Written Answers Nos. 415-434
416. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a school (details supplied) is not included in the hot meals scheme unlike other schools in the area; if she will instruct her Department to include the school in the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28017/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
As part of Budget 2019, funding was provided for a pilot scheme from September 2019, providing hot school meals in primary schools at a cost of €1m for 2019 and €2.5m in 2020. The pilot involved 37 schools benefitting 6,744 students for the 2019/2020 academic year and was aimed primarily at schools with no on-site cooking facilities.
In Budget 2021, I announced that an additional €5.5m would be provided to extend the provision of hot school meals to an additional 35,000 primary school children, currently receiving the cold lunch option. Officials from the Department issued invitations for expressions of interest to 705 (612 DEIS and 95 non-DEIS) primary schools in November 2020. A total of 281 (256 DEIS and 25 non-DEIS) expressions of interest were received in respect of 52,148 children.
The 35,000 places were allocated to each local authority area based on the number of children applied by local authority as a percentage of the total number. A minimum of one school for each Local Authority area was selected. Thereafter, a process of random selection was used for each area.
As a result of this process, 189 of the 281 schools that submitted an expression of interest were selected. Of the 189 schools selected, 171 (90.5%) are DEIS and 18 (9.5%) are non-DEIS.
Knockmore Junior School submitted an Expression of Interest for the Hot Meals Scheme as part of the five-school Killinarden School Completion Programme which also included Cnoc Mhuire Senior School. Unfortunately Knockmore Junior School was not selected.
Due to the fact that the funding available was limited to 35,000 children, it was not possible to include all schools that submitted an expression of interest to avail of hot school meals. I appreciate that this is disappointing for the school.
I am currently exploring options for the possible inclusion of unsuccessful schools in the Hot School Meals programme.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
417. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection if the negotiated proposals for gratuity payments for community employment supervisors and community employment assistant supervisors will also be available to supervisors on the rural social schemes who are also without pension provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28021/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Social Protection delivers a range of employment and income support schemes including Community Employment, Tús and the Rural Social Scheme.
These schemes are delivered by independent bodies funded by the Department. CE is delivered by sponsoring authorities while Tús and RSS are delivered by 48 local development companies and by Údarás na Gaeltachta, known collectively as Implementing Bodies. While the Department provides funding for participant and supervisors' payroll, the Department is not the employer of any scheme participants or their supervisors.
It is important to note that the State is not responsible for funding pension arrangements for employees of private companies, even where the companies in question are reliant on State funding. Pension arrangements are a matter to be agreed between employees and their employers. All employers, including CE sponsoring organisations and the IBs that deliver Tús and RSS, are legally obliged to offer access to at least one Standard Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) under the Pension (Amendment) Act 2002.
CE supervisors and assistant supervisors have been seeking for several years, through their union representatives, the allocation of Exchequer funding to implement a 2008 Labour Court recommendation that specifically related to the provision of a pension scheme for CE supervisors and assistant supervisors who are employed by CE schemes.
It is within the context of the 2008 Labour Court recommendation that officials from my Department, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the unions representing the CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors held discussions on proposals to progress this issue over the past number of months. These discussions were held on the clear agreement by all involved, that they related solely to CE supervisors and assistant supervisors.
As the Deputy is aware, an agreement was reached recently between my colleagues, the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on proposals to resolve the long standing issue. Details of these proposals have been forwarded to the unions representing CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors by the Department of Social Protection. I understand the unions are currently considering these proposals and have sought clarification on some of the details contained in the proposal. My Department are engaging with the unions on this basis. I am confident this is a solid basis for progressing and resolving this complex issue, while ensuring there is no potential exposure for additional costs to the exchequer.
If an agreement is reached on the proposal, it will only apply to those parties who were the subject of the 2008 Labour Court recommendation and the subsequent discussions with both Departments, namely CE supervisors and CE assistant supervisors. The related provisions will not apply to other parties such as Tús and RSS supervisors.
418. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is no longer eligible for an incapacity supplement as an increase to their disablement benefit pension; the reason this has resulted in such a significant reduction in their payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28023/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIncapacity Supplement (I.S.) is an increase to Disablement Pension where a person is considered to be permanently incapable of work as a result of an occupational accident/disease and does not qualify for another Social Welfare benefit.
It is a qualifying condition for I.S. that a Person must not be in receipt of any other Social Welfare Benefit or Assistance.
The person concerned is in receipt of State Pension Contributory since 2 March 2018 and so does not meet the qualifying conditions for I.S. This was communicated to the person concerned and he was afforded natural justice before a disallow letter issued to him on the 3 March 2021 notifying him that his I.S. was to stop and giving him the right of review and appeal. The person concerned did not reply to any of the letters issued to him and to date no request for an appeal or review has been received from him.
419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if the rate of State pension (contributory) awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will be reviewed following the award of home caring credits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28105/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department, the person concerned has a social insurance record of 835 full-rate paid contributions, 186 credited contributions and 604 HomeCaring Periods from their date of entry into insurable employment until pension age. The person's pension entitlement has been assessed under both the yearly average and aggregated contributions methods. Based on their yearly average of 21 contributions, the person is entitled to an 85% rate of State pension (contributory) which has been in payment since the person’s 66th birthday, 24 July 2020.
The aggregated contributions method allows for the inclusion of HomeCaring Periods in the calculation of an applicant's pension entitlement. The maximum rate of State pension (contributory) is awarded where applicants have 2,080 contributions or more. The person concerned has been awarded 604 HomeCaring Periods, which, when taken into account with their 1,021 qualifying contributions and credits, gives them a pension entitlement of 78.12% of the maximum rate.
Accordingly, the person concerned is in receipt of the most financially beneficial rate of State pension (contributory) commensurate with their social insurance record. They were notified of the outcome of their pension review on 24 February 2021. If they consider that they have additional contributions or credits that have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department and a further review of their pension entitlement can be undertaken.
The person concerned may wish to consider applying for State pension (non-contributory) which is a means-tested, residency-based payment for people of pension age. Social welfare legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the applicant and spouse/civil partner/cohabitant. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares and other investments.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
420. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is a policy of data back-up in the operations of her Department and all agencies under her remit. [28125/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is a significant user of information technology for the day to day operation of its services. Our technical staff implement service management practices that are aligned with ITIL industry best practice. There are comprehensive system and data backup policies, procedures and testing arrangements in place in the Department and its agencies. Secure backups are taken at frequent planned intervals to meet operational requirements. For operational and security reasons, we are advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose detail of operational processes which could in any way negatively impact those efforts. Therefore, it is not considered appropriate to disclose arrangements in place in relation to backup and recovery operational processes and my Department does not comment on these operational matters.
My Department has developed an Information Security Management System (ISMS) aligned with the industry security standard ISO27001. This ISMS provides an overall governance framework for information security and sets out security policies, objectives, management oversight, practices and governance and ensures continual improvement of information security management.
421. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will further extend community employment scheme placements that are due to end to allow participants to complete courses and training they missed due to Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28192/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCommunity Employment (CE) 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.
My Department has continued to support CE since the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March 2020, including the ongoing provision of funding and the introduction of contract extensions during level-5 periods of restrictions. CE participants, whose contracts were due to end during the latest Level-5 restrictions have had their contracts extended to the 2nd July 2021. Over 7,000 CE and Tús participants are benefitting from this latest extension which applies to all CE and Tús participants whose contracts were due to finish since end-October 2020. Department officials are continuing to monitor the situation while keeping the current extended contract end-date currently under active review.
It is important to note that when CE participants are eventually due to finish on their respective schemes, this will be undertaken on a coordinated, phased basis over a number of months. This will assist the recruitment of new CE participants and ensure service continuity for the CE schemes. It will also provide further opportunities for CE participants to complete their CE placement and finish any outstanding training.
However, where a CE participant finishes up on their CE scheme without completing the training outlined in their Individual Learning Plan and if unfortunately, they remain unemployed, they may continue their development through a range of training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant and the Back to Education Allowance. Department case officers are available to engage with former CE participants to discuss the available options.
The priority for my Department is to ensure that all employment and activation programmes have the best outcomes for participants, including those whose participation has been adversely affected during the pandemic and that CE schemes are supported over the forthcoming period as they re-commence more normal service levels.
I am fully committed to the future of these programmes and will continue to support and improve the programmes for the benefit of the CE participants and the valuable contribution being made to local communities throughout the country.
422. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if community employment scheme eligibility will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28193/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn clarification with the Deputy's Office, the PQ relates to the requirement for participants to finish on CE at state pension age while there are difficulties with recruitment in some rural areas.
The Community Employment Scheme (CE) 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.
The programme is delivered through independent CE sponsoring bodies that receive state funding from the Department to cover certain costs including CE participant wages.
CE is a working age activation scheme and CE participants who continue to be funded through CE must be of working age. As a consequence, funding for CE participants is provided up until a CE participant reaches the state pension age. CE participants may apply for a state pension upon reaching the existing state pension age.
As the Deputy will appreciate, if my Department continued to fund CE participants after they reach the state pension age, it would significantly impact on the opportunities for those who are long-term unemployed and would undermine the reputation of CE as an active labour market programme. The Department will therefore not extend participation on CE beyond the state pension age at this time.
I am also very aware of the challenges caused by the Covid-19 public health restrictions and the adverse impact on a number of rural and urban CE schemes in recruiting new CE participants.
My Department has continued to support CE since the onset of the Covid-19 emergency in March 2020, including the ongoing provision of funding and the introduction of contract extensions during level-5 periods of restriction. CE participants, whose contracts were due to end during the latest Level-5 restrictions have had their contracts extended to the 2nd July 2021. Over 7,000 CE and Tús participants are benefitting from the latest extension which applies to participants whose contracts were due to finish since end-October 2020. Department officials will continue to monitor the situation while keeping the current extended contract end-date under review.
One of the measures included in the Jobs Stimulus package announced by Government in July, 2020 was an increase in the capacity of the Public Employment Service in Intreo Offices and through contracted services to further support jobseekers through job search advice and assistance. These additional resources will be central to meeting the increased demand for services, including an increased demand for new CE candidate referrals now that the country is in the process of exiting Level-5 restrictions.
CE sponsoring authorities are continuing to be encouraged by my Department officials to promote awareness of the benefits of CE in their local communities and when advertising vacancies. They can advertise their vacancies on www.jobsireland.ie, the Department's online job advertising and recruitment service for job candidates and employers, including CE sponsors.
My priority is to ensure that all CE schemes are in a position to fully resume services over the coming months in accordance with the phased opening up of the economy, while continuing to comply with public health restrictions.
I am fully committed to the future of CE 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 throughout the country.
423. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the formal procedure in place for setting up a recovery plan over a period of time in respect of substantial Covid pandemic unemployment overpayments; the length of time customers have to repay the overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28264/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOverpayments of social welfare assistance and benefit payments arise as a consequence of decisions made under the relevant sections of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005 (as amended). Customers who have been overpaid social welfare have a liability to refund the overpayment as they have been in receipt of a payment to which they were not entitled. Where an overpayment is raised, the Department makes every effort to recover the amount overpaid.
Recovery is sought over a period without imposing undue financial hardship on the customer. The Department will work with the customer and consider personal circumstances in determining a repayment plan.
Repayments may be made by Debit Card, Standing Order, Direct Debit or by cheque. Where a customer is in receipt of a Social Welfare payment, legislation allows the Department to deduct up to 15% of the personal rate of the payment, where the customer does not engage in agreeing a repayment plan. However, every effort is made to agree a repayment plan with customers. Where a customer is in employment and does not engage in agreeing a repayment plan, the Department will consider making an attachment of earnings order.
At any stage, customers can make contact directly with the Department's Central Debt Unit in order to discuss and agree a suitable repayment arrangement by emailing Centraldebt@welfare.ie or by calling (071) 9672591
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
424. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on external professional legal services in 2014, 2019 and 2020, in tabular form. [28309/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below shows the expenditure by the Department of Social Protection on professional legal services for the years 2014, 2019 and 2020.
Legal Fees incurred by Department of Social Protection 2014, 2019 and 2020
|
2014 |
2019 |
2020* |
|
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
|
Legal Fees |
897 |
2,045 |
1,613 |
*2020 expenditure is provisional pending audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General
425. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in receipt of jobseeker’s allowance; and the number who are on a reduced rate. [28343/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of May 24th 2021, there were 131,371 persons receiving jobseeker's allowance. Of these, 13,376 were in receipt of a reduced rate.
426. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated full-year cost of increasing each weekly social welfare payment to meet the minimum essential standard of living as detailed by an organisation (details supplied); and if she will provide this information with regard to the current base rates and minimum essential standard of living rates by contributory and non-contributory social protection schemes, in tabular form. [28379/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minimum Essential Standard of Living (MESL) is an assessment, developed by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice, of the minimum income needed to live and partake in the social and economic norms of everyday life for various household types. My Department has partly funded the excellent, detailed work of the Vincentian Partnership for a number of years, and I find it extremely useful.
One of the benefits of the work of the Vincentians is that it produces data on various household types, including the different costs that arise for households in rural and urban locations. In that way, it complements data produced from other analyses such as the Survey on Income and Living Conditions produced by the Central Statistics Office.
The work of the Vincentians also highlights issues that may be addressed with improvements in services. In this regard, improved services, such as the extension of GP visit cards for children and the affordable childcare scheme can result in significant reductions in the minimum income standards needed by households.
Bringing weekly working age social welfare rates in line with the MESL would entail increasing the maximum personal rate to €250 and the Qualified Child Increase to €48.20 for children under 12 and €94.70 for children aged 12 and over. There would be no proportionate increase in the current rate for Qualified Adults in order to meet the MESL.
Bringing pension rates in line with the MESL would require an increase of €46.40 for pensioners living alone in rural areas. There would be no increase to the rate of payment for pensioner couples, or pensioners living alone in urban areas.
The total cost of these measures is €2.7 billion.
The estimated cost of increasing all working age payments to €250 is set out in the table below.
|
Cost of increase €m |
|
|
Social Insurance Schemes |
|
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Con) Pension |
63.3 |
|
Deserted Wife's Benefit |
5.1 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
128.1 |
|
Partial Capacity Benefit |
4.5 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Contributory) |
4.2 |
|
Death Benefit Pension |
0.2 |
|
Disablement Pension |
3.7 |
|
Illness Benefit |
117.6 |
|
Injury Benefit |
2.0 |
|
Incapacity Supplement |
2.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit |
307.0 |
|
Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) |
10.1 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
5.1 |
|
Health and Safety Benefit |
0.1 |
|
Maternity & Adoptive Benefit |
5.2 |
|
Paternity & Parent's Benefit |
0.6 |
|
Social Assistance Schemes |
|
|
Blind Person's Pension |
2.7 |
|
Widow/er's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Con) Pension |
3.1 |
|
Deserted Wife's Allowance |
0.2 |
|
One-Parent Family Payment |
96.4 |
|
Carer's Allowance |
77.9 |
|
Half Rate Carer's Allowance |
21.1 |
|
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) |
1.8 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance Max Rate |
301.4 |
|
Jobseeker's Allowance age 18 to 24 |
99.9 |
|
Disability Allowance |
378.1 |
|
Farm Assist |
13.4 |
|
Employment Support Schemes (BTWA & BTEA) |
30.5 |
|
Employment/Internship Schemes (CE, Tús, RSS etc.) |
40.7 |
|
Supplementary Welfare Allowance |
33.5 |
|
TOTAL* |
1759.4 |
*Rounding may affect totals
In addition, the cost of increasing the Increase for a Qualified Child to €48.20 for children under 12 and €94.70 for children aged 12 and over is estimated to be €476.5 million.
While it is not possible at this time to provide an estimate of providing an increase for pensioners living in rural areas only, the estimated cost of an increase for all pensioners in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance is €430.5 million.
These costings are based on the estimated number of recipients in 2021 and are subject to change in light of emerging trends and subsequent revision of the estimated number of recipients.
427. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the average revenue net weekly pay for current recipients of casual and short-time social welfare benefit schemes by scheme in tabular form. [28380/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that my Department does not gather the data requested by the Deputy as a matter of course. It is possible, however, to report on the weekly entitlement from these income support schemes; this data is set out in the table below, and is inclusive of additional increases, such as the increase for a Qualified Adult/Child.
|
Short-Time Work Support |
Casual JB |
Casual JA |
|
|
Mean Entitlement |
€215.01 |
€210.89 |
€272.37 |
429. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Social Protection the investment made by her Department and State agencies under its remit in each year in cyber security for the past ten years. [28850/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor reasons of operational and national security it would not be appropriate to disclose details, including costs, of my Department’s Cyber Security arrangements, or those of State Agencies under my remit. Any information in relation to cyber security tools and services could assist criminals in identifying potential vulnerabilities in cybersecurity arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose any such information or make comment which could in any way compromise my Department’s Cyber Security.
430. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the campaign and document from an organisation (details supplied) for the Government to issue a specific family homelessness strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27513/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, responsibility for addressing homelessness rests with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In this regard, any decision relating to a specific family homelessness strategy would also be a matter for that Department. That said, my Department and Tusla are continuing to make every effort to alleviate the difficulties experienced by children and families who are homeless, within both our collective functions, roles and responsibilities:
Section 14 of the Childcare Support Act 2018 made special provision for vulnerable children, and specified five statutory bodies that can make a sponsored referral for the National Childcare Scheme. Local Authorities are defined in the Act to allow them to support homeless persons with children that are homeless. Once a child meets the criteria for sponsorship they can automatically avail of up to 45 hours childcare per week. In these instances a higher subsidy rate will also be payable and no co-payment may be charged to the parent.
Tusla are members of the National Homeless Consultative Forum, the Senior Statutory Management Group (Dublin), the Dublin Joint Homelessness Consultative Forum, have continued links with CYPSCs, and also advocate for homeless children and families to Local Authorities where a family is especially vulnerable.
Tusla are also involved in efforts to provide practical supports, such as Children First training to homeless services in relation to child protection, homework initiatives in family hubs, and regular liaisons between the hubs. Tusla funds over 130 independent Family Resource Centres (FRC) who work with homeless families, and are involved in school completion programmes engaging with supports to homeless families.
431. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address funding concerns in relation to the business in the community Ireland EPIC programme raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27664/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the issue raised here and in previous correspondence.
Business in the Community Ireland successfully applied for funding to support the Employment for People from Immigrant Communities (EPIC) Programme through the 2016 European Social Fund (ESF) Call for Proposals. Under the ESF Integration and Employment of Migrants funding stream, the Programme was approved for €1.925m grant funding over a four-year period and is due to be completed by June 2021.
Officials in my Department are in discussions with the ESF Managing Authority about a possible IEM Call for Proposals under the new ESF+ Programme 2021-2027. Any new funding under this programme would be made available through a call for proposals to be conducted later this year, if possible.
I recognise the achievements made by Business in the Community Ireland to promote labour market integration for migrants and refugees. Officials in my Department are currently examining whether other supports could be made available to support the EPIC Programme. The Deputy will obviously be aware that there are many worthwhile projects funded by my Department and that the demand for funding can outstrip available resources.
432. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding allocated to Traveller and Roma initiatives; the expenditure within same in each of the years 2017 to 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27724/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra442. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the allocation and expenditure for Traveller and Roma initiatives in each of the years 2016 to 2020, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28097/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra443. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding allocated to Traveller and Roma initiatives in 2021; the expenditure to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28098/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 432, 442 and 443 together.
The Government is committed to improving the lives of the Traveller and Roma Communities in Ireland. The Government strategy to further this goal is the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021. The Strategy brings Government Departments and agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities.
The NTRIS contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity, Education Employment, Health and Accommodation. It is the responsibility of the respective Government Departments and Agencies to deliver on the Actions contained in the Strategy and to provide updates on progress through the Steering Committee which I chair.
Following the formation of the present Government responsibility for the co-ordination of NTRIS transferred to my Department from the Department of Justice.
The table below set out the funding allocation and expenditure for Traveller and Roma initiatives from my Department in the current year and from the Department of Justice in the earlier years.
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
Allocation |
2,205,000 |
3,230,000 |
3,380,000 |
3,880,000 |
3,880,000 |
4,925,000 |
|
Expenditure |
2,080,000 |
2,752,000 |
3,296,000 |
3,061,000 |
3,451,000 |
2,320,000 (to date) |
433. Deputy Malcolm Noonan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a significant time difference between when HIQA reports (details supplied) are shared with their service providers and when they are shared with their service users; if he is satisfied with such delays; if it is possible that all relevant stakeholders of such facilities will be informed of HIQA recommendations at the same time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27797/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy for your question. This Department monitors inspections carried out by HIQA in relation to Child Protection Services, Foster Care Services, Special Care and Tusla run Children's Residential Centres.When HIQA carries out an inspection Tusla are informed of the findings by way of an inspection report. The service provider will need to develop an action plan to address areas for improvement of deficits (if any). Copies of inspection reports, and action plans, are published on HIQA’s website. In cases where reports are not published to protect a resident’s privacy, residents and service users are still entitled to have a copy of the report.It is appropriate that providers are given time to develop an action plan in response to an inspection and prior to publication of the report. This also allows the inspecting body to follow up as necessary prior to publishing a report.In addition service users wishing to express concerns or issues have access to complaints/feedback procedures in the centres as well as access to Tusla complaints procedures and an assigned social worker that they can share their issues with.
Upon publication the inspection report will still detail any non-compliance with relevant standards and the actions planned or already taken to address areas of concern. I wish to advise that the answer provided is based on my Department's experience with HIQA reports. The recent cyber attack has had an impact on Department of Health systems and has impaired their functionality.
434. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the disability capacity review and the report by a company (details supplied) on the cost of disability will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27910/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.
