Written Answers Nos. 147-162
147. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the sum expended on the provision of international protection applicants who were not successful in gaining leave to remain or status and persons in respect of whom a Deportation Order has been signed, respectively, by IPAS in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023, respectively. [23214/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested is not available. Financial reporting in IPAS does not distinguish between International Protection (IP) applicants based on the status of their applications.
As of 12 May, there are over 30,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole (of whom 7,356 are children) compared with approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022. Together with Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) displaced by the war in Ukraine, this means that Ireland is now accommodating over 102,000 people in state-supported accommodation.The below costs include all accommodation and related costs, including transport, facilities management and other related expenditure. The average cost of accommodating an international protection (IP) applicant in IPAS accommodation in 2023 was €76.80 per night.
Please see, in tabular format, total annual expenditure between 2020 and 2023.
|
Year |
Total Spend |
|
2020 |
€183.215m |
|
2021 |
€190.856m |
|
2022 |
€356.554m |
|
2023 |
€651.713m |
148. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will list the non-governmental organisations or charities supported by his Department that provide emergency humanitarian assistance, including food, medical care, tented accommodation, to IPAS applicants who arrive at the International Protection Office in Lower Mount Street, Dublin; the funding provided to each from 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23219/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) provides accommodation and related services to International Protection (IP) applicants who wish to accept the offer of accommodation from the Irish State. This offering includes full access to public medical services.
Due to a number of well-documented factors, the Department of Integration has not been in a position to offer IPAS accommodation to every IP applicant since 04 December 2023.
All single male IP applicants who present to the International Protection Office (IPO) during this period are assessed by IPAS and HSE staff for vulnerabilities and health issues, and prioritised for accommodation as necessary.
The Department has arrangements in place for the provision of services to assist those who await an offer of accommodation with Mendicity, Crosscare, Capuchin Day Centre and Tiglin at the Lighthouse. The Department is in also in regular contact with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, the Dublin Simon Community, and others, particularly with regard identification of particularly vulnerable individuals.
Drop-in day services are provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week.
Contractual arrangements for IPAS are commercially sensitive.
In relation to service providers contracted by IPAS to provide accommodation services to IP applicants, the information sought by the Deputy is being collated and will issue to your office shortly.
149. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of each time his Department enlisted the services of consultants in 2023 and to-date in 2024; and the purpose and value of each contract, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23241/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra
|
Consultants |
Purpose |
Value |
|
Indecon |
To provide expert support in conducting a Periodic Critical Review of the Adoption Authority of Ireland as required under the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies |
€49,500 |
|
Anthony Douglas Consultancy Ltd |
Contracted for consultancy services related to the establishment of a Guardian ad litem Executive Office. The outputs of the consultancy are the operating model, practice manuals and workforce strategy for the new service |
€108,300 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
The purpose of the contract was to conduct a 'mid-term evaluation' of Ireland's Asylum, Migration and Integration ("AMIF") 2021-2027 programme, as required by Article 44 (5) of Regulation (EU) 1060/2021. |
€59,655 |
|
Aecom |
Development of preliminary documentation, completion of Project Brief, Project Execution Plan and Index of all Site Information for three state owned sites |
€42,972 |
|
Aecom |
Procurement and Project Management of Feasibility and Masterplan developments of three Integration and Reception sites on state owned sites. |
€41,952 |
|
Aecom |
Development of cost plans for Feasibility and Masterplans for each of the three integration and Reception sites on state owned sites. |
€14,250 |
|
Aecom |
Provision of procurement documents for a Project Controls Team (PCT) for the development of three Integration and Reception Sites on state owned sites. |
€19,837 |
|
Aecom |
Development of Procurement Documents for an Integrated Design Team (IDT) for the development of three Integration and Reception sites via a restricted procedure on state owned sites. |
€23,152 |
|
Aecom |
Development of procurement documents for a technical Program Management Services Team for the delivery of Capital Projects under the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy. |
€25,180 |
|
Indecon |
Develop Preliminary and Final Strategic Business Case. Conduct independent reviews of major public capital projects at specified point in the project’s Lifecycle. |
€250,000 |
|
ABK Architects |
Conduct feasibility studies and site evaluations for. Develop design for reception and integration centre. |
€48,840 |
|
Henry J Lyons |
Conduct feasibility studies and site evaluations for. Develop design for reception and integration centre. |
€48,000 |
|
Reddy Architects |
Conduct feasibility studies and site evaluations for. Develop design for reception and integration centre. |
€42,500 |
|
EY Business Advisory Services |
Financial expertise to support the process of negotiations with religious bodies which had a historical involvement with Mother and Baby Institutions. |
€93,734 |
|
IPSOS |
Equality Consultations Service Contract for the upcoming Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Strategy Women and Girls |
€129,211 |
|
FITZPATRICK ASSOCIATES |
National Centre for Research and Remembrance Preliminary Business Case |
€61,807 |
|
Penhouse Design Limited |
Design and Branding Services |
€45,512 |
|
Javelin Advertising Limited |
Design and Branding Services |
€2,564 |
|
Deirdre Fullerton Insights Health and Social Research |
Report Writing |
€5,700 |
|
Ipsos B&A |
Review and investigation of consolidation of two existing indicator sets (The Children and Young People's Indicator set and The National, Children's Wellbeing Indicators used in SONC) for children's wellbeing. Mixed-method, online survey and focus groups among relevant stakeholders. |
€29,380 |
|
Eamon O Boyle Chartered Fire and Safety Engineers |
Fire Safety advice and training |
€3,750 |
|
Eamon O Boyle Chartered Fire and Safety Engineers |
Fire consultancy services |
€2,026 |
|
Bridgecastle Information Management Ltd t/a Castlebridge |
Data protection consultancy |
€55,974 |
|
Trilateral Research Ltd |
Data protection consultancy |
€68,757 |
|
Síle O’Donnell |
Consultation, and design of Designated Person training and materials |
€1,750 |
|
Irish Centre for Diversity |
Consultancy support services for the implementation of an Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Strategy and action plan for the Department, training workshops, delivery and analysis of staff survey and focus groups and report on findings. |
€18,204 |
|
ThinkPeople Consulting |
Management Board and Senior Management Presentations |
€5,544 |
|
Bearing Point |
Learning Needs Analysis Report and Concept note |
€32,256 |
|
RSM |
Financial Governance and Expertise |
€25,000 |
|
Ernst & Young Business Consultants |
Financial and Governance Advice |
€137,000 |
|
Mazars |
Data Security Expertise including Data Protection Support |
€139,000 |
|
Technology Optimization Consultants t/a Optimize |
Project Management/IT Advice |
€139,000 |
|
Mary O' Donovan |
SRFT Evaluation & Negotiation Contact Centre |
€50,000 |
|
Centre for Effective Services |
Review of youth information provision in Ireland |
€122,385 |
|
Sector 3 Solutions |
Evaluation of the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative 2021-2022 |
€47,295 |
|
Centre for Effective Studies |
Study to evaluate implementation of 3 equality strategies– Final instalment-Payment 3 upon completion |
€37,150 |
|
Grainne Healy |
Facilitation of consultations to inform the development of a Successor to the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy. |
49,800 |
|
Mazars |
Review of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021. |
60,600 |
|
The Centre for Effective Services |
Conduct a review of the Children and Young People’s Services Committees initiative |
€119,950 |
|
Sandra Roe Research |
Research services in relation to consultations with children and young people with experience of informal kinship care |
€9,000 |
|
Isiltir Group - Michael & Jillian Van Turnout |
Chairing the Stakeholder Advisory Group for the Care Experiences Project. |
€4,305 |
|
Fire-Cert Ltd |
Fire consultancy |
€7,675 |
|
Fire and Safety Training Sean Waldron |
Fire consultancy |
€55,618 |
150. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the response of his Department to a legal case where a deaf person was effectively refused access to a public service with the assistance of an Irish sign language interpreter (details supplied); his plans to ensure all public bodies comply with their statutory duty to provide users with free Irish sign language interpretation when accessing statutory entitlements and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23291/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Sign Language Act 2017 was signed into law on 24th December 2017 and in December 2020. The Act recognises the right of ISL users to use ISL as their native language, and to develop and preserve it. The Act places a statutory duty on all public bodies to provide ISL users with free interpretation when availing of or seeking to access statutory entitlements and services provided by or under statute.
Implementing the Act requires a whole of government approach and as such all public bodies have obligations to fulfil. In addition, the Act also provides for specific duties and obligations in the areas of legal proceedings, educational provision and broadcasting.
I am committed to the implementation of the ISL Act and would emphasise in particular its importance to the continuous advancement of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Ratified by Ireland in 2018, the UNCRPD articulates a range of economic and social rights, including those related to accessibility. Article 9 in particular notes stipulates that "States Parties shall take appropriate measures to ensure to persons with disabilities access, on an equal basis with others, to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, including information and communications technologies and systems, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public, both in urban and in rural areas."
Where ISL is a crucial facet of accessibility for the d/Deaf community, this will be a consideration under the next National Disability Strategy, committed to in the Programme for Government as a plan for the further implementation of the UNCRPD in Ireland. My Department has made every effort to ensure that the recently closed public consultation process for the next National Disability Strategy was fully accessible to the d/Deaf community, with ISL interpreters present at all stakeholder events, for instance.
As with the ISL Act, the UNCRPD is advanced on the basis of mainstream delivery, meaning that each public body is responsible for its observance in the discharge of their functions. Under the next National Disability Strategy, actions related to the improvement of accessibility will be a matter for whole-of-government consideration, and with each public body responsible for their own obligations.
151. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the current staffing provision, per grade, of psychologists for the north Lee, south Lee, north Cork and west Cork primary care child/adolescent psychology services; and the population size each area serves, in tabular form. [23255/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
152. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health for an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23014/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
153. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health the work his Department is undertaking to improve inpatient access for patients diagnosed with an eating disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23026/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will appreciate, eating disorders are very complex, very individual and can be one of the most serious mental health illnesses.
Historically, there has been a lack of publicly funded services for people with eating disorders in Ireland. This is now changing, with the Model of Care for the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders launched in 2018. Since I have come to Office in July 2020, I have prioritised the roll out of the National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders.
90% of eating disorder services are now delivered within the community which research shows is the most effective treatment. It is recognised that a small number of people, mainly with restrictive eating disorders such as anorexia, will require inpatient care for short periods for stabilisation and refeeding.
The National Clinical Programme for Eating Disorders is being implemented across the country by multidisciplinary teams on a phased basis. There are now 11 teams in place: 6 Adult and 5 CAMHS teams. It takes 12-18 months to set up a multidisciplinary team, led by a Consultant Psychiatrist. While funding to roll out teams has been in place for several years, recruitment during the COVID-19 pandemic was very challenging. Six new teams started in 2023. There are now 100 people working across eating disorder teams, including 80 eating disorder Clinicians with 10 Consultant Psychiatrists. It is my stated intention to continue to deliver expanded services for people with eating disorders, through reaching the planned 16 specialist teams. One additional team of specialist eating disorder Clinicians has been funded under Budget 2024.
In 2023, 385 people had an eating disorder diagnosis. It is important to note that in the same year, 343 people with an eating disorder diagnosis were discharged from specialist services back to their GP.
The HSE works hard to meet the needs of people with eating disorders in the setting most appropriate to their needs, whether that be community eating disorder teams, beds in the public system, specialist beds from private providers (funded by the HSE) or under the Treatment Abroad Scheme. Since 2020, 14 people have availed of the Treatment Abroad Scheme.
Adults who have an eating disorder diagnosis and require inpatient care can be referred to any of the 66 HSE acute in-patient mental health approved centres nationally. I do accept that not all of these approved centres may have the specialist expertise available and in situ as required for all cases. New pathways have been developed between the 6 specialist Adult eating disorder teams and the relevant approved centres in their particular area to provide liaison supports.
Eating disorders affect a relatively young section of the population, with over two-thirds of referrals to the National Clinical Programme last year involving young people under 18. There are currently 20 dedicated eating disorder beds across the four 4 CAMHS in-patient units. At present, there is no waiting list for young people to access these dedicated eating disorder beds.
Following increased demand for services, and recent preliminary Census 2022 data showing an overall increase in population, a review of the Model of Care for Eating Disorders is planned during 2024. The outcome of this review will inform the eating disorder teams’ staffing requirements from 2025 onwards. In addition, a review of bed capacity across all mental health facilities – including adult eating disorder beds – has taken place and is under consideration by the HSE. I am of the opinion that there has to be a geographical focus on adult eating disorder beds.
A dedicated investment in eating disorders continues, and last year the HSE spent €8.1m on eating disorder services, with a further €4.5m spent on specialist treatment through the Treatment Abroad Scheme. In addition, €750,000 has been allocated since 2021 by the Department of Health Women’s Health Fund to provide for consultant medical/paediatric and hospital dietitian sessions.
As part of my continued drive to improve eating disorder services, I recently announced increased funding for an additional adult eating disorder team. This team will be based in CH07, which will cover the area of Kildare/West Wicklow, Dublin West, Dublin South City, and Dublin South West. This will bring the total number of eating disorder teams nationally to 12.
I want to reassure the Deputy that I remain firmly committed to enhancing specialist services for eating disorders, including improved access and shorter waiting lists.
154. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if specialist mental health services for eating disorder patients will be extended to all paediatric hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23027/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
155. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health if the catchment areas for Linn Dara will be extended to accommodate patients with an eating disorder diagnosis across Dublin and nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23028/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
156. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Health if the general scheme of proposed new legislation on raising the legal age for smoking will be published for public consultation and considered by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health. [23039/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI received Cabinet approval on 14 May to draft a Bill to raise the minimum legal age of sale of tobacco products to 21. I intend that this important public health measure will be enacted as soon as possible subject to the standard requirements of the legislative process.
157. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the reason the chiropody service at Shamrock Plaza Carlow has been withdrawn; if he is aware of the negative impact of same especially on diabetics in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23043/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
158. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide specific information on the current status of the pricing and reimbursement application for dostarlimab (jemperli) indicated as monotherapy for the treatment of adult patients with recurrent or advanced endometrial cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23054/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on the pricing and reimbursement of medicines; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
159. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) at Galway University Hospital.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23108/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
160. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health the steps that are being taken to address the scarcity of dentists who accept the medical card scheme which is particularly distressing and detrimental for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23117/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra161. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will consider introducing a refund of dental fees to medical card holders which would allow people to avail of emergency appointments locally, shorten waiting times and support better dental health for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23118/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 161 together.
The Dental Treatment Services Scheme (DTSS) provides dental care, free of charge, to medical card holders aged 16 and over. Services available annually and on demand include an examination including preventative elements, two fillings, extractions, and a scale and polish. More complex care, such as dentures, and a broader range of treatments for patients with additional needs and high-risk patients, are available subject to the approval of the local HSE Principal Dental Surgeon.
The DTSS is a choice-of-dentist scheme which does not require the patient to register with a particular dentist and enables medical card holders to attend any DTSS contractor (a dentist or clinical dental technician) directly without recourse to the HSE. The DTSS is free at point of access for medical card patients, and the contractor submits a claim to the HSE for direct payment for treatment provided under the terms of the contract.
To support practitioners to provide care under the Scheme, I approved and funded a range of measures that were put in place on 1 May 2022 to introduce and reintroduce elements of preventative care and increase the fees paid to dental contractors for most treatment items by 40-60%. In 2023, 154,864 additional treatments were provided under the DTSS, with over 26,700 extra patients treated when compared with 2022.
In the longer term, the Government is committed to reforming oral healthcare services, including the DTSS, through the implementation of the National Oral Health Policy (NOHP), Smile agus Sláinte. The HSE's Strategic Reform Lead is driving policy implementation across the organisation and moving forward with developing new services for both adults and children in line with the Policy. An implementation plan for the first phase of roll-out is being developed between my Department and the HSE, for consultation and then publication in the third quarter of this year.
162. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health to examine an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23127/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
