Written Answers Nos. 1163-1186
1163. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Draft Overarching National Standards for the Care and Support of Children using Health and Social Care Services standards developed by HIQA and the Mental Health Commission and submitted for Ministerial approval in July 2022 were approved; if there is a delay in their approval; if so, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15130/24]
View answerMy department continue to review the Overarching standards proposed by HIQA and it is proposed that meetings will take place soon with HIQA to discuss further.
1164. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth concerning the Building Blocks – Expansion Grant Scheme, which is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare, if he will confirm when an application from (details supplied) will be validated; if the applicant will be given the opportunity to submit additional documentation or provide clarity on their application if the same is required; when can the provider expect a decision to be issued on the same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15134/24]
View answerOn 22nd February, I was pleased to announce an €18 million capital grant scheme which will provide for an increase in affordable Early Learning and Care places. The primary focus of the Expansion Grant Scheme is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old (pre-ECCE) age range for full-day and part-time care. This will be achieved by funding projects that reconfigure or internally renovate existing Early Learning and Childcare services to accommodate children in this age category.
Applications for the Expansion Grant opened on the 22nd February 2024 and closed on 3rd April 2024.
Pobal, who are administering the scheme on my Department's behalf, has now commenced the appraisal of all applications received and applicants will be notified of the outcome of the appraisal in due course.
I am advised that the submission of applications and supporting documentation is only permitted during the application window and when window closes, it is not possible submit late applications, amend submitted applications or provide additional documentation. The service may wish to engage with Pobal in this regard.
1165. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what plans his Department is connected with in relation to a location (details supplied); what are the latest plans, if any, for another location in Brittas, County Dublin; and if there are plans for any other sites located in the constituency for Dublin South West. [15140/24]
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.
1166. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 431 of 24 January 2023, what changes, if any, have been made to the scheme since last year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15167/24]
View answerThe NCS Sponsorship arrangement allows designated bodies to refer children to the NCS where early learning and childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds.
Where a referral is made by a Sponsor body, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy without having to satisfy the Scheme’s eligibility, income or enhanced hours requirements. The Scheme will pay the full weekly cost of early learning and childcare for families referred to the Scheme by a Sponsor Body. The sponsor referral subsidy will increase to €5.30 per hour for all children over 1 from September 2024
The number of children supported through the NCS sponsorship arrangement has increased significantly in recent years. Owing, in part, to the requirement on services in contract for Core Funding to offer the NCS to all eligible families, including sponsored arrangements. Specifically, there has been a 52 per cent increase in the number of children supported through these arrangements (rising from 4,046 in the 2021/22 programme year to 6,133 in the 2023/24 programme year to date). My Department will begin an evaluation of the NCS this year. The NCS sponsorship arrangement will be in scope of that evaluation.
Separately, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which supports children with disabilities to access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme will be extended to ECCE-age children beyond time they spend in the ECCE programme, both in-term and out-of-term from September 2024. Further extensions to AIM are under consideration by my officials.
1167. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on outstanding payments to an accommodation provider centre (details supplied) for Ukrainian refugees; when payment is expected to issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15193/24]
View answerI am advised by my officials that they are actively engaging with the provider regarding technical issues and every effort will be made to make any outstanding payments as soon as possible.
1168. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can advise on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15252/24]
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.
1169. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the schemes available to people with disabilities to help them access the workforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15253/24]
View answerThe issue of employment supports for people with disabilities has been a dedicated focus of work across government for some time.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES) 2015-2024 is the primary disability employment policy strategy in Ireland. My Department coordinates action on this strategy and it has provided the framework for several significant successes in recent years, such as allowing for the deferral of day service placements for those who wish to seek employment opportunities or pursue further and higher education without automatically losing their services place.
Also under the CES, my Department provides funding for the Towards Work and Employers for Change initiatives. These measures provide supports and advice for job seekers with disabilities, and confidential advice and support for employers in becoming "disability confident" with the goal of reducing barriers to employment.
The Department of Social protection also provides a wide range of supports and incentives for all job seekers, including specific supports for persons with disabilities. Supports such as the Reasonable Accommodation Fund and Workplace Adaptation Grant are available to financially assist those who may need reasonable accommodations or adaptations to enter into or to retain employment. The Department of Social Protection also fund the "WorkAbility: Inclusive Pathways to Employment" programme, which supports a range of national, regional, and local organisations that have experience supporting persons with disabilities in the employment area.
Last year, government doubled the minimum percentage target for the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector from 3% to 6%, on a phased basis up to 2025. The public sector must show leadership on this issue. This measure entered into law in April last year with the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act. Both myself and Minister Rabbitte are working with colleagues across government to ensure that every effort is made to meet the new targets, along with the National Disability Authority who report on the public sector's performance in this area every year .
Finally, my Department is in the process of designing the successor strategy to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and employment has been a key area of focus. This has given us the opportunity to engage with persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, along with colleagues at a whole of government level, on the key barriers and challenges facing persons with disabilities in gaining and maintaining employment. The strategy will address the barriers and challenges disabled people face when seeking work, building on work previously done in this area so that persons with disabilities are able to work and pursue fulfilling careers on an equal basis with others.
1170. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, with regard to the 300 contracts that have been terminated with his Department for the accommodation of BOTPs since 2022, the cancellation was instigated by the service provider or his Department, in tabular form; if any follow-up investigations or audits were carried out by the An Garda Síochána and/or his Department; the details of same, if any; if any monies are still outstanding on any of the cancelled contracts; if so if the Department is actively chasing payments on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15280/24]
View answerSince the beginning of the Ukrainian crisis my Department has successfully assisted over 83,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) who have sought State support with accommodation. Over 51,000 BOTPs are currently residing in State supported temporary accommodation in approximately 1,000 locations with private providers under contract with my Department.
Approximately 300 contracts with my Department for the accommodation of BOTPs have been terminated since 2022. However, the information in the format sought by the Deputy as to whether the cancellation was instigated by the service provider or my Department is not available.
My Department has not referred any of these cancelled contracts to An Garda Síochána for investigation.
A Compliance team was set up in my Department in June 2023 to investigate accommodation providers reported to be in breach of their contractual obligations. That team may terminate contracts if necessary, particularly where health and safety concerns arise. However, they seek to work with providers to regularise their contractual relationship with the Department where possible in order to minimise disruption to BOTPs. In addition to compliance investigations, my Department is currently reviewing the State’s BOTP accommodation portfolio to ensure it meets our needs, and that it provides value for money for the tax payer.
Service providers are generally paid on a monthly basis. The standard contract provides for termination by either party with one month's notice. Arrangements are made for the relocation of the BOTPs in the accommodation in question. A final invoice is agreed. I can assure the Deputy that my officials engage with each provider in settling any outstanding amounts in line with contractual commitments.
1171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the current plans for the provision of accommodation services within a location (details supplied) in Drogheda; if this centre is now operating as a dispersal centre as reported; to provide an update on how he and his Department are now planning to support Drogheda, considering the impact of this decision which has taken Drogheda's only hotel of scale from the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15289/24]
View answerThere are over 28,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole (of whom 6,669 are children). Compared with approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022. Together with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection displaced by the war in Ukraine, this means that Ireland is now accommodating over 100,000 people in state-supported accommodation
This is a nationwide urgent situation and centres have been opened in all parts of the country. Since January 2022, the Department has brought over 200 properties into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking international protection. All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. While demand continues to outstrip supply, the Department on behalf of the Government, is doing all it can to ensure that families and children have been accommodated. However, due to increased arrivals of families and couples in tandem with delays in opening some properties, there is an imminent possibility of a shortage of family accommodation.
The D Hotel has been offered to the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) and contracted to provide accommodation to International Protection (IP) applicants under the emergency appraisal process. It is functioning as a dispersal centre for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) with families in residence for a short period of time before transfer to an alternative centre.
At the end of March 2024 a new Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for IP applicants was announced following a review with input from the White Paper Programme Board and the External Advisory Group.
The reforms will see a move away from full reliance on private providers and towards increased State-owned accommodation, delivering 14,000 State-owned beds by 2028 – quadruple the previous commitment under the White Paper. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers. It is the intention of this new strategy to end the use of unsuitable accommodation options currently relied upon, such as the sole hotel remaining in a given town.
Ireland is and always has been a welcoming place and the Irish people are fundamentally aware of and support the provision of shelter for those seeking refuge in the State. The State must seek to provide a large scale supply which will allow it to better manage arrivals, better manage the allocation of refugees around the country, and move away from over-reliance on short term private providers.
1172. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the rates being charged to Ukrainian refugees living in State accommodation for their board and lodgings; the basis by which this was calculated; whether this is under review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15311/24]
View answerBeneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) from Ukraine living in State funded accommodation and not charged for their board and lodgings. However, BOTP in serviced accommodation make a contribution to their food costs.
In line with the government decision of the 28th October 2022, a Serviced Accommodation Contribution Policy came into operation, on a phased basis. The policy applies to certain serviced accommodation (for example hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and hostels) where self-catering options are not available. BOTP are now required to make a contribution towards payment for meals in order to avail of this State provided accommodation.
The contribution is €10 per adult and €5 per child per day. The purchase of meals in serviced accommodation is compulsory, and a refusal to pay can result in the offer of accommodation being withdrawn.
BOTPs pay this contribution directly to the accommodation providers, and not my Department. Accordingly, I do not have the information in the format sought by the Deputy.
A contribution model for family units living in the rapid build homes has been developed. The Department is aware that the means of BOTP may vary greatly as some are in employment and others are in receipt of social welfare supports. To ensure a fair charging mechanism, a differential rent scheme has been developed.
The differential rent approach involves setting the accommodation contribution at a percentage of income rather than at a set fee. A 16% rate plus €40 flat rate utility charge is being applied.
The contribution charges are being administered by Tuath Housing Association, the AHB appointed to manage the properties. This includes determination, collection and arrears management.
All Government policies regarding accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection will remain under review.
1173. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an ACC communication device can be provided for a child (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15323/24]
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.
1174. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) in County Donegal will received a CDNT appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15324/24]
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.
1175. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 832 of 20 September 2023, when a reply will issue to this Deputy from the HSE. [15326/24]
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.
1177. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what medical supports are available outside of normal business hours, 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, to enable disabled people to live independently in the community. [15356/24]
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.
1178. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can confirm that part of a building at St. John’s House, Block 8 and 9, Tallaght Retail Centre, Tallaght, Dublin 24 is currently being used or in the process of being used to accommodate international protection applicants; if so, the date of commencement; the category of international applicants; the breakdown of the number of units in the building for such purpose; the total number of international applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15366/24]
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.
1179. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child in County Donegal (details supplied) will receive services from CDNT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15367/24]
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.
1180. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE psychologists, dietitians and occupational therapists that are CDNT based at (details supplied) in the years 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form. [15382/24]
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.
1181. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider providing travel passes for asylum seekers who are sleeping rough or in camps in order that they can commute back and forth from the city centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15394/24]
View answerIP applicants occupying tents at Mount Street were offered an alternative accommodation location Saturday 16th March. This was done in cooperation with Dublin City Council due to the emerging public health and security risks. IP applicants were brought to Crooksling where they were provided with access to 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.
Crosscare are conducting support visits and supplying Leap cards so that all persons at the site can use public transport available.
Drop-in day services remain available to all persons not offered accommodation by the department and who are found to be street homeless. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week at these service locations.
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.
1182. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on disability service waiting lists for children’s disability networks teams, by CHO/CDNT, at the end of each quarter of each year 2019-2024, inclusive, in tabular form; the average length of wait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/24]
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.
1183. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people on disability service waiting lists for each service type, excluding children’s disability network teams, at the end of each quarter of each year 2019-2024, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15435/24]
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.
1184. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on waiting lists for an assessment of need for each quarter of each year 2019-2024, inclusive, in tabular form; the number overdue for completion; and the number of estimated PTAs waiting for a complete AON, in tabular form, as reported in the Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023-2026: Disability Services for Children and Young People. [15436/24]
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.
1185. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the significant delay experienced in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15485/24]
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.
1186. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how long a child will be waiting for speech and language and occupational therapy services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15486/24]
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.
