Written Answers Nos. 1155-1174
1155. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown of his Department's expenditure (details supplied), on a monthly basis for the past six months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12463/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease find a table of the Departments expenditure in each area under the Departments remit for the past 6 months below. These are based on the figures as per the issues returns. Reporting of expenditure is completed monthly on a cumulative basis, the table below represents the movement in respect of the reported cumulative expenditure as per the issues returns in each of the last 6 months.
It should be noted that the value of payments each month can be impacted by a number of variables such as:
• The number of weekly payment dates in each month
• The number of payroll dates falling within the month
• Agree timing of grant payments
• Timing of capital expenditure
• Timing of receipt of invoices/ drawdown requests
• The nature of the spending area
|
Subhead€000s |
Sep-23 |
Oct-23 |
Nov-23 |
Dec-23 |
Jan-24 |
Feb-24 |
Total for 6 Months |
|
Pay |
2,778 |
4,168 |
3,745 |
3,838 |
3,866 |
5,516 |
23,911 |
|
Non Pay |
740 |
499 |
1,134 |
-1,143 |
193 |
490 |
1,913 |
|
A3: Tusla Child and Family Agency |
40,773 |
84,594 |
151,163 |
100,746 |
73,150 |
85,026 |
535,452 |
|
A4: Youth Justice-Children Detention Schools |
3,037 |
2,330 |
3,354 |
2,176 |
1,965 |
2,611 |
15,474 |
|
A5: Guardian Ad Litem Executive Office |
0 |
0 |
45 |
0 |
0 |
20 |
65 |
|
A6: Child and Family Agency Covid Related Supports |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
A.7 - Services To Support Victims Of Domestic, Sexual And Gender Based Violence |
2,987 |
2,056 |
1,569 |
126 |
0 |
0 |
6,739 |
|
B3: ECCE and AIM Pre-School Programmes |
24,808 |
30,306 |
41,918 |
1,358 |
62,039 |
35,197 |
195,626 |
|
B4: National Childcare Scheme and Other Childcare Programmes |
29,258 |
28,904 |
34,780 |
27,884 |
28,074 |
35,684 |
184,584 |
|
B5: Childcare Programmes: Delivery Supports and Other Initiatives |
31,379 |
25,498 |
36,108 |
3,288 |
66,540 |
24,075 |
186,888 |
|
B6: Youth Organisations and Services (Nat Lottery) |
10,953 |
1,431 |
7,070 |
596 |
6,777 |
5,483 |
32,311 |
|
B7: Creative Ireland |
0 |
90 |
39 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
129 |
|
B8: Intervention Prog Children & Young People (dormant a/cs) |
120 |
304 |
1,053 |
193 |
220 |
1,843 |
3,733 |
|
B9: Programme for Peace and Reconciliation |
0 |
56 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
56 |
|
B10:ELC & SAC Covid related Supports |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
C3: Miscellaneous Legal Fees and Settlements |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
16 |
0 |
16 |
|
C4: NLSI |
13 |
569 |
58 |
183 |
62 |
69 |
954 |
|
C5: Children and Young People's Policy Framework |
677 |
458 |
855 |
425 |
64 |
3,296 |
5,774 |
|
C6: Adoption Authority of Ireland |
253 |
658 |
545 |
644 |
593 |
630 |
3,323 |
|
C7: Office of the Ombudsman for Children |
350 |
0 |
630 |
420 |
274 |
380 |
2,054 |
|
C8: Response to Legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions |
48 |
117 |
100 |
732 |
27 |
110 |
1,135 |
|
C9: Mother & Baby Institution Payment Scheme |
47 |
26 |
99 |
677 |
67 |
29 |
945 |
|
C10: Magdalen Fund |
0 |
0 |
71 |
0 |
0 |
50 |
121 |
|
D3: National Disability Authority |
680 |
285 |
289 |
995 |
299 |
780 |
3,329 |
|
D4: Refugee and Migrant Integration |
464 |
1,255 |
697 |
411 |
201 |
157 |
3,186 |
|
D5: Grants to National Women's Organisations |
160 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
170 |
330 |
|
D6: Traveller and Roma Initiatives |
237 |
872 |
188 |
115 |
643 |
510 |
2,565 |
|
D7: Positive Action for Gender Equality |
475 |
1 |
30 |
121 |
167 |
444 |
1,238 |
|
D8: Equality and LGBTI initiatives |
0 |
25 |
855 |
156 |
0 |
25 |
1,061 |
|
D9: Decision Support Service |
1,250 |
1,835 |
0 |
1,323 |
0 |
0 |
4,408 |
|
D10: Disability Equality |
1 |
2 |
11 |
14 |
9 |
26 |
63 |
|
D11: Specialist Community Based Disability Services |
215,969 |
215,800 |
244,560 |
284,268 |
239,912 |
245,610 |
1,446,119 |
|
D12: Specialist Community Based Disability Services - Covid 19 |
19,001 |
3,050 |
3,279 |
2,928 |
2,928 |
192 |
31,378 |
|
D13: Farrelly Commission of Investigation |
-426 |
482 |
153 |
32 |
19 |
57 |
317 |
|
D14: Disability Services and Regulatory Bodies |
-100 |
114 |
0 |
4,841 |
13 |
0 |
4,868 |
|
D15: Payments in Respect of Thalidomide |
-171 |
255 |
66 |
28 |
35 |
35 |
248 |
|
E3: Asylum Migration Integration Fund |
0 |
209 |
178 |
502 |
52 |
0 |
941 |
|
E4: International Protection Seekers |
46,111 |
58,654 |
112,074 |
20,020 |
73,891 |
71,217 |
381,966 |
|
E5: Ukraine |
193,237 |
40,134 |
167,674 |
120,826 |
123,512 |
69,056 |
714,439 |
|
DCEDIY Total Gross Current and Capital Expenditure |
625,109 |
505,037 |
814,391 |
578,725 |
685,609 |
588,787 |
3,797,658 |
As noted, DCEDIY Vote expenditure is reported monthly on a cumulative basis. At the end of December 2023, total gross expenditure on the Vote for 2023 in its entirety was €7.15 Billion, an underspend of €0.03 Billion or 0.5% against the final 2023 allocation including Supplementary Estimates.
Year to date in 2024, gross expenditure is running €14.3m (-1%) below profiled expenditure for that period. This represents +€2.8m (0.2%) in Current expenditure and -(€17.1m) (-92%) in Capital Expenditure. The underspend in Capital expenditure relates primarily to the timing of expenditure in relation to the OPW Modular housing programme.
1156. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the full list of purpose-built student accommodation complexes that are currently being paid to house Ukrainian refugees; the current number of refugees each is currently housing; the amount that has been paid to each provider to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12475/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August 2023 I agreed a protocol with Minister Harris setting out the position under which we could continue to meet our obligations in terms of accommodation for those seeking protection while also protecting the supply of accommodation available for students. The protocol set out that my Department would not contract Purpose Built Student Accommodation properties currently in operation or those which had been operating as student accommodation within the previous 12 months.
No further student-related accommodation has been procured by my Department, other than by agreement with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and any commercial offers we receive that have the potential to affect student accommodation provision are raised with D/FHERIS before proceeding further.
In my view the protocol has worked extremely well, protecting scarce student accommodation, facilitating strong lines of consultation and information-sharing between the two Departments, as well providing certainty for operators in the market.
The protocol remains under active review by both Departments and adjustments will be made as required.
My Department does not track if they are purpose built student accommodation or student specific accommodation and the RTB Student Specific Accommodation Register for 2023 does not confirm the student accommodation type (Purpose-built student accommodation or Student Specific Accommodation)
My Department does not publicly detail the locations of such accommodation centres in the interest of the privacy and security of residents and providers. For the same reason, my Department also does not publicly detail the occupancy, contracted capacity and location of each centre.
The breakdown of the number student accommodation and the capacity by county is set out in the table below.
|
County |
No. of Student accommodation centres |
Capacity |
|
Dublin |
3 |
589 |
|
Galway |
2 |
356 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
217 |
|
Carlow |
1 |
35 |
|
Cork |
2 |
641 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
152 |
1157. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the HSE, CDNTs and CHOs do not employ behavioural therapists. [12497/24]
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
1158. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the CDNT staff allocations are based on 2016 figures. [12498/24]
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
1159. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the views of the HSE on how the numbers it allocates for staffing are sufficient to efficiently decrease the waitlist numbers and provide suitable and effective therapies in each CDNT; and if the HSE admits its potential role in understaffing and overworking current employees as a contributing factor for the crisis in finding and retaining therapeutic workers (details supplied). [12504/24]
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
1160. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to his comments (details supplied), the reason for his acceptance of using a symbol created by a hate group and dismissing a symbol that was agreed upon by a consensus of neurodivergent and autistic individuals for themselves, given Autism Awareness day on 2 April 2024 and Autism Awareness Month; and if he will review the use of this symbol. [12517/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1161. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason Ireland does not need to develop a suitable autism symbol for use in this country when one was presented (details supplied). [12518/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1162. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that Ireland's leading autism group (details supplied) has stated that it cannot stand behind the puzzle piece as a symbol for autism. [12519/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra1163. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the trauma that is associated by some persons in the autism community to the use of the puzzle piece as the autism symbol (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12520/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1160 to 1163, inclusive, together.
The Deputy will be aware that the comments made regarding the puzzle piece symbol were made in the context of a detailed response to a significant number of issues questions raised by a parent, via correspondence to the Department.
In that correspondence, I acknowledged the concerns that exist around the negative inference of the symbol, with some people unhappy with the suggestion made by the image that individuals with autism have “pieces” that are missing. As you know, the puzzle piece symbol is an international one, dating from the early 1960’s and is not owned or developed by the State.
Similarly, there are a number of other symbols that seek to adequately represent nuerodivergence (infinity loop, blue ribbon, etc) and nor are these symbols owned or developed by the State. The matter of an individual or group choosing a particular symbol to represent them on this matter is one of personal preference, with the choice centred on a range of variables.
While there is no current plan within the Department to develop a particular symbol to represent autism for use in this country, measures are being explored in the context of the Autism Innovation Strategy to promote improved acceptance and understanding of autism. In this context, I welcome any discussion and suggestions that can assist nuerodivergent people, including the use of material to highlight their respective needs and capabilities.
To allow for such a conversation, a significant consultation process was undertaken as part of the drafting of the Autism Innovation Strategy, which is nearing completion. This Strategy seeks to act on the commitments by this government to support people with autism. It will identify ways to address the bespoke challenges and barriers faced by autistic people and to improve understanding of autism within society and across the public system, in a way that complements and enhances wider action on disability.
I have consulted with my officials in relation to the current responses to the consultation and, at present, there have been no issues raised at this point in time in relation to this symbol.
A draft of the Autism Innovation Strategy was published on 9th February this year and was prepared based on feedback received as part of an initial public consultation and following discussions with Departments and Agencies to agree actions under the Strategy.
The Department will continue to support people with autism and their families and I welcome the completion of the Autism Innovation Strategy in the coming months.
1164. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in view of the delay in opening the portal for the submission of financial data for the core funding support of childcare, if he will he consider extending the deadline of 23 March 2024. [12521/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department have, in recent months, engaged intensively with members and nominees of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) in relation to Core Funding Financial Reporting Requirements.
Arising from that engagement, transitional arrangements for financial reporting this year and next were agreed.
The Income and Expenditure Template that my officials now require to be completed as part of these transitional arrangements was shared with providers on 21 December 2023 through the Hive.
Over the same period, my officials also engaged with accountants to finalise guidance in respect of the role of the accountant in financial reporting this year. This guidance was shared on 8 March 2024.
The transitional arrangements, which were agreed, have necessitated substantial changes in the financial reporting portal under development and this has been a factor in the timeline for that work.
Following a meeting with the portal developers last week, my Department wrote to providers on 15 March to advise that the portal, which will be tested by a number of providers, will open in two stages:
• The portal will be open to providers to register and to link their nominated accountant on or before the 29 April 2024.
• The portal will be open on or before the 31 May 2024 to accept completed Income and Expenditure templates
Given the availability of the portal is later than originally planned, the deadline for submitting completed Income and Expenditure templates will now be 26 June 2024.
In advance of the portal opening, providers can complete the Income and Expenditure template and engage an accountant. I understand many providers have already done this.
As my officials communicated previously, providers that experience difficulty in engaging an accountant to submit the completed Income and Expenditure template by the new deadline will have the option of submitting a draft Income and Expenditure template by 26 June 2024.
Services that avail of this option will need to engage an accountant to submit a final Income and Expenditure template prior to them entering into Core Funding in Year 3.
My Department officials are now focusing on rolling out a suite of supports to providers to fulfil their financial reporting obligations under Core Funding, which will be delivered through local City/County Childcare Committees (CCC).
These supports will include once-off financial support for targeted services. Further details on these supports will be outlined in a detailed FAQ that will be circulated to providers this week.
Financial reporting requirements under Core Funding was a recommendation of the Expert Group in their report ‘Partnership for the Public Good’ who identified the need for robust data to underpin funding policy. These essential data will inform the ongoing development of Core Funding, including preparations for the next Estimates process, ensuring we can continue to make progress on our shared objectives of affordable, quality, inclusive and sustainable early learning and childcare services.
1165. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to providers of accommodation and serviced accommodation to BOTPS and or separately IPAS applicants, if any of these contracts have been terminated by his Department; the reason for same; if that service provider still continues to provide services to his Department at that location, or separately at any other location, from January 2022 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12542/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the beginning of the crisis, over 105,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland and recognised as beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP). My Department has successfully assisted over 73,000 with state supported accommodation. Over 53,000 BOTP are currently residing in State funded temporary accommodation in approximately 1,000 locations at which such accommodation is provided by private providers on contract with my Department.
My officials inform me that approximately 300 contracts with my Department for the accommodation of BOTPs have been terminated since 2022.
The contract with each of our accommodation providers is for a defined period but also contains a provision for either party to terminate the contract with one month’s notice. A reason is not always disclosed when termination is initiated by the provider. In other cases, as part of the management of our portfolio of BOTP accommodation, the officials of my Department have terminated contacts in instances of serious breaches of compliance with our polices, or where the rates being requested by the providers did not provide value for money.
It should be noted that some accommodation providers own multiple properties and may have a separate contract with my Department for each. As such, while the provider may be subject to a contract termination they may continue to provide accommodation to BOTPs at other properties on separate contracts. There are also situations where a notice of termination has been served on a provider but the BOTPs continue to reside at the property in question until suitable arrangements are made for their relocation.
I do not have statistical information on these terminations in a manner to inform the Deputy’s question but I hope the information above is of assistance.
There are no instances where those providing accommodation to International Protection (IP) applicants are doing so following the termination of their contract for the same.
1166. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total yearly cost to his Department to date for security at centres for BOTPS and for IPAS applicants, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12543/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) carefully appraises each property that is offered for use as accommodation for International Protection (IP) applicants before contracts are issued, and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections to ensure they are adhering to the requisite standards.
IPPS advises all potential providers of accommodation of the need to provide sufficient security to protect their property while the appraisal process is underway, and furthermore, to the requirement to maintain the safety and security of the IP applicants for which they will be providing accommodation once contracted.
The provision and management of numbers of security staff at IP accommodation centres is a matter for the centre management and service providers and is not dictated by the Department. However, the requirement to have adequate security forms part of the contract to accommodate IP applicants. The Department requires that centres are adequately staffed for the running of the centre and that there is a 24/7 staff presence. The particular security needs of each centre are assessed by each provider and agreed with the Department prior to the opening of the centre.
With respect to beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP), the Department does not pay directly for security services at BOTP accommodation centres. The majority of Ukrainian BOTP accommodation centres do not have security in place. If security is deemed necessary at a centre, it is included in the rate paid to the facility provider, as part of the overall agreed service provision in the contract.
1167. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the management company in place in a hotel (details supplied); the total number of other centres it has provided accommodation centres for BOTPS; the cumulative number involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12544/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraContractual arrangements for the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are deemed confidential and commercially sensitive. Therefore, it is not possible to provide the details of contracts currently held between the Department and providers for accommodation purposes.
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)
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.
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.
1168. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of centre management teams that have been offered his Department's training course for centre managers for IPAS and BOTPS facilities; if the centre management company for a hotel (details supplied) has taken up the offer; the content and duration of the course offered; the cost of running the course; if the centre companies make a financial contribution to this course; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12545/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of DCEDIY has a dedicated Training Unit that develops training sessions in line with general IPAS Policies and Procedures. To date, and since its development in 2023, 102 centres have received this training.
The IPAS Training Unit conducts overview sessions with new and existing accommodation providers both online and in person. The overview sessions include, but are not limited to:
• House Rules and Procedures
• Critical Incidents
• Suicide Awareness
• Child Protection and Welfare
• GDPR
These overview sessions allow providers to ask questions or seek advice from IPAS staff.
IPAS works in collaboration with other Government bodies, such as the HSE and Tusla, as well as NGOs and other approved service providers in the development of its training.
In addition to this training, accommodation centre staff are supported by a dedicated Centre Management and Compliance Team within IPAS. This team provides advice to accommodation centres on the implementation of IPAS policy and procedure, and also conduct unannounced site visits to ensure compliance with same.
IPAS is engaging with the management of the D Hotel on the provision of training to all staff and will be providing support required to ensure adherence to IPAS policy, procedure and relevant standards.
1169. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the consultation undertaken by his Department in relation to his decision to locate IPAS applicants in a hotel (details supplied) both within and outside his Department, to include all third parties consulted or from whom advice was sought or/and received including Louth and Meath County Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12547/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn respect to consultation undertaken by the Department to accommodate International Protection (IP) applicants at the D Hotel, once an offer of accommodation is received by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS), the proposal and any supporting documentation is reviewed to assess the suitability of the premises that is offered for use as accommodation.
Before contracts are issued, observations are sought from the relevant local authority in terms of fire and planning requirements and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections to ensure they are adhering to the requisite standards.
IPPS contacted Louth County Council regarding the use of the D Hotel on 31st January in the usual way, with an email which sought their observations on the potential use of the property for the accommodation of international protection applicants. A response was received from the Local Authority by email on 7th February.
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.
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.
1170. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the provision of the 500 rapid build modular homes originally approved in June 2022 and later increased to 700 units for beneficiaries of temporary protection; if the initial estimated cost was €140 million for the project; the current overall cost to the nearest estimate and per unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12548/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part 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 Ukrainians at several sites across Ireland. While rapid build units will initially be used to temporarily house people fleeing Ukraine, they have the potential to be utilised to address other accommodation challenges, including social housing and student accommodation.
This project – the first of its kind – is an important one as it will provide a blueprint for future developments. As each phase has brought new challenges, these challenges will provide important future learnings.
The emphasis in this programme is on delivery of quality homes which will enhance local environments and this has been a priority.
Each site will have roads, footpaths, street lighting, community facilities, including green spaces, fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The homes will be highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of the sites will be conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, the site will enhance the local area. Construction disruption is limited as the units are manufactured off site.
Work has been completed on the first seven sites (Mahon Cork, Farnham Road Cavan, Doorly Park Sligo, Thurles Tipperary, Claremorris Mayo, Clonminch Offaly and Rathdowney Laois). Residents have moved into six of the sites with the seventh site being occupied this week. By the end of this week 310 homes with a capacity to house 1240 will have been delivered and occupied. The final stage of the programme will be delivered in 2024.
The completion timelines are subject to any technical issues arising during construction. There were a number of such issues that arose over the past few months relating to site conditions, remedial works, boundaries, ESB connections, etc. that delayed earlier forecasted dates of completion on sites included in the programme.
The cost of each unit is approximately €145,000 per unit, inclusive of supply, delivery and provision of loose electrical and household items. This is separate to the site development and utility connection costs, etc. relating to the overall development. As the project is still ongoing and further sites are under consideration, it is not possible to fully specify a final overall programme figure at this time.
1172. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he met his Japanese counterpart during his recent visit to Japan for St. Patrick's Day events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12569/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the St Patrick's Day Programme in Japan, I met with my counterpart Minister Ayuko Kato at her office on Friday 15th March last. Ms Kato is the Minister for Child Policy, Youth Empowerment, Declining Birthrate and Gender Equality. During the meeting, we discussed the similar wide ranging reforms to Early Education and Childcare which our respective Governments are pursuing, in which much greater state investment has been prioritised for the sector. The policies adopted in Ireland recently are of interest to the Japanese government as they consider measures to incentivise families to have more children.
I also used the opportunity of a meeting with a cabinet-level minister to re-iterate the Government of Ireland's strong support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and of the importance of maintaining support for UNRWA at present, a body which Japan has been a major supporter of in the past.
1173. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will now immediately publish in full the minutes and documents associated with the interdepartmental group that met to discuss the referendums on family and care; to provide details of the membership of the group; the number of times it met; the attendees at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12591/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2023, an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) was established to support the development of referendum proposals on family and care. The group comprised representatives from every Government Department, as well as the Office of the Attorney General. It met 16 times over the course of its work in a period spanning March to November. Now that the referendums have been held, my Department will publish the minutes of all meetings of the IDG. These will contain details of the membership of the group and the attendees at each meeting.
One element of the work of the IDG related to a public consultation process. Over 1,850 submissions were received and a thematic summary of the submissions will also be published by my Department.
1174. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) will receive support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12622/24]
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
