Written Answers Nos. 11-18
12. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her reaction to and the steps that will be taken to address both the historic failures and the contemporary deficiencies highlighted in the recently published reviews of a number of Catholic Dioceses undertaken by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21775/13]
View answerThe recent publication of a further seven reviews, conducted by the National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church into safeguarding practices at both diocesan and Religious Congregation level, is a further important step in presenting a national picture of how both are engaging with the issue of child protection, and the regimes in place to ensure that proper safeguarding arrangements are being applied and, more importantly, complied with.
The review process is an important element within an overall programme of work which needs to be completed in order to provide the necessary assurances to the public, and to the statutory authorities, that appropriate safeguarding and reporting measures are in place and operating well across the Catholic Church.
Sixteen diocesan reviews have now been published, together with four reviews of Religious Congregations. I look forward to the publication of all remaining reviews and expect that the Church authorities will engage with the Safeguarding Board in order to complete the national review process.
The recently-published reviews reveal evidence of good and improved practice in the development of better safeguarding structures and processes. This is to be welcomed. Positive developments are shown in terms of adherence to the standards set out by the Safeguarding Board. There is also evidence of a very constructive engagement with diocesan Safeguarding Committees. It is also encouraging that the Board reported that all the findings of the reviews have been fully accepted and that the recommendations are already being implemented. However, there is no room for complacency, and it is imperative that the standards are fully implemented across the Church and that this continues to be validated by the Safeguarding Board.
From the perspective of historic allegations, the diocese of Clogher came in for particular criticism on this occasion, having exhibited very poor practice when it came to responding to allegations of abuse. In response to publication of that diocesan review, the Church authorities acknowledged that much more could have been done to intervene to ensure the safety of children was held paramount.
The review reports were furnished by the Safeguarding Board to the HSE and An Garda Síochána. I will be consulting with Mr. Gordon Jeyes, CEO-designate of the new Child and Family Agency, who works closely with the Safeguarding Board and An Garda Síochána, on the findings of the reviews and on the ongoing collaborative work being done to promote improved safeguarding practices across the Catholic Church.
I would also like to highlight the enormous contribution which Mr. Ian Elliot, Chief Executive of the Safeguarding Board has made to the development of more effective and transparent child protection practices in the Catholic Church. Mr. Elliot has overseen an objective and consistent methodology for all reviews and I look forward to this work being continued to the same standard by his successor.
13. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she or her Department have engaged directly with the Department of Health to ensure that legislation currently being drafted on the issue of sunbed use and access adequately addresses the serious problem of under-18 use of these machines with all the potential adverse effects on children’s health and their well-being in later life; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21770/13]
View answerThe prime responsibility for policy in relation to the legislation referred to by the Deputy lies with the Department of Health. My Department has been assured by the Department of Health that, in view of the potential adverse health effects on children's health and well being in later life resulting from sunbed use, the forthcoming sunbeds legislation to be introduced by the Minister for Health proposes to prohibit the use of sunbeds by persons under the age of 18 in commercial sunbed premises. My Department will examine the draft legislation prior to submission to Government and I look forward to supporting my colleague, the Minister for Health, in its advancement.
14. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will introduce higher standards of qualification in early care and education services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21842/13]
View answerNearly all pre-school services in the State are now participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme which was introduced in January 2010 and which provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before they commence primary school.
The minimum qualification requirements have, in fact, been increased for those delivering the ECCE programme. During the 2010-2012 period, there was an interim qualifying period whereby a person who did not hold a recognised qualification at the equivalent of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ) but could demonstrate that he/she had a certified award relevant to early childhood care and education that included significant content covering the core knowledge areas of child development, early learning, health and welfare, and provided they had at least 2 years experience of working in a position of responsibility, was able to work as a pre-school leader. For the 2012-2014 period, every early years practitioner working as a pre-school leader entering into contract for the first time, must hold a major award at a minimum of Level 5. To assist unqualified practitioners in the current workforce to achieve the full Level 5 award, my Department provided part-subsidies for an on-line course which was developed by one of the voluntary childcare organisations.
A higher capitation rate is available to services participating in the ECCE programme in which all childcare workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the programme i.e. where all the Pre-school Leaders hold a Bachelor degree in childhood/early education and all the Pre-school Assistants hold a relevant major award at level 5.
It is my objective to incrementally develop the ECCE programme over the term of this Government as resources permit. A key element of this is the implementation of the Workforce Development Plan by the Early Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, which is co-located in my Department.
The Workforce Development Plan identified different distinct groups including new entrants to the workforce who wish to become appropriately qualified for specific occupational roles and responsibilities, and unqualified practitioners in the current workforce who want to achieve the Level 5 award. For new entrants to the workforce the publication of Common Award Standards at Levels 4, 5 and 6 is a welcome development. Programmes of learning developed to meet these new award standards will incorporate national practice frameworks and will reflect national policy objectives, thereby ensuring that graduates are fully prepared to enter the workforce. Training providers have begun to meet the new award standards in respect of the FETAC Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education. The first programme has been developed and is being provided through the VECs.
Future developments relating to early years and education, including workforce development, are being considered in the context of the National Early Years Strategy for children aged from birth to six years, which is being developed by my Department and expected to be completed later this year.
15. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will amend the Child Care Act of 1991 to ensure the regulation of all paid childminders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21846/13]
View answerWork on the development of Ireland’s first Early Years Strategy for children aged from birth to 6 years, is already underway in my Department. The approach I am taking in developing the Strategy has received Government approval. My intention is to create an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland's early years sector and a coherent approach to seeking to improve the lives of children from birth to 6 years.
A broad range of issues relating to regulations, standards, quality assurance, and inspection are currently being considered by the Expert Advisory Group which is advising my Department on the Strategy. As Minister I am committed to ensuring high standards in early years service provision, both in terms of care and curriculum. The role of quality provision is critical in contributing to childhood development and I am determined that this key objective will be reflected fully in the Early Years Strategy.
One of the specific issues of policy which I have identified for consideration in the preparation of the new Strategy is the future role and regulation of the childminding sector, which is already an important component of early childhood care and education. At present pre-school services are subject to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No.2) Regulations 2006, as provided for under Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991.
Services providing care for children who have not yet commenced primary school are required to notify their service to the Pre-School Inspectorate of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and are subject to inspection and report by the Inspectorate on a regular basis. Services covered by the Regulations include full-time, part-time and sessional services as well as childminders taking care of more than three pre-school children from different families in the childminder's home.
The National Guidelines for Childminders, compiled by the National Childcare Co-ordinating Committee established under my Department, provide guidance to childminders in regard to the Regulations and good practice in the provision of childcare services. In that context, the City and County Childcare Committees, which assist my Department in implementing its early childhood care and education programmes, encourage childminders to voluntarily notify themselves to their local Committee.
As is the case with all regulatory requirements, the Child Care Regulations set the minimum standards which services are legally required to comply with. My Department will continue to adopt a pro-active approach to promoting the highest standards of care and education throughout the sector, including childminders, given their importance in this crucial phase of children's lives.
16. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a progress on the new after-school childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21837/13]
View answer23. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps which she intends to take to address the lack of availability of after-school services for children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21737/13]
View answer26. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is her intention to press for expenditure that is currently allocated for child benefit to be partly diverted for child care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21830/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 16, 23 and 26 together.
As part of Budget 2013 I, together with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, was pleased to announce a new After-school Childcare initiative which will be targeted at low-income parents availing of employment opportunities. Lack of access to affordable, quality childcare is a significant barrier to many low income and disadvantaged families seeking to avail of work opportunities. This initiative will provide an important support measure to enable parents to avail of job opportunities. This is in line with the Government's overall strategy to support parents of low income families to take up employment and demonstrates how Departments are working together to deliver the Government's agenda on promoting employment and supporting children's development.
The initiative is expected to receive full year funding of €14 million to provide over 6,000 after-school places for children attending primary school in order to support parents to take up employment. This funding has been made possible through savings from the Vote of the Department of Social Protection.
Eligibility for the new After-school Childcare programme is determined by the Department of Social Protection. Officials from the Department of Social Protection and my Department are continuing in close collaboration on the operation of the programme. The first pilot phase has commenced. Up to 500 childcare places are available with Department of Social Protection local offices in Tralee, Mullingar, Dundalk, Cork City, Finglas, Kings Inn and Limerick City participating. The second phase of the pilot will be rolled out in July, with the full roll-out of the programme in September 2013, to coincide with the new school year. The pilot programme will assist both Departments in determining the procedural, quality and practical issues that require attention prior to the finalisation of the programme.
The programme will provide €35 per week per child enrolled in a participating service for after school services and this payment will rise to €100 per week during holiday periods when parents will be availing of full day care. A further €20 per week will be paid by the parent to the provider in both instances.
The new After-school Childcare programme will further augment my Department's programme of childcare supports for low income families. These include the Community Childcare Subvention and the Childcare Education and Training Support programmes, both of which provide subsidised childcare for low income parents, including qualifying parents who are on approved VEC and FÁS education and training courses. In 2013, my Department expects to spend in the region of €70 million on these programmes, supporting over 30,000 childcare places.
Any proposed additional funding for childcare or other related services by way of re-allocation of resources currently part of the child benefit budget would be a matter for Government to consider in the context of Budget 2014.
18. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the priority she is giving to the frontline workers in Clondalkin and Lucan Youth Services, Dublin; if she will outline the impact the planned cuts will have on these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21688/13]
View answer27. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the frontline workers in the Clondalkin/Lucan Youth Services, Dublin, are dealing with one of the most vulnerable and at-risk groups in the greater Dublin area (details supplied); if she will reconsider her policy of funding youth cafés and continue to maintain the funding for frontline workers in youth work in Clondalkin and Lucan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21687/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 27 together.
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.498m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
The savings required under the Government's Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in respect of 2013 amounted to €5.393m. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
In 2013, youth funding amounting to almost €1.5 million has been allocated to services in the Clondalkin and Lucan area. This includes:
Youth Affairs Funding 2013
|
PROJECT |
FUNDING |
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€363,219 |
|
Young Peoples Facilities Services Fund 1 |
€479,965 |
|
Young Peoples Facilities Services Fund 2 |
€666,373 |
|
Youth Information Centre |
€49,001 |
|
Traveller Development |
€33,545 |
The funding allocated for the provision of youth services in Co. Dublin including the Lucan and Clondalkin areas is administered by Co. Dublin VEC on behalf of my Department. I understand that Co. Dublin VEC has consulted with the projects in the Clondalkin/Lucan area and assured them of their continued support for the projects in managing the resources available in the most effective and efficient way.
In addition, Co. Dublin VEC disperses small grant support, funded by my Department, to local voluntary youth clubs in the Lucan & Clondalkin areas. The Deputy should note that under the Comprehensive Review of expenditure, I have ensured that there has been no cut to the total national funding being provided by my Department to support the local voluntary youth club grant schemes as this funding plays an important role in supporting volunteer-led youth groups and in promoting and leveraging valuable voluntary activity in youth work.
My Department administers a range of measures to support vulnerable young people and it works closely with the youth sector, the Departments of Education and Skills, Health, Social Protection, Justice and Equality on shared policy objectives to promote healthy behaviours among young people, prevent early school leaving and to promote positive outcomes for them. These measures include the National Youth Health Programme which provides a broad-based, flexible health promotion/education support and training service to youth organisations and to all those working with young people in out-of-school settings. These youth services are often first point of contact for young people and can be important reference points for them in matters to do with care, health and welfare. My Department provides funding under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, for the Late Night League Programme which supports soccer leagues at various locations across Dublin to encourage young people to become involved in local activities thus reducing anti-social behaviour involving young people in selected areas. The programme focuses on young people aged 13-21, promotes healthy lifestyles and takes place in disadvantaged areas during prime anti-social hours such as Friday nights. The initiative uses football as a tool for social inclusion and learning and has proved to be very successful in communities.
The National Educational Welfare Board, under my Department, provides a range of measures to promote attendance at school and to support families where children are experiencing difficulty in attending school. Over €26m has been provided nationally in 2013 for the School Completion Programme, which is administered by my Department and operates as a key support within the Department of Education and Skills DEIS action plan. Four local school completion projects are funded in the Clondalkin Lucan area with over €1m being invested in 2013 to support students attending the 22 schools participating in these programmes.
My colleague Minister Shatter has overall responsibility in the area of crime and anti-social behaviour and his Department funds a range of youth services, in particular Garda Youth Diversion Projects and Young Person Probation Projects, in areas of greatest need with a specific youth crime intervention approach, targeting those involved in or at risk of offending behaviour through early intervention work. These services are linking with other youth services provided by my Department to support effective crime prevention approaches.
The new youth policy framework which my Department is developing for completion later this year will aim to enhance the provision of youth services and it will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between government departments and the youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people in future years.
