Written Answers Nos. 450-464
450. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the concrete plans that his Department has to pay additional allowances to foster carers who provide aftercare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62000/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of aftercare is to help care leavers to transition from care to living as an independent adult and the focus of any supports provided by Tusla are to assist in this transition.
The Deputy will be aware that Tusla’s statutory obligations in relation to care leavers are set out in the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. These include assessments of need, and the preparation of aftercare plans that address those needs.
Tusla provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The ‘aftercare allowance’ amounts to €300 per week and is available to care leavers up to the age of 23. In addition, a care leaver may also be entitled to a number of additional financial supports which include the SUSI Grant (which is payable at the higher rate for care leavers),the Tusla Dormant Accounts funded Bursary Scheme and an aftercare grant for moving costs.
The Deputy may be aware that at present Tusla are developing a new Strategic Plan for Aftercare Services. Tusla has advised that a wide and comprehensive consultation process is preceding the development of this strategy. Officials from my Department are engaging in the consultation for this Plan and I look forward to its publication and engaging with Tusla on any recommendations contained within it.
In the interim, there are currently no plans to review allowances in relation to aftercare.
451. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department can confirm that there will be a comprehensive package for foster carers in the next Budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62001/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that I am acutely aware that foster carers at this present time are experiencing significant cost of living pressures and the challenges this brings to caring for the children under their care.
It was in this context that the CEO of Tusla and I met following the budget and agreed a single additional once-off cost of living payment for each child in foster care to be paid at the rate of €325 for a child under 12 and €352 for a child over 12.
Although this payment will go some way to alleviate the immediate financial pressures foster carers are facing, I see it as one part of a wider body of work required to improve the supports available to foster carers. While the Deputy will be aware that I am not in a position at this point to give any assurances in respect of the outcome of the budget discussions in 2023, I can assure him that an increase in the rate of the foster care payment will be a priority for me in future budgets.
The Deputy may also be aware that Tusla’s Strategic Plan for Foster Care Services for Children and Young People 2022 – 2025 contains a number of recommendations aimed at improving the supports available to foster carers. My Department looks forward to engaging with Tusla in respect of these recommendations and the proposals contained within each of them.
Further, the Deputy will be aware that some issues relating to other financial supports, which have been raised by foster carers, fall within the remit of the Department of Social Protection. I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with Tusla and with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, in the coming months to review and seek to improve supports available to foster carers.
452. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how advanced is his Department's work on the issue of pensions for foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62002/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met with foster carers who have highlighted issues around their eligibility for the State Pension Contributory, which is within the remit of the Department of Social Protection.
I met with my ministerial colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, in November and discussed the issue of support for foster carers. I am aware that the Department of Social Protection has some measures available to recognise caring periods outside of paid employment in the calculation of a State Pension payment. Credit for Home Caring Periods may be awarded to a maximum of 20 years and foster carers are entitled to the benefits of this scheme, on the same basis as other carers, once certain qualifying criteria are met.
The Deputy may be aware that the Report of the Commission on Pensions contains certain recommendations in respect of long-term carers. I can inform the Deputy that officials from my Department are engaging with their counterparts from the Department of Social Protection in respect of this recommendation, seeking to ensure that foster carers are included in this proposal.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with Tusla and with my Government colleagues and any other relevant stakeholders in the coming months to review and seek to improve supports available to foster parents.
453. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the back-to-school allowance will be paid to foster carers at the next academic year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62003/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which is administered by the Department of Social Protection, is not payable in respect of foster children.
The Foster Care Allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax. This allowance is provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child’s daily living needs, including the cost of clothing and footwear and school related items.
If required, Tusla can also provide additional financial supports to foster carers through either additional or enhanced payments. Additional payments refers to any payment made to a foster carer that exceeds the standard rate of the Fostering Allowance. Such additional payments may be made in respect of children or young people who have additional needs that are not covered by the standardised Fostering Allowance. Additional payments can only be made where a child has additional medical or educational needs and when authorisation has been received from the Tusla Area Manager.
I am aware however that foster carers have highlighted the effect that the current cost of living crisis is having on them and have raised the issue of the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance. The Back to School and Footwear Allowance is administered by my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. I have some initial engagement with her in relation to this, and other issues raised by foster carers, and I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with her and with Tusla and any other relevant stakeholders in the coming months to review and seek to improve supports available to foster parents.
454. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine the matter of mileage rates vis-a-vis foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62004/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware the CEO of Tusla and I met following Budget 2023, and discussed the issues of supports to foster parents. During my engagement with the CEO it was recognised that foster parents, like many others, are experiencing cost of living pressures and both myself and Tusla wanted to respond to this in a positive and meaningful way.
I am aware that one of the issues raised by foster carers was in respect of mileage payments, particularly where foster parents are required to drive children significant distances for access visits, for school, or for medical appointments. I am aware that a significant excess applies, before mileage payments are made.
I can inform the Deputy that I have been engaging with Tusla around the issue of travel costs incurred by foster carers when they are undertaking required travel for the foster child. I can advise that Tusla has committed to reviewing the current supports available to foster carers in respect of mileage payments. Tusla have advised that they will be in a position to provide an update to me on their proposals in the latter half of February 2023.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with Tusla and with my Government colleagues and any other relevant stakeholders in the coming months to review and seek to improve supports available to foster parents, including supports for significant travel costs.
455. 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 non-early-learning and childcare community-based not-for-profit organisations to provide for increased operating costs arising from inflation, energy costs and related outgoings. [62009/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Budget 2023, I secured a small increase in funding for non-early learning and childcare Community and Voluntary Organisations funded by my Department, including youth services and clubs, Tusla funded services, Traveller and Roma organisations and the National Women’s Council of Ireland. Part of this increase in allocation will be used to offset increases in costs.
In addition, a range of whole of economy supports have been put in place by Government to support organisations, including Community and Voluntary Organisations, with increased operating costs arising from higher energy costs. These include:
Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS)
The Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS) is a targeted support aimed at helping business over the winter period with the significant increase in their electricity and natural gas costs. Section 88 of the Finance Bill 2022 makes provision for the scheme, which will be administered by the Revenue Commissioners. It is a support available for businesses that carry on a trade or profession chargeable to tax under Case I or II of Schedule D, including self-employed individuals, companies, and partnerships. Charities and sporting bodies who carry on certain activities, which would be chargeable to tax under Case I or II of Schedule D but for an available exemption, are also included in the scheme.
Sports Energy Support Scheme (SESS)
Sport Ireland will administer the Sports Energy Support Scheme (SESS) on behalf of the Government. It will be open to all recognised sporting National Governing Bodies or organisations that have an existing funding relationship with Sport Ireland, along with their affiliated clubs and networks. Unaffiliated sports clubs may apply for supports towards higher energy costs via their Local Sports Partnership.
Arts and Culture Energy Scheme
The Arts Council will administer an energy support scheme in support of arts organisations that are in receipt of Strategic Funding, Arts Grant funding or Arts Centre funding from the Arts Council in 2022.
Community Support Fund
The Department of Rural and Community Development will make funding available through local authorities is to be disbursed to community and voluntary organisations to assist with their energy costs. Organisations that are not incorporated (as Companies Limited by Guarantee or as Co-operatives) or that are not registered charities may apply for support towards energy or other running costs to their local authority.
Section 38 and 39 (Health) Organisations
The Department of Health through the HSE (Health Service Executive) will provide funding to organisations supported under Section 38 and 39 of the Health Act (2004) towards their additional energy costs, as well as not for profit nursing homes.
Organisations in Gaeltacht Areas and language bodies
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport, and Media (D/TCAGSM) will provide energy support funding to organisations in Gaeltacht areas and language organisations that have an existing funding relationship with D/TCAGSM, Údarás na Gaeltachta, Foras na Gaeilge or Ulster-Scots Agency.
Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS)
The Community and Voluntary Energy Support Scheme (CVESS) provides for a once-off payment to eligible charities and community and voluntary sector organisations towards their energy costs.
456. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a matter whereby a number of Ukrainians and other tenants resident in accommodation owned by a hotel (details supplied) are having their water turned off on a regular basis; and if his Department has contacted the hotel to carry out an inspection of the accommodation. [62065/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in consultation with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and relevant State agencies/Government Departments developed a standards document within the context of the Humanitarian Crisis Housing Taskforce.
The guidance is broadly based on homeless emergency accommodation which has been developed in recent years to respond to the needs of those presenting as homeless and to reduce reliance on commercial hotel and B&B accommodation. This generally consists of serviced type accommodation arrangements for families and/or individuals and shared facilities for cooking, laundry, recreation etc.
The document provides guidance on appraisal criteria, including general considerations such as location, current state of building, general standards, accommodation standards, statutory requirements etc.
The document refers to and includes standards in accommodation covering:
- Structural Condition
- Sanitary Facilities
- Heating Facilities
- Food Preparation and Storage and Laundry
- Ventilation
- Lighting
- Fire Safety
- Refuse Facilities and
- Gas, Oil and Electrical Installations
The standards applied clearly state that buildings offering temporary accommodation for use by those fleeing the war in Ukraine must be safe, well maintained and in good repair.
Accommodation providers must comply with fire safety obligations/regulations. The standards clearly state that adequate provisions should be made in relation to fire safety e.g. compliance with a fire safety certificate or the obligations under the Fire Services Acts.
The Department treats all complaints about accommodation with the utmost seriousness and is committed to reviewing/acting on all complaints in a timely and efficient manner.
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage has agreed an inspection template for vacant pledged properties, which includes fire safety criteria. Inspections of suitable pledged vacant properties also take place prior to occupation.
If a complaint requires an inspection, the Department will arrange for an inspection to be conducted by QTS Health and Safety Ltd on its behalf.
If the inspection identifies any issues, the Department will ask the service provider to address any issues identified.
If the issues are addressed and rectified, no further action is required.
If issues of concern are not addressed, the Department has the authority to relocate people and terminate the contract.
I am advised by my officials that there is no complaint on hand from residents in respect of the provider mentioned, or of the issue the Deputy mentioned. Issues of this nature should be flagged to ukrainretempaccom@equality.gov.ie for appropriate follow up.
457. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 will be expected to commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62155/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis.
The Act will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
The Decision Support Service (DSS), which is the organisation that will operate the provisions of the 2015 Act, will respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. To date, the Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in preparing to operate the 2015 Act.
Amendments are required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022, will streamline processes in the interests of those using its provisions. Amendments will also strengthen the safeguards included in the 2015 Act.
The Programme for Government remains committed to commencing the amended 2015 Act, recognising the importance of the much needed reform that it represents. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022 has passed through the Dáil and Seanad and is due to return to the Dail on 14 December for the final stage in the legislative process. It will then be enacted following the President's consideration and signature.
Once this Bill has been enacted, the Government will move to quickly commence the 2022 Amendment Bill and the amended 2015 Act in early 2023. I expect to be in a position to make an announcement on a date for the abolition of wardship and the full operationalisation of the Decision Support Service following passage of the Amendment Bill.
458. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action taken to support the childcare and early years sector since 27 June 2020. [62174/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the period 2020-2022, in addition to funding under my Department’s funding schemes, my Department and the State more broadly put in place a range of Covid-19 related supports for early learning and childcare services, estimated to cost €1 billion. The objective of these Covid-19 supports were to:
- support providers’ sustainability to enable services return to normal once restrictions were lifted;
- support providers to retain their staff;
- ensure that services could reopen and remain open, even at very low levels of occupancy;
- ensure that services could operate safely for children, families and staff;
- ensure that increased costs associated with public health requirements, and lower demand / occupancy were not passed on to parents; achieve administrative efficiency through the continued use of existing funding schemes and other whole of economy supports; and
- protect exchequer investment.
Supports in 2020 included:
- The continuation of funding under my Department’s schemes on an ex gratis basis (13 March - 5 April)
- The Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (6 April – 28 June 2020); which was layered on top of the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and provided a top-up for wages of eligible early learning and childcare staff and a further payment to be used towards ongoing/non-deferrable operational costs such as rent, insurance and ICT.
- The Reopening Funding Package, (29 June – 23 August 2020), which included a once-off Reopening Support Payment (RSP), a once-off Covid-19 capital grant.
The table below shows the 2020 expenditure amounts for the sector across DCEDIY Covid-19 supports.
|
Scheme |
Net Expenditure |
|
Covid-19 TWSCS |
€52.4m |
|
Covid-19 Reopening Support Payment |
€13.1m |
|
Covid-19 Capital |
€13m |
|
Sustainability Support Funds |
€0.8m |
In 2021, my Department provided supports under the Covid-19 Operating Support Payment, the Playing Outdoor Grant and the Ventilation Grant, as follows:
|
Scheme |
Expenditure |
|
Covid-19 Operating Support SchemePlaying Outdoors GrantVentilation Grant |
€12m€4.7m€7.8m |
In addition to these supports, the TWSS was estimated to cost €100m and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), was estimated to cost €632m. The EWSS:
- at enhanced rates from October 2020- January 2022 covered 80% of staff costs /50% of staff costs at a monthly cost of €34m per month.
- at standard rates, from August-September 2020 and February 2022 covered 50% of staff costs/38% of operating costs cost €22m per month.
- at flat rates, from March and April 2022, covered 25% of staff costs/ 11% of operating costs at a monthly cost of €11m per month.
There was other supports to the sector provided during the pandemic, including the PUP, the Restart Grant and the commercial rates waiver.
A transformative package of measures was announced in Budget 2022, increasing my Department’s funding allocation from €638m to €719m. This provided for a range of measures, including the introduction of Core Funding, enhancements to the NCS (i.e. the end in practice of deducting hours in pre-school or school from NCS hours and the extension of the universal subsidy to children under 15) and the temporary Transition Fund that was put in place to bridge the gap between the end of the EWSS and the introduction of core funding, which operated from May-August 2022, with expenditure of €23m.
A total of €1.025 billion was announced in Budget 2023 for early learning and childcare. This represents a €346m increase on last year’s funding and means the First 5 investment target of €1 billion by 2028 has been exceeded, five years ahead of target.
This €1,025 billion investment includes €266m to support continued implementation of the Core Funding Scheme for the first full programme year, September 2022 to August 2023 and into the next programme year from September 2023, with additional funding of €59m being made available to cover the costs of increased levels of capacity and numbers of graduates in year one and for a number of enhancements in year two of the Scheme.
Core Funding is designed specifically as a supply-side funding stream, paid directly to providers, related to the costs of delivery. Core Funding is based on operating hours, number of places offered by services, and the age group of children for whom the places are offered, given the staffing requirements determined by the regulatory ratios for different care categories, as well as allocations for graduate leaders in services. Structuring Core Funding primarily based on capacity means that Partner Services have an allocation each year that does not fluctuate in line with children’s attendance. Core Funding allows for substantial increases in the total cost base for the sector, related both to pay and non-pay costs, without additional costs being passed on to parents.
In addition to the continued support for the new funding stream, Budget 2023 saw €357.6m allocated for the continued implementation of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), offering supports to a greatly expanded cohort of children and families at significantly higher subsidy levels– with additional funding of €121m ensuring the hourly universal subsidy under the NCS can increase from 0.50c per hour to €1.40 per hour from January 2023.
Funding in 2023 also provides €308.2m for the continuation of the ECCE programme that will benefit more than 108,000 children in 2023 and the continuation of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) to ensure more than 5,000 children with a disability can access and meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme. €84.5m was allocated to support the delivery of a range of regulatory and quality supports for the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding, Nurturing Skills: the Workforce Plan, and the ongoing development of the registration and inspection system as well as policy development commitments set out in First 5 and the Programme for Government
My Department has allocated €9m for the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC).
Grants will range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit. The Green Energy Strand will support the Climate Action Agenda and the Programme for Government, which aim to transition to a carbon neutral economy by the end of 2050 and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51% by 2030.
I will be announcing details of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant in the coming months. This Grant will provide an investment of up to €45m for the expansion of existing provision and development of new provision.
459. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla has social workers available for emergency out-of-hours services in all areas in tabular form; if not, the areas where emergency social workers are not available for emergency out-of-hours service. [62183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
460. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a payment for accommodation will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62245/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver 650 providers are currently in arrangements with my Department to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Over €50m has issued from my Department in November in respect of Ukraine accommodation and related costs. We are working rapidly to process all invoices received, with additional resources assigned. A further 17% increase in number of invoices processed was recorded in the past week, on top of the previous increase.
My Department is prioritising older invoices with a view to clearing that backlog before Christmas.
I am advised by my officials that a payment issued on 8 December in respect of the party referred to.
461. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide clarity on the timeframe before a former nursing home that was registered with HIQA on or since 1 September 2022 may become eligible for consideration to be used as an accommodation facility for refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62247/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy position of my Department is that nursing homes that were active since 1 September 2022 will not be considered for conversion to temporary accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, regardless of the amount of time that has passed since closure. As we head into the winter season, it is essential that capacity in the nursing home sector is preserved in order to ensure that there no impacts that will increase delayed discharges from the hospital system.
More broadly, the nursing home sector has seen a high number of closures over recent months. i am advised that, due to the severity of the impact on the residents and staff, the Department of Health has put a number of measures in place to reduce incentives for providers to close, including supports with cost increases due to inflation.
462. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capital and current spend by his Department attributable to addressing the accommodation and other needs of international protection applicants to date in 2022; and the projected spend for same for 2023.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62248/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy,
My officials are collating the information in regard to this request currently and we expect to have the information with you early next week.
The reason for this short delay is because the projected spend for 2023 will be available in the Revised Estimates Volume, which will be published shortly.
463. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of temporary rooms and beds acquired by IPAS within privately-owned accommodation (details supplied) to house international protection applicants to date in 2022. [62249/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, I can confirm that as of 4 December there were 10,568 International Protection applicants in temporary accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). However, due to different room configurations, occupancy is not gathered on a room basis.
As you are aware, under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), my Department is legally required to provide accommodation to international protection applicants who seek it while their claim for international protection is being determined by the Department of Justice.
The accommodation of International Protection Applicants (IPAs) is a demand-led process with applicants arriving in the country and seeking accommodation spontaneously.Since 1 January over 13,600 international protection (IP) applicants have arrived in Ireland. In the past 12 months this figure rises to just over 14,700. The average arrival figure for IP applicants for the three-year period from (2017 to 2019) is 3,500.
IPAS accommodation centres are currently hosting almost 18,000 people. At this time last year IPAS was accommodating 7,250 people.
Since 24 February 2022, the Department has worked to facilitate the accommodation solution for both IP applicants and over 49,000 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs), an unprecedented volume of people seeking refuge in Ireland.The pressure to accommodate over 67,000 people since the start of the year has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection seekers. My Department has been forced to avail of all offers of accommodation made, including the use of office buildings, in order to address the accommodation shortfall.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country. There have been circa 40 accommodation locations utilised since January across 13 counties.
The Department is availing of all offers of accommodation made to it, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter to international protection arrivals, to meet basic needs and to prevent homelessness.
464. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the lease arrangement in place in Dolcain House, Clondalkin, Dublin, currently being used to provide temporary accommodation for persons applying for international protection; if the lease arrangement is being extended beyond three months; if there will be a charge for the lease after the three months; the length of any new lease agreement; the number of individuals and households currently residing in Dolcain House, with a breakdown of individuals by adults and children; and if he will provide a further breakdown of households by single-person households and households with children. [62258/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, my officials are currently in negotiations in regard to the Dolcain House lease arrangement.
As you are aware, I cannot comment on such negotiations as they are commercially sensitive.
As of 11 December, there are 180 single males accommodated in Dolcain House. There are no families, children or couples accommodated in the facility.
As of today there are almost 18,000 people accommodated in the IPAS accommodation system as a whole. At this point in 2021, there were approximately 7,250 persons in IPAS accommodation.
The pressure on this Department to accommodate over 67,000 people currently has led to significant shortages particularly for the international protection cohort.
All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation.
