Written Answers Nos. 575-594
575. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will provide funding to reinstate a hydrotherapy swimming pool in Sligo for people with disabilities in the north west; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10384/24]
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.
576. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the ground rents payable by his Department or agencies under its remit, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in the years 2016 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10409/24]
View answerOfficials in my Department are currently compiling the information as requested by the Deputy.
577. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children and young persons who were placed in hotels and bed and breakfasts due to the lack of alternate care placements available to them in each of the past five years; the gender and ages of same; the average length of time that the children and young persons had to reside in hotel and bed and breakfast type accommodation; the alternate care provision that was eventually provided for the children and young persons concerned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10465/24]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
578. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the age of the youngest child admitted to special emergency arrangement accommodation in each of the past three years, and to date in 2024, and the age of the youngest child currently residing in special emergency arrangement accommodation. [10473/24]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
579. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a further early childhood care and education year will be approved as a matter of urgency for a person (details supplied); and If he will expedite a positive response. [10532/24]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, funded by my Department, provides universal, free pre-school to children within the eligible age range of 2 years and 8 months to 5 years and 6 months. The upper age limit of 5 years and 6 months for ECCE was set in consultation with the Department of Education and ensures that children transition into primary school with their peers.
In a limited number of circumstances, it is possible to apply for an exemption to the upper age limit of 5 years 6 months where a child has special/additional needs. An exemption has already been granted for the child named for the current ECCE programme year. There is no provision for granting a second overage exemption.
The National Disability Authority (NDA) in 2018, carried out a review of the over-age exemption process for this Department and the Department of Education.
In their published report, the NDA concluded that it is in the best interest of children with additional needs to transition to primary school with their age cohort.
Supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education, to support children in the primary school setting. I would urge the child’s parents to contact her local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance at ncse.ie/special-educational-needs-organiser-seno .
580. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail for each local health area as of 29 February 2024 or latest date available; the number of people on the physiotherapy waiting list and within that the numbers waiting less than 4 months; the number waiting 4-12 months; the number waiting more than 12 months; and if he would indicate also for each category the numbers waiting aged 0-4 years, 5-17 years, 18-64 years and aged 65 plus, in tabular form. [10558/24]
View answer581. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail for each local health area as of 29 February 2024 or latest date available; the number of people on the speech and language therapy assessment waiting list and within that the numbers waiting less than 4 months; the number waiting 4-12 months; the number waiting more than 12 months; and if he would indicate also for each category the numbers waiting aged 0-17 years and those aged 18 and above, in tabular form. [10559/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 580 and 581 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
582. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail for each local health area as of 29 February 2024 or latest date available; the number of people on the speech and language therapy initial treatment waiting list and within that the numbers waiting less than 4 months; the number waiting 4-12 months; the number waiting more than 12 months; and if he would indicate also for each category the numbers waiting aged 0-17 years and those aged 18 and above, in tabular form. [10560/24]
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
583. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail for each local health area as of 29 February 2024 or latest date available; the number of people on the speech and language therapy further treatment waiting list and within that the numbers waiting less than 4 months; the number waiting 4-12 months; the number waiting more than 12 months; and if he would indicate also for each category the numbers waiting aged 0-17 years and those aged 18 and above, in tabular form. [10561/24]
View answer584. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail for each local health area as of 29 February 2024 or latest date available; the number of people on the occupational therapy first time assessment waiting list and within that the numbers waiting less than 4 months; the number waiting 4-12 months; the number waiting more than 12 months; and if he would indicate also for each category the numbers waiting aged 0-17 years and those aged 18 and above, in tabular form. [10562/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 583 and 584 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
585. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish the process by which a company (details supplied) was contracted by Tusla; whether he is satisfied that the procurement process, including all due diligence was undertaken including previous clients interviewed, references and all relevant information, qualifications and declarations verified and documented; whether he will publish this documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10564/24]
View answerProcesses by which services are procured and contracted, are an operational matter for Tusla. I have referred the question for Tusla to respond to the Deputy directly as regards the relevant procurement process.
586. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when his Department became aware of the issues with a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10565/24]
View answerMy Department first became aware of this situation on the 28th February 2024 when a newspaper article was brought to our attention. My Department made immediate contact with Tusla on foot of same. My officials are continuing to liaise with their counterparts in Tusla and will address any issues arising from those consultations.
587. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the investigations that have taken place or are ongoing into the organisation Tusla on its procurement of, relationship with, and examination of the operations of a company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10566/24]
View answerProcesses by which services are procured and contracted, are an operational matter for Tusla. I have referred the question for Tusla to respond to the Deputy directly as regards the relevant procurement process.
588. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide this Deputy with a copy of the contract that exists between his Department and the operators of a facility that does not include visibility of monetary sums and terms (details supplied). [10571/24]
View answerMy Department is contracting emergency and short-term accommodation across the country in order to accommodate people who are seeking international protection.
Contractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive.
It would not serve the public interest to divulge the details of contracts, as it could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations.
589. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of minors who have gone missing or remain missing from the services offered by a company (details supplied) or any other Tusla contractors; the age of each if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10576/24]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
590. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the date on which the contract to provide accommodation for international applicants in a hotel (details supplied) was formally agreed and signed by his Department; if he will specify whether or not there is a break clause and/or a cooling-off period provided for in the contract/arrangement; if such a cooling off period exists in the contract/arrangement, if he will provide the specific information on the nature and extent and the notice period that applies to the contract and separately the date on which any cooling off period expires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10584/24]
View answerThe D Hotel had been appraised by the Ukrainian Division but rejected on the basis that an alternative offering of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection was under consideration. The provider was advised that any offers not taken up by the Ukraine Division should be considered for offering to International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) for the accommodation of International Protection (IP) applicants . Consequently the IPPS appraisal process was shorter than normal and the contract to provide accommodation for IP applicants at the D Hotel was signed on 13th February 2024.
International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) contracts for accommodation do not contain a 'cooling off period'. Contractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive.
Divulging the details of contracts could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations, so further contractual information is not provided.
Ireland 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 International Protection (IP) applicants currently in IPAS accommodation.
Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of IP applicants, over 200 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties.
591. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address a shortfall of communication between CDNTs and families; if he is aware of dissatisfaction with the level of communication from the services to families in the south-east; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10594/24]
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.
592. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date that the contract to provide accommodation for international applicants in a hotel (details supplied) was signed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10606/24]
View answer593. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a break clause in the contract between his Department and a hotel (details supplied); if so, the notice period for the break clause; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10607/24]
View answer594. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a cooling off period applied to the contract between the Department and a hotel (details supplied) in Drogheda; if so, the associated cooling off dates that were included in the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10608/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 592, 593 and 594 together.
The D Hotel had been appraised by the Ukrainian Division but rejected on the basis that an alternative offering of accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection was under consideration. The provider was advised that any offers not taken up by the Ukraine Division should be considered for offering to International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) for the accommodation of International Protection (IP) applicants. Consequently the IPPS appraisal process was shorter than normal and the contract to provide accommodation for IP applicants at the D Hotel was signed on 13th February 2024.
International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) contracts for accommodation do not contain a "cooling off period".
Divulging the details of contracts could prejudice the Department's negotiating position to deliver value for money with respect to other accommodation providers and locations, so further contractual information is not provided.
My 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.
Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of IP applicants, over 200 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties.
