Written Answers Nos. 408-427
408. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can give assurances that transport issues (details supplied) at Kilbride Army Base International Protection Centre will be resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8635/24]
View answer409. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to give particular attention to IPAS applicants at Kilbride Army Base who have been accommodated at the isolated site for almost ten months since 20 May 2023; and process the request (details supplied) for a transfer to a more suitable location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8636/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 408 and 409 together.
The Department is not in a position to comment on individual cases.
The Deputy will be aware of the shortage of accommodation for single male applicants for international protection. IPAS is unable to offer transfers to alternative accommodation on request at this time, due to unprecedented pressure on the accommodation portfolio.
The IPAS Centre Management Team has been actively engaging with the management of Kilbride Army Camp in relation to the issues raised at previous clinics in order to improve the overall level of service and accommodation being provided to our residents in Kilbride.
The Customer Services Team has conducted four resident clinics at the centre since November 2023 and is committed to visiting on a regular basis.
IPAS staff have engaged with the management of Kilbride Army Camp in relation to the provision of transport for residents.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.
The IPAS helpdesk can be contacted by email at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie.
In the event of a resident not feeling comfortable with contacting the Department directly or the centre management, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operate a confidential support Freephone helpline 1800 929 00 or email: info@jrs.ie.
All International Protection Applicants have access to the services of the Ombudsman and Office of the Ombudsman for Children, should they consider that their complaint has not been managed appropriately.
410. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if full-time residential care will be provided for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8652/24]
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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs.
411. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a school (details supplied) will receive speech and language support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8653/24]
View answer412. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a school (details supplied) will receive occupational therapy supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8654/24]
View answer413. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a school (details supplied) will receive physiotherapy supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8655/24]
View answer414. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a (details supplied) will receive access to counselling services or assessment of needs supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8658/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 411 to 414, inclusive, 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. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps
415. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Government’s redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes is expected to be open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8676/24]
View answer451. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when applications for the mother and baby institutions payment scheme will be open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9211/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 415 and 451 together.
I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I will do so within this quarter. I am also very conscious that many potential applicants to the Scheme are elderly, and in that regard I made provision in the underpinning legislation for the Scheme that priority may be given to an application depending on the applicant’s circumstances, including their age and their health.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will be the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State with an anticipated 34,000 people eligible for its benefits. Given its scale and significance, the Scheme has been placed on a statutory footing and enabling legislation was signed into law last July.
A comprehensive body of work has been undertaken to develop the substantial administrative framework required to deliver a scheme of this size. This work includes:
• the preparation of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening;
• making arrangements for the staffing necessary to deliver the Scheme;
• Developing a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in the Scheme;
• Developing hard copy and online application systems;
• Developing the case management IT infrastructure for the Scheme;
• Preparing for a substantive public awareness campaign to be delivered in Ireland and overseas. To this end, a recent stakeholder engagement process for the Payment Scheme has concluded with representatives reviewing some of the application and information materials for the Scheme.
• To ensure efficiencies in application processing and payments, a blended operating model is being put in place which will provide for the Payment Scheme Executive Office to be supported by an experienced third party.
• The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is one element of a comprehensive package of support measures agreed by the Government as part of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. Other important measures contained in the Action Plan response include access to birth information provided through the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, the intervention at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution and the establishment of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street.
416. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that can be taken to assist a child (details supplied) whose life is being impacted profoundly by the lack of an assessment of needs that they require but has been too long awaiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8687/24]
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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps
417. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail the number of children in each county who benefited from supports under the national childcare scheme in 2022 and 2023, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8709/24]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare. It is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years who are attending any participating Tusla registered childcare service, including any Tusla registered childminder.
The success of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) in meeting families needs is evidenced through the increased level of participation in the Scheme. In 2023, a total of 182,034 unique children benefitted from a successful NCS claim - a 47% increase on the previous year.
A further breakdown according to county is detailed in tabular form as follows.
|
County |
2022 |
2023 |
|
Carlow |
1,748 |
2,244 |
|
Cavan |
2,534 |
3,694 |
|
Clare |
2,737 |
3,807 |
|
Cork |
11,083 |
17,663 |
|
Donegal |
5,577 |
7,756 |
|
Dublin |
33,062 |
48,723 |
|
Galway |
8,710 |
13,008 |
|
Kerry |
4,474 |
6,512 |
|
Kildare |
4,965 |
7,444 |
|
Kilkenny |
2,629 |
3,811 |
|
Laois |
2,693 |
3,708 |
|
Leitrim |
1,118 |
1,622 |
|
Limerick |
5,249 |
7,919 |
|
Longford |
1,341 |
1,711 |
|
Louth |
3,065 |
4,446 |
|
Mayo |
2,447 |
3,975 |
|
Meath |
4,298 |
6,372 |
|
Monaghan |
3,320 |
4,511 |
|
Offaly |
1,146 |
1,916 |
|
Roscommon |
1,728 |
2,515 |
|
Sligo |
2,522 |
3,607 |
|
Tipperary |
5,555 |
7,835 |
|
Waterford |
3,128 |
4,368 |
|
Westmeath |
2,403 |
3,644 |
|
Wexford |
4,069 |
6,219 |
|
Wicklow |
3,036 |
4,734 |
|
Total unique children |
123,559 |
182,034 |
With regards to the above total, it should be noted that unique children are identified by their PPSN. A small number of children may have had NCS claims in different providers located in different counties throughout the year. Such children will appear in both county totals but they will only appear once in the total of unique children. For that reason, the total number of unique children may be slightly lower than the sum of the number of children in all county divisions.
418. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a grant application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8716/24]
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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps
419. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will investigate the delay in providing an assessment of need for a child (details supplied) who urgently needs it completed to access the services they require; if he can provide advice for the parent in the interim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8721/24]
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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps
420. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will revert to this Deputy on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8742/24]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine provide funding under the Rural Innovation and Development Fund for initiatives to promote and develop social farming projects in rural areas. The Leitrim Integrated Development Company CLG leads on the development of the national Social Farming Network known as Social Farming Ireland.
There are approximately 200 social farms registered with Social Farming Ireland, and about 140 of these farms are active at any one time. In December 2023, my Department announced funding of €200,000 for 2024 for the Social Farming Ireland Programme to support placements on social farms for people with disabilities.
The specific farm mentioned by the Deputy may wish to contact Social Farming Ireland with regards to applying for funding.
421. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of IPAS applicants now residing in a facility (details supplied), by status that is, male, female or child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8747/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.
422. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an assessment for a person (details supplied) will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8784/24]
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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps
423. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a facility (details supplied); his plans for the facility; the stage of the plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8791/24]
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 74,000 of those have been referred to my Department seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe was immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types were contracted, including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies and emergency accommodation.
As part of Government policy, a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is under way. My Department is now focused on the stand up of larger-scale designated accommodation centres for new arrivals and a reduction in the overall privately provided accommodation stock being used for BOTPs. My Department is also currently able to cope with arrival numbers using vacancies arising within our existing portfolio, as well as for those who need to be moved due to contracts ending. We are therefore being much more selective in terms of the properties which we will bring in to contract.
The offer to accommodate Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection at the property to which the Deputy refers was rejected on 21 February 2024, as my Department is not currently seeking this format of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.
It should be noted that the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) are continuing to receive and assess offers of accommodation for persons seeking international protection. Commercial offers of properties which are ready for occupancy over the coming weeks for potential use by persons seeking international protection can be submitted to: IPPS@equality.gov.ie
424. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a facility (details supplied); his plans for the facility; the stage of plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8794/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.
425. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the stages involved in the assessment of properties offered for IPAS accommodation; the timeframe for assessment from time of offer to signing of contracts; the date offer was received for a property in Tipperary (details supplied); the current stage of assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8805/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.
426. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an application (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8811/24]
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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
427. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what analysis his Department has carried out in regard to the impact on existing law and policy of the proposed amendments to the Constitution regarding family and care; his plans to publish this analysis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8813/24]
View answerTwo Referendums are planned to take place on 8 March 2024. In line with the McKenna and McCrystal principles on the use of public funds in a referendum, all papers in the relation to the work of the Interdepartmental Group are precluded from publication until after the referendum votes have taken place.
Two Referendum Bills have passed all Stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas which will, if enacted:
- amend Article 41 of 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.
As the Bills have now been passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas, it is the responsibility of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission, to 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 is also the function of the Electoral Commission to promote public awareness of referendums and to encourage people to vote.
