Written Answers Nos. 1087-1110
1087. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Social Protection if persons can have their social protection payments and secondary benefits affected as a result of housing a refugee in their home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20947/22]
View answerMy Department is providing ongoing support and services to assist people covered by the Temporary Protection Directive who are fleeing Ukraine and who arrive in Ireland, such as the provision of PPSNs and income supports.
However, the issue of accommodation has become more acute in recent weeks.
Currently, where a recipient of a means tested social assistance payment provides accommodation in their own home, any rental payment received in exchange will be assessed in the means test for their social assistance payment and could affect their weekly rate of payment.
In addition, entitlement to secondary benefits such as Fuel Allowance or Living Alone Allowance may be affected due to changes in household composition.
With this in mind, I have asked my officials to examine these issues and come forward with proposals as soon as possible.
1088. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will give consideration to a matter (details supplied). [20983/22]
View answerOne of the criteria for Widow(er)'s & Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is that the applicant must be the legal widow, widower or surviving civil partner of the deceased person under Irish State law. In order to determine this, a civil marriage certificate which has been registered with the Registrar of births, deaths and marriages, in the jurisdiction in which the marriage or civil partnership took place is required. A church marriage certificate cannot be accepted for this purpose.
To date, no decision has been made on their application. We wrote to the person concerned on 01/09/2021 to advise them of the steps they need to take to have the marriage registered. On receipt of the original civil registered marriage certificate, their application will be progressed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
1089. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding an overpayment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21032/22]
View answerPrior to the awarding of his Invalidity Pension in October 2017 the person concerned had been in receipt of Illness Benefit. An issue arose in relation to the increases being paid in respect of his dependents on the Illness Benefit claim giving rise to an overpayment of €2,105.33.
The person concerned was advised as to the position in a letter that issued on 27 June 2017. He initially commenced repaying the debt, but no further repayments were made after September 2017 leaving an outstanding balance of €1,883.38.
Further letters have issued to the person concerned informing him of the outstanding amount and the options available to repay same. The most recent letter issued 4 April 2022. This letter proposed the deduction of €10 per week from his current social welfare payment with the first deduction due to start from the 26 April 2022. This letter included a form that he can fill out to provide any facts or details he considers relevant to the repayment of his debt.
If the person concerned believes that the proposed method of recovering his debt is not feasible, he should complete the form and return it to the Department so that his debt recovery plan can be reviewed.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1090. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive their 1% national wage increase which was due to be paid on 1 February 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21054/22]
View answerMy Department has no record of the individual in question having worked in the Department of Social Protection. If the Deputy has further information perhaps he could forward it to my office so that further enquiries can be made.
1091. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the criteria for means testing the carer's allowance in order to take in not just income but also unavoidable outgoings such as mortgage repayments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21119/22]
View answerThe system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
In Budget 2022, I announced significant improvements to the means test for Carer's Allowance, in recognition of the vital role that carers play in society.
The general weekly income disregard for Carer's Allowance will be increased from €332.50 to €350 for a single person, and from €665 to €750 for a couple. This will enable more carers with modest incomes to become eligible for the scheme, and those currently in receipt of a reduced payment may now receive a higher payment.
The capital disregard will also be increased from €20,000 to €50,000 for Carer’s Allowance. This will allow carers who have accumulated relatively modest savings, often to provide care for a loved one, to retain an entitlement to Carer's Allowance.
In addition to these changes to the means test, all recipients of a weekly carers payment will have seen a €5 increase from January 2022. Those with children will also have seen an increase in the qualified child payment - €2 increase for children under the age of 12, and €3 for children aged 12 and over - bringing these payments to €40 and €48 per week respectively.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure.
Introducing a rent or mortgage disregard for Carer's Allowance would have significant budgetary implications and would give rise to inconsistencies in how means tests are applied across schemes. It would also significantly increase the complexity of the means assessment. Any changes in this regard would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
1092. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection the payment that a person (details supplied) is on. [21205/22]
View answerThe person concerned is in receipt of an Invalidity Pension from the Department.
Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and for no other reason who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
1093. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a piece of surveillance technology (details supplied) is being used by her Department or any agencies under her remit in view of the fact that there are security and privacy concerns associated with the use of same; the data protection policies on the use of artificial intelligence with respect to instances in which this technology is being used; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21242/22]
View answerI can confirm for the Deputy that my Department and its agencies do not use CCTV cameras equipped with facial recognition technology.
I hope this clarifies the matter.
1094. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his advice on correspondence from a school (details supplied) regarding the new form of core funding for preschools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19224/22]
View answerIn December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).
The new funding model will support delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.
Core Funding is the new funding stream to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and to improve affordability for parents, as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Core Funding will operate alongside the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme and constitute additional income for providers on top of funding for these schemes, as well as income from parental fees.
One of the key conditions of Core Funding will be the requirement for providers to maintain fees at or below September 2021 levels. This will ensure that parents feel the full affordability effects of the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme. Core Funding will also include conditions in relation to quality improvements in services and transparency in relation to operations.
Extensive information has been communicated to the sector, including detail on the way in which Core Funding will be allocated to individual services. A Ready Reckoner calculator has also been launched to assist providers in estimating the impact of Core Funding for their individual service.
Core Funding is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery. Sessional services with standard capitation, Full Time, Part Time and School Age services will all see substantial increases in funding. Most ECCE services currently in receipt of higher capitation rates will also benefit significantly. No service will lose out.
I have issued a funding guarantee to ensure that no service will receive less in Core Funding that it previously received in higher capitation and programme support payments, if their circumstances remain the same. An estimated 1% of services will be caught by the funding guarantee. All other services will see increases in funding, and most substantial increases in funding. Those services that are affected by the funding guarantee are those that are in receipt of the highest levels of public funding - between €110 and €120 per hour of provision with two staff required to be employed.
City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) have received training in order to assist providers in calculating their potential Core Funding allocations. I would encourage providers to contact their local CCC for guidance and support in understanding the impacts and benefits of Core Funding for their service. Contact details for CCCs are available at myccc.ie/where-is-my-nearest-ccc and providers can reach out for support at any time.
It is important to acknowledge that Core Funding will intentionally address some of the existing disparities in funding levels across ECCE and non-ECCE provision, providing funding proportionate to the age ratio of children being cared for and supporting the employment of graduate Lead Educators across ELC provision. While Core Funding will operate in addition to and alongside ECCE (standard capitation), AIM, CCSP and NCS, it replaces ECCE higher capitation and incorporates funding previously allocated to the discretionary Programme Support Payments (PSP) from September 2022. This sees the funding for the employment of graduates more fairly distributed across the ELC system.
Core Funding is related to the costs of delivery. Services opening for longer hours or offering more places will receive a higher value of Core Funding than other services. This is because their costs of operation are higher. The majority of Core Funding (i.e. €183 million of the €221 million) will be distributed in this way based on a service's capacity. This €183 million includes allocations for improvements in staff pay and conditions (€138 million), for administrative staff/time (€25 million), and a contribution to non-staff overhead costs (€20 million). It is important to note that sick pay, and other employer costs, are factored in to the estimated staff costs allocation in Core Funding. In addition, a further €38 million is allocated to contribute to support graduates to be Lead Educators across ELC and to support graduates as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services. Heretofore funding has only been available in respect of graduate Room Leaders in the ECCE programme.
The precise implications of the funding for staff pay and conditions depends on the agreement of an Employment Regulation Order (ERO) by the Joint Labour Committee (JLC). However, the level of funding provided is significant enough to achieve a substantial improvement in levels of staff pay for the sector as a whole as well as the development of career frameworks. If an ERO is agreed, where services are already paying above the ERO rate there will not be a requirement to increase rates of pay. Improved terms and conditions, opportunities for progression and greater rates of staff retention are important steps to improving quality in the sector.
In response to queries received by my Department on a number of matters, including many of those highlighted in the correspondence detailed, such as the impact of Core Funding on smaller Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services, additional information relating to Core Funding is now available at first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/core-funding.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, practitioners, and society overall. This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. Core Funding is open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding. It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding. Core Funding however is optional for providers.
I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.
1095. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will assist a preschool (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19255/22]
View answerIn December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).
The new funding model will support delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.
Core Funding is the new funding stream to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and to improve affordability for parents, as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Core Funding will operate alongside the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme and constitute additional income for providers on top of funding for these schemes, as well as income from parental fees.
One of the key conditions of Core Funding will be the requirement for providers to maintain fees at or below September 2021 levels. This will ensure that parents feel the full affordability effects of the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme. Core Funding will also include conditions in relation to quality improvements in services and transparency in relation to operations.
Extensive information has been communicated to the sector, including detail on the way in which Core Funding will be allocated to individual services. A Ready Reckoner calculator has also been launched to assist providers in estimating the impact of Core Funding for their individual service.
Core Funding is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery. Sessional services with standard capitation, Full Time, Part Time and School Age services will all see substantial increases in funding. Most ECCE services currently in receipt of higher capitation rates will also benefit significantly. No service will lose out.
Importantly, Core Funding will be paid in respect of capacity – whether the places are filled or unfilled – benefiting many services, including services in rural areas, that are operating with unfilled capacity or in a context where there is fluctuating demand for their services.
City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) have received training in order to assist providers in calculating their potential Core Funding allocations. I would encourage providers to contact their local CCC for guidance and support in understanding the impacts and benefits of Core Funding for their service. Contact details for CCCs are available at myccc.ie/where-is-my-nearest-ccc and providers can reach out for support at any time.
It is important to acknowledge that Core Funding will intentionally address some of the existing disparities in funding levels across ECCE and non-ECCE provision, providing funding proportionate to the age ratio of children being cared for and supporting the employment of graduate Lead Educators across ELC provision. While Core Funding will operate in addition to and alongside ECCE (standard capitation), AIM, CCSP and NCS, it replaces ECCE higher capitation and incorporates funding previously allocated to the discretionary Programme Support Payments (PSP) from September 2022. This sees the funding for the employment of graduate staff being more fairly distributed across the ELC system.
Core Funding is related to the costs of delivery. Services opening for longer hours or offering more places will receive a higher value of Core Funding than other services. This is because their costs of operation are higher. The majority of Core Funding (i.e. €183 million of the €221 million) will be distributed in this way based on a service's capacity. This €183 million includes allocations for improvements in staff pay and conditions (€138 million), for administrative staff/time (€25 million), and a contribution to non-staff overhead costs (€20 million). It is important to note that sick pay, and other employer costs, are factored in to the estimated staff costs allocation in Core Funding. In addition, a further €38 million is allocated to contribute to support graduates to be Lead Educators across ELC and to support graduates as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services. Heretofore funding has only been available in respect of graduate Room Leaders in the ECCE programme.
Core Funding is calculated based on the hours that the service is open and available to children. However, non-contact time is factored into the base rate in two ways. Firstly, data from Sector Profile on current amount of contact and non-contact time for different grades of staff was used to build in an allowance for non-contact time into the allocation for staff costs. Secondly, there is a separate allocation for administrative staff/time.
In response to queries received by my Department on a number of matters, including many of those highlighted in the correspondence detailed, such as the impact of Core Funding on smaller Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services, additional information relating to Core Funding is now available at first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/core-funding.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, practitioners, and society overall. This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. Core Funding is open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding. It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding. Core Funding however is optional for providers.
I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.
1096. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that a person (details supplied) had their tender proposal to Tusla rejected despite their successful provision of services since 2020. [19265/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, is has been referred to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1097. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of increasing the universal subsidy for children under three years by each of the amounts 50 cent, €1, €2 and €5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19323/22]
View answer1098. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of increasing each of the national childcare scheme rates by €1, €2, €5 and €10; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19324/22]
View answer1099. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of increasing the maximum reckonable family income of €60,000 under the national childcare scheme by €2,500, €5,000 and €10,000; the estimated number of families who would benefit from this extension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19325/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1097 to 1099, inclusive, together.
There are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
- Currently, universal Subsidies are available to all families with children under 3 years old. They are also available to families with children over 3 years who have not yet qualified for the free preschool programme (ECCE). This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
- Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. Your rate will vary depending on your level of family income, your child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in your family.
Budget 2022 announced a number of changes to the NCS which will be rolled out this year. The first change will remove the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours, benefiting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families. The second change will extend the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15 from September 2022, benefiting up to 40,000 children. Full year estimates of these changes have been factored into the costs below but the impact of these changes will not be fully known until Q.4 2022.
The estimated costs based on the scenarios presented are derived from current levels of usage and expenditure and informed by SWITCH, the ESRI tax-benefit model. These individual estimates are based on no behavioural change and should be interpreted with caution. It should be noted that changes to subsidies may result in changes to patterns and levels of usage by families. These changes are likely to be more pronounced at higher rates of increase.
In addition, although the question refers to children under 3 years old, as noted above from September 2022 universal will available for children under 15 and the costs have been assessed on an under-15 basis
Based on the above, the follow estimated costs have been extrapolated and rounded:
Cost of increasing the universal subsidy for children by each of the amounts:
- 50 cent - €50 million
- €1 - €105 million
- €2 - €210 million
- €5 - €480 million
Cost of increasing each of the NCS rates by:
- €1 - €145 million
- €2 - €290 million
- €5 - €730 million
- €10 - €1.45 billion
Cost and the estimated number of families who would benefit from increasing the maximum reckonable family income of €60,000 under the national childcare scheme by:
- €2,500 - €6 million benefiting approximately 4,500 children
- €5,000 - €12 million benefiting approximately 5,200 children
- €10,000 - €24 million benefiting approximately 12,500 children.
1100. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will re-examine the issue of core funding for providers; if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19331/22]
View answerIn December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).
The new funding model will support delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.
Core Funding is the new funding stream to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and to improve affordability for parents, as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Core Funding will operate alongside the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme and constitute additional income for providers on top of funding for these schemes, as well as income from parental fees.
One of the key conditions of Core Funding will be the requirement for providers to maintain fees at or below September 2021 levels. This will ensure that parents feel the full affordability effects of the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme. Core Funding will also include conditions in relation to quality improvements in services and transparency in relation to operations.
Extensive information has been communicated to the sector, including detail on the way in which Core Funding will be allocated to individual services. A Ready Reckoner calculator has also been launched to assist providers in estimating the impact of Core Funding for their individual service.
Core Funding is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery. Sessional services with standard capitation, Full Time, Part Time and School Age services will all see substantial increases in funding. Most ECCE services currently in receipt of higher capitation rates will also benefit significantly. No service will lose out.
I have issued a funding guarantee to ensure that no service will receive less in Core Funding than it previously received in higher capitation and programme support payments, if their circumstances remain the same. An estimated 1% of services will be caught by the funding guarantee. All other services will see increases in funding, and most substantial increases in funding. The services that are affected by the funding guarantee are those that are currently in receipt of the highest levels of public funding compared to the required staffing complement - between €110 and €120 per hour with two staff required.
City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) have received training in order to assist providers in calculating their potential Core Funding allocations. I would encourage providers to contact their local CCC for guidance and support in understanding the impacts and benefits of Core Funding for their service. Contact details for CCCs are available at myccc.ie/where-is-my-nearest-ccc and providers can reach out for support at any time.
It is important to acknowledge that Core Funding will intentionally address some of the existing disparities in funding levels across ECCE and non-ECCE provision, providing funding proportionate to the age ratio of children being cared for and supporting the employment of graduate Lead Educators across ELC provision. While Core Funding will operate in addition to and alongside ECCE (standard capitation), AIM, CCSP and NCS, it replaces ECCE higher capitation and incorporates funding previously allocated to the discretionary Programme Support Payments (PSP) from September 2022. This sees the funding for the employment of graduate staff more fairly distributed across the ELC system.
Core Funding is related to the costs of delivery. Services opening for longer hours or offering more places will receive a higher value of Core Funding than other services. This is because their costs of operation are higher. The majority of Core Funding (i.e. €183 million of the €221 million) will be distributed in this way based on a service's capacity. This €183 million includes allocations for improvements in staff pay and conditions (€138 million), for administrative staff/time (€25 million), and a contribution to non-staff overhead costs (€20 million). It is important to note that sick pay, and other employer costs, are factored in to the estimated staff costs allocation in Core Funding. In addition, a further €38 million is allocated to contribute to support graduates to be Lead Educators across ELC and to support graduates as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services. Heretofore funding has only been available in respect of graduate Room Leaders in the ECCE programme.
Places do not have to be filled in order for Core Funding to be allocated. However, for capacity to be funded, the necessary levels of staff must be in place. The staffing required depends on the age group and session types of the places available. The capacity of a service is also limited by the regulatory space requirements.
In response to queries received by my Department on a number of matters, including those highlighted in the correspondence detailed, such as the impact of Core Funding on smaller Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services, additional information relating to Core Funding is now available at first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/core-funding.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, practitioners, and society overall. This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. Core Funding is open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding. It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding. Core Funding however is optional for providers.
I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.
1101. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the decision support service which was established under the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 to provide an essential service for persons who face difficulties exercising their decision-making capacity will come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19338/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits to commencing the 2015 Act in full by June 2022, recognising the importance of the much needed reform that it represents. This will allow the Decision Support Service to become fully operational and provide the progressive services and supports of the 2015 Act.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis.
The Act will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
The Decision Support Service (DSS), which is the organisation that will operate the provisions of the 2015 Act, will respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties. To date, the Decision Support Service has made considerable progress in putting in place the administrative and IT systems needed to operate the 2015 Act.
In preparation of becoming fully operational, a budget of €7.3 million was secured for the Decision Support Service in 2022. This represents an increase of €1.5 million compared to 2021 and a doubling of financial resources since the transfer of functions to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in 2020.
Amendments are required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. Work has been ongoing on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which will be published in the near future and which I look forward to taking through the Houses. The amendments will streamline processes, in the interests of those using its provisions. They will also strengthen the safeguards included in the 2015 Act.
1102. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the discussions that are taking place to ensure that children under State care in residential units (details supplied) will not face the upheaval of leaving these homes; the discussions that are taking place with Tusla and the service provider; the contractual issues that have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1103. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if legislation in respect of transfer of undertakings will apply in a case (details supplied). [19349/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
1104. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action that he will take to ensure that incoming Ukrainian refugees can be accommodated in the homes offered up by the Irish public without delay in order to avoid the use of emergency shelters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19354/22]
View answerMy Department is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Approximately 15,000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.
IPAS has contracted approximately 5,000 hotel rooms, with additional capacity also being pursued through all suitable means including, hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary bodies such as Scouting Ireland, and local authority emergency facilities. Given arrival numbers sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.
My Department is working very closely with the local authorities, through the County and City Management Association (CCMA) to identify emergency short term options to meet continued demands for accommodation.
The Department understands that a total of 24,036 offers of accommodation have been pledged through the Irish Red Cross portal. Of these pledges, 5,714 are for independent units and 18,322 are for shared accommodation. Work is on-going involving a number of stakeholders to draw down these pledges.
Overseen by the Irish Red Cross, assisted by the Defence Forces and others, over 1,200 calls are now being made each day to those who have pledged. The Irish Red Cross has stated that all those who pledged assumed vacant accommodation will be called by the end of this week with calls to others being completed by the end of next week. Contacting parties by phone can involve repeated calls. The Department has provided increased supports to the Irish Red Cross to assist them with the overall process.
Once lists of suitable properties are received by the Department they are forwarded without delay to those assisting with placements. These include the Local Authorities and others. Progress is being made on placements.
Placing those in need in shared accommodation is a process that takes time due to the vetting process involved.
1105. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it will be ensured that the housing and accommodation being provided to refugees complies and is certified to be in accordance with building regulations, fire regulations, health and safety regulations, planning regulations and Irish Water requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19415/22]
View answerMy Department is providing accommodation where requested to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Around 15,000 people have been provided with International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.
IPAS has contracted approximately 5,000 hotel rooms, with additional capacity also being pursued through hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, accommodation pledged by the general public, religious properties, accommodation operated by voluntary organisations such as Scouting Ireland, and local authority facilities. In addition, arrangements are also in place with Airbnb to use some of their accommodation.
Offers of accommodation have also been pledged through the Irish Red Cross and work is ongoing to draw down these pledges, which will include inspections of the accommodation once permission has been granted by the owner.
Local authorities are providing information on potential accommodation in their local areas and assisting with the provision of emergency accommodation. My Department is working closely with local authorities to ensure that people are moved from emergency accommodation as soon as possible.
In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
1106. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address the concerns raised by a Montessori school (details supplied) in respect of the core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19501/22]
View answer1121. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the policy issues raised by a person (details supplied) regarding the new core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19796/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1106 and 1121 together.
In December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).
The new funding model will support delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.
Core Funding is the new funding stream to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and to improve affordability for parents, as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Core Funding will operate alongside the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme and constitute additional income for providers on top of funding for these schemes, as well as income from parental fees.
One of the key conditions of Core Funding will be the requirement for providers to maintain fees at or below September 2021 levels. This will ensure that parents feel the full affordability effects of the National Childcare Scheme and the ECCE programme. Core Funding will also include conditions in relation to quality improvements in services and transparency in relation to operations.
Extensive information has been communicated to the sector, including detail on the way in which Core Funding will be allocated to individual services. A Ready Reckoner calculator has also been launched to assist providers in estimating the impact of Core Funding for their individual service.
Core Funding is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery. Sessional services with standard capitation, Full Time, Part Time and School Age services will all see substantial increases in funding. Most ECCE services currently in receipt of higher capitation rates will also benefit significantly. No service will lose out. Indeed in the correspondence referred to, the service in question will see a substantial percentage increase in income by the provider's own calculations.
City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) have received training in order to assist providers in calculating their potential Core Funding allocations. I would encourage providers to contact their local CCC for guidance and support in understanding the impacts and benefits of Core Funding for their service. Contact details for CCCs are available at myccc.ie/where-is-my-nearest-ccc and providers can reach out for support at any time.
It is important to acknowledge that Core Funding will intentionally address some of the existing disparities in funding levels across ECCE and non-ECCE provision, providing funding proportionate to the age ratio of children being cared for and supporting the employment of graduate Lead Educators across ELC provision as well as graduate Managers. While Core Funding will operate in addition to and alongside ECCE (standard capitation), AIM, CCSP and NCS, it replaces ECCE higher capitation and incorporates funding previously allocated to the discretionary Programme Support Payments (PSP) from September 2022. This sees public funding for the employment of graduates in ELC more fairly distributed across the system .
Core Funding is related to the costs of delivery. Services opening for longer hours or offering more places will receive a higher value of Core Funding than other services. This is because their costs of operation are higher. The majority of Core Funding (i.e. €183 million of the €221 million) will be distributed in this way based on a service's capacity. This €183 million includes allocations for improvements in staff pay and conditions (€138 million), for administrative staff/time (€25 million), and a contribution to non-staff overhead costs (€20 million). It is important to note that sick pay, and other employer costs, are factored in to the estimated staff costs allocation in Core Funding. In addition, a further €38 million is allocated to contribute to support graduates to be Lead Educators across ELC and to support graduates as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services. Heretofore funding has only been available in respect of graduate Room Leaders in the ECCE programme.
In December 2021, I also launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in early learning and care and school-age childcare.
Nurturing Skills commits to the provision of part-funded places on flexible education programmes at levels 6 to 8 for Early Years Educators working in the sector. Plans for the new funding scheme are currently being developed. This new funding will support upskilling and strengthen career development pathways for those working in the sector, reducing the cost to educators of undertaking further and higher education qualifications. The new funding will also develop and introduce mechanisms for providing financial support to services to help meet the costs of releasing staff to go on student practice placements and study leave.
In response to queries received by my Department on a number of matters, including many of those highlighted in the correspondence detailed, such as the impact of Core Funding on smaller Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) services, additional information relating to Core Funding is now available at first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/core-funding.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, practitioners, and society overall. This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. Core Funding is open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding. It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding. Core Funding however is optional for providers.
I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.
1107. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in one-parent families who availed of the national childcare scheme universal subsidy in each year between 2020 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19514/22]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children.
There are two types of supports available under the Scheme:
- The Universal Subsidy is available to all families with children under 3 years. It is also available to families with children over 3 years who have not yet qualified for the free preschool (ECCE) programme.
- The Income Assessed Subsidy is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. It is means tested and will be calculated based on individual circumstances. Those on the lowest incomes will receive the highest subsidies.
The information requested on one-parent families is not available for Universal Subsidy applicants as information on the applicant’s partner is only collected for Income Assessed applications. However, the table hereunder outlines the total number of children who availed of the NCS Universal Subsidy in each year between 2020 and 2022.
|
Number of children by subsidy and family types |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Universal – All children |
13,694 |
20,561 |
15,321 |
The scheme is designed so that those on the lowest incomes receive the greatest support.
1108. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in one-parent families who availed of the national childcare scheme income assessed subsidy in each year between 2020 and 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19515/22]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help parents meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children.
There are two types of supports available under the Scheme:
- The Universal Subsidy is available to all families with children under 3 years. It is also available to families with children over 3 years who have not yet qualified for the free preschool (ECCE) programme.
- The Income Assessed Subsidy is available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. It is means tested and will be calculated based on individual circumstances. Those on the lowest incomes will receive the highest subsidies.
The table hereunder outlines the number of children in one-parent families who availed of the NCS Income Assessed Subsidy in each year between 2020 and 2022.
|
Number of children by subsidy and family types |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Income Assessed – One-parent families |
12,792 |
23,087 |
20,497 |
A recent review of the NCS found that, amongst family types, single parents, particularly working single parents, were most likely to report that the NCS had had a positive impact on family finances.
1109. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the details of the name, salary, position and roles of persons who are being paid for by his Department for secondment to another public, private or semi-private entity, in tabular form, following the announcement that the salary of a person (details supplied) being seconded to Trinity College Dublin will be paid by the Department of Health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19543/22]
View answerThere are no staff members seconded from my Department to another public, private or semi private entity.
1110. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit run apprenticeship programmes or are directly engaged in the training of apprentices; if so, the number of apprentices involved; the specialties in which they are being trained; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19579/22]
View answerMy Department does not run apprenticeship programmes or directly engage in the training of apprentices at this time.
My officials have asked the State Agencies under my remit to respond to you directly on the matter.
