Written Answers Nos. 88-107
88. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Education if she will assist in the case of a child (details supplied) to assist with transport to the nearest school with a suitable available place for their needs as supported by a clinical psychologist and the school principal. [5273/22]
View answerSchool Transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department of Education. In the current school year over 121,400 children, including over 15,500 children with special educational needs, are transported on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country at a cost of over €289m in 2021.
Under the terms of the Department’s School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs, children are eligible for school transport where they have special educational needs arising from a diagnosed disability and are attending the nearest recognised school/class that is resourced to meet their special educational needs. Eligibility is determined following consultation with the National Council for Special Education through its network of Special Education Needs Organisers (SENO).
Children who are not eligible for school transport will be considered for spare seats that may exist after eligible children have been facilitated; such seats are referred to as concessionary seats.
Because of the nature of concessionary transport for non-eligible children and the priority of providing places for eligible children, there may be an excess of demand over supply for concessionary places, in these cases Bus Éireann will allocate tickets for spare seats using a random selection process.
The NCSE have confirmed that the school the parents have enrolled their child in is not the closest school/class resourced to meet special educational needs of the pupil.
While the pupil in question is not eligible for transport under the School Transport Scheme for Children with Special Educational Needs for the above reason, an application for SEN concessionary transport was received in the School Transport Section for the 2021/22 school year on behalf of this pupil.
Concessionary transport may vary from year to year and cannot be guaranteed for the duration of a child’s primary school education cycle. Where the number of applications for transport on a concessionary basis exceeds the number of seats available, Bus Éireann determines the allocation of the tickets and refunds payments made on behalf of those concessionary applicants for whom no seats remain.
Bus Éireann, which operates school transport on behalf of the Department, has advised that there is no available service to cater for this SEN concessionary pupil under the terms of the scheme.
89. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Education the progress that has been made regarding a new model to identify concentrated levels of disadvantage in schools; if a consultation has taken place with relevant stakeholders; if so, if she will outline the components of this model; when additional schools will be considered for DEIS status; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5279/22]
View answerDelivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) is the main policy instrument of the Department of Education to tackle educational disadvantage.
Budget 2022 has provided for an allocation of €18million for 2022 and €32million for 2023 to extend the DEIS programme to further schools with the highest levels of disadvantage. This represents an increase of over 20% in funding for the DEIS programme and will enable an expansion in 2022 to additional schools.
This package follows an extensive body of work which has been under taken by the DEIS technical group in relation to the development of a model to identify the concentrated levels of disadvantage of schools. The refined model is an objective, statistics based process, based on school enrolment data and data available from Census 2016 under the HP Deprivation Index. It is important to note that there is no application process for inclusion in the DEIS programme and all schools will be considered for inclusion when it is applied.
During the process to refine the DEIS identification model, and as is general practice in the Department, my Department has consulted with education partners (school management and national parent representative bodies and unions) on the technical aspects of the refinement of the DEIS identification model.
In advance of the implementation of the refined DEIS identification model, there will be further engagement with relevant stakeholders. The purpose is to ensure that, as far as possible, the refined DEIS identification model can provide an objective and independent means of identifying schools serving high concentrations of pupils at risk of educational disadvantage and also to ensure there is a full understanding of the refined model and its potential application.
90. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Education if the requirement for children to wear masks in school can be lifted in the immediate future in view of the improved public health situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5293/22]
View answerMy Department has always been guided by public health advice in relation to appropriate COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures in place in schools. Current public health advice makes it a requirement for a face mask to be worn by teachers, staff in schools, students attending post-primary school, and students from third class upwards in primary school. These measures protect students/pupils, their parents and school staff and are very effective when adhered to.
Public Health continue to advise that the two most important actions to prevent the introduction and spread of Covid-19 (and other respiratory viruses), is by ensuring no-one with new onset symptoms attend school, and that all recommended infection prevention and control measures are in place in line with school Covid-19 response plans.
Public Health have also confirmed that there is no change to infection prevention and control measures in place in schools at this time, but that they will be reviewed by mid-term in February. The infection prevention and control measures in place in schools have worked very effectively to prevent and control Covid-19 in schools.
91. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education if she will review correspondence (details supplied); and if she will address these concerns and provide an update on this matter. [5297/22]
View answerSchool secretaries and caretakers are valued members of our school communities and my Department is fully aware of the vitally important role played by them in the running of our schools.
The majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services under grant schemes. Where a school employs a staff member to support those functions those staff are employees of individual schools and responsibility for terms of employment rests with the school.
The Department with school management bodies have been engaging with Fórsa on a claim on terms and conditions for grant-funded school secretaries and caretakers. On the 27th of October 2020, under the auspices of the WRC, an understanding was agreed on a pathway to progress the issues. Several key strands were identified, and a phased approach is being taken to the development of proposals.
Following intensive discussions at the WRC on 13th September 2021, there was significant progress in this dispute. Subject to agreement on all elements of the claim, the Department has offered to move School Secretaries’ pay rates to a scale which is aligned with the Clerical Officer Grade III pay scale on a pro rata basis according to a secretary’s current working pattern. The Department has also offered to improve the conditions for School Secretaries with regard to sick leave, annual leave and maternity provisions for this cohort of staff.
Further dialogue has taken place between the parties on these issues since 13 September with the aim of reaching an overall agreement. The talks continue, most recently at a meeting at the WRC on 26 January; the parties are to meet again next month, following reflection on the matters discussed at that meeting.
I welcome the continued engagement between the parties and I encourage all stakeholders to focus on finalising an agreement.
92. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education if a school (details supplied) will be prioritised on the energy retrofit of schools programme. [5304/22]
View answerMy Department is at the forefront of design with respect to sustainable energy in school buildings and this performance has been recognised at both National and International level with sustainable energy awards for excellence in Design and Specification.
Schools that are designed and built in accordance with the Departments Schools technical guidance documents must achieve an A3 Building Energy Rating and have typically up to 20% higher energy performance and up to 25% carbon performance than required by the current Building Regulations, along with 10% of primary energy provided via photovoltaics and infrastructure provision for electric vehicle charging.
All new technologies and approaches are tested to ensure compatibility with school design and operational requirements. Successful and repeatable results are then incorporated into all new school designs and refurbishments.
My Department’s Technical Guidance Documents set the benchmark for sustainable design in school buildings with a clear focus on energy efficiency and they are based on solid energy research projects. The Departments policy is supported by a strong research programme with fifty three research projects at various stages including its joint SEAI partnership energy website project www.energyineducation.ie.
My Department and the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland are involved in an energy efficient retrofit pathfinder scheme for schools. The outcome of the pathfinder will be to create an accurate and scalable model for energy efficient retrofits of schools across Ireland. A deep energy retrofit programme for schools built prior to 2008 is included in the NDP.
The general principles and approach to school selection include schools meeting Energy Monitoring and Reporting requirements and demonstrating a strong and holistic commitment to energy management practices through participation in the Energy in Education Programme. The programme selection also seeks to enable various cross sections of school types and sizes, energy consumption profiles and different elements of construction type and heritage/ conservation requirements where specific learnings are being targeted. The pathfinder programme is thus delivered on broad assessment in line with the above considerations and not on an invitation basis.
93. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the number of children in cold prefabs having to wear extra clothes to keep themselves warm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5483/22]
View answerManaging ventilation is just one of a suite of public health measures in place to keep our schools safe. Updated guidance for schools on Practical Steps for the Deployment of Good Ventilation Practices in Schools was provided at the end of May following the work of an expert group that carefully considered the role of ventilation in managing COVID-19. The updated guidance for schools is also fully in line with the most recent guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19, published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre November 2021.
The following points are noted in this guidance:
o The guidance provide to all schools advised that “the over-arching approach for schools should be to have windows open as fully as possible when classrooms are not in use (e.g. during break-times or lunch-times and also at the end of each school day) and partially open when classrooms are in use. It is worth noting that windows do not need to be open as wide in windy/colder weather in order to achieve the same level of airflow into the classroom. This will assist in managing comfort levels in classrooms during periods of colder weather.
o Similarly ensuring that at the end of the school day each evening, the windows in each room are opened (as wide as is practical and safe, while also considering security issues) for at least 15 minutes to ventilate the room fully will ensure that the classrooms are ventilated from the night before and this does not need to be repeated prior to class in the morning. During this first class of the school day windows should, weather conditions permitting, be partially opened (as per guidance in this document) to keep the room fresh and prevent stuffiness and condensation etc. This is in addition to and complements the end-of-day ventilation described above.
- Achieving fresh air by having a number of windows partially opened as required rather than one window fully open can help to maximise the use of window driven natural ventilation distribution across the room without causing discomfort. In colder weather any local chilling effect can be offset by partially opening the windows nearest to and above the radiators.
- As part of managing comfort levels in classrooms, schools should check that their boilers operation temperatures are set at the recommended manufacturers’ guidance levels to maximise the available heat to the school.
- In addition, heating should operate for extended periods during colder weather to counteract, as best as possible, the impact of windows being open (partially when classrooms are in use and fully when not in use) in order to maintain an appropriate balance between ventilation and comfort levels”
To provide additional support in the context of Covid-19 the payment of a minor works grant totalling €45m for primary schools and special schools, plus a once-off Covid-19 minor works funding of €17m for post-primary schools, was issued in December 2021. The minor works funding is a capital grant and provides good flexibility to address issues at local school level. The works
that can be undertaken under the primary minor works scheme include maintenance and small-scale improvements to school buildings and grounds, improvement or replacement of mechanical and electrical services, the purchase of standard furniture and physical education equipment, the purchase of floor coverings and window blinds and the purchase of IT related equipment.
Given that each school setting is different, individual schools are best placed to decide how best to use this funding to address their particular needs. Specialist advice/assistance of a Chartered Engineer or Registered Architect is an important source of support for schools. This will help ensure that appropriate solutions are being put in place to address ventilation issues. Schools that identify inadequate ventilation in a room can utilise their minor work grant or apply for emergency works grant assistance to address ventilation enhancements where the minor work grant does not cover the full cost of the works required.
My Department provides capitation funding to all recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme. The main grant is the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs including heating costs.
My Department has ensured that centrally negotiated rates are available to schools for electricity and bulk heating fuels. These rates are available through existing frameworks sourced by the Office of Government Procurement (OGP). OGP has run competitions specifically for Schools at a national level and the Schools Procurement Unit and the Department has communicated with schools and school management bodies informing them of the options available to them through these national arrangements. Information on how to avail of these arrangements is available via the Schools Procurement Unit website, www.spu.ie.
As you are aware the Department has also issued additional funding to schools to support the implementation of infection prevention and control measures required to help minimise the risk of Covid-19. Funding has recently issued to cover the new term.
94. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if her Department is still actively considering a site (details supplied) for a new school build; if a decision has been made to look at a different site; if so, when that decision was made; if stakeholders have been notified of this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5501/22]
View answer95. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Education if a master-plan was completed for a site (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5502/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has initiated a site identification and assessment exercise for a 1,000 pupil post primary school in the area in question and its environs. While a site acquisition process is underway and, given the commercial sensitivities associated with land acquisitions generally, I am not in a position to comment further at this time
A similar exercise was undertaken a number of years ago which proved unsuccessful and the current exercise will establish if the situation has changed in the intervening period.
The master planning process is well advanced. The outcome of this process will determine the next steps to be taken.
96. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if replacement dentures are covered for a person (details supplied) either by way of medical card or by dental benefit given that they have a full medical card; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5188/22]
View answerThe Treatment Benefit Scheme provides dental, optical and aural services to insured workers, the self-employed, retired people and their dependant spouse/partner who have the required number of social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
In order to qualify a person needs to have at least 260 PRSI contributions paid at either Class A, E, H, P or S, since first starting work, and also have 39 contributions paid or credited in the relevant contribution year on which the claim is based.
The person concerned does not qualify for treatment benefit under the Department's PRSI scheme. Although he has the required 260 total paid contributions, he does not have the 39 paid or credited contributions in the relevant tax years.
It should be noted that replacement dentures are not covered on the Department's treatment benefit scheme. The scheme provides for a free annual dental examination and an annual scale and polish treatment, subject to a maximum co-payment of €15.
As the person concerned is the holder of a medical card, he may have an entitlement to benefit under the HSE scheme. He should contact his local HSE health office for advice on his entitlement under that scheme.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
97. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Social Protection when a social welfare appeal will be decided (details supplied) given the applicant is under severe financial pressure. [5206/22]
View answerI am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, decided to disallow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned was notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision on 2 November 2021.
Under social welfare legislation the decision of an Appeals Officer is final and conclusive and may only be reviewed in the light of additional evidence or new facts.
I am advised that the person concerned has submitted additional evidence and that the Appeals Officer has agreed to review the case. The person concerned will be contacted when the review of her appeal has been finalised.
If the person's means are insufficient to meet their needs, it is open to them to apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the interim.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
98. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the anticipated number of families who will benefit from the extension of the period from thirteen weeks to six months that payment of the domiciliary care allowance can be paid with regard to children in hospital. [5253/22]
View answerDomiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment for parents caring for a child with a severe disability.
The number of children, in respect of whom Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is being paid, who are admitted to hospitals for periods in excess of 13 weeks but under 26 weeks in any given year will vary. However, based on the numbers of such cases advised to DCA section in recent years, it is estimated that the number of families affected by this change will be relatively low, less than 100, but each of these families will benefit from the reassurance of knowing that Domiciliary Care Allowance will remain in payment at a particularly difficult time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
99. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when a jobseeker's benefit application by a person (details supplied) will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5376/22]
View answerThe application for the person concerned has been reviewed and they do not qualify for Jobseeker's Benefit for the Self Employed. This payment is only available for persons whose self employment has ceased completely.
The person concerned has been considered for Jobseeke'rs Allowance (means tested assessment) and the Deciding Officer has awarded Jobseekers Allowance in this instance. A Decision Letter has been issued to the person concerned on 31/01/2022.
100. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if more time can be given to allow a requested employer letter to be submitted in support of a pandemic unemployment payment application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5379/22]
View answerThe Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced as one of a number of measures to provide income support to those who had lost their employment as a result of Covid. Other supports include the Covid-19 Enhanced Illness Benefit payment, which is available to persons who have diagnosed with Covid-19 or instructed by a Doctor or the HSE to self-isolate.
The Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment scheme closed to new applications on 8 July 2021.
The scheme re-opened from 7 December 2021 to support persons who had lost their income from employment on or after that date as a result of the decision to temporarily impose restrictions on the trading of certain business sectors to slow the spread of Covid-19.
These restrictions had a particular impact on sectors such as hospitality, the night-time economy, and the arts and entertainment sectors.
The re-opening of the scheme was specifically targeted at persons who were directly affected by the trading restrictions introduced on 7 December 2021. It did not involve a general re-opening of the scheme.
The person concerned was in receipt of Enhanced Illness Benefit from 23 November to 28 December 2021. They also applied for the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment indicating that they had last worked on 3 December 2021. The person’s employer is based in the healthcare sector. A formal decision has not yet been made on the person’s entitlement to the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment.
My Department has been in contact with the person concerned to clarify the background to their loss of employment and the date to which they were last paid by their employer. Payroll submissions from their employer to the Revenue Commissioners include payments in December 2021 and January 2022. Based on information supplied by the person concerned, it appears that the person was unable to return to employment as their employer had allocated their work to other employees. Further information has been sought from the person concerned at which time a formal decision will be made. The information can be supplied by email and no decision will be made while a response is outstanding. In the event that the Covid-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment is not payable, the person may have an entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
101. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she has examined the possibility of index linking social welfare payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5425/22]
View answerIn 2019, my Department undertook a consultation process with a number of interested stakeholders to hear their views on possible approaches to indexation of pensions and social welfare rates more generally. This process also included discussion with representatives of the community and voluntary sector at the Pre-Budget Forum in July 2019 as well as at bilateral meetings with stakeholders.
The outcome of these discussions was considered, and in consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the Department has developed proposals for setting a formal benchmark for State Pension Contributory payments and the indexation of future changes in pension rates of payment.
The approach developed, known as the “smoothed earnings” approach, aims to ensure that over the long-term, the relative value of welfare payments compared to market earnings would be maintained and that, in the short-term, the real value, or purchasing power, of these payments would be protected.
The Pensions Commission report, which is currently being considered, also examined the issue of benchmarking pension rates and has endorsed the “smoothed earnings” approach.
The Department is currently considering the recommendations of the Pensions Commission and I intend to bring proposals to Government by the end of March 2022 in relation to the recommendations.
102. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider free travel for all means tested social welfare recipients given the rising costs of living; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5426/22]
View answerThe free travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme. These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators. There are currently approximately 1,022,000 customers with direct eligibility. The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2022 is €95 million.
The objective of the free travel scheme is to ensure older people and people with disabilities remain active within their community. Extending the eligibility of the free travel scheme to the cohort of people the Deputy has suggested would change this objective, and radically change the nature of the scheme. Any such scheme would also require a more significant operation than that which currently underpins the administration of my Department’s free travel scheme, as it would have to grant and withdraw potentially huge number of passes each year given that many people may only be in receipt of a means tested payment from my Department for a short period. Any such scheme may also prove to be extremely costly.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) the Department of Social Protection may award a travel supplement in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the person's own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
103. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of social welfare payments that were suspended, cancelled or not awarded to lone parents due to failure to provide proof of efforts to seek maintenance for 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. [5506/22]
View answerIn light of the complexities in these cases, suspending, cancelling or not awarding lone parents applications for this reason referred to is rare at application stage in the Department.
However,my Department follows up with liable relatives for appropiate contributions towards the cost of the One Parent Family Payment . During 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021- 1,039, 1,474, 1,075, and 1,440 liable relative arrangements respectively were made whereby payments or additional payments were made to the lone parent recipient averaging €46, €46, €49 and €49 per week respectively. In addition for each year 65, 95, 49, and 62 liable relatives began paying the Department an average of €60, €63, €75 and €59 per week.
The Department secured savings of €3.6, €4.98, €3.04 and €3.5 million as a result of this work over the years 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.
I trust this answers the Deputy's question but if he has a specific case my officials are will be happy to engage with the Deputy in this matter.
104. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the review by Tusla of the provision of accommodation for victims of domestic violence will be published; the reason that it has not yet been published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5226/22]
View answerTusla’s Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence assesses the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. It has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities.
The Review has been completed and is expected to publish the Review in the coming weeks. The timing of publication is being considered with the Department of Justice and in conjunction with the forthcoming Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
The Government has agreed that the Department of Justice will be the lead Department with responsibility for responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). I have recently met with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice to discuss this integrated and dedicated response to DSGBV and to ensure prompt advancement of actions to address this issue.
105. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Tusla accommodation review will be published. [5227/22]
View answerTusla’s Review of the Provision of Accommodation for Victims of Domestic Violence assesses the current and requisite distribution of safe emergency accommodation. It has examined the current level of refuge provision, evidence of demand for services and unmet need, and analysis of proximity to refuge by local communities.
The Review has been completed and is expected to publish the Review in the coming weeks. The timing of publication is being considered with the Department of Justice and in conjunction with the forthcoming Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
The Government has agreed that the Department of Justice will be the lead Department with responsibility for responding to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). I have recently met with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Justice to discuss this integrated and dedicated response to DSGBV and to ensure prompt advancement of actions to address this issue.
106. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Childminding Action Plan is on target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5324/22]
View answerThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, which I published in April 2021, sets out a phased, incremental approach to extending supports and regulation to all non-relative childminders. It aims to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding.
During Phase 1 of the Plan, which began in 2021 and is expected to last 2-3 years, childminding-specific regulations will be developed that are proportionate and appropriate to childminders, as will childminder-specific training. In addition, primary legislation will be amended, and there will be further engagement and consultation with childminders.
The Steering Group met for the first time on 14 September 2021, and met again on 1 December. Its role is to drive, oversee and monitor implementation. The Steering Group will be supported by four Advisory Groups in relation to: Stakeholder Engagement, Consultation and Communications; Training and Support; Funding and Financial Supports, and Regulation and Inspection. The first two Advisory Groups have already commenced their work. The third and fourth Advisory Groups will be established in the coming months.
Extensive consultation with parents, childminders and representative bodies took place throughout the development of the Plan and continues in the implementation phase that has now begun. Representative bodies and childminders are members of the Steering and Advisory Groups. Ongoing consultation will be critical to effective implementation, and work is underway to develop a Stakeholder Engagement, Consultation and Communications strategy.
Phase 2 will be a transition phase lasting 3-5 years, which will see new regulations coming into force, access opened to the National Childcare Scheme, transitional training requirements, and expansion of supports.
Phase 3 will involve full implementation, with the end of transitional arrangements, and childminders regulated and able to access multiple supports.
To support implementation of the National Action Plan, a National Childminding Coordinator has been appointed, as well as a City/County Childcare Committee Lead for Childminding and six regional Childminding Development Officers within the City/County Childcare Committees. Six additional Childminding Development Officers will be appointed by City/County Childcare Committees shortly.
107. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the certain institutional burials (authorised interventions) Bill for second stage. [5325/22]
View answerI am acutely conscious of the urgent need to pass legislation in order to allow the excavation to begin at the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam.
The General Scheme of a Certain Institutional Burials (Authorised Interventions) Bill was developed to provide the required legal basis for intervention at the Tuam site and at other locations should similar circumstances come to light. As the Deputy is aware, the Bill underwent Pre-Legislative Scrutiny in the first half of 2021 and the Joint Oireachtas Committee published its report in July. I have carefully considered the recommendations from that process to take account of issues raised by the Committee, survivors, and family members. The Bill is now close to completion and I intend to publish it in the coming weeks and move it through the Houses of Oireachtas as quickly as possible.
