Written Answers Nos. 1002-1026
1002. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the subsidy under the affordable childcare scheme from €20 to €100 per child per week. [31663/21]
View answerThe introduction of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) was a landmark moment for making high quality childcare more affordable and accessible to families in Ireland.
The NCS is designed to be flexible and highly inclusive, and aims to meet the needs of those families who need it the most. The Scheme is based on the principle of progressive universalism and has regard to the best interests of children. The universal subsidy is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and not on family income levels.
It is assumed that the €20 referred to in the question refers to the maximum universal rate as it existed prior to Budget 20. The maximum universal subsidy has increased from €20 per week to €22.50 per week since September 2020.
The current cost of a universal subsidy is €0.50 per hour and this equates to a maximum of €22.50 per week per child. Increasing the universal subsidy to €100 per week for 45 hours would require a subsidy of €2.22 per hour and would increase the total scheme cost by approximately €65million per annum. This costing also includes the cost of applying €100 as a base rate for the income assessed subsidies.
These figures are calculated using a funding model of the NCS which is based on key assumptions around the preferences and behaviours of parents relating to working hours and childcare choice, rates of growth in demand, and certain metrics are extrapolated from available data. It is also based on a return to the expected growth levels which were estimated prior to the impact of Covid-19.
1003. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost if the State were to provide by way of direct payment to childcare providers the money necessary to fund sectorwide pay increases of the living wage amount of €12.30 per hour for current level 5 childcare staff working in the sector. [31667/21]
View answer1022. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost if the State was to provide the funding necessary to fund the sector such as pay increases to the living wage of €12.30 per hour for the current level 5 childcare staff working in the sector by way of direct payment to childcare providers. [31905/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1003 and 1022 together.
I am conscious of the need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in early learning and childcare 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.
As the State does not employ early learning and childcare practitioners, the Deputy will appreciate that my Department cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
Based on figures available from the Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile 2018/19, of approximately 26,000 staff working directly with children, it is estimated that 60% (or 15,600) are paid below €12.30 per hour and 40% (or 10,400) are paid €12.30 or more.
On this basis, it can be estimated that the annual cost of raising the wages of all early learning and care and school-age childcare practitioners to at least €12.30 per hour would be approximately €30 million. The additional cost to employers for this in terms of employer PRSI and holiday pay would be €6m, bringing the total cost to €36m.
My Department does not currently have a breakdown of this cost specifically for raising the wages for practitioners who hold a level 5 award as their highest qualification. It should be noted that a proportion of those working in the sector who have qualifications higher than level 5 (at levels 6, 7 and 8 on the National Framework of Qualifications) also earn less than €12.30 per hour. For example, while data from the 2018/19 Pobal Annual Early Years Sector Profile shows the average wage of practitioners with a level 6 qualification to be €12.63 per hour, the average wage for early years assistants working in non-ECCE rooms who have a Level 6 qualification was €11.18 per hour.
1004. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing funding for the access inclusion model by 15%. [31668/21]
View answerThe 2021 allocated budget for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is €48.33 million.
This funding covers the cost of the seven levels of AIM, which encompass a range of both universal and targeted measures. The majority of this funding, €29.5 million, is for Level 7 Additional Assistance. This Level 7 funding is intended to facilitate either the recruitment of additional staff or to compensate services for a reduction in the adult-to-child ratio in the pre-school room, supporting the meaningful participation of all children in the room in the ECCE universal pre-school programme.
A 15% increase in funding for the overall Access and Inclusion Model would cost an additional €7.25 million per annum, bringing the total budget allocation to €55.58 million per annum.
1005. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the higher and lower capitation grants by €5, €6, €7, €8, €9 and €10 per week for the early childhood care and education scheme in 2022 assuming it is introduced in September of the year and the full year cost. [31669/21]
View answerMy Department runs a number of Early Learning and Care schemes. The schemes are administered by Pobal on behalf of the DCEDIY.
€289.3m euro has been allocated to the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme in 2021.
The ECCE programme runs for 38 weeks each programme year. The standard capitation rate paid to providers is €69 per child, per week, and the higher capitation rate paid is €80.25 per child, per week. The programme currently provides 15 hours of free early learning and care per week.
The below table shows the financial impact of increasing the ECCE standard and higher capitation rates as per the question.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) funding is intrinsically linked to ECCE capitations and any increase in rates or durations for the ECCE programme will have an impact on associated AIM costs.
While AIM Levels 7 is awarded on a weekly basis (€210 per week), the underlying basis for this figure is the cost of ECCE capitation for 3 children. Where an increase in ECCE capitation is applied, there may be a case for a corresponding increase in AIM Level 7 costs. Initial estimates indicate that the programme will cost circa €30.8m in 2022 based on current AIM level 7 projected applications.
The table below captures the impacts of the outlined increases based on a pro rata and corresponding percentage increase would have to the estimated allocation for AIM Level 7 support costs in 2022.
1006. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated additional cost in 2022 of increasing the universal minimum subsidy across the affordable childcare scheme, assuming the minimum targeted subsidy is increased so as never to be below the universal subsidy, in 50 cent intervals up to an additional €4.50 reaching €5.00, assuming a start date of September; the estimated cost for a full year; and the estimated number of children who would benefit. [31670/21]
View answerThe introduction of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) was a landmark moment for making high quality childcare more affordable and accessible to families in Ireland. The objectives of the NCS are to improve outcomes for children, reduce poverty, have a positive impact on gender equality in relation to labour market participation, tangibly reduce the cost of childcare for thousands of families, and establish a sustainable platform for investment in the Irish childcare sector for decades to come.
The NCS entails a fundamental shift away from subsidies grounded in social protection entitlements, and towards a comprehensive and progressive system of universal and income-based subsidies. The universal subsidy is available to all families with children aged between 24 weeks and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme if later). The universal subsidy is based on the child’s age, and not on family income levels. Parents do not have to undergo an assessment to avail of this subsidy. The universal subsidy is currently provided at a rate of €0.50 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place up to a maximum of 45 hours a week.
As the universal subsidy is underpinned by age, an increase in the number of children availing of the subsidy is not associated to an increase of universal rate levels. However, in May 2021 the total number of unique children on the universal subsidy was almost 10,900 out of a total of 43,000 children in receipt of a subsidy under the NCS. The total number of children accessing the NCS is estimated to rise from September 2021 to 48,000 by the end of 2021. Approximately a quarter i.e. 12,000, of the total number of children will be in receipt of a universal subsidy.
|
Additional cost of increasing the Universal Subsidy |
|
|
50c* |
€11m |
|
€1 |
€18.2m |
|
€1.50 |
€37m |
|
€2 |
€56.6m |
|
€2.50 |
€77.1m |
|
€3 |
€98m |
|
€3.50 |
€120.5m |
|
€4 |
€143.5m |
|
€4.50 |
€167.4m |
|
€5 |
€192.1m |
*current universal subsidy
These figures are calculated using a funding model of the NCS which is based on key assumptions around the preferences and behaviours of parents relating to working hours and childcare choice, rates of growth in demand, and certain metrics are extrapolated from available data. It is also based on a return to the expected growth levels which were estimated prior to the impact of Covid-19.
My Department is fully committed to the success of the NCS in benefiting families across Ireland, and envisage its further growth in late 2021 as families make greater use of childcare services as we recover from the impact of Covid-19.
1007. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of the reinstatement of the childminding advisory service. [31672/21]
View answerThe National Childminding Initiative, which began in 2002, contained a number of strands to support childminders. One of the strands was the appointment of Childminding Advisory Officers, some of whom were employed by the HSE and some by City and County Childcare Committees. Their roles included offering information, support and training to childminders; maintaining the voluntary notification system; and administering other supports for childminders. The Childminding Advisory Officer posts were largely discontinued in 2012-2013 in the context of widespread budget cuts at that time.
In 2019 my Department put in place a National Childminding Coordinator, who is located within the Department, and 6 Childminding Development Officers, who are located within City and County Childcare Committees around the country and who have a regional remit. Their role is to prepare the childminding sector for the move towards wider regulation and in the immediate term to support childminders who are subject to the current regulations but are not yet registered with Tusla to meet Tusla registration requirements, thus enabling more childminders to take part in the National Childcare Scheme. The cost of these posts is €500,000 per annum, which includes costs for salaries, PRSI, travel and subsistence and overheads. The cost of expanding the team of Childminding Development Officers in order to have a Childminding Development Officer in each of the City/County Childcare Committees would be an additional €1.6 million approximately.
1008. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown in funding allocated under Vote 40 in the Revised Estimate for Budget 2021 for programme A: Children and Family Support expenditure, including current, capita and total voted expenditure in tabular form. [31674/21]
View answerAs set out in the Revised Estimate for Public Services 2021, budgetary estimates for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth broken down by programme and subhead into current and capital allocations are set out in the tables below.
Programme A - Children and Family Support Programme 2021 REV Estimate
|
Current |
Capital |
Total |
||
|
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
||
|
A.1 - |
Administration - Pay |
4,229 |
- |
4,229 |
|
A.2 - |
Administration - Non-Pay |
1,125 |
- |
1,125 |
|
A.3 - |
Child and Family Agency |
840,767 |
17,194 |
857,961 |
|
A.4 - |
Youth Justice - Including Oberstown |
|||
|
Children Detention Campus |
24,853 |
3,000 |
27,853 |
|
|
A.5 - |
Guardian Ad Litem Executive Office |
845 |
- |
845 |
|
A.6 - |
Child and Family Agency Covid Related Supports |
1 |
1 |
|
|
Programme Total:- |
871,820 |
20,194 |
892,014 |
|
|
of which pay:- |
329,469 |
329,469 |
1009. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown in funding allocated under Vote 40 in the Revised Estimate for budget 2021 for programme B: Sectoral programmes for Children and Young People expenditure, including current, capita and total voted expenditure in tabular form. [31675/21]
View answerAs set out in the Revised Estimate for Public Services 2021, budgetary estimates for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth broken down for Programme B by subhead into current and capital allocations are set out in the tables below.
1010. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown in funding allocated under Vote 40 in the Revised Estimate for budget 2021 for programme C: Policy and Legislative Programme expenditure, including current, capita and total voted expenditure in tabular form. [31676/21]
View answerAs set out in the Revised Estimate for Public Services 2021, budgetary estimates for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth broken down for Programme C by subhead into current and capital allocations are set out in the tables below.
1011. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown in funding allocated under Vote 40 in the Revised Estimate for budget 2021 for programme D: An equal and inclusive society expenditure, including current, capita and total voted expenditure in tabular form. [31677/21]
View answerAs set out in the Revised Estimate for Public Services 2021, budgetary estimates for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth broken down for Programme D by subhead into current and capital allocations are set out in the tables below.
Programme D - An Equal and Inclusive Society 2021 REV Estimate
|
- |
- |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
- |
- |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
D.1 - |
ADMINISTRATION - PAY …. |
1,186 |
- |
1,186 |
|
D.2 - |
ADMINISTRATION - NON-PAY …. |
213 |
- |
213 |
|
D.3 - |
NATIONAL DISABILITY AUTHORITY .... |
5,178 |
- |
5,178 |
|
D.4 - |
REFUGEE AND MIGRANT INTEGRATION …. |
7,700 |
- |
7,700 |
|
D.5 - |
GRANTS TO NATIONAL WOMEN'S ORGANISATSIONS …. |
556 |
- |
556 |
|
D.6 - |
TRAVELLER AND ROMA INITIATIVES …. |
4,925 |
- |
4,925 |
|
D.7 - |
POSITIVE ACTION FOR GENDER EQUALITY …. |
3,650 |
- |
3,650 |
|
D.8 - |
EQUALITY AND LGBTI INITIATIVES …. |
920 |
- |
920 |
|
D.9 - |
DECISION SUPPORT SERVICE …. |
5,800 |
- |
5,800 |
|
Programme Total:- |
30,128 |
- |
30,128 |
|
|
of which pay:- |
6,342 |
- |
6,342 |
1012. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown in funding allocated under Vote 40 in the Revised Estimate for budget 2021 for programme E: A Fair and efficient support system for international protection seekers expenditure, including current, capita and total voted expenditure in tabular form. [31678/21]
View answerAs set out in the Revised Estimate for Public Services 2021, budgetary estimates for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth broken down for Programme E by subhead into current and capital allocations are set out in the tables below.
Programme E - A Fair and Efficient Support System for International Protection Seekers 2021 REV Estimate
|
- |
- |
Current |
Capital |
Total |
|
- |
- |
€000 |
€000 |
€000 |
|
E.1 - |
ADMINISTRATION - PAY …. |
8,521 |
- |
8,521 |
|
E.2 - |
ADMINISTRATION - NON-PAY …. |
1,596 |
- |
1,596 |
|
E.3 - |
ASYLUM MIGRATION AND INTEGRATION FUND …. |
1,386 |
- |
1,386 |
|
E.4 - |
INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION SEEKERS ACCOMMODATION …. |
218,000 |
- |
218,000 |
|
Programme Total:- |
229,503 |
- |
229,503 |
|
|
of which pay:- |
8,521 |
- |
8,521 |
1013. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps taken by Tusla to put a service level agreement in place with a service provider (details supplied); the rationale for a service level agreement not being in place in the first instance upon engaging the service provider; and if this shortcoming was brought to his attention or that of his predecessor. [31723/21]
View answerIn 2019, the previous Minister received correspondence from an individual advising that a service level agreement was not in place between Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and a named service provider.
My Department plays no role in Tusla's commissioning processes, which are operational matters for Tusla. Similarly, any decisions with regard to service level agreements with third parties are a matter for Tusla. Accordingly, I have referred the question to Tusla for direct response to the Deputy.
In the context of the recent cyber attack on the HSE, which provides ICT services to Tusla, the Deputy will understand that any reply on this matter will be delayed. Tusla will be able to advise the Deputy of this matter, when operationally possible.
1014. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of expenditure spent on advertising the public notice entitled Mother and Baby Home Records published on his Department’s website on 27 May 2021 (details supplied). [31726/21]
View answerFollowing the dissolution of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, my Department became the data controller for all the personal data contained in the records and databases that transferred from the Commission.
My Department is responsible for protecting and fulfilling important rights of the individuals who are identified, or identifiable, in the Mother and Baby Homes records. These rights are recognised in the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) of the European Union.
As a data controller, and as part my commitment to fulfilling data protection rights of individuals, my Department progressed a media campaign to invite those who may be identifiable in these records to provide up to date contact details in the light of the historic nature of the records. This will enable my Department to make contact with these individuals, should their data be included in records requested under GDPR.
The total cost of this campaign inclusive of VAT was €187,270.75.
1015. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will launch an advertising campaign explaining the way to make a subject access request to his Department. [31727/21]
View answerMy Department has no plans to launch an advertising campaign in relation to making Subject Access Requests (SARs) concerning records transferred to the Department from the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation. Information relevant to making a SAR is available on the Department's website. The webpage also includes a detailed guide to making a SAR that provides responses to Frequently Asked Questions. The guide includes information on the different means available to make a SAR such as by email, post or other means.
In addition, my Department also operates a dedicated telephone information line which provides information to callers on procedures for making a SAR in respect of records relating to the Mother and Baby Home Commission of Investigation.
1016. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent by his Department and the commission on advertising the mother and baby homes commission of investigation outside Ireland. [31728/21]
View answer1017. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent by his Department and the commission on advertising the investigation committee of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation. [31729/21]
View answer1018. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent by his Department and the commission on advertising the confidential committee of the mother and baby homes commission of investigation. [31730/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1016 to 1018, inclusive, together.
In responding to the Deputy's questions, it is important to firstly acknowledge that the establishment of a Commission of Investigation into public concerns relating to mother and baby homes was the subject of extensive debate in the Oireachtas with accompanying widespread national and international media interest. The public's engagement in these matters was further informed by comprehensive print, broadcast and on-line media coverage of the arrangements for the Commission. The subsequent activities of the Commission of Investigation garnered substantial media attention throughout its 6 years of operation. I make this initial point in recognition of the fact that communication is much broader than the amount spent on commercial advertising and media campaigns.
In accordance with the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, it must be recognised that the statutory Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was independent in the conduct of its investigations. As such, I had no role in the operational decisions of the Commission in the discharge of its functions, which included public communications of the arrangements for engagement with the Commission and its Confidential Committee.
The Commission was provided with a delegated sanction to directly recruit the staff, experts and specialist personnel it deemed necessary. Appropriate funding was allocated annually to support salaries, professional fees and other operational costs relating to the work of the Commission and its engagement with former residents and other witnesses. The Commission established a website which it used to publicise its contact details, provide updates and other relevant information.
Those who contributed to the investigation did so by appearing before the Commissioners, either voluntarily or by direction of the Commission, or by providing accounts of their experience on a wholly voluntary basis to the Confidential Committee, which was specifically set up to hear from survivors as informally as possible in the circumstances. It is evident from the Commission's final report that many individuals living outside the jurisdiction contributed to its work.
My Department has always been cognisant of the intense public interest in this deeply sensitive inquiry, and fulfilled its role by publishing the reports submitted by the Commission and publicising the separate activities designed to engage directly with survivors while the independent inquiry was on-going. My Department did this through our website, social media platforms, and latterly through the development of a mailing list to facilitate email communication directly to those who provided their contact details to the Department.
The Commission's repeated calls for persons with relevant information to come forward during the course of the inquiry were endorsed by the Department and Ministers. Myself, and previous Ministers for Children and Youth Affairs, regularly made statements and addressed questions in the Oireachtas and through national media. There was no cost attached to these consistent efforts to actively encourage those who had relevant information to contact the Commission directly.
The Commission was dissolved in law on the 28 February 2021. The expenditure information in the table below was provided by the Commission as part of its payment authorisation for expenditure on advertising and media.
|
Date |
Description |
Amount |
|
June 2015 |
Making of radio advertisement |
€30,529.83 |
|
June/July 2015 |
Print Media Campaign |
€29,907.61 |
|
June 2016 |
Radio Advertising Campaign |
€26,754.25 |
|
Sept 2016 |
Print Advert Newspaper |
€37,724.22 |
|
Sept 2016 |
Radio Advertising Campaign |
€27,515.10 |
|
Nov 2016 |
Print Advert Newspaper |
€32,773.01 |
|
Feb 2017 |
Radio Advertising Campaign |
€25,431.05 |
|
Feb 2017 |
Radio Advertising Campaign |
€386.65 |
|
Feb 2017 |
Credit Note Print Advert Newspapers |
-€193.02 |
|
Feb 2017 |
Print Advert Newspapers |
€32,773.01 |
|
Feb 2018 |
Radio Advertising Campaign |
€46,160.49 |
|
Feb 2018 |
Radio Advertising Campaign |
€36,952.85 |
|
Feb 2021 |
Media Advertising Campaign |
€50,721.30 |
|
Total |
€377,436.35 |
1019. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent on advertising for the consultation process on the development of the restorative recognition scheme. [31731/21]
View answerAs part of its response to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes (and Certain Related Matters), the Government has committed to establishing a Restorative Recognition Scheme for survivors of Mother and Baby and County Home institutions. This scheme will include a restorative recognition payment and a form of enhanced medical card.
An Interdepartmental Group (IDG) was established to develop detailed proposals for the Restorative Recognition Scheme, which must then be brought to Government for approval. To support and inform the work of the IDG, a public consultation process took place during March and April. This public consultation was undertaken by OAK Conflict Dynamics ('OAK') on behalf of my Department. The input from survivors to that consultation is invaluable in order to develop a scheme that will have their needs at its core.
My Department spent approximately €161,700 excluding VAT in March 2021 on advertising and publicity costs associated with the public consultation for the Restorative Recognition Scheme.
This included €154,656 excluding VAT on publicising the call for submissions in local and national Irish newspapers (including Northern Ireland) and on various social media platforms via our contracted media agency, Mindshare Limited. Additionally, an amount of €4,558 excluding VAT was paid to Kick Communications for typesetting and artwork for the print advertisement.
A further sum of £1,750.00 excluding VAT was spent via Embassy London for advertisements in two newspapers targeting the Irish community in the UK and $550 was spent via the Embassy Washington for advertisements in US based Irish Community newspapers
I was delighted with the strong response to the consultation process. Approximately 450 written submissions were received and 17 online meetings were held to meet demand. 'OAK' submitted their final report on the consultation process to the IDG on 17th May.
The work of the IDG is almost complete and they will deliver their report to me very soon. Following this, I will submit recommendations to Government for a decision on the Scheme.
1020. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount spent on advertising to consult adopted persons, survivors, natural mothers and relatives on the general scheme of the birth information and tracing Bill 2021. [31732/21]
View answerI published the General Scheme and Heads of Bill of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill on the 11th May 2021, including a press release, and frequently asked questions document. I am engaging extensively in a consultation process with stakeholders, including a bespoke consultation with those affected by illegal birth registration. I am grateful to all those who have given of their time to this consultation process and I welcome all observations on the Bill. While consulting intensively with all interested parties, I have not utilised any budget on advertising to date.
I also note that the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has invited submissions on the proposed legislation. I greatly look forward to participating in the pre-legislative scrutiny process and to hearing the views put forward by stakeholders.
It is also my intention, as set out in the Heads of Bill, to engage in a public awareness campaign on the enactment of the legislation. This public awareness campaign will run over a three-month period initially during which it will be advertised nationally and internationally. The purpose of this campaign will be to inform affected persons of the changes brought about by this legislation and of their rights under this legislation.
1021. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when his Department will publish legislative proposals for paid leave relating to domestic violence as agreed on 8 December 2020. [31845/21]
View answerSince its formation, this Government has made clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a key priority. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence with a view to establishing a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave. My Department is currently examining the feasibility of introducing such proposals and has committed to developing a report to Government before the Dail rises for the summer break.
As the Deputy is aware, the issue of domestic violence leave is currently being studied by officials in my Department, including the examination of domestic violence leave at international level, the identification of best practice and the development of a suitable model for rollout in Ireland. The outcome of this work will inform policy development and proposals in this area.
My Department has engaged in a targeted consultation process with relevant stakeholders and social partners to examine how a scheme of paid leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively, including with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions and with stakeholders of the national Equality Strategy Committees falling under my Department’s remit. Written submissions were invited from relevant stakeholders and these submissions are currently being examined.
It is anticipated that the report, including the output of the consultation process, will be brought to Government before the Dail rises for the summer break.
1023. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if staff salaries represent 70% of the cost of the childcare sector; his views on whether this is 70% of providers costs; and if not, if it is 70% of all costs including costs that are covered by the State funding. [31907/21]
View answerThe Review of the Cost of Providing Quality Childcare Services in Ireland was published in November 2020 and provided analysis of the costs of providing childcare and the factors that impact on these costs. Data for the Review was captured in a survey on income and costs administered to centre-based providers in 2018 and breaks down key cost components for providers.
The Review found that payroll accounts for an average of 70% of all overall costs incurred by services. Utilities and overheads account for 7% on average, with premises costs accounting for 6% on average. The remainder of costs include materials and equipment, consumables,professional and bank fees and other costs. There was some variation by service type in the proportion of costs that pay accounts for; payroll accounted for 68% of costs for private providers, and 78% for community providers.
The report also provides analysis of the proportion of income that services receive from public funding and parental fees. The study found that State funding accounted for, on average, 60% of all overall service income, with the remainder coming from parental fees. Data from the report also indicates that for over 70% of services, 30% or less of their income comes from parental fees. Reliance on parental fees can vary considerably across service types.
The full report and survey are available here: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/1fbfe-crowe-report-review-of-the-cost-of-providing-quality-childcare-services-in-ireland-march-2020/
A new Survey on Income and Costs is currently being administered by Pobal alongside the 2020/2021 Annual Early Years Service Profile. This will provide up to date data on income and costs to services, and is also intended to inform the development of policy and funding schemes in the future as well as the Expert Group which is working to develop a new funding model for ELC and SAC.
1024. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown including early childhood care and education, ECCE pay and non-pay, the access and inclusion model and so on of the €334.500 million provided for ECCE and AIM preschool in line B.3 of the revised estimate for 2021. [31908/21]
View answerMy Department operates a number of early learning and school-age childcare funding schemes. These schemes are administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department.
The allocation under the B3 subhead for 2021 amounts to €334.5m. This subhead provides funding for three programmes.
- Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE)
- Access and Inclusion Model (AIM)
- Programme Support Payments (PSPs)
Given the nature of the scheme, ECCE does not incorporate a pay/non-pay split.
The table below shows the 2021 allocation for each of the abovementioned schemes.
|
Scheme |
Allocation (€m) |
|
ECCE |
€ 289.3 |
|
AIM |
€ 35.0 |
|
PSPs |
€ 10.2 |
|
Total |
€ 334.5 |
1025. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding allocated in 2021 to the asylum and migration integration fund; the amount spent to date; and the breakdown of the allocation of this expenditure to date. [32013/21]
View answerThere were no new amounts allocated under AMIF in 2021, because calls for funding under AMIF are not conducted annually. There was a call for funding in 2016, and one in 2019. The next call for submissions under AMIF is due to open in late 2021, with payments flowing to successful applicants in 2022.
Please see below a table detailing the amounts paid out under AMIF in 2021 to successful applicants from the 2016 and 2019 calls, and some details as to the purpose of the payment. The total amount spent to date in 2021 is €1,190,238.
*Note that, in some cases, the date refers to when the payment request was sent for payment and not necessarily when it was paid.
1026. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans for his Department to develop an awareness campaign promoting the benefits of employing disabled persons to employers, the wider community and disabled persons themselves; if such a consideration has been given; and if there is an indication as to the potential cost. [32032/21]
View answerWork is ongoing on planning a public awareness campaign that would set out the benefits to employers of employing people with disabilities. It has been undertaken within the framework of the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 (CES), which is a cross-government strategy to address the barriers and challenges to employment of people with disabilities.
Dormant Accounts funding was secured by the Department of Justice and Equality in 2020 to progress this action. However, it was put on hold because of the disruption to the labour market arising from COVID-19. The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth secured transfer of the Dormant Accounts funding into 2021 and is considering how to advance this campaign once labour market conditions permit.
However an important and key element of the campaign was advanced in 2020 and 2021.
The Open Doors Initiative was grant funded (€150,000) to establish the Employers for Change service. This service is aimed at employers and it provides the following:
- An information and advice phone and online service for employers.
- Expert, direct advice, signposting and guidance tailored to the needs of employers on issues relating the employment of people with disabilities.
- The creation of a new engaging and fully accessible website containing relevant information and links to support employers.
- Creation of advice, resources, research, toolkits and media materials addressing specific areas of need for employers.
- Delivering and designing expert led seminars on relevant issues (assistive technology, reasonable accommodation, hiring and retention of staff etc.).
- Engaging with relevant fora and networks to promote the service.
Employers for Change was officially launched by the Taoiseach in March 2021 and has had an immediate and positive effect – engaging employers and key stakeholders both by active outreach and by responding to specific queries brought be employers. Employers for Change recently issued its mid-year report and presented its progress to the June meeting of the CES Implementation Group.
