Written Answers Nos. 131-150
131. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in accommodation provided by the International Protection and Accommodation Service who have refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain; and if he will provide a breakdown of their location by county. [53643/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, please see below as requested, the number of persons in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) who have refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain, broken down by county:
|
County |
Number |
|
Cavan |
34 |
|
Clare |
213 |
|
Cork |
568 |
|
Dublin |
364 |
|
Donegal |
158 |
|
Galway City |
328 |
|
Kerry |
179 |
|
Kildare |
135 |
|
Laois |
168 |
|
Leitrim |
78 |
|
Limerick |
119 |
|
Longford |
20 |
|
Louth |
171 |
|
Mayo |
138 |
|
Meath |
528 |
|
Monaghan |
226 |
|
Offaly |
61 |
|
Sligo |
88 |
|
Tipperary |
202 |
|
Waterford |
195 |
|
Westmeath |
204 |
|
Wexford |
58 |
|
Wicklow |
246 |
|
TOTAL |
4,481 |
132. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 147 and 149 of 19 October 2022, if he will request the International Protection Accommodation Service to examine footage from the scene of the broken and caged windows (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53646/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, Thank you for your further correspondence in relation to this matter and I would like to assure you that the health and well-being of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority.
I can confirm that the property referred to in this Facebook video footage dated August 2022, has been inspected again on 19 October 2022 and the property does not have any broken windows or cages on the windows.
My Department received the referred to correspondence in August and the matter was fully investigated. The centre manager reported at that time that there was no broken window and that in addition to this, it was assured that any items which break are immediately fixed. It was also confirmed that there are no cages on windows. Due to an administrative oversight, the reply did not issue.
The accommodation centre had been inspected in March 2022 by an independent inspection company and as noted above a further inspection was carried out on 19 October 2022. Both inspections confirmed that there are no broken windows or cages on any windows in the property.
I trust this clarifies the matter Deputy.
133. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a commercial offer of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) has been examined by IPAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53658/22]
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 54,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 43,000 of those have been referred to this Department 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 34,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 550 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
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 priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The Department does not enter into commercial arrangements for individual private houses or apartments. These properties presently can be pledged to the Irish Red Cross via their online pledge system at registerofpledges.redcross.ie/#/, and there is a €400/month accommodation recognition payment available from Government for those who pledge accommodation.
For commercial properties, for logistical efficiency reasons, my Department requires a minimum of 15 bed spaces to proceed with a review of an offer of accommodation. If this is the case, the procurement division can be contacted directly at Ukraineaccommodation@equality.gov.ie.
I trust this information is of assistance.
134. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an external review of the investigation into mother-and-baby homes will be undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53667/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes operated entirely independently of Government. It conducted its investigations in accordance with Terms of Reference approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas and the legal framework provided by the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. It is not open to Government to retrospectively seek to alter or interrogate its findings or methodology.
The Final Report of the Commission describes in stark detail the egregious lack of respect for the dignity and rights of mothers and children who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The information gathered by the Commission remains of significant value to survivors and to our collective understanding of this part of our history. While this work undoubtedly added to our knowledge, it is by no means the end point in our engagement with the sad and complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions.
A Confidential Committee module was created alongside the Commission's inquisitorial process to allow those with lived experience of the institutions to provide their accounts as informally as possible. Although this was envisaged as a way to allow the truth as survivors wanted it told to emerge, I am mindful that this has not happened for many. I understand that many survivors are deeply unhappy with how the testimony they provided to the Confidential Committee was treated and presented.
I believe that a new process with the capacity to record, preserve and recognise survivors’ personal accounts presents an opportunity to address the concerns survivors have expressed. Such a process can restore choice and agency to survivors. The accounts will be housed in the National Centre for Research and Remembrance. This rightly places the lived experience of survivors at the heart of the official record in a very visible and powerful way.
This new initiative will focus on respectful recording and acknowledgement of the lived experiences of those who spent time in institutions. The process will have a statutory basis and operate with the consent of participants. Those who recounted their experiences to the Confidential Committee will have the option of permitting the reuse of this testimony and/or offering new or additional oral or written testimony. Importantly, the process will be underpinned by human rights principles and overseen by a team with expertise in human rights, trauma and memory, communications and oral history.
This initiative demonstrates the State’s willingness to hear and formally acknowledge the deeply personal accounts of survivors. I will bring specific proposals on the initiative to Government for approval by the end of the year, and will consult with survivors on those proposals.
135. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to any early years' services that have closed recently; the circumstances of those closures; and his views on the closures. [53702/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery year it is normal for some early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services to close while other new services open. Services close for a wide variety of reasons including retirement of owners or other personal circumstances.
Tusla is the independent statutory regulator for the sector. Services intending to close must notify Tusla within 28 days of closure. Data from Tusla on numbers of closures in recent months show that the number of closures this year is broadly in line with other years. Reasons for closure given to Tusla by service providers that have closed suggests considerable diversity in the reasons. While some services have closed for financial or regulatory reasons, many have closed for other reasons (e.g. retirement of the owner/manager).
The tables below set out the number of closures and new registrations to end September this year along with the year to date and full year figures for 2019 to 2021. It is important to note that year on year comparison for SAC services is not useful as initial registration of SAC services was only completed in 2021.
ELC service closures and new registrations year to date and full year:
|
ELC Closures |
ELC New Registrations |
|||||||
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
Jan- Sep |
155 |
173 |
122 |
130 |
69 |
71 |
53 |
63 |
|
Full Year |
196 |
197 |
141 |
n/a |
93 |
91 |
65 |
n/a |
SAC service closures and new registrations year to date and full year:
|
SAC Closures |
SAC New Registrations |
|||||
|
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
|
Jan- Sep |
11 |
17 |
57 |
315 |
935 |
204 |
|
Full Year |
13 |
23 |
n/a |
575 |
1,203 |
n/a |
138. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the types of funding available to ECCE, sessional early years' services; the current financial viability of those services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme.
Under Together for Better, ECCE sessional services who operate for 15 hours per week over 38 weeks per year can avail of ECCE capitation at a rate of €69 per registered child per week plus Core Funding at a rate of €9.75 per child place per week. Core Funding is payable whether or not the place is filled. The statutory regulations that apply for ECCE sessional services allow for a ratio of up to 11 children per adult. The ECCE scheme rules allow for up to 22 children (and two adults) in a session.
Additionally, if a lead educator of an ECCE session is a graduate with a relevant qualification and the necessary experience, an additional amount of €66.60 will be paid to the service per week. If there is a separate manager who is a graduate with a relevant qualification and the necessary experience a further €66.60 if available to the service per week.
AIM provides further investment in ECCE. Under AIM, a fully qualified Inclusion Co-ordinator (InCo) in an ECCE service receives an increase in the rate of capitation payable to the service of €2 (pro-rata), per ECCE registered child per week. For the programme call 2022/2023 to date (October 2022), 53% (2,063) of services delivering ECCE receive capitation for InCos.
Additional capitation is also paid to ECCE providers under AIM Level 7 to support inclusion of children by reducing the adult-child ratio within the ECCE room. In January 2021, the payments increased by 7% from €195 per week to €210 per week. A further increase of 7% in September 2022 increased AIM Level 7 capitation from €210 to €240 per week. For the programme call year 2022/2023 to date (October 2022), 53% (2,079) services delivering ECCE were paid for additional assistance, with a number of these services receiving more than one additional capitation.
ECCE-only services across the country form an integral part of the early learning and childcare system. Their exact operations can vary but typically, they open to children for 15 hours per week, 38 weeks per year.
Since the programme began in 2010, various developments to the ECCE programme between up to 2022 (related to capitation, ratios and non-contact time/programme support payments), demonstrate an increase in income of up to 22.6% for services without a graduate lead educator and 22% for services with a graduate lead educator. The introduction of Core Funding on top of ECCE standard capitation means up to €866.25 per week is now available for a session without a graduate lead educator (34.3% higher than in 2010) and up to €932.85 per week is now available for a session with a graduate lead educator (24.4% higher than in 2010).
The funding model for sessional services is now primarily a combination of the ECCE capitation they receive per child registered with them, including AIM, and the Core Funding grant services receive based on the capacity of their service and the qualifications levels of staff, as well as any optional extras they may charge parents such as an additional 30 minutes. A number of models of ECCE services and their associated funding are presented here:
first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Early-Years-Draft-EROs_Implications-for-ECCE-sessional-services.pdf
Under Core Funding, the overwhelming majority of services will see an increase in their funding, most will see very substantial increases, and no services will see a decrease in funding if their circumstances remain the same. ECCE services without a graduate lead educator will see capitation increase by at least 9.5% through Core Funding. ECCE services with a graduate lead educator will almost all see increases in income, although it may be smaller proportionally given the significant level of funding available under the old funding model.
A very small number of services, less than 100 of the over 4,000 signed-up, will see no increase with their income matched to 2021/2022. For this small number of services who do not experience an increase, a Funding Guarantee will apply. This will top-up Core Funding payments to match the difference in ECCE higher capitation and PSP from last year, provided they offer the same amount of graduate led provision as last year. These are larger ECCE-only services – with 20+ children in a session.
With regards to financial viability, there is no evidence that the new funding model will render ECCE services unsustainable. My Department has extensive data on providers’ existing and projected income and delivery costs through data from Revenue, surveys and demographic and macro-economic information and has extensively analysed the question of sustainability.
Data available prior to the additional investment of Core Funding in the sector showed that the median surplus (income in excess of cost) for sector as a whole of 4%. However, services with the characteristics correlated with ECCE-only provision had higher levels of surplus than other types of provision – ranging from 14% to 23% depending on the characteristic.
- Do not offer full day: 17% income in excess of cost
- Do not offer wrap-around care: 16% income in excess of cost
- Open exactly 38 weeks each year: 19% income in excess of cost
- Low total numbers of childcare hours: 23% income in excess of cost
- Single-site services: 14% income in excess of cost
- Those whose only income source is ECCE funding: 19% income in excess of cost
Separately Sole Traders, which constitute a large proportion of ECCE-only provision had an average income in excess of costs of 23%.
This evidence suggests that ECCE-only services had the highest levels of income in excess of costs compared to other types of provision.
The collection of information on income and costs is essential for the full understanding of this complex and diverse sector in order to inform the development of policy. As recommended by the Expert Group, there needs to be full visibility and understanding of financial information in the sector in order to better understand the impact and interaction of income, costs, surplus and profit in the sector.
I am pleased therefore that the recent data collection for the 2021/2022 Annual Sector Profile, including questions on income and costs, has been completed by 93% of services. This new and emerging data will allow the Department to rerun income and cost analysis and ascertain the latest available financial position to inform the next policy developments.
Budget 2023 allocates €1,025m to early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Further interrogation of the new Core Funding application and income and cost data is required in order to most effectively design developments in Year 2 of Core Funding.
For any services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support can contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route and it also allows for trends and themes across the country to be identified that can inform a more systematic response if necessary. My officials are not receiving any indications from CCCs that there have been providers reporting financial difficulties and in need of support. This case management process through the CCCs is the route to access additional sustainability funding if required.
Together for Better aims to transform the sector and my Department and I are committed to working constructively, collaboratively and positively with Partner Services towards a goal of delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
139. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a letter from a ECCE provider (details supplied); if he will review the core funding policy in view of the contents of the letter; his plans to increase capitation; and if he has conducted and or if he will conduct a sectoral impact review regarding the introduction of his core funding policy change. [53798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have become aware that some Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) providers intend to fully close, or reduce their service provision by closing their ECCE room/s, on 11 and 25 November 2022.
I do not believe that closures are justified, given the very significant additional investment secured for the sector in recent years, with funding in 2023 to exceed €1 billion. These closures will be disruptive for young children and their families and will undermine confidence in the sector.
I note that those protesting are seeking an increase in the weekly ECCE capitation from €69 to €76 per child. This level of funding is already available. Through a combination of ECCE capitation and Core Funding, ECCE providers can already avail of weekly funding of at least €78.75 per child (€69 ECCE capitation plus €9.75 per ECCE child place per week in Core Funding base rate). Where services have less than full occupancy, the effective increase on a per child basis is greater.
I would also like to clarify that, while the Higher Capitation and Programme Support Payments have been subsumed into Core Funding, no service loses out under Core Funding. Indeed, the overwhelming majority of providers substantially benefit financially from Core Funding.
I think it is also important to refute the claim of there having been only one increase in the level of ECCE capitation since the programme started in 2010. The various developments to the ECCE programme between 2010 and 2022 (related to capitation, ratios and non-contact time/programme support payments), demonstrate an increase in income of up to 22.6% for services without a graduate lead educator and 22% for services with a graduate lead educator. The introduction of Core Funding on top of ECCE standard capitation means up to €866.25 per week is now available for a session without a graduate lead educator (34.3% higher than in 2010) and up to €932.85 per week is now available for a session with a graduate lead educator (24.4% higher than in 2010). The excludes other funding for ECCE providers, attached to the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) as well as significant supports for ECCE and other providers over the course of the pandemic - estimated to cost in excess of €1 billion.
It is also important to address the issue of the fee freeze condition which has been introduced with Core Funding. This is an essential step in the implementation of the new funding model to ensure that parents are not faced with further additional costs and that the developments to the National Childcare Scheme are felt by parents rather than being absorbed by fee increases. The substantial additional investment available through Core Funding adequately compensates for this condition.
ECCE-only services across the country form an integral part of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) system. Their exact operations can vary but typically, they open to children for 15 hours per week, 38 weeks per year. Core Funding is distributed in a fair, reasonable and transparent manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery, contributing to both staff costs, including administration staff/time, and non-staff overheads. Consequently, services opening longer hours or offering more places will receive a higher value of Core Funding than other services as they have higher delivery costs. This is connected to the staffing requirements of ELC and SAC as set out in Regulations.
There is a need for greater visibility and understanding of financial basis on which ELC and SAC services operate, in the context of a complex and diverse sector, in order to better understand the impact and interaction of income, costs, surplus and profit. I am pleased therefore that the recent data collection for the 2021/2022 Annual Sector Profile, including questions on income and costs, will allow the latest available financial position to inform the next policy developments.
The new funding model was designed with extensive stakeholder consultation and engagement, reports of which are published. Since Core Funding was announced last year as part of Budget 2022, the Department has hosted eight meetings of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), and several Core Funding specific meetings with the ELCSF and provider representatives. The ELCSF includes multiple sectoral organisations and representative groups, including provider representatives, such as the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP), Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) and the Association of Early Childhood Professionals (ACPI). In particular, during August, September and October, there have been frequent meetings with provider representative groups in preparation for the commencement of Core Funding and to support the initial implementation of the scheme, with the most recent meeting of the provider representative groups held on 20 October. There has also been a number of formal correspondence to and from provider representative groups, as well as individual contacts. I will continue to engage with provider representative groups through the ELCSF.
ELC and SAC providers are fundamental partners in the delivery of the new funding model which is intended to improve quality for children, including through improved terms and conditions for staff; affordability and accessibility for parents; and stability and sustainability for services. As noted by an Expert Group on funding for the sector, there can be an absence of a strong parental voice in the sector and the new funding model aims to balance the interests of parents, providers, the workforce, and the State, where there is significant public investment in a privately delivered system. The new funding model has been approved by Government and is widely welcomed by sectoral representative groups advocating for parents, children, the workforce and providers. To date, 93% of providers nationally have signed up to Core Funding and this Scheme remains open to all remaining providers who wish to deliver early learning and childcare for the public good.
Together for Better, the new funding model, is about getting the most out of the three early learning and childcare programmes, ECCE including AIM, NCS and Core Funding, working together and ensuring stability and sustainability in the sector. I have been unequivocal that I do not want any services to be faced with financial sustainability issues and I am fully committed to working with any such service to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good. This means accepting new responsibilities including greater public management in relation to fee management, quality improvements, and transparency in relation to operations.
Services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. The Department, Pobal and the CCCs continue to closely monitor trends concerning services entering case management and will continue to maintain the availability of Sustainability Funding for individual services at risk.
I have acted in good faith to ensure that an appropriate funding model is now in place to support the sector in a sustainable way into the future, and which can be further developed in response to analysis of emerging evidence. Significant additional investment is being made in the sector and a number of supports and safety nets are available for the small number of providers who may experience financial difficulties due to a range of factors. Together for Better, the new funding model, is already delivering substantial benefits for children, parents, staff and providers. I hope that providers who are contemplating closures will reconsider their position.
140. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of modular units that will be delivered and in place by the end of 2022 to house Ukrainian refugees [53799/22]
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 54,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 43,000 of those have been referred to this Department 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 34,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 550 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
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 priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Regarding the matter raised, I can advise the Deputy that John Sisk and Son Holding Ltd. (Sisk) has been appointed as the main contractor for site enabling works and for the procurement, transportation and installation of 500 modular homes under the programme approved by the Government as part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis. The 500 homes will have the capacity to accommodate 2,000 Ukrainians (in family units of four). Sisk has sub-contracted five companies spread across Ireland to build modular homes for the programme to the OPW’s specification. An order for the manufacture of 250 modular homes for the first phase of the programme will be placed with the manufacturers imminently. The lead in-line for the manufacturing process is estimated at around 10 weeks.
Further orders will be placed later this year for the balance of the homes required to complete the programme and for any further expansion of it that may be authorised by the Government.
I trust this information is of assistance.
141. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all the 500 units of modular housing that the Government has stated it will deliver for Ukrainian refugees will be contracted out for delivery in 2022 and if not, the reason for same. [53800/22]
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 54,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 43,000 of those have been referred to this Department 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 34,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 550 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
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 priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Regarding the matter raised, I can advise the Deputy that the timeframe for the installation of the modular homes has recently been recalibrated in the light of experience to date with evaluation and assessment of the suitability of sites, engagement with representatives of communities located adjacent to sites and the timescale for the manufacture of the homes required. Accordingly, it is now expected these homes will be installed on a phased basis during January and February 2023 as site enabling works across a range of locations are completed. All modular sites will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a play area and green spaces fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The modular homes will be well built, highly energy efficient, durable units. The development of the sites will be fully compliant with social housing regulations and conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area.
I trust this information is of assistance.
142. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail all contracts that the Government has with a group (details supplied) to provide asylum seeker accommodation or Ukrainian refugee accommodation; the total cost of each contract to date; the breakdown of the locations of property provided by the group; and if he will provide details of any meetings, including dates, that any officials from his Department have had with the group. [53805/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, I can confirm that Double Property Group (DPG) were successful with their submitted tender for Type 2 family accommodation in response to the Department's published RFT to establish ‘Bespoke Panel Agreement for the Provision of Accommodation Services and Related Services for Persons Seeking International Protection’ which was published in January 2022.
DPG’s tender comprised of properties in three locations:
- Ballyhaden, Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary;
- Griffin House, Limerick City, Co. Limerick;
- Slaney Court Apartments, Baltinglass, Co. Wicklow.
The total value of the contract is commercially sensitive information and accordingly cannot be provided.
Furthermore, as part of the evaluation of its tender, all three locations were subject to site inspections by the evaluation team on 3, 16 and 17 May 2022 to verify that the accommodation specification would be met, subject to completion of mobilisation works.
143. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider placing modular homes in the Germantown military camp to help with the Ukrainian refugee crisis. [53806/22]
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 54,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 43,000 of those have been referred to this Department 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, my Department has contracted in excess of 34,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 550 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
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 priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
Regarding the matter raised, property management decisions on Department of Defence property is a matter for the Minister for Defence.
With regard to the selection of sites for the development of emergency modular accommodation, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership which might be suitable for the installation of modular housing units.
I trust this information is of assistance.
144. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when a decision will be taken to include courses (details supplied) as approved free-fees courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53620/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Free Fees Initiative, tuition fees are paid in respect of eligible full-time undergraduate students undertaking approved courses in eligible institutions.
Free Fees funding has been extended to a limited number of courses in not-for-profit private institutions, where specific learning or skills needs have been identified. In Marino Institute of Education, Free Fees approved courses, funded through the Department of Education, include the Bachelor in Education (Primary) and Bachelor in Education (Primary through the medium of Irish).
Marino Institute of Education has sought Free Fees approved status for two additional courses established by the Institute. These are the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education and Bachelor of Science in Education Studies.
It is important to note that, as a private institution, the development of a course by Marino Institute of Education does not, in its own right, give rise to provision of funding from my Department or from any other Department or State agency.
In general, the extension of Free Fees funding to additional courses in private institutions only applies where a specific teaching and learning need has been identified by the Department, another Department or the HEA.
My Department has agreed to consider the application for Free Fees status for the courses under reference in conjunction with the Higher Education Authority and with other relevant Government Departments, i.e. the Department of Education and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
This will require, inter alia, consideration of the alignment of the courses with identified skills needs, the extent to which skills needs are already addressed by courses in the wider higher education system, and budgetary implications. It is aimed that our consideration will be completed by Q1 2023, ahead of the academic year 2023/24.
Approved courses under the Free Fees Initiative for 2022/23 are finalised and it is not possible to include additional courses for the current academic year.
145. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice her views on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the number of persons seeking international protection in the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53714/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State is required to examine applications for international protection by anyone who is at the borders of the State or is in the State and indicates they wish to make an application. This is in accordance with our obligations under international and EU asylum law, which does not allow any Member State to place a cap on the numbers of persons who may apply for international protection.
Immigration officials conduct passport checks on arrival to ensure passengers are properly documented in accordance with Section 11 of the Immigration Act 2004. If a person indicates or is identified as being in need of international protection, they are admitted to the international protection process.
I can inform the Deputy that, in the first eight months of this year, 3,254 people arrived undocumented in Dublin airport. While these passengers had presented documents at their point of departure, they were no longer in possession of those documents when they reached the immigration desks at Dublin airport. Figures are currently available only for Dublin Airport.
The Department is examining the factors which may have contributed to the significant increase in international protection applications this year. The Department will continue to take all necessary steps to manage the international protection process efficiently and effectively, as part of the broader whole-of-Government response, while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system is maintained. This includes resuming normal pre-pandemic immigration arrangements, such as the enforcement of deportation orders for unsuccessful applications, following fair procedure and allowing for all available avenues for appeal. An accelerated decision-making process for applicants from Safe Countries of Origin is also being introduced.
If a person who has applied for international protection in the State is found to be already benefitting from international protection granted by another EU Member State, the application will be deemed inadmissible in accordance with the International Protection Act 2015.
In addition, on 18 July, the Government agreed to temporarily suspend Ireland’s participation in the Council of Europe Agreement for the Abolition of Visas for Refugees. The temporary suspension of the Council of Europe Agreement on the Abolition of Visas for Refugee came into operation from noon on 19 July 2022. It is too early to determine the impact of the suspension on application numbers. However, this is being closely monitored by my Department.
Responsibility for the accommodation system and material supports for international protection applicants are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
146. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 184 of 19 October 2022, when this review may be published. [53611/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011 was enacted with the primary purposes of reforming the law relating to the ownership and management of common areas of multi-unit developments and facilitating the fair, efficient and effective management of owners' management companies (OMCs).
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to conduct a review of the existing management company legislation, to ensure that it is fit for purpose and that it acts in the best interests of residents. This is referring to the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011. My Department will engage with other relevant Departments in relation to taking the appropriate steps to advance this matter and to progress this review.
I would like to add that well-functioning OMCs are key to maintaining and sustaining higher-density residential developments, such as apartments. ‘Housing for All - a New Housing Plan for Ireland’ was published late last year and is the government’s housing plan to 2030. This plan will support effective management and oversight of multi-unit developments by legislating for necessary changes. This work will be led by my Department, supported by the Minister of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
To ensure that OMCs are financially sustainable, my Department, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage will make regulations under subsection 17 of section 18 of the Multi-Unit Developments Act 2011, prescribing the class or classes of items of expenditure which may be the subject of annual service charges; the procedures to be followed in setting such charges; matters to be taken into account in the setting of such charges; and arrangements for the levying and payment of such charges.
Regulations will also be made under subsection 9 of section 19 of the MUD Act to ensure that OMCs provide for expenditure of a non-recurring nature (i.e. sinking fund expenditure) and it will also examine the introduction of a non-statutory dispute resolution process. This process would determine disputes in relation to provisions of the MUD Act and in relation to covenants of head/main leases to which OMCs are party.
My Department will continue to engage with other relevant Departments in relation to taking the appropriate steps to advance these important matters. I am not in a position to advise the Deputy regarding the publication of this review until this engagement with other Departments has been completed.
147. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda recruits who have actually started training in Templemore in each month for the past five years; the strength of the Garda Reserve for each of the past ten years and the number of gardaí who have retired for each of the past ten years. [53662/22]
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 for all internal Garda HR matters. As Minister I play no role in these independent functions.
To be of assistance I contacted the Garda authorities and have been advised that the tables below show the number of Garda recruits who commenced training since 2014 to date (a monthly breakdown is not available), the strength of the Garda Reserve from 2013 to date and the number of Garda members who have retired from 2013 to date. Also included are the number of Probationer Gardaí allocated to training stations since the reopening of the Garda College, Templemore, in 2014.
For the Deputy's information, and in the interest of transparency, figures relating to the Garda workforce, including the breakdown of members assigned by Division and Station, is available publicly at the following link and updated regularly by my Department:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bd777-an-garda-siochana-your-police-service-some-facts-and-figures/#gender-breakdown-garda-members-and-staff
Table 1: Number of Garda recruits who commenced training in Garda College
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022* |
Total |
|
200 |
350 |
651 |
811 |
795 |
600 |
275 |
385 |
24 |
4091 |
Note: The above figures refer to the number of Garda Trainees who start in the Garda College. There after the recruit must undertake Phase 1 successfully before they are attested.
* As of 30 September. It is expected that a minimum of 70 new trainees will enter the college in November/ December 2022 in addition to the 24 who have commenced training.
When combined with the 369 Gardaí who have left the college in 2022, as per the table below, this means an expected total of over 460 will have either graduated from or entered the college in 2022.
Table 2: Probationer Gardaí allocated to training stations since reopening of Garda College
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022* |
Total |
|
296 |
393 |
883 |
789 |
605 |
522 |
148 |
369 |
4005 |
* As of 30 September - Figure does not include 24 recruits who commenced training in 2022 (not yet attested).
Table 3: Garda Reserve Strength
|
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022* |
|
1164 |
1124 |
953 |
695 |
589 |
528 |
458 |
407 |
423 |
382 |
* As of 30 September.
Table 4: Garda retirements (includes voluntary, compulsory and cost neutral early retirements)
|
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022* |
TOTAL |
|
226 |
228 |
238 |
249 |
296 |
218 |
223 |
250 |
293 |
270 |
2491 |
* As of 30 September.
148. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued; the number of deportation orders which were affected from 2004 to date in tabular form. [53679/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra149. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of deportation orders issued to children; the number of deportation orders to children which were affected from 2004 to date in tabular form. [53680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
I can advise the Deputy that when issued with a deportation order, the person concerned is required to remove themselves from the State. Many people comply with this and leave the country, without notifying the immigration authorities that they have done so. However where a person does not voluntarily return to their own country, Ireland like all other EU Member States, puts in place arrangements to return people to their home country.
The table below contains the statistics requested by the Deputy.
|
Deportation Orders Issued |
Deportation Orders Effected |
||||
|
Year Issued |
Total |
Minors |
Year Effected |
Total |
Minors |
|
2004 |
1965 |
272 |
2004 |
554 |
65 |
|
2005 |
2116 |
345 |
2005 |
386 |
57 |
|
2006 |
1354 |
207 |
2006 |
293 |
27 |
|
2007 |
396 |
30 |
2007 |
140 |
8 |
|
2008 |
680 |
109 |
2008 |
160 |
17 |
|
2009 |
1039 |
285 |
2009 |
336 |
78 |
|
2010 |
1008 |
209 |
2010 |
341 |
67 |
|
2011 |
1353 |
270 |
2011 |
277 |
63 |
|
2012 |
1330 |
178 |
2012 |
301 |
68 |
|
2013 |
1173 |
73 |
2013 |
199 |
24 |
|
2014 |
959 |
50 |
2014 |
110 |
2 |
|
2015 |
818 |
62 |
2015 |
250 |
30 |
|
2016 |
1442 |
110 |
2016 |
428 |
70 |
|
2017 |
1122 |
93 |
2017 |
138 |
4 |
|
2018 |
1116 |
85 |
2018 |
163 |
4 |
|
2019 |
2016 |
187 |
2019 |
299 |
14 |
|
2020 |
873 |
40 |
2020 |
141 |
12 |
|
2021 |
31 |
0 |
2021 |
38 |
1 |
|
2022 YTD (21/10/2022) |
174 |
1 |
2022 YTD (21/10/2022) |
103 |
7 |
|
20965 |
2606 |
4657 |
618 |
It should be noted that a Deportation Order (DO) effected in any year may relate to a DO issued in a previous year and includes people that have 'self deported' and left the country after the issue of a Deportation Order.
150. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the reasoning behind her proposed amendment to the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 which would reduce the reckonable residence requirements for minors seeking to be naturalised from five to three years; if her Department will consider reducing the requirements further; and the reason that three years was chosen as the cut-off point. [53681/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra151. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she intends to broaden the categories of children entitled to naturalisation under the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956; and if so, when she intends to introduce such an amendment. [53682/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if the attention of her Department has been drawn to the fact that children cannot currently make an application for naturalisation independent of their parents or guardians; if her Department has received legal advice in relation to whether this is in contravention of Article 42.A of the Constitution and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she will provide the details of any plans that her Department has to ensure children can hold independent residency permits, as is in operation in Germany and Canada. [53684/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service has been refusing applications for naturalisation signed by social workers on behalf of children in their care; and if her Department has taken steps to amend this practice. [53685/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 150, 151, 153 and 154 together.
Currently, section 15 of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, provides that an application for a certificate of naturalisation may be made on behalf of a minor born in the State. One of the conditions for naturalisation is that the person who makes the application on the minor’s behalf, must be a parent or guardian of the minor or a person in loco parentis to the minor. Prior to making any application the child must have had one year’s continuous residence in the State immediately before the date of the application and four years residence during the eight years preceding that.
On 13 September 2022, I published the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which has recently completed Second Stage in Dáil Éireann. As I informed the House at Second Stage, I intend to bring forward Committee Stage amendments to this Bill that will amend the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956.
The Government believes that providing a shorter pathway to citizenship for children born in Ireland to non-Irish citizen is the right thing to do.
My officials continue to work on the drafting of amendments to the 1956 Act to reduce from five to three the number of years' residence required for children born in the State to become eligible for citizenship by naturalisation. This will allow children who are currently on a pathway to Irish citizenship to attain this status at an earlier stage. With this proposed amendment, Ireland will be one of the most generous in the EU in terms of the years of residence required for foreign national children born here to gain citizenship by naturalisation.
I am aware of difficulties that have arisen in cases where applications for naturalisation have been sought to be made in relation to children in the care of the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). The amendments will make clear provision for applications in cases where a care order under the Child Care Act 1991 has been made in relation to a child.
I look forward to further debate on these amendments as the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022 progresses through the Houses of the Oireachtas.
