Written Answers Nos. 1670-1694
1670. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of construction inflation that has been experienced by her Department in the 18 months to September 2017 in respect of construction projects; the way in which she monitors construction inflation and the mechanisms her Department employs to establish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38018/17]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that the only construction project for which my Department has responsibility is the Oberstown Children Detention Campus. The construction related works on this project are substantially managed by the Office of Public Works (OPW), which operates through framework/drawdown arrangements with service providers. The OPW would therefore be the more appropriate body to comment on any issues arising with regard to construction inflation linked to those works.
1671. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she or bodies and agencies under the remit of her Department plan to make services or payments dependent on the mandatory use and production of the public services card; if so, the services and payments which will now be dependent on the mandatory use of the public services card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38142/17]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the only scheme where consideration is being given to the use of the Public Service Card is in the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS). The ACS was announced as part of budget 2017 as a new national scheme of financial support for parents towards the cost of their childcare. It will replace the existing targeted childcare subsidisation schemes, which are:
1. the Community Childcare Subvention Programme (CCS)
2. the Childcare Education and Training Support Programme (CETS),
3. the After-School Childcare Programme (ASCC)
4. the Community Employment Childcare Programme (CEC).
The system to administer the ACS is being built. It will enable parents to apply on-line. It is imperative that this is a secure system to support strong data protection and in-built checks. It is intended that the MyGovID System will be used as the authentication mechanism to provide access to the ACS. MyGovID is the SAFE 2 registered online verification of the Public Services Card. Applicants should be SAFE 2 registered in order to make an application to access the scheme. In order to support a user-friendly process, this online system will involve linkages to Revenue and Department of Social Protection IT databases, which should enable automated verification of income data and automated approval of applications in a large number of cases. This will reduce the administrative burden associated with the application and approval process and make the scheme more accessible to families.
With regard to the bodies under the aegis of my Department, I am informed that the Adoption Authority of Ireland has no plans to make any of their services dependent on the use of the public service card. I have referred the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for direct reply to the Deputy.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1672. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the funding provided through Tusla for family resource centres (details supplied); if she will make additional funding available as part of budget 2018 which would provide for an equitable treatment of family resource centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38184/17]
View answerThere are over 100 Family Resource Centres currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual Service Level Agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. The 2017 Tusla allocation to Family Resource Centres is €13.512m.
Family Resource Centres are independent companies limited by guarantee and they are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. The centres operate independently of Tusla and each individual centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.
Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty.
It is not possible at this stage to advise on what level of funding will be made available by Tusla to Family Resource Centres in 2018. This issue will be clarified in the context of the annual Estimates process and having regard to the overall level of funding available to Tusla in 2018.
1673. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she with Tusla will review funding of a group (details supplied) in Dublin 22; if the funding model for this group will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38185/17]
View answerThere are over 100 Family Resource Centres currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual Service Level Agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. The 2017 Tusla allocation to Family Resource Centres is €13.512m.
In 2015, the Centre referred to by the Deputy received funding from Tusla of €83,950. This funding was increased to €86,478 in 2016. At the end of 2016, the Centre received a once-off grant of €30,000 for the upgrade of equipment and infrastructure. The Centre was also provided with a once-off payment at the end of 2016 to offset financial difficulties.
Tusla is providing funding of €86,478 to the centre in 2017. An additional €8,000 has also been allocated to the Centre in 2017 in order to fund counselling and play therapy services, which is a new and very welcome initiative.
Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty.
It is not possible at this stage to advise on what level of funding will be made available by Tusla to Family Resource Centres in 2018. This issue will be clarified in the context of the annual Estimates process and having regard to the overall level of funding available to Tusla in 2018.
1674. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide further supports to parents that opt to stay at home from work to mind their children rather than placing their children with child minding services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38216/17]
View answer1675. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports available for parents who choose to stay at home to care for their children; the new and additional supports she plans to provide to assist these parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38233/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1674 and 1675 together.
I 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. While operational responsibility for these do not fall within my policy remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I support the extension of parental leave for parents; particularly in the crucial first year.
The Government has provided additional support for parents who choose to care for their children at home by increasing the Home Carer Tax Credit to €1,100 per year in budget 2017, as well as provisions for maternity benefit, parental leave and the recently introduced paternity leave. I support an increase in the earnings threshold for this, and have raised this with the Minister for Finance. It should be noted that the Programme for Government commits to extending paid leave for parents in the first year of a child's life, which will be a key financial support enabling parents to care for their children at home in the critical first year.
The measures currently being rolled out across the country to make childcare more affordable are an important first step in making childcare more accessible for parents who choose to return to training or employment. However, it is important to recognise that these measures and those that will commence once the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) is up and running are only one element of a broader set of commitments and supports aimed at parents and children. The provision of improved services for centre-based care 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 well advanced. In December 2016 I hosted an Open Policy Debate on the strategy with a view to completion of the strategy this year.
My Department presently provides a number of childcare schemes which are available to all families, both working parents and parents who choose to stay at home to care for their children. The ECCE free pre-school programme has been extended from September 2016 - children’s eligibility for ECCE has increased from 38 weeks for all children, to an average of 61 weeks (ranging from 51 to 88 weeks depending on date of birth and age starting school) and is universally available. The Affordable Childcare Scheme, once launched will also be open for all families, whether or not they are in employment.
1676. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the delay in the publication of the inquiry conducted by a person (details supplied) and concluded in July 2016 into child protection issues in counties Laois and Offaly; when it will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38251/17]
View answerI have referred this question to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for direct response to the Deputy.
1677. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by Tulsa each year on consultancy fees; the persons or bodies to which payments were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38252/17]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tusla and as such is not readily available in my Department. I have requested that Tusla forward the information concerned directly to the Deputy.
1678. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to satisfy herself that data protection and privacy standards have been complied within the context of child abuse allegations being notified by the HSE to Tusla via fax; the reason this system is in place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38253/17]
View answerCompliance with data protection and privacy standards, in the context of the Deputy's question, is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Health Service Executive (HSE). I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
1679. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual percentage of non-commercial State-sponsored bodies staff under the remit of her Department that were women in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017 in tabular form. [38357/17]
View answer1680. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual percentage of public service staff that were women under the remit of her Department in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38380/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1679 and 1680 together.
Since the establishment of my department in June, 2011, I can confirm that the annual percentage of public service staff that were women in each of the years 2012 to 2016 and to date in 2017, is as follows:
|
Year |
No. of Employees |
Female |
% of Employees that are Female |
|
2017 |
227 |
142 |
63% |
|
2016 |
188 |
123 |
65% |
|
2015 |
162 |
106 |
65% |
|
2014 |
158 |
106 |
64% |
|
2013 |
150 |
99 |
66% |
|
2012 |
144 |
95 |
66% |
With regard to the four agencies under the aegis of my Department, I can confirm matters are as follows; Oberstown Children Detention Campus
|
Year |
No. of Employees |
No. of Females |
% of Employees that are Female |
|
2017 |
300 |
143 |
48% |
|
2016 |
289 |
133 |
46% |
|
2015 |
238 |
108 |
45% |
|
2014 |
217 |
100 |
46% |
|
2013 |
190 |
88 |
46% |
|
2012 |
189 |
88 |
47% |
|
2011 |
189 |
88 |
47% |
|
2010 |
187 |
85 |
45% |
Adoption Authority of Ireland
|
Year |
No. of Employees |
No. of Females |
% of Employees that are Female |
|
2017 |
23 |
15 |
65% |
|
2016 |
24 |
15 |
62.5% |
|
2015 |
20 |
14 |
70% |
|
2014 |
10 |
7 |
70% |
|
2013 |
6 |
4 |
67% |
|
2012* |
1 |
1 |
100% |
*Year of Establishment.
Tusla
Tusla was established in January 2014, and as such there are no figures available for the Agency before this date.
|
Year |
No. of Employees |
No. of Females |
% of Employees that are Female |
|
2017 (30 June) |
4663 |
3838 |
82.30% |
|
2016 |
4547 |
3766 |
82.82% |
|
2015 |
4332 |
3627 |
83.72% |
|
2014 |
4174 |
3528 |
84.52% |
Office of the Ombudsman for Children As the Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002, I have forwarded the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and asked that they reply directly to you.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1681. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the allocation to family resource centres over each of the past ten years. [38401/17]
View answerActing as a focal point within their communities, Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their communities.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency provides funding to over 100 Family Resource Centres. The 2017 allocation by Tusla to Family Resource Centres is €13.512m.
It should be noted that prior to 2014, funding was provided to the Family Resource Centres by the former Family Support Agency, which was incorporated into Tusla in 2014.
The table below sets out the level of funding provided to Family Resource Centres in the period 2008 - 2017.
Family Support Agency/ Tusla Funding to Family Resource Centres 2008-2017
|
Years |
Tusla Funding provided to Family Resource Centres (€m) |
|
2008 |
18.84 |
|
2009 |
18.05 |
|
2010 |
15.37 |
|
2011 |
15.90 |
|
2012 |
15.10 |
|
2013 |
14.31 |
|
2014 |
13.51 |
|
2015 |
13.09 |
|
2016 |
13.5 |
|
2017 |
13.512 |
Source: Family Support Agency (2006 – 2013) / Child and Family Agency (2014 – 2017)
In 2016, additional once off funding of €1.422m was provided to Family Resource Centres to assist in the upgrade of equipment and infrastructure.
1682. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will pay a capital grant to a provider (details supplied) to allow it to open a replacement preschool facility as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38563/17]
View answerThe service to which the Deputy refers has not made an application for capital funding under the early years capital scheme, 2017. As the deadline for this has now passed, it will not be possible to facilitate an application at this stage.
Pobal and the local City Childcare Committee (CCC) have been in contact with the service in question and it is my understanding that this service is currently closed. It is also my understanding that until a suitable premises has been found this service will not be in a position to reopen. In this regard, the CCC will continue to support this service in any way they can.
1683. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided in her Department's estimates for 2017 for the affordable childcare scheme; the percentage of childcare providers that are participating in the scheme; the projected expenditure to the end of 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38684/17]
View answerThe Affordable Childcare Scheme was profiled for €42m in the 2017 estimates. On 11th April I made an announcement that the Affordable Childcare Scheme would not commence this September but that a range of measures would be introduced in September by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
As part of these 'September measures', a new universal subsidy is available for all children aged between 6 months and 3 years of age (or until they qualify for ECCE if later than 36 months) in registered childcare. This amounts to as much as €20 a week or €1,040 per year for children in full time childcare. The ‘September measures’ are currently estimated to cost €12.4m to the end of 2017. This figure relates to the introduction of the Universal payment and the increase in band rates across the different strands of the Community Childcare Scheme (CCS).
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that as of 7th September, 2,792 services are in contract to provide Community Childcare Scheme Plus (CCS Plus). The Universal Provision along with the targeted provisions are also provided under this arm of the CCS. This represents over 75% of eligible providers, based on the numbers of providers who have previously contracted with the Department (excluding those who only provide the ECCE scheme). Any service who was previously in contract for any of my Department’s childcare schemes can renew their contract via an online system (“PIP”); this process is virtually instantaneous. The vast majority of providers are in this position.
