Written Answers Nos. 910-929
910. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether she will consider a sensitive excavation of the suspected burial grounds at Sean Ross Abbey; whether engagements with survivors have been conducted to seek their views; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2350/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the pain caused by the deaths of children who were resident in the former Mother and Baby institution in Sean Ross Abbey.
The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions, including the former institution at Sean Ross Abbey, was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. The Commission’s final report included a Report of Forensic Archaeological Investigations at Sean Ross Abbey Mother and Baby Home Children’s Burial Ground. The report, which was commissioned on foot of concerns about the burial ground in Sean Ross Abbey, found that infant human burials were located across the Children’s Burial ground and these had not been impacted by any utilities or drainage works.
As set out in its final report, 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.
I understand that, following publication of the Commission’s final report, the then Minister engaged with a local group in relation to their concerns that an area beyond the acknowledged burial ground at Sean Ross Abbey may also contain graves. In 2023, funding was provided to the group to support them in undertaking a survey of the land in question, which was not subject to 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. The Chief Archaeologist’s review, which has been shared with the group concerned, concludes that the survey report is inconclusive, with no clear evidence of burials. I understand, however, that the group continues to have concerns in this regard.
The Institutional Burials Act 2022 provides a legislative basis for an intervention whereby the remains of those who died in residential institutions, and who were buried in a manifestly inappropriate manner, may be recovered and re-interred in a respectful and appropriate way. Section 7 of the 2022 Act requires that Government must be satisfied that burials have taken place and must have evidence that those burials are manifestly inappropriate in order to establish an Office of Director of Authorised Intervention to undertake an excavation and recovery of remains at a site associated with a particular institution.
Given that the designated burial ground has been forensically investigated and there is no evidence of manifestly inappropriate burials, and there is also no evidence of manifestly inappropriate burials in the area outside the designated burial ground, it is not possible to bring forward a proposal to establish an Office of Director of Authorised Intervention to excavate the site at Sean Ross Abbey.
911. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether she will consider a sensitive excavation of the suspected burial grounds at Bessborough; whether engagements with survivors have been conducted to seek their views; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2351/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the pain caused by the deaths of people who were resident in the former Mother and Baby institution in Bessborough and the uncertainty regarding the burial place of many children who were resident there.
The investigation of burial arrangements in Mother and Baby institutions, including Bessborough, was an important part of the work of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. The Commission carried out cartographic and landscape assessments of possible unrecorded burial arrangements at the site. It also carried out a site survey and followed up with people on responses to its appeal seeking information about burials. However, it was unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of burials of the children who died at Bessborough in the grounds. As no evidence of locations was found, the Commission did not consider it feasible to excavate the full available site, which amounts to 60 acres, or indeed the former 200 acre estate, parts of which have now been built on.
The Institutional Burials Act 2022 provides a legislative basis for an intervention whereby the remains of those who died in residential institutions, and who were buried in a manifestly inappropriate manner, may be recovered and re-interred in a respectful and appropriate way. Section 7 of the 2022 Act requires that Government must be satisfied that burials have taken place and must have evidence that those burials are manifestly inappropriate in order to establish an Office of Director of Authorised Intervention to undertake an excavation and recovery of remains at a site associated with a particular institution.
In the case of Bessborough, the location of burials is, sadly, unknown. In this situation it is not possible to bring forward a proposal to establish an Office of Director of Authorised Intervention to excavate and recover remains.
912. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact from a CDNT, by CHO and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months for an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact from a CDNT, by CHO and age category, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2385/25]
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.
913. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact from a CDNT, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months for an assessment of need in the period after they have received an initial contact by a CDNT, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2386/25]
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.
914. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CHO and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CHO and age category, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2387/25]
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.
915. Deputy Rory Hearne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average waiting time for a child to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category; the number of children waiting less than three months, between three to six months, between six to nine months, and more than nine months to receive a therapy or other support appointment in the period after they have been referred for one following an assessment of need, by CDNT in CHO9 and age category, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2388/25]
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.
916. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an appointment will be made for a child (details supplied) for an autism assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2407/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to the service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
917. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a place in an ASD class will be facilitated for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2408/25]
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.
918. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the recent news article regarding scandals surrounding a company (details supplied), given the fact that Tusla has announced that it has ended its cooperation with that company; if any Government bodies are still using the services of the company; and if so, will she provide details of this cooperation. [2409/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware this company is currently not being used by Tusla. Neither Tusla nor my Department can comment on the commissioning of this company by any other Government body.
With regard to the commissioning process for Tusla, such as with this organisation in question, organisations/companies must satisfy all requirements as a relevant service under Children First, including appropriate staff vetting and qualifications, Child Safeguarding Statements, relevant policies and procedures and a data sharing agreement in place (If required).
919. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents can expect the €200 cap on childcare fees to be in place. [2413/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraInvestment in early learning and childcare is now at unprecedented levels with public funding exceeding €1.37 billion in 2025, clearly demonstrating Government commitment to this area.
As well as addressing affordability this investment has served to improve accessibility, availability and the quality of provision.
The ECCE programme, which provides two years of pre-school without charge, enjoys participation rates of 96% each year. Over 70% of families on low income report that they would not be able to send their child to pre-school without this programme.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) complements the ECCE programme, providing subsidies – both universal and targeted - to reduce the costs to parents for children to participate in ELC and SAC.
The minimum NCS subsidy has steadily risen from €0.50 in 2022 to €2.14 in September 2024 alongside extensions to eligibility.
The fee management system introduced through the Core Funding Scheme has ensured that the investment in NCS has resulted in real change for parents with the cumulative reduction in out of pocket over this period estimated to be 50% on average.
Record numbers of children and their families are now benefiting from the NCS. Almost 220,000 unique children benefited from an NCS subsidy in 2024.
I am committed to continuing to improve affordability and reach the €200 per month within the lifetime of the Government. However, further progress on affordability cannot be made in isolation and must be integrated with our efforts to improve access, availability and quality.
I look forward to further engagement and discussion to plan the way forward to deliver on this commitment.
920. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons in IPAS accommodation centres, by month, in the years 2023 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2421/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you for your question, Deputy.
Ireland is currently responding to an ongoing very significant increase in applications for international protection since 2022. The response has meant a 400% and ongoing increase in the capacity of the IPAS accommodation system, at the same time as the State responded to meeting accommodation and wider needs of over 100,000 people fleeing war in Ukraine.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) currently provides accommodation to almost 33,000 people at over 320 sites nationwide.
My Department continues to develop and source accommodation for people seeking international protection in locations all over the country, as part of implementing the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy for international protection.
The Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy aims to address the current serious shortfall in accommodation for people seeking international protection and to build a more sustainable system for the longer term.
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 strategy and the new Programme for Government.
Accommodation is being developed through the use of State land for prefabricated and modular units, conversion of commercial buildings, and targeted purchasing of turnkey properties. This work will also involve design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres and upgrading of IPAS Centres over time, all supplemented, as required, by high standard commercial providers.
Further breakdown of requested monthly figures are in the table provided below as requested by the Deputy.
Weekly and Monthly statistics are available on gov.ie at the link below:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/
Monthly Accommodation Figures:
|
End Month |
Total in IPAS Accommodation |
|
Jan-23 |
19,635 |
|
Feb-23 |
19,936 |
|
Mar-23 |
20,304 |
|
Apr-23 |
20,322 |
|
May-23 |
20,910 |
|
Jun-23 |
21,573 |
|
Jul-23 |
22,478 |
|
Aug-23 |
23,194 |
|
Sep-23 |
23,983 |
|
Oct-23 |
25,019 |
|
Nov-23 |
25,823 |
|
Dec-23 |
26,279 |
|
Jan-24 |
26,823 |
|
Feb-24 |
27,696 |
|
Mar-24 |
28,478 |
|
Apr-24 |
29,456 |
|
May-24 |
30,757 |
|
Jun-24 |
31,375 |
|
Jul-24 |
31,432 |
|
Aug-24 |
31,976 |
|
Sep-24 |
32,460 |
|
Oct-24 |
32,626 |
|
Nov-24 |
32,587 |
|
Dec-24 |
32,702 |
|
Jan -25 |
32,897 |
* As at 19 January 2025
921. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainians living in State accommodation, by month, in the years 2023 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2422/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive. To date, almost 114,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and almost 88,500 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe was immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types were contracted, hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
All accommodation contracted by my Department is temporary in nature, and BOTPs are advised of this when requesting emergency accommodation.
The breakdown of the number of Ukrainians residing in DCEDIY-supported accommodation on the 1st of each month, in the years 2023 to date, is set out in the table below. Please note that DCEDIY-supported accommodation does not include BOTPs that are residing in pledged or Offer a Home accommodation.
|
Date |
Number of BOTPs |
|
01/01/2023 |
48136 |
|
01/02/2023 |
49741 |
|
01/03/2023 |
51364 |
|
01/04/2023 |
53356 |
|
01/05/2023 |
53439 |
|
01/06/2023 |
54780 |
|
01/07/2023 |
56025 |
|
01/08/2023 |
57146 |
|
01/09/2023 |
56799 |
|
01/10/2023 |
58694 |
|
01/11/2023 |
59646 |
|
01/12/2023 |
58052 |
|
01/01/2024 |
58605 |
|
01/02/2024 |
58416 |
|
01/03/2024 |
54950 |
|
01/04/2024 |
51797 |
|
01/05/2024 |
47783 |
|
01/06/2024 |
45364 |
|
01/07/2024 |
43497 |
|
01/08/2024 |
40669 |
|
01/09/2024 |
38289 |
|
01/10/2024 |
35540 |
|
01/11/2024 |
32812 |
|
01/12/2024 |
30986 |
|
01/01/2025 |
29301 |
922. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and total value of contracts to commercial providers of IPAS accommodation centres, by county, in the years 2022 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2423/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for the question.
Extensive efforts are underway, within this Department and as part of a whole-of-Government response, to source and bring into use suitable facilities to provide shelter and safety to international protection applicants.
Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – 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 International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) currently provides accommodation to almost 33,000 people at over 320 sites nationwide.
Contractual arrangements between the Department and external providers are considered commercially sensitive. To preserve the Department's negotiating position, the contracts and costs paid to providers are not published, as making this data available to other accommodation providers would not serve the public interest.
As such, I regret that the information requested can't be supplied in the format requested. However, the Public Sector Reform Plan requires that government departments and agencies publish online reports detailing Purchase Orders (PO) relating to payments for goods, services or works procured to a value greater than €20,000. These are published, once per quarter, on gov.ie:
www.gov.ie/en/collection/dfdadb-department-of-children-and-youth-affairs-purchase-orders-for-20000-o/.
As part of these reports, the Deputy will find details of all payments from this Department over 20,000, with information on the payee, and whether the payment relates to international protection accommodation, or State-supported Ukraine accommodation.
IPAS also publishes weekly and monthly reports on gov.ie in relation to IP applicants. This includes a per county breakdown of where IP applicants are residing. These statistics are also published on gov.ie
www.gov.ie/en/publication/07027-ipas-statistics/.
923. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the fact that under the Child Care Act 2024, childminders are not permitted to have regular back ups, and have numerous other challenge (details supplied); and if she will ensure that conditions for childminders are up to Tusla standards. [2436/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 30 September 2024, relevant sections of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2024 were commenced to provide for removal of the exemption from registration for childminders, and the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Childminding Regulations) 2024 came into effect on the same day. These changes allowed for the registration of childminders with Tusla.
This was a milestone in the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028. Phase 1 of the National Action Plan for Childminding, which is now complete, included extensive consultation with childminders, parents and other stakeholders. The childminding-specific Regulations are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting in which childminders work. In finalising the Regulations, substantial changes were made in response to feedback in the public consultation last year. In addition, an independent external review of the draft regulations was carried out by Dr Bill Maxwell, the former CEO of Education Scotland, former Chief Inspector in both Scotland and Wales, and OECD consultant. Dr. Maxwell provided a detailed report on the draft regulations. The report concluded that ‘Overall, I think the draft regulations provide a strong statutory basis for implementing a new regulatory framework for childminding in Ireland, with arrangements that are very much in line with those in comparator systems . . ., in my view the regulations take a proportionate approach for the circumstances in Ireland.’
The Act provides for a transition period of three years before registration becomes mandatory. During this three-year period, childminders can register with Tusla but are not required to do so. This phased approach aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for childminders to learn about and prepare for registration.
Under the amendments made in the 2024 Act, the definition of a childminding service:
"(a) entails an individual taking care, by himself or herself, of children under the age of 15 years, in the home of the individual, and
(b) is provided to children (other than that individual’s own children) for a total period of not less than 2 hours per day."
In line with this definition, a primary feature of a childminder is that they undertake the work themselves and there are no staff employed in the service.
In developing the Regulations, the then Minister acknowledged the need for support in exceptional circumstances and this resulted in the inclusion of Regulation 15 which provides for emergency cover in limited circumstances:
"To assist the childminder in the event of an emergency, a childminder shall ensure that one or more persons, aged 18 years or over, familiar with the operation of the childminding service are, at all times, within close distance of the childminding service and available to attend the childminding service."
This Regulation provides for cover in emergency situations such as where the childminder or a child falls ill and must be taken to hospital. It is not intended to provide a regular back-up arrangement.
The National Action Plan for Childminding commits to a review of the initial implementation of the childminding-specific Regulations before 2028. My Department will undertake this review, which will include consultation with childminders and other stakeholders, during the transition period.
In addition, it is open to an individual to register a service under either the 2016 Pre-School Regulations or the 2018 School Age Regulations - rather than the 2024 Childminding Services Regulations - if they wish to employ staff.
924. Deputy Brian Brennan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts being made to recruit staff and reduce waiting lists for the children’s disability network team assessment and intervention; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2447/25]
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.
925. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of funding for a PA for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2449/25]
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.
926. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her Department can provide an update on an assessment of need for a child (details supplied). [2495/25]
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.
927. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a respite care facility (details supplied) has closed; when the facility will reopen; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2542/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly. Please include disabilityresidentialservices@equality.gov.ie in reply.
928. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the fact that due to the shortage of speech and language therapists and a hiring freeze, there is a growing number of children who cannot get the help they need, many of whom have been waiting on the list for years; if she will commit to ending the hiring freeze, providing these children with the specialists they need; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2546/25]
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.
929. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the national childcare scheme policies which are restricting after school services for children transitioning to primary school, as well as the financial strain it has been putting on families, the actions she will take to resolve these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2548/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) does not restrict access to early learning and care or school-age childcare for children transitioning to primary school. The NCS is available to all children in services appropriately registered per the requirements of the Child Care Act 1991 and its associated regulations.
Where an early learning and care or school-age childcare service is being provided, that service may only be provided within the parameters of its registration.
In the case of services registered solely as a school-age childcare service, the definition per Part VIIA of the Child Care Act 1991 includes a stipulation ‘caters for children under the age of 15 years enrolled in a school providing primary or post-primary education’. Therefore, a child who is due to start school in September may not attend a school age childcare service until they commence their education in the school.
It should be noted however that many services will have registrations to provide both early learning and care or school-age childcare. Furthermore, children who are less than 6 years old and are not yet in school may continue to attend an early learning and care service until such time as they start school.
In line with the commitment in the First 5 Implementation Plan 2023-2025, my Department has recently commenced the process of drafting comprehensive regulations for school-age childcare services, which build on the initial 2018 registration regulations.
As part of this process, the Department is also reviewing the legislation underpinning the regulation of school age childcare services, including the definition of a school age childcare service.
Should any family have concerns with regard to placement, they are advised to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for advice on appropriate placements
