Claire Kerrane
Ceist:382. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will be reviewing JobPath now that referrals have ended. [60950/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (382)
Freagraí scríofa
In 2018 Indecon, on behalf of the Department, undertook two detailed reviews into the Local Employment Service (LES) and Job Clubs. These reviews made a series of recommendations on the design and operation of contracted public employment services. In 2019 my Department commissioned an independent review of the provision of employment advisory services, including JobPath, Local Employment Services and Job Clubs. This review conducted by the Institute of Employment Studies and Social Finance, reviewed the provision of services and made recommendations for the future restructuring and procurement of services. The consultants commissioned by the Department consulted independently with a sample of existing providers that they had selected.
All external providers of employment advisory services are subject to regular audits and inspections. In addition, and specific to the provision of JobPath services, my Department commissions regular independent Customer Satisfaction Surveys to ensure that services are being delivered satisfactorily from the viewpoint of the customer. All of the evidence indicates that the experience of the majority of customers who have engaged with the JobPath service to date has been quite positive.
The Department have published the results of a number of these independent Customer Satisfaction Survey that have been commissioned since 2016. These surveys are available on the Department’s website on Gov.ie. These surveys provide a qualitative evaluation of the standard of service provided by the JobPath contractors. The most recent published survey is that which was carried out in Dec 2021 and the results of this are published on my Department's website.
In addition to the independently commissioned Customer Satisfaction Survey, the 2019 econometric review of JobPath undertaken by my Department in partnership with the OECD noted that the weekly employment earnings of people who secured employment with the JobPath service are 17% higher than the weekly employment earnings of people who secured employment without the support of JobPath in 2018. Taken with the 26% improvement in employment outcomes in the same period, it means the overall positive employment/earnings impact is 37% in 2018 for those supported by the JobPath service. These findings indicate that jobseekers who engage with JobPath are significantly more likely to get a positive employment outcome than those not supported by the service. The evidence to date, published by the Department indicates that employment outcomes among people on JobPath are higher than non-participants.
Question No. 383 answered with Question No. 338.
Social Welfare Payments
Ceisteanna (384)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:384. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an exceptional needs’ payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Applications for Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department.
The purpose of the ENP is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which cannot be met from any other source and which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
The ENP is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the SWA scheme taking into account the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ENP for assistance with the cost of car repairs. The claim was disallowed on the basis that no exceptional/urgent need had been established as the need had already been met. A decision letter issued to the person advising her of the outcome of the application and affording her the option of seeking a review of the Designated Person’s decision.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
Following a request, a review of the decision was undertaken. The SWA Review Officer, having examined the claim was unable to find any grounds to overturn the decision of the Designated Person and so the original decision was upheld. A letter issued to the person concerned on 01/12/2022 advising her of the outcome of the review.
The Review Officer noted on the person’s review submission that a loan had been taken out in August 2022 to specifically meet the need. In the correspondence issued, the person has been asked to revert to the SWA Review Officer with evidence of the loan and certain bank statements not provided with the ENP application. On receipt of this information, the SWA Review Officer will undertake a further review of the claim and the person will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Personal Public Service Numbers
Ceisteanna (385)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:385. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a PPS number will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61017/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The person concerned first applied for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number on 31/05/2022. This application was referred back to the person on his MyWelfare account, on 18/06/2022, with a request for further proof of his identity. The person was asked to provide either an image of the back of his National Identity Card or of his passport. As a response was not received, the person’s application expired on 28/07/2022.
The person concerned made a second application for a PPS Number on 18/11/2022. The application was referred back to the person on his MyWelfare account, on 01/12/2022, with a request for further proof of his address and employment. The person has been asked to provide documents proving his address and employment, that are dated within the last 3 months. This information remains outstanding.
On receipt of the requested documents, the person’s application for a PPS Number will be progressed.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (386)
Pádraig O'Sullivan
Ceist:386. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection the payments that are available to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61030/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Individuals who pay Class S PRSI contributions do not qualify for the short-term Illness Benefit scheme. If the person concerned expects to be unable to attend work for a period of at least 12 months it is open to her to make an application for one of the long-term illness schemes - Invalidity Pension or Disability Allowance.
If the person concerned is currently experiencing difficulties meeting her basic financial commitments she may contact the Community Welfare Officer, at her local Intreo Centre for an assessment of her circumstances to be carried out to determine whether she might qualify for assistance from the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (387, 388)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:387. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the time limit for when a former nursing home can cease operation as a nursing home and commence operations as an accommodation centre for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60425/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraPaul Kehoe
Ceist:388. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a private nursing home, which ceased operations in October 2022 is sold if the new owner can immediately commence operations as a refugee accommodation centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60426/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 387 and 388 together.
Following engagement and in agreement with the Department of Health, the Ukraine Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT) will not engage in the procurement of any property that was registered as a nursing home with the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) on 1st September 2022 or after that date.
Question No. 388 answered with Question No. 387.
Rights of People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (389)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:389. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the work of the transport working group; when the review of the disabled drivers and disabled passengers scheme will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60859/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to advance Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS). This Working Group is tasked with a very specific objective, derived originally from the Make Work Pay Report 2017, to coordinate action on transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities across Government in order to enhance the options for transport to work or employment for people with disabilities.
The issue of transport supports for people with disabilities is a key priority for me as Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability. For this reason, I have chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group since January 2022. At its third and most recent meeting on 6 September 2022, the results of a scoping exercise of existing transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities was discussed. This discussion involved presentations being given by relevant Government departments and agencies on schemes under their remit and it was informed by a stocktaking exercise which was coordinated by my Department.
The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme was one of several schemes included in the stocktaking exercise and discussed at the September meeting. Department of Finance officials made a presentation to the Group to this end.
The focus of the Group's work now is on completing Action 104 by developing proposals for the development of enhanced mobility and transport supports for people with disabilities. Submissions for proposals to this end were invited from members of the Transport Working Group between September and October 2022. The submissions received by my Department have contributed to a report of the Working Group which was circulated to the Group on 1 December and which will be considered at the final meeting of the Group on 8 December. It will be incumbent on colleagues across Government with responsibility for transport and mobility supports, currently and going forward, to carefully consider how the recommendations of the Transport Working Group ought to be advanced following the completion of Action 104 and the conclusion of the NDIS in December 2022.
In that regard, I would note that the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth does not hold responsibility for the administration of any transport or mobility supports for people with disabilities. The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme is the responsibility of the Minister for Finance and is administered by the Revenue Commissioners. As such, I would direct the Deputy to that Minister for further information on the specific status of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme.
Departmental Meetings
Ceisteanna (390)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:390. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the details of any meetings or engagements that he or his staff or bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with organisations (details supplied) from 1 March 2021 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60155/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Deputy, as requested please see below details of meetings or engagements that I or my officials or bodies under the aegis of my Department have had with the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) and The Irish Immigrant Council (IIC) from 1 March 2021 to date:
In February 2021, as part of the implementation of A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, governance structures were established to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board. Membership of this Programme Board includes Nick Henderson from the Irish Refugee Council. The Programme Board has met nine times:
- 29 July 2021
- 23 September 2021
- 21 October 2021
- 18 November 2021
- 17 December 2021
- 17 February 2022
- 23 March 2022
- 14 July 2022
- 06 October 2022
Minutes from each of the meetings can be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/bcb29-monitoring-and-oversight/
I can also confirm to the Deputy that there were a number of calls between officials in my Department and the Irish Refugee Council between July and September 2022 in relation to activating properties pledged by religious communities to the Irish Red Cross as part of the response to the Ukrainian crisis.
I am advised by my officials that the Arrivals and Dispersals Team had a visit from the Irish Refugee Council on 11 November 2022, whereby senior officials in my Department outlined the operations of the Citywest Transit Hub (CWTH).
In addition, my Department engaged with the Irish Refugee Council in relation to properties which were offered by religious orders. Engagement centred largely around ensuring that there was no duplication in engagement, as many bodies made offers to the Department and other organisations. The Irish Immigrant Council participated in Community Forum meetings while both NGOs participate in the Ukraine NGO Stakeholder Forum which is chaired by my Department.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) has regular informal and formal engagements with The Irish Refugee Council in its role as a Regional Support Organisation (RSO) for Ireland’s Community Sponsorship programme as well as in relation to the provision of integration support to programme refugees. The engagements between the IRPP and the Irish Refugee Council chiefly relate to IRPP’s oversight role for the Community Sponsorship Programme, including governance and operational meetings which take place with all community sponsorship stakeholders.
The IRPP also engages with the Irish Refugee Council in relation to the submission of applications and settlement plans from Community Sponsorship Groups, operational and financial reporting and discussions and updates on the provision of cultural orientation to arriving programme refugees.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (391)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:391. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will intervene in the case of a childcare provider (details supplied) and its reopening support payment. [60180/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of the emergency measures implemented by my Department in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Reopening Support Payment (RSP) was a once-off payment to service providers to assist them in adhering to reopening health guidelines. The amount of funding that a service could receive was based on the number of individual children registered on Department of Children, Equality, Integration, and Youth (DCEDIY) beneficiary schemes as at 12th March 2020. Services who opened on a full-time basis and were open for at least 6 of the 8 weeks between 29th June and 23rd August 2020 were eligible for Enhanced RSP (ranging from €2,000 to €10,000), while services operating part-time hours or who reopened in late August or September were eligible for Standard RSP (€1,000 to €5,000).
The verification checks carried out by Pobal for the RSP involved verifying the service was open for the required periods and durations, confirming RSP was expended in full and on eligible expenditure as outlined in the RSP guidelines, confirming public procurement guidelines were met and confirming fee increases were not implemented for the period of the funding agreement.
Officials in my Department worked closely with Pobal to ensure that payments fully adhered to scheme guidance. I am advised in this instance the service provider in question was eligible for Standard RSP, and not the Enhanced RSP.
While my Department recognises the important work carried out by service providers and staff, both throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and at all other times, it is vital to protect the integrity of the schemes by ensuring that all funding is claimed correctly and in line with scheme rules. At the same time, my Department would be very cognisant of the need to ensure sustainability of services and the challenging operating environment at this time and therefore we would arrange repayment of the Reopening Support Payment in instalments over a suitable time frame.
Whilst the scheme does not have an appeal process, and there is no legal obligation to have such a process in place, my Department in the interest of reasonableness and transparency has requested that Pobal CAR initiate a desk review of the verification. This review will be carried out by a different verification officer than the officer that undertook the initial review. Pobal CAR will inform you of the outcome of the review in due course.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (392)
Emer Higgins
Ceist:392. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place to support mothers of children under three years of age who cannot find childcare before they return to work after maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60193/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The availability of high-quality early learning and childcare 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. Every year, more than 100,000 children participate in the universal pre-school programme (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is currently subsidising 95,000 children.
Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that, on the whole, supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups and in certain areas.
Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic revealed lower demand for early learning and childcare, and reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services.
Data captured earlier this year parallels the pre-Covid-19 context, whereby the supply of early learning and childcare places is meeting demand though there is evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
In April of this year, City/County Childcare Committees (CCC) undertook a nationwide survey of capacity in early learning and childcare services. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal.
Preliminary analysis of the latest data captured by CCC and Pobal reveal a drop in vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate now averaging at 13.3%.
The network of 30 CCCs across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. In addition, the CCC has been mobilised to engage proactively with services to identify vacant places and to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need. Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local CCC for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
In addition to this, a range of other steps are being taken by my Department to address issues of under supply.
Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places.
Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, my Department has committed to opening up access to the NCS to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders, which is expected to happen within the first 2-3 years of the Plan.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings.
In addition, the new Core Funding scheme, introduced on 15 September, has given rise to a significant growth in capacity - with initial analysis showing a significant capacity growth for certain cohorts (such as babies and toddlers) and in areas where there has been significant pressure on places.
To meet the cost of this capacity growth, I recently announced that the original allocation for Core Funding will be increased to €259 million for Year 1 of the Scheme. In addition, the full year value of Core Funding will increase by €28 million to €287 million in Year 2 of the Scheme.
Funding earmarked for the Scheme in Year 2 will be informed by the emerging data from Year 1 and may focus on promoting further capacity expansion.
Rights of People with Disabilities
Ceisteanna (393)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:393. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the Government’s plans to ratify the Optional Protocol of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60273/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007.
Ireland's approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of continuous advancement - each year moving forward on key reforms to consistently strengthen and uphold obligations and rights arising from the Convention.
I recognise the importance of the Optional Protocol to the UNCRPD. As the Deputy will be aware, the Optional Protocol is an international treaty that establishes procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention, and I support this fully.
Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government. The timeline for ratification was originally anticipated to follow the conclusion of Ireland’s first review period before the UN Committee.
Due to delays at UN level Ireland’s appearance before the Committee will now be delayed. Due to this delay, Minister O’Gorman and I have indicated that we are open to the earlier ratification of the Optional Protocol.
My Department is currently working to scope out the requirements for earlier ratification. This scoping work is required due to the long-standing position of the State in relation to honouring international agreements. As a matter of policy, Ireland does not enter into binding international treaties until we are confident that the obligations set out within can be complied with.
While I am not yet in a position to give an exact date for ratification, it is a priority to ensure that the Optional Protocol is ratified at the earliest possible date.
Family Support Services
Ceisteanna (394)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:394. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will be in a position to aid a family resource centre (details supplied) with providing childcare for service users; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60335/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Core Funding, which began in September 2022, is the new funding stream worth €259 million in full year costs. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents, and ensure a stable income to providers.
Core Funding is designed to support a range of objectives, including supporting the new minimum rates of pay for workers as determined by the Employment Regulation Orders (EROs), as well as supporting career pathways and graduate employment.
Core Funding enables providers to better attract and retain staff, including degree-qualified staff; establish career structures; and introduce or improve other factors that contribute to high-quality early learning and childcare.
In addition to financial support provided through Core Funding, my Department offers one to one support to services which may have operational difficulties through a Case Management Process. My Department oversees this process, through which local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to early learning and childcare services experiencing difficulties. CCCs administer on-the-ground case management assistance, coordinated by Pobal. This can include help with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. In some instances, financial supports may be appropriate, in tandem with the case management process.
Services that have any questions or that may be experiencing difficulty are encouraged to contact their CCC for support and guidance.
Youth Services
Ceisteanna (395)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:395. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the services his Department provides for young people in each town in County Clare, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60337/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides a range of funding for youth services nationally. The Education and Training Boards are funding intermediaries for my Department, including the Limerick and Clare ETB.
Information provided by funded organisations by county under UBU Your Place Your Space is available on our website: ubu.gov.ie/about/youth-services/ubufo
The main beneficiary organisation in Clare is the Clare Youth Service, based in Ennis, and has a presence around the county including Ennis, Shannon, and, a recent addition to UBU Your Place Your Space in Killaloe. This service received over €320,000 in funding under UBU Your Place Your Space in 2022. My Department provides funding of some €55,500 for a youth information centre based in Ennis. In addition to funding for these youth services, some €160,000 was provided to Limerick Clare ETB under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, and this will have benefited clubs across Co. Clare.
The funding from my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. In Clare these include:
- UBU Your Place Your Space is a youth funding scheme that targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services to deliver better outcomes.
- Youth Information Centres provide young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters.
- The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level.
The area will also expect to benefit from funding nationally under the Youth Service Grant Scheme to support more universal service provision to 30 national or regional organisations.
Family Resource Centres
Ceisteanna (396, 397)
Violet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:396. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports he has made available for Family Resource Centres in 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60338/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraViolet-Anne Wynne
Ceist:397. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the one-off funding he has made available to Family Resource Centres for the upcoming year 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60339/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 396 and 397 together.
You may be aware Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre Programme which provides funding support to 121 Family Resource Centres across the country. Tusla's financial support is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. Tusla does not provide capital funding to the Family Resource Centre programme.
The commissioning of Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla. Their area managers engage in the commissioning process and participate in meetings and discussions with community and voluntary agencies. Family Resource Centre funding is agreed annually through Service Level Agreements with Tusla’s commissioning team. Tusla continue to work hard in developing an effective, supportive, and efficient relationship with all Family Resource Centres.
I have met many representatives of Family Resource Centres across the country. The work they do is vital to so many families, vulnerable people and in many instances new arrivals to the country. Budget 2023 was a challenging budget with many competing priorities.
You may be interested to know, Tusla annual funding to Family Resource Centres rose to €18m in 2019 to support the 121 Family Resource Centres. In 2020 Tusla provided similar funding with additional supports to Family Resource Centres and other funded community and voluntary partners to assist with pressures arising from Covid-19. Similar funding levels were secured for 2021, with a further €0.65 million was allocated to Family Resource Centres in 2021 from the Dormant Accounts programme. In Budget 2022, additional funding of €6.0 million was allocated to enable Tusla increase supports to the wider community and voluntary sector with a portion used to increase supports to Family Resource Centres. Again in 2022 €1.0 million was secured in Dormant Accounts funding to be provided to Family Resource Centres. I can confirm Tusla's business plan for 2023 is being finalised and similar funding levels be provided in 2023 from my Department.
Other Government bodies and State agencies also provide substantial funding to Family Resource Centres to deliver services on their behalf. Reports indicate in many instances that approximately half of total Family Resource Centre funding is provided from non-Tusla sources such as Local Authorities, Educational Training Boards, (ETBs), the HSE, Pobal and the Department of Social Protection.
Tusla continues to work with community-based family support organisations to best meet the needs of vulnerable children, families and communities.
Question No. 397 answered with Question No. 396.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (398)
Colm Burke
Ceist:398. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of hotel rooms which are currently being used to accommodate refugees from Ukraine and other jurisdictions by county in tabular form; the cost which has been incurred over the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60362/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland is now accommodating over 64,900 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This includes over 47,420 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) who have sought accommodation from the State and over 17,515 International Protection applicants currently in IPAS accommodation. This compares with 7,500 at the same time last year. The Department has sourced accommodation for the equivalent of the population of Waterford City in the last 6 months.
Over 650 contracts have been put in place for BOTP accommodation, with over 37,535 beds in hotels, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain emergency or repurposed settings. Just over 5,700 people are in homes offered by the Irish public. Sporting facilities, army and tented facilities are also being used to provide shelter.
The Government is resolute in its solidarity and support for Ukraine, and huge efforts are being made to source facilities that will provide those arriving in Ireland with safety and shelter.
I can advise the Deputy that my Department is obliged to publish a list of formally signed off contracts each quarter that have been awarded under a special EU Derogation that permits the Department to enter into contracts in the context of the Ukraine accommodation crisis without going to formal tender. The values of these contracts are also listed.
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.
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
Attached is the requested breakdown by county of all rooms (as opposed to bed spaces) which my Department has contracted to provide accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.
|
County |
Rooms |
|
Carlow |
263 |
|
Cavan |
312 |
|
Clare |
1237 |
|
Cork City |
2004 |
|
Donegal |
1580 |
|
Dublin |
2488 |
|
Galway |
1705 |
|
Kerry |
2404 |
|
Kildare |
15 |
|
Kilkenny |
247 |
|
Laois |
149 |
|
Leitrim |
284 |
|
Limerick |
1273 |
|
Longford |
92 |
|
Louth |
276 |
|
Mayo |
820 |
|
Meath |
392 |
|
Monaghan |
95 |
|
Offaly |
120 |
|
Roscommon |
67 |
|
Sligo |
753 |
|
Tipperary |
281 |
|
Waterford |
491 |
|
Westmeath |
301 |
|
Wexford |
401 |
|
Wicklow |
753 |
|
Total |
18803 |
I am further advised by my officials that, to date, the total expenditure on Ukraine accommodation and related costs is €385 million.
I can confirm that as of 27 November 2022 there were 6,566 International Protection applicants accommodated in hotels – the number of rooms is not available as the information is not gathered on this basis due to different room configurations.
In respect of IP accommodation, a total of €165.7 million was spent on hotel accommodation between November 2021 and November 2022.
I trust this information is of assistance.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (399, 401)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:399. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if annual rates of core funding for the childcare sector will increase in line with inflation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60551/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:401. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has increased the renewed 2023 core funding provided by his Department to community development organisations in receipt of funding for the current and previous years to provide for increased operating costs arising from inflation, energy costs and related outgoings. [60659/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 399 and 401 together.
I take it the Deputy is referring to the Core Funding initiative introduced by my Department, which supports early learning and childcare providers. In terms of specific supports for community development organisations, that matter would be more appropriately addressed by my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development.
On 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. Together for Better is comprised of 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. Together for Better 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.
The original allocation for year 1 of Core Funding in Budget 2022 was €207 million. I grew this to €221 million in early 2022 in response to cost pressures, and increased that again to €259 million in September 2022 based on significant capacity growth in the sector.
The significant allocation on offer through Core Funding in year 1 is conditional on a fee freeze, support for new wage rates through the EROs and financial and operational transparency. These are central objectives of Core Funding - ensuring the substantial additional investment in the sector delivers for parents and for workers and allows the State to be assured that its funding is being spent appropriately.
Core Funding is a very significant new injection of funding into the sector and I have secured an increase of €28 million in the Core Funding envelope for year two of operation (September 2023-August 2024). Approximately €4 million of the €28 million will be used to remove the experience requirement on both graduate premiums under Core Funding. The remaining €24 million will be used for further developments and enhancements to the scheme, the precise allocation of which will be determined by evidence and analysis emerging from year one of the operation of the scheme and must be evidence based.
Core Funding contributes to services’ sustainability and significantly increases income for the overwhelming majority of services and provides greater funding stability. Already 94% of services have signed up to Core Funding and the scheme remains open for applications.
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.
CCCs are receiving very small numbers of services reporting cases of financial unsustainability. Just two services have applied for sustainability funding in 2022 and their difficulties pre-date Core Funding becoming available. Any provider who is experiencing challenges is encouraged to contact their CCC.
Early learning and care services will be able to apply for the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS). Under TBESS, businesses engaged in early learning and childcare services who have suffered an increase of at least 50% in the average unit price of electricity and/or natural gas for the relevant billing period in 2022, as compared with the average unit price for electricity and/or gas for the corresponding reference period in 2021, will be eligible under the scheme.
Due to the level of support provided over the past years through Covid-19 funding - estimated to be in excess of €1 billion - many early learning and childcare services are in a strong financial position. Available funding included the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme, Covid-19 capital grants, Reopening Support Payments, Ventilation grants, Playing Outside Grants, and the Transition Fund, in addition to the very substantial funding through the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which covered the large majority of the wage bill for most services.
Stability and sustainability of early learning and childcare services is a top priority for Government, as demonstrated by the significant additional investment in the new funding model plus the wider whole-of-government supports for providers throughout the pandemic and now offered through TBESS. The Department, with Pobal and CCCs, will continue to engage with the sector and monitor the financial situation of early learning and childcare services, and supports are available where services face sustainability issues.
Budget 2023 allocates €1.025 billion to early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Together for Better aims to transform the sector and I am committed to working with Partner Services delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.