Tuesday, 10 Oct 2023

Written Answers Nos. 436-457

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (436)

Carol Nolan

Question:

436. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will support the request from an organisation (details supplied) for funding support to enable its vital work of providing financial assistance directly to parents of children with life-limiting or chronic complex care needs across Ireland to help with the non-medical expenses related to caring for their child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43759/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

Both I and the Department are supportive of the work being carried out by this organisation. I also met with the organisation last week and heard first hand the work they do to support families. I am aware of the organisation's request for funding and I am considering this in the context of Budget 2024. I think it's important to note that the proposal in question is far broader than the remit of this Department and I would also encourage engagement with the Department of Health.

Disability Services

Questions (437)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

437. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the parents of a child in Donegal (details supplied) can expect to receive services and support for their autistic child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43760/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible. 

Child and Family Agency

Questions (438)

Gary Gannon

Question:

438. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of complaints received by Tusla in relation to an organisation (details supplied) since 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43770/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (439)

Gary Gannon

Question:

439. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide Tusla inspection records since 2021 regarding an organisation (details supplied). [43771/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Children in Care

Questions (440)

John Brady

Question:

440. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied and separated children that have been taken into care of the Child and Family Agency annually since 2020, up to and including 2023; the number of children within this cohort that are from Ukraine; a breakdown of how many children are accommodated in the care system under a Care Order or section 4, Child Care Act, 1991 compared to how many are accommodated under section 5, Child Care Act, 1991 by age, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43818/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Statutory 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.

Children in Care

Questions (441)

John Brady

Question:

441. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of unaccompanied and separated children that have been accommodated in special emergency arrangements over the past twelve months; the duration they have spent in these placements, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43819/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

This question has been referred to Tusla as it refers to an operational matter.

Children in Care

Questions (442)

John Brady

Question:

442. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on recent media coverage of both a lack of special care beds and a step-down facilities for children in care with complex needs; if he plans to provide further funding in future to allow for more publicly provided special care units; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43820/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I am aware of the increasing pressure on Tusla to secure appropriate placements for children in care, up to and including special care. These challenges have arisen due to a number of factors, including but not limited to the increasing complexity of children being referred to Tusla, and difficulties experienced by Tusla in its recruitment and retention of staff.  These factors are particularly acute in relation to special care, where the children present with complex needs, and require higher supports, including staff resources.

Every effort is being made by Tusla to support appropriate access to and egress from special care services in Ireland. This includes a number of initiatives to support the recruitment and retention of staff in special care units, which is currently a primary limiting factor on the maximum number of beds that may be occupied in these units.

In 2022 Tusla published its Strategic Plan for Residential Care Services for Children and Young People 2022-2025. This Strategic Plan outlined how the Agency has been required to meet growing demand for the residential care service. The Plan outlined a number of key actions the Agency proposed to undertake to alleviate these pressures, including the expansion of statutory residential capacity on a phased basis of an additional 110 beds by 2025.  The plan also proposes the creation of a number of step-down placements across the country, which will promote timely discharges from special care.

My Department and Tusla engage on a regular basis regarding issues impacting on children in the care of the State, including those in relation to special care and residential care. Regarding the issue of funding, my Department continues to work closely with Tusla to identify priority areas for investment across the broad range of services that Tusla deliver.

Mother and Baby Homes

Questions (443)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

443. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a date is available for when the mother and baby institution redress scheme will commence accepting applications from institution survivors; and the date for when enhanced medical cards will be issued to survivors. [43846/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Opening the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme as soon as possible is a priority for me and my Department. The Deputy may be aware that underpinning legislation for the Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023- was passed into law on 11 July 2023.

This Act allows for the establishment of an Executive Office in my Department to administer the Scheme and the appointment of the Chief Deciding Officer to head up that office. It also allows for the making of the necessary regulations which must be in place prior to the Scheme opening and provides a lawful basis for access to information and records which are essential for the processing of applications.

Intensive work is underway to establish the administrative structures in as timely a manner as possible and to transition to a live Scheme. An information awareness campaign will take place in Ireland and abroad in advance of the Scheme opening. Once the Scheme is open, applicants will be supported throughout the process with information and advice if they need it. I would encourage any person who thinks they may be eligible for the Scheme to make an application at that time. 

The Scheme provides for financial payments and health supports for eligible persons. The Payment Scheme Executive Office will notify the HSE if an applicant is eligible for the enhanced medical card and the HSE will provide the card to the applicant. 

Departmental Schemes

Questions (444)

Cathal Crowe

Question:

444. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the next round of the play and recreation grant scheme will open for applications. [43848/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Every year since 2013, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has provided Local Authorities with the opportunity to apply for funding to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation.

One of the consistent criteria under this scheme is that the playground must be accessible and inclusive to all children including those with additional needs.

The 2024 Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation is likely to open for applications in mid Q1 of 2024.

Departmental Funding

Questions (445)

Peter Burke

Question:

445. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when capital grants for childcare extensions will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43913/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:

Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;

Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and

Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.

Under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects, which is supporting services in need of upgrading, such as kitchen refurbishments, roof repairs and the replacement of flooring.

Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025. 

The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of undersupply.  Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed.  The Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.

Details on the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant scheme are due to be announced shortly.

Health Services

Questions (446)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

446. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the maximum number of hours allocated to a person (details supplied); the reason it appears that a decision was made to reduce these hours; when this review took place; whether or not there are two packages in place, that is, a home care package and an education package; if so, if the education package infringed on the home care package hours, given that the HSE plans to increase these hours as the 17.5 hours currently provided is not sufficient; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43920/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Question No. 447 answered with Question No. 406.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (448)

Thomas Gould

Question:

448. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the return of therapists to a facility (details supplied). [43999/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Special Educational Needs

Questions (449)

Thomas Gould

Question:

449. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the return of therapists to a facility (details supplied). [44000/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Childcare Services

Questions (450)

Noel Grealish

Question:

450. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No.249 of 28 September 2023, if further funding will be available under Pillar 1 Building Blocks - Improvement Grants in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44002/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Some €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:

Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;

Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and

Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.

Under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects, which has supported services in need of upgrading, such as kitchen refurbishments, roof repairs and the replacement of flooring. This scheme is now closed and my Department does not have further funding available  in either 2023 or 2024 under the Building Blocks - Improvement Grant. 

Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025. 

Pillar 2, the Building Blocks – Capacity Grant, will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of undersupply. Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed. Pillar 3, the Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services. Details on the Building Blocks - Capacity Grant scheme are due to be announced shortly.

Adoption Services

Questions (451)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

451. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a report on the number of applications for birth information that have been made by persons who were illegally adopted, since the arrangements were put in place; the number still awaiting processing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44088/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the subject matter of the Deputy’s question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and the Adoption Authority of Ireland, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Childcare Services

Questions (452)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

452. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of how the hundreds of millions of euro in Government expenditure on childcare has been allocated in 2022 and 2023, in tabular form. [44096/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Departmental Properties

Questions (453)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Question:

453. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the full complement of buildings and lands owned by his Department, or by agencies under the aegis of his Department in County Clare; if they are currently in use, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44152/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Officials in my Department are currently compiling the information as requested by the Deputy.

Disability Services

Questions (454)

Marian Harkin

Question:

454. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of respite nights available for people with a disability in each of the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44178/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As this refers to service matters, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Questions (455)

Marian Harkin

Question:

455. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of additional residential places and new emergency residential places for people with a disability in each of the years 2020 to 2023, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44179/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I wish to thank the Deputy for raising this question, Residential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE - 58% of the total budget. Approximately 90 service providers provide residential services to over 8,000 individuals throughout the country.These places were delivered predominantly by section 38 and section 39 organisations funded under the Health Act 2004.

It is important to note that residential capacity in the system can be reduced. When residents of congregated settings sadly pass away, their places are not re-utilised. This is in keeping with Government policy which is to move away from institutionalised settings (i.e. Time to Move On from Congregate Settings).

The information requested by the Deputy is tabled below.

Year	December 2020	December 2021	December 2022	2023 YTD (August)
Residential Places Available	8,139	8,146	8,283	8,343
Emergency Places Placements	86	91	103	96

Mental Health Services

Questions (456)

Michael Lowry

Question:

456. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he has received a copy of correspondence originally sent to An Taoiseach by a person (details supplied); if he will provide an additional €115 million for mental health services in Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43454/23]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

My Office received a copy of Mental Health Reform's Pre-Budget submission in September. 

The total allocation for mental health services in 2024 is approximately €1.3 billion, which is the fourth year in a row in which the mental health budget has been increased. This significant investment will enable continued policy implementation and service improvement in line with our national mental health policy, Sharing the Vision. This year’s budget allocation builds on the investment this Government has made over the last number of years to deliver the policy priorities of Sharing the Vision through the provision of mental health supports across a broad continuum from mental health promotion, prevention and early intervention, to acute and specialist mental health service delivery, and enabling us to continue to deliver our vital services to as many people as possible, as we move into 2024.

  As occurs each year following the Budget, discussions will now take place with the HSE on details relating to specific service initiatives in the context of preparing the HSE Service Plan 2024, including that for Mental Health.

Civil Registration Service

Questions (457)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

457. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if his Department plans to re-open the civil registration office in Roscrea, County Tipperary, following its closure earlier in 2023, given that its closure has been a huge loss to the community; if not, if his Department will examine the feasibility of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43455/23]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.