Written Answers Nos. 603-622
603. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for the transposition of the EU work-life balance directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36931/20]
View answerThe Directive on Work-Life Balance for Parents and Carers aims to increase the participation of women in the labour market and the take-up of family-related leave and flexible working arrangements. It also provides opportunities for workers to be granted leave to care for relatives who need support. By modernising the existing EU legal framework in the area of family-related leaves and flexible working arrangements, it is envisaged that parents and carers will be better able to reconcile their professional and private lives, and companies will benefit from more motivated workers. Member States have three years to adopt laws, regulations and administrative provisions necessary to comply with the Directive (2 August 2022).
Member States are to provide for an individual right to 18 weeks of parental leave per parent, nine weeks of which must be non-transferable and paid at an adequate level, before the respective child reaches an age to be determined by the Member State (eight years minimum age). The right to request flexible uptake is enshrined in Article 5. This provision must be transposed within five years.
The Government intends to extend parent's leave from two weeks to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 Nov 2019. The Government also intends to extend the period in which parent's leave can be taken up until that child turns two or, in the case of an adoption, two years after the adoption placement date of the child. This extension will apply to parents who may have already availed of their existing entitlements. Heads of a Bill to effect these changes are currently being drafted in my Department and I hope to bring these to Government shortly.
The extension to parent's leave and benefit follows a number of advancements in family leaves in recent years, including the introduction of parents leave and benefit in 2019 and the extension of unpaid parental leave to 26 weeks in September this year for a child under 12 years. These advancements show Ireland's commitment to meeting the requirements of Article 5.
604. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the provisions being made to provide early years education workers with an hourly rate equivalent to the living wage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37020/20]
View answerI am very conscious of the need for improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in early learning and care services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy. The most recent data available indicates that the average hourly wage in the sector was €12.55 in mid-2019. This rate is higher than the "living wage" of €12.30, although I acknowledge that approximately 60% of staff earn less than this wage.
As the State is not the employer, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department does not set wage levels nor determine working conditions for staff working in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions. However, wages in the sector remain too low. As a significant funder of the sector, alongside parents, it is imperative that my Department works with provider representatives and staff representatives to address the issue.
In the medium-term, work that is currently under way to develop a new Funding Model and a Workforce Development Plan may provide new mechanisms by which the State can improve pay and working conditions in the sector. However, I am also keen to take further steps in the short-term that could support pay and working conditions. The Programme for Government commits to establish a Joint Labour Committee for the sector, with a view to developing an Employment Regulation Order.
605. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the provisions being made to provide a sick pay scheme to early years education workers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37021/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the State is not the employer of staff in early learning and care or school-age childcare services. My Department does not pay their wages nor does it determine working conditions for staff, including sick pay. I am, however, very aware of the negative impact that low pay and poor working conditions in the sector have on staff recruitment and retention and thereby on outcomes for children. I am also conscious that my Department is a significant funder of the sector, alongside parents.
Since coming into office, I have held a series of meetings with stakeholders in the early learning and care and school-age childcare sector, including trade unions and member organisations representing practitioners and providers in the sector. A prominent theme in many of these meetings has been pay and working conditions, including the issue of sick pay.
The Tánaiste has publicly stated his intention to establish a Statutory Sick Pay Scheme in full consultation with employers and unions. This would be in addition to the enhanced illness benefit which was introduced by the Government in response to Covid-19. Through the Labour Employer Economic Forum (LEEF) the Tánaiste has commenced a process of engagement with the social partners on the issue of statutory sick pay. I believe it is important that the position of those working in early learning and care and school-age childcare services is considered as part of this process and my officials will engage as appropriate in any process.
In the medium-term, projects ongoing in my Department such as the New Funding Model and Workforce Development Plan will both consider future policy tools that will impact on wider aspects of pay and working conditions in the sector.
606. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of additional ring-fenced funding to be provided to domestic violence services under Budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to increased incidence of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37124/20]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies, which will inform future investments in this area.
In 2020 my Department provided €25.3m to Tusla for DSGBV services. Additional funds of some €2m are being allocated during 2020 to address challenges arising from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
I am pleased to have secured significant additional funding for Tusla in Budget 2021 which, I believe, will help the Agency more fully achieve its vision. Specific allocation of Tusla's funding in 2021, including in respect of domestic violence services, will be finalised in Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021 which is currently in development.
607. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date on which he plans to publish the final report of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36176/20]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters submitted its final report to me on the 30th October 2020. I had signalled that there would be a short time interval between receipt of the report and the separate arrangements for its publication. A number of relevant procedural issues are being expedited to ensure I can seek the approval of Government to publish the report as soon as possible.
I can assure the Deputy that I am working with my Department and Government colleagues to ensure the swift publication of the report. In my engagement with former residents and their advocates, I have committed to giving them advance notice prior to publication of the report. I expect to be able to confirm the timeline and arrangements for publication shortly.
608. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress to date on the drafting of the assisted decision-making (capacity) (amendment) Bill; when the legislation will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36268/20]
View answer610. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the main provisions of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; when the main provisions of the Act will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36317/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 610 together.
The Government is committed to fully commencing the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (“the 2015 Act”). The Act provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The 2015 Act was signed into law on 30 December 2015 but has not yet been fully commenced. The Act provides for the establishment of new administrative processes and support measures, including the setting up of the Decision Support Service (DSS) within the Mental Health Commission (a body under the Department of Health).
A number of provisions of the 2015 Act were commenced in October 2016 in order to progress the setting up of the Decision Support Service and enable the recruitment of the Director of the DSS. Ms Áine Flynn was appointed Director of the DSS on 2 October 2017. The commencement of Part 8 of the Act, which provides a legislative framework for advance healthcare directives, is a matter for the Minister for Health.
The implementation of the 2015 Act requires that the DSS is fully operational and in a position to offer services including the new decision-making support options. A high-level Steering Group comprising senior officials from my Department, the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission, the Courts Service and the HSE, together with the Director of the DSS, is overseeing the establishment and commissioning of the DSS and this work is ongoing. The DSS, led by its Director, is working on putting in place the necessary infrastructure to support the full commencement of the Act. The infrastructure required includes, amongst many other elements, ICT capability for the DSS. These preparations are being implemented under the oversight of the Steering Group and will allow for commencement orders for the main operative provisions of the 2015 Act to be made when the necessary preparations have been completed. This will enable the DSS to roll out the new decision-making support options.
My Department has, through the Estimates process, sought and received increased funding in 2021 to allow the DSS to work towards the commencement of services in mid- 2022. In the interim, my Department, in conjunction with the DSS, the Mental Health Commission and other stakeholders have agreed to an implementation plan that anticipates the commencement of DSS services in mid-2022. There are also critical dependencies for the DSS on other organisations, including, for example, the Courts Service, the HSE and the Department of Health amongst others, which need to be delivered in order to achieve this timeline. The Steering Group has been meeting regularly to ensure a coordinated approach to the implementation of this project. In tandem with this work, progress is also being made to finalise the amendments to the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to streamline the processes envisaged under the 2015 Act and to support the DSS to become operational.
609. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the additional €5 million announced in budget 2021 for youth services will be made available; and the way in which the funding will be distributed. [36295/20]
View answerI am pleased to confirm that I secured an additional €5 million in current funding for youth services nationally as part of Budget 2021. My officials are currently working on the apportionment of these funds in the context of the publication of the Revised Estimates Volume later this year. As such, I am not in a position as yet to provide a detailed breakdown of these allocations.
As part of the Budget 2021 announcements, the youth sector has also been allocated a capital sum of €3m. This funding, which is the same amount as provided in 2020, will support the annual youth sector capital scheme to be designed and rolled out in 2021. While no decisions on areas to be prioritised as part of this fund have yet been made, ICT was a prominent feature of the scheme in 2020.
Furthermore, I have secured an additional amount of €1m capital funding in the current year to support ICT procurement in the youth sector before year end. This grant scheme is being rolled out through the ETBs in their role as funding intermediary for youth schemes and was formally announced in the last few days. This sum is additional to the Covid-related small grant scheme for the sector recently announced.
This additional funding allocated to youth services in the coming year will support the delivery of universal and targeted youth services nationwide with a particular view to the role played by youth services in supporting mental wellbeing, fostering resilience and developing the social and personal competencies of young people, including disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable young people.
611. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of cases awaiting the allocation of a social worker by county in tabular form. [36333/20]
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 Tusla respond directly to the Deputy.
612. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional ring-fenced funding to be provided by his Department to domestic violence services in budget 2021 in order that services can respond adequately to the shadow pandemic of domestic violence through Covid-19 and beyond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36337/20]
View answerThe response to Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.
The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding DSGBV, including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies, which will inform future investments in this area.
In 2020 my Department provided €25.3m to Tusla for DSGBV services. Additional funds of some €2m are being allocated during 2020 to address challenges arising from the COVID-19 public health emergency.
I am pleased to have secured significant additional funding for Tusla in Budget 2021 which, I believe, will help the Agency more fully achieve its vision. Specific allocation of Tusla's funding in 2021, including in respect of domestic violence services, will be finalised in Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021 which is currently in development.
613. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers that have left Tusla; and the number of social workers that have become employed by Tusla in each of the years 2015 to 2019, in tabular form. [36355/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
614. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a report by an organisation (details supplied) showing a sharp increase in women and children fleeing domestic violence during Covid-19, including 3,450 women and 589 children contacted a domestic violence service for the first time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36383/20]
View answerMy attention has been drawn to the report to which the Deputy refers.
Improving services for victims of domestic violence is very important to me, as reflected in my commitment, with my Cabinet colleague Minister McEntee, to undertake an audit of responsibility for DSGBV across government departments. I have engaged with many service providers since my appointment on issues arising in the provision of services for victims of domestic violence. I am committed to ensuring that the audit identifies the required infrastructure for DSGBV policy and services to be dealt with in as effective a manner as possible.
Tusla is also undertaking a strategic review of emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence. The review will provide insight into current distribution of services and unmet needs. This review and the recommendations of the Monitoring Committee for the Second National Strategy on DSGBV will inform decisions on future service provision.
The Deputy will be aware that there will be Statements on Domestic Violence in the Dáil on Thursday afternoon. While these statements will be led by Minister McEntee, I will also be contributing to the debate.
615. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children currently on the waiting list for initial assessment or for Garda investigative purposes in the St. Louise’s unit at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin; the number of those children waiting longer than 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively; the number of children on the therapy waiting list per se; the number waiting more than 3, 6 and 12 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36387/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as these responsibilities. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
616. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of units similar to St. Louise’s at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin, that are located outside Dublin; the number of children awaiting initial assessment or for Garda investigative purposes; the number of those children waiting longer than three, six and 12 months, respectively; the number of children awaiting therapy; the number waiting longer than three, six and 12 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36388/20]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as these responsibilities. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
617. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider making changes to new parental leave arrangements announced in budget 2021 in order that the three-week extension would be rolled out immediately and that the three-week extension could be availed of at any stage up to the child’s second birthday and the leave would be transferable between parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36459/20]
View answerTo support parents of children born during the strict lock-down measures, the Government intends to extend parent's leave from two weeks to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 Nov 2019. The Government also intends to extend the period in which parent's leave can be taken up until that child turns two or, in the case of an adoption, two years after the adoption placement date of the child. This extension will apply to parents who may have already availed of their existing entitlements.
Heads of a Bill to effect these changes are currently being drafted in my Department and I hope to bring these to Government shortly.
The extension of parent's benefit is a matter for the Minister of Social Protection and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made and that it will be April 2021 before the necessary updates can take place. However, it will be possible for parent's leave to be taken in advance of these changes and the benefit claimed retrospectively, once the legislation has been enacted, and I will ensure that parents are fully informed of their entitlements in this regard.
The extension to parent's leave and benefit follows a number of advancements in family leaves in recent years, including the introduction of parents leave and benefit in 2019 and the extension of unpaid parental leave to 26 weeks in September this year for a child under 12 years.
618. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to technical problems with the national childcare scheme, NCS, website which are preventing applications from being submitted for a number of months; if there are alternative methods to submit applications as in the case of a person (details supplied); if the scheme allows for reimbursements if an applicant is approved and delayed due to technical issues with the NCS website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36485/20]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) represents the first ever statutory entitlement to childcare in Ireland. The introduction of the NCS is a landmark moment for making high quality childcare more affordable and accessible to families in Ireland.
My Department is not aware of any significant technical problems with the National Childcare Scheme website which are preventing applications from being submitted for a number of months. To date there were 5,464 applications submitted to the NCS in October and 2,154 have already been submitted so far in November. Notwithstanding this, as with any new systems there may be isolated instances where a parent or provider may experience challenges.
Pobal continue to enhance and refine and system, and have provided comprehensive training and information resources and will continue to support parents and childcare providers with any assistance required. In the specific case raised the matter has been referred for review based on the issues presented by the parent concerned.
Whilst there is no block to online applications, there is an alternative method to submit applications should an applicant wish to do so. Parents who are not able or do not wish to engage with the online application process can avail of the option to apply using a paper application form. Parents using this option will have no interaction with the online NCS system, the application will be managed for them by the NCS Parent Support Centre. The paper application route does not require parents to have a verified MyGovID. Parents can call 01 906 8530 for more information and to arrange for the application form to be sent to them.
619. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding his Department allocated to the childminder learner fund; the number of requests for funding received for the fund; the purpose of this funding; and if it is educational purposes only. [36537/20]
View answerThe Learner Fund is a funding stream offered by my Department to practitioners working in early learning and care and school-age childcare seeking to upskill and gain higher qualifications. It has operated for several years by providing either pre-award funding or a post-award bursary. The initiative was initially rolled out from 2014 to support the introduction of the minimum National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) Level 5 qualification requirement that came into force in 2016, to allow practitioners who were already working in a setting to meet the new minimum requirement. Since then, the Learner Fund bursary has been extended to provide financial support for practitioners undertaking a range of other training and education programmes for awards at Level 5 to Level 9 on the NFQ.
As part of the overall Learner Fund, since 2019 Learner Fund bursaries have been opened to childminders who achieve a level 5 or level 6 major award in early childhood care and education recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications and who register with Tusla. Childminders who are registered with Tusla can also avail of the Learner Fund graduate bursary for level 7 and 8 graduate-level awards in early learning and care.
In 2020, a total of €390,000 was allocated to the Learner Fund bursary programme. This includes both the graduate and childminder bursaries which operate simultaneously and are funded from the same budget.
The 2019 round of the Learner Fund saw bursaries awarded to 481 applicants for completion of relevant degrees (who may include both centre-based practitioners and childminders), and 10 Tusla-registered childminders for completion of Level 5/6 awards. The 2020 round of the Learner Fund bursary has recently closed and awards will be announced shortly.
The number of childminders availing of the Learner Fund is expected to remain very low until regulation is extended to all childminders and bespoke training and qualifications are developed for childminders. Currently there are 77 Tusla-registered childminders. In line with commitments in First 5 and the Programme for Government, a Childminding Action Plan is currently being finalised, with a view to publication in the near future. The Childminding Action Plan will seek to extend the scope of regulation and supports for childminders, accelerate access to subsidies for childminders through the National Childcare Scheme, and develop bespoke training for childminders.
620. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the grants system in place for childminders. [36538/20]
View answerA Childminding Development Grant is available to Tusla-registered childminders, childminders who have voluntarily notified their City/County Childcare Committee, childminders proposing a new childminding service, and childminders who have completed the childminding Quality Awareness Programme. The childminder or potential childminder must mind at least 3 children on a part-time basis or one child on a full-time basis and one part-time. In order to receive the maximum grant available, a childminder must have appropriate insurance and undertake to stay in operation for two years after the date of the grant. The Grant assists childminders with the cost of safety items, equipment, play resources or minor household adaptations.
The Learner Fund bursary for childminders is available for childminders who achieve a level 5 or level 6 major award in early childhood care and education recognised on the National Framework of Qualifications and who are registered with Tusla. Childminders can also avail of the Learner Fund graduate bursary for level 7/8/9 major awards in early learning and care and who are registered with Tusla.
Earlier this year, as part of the Re-opening Funding Package for Childcare Services, the Covid–19 Capital Grant and the Re-opening Support Payment were available for childminders that were in contract for DCEDIY programmes and closed their childminding business on 25 March 2020 due to the Covid–19 pandemic. As part of the Funding Package a Childminding Re-opening Grant was available for childminders who were not in contract for DCEDIY programmes and were ineligible for the Covid-19 Capital Grant or the Re-opening Grant. This Funding Package facilitated the reopening of early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services from 29 June onwards. This funding supported providers to reopen, staff to remain in the sector, parents to resume work and children to benefit from quality ELC and SAC.
621. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childminders that have notified their business to his Department but are legally exempt from regulation; and the reason a childminder might be exempt from registering with Tusla. [36539/20]
View answerMany childminders are legally exempt from regulation currently as a result of exemptions set out in Section 58L of the Child Care Act 1991, which prevents them from registering with Tusla. A childminder is exempt from regulation and registration with Tusla if the childminder:
- Is a relative of the child/children or a spouse of a relative;
- Takes care of one or more children of the same family and no other such children (other than the childminder's own children); or
- Takes care of not more than 6 children, of whom not more than 3 are pre-school children, of different families (other than the childminder's own children).
Prior to February 2019, only (non-relative) childminders who cared for more than three pre-school children of different families were subject to regulation and therefore required to register with Tusla. From February 2019, when Section 22 of the Childcare Support Act 2018 came into force, the scope of regulation has been broadened also to include a (non-relative) childminder who cares for more than six children of any age at one time, in addition to those who care for more than three pre-school children.
A number of City/County Childcare Committees operate a voluntary notification system for childminders who are legally exempt from registration. Other City/County Childcare Committees maintain lists of childminders to whom they offer supports and information. There are currently 308 childminders who are voluntarily notified to their local City/County Childcare Committee, and a further 750 childminders are currently engaging with the City/County Childcare Committees for support and information.
My Department also provides funding to Childminding Ireland for the provision of ongoing training, supports and information to childminders. Childminding Ireland has approximately 700 members and provides supports and information to an additional 1,300 childminders.
622. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of public consultations that were held by his Department in late 2019 on the childminding action plan; and the groups with whom his officials held focus groups on the plan. [36540/20]
View answerA public consultation process on the Draft Childminding Action Plan ran from August until November 2019. The process involved several elements, which included:
- An invitation to make written submissions.
- An online survey, which ran from 29 August to 10 October 2019, with 467 respondents (57% of whom were childminders).
- 32 focus group meetings with childminders, held in October and November 2019.
- An Open Policy Debate, held on 16 October 2019, with a wide range of stakeholders.
32 focus group meetings with childminders took place across the country organised by the City and County Childcare Committees, with at least one event in every county. In total, 205 childminders took part.
A report on the 2019 consultation process on the Draft Childminding Action Plan will be published shortly.
The Draft Childminding Action Plan was based on the 2018 report of the Working Group on Reforms and Supports for the Childminding Sector, 'Pathway to a Quality Support and Assurance System for Childminding'. As part of its work, the Working Group carried out a consultation with parents through a parents’ survey in May 2017, and consulted childminders through a survey of Childminding Ireland members and a discussion day that allowed more in-depth discussions with 22 childminders from around the country. It also drew on the findings of the consultation with 177 children aged 5-12 that was undertaken in 2016 to inform the Action Plan on School-Age Childcare. The parent’s survey had 3,630 responses, and asked questions about use of childminding and attitudes towards childminding. The survey of childminders had 357 responses.
All aspects of both the 2018 and 2019 public consultation processes are being taken into consideration in the revision and finalisation of the Childminding Action Plan.
