Written Answers Nos. 524-544
524. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the international events and engagements he has attended at which members of the media were also in attendance as part of the Government delegation, since the formation of the Government; the media organisation they represented; the cost involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41595/24]
View answerSince taking office, I have regularly travelled on trade missions and other international engagements on behalf of the Government.
On occasion, members of the media have participated in international trade missions, but not as members of the Government delegation.
I can confirm that my Department has not paid the travel costs of any media during this period.
Media participation in agri-food trade missions is coordinated by Bord Bia, and I have referred your query to Bord Bia for direct response.
525. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently living in care homes managed and operated by private contractors; the number of these homes; and the cost of these contracts, respectively in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [41237/24]
View answerAs this relates to data collated by Tusla, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
526. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications for respite care made in Donegal over each of the past 18 months, detailing whether that application was facilitated or not and the reason for those not facilitated, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41281/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
527. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to continue funding an organisation (details supplied) into 2025; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40939/24]
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.
528. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) persons living in County Tipperary at the end of September 2024, given that the county is currently considered at capacity for such persons and as County Tipperary has already significantly contributed to accommodating IPAS persons; if he can confirm that no further new contracts or additional new allocations for IPAS persons accommodation will be made in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40941/24]
View answerAt the moment, there are over 32,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole compared with approximately 7,000 people at the end of August 2022. Of those 32,000 people, approximately 9,000 are children.
People are accommodated at over 300 locations, in every county. As at 29 September 2024, there are 753 International Protection applicants residing in properties in County Tipperary.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) releases weekly statistics in relation to IP applicants. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing. These statistics are located on the Gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/.
The Government is committed to supporting all those seeking IP in Ireland and work is ongoing across the country to bring available accommodation into use to support our residents. This is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country, and intensive efforts are underway to source suitable accommodation, in line with the Government's Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy. Despite this, since last December 2023, over 2,700 people who have applied for international protection since December 2023 have not been offered accommodation.
Due to the urgent obligation to provide safety and shelter to international protection applicants, the Department is not in a position to refuse offers of suitable accommodation, nor are we able to consider excluding offers of accommodation from any one county or area.
The Government's Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for people seeking IP aims to address the current serious shortfall in accommodation and build a more sustainable system for the longer term. Accommodation in the new strategy is being delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties.
It will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
In line with the Department’s community engagement approach, our Community Engagement Team send information on new properties and type of accommodation to be provided directly to elected representatives, the Local Authority and other relevant groups in advance of the arrival of people seeking international protection into an area. The CET aims to work with local integration supports and services to assist the settling in process for new arrivals.
529. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied) who was a child in a school can expect redress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40949/24]
View answerFrom the limited information provided in this question it is, unfortunately, impossible for me to assist at this point. My department operates the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme but institution referenced - Convent of Mercy - is not a named institution in that scheme. At this juncture, I am not sure to what redress scheme the Deputy refers. My officials will be happy to assist if further information becomes available and it is appropriate to my Department.
530. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to advise Tusla that further detail is needed to be provided to the Department of Social Protection directly or otherwise (details supplied) as this person is 23 weeks short of obtaining their State pension (contributory); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40952/24]
View answerAs this relates to information held by Tusla, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for the attention of the relevant area, and for direct reply to the Deputy.
531. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 43 of 2 October 2024, the reason that there are no standard diagnostic policies or guidelines for diagnosing or treating children with an organisation (details supplied); the steps being taken to establish a statutory diagnostic criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40965/24]
View answerDear Deputy, FASD is an issue that sits currently with my colleague the Minister of Health. The issues relating to FASD currently reside with HSE Health and Wellbeing which falls under the remit of the Department of Health.
532. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of reports of International Protection Accommodation Services staff warning those in receipt of a deportation order or those about to receive a deportation order of Garda activity relating to the enforcement of such orders; the measures he is taking to ensure this practice is ended or appropriately sanctioned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40968/24]
View answerThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) works closely with the Department of Justice and An Garda Síochána (AGS) to support the removal of those with deportation orders from the State.
In addition, all contracted IPAS accommodation centre management and staff are made fully aware by IPAS officials and Department staff of their obligations to cooperate with the Garda National Bureau of Immigration, and have been active in doing so.
There are over 32,000 people currently in IPAS accommodation, in over 300 centres all over Ireland. People who are accommodated by IPAS are either going through the application process for International Protection (IP), or have concluded it.
Under our current regulations, IP applicants are not obliged to live in IPAS accommodation. They may source accommodation themselves if they choose. In addition, people who are resident in IPAS accommodation are free to move around the State and are not detained or restricted in their movements by IPAS house rules.
There are close working arrangements between IPAS, the Department of Justice and AGS, with regular co-ordination on all issues related to application decisions and security matters.
IP applicants who receive a final negative decision are no longer entitled to reception conditions including accommodation, and are notified by letter of the decision. It is the experience of IPAS that they usually make the decision to move on from our accommodation of their own volition.
More detailed information in relation to application decisions, deportation orders and follow-up on security issues would be available from the Department of Justice or the Garda National Bureau of Immigration.
533. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the work engaged in by his Department with the Department of Justice to review the findings and recommendations of the UCD SERP scoping report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41001/24]
View answerMy Department and Tusla continue to take the issue of potential Child Sexual Abuse very seriously and are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Care, including working with An Garda Síochána (AGS) as required. My Department and Tusla continue to undertake actions in this regard.
On the 22nd of June 2023, the UCD Sexual Exploitation Research Programme (SERP) published a report, “Protecting Against Predators: A Scoping Study on the Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Ireland.’ The report sought to establish the level of awareness of child sexual abuse amongst key stakeholders from across a variety of sectors. The report raised concerning issues in relation to the potential exploitation of children, including those in care.
I sought a meeting with the authors of the report shortly after its publication.
Prior to the publication of the report, my Department established a Working Group looking at institutional and organisational abuse. This Group is considering the UCD SERP report and making recommendations as required, after which I will consider any further steps as may be necessary. It was subsequently decided that external research was required to provide the Working Group with definitional clarification of abuse categories. This contract was awarded to an external research provider in January 2024 and the Researcher is due to report back to this Group. This research is reviewing the international literature and best practice around same. This research is also looking at the findings, learnings, and recommendations of seminal reports on abuse of children in residential care settings, including in other jurisdictions.
Tusla has a statutory obligation to notify An Garda Síochana of all incidences of suspected child sexual exploitation, including those relating to children in the care of the State. An Garda Síochana lead the investigation into these notifications. Consequently, Tusla liaises closely with Gardaí, and has an assigned Principal Social worker based with Garda National Protective Services. In 2021 Tusla implemented its Child Exploitation Procedure, Operation Cosnaím, in partnership with An Garda Síochána, which provides Tusla staff and carers with information on how to recognise indicators of child sexual exploitation, how to make appropriate referrals and how to respond to cases where children may be at risk of sexual exploitation.
Operation Cosnaím is currently being reviewed and updated.
534. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has made progress on any efforts to seek contributions from international protection applicants from 2018 to date for their reception costs in line with article 5(2) of S.I. No. 230 of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41003/24]
View answerOn foot of Government approval to conduct an overall review of entitlements for those within the International Protection (IP) system, my Department has been asked by Government to explore options for adults in receipt of income, that are living in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation, to make an income-based contribution to accommodation costs.
The overall purpose of this proposal is to ensure equity and fairness in accommodation-related contributions sought from people across all of society, including those in IPAS accommodation.
Many other EU Member States operate some form of contribution model in this sector. The income limits and contribution rates used vary from country to country.
IPAS is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to IP applicants who wish to accept an offer of accommodation from the State. This offering includes all meals and utilities. Full access to public medical services is provided and a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person.
535. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to expedite an appointment for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41030/24]
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.
536. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection that have been issued with a notice of eviction by the Ukraine crisis temporary accommodation team due to a violation of the absence protocol since its introduction in October 2023. [41034/24]
View answer537. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons who have obtained extraordinary absence permission since the absence protocol’s introduction; and the number of requests for extraordinary absence permission since October 2023. [41035/24]
View answer538. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the absence protocol for beneficiaries of temporary protection for those residing in State-contracted accommodation will be permitted to leave over the Christmas period. [41036/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 536, 537 and 538 together.
My Department provides Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) with temporary emergency accommodation upon their request on their arrival in Ireland. This supports BOTPs to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland. As this is a temporary support, there is an onus on my Department to ensure that there are policies in place to ensure proper governance.
When a BOTP accepts an emergency accommodation bed they agree to abide by all policies in place by my Department. This includes the Absence Protocol.
In addition to the standard provisions of the Absence Protocol, on an annual basis I have authorised a special Christmas leave period. The precise dates of this year’s Christmas leave are under review and will be published in the near future.
My Department does not collate the information in the manner requested by the Deputy in relation to the number of persons who have obtained extraordinary absence permission since the absence protocol’s introduction and the number of requests for extraordinary absence permission since October 2023. My Department also does not collate the information in the manner requested in relation to the number of beneficiaries of temporary protection that have been issued with no further offers letter due to a violation of the absence protocol since its introduction in October 2023.
The current iteration of this policy came into effect in October 2023. It provides only limited circumstances whereby the State will pay for empty beds in emergency accommodation when the occupants are absent, namely medical and compassionate reasons. When an application is being made on medical grounds, this is only permitted for seeking specialist care (e.g. surgery or cancer treatment etc.) and must be accompanied with the appropriate supporting documentation.
I must stress that this does not prevent anyone from leaving their emergency accommodation. Anyone who is currently living in our emergency accommodation may choose to relinquish their current accommodation at any time to travel without restriction. When they return to Ireland, they may be given a new offer of emergency accommodation, subject to availability, but this may not be the same accommodation centre they were in previously.
When a BOTP is absent from their accommodation without sanction this is deemed a refusal of their emergency accommodation. However, we acknowledge that with the fluid situation in Ukraine that it may be necessary for people to travel in an emergency without being able to notify my officials in advance, particularly when the health and welfare of loved ones is at stake. To this end the protocol allows for people to make a retroactive application for their absence after they have travelled.
All applications are dealt with on a case-by-case basis with my officials taking into account the context of requests against the provisions of the protocol. In all cases where an absence is found not to be in line with the protocol, my officials provide information on how the applicant may relinquish their accommodation to facilitate their future travel.
These measures ensure that beds are available for those who need them, and that the accommodation portfolio of my Department provides value for money to the taxpayer.
539. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the consolidation of accommodation portfolio for beneficiaries of temporary protection; if he will supply anonymised data for contracts terminated in each month of 2024, by county, in tabular form; the number of beds, and cost per bed per night for each contract terminated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41037/24]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports them to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
My Department aims to ensure that our portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.
In recent months we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland, decreases in those arriving who request accommodation from the State and greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from State accommodation.
As a result, my Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its BOTP accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.
My Department has decided to prioritise ending contracts with non-compliant providers as part of this consolidation. While I cannot go into detail on specific compliance cases, compliance issues include but are not limited to:
• The health, safety and wellbeing of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in state-supported emergency accommodation.
• Overcharging by providers for the provision of their accommodation.
• Unregulated secondary properties that were being utilised by providers.
• Private and residential properties that were being utilised and retained by the Department when further commercial properties were available.
It is not possible to provide the financial data that the Deputy has requested for each contract terminated due to the commercially sensitive nature of this information. A county breakdown for contracts terminated in each month since April of 2024 with the corresponding number of beds is provided below. The figures for each month January to March are not available in the format sought by the Deputy.
540. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on all waiting lists under the children disability network teams, including the number waiting on an initial contact, the number waiting on an assessment of needs, and the number waiting on therapy supports, in tabular form. [41091/24]
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.
541. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the maximum base rate allocation for larger childcare service providers; the rationale for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41093/24]
View answerThe introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding.
Core Funding has increased by 15% to €331 million for the third programme year which began in September 2024. This increase will facilitate increases in the base rate for all age groups, the strengthening of targeted measures which were introduced in year 2 to support sessional and smaller services, and growth of almost 6%.
The majority of Core Funding is distributed to services via the Base Rate, which is based on a service’s staffed capacity – the opening hours, operating weeks, the age group for whom services are provided, and the number of places available. Services opening for longer hours or offering more places will receive a higher value of Core Funding than other services. This is because their costs of operation are higher.
Places do not have to be filled in order to be allocated Core Funding, but for capacity to be funded, there must be enough staff in place to satisfy the minimum staff-to-child ratios as set in the Regulations. The staffing required depends on the age range and session types (full day, part time, sessional, etc.) of the places available. This feature of the scheme gives Partner Services stability of income through Core Funding in times of lower uptake, as it is not based on a child’s attendance.
A maximum Base Rate allocation was introduced in September 2023 for the second year of Core Funding. Individual Partner Services will not receive funding for their staffed capacity through the Base Rate beyond this maximum value. The maximum Base Rate allocation aims to maximise the efficiency of this significant State investment in the sector, to best spread a limited budget across the entire sector rather than increasing funded capacity for the largest services.
When introduced, this maximum allocation was set at €600,000 and from September 2024 it has been reduced to the current value of €500,000.
This maximum does not apply to the Graduate Premiums, which may still increase a Partner Service’s total allocation beyond this maximum allocation.
542. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff that worked in his Department’s communications and press office in each of the years 2019 to 2024; and the grade of each staff member. [41156/24]
View answerThe table shows the numbers of staff by grade in the Communications Unit in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth from 2019 to 2024. Figures are end of year for 2019 to 2023 and end of August for 2024.
|
Grade |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Temp Clerical Officer |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
|
Clerical Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Executive Officer |
2 |
2 |
4 |
3 |
7 |
6 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
Administrative Officer |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
3 |
|
Principal Officer |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Total |
5 |
5 |
10 |
10 |
14 |
14 |
543. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the frequency and duration of the publicity, marketing or advertising campaigns conducted by his Department to date in 2024; the purpose of these campaigns; the cost of these campaigns; and the agencies that conducted these campaigns, in tabular form. [41174/24]
View answerFor the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the frequency and duration of the publicity, marketing or advertising campaigns conducted to date in 2024, as well as the purpose and cost of these campaigns; the cost of these campaigns; and the agencies that conducted these campaigns, is listed below. The costs for the UNCRC campaign is an informed estimate until the campaign concludes.
|
Campaign |
Dates |
Cost to date |
Purpose |
Agencies / suppliers |
|
Supporting Parents |
Jan |
€39,832 |
Promoting Supporting Parents - an initiative that connects parents with local resources |
Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
National Childcare Scheme |
March |
€26,895 |
Promoting Supports available to parents to assist Childcare fees |
Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Accommodation Policy Changes |
March - April |
€3,582 |
An international search campaign informing those considering coming to Ireland to flee the conflict in Ukraine of changes to accommodation policy |
Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
National Childcare Scheme |
April |
€1,300 |
Working with parenting influencers to promote the National Childcare Scheme |
Andrea Roche Agency |
|
Mother & Baby Institutions Payment Scheme |
April - June |
€765,757 |
An international public awareness campaign announcing the opening and availability of the Redress Scheme to those impacted and eligible to apply |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Gender Pay Gap Reporting |
April - July |
€260,978 |
The campaign targeted employers in organizations of over 150 staff, encouraging them to begin the process of reporting on their hourly gender pay gap, in line with the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021. |
Javelin - Creative Mindshare - Media Buying |
|
Early Years |
October 2023 – to July 2024 |
€121,805 |
Campaign development for:• Childminding regulations and registration – consultation, plan and awareness• Overarching strategy development• Regional National Childcare Scheme• Nurturing Skills (workforce plan) stakeholder engagement |
Drury |
|
UNCRC awareness raising |
23 September - 21 October |
€19,742 |
Raising awareness of the UNCRC and driving visitors to the information resource at gov.ie/UNCRC |
Red Dog |
544. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Government plans to move IPAS families currently being accommodated in a location (details supplied); and if so, if he will guarantee that prior to moving them from the facility that advance notice will be provided to the local population. [41218/24]
View answer545. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department or IPAS plans to accommodate persons, other than those currently being accommodated in a location (details supplied); and if so, if any additional persons to be accommodated there will be police vetted. [41219/24]
View answer546. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date upon which a hotel (details supplied) will cease to be used as accommodation for those seeking international protection; if attempts are being made to source a more suitable facility for the families currently accommodated there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41220/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 544, 545 and 546 together.
The Government is committed to supporting all those seeking IP in Ireland and work is ongoing across the country to bring available accommodation into use to support our residents.
This is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
At the moment, there are over 32,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole, compared with approximately 7,000 people at the end of August 2022.
Of those 32,000 people, approximately 9,000 are children. People are accommodated at over 300 locations, in every county.
The location referred to in the Deputy's questions, following an offer from a provider and a detailed appraisal process, has been contracted by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) to provide accommodation for families with children seeking International Protection.
This accommodation centre has a maximum capacity to provide accommodation for 103 people and a contract has been signed with the provider for one year.
A detailed briefing note was sent to public representatives on 14 August, informing them of the commencement of the contract and giving details of the accommodation and the arrangements being put in place to accommodate families, and integration supports being facilitated in the community.
As part of the engagement process, a member of the Department's Community Engagement Team met with Tuam MD Councillors on 19th August in an online meeting. Further information on our community engagement process is available online at www.gov.ie/IPAS.
The Department does not comment on specific transfers or occupancy figures for individual sites given the fluid and emergency nature of its requirement to provide shelter for people seeking international protection (IP), and their right to privacy and anonymity.
In relation to the residents at this centre, they are families of international protection applicants. The establishment of a person’s identity and nationality is an important feature of our immigration process. This, alongside the recording of certain data for security purposes, is managed by the International Protection Office (IPO), which falls under the aegis of the Department of Justice.
The Government's Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for people seeking IP aims to address the current serious shortfall in accommodation and build a more sustainable system for the longer term. Accommodation in the new strategy is being delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties.
It will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
I hope this information is helpful to the Deputy.
