Written Answers Nos. 286-299
286. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an accommodation provider for Ukrainian refugees (details supplied) who is experiencing financial difficulties will receive payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12013/23]
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 have been processed as priority, with payment for December to February expected to issue in the coming week, pending final checks. The delay in payment is due to the large volume of invoices being received by my Department. Additional resources have been assigned within my Department and the volume of payments issuing is steadily growing. My Department will continue to press on to eliminate the backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
287. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of additional adult respite services in Kerry, and in particular in the Killarney area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12019/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am in on-going engagement with the HSE in CHO4 about what may be possible under the HSE’s National Service Plan 2023 to provide respite in Kerry, as well as considering what business cases may need to be developed as part of 2024’s plans for the provision of respite in South Kerry.
288. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy in Ireland; the timeline he has in place to deliver this; has drafting commenced; the measures he is planning to protect people from being targeted by ads on social media for such practises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12064/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion strategy 2019 – 2021 contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy provides for the prohibition of “the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland” and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy commits to investigating conversion therapy in Ireland and following up with appropriate counter measures.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned research into the issue of conversion therapy. The multi-phased mixed-methodology research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and is now complete. The research provides an insight into how conversion therapy practices operate in Ireland. It also includes an examination of the growing body of recent international research literature in the area. The findings of the research indicate that conversion therapy practices take place in Ireland, and has developed understanding of how these practices operate. It confirms the harm that is inflicted on those who experience such practices.
Given the potential complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, the Government is carefully considering the underpinning policy matters to ensure that vulnerable members of society are protected from these harmful practices. Work on the plan to draft legislation is ongoing including the identification of the key legal issues including the promotion of conversion therapy practices, and is a priority for Government this year. It is planned that legislative proposals will be brought forward by the end of the year, informed by this research and international best practice.
289. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of engagements or meetings his officials have had with Tusla about GDPR/FOI subject access request (SAR) processing times, in tabular form; the number of requests under GDPR/FOI for personal data requests processed by Tusla, including average processing times monthly during the period 1 January 2020 to 1 March 2023, by administrative region; Dublin North East, Dublin Mid Leinster, South East, South West, Mid-West and West North West; the arrangements that are being put in place by Tusla to deal with exceptional time sensitive matters requiring urgent responses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12070/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn occasion the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth receives correspondence in relation to the timeliness of responding to Freedom Of Information requests or Subject Access Requests. Once appropriate permissions have been provided by respondents the information is shared with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for follow up.
The Minister is not in a position to intervene in individual cases as Tusla is required by law to be independent in its work as set out in Section 8(11) of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 that "the Agency shall be independent in the performance of its functions".
Tusla is also an FOI body in its own right under the provisions of the Freedom of Information legislation and consequently must directly meet its obligations under those Acts.
The Deputy is primarily referring to an operational matter for Tusla. As such, I have referred this question to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
290. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12071/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, as such I have referred this question to Tusla to reply directly to the Deputy.
291. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy in Ireland; the timeline he has in place to deliver this; has drafting commenced; the measures he is planning to protect people from being targeted by advertisements on social media for such practises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12076/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion strategy 2019 – 2021 contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy provides for the prohibition of “the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland” and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy commits to investigating conversion therapy in Ireland and following up with appropriate counter measures.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned research into the issue of conversion therapy. The multi-phased mixed-methodology research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and is now complete. The research provides an insight into how conversion therapy practices operate in Ireland. It also includes an examination of the growing body of recent international research literature in the area. The findings of the research indicate that conversion therapy practices take place in Ireland, and has developed understanding of how these practices operate. It confirms the harm that is inflicted on those who experience such practices.
Given the potential complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, the Government is carefully considering the underpinning policy matters to ensure that vulnerable members of society are protected from these harmful practices. Work on the plan to draft legislation is ongoing including the identification of the key legal issues including the promotion of conversion therapy practices, and is a priority for Government this year. It is planned that legislative proposals will be brought forward by the end of the year, informed by this research and international best practice.
292. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if discussions are expected regarding the housing situation for Ukrainians who want to work but are afraid of losing their accommodation rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12117/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked to accommodate an unprecedented volume of persons, seeking refuge from the invasion of Ukraine, coming to over 76,000 people, of which over 56,000 have sought accommodation.
My Department's remit is the provision of suitable temporary accommodation. I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department provides accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection irrespective of their employment or income status.
293. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when payments will be made to businesses that are housing Ukrainians and have not yet received payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12118/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive immediately afterwards, more than 76,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine and have sought refuge here in Ireland. Approximately 56,000 of those are being provided with accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation and associated processes on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. With over 750 contractors paid monthly, the payments process is an operation of considerable scale. Since the outset of the crisis to date, my Department has made 4,600 payments to a value of over €600 million. In 2023 to date approximately 760 payments have been made to a value of €133 million.
Delays are being experienced in processing invoices due to the volume involved and the need to carry out checks on each before payment can be made. Any delays in processing payments are deeply regretted and those in financial hardship are being prioritised and a process exists for identifying these providers.
My Department has been proactive in its efforts to address the payment challenges and has undertaken a number of initiatives in response. In addition to once again reassigning staff from other areas of the Department to work on payments processing, I have outsourced elements of the process to increase the capacity and speed of the system. POBAL agency staff are answering telephone calls from providers with queries on their invoices and improving communications more generally. Having considered a number of providers we have also recently outsourced certain accounting, audit and financial advisory services to a company with experience and capacity to assist.
My Department has also availed of the services of a business optimisation consultant to identify and other measures we can take to increase efficiency.
I am committed to ensuring that invoices are honoured in a timely fashion while also ensuring that appropriate scrutiny of invoices in performed to prevent erroneous invoicing and processing and to ensure that appropriate accounting procedures are followed.
My Department will continue to dedicate internal resources in the short-term and the Department continues to prioritise older invoices with a view to clearing any backlog in the coming weeks.
294. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can address matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12131/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues, such as delays in issuing Purchase Order numbers, which are now being processed in a more efficient and timely fashion. Any residual delays are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that the outstanding Purchase Order Numbers for this Supplier are being processed as priority. I am also advised that the outstanding Invoices as mentioned in the Details Supplied are being processed, with payment expected to issue in the coming weeks, pending final checks.
The delay in payment is due to the large volume of invoices being received by my Department. Additional resources have been assigned within my Department and the volume of payments issuing is steadily growing. My Department will continue to press on to eliminate the backlog while ensuring appropriate governance is in place to safeguard the proper spending of Exchequer funding.
295. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new International Protection Support Service has explored the extension of the HAP to the sponsor prior to the arrival of family in cases of family reunification; if so, if this change is likely to be adopted; and if not, if it is something his Department will give consideration to. [12133/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational Protection applicants who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. There are a number of supports available to persons with status to assist in accessing housing in the community when leaving accommodation centres. This Department has a specific team in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) who work in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the County and City Management Association to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to access housing options.
In relation to HAP – the tools of Homeless HAP are available to those with status in IPAS accommodation once a Local Authority has assessed them as eligible for such. The tools of Homeless HAP include:
Deposit
Increased HAP limits
Rent in advance
The provision of HAP is made by the Local Authority based on the assessment for Social Housing supports. Any person not currently residing in the country cannot be assessed for housing supports or included on someone’s housing application.
All policy matters relating to family reunification are the remit of the Department of Justice and all policy matters relating to HAP are the remit of Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage.
296. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will bring forward legislation to ban conversion therapy in Ireland; the timeline he has in place to deliver this; if drafting has commenced; the measures he is planning to protect people from being targeted by advertisements on social media for such practises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12149/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion strategy 2019 – 2021 contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy provides for the prohibition of “the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland” and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy commits to investigating conversion therapy in Ireland and following up with appropriate counter measures.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned research into the issue of conversion therapy. The multi-phased mixed-methodology research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and is now complete. The research provides an insight into how conversion therapy practices operate in Ireland. It also includes an examination of the growing body of recent international research literature in the area. The findings of the research indicate that conversion therapy practices take place in Ireland, and has developed understanding of how these practices operate. It confirms the harm that is inflicted on those who experience such practices.
Given the potential complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, the Government is carefully considering the underpinning policy matters to ensure that vulnerable members of society are protected from these harmful practices. Work on the plan to draft legislation is ongoing including the identification of the key legal issues including the promotion of conversion therapy practices, and is a priority for Government this year. It is planned that legislative proposals will be brought forward by the end of the year, informed by this research and international best practice.
297. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant habitable dwelling units and vacant derelict residential dwelling units in the ownership of or part ownership of or under the control of both his Department and agencies under his remit; the county in which each unit is located; the length of time each unit has been vacant, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12164/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly as soon as possible.
298. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if persons in IPAS accommodation in County Clare have access to playgrounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12178/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there are two IPAS accommodation centres in Clare that accommodate families with children.
Those IPAS accommodation centres are located in Knockalisheen and the King Thomond in Lisdoonvarna.
The children at Knockalisheen have access to two playgrounds on site. There is also a play area for children under four years old.
The children at King Thomond have a play area on site at the centre and a community playground is less than 10 minutes away.
I would like to assure you that the health and well-being of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to myself and my officials.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
299. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person in receipt of carers allowance will have their course fees covered when they undertake a further education course in administration through the Tipperary ETB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12106/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra301. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if a person in receipt of carers allowance will have their course fees covered when they undertake a further education course in administration through the Tipperary ETB; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12107/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 299 and 301 together.
My officials have requested details of the course in question from the Deputy’s office. On receipt of these details, my officials will make enquiries with the relevant Education and Training Board.
