Written Answers Nos. 424-435
424. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to implement the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism's recommendations contained in its Final Report. [50665/23]
View answerAs Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I would like to commend the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism on its final report, published in June 2023, which contains detailed recommendations for action right across Government to better meet the needs of Autistic people and their families. This is a shared objective for me as Minister of State.
The recommendations contained in the Report address a broad range of issues, with many recommendations falling outside the direct remit of my Department. Within my own area of responsibility, the recommendations of the Report are being carefully considered in the context of development of a new national strategy on autism, the Autism Innovation Strategy, which was in development prior to the final Report of the Committee and which will respond to commitments in the Programme for Government for action on autism at a whole-of-Government level.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will identify ways to address the bespoke challenges and barriers faced by autistic people and provide the building blocks for a more autism-inclusive society. It will be cross-Government in nature and will take a holistic approach towards addressing these challenges. In doing so, it will seek to provide for better mainstream understanding and accommodation of the needs of autistic people.
Development of the strategy is currently at an advanced stage. This follows several months of engagements right across Government to agree a suite of clear, simple actions that can address gaps in existing supports and services for autistic people within an 18 month timeframe. This process has included careful consideration of the recommendations contained in the final report of the Joint Committee on Autism.
From the outset of the development process, I have been clear that I want the autistic community to be at the centre of the development and roll out of the Autism Innovation Strategy. An initial public consultation was held in April/May 2022 to capture the views and priorities of the autistic community. A report summarising the feedback received was published in April 2023. The feedback from the public consultation has been a central consideration in the development of the strategy to date.
The Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group was also appointed in December 2022, following an application process. This group, which is majority neurodivergent, will play a key role in monitoring implementation of the strategy, and in providing constructive advice based on the lived experience and expertise of group members.
Once drafting of the strategy is complete, there will be a further public consultation prior to the formal adoption of the Autism Innovation Strategy. It is my intention that implementation of the strategy will begin in early 2024 and that is the clear focus of work for my officials at present.
425. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the concerns raised by a charity (details supplied) regarding a shortfall in its funding and knock-on impact to the services it provides; if he proposes to engage with this charity on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50670/23]
View answerCARI offers an important and vital service to Children who have experienced sexual abuse , and the support offered by the service to the parents of those children . The Minister, and the Department understand the vital role CARI play in providing therapy to those who have experienced sexual abuse and it is acknowledged how vital this service is for children and their families through an extremely distressing and difficult time .
CARI highlighted the issue of a financial deficit in August 2023 where it was expressed to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Department that CARI would need €243,000 until the end of 2023. Tusla and the Department have been actively engaging with CARI, and additional funding was provided by Tusla in October to address the projected financial deficit by CARI at that time. The conditional agreement between Tusla and CARI was based upon CARI providing a detailed financial governance to Tusla to ensure on going core funding for 2024.
The CEO and Senior Management of Tusla are engaging with CARI actively to reach a solution. The key elements of the financial deficit for CARI have been identified by the Department. There are several key drivers which have led to cost increases including the using up of financial reserves built up over time to supplement funding shortfalls such as; an increase in running costs, decreased income from funding and under charging for the full cost of therapy.
As a Department the promotion of child welfare is the paramount concern. The initial amount required to ensure operations by CARI could function until end of year was outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and a plan was put in place on the 8th of November. This is an ongoing development that requires both Tusla and CARI to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, CARI's financial deficit has changed significantly from the original figure outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and upon which significant and additional once off financial funding was provided.
The Department officials are continuing to liaise with Tusla in this regard and the situation requires close review by Tusla regarding any future issues in this regard. The Department welcomes the continued communication between Tusla and CARI.
426. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the progress of the new build for children’s services in Carlow shared between a specialist pre-school (details supplied) and Carlow CDNT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50673/23]
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.
427. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional funding and financial assistance that can be made available to an organisation (details supplied); if he and his Department will open dialogue with the organisation immediately concerning the funding crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50684/23]
View answerCARI offers an important and vital service to Children who have experienced sexual abuse , and the support offered by the service to the parents of those children . The Minister, and the Department understand the vital role CARI play in providing therapy to those who have experienced sexual abuse and it is acknowledged how vital this service is for children and their families through an extremely distressing and difficult time .
CARI highlighted the issue of a financial deficit in August 2023 where it was expressed to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Department that CARI would need €243,000 until the end of 2023. Tusla and the Department have been actively engaging with CARI, and additional funding was provided by Tusla in October to address the projected financial deficit by CARI at that time. The conditional agreement between Tusla and CARI was based upon CARI providing a detailed financial governance business plan to Tusla to ensure on going core funding for 2024.
The CEO and Senior Management of Tusla are engaging with CARI actively to reach a solution. The key elements of the financial deficit for CARI have been identified by the Department. There are several key drivers which have led to cost increases including the using up of financial reserves built up over time to supplement funding shortfalls such as; an increase in running costs, decreased income from funding and under charging for the full cost of therapy.
As a Department the promotion of child welfare is the paramount concern. The initial amount required to ensure operations by CARI could function until end of year was outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and a plan was put in place on the 8th of November. This is an ongoing development that requires both Tusla and CARI to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, CARI's financial deficit has changed significantly from the original figure outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and upon which significant and additional once off financial funding was provided.
The Department officials are continuing to liaise with Tusla in this regard and the situation requires close review by Tusla regarding any future issues in this regard. The Department welcomes the continued communication between Tusla and CARI.
428. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the lack of funding available for a charity (details supplied) that supports child victims of sexual abuse under threat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50700/23]
View answerCARI offers an important and vital service to Children who have experienced sexual abuse , and the support offered by the service to the parents of those children . The Minister, and the Department understand the vital role CARI play in providing therapy to those who have experienced sexual abuse and it is acknowledged how vital this significant is for children and their families through an extremely distressing and difficult time .
CARI highlighted the issue of a financial deficit in August 2023 where it was expressed to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Department that CARI would need €243,000 until the end of 2023. Tusla and the Department have been actively engaging with CARI, and additional funding was provided by Tusla in October to address the projected financial deficit by CARI at that time. The conditional agreement between Tusla and CARI was based upon CARI providing a detailed financial governance to Tusla to ensure on going core funding for 2024.
The CEO and Senior Management of Tusla are engaging with CARI actively to reach a solution. The key elements of the financial deficit for CARI have been identified by the Department. There are several key drivers which have led to cost increases including the using up of financial reserves built up over time to supplement funding shortfalls such as; an increase in running costs, decreased income from funding and under charging for the full cost of therapy.
As a Department the promotion of child welfare is the paramount concern. The initial amount required to ensure operations by CARI could function until end of year was outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and a plan was put in place on the 8th of November. This is an ongoing development that requires both Tusla and CARI to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, CARI's financial deficit has changed significantly from the original figure outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and upon which significant and additional once off financial funding was provided.
The Department officials are continuing to liaise with Tusla in this regard and the situation requires close review by Tusla regarding any future issues in this regard. The Department welcomes the continued communication between Tusla and CARI.
429. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a response on a query (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50727/23]
View answerMy Department is engaging with the Department of Health and the HSE to ensure that only disused nursing homes which were deregistered before 1 September 2022 and 18 months have passed since deregistration from the HIQA’s register, are used for accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).
My Department is currently in contract or in contract negotiations with a small number of former nursing homes. The Department is not entering into any pre-contract arrangements in relation to any of these property types and will only enter discussions if/when the aforementioned conditions have been satisfied.
The intention behind this position is to avoid unintentionally incentivising active nursing homes to leave the market. Former nursing homes that had already ceased operation and were deregistered prior to this date would not be affected if they wished to enter into contracts as accommodation providers. This brings active nursing homes into the same category as other types of property that have been determined to be unsuitable as accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, including:
• Housing set aside for social housing,
• Accommodation planned for use by other arms of Government,
• Student accommodation during academic terms
The Deputy might wish to refer any further queries regarding the terms of the policy governing the use of nursing homes to my colleague the Minister for Health.
430. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who have been reassessed for autism spectrum disorder under a children's disability network team in the past year; the primary reason for reassessing children with an ASD diagnosis; the number of children who had their ASD diagnosis removed in the past year after reassessment; if there are any specific criteria or guidelines that CDNT's follow when removing an ASD diagnosis; the reason for CDNT's refusing to acknowledge or offer a profile of pathological demand avoidance as part of an ASD assessment; if all children who have a single psychological only assessment and not a full multidisciplinary team report will be reassessed; the options open to a family, if the validity of previous professional assessments is questioned and subsequently overturned; and the person or body that will be held accountable if a child is misdiagnosed. [50734/23]
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.
431. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for the long-term care of young people with acquired brain injury or for any young person in need of long-term care, which would be suitable to their needs as alternative nursing homes. [50735/23]
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.
432. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will urgently put in place additional funding for a group (details supplied). [50738/23]
View answerCARI offers an important and vital service to Children who have experienced sexual abuse , and the support offered by the service to the parents of those children . The Minister, and the Department understand the vital role CARI play in providing therapy to those who have experienced sexual abuse and it is acknowledged how vital this service is for children and their families through an extremely distressing and difficult time .
CARI highlighted the issue of a financial deficit in August 2023 where it was expressed to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Department that CARI would need €243,000 until the end of 2023. Tusla and the Department have been actively engaging with CARI, and additional funding was provided by Tusla in October to address the projected financial deficit by CARI at that time. The conditional agreement between Tusla and CARI was based upon CARI providing a detailed financial governance to Tusla to ensure on going core funding for 2024.
The CEO and Senior Management of Tusla are engaging with CARI actively to reach a solution. The key elements of the financial deficit for CARI have been identified by the Department. There are several key drivers which have led to cost increases including the using up of financial reserves built up over time to supplement funding shortfalls such as; an increase in running costs, decreased income from funding and under charging for the full cost of therapy.
As a Department the promotion of child welfare is the paramount concern. The initial amount required to ensure operations by CARI could function until end of year was outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and a plan was put in place on the 8th of November. This is an ongoing development that requires both Tusla and CARI to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, CARI's financial deficit has changed significantly from the original figure outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and upon which significant and additional once off financial funding was provided.
The Department officials are continuing to liaise with Tusla in this regard and the situation requires close review by Tusla regarding any future issues in this regard. The Department welcomes the continued communication between Tusla and CARI.
433. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many staff members in his Department have received training in cyber security in the past three years; what types of cyber security training programmes have been conducted; if he will provide details of these programmes; and of the staff trained in cyber security, how many have obtained accredited cyber security qualifications. [50792/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being compiled and will be forwarded as soon as possible.
434. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the expenditure on cyber security consultants and companies within his Department in the past three years; if his Department engaged in cyber security audits with outside firms in the past three years; if so, the expenditure on same; the amount his Department spent on cyber security consultants and companies in the past three years; and for a breakdown of these expenditures by year and type of service provided [50810/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (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. For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. It is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist bad actors to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and DCEDIY does not comment on operational security matters.
435. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any ongoing contracts or commitments with cyber security firms; and if details can be provided [50828/23]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (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. For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. It is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist bad actors to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and DCEDIY does not comment on operational security matters.
