Written Answers Nos. 471-485
471. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated first year, full year and annual cost to reduce childcare fees by 10%, 20%, 25% and 33% effective from September 2024. [53426/23]
View answerThere are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
- Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €1.40 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
- Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. Your rate will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.
The Deputy has requested the first year, full year and annual costs of reducing childcare fees by 10%, 20%, 25% and 33% from September 2024.
This Department does not hold individualised fee data for parents as these are local agreements between parents and providers; instead a reduction in the average cost of childcare to parents is examined. To estimate the cost, officials in my Department used data from Pobal on average weekly childcare fees across the country. Assuming a 45 hour week for all children, the following hourly minimum (universal) subsidies were derived to achieve the desired outcomes:
- Reducing childcare fees by 10%: €1.70
- Reducing childcare fees by 20%: €2.00
- Reducing childcare fees by 25%: €2.14
- Reducing childcare fees by 33%: €2.3
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of the changes and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS for 2024. The results are given in the below table.
|
Reduction in Childcare Fees |
New Minimum NCS Subsidy |
September Implementation cost |
Full Year and Annual Cost |
|
10% |
€1.70 |
€12.47m |
€37.78m |
|
20% |
€2.00 |
€24.9m |
€75.45m |
|
25% |
€2.14 |
€30.68m |
€92.97m |
|
33% |
€2.38 |
€40.52m |
€122.79m |
As fees can vary from service to service and depending on parents usage, impact estimates must be made as an average of the overall parental financial contribution to fees for their early learning and childcare.
The impact of this change will also vary based on the income level of the applicant. Parents on the maximum subsidies under the income assessed subsidy, that is those on annual income of €26,000 and below will see no change in their fee, as they are already in receipt of the highest available subsidy. For remaining parents, with income above €26,000 under the income assessed subsidy, reductions in fees will vary according to income levels, with those currently in receipt of the lowest subsidies benefiting the most and vice versa.
These estimates come with some important caveats. Firstly, the above costings are based on the NCS as it operates currently and it rates as time of this PQ being asked. As part of Budget 2024 I announced an increase to the NCS universal subsidy from €1.40 per hour to €2.14 and an extension of the NCS to a larger cohort of childminders from September 2024. As these are not yet implemented, the impact of these changes have not be factored into the above costing.
Finally, the costings are on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible early learning and childcare remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviours in families, for example, women returning to workforce and using formal early and childcare for the first time.
472. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated first year, full year and annual cost to reduce childcare fees by 10%, 20%, 25% and 33% effective from January 2024. [53427/23]
View answerThere are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
- Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €1.40 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
- Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. Your rate will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.
The Deputy has requested the first year, full year and annual costs of reducing childcare fees by 10%, 20%, 25% and 33% from January 2024.
This Department does not hold individualised fee data for parents as these are local agreements between parents and providers; instead a reduction in the average cost of childcare to parents is examined. To estimate the cost, officials in my Department used data from Pobal on average weekly childcare fees across the country. Assuming a 45 hour week for all children, the following hourly minimum (universal) subsidies were derived to achieve the desired outcomes:
- Reducing childcare fees by 10%: €1.70
- Reducing childcare fees by 20%: €2.00
- Reducing childcare fees by 25%: €2.14
- Reducing childcare fees by 33%: €2.38
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of the changes and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS for 2024. The results are given in the below table.
|
Reduction in Childcare Fees |
New Minimum NCS Subsidy |
First Year, Full Year and Annual Cost* |
|
10% |
€1.70 |
€37.78m |
|
20% |
€2.00 |
€75.45m |
|
25% |
€2.14 |
€92.97m |
|
33% |
€2.38 |
€122.79m |
*Because of the January introduction, the first year, full year and annual cost of these changes would be identical.
As fees can vary from service to service and depending on parents usage, impact estimates must be made as an average of the overall parental financial contribution to fees for their early learning and childcare.
The impact of this change will also vary based on the income level of the applicant. Parents on the maximum subsidies under the income assessed subsidy, that is those on annual income of €26,000 and below will see no change in their fee, as they are already in receipt of the highest available subsidy. For remaining parents, with income above €26,000 under the income assessed subsidy, reductions in fees will vary according to income levels, with those currently in receipt of the lowest subsidies benefiting the most.
These estimates come with some important caveats. Firstly, the above costings are based on the NCS as it operates currently and it rates as time of this PQ being asked. As part of Budget 2024 I announced an increase to the NCS universal subsidy from €1.40 per hour to €2.14 and an extension of the NCS to a larger cohort of childminders from September 2024. As these are not yet implemented, the impact of these changes have not be factored into the above costing.
Finally, the costings are on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible early learning and childcare remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviours in families, for example, women returning to workforce and using formal early and childcare for the first time.
473. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person’s application (details supplied) under the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act 2015 will be processed. [53429/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising tissues relating to the operation of the Assisted Decision-Making Act 2015. However, it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual applications made to the Decision Support Service (DSS).
The DSS is the organisation charged with operating the provisions of the 2015 Act, and as such are required to respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. Under several parts of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act), as amended, applications may be made to the DSS to facilitate the registration of a variety of decision support agreements.
The DSS may be contacted directly for information regarding an application and will provide assistance in relation to the progress of that application.
It is understood from engagement with the DSS that all queries from the period referenced by the Deputy in the details supplied to me, along with any ancillary or related queries, have been or are being addressed.
The DSS, which is in its first year of operation, endeavours to process all applications in a timely manner, and to respond to all queries relating to applications made under the 2015 Act. The DSS operate a website decisionsupportservice.ie which contains a portal for applications, and can be contacted at 01-2119750. Parliamentary queries can also be sent to the Decision Support Service through publicaffairs@decisionsupportservice.ie.
474. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications that have been completed under the Assisted Decision-Making Capacity Act 2015 since the Decision Support Service came into being earlier this year; in tabular form. [53430/23]
View answerOn the 26th of April this year I commenced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act), along with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022. This allowed for the Decision Support Service to become operational, and to commence processing certain types of decision support applications under different Parts of the Act.
The statistics below include all applications processed by the Decision Support Service under Parts 3 (Decision-Making Assistance), 4 (Co-Decision-Making), and 7(Enduring Powers of Attorney) of the 2015 Act, and orders issued by the Circuit Court under Part 5 (Decision-Making Representation).
|
Decision-Making Arrangement |
Applications Submitted since Commencement |
Registered Arrangements |
|
Decision-Making Assistance Agreements |
26 |
7 |
|
Co-Decision-Making Agreements |
39 |
8 |
|
Enduring Power of Attorney |
358 |
27 |
|
Decision-Making Representation Orders |
131 (received from Circuit Court) |
67 |
|
Total |
554 |
109 |
'Applications submitted since commencement' are applications that are fully submitted by the applicant so are complete from their perspective. They are in various stages in the process, noting that notice and objection periods are built in as safeguards under the Act, which add to the overall processing timeframe.
The DSS has 1498 active applications on their system, comprising enduring powers of attorney, co-decision-making agreements and decision-making assistance agreements. The number of registered arrangements continues to grow, and the number of Part 5 decision-making representation orders received from the Circuit Court is also on the rise.
The Decision Support Service also deal with a huge volume of queries each month, by phone, email and other forms of communication, as people seek to understand the legislation and the application making process. The DSS also holds a range of other functions under the Act, including supervision of decision support arrangements, maintenance of a decision supports register, maintenance of different panels to support the operation of the Act, promotion of the Act, as well as other key functions.
Commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making Act brought an end to wardship in the State for adults, by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new process for appointing tiered decision support arrangements that is now in effect. All existing wards of court are due to exit wardship on a phased basis within three years of commencement.
Wardship was a disempowering system that places a third party’s assessment of a person’s “best interests” above that person’s own will and preference. Under Assisted Decision-Making legislation a flexible functional approach to capacity will be taken, where capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis.
The new system of decision support arrangements is supporting people to continue to exercise control over their daily affairs and to carry on with lives of their choosing, even in the context of diminished capacity.
475. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will remove the requirement for childcare providers to provide a separate set of financial records to the ones filed with the Revenue Commissioners in the core funding model (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53433/23]
View answerCore Funding, which commenced in September 2022, is a grant to Early Learning and Care (ELC) and/or School Age Childcare (SAC) providers towards their operating costs. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
All Partner Services that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
Core Funding payments to providers must run on a programme year, September-August, in line with the school year, the operation of the ELC and SAC sector, and the payments made to providers under the other DCEDIY schemes. Therefore, the financial returns cover the period from 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023 and must be submitted by an accountant from a registered practice or a registered professional body (ACA, ACAA, CPA, and CIMA), on behalf of each Partner Service.
My Department is not requesting audited accounts, Partner Services are instead being asked to provide financial information mapped to the Core Funding Chart of Accounts, which has been reviewed, signed off and submitted by an accountant.
Services that already use accountancy packages should be able map to the Core Funding nominal codes from the Chart of Accounts. However, if a service does not use an accountancy package, a series of resources have been designed to assist services with meeting this requirement.
My officials have, in recent weeks, engaged with the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) on issues raised by providers on the financial reporting requirements under Core Funding.
To date, three meetings have taken place on 7th, 20th November and on 27th November involving members and nominees from Childhood Services Ireland (CSI), Childminding Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland (ECI), the Association of Childhood Professionals Ireland (ACPI), the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP), the National Childhood Network (NCN), the National Community Childcare Forum and Seas Suas as well as representatives from City/County Childcare Committees (CCC) and Pobal.
Arising from these meetings, officials have developed and discussed proposals to significantly simplify and streamline the reporting requirements under Core Funding and to support providers in preparing and submitting these returns. They are now in the process of finalising updated financial reporting requirements and templates, which will be shared with members and nominees of the ELCSF in advance of publication. Once finalised, updated financial reporting requirements will be shared with providers and all communications, including templates and training material will be updated.
My Department acknowledges that there is additional administration for providers with the introduction of new schemes such as the NCS and Core Funding, and has allocated €32.13 million for administration under Core Funding in year two, and €35.34m for the third year of the scheme. In addition, a number of targeted supports are being considered by my Department to enable Core Funding Partner Services to comply with the financial reporting requirement.
476. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the number of creches which are withdrawing from the core funding programme since September 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53435/23]
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 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Core Funding is in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of participation. With 95% participation in year 1 and to date, 94% or over 4,300 providers have signed up for Core Funding Year 2, with applications still open. There are officially more services contracted for Core Funding year 2 than there were at the peak of Core Funding year 1.
Participation in Core Funding is optional but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
The number of partner services which are withdrawing/who have withdrawn from the core funding programme since September 2023 is currently 3* .
Core Funding has increased by 11% to reach €287 million for year 2 of the scheme, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services.
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.
It is a matter for providers to decide whether they wish to withdraw from the Core Funding scheme, the significant financial supports it provides to providers and the support it provides to parents through the associated fee freeze.
There is extensive engagement with provider representatives and providers of all types, via various specific consultation activities and through various fora, including through the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum.
In any instances where a service is experiencing financial difficulty, they can reach out to their local City/County Childcare Committee and avail of Case Management Supports. This can include operational supports as well as financial supports through Sustainability Funding if deemed appropriate.
*Please Note : This number indicates the amount of Services that have withdrawn from the core funding programme since September 2023. My Department only receive the information on services withdrawing once the withdrawal has taken place and not those that might be in the process of withdrawing.
477. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by him; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [53446/23]
View answerMy Department is conducting the following studies, reviews, and research projects. The table shows the conducting body, the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form.
|
Project |
Organisation |
Year Started |
Scheduled Completion |
|
Attitudes to Immigration, refugees and asylum seekers |
ESRI |
2023 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Review of National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy |
Mazars |
2023 |
Q1 2024 |
|
Migrant Integration Consultation and Gender Equality Consultation |
Ipsos B&A |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Comparative supports for beneficiaries of temporary protection |
Internal |
2022 |
N/A |
|
Scoping paper on informal kinship care |
Internal |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Review of Home Visiting Services for families with babies and young children |
Maynooth University |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Review of Children and Young Peoples Services Committees (CYPSC) |
The Centre for Effective Services |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Report of Child Summit 2023 |
Insights Research |
2023 |
2023 |
|
Analysing the focus and impact of HIQA inspections on child protection services |
Trinity College Dublin |
2023 |
2024 |
|
The Care Experiences Project: research project examining the lives of children in care and adults who were in care as children |
Trinity College Dublin |
2022 |
2037 |
|
SONC Report 2023 |
Internal |
N/A |
TBD |
|
Statistical Spotlight on Child Mortality (working title) |
Internal |
N/A |
TBD |
|
Statistical Spotlight on Children and Young People's Indicator Set Outcome "Economic, Security and Opportunity" An International Comparison |
Internal |
N/A |
2024 |
|
Investigation of consolidating the Children and Young People’s (CYP) indicator set and the State of the Nation’s Children (SONC) indicator set and for the streamlining of the CYP indicators |
Ipsos B&A |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Final report on the overall implementation of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 - 2020 |
Patricia Prendiville |
2023 |
2023 |
|
Outline of mechanisms in use in other countries and practical advice on recognising the preferred gender of children aged under 16 in Ireland |
Cambridge Technical |
2022 |
2024 |
|
A literature review on methodologies for consulting with children aged birth to 5 years |
Deirdre Horgan |
2022 |
2024 |
|
Guidelines for Policy Makers on the Participation of Disabled Children and Young People in Decision Making |
Dublin City University |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Report on the Public Consultation on the next Government Policy Framework for the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making |
Deirdre Fullerton - Insights Health & Social Research |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Report into the findings of written submissions from stakeholders associated with the Youth Services Grant Scheme reform project |
Insights Health and Social Research |
2022 |
2024 |
|
Review of the LGBTI+ Youth Forum |
Maria Herron |
2022 |
2024 |
|
Best Practices for Children and Young People’s Play and Recreation: A Scoping Review |
Dublin City University |
2023 |
2024 |
|
OECD TALIS Starting Strong |
Partnership between DCEDIY and CSO |
2021 |
2025 |
|
Review of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme |
Stranmillis University College Belfast |
2022 |
Q1 2024 |
|
An independent financial review of Early Learning and Care sessional services |
Frontier Economics |
2023 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Evaluation of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) |
University of Derby |
2023 |
Q1 2024 |
|
An Evaluation of Better Start with a particular focus on the Better Start National Early Years Quality Development Service (QDS) |
Centre for Effective Services |
2021 |
Q1 2024 |
|
Research on Recognition of Professional Qualifications for Early Learning and Care |
Maynooth University |
2023 |
Q1 2024 |
|
Research on the early learning and childcare needs of parents who work atypical hours and live in rural communities |
Internal N/A |
2022 |
Q1 2024 |
|
A review of Early Year’s coverage and sampling approach to Beneficiary Funding |
Mazars |
2022 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Research to inform the design of a National Early Learning and Childcare Agency |
Indecon Economic Consultants |
2023 |
2025 |
|
Parent Poll of households with children age 14 and under to see their childcare usage |
IPSOS Ltd |
2023 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Study of supports for parents of LGBTI+ or LGBTI+ questioning youth in Ireland |
Quality Matters |
2022 |
Q4 2023 |
|
Mental Health in the Irish LGBTQI+ population with disabilities |
Trinity College Dublin |
2022 |
Q3 2023 |
|
Rapid scoping review to map research evidence and gaps to support the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People in Ireland |
University of Galway |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Dissemination of Growing Up in Ireland Anonymised Frequency Tables for Cohort '08 at 13 and the Special COVID-19 Survey |
Internal |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Key Findings from the Self-Complete Surveys with Growing Up in Ireland Cohort '08 at 13 |
Internal |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Research Needs for Growing Up in Ireland Cohort '08 at 17 |
Internal |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Attitudes towards Travellers using IPSOS Survey data (working title) |
ESRI |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Strategies for Promoting Straight Allyship with LGBTI+ Young People in Ireland |
TASC |
2023 |
2024 |
|
"What we know from Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) (2008 - 2023) about the key factors which impede or support child well-being, and the extent to which these are socially patterned and policy opportunities for intervention." |
UCD |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Attitudes towards immigration and refugees in Ireland: trends and drivers post-Ukrainian arrivals |
ESRI |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Gender Pay Gap Reporting Analysis (working title) |
Internal |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Youth Information Research (Title TBD) |
Centre for Effective Services |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Evaluation of the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative 2021-2022 |
Sector3 Solutions |
2023 |
2023 |
|
Report on the public consultation to inform the development of a new Action Plan for Youth Services in Ireland |
Research Matters |
2023 |
2023 |
|
Qualitative research to examine the Workplace Experience of Parents Dealing with Pregnancy Loss |
UCC |
2022 |
Q1 2024 |
|
Review of the Equality Acts |
Internal |
2021 |
Q1 2024 |
478. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how much his Department has paid to date in 2023 in respect of accommodation provided by IPAS; how much his Department currently expects to have paid in respect of accommodation by the end of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53501/23]
View answer480. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline how many bed nights were paid for by IPAS each night of 2023 and how many persons were residing in accommodated paid for on each night of 2023. [53503/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 478 and 480 together.
Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants.
This includes over 74,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IPAs currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
The total spend on International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022 was €356m. There were 19,202 people in IPAS accommodation on 31st 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 (IP) applicant in IPAS accommodation for one year was €18,568.59.
As at 24th November 2023, the total spend on IPAS accommodation is €617m. It is anticipated that a further spend of €544,000 will be required, by year-end.
The payment of IPAS accommodation is based on contracted capacity rather than individual occupancy. 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.
The Department is conscious of the need to ensure quality in all accommodation contracted, while also providing shelter and safety urgently to those who need it. In considering offers, the Department takes into account a range of factors such as accommodation suitability, rates, capacity and amenities. Every effort is being made to activate suitable accommodation offers.
479. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department provides accommodation to persons whose protection application has been determined and is no longer the subject of any legal challenge to that said determination; if so, to how many such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53502/23]
View answerThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating 26,000 people in over 200 accommodation centres throughout Ireland. Of these people, approximately 6,000 have been granted International Protection or a Leave to Remain.
Under The European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, those who have had their application determined are no longer entitled to Material Reception conditions. However, IPAS continues to accommodate those with status, until such time that they progress into the community.
IPAS has a specific Transition team who work in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and Local Authorities to support residents with status to exit IPAS accommodation and access other housing options. Those with status have the same housing entitlements as Irish Citizens and are supported to register with a Local Authority and, if required, to avail of the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to secure alternative accommodation. In addition, those with status have the same social welfare entitlements as Irish citizens.
Those with status for the greatest length of time are currently being offered a transfer to alternative emergency accommodation. Those being offered this transfer have been granted status for at least 18 months.
This process began in September 2022, beginning with single applicants with status for over 3 years. Currently singles/couples with status over 18 months have been notified of the offer of emergency accommodation, if they have been unable to source accommodation within 6 weeks of the dated letter.
All those with International Protection/Permission to Remain are written to once status has been granted and are advised they must now seek alternative accommodation. They are also advised that the supports of Peter McVerry Trust/DePaul are available to them. In the past 18 months, over 2,000 people with status have left IPAS accommodation and progressed into the community.
481. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department provides accommodation to persons granted Labour Market Access Permission; if so, to how many such persons; how much they contribute to the cost of their accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53504/23]
View answerWhen a person asks for asylum at the border of a country, that country’s authorities must examine the application. Those seeking asylum in Ireland must make an application for International Protection (IP). The claim is examined by the International Protection Office (IPO), which falls under the aegis of the Department of Justice.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to IP applicants who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State.
This offering includes all meals and utilities. Full access to public medical services is provided and a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person.
After six months, IP applicants are eligible to work if they have not received a first instance decision on their application. Labour market access was introduced in June 2018 for all applicants who have not had a first decision on their claim within 9 months. In January 2021 a new measure was introduced allowing applicants to access the labour market 6 months after they make their application, and extending their permission to work to 12 months (up from 6 months). Labour market access is a matter for the Department of Justice.
IPAS does not request a contribution from those residing in IPAS accommodation centres.
482. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline how many persons were residing at the Lakelands Hotel Scariff, County Clare on each day since 1 June 2023; how many bed nights were paid for on each night since 1 June 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53505/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. This information will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
483. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when therapists will be reinstated at a special school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53511/23]
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.
484. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when invoices will be paid to an accommodation provider (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53515/23]
View answerI am advised by my officials that they are actively engaging with the provider regarding issues with several of the outstanding invoices to which the Deputy refers. Once agreed, those invoices will be paid promptly. The Deputy may wish to note that their Details Supplied includes a number of invoices which are currently being processed, with payment expected to issue shortly, subject to final checks.
Whilst there have been some delays in payment due to the very large volume of invoices received, over the past few months, my Department has put in place a system which has greatly improved processing times. My Department is also working towards additional automation in the system which is expected to further streamline the process.
485. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department operates an X account (formerly Twitter) or any other social media account, and if such accounts are verified through a subscription fee; the policy in place that guides when any of these accounts can ‘like’, endorse or support a posting on X or other social media platforms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53649/23]
View answerMy Department operates an account on X (formerly Twitter), using the handle @dcediy. My Department also operates accounts on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn under the handle @dcediy and/or username Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth.
My Department does not pay a subscription/verification fee for these accounts. My Department's social media policy is available on gov.ie at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/481c3-dcediy-social-media-policy/
