Written Answers Nos. 278-295
278. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to expand the schools meals programme to additional schools in 2023; her plans to increase the rates of funding provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6149/23]
View answerThe School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,600 schools and organisations benefitting 260,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Budget 2022 provided €68.1 million for the programme with an additional €9m provided to allow access to all new DEIS schools from September 2022. Additional funding for the programme has been provided for 2023 bringing the total to €94.4m. This represents a 53% funding increase in the period since 2020.
Funding under the school meals programme can be provided for breakfast, snack, cold lunch, dinner, hot school meals and afterschool clubs and is based on a maximum rate per child per day, depending on the type of meal being provided.
I am committed to continuing to expand the school meals programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme in recent years. In this regard, I commissioned the evaluation of the school meals programme to review all elements of the programme, including the funding rates currently being provided for the various meal options. The final report was recently received which I am currently reviewing. This report will help to inform future decisions around this important programme.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
279. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made by the European Union and the international unit of his Department in finalising Ireland’s child guarantee action plan, for which work was initiated by his officials in 2021. [5543/23]
View answerIn 2019, the European Commission announced the creation of a European Child Guarantee with a view to ensuring that every child in Europe at risk of poverty or social exclusion has access to the most basic of rights like healthcare and education. The Child Guarantee, adopted by the Council of the European Union in June 2021, aims to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing the access of children in need to a set of key services, namely early childhood education and care, education, healthcare, nutrition, and housing.
The Child Guarantee is complementary to and consistent with a number of other EU initiatives. It represents a concrete deliverable of the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan and will contribute to achieving its headline target of reducing the number of people at risk of poverty or social exclusion. It complements the EU Strategy on the Rights of the Child, which pools all existing and future initiatives on children’s rights under one coherent policy framework.
Each Member State is required to nominate a national coordinator for the implementation of the recommendation establishing the European Child Guarantee by 2030, and DCEDIY has been given this role.
The recommendation also requires Member States to publish and submit to the European Commission a National Action Plan addressing the implementation of the Guarantee. Ireland published its National Action Plan in June 2022. The publication of the National Action Plan was an important first step in the implementation of the EU Child Guarantee. My Department is coordinating actions across Government in addition to holding responsibility for the delivery of actions contained in this Plan relating to Early Childhood Education and Care. To date, 18 Member States including Ireland have published their EU Child Guarantee National Action Plans.
The National Action Plan details efforts, in accordance with the aims of the Guarantee, to address child poverty and social exclusion in Ireland and, in so doing, highlights key strategies currently in play. The key areas of the Plan refer to actions, objectives, targets and timelines - addressing some of the key barriers identified – in each of the following areas - education, early childhood education and care, healthcare, healthy nutrition and housing.
Identifying the most appropriate and effective structures to pursue the reforms necessary to improve outcomes for our most disadvantaged children and young people is a particular focus of the work in the implementation of the EU Child Guarantee National Action Plan. In this regard, the new National Framework for Children and Young People, currently under development, and its cross-government and cross-sectoral engagement will inform this process.
280. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees or asylum seekers who are being accommodated at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5548/23]
View answerOver 72,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland since the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Of those, more than 53,000 have been referred to my Department seeking accommodation.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 42,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 700 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
The priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.
I am informed by my officials that 33 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are being accommodated in the premises referred to. I am further advised that no International Protection applicants are being accommodated at that premises.
281. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of social media videos posted on his Department's social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under the remit of his Department, that included closed captioning or subtitling and Irish sign language translations between 1 January 2022 and 31 December 2022, inclusive. [5564/23]
View answerThe Department does not collate this information. It is available publicly by referencing the social media accounts in question.
282. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 423 of 14 October 2022, if the issues raised (details supplied) will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5617/23]
View answerI understand the frustration expressed by the person concerned in the email to which the Deputy refers.
I am aware that considerable efforts have been made by the relevant local authority to avail of his generous offer of pledged accommodation for Ukrainian beneficiaries of temporary protection. My Department has also brought this recent correspondence to the attention of the Irish Red Cross to see what may be possible to avail of the pledge in question.
As I outlined previously, every effort is being made by local authorities and NGO implementing partners to match Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to pledged accommodation that is suitable for their needs. It is not always possible to accommodate specific requests made by hosts regarding the family composition they would like to assist. Insofar as is possible, local authorities and NGO implementing partners match beneficiaries to suitable pledged accommodation considering all factors that need to be taken into account. These factors often include access to school placements, transportation links and specific needs that are unique to each BOTP family unit.
283. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if approval will be granted for a property (details supplied) in County Kerry for temporary accommodation purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5636/23]
View answerMy Department continues on an ongoing basis to assess and review all accommodation offers received as to their suitability to meet the needs of beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. As part of this process, my Department reviews suitable accommodation where individual properties can provide a minimum of 15 bed spaces in line with standard space requirements.
Properties cannot be amalgamated in order to meet the 15 spaces requirement as my Department does not enter into commercial arrangements for individual private houses or apartments. An exception is made to this rule in the case of owners of holiday home villages where the entire development will be considered for contract for accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.
Accommodation offered must meet the Department of Housing standards applicable to accommodation for homeless people. In reviewing an offer, the Department also considers the local amenities available including ease of transport to schools and shops. There is no guarantee that my Department will contract for every property offered.
Procurement and contract negotiations with potential and existing providers continues on a daily basis. The focus presently is on those offers of scale that can be activated in a timely fashion and fully meet requirements. My Department is also working to pivot certain full board serviced contracts to bed only to give effect to the Government decision of 28 October 2022.
All offers of commercial accommodation in support of those fleeing the war in Ukraine must now be made through our dedicated portal. Any offer to my Department must be submitted using this process. Offers will no longer be accepted through any other channel. Further information on the updated offer management process, including a link to the portal, can be found online at gov.ie - Offers of Commercial Accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine (www.gov.ie)
I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to proactively procure and secure accommodation from multiple streams in terms of providing shelter to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. My Department will continue to assist those seeking shelter and security as best it can as part of the overall humanitarian response.
284. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the circumstances under which it is possible for a child’s parents to apply for an early childhood care and education programme over-age exemption or deferral to delay their child’s entry into the ECCE programme; if he will outline the qualifying requirements for this exemption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5715/23]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date.
There is no discretion on eligible starting dates however it is possible, if a parent chooses to defer a starting date and avail of one year of ECCE only.
In a limited number of circumstances, it is possible to apply for an exemption to the upper age limit of 5 years 6 months for finishing ECCE.
Current policy requires that any request for an exemption from ECCE eligibility for the 2023-24 programme year must be supported by a letter from a medical specialist / Social Worker (not a GP/PHN) specifically recommending why an ECCE service would meet the child’s specific needs in a more appropriate way than a primary school.
In a primary school setting, children with additional needs have access to a number of additional resources and are offered tailored supports to encourage age appropriate development and learning.
In deciding on applications for exemptions to the ECCE age requirements, my Department is guided by a review of the over-age exemption process which was carried out in 2018 by the National Disability Authority (NDA) for this Department and the Department of Education.
In their published report, the NDA concluded that it is in the best interest of children with additional needs to transition to primary school with their age cohort.
Parents requiring additional supports for their child in a primary school setting should seek the assistance of the Department of Education and the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) in this regard.
285. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when payments for services (details supplied) will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5744/23]
View answerMy Department has engaged over 700 properties to provide accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. In line with the Department’s commitment to substantially clear the backlog at the end of 2022, my Department temporarily re-assigned staff from other parts of the Department to the payments team in December, doubling the size of the payments unit. The enlarged team approved more than 100 million euros worth of payments.
My Department is prioritising maintaining a practice of more timely payments, including providing more resources to address any issues. Any delays in processing payments are deeply regretted and my Department is according this issue very high priority.
I am advised by my officials that the outstanding invoice referred to in the details supplied was paid out by my Department on 2 February 2023. The other matters raised in the details supplied will be attended to by my officials as a matter of priority.
286. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date when the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 will be operational; to report on the delays for the signing of statutory instruments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5835/23]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis.
The Act will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
The Decision Support Service (DSS), which is the organisation that will operate the provisions of the 2015 Act, will respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. To date, the Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in preparing to operate the 2015 Act.
Amendments are required to the 2015 Act prior to commencement, in order to streamline processes in the interests of those using its provisions, and to strengthen the safeguards contained in the Act. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 is the vehicle for these amendments and was signed into law on 17 December last.
The Government remains committed to commencing the 2015 Act, as amended, as soon as possible. Work is currently underway to draft the necessary Statutory Instruments that are required as part of the commencement process, including the drafting of commencement orders and of regulations that the new system of tiered decision supports will need to function. There are a number of such instruments that will need to be finalised before the 2015 Act, as amended, can be operationalised, and my officials are working closely with the Office of the Attorney General to progress this work in early course. The passage of the 2022 Amendment Act was required in order to provide the legal basis to progress these final preparations.
I expect to be in a position to commence the 2015 Act, as amended, in early 2023.
287. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people, indicating those under 18 and over 18 years of age, who were taken into wardship in December 2022 and January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5836/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice, as the court services are under his remit.
288. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a family is permitted to access information about a relative who was adopted under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 (details supplied). [5862/23]
View answerThe Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 is not applicable in this circumstance, and standard data protection law applies.
The Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 enables a person who was adopted, nursed out or boarded out, subject to an illegal birth registration, or who resided in a mother and baby home or county home institution as a child, or their Next of Kin to apply for their birth, early life, care, and medical information from a relevant body. The relevant bodies currently designated by the Act are the Child and Family Agency, Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
289. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he and his Department will take to increase information provision to communities in relation to new international protection accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5907/23]
View answerSince the beginning of 2022, Ireland and many other European countries are experiencing a significant increase of new arrivals seeking international protection (IP). The State has a legal and moral obligation to assess the claims of those who seek refuge and to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018).
Last year, over 15,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation while their applications for international protection are processed by the International Protection Office (IPO). Over the period 2017-2019 an average of 3,500 people applied for protection each year. In the first month of 2023, over 1,200 people have arrived seeking international protection in Ireland.
Projected arrivals for 2023 based on arrivals to date suggest that over 14,100 people will arrive in Ireland seeking international protection. As at 29 January 2023, there are 19,635 people accommodated in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) system as a whole, compared with 7,500 at this time last year.
All of the limited accommodation capacity within the IPAS system is currently being used. Given the significantly increased numbers of arrivals in the context of accommodation shortages, the Department has no option but to consider all offers of accommodation is availing of all offers made to it, including the use of office buildings and sports facilities, to address the accommodation shortfall. These options are necessary in order to provide shelter and to meet basic needs and prevent homelessness. Emergency centres have been opened in all parts of the country.
There have been circa 60 accommodation locations utilised since January 2022 across 17 counties.
While efforts are made to notify public representatives and State agencies in advance of utilising a building for accommodation of IPAs, the emergency nature of the response required means that advance communications are not as comprehensive or as early as the Department would like.
Due to the sheer scale of the present crisis this inevitably means that emergency accommodation of those seeking refuge must be occupied on a faster timeline than would otherwise be the case.
Before the opening of any facility, the Department engages with local representatives to provide information as soon as possible following the agreement of terms with contractors.
These constraints limit the time window for advance consultation. However, the Department is cognisant of these issues and is working towards improving advance communications for elected representatives, local authorities and local communities in this regard.
290. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the case of a person (details supplied) has been drawn to his attention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5908/23]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, therefore I have referred this question to Tusla to follow up directly with the Deputy.
The interpretation and operation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and responses to Subject Access Requests (SAR), are the responsibility of each independent Government body. My Department cannot intercede in Tusla's decision making process with regard to individual requests, and as Minister I am not permitted to interfere in individual cases.
The Data Protection Commission (DPC) is the national independent authority responsible for upholding the fundamental right of individuals have their personal data protected. The DPC is the Irish supervisory authority for the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). Anyone with a query, concern or complaint regarding a data protection matter can can contact the Data Protection Commission by post at 21 Fitzwilliam Square South, Dublin 2, D02 RD28 (Tel 076 110 4800 / 057 868 4800) or at forms.dataprotection.ie/contact.
291. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to expand the accommodation recognition payment scheme past its current end date of 31 March 2023. [5928/23]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme is due to end on 31 March 2023. However, it may be extended by Order by me as the Minister as set out in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. The EU has extended the protection to Ukrainians fleeing the war to the end of March 2024. Accordingly, I propose to extend the ARP scheme to the end of March 2024. I have written to the Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Public Expenditure to consult with them as required.
A draft Order is being prepared in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. I propose to discuss the matter with the Oireachtas Committee and bring the required motions before both Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.
292. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made in relation to implementing the report of the advisory group on the provision of support, including accommodation, to persons in the international protection process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5946/23]
View answerThe Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants and replace it with a new model that is based on a not for profit approach. As part of this process Minister Roderic O'Gorman T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service on 26 February 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and will replace the current system.
Since publishing, the White Paper this department has placed a significant focus on delivering these reforms. Progress made includes:
- The recruitment of a team dedicated to driving the implementation of the new programme;
- The establishment of Governance structures to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee;
- The development of the community accommodation model including the acquisition of some properties;
- The development of an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper;
- The advancement of our Communication Strategy to include a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made;
- The initiation of a planning process for Phase One Reception and Integration Centres.
- The roll out of an integration fund, offering grants to civil society organisations for projects supporting the integration of International Protection Applicants. Over €1.6m in funding has being awarded to 67 organisations through this new International Protection Integration Fund in 2022.
While much progress has been made, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for delivery of the new model of accommodation as staff in the Department were temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland’s obligations. Over 66,500 Ukrainian refugees to date have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive and over 53,800 have been accommodated by the State.
Alongside this, since the lifting of international travel restrictions post-COVID-19, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking International Protection with over 15,000 arriving in 2022. Overall, my Department is now accommodating over 74,000 people, compared with 7,500 at this time last year.
It is not clear if the increase in International Protection arrivals is a once-off impact due to the pent up demand after Covid and the impact of the war in Ukraine or is a trend that will continue into 2023 and beyond. This increase in numbers has huge implications for the implementation of the White Paper as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year, which is based on 20 years of data.
In this vastly changed context an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables in the White Paper is currently underway. This is a complex exercise that will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in numbers seeking International Protection. It expected the review will be completed by the end of quarter one 2022.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the implementation of the new model is and will continue to be a key priority for my department.
293. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Tusla's CEO will engage with or meet with a person (details supplied) who has requested a meeting; if he will respond to correspondence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5947/23]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
294. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a schedule of additional supports, resources and funding for the towns of Leixlip, Celbridge and Maynooth; if he will liaise with his colleagues in the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media and the Department of Education regarding the provision of extracurricular and recreational activities for persons here seeking international protection. [5968/23]
View answerDeputy, there are currently 581 international protection applicants being accommodated in the 7 IPAS locations in Kildare, 97 of whom are children. This number represents 3% of the total number of people in IPAS accommodation nationwide.
On 24 January 2023, Minister Joe O'Brien T.D. launched the €50 million Community Recognition Fund which is a major initiative to support communities that have welcomed people from Ukraine and other countries.
The fund will provide assistance to sports clubs, community organisations, transport infrastructure and local groups and is the fist of it's kind designed to specifically support communities across the country that have welcomed and are hosting families and citizens from Ukraine and other countries.
Among the projects that will be supported under the fund include:
- the refurbishment of local sports clubs and facilities;
- the upgrade of community facilities such as play areas, walkways, parks and community gardens;
- the purchase of equipment to benefit local clubs, festivals, music and arts organisations;
- the enhancement of school or parish facilities that are open to the wider community after hours or on weekends;
- transport infrastructure such as community vehicles and bus shelters.
The €50 million has been allocated across all local authorities based on the number of new arrivals located there and will be drawn down over 2023 and 2024.
Projects will be delivered by the local authorities in conjunction with community organisations.
The Fund aims to support the development of facilities that will be used in the future by all members of the community.
The funding will empower communities whilst delivering tangible benefits to communities all across Ireland.
Applications are now being sought from local authorities on the basis of engagement with local communities and clear targeting of proposed projects to areas with the highest level of need.
The allocation to Co. Kildare is €807,328.
Over the past year, communities across Ireland have demonstrated great solidarity and welcome for those who come here seeking refuge. My Department will continue to liaise with the Department of Education and Skills and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media in regard to the services offered by those Departments in supporting the provision of extracurricular and recreational activities for persons here seeking international protection and welcomes their input into programmes and projects that assist in integrating new arrivals into their community.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
295. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the amount provided for in Communities Integration Fund in 2023; the way in which this fund can be accessed; if the fund provides for the provision of spaces that is, use of locations for education and English language lessons for persons seeking international protection. [5969/23]
View answerThe Communities integration Fund 2023 will be launched in the coming weeks.
A total of €500,000 is available to local community based organisations to carry out integration projects in their local area. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, sports clubs, faith-based groups, arts groups, cultural organisations, and schools. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.
The call for submissions will be open for over four weeks. During this time applications can be made through the EU Survey website. A link to the application form will be published, along with a guidance note for applicants, when the call is launched.
The funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects. Projects should take an inclusive approach, aiming to bring migrants and host communities together.
The maximum amount that may be granted to projects under CIF 2023 is €5,000.
It is likely that the CIF 2023 will contain a number of themes, one of which is likely to be English-language supports.
The funding can be used for the provision of spaces and English language lessons for persons seeking International Protection.
Since its inception in 2017, the Communities Integration Fund has supported over 710 projects with grant funding totalling €3.32m.
