Below for your information are replies by An Taoiseach and the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to further Questions I tabled in Dáil Éireann regarding the need to address the issues concerning in person Day Services in the IWA Centre. Cavan. 

Dáil Éireann debate –
Tuesday, 30 Apr 2024

An tOrd Gnó – Order of Business

Deputy Brendan Smith

There is a very urgent need to have in-person day services restored at the Irish Wheelchair Association’s, IWA, centre in Cavan town. Recently and, unfortunately, the day services ceased due to staffing shortages. This has caused understandable annoyance and concern to service users, their families, and the IWA personnel at local level. These services are of critical importance to users. The service has been reduced to an outreach-only model with Zoom meetings, online activities and visits to homes. Lack of pay parity for section 38 and 39 organisations is an issue. On becoming aware of the imminent cancellation of day services, I made a strong request to the Minister of State with responsibility for disabilities and the HSE to give additional support to the IWA to deal with the current difficulties. I know from the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, that in the meantime, there has been engagement between the HSE and the IWA. The bottom line is that we need in-person services restored as quickly as possible with appropriate State support.

The Taoiseach

I thank Deputy Brendan Smith for raising this important issue. I value the work done by the Irish Wheelchair Association. I see the benefit of it across the country and I will certainly take an interest in the issue he highlights in the service in Cavan town. I welcome the fact that the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, is working very hard on this matter. I will talk to the Minister about it also.

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For Oral Answer on : 30/04/2024
Question Number(s): 111 Question Reference(s): 19213/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
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QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth if additional funding will be provided to an association delivering services to persons with a disability (details supplied) to enable it to increase remuneration for employees to assist with recruitment and retention issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) Irish Wheelchair Association

REPLY

I am aware of the staffing issues the IWA is facing. These issues are reflective of challenges affecting the wider health and social care sector, and impacting on the ability of the HSE and other providers like the IWA to deliver services.

To support the ability of organisations like the IWA to recruit and retain staff, the Department and its agencies proactively engaged with a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process with unions representing staff in Section 39 disability organisations, as well as other providers.

The agreement reached last October, delivered a significant increase in funding to these services, amounting to a phased 8% increase in funding for pay for staff in these voluntary organisations.    An additional €41m has been made available to the HSE in 2024 to meet the full year cost of this increase for disability service providers.

The HSE has already made significant payments to qualifying organisations, and has deployed dedicated resources to work with employer organisations to expedite payments, so that their staff can be paid the increases funded under the WRC agreement.

The Irish Wheelchair Association (IWA) submitted a funding application to the HSE on Saturday 13th of April. The validation process is at an advanced stage and the HSE will begin issuing funds to IWA this week. These funds are in addition to the Interim payment already issued to IWA earlier this year, as part of this process.

I have also been informed that the IWA has recently undertaken a recruitment campaign to fill its vacant positions, in Cavan especially.

In addition to this, under the leadership of Minister Anne Rabbitte, an Interdepartmental Workforce Steering Group has been established focused on identifying solutions and directing efforts to address workforce supply needs in all sectors of Disability Services. 

______________________________________________
For Oral Answer on : 30/04/2024
Question Number(s): 126 Question Reference(s): 19212/24
Department: Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Asked by: Brendan Smith T.D.
______________________________________________


QUESTION

To ask the Minister for Children; Equality; Disability; Integration and Youth the measures being implemented by his Department to ensure pay parity for Section 38 and Section 39 organisations’ employees that are providing services on behalf of agencies under the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

REPLY

The Government recognises that the ability of organisations to recruit and retain staff is crucial to the delivery of quality services and the overall sustainability of the sector.
To support the sustainability of services, including the ability of voluntary organisations to recruit and retain staff, the Department and its agencies proactively engaged with a Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) process with unions representing staff in Section 39 disability organisations.

The agreement reached last October delivered a significant increase in funding to these services, amounting to a phased 8% increase in funding for pay for staff in these voluntary organisations. An additional €41m has been made available to the HSE in 2024 to meet the full year cost of this increase for disability service providers. 

As part of the agreement, Departments also committed to further talks after future public sector agreements. The recently ratified public sector deal opens the door to such further engagement and the WRC has written to relevant parties with a view to reconvening talks. 

The administrative arrangements developed by the HSE to meet the terms of the agreement, are designed to make additional funding available as efficiently as possible to the employer organisations, while also providing for appropriate accountability for expenditure of public monies.

The HSE has contracted dedicated resources to work with employer organisations and set up a portal to expedite payments, so that their staff can be paid the increases funded under the WRC agreement. 

Significant interim payments have already been made to qualifying organisations.

As of 29th April the HSE has indicated that, 422 submissions have been received, 30 Section 39 organisations are currently within the payment process, 8 of which have already been paid with the remainder due payment over coming weeks.

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has said additional funding must be provided for the non-national road network, particularly for roads in Cavan and Monaghan.

Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Smith said he has been raising the issue of funding for almost three years with the highest level of government.

He said: “While I accept that each year the Government has increased funding for the non-national road network, it is not adequate to meet the additional costs that have been incurred due to the war inflicted by Mr. Putin on Ukraine and the resultant increase in energy costs.

“In addition to these increased energy costs, incessant rain over the past year has exacerbated the problems on roads, on those in good condition as well as those that had already deteriorated.

“I am calling for increased funding as a matter of the utmost importance. The funding allocated this year, particularly in Cavan and Monaghan, is not nearly sufficient to carry out a proper road works programme for 2024.

“It is important that the Minister for Transport allocates additional funding to counties including Cavan and Monaghan so that we can bring roads up to a standard that the people deserve and are entitled to. These people are working day in and day out paying their taxes and just because they live in a rural area does not mean they should not be entitled to a proper road network. I implore the Tánaiste to make progress on this matter without further delay.”

In response to Deputy Smith, the Tánaiste committed to have further consultations with the Minister for Transport to explore what can be done for what he acknowledged is “a very pressing problem.”

-ENDS-

“I welcome the allocation of further additional government funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Funding of €1.5 million is being provided to benefit 3 projects in Cavan and 3 in Monaghan.  These Schemes will enhance local amenities and facilities and will benefit  local communities and visitors to both counties.

This investment along with schemes funded under other government initiatives is helping to combat dereliction and putting to good use old buildings that need upgrading. Many of these buildings are in prime locations and will add considerably to local infrastructure and amenities. I compliment local voluntary organisations and both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils in preparing successful applications to enable the drawdown of this funding which will be put to good use in the public interest”, stated Brendan Smith TD

“I welcome the allocation of further additional government funding under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme.

Funding of €1.5 million is being provided to benefit 3 projects in Cavan and 3 in Monaghan.  These Schemes will enhance local amenities and facilities and will benefit  local communities and visitors to both counties.

This investment along with schemes funded under other government initiatives is helping to combat dereliction and putting to good use old buildings that need upgrading. Many of these buildings are in prime locations and will add considerably to local infrastructure and amenities.

I compliment local voluntary organisations and both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils in preparing successful applications to enable the drawdown of this funding which will be put to good use in the public interest”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed confirmation from the HSE that the recruitment campaign for a full time permanent GP in Swanlinbar is in progress. 

The HSE in their correspondence to Deputy Brendan Smith stated that the successful candidate will be required to provide 10 x 4 hour sessions per week from Monday to Friday each week.  The closing date for applications is this Friday, 25^th April.

“Since Dr Deering retired in October 2020 I have continuously pursued with the HSE and with the Minister for Health the need for a locum GP pending the appointment of a permanent GP.  This is the 6^th time that this vacant position has been advertised by the HSE and I sincerely hope that there will be a successful outcome to this campaign.  I know that the patients of the Swanlinbar practice and the wider community in Glangevlin, Corlough, Bawnboy and Swanlinbar are anxious to have this position filled on a permanent basis”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

23/04/2024

Cavan/Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has welcomed the allocation of €1,209,560 to Cavan County Council and €938,444 to Monaghan County Council  under the Local Improvement Scheme for this year.

“This government funding enables the necessary repair of laneways and is very important for many households and farmers throughout all rural parishes.  Unfortunately long delays have occurred for many households in having their lanes repaired as the dedicated funding from the Department of Transport for this particular Scheme ceased in 2012.  There needs to be a continuous and substantial increase in funding for this Scheme to ensure that all eligible roads are brought up to a proper standard of repair”, stated Brendan Smith TD.

ENDS 23/04/2024

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan Monaghan Brendan Smith has received confirmation from Cuan of its commitment to develop a much-needed domestic refuge centre to accommodate victims of domestic abuse in the Cavan Monaghan area.

The CEO of Cuan, the Domestic Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Agency, Dr Stephanie O’Keeffe, in response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Smith, said the Cavan/Monaghan region has been “identified as a priority area for refuge development”.

Dr O’Keeffe said Cuan has a dedicated team that has been engaging with the local service provider in the Cavan/Monaghan area and that provider will work with Safe Ireland, “who will now lead out on the development of refuge accommodation in the Cavan/Monaghan area”.

“Cuan is engaging with Safe Ireland in this regard and will provide the supports to progress this development in 2024,” she stated. “Cuan has also been engaging both Cavan and Monaghan County Councils to discuss potential refuge development. Cuan is working to progress refuge development in this area as a priority in 2024.”

Deputy Smith said: “I’m pleased to receive confirmation from Cuan that progress is being made on the development of a refuge centre for those suffering domestic, sexual and gender-based violence for the Cavan/Monaghan region and that it will be prioritised this year.    

“This facility is much-needed for the Cavan/Monaghan area. At present there is no dedicated centre for victims of domestic abuse in either county. They have been waiting too long for this centre.”

ENDS

I welcome the very significant announcement by Deputy Anne Rabbitte, Minister for Disabilities of substantial investment in the provision of new facilities and services for persons with disabilities in Cavan/Monaghan.

I had highlighted in meetings with Minister Rabbitte, with the HSE and in various and recent Dáil Debates and Parliamentary Questions the absolute need to improve these services across Cavan/Monaghan.

Below is an outline of the commitments made by Minister Rabbitte and the overall funding associated with these important projects.

• €4.6 million for the development of a new Day Service Centre to replace Clogher House in Rathcorrick, Cavan.

• €7.5 million to develop a new Day Service in Cootehill, Co. Cavan to replace Drumlin House.

• €3.1 million has been earmarked to develop a new children’s respite service in Monaghan, which will be a five bedroom facility catering specifically to children from Cavan and Monaghan. While this is being built, additional funding has been sanctioned for the provision of an interim respite service in Monaghan, which will open by October 1^st, 2024.

• A commitment was also given to working with the HSE and local providers to support the expansion of services delivered through Steadfast House and Errigal Truagh.

ENDS

APRIL 10 2024

Fianna Fáil TD for Cavan-Monaghan, Brendan Smith, has welcomed funding worth almost €2.8 million for digital learning and minor building works at Cavan and Monaghan schools.

In total Minster for Education Foley announced €79 million in funding to support digital learning in schools and minor building works across the country. 

It includes €50 million in grant funding for Information and Communications Technology (ICT) for all recognised primary and post-primary schools and a separate €29 million in minor works funding is being provided to primary and special schools.

Some €1,503,873 (comprising ICT grants of €903,873 and Minor Works grants of €600,000) has been allocated to Cavan schools, while Monaghan schools will receive €1,258,607 (€758,607 in ICT grants and €500,000 in Minor Works grants), bringing the total investment in schools in the two counties to almost €2.8 million. 

Deputy Smith said: “I am delighted to welcome this funding as it will support primary, post-primary and special schools to enhance school settings, teaching and learning to the benefit of both pupils and students.

“The ICT funding will be provided to schools to help them continue to use digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment, while the minor works funding can be used by these schools for maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds.

“Digital technologies can open up a world of opportunities to our pupils and students, so it is very important that we continue to support schools to ensure they can embed the use of digital technologies in their teaching, learning and assessment.

“As well as the ICT funding, the €29 million in funding for minor works will be vital in allowing school communities to address issues at local level as they provide the necessary flexibility to address different issues.

“The minor works payments will go towards areas such as the maintenance of school buildings and towards new and upgraded school infrastructure.”

The Digital Strategy ICT grant will consist of a €2,000 basic grant for primary schools plus an additional payment of €39 per mainstream pupil, €43 per pupil in DEIS schools and €47 per pupil with special needs attending a special school or attending a special class attached to a mainstream primary school. For example, a 100 pupil-primary school will receive €5,973 and a 500 pupil- primary school will receive €21,865.

Post-primary schools will be paid a €2,000 basic grant plus €47 per mainstream student and €52 per student in DEIS schools. A 500 student- post-primary school would receive €25,840 and a 1,000 student-post-primary school would receive €49,680.

Deputy Smith concluded by welcoming confirmation from Minister Foley that the Department of Education’s Planning and Building Unit is currently finalising updated guidance for schools in relation to good practice arrangements for maintenance of school buildings.

-ENDS-

Note to editors: 

The previously issued press release stated the total amount for Cavan and Monaghan combined was over €2.25 million. The correct figure is almost €2.8 million. 

Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith has called for a new law making the despicable act of drink spiking a more serious offence to be prioritised.

The Cavan-Monaghan TD said the proposed legislation going through the Oireachtas, which would introduce greater penalties for this dangerous behaviour, is urgently needed after official figures show a rise in drink spiking in recent years.  

He also said he has been made aware of a number of cases anecdotally in his constituency in recent months.

Spiking is a crime under section 12 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997, which provides offence of administering a substance capable of interfering with the victim’s bodily functions, and where spiking is committed with intent to commit a further offence (such as sexual assault or theft), that further offence, or an attempt to commit it, may also be charged.

Deputy Smith said: “Spiking is a sinister and dangerous act that can be devastating for vicitims. We need to make the laws strong to make it easier for victims to report and to raise greater awareness of this despicable behaviour. A new bill – the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Amendment Spiking Bill 2023- has passed the Seanad. Now the Dáil must approve it.

“There has been a sharp rise in the number of these incidents in recent years. Garda figures show that in 2022, there were 106 reported cases of drink spiking, a rise on the 2021 figures. And in my own constituency I’ve been made aware by parents of young girls of despicable spiking cases. Every effort must be made to ensure legislation surrounding spiking is strengthened.”

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee TD, in response to a parliamentary question from Deputy Smith, said spiking is already a crime but they are examining whether it needs to be updated.

“A number of legislative proposals for a separate offence have been made on this issue, including most recently the introduction of a Private Members’ Bill in the Seanad in May 2023, which proposes a new offence covering the administration of a substance with intent to sedate or overpower for the purposes of engaging in a sexual act, make a gain or cause a loss, or commit any other offence. This PMB has passed the Seanad,” she said.

“Submissions have been received from the DPP and the Gardaí on the relevant issues and consideration is being given to whether legislative changes are needed.”

ENDS  28/03/2024