Paul Kehoe
Ceist:242. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48965/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (242)
Freagraí scríofa
An application for a Free Travel Companion Pass was received from the person concerned in September 2022. This application was forwarded to the Department's Medical Advisor for decision.
The Department's Medical Advisor has found that a Free Travel Companion Pass is warranted on the basis of the medical evidence supplied.
The person concerned has been awarded the Companion Free Travel and has been notified in writing of the decision. The person concerned should receive, within 7-10 days, a new Public Services Card which will indicate that they have an entitlement to a Free Travel Companion Pass.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (243)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:243. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection when an invalidity pension claim awarded on appeal for a person (details supplied) will go into payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48968/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 07 April 2022 and will receive his first payment to his nominated bank account on 06 October 2022. Any arrears due from 07 April 2022 to 05 October 2022 will issue in due course. The person in question was notified of this decision on 03 October 2022.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Ceisteanna (244)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:244. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a State pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48969/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned reached pension age on 13 May 2020. Their application for State pension (contributory) was received on 6 September 2022.
According to the records of my Department, they have a total of 1,014 qualifying paid and credited social insurance contributions which equates to a yearly average of 21 contributions. This gives entitlement to standard State Pension (contributory) of €215.70 from 07 March 2022 which is 85% of the maximum rate. They were notified of this decision in writing on 30 September 2022.
The award date of 07 March 2022 allows for the maximum backdating of six months from the date of receipt of the original application.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
State Pensions
Ceisteanna (245)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a pro-rata State pension (contributory) by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48970/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned reached pension age on 17 March 2022. An application for the State Pension Contributory was received on 6 April 2022. The person concerned has a total of 652 reckonable paid and credited contributions. A homemakers disregard has also been applied from 01 September 1997 to 09 February 2007. This gives them a yearly average of 16 contributions. giving them an entitlement to the State Pension (contributory) at the weekly rate of €165.10 from 17 March 2022. They were notified in writing of this decision on 03 October 2022.
A copy of the person’s contribution record and an application on their behalf was forwarded to the Department for Work and Pensions in the UK on 7 June 2022. On receipt of information from the UK, their entitlement to a pro-rata pension will be examined and they will be notified of the decision in due course.I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (246)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:246. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for a carer’s allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48975/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 13 September 2022.
The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (247)
Bríd Smith
Ceist:247. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection the details of any contracts or services procured by her Department with top security, including any that are subcontracted to top security; the value of such contracts since 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49005/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has held no contracts or sub-contracts with Top Security since 2015, and has not engaged their services.
Recycling Policy
Ceisteanna (248)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:248. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection if all her Department’s buildings have recycling arrangements in place; if not, the steps that are being taken to ensure that the recycling of workplace waste is facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49553/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection is committed to ensuring responsible management of resources over their life cycle and the appropriate disposal of workplace waste.
Recycling, organic waste, and general waste collection services are in operation in each Departmental location. In addition to individual desktop paper recycling trays available to staff, there are segregated bins on each office floor and in canteens for recycling, organic waste, and general waste.
My Department uses confidential document-shredding services which double-shred documents prior to their being recycled as paper pulp. The collection and recycling of electrical goods is facilitated through Waste Electrical Electronic and Equipment (WEEE) Recycling Specialists. There are also arrangements in place for the collection of batteries and printer cartridges.
Through regular communications to all staff, my Department’s Climate Action Unit raises environmental awareness and encourages responsible resource usage, including recycling, throughout the organisation. This work is supported by the Department’s Green Teams, which have been established to promote Green initiatives and sustainable practices at local level.
Parental Leave
Ceisteanna (249)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:249. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to extend parental leave for children over 13 years in order that parents have the choice to be with their older children when the need arises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48849/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There have been significant advances in the provision of family leaves in recent years. Parental leave is one of a range of measures supporting parents to reconcile family and working life.
Under the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’.
In addition to unpaid leave, the suite of paid leaves has also been expanded in recent years. The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended), provides working parents with an entitlement to seven weeks of paid parent’s leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
The intention of this leave is to enable parents to spend time with their child in the earliest years. In line with the EU Work Life Balance Directive 2019/1158, the leave is non-transferable between parents to ensure that both parents are encouraged and supported in taking time out from work to bond with their child. This is further supported through the provision of Parent’s Benefit.
On 21 April the Government gave its approval for the drafting of a Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, the Bill was approved on 19 September 2022 and will be introduced to the Houses of the Oireachtas shortly. The main purpose of the proposed legislation is to transpose elements of the EU Work Life Balance Directive and provide new rights to parents and carers in order to support a better work life balance.
Under the proposed legislation, parents and carers will see a right to request flexible working in line with Article 9 of the Directive and the introduction of five days leave per year for medical care purposes in line with Article 6. The Bill will also extend the current entitlement to breastfeeding/lactation breaks under the Maternity Protection Acts from six months to two years. The proposals will complement family leave and other entitlements already in place and provide additional flexibility to ensure that parents and carers can be supported to balance their working and family lives.
Provisions relating to family leave entitlements are kept under review to ensure that they are effective and respond to the needs of families. Mindful of the recent significant increase in family leave entitlements, the Government has no plans to make any further amendments to parental leave entitlements.
Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
Ceisteanna (250)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:250. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022; and when the Bill will be introduced for debate in Dáil Éireann. [48666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I am focused on delivering the Scheme as soon as possible. It is my intention to bring the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill to Government seeking publication and presentation to the Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
I referred the Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth at the end of March for pre-legislative scrutiny. Officials from my Department appeared before the Committee as part of the scrutiny process. I received the Committee's report on the 12th July and I am very grateful to the members for giving the draft legislation their careful attention. The Committee’s recommendations have been carefully considered in the course of drafting the Bill.
Ukraine War
Ceisteanna (251, 252)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:251. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a national breakdown of the number of accommodation places that each local authority has secured and made available to refugees from Ukraine in each month since February 2022 by local authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48669/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIvana Bacik
Ceist:252. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a national breakdown of the number of offers of accommodation that have been received by local authorities from members of the public for refugees from Ukraine to Ireland since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine in February 2022, by local authority; the number of these that have been secured and made available to Ukrainian families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48670/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 251 and 252 together.
Since 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 50,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 39,000 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.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response. The scale of response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed an incredible level of generosity in their support and pledges of accommodation.
I thank the Deputy for the clarification that she provided to my officials specifying that this question relates to pledged accommodation only.
I can inform the Deputy of the overall position with regard to the involvement of the local authorities in activation of pledged accommodation.
A total of 10,485 properties were notified to Local Authorities and NGOs working with them to activate them.
Of these, 5,377 can been excluded because they have been subsequently withdrawn, uncontactable or otherwise deemed unsuitable when investigated. Of the remaining pledges a total of 5,108, 1,680 have been taken up by beneficiaries with the remainder still being progressed by implementation partners, both Local Authorities and NGOs where this is possible. It is expected that not all of those remaining pledges will result in beneficiary placement for various reasons. There are over 4,500 beneficiaries in pledged accommodation to date and this increases every day.
1,680 properties have been activated, as set out below.
|
Local Authorities and NGO Overview |
Total Properties Sent |
TOTAL Pledges Activated* |
|
Carlow County Council |
144 |
12 |
|
Cavan County Council |
200 |
6 |
|
Clare County Council |
357 |
10 |
|
Cork City Council |
267 |
19 |
|
Cork County Council |
1093 |
78 |
|
Donegal County Council |
390 |
7 |
|
Dublin City Council |
776 |
242 |
|
South Dublin County Council |
327 |
128 |
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown County Council |
489 |
74 |
|
Fingal Council |
346 |
96 |
|
Galway City |
63 |
45 |
|
Galway County Council |
539 |
37 |
|
Kerry County Council |
378 |
42 |
|
Kildare |
559 |
62 |
|
Kilkenny |
221 |
45 |
|
Laois |
171 |
10 |
|
Leitrim |
106 |
15 |
|
Limerick County Council |
393 |
61 |
|
Longford |
99 |
5 |
|
Louth |
249 |
14 |
|
Mayo |
348 |
34 |
|
Meath |
529 |
70 |
|
Monaghan |
152 |
6 |
|
Offaly |
142 |
7 |
|
Roscommon |
186 |
13 |
|
Sligo |
186 |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
369 |
50 |
|
Waterford |
282 |
119 |
|
Westmeath |
197 |
9 |
|
Wexford |
461 |
108 |
|
Wicklow |
466 |
40 |
|
Total |
10,485 |
1,467 |
|
Other Overview |
||
|
Independently Arranged reported to IRC |
213 |
|
|
Other Total |
213 |
|
|
Grand Total |
1,680 |
*Activation refers to placement of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection into pledged properties
Question No. 252 answered with Question No. 251.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (253)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:253. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects childminders to be added to the national childcare scheme and therefore those who avail of their services can benefit from the reduction in fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48712/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 sets out a plan for extending State support and regulation to childminding on a phased basis over the coming years. The overall objective of the Action Plan is to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding.
A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. The National Childcare Scheme is only available to providers who are registered with Tusla, which is the statutory regulator for both early learning and care and school-age childcare. Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children or seven children of any age, are required to register with Tusla and can access the subsidies for parents.
A programme of actions is already under way during Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding to support a much wider cohort of childminders to come into the scope of regulation and supports. Actions under way include the development of new, childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home environment in which childminders work, as well as the development of new, bespoke training for childminders.
The National Action Plan for Childminding commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements. Phase 1 of the Action Plan, which began in 2021, is expected to take 2 – 3 years to complete.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (254)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:254. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will introduce alternative ways for those parents who utilise a childminder to avail of the reduction in childcare fees announced in Budget 2023 while parents wait for childminders to be added to the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48713/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate. This limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children or seven children of any age, are required to register with Tusla and can access the subsidies for parents. While only a small number of childminders are currently required to register with Tusla under the Child Care Act 1991, it is intended that the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 will result in the opening up of the National Childcare Scheme to a much wider cohort of childminders.
A programme of actions is already under way during Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding to support childminders to come into the scope of regulation and supports. Actions under way include the development of new, childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home environment in which childminders work, as well as the development of new, bespoke training for childminders. Actions are also being undertaken through City / County Childcare Committees (including the Childminding Development Officers) and through the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations to support childminders who can already register with Tusla to do so and to access National Childcare Scheme subsidies.
Departmental Staff
Ceisteanna (255)
Michael McNamara
Ceist:255. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons within his Department who are working remotely on a part-time or full-time basis in County Clare in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48729/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has introduced a blended working policy which provides for staff to apply for blended working. Under this policy staff are required to attend the office 2 days per week, as agreed with head of unit and remote working is not available on a 100% basis. One employee, who has been approved for blended working has identified a designated remote workstation in Co Clare.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (256)
Ivana Bacik
Ceist:256. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to reports that some autistic children are effectively excluded from ECCE funding in cases in which they are in receipt of funds from the Department of Education for autism services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48754/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Many children with disabilities, including autism, take part in mainstream early learning and care services. Participation of children with disabilities in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) universal pre-school programme in mainstream early learning and care services is supported by the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM).
The key objective of AIM is to support early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that children with a disability can fully participate in the ECCE Programme, thereby reaping the benefits of quality preschool provision.
Aside from this mainstream provision, the Department of Education supports a limited range of other pre-school provision, including:
- Autism/ASD Early Intervention classes in mainstream and special schools
- The Home Tuition Grant Scheme
- Early Start
Generally children availing of ECCE are not eligible to access other pre-school provision funded by the Department of Education (DE) at the same time.
In certain circumstances, children availing of the Department of Education (DE) Home Tuition Grant Scheme may also access a pre-school service supported by the ECCE programme. In this instance the number of hours in ECCE is reduced by the number of hours spent in Home Tuition.
These measures are in place to avoid double funding for the same provision and having regard to the best interests of young children with additional needs who may not be best served by spending long periods of the day in specialist/EY provision.
If a service or parent requires further information and guidance on any of my Departments’ childcare funding programmes I would advise them to contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC). Contact details for CCCs can be found at www.myccc.ie
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (257)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:257. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will list the private foster-care companies that are contracted to Tusla for the purposes of sourcing, vetting and supporting foster carers; and the amount paid to each company for each of the years 2020 and 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [48775/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for her question, and can confirm that I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for their direct reply.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (258)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:258. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Health Information and Quality Authority has a role in oversight of private foster care companies contracted to Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48776/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Health Act 2007 established the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and the Office of the Chief Inspector of Social Services. HIQA, set up by the Department of Health and independent in its functions, was established to drive high-quality and safe care for people using health and social care services in Ireland.In relation to my Department, HIQA is authorised, under Section 69 of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended by Section 26 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, to inspect Tusla children's residential services, child protection and welfare services, and foster cares services, including private foster care services provided on behalf of Tusla. Compliance is assessed under the Health Act 2007 (as amended).HIQA plays a vital role in providing assurance regarding Tusla services, inclusive of private foster care companies contracted by Tusla. In the context of monitoring standards, HIQA may develop inspection protocols as tools to assist in the monitoring process. HIQA publishes inspection reports, including in relation to private foster care, which are reviewed by my Department as part of a general root cause analysis of services. It is important that, in conjunction with Tusla and other agencies, we identify what part policy, resources and local management contribute to the standard of services for vulnerable children and act on these findings. HIQA reports are an important and integral part of this process.All services for children in care are inspected regularly against the HIQA National Standards. The National Standards were developed to ensure the delivery of safe and effective service provision. When HIQA carries out an inspection Tusla are informed of the findings by way of an inspection report.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (259, 260)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:259. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons that are in receipt of the universal subsidy under the national childcare scheme. [48791/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraKathleen Funchion
Ceist:260. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in receipt of the means tested subsidy under the national childcare scheme. [48792/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 259 and 260 together.
The Department has secured a landmark €1.025 billion in funding under Budget 2023 for early learning and childcare. This includes additional funding of €121m for the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) which has been allocated to reduce average parental co-payments for early learning and childcare by 25%.
From 2 January 2023, all families accessing registered early learning and childcare will receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of €1.40. With the current minimum hourly NCS universal subsidy set at €0.50 per hour, this represents an additional €0.90 per hour off the cost of early learning and childcare.
In September 2022, there were 43,163 children in receipt of the income accessed subsidy and 23,640 in receipt of the universal subsidy under the National Childcare Scheme.
Question No. 260 answered with Question No. 259.
Human Rights
Ceisteanna (261)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:261. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the recent statement by United Nations human rights experts expressing concern over the lack of adequate redress for systemic racism and racial discrimination in Irish childcare institutions has been brought to his attention; if he will bring forward additional measures to compensate the children who experienced this racism and discrimination; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48811/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am aware of the recent UN statement and I would like to reassure the Deputy that the Government takes its responsibility to investigate and address historic wrongs and allegations of human rights abuses very seriously. Since 1999, Ireland has undertaken investigations into allegations of abuse in several institutional settings. These investigations have sought to establish the facts relating to the operation of the institutions, as well as the manner in which those who were resident in them were treated.
In establishing the independent statutory Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in February 2015, the then Government sought to ensure an independent and thorough investigation of what happened to vulnerable women and children in these institutions during the period 1922 to 1998. Notably, the Commission was specifically tasked with investigating concerns related to systematic discrimination within these institutions.
Following publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, An Taoiseach offered a formal apology on behalf of the Government, the State and its citizens to all those who spent time in these institutions. In this apology, An Taoiseach acknowledged the failings of the State, over many decades, to protect vulnerable citizens, and to uphold their fundamental rights. The State apology recognised the “additional impact which a lack of knowledge and understanding had on the treatment and outcomes of mothers and children with different racial and cultural heritage, those who faced mental health challenges, or those with physical and intellectual disabilities”.
It was further acknowledged that “such discriminatory attitudes exacerbated the shame and stigma felt by some of our most vulnerable citizens, especially where opportunities for non-institutional placement of children were restricted by an unjust belief that they were unsuitable for placement with families”.
This State apology marked a starting point for further measures designed to address the needs and concerns of survivors and their families.
I am acutely aware that there is no financial payment which could make up for the immense pain and suffering endured by so many of our citizens whose lives have been affected by these issues.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is just one aspect of the overall redress package of supports and measures set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Homes Institutions which seeks to provide an inclusive and enduring response to the priority needs of all survivors.
The proposed structure of the Scheme, with increasing financial payments depending on length of stay, recognises that higher payments should be made to those who were subjected to institutional conditions for a prolonged period.
This allows for a simple and non-adversarial application process, in which applicants will not have to prove abuse and the State can shoulder much of the administrative burden.
My Department and other state authorities are working to ensure survivors see tangible results as early as possible.