Written Answers Nos. 1135-1154
1136. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to improve disability services in County Carlow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12054/24]
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.
1138. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of currently vacant beds in accommodation centres contracted for Ukrainians under temporary protection, by county, in tabular form. [12118/24]
View answerDue to continuing downward trends in beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) seeking accommodation from the State coupled with increases in BOTPs leaving State provided accommodation to seek more independent living, vacancies have arisen in my Department’s portfolio of commercial accommodation. These vacancies are notified by providers and the numbers change daily in response to moves in and out of accommodation.
While vacancy numbers identified by providers as available appear significant, currently over 3,100, not all of these vacancies can be used in the short term. Many of these vacancies are already committed for certain moves and the number of usable vacancies is actually far lower.
Where a provider has decided not to renew a contract for example, or where my Department must end a contract with a provider due to compliance issues, the BOTPs in residence will need to be moved elsewhere in the portfolio. Currently, over 1,300 vacancies are committed to such moves.
In addition, my Department has recently undertaken a priority review of capacity within the BOTP portfolio to identify any vacancies that can be used for IPs in the short term and has begun engaging with providers in this regard. 500 spaces have been identified and actions are now underway to move applicants for international protection (IP) into these properties where BOTPs are and where vacancies exist with the agreement of the providers concerned.
Of the 3,100 potential vacancies, therefore, just 1,300 appear to be usable. Vacancies can only be validated and determined suitable for use, however, when moves into these vacancies are imminent. Certain geographical locations or room configurations can mean that they can be difficult to fill as accommodation must meet the particular needs of individual BOTPs and families. Many of the vacancies identified by providers turn out to be single beds in family rooms for example, which are only suitable for family reunifications. Real, usable vacancies are therefore not available on a county by county basis given these complicating factors.
My Department will continue to identify accommodation which can be used solely for IP where BOTP contracts are coming to an end subject to the agreement of the providers concerned. While this work is progressing as quickly as possible, this will be an ongoing process due to room configuration, contractual matters, and the potential to move BOTPs to alternative accommodation.
1139. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of accommodation providers contracted to provide accommodation for Ukrainian citizens under temporary protection that have been asked to extend their contract provisions to include accommodating international protection applicants, by county, in tabular form. [12119/24]
View answerDue to continuing downward trends in BOTPs seeking accommodation from the State coupled with increases in BOTPs leaving State provided accommodation to seek more independent living, vacancies have arisen in my Department’s portfolio of commercial BOTP accommodation. These vacancy numbers change daily in response to moves in and out of accommodation and while they can appear significant at times, not all of these vacancies can be used in the short term.
Where a provider has not committed to renewing a contract or where an issue has been raised with my Department such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies cannot be used until these matters have been resolved. In addition, where contracts will end in the short term, a certain proportion of the portfolio of vacancies must be maintained so as to facilitate the movement of resident BOTPs.
Notwithstanding these limitations, my Department has recently undertaken a priority review of capacity within the BOTP portfolio to identify any vacancies that can be used for IPs in the short term and has begun engaging with providers in this regard. Up to 500 spaces have been identified and actions are now underway to move IPs into properties where BOTPs are and where vacancies exist with the agreement of the providers concerned.
Following the Government decision to implement a time limited accommodation offering for those seeking accommodation in the State, my Department has paused the procurement of commercial accommodation to accommodate BOTPs; providers visiting the offers portal are instead encouraged to consider accommodating IPs. Work has also begun to consolidate the wider BOTP portfolio so that it better aligns with future needs. Where contracts are being ended as part of this process, my Department will work to identify accommodation which could be suitable for use for IP. This is however a commercial decision to be made by the providers concerned and their agreement will be needed to make this happen.
While my Department is working to progress this as quickly as possible, this will be an ongoing process due to complexities of room configuration, contractual matters, and the requirement to move BOTPs to alternative accommodation.
1140. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail his plans to secure adequate and safe accommodation for all international protection applicants and to prevent the emergence of refugee camps on our streets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12142/24]
View answer1188. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of the measures his Department is implementing to address the safety and humanitarian situation of individuals being forced to live in tents outside the International Protection Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12987/24]
View answer1195. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on conditions for international protection applicants sleeping in tents in congregated areas of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13153/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1140, 1188 and 1195 together.
On Saturday 16th March, the Department offered alternative shelter to all International Protection (IP) applicants camped at Mount Street. All those who accepted the offer were provided with tented accommodation at a site in Crooksling.
The site at Mount Street was cleared over the weekend in cooperation with Dublin City Council due to the emerging public health and security risks.
IP applicants at Crooksling have access to clean toilets and showers, health services, indoor areas where food is provided, facilities to charge phones and personal devices, access to public transport to and from Dublin City Centre and 24 hour onsite security.
More broadly, the situation in relation to accommodation remains very challenging. The supply of available accommodation is severely diminished. What accommodation can be opened at this point is primarily being utilised for families in order to avoid women and children becoming homeless. Since January, approximately 2,400 beds have been brought into use for those seeking accommodation.
Drop-in day services remain available to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week.
The Department has arrangements in place for the provision of these services with Mendicity, Crosscare, Capuchin Day Centre and Tiglin at the Lighthouse. The Department is in also in regular contact with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, the Dublin Simon Community, Streetlink Homeless Support Outreach service and others, particularly with regard identification of particularly vulnerable individuals.
1141. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost to implement a 10% increase across the board for youth funding schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12203/24]
View answerThe total cost to implement a 10% increase across the board for B06 (Youth Organisations and Services) would be €7,794,801 in current funding as outlined in the following table.
B06 Funding (Current) for Youth Organisations and Services (Part funded by the National Lottery.
|
Grant SchemeFunding provided under B06 Funding (Current) for Youth Organisations and Services (Part funded by the National Lottery. |
2024 Funding Provision per Scheme |
Cost of a 10% Increase on 2024 funding provision |
Funding provision required incorporating 10% increase |
|
UBU Your Place Your Space Scheme |
€48,042,698 |
€4,804,270 |
€52,846,968 |
|
Youth Services Grant Scheme |
€14,572,169 |
€1,457,217 |
€16,029,386 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,500,000 |
€250,000 |
€2,750,000 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,534,006 |
€153,401 |
€1,687,407 |
|
Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative |
€1,000,000 |
€100,000 |
€1,100,000 |
|
Total Cost of B06 Grant Schemes |
€67,648,873 |
€6,764,888 |
€74,413,761 |
|
Non- Grant Scheme Funding provided under B06 Funding (Current) for Youth Organisations and Services (Part funded by the National Lottery. |
2024 Funding Provision per Scheme |
Cost of a 10% Increase on 2024 funding provision |
Funding provision required incorporating 10% increase |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€5,208,196 |
€520,820 |
€5,729,016 |
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams |
€1,260,000 |
€126,000 |
€1,386,000 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€2,071,034 |
€207,103 |
€2,278,137 |
|
Policy and Support Programmes (inc. contingency) |
€1,759,897 |
€175,990 |
€1,935,887 |
|
Total Cost of B06 Non Grant |
€10,299,127 |
€1,029,913 |
€11,329,040 |
|
Overall B06 Total |
€77,948,000 |
€7,794,801 |
€85,742,801 |
1142. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount allocated for service provisions in St. Christopher’s, Longford, per heading for 2021, 2022, and 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12245/24]
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.
1143. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current vacancies per role for St. Christopher’s in Longford, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12246/24]
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.
1144. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a breakdown in the funding provided by his Department to youth services in the Finglas and Ballymun areas; and for a breakdown in the changes to the level of funding since 2020. [12276/24]
View answer1145. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a breakdown of the number of new posts funded by his Department in youth services in the Finglas and Ballymun areas since 2020. [12277/24]
View answer1146. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding provided by his Department for youth services in Finglas and Ballymun since 2006, in tabular form. [12278/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1144 to 1146, inclusive, together.
The allocations of current funding provided under the B06 subhead (Youth Organisations and Services) to Funded Organisations in the Ballymun/Finglas area under the UBU Your Place Your Space funding scheme are outlined in the following table:
|
Funded Organisation |
2020 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
2021 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
% change on 2020 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
2022 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
% change on 2021 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
2023 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
% change on 2022 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
2024 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
% change on 2023 UBU YPYS Funding Allocation |
|
Ballymun Regional Youth Resource |
€1,131,454 |
€1,159,740 |
2.50% |
€1,194,532 |
3.00% |
€1,242,313 |
4.00% |
€1,268,402 |
2.10% |
|
Cabra for Youth |
€228,078 |
€244,925 |
7.39% |
€275,232 |
12.37% |
€286,242 |
4.00% |
€292,253 |
2.10% |
|
Finglas Youth Resource |
€558,970 |
€572,944 |
2.50% |
€600,782 |
4.86% |
€628,506 |
4.61% |
€641,705 |
2.10% |
|
Finglas Youth Service LEAPP |
€130,564 |
€133,828 |
2.50% |
€137,843 |
3.00% |
€143,357 |
4.00% |
€146,368 |
2.10% |
|
Poppintree Youth Service |
€227,308 |
€232,991 |
2.50% |
€246,731 |
5.90% |
€258,940 |
4.95% |
€264,378 |
2.10% |
|
€2,276,374 |
€2,344,428 |
2.99% |
€2,455,121 |
4.72% |
€2,559,357 |
4.25% |
€2,613,106 |
2.10% |
My Department does not collate the information on the number of new posts funded by the Department which is requested by the Deputy.
Funding provided under the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme does not directly fund youth worker posts or salaries. Rather, it is allocated on an organisation on a 'provision of service' basis to meet the identified local needs of the youth population in an area.
The UBU Your Place Your Space scheme is targeted towards disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable young people. The recruitment and employment of staff including youth workers is a matter for the youth organisations and services themselves.
My Department was established in 2011 and I am happy to supply the Deputy with information relating to the period 2011 to 2024.
The annual current and capital funding allocation provided in respect of Ballymun and Finglas for youth organisations and services under the sectoral programme for children and young people within subhead B06 - Youth Organisations and Services (part funded by the national lottery) is set out in the table below.
|
- |
Total Current Funding |
Capital Funding |
Total Current + Capital Funding |
|
2011 |
€1,644,674 |
€1,644,674 |
|
|
2012 |
€3,194,214 |
€3,194,214 |
|
|
2013 |
€2,980,325 |
€2,980,325 |
|
|
2014 |
€2,851,811 |
€4,862 |
€2,856,673 |
|
2015 |
€2,884,311 |
€50,000 |
€2,934,311 |
|
2016 |
€2,920,545 |
€15,024 |
€2,935,569 |
|
2017 |
€3,066,572 |
€3,066,572 |
|
|
2018 |
€3,136,807 |
€62,298 |
€3,199,105 |
|
2019 |
€3,196,920 |
€81,357 |
€3,278,277 |
|
2020 |
€2,276,374 |
€100,099 |
€2,376,473 |
|
2021 |
€2,344,428 |
€62,836 |
€2,407,264 |
|
2022 |
€2,480,917 |
€63,156 |
€2,544,073 |
|
2023 |
€2,559,357 |
€37,920 |
€2,597,277 |
|
2024 |
€2,613,106 |
€2,613,106 |
1147. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the notice to quit issued to a creche (details supplied) that provides essential childcare services for over 50 families in Balrothery; that the landlord only gave the crèche four weeks to vacate the premises; and if his Department will engage with the creche to help find an alternative location in the Balrothery area. [12312/24]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that Pobal, in their role as scheme administrator, have recently made my Department aware of a sudden closure of a private service in Balbriggan, the Toddle In, who provides full day care, part time and sessional care to children between the ages of 0-6 years and also provides School-Age Childcare (SAC)
Pobal informed my Department that the provider had only recently received notice from their landlord to exit the premises and that the service must close by Wednesday 27th March 2024. Subsequently, parents were notified of the closure on Tuesday 27th February 2024.
As a result of this, Fingal CCC has received a high volume of calls and emails from approximately 45-50 families that have been affected.
I understand the provider has contacted another organisation that may have suitable space for ECCE in the hope that they can open and continue to offer ECCE for the remainder of the term until June 2024.
Additionally, Fingal CCC have reached out to Tusla regarding a change of circumstances required for temporary premises and are supporting the provider with this.
Furthermore, the CCC are also offering support to families in locating new services/alternative places. CCC and Pobal are currently working closely with the service to offer any supports possible and will continue to monitor the situation and will advise my Department of any developments.
1148. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 110 of 14 December 2023, if the negotiation process between the expert negotiator and religious orders with regard to contributing to the mother and baby institutions redress scheme has been completed to date; if not, the expected timeline for the conclusion of the negotiation process; when the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12339/24]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and religious bodies, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes all relevant parties have a collective responsibility to respond to the legacy of these institutions.
In May 2023 the Government approved my proposal to appoint Ms Sheila Nunan to act on my behalf in leading negotiations with religious bodies which had a historical involvement with Mother and Baby Institutions. This is with a view to securing a financial contribution towards the cost of the Payment Scheme and it followed on from a series of meetings that I myself held with the bodies.
Both my departmental officials and I are committed to supporting Ms Nunan in her work. As part of this, I have procured financial experts to support Ms Nunan in her negotiations. This expertise from Ernst and Young is in place since 15th Nov 2023 and is ongoing.
While I cannot specify a date on which the process will conclude, I would anticipate that this process will conclude within the coming months. These negotiations, while ongoing, are being treated as confidential. A full report will be provided to Government once the negotiations are concluded.
1149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of exit and-or severance and-or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €100,000 and above but less that €200,000, by the amount and by each body in each of the years 2019 to 2023 and to date in 2024. [12344/24]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter in relation to staff of their own organisations.
I and my officials are committed at all times to the proper use of public funds, and my Department sanctions such packages in line with the relevant circulars and guidelines.
To answer your question with regard to staff of my Department, I can confirm that exit, severance or redundancy packages were not sanctioned for staff other than Ministerial staff and any such arrangement would be in accordance with central guidance from DPER.
1150. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12361/24]
View answerThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The goal of AIM is to empower Early Learning and Care (ELC) providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high quality early learning and care.
AIM Level 7 support provides additional funding to ELC providers who have a child requiring extra support. Providers can use this funding either to reduce the adult-to-child ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting.
Pobal have confirmed that an application was received on 4 March 2024 and is currently being processed with a final decision to issue shortly.
My Department funds the national network of City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who provide support to parents and providers at a local level. If a parent or provider requires further information or advice their best option is to contact Kerry CCC who can be contacted by email at info@kerrycountychildcare.com or by phone at (066) 7181582.
1151. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what funding or schemes are available to support communities with after-school services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12367/24]
View answerThe term afterschool can cover a range of activities from regulated school aged childcare to afterschool homework clubs or youth activity projects such as cooking lessons. Depending on the activity, funding may be available from different Departments and agencies. For the purposes of this answer, it is assumed that the matter being raised is school aged childcare.
A ‘school age service’ means any early years service, play group, day nursery, crèche, day-care or other similar service, the primary purpose of which is to care for children where their parents are unavailable. It does not include groups for which the sole activity is arts, sports, youth work or tuition.
The availability of high-quality early learning and childcare (which includes school aged childcare) is a key Government priority. Considerable investment has taken place in recent years to improve the resourcing, quality and availability of early learning and childcare
In September 2022, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare that supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme. A fourth programme – the Equal Participation Model is under development.
This is the start of a multi-annual investment plan – with investment this year exceeding €1.1 billion – achieving the First 5 investment target five years ahead of time.
Core Funding which introduced on foot of Together for Better has been in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of participation. Core Funding has increased by 11% to reach €287 million for year 2 of the scheme, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services. Participation in Core Funding is optional but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
In September 2022, the upper age eligibility for the NCS universal subsidy was extended from 3 years to all children under 15 years of age, which for the first time providing financial assistance to families’ access school age care on a universal basis. In January 2023, the hourly NCS Universal Subsidy was increased from €0.50 to €1.40. From September 2024, this hourly rate will increase to €2.14.
With regard to the creation of new services and places a new Supply Management Unit was established in my Department in January. A key part of the Unit’s remit will be to develop a planning function, for monitoring, analysing and forecasting of investment needs, in line with a recommendation of the Expert Group in their Report – Partnership for the Public Good.
The latest data on new service registrations and service closures provided to my Department by the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate for 2023 shows a net increase of 158 standalone school age care services.
First 5, the whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families also recognises the potential for the use of school facilities for early learning childcare. The Department of Education’s policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including early learning and childcare. Potential School aged childcare are encouraged to engage with their local school in this regard.
Also of note is the extension of funding supports and regulation to childminders who are currently outside the scope of regulation is the focus of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. Legislation is currently being drafted to remove the legal exemption of childminders from regulation, and a public consultation on the draft childminder-specific regulations will commenced on February 8 and closes on May 2. Subject to legislative and regulatory changes, it is expected that childminders will be able to start registering with Tusla and taking part in the NCS from autumn 2024.
Services who wish to explore funding options are encouraged to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for advice. Contact details are available here: www.myccc.ie
1152. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all the services and therapies required in the case of a person (details supplied) have been put in place; the steps being taken to ensure that all the interventions that have been recommended in their case are in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12380/24]
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.
1153. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is any provision to include survivors of mother and baby homes who contributed towards the Investigation Committee of the final Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation and who passed away before the Taoiseach's apology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12427/24]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will open for applications on 20 March and a dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme which contains information on how people will be able to apply for benefits under the Scheme.
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 Action Plan contains 22 commitments to survivors, intended to address the expressed priorities of those who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, as well as respond to the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Investigation. Of these 22 commitments, 9 are completed and a further 11 are in progress. The two remaining actions are medium/longer term goals. Work is ongoing across all thematic areas to ensure that survivors see tangible results as soon as possible.
As well as the Payment Scheme, other important measures contained in the Action Plan 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. Importantly, the package of supports available under the Action Plan also includes counselling services which are available to all survivors and former residents.
1154. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what action his Department is taking to ensure a standardised rate of pay for the different types of home and community care providers, given that disability home support is not operated under an authorisation scheme, which indicates that providers of disability support are paid less than those who are providers of elderly home support, wherein these providers are not guaranteed the living wage or travel time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12459/24]
View answerThe HSE provides a range of assisted living services including Home Support Services (HSS) to support individuals to maximise their capacity to live full and independent lives.
Home Support Services are provided either directly by the HSE or indirectly through a range of voluntary and private service providers. The majority of specialised disability provision (80%) is delivered through non-statutory sector service providers.
Home support services are provided to both children and adults with a wide range of disabilities from physical and sensory disabilities to intellectual disabilities and autism. The home support service for children with disabilities assists the child with various activities and supports the parent/family. Over 3 million home support hours are delivered to almost 7,200 people annually.
The Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026, published by my Department in December, commits to the delivery of 110,000 additional Home Support hours between 2024 and 2026 to address shortfalls in services and to support people with disabilities live at home, in line with Article 19 UNCRPD.
In 2023, a new HSE Authorisation Scheme for Home Support Services for Older Persons was finalised. A new HSE-led Disability Services procurement framework for Home Support is planned to be developed and agreed in Q2 2024. As this procurement process is at the development stage, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment at present.
