Written Answers Nos. 61-80
71. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking in response the delays experienced by individuals seeking personal information under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022. [6118/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 provides guaranteed access to birth and early life information where it exists, thereby addressing a decades-long historic injustice. In this context, there is an initial surge of demand for services under the Act and everyone is committed to responding to this demand as quickly as possible.
To date, a total of 6,744 applications for information have been received. A total of 1,740 information requests have been completed since applications opened.
In addition, the Adoption Authority of Ireland have successfully identified 210 matches on the Contact Preference Register for people seeking to contact relatives and are working with the matched people to facilitate contact. 53 people have had provided items – letters or photographs left for them – returned to them.
I am aware of the frustration caused to applicants receiving a notification indicating that there will be a delay in the compilation and release of their information. However, I am confident that both the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, are doing their utmost to respond to all of the applications received within the shortest possible period.
Tusla and the AAI are actively engaging with those affected by delays. AAI expects to clear the backlog of applications received by it by Autumn 2023, if not earlier, and Tusla by July 2023. However, it is important to note that many applicants will receive their information much sooner than this, as more and more applicants receive their information every week.
An additional €1.05m was provided to the AAI and additional funding of €3m was provided to Tusla Adoption Services in 2022. These extra resources were to fund additional posts, including genealogical and archival expertise, as well as run a public information campaign on the legislation.
Utilising these additional resources, both organisations undertook extensive recruitment campaigns and trained additional staff in advance of the opening of information and tracing services. Furthermore, both agencies are re-assigning further additional staff members to work exclusively on processing information requests.
72. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the long overdue national action plan against racism will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6071/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra108. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the anti-racism strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6003/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 108 together.
In 2020, the Government established an independent Anti-Racism Committee to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism, and build on the antiracism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. This is part of Ireland’s response to the UN call for global action to eliminate racism.
The Committee consulted widely with stakeholder organisations and members of the public. A total of 14 consultation sessions took place between May and July 2021, attended by approximately 170 people in total. In addition to the public consultations, over 100 written submissions were received, and an online survey was completed by over 150 respondents. Submissions received as part of the public consultation will be published on gov.ie following the launch of the National Action Plan Against Racism.
Following this extensive public consultation, as well as engagement with international experts, the Committee submitted its national action plan against racism in June 2022. The plan contains recommendations across a wide variety of areas to address racism and promote inclusion.
The Committee's plan proposes actions to help Ireland to become a place where the impacts of racism are acknowledged and actively addressed. It is intended to be a comprehensive, State-led, coordinated approach to eliminating racism in all its forms in all parts of Ireland. This includes antisemitism, islamophobia, racism that impacts on Travellers, and racism affecting people of African descent.
The development of an effective National Action Plan AgainstRacism required a measured and detailed approach, and took time to complete. It is important that the Plan accurately reflects the voices of experts and ordinary members of the public. It is also important that the Plan which is published has a clear roadmap to implementation. This will enable the Government to effectively address all forms of racism that exist in Ireland today.
A whole-of-government response will be needed to address this issue, as racism is pervasive across many facets of life in Ireland today. I intend to bring the Committee’s plan and a year-one implementation plan to Government for approval in the coming weeks, and then to launch the National Action Plan in March.
I would like to also note a number of other recent items which are important in the fight against racism.
The Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022 is currently before the Oireachtas. This bill aims to update laws that criminalise hate speech and to legislate against hate crimes for the first time in Irish law. The new legislation, once enacted, will enable prosecution of offences which are motivated by prejudice against protected characteristics, including race, nationality, or ethnic origin.
The recent Online Safety and Media Regulation Act 2022 will establish a regulatory framework for online safety. This will be overseen by an Online Safety Commissioner, whose binding Online Safety Codes will hold online services to account for how they tackle the availability of some of the most serious forms of harmful online content.
Eliminating racism is not something we will achieve overnight. With perseverance, consultation with affected parties, and a dedicated whole-of-society response, it is my hope that we can stem the tide of fear and hate.
73. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons seeking international protection currently in emergency accommodation and-or direct provision centres within each local authority area. [5850/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the beginning of 2022, Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase of new arrivals seeking international protection (IP). The State has a legal and moral obligation to assess the claims of those who seek refuge and to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018).
Last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection are processed by the International Protection Office (IPO).
In the first month of 2023, over 1,200 people have arrived seeking international protection in Ireland.
As of 29 January 2023, there are 19,635 people accommodated in the IPAS accommodation system as a whole.
The requested information in relation to number of IPAs in each local authority area will be provided in writing to the Deputy.
The number of persons seeking international protection currently in emergency accommodation and or direct provision centres within each local authority area is as follows:
|
County |
Local Authority |
No. of Centres |
Total Occupancy |
Of Whom are Children |
|
Carlow |
Carlow County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cavan |
Cavan County |
3 |
121 |
11 |
|
Clare |
Clare County |
5 |
549 |
95 |
|
Cork |
Cork County |
7 |
882 |
364 |
|
Cork |
Cork City |
3 |
484 |
54 |
|
Donegal |
Donegal County |
13 |
828 |
364 |
|
Dublin |
Dublin |
46 |
7657 |
999 |
|
Galway |
Galway County |
9 |
715 |
197 |
|
Kerry |
Kerry County |
8 |
880 |
91 |
|
Kildare |
Kildare County |
7 |
581 |
97 |
|
Kilkenny |
Kilkenny County |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Laois |
Laois County |
5 |
504 |
114 |
|
Leitrim |
Leitrim County |
1 |
107 |
54 |
|
Limerick |
Limerick City & County |
4 |
402 |
95 |
|
Longford |
Longford County |
1 |
73 |
0 |
|
Louth |
Louth County |
7 |
522 |
49 |
|
Mayo |
Mayo County |
5 |
638 |
244 |
|
Meath |
Meath County |
8 |
966 |
409 |
|
Monaghan |
Monaghan County |
3 |
418 |
114 |
|
Offaly |
Offaly County |
2 |
170 |
20 |
|
Roscommon |
Roscommon County |
2 |
113 |
42 |
|
Sligo |
Sligo County |
2 |
220 |
43 |
|
Tipperary |
Tipperary County |
4 |
446 |
127 |
|
Waterford |
Waterford City and County |
5 |
484 |
99 |
|
Westmeath |
Westmeath County |
6 |
689 |
160 |
|
Wexford |
Wexford County |
3 |
207 |
22 |
|
Wicklow |
Wicklow County |
9 |
979 |
218 |
74. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider allocating additional resources in Cork; if he will address a growing shortfall of childcare facilities in areas experiencing substantial housing and population growth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4453/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring high quality early learning and childcare is accessible and affordable is a key priority for me and there are a number of funding programmes available through my Department that seek to improve capacity.
The new Core Funding scheme has a range of objectives that includes capacity growth.
Though this scheme is only in place since 15 September 2022, initial analysis shows that there have been a significant growth in capacity – with capacity growth for cohorts (such as babies and toddlers) and in areas where there has been significant pressure on places, including Cork.
To meet the cost of this capacity growth, I increased the original allocation for Year 1 of Core Funding to €259 million. 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 other evidence and may focus on promoting further capacity expansion.
In addition, my Department secured some €70 million under the revised National Development Plan for the Building Blocks Capital Programme, which is being designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs. This Programme includes three Pillars:
1 - A €9 million Modernisation Grant to improve energy efficiency standards, while also supporting the continuous improvement of the physical environment of services.
2 - A €45 million Capacity Grant to address capacity gaps, to fund an expansion in existing services and investing in the development of new services where most needed.
3 - A €15 million Innovation Grant to pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.
The closing date for Pillar was 16 December last and applicants will be advised on the outcome of the appraisal process next month.
Pillars 2 and 3 will operate over the period 2024-2025, though details for these Pillars will be announced in the coming months.
75. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the protocols in respect of modular housing; if he will provide an outline of the Departments and agencies of the State that are involved in the construction of modular housing. [5970/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the State is currently accommodating 57,200 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who were forced to flee Ukraine because of the Russian invasion.
In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions. As part of this considerable national effort, the Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes on state owned land, which will aim to provide accommodation to 2800 individuals in family units.
The OPW is leading on the design, development and delivery of the programme. My Department is the Approving Authority for the Programme and has responsibility for the ownership of the homes and their future use.
To identify sites for the programme, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on sites in their ownership, which might be suitable for the installation of the homes. On foot of the responses received, the Department provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW.
In the first instance it is necessary to carry out site investigation to ensure suitability of sites for development. Once a site has been cleared for development a comprehensive programme of engagement is carried out by my Department which involves meeting with Councillors and officials of local authorities, service providers, community groups etc
Specific planning regulations in place for emergencies such as this allow for the development of rapid build accommodation quickly. However the sites can only be used for this purpose for a maximum of three years, after which a full routine planning process must take place to determine the future use of the sites.
All the sites will have roads, footpaths, street lighting and community facilities, including a play area and green spaces in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area. Construction disruption will be limited as the units are manufactured off site. DCEDIY will provide for the management and maintenance of the homes and sites once they are completed.
The first phase of the programme of rapid build homes is currently being rolled out, with sites identified in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary, Sligo and Claremorris.
76. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement there has been with sports stadiums with regard to accessibility for those with a disability, including hidden disability. [6176/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, I recognise that accessibility is a central prerequisite for the meaningful inclusion and integration of people with disabilities, including those with hidden disabilities.
Accessibility must be considered in a broad sense to include not only physical accessibility, but also other accessibility considerations that are necessary to support those with a hidden disability.
One way to promote accessibility is through the concept of universal design. Universal design is about ensuring that products, services and the environment can be accessed and used by all people. A Centre for Excellence in Universal Design has been established within the National Disability Authority, which is a body under the aegis of my Department. The Centre produces a range of guidance and materials on the promotion of universal design.
The principle of accessibility is set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Ireland ratified in March 2018. Article 9 of the UNCRPD requires signatories to take measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public. The UNCRPD does not make a distinction between hidden disabilities and other kinds of disabilities.
In addition to the overarching obligations that flow from the UNCRPD, domestic legislation, in the form of the Disability Act 2005, obliges public bodies to ensure that public buildings, heritage sites, services and information are accessible to people with disabilities. The Equal Status Acts also prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services on the basis of disability, and providers must take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.
To date UNCRPD measures have been coordinated under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (2017-2022), which aimed to support implementation of Ireland's obligations under the UNCRPD, including in relation to accessibility. The NDIS recently concluded and a successor strategy is currently being developed as a matter of priority over the course of the year ahead. The promotion of accessibility will be an important feature of the new strategy.
Implementation of the UNCRPD and related national strategies and actions is the responsibility of all Government Departments and Agencies within their areas of policy responsibility.
Actions 75 and 76 under the NDIS pertain to the promotion of universal design for new sports facilities and disability awareness and inclusion in the context of sports organisations and funding.
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media had lead responsibility for these actions. In furtherance of those actions, that Department maintains grant schemes to support new sporting venues whereby, in order to receive funding for new sports facilities, grantees must adhere to relevant building regulations. The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme (SCEP) is the primary vehicle for Government support in this regard and all projects funded under the Programme must be accessible to people with disabilities and conform with the 7 principles of universal design. The SCEP does not fund viewing stands. Once a grant is provided for a sports facility, the day-today management of a facility falls to the facility in question.
I would direct the Deputy to my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media for any further queries on those supports or NDIS actions.
77. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has taken responsibility for disability services. [5973/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA Government Decision in December 2022 confirmed that the transfer of policy, functions and funding responsibility relating to specialist community-based disability services from the Minister for Health to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth would take place on March 1st 2023 and noted that necessary enabling work will be completed in advance of the transfer. A Senior Officials' Group (SOG) is overseeing progress on this work.
My Department, along with the Department of Health, the HSE and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, are all actively engaging to ensure appropriate and robust accountability and governance arrangements are in place in advance of the transfer.
This is a very significant transfer of functions, both from the point of view of improving services for persons with a disability but also from the perspective the Department of Health and this Department. It involves a circa €2.6 billion of funding and has significant implications for the HSE.
The location of disability equality policy and functions in a single Department will facilitate strategic policy development, including implementation of the United Nation’s Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD). Importantly, responsibility for the delivery of theses specialist services will be retained within the Health Service Executive following the transfer.
My Department is putting in place the required structures and resources to ensure continuity in service delivery, planning and strategic direction in disability policy. This will help facilitate the transition from a medical model of support towards a holistic, rights based approach that supports people with disabilities to live autonomously.
The Department of Health remains responsible for oversight of HSE disabilities services until the transfer date of March 1st.
79. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects paid domestic violence leave to come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5940/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its formation, this Government has made it clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key priority.
The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 was included in the Government Legislative Programme for Autumn 2022 as priority legislation for drafting and publication in that session. Government approved the drafting of Committee Stage amendments to the Bill to provide for a form of domestic violence leave and these were introduced to the Bill at Committee Stage in the Dáil on 8 November 2022. The Bill has since passed all stages in Dáil Éireann and is currently before the Seanad at Committee stage.
The Bill will also introduce a new right to domestic violence leave. If passed, Ireland will become one of the first countries in Europe to introduce a right to paid leave for victims of domestic violence.
The leave is intended to prevent a victim of domestic violence from losing employment – putting them at risk of falling into poverty - and will allow a victim to find alternative accommodation. It is also intended to enable them to seek help from An Garda Síochána or the Courts Service or to obtain help from support organisations. The leave can be taken immediately and flexibly, with no requirement for proof to be produced by the person availing of the leave.
Once they meet their statutory obligations, employers are free to provide a more extensive entitlement to their employees.
In line with the other key recommendation of the Domestic Violence Leave Report, the Department will also be commissioning templates and other supports for individual employers to develop their own domestic violence workplace policies intended to foster a culture of openness and support for employees who may be experiencing domestic violence. The tender process for this important work is ongoing and a provider will be in place shortly.
Within the legislation, we will include a requirement to review the effectiveness of these provisions after two years, in order to ensure that it is providing the best support possible to anyone experiencing domestic violence.
80. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he is taking to improve living conditions for international protection applicants at his Department’s Citywest facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6137/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has worked consistently to improve living conditions for international protection applicants (IPAs) and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the Citywest transit hub.
The International Protection Accommodation Service has contracted the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to provide a support and information service to international protection applicants at the Citywest transit hub. IOM is currently recruiting support workers for this new role but has been providing initial supports since January.
At the beginning of February, the bed capacity increased from 370 single beds to 600 beds (250 bunk beds and 100 single beds). The bunk beds are primarily used for single males and females. The remaining single beds are for families and other groupings as required. Each dormitory has been partitioned to allow for two beds and a one meter space between beds in each partitioned section. The outcome is that more people sleep in beds and benefit from enhanced privacy by the introduction of the partitions.
From a health and safety perspective, partitioning reduces the potential for spread of infectious diseases and the spacing allows for quicker evacuation in the event of a fire.
A laundry service is in operation and is open seven days a week. There are 18 washing machines and 18 dryers operated by staff. This is a free drop off and collect same day service available to all IPAs and BOTPs.
There are sixteen standard showers and two adapted showers for people with health conditions or mobility issues. The showers are private and can be locked from the inside while in use. The shower area has a full time security guard and cleaner on duty during opening hours.
The Better Start Play Facility provides a large variety of toys, drawing paper, crayons and a television for children to play in a safe environment. The children are at all times supervised by a parent or guardian who can relax and chat with other parents in the designated parents' seating area. The play area has been relocated to a more secure location within the seating area which is more visible and less congested than the previous area.
The current pause in admitting international protection adults without children to the Citywest transit hub, which results from the ongoing shortage of accommodation for international protection applicants, reflects the importance of avoiding severe overcrowding within the transit hub, in the interests of maintaining adequate living conditions for those staying there temporarily.
