Thursday, 7 Jul 2022

Written Answers Nos. 109-123

Direct Provision System

Ceisteanna (109, 121)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

109. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that, almost 18 months after publication of the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision, a record 11,689 people, including nearly 2,800 children are currently living in direct provision, an increase of more than 40 per cent on the same time in 2021; the actions he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36734/22]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Ceist:

121. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update in relation to the White Paper to end direct provision and the proposed funding model for Approved Housing Bodies to support the building of a pipeline for phase two accommodation; the number of suitable properties in each county identified by his Department and the Housing Agency for phase two accommodation to date in tabular form; the number of people currently in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35389/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 109 and 121 together.

As the deputies will be aware the Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants and replace it with a new model that is based on a not for profit approach. As part of this process I published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service on 26 February 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and will replace the current system.

Since the publication of the White Paper my Department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports. A dedicated Transition Team has been established in the Department to drive implementation of the new model. Governance structures have put in place in the form of a Programme Board which includes representation from the NGO sector and an External Advisory Committee to oversee transition to the new system. The Board has met regularly over the past 12 months to review progress.

Significant progress has been made to establish the new accommodation model. This work has involved working very closely with the Housing Agency in the development of detailed policy advice papers including an acquisition policy, an ownership model and a funding model. Proposals in relation to the ownership model were brought to the Programme Board in November 2021 and approved by myself in January 2022. In collaboration with the Housing Agency a funding model for Approved Housing Bodies has been developed to support them in building a pipeline of Phase Two accommodation. Work is ongoing to finalise the details of the model with plans to launch it later this year. To date, 14 properties have been purchased for Phase Two accommodation and work to source and acquire more properties will continue for the remainder of 2022.

The Transition Team is developing an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper. In collaboration with the Local Authorities work is currently ongoing to design the supports that will be required at a local level. This includes the expansion of the current model of interagency working groups and resettlement and intercultural workers that is in place for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and establish a permanent integration system that will provide support both to programme refugees and to applicants for international protection.

Work is also ongoing to develop an integration fund, which will fund civil society organisations to support the integration of International Protection applicants. It will launch in the coming weeks.

As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for implementation of the White Paper, as staff in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth were temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland’s obligations including members of the White Paper Transition Team.

The Department is working diligently to manage the response to the Ukraine crisis whilst continuing to progress the aims of the White Paper. Currently a review of project timelines is being undertaken with a view to presenting a revised implementation plan to the Programme Board. This will take account of the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the Ukraine crisis and will consider its impacts on project implementation.

Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the implementation of the new model is and will continue to be a key priority for my Department.

Child Protection

Ceisteanna (110)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department can ensure early intervention in all cases where children may be at risk, whether in public or private institutions or in any way dependent on support arising from their vulnerability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36709/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services.

The Children First Act 2015 provides for a number of key child protection measures, including raising awareness of child abuse and neglect, providing for mandated reporting of child protection concerns and improving child protection arrangements in organisations providing services to children.

Under the Act mandated persons are required to report child protection concerns at or above a defined threshold to Tusla. Mandated persons are people who have contact with children and/or families and who, because of their qualifications, training and/or employment role, are in a key position to help protect children from harm. Organisations classed as providers of relevant services under the Act are required to undertake a risk assessment and develop a Child Safeguarding Statement (CSS) setting out the procedures in place to manage any risk identified.

The Children First Act operates side-by-side with the non-statutory obligations provided for in Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The guidance sets out how reports about reasonable concerns of child abuse or neglect should be made by the general public and professionals to Tusla and what organisations need to do to keep children safe.

If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, An Garda Síochána (AGS) should be alerted without delay.

Tusla acts urgently on notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by AGS or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases.

Tusla has an out of hours emergency number for AGS which provides advice to the AGS based on the circumstances and also can identify whether a child of concern is listed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS). The CPNS is a Tusla owned secure database, which lists children who are considered to be at ongoing risk of significant harm.

There is a 24/7 'out of hours' social work team available in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Cork and on call social workers in other areas. Tusla has a network of emergency foster care placements for children in need of emergency care out of hours.

Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 of that same act, to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will at that point carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm. Where a child is already in care, Tusla will make a determination as to whether the child is safe in their placement or if they need to be moved.

In April 2021, Tusla published research undertaken by National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) which examined the actions undertaken by Tusla social workers when AGS transfer custody of a child to their care, following the AGS removing the child under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991.

A total of 452 cases recorded in Tusla’s Section 12 database for the period July 1st 2016 to June 30th 2017 were analysed. The findings showed that most of the children were aged 15 to 17 years and there were slightly more boys than girls. The research also showed that the most commonly reported reasons for invoking a Section 12 were:

- Severe parenting difficulties

- Parental Alcohol/Drug Abuse

- Child behaviour difficulties.

As the data for the report was collected in 2016/2017 many of the findings of the report, and subsequent recommendations, have been addressed through ongoing service development and improvement in Tusla, including, as mentioned, the standardised processes of communication between Tusla and AGS.

In relation to children in institutions, HIQA inspect all Tusla children's residential centres and the Registration Unit in Tusla inspect and register voluntary and privately run children's residential centres. Reports of inspections are available on the HIQA and Tusla websites.

Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 105.

Child and Family Agency

Ceisteanna (112, 138)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

112. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to concerns expressed by HIQA in connection with Tusla services in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36317/22]

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

138. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to improve upon social work provision in Cork. [36316/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 112 and 138 together.

Inspections of Tusla's child protection and welfare services, foster care services and children's residential centres are carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) and inspections of non statutory Children's Residential Centres and foster care agencies are undertaken by Tusla's Alternative Care Inspection and Monitoring Service (ACIMS). The aim of these inspections is to ensure effective service delivery and identify areas where improvement is required and where there are emerging risks within services.

The inspection to which the Deputy refers was carried out on child protection and welfare and foster care services in the Cork area. As previous inspections of the services provided in Cork have identified ongoing challenges, the area is subject to risk-based inspections. This inspection was a risk-based inspection.

The inspection took place at a time of significant change in the service area. There was a relatively new senior management team in place. The team was in the process of developing a programme in order to bring about change and address the significant backlogs in the area and to implement new systems for service delivery, which would be compliant with statutory regulations and national standards. It was acknowledged during the inspection that additional time and resources would be required to address the deficits and achieve a high standard of practice.

Of the twelve standards inspected, 10 returned non-compliant judgements and two returned substantially compliant judgements.

Following the inspection, Tusla has put in place an action plan and submitted that plan to HIQA. This plan has been accepted by HIQA. The progress of the plan is being closely monitored by Tusla and my Department will continue to liaise with Tusla senior management regarding quality improvement and risk management in the Agency.

The action plan submitted by Tusla includes measures such as, but not limited to the following:

- The establishment of an Inter-Agency Steering Group in the Cork area, to consider how the area can work in a more integrated way to support families awaiting services in a more timely manner;

- Six additional social work posts have been approved to address the waiting lists;

- The Social Work Graduate panel will be open to Cork.

Furthermore, efforts have been made by my Department to address challenges identified in a number of service areas. In 2019, my Department established the Social Work Education Group (SWEG), with key stakeholders from social work employers (including Tusla), the higher education sector and representative bodies. The goal of the group is to increase the number of social work graduates from Irish universities.

In March 2021, Tusla offered employment to all suitably qualified graduates. Following a recruitment process, 110 new graduates were offered roles within the Agency.

Following representations by the DCEDIY and other stakeholders to the IDG on Economic Migration, and the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, social workers were removed from the ‘ineligible occupations list’. As a result social workers from outside the EU/EEA are now eligible to apply for an employment permit since June 2021.

My Department will continue to closely monitor progress in this area.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (113, 135)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

113. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of Ireland’s ratification of the Optional Protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, including expected timeframe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36704/22]

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of plans for Ireland to sign and ratify the optional protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; the timeline for the signing and ratification of the optional protocol; the status of the review by his Department on the requirements for ratification; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36524/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 135 together.

Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007.

I recognise the importance of the Optional Protocol to the UNCRPD. As the Deputy will be aware, the Optional Protocol is an international treaty that establishes procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government, to follow the State's first periodic review before the UN Committee.

Due to delays at UN level, Ireland’s appearance before the Committee will now be delayed, possibly for some time. In light of this, both Minister O'Gorman and I have indicated that we are open to earlier ratification, contingent on the State being in a position to meet its obligations thereunder. This is reflective of the State’s long-standing approach to entering into binding international obligations in good faith, and at a point where the State is in a position to meet its obligations.

Work is being undertaken on the process of examining the requirements for ratification, including the legal steps needed in advance of ratification. This work is being progressed as part of the development of the UNCRPD Implementation Plan.

Ukraine War

Ceisteanna (114)

Charles Flanagan

Ceist:

114. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report his Department to further improve the inclusion and integration of Ukrainian refugees across counties Laois and Offaly and other communities around the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35386/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.

The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past four months. My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 39,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 29,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.

Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation. While this is not ideal, the priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation.

Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.

Providing accommodation and supports to displaced persons from Ukraine would not be possible without the whole of society response including the contributions from stakeholders, volunteers and the Irish public in general. My Department is in regular contact with all the relevant stakeholders to facilitate the provision of supports and services to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to aid their integration and inclusion in the communities in which they are accommodated. This includes the Local Authorities who have stood up the Community Response Forum at local level which brings together organisations, statutory bodies such as Tusla and the HSE, and volunteers at a local level to link services to those that need them. It is within this forum that particular issues relating to needs of all beneficiaries of temporary protection to assist with inclusion in the community are raised and brought to the attention of state agencies and voluntary groups who can assist further.

Furthermore, my Department has regular engagement with NGOs working in this sector. They have been extremely supportive and my Department is committed to continued cooperation and collaboration in assisting displaced persons fleeing conflict in Ukraine.

I have had the privilege in recent weeks to travel around the country to speak with representatives of community groups, family resource centres and youth services as well as those who are on the front line of this engagement. In particular, I thank the community groups around the country that have done so much, individually and collectively, to welcome those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine to our country.

Childcare Services

Ceisteanna (115)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

115. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans for helping parents with childcare costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36720/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Improving early learning and childcare affordability for parents is a key priority. Significant investment is being made by my Department to support parents with the costs of paying for early learning and childcare and to support providers with the costs of delivering early learning and childcare.

The major programmes funded by my Department that contribute to affordability for parents include the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS).

The universal ECCE pre-school programme provides for free access to early learning and childcare for 15 hours per week for the two years before children start primary school. This significantly offsets the costs to parents of early learning and childcare at this stage.

An estimated 95% children in the relevant age cohort participate in this programme.

The NCS provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children.

There are two types of subsidies available under the NCS:

- From September a Universal Subsidy will be available to all families with children up to the age of 15. Previously the Universal Subsidy was available for children up to age 3 only. The extension will benefit up to 40,000 additional children. This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.

- Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and varies depending on family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in the family.

Further information and resources for parents is available at www.ncs.gov.ie.

NCS is currently supporting thousands of families to offset their costs. A recent review of the NCS showed that:

- 38% of families had more than half of their early learning and childcare costs covered by the NCS;

- 56% of families had more money to spend due to the scheme; and

- 28% of families were working more because of NCS, with 8% reporting that they would not be in work without it.

I recognise however that the burden on some families remains high and we need to do more to ensure affordability and accessibility.

An Expert Group to develop a new funding model for the early learning and childcare sector examined the current model and made recommendations to Government in December which were accepted in full. This new funding model is now beginning to be implemented to improve quality, affordability, sustainability and accessibility of services.

The package of measures for the sector announced in Budget 2022 was informed by the Expert Group recommendations. The package includes a new Core Funding stream valued at up to €221 million in a full year. Making early learning and childcare more affordable to parents and improving quality including through better terms and conditions for the workforce are key objectives of Core Funding, along with improving services' sustainability.

A central condition of Core Funding is that providers agree not to increase fees above those which were charged last year. This will give parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensure that increases to NCS subsidies are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time.

Budget 2022 extended universal NCS subsidies for children of all ages up to 15 and this will come into effect for the new programme year. Budget 2022 also changed how ‘wraparound hours’ for NCS subsidies are determined, essentially offering greater numbers of subsidised hours to families where not all parents are in work or study. This change is already in effect. The Expert Group report also recommended increasing the NCS rates and this will also be implemented for future years.

Ensuring no fee increase, in tandem with developments to the NCS will together deliver improved affordability for parents.

As outlined, I am committed to putting in place a strong foundation to improve affordability and accessibility for parents and sustainability for services, as well as improved quality of provision, including pay and conditions for the workforce. This foundation will allow for further developments in future years which I plan to build on further.

Departmental Strategies

Ceisteanna (116)

Pádraig O'Sullivan

Ceist:

116. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will detail the progress regarding the development of the autism innovation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36713/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As part of Autism Awareness Month, in April 2021, I announced the Government’s intention to launch an Autism Innovation Strategy to deliver real and tangible solutions to address the challenges and barriers faced by people with autism across Ireland.

I want to ensure that people with autism are given the opportunity to participate in all stages of the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy, from inception to launch, and monitoring implementation of the Strategy thereafter.

A public consultation process was launched on 29 April this year. Submissions were invited from people with autism, their families, friends, representatives and supporters.

The second phase of the development of the strategy comprises an expression of interest process for membership of a Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group. This process was launched on 10 June and closed on 30 June. The Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group’s main role will be to oversee the monitoring and implementation of the Strategy. It is intended that membership of the group will prioritise the representation of those with a lived experience of neurodiversity and Disabled Persons' Organizations (DPOs), as much as possible.

Following the conclusion of the public consultation and the establishment of the Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group, my Department will lead efforts to develop a draft strategy. Once the Strategy has been drafted, there will be a second public consultation to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to participate in the finalization of the actions adopted by Government.

Once published, the Autism Innovation Strategy will utilise the key themes of innovation, empowerment and awareness raising to shape future policies and strategies that are adopted to accelerate our journey towards being a more autism-inclusive and neurodiverse-friendly society.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (117, 146)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

117. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a research report published on 29 June 2022 by family carers Ireland found that 70% of respondents experienced difficulty accessing services for at least one of the people they care for; the actions he will take in response to this finding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36732/22]

Gino Kenny

Ceist:

146. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a research report published on 29 June 2022 by an organisation (details supplied) which found that 52% of respondents said at least one of the persons they care for are currently on a waiting list for services; the actions that he will take to address this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36737/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 146 together.

This is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (118)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

118. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role his Department has in ensuring the HSE are delivering services for children with disabilities. [36770/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As the Deputy may be aware the Government Decision on the 22nd of December 2020 confirmed the transfer of policy, functions and funding responsibility relating to specialist community-based disability services (SCBDS) from the Department of Health to my Department. This is a very significant transfer of functions, both from the point of view of improving services for persons with a disability but also from the perspective the Department of Health and this Department. It involves over €2.3 billion of funding and has significant implications for the HSE.

Following significant engagement between my Department, the Department of Health (DoH) and the Attorney General’s Office, an overarching legislative framework was agreed and submitted to Government on 10th December 2021, to put in place the necessary arrangements to facilitate the HSE to report to two Ministers for different elements of its functions and provide for revised corporate governance and accountability arrangements of the HSE.

The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, was subsequently signed by the President on the 12th of April 2022. My officials are now actively engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Health to facilitate this transfer.

Direct Provision System

Ceisteanna (119)

Thomas Gould

Ceist:

119. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount paid to a company (details supplied) in 2022 for catering in direct provision. [36769/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The referred to company currently provides management and catering services in three state-owned International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres.

I am not in a position to provide any details in relation to the contract details as this is commercially sensitive information.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Ceisteanna (120)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Ceist:

120. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on funding supports for ELC and SAC providers, including for ECCE-only providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36701/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Government has provided significant investment in early learning and childcare in recent years and I intend to continue this towards reaching the First 5 commitment of investing of at least €1 billion in the sector by 2028.

From August 2020, early learning and childcare services had been able to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) without having to demonstrate a reduction in turnover. This continued to be available until the end of April. This significant level of funding to the sector has ensured that fees have remained largely static for the last two years and that providers have continued to be adequately supported.

The investment in the sector through EWSS, on top of the various others Covid-related funding and other measures, tailored and adjusted to the needs at different stages of the pandemic, have significantly supported the sector.

Looking to the longer terms plans for the sector, in December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).

The new funding model will support the delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. The new funding model will incorporate the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and introduce a new funding stream, Core Funding, from September.

Core Funding is worth €221 million in full year costs to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers. Core Funding allows for an estimated 19% increase in the total cost base for the sector.

Core Funding will contribute to services’ sustainability and will significantly increase income for the overwhelming majority of services and provide greater funding stability. Core Funding will be allocated based largely on capacity. Core Funding will give providers a stable income source based on the nature of the service they deliver. A provider’s income will now consist of Core Funding, NCS and ECCE subsidies, and parental fees. Structuring Core Funding primarily based on capacity means that services will have an allocation each year that will not fluctuate in line with children’s attendance.

Core Funding will intentionally address some of the existing disparities in funding levels across ECCE and non-ECCE provision, providing funding proportionate to the age ratio of children being cared for and supporting the employment of graduate Lead Educators across ELC provision as well as graduate Managers, distributing public funding in respect of graduate staff more fairly across ELC provision.

Core Funding is equivalent to an increase of at least 9.5% in funding for ECCE services not led by a Graduate Lead Educator. At a minimum, for every ECCE child €78.75 per week is now available (compared to €71.90 previously from ECCE standard capitation and PSP combined).

Because Core Funding is paid in respect of places rather than children, effectively this could mean a greater ‘per child’ marginal increase if the service has unfilled capacity. With average ECCE occupancy of 9 children per staff member, Core Funding is equivalent to weekly per child capitation of €80.92.

The vast majority of services will see an increase in funding, and less than 1% of services will see no change. No service will see a decrease in funding. For any service that does experience financial difficulties, a Sustainability Fund will be in place. This new strand of the Sustainability Fund, linked to Core Funding, will be designed to provide an extra safety net for providers. This will be open to both private and community providers.

Following the tapering of EWSS and prior to the introduction of Core Funding, a Transition Fund is available to providers between May and August. The primary conditionality of the Transition Fund is an agreement not to increase fees from September 2021 levels. I am delighted to report that so far 95% of services have agreed to operate a freeze on parental fees by coming into contract for the Transition Fund.

The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, those who work in the sector, and society overall.

This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding and I look forward to working with these partner services.

I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.

Question No. 121 answered with Question No. 109.

Education Schemes

Ceisteanna (122)

John Lahart

Ceist:

122. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of book bags that have been distributed under the Little Library Initiative; the learnings that have come back from the scheme; the impact it has had; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36695/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Under the First 5 My Little Library Initiative – a collaboration between the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Local Government Management Agency – every child starting primary school this September is invited to collect a free book bag from their local library full of storybooks and resources to support with the transition to primary school. The book bag also includes a My Little Library card wallet and at collection, children and their families are invited to join their local library. Book bags are available in Irish and English.

This Initiative is part of a wider initiative focused on encouraging a love of books and stories among young children and on connecting young children, their families and carers to the network of libraries nationwide.

The great news from Libraries Ireland is that so far this summer 13,000 4 and 5 year olds have become new members of the library because of the First 5 My Little Library Initiative. I hope that this will be the start of a life long relationship with their library and access to books and all the other services our libraries have to offer.

Of course this initiative is about supporting children with the transition to primary school. So far, half of all children starting school in September have benefitted with 30,000 book bags distributed. Libraries throughout the country have now restocked and the First 5 My Little Library Book Bag will be available throughout the summer for other children preparing for the important milestone this September.

This project is being evaluated to identify its impact, to point to the learning from the initiative and how we might continue to ensure every child makes the transition from pre-school to school with books in their home and ready to continue their learning journey.

Departmental Projects

Ceisteanna (123)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

123. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a research project launched by his Department (details supplied); and the date upon which he expects the project to be completed. [36554/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Thank you for your question Deputy Tóibín.

I was delighted to launch the commencement of this research and data project in January, which will examine the lives of children in care and adults who were in care as children.

The project is comprised of a suite of research and data activities that will strengthen our understanding of the lives of children in care, and adults who have been in care. This work will provide us with much needed insights into their experiences and valuable evidence about their outcomes.

It is important to say that, on the information currently available, the Irish care system compares favourably with that in other similar countries. However, we do not understand enough of the individual circumstances of children, nor do we have enough evidence about the factors that support young adults achieve fulfilled lives.

This project is a crucial step in gaining this knowledge and it will inform the development of effective and responsive policies in my Department and services, across government, that best serve the needs of children and young people in the care of the state.

As the Deputy may be aware the impetus for this project was Action 65 in the Ryan Report Implementation plan, which recommended that the HSE commence longitudinal research with young people leaving care over a ten year period. At various times over subsequent years consideration was given by my Department as to how best to address this recommendation and I am very pleased to advise the Deputy that the work on this project has commenced.

The project will be carried out using a combination of primary research and strengthened administrative data collection and analysis. It will comprise cross sectional research on young adults who left care about ten years ago, a ten-year longitudinal study of young people transitioning from care in line with the Ryan Report recommendation, and other bespoke studies on children in care to complement improved system data. It will be led by my Department, with Tusla as a key partner.

This project is a key priority of mine and I, and my officials, believe that developing this project in partnership with children in care, young adults in aftercare, their carers and others involved in service provision will be crucial to its success.

A small project team has been established within my Department and towards the end of the summer that team will be joined by a member of staff from Tusla.

The initial stage of project development is underway and work on a project plan has commenced, including consideration of governance structures and design, timelines and costings for each of the various elements of the project and a communications strategy.

A key first step in the project plan will be to establish a steering group, with the involvement of key stakeholders, services providers, young people who have experience of the care system and other expert input.

The first piece of work to be carried out will be the cross sectional research with young people who left the care system ten years ago. Planning for this piece of work is well underway and it will be tendered for via public procurement on eTenders in the coming days.

At this point, it is difficult to provide a precise time frame for the project. However, given that a longitudinal study on young people leaving care over a ten-year period is a key aspect of the project, it is safe to assume that this project will be in progress over a period of ten years and more.