Written Answers Nos. 656-675
656. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if providers that want to purchase, lease or rent the creche and childcare facilities required in housing developments as part of Guidelines for Planning Authorities on Childcare Facilities under section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 have access to any affordability schemes nationally or locally. [37642/22]
View answerDuring 2021, €70m was secured in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation for ELC and SAC. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during 2023-2025. Investment under the NDP will consist of three pillars: Modernisation, New Capacity and First 5 / Innovation Initiatives.
Some €10m will be made available in 2023 for a Pillar 1 - Modernisation. The purpose of scheme will be to improve energy efficiency standards across the sector, while also supporting the continuous improvement of the physical environment of services for children in Early Learning and School Age Childcare settings. Further information on this scheme and the application process will be communicated to the sector in the coming months.
Pillar 1 - Building Blocks- Modernisation Grant 2023 is the first of three NDP capital scheme “Pillars” for the early learning and childcare sector. Pillars 2 and 3 will operate from 2024 onwards, as follows:
Pillar 2 - Building Blocks Capacity grant (€45m) – will address the capacity gaps, expanding existing provisions where possible and investing in the development of new provision where most needed;
Pillar 3 - Building Blocks Innovation grant (€15m) – piloting a range of innovative initiatives and ideas for the Early Learning & Care Services (ELC) and School Age Childcare Services (SAC) sector such as piloting ELC/SAC outdoor provision, piloting meal provision in ELC services.
657. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae 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. [37979/22]
View answerUnder the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, all staff working directly with children in a pre-school service must hold at least a Level 5 major award in early childhood care and education on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or a qualification that the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has deemed to be equivalent.
My Department has published a list of qualifications that meet both regulatory and funding requirements for working in early learning and care services. The list can be found at this link:
www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=assets.gov.ie/91125/df4fce5e-e6d0-4524-bfc3-10139c009c09.pdf#page=null .
If an individual's qualification does not appear on the list, they may apply to my Department to have it assessed for equivalence. Details on how to apply are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/000073-recognition-of-an-early-years-qualification/ .
To be approved to practise in the sector, an individual's studies must be of a standard at least at level 5 on the NFQ (or equivalent) and must include the following content:
- Child development for children aged 0-6.
- Early childhood education - theory and practice.
- Child health and welfare for children aged 0-6.
- Evidence that the qualification contains a supervised practicum/practice placement working in an early learning and care setting.
With regards to the individual mentioned in the Deputy's question, as a result of data protection requirements I cannot share information with a third party in relation to an individual’s application. I would, however, encourage any individual seeking qualification recognition to engage directly with the relevant officials in my Department in providing all relevant documentation required to support their application.
658. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the difficulties faced by asylum seekers in direct provision who are without PPS numbers (details supplied); if he will make the treatment of those who are seeking protection in Ireland a priority; if he will address the issue of those without PPS numbers; his plans to abolish direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37011/22]
View answerFirst of all, I would like to assure you that the health and well-being of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to myself and my officials.All persons accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) are provided with fully catered or independent living accommodation and the same IPAS supports whether they have a PPSN or not. Any queries relating to the allocation of PPSNs should be directed to the Department of Social Protection. My officials have engaged with the Department of Social Protection on the matter of early issue of PPSNs to international protection applicants.
While staff were temporarily diverted to respond to the needs of Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, the International Protection Support Service (IPPS) transition team has now resumed its work to implement the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service.
Governance structures have been established to oversee transition to the new model. These structures include a Programme Board, a Risk Committee and an External Advisory Committee. The Programme Board has met on seven occasions to date and will meet again later this week.
My Department has worked with the Housing Agency to develop detailed policy advice papers, including an acquisition policy, an ownership model and a funding model. The ownership model was approved in January 2022, and work is now ongoing to develop a funding model for approved housing bodies. The Housing Agency has made good progress to date in sourcing and acquiring properties for Phase Two accommodation. This work, to source and acquire properties, will continue for the remainder of 2022.
The County and City Management Association (CCMA) has developed and approved a Local Authority allocation key. This allows for a distribution of applicants across the country according to population criteria. Work is ongoing to develop the integration structures at a local level. This will support applicants once they move into Phase Two accommodation in the community. I have indicated to the City and County Management Association that funding will be provided, starting this year, for the recruitment of integration support workers for this purpose.
Work is continuing on the launch of an integration fund shortly. This will fund civil society organisations to support the integration of international protection applicants.
Finally, a communication strategy is being developed. This includes the launch of a dedicated webpage, which went live in February 2022. This webpage allow all members of the public to find updates on the progress being made in implementing the White Paper.
659. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a response will issue to the serious concerns that have been raised in relation to childcare policy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37085/22]
View answerMy Department is aware of the concerns raised and is considering the issues raised in the correspondence and will issue a response in due course. I will also be requesting that my officials meet with the corresponding organisation to discuss the matters further.
The review which the correspondent references noted the considerable success of the NCS in reaching those most in need. As the correspondent notes the review also reflects certain concerns particularly that it may present challenges for some families and for some providers serving disadvantaged communities.
It is however quite incorrect to say that "in November 2019 the targeted funding for disadvantage was closed to children". The NCS is designed to be highly inclusive and to meet the needs of those families who need it the most. The NCS is based on the principle of progressive universalism and has regard to the best interests of children.
The subsidies on the older schemes were grounded in medical card and social protection entitlements. It is a central policy component of the NCS to poverty proof and assist people in exiting the poverty traps, some of which were associated with the older ELC/SAC schemes. Both the older schemes and the NCS contained universal and targeted elements. As a point of fact the proportion of families on the targeted schemes vs universal on NCS is more favourable than on the older schemes.
By making this fundamental shift away from the legacy schemes where subsidies are grounded in medical card and social protection entitlements, and by tangibly reducing the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families, the NCS aims to improve children’s outcomes, improve labour market participation and reduce child poverty. It is a central policy component of the NCS to poverty proof. It also designed to assist people in exiting the poverty trap, elements of which were inherent in the legacy schemes.
My Department continues to consult extensively with stakeholders on the development of NCS, through the Partnership for the Public Good report and the 12 month review of the NCS. The reviews noted the considerable success of the NCS in reaching those most in need. However, the report also highlights the same issues raised in the correspondence, particularly that it may present challenges for some families and for some providers serving disadvantaged communities. Findings which I have already begun to act on in Budget 2022, specifically:
- An extension to the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15 from September 2022, benefitting up to 40,000 children.
- An end to the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours from spring 2022, benefitting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families.
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 is open to services.
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.
Once Core Funding is embedded and changes to existing programmes take effect (ECCE and NCS), my Department will progress the development of the Tackling Disadvantage funding and support. Informed by recommendations in Partnership for the Public Good, services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.
This Government agreed on 31 May to the publication of the National Action Plan and for its submission to the EU Commission. The publication of the Plan is an important first step in the implementation of the EU Child Guarantee which clearly intersects with the Tackling Disadvantage response. Identifying the most appropriate and effective structures to pursue the reforms necessary to improve outcomes for our most disadvantaged children and young people will be a particular focus of our work in the coming months, in order to progress matters.
660. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the name and details of each premises being used to accommodate Ukrainian refugees; the number of refugees in each premises; the rate of payment for refugees per night given to the premises in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37101/22]
View answer661. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the full amount of monies paid out per county to accommodate Ukrainian refugees to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37103/22]
View answer662. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the process used by his Department to select suitable accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; the standards which must be met; if all current accommodation that is being used meets these standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37104/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 660 to 662, inclusive, together.
My Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
663. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise on matters raised in correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the early childhood care and education scheme rules which are disadvantageous; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37130/22]
View answerWhen first introduced, the ECCE programme was delivered over 38 weeks in a given ECCE programme year and children were required to be between the ages of 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months in September in the year they enrolled.
ECCE now provides for 72 weeks over two years. To enable this, a child must now have turned 2 years and 8 months on or before the 31st August of a given programme year in order to be eligible (and cannot turn 5 years and 6 months during the programme year). . This change was based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory requirements for early learning and care.
There is no situation in which a child is only entitled to one year of the ECCE programme and the current arrangements ensure that all children have the same entitlement, unlike an earlier multiple age entry point system. It should also be noted that whilst there is one point at which the child becomes eligible, eligible children can enter the ECCE programme at any time during the 2 year cycle.
I would also highlight the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help with early learning and childcare costs. There are two types of subsidy for children over 6 months of age:
- A universal subsidy for children under 3. Children over 3 who have not yet qualified for the ECCE programme are also eligible. It is not means tested. From September 2022, this subsidy will be extended to children of all ages up to 15.
- An income-assessed subsidy for children up to 15. It is means tested.
I would note that my Department will shortly commence a 12 month review of the ECCE programme which will consider whether the programme is meeting its objectives and subject to the findings consider whether any changes need to be made. As part of this review, there will be wide stakeholder engagement, which will include an opportunity for parents to offer their views on matters such as this. The concerns raised in this PQ will be considered in that review.
664. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the provision of specific pathways of support to reach under-represented minorities within the autism community including members of Traveller, ethnic minorities and LGBTQIA+ communities. [37131/22]
View answerAs Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, I have consistently worked to move towards a rights based model of support for people with disabilities, including under-represented groups that may face multiple forms of discrimination. This is the approach set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which Ireland ratified in 2018.
I am acutely aware of the need to make further advances towards meeting the needs of people with autism in Ireland. It is for this reason that I have prioritised the development of a national Autism Innovation Strategy.
This strategy will identify key areas where individuals with autism face particular challenges and barriers, in order to accelerate our journey towards being a more autism-inclusive and neurodiverse-friendly society.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will complement our existing national disability strategies, which are designed to support people with disabilities in all aspects of their lives. These are the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
Notwithstanding the Government's commitment for action on autism, it is important to note that neurodiverse persons already are encompassed by the supports provided in broader disability national strategies and plans. The Autism Innovation Strategy will be developed so as to sit harmoniously with wider disability strategies, and in a manner that ensures the fair distribution of supports.
The existing disability strategies are already cognisant of intersectional issues. Given the interlinkages between disability equality policy and other equality areas such as gender, LGBTQIA+, ethnic minority and Traveller rights, my officials coordinate with a wide range of colleagues across the Department, other Government Departments/Agencies and external stakeholders to ensure that policy and strategy development takes account of the specific needs of different groups in society, on an explicitly intersectional basis.
A review of Ireland's national equality strategies - the Migrant Integration Strategy, the National Strategy for Women and Girls and the National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy - is currently underway and is expected to be completed by the end of the year. The evaluation process will consider how to address the issue of intersectionality in a more coherent way. Successor strategies will look to design and implement programmes and measures to address intersectional discrimination in partnership with NGOs and communities.
665. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will establish a fund to allocate core funding to allow for the creation and further development of grassroots and autistic-led initiatives to address loneliness, social isolation and tackle stigma amongst autistic children and adults. [37174/22]
View answerI am acutely aware of the challenges facing people with autism in Ireland at all stages of their lives, including loneliness, social isolation and stigma which present real barriers to the full inclusion of people with autism in our society.
It is for this reason that as Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, I have prioritised the development of a national Autism Innovation Strategy which will seek to deliver real and tangible solutions to address the challenges and barriers faced by people with autism across Ireland. This Strategy will identify bespoke needs not currently being met in broader disability supports, and will sit harmoniously in the context of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
At present, there are no plans to establish a dedicated fund for the purposes of supporting autistic-led initiatives. However, where bespoke and unmet needs are identified, they will be considered in the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy.
It is important to note that neurodiverse people are already supported through the provision of broader supports for persons with disabilities.
Funding streams are already in place to support community initiatives for all people with disabilities, including those with autism. In October 2021, I was delighted to launch a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF) worth €2.5 million in 2021. The purpose of DPAF is to provide funding to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities and to remove barriers to community involvement. Through DPAF 2021, funding was provided for a number of projects that aimed to support people with disabilities, including those with autism and neurodiversity, to participate and engage more fully in their local communities. Work is underway on a follow-on fund which will be awarded this year.
In addition to these wider supports, funding is being provided by the HSE for a dedicated telephone information line for the autistic community, which is being operated by AsIAm. The Autism Information Line provides evidence-based information and a port of call for individuals with autism and families to work through specific issues or challenges.
666. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the provision of financial supports for autistic young people and adults to access self-advocacy training and to develop supports to exercise their rights in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37194/22]
View answerAs Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, I am committed to supporting the full inclusion, participation and empowerment of adults and young people with autism in our community.
In April 2021, I launched the development of a national Autism Innovation Strategy which will seek to deliver real and tangible solutions to address the challenges and barriers faced by autistic people across Ireland. This strategy will identify bespoke needs not currently being met in broader disability supports, and will sit harmoniously in the context of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities.
This strategy is currently under development, following the convocation of an initial public consultation and an expression of interest process to appoint an Oversight and Advisory Group.
At present, there are no plans to establish dedicated financial supports for the purposes of supporting autistic young people and adults to access self-advocacy training and supports to exercise their rights in the community. However, where bespoke and unmet needs are identified, they will be considered in the development of the Autism Innovation Strategy.
It is important to note that neurodiverse people are already supported through the provision of broader supports for persons with disabilities.
In October 2021, I was delighted to launch a new annual Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF) worth €2.5 million in 2021. The purpose of DPAF is to provide funding to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities and to remove barriers to community involvement. Through DPAF 2021, funding was provided for a number of projects that aimed to support people with disabilities, including those with autism and neurodiversity, to participate and engage more fully in their local communities. Work is underway on a follow-on fund which will be awarded this year.
My Department also supports the Disability Participation and Consultation Network (DPCN) through grant funding to five organisations for the purposes of building capacity among the disability community in Ireland. Funding has been provided to AsIAm in this regard with the aim of reaching widely across the community of autistic people, including young people and adults. Through the support and capacity building programmes delivered to date, this funding has contributed in part to the development of self-advocacy skills.
667. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is providing any funds for the civil cases that an organisation (details supplied) is defending in the courts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37239/22]
View answerMy Department is not providing any funds for the civil cases that the organisation referred to by the Deputy is defending in the courts. Civil cases and their disposition are a matter for the organisation concerned.
Funding from my Department is made available to the organisation in question through a structured grant scheme established to support the delivery of youth services.
It is the responsibility of the body in receipt of funding to ensure that services are delivered in line with the objectives of the grant scheme and within the allocations provided by my Department.
668. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have engaged the services of two organisations (details supplied) at any point from 1 January 2020 to date; the costs associated with or incurred by the provision of services from these organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37277/22]
View answerMy department has looked into records of spend with the companies supplied. There are no records of spend with Kinzen Limited. Carr Communications were engaged to provide training and total spend from 01 January 2020 to date is outlined below.
|
€ |
|
|
Carr Communications |
€5,267.05 |
Please note in relation to Oberstown Children Detention Campus, there is no record of spend with either of the companies supplied. All other bodies under the aegis of the department will respond to you directly.
669. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children that Tusla is accommodating in hotels; the ages of each child; the number of children that it is accommodating in unregulated accommodation; the ages of each child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37564/22]
View answerTusla is committed to ensuring that all children and young people who can no longer live with their parents or guardian at a particular time, are provided with a safe alternative care placement.
Tusla has advised that the number of children in state care in hotel and other emergency accommodation, each month varies for a number of reasons, some of which are multi-factorial in nature. Examples include a break-down in placements; lack of suitable placements; complexity of the young person’s needs, including psychological or mental health issues; criminality; substance abuse or concerns for their safety.
The operating environment for such placements is dynamic, and numbers fluctuate on a daily basis and detailed information is not easily available. However, on average between 9-11 young people are referred for such emergency placements per month.
Tusla has stated that ensuring that the children and young people in the care of Tusla are in the appropriate care placement, with the appropriate support services, is an enduring priority for Tusla, in order to enable the best possible outcomes for every child.
670. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if all registered care places and facilities used by Tusla are full; if so, until when; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37565/22]
View answerAs this is an operational matter, the question has been referred to Tusla for their direct reply to the Deputy.
671. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social work, social care and child protection staff places that remain unfilled at Tusla; the number of these practitioners that it currently employs; the number of staff that is deemed to be full complement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37566/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
672. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of the Tusla social care and child protection staff who have under three years’ experience in their Tusla role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37567/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
673. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social care, child protection and other relevant practitioners that Tusla has hired in each of the past five years in tabular form; the number who have left the service in each year of the past five years in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37568/22]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
674. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Health Information and Quality Authority is satisfied in relation to the optimum care guaranteed to children who are placed in hotel and unregulated accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37569/22]
View answerThe functions of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) are defined in legislation, and principally in the Health Act 2007. HIQA’s functions in relation to Tusla include inspection of Tusla’s child protection and welfare services to measure their compliance with the National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2012) and their implementation of Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children (2017).
HIQA also have a role in relation to the registration and inspection of designated centres, including children’s residential centres and special care units. HIQA monitor and inspect against any relevant regulations and standards, and their reports are published.
In relation to the general question of the optimum care of children in the care of the State, Tusla is committed to ensuring that all children and young people who can no longer live with their parents or guardian at a particular time, are provided with a safe alternative care placement. Tusla has advised that their Practice Assurance and Monitoring Teams operating under the Quality Assurance Directorate is responsible for conducting Tusla’s practice audit activity in accordance with the PASM Annual Audit Plan and Audit Charter.
The PASM Team is responsible for ensuring that services are delivered in line with the requisite standards, regulations and legislative requirements, and that service improvements are achieved in line with the recommendations of the Agency’s oversight bodies.
All children have the right to be cared for, fulfil their potential and be protected from harm. Tusla is committed to promoting safe practice in all areas of alternative care. Safe practice is defined as the implementation of appropriate safeguarding measures necessary for working with young people in a manner which acknowledges their need to live in as normal an environment as possible. Tusla has comprehensive processes in place for ensuring the quality and safety of care provided to children in its care.
Regular auditing of cases/files are carried out the local areas by Team Leaders and Principal Social Workers to ensure a high-quality service is being provided and to identify and address any shortcomings or deviations in practice.
In relation to children in state care in hotel and other emergency accommodation, Tusla has stated that ensuring that the children and young people in the care of Tusla are in the appropriate care placement, with the appropriate support services, is an enduring priority for Tusla, in order to enable the best possible outcomes for every child.
675. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Health Information and Quality Authority inspections undertaken of registered Tusla accommodation in each of the past five years in tabular form; the stated findings of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37570/22]
View answerThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) was established under the Health Act, 2007 to promote safety and quality in the provision of health and social care services for the benefit of the health and welfare of the public. Under the Act, HIQA has the function of setting standards on safety and quality in relation to services provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, as well as the function of monitoring compliance with the standards set.
Tusla is the statutory regulator of private and voluntary Children’s Residential Centres. Registrations are granted based on centre adherence to the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, 2001, created under Section 63 of the Child Care Act, 1991 and underpinned by the Child Care (Placement in Residential Care ) Regulation 1995, and the Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) 1996. HIQA inspects Children’s Residential Centres, Foster Care Services and Child Welfare and Protection Services and publishes its inspection reports at www.hiqa.ie.
I have requested that Tusla collate, and respond directly to the Deputy, with the specific information as requested in this instance.
