Written Answers Nos. 403-423
403. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment for BISS and ANC will issue to a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50015/23]
View answerAn application for participation in the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and ECO schemes was received from the above named applicant on the 13th May, 2023.
Following completion of all the relevant administration checks by this Department, advance payment under the 2023 BISS and CRISS schemes has issued to the person named and will be lodged to their nominated bank account shortly.
404. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49851/23]
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
405. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding a lack of therapists in a school (details supplied); what staffing needs have been identified in the school by his Department; and if he could provide an estimate for when these staff will be hired. [49916/23]
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.
406. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to liaise with youth development officers throughout urban and rural Ireland with a view to continuing to offer support for their various programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49991/23]
View answerMy Department and I maintain substantial engagement with organisations representing youth services and in particular with youth officers, liaison officers, and development officers within Education and Training Boards.
My Department provides funding to Education and Training Boards (ETB) to support youth services across the country, including in rural areas. My officials hold quarterly meetings with the ETBs and these meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people.
Last year the UBU programme manager within my Department visited all 16 ETBs and over 70 youth services/organisations nationwide, engaging with youth, development and liaison officers within ETBs and youth service managers, youth workers and young people.
My Department has hosted an in-person DYLO (Development/Youth/Liaison Officer) day to support informal stakeholder engagement. This is an event organised jointly by DCEDIY and ETBI to allow ETB Development, Youth and Liaison Officers to come together and meet Department officials to share updates and engage in informal conversation on any matters youth related.
My Department will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the sector to ensure that we are providing supports to youth organisations and to young people.
407. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what his Department's plans are for a premises in County Cork (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49280/23]
View answerAs at 29th October 2023, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is providing accommodation to over 25,000 people seeking refuge in Ireland, and since January 2022 have brought over 190 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 Abbeyville House, Fermoy, Co. Cork. Discussions are at an early stage, and a full assessment of the property must take place before it can be deemed suitable..
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. 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
408. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of funding for a Community Neurorehabilitation Team in CHO9; and the timeframe he is working towards. [49294/23]
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.
409. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current caseload for Blanchardstown CDNT as of 31 October 2023; how many children are receiving services; and how many children are still on the waiting list. [49295/23]
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.
410. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify why there is currently only one part-time social worker at the children’s disability network team on Armagh Road, Crumlin, Dublin 12; if he is aware that this situation is causing a serious backlog for children with special needs requiring services; if he will clarify what the staffing level should be and when this will be met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49312/23]
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.
411. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the extraction of records relating to St. Gerard's from the larger Saint Patrick's Guild file received by Tusla in 2017 is still ongoing; what proportion of the larger Saint Patrick's Guild file has now been extracted; the findings to date; the projected timeline for the completion of this work; when a full disclosure of the results of this work will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49333/23]
View answer440. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on progress in the extraction of information on St. Gerard's home from the larger Saint Patrick's Guild file received by Tusla in 2017 following a statement in January 2021 that St Gerard's records were 'not fully processed' at that time; if he confirm if the extraction of records relating to St. Gerard's is still ongoing; what proportion of the larger St Patrick's Guild file has now been processed; what has been discovered to date; what the projected timeframe is for completion of this work, when a full disclosure of the results of this work is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49655/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 and 440 together.
I have requested the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, as the Body responsible for the matter raised by the Deputy, to respond directly to the Deputy in this instance.
412. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on when he expects a motorised transport grant and mobility allowance scheme to be introduced since its abolishment in 2013; what supports are currently available for low-income households to purchase disability-adapted vehicles, notwithstanding the available primary medical certificate tax rebates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49344/23]
View answerThe Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward.
As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022. The Group's work has now concluded and the final report was published in February 2023. The Report sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. It is incumbent on all Ministers, Departments and Agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities to consider the recommendations of the Transport Working Group, as I will be giving due consideration to the recommendations in the context of the schemes outlined above. These considerations will continue in the context of the development of a new National Disability Strategy.
The remainder of the question regarding the purchase of disability-adapted vehicles and primary medical certificate tax rebates would be a matter for the Department of Finance.
413. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an occupational therapist will call out to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49354/23]
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.
414. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify in detail why a group (details supplied) has not been successful in securing funding from his Department through the LGBTI+ community services funding, despite receiving this funding for the past three years; the action he is taking to ensure that more newly developed and younger services like this are given the support they need and are given a fair opportunity to thrive in their respective areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49366/23]
View answerIn 2023, the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund was oversubscribed and as a result the assessment process was very competitive. For this reason, unfortunately, my Department was only in a position to provide funding to 25 out of a total of 101 applicants.
In recognition of the highly competitive funding call, all applications received were assessed and scored in strict adherence with the assessment criteria set out in the published funding call guidelines. Applications were assessed by two separate assessors within the Department. For applications where there was a pertinent difference of opinion between the scores given by those two assessors, an external reviewer was asked to review the application to provide a final score. Applicants demonstrating a comprehensive record of assisting LGBTI individuals are likely to score well in under the published ‘capacity of applicant’ criteria.
Thirty three percent of Scheme A (€25,000 to €100,000) applicants were successful. Due to oversubscription of the fund, and our commitment to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible, successful Scheme A applicants were only awarded only 70% of the amount sought in their original application.
Nineteen percent of Scheme B applicants were successful. Successful Scheme B projects (€5,000 to €10,000) were awarded the full amount applied for as it is likely the projects would not be feasible if funding was reduced.
Should additional funding become available, the highest scoring unsuccessful organisation will be contacted.
Any organisation looking for feedback or who wishes to appeal the assessment team’s decision should contact lgbti@equality.gov.ie
The 2024 LGBTI+ Community Services Fund is due to be launched in June 2024.
415. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when transport will be provided to a person in Drogheda (details supplied) to attend much-needed disability services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49368/23]
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.
416. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a group (details supplied) was not successful in its application for community services funding, which it has received for the past three years; and what the appeals process is in relation to this decision. [49370/23]
View answerIn 2023, the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund was oversubscribed and as a result the assessment process was very competitive. For this reason, unfortunately, my Department was only in a position to provide funding to 25 out of a total of 101 applicants.
In recognition of the highly competitive funding call, all applications received were assessed and scored in strict adherence with the assessment criteria set out in the published funding call guidelines. Applications were assessed by two separate assessors within the Department. For applications where there was a pertinent difference of opinion between the scores given by those two assessors, an external reviewer was asked to review the application to provide a final score.
Thirty three percent of Scheme A (€25,000 to €100,000) applicants were successful. Due to oversubscription of the fund, and our commitment to fund as many worthwhile projects as possible, successful Scheme A applicants were only awarded only 70% of the amount sought in their original application.
Nineteen percent of Scheme B applicants were successful. Successful Scheme B projects (€5,000 to €10,000) were awarded the full amount applied for as it is likely the projects would not be feasible if funding was reduced.
Should additional funding become available, the highest scoring unsuccessful organisation will be contacted.
Any organisation looking for feedback or who wishes to appeal the assessment team’s decision should contact lgbti@equality.gov.ie
417. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total costs arising from refugees from Ukraine in 2022, including accommodation, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49397/23]
View answerI am advised by my officials that the total expenditure in 2022 by my Department on the Ukraine crisis since the Russian invasion in February 2022 is €522 m. Of this, approx. €430m was on DCEDIY-provided accommodation alone. Further costs included the operation of the CityWest transport hub, Local Authority accommodation, pledged supports, transport, facilities management and staff costs. Staffing costs for DCEDIY’s Ukraine Division in 2022 was approximately €1.8m.
While my Department holds responsibility for the provision of immediate temporary accommodation, other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole of government response to this crisis which is coordinated by the Department of Taoiseach. The Deputy might address the matters relating to the assistance of payments and health benefits to the relevant Departments.
418. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total costs of maintaining all asylum seekers in Ireland (excluding those from Ukraine) in each year from 2016 to 2022, including the cost of accommodation, allowances, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49398/23]
View answerThe total spend on International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022 was €356,554,000. There were 19,202 people in IPAS accommodation on 31 December 2022. At a year-end average of overall cost divided by the number of people residing in IPAS accommodation, the average annual figure for keeping an international protection applicant (IPA) in IPAS accommodation for one year was €18,568.59.
The number of people who are resident in IPAS accommodation will vary day to day throughout the year as the number of daily arrivals increase on a cumulative basis. 2022 has seen a major increase in this respect, with 2023 seeing similar trends.
Those seeking asylum in Ireland must make an application for international protection. While that claim is being examined by the International Protection Office, IPAS provides accommodation and related services to IPAs who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State.
Services for all International Protection applicants, including healthcare, are mainstreamed, and accessed through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens. Residents in accommodation centres access GP services within the local community, and mental health services are accessed through the same referral pathways as Irish citizens – that is, through primary care, GP referral and emergency services.
IPAS liaise with the HSE in relation to how best to meet the health and related needs of International Protection applicants in IPAS centres, and the HSE Social Inclusion Outreach Team attend the centre regularly to provide healthcare assistance and arrange GP appointments for residents.
A weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person. In 2021 this was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children.
Should an IPA require additional support, they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment. These are paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision based on the individual's circumstances. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.
Please see in tabular format, the costs associated with accommodating IPAs, each year from 2016 to 2022.
|
Year |
Expenditure |
Residents in IPAS accommodation at year end |
Average yearly cost per resident |
|
2016 |
€64,134,000 |
4425 |
€14,493.55 |
|
2017 |
€67,359,000 |
5096 |
€13,218.01 |
|
2018 |
€77,993,000 |
6106 |
€12,773.17 |
|
2019 |
€129,408,000 |
7683 |
€16,843.42 |
|
2020 |
€183,215,000 |
6997 |
€26,184.79 |
|
2021 |
€190,856,000 |
7244 |
€26,346.77 |
|
2022 |
€356,554,000 |
19202 |
€18,568.59 |
419. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a standard contract period for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian nationals; what the criteria are for the extension of contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49444/23]
View answerThe standard contract period for the provision of accommodation for BOTPs is currently 12 months in general, although this can differ based on my Department’s requirements, and the preference of the providers. The criteria for extension of accommodation contracts include compliance with all health and safety and insurance requirements, the capacity of the contract, and agreement of fair and reasonable rates.
420. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many months the current longest international protection applicant has been in direct provision awaiting a decision on their application; if he can provide this response in terms of number of months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49484/23]
View answerUnder the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is legally required to provide accommodation to international protection applicants (IPAs) who seek it while their claim for international protection is being determined by the International Protection Office (IPO) which falls under the aegis of the Department of Justice.
Revealing the exact length of stay of any one individual would be deemed as identifiable information and for data protection purposes cannot be shared. In general terms, only 1% of all current residents have been in IPAS settings for over 8 years. This includes those who have been granted status to remain.
421. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position on the requirement on services providing accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection for their staff to be Garda vetted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49488/23]
View answerIreland has responded well to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, as part of the Whole of Government response the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to support approximately 100,000 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing the war in Ukraine, over 80% of whom have sought State supported accommodation.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 59,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 980 mainly commercial settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
Garda Vetting of employees is a matter for employers in these commercial settings to manage for their direct employees. The Department does not itself employ staff in accommodation settings for Ukraine. It is incumbent on accommodation providers who are providing accommodation under contract to the Department to inform themselves of their legal obligations in this regard, and take appropriate steps. Each contractor is responsible for their Child Safeguarding policy and for assessing whether they have an obligation under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 to vet their staff.
My Department makes specific reference to legal, industry requirements and best practices in contracts agreed with providers, and it is incumbent on providers to adhere to them. Under their contracts, service providers are obliged to provide services in accordance with good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including but not limited to all obligations in the field of health and safety, environmental, social, child protection, and labour law. The vast majority of children seeking shelter in Ireland remain in the care of their parents / guardians while in State-funded and private accommodation. Any unaccompanied children are assisted by Tusla in this regard.
422. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position of Tusla in terms of requiring services providing accommodation to children under the Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection scheme for their staff to be Garda vetted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49489/23]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
423. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who IPAS have contracted for the management and operation of International Protection Services at Kilbride Army Camp, Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49503/23]
View answer426. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if management at Kilbride International Protection Centre have informed IPAS in writing of potential health issues or potential medical requirements at the centre due to the refusal of food by residents seeking to highlight their situation to management; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49506/23]
View answer427. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to Kilbride International Protection Accommodation Centre, to report on how many men are currently at the camp and how long they have been there; how much funding has been received to date by the management company at Kilbride International Protection Accommodation Centre; where responsibility lies for the provision of transport, onsite medical services, mental health services and does he feel they are adequately provided at the site; to outline the pathway for residents at Kilbride International Protection Centre and when residents there can expect transfer to a more suitable facility; what staffing levels he is aware of and what roles and services are undertaken by the contractor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49507/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 423, 426 and 427 together.
As the Deputy is aware, Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase of people seeking international protection (IP). Last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation, while their applications for international protection are processed by the International Protection Office (IPO). Over the period 2017-2019 an average of 3,500 people applied for protection each year, averaging 67 people per week.
The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek refuge and in that time to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018).
The arrival numbers remain significantly elevated. In the first forty-four weeks of 2023, nearly 9,600 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 218 people per week – which is more than triple the average from 2017-2019.
As at 5th October 2023, there are over 25,200 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole compared with over 16,000 people at this time last year.
Contractual arrangements for (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive. It would not serve the public interest to divulge costs provided to contractors for its services, as it could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations.
On the afternoon of Friday November 3rd , IPAS became aware of a protest which took place between November 1st and 3rd at the Kilbride Army Camp Accommodation Centre in Co. Wicklow.
The protest consisted of a small group of residents who were requesting immediate transfer from Kilbride to a less rural location. The residents also complained of a number of issues with the conditions at Kilbride Army Camp.
The current occupancy of Kilbride Army Camp is 120. The average length of stay is approximately five months. There are currently forty-two residents who have been in situ since 20/05/23, the longest consecutive duration of stay of any resident of Kilbride.
IPAS immediately arranged for both the Customer Service and Resident Welfare Teams to attend the centre and conduct a joint clinic to speak with concerned residents on November 7th . Advanced notice of this visit was issued to the centre so that residents could ensure they were present to speak with IPAS.
IPAS staff spoke to residents at length about the ongoing accommodation crisis.
A number of issues were identified within the accommodation centre, which IPAS committed to working with centre management to seek improvements urgently.
IPAS will be following-up with centre management urgently and consistently for the coming weeks to provide solutions to issues raised by residents in so far as possible, and have committed to conducting another clinic in the next two weeks to provide an update to residents.
