Written Answers Nos. 329-339
329. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the video circulating on social media in regard to direct provision (details supplied); if this matter is being investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55288/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst of all, I can assure you that the health and well-being of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to both myself and my officials.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), which is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to people in the International Protection process, is aware of the video that is circulating on social media in regard to the mentioned facility.
In response to this, staff from the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS), which manages the contract with the Direct Provision accommodation the referred to centre, visited the centre on 3 November to investigate the matter, including a review of CCTV in the area, and did not find evidence that food is being served in plastic bags.
QTS, an independent inspectorate company that undertakes inspections on behalf of IPPS, also visited the centre on 3 November, to ensure that it is complying with the terms of its contract with regard to food provision to residents.
Accommodation centres are currently subject to regular unannounced inspections by both Department officials in IPAS and QTS Limited. It is expected that each accommodation centre will be inspected three times in 2021, twice by QTS and once by IPAS officials.
In addition, accommodation centres are contractually bound to provide menus that reasonably meet the dietary needs of the different ethnic groups accommodated at the centre and the reasonable prescribed dietary needs of any person accommodated at the centre. Menus must include a vegetarian option and all food products provided must have a traceability system that complies with food safety requirements. All accommodation centres that offer catered options must provide three meals per day and must have a range of snacks and non-alcoholic beverages readily available.
IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.
All residents also have access to an independent support helpline operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service and funded by the Department. IPAS is also working to facilitate clinics at centres, in line with public health restrictions. IPAS has no role in determining a resident’s claim for international protection. Decisions on claims for international protection are matters for the Department of Justice. Residents can freely make complaints without any implications for their claims for international protection.
Accommodation centres are subject to regular unannounced inspections by IPAS/IPPS and by an independent inspections company. Inspection reports are published on www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/ .
I trust that that this information can provide the necessary reassurance to you that the Government is committed to the welfare of all residents of our accommodation centres and the replacement of the current model of accommodation provision.
330. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if funding will be made available as a matter of urgency for the provision of a domestic violence refuge for counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55289/21]
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.
Tusla’s ‘Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence’ assesses the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation and has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities. The Review has been completed and is undergoing the final edit for publication. It is intended to publish the Review this month. Therefore, at present, I am not in a position to confirm if funding for refuges for victims of domestic violence will be established in counties Sligo or Leitrim.
While there is currently no domestic violence refuge in Sligo/Leitrim, Tusla's Area Manager for that region has confirmed that the Domestic Violence Advocacy Service (DVAS) can and does provide temporary accommodation for service users on an as and when required basis.
I expect that the implementation process for the Review will identify priority areas where there is greatest urgency in achieving safe accommodation for victims of domestic violence. Implementation will require collaboration from a range of statutory and other bodies.
The Review represents my commitment to prioritising and supporting victims of DSGBV. My Department continues to engage with Tusla, Non-Government Organisations that play a key role in this area, and other relevant Government Departments and Agencies (particularly the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Department of Justice) to progress work in this area.
331. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is discretionary funding available for a group (details supplied) in County Kerry to help with electricity and insurance costs for its premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55245/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy might be aware that the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level by providing small grants towards the costs of running youth clubs and groups. These grants are made available to all eligible youth clubs and youth groups through the network of 16 Education and Training Boards who advertise the scheme annually and administer the funding on behalf of my Department at a local level.
In 2021 funding of over €2.257m was made available nationally for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which included an allocation of €60,241 to Kerry Education and Training Board.
In June this year I also approved funding of €1.4m to administer a minor grant scheme to support youth services and youth clubs with expenditure associated with the cost of re-opening following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions. Eligible costs included the purchase of consumables or eligible overheads, incurred over the period 1 March to 31 December 2021 due to the imposition of Covid-19 restrictions or arising from steps to re-open in line with Government guidance.
This funding was distributed between the 16 Education and Training Boards to provide financial support to the youth services and youth clubs within their functional area. A funding allocation of €26,313 was provided to Kerry Education and Training Board for this purpose and grants of up to €400 were available to eligible youth clubs under the scheme.
Organisations wishing to obtain more information on the funding available under these schemes should contact Kerry Education and Training Board which is administering this funding on behalf of the Department.
332. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current restrictions covering youth clubs. [55331/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if updated guidelines will be published for youth groups. [55332/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 333 together.
The Department has worked with youth services throughout the duration of the ongoing pandemic to ensure that young people, especially those who are vulnerable, continue to receive necessary supports to the greatest degree possible. Services continue to be delivered in a variety of ways, some remotely, some outdoors when weather permits, and many indoors, with strict regard to public health guidance, using multiple pods, each pod consisting of a maximum of 6 young people.
I am aware of the challenges to youthwork of being restricted to pods of six young people and I have raised this with my Government colleagues. I hope to see further easing of restrictions soon, be it with continued strict adherence to public health guidelines.
The Department has worked closely with key youth sector representatives to provide sector-specific guidance in line with the Government’s Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 and Reframing the Challenge: Continuing our Recovery and Reconnecting to ensure that young people continue to be supported in a manner consistent with evolving public health guidance and to address other issues arising in the sector as a result of Covid-19.
For full information on the current guidance for Youth Work Organisations please see the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/58393-guidance-for-youth-organisations-on-resuming-full-services-after-covid-19/
As we begin to move beyond the pandemic, I am committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint.
334. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to the easing of restrictions in relation to the reopening of youth organisation meetings as a matter of urgency; if additional funding will be allocated to these largely voluntary groups in order to address the loss of socialisation for young adults; if measures will be put in place to ensure that such outlets for young adults will be treated the same as school settings for the purposes of Covid-19 regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55365/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has worked with youth services throughout the duration of the ongoing pandemic to ensure that young people, especially those who are vulnerable, continue to receive necessary supports to the greatest degree possible. Services continue to be delivered in a variety of ways, some remotely, some outdoor when weather permits, and some, with strict regard to public health guidance, through indoor work using multiple pods, each pod made up of a maximum of six young people.
The Department has worked closely with key youth sector representatives to provide sector-specific guidance in line with the Government’s Resilience & Recovery 2020-2021: Plan for Living with COVID-19 and Reframing the Challenge: Continuing our Recovery and Reconnecting to ensure that young people continue to be supported in a manner consistent with evolving public health guidance and to address other issues arising in the sector as a result of Covid-19.
For full information on the current guidance for Youth Work Organisations please see the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/58393-guidance-for-youth-organisations-on-resuming-full-services-after-covid-19/
Through the Department's engagement with key youth sector representatives, my officials are aware that youth services are having difficulties in conducting indoor youth activities in pods of 6 for groups with mixed vaccination status. Taking into account the benefits of youth services for this vulnerable cohort, I have raised the issue at cabinet level seeking an expansion to the numbers allowed in pods.
To support the delivery of necessary face-to-face supports to young people who are vulnerable, at risk or in crisis, youth service delivery has been explicitly recognised as an essential service under the most recent set of Covid-related Regulations, as provided for by S.I. No. 4 of 2021 Health Act 1947 (Section 31A - Temporary Restrictions) (COVID-19) (No. 10) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.
Funding for the provision of targeted youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the Education and Training Boards (ETBs), which allocate funding via applications to the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. Youth Clubs which may require additional funding should contact their local ETB for further information and assistance. I also provide annual funding for universal youth services through the Youth Services Grant Scheme to 30 national youth organisations.
My Department has maintained funding to youth work services throughout the pandemic and I have been pleased to announce an additional €5m in funding in Budget 2021 and Budget 2022. In 2020 I announced an additional small capital grant scheme for services to assist with the extra costs incurred by COVID-19.
As we begin to move beyond the pandemic, I am committed to supporting this important sector, which has enormous value to the many young people involved and from a broader social and economic viewpoint.
335. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a student with a level 5 qualification who is now doing a different level 5 qualification can access the SUSI grant if he or she did not receive it for the first level 5 qualification; if not, if there are alternative supports available for such a student; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55323/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraProgression is a key tenet of the Student Grant Scheme and section 2 of the Student Support Act 2011. To satisfy the terms and conditions of the student grant scheme in relation to progression, a student must be moving from year to year within a course, having successfully completed the previous year or be transferring from one course to another where the award for the subsequent course is of a higher level than the previous course.
Generally speaking, a grant will not be paid to a student for a repeat period of study on the same course, or for a different course at the same level, irrespective of whether or not a grant was paid previously. The objective of this policy is to help as many students as possible to obtain one qualification at each level of study. However, once a student progresses to a course at a higher level or completes the equivalent period of study on a new course, the student may be eligible for student grant assistance for the remainder of the course. Article 15(7) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021 refers.
Notwithstanding this, under Article 15(8) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021, the awarding authority SUSI has discretion to award a grant for a repeat period of study in exceptional circumstances, such as serious certified illness, which impacted on a student completing a particular period of study or undertaking exams in line with guidelines drawn up by the Minister.
SUSI treats each application for repeat funding on a case by case basis and it is it is a matter for the individual student to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the awarding authority that there were exceptional circumstances.
The Student Grant Scheme also contains a “second chance” provision whereby mature students who previously attended but did not successfully complete a course who are returning in order to pursue an approved course at PLC, undergraduate or postgraduate level in the relevant academic year following a break in studies of at least five years may be assessed for grant assistance. Article 13(6) of the Student Grant Scheme 2021 refers.
Also the €200 PLC Participant Contribution was abolished for all students under Budget 2022, effective from the 2022/23 academic year.
336. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether it is fair that a person can be refused a SUSI grant with the reason for disqualification being that capital allowances are not allowed against calculating income for SUSI grants, considering this is particularly unfair on self-employed persons and the same write-off process is permitted when calculating returns to the Revenue Commissioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55357/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Student Grant Scheme, administered by SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland), provides grant assistance to students attending an approved course in an approved institution who meet the prescribed conditions of funding, including those relating to nationality, residency, previous academic attainment and means.
The means test arrangements of the Student Grant Scheme are applied nationally. Student grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period. In the case of both employed and self-employed applicants, gross income, before deduction of income tax or universal social charge, is assessed with certain specified social welfare and health service executive payments excluded.
The assessment of means under the Student Grant Scheme is based on gross income from all sources. Therefore, all income is assessed from the same starting point, eliminating any distortion which might arise from different spending decisions.
Article 23 of the Student Grant Scheme 2021 deals with the determination of reckonable income. In calculating reckonable income no account is taken of capital assets. Therefore no deduction is given for capital expenditure, regardless of how it is treated for income tax purposes.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. The fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie .
337. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of full-time gardaí currently based in Rathcoole Garda station by rank. [55251/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended) for the management and administration of Garda business, including the recruitment and training of Garda members and staff. The Commissioner is also responsible, under Section 33 of the Act, for the distribution of the Garda Síochána throughout the State. As Minister, I play no role in these independent functions.
I am advised, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continuous review to ensure their optimum use in light of a number of factors, including but not limited to, operational demand, emerging crime trends etc.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities that Rathcoole Garda Station is part of the Clondalkin District and is located in the Dublin Metropolitan Region (DMR) West Division. As of the 31 October 2021, the latest date for when figures are available, DMR West has a total strength of 746 members of all ranks assigned. This is an increase of 58 members, or almost 8.5%, since the end of 2015.
The following table provides the breakdown of members assigned by station to the Clondalkin District as of 31 October 2021 by rank for the Deputy's information.
|
STATION |
SUP |
INSP |
SGT |
GDA |
TOTAL |
|
BALLYFERMOT |
2 |
12 |
64 |
78 |
|
|
CLONDALKIN |
1 |
6 |
11 |
94 |
112 |
|
RATHCOOLE |
1 |
17 |
18 |
||
|
- |
1 |
8 |
24 |
175 |
208 |
338. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice the number of members of An Garda Síochána by each rank in each of the years 2010 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [55252/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is by law responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including personnel matters and deployment of resources. As Minister, I have no role in these independent functions. I am assured, however, that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
The budget provided by Government to the Garda Commissioner continues to increase to unprecedented levels, with an allocation of €1.952 billion for 2021. Budget 2022 provides over €2 billion in funding. This significant investment by the government has allowed for sustained and ongoing investment into An Garda Síochána and into recruitment of new Gardaí. Budget 2022 provides for funding to recruit an additional 800 Garda members in 2022.
The table below details the number of members per rank by year for the timeframe requested. Please note that figures for 2021 are valid as of 31 October 2021, the latest date for when information is available.
339. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1390 of 27 July 2021, if she will provide the corresponding figures for the Roscommon/Longford division and the Galway division respectively; the numbers in each station appointed to specialist units; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [55285/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes the deployment and stationing of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no role in this independent function.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that 161 Garda members in Galway Division and 37 Garda members in Roscommon/Longford Division are assigned to specialist units. The attached tables outline the number of Garda members assigned to each specialist unit in each Division as requested by the Deputy.
A further spreadsheet is also attached, which sets out the number of Gardaí assigned to each District in the Roscommon/Longford and Galway Divisions as at 31 October 2021, the latest date for when figures are available.
Information in relation to the number of Garda members assigned to each Garda Division, can be found on my Department's website at the following link:
www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Workforce
Details in relation to the number of Garda civilian staff assigned to each Garda Division are also available on my Department's website at the following link: justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/Garda_Staff
[<a ref=https://data.oireachtas.ie/ie/oireachtas/debates/questions/supportingDocumentation/2021-11-11_pq339-11-11-21_en.docx>Specialist Units Galway Division</a>]
