Written Answers Nos. 436-454
436. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the basis for the removal of entitlements from section 56 workers who were re-designated from section 38, such as workers in an organisation (details supplied), when these section 38 organisations were re-designated as section 56 upon the establishment of Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56500/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth I value highly the work of the community and voluntary sector across the country that provide services to and on behalf of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I am conscious of the extremely positive impact these organisations have on improving outcomes for children, young people and families all over Ireland.
I understand that where the Deputy refers to Section 38, he is referring to the Health Act 2004, which is a matter for the Minister for Health.
The Child and Family Agency Act 2013 provided for the establishment of Tusla, which included the transfer of certain functions of the Health Service Executive to the new Agency. The Act was signed into law on the 15th December 2013 following substantial consultation and legislative scrutiny.
Community and voluntary organisations who provide valuable services to help Ireland's children and families had, prior to the establishment of Tusla, been receiving funding from the HSE. Since establishment of Tusla in 2014, many of those organisations began to receive their funding from Tusla. The arrangements that Tusla enters into with a person or organisation for the provision of child and family services have been subject to the provisions of Part 8 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. In accordance with Section 56 of that Act, Tusla commissions service providers in over 600 community and voluntary sector bodies to deliver services on its behalf. The commissioning of services is an operational matter for Tusla. Section 56 (2) requires that Tusla determines the maximum funding it proposes to make available during the course of each year under each arrangement and the level of service it expects to receive in return for that funding. Such relationships are then governed under a service level agreement. These service level agreements provide clarity to all involved on the available funding and the level of service being commissioned.
The service providers operate independently of Tusla and are responsible for their own internal resource management including the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which their staff are employed. The remuneration of the staff of these bodies is therefore a matter for these organisations as employers.
Section 56 (14) is clear that Tusla's arrangements with such providers do "not give rise to an employment relationship between a service provider, its employees or agents on the one hand and the Agency on the other '.
437. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) will receive information regarding their birth having applied for same initially in January 2021 without response and having registered on the online tracing system and have been advised that it may be three months before they receive a response. [56530/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation and tracing services under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 opened on 3 October 2022. As of 14 November 2022, a total of 7,675 applications have been received by AAI and Tusla for information and tracing services under the Act.
This initial surge of demand presents some challenges for the bodies in terms of processing the huge number of applications received. Both Tusla and the AAI are working hard to process applications and information has already been released to 182 applicants, with more receiving their information every day.
The statutory timelines are one month for the release of a person’s information, or in complex cases, three months. Statutory timeframes do not apply to tracing applications. A complex case may include an instance where a person’s information is held on multiple files or across many different locations, or in materials that have not yet been digitized. Locating, collating and checking this information is a highly challenging task requiring time and expertise. As such, it may require up to three months to process these applications. In all such cases, Tusla or the AAI will engage with the person to advise them of this timeframe. Both agencies are doing their utmost to respond to all the applications received within the shortest possible timeframe.
Whilst it is unclear from the Deputy's question to which relevant body the application was made to in this instance, both the AAI and Tusla are committed to engaging with applicants to keep them informed of progress on their application and any delays experienced.
438. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of adults and children remaining in direct provision in each centre in County Wexford who have been granted leave to remain for the most recent date available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56531/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below sets out the number of adults and children remaining in International Protection Acommodation Service (IPAS) centres in each centre in County Wexford who have been granted leave to remain as of 10 November 2022:
|
Wexford IPAS Centres 10/11/22 |
Adults with status |
Children with Status |
Total |
|
Rosslare Port Lodge |
36 |
10 |
46 |
|
Courtown Hotel |
13 |
0 |
13 |
|
Hotel Rosslare |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
49 |
10 |
59 |
There are a number of supports to assist accessing housing in the community provided to residents leaving accommodation centres. International protection applicants who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals.
All residents who are successful with their application to the Minister for Justice for a protection status or a permission to remain are notified by letter by IPAS of the supports available to them and the contact details of their support workers - whose services are funded by my Department.
Contact details for housing support workers are also posted in each accommodation centre and are readily available from the centre managers.
My Department has a specific team in IPAS who work in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the City and County Managers Association collectively to support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to access housing options.
During 2022, a number of clinics have been held for persons with a form of status. The clinics were held in accommodation centres with both IPAS staff and DePaul/PMVT support workers attending and providing information of housing options.
Considerable work is undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure accommodation in the community.
In addition to assisting with housing applications, both DePaul Ireland and the Peter McVerry Trust support the person’s integration into the community as fully as possible. This includes providing information about vocational and training courses, such as suitability, locations and eligibility, CV preparation and aid with medical issues, should they arise.
439. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the adults and children in direct provision centres in County Wexford broken down by centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56532/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease see below information set out in tabular form on the number of adults and youths in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres as of 6 November 2022, as requested by the Deputy:
|
Wexford IPAS Centres 06/11/22 |
Adults |
Children |
|
Rosslare Port Lodge |
73 |
21 |
|
Court Town Hotel |
84 |
0 |
|
Hotel Rosslare |
5 |
0 |
|
Total |
162 |
21 |
Overall, there are 183 people in IPAS centres in County Wexford.
440. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria or actuarial tables that were used when calculating the cost of redress under the proposed mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56554/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraExtensive thought was given to how best to structure a fair and sensitive payment scheme for survivors.
In terms of the payment approach, the Interdepartmental Group which developed proposals for the Scheme advocated for a general approach based on time spent rather than individualised assessments. This is because of the stakeholder views that any scheme should be kind and non-adversarial with a low burden of proof, and the evidence that a general payment is the best way to achieve that.
Taking account of learnings from other schemes, the approach to this Scheme gives greater reassurance of causing no further harm through the application process. Notably, it takes account of the experience of the Australian Stolen Generations Reparations Scheme. That scheme moved from an individualised assessment to a common experience payment on the advice of the Independent Assessor appointed to consider applications. In making this recommendation to the Australian Government, the assessor explained that his role of assessing the level of harm that had been caused to individuals – and by extension the level of reparation to be offered – was problematic as the judgements he would make would necessarily be subjective and risk unfairness.
The approach proposed for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme eliminates the need for applicants to bring forward evidence of abuse to demonstrate an entitlement or undergo cross examination of this evidence, which by its nature can be adversarial and re-traumatising. However, their experience is still recognised through a payment structure which also takes account of more prolonged institutional experiences.
The payment rates for the Payment Scheme were modelled on the approach taken in Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme. While the rates were set out in the Interdepartmental Group Report containing proposals for the Scheme and, subsequently, included in the General Scheme of the Bill to establish the Scheme, I have improved the overall approach to payments in the recently published Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill by introducing more refined payment bands.
These more refined bands, which are defined by reference to days and are supplemented by additional quarterly rate bands, will serve to benefit applicants, particularly where they would have been at the upper end of a given annual band under the original proposals. The more refined approach set out in the Bill will smooth and narrow the gap between payment amounts for applicants, and increase fairness and transparency.
I have also introduced into the Bill that periods of temporary absence of up to 180 days can be included when calculating the total duration of a person’s time in a relevant institution and their corresponding financial payment. The inclusion of such periods of temporary absence will have the effect of increasing the payment amounts to which some applicants may be entitled.
441. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise a local organisation (details supplied) on the types of possible additional funding that might be available to assist them with their invaluable work in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56570/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country. The commissioning of FRCs is an operational matter for Tusla. Tusla's Area Managers engage in the commissioning process and participate in meetings and discussions with community and voluntary agencies. Tusla aims to utilise the total resources available in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. Local Tusla Area Managers and the Tusla Commissioning Team can be contacted in relation to FRCs' planned service delivery and potential to develop services. I would therefore advise that the FRC contacts the relevant Tusla Area Manager to discuss any proposed developments and explore possibilities of funding associated with child and family centred activities outlined.
I am aware of demand for new family and community support services. It is therefore important for service providers to engage with local Tusla area managers and seek to avail of other funding sources including, for example, Dormant Accounts, National Lottery, and local councils. Tusla continues to work with community-based family support organisations, including FRCs, to best meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities.
442. Deputy Francis Noel Duffy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some children are not able to avail fully of the ECCE scheme due to there being only one date of entry per calendar year. [56631/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll eligible children can fully avail of two years of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme.
The programme is available to all children who have turned 2 years and 8 months of age before August 31st as long they won’t turn 5 years and 6 months of age on or before June 30th of the programme year. The first point of eligiblity therefore falls on the opening of the programme year at end August of every year, although they may enter later in the two year elgibility if they so choose.
While some parents may choose not to avail of the full two years, where they wish to start their children earlier or later in primary school, there are no conditions that would prevent a child being eligible for two years of ECCE under the current scheme.
I would note that my Department has recently commenced a review of ECCE which is expected to be completed by Q3 2023. The review will assess whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and will identify any changes or improvements that can be made to the Programme, based on international evidence, experience to date as well as consultation from a wide number of stakeholders.
443. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the build blocks funding programme that his Department administers can provide for extensions to existing childcare buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56647/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority. Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services.
During 2021, my Department successfully secured €70m in the revised National Development Plan allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars: Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, Building Blocks - New Capacity Grant and Building Blocks - First 5 Initiatives Grant.
My Department has allocated €9m for The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) facilities.
The purpose of the Building Blocks – Improvement Grant is to improve the energy efficiency standards across the sector, supporting the Government’s ambitions as laid out in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and the Programme for Government, while also supporting the continuous improvement of the physical environment of existing Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure. The programme is split between two strands - Strand A (Green Energy) and Strand B (Retrofit) and grants ranging between €35,000 and €75,000 will be awarded. Details of eligible and ineligible expenditure is provided in the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant Application Guidelines.
While the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant does not provide funding for extensions, it is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs. The Building Blocks - Capacity Grant will be announced in the coming months by my Department which will address the capacity gap, providing investment of up to €45m in the expansion of existing facilities and development of new provisions.
445. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of ECCE providers that have provided him with notice that they will cease with service provision since the introduction of core funding. [56711/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraData from Tusla show that the number of closures this year is broadly in line with other years, and reasons for closure (where provided) suggest considerable diversity in the reasons for closure. While some services have closed for financial or regulatory reasons, many have closed for other reasons (e.g. retirement of the owner/manager).
Every year it is normal for some services to close while other new services open. Services intending to close must notify Tusla - the independent statutory regulator for the sector - within 28 days of closure. The data on closures is based on when the information is received and verified by Tusla, not necessarily the date of closure.
The tables below set out the number of ELC service closures and new registrations to the end of September this year (which is the most recently available data) along with figures for the same period and full year figures for 2019 to 2021.
|
ELC Closures |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
January to September |
155 |
173 |
122 |
130 |
|
Full Year |
196 |
197 |
141 |
N/A |
|
ELC New Registrations |
|
|
|
|
|
|
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
January to September |
69 |
71 |
53 |
63 |
|
Full Year |
93 |
91 |
65 |
N/A |
Since mid-August, over 400 emails were received by my Department from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers. Based on a random sample group of 42 emails, 5% of these providers who had written in indicated that they feel they will have to close their business in the next year.
In relation to the ECCE programme, as of 10 November, there are 3,918 ELC services with an ECCE funding agreement for the 2022-23 programme year. This compares with 3,944 for the same period last year. The number of children registered on the ECCE programme up to 10 November this year was 105,636, which is an increase of 1,336 on the 104,300 registered for the same period last year.
The Government is investing significantly in the early learning and childcare sector and there is an ambitious new funding model being introduced to improve stability and sustainability for providers. There are supports, financial and otherwise, available to services who need them. Services are independent operators and may close for a number of reasons. Services that wish to deliver early learning and childcare for the public good will be supported to remain open to do so.
My Department is not seeing evidence of a significant lack of sustainability for ECCE-only services or to suggest that services will face closure as a result of Core Funding. 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. 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. A new strand of the Sustainability Fund, linked to Core Funding, is available to provide an extra safety net for providers. This is open to both private and community providers.
446. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent on private foster care companies in 2021 and to date in 2022; the companies receiving this funding, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56730/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
447. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if one-off payments in budget 2023 will be counted as income in the means test when applying for the SUSI grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of Budget 2023 I have secured a significant cost of living package for third level students. The cost-of-living package, to take effect before the end of 2022, includes:
- A once-off €1,000 state financial support towards the undergraduate student contribution fee for higher education students eligible for the free fees initiative;
- A once-off reduction of up to 33% in the contribution fee for apprentices;
- A once-off extra payment for all student maintenance grant recipients;
- A once-off increase of €1,000 in the support to SUSI qualified Post Graduate students, increasing from €3,500 to €4,500.
The statutory based Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations are reviewed annually by my Department, following consultation with various stakeholders and other Government Departments including the Department of Social Protection. As the Cost of Living measures announced in Budget 2023 are once-off, they will not considered part of a person's income.
The Student Grant Scheme and Student Support Regulations for the 2022/23 academic year are expected to be published in March 2023. The opening of SUSI's online grant application system will coincide with the publication of the scheme.
448. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on a matter (details supplied). [56145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability Access Route to Education (DARE) is operated by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) on behalf of the Higher Education Institutions (HEI) who set the policy criteria for the scheme. The IUA has provided a direct response for the Deputy, which I will ask my Department to send to you.
449. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will examine an issue regarding a gratuity allowance for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56160/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have sought some additional information from the Deputy's office to enable us direct the query to the relevant organisation. Once this information is received, enquiries will made and a reply issued to the Deputy.
450. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a student grant appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56196/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe student referred to by the Deputy submitted an appeal to the Student Grant Appeals Board (the Board).
This appeal was heard on the 8th November 2022 and the decision of the Appeals Officer in SUSI was overturned. The decision was communicated directly to the student and the appeal is now finalised.
451. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56233/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe increases mentioned in the correspondence are those announced as part of Budget 2023, namely a once off payment of €500 in 2022 for all PhD students currently in receipt of a stipend from either Science Foundation Ireland or the Irish Research Council, and an increase to the baseline stipend of €500 in 2023 for the same cohort of students. It is expected that the once off payment for 2022 will be paid this month or early December, and the increase to the baseline of €500 for 2023 will be implemented at the beginning of 2023.
PhD students who qualify for support under the Student Grant Scheme will benefit from a range of further measures to enhance the scheme as part of Budget 2023. Some of these cost-of-living measures will already commence in 2022.
As part of the Government's cost of living measures, every SUSI maintenance grant recipient will receive an additional once-off extra maintenance payment to be paid by the end of December 2022. This includes PLC, undergraduate and Postgraduate Students who are in receipt of the Special Rate of Grant.
Postgraduate Students who meet the eligibility criteria for a Postgraduate Fee Contribution Grant will benefit from a once off increase in this grant of €1,000 from €3,500 to €4,500.
On the issue of PhD supports in general, I also recently announced a national review of State supports for PhD researchers. The scope of the Review will include:
- Current PhD researcher supports including financial supports (stipends, SUSI supports and others);
- The adequacy, consistency and equity of current arrangements across research funders and higher education institutions, including equity and welfare considerations.
- The status of PhD researchers (student, employee) including a review of international comparators and models.
- Impact on the funding of research programmes of any adjustments to current supports.
- Graduate outcomes for PhD graduates including return on investment/benefits to the researcher.
- Visa requirements and duration for non-EU students.
The Review, informed by a robust evidence base, will be completed in early 2023.
452. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if an EU student resident in Ireland for the past three years is eligible for the free fees Initiative if their parents are resident in Romania; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56318/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fee payable by a student can vary depending on a variety factors including the type of course and the student's access route. The assessment of a students application and the determination of the appropriate fee rate is a function of the institution attended. It is therefore necessary for students to contact the institution attended for guidance on the fees applicable to a course of study.
Under my Department's Free Fees Initiative, the State pays tuition fees, exclusive of the student contribution, on behalf of eligible students attending approved full-time undergraduate courses. In order to qualify for funding under the Department’s Free Fees Initiative, students must meet the inter-alia criteria of the scheme including the separate residency and nationality/citizenship requirements in their own right.
In order to meet the residency criteria a student must have been ordinarily resident in an EU/EEA/Swiss/UK state for at least three of the five years preceding their entry to an approved third level course. The three out of five year rule takes cognizance of students who wish to take time out to travel or work abroad. Such students can still meet the residency requirement if they have not been outside the jurisdictions referenced above for more than two of the previous five years.
The assessment of eligibility under the Free Fees Initiative in individual cases is a matter for each institution to determine within the terms of the scheme and it is not possible for my Department to advise on the determinations made by individual institutions.
Where a student requires guidance on the determination of eligibility for free fees it is necessary that a student engage with the fees office of the institution attended. Direct engagement will offer students an opportunity to understand the determination of the institution and provide a basis for the student to provide additional information to the institution as appropriate to assist in the institution in determining a student's eligibility.
Where students do not qualify for free fees funding they must pay the appropriate fee - either EU or Non-EU, as determined by each higher education institution. These institutions are autonomous bodies and the level of fee payable by students who do not meet the requirements of the free fees scheme is a matter for the relevant institution to determine. This includes setting the criteria a person must meet to be regarded as an EU on Non-EU tuition fee student.
453. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his Department will consider developing, with the ETBs and other statutory education bodies, networks of remote study hubs in regional towns in which there is no third level institution footprint; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56484/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHEAnet, on behalf of the Department, is currently working with ETBs on a pilot project to test and roll out two services to the ETB sector, Edugate Federated Identity and eduroam. These services will allow third-level students to access secure eduroam Wi-Fi across the country.
Edugate is HEAnet’s federated single sign-on (SSO) service which deals with over 40 million authentications every year across the HEAnet network. For users, it means they only need one set of credentials to log in and access services such as email, virtual learning environments, journal and library services, web application logins and many others.
eduroam is a Wi-Fi service which enables students, researchers and staff from participating institutions to securely access the internet at their college/university and whilst visiting other participating institutions. In addition to 95 higher education sites, eduroam is currently available in over 500 off-campus locations across Ireland, such as libraries, transport, working hubs, community centres, town centres, and many more.
eduroam brings important benefits for students, institutions and service providers. High performance, secure Wi-Fi access transforms the learning experience. This removes the need to find free (and possibly insecure) Wi-Fi hotspots – the users’ existing credentials are used to access Wi-Fi wherever they need to connect.
For institutions, there is no longer a need to provide insecure shared usernames and passwords or to respond to requests for access. For service providers, it attracts the educational community to their venue and enables participants to access wireless connectivity without assistance. More information about eduroam and list of all eduroam Wi-Fi hotspot locations can be found on www.eduroam.ie
ConnectedHubs.ie is operated by The National Hub Network, a Government of Ireland initiative that provides a vehicle for individual work hubs to come together under a shared identity to maximise the economic opportunity of remote working.
454. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if postgraduate conversion courses exist to allow a person holding an undergraduate degree to acquire a qualification in physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56526/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraConversion courses are open to graduates who have not taken an accredited programme in the discipline.
The University of Limerick offers a 2-year professional qualification in Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech and language therapy, however there are additional entry requirements to these programmes, including undertaking of the HPAT or GAMSAT. These programmes are recognised by CORU.
For psychology, these programmes typically last for one-year full time and bring the student to the same point in the pathway towards becoming a psychologist as those who studied an approved undergraduate psychology degree. There are currently five conversion courses for Psychology which are accredited by the Psychological Society of Ireland, they are listed below.
1. Dublin City University - MSc in Psychology (Conversion Course)
2. NUI Galway - HDip Psychology (Conversion Course)
3. NUI Maynooth - MSc Psychology (Conversion Course)
4. Trinity College Dublin - MSc. in Psychology (Conversion Course)
5. University of Limerick - MA in Psychology (Conversion Course)
