Written Answers Nos. 978-998
978. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need within each CH0 awaiting an appointment; the breakdown by each CHO; his plans to address these waiting lists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47393/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
979. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of any funding strands that might be available to creches which are unfinished and need capital works/investment in order to complete and open to the public and meet the incredible demand in the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47420/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraSome €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:
1. Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
2. Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
3. Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
Under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects, which have supported services in need of upgrading, such as kitchen refurbishments, roof repairs and the replacement of flooring. This scheme is now closed and my Department does not have further capital funding available for the early learning and childcare sector in 2023.
Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025.
The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of under-supply. Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed. The Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.
I hope to be in a position to provide more information on the delivery of the Building Blocks – Capacity Grant in the coming weeks.
980. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding due to be allocated over the next 12 months to agencies within the remit of his Department to support the prevention and early intervention benefits of parenting support; the nature of the activities that will be funded through such allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47454/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra982. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of developments internationally to encourage the uptake of parenting support programmes, including the universal funding of programmes; whether he sees merit in expanding the availability of such programmes to parents and guardians in Ireland; the level of funding being allocated to such programmes over the next 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47456/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra983. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent of funding which he is allocating over the next 12 months to give effect to the policy commitments in the National Model of Parenting Support Services and Tusla's Parenting Support Strategy 2022 - 2027; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47457/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 980, 982 and 983 together.
With regard to funding, I have secured over €1 billion for Tusla for 2024 and this includes a year on year increase of at least €80m in general funding. In this context, my forthcoming Performance Statement to Tusla will outline the overall parameters of Tusla's financial resources in light of Budget 2024, and my priorities for the coming year.
In April 2022, I launched Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services. The vision of this model is for all parents to be confident and capable in their parenting role, helping to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.
The Supporting Parents model was developed in accordance with a commitment in First 5, a whole of government strategy for babies, young children and their families 2019-2028, to improve and guide the development of parenting support services. The model was developed by a collaborative working group led by my Department, with input from a wide range of stakeholders from across Government Departments, agencies and community and voluntary organisations, including, Tusla, the HSE, the Prevention and Early Intervention Network (PEIN), the Parenting Network and others.
The model is comprised of 23 individual actions, which are divided across 4 goals:
• Goal 1 - greater awareness of parenting support services
• Goal 2 – greater access to parenting support services
• Goal 3 - more inclusive parenting support service
• Goal 4 – needs-led and evidence-informed parenting support services.
During the development of the model, best international practice was reviewed and learning incorporated into the model.
981. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent of funding that will be made available over the next 12 months for the provision of parenting support programmes to be delivered to parents and guardians to assist children and teenagers that are suffering from anxiety; the agencies through which such programmes will be delivered; the steps that will be taken to measure the effectiveness of such expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47455/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have referred this matter to Tusla for direct response.
984. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No.1346 of 11 September 2023, if the HSE have procured diagnostic ASD assessments from the private sector; and if not, the timeframe within which this will be in place. [47465/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
985. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence from a crèche in Dublin 11 (details supplied) regarding the provision of teaching assistants under Aim Level 7; if changes to the Aim support system will be introduced to take into account that some areas of the country can often have a greater level of demand for supports for children with additional and complex needs than other areas, given that, currently, a crèche experiencing high levels of demand and capacity constraints may not be able to get an allocation of additional teaching assistants regardless of the number of children in the crèche who are allocated supports under Aim Level 7; what supports his Department will provide to address capacity issues in relation to early years teaching provision in Dublin 11 and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47473/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities or additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high quality early learning and care. AIM Level 7 support provides additional funding to pre-schools who have a child requiring extra support. Providers can use this funding either to reduce the adult-to-child ratio in the pre-school room or to fund an extra staff member as a shared resource with other children in the ECCE setting.
This funding is not for additional teaching assistants, AIM is centred on ensuring the child’s optimal participation within early learning services through a qualified early learning and care educator.
Pobal administers AIM on behalf of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Officials in my Department reached out to Pobal, who have confirmed that the Early Years Specialist has not advised the service provider that there is a cap on the capitations within their ECCE session.
It should be noted that in line with emerging best practice to support the integration and independence of children with a disability, it is not in the child's best interests to have too many adults in the room. While there is no limitation on the amount of capitations within one room, there is consideration given to the amount of adults within the room. There are 9 applications active in this service. The service provider is seeking additional capitations in some sessions and these will be considered by Pobal during observation visits. Pobal can be contacted directly by the service provider by telephone at: 01 5117000, or by email at: eypc@pobal.ie for further information on the status of applications. My Department funds the national network of City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) who provide support to parents and providers at a local level. Fingal CCC may be able to assist the service regarding recruitment of AIM level 7 assistant staff. They can be contacted at by email at info@fingalcountychildcare.ie or by phone at 01 4851727.
986. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an exemption can be considered for a child (details supplied) in order for them to access the ECCE scheme. [47489/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) operates in tandem with the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and as such, provision of AIM supports are directly linked with ECCE participation / hours of operation. AIM’s objective is to support the meaningful participation of children with disabilities in ECCE. ECCE is available to all children within the eligible age range. The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years’ education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios. Children born between 1 January 2021 and 31 December 2021 will be eligible for their first year of ECCE in the 2024/2025 programme year. I accept that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however, my Department has to place an age cut-off at some point, and in the interests of fairness and consistency there can be no discretion in this regard. My Department does its best to ensure, in so far as possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for funding under the ECCE Programme and AIM. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied evenly. One of the commitments within First 5, A Government Strategy for Babies and Children, was to undertake an end of year 3 evaluation of AIM. The evaluation report is due to be published later this year. Subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, Department officials will be considering enhancements to, and/or extension of, AIM to, for example, outside of ECCE hours and age range.The parents may be advised to contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) for advice on suitable placements. Contact details are available at myccc.ie.
987. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if childcare providers can continue submitting their financial returns for the period 1 January to 31 December 2023 and not for the period 1 September to 31 August 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47564/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll Partner Services that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns.
Core Funding payments to providers must run on a programme year, September-August, in line with the school year, the operation of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector, and the payments made to providers under the other DCEDIY schemes. Therefore, the financial returns cover the period from 1st September 2022 to 31st August 2023 and must be submitted by an accountant from a registered practise or a registered professional body (ACA, ACAA, CPA, and CIMA), on behalf of each Partner Service. My Department is not requesting audited accounts.
To facilitate these reporting requirements, my Department has worked collaboratively with an external consultant to finalise the nominal codes for the Core Funding Chart of Accounts and develop the Core Funding Financial Reporting template and associated financial management tool.
My Department acknowledges the increase in administration for providers with the introduction of new schemes such as the NCS and Core Funding. I have allocated €32.13 million for administration under Core Funding in year two, and €35.34m for the third year of the scheme.
In addition a number of targeted supports are being considered by my Department to enable Core Funding Partner Services to comply with the financial reporting requirement.
In any instances where a service is experiencing financial difficulty, they can reach out to their local City/County Childcare Committee and avail of Case Management Supports. This can include operational supports as well as financial supports through Sustainability Funding if deemed appropriate.
988. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total amount spent on the ongoing 'Disability Rights are Human Rights' media campaign; if he will provide a breakdown of the amounts spent on TV, radio and billboard advertising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47569/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1006. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the itemised costs associated with the "Disability Rights are Human Rights" advertisement campaign operated by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47859/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 988 and 1006 together.
The Disability Awareness Campaign is aimed at highlighting the importance and shared responsibility of disability inclusion, and of raising recognition and understanding of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Ireland.
It has been guided by the text of Article 8 of the Convention itself, and by commitments to conduct a CRPD based awareness campaign contained in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), which had been developed in close consultation with disabled people. The campaign itself has also been developed in consultation with disabled persons and a number of Disabled Person's Organisations were engaged with to identify volunteer participants.
Under Article 8 of the UNCRPD it is incumbent upon the State to undertake "effective and appropriate measures" to:
• Raise awareness throughout society, including at family level, regarding persons with disabilities, and to foster respect for the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities;
• Combat stereotypes, prejudices and harmful practices relating to persons with disabilities, including those based on sex and age, in all areas of life;
• Promote awareness of the capabilities and contributions of persons with disabilities.
Measures encouraged to this end under the UNCRPD include "initiating and maintaining effective public awareness campaigns" such as the campaign in question. The slogan "Disability Rights are Human Rights" is a clear statement on Government's position on the issue, while advertisements also direct the public to online resources to further information regarding the UNCRPD. Recent research from the National Disability Authority has also underscored the importance of personal familiarity with persons with a disability in combatting negative stereotypes and attitudes, and generating support for disability initiatives. On that basis I have been particularly pleased to see the campaign's emphasis on rights and on meaningful inclusion across a range of settings in everyday life.
The Disability Awareness Campaign is a deliberately ambitious and far reaching campaign and I have been encouraged by the positive reception to it. The development of the campaign has been conducted at all times with value for money in mind, the principle of "nothing about us without us", the ambition set for the campaign, the obligations set out in the Convention, the NDIS commitment, and my desire to deliver a powerful message on the shared challenge of implementing the UNCRPD across all aspects of everyday life.
The currently projected full cost of the campaign, and the breakdown of those costs, is set out below. It should be noted that these are projected figures while the campaign is ongoing.
UNCRPD Advertising Campaign Full Projected Costs*
|
MEDIA |
CREATIVE |
TOTAL |
||
|
All formats |
€1,117,797 |
% Split of Channels |
€385,181 |
€1,501,978 |
|
TV |
€175, 168.74 |
16% |
||
|
Video on Demand |
€50,016 |
4% |
||
|
Radio |
€246,812.77 |
22% |
||
|
Display |
€87.517.40 |
8% |
||
|
Search |
€7,029.95 |
1% |
||
|
Civic Spaces |
€73,611.26 |
7% |
||
|
Press |
€228,238.65 |
20% |
||
|
Cinema |
54,588.40 |
5% |
||
|
Social |
€112,034.79 |
10% |
||
|
Fees |
€82,333.74 |
7% |
||
|
Total Spend |
€1,117,351.70 |
100% |
||
|
Balance |
€445.30 |
*All costs are inclusive of VAT
989. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what funding steams are available for a group (details supplied) to be able to deliver a counselling service to its members and wider community. [47582/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Women's Collective Ireland (formerly known as the National Collective of Community based Women's Networks, NCCWN) consists of 17 women's groups located in various parts of the country and is involved broadly in activation and outreach for disadvantaged women. The group in question is part of this collective.
Since 2020, my Department has provided funding of €6,680,000 to the Women's Collective Ireland towards salaries, administration and overhead costs incurred in the implementation of activities set out in agreed work programmes. Funding was provided prior to 2020 by the Department of Justice and Equality, and prior to 2016 by the Department of the Environment. The funding has been increased in recent years, breaking down as follows:
2020: €1,490,000
2021: €1,560,000
2022: €1,730,000
2023: €1,900,000
My Department does not have funding streams for the specific purpose of delivering counselling services to the wider community. The Department of Health or other Departments may provide this funding.
However, a number of funding streams provided by the Department may support counselling services as part of a wider remit. For example, on 20 October 2023 my Department launched a Call for Proposals under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in the amount of €10m, to fund 4-year projects providing Reception and Integration supports to third country nationals. The closing date for applicants is 12:00 noon on Friday 1 December 2023. The Department's website is updated regularly with all funding opportunities as are our social media accounts.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding for counselling services through a network of community-based service providers and Family Resource Centres that offer a range of counselling/psychotherapy and supports. I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy as this is an operational matter for Tusla. Members of the Oireachtas are advised that there may be a delay in processing PQ responses within Tusla due to ongoing industrial action. It is hoped the matter will be resolved soon.
990. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a correspondence (details supplied); his response to the issues raised therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47591/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraRegarding the correspondence referenced by the Deputy, it has been considered.
There are currently over 25,000 persons in IPAS accommodation. Since the beginning of 2023 to date, over 9,500 people have arrived seeking International Protection, many of which have been accommodated by IPAS. Due to the significant increase, there is a requirement to continue with a blended approach of accommodation options, including commercial and private providers.
I acknowledge that the number of IPAs resident in Emergency Accommodation Centres (EACs) remains high, and my Department is working to procure new accommodation, and transition current residents from EACs to more permanent accommodation within the portfolio.
The commitments made in A White Paper to end Direct Provision and Establish a new International Protection Support Service are still a key priority for my Department. The implementation of the White paper has been significantly impacted by the war in Ukraine and the substantial increase in IPAs.
With this in mind, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions of the White Paper needed to be re-examined, as it was originally based on 3,500 new arrivals each year. This review process is currently underway. In terms of next steps, a cabinet memo will be going to government in the coming weeks setting out a revised implementation approach. There will be new ambition in terms of increasing the state owned permanent accommodation capacity to meet increasing needs. However due to the significant increase in numbers there will be a requirement for a blended approach of accommodation options including commercial and private providers. While the proposals set out for a revised pathway for the White Paper are intended to achieve a more sustainable model of accommodation and supports for IP applicants, this will take time.
Notwithstanding the acute accommodation pressures faced by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in accommodating International Protection applicant’s ,significant work has continued to deliver on the commitments made in the White Paper under the three core strands – Accommodation, Integration and Supports.
Accommodation
• There has been a focus on increasing the state owned accommodation capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings and advancing the planning process for the construction of purpose built centres.
• Work has also been carried out to deliver some accommodation in the community with thirty-seven properties purchased to date. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been commissioned to operationalise these properties, and will be prioritised to accommodate vulnerable IP applicants. The properties will be delivered on a phased basis over the next number of months.
• A dedicated unit for victims of trafficking (VOT) in accordance with White Paper recommendations has been established. The VOT unit is currently being staffed and residents are being identified for the unit.
• The Department is progressing the introduction of independent monitoring of IPAS centres by HIQA, providing greater confidence on the standards being applied in existing IP accommodation.
Integration
• In order to improve the ability to integrate Government has granted International Protection applicants the right to work after six months, the right to apply for a driving licence, and access to bank accounts.
• A new local integration model has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Authority (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The model centres on a new national network of Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs), funded by DCEDIY, to be located in each local authority, to better help International Protection applicants engage with existing local services. Recruitment for the LAITs is underway by individual Local Authorities and a Working Group, chaired by the LGMA, has been established to develop the detailed functions of the LAITs.
• An international Protection Integration Fund was launched in 2022, which aims to enable community based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection applicants at local and national level. Over €2.8m in funding have been awarded to 137 organisations since the fund was launched in in 2022. Examples of initiatives funded include.
Supports Services
• A vulnerability assessment process has been available to all IP applicant arrivals since February 2021. For the period from 1st February 2021 to 1st November 2023, 4,050 vulnerability assessments have been undertaken. This process is enabling IPAS to identify IP applicants with specified needs and to refer such persons, as necessary, to the HSE where those needs involve mental or physical health issues.
• A new funding framework to support the Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) in further developing, enhancing and expanding the provision of their support services to children, young people and their families in International Protection accommodation settings was launched in 2023. €1.3m has been provided under this new fund. Examples of initiatives funded include projects aimed at Community Integration, Supports for Parents, Emergency Accommodation and Mental Health. This has enabled families and children in International Protection settings to engage with their local community through for music and sports programmes, well-being programmes and cultural community exchange events.
• A customer service team was established in IPAS in 2021 which runs clinics, often in cooperation with NGO partners, for applicants in newly established centres or in centres with higher than average complaints rates.
• NGOs have been contracted to provide in-centre supports to IP applicants. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), for instance, has been contracted to provide orientation and social supports to IP applicants at the Citywest Transit Hub and to link them with mainstream services.
• The REALT network of language supports for Ukrainian children has been extended to provide support to children in International Protection in terms of securing school places and additional supports.
• Under the European Social Fund 2021-2027 funding has been allocated the DCEDIY to recruit dedicated practitioners to support families living in IPAS accommodation. Adopting a multiagency, multidisciplinary approach, these practitioners will provide a standardised pathway for family support within each of the 17 Tusla areas. Supports will vary depending on the needs of each individual family but may consist of delivering individualised parenting programmes and family support clinics or facilitating the integration of families by building connections with Family Resource Centres in the locality.
• Monies has been provided in the 2024 budget for a child payment for families in International Protection. Work is now ongoing to secure sanction for the payment as it is a new development measure.
• IPAS works in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust (PMvT), officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Local Authorities and the City and County Managers Association to collectively support residents with International Protection, or a permission to remain, to exit IPAS accommodation and access housing options. Those with status have the same housing entitlements as Irish Citizens and are supported to register with a Local Authority and, if required, to use the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to secure alternative accommodation. In addition, those with status have access to full social welfare job seekers allowance if they are unemployed. The services, which the Department has contracted from PMvT and DePaul, include the holding of onsite clinics for residents and the provision dedicated points of contact who can offer support.
My Department is also working across Government and with Local Government to develop a more coherent model of engagement with communities in advance of the opening of accommodation centres and to articulate a more inclusive narrative on migration.
A Community Engagement Team has been established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and individuals where relevant and appropriate. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with the accurate information required to help them understand the current situation and to assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals. The Team has been in place for a number of weeks now.
It would not be possible or indeed is it necessary to have full engagement on every opening. However, the CET has worked through or is currently engaged in the openings of a significant number of accommodation centres. Some of these have been a simple sharing of information through the relevant channels and others have involved more detailed meetings with local community groups, local officials, public representatives and other key stakeholders. The CET will continue to review processes and improve systems of communication as we progress with this important work.
The implementation of a new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants is and will continue to be a key priority for my Department. As highlighted, work is progressing in key areas, and this will have a positive impact on the system and improve the lives of those living in international protection accommodation.
991. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the mother and baby redress scheme will be up and running; when he expects women to be able to apply to the scheme; the length of time payments will take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47612/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOpening the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme as soon as possible is a priority for me and my Department. The underpinning legislation for the Scheme, signed into law in July this year, allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my Department to administer the Scheme and the appointment of the Chief Deciding Officer to head up that office. It also allows for the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening and provides a lawful basis for access to information and records which are essential for the processing of applications.
Intensive work is underway to establish the administrative structures needed to open the Scheme but this will take a number more months. Following careful consideration of a number of important factors, including the need to open the Scheme as soon as possible and the ability to be responsive and scale up and down to meet Scheme demand, a blended operating model is being developed. This will provide for the Executive Office to be supported by an experienced third party which will facilitate efficiencies in application processing and payments. To this end, my Department is currently concluding a tendering process with a preferred bidder that has been identified following a procurement process.
In accordance with the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act, all staff in the Executive Office, as well as the third party support team, will operate under the direction and supervision of the Chief Deciding Officer and a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in the Scheme is being developed.
A choice of hard copy or online application form will be made available to applicants. The Department recently made a call to survivors and former residents who may be interested in being part of a stakeholder reference group to provide feedback on the draft application and communication materials for the Scheme, and a very positive response was received.
An information awareness campaign will take place in Ireland and abroad at the time of the Scheme opening. Applicants will be supported throughout the process with information and advice if they need it. I would encourage any person who thinks they may be eligible for the Scheme to make an application at that time.
992. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the establishment of assessment of needs hubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47613/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assessment of Need process is set out in the Disability Act, 2005. The aim of an Assessment of Need under the Disability Act is to identify whether a person has a disability, the nature and extent of the disability, any health and education needs arising from that disability, as well as what services are required to meet those needs.
The HSE has progressed a number of actions to address AON waitlists.
Additional funding has been secured to support the delivery of additional assessments, including those procured from the private sector. Approximately €11m has been allocated to address waiting lists for clinical assessments identified through the Assessment of Need process.
The development of Regional Assessment Hubs to undertake AON Assessments has been underway within the HSE, including National Units and the local CHO Areas, over the last number of months. There are Regional AON Hubs in each CHO in place, in order to streamline AON processes, ensuring maximum efficiencies and equity of demand across all areas.
It must be acknowledged that the HSE is experiencing challenges in operationalising the Hubs, with most of them common across all CHO areas. These challenges include recruitment and retention, the growth in AONs and private service-provider capacity being limited due to a shortage of Health and Social Care Professionals
Notwithstanding these challenges, one of the key actions of the Progressing Disability Services (PDS) Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023-2026, launched recently, will see the HSE fully incorporate the Regional Assessment Hubs to streamline the Assessment of Need process, separating it, where required, from the work of Children's Disability Network Teams (CDNTs).
A tender process is also in train to establish a Framework for external service providers on provision of AON to support CHOs in achieving their targets.
993. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the assessments of need outsourced privately in the past year, by CHO, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47615/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
994. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider the implementation of a disability home support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47631/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) funds home support hours for those needing assistance with everyday tasks across a number of different schemes that encompass disability services and services for older people. The Department of Health is currently leading on the development of a new statutory scheme for the financing and regulation of home support services. My Department will input to this scheme, insofar as it relates to people with disabilities, as the work progresses.
995. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of statements of interests for the purposes of section 19 filed by his special advisers in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; and if he will provide a schedule of same. [47641/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that statement of interests have been filed by my special advisors for 2020, 2021, and 2022. Returns in respect of 2023 may be filed before 31st January 2024.
|
Year |
Statement of interests filed |
|
2020 |
2 |
|
2021 |
2 |
|
2022 |
2 |
|
2023 |
May be submitted by 31/01/2024 |
996. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the issues raised in correspondence (details supplied); and the actions, if any, that are planned or proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47667/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1043. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when recommendations of a report (details supplied) will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48195/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 996 and 1043 together.
As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I would like to commend the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism on its final report, published in June 2023, which contains detailed recommendations for action right across Government to better meet the needs of Autistic people and their families. This is a shared objective for me as Minister of State.
The recommendations contained in the Report address a broad range of issues, with many recommendations falling outside the direct remit of my Department. Within my own area of responsibility, the recommendations of the Report are being carefully considered in the context of development of a new national strategy on autism, the Autism Innovation Strategy, which was in development prior to the final Report of the Committee and which will respond to commitments in the Programme for Government for action on autism at a whole of government level.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will identify ways to address the bespoke challenges and barriers faced by Autistic people and provide the building blocks for a more autism-inclusive society. It will seek to provide for better mainstream understanding and accommodation of the needs of autistic people. It will be cross-Government in nature and will take a holistic approach towards addressing these challenges. While my Department is coordinating development of the strategy, delivery of actions will be the responsibility of relevant departments and agencies in line with their areas of responsibility.
Development of the strategy is currently at an advanced stage. This follows several months of engagements right across Government to agree a suite of clear, simple actions that can address gaps in existing supports and services for Autistic people within an 18 month timeframe. The recommendations from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism have been important for guiding development and have been carefully considered in the preparation of the Strategy.
From the outset of the development process, I have been clear that I want the Autistic community to be at the centre of the development and roll out of the Autism Innovation Strategy. An initial public consultation was held in April/May 2022 to capture the views and priorities of the Autistic community. A report summarising the feedback received was published in April 2023. The feedback from the public consultation has been a central consideration in the development of the strategy to date.
The Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group was also appointed in December 2022, following an application process. This group, which is majority Neurodivergent, will play a key role in monitoring implementation of the strategy, and in providing constructive advice based on the lived experience and expertise of group members.
Once drafting of the strategy is complete, there will be a further public consultation prior to the formal adoption of the Autism Innovation Strategy. It is my intention that implementation of the strategy will begin in early 2024 and that is the clear focus of work for my officials at present.
997. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he plans to bring amending legislation to the Maternity Protection Act 2004 to address the anomaly that women diagnosed with cancer during their maternity leave can pause their leave and resume it once treatment ends; if there are plans to include Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas leave in this amending legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47669/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which will be extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.The Acts include provisions for the postponement of maternity leave in the event of the hospitalisation of the child and for the termination of additional unpaid maternity leave in the event of illness of the mother.
All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children. I recently announced my intention to bring forward proposals to allow for deferral of maternity leave where a mother falls ill during this period, in response to the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society.
The Government is also very committed to ensuring that Members of the Oireachtas can avail of maternity leave and I have indicated my intention to bring forward legislative proposals to provide for this.
Legislative proposals for both issues will be finalised in the coming weeks and they will be brought forward together under the same legislative vehicle. Consideration is being given to identifying a suitable legislative vehicle that can enable these proposals to be advanced at an early stage.
998. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current situation regarding therapeutic services at a special school in Cork (details supplied); the funding available to the school for the restoration of these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47677/23]
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. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
