Written Answers Nos. 1074-1094
1076. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a child who does not have access to an occupational therapist in their Children’s Disability Network Team can access an occupational therapist in another Children’s Disability Network Team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11550/24]
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
1077. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the process used to prioritise children on waiting lists for both an assessment of needs and access to critically needed therapists; if this process is understood by families; if they know where their child is on the list; how they are updated on their progress up the list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11551/24]
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
1078. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a contract for a facility (details supplied) will be renewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11564/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department cannot comment on individual properties or contractual arrangements due to the commercially sensitive nature of such details. Ukraine Division is open to renewing all contracts currently in place, subject to all contractual requirements and procurement criteria being met. These contracts are being renewed on an ongoing basis and officials in the Contracts Team in my Department will reach out to this supplier shortly to discuss the next steps.
1079. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capacity of each direct provision centre by county, to include the number of places available in each direct provision in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11568/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1080. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the occupancy of each direct provision centre, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11569/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1079 and 1080 together.
There are nearly 28,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole (of whom over 6,000 are children) compared with nearly 20,000 people at this time last year. Together with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection displaced by the war in Ukraine, this means that Ireland is now accommodating over 100,000 people in state-supported accommodation
Intensive efforts are being undertaken daily by Department officials to source emergency accommodation. However, procuring enough bed space to keep pace with incoming arrivals remains extremely challenging.
The Department of Integration does not comment on occupancy figures for individual properties given the requirement to maintain the security and right to privacy of international protection (IP) applicants, and the variability of this data due to the emergency nature of its requirement to provide shelter for IP applicants.
However, please find below a link to IPAS weekly releases of statistics in relation to IP applicants. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are accommodated by IPAS.
gov.ie - IPAS Statistics (www.gov.ie) .
1081. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capacity and occupancy of each EROC centre, to include the number of places available and actual occupancy, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11570/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, there are currently two dedicated Reception and Orientation Centres (ROCs), used for accommodating beneficiaries of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). These centres are located at Clonea Strand, Dungarvan, Co. Waterford and Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon. Further reception spaces are allocated to IRPP beneficiaries in Mosney Village, Co. Meath.
Details of the capacity and current occupancy at each of these centres (as at 1 March 2024) are set out in the table below.
|
Centre |
Capacity |
Occupancy (as at 1 March 2024) |
Available |
|
Clonea Strand |
125 |
110 |
0 |
|
Ballaghaderreen |
220 |
151 |
0 |
|
Mosney |
200 |
186 |
0 |
The Deputy will appreciate that it is not be possible to achieve maximum occupancy in the centres at all times, due to family make ups, room configurations, rooms being refurbished etc.
There are no usable vacancies in the centres at the moment either because of family make up, room configuration, refurbishment and due to the fact some spaces have been designated for occupancy by families selected for resettlement in Ireland, who are currently due to travel from a processing centre in the coming weeks.
1082. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a bus service can be reviewed on behalf of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11571/24]
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.
1083. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to investigate the case of a child (details supplied) who has been told that the current service she is receiving is inappropriate for her needs but who has been refused access to the service which she has been directed towards and if services could engage with the family. [11572/24]
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
1084. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth why a person (details supplied) is waiting on an assessment of needs; if he can speed up the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11584/24]
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.
1085. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has had the need to contact An Garda Síochána due to verbal, written (including electronically) or physical threats being addressed to staff or Ministers, at any level, working within the Department during the period 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11589/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth's Facilities Management Unit contacted An Garda Síochána on 19th January 2023 following a verbal threat via the telephone made to Departmental staff in the Minister's Office. The threat was to cause damage to Miesian Plaza.
On two separate occasions, the assistance of An Garda Síochána has been sought by staff in the City West Transit Hub in response to aggressive and intimidating behaviors.
1086. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any commitment was ever given to anyone by the Department or the Minister that the number of international protection applicants placed in a facility (details supplied) would be limited to a certain capacity; if so what was the limit committed to and was that honoured; did he make any similar commitments for any other international protection applicant locations and if so, where and when [11607/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie
1087. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth following on from the reply received to Parliamentary Question No. 538 of 13 February 2024, what progress has been made since that reply by his Department regarding the purchase of a hotel (details supplied) to become a community hotel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11649/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Local Authority is examining possible ways to bring a premises back into use in the area, including for use as a community hotel. The Deputy will be advised of progress as it is made.
As previously stated, a whole of government humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine and the increase in those seeking International Protection is ongoing, and a range of measures have been put in place to respond to local need and the potential pressures on services.
At a sectoral level, individual Departments have put in place processes to ensure there are systems to allow an appropriately targeted response to increased demands at local level.
These include additional resources and processes to support Education; Health; investment in local community facilities (Community Recognition Fund) and additional funding for communities through the Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme.
1088. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of beds for international protection applicants which were empty in each week of 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11669/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1137. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of currently vacant beds within the IPAS system, by county, in tabular form. [12117/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1171. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant beds in existing IPAS centres and BOTPS centres, by county location, and the remaining number of occupied beds in those same centres, by county location, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12549/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1088, 1137 and 1171 together.
The Department of Integration does not collate current vacant beds by county due to the variable nature of the data which changes on an hourly basis. I can update the Deputy that the usable capacity available in the system over the last number of weeks has ranged between approximately 200 and 500 beds across 280 centers. This equates to approximately 8 days of arriving international protection applicants.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) continues to make every effort to maximise bed usage across its system. Where beds are not being utilised this can be for a number of reasons and includes family configuration, contract management issues, capacity to support triage and reception processes in circumstances where there is very limited line of sight on new accommodation for single male applicants, and spaces reserved for the accommodation of families and children arriving in the coming days.
IPAS releases weekly statistics in relation to IP applicants. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing.
These statistics are also published on gov.ie - IPAS Statistics (www.gov.ie)
There are nearly 28,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole (of whom 6,356 are children) compared with nearly 20,000 people at this time last year. Together with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection displaced by the war in Ukraine, this means that Ireland is now accommodating over 100,000 people in state-supported accommodation. Since January 2022, the Department has brought over 200 additional properties into use to accommodate those who arrive in Ireland seeking IP.
Intensive efforts are being undertaken daily by staff in DCEDIY to source emergency accommodation. However, procuring enough bed space to keep pace with incoming arrivals remains extremely challenging, leading to the current accommodation shortage.
1089. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason emergency measures to temporarily house international protection applicants who are sleeping rough were lifted; and the method used to determine when such measures should be ended. [11670/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the recent extreme weather, the Department of Integration provided temporary shelter for International Protection (IP) applicants who had been rough sleeping. This was done at a number of locations, some of which were night-time only. The arrangements were emergency in nature and ended after the 3rd March 2024.
It is important to note that recent commentary related to available beds in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system are inaccurate. All available beds are being utilised at present. Where beds are not being utilised this can be for a number of reasons and includes family configuration, capacity to support triage and reception processes or accommodation for families and children arriving in the coming days.
Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. For context, at the end of January 2022 IPAS had 8,300 bed spaces in use; it now has approximately 28,000 beds in use. This does not account for further beds that had been provided to International Protection (IP) applicants in the interim in hotels that have since returned these beds to tourism.
Intensive efforts are being undertaken daily by staff in DCEDIY to source emergency accommodation. However, procuring enough bed space to keep pace with incoming arrivals remains extremely challenging, leading to the current accommodation shortage.
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.
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, Crosscare, 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.
1090. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many parliamentary questions forwarded by him to Tusla are awaiting response, due to industrial action or other circumstances; and how many of those questions were submitted by this Deputy. [11690/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that across my entire Department the number of parliamentary questions forwarded by my officials to Tusla that are awaiting response, currently stands at 17, of these 8 are from Deputy Tóibín.
1091. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will list the occasions and dates upon which he has met with representatives of the voluntary sector providing care and accommodation to children in State care. [11691/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information which the Deputy sought is set out below.
|
Organisation |
Date |
Purpose |
|
Movement for Change in Foster Care |
9th November 2023 |
Foster Care |
|
Children’s Rights Alliance |
9th November 2023 |
Discuss Crisis in Children in Care and Child Protection Services |
|
Children’s Residential and Aftercare Voluntary Association |
13th December 2023 |
Children’s residential and aftercare and recurring systemic challenges |
|
Crosscare |
22nd December 2023 |
Visit to Crosscare |
1092. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to instances where children seeking asylum in Ireland have ended up sleeping in tents (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11692/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll unaccompanied minors are eligible for immediate accommodation by Tusla.
Please note that the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has no role in determining the age of persons in the International Protection Process. If there is a concern regarding the age of a person in IPAS accommodation, this is notified to the Department of Justice and Tusla for their assessment for eligibility of services under the Child Care Act 1991.
All International Protection (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.
1093. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of properties his Department has purchased for the purposes of accommodating refugees or asylum seekers since he took office; how many of those properties are currently occupied; and how many are vacant. [11693/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn February 2021 A White Paper to End Direct Provision and establish a new International Protection Service was published. The paper set out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and contains three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports. There is a legal obligation on the state to meet the requirements under the EU Recast Reception Conditions Directive to provide accommodation to all who request it.
In 2022 and 2023 Ireland experienced unprecedented numbers of new IP arrivals with over 26,900. To put this in context the total number of applications received in 2022 and 2023 (26,900) is greater than the total received over the preceding eight year period, 2013-2021 (23,369). These very significant arrival numbers have continued in the first months of 2024, with the highest number of applicants, nearly 1800, received in a month occurring in January.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based needs to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 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 will examine opportunities to purchase accommodation for use by International Protection.
As part of the White Paper commitments the development of a community accommodation model for International Protection applicants was initiated with the purchase of 37 properties.
An Expression of Interest competition was undertaken to commission Approved Housing Bodies to operationalise the properties purchased as supported accommodation for vulnerable applicants. The Approved Housing Bodies commissioned through this process are currently working with this Department to operationalise these properties on a phased, with a number expected to be available to IPAS to house International Protection applicants over the coming weeks.
In respect of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the government has developed a rapid build housing programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation up to 2,800 Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection at several sites across Ireland.
Work has been completed on the first seven sites at Mahon in Cork, Farnham Road in Cavan, Doorly Park in Sligo, Thurles in Tipperary, Claremorris in Mayo, Clonminch in Offaly and Rathdowney in Laois. These sites comprise of 310 rapid build homes and are accommodating approximately 1240 individuals. The final stage of the programme will be delivered in 2024.
1094. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who have died while either in State care or known to child protection services in each of the past 11 years; and if a breakdown can be provided on cause of death or suspected cause of death. [11694/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
