Written Answers Nos. 309-316
309. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) in County Cork will be provided with an appointment for an autism assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6841/25]
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.
310. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will address issues with the reliability and accessibility of disability services in Longford; such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6878/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy has clarified that this question relates to Primary Care services which are a matter for the Department of Health.
311. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department will undertake a fundamental review of a State contract (details supplied). [6881/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for your question, Deputy.
The Request for Tender (RFT) process referred to by the Deputy, was first undertaken in January 2022, and was to be a key step in the Government’s strategy at that time, to end the reliance on emergency accommodation for international protection applicants.
This process did not provide sufficient capacity to meet demand for accommodation services, and as such it was republished on 7 October 2022 with a deadline of 8 November 2022 for receipt of tenders. Again, this RFT did not provide sufficient capacity for the continuous and dramatic increase in demand for accommodation services for people seeking international protection.
The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) is tasked with providing sufficient capacity to meet demand for accommodation services for IP applicants, a legal requirement under the Recast Reception Conditions Directive. As a result of this formal tender process not delivering sufficient accommodation to meet needs, IPPS maintained an open offer process that allows any potential providers the opportunity to offer properties. The contract for accommodation services in Ryevale House was awarded through this open process.
My Department understands that there is ongoing engagement between the provider, the Local Authority and An Bord Pleanála and the Courts in relation to planning matters at this property. Please note that regulatory matters related to planning are between the Local Authority and the accommodation service provider.
While demand continues to outweigh supply for accommodation services from people seeking international protection, with over 3,300 persons without an offer of accommodation, Ryevale House will continue to accommodate 90 adult females who are international protection applicants until the Court has ruled on those matters.
I trust this information is helpful.
312. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of one-on-one speech and language appointments provided to a child (details supplied) since January 2020; the dates of these appointments; if this level of care is deemed appropriate to this child’s needs; if additional speech and language appointments will be provided; if so, the extent to which they will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6905/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
313. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date on which a child (details supplied) was referred for an OT assessment; the date on which such an assessment was carried out; the number of OT appointments that have been provided since that assessment; the dates of these appointments; if this level of care is deemed appropriate to this child’s needs; if additional OT appointments will be provided; if so, the extent to which they will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6906/25]
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.
314. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date on which a child (details supplied) was referred for an psychological assessment; the date on which such an assessment was carried out; the number of psychological appointments that have been provided since that assessment; the dates of these appointments; whether this level of care is deemed appropriate to this child’s needs; if additional psychological appointments will be provided; if so, the extent to which they will be provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6907/25]
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.
315. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of staffing at Cavan CDNT to include overall established staffing WTE allocation, current WTE positions filled and current WTE positions vacant; the breakdown to include staffing WTE allocations, current WTE positions filled and vacant in respect to physiotherapy, speech and language, occupational therapy, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists and administration and other relevant roles, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6908/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraÓ thaobh teaghlaigh atá aitheanta faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, tá an méid a íoctar leo bunaithe ar an líon scoláirí coinnithe ar íostas. Níl aon teorainn leis an líon cúrsaí gur féidir le teaghlaigh lóistín a chur ar fáil ina leith, ach tá srian ó thaobh líon na scoláirí. Ní cheadaítear d'aon teaghlach níos mó ná seisear déag scoláire a choinneáil ar íostas ag aon am amháin. Níl cead ag chuile teaghlach atá cláraithe faoin scéim an seisear déag a thógáil mar go bhfuil an líon seo ag braith ar an spás agus áiseanna atá ar fáil sa teach céanna.
Tá deontas aon-oíche €13 ar fáil ag teaghlaigh aitheanta ón Roinn do chuile scoláire i leith chuile oíche ina mbíonn siad ar íostas sa teaghlach agus faigheann an teaghlach deontas eile ó pé coláiste atá ag dáileadh scoláirí orthu anuas ar seo.
316. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of staffing at Monaghan CDNT to include overall established staffing WTE allocation, current WTE positions filled and current WTE positions vacant; the breakdown to include staffing WTE allocations, current WTE positions filled and vacant in respect to physiotherapy, speech and language, occupational therapy, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists and administration and other relevant roles, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6909/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department in its current configuration was established in September 2020. I am advised by my officials that my Department has not incurred any overspends exceeding €500,000 on projects undertaken or commissioned in the period since its establishment and to the present date.
Regarding bodies and agencies under my Department’s remit, while these are operational matters for the agencies themselves, my officials are taking steps to ascertain if there are projects where spending has significantly exceeded the approved budget and to ensure that such information is reported in a timely fashion.
