Written Answers Nos. 635-657
635. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of Ireland at European and world athletic championships; if the Athletics Association of Ireland represents the island of Ireland or the State at these events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24771/17]
View answerI am informed by Sport Ireland that Athletics Ireland, as the National Governing Body for Athletics in Ireland, represents the 26 counties at European and World Athletic Championship events.
All National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGBs) are independent, autonomous bodies and are responsible for their own governance procedures and competition rules for their sports. I would suggest that the Deputy contact Athletics Ireland directly for any further information in relation to this matter. Contact details for Athletics Ireland at (01) 8869933 or email admin@athleticsireland.ie.
636. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans with regard to the Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 to delay the entire amendment of section 1274 of the Companies Act 2014 until 2022; if only the amendment to subsection (2)(a)(iii) will be delayed until 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24000/17]
View answerThe Companies (Accounting) Bill 2016 was signed into law by the President on 17 May 2017.
Section 78(1) of the Companies (Accounting) Act 2017 replaces and amends section 1274 of the Companies Act 2014. It provides that an unlimited company (an ULC) is not obliged to file financial statements with its annual return, while a designated unlimited company (a ‘designated ULC’) is obliged to file financial statements with its annual return.
Section 1274(2) defines a ‘designated ULC’ in a number of ways. One of those definitions is contained in section 1274(2)(a)(iii). That subsection provides that a designated ULC is an ULC that at any time during the relevant financial year has been a holding company of an undertaking which was at that time limited.
As the Companies (Accounting) Act 2017 was being enacted, the Oireachtas made an amendment to provide that this particular type of designated ULC will not have to file financial statements in respect of financial years that begin before 1 January 2022. The Oireachtas did not extend the application of this amendment to any other type of designated ULC.
The Companies (Accounting) Act 2017 transposes the EU Accounting Directive (Directive 2013/34/EU) into Irish law. That Directive applies its provisions to certain types of unlimited companies, and this aspect is transposed in section 1274 of the Act. Transposition of that Directive was due by 20 July 2015, so it is overdue.
For these reasons, most types of designated ULC, as defined in section 1274, will be required to file financial statements after the commencement of the Companies (Accounting) Act 2017.
It is my intention to commence that Act as soon as possible and to apply it to financial statements with respect to financial years beginning on or after 1 January 2017.
637. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the Copyright Bill; when she expects it will be published; if she will consider extending a college's (details supplied) current statutory copyright library status to include accessible digital formats, which would make for greater accessibility for blind and visually impaired persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24191/17]
View answerIn July 2016, Government approved a General Scheme of a Bill entitled the Copyright and Related Rights (Amendment) (Miscellaneous Intellectual Property) Bill. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. When drafting of the Bill is finalised, my intention is to seek Government approval to publish the Bill.
The Bill proposes a modest amendment to allow copyright deposit institutions in Ireland to accept publications in electronic format. The current legal requirement is that every book published in the State must have a hard copy deposited with each of the legal deposit institutions, including the college referred to by the Deputy. This amendment would not, however, extend to a requirement for electronic deposit in a format accessible for persons with a visual impairment, as this is a separate policy matter outside my area of policy responsibility.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that it is intended in the Copyright Bill to include separate provisions to improve access for persons with a disability to published works. This would involve allowing designated authorised bodies in the State to make suitably modified copies of works and to distribute these to persons with a disability. These provisions will prepare the way for adoption of the Marrakesh Treaty, an international Treaty aimed at ensuring greater availability of books in accessible format for persons who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise print disabled.
I am confident that the improvements contained in the Copyright Bill, when in place, will bring about a significant improvement generally in the position of persons with a visual impairment in terms of accessing a broader range of works.
638. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of SI 377/1998 Security Industry Joint Labour Committee Establishment Order 1998, as amended by SI 30/2014 Security Industry Joint Labour Committee Establishment (Amendment) Order 2014; and if all sectors under the statutory instrument are now compliant with the order. [24405/17]
View answerJoint Labour Committees (JLCs) are provided for under the Industrial Relations Act 1946 and were reformed by the Industrial Relations (Amendment) Act, 2012. A JLC is comprised of equal numbers of representatives of employers and workers in a sector appointed by the Labour Court. The Chairperson and Deputy Chairperson are Industrial Relations Officers from the Workplace Relations Commission and are appointed by me.
The constitution and proceedings of JLCs is set out in the Fifth Schedule to the Industrial Relations Act, 1990. The discussions within the Joint Labour Committees are not open to me or to my Department.
The Joint Labour Committee for the Security Industry was established in accordance with Statutory Instrument No. 377 of 1998 (as amended by Statutory Instrument No. 30 of 2014) and which remains in force.
JLCs meet regularly, under an independent Chairperson to discuss proposals for terms and conditions to apply to specified grades or categories of workers in the sector. If agreement is reached the JLC publishes details and invites submissions from interested parties.
If, after consideration of any submissions received, the Committee adopts the proposals it will submit them to the Labour Court for consideration. The Labour Court will then make a decision on the adoption of the proposals. If the Court decides to adopt the proposals, a copy is presented to me and if I consider it appropriate to do so I will make an Order giving effect to the proposals. Such Orders are known as Employment Regulation Orders. One such Order was made on 1st October 2015 for the Security Industry – Employment Regulation Order (Security Industry Joint Labour Committee) 2015 (S.I. No. 417 of 2015).
The Inspection and Enforcement Services of the Workplace Relations Commission monitor employment conditions to ensure compliance with and, where necessary, the enforcement of employment rights legislation. This includes redress for the employees concerned and payment of any unpaid wages arising from breaches of employment rights.
The Inspection Services have the power to carry out employment rights compliance inspections in relation to the following legislation:
Organisation of Working Time Act 1997
Payment of Wages Act 1991
Protection of Young Persons (Employment) Act 996
National Minimum Wage Act 2000
Parental Leave Acts 1998 and 2006
Redundancy Payments Acts 1967–2012
Employment Agency Act 1971
Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2015
Carers Leave Act 2001
Protection of Employment Act 1977
Protection of Employees (Employers' Insolvency) Acts, 1984 to 1991
Employment Permits Act 2003 to 2006
Workplace Relations Act 2015
The following table sets out details the inspections in the Security Sector since 1 October 2015.
|
Number of Inspections |
Number of Employers in Breach |
|
|
Oct-Dec 2015 |
3 |
2 |
|
2016 |
17 |
5 |
|
2017 (to 30 Apr) |
5 |
2 |
It is anticipated that a similar number of inspections will be carried out in the sector this year as compared to last year.
639. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she has had discussions with the Health and Safety Authority and Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government regarding progress on the current review under way on aspects of legislation relating to regulation of fairground equipment and funfairs and specific legislative provisions relating to fairground equipment. [24561/17]
View answerThe Health and Safety Authority is the national statutory body with responsibility for ensuring that the provisions on workplace health and safety in the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act, 2005 are implemented so that those affected by work activity are protected from work-related injury and ill health. The 2005 Act places a range of duties on undertakings and individuals to ensure as far as reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of employees.
The Health and Safety Authority does not have any statutory responsibility for ensuring the health and safety of users of fairground equipment nor has it any role in the regulation of public safety where the operation of funfair equipment used by members of the public is concerned.
Following correspondence between myself and Minister Coveney on foot of my reply to the Deputy's Parliamentary Question of the 9th February, a meeting has taken place between officials from both Departments along with representatives from the Health and Safety Authority during which respective roles and responsibilities were discussed.
The legislation in this area is within the remit of the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government. Officials from my Department and the Health and Safety Authority will continue to engage with that Department on any issues arising that relate to the legislative remit of the Health and Safety Authority.
640. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the way in which export growth to the UK slowed from 12% in 2015 to 2% in 2016 following the Brexit referendum based on the latest Enterprise Ireland figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24562/17]
View answerEnterprise Ireland's Annual Business Results (ABR) were launched by the Taoiseach, myself and Julie Sinnamon, CEO, Enterprise Ireland on the 15th May this year.
Enterprise Ireland client exports grew by 6% in 2016 reaching a record high of €21.6bn. Export growth to the UK, however, which accounts for €7.5bn of exports, slowed from 12% in 2015 to 2% in 2016. The slowdown in growth occurred against the backdrop of a 13% devaluation of Sterling over the course of 2016 which impacted on Irish exporters’ ability to compete in the UK market. From a sectorial perspective, the Food sector reported the largest decline, with the value of Food exports to the UK falling by 2.8% while non-food sectors saw exports increase by 6.4%.
A key role of Enterprise Ireland is to help companies to win new business in international markets. Enterprise Ireland’s 2016 results show strong growth in North America in particular, where exports grew by 19% to €3.74bn and Asia Pacific where exports increased by 16% reaching €1.82bn. However, the fact remains that the UK is, and will continue to be, the largest single market for Enterprise Ireland client companies.
It is imperative that companies respond now to the challenges Brexit will bring. This will include maximising opportunities to not only sustain and grow their exports to the UK but also to continue to diversify their export base. To maintain market share and grow exports, Enterprise Ireland’s Market Advisers in the UK are actively providing clients with market knowledge on a sectorial basis, making introductions to buyers, suppliers and partners in-market and providing market intelligence such as competitor analysis, identification of professional services etc.
In January 2017, Enterprise Ireland published its strategy for the period 2017-2020. The strategy was developed in the context of Brexit and focuses on supporting clients to both Build Scale and Expand Reach.
To coincide with the announcement of its ABR in May, Enterprise Ireland launched a new Eurozone Strategy to assist Irish exporters increase exports in Eurozone countries by 50% by 2020. This strategy will be accompanied by a new ‘Irish Advantage’ campaign which will target Eurozone buyers to promote Irish innovation in key Brexit impacted sectors.
In order to encourage companies to start preparing and planning for Brexit now, Enterprise Ireland is rolling out a “Prepare For Brexit” communications campaign. To this end, on March 31 Enterprise Ireland launched its ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’, a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars - Business Strategy, Operations, Innovation, Sales and Marketing, Finance and People Management. The tool is a starting point for SME management teams looking to develop an action plan to help mitigate risks and leverage opportunities which may arise from Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland will also provide funding up to the value of €5,000 to exporting clients to support the development of a Brexit Action Plan. Enterprise Ireland will then work with these companies on a one-to-one basis to support the implementation of the plan. The roll-out and marketing of this initiative is being complemented by a schedule of regional events.
This has been accompanied by a nationwide series of ‘Prepare for Brexit’ workshops which commenced in Cork on 3 May and will also be held in Waterford (May 23) and Monaghan (May 25) and are scheduled for Galway (May 30) and Limerick (June 8).
641. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding the CETA, comprehensive economic and trade agreement, between Canada and the European Union; if same is being deferred pending a court determination by the European Court of Justice in view of the investor-state dispute provisions and their applicability pursuant to European law, in particular their compatibility with Irish constitutional law; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24736/17]
View answerOn the 30th October 2016, the EU – Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was signed by representatives from Canada, the EU and its Member States. On the 15th February 2017, the European Parliament voted in support of the provisional application of CETA.
The process of ratification can now commence in some 43 national parliaments and regional assemblies across the EU according to their constitutional requirements. In Ireland’s case, the Dáil will be part of the final decision to ratify the Agreement.
I fully support provisional application of the Agreement. I am of the view that there should be no impediment to Irish companies immediately taking advantage of the provisions of CETA including eliminating tariffs on almost all of key exports, access to the Canadian procurement market, easing regulatory barriers and ensuring more transparent rules for market access.
Canada is currently finalising its internal implementation procedures to allow for its ratification of the Agreement, therefore CETA is yet to be provisionally applied. It is expected that CETA will provisionally apply from summer 2017. I believe that it is important to wait to see the benefits of CETA come into being, before CETA is put before the Dáil for ratification. Then we can have a fully informed, evidence based debate on the value of the Agreement to Ireland.
The Deputy will be aware that the opinion of the ECJ was sought in relation to the competence of the European Union to sign and conclude the EU Singapore Free Trade Agreement. The ECJ was not asked to consider whether the agreement’s provisions are compatible with EU law.
The ECJ’s Opinion issued on the 16 of May 2017. The Opinion found that some aspects the agreement fall within the EU’s exclusive competence while other aspects will require additional approval from national and regional legislatures.
In relation to the provisions governing investor-state dispute settlement, the ECJ found that such a regime cannot be established without Member States’ consent and the approval of such a regime is a competence shared between the EU and Member States.
The provisions relating to investment protection and investor-state dispute settlement are excluded from provisional application. This means that these provisions will not come into being until voted for by the Dáil and every other Member State according to their constitutional requirements. The main provisions offering new opportunities for Irish business will come in to force once Canada has completed its own procedures.
642. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the progress made by IDA Ireland in securing investment for the IDA business park at Marlinstown, Mullingar; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24737/17]
View answerIDA Ireland is making good progress towards reaching its target of increasing investment in each region of Ireland by 30%-40% by 2019. Last year, for example, over half of all new Agency-supported jobs were based outside of Dublin. As regards the Midlands region, which includes Westmeath, there are now 30 multinational companies based in the area. 13 of these companies are located in Westmeath itself, employing 2,571 staff.
The availability of property solutions, such as the business park in Marlinstown, is an important factor in attracting and sustaining foreign direct investment in regional Ireland. I am informed by IDA Ireland that the Marlinstown facility is being actively marketed by the Agency to existing and potential clients. The IDA remains focused on securing new investment for the business park and the wider area.
643. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties in navigating the Pobal online application form (details supplied) for the early years capital grant 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24531/17]
View answer677. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to re-examine the application process and to review the online application forms for the early years capital programme, in view of the fact that applicants are reporting difficulties with the process and an issue that errors are only made apparent after the form is submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24758/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 643 and 677 together.
In 2017, I made €4m in funding available under the Early Years Capital Programme and a separate €3 million in capital funding for services providing school age childcare. The application process for both funds has now closed. Pobal is responsible for administering capital programmes on behalf of my Department. In addition, to providing the online application system, Pobal support the application process with a range of dedicated materials including application guidelines, user videos and a dedicated client services helpdesk. In addition, County Childcare Committees (CCCs) are available to support childcare providers at a local level.
Pobal have advised my Department that approximately *1,800 applications across both capital programmes have been submitted and assured my officials that the application process was satisfactory from a technical and applicant support perspective. In particular, with regard to the IT system, the system did not experience downtime throughout the duration of the application process and no issues presented with how the IT system was operating and processing applications.
As with all funding programmes a deadline is required for receipt of applications. Late applications are not accepted, in fairness to more than 1,800 applicants who made their applications on time.
Pobal are dealing with a small number of complaints in relation to programme design and one in relation to a late application. All complaints are dealt with under Pobal's complaint procedure detailed on the Pobal website.
*tentative figure and subject to change.
644. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 672 of 9 May 2017, when the HIQA governance review of Tusla commenced; when the review will be completed; and her plans to publish its findings. [23995/17]
View answerAs previously outlined, the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) initiated a Governance Review of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in early 2016. The findings of this review will inform the results of the statutory investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse against adults of concern by Tusla. HIQA has indicated that it anticipates that the statutory investigation will be completed in 2018. As the Governance Review is currently ongoing, it would be inappropriate for me to make any further comment on the matter until it has concluded and a report has been issued.
645. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 668 of 9 May 2017, the number and location of special care units here; and the number of children or young persons each centre caters for. [24104/17]
View answerThere are currently 3 special care units in the country. One in Dublin, which has a capacity to cater for 10 children, one in Limerick with a capacity for 4 children and one in Cork, which can cater for 3 children.
646. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 668 of 9 May 2017, if she will elaborate on the difficulties identified by the Office of the Attorney General in progressing the necessary legislation; if she anticipates further delays in the ongoing legal scrutiny of the legislation; and when the legislation necessary to commence registration of these special care units will be introduced. [24105/17]
View answerThe commencement of the legislative provisions to allow for HIQA to register special care units is governed by the Health Act 2007, with associated provisions in the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 and the Health (Amendment) Act 2016 all being of relevance. The interplay between these bodies of legislation is complex.
The Office of the Attorney General is considering particular functions under Parts 8 and 9 of the Health Act 2007 and as to whether subsequent amendments to provisions over time equate to a repeal and re-enactment of those provisions and if so found, what the effect of such re-enactment is on the proposed commencement order for special care related provisions.
I understand that the relevant advices will be made available to my Department shortly. I intend to sign the commencement order for the registration of special care units as soon as is practicable thereafter. The making of such an order is, of course, entirely dependent on the nature of the advices received from the Office of the Attorney General.
647. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 669 of 9 May 2017, the 5,720 open child cases waiting to be allocated a social worker by county in tabular form; the length of time these cases have been waiting to be allocated a social worker; and the number of these cases that are still waiting to be allocated a social worker. [24106/17]
View answerThe latest data available (end of February 2017) is contained in the following table. Unfortunately, the data is not collated in the form requested by the Deputy.
I will be requesting that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, revert with the data the Deputy has requested with regard to the length of time the cases referred to have been awaiting the allocation of a social worker.
|
Open cases |
Open cases awaiting allocation |
|
|
Dublin South East Wicklow |
1106 |
161 |
|
Dublin South West Kildare West Wicklow |
2161 |
972 |
|
Dublin South Central |
1401 |
310 |
|
The Midlands |
1592 |
428 |
|
Dublin City North |
1730 |
280 |
|
Dublin North |
3065 |
827 |
|
Louth Meath |
1444 |
274 |
|
Cavan Monaghan |
565 |
124 |
|
Kerry |
485 |
12 |
|
Cork |
3979 |
626 |
|
Carlow Kilkenny South Tipperary |
1203 |
324 |
|
Waterford Wexford |
1552 |
353 |
|
Donegal |
879 |
271 |
|
Sligo Leitrim West Cavan |
426 |
89 |
|
Mayo |
573 |
2 |
|
Galway Roscommon |
1638 |
333 |
|
The Midwest |
1588 |
334 |
Cases that are unallocated are monitored, supported and managed by the duty social work team under the supervision of the principal social worker.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
648. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 669 of 9 May 2017, the number of whole-time equivalent social workers in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form; the whole-time equivalent social worker target for these years; and the funding that was allocated for the provision of these posts for the years in question. [24107/17]
View answer649. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 669 of 9 May 2017, if she will elaborate on the meaning of supporting Tusla in the employment of additional social care workers and administrative staff to assist social workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24108/17]
View answer650. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 669 of 9 May 2017, the cost of providing an allocated social worker to the open cases in question. [24109/17]
View answer651. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 669 of 9 May 2017, the steps she has taken to address the recruitment issue identified in her response; the funding which is in place; and her plans to address the defects within the recruitment process. [24110/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 648 to 651, inclusive, together.
My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.
652. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 9 May 2017, if she will provide a breakdown of the 841 historical or retrospective cases awaiting allocation of a social worker by county in tabular form; the length of time these cases have been waiting to be allocated social workers; and the number of these cases which are still waiting to be allocated a social worker. [24111/17]
View answerI have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
653. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 9 May 2017, the number of the 841 historical or retrospective cases awaiting allocation of a social worker that have been identified as a high priority; the number of these cases which have been referred to An Garda Síochána; and the number of these cases which have been assisted in accessing HSE counselling services. [24112/17]
View answerI have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
654. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 670 of 9 May 2017, if she will clarify the necessary reforms required to address the waiting times for allocation of social workers in these cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24113/17]
View answerThe further reduction and elimination of open cases awaiting the allocation of a social worker is a high priority for me as Children's Minister, for Tusla and for my Department. This will be achieved through the recruitment and retention of social workers and the ongoing reform of Tusla’s structures and delivery through its standard business processes. I secured additional funding for the purpose of addressing this issue in 2017, with Tusla receiving significant additional funding over 2016 and 2017. Some €6 million has been set aside to enable the 3 year recruitment drive that Tulsa is currently engaged in.
The area of child protection and welfare social work is one of the most challenging areas of work for any professional and involves working closely with some of the most vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups in society. Up to the end of February 2017, Tusla had recruited 56 new social workers since the start of the year, which equates to a net increase of 28 whole time equivalent (WTE) social workers, when attrition and flexible working arrangements are taken into account. To date, Tusla is on track to achieve its recruitment target of 62 additional social workers, which will require a gross recruitment of 180 social workers in 2017.
It must also be noted that each year there are only 200-250 social work graduates in Ireland and Tusla is competing with areas such as disability, mental health, probation, hospital, and primary care for this limited pool. It is likely that the recruitment of social workers will continue to be challenging and for this reason Tusla launched an on-going recruitment campaign for social workers on its website and it will also be expanding its 2017 graduate recruitment drive to England, Scotland and Wales. I am satisfied that Tusla is doing everything within its power to compete for and recruit social workers, including prioritising the recruitment of complementary staff in social care and clerical grades during 2017 to allow social workers to focus on their core professional duties.
I am mindful of the need to link recruitment with decisions on Tusla's operational side to effect improvements. As part of my regular engagement with the Board, I have requested that the Agency provide me with an assessment of recruitment for the remainder of 2017, linked to specific targets to reduce the number of cases awaiting allocation of a dedicated social worker.
With regard to retention, in the twelve months to February 2017, Tusla had a national social work turnover rate of 8.4%. with some areas exceeding this. The national figure, however, compares favourably with other jurisdictions, such as England, where the 2016 turnover rate was approximately 15%.
Tusla’s 2017 Business Plan identifies activities to improve retention and build on initiatives commenced in 2016 such as the introduction and the implementation of Tusla’s Continuous Professional Development Strategy and National Transfer Policy, which will facilitate social workers wishing to relocate to another part of the country. It is anticipated that this will assist with retention and increase the attractiveness of Tusla as an employer.
The introduction of Senior Social Worker Practitioner posts designated to Social Work teams around the country will further assist with retention by providing enhanced professional support to social work staff. Tusla Recruit will also be undertaking a recruitment drive during 2017 to assist with the implementation of this initiative.
655. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if recommendations in her Department's sustainability audits of community services recommend that services cut pay to child care staff; and if so, the capacity in which, the amount involved and the circumstances in which this was decided. [24120/17]
View answerThe Deputy refers to sustainability audits of community services and recommendations. I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department is unaware of the sustainability audits to which the Deputy refers. Perhaps the Deputy is referring to the initiative taken by the sector of commissioning and completing research highlighting the challenges that they face. This is a complex issue; and in 2017 I have instructed my officials to move to tackle the most urgent issues first, designing a new model of eligibility for families - the Affordable Childcare Scheme, tackling the CE scheme issue, and providing funding for ‘non-contact time’ for the first time. I remain committed to tackling sustainability issues in the sector and my officials, together with Pobal and CCCs, are working with community services to understand the sustainability challenges that the sector faces.
Community childcare facilities are important partners in the delivery of affordable, accessible, high quality childcare. The majority of community childcare services are operating well and have been able to manage issues they face within the structures available, including by availing of support from County and City Childcare Committees, Pobal and my Department.
Most recently, I announced a substantial increase and expansion of the Community Childcare Subvention programme from September 2017, which will provide significant additional funding to families but also to services. In addition, Strand Two of the 2017 Early Years Capital programme, which closed for application on April 27th, made €500,000 available in grants of up to €20,000 to community services who are seeking to make building improvements or undertake maintenance or refurbishment. These applications are currently being assessed, and I anticipate recommendations on funding in the coming weeks.
I have also taken steps to provide payment to community services for ‘non-contact time’ for the first time, and this will be available in summer 2017. A total of €14.5 million is available across community and private services.
The Deputy will be aware of the challenges faced by a small number of community services who have been facilitating the training of Community Employment participants. I made €1m in funding available to services that identified themselves as having difficulties in this regard. The funding will ensure that regulatory changes do not hinder service delivery or the availability of childcare places. I will also be considering how this funding can best be deployed in 2018 to address the most urgent challenges facing childcare services.
In the longer term, the Independent Review of the Cost of Quality Childcare, which will be commissioned later this year, will include consideration of factors that affect the financial viability of the childcare sector. The review is likely to examine issues such as the total average cost of provision; costs and revenues for services operating in disadvantaged communities; and sustainability issues. The review will inform future policy development and the Estimates process.
My priority is to ensure we provide access to high quality and affordable childcare. I am committed to doing all I can to continue to attract the necessary investment to deliver on this objective.
656. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost under the proposed universal subsidy of increasing the €80 per month subsidy in €20 intervals up to the amount of €600 for all eligible parents. [24165/17]
View answerI assume that the question relates to the cost of the proposed universal subsidy within the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS). The universal element of the ACS provides a €0.50 per hour subsidy for children aged 6-36 months, for up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Only families who use the full 40 hours of childcare or more per week will receive an €80 per month subsidy. Families using part-time childcare will receive a pro rata subsidy.
The expected cost of the universal element of the ACS is approximately €17m per year. This cost estimate is based on an estimated 25,000 beneficiaries and current patterns of childcare usage, in terms of the mix of full-time and part-time childcare use.
The following table sets out the cost of increasing the maximum (40 hour) universal subsidy rate in increments of €20 per week, based on an assumption of no change in the number of beneficiaries of the universal subsidy. The figures in the table also assume no change in the targeted subsidy rates within the ACS. In practice, however, a significant increase in the universal subsidy rate is likely to lead to an increase in the number of beneficiaries, as the reduction in childcare fees paid by parents would lead to an increase in demand for childcare, and the targeted subsidy rates would also be adjusted to reflect changes in the universal subsidy rate.
|
Maximum Universal Subsidy Rate (40 hours per week) |
Increase in Subsidy |
Subsidy per hour |
No. of Children Availing of Universal Subsidy |
Annual Cost (full year) |
|
€80 |
€0.50 |
25,000 |
€17 million |
|
|
€100 |
€20 |
€0.63 |
25,000 |
€21 million |
|
€120 |
€20 |
€0.75 |
25,000 |
€25 million |
|
€140 |
€20 |
€0.88 |
25,000 |
€29 million |
|
€160 |
€20 |
€1.00 |
25,000 |
€33 million |
|
€180 |
€20 |
€1.13 |
25,000 |
€38 million |
|
€200 |
€20 |
€1.25 |
25,000 |
€42 million |
|
€220 |
€20 |
€1.38 |
25,000 |
€46 million |
|
€240 |
€20 |
€1.50 |
25,000 |
€50 million |
|
€260 |
€20 |
€1.63 |
25,000 |
€54 million |
|
€280 |
€20 |
€1.75 |
25,000 |
€58 million |
|
€300 |
€20 |
€1.88 |
25,000 |
€62 million |
|
€320 |
€20 |
€2.00 |
25,000 |
€66 million |
|
€340 |
€20 |
€2.13 |
25,000 |
€71 million |
|
€360 |
€20 |
€2.25 |
25,000 |
€76 million |
|
€380 |
€20 |
€2.38 |
25,000 |
€80 million |
|
€400 |
€20 |
€2.50 |
25,000 |
€84 million |
|
€420 |
€20 |
€2.63 |
25,000 |
€88 million |
|
€440 |
€20 |
€2.75 |
25,000 |
€92 million |
|
€460 |
€20 |
€2.88 |
25,000 |
€96 million |
|
€480 |
€20 |
€3.00 |
25,000 |
€100 million |
|
€500 |
€20 |
€3.13 |
25,000 |
€104 million |
|
€520 |
€20 |
€3.25 |
25,000 |
€108 million |
|
€540 |
€20 |
€3.38 |
25,000 |
€112 million |
|
€560 |
€20 |
€3.50 |
25,000 |
€116 million |
|
€580 |
€20 |
€3.63 |
25,000 |
€120 million |
|
€600 |
€20 |
€3.75 |
25,000 |
€124 million |
657. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding for every level provided within the AIM programme in tabular form. [24166/17]
View answerAIM is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can fully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting.
The total funding allocated in 2017 to each level of AIM by my Department, with the exception of AIM Level 6 (which comes from the Department of Health Vote), is set out in the following table:
|
Level |
Element of model |
2017 (m*) |
|
1. |
An Inclusive Culture |
4.30 |
|
2. |
Information for Parents and Providers |
0.02 |
|
3. |
A Qualified and Confident Workforce |
1.20 |
|
4. |
Expert Early Years Educational Advice and Support |
10.10 |
|
5. |
Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations Grants and application process |
2.50 |
|
6. |
Therapeutic Intervention |
- |
|
7. |
Additional Assistance in the Pre-School Room and Application Process |
14.10 |
|
8. |
National Oversight |
0.20 |
|
TOTAL COST |
32.42 |
*Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.
AIM was launched in June 2016. Therefore, it is still in the first full year of operation. The Inter-Department Group, which developed AIM recognised that it would take approximately three years to fully develop and implement the Model. It is expected that demand for all levels of support under AIM will increase in years 2 and 3 and the budget available for AIM makes some provision for this.
