Written Answers Nos. 253-263
253. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals he has to improve childcare provision under the national childcare scheme for children whose parents are not working or in education or training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44414/21]
View answerI am strongly committed to the improvement of childcare provision in Ireland under the National Childcare Scheme. This commitment to improvement is underpinned by the current review which gives specific attention to children whose parents are not working or in education or training.
The basis for the design of the National Childcare Scheme is provided in the 2016 Policy Paper on the Development of the Single Affordable Childcare Scheme. This informed the Childcare Support Act which was debated and progressed through both Houses of the Oireachtas in 2018.
Better outcomes for children is the primary objective both in the 2016 policy paper and the scheme design. The schemes objectives are to promote (i) a reduction in child poverty, (ii) positive child development outcomes, (iii) labour market activation and (iv) improved quality. These objectives are inherently interrelated and sustain each other.
The policy was informed by national and international evidence and advocacy on measures to prevent poverty (including inter-generational poverty). The policy sought to strike the right balance between enabling early learning and care services or indeed school age childcare services, to meet the needs of children in terms of their positive development and tackling a significant contributor to poverty and poorer outcomes for children of non-work households.
There is strong evidence that growing up in poverty has negative impacts on child outcomes. For example, according to the ESRI study Understanding Childhood Deprivation in Ireland (Watson et al., 2012), the longer-term impacts of poverty among children include lower levels of educational achievement, emotional and behavioural problems, and poorer health outcomes.
The research evidence suggests that parental employment is a key factor in protecting children from poverty and deprivation. The ESRI / Watson study concluded that parental unemployment is a significant risk factor in determining deprivation rates among children, with particularly high deprivation rates where a parent has never worked, or in lone parent households, or where the mother has no educational qualifications.
Childcare costs in Ireland (prior to the NCS) have been found to be a significant factor in contributing to low levels of participation in employment, education and training for mothers, particularly for lone parents. The NCS makes childcare much more affordable, and in some instances free to parents.
The NCS policy paper highlighted the dangers of poverty traps in childcare schemes, particularly where there is a risk of steep rises in childcare costs where a parent returns to work. Such traps undermine the incentive to take-up or increase employment. Therefore the NCS was designed to counteract this disincentive effect, through a smooth taper rate across the income assessed subsidies, and also through a transition from unemployment to work/study which increases the number of hours available.
Research by Melhuish et al. (2015) and Sylva et al (2004), in the NCS policy paper indicates that positive children’s outcomes are for the most part met through part-time participation. This research has been used internationally in the design of various interventions. (DCEDIY is extremely grateful to have one of those authors, Prof Melhuish from Oxford University, on the Funding Model Expert Group.)
Melhuish and Sylva's research points to the fact that young children do not need to be in early learning and care for full time hours to meet their child development needs. As such, many schemes around the world are based on 15 to 20 hours per week. In Ireland's case, the State is now providing two years of free pre-school to all children before they start school for 15 hours per week. The NCS provides 20 hours of subsidised early learning and care per week where a parent is available at home, for children aged from six months, or 20 hours of school age childcare in non- term/ non ECCE time.
The OECD’s 2017 study Faces of Joblessness in Ireland, which included an ex ante analysis of the impact of the National Childcare Scheme, stressed the impact of work incentives on joblessness. It reported positively on the likely impact of the NCS.
Households on incomes of less than €26,000 NET can access full subsidies of up to €225 per child, per week, covering up to 45 hours week. To access 45 hours rather than 20 hours, the parent must be in some type of employment or be engaged in training. The definition of work or study is broad, covering all forms of work or study arrangements: full-time, part-time, week-on/week-off and zero hour contracts. Moreover, the minimum hours required to engage in work or study to qualify for up to 45 hours per week is very low – at just two hours per week. In this way, the NCS encourages parents to exit poverty and deliver better outcomes for their children.
For children living in exceptional circumstances of disadvantage or need, the NCS sponsorship arrangement is designed so that they can access free early learning and care or school age childcare for longer or full time hours where required.
The DCEDIY is committed to keeping the scheme under review and to assess whether it is meeting its objectives. I have contracted Frontier Economics to undertake a review of the National Childcare Scheme in line with Section 26 of the Childcare Support Act.
In conducting this review, I asked the consultant to give consideration to NCS and the application of a work-study test, which determines the number of subsidised hours of early learning and childcare a child may be eligible for under the Scheme.
This work is due to be finalised in the final quarter of this year and will inform in an evidence based manner the future development of the scheme.
254. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will engage with the ECCE scheme service providers regarding the need to ensure that children who are not toilet trained will be allowed attend their crèches; if he will ensure that crèches have sufficient funding and resources to ensure that staff have time to take children out of the room to change nappies and also to install nappy changing facilities in crèches; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44420/21]
View answerPre-school services are governed by Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 and by the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.
The minimum adult: child ratios for services providing full day care, part-time care and sessional care are set out in the these Regulations. The minimum ratio for children availing of sessional pre-school services in the age category 2.5 years to 6 years is 1 adult to every 11 children.
The responsibilities of a person carrying on a pre-school are also set out the existing Regulations. These stipulate that, inter alia;
‘A registered provider shall, in providing a pre-school service, ensure that—
(a) each child’s learning, development and well-being is facilitated within the daily life of the pre-school service through the provision of the appropriate activities, interaction, materials and equipment, having regard to the age and stage of development of the child, and
(b) appropriate and suitable care practices are in place in the pre-school service, having regard to the number of children attending the service and the nature of their needs.
The universal ECCE pre-school programme is available to all children. Children who have turned 2 years and 8 months before September in a given programme year are eligible to enrol. More than 100,000 children – or 96% of the eligible cohort – enrol in this programme each year.
Toilet training and nappy changing facilities have not emerged as major issues for pre-school services delivering the programme or for children accessing the programme.
First 5, the whole of Government Strategy commits to undertake a review of the ECCE programme and, subject to findings, consider the need to make changes to the programme. This review will provide an opportunity to explore a range of issues, including these issues raised by the Deputy. A request for tender to undertake this review will issue shortly.
If there is an individual instance where a family has been unable to secure an ECCE place, the family should be directed to the local CCC who will provide all available supports and can liaise with a provider where necessary. A list of CCCs and contact details is available at myccc.ie.
255. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the expenditure under the Human Capital Initiative for each year for which it has been in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44296/21]
View answerThe Human Capital Initiative (HCI) was announced as part of Budget 2019. The HCI provides additional capacity across the Higher Education Sector to meet priority skill needs for enterprise, representing an additional investment of €300m (€60m per annum from 2020 to 2024) from the surplus in the NTF in line with recommendations contained in the independent review of the NTF on the use of the surplus and the development of labour market skills.
The Initiative forms a key part of the strategic response to a changing world of work and the challenges the economy will face in the period ahead. With a strong focus on innovation and agility, the programmes being supported will ensure that graduates and the education system as a whole, are in a position to respond positively to the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The HCI consists of 3 main pillars - graduate conversion and specialisation courses, additional places on undergraduate provision, and an innovation and agility fund.
HCI Pillar 1, Graduate Conversion Programmes was launched on 17th June 2020, providing 5,891 places on 93 courses over three years. These courses are one year, full time conversion courses at levels 8 and 9, in areas of identified skills need, building on experience of the ICT Conversion Courses under Springboard+. The courses can be applied for through www.springboardcourses.ie in the same manner as Springboard+ courses.
HCI Pillar 2, additional places on undergraduate provision address identified key areas of enterprise skills needs including, but not limited to, Science, Engineering, ICT, and Professional Construction qualifications. Places will be provided through increased and incentivised provision in full time undergraduate provision. 3,000 new places on 138 full-time undergraduate courses in 22 higher education institutions were funded for autumn 2020 and 2021. A further 1,101 places on 1 and 2 year ICT graduate conversion courses are on offer under the Springboard+ 2021 initiative to commence in 2021/22 academic year.
HCI Pillar 3, Innovation and Agility has two key areas of focus – innovation in modes and methods of delivery and an agility fund. It aims to ensure that courses in areas of skills needs demonstrate innovative methods of teaching and delivery, which will include flexibility in course provision. HCI Pillar 3 will deliver 22 projects in higher education institutions, 17 of which involve collaborations between institutions. The projects include the use of virtual laboratories in higher education, a new hub to upskill the building sector on green construction, and the establishment of Creative Futures Academy to support digital and screen culture, cinema, literature and broadcasting, art, design, and fashion. €10m was reallocated to July stimulus from Pillar 3 in 2020 to Springboard plus and HCI Pillar 1.
The HCI commenced a five-year funding programme in 2020. The table below gives the 2020 expenditure and the 2021-2024 budget.
|
Pillar €m |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
|
Pillar 1 |
|
€13.12 |
€13.12 |
€13.12 |
€13.12 |
|
Pillar 2 |
|
€5.50 |
€5.50 |
€5.50 |
€1.75 |
|
Pillar 3 |
|
€40.18 |
€40.18 |
€40.18 |
€43.93 |
|
Admin |
|
€1.20 |
€1.20 |
€1.20 |
€1.20 |
|
Total Budget |
€47 (Actual) |
€60 |
€60 |
€60 |
€60 |
Further breakdowns on the actual spend from 2020 will follow.
256. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of funding spent on private colleges for each year of the Human Capital Initiative in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44297/21]
View answerThe Human Capital Initiative (HCI) was announced as part of Budget 2019. The HCI provides additional capacity across the Higher Education Sector to meet priority skill needs for enterprise, representing an additional investment of €300m (€60m per annum from 2020 to 2024) from the surplus in the NTF in line with recommendations contained in the independent review of the NTF on the use of the surplus and the development of labour market skills.
The HCI consists of 3 main pillars - graduate conversion and specialisation courses, additional places on undergraduate provision, and an innovation and agility fund.
HCI Pillar 1, Graduate Conversion Programmes was launched on 17th June 2020, providing 5,891 places on 93 courses over three years. These courses are one year, full time conversion courses at levels 8 and 9, in areas of identified skills need, building on experience of the ICT Conversion Courses under Springboard+. The courses can be applied for through www.springboardcourses.ie in the same manner as Springboard+ courses.
HCI Pillar 2, additional places on undergraduate provision address identified key areas of enterprise skills needs including, but not limited to, Science, Engineering, ICT, and Professional Construction qualifications. Places will be provided through increased and incentivised provision in full time undergraduate provision. 3,000 new places on 138 full-time undergraduate courses in 22 higher education institutions were funded for autumn 2020 and 2021. A further 1,101 places on 1 and 2 year ICT graduate conversion courses are on offer under the Springboard+ 2021 initiative to commence in 2021/22 academic year.
HCI Pillar 3, Innovation and Agility has two key areas of focus – innovation in modes and methods of delivery and an agility fund. It aims to ensure that courses in areas of skills needs demonstrate innovative methods of teaching and delivery, which will include flexibility in course provision. HCI Pillar 3 will deliver 22 projects in higher education institutions, 17 of which involve collaborations between institutions. The projects include the use of virtual laboratories in higher education, a new hub to upskill the building sector on green construction, and the establishment of Creative Futures Academy to support digital and screen culture, cinema, literature and broadcasting, art, design, and fashion. €10m was reallocated to July stimulus from Pillar 3 in 2020 to Springboard plus and HCI Pillar 1.
The Human Capital Initiative (HCI) commenced a five-year funding programme in 2020. The table below gives the 2020 expenditure by private higher education institutions and the 2021-2024 estimated expenditure by private higher education institutions.
|
HCI - Private Institution Expenditure |
2020 (actual) |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
Total |
|
Pillar 1 |
€4,196,903 |
€2,503,020 |
€3,288,400 |
€0 |
€0 |
€9,988,323 |
|
Pillar 2 |
€81,875 |
€363,125 |
€380,000 |
€380,000 |
€315,000 |
€1,520,000 |
|
Pillar 3 |
€1,273,828 |
€1,602,902 |
€1,602,902 |
€1,602,902 |
€1,752,552 |
€7,835,086 |
|
Total (actual and predicted) |
€5,552,606 |
€4,469,047 |
€5,271,302 |
€1,982,902 |
€2,067,552 |
€19,343,409 |
257. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will ensure that all staff in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit who, by necessity of their work have to come into close proximity with others, including other employees or members of the public are provided with medical grade masks in the EN14683 category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44375/21]
View answerThe safety and welfare of employees and the minimisation of the impact of COVID-19 in the workplace are important principles in the management of COVID-19.
The Government published the ‘Work Safely Protocol’ in November 2020. It incorporates advice and guidance on the public health measures needed to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace as issued by National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET), the Department of Health and the Government. It advises on the measures required in every place of work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and the ongoing safe operation of those workplaces. The Public Health advice includes information on the management and control of outbreaks, selection of hand sanitisers, wearing of masks, and ventilation of workplaces.
My Department is following the central guidance that is in place across the public sector. At present, under that guidance, the wearing of face coverings is not mandatory in office environments. However, the guidance suggests that employees should consider wearing face coverings in places or situations where it may be difficult to achieve or maintain 2m physical/social distancing. I can confirm that, if required, medical grade masks may be provided to staff in my Department whose work involves them interacting with customers/others where the physical distance of 2m cannot be maintained.
Contact details for the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with her query.
258. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science when apprenticeship off-the-job training will return to full capacity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44386/21]
View answerCraft apprenticeship training has been adversely impacted by the pandemic, with training centres that provide the practical training to apprentices in their off-the-job phase closed for significant periods of time to adhere to public health guidance. When centres were allowed to reopen they did so only at 50-60% capacity due to social distancing measures which have been in place.
However as we begin to reopen society safely the apprenticeship system can start to return to 100% operational capacity. This is seen in the plans for the month of September, whereby almost 3,000 apprentices have been scheduled to commence their off-the-job phase as we return to full capacity for the first time since March 2020. Classes in October and onwards will continue to be scheduled at full capacity, subject to local conditions and prevailing public health advice.
259. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 822 of 9 September 2021, the average duration of time it takes to complete each type of apprenticeship in practice rather than the intended duration in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44387/21]
View answerThat attached table represents an analysis of 2,484 apprentices who have qualified in their craft apprenticeship over the past five years, by reviewing start and end dates. The average duration is provided by programme, with the exception of the Electronic Security Systems programme as this programme has a substantial number of apprentices who, because of their industry experience, have been through a process of recognition of prior learning (RPL). As a result they often start at phase 6 of the programme and this consequently means they have a much lower duration on average (c2.5 years). Note that some programmes have a slightly lower than 4 year duration on average but this is due to the fact that some apprentices have received time exemptions as part of their apprenticeship, thus reducing the duration overall.
The figures are an analysis of apprentices who have qualified. As the Deputy is aware, there is currently a backlog in accessing off-the-job training for a number of craft apprenticeships which will increase average programme duration for the current cohort of craft apprentices. Work is ongoing on addressing the backlogs, including providing a permanent increase in system capacity and also in providing targeted responses to increase off-the-job training places until all waiting lists have been addressed.
|
Trade |
Average Duration in Years |
|
AGRICULTURAL MECHANICS |
3.87 |
|
AIRCRAFT MECHANICS |
4.08 |
|
BRICK AND STONELAYING |
4.22 |
|
CARPENTRY AND JOINERY |
4.18 |
|
CONSTRUCTION PLANT FITTING |
4.11 |
|
ELECTRICAL |
4.17 |
|
ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTATION |
4.29 |
|
FARRIERY |
4.21 |
|
HEAVY VEHICLE MECHANICS |
4.08 |
|
INDUSTRIAL INSULATION |
4.03 |
|
INSTRUMENTATION |
3.97 |
|
M.A.M.F. |
4.07 |
|
METAL FABRICATION |
4.26 |
|
MOTOR MECHANICS |
4.14 |
|
PAINTING AND DECORATING |
4.13 |
|
PIPEFITTING |
4.20 |
|
PLASTERING |
4.25 |
|
PLUMBING |
4.12 |
|
REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING |
4.12 |
|
SHEET METALWORKING |
4.23 |
|
STONECUTTING AND STONEMASONRY |
4.15 |
|
TOOLMAKING |
4.08 |
|
VEHICLE BODY REPAIRS |
4.13 |
|
WOOD MANUFACTURING AND FINISHING |
4.16 |
260. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount of direct Government and indirect Government research capital funding received by each higher education institution since 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44388/21]
View answerThe requested information is drawn from the Higher Education Research & Development (HERD) survey, The survey is conducted every two years within higher education institutions and measures expenditure and human resources devoted to research and development work in the higher education sector.
The coverage includes all academic departments in seven Universities, fourteen Institutes of technology, as well as the Royal College of Surgeons and Mary Immaculate College.
The two tables below list the amount of direct Government and indirect Government funding for each higher education institution. The Indirect funding source data is calculated as a function of the total recurrent grant and the time-use data of the permanent academic staff.
Direct Funding (€'000)
|
|
2012 |
2014 |
2016 |
2018 |
|
AIT |
2,069 |
2,346 |
2,324 |
3,547 |
|
CIT |
8,293 |
7,037 |
6,678 |
7,571 |
|
DCU |
26,562 |
27,795 |
27,304 |
21,595 |
|
DIT |
7,984 |
5,631 |
7,354 |
- |
|
DKIT |
3,059 |
3,059 |
1,827 |
1,633 |
|
GMIT |
676 |
1,100 |
1,501 |
2,602 |
|
IADT |
460 |
217 |
172 |
98 |
|
IT Carlow |
428 |
534 |
1,094 |
1,476 |
|
IT Sligo |
551 |
751 |
754 |
2,719 |
|
IT Tallaght |
1,575 |
1,621 |
1,189 |
- |
|
IT Tralee |
1,146 |
876 |
1,601 |
1,795 |
|
IT Blanchardstown |
873 |
790 |
690 |
- |
|
LIT |
1,521 |
1,183 |
698 |
760 |
|
LYIT |
733 |
677 |
489 |
406 |
|
MIC |
317 |
146 |
588 |
412 |
|
MU |
16,019 |
12,992 |
22,015 |
23,720 |
|
NUIG |
73,072 |
39,008 |
34,870 |
50,089 |
|
RCSI |
12,020 |
11,667 |
12,395 |
13,589 |
|
Saint Patrick College |
1,368 |
1,382 |
- |
- |
|
TCD |
58,703 |
61,328 |
66,841 |
65,678 |
|
TU Dublin |
- |
- |
- |
7,469 |
|
UCC |
60,870 |
76,825 |
70,531 |
72,837 |
|
UCD |
58,356 |
53,495 |
51,184 |
52,664 |
|
UL |
19,373 |
30,936 |
30,118 |
27,575 |
|
WIT |
7,974 |
8,567 |
7,167 |
5,993 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
364,001 |
349,964 |
349,382 |
364,228 |
Indirect Funding (€'000)
|
|
2012 |
2014 |
2016 |
2018 |
|
AIT |
- |
103 |
- |
- |
|
CIT |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
DCU |
18,095 |
19,900 |
25,872 |
29,378 |
|
DIT |
24,231 |
23,622 |
26,532 |
- |
|
DKIT |
790 |
1,297 |
- |
2,577 |
|
GMIT |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IADT |
- |
- |
36 |
683 |
|
IT Carlow |
- |
- |
- |
141 |
|
IT Sligo |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IT Tallaght |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IT Tralee |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
IT Blanchardstown |
- |
1,133 |
1,265 |
- |
|
LIT |
- |
577 |
1,362 |
1,336 |
|
LYIT |
- |
|
|
1,581 |
|
MIC |
- |
2,087 |
2,133 |
3,353 |
|
MU |
9,606 |
11,145 |
14,084 |
16,038 |
|
NUIG |
32,766 |
37,789 |
27,265 |
50,783 |
|
RCSI |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Saint Patrick College |
1,755 |
1,774 |
- |
- |
|
TCD |
21,028 |
28,226 |
38,279 |
48,787 |
|
TU Dublin |
- |
- |
- |
48,167 |
|
UCC |
6,771 |
14,990 |
5,523 |
8,167 |
|
UCD |
40,256 |
46,405 |
55,893 |
61,917 |
|
UL |
18,238 |
27,867 |
31,677 |
35,337 |
|
WIT |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
173,535 |
216,915 |
229,920 |
308,245 |
261. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if she plans to legislate for the adoption of family-friendly measures in the Office of Wards of Court for its dealings with minors in view of the ongoing implementation of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; and if such measures will be provided for in the unpublished Family Court Bill. [44335/21]
View answerThe High Court has jurisdiction in wards of court matters and management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions under the Courts Service Act 1998.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made with the Courts Service who inform me that the Wards of Court Office operates family friendly measures with respect to minors. Each minor is assigned a case officer who liaises with the court appointed guardian. The case officer meets with the guardian to work through any requirements and provide assistance in terms of accommodation, care, health needs and access to services. The case officer in the Wards of Court Office also liaises directly with a case manager, overseeing the care of the minor on behalf of the guardian or parents, where one is appointed.
I am further informed that the Wards of Court Office is cognisant of difficulties that can be encountered by the guardians of minor wards of court and always strives to ensure that they are dealt with sensitively with the minor's wellbeing at the centre of all considerations.
The Courts Service advises that in a small number of cases, the General Solicitor is appointed as guardian of a minor by the court and the Wards of Court Office deals directly with the Office of the General Solicitor in those circumstances. The Office of the General Solicitor will liaise with the next of kin or care provider of the minor.
Any concerns that a guardian has in relation to their dealings with the Wards of Court Office can also be addressed to the Registrar of Wards of Court or through the Courts Service customer’s complaint procedure.
Family law reform is a major element of the Justice Plan 2021. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to enact a Family Court Bill to create a new dedicated Family Court within the existing court structure and provide for court procedures that support a faster and less adversarial resolution of disputes in specialised centres. In September 2020, Government approved the drafting of a Family Court Bill along the lines of the General Scheme, which has been published. The General Scheme has been referred to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel for drafting and to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice for pre-legislative scrutiny. It should be noted that it is not intended that the Family Court Bill will make provision for matters relating to wards of court, be they children or adults.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides a modern statutory framework to support decision-making by adults with capacity difficulties. The Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth has responsibility for matters relating to the commencement or amendment of the 2015 Act.
262. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the status of the work of her Department to address the delays in the Garda vetting process of those in the homecare sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43656/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, vetting applications are an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. Neither I, as Minister, nor my Department have any role in the processing of individual vetting applications.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that all Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) staff have continued to work on-site over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, working Monday through Sunday to ensure that delivery of this essential pubic service is maintained. Since 12 March 2020, over 125,000 COVID-19 related Vetting Applications have been processed and GNVB have been instrumental in supporting efforts to curb the impact of coronavirus across Ireland.
Throughout this period, GNVB has focused on ensuring that minimum disruption was caused to the vetting process for the 26,600 relevant organisations working with children and vulnerable persons across Ireland, despite the huge demands placed on the services of the GNVB.
I am further advised that the GNVB has recently experienced a pent up demand from relevant organisations upon their resumption of services following the easing of restrictions. This has resulted in the GNVB receiving exceptionally large amounts of vetting applications within very short timeframes, as opposed to the more traditional spread of applications annually.
This has caused larger than normal vetting applications to be in the system at the same time, and with other pressing demands, has extended the traditional turnaround times from 5 working days, to approximately 7/8 working days for most applications.
The GNVB has previously communicated with all of the relevant organisations to advise them of the current turnaround times and to assure them that the GNVB continues to process their vetting applications as expeditiously as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, Minister McEntee announced in April, the establishment of an inter-departmental group to undertake a review of Garda vetting arrangements and legislation. The group will make recommendations for amending legislation and strengthening the Garda vetting process and is due to report by the end of 2021.
263. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Justice if her Department’s scheme to regularise undocumented migrants in Ireland will include persons who have been issued a deportation order; if not, if she will give consideration to such a proposal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44342/21]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to bring forward a regularisation scheme within 18 months of the formation of the Government, to create new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependents with due consideration of Ireland's European Union (EU) and Common Travel Area (CTA) commitments.
Proposals for the draft scheme and the criteria to apply are being developed by my Department in line with this commitment, and informed by research and consultation with key stakeholders and engagement with Government Departments as appropriate.
Following this engagement with stakeholders, my Department is now working to finalise the details for the scheme, including eligibility considerations and qualifying criteria, with a view to bringing a proposal to Government shortly to allow for the launch of the scheme before the end of this year.
