Written Answers Nos 1-52
26. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she will take to ensure that parents and children have access to suitable places under the affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31297/17]
View answerParents need to act now – that’s the message which I would encourage Deputies to bring back to their constituencies this weekend. The best way to find out information is for parents to go on the website www.affordablechildcare.ie. The benefits are set out there in a way which is accessible and easy to follow.
Deputies we must get this message out so that the estimated 70,000 children eligible for supports will benefit from September. Can I encourage you when on local radio or in your local newspaper to please draw attention to the website. In addition to the website we have posted out information packs to over 4,000 childcare providers and my officials have been on the road holding special information events – each booked to capacity.
There is understandably a lot of interest from parents in the first instance but also from providers. From September a number of administrative measures will take place. We are enhancing existing targeted childcare supports by as much as 50%. There will be better access to subsidies for providers – with the traditional Community Childcare Scheme being extended to both community and private providers.
In order to encourage involvement in the schemes I have secured an extra €3.5m for providers for non-contact time – this is on top of the €14.5m secured in Budget 2017. As I have outlined the legal and technical work is also continuing to achieve the goal of genuine affordable accessible quality childcare. There are a lot of figures to take in during the limited time today. But the bottom line for families is the benefits available from September. Some families will qualify for as much as €145 per week, per child, in childcare subsidies, totalling approximately €7,500 per child, per year.
Examples of the impact we will have:
- A working family in receipt of Family Income Supplement and with a Medical Card, who currently benefit from a full-time CCS childcare subsidy of €95 per week, will from September benefit from a subsidy of €145 per week. This represents an increase in childcare subsidy of up to €2600 per child, per annum, or, for families who have not received the subsidy before, an annual saving on childcare, per child, of up to €7540.
- A family in receipt of One Parent Family Payment, with a Medical Card, working part-time, who currently benefit from a part-time CCS childcare subsidy of €47.50 per week, will from September benefit from a subsidy of €80 per week. This represents an annual increase of up to €1,690 per child, or for single parents who have not benefitted from this subsidy in the past, a reduction of up to €4,160 per child in their annual childcare costs.
There are many more examples which we are always happy to share.
I hope this information is useful for Deputies when explaining the changes to constituents.
28. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has held discussions with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government regarding the family hubs that are planned to replace the use of hotels for families in emergency accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30783/17]
View answer30. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consult with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government as to the suitability of accommodating children in hubs as a response to the housing crisis; if she will make recommendations to ensure the safety and well-being of children being housed in those circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31023/17]
View answer44. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to support homeless families that will be moved into hubs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30852/17]
View answer56. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation is suitable for homeless families; her further views on whether the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is delivering on its responsibility to these families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31216/17]
View answer58. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the work she is undertaking with the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to support homeless families with young children remaining in emergency accommodation, hubs and so on; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30853/17]
View answer59. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of families in emergency accommodation being supported by community child care subvention; the status of free travel and other measures for families in emergency accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31163/17]
View answer62. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has determined the number of homeless children here; the measures being taken to protect their welfare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31215/17]
View answer550. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether hotel and bed and breakfast accommodation is suitable for homeless persons; her further views on whether the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government is delivering on its responsibility to these persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31229/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 28, 30, 44, 56, 58, 59, 62 and 550 together.
Firstly let me say that I have had discussions with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government in relation to the family hubs. They are a temporary solution as we, as a government get to grips with the devastating plight of homelessness in our country. The hubs are a better temporary solution than hotels and bed and breakfast accommodation which I do not believe are suitable accommodation for homeless families.
I know Minister Murphy has as his target that any new family presenting as homeless will be accommodated in a hub and not in a hotel or bed and breakfast. His other target is to move families that are currently homeless and living in hotels, out of those hotels.
Hubs provide shared facilities and important supports that are difficult to organise in hotels. They allow families to lead their lives in a way that is better for children and better for their parents. They have additional space in hubs. In a hotel setting, families are often cramped into one bedroom. They have no privacy. It is difficult for children trying to do their homework. It is restricted in terms of preparing meals. In general it leads to untold amounts of stress.
The hubs are custom developed to facilitate much better responses to the needs of homeless families. They allow for on-site access to necessary services such as health, housing, cooking, and laundry facilities. The hubs provide a better setting for supports such as homework clubs, meeting with support workers and activities that are being organised for children and parents. Importantly, while far from ideal, they have play areas, which allow children to be children, and parents some peace of mind.
When I met with Advocacy groups a year ago, these were among the issues that they highlighted. They also pressed me to provide free childcare for families that are homeless, which I have done. Initially this was available in Dublin. Many other counties have since signed up. It is currently available in Limerick, Cork, Cavan, Clare, Donegal, Galway, Kildare, Kilkenny, Leitrim, Offaly, Westmeath and Wicklow. We will make arrangements also to support any cases that are brought to our attention outside of these counties.
I have a budget of €4m for this. In my opinion it is a well- targeted and much needed support for families that are homeless. It is good for children and good for parents. At the moment the parents of 94 children are availing of this. 112 providers have signed up to be part of the scheme. Child care providers get a grant of €110 per week to cover 25 hours of childcare. Families with children aged 0-5 years inclusive are identified by Focus Ireland and encouraged to participate. I will continue to support children and families with free childcare that move from hotels and B&B accommodation into hubs.
These children will also continue to be prioritised in terms of the school completion programme. The School Completion Programme identifies and supports children at risk of not reaching their potential in the educational system. It does this through initiatives such as afterschool supports, homework clubs, mentoring programmes, therapeutic interventions and breakfast clubs.
Sadly, I am aware that families become homeless during the course of the year and may not be on the target list drawn up by the SCP at the start of the school year. For this reason all SCP programmes are now engaging with their schools on an ongoing basis, and not just at the start of the year, to ensure that children receive the appropriate supports. The Education Welfare Office also prioritise the sourcing of an appropriate school placement for children who are homeless. In DEIS schools where there is a Home School Community Liaison the Co-ordinator proactively engages with parents who are experiencing homelessness. The HSCL also supports families to access any other services that can be of assistance to the family. The Tusla Homeless Liaison officer will continue to work with these families until such time as they are moved to permanent housing.
Tusla will offer “one stop shop” assessments at the hubs. The agency will participate in respect of child protection and welfare services, educational welfare, and Domestic, Sexual and gender based violence services. With the help of the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive, Tusla has arranged an awareness and training session for homeless service providers on Domestic, sexual and gender based violence. We will continue to offer services through the Family Resource Centres. Families living in hubs can continue to avail of the services such as family fun days, play therapy and transport services.
When developing the Government’s response to our Homeless Crisis I advocated strongly for the plan Rebuilding Ireland to include a commitment to provide children in emergency accommodation with LEAP cards for school journeys. While this did not happen as quickly as I would have liked, it did happen. In my meeting with Minister Murphy this week I emphasised the need to continue providing these to children who are in hubs and need to use public transport to travel to school. In addition five separate 24 hour family LEAP cards were provided to all homeless families in hotels during 2016. I know that people found these helpful in terms of giving them family days out. I wish to see this repeated this year.
Children and Young People Service Committees have been established in each of the 17 Tusla areas with relevant coordinators in place. They will contribute to greater interagency working and help to ensure that there is a coordinated approach on homelessness. The Tusla Homeless Liaison Officer has contacted the 5 CYPSC coordinators in Dublin and attended briefing sessions with them. They must each now consider the best approach and response within their specific area to homeless related matters. This will include working with families living in hubs. This briefing session is scheduled to take place in each of the 17 areas.
At the end of May, there were 1,312 families homeless. There are 2,777 children in these homeless families. 647 homeless families are being accommodated in hotels and B&Bs in Dublin. These are shocking figures. In my role as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have concentrated my efforts around minimising the impact where and when possible. I will continue to do this.
35. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unaccompanied minors that had been in the migrant camp in Calais that have come here; if work is ongoing to expand Tusla's capacity for this purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30782/17]
View answerI am happy to report to the Deputy that 22 children have arrived from France under the Calais Special Project. Aged between 13 and 17, they are all boys, and come from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Syria, and South Sudan. 20 are in care placements and 2 were reunited with family members.
The French authorities are responsible for identifying and nominating separated children seeking asylum who are eligible to participate in the Irish programme. The criteria for the programme, developed as a result of an all-party motion in November 2016, requires that separated children seeking asylum in Ireland were unaccompanied, living in a camp in or near Calais, were under 18 years of age and had an expressed wish to come to Ireland.
Social workers from the Tusla Social Work Team for Separated Children and members of the An Garda Síochána travelled to the locations where the children were accommodated, to conduct initial needs assessments and security checks. The children were then engaged in orientation activities in France and were accompanied to Ireland by staff from the International Organisation for Migration.
On arrival the children were granted refugee status by the Minister for Justice and Equality. Full intake assessments were completed by Tusla at this stage. All of the children were allocated a social worker, and were placed in residential settings while their care, educational and medical needs were assessed. To co-ordinate Tusla's role in this effort, Tusla established the Calais Special Project which is led by their Separated Children's Team. Additional resources were allocated for the assessment and care needs of the young people. The Team has expanded to include additional social workers, aftercare workers and administrative support. Tusla have opened three new residential units specifically for separated children, which means there are now a total of 7 units available to separated children. Tusla also continues to recruit and assess potential foster carers for this cohort of children. Tusla liaises closely with the HSE, the Education and Training Boards and other State bodies to address each young person's identified needs, including educational, psychosocial and health supports.
I wish to acknowledge that the Calais Special Project has received support and co-operation from national and international organisations and NGOs who have provided valuable information on young persons who expressed an interest in relocating to Ireland.
38. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if training or upskilling is provided to persons working with children on the autism spectrum in preschool settings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30781/17]
View answerYes – there is training and upskilling provided. In addition to affordability and quality – our radical new approach to childcare must also ensure accessibility. I am fully and absolutely committed to that. One of my first official duties as Minister was to launch the Access Inclusion Model or AIM. The model supports children with disabilities to attend main-stream pre-school education. This includes children on the autism spectrum.
AIM is comprehensive – it offers seven levels of progressive support. The degree of support provided depends on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school which they are attending. The levels range from a new Inclusion Charter for all pre-schools, to support for equipment and upgrades, as well as training. Indeed one of the great successes of AIM has been the huge interest in a newly developed Higher Education Programme in Leadership for Inclusion in Early Years Settings – known as LINC. In the 2017-2018 year I can confirm that 978 people will take part in this leadership programme.
I met some of the 850 students currently taking part in the programme and due to graduate this Autumn when I recently attended the conference of Early Childhood Ireland. They are passionate about their work and about offering the best possible service to all children.
Looking to the future, my Department and I are determined to further improve accessibility. We have established a new Training Working Group to develop further courses under AIM Level 3. This will not be a long process. I would expect its recommendations will include further assistance for early years practitioners working with children with autism. There is a website where the information is set out www.aim.gov.ie
39. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a decision will be made to the request for 24-hour services at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31161/17]
View answerTusla has two emergency children's residential centres that cater for young people in need of emergency care. One of these is the centre referred to by Deputy O’Sullivan, which is based in Dublin city centre. The young people receive a 24 hour seamless service. For operational reasons, the service for the young people during the day is located nearby.
This dedicated service for the young people operates during the day, at weekends and public holidays. Its aim is to support each young person individually and to tailor the service to their unique needs. Young people may continue to attend school or training courses or, where this is not the case, a project worker will work with them during the day. The project worker will engage with all aspects of the young the person's needs including bringing them to meetings and other appointments, making contact, as appropriate, with their family and keeping in contact with the social work team from the child's home area. The aim of the services is to ensure the young person's stay in the emergency residential centre is for as short a period as possible. This approach, of individual support outside of the emergency centre, also means that if a young person is out of home for the first time, they do not spend all day with other young people who are frequently out of home, or who have persistent problems. This prevents the normalisation of a situation which should be, and usually is, exceptional.
All children under 16 year old in the situation of being homeless without their parents are taken into care. In some cases young people in the 16-17 year age group are resistant to this option, and they are offered full support care services appropriate to their needs.
40. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to ensure that foster carers can have immediate access to medical and psychological supports required by the children in their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31181/17]
View answerI think that it is worth commenting that 92% of the children in care under the Child Care Act 1991 are placed with foster families living in the community. This figure is amongst the highest internationally and something about which we should be proud. I do not take this for granted and am aware that Tusla services must constantly be alert to the need for improvements, especially as children with increasing complexity are placed with foster carers. When a child is received into care there is a full assessment of their identified needs and this includes a medical assessment. A medical card is provided in respect of the child in foster care.
Following this assessment, the child's statutory care plan should identify outstanding medical, emotional, psychological and educational supports required. The Deputy will be aware that the HSE is responsible for the provision of medical and psychology services and children are referred to these services as needed. Where an identified need cannot be met by the HSE, or the waiting time is too long, Tusla have sourced the necessary service through the private sector.
Children who are received into care at an older age, or where they have experienced significant trauma or attachment difficulties have particular needs. It is important to note that the greatest need of all children in foster care is for stability in a loving nurturing family environment. It is the role of Tusla, and other State services, to ensure that foster carers are supported in providing that care.
I am alert to the National Review Panel whose reports have drawn attention to the heroic work of foster carers who care for babies with serious life limiting disabilities, and the need, in these and other situations for appropriate and timely supports. Foster carers also provide ongoing care for children with serious disabilities, and need all the supports available.
Following recent concerns regarding children in care and leaving care with life long serious disabilities, I engaged with both the Minister for Health and the Minister for Disability. The purpose was to make sure we work in a better way across Departments and on the ground, to provide safe and seamless services for these children/young adults and their carers. A detailed protocol was agreed between the HSE and Tusla with respect to their mutual responsibilities in the provision of care and disability services, particularly where a young adult will need ongoing intensive support.
I intend to closely monitor this situation and will work closely with the relevant Departments to keep the medical and psychological needs of children in care to the fore.
41. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking to support stay at home parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31227/17]
View answerI am committed to the provision of childcare options for families that respect parental choice and reflect international evidence on how to attain the best outcomes for children.
I support the Government’s plans for extension of parental leave for parents; particularly in the crucial first year. The introduction of two weeks Paternity Benefit for the first time this year must also be welcomed.
The Government has provided additional support for stay-at-home parents through the home carer tax credit, which has been increased to €1,100 per year. I support an increase in the earnings threshold for this, and have raised this with the Minister for Finance.
A key responsibility of mine as Minister for Children is to make childcare costs more affordable for parents who need to work or who choose to work. For this reason, I have focused on the delivery of the new Affordable Childcare Scheme and the delivery of interim measures this September to make childcare more affordable. I hope that access to more affordable childcare will give families real choice as to whether they wish to remain at home to care for their children, or whether they wish to return to work or education and avail of childcare supports.
Delivering more affordable childcare is only one element of a broader set of commitments and supports aimed at parents and children that I intend to lead out on. The provision of improved centre-based childcare services is very important, but I will not lose sight of the needs of children who do not attend them. In this regard, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People contains a commitment to produce Ireland’s first-ever National Early Years Strategy. The intention is to deliver a cross-cutting strategy which will take a joined-up, whole of Government approach to the issue of supporting children and their families during the early years (0-6 years). The drafting of the National Early Years Strategy is being advanced by my Department. In December of last year I hosted an Open Policy Debate on the Strategy with a view to completion of the Strategy later this year. My officials will be engaging further with key Government Departments and other stakeholders in the coming months to bring it to a conclusion.
42. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the rationale behind the decision to cut all funding for counselling services in the school completion programme; her views on whether this could have serious negative consequences for the children and young persons currently availing of these services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31175/17]
View answerI have not ceased all funding for counselling services under the School Completion Programme. However, the available funding is very limited and is only benefitting a small proportion of schools. I am retaining the grant in its current form for the present, pending a decision on alternative approaches.
In 1994 the Department of Social Welfare opened a grant scheme to provide counselling supports to children who had experienced bereavement or loss. This grant scheme then passed to the Family Support Agency (FSA) when it was established in 2003 and subsequently to Tusla on establishment in January 2014.
Up until 2011 applications were invited through an annual public advertisement. The scheme was then closed for financial reasons and no new applications have been accepted since that time. Those who received funding in 2011 have continued to receive an annual grant equivalent to their 2011 grant. This Counselling Grants Scheme is for a total of €245,900 annually and currently there are only 64 grantees nationwide benefitting from it. With over 4,000 schools in Ireland 64 grantees means that less than 2% of schools are in receipt of support from this scheme currently.
I have decided that until an alternative methodology for provision of counselling can be established, the grant should stay in place in its current format.
43. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the various reports into Oberstown juvenile detention centre; the reports which have been completed; when she plans to publish all reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31223/17]
View answerThe Oberstown Board of Management commissioned independent reviews in 4 key areas as follows: Operations, Security, Health and Safety and Behaviour Management.
The reports relating to the reviews of Security and Health and Safety have been issued to the relevant stakeholders involved in Oberstown by the Director as per terms of references. The review of Behaviour Management is still in progress, however it is understood the Board of Management intend to publish the report of that review as soon as it is finalised. The Review of Operations has also been concluded and following consideration of legal advice to the Board it has decided to publish the recommendations of the review report at an early date.
I have established an Implementation Group tasked with analysing and prioritising the recommendations from the review reports, taking account of policy and resource parameters, with a view to implementing the recommendations as appropriate, to support the development of Oberstown so it can provide the best possible care to children referred there by the courts. The Implementation Group will report regularly on progress to me and to the Oberstown Board of Management. The Group, chaired by Professor Kilkelly, includes representatives of Oberstown staff and management, the Oberstown Board of Management, a child development expert and also representatives of the IMPACT trade union and my Department.
My paramount objective for Oberstown is the safety and well-being of the children, the staff working in Oberstown and the people living in the local community. I believe that good progress has been made and the implementation of the recommendations of the 4 review reports will bring about further improvements.
45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of capital funding available in 2017 for the provision of new or the upgrading of existing child care facilities; her plans for new initiatives in the provision of new child care places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31178/17]
View answer60. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if new schemes will be introduced to assist in the upgrading of existing child care places or the provision of new accommodation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31179/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 45 and 60 together.
On 20 March 2017 I announced a €4m Early Years Capital programme for 2017 in three strands, as follows:
- Strand 1: Additional Places (€3 million is available, with a maximum of €50,000 per grant);
- Strand 2: Building improvements and maintenance/refurbishment (€500,000 is available, with a maximum of €20,000 per grant. This is available to Community childcare services only);
- Strand 3: Natural outdoor play area (€500,000 is available, with a maximum of €5,000 per grant).
The application process opened on Friday 24 March and closed on Thursday 27 April.
Additionally, under the Action Plan for School Age Childcare, a separate €3 million is being provided in capital funding for services providing school age childcare. This capital scheme opened on Friday 7 April and closed on Wednesday 17 May. It will encourage expansion in the number of school age childcare places, along with enhancements to quality.
A large volume of applications was received under both programmes and in particular under the Early Years Capital 2017 programme. Pobal has completed appraisal of applications under the Early Years scheme, and has provided the Department with its recommendations on Friday last, June 23. Officials in my Department are currently reviewing these recommendations, and an announcement regarding the successful applications will be made in the coming weeks. I expect Pobal’s recommendations on the school age capital shortly also.
In light of the level of demand, I am pursuing the possibility of securing additional funding over and above the €7m allocated to these schemes.
Both the Early Years Capital and the School Age Capital Programmes are focused on creating new accommodation and capacity, as well as increasing the quality of existing childcare facilities. Capital funding is allocated on the basis of need, and the level of application is reflective of the high level of demand within the sector. I am committed to the continuous development and reform of the programme in respect of the needs of children and providers, with the aim of providing access to childcare facilities of the highest quality.
46. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking to address child poverty here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31218/17]
View answerIn recognition of the higher risks and life-long consequences of child poverty, the Government set a child-specific poverty target in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 to reduce consistent child poverty by at least two-thirds by 2020. This figure currently represents 102,000 children.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures is a whole of government policy framework, which requires all Departments and Agencies to work collaboratively to improve outcomes for children and young people. The Children and Young People’s Policy Consortium, which I chair, has responsibility for whole of government implementation, and includes representatives from all government Departments and Agencies.
The Department of Social Protection has the lead role in coordinating government strategies on child poverty. It also has lead responsibility for the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion and has identified child poverty as a key cross-sectoral priority to be addressed.
Officials in my Department are working closely with the Department of Social Protection in informing the development of this cross-sectoral priority.
Officials in the Department of Social Protection have co-convened a subgroup with members of the Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures to progress solutions to child poverty.
In recognition of the fact that child poverty is a multifaceted problem, this group also includes officials from other Departments, including the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Skills.
Led by the Department of Social Protection, this group has developed a paper which outlines a whole of government approach to tackling child poverty. This is based around the three pillars outlined in the EU Recommendation on Investing in Children:
- Access to adequate resources
- Access to affordable, quality services
- Children’s right to participate.
Key priorities arising from this include providing universal access to GP care for under 18s, reducing the cost of education, housing, affordable childcare, labour activation and provision of in-work benefits.
In line with this, my Department is developing a Single Affordable Childcare Scheme to provide families with quality childcare at a cost they can afford. Budget 2017 provided additional funding for the scheme’s development and initial roll-out, to include both a targeted and a universal element. Subsidies will be available for children aged from 6 months up to 15 years and will meet families’ full-time and part-time childcare needs, including outside of school hours and during school holiday time. The highest levels of subsidy will be provided to those on low incomes, helping families to overcome disadvantage and contribute to a reduction in child poverty.
The Advisory Council held a round table event on 22 June with a range of key experts and stakeholders. The learning from this event will inform the further alignment of efforts across government and from civil society.
My Department has also established a Children’s Equality Commission to ensure that the voices of children who experience or understand economic hardship or poverty are directly heard and acted on by policymakers. The Commission will be comprised of Child Commissioners and Adult Commissioners. The Child Commissioners are children who experience or have an understanding of economic hardship or poverty. The Adult Commissioners will be senior policy makers from Government Departments, State agencies and other bodies relevant to the issues raised by children.
Consultations with relevant children and young people have been ongoing for some months. The findings from the work with the children and young people were discussed in detail at a closed meeting held on 22 June 2017 between Child and Adult Commissioners. The next phase of this process is now at design stage and details will be announced shortly.
I and my colleagues in Cabinet are committed to advancing these efforts and actions in our collective response to addressing child poverty.
47. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the current work of the commission of investigation on mother and baby homes; the scoping exercise on the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31221/17]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters was established by Government Order on 17 February 2015.
In accordance with its comprehensive Terms of Reference, the Commission is tasked with thoroughly examining the experience of mothers and children resident in 14 named Mother and Baby Homes and a representative sample of County Homes during the period 1922 - 1998. The Commission is required to address seven specific questions on the practices and procedures relating to the care, welfare, entry arrangements and exit pathways for the women and children who were residents of these institutions. The Commission's work is ongoing and it is now more than two years into a three year investigation.
As the Deputy will be aware the Commission is independent in the conduct of its investigations and I have no role in this regard. Therefore I am not in a position to provide progress updates on its investigations.
In relation to milestones to date the Commission submitted its First Interim Report in July 2016. The Government agreed to a request from the Commission to extend the time frame of two of the three Reports the Commission is preparing. The Social History Report and Confidential Committee Report will now be submitted along with the Final Report by February 2018.
A Second Interim Report was submitted by the Commission. This report focuses on a number of issues which had come to the Commission’s attention during its analysis of information and evidence collected up to August 2016. The Report was published in April 2017.
I will introduce enhanced communication arrangements to provide regular updates on the programme of work relating to mother and baby homes and to engage with former residents and their advocates in relation to the issues of concern to them. Starting from July, I plan to publish a monthly update which will be available on my Department’s website on the first Friday of every month.
While the Commission has stated that it is not seeking an extension to its present remit I have indicated that I am open to considering whether broader terms of reference would help to answer some of the questions which have been raised again in public debate. It is essential that this question be examined with a full understanding of the considerable breadth and scope of its current terms of reference.
In accordance with the legal framework under which the statutory Commission was established, it is my intention to consult with the Commission on this matter. I hope to undertake this process during the Summer.
48. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether new revelations regarding vaccine trials carried out on children at a location (details supplied) in 1974 warrants a separate investigation to ascertain the person or body that gave permission to a pharmaceutical company to carry out trials for baby formula and other products; the measures she will take to secure files relating to those trials; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31024/17]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters was established by Government (S.I. No. 57 of 2015) in response to significant public concerns relating to the care and welfare of the women and children who were resident in these institutions. The comprehensive scope of the Commission’s remit ensures it can provide a full account of what happened to women and children in these institutions during the period 1922 to 1998.
Article 1(II) of its terms of reference requires the Commission to examine the living conditions and care arrangements experienced by women and children during their period of accommodation in these institutions. In addition to this broad requirement, Article 1(V) of the terms of reference refers specifically to the examination of vaccine trials in these institutions.
The Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, which is the legal framework underpinning this investigation, provides the Commission with robust legal powers to compel persons to produce documents and answer questions. With regard to records held by third parties, the Deputy may wish to note that section 31 of the 2004 Act requires that any person in possession of documents, or information in any form, relevant to the matters before the Commission shall preserve such information until the Commission concludes its work. As the Commission is independent in the conduct of its investigations it should be understood that the precise timing and approach to the gathering and examination of evidence are matters for the Commission to decide and progress.
For these reasons, I am satisfied that separate investigations are not required in relation to the matters raised by the Deputy. The Commission already has sufficient scope and the necessary legal powers to examine these matters, and to make a determination on their relevance to the central issues in question, and where appropriate to make any recommendations to Government which the Commission deems necessary.
49. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the interim arrangements for the new child care supplement in view of the fact that the database will not be ready in time to receive new applications in September 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30784/17]
View answerOn 11 April, I announced that the Affordable Childcare Scheme would not commence this September, but that a range of measures would be introduced by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government. I can confirm that these measures will commence this September. The measures are as follows:
A new universal subsidy will be available for all children aged between 6 months and 3 years of age (or until they are eligible for ECCE e.g 3 years and 3 months) in Tusla registered childcare. This will amount to as much as €1,040 per year for children in full time childcare.
In addition, subsidies provided under existing childcare schemes, specifically the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Schemes, have been increased significantly, in some cases by as much as 50%. To illustrate the effect of this increase, the highest subsidy provided under the CCS scheme for full time childcare in 2016 was €95 per week. This will increase to €145 per week from September. This should decrease the co-payment required by families who qualify and therefore make childcare more accessible and affordable to these families; assisting parents in their return to training or employment and lifting families out of poverty.
These subsidies, both universal and targeted, will be available through childcare services who contract with my Department to deliver the schemes. The schemes are open to 4,500 community (not-for-profit) and private providers across the country.
In order to ensure that parents and childcare providers are aware of the changes to the schemes this September, a comprehensive information campaign is underway. Information packs have been sent to over 4,000 registered childcare services and information events for services have been provided at eight locations throughout the country.
A dedicated website has been launched (affordablechildcare.ie) and information for parents went live on this website on Monday 29 May to inform them of the various enhanced childcare supports they may qualify for this September. A campaign via various media, including digital and radio, has also raised awareness among parents.
There are no IT issues which will prevent the roll-out of the September measures to all eligible families. Registrations of children for the various programmes will go live from August 21. Work on the development of the new Affordable Childcare Scheme continues, in parallel to these September measures, and I will provide additional information on this in due course.
50. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31226/17]
View answerAs announced in April of this year, the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) will not commence this September, as development continues on the legislation and IT system to underpin it.
As the ACS will not be ready in time for this September, my focus turned to ensuring that the benefits of more affordable childcare could be delivered to as many children as possible from this September and that additional funding I secured in Budget 2017 would be delivered to families. Existing targeted childcare supports provided under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Schemes will be enhanced significantly from September, some by up to 50%. In addition, every child in Tusla-registered childcare services, between the ages of 6 months and eligibility for ECCE (3 years or over) will be eligible for some level of childcare support totalling as much as €1,040 per year.
I remain strongly committed to introducing the ACS and will do so at the earliest possible date. My Department has made considerable progress in this regard. The Government has approved the Heads of Bill for the Scheme, and officials are working intensively to plan for successful implementation of the Scheme. However, I am conscious that this is a complex project which we must get right from the beginning. We need to have the legislation, business processes and a new robust IT system in place. We will need to test the Scheme rigorously to ensure that it works properly for families and providers.
Whilst delivering the scheme as soon as possible remains a priority, I believe that it is prudent to take time to ensure we get the new systems right, so that they operate smoothly for everyone. I want to build a system that will underpin childcare supports for children and investment in the childcare sector for years to come. We are well on our way to introducing the ACS. When fully operational it will be a state of the art system which will be capable of delivering, not just for this generation of children, but also for generations to come. In the meantime, I am satisfied that the September measures will honour the Government’s commitment to delivering more affordable childcare to families.
51. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate support staff remain available to children or families deemed at risk arising from clinical determinations; if a sufficient number of appropriately trained staff are likely to become available in the future in line with anticipated requirements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31212/17]
View answerTusla has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence are being met in the best way possible. A network of 60 organisations provide services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in Ireland, including 20 services providing emergency refuge accommodation to women and children and 24 community-based domestic violence services.
Tusla employs approximately 3,637 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff and the vast majority of these are focused on responding to the needs of children and families at risk. I wish to assure the Deputy that with the current available staff, all urgent and emergency cases, such as in situations of abandonment, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, parental ill-health and the need to find an immediate placement, or a threat to the safety or life of a child by a third party, are dealt with immediately.
I am aware also that to ensure Tusla staff are able to support children and families, it is the organisation's policy to ensure that all staff are trained in child protection and Children First guidelines and staff attend a broad range of child protection training including:
- Core Court Room Skills
- Introduction to Court Skills
- Domestic Sexual & Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) – Awareness and Response
- Practice Development for Newly Appointment Social workers
- Supervision - Making the most of Supervision for Supervisees
- Supervision - Staff Supervision Skills Training for Supervisors
- Foundations for Assessment
- Evidence Informed Practitioner Programme
- Legal Briefing Seminar
I am very mindful of the correlation between recruitment and cases where a child does not have a dedicated social worker and the need for Tusla to closely link its recruitment programme with operational decisions to effect improvements. As part of my regular engagement with the Tusla Board, I have requested that the Agency provides me with an assessment of recruitment for the remainder of 2017, linked to specific targets to reduce the number of children awaiting allocation of a dedicated social worker. I have requested that Tusla develop a robust workforce plan which addresses succession planning, retention, career pathways, training and development, future workforce needs, priority gaps and a strategy for tackling the priority gaps and reducing unallocated cases.
Tusla’s 2017 recruitment target is 369 additional staff across its grades. Tusla’s social work target for the end of 2017 is 1,520 whole time equivalent and Tusla appears to be on track to meet this target. However, it is unlikely that 1,520 WTE social workers will be sufficient to execute Tusla’s current and future responsibilities without changes to the composition of Tusla social work teams. Accordingly, Tusla is evaluating management and staff skills mix with a view to service enhancement, including reviewing the roles of family support workers; social care workers in the community; and administrative structures to support the delivery of more efficient and cost effective services. Part of the evaluation also includes looking at enhanced job roles, increasing multidisciplinary team-working in an effort to alleviate pressure; redesigning tasks; and promoting greater efficiency in working.
Tusla has also appointed a dedicated Workforce Planner to work closely with Tusla services / operations with a view to identifying the areas’ required resource mix reflecting the on-going challenge of recruiting social workers and the potential for more social care workers and family support workers.
Consideration is being given to the current and future issues with social worker supply in Ireland, and the challenges this poses for Tusla, and discussions are ongoing between my Department and the Higher Education Authority to examine how this might be addressed.
I am confident that the Exchequer funding of €713m in 2017 will provide Tusla with significantly increased capacity to respond to areas of identified risk and anticipated demand and to progress a number of key service developments which will ensure better outcomes for vulnerable children, and families, who need our services and support.
