Written Answers Nos. 857-876
857. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the number of available hours under the ECCE scheme each week by 3, 5, 10 and 15 hours respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7109/20]
View answer€297m has been allocated to the Early Childhood Care and Education programme in 2020.
The Early Childhood Care and Education programme runs for 38 weeks each programme year. The standard capitation rate paid to providers is €69 per child, per week. The higher capitation rate paid to services is €80.25 per child, per week. The programme currently provides 15 hours of free childcare per week.
The following table displays the full year financial impact of extending the hours available per week as per the question.
|
- |
ECCE Hours Increase (€m) |
|
|
Change |
Annual Cost |
Increase |
|
No Change |
€297.0 |
€0.0 |
|
Plus 3 hours |
€356.4 |
€59.4 |
|
Plus 5 hours |
€396.0 |
€99.0 |
|
Plus 10 hours |
€495.0 |
€198.0 |
|
Plus 15 hours |
€594.0 |
€297.0 |
As AIM funding is intrinsically linked to ECCE capitations any increase in rates or durations for the ECCE programme has an impact on associated AIM costs.
AIM Levels 1 & 7 are awarded on a weekly basis, €2 per child per week and 195 euros per week respectively (the underlying basis for AIM Level 7 figure is the cost of ECCE capitation for 3 children). If an increase in hours of ECCE duration was required, there might be a case to increase AIM Level 1 & 7 capitations.
In 2020 €26m was allocated for AIM level 7 and €5.4m for AIM level 1. The following table captures the impacts of the outlined increases would have, based on a pro-rating of weekly to hourly costs, to the estimated allocation for AIM Levels 1 & 7 support costs in 2020.
|
- |
Associate AIM Costs to ECCE Hours Increase (€m) |
|
|
Change |
Annual Cost |
Increase |
|
No Change |
€31.4 |
€0.0 |
|
Plus 3 hours |
€37.7 |
€6.3 |
|
Plus 5 hours |
€41.8 |
€10.5 |
|
Plus 10 hours |
€52.3 |
€20.9 |
|
Plus 15 hours |
€62.8 |
€31.4 |
858. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the phased return of childcare facilities, particularly around social distancing and ratios of children; the way in which childcare facilities are to operate under the new guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7124/20]
View answerOn Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The future stages of the Roadmap's re-opening of ELC/SAC services are stated as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to re-open. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased re-opening will enable sufficient time and planning to re-open in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted re-opening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues. My Department has sought public health advice in relation to the plans being put forward. Informed by this advice, consideration is being given to a range of these issues. This includes minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them, and the impacts that a potential change to staff ratio requirements would have on capacity, sustainability, and staff recruitment and retention.
In addition, it is vital that we, ensure that any restrictions are consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15, 19 and 26 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
I am also establishing a Reference Group to widen the scope of consultation with the ELC and SAC sector, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group and to give an opportunity to provider representatives who are not represented on this group to make their views known to me and my officials. I hope to hold periodic meetings of the Group as we work through the phased reopening of the ELC and SAC sector. The first meeting of the Reference Group will be held on Thursday, 28 May 2020.
The proposals for re-opening which are at an advanced stage will have due regard to public health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from 29 June in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on re-opening services is at a more advanced stage. I am committed to sharing guidelines and other resources as soon as possible after they have been finalised with the assistance of the Advisory Group.
859. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if consideration will be given to allowing trainee social workers complete their placement in another way in order that they can receive their qualifications and not be delayed in accessing employment as social workers are needed; and if an agreement can be reached with CORU regarding this in view of the fact it would result in social worker qualifications being processed without delay. [7125/20]
View answerWhile this is not a matter for my Department I am aware of it and I understand that the Higher Education Institutions are working with CORU on this matter.
860. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she will publish the Independent Review of Costs of Delivering Childcare in Ireland; the reason for the delay in its publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7237/20]
View answerCrowe was commissioned by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to undertake an independent review on the cost of providing quality childcare in Ireland. The brief included:
- analysing the current costs of providing childcare and the factors that impact on these costs;
- the development and delivery of a model of the unit costs of providing childcare that allows analysis of policy changes and variation in cost-drivers, including the potential impact of professionalisation; and
- providing an objective, high-level market analysis of the childcare sector in Ireland, including analysis of fee levels charged to parents.
An approach and methodology were decided upon in partnership with the DCYA and a number of key activities have been undertaken to date. These include:
- engagement with key stakeholders from the sector, including the Early Years Forum, provider representative organisations, the City and County Childcare Committees, statutory bodies, childcare professional training bodies, and academics;
- the administration of a survey to all centre-based childcare providers nationally, to provide the data on which the modelling tool would be based;
- the development of a cost modelling tool (and guidance document) to present the baseline cost data and enable the testing of the impact of a range of scenarios, namely changes to cost drivers on the unit costs of delivering childcare services; and
- a final report detailing the elements of the review, and the key findings.
The project is intended to provide a robust evidence base for the further development of high quality ELC and SAC in Ireland. The outputs, including the costs calculator developed through this project are also intended to form a key input into the setting of capitation and subvention rates for future funding schemes and will be considered by the Expert Group recently convened to develop a new funding model for ELC and SAC.
The draft final report, cost modelling tool and guidance were subject to peer review. Arising from the external peer review, an additional piece of work was undertaken. Final outputs were received in January 2020, and preparation was underway to launch the report in April 2020. However, owing to the volume of work associated with COVID-19, its launch has regrettably had to be postponed to Summer 2020.
861. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a decision will be made on home tuition for a child (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7270/20]
View answerThe Department of Children and Youth Affairs does not operate a home tuition scheme for pre-school children.
The Department funds the ECCE preschool programme for children in the two years prior to school entry. To support children's inclusion in the ECCE programme, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) has since 2016 provided a range of supports for access and meaningful participation of children with disabilities. An increasing number of children with disabilities, including children with complex needs, have attended their local pre-school with the supports provided through AIM.
The AIM supports include a pilot (introduced in 2019) of nursing support and healthcare assistance for children with complex healthcare needs. This pilot measure is supporting a number of children in receipt of a paediatric home care package through the HSE to benefit also from nursing or healthcare assistance to permit their participation in the ECCE programme in a mainstream preschool setting.
In addition to the AIM supports in mainstream pre-schools, a small number of children with complex needs attend HSE-funded specialist pre-schools run by a number of agencies. The Donegal County Childcare Committee may be able to assist the family referred to by the Deputy in identifying potential pre-school options in the local area, and can be contacted on Tel: 074 91 23442 or by email at info@donegalchildcare.com .
862. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a Tusla facility (details supplied) will be examined; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7314/20]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
863. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a proposal (details supplied) in relation to directly supporting partners of frontline workers is currently being considered following the cancellation of the proposal recently; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7329/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware it was with regret that I had to cancel the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers on the 13th May.
Identifying essential workers will be part of the wider Government effort to ensure that society and businesses are re-opened in a carefully managed and safe manner.
The proposal submitted by the Deputy relates to operation of the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS), which is operated by Revenue and the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) which is operated by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). As such I would not be in a position to speak to changes or the application of these schemes.
My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government's Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
864. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding helping the education and childcare sector to reopen; the supports that will be available to the operators of these facilities to enable them to get up and running as soon as possible; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7387/20]
View answerOn Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The future stages of the Roadmap's re-opening of ELC/SAC services are stated as follows:
Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to re-open. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased re-opening will enable sufficient time and planning to re-open in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted re-opening of ELC and SAC services.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15 and 19 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
The proposals for re-opening which are in development will have due regard to public health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
I have already put in place a number of supports to assist ELC and SAC providers in this time. TheTemporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS), launched by my Department on 15 April, builds on the wider provisions by Government and also recognises the unique place and importance of the ELC and SAC sector. It provides funds for staffing and overhead costs, while ensuring that parents are not charged fees for the duration of the scheme.
As part of pre-existing sustainability funding, financial supports are available for community services presenting with sustainability issues following a financial assessment by Pobal. My Department has begun to consider whether this sustainability funding can be extended to private services during the pandemic.
These sector-specific supports are complemented by the range of supports across Government, many of which can also be availed of by ELC and SAC providers. This includes grants and loans for small businesses, advice and support from Local Enterprise Offices, the cancellation of commercial rates for a period, and a re-opening grant for small and medium enterprises. Further information on these supports is available from the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future of emergency measures such as the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection operated Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and other business supports. The proposals for re-opening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from 29 June in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on re-opening services is at a more advanced stage.
865. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a new public model of funding for the childcare sector (details supplied) will be considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7444/20]
View answerWe have come a long way in recent years in improving Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) support in Ireland. Investment in ELC and SAC has increased by 141% over the last five years. This has enabled us deliver, for example, a second year of free pre-school to all children, the international award winning Access and Inclusion Model for children with disabilities, a doubling of the number of children in receipt of subsidies, an increase in the number of places by approximately 60%, and the highly innovative and progressive National Childcare Scheme. However, I acknowledge that regardless of the positive strides made, more investment is needed. Historic under investment in ELC and SAC has created a situation that has no quick solution.
In terms of policy approaches, my Department has set out its vision for the sector, and a roadmap to achieve it, in First 5, A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028 . A key vehicle to ensure that significant additional investment in the sector delivers for children, families and the State will be a new Funding Model. This new Funding Model will provide mechanisms to deliver additional funding to ELC and SAC providers to ensure greater levels of affordability, quality and inclusion in their services.
An Expert Group to develop the new Funding Model for ELC and SAC was announced in September 2019 and commenced its work in October 2019. The Expert Group is tasked with examining the current model of funding, its effectiveness in delivering quality, affordable, sustainable and inclusive services and considering how additional resourcing can be delivered for the sector to achieve these objectives, drawing on international practice in this area. The Expert Group’s Terms of Reference includes to:
- Agree a set of guiding principles to underpin the new Funding Model for ELC and SAC
- Review the existing approach to funding ELC and SAC services by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in terms of its alignment with the guiding principles as well as effectiveness in delivering on the policy objectives of quality, affordability, accessibility and contributing to addressing disadvantage
- Drawing on international evidence, identify and consider options on how additional funding for ELC and SAC could be structured to deliver on the guiding principles and above policy objectives
- Agree a final report including a proposed design for a new Funding Model, with accompanying costings, risk analysis and mitigation and phased implementation plan (with funding likely to become available on an incremental basis) to recommend to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and ultimately Government.
The Expert Group is independently chaired and includes national and international experts in ELC and SAC systems, funding and quality; economics; and relevant policy experts from the Government Departments which will be involved in implementing the new Funding Model. A research partner, Frontier Economics, has been appointed to support the work of the Expert Group.
A consultation and engagement process to take account of the voices of providers, practitioners, parents and other stakeholders within the sector had to be postponed due to COVID-19. Further information on the Funding Model and its progress is available at: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government. I am acutely aware of the particular impact this has had on ELC and SAC providers, practitioners, parents and children. I am also very conscious of the importance of the ELC and SAC sector for children’s positive development and in terms of supporting the economy as we move beyond this crisis.
As a direct response to the COVID-19 closure of ELC and SAC services, I launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) which is a very significant measure to support the sector. The aim of the TWSCS is threefold:
- to support the sustainability of the ELC and SAC sector so that it is in a position to reopen after COVID-19;
- to provide parents with a reassurance that if their ELC and SAC provider signs up to the scheme, they are not required to pay fees during this COVID-19 crisis, and they will maintain their ELC / SAC place when services resume and
- to give Early Learning and Care practitioners security and to retain these vital Educators in the sector.
The TWSCS builds on the wider provisions by Government and recognises the unique place and importance of the ELC and SAC sector.
Overall, Budget 2020 saw a 9% increase in investment in ELC and SAC. Additional investment of €63.6m brought investment to €638m in 2020, as noted a 141% increase in investment over five budgets. The very welcome level of investment needs to continue if we are to offer services that are of high quality, affordable and accessible. However, increased investment by itself will not ensure these policy outcomes.
My Department has made considerable investment in the sector in recent years. I want to preserve the fruits of this investment for children, families and our much valued ELC and SAC workforce and ensure that, when COVID- 19 has passed, we will have retained as many services, staff and places as possible and that we are moving progressively towards the vision outlined in First 5 which was unanimously welcomed by all stakeholders.
I welcome a recent evaluation by the European Commission which noted that substantial progress had been made in recent years in the area of childcare. It recognised the systemic, comprehensive and strategic cross Government approach that had been adopted, the development of important legislation in the area and the solid plans for the future. My Department remains committed to maintaining this momentum and transforming early learning and care to a system that is truly accessible, affordable and of high quality.
866. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when promised childcare for front-line workers will be provided; and if the facilitation of spouses of frontline workers working in public service to be offered paid leave to care for their children has been ruled out. [7475/20]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Childcare Scheme for Essential Health Workers was cancelled on the 13th May.
My primary focus now, and that of my Department, is to work towards the significant challenges of a phased reopening of early learning and childcare facilities for 29th June, in line with the Government’s Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business.
Identifying essential workers, as referred to by the Deputy, is part of the wider Government effort to ensure that society and businesses are re-opened in a carefully managed and safe manner.
The facilitation of paid leave for public service employees is not a matter for the DCYA. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) have circulated Guidance and FAQs for Public Service Employers during COVID-19. This includes guidance in relation to facilitation of essential health workers.
867. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the situation regarding 16 and 17 year old children that have emotional dysregulation and urgently need temporary residential care; the facilities available in each region to provide care outside of the adult psychiatric services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7588/20]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
868. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when childminders will be able to recommence providing services to parents that are healthcare workers, essential workers and all parents in their own homes and in the home of the child. [7608/20]
View answer869. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if guidelines have been created to support childminders reopening their services following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7610/20]
View answer870. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if financial supports will be made available to childminders for the purpose purchasing PPE material. [7615/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 868 to 870, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, at present the public health guidance issued by the HSE is that childminding should only take place in the child's home, not in a childminder's home. This is to avoid households mixing, and is important as part of the stay at home measures.
On 1 May the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services, which includes childminding, will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives.
The Roadmap proposes the gradual re-opening of ELC/SAC services as follows:
- Phase 3 (29 June), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of essential workers in a phased manner with social distancing and other requirements applying.
- Phase 4 (20 July), opening of crèches, childminders and preschools for children of all other workers on a gradually increasing phased basis and slowly increasing thereafter.
My Department is currently developing proposals for the different phases of reopening in line with the Roadmap. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical constraints that services - including childminders - face. I have established and chair an Advisory Group that includes membership from across the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Childminding Ireland, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network, the National Forum for Community Childcare Services, PLÉ, Pobal, Seas Seas and SIPTU, as well as Pobal and Tusla.
Officials in my Department are currently liaising with the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in relation to advice on infection prevention and control, including the use of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE), by childcare providers. Public health guidance on these matters will be shared with childcare providers at the earliest opportunity.
871. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the membership of her advisory group on reopening early learning and care and school-age childcare services; and the process by which the members of the working group were selected. [7649/20]
View answerThe members of the Advisory Group on the phased re-opening of childcare services are the Association of Childhood Professionals, the Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas, Childminding Ireland and SIPTU. Pobal and Tusla are also members of the Advisory Group.
In establishing the Advisory Group, I provided six places for sectoral representatives. The sector itself decided on the nominees and these include representatives from the Association of Childhood Professionals, PLÉ, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network and the National Community Forum. Many of these groups represent providers. I included Childminding Ireland and SIPTU as members of the group, as they represent key parts of the early years sector not included in the list above, ie childcare staff and childminders.
A number of additional provider representative groups have contacted my Department seeking to be added to the membership of the Advisory Group. In response to such requests, I have established a Reference Group, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group. The Reference Group includes representatives from the Federation of Early Childhood, the Association of Full-time Day care Providers, St Nicholas Montessori and a number of service providers. I will chair the first meeting of the Reference Group on 28 May.
In addition to the above, my officials are also engaging directly with all 4,500 providers across the country through regular emails, and are seeking their input to COVID related challenges through a survey of all providers and an open call for submissions.
872. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if issues raised in correspondence (details supplied) will be considered in relation to the advisory group on reopening early learning and care and school-age childcare services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7650/20]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that the Covid-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has required a series of emergency responses from the Government and my Department.
My Department and I are engaging extensively with stakeholders in the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age (SAC) sector, including the representative groups referred to by the Deputy.
Consultation with stakeholders has always been central to the work of my Department, and the Early Years Forum (EY Forum) is a key part of this. The EY Forum meets several times a year and includes representatives of providers, parents and academics with an interest in the ELC and SAC sector. I established the ‘EY Forum Plus’ in March 2020 to widen representation by the sector, to aid my Department in developing a response to Covid-19. The representative groups referred to by the Deputy are members of the EY Forum Plus, which has met on a number of occasions over the past three months. Additionally there has been several more informal interactions between the representative groups and my officials where their points of view were listened to and information shared with them.
I recently established an Advisory Group on the phased re-opening of childcare services. It had its first meeting on 13 May and has met 3 times since. In establishing the group, I provided six places for sectoral representatives. The sector itself decided on the nominees and these include representatives from the Association of Childhood Professionals, PLÉ, Seas Suas, Early Childhood Ireland, the National Childhood Network and the National Community Forum. Many of these groups represent providers. Childminding Ireland and SIPTU are also members of the group.
A number of additional provider representative groups have contacted my Department seeking to be added to the membership of the Advisory Group, including the groups referred to by the Deputy. In response to such requests, I have established a Reference Group, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group. I will chair the first meeting of the Reference Group on 28 May. The representative groups referred to by the Deputy has accepted my invitation to join the Reference Group and I have made clear that I welcome any submissions any of the representative groups may wish to make at any time.
In addition to the above, my officials are also engaging directly with all 4,500 providers across the country through regular emails, and are seeking their input to COVID related challenges through a survey of all providers and an open call for submissions.
873. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if research has been undertaken by her Department in order to determine the possible impact of Covid-19 on capacity within the ECCE system in terms of crèche closures and the reduction in capacity associated with social distancing measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7656/20]
View answer877. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has undertaken research in order to determine the possible impact of Covid-19 on capacity within the full-day childcare system in terms of crèche closures and the reduction in capacity associated with social distancing measures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7660/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 873 and 877 together.
On Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to re-open. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased re-opening will enable sufficient time and planning to re-open in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted re-opening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist, including, as referred to by the Deputy, the issues around capacity and how for example the ECCE programme may operate from September. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues. My Department has sought public health advice in relation to the plans being put forward. Informed by this advice, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for pre-school children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15, 19 and 26 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
I am also establishing a Reference Group to widen the scope of consultation with the ELC and SAC sector, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group and to give an opportunity to provider representatives who are not represented on this group to make their views known to me and my officials. I hope to hold periodic meetings of the Group as we work through the phased reopening of the ELC and SAC sector. The first meeting of the Reference Group will be held on Thursday, 28 May 2020.
In collaboration with this Advisory Group, officials in my Department are undertaking primary research which is currently being rolled out in order to help us forecast supply and demand in the sector for safely delivering early learning and care and school age childcare in the coming months. Arising from that work, my Department will seek to identify ways to maximise capacity in the best interests of children and parents, while meeting the need to ensure that services re-open safely.
The proposals for re-opening which are in development will have due regard to public health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future of emergency measures such as the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection operated Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and other business supports. The proposals for re-opening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from 29 June in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on re-opening services is at a more advanced stage.
874. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if ECCE services will be able to operate at full capacity in September 2020; and if not, the percentage of their previous capacity they will be able to operate. [7657/20]
View answer876. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered introducing temporary measures in order to bring additional ECCE capacity on stream more quickly in view of the possible deficit of places which may arise as a result of Covid-19. [7659/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 874 and 876 together.
On Friday 1 May, the Government released its Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions through five phases. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves.
The sector has many questions regarding how the Roadmap will be implemented to enable services to re-open. While the COVID-19 emergency called for overnight action on closures, it is my ambition that the phased re-opening will enable sufficient time and planning to re-open in an orderly, safe and sustainable manner. I would like to reassure providers, practitioners, parents and children that I will be doing my utmost to support the sector in offering as smooth a transition as possible to the phased and restricted re-opening of ELC and SAC services.
My Department is currently working with the sector to answer the many questions that exist, including, as referred to by the Deputy, the issues around capacity and how for example the ECCE programme may operate from September. This is complex work and must balance a number of important issues. My Department has sought public health advice in relation to the plans being put forward. Informed by this advice, consideration is being given to a range of these issues, including:
- Minimising the public health risk, especially given the difficulty of maintaining social distancing among young children and those caring for them,
- Ensuring the need for any restrictions to be consistent with young children’s well-being and development needs and for ELC and SAC provision at each phase to be child-centred
- Providing ELC for pre-school children, meeting parental demand for ELC and SAC as the economy reopens, and meeting the commitment to retain places for families who paid for ELC and SAC before COVID-19, all while restricting capacity and thereby reducing adult-child ratios.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the sector when capacity restrictions limit income and parents cannot afford to cover any higher costs with higher fees.
- Ensuring a sufficient number of qualified ELC and SAC practitioners, given likelihood of reduced adult-child ratios and existing challenges with recruitment and retention.
I am actively engaging with key stakeholders in the sector to make sure that the work on re-opening services is informed by the practical reality across the country. I have established and Chair an Advisory Group that includes representatives chosen by the sector, specifically the Association of Childhood Professionals, Community Forum, Early Childhood Ireland, National Childhood Network, PLÉ and Seas Suas. The group also includes Tusla, Pobal, SIPTU and Childminding Ireland. The first meeting of this Advisory Group took place on 13 May and I held follow up meetings on 15, 19 and 26 May. A schedule of weekly meetings has also been agreed.
I am also establishing a Reference Group to widen the scope of consultation with the ELC and SAC sector, to supplement the work of the Advisory Group and to give an opportunity to provider representatives who are not represented on this group to make their views known to me and my officials. I hope to hold periodic meetings of the Group as we work through the phased reopening of the ELC and SAC sector. The first meeting of the Reference Group will be held on Thursday, 28 May 2020.
In collaboration with this Advisory Group, officials in my Department are undertaking primary research which is currently being rolled out in order to help us forecast supply and demand in the sector for safely delivering early learning and care and school age childcare in the coming months. Arising from that work, my Department will seek to identify ways to maximise capacity in the best interests of children and parents, while meeting the need to ensure that services re-open safely.
The proposals for re-opening in Phase 3, which are at an advanced stage, will have due regard to public health guidance over the phases of easing of restrictions. I am conscious that the proposed timelines are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government. Once the plans for Phase 3 and 4 are finalised, my Department will place a greater focus on resumption of ECCE.
There are a number of key decisions to be made across Government that will impact significantly on the ELC and SAC sector, including the future of emergency measures such as the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection operated Pandemic Unemployment Payment, and other business supports. The proposals for re-opening ELC and SAC services necessarily interact with these schemes and so I will be relying on whole of Government plans, which impact the ELC and SAC sector.
It is my fervent hope that every ELC and SAC service around the country is currently considering how it can be part of helping Ireland get back to work, and how it can support children from 29 June in the very difficult circumstances they have experienced in recent months.
I will undertake to update the Deputy as soon as the work on re-opening services is at a more advanced stage.
875. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children expected to enrol in ECCE services from September 2020, by county. [7658/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 Pandemic has created major challenges for Ireland. The closure of centre-based Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services including those providing Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services on 12 March was an unexpected but necessary move to safeguard public health in Ireland.
On Friday 1 May, the Government published the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business, which sets out Ireland's plan for lifting COVID-19 restrictions. The re-opening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services will be guided by this framework and will be underpinned by the Government's Return to Work Safely Protocol, expert advice, available evidence and consultation with ELC and SAC stakeholder representatives and providers themselves. I am conscious that the proposed timelines in the Roadmap are subject to further NPHET advice, and decisions from Government.
My Department is not in a position, at this time, to give a figure for enrolment in ECCE services in September 2020. However, the enrolment figures for the 2019/20 ECCE programme year are an indication of potential numbers. The following table sets out these figures, on a per county basis. Additionally, some ECCE eligible children will be enrolled on other DCYA schemes, but avail of the ECCE programme through those schemes.
|
County |
ECCE Children 2019/20 |
|
Carlow |
1180 |
|
Cavan |
1934 |
|
Clare |
2561 |
|
Cork |
13002 |
|
Donegal |
3443 |
|
Dublin |
27385 |
|
Galway |
5890 |
|
Kerry |
3031 |
|
Kildare |
5841 |
|
Kilkenny |
2108 |
|
Laois |
2095 |
|
Leitrim |
710 |
|
Limerick |
4332 |
|
Longford |
828 |
|
Louth |
2901 |
|
Mayo |
2797 |
|
Meath |
5407 |
|
Monaghan |
1328 |
|
Offaly |
1796 |
|
Roscommon |
1287 |
|
Sligo |
1292 |
|
Tipperary |
3486 |
|
Waterford |
2427 |
|
Westmeath |
2295 |
|
Wexford |
3427 |
|
Wicklow |
3615 |
|
Totals |
106398 |
