Written Answers Nos. 1067-1086
1067. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the proposed Equal Participation Model; how he envisages it will support children who may be vulnerable or are experiencing disadvantage; what changes are being made to the sponsorship process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48406/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to have secured an allocation of €4.5m to commence the first phase of rollout of the Equal Participation Model from September 2024.
Officials in my Department are progressing work to finalise the Equal Participation Model (EPM) which will aim to help children and their families who may be experiencing disadvantage to access early learning and childcare settings, through a range of supports, universal and targeted.
The design of the EPM is being finalised based on extensive feedback and consultations with educators, parents, providers and representative organisations. The detail will be published in early 2024.
The response will be multifaceted reflecting the complexity of need, and will be rolled out in stages as funding becomes available and as the design of certain elements is progressed.
Implementation will be phased with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on later phases being a key element of the implementation approach.
Effective September 2024, an increase in the ‘sponsor rate’ under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) for children aged one and over, to €5.30 from a minimum of €4.31-€5.00, depending on the age of the child. Sponsored awards are specifically targeted at more vulnerable families based on family need, homelessness, or refugee status. A sponsored award provides the highest level of NCS subsidy without the need for an income assessment, and so eases access to early learning and childcare for these children.
1068. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has contacted a person (details supplied) regarding an issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48424/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach accommodation provider who has a contract with my Department to provide accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) is required to notify my officials of any vacancies at the accommodation on a weekly basis. The accommodation provider to which the Deputy refers is contracted with the Department and has notified my officials of vacancies at this accommodation in the correct way by sending a weekly register via email to a designated mailbox.
Maximising the use of contracted vacancies is a priority for my Department. A dedicated team was established in Q2 of this year to actively validate vacancies notified to us by accommodation providers to ensure these are within contracted capacity and meet our standards. In addition, improvements to our processes have significantly increased accommodation provider compliance with the requirement to submit weekly registers, currently over 90%, and my officials are actively contacting those outstanding providers not currently doing so to ensure we have a full picture of contracted vacancies.
There are a number of circumstances, however, under which in-contract vacancies cannot be used in the short term and must be paused. Where a provider is nearing the end of their contract, for example, or where an issue has been raised with my Department such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies notified by that accommodation provider will not be filled until these matters are resolved to ensure the safety and security of BOTPs.
Vacancies which are suitable for immediate use are made available by my officials to operational teams at Citywest and in our Relocations team for allocation. Due to varying room configurations and geographical location, some vacancies may take longer to fill then others given they are utilised to meet the specific requirements of individuals and family groups of BOTPs.
Accommodation providers can be assured that if they have notified my Department of their vacancies through the correct channel, my officials are aware of them and are actively working on them. My Department will continue to engage with providers to fill suitable vacancies where this is possible.
1069. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the introduction of a payment equivalent to child benefit for all children in the international protection process, as promised in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service; the estimated cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48432/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of an International Protection Child Payment (IPCP) is a key commitment in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. The IPCP will contribute towards the cost of raising a child, protect against child poverty, and enable participation in Irish society. The IPCP is an important commitment to help address the high rates of poverty experienced by this group of children in keeping with the particular focus on child poverty in Budget 2024.
It is proposed the IPCP will be a payment of €140 per month, or €32.11 per week, to be paid in respect of each International Protection Applicant child up to the age of 18, who are residing in IPAS accommodation and are awaiting a decision. This payment would be in addition to the child Daily Expenses Allowance of €29.80 a week.
As part of the Budget process, I secured €4.7m to provide for the IPCP in 2024. A business case for sanction on the establishment of the IPCP has now been prepared and submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in line with the rules and procedures governing public spending.
As part of the development of the White Paper, agreement was reached in principal that the Department of Social Protection would administer the IPCP. My officials are currently engaged in discussions to agree the particulars of this arrangement.
1070. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 4 July 2023, the status of the review of the projected timelines for the implementation of the White Paper to end direct provision and establish a new international protection support service; if the review has been completed to date; the timeline for the publication of the review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48433/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, in February 2021 my Department published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. Further to Parliamentary Question No. 69 of 4 July 2023, the updates are as follows:
Since January 2022 there has been a substantial increase in the number of new International Protection arrivals with more than 23,000 up to the end of October 2023. These figures are notably in addition to the significant numbers coming to Ireland who have fled the war in Ukraine. As of 2nd November, over 99,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection have arrived in the state, with over 74,000 requiring accommodation.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based needed to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. This work is currently being undertaken by DCEDIY with input from the White Paper Programme Board and the External Advisory Group. In terms of next steps, a cabinet memo will be going to government in the coming week setting out a revised implementation approach.
Notwithstanding the acute accommodation pressures faced by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in accommodating International Protection applicants 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.
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.
The implementation of the 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.
1071. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify the position as it relates to the accounting and financial reporting requirements placed on private childcare providers accessing support through his Department's core funding scheme as detailed in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48499/23]
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 practice 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.
1072. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, given the 25% fee reduction in Budget 2024, he will outline if he has any plans to go further than freezing fees and begin the process of reducing fees charged by services; to qualify how families who use a childminder will be able to access NCS subsidies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48404/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approach to introducing Fee Management under Core Funding is guided by the recommendations of the Expert Group outlined in Partnership for the Public Good, and approved by Government. It ensures that the introduction of Fee Management to the sector is done in a sustainable and considered manner.
Specific recommendations on fee management include; the introduction of a fee freeze in the first instance, improvements to price comparability, and developments to the fee management system further to the assessment of cost data
Fee management started with a requirement of providers not to increase fees on September 2021 levels. The approach for fee management in future years will be guided by the Expert Group recommendations and may include the introduction of a common national provider fee structure and rates, and transitional arrangements such as where all fee rates would have to fall within a specified percentage tolerance range around a given rate.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements during Phase 1 of the implementation.??
Phase 1 will be completed when the exemption to registration has been removed from the Child Care Act 1991 and the 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.
1073. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he and his Department have mapped the existence of youth focused community projects and staff across the State; if his Department is aware of gaps in coverage or large and populous areas without or with inadequately resourced projects and how the Department will resolve this. [41412/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides funding to Education and Training Boards (ETBs) to support youth services in their area. My officials hold quarterly meetings with the ETBs and these meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people.
In preparation for Cycle 2 of the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, each ETB carried out an area profile exercise to assess the needs/issues pertaining to young people in their functional area in order to identify and ascertain where the services for young people are most needed. Following this process, the ETBs made recommendations to the Department on the geographic areas with the greatest need for services to address the most urgent needs/issues facing young people. The application process for cycle 2 is underway. This approach is designed to be needs led where local circumstances and responses can be identified and supported.
In 2022, the UBU Your Place Your Space programme manager and other staff within my Department visited all 16 ETBs and over 70 youth services/organisations nationwide, engaging with and hearing the needs of youth service managers, youth workers and young people.
My officials also maintain regular contact with the 30 national and major regional youth organisations funded under the Youth Service Grant Scheme and with Gaisce and Leargas. This includes the National Youth Organisation Meeting which I attend twice a year to hear directly from the sector.
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 are providing supports to youth organisations and to young people all over the country.
1074. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will bring forward from November 2024 to January 2024, the proposed rise in foster carer allowance announced in Budget 2024. [46387/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt was a priority of mine to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers.
As outlined in Budget 2024, from 1st January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance will increase by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12.
These increases mean that foster carers will receive over €1,700 additional funding per child over the course of 2024, amounting to an extra €300 per month by the end of 2024 for each child placed with them, when compared with the current allowance. The changes in Budget 2024 will bring the annual rate of the foster care allowance to an amount of €20,800 for a child under 12 and €22,100 for a child over 12.
I understand the disappointment amongst foster carers that the full increase to the foster care allowance will not come into effect until November 2024. However, given the very many competing demands on the limited funds of the State, including from across the Tusla budget and from other responsibilities within the remit of my own Department, necessary compromises had to be made. In this context, it was decided that it was necessary to introduce the increases to the foster care allowance on a phased basis over 2024. My priority was to secure a significant increase to the allowance, albeit at the cost of a phased implementation.
1075. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [48581/23]
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.
1076. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons on a waiting list for initial contact from a CDNT by CHO, age category and time waiting, in tabular form. [48587/23]
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.
1077. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when building blocks Capital grants for childcare facilities will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48601/23]
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 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. In total, 151 services were awarded funding under this scheme.
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 announce details of the Building Blocks – Capacity Grant later this month.
1078. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide clarification regarding the recent requirement for childcare providers to furnish up-to-date financial accounts signed by a certified accountant to access core funding and to outline the rationale behind these recent changes in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48603/23]
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 practice 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.
1079. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 80 of 2 July 2023, if he will clarify his reference to the possible introduction of a new fee structure; when he expects this new fee structure to be introduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48627/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe approach to introducing Fee Management under Core Funding is guided by the recommendations of the Expert Group outlined in Partnership for the Public Good, and approved by Government. It ensures that the introduction of Fee Management to the sector is done in a sustainable and considered manner.
Specific recommendations on fee management include; the introduction of a fee freeze in the first instance, improvements to price comparability, and developments to the fee management system further to the assessment of cost data.
Fee management started with a requirement of providers not to increase fees on September 2021 levels. The approach for fee management in future years will be guided by the Expert Group recommendations and may include the introduction of a common national provider fee structure and rates, and transitional arrangements such as where all fee rates would have to fall within a specified percentage tolerance range around a given rate.
My Department has secured an allocation of €303.31m for Core Funding in budget 2024. This is an increase on the 2023 allocation of €266m. The additional allocation allows for the continued implementation of the Core Funding scheme for Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare Partner Services for the second programme year, September 2023 to August 2024 and to the end of December 2024 which is into the third programme year.?
The additional funding from September 2024 translates into a full year allocation of €331m for year 3 of Core Funding, an increase of €44m, or 15%, on the current allocation of €287m and will deliver a range of enhancements in Year 3 of the scheme to support improved affordability and accessibility for families, improved pay and conditions for the workforce and improved sustainability for providers.
My Department has allocated a further €21.49m towards Core Funding from September 2024. The precise allocation of this funding will be determined by data emerging from Year 2 of the scheme as well as the financial returns.
1080. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on all reviews undertaken by, or on behalf of, his Department that have not yet been published; their expected publication date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48628/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has commissioned an internal review of the Community Sponsorship Ireland Programme, which is being carried out by EY Ireland. This review is expected to be completed by end of 2023, although there are no plans to publish the review report at this point.
My Department has also secured the services of Fitzpatrick Associates to complete a Mid-Term Evaluation of Ireland’s Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) national programme. The review is due to be published in April 2024.
We are currently conducting a review of the provision of home visiting services for families with babies and young children. The First 5 Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families includes an action to agree a national approach to home visiting services, across a continuum of need, building on the current public health nurse home visitation programme and having regard to Irish evidence on the implementation of prevention and early intervention initiatives. Currently research is underway, conducted by the UNITE team at Maynooth University, in partnership with the Parenting Support Policy Unit within my Department, which aims to examine the resources, activity levels, geographical coverage and outcomes associated with home visiting programmes in Ireland. This will consider evidence of the effectiveness and implementation of home visiting programmes in Ireland and across the world. Consultations are underway with parents and home visiting services to explore the demand for and preferences for different types of home visiting services. Further consultation has also been undertaken with other key stakeholders to identify, assess and agree options for a standardised approach in Ireland to home visiting service provision.
The services contract on this review is due to end on the 31st of December 2023 and publication is expected in the first quarter of 2024 pending internal review.
Following a competitive tendering process, Mazars have been appointed by my Department to undertake an independent review of the current National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 – 2021. The purpose of the review is to determine what has been achieved or not achieved under the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, and to identify key priority areas for inclusion in the successor National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy. In October, Mazars facilitated a stakeholder survey and focus group consultation. Additionally, desk based research is being conducted to identify key themes and trends for consideration in the next Strategy, and we will also be reviewing international and national research and LGBTI+ strategies from other jurisdictions for examples of good practice. The review is expected to be published in Q1 2024.
1081. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when disability services will be provided to a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48645/23]
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.
1082. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the policy regarding primary care psychology and a child’s eligibility to access this service if they are seeing a psychiatrist for a separate diagnosis; the reason there are gaps on the CDNT team specifically in the psychology department, that a child referred in 2021 is told they will not be seen before they turn 18 years of age in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48648/23]
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.
1083. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 589 of 11 July 2023, if he is aware that there are still school leavers from St. Michael's House who have not been provided with day services (details supplied); if he is aware that two school leavers are currently sharing a day service; if he is aware that no transport has been organised for anyone who has been offered day services; his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48715/23]
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.
1084. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects his Department to finalise the policy on the extension of parent's leave, as outlined in Budget 2024; if the additional two weeks of parent's leave will be backdated to budget day (10 October 2023); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48718/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently, seven weeks Parent's Leave and Benefit is available to all eligible parents of children born or adopted from 1 November 2019. The leave and benefit must be availed of within the first two years of the child’s life or adoptive placement.
In line with the EU Work-Life Balance Directive, Parent’s Leave and Benefit is required to increase by an additional two weeks to nine weeks by August 2024.
In Budget 2024, the Government provided for the number of weeks of Parent's Leave and Benefit available to eligible parents to be increased from seven weeks to nine weeks from August 2024. The additional two weeks leave and benefit will apply to parents of children who are under age two in August 2024 or, in the case of adoption, where less than two years have passed since the child's placement. The Department of Social Protection is responsible for the associated changes to Parent's Benefit for the increased period of leave.
All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children.
1085. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an assessment will be allowed to ensure a child (details supplied) can be accepted into schools in their area. [48813/23]
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.
1086. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a decision has been made on a mother and baby home redress scheme application for a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48814/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1090. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a decision has been made on a mother and baby home redress scheme application from a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48822/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1086 and 1090 together.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is not yet open and so no applications have been made to the Scheme. It is not possible to comment on a specific individual's potential eligibility for benefits. It may be helpful to note that the Scheme will be straightforward and non-adversarial, and will provide benefits to applicants based on time spent in an institution without any requirement to bring forward evidence of abuse or harm.
Opening the 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.
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.
My 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.
