Written Answers Nos. 1115-1134
1115. 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 the 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. [11833/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question.
I am advised by my officials that a deferred response in relation to PQ Ref: 8805/24 was issued to the Deputy on 7th March 2024. The matters raised in PQ Ref: 11833/24 were addressed in this response.
I trust this information clarifies the matter.
1116. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the 16,500 children awaiting an AON as per CDNT estimates are included in a schools assessment as per the new SET allocation model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11842/24]
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 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.
1117. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessment of needs conducted per annum in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11846/24]
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 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.
1118. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the parents of a child (details supplied) can expect to receive an assessment of needs for their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11853/24]
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 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.
1119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date of the DNA working group established to consider the potential role of DNA in the context of the provision of the statutory tracing service under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11869/24]
View answer1121. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department has taken to inform adoptees and mother and baby home survivors of any potential role for DNA technologies in tracing birth information, given the diverse levels of technological literacy across society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11871/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1119 and 1121 together.
As the Deputy is aware, following agreement by the Birth Information and Tracing Act Implementation Group, a DNA Working Group was established in March 2023. The Group, which comprises of representation from my Department, the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla has been tasked with considering approaches and practices in respect of the use of DNA technology for the purposes of Adoption/Birth Information and Tracing Services, as well as the legal and technical challenges which exist in that regard, and to assess whether these approaches and practices could complement the delivery of Birth Information and Tracing Services.
The Working Group is currently in the process of concluding its work and I expect to receive a report on its considerations and findings in early Q2 2024 at which point I will consider appropriate next steps.
1120. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on how to approach birth information and tracing policy where a birth parent or other individual with access to relevant information is withholding information or otherwise failing to cooperate with an individual who is seeking out their birth information; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11870/24]
View answerThe Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 enshrines in law the right to identity information for all those who are adopted, nursed out, boarded out, subject to an illegal birth registration, or resided in a mother and baby or county home institution as a child. It also allows for access to information by a child of a relevant person where their parent has died, and for access by the next of kin of children who died in an institution.
Adopted persons now have a clear and guaranteed right of access to their identity information as held by relevant bodies, including information which is also the personal data of another person and certain defined categories of third party information. However, the Act also contains measures to balance this right with the birth parent’s right to privacy in a fair and compassionate way.
The Contact Preference Register, established under the Act, enables adopted persons, parents or other genetic relatives to register their preference in relation to contact with each other. Importantly, it will allow parents to register a ‘no contact’ preference prior to their information being released as part of a person’s birth and early life information, by way of an information session. This ensures that the parent’s right to privacy and wish for privacy will be communicated when releasing their information. It is important to be aware that information will always be released, even where a ‘no contact’ preference has been registered.
The statutory Tracing Service assists people actively seeking a reunion, wishing to make contact, or looking to share or seek information. The Tracing Service can facilitate the sharing of information while maintaining a level of contact (if any) that both parties are comfortable with. Reunion or contact through the Tracing Service will be based on the consent of both parties, and actively supported by qualified social workers. Again, this includes the right of the person being traced to refuse engagement with the person seeking them.
The critical requirement to balance these two (at times competing) rights meant that in the past adopted people were denied their information, or provided with redacted information. The Birth Information and Tracing Act was landmark legislation in allowing full access to information for adopted persons while ensuring a privacy preference if made, is communicated.
In the circumstance highlighted by the Deputy, the policy underpinning the legislation centred on establishing in law the rights of relevant persons to information concerning their origins, where it exists and is held by the State in the form of relevant bodies (the Child and Family Agency, Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland). This is critical to relevant persons being able to understand the story of their birth and early life.
However, there are many reasons why a birth parent may not wish to revisit earlier periods in their life, and we must respect these too. In developing this policy, officials were mindful of the impact the legislation would have on some birth parents, and compelling them to disclose information was not considered. While the relevant bodies offer support for contact in all cases, ultimately it is the birth parent’s decision whether or not to make contact or share information.
1122. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to assist families with newborns where maternity leave/payment ends at 26 weeks, but the vast majority of crèches will only take children aged from 12 months upwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11879/24]
View answerThe First 5 Implementation Plan (2023-2025) sets out additional measures that will allow parents to spend the whole of their baby’s first year in the home through a combination of paid family leave schemes by 2028. This includes increasing Parent’s Leave and Benefit for each parent from seven weeks to nine weeks by August 2024. The intention of this leave is to enable parents to spend time with their child in the earliest years. It is deliberately non-transferable between parents to ensure that both parents are encouraged and supported in taking time out from work to spend time with their child.
By 2025, the combined durations of Maternity, Paternity and Parent’s Leave and Benefit will equate to 46 weeks leave for a two-parent family. Mothers also have an entitlement to 16 weeks of Additional Maternity Leave which is unpaid. Many parents add annual leave to their family leave entitlements which allows for at least a further four weeks of paid leave per parent. Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families.
Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2021/22 shows there were 43,498 places for children aged 0-3 nationally. This excludes places for children in most childminding settings. The First 5 Implementation Plan (2023-2025) aims to ensure that there are adequate places available to meet demand. By 2028, there will be 60,000 state-funded ELC places for children under 3 in line with the revised Barcelona Targets set by the European Commission. This target will provide sufficient places for 35% of 1-3 year olds, with additional places for children under 1, to continue to support parental choice. Delivery of this target will include the design and implementation of Pillars 1-3 of the Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan, the implementation of the recommendations of National Action Plan for Childminding and the implementation of the recommendations in Partnership for the Public Good.
1123. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of his Department’s plans to use the HSE-owned lands on the Heywood Road, Clonmel, County Tipperary for the provision of 62 modular homes; the current status of such considerations; the proposed use of such modular homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11890/24]
View answer1124. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline plans for the use of the HSE-owned lands on the Heywood Road, Clonmel, County Tipperary; if these lands are being considered for the provision of modular homes by the Department of Children, Equality, Disabilities, Integration and youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11892/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1124 and 1123 together.
In relation to proposed locations for International Applicants (IP) or Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP), without an Eircode for specific locations my Department is unable to provide any information.
For example the title of locations may be referred to by different names within the local community where it is situated. With reference to large scale sites, there may be multiple units on that site with only 1 unit being offered.
As such, Department officials cannot accurately identify current or proposed accommodation locations by name only.
If the Deputy can provide an Eircode, my Department can assist with his query further, or the Deputy may contact the Community Engagement Team at community@equality.gov.ie
The Department is currently not considering any other sites for modular accommodation for BOTPs in Clonmel other than the site about which the Deputy was briefed in my response to his previous question PQ 9945.
1125. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 459 of 7 March 2023, if the Preliminary Design (Stage 1) Report for the new intellectual disability adult day services facility at the Cleary Centre in Donegal town is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11909/24]
View answer1135. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 459 of 7 March 2023, if the preliminary design Stage 1 report for the new intellectual disability adult day services facility at the Cleary Centre in Donegal town is complete; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12009/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1125 and 1135 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 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.
1126. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider changing the criteria in order to successfully apply for the motorised transport grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11920/24]
View answerThe 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.
1127. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware that the CDNT team in Donegal east has no office of its own, a 65% staff vacancy rate and key leadership positions unfilled; and if she will urgently examine all options to resolve this crisis as soon as possible, including pooling resources with other CDNT teams in the county, until the vacancy rates improve. [11926/24]
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 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
1128. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether a property (details supplied) is being considered for refugee accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11947/24]
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.
1129. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to review the motorised transport grant and tax relief for drivers and passengers with disabilities given that the criteria for both schemes are restrictive; if he will consider changing the eligibility criteria to be more inclusive of different disabilities where people still cannot drive without an adapted car; when this criteria was last reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11962/24]
View answerThe 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.
1130. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential places that were available as of December 2023; and the number available to date in 2024, in tabular form. [11964/24]
View answerResidential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, 58% of the total budget, and approximately 90 service providers provide residential services to 8,400 individuals throughout the country. The bulk of these are provided by the 50 highest funded agencies (comprising both Section 38 & Section 39 organisations).
It is important to note that residential capacity in the system can be reduced. When residents of congregated settings sadly pass away, their places are not ordinarily re-utilised. This is in keeping with Government policy which is to move away from institutionalised settings (i.e. Time to Move On from Congregate Settings).
I am informed by the HSE that by the end of December 2023, there were 8400 residential places for people with a disability.
Due to the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE, which has now been suspended, my Department is providing data from December 2023, which is the latest available data on the number of residential places for people with a disability. The HSE has indicated that figures for 2024 are being finalised and will be available in late March/early April.
1131. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children on the waiting list for CDNT services in County Wexford in each of the four Wexford CDNTs; the number of clinical staff currently assigned to the CDNT in County Wexford; the number of clinical staff currently employed to the CDNT in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11971/24]
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 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
1132. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number currently awaiting an assessment of need by the children's disability network team, broken down by CHO and waiting list timeframe that is, by one, three, six, 12 and greater than 12 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11978/24]
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 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
1133. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a staffing breakdown for the childrens disability network team for each CHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11982/24]
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 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
1134. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that information relied upon by his Department in concluding that a property (details supplied) used for the accommodation of IPAs and BOTPs is a company and not the entity listed as the owner by the Land Registry. [12002/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will issue to the Deputy in the coming days.
