Written Answers Nos. 514-525
514. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any plans for the relocation of people seeking international protection to a building (details supplied) on the Main Street in Edgeworthstown, County Longford. [2584/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for her question. A response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
515. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a copy of all communication between his Department and An Garda Síochána in relation to events in Roscrea between 11 and 16 January 2024; if his Department requested the assistance of An Garda Síochána to deliver international protection applicants to Racket Hall, Roscrea while the community was involved in protests; who made the decision to bring women and children to the hotel while a protest was ongoing; what efforts were made to engage with the community and those engaging in a protest to relieve tensions prior to the arrival of these applicants to avoid introducing them to a tense environment; the reason a decision was not taken to mediate with the community prior to the arrival of applicants to ease tensions to report on assurances given by him during a meeting of Roscrea community representatives in relation to the number of IP applicants and Ukrainians already being accommodated in Roscrea; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2601/24]
View answerIreland 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.
In recent weeks IPAS has experienced increasing pressure the availability of family accommodation due to increasing numbers of arriving international protection applicants. Decisions were made to maximise available beds and onboard additional capacity in an effort to prevent families including women and children from being at risk of becoming street homeless. With this in mind Racket Hall Centre was priortised for family accommodation with planned arrivals for Monday 15 January 2024.
Prior to this 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.
IPAS engages with An Gardia Siochana prior to the opening of international protection centre but communications between IPAS and An Gardaí Siochana are subject to privilege and cannot be shared for security and operational reasons.
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 progress the procurement of medium and long term accommodation solutions.
516. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) is unable to receive respite care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2623/24]
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 Fórsa 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.
The HSE has been engaged with Fórsa through the auspices of the WRC in an effort to resolve the dispute but a resolution has not been reached as of yet.
517. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth he will provide a schedule of official flights and costs of same taken by him in 2023; if a schedule will be provided of all hotels he stayed in in 2023, including hotel name and cost per night while on official State business; and if the same information will be provided in respect of all accompanying staff and advisors. [2638/24]
View answerThe information is provided in the table below.
|
Location |
Reason |
Dates |
Length of Trip (Excluding Travel) |
Flight Details |
Flight CostMinister |
Flight CostPrivate Secretary |
Flight CostSpecial Adviser |
Accommodation Name |
Accommodation Cost (Total)Minister |
Accommodation Cost (Total)Private Secretary |
Accommodation Cost (Total)Special Adviser |
|
Geneva, Switzterland |
Irelands Review under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child |
Jan-23 |
2 nights |
Aerlingus - Dublin to GenevaBritish Airways - Geneva to Dublin via London Heathrow |
€ 419.40 |
€ 419.40 |
€ 419.40 |
Warwick Geneva |
€ 359.42 |
€ 359.42 |
€ 359.42 |
|
New York, USA |
UN Commission on the Status of Women & St Patricks Day Events |
Mar-23 |
3 nights |
Aerlingus - Dublin to New York JFKAerlingus - New York JFK to Dublin |
€ 529.85 |
€ 529.85 |
€ 529.85 |
Fitzpatricks Grand Central |
€ 533.95 |
€ 533.95 |
€ 533.95 |
|
India [Mumbai & New Delhi] - - |
St Patrick's Day Programme |
Mar-23 |
4 nights |
Emirates - Dublin to Mumbai via DubaiAir India - Mumbai to New DehliEmirates - New Dehli to Dublin via Dubai |
€ 1,764.97 |
€ 1,764.97 |
€ 1,764.97 |
St Regis Hotel, MumbaiTaj Palace Hotel, New Dehli |
€ 843.65 |
€ 843.65 |
€ 843.65 |
|
Brussels, Belgium |
EYCS Council Meeting |
May-23 |
1 Night |
Ryanair - Dublin to BrusselsRyanair - Brussels to Dublin |
€ 337.26 |
€ 337.26 |
n/a |
NY Berlymont |
€ 155.90 |
€ 155.90 |
|
|
Luxembourg, Luxembourg |
EPSCO Council Meeting |
Jun-23 |
2 Nights |
Luxair - Dublin to LuxembourgLufthansa - Luxembourg to Dublin via Frankfurt |
€ 972.52 |
€ 1,002.52 |
€ 972.52 |
Novotel Suites |
€ 460.00 |
€ 460.00 |
€ 460.00 |
|
London, United Kingdom |
British Irish Council - Early Years Meeting |
Oct-23 |
1 Night |
British Airways - Dublin to London HeathrowAerlingus - London Heathrow to Dublin |
€ 307.18 |
€ 307.18 |
€ 176.57 |
The Clermont Victoria |
€ 288.00 |
€ 288.00 |
€ 288.00 |
|
Pamplona, Spain |
Informal EPSCO Council Meeting |
Nov-23 |
2 Nights |
Aerlingus - Dublin to BilbaoVueling - Bilbao to BrusselsRyanair - Brussels to Dublin |
€ 461.39 |
€ 373.39 |
€ 459.39 |
Hotel Treys ReyesHotel Alma (Paid for by Spanish Presidency) |
€ 176.80 |
€ 176.80 |
€ 335.05 |
|
Brussels, Belgium [Trip Cancelled] |
Formal EPSCO Council Meeting |
Nov-23 |
n/a |
Aerlingus - Brussels to Dublin |
€ 360.15 |
€ 333.15 |
€ 360.15 |
n/a |
€ - |
€ - |
€ - |
518. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when transport to a rehab day service will be restored in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2664/24]
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 Fórsa 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.
The HSE has been engaged with Fórsa on the dispute through the auspices of the WRC and in that regard the WRC has invited the HSE and Forsa to a further hearing next Wednesday, 17 January, to seek to find a resolution to the dispute.
519. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider funding the use of therapy pools for individuals that suffer a disability and require this type of therapy but do not have access to a public facility and cannot afford private sessions; if such an arrangement will be put in place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2665/24]
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 Fórsa 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. The HSE has been engaged with Fórsa on the dispute through the auspices of the WRC and in that regard the WRC has invited the HSE and Fórsa to a further hearing next Wednesday, 17 January, to seek to find a resolution to the dispute.
520. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many asylum seekers have been asked to leave IPAS accommodation since the beginning of 2022, broken down by county and month, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2667/24]
View answerThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating over 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 grated 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 PMVT/Depaul are available to them. In the past 18 months, over 2000 people with status have left IPAS accommodation and progressed into the community.
IPAS operates a policy of withdrawing accommodation from those individuals with status or permission to remain who breach the ‘International Protection Accommodation Services House Rules and Procedures for Reception and Accommodation Centres’. A copy of these House Rules are made available to all those who live in an International Protection Accommodation Centre. This determination is made on the basis that these individuals have no legal entitlement to this accommodation and have engaged in behaviour that is detrimental to the good order of the International Protection Accommodation Centre.
Please see, in tabular format, the number of those with Status who have progressed from IPAS accommodation into the community since January 2023.
|
Month |
Grants Issued |
Progressions |
Persons with PTR Remaining in Accommodation (end of month totals) |
|
Jan 23 |
206 |
97 |
5040 |
|
Feb 23 |
142 |
118 |
5064 |
|
Mar 23 |
295 |
162 |
5197 |
|
Apr 23 |
170 |
150 |
5217 |
|
May 23 |
270 |
197 |
5290 |
|
Jun 23 |
301 |
200 |
5391 |
|
Jul 23 |
279 |
162 |
5508 |
|
Aug 23 |
284 |
142 |
5650 |
|
Sep 23 |
210 |
135 |
5725 |
|
Oct 23 |
411 |
130 |
6006 |
|
Nov 23 |
265 |
331 |
5960 |
|
Dec 23 |
276 |
178 |
6038 |
|
Total |
3109 |
2002 |
521. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline what his strategy is for unaccommodated asylum seekers during the winter cold spells; whether he has worked with Dublin Region Homeless Executive on this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2672/24]
View answerIreland is currently accommodating more than 101,000 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.
Ireland has a legal obligation to provide accommodation and associated supports to people who arrive in this country seeking international protection under S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018. Unfortunately, despite the tireless efforts of the Department, there is currently an accommodation shortfall, particularly with respect to single adult males.
As a result, the Department is not able to provide accommodation to all single male international protection applicants with priority given to those within this group with identified vulnerabilities.
Cabinet has approved a proposal, in line with EU’s Reception Conditions Directive, for the provision of contingency supports for International Protection (IP) applicants who Ireland is not in a position to accommodate. The EU Reception Conditions Directive outlines the necessary reception conditions for receiving international protection applicants. In line with this Directive, in circumstances where the State temporarily runs out of accommodation, the State can exceptionally offer different reception conditions.
As part of these arrangements the Government has agreed to a temporary increase in the Daily Expense Allowance for International Protection Applicants who are not in receipt of an offer of accommodation. This increase is in line with payments made to international protection applicants by other European Countries in circumstances where applicants are not in state supported accommodation.
International protection applicants who are not provided with accommodation receive a temporary increase of €75 to their Daily Expense Allowance. This increases the allowance from the current rate of €38 per week to €113.80 a week for all eligible applicants. The increased DEA is administered through the Department of Social Protection. All arriving applicants who have not received an offer of accommodation will be provided with an initial voucher of €100 to provide support in advance of receipt of the increased Daily Expense Allowance.
In addition to these payments, a system of triage of adult males is being implemented to ensure that those who are most vulnerable are prioritised for the provision of accommodation. Drop-in day services is provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week. They also provide tents and sleeping bags, where required. Currently this Department has agreements with three charities to provide these services in Dublin.
The Department is in very regular contact with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and outreach services to identify vulnerable international protection applicants who are rough sleeping. These organisations are provided with the Department’s duty phone, which is monitored 24/7, and can be used to refer vulnerable international protection applicants who are then prioritized for accommodation.
Given the cold weather, this system is crucial to the Department’s response and has been working very effectively thus far, resulting in a number of people receiving offers of accommodation. Up to date figures are made publicly available at gov.ie.
522. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine the issue of disability supports in Kildare North (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2681/24]
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.
523. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on plans relating to a building (details supplied) earmarked for accommodation for international protection applicants. [2688/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question. A response will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.
524. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the lack of services available in the CDNT7 area in 2024 due to the shortage of staff and specialists; to provide a schedule of the staff in place and a schedule of the staff levels required to run the level properly; when the full complement of staff will be in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2703/24]
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 Fórsa 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.
525. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will commence the provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2707/24]
View answerThe Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 was enacted on 4 April 2023, and introduces important entitlements for workers, including leave for medical care purposes for parents of children under 12, and the right to request flexible working for parents and carers. The Act also includes provisions to transpose Article 9 of the EU Work Life Balance Directive and provide for a right to request flexible working for parents and carers.
Many of the provisions of the Act have now been commenced, including the introduction, as of 3 July 2023, of leave for medical care purposes for parents and carers and amendments to the Maternity Protection Acts to provide for the extension of breastfeeding breaks. An order amending regulations relating to breastfeeding breaks made under the Maternity Protection Acts was also made on that date.
The legislative provisions introducing domestic violence leave commenced on 27 November 2023. Section 7 of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 inserts a new Section 13AA into the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) to provide for five days paid domestic violence leave in any 12 month period. As previously announced, victims of domestic violence will receive their full pay if they need to take domestic violence leave. My Department has also commissioned Women’s Aid to develop supports for employers to develop their own domestic violence workplace policies.
The right to request flexible working for parents and carers will be commenced following the preparation of a Code of Practice by the Workplace Relations Commission under Part 4. Commencement of Part 3 and Part 4 are for the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
My Department is engaging with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with a view to commencing the remaining provisions of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 at the earliest possible opportunity.
