Written Answers Nos. 592-611
592. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when applicants to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme can expect to receive the payment;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24583/24]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the independent Executive Office administering the Mother and Baby Payment Scheme assesses each application to the Scheme individually. The time taken to process an application and issue a payment following a determination is subject to many factors including the submission of a complete application, the submission of necessary documentation, the performing of records searches, and the engagement of the individual applicant with the process as necessary.
However, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that, following the opening of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme on 20 March, the first offers of awards under the Scheme were made in April, while the first payments were made and the first medical cards were issued in May.
593. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications received to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24584/24]
View answer594. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications that are projected to be received to the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24585/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 593 and 594 together.
The Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions contains 22 commitments to survivors, intended to address the expressed priorities of those who spent time in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions, as well as respond to the findings and recommendations of the Commission of Investigation.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is a centrepiece of the Action Plan. It opened to applications on 20 March and will provide financial payments to an estimated 34,000 people over its lifetime, some 19,000 of whom will also benefit from an enhanced medical card or health support payment. These benefits are in recognition of experiences while resident in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The overall cost of the Payment Scheme is estimated at €800 million.
To date, over 3,600 applications have been received for the Scheme. The first offers of awards issued in April and the first payments were made under the Scheme in May.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme is just one aspect of the overall package of supports and measures set out in the Government’s Action Plan. Other important measures include access to birth information provided through the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022, the intervention at the site of the former Tuam Mother and Baby Institution, the appointment of a Special Advocate for Survivors, and the establishment of a National Centre for Research and Remembrance on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street.
The Action Plan seeks to provide an inclusive, comprehensive and enduring response to the priority needs of all survivors. Importantly, this package also includes counselling services which are available to all survivors and former residents.
Question No. 594 answered with Question No. 593.
595. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a detailed update on the timeframe for the re-introduction of the motorised transport grant. [24591/24]
View answerThe Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward.
As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022. The Group's work has now concluded and the final report was published in February 2023. The Report sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. It is incumbent on all Ministers, Departments and Agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities to consider the recommendations of the Transport Working Group, as I will be giving due consideration to the recommendations in the context of the schemes outlined above. These considerations will continue in the context of the development of a new National Disability Strategy.
596. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the position in relation to a building in County Waterford (details supplied) and its use by his Department; if there are plans to install modular-style accommodation on the grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24592/24]
View answerMy Department has no contract for modular units at this site.
Only the accommodation currently in use at this site is contracted to the Department and no additional capacity in modular homes may be offered for use for the accommodation for International Protection applicants, as it does not come under the scope of a planning exemption.
597. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the position with regard to the construction works at a location (details supplied); to confirm the reason construction works have paused on this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24593/24]
View answerAs part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the Government developed a rapid build housing programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with my Department.
The programme is being progressed under the emergency derogations from planning that were provided for by Government under S.I. No. 306 of 2022 – European Union (Planning and Development) (Displaced Persons from Ukraine Temporary Protection) Regulations, 2022.
To identify suitable State-owned sites for the programme, my Department and OPW engaged with a range of other public bodies. As part of this process, a HSE-owned site at the location to which the Deputy refers was identified. OPW has assessed the site and plans have been developed for the construction of 82 modular family units. OPW and SISK will deliver the project.
DCEDIY and the HSE have a licence agreement in place for the site and SISK and OPW are in the process of finalising the construction programme. I can confirm that works are underway.
The emphasis of the rapid build programme is on the delivery of quality homes which will enhance local environments. Each site has roads, footpaths, street lighting, community facilities, including green spaces, fully in line with Local Authority planning guidance. The homes are highly energy efficient, durable units with a 60 year lifespan and the development of all sites is conducted in an environmentally sustainable way to ensure that, post development, sites will enhance the local areas in which they are situated. Construction disruption is limited as the units are manufactured off site.
For each of the Rapid Build sites, my Department has put in place structures to ensure planning for the provision of essential and support services, like healthcare and education, are conveyed to the relevant providers in each area. My Department is working with other Departments, State Agencies and stakeholders to ensure these additional resources are in place.
598. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that residents of direct provision accommodation cannot be moved for no justified reason, aware of residents who have resided in the same location for years being transferred without any engagement. [24594/24]
View answerIreland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking International Protection (IP). There are currently over 30,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole compared with approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022. In the first 21 weeks of 2024, over 8,300 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 398 people per week.
Transfers between different IPAS centres take place for a wide variety of reasons. For example, there are weekly transfers from the D Hotel Drogheda – where the majority of new arrivals are orientated when they arrive in the country. In addition, individuals and families request transfers for a variety of reasons and IPAS facilitates those requests as appropriate and where possible. These transfers are more difficult in the current context of extremely limited available accommodation.
In the context of the current crisis, some of the emergency accommodation that comes on-stream is very short-term in nature and necessitates transferring people to alternative accommodation when it's use for IPAS expires. In the same manner, when accommodation comes on-stream, IPAS will arrange transfers for International Protection (IP) applicants to that accommodation.
The accommodation situation is currently very fluid and necessitates IP applicants be moved, on occasion, to a number of different locations. IPAS works to minimise this as they understand the disruption this causes to international protection applicants. However, unfortunately, it has been necessary on some occasions.
599. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure that where a direct provision centre is located in a rural setting or a location with no public transport, transport would be provided at appropriate times to support people into employment and education. [24595/24]
View answerThe Department engages with relevant stakeholders and accommodation service providers as appropriate to ensure that international protection applicants placed in accommodation in isolated areas will have access to transportation for basic requirements. The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) try to ensure in as far as possible that International Protection (IP) applicants are not located in remote locations however, given the current demand for accommodation, this is not always possible.
In situations where an Accommodation Centre is located in an area without public transport links within a 2km radius, with manageable access, IPPS will ensure that a shuttle bus service to a nearby town or public transport stop is provided. This Department also engages with the Department of Transport, as the need arises, regarding the expansion of the Local Link network for both IP applicants and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).
600. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to ensure operators of direct provision centres are flexible when it comes the numbers of nights a resident can be away, i.e., a resident living in an isolated centre, with no access to public transport where they find work would be supported, rather than penalised, for finding work. [24596/24]
View answerIreland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking International Protection (IP). There are currently over 30,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole compared with approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022. In the first 21 weeks of 2024, over 8,300 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 398 people per week.
In line with Regulation 4 of the of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018), material reception conditions (including suitable accommodation) is offered by IPAS with the requirement that IP applicants reside at an assigned property on a continuous basis or, where absent – such absence is in compliance with accommodation house rules.
The Deputy will be aware that due to the current significant scarcity of accommodation, it is the responsibility of IPAS to ensure that all available accommodation in the State is used effectively - where the use of beds is maximised.
IPAS has produced a document “House Rules & Procedures for Reception and Accommodation Centres”, which outline the procedures followed by IPAS. This document which includes information on absence policy is issued to all residents (IPAs) on arrival.
Residents must notify centre managers of any planned absence - if a resident is absent for an extended period from assigned accommodation without prior authorisation, IPAS will consider the absence as an indication that an applicant is no longer in need of IPAS accommodation and the bed will be reassigned to an incoming international protection applicant.
The Deputy should note that Regulation 6 of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. No. 230 of 2018) provides for the withdrawal of material reception conditions where house rules are not observed by residents.
601. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason emergency funding for sustainability of an organisation (details supplied) has not been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24598/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
602. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he could provide clarification around a case (details supplied) where they are awaiting a multidisciplinary assessment and not an assessment of needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24599/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
603. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason his Department has decided to move over 200 Ukrainians from a location (details supplied) after two years of those individuals and families have lived there; where they will be moved to; his Department’s plans for the location; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24601/24]
View answerThe accommodation provider to which the Deputy refers has decided to cease accommodating Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and has asked that all of the BOTPs in residence be moved to alternative accommodation. My Department's standard commercial accommodation contract provides that either party to the contract can terminate the agreement at any time with four weeks’ notice and the provider in this case has availed of this right. The BOTPs residing at this location were notified of this decision and recently moved to alternative locations.
While every effort is made to minimise disruption to BOTPs who must be relocated where contracts end, staying in the local area cannot be guaranteed for BOTPs who continue to require State accommodation.
My Department is currently consolidating the BOTP accommodation portfolio in line with current and future needs. As this work progresses and the portfolio is reduced, remaining within existing localities for BOTPs who must be relocated will become less likely.
My Department cannot guarantee accommodation type or location at this time where moves are necessary, and BOTPs are encouraged to engage with their Local Authority to assess the possibility of finding accommodation in the community if possible.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish, and can avail of some supports to do so. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at?registerofpledges@redcross.ie?or by phoning 1800 50 70 70.??
BOTPs may also explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement. Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation. Their local Department of Social Protection office may be able to provide further information relating to Rent Supplement. Contact details for the local offices can be found on gov.ie (Intreo centres and local branch offices).
604. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the position in relation to a property in south Tipperary (details supplied) which has been used for housing Ukrainians; if his Department now plans to house IPAS applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24651/24]
View answerThere are currently over 30,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole compared with approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022.
Ireland is currently experiencing an acute shortage of accommodation for people seeking International Protection (IPs). In order to minimise homelessness, the Department is availing of every possible vacancy within its portfolio of accommodation under contract.
In line with the recently announce accommodation strategy, as vacancies arise within existing properties under contract, including in those providing accommodation to people fleeing the war in Ukraine, where the provider agrees, the Department is availing of these spaces. A number of moves are currently being made to consolidate the portfolio of accommodation under contract for the provision of accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs)in order to maximise the space available to the Department, and provide suitable accommodation for those seeking international protection.
In this context, Dundrum House Hotel is now a hybrid property accommodating people seeking International Protection and BOTPs. 80 beds, previously occupied by BOTPs but now vacant, have been identified in Dundrum House Hotel, Dundrum Co. Tipperary for use for accommodating IP applicants, and the overall capacity at this property remains the same.
605. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the position in relation to a property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24659/24]
View answerMy Department received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the location to which the Deputy refers. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has received no offer of accommodation in respect of this property for International Protection (IPs) applicants, and is not examining this property for use for accommodation of IPs.
Offers of accommodation to BOTPs where properties are in need of significant conversion and refurbishment works are passed on to the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage for assessment under the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Programme (ERUP).
As with all offers of accommodation to accommodate BOTPs, but most particularly with regard to those requiring conversion/refurbishment, a detailed assessment must be carried out to ensure the property being offered is being prepared to the required standard and complies with building, fire and other statutory requirements. Accommodation providers are responsible for engaging with the relevant local authority when carrying out the refurbishment works.
Before a property in the ERUP programme is contracted for accommodating BOTPs, the relevant local authority confirms to my Department that the property is in compliance with key requirements, including planning, fire and other regulatory requirements.
If the property is deemed suitable for use, further communication will issue to elected representatives and other members of the community.
606. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of any anti-racism or unconscious bias training and presentations made available to staff in his Department during the period 2021 to date; the content of such training and presentations; the provider of any such training and presentations and the costs incurred for each event; if attendance at such training and presentations is mandatory or voluntary for staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24664/24]
View answerThe information is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Training Title |
Content |
Provider |
Cost |
Voluntary/Mandatory |
|
2021 |
IPAS Team Intercultural Awareness Training |
Intercultural Awareness & Effective Psychosocial Assessment |
Spirasi |
€3501.70 |
Mandatory for IPAS team |
|
January 2023-onwards |
Equality and Human Rights: Understanding your Role (Level 1) - Online Virtual Classroom |
Challenges to EDI and Human Rights - Discrimination and Dignity at work Raising Self Awareness - Identifying Blind Spots and Unconscious Bias Cultural Competence – Understanding and Appreciating differences |
OneLearning/Carr Communications |
€100 per attendee |
Voluntary |
|
June 2022-onwards |
Equality and Human Rights in the Public Service e-learning module |
Exploration of equality issues facing staff and service users Human rights concepts and human rights obligations of public sector bodies |
OneLearning |
N/A |
|
607. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24686/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
608. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will be prioritising the progression of any specific pieces of legislation prior to the Dáil summer recess; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24696/24]
View answerThe Legislation being brought forward by the Department prior to the Dáil summer recess is set out in the Government Legislation Programme 2024, which the Deputy may wish to know was published on 23rd April last and is available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/edb3c-government-legislation-programme-2024.
609. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Government has sent communications out internationally on traditional and social media in numerous languages that there is enormous pressure on housing in Ireland at present. [24749/24]
View answerResponsibility for housing policy rests with my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government.
610. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a schedule of grants and or funding, by heading and by county, for youth services for 2023. [24790/24]
View answerThe information is set out in the following table.
|
- |
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) |
ETB Youth Grant |
Youth Information Centres (YIC) |
Capital Funding for Staff Led Youth Services and Youth Clubs |
UBU - Your Place Your Space Funding Scheme |
Migrant Integration Fund
|
Miscellaneous – non scheme related funding |
Total |
|
Cavan & Monaghan Education and Training Board |
€67,865.00 |
€161,345.00 |
€125,711.00 |
€49,158.00 |
€728,355.00 |
€31,000.00 |
€3,500.00 |
€1,166,934.00 |
|
City of Dublin Education and Training Board |
€391,667.00 |
€881,646.50 |
€150,041.50 |
€452,387.40 |
€16,251,798.00 |
€90,000.00 |
€509,379.00 |
€18,726,919.40 |
|
Cork Education and Training Board |
€271,545.00 |
€378,734.50 |
€139,638.00 |
€126,311.00 |
€3,526,502.00 |
€132,000.00 |
€5,000.00 |
€4,579,730.50 |
|
Donegal Education and Training Board |
€79,860.00 |
€128,121.00 |
€151,503.00 |
€47,357.00 |
€691,313.00 |
€130,000.00 |
€15,000.00 |
€1,243,154.00 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board |
€256,434.92 |
€699,848.00 |
€147,611.00 |
€219,673.43 |
€8,576,618.50 |
€23,367.33 |
|
€9,923,553.18 |
|
Galway & Roscommon Education and Training Board |
€162,624.00 |
€284,470.00 |
€55,732.00 |
€103,353.00 |
€2,397,341.00 |
€102,681.08 |
|
€3,106,201.08 |
|
Kerry Education and Training Board |
€67,206.88 |
€143,046.00 |
€127,011.00 |
€43,053.00 |
€760,180.00 |
€118,500.00 |
|
€1,258,996.88 |
|
Kildare & Wicklow Education and Training Board |
€178,017.55 |
€232,057.00 |
€111,464.00 |
€74,413.08 |
€1,883,235.00 |
€11,000.00 |
|
€2,490,186.63 |
|
Kilkenny & Carlow Education and Training Board |
€77,710.00 |
€267,218.00 |
€55,732.00 |
€46,392.00 |
€1,134,277.00 |
€40,000.00 |
|
€1,621,329.00 |
|
Laois & Offaly Education and Training Board |
€82,544.00 |
€128,125.00 |
|
€52,911.00 |
€415,778.00 |
€26,000.00 |
|
€705,358.00 |
|
Limerick & Clare Education and Training Board |
€160,140.00 |
€364,130.00 |
€114,864.00 |
€188,865.00 |
€3,280,375.50 |
€135,000.00 |
|
€4,243,374.50 |
|
Longford & Westmeath Education and Training Board |
€66,000.00 |
€141,436.00 |
€55,732.00 |
€30,201.00 |
€679,749.00 |
€40,000.00 |
|
€1,013,118.00 |
|
Louth & Meath Education and Training Board |
€166,708.00 |
€287,396.00 |
|
€54,040.00 |
€847,389.00 |
€98,000.00 |
€20,000.00 |
€1,473,533.00 |
|
Mayo Sligo & Leitrim Education and Training Board |
€108,124.00 |
€222,303.00 |
€92,744.00 |
€84,852.00 |
€848,357.00 |
€149,000.00 |
|
€1,505,380.00 |
|
Tipperary Education and Training Board |
€77,985.00 |
€196,817.00 |
€65,179.00 |
€78,259.00 |
€1,070,146.00 |
€25,000.00 |
|
€1,513,386.00 |
|
Waterford & Wexford Education and Training Board |
€131,849.00 |
€402,292.34 |
€120,911.00 |
€101,585.00 |
€3,102,438.00 |
€85,000.00 |
|
€3,944,075.34 |
|
Total Funding Provided to Education and Training Boards for 2023 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
€58,515,229.51 |
My Department provided funding to the 16 Education and Training Boards for the provision of youth services and youth supports within the functional area of each ETB rather than on by a county by county basis. The table provides the funding amounts provided to each ETB over the course of 2023 for the youth related funding schemes which were administered by the Education and Training Boards on behalf of the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department.
611. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide guidance on accessing the mother and baby homes redress scheme when the concluding year of an institution in the booklet does not match with the lived experience such as in a case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24808/24]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme provides financial payments and health supports to eligible people who spent time in Mother and Baby or County Home Institutions, that were identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. The institutions covered by the Payment Scheme are set out in Schedule 1 to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act, which was signed into law on 11th July 2023.
The concluding years for the institutions covered by the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme were established, based on the evidence available to the Department at the time, that these concluding years, represented the last year that woman or children were admitted to these institutions, for reasons relating to the criteria for the Payment Scheme.
Subsection 49(4) of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act, provides that the Minister, with the consent of the Minister for the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, can amend the concluding year, for existing institutions under the scheme, should evidence come to light, that necessitates this change.
I have asked my officials to engage with the Deputy in relation to the information provided in her question.
