Written Answers Nos. 1091-1114
1091. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when funding issues will be resolved at a section 39 organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14037/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1092. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for a copy of the waiver that some recipients of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme will be required to sign; who drafted the waiver; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14043/24]
View answerIf a person decides to accept a payment award under the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme they will be asked to sign a legal waiver. To help them to decide if they want to take the payment and sign the waiver, they will be entitled to support towards the cost of legal fees incurred, up to a maximum of €500 (excluding VAT) per application. This will be reimbursed by the Payment Scheme Office once the applicant provides an invoice or receipt from their solicitor. The invoice or receipt needs to include the name of the applicant and the application reference number. The reimbursement will be made directly to the applicant via bank transfer.
The Deputy requested a copy of the waiver and I can confirm that it is available on the Scheme website, at the following link:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/bed53-mother-and-baby-institutions-payment-scheme-your-questions-answered/#do-i-need-to-obtain-legal-advice-at-any-stage-of-the-process-will-i-be-required-to-sign-a-legal-waiver-before-i-receive-a-payment.
It is important to note that the waiver for the Mother and Baby Payments Institutions Scheme will be signed only when the applicant already knows exactly what they are being offered from the Scheme, allowing them to make a fully informed decision.
Signing a waiver will not mean that survivors cannot discuss their experience of engaging with the Scheme or the payment they may have received. They are free to do this should they so wish.
A waiver is a common feature of ex-gratia schemes. Part of the logic for this is that a person accepting an award under an ex-gratia scheme usually benefits from less burdensome procedures than those used in the courts, does not risk incurring high legal fees if their case is not successful and has a greater likelihood of success than they would have if they brought a case to court. The IDG Report also pointed to an element of finality which waivers can bring.
1093. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the name of the company that has been given responsibility for administering the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; the total cost to administer the scheme; the details of the tender process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14044/24]
View answer1100. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify how much of the estimated €800 million earmarked for the mother and baby institutions payment scheme will be allocated to an organisation (details supplied) for the administration of the scheme; to clarify the estimated total amount that will be allocated under the scheme to former residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14129/24]
View answer1101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an organisation (details supplied) was the sole bidder in the procurement process for the administration of the mother and baby institutions payment scheme; and if not, to clarify the total number of bidders. [14130/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1093, 1100 and 1101 together.
The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March.
In terms of staffing for Scheme delivery, a blended operating model was developed. This provides for the Chief Deciding Officer to be supported by a core Executive Office based in my Department and also by experienced third party support, appointed following a procurement process. This blended approach facilitates efficiencies in application processing and payments, with of the order of 90 staff involved in the Scheme at the outset, scalable as necessary depending on applicant numbers at any given time.
All staff in the Executive Office, as well as on the third party support team, operate under the direction and supervision of the Chief Deciding Officer and a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in Scheme administration has been delivered.
To procure the third party support, a tender competition titled Mini-Competition for the provision of Contact Management and Related Administrative Services for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme was advertised to the members of the Office of Government Procurement (OGP) Framework for Managed Business Process Support Services, Lot 1: Contact Management and Related Administrative Services. OGP provided support throughout the process and there were four bidders. The published estimated contract value for this competition is in the order of €10-13 million over 8 years (equating to a six year contract term plus the possibility for two 12 month extensions). ‘Relate Care’ was the successful bidder.
Of the total amount of €800m that Government has allocated for the Payment Scheme, the estimated total amount that will be allocated under the scheme in awards to former residents is €773.05m. This figure includes €23.05m intended to meet the costs associated with financial support towards independent legal advice for former residents. The balance is allocated to provide for Scheme administration costs and outreach supports, including the administrative costs associated with the provision of enhanced medical cards to survivors and former residents under the scheme, and the national and international communications campaign dedicated to informing survivors about the Scheme and how to apply.
1094. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of funding to support community-based service providers in the provision of health services across the country for a service in County Carlow (details supplied). [14055/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
1097. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of commercial properties in County Carlow being used to provide accommodation under his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14109/24]
View answerA response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.
1098. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a service hotline to be set up for the mother and baby redress scheme for Oireachtas Members to assist constituents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14110/24]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March.
A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people can apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need.
Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available at this webpage, in the information booklet for the Scheme or via the Scheme helpline. For general queries or to get assistance with any aspect of the application process, the Payment Scheme Office helpline can be contacted at +353 1 522 9992 (Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00GMT) or by email at: info@paymentscheme.ie.
Alternatively, a person can contact either their local Citizens Information Centre or the National Advocacy Service who have application forms and can provide assistance in completing applications.
In addition to all these applicant supports, public representatives can contact the Payment Scheme Office via a dedicated email address paymentschemereps@equality.gov.ie if they are assisting constituents in relation to the Scheme.
1099. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if mother and baby scheme applicants who incur costs to provide documentation relating to their application to the scheme will be reimbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14111/24]
View answerI wish to strongly remind the Deputy that there is no need to obtain legal support or advice to submit an application to the Scheme. The application process is designed to be very straightforward and there is no requirement on the applicant to provide proof of harm or institutional records. The Payment Scheme Office will undertake records searches based on the information provided on the application form.
A person is required to provide some supporting ID documentation with their application. If a person has any difficulty in relation to providing the necessary supporting document for their application, they should contact the Payment Scheme Office who will discuss this with them.
Information on supports to applicants to help them through the application process is available on the Payment Scheme website or in the information booklet for the Scheme. For general queries or to get assistance with any aspect of the application process, the Payment Scheme Office helpline can be contacted at +353 1 522 9992 (Monday to Friday 09:00-18:00GMT) or by email at info@paymentscheme.ie.
Alternatively, a person can contact either their local Citizens Information Centre or the National Advocacy Service who have application forms and can provide assistance in completing applications.
In exceptional cases, where following records searches, the Payment Scheme Office does not have enough information to make a determination on an application, they may ask the applicant to provide an affidavit to support the information provided on their application form. If an affidavit is required, the Payment Scheme Office will provide the applicant with full information on what must be included. To help with the cost of supplying this, €200 will be paid to the nominated bank account on receipt of a valid affidavit.
Where a person decides to accept a general or work-related payment award, they will be asked to sign a waiver. Anyone wishing to avail of legal advice prior to signing this waiver will be entitled to support towards the cost of legal fees incurred, up to a maximum of €500 (excluding VAT) per application. This will be reimbursed by the Payment Scheme Office once the applicant provides an invoice or receipt from their solicitor. The reimbursement will be made directly to the applicant via bank transfer.
1102. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on provision for a neuro-rehabilitation unit in CHO 7, which was due to be progressed in 2023; where the unit will be based; the roles that have been provided funding within the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14134/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
1103. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how many staff members have been allocated to administer the mother and baby institutions payment scheme. [14150/24]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme opened on 20 March.
In terms of staffing for Scheme delivery, a blended operating model was developed. This provides for the Chief Deciding Officer to be supported by a core Executive Office operating independently but based in my Department and also by experienced third party support, appointed after a procurement process. This blended approach facilitates efficiencies in application processing and payments, with of the order of 90 staff involved in the Scheme at the outset, scalable as necessary depending on applicant numbers at any given time.
All staff in the Executive Office, as well as the third party support team, operate under the direction and supervision of the Chief Deciding Officer and a comprehensive training programme for all staff involved in Scheme administration has been delivered.
1104. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department uses community radio for advertising and public awareness campaigns; if not, the reason, given the vital role community radio often plays in the dissemination of information to local communities; if his Department will consider using community radio for public awareness campaigns in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14177/24]
View answerThe Department currently uses all local commercial radio stations to convey public awareness messaging where it can measure investment and listenership figures to ensure information is reaching appropriate audiences, whilst achieving value. Community stations play an important role across Ireland and the Department always considers these outlets within the media mix where appropriate to each campaign. However, it is important to note that not all Community Stations take advertising, and none can provide Joint National Listenership Ratings audited figures.
1105. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify whether early access to therapy and support services can be provided to a child when one guardian consents and one guardian refuses to consent; if any guidelines have been issued in this particular area or are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14179/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
1106. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth , further to Parliamentary Question No. 514 of 23 January, if, given the recent changes announced by Government, this property is now being considered for IPAS. [14214/24]
View answerThe status of the property referred in PQ 541 remains the same.
My Department is involved in negotiations with a range of accommodation providers across Ireland and has received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from the provider to which the Deputy refers. This offer is being evaluated to determine if it meets my Department's requirements.
The property is currently not being considered for International Protection (IP) applicants.
Due to the commercial sensitivities involved, it is not possible to provide information on the negotiations with any individual provider.
1107. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current children's disability network team, CDNT, whole-time equivalent, WTE, vacancies across each of the teams in CHO 5; the number of administrative posts vacant; the number of approved posts in each of the teams; and the actions that are being taken to address those vacancies, in tabular form. [14258/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
1108. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a formal report on how it is known that asbestos is present in the Royal City of Dublin Hospital building (details supplied); and if there are other defects with the building. [14296/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for the opportunity to clarify that it is not presently known if there is asbestos present at the property mentioned. During the debate with her on March 21st last, I referred to the Site Inspection Report carried out by Dublin City Council in October 2022 which stated that a further costed feasibility study building would require a number of surveys, including a survey to determine if asbestos is present. I incorrectly recalled this as confirming that asbestos had been found.
As confirmed by Dublin City Council, the refurbishment of the property mentioned towards the purpose of providing modern standards of accommodation would incur a very significant works programme at a very significant cost. In addition, I understand there remains active consideration by the HSE towards future use of at least part of the premises.
1109. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether a building (details supplied) is being considered for refugee accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14298/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie.
1110. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth with regard to the 90-day limit on people seeking temporary international protection staying in specified accommodation centres such as that at Floods Cross, Newhall, the measures that have been put in place to deal with the resulting pressure this limit will put on already scarce housing and accommodation resources in County Kildare and surrounding areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14300/24]
View answerThe war in Ukraine, combined with the high number of international protection applicants has resulted in the largest humanitarian effort in the State's history. Ireland has responded to the war in Ukraine with a coordinated whole of Government response to provide protection and support to those who have had to flee from the violence in Ukraine. Over 105,000 people have arrived in the State and over 83,000 of those have sought accommodation from the State.
From 14 March 2024, under a revised policy, anyone fleeing the war in Ukraine, who registers for temporary protection and is looking for State-provided accommodation in Ireland, will be accommodated for a maximum of 90 days. They will be provided with food, laundry, other services and integration supports in Designated Accommodation Centres (DACs). When they leave the DAC, or if they make their own accommodation arrangements on arrival, they will be entitled to apply for standard social welfare assistance equivalent to Irish citizens subject to meeting the eligibility conditions.
This change in policy is required as a ‘no change’ supports policy carried risk given current accommodation constraints in Ireland and the challenges of continuing to source accommodation in light of migratory pressures and crisis situations. The supports previously being provided were not in alignments with those of other Member States and did not incentivise independence or integration into communities.
The implementation of the new accommodation policy places a strong emphasis on advanced communication of that policy to the Ukrainian community both in Ireland and elsewhere, through a wide range of channels. In addition to clarifying the nature of the policy, communications include information on the housing market in Ireland, the shortage of accommodation and the high rental costs. This is to ensure that an informed decision is made in relation to coming to Ireland.
The focus of supports in DACs are orientation on living and working in Ireland and the options for sourcing accommodation independently. Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) will be given support on transitioning to independent accommodation, including information on accessing the housing market, the supports available in that respect, as well as other streams of accommodation, such as Offer a Home and pledged accommodation. BOTPs will not be restricted to accommodation which may be available near the DAC and are encouraged to look far and wide for options of employment and accommodation to suit their needs.
1111. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason he excluded the Cherry Orchard Hospital and other hospitals from the redress scheme; if he will reconsider these exclusions with respect to the fact some babies born in qualifying mother and baby homes were hospitalised after birth for several months before returning to an institution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14323/24]
View answerThe institutions covered by this Payment Scheme are those identified by the Commission of Investigation as having a main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children.
Hospitals were not investigated by the Commission of Investigation because they were not institutions that provided ante and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children. For this reason hospitals are not included in this Payment Scheme.
For further information I refer the Deputy to Chapter 2 of the Social History section of the Commission of Investigation report which details the different types of institutions that existed and whether or not they could be classified as Mother and Baby Homes - www.gov.ie/en/publication/89e43-chapter-2-institutions/.
Section 24 of the underpinning legislation provides for temporary absences to be included in the calculation of benefits under the Scheme as long as they do not exceed 180 days. This is to allow for exactly the type of situation the Deputy describes e.g. a stay in a hospital. So, if a baby was born in a scheduled institution but then was hospitalised before returning to the institution, all three periods will be included in the calculation of time spent in the institution.
1112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons who previously have had rights of way to their property via a nursing home (details supplied) heretofore; the number of any such rights that have been affected by changes in operation of the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14340/24]
View answerThe former St. Brigid’s Nursing Home, Crooksling is currently under the ownership of the HSE.
Further to a HSE review, the site was identified as surplus to HSE requirements. In line with the HSE Property Protocol and DPER Circular 11/2015, the HSE then offered the site to all State stakeholders through the Intra-State Property Register.
My Department expressed an interest in Crooksling for the provision of accommodation to persons seeking International Protection. The HSE welcomed this interest, as it would enable the site to be put into active use in the short-term, and provide investment which would potentially be of benefit for the longer term use of the site in the provision of community services.
My Department currently has use of the site under a caretaker agreement, subject to the transfer of asset process being complete. The Deputy's question should be directed to the HSE, which retains ownership of the site until such time as the site becomes the property of my Department.
Under Section 26 (1) of the International Protection Act, 2015, I am obliged to take all practicable steps to ensure that the identity of international protection applicants is kept confidential. To this end, measures are put in place to protect this right. This includes access to the site by the general public.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) also has a responsibility to protect the safety and security of its staff and residents at sites and centres.
1113. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason funding has not been provided to CHO 1 for disability services. [14363/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
1114. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the increase in the foster carers' allowance was delayed to November and did not take immediate effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14386/24]
View answerIt was a priority of mine to secure a meaningful increase to the foster care allowance in this year’s Budget in order to support the vital role being carried out by foster carers.
As outlined in Budget 2024, from January 2024 the rates of the foster care allowance have increased by €25 per week, up to €350 per week for children aged under 12 and €377 per week for those over 12. The foster care allowance will be further increased in November 2024, up to €400 per week for children aged under 12 and €425 per week for those over 12.
These increases mean that foster carers will receive over €1,700 additional funding per child over the course of 2024, amounting to an extra €300 per month by the end of 2024 for each child placed with them, when compared with the allowance rates of 2009-2023. The changes in Budget 2024 will bring the annual rate of the foster care allowance to an amount of €20,800 for a child under 12 and €22,100 for a child over 12.
I understand the disappointment amongst foster carers that the full increase to the foster care allowance will not come into effect until November 2024. However, given the very many competing demands on the limited funds of the State, including from across the Tusla budget and from other responsibilities within the remit of my own Department, necessary compromises had to be made. In this context, it was decided that it was necessary to introduce the increases to the foster care allowance on a phased basis over 2024. My priority was to secure a significant increase to the allowance, albeit at the cost of a phased implementation.
