Written Answers Nos. 233-252
233. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Social Protection the steps that he will take to ensure that online queries raised through MyWelfare accounts are responded to in a reasonable timeframe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57178/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department endeavours to deal with all customer queries promptly. Where a query is received to the “My Welfare support” email account, the aim is for it to be addressed within three working days; there are no backlogs on this email account, with emails being responded to in a prompt manner.
If the Deputy provides further details concerning what area of my Department where there are issues relating to online queries, my officials will of course follow up on the matter and bring it to resolution.
235. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) qualifies for the household benefits given their various illnesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57234/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the person concerned is already in receipt of the Household Benefits Package, comprising an Electricity Allowance and Free TV Licence, since 6 January 2020. The Electricity Allowance is being credited to the person's Electric Ireland Bill, at the applicant's request.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
236. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will support a matter (details supplied). [57196/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides family support services, through both internal Tusla family support provision and the commissioning of services through its community and voluntary sector partners. Specific and targeted interventions for families are delivered by Tusla and Tusla-funded services.
Under Tusla's Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme, 121 Child and Family Support Networks (CFSNs) have been set up across the country. The networks help to support integrated and co-ordinated supports for children, young people and families at local community level. Members of CFSNs come from a variety of agencies and local community and voluntary services such as primary care, social work, early years’ services, sports clubs, youth probation services, schools, etc. A CFSN can provide support to a family, as single-agency help or multi-agency working, where that does not require structured coordination. Such support may be required for families at any level of need.
A family can also access support through a Meitheal, which is the Tusla-led early intervention national practice model that is a case co-ordination process for families with additional needs who require multi-agency intervention but who do not meet the threshold for referral to the Social Work Department within Tusla under Children First. Meitheal is facilitated at the CFSN level. Families can access this support by directly initiating a Meitheal with the local CFSN, or a Meitheal can be initiated as part of a step-down approach from Social Work.
Tusla's Education Support Service includes Educational Welfare Officers who are based throughout the country. Parents can contact their local Educational Welfare Officer for help and advice. Contact details for are available on Tusla's website.
237. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number people seeking international protection in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57090/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter more appropriate for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice.
238. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of the properties provided to his Department for potential use as accommodation for Ukrainians by the Department of Housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57091/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that my officials are working closely with officials in the Department of Housing to identify accommodation for people who have fled the Ukraine war and are Beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive (BOTPs).
The Department of Housing has worked with local authorities to identify potential commercial accommodation for BOTPs in each country, including hotels, B and B’s and hostels, which were passed to my officials for follow up. The Department of Housing has submitted over 5, 000 potential accommodation places to my Department under this initiative.
Some commercial accommodation has been offered to my Department through a number of channels – via the Department of Housing, local authorities, local representatives and/or directly by the accommodation provider. Due to the multiple offers of the same accommodation my Department does not record the source of the accommodation offer when it is contracted, so it is not possible to provide the requested information.
My Department is also working with officials in the Department of Housing on potential properties which require refurbishment before they can be considered suitable for accommodation for BOTPs.
239. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of the proposed locations for the delivery of modular housing by the OPW for accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and those seeking international protection; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57092/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has approved the construction of 500 modular accommodation units for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine. These homes will have the potential to house up to 2,000 individuals in family units. The modular units will be constructed on state owned land.
The OPW is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). The objective is to install 500 units by February/March 2023.
All the modular sites will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a playground and green spaces fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The modular homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60-year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area.
Deputies and Senators in each constituency where the modular units are planned will receive a full briefing from officials of my Department and the OPW, which will explain the scope and duration of the project and will confirm that these units will be used primarily to provide short-term accommodation to families with children. DCEDIY and the OPW are also engaging directly with Local Authority officials in respect of each site.
The county’s Community Response Forum will be responsible for coordinating the integration of refugees into local areas. My Department is funding additional workers in each local authority to support the integration of new arrivals into the local areas. The Government is also providing funding for community initiatives to support persons displaced by the war in Ukraine.
Regarding the specific matter raised, I can advise the Deputy that the information sought is available to view on the Gov.ie portal website, link attached for information.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef882-rapid-build-housing/#where-sites-for-rapid-build-homes-will-be-located.
240. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a list of all contracts that have been awarded for the provision of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and those seeking international protection since February 2022 and the value of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57093/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by my officials that the below table lists all contractual arrangements that have been in place for the accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in 2022, including a small number that have lapsed or are no longer being availed of.
In respect of contractual values, the Deputy will appreciate that there are certain commercial sensitivities around this, but I can confirm that my Department is obliged to publish a list of formally signed off contracts each quarter that have been awarded under the special EU Derogation that permits the Department to enter into contracts in the context of the Ukraine crisis without going to formal tender.
The Deputy should note that these published values of the contracts are estimates; the actual value materialises upon occupancy and actual usage. Standard contracts have no-fault termination clauses available to both parties so again, the figures are indicative rather than actual.
While these quarterly lists are extensive, they do not encompass all contracts as the formal exchange of contracts can take place some time after the service commences.
The Q1, Q2 and Q3 reports can be found on the TED website:
Q1: ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:237209-2022:TEXT:EN:HTML
Q2: ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:424540-2022:TEXT:EN:HTML
Q3: ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:608491-2022:TEXT:EN:HTML&src=0
241. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when childminders will be added to the national childcare scheme; if an interim measure will be introduced in order that parents who utilise a childminder and cannot get a place in a creche could avail of the reduction in childcare fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57132/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements.
The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the National Childcare Scheme. The restriction of public funding to Tusla-registered providers helps ensure that funding is only provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children, or seven or more children of any age, are already required to register with Tusla and can already access the increased subsidies for parents announced in Budget 2023. While only a small number of childminders are currently registered with Tusla, it is intended that the National Action Plan for Childminding will result in the opening up of the National Childcare Scheme to a much wider cohort of childminders.The overall objective of the National Action Plan is to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding. To do this, the Action Plan sets out an incremental and supportive pathway to reform.Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, which began in 2021, is expected to take 2 – 3 years to complete. Phase 1 includes: development of new, childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home environment in which childminders work; development and roll-out of new, bespoke training for childminders; amendment of primary legislation to enable childminders to register with Tusla; and re-examining the funding and financial supports available for childminders.Since coming into office I have been committed to seeing this process through. A great deal of work still lies ahead, and it is important that we take the time to get this right, as it will involve a major process of change.
242. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the views outlined by the United Nations special rapporteurs on 23 September 2022, expressing concern that children of African and Irish descent were subjected to differential treatment in mother-and-baby homes due to their race and colour; if special redress will be provided through the mother and baby institutions payment scheme as a result of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57157/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the recent UN statement and I would like to reassure the Deputy that the Government takes its responsibility to investigate and address historic wrongs and allegations of human rights abuses very seriously.
Following publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, the Taoiseach offered a formal apology on behalf of the Government, the State and its citizens to all those who spent time in these institutions. In this apology, the Taoiseach acknowledged the failings of the State, over many decades, to protect vulnerable citizens, and to uphold their fundamental rights. The State apology recognised the “additional impact which a lack of knowledge and understanding had on the treatment and outcomes of mothers and children with different racial and cultural heritage, those who faced mental health challenges, or those with physical and intellectual disabilities”.
It was further acknowledged that “such discriminatory attitudes exacerbated the shame and stigma felt by some of our most vulnerable citizens, especially where opportunities for non-institutional placement of children were restricted by an unjust belief that they were unsuitable for placement with families”.
This State apology marked a starting point for further measures designed to address the needs and concerns of survivors and their families.
I am acutely aware that there is no financial payment which could make up for the immense pain and suffering endured by so many of our citizens whose lives have been affected by these issues.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is just one aspect of the overall package of supports and measures set out in the Government’s Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Homes Institutions which seeks to provide an inclusive and enduring response to the priority needs of all survivors.
The Scheme stands as a recognition of time spent, harsh conditions, emotional abuse and all other forms of harm, mistreatment, stigma and trauma experienced while resident in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution. The proposed structure of the Scheme, with increasing financial payments depending on length of stay, recognises that higher payments should be made to those who were subjected to institutional conditions for a prolonged period. This would acknowledge the reality that some may have experienced longer institutional stays due to a wholly unjust belief that they were unsuitable for placement with families.
The approach allows for a simple and non-adversarial application process, in which applicants will not have to prove abuse and the State can shoulder much of the administrative burden.
243. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department can provide a mediator in instances in which an ECCE provider and or an employee in an ECCE provider require mediator in cases before the WRC [57188/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the State does not employ early years educators or school-age childcare practitioners, my Department has no role in the employment relationship between employers and employees in the sector.
However, as with employees and employers in other sectors, those in the early learning and childcare sector can avail of the employment supports provided by other State bodies. One of these supports is the Mediation Service provided by the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The operation of this service, including the appointment of mediators, is a matter for the WRC, which is an independent body.
244. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has advice, a circular or memo for ECCE providers in respect of human resource management or procedures that they should follow. [57189/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the State does not employ early years educators or school-age childcare practitioners, my Department does not advise on the employment polices and procedures of the employers (service providers) operating in this sector.
However, as with employees and employers in other sectors, providers of early learning and childcare services can avail of the employment supports and advice provided by sector-specific representative organisations and by appropriate state agencies such as the Workplace Relations Commission.
245. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff in the International Protection Accommodation Services by grade in tabular form; the number of additional staff since the Russian invasion of Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57206/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI take it that the Deputy is referring to the Ukraine Division which was established in response to the Ukraine crisis.
As of the 11th of November 2022, there were 142 people assigned to work in or support the Ukraine Division. This includes 49 staff internally reassigned from within my Department, Ukrainian Temporary Clerical Officers that were recruited and staff on secondment or temporary assignment from other departments/bodies.
246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he is satisfied that the rights of children are adequately protected by all institutions of the State which might have a responsibility if any situations have emerged to the contrary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57219/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the rights of children are protected and upheld equally and in all situations in accordance with legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57220/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 246 and 247 together.
Children's rights, and their enjoyment of these rights, are of paramount importance to my Department, and indeed across Government. The importance of child-centred policies and protections represent a core value in our society which wants children to flourish and see a brighter future. There is no doubt that we must work towards ensuring this future and empower children to voice what kind of future they want.
Ireland remains firmly committed to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a major international human rights treaty that sets out the specific rights of children. The UNCRC was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1989 and Ireland ratified it in 1992.
The UNCRC has four key principles:
- all the rights guaranteed by the Convention must be available to all children without discrimination of any kind (Article 2);
- the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children (Article 3);
- every child has the right to life, survival and development (Article 6); and
- the child’s views must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her (Article 12).
The articles of the UNCRC are wide-ranging and cover a number of areas including health, housing, social security, education, leisure and play, child protection and welfare, criminal justice, international protection as well as access to information and participation in decision-making. Ireland is required to submit regular state reports on measures it has taken to progress the implementation of rights under the Convention, with the most recent report submitted in February of this year. Subsequently the State delegation has to appear before the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child for an oral examination which is anticipated to take place in January 2023.
My Department is currently developing the next national policy framework for children and young people. The new policy framework will take a rights based approach, aligned to the UNCRC in its principles and implementation measures. The blueprint for the framework was published in August and the framework itself will be published early next year. This timing will allow us to identify any gaps following the hearing before the UNCRC Committee in January 2023.
The holding of a Referendum on children's rights was an important commitment of the Government. As you are aware, the 31st Amendment, inserting Article 42A into the Constitution was signed into law on 28th April 2015. The fact that the Amendment now stands as part of our Constitution represents a considerable and symbolic advance in the identification of children as individual rights holders in our country.
The Children First Act 2015 clearly sets out the child safeguarding obligations of organisations providing services to children. The Act places a number of statutory obligations on organisations that provide relevant services to children, including to keep children safe from harm, to carry out a risk assessment and to develop a Child Safeguarding Statement (CSS) that outlines the organisations’ policies and procedures that are in place to manage any risks identified. The Act also specifies categories of mandated person, who have a statutory duty to report child protection concerns to Tusla, where the concern is at or above a threshold of harm as defined in the Act.
The Children First National Guidance operates side by side with the Children First legislation and sets out best practice and procedures that should be in place for all organisations providing services to children. For example, organisations providing services to children should also consider appointing a designated liaison person in keeping with best practice in child safeguarding. This person acts as the resource person for any staff member or volunteer who has child protection concerns and liaises with outside agencies.
When a referral of suspected child sexual abuse is made to Tusla, a social worker undertakes an initial assessment to ensure the safety of the child and to establish any further risk posed by the person alleged to have abused the child. Tusla may take action to protect children by informing a person’s employer or other third parties further to the outcome of an assessment, or on receipt of the information where there is an immediate and serious risk. Where an organisation believes a crime may have been committed, this should be reported to An Garda Síochána.
248. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he is satisfied that Tusla is free to carry out its statutory requirements in all situations which might emerge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57221/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for Tusla. I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy. Please be advised if this relates to an ongoing matter before the courts it may limit the response to an extent.
249. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Tusla has been restricted in its ability to carry out its statutory functions; if steps are being taken towards remedial action in this regard with immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57222/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy. Please be advised if this relates to an ongoing matter before the courts it may limit the response to an extent.
250. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Tusla has issued instructions forbidding named persons from offering evidence or advocating on behalf of mothers of children in family law situations; if remedial action is anticipated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57223/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, as the court services are under her remit.
251. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he is satisfied that equality prevails in all situations affecting children whose rights and entitlements might be affected in family law courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57224/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, as the court services are under her remit.
252. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which efforts continue in relation to integration with particular reference to the need to ensure maximum efforts throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57225/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) was launched in 2017 and concluded at the end of 2021, having been extended for a year due to the impact of COVID-19. The Strategy forms the central policy framework adopted by the Government to promote the integration of all migrants and their Irish-born children across various areas of public policy. The Strategy aims to enhance diversity, inclusion and equity for migrants across all aspects of Irish society. Additionally, the Strategy focuses on social inclusion measures, improved access to public services and aims to address racism and xenophobia and support integration and social cohesion at a local level.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has commissioned a joint evaluation of the Migrant Integration Strategy, alongside the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy and the National Strategy for Women and Girls which also concluded in 2021.
The Programme for Government has committed to developing a successor to the Migrant Integration Strategy, and consultations will begin in 2023 and will include input from first generation migrants as well as the second and third generation.
A range of funding programmes have been initiated under the MIS to support integration projects nationwide. These include the National Integration Fund and the Communities Integration Fund.
The DCEDIY administers the National Integration Fund - a three-year funding programme to promote initiatives to address areas where migrants find it difficult to avail of opportunities on an equal basis with other members of Irish society. Following a competitive funding call launched in August 2020, 18 successful projects located throughout Ireland will be granted funding totaling almost €2.2 million over the three-year period.
In June 2022, 124 community projects received funding through the Communities Integration Fund. A total of €566,492.60 will be given to local community-based organisations in the form of grants up to €5,000. These grants will be used to support local organisations allowing them to play a role in welcoming and integrating migrants and refuges into Ireland. The Communities Integration Fund is disbursed annually through an open funding call.
