Written Answers Nos. 523-539
523. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position regarding accommodation for a Ukrainian family (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32666/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. A high volume of people have sought short-term temporary accommodation to date.
Where contracts with accommodation providers are ending, our Department undertakes to offer alternative accommodation for those beneficiaries of temporary protection who continue to be in need of assistance. However, while we will endeavour to offer alternative accommodation in the region in which those affected are currently accommodated, this is not always possible. We cannot guarantee the standard or location of an alternative offer of temporary accommodation at this time, as this is dependent on availability and demand. We encourage those wishing to remain in their current locality to engage with the Local Authority to assess the possibility of finding accommodation in the community if possible.
We make every effort to inform those affected of the arrangements for onward placements when they are known.
524. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children awaiting appointments and assessments with early intervention services in counties Clare, Limerick and Tipperary; the average waiting time for persons on the list in each county on 1 June 2022 and 1 June 2023, respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra525. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what additional staffing resources have been provided to the Clare children’s disability network team for the purpose of reducing waiting lists in County Clare since 2021; to confirm what measures will be taken to further improve service delivery in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32689/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 524 and 525 together.
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
526. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will intervene in the case of a person (details supplied) and assist this person in being granted a place in a residential care facility run by an organisation. [32701/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the question refers to an individual case, I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
527. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is expected that all waiting lists for children with special needs/disabilities are likely to be satisfactorily dealt with; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32702/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra528. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he has identified particular areas of deficiencies in services for children with disabilities; the action being taken to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32703/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 527 and 528 together.
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
529. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent, if any, to which the provision of appropriate services for children continues to be a major priority; the specific areas in question identified for improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32704/23]
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.
To note this Department has significantly increased funding to Tusla over the past number of years. Tusla and it's board has ongoing statutory responsibility to ensure delivery of child protection and welfare services and outline priorities for same. These are detailed in the Tusla Corporate Plan 2021-2023 and Tusla's Annual Business Plan 2023.
530. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he proposes to use equality as a means of ensuring proper and adequate services to those deemed to be in need of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32705/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll public bodies have responsibility under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans. The public sector duty assessment and implementation for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was published in 2021 and the Department will continue to report on developments relating to the implementation of the Duty in its Annual Reports.
Discrimination on specified grounds is prohibited by law in the supply of and access to goods and services under the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018. Complaints regarding breaches of equality legislation may be pursued before the Workplace Relations Commission. The Workplace Relations Commission publishes statistics regularly on its decisions in regard to equality complaints, disaggregated by discriminatory ground.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions, includes among those functions keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice in the State relating to the protection of human rights and equality, including in relation to the provision of goods and services.
The ongoing review of the Equality Acts is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action. In July 2021, my Department undertook a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation will be published in the coming weeks. It is hoped that legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward later this year.
531. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to offer assistance to children and families fleeing from the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32706/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that Ireland 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. To date, approximately 86,000 people have been recognised as Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), of which over 67,000 have sought accommodation from the State.
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, my Department has contracted providers of accommodation to accommodate BOTPs in more than 800 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings where approx 56,000 BOTPs have been accommodated.
My Department also supports the Irish Red Cross and its implementing partners to maximise the capacity of pledged accommodation in supporting the accommodation needs of BOTP. Over 11,000 BOTPs have been placed in accommodation pledged to the Irish Red Cross and the ‘Offer a Home’ scheme managed by Local Authorities.
My Department will continue to provide suitable immediate short-term accommodation to BOTPs who seek State supported accommodation. My Department will also continue to work with other Departments and Agencies in support of the whole of Government response to this crisis.
532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts currently in hand to ensure that Ireland can have a national childcare scheme where the prices paid for childcare are similar to prices paid for childcare elsewhere across the European Union; if he will outline any recent progress in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32707/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOECD data from 2018, before the introduction of the NCS in late 2019, showed that early learning and childcare costs in Ireland, relative to household income, were the highest in the EU for couples on low incomes and third highest for lone parents on low incomes, with couples paying on average 26.5 per cent and lone parents paying 25.2 per cent, compared to the EU averages of 9.6 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively.
By 2021, early learning and childcare costs in Ireland fell to 14.2 per cent of net income for couples and 5.3 per cent for lone parents - compared to the EU averages of 8.1 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively.
It is important to note that these data do not take account of enhancements made to the NCS in 2022 and early 2023, these include:
- The removal of the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from NCS awards, meaning that parents are able to use their full awarded subsidised NCS hours regardless of whether their children are in pre-school or school.
- The increase in the upper age eligibility for the NCS universal subsidy from 3 years to all children under 15 years.
- An increase in the NCS minimum subsidy from €0.50 to €1.40 per hour.
I would also note that the NCS has seen a significant increase in uptake since the introduction of these enhancements with a total of 122,256 children benefiting from the NCS as of June 2023, an increase of 95% when compared to 62,795 children as of June 2022.
The fee freeze in place in 95% of services participating in the new Core Funding Scheme gives families greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensures that these enhancements to the NCS subsidies will not absorbed by fee increases. Through a combination of these measures I am working to ensure that high quality early learning and childcare is accessible and affordable to all regardless of means.
Any further changes to the NCS will be considered as part of Budget 2024 and announced on Budget day.
533. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to indicate, in conjunction with the Minister for Education, the efforts underway to provide integrated childcare under the national childcare scheme on site in various schools around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32708/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst 5, the whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families recognises the potential for the use of school facilities for before and after-school early learning childcare. Data captured through the Annual Early Years Sector Profile in Spring 2022 revealed that approximately 15% of early learning and childcare services are located on school sites. Data collection for this year's Early Years Sector Profile is currently underway and will provide an updated position.
The Department of Education (DoE) has advised that the use of school facilities lies with the relevant school authority in consultation with the property owner and having regard to the needs of the school, staff and students.
The DoE policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including early learning and childcare.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the DoE in consultation with representatives of schools has drafted guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours, which is available: www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/guidelines-on-the-use-of-school-buildings-outside-of-school-hours.pdf.
These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.
In line with First 5, the DoE conducted a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school facilities for early learning and care and school-age childcare services and it will be used to inform a review of the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours.
Parents may avail of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for financial support in meeting their early learning and childcare and school age childcare costs.
Record numbers of families are now being supported by the Scheme. As of 5 June, a total of 122,256 children are benefitting from the NCS – compared to 62,795 this time last year.
My Department has made a number of recent enhancements to the Scheme to further reduce the cost of childcare for parents. These include:
- The removal of the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school, or school, from NCS awards. This means that parents may use their full awarded, subsidised, NCS hours for children regardless of the term week. These hours can be used outside of school or ECCE hours, for example to subsidise childcare received before preschool or school starts in the morning or after-school childcare. During school holidays, a family may use their full NCS award (i.e. up to 45 weekly hours) towards the cost of early learning and childcare.
- An increase in the minimum level of support under the NCS from €0.50c to €1.40 per hour.
- The increase in the upper age eligibility for the NCS universal subsidy from 3 years to all children under 15 years.
These measures combined mean that parents of school-age children can apply for NCS subsidies of up to €3.75 per school-aged child, per hour, for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
534. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department are aware of children who may be at risk for one reason or another, whether in institutions, fosterage or elsewhere; if the necessary support services are being made available to ensure that children do not feel isolated or alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32709/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services.
The Children First Act 2015 provides for a number of key child protection measures, including raising awareness of child abuse and neglect, providing for mandated reporting of child protection concerns and improving child protection arrangements in organisations providing services to children.
Under the Act mandated persons are required to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to Tusla. Mandated persons are people who have contact with children and/or families and who, because of their qualifications, training and/or employment role, are in a key position to help protect children from harm. Organisations classed as providers of relevant services under the Act are required to undertake a risk assessment and develop a Child Safeguarding Statement (CSS) setting out the procedures in place to manage any risk identified.
The Children First Act operates side-by-side with the non-statutory obligations provided for in Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The guidance sets out how reports about reasonable concerns of child abuse or neglect should be made by the general public and professionals to Tusla and what organisations need to do to keep children safe.
If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, An Garda Síochána (AGS) should be alerted without delay.
Tusla acts urgently on a notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by AGS or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases.
Tusla has an out of hours emergency number for AGS which provides advice to the AGS based on the circumstances and can identify whether a child of concern is listed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS). The CPNS is a Tusla owned secure database, which lists children who are considered to be at ongoing risk of significant harm.
There is a 24/7 'out of hours' social work team available in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Cork and on call social workers in other areas. Tusla has a network of emergency foster care placements for children in need of emergency care out of hours.
Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 of that same act, to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will at that point carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm. Where a child is already in care, Tusla will make a determination as to whether the child is safe in their placement or if they need to be moved.
In relation to children in institutions, HIQA inspect all Tusla children's residential centres and inspection and monitoring service for alternative care in Tusla inspect and register voluntary and privately run children's residential centres. Reports of inspections are available on the HIQA and Tusla websites.
Additionally children in care placed within residential care services usually have a key worker appointed and also a Tusla allocated worker. Children in residential care may also have an independent guardian ad item appointed to them. Tusla ensures that children's participation is a priority and that the child's voice is heard and supported throughout its work with children in care by trained child care professionals.
535. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the manner in which he proposes to address issues of the need for suitable jobs for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32710/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability, I am committed to removing the barriers faced by people with disabilities in accessing employment. My Department plays a significant coordination role in this regard through the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES).
The CES is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It is a cross-government approach, bringing together actions by Government Departments and Agencies to address the barriers and challenges to employment of persons with disabilities. The CES’s strategic priorities are to build skills, capacity and independence, to provide bridges and supports into work, to make work pay, to promote job retention and re-entry to work, to provide coordinated and seamless supports and to engage employers.
Through the CES, my Department has progressed a range of actions to improve access to employment for people with disabilities. For example, the Disability Act 2005, as amended by the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 and commenced on April 26 of this year, has doubled the previous target for the employment of people with disabilities in the public service from 3% to 6% by 2025. Compliance with this target is monitored and reported on by the National Disability Authority annually in a report submitted to Government. I will be engaging with my colleagues across government to ensure that their departments and aegis bodies are aware of the new target and working to meet the new obligations.
My Department also provides funding to the Towards Work and Employers for Change services, which provide advice and support to jobseekers with disabilities and to employers in becoming disability confident. The Department of Social Protection also offers a variety of supports to assist people seeking employment, including targeted supports for persons with disabilities, and financial contributions for reasonable accommodations and workplace adaptations and equipment.
Under the CES framework, my Department plays a coordination role in ensuring that disability measures are coherent and integrated, with specific actions continuing to be the responsibility of the relevant Departments and agencies. This is keeping with Ireland’s long-standing ‘mainstream-first’ approach to disability policy.
My officials will continue to work and engage with other departments, through the CES and as part of the development of Ireland's new national disability strategy to explore how the State can continue to support, and better support, people with disabilities who seek to enter into the workforce.
536. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which services affecting the welfare and wellbeing of children continue to be readily and effectively available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32711/23]
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.
537. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to liaise with various youth services throughout County Kildare and throughout the country, with a view to making available an equality of support services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32712/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and I engage with the youth sector in a number of ways to ensure that youth supports are distributed appropriately throughout the country.
My Department provides funding to Education and Training Boards (ETB) to support youth services in their area. My officials hold quarterly meetings with ETBI (the representative body for the ETBs) and these meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people
In 2022, the UBU programme manager within my Department visited all 16 ETBs, including Kildare Wicklow ETB, and engaged with youth service managers, youth workers and young people. All ETBs are aware that they can contact the UBU programme manager with any issues or concerns they have about services in their counties.
My officials maintain regular contact with the 30 national youth organisations funded under the Youth Service Grant Scheme and with Gaisce. This includes the National Youth Organisation Meeting which I attend twice a year to hear directly from the sector. The next meeting takes place on 06/07/2023. These organisations provide services on a nationwide basis, including to the young people of Kildare.
Officials from my Department meet with various youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises, in regular formal meetings with individual organisations or as a group, and by maintaining informal contacts.
My Department will continue to engage with all stakeholders in the sector to ensure that we continue to provide important supports to youth organisations and to young people.
538. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential places available to children or women who may find themselves, for one reason or another, in need of secure accommodation; the extent to which such residential places have been utilised in the past five years to date; his intentions for the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32713/23]
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.
539. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on progress in relation to the referendum on equality and care due to take place in November; when the interdepartmental group will publish its proposed wording in relation to Articles 40.1, 41.2 and 41.3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32729/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra542. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the referendum on equality and care due to take place in November; whether all three proposed constitutional amendments will be brought forward; and when the Interdepartmental Group will publish its proposed referenda wording in relation to Article 40.1, Article 41.2 and Article 41.3. [32829/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 542 together.
On 8 March 2023, the Taoiseach and I announced that a referendum will be held in November 2023 to amend the Constitution as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. An Inter-Departmental Committee, involving all Government Departments and chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, was then established to further examine and advance these recommendations. The IDC is now working on policy proposals, which will be brought forward for consideration and decision by Government shortly. We will be in a position to update further at that stage.
