Written Answers Nos 149-165
149. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the findings of the Think-tank for Action on Social Change report, which sees Ireland second in the European Union, when it comes to child care costs (details supplied). [7743/15]
View answerI am aware of the difficulties that parents are experiencing in meeting current childcare costs. To help address this situation, my Department supports the provision of early childhood care and education by providing annually in the region of €260 million to support three childcare programmes that make childcare services more affordable. This investment ensures that more than 100,000 children have access to quality childcare. This high level of support has been maintained despite the difficult budgetary situation that prevailed in recent years.
I wish to point out to the Deputy that, while the annual spend on childcare related programmes has been in the region of 0.2 per cent of GDP in recent years, this does not include expenditure under other programmes or by other Departments. It therefore does not represent the full extent of State expenditure. In fact, Ireland spends 0.4% of GDP relative to the OECD average of 0.7%. The funding provided by my Department has a considerable impact on the level and quality of childcare services provided.
It is clear that accessibility, affordability and high quality childcare can play a critical role in achieving a number of Government priorities, including improving educational outcomes for children, reducing poverty and increasing parents' participation in the labour market.
I would like to be in a position to increase our investment in childcare-related programmes as resources allow. However, I am determined that all such spending, whether existing or additional, will be based on good evidence, and co-ordinated strategically, so that we achieve the best possible benefits for children.
To this end, I have established an Inter-departmental Group which will look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children.
This new Group will include representatives of the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Taoiseach and will be led and supported by my Department. I have asked the Group to report to me by the Summer.
150. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made by his Department regarding the development of a youth policy framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7754/15]
View answerThe National Youth Strategy will focus on the youth-related policy commitments outlined in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24. It will have a particular focus on those who are most disadvantaged or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore in most need of support.
A National Youth Strategy Task Group, convened by my Department, is overseeing the development of the new Strategy. This Task Group comprises statutory youth interests and voluntary agencies and organisations working with young people.
I am keen that all stakeholders have a role to play in the development of the new National Youth Strategy and a comprehensive consultation process is underway at present. This consultation process includes online surveys of young people and those working with young people and three major stakeholder events that will conclude at the end of this month. These events are for young people, the youth sector, NGOs working for and with young people, Education and Training Boards, Government departments, agencies, business and academia and other youth interests. The events include consultation on the priorities for the new strategy and the findings of the recently completed Value for Money and Policy Review of Youth Programmes. The review makes recommendations for the future operation of youth funding schemes and their development in the years ahead to ensure effective, value for money services that will be evidence based and improve outcomes for young people.
The consultation will run to the end of this month and I anticipate that the National Youth Strategy will be completed promptly thereafter.
151. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all sections of the Youth Work Act 2001 have been commenced; if the reviews of the Act and the National Youth Work Development Plan have been completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7755/15]
View answerThe Youth Work Act 2001 provides for certain arrangements to do with the organisation and administration of youth work policy and provision. Sections 2-7, 17, 18 and 24 of the Act have been commenced. Sections 17 and 18 of the Act provide for the appointment of a National Youth Work Advisory Committee. The Committee has an advisory and consultative role to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in matters to do with youth work, including the coordination of youth work programmes and services. In line with these provisions, a new National Youth Work Advisory Committee was appointed by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with a term of office of one year with effect from 28 January 2013. The Committee continues to work with the Department and is currently assisting with the development of the new National Youth Strategy, in particular in identifying in what ways the youth sector can contribute to shared policy objectives for young people.
The National Youth Work Development Plan (2003-2007) was prepared by the first National Youth Work Advisory Committee at the request of the then Minister for Education and Science and published in 2003.
Since the enactment of the Youth Work Act, in 2001 and the publication of the National Youth Development Plan in 2003, there have been significant policy and legislative developments that are relevant to the provision of youth services. These include, the introduction of Better Outcomes Brighter Futures, the national policy framework for children and young people, the setting up of the North South Education and Training Standards Committee for youth work and the introduction of the Education and Training Boards, Act 2013 which, inter alia, provides for a statutory function for Education and Training Boards in supporting the provision and assessment of youth work services at local level. At EU level, the Council of Ministers for Youth has adopted an EU Youth Strategy and has taken a number of policy initiatives to promote quality in the provision of youth work services.
Following the completion of the new National Youth Strategy, I intend that the provisions of the Youth Work Act 2001 will be considered in the light of these developments and in relation the implementation arrangements to be put in place to achieve the strategy’s objectives and to secure the best possible outcomes for young people.
The consultation on the National Youth Strategy will continue until the end of this month and I anticipate that the strategy will be completed promptly thereafter.
152. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to publish the revised child care regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7698/15]
View answerPre-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.
My Department is progressing the Early Years Quality Agenda which introduces a number of key of reforms that provide for the further development of the childcare sector. To underpin these reforms, it was necessary to amend the Child Care Act, 1991 and these legislative changes were enacted through the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013.
To provide for the implementation of the changes, it is necessary to carry out a root and branch re-examination of the existing regulations including a restructuring of the regulations and guidance content in line with the latest drafting practices. This has proved more time consuming than originally envisaged. Officials in my Department are working closely with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to develop a comprehensive draft of the new regulations, and I have asked my officials to have this matter finalised as expeditiously as possible.
153. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a capitation grant for all children in child care until they are eligible to attend primary school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7742/15]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides for one free pre-school year for all eligible children before commencing primary school. Almost every pre-school service in the State is participating in the programme with approximately 67,000 children availing of free pre-school provision each year.
The standard capitation currently provided is €62.50 per week for each eligible child enrolled with a capitation of €73 per week provided where services have staff who hold higher qualifications. A total of some €175 million is spent on the free pre-school year annually.
The Government succeeded in maintaining the pre-school year on a universal and free basis despite the difficult budgetary situation that prevailed in recent years. While considerable progress has been made in correcting the overall budgetary situation, the funding available to my Department does not allow for any increase in the current provision within the pre-school year or to extend the age range for eligibility. Consideration will be given to the introduction of a second free pre-school year when quality issues in the sector have been addressed and the necessary funding becomes available.
In addition to the children supported under the ECCE programme, my Department also provides support to approximately 35,000 children in the 0 to 6 age group and children availing of after-school care. These supports are provided through the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which provides subvention payments to disadvantaged and low income families availing of childcare services in community childcare facilities, and through a number of labour activation measures that have been introduced to assist parents who are returning to the work force or engaging in training or education opportunities.
Together these childcare support programmes represent an annual investment of €260 million by my Department. I would like to be in a position to increase our investment in childcare-related programmes as resources allow. However, I am determined that all such spending, whether existing or additional, will be based on good evidence, and co-ordinated strategically, so that we achieve the best possible benefits for children.
To this end, I have established an Inter-departmental Group which will look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children.
This new Group will include representatives of the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Taoiseach and will be led and supported by my Department. I have asked the Group to report to me by the Summer.
154. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the resources being made available for aftercare services for children and young persons leaving State care. [7764/15]
View answerAftercare is a term used to describe the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him/her in making the transition to independent living. Current aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical (including accommodation and financial) support. The Child Care Act 1991 provides that the core eligible age range for aftercare is from 18 years up to 21 years. The Agency has advised me that a number of areas of action have been prioritised and work has commenced on the development of dedicated aftercare services, on the standardisation of a range of financial packages, on the introduction of Aftercare Steering Committees at local level, and on the further development of the provision of information on aftercare services in Ireland.
The Agency has further advised that at December, 2014, excluding staff costs, approximately €14.3 million was spent on the provision of statutory aftercare services.
Between 450 and 500 young people leave care annually upon turning 18. According to the Child and Family Agency, at the end of September, 2014 there were 1,698 young people aged 18 to 23 years (inclusive) in receipt of an aftercare service. Of those, 946 (56%) were in full time education.
A significant number of these young people are supported financially to remain living with their foster carers, in addition to having access to an aftercare worker. The most vulnerable group of children are those leaving residential care or short term foster care placements. Children, who come into care late, in their mid to late teens, may not have developed the relationships with staff or aftercare workers that help them achieve good outcomes.
Young people who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education.
A protocol developed by the Child and Family Agency and the County and City Management Association, in relation to dealing with accommodation issues of young people leaving care, has been completed. This will see the relevant local authority housing representative attend aftercare planning meetings with social workers of the Agency in relation to those young people for whom social housing has been identified as the most appropriate form of accommodation support.
Furthermore, as the Deputy is aware, it has been decided to strengthen the legislative provisions regarding aftercare. This is in response to concerns that there was insufficient focus in this area and that such planning was not taking place on a properly structured and consistent basis. The approach adopted is to impose a statutory duty on the Child and Family Agency to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person. The aim is to create an explicit, as opposed to implicit, statement of the Agency’s duty to satisfy itself as to the child’s or young person’s need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports.
It is anticipated that the Aftercare Bill will be published in the early part of 2015.
155. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a detailed update on the review of the school completion programme, which has been in operation since 2002; and the plans in place for its development. [7770/15]
View answerThe School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of young people who are risk of educational disadvantage. The programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills' DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.
Since 1 January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme. The review of the School Completion Programme, indicated in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014, is under way. The objectives of the review are to examine the programme's structures, clarify roles and responsibilities, to analyse the interventions and supports provided and identify best practice and make recommendations for the future of the programme.
The review is being carried out by the ERSI following a procurement process which was managed by the Agency. The plan for the review includes arrangements to capture the views of a range of stakeholders, including staff and all those involved in the organisation and administration of the School Completion Programme. It includes a survey to gather the views of project coordinators and chairpersons of the 124 local school completion programme projects throughout the country, case studies of projects involving staff and participating schools and interviews with national stakeholders who have a direct interest in the programme.
The review of the School Completion Programme is an important initiative in planning for the future development of the programme. It will assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing for the future. Preliminary information gathered in the review indicates that the School Completion Programme encompasses a broad and diverse range of measures and interventions that have been developed by local projects over the years. The intention is to learn more about the most successful of these, share the learning across the programme and ensure that available funds are targeted to those services that provide the greatest contribution to good educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage.
The review is being overseen by a steering group comprising officials from my Department, the Department of Education and Skills and the Agency. Work is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that the review will be completed during the current academic year.
156. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans for greater investment in community youth clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7748/15]
View answerMy Department is responsible for the administration of funding for the provision of youth services. The funding schemes support the delivery of a range of universal and targeted youth work programmes and services for young people throughout the country, including those from disadvantaged communities.
The schemes include the youth Services Grant Scheme, under which funding is provided to 30 national and major regional organisations to support their services. 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 the Local Drugs Task Force Projects Scheme. Other schemes administered by my Department include the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres.
In 2015, an allocation of €49.78m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services.
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through the local Education and Training Boards. The scheme is open to some 1,600 youth groups and clubs, with an estimated 89,000 club members around the country. In 2015, €1.035m has been allocated to this scheme. The scheme, which is open to new entrants, will be advertised locally and applications for funding will be invited by the Education and Training Boards from local groups in their respective areas. It is anticipated that he grants will be advertised in the coming weeks with a closing date of April 17th. Each year, some 600 local youth clubs benefit from the scheme.
157. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on care orders; and the steps that are open to parents when they are dissatisfied with the manner in which Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has conducted matters. [7706/15]
View answerThe Child Care Act 1991, as amended, sets out the different types of care order that can be sought, including an emergency, interim, full or special care order. The Act outlines the procedures and the conditions under which a Court may grant a care order, including the relevant period for review by the Court. While the Child and Family Agency has a duty to receive a child who requires care or protection into its care under the Child Care Act 1991, it does not have the power to impose a care order. A care order, in the case of emergency, interim or full care orders, can only be issued by a member of the judiciary sitting in the District Court, which may be part of a special sitting as the Children Court, as indicated in the Act. In the case of special care orders, an application must be made to the High Court. Decisions on the variation or discharge of a care order are also a matter for the relevant Court and lie outside the powers of the Agency. If a person is unhappy with a care order itself then an appeal can be lodged with the Courts, which, normally, in the case of an order from the District Court is to be lodged within 14 days of the order being made. Under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, it is possible for a child to be placed with the Agency in care on a voluntary basis but this is not a care order and can be rescinded by the parent or guardian at any time.
If there is dissatisfaction on the outcome of a case or any other aspect of the service provided by the Agency then this may be referred to the Agency’s complaints service, under its complaints policy ‘Your Service Your Say’. The Agency's website outlines a number of routes by which a complaint can be made and includes comprehensive guide on feedback and complaints, including contact information for a number of advocacy groups (www.tusla.ie).
There is also the option of referring the complaint to the Ombudsman for Children, who can look into how complaints with a child protection concern may have been handled. The Ombudsman can instigate investigations on its own volition. Complaints can be made directly by anyone under the age of 18, or by an adult on behalf of a child or young person. If the concern is in relation to professional misconduct or poor performance of a social worker, a complaint can be made to CORU, Ireland's health and social care regulator using their complaints procedure, 'Fitness to Practice'.
158. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the findings by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development that Ireland's investment in child care is one of the lowest in the world, if he will make a commitment to child care facilities, and workers, by acknowledging the severe pressures the industry is under, with increases in costs of food, fuel and rates; and the way he will support the industry. [7709/15]
View answerMy Department supports the provision of early childhood care and education by providing annually in the region of €260 million to provide for three child care support programmes that make childcare services more affordable and ensure that more than 100,000 children have access to quality child care. This high level of support has been maintained despite the difficult budgetary situation that prevailed in recent years.
I wish to point out to the Deputy that, while the annual spend on child care related programmes has been in the region of 0.2 per cent of GDP in recent years, this expenditure does not include expenditure under other programmes or by other Departments and therefore does not represent the full extent of State expenditure. Ireland spends over 0.4% of GDP relative to the OECD average of 0.7%.
It is clear that accessibility, affordability and high quality childcare can play a critical role in achieving a number of Government priorities, including improving educational outcomes for children, reducing poverty and increasing parents' participation in the labour market. To ensure that all the benefits of child care investments are fully realised, future public investment in child care must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. I am establishing an Inter-departmental Group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in child care services.
This new Group will include representatives of the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department of Finance and the Department of the Taoiseach and will be led and supported by my Department. I have asked that the work of this Group be carried out within a relatively short time frame and I expect that the Group will be in a position to report to me in the Summer.
159. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is satisfied that detention for children is used only in cases of last resort, as mandated in the Youth Justice Action Plan 2014-2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7753/15]
View answerThe youth justice system has to be considered in its entirety, from the Garda Youth Diversion Programmes, through to the Children's Court, the Probation Service and the Children Detention Schools. The principles of the Children Act 2001 include that detention should be imposed as a last resort and may only be imposed if it is the only suitable way of dealing with the child, and that the various areas in the youth justice system apply a series of 'filters' or tests in each case. In examining each case, it is important to note that it is not a simple question of choice between the Diversion Programme, community sanctions and detention.
The first main filter is the Garda Diversion Programme, which at different stages and depending on the seriousness of the offence, may involve the informal caution (without supervision) and the formal (supervised by a Garda Juvenile Liaison Officer) caution, including possible involvement with a Garda Youth Diversion Project. The second main filter is provided by the non-custodial sanctions available to the Courts, including dismissal under the Probation Act and unsupervised sanctions (e.g. fines, disqualification, peace bond, curfew etc.). The next stage involves the Probation Service's supervised sanctions (i.e. community service and other community sanctions). Finally, as a last resort, detention may be used.
I have on-going policy cooperation with the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding our shared goal to minimise the rate of juvenile offending under the Youth Justice Action Plan 2014 – 2018. The Minister for Justice and Equality has overall responsibility in the area of crime and anti-social behaviour and her Department funds a range of community based responses to youth crime, in particular the Garda Diversion Programme and the Young Person Probation Community Projects. These programmes are specifically targeted at young offenders and those at serious risk of offending. Funding support of approximately €17m has been allocated by the Minister for Justice and Equality to this area in 2015. This budget has been maintained in recent years notwithstanding financial constraints.
In the year 2012, there were a total of 12,246 children referred to the Garda Diversion Programme and a total of 134 children either remanded or sentenced to a period of detention in the children detention schools. This would seem to indicate that when all children in contact with the criminal justice system are considered, detention is being used to a much less degree than non custodial options and the Garda Diversion Programme. However, I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality in continuing to promote the use of non custodial options where appropriate in line with the objectives of the Youth Justice Action Plan.
160. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there will be a separate and distinct module for those of mixed race, as part of the mother and baby homes inquiry, that is explicitly focused on experiences of racism in institutions; and his views that, without implementing this module, the inquiry will be incapable of properly acknowledging the existence of, and consequences of, such abuse. [7708/15]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was established by Government on the 17th February 2015.
The comprehensive Terms of Reference for this investigation will thoroughly examine the experience of mothers and children who were resident in Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County Homes. The Commission is required to address issues related to the practices and procedures regarding the living conditions, care, welfare, entry arrangements and exit pathways for residents of these institutions. In particular, I would refer the Deputy to Section 1 (VIII) of the Terms of Reference in which Government has tasked the Commission with identifying the extent to which any group of residents may have systematically been treated differently on any grounds, including religion, race, traveller identity or disability.
In accordance with the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, it is essential to recognise that a Commission is independent in the performance of its functions. It is a matter for the Commission to decide how best to conduct the various modules of its investigations. As the Minister with responsibility for overseeing administrative arrangements for this Commission I have no role in decisions relating to the conduct of the investigation. It would therefore be inappropriate for me to comment further in respect of the matters raised by the Deputy.
161. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide the minimum salary levels for employees of child care providers, who are in receipt of the capitation fee, in view of the fact that the capitation rate for the free preschool year is a major factor affecting salary levels in child care provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7739/15]
View answerThe Government provides €260 million annually to a number of childcare support programmes that assist parents with the cost of childcare. This figure includes €175 million provided annually to support the universal free pre-school provision under the Early Childhood Care and Education programme. These programmes are, of course, in addition to the support provided to all parents in the form of Child Benefit.
The funding provided through the childcare support programmes has had a significant impact on childcare provision and has enabled many childcare providers to continue to deliver childcare services at a time of economic difficulty. The funding has also ensured that employment levels across the sector have been maintained. The retention of the current level of investment in childcare is a considerable achievement, given the pressure on the public finances over the last number of years.
I recognise the difficulties being faced by childcare providers and I am aware of the concerns of childcare professionals in relation to levels of remuneration in the childcare sector. I met recently with their representatives to discuss a range of issues relating to childcare provision and I am giving careful consideration to their views on future developments in the sector.
The remuneration for childcare workers is a matter for agreement between employers and employees. Staff remuneration does account for the great proportion of the overall cost of providing childcare services and I acknowledge that increased capitation and subvention payments through the childcare support programmes would assist childcare services in addressing these cost issues. I have indicated that, if resources become available to my Department, I will consider the scope for increasing the level of these payments.
However, I want to look at the question of appropriate supports for child care in a wider context. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare services. To ensure that all the benefits of our full range of childcare investments are fully realised, future public investment in childcare must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. I have established an Inter-departmental Group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. I have asked the Group to report to me by the Summer.
162. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of engagement between his Department and the Department of Education and Skills, in establishing greater professional recognition, through qualifications, for child care staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7745/15]
View answerMy Department works very closely with the Department of Education and Skills on quality improvement within the early years sector. This includes the qualifications profile of the sector.
There is an increasing recognition of the importance of skilled and appropriate qualified staff in this sector. Indeed, in recent years, with the introduction of the free pre-school year in 2010, early years practitioners have had to become increasingly qualified. Prior to 2010, there was no education qualification requirement for staff working with children in the early years sector. This changed with the introduction of the free pre-school year under the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, whereby pre-school leaders are required to have a minimum of a Major Award at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (or equivalent) to qualify for the standard capitation rate and a Level 7 Major Award (or equivalent) to qualify for the higher capitation rate.
The introduction of the Learner Fund in 2014 has also served to improve qualification levels within the sector and there is considerable evidence that the early years sector is becoming increasingly upskilled. Data from Pobal's Annual Survey (2013) shows that 99.4% of early years settings that responded have at least one staff member qualified to National Framework Qualification Level 5 or higher. 86.3% had at least one staff member qualified to Level 6 or higher and 39.5% had at least one staff member qualified to Level 7 or higher.
While the qualifications profile of the sector is on an upward trajectory, we need to be sure that their education and training is equipping them to become competent professionals. My colleagues in the Department of Education and Skills are taking the lead in carrying out a review of ECCE education and training programmes which will examine the extent to which such programmes are being delivered as efficiently as possible; are subject to appropriate quality assurance procedures at institutional level; meet the demands of the learning community, including the extent to which they incorporate flexible learning, modular delivery, progression routes, and opportunities for recognition of prior learning (RPL); equip graduates with the skills, knowledge and dispositions to work in the area of early years education, which is one element of the overall education continuum ; prepare graduates for social diversity; and are delivered by appropriately qualified experts in the field of early years education.
While the profession is not regulated, the developments in the last few years have seen Government recognition of the importance of skilled and appropriately qualified staff as central to the achievement of quality standards. The introduction of the higher capitation rate for early years practitioners educated to degree level is proof of this.
163. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his assessment of the level of support that is currently available for young carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7749/15]
View answerThe National Carers Strategy is led by the Department of Health and many Departments including the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have a role to play in its implementation.In September 2014 officials from my Department and the Child and Family Agency met with the National Carers' Association to discuss the role of the Department and the Agency in relation to the National Carers' Strategy.
The Child and Family Agency Act 2013 brings together a range of existing services for children and families to one agency. As of 1st January 2014, the Child and Family Agency is responsible for the former Family Support Agency, the National Educational Welfare Board and also for the functions of Child and Family services previously provided by the HSE. The Agency's functions include maintaining and developing services in order to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children and to support effective functioning of families. In so doing the Agency will promote enhanced interagency cooperation to ensure that services are coordinated on the principle of the best interest of all children and their families.
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency is in the process of refining and implementing a new strategic approach to service delivery through an integrated model of service committed to the principle of “One Child, One Team, One Plan”. The EWS of the Child and Family Agency is developing national guidelines as a practical support for schools in the preparation of School Attendance Strategies as outlined in Section 22 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The guidelines will assist schools to implement effective measures to support children at risk of poor attendance and participation, including those with caring responsibilities. It is anticipated that the guidelines will be completed before the beginning of the 2015/16 academic year.
In order to learn more about children that undertake caring roles, my Department requested the Central Statistics Office to help to identify the extent to which children have caring responsibilities. The Census of Population 2011 found that 6,449 children, or 5.6 per 1,000 children provided regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problems or disability. Rates ranged from 4.3 per 1,000 in Co. Louth to 8.2 per 1000 in Co. Leitrim. Under the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives (2011-2016) analysis of those figures in the 2011 Census will help to inform future policy as to how best to address the support needs of children and young people who undertake caring roles. This analysis will be published in 2015.
A National Youth Strategy is also being developed by my Department. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24 years. It will have a particular focus on those who are most disadvantaged or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore in most need of support. The consultation process in the development of this strategy has included a number of major stakeholder consultation events and I am pleased that representatives of the Carers Association participated in these consultations.
164. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address the funding crisis affecting domestic abuse services, including the County Laois domestic abuse service. [7691/15]
View answerIn 2014, €17m in funding was provided by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) by way of grant aid to 62 specialist Domestic Violence & Sexual Violence services. These include:
- 16 Rape Crisis Centres/Sexual Violence services
- 44 Domestic Violence services (including 20 Refuges)
- 2 National Networks
In addition, funding of €2.54m has transferred to my Department's 2015 Vote from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, and in turn to Tusla. This funding was previously distributed under Section 10 of the Housing Act, 1988 and is for domestic violence refuge services. The purpose of this funding transfer is to ensure that the State’s relationship with the domestic violence services is managed in a manner which is more coherent and adapted to the needs of service users i.e. victims of domestic violence.
In 2014 Tusla funded specialist domestic violence services in Co. Laois provided by Laois Domestic Abuse Services. The service received €64,900 in funding from Tusla last year.
The service involves the provision of domestic violence supports, including information, advocacy and counselling services to women experiencing or who have experienced domestic violence.
The work of Laois Domestic Abuse Services and other community-based domestic violence services is recognised and valued.
Tusla has recently completed an initial review of domestic violence and sexual violence services in order to identify strategic priorities and set out a Tusla roadmap for sexual violence and domestic violence services. There is for the first time a consolidated national budget for sexual violence and domestic violence services and an opportunity for more co-ordinated and equitable provision of violence and domestic violence services across the country.
Tusla will be communicating with funded services shortly to advise on the Tusla budget and funding for 2015. Individual domestic violence service provider organisations, including Laois Domestic Abuse Service, will be contacted about their specific funding and service arrangements for the current year.
Future planning for domestic violence and sexual violence services will seek to address gaps, avoid duplication and support effective delivery of frontline services nationally. Developments for domestic violence services in Co. Laois will be considered as part of Tusla’s future commissioning process.
165. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to extend the power of the Ombudsman for Children, including areas actively under consideration, and a timeframe for delivery, in view of the urgency, in relation to children in direct provision. [7707/15]
View answerI have no immediate plans to amend the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 for the purposes outlined by the Deputy.
The direct provision system is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Department of Justice and Equality has primary responsibility in the area of asylum and immigration.
The Deputy may be aware that a report ‘Review of the operation of the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002’, was submitted by the former Ombudsman for Children, Ms Emily Logan to the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in March 2012. One of the recommendations contained in that report was that “… section 11(1) (e) should be amended to clarify that the exclusion regarding the administration of law in the area of asylum, immigration, naturalisation or citizenship relates solely to decisions taken by the relevant authorities in accordance with statutory procedures for determining whether a person is entitled to a particular status.” My Department engaged with the Department of Justice and Equality on this recommendation, among others. The then Minister for Justice and Equality considered that no legislative change was required and this position has been reaffirmed by that Department.
In a reply to a question by Deputy Brendan Griffin (Reference No. 31092/14 on 15th July 2014), the Minister for Justice and Equality addressed, among other issues, the question of the Ombudsman for Children being given jurisdiction in the direct provision system and for the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) to be allowed inspect direct provision hostels. In replying, the Minister made reference to provisions in both the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 and Ombudsman Act 1980 which excludes either Ombudsman from investigating any action taken by or on behalf of a person in the administration of law relating to, inter alia, asylum. If I may quote from Minister Fitzgerald's response, she said "Whilst there are no plans to change those legislative provisions, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) including RIA, has administrative arrangements in place with both Offices to assist and provide information on matters brought to its attention by them ".
The Department of Justice and Equality has established a working group to review a range of issues pertaining to asylum seekers and direct provision. The first meeting of the Working Group on the Protection Process was held on the 10th November 2014, chaired by Judge Bryan McMahon. The Working Group consists of children's rights advocates, organisations engaged with asylum groups and representatives from a range of relevant government departments, including a representative from my own Department. I look forward to learning of the findings and recommendations of the working group in the Spring of 2015.
