Written Answers Nos. 927-951
927. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if another date will be arranged for a meeting (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30546/21]
View answerThe Minister of State with Responsibility for Disability is aware of the outstanding commitment to meet with the Deputy and the residents of the service. Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Minister had to postpone a meeting scheduled for April 15th, 2021 and sent her apologies for same at the time. The Minister is working to find a suitable time and date for this meeting and will contact the Deputy’s office in due course to finalise.
928. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if officials in his Department have requested that a company (details supplied) contact service providers in disadvantaged areas; the methodology of the engagement by his Department with the company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30553/21]
View answerI can inform the Deputy of the following engagement by my Department with the company referred to.
As part of the monitoring, review and evaluation of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS), section 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018 requires that a formal review of the NCS takes place. The fundamental purpose of the review is to provide key data and information to support the future development of the NCS. The review will provide a basis for the Department to consider how effectively the NCS is operating.
The review is an independent assessment of the implementation and impacts of the NCS during its first year of operation, and a specialist research company, Frontier Economics, has been procured to undertake this work. As part of the evidence gathering and analysis, a number of methods have been undertaken in the review approach. These include:
- A comprehensive review and analysis of the administrative/management data amassed since the Scheme launch.
- Consultation with parents and providers using the NCS was carried out in May 2021, with the aim of gathering information on parental and childcare provider experience of engaging with the NCS during its first year of operation. There was a considerable response to the survey with 3,242 parental responses and 969 provider responses. A further 238 responses were also received from providers who have not yet contracted to the NCS. The data from the surveys is currently being examined by the consultant.
- Supplemental interviews with a sample of representative stakeholders who have engaged over the past year on the NCS.
- A review of the comprehensive and intensive consultations conducted as a part of the review of the funding model.
- A review of reports and assessments conducted throughout the NCS launch process and across the past year.
- A review of submissions received from a variety of stakeholders since the Scheme launched including a number of submissions, which were received from providers or community organisations in disadvantaged communities.
All of these engagements and reviews will include data and submissions encompassing providers serving disadvantaged communities. The review itself has a number of specific tasks with regard to considering the impact on families who may be experiencing socio-economic disadvantage as this is a key objective of the Scheme itself. The terms of reference include:
- Uptake of the NCS with a particular emphasis on families from lowest income groups or most disadvantaged households; single parent households; families where one assessable member of the household is not in work or study; families targeted by specific sponsor interventions according to need; and uptake of the universal element of the NCS;
- The issue of sustainability for services in disadvantaged (and other) areas, particularly with regard to feedback from some services that the Scheme design has impacted their sustainability.
Separately, an Expert Group to design a new funding model for childcare, is currently undertaking a comprehensive programme of consultation and engagement to inform its work. This is comprised of three phases. Phase 1 took place between August and December 2020, and consisted of a call for submissions, a parental poll, two webinars, nine focused discussion sessions with providers and practitioners, and seven focused discussion sessions with parents. Phase 2 took place over April and May 2021 and involved four facilitated events that brought together a range of participants to examine in depth issues of affordability, sustainability, quality and inclusion. Phase 3 is set to build on Phases 1 and 2 and takes place in July 2021.
Frontier Economics is facilitating Phases 2 and 3 of the consultation with participants from the organisations that are part of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF). Reports from Phase 1 of the consultation and engagement, along with other material relating to the Funding Model including Expert Group meeting documentation and research papers, are available on a dedicated website at www.first5fundingmodel.ie.
929. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason the freephone support service for those in direct provision is provided by a service (details supplied) using Departmental funding; if he plans for his Department to take over this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30554/21]
View answerThe service as referred to by the Deputy was established in May 2020 as an additional support for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) residents. IPAS understands that not everybody feels comfortable contacting the Department directly. The provision of this non-IPAS managed helpline, takes cognisance of that and is a specific measure to alleviate that concern.
The confidential support helpline provides an additional avenue to discuss issues or problems a resident may have with their accommodation or other issues of concern in confidence. Residents can of course contact IPAS directly if they prefer.
930. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department has been impacted by the ransomware attack on the Department of Health; and if he will provide a list of the files and a description of the type of files which were due to be transferred from the Department of Health to his Department but have not yet been transferred. [30561/21]
View answerICT services are provided to my Department by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The provision of ICT security is part of that service. My ICT Staff engage closely with the OGCIO on the issue of cyber security, who in turn engage with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of cyber security.For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cyber security arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services and my Department does not comment on operational security matters.
931. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to change the definition of a family to allow for the recognition cohabiting couples as a family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30626/21]
View answerThe Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 provides for the recognition of cohabiting partners and for protections for them. It established a redress scheme for long-term opposite-sex and same-sex cohabiting couples who are not married or registered in a civil partnership. The redress scheme may be activated at the end of a relationship, whether by break-up or death, and allows a financially dependent qualified cohabitant to apply to court for certain remedies, including maintenance, pension or property adjustment orders, or provision from the estate of a deceased cohabitant. The Act also makes provision for the recognition of cohabitant agreements which regulate the shared financial affairs of cohabiting couples and enable couples to opt out of the application to them of the redress scheme.
As the Deputy is aware, Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution accords constitutional protection to the family based on marriage.
The Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality, which published its recommendations on 24 April 2021, recommended the amendment of Article 41 of the Constitution so that it would protect private and family life, with the protection afforded to the family not limited to the marital family.
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment that the Government will respond to each recommendation of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality. The Citizens' Assembly's recommendations are currently being considered by the Oireachtas which will identify potential next steps in this regard.
932. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will extend the foster care allowance for children up to 23 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30639/21]
View answerThere are no plans at present to raise the age for which foster care allowance are paid available up to age 23.
There are a number of aftercare supports already in place for young adults transitioning from state care to independent living.
Aftercare services are support services build on and support the work already undertaken by many including foster carers, social workers and residential workers in preparing young people for adulthood. Everyone has a role to play in preparing young people to reach their developmental milestones.
Legislative provision for aftercare has been strengthened by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015, which imposed a statutory duty on Tusla to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person, following an assessment of need. In response to the new legislative provision, Tusla has developed a suite of policies and guidance documents for aftercare support, which includes guidance on direct financial support.
The most prominent form of such support is the aftercare allowance, which is provided to cover a young person’s day to day costs as they progress in education or accredited training. The core age range for eligibility for aftercare is 18 to 21 years of age. Specific legislative provision is in place for aftercare to continue until a young person is 23 years of age where they are finishing a course of education. For those young adults who are not in education / training at 18 years, aftercare services support them in accessing any relevant financial allowances and support to which they may be entitled from the Department of Social Protection or other agencies. The amount of financial support an adult will receive at 18 years and the relevant agency or Department will be specific to each adult’s circumstances.
933. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the recipients of the playing outside grant for early learning and care and school-aged childcare services by county in tabular form; the amounts allocated to each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30653/21]
View answerAs part of the Summer of Play initiative I announced recently a provision of €6 million in funding is being made to support outdoor play. One strand of this funding the Playing Outside Grant for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Aged Childcare (SAC) services will provide €5.5 million in funding for services.
The objective of this grant is to support services to enhance their outdoor spaces for play and learning.
The Playing Outside Grant will be administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department and Pobal will provide further information on the application process to services, including detailed application guidelines.
The application process will open on 18 June and close on 31 August 2021. Information on the allocation of grants to individual services will be published online by Pobal in September 2021.
The grants will be based on the number of children in each service who are registered on my Departments childcare funded programmes and is as follows:
|
Number of children registered |
Amount |
|
1-49 |
€1000 |
|
50-100 |
€2000 |
|
100+ |
€2500 |
934. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the recipients of the €450,000 allocated to the local authorities play and recreation grant fund for the refurbishment and development of playgrounds and play areas by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30654/21]
View answerDetails of allocations by county can be found in the table below and also at this link https://www.gov.ie/pdf/136750/?page=null
This scheme, introduced in 2013, provides capital funding to support the development of new recreation facilities for children and young people, and for the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and incorporation of natural play elements.
The scheme is operated via Local Authorities and this year’s scheme was opened to applications from Local Authorities on April 1, with a closing date of April 22. There was an exceptionally high-level of demand this year, with the allocated fund of €450,000 oversubscribed by some 98%.
Table 1: Breakdown of approved play and recreation projects 2021 by Local Authority
|
Local Authority |
Project: Title/Description |
Funding Requested |
Funding Approved |
|
Carlow |
Project 1: Supply and installation of an obstacle course equipment to compliment facilities at Duckett’s Grove Palatine. |
€26,000 |
€13,494 |
|
Carlow |
Project 2: Inclusive basket swing seat for Leighlinbridge Playground |
€4,000 |
€2,151 |
|
Cavan |
Refurbishments to Ballyjamesduff playground |
€30,000 |
€16,131 |
|
Clare |
Refurbishments to Rainbow Park playground |
€30,000 |
€11,783 |
|
Cork County |
Improve the amenity, increase the size & install inclusive play units for children of all abilities in Macroom Playground |
€30,000 |
€16,131 |
|
Cork City |
Project 1: provision of Wheelchair accessible swing at Clahduv Park Togher |
€10,000 |
€5,390 |
|
Cork City |
Project 2: provision of Wheelchair accessible swing in Ballinlough Park |
€10,000 |
€5,390 |
|
Cork City |
Project 3: Provision of Wheelchair accessible swing at John O’Callaghan Park Glanmire |
€10,000 |
€5,390 |
|
Dublin City |
Play Sufficiency Phase 4 – Teenage Kicks at Ringsend Park |
€30,000 |
€16,833 |
|
Dún Laoghaire -Rathdown |
Project 1: Wheelchair accessible Ability swing - The People’s Park, Dún Laoghaire. |
€15,000 |
€8,416 |
|
Dún Laoghaire -Rathdown |
Project 2: Wheelchair accessible Ability swing - Marlay Park, Rathfarnham. |
€15,000 |
€8,416 |
|
Donegal |
Playground refurbishment at Ballyliffen |
€30,000 |
€16,833 |
|
Fingal |
Adventure trail & all-inclusive Zipline in Glebe park playground, Balrothery, Co Dublin |
€30,000 |
€16,131 |
|
Galway City Council |
Project 1: Installation of ‘We Go Swing’ (wheelchair accessible swing) at Claude Toft Park, Salthill, Galway |
€15,000 |
€8,066 |
|
Galway City Council |
Project 2: Sensory Garden at Children’s Millennium park Galway |
€15,000 |
€8,066 |
|
Galway County Council |
Project 1: Refurbishment of Gort Road playground, Loughrea |
€12,562 |
€6,637 |
|
Galway County Council |
Project 2: Refurbishment St. Michael’s Playground, Ballinasloe |
€6,375 |
€3,517 |
|
Galway County Council |
Project 3: Refurbishment Palace Grounds, Tuam |
€11,062 |
€5,741 |
|
Kerry |
Project 1: Ballyheigue Playground Upgrade |
€11,169 |
€5,849 |
|
Kerry |
Project 2: Sneem Playground Upgrade |
€11,194 |
€5,914 |
|
Kildare |
Natural Play Trail, Newbridge |
€30,000 |
€16,131 |
|
Kilkenny |
Project 1: Install a cable runway and sand diggers in Kells playground |
€16,775 |
€8,942 |
|
Kilkenny |
Project 2: Install a cable runway Woodstock gardens and Arboretum Natural Playground |
€13,225 |
€6,678 |
|
Leitrim |
Refurbishment to Breffni Playground |
€29,906 |
€16,119 |
|
Limerick |
Project 1: Refurbishment of Playground surfaces in a number of Playgrounds in the area |
€9,000 |
€4,503 |
|
Limerick |
Project 2: Instalment of Portland Park Natural Playground |
€10,500 |
€5,891 |
|
Limerick |
Project 3: Installation of Adare park national playground |
€10,500 |
€5,646 |
|
Laois |
Project 1: Phase 2 of Accessibility/Biodiversity Playground upgrade – Dun Spraoi – Portlaoise Leisure Centre Playground |
€10,000 |
€5,165 |
|
Laois |
Project 2: Phase 2 of Accessibility/Biodiversity Playground upgrade – Slí n bPáistí Mountrath Amenity Area Playground |
€10,000 |
€5,165 |
|
Laois |
Project 3: Phase 2 of Accessibility/Biodiversity Playground upgrade – Full steam ahead Stradbally Playground |
€10,000 |
€5,165 |
|
Longford |
Edgeworthstown Playground Enhancement |
€20,000 |
€10,754 |
|
Louth |
Project 1: Refurbishment of Blackrock and Moneymore Playgrounds |
€15,000 |
€8,066 |
|
Louth |
Project 2: Refurbishment of Omeath Playground |
€15,000 |
€7,925 |
|
Mayo |
Refurbishment of Existing Community Playground at Lough Lannagh Castlebar. |
€30,000 |
€15,227 |
|
Meath |
Refurbishment to Athboy Playground |
€30,000 |
€14,957 |
|
Monaghan |
Refurbishment and upgrade to O’Neill Park Natural Playground, Clones |
€30,000 |
€15,851 |
|
Offaly |
Project 1: Refurbishment to Lloyd Town Park Playground |
€5,250 |
€2,725 |
|
Offaly |
Project 2: Refurbishment to Connolly Kearney Playground |
€6,000 |
€3,282 |
|
Offaly |
Project 3: Refurbishment to Ferbane Playground |
€15,000 |
€7,505 |
|
Sligo |
Project 1: Mitchell Curley Park - Kids Playground & Facilities Upgrade |
€20,000 |
€10,331 |
|
Sligo |
Project 2: Dromore West Kids Playground – Refurbishment Works |
€10,000 |
€5,076 |
|
South Dublin |
Design, Supply and Installation of Woodland Play space in Rathfarnham Castle Park |
€30,000 |
€16,131 |
|
Roscommon |
Refurbishment to Portrunny Playground, Ballymurray |
€30,000 |
€15,851 |
|
Tipperary |
Project 1: Templemore Town Park Development |
€15,812 |
€8,576 |
|
Tipperary |
Project 2: Refurbishment and update of existing playground at Newcastle |
€4,670 |
€2,533 |
|
Waterford |
Learn to cycle track, Fairlane Park, Dungarvan |
€30,000 |
€15,991 |
|
Westmeath |
Project 1: Clonmellon Playground wet pour resurfacing |
€15,000 |
€8,066 |
|
Westmeath |
Project 2: Maintenance and upgrades Ballynacarrigy Community Playground |
€15,000 |
€8,276 |
|
Wicklow |
A multi play unit and additional spring rockers and boat play systems keeping in with the maritime theme in Arklow |
€22,500 |
€11,573 |
|
Wexford |
Project 1: Inclusive carousel Duncannon Community Park |
€8,850 |
€4,676 |
|
Wexford |
Project 2: Toddler Swing unit Mount Carmel Estate Playground |
€7,350 |
€3,712 |
|
Wexford |
Project 3: Surface replacement at Cluain Dara Estate Playground |
€13,500 |
€6,944 |
|
Totals |
€891,200 |
€469,716 |
935. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will establish a commission into the expansion of the provision of personal assistance services to persons with disabilities following the unanimous passing of a motion of 19 November 2019 (details supplied); the status of this process; if there has been a commission into the way to introduce personal assistance services; the stage of reporting for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30682/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment as responsibility for disability services has not yet transferred to my Department. These matters are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Health.
The recent cyber attack on the Department of Health has rendered them unable to access their IT systems.
936. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered the appointment of a health and social care officer to work horizontally between the Department of Health and his Department in line with the recommendation of an association (details supplied). [30686/21]
View answerI am not aware of the detail of the recommendation from the organisation referred to by the Deputy, and therefore am not in a position to comment, however I would be happy to examine any such proposal coming forward in this area in conjunction with my colleague the Minister for Health.
937. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way childcare providers can access the funding allocated under Annual Capital Programme 2021 of his Department to assist services complete any outstanding fire safety works required to obtain a fire safety certificate; if the programme is still open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30693/21]
View answerMy Department administers an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) service providers are invited to apply for capital funding.
As the Deputy is aware in 2021 I allocated funding under the capital programme to assist services complete any outstanding fire safety works required to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate.
In January 2021, Pobal invited ELC and SAC services to make an application for fire safety capital funding of between €1,000 and €10,000 to cover remedial works required to receive a Fire Safety Certificate. The closing date for applications was originally 26 February but was extended to 02 March 2021 at the request of service provider representatives. It is not possible to re-open this programme.
Almost €5 million has been allocated across 644 services under this grant programme to help them to carry out remedial fire safety works.
938. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress being made in relation to the provision of part-time and wrap-around childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30713/21]
View answerA key policy objective of my Department is to improve affordability, accessibility and quality of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC). A 141% increase in investment over the last number of years has led to a doubling in the number of children receiving free or subsidised ELC and SAC. It has also supported the sector to increase the number of places available.
The supply of, and demand for, ELC and SAC places is currently monitored annually through the Early Years Sector Profile report conducted by Pobal on behalf of my Department. While enrolment data for 2019/20 was not available owing to COVID-19, data from previous years demonstrates increases in capacity.
Capacity is calculated by summing the number of children enrolled and vacant places. Figures are extrapolated to represent 100% of services. Overall extrapolated figures show an increase from 202,082 places overall in in 2016/2017 figures to 218,745 in 2018/2019, representing an overall increase in capacity of 6% which is equivalent to 16,663 places.
Capacity figures broken down by 'session type' are higher than overall capacity figures as children may participate in more than one session (e.g. breakfast club and after-school). Table 1 presents change in capacity over time by session type. These figures highlight an increase in capacity of part-time places from 28,467 in 2016/2017 to 29,447 in 2018/2019. Capacity recorded for both after-school care and breakfast club places increased over this time; from 37,139 to 44,499 and 8,120 to 12,478 respectively.
Table 1: Capacity by session type
|
2016/2017 |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
|
|
After-school |
37,139 |
44,499 |
51,855 |
|
Breakfast club |
8,120 |
12,478 |
14,469 |
|
Drop-in |
568 |
877 |
1,024 |
|
Full day care |
37,078 |
44,435 |
46,568 |
|
Overnight services |
24 |
- |
- |
|
Part-time |
28,467 |
30,219 |
29,447 |
|
Sessional |
113,922 |
116,187 |
108,366 |
Pre-COVID, the creation of new places was a key commitment of my Department’s capital programmes, with 27, 433 additional places created since 2015. Many community facilities, and some private facilities, were built using public investment through the major capital investment programmes, Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (2000-2006) and the National Childcare Investment Programme (2006-2011). Since then, annual capital programmes have provided investment for establishment of new provision, expansion of services, quality improvements and maintenance and upgrades to existing facilities in both the private and community sector.
First 5, the ten-year whole-of-Government strategy for babies, young children and their families commits to maintain and extend the supply of high-quality publicly subsidised early learning and childcare to best serve the developmental needs of babies and young children, ensuring that it also reflects the needs and preferences of parents and families. To deliver on this strategic action, a range of actions are under way, including the development of a strategic capital investment plan to deliver large-scale capital investment under Project 2040, and the development of a new funding model for ELC and SAC.
An Expert Group has been convened to examine the current model of funding and its effectiveness in delivering quality, affordable, sustainable and inclusive services. The Expert Group will recommend how additional resourcing can be delivered for the sector to achieve these objectives, drawing on international practice in this area. It is expected that a report on the Expert Group’s recommendations on the new Funding Model will be submitted to me in November 2021.
939. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the foster care allowance by €10 per week per child aged under 12 years and by €20 per week per child aged over 12 years. [30755/21]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
940. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will extend the scope of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to include the bodies under his aegis or the publicly funded bodies of the IPA and the ESRI that are not covered by the Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30823/21]
View answerI understand the Deputy's question to relate to the obligations placed on public bodies within the meaning of that term under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, and in particular under section 42 of the Act which established the Public Sector Equality and Human Rights Duty. I have no plans at present to prescribe additional organisations financed wholly or partly out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas as public bodies for this purpose. The range of public bodies encompassed by the definition in the 2014 Act and by the consequent obligations is already quite broad.
941. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way funding accompanying the summer of play initiative can be accessed. [30845/21]
View answer942. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the allocation by county of funding for the summer of play initiative in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30846/21]
View answer943. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which local authorities can access funding accompanying the summer of play initiative. [30847/21]
View answer944. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the allocation by county of funding for the summer of play initiative in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30848/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 941, 942, 943 and 944 together.
The funding schemes referred to are accessible through two primary mechanisms. Local Authority representatives on the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN) will oversee capital funds for Play And Recreation and Play Day funding (my Department can provide contact details of the LAPRN if required). The Playing Outside Grants will be administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department; funding under this scheme will be accessible to child care providers.
On 1 June 2021, I announced the Summer of Play initiative to support and encourage children and their families to get outside and play as restrictions ease in the coming months. The initiative will see grants, supports and information resources rolled out over the summer months, creating opportunities for children and their families to enjoy play and the outdoors.
As part of the Summer of Play launch, I announced €6 million in funding. The funding is being rolled out through two grants, as follows:
1. Playing Outside Grant: Targeted at Early Learning and Care and School-Aged Childcare services; this grant will provide €5.5 million in funding for Early Learning and Childcare services to enhance their outdoor spaces to support important play and activity.
Pobal will provide further information on the application process to services, including detailed application guidelines, this month. The application process is expected to open on 18 June; with a closing date for applications of August 31, 2021.
2. Play and Recreation Capital Grant: €450,000 has been allocated for the purpose of this grant, which is designed to fund the refurbishment and development of playgrounds and play areas across the country. Notifications of approved funding have issued to the Local Authorities for the completion of successful projects, 52 across all 31 Local Authorities, in 2021. The projects funded by this grant encompass a wide range of initiatives that will deliver diverse benefits to children and young people and have a positive impact on communities. The approved projects include sensory gardens, learn to cycle tracks, and natural play trails.
The details of the projects and funding approved under the 2021 Play and Recreation Capital grant can be located at: https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/136750/4b1bcf2f-870d-4c8a-8345-2b418eec4cd5.pdf#page=null
I also referenced the National Play Day Grant funding in the Summer of Play announcement on June 1. I am pleased to now confirm that the funding for this grant has increased to €100k in 2021 (from €60k in 2020). This grant will allow each Local Authority to access funding of up to €3k for the purposes of the 2021 National Play Day - which is to occur on a day of the respective Local Authorities choosing between July 3rd & 10th (inclusive). The application process for this grant is open until June 18.
945. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the expenditure incurred by staff in his Department under the heading of travel and subsistence from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30860/21]
View answerAs requested by the deputy, the expenditure incurred by staff in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, under the heading of travel and subsistence from 1 January 2020 to 31st May 2021 are broken down by year below:
2020: €102,000 (from 1 January 2020 - 31 December 2020)
2021: €18,000 (from 1 January 2021 - 31 May 2021)
Please note that in line with Public Health Guidance all travel in 2020 and 2021 was curtailed.
Figures provided above exclude any costs incurred directly by my Department's agencies and the figures relate to the expanded remit of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth following the transfer of functions in 2020.
946. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by his Department from 1 January 2019 to date; if external costs were incurred; if so, the details of such costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30877/21]
View answerThe Public Spending Code, published by the Department of Expenditure and Reform, provides guidance for evaluation methodologies used across the civil service, including Value for Money and Policy Reviews.
The Value for Money and Policy Review initiative (referred to as ‘Value for Money Reviews’ in the Code) is a systematic process of evaluation conducted by government departments, under guidance from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
My Department has not conducted one of these reviews in the timeframe referred to by the Deputy.
The Research and Evaluation Unit is the focal point for the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service (IGEES) in my Department. Officials within this Unit are responsible for conducting a wide range of evaluation projects, including those described in the Public Spending Code. Evaluation reports are published on my Department's website and on the IGEES website. Other types of evaluation are conducted by various policy units from time to time across the Department to inform the review of policy and schemes for example.
947. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of youth organisations in receipt of funding from his Department; the amount of funding allocated by organisation in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30942/21]
View answerMy Department currently provides funding for targeted youth services through UBU Your Place Your Space to 252 youth organisations. A further 30 National Youth Organisations receive annual funding through the Youth Services Grant Scheme and are eligible to apply for Youth Capital and the Youth Climate Justice Fund. Additionally, annual payments are made to Gaisce and Leargas.
In addition my Department provides funding to small groups or local clubs that are usually volunteer run and may be associated or affiliated to one of the youth organisations funded by my Department. In 2021, I have provided over €2.2 million under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme to the Education and Training Boards to support local youth clubs and groups. Small grants are provided to around 1,400 clubs annually. The 2021 scheme is currently underway and information on recipients is not available at this time.
I provided an increase of €5 million in funding for youth services in 2021, bringing the total youth funding from my Department to €66.8 million this year.
UBU Your Place Your Space
948. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to childcare providers that are unable to provide full hours service due to the pod system; if the pod system will be maintained when workers return to the office and the demand for childcare increases; when he expects the pod system to be phased out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30975/21]
View answerExpert guidance on the safe operation of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services during the COVID-19 pandemic was published by the HSE's Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) in May 2020 and has been updated on a number of occasions since then.
The guidance recommends use of the “play pod” model where children and their adult care givers play and learn together in a closed group. This model is used as an alternative to social distancing, which is not possible between young children. The purpose of ‘play-pods’ is to limit the number of people a child has contact with, to facilitate tracing, and to support close, positive interactions between children and their adult caregivers, like in a key-worker system. This system will also reduce the amount of contact adults have with each other.
My Department has ongoing engagement with the HSE and Department of Health in relation to the arrangements in place for ELC and SAC services operating during the pandemic. The advice from the public health experts is that as long as social distancing measures are in place, play-pods will be required in services.
It is the Department's view that most services should be able to comply with the HPSC guidance with little or no reduction in capacity or hours offered.
It must be noted that this Department is not the owner/employer of services; they are private businesses and specific decisions on whether, when and how to open (including operational hours) are a matter for the individual service provider. Services must examine, in the context of their own settings, how best to apply the guidance and how best to structure play-pods.
949. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 445 of 5 May 2021, the status of the preparation of the legislation to end the practice of conversion therapy given the commitment for same in the programme for Government; when the legislative proposal will be finalised and brought forward; the status of the work of the research subgroup of the inclusion strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31002/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, a commitment I strongly support. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland. The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022 commits to ensuring that the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.
The research subgroup of the Inclusion Strategy has now been established and met for the first time on 19 May. This meeting focused on the scoping paper that has been developed by my Department on the issue of conversion therapy, and the next steps in progressing commitments relating to researching and banning conversion therapy.
The subgroup is currently considering what further research is required in this area before legislative proposals can be brought forward by the Department of Health.
950. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 641 and 642 of 24 February 2021, if the correspondence between him and or his Department and the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner and the Commission of Investigation can now be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31118/21]
View answerI have asked officials from my Department to make arrangements to provide the Deputy with a copy of the relevant correspondence.
951. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all correspondence between him and or his Department and the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31119/21]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters was established on 17 February 2015 and dissolved in law on 28 February 2021. Throughout its 6 years of operation there was extensive correspondence between my Department and the independent Commission. This correspondence involves exchanges between myself, previous Ministers and multiple officials within my Department and the Commission, its legal and administrative staff.
The scope of the Deputy’s request includes correspondence in relation to diverse matters, including, but not limited to: the setup of the Commission; human resources and administrative arrangements; expenditure and financial governance; guidelines on legal and witness costs; the discovery of records; the submission of and responses to matters arising in interim and final reports, and transfer of the Commission's archive.
Due to the number of parties to this correspondence, these records are not compiled under the responsibility of one centralised area of my Department. Coupled with the additional complexities of remote working, the collation of all correspondence between my Department and the Commission of Investigation would therefore be a substantial undertaking.
Taking account of the volume of correspondence involved, it is not be possible for my Department to provide the information requested within the timescale available. However, I am eager to assist the Deputy in her query to the greatest extent possible.
If the Deputy could consider her request in light of the points made above, and narrow the scope of the nature of the correspondence she is seeking, my officials will endeavour to assist her as much as possible. My officials would also be happy to speak directly to the Deputy if that would assist in focusing the scope of the correspondence sought.
I would note, of course, that the timescale for responding in full to the request will depend on the volume of correspondence that may be sought.
