Written Answers Nos. 121-140
124. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vulnerability assessments of international protection applicants undertaken in 2021; the way this compares to previous years; the most common vulnerabilities identified; the steps that are being taken to address and support those identified as vulnerable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5184/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra177. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vulnerability assessments of international protection applicants undertaken in 2021; the most common vulnerabilities identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5136/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 177 together.
A vulnerability assessment pilot programme is currently in operation by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department.
From 1 February 2021, every person who makes an application for international protection is entitled to participate in a vulnerability assessment.
The assessment determines if an applicant has special reception needs, what these are and what actions are needed to address these needs. Participation is voluntary and only applicants who consent to participate in the pilot can be assessed.
From 1 February 2021 to the 31 December 2021, 686 vulnerability assessments were undertaken and 438 applicants were identified as having some form of vulnerability. Of those:
- 30% were minors.
- 31% were persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other forms of serious psychological, physical or sexual violence.
- 12% were persons identified as vulnerable because they had a serious illness.
- 9% were single parents with minor children.
- 8% were persons with mental health concerns.
Other vulnerabilities related to being:
- Pregnant (3%).
- A victim of human trafficking (3%).
- A member of the LGBTI+ community (2%).
- A person with a disability (2%).
- Being an unaccompanied minor (0.3%).
It is important to note that a vulnerable person may have more than one kind of vulnerability. IPAS makes every effort to ensure that residents' specific needs are met. All persons identified as vulnerable are directed to appropriate services by IPAS’ dedicated Resident Welfare Team.
As Deputies will know, services for all international protection applicants are mainstreamed. Applicants access health services in the same way as Irish citizens. This includes referral to disability and mental health services.
IPAS will consider any identified vulnerabilities when allocating accommodation, taking into account the accommodation available.
It should be noted that not every vulnerability requires special intervention. For example, every child or pregnant woman is identified by default as vulnerable under the Regulations, but they may not have specific vulnerabilities.
125. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department will endeavour to ensure insofar as possible that those persons seeking international protection who are approved for housing here will have housing offers made in locations reasonably proximate to the location they have been receiving emergency accommodation provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5134/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra195. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure that all children and families in direct provision being moved from congregated hotel-style living are housed in own-door or independent living accommodation as close as possible to the community in which they have been residing. [5159/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 125 and 195 together.
Under the new model set out in the White Paper to End Direct Provision, all accommodation in reception and integration centres will be own-door for families and own-room for single people.
In addition, applicants for international protection will move to accommodation in the community after four months where single persons will be in own door accommodation in units of approximately ten people while families will be accommodated in own door accommodation. This will take the form of apartments and houses.
Those who acquire status and who are currently resident in International Protection Accommodation Service accommodation are receiving support to acquire accommodation in the community from Peter McVerry Trust and De Paul.
Both organisations provide support to persons with status to source accommodation throughout the country, particularly in locations of the person's preference. Regarding housing offers being made in locations near to applicants' emergency accommodation, that is a matter for the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLG).
Persons who have been in the International protection process are entitled to all housing options available through their Local Authority. This includes the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP).
A person seeking HAP is not required to have been on the social housing waiting list for a lengthy duration. The payment facilitates employment and allows for movement between Local Authorities.
Info on Tender - types of accomodation, contract types, timelines for tender
128. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the forthcoming core payment for early years providers; the interim measures he will put in place to ensure that fees will not rise for parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4998/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of childcare fees for parents is one that I and the Government are committed to tackling. Significant Government support provided to the Early Years sector throughout the pandemic has, in addition to providing essential stability and sustainability, has also helped ensure that fee increases have been kept to near zero over this period. The most recent data available shows that on average fee increases in the period 2020 to 2021 were 0.39% % for Full Day services, 0.15% for Part-time services and 0.41% for sessional services.
A recently-published Expert Group report on a new funding model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) provided the basis for the transformative package of measures for the sector committed in Budget 2022, including a new Core Funding stream.
Core Funding will operate from September 2022 and will consist of a supply-side payment to providers to support improved quality, affordability, and sustainability. Core Funding will be worth up to €69 million in 2022, equivalent to €207 million from 2023.
It will require a commitment from providers not to increase fees to parents from September 2021 rates. Fixing fees will ensure that parents feel the affordability benefits of the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme.
The calculation of the value of Core Funding to an individual provider will be predominantly based on the level of capacity that they commit to offering during the contract period, meaning providers will have a stable income source based on the service they deliver.
Since the start of the pandemic, a range of measures have been put in place to ensure that additional costs have not been passed on to parents and these have been largely successful. Most notably, ELC and SAC employers benefit from an exemption to the turnover rule for the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) which will operate until April 2022.
Between the end of EWSS to the start of Core Funding in September 2022, a Transition Fund will be available to providers. This is also contingent on an agreement not to increase fees from September 2021 levels.
Communications issued to providers following the Budget about Core Funding and the Transition Fund. Further extensive communications will issue to the sector to give further details on the new funding streams.
129. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will make the changes sought by survivors to the Mother and Baby Homes Redress Scheme to include all survivors within the scheme with no minimum time provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5412/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government-approved proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme were developed taking a range of important matters into consideration, including the feedback from a public consultation process. As a result, the proposals go well beyond the recommendations of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation. In particular, the Scheme will include:
- Women who spent time in the institutions before and after 1974
- All children who spent more than six months in one of the institutions, regardless of whether they were ‘accompanied’ or ‘unaccompanied’
- All women regardless of the time spent in an institution
Extensive engagement with survivors made it clear that it was a priority that the Scheme be non-adversarial, simple and require a low burden of proof. This is what the approved proposals for the Scheme seek to deliver.
Beyond the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, the needs of all those who spent time in one of the institutions will be addressed in some way through the Government’s comprehensive Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions which can be accessed on my Department's website.
I have been given Government approval to bring forward legislative proposals on the basis of the Scheme as outlined and work has commenced in my Department on draft Heads of Bill. Through the legislative process, there will be further opportunities to examine any issues or concerns that have been raised in relation to the Scheme.
130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of funding support provided to youth organisations and youth services in County Kerry in 2021, by scheme; the broad outcomes which this funding has supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5495/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of youth funding through Kerry Education and Training Board, which acts as my Department's funding intermediary in a number of youth funding schemes. In total, €860,000 was provided for 2021 in the form on annual and one off grant schemes to KETB. The more significant elements of this are:
- UBU - Your Place Your Space - €464,490
- Youth Information Centres - €118,569
- Local Youth Club Grant Scheme - €60,241
- ETB Youth Grant - €133,538
The allocation letters for 2022 have now been issued. All UBU Your Place Your Space services and Youth Information Centres received a 3% increase on 2021.
The level of funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. The funding supported the delivery of the following schemes in Kerry:
- UBU Your Place Your Space is a single youth funding scheme that targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services that will secure good outcomes.
- Youth Information Centres provide young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters.
- The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level.
- The Education and Training Board Youth Grant provides funding to ETBs to support their work and engagement with young people.
- A capital scheme for 2021 was also funded in the county. One off funding was provided to support Covid 19 related costs and re-engagement with local volunteers.
The area will also benefit from €12m funding nationally under the Youth Service Grant Scheme to support more universal service provision to 30 national or regional organisations such as Scouting Ireland, Foroige, Youth Work Ireland etc
In addition to the above funding, a new UBU Your Place Your Space service was also established following an application process. The service is being provided by Foróige and is based West Iveragh.
131. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current situation with respect to the private community sponsorship scheme; his plans to further expand the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5284/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Community Sponsorship Ireland (CSI) is an alternative resettlement stream to the traditional state-centred model. The model seeks to allow groups in a community setting to support refugees arriving in a Community Sponsorship Group (CSG).
The Community Sponsorship Ireland model began as a pilot scheme in December 2018. Following this successful pilot, the Government launched the initiative nationally as a mainstream programme in 2019.
Since then, 20 families have settled across 20 different rural and urban communities throughout Ireland.
A further 36 Community Sponsorship groups are at various stages of development across 14 counties.
At the start of 2021, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) commissioned four Regional Support Organisations (RSOs). They have the role to oversee the recruitment, support, coordination and training of Community Sponsorship groups across 7 regions throughout Ireland and to promote Community Sponsorship at a local level.
The formation of Community Sponsorship groups has been somewhat delayed by Covid-19. As the effects of the pandemic lessen and normal interactions begin throughout the country, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) will be in a position to work more intensively with Regional Support Organisations and communities who wish to welcome refugees. The IRPP is currently working with communities and with Regional Support Organisations to use Community Sponsorship as an important means to support Afghan refugees, including judges, who have come to Ireland since August 2021.
I have no doubt that Community Sponsorship will continue to be an important strand in the resettlement of refugees and in their integration into Irish life and culture.
132. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that the outcomes of the Joint Labour Committee process on the early years sector will be in a position to be supported by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5496/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra138. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement that he has had with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure the outcomes of the Joint Labour Committee process on the early years sector will be in a position to be supported by the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5138/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 132 and 138 together.
Improving pay and conditions for those working in the early learning and childcare sector is a key priority, particularly given the significant impacts of pay and conditions on quality for children.
The Programme for Government committed to supporting the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) in the sector and the drawing up of an Employment Regulation Order. I initiated a pre-JLC process in December 2020 and I was happy to see this result in an Establishment Order being signed by Minister English which came into effect in July and JLC members being appointed in November. This JLC is now meeting and considering the issues.
As part of estimates process for Budget 2022, I engaged extensively with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform on the package of measures for this year. A major new development for the early learning and childcare sector announced as part of the budget was the introduction of a new Core Funding stream, specifically designed to support the drawing up of an Employment Regulation Order by the JLC, along with affordability for parents and sustainability for services.
Investing in Core Funding to support the JLC process was also part of the recommendations of an Expert Group on a new funding model for the sector, Partnership for the Public Good published in December.
€69 million has been allocated for Core Funding to operate from September 2022. This is equivalent to €207 million in a full year and is a very substantial additional investment in the sector.
The precise implications of the funding for staff terms and conditions depends on the agreement by the JLC. However, I believe that the level of funding provided is significant enough to achieve a substantial improvement in levels of staff pay and the development of career frameworks which are fundamental to improving quality in the sector and supporting the retention and progression of staff.
133. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown by scheme of funding support provided to youth organisations and youth services in an area (details supplied) in 2021; the broad outcomes which this funding has supported; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5102/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a range of youth funding nationally through the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who act as a funding intermediary for my Department. While my Department does not allocate funding on the basis of parliamentary constituencies, the ETB which provides for areas in Dublin Mid-West such as Clondalkin, Lucan, and Ronanstown is Dublin and Dun Laoghaire ETB.
In 2021, a total of €9.05m was provided to this ETB in the form of annual and one off grants. The more significant elements of this overall figure are
- The UBU - Your Place Your Space - scheme - €7,807,950.00
- Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) - €209,145.00 ,
- Youth Information Centres (YIC) - €131,309.50, and
- LGBTI+ Initiatives - €10,622.00
Allocation letters for 2022 will issue shortly. All UBU Your Place Your Space services and Youth Information Centres will receive a 3% increase on 2021.
The funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. In Dublin Mid-West these included:
- UBU Your Place Your Space is a youth funding scheme that targets disadvantaged young people with evidence informed interventions and services to deliver better outcomes.
- Youth Information Centres provide young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters.
- The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level.
- The Education and Training Board Youth Grant provides funding to ETBs to support their work and engagement with young people.
The area will also benefit from €12m funding nationally under the Youth Service Grant Scheme to support more universal service provision to 30 national or regional organisations such as Scouting Ireland, Foroige, Youth Work Ireland etc
A capital scheme for 2021 was also funded in the area. One off funding was provided to support Covid 19 related costs and re-engagement with local volunteers.
134. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of the specific amount of funding provided to support domestic violence services as part of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5416/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). Tusla is funded from my Department through Vote 40.
In 2021, Tusla allocated €28m in core funding for DSGBV services plus €2m in contingency funding to address challenges arising from Covid-19.
For 2022, I expect Tusla to increase its funding to support DSGBV services and to address the recommendations arising from Tusla’s Accommodation Review. I cannot yet provide the Deputy with a breakdown of the specific amount of funding provided to support domestic violence services for 2022. I issued my Performance Statement to Tusla outlining the overall parameters of Tusla's financial resources, and signalled my priorities for the coming year. Tusla is finalising for publication its annual Business Plan for 2022 in accordance with section 46 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. The Business Plan will outline the proposed activities for the year and provide details of the proposed allocation of its financial resources.
I strongly support the work of Tusla and its funded service providers. I am committed to supporting Tusla in meeting the needs of individuals who experience domestic violence.
135. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons coming from Afghanistan to date that have been granted visa waivers to enter the Irish Refugee Protection Programme; if there are plans to issue more visa waivers for vulnerable groups and persons that do not qualify for the Afghan Admission Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5183/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra146. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons from Afghanistan that have been granted visa waivers to enter the Irish refugee protection programme given the present crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5137/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra173. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons to date that have been granted visa waivers to enter the Irish Refugee Protection Programme in respect of persons fleeing the present crisis in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5213/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 135, 146 and 173 together.
The Irish Government has provided letters of waiver to 532 people wishing to leave Afghanistan. Priority has been given to those whose lives are at risk and who are vulnerable.
To date, letters of waiver have been offered to the following:
- human rights defenders,
- those working for NGOs,
- members of the LGBTI community,
- women and girls at risk,
- members of the judiciary and journalists.
To date, 425 people have arrived in Ireland. My Department will continue to assist where possible and continue to offer sanctuary, where possible, within the resources available to the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
136. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the review recommendations under the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic violence will be included in the forthcoming publication of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence; when this publication will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe publication of the third national strategy on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence and its final contents is a being led by my colleague the Minister for Justice. The Deputy will be aware from recent statements in the House on Violence Against Women that the strategy will reflect a whole-of-Government commitment and the most ambitious to date.
I understand that the proposed strategy will be published shortly for a final round of consultations. It will address the needs for safe and accessible emergency accommodation, building on the work that Tusla has undertaken and reflecting the findings and recommendations of the Accommodation Review. This will require significant collaborative work across Government Departments, Agencies and the whole of the DSGBV sector.
137. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress on delivering paid domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60853/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra170. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of a timeline for the introduction of paid domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4997/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 137 and 170 together.
Since its formation, this Government has made it clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key priority.The Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence.The issue of domestic violence leave has been researched by officials in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. This research has included considering domestic violence leave at international level, identifying best practice and developing a suitable model for roll-out in Ireland.The Department has engaged in a targeted consultation process with relevant stakeholders and social partners to examine how a scheme of paid leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively. This has included consulting with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions. Stakeholders of the National Equality Strategy Committees have also been consulted.A report is being prepared based on this work, which will be brought to Government shortly. The report will include recommendations on how best to support employees experiencing domestic abuse, including proposals for introduce domestic violence leave.
139. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider amending the policy regarding parent’s leave and benefit to allow lone parents to take the full time available under the scheme, equal to the time two parent families can avail of to ensure fairness and equality for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5407/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 (as amended), working parents are entitled to five weeks of paid parent's leave for each relevant parent, to be taken in the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Provision has been made in Budget 2022 to further increase this entitlement from five weeks to seven weeks for eligible parents from July 2022. Parent’s leave was introduced with a view to the transposition of EU Directive 2019/1158, which provides that Member States must provide for a minimum period of two months' parental leave for each parent which cannot be transferred. The intention behind the principle of non-transferable leave in the Directive is to encourage fathers to make use of their right to such leave. It also facilitates the reintegration of mothers in the labour market after they have taken maternity and parental leave. This is further supported through the provision of Parents’ Benefit.It is important to note that the entitlement under the 2019 Act is for each parent in their own right and is not an allocation per family. The Act was drafted in such a way as to take account of the broad complexion of family life and allows for an entitlement for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the parent. In effect this means that more than two individuals could have an entitlement to the leave.There are currently no plans to amend the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 to provide for an additional entitlement for lone parents as it would impact on the intention of this leave. However, I am cognizant of the difficulties faced by lone parents and will examine where additional supports could be provided to them.
140. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeline for the drafting and initiating of the next National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy; if the current strategy will be reviewed; the way that the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy will interact with this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5448/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to achieving its vision of a safe, fair and inclusive Ireland where people are supported to flourish and to live inclusive, healthy and fulfilling lives, whatever their sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or sex characteristics. Ireland’s first National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022, published in November 2019, is the primary policy vehicle to achieve this vision.
The Strategy pursues objectives under four thematic pillars providing a vision of an Ireland where LGBTI+ people are visible and included, treated equally, healthy and feel safe and supported. With a view to making progress towards these high-level objectives, it contains over 100 actions.
To offset delays in the strategies implementation due to the public health emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, I extended its lifetime into 2022. It will be reviewed as part of the process of developing a successor strategy.
The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy arose from the National Youth Strategy, which was published in 2015. This broader youth strategy identified LGBTI+ young people as a specific group to be considered in the context of focused provision for marginalised and disadvantaged young people. Following this, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy was published in June 2018. As with the Inclusion strategy, its lifetime was extended into 2021 to off-set delays in its implementation caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. A review of the strategy is now underway and the subsequent report will be available in due course.
