Written Answers Nos. 317-326
317. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of enduring power of attorney arrangements that have been registered here for each of the years 2015 to 2024. [6948/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, along with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022, commenced on the 26th of April 2023. The Acts provide a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties, and represent a crucial shift away from a ‘best interests’ approach to a rights-based approach to capacity, with the privileging of a person’s will and preferences.
Part 7 of the 2015 Act provides for a new "enduring powers of attorney" (EPAs) system which enables an individual to plan ahead by appointing someone they trust to act as their attorney and to make certain decisions on their behalf if they lose capacity in the future. The Decision Support Service (DSS) has statutory responsibility for the operation of many of the provisions of the 2015 Act, including processing and registering EPAs made under the Act.
The following shows the number of EPAs which have been registered by the DSS since 26th April 2023:
|
Period |
Number of Registered EPAs |
|
April 2023 – December 2023 |
38 |
|
January 2024 – December 2024 |
1,413 |
|
January 2025 – February 17th 2025 |
311 |
|
1,762 |
In addition to the above registered EPAs, a further approx. 16,000 EPA applications have been commenced and are being progressed by applicants.
These figures indicate an uptake in processing times for EPAs as well as a growing awareness and understanding of the new system.
Of the 1,762 EPAs that have been registered, 43 have been activated, meaning that since making the Power the donor has subsequently unfortunately lost capacity since the EPA was made and registered with the DSS, and the EPA is therefore now in effect.
The 2015 Act provides that EPAs can no longer be made under the Enduring Powers of Attorney Act, 1996. However EPAs which were created under the 1996 Act and prior to the commencement of the 2015 Act can still be registered and activated in the advent of the loss the donor’s capacity. EPAs made under the 1996 Act lie outside my Department’s remit and fall instead under the remit of the Department of Justice and the Courts Service.
318. Deputy Joe Neville asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures her Department is taking to ensure that there are enough crèche and afterschool care spaces made available to parents of children in north Kildare given the rising demand caused by rapid population growth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7021/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra
319. Deputy Sinéad Gibney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Department; if any section of her Department currently makes use of AI; the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if she has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of AI. [7054/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is guided by the Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service published by the Public Service Transformation Delivery Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and by the National Cyber Security Centre on ICT policy and security matters.
Beyond this, DCEDIY does not have a specific policy on the use of artificial intelligence. DCEDIY has recently upgraded its suite of standard office productivity tools to the latest version of these applications, based on the Microsoft 365 platform.
This platform includes additional business intelligence, process automation, app development, and app connectivity products we avail of to develop line of business solutions for the Department. The underlying technology for this platform includes services that are labelled as A.I. DCEDIY does not use AI, including large language models, in the preparation of legislation or statutory instruments; and does not use A.I. for decision making. Several staff have undertaken AI familiarisation sessions. DCEDIY does not have any specific costs associated with A.I.
320. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare providers in Dublin that are eligible for core funding; the number that signed up for core funding in 2024 and 2025; the number that have applied for a fee adjustment for 2024 and 2025; the number of those successful, rejected or pending a decision; the number of crèches that have appealed the decision, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7068/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore Funding represents a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme (September 2022-August 2023) rising to €287 million in year 2 (September 2023-August 2024) and €331 million in year 3 (September 2024-August 2025).
Data on Core Funding uptake and the Fee Increase Assessment process is broken down by City/County Childcare Committee areas in Dublin as follows; Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin.
The Core Funding Programme Year operates from September to August.
The table below outlines the Core Funding uptake in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin for Programme Year 2 2023/24 as of 4 June 2024.
|
AREA |
SERVICES SIGNED UP TO CORE FUNDING |
SERVICES ELIGIBLE FOR CORE FUNDING |
UPTAKE |
|
Dublin City |
394 |
428 |
92% |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
163 |
187 |
87% |
|
Fingal |
273 |
299 |
91% |
|
South Dublin |
206 |
227 |
91% |
|
TOTAL |
1036 |
1141 |
90% (average) |
The table below outlines the Core Funding uptake in Dublin City, Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin for Programme Year 3 2024/25 as of 17 February 2025.
|
AREA |
SERVICES SIGNED UP TO CORE FUNDING |
SERVICES ELIGIBLE FOR CORE FUNDING |
UPTAKE |
|
Dublin City |
384 |
435 |
88% |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
155 |
190 |
82% |
|
Fingal |
264 |
306 |
86% |
|
South Dublin |
205 |
228 |
90% |
|
TOTAL |
1008 |
1159 |
87% (average) |
The Fee Increase Assessment (FIA) process commenced on 1 August 2024. The process closed for applications on the 29 November 2024 and in the interest of fairness, providers are also given the right to a review or appeal. My Department is still working through applications and appeals, therefore it is not possible to give the final number of applications approved for an increase.
The table below outlines the number of providers, as of the 18 February 2025, that have applied for FIA 2024/2025; the number of those successful, rejected or pending a decision and the number that have appealed the decision.
|
Areas |
Applications |
Decisions Sent |
Successful |
Rejected |
Pending |
Appealed |
|
Fingal |
95 |
87 |
63 |
24 |
8 |
13 |
|
South Dublin |
80 |
80 |
55 |
25 |
0 |
4 |
|
Dublin City |
100 |
99 |
69 |
30 |
1 |
14 |
|
Dun Laoghaire - Rathdown |
68 |
68 |
40 |
28 |
0 |
2 |
*Please Note: The applications number is the amount of services who fully completed their application and does not include services who only declared an interest, or submitted a self-declaration form.
321. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she agrees that childcare providers’ administrative burden is too high; if she will detail the steps she will take to alleviate that burden, particularly for smaller providers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7109/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn Action Plan for Administrative and Regulatory Simplification is being developed, informed by an independent review of end-to-end processes linked to publicly funded ELC/SAC programmes/schemes. There is also a Programme for Government commitment to reduce the administrative burden on providers.
This initiative is being supported by a Working Group comprising representatives from the Department, Pobal and the CCC and is being informed by an Advisory Group comprising providers, educator/practitioner and parent representatives, which was convened in December 2023.
Indecon Economic Consultants are currently reviewing the end to end processes linked to publicly funded ELC/SAC schemes/programmes. The review (once completed) will, inter alia, offer an insight into administrative and regulatory requirements for the sector and the balance of same while continuing to ensure best governance and quality is delivered.
The review is expected to conclude by end Q1 2025. The Action Plan which will outline short-term, medium-term, and long term administrative and regulatory simplification measures will be finalised and published after the conclusion of the review.
322. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps she will take to implement the Programme for Government commitment to extend the national childcare scheme to childminders working in the family home, with sensible regulations that fit homebased care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7110/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, launched in April 2021, set out a pathway for the extension of registration to childminders. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. As a result of the commencement of the relevant parts of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September 2024, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla and can therefore also take part in the National Childcare Scheme.
This was a milestone in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding. Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, which is now complete, included extensive consultation with childminders, parents and other stakeholders. The childminding-specific Regulations, which were initially developed by the Regulation and Inspection Advisory Group, whose stakeholder membership includes childminders and Childminding Ireland, are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. In finalising the Regulations, substantial changes were made in response to feedback in the public consultation last year.
In addition, an independent external review of the draft regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant, which confirmed that the approach was proportionate for childminding in Ireland.
The 2024 Act provides for a transition period of three years before registration becomes mandatory. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
During the transition period, supports are available for childminders at local level through the City and County Childcare Committees. Each City and County Childcare Committee employs a Childminding Development Officer, who provides a range of supports to local childminders, including a short pre-registration training course. A Childminding Development Grant is also currently open for applications, through the City and County Childcare Committees.
323. Deputy Barry Heneghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on the need for cross departmental coordination with the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to tackle the issues of barriers to employment for people with disabilities and the practices of civil services dealing with disability benefits once in employment. [7118/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment acknowledges that considerable barriers to employment exist for people with disabilities and that the rate of unemployment among disabled people is unacceptably high. Government policy is to continually increase the number of people with disabilities in employment and while there is more to be done, progress has been made to ensure that disabled people are supported to pursue meaningful careers in their chosen fields.
As the Deputy's question indicates, primary responsibility for employment issues rests with the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment and with the Minister for Social Protection. Detail on specific action and schemes can be provided by those Minister's departments.
As Minister for Disability I am committed to ensuring that disabled people of all ages and genders are supported to live full lives of their own choosing, on an equitable basis with all others in society.
To develop and coordinate the necessary whole of government work on disability issues, my Department is leading on the development of the next National Disability Strategy, which will be a framework for ambitious joined up action on disability policy, including employment. Following a comprehensive public consultation process, ongoing engagement with a range of disability stakeholders and extensive cross-government collaboration, the Strategy is now at an advanced stage of development.
The Strategy will provide the structures to problem solve issues in collaboration with colleagues across departments and public sector bodies, in partnership with stakeholders. As part of the Strategy design process, substantive discussions have taken place with several government departments, including the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to develop the all-of-government approach to advancing the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland. Employment rights will be a cornerstone of this new Strategy and efforts in this regard will be led collaboratively by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment and the Department of Social Protection. The envisioned work programme will include actions aimed at tackling the many barriers to employment encountered by disabled people, while also providing supports and enhancing opportunities for people with disabilities who are already in employment.
324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a certain therapy can be offered to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7085/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra325. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a certain therapy can be offered to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7085/25]
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.
326. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists in north Kildare in the years 2019 to 2023, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7087/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for this question. As it relates to an operational matter for the HSE, I have referred your query to them for direct response to you.
