Written Answers Nos. 364-384
364. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 598 of 5 March 2024, if additional occupational therapy services have been allocated to a child (details supplied); if further additional occupational therapy hours can be delivered as a matter of priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27903/24]
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.
365. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the assessment of needs process of a child (details supplied); and the reason this is taking so long. [27925/24]
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.
366. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine the case of a child (details supplied) needing urgent care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27930/24]
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.
367. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of report compliance concerns in relation to providers of temporary accommodation for Ukrainians benefitting from temporary protection or international applicants; the number of reviews carried out since June 2023; the details on the number and type of compliance issues, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27931/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not collate the data in the manner requested by the Deputy.
My Department oversees contractual compliance of its Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) accommodation portfolio through proactive and reactive inspections. Often investigations are initiated by investigating complaints my Department receives through its dedicated Ukraine ticketing system, from external partners such as the Local Authorities and NGOs, and through the work of its Compliance Team.
Investigations by the Compliance Team may result in a termination of a contract but in many cases issues can be addressed and rectified. Issues range from minor property concerns (e.g. repairs needed) to complaints regarding food quality, and also those which cannot be regularised and relate to more serious matters, such as overcharging, the use of secondary properties, health and safety and other concerns. It is the latter group that are prioritised for termination. Other contracts have and will be terminated for consolidation and administrative purposes and to address value for money concerns. Providers can also terminate contracts with my Department, as is permitted in their contractual terms.
Since the Compliance Team was established in June 2023, 255 providers have been investigated for compliance concerns which vary in nature. In this period, 69 providers with 125 properties between them have been terminated for compliance reasons and 57 providers have been regularised with compliance concerns addressed.
Approximately 6,500 BOTPs are associated with properties that have been reviewed by the Compliance Team, with moves resulting for 3,800 people. The number of providers on the DCEDIY compliance list changes weekly, and as stated not all of these will require termination.
IP
Regular inspections on International Protection accommodation are conducted after the award of contracts to check if compliance with contractual standards are continuously met. These inspections focus on, but are not limited to, assessing living conditions, facilities and the overall compliance with health and safety, and legal regularity standards. Inspections include both scheduled and unannounced visits.
International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are currently subject to regular unannounced inspections by both my officials and by an independent inspection company. The aim is that these inspections are undertaken twice yearly by officials in IPAS and once yearly by the independent inspectorate company. This target has not been consistently met to date, however, additional resources are continuing to be applied in an effort to reach these targets.
There have been 224 Inspections carried out on centres accommodating International Protection applicants from January 2023 to date; this consists of 105 inspections in 2023, and 119 from January 2024 to present.
Following an inspection, a report is sent to the Accommodation Provider outlining all issues deemed to fall short of their contractual obligations for review. Any follow-up or corrective actions required by my Department are listed in the inspection report, and the provider is required to respond to the report within 14 days, showing how all requested actions will be undertaken as per contractual obligations within an agreed time period. Inspectors conduct follow-ups depending on the type of issues identified during the site inspection. Documentary proof of evidence of improvements is requested for my Department’s consideration. Contractual clauses relating to the remedies open to my Department for non-adherence to contractual obligations are applied as necessary.
Details of IPAS Inspection Reports are published by my Department and can be found on gov.ie www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/
368. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any financial penalties have been or can be issued where the provider of temporary accommodation for Ukrainians benefitting from temporary protection or international applicants have not met the required contractual standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27932/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo date no accommodation provider for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have received a financial penalty. Where there is non-compliance identified, a provider is prioritised for return inspections to see that the issues identified have been rectified or addressed. If still non-compliant, ultimately, the sanction is that my Department terminates the contract.
The contractual provisions allow my Department to terminate contracts at one month’s notice. When an accommodation contract is being terminated, the accommodation provider is notified by letter that their property will no longer form part of my Department's BOTP accommodation portfolio, starting the one-month notice period.
In relation to accommodation providers for International Protection (IPs) applicants, if a provider is deemed not to have met the required contractual standards, a percentage of daily costs under the price per resident per day may be withheld from payments to that provider. If the relevant issue is not resolved within two months, my Department may terminate the contract once the appropriate notice period is given.
369. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, through the recently announced relocation of Ukrainians benefitting from temporary protection he will prioritise the return of active hotel beds to local areas and economies; how this will be balanced against other criteria for ending contracts recently outlined by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27933/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland. As this is a temporary support, there is an onus on my Department to ensure that its portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.
I am grateful for the role that the tourism sector has played so far in accommodating BOTPs, but I am aware that this is not sustainable over the longer term. Due to this, the Government has agreed that a move from an emergency response to a more mainstreamed approach is appropriate, including through a reduced reliance on serviced accommodation, along with the development of other sources of accommodation such as refurbished properties, rapid builds and modular accommodation as part of the all of Government response to this humanitarian crisis, and the unprecedented numbers of people seeking asylum and refuge in Ireland.
In recent months we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland, decreases in those arriving who request accommodation from the State and greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from State accommodation. As a result, my Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its BOTP accommodation portfolio to ensure value for money and greater oversight.
My Department is making decisions to end commercial contracts in accordance with contractual terms and conditions agreed with providers, on the basis of financial, administrative, other accommodation management reasons or at the request of the accommodation provider. Officials are currently focusing on providers that are in breach of contractual terms.
Tourism properties such as hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses will be among those that are terminated by my Department as part of the consolidation exercise. These providers would be free to return to tourism operations after the BOTPs residing there have been relocated.
370. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his officials will meet with a group (details supplied) and review the process for discharge of courts to make it easier for people to transition to the decision support group. [27936/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 26 of April 2023 I commenced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, along with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022. Commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making Act brought an end to wardship in the State for adults, by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new process for appointing tiered decision support arrangements that is now in effect. All existing wards of court will exit wardship on a phased basis over three years starting from 26th April 2023.
My Department has engaged with the Decision Support Service (DSS), Legal Aid Board and Office of Wards of Court regarding the discharge of wards. My Department continues to chair an Interdepartmental Steering Group on Assisted Decision-Making which has also discussed the process of discharge from wardship and is monitoring the transition to the new support model.
While the abolition of wardship and the move towards a rights-based model of tiered supports is a landmark legal reform in how Ireland approaches persons with capacity difficulties, it also necessitates change and reform on a significant scale that requires an adjustment and transition process. In order to support persons transitioning from one system to another, and in particular to facilitate the discharge of wards, a number of supports are available, principally via engagement with the DSS or the Office of the Wards of Court. There have been a number of targeted actions undertaken, detailed below.
The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 as amended by the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Amendment Act 2022, provides for legal aid provisions in respect of applications from discharge from wardship. Where the applicant for legal services is a Ward of Court, the Ward has an entitlement to legal aid in the application for discharge from wardship even if they do not satisfy the financial eligibility criteria provided for in the Civil Legal Aid Regulations 1996 – 2021. This is subject to potential recovery of costs where means exceed a certain threshold. Legal aid is also available in certain other circumstances related to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act, and more information is available on the Legal Aid Board website.
The DSS has collaborated with colleagues in the Office of Wards of Court and the Office of the General Solicitor to provide information and assistance for the benefit of wards, their families and committees and for professionals. This has been to provide information about post wardship supports and potential future engagement with the DSS post-wardship.
The DSS may be contacted directly for information regarding the process for discharge of courts and they endeavour to respond to all queries relating to applications made under the 2015 Act. As part of its statutory functions to promote awareness and understanding about the 2015 Act generally, the DSS has also published information on its website at www.decisionsupportservice.ie/ about what the 2015 Act means for wards of court with links to other useful resources. They can be further contacted at 01-2119750 or by email at queries@decisionsupportservice.ie.
Alongside this my officials are available to engage with the group referenced by the Deputy.
My Department will continue to work with all relevant organisations on the timely discharge of wards of court, and to facilitate the transition from wardship to the new rights based models of support.
371. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27956/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
372. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will urgently sanction an increase in the community neurorehabilitation team in CHO3 from 7 currently to 12 whole-time equivalents, in line with the teams that have been funded in other parts of the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28023/24]
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.
373. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of additional residential places and new emergency residential places for people with a disability in each of the years 2020 to 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28042/24]
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.
374. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications, by type and channel (online/paper), received by the Decision Support Service for the individual months ending 31 January 2024 to 31 May 2024; the average processing time for each application category; the number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the Decision Support Service on 1 January 2024, 1 March 2024 and 1 June 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28049/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 26 of April 2023 I commenced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, along with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022. Commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making Act brought an end to wardship in the State for adults, by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871 and replacing the wards of court system with the new process for appointing tiered decision support arrangements that is now in effect. The abolition of wardship and the move towards a rights-based model of tiered supports is a landmark legal reform in how Ireland approaches persons with capacity difficulties.
The Decision Support Service is responsible for the processing of certain decision support arrangements under the 2015 Act, including Enduring Powers of Attorney ("EPAs"), Co-Decision-Making Agreements ("CDMAs") and Decision-Making Assistance Agreements (DMAA).
The following tables set out the information requested by the Deputy.
Table 1 shows the number of applications, by type and channel (online/paper), received by the Decision Support Service for the individual months ending 31 January 2024 to 31 May 2024*
|
Month |
Total |
EPA |
EPA (Digital) |
EPA (Manual) |
CDMA |
CDMA (Digital) |
CDMA (Manual) |
DMAA |
DMAA (Digital) |
DMAA (Manual) |
|
January 2024 |
130 |
119 |
108 |
11 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
|
February 2024 |
180 |
163 |
138 |
25 |
10 |
10 |
0 |
7 |
6 |
1 |
|
March 2024 |
193 |
183 |
149 |
34 |
5 |
4 |
1 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
|
April 2024 |
164 |
151 |
143 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
0 |
5 |
5 |
0 |
|
May 2024 |
205 |
189 |
178 |
11 |
10 |
9 |
1 |
6 |
6 |
0 |
*This table shows the applications that have been submitted to the DSS where applicants and supporters have been verified, the application paid for, and all required supporting documentation received.
Table 2 shows the average processing time for each application category from date of submission of application to date of approval by the DSS:
|
Channel |
EPA |
CDMA |
DMAA |
|
Digital applications |
5.2 Months |
4.5 Months |
3 Months |
|
Manual applications |
9.2 Months |
8.5 Months |
7 Months |
Table 3 shows the number of full-time equivalent staff employed by the Decision Support Service on 1 January 2024, 1 March 2024 and 1 June 2024, in tabular form
|
Date |
DSS FTE |
|
1 January 2024 |
63 |
|
1 March 2024 |
66 |
|
1 June 2024 |
67 |
It should be noted that decision-making representation orders made by the court are notified to the DSS by the court for the DSS to enter on its register. The Courts Service holds the data on the number of DMROs that have been made by the courts and their respective dates.
Furthermore there is a five-week notice and objection period for EPAs and CDMAs . This is a statutory obligation and is an important safeguarding feature. Applications begin their review by the DSS following the five-week objection period ending.
Processing times for applications may vary due to requests for further information from the DSS regarding content of application and supplied documentation. The alternative manual process for applications to the DSS has longer processing times as additional steps are required to digitise the application before the application is submitted. Before a manual application is submitted, applicants must have:
- A fully verified My DSS account
- A fully verified MyDSS account for their supporter(s)
- Completed and returned manual application form
- Completed and returned unique supporting documents for arrangement
-Completed payment for application
375. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people in receipt of day services for the years 2018-2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28067/24]
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.
376. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to address the deficiency in essential hydro-therapy infrastructure in the north-west (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28089/24]
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.
377. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of WTE speech and language therapist in each CDNT based in counties Carlow and Kilkenny in the years of 2022, 2023 and to-date in 2024, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28109/24]
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.
378. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will arrange respite care for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28113/24]
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.
379. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to detail what is envisaged at page 38 of the HSE National Service Plan 2024, where it states “a foetal alcohol project will be undertaken using a multi-care health sector approach (primary care, mental health services etc.)"; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28157/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFoetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is a prevalent, yet preventable neuro-developmental issue. Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is caused by prenatal alcohol exposure and is associated with a range of lifelong physical, mental, educational, social, and behavioural difficulties.
Many people do not know or recognise that they are living with FASD. The most recent available figures from the HSE, estimate the prevalence of FASD in Ireland is between 2.8 and 7.4% of the population. The majority of children with FASD have no visible issues at birth, and difficulties may not manifest until preschool age. Currently, there are no standard diagnostic policies or guidelines for diagnosing or treating children with FASD in Ireland.
In line with the HSE’s ‘mainstream first’ approach to the delivery of healthcare, such measures, supports and campaigns are led across the country by the HSE’s Health and Wellbeing division, under the remit of the Department of Health and overseen by the HSE Clinical Lead for FASD Prevention.
The HSE has recommended that a number of actions are implemented to prevent FASD. Many of these actions are currently being progressed, and some new actions are proposed that will require resourcing, such as the development of a national strategy on FASD prevention and response in Ireland.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is making €200,000 available to support an action in the HSE 2024 service plan to deliver a foetal alcohol project using a multi-care health sector approach (primary care, mental health services etc.).
The funding is being allocated to FASD Ireland through a service Arrangement with the HSE Mid West area.
380. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase funding to the FRC National Programme, specifically an additional €8.5 million in core funding to ensure FRCs can continue to support children, families, individuals and communities throughout Ireland; if he will support the FRC National Programme in its goal to achieve an optimum core funding of €220,000 for all 121 family resource centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28171/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency administers the FRC Programme, which supports 121 FRCs throughout the country. My Department allocates core funding for the FRC Programme through Tusla, which amounts to some €24 million in 2024. Tusla has advised my Department that the current level of funding is to sustain existing services operating in the FRC Programme.
The Deputy may be aware that at the end of April I brought forward a funding equalisation scheme for existing FRCs, which will see all FRC Programme members receive additional core funding in 2024 and ensure that minimum core funding for all FRCs is at least €160,000 from 2025 onwards. This funding will support the pivotal role FRCs play in so many communities across the country by providing a comprehensive range of services tailored to individual community needs.
Any potential changes in funding are considered as part of the annual Budgetary process, which represents a significant number of competing priorities in a challenging fiscal space. It is my intention to seek funding in Budget 2025 to stabilise funding to existing Programme members and to explore options to increase the numbers of FRCs. Any expansion of the Programme will, however, be dependent on the success of my Budget negotiations.
The Deputy should also be aware that FRCs draw on various sources of funding provided by other Government Departments, agencies and private sources.
381. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to state the total number of accommodation recognition payments currently being paid to households accommodating persons in receipt of temporary protection; to provide a breakdown of these payments by county; and to provide a breakdown of those payments by accommodation where the recipient is living in the property and where the property is exclusively occupied by recipients of temporary protection. [28218/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced in July 2022 to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) arriving in Ireland from Ukraine. The payment rate under this scheme is €800 per month per property with a unique Eircode, irrespective of whether the property is vacant or shared. The scheme is provided for under Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on behalf of my Department.
As of 23 June 2024, there are over 13,800 active claims in payment.
The statistical information that the Deputy has requested concerning the share of vacant and shared accommodation is not available. These details are not collected as part of the scheme’s application process.
The claim activity per county is as follows.
|
County |
No. of properties associated with active ARP claims |
|
Dublin |
2,364 |
|
Cork |
1,060 |
|
Donegal |
1,010 |
|
Mayo |
840 |
|
Galway |
727 |
|
Kerry |
700 |
|
Tipperary |
623 |
|
Wexford |
618 |
|
Limerick |
594 |
|
Kildare |
561 |
|
Louth |
448 |
|
Waterford |
440 |
|
Westmeath |
407 |
|
Clare |
393 |
|
Meath |
389 |
|
Wicklow |
353 |
|
Sligo |
319 |
|
Carlow |
272 |
|
Leitrim |
271 |
|
Cavan |
267 |
|
Offaly |
265 |
|
Longford |
243 |
|
Laois |
219 |
|
Kilkenny |
214 |
|
Monaghan |
171 |
|
Roscommon |
72 |
|
Totals |
13,840 |
382. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the number of children waiting to be seen by children's disability network teams in counties Roscommon and Galway, in tabular form. [28248/24]
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.
383. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children adopted into the State through the intercountry adoption process in each of the past 20 years where a condition (details supplied) was noted on the birth record, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28251/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) is, in line with The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, the ‘Central Authority’ for intercountry adoption in Ireland. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the AAI for direct response.
384. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a physiotherapist vacancy for children with mild to severe disabilities in County Leitrim will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28255/24]
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.
