Written Answers Nos. 954-976
954. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a response will issue to matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding a Dublin hotel being used for self-isolation for direct provision residents by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44902/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
955. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of reducing the maximum cost of childcare to €150 per child per month. [44904/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra956. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of reducing the maximum cost of childcare to €200 per child per month. [44905/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra957. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of reducing the maximum cost of childcare to €250 per child per month. [44906/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra958. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the full year cost of reducing the maximum cost of childcare to €300 per child per month. [44907/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra959. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of reducing the maximum cost of childcare to €350 per child per month. [44908/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 955, 956, 957, 958 and 959 together.
Due to their similarity PQs 44904/24, 44905/24, 44906/24, 44907/24 and 44908/24 will be taken together.
There are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
• Universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €2.14 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
• Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on individual circumstances. The rate will vary depending on the level of family income, child age and educational stage, and the number of children in a family.
This Department does not hold individualised fee data for parents as these are local agreements between parents and providers; instead a reduction in the average cost of ELC to parents is examined. To estimate this cost, data from Pobal on average weekly fees across the country was used. To achieve the desired reductions in fees, increases to the NCS universal subsidy were examined.
As these costings are based on an average fee, the impact of these changes would vary based on the level of fees within the services, patterns of usage and age of the child. The below estimates have been costed as such that all children in the scheme will have their costs reduced to at least the target value per month, in some cases the reduction will be greater.
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of these changes and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS. The results are given below in tabular form.
|
Max fees per month |
NCS Universal Subsidy |
Cost of change |
|
Baseline |
€2.14 |
|
|
150 |
€3.62 |
€234.10m |
|
200 |
€3.36 |
€193.65m |
|
250 |
€3.11 |
€154.57m |
|
300 |
€2.85 |
€113.89m |
|
350 |
€2.59 |
€72.86m |
These estimates comes with a number of caveats, from September 2024 a number of enhancements were made to the NCS, the estimates factor in these changes:
Increase in universal subsidy from €1.40 to €2.14.
Extension of NCS to families availing of childminders
Increase in NCS sponsor subsidy to €5.30 per hour for all children over the age of 1.
The impact of these changes are yet to be determined and carry a risk of altering the above costings due to increased participation of childminders for example. As such extensions to the scheme are based on estimates.
In addition, this costing is made on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible ELC does not increase or decrease but remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviour of families, for example, return to/increased labour force participation and use of formal ELC for the first time.
960. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of reducing the maximum cost of childcare to €400 per family per month. [44910/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question requests the cost of reducing childcare fees so that families pay no more than €400 per week.
The NCS Universal Subsidy is available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €2.14 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
This Department does not hold individualised fee data for parents as these are local agreements between parents and providers; instead a reduction in the average cost of ELC to parents is examined. To estimate these costs, data from Pobal on average weekly fees across the country was used.
The NCS is not currently designed to apply subsidies at family level and it is necessary to make some assumptions to support such a model. To ensure a cap of €400 per month for all families, data from Pobal on the number of children per family availing of the NCS was used. The first or only child in a family had their fees capped at €400 euro per month. This cap requires an increase to the universal subsidy for these children to €2.34 per hour. All children that are not the first child in the family had their universal subsidy set to the average weekly fee, which will theoretically cover their entire fee for full-time provision when averaged nationally.
As these costings are based on an average fee, the impact of this change would vary based on the level of fees within the services, patterns of usage and age of the child. The below estimates have been costed such that all families will have their costs reduced to at least €400 per month, in some cases the reduction will be greater.
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of this change and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS. The full year cost of this change was estimated at €121.65m.
This estimate come with a number of caveats, from September 2024 a number of enhancements were made to the NCS, the estimates factor in these changes:
Increase in universal subsidy from €1.40 to €2.14.
Extension of NCS to families availing of childminders
Increase in NCS sponsor subsidy to €5.30 per hour for all children over the age of 1.
The impact of these changes are yet to be determined and carry a risk of altering the above costings due to increased participation of childminders for example. As such extensions to the scheme are based on estimates.
As has been referenced previously the above costing is based on an average fee, the Department is aware of significant variation in fees but without enough information must use an average. The distribution of costs for first/only children versus additional children is based on current Pobal data, if this distribution were to change through increased NCS participation or more children per family availing of the NCS this cost would increase significantly.
Finally, this costing is made on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible ELC does not increase or decrease but remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviour of families, for example, return to/increased labour force participation and use of formal ELC for the first time.
961. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of reducing the maximum cost of childcare to €500 per family per month. [44911/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question requests the cost of reducing childcare fees so that families pay no more than €500 per month.
The NCS Universal Subsidy is available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €2.14 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
This Department does not hold individualised fee data for parents as these are local agreements between parents and providers; instead a reduction in the average cost of ELC to parents is examined. To estimate these costs, data from Pobal on average weekly fees across the country was used.
The NCS is not currently designed to apply subsidies at family level and it is necessary to make some assumptions to support such a model. To ensure a cap of €500 per month for all families, data from Pobal on the number of children per family availing of the NCS was used. The first or only child in a family had their fees capped at €500 euro per month.
Under the current NCS universal subsidy and based on the national average fee for full time childcare, families currently do not pay more than €500 per month for a single child. Because of this, the additional cost of this change is as a result of children that are not the first or only child claiming NCS in their family. These children had their universal subsidy set to the average weekly fee, which will theoretically cover their entire fee for full-time provision when averaged nationally. The universal subsidy for the first children in these multiple children families were adjusted down to reflect the €500 cap.
As these costings are based on an average fee, the impact of this change would vary based on the level of fees within the services, patterns of usage and age of the child. The below estimate has been costed such that all families will have their costs reduced to at least €500 per month, in some cases the reduction will be greater.
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of this change and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS. The full year cost of this change was estimated at €82.64m.
This estimate comes with a number of caveats, from September 2024 a number of enhancements were made to the NCS, the estimates factor in these changes:
Increase in universal subsidy from €1.40 to €2.14.
Extension of NCS to families availing of childminders.
Increase in NCS sponsor subsidy to €5.30 per hour for all children over the age of 1.
The impact of these changes are yet to be determined and carry a risk of altering the above costings due to increased participation of childminders for example. As such extensions to the scheme are based on estimates.
As has been referenced previously the above costing is based on an average fee, the Department is aware of significant variation in fees but without enough information must use an average. The distribution of costs for first/only children versus additional children is based on current Pobal data, if this distribution were to change through increased NCS participation or more children per family availing of the NCS this cost would increase significantly.
Finally, this costing is made on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible ELC does not increase or decrease but remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviour of families, for example, return to/increased labour force participation and use of formal ELC for the first time.
962. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full year cost of increasing pay for childcare staff by 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, and 25%, respectively. [44912/24]
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.
The State is not the employer and therefore does not set the pay or conditions for employees in either early learning and care (ELC) or school-age childcare (SAC) services.
However, there is now, through the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate minimum pay rates for ELC and SAC services, which are set down in Employment Regulation Orders (EROs). 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.
Outcomes of the JLC negotiations are supported via the Governments Core Funding scheme. Among other objectives, Core Funding supports the ability of service providers to meet the additional costs resulting from the EROs for Early Years Services, as it provides increases in funding to early learning and childcare service providers to support improvements in staff wages, alongside a commitment to freeze parental fees.
On the basis of 2024 data supplied by Partner Services taking part in the Core Funding scheme, the estimated annual costs to employers of raising all the minimum pay rates specified in the EROs (for different grades and qualification levels) by the rates proposed in the question (making assumptions specified below in relation to equivalent increases for other roles specified in the EROs) are set out in the table:
|
% increase |
Estimated Costs |
|
5 |
€31,563,747.00 |
|
10 |
€72,089,481.00 |
|
15 |
€118,570,211.00 |
|
20 |
€168,639,653.00 |
|
25 |
€220,360,894.00 |
In relation to the estimates above, the following should be noted:
* The cost estimates are 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 estimates are 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.
* Calculations are there based on minimum rates of pat set out in the initial ERO which came into effect in June 2024.
* The estimated costs 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 listed in the request. E.g., for an early year’s educator, costs are estimated based on current rate of pay up to 5% above the current ERO rate for that role (ERO minimum rate for Educators 13.65+ increased listed of 5% = increase of 68c).
* 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 proposed 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 figures in the table are the additional cost to employers, rather than the additional costs to the State. Core Funding offers a contribution to staff costs. The €313m allocated for Core Funding may already support some employers to pay wage rates above ERO minimum rates.
* The figures in the table do not take into account the income currently received by those working in the sector who are self-employed and who derive their income from profits rather than wages.
963. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the HSE health areas that will be reviewing the 2025 section 39 funding applications for an organisation (details supplied); if they will contact the organisation directly to provide a point of contact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44915/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst the Minister has committed to funding the helpline service, funding for the other 3 areas mentioned are a matter for Department of Health. In order to respond in a timely manner, the DCEDIY are accepting this PQ for referral to the HSE.
964. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a full list of the number of beds available for accommodating both Ukrainian refugees and international protection applicants, listing the number that are occupied and the number empty, at the most recent date for which this information is available. [44944/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraInternational Protection Accommodation Service:
As of 27 October 2024, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) was providing accommodation to 32,626 International Protection (IP) applicants.
IPAS works at all times to ensure accommodation capacity is utilised in the most effective manner possible.
Across the 323 IPAS properties variances exist between maximum capacity and actual number International Protection (IP) applicants in residence. The largest part of this differentials is accounted due to room configurations including differing family sizes often leaving unusable beds in allocated accommodation.
Contractual issues with service providers will also leave potential beds unused pending the resolution of issues and the need to upgrade and renovate rooms. A significant portion of bed capacity is further accounted for through the need for maintenance or deep cleaning of rooms following moves and, ring-fenced beds to facilitate the opening and closing of accommodation centres.
During 2023 and 2024, IPAS has had occupancy rates of 95% while at the same time having no usable beds available to accommodate all arriving international protection applicants.
The variances between occupancy rates and maximum capacity are within expected norms given the wide variety of IPAS property portfolio, contractual obligations of the properties available and the demand lead nature of the service being delivered.
IPAS continues to work toward maximising bed capacity with occupancy rates tracked and monitored on a weekly basis, based on register returns submitted by centre management. Centres also subject to desktop audits and onsite inspections to ensure accurate registers are kept.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection:
As of 27 October 2024, there were 34,152 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) reported as availing of DCEDIY-contracted temporary accommodation nationally.
Due to continuing downward trends in BOTPs seeking accommodation from the State, coupled with increases in BOTPs leaving State provided accommodation to seek more independent living, vacancies continue to arise in the BOTP portfolio of commercial accommodation. These vacancies are notified by providers on a weekly basis and the numbers change daily in response to moves in and out of accommodation.
Vacancies notified by a provider must be validated by my Department as suitable for use and matched to the particular needs of individual BOTPs and families. The total number of vacancies available for allocation changes daily as vacancies are both validated and allocated to BOTPs on a daily basis.
While the number of available vacancies reported by providers to my Department are not insignificant, beds can be unusable for a variety of reasons which can include unused beds in family rooms, single occupancy in double rooms, or rooms closed for maintenance. Where a provider is nearing the end of their contract, for example, or where an issue has been raised with my Department such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies notified by that accommodation provider will not be filled until these matters are resolved to ensure the safety and wellbeing of BOTPs.
A significant proportion of vacancies which are ultimately deemed to be usable are already committed for certain moves in the short term. Where a provider has decided not to renew a contract for example, or where my Department must end a contract with a provider to ensure greater compliance or value for money, the BOTPs in residence will need to be moved elsewhere in the portfolio. The number of uncommitted vacancies is therefore far lower than the number of available vacancies reported by providers.
My Department’s ongoing work to consolidate and tailor the BOTP portfolio to match with current and future need for BOTP related accommodation will mean a continued need for usable vacancies as contingency within the portfolio. My Department publishes regular statistical reports on the Accommodation of BOTPs. The reports present data by type of accommodation, age groups and by county. The reports can be accessed here:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/9ac7b-accommodation-of-beneficiaries-of-temporary-protection-botps/ .
965. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being taken to support a person (details supplied), who has lost her aftercare as a result of dropping out of education because of severe anorexia. [44945/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraYoung people who have had a care history with Tusla are entitled to an aftercare service based on their eligibility and assessed needs. This assessment considers a number of factors including the young person’s educational and accommodation needs.
Upon reaching the age of 18, a young person is deemed to have left State care. All eligible care leavers are supported through aftercare services provided by Tusla. Care leavers, depending on need, may be allocated an aftercare worker. All care leavers, without exception or age limit, can attend drop-in services organised by the Tusla aftercare service.
The Child Care Act (Amended) 1991 sets out that where Tusla is providing assistance to a person in accordance with an aftercare plan by arranging for the completion of education and by contributing to maintenance while completing education, and that person attains the age of 21 years, Tusla may continue to provide that assistance until the completion of the course of education or the end of the academic year during which the person attains the age of 23, whichever is the earlier.
Tusla provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The aftercare allowance amounts to €300 per week and is dependent on the eligible young adult attending an accredited education course, third level course or training programme as outlined in the young adult’s Aftercare Plan. The allowance is provided to cover a young adults day to day costs, including accommodation as they progress in their chosen accredited course or training program.
Care leavers not engaged in education and not in employment may be eligible for the full Jobseekers Allowance (€232.00) rather than the reduced rate (€141.70) for individuals under the age of 25, provided that they meet eligibility criteria. Increases to these rates have been announced as part of Estimates 2025, to €244 and €153.70 respectively.
In relation to accommodation supports, the primary responsibility for housing lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and local authorities. This responsibility includes the accommodation needs of young persons leaving State care. In this regard, care leavers have been included as a separate category for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS) to enable Approved Housing Bodies to acquire residential units to accommodate them.
In 2023 Tusla published the Strategic Plan for Aftercare Services for Young People and Young Adults. My Department is engaging with the implementation of this plan with a view to improving aftercare services for care leavers.
966. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the First 5 Strategy; the work that is being carried out for children and families not offered P2 and P3 services due to a lack of public health nurses in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44948/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs my Department has not received clarification on the terms "P2 and P3 services", I am unable to provide an answer on that part of the question. However I am happy to provide an update on First 5, Ireland’s whole-of-government strategy to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families.
In June of this year my Department published the First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2023 which summarises recent progress in implementing the strategy, with 80% of all 2023 commitments met at this point and 95% expected to be met by year end.
The Report also outlines key achievements from 2023 including:
• Additional funding was secured in Budget 2024 to extend Parent’s Leave and Benefit by an additional two weeks, bringing the total entitlement to Parent’s Leave to nine weeks with effect from August 2024;
• The Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act was enacted introducing the right to request flexible working for parents and carers and extending breastfeeding breaks for working mothers from six months to two years;
• New measures were introduced under Supporting Parents: The National Model of Parenting Support Services;
• A Steering Group was convened by the Department of Health to recommence work on the establishment of a dedicated child health workforce;
• Funding of €1.109 billion was secured in Budget 2024, representing an €83 million (8%) increase on the 2023 budget allocation. Through this funding, there will be improved affordability for parents, improved availability and quality of early learning and childcare provision and additional supports for children with a disability and for children experiencing disadvantage.;
• New measures to tackle early childhood poverty were developed, including Equal Start the major new model of Government-funded supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.
The full report as well as all previous Annual Implementation Reports can be viewed on www.gov.ie/first5. There remains an ambitious agenda ahead over the lifetime of First 5 and I look forward to continuing to this work with colleagues across Government. I am confident that, with continued cross-Government collaboration, we will build on our First 5 successes to date to ensure all children have a strong and equal start and the opportunities in life to fulfil their potential.
967. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to develop a national pathway and specialist multidisciplinary functional neurological disorder clinic. [45006/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service/operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
968. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of home personal assistant hours delivered in 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45007/24]
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.
969. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of clinical placements that have been provided for students within CDNTs, by discipline, for 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [45043/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service/operational matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
970. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will support the call by the parents of a child (details supplied) for a public inquiry into the circumstances of their drowning while with an organisation; the reasons it took eight years for the organisation to accepted full liability for their death; the reason the report into the death has never been published or furnished to the family; the actions that have been taken to ensure no other child dies in similar circumstances; the lessons have been learnt from this tragedy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45083/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra971. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine issues with a youth organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45092/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 970 and 971 together.
The youth organisation in question is a voluntary organisation governed by an independent Board. It receives some of its funding from DCEDIY and raises other funding through member subscriptions and fundraising.
My Department's governance role in respect of the funding which it provides to the organisation is focused on ensuring compliance with safeguarding and financial governance requirements. My officials engage with the organisation in question on an on-going basis on these issues.
In respect of the specific issues that you raise, my officials have received assurance from the organization in question that they intend to furnish a copy of their internal report into the matter to the family without further delay.
972. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants currently based in Athlone; and how that compares to the national average across similar sized towns. [45094/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra973. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants currently based in other large towns (details supplied) and/or are planned for those locations in 2025. [45095/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 972 and 973 together.
There are currently over 32,000 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole compared with approximately 8,700 people at the end of February 2022.
IPAS accommodation is provided at over 320 centres across the country, in every county, with accommodation capacity having increased by more than 400% since 2020.
The Government and this Department is making every effort to accommodate people seeking IP against this backdrop of unprecedented demand. This is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country, and at the moment, over 90% of our accommodation options are contracted to the Department from private providers.
Intensive efforts are underway to source and bring into use suitable accommodation facilities, and to move over time toward a greater provision of State-owned beds, in line with the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS).
At this time, given the rapid increase in demand over recent years, the Department has not been in a position to refuse offers of suitable accommodation that meets our requirements. The contracting of properties as emergency centres is dependent on the receipt of offers from external providers, and the Department cannot predetermine their geographical location.
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.
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.
974. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth regarding the proposed Midlands accommodation centre in Athlone, the security measures that will be put in place when the centre is operational to ensure the safety of the applicants and local residents. [45096/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra975. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the countries of origin of the international protection applicants that will be based in the proposed Midlands accommodation centre. [45097/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra976. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that it is only single males that are going into the proposed Midlands accommodation centre in Athlone. [45098/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 974, 975 and 976 together.
The Government and this Department is making every effort to accommodate people seeking international protection, against a backdrop of significant demand over recent years. Providing reception conditions to applicants is part of Irish and EU law and is also part of our humanitarian duty to provide shelter to people fleeing war and persecution in their home country.
The proposed development of the site at Lissywollen, Athlone for the accommodation of International Protection (IP) applicants is an urgent and important project, part of an overall Government strategy to provide accommodation for people applying for international protection.
Due to a number of well-documented factors, and against a backdrop of significant ongoing accommodation shortages, the Department has not been in a position to offer International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation to every adult male seeking International Protection (IP) since 4 December 2023.
From December 2023 to 29th October 2024, a total of 2,827 male IP applicants have not been offered accommodation.
Accommodation at Midlands Accommodation Centre will be provided in phases, starting with approximately 100 residents. Over several phases, it may increase to up to 1,000 residents. Accommodation will initially be provided in tented structures, with modular accommodation to follow at a later stage.
Further information about Midlands Accommodation Centre is available at www.gov.ie/midlandsaccommodation :
In relation to the countries of origin of residents at any IPAS accommodation centre, this information is not published by my Department on a site by site basis.
Under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, the right to confidentiality of an IP applicant's identity is protected. Section 26(1) states that "The Minister and the Tribunal and their respective officers shall take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of applicants is kept confidential".
The Department releases generic information such as age ranges and gender as these are traits common to people in the entire country. As such, they cannot be used to locate or identify a specific person.
However, nationality is more specific and may identify a person as an IP applicant. In addition, the person making the application is doing so on the basis that they are being persecuted or discriminated in their country of origin and they may have good reasons not to attract the attention of people they have fled from at home or of the diplomatic or security services of the country of their nationality.
My Department publishes information on countries of origin of residents in IPAS centres on an aggregated basis across the whole system, this information is updated regularly at the link below.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/90641-statistics/ .
