Written Answers Nos. 599-617
599. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding opportunities that exist in 2024 for the community childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16480/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSubstantial investment 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:
Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
Building Blocks - Capacity Grant
Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
On 7 December last, I announced details of the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant scheme, to be operated over 2024 and 2025, which is aimed at addressing capacity gaps by expanding existing provision through internal renovations and extensions where most needed. Funding will be split into two strands.
Under the Building Blocks Expansion Grant Scheme, applications for which have recently closed, my Department will provide grants for the renovation or reconfiguration of existing Early Learning and Care facilities to deliver additional capacity. Community early learning and childcare services were eligible to apply for funding under this scheme. Community services were permitted to apply for full funding of renovation projects, whereas private services were required to demonstrate a 50% contribution to the project.
I hope to announce details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme in the coming months. This strand will provide grants for larger scale extension projects to increase capacity and will also be open to community early learning and childcare services. The network of City and County Childcare Committees will provide supports for services that are considering applying for funding under the scheme.
Together for Better brings together four strands, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE programme), including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), Core Funding, and the Equal Participation Model which is currently in development.
All services, community and private, have the option of joining Core Funding. The Core Funding programme year follows the school year and runs from September to August. The programme is currently in its second year of operation.
The allocation model for distributing the Core Funding budget of €287 million for year 2 was announced by the Minister at the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum. For the second year of operation, Core Funding increased by €28 million, an 11% increase.
Core Funding allows for substantial increases in the total cost base for the sector, related both to pay and non-pay costs.
Arising from Budget 2024, the Core Funding allocation for year 3 of the scheme will increase by 15% - to €331 million. This will support the delivery of 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.
I am pleased to have secured an allocation of €4.5m to commence the first phase of roll-out 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.
Target services will be identified using existing data including, but not exclusively, the Pobal HP deprivation index within an evidence based identification process. The detail will be published in Q2 2024.
Implementation will be phased with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on later phases being a key element of the implementation approach.
600. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the contact details for the disability manager in CHO6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16481/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
602. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1147 of 9 April 2024, the number of residents who have been required to make a contribution towards the cost of the provision of their reception; the total amount received to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16540/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) does not currently collect contributions from International Protection Applicants.
603. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residential places for disabled people that were delivered as of December 2023. [16567/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraResidential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE, 58% of the total budget, and approximately 90 service providers provide residential services to 8,400 individuals throughout the country. The bulk of these are provided by the 50 highest funded agencies (comprising both Section 38 & Section 39 organisations).
It is important to note that residential capacity in the system can be reduced. When residents of congregated settings sadly pass away, their places are not ordinarily re-utilised. This is in keeping with Government policy which is to move away from institutionalised settings (i.e. Time to Move On from Congregate Settings).
I am informed by the HSE that by the end of December 2023, there were 8400 residential places for people with a disability.
604. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 499 of 26 September 2023. if the information requested can now be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16597/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, may I apologise for the delay in responding to PQ 499 dated September 2023.
I am advised that, since the commencement of the 33rd Dáil and the date of your Parliamentary Question, my Department has prepared nine Bills. Seven of these involved a Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). I have outlined these below:
|
Number |
Bill |
Regulatory Impact Assessment |
|
Bill 3 of 2022 Act 14 of 2022 |
Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 |
Birth Information and Tracing Bill 2022 Regulatory Impact Analysis |
|
Bill 23 of 2022 Act 18 of 2022 |
Institutional Burials Bill 2022 |
The Institutional Burials Bill 2022 Regulatory Impact Analysis. |
|
Bill 33 of 2021 Act 4 of 2021 |
Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2021 |
N/A |
|
Bill 38 of 2020 Act 20 of 2020 |
Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 |
General Scheme of a Preservation and Transfer of Specified Records of the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Bill Regulatory Impact Analysis |
|
Bill 43 of 2022 Act 21 of 2022 |
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2022 |
Child Care (Amendment) Act 2019: Regulatory Impact Analysis |
|
Bill 59 of 2022 Act 46 of 2022 |
Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022 |
N/A |
|
Bill 92 of 2022 Act 8 of 2023 |
Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 |
Regulatory Impact Analysis Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022 |
|
Bill 97 of 2022 Act 20 of 2023 |
Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022 |
Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill 2022: Regulatory Impact Analysis |
|
Bill 102 of 2021 Act 34 of 2021 |
Child and Family Agency (Amendment) Bill 2021 |
Child and Family Agency Act (Amendment) Bill Transfer of Education Welfare functions Regulatory Impact Analysis
|
The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2019: Regulatory Impact Analysis was prepared for an earlier version of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2019, which lapsed with the dissolution of the previous government. The changes proposed in the updated Bill had no effect on the conclusions and recommendations of the previously completed RIA, and so my Department deemed this RIA to remain valid.
An RIA was not prepared for the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022, as the Bill did not deviate from the positions in the original 2015 Act.
605. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16619/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI sincerely regret to hear of the difficulties faced by the applicant during this period. Officials in my Department have liaised with the Scheme Administrator, Pobal, on the applicant’s behalf and I understand that the applicant has since created an active claim which was confirmed on the 9th of April.
The rules of the NCS stipulate that subsidies can only be paid once an application is successfully completed, a Childcare Identifier Code Key (CHICK) has been registered with a childcare provider and the parent has confirmed on the system that all details of the registration are correct. It is a key aspect of the Scheme that all claims are paid in arrears based on the attendance of a child. As such, the child must be registered with a childcare provider specifically for the NCS, and the provider must confirm that attendance on the NCS portal. Subsidies cannot be paid for a time before this point.
As outlined by the applicant, a renewal application was completed in November 2023 which was valid from the 4th of December 2023 onwards. As the applicant states, the new award was not presented to their chosen childcare provider at the time. The applicant received a notification from Pobal on the 22nd of November which advised that this step must be completed in order to use the award.
In terms of backdating, it is not possible to submit registrations for a date in the past. The subsidy can only be paid from the point of registration of the new award with the childcare provider. These measures ensure that public funding is safeguarded and that the investment is following the child.
Should the parent require any further assistance, or advice, the local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) remains available. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
606. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled adults with a residential placement in CHO7 that are attending a day service; the number that are attending a day service in the same catchment area they reside in; and the number that attend a day service in a different catchment area to the one they reside in. [16705/24]
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 Fórsa 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.
607. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Health if he will make a statement on health supports offered to international protection applicants who are without accommodation. [16160/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll international protection applicants are entitled to, and have access to, healthcare services. Since 2022, healthcare services have been provided for over 25,000 applicants for international protection.
There are additional challenges in providing healthcare services for unaccommodated applicants for international protection. The HSE is providing an initial health response for applicants in the International Protection Offices in Mount St, Dublin. Applicants are invited to answer some health related questions in order to ascertain if immediate health service supports are required and to ensure appropriate intervention is offered. This process allows the HSE to communicate specific vulnerabilities to the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) (part of the Dept of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth), who work with the applicant to prioritise accommodation where possible.
In addition, the HSE is providing access to GP services for unaccommodated applicants for international protection in Dublin city centre, in conjunction with Safetynet GP services. Details of these services are contained in the attached information leaflet provided by IPAS. HSE homeless outreach services are also available to those without accommodation.
I am committed to ensuring that health services are provided for all categories of refugee. I am aware of the challenges in providing healthcare services for unaccommodated international protection applicants. The Department of Health has provided significant additional resources to the HSE to ensure the provision of healthcare services for all refugees, including those who are unaccommodated.
I have referred this question to the HSE to provide further detail on the health services available to unaccommodated international protection applicants.
608. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for SLT services for primary care team in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16178/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
609. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he or officials within his Department have engaged recently with representatives from an organisation (details supplied) regarding pay equality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15532/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirstly, I would like to acknowledge the dedication, professionalism, and commitment of all Medical Scientists throughout the country.
Following talks at the Workplace Relations Commission back in May and June of 2022, agreement was reached to conduct an independent assessment of the role, responsibilities and pay of medical laboratory scientist grades. This assessment was undertaken by an independent assessor and the final report issued in January 2023. It was confirmed that medical laboratory scientists were performing the same duties as biochemists.
This long-standing matter has now been resolved through the Labour Court, which examined all relevant issues including the review of the grades involved. The Labour Court determination was explicit that the claim relating to pay parity was effective from 1 January 2024.
I can confirm that provision for the implementation of the binding determination of the Labour Court is set out in the new Public Service Agreement 2024 - 2026. Circular 2/2024 has issued which instructs HSE management and HR personnel to implement the terms of the Labour Court recommendation from the effective date of 1 January 2024.
610. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of any clause on private health insurance policies that restrict cover for people who have donated an organ outside of the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16306/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has a voluntary community rated private health insurance market. Community rating means that health insurers cannot alter their prices based on an individual’s health risk status, age or sex, or the frequency of the provision of health services to a person.
However, new customers may be required to serve a waiting period before they are fully covered, though accidents and injuries will be covered immediately. The maximum waiting period for illnesses that start after a person joins is 26 weeks, while for pre-existing illnesses which existed in the 6 months before they joined, the maximum waiting period is 5 years. Once the individual serves these waiting periods, they will not have to serve them again if they switch to another insurer, as long as they have not had a break in cover of more than 13 weeks. The insurer may also impose waiting periods for any extra benefits available on a new plan.
611. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health to review correspondence from a concerned parent regarding the need for a bigger buggy for their child (details supplied); and if he can assist on this matter and provide an update on both issues. [16743/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Service Executive (HSE) provides a wide range of medical and surgical aids and appliances, free of charge to eligible persons following assessment by a relevant health professional. These are provided through community services known as Community Funded Schemes (CFS) and play a key role in assisting and supporting people to maintain everyday functioning, and to remain living in their homes and local community.
Dedicated funding was allocated in Budget 2024 for the approval of appropriate prescribed aids and appliances for children under the CFS. This funding will ensure that no child should wait more than 3 weeks for approval of funding for an Aid or Appliance, upon receipt of a relevant healthcare prescription. This includes replacement appliances where there is an on-going need for the growing child, or appliance deterioration. Of course, the normal timelines involved in the ordering, manufacture and delivery of items will still apply, and bespoke items will take longer to be made and delivered.
Individuals should contact their local health office to enquire about applying for the appropriate appliance for their children.
As this is also raises a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
612. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health for an update on the plans for the Erkina House, HSE mental health residence in Rathdowney, County Laois; his plans on the refurbishment and the upgrade of the facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15956/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
613. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health for an update on the plans for the primary care centre at St. Finian's Campus, Portlaoise; the progress that has been made; what funding has been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15957/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.
614. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the current waiting times for elderly home support services in counties Laois and Offaly, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15958/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
615. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of people that were on the waiting list for home care packages in counties Laois and Offaly, at the end of each year from 2018 to 2023, in tabular form. [15959/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
616. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of GPs currently practising in counties Laois and Offaly, respectively; the number of new GPs who have taken up work in each of those counties in each of the years 2021, 2022 and 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15960/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,526 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme, and a further 602 GPs hold some other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as services under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme or National Cancer Screening Service.
In relation to the numbers of HSE contacted GPs in counties Laois and Offaly, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
617. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of people in counties Laois and Offaly, respectively who are without a GP and are currently on a waiting list for one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15961/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraGPs are self-employed practitioners and therefore may establish practices at a place of their own choosing. There is no prescribed ratio of GPs to patients and the State does not regulate the number of GPs that can set up in a town or community.
Under the GMS scheme, the HSE contracts GPs to provide medical services without charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. Currently there are 2,526 GPs contracted to provide services under the GMS Scheme, and a further 602 GPs hold some other contract with the HSE for the provision of health services such as services under the Primary Childhood Immunisation Scheme or National Cancer Screening Service.
Where a person that holds a medical card or GP visit card, experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept them as a patient, the person concerned having unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area (or fewer if there are fewer GPs in the area) can apply to the HSE National Medical Card Unit which has the power to assign a GMS patient to a GP's GMS patient list in accordance with the GMS contract.
Persons who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make enquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private practitioners, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. Accordingly, the HSE does not maintain information on patients on waiting lists for registration with a GP on a private basis.
