Written Answers Nos. 305-314
305. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the number of TAMS 2 solar PV installations that were processed by his Department on forms that were not his Department's official S198 forms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11468/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe safety of Solar PV systems, both at installation phase and for subsequent use by applicants to the Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) is of paramount importance. My Department has introduced Specification 198 which outlines the minimum specification for the Installation of Solar PV Systems. All relevant electrical and structural standards are prescribed in this specification.
The technical forms required to be completed are essentially the same as the form produced by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), except for references to TAMS instead of SEAI. I understand some of the Solar PV applications have included the SEAI form. However, it would require an examination of each individual application to provide the exact number.
I would like to reiterate that both forms contain the same detail to allow my Department to make an informed decision on the application. Furthermore, the specific form must be signed by a Safe Electric Ireland registered electrician.
306. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what action his Department is taking to expand and improve respite care services for individuals and families receiving home and community care support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11309/24]
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. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
307. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of unique children enrolled in AIM for 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [11201/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with additional needs can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Its goal is to empower Early Learning and Care (ELC) providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience.
The main supports are grouped into universal or targeted supports. Universal supports are designed to create a more inclusive culture in ELC settings, through training courses and qualifications for staff. Where universal supports are not enough to meet the needs of an individual child, targeted supports are available to ensure the child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high quality early learning and care.
In the table below are the statistics for the number of unique children who have been approved for these targeted supports for the 2022, 2023 and 2024 programme calls. Many more children benefit from the universal AIM provision of more inclusive settings but these are not readily quantifiable.
|
Programme Call |
Unique Children approved AIM Levels 4, 5 & 7 |
|
2023/24 (call opening to 29/02/2024) |
7,922 |
|
2022/23 (Full programme call) |
7,217 |
|
2021/22 (Full programme call) |
5,648 |
308. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childminders that have responded to the public consultation on the draft childminding regulations; if he will list where this consultation has been advertised; the budget spent on public awareness to date; if he will outline the engagement to date in the drafting of the consultation document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11203/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPhase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, which is nearing completion, requires the amendment of primary legislation to enable childminders to register with Tusla; the development of new, childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home environment in which childminders work; development and roll-out of new, bespoke training for childminders; and re-examining the funding and financial supports available for childminders.
Childminders have been consulted on and involved in all aspects of the progression toward the regulation of childminders. The Steering Group for the National Action Plan and its four Advisory Groups – including the expert Advisory Group on Regulation and Inspection of Childminding – include childminders as well as representatives of Childminding Ireland. Consultation with childminders underpinned the development of the National Action Plan itself. The Draft Action Plan was based on the report of a working group chaired by Childminding Ireland, and there was extensive consultation with childminders – and parents – on the Draft Action Plan.
Work on drafting the childminding-specific regulations began in 2022. The National Action Plan for Childminding Steering Group reviewed and provided feedback on the regulation proposals developed by the Regulation and Inspection Advisory Group, and then agreed draft regulations for the purpose of public consultation.
The Steering Group also approved the development of a plan for the public consultation on the draft childminding regulations, as well as draft documentation for the public consultation, including an easy-read summary and the online consultation survey.
The public consultation was launched on 8 February and will close on 2 May. All information and documentation is being hosted on the Gov.ie public consultation website (gov.ie/consultations). There is also a direct link to that consultation webpage from the website for the National Action Plan for Childminding (gov.ie/childminding).
Childminders, parents and other stakeholders can take part in the consultation in a variety of ways. There is an online survey, giving an opportunity to respond to a number of different options for the regulations, as well as an invitation to make written submissions on the draft regulations. In addition, the City and County Childcare Committees are hosting focus groups at local level to explore feedback on the draft regulations in more depth. To date 10 focus groups for childminders have already been held, and a further 42 focus groups have been advertised, with more dates being added as demand arises. Of the 52 childminder focus groups, 12 are being held online and 40 are being held in-person. The City and County Childcare Committees are also hosting focus groups for parents: 9 of these have been planned and 5 of them are open nationally. The parents' focus groups are being held online.
The City and County Childcare Committees - including the Childminding Development Officers employed by them - have promoted the consultation through their mailing lists and social media accounts, and Childminding Ireland have also been publicising the consultation with their members. The consultation has also been advertised through the Facebook page of the National Action Plan for Childminding, with paid advertisements on Facebook and Instagram to boost the reach to childminders and to parents who use childminders. During the month of February, there were 2,014 comments, likes, shares, reactions and saves to my Department's social media posts on the consultation. The posts also generated 1,707 clicks into the public consultation website during that month. Expenditure by my Department on promoted adverts at the end of February was €440. The launch of the consultation was also included in the Department’s Early Years Sectoral e-Bulletin.
The Steering Group and the Stakeholder Engagement, Consultation and Communication Advisory Group worked with an external communications company to develop an engagement and communications strategy for Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, including a specific communications plan for the public consultation, and the external communications company have been managing the current advertising campaign, creating graphics and monitoring reach. The total spending on the overall communications plan, including planning for the introduction of the regulations and the consultation, has totalled €40,046 ex VAT to date.
309. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 260 of 29 February 2024, if he will provide the details on the following (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11223/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently over 27,000 people being accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).
Over 9,800 of those International Protection (IP) applicants are being accommodated in 70 hotels throughout Ireland. Over 90% of those hotels are contracted exclusively for the accommodation of International Protection (IP) applicants and are not available for commercial bookings.
Contractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive. IPAS contracts vary in length and cost, and therefore, it is not possible to provide the duration of contracts currently held for accommodation purposes.
The total spend for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation at year end 2023, was €640,064,470, with 26,279 residents accommodated at 31 December 2023. The cost includes all accommodation and related costs, including transport, facilities management and other related expenditure. The average cost of accommodating an IP applicant in IPAS accommodation is currently €76.80 per night.
In relation to service providers contracted by IPAS to provide accommodation services to International Protection (IP) applicants, the Department publishes reports on all payments over €20,000.These are published, once per quarter, on gov.ie
(www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/#2022)
The Government is committed to delivering on its legal obligations to provide material reception conditions to those seeking International Protection (IP) in Ireland, and the Department is contracting emergency and short-term accommodation across the country in order to accommodate people as they arrive.
The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted including; Companies Registration Office number, where relevant; Tax Clearance Certificate; insurance; fire safety; accessibility to amenities; levels of service; and competitiveness of rates.
While the specific data set requested with respect to companies holding multiple contracts is not available at this juncture, work is progressing within the Department to compile this.
310. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in view of the fact that there are now over 1,000 asylum seekers without accommodation in Ireland, his plans for the provision of basic sanitation, including toilet facilities, in cities around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11249/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs at 4th March 2024, 1,159 single adult males are awaiting an offer of accommodation. While demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly for single male adults, the Department is ensuring that all single adult women, families and children have been accommodated.
The Department is continuing to work intensively to source further accommodation and to follow up with those International Protection (IP) applicants awaiting an offer of accommodation, and since January 2022 has brought over 200 properties into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking international protection. The Department publishes figures relating to IP applicants awaiting an offer of accommodation twice weekly, on the gov.ie website.
All IP applicants who present to the International Protection Office (IPO) during this period are assessed by IPAS and HSE staff for significant vulnerabilities and health issues, and prioritised for accommodation as necessary.
All arriving IP applicants who are not provided with accommodation are provided with a temporary increase of €75 to their Expense Allowance. This increases the allowance from the current rate of €38.80 per week to €113.80 a week for all eligible applicants.
Drop-in day services are provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week. The Department has arrangements in place for the provision of these services with Mendicity, Capuchin Day Centre and Tiglin at the Lighthouse. The Department is in also in regular contact with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, the Dublin Simon Community, Streetlink Homeless Support Outreach service and others, particularly with regard identification of particularly vulnerable individuals.
As the IPO is located in Dublin, and this is where the vast majority of IP applicants are also located, services to address the current emergency are centred there.
311. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of any interdepartmental engagement there has been to-date in 2024 with regard to the repurposing of state-owned buildings for emergency accommodation for asylum seekers, in view of the increasing number of asylum seekers with no accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11256/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department is currently accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 27,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based on need to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on there being 3,500 new arrivals each year. A review of the timelines and deliverables was initiated. A memo will be going to government for approval setting out a revised implementation approach with an increased focus on adding State owned accommodation capacity.
The Department is in the early stages of planning its approach for the delivery of the increase state owned accommodation capacity. The Department is looking at new and innovated ways to address the shortfall in the current portfolio, and availing of repurposed office buildings, decommissioned Defence Forces barracks and tents to try to address shortfalls in reception capacity.
Following a call for government wide support to the accommodation crisis, departmental and state bodies have approached the Department to assist us in accommodating those seeking international protection. These offers are currently under appraisal.
312. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of any engagement between his Department and the owners of religious institutions in the State with a view to providing emergency accommodation for asylum seekers, in view of the increasing number of asylum seekers with no accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11257/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDCEDIY has utilised offers that have come through the Association of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (AMRI) for religious buildings such as seminaries and convents for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
There are also a number of such buildings which are currently in use for the accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and these types of buildings include former convents and former religious order schools.
The Department is currently accommodating over 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 75,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 27,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of International Protection (IP) applicants, with over 200 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 26 counties.
313. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will expand the redress scheme to include all those who spent time in a mother and baby institution or county home; if he will consider making an enhanced medical card available to all survivors, extend the scheme to anyone abused in a 'boarding out'/adoptive placement or abused through forced labour, vaccine trials, racial or disability-based discrimination or illegal expatriation outside the State for adoption, by allowing affected people to swear their testimony in a non-adversarial way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11271/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions contains 22 commitments to survivors, intended to address the expressed priorities of those who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, as well as respond to the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Investigation. Of these 22 commitments, 9 are completed and a further 11 are in progress. The two remaining actions are medium/longer term goals. Work is ongoing across all thematic areas to ensure that survivors see tangible results as soon as possible.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is a centrepiece of the Action Plan. It will open to applications on 20 March and will provide financial payments to an estimated 34,000 people, some 19,000 of whom will also benefit from an enhanced medical card or health support payment. These benefits are in recognition of experiences while resident in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The overall cost of the Payment Scheme is estimated at €800 million.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is just one aspect of the overall package of supports and measures set out in the Government’s Action Plan. Other important measures include access to birth information provided through the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, the intervention at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution, the appointment of a Special Advocate for Survivors which I announced earlier this week, and the establishment of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street.
The Action Plan seeks to provide an inclusive, comprehensive and enduring response to the priority needs of all survivors. Importantly, this package also includes counselling services which are available to all survivors and former residents.
314. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of funding given to the Finglas Youth Resource Centre for the past five years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11284/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table below.
|
Finglas Youth Resource Centre |
UBU Your Place Your Space |
Minor Grant Scheme |
Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative |
Capital |
|
2024 |
€641,705 |
|
*TBC |
|
|
2023 |
€628,506 |
|
|
€4,989 |
|
2022 |
€600,782 |
€9,696 |
€37,061 |
€4,989 |
|
2021 |
€572,994 |
|
|
€1,424 |
|
2020 |
€558,970 |
|
|
€24,000 |
*The TYESI Application process is currently open and is being managed at ETB level. Recommendations by ETBs for allocations under this scheme are due for submission by 28th March 2024.
