Robert Troy
Question:554. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the motorised transport grant will be reinstated (details supplied). [10171/24]
View answerDepartmental Programmes
Questions (554)
Written answers
The Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward.
As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022. The Group's work has now concluded and the final report was published in February 2023. The Report sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. It is incumbent on all Ministers, Departments and Agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities to consider the recommendations of the Transport Working Group, as I will be giving due consideration to the recommendations in the context of the schemes outlined above. These considerations will continue in the context of the development of a new National Disability Strategy.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (555)
Peadar Tóibín
Question:555. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the mother and baby homes institutions payment scheme has not yet opened to survivors, despite the legislation pertaining to same having been passed by Dáil Éireann twelve months ago; if his Department has undertaken any research to determine how many survivors of mother and baby homes die each year, or how many have died since the passage of this legislation, but before the opening of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10185/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will open for applications on 20 March, eight months after the passage of its underpinning legislation.
A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people will be able to apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need. Once the Scheme opens, the Payment Scheme Office will process all applications as quickly as possible, with the first payments expected to be made in Quarter 2 of this year.
I am conscious that many potential applicants to the Scheme are elderly. As promised, the Scheme will give priority to applications according to the age of the applicant, and so applications from older people will be prioritised.
For survivors recently deceased, section 37 of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 provides that the personal representative of a deceased relevant person, who died on or after 13 January 2021, can apply to the Scheme. This was the date of the then Taoiseach's apology to survivors of these institutions on behalf of the State, ultimately launching a comprehensive package of support measures (of which the Payment Scheme is just one) agreed by the Government as part of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
This 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. Since the 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 postal 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.
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, my appointment last month of a Special Advocate for Survivors, and the establishment of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street.
Disability Services
Questions (556)
Denise Mitchell
Question:556. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) can expect to be placed in full-time residential care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10188/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa 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.
Departmental Data
Questions (557)
Patrick Costello
Question:557. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of special care places nationwide; the number of children currently on the special care waiting list; how many special care orders are active for children who are not currently able to access special care; what is the plan to tackle the growing waiting list for special care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10189/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has statutory responsibility for the operation of special care in Ireland, and for the provision of special care beds. Tusla have advised that the total combined capacity of Special Care Units is 26, and that at present the current maximum occupancy in these Units is 13, due primarily to challenges in staffing beds. Tusla have further advised that, at this time, there are 10 young people who are currently the subject of a Special Care Order, in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991, who are not in a Special Care Unit owing to the absence of an available staffed bed.
Tusla has advised that the Tusla Director of Services and Integration continues to engage with Regional Chief Officers to ensure all possible mitigations are in place to manage the risks to the safety and welfare of young people who are subject to a Special Care Order and are awaiting a special care bed.
Every effort is being made by Tusla to support the provision of appropriate care to vulnerable children, including special care where appropriate, and to support access to and egress from the special care service. Tusla is progressing a number of initiatives to support the recruitment and retention of staff in special care, which is currently a primary limiting factor on the maximum number of beds that may be occupied in these units.
In this regard, Tusla has advised that there is a dedicated recruitment team responsible for bespoke and rolling recruitment campaigns for special care on the Tusla website, ongoing engagement with three recruitment agencies to recruit for special care services, and a graduate recruitment program to attract Social Care Workers to the service. Tusla has also indicated that it has identified new staffing agencies, which are currently being piloted in special care services.
Tusla has also progressed a number of initiatives focussed on workforce stabilisation in special care. These include allowing for the permanent placement of staff in temporary higher appointments, and the conversion of agency staff to become permanent employees of Tusla. Special care services are also involved in a group which is investigating the potential recruitment of social care workers through an apprenticeship model programme.
Tusla has also made extensive efforts to address the challenge of staff retention, in the very challenging working environment that is special care. It has advised that a Violence Harassment and Aggression Working Group was established in 2023, and that this Group has identified several initiatives that have been implemented in 2024.
While the operation of special care and the provision of special care beds is the statutory responsibility of Tusla, my Department is actively engaging with Tusla in relation to the issues impacting on special care, and will continue to provide whatever support to Tusla that is necessary to address the current very significant challenges impacting on this service, within the two organisations’ respective roles.
In this regard, I have resourced Tusla to maintain and expand their services by securing additional funding in Budget 2024. This represents the single largest annual increase in core funding since Tusla’s establishment, and Tusla will receive over €1.1 billion in overall funding from my Department in 2024. In addition, my Department and Tusla have established a Special Care Planning Group to support Tusla’s consideration of the future configuration of the special care service in Ireland.
Both Tusla and my Department are well aware of the challenges in special care. My Department and Tusla share the Deputy’s concern that children in the care of the State, of whom those requiring special care are perhaps the most vulnerable, should have access to a special care place when they need it.
Departmental Data
Questions (558)
Mattie McGrath
Question:558. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding being provided by his Department to the National Women’s Council; the level of funding the organisation is expending on the referendum campaign; if he will outline all funding and expenditure by his Department on the upcoming referendum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10218/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department provides an annual core funding grant to the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI). The allocation for 2024 is €678,000.
In line with the McKenna and McCrystal principles on the use of public funds in a referendum, the NWCI are not permitted to use any portion of this funding to campaign or promote a position in favour or against any outcome of the forthcoming referenda.
The NWCI have a statement on their website regarding the funding of their referendum campaign, which is available at the following link: www.nwci.ie/discover/about_us/statement_on_funding_for_referendum_campaign.
Disability Services
Questions (559)
Bernard Durkan
Question:559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a community neurorehabilitation team is expected to be in place in the CHO7 area, with particular reference to the recommendation to establish this team in 2019, and the allocation of funding for same in 2020; if an urgent update can be provided in respect of this commitment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10224/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa 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
Disability Services
Questions (560)
Pearse Doherty
Question:560. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason tailored responses are not being given to parents who submit questions regarding their children's care under CDNTs in CHO1; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10236/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa 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
Departmental Programmes
Questions (561)
Pearse Doherty
Question:561. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the children's disability grant will be provided to successful applications in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10241/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa 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
Voluntary Sector
Questions (562)
Brian Stanley
Question:562. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline what financial supports are available to organisations such as (details supplied) to secure premises for their activities, programmes and support services. [10244/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
Voluntary Sector
Questions (563)
Brian Stanley
Question:563. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline what financial supports are available to organisations such as (details supplied) in regard to energy costs etc. for premises. [10245/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
Departmental Schemes
Questions (564)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:564. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the form of redress that is available to former residents of an orphanage (details supplied) given reports of abuse and its exclusion from the mother and baby homes redress scheme (details supplied); whether the confessional character of the orphanage has played a role in the State's attitude towards liability to victims there, as it was a Protestant institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10250/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Residential Institutions Redress Scheme was a scheme operated by the Department of Education and I cannot comment on that scheme or its scope.
My department is responsible for delivery of the 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.
A cornerstone of this Action Plan is the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme - due to open on March 20th - which will provide financial payments and a form of enhanced medical card for people who spent time as mothers or children in Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions.
It is recognised that there are people who suffered stigma, trauma and abuse in other institutions, and outside of institutions also. However, the institutions covered by the Scheme are those identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. Westbank Orphanage is, therefore, not included in the Scheme as it does not meet those criteria.
Other important measures contained in the Action Plan response include my appointment last month of a Special Advocate for Survivors, 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.
The Deputy may be aware that there are also processes ongoing in Northern Ireland to respond to these legacy issues.
Departmental Data
Questions (565)
Pauline Tully
Question:565. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE speech and language therapists working in both Cavan and Monaghan CDNT in the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10270/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa 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
Departmental Data
Questions (566)
Pauline Tully
Question:566. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the names of external security companies that his Department has contract with in the years of 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the amount paid to each security company, in tabular form. [10271/24]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Emergency Accommodation
Questions (567)
Cathal Crowe
Question:567. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the State-owned buildings in County Clare that have been brought forward as suggested accommodation centres for individuals seeking international protection; which of these have been deemed unviable; which are still under consideration at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10279/24]
View answerWritten answers
The Department is currently accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes approximately 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 27,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based on need to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on there being 3,500 new arrivals each year. A review of the timelines and deliverables was initiated. A memo will be going to government for approval setting out a revised implementation approach with an increased focus on adding State owned accommodation capacity.
The Department is in the early stages of planning its approach for the delivery of the increase state owned accommodation capacity.
While further details are not available at this time; the Department, has released its interest in Unit 153 in Shannon Business Park for accommodation for International Protection (IP) applicants. The Department is grateful for the offer and all the assistance given by the Office of Public Works (OPW). This was the only state owned property being considered in County Clare.
Disability Services
Questions (568)
Niamh Smyth
Question:568. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) has not received respite care in over nine years; the reason the HSE cannot give any confirmation of future care for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10307/24]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa 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.
After-School Support Services
Questions (569)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:569. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter in relation to an after school service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10308/24]
View answerWritten answers
As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
International Protection
Questions (570)
Thomas Pringle
Question:570. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth where an offer of a building for accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection fleeing the war in Ukraine is received by his Department, and the property is subject to an open enforcement case by the local authority, if it is incontrovertibly deemed unsuitable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10339/24]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is now accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants.
The Government is focused on how to continue the sustained support for those fleeing the war in Ukraine, including those already here, as well as those likely to be further displaced by the ongoing conflict. It should also be noted that as part of Government policy a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is underway.
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. Some existing accommodation in my Department’s portfolio will be converted into designated accommodation centres, over time, along with the development of other sources of accommodation such as refurbished properties, rapid builds and modular accommodation as part of the whole of Government response to this humanitarian crisis, and the unprecedented numbers of people seeking asylum and refuge in Ireland.
My Department is conscious of the need to ensure quality in all accommodation contracted, while also providing shelter and safety urgently to those who need it. 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 various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing.
When an offer is made to my Department to accommodate BOTPs, 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.
The DCEDIY online offers portal is currently not accepting offers of commercial accommodation. It is, however, open for offers of refurbished properties and expressions of interest for modular residential developments.
I am not aware of any commercial property being contracted for Ukrainian BOTP accommodation that was subject to an open enforcement case by a Local Authority.
International Protection
Questions (571)
Cathal Crowe
Question:571. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the contract his Department has with a facility (details supplied) for the provision of accommodation to international protection applicants is due to expire; if this is a roll-over contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10341/24]
View answerWritten answers
I 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
Child Abuse
Questions (572)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:572. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of child sexual abuse allegations received by each of the 17 Tusla local area offices for each of the past five years; the number of these allegations deemed founded and unfounded and the number of allegations that were referred to An Garda Síochána, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10343/24]
View answerWritten answers
Statutory 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.
Child Abuse
Questions (573)
Cian O'Callaghan
Question:573. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how the 17 different databases used by Tusla feed into the National Childcare Information System (NICCS); if he will provide a comparison of completion rates for data input into NICCS across the 17 different Tusla areas; if any lack of or delay in central data gathering may be hampering strategic and policy efforts to address the scale of child abuse in Ireland, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10344/24]
View answerWritten answers
This is an operational matter for Tusla. I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Questions (574)
Michael Ring
Question:574. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child (details supplied) can be allowed to commence early childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10364/24]
View answerWritten answers
The ECCE programme is available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the 1st September start date.
The minimum eligibility age for the ECCE programme was revised in September 2018 when it was reduced from 3 years to 2 years and 8 months. The revised minimum of 2 years and 8 months was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice.
I accept that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however, my Department have to place an age cut-off at some point, and in the interests of fairness and consistency there can be no discretion in this regard.
In 2023 I appointed Stranmillis University College, Belfast to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review was designed to assess whether the ECCE programme is meeting its core objectives and to identify any opportunities for enhancements that can be made to the programme, based on international evidence and experience to date.
The final report of the Review is complete and I will now consider the findings from the Review and consider any policy changes that may need to be made to the ECCE programme.
A report of the findings from the Review will be published in the coming months.