Written Answers Nos. 44-64
44. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department is actively taking to assist an organisation (details supplied) regarding its staffing crisis at present, which has resulted in day services being stopped for service users. [19492/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the staffing issues the IWA is facing, which are reflective of challenges affecting the wider health and social care sector, and impacting on the ability of the HSE and other providers like the IWA to deliver services.
Due to the sudden and unplanned extended leave of key staff members, IWA Cavan found itself in a position where it could not safely continue to provide full services within its centre. IWA Cavan implemented a contingency plan to provide community outreach support to service users on a temporary basis.
The HSE is supporting the continuing efforts of IWA Cavan to recruit additional personnel to fill vacant positions, including the use of specialist recruitment agencies and extending the search into Northern Ireland. Further interviews were held last week, with more scheduled this month, and the IWA has advised that 2 of an initial 4 successful candidates have accepted job offers. The new staff are currently in the on-boarding phase. Their proposed start date of 1st July 2024 will facilitate a graduated return to on site day services with the number of days increasing with further successful recruitment. The use of agency staff as a short-term measure is also being explored.
I appreciate the frustration faced by service users and their families, and I am assured that all possible avenues are being exhausted in order to fill the vacant posts with appropriate staff as quickly as possible.
It is important to note that Section 39 providers, such as the IWA, are not public bodies. These organisations are independently operated. Their terms and conditions of employment, once in line with employment legislation, are strictly between the IWA and its employees. Notwithstanding this point, it is accepted that the ability to determine pay and conditions for staff is highly dependent on State funding.
To support organisations like the IWA to recruit and retain staff, the Department and its agencies engaged with a Workplace Relations Commission process with unions representing staff in Section 39 disability organisations, as well as other providers. This engagement led to the agreement of an 8% pay increase last October, which is a significant uplift in the funding available to the IWA and many others.
A preliminary payment was made to the IWA in early February 2024. The IWA’s subsequent application to the HSE was approved and the organisation will benefit from an additional €4.9m to facilitate staff pay increases across the organisation. This increased funding encompasses pay cost increases for staff in IWA Cavan and other locations.
46. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans his Department has made to deal with the emergence of the presence of defective blocks in a building (details supplied) in Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26028/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra49. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the assistance his Department can provide for a service (details supplied) in County Donegal that faces closure due to the presence of defective concrete blocks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26027/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans Government has made to deal with the possible closure of a community childcare facility (details supplied) in County Donegal due the presence of defective blocks in its building; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26030/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 46, 49 and 55 together.
I have been informed by officials within my Department that Pobal and Donegal Childcare Committee are in communication with Ardara Community Childcare regarding the issue of defective blocks.
My Department works with Pobal and local Childcare Committees to offer Case Management support 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 Donegal Childcare Committee will assist this service in trying to source a suitable alternative location. If a suitable alternative location is sourced, my Department will engage with Pobal and the Childcare Committee regarding the service and assist in funding a relocation through the Case Management and Sustainability process.
My Department will continue to engage with Pobal, local Childcare Committees, and services in order to support services who have been affected by mica. This is a unique situation, and each service will need to be supported on an individual basis.
47. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary No. 84 of 30 April 2024, if the negotiation process between the expert negotiator and religious orders with regard to the mother and baby institutions redress scheme has been completed to-date; if he has received any updates or interim reports during the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26066/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe negotiation process is ongoing and it is important that it is given the time it requires.
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and religious bodies, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes all relevant parties have a collective responsibility to respond to the legacy of these institutions.
In May 2023 the Government approved my proposal to appoint Ms Sheila Nunan. Ms Nunan was appointed to act on my behalf in leading negotiations with religious bodies which had a historical involvement with Mother and Baby Institutions. This is with a view to securing a financial contribution towards the cost of the Payment Scheme and it followed on from a series of meetings that I myself held with the bodies.
Both my departmental officials and I are committed to supporting Ms Nunan in her work. As part of this, I have procured financial experts to support Ms Nunan in her negotiations. This expertise from EY is in place since 15th November 2023 and is on-going. The EY task is to provide an independent financial assessment of the resources of each organisation involved.
While I cannot specify a date on which the process will conclude, I would anticipate that this process will conclude within the coming months. I have not received any interim report or updates and these negotiations, while ongoing, are being treated as confidential. A full report will be provided to Government once the negotiations are concluded.
Questions Nos. 50 and 51 answered orally.
52. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he and his Department have mapped the existence of youth focused community projects and staff across the State; if they are aware of gaps in coverage or large and populous areas without or with inadequately resourced projects; and if so, how they intend to resolve this. [20945/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the need for improved data in respect of the distribution of youth work services across the State and this is an area of priority for my officials. A mapping process is currently underway which aims to capture all youth services, both youth worker led and volunteer led.
The first stage of the mapping project to map the 252 projects funded through the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme, which provides targeted youth services to young people who are disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable, is being finalised. The mapping project has now been expanded to include the mapping of youth work services funded through other schemes, including the Youth Services Grant Scheme and the local youth club grant scheme.
This mapping exercise will help to identify gaps in youth service provision and enable my Department and stakeholders to develop proposals to expand youth service provision where necessary. The mapping exercise will also provide information to young people, their parents and teachers on youth services which are available in their communities.
From 2020 to Budget 2024, Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes increased from €61.8 million to €77.95 million, a 26% increase overall.
The funding made available for capital investment in youth services under the National Development Plan for the period 2021- 2023 was €3 million in 2021, €2.7 million in 2022 and a further €2.7 million in 2023. This funding supported small grants which enabled the purchase of essential equipment and the completion of minor works.
My Department is currently carrying out a mapping exercise of youth services sector, which will map out the premises currently used for youth services and help to identify gaps and shortfalls in the availability of spaces for youth services. This analysis is necessary to enable the Department to determine how best to direct capital funding over the period ahead.
56. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of asylum seekers who have not been provided with accommodation by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26080/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland, and many other European countries, are experiencing a significant increase in people seeking International Protection (IP). The arrival numbers remain significantly elevated. In the first 23 weeks of 2024, over 9,000 people have arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, averaging 394 people per week. This is more than five times the average from 2017-2019. The highest weekly applications in 2024 was over 610 applicants.
My Department is currently accommodating over 31,000 International Protection (IP) applicants (of whom 7,758 are children).
Despite intensive efforts by my Department to source emergency accommodation, my Department is currently providing contingency material reception conditions in the form of an expense allowance of €113.80 per week to some International Protection (IP) applicants due to the severe shortage of accommodation. This is an increase of €75 per week from the standard expenses allowance of €38.80 for IP applicants in accommodation.
Drop-in day services are provided to all non-accommodated persons who wish to avail of them. Through these services, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week.
My Department officials are working to bring more bed spaces into use. The Department is presently utilising a wide range of accommodation options to provide shelter to record numbers of IP applicants.
57. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that adequate support exists for all children insofar as is possible who might be subjected to a threat from any quarter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26052/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, statutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla and An Garda Síochána are the two agencies in the state with statutory responsibility for assessing (Tusla) and investigating (An Garda Síochána) allegations of child abuse and promoting the safety and welfare of children.
Both Tusla and An Garda Síochána carry out their responsibilities under a suite of child protection legislation including the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012-2016 and the Children First Act 2015.
The Children First Act, which was fully commenced in December 2017, provides for a number of key child protection measures, including improving child protection arrangements in organisations providing services to children and placing a legal obligation on certain categories of people to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to Tusla.
Tusla has statutory responsibility to assess all reports of child protection concerns and take the necessary action to protect children. If Tusla suspects that a crime has been committed, it will formally notify the Gardaí without delay.
In 2021 Tusla implemented its Child Exploitation Procedure in partnership with An Garda Síochána, which provides Tusla staff and carers with information on how to recognise indicators of child sexual exploitation, how to make appropriate referrals and how to respond to cases where children may be at risk of sexual exploitation.
Tusla has had a Principal Social Worker seconded to the Garda National Protective Service Bureau for a number of years. Their role is to provide social work specialist support to the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), including child protection related knowledge and expertise. The role includes supporting GNPSB around notifications received related to children in care and also in the community, including around issues of notifications of Child sexual exploitation.
The Joint Working Protocol between Tusla and An Garda Síochána forms a critical part of the response to child abuse and neglect, and particularly in relation to child sexual exploitation. There are regular meetings by Tusla local area and also by Tusla’s national children’s residential service with An Garda Síochána in respect of child sexual exploitation referrals. The Joint Protocol is currently being reviewed and updated.
There are many child welfare and protection measures in place to help protect children and young people and there is ongoing collaboration between my Department, Tusla and An Garda Síochána including reviews and updating of relevant procedures and protocols.
58. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of young people who are 16 years-of-age and over who are awaiting on their individual family support plan to be confirmed for transitioning to adult services for the years 2023 and 2024 to date in the HSE south west region; the number of young people over the age of 16 years and their families are awaiting HSE referrals to adult services in the HSE south west region for the years 2023 and 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26065/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdult day services are HSE funded programmes to provide day service supports to people, age 18 and over, with intellectual disabilities, autism, or people with complex physical disabilities. These services are demand led and the number of new places in any year reflects the number of applications from young people leaving school.
The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers by the end of May to confirm placements to young people and their families. In many instances young people due to leave school at end of June are introduced to their day services for trialing purposes during April, May and June so there is a natural transition into day services in September.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
59. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently awaiting a CDNT appointment in Cork, by CDNT, in tabular form. [25826/24]
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.
60. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will abolish childcare fees in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26084/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraVarious schemes under the funding model for early learning and childcare work to ensure children can access early learning and childcare at no or at significantly reduced out of pocket costs to families.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, is available free of charge to all children for up to two years before starting primary school. 96% of children take part.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements this programme, providing subsidies to reduce costs to parents for children to participate in early learning and childcare. The Scheme combines universal and income-assessed subsidies.
For some families, the NCS provides free access to early learning and childcare. In particular, the Scheme includes arrangements for specified target groups to receive free access, where referred by a sponsor body.
A review of the Scheme, published in 2021, found that over half of families in disadvantaged areas receiving support under the Scheme had over 50% of their costs covered.
A study of childcare costs by the OECD, published in 2022, covering the same period of the review found that the reforms of childcare support in Ireland provided significantly higher benefits to low-income families, driving the net childcare costs for low-income lone parents close to zero.
Following on from these reports, a number of enhancements were made to this Scheme:
Removing of the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours.
Extending the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15.
Increasing the minimum hourly subsidy available under the NCS from 50 cent per to €1.40.
This rate will rise further to €2.14 per hour in September 2024 alongside increases in the sponsor rates from children over 1.
The fee freeze in place among 94% of all services – supported through Core Funding – ensures parents are benefitting from these changes.
In Q3 of 2024, my Department will begin an evaluation of the NCS which will identify further improvements that can be made to the Scheme.
61. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider recognising a facility (details supplied) as a family resource centre. [25724/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre Programme, which currently supports 121 Family Resource Centres throughout the country. At present, there are no plans to expand membership of the Programme. The commissioning of Family Resource Centres is an operational matter for Tusla, and subject to availability of funding. I am aware that Aiseanna na hÓige has expressed an interest in applying for Family Resource Centre status.
The Deputy may be aware that I recently brought forward a funding equalisation scheme for existing Family Resource Centres, which will ensure all Family Resource Centre Programme members will be in receipt of a minimum core funding level of €160,000 from 2025 onwards. This funding will support the pivotal role Family Resource Centres play in so many communities across the country by providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.
It is my intention to seek funding in Budget 2025 to increase the numbers of Family Resource Centres. Any expansion of the Programme will however, be dependent on the success of my Budget negotiations.
Organisations that wish to join the Family Resource Centre Programme are advised to contact Tusla in the first instance to highlight their interest in the Programme. In this context, I note that Aiseanna na hÓige have contacted Tusla making the case for the establishment of a Family Resource Centre. As you will appreciate, the Tusla National Commissioning Office receive frequent requests to become members of the Family Resource Centre Programme from organisations in various parts of the country. In the event the Family Resource Centre Programme is expanded, a transparent process will be established to ensure all applications are treated equitably. The Tusla Area Commissioning Plan will be a critical contribution to the decision-making process. Tusla’s aim is to utilise the total resources available to it in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children, young people, and families.
62. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the return of therapists to special schools. [25827/24]
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.
63. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has initiated drafting of legislation for a childcare development agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26055/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant progress has been made in advancing plans for a dedicated state agency for early learning childcare. It is envisaged that this agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the 30 City/County Childcare Committees, as well as operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.
A Programme Oversight Board has been established for the agency and is tasked with overseeing the analysis and design phase of the programme. This Board will ensure that proposals for a new agency are based on offering the best possible service to children and their families, educators and practitioners and service providers while ensuring value for money.
My Department is currently engaging with independent consultants who have been contracted to carry out a phase of research, analysis and stakeholder engagement to inform the design of the agency. This work, which is expected to take 18-24 months, is currently focused on information gathering, analysis and an initial design phase to take place throughout 2024 and 2025. A second phase relates to a more in-depth design and costing exercise to take place from 2025 and is scheduled to take 6-9 months. The work will culminate in a costed agency design, including the remit, organisational structure and service delivery model, which will be presented to Government for approval. It is envisaged that drafting of the enacting legislation will overlap with this detailed costing and design phase.
My Department is committed to ongoing consultation with all stakeholders throughout the design process. In that regard, a series of stakeholder consultation sessions have already been held with key stakeholders and valuable input has been received as part of a collaborative co-design process to develop a vision, mission and values for the agency. A report has been compiled from these consultations and has been circulated to participating stakeholders. A further series of stakeholder consultations ran over May and June linked to functions of the agency and consultations will continue throughout the lifetime of this programme.
64. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary No. 119 of 30 April 2024, the status of the research jointly funded by his Department and Tusla into the area of organisational and institutional abuse of children, including children placed in residential care settings; the expected timeline for the research to be completed; the details of the external researcher commissioned to carry out the research; if he has received any updates or interim reports to-date from the researcher; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26067/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) continue to take the issue of potential Child Sexual Exploitation very seriously and are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care, including working with An Garda Síochána as required.
I can confirm that following a successful research tendering process Quality Matters have been awarded the research contract, which as previously advised is jointly commissioned by Tusla and DCEDIY.
The aim of the research is to generate a robust evidence base to inform Tusla’s policy and practice developments and to assist in it’s deliberations and decision making about how Tusla responds to and intervenes in the institutional, organisational, and organised abuse of children and young people.
The researchers are currently undertaking the Literature Review work and it is expected that a draft of the research findings will be available to the Working Group in Autumn 2024.
