Written Answers Nos. 1047-1066
1049. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm the number of properties located in Kilkenny that are under consideration for use as accommodation centres for refugees and that are currently at the final stages of the IPAS procurement process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48222/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs at 22nd October 2023, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is providing accommodation to 24,765 people seeking refuge in Ireland, of whom 156 are currently residing in Kilkenny. Since January 2022 the department has brought over 180 properties into use to ensure that all those who arrive in Ireland seeking shelter can be accommodated.
The Department is considering accommodation offers in County Kilkenny in the same way as other counties, taking into account existing numbers and available service provision. In considering offers, the Department takes into account a range of factors such as accommodation suitability, rates, capacity and amenities. Every effort is being made to activate suitable accommodation offers.
Matters in relation to properties under consideration by IPAS are subject to commercial sensitivity. Disclosing matters such as the location and or number of properties under consideration in Co. Kilkenny could prejudice the outcome of such negotiations.
A Community Engagement Team has been established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant Local Authorities, Local Development Companies, and other entities and/or individuals where relevant or appropriate. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with pertinent information required, which will assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals.
1050. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the current HSE recruitment pause in regard to management and administration staff, as well as agency staff, will apply to children’s disability network teams. [48231/23]
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.
1051. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the status of the excavation and exhumation of the mother and baby institution site in Tuam, County Galway. [48234/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn October 2022 the Government made an Order, under the Institutional Burials Act 2022, to direct the establishment of an independent Office to lead an intervention at the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in Tuam, Co. Galway. The making of the Order followed on from Resolutions in the Dáil and Seanad in September 2022.
In March 2023 I formally established the Office of Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam and in May 2023 I appointed Mr Daniel MacSweeney as the Director to oversee the intervention. Mr MacSweeney’s appointment was made following an open recruitment process run by the Public Appointments Service.
I have also recently appointed members to the Advisory Board that will provide support and guidance to the Director in his role.
The Director is currently assessing the situation at the site before developing a plan for the excavation and recovery of remains. He has recently contracted a Forensic Programme Manager for the intervention and is working on securing laboratory premises and equipment. His initial priority has been to engage with relatives, survivors and former residents in relation to the intervention.
Finally, I have also recently established an administrative scheme to allow for the collection of samples, on a purely voluntary basis, from elderly and vulnerable people in advance of the start of the statutory Identification Programme.
1052. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of the financial contributions given to date by religious institutions to redress schemes, by scheme and institution, in tabular form. [48235/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently in the process of establishing the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme following the enactment of the necessary legislation in July of this year. As you know, I commenced discussions with regard to a contribution from the religious orders towards the cost of the Payment Scheme and I recently secured government approval to engage a negotiator to conclude these discussions.
While these discussions are ongoing they are being treated as confidential. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to say anything further at this time but I will brief Government on the matter when the process is concluded. I expect this process to take a number more months.
No financial contributions were made by religious congregations to the Magdalen Restorative Justice Ex-Gratia Scheme.
Questions as to the contributions made by religious congregations to the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme should be directed to the Minister for Education as I am not in a position to provide that information.
1053. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there will be no further reason not to proceed to ratification of the UNCRC second optional protocol, on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography, once Ireland is in compliance with certain outstanding aspects. [48261/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1054. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 167 of 5 July 2023, the exact requirements to proceed to the next steps; and how soon an awareness-raising campaign will commence (details supplied). [48262/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1055. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has made preparations for the ratification of the UNCRC second optional protocol, on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography (details supplied); and, if so, if he will elaborate on his plans for same. [48263/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1056. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the awareness-raising campaign in schools and colleges will be in the hands solely of him or if it will require the agreement of the Ministers for Education and Justice, or other school bodies, as Ireland must be compliant with all of Article 9 of the second optional protocol to the UNCRC (OPSC) when Ireland ratifies it. [48267/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1057. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth as Ireland has had a very long time to prepare for all that is needed to comply with Article 9 of the second optional protocol to the UNCRC (OPSC), if he has a plan in place, or does he envisage that it will not take too long to put in place. [48268/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1060. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the awareness-raising campaign on Article 9 of the second optional protocol to the UNCRC will be ongoing and done in such a way that the general public can see the information without having to read small print or a www link (details supplied); and if the awareness campaign will be similar to the 'Disability rights are Human Rights' campaign. [48343/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1061. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 122 of 29 March 2023, to outline his plans for Ireland meeting its obligation on Article 9 of the UNCRC, in particular when Ireland ratifies the second optional protocol to the UNCRC (OPSC). [48344/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1053 to 1057, inclusive, 1060 and 1061 together.
In consultation with the Office of the Attorney General, several legislative measures have been implemented which were necessary to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. Enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 were significant steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
Further legislative amendments relating to the extra-territorial jurisdiction requirements under Article 3.1 are intended to ensure that the State is in compliance with certain outstanding aspects of the Protocol. These amendments were included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2023, which is currently before Dáil Éireann, third stage (as of 4 October 2023).
Once enacted, my Department will consult further with the Attorney General’s office on the next steps. This will include working to ensure readiness in all relevant Departments.
It is expected that an awareness raising campaign will commence in early 2024. Details of this campaign have yet to be decided.
1058. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the compliance and standards that will be required of childminders who seek to participate in the national childcare scheme from September 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48317/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to extending regulation and supports to all paid, non-relative childminders who work in their own homes. The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach to regulation with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition period, to allow childminders lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased process aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for this reform.
Phase 1 of the Plan, which began in 2021, involves developing regulations specific and appropriate to childminders, which will come into effect in Phase 2. As the new regulations are not yet in effect, the current regulations – and legal exemptions from regulation for most childminders – will remain in place during Phase 1. Phase 1 allows for consultation, research and development actions, to ensure that the regulations that apply to childminders are appropriate to the home environment, to build the quality support infrastructure required (including expansion of inspectorates and provision of training), and to ensure reforms are based on consultation and research evidence.
A public consultation process will be taking place over the coming months, the results of which will help shape the new, childminder-specific regulations. An Advisory Group on Stakeholder Engagement, Consultation and Communications – which includes childminder representatives – has been formed to support the consultation process.
Phase 1 will be completed when the exemption to registration has been removed from the Child Care Act 1991 and the new childminder-specific regulations have been commenced. All childminders will then be able to register their services and provide parents with access to the National Childcare Scheme. Subject to amendment of the Child Care Act 1991 and the introduction of the new regulations, it is expected that parents who use childminders will be able to benefit from the National Childcare Scheme from autumn 2024.
1059. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how the €8.5 million in additional development measures for children's services will be spent in 2024. [48341/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe funding of €8.5million additional investment in children’s services in Budget 2024 has been allocated to improve children’s services including the recruitment of additional therapy positions, increasing third level places and supports for specialist children’s disability services.
The extra funding comes at a critical juncture and will contribute significantly to the achievement of the objectives set out in the Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023-2026.
Budget 2024 will allow for the recruitment of additional therapy assistant positions to bolster Children’s Disability Network Teams with 175 posts targeted by end of 2024.
€2m in funding has been allocated for educational supports to ensure an increased supply of health and social care professionals. Higher Education Institutes are increasing third level HSCP programmes capacity to meet service demands, especially in the development of relevant Masters programmes. This measure will allow eligible staff complete qualify as therapists, increasing opportunities and capacity for services. Finally, 3m funding has been allocated for Children’s Targeted Services. these are bespoke initiatives designed to provide specialist supports for children with complex needs and their families. The initiatives seeks to address potential gaps in service for children with such needs by augmenting CDNT capacity with centralised supports that can be used by parents and provide a support to CDNTs around the county. Such supports cover issues such as hearing and visual impairment, motor function and dyspraxia. The additional €8.5million funding is supportive and complementary to the efforts of the Roadmap for Service Improvement and will bolster capacity and access for children and families.
1062. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made on the report he plans to publish summarising submissions regarding discrimination on the basis of disadvantaged socioeconomic status under the Employment Equality Act 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48366/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn July 2021, I launched 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. The Department invited written submissions to the public consultation from 06 July 2021 - 08 December 2021, and was pleased to receive an extensive response to the consultation.
A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation was published on the 12th of July 2023. The report can be viewed on the Government's website. See: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/cafb4-minister-ogorman-publishes-report-on-the-submissions-to-the-public-consultation-on-the-review-of-the-equality-acts
Submissions were received on a wide variety of subjects including all the equality grounds: gender, civil status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller community, and the housing assistance ground. Other issues raised in the submissions included the proposed ground for disadvantaged socio-economic status and the use of NDAs in discrimination settlements. Incorporating intersectionality into the legislation was also raised throughout the submissions. Many submissions also commented on the functioning and accessibility of the Equality Acts and proposed how the legislation could be more accessible to the public and better protect people from discrimination.
Work is being undertaken to finalise the policy that will underpin legislative proposals arising from this Review which will be brought forward before the end of the year.
1063. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will urgently put in place home help support for a person (details supplied). [48367/23]
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.
1064. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if assistance will be provided to persons (details supplied) on the basis of family reunification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48369/23]
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 of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to accommodate over 98,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine, over 80% have sought accommodation from this Department.
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 59,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 980 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The Department has updated its reunification protocol due to the mounting challenges in procuring additional accommodation places for new arrivals into Ireland. The updated reunification protocol seeks to maximise the availability beds in the system while also acknowledging the exceptional need of certain individuals. People can request to move into a room of existing contacts if there is a bed available in the room that is already being occupied. If an additional room is required for reunification this will only be possible when someone is joining a close family member and the reunification is required for caring or support reasons.
The Ukrainian Crisis Temporary Accommodation Team (UCTAT), which can be contacted at ukrainetempaccom@equality.gov.ie, will evaluate applications for exceptional reunification on a case by case basis.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements for accommodation using supports provided by the Department of Social Protection or by asking their Local Authority or Irish Red Cross for pledged accommodation. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at registerofpledges@redcross.ie or by phoning 1800 50 70 70.
1065. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to reimburse parents whose children have been forced to get a private assessment of need due to the long waiting lists in the HSE; if this reimbursement would apply to necessary therapies also; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48371/23]
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.
1066. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile report provides a detailed overview of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector in Ireland, including the numbers of children in receipt of state subsidies, information on ELC and SAC fees, staff wages, qualifications and turnover.
The report, which plays a central role in informing policy development and in assessing the impact of policy change, is based on a survey of ELC and SAC providers in Ireland and administrative data from my Department's funding schemes. The report is produced by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
This year it has been decided that the Sector Profile will be released in a new format. My Department, in partnership with Pobal are currently in the process of developing a new interactive dashboard for the Sector Profile. Released in a staggered manner, the first iteration of this new dashboard will see the 2021/22 data be published alongside the 2022/23 data. As the dashboard is still under development there is currently no set release date. It is anticipated that more information will be made available in the coming weeks.
