Kathleen Funchion
Question:713. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of the reinstatement of the childminding advisory service. [18231/20]
View answerChildcare Services
Questions (713)
Written answers
The National Childminding Initiative, which began in 2002, contained a number of strands to support childminders. One of the strands was the appointment of Childminding Advisory Officers, some of whom were employed by the HSE and some by City and County Childcare Committees. Their roles included offering information, support and training to childminders; maintaining the voluntary notification system; and administering other supports for childminders. The Childminding Advisory Officer posts were largely discontinued in 2012-2013 in the context of widespread budget cuts at that time.
In 2019 my Department put in place a National Childminding Coordinator, who is located within the Department, and 6 Childminding Development Officers, who are located within City and County Childcare Committees around the country and who have a regional remit. Their role is to prepare the childminding sector for the move towards wider regulation and in the immediate term to support childminders who are subject to the current regulations but are not yet registered with Tusla to meet Tusla registration requirements, thus enabling more childminders to take part in the National Childcare Scheme. The cost of these posts is €500,000 per annum, which includes costs for salaries, PRSI, travel and subsistence and overheads. The cost of expanding the team of Childminding Development Officers in order to have a Childminding Development Officer in each of the City/County Childcare Committees would be an additional €1.6 million.
Childcare Services
Questions (714, 715)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:714. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of increasing the learner fund to allow all childcare workers currently holding level 5 qualifications to progress to level 6 from September 2020. [18232/20]
View answerKathleen Funchion
Question:715. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of increasing the learner fund to a level which would allow 50% of childcare workers currently holding level 6 qualifications to progress to level 7 from September 2020. [18233/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 714 and 715 together.
As per Pobal's Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report for 2018/2019, there were estimated to be (following extrapolation of survey data) 26,882 staff working directly with children in early learning and care and school-age childcare services. Of these, it is estimated that 26.8% (7,204) held a level 5 major award as their highest qualification and 41.8% (11,237) held a level 6 major award as their highest qualification. On this basis and if the level of State funding remained the same as the maximum amount of funding available under the current Learner Fund bursary (i.e. a contribution to costs of €750 per student), the additional cost to the Learner Fund would be €5.4m to bring all 7,204 early learning and care practitioners holding a level 5 qualification at the time of the survey up to a Level 6 qualification. To bring 50% of the 11,237 early learning and care practitioners holding a level 6 qualification at the time of the survey up to a Level 7 qualification, the increase in the cost of the Learner Fund (with a bursary of €750 per student) would be €4.214m.
These figures are based on the value of previous Learner Fund bursaries. The full cost of undertaking a Level 6 qualification for a level 5 practitioner is greater than €750, and the cost for a practitioner of undertaking a Level 7 degree is even higher. These costs, which are borne by practitioners, vary depending on a number of factors, including where the individual chooses to undertake their course, as course fees vary. If the State were to meet the full cost for these practitioners of undertaking Level 6 and 7 courses, the costs would be considerably higher than indicated above.
Child Support Payments
Questions (716)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:716. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of rolling out a baby box scheme similar to those in Finland and Scotland in which the estimated cost of the box and contents would be €170 each. [18234/20]
View answerWritten answers
Baby boxes for newborns are to be piloted under First 5: A Whole-of -Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028. Piloting Baby Boxes is just one initiative which is part of a wide ranging strategy addressing various aspects of the lives of children from birth to age five including supports for parents to balance working and caring, developments in early learning and care and health initiatives.
The gift of the Baby Box is intended as a welcome from the State for a new arrival to a family and an acknowledgement of this very significant moment for parents. The universal distribution of Baby Boxes also reflects an important equality principle that each child is given something of equal value at the start of their life. The concept of Baby Boxes originates in Finland (and has been implemented in a number of other countries) and consists of a package of items to assist with the transition to parenthood. Key objectives with the Baby Box and linked communications will include support for parent-infant bonding, information on baby development and early learning, advice and support for breastfeeding and promotion of infant health and safety.
The pilot will undertake research and consultation to determine items for inclusion in the pack and these may include safety items, baby clothes and toys to support early development and books to foster a love of reading from infancy.
Following consultation on items for inclusion, it is envisaged that a tender competition will be run to select a provider that will be in a position to develop the baby box, including the entire contents and oversee distribution.
Due to COVID related workload, I cannot provide exact timelines for the roll out of the pilot, but the scoping phase began in late 2019/early 2020 and it is likely that it will be early 2021 before the Request for Tender is issued.
There will be a significant emphasis in the pilot on consultation and engagement with parents and of evaluation of the impact of this measure, including cost-benefit analysis, with a view to determining whether this initiative is suitable for wider roll-out. If the results of the pilot evaluation deem the baby box initiative suitable for roll-out, based on a unit cost of €170 (to include the baby box and distribution) and the average number of births (approximately 60,000 per annum), the cost of a full roll-out would be approximately €10.2 million.
Early Years Sector
Questions (717)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:717. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of the roll-out of Aistear across the early years sector. [18235/20]
View answerWritten answers
Aistear, the national curriculum framework for early childhood, was developed by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA). Since its development 10 years ago it has been used as a tool to support quality on many levels across the range of services that support the learning and care of children from birth to 6 years old. Its roll-out, which is supported by the Aistear-Síolta Practice Guide (published in 2015), is embedded in initial/pre-service training programmes (leading to qualifications at Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications/NFQ) and in a range of training courses aimed at the continuing professional development of early learning and care practitioners. Its roll-out is also embedded in the mentoring work carried out by the Better Start Quality Development Service, and in the inspections of early learning and care services that are carried out by both Tusla (the statutory regulator for early learning and care and school-age childcare services) and the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills. Given the diverse mechanisms through which Aistear is rolled out, it is not possible to determine the current cost of roll-out.
Progress continues to be made in the on-going roll-out of Aistear across the sector. Recent initiatives include on-going work by both Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the Department of Education and Skills to reform and strengthen the training awards at Levels 5 and 6 on the NFQ and undergraduate degree programmes.
The National Síolta Aistear Initiative (NSAI) is a collaboration (begun in 2016) between my Department, the Department of Education and Skills, Better Start, and the NCCA. The purpose of the NSAI is to support the implementation of both Aistear and the Síolta national quality framework. Training courses delivered within the NSAI include both foundation or introductory courses that give the background and fundamentals of Síolta and Aistear (4 workshops, delivered through the City and County Childcare Committees) and the Aistear and Play CPD programme (which is delivered by the Better Start Quality Development Service). The budget for the NSAI is €500,000 per annum, which includes the cost of developing resources to support the on-going roll-out of Aistear and Síolta.
The Aistear and Play CPD programme has been delivered by Better Start since March 2019. It consists of 5 individual workshops (two and a half hours each) and two onsite support visits with an early years mentor to support services to apply the learning from the training course within their setting. In 2019 the National Síolta Aistear Initiative offered 60 Aistear and Play CPD courses, with 15-20 participants per course. Roll-out in 2020 has been interrupted by Covid-19.
Evaluations of the Better Start Quality Development Service and of the Aistear and Play CPD programme are currently underway. The results of the evaluations will help to identify the next steps in the roll-out of Aistear.
Childcare Services
Questions (718)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:718. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost of the roll-out of Aistear across the childminding sector. [18236/20]
View answerWritten answers
Aistear, the national curriculum framework for early childhood, was developed by the National Council for Curriculum Assessment (NCCA). Since its development 10 years ago it has been used as a tool to support quality on many levels across the range of services that support the learning and care of children from birth to 6 years old. Its roll-out, which is supported by the Aistear-Síolta Practice Guide (published in 2015), is embedded in initial/pre-service training programmes (leading to qualifications at Levels 5, 6, 7 and 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications/NFQ) and in a range of training courses aimed at the continuing professional development of early learning and care practitioners. Its roll-out is also embedded in the mentoring work carried out by the Better Start Quality Development Service, and in the inspections of early learning and care services that are carried out by both Tusla (the statutory regulator for early learning and care and school-age childcare services) and the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills. Given the diverse mechanisms through which Aistear is rolled out, it is not possible to determine the current cost of roll-out.
Progress continues to be made in the on-going roll-out of Aistear across the sector. Recent initiatives include on-going work by both Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) and the Department of Education and Skills to reform and strengthen the training awards at Levels 5 and 6 on the NFQ and undergraduate degree programmes.
The National Síolta Aistear Initiative (NSAI) is a collaboration (begun in 2016) between my Department, the Department of Education and Skills, Better Start, and the NCCA. The purpose of the NSAI is to support the implementation of both Aistear and the Síolta national quality framework. Training courses delivered within the NSAI include both foundation or introductory courses that give the background and fundamentals of Síolta and Aistear (4 workshops, delivered through the City and County Childcare Committees) and the Aistear and Play CPD programme (which is delivered by the Better Start Quality Development Service. The budget for the NSAI is €500,000 per annum, which includes the cost of developing resources to support the on-going roll-out of Aistear and Síolta.
The Aistear and Play CPD programme has been delivered by Better Start since March 2019. It consists of 5 individual workshops (two and a half hours each) and two onsite support visits with an early years mentor to support services to apply the learning from the training course within their setting. In 2019 the National Síolta Aistear Initiative offered 60 Aistear and Play CPD courses, with 15-20 participants per course. Roll-out in 2020 has been interrupted by Covid-19.
Evaluations of the Better Start Quality Development Service and of the Aistear and Play CPD programme are currently underway. The results of the evaluations will help to identify the next steps in the roll-out of Aistear.
Most childminders are exempt from regulation, as a result of exclusions set out in the Child Care Act 1991. While many mechanisms through which Aistear is rolled out (including the Aistear Síolta Practice Guide and training courses leading to QQI awards) are available to childminders, neither the Better Start mentoring programme nor the Aistear and Play CPD programme have targeted childminders. The Draft Childminding Action Plan, published for public consultation in August 2019, proposed the extension of regulation and supports to all paid, non-relative childminders on a phased basis.
Childcare Services
Questions (719)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:719. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated first and full-year cost of employing an extra 26 aftercare workers. [18237/20]
View answerWritten answers
I wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
Childcare Services
Questions (720)
Pearse Doherty
Question:720. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be provided to allow a child of a front-line worker (details supplied) in County Donegal to remain in a childcare setting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18579/20]
View answerWritten answers
The goal of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE universal pre-school programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school service.
Additional assistance can be sought in the pre-school room where this is critical to ensuring a child’s participation in the ECCE pre-school programme. In line with emerging best practice to support the integration and independence of children with a disability, AIM does not fund pre-school Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). Rather, it provides financial support to the pre-school provider, which can be used either to reduce the adult-to-child ratio in the pre-school room or to buy in additional assistance to the pre-school room. Accordingly, AIM Level 7 assistance is a shared resource for the pre-school setting.
AIM is intrinsically linked to the ECCE programme and since its implementation in 2016 AIM supports are provided based on the 38 week ECCE programme year from September to June. As the ECCE term 2019/20 is now finished, AIM funding for additional assistance in the ECCE pre-school room is therefore not currently available until the next ECCE programme year recommences in late August.
Funding schemes that provide subsidies for places in early learning and care and school-age childcare services - the National Childcare Scheme and legacy funding schemes (CCSP and TEC) - recommenced on 29 June and continue to operate during the summer months. Information on eligibility is available from my Department's website and from local City and County Childcare Committees.
I am very conscious of the unprecedented environment some children with disabilities are currently facing due to the impact of COVID-19. A key element of AIM is the advice and guidance given by Early Years Specialists in Better Start to service providers who are supporting the participation of children with disabilities in their settings. In recognition of the challenges facing families and service providers at the current time, my Department has worked with Better Start to make the advice and guidance provided by Better Start's Early Years Specialists available to any early learning and care or school-age childcare service that is catering for a child with a disability during the summer months.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (721)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:721. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of continuing the wage subsidy scheme for childcare workers at 85%. [18600/20]
View answerWritten answers
On 25 July, I announced a package of measures to support the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare sector as remaining services reopen in late August/early September.
Access to the Revenue Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) within the July Stimulus will bring total funding provided by Government to the sector between 24 August and 31 December to just under €300m. A special exemption for early learning and childcare services to the turnover rule within EWSS will be included to recognise the need to retain capacity in the sector and support parents to access childcare places and get back to work.
I believe this package of measures will support services to operate in a sustainable manner. This funding was needed to cover the costs of operating with lower occupancy due to reduced parental demand, a feature I hope will change over time, and to cover extra, public health related costs.
The cost of this package to the end of the year is estimated at €87.4m EWSS and €211m for DCYA schemes and sustainability. This totals €298.4m. Services operating from 24 August to end 2020 with EWSS will have approximately 65% of payroll costs covered. The estimated cost of continuing this wage subsidy scheme to cover 85% of payroll costs on a strictly pro rata basis is approximately €114m. This assumes usual payroll costs continue to be incurred. However, changes to usual staffing levels will be needed for this operating period in order to implement public health guidance. Therefore estimated costs covering different percentage of staff costs can differ significantly due to different operating conditions and staffing requirements.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (722)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:722. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent on the wages top-up for childcare workers during Covid-19. [18601/20]
View answerWritten answers
In order to support the sustainability of the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Sector my Department launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS). The TWSCS was layered on top of the Revenue TWSS and provided additional funding towards childcare staff wages to ensure that they could be retained by their employer.
The TWSCS operated from 6 April 2020 for a period of 12 weeks. Over this period, €24.3m was allocated to childcare services to top up the wages of their staff. The wage top up was made available to 3,900 childcare services that signed up to and submitted applications for the TWSCS.
To ensure prompt payment in these challenging circumstances for employers, estimated payments were made initially, with reconciliations following to ensure accurate payments based on actual staff numbers. Pobal, on behalf of the Department, continues to administer and reconcile TWSCS applications and the final actual cost will be known shortly.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (723)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:723. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent on the one-off reopening grant for centre-based providers. [18602/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Reopening Funding Package (RSP) for July/August is an exceptional arrangement devised to support early learning and care and school aged childcare services in meeting the reopening guidelines after the COVID-19 closures.
As of 24 July there were 2,672 applications approved for the RSP with a total value of €9.6 million.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (724)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:724. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent to date on childminder reopening grants. [18603/20]
View answerWritten answers
The Childminding Re-opening Grant applications are being processed by the regional Childminding Development Officers who work in City/County Childcare Committees, and payments are being issued by their 6 respective host City/County Childcare Committees. The amount spent to date on the Childminding Re-opening Grant is €186,000as on 24 July 2020. There are currently an additional 41 applications in progress. The Childminding Re-opening Grant will remain open for applications until 28 August 2020.
The Childminding Re-opening Grant is available to support childminders who had to close as a direct result of the restrictions imposed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. An individual once-off grant of €1,000 per childminder is available to assist with the additional costs of re-opening.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (725)
Kathleen Funchion
Question:725. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount allocated by county out of the €75 million grant to open early learning and childcare services. [18604/20]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy will be aware the recently announced €75 million funding package to support childcare services re-opening from June 29 contains four significant elements:
- A once-off reopening support payment for DCYA-funded providers opening between 29 June and early September.
- A once-off COVID-19 capital grant for DCYA-funded providers opening between 29 June and early September.
- Continued access for eligible providers to the Revenue-operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS)
- Resumption of DCYA funded early learning and care and school age funded programmes
The number of applications for both the Reopening Support Grant and the Covid-19 Capital grant including the value of the awards is outlined by county in the following table as at July 24. Also included in a separate table are payments made under my Departments' funded childcare schemes up to July 24 for services that have reopened since June 29.
|
County |
Re-Opening Support Received Applications |
Re-Opening Support Amount Allocated |
Capital Received Applications |
Capital Amount Allocated |
|
Carlow |
38 |
€148,000 |
40 |
€142,500 |
|
Cavan |
46 |
€209,500 |
52 |
€187,000 |
|
Clare |
87 |
€298,648 |
102 |
€273,500 |
|
Cork |
273 |
€837,799 |
296 |
€918,500 |
|
Donegal |
112 |
€415,173 |
122 |
€389,000 |
|
Dublin |
626 |
€2,310,103 |
715 |
€2,293,500 |
|
Galway |
186 |
€689,050 |
195 |
€573,000 |
|
Kerry |
85 |
€339,500 |
93 |
€296,000 |
|
Kildare |
98 |
€364,419 |
115 |
€385,000 |
|
Kilkenny |
56 |
€222,510 |
59 |
€194,000 |
|
Laois |
60 |
€228,500 |
66 |
€207,500 |
|
Leitrim |
26 |
€90,500 |
29 |
€96,500 |
|
Limerick |
120 |
€392,864 |
135 |
€420,500 |
|
Longford |
22 |
€101,500 |
29 |
€107,500 |
|
Louth |
66 |
€232,833 |
76 |
€245,000 |
|
Mayo |
79 |
€202,153 |
91 |
€259,000 |
|
Meath |
125 |
€455,500 |
148 |
€472,500 |
|
Monaghan |
41 |
€181,961 |
41 |
€158,500 |
|
Offaly |
41 |
€139,000 |
46 |
€141,000 |
|
Roscommon |
41 |
€146,961 |
40 |
€121,500 |
|
Sligo |
45 |
€186,670 |
51 |
€162,500 |
|
Tipperary |
106 |
€380,919 |
125 |
€367,000 |
|
Waterford |
54 |
€217,500 |
62 |
€207,500 |
|
Westmeath |
51 |
€202,213 |
53 |
€188,500 |
|
Wexford |
83 |
€309,924 |
83 |
€280,000 |
|
Wicklow |
105 |
€291,008 |
121 |
€334,500 |
|
Grand Totals |
2672 |
€9,594,708.00 |
2985 |
€9,421,500.00 |
|
County |
CCSP |
CCSRT |
CCSU |
NCS |
TEC (ASCC, CETS, CEC-AS, CEC-PS) |
Grand Total |
|
Carlow |
€146,677.00 |
|
€3,840.60 |
€35,647.81 |
€855.00 |
€187,020.41 |
|
Cavan |
€128,132.00 |
|
€6,047.20 |
€38,244.25 |
€8,026.00 |
€180,449.45 |
|
Clare |
€198,285.00 |
|
€15,955.80 |
€68,992.45 |
€2,420.00 |
€285,653.25 |
|
Cork |
€197,665.00 |
€2,937.50 |
€55,994.00 |
€93,991.11 |
€2,588.00 |
€353,175.61 |
|
Donegal |
€372,807.00 |
|
€10,287.20 |
€122,497.42 |
€6,840.00 |
€512,431.62 |
|
Dublin |
€1,336,024.00 |
€28,165.00 |
€341,960.80 |
€351,237.77 |
€11,502.00 |
€2,068,889.57 |
|
Galway |
€367,650.00 |
€5,320.00 |
€47,746.40 |
€115,237.85 |
€3,120.00 |
€539,074.25 |
|
Kerry |
€271,768.50 |
€3,360.00 |
€8,492.00 |
€84,506.97 |
€9,175.00 |
€377,302.47 |
|
Kildare |
€126,706.00 |
€2,240.00 |
€39,890.80 |
€71,415.91 |
€3,720.00 |
€243,972.71 |
|
Kilkenny |
€138,359.00 |
€1,015.00 |
€7,515.60 |
€34,197.31 |
€2,720.00 |
€183,806.91 |
|
Laois |
€273,092.00 |
|
€5,122.00 |
€48,401.07 |
€6,845.00 |
€333,460.07 |
|
Leitrim |
€67,122.00 |
|
€1,540.40 |
€21,004.54 |
€1,450.00 |
€91,116.94 |
|
Limerick |
€417,551.40 |
€6,720.00 |
€28,307.20 |
€83,270.21 |
€3,040.00 |
€538,888.81 |
|
Longford |
€74,934.00 |
|
€1,694.00 |
€26,237.68 |
€880.00 |
€103,745.68 |
|
Louth |
€171,426.50 |
€4,480.00 |
€5,820.40 |
€38,920.10 |
€6,640.00 |
€227,287.00 |
|
Mayo |
€120,391.00 |
|
€7,028.00 |
€32,874.38 |
€2,160.00 |
€162,453.38 |
|
Meath |
€186,792.00 |
€3,480.00 |
€25,241.80 |
€79,366.03 |
€8,310.00 |
€303,189.83 |
|
Monaghan |
€205,880.50 |
|
€4,059.90 |
€53,669.21 |
€7,125.00 |
€270,734.61 |
|
Offaly |
€48,597.00 |
|
€3,663.00 |
€18,981.16 |
€2,590.00 |
€73,831.16 |
|
Roscommon |
€90,658.00 |
€1,740.00 |
€5,908.20 |
€29,315.72 |
€1,430.00 |
€129,051.92 |
|
Sligo |
€202,243.00 |
|
€9,333.00 |
€44,436.30 |
€5,014.00 |
€261,026.30 |
|
Tipperary |
€399,051.00 |
|
€8,325.60 |
€94,201.66 |
€5,490.00 |
€507,068.26 |
|
Waterford |
€269,405.00 |
€1,975.00 |
€7,465.40 |
€47,279.17 |
€5,855.00 |
€331,979.57 |
|
Westmeath |
€96,411.00 |
|
€5,540.40 |
€35,577.60 |
€2,720.00 |
€140,249.00 |
|
Wexford |
€188,921.00 |
|
€9,560.40 |
€52,928.41 |
€3,720.00 |
€255,129.81 |
|
Wicklow |
€104,417.00 |
|
€18,452.00 |
€29,664.84 |
€2,720.00 |
€155,253.84 |
|
Grand Total |
€6,200,965.90 |
€61,432.50 |
€684,792.10 |
€1,752,096.93 |
€116,955.00 |
€8,816,242.43 |
National Childcare Scheme
Questions (726)
Thomas Pringle
Question:726. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the subsidy under the affordable childcare scheme from €20 to €50 per child per week in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18626/20]
View answerWritten answers
The estimated additional cost of this measure would be €26m.
The National Childcare Scheme subsidy payments are paid weekly and are calculated by taking the hourly subsidy awarded to a child and multiplying it by the number of hours they attend a service or the maximum number of hours awarded to them per week (whichever is fewer).
The National Childcare Scheme's existing universal element allows all children aged under three years, or over three and not yet qualified for the ECCE scheme, a minimum subsidy of €.50 per hour for the maximum number of hours allowed under the scheme.
To implement a universal subsidy of up to €50 for all children the following steps would be required:
- Increase the universal subsidy to €1.11 per hour (€1.11 per hour, multiplied by 45 hours per week which is the maximum hours subsidised under the NCS from 7 September, 2020)
The scheme’s cost model is based on key assumptions around the preferences and behaviours of parents relating to working hours and childcare choice, rates of growth in demand, and certain metrics . As such, all estimates remain heavily caveated. It is particularly difficult to estimate the behavioural changes that will result from significant increases in the level of subsidy available.
|
Increasing the weekly Universal Subsidy to €50 |
Increase |
|
2021 cost |
€26m |
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (727)
Sorca Clarke
Question:727. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers in County Longford that have reopened; the number that are accepting the same number of children as before the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have reopened on reduced numbers; and the number that are no longer taking children under one year old. [18694/20]
View answerWritten answers
There are 34 registered early learning care (ELC) and school aged care (SAC) services in Co. Longford. 14 of these services have reopened since June 29, which is 40% of the total number of services.
Usually 60% of services nationally close in the months of July and August.
My Department does not have data on the number of children who have returned to childcare services to date in Co. Longford, as services are not required to notify my Department of the number of children whose parents pay fees in full. My Department does not have details of the number of services which do not take children from the age of one only. This is a commercial matter for service providers.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (728)
Sorca Clarke
Question:728. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of childcare providers in County Westmeath that have reopened; the number that are accepting the same number of children as before the Covid-19 restrictions; the number that have reopened on reduced numbers; and the number that are no longer taking children under one year old. [18695/20]
View answerWritten answers
There are 84 registered early learning care (ELC) and school aged care (SAC) services in Co. Westmeath. 28 of these services have reopened since June 29.
Usually 60% of services close in the months of July and August. As of 27 July 2020, nationally 85% of the services which were open in July 2019 have reopened since they were permitted to do so on 29 June. Westmeath fits the national profile, with 85% of services usually open in the summer months reopen.
My Department does not have data on the number of children who have returned to childcare services to date in Co. Westmeath, as services are not required to notify my Department of the number of children whose parents pay fees in full. My Department does not have details of the number of services which do not take children from the age of one only. This is a matter for service providers.
Question No. 729 answered with Question No. 712.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (730)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:730. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reduction in the number of crèches providing care for children under one year old compared to the situation before the start of the Covid-19 pandemic by county; the steps he plans to take to support parents who require childcare and who have no crèche available near them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18749/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department does not record data in relation to the number of services providing early years care to children aged under one year.
If parents are experiencing difficulty securing a place for their child, they can contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) who can advise them on all childcare options in their locality. A list of all CCCs can be found on myccc.ie
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (731)
Seán Haughey
Question:731. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many privately-run childcare facilities are closing permanently as a result of ongoing difficulties arising from the Covid-19 pandemic; if further financial supports will be made available to allow such facilities continue to operate; if it will be ensured that all allocated funding to a particular childcare facility (details supplied) is paid without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19041/20]
View answerWritten answers
I recognise the importance of the early learning and childcare sector for children’s positive development and in terms of supporting the economy to return to normal. On 25 July I announced a package of measures to support the Early Learning and Care and School-Age Care Childcare sector as remaining services reopen in late August/early September.
The funding package will enable providers to continue to operate with lower capacity and extra operating costs. The continued financial support will benefit parents as well as providers as providers will not need to pass on increased costs to parents through increased fees.
The details of the package are as follows:
Part 1: DCYA and Revenue Funding Measures
The funding package for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) sector from 24 August to end 2020 includes:
- Continuation of all DCYA ELC and SAC subsidy schemes (NCS, CCSP, TEC) and resumption of the ECCE Programme at existing capitation and subsidy rates, including ECCE Higher Capitation;
- Access to the Revenue-operated EWSS. This will cover an average of 38% of the costs of individual services.
- A sustainability fund will be accessible to providers (not-for-profit and for-profit) who can demonstrate that the other measures are not sufficient by themselves to enable viable operation of their business.
- The cost of the funding package to 31 December is estimated at €87.4m EWSS and €211m for Department schemes and sustainability. This totals €298.4m.
Part 2: Temporary changes to administrative procedures
- In addition to this funding package, my Department has introduced, on a temporary basis, added flexibility on attendance rules due to the likelihood in greater variability in patterns of usage (see below). This will assist providers to maximise income and reduce costs.
- That NCS will allow for 2 hours variation in attendance against registration per week without triggering a report. This is not 2 extra hours per week in terms of registrations; it is a fluctuation against normal attendance patterns which is exceptional to the current environment. Providers will revert to actual attendance levels when the emergency levels are no longer deemed to be required.
- For non NCS: A 30 minute variance tolerance per day per child; e.g. if the child is being picked up at 4 hours 45 minutes attendance, this will enable the crèche retain the full-time rate. The purpose of this is to facilitate staggered drop-ins/pick-ups necessary to avoid clustering of parents/children at those times. This is expected to apply to non-ECCE services only.
- Both these measures are exceptional and will last until end 2020. The situation will be reviewed at that time; record keeping, attendance tracking reporting arrangements and compliance facilitation remains in place for the duration.
Part 3: Other Supports Available Across Government
The July Stimulus includes other supports that ELC and SAC services may be eligible for, depending on the specific circumstances and eligibility criteria, including:
- The Credit Guarantee Scheme
- The 6-month waiver of commercial rates
- The Restart Grant for Enterprises
- The early carry-back of trading losses for previously profitable companies
- The new income tax relief for self-employed individuals who were profitable in 2019 but, as a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, incur losses in 2020
- Legislation for the previously announced warehousing of tax liabilities
- Liquidity and enterprise investment measures provided via MicroFinance Ireland and LEOs
The above is in addition to the €14.2m Capital Grants and the €18m Reopening Support Grants that have been made available to services and which the deadline of 28 August for application applies.
My Department oversees a Case Management process through which local CCCs and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to early learning and care services. This can include help with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios, fee setting and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering initial, and on-going, case management assistance.
Case Management support is available for all services. Support is available to help services remain open if it is an option they would like to consider. Any service that believes they may require support should contact their local CCC in the first instance. Even in cases where a service decides they cannot remain open, Case Management support can still be provided to aid an orderly wind down and if possible, the transfer of the service to an alternative provider.
In relation to the particular childcare facility raised by the Deputy, I understand that payments to the service have been put on hold due to their current listing on the CRO as not of "Normal" status which is a prerequisite for payment .
It is normal procedure to put services with this status on hold until they have filed their accounts and thereby return to “Normal” status. Once the service meets the conditions set out to them in relation to regaining their “Normal” CRO status, the Department will release the funding due to the service.
Covid-19 Pandemic
Questions (732, 733)
Matt Carthy
Question:732. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the guidance available to childcare facilities regarding September 2020 reopening, specifically for drop offs, afterschool programmes and situations in which it is not feasible for pods and classes to avoid mixing; when further guidance will be published on these matters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19062/20]
View answerMatt Carthy
Question:733. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the guidance available to childcare facilities for providing breakfast to students in cases in which it will not be feasible to do so on a pod and class basis and in which time prohibits the scheduling of rotation and cleaning between such a rotation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19063/20]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 732 and 733 together.
Expert guidance on the safe reopening of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) on 29 May. The guidance recommends use of a “play pod” model, where possible, which restricts interactions between closed groups of children and adults as an alternative to social distancing, on the basis that social distancing is not possible between young children. Generally speaking the objective is to limit contact and sharing of common facilities between people in different play pods rather than to avoid all contact and sharing between play pods, as the latter will not be possible.
My officials have been working with the HPSC to produce a next version of the Guidance which will include advice on the safe interaction between schools and childcare facilities where children attend both. It is envisaged that this guidance will be available soon.
It is important to note that the HPSC Guidance and all of the reopening supports for services available on the First 5 website apply to both Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare.