Written Answers Nos. 974-998
974. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding made available under the BEAM scheme to date; and the amount drawn down by county and year in tabular form. [20757/20]
View answerThe objective of the Beef Exceptional Aid Measure (BEAM) is to provide temporary exceptional adjustment aid to farmers in the beef sector in Ireland subject to the conditions set out in EU Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2019/1132. BEAM is funded by a combination of EU aid and Exchequer support, provided in light of the difficult circumstances that Irish beef farmers have been facing as a result of market volatility and uncertainty.
BEAM payments to date amount to €77.7m. The table below gives the breakdown by county and year.
|
COUNTY |
2019 € |
2020 € |
|
Carlow |
1,476,100 |
27,400 |
|
Cavan |
2,493,280 |
63,920 |
|
Clare |
2,527,940 |
32,600 |
|
Cork |
7,311,800 |
224,480 |
|
Donegal |
2,691,000 |
31,640 |
|
Dublin |
311,420 |
4,220 |
|
Galway |
5,374,340 |
91,780 |
|
Kerry |
2,011,140 |
15,420 |
|
Kildare |
2,226,480 |
59,820 |
|
Kilkenny |
3,443,080 |
106,420 |
|
Laois |
3,718,560 |
82,660 |
|
Leitrim |
695,980 |
6,420 |
|
Limerick |
3,519,440 |
113,640 |
|
Longford |
1,783,640 |
27,360 |
|
Louth |
1,224,200 |
21,860 |
|
Mayo |
3,504,580 |
70,360 |
|
Meath |
3,695,740 |
125,420 |
|
Monaghan |
3,197,020 |
83,220 |
|
Offaly |
3,738,940 |
100,700 |
|
Roscommon |
3,501,080 |
75,320 |
|
Sligo |
1,171,020 |
21,240 |
|
Tipperary |
6,774,380 |
213,240 |
|
Waterford |
1,851,980 |
48,240 |
|
Westmeath |
3,086,320 |
93,640 |
|
Wexford |
3,255,720 |
56,200 |
|
Wicklow |
1,303,520 |
35,320 |
975. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the work that has been completed with regard to the EU Biodiversity Strategy 2030; if materials, correspondence, and reports relating to the matter will be provided; if maps relating to proposed SACs and SPAs will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20759/20]
View answerThe lead Department responsible for the implementation of the EU biodiversity strategy 2030 and the designation of lands is the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I advise the Deputy to resubmit the question to that Department for answer.
976. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which the commitment of Ireland to the sustainable development goals will be reflected in the Strategy and Work Plans 2020-2025 of his Department; the way in which progress towards achieving the SDGs will be monitored and reported annually; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20760/20]
View answerThe 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all countries of the United Nations, has seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There is a whole-of-government response to the delivery of Ireland’s SDG commitments. My colleague, the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has lead responsibility for promoting and overseeing the coherent implementation of the SDGs on a whole-of-Government basis, while other Ministers retain responsibility for implementing the individual SDGs relating to issues under their aegis. My Department is a lead on the following five SDGs:
-Goal 2: Zero Hunger
- Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
- Goal 14: Life below Water
- Goal 15: Life on Land
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals
Progress on these is reported to the CSO SDG Governance Board.
As part of the National Implementation Plan 2018-2020, there was a commitment to include reference in all new Statements of Strategy to all SDG targets for which a Department has lead responsibility. My Department’s new Statement of Strategy, due to be published within six months of Government formation, will include the SDGs.
The Agri-Food 2030 Committee, made up of stakeholders from across the sector, is currently engaged in a process to develop a new 10-year industry vision to succeed Food Wise 2025. This will also feature the SDGs.
Preparations are also due to commence at the SDG Interdepartmental Working Group for the next National Implementation Plan (2021-2023), which is expected to be published early next year.
977. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of felling licenses applied for in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, by quarter and by county; if the applications were successful or unsuccessful; the number of initial applications appealed; if the appeals were successful or unsuccessful; the number of objections to such licences; the county from which the objection was lodged; the county the application was for; the amount of time that passed between the submission of an application and the application being either denied or granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20761/20]
View answerThe data requested will take some time to prepare and will be sent to the Deputy separately.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 to 30th June |
|
0 |
5 |
2 |
0 |
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 to 30th June |
|
0 |
7 |
110 |
150 |
|
- |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
Decision Upheld |
4 |
43 |
2 |
|
Decision Varied |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Decision Cancelled |
2 |
8 |
0 |
978. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the considerations he has given with regard to the introduction of charges for felling licence application; if materials, reports, briefings and correspondence relating to the matter will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20762/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government makes a number of commitments for the forestry sector in Ireland. These include the alignment of the licensing and appeals processes with other similar processes, a commitment to implement the recommendations of the Mackinnon Review and to ensure the licensing system is sufficiently resourced to clear the existing backlog.
The Deputy will be aware that last year, my Department published the Mackinnon Review of Approval Processes for Afforestation in Ireland. This review was the product of extensive consultation with officials of my Department, industry stakeholders, non-government organisations and others. The review summarises 22 ways forward, one of which was the introduction of fees for forestry licences. That review is already publicly available on my Department’s website.
The Government has agreed to the drafting of amending legislation to align the forestry licensing and appeals processes with that of the national planning and other comparable appeals processes.
979. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will reduce the allocation for the sentinel fishery in the Dunmore East box in view of the fact that the stocks have fallen below the specified level according to the Marine Institute and which was agreed under the 2012 management arrangements and fleet statement (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20767/20]
View answerThe Celtic Sea Herring stock occurs to the south of Ireland. It is prosecuted by two fleets, the main fleet which operates across the Celtic Sea (primarily ICES division 7g) and the sentinel fleet comprising of vessels that are under 17 metres in length overall that operate in the Dunmore box (inshore waters in Dunmore East area).
The ICES advice for 2020 was for zero catch. In 2019, the European Commission submitted a special request to ICES to “provide advice on the minimum level of catches (tonnage) required in a sentinel fishery, which would provide sufficient data for ICES in order to continue providing scientific advice on the state of this stock”. The EU Council adopted a Total Allowable Catch for the stock in line with ICES advice which gives Ireland 750 tonnes quota for 2020 specifically to allow a fisheries-based data collection for this stock.
In 2020, the Department consulted the Marine Institute to advise on the appropriate arrangements for the data collection based fishery. The Marine Institute advised that at least 17 samples will be required for the scientific study and that it will ensure that the samples are representative of the spatio-temporal coverage of the fishery. The Marine Institute also recommended that the catch is spread out over a number of weeks. It is also recommended by the Marine Institute that the size composition of the fish meet the same requirements as for a normal commercial fishery in that no more than 10% of the fish should be smaller than the Minimum Conservation Reference Size which is 20 cm for Celtic Sea Herring. Skippers may be asked by the Marine Institute to take observers on board (subject to Covid-19 safety requirements).
Discussions regarding the management arrangements for the 2020 Celtic Sea Herring fishery remain ongoing. For this reason, the management arrangements have not been finalised to date.
980. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the payments for services or goods by his Department to a company (details supplied) since 2015. [20768/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that there are no records of any payments for services or goods being made by my Department to the company named since 2015.
981. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the age at which Coillte pensions are payable [20860/20]
View answerCoillte is operationally independent of my Department and matters such as the administration of pensions are the responsibility of the company.
I have therefore passed the question raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.
982. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason further inspections on farmers are being carried out (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20955/20]
View answerMy Department is the competent authority for the carrying out of official controls to verify that dairy farms are fully compliant with the EU Hygiene Package of legislation on the production, control and marketing of products of animal origin and animal health issues in relation to the production of, inter alia, dairy products.
Official controls are carried out annually by my Department on a sample of milk supplier farms selected on a risk-basis throughout the country.
These official control requirements are quite distinct from the audits carried out by Bord Bia as part of farmers' membership of the Sustainable Dairy Assurance Scheme (SDAS).
983. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by same; if so, if he will provide the details of the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising and outdoor advertising; the cost of consultancy or production costs in each of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21020/20]
View answerThe vast bulk of my Department's Communications Budget is spent on advertising in respect of press notices in the specialised farming press, provincial and national newspapers. The expenditure set out in the table below includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. Decisions on the placement of notices are made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the nature of the advertisement and the target audience.
|
2018 |
|
Agri-Food and Forest Research |
|
Sheep Clean Livestock Policy |
|
Rural Development Programme |
|
Consultation: Proposal for conservation measures for Brown Crab Consultation: Proposal to Increase the MnCRS for Razor Clam in the North Irish Sea |
|
Consultation: Draft Fishery Natura Plan for Irish Sea Mussel Seed Fishery for the years 2018-2023 |
|
BPS Online applications information campaign |
|
Trawling Activity inside the 6 nautical mile zone |
|
Ongoing Promotion of forestry |
|
Woodland Environment Fund |
|
Forest Fire Awareness |
|
Sector Expert Profile on careersportal.ie |
|
TB Cleansing & Disinfection information video |
|
Miscellaneous Public Notices |
|
Statutory Notices |
|
Total expenditure €288,186 |
|
2019 |
|
Fisheries public information notices |
|
Nitrates deadline |
|
Forestry print and radio advertising |
|
Promotion of EU Agricultural Products-Proposals |
|
Bovine TB Eradication Programme information videos |
|
Notices of appointments |
|
BPS Clinics |
|
Getting Brexit Ready advertising campaign (print and online) |
|
Recruitment advertisements (print and online) |
|
Advertisements regarding DAFM’s online services |
|
A to Z of Climate Action booklet |
|
Public Consultation Draft Climate Change Sectoral Adaptation plan |
|
Public Consultation Agrifood 2030 |
|
Public Consultation on UTP Directive |
|
Public Consultation Sea Mussels |
|
Scheme of Investment in Commercial Horticulture Sector |
|
Ag Climatise |
|
Future Growth Loan Scheme advertisement |
|
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) information campaign |
|
African Swine Fever (ASF) awareness campaign creative design |
|
Promotional material for ploughing championships |
|
Filming costs for Woodland Environment Fund promotional video |
|
Irish Vet Journal Articles |
|
Press conference climate adaptation |
|
Press conference Agri-food strategy / steps to success |
|
AgFood promotion |
|
Notices of Ministerial decisions |
|
Miscellaneous Public Notices |
|
Statutory Notices |
|
Total expenditure €387,482.57 |
|
2020 |
|
African Swine Fever (ASF) awareness campaign |
|
BPS information campaign |
|
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) information campaign |
|
Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme (BEEP) |
|
Consultation: Draft climate action roadmap for agriculture |
|
European Maritime & Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-2020 promotional material |
|
Fisheries public information notices |
|
Ministerial Decisions |
|
Brexit supplement |
|
Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) |
|
Knowledge Transfer |
|
Recruitment campaigns |
|
Promotion of EU Agricultural Products – Calls for Proposals |
|
Public Consultation on EU Regulation 2019/06 on Veterinary Medicinal Products |
|
Horticulture promotions |
|
Ag Climatise |
|
Meat markets |
|
Miscellaneous Public Notices |
|
Statutory Notices |
|
Total expenditure €102,195.07 |
984. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); the measures being taken to provide adequate psychological support to them; the consequences for staff that failed to report the abuse to An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20314/20]
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. I can confirm for the Deputy, that I have asked Tusla for a report on the matter.
985. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who died while in the care of the HSE in 2019 and to date in 2020, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20663/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory Agency with primary responsibility for children in the care of the State.
As the Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to Tusla and asked that Tusla reply directly.
986. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the youth cafe in Carrigtohill, County Cork; if funding is being secured to keep it open; and if so, when it will be allocated [20832/20]
View answerI was pleased to provide a response to Deputy on the issue of Carrigtohill youth café when this was raised in a Topical Issue Debate in the Dáil on Thursday 9th July 2020. Further to my response on 9th of July I am happy to provide the following update.
On 10th July 2020 officials in my Department communicated with Cork ETB (CETB) who indicated that they were aware of the issue with the service in question. CETB reflected that they had made an offer of assistance for the continuation of the service in Carrigtohill, and a proposal for engagement with the service in question to plan a sustainable long term solution.
I understand that CETB tried to make contact with the Chief Executive of Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services (CDYS) last week. CETB followed up with a phone call yesterday and discussed the issues with respect to Carrigtohill. CETB requested that CDYS would submit a costed service proposal to CETB by the end of this week for consideration.
987. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will issue guidelines to school age care services on reopening in September 2020; if service providers will be allowed to mix children from different geographical locations when returning to their services; if funding will be provided to assist services with Covid-19 regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19627/20]
View answerExpert 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 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. The guidance does not prohibit the mixing of children from different geographical locations. The use of play-pods and the fact that the Regulations in relation to the adult-child ratios and floor-space requirements have not changed mean that the costs of compliance with public health requirements have been kept to a minimum.
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.
In addition to the expert Guidance from the HPSC, my Department has provided a range of online resources and guidance to support service providers, practitioners and parents to prepare for the reopening of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare settings, including childminders. The Guidance for Reopening webpage is available on the First 5 website: https://first5.gov.ie/practitioners/reopening.
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 (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC).
My Department has put a major funding package in place to facilitate the reopening of ELC and SAC services. The investment recognises the important role that the ELC and SAC sector plays in the societal and economic infrastructure of the country.
The funding package was tailored to allow providers to operate with less parental income where demand is low in the early stages of reopening and to assist in meeting additional operating costs.
988. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he, his Ministers of State and or advisers have ever used private email for any form of official Government use since the formation of the Government; and if so, if he will publish all such emails and corresponding documents immediately. [19631/20]
View answerSince being issued with my Departmental email address after I assumed office, I have conducted official business through my official Department of Children and Youth Affairs secure email account. The Department has an information and communication technology acceptable usage policy which does not permit access to webmail services from its network.
I also have a personal email account which has been available to the public to contact me as a public representative. In my initial days in office, I used this account to forward information relating to constituency issues to my Departmental account in order to formalise my correspondence. I also received information of a non-sensitive nature relating to the set-up of my office and its functions. No information sent or received was related to official Government business.
Persons engaged by me to work as advisers have conducted no official Government business through a private email. A Minister of State has not yet been assigned to my Department.
989. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the meetings he and his Ministers of State have had since the formation of the Government by date, in tabular form (details supplied). [19648/20]
View answerSince I was appointed Minister on the 27th June, I have had a number of meetings with my Ministerial colleagues, agencies and bodies under the remit of my Department, and NGOs, which have been detailed in a table below.
I have also engaged in a large number of meetings with my officials in the Department of Children & Youth Affairs, as well as meetings with the Minister of State for Disability Issues, who will transfer to my Department once the reconfiguration is complete.
|
Meeting type & Organisation |
Date |
|
Call with Dr. Catherine Day, Chair of Expert Group on Direct Provision |
6th July |
|
Meeting with Minister McEntee & Minister Humphreys |
6th July |
|
Meeting with Minister McEntee & Dept of Justice Officials |
8th July |
|
Meeting with BOBF National Advisory Council |
8th July |
|
Meeting with Meeting with Tusla Chair and CEO |
10th July |
|
Meeting with Tánaiste & Ministers |
14th July |
|
Meeting with Early Years Forum Plus |
15th July |
|
Meeting with Chair of Oberstown Board |
15th July |
|
Meeting with Youth Sector Oversight Group - National Youth Council of Ireland, Foroige, Youth Work Ireland, Crosscare, Spunout.ie, Belong to, Involve, Gaisce, Localise, Scouting Ireland, ETBI, Eco-Unesco, Ógras, Macra na Feirme |
16th July |
|
Meeting with Local GP Councillor re Constituency Business |
16th July |
|
Meeting with Local GP Councillor re Constituency Business |
20th July |
|
Meeting with Peter McVerry Trust |
22nd July |
|
Meeting with National Women’s Council of Ireland |
22nd July |
|
Meeting with Child Care Law Reporting Project |
23rd July |
|
Meeting with SIPTU |
24th July |
|
Meeting with Mother & Baby Home Commission |
27th July |
|
Call with Department of Health Official |
27th July |
|
Meeting with Early Childhood Ireland |
28th July |
|
Call with Michael Scanlan, Chair of Expert Group to develop a new Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare |
28th July |
|
Meeting with Dr Niall Muldoon Ombudsman for Children |
28th July |
|
Meeting with Minister McEntee |
28th July |
|
Meeting with Children’s Rights Alliance Members |
29th July |
|
Meeting with Adoption Authority Ireland |
29th July |
|
Meeting with Jigsaw |
29th July |
|
Call with Green Party Councillor |
29th July |
|
Meeting with Free Legal Aid Clinic (FLAC) |
30th July |
990. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the names and salaries of his special advisers; the salaries paid to each Minister and Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19715/20]
View answerOn the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The Guidelines for the 33rd Dáil, which incorporate the principles of section 11 of the PMSA Act, are currently awaiting Government approval.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have identified two individuals to work with me as Special Advisers and that they will be formally appointed by the Government once the Guidelines have been approved.
The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform must be notified of the rate of salary to be paid in all cases for Special Advisers. These rates will then be published on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
Ministerial salaries are a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and as of 1 September 2019 the salary for a Minister is €79,510.
A Minister of State has not been formally appointed to the Department as of yet.
991. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to establish childcare Ireland; when he expects to have the agency established in order to provide greater support to the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19744/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to establish a dedicated agency, Childcare Ireland. The Government envisages that Childcare Ireland will assist in expanding high quality childcare, best practice and innovation in community and private childcare settings.
In 'First Five, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families', published in November 2018, my Department committed to a review of the operating model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) in this country.
Currently, childcare schemes and initiatives funded by my Department are administered by Pobal, 30 City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs), and 7 National Voluntary Childcare Organisations (NVCOs). These bodies carry out a range of administrative, operational, communications, and quality improvement and training functions in relation to ELC and SAC services. While the structures in place have served the country well, the time is now right to review them and future proof them.
The ultimate objective of the review is to ensure the operating system is equipped to implement the policy of my Department to the standards required. It is hoped that the final system will support the delivery of high quality, accessible and affordable ELC and SAC services to children and families through the efficient and effective administration of a number of programmes, schemes, quality initiatives, and other functions such a compliance and communications. The review will improve transparency, accountability, value for money to the Exchequer, cross agency working and governance.
Earlier this week I brought a Memorandum to Cabinet to advise that I will shortly establish an Interdepartmental Working Group (IDG) to commence work on the review. The IDG, with the assistance of an external contractor, will objectively examine the current model, structure and systems and will recommend improvements based on principles of best practice
The IDG will engage with all relevant stakeholders during the process and it will report back to me next year. I will then bring forward proposals to Cabinet about a reformed operating model.
It is envisaged that the data gathering and analysis carried out through the review will ultimately provide a robust evidence base to inform a decision by Government concerning the establishment of Childcare Ireland.
992. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to his statement to provide financial supports for parents who opt to look after their children themselves, if he will provide further details on the proposals; if this will be pursued through the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19745/20]
View answerGovernment is committed to supporting parents in caring for young children at home in a range of ways.
Within my Department, a policy priority is to provide access to high quality and affordable Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC), whether parents work or are in education full time or part time, or look after their children at home full-time. These policies seek to support children’s optimal development, to support families, and to ensure that families can choose options to best suit their needs and preferences.
All children are eligible to avail of two years of universal pre-school provided under the ECCE Programme, without cost. More than 100,000 children participate in this Programme annually, many of whom are children of stay-at-home parent(s).
Under the National Childcare Scheme, a universal subsidy is available to all parents of children from six months until their child becomes eligible for universal pre-school, regardless of whether parents are working outside the home or not. Income assessed subsidies are also available to parents, including stay-at-home parents. The Programme for Government commits to continued investment in this Scheme, reducing costs for parents and introducing greater parental choice and flexibility
My Department also provides funding for parent and toddler groups to organise activities for parents and children in the community to support their development through play. Both working parents and stay-at-home parents participate. There were 414 such groups supported in 2019.
A new model of parenting services is also being developed covering key stages of child development and taking account of parents and children in a range of contexts and parenting relationships.
More widely across Government, there are various initiatives that support stay-at-home parents. A child benefit payment of €140 per child per month is available for all children. When one spouse or civil partner works in the home caring for one or more dependent people (a child for whom Child Benefit is payable is considered a dependent), then a home carer tax credit can be claimed. Budget 2020 increased the home carer tax credit to €1,600 per year. The Programme for Government has committed to further increases.
There have also been a number of new measures to support parents to spend time at home with children in their early years. Two weeks of paternity leave and benefit for fathers was introduced in 2016. In 2017, there was an extension to maternity leave and benefit to mothers of babies born prematurely. 2019 saw the introduction of a new paid parental leave scheme available to both fathers and mothers. The Parent’s leave aims to let working parents spend more time with their baby or adopted child during the first year. In November 2019, an individual entitlement to two weeks of paid parental leave per parent (up to a potential four weeks in total per child) was introduced. The Programme for Government commits to further extensions to this individual entitlement.
There has also been an extension since September 2019 of unpaid parental leave from 18 to 22 weeks under the Parental Leave Amendment (Act) 2019. A further 4-week extension from September 2020 will bring the amount of unpaid parental leave to 26 weeks. Also the age of children for which it can be applied has increased from 8 to 12 years.
First 5, a Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, published in November 2018, includes over 150 actions covering a broad a range of measures to support families given their fundamental importance in shaping children’s experiences and outcomes. The First 5 Implementation Plan, published in May 2019, sets out how these actions will be progressed in the coming three years. There are major commitments on children’s health services, parenting supports, child-friendly communities and Early Learning and Care among a broad range of actions. The actions are designed to contribute to positive experiences and outcomes for children in all family types with parents with different types of working arrangements. The Programme for Government is committed to full implementation of this Strategy.
993. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to reform the childcare system to create one that brings together the best of community and private childcare provision; if terms of reference have been drawn up; if stakeholders will be included; the time frame for establishing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19746/20]
View answerState investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) has increased by an unprecedented 141% over the past 5 budgets (from €260m to €638m). This has enabled, inter alia, a doubling of the ECCE programme to two years, a doubling of the number of children availing of State subsidies, a 60% increase in ELC and SAC places and greater access to ELC and SAC for children with additional needs.
The Programme for Government acknowledges that more needs to be done to tackle the challenges of accessibility, affordability and quality of ELC and SAC and more investment is needed.
First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families pledges to at least double State investment in ELC and SAC by 2028. A key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State will be a new funding model .
An Expert Group to develop the new funding model has been convened. This Group is composed of renowned academics, top level economists and experienced policy makers from Ireland and elsewhere – all of whom have an enormous breadth of knowledge and experience. The Expert Group’s Terms of Reference are as follows:
- Agree a set of guiding principles to underpin the new Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School Age
- Review the existing approach to funding Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare 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 Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare 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 work of the Expert Group is well underway. Six meetings of the Group have been held to date and documentation from these meeting is publicly available at www.first5fundingmodel.gov.ie.
A research partner has also been appointed to deliver evidence-based working papers to the Expert Group. Working papers on international approaches to funding, fees, staff wages and public investment in Ireland compared to other countries; potential mechanisms to control fees charged to parents, approaches to identifying children and/or services in need of additional support, and working conditions within the sector, have already been carried out and these are now being considered by the Expert Group. Other papers are under development. Working papers will be published from later this year.
The Expert Group is committed to engaging with key stakeholders, including children, families, providers and the workforce, in developing this funding model. Owing to COVID-19, a series of regional consultation events due to take place in March had to be cancelled. However, over the coming weeks and months, the Group will be inviting interested parties to make written submissions and to participate in an online conversation on future funding.
Given the complexity, significance and the long-term importance of its proposals, the project plan for the new funding model envisages a final report of the Expert Group including policy recommendations and implementation plans to be completed by Q4 2021.
Work on the implementation of First 5 continues and a progress report will be published shortly.
994. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to set a cap on parental fees irrespective of income and publish a policy, legal and economic analysis in 2020 as set out in the Programme for Government; if terms of reference and tenders for this report have been initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19747/20]
View answerState investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) has increased by an unprecedented 141% over the past 5 budgets (from €260m to €638m). This has enabled, for example, a doubling of the ECCE programme to two years, a doubling of the number of children availing of State subsidies, a 60% increase in ELC and SAC places, greater access to ELC and SAC for children with additional needs and the development of the new National Childcare Scheme.
The new Programme for Government acknowledges that much more needs to be done to tackle the challenges of accessibility, affordability and quality of ELC and SAC and more investment is needed.
First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families pledges to at least double State investment in ELC and SAC by 2028. A key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State will be a new funding model .
An Expert Group to develop the new funding model has been convened. This Group is composed of renowned academics, top level economists and experienced policy makers from Ireland and elsewhere – all of whom have an enormous breadth of knowledge and experience. The Expert Group’s Terms of Reference are as follows:
- Agree a set of guiding principles to underpin the new Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School Age
- Review the existing approach to funding Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare 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 Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare 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.
An essential and top priority for this Group will be to make recommendations for a mechanism to control fee rates for different types of provision for ELC and SAC.
The Expert Group is supported by a Research Partner, Frontier Economics, which has been contracted to develop a suite of working papers to inform the work of the Group. Already, five working papers have been drafted, including a working paper on mechanisms to control fees charged to parents. It is envisaged that this working paper will be published later this year.
The Expert Group is committed to engaging with key stakeholders, including children, families, providers and the workforce, in developing this funding model. Owing to COVID-19, a series of regional consultation events due to take place in March had to be cancelled. However, over the coming weeks and months, the Group will be inviting interested parties to make written submissions. In addition, key stakeholders, including parents, will be invited to participate in an online conversation on future funding.
Over recent months my Department has provided a number of support schemes for ELC and SAC providers during the COVID-19 crisis. Included in these schemes are conditions which improve affordability for parents. The Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme, which operated while services were closed on public health grounds, included a condition that parents were not charged fees for the closure period.
My Department’s Reopening Support Payment, to support services reopening between June and early September, included a commitment not to increase fees charged to parents from pre-COVID-19 levels. This applies for the duration of the reopening period (29 June to 23 August 2020). This condition is to ensure that fees for parents are not raised during this period, and to ensure that the Department’s aims of affordable ELC and SAC continue to be met.
Finally, the recently announced funding package for the sector from 24 August to the end of the year commits to a substantial investment of just under €300 million, mainly through the Revenue operated Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and full resumption of DCYA ELC and SAC programmes. These DCYA programmes reduce fees by providing State subsidies which must be passed on to parents. I hope that this package will mean that services will not increase parental fees given that, on average, 38% of their costs are now being met through the EWSS alone.
995. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to examine options to increase flexibility within centre based care in addition to options to accelerate access to subsidies for non-relative childminders as set out in the Programme for Government; if terms of reference and tenders for this examination have been initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19748/20]
View answerA central task in increasing flexibility in access to early learning and care and school-age childcare is to make subsidies available to a wider cohort of childminders than is currently able to access subsidies. A report on options will be completed by year-end, building on work already undertaken to develop a Childminding Action Plan.
In 2016 an expert Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector was established. In March 2018 the Working Group published its report Pathway to a Quality Support and Assurance System for Childminding, which set out a number of recommendations on the development of appropriate supports and changes to regulations required for childminders.
Building on the recommendations of the Working Group report, in August 2019 my Department published a Draft Childminding Action Plan, for the purpose of public consultation. The Draft Childminding Action Plan set out short, medium, and long-term measures on a phased basis for childminders to formalise their position over the next decade. Proposals included extending subsidy schemes and other supports to all paid, non-relative childminders, and extending the scope of regulation to childminders to provide quality assurance and safeguards for children.
An extensive public consultation on the Draft Childminding Action Plan took place in quarter 4 of 2019. A report was commissioned to consider the findings of the consultation process. Officials in my Department are currently preparing to publish the consultation report and the conclusions from the report will guide the development of a report on plans for childminding to be finalised by the end of the year.
There is already considerable flexibility in options for centre-based care. The National Childcare Scheme, introduced in 2019, offers flexibility to accommodate different models for delivery of both early learning and care and school-age childcare, for service providers that are registered with Tusla, the statutory regulator. The National Childcare Scheme can accommodate full flexibility in relation to types of service provision, location, hours of operation, and ages of both pre-school and school-age children catered for. The National Childcare Scheme is designed to be responsive and flexible, allowing income thresholds, maximum hours and subsidy rates to be adjusted in line with Government decisions and as more investment becomes available.
Measures to support further flexibility in options available include capital funding programmes for new and extended provision of centre-based services. Recent annual capital funding rounds have been able to support parents' access to places for under 3 year olds and for school-age children. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department has used the funding that was allocated for this year’s capital programme to provide grants to assist with the costs of supporting early learning and care and school-age childcare services to reopen and adhere to public health requirements. This grant will include enabling services to adhere to the reopening guidelines by improving hygiene facilities and outdoor play areas. A high level of flexibility in use of the grants is being allowed for in recognition of the fact that services have varied needs.
996. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will investigate the circumstances in regard to the closure of a community based crèche (details supplied) in County Louth; if the relevant officials will be assigned to assess the situation in order to give clarity to the public on the future for childcare in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19808/20]
View answerOn 27 July, officials in my Department were informed that the service in question has reversed its decision to close. The Board of Management is now planning to reopen the crèche on 31 August. My Department is providing support to the service through Louth County Childcare Committee and Pobal.
My Department issues grants and subsidies to early learning and care services so that they can provide quality and affordable childcare. My Department is not directly involved in the day to day activities or decision making processes of individual service providers, whether they are for-profit private organisations or not-for-profit community organisations with a recognised charitable status.
997. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will begin to rationalise the system of childcare and distribute the burden of rearing the next generation across all of society rather than all on the immediate parents by establishing a fully funded public system of childcare similar to Sweden (details supplied) in the context of rising childcare costs and potentially fewer childcare places due to Covid-19. [19957/20]
View answerState investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) has increased by an unprecedented 141% over the past 5 budgets (from €260m to €638m). This has enabled, for example, a doubling of the ECCE programme to two years, a doubling of the number of children availing of State subsidies, a 60% increase in ELC and SAC places, greater access to ELC and SAC for children with additional needs. and development of the new National Childcare Scheme.
Much more needs to be done to tackle the challenges of accessibility, affordability and quality of ELC and SAC and more investment is needed.
First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families pledges to at least double State investment in ELC and SAC by 2028. A key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State will be a new funding model .
An Expert Group to develop the new funding model has been convened. This Group is composed of renowned academics, top level economists and experienced policy makers from Ireland and elsewhere – all of whom have an enormous breadth of knowledge and experience. The Expert Group’s Terms of Reference are as follows:
- Agree a set of guiding principles to underpin the new Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School Age
- Review the existing approach to funding Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare 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 Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare 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.
An essential and top priority for this Group will be to make recommendations for a mechanism to control fee rates for different types of provision for ELC and SAC and make childcare more affordable for parents.
The work of the Expert Group is well underway. Six meetings of the Group have been held to date and documentation from these meeting is publicly available at www.first5fundingmodel.gov.ie.
A research partner has also been appointed to deliver evidence-based working papers to the Expert Group. Working papers on international approaches to funding, fees, staff wages and public investment in Ireland compared to other countries; potential mechanisms to control fees charged to parents, approaches to identifying children and/or services in need of additional support, and working conditions within the sector, have already been carried out and these are now being considered by the Expert Group. Other papers are under development. Working papers will be published from later this year.
The Expert Group is committed to engaging with key stakeholders, including children, families, providers and the workforce, in developing this funding model. Owing to COVID-19, a series of regional consultation events due to take place in March had to be cancelled. However, over the coming weeks and months, the Group will be inviting interested parties to make written submissions and to participate in an online conversation on future funding.
998. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 877 of 14 July 2020, the total income received by childcare providers from the State in 2018 and 2019, respectively by month. [20043/20]
View answerI have been informed by Pobal, the agency which administers early learning and care funding programmes on behalf of my Department, that the total payments made to childcare providers in 2018 and 2019 are set out in the table below.
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total 2018 |
|
€46,286,997 |
€54,228,048 |
€13,497,386 |
€49,982,248 |
€57,177,795 |
€30,021,919 |
€13,139,804 |
€43,301,939 |
€33,466,399 |
€49,581,688 |
€48,715,958 |
€13,452,543 |
€452,852,723 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec |
Total 2019 |
|
€86,980,260 |
€16,619,158 |
€43,589,312 |
€45,781,450 |
€46,799,765 |
€43,749,566 |
€13,921,212 |
€42,324,959 |
€32,991,313 |
€59,462,218 |
€52,769,114 |
€18,778,075 |
€503,766,403 |
Pobal has a dedicated e-mail enquiry service for Oireachtas members - oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie
