Written Answers Nos. 647-669
647. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to review the case of a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15447/25]
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.
648. Deputy John Paul O'Shea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will ensure respite services are provided to families in a care centre (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15493/25]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
649. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children of relevant age not attending an ECCE programme in 2023 and 2024; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15494/25]
View answerECCE is a free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. ECCE is a play based learning programme. The programme runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar. ECCE is not mandatory, but is very successful, with an estimated 96% of children in the eligible age rang attending.
The estimated number of eligible children to the ECCE programme is based on Department of Social Protection child benefit data. Not all children attend both years of ECCE. Some parents prefer to start their child in primary school rather than avail of the second year of ECCE. It is estimated the 17% of those eligible to a second year of ECCE are enrolled in primary school based on Department of Education data.
To ensure that all children can access ECCE, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) provides a range of supports which enable children with disabilities to access the ECCE programme. AIM resources do not require a diagnosis and are allocated based on a child’s individual needs.
Aside from this mainstream provision, the Department of Education and Youth provides the following supports:
• Early Intervention preschool classes for children with autism
• Home Tuition Grant Scheme for children who, for specific reasons, are unable to attend preschool
• Early Start, a programme designed to boost educational achievement among disadvantaged children
Parents of eligible ECCE children may choose not to avail of the ECCE programme in favour of one of the Department of Education and Youth pre-school programmes.
For the 2022-23 ECCE programme year there were an estimated 112,848 children eligible for ECCE, with 108,605 enrolling in the programme. For the 2023-24 programme year there was an estimated 110,626 children eligible for ECCE, with 106,661 enrolling in the programme.
An independent review of the ECCE programme was completed last year with the final report published in October. The objective of the review was to establish how the Programme has performed to date and identify any changes to the Programme.
Overall, the review indicated the remarkable success of the ECCE Programme which has transformed early learning experiences and development opportunities for young children in this country.
650. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will address concerns raised in correspondence (details supplied) regarding the children's disability grant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15496/25]
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.
651. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the national LGBTQI+ inclusion strategy II expected to be available to the public, and what her role is in the strategy development; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15550/25]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the development of a range of Equality Strategies including the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028 was approved by the previous Government in October 2024. My officials are working to finalise the first two-year Action Plan (2025-2026), which will accompany the new Strategy. It is anticipated that the Strategy and Action Plan will be launched and published shortly.
As outlined in the 2025 Programme for Government, the Government is committed to implementing the National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II 2024 -2028. The Strategy reflects the determination and commitment of Government Departments and State Agencies to work together to improve the lives of LGBTIQ+ people.
652. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will give consideration to issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to assessments of needs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15555/25]
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.
653. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she can confirm the continuation of the accommodation recognition payment to Ukrainian refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15556/25]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs).
I have recently made an order to extend the scheme for a further year to March 2026 to mirror the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive. This extension provides certainty to Ukrainian people and their hosts that this measure will remain in place until March 2026.
654. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding increase in capital funding for an organisation (details supplied); and the supports in place to help them purchase-lease land given that they may lose their current home [15578/25]
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 to the sector. Core funding increased by 11% to reach €287 million for the second year of the scheme (September 2023 to August 2024) and by a further 15% to €331 million for the current and third year of the scheme (September 2024 to August 2025).
Moreover, as part of the progressive development of the fee management system under Core Funding, the Department introduced new developments to fee management in year 3 of Core Funding.
While the fee freeze remains in place for a majority of services for year 3 of the scheme, in light of concerns about the fee freeze raised by some providers charging low fees, a fee increase assessment process was introduced, whereby services with fees below the average in their county could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level by the Department.
A fee cap was also introduced for services joining Core Funding for the first time - creating a maximum price that can be charged for early learning and childcare, thereby bringing the highest fees charged down. This fee cap will be extended to all services from September 2025
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 Core Funding grant value (incl. Interim Funding and funding guarantee) |
2023/24 Core Funding grant value |
2024/25 estimated Core grant |
|
Service name |
2022/23 Core Funding grant value (incl. Interim Funding and funding guarantee) |
2023/24 Core Funding grant value |
2024/25 estimated Core grant |
|
Community Kindergarten |
€17,209 |
€18,036.20 |
€17,063.80 |
My Department works with Pobal and local Childcare Committee’s to offer Case Management Supports to services in difficulty. Through this process, services may also access Sustainability Funding following an assessment of need. One strand of this funding can support a service with the cost of relocation.
In the first instance City/County Childcare Committee will assist the affected service in trying to source a suitable alternative location. If a suitable alternative location is sourced, the Department will engage with Pobal and the Childcare Committee regarding the service and assist in funding a relocation through the Case Management Process.
I am informed that this service is engaging with their local City/County Childcare Committee on this matter.
655. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria and processes being used to assess the suitability of the former St. Mary’s Secondary School in Ballina for use as an IPAS centre. [15595/25]
View answer656. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the involvement local community groups, residents, local politicians and Mayo Deputies have in relation to the suitability assessment for the former St. Mary's Secondary School in Ballina. [15596/25]
View answer657. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the projected capacity of the former St. Mary’s Secondary School to accommodate international protection applicants. [15597/25]
View answer659. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an impact assessment has been conducted to evaluate the effects of establishing an IPAS centre in the Ballina area of County Mayo; and if the findings will be published. [15599/25]
View answer660. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline any agreements or contractual arrangements made with a developer (details supplied) for the redevelopment and operation of the property as temporary accommodation for international protection applicants. [15600/25]
View answer663. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how his Department is coordinating with Mayo County Council and other relevant authorities to ensure the property meets all necessary standards and regulations for its proposed use. [15603/25]
View answer664. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a timeline for the decision-making process; and if approved, the expected timeline for the opening of the centre. [15604/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 655, 656, 657, 659, 660, 663 and 664 together.
Thank you for your question, Deputy. A response will be provided directly to you in the coming days.
658. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will remove the planning circumvention available to IPAS centres to ensure greater transparency and communication engagement. [15598/25]
View answerThank you for your question, Deputy.
Planning regulations, whatever their purpose, are the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Local Government, and Heritage.
For background information that may be of use to the Deputy, my Department's International Protection and Integration Division is responsible for sourcing and providing accommodation for people applying for International Protection (IP) in Ireland. Demand for accommodation has grown exponentially with a 400% increase in beds provided since mid-2021.
The legal basis for accommodating IP applicants is the Reception Conditions Regulations, which set out the accommodation and other conditions for IP applicants while their claim for international protection is being assessed. The EU Migration Pact, which Ireland opted into in July 2024, will set out the future legal framework in due course.
IP accommodation is provided in a wide range of centres and locations. Currently, most of our accommodation is provided by commercial providers contracted directly by the State. There are over 320 accommodation centres all over Ireland.
The commitment to continue and extend the use of State lands and development of a State-owned portfolio of properties was set out in the Programme for Government 2025.
Since March 2024, a Government strategy for international protection accommodation has been in implementation. Accommodation is being developed and delivered through a range of channels.
A multi-strand approach focuses on both increasing State-owned permanent capacity, and upgrading additional contingency accommodation, developed to specific national standards. This aims to build an effective system that can meet the new realities of increasing need and the upcoming implementation needs of the Migration Pact in 2026.
Because this will take time and our system is demand-led, commissioning emergency commercial accommodation will continue to feature in the short to medium term. This accommodation will be contracted on shorter-term basis and if application numbers drop, can be decommissioned as contracts expire. It is planned that as new State-owned and permanent commercial accommodation comes on stream the use of this emergency accommodation will reduce.
Once sufficient State-owned accommodation has been delivered over the coming years, and emergency accommodation reduced substantially, the Government may, at that point, seek to reduce further the proportion of remaining permanent accommodation delivered by commercial providers and move to a fully or predominately State-owned system.
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.
I trust this information is helpful.
661. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to list the total number of IPAS centres in Mayo. [15601/25]
View answer662. Deputy Paul Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the list of other properties in Mayo that are under consideration or offer to his Department for the provision of asylum accommodation. [15602/25]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 661 and 662 together.
Since 2024, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has not published details of the specific locations of our accommodation centres. This is due to both safety and security concerns, and to protect the privacy of international protection applicants in line with my and my officials' duties under the International Protection Act 2015.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) releases weekly statistics in relation to international protection (IP) applicants. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing and a wide range of other details. These statistics are located on the Gov.ie website: www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/.
In terms of properties from whom my Department has received an offer of accommodation, offers are received on a regular basis, and are subject to detailed appraisal, whose criteria I outline below. Many properties are not accepted for a variety of reasons. These offers are processed by my Department's International Protection Procurement service, and as they are part of a commercial process, it is not appropriate to share details before an offer is appraised or considered suitable.
The contracting of properties as emergency centres is partly dependent on the receipt of offers from external providers, and the Department cannot predetermine their geographical location.
In meeting our obligation to provide material reception conditions to people seeking international protection, the Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards.
Once an offer is received with respect to accommodation for international protection applicants, it is assessed for suitability. This includes a range of factors such as previous use of the property, accommodation suitability, rates, room sizes, capacity and amenities, information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, and various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing.
The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted including checks via the Companies Registration Office to ensure compliance with Companies Registration Office (CRO) requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
Furthermore, all statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of accommodation are met by the service provider, including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements.
Should the Department receive an offer of accommodation for international protection which is deemed suitable, the Community Engagement Team (CET) will provide detailed information in direct engagements with elected representatives in advance of it coming into use.
I trust this information is helpful.
665. Deputy Joe Cooney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of funding provided to each city and county childcare committee in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15609/25]
View answerThere are 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) located nationwide, which are funded by my Department. The core operational funding allocation for City/County Childcare Committees for 2022, 2023 and 2024 is set out in the table below.
In addition to core operational funding, CCCs were provided with funding to support the delivery of a number of specific programmes and initiatives on a per capita and demand led basis. While these funded programmes have changed and developed over the 2022-2024 period, they have included:
• Access and Inclusion
• Equality Diversity and Integration
• The provision of Childminding Development Officers
• National Childminding Action Plan
• Core Funding Supports
• Quality Supports
• The Learner Fund
• Parent and Toddler Grant
• Ukraine Response Supplementary Budget
SOperational funding allocation for City/County Childcare Committees for 2022, 2023 and 2024
666. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of IPAS centres approved in each Gaeltacht, by year for past five years, and by Gaeltacht area; the number of applicants who have resided, or are residing there; and if the Department has done an assessment on the impact on the unique linguistic and cultural identity of those areas. [15636/25]
View answerThank you for your question, Deputy.
Ireland currently provides accommodation to approximately 33,000 people applying for international protection and has also welcomed over 114,000 people from Ukraine since 2022. Our accommodation systems for both groups 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.
As such, the data requested is not collated by my Department for publication, and an assessment of the impact of international protection accommodation procurement on the unique linguistic and cultural identity of Gaeltacht areas has not been carried out.
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. In addition to the Ukraine response, the increase in applications for international protection places a legal duty on the State to accommodate the additional applicants.
Huge efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable longer-term international protection accommodation facilities, in line with the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy.
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.
These include the use of State-owned land for emergency tented, prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties. They will also include the design and building of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
Over the last 2 years, against the backdrop of unique events in Ukraine, increased need, and the acute shortages of accommodation, it has not been possible for my Department to apply specific policies in relation to distribution of accommodation centres.
However, it is a direction which we wish to move toward, as we work toward a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) releases weekly statistics in relation to people seeking international protection (IP), including a per-county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing. These statistics are located on the gov.ie website:
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/
667. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth pursuant to statements by the current Tánaiste that the last hotel in a town or village will not be used to accommodate asylum seekers or refugees, the number of these currently being used for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15637/25]
View answerThank you for your question, Deputy.
Ireland currently provides accommodation to approximately 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.
IPAS provides accommodation at over 320 centres nationwide, and while many are former hotels or guesthouses, my Department does not routinely collate detailed or comprehensive information on the former use of our accommodation centres.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country, and intensive efforts have been 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 not been possible for my Department to apply many specific policies in relation to distribution of accommodation centres.
The agreement to not contract IPAS accommodation in a given town’s only operating hotel was accepted by Government during this period of intense need, and was agreed to on the basis of not removing an important current amenity from public use. This was based on not accepting a new contract that would take a town’s last hotel out of public use for events, holiday or business stays, and day to day use by the town for food, socialising or leisure. While data is not collated formally, this agreement has been widely adhered to on the basis outlined above over the last year or more.
Our Department is working hard toward developing a more stable and sustainable accommodation system in this sector. Huge efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable longer-term international protection accommodation facilities, in line with the Government’s Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy.
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. This involves the use of State-owned land for emergency tented, prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties.
As developing these more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options under this strategy will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term. However, this accommodation will be contracted on a shorter-term basis and if numbers drop can be decommissioned as contracts expire.
I trust this information is helpful.
668. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will outline Tusla’s separation policy in instances where multiple siblings from a family are in State care in separate foster or residential placements; and specifically, if she will detail what steps it takes to ensure that biological siblings in different placements have access to one another, or access to their birth mother or father at the same time as one another; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15642/25]
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.
669. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she will review a case concerning two Palestinian people (details provided) who have been evacuated from Gaza and are in receipt of a family reunification visa as their daughter is an Irish citizen; if she will acknowledge the trauma and terror these elderly people with medical conditions have faced and the fact that they had to leave with no possessions and who now face the prospect of arriving here with no accommodation or access to healthcare; if she will act swiftly and compassionately to provide what they need given the extraordinary circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15645/25]
View answerI regret that as my Department has responsibility for accommodation and reception conditions for people who have applied international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTP) fleeing the war in Ukraine, we do not have details to assist or make a statement in relation to this case.
This question may be more appropriately addressed to my colleague, the Minister for Housing. Local Government, and Heritage.
