Written Answers Nos. 566-588
566. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if there is flexibility around carer’s allowance means testing for couples who are partners, considering they cannot avail of tax breaks in the same way as married couples. [23353/22]
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.
Significant improvements to the means test for Carer’s Allowance, which were announced as part of Budget 2022, are due to take effect from June.
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. 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 saw their payment increase by €5 per week from the beginning of January. Those with children will also have benefitted from 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.
Cohabiting partners are treated in the same manner as married couples for social welfare means testing purposes, and as such can avail of the disregards outlined above on the same basis.
Any further changes to the means test for Carer’s Allowance would have to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
567. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the process that is in place for community welfare officers as regards receiving an application under supplementary welfare allowance; who makes a decision on a claim; where that claim is submitted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23365/22]
View answerThe delivery of crucial community welfare services to meet the challenges and the needs of citizens across the country remains a priority for me and my Department. It is important that the CWS remains an accessible, flexible and responsive service to meet the varied needs of vulnerable people, particularly in a time of crisis or emergency.
The continued availability of locally based Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) is a key feature of the service. Furthermore, citizens no longer have to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim and access to CWS is not limited to a face-to-face meeting with a CWO. Intreo Centres and Social Welfare Branch Offices across the country are open five days per week and any person who needs to contact or access the CWS can call our phone line or attend at an office, either to speak directly to a CWO or to make an appointment for a consultation on the same day with a CWO. A direct home visit appointment can be arranged depending on the person's needs. The Supplementary Welfare Allowance application form (SWA1) can be downloaded from www.gov.ie for those who are in a position to access online services and completed applications, once returned to my Department, are processed promptly.
To help citizens and to support our CWOs where possible, the preparatory work on applications, for example the gathering of supporting documentation that is necessary to assess and finalise a claim, is carried out by a back-office team. The assessment and decision on claims and any further interactions or engagements with other agencies is then carried out by locally based CWOs.
It is vital that the CWS is easily accessible and responsive to the needs of citizens and developing and enhancing access to the service remains a priority for me.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
568. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a list of outreach offices in which community welfare officers are providing appointments to persons. [23366/22]
View answerMy Department is committed to a Community Welfare Service (CWS) that remains a flexible service to meet the varied needs of vulnerable people and the continued availability of local access to a CWO is a key feature of the service.
CWOs can facilitate emergency and in-person meetings in all Intreo Centres across business hours, five days per week. Some CWOs are based in Social Welfare Branch Offices and provide appointments at those offices. A person can be seen by appointment in any Branch Office.
In addition to meeting citizens in Intreo Centres, Branch Offices and DSP offices, Community Welfare Officers can facilitate an appointment with a person at a mutually agreed location, including at the person's home.
As part of my continued commitment to improve the CWS across the country, citizens no longer have to meet in person with a CWO to make a claim. Application forms are available on www.gov.ie and at any Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
Consultations with a CWO are available via phone, at our offices and if the need arises a direct home visit appointment can be arranged depending on the person's need. All applications for assistance are dealt with promptly by officials.
This change is a significant enhancement to the service offered to citizens as it means that those who require assistance no longer need to visit an office or wait to make a claim or wait to access the service.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
569. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the recommendations set out in the Housing Assistance and Discrimination - A Scoping Study on the Housing Assistance Ground under the Equal Status Acts 2000-2018 report will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22599/22]
View answerThe Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services across a number of grounds and the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2015 introduced a 'housing assistance' ground.
I take note of the recommendations made in the report by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission related to the provisions under the Equal Status Acts and have asked officials to include these as part of a review that my Department is conducting of our equality legislation, including the Equal Status Acts. This review will examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and in promoting equality, including awareness of the legislation and whether there are obstacles to taking an action under the Acts.
The first phase of a public consultation process under the review has now closed. This process sought the views of the public and interested organisations on the effectiveness of the legislation and whether, in their view, legislative amendments are required. The submissions received are currently being examined.
570. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of childcare services in Cork city and county in each of the past five years in tabular form. [22674/22]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
571. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of childcare services in Cork city and county which have permanently closed down in each of the past five years in tabular form. [22675/22]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
572. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of childcare places in Cork city and county broken down by age category, including after-school places and excluding after-school places in each of the past five years in tabular form; and the number of baby places in baby rooms in the same period. [22676/22]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority.
Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. More than 100,000 children now participate on the universal pre-school programme on an annual basis and the National Childcare Scheme subsidises up to 80,000 children.
To ensure that the supply of early learning and childcare places meets demand, my Department has, since 2015, funded the creation of more than 27,000 new places through an Annual Capital Programme.
Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that, on the whole, supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic revealed lower demand for early learning and childcare, and reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services. Indeed, data captured in June 2021 found significant vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate averaging at 21% and the vacancy rates in Cork city and Cork County in June 2021 29% and 24% respectively.
The data provided below has been taken from the Annual Early Years Sector Profile surveys and extrapolated using the County response rates. The figures for 2019/20 were not available.
Please note that the 2020/21 figures therefore carry higher margins of errors due to extrapolation based on reduced response rates. Therefore, some of the age groups are grouped together in order to mitigate for that.
Table 1 Cork City Capacity
|
Age Range |
2016/2017 |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
|
Up to 1 year |
123 |
99 |
89 |
not available |
929 |
|
1 year+ to 2 years |
509 |
319 |
421 |
not available |
included above 929 |
|
2 years+ to 3 years |
868 |
674 |
641 |
not available |
included in 929 |
|
3 years+ to 4 years |
1,760 |
1,587 |
1,425 |
not available |
3,511 |
|
4 years+ to 5 years |
1,342 |
1,477 |
1,465 |
not available |
included in 3,511 |
|
5 years+ to 6 years |
300 |
403 |
343 |
not available |
included in 3,511 |
|
6 years+ to 8 years (73-96 months) |
262 |
187 |
145 |
not available |
488 |
|
8 years + |
148 |
214 |
273 |
not available |
include in 488 |
|
Total |
5,312 |
4,960 |
4,802 |
not available |
4,928 |
Table 2 Cork County Capacity
|
Age Range |
2016/2017 |
2017/2018 |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 |
2020/2021 |
|
Up to 1 year |
329 |
319 |
335 |
not available |
2,434 |
|
1 year+ to 2 years |
782 |
927 |
929 |
not available |
included in 2,434 |
|
2 years+ to 3 years |
1,346 |
1,599 |
1,677 |
not available |
included in 2,434 |
|
3 years+ to 4 years |
5,674 |
5,659 |
5,687 |
not available |
14,132 |
|
4 years+ to 5 years |
5,294 |
5,656 |
5,532 |
not available |
included in 14.132 |
|
5 years+ to 6 years |
1,653 |
1,735 |
1,694 |
not available |
included in 14.132 |
|
6 years+ to 8 years (73-96 months) |
1,078 |
1,148 |
1,543 |
not available |
2,249 |
|
8 years+ |
850 |
1,059 |
1,246 |
not available |
included in 2,249 |
|
Total |
17,006 |
18,102 |
18,643 |
not available |
18,815 |
My Department is continuing to monitor early learning and childcare capacity, with a particular focus on monitoring Covid-19 impacts as public health restrictions have been lifted and responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
Pobal has commenced the new data collection as of 4 April 2022, as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey. This will allow for updated information on capacity among early learning and childcare services to be established.
In addition to these efforts to monitor capacity issues across the country, my Department is planning a range of steps to address any issue of under supply. A new funding model, to roll out in September, will provide funding for services aligned to costs of delivery so, for example, greater funding will be available to services that cater for younger children where costs of delivery are higher than older children. Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places. Another important step being taken by my Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), is to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. In addition, CCC are currently proactively engaging with early learning and childcare services to identify unused capacity and explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
573. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22758/22]
View answerWhile the NCS is an initiative of my Department, a Scheme Administrator has been engaged to manage the daily operations of the NCS on behalf of DCEDIY. Pobal act in this capacity as Scheme Administrator and it is their role to follow up on individual cases.
I do appreciate the difficulty of the applicant's position and the significant value that NCS subsidies can have in a family’s finances. However, NCS subsidies can only paid once an application is completed, a valid CHICK is registered with a childcare provider and the parent confirms on the system that all details are correct. This is a key financial governance measure that ensures that public funding is safeguarded and that the investment is following the child.
I appreciate that this may not be the desired response but I do hope that this clarifies the matter.
574. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a system in place for Ukrainian refugees who sourced accommodation privately before entering the State but for whom this accommodation is only temporary. [22780/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict.
Of the approximately 27,000 people who have arrived in Ireland to date having fled the conflict in Ukraine, around 19,000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation.
It is open to anyone who is benefiting from temporary protection in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive to avail of short-term emergency accommodation through IPAS at any stage of the time that they spend here.
IPAS has contracted over 7500 rooms across hotels, hostels, student accommodation, B&Bs and more, with additional capacity being pursued through guest houses, accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, religious properties, Local Authority facilities and Airbnb. The Millstreet Green Glens Arena opened recently, and can take up to 320 people. IPAS is also investigating other options such as student accommodation for the summer period and holiday homes. Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.
In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
575. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a database has been compiled of Ukrainian refugees by date of entry to ensure fair allocation of longer-term accommodation options. [22781/22]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict.
A dedicated team is focused on the provision of temporary accommodation to refugees from Ukraine. This team is collaborating with all relevant Departments, Agencies, NGOs and Local Authorities, as well as the private sector, to ensure that refugees are provided with temporary accommodation on arrival, and to facilitate access to the supports from others that they require.
On arrival to Ireland those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine can choose to register with the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) for immediate temporary accommodation. Approximately 19,000 people have been placed in by IPAS accommodation to date, while around 8,000 people are staying with family or friends, or have made other private arrangements. It is possible for the anyone in receipt of temporary protection in Ireland under the EU Temporary Protection Directive to register with my Department for temporary accommodation at anytime during their stay in Ireland if they wish to do so.
IPAS has contracted over 7500 rooms across hotels, hostels, student accommodation, B&Bs and more, with additional capacity being pursued through guest houses, accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, religious properties, Local Authority facilities and Airbnb. The Millstreet Green Glens Arena opened recently, and can take up to 320 people. IPAS is also investigating other options such as student accommodation for the summer period and holiday homes. Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.
In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
576. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will reconsider the decision to award a company (details supplied) the contract to provide meals to Ukrainian refugees in direct provision centres; and if he will revoke the current contract for the company for direct provision centres given the reports of below standard food being provided by the company. [22803/22]
View answerMy Department is focused on providing immediate, short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Approximately 19,000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.
IPAS has contracted over 7500 rooms across hotels, hostels, student accommodation, B&Bs and more, with additional capacity being pursued through guest houses, accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, religious properties, Local Authority facilities and Airbnb. The Millstreet Green Glens Arena opened recently, and can take up to 320 people. IPAS is also investigating other options such as student accommodation for the summer period and holiday homes. Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.
The Department continues to cooperate with colleagues across Government on an all of Government response to this challenge.
The Department is not in a position to comment on individual contractors or contractual matters due to the commercially sensitive nature of this information.
Due to the urgent need to provide immediate temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, my Department is not always in a position to procure necessary contract(s) by advertising using the procedures set out in the Procurement Regulations. The Department intends to conduct a formal procurement competition for any services which may be required following the expiry of any agreement and once initial short term arrangements (using Article 32 of the Procurement Regulations) are put in place.
577. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason for the decision to change the provision of the early childhood care and education scheme to children from over two years and eight months on either 1 September or 1 January 2021 to just one date for entry, the first of September; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22835/22]
View answerThere was no change to ECCE eligibility or entry points in 2021. The last such change was in 2018.
Prior to September 2018 there were three entry points per year to ECCE (September, January and April) and children had to be at least 3 years old to enter the scheme. This lead to a situation where there was variation in the number of ECCE weeks a child could qualify for, ranging from between 61 and 88 weeks depending on the date of birth of the child.
The introduction of a single entry point aligned to the start of the primary school year ensured that all children could receive 2 full years of ECCE, or 76 weeks. This also ensures that all children can experience the full pre-school curriculum. In making this change, the minimum age was also reduced to 2 years 8 months
A single entry point has also streamlined the administration process for providers, making it easier for them to operate and budget for the programme year. In addition it has made it easier parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios.
578. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to retrospectively register the hundreds of Ukrainians that have been housed throughout the country independent to the Irish Red Cross, International Protection Accommodation Services and International Protection Procurement Services processes to that ensure appropriate supports are put in place and an accurate reflection of figures are accounted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22868/22]
View answerMy Department is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Approximately 19,000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.
IPAS has contracted over 7500 rooms across hotels, hostels, student accommodation, B&Bs and more, with additional capacity being pursued through guest houses, accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, religious properties, Local Authority facilities and Airbnb. The Millstreet Green Glens Arena opened recently, and can take up to 320 people. IPAS is also investigating other options such as student accommodation for the summer period and holiday homes. Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge.
The Department of Justice and the Department of Social Protection collect information on all arrivals into Ireland who are fleeing the war in Ukraine. This data, along with the information on numbers in short-term accommodation that my Department provides, is all fed into central planning by Government and other Departments and Agencies.
579. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that feature bilingual translations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23043/22]
View answerThe information requested is not routinely collated. However, my Department endeavours to provide information in both English and Irish, not only through social media, but through other communication channels and materials. We are committed to complying with requirements under the Official Languages Act, and this is kept under regular review.
580. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of social media posts made on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that were exclusively in languages besides English or Irish between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; the percentage of same that featured languages besides English or Irish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23061/22]
View answerThe Department operates 15 social media accounts excluding bodies under its aegis.
The information requested is not routinely collated. However, my Department endeavours to provide information in both English and Irish, not only through social media, but through other communication channels and materials. We are committed to complying with requirements under the Official Languages Act, and this is kept under regular review.
Content, including videos, posted on the Department's social media accounts, is publicly available.
581. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the percentage of social media videos posted on each of his Departmental social media accounts or the social media accounts of public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit that included closed captioning and or subtitling between 1 May 2021 and 30 April 2022, inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23079/22]
View answerThe Department operates 15 social media accounts excluding bodies under its aegis.
The information requested is not routinely collated. However, my Department endeavours to provide information in both English and Irish, not only through social media, but through other communication channels and materials. We are committed to complying with requirements under the Official Languages Act, and this is kept under regular review.
Content, including videos, posted on the Department's social media accounts, is publicly available.
582. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of funding a national advocacy service for people with disabilities in 2023 indicating the cost of a youth advocacy programme and adults including the inclusion of psychosocial disabilities in the advocacy services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23135/22]
View answerGovernment currently provides support to the National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities through funding and support from the Citizen's Information Board, which is itself a body under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection.
The National Advocacy Service for People with Disabilities provides an independent, confidential and free, representative advocacy service that works to ensure that when life decisions are made, due consideration is given to the will and preference of people with disabilities and that their rights are safeguarded.
Specific questions regarding funding for the National Advocacy Service and the exact activities supported would be more appropriate to my colleague the Minister for Social Protection.
For my part, I am wholeheartedly committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities are supported to live the lives that they want to and are provided equal opportunity to do so and recognise the importance of self-advocacy in this regard.
583. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the cost of the Decision Support Service in 2023; the estimated cost of employing community outreach workers in same in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23136/22]
View answerThe 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.
In preparation for 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. The budget for the Decision Support Service for 2023 has yet to be agreed, and will be finalised in the context of the normal estimates process for Budget 2023.
The 2015 Act does not provide specifically for the recruitment of community outreach workers by the DSS. However, the DSS does have a statutory role regarding the provision of information and support regarding the Act, which it undertakes within the context of its allocated budget.
584. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of creche closures notified to Tusla in 2017 and 2018; the number of new registrations notified to Tulsa in 2017, 2018 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [23184/22]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
585. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of contracts awarded in 2022 by his Department or bodies under his aegis outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23189/22]
View answerMy Department is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Almost 20,000 people have been placed in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation to date.
In an effort to reach these solutions, my Department has contracted approximately 16,500 beds in hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings with additional capacity also being pursued through Airbnb, accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, religious properties and Local Authority facilities. My Department is also investigating other options such as student accommodation for the summer period and holiday homes.
Given the number of people arriving, sourcing suitable accommodation continues to be a challenge. In seeking to address immediate accommodation needs, safety and security are the paramount considerations.
Due to the urgent need to provide immediate temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine, my Department is not always in a position to procure necessary contract(s) by advertising using the procedures set out in the Procurement Regulations. My Department intends to conduct a formal procurement competition for any services which may be required following the expiry of any agreement and once initial short term arrangements (using Article 32 of the Procurement Regulations) are put in place.
In relation to any contracts awarded in 2022 outside the standard procurement process in order to assist the arrival of refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine, as required these will be compiled and submitted to C&AG before 31 March 2023.
586. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he or his Department employ persons or firms to deal with public relations; if so, the number of persons employed by his Department to deal with public relations; the names of firms involved; and the total amount spent on public relations by his Department. [23216/22]
View answerThe Department Communication unit is responsible for developing and implementing an internal and external communications strategy for the Department. There are currently nine people assigned to the Unit.
587. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to issues for small ECCE services under the core funding model (details supplied); and if he will consider changes and or alternatives to ensure the services can continue. [23457/22]
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 Early Childhood Care and Education 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. Services for whom the Funding Guarantee will apply and those who will see just small increases from Core Funding are ECCE services in receipt of the highest levels of public funding relative to staffing requirements implied by statutory ratios.
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.
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 services opening fewer hours or offering fewer places. 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 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.
Approximately two thirds of the funding for Core Funding is intended to contribute to improved pay rates across different categories of staff. This portion of the budget cannot be made available without assurances that this funding will be channelled towards achieving the intended policy objective of improved pay and conditions. Core Funding is therefore largely contingent on the details of an ERO being agreed.
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 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 addition, my Department will shortly appoint a consultant to undertake a 12 month review of ECCE which will consider any enhancements that can be made based on international evidence and experience to date. The review will involve a wide consultation with providers, educators, parents, children and other stakeholders.
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, detailed 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.
588. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if dates have been set for the publication for the first round of CAO offers. [22833/22]
View answerThe State Examinations Commission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.
In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.
