Written Answers Nos. 1375-1394
1376. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is her Department's intention to use Thornton Hall as a site for IPAS accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11533/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe accommodation centre at Thornton Hall in North Dublin is an important part of the State’s implementation of the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS) for international protection.
Providing reception conditions – accommodation and other basic supports – to people seeking international protection 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.
Huge 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.
Over the last eleven months this Department has been focused on progressing the accommodation strategy published in March 2024. The goal is to develop a sustainable international protection accommodation system and enable the State to meet its legal and humanitarian commitments.
In August 2024, the Department put in place a Ministerial Order to provide a planning exemption for works on the Thornton Hall site, and initial works commenced on the site. In October, a Judicial Review was brought by representatives of local residents into the procedures that were applied in developing the Ministerial Order and this led to any further works on the site being paused.
The Department decided to set aside the Ministerial order in November 2024, and to undertake some administrative updates and develop a replacement order for this site. That process is underway, and works at the Thornton Hall site will remain paused while this is completed.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in international protection accommodation, in over 320 centres all over Ireland. Due to the ongoing shortage of suitable accommodation for international protection applicants, over 3,500 people seeking international protection are still awaiting an offer of accommodation at this time. For this reason, the Department hopes to be able to progress this development as soon as possible.
1377. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of expressions of interest received by her Department for the acquisition or lease of sites for international protection accommodation; when her Department expects to have assessed these submissions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11535/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1378. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans in place in her Department to deal with IPAS accommodation now that the total numbers in IPAS have surpassed 33,000; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11536/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1377 and 1378 together.
Over the last eleven months this Department has been focused on progressing the Comprehensive Accommodation Strategy (CAS), which was announced in March 2024.
The goal is to develop a sustainable international protection accommodation system and enable the State to meet its legal and humanitarian commitments.
Accommodation is being sourced and developed through a range of teams and a multi-strand approach that includes:
• Targeted purchase of medium and larger turnkey properties
• Use of State land for prefabricated and modular units
• Conversion of commercial buildings
• Design and build of new Reception and Integration Centres
• Upgrading of existing IPAS centres
• Supplemented by commercial providers, but phasing these out as more State services come onstream
In terms of purchases, an Expression of Interest (EOI) process was launched on the 30 April 2024 for the sourcing of suitable properties for acquisition or lease.
113 submissions have been received to date. A two-stage process has been designed to assess the submissions, with the first phase assessing if a submission has met the essential criteria for the EOI, and the second stage being a more in-depth assessment, including full technical due diligence.
A team of technical experts has been mobilised to carry out the assessment process. The assessment of properties will continue throughout the year as new submissions are received.
In addition, work is ongoing to identify supply channels for commercial conversions, including empty office buildings, assessment of state-owned properties for suitability for refurbishment, and engagement on the acquisition of large-scale properties that have come to the Department through direct sourcing.
Alongside purchases and conversions, the strategy, and the new Programme for Government, also affirms the move toward using State-owned lands for accommodation development.
The first project developed under the strategy was the delivery of 40 modular units (320 beds) to replace tents on the Department of Defence owned Columb Barracks site. A contract to develop the site was awarded at the end of May 2024 and the 320 beds were handed over on the 20 December 2024. This represents a timeframe of just over six months from awarding of contract to full delivery, which represents a heretofore unseen speed of progress.
To build on this successful delivery, a procurement process to form a framework for the delivery of further modular or prefabricated units on other state lands has been launched.
Alongside this, much engagement has taken place to identify and negotiate the use of State-owned sites and all are being assessed potentially for their viability for modular/prefabricated accommodation. To date five sites have been licensed to the department including Crooksling, River Lodge, Heatherside (HSE), Thornton Hall (IPS) and Lissywollen, Athlone (OPW).
1379. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of respite beds available for people with a disability in CHO4 in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and to date in 2025, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11538/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond directly.
1380. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant posts, under active recruitment, broken down across disciplines, including, but not restricted to, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology, radiation therapy and social work, across units in CHO4, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11539/25]
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.
1381. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide funding for community neurorehabilitation teams in CHO4, in line with the 2019 Neurorehabilitation Strategy Implementation Framework which committed to a team in each CHO; the steps he is taking to address the staff shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11540/25]
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.
1382. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if her attention has been drawn to the intended withdrawal of a childcare facility from the core funding agreement (details supplied); the actions being taken by the Department to ensure this can be avoided given the number of children and families relying on the service and given the commitments to lessen the financial burden of childcare on parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11557/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of Core Funding in 2022 brought a significant increase in investment for the sector, with €259 million of funding paid directly to services in year 1 of the scheme, of which €210.8 million was entirely new funding.
Core Funding increased by 11% (to €287 million) in year 2 and by a further 15% in year 3 (to €331 million). This facilitated the following changes from 2 September 2024, which built on the targeted measures that were introduced in the second year of the scheme to support smaller and sessional only services:
• The base rates for all age groups increased with larger increases in funding for places offered to children under the age of three.
• The flat rate for services registered on the Tusla Early Years Register as sessional-only (a pre-school service offering a programme for a total of not more than 3.5 hours per session) increased from €4,075 to €5,000. This strengthens supports to sessional-only services, who typically operate for shorter hours per week and fewer weeks per year.
• The minimum base rate allocation increased from €8,150 to €14,000. This is the minimum amount of funding a centre-based service (not childminders) has received through their base rate and ensures a minimum guaranteed income for services. This increase supports smaller services and services operating in rural areas, who may be prone to fluctuations in demand.
• The maximum base rate allocation has decreased from €600,000 to €500,000. Services will not receive funding through the base rate beyond this maximum value. Any service receiving more than this maximum value will see their base rate funding reduce to this level.
Moreover, as part of the progressive development of the fee management system under Core Funding, the Department introduced new developments to fee management in year 3 of Core Funding.
While the fee freeze remains in place for a majority of services for year 3 of the scheme, in light of concerns about the fee freeze raised by some providers charging low fees, a fee increase assessment process was introduced, whereby services with fees below the average in their county could apply to increase their fees up to an approved level by the Department.
A fee cap was also introduced for services joining Core Funding for the first time - creating a maximum price that can be charged for early learning and childcare, thereby bringing the highest fees charged down. This fee cap will be extended to all services from September 2025
The table below provides information on the Core Funding received by the service in question for year 1 and 2 of Core Funding as well as the estimated grant in year 3 of the scheme:
|
Service name |
2022/23 Core Funding grant value (incl. Interim Funding and funding guarantee) |
2023/24 Core Funding grant value |
2024/25 estimated Core grant |
|
Service name |
2022/23 Core Funding grant value (incl. Interim Funding and funding guarantee) |
2023/24 Core Funding grant value |
2024/25 estimated Core grant |
|
Junior Genius Childcare Limited |
€534,966.22 |
€624,436.28 |
€562,836.56 |
In addition to this funding, there are wider financial supports available from the Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, which can be accessed while remaining within Core Funding.
All services are encouraged to avail of these supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefit of Core Funding to children and their families.
My Department is aware that Junior Genius has decided to withdraw from Core Funding. This service has the autonomy to make the decision that to withdraw is of greater value to them than committing to offering services under the conditions and investment levels on offer through Core Funding.
The Agreement for the provision of Core Funding in Programme year 3 (2024/2025), states the service must give 3 months’ notice of their intention to withdraw to the scheme administrator, and 3 months’ written notice to parents/guardians. I have been informed by Pobal, the scheme administrator that this service has provided them with the 3 months’ notice.
While this provider intends to withdraw from Core Funding, they remain eligible in this programme year to provide the National Childcare Scheme, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme and the Community Childcare Subvention Plus Saver programme.
1383. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when funding will be made available to turn a facility (details supplied) into a residential service in order to care for a person who has complex medical needs on a full-time capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11558/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question relates to a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
1384. Deputy Naoise Ó Muirí asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures her Department has considered to expand childcare places in response to concerns in relation to accessibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11593/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving access to quality and affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare is a key priority of Government.
Early learning and childcare capacity is increasing. An annual sector profile demonstrates an 8% increase in enrolments between 2021/22 and 2022/23. Core Funding application data shows that between Year 1 and Year 2 of the scheme, annual place hours increased by almost 8%. The Tusla register of services demonstrates a net increase in the numbers of registered early learning and childcare services in 2024. However, it appears that demand for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare remains higher than available supply, particularly for younger children and in certain parts of the country.
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.
Last year, a Supply Management Unit within the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare Division was established, and the Programme for Government articulates an intention that the unit be resourced and transformed into a Forward Planning and Delivery Unit to identify areas of need, forecast demand, and deliver public supply within the childcare sector where required.
A forward planning model is in development which will be central to my Department's plans to achieve the policy goals set out in the Programme for Government to build an affordable, high-quality, accessible early childhood education and care system, with State-led facilities adding capacity.
My Department continues to support the ongoing development and resourcing of Core Funding which has given rise to a significant expansion of places since the scheme was first introduced. Core Funding, which is in its third programme year, funds services based on the number of places available, whether or not they are filled
This provides stability to services, and reduces the risk associated with opening a new service or expanding an already existing service. For the current programme year, the allocation for Core Funding allows for a 6% increase in capacity. Additional funding was secured in Budget 2025 to facilitate a further 3.5% increase from September 2025, in the fourth programme year.
The Government is also supporting the expansion of capacity through capital funding. The Building Blocks Extension Grant Scheme was launched on the 4th of November 2024. Applications for this scheme have now closed and an appraisal process has begun. The primary focus of the Extension Grant Scheme is to increase capacity in the 1–3-year-old, pre–Early Childhood Care and Education, age range for full day care.
Appraisal of applications for this scheme will consider the supply and demand in the area around the proposed projects and seeks to prioritise funding for areas with the biggest supply/demand mismatch. €25m will be made available this year to deliver additional capacity under the Scheme and I expect to announce the outcome of the application process in March.
My Department funds 30 City/County Childcare Committees, which provide support and assist families and early learning and childcare providers. The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country can assist in identifying vacant places in services for children and families who need them and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for assistance. Contact details for City and County Childcare Committees may be found at www.gov.ie/en/publication/52b71-support-for-parents-city-and-county-childcare-committees.
1385. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is planned that full-capacity respite services for children and young adults will recommence at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11613/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond directly.
1386. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps taken by her Department when deciding on the location of an international protection accommodation services centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11683/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1387. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the criteria that must be met when an individual applies for an international protection accommodation services contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11684/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1388. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if residency of tenants in a building earmarked for an international protection accommodation services centre is considered during the process of its founding; if tenants are consulted on the establishment of said centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11685/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1389. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if tenants evicted due to the earmarking of an international protection accommodation services centre are offered pathways back to residency in that dwelling if a centre is ultimately not established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11686/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1386 to 1389, inclusive, together.
The basis of applying for asylum or refugee status is fleeing war or persecution in one’s home country. As an international protection applicant, people are entitled to shelter and support under both Irish and EU law.Ireland has seen a sharp increase in numbers of people applying for international protection over recent years. We provide accommodation for over 33,000 people today. Since 2021, when we provided 7,000 places, this demand-led system has had to grow by over 400%.
Pressure on accommodation availability of all types in Ireland is extremely high. The Department has extended all teams to try to meet this always-growing demand, yet despite this effort, we don’t have enough capacity for all applicants, and over 3,500 people are without an offer of accommodation since 2023.
Offers of accommodation and appraisal
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 meet our requirements.
The contracting of properties as emergency centres is partly dependent on the receipt of offers from external providers, and the Department cannot predetermine their geographical location.
In meeting our obligation to provide material reception conditions to people seeking international protection, the Department can consider offers of accommodation from a tax-compliant company, subject to compliance with statutory requirements and minimum standards.
The Department carries out due diligence on accommodation being contracted including checks via the Companies Registration Office to ensure compliance with Companies Registration Office (CRO) requirements and tax compliance checks by way of a valid Tax Clearance Certificate.
Once an offer is received with respect to accommodation for international protection applicants, it is assessed for suitability. This includes a range of factors such as previous use of the property, accommodation suitability, rates, room sizes, capacity and amenities, information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, and various other criteria such as Wi-Fi, security provision and staffing.
In all instances where the Department enters into a contract with an accommodation provider, the onus is on the provider to ensure all activities are within legal limits.
Furthermore, all statutory requirements relating to the establishment and management of accommodation are met by the service provider, including health and safety, fire, building regulations and other requirements.
Properties with tenants or residents
The Department is not aware of significant evidence of or a trend in tenants or residents being removed from private rented accommodation in order to provide offers of accommodation for use as IPAS accommodation.
When properties are offered to the Department for accommodation for people seeking international protection, checks with local authorities are undertaken in every instance, and if it is brought to our attention and verified that this has happened, the offer will be rejected.
The current focus is on developing State-owned accommodation from a range of sources, building a sustainable system and reducing reliance on commercial providers over time.
The Department also aims to gain far greater control over dispersal patterns and to further enhance engagement with local communities and planning authorities.
In the interim, there will remain a need to continue to develop emergency accommodation solutions to meet urgent demand and ensure people are provided with shelter and support.
1390. Deputy Shónagh Ní Raghallaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a course of action is currently being considered on an issue (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11699/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised that approximately 15% of early learning and childcare provision operates from school premises. The Programme for Government sets out the ambition to work with schools to host before and after-school childcare in school buildings as well as planning the development of State-led early learning and childcare facilities in tandem with the school building programme, specifically referencing Irish medium naíonraí. .
Last year, the Department of Education published Procedures on the use of school property and school sports facilities outside of school hours provides. This document provides encouragement and guidance to schools to make available facilities for early learning and childcare and other community purposes when not required by the school.
I am aware however that there will be instances where classrooms or other school spaces are required for educational provision. In this regard, it may be necessary for Boards of Management to prioritise the provision of school places over early learning and childcare.
My Department does not have capital funding this year to support services in this situation. However, the approach to capital investment in future is being considered in the context of the Programme for Government commitments.
Where services are experiencing challenges with premises, their local County Childcare Committee may be able to provide support to identify alternative accommodation and case management assistance may be provided by Pobal. County Childcare Committees can also support parents to find alternative places for their children as required.
1391. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to confirm the rules regarding split place exemptions as part of the ECCE scheme. [11720/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra1392. Deputy Peter 'Chap' Cleere asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a parent accepts two days per week in a community care facility (because there are only two days available), whether they may later apply and qualify for a split place exemption if they find a place in alternative childcare facility ECCE scheme for the remaining three days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11721/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1391 and 1392 together.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides free universal pre-school to children in the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year.
For the continuity of the care, education, and socialisation needs of children attending ECCE, I strongly recommend that children attend only one service where possible. However, a child’s ECCE place can be split between two services in the following exceptional cases:
• Where there is a joint custody arrangement and, because of this, it is not possible for the child to attend the same service every day.
• Where a child has an additional need and it has been recommended by the specialist preschool that the ECCE place be split between a specialist and mainstream preschool on the grounds that this is in the interest of the child.
• Where the working arrangements of the parents/guardians necessitate a split placement.
• When there is a shortage of availability for childcare at the primary service provider and the parents/guardians have to register with another ECCE service provider to ensure the child avails of the full 15 hours in the ECCE Programme.
If the parent referred to secures an ECCE place for the additional days with a second ECCE provider for their child, they can send a request to my Department for a split place exemption. They will need to provide the reason for the split placement, the service reference numbers for both ECCE providers, the child's full name as registered under the ECCE Programme, and their date of birth.
Requests for Split Place Exemptions should be submitted in writing to the Early Years Schemes Oversight Unit of the DCEDIY at EYQueries@equality.gov.ie.
I trust this information will be of assistance.
1393. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a hotel (details supplied), as an IPAS accommodation centre, is not currently subject to HIQA inspection; if there are plans to bring this facility under the inspection regime of HIQA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11728/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is currently accommodating over 33,000 people in international protection accommodation, in over 320 centres all over Ireland.
The D Hotel was offered to the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) and contracted in early 2024 to provide accommodation to people seeking international protection.
The European Communities (Reception Conditions) (Amendment) Regulations 2023 commenced on 9th January 2024 and provide for the Health Information and Quality Authority to conduct inspections of certain accommodation centres contracted by the Department.
HIQA inspects specific IPAS centres contracted by the Department and identified by HIQA. In 2024, they inspected 51 accommodation centres, and you can read a summary of their work and findings here, along with access to all relevant inspection reports.
www.hiqa.ie/areas-we-work/international-protection-accommodation-services
Emergency IPAS Accommodation Centres are subject to separate inspection arrangements. For these centres, the Department has put in place an inspection process whereby it carries out unannounced compliance visits to check adherence to established IPAS policies, procedures and standards by service providers contracted to run centres. My Department carried out 300 inspections on all modes of property in 2024.
Details of IPAS Inspection Reports are published by the Department and can be found at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/
Resident Welfare clinics also provide IPAS officials with an opportunity to review and examine centres and their general operation and pass any findings on for follow up through the formal inspection process.
The D Hotel was contracted under the emergency appraisal process and while it has not yet been inspected as yet, it is scheduled for inspection shortly.
