Written Answers Nos. 94-108
94. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has avenues of support in place to assist owners of crèches and preschools who are facing serious financial challenges in spite of the new core funding model; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35384/22]
View answerThe new Core Funding Scheme announced in Budget 2022 amounts to €221 million in full year costs, €173 million of which is new investment.
This quantum of funding, in addition to the design of the allocation methodology, will substantially contribute to services’ sustainability.
Core Funding will significantly increase income for the overwhelming majority of services and provide greater funding stability.
In addition, a number of measures have been put in place to ensure that all services are sufficiently supported in the transition to this new funding model.
A funding guarantee has been issued to a small number of services who may otherwise see a small reduction in income with the new funding model. This is estimated to affect approximately 40 services, less than 1% of the sector. It is important to note that these services are those that have previously had the highest level of funding relative to staffing requirements and this will be maintained in the new funding model.
There is no evidence to suggest that services will face viability issues as a result of the Core Funding. However there are other issues which can affect services' sustainability. For providers who experience financial difficulties, a Sustainability Fund is being designed to provide an extra safety net.
The Sustainability Fund will be available to community not-for-profit and private for-profit services that are signed up to Core Funding. Based on experience of having run previous strands of the Sustainability Fund, it will focus on operational as well as financial supports to assist services to manage their difficulties and transition to sustainability and can include specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
This new strand will operate from the autumn and can be accessed via local City and County Childcare Committees.
95. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to support the development of fostering services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35390/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for this question regarding supporting the development of fostering services.
There are currently approximately 5,826 children and young people in the care of the State, with 90% being cared for by foster carers, enabling them to live in a safe, secure, and stable home environment.
The Deputy will be aware that foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. In addition, where criteria are met in relation to additional needs of the child in their care, foster carers may qualify for an enhanced foster care payment.
I can inform the Deputy that foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system.
Key elements of this support include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care. Respite care for children may be arranged if it is part of their care plan. In addition, pre-assessment and ongoing training are compulsory for foster carers in order to equip them with the skills and knowledge to provide high quality care.
Tusla has informed me that current initiatives in fostering service include fostering recruitment and the development of therapeutic teams to support admissions to care.
In relation to supports from outside of Tusla, I am aware that Tusla provides funding for the Irish Foster Care Association which offers a range of supports to carers, including advocacy, mediation, training and a telephone advice service.
Tusla are in the process of developing a Strategic Plan on Foster Care 2022-2025. I am aware that Tusla has recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of the Plan.
Tusla has informed me that their ambition for this Plan is to ensure that they implement the recommendations, to promote a partnership approach with foster carers and to ensure consistency in service provision. I very much welcome these goals and I look forward to the completion of this important piece of work and the recommendations contained within.
96. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department provides funding for the development or refurbishment of playgrounds; if so, if he will provide details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36689/22]
View answerMy Department operates the Play and Recreation Capital grant scheme, which provides funding, via Local Authorities, to support the development of new recreation facilities for children and young people. The scheme also funds the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play elements.
The criteria for the scheme were developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network, established to bring a focus on play and recreation within each local authority. Grants are for the development of new play facilities, the refurbishment of existing playgrounds and/or the incorporation of natural play areas.
For each project, 25% of the awarded amount must be provided by the Local Authority. Facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people of all abilities, as far as possible.
All facilities and equipment funded must be child-friendly and safe, and all projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence that children and young people living locally who will have access to the facility have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them, including outside of school hours.
Over the last five years, €2,070,000 was provided by my Department through this fund for the development and renovation of children’s playgrounds. In 2022, €450,000 was awarded to 29 Local Authorities. Some of the projects covered include wheelchair accessible swings, sensory equipment, and learn to cycle tracks.
Children’s playgrounds and play areas should be places of fun and activity for all children to enjoy, so that every child can experience the joy and excitement that comes with playing outdoors.
97. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report from his engagement in the Council of Europe Joint Project CP4Europe - Strengthening National Child Participation Frameworks and Action in Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35465/22]
View answerI opened the first day of the Council of Europe Child and Youth Participation for Europe conference in May, in Cork. The conference was the first conference event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of Europe. It was also the mid-term event of the CP4Europe project.
This project promotes children’s right to participation at national and pan-European levels, aiming to strengthen National Child Participation Frameworks and Action in Europe.
The conference was organised by my department, alongside Hub na nÓg and the Council of Europe, with the input of young people themselves.
One of the key themes of Ireland’s Presidency of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers: is ‘Hear Our Voices - Promoting participatory democracy and youth engagement in the 21st century.’ In my opening address at University College Cork, I discussed Ireland’s child participation journey , noting that in the past children’s voices were silenced far too often, sometimes shamefully so. However, we are now a world leader when it comes to child participation; our 2015 National Strategy for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making was the first of its kind in Europe.
I also took part in a panel discussion on the first day about the importance of remaining committed to child participation structures, even during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and now the war in Ukraine.
The three days of the conference presentations and discussion showcased Ireland's established child participation structures, including Comhairle na nÓg, Dáil na nÓg, our national centre of excellence Hub na nÓg, and the most recently established structure, the National Youth Assembly.
Youth delegations from the participating CP4 countries (Czech Republic, Finland, Iceland, Portugal and Slovenia) presented on topics including safe digital platforms for children and the experience of deaf children of participation initiatives.
98. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of the education and training bursary scheme for young people who have experienced care in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36696/22]
View answerThank you Deputy Lahart for your question. This year DCEDIY and Tusla secured €750,000 in Dormant Accounts Funding for the continuation of educational supports for care experienced children and young people. This is the second year of a two year programme funded by Dormant Accounts. The purpose of the funding is to support and assist care experienced young people achieve their full potential in education.
DCEDIY, in collaboration with Tusla, have agreed an approach to delivering these supports which comprises three strands, one of which is the Education and Training Bursary Scheme for Care Experienced Young People, which I launched on 15th June.
Care experienced young people over 18 years of age, who are not receiving financial support for their education from any other State source, can apply for a bursary of up to €5,000.
Last year, the Bursary Scheme Committee approved 136 applications and just under €185,000 was awarded to young people to support their further education or training. Successful applications included the payment of fees for young people applying for new courses or training as well as those seeking to continue on an existing course or training.
Applications for financial support for the hardware, software or equipment necessary to participate in courses were also considered. Examples of such requests included tools to complete an apprenticeship, uniforms for courses or hardware such as laptops or printers.
Examples of the type of courses undertaken by the applicants included social care, beauty, nursing, hair dressing and legal and political studies.
The funding of courses and equipment for so many young people shows the success of this bursary scheme and I am very pleased that my Department and Tusla are able to provide it again in 2022.
The application process opened on 15th June and is accessible through the Tusla website.
Since 2017, Tusla have been delivering a range of aftercare services and supports, including an aftercare allowance to support young people as they progress in their education and training. They are also entitled to the payment of their fees through the SUSI grant.
However, I am aware that at times there may be courses that young people wish to pursue that are not covered by SUSI and at other times courses may have additional unexpected costs.
While there are very strong supports for formal 3rd level courses, this scheme is to address the need for supports for other, often shorter courses, which are part of the incremental steps for young people building their careers.
In such instances this bursary scheme will be of real practical benefit and will improve access to educational opportunities.
99. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline progress regarding the provision of statutory domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36706/22]
View answer149. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on progressing plans to introduce paid leave for survivors of domestic violence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35992/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 149 together.
Conscious of the risk of poverty those fleeing Domestic Violence face, the Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence.
The issue of domestic violence leave has been researched by my officials and has included consideration of domestic violence leave at international level, identifying best practice and developing a suitable model for roll-out in Ireland.
The Department has also engaged in a targeted consultation process with relevant stakeholders and social partners to examine how a scheme of leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively. This has included consulting with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions. Stakeholders of the National Equality Strategy Committees have also been consulted.
A report is being prepared based on this work, which will be brought to Government shortly. The report will include recommendations on how best to support employees experiencing domestic abuse, including proposals for the introduction of domestic violence leave. I intend to progress this leave as part of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill which is currently being drafted.
100. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the initiatives his Department is taking to assist LGBTI+ asylum applicants with specific vulnerabilities while their applications are being assessed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36697/22]
View answerI am committed to developing a new operational policy better to support LGBTI+ international protection applicants living in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation centres.
The operational policy will be developed in partnership with current and former residents of IPAS accommodation. It will include the development of policies to ensure that the needs of LGBTI+ applicants are addressed and that the specific accommodation needs of transgender applicants are met
The new policy stems from an action contained in the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy (2019-2021), which I chair and my Department is responsible for, to ‘Develop a broad LGBTI+ policy, including a transgender accommodation policy, to promote equality, take account of self-determined identity and to ensure that the safety and well-being of all residents is promoted’.
Following a procurement process I am pleased to have awarded a contract to LGBT Ireland to undertake qualitative research to examine the experiences of LGBTI+ people living in IPAS accommodation, benchmark against international best practice, and make recommendations. This will ensure the independence and ethical viability of the new operational policy to better support LGBTI+ residents. The initial meeting of my Department and LGBT Ireland was on the 5 July 2022.
The current policy of IPAS is to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of all residents. The safety and protection of residents who disclose to IPAS that they are transgender is a priority for my Department. IPAS and all accommodation centres under contract to it, are committed to establishing safeguards to help protect residents from harassment and bullying. IPAS has taken steps to accommodate the needs of residents that are transgender, and ensure the well-being of all residents.
In addition the Integration and Supports operational policy being developed for the implementation of A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, includes measures to assist LGBTI+ asylum applicants with specific vulnerabilities while their applications are being assessed.
101. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 546 of 17 May 2022, the expected timeline for the establishment of the specialist tracing service; the resources allocated thereto; the membership, working methods and objectives of the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36523/22]
View answerIn March 2021, following publication of the Independent Review into Illegal Birth Registration, I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14 March 2022, I published the report which sets out 17 numbered recommendations.
Recommendations 8–12 relate to creating a Specialist Tracing Service that would take a two-pronged approach to identifying further cases of illegal birth registration.
Firstly, it recommends a review and trace of the files flagged by Tusla during the Independent Review as raising suspicions of illegal birth registration, but which fell short of the amount of evidence in the St. Patrick Guild files. Secondly, it recommends creating a right of expedited review for persons who hold reasonable suspicions that they may have been the subject of an illegal birth registration.
I accepted these recommendations and amended the Birth Information and Tracing Bill accordingly to provide a legal basis for a specialist tracing service. That legislation was signed into law by the President on 30 June 2022 and I commenced the first suite of provisions on 01 July to pave the way for information and tracing services to open in October 2022.
I ensured that, alongside the establishment of the Contact Preference Register and the information campaign, provisions to establish the specialist tracing service for illegal birth registrations were also commenced. With this legislative framework in place, and in line with the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations, I intend to formally request a review of files flagged by Tusla as raising suspicions of illegal birth registration.
102. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way his Department is supporting the European Year of Youth initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35388/22]
View answerThe purpose of the European Year of Youth, announced by the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen last November, is to strengthen efforts to celebrate, support and engage with young people across the EU, in recognition of the particular impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the opportunities of young people.
In recognition of its existing role in promoting European youth opportunities, I appointed Léargas as Ireland National Coordinator for the Year, with responsibility to implement, co-ordinate and promote activities at national level in close partnership with my Department.
As part of its role, Léargas, working closely with my officials, convened a National Steering Group bringing together key youth stakeholders to support the development and co-ordination of the activities of the European Year of Youth in Ireland. This Steering Group includes a number of youth representatives as well as representatives of the wider youth sector.
The European Year of Youth was officially launched at the Connect with Europe conference, which I was delighted to give an address at. The event showcased how young people can access opportunities in Europe through information and support initiatives like Eurodesk and Youth Wiki. Multiple other events are taking place throughout the year, and across the country, to celebrate the European Year of Youth. For example, my Department were proud to support Léargas’ national youth event ‘All Aboard’, in May. Over 200 young people from different background and counties, came together on a specially chartered train to raise awareness of local, national and European opportunities available to young people in Ireland.
In addition, my Department has provided €200,000 in total to support a European Year of Youth Micro Grants Scheme being managed by Léargas. This brings the total available under the Scheme to €295,000, with the remaining funding provided from the European Commission’s grant and Léargas’ operational budget.
The Micro Grants Scheme is open to youth organisations, local youth and community groups and organised groups of young people in other settings such as schools to apply for funding to carry out activities that support, celebrate, engage and listen to young people and that promote youth opportunities at a local, national and European level, in line with the objectives of the European Year of Youth. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, projects which support or aid the integration of young people from Ukraine have also been included in the Micro Grants scheme.
Micro Grants of between €500 and €5000 are available under this scheme and there are six deadlines over the course of the year to facilitate applications as much as possible. There has been significant demand for funding under the scheme to date, with €160,652 awarded across 66 projects so far and I have been delighted to have this opportunity to support young people from all backgrounds to participate in a range of very worthwhile initiatives.
103. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on his Department’s strategy to make childcare more affordable for parents and sustainable for providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36698/22]
View answerSignificant investment is being made by my Department to support parents with the costs of paying for early learning and childcare and to support providers with the costs of delivering early learning and childcare.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is currently supporting thousands of families to offset their costs. A recent review of the NCS showed that:
- 38% families had more than half of their early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS;
- 56% families had more money to spend due to the scheme; and
- 28% families were working more because of NCS, with 8% reporting that they would not be in work without it.
I recognise however that the burden on some families remains high and we need to do more to ensure affordability and sustainability.
An Expert Group to develop a new funding model for the early learning and childcare sector made recommendations to Government in December which were accepted in full. This new funding model is now beginning to be implemented to improve quality, affordability, sustainability and accessibility of services.
The package of measures for the sector announced in Budget 2022 was informed by the Expert Group recommendations. The package includes a new Core Funding stream valued at up to €221 million in a full year. Making early learning and childcare more affordable to parents and improving services' sustainability are central objectives of Core Funding, along with improving quality including through better terms and conditions for the workforce.
A central condition of Core Funding will be that providers agree not to increase fees above those which were charged last year. This will give parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensure that increases to NCS subsidies are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time.
Budget 2022 also extended universal NCS subsidies for children of all ages up to 15, and changed how ‘wraparound hours’ for NCS subsidies are determined. The Expert Group report also recommended increasing the NCS rates and this will also be implemented for future years.
Ensuring no fee increase, in tandem with developments to the NCS will together deliver improved affordability for parents.
Core Funding will contribute to services’ sustainability and will significantly increase income for the overwhelming majority of services and provide greater funding stability. A number of safeguards have been put in place to ensure no unintended outcomes of Core Funding including a funding guarantee and a Sustainability Fund which will be open to both private and community services.
In order to contribute to services' stability and sustainability, Core Funding will be allocated based largely on capacity, as distinct from occupancy. Higher levels of funding will be available for capacity for younger children, to support the higher operating costs for these children arising from the higher staff ratio requirements.
Core Funding will give providers a stable income source based on the nature of the service they deliver. A provider’s income will now consist of Core Funding, NCS and ECCE subsidies, and parental fees. Structuring Core Funding primarily based on capacity means that services will have an allocation each year that will not fluctuate in line with children’s attendance.
Since August 2020, early learning and childcare services had been able to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) without having to demonstrate a reduction in turnover. This continued to be available until the end of April. This significant level of funding to the sector has ensured that fees have remained largely static for the last two years and that providers have continued to be sustainable.
Following the tapering of EWSS and prior to the introduction of Core Funding, between May and August a Transition Fund is available to providers. The primary conditionality of the Transition Fund is that providers agree not to increase fees from September 2021 levels. I am delighted to report that 95% of services have agreed to operate a freeze on parental fees by coming into contract for the Transition Fund, contributing to both affordability for parents as well as sustainability of providers.
As you can see, I am committed to putting in place a strong foundation to improve affordability for parents and sustainability for services, as well as improved quality of provision, including pay and conditions for the workforce. This foundation will allow for further developments in future years.
104. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 537 of 15 February 2022, the number of children currently in State care by placement type; and the number for whom placement type is not specified (details supplied). [36555/22]
View answerI would like to thank the deputy for this question regarding the numbers of children in state care. As this data is collated by Tusla, I have sought and received an input from them on this matter.
I have been informed by Tusla that at the end of April 2022 there were 5,869 children and young people in the care of the State. Approximately 90% are cared for by foster carers. The detailed breakdown of the figures is as follows:
- General foster care 3,737
- Relative foster care 1,509
- Residential care 439 (424 in general residential care and 15 in special care)
- Other care placements 184.
- The breakdown of the "other care placements" is as follows:
- Supported lodgings 70
- At home under a care order 28
- Detention centre / prison 3
- Other residential centre (e.g., disability unit, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centre) 49
- Not specified 34
I hope this information is satisfactory to the deputy.
105. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has had discussions recently with representative organisations in relation to the core funding model given that concerns have been experienced by some childcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36664/22]
View answer111. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his consideration for an immediate review of the core funding structure for ECCE services to increase viability of ECCE small scale services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36744/22]
View answer128. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will meet with small childcare providers to discuss the impact of recent changes on their provision of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36735/22]
View answer130. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the real concerns regarding the viability under core funding within parts of the early childhood care and education sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36712/22]
View answer137. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has considered concerns of childcare providers that the new core funding scheme poses challenges for smaller providers. [35722/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 105, 111, 128, 130 and 137 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 the 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.
The Expert Group engaged in a widespread programme of stakeholder consultation in order to review the existing funding model for Early Learning and Childcare and develop a new funding model. Over the course of the two year project, the extensive programme of stakeholder consultation sought the views of parents, providers, the workforce, and other stakeholders, all of which is documented and publicly available.
One of major recommendations of the Expert Group report was to introduce a new supply-side funding stream based on capacity and incorporating funding for graduates and administrative support. Core Funding, which begins in September, is the new funding stream worth €221 million in full year costs 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 improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers. Core Funding allows for an estimated 19% increase in the total cost base for the sector.
My officials have engaged extensively with provider representatives and providers of all types, and continue to do so, via various fora, as the details of Core Funding are available. I, along with senior officials, have met with provider representative groups on a number of occasions and have maintained information, presentations, FAQs and other useful material online.
My Department and I have engaged with providers throughout the development and implementation of the new funding model, and will continue to do so in the future. I met with the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum most recently on the 29th June, and this served as a useful opportunity to hear from a variety and diversity of stakeholders in the sector, following the publication of the funding agreement for Core Funding.
Core Funding is a new way of providing funding for the sector and addresses some disparities in the previous system of funding. It is a fair and proportionate approach to distributing funding that is linked to the main drivers of providers' costs. There is no a solid foundation in evidence for the concerns expressed by some that Core Funding will compromise services' viability.
In examining all of the data available to the Department, including that provided by some provider representatives, there is no evidence about a significant lack of sustainability for ECCE-only services or to suggest that services will face closure as a result of Core Funding.
Analysis of providers’ income and costs shows that services with the characteristics correlated with ECCE-only provision had the highest levels of income in excess of costs compared to other types of provision. Levels of income in excess of costs range from 14% to 23%, depending on the characteristic chosen. These figures compare to a sector median proportion of income in excess of cost of 4%. This was prior to increases in ECCE capitation rates and does not take account of the substantial investment in services during Covid-19 or the new Core Funding income that services will be eligible for.
Accounting for the proposed Employment Regulation Order rates currently being considered, Department estimates show that sessional pre-school services will receive income from the State through the ECCE programme that will cover staff costs and leave considerable room for overheads and surplus, or for any service that may choose to raise wages above anticipated new minimum rates. Core Funding constitutes additional income on top of ECCE capitation.
Every year a number of services close and others open. Current data on service closures and openings are not markedly different to the trend in previous years. This data also shows that services close for a wide range of reasons including retirement of owners or other personal circumstances and only a minority relate to sustainability issues.
I am committed to ensuring more stability of income for services, and that is one of the key objectives of Core Funding.
The vast majority of services will see an increase in funding, and less than 1% of services will see no change. No service will see a decrease in funding. For any service that does experience financial difficulties, a Sustainability Fund will be put in place. This new strand of the Sustainability Fund, linked to Core Funding, will be designed to provide an extra safety net for providers. This will be open to both private and community providers.
I look forward to working with all providers who wish to enter into a Partner Service agreement with the Department to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good.
106. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with a campaign (details supplied), the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media to resolve the issues facing disabled artists who face losing vital social protection supports if they accept arts funding, including the newly created basic income for artists; and if not, if he will do so. [36741/22]
View answerI am aware of the Disabled Artists and Disabled Academics (DADA) campaign and have met with them on multiple occasions to discuss their concerns. A further meeting involving myself, Minister Roderic O’Gorman T.D. and representatives of DADA is scheduled for 27 July.
My Department has responsibility for the development and implementation of disability policy, and this is currently delivered via two whole of government national disability strategies, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
My colleague the Minister for Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media has established a Pilot Scheme titled ‘Basic Income for the Arts’.
It is important to stress that a payment under the pilot is not a social protection or income support payment. Rather it is a payment in recognition of the valuable contribution of the arts community and an incentive to encourage people to remain employed in the arts rather than seeking employment elsewhere.
It is also important to note that both of the Department of Social Protection's primary means tested social assistance payments (disability allowance and blind pension) have been structured to support recipients to avail of opportunities to pursue employment, be that self-employment or insurable employment.
When an individual commences employment, they can avail of an income disregard of €140 per week. In addition, 50% of earnings between €140 and €375, are also disregarded for the purpose of the means test.
Income from the pilot scheme will be treated as income from self-employment, and as a result these disregards will apply.
The conditions underpinning this scheme is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection.
107. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the strategy and goals of the work life balance Bill 2022; the positive impacts he expects this Bill to have on parents and children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35464/22]
View answerOn 21 April the Government gave its approval for the drafting of a Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill. The General Scheme of the proposed Bill is published on my Department's website. The main purpose of the proposed legislation is to transpose elements of the EU Work Life Balance Directive and provide new rights to parents and carers in order to support a better work life balance.
Under the proposed legislation, parents and carers will see a right to request flexible working, including the right to request compressed or reduced hours, the introduction of five days leave per year for serious medical care, and the extension of current entitlement to breastfeeding/lactation breaks under the Maternity Protection Acts from six months to two years, with corresponding positive impacts for the well-being of children. These proposals will complement family leave and other entitlements already in place and will provide additional flexibility. It is anticipated that provisions which enable parents to spend more time with their children will bring significant benefits to those children as research has proved that children benefit from their care of their parents, particularly in the first years of life.
The proposals also reflect commitments in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future, in the National Strategy for Women and Girls, and in the First 5 Strategy to develop greater family-friendly flexible working arrangements and support breastfeeding.
The General Scheme has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in the Office of the Attorney General and will be brought to Government when completed.
The General Scheme was also referred for pre-legislative scrutiny to the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, which published its report on 9 June.
108. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he will take to address the staffing issues in the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36745/22]
View answerI acknowledge that many early learning and care and school-age childcare services are reporting staffing difficulties in relation to recruitment and retention. My Department continues to monitor the issue.
In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover, and recruitment and staff retention difficulties are undoubtedly linked to pay and conditions, with for example the average pay in the sector being €12.60 per hour in 2021.
As the State does not employ early years educators or school-age childcare practitioners, I cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions.
In December last, I published Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022 to 2028. Actions in Nurturing Skills to develop career pathways and promote careers in the sector will complement efforts to improve pay and conditions of employment, to make the sector more attractive to potential workers.
A key enabler for Nurturing Skills will be the Joint Labour Committee for Early Years Services. I began a process in December 2020, which examined the possibility of regulating pay and conditions and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee for the sector. This process culminated in the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee, which began meeting in December 2021.
In Budget 2022, I announced a new €221m Core Funding stream which, among other objectives, will support service providers to meet new higher minimum rates of pay for the sector that may be negotiated through the Joint Labour Committee.
