Written Answers Nos. 446-459
446. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the protocol regarding religion in the case of children who are fostered and if the religion of the parent or parents of the child will be respected in all circumstances in view of reports that fostered children are being prepared for Holy Communion, Confirmation or both against the wishes of their parents. [20681/19]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for her question, and can confirm that I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for their direct reply.
447. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reconsider the eligibility of children whose parents are not in education, training or employment to participate in the affordable childcare scheme during the school term. [20700/19]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme is a new, national scheme of financial support for parents towards the cost of childcare. The development of this Scheme is a significant move forward in delivering quality, accessible, affordable childcare to families throughout Ireland.
The Scheme entails a fundamental shift away from subsidies grounded in medical card and social protection entitlements, and towards a comprehensive and progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies. By making this shift and by tangibly reducing the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families across Ireland, the Scheme aims to improve children's outcomes, support lifelong learning, make work pay and reduce child poverty. It is also designed to have a positive impact on gender equality in relation to labour market participation and employment opportunities.
The Scheme will ultimately replace the existing targeted childcare schemes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly scheme, providing both universal and targeted childcare subsidies. To make the transition to the new Scheme as smooth as possible, families can choose to make the switch to the new Scheme once it launches (targeted for October 2019) or can remain on their current childcare subsidy programme for one final year.
With regard to income-based subsidies awarded under the Scheme, parents who are working, studying or who meet certain other conditions will qualify for an enhanced-hours subsidy (up to a maximum of 40 hours per week). The definitions of ‘work’ and ‘study’ will be set out in regulations made under the Childcare Support Act 2018 and will be comprehensive, covering differing types of work and study arrangements, such as part-time, week on/ week off and zero hour contract arrangements.
Parents who do not qualify for an enhanced hours subsidy may still qualify for a standard-hours subsidy (up to a maximum of 15 hours per week). This approach reflects the evidence on the strong benefits of early childhood care and education for young children and, particularly, those from disadvantaged backgrounds, but also the evidence that these benefits are – in most cases – realised with part-time participation. The cap of 15 hours will provide for continuity between the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE scheme, whereby it will be possible for a child to commence subsidised sessional care before the age of 3 and to continue in such care without disruption or a change of hours as they transition into the ECCE scheme. For children in school and pre-school, the standard hours subsidy will still entitle them to up to 15 hours of subsidised childcare out of term time while, during term time, child development needs will be met through school and pre-school.
It is important to note the provision of Educational Welfare services across the country. Many of these services offer after-school activities. Where a parent is at home and not in work or training, and where the NCS therefore provides 15 hours of school age childcare in non-term time only, certain children will have access to educational welfare after-school activities.
448. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider referrals to the affordable childcare scheme from other educational practitioners in cases of vulnerable children in which Tusla is not involved. [20701/19]
View answerThe Childcare Support Act, which was enacted on 2nd July 2018, specifies five statutory bodies with which the Minister may make agreements in relation to referral procedures for free or additional childcare. The detail of the agreements - including the specific groups of children who will benefit, and the criteria that the referring body will apply – are currently being finalised by my Department and the relevant bodies.
The five statutory bodies - and the purposes of the agreements - are:
- Minister for Education and Skills - for teen parents who are still in education or training;
- Minister for Justice and Equality - for refugees and asylum seekers, to enable parents’ participation in education, integration and other relevant supports
- Child and Family Agency - to promote the welfare of children, either where there is a child protection concern, or as a form of early intervention or family support
- Health Service Executive - to support child development for children who are below the age for participation in ECCE and where there is an identified need for childcare as a developmental support for the child
- Local authorities - to support homeless families or families transitioning out of homelessness.
Families with high levels of need, who require childcare for child welfare, child protection or family support reasons, may be referred for childcare support by the appropriate sponsor body. Where such a referral is made, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy for the number of hours considered appropriate by the sponsor without having to satisfy the scheme’s eligibility, income or enhanced hours requirements. There is no general minimum or maximum age limit for a child who is the subject of a referral by a sponsor. However, sponsor bodies will adhere to qualification criteria for referral as set out in Agreements made under section 14 of the Childcare Support Act 2018.
Sponsored referrals for support under the National Childcare Scheme may only be made by one of the five statutory bodies specified in the Childcare Support Act.
449. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the deprivation score for an area (details supplied) is -20.2 according to the 2016 census; and the additional supports she plans to provide for children in this area. [20702/19]
View answerThe information requested is currently being collated by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
450. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the new parental online application form for the affordable childcare scheme will cause difficulties for some parents who may not be used to filling in forms online; and the measures she has put in place to mitigate same. [20703/19]
View answerIn designing the National Childcare Scheme's online application system, including the application form itself, the Department has been very conscious of the needs of parents. In order to ensure the best experience possible for parents, the Department has put in place a number of initiatives and supports including:
- Dedicated expertise in the area of the user's experience to ensure that the application form and process is as accessible and user-friendly as possible;
- Ongoing consultation and focus groups with parents, with further user testing planned;
- A dedicated phoneline for parents, which will be in place from June onwards and will provide advice on all aspects of the National Childcare Scheme, including the application process;
- Support for parents from the staff of 30 City and County Childcare Committees nationwide, all of which are fully trained and available;
- Ongoing consultation and engagement with a large variety of stakeholders who provide services to the public, such as Libraries, Citizens Information Centres, Local Government Offices etc., to ensure that there is community level support available to parents who may not have used an online application process previously; and
- Engagement and training for groups who represent and support vulnerable families or sections of society.
There will also be a range of dedicated information materials, including detailed step by step 'how to' guides available on www.ncs.gov.ie to support parents on their application journey.
A postal application will also be available should applicants choose not to apply online. However the online process is designed to give applicants an award within a matter of days (or minutes in some instances), depending on their application type. Postal applications will take longer and will affect the start date from which the new childcare subsidy can be paid.
451. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the parental application system for the affordable childcare scheme will cause uncertainty in the childcare sector due to the fact that providers will not know in advance the value of their annual subventions; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that uncertainty will be caused by the fact that funding will now be allocated on an hourly rather than sessional basis; and the steps she will take to ensure the continued viability of childcare facilities. [20704/19]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme is a new, national scheme of financial support to help parents with the cost of quality Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare. It will ultimately replace all previous targeted childcare programmes with a single, streamlined and user-friendly scheme, providing both universal and targeted subsidies. The development of this scheme is a significant move forward in delivering quality, accessible, affordable Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare to families throughout Ireland.
When the scheme is introduced in October 2019, many families will become eligible for childcare subsidies for the first time and many more families will qualify for increased levels of subsidy. The Scheme also provides a vital platform for future investment in the sector. This is a very positive development for the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare sector.
It is important to note up front that ECCE, the scheme Government invests most in, remains as is for providers, with no changes for the sector.
The new National Childcare Scheme is designed to be flexible, recognising that childcare needs are different for each family. In creating a single, national scheme, it was important to recognise these differences and create a system that could respond to them without affecting service operations for providers. For this reason, subsidies will be awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of hours for which that rate is payable. The hourly rate of subsidy illustrates to parents their level of subsidy and will not affect service operations.
Parents and providers will continue to work together, as they currently do, to decide on the amount of childcare that is needed and can be provided. Providers will continue to set their own fees, sessions and admissions policies; there is no change to this. The scheme will pay subsidies based on the hours of care agreed between the provider and the parent, up to the maximum hours awarded to the parent. Providers are not required to change their operations to run their services on an hourly basis.
As with the current targeted subsidy schemes, subsidies will be awarded for a set period of time, normally twelve months. As such, providers will have visibility of the annual subsidy payments applicable to each child in their service, subject to the child regularly using the childcare place. This is similar to the current CCSP scheme which an increasing number of services have signed up to, it is also similar to the arrangements in place for the TEC schemes. In these latter schemes currently, services are not guaranteed a set income for the year, but they can continue to earn it if they retain the same number of children attending for the same hours overall. As such, these schemes are already based on attendance, not merely on enrolment, or attendance during a particular snapshot.
The National Childcare Scheme will have rules in relation to circumstances where a child leaves the service, is continuously absent from the service, or is not fully using the agreed place over a prolonged period. These rules will be child-centred, fair and proportionate, clear and consistent and will recognise the need for flexibility for parents. The rules will not disadvantage services for what would be considered minor non-attendances. At the same time, they will recognise the need to protect State finances by ensuring that Exchequer funds are used to support the maximum number of families in need of financial support, represent value for money for taxpayers, and are allocated in accordance with robust and appropriate procedures.
On 11th March, I launched a communications campaign for the National Childcare Scheme. The campaign encompasses a major nationwide training programme for providers. I would encourage all providers to sign up for a local training session on the new website - www.ncs.ie - so that they can learn more about the operation of the scheme, including the rules on attendance and payment.
With regard to the viability of childcare facilities, I am committed to increasing investment in the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare sector. Over the last four budgets, my Department has increased funding for the sector by an unprecedented 117%. A significant proportion of this funding has been targeted at families who use community childcare services, thus assisting with the sustainability issues faced by some services. The National Childcare Scheme will further increase investment in childcare and will reduce the top-up many parents have to pay for their childcare. This will have corresponding benefits for providers. The National Childcare Scheme is also expected to increase demand for services, thereby supporting services to operate efficiently and at full capacity.
For any services facing issues with financial sustainability, my Department oversees an integrated Case Management system which is administered by Pobal. This Case Management service provides non-financial assistance or support in the first instance. Financial supports are also available for community services facing certain challenges; these may also be accessed through Case Management following a financial assessment. Any service which is currently experiencing sustainability challenges, or which fears that the introduction of the National Childcare Scheme could potentially affect its sustainability, should contact its local Childcare Committee or Pobal.
Finally, my Department is currently undertaking a sustainability review which is examining the financial situation of a range of childcare services in some of the most disadvantaged communities in Ireland. This review is also taking account of the future introduction of the National Childcare Scheme. The review is expected to be completed in the second quarter of the year and will serve to inform any further sustainability measures or supports which may be required.
452. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if it is common practice for young boys and girls to be housed in small residential care houses of three or four beds together; if so, the safeguards put in place to protect them; and the number of such houses here. [20775/19]
View answerTusla only places children aged 12 years or younger in residential care in exceptional circumstances.
Children may be placed in residential care for a number of reasons, which may include
- The child's assessed needs or own preference
- Where other attempts to keep a sibling group together, where appropriate, have not been successful
- The provision of specialist supports or intensive intervention
- Suitability of the residential setting to meet the child's care and behavioural needs
I have written to Tusla, and asked them to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the operational aspects of the question.
453. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla keeps a record of the number of teenage pregnancies that occur in girls who are in residential care; and if so, the number per year since 2011. [20776/19]
View answerI have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and asked them to respond directly to the Deputy's question, which relates to an operational matter for Tusla.
454. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the protocols in place when a girl in residential care becomes pregnant. [20777/19]
View answerI have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and asked them to respond directly to the Deputy's question, which relates to an operational matter for Tusla.
455. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the costs incurred by her Department in respect of advertising in all forms to date in 2019, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21118/19]
View answerThe information requested in respect of the expenditure incurred by my Department on advertising to date in 2019 is set out in the following table:
|
Month |
Amount |
|
January 2019 |
€0 |
|
February 2019 |
€73.80 |
|
March 2019 |
€2610.06 |
|
April 2019 |
€5302.59 |
|
May 2019 |
€7998.93 |
|
Total |
€15985.38 |
My Department engaged in an advertising campaign to bring sectoral and public awareness to the new School Aged Childcare regulations which commenced on 18th February 2019.
The overall objective is to keep costs of this nature to a minimum and advertising services are only used when deemed necessary in the course of Departmental activity.
456. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if grants are available for a business (details supplied). [20394/19]
View answerFunding may be available through the LEADER Programme for the type of project referred to by the Deputy.
LEADER is a multi-annual programme covering the period 2014-2020 which is delivered through Local Action Groups (LAGs) in each of the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas around the country. To date, over 1,900 projects have been approved under the current LEADER programme, for funding of almost €66 million.
Funding can be provided under a broad range of themes, including enterprise development. The Economic Development, Enterprise Development and Job Creation Theme of LEADER focuses on driving continued local economic development, including diversification of the rural economy and the creation of employment opportunities for the local community. In that context, support for the works outlined by the Deputy could potentially be considered eligible for LEADER funding.
In order for a project to be eligible for funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy for the relevant LEADER area, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the LAG which administers the programme in each LEADER area. Interested applicants should, in the first instance, contact the relevant LAG through its Implementing Partners to discuss the funding that may be available.
The Implementing Partner for County Longford is Longford Community Resources CLG, Longford Community Enterprise Centre, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford. Contact details for Longford Community Resources CLG are as follows:
- Telephone: 043 3345555
- Email: enquiries@lcrl.ie
457. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if an initiative (details supplied) will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20338/19]
View answerThe initiative referred to by the Deputy is overseen by a Taskforce chaired by Údarás na Gaeltachta, which falls under the remit of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. I am aware that the Taskforce has finalised an Action Plan for the region in question.
While my Department participated on the Taskforce, it does not have overall responsibility for delivery of the measures contained in the Action Plan. However, my Department is supporting the initiative in a number of ways, including through the provision of:
- Funding under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund to support a Programme Manager to coordinate the implementation of the measures outlined in the Action Plan.
- Funding for the development of community-based renewable energy co-operatives, and
- Funding through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund for a project focused on the historic Transatlantic Cable Station in Valentia, which features in the Action Plan.
I look forward to the publication of the Action Plan and to seeing the actions being delivered for benefit the people of the region in question.
458. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the option under consideration regarding underfunded volunteer centres in County Monaghan (details supplied); when a decision will be reached on same; if the necessary funding will be granted; if his attention has been drawn to the concern this uncertainty is causing locally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20340/19]
View answerMy Department's community and voluntary supports and programmes unit provides a cohesive framework of support for the community and voluntary sector. €3.5 million is being provided in 2019 under this programme to support 21 Volunteer Centres, eight Volunteering Information Services and a number of volunteer-supporting organisations such as Volunteer Ireland.
Following the publication in 2017 of a report by Dermot McLaughlin entitled "Developing Funding Criteria for Volunteer Centres in Ireland", my Department secured additional funding of €300,000 which was allocated to all Volunteer Centres in 2017 on a proportionate basis. This increased funding level was maintained in 2018 and 2019. Monaghan Volunteer Centre was allocated funding of €95,000 in 2019.
The Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plan 2018 included the provision of €1.2 million to upgrade the eight Volunteering Information Services to full Volunteer Centres in order to provide a consistent level of volunteering service nationwide. My Department has been engaging with stakeholders in the roll out of this initiative. As part of this exercise my Department is also examining options with regard to a number of existing Volunteer Centres which are currently receiving less funding than the minimum amount recommended in the McLaughlin report.
My Department is also currently collating information received following a recent Call for Input exercise that was designed as a first step towards developing a draft national volunteering strategy. Among the topics under consideration in this context is the issue of volunteering support infrastructure and how best this can be structured to support volunteering.
459. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the reason local action groups, LAGs, that are currently delivering the LEADER programme and are not local community development committees, LCDCs, such as in Galway, were not invited to be part of the stakeholder consultation on the next phase of rural development taking place as per an invitation issued to the chief executives of the local authorities on 18 April 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20576/19]
View answerThe Government's Action Plan for Rural Development was published in January 2017 as a three-year plan to support the economic and social development of rural Ireland. The Action Plan runs to the end of 2019, and my Department is now giving consideration to the next phase of rural development policy, from 2020 onwards.
As part of this process, my Department is holding a series of consultation events throughout the country to obtain the views of stakeholders on the challenges and opportunities facing rural Ireland over the next five years. The stakeholder inputs from these events will help to inform the development of the next phase of rural policy.
My Department has sought to ensure a wide range of key stakeholders are represented at these events. I can confirm that all rural-based Local Development Companies, including those in Galway, were issued with details of the events and were invited to attend.
