Written Answers Nos. 371-380
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Written Answers Nos. 371-380
371. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the appropriate level of State pension (non-contributory) available, if any, in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33557/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office on 21 April 2022. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 10 May 2022.
The case was referred to an Appeals Officer on 12 May 2022, who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if necessary, hold an oral hearing.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
372. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an organisational chart for the IPAS service including details of the section or sections with responsibility for Ukrainian citizens displaced due to the war and including contact details for public representatives to use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33364/22]
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.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months. My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here.
To date, more than 35,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 25,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation. While this is not ideal, the priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
I can confirm to the Deputy that within my Department, a dedicated Ukraine Response Division has been newly established. The team includes more than 80 staff. The majority of these staff have moved from within the Department with consequent impacts on ongoing work priorities. The Division also includes new staff and those seconded from other Departments and Agencies.
I want to recognise the hard work and commitment of Department staff in providing accommodation for so many people in such a short period, as well as maintaining work progress in other key areas. Many staff have volunteered their own time, at night and on weekends, to work in the welcome centre in Citywest to provide that immediate welcome to people fleeing Ukraine as they arrive here.
I want to acknowledge the staff from other Departments also working in Citywest - including those from the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Justice as well as medical staff from the HSE.
My Department and its staff will continue in their efforts to assist those arriving as best they can.
Public Representatives can contact ukrainetempaccom@equality.gov.ie.
The main units and workstreams of the Ukraine Programme Management office are detailed below:
Ukraine Programme Management Office – Workstreams
|
Reporting and Data Management |
Coordination and Management |
Communications and Stakeholders |
Policy, Governance and Parliamentary Affairs |
Pledge Project |
Procurement |
Reception and Movement Infrastructure |
Accommodation Operations |
373. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for a reduction in the contribution to the ECCE scheme (details supplied); if this can be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33295/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Deputy refers to the ECCE scheme I am informed the query relates to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).
The NCS is an initiative of my Department, the day to day operation of which is carried out by Pobal, in its role of NCS Scheme Administrator.
My Department has referred this query to Pobal, who have advised that the change to the subsidy award was based on changes in the total income, child’s age and education stage. The income figures were assessed on figures provided by Revenue and DEASP. The applicant has opted for a manual assessment, which will allow the applicant to provide their own proof of income which may differ from the figures provided by both Revenue and DEASP.
There is a dedicated support centre for parents who have queries in relation to the NCS. Parents can contact the Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530, Monday to Friday 9am-5pm, or to visit www.ncs.gov.ie
A number of extensions to the NCS were announced in the last Budget. Firstly, from 2 May, the NCS no longer deducts hours spent in pre-school, or school, from NCS awards. This means that parents may use their full awarded subsidised NCS hours.
Secondly, from 22 August 2022, the upper age eligibility for the NCS Universal Award will change from 3 years to 15 years. This means that the minimum rate for an NCS Award will be raised to 50 cents for all children under 15, which for full time childcare equates to a parental subsidy of over €1, 100 per annum.
374. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the roll-out of the baby bundle scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33365/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the national roll-out of the baby bundle will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33366/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
Following my recent announcement of the First 5 Little Baby Bundle Pilot Scheme, my Department are now overseeing a procurement process for a Managing Agent to design the bundle, procure its contents, to handle storage and coordinate delivery.
We hope to have a managing agent in place to deliver this pilot scheme in the autumn. Expectant parents at the maternity wards in the Rotunda Hospital and University Hospital Waterford will be invited to sign up at their 20-22 week antenatal scan, with the earliest pilot Bundles delivered in December 2022.
My Department are currently in the process of finalising a Request for Tenders (RfT) for an Evaluation Partner to evaluate the First 5 Little Baby Bundle Pilot Scheme, to measure the impact of the Bundle, and to examine whether the Bundle is suitable for a wider roll-out. We hope to have initial findings from the Evaluation Partner in the summer of next year.
376. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to abolish direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33399/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Programme for Government, a commitment was made to replace the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants with a new model based on a non-for profit approach. As part of this process I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service. This White Paper outlines the proposed new model of accommodation and supports that will be offered to applicants for International Protection and is the result of an extensive consultation process with Civil Society Organisations, residents of Direct Provision centres, and other Government Departments and Bodies.
The new system is based on a series of principles which is centred on a human rights approach with a focus on dignity, respect and privacy for all. The new model will co-ordinate a two phase system of accommodation and supports that ensures people who are applying for protection are helped integrate into Ireland from day one, with health, housing, education, and employment supports at the core of the new system. All families will be offered own-door accommodation, while single people will be offered own-room accommodation. Congregated accommodation settings will be phased out and the accommodation will be managed by independent not-for-profit organisations operating on behalf of the State.
Since the publication of the White Paper my department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection. The progress to date has included:
- Establishment of a dedicated transition team within my department to drive implementation of the programme;
- Development of a detailed implementation plan including inputs from other key stakeholders who have a responsibility for delivering services to International Protection applicants;
- Governance structures established to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee. The membership of the Programme Board includes a representative with lived experience of International Protection and representatives of non-governmental organisations. The Board has met regularly over the past twelve months to review progress;
- Significant progress has been made on the establishment of the new accommodation model. This work has involved working very closely with the Housing Agency in the development of detailed policy advice papers including an acquisition policy, an ownership model and a funding model. Proposals in relation to the ownership model were brought to the Programme Board in November 2021 and approved by myself in January 2022. Work is also ongoing to develop a funding model for Approved Housing Bodies to support them in building a pipeline of Phase Two accommodation.
- The County and City Management Association has developed and approved a Local Authority allocation key. The key allows for a distribution of applicants across the country according to population criteria. DCEDIY and the Housing Agency are using the allocation key to identify suitable properties for purchase for Phase Two accommodation.
- The Housing Agency has proceeded to source a range of properties for Phase Two accommodation and has acquired an initial number to date. Work to source and acquire properties will continue for the remainder of 2022.
- Work is also moving ahead on developing the system of income support that applicants will receive when moving into Phase Two accommodation. A policy paper has been developed and work is now proceeding to design the operational structures for the payment.
- The Transition Team is also developing an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper. In collaboration with the Local Authorities there has been a focus on designing the supports that will be required at a local level.
- Work is ongoing to launch an integration fund in the coming months which will fund civil society organisations to support the integration of International Protection applicants;
- Development of a Communication strategy including in February 2022 the launch of a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made in implementing the White Paper.
As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for implementation of the White Paper, as staff in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth were temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland’s obligations including members of the White Paper Transition Team. At the end of May upwards of 33,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive, and over 23,000 have been accommodated by the State.
Over the coming weeks, a review will be undertaken of project timelines with a view to presenting a revised implementation plan to the Programme Board. This will take account of the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the Ukraine crisis and will consider its impacts on project implementation.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the implementation of the new model is and will continue to be a key priority for my department.
377. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ban conversion therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33411/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, an objective I strongly support.
In addition, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland, and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022 commits to ensuring that the practice is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.
My Department recently commissioned research aimed at capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland. This qualitative research which commenced in February 2022 is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022, and will assist the Government in developing legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy. My Department will also look at international good practice in this regard.
378. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of persons who died while in the direct provision system in each of the past five years and to date in 2022. [33448/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm Deputy that from 2002 to 1 June, 2022, a total of 97 persons have died. In the past five years, from 2017 to 1 June 2022, 24 people have passed away in centres.
|
Year |
Deaths |
|
2017 |
3 |
|
2018 |
5 |
|
2019 |
3 |
|
2020 |
6 |
|
2021 |
8 |
|
2022 (to 1 June) |
2 |
Under the Critical Incident Policy, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) publish a statistical report on a bi-annual basis. This records the number of deaths that have occurred of IPAS residents for the previous six months. This includes the records of deaths to date, since the commencement of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA).
The figures for the first half of 2022 will be available publicly at the end of June 2022 and will be published on the IPAS website.
379. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children currently in direct provision. [33449/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to direct the Deputy to the table below. The numbers are set out by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of this Department. These figures were last received on Sunday, 19 June, 2022.
|
Accommodation Type |
Number of Children |
|
Balseskin Reception Centre |
79 |
|
IPAS Accommodation Centres |
1,995 |
|
Pre-reception centres |
492 |
|
Emergency Accommodation Centres |
251 |
|
Temporary Accommodation |
16 |
|
Total |
2,883 |
380. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of plans to legally ban conversion therapy. [33452/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, an objective I strongly support.
In addition, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland, and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022 commits to ensuring that the practice is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.
My Department recently commissioned research aimed at capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland. This qualitative research which commenced in February 2022 is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022, and will assist the Government in developing legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy. My Department will also look at international good practice in this regard.
