Robert Troy
Ceist:401. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to expedite a mother and baby home compensation claim (details supplied). [38808/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMother and Baby Homes
Ceisteanna (401, 402)
Robert Troy
Ceist:402. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to expedite a mother and baby home compensation claim (details supplied). [38810/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 401 and 402 together.
While I try to be helpful at all times in the parliamentary process, the Deputy will be aware that I cannot be involved in individual cases and cannot comment on same.
The legislation underpinning the Payment Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - specifically provides for the explicit independence of the Chief Deciding Officer in administering the application process and making decisions on applications. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in the process in relation to the status of individual applications.
All information on the Scheme, and the application process, can be found at the dedicated Payment Scheme website - gov.ie/paymentscheme. Resources include an information booklet, questions and answers, and short 'how to' videos on the straightforward application process. A Helpline is also available at +353 1 522 9992. Applicants will be supported throughout the application process with information and advice as and when they may need it.
In addition to all these applicant supports, public representatives can contact the Payment Scheme Office via a dedicated email address paymentschemereps@equality.gov.ie. if they are assisting constituents in relation to the Scheme.
Whilst I cannot explicitly comment on the delays the Deputy references, it is of course possible that delays may emerge during the application process for different reasons, for example if the Payment Scheme Office has to contact applicants to seek further information or if there are issues in the verification of application details. In such cases, the Payment Scheme Office engages with the applicant to resolve those difficulties such that applications can be processed as quickly as possible.
I am advised that each and every application is handled on an individual basis to ensure thorough and accurate processing, and depending on the nature of enquiries, the response timeline can vary. I understand that, if delays are experienced, this can cause concern, and I am advised that the Payment Scheme Office is actively working on improving processing times at all stages of the applicant journey, while upholding the integrity of the Scheme through proper and robust validation processes. It is ultimately the aim of the Payment Scheme Office to ensure the correct award amount is paid to the correct applicant in as timely a manner as possible.
In these cases I suggest that the applicants in question contact the helpline directly and I am sure they will be assisted appropriately.
Question No. 402 answered with Question No. 401.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (403)
Duncan Smith
Ceist:403. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he is taking to ensure that providers are remaining in the core funding model (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38830/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding.
This funding, which increased by 11% (to €287 million) in year 2, increased again by another 15% in year 3 (to €331 million). This facilitated the following changes from 2 September:
• The Base Rates for all age groups have increased with larger increases in funding for places offered to children under the age of three. In short, all providers currently signed up to Core Funding will receive a higher payment going forward to support their day-to-day costs.
• The flat rate for services registered on the Tusla Early Years Register as sessional-only (a pre-school service offering a programme for a total of not more than 3.5 hours per session) is increasing from €4,075 to €5,000. This will strengthen supports to sessional-only services, who typically operate for shorter hours per week and fewer weeks per year.
• The minimum Base Rate allocation is increasing from €8,150 to €14,000. This is the minimum amount of funding a centre-based service (not childminders) will receive through their Base Rate, and ensures a minimum guaranteed income for services. This increase supports for smaller services and services operating in rural areas, who may be prone to fluctuations in demand.
• The maximum Base Rate allocation is decreasing from €600,000 to €500,000. Services will not receive funding through the Base Rate beyond this maximum value. Any service receiving more than this maximum value will see their Base Rate funding reduce to this level.
There are also developments to the fee management system.
Up to now, services availing of Core Funding have not been allowed to raise their fees above what was charged to parents on 30 September 2021 (or at the point of first signing up for Core Funding if the service did not exist on 30 September 2021).
The fee freeze will remain in place for the majority of these services for year 3 of Core Funding, though there are two new developments:
• Services whose fees have been frozen at a level that may not be sufficient to sustain their business even with increased funding available through Core Funding, will have the opportunity to apply for a Fee Increase Assessment. Only services currently charging low fees (fees below the average in their county) will be eligible to apply.
• A cap on fees is being introduced for services joining Core Funding for the first time in the third year. A fee cap will apply to all services in Core Funding from September 2025.
Where a demonstrable need to increase a fee is confirmed, increases will be approved by my Department at the lesser of:
• the level of increase required following an assessment of the service, or
• the equivalent increase in NCS universal subsidy for parents/guardians
In addition to the increased level of Core Funding for year 3 of the scheme and fee management developments, there are wider financial supports available from the Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, which can be accessed while remaining within Core Funding.
Services are strongly encouraged to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefit of Core Funding to children and their families.
While it is my ambition to have as high take-up as possible, a small proportion of early learning and childcare services – approximately 5% overall - chose not to join Core Funding in Year 1 and Year 2. Applications for Year 3 of Core Funding are on par with the same period last year and remain open to all eligible services to apply.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (404)
Paul Kehoe
Ceist:404. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the nearest children's disability network team for residents on the Navan Road area, Dublin; and the waiting list for services post assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38835/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Assisted Decision-Making
Ceisteanna (405)
Neasa Hourigan
Ceist:405. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on resolving any outstanding issues with the enduring powers of attorney online system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38851/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
On 26 of April 2023 my colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth Roderic O'Gorman commenced the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015, bringing 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 Decision Support Service (DSS) has statutory responsibility for the operation of many of the provisions of the Act and commenced its operations in April 2023. Since then, I have personally, along with officials in my Department, met with and corresponded extensively with the DSS and other stakeholders in relation to Enduring Powers of Attorney (EPAs) and associated issues. In addition an Inter-Departmental Steering Group meets regularly to discuss and address issues as they arise in relation to the implementation and operation of the Act.
Having recently completed its first full year of operation, and on foot of stakeholder feedback on the process for applying for an EPA, the DSS has taken a number of steps to improve that process and reduce application processing times.
The DSS recently introduced a new accessibility policy, which includes an enhanced and dedicated helpdesk service to deal exclusively with the making and registration of EPAs, ensuring that individuals who require additional assistance in completing an online EPA application are supported in doing so. It also enables the DSS to ensure that the small cohort of individuals who are unable, for whatever reason, to utilize the online portal, are facilitated in making an EPA application manually. This has resulted in an uplift in digitally submitted applications, and a very limited demand for manual applications. This corrective action - together with the establishment of a temporary dedicated team of 10 staff to address the manual applications backlog - has already improved processing times and will further improve these timelines so that submitted applications complete the review stage, and are registered as quickly as possible. Individuals who require assistance or manual applications are being, and will continue to be, assisted and accommodated and are advised to directly contact the DSS.
I am satisfied that this enhanced helpdesk service, alongside the helpful instructional videos and other guidance material provided on the DSS website, will assist all users of the system to access any additional supports required.
Since April 2023, 827 EPAs have been registered with the DSS by members of the public, with 789 of those in 2024 alone, and almost 500 in the last three months. In addition to the registered EPAs, 1,186 EPAs have been submitted and are pending registration as per the requirements of the Act (meaning that they are awaiting the expiration of the statutory notice period and subsequent review by the DSS). There are a further 4,175 active draft EPA applications (meaning that the donor has completed the substantive application or is taking up supporting documents).
Extensive resources to support anyone wishing to make an EPA are available on the DSS website. The DSS can also be contacted directly at 01 211 9750 or at queries@decisionsupportservice.ie.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (406)
Claire Kerrane
Ceist:406. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently on waiting lists for essential therapies such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy, in counties Roscommon and Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38870/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (407)
Paul Murphy
Ceist:407. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a child (details supplied) with additional needs has been on a waiting list since 2018 with still no services provided; and the action he intends to take to ensure that this child receives the services they need as soon as possible. [38922/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (408)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:408. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the planned universal expansion of the national childcare scheme will extend to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38928/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, which I launched in April 2021, set out a pathway for the extension of registration to childminders who work in their own homes. A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. As a result of the Child Care Act 2024 and the Childminding Services Regulations, which came into effect on 30 September, childminders are now able to apply to register with Tusla and can therefore also take part in the National Childcare Scheme.
The National Action Plan for Childminding distinguishes childminding which involves care in the childminder’s home from care that takes place in the child’s home, which may be carried out by a nanny, an au pair or a babysitter. The employment relationship and the legal and regulatory context are different. Whereas a childminder working from the childminder’s own home is self-employed and offers a service that may be accessed on a public basis, someone caring for a child in the child’s own home is regarded as an employee of the child’s parents. In addition, the employment of someone in the child’s home may involve a combination of caring with other roles, e.g. cleaning or other domestic duties. Furthermore, because they work in the parents’/child’s home rather than their own home, au pairs and nannies cannot be held responsible for the safety or suitability of that home for the purpose of early learning or childcare. For these reasons, the Childminding Services Regulations do not apply to the care of a child by a nanny or au pair.
Currently there are no plans to bring nannies/au pairs into the scope of registration, or the National Childcare scheme.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (409)
Holly Cairns
Ceist:409. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 578 of 18 September 2024, the reason for the reduction in service provision in the centre since 2019, despite the minor increase in staffing; and the number of staff currently on leave in the centre. [38951/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (410)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:410. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to urgently review and intervene to secure occupational therapy (OT) services in the south Louth Bettystown catchment, where there are presently over 600 children awaiting an OT assessment and with no paediatric occupational therapist staff presently employed in this network; if he will provide a mitigation plan to ensure that these ever-increasing numbers are catered for in neighbouring networks where services are available, or alternately, provide the services by contracting the private sector to cater for this unacceptable number of children awaiting treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38952/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Child and Family Agency
Ceisteanna (411)
Imelda Munster
Ceist:411. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any relevant criteria were considered ahead of the purchase of a property (details supplied) by Tusla; the guidance or guidelines that may have been followed; if the board received any advice or information ahead of the granting of approval for the purchase; if there are any value for money criteria that were relevant to the purchase; if so, the details of same; if there are any relevant planning proposals or planned works relating to this property; if the property remains vacant; if so, the reason; if there were any conflicts of interest that the board was made aware of during the process of purchasing the property; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38954/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (412)
Cathal Crowe
Ceist:412. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions being taken in Carlow CDNT to address significant and entrenched recruitment issues; the date by which all vacant positions in Carlow CDNT will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39018/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Care Services
Ceisteanna (413)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:413. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider amending the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013, Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities Regulations 2013 and the Mental Health Act (Approved Centres) Regulations 2006 to include a requirement to update a care plan or personal plan to incorporate a safeguarding plan, where a resident is identified as being at risk of harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39024/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter.
This Government takes matters safeguarding and risk of harm in disability residential centres very seriously, and considers safeguarding adults at risk against abuse to be of paramount importance.
As this query relates to regulatory matters, I requested for officials in my Department to make enquiries with The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). HIQA have advised the Department of the following:
Regulation 5: Individual assessment and care plan in regulations set out in the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013 currently require providers to undertake a comprehensive assessment of need and develop a personal plan or care plan in response to the assessments. Comprehensive assessments mean consideration of all aspects of the person’s care and support needs, including any safeguarding plans for the person.
Furthermore, the regulations under the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013, Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities Regulations 2013 require the provider to ensure that the plans are kept under regular review. In addition, Regulation 8: Protection in the regulations require providers to take all reasonable measures to protect residents from abuse.
In relation to safeguarding in disability residential services more generally, The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is actively engaging from a disability perspective, with colleagues in the Department of Health, who are the lead on policy proposals for adult safeguarding in the health and social care sector.
It is expected that the Department of Health’s sectoral policy framework will be brought before Government in due course, informed by the recent consultation process and the Law Reform Commission’s report ‘A Regulatory Framework for Adult Safeguarding’.
In addition, the HSE has published a high-level review of HSE policy, procedures, structures, and options for the future of safeguarding across all settings. The Review, which was commissioned by HSE CEO Bernard Gloster, was undertaken by an independent safeguarding expert. The Review outlines four key actions supported by detailed recommendations required in order to address the issues identified in the review.
I understand the HSE has now commenced a process to implement these recommendations and enable the development culture and practice across the HSE that places safeguarding at the centre of the services provided.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (414)
Fergus O'Dowd
Ceist:414. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider amending the Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities Regulations 2013 to require designated centres for people with disabilities to facilitate access to independency advocacy services for adults residing in those centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39025/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this matter.
This Government takes matters safeguarding and risk of harm in disability residential centres very seriously, and considers safeguarding adults at risk against abuse to be of paramount importance.
As this query relates to regulatory matters, I requested for officials in my Department to make enquiries with The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). HIQA have advised the Department of the following:
Regulation 9: Residents’ rights in both the Health Act 2007 (Care and Welfare of Residents in Designated Centres for Older People) Regulations 2013, Health Act 2007 (Care and Support of Residents in Designated Centres for Persons (Children and Adults) with Disabilities Regulations 2013 include a provision requiring providers to ensure residents have access to advocacy services.
HIQA report that most providers engage positively with advocacy services, although regulations do not set out the type of advocacy service that should be available or require provider engagement with advocacy services.
Official Engagements
Ceisteanna (415)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:415. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the contact he or any Minister in his Department have had with any minister or official in the government of Israel since January 2014; the nature of these contacts, the purpose of these contacts; if a record was kept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39065/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is collating the necessary information and a substantive response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
Disability Services
Ceisteanna (416)
Matt Carthy
Ceist:416. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the proposal for the provision of day services for young adults based in a currently unfinished building in Cootehill, County Cavan; whether the HSE intends to purchase the property for this purpose; the expected timeframe to advance this proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39123/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (417)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:417. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he, his special advisory teams, or senior officials have consulted with, received briefings or sought advice from an external communications expert or communications consultancy company, or a public relations or public affairs company, in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the costs associated with those interactions; the names of those that have been engaged with; the subject matter or topics the engagements related to, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39127/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department is collating the necessary information and a substantive response will issue directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (418)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:418. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the milestones for the establishment of the Early Childhood and Childcare Agency; the range of responsibilities and powers which it will have; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39144/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department appointed Indecon, International Economic and Strategic Consultants, in December 2023 on foot of a Request For Tender for an initial period of 18 months. My Department is currently engaging with the 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. As the project is still in the research, analysis and design phase of the agency, which currently includes the mapping of functions across the early learning and childcare sector, it is not possible at the stage of the project to set out the responsibilities and powers that the new agency will have.
The second phase of the project relates to a more in-depth design and costing exercise to take place from 2025 and is scheduled to take an estimated 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 commence and overlap with this detailed design and costing phase of work.
My Department is engaged in 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 in December 2023, January 2024, May 2024 and June 2024 with valuable input being received as part of a collaborative co-design process to develop a vision, mission and values for the agency, and the mapping exercise on the proposed functions for the new agency. A further consultation session is being planned for October 2024 regarding the mapping of the workforce across the current operating model for early learning and care and school age childcare. These phases of the design process will continue to inform the overall functions and responsibilities of the agency as the project progresses.
Patient Transport
Ceisteanna (419)
Cian O'Callaghan
Ceist:419. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if CHO9 will be provided with funding for patient transport to hospital appointments or respite services in cases in which the patient is bed bound and requires transport on an ambulance trolley; the cost of ambulance transfers is significant for the patient and their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39173/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Deputy will appreciate that as this question relates to the provision of ambulance transfers, in which I have no role, it is more appropriately directed to the Department of Health.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (420)
Gino Kenny
Ceist:420. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how he intends to respond to the recent High Court ruling declaring that the State's failure to meet the basic needs of international protection applicants experiencing homelessness is a breach of the Charter of Fundamental Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38179/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
This matter remains before the Court, and as such, My Department is precluded from commenting further on this matter.
That been said, Government is making every effort to accommodate asylum seekers against a backdrop of unprecedented demand. However, the situation remains challenging, and the Department cannot provide accommodation to all IP applicants at this time.
Due to a number of well-documented factors, the Department has not been in a position to offer International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation to every adult male seeking IP since 4 December 2023.
A triage process is in place for those who are vulnerable, and an enhanced expense allowance is available to those who have not been provided with accommodation. The Department has grant agreements in place with four homeless charities in Dublin to provide hot meals, showers, places to charge devices and rest. In addition to the extension of day services, the Department has partnered with a homeless charity to conduct outreach to identified locations where applicants are rough sleeping When available, the Department makes offers of accommodation to eligible persons identified through this outreach. Over 1,500 offers of accommodation have been made to unaccommodated rough-sleepers referrals in the last 6 months.
The Government is committed to supporting all those seeking IP in Ireland and work is ongoing across the country to bring available accommodation into use to support our residents. The Department has increased IPAS capacity by more than 400% since 2020, from just under 7,000 people on 31 December 2020. Currently, there are over 32,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole.
This work is underpinned by the Government's Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for people seeking IP. This aims to address the current serious shortfall in accommodation for people seeking IP and to build a more sustainable system for the longer term.
Accommodation in the new strategy will be delivered through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties.
It will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres. This will be supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.