Written Answers Nos. 502-513
502. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when Ireland will ratify the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. [2380/24]
View answerThe Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that establishes two procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The first is an individual communications procedure allowing individuals to bring petitions to the Committee claiming breaches of their rights; the second is an inquiry procedure giving the Committee authority to undertake inquiries of grave or systematic violations of the Convention.
Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government.
The timeline for ratifying the Optional Protocol was anticipated to follow the conclusion of Ireland’s first review period before the UN Committee. This has not taken place yet because of delays at UN level outside of Ireland’s control. Ireland submitted its first State Report in November 2021 and we continue to await a review date from the UN Committee.
In light of this, I am open to the earlier ratification of the Optional Protocol, subject to the state being in a position to meet the obligations that arise. I have already commenced the necessary scoping exercise to ascertain the requirements for ratifying the Optional Protocol at the earliest opportunity.
This scoping work is a procedurally necessary exercise in due diligence for the State to agree to any supra-national and quasi-judicial process, and is in keeping with the State’s long-standing position in relation to ratifying internationally binding treaties.
As a country that takes its international obligations extremely seriously and seeks to act in good faith on the international stage, Ireland does not enter into binding international treaties until we are confident that the obligations set out within can be complied with.
While an exact date for ratification of the Optional Protocol cannot be given at the moment, it is my priority to ensure that ratification takes place at the earliest possible date.
It is extremely important to note that ratification of the Optional Protocol is not a precondition to the implementation of the UNCRPD. Ireland fully ratified the UNCRPD in 2018 and the Government remains committed to continuously advancing the rights of persons with disabilities that it sets out.
Currently, the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities monitors and evaluates Ireland’s implementation of the UNCRPD through examinations of periodic State Reports, and the State has and is continuing to make progress in the continuous advancement of rights under the Convention.
503. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures taken to ascertain the services available locally in Roscrea to facilitate the location of international protection applicants at the Racket Hall, Roscrea; the measures taken to bring those services in line with the availability needed; the engagement his Department had with Tipperary County Council on the matter; to provide a clear account of the level of engagement the department had with community groups, representatives or organisations regarding such plans in advance of decisions made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2400/24]
View answer504. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a clear account of the measures that are taken by his Department to audit whether the services available in areas being considered to house international protection applicants have the capacity to deal with increased demand; to provide a clear account of how any deficiencies in those services is addressed to cater for an anticipated additional demand; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2401/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 503 and 504 together.
Ireland is now accommodating almost 101,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants (IPAs).
This includes nearly 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and almost 26,000 IPAs currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation made to it to address the accommodation shortfall.
This is a nationwide urgent situation and centres have been opened in all parts of the country.
Calls to public representatives from the Community Engagement Team were made to all local public representatives regarding the proposed opening of the accommodation centre in Racket Hall. Following these calls, the CET issued a full briefing note to all local representatives, including the Deputy, in advance of the opening of Racket Hall accommodation centre. These briefing notes also issued to the Local Authority and the Local Development Company and An Garda Síochána. A number of Leads have been assigned nationally in relevant service areas to liaise with the CET to ensure that those Leads can provide timely information to services locally. Leads are alerted of arrivals by the CET in order to enable service delivery. The briefing notes are intended to provide factual information to communities in relation to the accommodation centre and the context within which the Department is operating.
The Department is cognisant of the need to provide supports both to IP applicants and communities.
The provision of accommodation, health, education, income and other supports, as appropriate, to both those arriving from Ukraine and IP applicants is an ongoing focus of the work of Government. The ongoing whole-of-Government response involves a range of departments and agencies, as well as local Government. Additional resources and new processes and structures to integrate expertise and efforts are in place. These are being deployed to address the issues arising, in what is an extremely challenging situation.
Over the past two years, communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity and welcome for those who come here seeking refuge.
The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek IP, and in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), to those that require it.
The Department continues to work tirelessly to address the shortfall in accommodation for IP applicants, the Ukraine Crisis, and to develop medium and long term solutions.
505. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); when this will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2406/24]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it. To date, over 100,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and approximately 75,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation.
All accommodation contracted by this Department is temporary in nature, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
With regard to the offer to which the Deputy refers, I am advised by my officials that they are liaising directly with your constituent and correspondence was sent on 17th January requesting further documentation. Until the same is received, the offer cannot be progressed by the appropriate team.
506. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to ensure the full range of therapies and community care treatments are available to children in the Galway area of CHO2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1269/24]
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. The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FORSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations.
507. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review correspondence (details supplied); if she can provide an update on this appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2533/24]
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. The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FORSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations.
508. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a minor (details supplied) will receive a medical appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2536/24]
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. The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FORSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations.
509. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and capacity of buildings that were identified as not suitable for accommodating persons that are seeking international protection and those that are beneficiaries of temporary protection in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and the number and capacity of buildings were identified as being suitable for accommodating persons that are seeking international protection and those that are beneficiaries of temporary protection in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024. [2568/24]
View answer510. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of buildings that were identified as suitable for accommodating persons that are seeking international protection and those that are beneficiaries of temporary protection that have inactivated contracts in place as of 16 January 2024 and the reason for same; and if he will provide the capacity of each building. [2569/24]
View answer511. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of properties it has activated contracts on for accommodating persons seeking international protection and beneficiaries of temporary protection that required change of use planning permissions, required works to comply with fire safety regulations; if they are subject to enforcement notices by local authorities; and if he will provide this information in tabular form. [2571/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 509, 510 and 511 together.
Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes almost 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
Department officials are working tirelessly to bring more bed spaces into use, and since January 2022 have brought 208 properties into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking international protection (IP). This brings the total number of IPAS centres to 257, with capacity for 27,275 beds.
Initial offers of accommodation are received by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) primarily through its e-mail portal - ipps@equality.gov.ie.
Once an offer is received, IPPS sends a proposal template to the prospective provider that they are required to complete and return. The proposal template seeks to gather as much information as is reasonably practicable to facilitate an objective assessment of the suitability of the premises to accommodate international protection (IP) applicants. This includes information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, its catering provision and room sizes, its recreational and lounge facilities and various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing. When an offer is received and assessed, the onus is on the provider to ensure that the property is of a suitable standard.
Similarly, once an offer is received on the online offers portal for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) accommodation it is assessed for suitability to accommodate BOTPs. This includes a range of factors such as accommodation suitability, rates, room sizes, capacity and amenities, information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, and Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing.
When an offer is received and assessed, the onus is on the provider to ensure that the property is of an adequate standard and that the provider will provide the services in accordance with good industry practice and comply with all applicable laws including but not limited to all obligations in the field of health and safety, environmental, social, child protection, and labour law that apply at the place where the services are provided.
If a property is in need of significant conversion/refurbishment works it is passed on to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for assessment under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme. As with all offers of accommodation to house BOTPs, but most particularly with regard to those requiring conversion/refurbishment, a detailed assessment must be carried out to ensure the property being offered is being prepared to the required standard and complies with building and fire regulations. This accommodation strand is focused on supporting the delivery of multi-unit refurbished accommodation which requires upgrade and refurbishment before it could accept BOTP residents.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth recently launched (November 2023) an online portal for developer-led modular accommodation on gov.ie where providers can submit expressions of interest. All offers made through the portal are given due consideration, and this process is ongoing.
512. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of officials who are dedicated to the evidence gathering and sign-off for use of an accommodation for persons seeking international protection and those that are beneficiaries of temporary protection. [2572/24]
View answerPlease see below in tabular format, the number of officials by grade in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth who are assigned to sourcing accommodation for international protection (IP) applicants.
|
Section |
Total |
Management Board |
Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
Admin. Officer |
Executive Officer |
Clerical Officer |
|
Section |
Total |
Management Board |
Principal Officer |
Assistant Principal Officer |
Higher Executive Officer |
Admin. Officer |
Executive Officer |
Clerical Officer |
|
International Protection Procurement Services |
10 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
2 |
|
|
International Protection Support Service (IPSS) - Transition Team |
11 |
1 |
4 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
|
Total |
21 |
There are 13 Department staff assigned to the processing and assessment of standard offers of commercial accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine. A further 3 staff work on accommodation offers for BOTPs which require refurbishment or conversion, though these staff also have other duties. Refurbishment and conversion offers are processed through the structures established under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme, overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and operated with the assistance of the Local Government Management Agency and local authorities.
513. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department carries leased property by his Department on its risk register; and the contingent liability that he has set for his Department in 2024. [2575/24]
View answerWithin the Department of Integration, properties under contract are on the risk register of the International Protection and Integration Division across several different risks associated with the service they provide.
All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation made to it to address the accommodation shortfall.
This is a nationwide urgent situation and centres have been opened in all parts of the country.
The Department continues to work tirelessly to address the shortfall in accommodation for IP applicants, the Ukraine Crisis, and to develop medium and long term solutions.
The delivery of state owned accommodation will support the development of a permanent model of accommodation for IP applicants, responding to what will be an ongoing need for such accommodation over the long-term.
