Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for coming before us today and talking us through the Estimates. My questions cover the framework. I will start with youth organisations. I know there was a €5 million increase allocated to those but young people have been particularly hard hit during Covid and there are many who would have disengaged with the education system and from their social circles and are in real need of supports. Does the Minister think the €5 million increase is sufficient? Are there any opportunities? Would he like to expand on that?

In respect of direct provision, the Minister spoke earlier about period poverty mechanisms and measures, which are really welcome. When I think about period poverty, it is reflective of a poverty within the system - that women are not in a position to afford the basic fundamental essentials for themselves. I know the Minister has proposed very significant changes for the direct provision system, which are welcome, but until they are in place, will there be additional funding or measures for people in direct provision outside the period poverty measures? Obviously, we all recognise that direct provision is not a system we want and one that requires fundamental reform but it will takes years for that fundamental reform to happen. Is the Minister looking at measures in the interim?

The consultation in respect of the restorative recognition scheme about which the Minister spoke is up at the end of the month. He said he needed to move quickly with it because in many instances, we are talking about older people. Has a budget been set aside for any financial redress payments? I did not see it in the Estimates. Is there anything there for that or does the Minister anticipate that it would be next year before anything like that is sorted if that is what was needed?

Regarding the childcare sector, there was no breakdown of Covid supports within the Estimates. It would be interesting to see that breakdown. Obviously, we have not gone back fully. When the payments that go out to early education workers are suspended, is there any analysis by the Department of the impact of that suspension? I know quite a number of early education workers were put on the pandemic unemployment payment. It was a key issue for the Minister and Department to maintain that connection between the provider and the staff but, unfortunately, that did not seem to happen. I think 4,500 childcare workers were receiving the pandemic unemployment payment. We do not know at this point whether they will go back into the sector or whether that linkage has been broken to the point where it is irretrievable be it through the fact that they have got another job or will not go back into the sector. Has there been any analysis by the Department of that? Does the Minister expect that a significant number of staff will not go back into the sector? Does he have any contingency plans in case that happens? It would probably be more to do with geographical areas as it might hit some areas more than others. Has the Minister looked into that?

In respect of D4 relating to refugee and migrant integration, there was a plan to have 2,900 resettled refugees by 2023 but even more recently than that, last September there was an agreement by the Minister involving a number of refugees from the Moria camp, in particular unaccompanied minors. My understanding is that none of those refugees has been resettled in Ireland. When people are in dire straits and emergency situations, it is unfortunate that we are looking at a six, seven or eight-month delay in resettling those children and families. Could the Minister provide us with an update on that? Have any of those unaccompanied minors been resettled? I think my last parliamentary question on it was last month so I am not sure what the latest development is.