Written Answers Nos. 447-470
447. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person with Stamp 4 permission to remain in the State is eligible for unemployment supports such as jobseeker's benefit or jobseeker's allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11479/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of residency stamps and associated conditionality attached is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
Jobseekers Benefit is a social insurance-based scheme and therefore the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) does not apply to this payment. HRC is one of the conditions that needs to be met to claim Jobseekers Allowance, and each application is considered on a case-by-case. As a part of the process the residency stamp and the conditionality attached by the Department of Justice is taken into consideration. As conditionality attached to residency stamps can vary, if the Deputy wishes to supply details of a specific case to my Department, this can be looked into further. I trust this clarifies the position.
448. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting so long for their PPS number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11480/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person’s application for a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number has been processed. Confirmation of the PPS Number issued to the person by post on 02/03/2023
I trust this clarifies the matter.
449. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the centralisation of social welfare offices to support teams in Tuam is leading to delays (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11510/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal face-to-face engagement with customers by Community Welfare Officers (CWO’s) continues to be a cornerstone of the CWS. Additional clerical support has been put in place in a number of Administrative Support Hubs, one of which is located in Tuam in County Galway, so as to release Community Welfare Officers from administration work and to ensure that their focus is on meeting customers and making decisions on claims.
SWA claims received continue to be assigned to a locally based CWO for decision within the shortest time possible.
Work on hands in the CWS Admin Support Hub in Tuam is up to date and there is less than 2 weeks work in process currently, which is within the scheme's normal processing levels.
It is important to note that where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, this is dealt with at a local level and every effort is made to ensure that the claim is processed on the same day. Community Welfare Officers are very experienced and can generally assess when a case is so urgent that it requires an immediate response. Approximately 10% of CWS payments to customers across the country are made on this basis, which shows just how responsive the service is to an urgent customer need. I would appreciate if the Deputy would let me know of any persons who are having difficulty in accessing support. I trust this clarifies the matter.
450. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection the provision that has been made for self-employed persons who were paying an S1 contribution prior to Covid restrictions in 2020 and when they applied for maternity benefit in 2022, where the reckonable year is 2020 and have found their application denied owing to insufficient PRSI contributions in the reckonable year; if she will consider this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11528/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMaternity Benefit is paid by the Department of Social Protection to women who have a certain number of paid PRSI contributions on their social insurance record and who are in insurable employment up to the first day of their maternity leave.
A self-employed individual who applied for and was awarded the Pandemic Unemployment Payment in 2020 would subsequently be allocated with a full 52 S class contributions upon submitting their returns for the year in question. This is the case even if the returns are nil. The applicant referred to in this situation has sufficient contributions in the relevant tax year 2020 (52 S class). However, the applicant is also required to fulfill the other eligibility requirements. In addition to having met the PRSI contributions for the tax year relevant to her claim, the applicant must also be in insurable employment that is covered by the Maternity Protection Act, 1994 immediately before the first day of maternity leave. The last day of insurable employment must be within 16 weeks of the end of the week in which the baby is due. Unfortunately, the person does not meet this condition. In her application, the person declared she is unemployed. We issued a request for her to confirm the date her self-employment ended and she replied confirming it ended in June 2022. Her expected due date was 06/12/22. Maternity Benefit is paid to a person who takes maternity leave from work. As the person was not in insurable employment within 16 weeks of the end of the week in which her baby was due, her claim was disallowed. In support of this decision, the deciding officer relied on the Maternity Protection Acts, 1994 and 2004, Chapter 9 of Part II of Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act, 2005, and Chapter 2 of Part II of Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations, 2007 (as amended).
We would advise the person to contact her local Intreo Office or Community Welfare Office in order to determine what other supports are available to her while she is not engaged in employment.
I trust this clarifies the position.
451. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 313 and 314 of 27 September 2022, her plans to extend the free travel scheme to persons with an epilepsy diagnosis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11548/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. There are over one million customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2023 is €95 million.
It is important to note that, in general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is a secondary benefit linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. As many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact ranging from mild to severe, entitlement to these social welfare schemes is not provided on the basis of a diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned and in the case of Disability and Carer's allowance to an assessment of their means. In this way, resources can be targeted to people in most need.
I am aware of an ongoing campaign by Epilepsy Ireland. I fully recognise the issues and difficulties that can arise due to a person being diagnosed with epilepsy and who is unable to drive as a result of their condition.
Following a meeting with representatives of Epilepsy Ireland to discuss its proposal in detail, I asked my Department officials to examine the issues raised in relation to access to the Free Travel scheme.
My officials advise me that they are currently finalising the report and I expect to receive it shortly. I will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
452. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children resident in the State for whom child benefit is payable as of 1 January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11574/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
In 2022, 648,053 Child Benefit claimants received payment in respect of over 1.2 million children.
As of 1st January 2023, Child Benefit was payable to 644,766 customers in respect of 1,215,209 children resident in Ireland.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
453. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of children resident outside the State for whom child benefit is payable as of 1 January 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11575/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraChild Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
In 2022, 648,053 Child Benefit claimants received payment in respect of 1.2 million children.
As of 1st January 2023, Child Benefit was payable to 3,287 customers in respect of 5,769 non-resident children.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
454. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will report on the effectiveness of the employer helpline established under the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11585/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraA national Employers Disability Information service is co-managed by Chambers Ireland, Ibec and ISME. It was designed to provide employers with an expert source of advice and information on employing staff with disabilities. The service included a helpline for employers, run by employers, which would allow them to seek advice in this area and would ultimately lead to an improved working environment for people with disabilities.
This service was introduced in response to key action no. 6.14 of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2014 to 2016; namely to 'Investigate establishment of an employer helpline'.
Responsibility for helpline rests with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
455. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection if a case of a family (details supplied) in which a child with multiple diagnoses, who has been refused several financial aides for supporting said child's medical condition can be examined and resolved. [11620/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the domiciliary care allowance appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision on 19 August 2022. Under social welfare legislation a decision of the Appeals Officer is generally final and conclusive and may only be reviewed by the Appeals Officer in the light of new evidence or new facts, or where there has been a change of circumstances which has come to notice since the date of the Appeals Officer's original decision.
I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional medical evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned has also requested an oral hearing and I am advised that this request will be granted.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office will contact the person concerned in the near future to arrange the oral hearing.
The other matters raised by the Deputy in his question are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
456. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application for an exceptional needs payment will be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11623/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is to assist people with essential expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
The ENP scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the 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. The ENP does not cover non-essential household or personal expenses, or costs that are the responsibility of another government department or agency.
Applications for ENPs are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for an ENP for assistance with medical expenses, car repairs, car tax and insurance and an energy bill. Having considered the circumstances of the case, the Designated Person disallowed the claim on the following basis;
- medical expenses are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE)
- an invoice for car repairs was not provided
- car tax and insurance costs are deemed predictable of nature and should be met from the person’s resources
- the person has already received the Government’s electricity credit of €200
A decision letter issued to the person on 27/02/2023 advising the outcome of her application and affording the person 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 Review Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
Following a request from the person concerned, a review of the decision was undertaken by a SWA Review Officer. After consideration of the person’s circumstances, the Review Officer has awarded the person an ENP of €200 to assist with energy costs, which will issue this week. Decisions made regarding other expenses sought have been upheld by the SWA Review Officer.
It is open to the person concerned to apply for car repair costs when a quotation/invoice is available.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
457. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a carer's allowance payment will increase with associated payment for dependents in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11626/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or is being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse / partner's payment, half-rate CA can also be paid as long as all of the conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.
The person concerned was in receipt of One Parent Family Payment (OPF) and half-rate CA up to 9 March 2023.
As a result of the cessation of the One Parent Family Payment (OPF), it has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to full rate CA from 2 March 2023.
The person concerned was notified of this outcome on 2 March 2023 and of their right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
458. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide additional funding for long-term care for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11024/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live their lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. The overall budget for specialist community based disability services in 2023 will be approximately €2.6bn. This continues the significant investment for Disability Services from the previous two budgets for disability services. €178.4 million is being provided to support existing levels of service (ELS). Funding for new developments to strengthen disability services through the provision of additional respite day service and residential places in line with the Disability Capacity Review will total €29m.
The unprecedented level of funding in will enable us to continue to build on initiatives currently underway and supports this Government's commitment to improving the lives of people with disabilities.
459. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position regarding funding for the Cleary Centre capital project in Donegal town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11103/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
460. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the specific additional supports a mother of two children with disabilities, for which she is receiving DCA, might be entitled to including but not limited to a tax credits for a new car; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10841/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise to advise the Deputy that the matters raised in this question are not a matter for Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Domiciliary Care Allowance is administered by the Department of Social Protection and as such, queries regarding further income supports should be directed to that particular Department. The Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of specially constructed/adapted vehicles by drivers and passengers with a disability and is under the purview of Department of Finance.
The Deputy's office has advised that this question also relates to the provision of equipment, which, for people with disabilities, is accessed through HSE Primary Care Services, under the Department of Health.
461. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will mandate his Department to examine the introduction of public provision of childcare, as recommended by the expert group report Partnership for the Public Good; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10871/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Expert Group was established in September 2019 to develop a new funding model for the Early Learning and Childcare sector. Under their terms of reference, the Expert Group was not asked to propose changes to the current model of delivery (i.e. privately-operated provision), rather that the Group should seek to further achieve policy objectives of quality, affordability, accessibility and contributing to addressing disadvantage in a privately-operated system through increased public funding and public management.
In December 2021, Government approved the 25 recommendations contained in the Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare. The recommendations were accepted in full by Government and implementation of this new funding model is well underway.
Of the 25 recommendations, three are grouped under the title 'Role of the State'. In particular, the final recommendation states that, “[I]n the medium term, the Minister should mandate the Department to examine whether some element of public provision should be introduced alongside private provision.”
Taken together, these recommendations reflect a key theme of the report, which is the importance of strengthened State involvement and enhanced public management in the sector, in conjunction with increased State funding. This is underpinned by a cultural shift to a partnership relationship between providers and the State that reflects the public good dimension of early learning and childcare, with new responsibilities on both sides.
In September 2022, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model 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.
Together for Better brings together three major programmes, 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. Core Funding, which began in September 2022, is the new funding stream worth €259 million in full year costs to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed. This is the start of a multi-annual investment plan which, along with other Budget 2023 announcements, realises the First 5 target of investment of €1 billion, five years ahead of schedule. Together for Better begins a journey that I am confident will see exceptional standards of early learning and childcare achieved, delivering Government commitments in Partnership for the Public Good, expanding the sector and growing capacity through public management and investment, and ensuring positive outcomes for children, their families, and society overall.
462. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when IPAS will issue a payment to an accommodation provider (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10922/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has engaged over 700 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, I temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues, and outsourcing elements of the process to deliver further efficiencies. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that the outstanding invoice for this provider – covering September 2022 to February 2023 – is being processed as a priority. In addition, my officials are engaging with the provider to ensure that all documentation is in order to facilitate the necessary setup. A payment is expected to transfer at a point within two weeks, pending final checks.
463. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if IPAS plans to extend the contract of an accommodation provider (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10940/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, the Department Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine, coming to over 75,000 people, of which over 55,000 have sought accommodation.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 43,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 720 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
The accommodation of displaced persons is greatly appreciated. My Department will continue to work with accommodation providers to ensure there is an adequate supply of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection fleeing the war in Ukraine. In this regard, my Department are currently renewing contracts with our existing providers in chronological order and will be in contact with the provider referred to by the Deputy shortly in relation to renewal of their contract.
464. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of child and family support networks in operation; where they are located; the number in planning stage; their location; when they will be delivered, in tabular form. [10941/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides family support services, through internal Tusla family support provision and the commissioning of services through its community and voluntary sector partners.
Under the Prevention, Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) Programme, 121 Child and Family Support Networks (CFSNs) are operational across the country. A further 22 are in the planning stage. The networks help to support integrated and co-ordinated supports for children, young people and families at local community level. Members of CFSNs come from a variety of agencies and local community and voluntary services such as primary care, social work, early years’ services, sports clubs, youth probation services, schools, etc. A CFSN can provide support to a family, as single-agency help or multi-agency working, where that does not require structured coordination. Such support may be required for families at any level of need.
Listed below are the number of CFSNs that are in operation and those that are in planning, along with where they are and will be located. However, Tusla does not currently gather data on when the planned CFSNs will be operational.
Operational CFSN - Total Number
|
No of CFSN in operation |
121 |
Locations:
|
Tusla Area |
No of Operational Networks |
|
Dublin North |
4 |
|
Donegal |
5 |
|
Cork |
11 |
|
Cavan Monaghan |
6 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary |
8 |
|
Dublin City North |
6 |
|
The Midlands |
5 |
|
The Midwest |
13 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Louth Meath |
5 |
|
Kerry |
8 |
|
Galway Roscommon |
12 |
|
Dublin South West/Kildare West/Wicklow |
9 |
|
Dublin South East/Wicklow |
7 |
|
Dublin South Central |
8 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan |
3 |
|
Waterford/Wexford |
8 |
Planned CFSN - Total Number:
|
No of CFSN in planning stages |
22 |
Locations:
|
Tusla Area |
No of Planned Networks |
|
Dublin North |
1 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
|
Cork |
12 |
|
Cavan Monaghan |
0 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary |
4 |
|
Dublin City North |
0 |
|
The Midlands |
0 |
|
The Midwest |
0 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
|
Louth Meath |
0 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
|
Galway Roscommon |
0 |
|
Dublin South West/Kildare West/Wicklow |
1 |
|
Dublin South East/Wicklow |
2 |
|
Dublin South Central |
2 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan |
0 |
|
Waterford/Wexford |
0 |
465. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will examine raising the age of children from 13 years for parents to qualify for parental leave, given the high number of parents with mid-teenage children who want the opportunity to take such leave and in the context of Tusla's insistence that children under 16 years cannot be left alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10989/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended), an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’.
There have been significant developments in the entitlements to family leaves for working families in recent years, and this includes the extension of the parental leave entitlements in 2019 from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, and the extension of the time period in which the leave can be taken from when the child attains the age of 8 years to when the child attains the age of 12 years. Family leave is focused on younger children as they benefit most from a parent being able to take leave from work to care for them.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of working parents. Mindful of the significant new leave entitlements being brought forward this year through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022. However, there are no current plans to extend the entitlements to parental leave.
466. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update following the design team meeting at a site (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11038/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s collaboration with the Office of Public Works (OPW) to use a State owned property in Shannon (Unit 153 Shannon Free Zone) for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation is ongoing.
My officials have advised OPW that it is satisfied with the proposed layout for the centre. The OPW has now moved into a detailed design phase and has submitted a request for a Contractor to price the works.
The OPW will review the price proposal and if it is fair and reasonable and approved by my Department, the project will progress with the current Contractor.
However, if the price is excessive, then the detailed design will be issued to the other framework members to price.
In view of the acute accommodation shortage experienced by IPAS at the moment, it is crucial that this facility is available for use to accommodate international protection applicants as soon as possible.
467. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11047/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended), an employee who is a relevant parent in respect of a child under the age 12 is entitled to 26 weeks unpaid parental leave for each child. Where a child has a disability or long-term illness, the entitlement can continue until the child is 16. A relevant parent is a parent, an adoptive parent, or a person acting in ‘loco parentis’.
There have been significant developments in the entitlements to family leaves for working families in recent years, and this includes the extension of the parental leave entitlements in 2019 from 18 weeks to 26 weeks, and the extension of the time period in which the leave can be taken from when the child attains the age of 8 years to when the child attains the age of 12 years. The focus of family leave is on the younger child because it is considered that benefits of such leave are greatest for younger children.
Family leave provisions are kept under review to ensure that they are appropriate to the needs of working parents. Mindful of the significant new leave entitlements being brought forward this year through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022, however, there are no current plans to modify current entitlements to parental leave.
468. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all children who are referred to Tusla for being at risk of harm, are given an initial assessment within 20 days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11080/23]
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.
469. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of family resource centres in the State; his plans to expand the number of FRCs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11086/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe commissioning of FRCs is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
You may be interested to know, Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme which provides funding support to 121 FRCs across the country.
Tusla’s Area Managers engage in the commissioning process and participate in meetings and discussions with community and voluntary agencies. Tusla aims to utilise the total resources available in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families. Local Tusla Area Managers and the Tusla Commissioning Team can be contacted in relation to FRCs' planned service delivery and potential to develop services.
Organisations that wish to join the Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance, with regard to the potential next steps. Currently, there are no plans to expand the FRC Programme or to establish new funding schemes for the Programme in the immediate future.
I recognise and value the very positive impact of the work of the Family Resource Centres in supporting families and local communities. The Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community. This universal accessibility allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions, and timely referrals to appropriate services for more intensive and targeted work as required
470. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied), who is awaiting a substantial payment from his Department, with some payments outstanding since 2022, for housing Ukrainian families, receive this payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11174/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has engaged over 700 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, I temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in making payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that the outstanding Invoices for this supplier are being processed as priority. One payment of in respect of Invoice 7/8/9 is expected to issue shortly, pending final checks. I am advised that a technical issue had arisen in respect of an invoice which my officials engaged with the supplier to resolve.
Additional resources have been assigned within my Department and more tasks have been outsourced to accelerate processing. We continue to press on to eliminate the backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
