Written Answers Nos. 790-812
790. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent of the backlog in issuing the back to school allowance by county; the action being taken to address the backlog; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22694/20]
View answerThe back to school clothing and footwear allowance scheme provides a once-off payment to eligible families to assist with the costs of clothing and footwear when children start or return to school each autumn. The allowance paid for each eligible child aged from 4 to 11 years on or before 30 September 2020 is €150 while an allowance of €275 is paid for each eligible child aged over 12 on or before 30 September 2020.
The allowance is payable for eligible children between the ages of 4 and 17 in respect of whom a qualified child increase is being paid. It is also payable to those between the ages of 18 and 22 who are in full-time second level education and in respect of whom a qualified child allowance is being paid.
This year, the eligibility criteria for back to school clothing and footwear allowance has been extended to include the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment as a qualifying payment for the allowance. Recipients of this payment will also need to satisfy all the other qualifying conditions in order to qualify.
The scheme opened to new applications on 6 July 2020. To date 38,645 applications have been received which is a 19.5% increase in applications during the same period in 2019. Some 18,379 applications have been processed and the remaining 20,266 applications pending a decision by county are as follows:
|
County |
No. of applications |
|
Carlow |
374 |
|
Cavan |
392 |
|
Clare |
479 |
|
Cork |
2,016 |
|
Donegal |
830 |
|
Dublin |
4,887 |
|
Galway |
1,073 |
|
Kerry |
641 |
|
Kildare |
951 |
|
Kilkenny |
347 |
|
Laois |
390 |
|
Leitrim |
155 |
|
Limerick |
839 |
|
Longford |
290 |
|
Louth |
718 |
|
Mayo |
659 |
|
Meath |
908 |
|
Monaghan |
370 |
|
Offaly |
395 |
|
Roscommon |
280 |
|
Sligo |
287 |
|
Tipperary |
647 |
|
Waterford |
585 |
|
Westmeath |
431 |
|
Wexford |
762 |
|
Wicklow |
547 |
|
Other |
13 |
|
Total |
20,266 |
Back to school clothing and footwear allowance applications are being dealt with strictly on a date of receipt order. The back to school clothing and footwear allowance section is based in Sligo and there is a team of 42 staff dealing with applications as efficiently as possible.
Customers can apply for back to school clothing and footwear allowance online on www.mywelfare.ie. To apply online, customers must have a Public Services Card and a verified MyGovID account.
If customers do not have a verified MyGovID account, they should contact the back to school clothing and footwear allowance section on 071 9193318 or 0818 11 11 13, where an officer can verify their account. Customers who do not have a Public Services Card or who cannot apply online can submit an application form. Application forms are only available by contacting the back to school clothing and footwear allowance section.
The closing date for receipt of applications for this years back to school clothing and footwear allowance is 30 September 2020.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
791. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of special advisers that will be hired by her Department. [22781/20]
View answerThe appointment of Special Advisors is as provided under Section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
Guidelines for the Appointment of Ministerial Staff of the 33rd Dáil, including the relevant terms and conditions of appointment of Special Advisers, were approved by Government on 4th August 2020 and have been published by the Minister for Public Expenditure & Reform on the gov.ie website.
Under these guidelines, my Department may appoint up to two Special Advisors. I intend to appoint one advisor in the Department of Social Protection and their formal appointment is presently subject to the approval of Government and the signature of contracts. In line with the decision of Government, once the formal appointment of all Special Advisors to the 33rd Dáil has fully concluded, details of all Special Advisors appointed to the 33rd Dáil, including their rates of pay, will be published by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform as has been the practice of recent Governments.
792. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the estimated cost of increasing the number of domestic refuge spaces to meet the commitments of Ireland under the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21169/20]
View answer793. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the estimated cost of increasing the number of domestic refuge spaces to meet the commitments of Ireland under the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21170/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 792 and 793 together.
The response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE).
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is providing Tusla with €25.3m this year for almost 60 organisations that deliver services for these victims, including 22 services that provide emergency refuge and non-refuge accommodation to victims of domestic violence.
The Council of Europe's document on minimum standards for support services for victims of domestic violence, "Combating Violence Against Women: Minimum Standards for Support Services (2008)" makes recommendations in line with the Istanbul Convention on the level of provision of emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence. It references two basic or minimum standards in relation to the provision of emergency refuge accommodation:Where shelters are the predominant/only form of service provision, there should be one place per 10,000 population.Where shelters form part of a community strategy with intervention projects, there should be one family place per 10,000 women.
Tusla currently applies the latter standard, as the requirement for a lesser number of shelter spaces reflects a community focussed integrated response for victims, where community-based organisations and outreach supports are in place alongside refuges.
Tusla currently provides financial support for the provision of 158 family units of domestic violence accommodation:
- 148 family units of accommodation are provided in emergency refuge accommodation,
- 10 family units of accommodation are provided in emergency non-refuge accommodation
Applying the standard of one family place per 10,000 women, based on 2020 CSO provisional population estimates (Female population aged 18 and over – 1,926,221), 193 refuge spaces are required. This highlights a shortage of 45 emergency refuge accommodation spaces.
If applying the standard of one family place per 10,000 population, based on 2020 CSO provisional population estimates (pop. 4,977,443), 498 refuge spaces would be required, an additional 350 spaces above current provision.
The annual cost of providing one additional family refuge space is approximately €100,000. The table below shows the estimated annual cost of providing provide 45 and 350 additional spaces respectively.
|
Istanbul Convention Standard |
Current Provision |
Population (est. 2020) |
Units Required to Meet Standard |
Number of Additional Units Required |
Approximate Cost per family Unit per annum |
Approximate annual Revenue Cost to provide additional spaces |
|
One Space per 10,000 women |
148 |
1,926,221 |
193 |
45 |
€100,000 |
€4,500,000 |
|
One Space per 10,000 population |
148 |
4,977,443 |
498 |
350 |
€100,000 |
€35,000,000 |
Capital costs for the development of refuges are not the responsibility of Tusla, and these are not included in the estimated costings above.
In addition to capital costs, delivery of additional family units of accommodation would require significant strategic funding, planning and collaboration between Government Departments, local authorities and State agencies.
A review of the provision of safe emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence is currently being undertaken by Tusla, and both the needs of victims and the processes for commissioning of refuges or other safe accommodation are being considered as part of this review. The findings of this review and the recommendations of the National Monitoring Committee of the Second National Strategy on DSGBV will inform the future provision of emergency refuge accommodation.
794. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the ability he has to prevent the online sale of solvents to children in cases where it is clear from customer comments on the website that the solvents are being inhaled by customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21454/20]
View answer795. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the powers he has to prevent the online sale of solvents to children in cases in which it is clear from customer comments on the website that the solvents are being inhaled by customers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21457/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 794 and 795 together.
Under section 74 of the Child Care Act 1991 it is an offence for a person to sell, offer or make available a substance to a person under the age of eighteen years if he knows or has reasonable cause to believe that the substance or its fumes are likely to be inhaled by the child for the purpose of causing intoxication. A person who is guilty of this offence is liable on summary conviction to a class C fine or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both. In the case of conviction the court can then order the substance in question to be forfeited and destroyed (or otherwise dealt with in such manner as the court thinks fit).
In addition, section 74 empowers members of An Garda Síochána to seize any substance in the possession of a child in a public place that they have reasonable cause to believe is being inhaled by that child in a manner likely to cause intoxication.
796. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the criteria used to postpone an ECCE place in which there is an expected delay in a child (details supplied) starting primary school; the reason they do not fit the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22058/20]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June. A child must have turned 2 years and 8 months on or before 31 August in order to be eligible.
Children born between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2017 are eligible for ECCE beginning on 24 August 2020.
Some parents may prefer for their children to begin ECCE at a later stage if they feel that they are not ready for preschool and these parents may therefore opt for one year of ECCE only. This decision is entirely at the discretion of the parent/s or guardian. There is no automatic provision for delaying entry to preschool by a year and still availing of two full years of ECCE.
797. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of persons employed in a capacity (details supplied) by a State agency. [22096/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
798. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if there are specific financial measures to support small play schools with Covid-19 compliance, for example, to employ extra staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22219/20]
View answerOn 10 June 2020, my Department announced a €75m package of funding to facilitate the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services.
The funding package contained a number of significant elements including a once-off reopening support payment (RSP), a once-off COVID-19 capital grant and continued access for eligible providers to the Revenue-operated Temporary Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS).
The Reopening Support Payment (RSP) supports ELC and SAC providers in meeting the reopening guidelines, to support children to remain in ‘play pods’ to reduce the potential for COVID-19 to spread, and to meet additional staffing costs, such as staff in reception to manage staggered drop off and pick up times, additional cleaning to ensure that hygiene standards are met, and intensive staff training pre-opening.
The COVID-19 Capital Grant contributes towards the capital costs associated with the reopening of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) Services. The grant will enable ELC and SAC services to make modifications to their facilities and outdoor areas and purchase the necessary equipment to ensure compliance with the government’s Public Health Advice.
The closing date for applications for the RSP and the Covid-19 Capital Grant supports was extended from 28 August to 09 September 2020.
In addition to these supports, all ELC and SAC funding schemes operated by my Department resumed on 29 June.
As part of the July stimulus package childcare services now have access to the Revenue operated Employment Wage Subsidy scheme (EWSS). A special exemption for early learning and childcare services to the 30% turnover rule within EWSS has been included to recognise the need to retain capacity in the sector and support parents to access childcare places and get back to work.
In the event that a service experiences sustainability issues, I am putting a new Sustainability Fund in place to provide additional support. This will assist providers, both not-for-profit and for-profit, struggling with an imminent threat to the viability of their service arising from COVID-19. Any service that believes they may require support should contact their local County Childcare Committee (CCC) in the first instance.
799. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will address a matter regarding the case of persons (details supplied). [22502/20]
View answerAt the outset, I must clarify that, as Minister, I cannot involve myself in individual adoption cases.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Adoption Act 2010 provides that Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt are valid for 24 months, and may be extended for an additional 12 months. There is no provision in the adoption acts for a further extension.
I am aware that there are a number of families who have received Declarations of Eligibility and Suitability to adopt, and for whom the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted on the adoption process. This is particularly the case where people are seeking to adopt from abroad, and where travel restrictions are imposed by other countries.
I am aware that considerable efforts are being made to arrange travel for these families, and this situation is actively being kept under review, with close engagement between my officials and the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
800. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration when he plans to publish the Crowe Report. [22705/20]
View answerCrowe was commissioned by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to undertake an independent review on the cost of providing quality early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) in Ireland. Planning is currently underway to launch the report before the end of this month.
Crowe's brief included:
- analysing the current costs of providing ELC and SAC and the factors that impact on these costs;
- the delivery of a model of the unit costs of providing ELC and SAC that allows analysis of policy changes and variation in cost-drivers,
- the provision of a high-level market analysis of the sector in Ireland.
The Review was 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, were also intended to form a key input into the setting of capitation and subvention rates for early learning and childcare schemes.
Final outputs were received in January 2020, and preparations were underway to launch the report in April 2020. Regrettably, owing to the impact of COVID-19, the launch of the report was postponed. However, the findings from this Review contributed to the evidence base that underpinned the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme introduced to support ELC and SAC services during the COVID-19 related closures. The findings also informed the development of funding packages for the phased reopening of these services since late June.
801. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration when the transfer of delegated functions for his Department in the areas of disability, equality and integration will take place. [22670/20]
View answerThere are two distinct Transfer of Functions underway in relation to new responsibilities for my Department. The first involves a Transfer Order in relation to the areas of disability, equality and integration currently under the Department of Justice. The second relates to disability functions currently under the responsibility of the Department of Health.
I anticipate that the Transfer Order in relation to Justice functions will be made by my colleague, the Minister for Justice very shortly. The Transfer Order for Health functions will take a little longer to complete.
It is necessary for each ‘transferring’ and ‘receiving’ Department to be very clear as to the extent and nature of the legal responsibilities transferring. Work is well underway on all of this and a Project Group has been established within each Department to lead on the completion of the transfer and the integration of responsibilities without any business interuption.
Responsibilities transferring from the Department of Justice cover a wide range of policy, legislative and operational responsibilities. Approx. €120m in exchequer funding and responsibility for over 220 civil and public servants is involved. The transfer includes responsibility for the National Disability Authority and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission.
In addition to the transfer of functions from the Department of Justice, it is also intended to transfer disability functions currently under the responsibility of the Department of Health to my Department. These services are provided directly by the Health Service Executive and 266 other voluntary organisations. Over €2.2 billion in exchequer funding is involved. Detailed consideration is being given to whether it may be necessary to amend certain Health Acts to achieve this transfer. As a result, this Transfer may take longer to effect given the complexities of the service provision mechanisms and legislative and governance framework for the HSE involved.
802. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the funding being allocated to the childcare sustainability fund; and the breakdown of the spend for the new sustainability fund announced 24 July 2020. [21192/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 Sustainability Support grant will be available to early learning and childcare services where there is a demonstrated decline in occupancy and/or a verified increase in costs due to COVID-19 that is not addressed by the significant financial measures provided to the sector under the July stimulus package and previous initiatives.
€2 million has been allocated for the scheme. This is in addition to resumed funding for all DCYA childcare schemes. It is also in addition to the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme which funds an average of 38% of providers' costs; the Capital Grant Scheme; and the Reopening Support Grant. Collectively from July through to the end of the year, these measures will amount to €375m in Government funding.
In the next few weeks, further details on eligibility for the Sustainability Scheme will be made available. Updates on take-up of the scheme and the breakdown of spend will be provided as the scheme proceeds over the following months.
As the detail of the scheme is being finalised, my officials and I continue to meet regularly with representatives of the sector. These meetings are used to keep the sector and the Department updated on progress across a number of initiatives and to enable the sector's feedback inform future developments.
803. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if measures will be introduced to encourage primary and post-primary schools to provide preschool and post-school childcare facilities. [21219/20]
View answerExpert guidance on the safe reopening of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services during the COVID-19 pandemic has been published by the HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). The updated Guidance from the HPSC includes advice on the safe interaction between schools and school-age childcare facilities where children attend both.
In relation to the operation of childcare services on school premises, officials in my Department have been in contact with colleagues in the Department of Education and Skills. The Department of Education and Skills have advised that the use of school facilities lies with the relevant school authority in consultation with the property owner, and that priority should be given to the interests of the school, teachers and pupils. The Department of Education and Skills’ policy is to encourage the use of school facilities, where possible, for community, training and education-related activities.
To assist schools in considering applications for use of their facilities, the Department of Education and Skills in consultation with representatives of schools has drafted guidelines on the use of school property outside of school hours which is available here:
www.education.ie/en/Publications/Policy-Reports/guidelines-on-the-use-of-school-buildings-outside-of-school-hours.pdf.
These guidelines are not intended to be exhaustive or prescriptive but are provided to assist schools in considering applications for the use of their facilities.
The use of school facilities should be managed at local level between the early learning and care or school-age childcare service provider and the school.
804. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of babies under ten days old have been taken into care in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020. [21317/20]
View answer805. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of newborn babies taken under the age of ten days old for each of the Tusla 17 service areas. [21318/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 804 and 805 together.
The Deputy is inquiring about an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have referred the matter to Tusla and asked that a direct reply be provided to the Deputy.
806. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of mothers of children in foster care that have died in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the number for each of the Tusla 17 service areas. [21319/20]
View answerThe Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct reply be provided to the Deputy in due course.
807. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans to reintroduce the grandfather clause scheme as referenced in correspondence from a person (details supplied). [21633/20]
View answerThe minimum qualification requirement to practice in early learning and care services came into effect on 31 December 2016, as stated in the Child Care Act (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. These regulations stipulate that all staff working directly with children must hold a minimum of a Level 5 Major Award in Early Childhood Care and Education on the National Framework of Qualifications.
The introduction of the minimum Level 5 Major Award requirement had been initially announced in 2013, and my Department provided extensive financial investment to support staff to achieve the relevant qualification in the form of multiple Learner Fund bursary rounds between 2014 and 2016. Great strides were made by the sector and over 96% of staff in 2019 held the necessary qualification. To accommodate staff who were due to retire, the Department made available an option for unqualified staff who were planning to retire over the coming years, to sign a grandfather declaration that enabled them to work without qualification for a 5-year period up to September 2021.
The minimum qualification requirement was introduced to raise the quality of provision for children and improve child outcomes. First 5, the whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families, recognises that the workforce is at the heart of high-quality early learning and care. The evidence is irrefutable about the importance of the first five years of life for children's learning. Children achieve better outcomes when staff are qualified. This is undisputed internationally. First 5 seeks to continue to build an appropriately skilled and sustainable professional workforce’. In line with First 5 , my Department is currently leading on a Workforce Development Plan which will set out actions to support professionalisation of the workforce, including achieving a graduate-led workforce and raising the profile of careers in the sector by 2028 (50% of the workforce will have degrees by 2028).
Any decision to extend the grandfathering arrangement or to lower qualification requirements - even temporarily - would run counter to the direction of Government and international policy in this area and would require a strong evidence base. My Department is continuing to monitor workforce developments in the sector and gather data on recruitment difficulties. New data will be available in the coming weeks as part of the annual Pobal Early Years Sector Profile. It is understood that there is a sufficient supply of qualified workers into the sector, the challenge is that they are not being retained, primarily due to poor working terms and conditions. It is the latter that needs to be addressed, and the Workforce Development Plan and other measures will seek to do this.
Additionally, an Advisory Group on the phased reopening of Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare services was established in May 2020 to advise on measures related to COVID. Recruitment and retention of staff is currently being considered by them. The group is chaired by my Department and its membership includes eight representatives of staff and providers. The Advisory Group plans to consider the evidence regarding recruitment difficulties in the coming weeks, and what measures may be appropriate to best serve the needs of children. I will be happy to update Deputies on this when work has progressed.
Finally, my Department is currently consulting with those working in the sector and asking them to share their views on the steps that should be taken in the Workforce Development Plan. The first round of public consultation was due to commence in March 2020 but was postponed due to the outbreak of Covid-19. An online survey opened in August, and closes on 2 October. It will be complemented by online consultation events in the autumn. Details of the survey can be found at:
- Workforce Development Plan (English): https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/Workforcedevelopment.
- Workforce Development Plan (Irish): https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/bPleanforbartha.
808. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if a school place will be provided for a child (details supplied); the number of students on waiting lists in Kilkenny city and county; if he will request a report from Tusla confirming its action in relation to each child on the waiting lists and efforts to secure school places for those still waiting; and the action his Department or the Department of Education are taking to resolve the issues. [21667/20]
View answer809. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if a school place will be provided for a child (details supplied); and if there are sufficient places in the schools in Kilkenny city to meet the demands. [21668/20]
View answer810. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if a school place will be provided for a child (details supplied); the contact details of the school liaison officers that assist with the issues; his plans to assist those on the waiting lists for school places; and the contact made with the Department of Education in this regard. [21669/20]
View answer811. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if a school placement will be provided for a child (details supplied); and the reason his Department is of the view that existing schools can cope with the numbers in Kilkenny city in view of the evidence indicating that there is a long waiting list for each secondary school. [21670/20]
View answer812. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if a school place will be provided in schools for a child (details supplied); and the action his Department is taking to resolve the waiting lists in Kilkenny city for those wishing to attend secondary school in the city. [21671/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 808 to 812, inclusive, together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has responsibility for Educational Welfare Services including the promotion of school attendance, participation and retention.
The Tusla Education Support Service (TESS) has a role in assisting parents or guardians source a school place where a child cannot access one, however it cannot compel a school to make a place available for a child. TESS engage proactively with the parent to signpost possible schools or other educational options that may be available and thereafter to advice & support on the application and appeal process.
While the matter is an operational one for Tusla, I am informed that TESS has engaged with three of the students in question providing advice concerning enrolments, appeals and capacity in other Kilkenny City schools. The remaining two students are not known on TESS records.
TESS does not hold information regarding the numbers on individual schools’ waiting lists however I can confirm that on 6th July, 2020 the Department of Education and Skills (DES) confirmed to TESS that Kilkenny and Carlow ETB has advised that places for first year applicants are available in Colaiste Pobail Osrai and Kilkenny City Vocational Schools.
It is open to the parent(s) /guardian(s) of children seeking a school place to make contact directly with the schools should they wish to submit an enrolment application.
TESS is available to parents and guardians to advise and assist in relation to enrolment procedures and appeals against refusal to enrol a student.
