I am committed to addressing the distressing situation of those affected by the St. Patrick’s Guild Illegal Birth Registrations.

In February, I established an Interdepartmental Group to develop a set of integrated proposals that would address the issues arising for these individuals. They span a range of areas including, in particular, birth registration, identity, parentage and inheritance.

I brought the IDG's proposals to Government earlier this month in partnership with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection. The Government approved our proposals and also approved the drafting of legislation to give effect to their central elements.

The proposals provide for full access to birth and early life information for people who are affected by illegal birth registration or who suspect that they may be. They address the issue of correcting the birth registration of affected individuals, and providing them with choice and clarity in matters relating to their identity.

They also provide a process to ensure that the parents who raised them can be acknowledged as their legal parents, where that is the person’s wish. I am pleased to have been able to bring forward proposals in this sensitive and complex area, which I believe will address the issues raised for those who, through no fault of their own, have been affected by Illegal Birth Registrations

The proposals are set out in the Heads of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill which I published on 11 May. I have referred the Heads of Bill for pre-legislative scrutiny and I understand that this process is now underway.

At the same time, I have commenced a consultation process with individuals who have been affected by illegal birth registrations and their views will inform finalisation of the legislation.

The IDG proposals also considered the matter of succession, and my colleague, the Minister for Justice has committed, to amending the Succession Act 1965 without delay to ensure that those affected will, for the purposes of the Act, be deemed to be the children of the people who raised them.

More generally, I am committed to continued engagement with the affected individuals on all matters of concern and to advancing the Birth Information and Tracing legislation as a matter of priority.

The National Childcare scheme launched in November 2019, marking the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for early learning and childcare in Ireland.

To date, over 105,200 applications have been submitted for the NCS relating to over 99,400 children.

There are currently 911 community services contracted to provide the NCS, out of a total of just over 1,200 community services in the country.

I fully understand that change can be challenging and appreciate that some services are experiencing difficulties with the change to the NCS.

For those services experiencing difficulties, my Department oversees a case management process through which local Childcare Committees and Pobal work together to assess and provide support.

The case management process provides non-financial assistance or support in the first instance, but financial supports are also available for services presenting with sustainability issues following a financial assessment.

Any service that has concerns about their viability, should contact their local Childcare Committee in the first instance.

I would also note that services have received sustainability and other forms of financial supports from my Department and continue to receive supports through other national measures to help alleviate the impact of Covid-19 on their businesses.

Among these supports is the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which currently covers up to 50% of the operating costs for services.

A review of the NCS has recently commenced, as required under Section 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018. At my specific request the review will include an assessment of the Scheme’s impact on services operating in disadvantaged communities.

The review will provide a basis for my Department to consider how effectively the NCS is operating and whether it is meeting the objectives which can be measured meaningfully within the first year. It is intended to publish the findings from this Review in the last quarter of this year.

In addition, an Expert Group convened by my Department is examining the current model of funding for early learning and childcare and its effectiveness in delivering quality, affordable, sustainable and inclusive services.

The Group is considering how additional funding can be delivered to achieve these objectives, drawing on international practice in this area. The Group will submit its recommendations later this year. The development of a DEIS type model for early learning and childcare will be among the recommendations.

My Department administers an annual capital funding programme for early learning and childcare services.

The exact objective of the funding is determined on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and providers and to the Government’s priorities.

In recent years, a key objective of the annual capital programme has been to expand capacity in early learning and childcare services. Over the period 2015-2019, more 27,433 new places were funded under this Programme.

I was pleased to be able to make funding of €10.5m available under the Annual Capital Programme for 2021. Of this funding:

- €5m has been allocated across 643 services to carry out remedial works to ensure these services will be fully compliant with fire safety standards as set out in Tulsa's registration requirements; and

- €5.5million will allocated across all registered early learning and childcare services to enable them to improve outdoor play facilities.

Further details of these outdoor play grants will be announced next week.

On the question of capital grants to increase capacity, the demand for additional places in the sector is currently under review. I am conscious that since the onset of Covid-19, there is evidence of depressed demand for early learning and childcare, largely due to changes in parental work arrangements.

We need to assess carefully the likely demand for places in the years ahead. It is important to plan ahead appropriately, on the basis of the best data and projections of likely demand available.

The Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey 2021, due to commence this month, will allow updated information on capacity to be gathered. In addition, an Ipsos/MRBI survey of parents is currently underway to assess likely parental demand for early learning and childcare from September 2022.

These data will help inform capital investment plans and the prioritisation of future capital funding, including funding allocated under Project Ireland 2040. I have made a detailed submission in relation to Capital Funding in the Early Years sector to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.

I understand the Deputy has clarified that this extended remit of the Department of Education relates to the educational welfare services in Tusla having a sponsor role under the National Childcare Scheme. The Scheme is under review at present, and this provides us with an opportunity to consider any possible changes to sponsorship arrangements.

The National Childcare Scheme represents the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for early learning and childcare.

It marks a shift away from previous schemes, which were based on medical card and social protection entitlements to offer a progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies.

The scheme is designed so that those on lowest incomes receive the greatest support.

The NCS also includes sponsorship arrangements that allows for additional support for vulnerable families where there is an identified need for early learning and childcare on the grounds of child development or child welfare.

There are currently five sponsorship arrangements in place. This includes the Department of Education who can make NCS referrals for teen parents under the age of 18 so they can remain in education or training.

I am committed to reviewing and extending these arrangement where appropriate.

A formal review of the NCS has commenced, as required under Section 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018. It is intended that a finalised report of this review will be published in late 2021. At my specific request the review will include an assessment of the Scheme’s impact on services operating in disadvantaged communities.

The review will provide a basis for the DCEDIY to consider how effectively the NCS is operating and whether it is meeting the objectives which are meaningfully measurable within the first year.

Based on this Review, I will consider any necessary changes to enhance the NCS, including arrangements for sponsorship.

I welcome the Deputy’s question as I am committed to listening to young people and understanding all aspects of their lives, particularly at present in relation to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The importance of supporting young people through this crisis and beyond is also reflected in the additional €5 million funding I secured for youth services in the last budget. This brought annual funding provided to youth services by my Department to almost €70m in 2021.

Last year my Department worked alongside the Department of Health and the youth sector, in collaboration with SpunOut.ie, to undertake an online survey of young people’s experiences of COVID-19.

The publication of the How’s Your Head report has been shared with Government colleagues to inform the development of responses to COVID-19 particularly as relevant to the needs of young people.

The consultation asked young people what had been working well for them, and what challenges they have faced in maintaining their wellbeing during COVID-19. A Youth Advisory Group worked alongside my Department to guide the development and analysis of the consultation. 2,173 young people, aged 15-24, responded to the consultation and the findings included:

- 37% of young people expressed optimism. This was higher for those who engaged with youth groups/clubs/services.

- 58% of reported feelings about their future were negative, including anxiety, pessimism, fear and sadness; a figure that was highest amongst marginalised groups.

- Young people reported missing friends, health problems, isolation, loss of social life and work among the impacts of COVID-19.

- The report also provided ideas and feedback from the youth advisory group on how to address the findings.

My Department will continue to support youth services to play their part in enabling young people to maintain their mental and physical health.

My Department has met regularly with youth sector representatives throughout the pandemic to address emerging issues and ensure that young people, particularly those who are vulnerable, continue to be supported.

ECCE is a two-year pre-school programme available to all children. The programme runs from September to June each year. ECCE is not mandatory, but participation rates are very high, with 95% of children in the eligible age range attending.

Pobal administers the ECCE programme on behalf of my Department, and they have informed me that there are 880 services providing the ECCE Programme in Cork city and county. Currently, there are 12,130 children availing of the ECCE Programme across these services.

Payment under the ECCE programme is by way of capitation, payable directly to services in respect of each eligible child enrolled. The total funding allocated to these 880 services for the period 01 January 2020 to 21 May 2021 was €43.7m.

Since the onset of Covid-19, there has been some changes to ECCE funding owing to various Covid-19 restrictions.

Over the initial closure of services in 2020 (from 12 March-29 June), funding under the ECCE programme and other DCEDIY schemes was redirected towards the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme.

Since September 2020, in addition to capitation provided under the ECCE Programme, all services were eligible to avail of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), which at current rates, covers up to 50% of services operating costs.

The ECCE Programme closed over 6 January to 8 March 2021, when services were restricted to children of essential workers and vulnerable children only.

Over the period 6 - 31 January, services continued to receive full ECCE funding, in addition to EWSS.

From 1 February -7 March, ECCE funding was reduced to 70% for closed services but was maintained at 100% for open services.

The continuation of ECCE funding during that period, and other supports provided by my Department, was conditional on services retaining staff, continuing to engage with children enrolled on the Programme and waiving fees where children were not accessing a service.

The ECCE programme resumed on 8 March 2021, with no significant drop in enrolment rates. Moreover, there is strong evidence of the effectiveness of Covid-19 supports, with the data on services that have closed and opened in 2020 are directly comparable to 2019.

Since the cyber attack I have spoken on a very regular basis with the Chief Executive Officer of Tusla, Bernard Gloster. I have had a lengthy engagement wth the Chair of the Board, Pat Rabbitte. I have not had a separate meeting with the entire Board of Tusla on this matter because I am satisfied that it is being handled appropriately in other ways.

My most recent meeting with the Board was my quarterly meeting on the 13th April, before the ransomware attack occurred. However, I can assure the Deputy that the Board has been fully briefed by the CEO, which is the normal approach.

The CEO of Tusla is providing daily verbal updates to the Chair of the Board and the Chair of the Organisational Development Committee as the situation evolves and he has also provided a number of written updates to the Board.

My officials are in daily contact with Tusla since being alerted to the attack on 14 May, to ensure risks can be mitigated as much as possible and frontline services can be maintained. The Deputy will no doubt recall the detailed oral briefing from the CEO of Tusla and the many issues discussed with him in our call on Friday last, 21 May.

The Deputy will also have received the letter issued by the Tusla CEO to members of the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration on the same day which outlined the actions taken by the Agency since the attack.

The containment shut down actioned by Tusla on the 14th May was taken as a security measure, given that many of Tusla's key systems and some legacy and corporate systems are hosted on the HSE network. Nonetheless, the consequent disruption and impact on service delivery and the potential exfiltration of individuals' highly sensitive and personal information has been of great concern to me.

My priority, and that of Tusla, is to ensure that the critical services and supports for the protection, welfare and care of our children continue to operate within these very challenging circumstances.

My Department is designated as Ireland’s Focal Point and Coordination Mechanism under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and is responsible for the drafting of Ireland’s Initial State report on the implementation of the Convention. Drafting of the State Report is ongoing.

On the 3 December 2020, I published a draft version of the Initial State report for a period of public consultation. The public consultation stage closed on the 9 April 2021.

The public consultation process involved a number of strands. Stakeholders were invited to make written submissions to my Department. Seventy submissions have been received in this regard.

In addition, my Department ran three days of online public stakeholder consultation events in March and April. The recently established Disability Participation and Consultation Network, which involves a wide range of disability stakeholders, has carried out its own consultation process and has submitted it to the Department. Finally, my Department is consulting with children and young people on UNCRPD.

I believe that we have benefited considerably from the important process of stakeholder consultation, and that the final version of the State Report will be able to reflect the views and experiences offered so fully by participants. I intend to bring the State Report to Government for approval in the normal way, in advance of formally submitting it to the Committee later this year.

I am committed to commencing the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act by June 2022, and I do not envisage a delay to that date at this point. The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to commencing the Act, recognising the importance of the much needed reform it represents. The Act is a very important piece of legislation that 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 and the wards of court system for adults is abolished.

The timescale for commencement of the Act is influenced by two principal factors. The Decision Support Service, which is the organisation that will operate the progressive provisions of the Act, has to become operational and to be able to respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. Amendments are also required to the Act before full commencement can take place. Work is taking place on an Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which I expect to have enacted by the end of this year. These amendments will streamline processes, in the interests of those using its provisions. They will also strengthen the safeguards included in the Act.

Some provisions of the Act have been commenced to enable the recruitment of the Director of the Decision Support Service; the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group in relation to Advance Healthcare Directives; and most recently, on 1February this year, the repeal of the outdated Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811, which means that a ward can now marry if she or he has capacity to do so.

The Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the Act. To this end I have secured a budget of €5.8 million for the Decision Support Service in 2021, a significant increase on its €3.5 million 2020 budget.

A high-level Steering Group, chaired by my Department, meets monthly to oversee and drive progress towards full commencement. The Steering Group comprises senior officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, the Mental Health Commission, the HSE, the Courts Service, and the Decision Support Service, recognising that successful operation of the Act will involve multiple stakeholders. They are working towards commencement of the legislation in June 2022, with the Decision Support Service opening for business immediately thereafter.

I recognise the concerns expressed by those who are in need of the progressive provisions of the 2015 Act. However, it is also important that we develop robust systems under the Decision Support Service that respond adequately to the needs of those with capacity difficulties and of their families. I am confident that the time that we devote now to getting this process right will give us a person-centred approach that will truly be in the interests of those who need it most.

I want to start by acknowledging that the past weeks have been significantly challenging for the Agency and all its committed staff, particularly coming as it does following on from the crisis associated with the Covid-19 pandemic.

I have absolute faith in the abilities of the crisis management team chaired by CEO, the technical incident room chaired by Director of ICT and the significant expertise in security and associated matters that have been deployed, to make the key management decisions required with this incident and address the impact of the HSE cyber attack on Tusla's systems and service provision.

I must stress that this is an evolving situation. It is too early or perhaps impossible to be absolute about protections against the attack in the context of the criminal activity underpinning it. I am satisfied however that the Agency's risk management approach has identified the relevant risks associated with the attack and is putting in place the appropriate mitigating actions. I am also satisfied that the full resources of the State are being deployed to protect the Agency, and more importantly, the sensitive and personal information of service users associated with the Agency's files and data systems.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 42 together.

A Vulnerability Assessment process is currently being piloted by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department. The pilot commenced in December 2020 and was extended to all new applicants for international protection from the beginning of February. The pilot will continue until end 2021, at which point it will be evaluated, and this will be used to inform the long term implementation of vulnerability assessments.

The purpose of these assessments is to determine if, by virtue of a particular category of vulnerability, an applicant is deemed to have special reception needs, what those needs are and what actions are required to address those needs.

IPAS assess the vulnerability of everyone who makes an application for international protection to the International Protection Office (IPO). Where an application includes children of an applicant, IPAS also assess their vulnerability in an appropriate manner.

The Vulnerability Assessment begins with an initial interview after the applicant first applies for international protection. If this initial assessment indicates that the applicant is a vulnerable person, within the meaning of the relevant EU Directive, further assessments may be carried out while the applicant is living in the IPAS Reception Centre, or subsequently when they have moved to longer term accommodation.

Taken together, these assessments are used to determine whether the applicant has special reception needs arising from any vulnerabilities identified. IPAS will endeavour to accommodate these needs in so far as possible.

To ensure that the interview stays to its purpose, the assessor will be provided with a standard list of assessment questions. These questions are based on the various categories of vulnerability identified within the EU Reception Conditions Directive and the Irish Regulations, and have been refined within the Irish context with the help of the HSE. The assessment will be carried out in a sensitive, conversational manner with gender-appropriate officers and interpretation as required.

It is intended that the questions used will be kept under review during the pilot phase and refined to ensure the process continues to elicit the best possible information to assist in the assessment.

On Tuesday 25th May I attending a briefing session with the National Cyber Security Centre in respect of the recent ransom ware attacks. I have also been attending a daily Ministerial meeting on the matter.

ICT services are provided to my Department by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The provision of ICT security is part of that service.

My officials are engaging closely with the OGCIO on this issue, who in turn are engaging with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure that best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of Cybersecurity.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy of the positive progress made on improving access to high quality, and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare (ELC/SAC). Key achievements include:

- Since 2015, State investment has increased by 141%.

- Since 2018, all children are entitled to two full years of the ECCE Programme. For the current programme year, there are more than 102,000 children enrolled.

- The National Childcare Scheme was introduced in 2019. To date, over 105,200 applications have been submitted for the NCS relating to over 99,400 children.

- Since 2016, the Access and Inclusion Model or AIM, has supported almost 15,300 children with a disability to access and meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme.

- Over the period 2015-2019, 27,433 ELC/SAC places were funded under my Department’s Annual Capital Programme.

Steps have also been taken to improve quality. This includes regulatory reform, the introduction of new qualification requirements and continued roll-out of training in the curriculum and quality frameworks.

Since the onset of Covid-19, my Department has also focused on putting in place a range of supports for ELC/SAC. The objective of these supports have been to:

- support providers’ sustainability to enable services return to normal once restrictions were lifted;

- support providers to retain their staff;

- ensure that ELC/SAC could reopen and remain open, even at very low levels of occupancy;

- ensure that ELC/SAC could operate safely for children, families and staff;

- ensure that increased costs associated with public health requirements, and lower demand / occupancy were not passed on to parents;

- achieve administrative efficiency through the continued use of existing funding schemes and other whole of economy supports; and

- protect exchequer investment.

Supports included the continuation of DCEDIY subsidy schemes on an ex-gratia basis (12 March – 5 April 2020); the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (6 April – 28 June 2020); the Reopening Funding Package (29 June – 23 August 2020), the July Stimulus Package that included the EWSS and a Sustainability Fund (from 24 August to end December 2020) and tailored funding arrangements to respond to Level 5 restrictions in the post-Christmas period, that included a new Covid-19 Operating Support Payment and a new Covid-19 strand of the Sustainability Fund, in addition to the EWSS.

There is strong evidence of the effectiveness of these supports. Data on services that have closed and opened in 2020 are directly comparable to 2019 so there has been no loss of capacity. Revenue data indicates that the number of employees in the sector has not changed substantially over the course of the pandemic. Moreover, data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2020 revealed no significant increase in fees charged to parents.

While my Department continues to respond COVID-19 challenges in the sector, the importance of long-term and long-lasting development and reform is ever more important and progress continues to be made in this area.

One of the major objectives in the First 5 Strategy, is that babies and young children have access to safe, high-quality, developmentally appropriate ELC/SAC which reflects diversity of need. To meet this objective, the following Strategic Actions have been identified:

- Make high-quality ELC/SAC for more affordable

- Maintain and extend the supply of high-quality ELC/SAC; and

- Ensure that ELC/SAC provision promotes participation, strengthens social inclusion and embraces diversity.

To meet this objective, First 5 identified a range of actions and also signposts major reforms, including a new workforce development plan, a new funding model and a new operating model for the sector. There is also a commitment to at least double investment in ELC/SAC by 2028.

The First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2019 published in November 2020 reports on progress made on these actions, with 90% of all 2019 milestones met.

The First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2020 will be published in the coming months.

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that officials from the Irish Refugee Protection Programme in my Department, along with Tusla personnel and members of An Garda Síochána will travel next week to Greece for a selection and security screening process for 12 refugee families (50 persons) and 27 Separated Children Seeking International Protection.

The Government pledge of last October to resettle up to 50 people from the island of 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. The pledge regarding the children was part of an earlier commitment for relocations from Greece. No further offer has been made to the Greek authorities.

The Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016, which was drafted to ensure implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, had completed Dáil Committee Stage during the previous Government, but lapsed with the dissolution of the previous Dáil and Seanad and was not restored to the Order Paper. Consideration is being given to the possibility of amalgamating it with the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill. Policy proposals for that Bill are due to be settled shortly in this regard with the aim of enactment as part of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill before year end.

Inter-agency cooperation between Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and An Garda Síochána is critical to child protection. Both have distinct functions, powers, responsibilities and methods of working, as assigned by legislation and agency protocols. Their close cooperation ensures that children in need of protection receive a timely, appropriate and proportionate response.

Tusla assess and supports the protection needs of the child, while the focus of An Garda Síochána is to preserve life; vindicate the human rights of each individual; and prevent, investigate and detect criminal offences.

The cooperation between the agencies on this matter is provided for by a Joint Working Protocol. This sets out the tasks, roles and obligations of both organisations in relation to each other in matters of child protection.

The protocol identifies two-way formal and informal communication processes between Tusla social workers and Gardaí to record suspected cases of abuse. Where more than one child is involved separate notifications are processed in respect of each child.

In relation to specific cases, social workers and Gardaí may hold strategic liaison meetings as part of their working together. Their joint efforts are designed to ensure that the protection of children receives priority attention.

The joint working collaboration gives An Garda Síochána, through a Tusla social worker, relevant information on the Tusla Child Protection Notification System. This is a list of just under 1,000 children nationally who have an active Tusla led child safety plan. Social workers and Gardaí undergo joint specialist training in interviewing children where there are concerns regarding a sexual assault and, where possible, carry out joint interviews.

A signification step in inter-agency cooperation is the development of Barnahus, a child-friendly, interdisciplinary and multi-agency model of service for children who have been sexually abused. The model establishes a set of principles and operational methodology to facilitate the different agencies working together in a consistent and child centred way. Barnahus provides a single secure location for professional services (therapists, social work, Gardaí, medical and forensic investigation) to support child sex abuse victims and their families.

An Interdepartmental Group (IDG) comprising members from my Department, the Department of Health, Department of Justice, Tusla, HSE, An Garda Síochána, and Children’s Health Ireland is developing Barnahus. A National Agency Steering Committee has been established by the IDG to organise and oversee operational matters associated with the development and management of Barnahus nationally.

A Pilot service was launched in Galway in 2018 and further developed sites are planned for Dublin and Cork in 2021. The centres will develop regional outreach capacity over time. Victims will be met and interviewed by a specially trained social worker and a Garda specialist working together.

It is intended, that the Barnahus and Sexual Assault Treatment Unit services will align where possible to facilitate close working relationship needed in the case of teenage victims requiring a mix of adult (forensic) services and a child protection service.

Progress continues to be made on enabling children and young people to have a voice in decisions which affect them.

The primary consultative forum for children and young people is Comhairle na nÓg , established and supported by my Department in partnership with the 31 Local Authorities. Comhairle gets children and young people's voices heard in two main ways. The young members identify and work on areas of interest to them in their local communities . They also serve as a consultative forum when decisions are being made at local and often national level. Every two years, members of each Comhairle come together at Dail na nÓg, to elect a National Executive and to identify and vote on the key areas they will work on over the following two years. My Department supports the National Executive to bring their ideas and projects to the relevant policy makers at national level, amplifying the voice of young people and effecting real change.

Another significant support to enhance the capacity of government departments, state agencies and other organisations to consult meaningfully with children and young people is the National Implementation Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making , which I launched in April This Framework provides guidance and checklists for those wishing to consult with children and young people, promoting participation with purpose, where their views are listened to, taken seriously and given due weight with the intention of leading to an outcome or change. The Framework underpins the work of my department and the soon to be established National Participation Office. Combined with the training and support of an enhanced Hug na nÓg, these resources build on and extend capacity to consult meaningfully with children and young people.

As the Deputy will be aware, the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making is a constituent strategy of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020, which concluded at the end of 2020. Progression of a policy successor to Better Outcomes Brighter Futures has been delayed until 2022. This decision has been made in light of Covid-19, and two significant initiatives my Department is progressing in 2021. These are, namely, implementation of the EU Child Guarantee and development of Ireland’s reporting to the United Nations Children’s Rights Convention. It is envisaged that both of these initiatives, and the impacts of the pandemic, will inform the priorities to be addressed in the successor to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, and its constituent strategies .

Since its formation, this Government has made 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 with a view to establishing a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave. My Department is currently examining the feasibility of introducing such proposals and has committed to developing a report to Government in June, with legislative proposals to follow.

As the Deputy is aware, a scheme of domestic violence leave is currently being developed 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. The outcome of this work will inform policy development and proposals in this area.

My 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, including with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions and with stakeholders of the national Equality Strategy Committees falling under my Department’s remit. Written submissions were invited from relevant stakeholders and these submissions are currently being examined.

It is anticipated that the report, including the output of the consultation process, will be brought to Government in June.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.

The Deputy will be aware of Tusla's Data Management Strategy 2019 – 2022. The Strategy includes a range of strategic actions across a range of themes. One such action is to migrate all Tusla data sources that are currently under the management of HSE to new environments under the control of Tusla ICT. Work commenced in 2019 and is due for completion in Q4 2022. The timescale and processes by which this objective is to be achieved will be reviewed in light of the impact on Tusla of the cyber attack on the HSE.

Ireland ratified the UNCRPD in 2018. Advancing the implementation of the UNCRPD is an ongoing priority. Our approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of progressive realisation, each year moving forward on key reforms.

The obligations arising from the Convention will be met over time, with initial priority given to meeting legislative commitments. For example, my Department is responsible for the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 which is an important step towards full implementation of the UNCRPD.

In addition, the UNCRPD requires State parties actively to involve people with disabilities in policy development. In order to progress this aspect of the UNCRPD, my Department has funded the development of a Participation and Consultation Network to build capacity within the disability community so that people with disabilities and their representative organisations can participate fully in policy development. The Network was formed in late 2020. One of the Network’s first tasks has been to bring the voices of people with disabilities into consultations on Ireland’s first State Report to the UN on our progress in implementing the UNCRPD. This Network is an important initiative that will help us to realise both the spirit and the substance of the UNCRPD here in Ireland. It will provide a platform for people with disabilities to become actively involved in issues that affect their lives.

The Programme for Government commits to establishing a UNCRPD Implementation Plan. This Plan will coordinate and monitor progress on implementing the UNCRPD across Government departments. Work on this Plan is at an early stage.

My Department is currently responsible for coordinating the two significant whole of Government strategies that currently exist in the area of Disability, namely the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES). These are the key frameworks for policy and action to address the needs of persons with disabilities in Ireland and support effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the UNCRPD.

The UNCRPD operates in a similar manner to other UN Human Rights treaties. The State is required to prepare a comprehensive report on the implementation of the Convention in Ireland and this will be followed by a public appearance before the CRPD Committee in Geneva.

Ireland is preparing its first State Report. My Department is responsible for preparing the Report, in consultation with other Departments and Agencies who have responsibility for implementing the Convention. The report will set out how Ireland is implementing the Convention. It will describe progress in a number of areas and acknowledge where further action is required for Ireland to comply fully with the Convention.

Ms Anne Rabbitte T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, published the draft State Report in December 2020 and a public consultation process has recently concluded. The Report, incorporating the information obtained during the public consultation process, will then be brought to Government for approval in advance of its formal submission to the Committee by Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva later this year.

Following the submission of the State Report, Ireland will take part in an appearance with the UN Committee. The information gathered at this appearance will inform the Committee's report on how Ireland is implementing the UNCRPD and I would expect their report to include recommendations on areas for improvements. There is no indication at this time on a likely date for that appearance.

My Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and childcare services that are registered with Tulsa can access capital funding.

The works eligible for capital funding are determined by my Department on an annual basis, having regard to the needs of children, families and service providers, and to Departmental priorities.

In recent years, a key objective of the capital programmes has been to expand capacity in early learning and childcare services. Covid-19 and new blended working patterns has reduced demand for some early learning and childcare services, and I recognise that this may not be a permanent change, the provision of new childcare places is not a current priority.

The upgrading of the fire safety measures in place in existing early learning and childcare services is the key objective of the 2021 Capital Programme, which is worth a total of €10.5 million.

The first tranche of capital grants were assigned on 21 May to existing services to improving fire safety standards. Service providers were invited to apply for funding to carry out remedial works, with a total of €5 million of the €10.5 million budget being claimed by 634 services. These works will permit these services to fully comply with the Tulsa's registration requirements. Services received funding under this capital programme on 23 May 2021.

The remaining capital funding of €5.5million will be shared between all registered early learning and childcare services to enable them to encourage more outdoor play. Eligible expenditure will include shelters and play equipment. Outdoor play enables children to explore and engage with the natural world, while being a simple and effective method of infection control. I will be announcing more details of this capital grant programme next week.

I will keep the demand for additional capacity under review as the year proceeds.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 34 and 59 together.

I would like to thank the Deputies for these important questions. HIQA's new Draft National Standards for Children’s Social Services are intended to replace four current sets of standards that cover child protection and welfare services, children's residential care, special care and to replace the 2003 foster care standards

HIQA has undertaken a consultative process with Tusla managers and staff, foster carers, interested agencies and the general public, and 20% of the responses have been from foster carers. As current National Standards for Foster Care have been in place since 2003 it is important that they are reviewed. It is also very important that all stakeholders have confidence in the utility and applicability of these standards.I have received a request to meet the Irish Foster Care Association and I plan to do so in the coming weeks. My officials have had close engagement with them and are fully aware of the issues involved. Foster carers have indicated that the current draft standards fail to adequately comprehend the role and unique care response provided by Foster carers, as they are not professionals, staff or employees and their care response is unique.

I am committed, as is HIQA, to ensure their voice is heard in the development of the new standards. My officials are actively engaged with HIQA on this issue and I understand HIQA are taking steps to revise their approach by providing more detail pertaining to foster care as part of the standard development process. The proposed new standards do not change existing legislation and therefore have no impact on any legal rights or duties of foster carers under the Child Care Acts, Children First legislation and guidance or any new legislation under consideration. Legislation and regulations supersede standards in all sectors.Following completion of the consultation and drafting process HIQA will present the Draft National Standards for Children’s Social Services for consideration and approval by the Minister for Health and myself. The Standards must be accepted and approved in advance of their becoming operational.

The Deputy will be aware that last Friday, I arranged a briefing for relevant spokespersons from political parties with the CEO of Tusla where a full overview of the known issues, impact on operations, and a range of mitigating actions were outlined. I understand that the CEO provided a briefing on the 18th May to the Deputy as Chair of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Disability, Equality and Integration and provided the full committee with a written update on the 21st. As Minister with responsibility for Tusla, I sit on the ministerial group dealing with the Cyber-attack and have been in contact with CEO on a daily basis.

As an independent agency, Tusla has responsibility for its own ICT function and has engaged with the HSE, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) and the Gardaí in relation to this incident. Myself and my officals have been in daily contact with Tusla and our partners in government since being alerted to the attack on the 14th May, to ensure risks can be mitigated as much as possible and frontline services can be maintained.

Tusla is actively engaged with An Garda Síochána, the Courts Service, and family support services regarding its core work. Tusla is providing guidance and information to all staff, service users and the public via the Tusla website. Tusla also continues to liaise with the HSE on the restoration of systems and has deployed significant ICT resources to enable safe access to internal systems as soon as possible.

I'd like to stress that while Tusla has been significantly affected by the attack, it continues to prioritise Child Protection and Children in Care Services. As Tusla’s referrals portal has been impacted, Tusla is asking that anyone with a concern about a child contacts their local duty social work office by phone. Details are available on the front page of their website. Staff across all Tusla services are continuing with core work supported by manual systems.

My officials and I will continue to proactively monitor and manage this most serious matter, and to support Tusla at this time.

I am deeply cognisant of the difficulties faced by young people at this time, particularly with regard to their mental health. Tusla, the Child and Family provides significant funding to third parties, generally in the community and voluntary sector, for the provision of commissioned services.

Decisions regarding individual funding allocations are operational matters for Tusla. I have referred this and the Deputy's previous question (Question 165 of 19 May 2021) to Tusla, regarding funding for a specific secondary school, for direct reply.

The Deputy will understand that any reply on this matter will be delayed, in the context of the impact on Tusla of the recent cyber attack on HSE systems. Tusla will be able to advise the Deputy, when operationally possible, regarding the source of the funding raised by the Deputy.

While the provision of mental health services is a matter for the Minister for Health, I can confirm to the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding to counselling services (some €6.7m in 2020), through a network of community-based counselling service providers and Family Resource Centres that offer a range of counselling/psychotherapy and supports. This funding is provided where there is a genuine need and demand for services and where they can be provided at low cost to adults, couples, children, young people and families.

Tusla, in partnership with the HSE Health and Wellbeing and Community Healthcare, also supports the Mental Health Promotion Project across 6 Health and Wellbeing Community Referral Sites in Cork and Kerry. This supports FRCs in promoting best practice in relation to suicide prevention and the promotion of positive mental health. Tusla also supports some FRCs in the provision of regional therapeutic hubs for Tusla service users in the wider area.

I recently met with the Family Resource Centre National Forum (FRCNF) and they described first-hand the surge in demand that FRCs are managing due to an increase in mental health issues within their communities. The accessibility of FRCs means they are well placed to provide opportunities for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions and alignment of community approaches with statutory services.

While I am interested in the benefits of these services, any potential funding in this area is dependent on the availability of resources. It is also important to ensure that FRCs continue to access diverse funding streams, as much of their work is in collaboration with other bodies, such as the HSE.

With regard to long-term funding, I am acutely conscious of the challenges posed for service planning by the annual nature of the budgetary cycle. The management of grant funding is governed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s Circular 13/2014 with regard to the management of and accountability for grants from Exchequer funds. While I would welcome further discussion in relation to this, the Public Spending Code and any move to providing long term or multi-annual funding would be a matter for central Government, and could require significant cross-government and legislative consideration.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment; matters relating to the mental and physical health of children are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV).

I understand that the figures in your question were supplied by Tusla in response to your previous question 19107/21, and reflect the number of contacts made, rather than the number of individuals concerned. Tusla has clarified that a person may make a number of requests for refuge, some or all of which may be unmet, due to lack of space, not meeting safety criteria, or other factors.

In my Performance Statement to the Agency for 2021, I requested that the publicationof all DSGBV data for previous years would be addressed as a priority. Tusla is due to publish the full statistics relating to the use of Tusla-funded emergency domestic violence accommodation for 2018 and 2019. The Tusla Business Plan 2021 also commits to analysing current DSGBV data flows and systems across the sector and developing plans to ensure consistency and quality whereappropriate.

It is always concerning to hear of requests for emergency refuges that have not been met. My officials are in constant engagement with Tusla on matters related to DSGBV services. I also regularly engage with stakeholders in the sector, who work on the front line with individuals seeking advice, counselling, refuge, or other supports.

It is of the utmost importance that the needs of those who experience domestic violence are met in the most appropriate way possible. The availability of valid data to inform decisions is of paramount importance. I, along with my colleagues in government, am committed to ensuring future service provision is evidence based and designed to meet the holistic needs of individuals who experience domestic violence.

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. The ongoing management of this organisation is a matter for its Board, including the financial challenges being presented due to Covid-19.

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. 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.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 43, 74 and 89 together.

I am committed to ongoing engagement with former residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions and their advocates. I have personally engaged with survivors and advocacy groups since my appointment and will continue to engage with those most centrally involved with these matters. Most recently, I have hosted virtual meetings with interested parties in relation the published Heads and General Scheme of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill. I continue to listen carefully to stakeholders on this issue to ensure this legislation can right an historic wrong by providing access to birth certificates and early life information.

In responding to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation, the Government approved the development of a Strategic Action Plan encompassing a suite of 22 specific measures. These measures, which take account of the Commission's recommendations and those of the Collaborative Forum, are a response to the priority needs and concerns of former residents and their families.

Most importantly, I recognise the importance of implementing these measures in a survivor-centred way, characterised by consistent engagement with former residents and their representative groups, including those who live outside the jurisdiction. Notably, several hundred survivors have contacted my Department since the report was published. Many of these individuals had never been in contact with us before and they want to actively contribute to the process. An increased level of engagement is also evident from the consultation process established to inform development of a Restorative Recognition Scheme, with approximately 450 written submissions received and 159 participants in 17 online meetings.

I am of the view that stakeholder engagement at this level requires additional dedicated structures, processes and resources to ensure it can be inclusive, effective and sustainable. To this end, I am currently consulting with members of the Collaborative Forum, as I believe that learning from existing processes can assist in developing new and enhanced approaches as quickly as possible.

I held two virtual meetings with members of the Collaborative Forum in February during which the structures to support future stakeholder engagement was a specific agenda item. In recognising the limited time available during plenary discussions, my department requested the facilitator to the Forum to further engage with members. I understand this process is nearing completion and look forward to hearing their feedback. The experience of Forum members, and other stakeholders, will assist the development and transition to a new, enhanced model of engagement.

As I have acknowledged previously, plenary meetings of Collaborative Forum have unfortunately been interrupted by the Covid-19 pandemic. Having met in December 2019, it was necessary to put these meetings on hold in 2020 in the context of the public health restrictions as a number of members travel from outside the jurisdiction and some members are also in the at-risk groups identified by public health authorities.

Throughout 2020, members of the Forum were updated on relevant matters by the Secretariat to the group based in my Department. It is the practice and policy of my Department to issue updates and announcements to the Forum and other relevant stakeholders before they are issued to the public more generally. Most recently, there was contact with the Forum in relation to an invitation for representatives to appear before the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability and Integration in relation to the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill. The Joint Oireachtas Committee has held a number of meetings dedicated to pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill. I was pleased to see the Committee directly engage with members of the Collaborative Forum and I welcome the priority which the Committee has afforded this pre-legislative scrutiny.

In relation to the Collaborative Forum’s report, it was not possible to publish the report when it was submitted to the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs because of concerns that its contents encroached upon the work of the independent statutory Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. For this reason, the Forum's recommendations were initially published and a commitment was given to revisit the question of publication following the completion of the Commission's work. Arrangements are being advanced by my Department to address the procedural requirement for identifiable parties to be afforded due process prior to publication. I expect this process to be completed in the coming weeks. I will then be in a position to engage further with the Collaborative Forum to finalise arrangements for the publication of the report.

In responding to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation, the Government approved the development of a Strategic Action Plan encompassing a suite of 22 specific measures. The Action Plan centres on distinct themes including: access to personal information; archiving and databases; education and research; memorialisation; dignified burial, and restorative recognition. These themes take account of the Commission's recommendations and are intended to respond to the priority needs and concerns of former residents and their families.

Many of these measures are complex and require considerable coordination across Government to implement but I am committed to ensuring that survivors see tangible results as early as possible.

It is important to say that counselling supports were immediately available to survivors and relevant details are available on my Department's website. These telephone based and face-to-face services continue to be available to any person who may require support through the established nationwide network of HSE counselling supports.

Most importantly, I recognise the importance of implementing these measures in a survivor-centred way. Notably, several hundred survivors have contacted my Department since the Commission’s report was published. In responding to this increased demand for direct engagement, we are developing new structures for an enhanced model of survivor engagement. The aim is to create a model capable of supporting sustained communication with survivors and their representative groups in Ireland and abroad.

I tasked an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) with developing detailed proposals for a Restorative Recognition Scheme to provide a financial payment and a form of enhanced medical card. While the IDG must take account of the specific recommendations made by the Commission, its considerations are not limited to those recommendations. The approach of the IDG is underpinned by a human rights focus and informed by an extensive consultation process. The consultation process was undertaken during March and April with almost 450 written submissions received and 159 participants in 17 online meetings. The IDG is working hard to deliver its report to me. I will then be in a position to bring recommendations to Government for its decision on the parameters of the scheme.

I recently published the Heads and General Scheme of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill. In giving effect to my commitment to a survivor centred approach, I have hosted virtual meetings with interested parties in relation to the legislative proposals. I continue to listen carefully to stakeholders on this issue to ensure we can balance personal rights in a fair and compassionate way and right an historic wrong by providing access to birth certificates and early life information.

Related to this legislative work, my Department has recruited an archivist who is leading the work on the preservation of, and public access to, relevant records within my Department. The archivist is part of a new Information Management Unit established to manage the Commission’s archive of records and support compliance with GDPR, including providing access for individuals to their personal information. The archivist will also support expert consideration of future work on the creation of a central repository of records.

In addition, the Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill is currently undergoing pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability and Integration. This legislation is required to support the proposed interventions at the Tuam site. It will also enable intervention at any other institutional sites where manifestly inappropriate burials have taken place. I welcome the priority which the Committee has afforded this pre-legislative scrutiny and I look forward to its report contributing to the development of this legislation.

My Department, in collaboration with the Irish Research Council, has commissioned NUI Galway to undertake a research project on language and terminology. The aim of this project is to highlight the stigmatising and labelling language that has been used in the past and to provide guidance as to how to address this issue. The method used will be a 'history of the present' approach which aims to critically analyse the past to help inform the present and the future.

My Department is also advancing separate proposals with the Irish Research Council for a new scholarship programme on childhood disadvantage. I expect further details on this programme to be announced over the summer.

Along with the Commemorative Grant Scheme, established to support survivors in commemorating their experiences in a manner which fits their own specific needs, my Department is scoping the approach to memorialisation initiatives to enable these important measures to be advanced with relevant agencies.

Implementing the Government’s Action Plan is a hugely important process for all connected to these institutions and I will continue to work with Government colleagues and survivors to advance related measures.

We are working towards a date of June 2022 for full commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act).

The delays in commencement of the 2015 Act arise from two principal factors. The Decision Support Service, which is the organisation that will operate the progressive provisions of the 2015 Act, has to become operational and to be able to respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. Amendments are also required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. Work is actively taking place on an Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be enacted by year end. Priority drafting has been secured and publication of the Bill is expected in the Autumn. The amendments will streamline processes in the interests of those using its provisions. They will also strengthen the safeguards included in the 2015 Act.

Some provisions of the Act have been commenced to enable the recruitment of the Director of the Decision Support Service; the establishment of a multidisciplinary working group in relation to Advance Healthcare Directives; and most recently, on the 1st of February this year, the repeal of the Marriage of Lunatics Act, which means that a ward can now marry if she or he has capacity to do so.

The Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the 2015 Act. To this end a budget of €5.8 million was secured for the Decision Support Service for 2021, a significant increase on its €3.5 million 2020 budget.

A high-level Steering Group, chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, meets monthly to oversee and drive progress towards full commencement. The Steering Group comprises senior officials from the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, the Mental Health Commission, the Courts Service, the HSE and the Decision Support Service, recognising that successful operation of the 2015 Act will involve multiple stakeholders. They are working towards commencement of the 2015 Act in June 2022, with the Decision Support Service opening for business immediately thereafter.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 46 and 57 together.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Ireland ratified in 1992, states in Article 3 that:“In all actions concerning children, whether undertaken by public or private social welfare institutions, courts of law, administrative authorities or legislative bodies, the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration.”

I am committed to upholding and guaranteeing this principle, through our legislation and provision of services. Where my Department is not directly responsible for specific services we will continue to liaise with the relevant Department where appropriate to ensure that the rights of children are upheld.

UNCRC

Ireland is required to submit regular state reports on measures taken to give effect to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The process involves considerable preparation and engagement by my Department with other Government Departments and other civil society stakeholders. The four general principles of the UNCRC are:

- that all the rights guaranteed by the Convention must be available to all children without discrimination of any kind (Article 2);

- that the best interests of the child must be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children (Article 3);

- that every child has the right to life, survival and development (Article 6); and

- that the child’s views must be considered and taken into account in all matters affecting him or her (Article 12).

Ireland’s next examination by the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is due to take place in May 2022. My Department is currently liaising with other Departments on the 139 separate issues raised by the Committee in their report last November. My Department has also set up an interdepartmental group, with representatives from the following Departments:

- Department of Foreign Affairs

- Department of Justice

- Department of Education and Skills

- Department of Health

- Department of Social Protection

- Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The reporting process involves considerable preparation and engagement with other Government Departments and other civil society stakeholders.

Children First Act 2015

The Children First Act 2015 requires organisations providing services to children to keep children safe and to produce a Child Safeguarding Statement. It also mandated the establishment of the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group (CFIDIG). Membership of the CFIDIG includes all government departments, Tusla, the HSE and An Garda Síochána. While Departments and agencies are responsible for child protection issues arising in their own sphere of responsibility, the CFIDIG provides a forum at which child safeguarding issues with a cross-departmental focus can be raised as required.

The Child Care Act, 1991

My Department is currently reviewing the Child Care Act, a wide-ranging piece of legislation which, at its core, seeks to promote the welfare of children who may not receive adequate care and protection. Proposals, which will be shortly presented to Government, include embedding the child’s best interests as the paramount principle to be observed in all decisions taken under the Act.

First 5

First 5 is Ireland’s first ever cross-departmental strategy to support babies, young children and their families. It is a Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028

The ambitious ten-year plan will deliver:

- a broader range of options for parents to balance working and caring

- a new model of parenting support

- new developments in child health, including a dedicated child health workforce

- reform of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) system, including a new funding model

- a package of measures to tackle early childhood poverty

The Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that establishes two procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The first is an individual communications procedure allowing individuals to bring petitions to the Committee claiming breaches of their rights; the second is an inquiry procedure giving the Committee authority to undertake inquiries of grave or systematic violations of the Convention.

The Programme for Government reiterates the commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol after the first reporting cycle.

Since the onset of Covid-19, my Department has put in place a range of supports for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare (ELC/SAC) services. The objective of these supports have been to:

- support providers’ sustainability to enable services return to normal once restrictions were lifted;

- support providers to retain their staff;

- ensure that ELC/SAC could reopen and remain open, even at very low levels of occupancy;

- ensure that ELC/SAC could operate safely for children, families and staff;

- ensure that increased costs associated with public health requirements, and lower demand / occupancy were not passed on to parents;

- achieve administrative efficiency through the continued use of existing funding schemes and other whole of economy supports; and

- protect exchequer investment.

Supports include the continuation of DCEDIY subsidy schemes on an ex-gratia basis (12 March – 5 April 2020); the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (6 April – 28 June 2020); the Reopening Funding Package (29 June – 23 August 2020), the July Stimulus Package that included the EWSS and a Sustainability Fund (from 24 August to end December 2020) and tailored funding arrangements to respond to Level 5 restrictions in the post-Christmas period, that included a new Covid-19 Operating Support Payment and a new Covid-19 strand of the Sustainability Fund, in addition to the EWSS.

ELC/SAC employers continue to be entitled to access the EWSS with an exemption to having to demonstrate the drop in turnover that applies to other sectors. Since October 2020, EWSS has been paid at enhanced rates and these rates are estimated to cover, on average, 80% of staff costs in the sector, or 50% of total operating costs.

There is strong evidence of the effectiveness of these supports.

The data on services that have closed and opened in 2020 are directly comparable to 2019 so there has been no loss of capacity:

- 197 services that were on the Early Years Register reported permanent closure to Tusla in 2020 compared to 196 in 2019.

- 91 new services were registered in 2020 compared to 93 in 2019.

Data from the Office of the Revenue Commissioners indicates that the number of employees in the sector has not changed substantially over the course of the pandemic

Data from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2020 Survey revealed no significant increase in fees charged to parents. The 2021 Survey will shortly go live to all providers to enable the collection of additional data on the impact of the Covid-19 and the measures taken by Government to support the sector. I anticipate this data being available in the coming months.

Planning is current underway by the Department of Finance in respect of the next phase of the EWSS and officials in my Department have engaged in this planning in respect of the ELC/SAC sector.

My Department's overarching objectives for school-age childcare (SAC) are, like its objectives for early learning and care (ELC), to strengthen the quality, affordability and accessibility of provision. Specific commitments are included in the Action Plan on SAC (published in 2017), which sets a strategic direction for SAC, and in First 5 (which covers the period 2019-2028).

Two of the central commitments in the Action Plan on SAC were the development of quality standards and introduction of a quality assurance system. Initial Regulations for SAC were introduced in 2019, to enable SAC services to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme. My Department then published National Quality Guidelines for SAC Services in September 2020. The National Quality Guidelines, which describe the features of good quality practice in SAC, are an important resource for the diverse range of services that provide SAC in Ireland today. Key actions over the coming years will include roll-out of training to support implementation of the Guidelines, and the development and introduction of comprehensive regulations for SAC.

First 5 commits to introduce a minimum qualification for all staff working in SAC services, with an appropriate period of time to meet the requirement. Work is currently under way through the Workforce Development Plan to specify an appropriate qualification requirement. Implementation of the Workforce Development Plan over the coming years will involve roll-out of relevant training for staff and services.

The future development of both SAC and ELC will be shaped by a number of major projects under way at present, including the Workforce Development Plan and development of a new funding model for the sector. In addition to setting minimum qualifications, the Workforce Development Plan is looking at ways to raise the profile of careers in the sector, strengthen CPD, and build a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce. The Expert Group on a new funding model is examining mechanisms to ensure that increased State investment delivers for children and families to ensure greater levels of affordability, accessibility, quality and inclusion. Reports on both initiatives are due by the end of the year.

Other reforms signalled in First 5 and other national strategies may also encompass SAC over the coming years, including development of additional supports in areas of disadvantage, and capital investment under the National Development Plan.

Deputy CAMHS services and assessment of needs as it relates to the disability act 2005 fall under the remit of the Health Service Executive and the Department of Health. In the normal course of events we would seek a transfer to that Dept. to provide as full an answer to your question as possible, at this time the ongoing fall out from the cyber-attack has greatly impacted those organisations ability to respond to questions.

You may be aware an Assessment of Need is an assessment carried out by the HSE for children or young people with a disability. The assessment identifies the child's health needs and what health services are needed to meet the child’s needs.

You may already be aware that I secured an additional €61M for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in 2021, bringing the total budget to €878M. The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic saw Tusla continue providing a frontline service, the most recent cyber-attack is another obstacle to normal service. Tusla staff continue to provide a service to those most at risk in society.

There is significant demand for Tusla services, recently published data showed Tusla received in excess of 60,000 Referrals in 2020 and 4,931 referrals in January 2021. Referrals include those meeting the eligibility criteria for child protection and welfare services, multiple reports of the same concern and referrals not meeting the eligibility criteria for a Tusla services. Such referrals are often redirected to appropriate agencies or additional family supports are considered.

At the end of January 2021 there were 19,966 cases open to Tusla Social workers of which 16,189(81%) were allocated. Over the last 12 months Tusla has on average had 19% of open cases unallocated. Of the 3,777 unallocated cases 2,263(60%) were “active on duty”. This means that actions were undertaken by dedicated duty teams or social workers on a duty roster to monitor the case. Tusla has outlined its corporate plan for 2021 – 2023 a target reduction of 30% in all national waiting lists over the three year period.

Tusla’s published performance indicators have consistently identified five of 17 areas regularly accounting for 60% of unallocated cases. Tusla’s response is that any area where unallocated cases rise above 25% of their open cases receive a dedicated response. Where staff vacancies are identified as contributory cause a bespoke recruitment campaign will be put in place. There will also be a strengthening of family support services, of social workers teams managing referrals and of social work staff specifically dealing with retrospective cases. The area will also be monitored and supported by internal audits and further staff training.

Tusla has prioritised staff retention and recruitment and has begun to engage with social work graduates to conduct interviews prior to graduation, improving the pool of potential recruits. Tusla have also conducted a conversion of agency staff to Tusla staff which will improve continuity of service. My Department has also established a Social Work Education Group looking to expand the throughput of suitably qualified Social Work graduates.

The potential vulnerability of LGBTI+ persons in the International Protection process is recognised by my Department. Where a protection applicant discloses information in relation to their gender identity or sexual orientation, the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department makes every effort to ensure that appropriate accommodation is provided. The newly established resident welfare team in IPAS will also work to assess any additional needs the person may have in the context of their accommodation.

As the Deputy may be aware a new Vulnerability Assessment process is currently being piloted by IPAS. The pilot commenced in December 2020 and was extended to all new applicants for international protection from the beginning of February. This assessment provides an opportunity for members of the LGBTI+ community to disclose information at an early stage, helping to ensure appropriate accommodation and support is provided without delay.

As vulnerabilities can manifest themselves at any stage of the protection process, applicants will also be able to undergo a Vulnerability Assessment at a later stage if this is desired by the applicant and deemed necessary by IPAS or other reception service providers. This is to help to ensure that any vulnerabilities that may subsequently arise are identified in a timely manner.

IPAS also liaises with State and NGO support agencies to assist our residents who may need guidance or support. In this regard, LGBT Ireland work with residents in our centres who identify as LGBTI+.

Since 2018, LGBT Ireland has facilitated a peer support group for LGBTI+ people in the International Protection process. Currently 'Is Rainbow Muid' meet online twice a month and continues to provide vital supports to members of the LGBTI+ community living in our accommodation centres at this time.

IPAS has commenced a review of a number of its operational policies currently in place for the IPAS accommodation network. As part of this review, a specific policy with regard to the provision of accommodation services for LGBTI protection applicants will be prepared in consultation with the Department's Equality Unit and relevant LGBTI support groups.

The National Anti-Racism Committee is an independent Committee established by Government in 2020. The work of the Committee will help to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism and will build on the anti-racism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS). The Committee will also examine international best practice in combatting racism and will benchmark its actions against these standards.

On 21 April this year, I had the pleasure of publishing the Anti-Racism Committee’s Interim Report, which sets out the Committee’s initial ideas and plans for developing the National Action Plan Against Racism. The publication of this Action Plan will fulfil a key commitment within the Programme for Government.

On the same day as the publication of the Interim Report, the Committee launched the public consultation phase of its work, which will run for twelve weeks from 21 April until 14 July 2021. During this phase, the Committee will hold a series of facilitated meetings with rights-holders and duty-bearers in order better to understand the nature and different forms of racism that are present in Ireland today. These meetings will address different themes which have identified by the Committee as being of particular concern in the fight against racism. The first meeting took place on 20 May and concerned issues surrounding Access to Justice. The second took place on 25 May and dealt with issues related to the Media and Communications, including new technologies.

These meetings will also help the Committee in the development of effective countermeasures against racism that will be included in the National Action Plan. During this consultation phase, members of the public will be able to present written submissions for the consideration of the Committee, which will play a significant role in the development of the National Action Plan. An online survey will also be made available shortly. The responses gained from this survey will be statistically analysed and will help the Committee to identify gaps in relation to current anti-racism measures.

A Consultation Report will be prepared by the facilitators for the consideration of the Committee in July, following the close of the Public Consultation phase. An analytical report on the responses to the online survey will also be prepared for the Committee and will be submitted for their consideration in August.

In addition to outlining its initial views with regard to developing the National Action Plan, the Interim Report also made three recommendations to the Government. These are as follows:

1. Remove Ireland’s reservation to Article 4 of the International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (ICERD);

2. Take steps to put in place ethnic equality monitoring across all public services;

3. Remove all barriers to accessing support for migrant women experiencing gender-based violence.

With respect to Interim Recommendation One, together with the Minister for Justice, I will seek advice from the Attorney General to consider whether the removal of the reservation is now appropriate and timely and, if so, we will establish the steps that would be needed to remove it and advise a future meeting of the Government accordingly.

With respect to Interim Recommendation Two, I have begun work within the framework of the existing Equality Budgeting initiative being progressed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department and linking with the Equality Data initiative being led by the Central Statistics Office to bring forward an interdepartmental initiative on Ethnic Equality Monitoring.

With respect to Interim Recommendation Three, I will work with the Minister for Justice towards the following objectives:

- developing referral pathways that will include the designation of appropriate non-governmental organisations to act as intermediaries between migrant women who are victims of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence or abuse and relevant authorities, including the Gardaí, the HSE, and Tusla;

- ascertaining whether changes should be made to the level of evidence required to support an application for a change in immigration status by a victim of domestic, sexual or gender-based violence or abuse with a view to strengthening protections available to them;

- running an information and communication campaign to ensure all migrant women, including holders of Stamp 3 permits, are aware of the range of State services, including welfare supports and emergency refuge, available for victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence which they can freely access.

The drafting process of the National Action Plan will begin in the Autumn, and it is anticipated that the final draft will be submitted to Government before the end of the year.

I regret that so many children missed out on part of the ECCE programme last year over the last year, due to COVID-19 related closures.

ECCE is a free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. ECCE is a play based learning programme. The programme runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar. ECCE is not mandatory, but is very successful, with 95% of children in the eligible age rang attending.

I realise that some parents are concerned that their children may not be ready to start primary school in September as the ECCE programme was not available in January or February this year. However, ECCE has been back in operation since 8 March, and due to the strides we are making in controlling the spread of Covid-19, the programme should remain in operation until the end of term in late June.

ECCE services are preparing children for the transition to primary school in September, and my Department has launched the ‘Let’s Get Ready’ initiative to help to prepare children for the transition from pre-school to primary school this coming September.

While the ECCE programme was suspended from January to early March this year, providers were required to engage with the children and their families who normally take part in the ECCE programme.

My Department established the Preschool Hub to provide free online supports for providers to help them to continue to engage with children and families. Additional supports for parents were made available through the 'Preschool at Home' website. Particular attention was given to supporting children with additional needs who avail of supports through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM).

The transition to primary school can be an anxious time for parents, but I can assure parents that ECCE providers and primary schools are working together to ensure that this years Junior Infants intake is not adversely effected by the loss of two months of ECCE provision earlier this year.

The table below gives expenditure on emergency accommodation apportioned by county for 2020, together with expenditure to the end of April 2021 and estimated expenditure to year-end, based on actual expenditure in the first four months of the year.

As the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to moving away from reliance on emergency accommodation. In the course of 2020, my Department contracted for accommodation in 45 emergency centres across 18 counties. Currently, there are 24 emergency accommodation centres in 12 counties around the country.

As accommodation for international protection applicants is a demand-led process, the actual expenditure for the remainder of 2021 may be greater should applications for international protection and accommodation increase when international travel resumes to more normal levels later in the year.

My Department has commenced work on a Request for Tender to procure additional accommodation for single people and families seeking international protection. This tender process will focus on the provision of own-door accommodation and facilities to allow for independent living (access to cooking and laundry facilities and communal family areas outside bedrooms). It is my intention that this will allow us to improve the quality of the accommodation and services offered to applicants and to move away from reliance on temporary based accommodation and to ensure that the Department has adequate capacity and can respond flexibly to increases in demand for accommodation as they arise.

* All figures are rounded and therefore total figures are not exact total of individual figures

The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 (CES) is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It is a cross-government approach, bringing together actions by Government Departments and Agencies to address the barriers and challenges to employment of persons with disabilities. The CES’s strategic priorities are to build skills, capacity and independence, to provide bridges and supports into work, to make work pay, to promote job retention and re-entry to work, to provide co-ordinated and seamless supports and to engage employers.

Implementation of the Strategy is undertaken through agreed action plans and is monitored by an Implementation Group with an independent chairperson, Mr Fergus Finlay. Currently the group is monitoring the CES Phase Two Action Plan which covers the period 2019 – 2021. Development of a final Action Plan for the period 2022 – 2024 will soon take place.

As part of the monitoring by the Implementation Group, the Independent Chair produces an annual report on progress. In addition, the National Disability Authority produces an annual independent assessment of progress of the CES.

Each Department is responsible for delivering and implementing the actions assigned to it and for reporting on those the CES Implementation Group.

Key areas of recent progress under the strategy include the ongoing implementation of specific recommendations arising from the Make Work Pay Report, the production of an online training programme to support employers in becoming “disability confident and the production by the Public Appointment Service of a Guide to Promoting Inclusive Employment. In addition CES monitoring has highlighted reported increases in the participation by students with physical or mobility disabilities in higher education, the increased uptake in mainstream education and training options among young people with disabilities and the ongoing provision by HSE Mental Health teams of Individual Placements and Support (IPS) to individuals.

My own Department has a coordination function and provides secretariat to the Implementation Group. In addition, my Department has responsibility for a number of specific actions under the CES. Initiatives progressed by Department under the current CES Action Plan include the funding and establishment of a disability information service for employers run by the Open Doors Initiative. This service ‘Employers for Change: A Disability Information Service’ provides expert peer source of advice and information on employing staff with disabilities, with a view to enhancing the confidence and competence of individual employers to employ, manage and retain staff with disabilities.

The National Action Plan for Childminding, published in April, sets out an incremental and supportive pathway to regulation for non-relative childminders.

Phase 1, which will last 2-3 years, involves preparatory work, including developing new regulations that are specific to childminding, amending legislation, and rolling out Foundation Training.

Phase 2, which will last 3-5 years, will be a transition phase in which a significantly increased number of childminders will be able to register with Tusla and take part in the National Childcare Scheme, while benefiting from training and supports.

Phase 3 will involve full implementation of the Plan, and will include a review of the childminder-specific regulations following initial implementation.

A range of supports will be made available to childminders under this Plan.

A Foundation Training Programme will be developed, as well as a Quality Development Programme, both of which will be specific to childminding and delivered in formats that are suited to childminders.

Staffed local childminding networks led by trained network leaders will be introduced.

Childminders will also be supported to prepare for the reforms by Childminding Development Officers within the City and County Childcare Committees, as well as by Voluntary Childcare Organisations.

There will also be a strong focus on communications, to ensure that childminders and parents are well informed about the changes being made and benefits that will accrue.

Preparation of the new PEACE PLUS cross-border programme is being led by the Special EU Programmes Body in close co-operation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in Ireland and the Department of Finance in Northern Ireland, as sponsor Departments, and with input from other key Departments. The new Programme is at an advanced stage of preparation and public consultation on the draft programme closed on May 12th 2021. Once the draft programme is approved by the Irish Government, Northern Ireland Executive and European Commission, it is anticipated that funding calls, under the PEACE PLUS programme, will commence opening towards the end of the year or early 2022. The Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) is making every effort to ensure that the Programme can open as soon as practically possible.

My officials are engaging regularly with the SEUPB and with relevant Departments North and South to ensure that that new PEACE PLUS programme reflects the needs of young people and youth services throughout the country.

My Department allocates almost €67 million to support the provision of youth services nationwide. This funding has been maintained throughout the recent challenging period and this has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.

The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, supports youth work activities at a local level by providing small grants to youth clubs and groups. Over €2.2 million has been made available for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme this year. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through their local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). Each year, in the region of 1,400 local youth clubs or groups are eligible to apply under the scheme. The Scheme is intended to support the operation of volunteer-led youth projects.

Any increase in funding for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme would be dependent on an increase in youth funding in Budget 2022. In recent years, funding for the provision of youth services has increased on an annual basis. Between 2016 and 2020 the annual current youth funding available to my Department increased from €51.9m to €61.79. Additionally, last year I secured a €5 million increase in funding for youth services, including an increase of 7% for the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme.

The closure or otherwise of temporary accommodation premises operated by the HSE for the housing of frontline healthcare workers is entirely a matter for the HSE.

The Social Inclusion Office of the HSE has assured the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department that there are no plans to discontinue its accommodation scheme and has further agreed with IPAS to inform them of any changes to, or cessation of, the HSE accommodation scheme which may necessitate the return of international protection applicants to IPAS accommodation.

My officials continue to engage with the HSE to ensure that arrangements to re-accommodate applicants in their original IPAS accommodation, or as close to it as possible, can be made in advance. However, it should be noted that the current IPAS operational policy for any international protection applicant, including health care workers returning to IPAS accommodation, is that they must complete 14 days isolation at a dedicated IPAS quarantine facility. This policy was put in place by IPAS following consultations with the HSE last year and has not changed since then. I am advised that officials from IPAS are meeting with the HSE and public health officials this week to review the policy. Should HSE and public health officials advise that the policy should now be amended for any particular group, or is no longer required at all, IPAS will review the policy accordingly.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, IPAS has made every effort to retain accommodation for residents who chose to avail of the HSE temporary accommodation scheme or who decided to move to other temporary accommodation during the pandemic. However, it has not been possible in every case to retain the original accommodation. For instance, where the accommodation premises is no longer retained under contract with my Department or where a centre has been re-profiled in terms of its room makeup to meet changing demands, the accommodation may no longer be available.

Another issue that has arisen is that IPAS has not always been made aware that a resident who left their IPAS accommodation centre was working in the healthcare sector and left to take up accommodation in temporary HSE accommodation. In such cases, the resident’s original accommodation may not have been retained and it will be necessary for the healthcare worker to re-apply for IPAS accommodation.

IPAS will endeavour to ensure that alternative like-for-like accommodation is provided as close as possible to their previous accommodation.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.

My 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. Key areas of focus will relate to education, employment, health and housing.

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 the planning stage. 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.

The Deputy will be aware of Tusla's Data Management Strategy 2019 – 2022. The Strategy includes a a focus on Data Security Management with a view to minimising the risk of inappropriate access to Tusla data.

Tusla is developing a verified data security environment in line with regulatory compliance and establishing a culture of data security and trust. There have been significant improvements in this regard and I have committed my full support to this process as evidenced by the significant increase in funding and for structural reorganisation within Tusla in 2021.

The timescale and processes contained within the strategy will be reviewed in light of the impact on Tusla of the cyber attack on the HSE.

I am interpreting the Deputy's question as referring to the issue of illegal birth registration.

When I took office I was briefed on this matter, including the Independent Review into illegal birth registrations and the broader work of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation.

Following the publication of the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation in January of this year and the subsequent publication of the Independent Review in March, I requested the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection to consider the issue of appropriate next steps in relation to illegal birth registrations. He is due to submit his report to me by the end of October.

I am focused at present on progressing legislation that enables the full release of birth certificates and other important origins information for adopted people and others, including those who are the subject of an illegal birth registration. This legislation also addresses the issue of correcting the birth registration of those who are the subject of an illegal birth registration, and providing them with certainty and clarity on matters relating to identity. I have commenced a consultation process with the relevant individuals which will inform finalisation of the proposed legislation.

Finally, it is acknowledged by all parties that adoption in the past was a secretive process, carried out without due respect for the rights and dignity of those involved. Today, the safeguards in the adoption acts ensure that the best interests of the child are the paramount consideration in all adoption cases, and in every step of the process.

My Department has, in the past taken, a number of important steps to support professionalisation of early learning and childcare, including the introduction of a minimum qualification requirement, a Learner Fund to support practitioners to undertake qualifications at Levels 5 through to 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications, and a range of training and CPD supports, including the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) programme.

I am committed to continuing to support for the professional and career development of those working in the sector over the years ahead, with a view to improving outcomes for children and families, providers and practitioners themselves.

First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, commits to developing a Workforce Development Plan (WDP) for early learning and childcare. Among other objectives, the WDP will set out plans for moving to a graduate-led workforce by 2028 and establishing a career framework, including role profiles, qualification requirements and career pathways.

The first phase of work in developing the WDP concluded in late 2020. A progress report on the first phase of work has recently been published on the gov.ie website (available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/26122f-workforce-development-plan-for-the-elcsac-sector/ ).

Phase two of work on the WDP, which began in February 2021, involves the preparation of detailed policy proposals by a number of working groups, one of which is looking at the career framework and career pathways, while another is examining Continuing Professional Development supports for the sector. The final WDP report is expected to be published by the end of 2021.

The Deputy will be aware that, as part of its response to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes (and Certain Related Matters), the Government has committed to establishing a Restorative Recognition Scheme for survivors of mother and baby and county home institutions. This scheme will include a restorative recognition payment and a form of enhanced medical card.

An Interdepartmental Group (IDG) has been set up to develop detailed proposals for the Restorative Recognition Scheme, which must then be brought to Government for approval. While the IDG must take account of the specific recommendations made by the Commission, its considerations are not limited to those recommendations. The work of the IDG is underpinned by a human rights focus and informed by consultation with survivors.

To support and inform the work of the IDG, a public consultation process took place during March and April. The input from survivors to that consultation is invaluable in order to develop a scheme that will have their needs at its core. I was delighted with the strong response to the consultation process with approximately 450 written submissions received and 17 online meetings held.

The work of the IDG is ongoing and, so, the specific details of the Restorative Recognition Scheme are not yet decided. I am aware that the IDG are working extremely hard to ensure that they deliver their report to me very soon. On receipt of this, I will submit recommendations to Government for a decision on the Scheme. The development of this scheme, and the work being undertaken on all aspects of the Government's response to the Commission's Final Report, is a priority for me.

My Department secured capital funding in 2020 to administer a once-off grant scheme for the purchase of ICT hardware by Local Authorities, to enable Comhairle Na nÓg to meet Covid-19 related challenges.

This funding was secured in order to support the development and implementation of a blended virtual and in-person approach by the Comhairle Na nÓg, designed to maximise the potential for participation of young people in the activities of the comhairli, whilst adhering to Covid-19 Government guidelines.

My Department processed applications for funding from 30 Local Authorities under this scheme in 2020. The €93,000 expended under this scheme resulted in an average of €3,100 being allocated to the participating Local Authorities. The funding allocated amounted to 90% of the funding requested as a small proportion of the applications submitted did not meet the qualifying criteria.

This scheme, as noted above, was conducted on a once-off basis to meet the unique circumstances that arose last year. It is not planned that this scheme will run again in 2021. My officials engage closely with the Local Authorities in relation to the administration of the Comhairle Na nÓg on an ongoing basis. If additional supports are required, these will be considered the context of ensuring that comhairli can continue to operate effectively, engaging with young people at local level on matters of relevance to them.

I am happy to confirm that planned relocation of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIPs) is progressing. Next weekend officials from my Department, Tusla social workers and members of An Garda Siochana are travelling to Greece to meet the 27 separated children seeking to come to Ireland.

Over the past months there has been intensive activity between my Department and Tusla with colleagues in the EU and Athens to make the necessary arrangements.

Covid 19 restrictions, vaccinations for staff travelling and changes at European Union level in the procedures for managing the relocation of separated children contributed to delays in arranging the transfers. Ireland will continue to work on reception of refugees from Greece and other countries.

Tusla has a dedicated social work team for separated children seeking asylum. Over the past 20 years the team has developed expertise through Ireland’s participation in international protection programmes and by receiving into care separated children who arrive unannounced at Irish ports and airports. The service provided to these children is demand-led, and accurately estimating future demand is challenging, particularly as the effects of Brexit are yet to be seen.

In Budget 2021, an additional €5m was secured for Tusla to provide dedicated services to accelerate the intake of these children in Greece to whom we have a commitment. Tusla officials are developing a suite of care options to include expansion of residential care placements, development of specialist foster care placements, Fáilte Care, and provision of additional aftercare supports to free up ‘child in care’ places.

We remain confident that Ireland will fully achieve the existing commitment and the additional funding will ensure such transfers can take place on a consistent and sustainable basis.

I am strongly committed to improving access to high quality early learning and childcare, especially those who are most disadvantaged given the benefits this confers to children.

The National Childcare Scheme represents the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for early learning and childcare.

It marks a shift away from previous schemes, which were based on medical card and social protection entitlements to a more progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies.

Under the NCS, significantly more families are eligible for support.

NCS makes early learning and childcare more affordable, and in some instances free, to these families - with those on lowest incomes receiving the greatest level of support.

NCS is designed to ensure that access provided is at a level necessary to support positive child development outcomes regardless of whether parents are in work or study.

This approach is taken in other jurisdictions, and there is strong international evidence that it is to the benefit of children.

Where parents are not engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 20 hours per week.

Where parents are engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 45 hours of per week.

The definition of work or study is broad, covering all forms of work or study arrangements: full-time, part-time, week-on/ week-off and zero hour contracts. In addition, the minimum hours required to engage in work or study to qualify for enhanced hours is very low – at just two hours per week.

The NCS also includes sponsorship arrangements that allows for additional support for vulnerable families where there is an identified need for early learning and childcare on the grounds of child development or child welfare.

External assessment by the OECD and ESRI point to a range of benefits of NCS, including a reduction in the cost of early learning and childcare and an increase in family income, with the most disadvantaged families experiencing the greatest gains.

I recently contracted Frontier Economics to undertake a review of the NCS. This review will assess the effectiveness of the NCS in meeting the objectives which are meaningfully measurable within the first year of the Scheme. This Review may suggest enhancements to the NCS to better fulfill its objectives.

Separately, an Expert Group has been convened by my Department to develop a new funding model for early learning and childcare. This Group is reviewing the effectiveness of current approaches to funding and will submit recommendations later this year on how additional funding could be structured to deliver for children and families. These recommendation will include a particular focus on children and families experiencing disadvantage.

The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is the first ever statutory entitlement to support for childcare costs in Ireland. Since the introduction of the NCS in November 2019 over 105,200 applications have been submitted for the NCS relating to over 99,400 children.

Childcare providers are private businesses and as such it is matter for those businesses to decide whether they enter into any contractual arrangement including for the provision of the NCS. Childcare Services contract on an annual basis to participate in the Scheme. At present, over 3,000 ELC/SAC providers are contracted to participate in the NCS.

To support providers and encourage sign-up in advance of the launch of the NCS, my Department provided a number of supports including a transition support payment and a capital grant for ICT equipment to support scheme administration.

In addition, my Department provides an annual programme support payment to support administration of all schemes.

Along with these payments, multiple training sessions were offered through all City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) nationwide. Training continues to be available from all CCCs for ELC/SAC providers who require assistance in operating the NCS.

I do appreciate the difficulties caused when a parent’s preferred childcare provider does not engage with the NCS. However, parents can access their NCS award through any registered ELC/SAC provider.

The NCS is designed to be flexible. Therefore a CHICK number, which unlocks a subsidy award, can be used in any NCS-registered ELC/SAC service.

Parents needing support to source childcare places should contact their local County Childcare Committee, details of which can be found on myccc.ie

A formal review of the NCS has commenced, as required under Section 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018. It is intended that a finalised report of this review will be published in late 2021. The review will include the views of providers on the scheme.

The review will provide a basis for my Department to consider how effectively the NCS is operating and whether it is meeting the objectives which are meaningfully measurable within the first year.

Ireland ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2018. Advancing the implementation of the UNCRPD is an ongoing priority. Our approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of progressive realisation, moving forward each year on key reforms.

The obligations arising from the Convention will be met over time, with initial priority given to meeting legislative commitments. For example, my Department is responsible for the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 which is an important step towards full implementation of the UNCRPD.

In addition, the UNCRPD requires State parties actively to involve people with disabilities in policy development. In order to progress this aspect of the UNCRPD, my Department has funded the development of a Participation and Consultation Network to build capacity within the disability community so that people with disabilities and their representative organisations can participate fully in policy development. The Network was formed in late 2020. One of the Network’s first tasks has been to bring the voices of people with disabilities into consultations on Ireland’s first State Report to the UN on our progress in implementing the UNCRPD. This Network is an important initiative that will help us to realise both the spirit and the substance of the UNCRPD here in Ireland. It will provide a platform for people with disabilities to become actively involved in issues that affect their lives.

The Programme for Government commits to establishing a UNCRPD Implementation Plan. This Plan will coordinate and monitor progress on implementing the UNCRPD across Government departments. Work on this Plan is at an early stage.

My Department is currently responsible for coordinating the two significant whole of Government strategies that currently exist in the area of Disability, namely the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES). These are the key frameworks for policy and action to address the needs of persons with disabilities in Ireland and support effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the UNCRPD.

The UNCRPD operates in a similar manner to other UN Human Rights treaties. The State is required to prepare a comprehensive report on the implementation of the Convention in Ireland and this will be followed by a public appearance before the CRPD Committee in Geneva.

Ireland is preparing its first State Report. My Department is responsible for preparing the Report, in consultation with other Departments and Agencies who have responsibility for implementing the Convention. The Report will set out how Ireland is implementing the Convention. It will describe progress in a number of areas and acknowledge where further action is required for Ireland to comply fully with the Convention.

Ms Anne Rabbitte T.D, Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, published the draft State Report in December 2020 and a public consultation process has recently concluded. The Report, incorporating the information obtained during the public consultation process, will be brought to Government for approval in advance of its formal submission to the Committee by Ireland’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva later this year.

Following the submission of the State Report, Ireland will then take part in an appearance with the UN Committee. The information gathered at this appearance will inform the Committee's report on how Ireland is implementing the UNCRPD and I would expect their report to include recommendations on areas for improvements. There is no indication at this time on a likely date for that appearance.

The State's third National Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Report is due to be submitted by 9 August 2021 and drafting of same is being coordinated by my Department. Consultation with civil society is an important part of the UPR process. My Department held an online civil society consultation session on 5 May 2021, ahead of the finalisation of Ireland’s National Report. The virtual consultation event was structured on a thematic basis, seeking views of participants on key human rights issues.

In addition to the consultation session, my Department invited written submissions from interested stakeholders and members of the public. Furthermore, a consultation also took place in April 2021 which was dedicated to children and young people.

Details of the consultation on the UPR were published on: www.gov.ie/en/consultation/f0e36-consultation-on-the-state-report-for-the-united-nations-universal-periodic-review-upr/.

The recent cyber-attack on HSE IT systems has impacted on the operational functioning of Tusla, Child and Family Agency. Many of Tusla's key systems operate on HSE-supported systems, including the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS), the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) and some legacy and corporate systems.

As a security measure, Tusla actioned an immediate containment shutdown across all systems on the 14th May. This was supported by agency-wide communication that devices were to remain shut down until cleared by the Tusla ICT Directorate.

A crisis management team chaired by CEO continues to meet for all key management decisions required with this incident. A technical incident room chaired by Director of ICT has been established. Tusla has communications and engagement with the HSE, the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), An Garda Siochana and relevant statutory regulatory bodies including the Data Protection Commissioner in view of the sensitive nature of records and files held by Tusla.

Tusla continues to prioritise Child Protection and Children in Care Services (including assessment) as normal. While the referrals portal is impacted, referrals must be made over the phone and anyone with a concern is being asked to contact their local duty social work office. Details are available on www.tusla.ie/about/ict-update/. Social workers are continuing to visit children and work with them and their families throughout this period

It is not possible to be definitive as to whether any of the data held has been compromised. A number of investigations and processes are underway in the HSE and Tusla to determine the impact on all systems. Initial indications from the advices received and Tusla's own assessment are that records from NCCIS have not been the subject of theft. However, this remains under active review in the overall investigation and ongoing assessment processes.

For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise cybersecurity efforts. This includes costs in relation to cyber security tools and services and operational security matters.

Government policy, including the National Action Plan for School-Age Childcare (2017) and First 5, the Whole-of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028) recognises that the use of school facilities that have suitable environments for early learning and care and school-age childcare should be maximised where demand exists and where it can be facilitated by the relevant school authority. This is also identified as a commitment in the Programme for Government.

Already, 14 per cent of all early learning and care and school-age childcare services in Ireland operate from school facilities.

The Department of Education have advised that the use of school facilities lies with the relevant school authority in consultation with the property owner and having regard to the needs of the school, staff and students.

The Department of Education policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities, including early learning and care and school-age childcare.

To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education in consultation with representatives of schools has drafted guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours which is available here:

www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/guidelines-on-the-use-of-school-buildings-outside-of-school-hours.pdf.

These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.

In line with First 5, the Department of Education plans to conduct a survey of a representative sample of schools on the use of school facilities for early learning and care and school-age childcare services. The results of this survey, which is due to be completed in Quarter 4 2021, will be used to inform a review of the Guidelines on the use of School Buildings outside of School Hours.

Officials in my Department regularly use new and existing data to forecast the supply of, and demand for ELC and SAC.

For the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, my Department prepares an annual forecast of demand for ECCE places. Estimates are derived using a range of administrative and survey data sources. The total eligible cohort is derived from birth data provided by the Central Statistics Office. Overall uptake is derived through the examination of trends in uptake since the introduction of the programme, data from Growing Up in Ireland, and data from the Pupil Online Database held by the Department of Education. Since the extension of the ECCE Programme in 2016, data on school starting age has also been used. My Department also accesses data on the number of children in the ECCE-eligible cohort at electoral division level, which provides a robust indication of demand for ECCE places at a local level.

While the ECCE Programme has almost universal uptake, there is significantly more variation in the level of demand for other types Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC). The variation in demand is due to a number of reasons including parental preferences for different types of ELC/SAC, changes to the suite of family leave entitlements, whether and the extent to which parents are working or participating in training or study.

The introduction of the National Childcare Scheme, where eligibility for a universal subsidy is determined by the child's age and eligibility for a targeted subsidy determine by family composition and income, greatly simplifies the process of estimating current uptake of services of different types. My Department also participates in the ESRI SWITCH research programme which involves analysis and reporting on a range of relevant issues including parental preferences and labour force participation rates.

In addition to this, Pobal, on behalf of my Department undertakes an annual survey of providers. Among the data gathered through this survey is information on the number of children enrolled and those on waiting lists, as well as information on vacant places in ELC and SAC services

In the context of Covid-19, officials my Department undertook a programme of research in response to the closures and phased reopening of the sector in 2020. Among this research programme was two waves of a household survey. An additional wave of this survey is currently being undertaken to further estimate the Covid-19 impact on demand currently, and into the coming programme year.

First 5: A Whole-of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families seeks to build on existing efforts. Identified among the actions in First 5 is a commitment to strengthen capacity to accurately forecast supply and demand for ELC and SAC by undertaking a regular national needs assessment. In addition, officials in my Department are planning research on the ELC/SAC needs of parents who work atypical hours or live in rural communities.

I am committed to the further development of career pathways for those working in early learning and care and school-age childcare services. Establishing clear and supported career pathways is important both in improving recruitment and retention of staff, and in enhancing practitioners' continuing professional development, both of which support better outcomes for children.

First 5 , the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, commits to developing a Workforce Development Plan (WDP) for early learning and care and school-age childcare. Among other objectives, the WDP will set out plans for moving to a graduate-led workforce by 2028 and establishing a career framework, including role profiles, qualification requirements and career pathways.

The first phase of work in developing the WDP concluded in late 2020. A progress report on the first phase of work has recently been published on the gov.ie website (available at www.gov.ie/en/publication/26122f-workforce-development-plan-for-the-elcsac-sector/ ).

Phase two of work on the WDP, which began in February 2021, involves the preparation of detailed policy proposals by a number of working groups, one of which is specifically looking at the career framework and career pathways. The final WDP report is expected to be published by the end of 2021.

First 5 also commits to designing a new Funding Model for early learning and care and school-age childcare. An Expert Group is tasked with examining the current model of funding and ensuring that State funding delivers quality, affordable, sustainable and inclusive services. The Group’s Draft Guiding Principles to underpin a new funding model recognise the importance of the workforce in delivering quality services. The Draft Guiding Principles refer to the recruitment and retention of staff with the necessary qualifications; ongoing staff training and development; fair pay and working conditions; and a workforce which feels valued and is motivated to deliver the best possible service to children. The Group is due to report to me in November 2021.

In line with the commitments in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, my Department continues work on mapping of LGBTI+ community services. In November 2020, 29 projects around the country received funding to a total amount of €700,000 under the 2020 LGBTI+ Communities Services Fund.

The fund comprises two schemes – one dealing with community services, and the other with visibility and inclusion. The applications received were of a high standard and the application process was very competitive.

58 applications were received under the Programme. Of these, 29 were successful with 10 projects receiving funding for measures supporting community services for LGBTI+ people, and 19 projects receiving funding to promote the visibility and inclusion of LGBTI+ people.

This fund provides for initiatives that will promote inclusion, protect rights and improve quality of life and wellbeing for members of the LGBTI+ community, enabling them to participate fully in Ireland's social, economic, cultural, and political life. We are seeking to achieve tangible outcomes that will transform the lives of LGBTI+ people across Ireland. The Community Services Fund is designed specifically with these aims in mind.

Services and initiatives that work to promote inclusion and visibility for the LGBTI+ community have an increased importance at a time when many LGBTI+ people may feel disconnected from their community. I am confident that these projects will be successful in ensuring members continue to feel supported.

In addition, the LGBTI+ Community Services Fund for 2021 will be announced in the coming months.

I understand the distress which development proposals associated with the Bessborough site have caused for those most centrally connected to this issue. I share the concerns raised by survivor groups associated with in Bessborough in relation to the risks associated with this proposed development.

As the Deputy will be aware, I do not have statutory powers under the Planning and Development Acts. The necessity for any site specific investigations in advance of potential development on the former site of a Mother and Baby Home, or other institution, is a matter for the relevant planning authorities in the respective geographic area. I understand that these sensitivities can be factored into the planning process and appropriate terms and conditions can be attached to any permission that might be granted.

Individuals and advocacy groups connected to the site of the former Bessborough institution in Cork contacted me expressing serious concerns and reservations in respect of the nature and timing of the proposed development of the site.

For these reasons, I made submissions to An Bord Pleanála and Cork City Council as part of the public consultation process. I also contributed to the hearing convened by An Board Pleanála. The purpose of my submissions was, firstly, to ensure that the findings of the interim and final reports of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes could be considered in the decision making process, with particular reference to the unresolved questions relating to the possibility of burials on this site. Secondly, and importantly, my intention was to highlight the understandable and reasonable concerns of former residents and their relatives.

I understand that Cork City Council’s decision to refuse a planning application at Bessborough is under appeal to An Board Pleanála.

I know similar concerns arise in relation to the burial arrangements associated with other former institutions and I am open to further engagement on these matters.

Since its formation, this Government has made 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 with a view to establishing a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave. My Department is currently examining the feasibility of introducing such proposals and has committed to developing a report to be brought to Government in June, with legislative proposals to follow.

I am aware of the NUIG policy and I welcome that NUIG will be the first higher level institution in Ireland to put in place this policy and to provide for paid leave for staff who are victims of domestic violence.

If we are to address domestic violence and abuse as a society, we must recognise its prevalence and fully support victims. Workplace supports and policies are an important aspect of ensuring that victims can remain in employment and retain their financial independence.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department has embarked upon a series of actions, planned for the short to medium term which will build upon existing work to ensure the recommendations of the OCO will be implemented as quickly as possible.

The key priority will be to move all remaining children and families still residing in congregated hotel style living, to own door or independent living accommodation. As such, a new full public procurement will take place in 2021 with the aim of securing the additional spaces required to end the use of emergency accommodation by IPAS.

The procurement will have a specific focus on the provision of child friendly accommodation that will allow parents and children to enjoy a normal private family life.

A new Resident Welfare Team has been established within IPAS to manage the cases of individual families and single residents, identified as having special reception needs, and to ensure that those needs continue to be identified and addressed in the most appropriate way possible. The Resident Welfare Team is a multi-disciplinary team with experts from the fields of education, health and childcare seconded.

IPAS is also committed to working with Tusla during 2021 to develop interagency protocols and operating procedures that will support the sharing of case information between Tusla and IPAS and to track and monitor referrals and cases from beginning to end.

All existing centres and all new centres are required to develop a child safeguarding statement. IPAS will work with Tusla to ensure that compliance with child safeguarding statements and Children First legislation is audited this year. IPAS will be ensuring that child safeguarding statements are translated and made available to all residents. Additional child safety training will also be rolled out to all centre managers as COVID restrictions allow.

A new dedicated Customer Services Team has also been established in IPAS. This team will be taking a more proactive approach to dealing with residents' issues and, as well as strengthening the existing resident complaints system. It will actively engage with residents through customer feedback mechanisms and focus groups in the months ahead.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 225 together.

I am very conscious of the need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in early learning and childcare services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy.

As the State does not employ early learning and childcare practitioners, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions.

There are also some important developments currently under way.

In December 2020, I began a short process to examine the possibility of regulating the pay and conditions of employment of practitioners in early learning and childcare, and to examine the suitability of establishing a Joint Labour Committee (JLC) for the sector, in line with the Programme for Government commitment. On foot of this process, the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail has written to the Labour Court, who are currently examining whether to establish a JLC. If established, a JLC could lead to an Employment Regulation Order, which would establish binding rates of pay and conditions for the sector.

Work is also progressing on a new funding model. The recommendations of a dedicated Expert Group are due later in 2021 and will be central to addressing both affordability and quality issues. The Expert Group’s Draft Guiding Principles to underpin a new funding model recognise the importance of the workforce in delivering quality services.

Finally, work on the Workforce Development Plan continues, with final outputs expected by the end of the year. This is expected to include plans for making careers in early learning and childcare more attractive.

Section 6 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001 provides that employees with at least one year's continuous service are entitled to take up to 104 weeks of carer's leave to enable them to provide full-time care and attention to a person who is in need of such care.

Carer's Leave is unpaid but an employee may also qualify for Carer's Benefit or Carer's Allowance, the payment of which is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.

There are no plans to amend the Carer's Leave Act at present.

Following the RTÉ Prime Time report which aired on the 25th February 2021, I undertook to meet with those who shared their stories and experiences on the programme. These meetings took place on the week of the 29th March 2021. A range of issues were discussed at the meetings, including access to information and the Inter Departmental Group on Restorative Recognition, setup to report on supports for survivors of Mother and Baby institutions.

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department maintains statistics on the number of residents housed in each centre on a weekly basis. However, as I am sure you will appreciate, 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.

Given the scope of this exercise, IPAS now collates these figures on a quarterly basis. I can inform the Deputy that on 31 March 2021 the number of unrelated single residents sharing a room in IPAS accommodation was 1,892. This comprises 1,171 residents in a room assigned to 2 people and 721 residents in a room assigned to 3 people. It should be noted that some of these 2 and 3 person rooms may not be fully occupied at any given time for a variety of operational reasons. In line with IPAS policy, there are no more than 3 unrelated single persons sharing a room with other people.

My Department has commenced work on a Request for Tender to procure additional accommodation for single people and families seeking international protection. This tender process will focus on the provision of own-door accommodation and facilities to allow for independent living (access to cooking and laundry facilities and communal family areas outside bedrooms). It is my intention that this will allow us to improve the quality of the accommodation and services offered to applicants and to move away from reliance on temporary based accommodation and to ensure that the Department has adequate capacity and can respond flexibly to increases in demand for accommodation as they arise. It is also intended to reduce the number of single people sharing rooms with non-family members.

The Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is an international treaty that establishes two procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. The first is an individual communications procedure allowing individuals to bring petitions to the Committee claiming breaches of their rights; the second is an inquiry procedure giving the Committee authority to undertake inquiries of grave or systematic violations of the Convention.

The Programme for Government reiterates the commitment to ratify the Optional Protocol after the first reporting cycle.

The response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue with overall policy coordinated by the Department of Justice. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.

Tusla is scheduled to publish its Strategic Review of Emergency Domestic Violence Accommodation shortly following the completion of substantial work, including a literature review, consultations with stakeholders, geographical and census data analysis, consultation with service users, and policy analysis. Tusla provided an input on the review and its draft recommendations to the Monitoring Committee of the National Strategy on DSGBV on the 31st March 2021, which was well received.

The Minister had hoped to receive the draft report from Tusla during the week of the 17th May. Unfortunately, as a result of the recent cyber attack on HSE systems, which has impacted on Tusla's ability to access its IT systems, this was not possible. Tusla and the Minister are keen to restore access to the Agency's files, including the report and associated documentation. The Minister is committed to ensuring the evolving needs of service users are met and that the recommendations of the review informs strategic actions under the Third National Strategy on DSGBV.

Young people and their mental health have been severely affected by the restrictions to protect public health during this pandemic. This has been borne out by multiple mental health research reports including, a recent national consultation commissioned by my Department, called How's Your Head.

In recognition of the vital role played by youth work in providing such support to young people, funding levels have been maintained throughout the current challenging period. This has enabled the youth sector to continue to provide supports to young people, particularly to marginalised, disadvantaged and vulnerable young people.

Early in my tenure, I was able to provide an additional small grant to support local funded organisations, Youth Information Centres and youth clubs to defray some Covid-19 costs.

Since then, I have also secured an additional €5 million investment in youth services for 2021. I see this funding as supporting the frontline services as they seek to innovate to continue to provide critical services to vulnerable young people.

My officials and I have a very good working relationship with the youth sector and I will be continuing this engagement as we seek to support young people through this very challenging period.

At a broader level, my Department is committed to leading a discussion with relevant Departments and agencies to ensure that mental health services, educational institutions, youth services and sports clubs work together, so that each is aware of the challenges young people have been facing and can help ease them back into everyday life and support their resilience.

It is important to note that public health advice in relation to Covid-19 and pregnancy is provided by the HSE. This advice is based on the latest evidence available and is continuously reviewed. At this point in time, the HSE has not categorised pregnant women as falling within the High Risk or Very High Risk groups in relation to Covid-19.

My Department does not have an employer role in relation to the staff in Early Learning and Care (ELC) or School-Age Childcare (SAC) services and so it cannot provide occupational health advice or services. It is a matter for individual employers to work with pregnant employees (as they do with all vulnerable employees) to assess their work environment and make relevant adjustments, as appropriate to their circumstances. In doing so they should take the HSE advice on high risk, very high risk and pregnancy into consideration.

ELC and SAC practitioners and service providers may wish to refer to HR guidance, produced by Early Childhood Ireland, which includes some information on pregnant employees working in services.

Where an employee is pregnant and has expressed concerns about attending work then they should be advised to talk to their GP in relation to this and discuss whether they are medically fit to attend, whether for physical or mental health reasons. Where they are not medically fit to attend work and have a medical certificate then the normal sick leave policy of the service will apply. They may have an entitlement to illness benefit and should contact their social welfare office to discuss options and eligibility.

I am statutorily required to give due consideration on whether it is appropriate to give effect to a recommendation from the Labour Court concerning a proposal for an Employment Regulation Order.

In considering whether it was appropriate to accept the Labour Court's recommendation, I wanted to ensure that workers and employers in the sector have adequate notice of the changes to the minimum rates of pay and other conditions. I was also mindful of the impact of Covid-19 public health restrictions in place and their impact on both businesses and workers in Ireland. Accordingly, the ERO will have legal effect from 1 September 2021, with a second increase effective on 1 June 2022.

IDA Ireland issued a request for tender for a part-time Israel based Business Development Consultant on 26 April 2021. This person will represent IDA to support its efforts to win new investment. IDA Ireland regularly engages business development consultants, and this is a model used across many geographies.

The Business Development Consultant will be expected to identify Israeli-headquartered target companies with potential for investing in Ireland, engage with senior decision-makers in these companies and present Ireland’s value proposition as an investment location. I am advised that IDA Ireland has not yet awarded the Tender for a Part-time Consultant in Israel.

IDA Ireland has advised my Department that it will be guided by all aspects of the recently published Guidance for Business Enterprises by the Minister for Foreign Affairs when appointing a business development consultant in any territory.

Ireland’s position on the illegality of Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory informs our engagement with the State of Israel across a range of bilateral issues, including trade, and will continue to do so.

Ireland consistently raises human rights issues in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory at the highest international levels, including most recently at the 46th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Ireland remains steadfast in its support for a comprehensive two state solution which protects the future of both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples.

As an Agency of my Department, I expect IDA Ireland to act in line with Government policy and the Agency has assured me that this is the case. IDA Ireland respects obligations under Irish and International law.

As set out in the recent consultation document on the proposed regulatory framework for the new Deposit and Return Scheme (DRS), my preferred option is to have variable deposits based on volume of the product. This will be provided for as a requirement for the compliance scheme operator in the final Regulations underpinning the scheme.

The Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme delivers a range of energy efficiency measures free of charge to low income households vulnerable to energy poverty. To date, over 142,000 homes have received free upgrades under the scheme and in 2020 the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was over €14,800. I have secured additional resources this year to expand the capacity of the SEAI to deliver the scheme. Funding for the energy poverty retrofit schemes has also increased to over €109 million in 2021. This is an increase of €47 million on the 2020 allocation. In addition, delivery capacity has increased due to a new, broader contractor panel that commenced at the end of 2020.

There are currently over 7,800 homes on the scheme work programme. This includes homes that: are currently undergoing works; have been allocated to contractors for works; completed an initial home survey and are awaiting allocation to a contractor or are awaiting initial survey. The scheme operates nationally on a first come first served basis. SEAI data indicates that for homes completed in 2020, the average time from application to completion was approximately 18 months. The average wait times are expected to increase significantly in 2021 due to the extensive COVID-19 related restrictions on construction activity between March and June of last year as well as between January and 12 April of this year when the scheme was fully paused in line with Government guidelines.  Works under the scheme have now recommenced in line with activity in the residential construction sector.

The SEAI has advised me that the average wait times should only ever be used as a general guide and that wait times vary, based on the demand for the scheme at the time of application as well as other factors including the scale of works to be completed, access to the property, availability of materials and the weather.

A further €112.5 million will be spent on expanding other existing SEAI residential and community grant schemes and introducing new initiatives. This will support an increased level of retrofit activity in 2021. 

My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI operated retrofit schemes offer partial grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency improvements for people at risk of energy poverty. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to average grant awards and rejected applications is not readily available. However, one scheme, the Better Energy Warmer Homes Scheme, has provided free upgrades to over 142,000 homes, and in 2020 the average value of the energy efficiency measures provided per household was over €14,800. The request for information has been sent to the SEAI and available data will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

The table below sets out the SEAI's total annual budget allocations for the past 5 years:

Geological Survey Ireland, a division of the Department, maintain the National Karst Databases and they are made available publically via our online web mapping site Data and maps (gsi.ie) The karst feature database contains  over 16,000 features, in 9 categories., including  turloughs, swallow holes, springs etc. Certain features are protected by being designated or included in Special Areas of Conservation while many are also listed as National or County Geological Heritage Sites.

Karst aquifers are also designated into specific karst aquifer categories and along with certain karst landforms are incorporated into guidelines for national policy and planning.

My Department funds a number of grant schemes to support homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties. These are administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI). The SEAI residential retrofit schemes offer partial grants for individuals who can afford to contribute to the cost of upgrades as well as free energy efficiency improvements for people at risk of energy poverty. Since 2000, around 450,000 homeowners have upgraded their homes with support from these schemes, representing nearly one home in four across the country. This has resulted in warmer, healthier and more comfortable homes that are easier and cheaper to heat and light. Building Regulations have been progressively strengthened and new buildings must now meet very high energy performance standards to limit the use of fossil fuel energy and related CO2 emissions. There are options to meet this requirement for new build homes by including renewable technologies including heat pumps and/or solar PV. However, grants are not targeted at meeting compliance requirements of these Regulations.

Grant funding to improve energy performance is available for older homes built before 2006 and in the case of renewable energy measures for homes built before 2011 because these homes were not required to meet the improved Building Regulations. It is important to note that the grants available through SEAI aim to maximise emission reductions and deliver energy savings for the widest range of homeowners possible. The grants which are available, and their respective eligibility criteria, were selected as the most likely to deliver significant energy savings to homeowners as well as the best value for money for the Exchequer.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 103 and 104 together.

The North-South Interconnector is critical to improving the efficient operation of the all-island single electricity market and increasing security of electricity supply in Ireland and Northern Ireland. It will also help Ireland to move towards our 70% renewable electricity target by 2030. A resilient and well-connected energy infrastructure is vital for Ireland’s economic well-being and the ability to respond to the future needs of energy consumers. 

The option of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector has been comprehensively assessed on several occasions. Most recently, my Department commissioned an independent report incorporating international industry expertise to examine the technical feasibility and cost of undergrounding the North-South Interconnector and the report from the International Expert Commission was published in October 2018. It found that an overhead line remains the most appropriate option for this piece of critical electricity infrastructure.

Notwithstanding this, I have decided to commission a further short review to assess if the overall finding from the 2018 report remains valid. Terms of reference for this study were published on my Department's website on 21 April. On 7 May, my Department initiated a  procurement process using the procurement frameworks administered by the Office of Government Procurement to appoint an expert to undertake the review.

In September 2019, a public consultation was launched on the path for the Biofuels Obligation Scheme over the period of 2021 to 2030. The consultation, which closed in November 2019, has been helping to inform the development of an updated Policy Statement on biofuels and the next iteration of the Climate Action Plan, both of which will set out the planned approach to the use of biofuels and other renewable transport fuels for the coming years. The Policy Statement is at an advanced stage.

Ireland is required to bring into force the laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to transpose the relevant articles of the recast Renewable Energy Directive by 30 June 2021. Articles 4 and 6 of the Directive have been transposed through the European Union (Renewable Energy) Regulations 2020 (S.I. No. 365 of 2020).

My Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications, in consultation with the Department of Transport, is currently working through the further transposition of the Directive with a view to putting in place secondary legislation to further transpose the Directive in the coming months.

Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law. This law exists to ensure that people licensed to drive on our roads meet the high standards of safety set out at EU level for passing a driving test. Therefore, a holder of a Member State-issued licence who moves to Ireland can drive on that licence until the licence expires. On expiry, the licence holder can then exchange their licence for an Irish licence.

The exception to this rule is where the licence issued by the other Member State was itself issued in exchange for a licence from a state that is not a Member State, or a state that Ireland does not have a licence exchange agreement with. The Road Traffic (Recognition of Foreign Driving Licences) Order 2007 (SI 527 of 2007) refers.

When people come to Ireland with a non-exchangeable licence, they are required to go through the process of obtaining an Irish licence. While many may have a safe driving record, we have no way of measuring the standard of the driving test passed to obtain the licence.

People with a full but non-exchangeable licence go through the normal learner driver process, but they can avail of the shorter Essential Driver Training of six lessons, instead of the usual 12, and they do not have to be a learner for the usual minimum of six months before taking a driving test.

In March, I was delighted to launch Safe Routes to School Programme which will support Active Travel infrastructure for selected schools around the country. The Programme will see approximately €15 million of funding this year to support walking, scooting and cycling to primary and post-primary schools.

As the Deputy is likely aware, the Safe Routes to School Programme aims to create safer walking and cycling routes within communities, alleviate congestion at the school gates and increase the number of students who walk or cycle to school by providing the necessary infrastructure.

All schools were eligible to apply to the programme and information was circulated from the Departments of Education and Transport to schools nationwide. The closing date for expressions of interest was 16 April 2021 and there was a fantastic response with over 900 expressions of interest received.

The Safe Routes to School Programme team is currently making good progress in assessing applications and is due to report a final recommended list of schools to be included in this year’s programme in the coming weeks.

The Programme will select a number of schools for participation this year, with further opportunities for schools that are not successful in their application to reapply at a later date.

Each local authority has statutory responsibility for the improvement and maintenance of public roads, in conjunction with TII in the case of national roads, under the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993.

As regards broader policy decisions the National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA) and the making of a transport strategy for the region is a core function of the NTA.

The Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area 2016-2035, which was adopted in 2016, sets out a statutory framework for transport investment across the region over a 20 year period and provides a clear statement of transport planning policy for the GDA.

I very much support the development of evidence-led transport strategies for the major cities. We need to ensure a holistic, multi-modal approach toward transport planning and provision and, importantly, we need to see finalised transport strategies integrated into relevant land-use plans and acting as a catalyst for the adoption by local authorities of a much more sustainable approach toward the location of housing, employment and other centres of transport demand.

In accordance with the applicable legislation, the Transport Strategy for the GDA is required to be reviewed every six years, meaning that a review must be completed by early 2022. The NTA has commenced this exercise and it is expected to be fully concluded during the next 12 months. The review will consider current and future needs of the region, and the appropriate transport provision to serve future travel demand throughout the GDA.

My Department is working collaboratively with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to strengthen the policy links between land use planning and transport planning taking into account the national strategic outcomes of the National Planning Framework.

It should be noted that any future significant national, regional or local road improvement projects will fall to be considered in the context of both the revised GDA Transport Strategy and the outcome of the NDP review.

An announcement concerning aviation and international travel wil be made after the Government meeting sceduled for 28 May.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 110, 111 and 112 together.

As the Deputy will be aware, New Decade New Approach gave commitments to achieving greater connectivity on the island via road, rail and air. A particular emphasis was placed on improving connectivity along the Belfast-Dublin-Cork corridor.

Furthermore, the Irish Government set out its intention to take forward a review of the potential for Government support to renewed viable air routes from Cork to Belfast and Dublin to Derry, working with the UK Government and Northern Ireland Executive to deliver improved connections as a priority.

My Department is progressing this review and is engaging extensively with relevant stakeholders. Department officials have met with representatives from relevant airports as well as representatives from the Department for the Economy (NI). As reserved powers for civil aviation rests in Westminster, they also met with representatives from the Department for Transport (UK).

As the Deputy is aware, air services previously operated on both of these routes. The Belfast to Cork route was operated on a commercial basis whereas the Derry to Dublin route was supported by a PSO, which was funded by the Irish Government. Services ceased on both routes in 2011. In 2010, a Value for Money Review (VfM) undertaken by my Department recommended the ceasing of support for the Derry PSO. Passenger numbers on route had been falling consistently since 2006, with PSO passengers accounting for only 5% of the overall passenger numbers at City of Derry Airport in the final 3 years of the PSO. Falling demand, coupled with the option to avail of the PSO flight from Donegal to Dublin, undermined the argument for continuing to support the Derry PSO.

In consideration of potential supports for renewing services, the Department will take account of previous history, prospective demand, likely costs and long-term sustainability goals, having regard to the recently launched all-island Strategic Rail Review and plans for improved road connectivity, particularly the A5, between Derry and Dublin.

While I expect the review to be finalised shortly, I’m conscious that Covid-19 has brought significant upheaval to the aviation market and demand for air services continue to be suppressed as a consequence of the ongoing threat to public health. In this context, it may be difficult to fully assess options and reach appropriate conclusions until the market stabilises.

This review, as well as the delivery of identified infrastructure projects to achieve greater cross border connectivity, has been on the agenda of all transport sector meetings of the North South Ministerial Council and is part of the work programme led by the Department of the Taoiseach. I will continue to engage on progress related to the review, as appropriate, with the Department of the Economy (NI), the Department for Transport (UK), and the Department of An Taoiseach.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 114 together.

The Driver Theory Test is considered a non-essential service and remains closed for now. The Department understands the frustration at this decision, however, these restrictions imposed by the Government based on the advice of NPHET and their panel of scientific experts, are in place to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on this country and its people.

Officials both in this Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that Theory Tests can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

Because the service was closed for long periods of time over the last year, a large backlog of customers has built up. To deal with the backlog, the RSA have plans to increase capacity when it is allowed to re-open. This additional capacity will see the number of tests increase from an average pre Covid19 output of approximately 15,000 tests per month up to 50,000 per month, subject to health assurances. This will help significantly to tackle the backlog.

The RSA has been working to deliver an online service, with a pilot online test already underway for trucks and buses. This pilot service has now been extended to include a limited number of car and motorbike tests.

The new offering online will see 4,000 online theory tests available for all categories of vehicles per month. Tests are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis with the new online service becoming more widely available later in the year. Once the online service is established, all customers will be able to opt to do the test online.

From the start, it has been clear that the first priority is public safety. We want to provide services, and we know people are looking for services, but we will provide them only to the limit possible while preserving public health.

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, coupled with the emergence and spread of variants of concern, has resulted in one of the most sustained and deepest periods of suppression of international travel. Globally, aviation is experiencing its most challenging crisis in its history. In Europe there were 5 million flights in 2020 as against 11 million in the previous year. Restrictions on international travel this year have further suppressed passenger numbers, which are down as low as 3% of normal volumes in Ireland’s State airports.

The continuing crisis in aviation internationally is increasing the pressure on all firms in the industry internationally. All the major airlines have variously issued capital, raised further borrowings drawn on Government supports and taken measures to reduce their cost base. The two main Irish airlines entered the crisis with exceptionally strong balance sheets and they both remain well capitalised at corporate group level.

Throughout the pandemic, Government has provided a significant level of general supports to the economy, with at least €300 million provided to the aviation sector alone through wage supports, business grants, tax and rates alleviations. The bulk of this support is in the form of wage subsidies, which were designed to maintain the link between employers and their workers. In addition to these broad supports, my Department secured almost €80 million in Exchequer funds to help passenger airports navigate this crisis in 2021. Liquidity support from ISIF has also been made available to large aviation enterprises.

A recent Report from the Central Bank on COVID-19 and the Public Finances in Ireland* outlined that the fiscal support package introduced in Ireland was large in a euro area context, with the increase in primary (non-interest) government spending in Ireland the second highest in the euro area in the first three quarters of last year. The report found that fiscal measures introduced have mitigated the impact of the pandemic on households, firms and the broader economy.

This supports the Government’s policy of providing horizontal financial supports with a view to mitigating the impact of the pandemic on the broader economy. Government is confident that this strategy will facilitate a speedy recovery of all sectors, including aviation, as soon as restrictions are lifted.

* www.centralbank.ie/docs/default-source/publications/economic-letters/vol-2021-no-3-covid-19-and-the-public-finances-in-ireland-(conefrey-hickey-and-mcinerney).pdf?sfvrsn=11

In order to protect our population from the worst effects of the virus and to enable our healthcare system to continue to function and provide essential frontline healthcare services against the virus, it has been necessary for Government to take unprecedented action on public health measures including the introduction of the mandatory hotel quarantine system.

Given the epidemiology situation in Ireland and across Europe, and the risk of importation of new strains of Covid-19, the Government suspended the operation of the 'EU Traffic Light System'.

Government will consider the role of mandatory hotel quarantine and other matters in relation to international travel this week.

The driver theory test is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority.

The information requested is held by the Authority and this question is being referred to it for direct reply.

I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.

The Driver Theory Test is considered a non-essential service and remains closed for now. The Department understands the frustration at this decision, however, these restrictions imposed by the Government based on the advice of NPHET and their panel of scientific experts, are in place to minimize the impact of Covid-19 on this country and its people.

Officials both in this Department and in the Road Safety Authority are keeping the public health situation under constant review and are working extremely hard to ensure that Theory Tests can resume as soon as it is safe to do so.

From the start, it has been clear that the first priority is public safety. We want to provide services, and we know people are looking for services, but we will provide them only to the limit possible while preserving public health.

The Marine Survey Office of my Department wrote to the Dutch Safety Board on the 30th of April this year offering assistance, if they deemed it necessary, with a current investigation. The Marine Survey Office provided the Dutch Safety Board with a submission which Ireland made to the COSS Committee. I have requested the Marine Survey Office to forward this correspondence to Mr. Gaffney.

I am committed to tackling speeding in general, and in particular to reducing speed in residential areas where both public safety and quality of life rely on low speed limits.

Under the legislation, default limits are set for classes of roads, but local authorities have the power to set different limits for roads in their areas depending on the circumstances of the particular roads. Local authorities therefore already have the power to set 30km/h limits, and I understand that 30 km/h limits had been applied in over 7,300 housing estates in the period 2015 to 2020.

I should stress that Road Traffic law by definition applies to public roads, and cannot be applied to roads not taken in charge.

The Deputy may be aware in this context of the 2020 Stockholm Declaration of the Third Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety, in which Ireland participated and which committed to a 30km/h limit 'in areas where vulnerable road users and vehicles mix in a frequent and planned manner.'

Minister Ryan recently met to discuss this with members of the Love 30 campaign group. As the Deputy may be aware, the Love 30 campaign across Europe is focused on cities and other urban areas implementing such limits and not on national legislation. The Minister emphasized the Government's sympathy with this campaign, while at the same time acknowledging that there needs to be a considerable amount of consultation as part of this process.

In particular, Minister Ryan pointed out that the Programme for Government commits to a review of speed limits, and committed to a review of international best practice to be conducted by the Department with a view to possibly reducing the default 50km/h limit to a 30km/h default.

As Minister for Transport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure, including cycling and walking infrastructure, and work in conjunction with the relevant local authorities on individual projects.

In this instance the NTA are working with Galway County Council on the development of the Oranmore Local Transport Plan as part of the Active Travel Programme. Noting the NTA's responsibility in this matter, I have referred your question to them for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

As Minister for Transport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport in Ireland.

The CIÉ Group has two pension schemes, namely the Regular Wages Scheme (“RWS”) and 1951 superannuation scheme (“1951 Scheme”) and issues in relation to CIÉ pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees.

Concerning the 1951 pension scheme, it is my understanding that members of the scheme were recently balloted regarding the Labour Court proposals which emerged on 23rd November 2020, with a majority of the members voting to accept the proposals.

I have therefore referred the Deputys question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

As the Deputy is likely aware, the Public Spending Code sets out the requirements for the evaluation, planning and management of public investment projects in Ireland and the Code applies to all public bodies and to all bodies whose projects are supported by Exchequer capital funding.

The Code sets out a number of Decision Gates in the development of a project proposal; these are points where major decisions need to be made about the progress of a project and, for projects expected to cost over €100million, Government approval is required at these Decision Gates. For a project in this category, "Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle" is the first stage where the Public Spending Code stipulates that formal Government approval is required.

In accordance with the Public Spending Code's requirements, the National Transport Authority has recently submitted MetroLink's Preliminary Business Case to my Department. The Code stipulates that it must be reviewed by both my Department and the Department for Public Expenditure and Reform. Following completion of these necessary steps I will then bring the matter to Government for its decision.

Approval under “Decision Gate 1: Approval in Principle” is required prior to any application to An Bord Pleanála for a Railway Order. It is anticipated that, subject to Government approval and completion of the necessary planning and environmental documentation, an application will be made to An Bord Pleanála this year.

I would note that this is the first of three Government Decision Gates and, if approved by Government at Decision Gate 1, then "Decision Gate 2: Pre-Tender Approval" requires submission of a Detailed Project Brief and Procurement Strategy which will be considered at that juncture, while finally "Decision Gate 3: Approval to Proceed" requires submission of a Final Business Case to allow substantive construction to commence.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 124 and 125 together.

I welcomed the recent Aviation Restart Plan produced by the aviation industry participants of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum last month. I want to acknowledge the collaborative and constructive approach of the aviation industry representatives in working through development of the proposals in the report.

Getting international travel back up and running is vital for the continued economic well-being of this country and remains a priority for the Government; however, this can only be done by taking public health considerations into account, and at a time that is safe to do so.

An announcement concerning aviation and international travel will be made after the Government meeting scheduled for 28 May.

At the outset, it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products or have the power to direct insurance companies to provide cover to specific individuals or businesses, including those referenced in the question. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive). Consequently, I am not in a position to direct companies as to what terms and conditions apply in relation to cover.

Notwithstanding the above, I can assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to improving the cost and availability of insurance for all consumers, businesses and community groups. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform sets out 66 actions in this regard across several policy areas, including my Department, with 95% due to be completed by the end of 2021. The Sub-Group of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Recovery and Investment, which is implementing this Action Plan, was established by Government to oversee insurance reform implementation. I strongly believe the cross-departmental approach in the Action Plan provides the best opportunity to address the cost and availability of insurance and will build and expand upon previous commendable work done by the Cost of Insurance Working Group.

At its most recent meeting in March, the Cabinet Sub-Group on Insurance Reform, which oversees the implementation of the Action Plan , reflected upon the considerable progress made in the first three months of this year. Achievements include:

- The creation of an Office to Promote Competition in the Insurance Market within the Department of Finance;

- The adoption of new Personal Injuries Guidelines, which came into force on 24 April;

- A recent public consultation on proposals to reform the Personal Injuries Assessment Board.

Upcoming priorities include: strengthening the laws on perjury, expanding the National Claims Information Database so that it publishes its first report on employer and public liability insurance, and examining the Central Bank’s final report on differential pricing so that the Government can respond accordingly.

I can assure the Deputy that we will continue to engage extensively on this matter and monitor developments in the sector as the Government drives forward the insurance reform agenda. Minister of State Fleming and I look forward to continue working with colleagues and stakeholders to implement further aspects of the Action Plan , with a view to improve both the cost and availability of insurance for all consumers, businesses and community groups.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 133 together.

The Finance Act 2020 legislated for warehousing of certain income tax liabilities of self-assessed income taxpayers, including the self-employed, whose income has been affected by the restrictions introduced to combat Covid-19. I am advised by Revenue that the debt warehousing scheme already provides for the warehousing of income tax liabilities for 2020 and, where appropriate, 2021, for taxpayers who meet the eligibility criteria.

The liabilities that may be warehoused under this scheme are the balance of self-assessed income tax, PRSI and USC for 2019 and preliminary tax, PRSI and USC for 2020, which were due to be paid on or before 31 October 2020, or 10 December 2020 where the individual filed electronically through ROS; and, in certain circumstances, the balance of self-assessed income tax, PRSI and USC for 2020 and preliminary tax, PRSI and USC for 2021, which are due to be paid on or before 31 October 2021 or 17 November2021, if filed electronically.

To qualify for warehousing, an individual must declare that s/he estimates her/his total income for 2020 or 2021, as appropriate, will be at least 25% lower than her/his total income for 2019, due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions. If the individual was not a self-assessed taxpayer in 2019, s/he will be eligible for warehousing if, as a result of the effect on her/his income of Covid-19 restrictions, s/he is unable to pay her/his income tax liabilities in 2020 or 2021. Where the relevant condition is satisfied, any self-assessed taxpayer is eligible for income tax warehousing, regardless of what sector s/he operates in.

The “Covid-19 income tax” will be subject to 0% interest for a period of twelve months and 3% interest per annum thereafter until the liability is paid in full. Where an individual is eligible for warehousing of the balance of 2020 income tax, PRSI and USC and preliminary income tax, PRSI and USC for 2021, s/he can avail of 0% interest on the warehoused amounts for an additional twelve months.

To avail of the 0% and reduced 3% interest rates, the individual must comply with her/his other tax obligations and, prior to the expiration of the zero-interest period, must enter into a payment plan with Revenue to pay the warehoused debt. The benefit of the warehouse scheme is conditional on the individual quantifying her/his tax debt through submission of all outstanding returns. If an individual fails to meet the conditions for debt warehousing – for example, if s/he fails to file a return or defaults on other taxes - the benefit of the 0% and 3 % interest rates will no longer apply and interest at a rate of 8% per annum will be re-imposed.

An information booklet giving full details of this scheme is available on the Revenue website.

Finally, Revenue adopts a pragmatic approach to businesses with genuine payment difficulties and has advised me that any business or tax agent who is struggling to meet their obligations should contact the relevant Revenue Branch Manager (via myEnquiries) to discuss the matter.

The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.

The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief an organisation must be entered in the register of charitable organisations under Part 3 of the Charities Act 2009, be engaged in the transport of disabled persons and whose purpose is to provide services to persons with disabilities.

In order to qualify for relief the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate (PMC) issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate (BMC) issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other criteria apply in relation to the vehicle and its use, including that the vehicle must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.

The terms of the Scheme set out the following medical criteria, and that one or more of these criteria is required to be satisfied in order to obtain a PMC:

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;

- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;

- be without both hands or without both arms;

- be without one or both legs;

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;

- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.

A Supreme Court decision of 18th June found in favour of two appellants against the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal's refusal to grant them a PMC. The judgement found that the medical criteria set out in the Regulations did not align with the regulation making mandate given in the primary legislation to further define criteria for ‘severely and permanently disabled’ persons.

On foot of the legal advice received, it became clear that it was appropriate to revisit the six medical criteria set out in Regulation 3 of Statutory Instrument 353 of 1994 for these assessments. In such circumstances, PMC assessments were discontinued until a revised basis for such assessments could be established. The medical officers who are responsible for conducting PMC assessments need to have assurance that the decisions they make are based on clear criteria set out in legislation. While Regulation 3 of Statutory Instrument No. 353 of 1994 was not deemed to be invalid, nevertheless it was found to be inconsistent with the mandate provided in Section 92 of the Finance Act 1989.

In order to allow for the PMC assessments and appeals to recommence I brought forward an amendment to the Finance Bill to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation which, following the approval of the Finance Act 2020, allowed assessments to recommence.

Following approval of the Finance Act 2020, a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities and the criteria for qualification for the Scheme, will be conducted this year. On foot of that review new proposals will be brought forward for consideration.

The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.

The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief an organisation must be entered in the register of charitable organisations under Part 3 of the Charities Act 2009, be engaged in the transport of disabled persons and whose purpose is to provide services to persons with disabilities.

In order to qualify for relief the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate (PMC) issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate (BMC) issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other criteria apply in relation to the vehicle and its use, including that the vehicle must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.

The terms of the Scheme set out the following medical criteria, and that one or more of these criteria is required to be satisfied in order to obtain a PMC:

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;

- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;

- be without both hands or without both arms;

- be without one or both legs;

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;

- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.

A Supreme Court decision of 18th June found in favour of two appellants against the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal's refusal to grant them a PMC. The judgement found that the medical criteria set out in the Regulations did not align with the regulation making mandate given in the primary legislation to further define criteria for ‘severely and permanently disabled’ persons.

On foot of the legal advice received, it became clear that it was appropriate to revisit the six medical criteria set out in Regulation 3 of Statutory Instrument 353 of 1994 for these assessments. In such circumstances, PMC assessments were discontinued until a revised basis for such assessments could be established. The medical officers who are responsible for conducting PMC assessments need to have assurance that the decisions they make are based on clear criteria set out in legislation. While Regulation 3 of Statutory Instrument No. 353 of 1994 was not deemed to be invalid, nevertheless it was found to be inconsistent with the mandate provided in Section 92 of the Finance Act 1989.

In order to allow for the PMC assessments and appeals to recommence I brought forward an amendment to the Finance Bill to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation which, following the approval of the Finance Act 2020, allowed assessments to recommence.

Following approval of the Finance Act 2020, a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities and the criteria for qualification for the Scheme, will be conducted this year. On foot of that review new proposals will be brought forward for consideration.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 131 together.

I am advised by Revenue that the licensing year for Intoxicating Liquor Licences runs from 1 October to 30 September in respect of Liquor Retailer On Licences, Liquor Retailer Off Licences and Liquor Manufacturers Licences. The licensing year for Liquor Wholesale Dealer Licences runs from 1 July to 30 June. Where both a Wholesale Dealer Licence and a Retailer Off Licence are held together, the licensing year for both runs from 1 July to 30 June.

The renewal process for Intoxicating Liquor Licences is not an automatic process and requires licence holders to reapply to Revenue and pay the licence fee at the start of each new licensing year. Revenue will only renew the licence where the applicant holds a tax clearance certificate and can provide any other supporting documentation requested, for example a certificate of incorporation or a certificate of registration of the business name. For first time applications or where a licence has lapsed, the applicant must produce a Court certificate before Revenue can issue a new licence.

Table 1 below sets out the number of liquor licences issued in the years 2015 to 2021 (YTD) for all liquor licence categories. Table 2 sets out the different types of Retailer Off Licences issued during those years, including Retailer Off Licences held with Wholesale Dealer Licences .

Table 1 – Liquor Licences issued in calendar years 2015 – 2021 YTD

liquorlicences

Table 2 – Retailer Off Licences by licence type issued in calendar years 2015 – 2021 YTD

retailers

In response to the query of the Deputy, I can confirm that if the person/entity buying the houses accumulates 10 or more houses in any 12 month period, whether they comprise new or existing housing stock, and irrespective of whether they are in the same location or not, the new higher stamp duty rate of 10% will apply.

Where a person/entity is buying on a unit by unit basis the payment of the higher stamp will be triggered on the 10th purchase. Once triggered, the 10% rate will also apply to any other residential properties acquired in that 12 month period i.e. the other 9 in this example.

This 10% rate is intended to provide a significant disincentive to the multiple purchase of residential units in the Irish property market and I believe when combined with longer term planning permission changes should result in a greater availability of houses for those wishing to purchase a family home for owner occupier purposes.

You should note that acquisitions by Local Authorities and approved housing bodies are already exempt from stamp duty, and this exemption will continue to apply as regards this new higher rate.

I have also provided a specific exemption from this higher stamp duty rate for the multiple purchase of apartments. The rationale for this is that a key objective of this proposal is to achieve a balance between addressing the issue of multiple purchases by institutional investors, whilst at the same time ensuring the supply of financing is not undermined, particularly for the construction of new apartment developments.

Without this exemption, it is felt that there would be a significant risk that developers would exit from the apartment building market as such projects would no longer be viable, and, if that were to happen, an important element of our housing strategy would be lost.

It is intended that the changes provided for in the Financial Resolution will be provided for in formal legislation in the next couple of months.

I assume the Deputy is referring to Statutory Instrument 713/2020: "European Union (Bank Recovery and Resolution) (Amendment) Regulations 2020" which amends SI 289/2015: "European Union (Bank Recovery and Resolution) Regulations 2015".

The Bank and Investment Fund Resolution Fund (BIFR) was set up under the 2015 Regulations and is administered by the Central Bank of Ireland.

There were no amendments to the financing arrangements for the BIFR contained within SI 713/2020, accordingly, there is no change to the manner in which the BIFR is financed.

The BIFR was established in November 2015 in accordance with Regulation 163 of the 2015 Regulations. In resolution actions the BIFR may, subject to conditionality, be used to:

- Guarantee the assets or the liabilities of an institution under resolution

- Make loans to or to purchase assets of an institution under resolution

- Make contributions to a bridge institution and an asset management vehicle

- Make a contribution to an institution under resolution in lieu of the write-down or conversion of liabilities of certain creditors under specific conditions

- Pay compensation to shareholders or creditors who incurred greater losses in resolution than under normal insolvency proceedings.

The financing sources for the BIFR are established under Regulations 166-168 of the 2015 Regulations. Credit Institutions, Irish-authorised branches of credit institutions authorised in a non-European Economic Area territory and investment firms which are in the scope of the BRRD must contribute to the BIFR.

Credit institutions and investment firms which are covered by the European Single Resolution Mechanism do not contribute to the BIFR, and instead contribute to the European Single Resolution Fund.

Since the COVID-19 situation first arose, I have maintained contact with the BPFI and lenders on the measures they have put in place to assist their customers who are economically impacted by the pandemic. In relation to the particular issue of new mortgage lending, the main retail banks previously confirmed that they are considering mortgage applications and mortgage drawdowns in relation to their customers who were on the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme on a case by case basis and that they are taking a fair and balanced approach. Lenders continue to process mortgage applications and have supports in place to assist customers impacted by COVID-19. Therefore, if mortgage applicants have any queries or concerns about the impact of COVID-19 on their mortgage application, they should in the first instance contact their lender directly on the matter.

However, there are certain consumer protection requirements which govern the provision of mortgage credit. For example, the European Union (Consumer Mortgage Credit Agreements) Regulations 2016 (CMCAR) provide that, before concluding a mortgage credit agreement, a lender must make a thorough assessment of the consumer’s creditworthiness with a view to verifying the prospect of the consumer being able to meet his or her obligations under the credit agreement. The CMCAR further provide that a lender should only make credit available to a consumer where the result of the creditworthiness assessment indicates that the consumer’s obligations resulting from the credit agreement are likely to be met in the manner required under that agreement. The assessment of creditworthiness must be carried out on the basis of information on the consumer’s income and expenses and other financial and economic circumstances which are necessary, sufficient and proportionate.

In addition, the Central Bank’s Consumer Protection Code 2012 imposes ‘Knowing the Consumer and Suitability’ requirements on lenders. Under these requirements, lenders are required to assess affordability of credit and the suitability of a product or service based on the individual circumstances of each borrower. The Code specifies that the affordability assessment must include consideration of the information gathered on the borrower’s personal circumstances and financial situation. Furthermore, where a lender refuses a mortgage application, the CMCAR requires that the lender must inform the consumer without delay of the refusal. In addition, the Code requires that the lender must clearly outline to the consumer the reasons why the credit was not approved, and provide these reasons on paper if requested.

Within this regulatory framework, the decision to grant or refuse an application for mortgage credit remains a commercial matter for the individual lender. Also a loan offer may contain a condition that would allow the lender to withdraw or vary the offer if in the lender’s opinion there is any material change in circumstances prior to drawdown. In such cases, the decision to withdraw or vary the offer is also a commercial and contractual decision for the lender.

Nevertheless, the Central Bank has indicated that it expects all regulated firms to take a consumer-focused approach and to act in their customers’ best interests at all times, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. If a mortgage applicant is not satisfied with how a regulated firm is dealing with them in relation to an application for credit or the drawn down of credit, or they believe that the regulated firm is not following the requirements of the Central Bank’s codes and regulations or other financial services law, they should make a complaint directly to the regulated firm. If the mortgage applicant is still not satisfied with the response from the regulated firm, he or she can refer the complaint to the statutory Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.

The Irish Strategic Investment Fund and Home Building Finance Ireland continue to make significant contributions to support increasing housing supply. It is important that they continue to do so given the current housing crisis.

ISIF’s investment in the residential development sector is aimed at unlocking the supply of new homes across all tenures. ISIF’s single largest investment to date has been in Activate Capital, which lends to Irish homebuilders undertaking new construction projects aimed, overwhelmingly, at the owner occupier market. ISIF has also supported new construction that is adding to the stock of rental accommodation in our major urban centres in line with market demand. To date, ISIF has directly committed €937 million which is supporting the supply of 15,000 new homes across 100 construction sites nationwide, which includes 2,500 new rental properties.

ISIF, as part of a wider suite of Government measures, is therefore making an important contribution to increased housing supply which is vital to addressing many of the challenges in Ireland’s residential property market.

HBFI was established in late 2018 as a Government initiative to address a shortfall of finance available for the construction of residential housing. HBFI was designed to increase access to residential development finance generally and in particular to projects that had not been the current focus of traditional or alternative lenders at that time. It was also designed to be able to adapt to changing conditions in the financing market.

Accordingly following the outbreak of Covid-19, HBFI widened its remit on a temporary basis to allow it to provide finance for larger prime residential projects that were experiencing difficulties in accessing financing. In May 2020, HBFI established a €300 million temporary step-in fund which is known as their “Momentum Fund”. This was to help ensure that supply was not interrupted due to a tightening of financing markets.

Again reacting to changing market conditions, HBFI brought other additional products to the market including a small development product specifically for smaller projects of between 5 and 10 units and an apartment product.

HBFI does not fund institutional investment, HBFI provides development finance to builders and developers to enable construction of residential property. HBFI has provided funding across a range of development sizes including for the construction of homes for private rental. HBFI funding has enabled construction to proceed on these projects to deliver much needed supply and not to displace the construction of residential homes for sale.

Since inception, HBFI has approved funding to house builders to support the delivery of up to 2,400 homes across 17 counties. Of these, 5 developments (out of 52 approved) are subject to forward purchase PRS sales and represents 916 units approved of which 851 (93%) are apartments and 65 are houses.

HBFI has €730m of funding available for residential development, with an ability to raise a further €750m if required. It is important to recognise that the temporary funding of large-scale developments has not, and will not, impact on HBFI's ability to fund small and medium sized developments. These smaller developments are the core of HBFI’s business and will continue to remain so.

I would like to advise the Deputy that the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) is not under the remit of the Minister for Finance and is a matter for the Department of Justice. In common with my predecessors as Minister for Finance, I have regular engagement with the bodies referenced, in particular with the Central Bank, on a wide range of issues. My officials are currently reviewing the records of these regular meetings to identify if the IIP was discussed in any of these meetings. However as the request covers a significant time period and the tenure of two Ministers, this exercise is expected to take a some time. In light of this, I regret to advise that it was not possible to provide the information sought in the time available to respond to this Parliamentary Question and therefore I will make arrangements to provide the information to the Deputy in line with Standing Order 42A.

However with regard to the subject matter of the Deputy’s query, I can advise that in late 2013 the former Minister for Finance, in conjunction with the then Minister for Justice and Equality, announced the addition of REIT investments to the 5 investment options already in place under the Immigrant Investor Programme. This was subject to conditions placed on the minimum level of the investment and withdrawal of funds, to ensure alignment with the overall purpose of the programme.

As stated, the Immigrant Investor Programme is a matter for the Department of Justice, therefore any reviews or impact assessments of the programme will be undertaken by that Department. An examination of matters relevant to social housing policy would also be a matter for the Department of Housing and Local Government.

The Disabled Drivers & Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from VRT and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant.

The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain organisations. In order to qualify for relief an organisation must be entered in the register of charitable organisations under Part 3 of the Charities Act 2009, be engaged in the transport of disabled persons and whose purpose is to provide services to persons with disabilities.

In order to qualify for relief the applicant must hold a Primary Medical Certificate (PMC) issued by the relevant Senior Area Medical Officer (SAMO) or a Board Medical Certificate (BMC) issued by the Disabled Driver Medical Board of Appeal. Certain other criteria apply in relation to the vehicle and its use, including that the vehicle must be specially constructed or adapted for use by the applicant.

The terms of the Scheme set out the following medical criteria, and that one or more of these criteria is required to be satisfied in order to obtain a PMC:

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both legs;

- be wholly without the use of one leg and almost wholly without the use of the other leg such that the applicant is severely restricted as to movement of the lower limbs;

- be without both hands or without both arms;

- be without one or both legs;

- be wholly or almost wholly without the use of both hands or arms and wholly or almost wholly without the use of one leg;

- have the medical condition of dwarfism and have serious difficulties of movement of the lower limbs.

A Supreme Court decision of 18th June found in favour of two appellants against the Disabled Drivers Medical Board of Appeal's refusal to grant them a PMC. The judgement found that the medical criteria set out in the Regulations did not align with the regulation making mandate given in the primary legislation to further define criteria for ‘severely and permanently disabled’ persons.

On foot of the legal advice received, it became clear that it was appropriate to revisit the six medical criteria set out in Regulation 3 of Statutory Instrument 353 of 1994 for these assessments. In such circumstances, PMC assessments were discontinued until a revised basis for such assessments could be established. The medical officers who are responsible for conducting PMC assessments need to have assurance that the decisions they make are based on clear criteria set out in legislation. While Regulation 3 of Statutory Instrument No. 353 of 1994 was not deemed to be invalid, nevertheless it was found to be inconsistent with the mandate provided in Section 92 of the Finance Act 1989.

In order to allow for the PMC assessments and appeals to recommence I brought forward an amendment to the Finance Bill to provide for the existing medical criteria in primary legislation which, following the approval of the Finance Act 2020, allowed assessments to recommence. Separately, however, the ability to hold assessments may be impacted on by, among other things, the public health restrictions in place and the role of the HSE Medical Officers in the roll out of the COVID vaccination programme.

Following approval of the Finance Act 2020, a comprehensive review of the scheme, to include a broader review of mobility supports for persons with disabilities and the criteria for qualification for the Scheme, will be conducted this year. On foot of that review new proposals will be brought forward for consideration.

At the outset, it is important to note that neither I, nor the Central Bank of Ireland, can intervene in the provision or pricing of insurance products or have the power to direct insurance companies to provide cover to specific individuals or businesses, including those referenced in the question. This position is reinforced by the EU framework for insurance (the Solvency II Directive). Consequently, I am not in a position to direct companies as to what terms and conditions apply in relation to cover.

That being said, the Deputy will be aware of the Government’s commitment to insurance reform. The Action Plan for Insurance Reform sets out 66 actions across several policy areas, which will work to improving the cost and availability of insurance for consumers, businesses and community groups.

In relation to specific measures for homeowners of properties with defects, this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I have been advised by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage that the Independent Working Group on Defective Housing has been established. With regard to the working group’s deliberations, the group will seek to engage with a range of interested parties, including homeowners, public representatives, local authorities, product manufacturers, building professionals and industry stakeholders, among others to examine the issue of defects in housing and report to the Minister for Housing on the matter.

As the Deputy may be aware, there have been a small number of tax-based measures in recent years concerned with the remediation of private dwellings.

The Living City Initiative is a tax incentive aimed at the regeneration of the historic inner cities of Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kilkenny, Limerick and Waterford. The scheme provides income or corporation tax relief for qualifying expenditure incurred in refurbishing/converting qualifying buildings which are located within pre-determined 'Special Regeneration Areas'.

The Home Renovation Incentive (HRI) provided tax relief by way of an income tax credit on repair, renovation or improvement works on principal private residences or rental properties carried out by tax compliant contractors. It was introduced in 2014 at a time when there was considerable loss of employment within the construction sector, with the aim of addressing this market failure by stimulating increased activity in the sector. The incentive expired on 31 December 2018 following a review of the scheme. The review found that in the context of the current housing supply shortage, and the need at that time to deliver 25,000 additional housing units per annum over the period 2017-2021, there was a risk that the scheme could lead to increased competition for scarce resources within the construction sector, leading to upward pressure on construction costs and house prices. The review concluded that the continuation of the scheme could give rise to displacement of labour from work on new builds to work on home renovations and would create a high opportunity cost of labour which was not present at the inception of the scheme.

Also, in 2019, in the context of the Tax Strategy Group (TSG) deliberations, my department examined the concept of a tax incentive along the lines of the HRI for domestic retrofit projects. The relevant TSG paper was published with the Budget 2020 documentation. It indicated that there could be a duplication of supports with the direct Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) grant system already in place and that a scheme such as this could conflict with the need to increase overall housing supply.

The paper observed that:

- in terms of current direct expenditure measures in the energy efficiency sector, the Government continues to make grants available to householders who wish to improve the energy efficiency of their home through the SEAI’s Better Energy Homes (BEH) and Deep retrofit Grant programme;

- research undertaken by the ESRI into householder preferences regarding retrofit subsidy schemes found that households strongly prefer cash payment subsidies (i.e. up-front discounts or cash back post works) versus other indirect methods of financial support such as tax credits); and

- from an equity perspective, tax expenditure measures can be regressive by nature, given that only those who pay taxes qualify, and those with greatest income benefit the most. As such, a tax incentive measure as proposed may be of little benefit to certain groups who are most likely to suffer from energy poverty, for example the elderly or those on limited incomes.

More generally, proposals for tax expenditure measures are assessed in accordance with my Department's Tax Expenditure Guidelines. These make clear that it is important that any policy proposal which involves tax expenditures should only occur in limited circumstances where there are demonstrable market failures. In particular, they provide that a tax-based incentive should only be considered where it would be more efficient than a direct expenditure intervention.

Council Directive 2020/1151 amends the Alcohol Products Tax Directive. The revision provides for mandatory changes and optional changes. Among the optional changes is a provision to allow Member States to apply reduced rates of excise to small cider producers. Options around relief for small cider producers will be included in the Tax Strategy Group Papers. Any decision on the provision of the relief will be taken in the context of the annual budgetary process. As the Deputy will be aware, it is a longstanding practice of the Minister for Finance not to comment on any tax matters that might be the subject of Budget decisions.

My colleague the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is responsible for the defective concrete blocks remediation financial assistance scheme and his Department will be best place to advise on the requirements and operation of the scheme.

In relation to any contributions which financial institutions may contribute to the mica redress scheme, that is a matter for each individual institution and I cannot become involved in the business decisions of banks, insurance companies or other financial institutions.

I consider that the primary objective of a vacant residential property tax would be to increase the supply of homes for rent or purchase to meet demand rather than increasing tax revenues. However, before introducing such a tax it is of course important to have a sound understanding of the quantity, locations and characteristics of long term vacant dwellings, and the reasons why they are vacant.

Accordingly, in 2018 I commissioned a study on the potential of a vacant residential property tax to meet the objective of increasing the supply of homes. The resulting report presented a detailedevidence-based assessment of vacancy rates in areas in which the demand for housing is most acute. The report did not recommend the introduction of a residential vacant property tax as it considered it would not be an effective response to deal with the housing challenges. The very low vacancy rates in the areas of greatest demand for housing, particularly in terms of medium term vacancy, indicated that the potential for a vacant property tax to increase housing supply was very limited and could represent a distraction from the need to significantly accelerate the building of new social housing, affordable housing and the facilitation of private sector supply. In their report Indecon stated that while such a tax would be likely to generate significant media and public attention and may be seen as part of an effective response to our housing problems, they did not believe that this would be supported by the evidence in their report.

The report recommended that the matter be kept under review and this remains the position.

The Programme for Government recognises the special economic and social role that agriculture plays in Ireland, but also commits to the creation of schemes that will encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way. This is with the aim of developing a sustainable Irish agricultural sector that protects the environment and aligns with emerging consumer sentiment, while benefiting farmers and rural communities.

The Programme for Government commits to the allocation of €1.5bn in projected carbon tax receipts over the next ten years for this purpose. The first step in meeting this commitment was in Budget 2021 through the allocation of €20m in anticipated additional carbon tax receipts for the creation of pilot environmental programmes. This was supplemented with the continuation of the €3m in funding that was provided for agricultural programmes from carbon tax receipts in 2020, bringing the total funding for carbon tax supported measures in the agricultural sector to €23m in 2021.

These funds are being used to create an innovative, results-based pilot scheme for farmers who improve the bio-diversity and carbon management of their land, by undertaking specific actions which they report directly based on the results generated from their actions.

The use of carbon funds in 2021 was detailed in the Budget Day publication "The Use of Carbon Tax Funds 2021" which continues to be available on the budget.gov.ie website. Carbon tax funding in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine is allocated to a specific sub-head, B.13, against which progress on spending the allocated funds can be tracked.

Questions regarding the operational details of the pilot programmes should be directed to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine. Regarding the Common Agricultural Programme, it is my understanding that the CAP Strategic Plan is in still in development by the Minister for Agriculture, Food Marine and it is envisaged that a draft plan will be published for a full and thorough public consultation in the coming weeks.

I have been advised by officials at my department that the former National School at Kilgarvan, Co Kerry is owned by the Minister for Finance and was leased to the Trustees of Kilgarvan Community Development Committee in 1982 for a period of 99 years.

The names of the Trustees at the date of signing of the lease will be forwarded to the Deputy.

The OPW is currently undertaking major development and restoration projects at Annes Grove House and Gardens, Castletownroche, Co. Cork with the intention of opening the estate to the public in 2022, subject to necessary permissions and Covid-19 restrictions. As the scale of investment and works is substantial, the OPW plans to open the site on phased basis, beginning with the gardens of the estate.

Since the handover, the OPW has recognised that major investment would be required to restore the gardens, which contains an extensive botanical collection of international repute, and the estate to its former glory. The OPW has spent €2,117,138.77 from 2016 to date on major projects associated with the clearance, development and restoration of the gardens, provision of toilets, car parking and conservation of certain outbuildings on site. This initial phase of investment in capital works will conclude in 2022.

In addition to this budget for works, the OPW has allocated €392,000 annually to Annes Grove for operational expenditure, to cover items such as pay, machinery, general maintenance and operational goods and services.

The OPW also plans to continue to invest in infrastructure and visitor facilities to support the development and growth of Annes Grove into the future subject to the availability of funding. The OPW was awarded €375,000 in grant funding from the Rural Regeneration Development Fund ( to be matched by €125,000 from the OPW) to develop and bring to planning permission a scheme to refurbish the house, outbuildings and create a world-class visitor experience at Annes Grove to rival the very best existing sites throughout Ireland such as at Altamount or Derrynane. This project is currently ongoing and OPW intends to submit a planning application by the end of the year.

From June 7th the resumption of outdoor competition is permitted. Such activity will take place under strict protocols and without spectators. The capacities in individual and non-team focused sports will reflect the nature of the particular sport, the size and scale of proposed venues and the standard operating procedures of the National Governing Bodies (NGBs), in this case Motorsport Ireland.

In the initial stages sports are encouraged to focus on the minimum number of participants required to stage a meaningful event safely. Additional thought will also be required by NGBs if organising events that take place (fully or partially) on public grounds or roads. When planning events NGBs should also seek to engage with other relevant stakeholders such as the Health & Rescue Services, Gardaí and the Local Authorities.

To assist in planning during the initial return, a set of Guiding Principles have been developed in consultation with the Return to Sport Expert Group. These have been distributed to the relevant NGBs. While Sport Ireland and the Return to Sport Expert Group remains available to provide feedback on the COVID-19 elements of competition protocols it is important to note that NGBs and their affiliates will have responsibility for the organisation, sanctioning and monitoring of the events within their own sports. Neither my Department, Sport Ireland nor the Return to Sport Expert Group will play a role in sanctioning these events.

Drive-in cinemas are not allowed to operate under the current regulations under Section 31A of the Health Act 1947 which set out the public health restrictions in place at present.

Subject to the prevailing public health situation, the Government has been delivering a phased easing of public health restrictions over the period since April this year. The Government continues to keep the situation under review with a view to continuing to reopen sectors, services and activities as the public health situation allows. The public health advice prepared by the National Public Health Emergency Team is considered as part of the Government’s decision-making process. Once the Government has taken its decision, the Minister for Health prepares regulations under the Section 31A of the Health Act 1947 .

The Government is cognisant of the significant impact the COVID-19 crisis has and continues to have. The intention is to make steady progress with the reopening of society and the economy while avoiding a further wave of disease and re-imposition of restrictions.

As has been the case at each stage of the easing of restrictions, the set of measures introduced is intended to incrementally re-open the country while minimising the risks of transmission in alignment with risk levels. The Government is cognizant of the impact of any and all restrictions across every sector and fully aware of the challenges individuals and businesses continue to face.

As we progress with the Recovery and Resilience: The Path Ahead plan, work is continuing on a number of other issues in preparation for the coming months. Further re-openings will be considered, in the context of the public health situation, and decided on by Government shortly.

The Sports Capital and Equipment Programme is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.

The 2020 round of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme closed for applications on Monday 1st March. By the closing date, 3,106 applications were submitted seeking over €200m in funding. This is the highest number of applications ever received.

The scoring system and assessment procedures have been finalised and all applications, including the application referred to by the Deputy, are being assessed in accordance with these. Given the large number of applications received this assessment process is likely to take a number of months. As soon as this process is complete all applicants will be informed of the outcome of the assessment of their application.

In October 2019, allocations of funding were announced under the Multi-annual Rural Water Programme 2019-2021. Details of the funding is available on my Department's website at the link under:

www.housing.gov.ie/water/water-services/rural-water-programme/circular-l219-approval-schemesprojects-under-multi-annual

The day to day implementation of the Rural Water Programme is devolved to the local authorities. It is a matter for the local authorities to manage the progress of schemes and projects that were allocated funding under the multi-annual programme.

Details of the progress status on individual projects and schemes is available from the relevant local authority.

The European Union (Energy Performance Of Buildings) Regulations 2019 set higher building energy performance standards for dwellings, in accordance with the Nearly Zero Energy Building requirements (NZEB) contained in the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.

These Regulations apply to works in connection with the design and construction of a new dwelling, where the relevant works commence or take place, as the case may be, on or after 1 November 2019 except where:

- an application is made on or before 31 October 2019 for planning permission or approval pursuant to the Planning and Development Act 2000 and where substantial work has been completed by 31 October 2020; or

- a notice pursuant to the provisions of Part 8 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 has been published on or before 31 October 2019 and where substantial work has been completed by 31 October 2020.

These regulations will continue to support the phase out of fossil fuel boilers in new dwellings by advancing the energy and carbon dioxide emissions performance requirements of new dwellings to Nearly Zero Energy Buildings standards and by requiring that the nearly zero amount of energy required in new buildings is covered to a very significant extent by energy from renewable sources. As this is a mandatory requirement of the building regulations, no grants are available.

Many of the techniques required to achieve NZEB, such as improved fabric and the mandatory requirement for renewables, have been introduced on a gradual basis into Part L of the Building Regulations since 2007.

These incremental improvements have effectively eased the transition and minimized the additional effort required to achieve the NZEB performance for dwellings.

The NZEB requirements make it more attractive for builders and homeowners to further incorporate renewable technologies and move away from traditional fossil fuels.

The Better Energy Homes Scheme for existing dwellings is administered by the Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland (SEAI) under the remit of the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications to help homeowners and landlords reduce their energy costs and emissions by providing grants towards insulation, heating control, solar thermal and photovoltaic improvements. Further details on grant payments and qualifying works are available from the SEAI website at www.seai.ie

The Programme for Government includes a commitment that the Government will develop a scheme between local authorities and Irish Water to provide drinking water fountains nationwide to reduce plastic bottle litter.

In addition, EU Directive 2020/2184 (the Drinking Water Recast Directive) as adopted on 16 December 2020 updates the obligations on Member States in relation to the quality of water intended for human consumption. The objective of this Directive is to protect human health from the adverse effects of any contamination of water intended for human consumption by ensuring that it is wholesome and clean, and to improve access to water intended human consumption. In order to promote the use of tap water intended for human consumption, article 16 of the Directive requires that Member States shall ensure that outdoor and indoor equipment is set up in public spaces, where technically feasible, in a manner that is proportionate to the need for such measures and taking into account specific local conditions, such as climate and geography. Member States must transpose article 16 of the Directive by 12 January 2023.

My Department will implement the commitment in the Programme for Government as part of the transposition and implementation of article 16 of Directive 2020/2184, as described above.

The regulations for the Defective Concrete Blocks Grant scheme came in to operation on 31 January 2020. The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 provide for a grant scheme of financial assistance to support affected homeowners in the counties of Donegal and Mayo only, to carry out the necessary remediation works to dwellings that have been damaged due to the use of defective concrete blocks.

The scheme was informed by the work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the scheme were finalised in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process also took account of the comprehensive engagement that took place between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils, who operate and administer the scheme.

The grant limits agreed on foot of this engagement ensures that the scheme can be budgeted for with the potential financial liability known at all times and also to ensure that the available budget can benefit the majority of properties and the maximum number of people. Mindful that the scheme is being funded from the Exchequer the scope cannot be open ended.

Details of the scheme including remedial options can be found on the link below.

www.gov.ie/en/publication/7cf7f-overview-of-defective-concrete-blocks-grant-scheme/

Funding of €20 million has been provided to administer the scheme in 2021. The scheme will be demand led and the level of funding may vary between the local authorities.

The grant scheme targets a restricted group of homeowners who have no other practicable options to access redress. It is not a compensation scheme. It is provided in order to remediate the issue of the defective blocks or return the building to a condition it would have been in if it hadn’t been affected by the use of deleterious materials in the blockwork, namely Mica or Pyrite.

The application process opened in June 2020 and applicants are progressing through the various stages. I am keeping progress on the scheme under review and engaging with both local authorities and local action groups on the matter.

My Department oversees workforce planning for the local government sector, including the monitoring of local government sector employment levels. To this end, my Department gathers aggregate quarterly data on staff numbers in each local authority on a whole time equivalent basis.

However, granular data, in terms of the detailed breakdown of the number of planning enforcement officers employed by local authorities, is not collected and consequently is not available in my Department.

My Department has not been made aware of any lack of planning enforcement officers in Galway County Council and sanction for additional planning enforcement resources has not been sought from my Department by the Council.

The National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department intends to carry out a review of the issue of pigeon damage to crops during the summer months, including the collection of new scientific data, with a view to informing decisions for future declaration. It was not possible to progress this work last year due to the restrictions imposed by Covid-19.

A derogation in respect of Wild Birds for the period 1 May 2021 to 30 April 2022 was signed on 30 April 2021 and is posted on the website of the NPWS. The wood pigeon is included on the declaration this year. While I have no plans to amend this derogation, my Department is committed to carrying out a review of all the species on the Declaration list on a phased basis. This year, for example, a survey is being undertaken on the gull population.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 156 and 163 together.

The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future includes the specific action to strengthen the regulatory and enforcement mechanisms with regard to short-term letting, and the ongoing approach in this regard is currently being considered. However, as some elements of potential regulation of the short-term letting market fall outside the remit of my Department, I have been in contact with my colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media on this matter. Meetings have taken place at senior official level between the two Departments, which have also involved the participation of Fáilte Ireland, to explore the possibilities of developing new proposals in relation to the regulation of the short-term letting sector.

Further meetings at official level are scheduled in the coming weeks after which it is hoped to submit a Memorandum for Government on this matter in due course.

My Department requests extensive Short-Term Letting (STL) data returns from local authorities on a quarterly basis. Amongst the information requested is the total number of properties identified as potentially in breach of the STL regulations and therefore requiring further consideration. However, local authorities are not required to identify and report on the number of short-term lets returned to the long-term rental market.

Notwithstanding this, my Department has recently requested local authorities to provide statistics for the number of cases which have been satisfactorily resolved (to end Q1 2021); this might be through registration of properties with the relevant local authority, compliance with planning, or ceasing of STL operations.

The table below outlines the information requested in those terms but not all local authorities have provided updated returns. My Department is following up with the relevant local authorities regarding outstanding returns. It should be noted that the figures for the total number of properties identified as potentially in breach of STL regulations are cumulative and may include properties that were identified in multiple quarterly returns.

My Department requests extensive Short-Term Letting (STL) data returns from local authorities on a quarterly basis. These returns include extensive statistics regarding the enforcement and implementation of the STL Regulations and feedback on the impact of Covid-19 in this regard.

Amongst the issues raised in these returns are the effect that Covid-19 has had on the ability of local authorities to investigate properties due to restrictions, as well as the number of properties which have ceased, at least temporarily, to engage in STL as a result of the pandemic.

Some issues regarding the general enforcement of the short-term letting legislation have also been raised and my Department is engaging with the relevant local authorities in this regard.

My Department continues to pursue the outstanding returns from local authorities regarding the implementation and enforcement of short-term letting regulation. To date, 16 of the 22 relevant local authorities have responded, with the remainder expected in the coming days.

My office has received five emails from the office of the Lord Mayor in relation to Report No. 70/2020 - Housing Strategic Policy Committee Report on the Development of Lands at Oscar Traynor Road including one acknowledgement of receipt of my office’s reply.

The initial correspondence from the office of the Lord Mayor requesting a meeting was received on 29 January 2021. A reply was sent on 2 February 2021 stating that until the above proposal had been considered, as Minister, I was not in a position to grant the meeting requested.

Further meeting requests were received from the office of the Lord Mayor on 3 February 2021 and 23 March 2021. These requests were acknowledged by my office on 24 March 2021. A further request for a meeting was received and acknowledged on 19 May 2021.

Dublin City Council’s (DCC) Housing Department’s Director of Service sent the Report No. 70/2020 - Housing Strategic Policy Committee Report on the Development of Lands at Oscar Traynor Road to my Department’s officials for their review and response in due course.

My Department has responded to DCC’s Housing Department acknowledging receipt of the Councillors’ report and requesting that in compliance with the Public Spending Code that DCC provide a Strategic Assessment Report (SAR) to include options based on the new proposed tenure mix. As this project will require in excess of €100m in public spending this SAR will need to be reviewed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s National Investment Office in order to progress Gate 0 Approval to Develop Proposal in line with the Public Spending Code.

Officials in my Department maintain regular engagement with DCC in relation to the Oscar Traynor Road site.

The Affordable Housing Bill 2021 provides for three schemes delivering on the Programme for Government commitment to put affordability at the heart of the housing system and prioritise the increased supply of affordable homes through (1) affordable homes on local authority lands, (2) the introduction of a new form of tenure in Cost Rental, and (3) a new affordable purchase shared equity scheme.

In relation to affordable homes on local authority lands, Section 10 of the Bill sets out the conditions for purchaser eligibility: (i) applicants’ financial means to be within parameters to be prescribed in regulations by me, as Minister, with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, (ii) applicants to be first-time buyers, (iii) applicants not to own or have an interest in dwelling, and (iv) applicants to be legally entitled to reside in the State. It is intended to provide in such regulations that the eligibility threshold will be that the applicant cannot secure a mortgage for 90% of the open market value of the dwelling being made available. Regulations may also require that other savings/assets are taken into account when considering eligibility.

Limited exceptions are provided to conditions (ii) and (iii), to provide as follows: (a) a person applying had previously purchased/built a dwelling as part of a marriage/relationship that has now ended, and that person does not retain a beneficial interest in the dwelling; (b) a person applying had previously purchased a dwelling, but sold it/became divested of it as part of insolvency/bankruptcy proceedings; and (c) a person applying owns or owned a dwelling, but it is now too small/unsuitable for current household needs. Regulations and/or guidelines may also be made in relation to these exceptions.

Regarding Cost Rental, Section 32 of the Bill empowers me, as Minister, to regulate the letting of designated cost rental dwellings. The Minister may prescribe eligibility requirements in respect of tenants and their households, along with the process all landlords must follow when advertising vacant dwellings and entering into tenancies.

In relation to the provision of funding to purchase an equity share in private dwellings, Section 42 of the Bill provides that the Minister may contribute funds to a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the purpose of operating and administering an Affordable Purchase Shared Equity scheme. It also provides that the Minister, may agree the terms by which the equity support may be provided in a memorandum of agreement with the SPV covering, inter alia, areas such as purchaser eligibility and financial means, the homes that may be considered eligible under the scheme, and the amount of funding that can be provided.

Required regulations will be made following the passage of the Bill through the Oireachtas.

The Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland has recently published two reports on residential delivery costs. The Real Cost of New Housing Delivery, published in 2020, and The Real Costs of New Apartment Delivery, published in 2021 respectively provide an analysis based on real market data, on the typical overall cost of development for houses and apartments in the Dublin area.

Each report identifies affordability/viability as a challenge and submits that there is no one solution that will address these issues. The reports set out a number of recommendations in this regard. This Government is committed to putting affordability at the heart of the housing system, as such addressing the cost of housing delivery and the availability and activation of land will be key themes of the new housing strategy ‘Housing for All’. As a whole of Government action plan, it will build on collaborative actions, measures and initiatives already in place.

My Department is committed to ensuring that existing housing stock is utilised to its fullest extent including providing a targeted, effective and co-ordinated approach to identifying and tackling vacancy across Ireland. There are a range of measures to assist in meeting housing needs by ensuring that our existing housing stock is used to the greatest extent possible. My Department published the National Vacant Housing Reuse Strategy, in 2018, which contains a range of objectives and key actions to be pursued in partnership with stakeholders and agencies across the housing sector to address vacancy in our housing stock. The Strategy is underpinned by a number of supports and guidance put in place by my Department to assist in bringing vacant housing stock back into use including:

- The Repair and Leasing Scheme which assists private property owners, local authority and Approved Housing Bodies to utilise existing vacant housing stock throughout the country as social housing. The scheme is targeted at owners of vacant properties who cannot afford or access the funding needed to bring their properties up to the required standard for a rental property. The maximum loan for property repair available under the Repair and Lease Scheme has recently been increased by my Department from €40,000 to €60,000. This increase allows for greater access to the scheme for owners of properties that require more extensive repairs.

- The Buy and Renew Scheme particularly focuses on older vacant homes to help tackle the problem of dereliction and improve the appearance of the community. It provides the option for suitable properties to be purchased by local authorities, rather than leased, if that is the preference of the owners.

- In December 2018 my Department published the Bringing Back Homes Manual for the Reuse of Existing Buildings. Revitalising our main streets through well designed refurbishment of residential units, particularly above shops, could help to rejuvenate smaller town centres and city streets as well as produce more houses.

Securing improved data and analysis on vacancy allows for more robust monitoring of vacancy at a national level and improved outputs at local level. To help record levels of vacancy, a website has been developed by Mayo County Council (vacanthomes.ie) on behalf of the local government sector. This provides a central portal for individuals to anonymously log possible vacant properties and alert local authorities who can then follow up with the owners to see whether the house can be re-used quickly.

To further support this work at local authority level, my Department has secured funding for each local authority to support the work of a Vacant Homes Office. The provision of central funding reinforces the capacity of my Department’s Vacant Homes Unit to liaise with and seek information/statistics from a dedicated contact point within each local authority. The Vacant Homes Office plays a key role in the co-ordination of this work within each local authority.

There have been a number of deaths, in recent months, of people who had been sleeping rough or accessing homeless services. Each of these deaths is a tragedy and I extend my sympathies to the families concerned. The deaths of people availing of homeless services are a concern and are being taken very seriously. It is important that we establish the facts concerning the circumstances involved, and that we base our response on the best knowledge and evidence available. In order to better understand the issue, two separate pieces of research are being undertaken, each with a different focus.

A review of homeless deaths is being undertaken on behalf of the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE) by Dr Austin O’Carroll, the HSE appointed Clinical Lead for Covid-19 and Homelessness in Dublin. The review, which the DRHE has indicated is due for completion imminently, aims to analyse the data concerning deaths in homeless services for 2020 to identify learning for homeless and health services that could help tailor the provision of care to homeless people.

A separate feasibility study on data collection of homeless deaths nationally is being undertaken by the Health Research Board on behalf of the Department of Health. This is due to be completed by the end of 2021. The research is applying the methodology used to compile the National Drug Related Deaths Index, which is a census of drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users and those who are alcohol dependent in Ireland. The data collection for 2019 deaths, including deaths among people who were homeless, is reviewing approximately 17,000 files from all Coroner districts.

It is vital that we continue to deliver the appropriate measures to ensure that all individuals experiencing homelessness are supported to exit into permanent housing solutions and that those with complex health and mental health needs are provided with the supports they need. My Department is working closely with the Department of Health, the HSE and local authorities in respect of these issues.

The Programme for Government includes measures targeted specifically at those experiencing homelessness with complex needs. It commits to the continued expansion of Housing First, and, importantly, ensuring that health and mental health supports are provided. The provision of addiction and mental health supports has featured prominently in meetings of the High Level Homelessness Task Force that I established and in my regular interactions with the Minister for Health. The issue of deaths in homeless services has also been discussed at the Task Force.

Engaging with rough sleepers is vital. This engagement is first and foremost to encourage those rough sleeping to avail of shelter. But critically, it also allows their health needs to be assessed and provided for.

The Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks in Construction (Remediation) (Financial Assistance) Regulations 2020 came in to operation on 31 January 2020 and the resulting Defective Concrete Blocks Grant Scheme has been open for applications since the end of June last year.

The scheme design was informed by the comprehensive work of an Expert Panel and the current maximum grant amounts payable under the various options in the scheme were finalised in close consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This process was also informed by extensive engagement between my Department and both Donegal and Mayo County Councils.

The scheme outlines five remedial options ranging from rebuilding on existing foundations to replacing of external walls. The maximum approved costs per dwelling under the scheme are significant and range from €55,000 to €275,000 depending on the remedial option. A grant of 90% of the approved costs associated with the necessary remediation works, subject to a maximum for each remedial option, or 90% of the actual cost of the remedial works, whichever is the lesser, is available under the scheme. This is in line with how similar Government grant schemes operate or have operated in the past, where an applicant contribution to the costs is a key requirement.

Under the Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Sustainable Rural Housing 2005, planning authorities are required to frame the planning policies in their development plans in a balanced and measured way that ensures the housing needs of rural communities are met, while avoiding excessive urban-generated housing.

I wish to clarify that the ‘Flemish Decree’ was a March 2009 Decree of the Flemish Region (a Federal Region within Belgium), on land and real estate policy, which made the purchase or long-term lease of land (i.e. all immovable property, that included existing, homes, businesses and farms) in certain Flemish communes (local authorities) conditional upon there being a ‘sufficient connection’ between the prospective buyer or tenant and the relevant commune. As such, the Flemish Decree effectively restricted significantly more than development rights in respect of new housing. The broad scope of the Flemish Decree was such that it was successfully challenged in the European Court of Justice, which ruled that it was contrary to EU freedoms.

A working group was established to review and, where necessary, recommend changes to the 2005 Guidelines and this group met on five occasions between May 2017 and January 2019. During this period, in 2018, the National Planning Framework (the NPF) was published and provides an important strategic basis for interpreting the 2005 Guidelines. National Policy Objective (NPO) 15 of the NPF fully supports the concept of the sustainable development of rural areas by encouraging growth and arresting decline in areas that have experienced low population growth or decline in recent decades, while simultaneously indicating the need to manage certain areas around cities and towns.

Work is current underway in preparation of an update of the 2005 Sustainable Rural Housing Guidelines for planning authorities, which were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended). I expect to receive an initial draft guidelines document in the coming weeks. Given the complexity of the issues involved, the need for environmental assessment and both internal and external consultation, I would expect updated guidelines to be available later in 2021.

My Department communicated to planning authorities (Circular letter PL 2/2017) on 31 May 2017, advising that the existing 2005 Guidelines remain in place until advised otherwise by the Department and this remains valid.

This meeting is noted in my official diary, and that of the Minister for Housing, Local Government, and Heritage both of which are published on my Department’s website.

As the Ministers responsible for Town Centres First, Heritage and Urban Renewal policy, Minister O’Brien and I were pleased to receive a presentation from Hammerson of its plans for the regeneration of a very significant portion of the principal street of our capital city and of a hugely rundown area of the adjacent north inner city of Dublin. The site in question, which stretches from the former Carlton Cinema on O’Connell Street to Moore Street, has suffered decades of dereliction and decay with the market traders on Moore Street now facing an existential crisis with their future on the street.

Hammerson has appointed a highly qualified and experienced team of international heritage and architectural experts to draw up the regeneration proposals which, as presented, envisage the retention of a significantly enlarged portfolio of pre-1916 fabric and buildings by comparison to anything previously envisaged. The new plans take account of the unique character and history of the area and include a suite of measures to acknowledge, respect and record the seismic events that occurred in and around Moore Street during Easter Week 1916 and the people who were involved.

I am aware that the company has made the same presentation, which also envisages the creation of up to 8,600 jobs, along with the delivery of significant numbers of new residential units, to the Moore Street Advisory Group (MSAG). The MSAG was established to liaise with stakeholders, including 1916 Relatives, street traders and Hammerson itself, to broker agreed solutions for the renewal of the area that would be sympathetic to its culture, history and traditions.

The MSAG has recently presented its final report to Minister O’Brien and I, putting forward a number of important recommendations on how the street and its market could be rejuvenated and how the national monument buildings at Nos. 14 – 17 could be presented to the public as a 1916 Commemorative Centre. The Deputy’s own party was formally represented on the MSAG by Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh.

The report makes it clear that the MSAG is supportive of the Hammerson plan ‘as it now stands’ on the basis that it ‘preserves the urban heritage whilst simultaneously attempting to consider the need for modernisation in a culturally and historically sensitive manner’ . The report also finds that Hammerson’s current proposals ‘adequately, properly and respectfully acknowledge the role of the area during the 1916 Rising’. I am pleased that Hammerson has engaged constructively with the MSAG and that it has taken the views of the Advisory Group on board in formulating the new plans.

The MSAG has also given a clear recommendation for work on the State owned National Monument buildings to recommence as soon as is possible. Officials from my Department are liaising with the Office of Public Works in this regard and will be considering the report of the Irish Heritage Trust, which was tasked on behalf of the MSAG by my Department, with coming up with recommendations, in that context.

The report of the MSAG has been noted by Cabinet.

The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a flexible and immediate housing support that is available to all eligible households throughout the State. At end Q4 2020 there were nearly 60,000 households in receipt of HAP and over 33,520 separate landlords and agents providing accommodation to households supported by the scheme.

In respect of the provision of HAP funding, Limerick City and County Council provides a highly effective HAP transactional shared service on behalf of all local authorities. This HAP Shared Services Centre (SSC) manages all HAP related rental transactions for the tenant, local authority and landlord. Accordingly, my Department does not recoup individual local authorities in respect of HAP rental payments in their administrative areas but, rather, recoups all landlord costs via the HAP SSC.

Data in relation to the funding provided by the State in 2020 and number of active tenancies, broken down by local authority area, can be found on my Department's website at this link:

www.gov.ie/en/collection/6060e-overall-social-housing-provision/#housing-assistance-payment

This funding represents the portion paid by my Department after receipt of the differential rent which is paid by the tenant to the local authority. It does not include administration costs related to the Scheme.

As the Deputy will be aware, trade and economic promotion is an important part of the work of the Department of Foreign Affairs’ overseas Mission network. The Mission network works to diversify our markets, to increase trade and investment with Ireland, to enable Irish companies to better take advantage of new opportunities, and to support Irish businesses in markets, by providing contacts and information.

Embassies and Consulates General play a crucial role in advancing Ireland’s international trade as part of Team Ireland overseas. They provide support for Ireland’s State Agencies, including through supporting their strategic objectives and activities in overseas markets. The role of the Mission network in supporting the promotion of exports is particularly pertinent in markets with limited or no State Agency presence, such as in the case of the Embassy referenced.

Officers based at all Missions continuously engage in economic and public diplomacy to promote Irish exports and to advance Ireland’s prosperity and raise awareness of Ireland as a place to live, study, work, visit and do business.

In June 2018, the Government launched the Global Ireland initiative, which aims to double the impact and scope of Ireland’s global footprint by 2025. Global Ireland's targets include enhanced global engagement, the expansion of Ireland’s Embassy network and strengthening of Ireland’s State Agency presence overseas. Each of these measures will increase Ireland’s international visibility, facilitate market diversification and intensification, and deepen bilateral relations in support of the Government’s economic and political objectives, including in the context of Brexit.

The trade and economic activity of Missions will be particularly important in the post-Brexit context and in contributing to national prosperity as we, and the world, recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

While trade and economic promotion activity is a key priority for overseas Missions, it is obviously, and should not be, the only priority. The Mission network addresses a range of other priority engagements, including:

- to strengthen political, social and cultural relationships with countries of accreditation;

- to contribute to the promotion of global peace and security, as well as help us to promote our values through, where appropriate, supporting peace building, strengthening conflict prevention accountability for those who violate international human rights or humanitarian law and contributing to prosperity and sustainable development;

- to deepen our engagement with international partners, particularly through multilateral organisations including the United Nations;

- to support and assist Irish citizens and our diaspora abroad, and

- to engage in public diplomacy related to all the above priorities.

The Charter of the United Nations foresees that each Member State of the United Nations will contribute to the costs of running the organisation, generally referred to as UN budget contributions.

Contributions are apportioned based on a scale of assessment designed to reflect the capacity of Member States to pay. At present, Ireland’s scale of assessment is 0.371% of the overall UN Budget. In 2020, Ireland paid just over €30 million in contributions to the UN budget, which includes funding to the UN Regular Budget, UN Peacekeeping Missions and UN Tribunals.

The most recent report from the Secretary General of the United Nations on the financial situation of the United Nations was published in May 2021 (UN documents reference A/75/387/Add.1). In this report, Ireland is listed as one of fifty countries that have paid all assessments that were due and payable at the time of reporting. The report indicates that by the end of 2020, a total of 144 Member States had paid their regular budget assessments in full. As at 31 December 2020, 47 Member States had paid all peacekeeping assessments due and payable.

Article 19 of the UN Charter includes a facility for the loss of voting rights for countries who fall into arrears in the payments of financial contributions to the United Nations. A Member State is considered to have fallen into arrears when it has not paid an amount that equals or exceeds the contributions due for two preceding years. Member States may continue to vote, if the General Assembly is satisfied that non-payment is due to conditions beyond the control of the Member. Information on States in arrears was provided by the UN Secretary General in a letter to the President of the General Assembly in January 2021 (UN Documents Reference A/75/661). This document provided the following information with regard to countries in arrears with payments at that time:

As of 21 May 2021, only five UN Member States were subject to the provisions of Article 19 of the UN Charter. Three of these Member States have been permitted to retain their vote, as they were able to show that conditions beyond their control contributed to this inability to pay.

It is critically important the United Nations remain fully funded. Ireland encourages all Member States to pay their assessed amount in full and in a timely manner.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 172 and 173 together.

On 17 March 2021, the European Commission published its proposal for a Regulation to introduce a ‘Digital Green Certificate’ to facilitate free movement in the EU, described as a common framework for the issuance, verification and acceptance of certificates relating to vaccination, testing and recovery. Trilogue discussions were held between the European Parliament and the Council which concluded last week with the agreement of a text which will now proceed through the remaining stages of the EU legislative process. This includes the renaming of the Digital Green Certificate to the EU Digital COVID Certificate (EUDCC).

The Government has been clear in expressing its support for the EU Digital COVID Certificate proposal and welcomes the agreement now reached between the Council and European Parliament which will enable roll-out of the system and Digital COVID Certificates to begin to be issued to EU citizens in the coming weeks. July 1 has been set as the date for introduction of the system though the legislation now agreed provides a six-week transition period for Member States to complete all arrangements necessary to allow them to issue Certificates. The Minister for Health will advise in due course when the issuance of Digital COVID Certificates can commence in Ireland.

In Ireland, work to prepare for the implementation of the EUDCC continues in parallel to the legislative work and is being led by the Department of Health. The Department of Health are making all necessary operational, legal and communication arrangements accompanying the introduction of this regulation. The Department of Health hold regular meetings with the HSE to plan and discuss the technical development of the system and engage regularly with EU counterparts through the eHealth Network. A Senior Officials Sub-Group has also been established by the Department of the Taoiseach involving a broad range of Departments to establish national policy in relation to the proposal.

With regards to Ireland’s non-membership of the Schengen Area, the regulation now agreed focuses on facilitating free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic and also includes provisions, with a Schengen legal basis, for Third Country Nationals (TCN) legally staying or residing in EU Member States. The relevant element for Ireland in the regulation ensures that certs issued to third-country nationals resident in Ireland will be automatically recognised by Schengen Member States provided that Ireland recognises in a reciprocal manner. It is intended to ensure that the 300,000 third-country nationals who are legally staying or legally residing in Ireland are eligible to be issued such certificates in line with the regulation and work is underway by Department of Health regarding this matter.

The repeal of the Presidential Order under section 212 F of the US Immigration and Nationality Act 1952 is solely a matter for US authorities. However, ease of travel is vital to our economic relationships and for building connections across the Atlantic. Ireland is deeply committed to people-to-people links with the US. We will work to ensure that the restrictions will not have any long-term impact on existing channels of migration, exchange and tourism which benefit our countries significantly.

Although US immigration regulation is a matter for the US authorities, my Department has continued to encourage the US Embassy to maintain the processing of applications for exemptions to their travel restrictions for those travelling to the US for medical reasons. I have also raised the issue of resumption of travel between our two countries in my contacts with the US Administration, including during my meeting with US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, on Monday of this week. We agreed that it is important that we restore connectivity with the US, as soon as it is feasible, and safe, to do so.

My Department has a very strong and positive working relationship with the US Chargé d’affaires and her team at the US Embassy in Dublin. We continue to engage closely with the Embassy, and with the US State Department via our Embassy in Washington D.C., including with regard to travel, and the associated restrictions, between the two countries.

We are particularly keen that the current travel restrictions will not negatively impact the future of the J1 and Working Holiday Agreement programmes. I look forward to the time when we will work with the US again to promote travel between our countries, once COVID-19 crisis has abated, and in accordance with public health advice.

I am advised by the Passport Service that a search was completed for a passport application using the details supplied by the Deputy but no application was found as the application number is not valid.

The Passport Service will be happy to provide information and guidance to the person in question. The Passport Service operates a Customer Service Hub which provides information via telephone and WebChat. The telephone number for the Customer Service Hub is 01 671 1633 and WebChat can be accessed through the Passport Service's website. Telephone lines operate from 8am till 5pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays) and webchat is available from 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday (excluding bank holidays).

All passport applications are subject to the terms of the Passports Act 2008, as amended (“the 2008 Act“). Section 7(1)(a) of the 2008 Act states that a person must be an Irish citizen in order for the Minister to issue a passport to that person. Accordingly, every applicant for a passport must submit a complete application form with supporting documents positively confirming, among other things, that that person is an Irish citizen and as such is entitled to a passport.

I note the challenge of meeting the requirements of the 2008 Act in this particular case. An individual may also apply for Irish citizenship through naturalisation, for which minimum residency terms must be satisfied. The Department of Justice is responsible for citizenship matters, including applications for naturalisation.

With regard to the specific application, and in the current circumstances as the applicant was not able to provide the required supporting documents, arrangements will be made to refund the passport fee paid.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 177 and 179 together.

UN Security Council Resolution 2334, adopted on 23 December 2016, calls on all States to distinguish, in their relevant dealings, between the territory of the State of Israel and the territories occupied since 1967. The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary General on the Middle East Peace Process reports to the UN Security Council on the implementation of this Resolution.

Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, and will continue to do so.

In keeping with differentiation, Ireland’s bilateral agreements with Israel do not apply to territories occupied by Israel in 1967.

The Department of Foreign Affairs ensures that there is information available for the public and companies regarding Ireland's policy on settlements via the Department's website. A whole of Government approach is applied to the policy of differentiation and my Department also supports other Government Departments by providing guidance and clarification on the policy of differentiation.

Ireland is wholly opposed to Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, which are contrary to international law, and is committed to upholding relevant UN Security Resolutions on settlements. It is critical however that action against settlements must be both lawful and well-considered, since actions which are not fully thought-through risk ultimately being unwound, thereby undermining the cause they aim to support.

In March 2016, the UN Human Rights Council adopted Resolution 31/36, calling upon the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights to produce a database of all business enterprises involved in activities relating to Israeli settlements in occupied Palestinian territory.

The terms of the Resolution as adopted by the UN Human Rights Council were very broad, with the associated risk that this could potentially lead to unfair and counter-productive outcomes. The EU Members of the HRC therefore abstained in the vote on the Resolution. Despite these reservations, Ireland fully cooperated with requests for assistance by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in the task they had been assigned.

Ireland has always sought to protect the independence of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights and notes the High Commissioner’s commitment to discharge the mandate of the HRC Resolution 31/36 in a legally, factually and methodological sound manner. The database was published by the High Commissioner for Human Rights in February 2020. The Human Rights Council did not specify implications for entities listed in the database or put forward recommendations on how the information therein be used. In her report to the Human Rights Council’s 46th Session, the High Commissioner reported that it was not possible for her Office to update the database on an annual basis due to the substantial resource implications.

The situation is unavoidably unchanged since my reply of 21 April to the original question. COVID-19 restrictions on physical attendance at Departmental premises continue to prevent my staff from accessing the physical files required to compile data for the pre-2015 period.

My Department will make direct contact with the Deputy at a later stage with regard to the remainder of the data requested.

Ireland strongly condemns the forced landing of a Ryanair aircraft by the Belarusian authorities on 23 May. It is clear that this action was taken with the sole purpose of detaining a journalist whose views are critical of the Lukashenko regime. These totally unacceptable actions put the safety of the passengers and crew at risk.

Ireland calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Roman Protasevich, Sofia Sapega and all those unjustly detained in Belarus.

I have raised our concerns over this incident in my contacts with EU and international partners and my Department has made our objections clear to the Belarusian Embassy in London.

On Monday 24 May, the Taoiseach discussed this incident with other EU leaders. On foot of those discussions, EU Leaders agreed on concrete steps to protect our citizens and to hold those responsible for this outrageous incident accountable for their actions. Measures agreed upon include a call for an immediate International Civil Aviation Organization investigation, additional sanctions, advising EU airlines to avoid Belarusian airspace and a move to ban Belarusian airlines from EU airspace.

Lukashenko holds no democratic legitimacy and has shown a flagrant disregard for international law. Ireland remains steadfast in our solidarity with the Belarusian people and in our support for their right to determine the future of their country.

Our new Consulate General in Manchester will be operational from 1 July 2021. I plan to formally open this diplomatic Mission later this year.

To advance preparations for the Mission, a site visit to Manchester and Liverpool was undertaken last week by my officials. They visited the temporary premises that has been secured for the Consulate General, adjacent to Enterprise Ireland's Manchester Office. They also met with local officials and representatives of EU Consulates General based in Manchester.

In March this year, the Government approved the appointment of a Consul General for the North of England and, more recently, a Vice Consul has been appointed to support the work of the Consulate.

The opening of this new Consulate General for the North of England is delivering on our Global Ireland 2025 agenda to double Ireland's global influence and on commitments made in the Programme for Government. It will demonstrate our commitment to strengthening the British-Irish relationship following the UK’s departure from the EU. Working in partnership with Enterprise Ireland, the Consulate General will support the development of Irish commercial relations with UK’s Northern Powerhouse, a region that claims to be Europe’s 10th largest economy. Ireland’s commercial relationship with the UK remains extremely important and the UK is a key market for many Irish firms. Alongside our Embassy in London, the new Consulate will also work to engage with the North of England's dynamic Irish community.

We have been investing in our presence in the UK for some years. In 2019, Ireland's Consulate General in Cardiff was reopened and Enterprise Ireland opened its office in Manchester. Our Consulate General in Cardiff has recently moved to permanent premises and a formal opening for this Mission is also being planned as pandemic restrictions reduce.

The Government is committed to ensuring that our Embassy in London, already Ireland’s largest bilateral Mission, is properly resourced. The Department of Finance, the Department of Justice, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, the Revenue Commissioners and An Garda Síochána are now part of the Embassy team. The need to further develop Ireland's footprint and presence is being kept under ongoing review.

The full implementation and effective operation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent Agreements is an utmost priority for this Government.

The various measures included in the package agreed at Weston Park in August 2001 addressed four issues to assist in the successful implementation of the Good Friday Agreement: policing, normalisation, the stability of the institutions and decommissioning.

As part of the Weston Park agreement both Governments also accepted that certain legacy cases remained a source of grave public concern, particularly those giving rise to serious allegations of collusion by the security forces in each of our jurisdictions, namely the murders of Chief Superintendent Harry Breen and Superintendent Bob Buchanan, Pat Finucane, Lord Justice and Lady Gibson, Robert Hamill, Rosemary Nelson and Billy Wright.

Former Canadian Supreme Court Judge, Justice Peter Cory, was appointed in May 2002 to conduct an investigation of allegations of collusion by the security forces in those six cases.

In all those cases where Justice Cory subsequently recommended the establishment of public inquiries, they have been held, with the exception of the case of Pat Finucane.

In October 2011, the British Government announced that Desmond de Silva QC would conduct a legal review of the murder of Pat Finucane. The review was proposed as an alternative to the independent public inquiry which had been recommended by Judge Cory.

The report of the de Silva review was published in December 2012. In the report de Silva set out his findings of collusion in the murder by a number of State agents but he did not find any collusion at a political level. Speaking in Westminster on the day of the launch, PM Cameron described the findings as ‘shocking’ and apologised to the Finucane family. The Taoiseach and Tánaiste reiterated the Irish Government position on the need for an independent public inquiry into the murder in accordance with the Weston Park Agreement.

In February 2019, the UK Supreme Court found that Pat Finucane’s widow Geraldine had a legitimate expectation that a public inquiry into her husband’s murder would be held, and that there has not been an Article 2-compliant inquiry into the case.

As part of its commitment to the Weston Park Agreement, the Government has consistently supported the establishment of a public inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, as provided for under the Agreement reached by the UK and Irish Governments in 2001.

I have conveyed to the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland the Government’s disappointment with his decision not to hold a public inquiry into the Finucane case at that time, and underlined our consistent position that a public inquiry remains the way forward.

The Government will continue to engage with the Finucane family, with the Council of Europe in Strasbourg and with the UK Government to work towards a satisfactory resolution of this matter. So too will we continue to work in support of the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and all subsequent agreements to realise the full promise of peace and deeper societal reconciliation.

Last month saw the 47th anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, in which thirty-three people were killed and hundreds seriously injured; the largest loss of life on a single day in the Troubles.

The Government will continue to seek the full truth of these appalling attacks, and some measure of closure for those affected, in accordance with the three Motions passed unanimously by Dáil Éireann.

The All-Party motion on the 1974 Dublin Monaghan bombings that was adopted by the Dáil on 25 May 2016, like those adopted in 2008 and 2011, calls on the British Government to allow access by an independent, international judicial figure to all original documents relating to the Dublin and Monaghan bombings, as well as the Dublin bombings of 1972 and 1973, the bombing of Kay’s Tavern in Dundalk and the murder of Seamus Ludlow.

The Government is committed to actively pursuing the implementation of these All-Party Dáil motions. We have consistently raised the issue with the British Government, including at the British-Irish Inter-Governmental Conference. The Government will continue to engage with the British Government on this request, at senior political level and in official level engagement by my Department, to pursue all possible avenues to achieve progress on this issue until a resolution is found.

In this regard, the Government has welcomed the work of former Chief Constable Jon Boutcher, who is heading an Independent Police Team to conduct an analytical report on collusion in what has become known as the Glenanne Gang series of cases. This is very relevant to a number of cases including the Dublin and Monaghan bombings. The Government will be supportive of facilitating this investigation, subject to the requirements of the law, as we have other investigative processes in Northern Ireland.

The Government will also continue to maintain a close and cooperative relationship with Justice for the Forgotten, as we work to seek the full facts of the appalling events of 25 May 1974 and of other attacks in this jurisdiction during the Troubles.

The Occupied Territories Bill would not be compatible with EU law, and would not be implementable. This is the clear legal advice on this matter. The Government will therefore not be taking it forward.

We have supported legal avenues to differentiate between settlements and Israel, for example by joining a case before the European Courts in 2019 on labelling of certain goods produced in settlements. Ireland has consistently and strongly opposed settlements, and will continue to do so.

The murder of Gavin McShane and Shane McArdle in Armagh City on 17 May, 1994, was a senseless tragedy. Following the 27th anniversary of their deaths last week, I would like to extend my heartfelt condolences and those of the Government to the McShane and McArdle families.

It is particularly frustrating for the McShane and McArdle families that, 27 years on, the full truth about what happened on that day, and who may have been responsible for the murders of Gavin and Shane, has still not been established. I know that they, like so many families, have continued to engage in tireless work to seek justice for their loved ones.

The framework agreed at Stormont House in 2014 provided for a set of institutions to deal comprehensively and fairly with the legacy of the Troubles, including mechanisms for independent investigations and truth recovery.

Unfortunately this has not yet been implemented. The Government remains ready to engage and work with the British Government and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive in partnership on this very important issue in the period immediately ahead, with a view to reaffirming a collective approach that is consistent with the Stormont House Agreement framework.

Where the UK Government are proposing significant changes to that framework, we have made clear that these must be discussed and agreed by both Governments and the parties to the Northern Ireland Executive.

Only through a collective approach can we hope to deal with these issues comprehensively and fairly, and in a way that responds to the needs of victims and survivors, for families like the McShane and McArdle families who want to see truth and justice for Gavin and Shane, and for society as a whole.

In accordance with the legislative requirements of the Air Navigation (Foreign Military Aircraft) Order 1952, all foreign military aircraft wishing to overfly or land in the State require the permission of the Minister for Foreign Affairs. A request is received by the Department of Foreign Affairs from the relevant embassy of the visiting/overflying foreign aircraft. This request is then forwarded to a number of parties including the Department of Defence and the Department of Justice for observations. In the Department of Defence's case this will also involve confirmation that an aircraft can be facilitated for landing at Casement Aerodrome if part of the request.

I can confirm that permission was granted for the USAF C-17 to land at Baldonnel on Tuesday 18th May 2021, on a refuelling stop as part of a crew training mission en-route to the UK.

The provision of diplomatic clearance to foreign military and State aircraft to land and overfly the State is subject to strict conditions. Permission was granted in this case subject to the conditions that routinely apply to landings at Irish airports by foreign military aircraft; namely that the aircraft is unarmed, carries no arms, ammunition or explosives and does not engage in intelligence gathering, and that the flight in question does not form any part of a military exercise or operation.

I am advised that over the last three years the Air Corps has acceded to requests, subject to the relevant approvals from the Department of Foreign Affiars, from the UK Royal Air Force and a number of EU partners including the Polish Air Force, the Slovenian Air Force, the Swedish Air Force and the Italian Air Force to use Casement Aerodrome .

The United Nations reimburses some personnel and Contingent Owed Equipment costs in respect of contributions to UN led operations. Rates of reimbursement, fixed in accordance with UN categories of equipment and personnel, are agreed in a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UN for each mission. The only missions for which Ireland has received reimbursement of some troop and equipment costs are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) on the Golan Heights.

The timing of the receipt of reimbursements is dependent on the financial situation at the UN. Reimbursements are received in arrears.

The amount received from the United Nations in 2020 was €13.2m. All outstanding reimbursements due in respect of 2020 were received in the first quarter of 2021.

The Defence Forces Built Infrastructural Programme 2020-2025 (IDP) was published in January 2020. This Programme, which is a 5 year plan, provides a blueprint for investment in the Defence Forces built infrastructure over a multi annual timeframe. Over the course of the programme it is projected that some €145m will be allocated to ensure programme delivery.

This year’s allocation of €37m to both building projects and maintenance projects represents a significant increase over previous years and is the highest level allocated since the economic crash in 2008/09.

The following projects were delivered/completed in 2020: –

2020 Capital Infrastructure Accomplishments- Completed Projects

- Upgrade and refurbishment works to the Apprentice Hostel in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel, Co. Dublin; €3.3 million

- Upgrade of 1 and 2 Blocks Accommodation facilities at Cathal Brugha Barracks, Rathmines, Dublin; €2.8 million

- Upgrade of 7 Block Accommodation facility in Connolly Barracks at the Defence Forces Training Centre; € 2 million

- Upgrade of the Oil Wharf and installation of Fire Detection and Firefighting System at the Naval Base, Haulbowline; €2.9m.

The following projects are at various stages from design team planning to construction for progression from 2021 onwards:

The IDP is intended to be a rolling plan and to ensure relevancy is maintained the plan provides for annual reviews over its lifespan. The first annual review was recently completed and the following six projects are included in the plan for 2026 progression.

1. Stephens Bks, Kilkenny- Construction of a New locker facility

2. McKee -CIS Office Accommodation Consolidation

3. DFTC - New Bonded Warehouse Building

4. DFTC - Military Medical facility and Medical School Upgrde

5. Casement – Central Locker Block - upgrade Building 12

6. Haulbowline - Main Workshops Dockyard

The Programme for Government committed to an independent Commission to undertake a comprehensive review of the Defence Forces and to include the following matters:

- Arrangements for the effective defence of the country at land, air and sea.

- Structure and size of the Defence Forces encompassing capabilities, structures and staffing.

- Appropriate governance and high level command and control.

- Pay and allowances structures.

- Recruitment, retention and career progression.

- Leverage the capabilities of the Reserve Defence Force in their supports to the Permanent Defence Force and make service in the RDF more attractive.

This independent Commission on the Defence Forces was established by Government in December 2020, with a mandate to report within 12 months. The Government also approved the Terms of Reference, based on the Programme for Government, and the membership of the Commission. The Commission’s overall approach will be guided and informed by both the White Paper on Defence 2015 and the White Paper Update 2019.

As part of a broader consultation process, the Commission invited submissions from individuals and organisations on issues relevant to its Terms of Reference. The Commission received over 500 submissions which it is currently analysing.

The Commission has been established as an independent body and, while it is a matter entirely for the Commission, I understand that the Commission has met with a broad stakeholder group including the Defence Forces Representative Associations, commissioned and enlisted members of the Defence Forces, senior officials and personnel from my Department and the Defence Forces as well as other groups. Site visits to Military locations by members of the Commission has already taken place and I understand that further site visits have been scheduled if Covid restrictions permit.

The Chairman of the Commission, Mr. Aidan O'Driscoll, also met with members of the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on the 20th April to discuss the on-going work of the Commission. Following the work of the Commission the Programme for Government commits to the establishment of a Permanent Pay Review body for the Defence Forces which must be consistent with national public sector wage policy.

The establishment of an independent Commission on the Defence Forces underpins the Government's commitment to ensuring that the Defence Forces are fit for purpose, both in terms of meeting immediate requirements and also in terms of seeking to develop a longer term vision beyond 2030. The Commission is to submit its report by the end of the year and it will be considered fully at that time.

Since this occurrence in 2017, officials from both my Department and the local authority have been in regular and continuing contact with a view to resolving this matter to the satisfaction of all parties. I am advised that Kildare County Council has acknowledged that the results of the environmental assessment carried out on the site adjacent to Donnelly's Hollow show no evidence of any environmental pollution at that location.

The Deputy can be assured that my officals are continuing to engage with the local authority on the issue.

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.

As part of the 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010-2030, my Department has committed to creating opportunities for expanding Irish-medium education outside the Gaeltacht in the context of the April 2018 announcement on the establishment of new schools from 2019 to 2022, which will afford particular consideration to the establishment of Gaelscoileanna, Gaelcholáistí, and Aonaid Lán-Ghaeilge as part of the new patronage process.

Following the announcements since April 2018, my Department has developed a new Online Patronage Process System (OPPS), which provides objective information and allows parents to express their preferences in relation to the patronage and language of instruction, i.e. Irish or English, of these new schools (with the exception of those schools which have been designated as Irish-medium gaelscoileanna in advance of the OPPS opening for parents). Parental preferences, as well as other considerations such as the extent of diversity of provision in an area (including Irish-medium provision), are key to the decision-making process.

In addition, in September 2019, the Government announced measures to increase access to Irish-medium education as part of the patronage process, including that five new primary schools being established from 2020-2022 are being designated for Irish-medium education. This step is part of a framework which includes:

- Designating the language of a new primary school as Irish in some circumstances;

- Testing (on a pilot basis) the potential to cater for demand for English and Irish medium provision through, for example, delivering two 8-classroom primary schools (one English-medium and one Irish-medium) in a shared building/campus rather than delivering one 16-classroom primary school, subject to factors such as demand and site conditions;

- Exploring the potential to expand existing Irish-medium primary schools to meet unmet demand in an area;

- Providing opportunities for patrons of existing primary schools to change the language of instruction from English to Irish, such as is envisaged as part of the Schools Reconfiguration for Diversity process.

Details of schools that provide education through the medium of Irish are available on my Department's website www.education.ie.

There is currently 6 Gaelscoil catering for the Dublin 1, 7 and 9 areas.

Details of the places available at the school are outlined below:

- Gaelscoil Colaiste Mhuire Dublin 1 - currently caters for 8 mainstream teachers and there is a building project planned to provide a 16-classroom school at stage 2b of architectural planning.

- Scoil Caoimhin Dublin 1 - currently caters for 3 mainstream teachers and there is spare capacity in this school.

- Gaelscoil Barra Dublin 7 - This school was provided with a new school in 2017 and caters for 10 mainstream teachers.

- Scoil Mobhi Dublin 9 - this school has capacity for 10 mainstream classes.

- Gaelscoil Bhaile Munna Dublin 9 - this school was provided with a new 8-classroom school in 2017

- Gaelscoil Aine in Drumcondra/Marino/Dublin 1 - recently opened in 2019 in interim accommodation and will be providing for a 8-classroom school in the long term.

The criteria for the award of incremental credit to recognised teachers was agreed under the auspices of the Teachers Conciliation Council (TCC). This Council is comprised of representatives of teachers, school management, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Department of Education. The Council is chaired by an official of the Workplace Relations Commission.

The criteria for the award of incremental credit is laid out in my Department’s Circulars 10/2001 for Primary teachers, 29/2007 and 29/2010 for Post-Primary teachers.

These circulars provide for the award of incremental credit for service given within the EU. While the circulars provide for the award of incremental credit in respect of teaching service in private primary schools outside the EU no provision is made for the award of incremental credit in respect of teaching service given in private post primary schools outside of the European Union.

The teachers unions have lodged a number of claims at TCC in relation to incremental credit, including one in relation to recognising private teaching service, given by post-primary teachers, outside the EU. TCC agreed to establish a sub-Committee to consider the claims. The claims are still under consideration.

I can confirm that the post in the school referred to by the Deputy has been approved for the 2021/22 school year.

In relation to the schools to which the Deputy refers I can confirm that my Department Officials have been engaging with the relevant school authorities to ensure that the shared space in their interim accommodation location meets the needs of all stakeholders on the site and I can confirm that there will still be sufficient open space for all.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 198 and 199 together.

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September. The staffing schedule operates in a clear and transparent manner and treats all similar types of schools equally irrespective of location.

For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical low ratio. In addition, a three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021. These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.

My Department has published a suite of helpful guidance for the safe and sustainable operation of schools including illustrative Primary Classroom Layouts to facilitate physical distancing requirements for primary schools. Each school should use their COVID-19 Response Plan for the safe operation through the prevention, early detection and control of COVID-19 in line with the public health advice. This guidance is focused on the practical steps school must take to minimise the risk of transmission of infection.

The configuration of classes and the deployment of classroom teachers are done at local school level. The Department's guidance to schools is that the number of pupils in any class is kept as low as possible taking all relevant contextual factors into account (e.g. classroom accommodation, fluctuating enrolment etc.).

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. My Department has not received a staffing appeal from the school referred to by the Deputy. The next meeting of the Primary Staffing Appeals Board will be held in June. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 200 and 201 together.

My Department provides funding to schools towards the cost of equipment and specialist software for educational purposes under the Assistive Technology scheme, as set out in my Department's Circular 0010/2013.

In order to qualify for equipment under the Assistive Technology scheme, a child must have been diagnosed with a physical or communicative disability and must also have a recommendation in a professional assessment that the equipment is essential in order to allow the child to access the curriculum. It must also be clear that the existing I.T. equipment in the school is insufficient to meet the child's needs.

Provision of Grant Aid towards the provision of specialist equipment for use in the home is outside the remit of my Department and should instead be addressed to the Health Service Executive (HSE). Parents can access information on this through their local Health Centre, contact information is available on www.HSE.ie

Under the Teaching Council Acts 2001-2015 the Teaching Council is the body with statutory authority and responsibility for the regulation of the teaching profession in Ireland including the registration of teachers in the State.

The Teaching Council registers teachers in line with the requirements set out in the Teaching Council Act 2001-2015 and the Teaching Council (Registration) Regulations 2016.

The Teaching Council registers teachers under four routes of registration: Primary, Post-primary, Further Education and Other. In order to be entered on the Register of Teachers under Post-primary, registrants are required to hold an accredited initial teacher education qualification in addition to holding relevant qualifications for at least one post-primary curricular subject. These requirements were previously set out in the Registration Regulations 2009.

The Teaching Council inform me that where an applicant for registration does not hold a teacher education qualification, Further Education is the only route of registration that can be offered. If a registrant under Further Education subsequently completes an accredited initial teacher education qualification suitable for post-primary teaching and holds qualifications that meet the post-primary curricular subject requirements, then they may apply for registration under Post-primary, and provide the requisite evidence of such qualifications.

The person referred to by the Deputy should continue to liaise directly with the Teaching Council and follow their guidance regarding their registration.

A new special school is due to open in the property referred to by the Deputy for the 2021/2022 school year.

My Department and the National Council for Special Education are working closely with the Patron and the management team appointed by the Patron, on the practical arrangements associated with the establishment of the school. These arrangements relate to a range of matters including accommodation refurbishment, staff recruitment and training, funding and communication with parents.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the Teaching Council initiated a review of its post-primary curricular subject requirements in 2018 in the context of a range of factors. In its review, the Council took a whole system view considering the needs and diversity of the profession. In this regard, the diversity of stakeholder views was taken into account during the comprehensive consultation process. In the revision of the curricular subject requirements, standards have been maintained and safeguarded whilst granularity has been removed to enhance responsiveness and agility to system needs.

The curricular subject requirements set out minimum standards that must be met for the purposes of registration with the Council as a post-primary teacher. The requirements provide HEIs with flexibilities in the design of their academic programmes and provides for them to continue to structure such programmes in the way that they wish.

In relation to the subject of History, the requirements provide that applicants must hold a degree level qualification with History studied up to and including third year level; the study of Irish History is required and the studies must show that the holder has acquired sufficient knowledge, skills and understanding to teach the History syllabus/specification to the highest level in post-primary education.

A new special school is due to open in the property referred to by the Deputy for the 2021/2022 school year.

My Department and the National Council for Special Education are working closely with the Patron and the management team appointed by the Patron, on the practical arrangements associated with the establishment of the school. These arrangements relate to a range of matters including accommodation refurbishment, staff recruitment and training, funding and communication with parents.

The key factor for determining the level of staffing resources provided at individual school level is the staffing schedule for the relevant school year and pupil enrolments on the previous 30 September.

For the 2021/22 school year, an improvement of one point in the appointment threshold in primary schools has been introduced and schools will be provided with class teachers on the basis of of 1 teacher for every 25 pupils which is a historical low ratio. In addition, a three point reduction in the retention scale has also been introduced for September 2021. These measures will help to ensure that less pupils are required to recruit or retain a teacher.

The staffing process contains an appeals mechanism for schools to submit a staffing appeal under certain criteria to an independent Primary Staffing Appeals Board. The school referred to by the Deputy submitted a staffing appeal which was deemed ineligible by the Appeals Board as the grounds of the appeal did not meet the published appeals criteria. The school has been notified of this decision. The Primary Staffing Appeals Board operates independently of the Department and its decision is final. However, if the school's projected pupil enrolment for 2021/22 has increased since the appeal application, it is open to the school to resubmit an appeal to the June meeting of the Appeals Board with the updated enrolment.

The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy has been assigned to my Department’s Design & Build delivery programme. This delivery programme uses a professional external Project Manager to progress the project through the relevant stages of architectural planning, tender and construction.

The design stage is nearing completion and the Project Manager for the Design & Build programme is working towards submission of the planning application in Quarter 2 2021. An on-line meeting to share the plans with the school representatives has been held.

Until such time as planning permission has been secured, it will not be possible to provide a timeline for progression of the project to tender and construction stages.

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.

SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.

It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The exceptional review process was introduced for mainstream classes in the 2019/20 school year. Schools were notified of the arrangements from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, when SNA allocations were frozen, and automatically rolled over to the following school year.

The arrangements also included the following provisions:

- A diagnosis of a disability, or a psychological or other professional report, is not necessary for this process.

- The role of the SNA to support the care needs of students in mainstream classes as set out in Circular 0030/14, remains unchanged

Subsequently, in order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations, existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 will be maintained and will automatically rollover into the 2021/22 school year.

It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014.

Priority consideration will now be given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year, in particular, applications from schools with no SNAs and developing schools will be prioritised. Determinations will be made before 30 June. Other applications will be processed in order of date received.

As in previous years, where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for an exceptional review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website ncse.ie/for-schools

The NCSE has published SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.

SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.

Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.

The provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 have been extended for the 2021/22 school year.

Circular 0029/2021 and Circular 0030/2020 are available on the Departments website.

The information requested is not held by the Department and I will refer the Deputy's question to the NCSE for their direct reply.

A new model for allocating Special Education Teachers to mainstream schools was introduced from September 2017, based on the profiled needs of schools.

The allocations were updated for schools with effect from September 2019, with limited readjustments being applied for at that time.

The allocations have remained in place for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 school years, with some adjustments made over the course of the model for schools which achieved developing status, or successfully appealed on the grounds of exceptional circumstances arising in their schools. Allocations are also provided for new schools which open each year.

DES Circulars 007 and 008 2019, stated that the allocations being made for 2019 would initially remain in place for a minimum of two years, following which, revised profiled allocations would be considered for schools from September 2021.

The NCSE Policy advice ‘A Proposed new Model for Allocating Teaching Resources for Students with Special Educational Needs (2014)’ on which the SET allocation model is based, recommended that ‘the additional teaching supports be left in place initially for a two-year period. As the new model becomes embedded in the system, this may be extended to three years.’

In order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations, the Minister for Education and the Minister for Special Education and Inclusion have agreed to maintain the existing Special Education Teacher Allocations for schools for the 2021/22 school year, with re profiled allocations now due to be made from September 2022.

Additional allocations will continue to be made for new schools, schools which achieve developing status, or for exceptional circumstances arising in schools, in the interim.

The criteria for qualification for mainstream school developing school posts are set out in the Primary and Post Primary School Staffing Schedule for the 2021/22 school year.

Schools who qualify for additional mainstream developing school posts in accordance with these criteria also qualify for additional Special Education Teaching Allocations to take account of this developing status.

There are now over 13,600 Special Education Teachers allocated to mainstream primary and post primary schools.

This represents an increase of 40% in the total number of special education teachers allocated to schools since 2011, at which time 9740 teachers were allocated.

Maintaining the existing allocations of Special Education Teachers for the 2021/22 school year means that schools will not have to engage in an extensive redeployment of posts, or re-clustering, this year.

It also means that schools will have greater levels of certainty as to the staff that they will have in place for September.

No school will see a cut, or reduction, to their special education teaching support next year.

Where schools have growing enrolments year on year, they will receive an increased allocation, pending the next re-profiling.

Even in circumstances where some schools were anticipating a greater level of increase year on year, if full re profiling had occurred next year, the increased allocations for developing status combined with the existing allocation of the school will show an increased overall teacher allocation for these schools in 2021/22.

The allocations for 2021/22 which are being maintained comprise the allocations which were made for schools from September 2019 plus any additionality achieved since plus any developing hours for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 school years.

It is also acknowledged that there are some circumstances, which may arise in schools, which fall outside the allocations for developing school status.

These relate to exceptional or emergency circumstances which could not have been anticipated e.g. where the school profile changes very significantly, or where other exceptional circumstances have arisen in a school and which may require a review of schools capacity to provide additional teaching support for all pupils who need it in the school, or of their utilisation of their allocations.

A process is available where schools can seek a review of their allocations by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), including the utilisation of their allocations, in circumstances where a school considers that very exceptional circumstances have arisen subsequent to the development of the profile.

If a school wishes to make an exceptional needs review, they may do so at the following link: ncse.ie/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Primary-Schools-Review-Application-2020.doc

The School Inclusion Model (SIM) is based on policy advice from the National Council for Special Education based on the principle of providing the right support at the right time delivered by a range of personnel with relevant qualifications and skill-sets. Its purpose is to help students achieve better outcomes. Independent evaluation is a central part of the project and the outcome will inform future policy on extending the SIM. The project includes a number of elements:

- Provision of in-school therapies (speech and language, occupational)

- Allocation of SNAs on a frontloaded basis

- Additional professional supports for the school including psychology, behavioural and professional development

- Training of SNAs

In February 2019, the Government approved the trialling of the Model for the 2019/20 school year. Initially designed as a one year pilot involving up to 75 participating schools in the CHO 7 region, it was interrupted by Covid-19 with the closure of schools and the diversion of HSE therapists from the project to Covid related work. It was then extended to the 2020/21 school year which has also been interrupted by Covid.

Progress has been made on aspects of the Model but much remains to be done in terms of in-school implementation and evaluation.

As part of the 2021 Budget measures, funding is being made available to extend the School Inclusion Model to two other areas in 2021.

Planning is underway on the arrangements for the continuation and expansion of SIM.

On 17 February this year, I confirmed that Leaving Certificate 2021 examinations will proceed and that students will also have the option of applying for grades accredited by the State Examinations Commission (SEC), to be known as SEC-Accredited Grades. This decision, and the decision to adopt a model of Calculated Grades for the Leaving Certificate class of 2020, were made in response to the exceptional circumstances resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, including the disruption to face to face learning experienced by all students.

This decision to introduce the process of accredited grades followed intensive engagement with education stakeholders, both bilaterally and through the Advisory Group on Planning for State Examinations 2021.

It is important to note that the exceptional measures adopted in 2020 and 2021 do not represent a precedent for future senior cycle arrangements. As the Deputy will be aware, the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) have undertaken a significant review of senior cycle and an advisory report is due to be submitted to my Department this year. One of the themes included in that review is the appropriate arrangements for assessment, reporting and certification in senior cycle. My Department looks forward to receiving and considering the NCCA’s report and to further engagement with all stakeholders on this portant area of work. It would not be appropriate to make longer-term decisions in relation to senior cycle in advance of this.

The State Examinations Commission introduced a pilot provision for the 2019 Leaving Certificate examinations, allowing Leaving Certificate students who suffered a close family bereavement around the time of the state examinations in June to sit alternative papers in July. Under the arrangement, which was an extension of the scheme of Reasonable Accommodations at State Examinations (RACE), a Leaving Certificate candidate who suffered the loss of a close family member was permitted to defer up to three days of their examinations and to take those examinations at an alternative sitting in July. The SEC had commenced a comprehensive review, involving engagement with stakeholders, of the broader issue of how best to support students experiencing all forms of trauma and adversity at examinations time The SEC will be recommencing the review process, which was interrupted due to Covid-19 , as soon as it is feasible.

The State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

The NCSE has responsibility for planning and coordinating school supports for children with special educational needs including the allocation of SNAs and reviews.

The Special Needs Assistant (SNA) scheme is designed to provide schools with additional adult support staff who can assist children with special educational needs who also have additional and significant care needs. Such support is provided in order to facilitate the attendance of those pupils at school and also to minimise disruption to class or teaching time for the pupils concerned, or for their peers, and with a view to developing their independent living skills.

SNAs are not allocated to individual children but to schools as a school based resource. The deployment of SNAs within schools is a matter for the individual Principal/Board of Management of the school. SNAs should be deployed by the school in a manner which best meets the care support requirements of the children enrolled in the school for whom SNA support has been allocated.

It is a matter for schools to allocate support as required, and on the basis of individual need, which allows schools flexibility in how the SNA support is utilised.

The exceptional review process was introduced for mainstream classes in the 2019/20 school year. Schools were notified of the arrangements from the date of issue of Circular 0030/2020, when SNA allocations were frozen, and automatically rolled over to the following school year.

The arrangements also included the following provisions:

- A diagnosis of a disability, or a psychological or other professional report, is not necessary for this process.

- The role of the SNA to support the care needs of students in mainstream classes as set out in Circular 0030/14, remains unchanged

Subsequently, in order to minimise disruption for schools, in the current circumstances, and to provide for continuity of allocations, existing mainstream class SNA allocations in schools on 30 April 2021 will be maintained and will automatically rollover into the 2021/22 school year.

It is expected that schools will review and reprioritise the deployment of SNAs within mainstream settings and allocate resources to ensure those with the greatest level of need receive the greatest level of support. Providing access to SNA support continues to be based on primary care needs as outlined in DES Circular 0030/2014.

Priority consideration will now be given by the NCSE to applications for increased support for the 2021/22 school year, in particular, applications from schools with no SNAs and developing schools will be prioritised. Determinations will be made before 30 June. Other applications will be processed in order of date received.

As in previous years, where circumstances change during the course of the 2021/22 school year that materially increase the level of care need in a school to the extent that the school can clearly demonstrate that it cannot be met within the existing SNA allocation, the school may apply to the NCSE for an exceptional review. Detailed information on the NCSE exceptional review process is published on the NCSE website ncse.ie/for-schools

The NCSE has published SNA allocations on their website www.ncse.ie.

SNA allocations for special classes and special schools are not affected by this arrangement.

Circular 0029/2021 has been published and advises schools of the arrangements for the allocation of SNAs for the 2021/22 school year.

The provisions set out in Circular 0030/2020 have been extended for the 2021/22 school year.

Circular 0029/2021 and Circular 0030/2020 are available on the Departments website.

The information requested is not held by the Department and I will refer the Deputy's question to the NCSE for their direct reply.

The average salary cost for one Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Coordinator position based on mid point of the salary scale is circa €55,500.

Currently, all DEIS Urban Primary and DEIS Post Primary schools are included in the HSCL Scheme, which serves 523 schools. The scheme is delivered by 415 full-time HSCL Coordinators who are teachers in these schools and assigned to HSCL duties either in individual schools or clusters of schools, catering for approximately 160,000 pupils.

The impact of socio-economic factors on educational outcomes can be different between urban and rural settings and the HSCL scheme takes account of that. While urban and rural disadvantage share many characteristics, such as poverty, unemployment and poor housing conditions, the evidence suggests that disadvantage in a rural context does not have the same impact on educational performance.

My Department's objective in implementing DEIS Plan 2017 is to have the maximum possible impact on providing opportunities for students most at risk of disadvantage. To achieve this, additional resources must be targeted as closely as possible at those students with the greatest need in terms of concentrated levels of disadvantage.

The Deputy may wish to note that Rural DEIS primary schools continue to be supported through the DEIS programme with a range of additional supports, including grant aid in the form of a DEIS grant, enhanced book grant, access to the DSP School Meals Programme and priority access for teachers to a range of professional development programmes as well as the Incredible Years and Friends programmes.

My Department has no plans at present to extend the HSCL scheme to Rural DEIS schools as part of the DEIS programme.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

The permanent school building project for the school referred to by the Deputy is being delivered under my Department’s Design & Build programme.

A planning application for interim accommodation for the school on its permanent site was lodged on the 26th May 2021 and instructions have issued to the Project Manager overseeing the delivery of the interim accommodation to proceed with the procurement arrangements under my Department’s new Modular Buildings Framework.

There was a delay involved in obtaining a necessary legal consent from an adjacent landowner in order to lodge the planning application and as a result, my Department is putting in place contingency arrangements for the school to be located in suitable interim accommodation at the Firhouse Community College site from August 2021 for a maximum of one academic year. This has been relayed to the DDLETB as the school’s Patron body.

The interim accommodation, which includes specialist classrooms, SEN provision and ancillary accommodation, will be installed on the Firhouse Community College site for the beginning of the 2021/22 school year using the planning exemption secured in March 2021.

It is the Department’s intention that the school will move into the interim accommodation on its permanent site as early as possible in the 2021/22 academic year and that the vacated interim accommodation on the Firhouse Community College site will remain on site and will be available for use by Firhouse Community College as provided for under the exemption. The Department is committed to adhering to this timeline.

My Department will continue to keep the patron body and the school informed.

The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approx. 996,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2021 is €95 million.

In general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit.

Extending the free travel scheme to people with epilepsy during the period in which they are disallowed from driving cannot be considered in isolation. There are a range of disabilities and medical conditions that can prevent a person from holding a driving licence and to award a free travel pass to any one of these conditions in isolation would immediately result in calls for all people who are not allowed to hold a driving licence because of their medical condition to receive the free travel pass and could result in challenges under the Equal Status Act.

If the Free Travel scheme were to be extended to all people who are not allowed to drive due to their disability, regardless of whether they receive a qualifying payment, a medical assessment process would be required for all such applications, significantly changing the nature of the scheme and requiring additional administrative processes to be put in place in order to adjudicate eligibility. Significant extra funding would also be required and accordingly, it could only be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may award a travel supplement, where the circumstances of the particular case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

I am aware of the recent publication of the Citizens Assembly recommendations in relation to Gender Equality and want to note the Programme for Government commitment that the Government would respond to the recommendations of the Assembly. This response will cover a wide range of policy areas and is being coordinated by the Department of the Taoiseach.

The marriage bar describes a rule that existed in most of the public service, and some private sector employments, where women were required to leave their employment upon marriage. As it was a rule rather than law, married women could either return to work or take up other work, and many did.

Most public servants recruited prior to 1995 are not entitled to the State pension, regardless of gender and marital status. Therefore, the marriage bar would not generally have impacted on State pension entitlement, as they would not have qualified for that payment had they remained in public sector employment. The implications it had for public service pensions are matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform.

The State pension system currently gives significant recognition to those whose work history includes an extended period of time outside the paid workplace, often to raise families or in a full-time caring role, through the award of credits and/or the application of the Homemaker’s Scheme (under the Yearly Average method for payment calculation) and/or the application of HomeCaring Periods (under the Aggregated Contribution Method or Interim Total Contributions Approach). Details of these are -

Credits – PRSI Credits are awarded to recipients of Carer’s Allowance (and Carer’s Benefit) where they have an underlying entitlement to credits. Credits are also awarded to workers who take unpaid Carer’s Leave from work.

Homemaker’s Scheme - The scheme, which was introduced with effect from 1994, is designed to help homemakers and carers qualify for State Pension (Contributory). The Scheme, which allows periods caring for children or people with a caring need to be disregarded (from 1994), can have the effect of increasing the Yearly Average.

HomeCaring Periods – This Scheme makes it easier for a home carer to qualify for a higher rate of State Pension (Contributory). HomeCaring Periods can only be used under the Aggregated Contribution Method (also known as Interim TCA or T12) of pension calculation. HomeCaring Periods may be awarded for each week not already covered by a paid or credited social insurance contribution. A maximum of 20 years HomeCaring periods can be used as part of the Aggregated Contribution Method calculation.

Since April 2019 all new State (Contributory) Pension applications are assessed under all possible rate calculation methods, including the Yearly Average and Aggregated Contribution Method, with the most beneficial rate paid to the pensioner. The elements which make up each method are set out in legislation.

It should be noted that if a person does not satisfy the conditionality to qualify for State Pension (Contributory), s/he may qualify for the means-tested State Pension (Non-Contributory), the maximum rate of which is over 95% that of the maximum rate of the State Pension (Contributory). Alternatively, if his/her spouse is a State pensioner with significant household means, his/her most beneficial payment may be an Increase for a Qualified Adult, based on his/her personal means, and amounting to up to 90% of a full contributory pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

With reference to the details supplied, the person was not working part-time with the company before the Covid 19 pandemic. However, as this person was put on a shorter working week by the company due to the pandemic they are now classified as a part-time worker for the purposes of Jobseeker's Benefit. A person who works on a part-time basis and is employed for a set number of days each week and knows the days on which they will be employed may receive a jobseeker's payment as a part-time worker. The person was categorised as a part-time worker by the deciding officer based on the information supplied and their working pattern. While both casual and part-time workers may be referred to internally in my Department as Casuals, my officials have confirmed that the correct categorisation in this instance is part-time.

The Jobseeker’s Benefit payment week is calculated on a 6 day week with 1/5th deducted for each day worked. This means the number of unemployment days paid to a part-time worker in any week will reduce by one. For example if a person is paid Jobseeker's Benefit for 2 days, 3 days will be added to the cumulative total number of days for that week. As previously advised in PQ 416 my officials have examined the cumulative total of days paid in the individual’s claim to date and I am advised that that the figure recorded in the Department is correct.

The duration of payment for Jobseeker’s Benefit for people with 260 or more PRSI contributions paid is 234 days, the equivalent of 9 months for a fully unemployed person. It is paid for 156 days for people with fewer than 260 PRSI contributions paid.

My Department corresponds with the Jobseeker's Benefit recipient in advance of the expiry date of their claim and advises of rules governing re-qualification for Jobseeker’s Benefit and also of the option to apply for the means tested Jobseeker's Allowance scheme.

In order to requalify for jobseekers benefit when a claim exhausts benefit, in addition to satisfying the PRSI conditions, a part-time worker would have to suffered a further substantial loss of employment and earnings. A person is regarded as having sustained a substantial loss of employment if they have lost at least one day of insurable employment in any period of 7 days, provided their reckonable earnings or reckonable income are reduced as a consequence of the loss of employment. In short, the number of days worked in any Jobseeker's Benefit week (i.e. Thurs - Wed) must be less than the normal number of days worked prior to the date of claim. Where a person’s earnings have remained the same or increased since the original Jobseeker’s Benefit claim, they would not be considered to satisfy the substantial loss condition for reckonable earnings/income. These conditions as set out in the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended).

Jobseeker's Allowance has no duration limit as long as a person meets the qualifying scheme conditions including the means test.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

The person concerned was awarded Jobseeker’s Benefit from 30 March 2020. She was advised by letter on 27 Jan 2021 that the duration of the claim was 234 days. It was not possible to give a definitive date when 234 days would be reached, due to the casual status of the employment in this case.

A further letter on 19 May 2021 advised that benefit would end on 21 May 2021 and of the right to re-apply for Jobseeker’s Benefit, or Jobseeker’s Allowance, as would be the case with all casual Jobseeker’s claims.

The person concerned should contact her local branch office in Fermoy if she wishes to discuss her case further.

There is a wide range of benefits available to people who make Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. Entitlement to such benefits is dependent on the individual's social insurance contribution record, the class of social insurance paid as well as satisfying other qualification criteria relevant to the scheme being applied for.

In general, self-employed people make PRSI contributions at class S. Where all qualification criteria for the particular scheme are satisfied, this class of PRSI gives access to the following benefits -

- Adoptive Benefit,

- Guardian's Payment (Contributory),

- Invalidity Pension,

- Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed),

- Maternity Benefit,

- Parent's Benefit,

- Partial Capacity Benefit (where in receipt of Invalidity Pension),

- Paternity Benefit,

- State Pension (Contributory),

- Treatment Benefit, and

- Widows, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension.

The benefits to which class S PRSI does not provide access are -

- Carer's Benefit,

- Health and Safety Benefit,

- Illness Benefit, and

- Occupational Injuries Benefits.

Although self-employed people are not usually eligible for Illness Benefit, an exception was made in relation to Covid-19, primarily as a public health measure. The purpose of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is to encourage people to not go to work due to financial constraint when they should be in isolation.

There has been an extensive expansion of access to the range of social insurance benefits for self-employed social insurance contributors in recent years without any increase in the 4% rate of contribution made by them. In effect, self-employed contributors, in return for a contribution of 11 percentage points lower than the combined employer and employee contribution of 15.05% made in respect of employed contributors, have access to benefits which comprise over 90% of the value of all benefits available to employed contributors.

The Programme for Government commits to giving consideration to increasing all classes of PRSI over time to replenish the Social Insurance Fund to help pay for measures and changes to be agreed including to the State pension system, improvements in short-term sick pay benefits, parental leave benefits, pay-related jobseeker's benefit and treatment benefits.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs).

The basic supplementary welfare allowance provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

An application for widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's contributory pension was received from the person concerned on 14/05/2021.

She does not have sufficient Irish contributions to qualify for a standard widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's contributory pension on either her own or her late spouses insurance record. The minimum yearly average of contributions required is 24, while she has a yearly average of 14.

We have written to our counterparts in the UK to request a copy of her UK insurance record. When this is received, possible entitlement to a pro-rata widow(er)'s & surviving civil partner's contributory pension will be examined.

As the person concerned is over age 66 and there is a lower minimum yearly average requirement on state pension, an application form for state pension contributory has issued to her for completion and return to the Department.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

In accordance with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) rules, civil and public servants on secondment to other bodies maintain their terms and conditions of employment including salary during their period of secondment. Any additional payments made during that period are non-pensionable.

With regard to the individual in question, prior to her redeployment to my Department in 2012, she was employed by FAS as a clerical officer. She was seconded from FAS to another body for a number of years and was paid at her substantive grade of clerical officer plus an additional non-pensionable allowance, in accordance with DPER rules and the secondment agreement she entered into at that time. During periods of secondment, civil servants may initiate grievances as appropriate under the Civil Service Grievance Procedure in accordance with Department of Finance Circular 11/2001.

Finally, I refer to the Deputy's previous correspondence on behalf of the individual in question and the position remains as set out in my Department's response to him of February 2018. My Department will correspond directly with the individual in question.

As the Deputy will be aware from a previous parliamentary question on this topic, Tusla does not collate national information about the number of children with an active case with the probation service who are also subject to a care order. This information will be known at a local area level by the child’s social worker and the Principal Social Worker. Tusla staff and Probation Staff work closely to ensure they are supporting the child in an optimal way.

Tusla has been severely impacted by the cyber-attack on the HSE twelve days ago and as such is significantly limited in its ability to respond to your question.

The Children First Act 2015 places a legal obligation on certain people, many of whom are professionals, to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to Tusla.

These mandated persons must also assist Tusla, on request, in its assessment of child protection concerns about children who have been the subject of a mandated report.

In 2020 Tusla received 31 mandated reports from probation officers (within the meaning of section 1 of the Criminal Justice (Community Service) Act 1983) and five mandated reports from probation officers were received during January and February this year.

In the Programme for Government we committed to establishing a dedicated agency, Childcare Ireland. The Programme specifies that Childcare Ireland's role will be to assist in expanding high quality early learning and care (ELC) and school age childcare (SAC), best practice and innovation in community and private settings, along with developing career paths for ELC and SAC staff, and for expansion of the early years curriculum, Síolta.

As a precursor to establishing Childcare Ireland, my Department is carrying out a comprehensive review of the operating model that administers all ELC and SAC schemes and initiatives. This was outlined in 'First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families' which was launched in November 2018.

The ELC and SAC sector has grown substantially in the past decade. The review's objective is to ensure that the operating model is fit for purpose to implement Departmental childcare policy relating to quality, affordability and access, to the scale and standards required in an evolving and expanding sector.

An independent external contractor has been engaged by my Department to undertake an analysis of the current landscape and consideration of options for a future operating model. In this regard the review will aim to explore a variety of options in relation to how best the ELC and SAC operating model can be overseen by my Department in the coming years.

I am pleased to report that this review is well underway, and is due to conclude in the coming months. A review Oversight Group, chaired by my Department, has been established, with regular meetings of that group having taken place throughout the year.

It is envisaged that the analysis carried out through the review will provide a robust evidence base to inform a decision concerning the establishment of Childcare Ireland and the range of functions it may provide. I look forward to bringing a report back to Government on the matter later in 2021.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.

The ECCE Programme was established in 2010 to provide children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school.

When first introduced, the ECCE Programme was delivered over 38 weeks in a given ECCE Programme Year and children were required to be between the ages of 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months in September in the year they enrolled.

In accordance with recommendations in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment and the Report of the Expert Advisory Group on the Early Years Strategy, Right from the Start, this Programme was extended in September 2016. Under this expanded Programme children were eligible to enrol in the Programme at age three, and remain in Programme until they transitioned primary school (or reached 5 years 6 months). Under this extension, three enrolment points were introduced – September, January and April.

The ECCE Programme was extended again in September 2018. Since then, children qualify for two years of pre-school under this Programme and can enrol when they are 2 years and 8 months of age in September in the year they enrol and continue until they transfer to primary school (or reach 5 years 6 months).The changes to the ECCE Programme in 2018 fulfilled a committed in the Programme for a Partnership Government.

The return one enrolment point in 2018 ensured all children have equitable access to the ECCE Programme.

With three enrolment points, the number of ECCE weeks a child availed of averaged at 61 weeks but this ranged from 38 weeks and 88 weeks depending on the child’s date of birth of and school starting age. The single enrolment point ensured all children could avail of 76 ECCE weeks. Moreover, the return to one enrolment point helped to streamline the administration process to make it easier for pre-school providers to operate and budget for the programme year.

Funding for the ECCE Programme was increased by €26m in Budget 2018. This funding was for this extension of the ECCE programme and a 7% increase in ECCE capitation. Bot changes were introduced from September 2018, therefore funding allocated under Budget 2018 does not reflect full year costs of these measures.

With regard to the impact of this change to the ECCE Programme on low-income families who have to pay for their child to attend pre-school if they are outside the eligible age ranges.

It is open for these families to apply for supports under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).

The NCS, introduced in November 2019, represents the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for early learning and childcare.

It marks a shift away from previous schemes, which were based on medical card and social protection entitlements to a more progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies.

Under the NCS, significantly more families are eligible for support.

NCS makes early learning and childcare more affordable, and in some instances free, to these families - with those on lowest incomes receiving the greatest level of support.

NCS is designed to ensure that access provided is at a level necessary to support positive child development outcomes regardless of whether parents are in work or study.

Where parents are not engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 20 hours per week (standard hours).

Where parents are engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 45 hours of per week (enhanced hours).

Depending on the age of the child, low income families with pre-school children will be eligible for up €102 per week in NCS subsidies where parents are not engaged in work or study and €229.50 per week in NCS subsidies where parents are engaged in work or study (as outlined in the table provided).

I am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the supporting documentation required as part of the re-registration process for early years services, which, for most services, was due to take place at the end of 2019. Services were required to provide Fire Safety Certificates as part of the re-registration process. Many services have already re-registered and submitted a Fire Safety Certificate and some have re-registered subject to submitting an up to date Fire Safety Certificate.

In August 2019, Tusla issued guidance for registered providers of early years services on the fire and planning requirements for the re-registration process. It is important to note that these were not new regulations, but guidance on the submission of documentation for the purpose of re-registration. Registration of early years services is granted only where Tusla is satisfied that the premises, operation and location of the service poses no unmanaged risk to children. All registered services are expected to have the appropriate fire certification in place.

In an effort to assist providers in meeting the re-registration deadline, Tusla divided the process into two parts. The first part, including submission of an application form and critical supporting documentation, was completed at the end of 2019 and the deadline for the second part (submission of remaining documents) postponed until June 2020. Due to the unprecedented situation with Covid–19, a decision was taken to further defer the deadline for submission of remaining supporting documentation to 1 November 2021.

It is important to note that the suitability and safety of premises is a key concern in the assessment of quality provision for children in early years services. Section 58G of the Child Care Act, 1991 (as amended by Part 12 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013) places an onus on the providers of early years services to ensure that they take all reasonable measures to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of children.

Given the absolute priority to keep children safe in these services, I have allocated funding under my Department's Annual Capital Programme 2021 to assist services complete any outstanding fire safety works required to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate. A total of €5 million has been allocated across 643 services to carry out remedial works to ensure these services will be fully compliant with fire safety standards as set out in Tulsa's registration requirements.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 230 and 231 together.

The Migrant Integration Strategy is the central policy framework adopted by Government to promote the integration of all migrants who are legally in the State. It contains 76 targeted actions aimed at promoting diversity and inclusion across all aspects of Irish society, including increased focus on social inclusion measures and improved access to public services. It also aims to addresses racism and xenophobia, representing a whole-of-Government approach.

The implementation of this strategy is overseen by a steering committee which draws together State and non-State actors to deliver a better quality of life for all through targeted actions to promote social inclusion and improved access to public services and I chair the meetings of the committee charged with the monitoring and oversight of this strategy.

In November 2020, I announced the extension of the MIS to the end of 2021 due to the impact of Covid-19 on the Committee’s ability to engage and report on the Strategy actions. This extension will enable the actions of the Strategy to continue to be implemented while facilitating the preparations for a new strategic policy approach to migrant integration.

Building on the work of the MIS Mid-Term Progress Report, my Department is also continuing with existing plans to have an independent evaluation of the Strategy in 2021 which will form part of future strategic planning.

As part of this work to inform the development of a robust successor strategy to the MIS, I will work with stakeholders to examine what has been achieved over the term of the MIS and how we can bring forth the next iterations of those strategies and ensure they are even more effective.

Significant advances have been made in recent years to address inequality in Irish society, with the Government’s commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equal society re-affirmed through the Programme for Government commitments to achieve social solidarity, equality of opportunity and economic equity for all.

The suite of national equality strategies, overseen and coordinated by my Department, act as the central policy framework adopted by Government to address inequality across Irish society. The strategies include the National Strategy for Women and Girls (NSWG), the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS), the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS), the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, the National LGBTI+ Strategy for Youth and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities (CES).

The implementation of each equality strategy is overseen by a steering committee which draws together State and non-State actors to deliver a better quality of life for all through targeted actions to promote social inclusion and improved access to public services. I chair the meetings of the committees charged with the monitoring and oversight of the strategies, with the exception of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy steering group which is chaired by my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Anne Rabbitte, and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities which is chaired by Fergus Finlay.

As some of these strategies near their conclusion, I will work with stakeholders to examine what has been achieved over their term and how we can bring forth the next iterations of those strategies and ensure they are even more robust and effective.

The role of monitoring the prevalence of discrimination and prejudice in Irish society is undertaken by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) which is Ireland’s national human rights and equality institution and is an independent public body that accounts directly to the Oireachtas. Its purpose is to promote and protect human rights and equality in Ireland and build a culture of respect for human rights, equality and intercultural understanding in the State. In mid-October 2020 the transfer took place of the Governance function of IHREC from the Department of Justice and Equality to my Department.

The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to examine the introduction of a new ground of discrimination, based on socio-economic disadvantaged status, to the Employment Equality and Equal Status Acts. Work is underway to examine how this commitment can be implemented.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 233 and 234 together.

My Department maintains close contact with the national youth organisations funded under the Youth Service Grant Scheme and I, and officials from my Department, meet formally with these organisations twice a year to share knowledge and information on developments in the youth sector. Although this schedule has been impacted by Covid-19, my officials and I have maintained engagements with the National Youth Council of Ireland, Youth Work Ireland, Foróige and Scouting Ireland, among others, in recent months. Officials from my Department meet formally with youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises and also maintain informal contacts.

The Deputy may be aware that we provide funding to all 16 Education and Training Boards (ETB) around the country to support youth services and that each ETB has a Youth Officer. Youth Officers provide an important support role to my Department in the co-ordination and administration of youth services at local level. My officials hold quarterly meetings with them and these meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people.

My Department has engaged with the youth sector during Covid to develop sector specific guidance which are updated in tandem with the evolving Covid-19 developments. My officials continue to engage regularly with youth sector representatives in relation to the impact of the pandemic and associated health restrictions on young people and youth services.

Equality issues are addressed in the policy initiatives taken forward by the Government on disability while policy on equality also integrates disability as a core element.

The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) recognises that people with disabilities may have different needs depending on their ages. It includes actions, for instance, on education, specifically targeted at younger people with disabilities. It also includes actions specifically targeted at older people such as in relation to access to housing adaptation grant schemes.

The equality needs of people with disabilities are also taken into account in the national equality strategies. One of the aims of the National Strategy for Women and Girls, for instance, is to ensure that women with disabilities can participate fully in Irish society.

There is a linkage between policy on disability and equality in the work of the Equality Budgeting Working Group jointly chaired by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and my Department. Disability and gender are two of the strands of equality budgeting currently being advanced. Equality budgeting examines the impact of expenditure decisions on specific equality outcomes, including in relation to disability.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.

The recent cyber attack has impaired access to and communication with public bodies including Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla's response to the incident continues to be focused on the primary goal of prioritising the well-being and protection of children.

Tusla regularly publishes data on it's data hub, available here:

data.tusla.ie/

Below you will find recently published information for January 2021 from Tusla in relation children in care.

The preference is always to place a child in a family environment. Ireland has consistently had in excess of 90% of children in care in foster care placements, with 91% of children in foster care placements in January 2021.

Recently available data from other jurisdictions indicate that Ireland compares favorably to other countries in the level of foster or family care placements. England Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland had between 62% and 78% of children in care in foster or family based care placements. Australia had 91% of children in foster or family care care placements.

There was a total of 5,872 children in care at the end of January 2021; 10 fewer than December 2020 (5,882) and the fewest number for the period December 2019 to January 2021. This is 99 fewer children in care at the end of January than the same time last year (5,971).

65% (3,815) of children in care are in general foster care, 26% (1,521) are in relative foster care, 7% (422) are in residential care and 2% (114) are in “other” care placements.16 (4%) of the 422 children in residential placements are in special care722 (12%) children in care at the end of January 2021 were in placements with private providers; seven fewer than December 2020 (729)and 33 (5%) more than January 2020 (689).57% (413) of children in placements with private providers were in foster care, one more than December 2020 (412) and 11 more than January 2020 (402).38% (269) of children in placements with private providers were in residential care, four fewer than December 2020 (273). This number (269) is up 15 on January 2020 (254).

I propose to take Questions Nos. 238 and 240 together.

All organisations including government departments, schools, health services, religious bodies, public sector agencies, clubs and leisure sector, funded organisations, private and voluntary bodies that are in contact with or providing services to children have an overall corporate duty and responsibility to be mindful of the welfare of children and it is expected they would actively be:

- promoting the general welfare, health, development and safety of children

- adopting and consistently applying a safe and clearly defined method of recruiting and selecting staff and volunteers

- developing tailored guidance and procedures, in accordance with Children First: National Guidance, for staff and volunteers who may have reasonable grounds for concern about the safety and welfare of children involved with the organisation

- identifying a designated liaison person to act as a liaison with outside agencies and a resource person to any staff member or volunteer who has child protection and welfare concerns. The designated liaison person is responsible for reporting allegations or concerns of child abuse to the Child and Family Agency or to An Garda Síochána

- ensuring that the organisation has clear written procedures on the action to be taken if allegations of abuse against employees/volunteers are made

- raising awareness within the organisation about potential risks to children’s safety and welfare

- developing effective procedures for responding to accidents and complaints

Organisations should contact Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, where they are concerned about a child’s welfare and co-operate with the statutory bodies in the ongoing assessment and management of the case.

In addition to the welfare work Tusla undertakes my Department also has numerous initiatives enacted to monitor and improve the welfare of children.

Such initiatives as Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures (BOBF) was the first overarching national policy framework for children and young people (aged 0-24 years). Almost all policy areas have a direct or indirect effect on children and young people’s lives. The purpose of this framework was to coordinate policy across Government to achieve better outcomes. A follow on to the good work of BOBF is being derived at the moment.

My Department also takes into account the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), which sets out the basic human rights every child is entitled to. These include:

- Survival rights such as nutrition, shelter and access to medical services

- Development rights such as education, access to information and freedom of thought

- Protection rights such as protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation

- Participation rights such expression of opinions and taking part in social and cultural activities

The Convention protects these rights by setting minimum standards that governments must meet in providing healthcare, education and legal and social services to children in their countries.

My Department works closely with the Children’s Rights Alliance and other Departments in relation to the UNCRC, allowing for issues of concern relating to children in care to be raised and appropriately addressed.

Tusla is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving child welfare and protection outcomes for children. Since its establishment in 2014, it has led a comprehensive reform of child protection, early intervention and family support service. Tusla represents a fundamental shift in the provision of family support, child protection, educational welfare and alternative care services. Central to their vision is the development of services that ensure children are safe and achieving their full potential. Tusla also recognises from a rights perspective that children and families should be active participants in the development and delivery of Tusla services.

Tusla has a Child Protection and Welfare Strategy 2017-2022, it outlines their strategic vision to provide an appropriate, proportionate and timely response to children at risk or in need of support in Ireland. Similarly its business plan and corporate strategy are all orientated to improve services including those for children in care.

Services provided by Tusla are subject to internal reviews and audits and are also the subject of HIQA inspections in relation to Child Protection Services, Foster Care Services, Special Care and Tusla run Children's Residential Centres. This monitoring of provided services ensures issues that are identified can be addressed and the quality of service is maintained or improved. In addition the Ombudsman for Children and Tusla’s own National Review Panel will report on specific topics relating to the work of Tusla which prompts further improvements in Tusla services.

Throughout the pandemic and current effects of the cyber-attack of Friday 14 May 2021 Tusla continues to provide a frontline service to the vulnerable cohort of children in care.

The pandemic saw Tusla and my Department take numerous steps to respond to the public health crisis including:

- Increasing the number of foster carers through the implementation of emergency measures to allow swift recruitment and approval of foster carers.

- Liaising with stakeholders including HIQA and the Irish Foster Care Association regarding a potential amendment and temporary suspension of certain aspects of the regulations relating to the placement of children in foster care, to ensure that family based care remains as the main form of alternative care in Ireland.

- Supporting Tusla to draft a proposal outlining an alternative, remote assessment of potential foster carers to join an emergency panel of carers.

- Suspending a requirement to allow for more than two unrelated children to be placed with approved foster carers, if necessary.

- Redeploying Youth Workers into the Children’s Residential Care Sector in order to supply a potential shortfall in care staff. This will allow Youth Workers to voluntarily redeploy into the children’s residential care sector for the period of emergency measures.

- Maintaining contact between children in care and their families in line with HSE guidance and GDPR.

The recent cyber-attack on HSE IT systems has impacted on the operations of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla continues to provide their full range of services and supports, with social workers and social care workers around the country continuing their core work with children and families, supported by manual systems. Priority is being accorded to Child Protection and Children in Care Services (including assessment of risk). While the referrals portal for this service is impacted, referrals are being taken via phone and post and anyone with a concern is being asked to contact their local duty social work office. Contact details are available on Tusla's website at www.tusla.ie/about/ict-update/The National Childcare Information System (NCCIS) remains unavailable and at this point. Tusla is continuing to examine the risks and challenges to all operating systems and databases. It is important to note that the investigation into the cyber attack is ongoing and will take some time. Tusla is actively engaged with key partner agencies, including An Garda Siochana, the Courts Service and family support services and is providing guidance and information to all staff, service users and the public via the Tusla website homepage. Tusla continues to liaise with the HSE on the restoration of systems and have deployed significant ICT resources to enable safe access to internal systems as soon as possible.My Department continues to work closely with Tusla in supporting their response to addressing the impact and implications of the Cyber-attack which has effected Tusla systems and operations.

I am satisfied that Tusla is well resourced to meet its statutory obligations and address issues arising although I am aware of many areas of need that could benefit from additional resources.

For 2021, my Department increased the allocation to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to a total of €894m. This is an effective increase of €46m over the final equivalent allocation for 2020 (€848m). The additional resources allow Tusla to:

- Continue work to reduce the number of children awaiting the allocation of a social worker (reduce number of unallocated cases),

- Address significant demand led cost pressures in residential care,

- Provide care and protection through quality services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence,

- Continue to improve organisational and service performance to achieve better outcomes for vulnerable children, young people and their families,

- Support Tusla to meet our commitments to transfer additional unaccompanied children in Greece to Ireland as quickly as possible,

- Manage and safeguard records following their transfer from the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla),

- Improve and embed robust processes to adhere to GDPR regulations and address the Data Protection Commissioner’s concerns,

- Increase capital investment to support Tusla services, and advance the Agency’s Estates Strategy.

Tusla’s annual Business Plan 2021 has been published on its website. Tusla's Corporate Plan 2021-23 has recently been laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Both documents outline key priorities as well as resource allocation and challenges.

My officials are in contact with Tusla on a regular basis, both in regard to its financial position and its capacity to deliver front line services to children and families. I am satisfied that Tusla can deliver on its objectives in 2021. I will engage with Tusla over the coming weeks with regard to its budget profile for 2022, as part of the official Estimates process.

I wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems .

The Estonian application in November 2020 was based on 10,080 redundancies across 14 NACE/ economic sectors due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was approved under the 2014-20 EGF Rules on an exceptional basis due to the serious impact these job losses had on employment and the national economy. The mass redundancies in the Estonian tourism industry were argued to impact the national economy. The unemployment rate in Estonia increased from 4.4% in 2019 to 6.8% in 2020.

By comparison the unemployment rate in Ireland increased from 5% to 5.7% in the same period reflecting the range of measures introduced by the Government to provide income support for those whose employment has been affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Ireland.

The Regulations governing the EGF for 2021-27 reduce the minimum required number of redundancies from 500 to 200 redundancies. The 200 redundancies can occur over a four month period in a single company (including suppliers /downstream producers) or in a number of companies, particularly SMEs operating in the same or different economic sectors in a particular NUTS 2 region; or over a six-month period in a number of companies, particularly SMEs operating in a particular economic sector in one or two adjoining NUTS 2 regions. Temporary lay-offs do not constitute redundancies within the scope of the EGF.

All reasons for restructuring are now eligible for support, including the economic effects of the coronavirus crisis and larger economic trends such as decarbonisation and automation. Job losses arising from changing trade patterns or as a consequence of the financial and economic crisis for which workers can currently receive support, also continue to be eligible. Cases can continue to be approved in exceptional circumstances, where the redundancies will have a serious impact on employment and the local, regional or national economy, up to 15% of the maximum annual EGF budget of €186m.

My officials in the EGF Managing Authority monitor the number and timing of redundancies notified by employers to the Minister of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, to assess the potential for EGF applications.

Separately my Department has a Job Loss Response Protocol with the Departments of Social Protection and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. In a situation of job losses and redundancies, the Department of Social Protection is the lead Department. The protocol puts in place all the efforts to assist the impacted workers, including welfare entitlements, job-search assistance and access to the wide range of upskilling and reskilling opportunities available.

Universities and Institutes of Technology are autonomous and determine their own procedures for admission. The CAO process applications for undergraduate, and some postgraduate, courses on their behalf.

Decisions on admissions are made by the higher education institutions who then instruct the CAO to make offers to successful candidates. Therefore neither I nor my Department have a function in relation to such matters and it is not within my remit to determine admissions criteria or direct HEIs to admit certain students.

It is my understanding that a total of 632 CAO offers have been made to students whose results in the 2020 written Leaving Certificate examinations brought them into consideration for a higher preference offer, based on their 2020 CAO application. These students will have the option to take up these offers for the 2021 academic year. While the offers have already been confirmed to students, they will be formally made as part of CAO Round A, which takes place in July.

Students who sat the 2020 written examinations but did not achieve the points needed for a higher preference offer had the option to apply for the 2021 academic year using their updated results. However any offers made to these students will be on the basis of the 2021 points requirements, and will be made as part of CAO Round One.

The CAO system is a system that works on the assumption that grades obtained in the Leaving Certificate by candidates determine their points. It is on this basis that the CAO system allocates places to applicants including those from different years. To ensure impartiality, the automatic CAO points systems have been created in a way that does not allow for different treatment to be applied to different sub-groups, or students with results from different years.

Higher education institutions are autonomous institutions as provided for in legislation. The determination, as to the total level of fees to be charged for non EU students is a matter for each institution in accordance with its own particular operational conditions and circumstances in ensuring quality education provision.

Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID all further and higher education institutions will deliver the majority of their classes online with only essential activities held on site. It would also not be feasible for student to undertake any planned international travel element of their chosen programme. While I appreciate that this is disappointing for students, these measures were necessary to support halting the spread of the Coronavirus.

Higher education institutions report that the actual cost of delivering such programmes has not reduced as a consequence of the pandemic and have experienced a range of additional costs in continuing to deliver programmes during the unique circumstances of the pandemic. In 2020 the Government has provided funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education for the academic year 20/21. This included €150million in new funding and a re-prioritisation of €18million. For the Education providers under the remit of my Department, the allocation includes funding towards Support to Front line response; Immediate ICT costs relating to online provision; Health and Safety Costs; Research costs and funds towards assisting the enrolment of International Students

I am very aware of the difficulties facing students during this pandemic. In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. I would encourage all institutions to engage with students in relation to any issues, including fees.

Additional supports announced in July 2020 include a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.

Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.

Notwithstanding the above position, officials in my department and the HEA have sought additional information from University of Limerick who advise that “ Changes in university teaching delivery has had a significant impact on the costs and benefits of higher and adult education. First, it changes the nature of a university’s costs, reducing operational expenditure on utilities and services, but increasing the cost of IT services, staff training in new technologies and the provision of additional counselling and support services for students. On balance, the costs of higher education are higher in a blended model, and this has been reflected in additional government grants to universities.

The budgeting process and Masters programme pricing is completed by the Postgraduate Studies office in consultation with the faculty Deans. The eventual price of the Masters programme depends on a range of factors including the cost of delivery and the support structures including everything from administrative support to estate maintenance. The total fee after scholarships is approximately split 50/50 with central administration and the faculty. As an aside, scholarships for all programmes increased this year as a tacit acknowledgement of the impact of the pandemic. Within the Kemmy Business School, the fees received do not have a list of sub accounts where the monies are allocated to various costs.

The cost of the virtual workshop this year was significant and the time and effort put into the delivery of that workshop was equivalent or greater to the organisational effort for an international trip. For the KBS, the key task was to ensure that students achieved the learning outcomes as per our mandate from Higher Education Authority (HEA) and audited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). We are confident that these outcomes were achieved.

The cost of delivery between the international trip and virtual workshop or other alternatives cannot be distinguished. While it is true to say that some operational costs such as heat, light, etc. have decreased other costs have increased. These increased costs include considerable human and technological resources into pivoting to online delivery at very short notice. These costs are spread across the campus and it is not possible to allocate them to particular programmes.

Overall, responding to the pandemic has changed the way that we provide education, but it does not mean that either the cost of provision or the value of the student learning is diminished. Despite the very real challenges, we have continued to adapt our education delivery in order to teach, assess and graduate students with the same high qualifications and skills”.

For operational and security reasons, it is not appropriate to disclose details, including any budgetary matters, of my Department’s cyber security arrangements, or those of state agencies under my remit. Any disclosure of information in relation to cyber security matters could assist malicious actors in identifying potential vulnerabilities and potentially compromise my Department’s information security posture.

All of the details sought by the Deputy are not readily available in my Department. Officials have requested the information from the Higher Education Authority which will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.

As the deputy will be aware, higher education institutions are autonomous bodies as set out in legislation and are responsible for the day-to-day management and operational affairs of the institution including the determination of postgraduate tuition fees and refund policies. The matters raised are an internal matter for the University of Limerick (UL) and my Department is therefore not in a position to intervene in the related policies of the University.

Under Level 5 of the Plan for Living with COVID all further and higher education institutions will deliver the majority of their classes online with only essential activities held on site. In accordance with Public Health advice, in the majority of circumstances it has also not been possible for students to undertake planned international travel as part of their chosen programme. While I appreciate that this is disappointing for students, these measures were necessary to support halting the spread of the Coronavirus.

I am very aware of the difficulties facing students during this pandemic. In general there is a real requirement in these exceptional times to have a responsive approach to student needs wherever possible and it is important to acknowledge that HEIs have to date shown enormous willingness to be responsive in numerous ways. I would encourage all institutions to engage with students in relation to any issues, including fees.

In recognition of the challenges facing full time third level students, financial assistance will be provided in academic year 2020/21 to all students who avail of SUSI grants and to all EU full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students attending publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state. Under this initiative students who avail of the SUSI grant will receive a €250 top-up in their grant and students who do not avail of the grant but attend publicly funded Higher Education Institutions in the state can reduce by €250 any outstanding student contribution fee payments or receive a €250 credit note for their institution. This builds on the additional supports announced in July including a doubling of the Student Assistance Fund, a €15 million technology fund for devices for students in further and higher education and an additional €3m provided for investment in supports for mental health services and well-being initiatives.

Higher education institutions report that the actual cost of delivering such programmes has not reduced as a consequence of the pandemic and have experienced a range of additional costs in continuing to deliver programmes during the unique circumstances of the pandemic. In 2020 the Government has provided funding in the amount of €168m to support the return of students to further and higher education for the academic year 20/21. This included €150million in new funding and a re-prioritisation of €18million. For the Education providers under the remit of my Department, the allocation includes funding towards Support to Front line response; Immediate ICT costs relating to online provision; Health and Safety Costs; Research costs and funds towards assisting the enrolment of International Students

Notwithstanding the above position, I sought additional information from University of Limerick which has advised that “ Changes in university teaching delivery has had a significant impact on the costs and benefits of higher and adult education. First, it changes the nature of a university’s costs, reducing operational expenditure on utilities and services, but increasing the cost of IT services, staff training in new technologies and the provision of additional counselling and support services for students. On balance, the costs of higher education are higher in a blended model, and this has been reflected in additional government grants to universities.

The budgeting process and Masters programme pricing is completed by the Postgraduate Studies office in consultation with the faculty Deans. The eventual price of the Masters programme depends on a range of factors including the cost of delivery and the support structures including everything from administrative support to estate maintenance. The total fee after scholarships is approximately split 50/50 with central administration and the faculty. As an aside, scholarships for all programmes increased this year as a tacit acknowledgement of the impact of the pandemic. Within the Kemmy Business School, the fees received do not have a list of sub accounts where the monies are allocated to various costs.

The cost of the virtual workshop this year was significant and the time and effort put into the delivery of that workshop was equivalent or greater to the organisational effort for an international trip. For the KBS, the key task was to ensure that students achieved the learning outcomes as per our mandate from Higher Education Authority (HEA) and audited by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). We are confident that these outcomes were achieved.

The cost of delivery between the international trip and virtual workshop or other alternatives cannot be distinguished. While it is true to say that some operational costs such as heat, light, etc. have decreased other costs have increased. These increased costs include considerable human and technological resources into pivoting to online delivery at very short notice. These costs are spread across the campus and it is not possible to allocate them to particular programmes.

Overall, responding to the pandemic has changed the way that we provide education, but it does not mean that either the cost of provision or the value of the student learning is diminished. Despite the very real challenges, we have continued to adapt our education delivery in order to teach, assess and graduate students with the same high qualifications and skills”.

The person referred to by the Deputy was issued a letter refusing them permission to remain in the state on 11 December 2019. In response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.

These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made. The person referred to should continue to engage with my Department until the conclusion of the Section 3 process.

Proposals for the draft scheme to regularise undocumented migrants are being developed in line with the Programme for Government commitment to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government, to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents, meeting specified criteria and bearing in mind Ireland's European Union (EU) and Common Travel Area (CTA) commitments.

When the consultation phase with civil society organisations and stakeholders on the proposed approach to the scheme is completed, my Department will work to finalise the details, including the criteria for the scheme, in line with that commitment.

Eligibility for this regularisation scheme will be determined by specific criteria, and is guided by research, including the learning from previous regularisation schemes, such as the 2018 Student Scheme. Those operated by other EU Member States are also being considered in its development.

As outlined in the Justice Plan 2021, we aim to launch the scheme later this year and work is underway in my Department to give effect to this commitment, with a view opening the application process before the end of year.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

The details of the Policing Authority expenditure in 2020 are outlined in the table below. These figures remain subject to audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General. In terms of gross expenditure, an underspend of €596,000 occurred at year-end. Delays in certain planned activities due to Covid-19, including business travel, public meetings and externally-led research, contributed to this underspend.

Policing Authority: 2020 Provisional Outturn of Expenditure

I wish to advise the Deputy that the shortfall in expenditure in relation to pay of €2.7m was mainly driven by slower than anticipated recruitment, due to the requirement to move recruitment completely online during 2020. This move required the procurement and development of processes for online tests and examinations, which delayed recruitment campaigns by several months.

The shortfall in expenditure in relation to non-pay of €2.0m was primarily driven by slower than initially planned ICT project implementation, as a result of further analysis being required on infrastructure and services, following decision-making on data migration, workflows and security options.

The shortfall in non-pay expenditure was also driven by less than anticipated ICT charges, due to lower than forecasted staff headcount. In addition, there were lower than anticipated operational costs due to remote working, a delay in procuring new additional office space, and a less than anticipated requirement for consultancy services.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 2 April 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 5 April 2018. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 25 February 2019. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

The original passport of the person referred to by the Deputy was returned by registered post on 25 May 2020.

Under normal circumstances, passports are returned approximately 10 days after their receipt. However, the current limits on staff attendance in the office due to COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in delays in the return of some passports. Unfortunately it is not possible to give a current average timeframe for the return of a passport submitted with a citizenship application.

It is a requirement of the naturalisation process that a current passport must accompany every application. The identity of every applicant must be confirmed to the greatest extent possible and a passport is a primary identifier.

Applicants are advised not to send in their application during the pandemic if they anticipate that they may have to travel at short notice. However, I fully appreciate that people may have to travel at short notice for emergency reasons. The citizenship website advises that in these circumstances, applicants should email the citizenship helpdesk with the relevant details. Any request must be accompanied by appropriate scanned supporting material detailing the reasons for travel, such as medical information. Any request of this nature is dealt with promptly.

The Probate Office is an office of the High Court and management of the Courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998. However, in order to be of assistance, I have had enquiries made.

Unfortunately, it has not been possible in the time available to obtain the information requested by the Deputy. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is received from the Courts Service.

The Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act 1986 governs the recognition of foreign divorces granted on or after the coming into operation of the Act on 2 October 1986. Section 5 of the 1986 Act provides that a foreign divorce may only be recognised in Ireland if it was granted in the country where either spouse was domiciled on the date the divorce proceedings were instituted. The determination of “domicile” includes an assessment of the intention of the person to remain indefinitely in the foreign jurisdiction.

Recognition of foreign divorces granted prior to the coming into operation of the Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act 1986 is governed by common law domicile rules which are now consistent with those in the 1986 Act.

The recognition in Ireland of a divorce, legal separation or marriage annulment granted in another EU Member State on or after 1 March 2001 is governed by EU Council Regulation 2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in matrimonial matters and the matters of parental responsibility (also known as the Brussels II bis or the Brussels IIa Regulation). This Regulation provides for EU judicial co-operation and recognition and enforcement of judgments in cross-border matrimonial matters. Under the Regulation, divorces, legal separations or marriage annulments granted in all EU States, with the exception of Denmark, are entitled to recognition if granted in accordance with jurisdictional criteria specified in the Regulation. Habitual residence is the key governing criterion for recognition. The Domicile and Recognition of Foreign Divorces Act 1986 no longer applies to the recognition of divorces covered by the Regulation.

Part 19 of the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2020 makes provision for the recognition in Ireland of divorces granted in the United Kingdom or Gibraltar and has been in operation since 11.00 p.m. on 31 December 2020.

Where there is an issue as to whether a foreign divorce is entitled to recognition, section 29 of the Family Law Act 1995 allows a person to apply to court for a declaration as to marital status, including a declaration as to whether a foreign divorce is entitled to recognition in the State.

The Thirty-Eighth Amendment of the Constitution (Dissolution of Marriage) Act 2019 was signed into law on 11 June 2019 following its approval by the people in a referendum on 24 May 2019.

That Act deleted the following subsection from Article 41.3 of the Constitution:

“3° No person whose marriage has been dissolved under the civil law of any other State but is a subsisting valid marriage under the law for the time being in force within the jurisdiction of the Government and Parliament established by this Constitution shall be capable of contracting a valid marriage within that jurisdiction during the lifetime of the other party to the marriage so dissolved.”,

and substituted that subsection with the following:

“3° Provision may be made by law for the recognition under the law of the State of a dissolution of marriage granted under the civil law of another state.”

The amendment will permit a future change in the law to introduce greater consistency in the recognition of foreign divorces.

The Law Reform Commission, as part of its Fifth Programme of Law Reform, is examining the recognition of foreign divorces. When the expert report of the Law Reform Commission is completed, it will provide valuable guidance for the development of proposals for legislation on the recognition of foreign divorces.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 257, 258, 259 and 260 together.

The Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) was introduced in April 2012 to encourage inward investment and create business and employment opportunities in the State. The programme provides investors with the opportunity to invest in Ireland. Key to the programme is that the investments are beneficial for Ireland, generate or sustain employment and are generally in the public interest.

Since its inception, more than 2,000 IIP applications have been received. A breakdown of applications by country of origin is set out in the table below.

Not all successful IIP applicants are visa required nationals. Applicants that are visa required can apply for a 'D' visa to register their permission. Visa statistics are not maintained by the Immigration Services of my Department in a manner to enable me to provide details of 'D' visa applications submitted by successful applicants under the IIP.

Successful applicants under the IIP and their nominated family members may be granted a residence permission in Ireland under Stamp 4 conditions. Stamp 4 conditions permit non-EEA nationals to work, study or start their own businesses in Ireland.

An investment under the IIP does not confer any preferential entitlement to citizenship. A successful IIP applicant wishing to attain citizenship by naturalisation would have to submit an application that meets the criteria as provided for in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended.

All applications for a certificate of naturalisation are processed and assessed individually in accordance with legislation and application statistics are not maintained in a manner as to identify the qualifying immigration permission held by applicants for naturalisation. However, all applicants are required to meet minimum periods of reckonable residence and standard checks are carried out as part of the overall process to maintain its integrity.

Neither I, Minister McEntee nor any Minister for Justice have had any engagements with the Central Bank, the Minister for Finance or the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the IIP. However, the Department of Finance is represented on the Evaluation Committee that assesses IIP applications and there is ongoing engagement at official level with the Revenue Commissioners in respect of the Common Reporting Standards approved by the OECD for information sharing on such programmes.

The IIP has been subject to a number of reviews, both internal and external, in recent years. Following a tender process, a contract to carry out an external review was signed in June 2019. This review was to be carried out in two phases. The Terms of Reference for the review are published on the Immigration Service website at: www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/New%20Programmes%20for%20Investors%20and%20Entrepreneurs.

The second phase of the review has recently been completed and is being considered by my Department. In the meantime, applications for investment in social housing under the IIP continue to be assessed by the independent Evaluation Committee and, where assessed positively, are accepted and processed.

As the Deputy is aware, Peace Commissioners are appointed by the Minister for Justice under Section 88 of the Courts of Justice Act, 1924. Peace Commissioners are empowered to act in their county of assignment and within the counties adjoining that county.

The Deputy will note that as of 25th May 2021, there are 131 Peace Commissioners in County Kildare.

While every effort is made to maintain accuracy, it should be noted that Peace Commissioner records are appointment based and they do not always reflect the actual situation on the ground because the Department is reliant on the Peace Commissioners and other interested parties to advise of changes in circumstances which may occur subsequent to an appointment.

Individuals requesting the services of a Peace Commissioner are advised to contact their local Gardaí to ensure that a particular listed individual is active and available. The details of appointed Peace Commissioners are also retained by the Peace Commissioner Unit in my Department and my officials are happy to assist individuals who require the services of a Peace Commissioner. They can be contacted at info@justice.ie or by telephone (01) 8592323.

My Department is currently giving consideration to how public access to this information can be improved.

An application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy on 9 April 2018. This application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. It is not possible to say what the remaining processing time is for an application that is at an advanced stage. The status of anapplication changes as it moves through the process.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.

As Minister, I am continually aware of the international global trade dynamic and its potential impact on irish agriculture. My key focus, at all times, is the protection and enhancement of the incomes of our farmers, fishers and food producers.

The conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the UK and Australia could have implications for Irish agri-food exports to the UK. The extent of these implications, however, would depend on the specific agri-food market access provisions agreed between the UK and Australia as part of those negotiations. It is difficult to comment more fully on these implications without greater certainty as to what exactly may be agreed between the UK and Australia.

It is important to remember that any FTA signed by the UK with a third country will only affect that country’s access to the UK market.

The EU-UK TCA ensures continued quota and tariff-free access for Irish agri-food goods to the UK market, and this has been in operation since 1 January 2021. Irish agri-food goods may also avail of the access provided to other third countries based on the other FTAs concluded by the EU over many decades. Finally, Ireland is a member of the EU and has full unimpeded access to the EU Single Market of 450 million people.

I am continually aware of the international global trade dynamic and its potential impact on Irish agriculture. My key focus, at all times, is the protection and enhancement of the incomes of our farmers, fishers and food producers. I will examine the need for an impact assessment on the sectors.

The Reconstitution and Under-planting Scheme was developed by the Department in order to provide the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options in support of the ash dieback impacted plantation. The scheme opened for applications in June 2020 and, to date, there have been over 304 applications with 61 approved.

The decision not to allow older and more mature plantations (17m top height or >18cm dbh or >25 years old) access to the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme is based on the position that these plantations have grown to these dimensions and will accordingly be of merchantable value.

A Natura Impact Statement (NIS) for this application was received by officials on 11th May and will shortly be assigned to an ecologist.

We expect that an ecologist will complete their assessment within two to three months. The licence will then be returned to the Forestry District Inspector for their final review and recommendations. A decision should issue shortly afterwards.

The green architecture is a key element of the CAP trilogue negotiation process and has been the subject of much debate between the three institutions. My ambition is to protect the incomes of our farm families through a fair and flexible CAP.

The Council position includes the proposed introduction of ECO schemes into the system of direct payments. A ring-fenced budgetary amount for ECO schemes of 20% of the direct payment budget has been proposed by Agriculture Ministers, with a two-year 'learning' period permitted at the start of the CAP Strategic Plan, to allow Member States avoid any loss of unspent funds due to lower-than-expected take-up of ECO schemes. The Parliament’s approach is more prescriptive. They are seeking that 30% of Direct Payments be directed to ECO schemes and that there would be no learning phase.

Member States must introduce ECO schemes but farmers can choose whether to apply. However, participation in ECO schemes will allow farmers maximise their payments. A significant concern for all Member States, is the potential loss of unspent funds in the case of low uptake by farmers and recent discussions are focussing on how to mitigate this risk. This is not a situation I want to see.

While I welcome the introduction of ECO schemes in the next CAP, I have been consistent in my approach that I cannot accept a potentially serious risk to the loss of CAP funding with the introduction of new ECO schemes if Member States do not have the necessary flexibiltiy to manage this.

Trilogue discussions are still ongoing and final agreement on the CAP, including the green architecture, is dependent on the outcome of this process. My officials and I are continuing to work hard to ensure that the result of the CAP negotiation process will have the best possible outcome for Irish farmers.

The development of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting (including monitoring) and governance systems. The draft CSP will also be subject to an ex-ante evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment including a public consultation on the draft CSP and draft Environmental Report.

I have, with my officials, continued to engage extensively with stakeholders on the future of CAP. Consultations on the development of the CSP will continue via the CAP Consultative Committee, which comprises representatives of the main stakeholders including farm bodies, NGOs (including the Environmental Pillar), industry representatives and academia. It also includes representatives from Government Departments including DPER, DRCD, DECC, DHLGH (NPWS), and Government Agencies, including Bord Bia, Teagasc and the EPA. The Committee has met on 18 occasions with further meetings planned throughout 2021.

Further public consultations on the development of the CSP are being considered. I will also continue to engage with stakeholders as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to meet the deadline of submission to the Commission by 1st January 2023.

Trilogue negotiations on the CAP proposals are ongoing in Brussels. Until these have concluded, we will not have certainty with regard to the options available to Ireland under the CAP proposals. However, it is expected that the new Regulations will allow Member States the option to consider the provision of limited coupled supports if they consider these appropriate.

Ireland decoupled the Single Farm Payment from livestock numbers following the CAP Reform in 2008, in order to permit farmers to respond to market signals, and obviate the obligation to keep potentially loss making animals to secure the Single Farm Payment. The view taken at the time was that coupled payments obliged farmers to keep animals, even when market conditions were poor, that they potentially reduced the quality of livestock and that there was an increased risk of leakage of coupled subsidies to the processing sector.

Coupled payments would not, of course, lead to an increase in payments for farmers as they would be funded from within the Pillar I envelope.

My view is that supports for the livestock sector can be better targeted through specific schemes aimed at improving the economic and environmental sustainability, as well as the animal welfare credentials, of beef and sheep production. Traditional ‘coupled’ payments as set out in the draft Regulations would not allow for the effective targeting of such supports.

Work is currently underway on development of supports for the sector under the next CAP which will be aimed at further supporting the economic, environmental and social sustainability of beef and sheep farms in Ireland.

The AgClimatise roadmap was published in December 2020, setting out a series of 29 actions that will deliver a 10%-15% emissions reduction over the decade. Significant progress has been made by officials in identifying the key areas which will drive inventory change over the years ahead. AgClimatise actions have been referenced in all engagement with stakeholders and with industry over recent months.

This is to ensure that there is a broad understanding of the direction of travel identified including by way of example with the fertiliser industry and co-ops etc regarding the move towards protected urea. Significant engagements have also taken place with stakeholders on the animal breeding side and also the tillage sector to increase the production of home grown proteins.

An updated AgClimatise roadmap will be needed to reflect the increased ambition of the new Climate Action Plan. As a consequence, officials and I are fully engaged in the process of setting out what increased ambition in the agriculture sector could look like. It is only at this point, when new targets have been fully agreed, will the focus once again turn to the implementation of the actions.

As you can appreciate, the sector needs full clarity on what is being asked of them before any implementation plan can be fully agreed.

The Reconstitution and Under-planting Scheme (RUS) (Ash dieback) was developed by the Department to provide the forest owner with a broader range of silvicultural and management options in support of the ash dieback impacted plantation. The focus of the Scheme is moving away from ash dieback eradication and bringing ash plantation management to the fore. The scheme opened for applications in June 2020 and to date there have been over 304 applications with 61 approved.

Premium payments have already issued up to the time the crop became infected. Therefore, they restart from the date the last premium was paid. Additional payments are available for site clearance and for the establishment of a replacement crop. We have no plans at present to change the provisions of the Scheme.

The Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015 specify appropriate persons to whom a database operator must, at all times, provide a response in respect of the provision of information to facilitate reunification of dogs. The appropriate persons are identified in the Regulations as persons authorised under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, dog wardens, local authority personnel and members of An Garda Siochána. The database operator mentioned provides full access to this data to these bodies.

It is a matter for the authorised database operators to decide whether they grant direct data access to third parties such as animal welfare organisations. I understand it was with GDPR considerations that the IKC recently wrote to a number of welfare organisations advising that while direct access would no longer available, that the IKC would continue to provide assistance to these organisations in contacting the owner on receipt of an email or written request.

As with all four authorised databases, the IKC met a strict set of criteria to become authorised. The IKC continues to meet the requirements of the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations, 2015 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act, 2013.

Convergence is a mandatory provision in the current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) programme and the new CAP proposals continue with this policy. Ireland has supported this element of these proposals. Convergence aims to redistribute and flatten the value of CAP payment entitlements and like all elements of the CAP, there are differing views regarding its implementation.

The new legislative proposals for the CAP include a continuation of the process of internal convergence, to a minimum of 75% of the national average. The European Parliament is seeking for a higher level of convergence. Final agreement on the CAP is dependent on the outcome of trilogue negotiations between the three institutions, which are aimed at reaching a final shared agreement on the shape of the new CAP. I am hopeful that these will conclude shortly.

The Department continues to monitor the proposed changes, including changes to convergence, and is engaged on an ongoing basis with European colleagues as well as stakeholders here. This close engagement and monitoring of the proposals on farmers in Ireland will continue until the regulations are fully developed and will, in due course, inform the implementation of new CAP regulations in Ireland.

I intend on fully engaging with farmers and farm organisations to get their views on convergence before I make a decision. I understand this is an issue with far reaching consequences and I want to put farmers at the centre of a decision on their future.

The draft proposals for the new CAP Programme propose capping of Basic Income Support Scheme (BISS) payments above €100,000 with degressivity possible between €60,000 and €100,000 and which includes options to offset some salaries against that limit. The draft proposals include a number of measures which concern redistribution of direct payments, including:

1. An overall cap of €100,000;

2. Degressive reduction of payments above €60,000;

3. A complementary redistributive income support scheme, and

4. The convergence of payments towards the average payment per hectare nationally.

At present, Ireland has implemented the maximum level of capping allowed under the regulations -100% capping of payment entitlement value above €150,000. If the maximum capping allowable under the proposed regulations were implemented, the maximum BISS payment would be c. €82,000. It seems likely that other direct payments, such as eco-schemes, would be excluded from this capping.

These redistributive mechanisms are core EU policies and are set to continue under the draft regulations for the new CAP. There has been extensive engagement and consultation with stakeholders on this process since the draft proposals were announced. I continue to engage with stakeholders with a view to ensuring that the developing EU regulations include a suite of measures which will enable us to ensure the fair implementation of these vital financial supports.

These measures, and others under the direct payments ceiling, are inextricably linked to each other. This means that each time one of the elements is changed, each of the other elements also are affected. Discussions are continuing around the new legislative proposals for the CAP and the final shape of the regulations and the options available to Member States will not be clear until this process is concluded. The Department continues to play a proactive role in this process.

Ahead of the launch of the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, Member States were required under EU Regulations to change the approach to the designation of land under the ANC Scheme. Prior to this, the Department identified eligible areas using a range of socio economic indicators such as Family Farm Income statistics, population density, percentage of working population engaged in agriculture, stocking density etc.

From 2019 onwards, it was required that eligible areas must instead be designated by reference to a range of bio-physical criteria such as, for example, low temperature, excess soil moisture and poor chemical properties. The process also took into account constraints facing offshore island farming and three other identified categories of land: areas of environmental importance, areas facing structural constraints relating to fragmentation and farm size and areas facing structural constraints relating to the prevalence of grassland cover and field size.

Following the completion of this process, areas under the scheme which were determined to be constrained were further classified into a number of different land categories as follows:

- Category 1 land

- Category 2 land

- Category 3 land

These categories are based on the considerations set out in Article 31(1) of Regulation 1305/2013. The system of farming prevalent in Category 1 is characterised by extensive farming practices focused on livestock management on higher ground. By contrast, Category 2 is characterised by extensive livestock grazing practices on lower ground, while Category 3 is less extensive in nature and characterised by grazing livestock enterprises.

Areas of Specific Constraints (Island Farming) formed an additional land category.

Payment rates under the existing scheme are based on an examination of standard output data from the Central Statistics Office Census of Agriculture and data from DAFM databases. This facilitated a comparison at district electoral division (DED) level of DEDs containing designated land, with DEDs containing no designated land. CSO Standard output figures show for Category 1 areas only an average SO/ha of €236.76, for Category 2 areas only an average SO/ha of €742.81, for Category 3 areas only an average SO/ha of €1020.38, and for non-designated areas an average SO/ha of €1206.86.

Based on these figures, the payment rates set out in the scheme are in line with the provision of Article 31 (1) of Regulation 1305/2013 in that the support granted annually per hectare will compensate beneficiaries for “part of the additional costs and income foregone related to the constraints for agricultural production in the area concerned.”

Payment rates are designed to reflect the differences between these three categories.

In the case of support for offshore farming, eligible costs are determined on the basis of the costs and income foregone linked to the specific constraints experienced by off shore island farmers. Island farmers already incur the additional costs and lower productivity that other mainland farmers situated on Areas of Natural Constraints also incur. However, there are additional costs borne by island farmers, which cover all of the main farming activities. These include higher input costs (fertiliser and machinery), animal feed, and other services such as veterinary, consultancy, and maintenance charges.

It is expected that the existing criteria for the determination of the status of land under the scheme, established following the extensive re-designation process undertaken ahead of the 2019 ANC scheme, will continue to form the basis of the determination of land designated as constrained under the new CAP.

The payment rates set out in the existing scheme also show a direct relationship to the level of constraint and production on the different categories of land designated as constrained. On that basis, it is also the intention to ensure that the existing basis of the determination of the rates of payment for each category of land designated as disadvantaged under the scheme also forms the basis for the payment rates which will be in place for the new CAP.

The current payment rates under the ANC scheme are:

- Category 1 Land: €148 on the first 12 eligible hectares or part thereof, and € 112 per hectare on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 34 hectares.

- Category 2 Land: €111 on the first 10 eligible hectares or part thereof, and €104 per hectare on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 30 hectares.

- Category 3 Land: €93 on the first 8 eligible hectares or part thereof, and €88.25 per hectare on remaining hectares up to a maximum of 30 hectares.

- Areas of Specific Constraints (Island Farming): €250 on the first 20 eligible hectares or part thereof, €170 on greater than 20 hectares to less than or equal to 34 hectares and €70.00 on greater than 34 hectares or less than or equal to 40 hectares.

I am very much aware of the pressures on farm income and the need to consider compliance costs for farmers. I will consider in the preparation of Ireland’s draft CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 how we can best support farm incomes and minimise compliance costs, while adopting new approaches and innovations to address new and existing challenges.

I am conscious of the need to put in place supports to assist farmers and advisors to address the climate, environment, biodiversity and health and safety challenges at farm and local level. We have started this work in the transitional period, providing training for farmers and advisors, and testing results-based scorecards through the REAP pilot project, as well as continuing to provide support for EIP-AGRI innovation projects to find local solutions to local problems with farmers.

We aim to continue our online services using the agfood.ie system for applications by farmers, thereby reducing compliance costs. The Department already provides dedicated telephone and online help facilities for those farmers who need assistance in making applications, again cost-free for customers. Ease of application and compliance will be central to the new interventions under the CSP.

I will also continue the extensive engagement with stakeholders on development of the CSP through the CAP Consultative Committee, which comprises representatives of the main stakeholders, including farm bodies, NGOs (including the Environmental Pillar), industry representatives and academia. Further, wider, public consultations on the development of the CSP will take place over the coming weeks and months as we have more clarity on the regulations, which are under consideration in Brussels this week. I will continue to engage with stakeholders on all aspects as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 to meet the deadline of submission to the Commission by 1st January 2023.

An application for a tree felling licence was received in March 2019 for the person named. The preliminary appropriate assessment screening indicated the application site is near eight designated sites including the Lower River Shannon SAC. Therefore, the impact of any felling operations on the sites and the surrounding area, must be carefully considered before deciding on the licence application. Therefore, the application has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit.

This file is now due to be examined by an ecologist in the next four-six weeks and when that assessment of the application is complete, the application will be returned to the Forestry District Inspector for their final assessment and recommendations. These recommendations will form part of the decision on the application which should issue shortly after, subject to all aspects of the application being of the required standard.

The Assistant Secretary in the Department with responsibility for GLAS also has responsibility for Forestry.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 290 together.

GLAS is implemented under the provisions of EU Regulation (EU) no 1305/2013. Section 12 of the GLAS terms and conditions outline that afforestation is fully compatible with GLAS and is recognised as contributing to the creation of a valuable landscape mosaic at farm-level. It is also important to note that GLAS is not a whole-of-farm scheme and that afforestation opportunities continue to exist for GLAS participants on parcels that do not contain GLAS actions.

As the Deputy will be aware, the ‘Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland’ ( Mackinnon) report, which was published in November 2019, made various recommendations or “Ways forward” aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing approval process, as well as dealing with broader issues relating to encouraging woodland creation.

Project Woodland was established in February 2021 by Minister of State Hackett, who has overall responsibility for forestry, to ensure that a new impetus is brought to woodland creation in Ireland. The structure of Project Woodland comprises four Working Groups, with each focussing on a set of recommendations made in the Mackinnon report. Working Group 2, called 'A Shared National Approach', has been tasked to develop a new Forestry Strategy for Ireland. The group has started working on a SWOT and PESTLE analysis for the new Forestry Strategy and will develop and implement an engagement strategy in 2021, including all stakeholders in the forestry sector as well as the general public.

While the GLAS application process did not capture a view of farm enterprise types, an analysis of GLAS undertaken in 2019 and based on 2017 data indictated that sheep farmers accounted for 52% of GLAS participants, cattle farmers 37% and dairy 13%.

Further studies on GLAS are published at gov.ie - Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 (www.gov.ie).

The Green Low Carbon Agri-Environment Scheme, (GLAS) is the current national agri-environment support measure under the Rural Development Programme. Section 12 of the GLAS terms and conditions clearly indicates that afforestation is fully compatible with GLAS and is recognised as contributing to the creation of a valuable landscape mosaic at farm-level. It is also important to note that GLAS is not a whole of farm scheme and that opportunities continue to exist for afforestation and for other forestry supports on parcels that do not contain GLAS actions.

The new Results-Based Environmental Agri Pilot (REAP) is designed to trial an agri-environment results-based scoring system at a national level with a view to identifying upscaling potential for possible inclusion in the next flagship national agri-environment scheme to follow on from GLAS. While REAP will focus on grassland based actions, it offers support for complementary actions such as tree and hedge planting where such actions have the potential to improve the environmental score of the land area.

Both terms and conditions are published and there are no plans to make changes to them.

The new CAP Regulation aims to increase the environmental and climate ambition of Member States. This has the potential to support tree planting and farm forestry, as part of a sustainable farming model, and such options will be explored. Forestry can provide a complementary and supplementary activity to schemes on farms and my officials are engaged in a process of developing schemes to ensure that there is integration between the CAP Strategic Plan and the next Forestry Programme.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 280, 281, 282 and 289 together.

I propose to take PQ's 28976/21, 28977/21, 28978/21 and 28985/21 together.

The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. It is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 283 and 288 together.

The number of applicants accepted into GLAS per county and per tranche is provided in the below table.

The information requested by the Deputy is provided below.

The information requested by the Deputy is being collated and will be forwarded as soon as it is available.