Written Answers Nos. 242-261
242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for fuel allowance or other benefit which he previously had during the pandemic while he is on a community employment scheme given that he is asthmatic and diabetic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54119/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Fuel Allowance payment is to assist households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household.
If a participant on a Community Employment (CE) scheme was in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to going on the scheme, they continue to receive the Fuel Allowance payment while participating on the scheme, once they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions.
If the CE participant was not in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to starting on CE they may still apply and potentially qualify for a Fuel Allowance.
From 1st September 2022, the period a person must be in receipt of Jobseeker's allowance or Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) to access the Fuel Allowance scheme has been reduced to 12 months. This will benefit people on CE who previously have been in receipt of the above payments for greater than 312 days but who did not meet the 390-day requirement.
The person concerned made an application for a Fuel Allowance but was deemed not eligible for the allowance on the basis that they were not in receipt of a qualifying Social Welfare payment prior to commencement on CE. The person may wish to contact the Department of Social Protection Office, Maynooth, Co Kildare to establish the position as regards other payments referenced by the Deputy in his question.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be available in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54120/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAccording to the records of my Department the person concerned applied for an Exceptional Needs Payment for house repairs. In order to complete the assessment of the application, the local Community Welfare Officer has requested additional information.
The circumstances of this case are quite complex and when all the necessary information has been received, the person’s application will be processed promptly.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
244. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that the national childcare scheme subsidy is paid based on hours attended rather than hours paid for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53900/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme is designed to be flexible and acknowledges that childcare needs differ widely across different families. The National Childcare Scheme subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, based on the agreed weekly hours of childcare for which the subsidy will be paid. The Scheme is designed so that funding is provided for the amount of care agreed between parents and providers up to the weekly maximum number of hours. This design maximises the benefits of public monies, ensuring a full-time subsidy is not being paid in respect of a child utilising a lesser number of hours than registered for, and that the investment is following the child.
However, the scheme recognises that, in practical terms, parents are constrained by commuting schedules, traffic and other individual circumstances. As such, attendance rules for the scheme facilitate the need for flexibility, and allow for some fluctuations in actual attendance without penalty.
Parents will agree weekly hours with providers and the overall total weekly attendance is reported to the Scheme Administrator. Under-attendance is only flagged if the child has typically been attending for less than the registered hours for an eight week period, and no further action is taken unless this under-attendance continues for a further four weeks. The Scheme also provides for particular exemptions to the attendance rules under certain circumstances to allow for extended absences.
245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53966/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe commissioning of services under Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 is an operational matter for Tusla. I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
You may be interested to know many Community & Voluntary sector organisations in receipt of Tusla Family Support Services funding also receive funding from other government departments or agencies, charitable foundations etc. Other miscellaneous revenue sources include leasing unused space and fundraising events in the local community.
246. 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. [54028/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra248. 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. [54072/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra249. 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. [54073/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. 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. [54089/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 248 to 250, inclusive, 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 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 am advised by my officials that the Department does not enter into commercial arrangements for individual private houses or apartments. These properties can be pledged privately or to the Irish Red Cross via their online pledge system at registerofpledges.redcross.ie/#/, and there is a €400/month accommodation recognition payment available for those who pledge accommodation.
For commercial properties, based on logistical reasons, my Department would require 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.
247. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of all properties which his Department currently has lease arrangements with for the provision of direct provision and any other accommodation for those seeking asylum; and if he will provide a corresponding list of the service providers in each of these properties. [54036/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, my officials will require more time to facilitate your request as it involves bespoke vast collation of data.
The list will be supplied to the Deputy as soon as it is possible.
251. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of his engagement with the Minister for Transport concerning the provision of public transport services for disabled persons attending day services. [54096/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with responsibility for Disability I am keenly aware of the importance of accessible and reliable public transport services for people with disabilities in Ireland, not least for those relying on public transport to facilitate their attendance at day services.
There has been extensive engagements between my officials and officials in the Department of Transport on a range of Transport related issues, in particular on the accessibility of public transport, which has been a key feature of the engagement between our Departments. This has been facilitated by ongoing actions under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES).
The role of my Department in relation to the NDIS and CES is to coordinate action under the Strategies at whole of government level, with individual departments and agencies holding responsibility for specific delivery of actions. In that regard, my colleague the Minister for Transport will be able to provide more granular detail on his Department's progress regarding Strategy actions.
In relation to the specific issue of transport for day services, the Department of Health and the HSE provide support for specialist disability services, including day services and rehabilitative training, to people with disabilities who require such services.
While the HSE has no statutory obligation relating to the direct provision of transport services some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used upon commencement of a day programme (where applicable), local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport providers and taxis, funded via a combination of service provider funding, HSE funding, service user contribution, and / or combined funding; and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
252. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the religious orders that he is engaged with concerning making payments to the redress scheme for the survivors of mother-and-baby homes, including the names of the orders and the number of meetings that he or his officials have had with these orders or their representatives. [54098/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the pharmaceutical and medical companies that he is engaged with concerning making payments to the redress scheme for the survivors of mother-and-baby homes, including the names of the companies and the number of meetings that he or his officials have had with these companies or their representatives. [54099/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 and 253 together.
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and Religious Congregations, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes that all relevant parties have a shared moral and ethical obligation to support appropriate actions in response to the Commission’s Report.
Following Government approval on 16th November 2021 of the proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, I commenced a process of engagement with the Religious Congregations and Church Leaders with a view to outlining the details of the proposed Scheme and discussing with them how they might contribute to the cost of the Scheme. I have met with all six of the Religious Congregations and organisations involved in the running of the homes. These are:
- Daughters of Charity
- Sisters of St John of God
- Sisters of Mercy
- Sisters of the Good Shepherd
- Sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
- Bons Secours Sisters
- Legion of Mary
I have also met with the Church of Ireland.
This engagement is ongoing. While the negotiations are ongoing they are being treated as confidential. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to say anything further on the matter at this time. A full report on the outcome of discussions will be provided to Government when the process is concluded. It is hoped to conclude this process of engagement in the shortest possible time frame, but it is expected that it may take a number more months.
In relation to pharmaceutical companies, following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s Final Report, I had a meeting with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the lead entity in many trials, and conveyed my view that all relevant parties had a moral and ethical obligation to take appropriate action in response to the Report. I urged them to consider the failures laid bare in the Commission’s report and respond appropriately, given their corporate responsibilities. Ultimately, however, it is a matter for GSK to decide what action they take, or remedy they offer, having considered the Commission’s findings.
I am aware that GSK have since publicised arrangements for persons wishing to access personal information which may be contained within their corporate archives.
254. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 19 October 2022, if any consideration has been given to keeping the Aungier Street campus in public ownership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53941/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise that under the Protocol for the disposal of state assets, the property referred to by the Deputy was listed for disposal on the State Property Register in September 2019 with no interest being indicated by the State sector in retaining the property in public ownership. On that basis, Grangegorman Development Agency (GDA) and TU Dublin have incorporated the disposal of the property in their funding plans for relocation to the Grangegorman campus.
Both the GDA and TU Dublin are mandated by the 2005 GDA Act to obtain the best value from any property disposal, so as to maximise the resources available for the Grangegorman development and to reduce the need for direct Exchequer funding to relocate to the new campus.
255. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the supports that are available for adult education groups (details supplied) struggling with the rising cost of energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53942/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials are making enquiries in relation to the Deputy's query, and will issue a response as soon as possible.
256. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the additional 50 bursaries of €5,000 per student for the most disadvantaged students including those with a disability, mature students, lone parents, and further education award holders announced in July; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53943/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am happy to provide the Deputy with an update on what I consider a very important funding stream for my Department to develop and grow its supports for vulnerable learners, learners with disabilities, under-represented groups and the most marginalised. I have allocated funding for an additional 50 PATH 2 1916 Bursaries. The bursaries provide extra support to students from disadvantaged and underrepresented backgrounds to successfully participate in higher education, including at postgraduate level.
The 50 additional bursaries are effective for the 2022/2023 academic year.
257. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the funding made available in July to allow those on certain existing scholarships retain the funding for graduate entry medicine; the number of students being supported in the current academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53944/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2022, I announced that an additional 50 1916 bursaries of €5000 per student would be made available for the most socio-economically disadvantaged students as identified in the National Access Plan including those with a disability, mature students, lone parents, and further education award holders. In addition, changes were introduced to the 2022/2023 PATH 2 1916 Bursary scheme to allow those on existing bursaries to continue their bursaries to pursue a graduate entry medicine course.
Data on the number of students choosing to continue their bursaries has not yet been reported to the Department. The HEA will be seeking this information in 2023.
258. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide an update on the funding made available in July to support Traveller and Roma participation in higher education through a three-year pilot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53945/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe deputy will be aware that the fourth National Access Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) (2022 – 2028) was launched in August. It identifies several priority groups that are currently under-represented in higher education, including Irish Travellers and the Roma community. The new NAP sets ambitious targets for Traveller participation in Higher Education and for the first time, students from the Roma community have also been included as a key priority group.
To make a meaningful difference, and following on from the positive feedback on the Dormant Accounts Fund, funding of €450,000 per year for three years was approved by the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science to support HEIs to build long term relationships in their communities with the Traveller and Roma communities, by putting in place an infrastructure to support access, participation and success for students from the Traveller and Roma communities.
We are also in early discussions to consider the appointment of a PATH co-ordinator, for a three-year pilot basis, in the Further Education and Training (FET) sector to support Further Education – Higher Education transitions for priority groups with a particular focus on students from the Traveller and Roma communities.
The Higher Education Authority (HEA) and my Department held a consultation event remotely on PATH 5 – Traveller and Roma Students in Higher Education on October 10th, 2022.
The purpose of the consultation event was to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share best practice, their experience of using the Dormant Accounts Fund to support Traveller and Roma students, and how these learnings can inform the principles and objectives of the new PATH 5.
259. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the assistance that will be given to students who previously studied in Ukrainian universities to enable them to continue their studies at the appropriate university in Ireland; if his attention has been drawn to the case of a County Tipperary-based student who was studying dentistry in Ukraine (details supplied) and is now seeking to continue their education to become a dentist at an Irish university; the reason that this student has only been offered the opportunity to attend basic course modules and has never received an offer for a university place in Ireland, in order that they can complete the full complement of modules needed to finish their dentistry degree; the measures that are being taken to assist students who previously studied in Ukrainian universities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54013/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I am aware of the student in question and my officials have engaged with the student since their return to Ireland.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February, I have been unwavering in my support to the Irish students whose studies were interrupted, and arrangements have been put in place to continue with their education.
As the deputy will be aware, dentistry education is highly regulated and complex in its delivery. Places on dentistry programmes are highly prized and it is not always possible to accommodate all those wishing to study dentistry. Due to this complexity and the Dentistry Schools' matriculation requirements, it was not feasible to directly transfer Irish students who had been studying in Ukraine on to Irish programmes.
My Department has worked with the Deans of the Dentistry Schools to develop an occasional student scheme which gives students access to modules and facilities in the Irish Dentistry Schools while they continue with their Ukrainian education online. This was the most practical solution to ensure continuity of these students’ education.
260. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when he will establish a working group in advance of the publication of the newly proposed Research Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54014/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government Our Shared Future includes a commitment to ensure that Ireland is a global leader in research and innovation across the arts, humanities, social sciences and STEM. Consequently, Impact 2030: Ireland's Research and Innovation Strategy, which I launched on the 18th of May, positions research and innovation at the heart of addressing Ireland's societal, economic and environmental challenges.
A key initiative in Impact 2030 is to bring a landmark Research Bill to Government to create a new competitive research and innovation funding agency, combining and building on the missions of the Irish Research Council and Science Foundation Ireland. The new agency will not only support research across all disciplines, but it will enable greater interdisciplinary research activity in Ireland. This amalgamation will also improve co-ordination of funding activities, administrative efficiencies and it will simplify the suite of supports for researchers, while building on both funders’ respective existing track records and international reputations.
The contribution of this new agency to the national research and innovation system and the alignment with the broader tertiary system and policy developments within my Department must be considered. In addition, the agency will have a role in ensuring a cohesive delivery of Ireland’s international research and innovation strategic engagements.
The first step in this task is to establish a high level workgroup for the Research Bill involving DFHERIS and the key organisations involved (Science Foundation Ireland, the Higher Education Authority and the Irish Research Council) which will consider the legislative process, transitional arrangements and establishment of the new agency. This high level workgroup has been established and its first meeting took place in October 2022. A wider consultation process is also being planned.
261. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the number of vacant and derelict buildings respectively by each of the universities in tabular form. [54052/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he has met with higher education institutions to discuss derelict or vacant buildings in their ownership. [54053/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 261 and 262 together.
Direct engagement with higher education institutions in respect of their estates is generally done through the Higher Education Authority (HEA) in terms of their estate management. My Department works closely, through the HEA, with HEIs on the issue of estates in the context of capital planning and investment programmes and student accommodation, in the context of institutional, sectoral and wider national priorities.
I can confirm that the HEA wrote to all HEIs under their remit early this year. The correspondence was in the context of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland, and in particular Action 19.9 which sought to activate State owned vacant properties for residential development. Under Action 19.9, Government had mandated that all Departments (including public bodies under their aegis) to examine their existing portfolio of properties and consider if they have any properties that are not required, and may be suitable for residential housing, that should be put on the market. We are advised by the HEA that in respect of Universities no properties were identified in response to that request. It is important to note that the questionnaire did not collate material on either derelict or vacant buildings not suitable for residential housing. The Department does not hold this information.
In terms of student accommodation, we have met with all the publicly funded HEI’s to explore options within their remit for the provision of additional student accommodation. We are open to liaising with providers on individual options for the activation of supply of student accommodation including potential refurbishment of vacant buildings.
My Department officials and I have engaged and continue to engage on an ongoing basis with the Minister and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the wider higher education sector and relevant stakeholders on student accommodation issues including within the context of the advancement of the Government's Housing for All policy.
I received Cabinet Committee support this week on outline proposals to increase the supply of student accommodation, including proposals relating to a new model whereby for the first time the State would assist directly in bridging the gap between development costs and rental affordability in relation to the provision of additional student accommodation. This could involve the State assisting with the cost of building student accommodation in return for affordability commitments on rent.
I have established a dedicated Student Accommodation Unit which will bring forward this new Student Accommodation policy as a matter of urgency.
