Written Answers Nos. 227-246
227. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed, given this individual was incorrectly placed on the non-contributory pension in 2013 and did not receive full back payment when awarded the contributory pension in 2020. [3066/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person’s pension entitlement has now been reviewed, and they have been awarded State pension (contributory) with effect from their 66th birthday.
According to the records available to my Department, the person has a total of 2,365 qualifying paid and credited contributions from 1965 to 2015. Under the yearly average calculation, this equates to a yearly average of 47. The person concerned therefore qualifies for State pension (contributory) at 98% of the maximum rate of pension from 20 March 2015.
Since the person was born after 1 September 1946, their pension entitlement has also been reviewed under the Total Contributions Approach (TCA). Where the outcome of a TCA review results in an increase in State pension (contributory) entitlement, the increase can be backdated to 30 March 2018 at the earliest under social welfare legislation.
Under the TCA the person concerned qualifies for the maximum rate of State pension (contributory), which has been awarded with effect from 30 March 2018.
The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 18 January 2021. Arrears due will issue shortly.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
228. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3247/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 01 October 2020. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 28 January 2021. Any arrears due from 01 October 2020 to 27 January 2021 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. Notification of the decision issued to the person concerned on 19 January 2021.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
229. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a surviving cohabitating partner who is the biological parent to a child and children with a deceased partner is unable to be awarded a widowed or surviving civil partner grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3270/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe widowed or surviving civil partner grant is a once-off payment of €8,000 available to widows, widowers or surviving civil partners who have one or more dependent children living with them at the date of death, or a widow or surviving civil partner whose child is born within 10 months of the date of death, of her spouse or civil partner. The applicant must also qualify for certain Social Protection payments.
The widowed or surviving civil partner grant is not payable to surviving cohabiting partners who have not entered into marriage or a civil partnership with the person they were cohabiting with. Entering into a marriage or civil partnership is a legal act, which confers both rights and obligations on both parties that do not exist in law between cohabiting couples.
The legal context governing relationships such as marriage is regulated by the Minister for Justice. Aside from the wider legal issues regarding the status of marriage and civil partnerships, which is a much broader policy area than its implications under the remit of my Department, extending the current provisions to people who have not undertaken equivalent legal obligations would carry significant costs and also raise significant issues about criteria if it were to be based upon cohabitation.
Therefore, any decision to extend the qualifying criteria for the widowed or surviving civil partner grant would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations, as well as legal issues that may arise.
Under the supplementary allowance scheme, the Department of Social Protection may make a single exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from his/her weekly income, which may include help with bereavement expenses.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
230. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3293/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such disability that they require full-time care and attention.
This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 17 September 2020.
The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the Deciding Officer (DO) decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied in respect of the care recipient.
The person concerned was notified on 20 October 2020 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
The person concerned requested a review of this decision on 11 December 2020 and provided further medical evidence to support her review.
The outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed. On 18 January 2021 the person concerned was notified of this outcome and of her right of appeal.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
231. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether the continued operation of JobPath is inappropriate in the current circumstances of mass layoffs, job losses and restrictions on travel due to Covid-19; if the motion taken in Dáil Éireann on 6 February 2019 to close down the JobPath scheme will be acted upon; if she will terminate the contracts for Turas Nua and Seetec and cease pressurising persons on the pandemic unemployment payment and jobseeker's with threats of payment cuts to apply for jobs or job interviews they are unlikely to get; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3381/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22 October 2020, I announced my intention to renew or extend all contracted public employment services, including JobPath, in the context of addressing the labour market challenges of Covid-19. The current restrictions mean the demand for public employment services will grow, rather than shrink, in the short-to-medium term.
I should emphasise that JobPath is just one element of the Department's response to the labour market challenges we face. We are also expanding the capacity of other contracted employment services such as the Local Employment Services, Job Clubs and Employability, the contracts for whom have also been extended into this year.
We will be expanding the footprint of the community based contracted service into 4 new geographical areas where a Local Employment Service does not currently exist and we are also expanding the capacity of Intreo Centres to provide employment services and supports with the assignment of an additional 100 Job Coaches this year.
Significantly reducing the State's capacity to engage meaningfully with those seeking employment at this time is counter-intuitive and likely only to lead to greater long-term unemployment.
In April 2019, my Department published an econometric review of JobPath, which comprehensively demonstrated the effectiveness of the JobPath service in terms of its success in assisting people secure employment. Compared to other employment service supports, individuals who participated in JobPath were more likely to secure employment, to remain in employment for longer and to receive higher rates of earnings from employment compared to individuals who were not supported by the JobPath service.
My Department has ceased new referrals to all public employment services on each occasion when Covid-19 restrictions merited it. There are currently no new referrals being made. In addition, any reduced rates of payment for non-engagement with any public employment service provider have been suspended since March 2020.
Currently Pandemic Unemployment Payment recipients are not required to engage with public employment services. For jobseekers who do engage with such services, my Department does not tolerate, nor will it tolerate its contractors threatening jobseekers. I invite the Deputy to contact my office with any allegations of threats or inappropriate pressure.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
232. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of eligible persons in each county referred to community employment schemes and to a JobPath company, respectively in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form. [3398/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of activation supports for long-term unemployed jobseekers and those most distant from the labour market to secure and sustain full-time paid employment. These supports include Community Employment (CE) and JobPath.
CE is an active labour market programme designed to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. The programme helps break the cycle of unemployment and improve a person’s chances of returning to the labour market.
JobPath is an employment activation service that supports people who are long-term unemployed and those most at risk of becoming long-term unemployed to secure and sustain paid employment. The service is delivered by two companies, Seetec and Turas Nua.
From the 1st June 2018, persons availing of the JobPath service have also been able to participle on CE. This enables long-term jobseekers to benefit from the strengths of both programmes, the job-seeking support of a JobPath personal advisor and quality training and development opportunities provided by the CE scheme.
The Department's activation teams contacts long-term jobseekers to seek expressions of interest in participation on the CE programme. The following table provides a breakdown of the number of those recorded contacts made with potential CE candidates by Department Case Officers and Local Employment Services from the end of November, 2017 until the end of December 2020. New ICT systems were introduced in Q4 2017 which enabled this information to be programmatically recorded. The related county data is not available at present.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
2,894 |
25,277 |
27,037 |
16,784 |
71,992 |
The following table provides a breakdown by county of those jobseekers referred to and engaged with Job Path for the years 2017 to 2020.
|
County |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
Total |
|
Carlow |
1,546 |
1,440 |
797 |
701 |
4,484 |
|
Cavan |
1,418 |
1,522 |
1,358 |
693 |
4,991 |
|
Clare |
1,684 |
1,448 |
1,018 |
968 |
5,118 |
|
Cork |
6,630 |
4,780 |
3,376 |
2,429 |
17,215 |
|
Donegal |
3,777 |
3,533 |
3,479 |
1,598 |
12,387 |
|
Dublin |
16,075 |
13,254 |
12,925 |
6,605 |
48,859 |
|
Galway |
3,085 |
2,915 |
3,073 |
1,296 |
10,369 |
|
Kerry |
2,665 |
1,784 |
1,249 |
1,263 |
6,961 |
|
Kildare |
3,132 |
1,962 |
1,377 |
1,130 |
7,601 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,532 |
1,144 |
799 |
636 |
4,111 |
|
Laois |
1,918 |
1,384 |
998 |
768 |
5,068 |
|
Leitrim |
1,034 |
840 |
725 |
422 |
3,021 |
|
Limerick |
3,441 |
2,825 |
1,634 |
1,236 |
9,136 |
|
Longford |
1,342 |
1,158 |
949 |
462 |
3,911 |
|
Louth |
3,012 |
2,816 |
2,245 |
1,231 |
9,304 |
|
Mayo |
2,186 |
2,171 |
2,107 |
709 |
7,173 |
|
Meath |
1,626 |
1,500 |
1,561 |
783 |
5,470 |
|
Monaghan |
1,091 |
746 |
611 |
315 |
2,763 |
|
Offaly |
1,837 |
1,566 |
1,233 |
786 |
5,422 |
|
Roscommon |
721 |
705 |
618 |
238 |
2,282 |
|
Sligo |
1,130 |
1,089 |
1,038 |
590 |
3,847 |
|
Tipperary |
3,111 |
2,386 |
1,526 |
1,102 |
8,125 |
|
Waterford |
2,544 |
1,787 |
1,233 |
1,175 |
6,739 |
|
Westmeath |
2,444 |
2,083 |
1,773 |
940 |
7,240 |
|
Wexford |
3,761 |
2,182 |
1,654 |
1,863 |
9,460 |
|
Wicklow |
2,139 |
1,942 |
1,064 |
979 |
6,124 |
|
Total |
74,881 |
60,962 |
50,420 |
30,918 |
217,181 |
233. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Social Protection the amounts paid in each of the years 2017 to 2020 to each of the companies involved in the JobPath programme; and the amount spent by her Department in each of those years managing the programme. [3399/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraJobPath service providers are paid on the basis of performance and, with the exception of the initial registration fee, payments are made only when a client has achieved sustained employment.
The initial set-up costs and the day to day running costs are borne by the service providers. The final overall cost of JobPath will be determined by the number of people who participate in the programme and the number who get sustainable jobs.
It is not possible to determine the administration costs associated with JobPath that have arisen within my department, as it not possible to disaggregate these costs from overall administrative costs.
The roll out of JobPath began in 2015 and the yearly expenditure is as follows:
2015 - €1.2m;
2016 - €25.2m;
2017 - €57.4m;
2018 - €71.7m
2019 - €58.6m
2020 - €36.2m
2021 - €2m (to date)
Total - €252.3m
It should be noted that this is gross expenditure and does not take into account the savings made in welfare payments for those who secured sustained employment.
I trust this is of assistance to the Deputy.
234. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a contributory pension application by a person (details supplied). [3482/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned reached pension age on 17 January 2021. They were awarded 93.8% of the maximum rate of pension and living alone allowance with effect from their 66th birthday. They were notified in writing of this decision on 19 January 2021.
A mixed insurance, pro rata, State pension (contributory) has also to be determined for this person as they worked in the public sector, and paid modified contributions, from 1981 to 1983/1984. This pension would be based on their combined, modified and full- rate contributions. Details of these contributions are being checked by the Records Section of my Department. Upon receipt of the relevant information the person’s pension entitlement will be reviewed and they will be notified in writing of the outcome and advised of the payment that is financially most beneficial to them.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of various appeals in respect of overpayment and an award of payment in respect of prior entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied); if the deduction of €20 per week from the person's carer’s allowance payment takes account of the proposal to offset the sum and withholding of the sum and the resultant likely hardship to the family; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3529/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person concerned was assessed with a Jobseekers Allowance (JA) overpayment of €153,702.20. This decision was appealed and the Appeals Officer's decision provided for the award of Carers Allowance (CA) for a period which would have reduced the amount of the overpayment amount.
Following a request by the Department for a review of this decision, the Appeals Officers decision was revised and the appeal was disallowed. This decision meant the person concerned was not entitled to CA and the original JA overpayment still stands. A letter issued to the person concerned on 14 January 2020 informing her of this decision.
This decision does not affect current entitlement to CA which will remain in payment.
The Debt Recovery Unit (DRU) in Longford wrote to the person concerned on 12 January 2021 and advised that the current repayments of €20.00 per week would remain in place and they were given 21 days to respond to this proposal. This letter advised, in error, that arrears of €25,134.10 were due and proposed that these arrears would be withheld against the debt amount. As no arrears were due the original debt amount remains.
DRU will engage with the person concerned on foot of any response received and will take into consideration any financial burden they are experiencing as a result. A letter providing clarification on the Appeal decision and overpayment will issue to the person concerned.
Any new repayment plan applied will need to be reasonable to the person concerned and the Department. As with all debts owed to the Department, the Minister must make every effort to recover debts in full and debts will remain until fully recovered.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
236. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the work of the child maintenance review group; the stage the work is at; the number of meetings it has held to date; the timeline for it to report on its findings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3532/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government established a Child Maintenance Review Group to examine certain issues in relation to child maintenance in Ireland. The Group is chaired by former Circuit Court Judge Catherine Murphy and includes legal, policy and academic professionals as well as officials from my Department and the Department of Justice.
The Group's Terms of Reference are to consider and make recommendations on: (i) the current treatment of child maintenance payments in my Department; (ii) the current provisions regarding liable relatives managed by my Department; and (iii) the establishment of a Child Maintenance Agency in Ireland.
The work of the Group is well underway. To date the Group has held three meetings and there are a number of other meetings scheduled on a regular basis over the coming months.
A consultation process is due to commence in the coming weeks to facilitate feedback from stakeholder groups and members of the public in order to inform the Group's work.
The Group's report is expected later this year.
237. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if referrals to JobPath have ceased due to level 5 Covid-19 restrictions or if they have continued; if other referrals to job activation schemes have continued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3533/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of Monday 28th December 2020 new referrals to Jobpath providers were suspended due to the Level 5+ Covid Pandemic restrictions.
In parallel with the Intreo service, our contracted public employment services, including JobPath and the Local Employment Services, paused and resumed activation for new referrals during 2020 in line with public health advice.
Referrals to the employment services were suspended in March 2020 and October 2020, with referrals being resumed in June 2020 and November 2020 respectively to ensure that jobseekers do not become further distant from the labour market.
My officials are in contact with the various contracted employment services to ensure they are aware of and adhering to the appropriate guidelines while engaging with referrals in the context of the public health crisis. My Department has continued to liaise with contracted public employment service providers throughout the pandemic and they are engaging with their clients by phone, email and other electronic means where possible. Contracted services will where appropriate facilitate face to face meetings in line with HSE guidelines should any client require it.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
238. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to difficulties faced by community employment schemes in replacing participants when the three-year term is up; if she will consider relaxing this rule to ensure that valuable work in communities including the provision of services to some of the most vulnerable persons are protected and maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3534/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people and other disadvantaged persons with an opportunity to engage in useful work within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.
In general CE placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for one year. CE participants who are working towards a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) major award can seek to extend their participation on CE by up to two years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification.
CE participants aged 55 years or older can remain on CE for three years and do not have to work towards a QQI major award.
A maximum of three consecutive year's participation on CE is permissible. A person may re-qualify for CE after a twelve-month break once they satisfy the qualifying conditions. An overall lifetime limit of six years applies to all CE participants (seven years for those on a disability payment).
CE participants over the age of 62 can participate on CE on a continuous basis until they reach the State Pension age via the CE Service Support Stream (SSS). Participation is subject to the availability of SSS places, satisfactory performance on the CE scheme and, annual approval by the Department. The number of places available for SSS participants within each CE scheme is subject to limitation criteria.
Up to recently, CE recruitment has not presented an issue for CE sponsoring authorities or the Department. However, the challenges caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pubic health restrictions in place to varying levels since last year, coupled with the return to Level-5 restrictions, has had a negative impact on the ability of a number of CE schemes to recruit new CE participants.
Throughout the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March 2020, the subsequent level-5 restrictions introduced in October, 2020 and more recently, the return to level 5 restrictions announced by Government in December, 2020, my Department has continued to provide funding and support for CE schemes while introducing other contingency measures, to support CE schemes and CE participants, including the extension of CE participant contracts.
Department officials have continued to liaise with CE sponsoring authorities throughout the three waves of the Covid-19 emergency to arrange for CE participants who were due to finish on their respective CE schemes, to have their contracts extended while the level-5 restrictions are in place, unless a CE participant is taking up employment or reaches the State Pension age. The latest CE contract extension date for any persons whose contract were due to come to a end since last October is the 26th March, 2021 and it is intended that there will be a phased ending of contracts for this cohort of CE participants after this date.
CE eligibility is continually evaluated by my Department officials and relevant proposals continue to inform related policy discussions. Other than the above contingency measure, it is not my intention to revisit the 3 year rule at this juncture, as to do some would prevent other long term unemployed persons availing of this worthwhile opportunity.
I am fully committed to the future of this programme and will continue to support and improve the programme for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities through the provision of services.
239. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if the review of contracted activation services within her Department has been completed; when she will publish the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3535/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm for the Deputy that the review referred to was completed in August 2020 and submitted to me shortly thereafter. The finalised report from the external consultants includes a review of my Department's entire Public Employment Services provision and outlines a model for the future provision of employment services.
I referred the consultants’ report to the Labour Market Advisory Council for their consideration. The report and the views of the Council will be valuable inputs into ensuring the Public Employment Service is fit for purpose and continues to have the scope and capacity to respond to labour market changes as they emerge.
I am awaiting the response of the Labour Market Advisory Council and will then consider the options on the publication of the review.
240. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has considered extending the fuel allowance season in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3537/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €28.00 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €784 each year) from October to April, to an average of 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €300 million in 2021. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.
My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the Household Benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €265 million in 2021. This is paid at a rate of €35 per month, 12 months of the year.
Any decision to extend the fuel allowance season will result in increased scheme budgetary requirements and would be a matter for Government to consider in the overall context of available financial resources in 2021.
In Budget 2021, the Government targeted one third of additional carbon tax revenues to go towards boosting the incomes of poorest in our society. Based on ESRI research, three key social welfare payments were targeted for increases in the budget as a result - the Fuel Allowance, the Qualified Child Allowance and the Living Alone Allowance.
From January 2021, the Fuel Allowance was increased by €3.50 per week to €28 for a period of 28 weeks, while the increase in carbon tax on solid fuels will not take effect until May 2021. This will ensure that recipients will benefit from the increased payment over this winter period.
The overall additional funding already provided by the Government for Fuel Allowance in 2021 is approximately €36.8m or €98 per recipient household.
If the Deputy is aware of a person who is experiencing particular financial difficulties, she could draw their attention to the fact that financial assistance is also available under the Exceptional Needs Payment and the Urgent Needs Payment schemes, on a year round basis, to assist with expenditure which a person could not reasonably meet out of his/her weekly income, and which may include exceptional heating costs.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
241. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of liable relatives pursued in order to recoup moneys paid for the one-parent family payment in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form; and the number of liable relatives that began making payments. [3538/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of family maintenance payments is first and foremost a private matter for the people concerned.
Where a one parent family payment (OFP) is awarded, the Department seeks to contact the other parent, referred to as the liable relative, in order to ascertain if they are in a financial position to make a contribution towards the cost of the OFP. This contribution will be assessed in determining the rate of the OFP. The legislative basis for the implementation of the Liability to Maintain Family Provisions is set out in Part 12 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended. The methods of assessment of the liable relative’s ability to pay are specified in detail in Regulations (S.I. 571 of 2006, S.I. 142 of 2007 as amended).
Liable Relatives Cases Assessed
|
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
||||
|
Cases |
Share |
Cases |
Share |
Cases |
Share |
|
|
Number of cases assessed |
8,244 |
100% |
12,479 |
100% |
6,179 |
100% |
|
Maintenance Assessment issued |
3,680 |
45% |
5,872 |
46% |
3,066 |
49.6% |
|
Not eligible/No liability due |
4,564 |
55% |
6,607 |
53% |
3,113 |
50.4% |
In 2018, 1,039 liable relatives commenced making payments or made additional payments to the OFP recipient. In a further 65 cases, the liable relatives began paying the Department directly.
In 2019, 1,474 liable relatives commenced making payments or made additional payments to the OFP recipient. In a further 95 cases, the liable relatives began paying the Department directly.
In 2020, 1,075 liable relatives commenced making payments or made additional payments to the OFP recipient. In a further 49 cases, the liable relatives began paying the Department directly.
242. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of confirmed cases of Covid-19 in each direct provision centre by month between 1 February 2020 and 15 January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3198/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra243. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of deaths as a result of Covid-19 in direct provision centres between 1 February 2020 and 15 January 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
Responsibility for the recording of the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 lies with the Department of Health. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot confirm positive test results of any person as we do not hold such personal medical information. Decisions on who should be tested and the release of data relating to same are matters for the HSE in a public health context. My Department's priority is the protection of residents, staff and the wider community and it is working very closely with the HSE to manage the challenges of this public health crisis.
Information regarding outbreaks of COVID-19 are published weekly by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC). Details of outbreaks in International Protection Accommodation Centres can be found in table 5 at the following link:
www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/covid-19outbreaksclustersinireland/COVID-19%20Weekly%20Outbreak%20Report_Week532020_v1.0_04012021_WebVersion.pdf.
Determining the cause of death of an individual is a matter for relevant medical authorities or the Coroner depending on the circumstances. My Department has not been informed of any deaths attributable to COVID-19 among residents in IPAS accommodation.
I can assure the Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all residents and staff of accommodation centres for International Protection applicants remain the highest priorities for my Department.
244. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of State funding provided to children’s charities in each of the years 2017 to 2020 and projected for 2021 by year, charity name and funding allocation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2976/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA large number of services for children and young people funded directly or indirectly by my Department have charitable tax status. Information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and the response will issue as soon as possible.
245. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress of the White Paper on direct provision; when this paper will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2980/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently developing the White Paper, which will set out options, together with the recommended direction, for the new model of accommodation and services for International Protection applicants and the transitional processes needed to implement the model. Options for developing a not-for-profit approach are currently being examined in this regard.
A large scale programme of consultations involving Government Departments and State bodies has taken place. The Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and the City and County Managers' Association were some of the bodies included in these consultations. In addition, representatives of accommodation centre residents and civil society organisations with refugee policy/practice expertise and housing policy/practice expertise (including Approved Housing Bodies) have been consulted.
Good progress has been made on drafting the White Paper and work is now focusing on testing the accommodation proposals that will be contained in it. In view of the extent of change proposed, the White Paper will take some more time than originally envisaged and I now expect it will be published in the second week of February.
246. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 981 and 982 of 3 November 2020, if he will report on the number of young persons without social workers or care plans as Tusla has not yet provided a reply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2993/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to apologise to the Deputy for the inconvenience caused. I have referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that they investigate the matter and arrange for the reply to issue to the Deputy, with an appropriate clarification.
The response prepared by Tusla in relation to Parliamentary Question Nos. 981 and 982 (3rd November 2020) would have included figures validated to August 2020. I have therefore asked that Tusla also provide the Deputy with the current figures, for information.
