Written Answers Nos. 1219-1237
1219. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Government will immediately relocate refugees and asylum seekers from the horrific, dehumanizing Moira refugee camp in Lesvos, Greece in which they are trapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18267/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials from Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) are working with colleagues from Tusla and An Garda Síochána to arrange a joint mission to Greece in order to arrange the relocation of families and Unaccompanied Minors from Lesvos. It is expected that this relocation will take place very shortly.
Relocation from Greece is being organised as an exceptional humanitarian gesture alongside the government commitment to receive 2,900 refugees during the period 2020 -2023.
All missions and arrivals are being planned in the context of public health restrictions and Covid19 protocols.
1220. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of progress relating to the implementation of the recommendation from the WRC to amend the pay scale for county childcare managers; if his Department has completed a review it was undertaking of a submission which was received from a county childcare committee board of management before January 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18308/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials of my Department are finalising the review of the Workplace Relations Commission's consideration of the pay rates of the managers of the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and a submission which was received from a CCC board of management.
The CCCs are one of the key support mechanisms of my Department, and I want to acknowledge the important role they play in providing vital support and guidance to early learning and care and school age childcare providers, and to parents. CCCs act as the local agent of my Department in the coordination and delivery of the national early education and childcare programmes and the implementation of Government policy at a local level, and in facilitating and supporting the development of quality, accessible ELC and SAC services for the overall benefit of children and their parents.
Officials from my Department will continue to engage with all parties on this matter as appropriate. It is important to note in this regard that although my Department provides annual funding to the CCCs in respect of all areas of expenditure, including salaries, it is not the employer of CCC staff, and the staff are not public sector employees.
1221. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date on which the consultation on the establishment of a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave is due to conclude; and if he will publish the findings of this consultation. [18553/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has committed in the Programme for Government 'Our Shared Future' to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence. My Department has been tasked with examining the feasibility of introducing such proposals and has committed to developing a report to Government within six months, with legislative proposals to follow within 4 months.
As the Deputy is aware, the development of a scheme of domestic violence leave is currently being scoped by officials in my Department, which includes the examination of domestic violence leave at international level, the identification of best practice and the development of a suitable model for rollout in Ireland.
Furthermore, my Department has conducted a number of consultations with social partners and relevant stakeholders to examine how a scheme of paid leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively. The consultation process included a call for written submissions, which concluded on 9 April 2021, and submissions are currently being evaluated.
The report to Government will be informed by the findings of the consultation and research into international best practice. I will publish the outcomes of the consultation process.
1222. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of single persons who are sharing with other persons within the direct provision system. [18569/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department maintains statistics on the number of residents housed in each centre on a weekly basis. However, we do not maintain statistics on the composition of each room on such a regular basis. The configuration of each centre and the room makeup is constantly changing as new applicants are placed in accommodation; people with a protection status or permission to remain move to accommodation in the community; and transfers take place between accommodation centres.
However on foot of a recent exercise carried out by IPAS, I can inform the Deputy that on 31 March 2021 the number of unrelated single residents assigned to share a room in IPAS accommodation was 1,892.
In line with our policy, there are no more than 3 unrelated single persons sharing a room with other people.
1223. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to develop a successor strategy to the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18690/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving the lives of the Traveller and Roma Communities in Ireland. The Government strategy to further this goal is the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021. The Strategy brings government departments and agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities.
The Programme for Government commits to a Review of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy which is coming to an end this year. There will be an independent evaluation of NTRIS and I am committed to consulting with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the next iteration of NTRIS will have a stronger outcomes focused approach.
1224. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made to date to develop a comprehensive Traveller and Roma training, employment and enterprise plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18691/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving the lives of the Traveller and Roma Communities in Ireland. The Government strategy to further this goal is the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021. The Strategy brings government departments and agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities.
The NTRIS contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity, Education Employment, Health and Accommodation. It is the responsibility of the respective Government Departments and Agencies to deliver on the Actions contained in the Strategy and to provide updates on progress through the Steering Committee which I chair. An employment sub-committee has the responsibility for identifying initiatives to promote Traveller employment.
In 2021, my Department has allocated funding in the region of €1m to support employment initiatives for the Traveller and Roma communities.
The Programme for Government commits to a Review of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy which is coming to an end this year. There will be an independent evaluation of NTRIS and I am committed to consulting with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the next iteration of NTRIS will have a stronger outcomes focused approach. As part of that process, a comprehensive Traveller and Roma Training, Employment and Enterprise Plan will be developed in collaboration with the relevant Departments.
1225. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Covid-19 vaccinations administered to staff working in Tusla residential care and special care units; the number of Covid-19 vaccinations administered to staff working in Oberstown Children Detention Campus; the reason for any difference in approach; the timeline for the vaccination of Oberstown staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18781/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have referred the Question to Tulsa for direct reply to the Deputy insofar as his question relates to Tusla. I understand, however, that very good progress has been made with the vaccination of their frontline staff.
With regard to Oberstown Children Detention School, I am advised that 30 staff members have been vaccinated to date and that plans are in place regarding the remainder of its staff.
Decisions relating to the scheduling of vaccinations across individual organisations and staffing cohorts are managed outside of my Department.
I look forward to further progress in the roll out of the National Vaccination Programme and the positive impact this will have in supporting these agencies to discharge their functions.
1226. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average estimated cost of the direct provision system per person per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18795/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDirect Provision involves a whole-of-government approach to meet the reception needs of persons who enter the State seeking international protection. My Department is responsible for the costs associated with the provision of accommodation and ancillary services for international protection applicants.
The expenditure of my Department primarily relates to the running of the National Reception Centre at Balseskin; the contracting of commercial direct provision and emergency accommodation centres; the management, maintenance and utility costs of the seven State-owned accommodation centres; the provision of Covid-19 response centres for isolation and quarantine; the costs associated with the provision of PPE to residents; and grants to NGOs providing support services to residents in Direct Provision.
The total spend on Direct Provision in 2020 was €175.452 million. There were 6997 people in Direct Provision accommodation on 27 December 2020, the last Sunday of the year, therefore on that day the datum which the Deputy seeks is a figure of €25,075. The Deputy should bear in mind that the number of people who are resident in Direct Provision accommodation can vary day to day during the year.
1227. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 729 of 31 March 2021, if parents who welcome a child via surrogacy can avail of parental leave and parent’s leave and benefit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18840/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Parental Leave Act 1998 entitles parents to unpaid leave to look after their children. This leave is available to a relevant parent, who is defined as a parent, adoptive parent or person acting in loco parentis.
The Parental Leave (Amendment) Act 2019 introduced a significant extension to the existing parental leave entitlements, raising the age of the child for whom parental leave may be taken from eight years to twelve. It also extended the parental leave entitlement by 8 weeks, on a phased basis. The last of these increases came into effect on 1 September 2020 and parents are now entitled to 26 weeks leave in total.
In addition, the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, as defined in the legislation, to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. The definition of relevant parent under the Act includes a parent of the child and the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of a parent of the child.
Following the commencement of the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 on 1 April 2021, an additional three weeks of paid parent's leave has been granted to each relevant parent, and the period in which the leave can be taken has been extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child.
Parents of children born through surrogacy may be entitled to these forms of leave where the parent or parents meet the broad definitions provided for in the legislation.
1228. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the follow-up actions taken by officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service regarding a facility (details supplied) outlining the finding; the measures taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18863/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that officials in the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) have made enquiries with the management of the accommodation centre referred to by the Deputy in respect of matters he raised with me in representations.
Neither the management nor the IPAS have received complaints of the nature referred to by the Deputy.
It is important to note that services for all International Protection applicants are mainstreamed. As such, residents of Carroll Village are entitled to apply to the Department of Social Protection for Emergency Needs Payments if required. Information on how to apply for this payment is provided to all International Protection applicants and the management of the centre and the Child and Family Services Unit of IPAS will assist residents in contacting the Community Welfare Officer in the area if requested.
1229. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans providing extra funding to an organisation (details supplied) due to the effect the Covid-19 pandemic is having on it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19007/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ongoing management of the organisation referred to by the Deputy is a matter for its Board, including the challenges being presented due to the recent Covid-19 restrictions.
My Department provides substantial funding to this organisation, which plays an important role in providing young people with opportunities for developmental experiences and informal learning. All of the youth funding provided by my Department has been maintained fully throughout the ongoing period of restrictions. In addition, I secured an increase in 2021 for youth services, including an increase for the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I have no plans to provide additional funding to this organisation.
My officials are in regular contact with youth sector representatives in relation to the impact of the pandemic and associated health restrictions. It is of importance that Exchequer funding to youth services nationally is protected and I am satisfied that Government has been able to continue to support them. My officials will continue to work closely with youth organisations and will actively monitor the situation. We very much appreciate the challenges COVID-19 has posed and is posing for them.
1230. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter in relation to the ECCE scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19056/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar.
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 and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year.
This minimum age was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. The upper age limit for the ECCE programme remains the same (i.e. a child is not eligible if they will be 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year.)
My Department does its best to ensure, in so far as possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for childcare funding under the ECCE programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied evenly.
In a limited number of circumstances, it is possible to apply for an overage exemption to the ECCE programme. Overage Exemptions currently provided by my Department are governed by three guiding principles as follows:
- A Letter of Recommendation supplied from a specialist (NB: Not a GP/PHN),- Child's age - not being over 6 years of age before starting primary education or similar- ECCE Allocation taken - if a child has had the full 2 years they will not be eligible.
Letters of recommendation can be submitted via email to: eyqueries@equality.gov.ie
1231. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and name of all private providers of children's residential care for Tusla; the number of residents currently in privately run residential homecare for children; the estimated full cost of funding to all private providers of children’s residential care contracted by Tusla since 2010; and the number and cost of funding and providing services to residents in residential care provided directly by the HSE. [19104/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand, following contact made by my Department with the Deputy's office, that the intention of the Deputy's question is to refer to the provision of children's residential care under the remit of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, since its establishment. Matters relating to residential care provided by the Health Service Executive is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health.
I have requested that Tusla respond directly to the Deputy in relation to children's residential care services under its remit.
1232. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of requests for emergency refuge from domestic violence that could not be met each month during 2020, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19107/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DGSBV). As the question relates to operational data, I have requested that Tusla responds directly to the Deputy on this matter.
1233. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to resettle refugees in Ireland currently in Greek migrant camps including child refugees; if the number of refugees from this region to be resettled can be increased to 400; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19179/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government pledge of last October to resettle up to 50 people from Lesvos was in addition to the commitment that Ireland had already made with the UNHCR to resettle 2,900 refugees to Ireland between 2020 and 2023.
12 Families have been accepted by Ireland for resettlement, subject to any assessment, security or otherwise to be undertaken.
My Department is working with the Greek authorities and other relevant stakeholders to effect their relocation to Ireland as soon as possible, with due regard to Covid-19 protocols and restrictions.
In Budget 2021, I secured an additional €5m to support Tusla in providing dedicated services to accelerate the intake of the remaining unaccompanied refugee children in Greece to whom we have committed. Tusla have developed a range of accommodation options to receive and provide specialist care for the children.
Tusla are ready to receive these children as soon as they can travel safely. Tusla and my Department are working with the Greek authorities and the HSE to progress the safest travel and relocation options as soon as possible, within the scope of current travel and quarantine restrictions.
1234. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions that have been completed out of the 149 actions recommended in the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017 to 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19346/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to improving the lives of the Traveller and Roma Communities in Ireland. The Government strategy to further this goal is the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021. The Strategy brings government departments and agencies together along with representatives of both Traveller and Roma communities.
The NTRIS contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Cultural Identity, Education, Employment Health, and Accommodation. While 16 actions are complete, work is progressing on 130 actions and they are on track for completion during the lifetime of the strategy.
It is the responsibility of the respective Government Departments and Agencies to deliver on the Actions contained in the Strategy and to provide updates on progress through the Steering Committee which I chair.
The Programme for Government commits to a Review of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy which is coming to an end this year. There will be an independent evaluation of NTRIS and I am committed to consulting with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the next iteration of NTRIS will have a stronger outcomes focused approach.
1235. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the establishment of a working group to develop an autism innovation strategy; the membership of the working group; the timeline to develop the strategy; if this strategy will consist of clear targets and goals; if it will be given adequate resources to meet its targets and goals; the way in which persons with autism and groups representing persons with autism can feed into and become involved in the creation of this strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19523/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, Anne Rabbitte T.D., recently announced her intention to establish a Working Group to develop an Autism Innovation Strategy.
The focus of the strategy in the short term will be to deliver real and tangible solutions to the challenges, needs and experiences of people with autism.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will be cross departmental in nature as autism innovation is not solely an issue to be addressed with health supports but one which requires a more holistic approach to be taken.
Minister Rabbitte intends to set up an Autism Innovation Strategy Working Group, which will seek to develop this Strategy and will chair this Working Group once established. The formation of the Working Group is at early stages and I can advise the Deputy when the details have been confirmed. It is certainly the intention that, in line with UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, there will be consultation and participation of people with disabilities.
1236. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the State funding an organisation (details supplied) has received each year since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19532/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Affairs Unit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has granted the City of Dublin YMCA a total of €609,050 since 2016 through its youth funding schemes; Special Projects for Youth (SPY), Targeted Youth Funding Scheme (TYFS) and UBU Your Place Your Space. A breakdown of funding is provided below.
Youth funding provided to YMCA City of Dublin 2016-2021
|
Year |
Allocation |
|
2021 |
€105,940 (UBU) |
|
2020 |
€103,536 (TYFS/UBU) |
|
2019 |
€102,233 (TYFS) |
|
2018 |
€102,233 (SPY) |
|
2017 |
€99,933 (SPY) |
|
2016 |
€95,175 (SPY) |
1237. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the way the irregular location of certain child and family support networks such as play therapy may pose a barrier to the implementation of a successful intervention in the lives of a family requiring that service locally. [19576/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla has established 118 Child & Family Support Networks across Ireland, which help to support integrated and co-ordinated supports for children, young people and families at local community level. CFSNs are a frontline operational structure set up by Tusla to support integrated service delivery. Child and Family Support Networks are developed in response to local need and dependent on resources. The location of the Networks depends on local circumstance. Members of CFSNs come from a variety of agencies or local voluntary and community services such as the Community and Voluntary Sector, HSE Primary Care Social Work, Early Years Services, Sports Clubs, Speech & Language Therapy, An Garda Síochána Youth Probation Services, Primary and Secondary Schools etc.
In practical terms, if a family presents to one service within the Child & Family Support Network and that service is not equipped to meet their needs, that network member can effectively re-direct the family to the most appropriate network member(s) or service. To be able to do this, CFSNs develop a good understanding and become familiar with one another’s work. The Child & Family Support Networks also facilitate the coordination of the use of Meitheal, the Tusla-led early intervention national practice model that identifies a child’s and their families’ needs and strengths, and brings together a team around the child to deliver preventative support.
Providers of Play Therapy, and other service providers may join the Network that is most geographically suited to them. Play therapy is one of a range of interventions that a CFSN could inform a family about, depending on available resources in the local area.
