Written Answers Nos. 531-550
531. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of new total whole-time equivalent staffing posts in special care units, broken down by grade and special care unit. [30548/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
532. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of whole-time equivalent vacancies in special care units, broken down by grade and special care unit. [30549/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
533. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the county childcare committees are reporting a scarcity of childcare places for children under two years of age; and if so, if he will consider targeted measures to address this. [30583/23]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority. My Department monitors early learning and childcare capacity on an ongoing basis, with a particular focus on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
The annual data captured by Pobal on behalf of my Department - through the Early Years Sector Profile Survey - is one important data source that allows us to monitor supply and demand. In addition to this survey data, the Department also relies on data from the register of services held by Tusla, data provided by services as part of their application for Core Funding and has also conducted several surveys with parents. Since 2020, five parent surveys have been undertaken by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Department.
Data captured from the 2021/22 iteration of the Early Years Sector Profile, indicated that the vacancy is 8% across Dublin for children aged 0-2. Data collection for the 2022/23 Early Years Sector Profile is currently underway and will give an updated position.
A series of steps are being taken to address issues of undersupply.
The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, there is a commitment to open up access to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders.
Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. As part of this work, my Department has been included in the updated list of prescribed bodies that need to be notified on certain planning matters, including the formulation of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.
In addition, Core Funding - introduced in September 2022 - has already proven to be effective in expanding capacity, particularly in areas of undersupply and additional funding secured in Budget 2023 for year two of Core Funding provides further opportunity to invest in an additional 3% growth in capacity.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie
534. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions being taken by his Department to aid a survivor of abuse (details supplied) to retain their personal records, in light of the recent court order to return them to the Christian Brothers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30597/23]
View answerThrough the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 I specifically legislated for the safeguarding of important "relevant records" in relation to a person who was subject to adoption, boarded out or nursed out arrangements, illegal birth registrations, or who was born in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution.
The Act also places an obligation on any person in possession of a relevant record to notify the Adoption Authority of Ireland as soon as practicable.
I understand legal proceedings are ongoing and while the conduct of the case remains a matter for the presiding judge, I have raised with the Adoption Authority of Ireland the fact that the provisions of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 may apply to some or all of the records referenced by the Deputy. I understand the Authority is now considering this matter in terms of the safeguarding of the relevant records in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
On the broader issue of historical records of residential institutions, in March 2022, Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance to be based at the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street in Dublin 1. The Centre will honour equally all those who were resident in Industrial Schools, Reformatories, Magdalen Laundries, Mother and Baby Homes and related institutions. In addition to a museum and exhibition space and a place for reflection and remembrance, it will also contain a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century.
In April 2022, a Steering Group, comprising the key State stakeholders involved in the development of the National Centre, was established. The Group is responsible for developing the overall vision of the Centre and providing strategic oversight for delivery of its composite elements. Work on the creation of the central repository of records to sit within the National Centre is being led by the National Archives under the auspices of the Steering Group.
The National Archives has already commenced a process to identify the range and scale of records that currently exist across relevant Government Departments and State Agencies. It is also embarking on a process to identify the list of organisations/institutions holding relevant records not subject to the National Archives Act and in the ownership, or custody, of private/religious institutions and/or individuals. This will involve an initial survey to get a sense of the scale, nature and condition of records held that might be deemed relevant for research purposes to the core mission of the new Centre.
Following this, a more thorough discussion would be established to address how such records could be appropriately made available over time, and accessible for research purposes in the context of the new archive.
In addition, there will be engagement with survivor and other stakeholder groups to ensure that all possible relevant records which may exist are identified for inclusion in the Centre.
Finally, work on the creation of the central repository is supported by a dedicated Legal and Legislative Subgroup which is considering whether any additional legislative measures are needed to support the creation and management of the archive.
535. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied minors taken into State care in 2020, 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023, respectively; the number of children accommodated within the foster care system in each year; the number of children who went missing from State care each year; the type of accommodation they went missing from; the number of children who were subsequently returned to State care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30613/23]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
536. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what steps can be taken to ensure that persons with disabilities claiming under the Equal Status Act 2000 and/or the Employment Equality Act 1998 have fair hearings; if he has any concerns about those with disabilities seeking justice before both the Workplace Relations Commission and/or the Labour Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30634/23]
View answerThe Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 prohibit discrimination and harassment on specified grounds, including that of disability, in the field of employment and in the access to and supply of goods and services, respectively. The Acts place obligations on employers and service providers to take reasonable steps to accommodate the needs of people with disabilities.
The ongoing review of the Equality Acts is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.
In July 2021, my Department undertook a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation will be published in the coming weeks. It is hoped that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward later this year.
The Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is an independent, statutory body which was established on 1st October 2015 under the Workplace Relations Act 2015 (No. 16 of 2015). The oversight of operations of the Workplace Relations Commission falls under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
537. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he intends to introduce legislation prohibiting discrimination on grounds of socio-economic disadvantage under the Equal Status Act 2000 and the Employment Equality Act 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30635/23]
View answerThe ongoing review of the Equal Status Acts 2000 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 (the Equality Acts), is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms. It is further examining the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.
The Review is also examining the 2020 Programme for Government commitment to examine the introduction of a new ground based on disadvantaged socio-economic status.
In July 2021, my Department undertook a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation will be published in the coming weeks.
It is hoped that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward later this year.
538. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care who are suspected to be homeless; and the number of persons who are currently in aftercare who are suspected to be homeless. [30678/23]
View answer576. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care who are suspected to be homeless; and the number of persons who are currently in aftercare who are suspected to be homeless. [30715/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 538 and 576 together.
As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
539. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will list the direct provision centres currently operating in the State; the number of persons residing in each; and the number residing in each centre in each of the past five years, in tabular form. [30679/23]
View answerIt is not considered best practice to circulate lists of IPAS accommodation centre locations, therefore this information will be emailed to the Deputy directly.
540. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children taken into State care in each of the past five years and to date in 2023. [30680/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
541. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unborn children placed on the child protection notification system of Tusla in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [30681/23]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
542. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons aged under 17 years who became pregnant while in State care in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [30682/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
543. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of times Tusla reported suspected child abuse to the gardaí over the past two years; and if a month-by-month breakdown can be provided on that figure. [30683/23]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
544. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care that reported being sexually assaulted while in care in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [30684/23]
View answer547. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care that reported being sexually assaulted while in care in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [30687/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 547 together.
As this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
545. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons over the course of the past ten years who allege they were either physically or sexually abused or assaulted while in State care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30685/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
546. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care that were referred to hospitals, clinics or general practitioners for suspected sexually transmitted diseases in each of the past ten years, and to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30686/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
548. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in State care that reported being physically assaulted while in care in each of the past ten years and to date in 2023. [30688/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
549. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently in State care that have not been assigned to foster families. [30689/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
550. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women and children referred to the parent and infant unit in Bessborough for residential support and assessment in each of the past five years. [30690/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
