Written Answers Nos. 627-646
628. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average length of time of assessments of needs nationally, in 2022, 2023 and 2024; and the number of assessments that took 80 hours or longer. [15012/25]
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.
629. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will adopt a standard criterion for the diagnosis of foetal alcohol spectrum disorder in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15021/25]
View answerResponsibility for foetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) resides with Department of Health’s (DOH) Health and Wellbeing unit. FASD is not deemed to be a disability at this time, and as a result, the services needed to address issues around FASD are primarily found within the remit of DOH. The DOH currently have the remit over the Expert Advisory Group on FASD directly relevant to the question posed by the Deputy, therefore this is a matter for the office of the Minister for Health.
630. Deputy James Geoghegan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1056 of 19 March 2025, and the letter provided from the HSE in respect of that question, if any data exists on record in respect of a matter (details supplied); if that data can provided, however incomplete it might be; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15041/25]
View answerThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
631. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth her plans to purchase the remaining Bessborough grounds; her plans for memorialisation on the site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15042/25]
View answerI am very conscious of the hurt felt by survivors and family members of people who died in Bessborough. One of the most tragic aspects of what happened is the uncertainty regarding the burial place of many children who were resident there.
The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions, including Bessborough, was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. The Commission carried out cartographic and landscape assessments of possible unrecorded burial arrangements at the site. It also carried out a site survey and followed up with people on responses to its appeal seeking information about burials. However, it was unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of burials of the children who died at Bessborough in the grounds. As no evidence of locations was found, the Commission did not consider it feasible to excavate the full available site, which amounts to 60 acres, or indeed the former 200 acre estate, parts of which have now been built on.
I have no plans to purchase the remaining area of the Bessborough grounds and I am aware that there are differing views among survivor groups about how the site should be treated.
The Government’s response to the legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions, including in relation to memorialisation, is set out in the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
Actions related to local memorialisation are being progressed by a working group that has been established by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to progress actions involving local authorities. I understand that the working group’s report, which will include guidelines for how local authorities engage with survivors, including in relation to local memorialisation, is at an advanced drafting stage.
In addition, in November 2022, the then Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage wrote to all City and County Councils requesting that Development Plan processes give adequate consideration to incorporating appropriate measures to ensure the protection of unrecorded burial sites associated with an institution.
632. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of health and social care professional positions approved, and the number of social care professional positions filled, in each Cork city CDNT, from 2023 to 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15074/25]
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.
633. Deputy Marie Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current wait times for a child to receive an initial assessment for autism in the Cork city HSE area. [15075/25]
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.
634. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently in residential care at a location in Tipperary (details supplied); the capacity within the facility; the number of staff assigned to the facility; the full list of activities that take place on campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15090/25]
View answerAs this relates to information held by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the question has been forwarded to the Agency for direct reply to the Deputy.
635. Deputy Martin Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will provide a list of respite facilities currently accessible to adults with special and additional needs in the Roscommon-Galway area; if there are plans to expand the availability of such services; and if she will ensure that appropriate transport provision is in place to support individuals in accessing respite care within their communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15103/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
636. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she is aware that people with disabilities using day services in CHO1 are subject to a €4 daily transport charge; if those using day services in other CHOs across the country are subject to such charge; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15109/25]
View answerWhile HSE Day Services funding does not extend to transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis where resources permit, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis, and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
My Officials are engaging at a senior level with colleagues across government to map out next steps towards the development of the next National Disability Strategy. This Strategy will provide an ambitious framework for disability policy across the next five years, including in relation to transport and mobility for disabled people. The new Strategy will build on work done under Action 104 of the previous National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS). Under Action 104, a Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to formulate proposals on how transport supports could be better coordinated across the state. The Final Report of the Group was published and is available on my Department’s website.
The Department of the Taoiseach has convened a Senior Officials Group to discuss how the proposals of the NDIS Transport Working Group final report can be progressed. My officials are engaging and actively contributing to discussions on this matter, and outcomes will form a key part of ongoing work for the development of transport-focussed actions under the next National Disability Strategy.
637. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the challenges faced by persons with debilitating conditions who are wheelchair users and who are reliant on public transport to get to appointments; if she understands that the volunteer driver scheme operated by Fingal County Council does not cater for electric wheelchair users; if she is further aware that a service run by an organisation (details supplied) does not cover all of County Dublin; that people cannot fund transport from their disability payments and, as a result, are at risk of missing appointments; how a named person can manage to attend their appointments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15125/25]
View answerWhilst HSE specialist disability services funding does not extend to transport costs, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis and where resources permit. That said, my Department is working to finalise a new National Disability Strategy which will set out a whole-of-government approach to improving the lives of disabled people in Ireland, including a specific focus on enhancing transport and mobility options.
The Deputy will appreciate that schemes run by Fingal County Council are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
638. Deputy Louis O'Hara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports offered by her Department for upgrading and maintenance of playground facilities, including the capital grant scheme for play and recreation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15228/25]
View answerMy department provides for the upgrading and maintenance of playground facilities for children and young people through the annual Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation.
Established in 2013, this grant scheme operates through and with Local Authorities. The scheme also funds the development of new playgrounds and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play elements.
The criteria for the scheme were developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network, established to bring a focus on play and recreation within each local authority.
For each project, 25% of the awarded amount must be provided by the Local Authority. Facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people of all abilities, as far as possible.
All facilities and equipment funded must be child-friendly and safe, and applications must provide evidence that children and young people living locally, who will have access to the facility, have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them, including outside of school hours.
Children’s playgrounds and play areas should be places of fun and activity for all children to enjoy, so that every child can experience the joy and excitement that comes with playing outdoors.
In 2025, funding of €500,000 has been made available to Local Authorities through this scheme.
Applications for this year's scheme are currently under evaluation and funding announcements are expected shortly.
639. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a full cost benefit analysis has been carried out on the use of rural hotels for IPAS accommodation; the additional cost of the provision of transport for such facilities; if the use of rural settings is a good use of public funds based on the additional costs associated with the transport and additional services required in such rural settings; if she will review the use of public funds in this manner; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15229/25]
View answerThank for your question, Deputy.
Ireland currently provides accommodation to over 33,000 people applying for international protection and has also welcomed over 114,000 people from Ukraine since 2022. Our accommodation systems have been forced to expand at a rapid pace over the last two years in response to a sharp increase in need among both groups. The over 114,000 people who arrived from Ukraine, and a significant increase since 2022 in applications for international protection, have come at a time when accommodation in Ireland is in short supply across all dimensions.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country, and intensive efforts were made, as part of a whole of Government response, to ensure people in need were provided with shelter and support.
Over the last 2 years, against this backdrop of unique events in Ukraine, increased need, and the acute shortages of accommodation, it has rarely been an option for my Department to apply specific selection policies in relation to distribution of accommodation centres. However, having the opportunity to look at matters like more control over geographical dispersal is a direction which we wish to move toward, as we work toward a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector.
The Department engages with relevant stakeholders and accommodation service providers as appropriate to ensure that international protection applicants placed in accommodation in areas at a remove from urban or town centres 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 very remote locations. However, given the current demand for accommodation, this is not always possible.
Where a proposed centre is more than 2.5km from the nearest large town centre or inaccessible to the town centre by local transportation links or walking, IPPS request a full and comprehensive transport plan from the provider, including a timetable of services, which is then assessed. The provider will also provide access to transport to and from emergency medical and post-surgical appointments.
The cost of accommodation provision contracts, to the Department, is inclusive of transport, facilities management, utilities and other related items and services, but my Department does not routinely collate statistics on transport costs within the IPAS system.
Huge efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable longer-term international protection accommodation facilities, in line with the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy.
Trends in the need for accommodation are now changing, for example, the level of need among people from Ukraine has reduced and is expected to continue to do so. Properties are being returned to their former use, for example in tourism, hospitality and education, and to private use. Recent figures from Fáilte Ireland show that in 2024, over 12,000 beds were returned from use by my Department's Ukraine response to tourism. These were among 15,000 beds returned to private use by the Ukraine team in the period.
This should allow growth of the tourism sector in the areas concerned, with an acknowledgment of the contribution made by these areas and providers to support the historic humanitarian and State response to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Since March 2024, this Government-approved strategy for international protection accommodation has been in implementation. Accommodation is being developed and delivered through a range of channels.
it is hoped that the degree of control given to the State by the creation of core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will increase as supply is delivered, re-establishing strategic direction over the accommodation type, location and dispersal pattern.
640. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will confirm that any pay deal in regard to section 39 workers will cover all section 39 workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15276/25]
View answerI welcome the unprecedented agreement reached at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). The agreement between Government Departments and unions, includes funding for a 9.25% pay increase for workers in community and voluntary health and social care organisations.
This increase will benefit around 20,000 workers in disability organisations funded under Section 39 of the Health Act and is equivalent to the current Public Sector Agreement.
This agreement applies to the pay of workers in organisations grant funded under Section 39 (Health Act 2004), Section 56 (Child and Family Agency Act 2013), Section 10 (Housing Act 1988) and Section 40 (Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency Act 2023).
I recognise that services funded through tendered arrangements are out of scope of this agreement. The funding for services commissioned through tendering can only be dealt with through the existing procurement processes. There are legal impediments to changing existing contracts, as this could breach competition law and public procurement rules.
It must be recognised such contracts are awarded through competitive processes and cannot be covered by the collective WRC agreement. The scope of the agreement was negotiated and defined at the WRC, so its intended application to community services which receive grant aid was clearly understood by all parties.
It is important to note that the Departments are not the employers, and the terms and conditions of employment for staff in these organisations are ultimately determined between the employer and their employees.
641. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the redress, supports or services available to individuals who spent time in a mother and baby home, but fell short of the six-month threshold by a small number of days or weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15282/25]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme recognises time spent in a Mother and Baby Institution and its non-adversarial approach ensures that those who spent longer periods of time in these institutions, and endured the harshest conditions, receive the highest level of support. It is acknowledged that some survivors are not eligible for the Scheme and are disappointed by this.
It is important to emphasise that the Payment Scheme is just one element of the Government’s response to the country’s complex legacy of Mother and Baby Institutions. Of the seven major commitments set out in the Government Action Plan for Survivors, published in November 2021, six are now delivered and in place, with the seventh well underway.
Most critically, for children who spent less than six months in an institution and who were adopted in infancy or left the institution with their birth family, the priority need expressed by survivors was access to records. As of 31 March 2025, under the Birth Information and Tracing Act, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla have completed more than 15,500 applications for information. All applications are processed in accordance with statutory timeframes.
All survivors also have access to the services of the Special Advocate for Survivors appointed last March and counselling support is available for all survivors and former residents regardless of time spent in an institution. This support is in place, is free of charge, and survivors can self refer or be referred by a medical professional.
Finally, the commemorative grant scheme is available to survivor-centred advocacy organisations to support them in commemorating their experiences in a way of their own choosing. This includes both virtual and in-person events that respond to the specific needs of their communities.
642. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will investigate the case of a child (details supplied) with significant additional needs, who has been in the system since the age of three, and has had to have a private assessment of needs given the delay in State provision of AON, but who has now been informed that they will not be seen by the CDNT until February 2027 at which point they will be 11 years of age; if she will acknowledge that early interventions are key for children with special needs, and ensure that this child is given an earlier appointment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15301/25]
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.
643. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria required for a person in County Kerry (details supplied) who wishes to set up a business to provide residential/respite services to individuals with a disability; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15347/25]
View answerThe HSE and its funded Agencies provide respite care to children and adults with disabilities. Respite can occur in a variety of settings for various lengths of time, depending on the needs of the individual service user and their family or carer, and according to available resources.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
As the Deputy may be aware, any new business should contact their Local Enterprise Office (LEO), which is under the aegis of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to engage with a business advisor who can provide direction on what business supports may be available, and which supports would be most suited to them.
644. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will continue to financially support, and endorse, the successful roll out across County Kerry, and throughout the country, of the School Leavers Programme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15393/25]
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.
645. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine the case of a person (details supplied). [15399/25]
View answerThe HSE provides specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services, and people with intellectual disabilities would form the majority of service users who are supported by these services.
While HSE Day Services funding does not extend to transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis where resources permit, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis, and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists. In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass.
My Officials are engaging at a senior level with colleagues across government to map out next steps towards the development of the next National Disability Strategy. This Strategy will provide an ambitious framework for disability policy across the next five years, including in relation to transport and mobility for disabled people. The new Strategy will build on work done under Action 104 of the previous National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS). Under Action 104, a Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to formulate proposals on how transport supports could be better coordinated across the state. The Final Report of the Group was published and is available on my Department’s website.
The Department of the Taoiseach has convened a Senior Officials Group to discuss how the proposals of the NDIS Transport Working Group final report can be progressed. My officials are engaging and actively contributing to discussions on this matter, and outcomes will form a key part of ongoing work for the development of transport-focussed actions under the next National Disability Strategy.
As this question refers to service-related matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
646. Deputy Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding a childcare centre (details supplied), the reason only six days’ notice was given to notify the service of the decision to remove food provision at this facility; if the core funding can be adjusted to facilitate food services; what supports are available to childcare facilities facing financial difficulty under the core funding model; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15432/25]
View answerCore Funding is a supply side funding scheme, with the majority of the funding distributed to services via the base rate. This is based on a service's staffed capacity, that is, the number of staff, the operating hours, opening weeks and the age group of children for whom services are provided, as well as the number of places available. The scheme also pays graduate premiums for services with graduate lead educators, or graduate managers.
The Core Funding grant is available to all services who meet the criteria outlined in the Agreement for Provision of Core Funding Programme Year 3 (2024/2025) funding agreement.
The scheme is worth to €331 million in the current programme year.
The table below provides information on the Core Funding received by the service in question for year 1 and 2 of Core Funding as well as the estimated grant in year 3 of the scheme:
|
Service name |
2022/23 received (Core Funding incl. Interim Funding and funding guarantee) |
2023/24 Core Funding contract value |
2024/25 estimated CF grant |
|
Askamore Childcare Centre |
€116,315.14 |
€123,177.6 |
€130,8906.88 |
The base rates for Core Funding have been developed with consideration for the various components associated with the cost of delivery of service provision such as staff pay and conditions. Services must use their grant in accordance with the approved areas of expenditure outlined in the Funding Agreement.
There are also wider financial supports available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, which can be accessed while remaining within Core Funding.
Pobal, the scheme administrator, has informed my Department that this service is currently engaging with them regarding sustainability supports.
This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, financial support for services, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
These supports can be accessed by any Core Funding Partner Service by contacting their local County/City Childcare Committee.
With regards to the removal of the food provision by this service, the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, rule 7.6.1 states “Where a Partner Service stops offering meals as an Incorporated Service, (i.e. which were previously included in the fee charged to parents/guardians), they must decrease the fee charged by 10%. Where a service stops offering snacks which were previously included in the fee charged to parents/guardians, they must decrease the fee charged by 5%.”
I can confirm that neither my Officials or Pobal informed the service that they should remove food provision.
