Written Answers Nos. 1214-1233
1214. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of plans to end direct provision and implement an alternative system that will effectively and humanely process both new applications of asylum and address the backlog of existing cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy for your question.
The implementation of A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service is in its early stages, and much of the progress to date has focused on development of the high-level implementation plan. The Implementation Team for the transition to the new International Protection Support Service is working closely with the Housing Agency who are preparing a number of different advice papers which will inform key decisions relating to accommodation.
In addition, the County and City Management Association (CCMA) are developing an allocation key on behalf of the Local Authorities. This allocation key will serve as a guide as to how many applicants for International Protection will be accommodated in each Local Authority area. Officials in my Department should have this allocation key by the end of the month and can then start to plan how the new accommodation model will operate in more detail. I have met with both the Housing Agency and the CCMA and my Department is actively engaged with them on their proposals.
The first meeting of the Programme Board to oversee the transition to the new International Protection Support Service will hold its inaugural meeting on Thursday 29 July 2021.
1215. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the agencies and State organisations under his Department that are receiving State funding that do not have to declare salaries of employees under the 2016 code of governance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40030/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aegis bodies under my Department’s remit are best placed to respond directly to the Deputy on the manner in which they publish the salary levels for their employees. My Department is contacting all aegis bodies under its remit to ask that they respond to you directly advising whether any of their salaries are not disclosed.
1217. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects all sections of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to be commenced in particular Part 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40150/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is a very important piece of legislation that changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue- and time-specific basis. It will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to commencing the 2015 Act, recognising the importance of the much needed reform it represents. We are working towards a date of June 2022 for full commencement.
The delays in commencement of the 2015 Act arise from two principal factors. The Decision Support Service, which is the organisation that will operate the progressive provisions of the 2015 Act, has to become operational and to be able to respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. Amendments are also required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. Work is actively taking place on an Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be enacted by year end. Priority drafting has been secured and publication of the Bill is expected in October. The amendments will streamline processes, in the interests of those using its provisions. They will also strengthen the safeguards included in the 2015 Act.
Some provisions of the Act have been commenced to enable the recruitment of the Director of the Decision Support Service; the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group in relation to Advance Healthcare Directives; and most recently, on the 1st of February this year, the repeal of the Marriage of Lunatics Act, which means that a ward can now marry if she or he has capacity to do so.
The Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the 2015 Act. To this end a budget of €5.8 million was secured for the Decision Support Service for 2021, a significant increase on its €3.5 million 2020 budget.
A high-level Steering Group, chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, meets monthly to oversee and drive progress towards full commencement. The Steering Group comprises senior officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, the Mental Health Commission, the Courts Service, the HSE and the Decision Support Service, recognising that successful operation of the 2015 Act will involve multiple stakeholders. They are working towards commencement of the 2015 Act in June 2022, with the Decision Support Service opening for business immediately thereafter.
1219. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the International Protection Accommodation Service has responsibility for providing quarantine accommodation for refugee family members given the prohibitive costs of hotel quarantine facilities for family members who have a right to be reunified with their family members in Ireland in accordance with the International Protection Act 2015; if not, if quarantine hotel fees will be waived for beneficiaries of refugee family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40260/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIRPP has responsibility for the arrival of family members being reunified under Irish Humanitarian Admissions Programme.
Family members arriving during Covid 19 have been facilitated in IPAS quarantine centres at no cost to the refugees or their family members. All quarantine rules have been observed.
1220. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine the case of the closure of a crèche (details supplied) and work with Tusla and the childcare provider to allow the service to remain open. [40339/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
1221. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans for a domestic violence refuge for counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of the rising number of victims within the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40340/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue with policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. Capital funding for approved housing bodies, including services that provide refuge accommodation for victims of DSGBV, is provided by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
I appreciate the Deputy's concern in relation to this issue and I am aware that she has engaged with my Department on this matter on numerous occasions. At present, supports for victims in Counties Cavan and Monaghan are available through the services of Tearmann, which is based in Monaghan. Tearmann also provides outreach services in several locations in both counties. While there is no purpose-built refuge facility in these counties at present, women can avail of emergency domestic violence accommodation in Counties Louth and Meath, where there are currently three refuges supported by Tusla. I am advised by Tusla that it has had some engagement with various local stakeholders about potential future refuge developments, including a recent meeting in May with a local group.
Tusla is finalising an accommodation review which will present recommendations on future configuration of accommodation and services that may be required to holistically meet the needs of victims of DSGBV. The findings of the review will be discussed and actions agreed towards any future investment in this area as part of the Third National Strategy on DSGBV, The findings will be presented to the Monitoring Committee for the National Strategy, which contains stakeholders within the DSGBV sector and across government, with a view to achieving a national consensus on the State's response to identified needs.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Government committed to an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies. The findings of this audit was recently published by the Department of Justice.
The development of additional refuge places will require strong engagement across Government and with key stakeholders, and will be informed by all the processes outlined above. Accordingly, I am not in a position to advise at this point if a refuge facility will be developed in a specific location of the country.
It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible. I am committed to ensuring future service provision is evidence based and designed to meet the needs of individuals who experience domestic violence.
1222. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of children availing of free preschool services for one and two years; if a county breakdown of same is available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40441/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a two-year, universal pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. Children are eligible to enrol in the Programme once they are 2 years and 8 months of age in the September of a given programme year and are eligible to avail of two years of the programme (provided that they are not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the programme year).
The ECCE programme is not a mandatory programme and parents can choose to send their child to the ECCE programme for two years, one year or not at all. Since the introduction of the Programme in 2010, uptake rates have been approximately 95% of eligible children. The proportion of children availing of the full two-year entitlement is determined by a range of factors, including parental choice with regard to school starting age.
The figures supplied by the scheme administrator Pobal in the tables below shows the percentage of children enrolled in the ECCE programme in 2019 that availed of one or two years. This data is presented by county.
The figure for one year of the programme is calculated on the basis of the number of children with an ECCE registration in 2019 but no 2018 or 2020 ECCE registration. The figure for two years of the programme is based on the number of children with a 2019 ECCE registration and also a 2018 or a 2020 ECCE registration.
|
County |
I year ECCE |
|
County |
2 years ECCE |
|
Carlow |
13% |
|
Carlow |
87% |
|
Cavan |
12% |
|
Cavan |
88% |
|
Clare |
12% |
|
Clare |
88% |
|
Cork |
10% |
|
Cork |
90% |
|
Donegal |
15% |
|
Donegal |
85% |
|
Dublin |
18% |
|
Dublin |
82% |
|
Galway |
12% |
|
Galway |
88% |
|
Kerry |
11% |
|
Kerry |
89% |
|
Kildare |
13% |
|
Kildare |
87% |
|
Kilkenny |
12% |
|
Kilkenny |
88% |
|
Laois |
10% |
|
Laois |
90% |
|
Leitrim |
15% |
|
Leitrim |
85% |
|
Limerick |
15% |
|
Limerick |
85% |
|
Longford |
18% |
|
Longford |
82% |
|
Louth |
21% |
|
Louth |
79% |
|
Mayo |
13% |
|
Mayo |
87% |
|
Meath |
12% |
|
Meath |
88% |
|
Monaghan |
23% |
|
Monaghan |
77% |
|
Offaly |
14% |
|
Offaly |
86% |
|
Roscommon |
15% |
|
Roscommon |
85% |
|
Sligo |
15% |
|
Sligo |
85% |
|
Tipperary |
12% |
|
Tipperary |
88% |
|
Waterford |
17% |
|
Waterford |
83% |
|
Westmeath |
12% |
|
Westmeath |
88% |
|
Wexford |
12% |
|
Wexford |
88% |
|
Wicklow |
13% |
|
Wicklow |
87% |
1223. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding that has been allocated by his Department for projects and initiatives in County Tipperary over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40496/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are currently compiling the information as requested by the Deputy. This information will be supplied to the Deputy in no later than 10 working days. I have asked my officials to follow up on this to ensure delivery as a matter of urgency.
1224. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address the concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding reported shortage of crèche places in Waterford city and county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40555/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe play-pod model in Early Learning Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) is recommended as an alternative to social distancing between children. The purpose of ‘play-pods’ is to limit the number of people a child has contact with, to facilitate contact tracing, and to support close, positive interactions between children and their adult caregivers. This system also reduces the amount of contact adults have with each other.
As play-pods are an alternative to social distancing, they will need to stay in place for as long as social distancing is required. Current advice from the HSE is that play-pods are likely to be in place until the end of 2021.
It is important to note that vaccination of staff will not automatically remove the need for play-pods or other public health measures as (a) children may not be vaccinated until a later point and (b) public health advice is that there is not sufficient data at present to demonstrate that vaccination prevents or reduces transmission.
The public health advice from the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) is that while there is no evidence base on which to define a maximum play-pod size, play-pods should be kept as small as is likely to be reasonably practical in the specific childcare context.
The maximum adult-child ratios required by the Early Years Services Regulations 2016 and the Early Years Services (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018 are unchanged and so services must continue to operate within them. In most cases there should be either one or two adults in a ‘play-pod’ in order to keep play-pod sizes small. Therefore, play-pod size will be naturally limited by those ratios.
My Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees around the country who are available to assist parents in identifying services in their areas. Information on these is available at www.myccc.ie . Information on services registered with Tusla, including contact details and inspection reports, is available on Tusla's website.
1225. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a payment for parents who have to take unpaid leave to mind their children that have to isolate due to having or being a close contact with Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40586/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a range of family leave options available to working parents, many of which have been extended in the recent past.
The Parental Leave Act 1998 entitles parents to unpaid leave to look after their children. This leave is available to a relevant parent, who is defined as a parent, adoptive parent or person acting in loco parentis.
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced a significant extension to the existing parental leave entitlements, raising the age of the child for whom parental leave may be taken from eight years to twelve. It also extended the parental leave entitlement by 8 weeks, on a phased basis. The last of these increases came into effect on 1 September 2020 and parents are now entitled to 26 weeks leave in total.
In addition, the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, as defined in the legislation, to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. The definition of relevant parent under the Act includes a parent of the child and the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a parent of the child.
Following the commencement of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 on 1 April 2021, an additional three weeks of paid parent's leave has been granted to each relevant parent, and the period in which the leave can be taken has been extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
There are no plans to amend any of the family leave provisions at present.
Matters in relation to a payment of benefit are under the remit of the Minister for Social Protection.
1226. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the last occasion on which a Department-wide review of all funding within his Department took place; the frequency of such reviews; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40630/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and the response will issue as soon as possible.
1227. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors from Lesvos, Greece that have been resettled in Ireland in line with the Government commitment made in October 2020; if further consideration has been given to resettling additional numbers of asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors from Lesvos, Greece; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40674/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to report that 53 persons were interviewed last month by my officials in the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) from the Moria Camp in Lesbos in Greece and security approved in early July for resettlement in Ireland. Flights and isolation accommodation on arrival are currently being organised.
In Budget 2021, I secured an additional €5m to support TUSLA in providing dedicated services to accelerate the intake of the remaining unaccompanied refugee children in Greece to whom my government have committed to take 36 unaccompanied minors. Eight children already arrived in Summer 2020. TUSLA have developed a range of accommodation options to receive and provide specialist care for the children. Changes at European Union level in the procedures for managing the relocation of unaccompanied minors led to a pause in the transfer of all children.
These changes have now been successfully implemented at EU level and Ireland has received a list of unaccompanied minors who have been accepted, following appropriate security checking and preparation. TUSLA are ready to receive these children as soon as they can travel safely. TUSLA and my Department are working with the Greek authorities and the HSE to progress the safest travel and relocation options as soon as possible, within the scope of current travel and quarantine restrictions. The plan is that the remaining 28 children will arrive in 4 different groups between the end of this month and mid-September.
1228. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a case lead will be assigned to a child (details supplied) given the case is extremely complex and the child falls between services. [40938/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1229. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the review of the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41050/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018 provides for a review of the operation of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to commence 12 months after the first payment of subsidies under the scheme. The 12 month review is an independent assessment of the implementation and impacts of NCS during its first year of operation.
The fundamental purpose for the review is to provide key data and information to support the future development of the NCS. The review will provide a basis for the DCEDIY to consider how effectively the NCS is operating and whether it is meeting the objectives which are meaningfully measurable within the first year. These objectives are to:
- Tangibly reduce the cost of early learning and childcare for tens of thousands of families.
- Establish a sustainable platform for investment in the Irish early learning and childcare sector for decades to come.
Section 26 of that Act states that the Minister will provide a report "in writing to each House of the Oireachtas of his or her findings and conclusions resulting from the review". It is also intended that the report will be published. The likely timeframe for publication is end 2021.
1230. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans in terms of early intervention and family supports in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41051/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla provides early intervention and family support services, through both internal Tusla family support provision and the commissioning of services through its community and Voluntary Sector partners.
Through the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support service, 121 Child and Family Support networks have been developed. The networks help to support integrated and co-ordinated supports for children, young people and families at local community level. CFSNs are a frontline operational structure set up by Tusla to support integrated service delivery. Members of CFSNs come from a variety of agencies or local voluntary and community services such as the Community and Voluntary Sector, HSE Primary Care Social Work, Early Years Services, Sports Clubs, Speech & Language Therapy, An Garda Siochána Youth Probation Services, Primary and Secondary Schools etc. There are 5 of these networks in the Tusla Louth Meath Area.
The Child and Family Support Networks also facilitate the coordination of the use of Meitheal, the Tusla-led early intervention national practice model that identifies a child’s and their families’ needs and strengths, and brings together a team around the child to deliver preventative support. Families in Louth engage with the Meitheal process.
In 2020, 1722 children received a family support service in the Tusla Louth Meath Area.
Tusla will continue to provide early intervention and family support services in Co. Louth, based on local needs identified by the Tusla local Area Manager.
1231. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagements he has had with organisations regarding the national childcare scheme; his views on the state of readiness of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41052/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has had ongoing engagement with a number of organisations representing the early learning and childcare sector prior to, and since the launch of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
In recent months, my Department has conducted a number of stakeholder consultations to gain further insights into their experience of the NCS. The stakeholder consultations were established to give providers with the opportunity to engage in a structured consultation and discussion process, identifying any concerns and opportunities to further support the operation and development of the NCS.
As part of the review of the NCS, which is currently underway, there was a survey of providers and parents and data gathered from these surveys are currently being analysed. A number of stakeholder interviews were also conducted as part of this review, involving interviews across provider organisations and representative bodies.
More broadly and as part of the development of a new funding model for the early learning and childcare sector, there has been considerable engagement with providers, parents and other stakeholders. The NCS was among a range of issues raised in the course of this work.
1232. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a report by an organisation (details supplied). [41085/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1233. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a recommendation in a report by an organisation (details supplied). [41086/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1234. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a recommendation in a report by an organisation (details supplied). [41087/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1235. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a recommendation in a report by an organisation (details supplied). [41088/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1236. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a recommendation in a report by an organisation (details supplied). [41089/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1232, 1233, 1234, 1235 and 1236 together.
I am aware of the Adoptee Voices report published by Aitheantas on 21 July and am currently giving careful consideration to this report. I have also met with Aitheantas a number of times during 2020 and 2021 as part of my wider engagement with adoption stakeholders.
With regard to the recommendations concerning a review of historic adoptions, I am very conscious that every record on adoption represents the lives of a number of individuals. There are major ethical issues at play where the reality, identity and family and legal relationships that people have lived their whole lives may be fundamentally impacted. I am also conscious that, in some cases, records may simply not exists anymore.
From listening to those most centrally affected, I believe that what is important as an immediate priority is access to birth certificates and early life information for adoptees. The Deputy will be aware that the Birth Information and Tracing legislation is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny. If enacted, this legislation will, for the first time, enshrine in law the clear right of access to birth certificates, and other birth and early life information.
The legislation will provide the necessary legal framework for a strong and supportive information and tracing service. It will ensure that any individual with a question about their origins is empowered to access their own records and is supported with regard to any related needs.
With regard to the criticisms of Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland, while I acknowledge the unsatisfactory experiences of some individuals and can understand the associated anger and disappointment, I am of the view that the issue is primarily with the major shortcomings of current law in the area, rather than with the agencies themselves. Therefore, as set out above, I am committed to urgently progressing legislation to provide access to birth and early life information. My Department is also working with both agencies in terms of an implementation plan for the new legislation, assuming that it is passed. In the longer-term, the Government is committed to a central repository of records and a new National Memorial and Records Centre.
Finally, with regard to counselling, Barnardos provides a service for adopted adults and parents. In addition, the National Counselling Service provides a service for individuals who were resident in Mother and Baby Homes or whose births were illegally registered. The proposed Birth Information and Tracing legislation also deals with the provision of supports, including counselling, to adopted persons and parents.
