Written Answers Nos. 464-487
464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent of the research currently in hand or to be undertaken in respect of the cause(s) of the spread of bovine TB; whether adequate measures and scientific research continue to be taken to ensure the safety of the national bovine herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56241/23]
View answerBovine Tuberculosis (bTB) is a highly infectious disease of cattle caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis). As part of the national TB Eradication Programme, there are numerous studies and research projects into the causes of TB in livestock. This work is undertaken to provide scientific information to inform policy decision-making.
All TB scientific research assignments undertaken as part of the TB Eradication Programme are carefully defined and driven by a specific TB-related research question.
My Department commissions various bodies to carry out TB research projects. The main body that is commissioned by my Department is University College Dublin's Centre for Veterinary Epidemiology and Risk Analysis (UCD CVERA) which conducts research for the control and eradication of regulatory animal diseases, which includes the national TB Eradication Programme.
465. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action taken to protect ash forests against dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56244/23]
View answerIn response to the Report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine, on ‘Issues Impacting the Forestry Sector in Ireland’ (2021), my Department published a report ‘Origins of Ash Dieback Disease in Ireland, Lessons Learned and Research Update (2022)’. This document is available on my Department’s website.
The report finds that the most likely pathway for the introduction of ash dieback disease into Ireland was through the movement of infected ash plants into Ireland from another EU Member State.
There are no formal border controls or inspections on goods (including plants and plant products) moving within the EU under the rules and principles of the EU Single Market /Internal Market. Compliance with movement requirements to other Member States are essentially the responsibility of the EU country of origin.
Under the then governing EU Plant Health Directive (Council Directive 2000/29/EC) (replaced by the new EU Plant Regulation in December 2019), only certain plants and plant products were regulated. Ash trees moving within the EU were not regulated and could freely move throughout the EU.
While many tree species were not regulated under the outgoing Council Directive, all plants under the new enhanced EU Plant Health Regulation (2016/2031), require a Plant Passport when moved within the EU between ‘Professional Operators’.
Ash dieback disease is a wind-borne disease and airborne transmission from continental Europe has been attributed to its introduction into the southeast of Great Britain and to rapid spread throughout the natural range of ash in Europe. Airborne transmission has similarly resulted in its rapid spread throughout the island of Ireland, where the disease is now widespread.
It is not known when the disease first arrived on the island of Ireland. The first detections of the disease were made in 2012 in both Ireland and Northern Ireland. In the same year it was also first detected in Great Britain. My Department initiated actions to eradicate the disease by clearing infected sites and trees that were infected. There is currently a scheme in place for landowners to clear their ash plantations and replace with another species. The first such scheme, introduced to slow the spread of the disease and replace infected ash crops with another species of tree was put in place in 2013.
466. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department is taking to ensure the child trafficking is not occurring where refugee families and adolescents are presenting for international protection in Ireland. [55038/23]
View answerBoth my Department and Tusla remain deeply concerned about the increased risk of child trafficking and sexual exploitation of vulnerable children and young people, whether relating to children and young people in care or those in the wider community.
As the Deputy is aware, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Under the Child Care Act, 1991, and Children First, Tusla assesses the risk of harm to a child or young person, including working with other state agencies on the possibility that the child may have been trafficked.
If it is deemed folowing a social work assessment that the child is at risk of harm and should not be reunified with the stated guardian/parent, then, in accordance with Tusla and An Garda Síochána joint working protocol, Tusla notifies An Garda Síochána of suspected child abuse, indicating suspected trafficking. An Garda Síochána will determine if a crime has been committed. Any criminal investigations into trafficking is a matter for An Garda Síochána to investigate. Tusla ensures that protective measures, including potential care placements, are taken to ensure the young person’s safety.
The Government is firmly committed to ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
Further planned legislative amendments which taking place:
• These amendments are included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022
• The Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023 was published on 17 July 2023. Following a planned debate in the Seanad, Minister McEntee intends to progress the Bill to enactment as soon as possible.
• The Bill will also put a revised National Referral Mechanism (NRM) in place for identification and support of victims of trafficking.
467. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the premises in County Monaghan that currently house international protection applicants; the number of men, women and children housed in each premises; if there are proposals to expand the capacity at any premises, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55851/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. The requested information will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
468. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of new appointments that have been made to the children's disability network teams (details supplied) services in counties Cavan and Monaghan since January 2022, in light of the very high vacancy rate within the service. [48158/23]
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 6 October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
469. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 481 of 5 December 2023, if his Department seeks any record of individual occupancy per night from IPAS accommodation contract providers; if it maintains any record of individual occupancy in IPAS accommodation centres per night; if he will provide any such figures in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55892/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. This information will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
470. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to consider and refer correspondence (details supplied) to IPAS, requesting it to address the issues identified. [55905/23]
View answerThis response has issued directly to the Deputy.
471. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review the current process which is applied in determining the core funding for afterschool services, in view the fact that some of these facilities are now closing due to the costs that they have to incur in order to secure core funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55924/23]
View answerInvestment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1 billion in 2023 – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Core Funding in Year 1 – with an overall allocation of €259 million contributed to services’ sustainability and significantly increased income for the overwhelming majority of services while providing greater funding stability.
For Year 2 of Core Funding, the budget has increased by 11% to reach €287 million, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services.
The additional funding for Core Funding Year 2 is being allocated as follows:
• €8.47 million towards funding the natural growth of the sector,
• €6.11 million towards non-staff overheads, to support services with increases to non-staff costs, while maintaining the fee management system,
• €2.2 million towards administrative staff time,
• €4 million towards the removal the year 3 requirement for the Graduates Premiums, underpinned by EROs, and
• €7.22 million for new targeted measures which are aimed at improving the sustainability of smaller and sessional services. These include a flat rate allocation of €4,075 for all sessional-only services, which will benefit approximately 1,700 services delivering ECCE, and a minimum base rate allocation of €8,150, which will benefit small, part time and school-age services. The €8,150 is a full programme year amount, Partner Service that are in Core Funding for less than a full programme year will be allocated the appropriate number of weekly payments.
Budget 2024 allocated an additional €37.4m to Core Funding. This increase on the 2023 allocation will support continued implementation of the scheme for the second programme year (September 2023 to August 2024) and into the third programme year from September 2024.
With additional funding of €14.65m being made available from September 2024, this translates into a full year allocation of €331m for year 3 of Core Funding, an increase of €44m, or 15%, on the current allocation of €287m.
This will support the delivery of a range of enhancements in Year 3 of the scheme to support improved affordability and accessibility for families, improved pay and conditions for the workforce and improved sustainability for providers.
As Core Funding brings significant investment to the sector it is appropriate that there is are reporting requirements in relation to the funding, including financial reporting requirements. At my request, 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. Following on from these recent engagements with the ELCSF, the Department have revised the Reporting Requirements for Year 1 and Year 2 of Core Funding. Year 1 and 2 Core Funding Reporting will be a transitional phase, which will include significantly reduced and more streamlined reporting requirements. Supports for providers in preparing and submitting these returns, including training supports and targeted financial supports will be available for those that may need it.
In addition, special supports are available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, accessed through local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC). This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support including financial support appropriate to individual circumstances.
I would encourage any service experiencing financial difficulty and who would like support to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports.
472. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that will be put in place to assist parents in the Kerry Pike area in Cork who depended on afterschool services in view of the fact that the current operators have decided to withdraw; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55925/23]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers with early learning and childcare matters.
Cork County Childcare Committee are working to support the National School where the service was located to put in place a new school age service for parents as quickly as possible.
Cork County Childcare Committee is in regular contact with the Principal of the school and has advised that any parent queries be forwarded to Cork County Childcare Committee (phone: 021 4310500, email: info@corkcitychildcare.ie) or colleagues in Cork City Childcare Committee.
The network of City/County Childcare Committees are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. These CCCs also engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Providers and parents can find the details of their local City/County Childcare Committee by visiting www.myccc.ie.
My Department is also taking a number of steps to increase supply. A funding scheme was introduced last year - Core Funding – which allocates funding for providers based on the cost of delivery. Under Core Funding, providers delivering early learning and childcare for babies and toddlers attract higher levels of funding, given the higher staffing requirements determined by the regulatory ratios for these children. Though only in operation since September 2022, initial analysis shows that this new funding scheme has given rise to a significant growth in capacity – with capacity growth for cohorts including babies and toddlers where there has been significant pressure on places. €9.27m has been secured in Budget 2024 to invest in a further 3% capacity growth from September 2024. In addition, and as part of the design of the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Scheme, officials in my Department have commenced a needs analysis in the Early Learning and Childcare sector. This analysis will look at undersupply by region and age category, which will ensure that my Department can fund additional capacity where it is most needed. I announced further details of the Capacity Grant on Thursday 7 December.
473. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details regarding core funding being withheld from a childcare provider (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55934/23]
View answerUnfortunately I cannot comment on individual cases, however, I can confirm that the service has been engaging with their local CCC and Pobal.
It is important to note that special supports are available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, accessed through local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC). This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support including financial support appropriate to individual circumstances.
I would encourage any service experiencing financial difficulty and who would like support to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports.
474. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a centre (details supplied) housing Ukrainian refugees has so many vacancies since last August, taking into account the pressure on accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; whether it is intended to ensure all accommodation centres have their full complement as far as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55985/23]
View answer475. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacancies in accommodation hosting Ukrainian refugees across the country; the reason for this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55986/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 474 and 475 together.
The efforts and contributions of individuals, volunteers, communities, local authorities and NGOs across the country in welcoming and supporting those fleeing the war in Ukraine have been truly remarkable. The standard and scale of the humanitarian response is due to such efforts and is to be commended. Commercial accommodation providers contracted to my Department have played a valuable part in supporting this response.
Maximising the use of contracted vacancies is a priority for my Department. Each accommodation provider who has a contract with my Department to provide accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) is required to notify my officials of any vacancies at the accommodation on a weekly basis.
A dedicated team was established in Q2 of this year to actively validate these vacancies notified to us by accommodation providers to ensure these are within contracted capacity and meet our standards.?In addition, improvements to our processes have significantly increased accommodation provider compliance with the requirement to submit weekly registers, currently over 90%, and my officials are actively contacting those outstanding providers not currently doing so to ensure we have a full picture of contracted vacancies.
The accommodation provider to which the Deputy refers is one of our contracted providers and has notified my Department of vacancies at that accommodation by sending a weekly vacancies register.
There are a number of circumstances, however, under which in-contract vacancies cannot be used in the short term and must be paused.?Where a provider is nearing the end of their contract, for example, or where an issue has been raised with my Department, such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies notified by that accommodation provider will not be filled until these matters are resolved to ensure the safety and security of BOTPs.
Vacancies which are suitable for immediate use are made available to the relevant teams for allocation. Due to varying room configurations and geographical location, some vacancies may take longer to fill then others given they are utilised to meet the specific requirements of individuals and family groups of BOTPs.???
The total number of vacancies available for allocation changes daily as vacancies are both validated and allocated to BOTPs on a daily basis. While the number of total available vacancies notified to my Department are not insignificant and welcomed, it is important to note that a large proportion of the vacancies notified will be for small numbers of beds in disparate locations which brings logistical difficulties.
Where small numbers are identified these are regularly single beds available in family rooms with resident BOTPs, which are difficult to fill. Also, it is often the case that when operational teams seek to use vacancies that have been notified, accommodation providers will reduce the numbers of beds previously indicated to my officials due to rooms being refurbished or needing repair.
476. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [55990/23]
View answerTá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán na ceanglais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a bhaint amach.
Táimid ag obair i gcomhar lenár ngníomhaireacht chruthaitheach agus lenár ngníomhaireacht ceannaigh mean chun a chinntiú go mbainfear amach rothlú fógraíochta Ghaeilge 20% ar fud ár bhfeachtas ar fad, agus chomh gar agus is féidir don sprioc 5% maidir leis na meáin Ghaeilge, sa mhéid is indéanta ag brath ar spás fógraíochta atá ar fáil.
I gcomhréir leis an Acht leasaithe, tiomsófar an fhaisnéis uile maidir lenár gcomhlíonadh fógraíochta Gaeilge le haghaidh 2023 lena chur faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga in R1 2024 lena fhoilsiú ina dhiaidh sin.
477. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh sna meáin Ghaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 5% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56010/23]
View answerTá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán na ceanglais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a bhaint amach.
Táimid ag obair i gcomhar lenár ngníomhaireacht chruthaitheach agus lenár ngníomhaireacht ceannaigh mean chun a chinntiú go mbainfear amach rothlú fógraíochta Ghaeilge 20% ar fud ár bhfeachtas ar fad, agus chomh gar agus is féidir don sprioc 5% maidir leis na meáin Ghaeilge, sa mhéid is indéanta ag brath ar spás fógraíochta atá ar fáil.
I gcomhréir leis an Acht leasaithe, tiomsófar an fhaisnéis uile maidir lenár gcomhlíonadh fógraíochta Gaeilge le haghaidh 2023 lena chur faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga in R1 2024 lena fhoilsiú ina dhiaidh sin.
Is ábhar oibríochtúil do gach gníomhaireacht an fhaisnéis a iarradh i ndáil leis na gníomhaireachtaí faoi choimirce mo Roinne. Iarrfaidh an Roinn ar na comhlachtaí ábhartha freagra a thabhairt go díreach don Teachta ina bhfuil an fhaisnéis a iarradh maidir lena n-eagraíochtaí.
478. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta a Roinne do 2023 atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht a dhéanamh i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfear amach roimh dheireadh na bliana an céatadán 20% a leagtar síos in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56028/23]
View answerTá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán na ceanglais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a bhaint amach.
Táimid ag obair i gcomhar lenár ngníomhaireacht chruthaitheach agus lenár ngníomhaireacht ceannaigh mean chun a chinntiú go mbainfear amach rothlú fógraíochta Ghaeilge 20% ar fud ár bhfeachtas ar fad, agus chomh gar agus is féidir don sprioc 5% maidir leis na meáin Ghaeilge, sa mhéid is indéanta ag brath ar spás fógraíochta atá ar fáil.
I gcomhréir leis an Acht leasaithe, tiomsófar an fhaisnéis uile maidir lenár gcomhlíonadh fógraíochta Gaeilge le haghaidh 2023 lena chur faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga in R1 2024 lena fhoilsiú ina dhiaidh sin.
479. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige cén céatadán de bhuiséad fógraíochta 2023 na gcomhlachtaí poiblí a thagann faoi scáth a Roinne atá caite go dtí seo i mbliana ar fhógraíocht i nGaeilge agus an bhféadfadh sé a dheimhniú go mbainfidh na comhlachtaí sin amach roimh dheireadh na bliana seo an céatadán 20% a leagtar sios in Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [56046/23]
View answerTá mo Roinn tiomanta go hiomlán na ceanglais faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú), 2021 a bhaint amach.
Táimid ag obair i gcomhar lenár ngníomhaireacht chruthaitheach agus lenár ngníomhaireacht ceannaigh mean chun a chinntiú go mbainfear amach rothlú fógraíochta Ghaeilge 20% ar fud ár bhfeachtas ar fad, agus chomh gar agus is féidir don sprioc 5% maidir leis na meáin Ghaeilge, sa mhéid is indéanta ag brath ar spás fógraíochta atá ar fáil.
I gcomhréir leis an Acht leasaithe, tiomsófar an fhaisnéis uile maidir lenár gcomhlíonadh fógraíochta Gaeilge le haghaidh 2023 lena chur faoi bhráid an Choimisinéara Teanga in R1 2024 lena fhoilsiú ina dhiaidh sin.
Is ábhar oibríochtúil do gach gníomhaireacht an fhaisnéis a iarradh i ndáil leis na gníomhaireachtaí faoi choimirce mo Roinne. Iarrfaidh an Roinn ar na comhlachtaí ábhartha freagra a thabhairt go díreach don Teachta ina bhfuil an fhaisnéis a iarradh maidir lena n-eagraíochtaí.
480. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56103/23]
View answerMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
481. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth given that many private early childcare providers are going out of business due to lack of funding, if he will give a breakdown as to where the existing funding is going; and the reason it is not getting to the early child care providers who are running a top class service on a shoe string budget. [56224/23]
View answerOver the past eight budgets, investment in early learning and childcare has risen from €260 million in 2015 to €1.1 billion in 2024. The First 5 investment target for 2028 was reached 5 years ahead of time in 2023.
Of this investment, the following amounts constitute direct funding to providers:
• Core Funding - €303 million
• National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and associated legacy schemes - €376 million
• ECCE programme - €313 million
• Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in the NCS and ECCE programme - €25 million
Evidence does not show that many providers are going out of business on foot of this considerable increase in investment. Most recent figures from the Tusla register show that, in the year to date, 151 services closed with 274 opening. This is the lowest rate of closure in the last 5 years.
Services close for a wide variety of reasons including retirement of owners or other personal circumstances.
Sustainability supports are available to providers through City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal. These supports can consist of operational supports which can be accessed by any service who encounters difficulty as well as financial supports if deemed appropriate.
482. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the availability of adequate resources to meet the growing challenges in terms of youth support services, social services, investigative programmes and rapid response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56252/23]
View answerReferral rates to Tusla continue to increase year on year. This can be considered to be a result of increased awareness of child protection and Children First legislation and guidance within society and some changes to the reporting processes. However, it is important to note that once a referral is received by Tusla the first consideration for social work teams is the immediate safety of the child and whether protective action is required. All reports to Tusla are normally reviewed (screened) on the day they are received. Tusla has restructured its front door duty teams into separate screening intake teams for referrals and also separate intake and initial assessment teams and also separate child protection and welfare pillars.
However, it is important to acknowledge the challenges that the Agency is facing. Ireland is now accommodating over 90,000 persons fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and International Protection applicants, resulting in significant pressure on State services including Tusla. This is resulting in challenges in providing sufficient suitable placements for children in care, and I am aware of the concern of members and other stakeholders in this regard, and specifically in relation to ‘Special Emergency Arrangements.’ The presentations of children entering care are also of increasing complexity. As at the 7th December 2023 there were 316 children from other countries seeking international protection in the State, of these 29 are in foster care, 26 are in supported lodgings, 61 are in residential settings and 200 are in special emergency accommodation.
I acknowledge the current level of social work vacancies in Tusla and the challenges in recruiting sufficient numbers of social workers into Tusla. The critical importance of children in care and children in need of child welfare and protection services being allocated a social worker are acknowledged by myself as Minister and the Department.
My Department has issued as part of its Performance Framework for 2024-2026 to Tusla a list of priorities for Tusla including the retention of social workers. This includes a number of actions for Tusla to improve the recruitment and retention of social workers, including engagement with Higher Education Institutions, focused recruitment on areas with highest and complex needs, monitoring recruitment activities and continuing to reduce the reliance on agency staffing, and various measures around enhancing Tusla as an employer of choice. My Department looks forward to further engagement on this issue as part of the Corporate Plan to reflect the policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters contained in the Minister’s framework, which will include the priority on addressing the retention of social workers.
Investigative procedures are a matter for An Garda Síochána whereas Tusla assess the circumstances of children within families and any potential risk arising for children.
483. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which she continues to improve the services available for the protection of children in the home, in foster care or in statutory residential care; whether sufficient resources continue to be available to meet all likely future requirements having particular regard to the past experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56253/23]
View answerThe primary responsibility in respect of the delivery of services for children in foster care and residential care lies with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Budget 2024 brought Tusla’s allocated to €1.038 billion. This funding will allow Tusla to begin to address some of the increased demand for Tusla services, including increasing capacity in respect of residential care provision in line with commitments contained within Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Residential Care Services for Children and Young People 2022-2025. Further, Tusla has developed a range of Strategic Plans across the continuum of care, which outline increased investment and commitments to improvement of services for children and young people in care.
In respect of foster care and as outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12.
In respect of the protection of children in the home, where there may be child welfare concerns, the onus falls on all of us to report concerns that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected. Tusla has developed a comprehensive referral system through which organisations, the public and mandated people can share their concerns for a child potentially at risk of neglect or abuse.
I will continue to engage closely with relevant stakeholders, including Tusla, to improve the delivery of high quality care to children and young people.
484. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the investigative structures within his Department are deemed adequate to meet current and future requirements as evaluated by reference to the time taken to respond to individual cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56254/23]
View answerAs you are aware, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
As Minister, I am precluded from intervening in individual cases as there is an obligation by law that Tusla is independent in the performance of it's functions.
If I, or my Department are made aware of a potential risk to a child, these concerns are immediately brought to the attention of Tusla. Once a referral is received by Tusla, the referral is screened and any necessary assessments are carried out by the Agency. Any matter that requires investigation, is a matter for An Garda Síochána.
485. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he has sufficient resources available to his Department to meet the anticipated demands of children at risk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56255/23]
View answerThe critical importance of children in care and children in need of child welfare and protection services being allocated a social worker are acknowledged by myself as Minister and the Department.
My Department will issue as part of its Performance Framework for 2024-2026 to Tusla by the end of September 2023 a list of priorities for Tusla including the retention of social workers. This includes a number of actions for Tusla to improve the recruitment and retention of social workers, including engagement with Higher Education Institutions, focused recruitment on areas with highest and complex needs, monitoring recruitment activities and continuing to reduce the reliance on agency staffing, and various measures around enhancing Tusla as an employer of choice. My Department looks forward to further engagement on this issue as part of the Corporate Plan to reflect the policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters contained in the Minister’s framework, which will include the priority on addressing the retention of social workers.
486. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department have access to the necessary information to address the needs of children of homeless families; whether any particular referrals or recommendations are received in his Department from the relevant local authorities where there is a risk of children becoming homeless; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56256/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
487. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average time taken to investigate cases of children at risk of the various forms of abuse; the degree to which a systemic response is in place to deal with such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56257/23]
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.
