emerging data from Year 2 of the scheme as well as the Financial Returns.
Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:
1. Building Blocks - Improvement Grant
2. Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
3. Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
Under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects, which supported services in need of upgrading, such as kitchen refurbishments, roof repairs and the replacement of flooring. This scheme is now closed and my Department does not have further capital funding available for the early learning and childcare sector in 2023.
Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025.
The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of under-supply. Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed. The Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.
I hope to be in a position to provide more information on the delivery of this Building Blocks – Capacity Grant in the coming weeks.
971. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason foster allowance reduces at 18 years of age, even if the person is in full-time education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47251/23]
View answerFoster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment in respect of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over.
The foster care allowance is a payment in respect of each child and young person in care. It is paid in respect of the child and provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs, including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sports activities. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12.
Upon reaching the age of 18, the young person is deemed to have left care. All eligible care leavers are supported through aftercare services provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Care leavers, depending on need, may be allocated an aftercare worker, and all care leavers, without exception or age limit, can attend drop-in centres organised by the Tusla aftercare service.
Tusla also provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The aftercare allowance amounts to €300 per week and is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, third level course or training programme as outlined in the young adult’s Aftercare Plan. The allowance is provided to cover a young adults day to day costs, including accommodation as they progress in their chosen accredited course or training program.
The Child Care Act (Amended) 1991 sets out that where Tusla is providing assistance to a person in accordance with an aftercare plan by arranging for the completion of education and by contributing to maintenance while completing education, and that person attains the age of 21 years, Tusla may continue to provide that assistance until the completion of the course of education or the end of the academic year during which the person attains the age of 23, whichever is the earlier.
In addition, care leavers may also be entitled to a number of additional financial supports in respect of education which include the SUSI Grant (which is payable at the higher rate for care leavers) and the Tusla Dormant Accounts funded Bursary Scheme. Care leavers not engaged in education and not in employment are eligible for full Jobseekers Allowance (€220, rising to €232 per week from January 2024) rather than the reduced rate, provided that they were in the care of Tusla for 12 months prior to their 18th birthday.
972. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether there are plans for a centre on a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47262/23]
View answerAs at 22nd October 2023, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is providing accommodation to 24,765 people seeking refuge in Ireland, and since January 2022 have brought over 180 properties into use to ensure that all those who arrive in Ireland seeking shelter can be accommodated.
The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) is responding to an offer of accommodation made in respect of the former Great Southern Hotel, Rosslare, Co. Wexford. A full assessment of the property is underway at present, and, if a contract is agreed, it is hoped that this property can be brought into use.
The Government is aware of public interest and questions regarding the arrival of those seeking international protection.
A Community Engagement Team (CET) has been established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals where relevant or appropriate. A communication from the CET to local representatives has issued on Monday 6th November 2023 concerning this property. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with pertinent information required, which will assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals.
973. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make a statement on the implementation of the White Paper on ending Direct Provision. [47281/23]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, In February 2021 my Department published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. The White Paper contained three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports.
Since January 2022 there has been a substantial increase in the number of new International Protection arrivals with more than 22,500 up to the end of September 2023. These figures are notably in addition to the significant numbers coming to Ireland who have fled the war in Ukraine. To date over 98,000 Beneficiary of temporary protection have arrived, the vast majority of whom have required accommodation from the State.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions of the White Paper needed to be re-examined, as it was originally based on 3,500 new arrivals each year. This review process is currently underway. In terms of next steps, a cabinet memo will be going to government in the coming weeks setting out a revised implementation approach. There will be new ambition in terms of increasing the state owned permanent accommodation capacity to meet increasing needs. Following this, a paper setting out the revised approach will be published.
Notwithstanding the acute accommodation pressures faced by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in accommodating International Protection applicants significant work has continued to deliver on the commitments made in the White Paper under the three core strands – Accommodation, Integration and Supports.
Accommodation
• There has been a focus on increasing the state owned accommodation capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings and advancing the planning process for the construction of purpose built centres.
• Work has also been carried out to deliver some accommodation in the community with thirty-seven properties purchased to date. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been commissioned to operationalise these properties, and will be prioritised to accommodate vulnerable IP applicants. The properties will be delivered on a phased basis over the next number of months.
• A dedicated unit for victims of trafficking (VOT) in accordance with White Paper recommendations has been established. The VOT unit is currently being staffed and residents are being identified for the unit.
• The Department is progressing the introduction of independent monitoring of IPAS centres by HIQA, providing greater confidence on the standards being applied in existing IP accommodation.
Integration
• In order to improve the ability to integrate Government has granted International Protection applicants the right to work after six months, the right to apply for a driving licence, and access to bank accounts.
• A new local integration model has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Authority (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The model centres on a new national network of Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs), funded by DCEDIY, to be located in each local authority, to better help International Protection applicants engage with existing local services. Recruitment for the LAITs is underway by individual Local Authorities and a Working Group, chaired by the LGMA, has been established to develop the detailed functions of the LAITs.
• An international Protection Integration Fund was launched in 2022, which aims to enable community based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection applicants at local and national level. Over €2.8m in funding have been awarded to 137 organisations since the fund was launched in in 2022. Examples of initiatives funded include.
Supports Services
• A vulnerability assessment process has been available to all IP applicant arrivals since February 2021. 3,780 vulnerability assessments have been undertaken in the period from 1st February 2021 – 15th September 2023, with 2,371 persons being deemed vulnerable as a consequence. This process is enabling IPAS to identify IP applicants with specified needs and to refer such persons, as necessary, to the HSE where those needs involve mental or physical health issues.
• A new funding framework to support the Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) in further developing, enhancing and expanding the provision of their support services to children, young people and their families in International Protection accommodation settings was launched in 2023. €1.3m has been provided under this new fund. Examples of initiatives funded include projects aimed at Community Integration, Supports for Parents, Emergency Accommodation and Mental Health. This has enabled families and children in International Protection settings to engage with their local community through for music and sports programmes, well being programmes and cultural community exchange events.
• A customer service team was established in IPAS in 2021 which runs clinics, often in cooperation with NGO partners, for applicants in newly established centres or in centres with higher than average complaints rates.
• NGOs have been contracted to provide in-centre supports to IP applicants. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), for instance, has been contracted to provide orientation and social supports to IP applicants at the Citywest Transit Hub and to link them with mainstream services.
• The REALT network of language supports for Ukrainian children has been extended to provide support to children in International Protection in terms of securing school places and additional supports.
• Under the European Social Fund 2021-2027 funding has been allocated the DCEDIY to recruit dedicated practitioners to support families living in IPAS accommodation. Adopting a multiagency, multidisciplinary approach, these practitioners will provide a standardised pathway for family support within each of the 17 Tusla areas. Supports will vary depending on the needs of each individual family but may consist of delivering individualised parenting programmes and family support clinics or facilitating the integration of families by building connections with Family Resource Centres in the locality.
• Monies has been provided in the 2024 budget for a child payment for families in International Protection. Work is now ongoing to secure sanction for the payment as it is a new development measure.
The implementation of the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants is and will continue to be a key priority for my Department. As highlighted, work is progressing in key areas, and this will have a positive impact on the system and improve the lives of those living in international protection accommodation.
974. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); the plans for making available therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47300/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
975. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has any plans to provide alternative appointments for children whose physiotherapy appointments in Cashel have been cancelled due to staffing issues; if additional staff cannot be provided in Cashel, if the HSE will be able to temporarily provide appointments in neighbouring areas until the staffing issue in Cashel is resolved. [47323/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
976. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail any ongoing or previous use of artificial intelligence within his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47330/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is currently in the process of upgrading its suite of standard office productivity tools to the latest version of these applications, which are based on the Microsoft 365 platform. This platform includes additional business intelligence, process automation, app development, and app connectivity products that we avail of to develop line of business solutions for the Department. The underlying technology for this platform includes services that are labelled as artificial intelligence (A.I.). DCEDIY does not generate any content using A.I. and does not use A.I. for decision making. DCEDIY has not previously used A.I.; DCEDIY is guided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and by the National Cyber Security Centre on ICT policy and security matters.
977. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when funding will be made available for a day service placement (details supplied). [47376/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
