Written Answers Nos. 950-972
950. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether she agrees that multi-annual funding should be introduced for the youth work sector in order to enable multi-year planning and continuity of youth work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2639/25]
View answerExchequer funding for youth services is currently allocated on an annual basis following the annual budgetary process. My Department is obliged to adhere to the public sector spending code, and therefore it is not currently possible to enter into multi-annual funding agreements with youth organisations funded by my Department.
However, to support funded organisations to have greater certainty of funding on a multi-annual basis, the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, which is the largest youth funding scheme funded by my Department with €50 million in funding for 2025, approval in principle is provided for funding for each three year cycle of the scheme. A renewal of funding application is required on an annual basis to comply with the Governmental budgetary process to affirm the annual allocation provided to each funded organisation.
The Targeted Youth Employment Support Initiative operates on a similar basis with three year funding provided in principle for services, with an annual renewal of funding within that period.
951. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1068 of 9 April 2024, to outline the progress on the development of a ‘workforce development plan for the youth sector, to support the recruitment and retention of staff and volunteers in the sector’ as committed to by her predecessor (details supplied). [2640/25]
View answerYouth workers are central to the delivery of youth services. The relationships which young people develop with their youth workers can be transformative in a young person's life.
As outlined in Action 7 of Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2023-2028, my Department has committed to producing a Workforce Development Strategy in respect of the youth work sector, to support the recruitment and retention of staff in the sector. The Strategy will include consideration of training needs and the requirement for high-quality, accessible and inclusive youth services. The first step has been to develop a workforce survey, which was issued to the youth work sector in 2024 to establish baseline data and information on the workforce. The data and information is currently being analysed.
The next step will be to carry out consultations with a broad range of stakeholders to inform the development of the Strategy, including youth workers, youth organisations, and providers of youth work education and training. Officials will continue to engage with the youth sector throughout the development of the Strategy.
952. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason employer pension contributions are not included in eligible costs for the youth service grant scheme pilot; whether she agrees that pension costs should be included as an eligible cost given that youth work is experiencing a recruitment and retention crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2641/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for the question. The scheme rules and guidance documentation for the Youth Services Grant Scheme pilot which opened in 2024 do not exclude pension costs as possible staff costs. It is a matter for applicant organisations to identify the staff costs necessary to their application. As the Deputy may be aware, the applicant organisations are the employers and determine the terms and conditions offered to staff.
In recognition of the need for continued investment in young people and the youth sector, my Department has secured a 9% increase in youth service funding for 2025, bringing my Department's investment under our main youth budget subhead to a total of €84.9 million. This funding will strengthen the ability of youth organisations to meet present challenges, including challenges of recruitment and retention of staff.
953. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capital funding being made available to the youth work sector in 2025; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2642/25]
View answerArising from Budget 2025, €84.9m will be allocated for current and capital expenditure for the benefit of young people, an increase in funding of €7 million, or almost 9%, on the 2024 budget. Over the period from 2021 to 2025, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes will have increased by over 34%.
Capital funding of €1.0m has been allocated for the benefit of young people throughout 2025. Of this funding, €0.5m is specifically earmarked for the upgrading of playgrounds and recreational facilities.
The remaining €0.5m will be made available to new UBU services, which are due to be established in 2025, and to the National Youth Organisations to support the purchase of essential equipment and the completion of minor works.
954. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of the budget allocation for youth work and youth affairs in 2025; how the funding is being allocated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2643/25]
View answerArising from Budget 2025, €84.9m has been allocated for current and capital expenditure for the benefit of young people, an increase in funding of €7 million, or almost 9%, on the 2024 budget. Over the period from 2021 to 2025, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes will have increased by over 34%.
The additional funding secured in Budget 2025 will support the sustainability of youth organisations, whilst also expanding youth work service capacity through the funding of new targeted youth services.
Funding secured in Budget 2025 will support the implementation of Opportunities for Youth: The National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028. This strategy includes a clear set of strategic objectives and 18 priority actions intended to strengthen the role of youth work and related services in the lives of young people in Ireland.
Funding will also support the UBU Your Place Your Space funding scheme which targets disadvantaged young people with evidence-informed interventions. Funding is being provided for the establishment of a further 10 new UBU youth services and these new services will provide targeted youth worker-led support to up to 1,000 disadvantaged young people where they are most needed.
Funding through the Youth Services Grant Scheme which supports national youth organisations in delivering quality youth services across the State will also be increased in 2025 for the specific purpose of expanding the scheme to include additional national youth organisations across 2024 and 2025.
Funding of €650,000 has been allocated in 2024 to the Volunteer Activation Fund, which will continue into 2025, providing additional support to national youth organisations in recruiting, retaining and supporting volunteers.
Importantly, funding will also be made available for the LGBTI+ Youth Fund, which will support initiatives that ensure that LGBTI+ young people are visible, included, and treated equally in their communities, fully aligning with our Opportunities for Youth Strategy.
In addition, a new pilot initiative will be implemented in 2025 as part of the Government’s commitment to tackling Holiday Hunger. This initiative will help feed up to 1,000 young people aged 10 to 18 years, who are at risk of not having access to a hot meal or any substantial meal during the official school closure times.
I remain committed to continuing the roll-out of the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative which was launched in 2024 to engage and support harder to reach young people aged 15-24 who are not in employment, education or training. This initiative will receive over €1m in funding for 2025.
In addition, capital funding of €1 million will be available for the benefit of children and young people in 2025, with €500,000 specifically earmarked for upgrading play and recreation facilities.
A breakdown of the proposed distribution of funding for 2025 under the various youth funding lines and grant schemes is provided in the tables below.
2025 €83.898m Current
|
Youth Services Grant Schemes and youth organisation funding |
€16,500,000 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,512,000 |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€5,417,000 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,700,000 |
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams |
€323,000 |
|
Policy and Support Programmes (inc. contingency) |
€1,169,000 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€2,399,000 |
|
UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme and other targeted youth funding |
€51,906,000 |
|
Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative |
€1,187,000 |
|
Research Consultancy/Miscellaneous |
€285,000 |
|
Holiday Hunger Initiative |
€500,000 |
|
Total Current Funding 2025 |
€83,898,000 |
2025 €1.0m Capital
|
Upgrades to Playgrounds and Recreational Facilities |
€500,000 |
|
Capital funding for newly established UBU Your Place Your Space youth services and funding for national youth organisations to purchase equipment. |
€500,000 |
|
Total Capital Funding 2025 |
€1,000,000 |
955. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total capital funding allocation for youth work within each budget per year from 2009 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2644/25]
View answerMy Department was established in 2011 and I can provide the Deputy with information relating to the capital allocations for the period 2011 to 2025.
|
Year |
Total Youth Capital Funding Allocation |
Youth Capital Funding Scheme for Youth Organisations/Youth Services/Youth Clubs |
Youth Café Funding Scheme |
Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation |
Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund Capital |
|
2011 |
€0.8m |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
€0.8m |
|
2012 |
€0.5m |
Nil |
€0.50m |
Nil |
Nil |
|
2013 |
€1.75m |
Nil |
€1.50m |
€0.25m |
Nil |
|
2014 |
€0.75m |
€0.5m |
Nil |
€0.25m |
Nil |
|
2015 |
€0.75m |
€0.5m |
Nil |
€0.25m |
Nil |
|
2016 |
€3.0m |
€2.6m |
Nil |
€0.40m |
Nil |
|
2017 |
€3.0m |
€2.6m |
Nil |
€0.40m |
Nil |
|
2018 |
€3.0m |
€2.6m |
Nil |
€0.4m |
Nil |
|
2019 |
€3.2m |
€2.75m |
Nil |
€0.45m |
Nil |
|
2020 |
€3.0m |
€2.55m |
Nil |
€0.45m |
Nil |
|
2020*Additional |
€1.1m |
€1.1m |
Nil |
€0.45m |
Nil |
|
2021 |
€3.0m |
€2.53m |
Nil |
€0.45m |
Nil |
|
2022 |
€2.7m |
€2.25m |
Nil |
€0.45m |
Nil |
|
2023 |
€2.7m |
€2.25m |
Nil |
€0.45m |
Nil |
|
2024 |
€0.45m |
Nil |
Nil |
€0.45m |
Nil |
|
2025 |
€1.0m |
€0.5m |
Nil |
€0.5m |
Nil |
*On Budget Day an additional stimulus package in the form of an ICT Investment Capital Grant 2020 was announced to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 and an €1.1m funding package was provided on a once-off basis to the youth sector ICT infrastructure and the funding provided was to support improvement to ICT infrastructure in youth services to improve the provision of online youth services to young people during the duration of the pandemic.
956. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total current funding allocation for youth work within each budget per year from 2009 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2645/25]
View answerThe annual breakdown of the current funding allocation per budget provided by the Department for youth organisations and services under the sectoral programme for children and young people within subhead B06 -Youth Organisations and Services is set out in the table below. My Department was established in 2011 and consequently the funding allocations are provided for the period 2011 to 2025
|
B06 |
Current Funding |
|
2011 |
€60.149m |
|
2012 |
€56.530m |
|
2013 |
€51.748m |
|
2014 |
€49.80m |
|
2015 |
€49.93m |
|
2016 |
€51.895m |
|
2017 |
€57.395m |
|
2018 |
€57.940m |
|
2019 |
€59.350m |
|
2020 |
€61.789m |
|
2021 |
€66.789m |
|
2022 |
€71.295m |
|
2023 |
€72.948m |
|
2024 |
€77.948m |
|
2025 |
€83.898m |
In addition to the funding allocation provided above under B06, additional grant funding has also been made available for youth services under subheads C05 (Youth Climate Justice & Big Brother Big Sister), B08 (Dormant Account Funding), B09 (Peace and Reconciliation), and E05 (Ukraine Grant Funding).
|
Year |
C05 Allocation |
B08 Allocation |
B09 Allocation |
E05 Allocation |
|
2025 |
€1,713,000 |
€462,000 |
€920,000 |
€1,000,000 |
|
2024 |
€1,655,000 |
€308,000 |
€1,126,000 |
€2,000,000 |
|
2023 |
€1,570,000 |
€361,000 |
€484,000 |
€1,600,000 |
|
2022 |
€540,000 |
€3,576,000 |
€1,700,000 |
|
|
2021 |
€494,000 |
€1,330,000 |
€2,900,000 |
|
|
2020 |
€534,000 |
€4,018,000 |
€2,244,000 |
|
|
2019 |
€40,000 |
€1,909,000 |
€2,098,000 |
|
|
2018 |
€30,000 |
€2,100,000 |
€1,198,000 |
|
|
2017 |
€1,157,000 |
|||
|
2016 |
€1,554,000 |
|||
|
2015 |
||||
|
2014 |
957. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total allocation to each youth work funding scheme per year for the years 2014 to 2025, or from when the funding scheme was introduced if later than 2014, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2646/25]
View answerThe annual breakdown of the current funding allocation per budget line provided by the Department for youth organisations and services under the sectoral programme for children and young people within subhead B06-Youth Organisations and Services is set out in the tables below for the period 2014 to 2025.
B06 Funding (Current) for Youth Organisations and Services.
2025 €83.898m
|
Youth Services Grant Schemes and youth organisation funding |
€16,500,000 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,512,000 |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€5,417,000 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,700,000 |
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams |
€323,000 |
|
Policy and Support Programmes (including contingency) |
€1,169,000 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€2,399,000 |
|
UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme and other targeted youth funding |
€51,906,000 |
|
Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative |
€1,187,000 |
|
Research Consultancy |
€285,000 |
|
Holiday Hunger Initiative |
€500,000 |
|
Total Funding 2025 |
€83,898,000 |
2024 €77.95m
|
Youth Services Grant Scheme |
€14,572,169 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,534,006 |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€5,208,196 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,500,000 |
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams |
€1,260,000 |
|
Policy and Support Programmes (including contingency) |
€1,759,897 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€2,071,034 |
|
UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme and other targeted youth funding |
€48,042,698 |
|
Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative |
€1,000,000 |
|
Total Funding 2024 |
€77,948,000 |
2023 €72.95m
|
Youth Services Grant Scheme |
€13,402,061 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,534,012 |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€5,007,879 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,500,000 |
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams |
€861,645 |
|
Policy and Support Programmes (including contingency) |
€1,399,922 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€1,952,353 |
|
UBU Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme and other targeted youth funding |
€46,290,128 |
|
Total Funding 2023 |
€72,948,000 |
2022 €71.80m
|
UBU Your Place Your Space |
€44,783,200 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,624,372 |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
€12,886,597 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,500,000 |
|
Youth Work Function and Technical Assistance |
€4,815,269 |
|
LGBTI+ Strategy |
€600,000 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€1,938,917 |
|
DCEDIY Policy and Support Programmes (including contingency) |
€1,494,379 |
|
New Initiatives and other funding streams within Department |
€1,146,266 |
|
Total Funding 2022 |
€71,789,000 |
2021 €66.80m
|
UBU Your Place Your Space |
€41,793,138 |
|
Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) |
€12,261,532 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) |
€2,254,664 |
|
Youth Information Centres (YIC) |
€1,557,060 |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€4,675,018 |
|
LGBTI Youth Strategy |
€600,000 |
|
Other Youth Initiatives (including Leargas, Gaisce and smaller youth related projects) |
€3,647,205 |
|
Total Funding 2021 |
€66,788,617 |
2020 €61.80m
|
UBU Your Place Your Space |
€38,776,528 |
|
Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) |
€11,563,264 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) |
€2,107,160 |
|
Youth Information Centres (YIC) |
€1,347,492 |
|
ETB Youth Grant |
€4,130,179 |
|
LGBTI Youth Strategy |
€500,000 |
|
Other Youth Initiatives (including Leargas, Gaisce and smaller youth related projects) |
€3,363,994 |
|
Total Funding 2020 |
€61,788,617 |
2019 €59.350m
|
Targeted Youth Funding Scheme |
€35,083,000 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,377,000 |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
€11,126,000 |
|
Revised Youth Funding Scheme VFM |
€3,073,000 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (including CDETB General Grant) |
€2,018,000 |
|
Youth Officer Allocation + Technical Assistance Grant |
€3,650,000 |
|
LGBT Strategy |
€340,000 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€2,394,000 |
|
DCYA Policy and Support Programmes (including contingency) |
€289,000 |
|
Total Funding 2019 |
€59,350,000 |
2018 €57.938m
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€14,696,203 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 1 & 2) |
€19,240,656 |
|
Local Drugs Task Force Projects |
€1,218,639 |
|
Revised Youth Funding Scheme |
€2,261,218 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,377,060 |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
€10,648,267 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€1,789,545 |
|
Youth Officer Allocation and Technical Assistance |
€3,650,544 |
|
LGBTI+ Youth Strategy |
€414,207 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€2,311,680 |
|
New Initiatives, other funding streams and contingency |
€330,000 |
|
Total Funding 2018 |
€57,938,000 |
2017 €57.40m
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€14,764,857 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 1) |
€5,542,993 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 2) |
€13,309,620 |
|
Local Drugs Task Force Projects |
€1,180,021 |
|
Sample Youth Projects/ Revised Youth Funding Scheme |
€2,029,462 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,277,389 |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
€10,651,764 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€2,103,567 |
|
Youth Officer Allocation and Technical Assistance |
€3,423,374 |
|
LGBTI+ Youth Strategy |
€400,000 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€1,635,280 |
|
Internal YAU Expenditure Total |
€476,669 |
|
New funding streams within Department |
€600,000 |
|
Total Funding 2017 |
€57,394,996 |
2016 €51.90m
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€14,752,191 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 1) |
€5,826,130 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 2) |
€13,042,282 |
|
Local Drugs Task Force Projects |
€1,180,126 |
|
Sample Youth Projects |
€200,000 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,264,904 |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
€10,148,980 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€1,065,000 |
|
Youth Officer Allocation and Technical Assistance |
€1,742,998 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€1,301,820 |
|
Internal YAU Expenditure Total |
€406,072 |
|
CDYSB Annual Grant |
€865,379 |
|
Contingency |
€102,000 |
|
Total Funding 2016 |
€51,897,882 |
2015 €49.90m
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€14,401,934 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 1) |
€5,684,029 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 2) |
€12,713,488 |
|
Local Drugs Task Force Projects |
€1,151,342 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,234,054 |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
€9,901,444 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€1,034,997 |
|
Youth Officer Allocation and Technical Assistance |
€1,670,576 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€1,272,019 |
|
Internal YAU Expenditure Total |
€861,277 |
|
Total Funding 2015 |
€49,925,160 |
2014 €49.80m
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€14,401,937 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 1) |
€5,684,028 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Round 2) |
€12,713,487 |
|
Local Drugs Task Force Projects |
€1,151,342 |
|
Youth Information Centres |
€1,234,052 |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
€9,946,268 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
€1,035,000 |
|
Youth Officer Allocation and Technical Assistance |
€1,549,833 |
|
Other National Youth Organisations and Youth Initiatives |
€1,350,000 |
|
Internal YAU and other Initiatives Expenditure including contingency |
€713,000 |
|
Total Funding 2014 |
€49,778,947 |
In addition to the funding allocation provided above under B06, additional grant funding has also been made available for youth services under subheads C05 (Youth Climate Justice & Big Brother Big Sister), B08 (Dormant Account Funding), B09 (Peace and Reconciliation), and E05 (Ukraine Grant Funding).
|
Year |
C05 Allocation |
B08 Allocation |
B09 Allocation |
E05 Allocation |
|
2025 |
€1,713,000 |
€462,000 |
€920,000 |
€1,000,000 |
|
2024 |
€1,655,000 |
€308,000 |
€1,126,000 |
€2,000,000 |
|
2023 |
€1,570,000 |
€361,000 |
€484,000 |
€1,600,000 |
|
2022 |
€540,000 |
€3,576,000 |
€1,700,000 |
|
|
2021 |
€494,000 |
€1,330,000 |
€2,900,000 |
|
|
2020 |
€534,000 |
€4,018,000 |
€2,244,000 |
|
|
2019 |
€40,000 |
€1,909,000 |
€2,098,000 |
|
|
2018 |
€30,000 |
€2,100,000 |
€1,198,000 |
|
|
2017 |
|
€1,157,000 |
|
|
|
2016 |
|
€1,554,000 |
|
|
|
2015 |
|
|
|
|
|
2014 |
|
|
|
|
958. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will consider a temporary pause on the decision to move the beneficiaries of temporary protection currently staying at a location (details supplied) to new accommodation until after the end of the 2024-2025 school year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2648/25]
View answer959. Deputy Liam Quaide asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will reconsider the decision to no longer allow the beneficiaries of temporary protection currently staying at a location (details supplied) and who have been told they will be moved to new accommodation, to accommodate their pets with them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2649/25]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
As part of the response to the unprecedented humanitarian crisis of the war breaking out in Ukraine, my Department took on a variety of different commercial properties, including some properties that were previously providing student accommodation. In consultation with the Minister for Further Education, it was agreed that these beds, numbering around 1,800 in total, would be returned to student accommodation when it was possible to do so. The location the Deputy is referring to, was developed for student accommodation, and an extension to the contract is not possible.
My Department aims to ensure that our portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis. As the demand for accommodation for BOTPs decreases, and they make their own independent arrangements for accommodation, my Department is carrying vacancies in commercial contracts. As a result, my Department ends contracts on a regular basis in order to ensure value for money and greater oversight of the portfolio. The BOTPs who are currently resident at this property will be offered placement at an alternative site if they still require accommodation.
Every effort will be made to keep BOTPs as local as possible, however, given the number of moves that are taking place, this is not always possible. Due to the scale involved, the only factors that can be considered when allocating follow-on accommodation are HSE assessed medical needs. It is not possible to take other issues such as employment or school places into account when allocating follow-on accommodation, and people will be encouraged to make their own arrangements if they wish to stay in their current area. All accommodation provided by the Department is temporary, and BOTPs are informed of this when they request accommodation from the State.
My Department does not provide accommodation to pets, and this has been made clear to people who have requested state contracted accommodation. Responsibility for pets rests with their owners.
My Department appreciates that this is not easy for people and that moving location may be disruptive, but at all times we were clear that State-funded accommodation for beneficiaries of temporary protection is temporary and subject to change. We need to provide the best we can for all those who come to Ireland fleeing the war in Ukraine, and other areas of war or oppression, while balancing this with the requirement to make best possible use of State funds.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish, subject to availability, and can avail of some supports to do so. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at registerofpledges@redcross.ie. or by phoning 1800 50 70 70. Details regarding the Offer a Home scheme can be found under www.offerahome.ie.
BOTPs may also explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement, if eligible. Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation. Their local Department of Social Protection office may be able to provide further information relating to Rent Supplement. Contact details for the local offices can be found on gov.ie (Intreo centres and local branch offices)
960. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which she intends lower the cost of childcare to €200 a month over the lifetime of this Government. [2662/25]
View answerInvestment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating Government commitment to this area.
As well as addressing affordability this investment has served to improve accessibility, availability and the quality of provision.
The ECCE programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96% each year. Over 70% of families on low income report that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this programme. The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements the ECCE programme, providing subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in ELC and SAC.
The minimum NCS subsidy has steadily risen from €0.50 in 2022 to €2.14 in September 2024 alongside extensions to eligibility.
The fee management system introduced through the Core Funding Scheme has ensured that the investment in NCS has resulted in real change for parents with the cumulative reduction in out of pocket over this period estimated to be 50% on average.
Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Almost 220,000 unique children benefited from an NCS subsidy in 2024.
I am committed to continuing to improve affordability and reach the €200 per month within the lifetime of the Government. I look forward to further engagement and discussion to plan the way forward to deliver on this commitment.
961. Deputy Aidan Farrelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria that will be used to identify unmet needs in respect of providing capital investment to build or purchase State-owned childcare facilities. [2663/25]
View answerImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) is a key priority of Government.
My Department employs a range of approaches to understand supply of and demand for ELC and SAC places, bearing in mind the wide range of types of e provision offered by services and required by families.
Last year, a Supply Management Unit was established within the ELC and SAC Division of my Department. The Programme for Government articulates an intention that the Unit be resourced and transformed into a Forward Planning and Delivery Unit to identify areas of need, forecast demand and deliver public supply within the sector where required. It also commits for the first time to provide capital investment to build or purchase state-owned ELC and SAC facilities, to create additional capacity in areas where unmet need exists.
A key part of the Supply Management Unit’s remit is to develop capacity for monitoring, analysing and forecasting of the supply and demand in this sector. The development of a forward planning model is currently underway utilising the expertise of statisticians on secondment from the Central Statistics Office and an ELC and SAC expert from a County Childcare Committee working with the Department. The model will seek to identify the nature and volume of different types of ELC and SAC places across the country, whether or not those places are occupied and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level. This model will assist my Department in identifying where unmet need/demand and areas of low supply exist.
State ownership of ELC and SAC facilities is a very substantial and significant shift in the policy direction that the Department has pursued heretofore (i.e. privately delivered provision with increased levels of public funding and public management) and offers the potential for much greater scope to influence the nature and volume of provision available and to ensure better alignment with estimated demand.
Some early scoping work has been carried out to explore options to introduce a segment of public provision but this will require much more detailed and extensive policy development and design in order to progress to implementation stage, having regard to the wider policy emerging policy context as set out in the Programme for Government.
In addition to developing the forward planning model, the Supply Management Unit oversees the administration of capital investment under the revised NDP. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026.
962. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the nature of accommodation for asylum seekers, Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection and residents in direct provision in terms of previous usage, hospitality, nursing homes, State buildings, and so on, in the years 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; to provide a breakdown of the number of these that rely on a planning exemption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2664/25]
View answerI regret that statistics in respect of the former designation for buildings availing of planning exemptions for change of use are not collated by the Department but am happy to provide background information to assist the Deputy.
Since 2021, there has been a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for International Protection in Ireland, and in other EU Member States. This increase happened at the same time as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which saw over 113,000 people from Ukraine come to live in Ireland. Amid a basic shortage of accommodation across society, these changes have placed profound and sustained pressure on the Department’s work to source viable accommodation for new arrivals over the last two years.
In relation to International Protection Accommodation:
There is a huge focus on developing accommodation solutions - procuring beds, buying properties, converting offices, developing tented accommodation and modular buildings on State lands. Those efforts are complex, and we have grown our capacity by over 400% at pace.
In sourcing additional capacity for the 32,000 international protection applicants now resident in our accommodation, my Department has brought over 230 accommodation locations into use since 2022, while working to develop additional State-owned accommodation options in the longer term. At this time, over 90% of our IPAS accommodation is commercially provided.
The Government’s Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy to address accommodation shortages for international protection, and build a sustainable system, involves a range of different actions, from developing State-owned sites with tented and modular accommodation, to considering more immediate offers of accommodation from providers, including existing accommodation, conversions of office or commercial facilities, and other options.
Offers of accommodation are made to the International Protection Procurement Service on an ongoing basis, and are subject to a detailed appraisal process before appropriate facilities are approved for use.
Class 20F of S.I. No. 605 of 2022 permits the change of use of the following structures for the purpose of providing the necessary facilities for international protection applicants: “school, college, university, training centre, social centre, community centre, non-residential club, art gallery, museum, library, reading room, sports club or stadium, gymnasium, hotel, convention centre, conference centre, shop, office, Defence Forces barracks, light industrial building, airport operational building, wholesale warehouse or repository, local authority administrative office, play centre, medical and other health and social care accommodation, event and exhibition space or any structure or part of structure normally used for public worship or religious instruction.”
The conditions of this exemption can be located here: https://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2022/si/605/made/en/print
Section 14 h of S.I. No. 582/2015 - The Planning and Development Act may also be utilised by providers of accommodation for international protection applicants: www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2015/si/582/made/en/print
As part of a whole of Government approach, my Department's International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) endeavours to minimise any impact on the private rental or housing markets in conducting its operations. The majority of accommodation offers to the Department come from alternative sources outside of the private rental or housing sector.
In relation to Ukraine accommodation:
Because of the sudden and unprecedented numbers of new arrivals in the State over a short period of time, the Government, of necessity, had to use a range of accommodation sources to facilitate displaced Ukrainians since 2022. My Department sourced accommodation through:
- contracting with commercial accommodation providers for rooms in hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses, hostels and apartments
- disused nursing homes
- holiday homes
- religious properties
- repurposed and student accommodation.
S.I. No. 306/2022 - European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons From Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations 2022 relate to the non- application of the Planning and Development Act 2000 to certain classes of development by or on behalf of the Minister (in this instance) to provide immediate protection in EU countries for persons displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including the need to provide emergency accommodation and support to these displaced persons.
The effect of the Regulations are that the provisions of the Planning and Development Act 2000 do not apply to specified classes of temporary development for so long as the regulations are in force. The specified classes are as follows:
Reception and integration facilities.
Residential accommodation, including ancillary recreational and sporting facilities.
Medical and other health and social care accommodation.
Education and childcare facilities, including ancillary recreational and sporting facilities.
Emergency management coordination facilities.
Structures or facilities ancillary to development referred to in paragraphs 1 to 5, including administration and storage facilities.
Infrastructure and other works ancillary to development referred to in paragraphs 1 to 6.
The Department does not track the use of the disapplication set out in the Regulations. The oversight of planning matters is a function of Local Authorities.
The number of BoTPs in State-contracted commercial accommodation increased rapidly throughout 2022. It reached a peak of approximately 60,000 by the end of 2023. The number has declined steadily since then and is now 28,169.
Accommodation from this sector is now being returned to private use, to tourism and to the student sector on an ongoing basis. Over 420 contracts for State- supported Ukraine accommodation were ended in 2024 and 12,000 beds were returned to the tourism sector as part of this.
This trend is expected to continue during 2025 and my Department is engaging with both residents and accommodation providers to respond to the change in need on an ongoing basis.
963. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average cost of accommodating international protection applicants, residents in direct provision and Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection, and the highest rate across all of these location types in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form. [2669/25]
View answer964. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average cost of accommodating international protection applicants, residents in direct provision and Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection, and the highest rate across all of these location types in 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2670/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 963 and 964 together.
Since 2021, there has been a sudden and sustained increase in numbers of people applying for International Protection in Ireland, and in other EU Member States.
This increase happened at the same time as the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the EU Temporary Protection Directive, which saw over 113,000 people from Ukraine come to live in Ireland. Amid a basic shortage of accommodation across society, these changes have placed profound and sustained pressure on the Department’s work to source viable accommodation for new arrivals over the last two years.
Ireland has seen a sharp increase in the number of people applying for international protection since 2022 and our Department now provides accommodation for almost 33,000 international protection applicants today, about 9,000 of whom are children with their families. It should be noted that there are a number of Programme for Government commitments in respect of Ireland’s migration and integration system, including in moving away from the use of hotel and other similar accommodation.
Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
The average cost of accommodating a person in international protection accommodation centres, including State-owned and commercial, is set out in the table below. This includes all accommodation and ancillary costs such as facilities management and other related expenditure. The average cost per night fluctuates due to changes in the number of residents and accommodation centres. The information in not available per county as sought by the Deputy.
|
Year |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Average cost per night |
€57 |
€76.80 |
€84 |
We continue to work hard to find, develop and open suitable accommodation sites, so that we can offer appropriate and safe accommodation to all people applying for international protection.
The table below sets out the approximate average costs for full board and self-catering accommodations contracted by my Department for accommodating beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP) fleeing the war in Ukraine. The information in not available per county as sought by the Deputy.
|
Accommodation |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
To date 2025 |
|
Full Board |
64 |
51 |
49 |
48 |
|
Self-catering |
42 |
42 |
41 |
38 |
The highest rate paid by the Department is €133 for Ukraine accommodation, on the basis of full board per person per night.
Regulations behind the provision of reception conditions to IP applicants, and supports to people fleeing the war in Ukraine, are different, and call for different levels of supports and services.
Directive 2013/33/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 lays down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection. Under the directive, material reception conditions ensure that applicants have access to housing, food, clothing, personal hygiene products.
International protection applicants residing in an accommodation centre receive €38.80 per week for an adult and €29.80 per week for a child. In contrast, BOTPs may be resident in self-catering centres where food is not provided, but they are entitled to standard social protection assistance, including Child Benefit and the Working Family Payment.
This means that contracts for accommodation for the two groups differ, as IP accommodation providers provide additional services and provisions to meet people's needs.
I trust this information is helpful.
965. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the home support and respite hours being allocated to a person (details supplied) in County Cork; when these supports will be increased; and the provisions being made for a long-term residential placement for them. [2678/25]
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.
966. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on her Department's work to draft policy around the provision of leave for parents of children born through surrogacy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2713/25]
View answerThe Minister for Health leads on the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024, which includes provisions in relation to surrogacy. Policy on parentage is a matter for the Minister for Justice. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked closely with the Department of Health and the Department of Justice on the development and enactment of the 2024 Act and continues to do so.
The Programme for Government 2025 - Securing Ireland's Future commits to providing surrogacy leave. This work involves officials in the Department of Social Protection also, as my colleague the Minister for Social Protection would be responsible for the payment of any benefit.
967. Deputy Paula Butterly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will respond to correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the accommodation recognition payment scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2727/25]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) who arrived in Ireland after fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The ARP scheme is provided in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. In line with extensions of the EU Temporary Protection Directive (TPD), the ARP scheme was initially extended to 31 March 2024 and then to 31 March 2025.
As the TPD is now extended to March 2026, consideration is being given to the extension of the ARP scheme. Resolutions must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas before this Order is made. A decision will be reached in respect of the ARP shortly.
968. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will consider a number of points raised (details supplied) in relation to the sale of a property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2739/25]
View answerI thank the Deputy for his question.
In May 2024, the Department of Children sought Expressions of Interest to provide properties for purchase and offers are currently being assessed through a standardised process.
My Department is now exploring options to purchase a number of potential properties in line with the Government approved strategy.
These options remain in the early stages and I regret my Department is not in a position to provide any further information on this process at this time, due to commercial sensitivity and in the interest of achieving value for money for potential public funds.
Where any new IPAS accommodation centre is brought into operation, I assure the Deputy that the Department's Community Engagement Team is then in contact with local elected and community representatives to provide information and engage with local feedback and queries about the centre.
969. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will publish the Ministerial brief she received following the recent formation of the Government. [2754/25]
View answerI confirm that, apart from limited redactions, the brief prepared for me by this Department following the formation of Government will be published shortly on the Department's website.
970. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will commit to expanding statutory leave entitlements to those who experience pregnancy loss under 24 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2774/25]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss.
The study focuses on people who experience pregnancy loss prior to 24 weeks’ gestation, as people who have a pregnancy loss after 24 weeks’ gestation can avail of full maternity leave and paternity leave entitlements.
The research report was published on 26 January 2024, with the recommendations arising from this study being reviewed with a view to determining Government policy in respect of this issue.
971. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the development of the next national strategy for women and girls; the timeline she is working towards in finalising and publishing this strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2775/25]
View answerMy Department leads on cross-government policy to promote gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
The Programme for Government commits my Department to publish and implement an updated National Strategy for Women and Girls. My Department is currently working to fulfil that commitment. A stakeholder consultation was completed at the end of 2024, the report of which is currently being finalised. This consultation has sought input from both the general public and representatives from across civil society. A National Youth Assembly was convened in September 2024 to attain the views of young people on priorities for inclusion in the new strategy. Once completed, the recommendations from the report on the stakeholder consultation will inform the development of the updated strategy.
It is anticipated that the updated strategy will be completed and published in Q2 of 2025.
972. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of legal actions taken against her Department due to a child not receiving an assessment of need within the statutory timeframe since 2020, by year, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2785/25]
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.
