Written Answers Nos. 26-53
26. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on all waiting lists for the Cashel and Clonmel, County Tipperary, children's disability network teams, including the number waiting on an initial contact, waiting on an assessment of needs and waiting on each of the therapy supports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43539/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the first instance, I wish to highlight that children do not require a diagnosis or an Assessment of Need as defined by the Disability Act (2005) in order to access a CDNT service. They can be referred by a healthcare professional, parent/carer to the CDNT for children with complex needs as a result of their disability, or to Primary Care for children with non-complex needs.
The core focus of the HSE’s Children’s Disability Services is to ensure that children, with complex interdisciplinary needs, and their families receive an appropriate and accessible family centred service.
With regard to particular locations in Tipperary, Cashel is CDNT 4 and Clonmel is CDNT 5. There are currently 402 children on all waiting lists within CDNT 4. This includes access and assessments to SLT, OT, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Autism Diagnosis, Dietetics and Physiotherapy.
In CDNT 5, there are currently 119 children on all waiting lists which include access or assessments to SLT, OT, Social Work, Psychology, Nursing, Autism Diagnosis, Dietetics and Physiotherapy.
The HSE advise that there is currently a national campaign for basic grade clinicians for all disciplines specific to the South East region including Tipperary South. In conjunction with this, there is a regional campaign for senior clinicians of all disciplines for the South East including Tipperary South.
The HSE has informed me that there are no children on a waiting list for commencement of their Assessment of Need (AON) application. All completed applications under AON commence within one week of being received.
27. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the nature and type of new therapies, including new technologies, to assist children with autism and disabilities that have been approved and introduced since 2021 by the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43551/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraConsideration for additions to the scope of clinical therapies requires such therapies to be evidence informed, in collaboration with key stakeholders and expertise as appropriate. There are processes regarding regulation and registration across health and social care, to ensure best practice, which would need to be adhered to and this takes time to establish.
The Government has committed to supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and this also encompasses the inclusion of persons in society through the use of assistive technology (AT).
Assistive Technology covers a broad spectrum of technology, from low level vision aids to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) tablets, which assist children or adults with a verbal impairment.
It is also recognised that the need for assistive technology will continue to rise due to the increase in non-communicable diseases and aging populations. The 2022 Global Report on Assistive Technology (GReAT) published by UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO) outlines this, stating that c3.5bn people will need at lease one form of AT by 2050.
The Department is progressing work with WHO Europe around a collaboration agreement on Digital Assistive Technology (DAT). This partnership will include three core streams of work covering:
1. A review of Ireland’s assistive technology capacity through a multi-stakeholder approach;
2. The development of workforce optimisation initiatives using digital tools focusing on assessments and intervention and;
3. Progressing 2 Global DAT/Workforce Expos with the first hosted by Ireland.
Additionally, the Department has funded specific supports for children with Autism needing assistive technology through the AAC Support Programme by AsIAm. This initiative supports children with additional communication needs through the provision of information and training to the key stakeholders in a child’s life and supports the provision of an AAC device best suited to the child’s needs.
28. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many childcare providers have applied for fee increases within core funding; the size of the fee increases approved to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43485/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore Funding Partner Services’ fees are currently frozen at levels set by individual providers on or before 30 September 2021.
While Core Funding represents a significant increase in income for services, and allows for the introduction of the fee management system, there is a notable difference in fees charged across the sector, and I recognise that some services may be operating with a fee that is not sufficient to sustain the business even with increased State investment.
For the third Core Funding programme year, which began in September, I introduced the Fee Increase Assessment process to support services in such circumstances.
This measure balances the need of parents for stability with their early learning and childcare costs and the need for providers to operate viable businesses in order to continue providing this service for the public good in their community, and my Department has therefore placed limits on the scale of any approved increase.
The Fee Increase Application process opened on 31 July this year.
Only services currently charging fees below the average in their county are eligible to apply. There is an assessment to ensure there is a demonstrable need for a fee increase before approval is granted.
As of 22 September, 964 services have applied for a fee increase, with 741 services deemed eligible to move onto the application stage of the process. There is a rolling approval rate of 75%.
Where a demonstrable need to increase a fee is confirmed, the resulting increase will not exceed €0.74 per hour (the increase to the National Childcare Scheme subsidy from September 2024). For example, an offering of 45 hours will not be eligible for an increase of more than €33.30. The maximum amount approved for a fee increase is €33.30.
Officials in my Department will issue a letter to Partner Services who have been approved for a fee increase. This letter will include the new maximum fee which can be charged by the service. The service must show this letter to parents/guardians before any fee increase takes place. A Partner Service will have to update the Partner Service Parent Statement. This must be circulated to parents within 10 working days of the sanctioned detailed fee increases being provided to parents.
29. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the policy his Department uses to determine if accommodation contracts relating to beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants should be renewed or not; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43328/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraBeneficiaries of Temporary Protection
In relation to contracts for temporary emergency accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs), my Department aims to ensure that our portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.
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 accommodation portfolio for BOTPs to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.
Generally speaking, my Department’s renewal strategy has been to renew contracts with accommodation providers where they and their properties are compliant with all requirements, such as fire safety, requisite insurance, sufficient size allocation per person etc. However, other factors also considered as part of the strategy relate to the rates sought by providers, the level of vacancies in the area concerned (which allows for consolidation with minimum disruption), the type of accommodation (self-catering properties are prioritised over full-board to assist with independent living) and the pressure within the respective sector (e.g. tourism and student accommodation).
In terms of non-compliance, my Department has decided to prioritise ending these contracts as part of the consolidation. Compliance issues include but are not limited to:
• The health, safety and well-being of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in state-supported emergency accommodation.
• Overcharging by providers for the provision of their accommodation.
• Unregulated secondary properties that were being utilised by providers.
• Private and residential properties that were being utilised and retained by the Department when further commercial properties were available.
My Department is currently renewing contracts with the compliant providers and, as of 17 October 2024, over 330 contracts have been renewed.
As part of the renewal process, my Department is requesting a fully completed Fire Safety Assessment for each property to be provided within 12 weeks, carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings (version March 2022).
Any property for which no Fire Safety Assessment is supplied within the 12 week timeframe, or where the assessment flags issues with regard to fire safety, is subject to termination of contract.
International Protection applicants
In relation to International Protection applicants, my Department has a dedicated team within the International Protection Division responsible for renewing contractual agreements for the IPAS accommodation portfolio. The objective is to secure the required bed capacity within the current accommodation portfolio, while also ensuring quality and value for money.
As per the Public Spending Code, the best possible value-for-money is sought when undertaking negotiations and there are several control measures in place to manage expenditure. In the event that my Department and an accommodation provider cannot reach an agreement, the contract is not renewed.
During the renewal process, accommodation providers are requested to provide proof of legal ownership of the premises (or a copy of the lease agreement in place), a multi-occupancy residential insurance policy and a valid Fire Safety Certificate. Contract renewals are subject to this documentation being provided and verified.
Accommodation providers are also requested to confirm that since last entering into contractual agreement with my Department that the accommodation centre remains compliant with all relevant statutory requirements, and the provider has not received any planning enforcement notices or warning letters.
All accommodation centres are subject to inspection by my officials or contracted representatives of my Department, and IPAS Resident Clinics are an additional opportunity to review and examine centres and their general operation. The findings from inspections and resident clinics are also taken into consideration during the contract renewal process.
30. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the level of capital grant-aid that will be made available to assist in the provision of additional childcare places through community providers and private providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43431/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
Capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026.
The Building Blocks Capacity Grant schemes are operating over 2024 and 2025. The Building Blocks Capacity Grant has two strands, an Expansion scheme and an Extension scheme to support existing services to increase capacity. The primary focus of the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Schemes is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care.
The Building Blocks Expansion Grant scheme is operating this year and is currently funding a number of projects to expand the number of places on offer.
Under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, some €25 million will be available in 2025 to deliver additional capacity.
The Scheme will be split into four strands.
Private providers may apply for grants of between €50,000 and €250,000 to physically extend their premises, with a match funding requirement.
Community providers may apply for grants of between €100,000 and €500,000 to physically extend their premises. Match funding will not be required of community providers .
In addition, community providers may also apply for funding to purchase an Early Learning Childcare facility or a premises that could be easily adapted for this purpose, or towards the cost of constructing a new premises or installation of a modular building. Match funding will not be a requirement of either of these two strands. Community services may submit applications under each of the three strands.
Appraisal of applications for this scheme considers the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch.
I hope to announce full details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme shortly.
31. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports his Department provides for local area child poverty action plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43340/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s National Action Plan under the European Child Guarantee commits to establish four pilot Child Poverty Local Area Action Child Poverty Action Plans in Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) areas.
In 2024, my Department is providing €378,000 to establish four pilot Local Area Child Poverty Action Plans to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children, young people, and their families under my Department’s What Works initiative, funded by Dormant Accounts.
The Scheme was designed by my Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development, in consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach’s Child Poverty and Well Being Office.
The objective of these pilot plans will be to achieve better service integration and improve access to available services for disadvantaged children, young people, and their families.
The underpinning assumption that is to inform the Local Area Child Poverty Action Plans is that outcomes for children and families can be improved by first gaining a detailed understanding of the child poverty problem in each area, and then using this information to promote experiences of enhanced service integration.
Under this scheme, Children and Young People’s Service Committees (CYPSC) and their Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) were invited to submit a joint application for up to €100,000 in funding to design and implement a pilot plan that will respond to their local realities and context. Further to an assessment process, funding was awarded to
1. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown and Wicklow Children and Young People’s Service Committees and Dun Laoghaire Rathdown and Wicklow Local Community and Development Committee - €100,000.
The pilot focuses on early childhood (pregnancy to age 4) and aims to improve service coordination and family support, addressing systemic and intergenerational factors contributing to child poverty.
2. Kildare Children and Young People’s Service Committees and Kildare Local Community and Development Committee - €100,000.
The pilot aims to improve access to services for disadvantaged families with neurodivergent children by piloting Community-Based Occupational Therapy in Family Resource Centres; Flexible Referral Criteria; providing simultaneous support for professionals, parents, and children to build understanding and skills across all parties involved; piloting Plural Practice Model using recreational activities tailored to each child's needs to improve social communication and emotional regulation.
3. Monaghan Children and Young People’s Service Committees and Monaghan Local Community and Development Committee -€93,000.
The pilot aims to address issues such as intergenerational patterns, difficult household conditions, migrant status, and those who are experiencing mortgage arrears through the use of a "Family Champion" role to coordinate support providing tailored assistance and advocating for their needs while aiming to improve engagement with existing services and address the root causes of poverty.
4. Tipperary Children and Young People’s Service Committees and Tipperary Local Community and Development Committee - €85,000.
The pilot aims to enhance living conditions and reduce child poverty by improving energy efficiency and service integration. The pilot will focus on energy auditing and profiling to improve household energy efficiency and security and will assess how these interventions impact poverty indicators.
I also wish to inform the Deputy that my Department is engaging an evaluator to undertake a comparative study between the four pilots to support a robust assessment and measurement of the impact of the four pilots. As part of the overall evaluation the pilots will also have the opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other, so that this can be incorporated in capturing how the pilots can be rolled out more widely.
These pilots are undertaking important initiatives to better support innovation and collaboration between local organisations with a view to improving access to services for disadvantaged children, young people and their families.
32. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the level of shortage in childcare being experienced at present has been identified; if proposals are being developed to accelerate the process of filling the gaps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43486/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
My Department employs a range of approaches to identify and address shortages of early learning and childcare places, bearing in mind the wide range of types of early learning and childcare provision offered by services and required by families.
This year, I established a Supply Management Unit within the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Division of my Department. A key part of the Supply Management Unit’s remit is to develop capacity for monitoring, analysing and forecasting the supply and demand of childcare.
The development of a forward planning model is currently underway utilising the skills of statisticians on secondment from the Central Statistics Office, those experienced in the field of early learning and childcare and the expertise of a GIS mapper working with the Department. The model will seek to identify the nature and volume of different types of early learning and childcare places across the country, whether or not those places are occupied and how that aligns with the numbers of children in the corresponding age cohorts at local area level.
It is important to note that demand for early learning and childcare beyond sessional pre-school provision is highly elastic and shaped very substantially by families' individual composition, circumstances and preferences; employment patterns and income; and the price and availability of services.
My Department collects extensive data on supply through both survey and administrative data. A range of data sources show that the level of capacity in the sector has risen substantially year-on-year between 2022 and 2023. However, there is also evidence that demand for places is increasing and, for certain cohorts and in certain areas, outstripping supply. This is partly driven by the significant improvements in affordability that have been achieved in recent years. Published data on capacity broken down at county level is available at: www.pobal.ie/childcare/capacity/
Capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026. The primary focus of the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Schemes is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care.
Under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, some €25 million will be available in 2025 to deliver additional capacity. Under the scheme, community and private providers may apply for funding to physically extend their premises. In addition, community providers may apply for funding to purchase or to construct new premises.
Appraisal of applications for this scheme considers the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch. I hope to announce further details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme in the coming weeks.
33. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 53 of 18 June 2024, if he will provide an update on how many assessments have been completed; how long he anticipates it will take to clear the backlog; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43347/24]
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.
34. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide further information and details of the arrangement between the HSE and his Department in relation to the provision of school therapists in special schools, specifically in relation to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43346/24]
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.
35. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has a policy as to how accommodation provision for beneficiaries of temporary protection and international protection applicants should be organised on a geographical, county-by-county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43327/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational Protection Accommodation
The Government is committed to supporting all those seeking international protection in Ireland, and to continuing to provide shelter and support to people fleeing the war in Ukraine.
The Government's Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for international protection was approved in March 2024 and is now being implemented. This model aims to address the current serious shortfall in accommodation for people seeking IP and to build a more sustainable system for the longer term.
Ireland currently provides accommodation to over 32,600 people applying for international protection and has also welcomed over 109,000 people from Ukraine since 2022. Our system has been forced to expand at a rapid pace over recent years in response to a sharp increase in need.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country, and intensive efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable longer-term accommodation facilities, in line with the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy.
Accommodation in the new strategy is being 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.
As developing these more sustainable state-owned accommodation system options under this strategy will take time, the commissioning of emergency commercial accommodation will continue to be a feature in the short to medium term. This accommodation will be contracted on shorter-term basis and if numbers drop can be decommissioned as contracts expire.
The degree of control given to the State by the creation of core supply of State-owned accommodation, of both emergency and permanent options, will increase as supply is delivered, re-establishing strategic direction over the accommodation type, location and dispersal pattern.
By adopting the mixed-accommodation plan set out, the Government will begin to gradually
move away from a reactive, crisis response, ultimately permitting the State to:
• Regain long-term certainty over accommodation availability by creating a core, static State-owned asset and incur savings over expenditure allocated to commercial providers.
• Adjust its commercial accommodation stock as required to meet the demands of incoming arrival rates and potential changes in length of stay of applicants within the system
• Gain far greater degree of control over the geographic distribution, allocation and dispersal of applicants, and end reliance on opening new properties in unsuitable locations and/or properties entailing significant adverse impact in local communities (i.e. use of the sole hotel in a given town)
• Gain much greater lead-in time to the opening of new centres, allowing for enhanced and effective local communication, and development of integration linkages
• Plan more effectively for delivery of increased public services, where possible
To date, five State sites have been licensed to the department including Crooksling, River Lodge, Heatherside (HSE), Thornton Hall (IPS) and Lissywollen, Athlone (OPW).
Tented accommodation has been stood up at both Crooksling and River Lodge, with Thornton Hall and Athlone planned to be occupied in the coming weeks.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection Accommodation
Since 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 them to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
The Ukraine Division does not specifically have a policy relating to the geographical spread of accommodation for Ukrainian BOTPs, on a county-by-county basis.
My Department aims to ensure that our portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis. 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 not presently contracting additional temporary emergency accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and is instead actively seeking to consolidate and rationalise its BOTP accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.
When the portal for offers of commercial accommodation for BOTPs was open, providers were asked to self-assess the validity of their accommodation offer against my Department’s criteria. These guidelines are available at
www.gov.ie/en/publication/44050-guidelines-for-temporary-accommodation-in-existing-buildings-for-those-fleeing-the-war-in-ukraine-single-persons-family-type-accommodation/.
My Department has decided to prioritise ending contracts with non-compliant providers as part of this consolidation. While I cannot go into detail on specific compliance cases, compliance issues include but are not limited to:
• The health, safety and well-being of BOTPs in state-supported emergency accommodation.
• Overcharging by providers for the provision of their accommodation.
• Unregulated secondary properties that were being utilised by providers.
• Private and residential properties that were being utilised and retained by the Department when further commercial properties were available.
We are currently renewing contracts with the compliant providers and, as of 17 October 2024, over 330 contracts have been renewed. As part of the renewal process, my Department is requesting a fully completed Fire Safety Assessment for each property to be provided within 12 weeks, carried out in accordance with the Code of Practice for Fire Safety Assessment of Premises and Buildings (version March 2022). Any property for which no Fire Safety Assessment is supplied within the 12 week timeframe, or where the assessment flags issues with regard to fire safety, is subject to termination of contract.
In terms of the accommodation consolidation strategy going forward, further consideration will also be applied in relation to accommodation within our portfolio which normally serve the tourism and student accommodation sectors.
36. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on his Department's efforts to address CDNT waiting lists in CH09; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39012/24]
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.
37. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what plans there are to vindicate the rights of disabled people to access the complaints mechanisms contained in the optional protocol of the UNCRPD; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43569/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 8th of October 2024 a decision was made by Government to accede to the Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, marking a milestone moment for Ireland, and demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the continued realisation of the rights and obligations set out in the Convention.
Aa Accession to the Optional Protocol was a key commitment in the Programme for Government, and forms part of Ireland’s broader approach to compliance with the Convention, ultimately assisting in furthering the State’s progressive implementation of the Convention in an important way. In that regard intensive work is ongoing across government to develop Ireland’s next National Disability Strategy, which will form the implementation plan to advance delivery of the rights as set out in the Convention over the coming years.
Following the recent decision to accede to the Optional Protocol, the Department of Foreign Affairs will, in the coming weeks, deposit an instrument of ratification, signed by the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, with the Secretary General of the United Nations. The Optional Protocol will enter into force with respect to the State on the thirtieth day following the date of deposit, and before the end of 2024.
Accession to the Optional Protocol reflects the State’s ongoing drive to improving the lives of persons with disabilities, and is a further step on Ireland’s journey toward a more inclusive and fair society for everyone, and one in which everyone is valued equally. It is our intention to continue to build on the significant progress we have made to date in ensuring that the rights as set out in the Convention are valued, respected and upheld.
In general terms, recourse to the Optional Protocol is usually only available once a person has exhausted all domestic remedies. Further and specific information on the operation of the individual communications procedure is available on the website of the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner at: www.ohchr.org/en/treaty-bodies/crpd/individual-communications.
38. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which the ongoing welfare of children is adequately protected in all situations where the State is involved, directly or indirectly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43511/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. If I, or my officials, become aware of a situation in which a child is considered to be at risk, that concern is communicated to Tusla as a matter of urgency.
A child welfare concern can be a problem experienced directly by a child, or the family of a child, that is seen to impact negatively on the child's health, development and welfare, and that may need assessment and support, but is not presenting as child protection.
Tusla has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection.
Tusla is also responsible for the assessment and child safeguarding response for children referred to them under the provisions of Children First and the Children First Act 2015. This includes any concern about a child that reaches the threshold of “reasonable grounds for concern” or 'harm' as defined by the Children First Act.
Tusla assesses all child protection and welfare concerns that are reported to it. If it is found that a child is not receiving adequate care and protection.
Tusla has a duty to take appropriate action to promote the welfare of the child. This may include supporting families in need of assistance in providing care and protection to their children. The Child Care Act also sets out the statutory framework for taking children into care if necessary. Many of these concerns are best served by a family support approach while some children need the direct intervention of a child protection approach.
I am informed by Tusla that all urgent and emergency welfare and protection cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
39. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role his Department has played in the crisis within Children’s Disability Network Teams in Donegal, where a significant number of vacancies continue to exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43566/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to delivering real and tangible solutions to enhance services to better support the needs of children with special needs in Ireland.
Whilst the HSE and their agencies have responsibility for the provision of children’s disability services across the country, my Department continues to provide increased funding to the HSE to help improve service levels, address unmet needs and reduce waitlists. A total of €3.2 billion has been allocated for Disability Services in Budget 2025, an increase of €336m (11.6%) on 2024 and represents an overall increase since 2020 of €1.2bn.
This increase will support the roll out of the PDS Roadmap through the provision of key roles and trainee placements for CDNTs across the country, including in Donegal. Under Budget 2025 new posts have been funded for the CDNTs - 20 senior grade and 20 staff grade therapists / nursing WTE & 20 therapy assistants. 15 clinical psychologist trainee placements have also been funded.
Work by the HSE to maximise the capacity of CDNTs continues via a variety of recruitment campaigns and initiatives, including early capture of new graduates. The HSE is optimising multiple applicant engagement opportunities to encourage uptake of CDNT vacancies including recruitment fairs, outreach to third level colleges and secondary schools.
The increased funding in Budget will also facilitate the continuation of the Assessment of Need Waitlist Initiative to enable the procurement of private assessments for long waiting families, with €10m funding in 2025 to deliver circa 2,850 Assessments of Need and allow for additional capacity in the assessment teams in the form of assessment and liaison officers.
Both the Government and the HSE remain committed to the delivery of appropriate services for children with disabilities and will work with families and staff in Donegal and throughout the country to develop services that meet their needs.
40. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to address the urgency of a request by a group (details supplied) for a meeting regarding the report on ground scans at Sean Ross Abbey, Roscrea, County Tipperary, and the subsequent determination from the Department regarding further investigations; when such a meeting will be held; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43540/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes included a Report of Forensic Archaeological Investigations at Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home Children’s Burial Ground. The Commission was satisfied that the forensic report provided clear evidence that the coffined remains of children under the age of one are buried in the designated burial ground. It noted that without complete excavation it was not possible to say conclusively that all of the children who died in Sean Ross were buried in the designated burial ground and that it did not consider that further investigation was warranted.
Following publication of the Commission’s final report I engaged with the group referenced in the Deputy’s question in relation to their concerns that an area beyond the acknowledged burial ground may also contain graves.
Last year I provided funding to the group to support them in undertaking a survey of land adjacent to the known burial ground, which was not subject to forensic investigation by the Commission.
The group submitted a copy of the report of the survey to my Department and, as there is no expertise in the Department to assess it, the Chief Archaeologist in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage was asked to review it.
As the Deputy may be aware, in providing a copy of that review to the group, I offered to meet with them to discuss the matter. I note that the group responded positively to that request and my officials have now made contact with the group to arrange a meeting.
41. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine flexibility under the national childcare scheme as regards hours attended by children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43556/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCS is designed to substantially reduce costs to families using eligible early learning and childcare. It is designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family.
The underpinning rationale of the Scheme, including the hours based aspect, was set out in the 2016 "Policy Paper on the Development of a new Single Affordable Childcare Scheme" and given statutory expression through the Oireachtas in the Childcare Support Act 2018.
The hours based nature of the NCS is designed to fit around the needs of families and ensure that the reach and effectiveness of funding is maximised through application to actual usage of early and learning and childcare usage.
The family agrees the number of hours to be used with their provider and (within overall scheme limits) these hours are registered with the scheme administrator. This design allows the parents to receive a subsidy for the hours that they actually require. The number of hours can also be altered week to week, for example during a school midterm the parents subsidy can be increased.
My Department has also sought to strike balance between the concept of money following the child and stability for early learning and childcare providers. As such the NCS has been consciously designed to be more flexible than its antecedent schemes.
Funding is only adjusted if the level of attendance that the family and provider originally set does not actual manifest over an extended period. In the usual course a warning will issue after 8 weeks and, if not adjusted after 12 weeks, the allocation will be adjusted to reflect the real pattern of attendance. This period can be extended under certain circumstances.
To be clear, if a child is occasionally picked up early or misses an occasional day, this will have no impact on funding.
This combination of flexibility, accountability and funding approaches provides an appropriate balance to support parents, providers and ensure the best use of exchequer funding.
Finally, I would note that my Department will soon commence an independent evaluation of the NCS which will examine how the Scheme is operating and identify potential changes or improvements to the Scheme. Any changes to NCS policy will be informed by consultation with stakeholders who are affected by the scheme.
42. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the new services for children with special needs that will be delivered in County Monaghan in 2025. [43207/24]
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.
43. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the next national LGBTQI+ inclusion strategy; what the broad aims of the strategy will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43344/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that work on developing the successor to the National LGBTI+ inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2021 is well advanced. I aim to table the draft National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy II 2024-2028, (NLIS II) for discussion and approval, at Cabinet shortly.
The NLIS II will aim to promote and respect the right of LGBTIQ+ people to live their lives safely, free of harassment and violence through several prevention and protection measures. This will include addressing misinformation in relation to LGBTIQ+ people; developing effective approaches within the criminal justice system towards addressing the safety issues experienced by the LGBTIQ+ community; addressing and preventing LGBTIQ+ bullying in schools; enhancing awareness of the occurrence of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) within the LGBTIQ+ community and improving safety for LGBTIQ+ people in public spaces.
The Strategy will also aim to advance health and well-being outcomes for LGBTIQ+ people through improved investment in and access to a range of health services and providing for a more inclusive health and social care environment for LGBTIQ+ people.
The participation and inclusion of LGBTIQ+ people in society will be a key element of NLIS II, and will be achieved through measures: to improve visibility and inclusion across a wide range of areas; to improve funding supports for LGBTIQ+ services; to ensure better data is captured on the needs of LGBTIQ+ people and to build on initiatives already undertaken within the business community and by employers so that LGBTIQ+ people are enabled to participate fully within the workplace.
The NLIS II will also seek to advance equality for, and counter discrimination against, LGBTIQ+ people through the introduction of, or amending legislation across key areas, and through continued advocacy for the protection and promotion of LGBTIQ+ rights at an international level.
The Government is committed to making Ireland a country in which LGBTIQ+ people can safely live, work and enjoy their lives without barriers, discrimination and intolerance.
44. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can share either domestic or international indicators on the State’s performance in the area of childcare; how the State’s position has improved on the affordability of childcare versus other countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43342/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department draws on a wide range of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare data, both domestic and international, to inform policy development, implementation and evaluation. These data are also used to measure the State’s progress, year on year, in the delivery of high quality, affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. In terms of annual investment in this key area, my Department secured a €1 billion budget allocation in 2023, 5 years ahead of the First 5 2028 target. The budget allocation I secured for 2025 will provide €1.37 billion, which represents an additional investment of €266m, or 24% when compared with 2024, and which will provide improved affordability for parents, facilitate capacity growth within the sector, and ensure additional supports for children and families who are experiencing disadvantage.
Increased investment in recent years has helped to achieve significant progress in improving the affordability of childcare for families in Ireland. The NCS universal subsidy was increased from €0.50 to €1.40 in January 2023 and further increased to €2.14 in September 2024. The fee cap in place since 2022 due to Core Funding ensures that families experience the full benefit of these changes.
My Department also publishes a range of output, outcome and Equality Budgeting indicators in the area of childcare in the annual Revised Estimates Volume, published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform. These include targets for the numbers of children and services supported through government funded supports and subsidy schemes as well as monitoring outcomes related to employment and engagement with formal childcare. In recent years, these indicators show increasing numbers of services contracted to DCEDIY schemes, a higher proportion of staff in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare settings with a relevant degree, and greater numbers of children receiving supports and subsidies through government funded schemes.
There are a number of sources of international comparative indicators for early childhood education and care. In particular, the European Commission’s structural indicators for monitoring education and training systems in Europe – 2024: Early childhood education and care report is due to be published in November and will assess some of the main aspects regarding the right to affordable early childhood education and care across European countries. Officials in my Department are currently working with the OECD to determine our progress on affordability. However, given the very different sectors and contexts across different jurisdictions, it is important to take care when interpreting international comparisons. Early learning and care provision varies greatly across countries and the criteria applied to compare countries do not always reflect the full picture of performance at the national level. For example, children in Ireland commonly start school before the compulsory school age of six whereas school starting age tends to be higher among our European counterparts. This means that any indicator based on compulsory school age (e.g. participation rates) will not be directly comparable.
45. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if she and her Department have mapped the existence of youth-focused community projects and staff across the State; if they are aware of gaps in coverage, or of large and populous areas without or with inadequately resourced projects; and how do they intend to resolve this. [40663/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI recognise the need for improved data on the distribution of youth work services across the State, and this is a priority for my Department. I recently published a new Government strategy to guide the development of youth work services between now and 2028, entitled Opportunities for Youth: National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024 - 2028. Opportunities for Youth describes the measures we will take during this period to move us closer to an Ireland where all young people who wish to are able to participate in enriching and developmental out-of-school opportunities that support them to reach their full potential. The Strategy notes that investment should be transparent, data-driven and evidence-based and should deliver impact for young people while addressing known gaps in service-delivery and avoiding duplication. To this end, the first delivery phase of Opportunities for Youth includes an action to map the availability and distribution of youth work and wider youth services and facilities throughout Ireland, charted against key demographic data.
Work is underway in respect of this action. My Department is leading on a comprehensive mapping exercise of the youth services sector, aiming to capture all youth services, both youth worker-led and volunteer-led. The first stage involves mapping the 250 projects funded through the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme and is currently being finalised. This scheme provides targeted youth services to disadvantaged, marginalised, or vulnerable young people. The mapping project will also incorporate the mapping of youth work services funded through other schemes, including the Youth Services Grant Scheme, Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative, PEACEPLUS, and the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. A detailed questionnaire was recently sent to all youth services and clubs, and the collected data is currently being processed to further inform and enhance the mapping exercise.
This mapping exercise will leverage CSO population data and the Pobal deprivation index to help 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 guardians, and teachers on youth services which are available in their communities.
46. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any supports in place from his Department for existing pre-school/crèche providers that are looking to acquire a new premises due to an increase in numbers attending. [43398/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
Capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026.
The Building Blocks Capacity Grant schemes are operating over 2024 and 2025. The Building Blocks Capacity Grant has two strands, an Expansion scheme and an Extension scheme to support existing services to increase capacity. The primary focus of the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Schemes is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care.
Under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, some €25 million will be available in 2025 to deliver additional capacity.
Under the scheme, community and private providers may apply for funding between to physically extend their premises. In addition, community providers may also apply for funding to purchase an Early Learning Childcare facility or a premises that could be easily adapted for this purpose, or towards the cost of building a new premises or installation of a modular building. Community services may submit applications under each of the three strands.
Appraisal of applications for this scheme considers the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch.
I hope to announce full details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme shortly.
47. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 541 of 15 October 2024, the number of childcare centres it is estimated that are to be impacted by this decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43518/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraCore Funding is allocated a budget of €331 million for its third year of operation which began in September 2024. This represents an increase of 15% on the allocation for year two.
The additional funding will facilitate increases in the base rate for all age groups, the strengthening of targeted measures which were introduced in year 2 to support sessional and smaller services, and growth in capacity of almost 6%.
A maximum Base Rate allocation was introduced in September 2023 for the second year of Core Funding. Individual Partner Services will not receive funding for their staffed capacity through the Base Rate beyond this maximum value.
The maximum Base Rate allocation aims to maximise the efficiency of this significant State investment in the sector, to best spread a limited budget across the entire sector rather than increasing funded capacity for the largest services.
When introduced in year two of the scheme, this maximum allocation was set at €600,000 and for year three of the scheme from September 2024 it has been reduced to the current value of €500,000.
This maximum does not include the allocation of Graduate Premiums in respect of staff with additional qualifications, which may increase the total allocation to a Partner Service beyond this maximum allocation.
As of Monday 14 October, five services have reached the maximum base rate of €500,000.
48. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is satisfied that the welfare and interests of children remain adequately protected in all guardian ad litem situations; the exceptions, if any; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43509/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister with responsibility for Children, I am committed to upholding the best interests of children in all situations.
Currently in public child care cases an independent Guardian ad Litem is appointed by the court to represent the child’s voice and best interests and to convey those to the court under section 26 of the 1991 Child Care Act which provides for the appointment of a GAL in child care proceedings. The 1991 Act does not set out the criteria for such appointments, the qualifications required to act as a GAL nor the role, function and status of a GAL in proceedings. The work undertaken by a GAL subsequent to appointment, and any action directed by the court on foot of recommendations made by a GAL, is a matter for the court.
The current system has been widely criticised for its lack of transparency surrounding the selection, registration and vetting of GALS, the lack of competitive tendering for legal representatives and high rates paid to GALs in comparison with other jurisdictions.
Against this backdrop my Department has a programme of reform of the GAL system underway as a matter of strategic priority. The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022, which provides for reform of the GAL system, was signed into law on 19 July 2022. This Act enables me as Minister to establish a new GAL service, which will address the concerns raised and provide a standardised and regulated national service. The main purpose of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022 is to extend and regulate the guardian ad litem system for children involved in child care proceedings. The provisions of this Act are intended to enhance the rights of children and the capacity of the courts to make the right decisions in helping children and their families.
In the coming weeks it is my intention to announce the appointment of the Director for the new Service.
49. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider raising the pay of early years educators by €1.50 per hour, as sought by a union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43557/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI firmly believe the level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners should reflect the value of their work for children, families, society and the economy.
I acknowledge that those working in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) sector do not receive the recognition they deserve. The role of the early years educator and school-age childcare practitioner are valuable ones and they play an important part in supporting children's development, learning and care.
State investment in early learning and childcare has increased by 72% since the Programme for Government was published. The First 5 investment target set in 2018 was achieved in 2023 - five years early. In 2025, State investment will be €1.37 billion.
The State is not the employer and therefore does not set the pay or conditions for employees in the sector
However, there is, through the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders (ERO). This is an independent process from the Department and neither I, nor my officials, have any role in the proceedings of the JLC and any associated negotiated minimum pay rates, the cost of which is borne by the employer.
The JLC process has seen two increases in minimum rates of pay for roles in the sector and positively impacting over 70% and 50% of the workforce respectively.
Outcomes from the JLC process are supported by Government through Core Funding.
In Budget 2025, I secured an additional €15m specifically to support employers meet the costs of further increases to the minimum rates of pay. This allocation, which is conditional on ERO being negotiated by the JLC, translates into full year costs of €45 million for programme year 2025/2026.
On the basis of 2024 data supplied by Partner Services taking part in Core Funding , the estimated annual costs to employers of raising all the minimum pay rates specified in the current ERO by €1.50 per hour is approximately €72.1 million.
This figure represents the additional cost to employers of bringing staff, from their current wage or the minimum pay rates set out in the current EROs, whichever is higher, up to the new pay rate set out in the Deputy's question.
In relation to the estimate above, the following should be noted :
• The cost estimate is based on staff who had an hourly wage recorded in service providers’ submissions for Core Funding, but the Core Funding data has been extrapolated to provide an estimate for all staff working in the sector.
• Cost estimate based on the most recent data available to the Department which was provided by service providers in May 2024, this data was provided prior to the new EROs for Early Years Services came into force on June 24th.
• The estimated cost are for the additional cost to employers of bringing staff, from their current wage or the minimum pay rates set out in the first EROs, whichever is higher, up to the new pay rate as set out in the question.
• Calculations are based on wage-data available at a point in time. Some services may have increased wages more recently, which would reduce the cost to services of moving from current wage-rates to the propose wage rates in the question.
• The cost estimates only relate to staff and managers covered by the current EROs, i.e. the estimates exclude the cost of ancillary staff.
• The cost estimates do not attempt to account for the potential cost implications for the wages of staff who are currently earning more than the increased rates above current ERO minimum rates.
• It should be noted that the figure above is the additional cost to employers rather than the additional costs to the State. Core Funding offers a contribution to staff costs. The €331m allocated for Core Funding may already support some employers to pay wage rates above ERO minimum rates.
50. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline any engagement his Department has had with other Departments regarding the division of responsibilities amongst them for the provision of therapies and assessments for children with autism and disabilities whilst workforce planning continues and gaps in services remain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43552/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEngagement between officials in my Department and those in other Departments and state bodies and agencies regarding the provision of therapies and assessments for children with autism and disabilities is typically coordinated under the governance structures established as part of the PDS Roadmap 2023 – 2026.
Implementation of the Roadmap will, amongst other things, seek to ensure that children are referred to the most appropriate service under the National Access Policy; reduce the waiting time for children currently waitlisted for CDNTs; improve outcomes for children and families and their experience of CDNT service; and improve staff retention on CDNTs in the long-term as a good place to work.
The development of an effective governance structure saw the establishment of relevant Working Groups. Each Working Group has a clear remit to lead on the progression of a specific set of actions and ensure delivery to address the specific improvements needed.
In this context, Working Group 1: National Integrated Services for AoN, NAP and Joint Protocol leads on the delivery of integrated services for children and young people by fully operationalising policies designed to promote coordinated services across care groups and organisations. It includes officials from my own Department, from the Department of Health (Primary Care and CAMHS) and Tusla. Its objectives include the establishment of an Integrated Children’s Services Group to drive the implementation of the National Access Policy (NAP) and to lead on a Primary Care, Disabilities, CAMHS Joint Working Protocol (JWP) for children and young people with disabilities including those on the Assessment of Need pathway.
51. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he intends to provide a capital grant scheme for childcare providers. [43206/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable early learning and childcare is a key priority of Government.
Capital funding has been allocated to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant investment in early learning and childcare. Some €89 million has been allocated to my Department between 2023 and 2026.
The Building Blocks Capacity Grant schemes are operating over 2024 and 2025. The Building Blocks Capacity Grant has two strands, an Expansion scheme and an Extension scheme to support existing services to increase capacity. The primary focus of the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Schemes is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day care.
Under the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme, some €25 million will be available in 2025 to deliver additional capacity.
The Scheme will be split into four strands. Private providers may apply for grants of between €50,000 and €250,000 to physically extend their premises. Match funding will be required of private providers and projects will be limited to a maximum value of €650,000.
Community providers may apply for grants of between €100,000 and €500,000 to physically extend their premises. Match funding will not be required of community providers .
In addition, community providers may also apply for funding to purchase an Early Learning Childcare facility or a premises that could be easily adapted for this purpose, or towards the cost of constructing a new premises or installation of a modular building. Match funding will not be a requirement of either of these two strands. Community services may submit applications under each of the three strands.
Appraisal of applications for this scheme considers the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch.
I hope to announce full details of the Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme shortly.
52. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the proposed national centre for research and remembrance will open in Dublin; his plans for remembrance centres in other locations around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43209/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Centre for Research and Remembrance will comprise a museum and exhibition space, a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, a place for reflection and remembrance, social housing, further and higher educational facilities, and community-based family and parenting support facilities.
The development of the National Centre is multi-annual in nature. A Steering Group, chaired by Mr Martin Fraser, former Secretary General to the Government and Ambassador to Great Britain, was established in April 2022 to drive the overall coordinated development of the National Centre.
In July 2022 Dublin City Council voted to transfer the site to the OPW. The OPW is continuing essential maintenance works on the site to facilitate safe and full access and necessary building surveys. In July 2023, Government approved the masterplan for the National Centre campus and a preliminary business case for the main National Centre buildings. In March 2024 it approved the preliminary business case for the full National Centre Campus.
Extensive work is continuing on the development of a detailed project plan, including timelines for development, with a number of Government departments and agencies acting in partnership. It is anticipated that an application for planning permission will be submitted shortly, with construction to commence in 2025.
Although physically situated in Dublin, the potential for outreach, regional and international connections will be an important element of the National Centre. There will be engagement with local museums and community spaces, like libraries, and travelling exhibitions to ensure people can access museum content from different locations. This content will be co-curated with survivors and will form an important element of the overall programme for the National Centre. As promised in the whole of Government Action Plan, the potential for online access to content will also be explored.
53. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how his Department is supporting youth services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43538/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from Budget 2025, €84.9m will be allocated for current and capital expenditure for the benefit of young people, an increase in funding of €7 million, or almost 9%, on the 2024 budget. Over the period from 2021 to 2025, the level of current Exchequer funding for youth services and programmes will have increased by over 34%.
The additional funding secured in Budget 2025 will support the sustainability of Youth Organisations, whilst also expanding youth work service capacity through the funding of new targeted youth services.
Funding secured in Budget 2025, will support the implementation of Opportunities for Youth: The National Strategy for Youth Work and Related Services 2024-2028. This strategy includes a clear set of strategic objectives and 18 priority actions intended to strengthen the role of youth work and related services in the lives of young people in Ireland.
Funding will also support the UBU Your Place Your Space funding scheme which targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and I have secured new funding which will provide for the establishment of a further 10 new UBU youth services and these new services will provide targeted youth worker-led support to up to 1,000 disadvantaged young people where they are most needed.
Funding through the Youth Services Grant Scheme which supports national youth organisations in delivering quality youth services across the State will also be increased in 2025 and up to €1.5 million in funding has been allocated for the specific purpose of expanding the scheme to include additional national youth organisations across 2024 and 2025.
Additional funding of €650,000 has been allocated in 2024 to the Volunteer Activation Fund, which will continue into 2025, providing additional support to national youth organisations in recruiting, retaining and supporting volunteers.
Importantly, funding will also be made available for the LGBTI+ Youth Fund, which will support initiatives that ensure that LGBTI+ young people are visible, included, and treated equally in their communities, fully aligning with our Opportunities for Youth Strategy.
In addition, a new pilot initiative will be implemented in 2025 as part of the Government’s commitment to tackling Holiday Hunger. This initiative will help feed up to 1,000 young people aged 10 to 18 years, who are at risk of not having access to a hot meal or any substantial meal during the official school closure times.
I remain committed to continuing the roll-out of the Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative which was launched in 2024 to engage and support harder to reach young people aged 15-24 who are not in employment, education or training. This initiative will receive €1m in funding for 2025.
In addition, capital funding of €1 million will be available for the benefit of young people in 2025, with €500,000 specifically earmarked for upgrading play and recreation facilities.
