Holly Cairns
Ceist:101. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role played by the Oak report in the development of the mother and baby homes redress scheme. [6117/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMother and Baby Homes
Ceisteanna (101)
Freagraí scríofa
The Government tasked an Interdepartmental Working Group (IDG) with developing proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme. To inform and support this Group, a substantive consultation process was undertaken with survivors, through a process managed by OAK. In addition the IDG were required to consider the recommendations of the Commission, an advisory paper by IHREC, which I requested, and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform draft guidelines on redress.
The IDG developed proposals in respect of this challenging and complex issue and provided them to me in a report which was published in November 2021. The Government considered these proposals, took many of them on board and went beyond them in respect of the number of people eligible under the Scheme. The Government proposals adhered very closely to many of the main findings of the OAK report. Fundamentally, the Scheme will be simple and non-adversarial, and will provide financial payments to applicants without any requirement to bring forward evidence of abuse or harm. These payments will be in recognition of the time spent in the institution, harsh conditions, emotional abuse and all other forms of mistreatment, stigma and trauma experienced while resident in a Mother and Baby or County Home. To note some more specific examples:
- Recommendation: the Scheme should treat survivors with kindness and seek to avoid re-traumatisation. The Payment Scheme is non-adversarial in nature, there is no burden of proof on applicants to demonstrate any trauma endured.
- Recommendation: the Scheme should be well-advertised . A comprehensive advertising campaign both at home and abroad is planned, with funds provided for this in my Department's allocation for 2023. The communications campaign will comprise a helpline, radio and print advertising, the latter in many jurisdictions, as well as advertising and publicity across many social media channels and many forms of information distribution.
- Recommendation: Families of deceased to have access to Scheme . The estates of those who died on or after the date of the Taoiseach’s apology will benefit from the Scheme.
- Recommendation: Priority for ill and elderly . The Scheme’s administrative parameters will prioritise the elderly and those who have life-threatening illness.
- Recommendation: Independent appeals process important . The Scheme will have an internal review process and independent appeals process built into the legislation.
- Recommendation: The Scheme should have a statutory basis and be independent . The Scheme is being established under primary legislation. A Chief Deciding Officer will administer the Scheme and will be independent from the Minister in the performance of his or her functions. This is also is being provided for in the legislation.
The OAK report was wide-ranging and informative, and also contained the views of survivors on matters which were not directly related to the Payment Scheme but are being addressed by the other 21 measures in the Government Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. Together with the estimated €800 million package for 34,000 beneficiaries under this Payment Scheme, this wider package of supports and measures demonstrates the Government’s commitment to acknowledging and making amends for the sad legacy of these institutions.
Question No. 102 answered orally.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (103)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:103. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of times that children have gone missing from the care of Tusla in each of the past ten years; the number of children who were later located; and the number who remain missing. [5638/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (104)
Steven Matthews
Ceist:104. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for future investment in the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6011/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
First 5 was launched in 2018 with an ambitious investment target of at least doubling expenditure in the sector by 2028 to approximately €1 billion. A new funding model was identified as the key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State. Further to the Budget 2023 commitment to spend over €1 billion on early learning and childcare, the ambitious First 5 target will now be reached in 2023, five years ahead of schedule. This significant investment will be delivered through Together for Better, the new funding model which is now in place.
This €1.025 billion investment includes €259 million for the first full programme year of the new Core Funding scheme, which runs from September 2022 to August 2023, with an additional €28 million for year 2 of Core Funding, starting in September 2023.
Exceeding the investment target of €1 billion five years ahead of schedule is a clear demonstration of the value Government places on early learning and childcare, given the benefits it confers to children and their families, society and the economy. A revised investment target will be considered in the context of the second implementation plan for First 5, to be finalised in 2023.
First 5 focuses on the period of early childhood, from the antenatal period to age five, and takes a joined-up, cross-government approach to supporting babies, young children and their families during these critical early years.
This ambitious plan sets out our priorities in the following key areas:
- a broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring
- a new model of parenting support
- new developments in child health, including a dedicated child health workforce
- reform of the Early Learning and Care system, including a new funding model
- a package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty
A number of actions have been completed to achieve our vision to support babies, young children and their families in their early years.
In line with a commitment in First 5, and informed by recommendations in the report Partnership for the Public Good on a new funding model for early learning and care and school-age childcare, officials in my Department are currently developing a tailored policy response in order to progress the development of a new strand of funding - Tackling Disadvantage: the Equal Participation Model.
Through this work, services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage. The consultation and engagement phase is underway to inform and shape this work, following on from a detailed scoping phase.
A pilot of the provision of hot meals to children in early learning and care settings has begun as one potential support.
In September, I announced the Building Blocks – Improvement Grant, a €9 million Capital Grant for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. Services that signed up for the Core Funding Scheme are eligible for funding under for this grant. The closing date for this scheme was 16 December last and applicants will be advised of the outcome in March of this year.
The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan. It is designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs – with details of a €45 million Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and a €15 million Building Blocks - Innovation Grant to be announced in the coming months. Consideration may be given to the provision of capital funding for the establishment of new services under the Capacity Grant.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (105)
David Stanton
Ceist:105. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021; his Department’s plans for another such strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6171/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I am committed to advancing measures and initiatives to support disability rights and inclusion.
Much of the recent progress that we have achieved was advanced across Government by the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), which my Department coordinated up to its conclusion at the end of 2022. Thanks to the NDIS, a huge range of actions have been committed to and progress has been made on issues at every level of government.
At the last meeting of the NDIS Steering Group in December 2022, 30 of the actions outlined in the NDIS had been completed and a further 74 actions were ongoing or on track. This means that at least 104 of 121 actions in the NDIS were either complete, or were on track for completion by the end of the year, or represented ongoing ways of working that will continue beyond the lifetime of the Strategy itself.
Key achievements under the NDIS include the following:
- The enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022.
- The amendment of Technical Guidance Documents for school and educational buildings to ensure universal design principles and guidelines are fully considered in all designs for new building and, where possible, in the retrofit of existing buildings.
- The publication of reports on vocational rehabilitation and on effective models of employer engagement across OECD countries.
- The ongoing collaboration with the Disability Stakeholder Group.
Of those actions which were on track or ongoing, it is important to highlight that a significant number were process-based actions which have embedded and established systems and cultures within departments which will continue beyond the lifetime of the NDIS. This kind of systemic change moves the dial from where we were and creates a new starting point for future action.
Examples of these kinds of actions include:
- Developing links with other equality strategies aimed at identifying intersectional issues for people with disabilities relating to their gender identity, sexual orientation, ethnicity or migrant status.
- Promoting the participation in third level education by persons with disabilities. - Developing initiatives to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities living in rural areas, including through remote working options.
- Progressively make public transport accessible for people with disabilities and monitoring user experience of public transport and make recommendations as appropriate based on the findings.
- The development and implementation of effective national joint working protocols between Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS), disability services and education to ensure children and young people with disabilities can access CAMHS.
I am committed to continuing my support for disability rights and inclusion going forward as we develop, together with the input of people with disabilities and their representative organisations, the successor strategy to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy over the course of 2023.
Development of a successor strategy to the NDIS has been underway since June 2021. The new national disability strategy will also satisfy the Programme for Government commitment to develop a plan to coordinate continued implementation of the UNCRPD in Ireland. The development of the new national disability strategy is complex as it needs to provide the blueprint for further comprehensive realisation the UNCRPD. It needs time at development stage in order to produce the best possible blueprint for UNCRPD advancement.
My Department is conscious of the need to ensure that, in line with our UNCRPD obligations, the voices of people with disabilities and their representative organisations are informing the scope and focus of the strategy. The phrase 'nothing about us without us' is very important to the Government. Inclusive strategy development is the key to ensuring that we take action to address the challenges and barriers that would make the most significant difference in the lives of people with disabilities in Ireland.
All Government departments and agencies are responsible for implementing the UNCRPD, and action will continue in this regard while the new strategy is in development throughout 2023.
Mother and Baby Homes
Ceisteanna (106)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:106. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of his engagement with religious orders and pharmaceutical companies concerning making payments to the redress scheme for the survivors of mother and baby homes. [6119/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and Religious Congregations, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes that all relevant parties have a shared moral and ethical obligation to support appropriate actions in response to the Commission’s Report.
Following Government approval on 16th November 2021 of the proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, I commenced a process of engagement with the Religious Congregations and Church Leaders with a view to outlining the details of the proposed Scheme and discussing with them how they might contribute to the cost of the Scheme. I have met with all six of the Religious Congregations and organisations involved in the running of the homes. These are:
- Daughters of Charity
- Sisters of St John of God
- Sisters of Mercy - Sisters of the Good Shepherd
- Sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
- Bons Secours Sisters
- Legion of Mary
I have also met with the Church of Ireland.
This engagement is ongoing. While the negotiations are ongoing they are being treated as confidential. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to say anything further on the matter at this time. A full report on the outcome of discussions will be provided to Government when the process is concluded. It is hoped to conclude this process of engagement in the shortest possible time frame, but it is expected that it may take a number more months.
In relation to pharmaceutical companies, following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s Final Report, I had a meeting with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the lead entity in many trials, and conveyed my view that all relevant parties had a moral and ethical obligation to take appropriate action in response to the Report. I urged them to consider the failures laid bare in the Commission’s report and respond appropriately, given their corporate responsibilities. Ultimately, however, it is a matter for GSK to decide what action they take, or remedy they offer, having considered the Commission’s findings.
I am aware that GSK have since publicised arrangements for persons wishing to access personal information which may be contained within their corporate archives.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (107)
Pa Daly
Ceist:107. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current and capital spend allocated to both Ukraine refugee and international protection applicant programmes within the recently revised estimates from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5816/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As part of the revised estimates process my Department has been allocated the following current and capital expenditure budgets in 2023 for the accommodation and related supports of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) and International Protection (IP) applicants.
Allocated Spend for BOTP Accommodation
A total allocation of €641m, 20% of my Department’s vote, is being provided for the provision of accommodation for BOTPs. This includes a current expenditure allocation of €577.8m and a capital allocation of €63m. This allocation represents an increase of €48m (8%) on the 2022 allocation.
This funding will allow the Department to continue:
- Providing accommodation for BOTPS, including the use of CityWest Hotel as a transit hub and for accommodation purposes;
- Managing the Pledged Accommodation Scheme and related payments for participating households;
- Progressing the provision of the State Rapid Build Housing project. Further capital funding will be required in 2023 to meet the Government agreed expansion of the project from 500 units to 700 units. Work is currently ongoing to assess the additional capital funding required.
Allocated Spend IP Applicant Accommodation
An allocation of €395m, 12% of my Department's vote, has been provided in 2023 to meet the costs associated with the provision of accommodation for international protection (IP) applicants. This includes a current expenditure allocation of €385.436m and a capital expenditure budget of €9.5m. This represents an increase of €33m (9%) on the 2022 allocation.
This funding will allow the Department to continue:
- Providing accommodation to those seeking international protection and to cover the projected increase of costs related to an additional 12,000 – 15,000 IP arrivals in 2023. This is a demand-led service with requirements for accommodation and services increasing as numbers of new IP applications increase. In 2022 there has been a record increase in the number of new arrivals seeking IP accommodation in Ireland with 15,014 new arrivals seeking accommodation.
- Implementation of A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service as committed to under the Programme for Government. The funding will be focused on operationalising key parts of the new model with a strong focus on Integration supports and expanding the state owned accommodation capacity of the system. Further engagement is ongoing with DPER to negotiate an increased capital budget for this programme in 2023.
The sufficiency of the Department’s budget allocation will depend on the numbers of newly arriving BOTPs and IP applicants who will require state funded accommodation in 2023. My Department and DPER will be actively monitoring this closely as the year progresses.
Question No. 108 answered with Question No. 72.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (109)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:109. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on his Department's plans for an agency which will drive forward the development of the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6097/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 29th March 2022 Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) Operating Model in Ireland that a dedicated state agency is the optimal operating model for the sector for the years ahead. It is envisaged that this dedicated agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the City and County Childcare Committees, as well as operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.
A dedicated state agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of ELC and SAC, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families .
Significant progress has been made in advancing this ambitious and transformative reform programme. My Department has commenced a comprehensive phase of analysis, planning, consultation, and engagement with sectoral stakeholders to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented. This phase will include a detailed design of a new agency, which will include determining the appropriate national, local and regional structures, an examination of all legal requirements, transition and continuity planning, risk management, and a comprehensive evidence-based cost projection for the establishment and annual running costs of a new state agency.
This work will culminate in a full agency design and implementation plan which will be presented to Government for approval.
The implementation of this reform programme will likely require considerable lead-in time and the full establishment of the new Agency will take several years to complete. A timeline for the design and implementation of this complex project, which will involve multiple strands of interdependent work streams, is currently being developed as part of the design and implementation planning phase currently underway.
Business Supports
Ceisteanna (110)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:110. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 38 and 39 of 1 February 2023, in what way both streams of the Ukraine enterprise crisis scheme are being augmented; and the changes to the scheme that will come about. [6227/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following EU Commission amendment, on 28 October 2022, the overall duration of the Temporary Crisis Framework (TCF) is extended until 31 December 2023 and 31 March 2024, under certain conditions. The aid ceilings have increased to a maximum of €2 million from €500,000 for Stream 1 and up to €4 million from €2 million in the case of energy intensive firms in Stream 2.
On 13 December 2022, the Government approved the amendments to the Scheme in accordance with the amended TCF parameters and time extensions.
Government also agreed that in the interim, since the existing Scheme expired on 31 December 2022, that a prolongation of the existing Scheme be sought from the EU Commission to ensure continuity in aid available for viable but vulnerable eligible businesses. EU Commission approval has been granted for both the prolongation of the existing Scheme and for implementation of the augmented Scheme.
Sanction by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is currently awaited to implement the augmented Scheme.