Written Answers Nos. 1421-1441
1421. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost in 2024 if the budget for the local youth club grant scheme increased by 15%. [38249/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Youth Club Grant Scheme allocation for 2023 is €2.5m. The Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local Education and Training Boards. This scheme supports some 1,400 clubs or groups nationwide. The estimated cost to implement a 15% increase in budget 2024 for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme would be an additional €375,000 in current funding.
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
2023 |
2024 (including 15% increase) |
|
€2,500,000 |
€2,875,000 |
1423. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the procedure for applying to the HSE for an accessory for a HSE allocated wheelchair; and the procedure for replacing a wheelchair accessory allocated by the HSE which has been lost or damaged. [38251/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1424. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capital budget allocation to his Department in 2021, 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [38302/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table below provides details of the capital budget that was allocated to my Department in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023.
|
2021 €m |
2022 €m |
2023 €m |
|
|
DCEDIY Capital Allocation |
32.0 |
68.0 |
124.37 |
In addition, my Department had €4.1m and €3.2m capital carryover to spend in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
1425. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications from counties Cavan and Monaghan for the building blocks improvement grant; and the number of those in each county that were successful, in tabular form. [38374/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has allocated €9m in 2023 for The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) facilities. Grants range from €35,000 to €75,000 across two separate strands: Green Energy and Retrofit. Services that signed up for the Core Funding Scheme were eligible for funding under the scheme.
Overall, 946 services submitted applications, out of a total eligible cohort of 4,200 services, which have signed up to Core Funding. In total, 151 services have been offered funding under the scheme.
I am advised that in total, 18 applications were submitted to the Building Blocks Improvement Grant from providers in County Cavan. Of this number, 3 were successful. A further 17 applications were submitted to the Building Blocks Improvement Grant from providers in County Monaghan. Of this number, 4 were successful.
The table below provides a detailed breakdown of applications from Counties Cavan and Monaghan per strand of the Building Block Improvement Grant for 2023:
|
Strand A Green Energy (Submitted Applications) |
Strand B Retrofit (Submitted Applications) |
Total Submitted Applications |
Strand A (Successful) |
Strand B ( Successful) |
Total Successful Applications |
|
|
Cavan |
4 |
14 |
18 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
11 |
6 |
17 |
4 |
0 |
4 |
1426. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a breakdown of applications, by county, that applied and were not granted funding under the early years' sustainability grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38383/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department oversees a case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committee (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Care (SAC) services experiencing difficulties, and through which Sustainability Funding may be granted should the need arise.
Under the direction of my Department, Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering on-the-ground case management assistance. This can include help for services with analysing their business model which includes completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. We find that many issues are resolved at this point.
However, in some instances, financial supports through Sustainability Funding may be appropriate, in tandem with this case management process. Pobal undertake a detailed financial review of any service wishing to apply for sustainability funding in order to assess their financial eligibility and need for funding. At the conclusion of this process, Pobal decide on the basis of the funding criteria and the information gathered whether or not to recommend sustainability funding. These recommendations come to my Department for decision.
A total of 3 services have been approved for sustainability funding since September 2022. Please see below in tabular form.
|
CCC |
Services approved for Sustainability Funding |
|
Limerick |
1 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Total |
3 |
In 2022, as a new development to the suite of pre-existing supports available, I introduced a further strand of sustainability funding which is available to Core Funding partner services, both community and private, who are experiencing financial difficulty
Aligned to the Department’s Sustainability Funding policy, this new strand of funding focuses on the provision of operational as well as short term financial supports where appropriate, and assists services in managing their immediate financial difficulties, providing advice to support their long-term sustainability, while transitioning to a more sustainable model of service delivery.
Like other pre-existing Sustainability supports there is no open call for applications for this funding. Funding is provided if deemed appropriate in tandem with the Case Management process. Since the commencement of the 2022/2023 programme year, no service has been allocated funding under this new strand.
The Department, Pobal and the CCCs continue to closely monitor trends concerning services entering case management and will continue to maintain the availability of Sustainability Funding for individual services at risk.
9 services were considered for this new Strand of funding but were deemed ineligible by the relevant CCC (7) or Pobal (2). Please see below in tabular form.
|
CCC |
|
|
CCC |
No. of services in case management deemed ineligible for Sustainability Funding |
|
Dublin City |
1* |
|
Louth |
4 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
3 |
|
Total |
9 |
* Please note this service was supported via the case management process, on two separate occasions to submit a Service Provider Declaration and associated supporting financial information in relation to SF S12.
It should be noted that while these services did not meet the eligibility requirements for Sustainability Funding, all ineligible services can continue to avail of the aforementioned operational supports through the Case Management Process should they choose to. If a services circumstances change, they may be re-assessed for Sustainability Funding and can seek this through their CCC.
If any service has viability concerns, I would encourage them to reach out to their local CCC to start availing of supports through the aforementioned case management process.
1427. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of ELC and SAC services in County Carlow that applied and were not granted funding under the sustainability grant. [38384/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department oversees a case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committee (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Care (SAC) services experiencing difficulties, and through which Sustainability Funding may be granted should the need arise.
Under the direction of my Department, Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering on-the-ground case management assistance. This can include help for services with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
In some instances, financial supports through Sustainability Funding may be appropriate, in tandem with this case management process. Pobal undertake a detailed financial review of any service wishing to apply for sustainability funding in order to assess their financial eligibility and need for funding. At the conclusion of this process, Pobal decide on the basis of the funding criteria and the information gathered whether or not to recommend sustainability funding. These recommendations come to my Department for decision.
In 2022, I introduced a new strand of Sustainability Funding to ensure that Partner Services, whether community or private, would remain sustainable with the introduction of the new funding model, which includes public management requirements, like the fee freeze.
The number of service providers in County Carlow that engaged in case management and were considered for sustainability funding since September 2022 but were not granted funding was nil.
Note that 2022 Fire Safety Sustainability Grant details are excluded as it was targeted/application based capital funding.
If any service has viability concerns, I would encourage them to reach out to their local CCC to start availing of supports through the aforementioned case management process.
(Information supplied from Pobal - September 2022 to 1 September 2023).
1428. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the interdepartmental group will publish its proposed referenda wording in relation to Article 40.1, Article 41.2 and Article 41.3 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38385/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 8 March 2023, the Taoiseach and I announced that a referendum will be held to amend the Constitution as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality.
An Inter-Departmental Group (IDG), involving all Government Departments and chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, was subsequently established to further examine and advance these recommendations. The work of the IDG is well advanced and policy proposals, to include Heads of Bills, will be brought forward to Government for decision. It is important to clarify that decisions on the wording of any proposed Constitutional amendments and the publication of any related draft legislation are a matter for Government, which is supported in its work by the IDG.
1429. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the parents of a child in Donegal (details supplied) can expect to receive services and support for their autistic child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38407/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1430. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children aged between 0-8 years old who were diagnosed with autism in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38440/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1431. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE speech and language therapists and occupational therapists in Dunshaughlin and Navan children's disability network teams in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [38441/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1432. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the concerns of a parent (details supplied) will be communicated to the HSE and ensure that assistance is provided to their child when travelling to and from a centre. [38473/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1433. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase core funding for childcare considering that year 2 of core funding falls short of requirements resulting in increased parental fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38501/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore Funding, introduced in September 2022, is designed to meet the combined objectives of:
• Improved affordability for parents by ensuring that fees do not increase;
• Improved quality for children through better pay and conditions for the workforce by supporting agreement on an Employment Regulation Order through the Joint Labour Committee and supporting the employment of graduate staff; and
• Improved sustainability and stability for services.
Core Funding is paid directly to providers and operates alongside the early learning and childcare subsidies - National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. It constitutes additional income for providers on top of funding for these schemes, as well as income from parental fees.
Core Funding in year 1 (September 2022-August 2023) resulted in a €259 million increase in public investment in the sector. For year 2 of the scheme (September 2023-August 2024), the Core Funding budget will increase by 11% to reach €287 million.
These levels of Core Funding in the sector are such, that even substantial increases in the total cost base related to both pay and non-pay costs, can be absorbed by services participating in Core Funding. This therefore, maintains the conditions necessary for the ongoing implementation of fee management in a sustainable manner.
In year one and year two of Core Funding, fee management is effectively a fee freeze, where providers cannot increase the fees charged from September 2021.
Participation in Core Funding is optional but it is open to all providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding, including the fee freeze.
While it is my ambition to have as high take-up as possible, a small proportion of early learning and childcare services – 5% overall - chose not to join Core Funding in Year 1. Specifically in Year 1, 98% of not-for-profit services signed up and 93% of private for profit services signed up. Applications for Year 2 of Core Funding remain open.
I do not want any services to be faced with financial sustainability issues and I am fully committed to working with any such service to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good. There are supports, financial and otherwise, available to services who need them.
In addition to Core Funding, Sustainability funding is available to services participating in Core Funding that are experiencing financial difficulty. Services experiencing financial difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route.
Services are encouraged to avail of these supports as an alternative to not participating in Core Funding and removing the benefit of the fee freeze to parents.
Further increases to Core Funding for year 3 (September 2024-August 2025) will be considered in the context of the upcoming estimates process, with data from validated financial returns, expected later this year, to underpin future developments in fee management.
1434. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will arrange for the relocation on humanitarian grounds of two Ukrainian citizens in State-funded accommodation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38503/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to assist over 92,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine that have been granted temporary protection, approximately 80% of whom have sought accommodation from this Department.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 49,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 800 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the war in safe and secure accommodation.
The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by this Department is temporary in its nature, and given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families. In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
Where medical issues are raised, my Department works with the HSE on the basis of a protocol which sets out the priority cases for medical moves.
All requests to relocate on medical grounds must be sent to my Department at UkraineTempAccom@equality.gov.ie.
1435. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the proposals by an organisation (details supplied); his views in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38516/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe correspondence under reference raises matters which are the policy responsibility of a number of Departments. I will focus on the issue of accommodation. As at 06 September 2023, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is providing accommodation to 23,185 people.
The pace of arrivals of international protection applicants continues to be high, with over 7,100 persons arriving in the first thirty-six weeks of 2023.
While 170 new emergency accommodation centres have been opened since 1 January 2022, and while IPAS has brought accommodation on-stream in a range of repurposed buildings and facilities, arrivals have consistently run ahead of available capacity.
As regards to persons with status in IPAS accommodation, those who have been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals, including to rent a room schemes. The tools of Homeless HAP are available to those with status in IPAS accommodation once the Local Authority has assessed them as eligible for such.
There are a number of supports available to persons with status to assist in accessing housing in the community when leaving accommodation centres. The Department has a specific team in IPAS who work in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the County and City Management Association to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to access housing options.
An initial paper with some options and recommendations was brought to the White Paper Programme Board for their input and feedback. A sub-group of the Programme Board was established, to focus on developing further the set of recommendations and proposals. An interim report from this sub-group has now been received by the Department. As indicated, the External Advisory Group has also provided a paper with observations and recommendations for consideration.
A revised implementation approach is being developed to take account of the impact of the war in Ukraine and of the significant increase in IPA arrivals which is greatly in excess of the assumptions underpinning the Catherine Day Advisory Group report.
Policy on rent a room schemes and those who are eligible to access homeless services is a matter for the Department of Housing.
In 2021, the Daily Expense Allowance was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children (from €19.10 for an adult and €9.60 for children). Any further increase of this allowance would be subject to budgetary provisions.
After six months, international protection applicants are eligible to access the labour market if they have not received a first instance decision on their application.
Labour market access was introduced in June 2018 for all applicants who have not had a first decision on their claim within 9 months. In January 2021 a new measure was introduced allowing applicants to access the labour market 6 months after they make their application, and extending their permission to work to 12 months (up from 6 months). Any further questions on Labour Market Access should be directed to Department of Justice.
My Department is working intensively to respond to the current demand for accommodation for international protection applicant arrivals and will continue to prioritise the implementation of the reforms set out in the White Paper.
1436. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is considering the measures proposed by an organisation (details supplied) with regard to direct provision and asylum seekers in Budget 24; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38517/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile an application for international protection is being examined by the International Protection Office, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to international protection applicants (IPAs) who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State.
This offering includes food and utilities while the person is an IPA. Access to public medical services is provided and a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person. In 2021, this was increased to €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children.
After six months in Ireland, IPAs are eligible to work if they have not received a first instance decision on their application.
In some cases, where a resident is experiencing undue hardship, they may also be entitled to an Additional Needs Payment. Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance which is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the Department of Social Protection. An Additional Needs Payment application is reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO) who makes a decision based on the individual's circumstances. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.
The issue of income supports for international protection applicant children is currently under consideration in the reform process underway within the framework of the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service.
At present, the funding of IPAS accommodation and ancillary services, are met solely by the Exchequer. Any increase in payments will be considered under the budgetary process.
1437. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of 18-25-year-olds, per county that have been granted leave to remain that are currently residing in a direct provision centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38526/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra1438. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of 18-30-year-olds, per county, that have been granted leave to remain that are currently residing in a direct provision centre, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38527/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1437 and 1438 together.
A response will issue to the Deputy in respect of the correspondence cited in the coming days.
1439. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of CHO7 funding by local team level for disability services. [38555/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1440. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within his Department; if any section of his Department currently makes use of A.I., and if he will outline the purposes it is utilised for and costs associated with same; and if he has consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I. [38561/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) has not taken advice in respect of the use of artificial intelligence (A.I.) within the Department; DCEDIY is currently in the process of upgrading its suite of standard office productivity tools to the latest version of these applications, which are based on the Microsoft 365 platform. This platform includes additional business intelligence, process automation, app development, and app connectivity products that we avail of to develop line of business solutions for the Department. The underlying technology for this platform includes services that are labelled as A.I.. DCEDIY does not generate any content using A.I. and does not use A.I. for decision making. DCEDIY does not have any specific costs associated with A.I.; DCEDIY has not consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I.. DCEDIY is guided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and by the National Cyber Security Centre on ICT policy and security matters.
1441. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth given that a number of early years service and creche closures is due to retirement, if he will commission a task force to deal with this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38581/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is considerable diversity in the reasons given for closure by providers. While some services have closed due to retirement, many have closed for other reasons. So far in 2023, 10 ELC services and no standalone SAC services have listed retirement as the reason for closure. The data on reasons for closure so far in 2023 can be seen in the tables below.
It is important to note with this data that the reasons given for closures are all ‘self-declared’ by the provider and collated from the cessations forms they submitted to Tusla. This information is not formally verified by Tusla. Providers may list more than one reason for closure, which explains why the number of reasons given does not match to the number of closures.
|
ELC Reasons for Closure |
Number of Services |
|
No reason Given |
13 |
|
Personal Reasons |
6 |
|
Not financially viable |
14 |
|
Rental Agreement Expired |
7 |
|
School Room Taken Back |
2 |
|
Business moving premises |
1 |
|
Unable to attain fire safety compliance |
2 |
|
Reduction in child numbers |
9 |
|
Retirement |
10 |
|
Building conditions |
1 |
|
Temporary closure |
1 |
|
Unable to source staff |
7 |
|
Total |
73 |
|
Standalone SAC Reasons for Closure |
Number of Services |
|
No reason Given |
13 |
|
Personal reasons |
2 |
|
Not financially viable |
4 |
|
Rental Agreement Expired |
1 |
|
School Room Taken Back |
1 |
|
Reduction in child numbers |
3 |
|
Business ceased |
1 |
|
Covid 19 |
1 |
|
Building Conditions |
1 |
|
Unable to source staff |
1 |
|
Total |
28 |
The State does not employ staff in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services, and as a result neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. For this reason, I am not planning on commissioning a task force. However, I am committed to addressing challenges which may impact on the recruitment and retention of staff in the sector.
In line with commitments in First 5, in December 2021, I launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC), 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in ELC and SAC. The Plan includes specific actions for moving to a graduate-led ELC workforce by 2028, establishing a career framework for staff working in the ELC and SAC sector, including role profiles and qualification requirements, and the strengthening of career pathways. Nurturing Skills also includes actions to support the recruitment and retention of staff with the necessary qualifications, and ongoing staff training and development, to create a workforce which feels valued and is motivated to deliver the best possible service to children.
