Written Answers Nos. 81-100
81. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he will take to provide accommodation for the Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27630/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
My Department is focused on providing short-term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Some 23,000 people have been referred for accommodation from my Department to date.
My Department has contracted approximately 17,800 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings with additional capacity also being pursued through accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, student accommodation, religious order properties and Local Authority facilities.
Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge. In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
My Department sits on the cross-sectoral and cross-departmental Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce which is chaired by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, and which is leading cross government consideration and development of medium and long-term accommodation solutions. Advancing these properties will involve further engagement with all relevant stakeholders.
82. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that his Department has made on enabling rights, following Ireland’s ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28410/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007.
Ireland's approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of progressive realisation - each year moving forward on key reforms, with the obligations arising from the Convention being met over time. Initial priority has been given to meeting legislative commitments and requirements.
Ireland submitted its Initial State Report on the implementation of the UNCRPD to the UN Committee in November 2021, following extensive consultation with persons with disabilities, disabled persons organisations, representative organisations, and families. My Department is currently awaiting a review date from the UN Committee to evaluate progress made to date. The review was originally anticipated to occur in 2022. However, this has been postponed due to backlogs at UN level. There is no indication at this time on a likely date for Ireland’s appearance at the Committee.
My Department coordinates delivery of two whole-of-government national strategies, which aim to support delivery of Ireland's obligations under the UNCRPD.
Firstly, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), contains 123 actions to support effective progress in meeting the needs of people with disabilities in Ireland. Implementation of the NDIS is monitored in regular NDIS Steering Group meetings through a reporting system which requires Government Departments and Agencies to detail their progress biannually. The group is supported by independent analysis and advice from the National Disability Authority (NDA).
Secondly, the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES), is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It is a cross-government approach, bringing together actions by Government Departments and Agencies to address the barriers and challenges to the employment of persons with disabilities. Implementation of the CES is undertaken through agreed action plans and is monitored by an Implementation Group with an independent chairperson.
While there is still much work to be done, important progress has been made in implementing the UNCRPD to date. This includes the formation of a number of whole-of-government working groups to address specific challenges in areas such as transitions across state services, transport and the use of assistive technologies. Various policy actions and financial supports have also been introduced under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy to address the specific challenges faced by persons with disabilities in accessing equal employment. The introduction of the Access and Inclusion Model for early learning and care and the legal recognition granted to Irish Sign Language are also key achievements.
On 1st May this year I introduced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022 to the Dáil, and will work with colleagues to see the law passed before the end of the summer session. This will be a key step in Ireland's realisation of the Convention, and will introduce a number of important legislative reforms, such as the abolition of wardship and the establishment of new, rights based decision support arrangements, a doubling of the statutory minimum targets for the employment of persons with disabilities, legislating for IHREC's role as the monitoring body for the UNCRPD, and removing references to persons of "unsound mind" standing for election.
83. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy to deliver increased domestic violence refuge provision across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for highlighting this matter. I have spoken to the House on this issue previously. I am aware of the importance and need for refuge provision across the country.
The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross-Departmental and multi-agency issue.
With input from the Taoiseach, Minister McEntee and I have worked intensively with our officials on the Audit of the segmentation of Government’s response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence and how the results of that Audit fits with the, soon to be published, Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence .
As a result of those discussions and in response to the Audit, it has been agreed that the Department of Justice will be the lead Department with responsibility for responding to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence, and that responsibility for policy, accommodation and services will also sit within the Department of Justice. Tusla will continue to have responsibility for accommodation and services while the new administrative arrangements are put in place.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency provides supports for victims of domestic violence primarily through funded NGO service providers.
In 2021, Tusla allocated €28m in core funding for DSGBV services plus €2m in contingency funding to address challenges arising from COVID-19.
Overall funding of measures to deal with Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence has increased from €23.8m in 2018 to approximately €31m in 2022. Funding in 2022 will support services to address cost pressures and maintain continuity of services.
Tusla published it's ‘Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence’ in mid February of this year. The Review assesses distribution of safe emergency accommodation and examined the level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities.
An Inter-Departmental Group, led by a senior official in the Department of Justice, has been established to examine the physical delivery of refuge accommodation, identify obstructions to delivery, address the perception of significant delays in provision and identify how they can be shortened.
Priority areas have been identified where there is greatest urgency in achieving safe accommodation for victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence. There will be engagement with local authorities, Government departments and State agencies to source refuge provision. Work continues with partners to improve access to services and supports for victims.
84. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that Tusla is not paying the pandemic bonus payment to its staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28430/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Special Recognition Payment is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health. Following the Government decision in January on this matter, I understand that the HSE published eligibility guidelines for the payment in April and the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for other particular healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision. Tusla and other public service employees were not included in the Government decision and accordingly are not considered to be eligible for the payment.
97. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans to establish a Just Transition Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28478/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to a just transition in order to ensure that nobody is left behind as we strive to transition to a climate neutral economy. The significant structural changes required across large parts of the economy will affect different groups in society in different ways, and tailored and targeted responses are required to ensure that this transition is fair and equitable for all and that existing inequalities are not exacerbated. The Climate Action Plan 2021 (CAP 2021) sets out a just transition framework to guide our approach to implementing our climate action policies. The framework is made up of four principles:
1. An integrated, structured, and evidence-based approach to identify and plan our response to just climate transition requirements.
2. People are equipped with the right skills to be able to participate in and benefit from the future net-zero economy.
3. The costs are shared so that the impact is equitable and existing inequalities are not exacerbated.
4. Social dialogue to ensure impacted citizens and communities are empowered and are core to the transition process.
Under CAP 2021, the Government has also committed to establishing a statutory Just Transition Commission. To inform the approach for the legislation, I am developing a policy approach for the mandate of the proposed Commission. I envisage that the Commission will support the Government in implementing its climate policies through:
1. Monitoring progress and making recommendations in relation to the implementation of the just transition framework across Government.
2. Commissioning research, and identifying research needs, in order to facilitate evidence-based decision making across Government regarding a just transition.
3. Providing advice and support to the Minister and Government in relation to stakeholder participation and dialogue in a manner which effectively integrates just transition considerations.
4. Examining just transition challenges arising in specific sectors and developing recommendations on potential solutions to address these challenges. I intend to engage further with stakeholders during the coming months, to further inform the Government's approach to the proposed legislation. I expect to be in a position to bring forward the General Scheme of the required legislation by the end of this year.
98. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the knowledge that he had that Inland Fisheries Ireland had 16 uninsured vehicles on the road at the time that one was involved in an accident on 10 August 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28414/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of motor insurance for its vehicles is an operational matter for Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI). Neither I nor my Department have any role. IFI has established a specific email address for queries from Oireachtas members so that queries can be addressed promptly, in line with IFI’s objective to deliver services to the highest standards. The email address is oireachtas@fisheriesireland.ie
99. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications the progress that has been made rolling out low-cost initiatives that can help families reduce costs and greenhouse gas emissions which can be quickly rolled out such as heat controls, public electric vehicle chargers, utilisation of smart meters and so on. [28308/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the impact of rising energy prices on people and families and Government has taken significant action, in particular, to provide enhanced energy efficiency upgrades to those most at risk of energy poverty.
The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) operate a number of energy efficiency upgrade schemes on behalf of my Department and support for Heating Controls is available under the Better Energy Homes Scheme. All homeowners whose homes were built and occupied before 2011 can apply for the €700 grant to upgrade their heating controls.
In addition, over 750,000 smart meters have now been installed. With 1.1 million meter installations due to be reached by end 2022, Ireland has now achieved a critical mass. Since smart services went live last year customers can now sign up for time of use tariffs. To further the benefits of this critical public infrastructure, under the National Energy Security Framework, the Commission for the Regulation of Utilities (CRU) will leverage the successful roll out of the National Smart Meter Programme to provide electricity customers with access to their data and greater insight into their consumption patterns, thus enabling them to select the most appropriate tariff.
The Government’s draft EV Charging Infrastructure Strategy, currently out for public consultation, promotes the rollout of publicly accessible charging points for EVs. It focuses on meeting the needs of EV owners who are unable to home charge, as well as top-up charging at destinations and on major routes. Work is currently being progressed to expand the EV home charger grant to include shared parking in apartment blocks and similar developments. The Department of Transport is working closely with the SEAI and expects a scheme for apartments to open in the near future.
100. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications his plans in relation to financing the post office network into the future. [28528/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Post is a commercial State body with a mandate to act commercially. It has statutory responsibility for the State’s postal service and the post office network. Decisions relating to the network, including those in relation to the size, distribution and future of the network are operational matters for the Board and management of the company. An Post will continue to actively seek and win new business and to explore opportunities to develop new or enhanced product lines for the network.
The Government is committed to a sustainable An Post and post office network as a key component of the economic and social infrastructure throughout Ireland. In line with this commitment in the Programme for Government, I secured Government approval this week for a funding intervention which will see €10m/annum distributed by An Post to the Post Office Network for the next three years, subject to state aid approval.
This is the first time Government has agreed to introduce such a package. The funding will aim to ensure access for all our communities to important services of social value across the Post Office network. These include banking services, social welfare and State savings as well as SME services and support. It will also seek to support a network of sufficient scale across the country with currently around 900 Post Offices providing these essential services nationwide.
This intervention by Government will provide certainty for Postmasters, their families and their communities in terms of any business decisions Postmasters need to make about their future. The funding will afford An Post more time to develop new commercial strategies and services that can support the viability of the network. The Transformation Agreement reached between An Post and the IPU in 2018 will continue be implemented and this proposal is without prejudice to the terms of that agreement.
