Cathal Crowe
Question:141. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a livestock vessel (details supplied) was permitted to leave Ireland despite inclement weather conditions. [54196/23]
View answerAnimal Welfare
Questions (141)
Written answers
I am aware that a shipment of cattle left Ireland on 10th November 2023. Animals exported from Ireland must be transported in compliance with EU animal welfare rules, and with Ireland’s national rules for sea transport of livestock introduced by my Department, which go beyond EU rules.
Each loading of livestock onto dedicated vessels for export to non-EU countries is monitored and supervised by a team of experienced Department officials. The consignment of cattle referred to was also supervised in this manner.
There are contingency plans in place to cover conditions that may be encountered en route, for instance there is always more food and water placed aboard the vessel than would be required for the expected journey.
In the event that unexpected weather conditions arise en route, it is within the discretion of the vessel Captain to amend the course of the vessel as he or she sees fit in order to maximise the welfare, health and safety of the crew as well as the animals on board. The vessel referred to was temporarily laid at anchorage in a sheltered bay off the coast of France for this purpose.
The Department was in contact with the Captain to confirm this. It subsequently resumed and completed its voyage.
Animal Welfare
Questions (142)
Cathal Crowe
Question:142. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has been in communication with the French authorities regarding a deceased animal (details supplied) [54197/23]
View answerWritten answers
I am aware that an unidentified bovine carcase was found in France and can confirm that officials of my department have been in communication with both their French counterparts, and the Captain of the Sarah M, on this issue.
These communications are ongoing, however there is currently no evidence to link the carcase to the vessel.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Questions (143)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:143. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the annual first and full-year cost total of expanding ECCE/AIM wages over five years from three hours to eight hours, including PRSI and USC at current ERO levels. [53962/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is a universal free two-year preschool programme available to all children within the eligible age range. ECCE is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June.
The ECCE programme is provided by private providers who enter into contracts with my Department to provide the ECCE programme to eligible children. Payment is on a per-capita basis and the capitation rates is €69 per child per week.
The figures provided below are an estimate of generally increasing payments to services consistent with an 8 hour ECCE model as requested. It is a matter for employees and employers in the context of Employment Regulation orders and Revenue requirements to agree wages, PRSI and USC.
The following calculation assumes that all services are in a position to uplift provision to 8 hours per day and that all families avail of 8 hours a day. It also assumes that all Tusla regulatory requirements are met in relation to full day care services.
The 2024 expenditure for ECCE is estimated to be approximately €256 million. Taking into account the assumptions outlined, it is estimated that the additional funding required to meet the additional 5 hours would be approximately €426 million.The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is in place to create a more inclusive environment in preschools, so all children, regardless of ability, can benefit from quality early learning and care. The model achieves this by providing universal supports to preschool settings, and targeted supports, which focus on the needs of the individual child, without requiring a diagnosis of disability.
As actual wages and supports are a matter between employer and employee, the figures hereunder can only estimate a general increase in payments to services consistent with an expanded 8 hour ECCE model set out in the Deputy’s question.
The figures cannot estimate the impact of such an expansion on wages per se.
The 2024 expenditure for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is estimated to be approximately €45.6m.
This funding covers the cost of payments to services, which encompass a range of both universal and targeted supports during ECCE for preschool settings. ECCE, the free preschool provision is 3 hours per day, 38 weeks per year.
To note, in addition to caveats above around applying hours based on costings, this assumes that all services are in a position to uplift provision to 8 hours per day and that all families currently availing of AIM would wish avail of 8 hours and the potential growth of AIM supports. It also assumes that all supports will increase proportionately.
It also does not include the increased cost of administrative and support from central structures (including Pobal/Better Start).
Taking into account these caveats, it is estimated that the total additional funding required to meet the rise from 3 hours to 8 hours would be approximately €76m for AIM.
Departmental Data
Questions (144)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:144. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to give a breakdown of the type of new ELC and SAC registrations. [53963/23]
View answerWritten answers
As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
Childcare Services
Questions (145)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:145. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the annual first and full-year cost total to pay the wages of all childcare staff over five years, in tabular form, including PRSI and USC at current ERO levels. [53964/23]
View answerWritten answers
Providers of early learning and care and school-age childcare are private businesses. As the State does not employ staff in ELC and SAC services, neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
However, based on data available to My Department, if all staff wages were included (including wages for ancillary staff) it is estimated the total annual cost of wages would be €863 million per year, of which €815m relates to directly employed staff and €48m to staff whose wages are paid through State employment and training schemes. Excluding ancillary staff who do not work directly with children, the figure would be €760m (rather than €815m). These figures do not take into account the income currently received by those working in the sector who are self-employed and who derive their income from profits rather than wages.
To extrapolate the €815m figure for total employee wages (including ancillary staff who are employees) across a 5 year horizon, an average staff number growth rate of 3% (based on recent trends in staffing numbers as published in the Annual Early Years Sector Profile) was applied.
Year 2 estimated total cost: €840 million
Year 3 estimated total cost: €865 million
Year 4 estimated total cost: €890 million
Year 5 estimated total cost: €917 million
The following should be noted, in relation to the above:
• The cost estimates are based on staff who had an hourly wage recorded in service providers’ submissions for Core Funding, but the Core Funding data has been extrapolated to provide an estimate for all staff working in the sector.
Departmental Data
Questions (146)
Joan Collins
Question:146. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many speech and language therapists are currently working in each health district of Dublin city and county; how many positions are currently vacant; and how current numbers compare to each of the past ten years. [53980/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (147, 148)
Joan Collins
Question:147. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many children are currently waiting for a speech and language assessment in each health district of Dublin city and county; and how long are they waiting. [53981/23]
View answerJoan Collins
Question:148. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how long after an assessment does a child in each health district of Dublin city and county have to wait until they start the recommended speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53982/23]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 147 and 148 together.
As 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.
Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 147.
Disabilities Assessments
Questions (149)
Niamh Smyth
Question:149. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a child (details supplied) is waiting on an assessment of needs; if the appointment will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54036/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Disability Services
Questions (150)
Bernard Durkan
Question:150. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when appropriate supports will be provided to the son of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54050/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Disability Services
Questions (151)
Bernard Durkan
Question:151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when crucial supports and interventions will be provided for the daughter of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54089/23]
View answerWritten answers
As 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.
Constitutional Amendments
Questions (152)
Róisín Shortall
Question:152. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to respond to matters raised in correspondence regarding the wording of the proposed constitutional amendment to the definition of a family (details supplied); when an announcement will be made in respect of the proposed wording; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54097/23]
View answerWritten answers
On 5 December, the Government approved proposals for two referendums which will:
• amend Article 41 the Constitution to provide for a wider concept of Family; and• delete Article 41.2 of the Constitution to remove text on the role of women in the home, and to insert a new Article 42B to recognise family care.
The referendums will be held on 8 March 2024.
I will now prepare two referendum Bills for the approval of Government to give effect to these proposals.
Following the passage of the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission, will prepare a statement or statements containing a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposals for the referendums and of the text thereof in the relevant Bills and any other information relating to those matters that the Commission considers appropriate.
It shall also be the function of the Electoral Commission to promote public awareness of referendums and to encourage people to vote.
International Protection
Questions (153)
Ivana Bacik
Question:153. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on progress to secure large sites for the housing of refugees, as was issued in respect of pledges of accommodation in individual residential homes; and if he will report on his engagement with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in respect of same. [54125/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is now accommodating approximately 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This compares with 8,575 in February 2022. This includes over 73,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Emergency accommodation by its nature requires properties that are ready for occupation as needed. My Department has engaged with contracts with a large number of providers of serviced and self catering accommodations of various sizes across the country.
My Department has not appealed to the public for large scale sites in the same way as calls for pledges of accommodation in individual residential homes by the Irish Red Cross (IRC) or local authorities. The IRC and LGMA recently refreshed their campaigns in this regard to seek further pledges and a continuation of existing pledged arrangements. These hosting arrangements by private individuals, whether as part of these campaigns or privately arranged have been invaluable in assisting Ukrainian BOTPs to find emergency accommodation.
Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department is currently considering large scale sites through the refurbishment project and Modular sites.
Offers which require refurbishment are now considered under the auspices of the Department of Housing Local Government & Heritage (DHLGH) refurbishment programme. As part of the refurbishment programme DHLGH work closely with the local authorities to assess and progress viable state and private commercial offers of accommodation in line with the Guidelines for Temporary Accommodation.
The Department has launched an online portal for developer-led modular accommodation on gov.ie where providers can submit expressions of interest. This portal seeks offers for developments with a capacity of up to 200 BOTPs, encompassing the site, units and all management services associated with them. Modular accommodation may potentially provide a further sustainable medium-term solution to assist in meeting overall accommodation requirements, allowing BOTPs to integrate into communities and possibly setting the stage for future housing development at sites. This programme will help establish the feasibility of the approach from a cost perspective and the capacity of the private sector to deliver appropriate solutions. The portal can be accessed here: gov.ie - Offers and Expressions of Interest in Commercial Accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine (www.gov.ie/en/publication/d3422-offers-of-commercial-accommodation-for-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protection-botps-from-ukraine/)
International Protection
Questions (154)
Carol Nolan
Question:154. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is in the process of securing the use of Inchmore House (St. Anthonys) Clara, County Offaly, for the purpose of accommodating international protection applicants of beneficiaries of temporary protection; the efforts his Department has made to engage with the surrounding local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54130/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is now accommodating approximately 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This compares with 8,575 in February 2022. This includes over 73,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation.
My Department received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the Former Boarding School, Inchmore House, Clara, Co. Offaly, R35 YX78.
The property is currently undergoing refurbishment as part of the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Project overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. The property has been offered to provide accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine. The initial capacity will be approximately 88, subject to confirmation, and is expected to be ready in Q1 2024.
Both UCTAT and IPPS are operating in the context of a severe accommodation shortage. As a result, it is necessary for the Government to place Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection and International Protection Applicants in accommodation as and when it becomes available. This helps ensure accommodation is available for all those who seek it. In such circumstances the Government will work to ensure that local capacity; resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response and will work closely with Local Authorities to ensure a well-co-ordinated and seamless approach.
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. The team engages with communities to provide a conduit for information on arrivals and also to address related issues arising in communities. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with the accurate information required to help them understand the current situation and to assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals.
The team are also engaging with other stakeholders outside of immediate openings of centres to build relationships and networks with key groups this includes meetings with Community response Fora, Local Development Companies and other NGOs.
International Protection
Questions (155)
Carol Nolan
Question:155. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the townhouse property in Tullamore has been secured for the purpose of accommodating international protection applicants of beneficiaries of temporary protection; the efforts his Department has made to engage with the surrounding local communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54131/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has responded 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 101,000 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing, over 80% of whom have sought State supported accommodation.
My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. This has involved entering into arrangements with over 990 providers including hotels, guest houses and B and Bs, religious properties, with additional capacity operated by voluntary bodies and local authority emergency facilities.
I am advised that my Department has not considered the property to which the Deputy refers.