Written Answers Nos. 151-169
151. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when parents who avail of childcare through a childminder can expect to avail of the reduction in childcare fees announced in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49691/22]
View answer156. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made to date under the Childminding Action Plan; the way in which it is anticipated that childminders may ultimately avail of national childcare scheme benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50389/22]
View answer158. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline details of a new scheme under the Childminding Action Plan to simplify the registration of childminders to help parents access Government subsidies under the national childcare scheme. [50708/22]
View answer169. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when childminders will be added to the national childcare scheme; if an interim measure will be introduced in order that parents who utilise a childminder could avail of the reduction in childcare fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50213/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 156, 158 and 169 together.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity. Phase 1 of the Action Plan, which began in 2021, is expected to take 2 – 3 years to complete. Phase 1 includes developing new regulations and providing training specific to childminding, amending legislation, further research on ways to support childminders most effectively, and re-examining the funding and financial supports available for childminders.
A key objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to enable parents who use childminders to benefit from State subsidies through the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate. This limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
Childminders who are currently minding four or more preschool children or seven children of any age, are required to register with Tusla and can already access the increased subsidies for parents announced in Budget 2023.
While only a small number of childminders are currently required to register with Tusla under the Child Care Act 1991, it is intended that the National Action Plan for Childminding in April 2021-2028 will result in the opening up of the National Childcare Scheme to a much wider cohort.The overall objective of the National Action Plan for Childminding is to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding. The National Action Plan commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to develop and introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements. Actions under way include the development of new, childminder-specific regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home environment in which childminders work, as well as the development of new, bespoke training for childminders.
Since coming into office I have been committed to seeing this process through. A great deal of work still lies ahead, and it is important that we take the time to get this right, as it will involve a major process of change.
152. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made to date in advancing reforms to the operating model for childcare in Ireland; the timeline that he expects the proposed agency to be established by; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50386/22]
View answerOn 29th March, Government accepted the findings of the independent Review of the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) Operating Model that a dedicated State agency is the optimal operating model for the ELC and SAC sector for the years ahead. It is envisaged that this dedicated agency will undertake the functions currently carried out by Pobal Early Years (including Better Start), the City/County Childcare Committees, as well as operational functions currently undertaken by my Department.
A dedicated State agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of ELC and SAC, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families.
Significant progress has been made in advancing this ambitious and transformative reform programme. My Department has commenced a comprehensive phase of detailed analysis and open planning, consultation, and engagement with sectoral stakeholders, to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented. This phase will include, inter alia, a detailed design of a new operating model, an examination of all legal requirements, transition and continuity planning, risk management, and a comprehensive evidence-based cost projection for the establishment and annual running costs of a new state agency. This work will culminate in a full agency design and implementation plan which will be presented to Government for approval.
This work will be carried out under the guidance of a Programme Board comprising inter-departmental representatives and external experts in the fields of early learning and childcare, public sector governance, and major organisational reform projects. I will be announcing details of the membership of the Programme Board shortly.
My Department is also committed to ongoing consultation with stakeholders, and engagement in this regard has already commenced. Officials from my Department have met with all organisations comprising the existing operating model, and with other key stakeholders, to brief them on the Review and to provide them with an opportunity to share their feedback and views. Engagement with a wide range of stakeholders will continue as a key feature of this reform programme as we work together to design a new operating model for the benefit of children and their families, providers and practitioners.
The implementation of this multifarious reform programme will likely require considerable lead-in time and the full establishment of a new agency will take several years to complete. A detailed timeline for the design and implementation of this complex programme of work, which will involve multiple strands of interdependent work streams, is currently being developed as part of the design and implementation planning phase currently underway.
I look forward to bringing a further report to Government following the completion of this phase of what is a significant and transformative reform programme.
153. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the way childcare costs will be reduced for families in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50618/22]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, I announced major reforms to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) from January 2023, which will substantially improve the affordability of early learning and childcare for families.
Additional funding of €121 million has been allocated to the NCS from January 2023 so all families accessing registered early learning and childcare will receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of €1.40 off the cost of early learning and childcare. With the current minimum hourly NCS subsidy set at €0.50 per hour, the represents an additional €0.90 per hour off the cost of early learning and childcare. This translates to up to €63.00 off families weekly bill for early learning and childcare per child. With up to €22.50 currently available per week, this represents up to an additional €40.50 off weekly costs.
From 2nd of January 2023, any family who is not already at the maximum hourly subsidy under NCS (see Table) will see an increase in their subsidy. For those who receive a subsidy based on an income assessed subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly subsidy rate. The amount of increase individual families will see in their per hour subsidy, will differ widely depending on their current subsidy.
Table 1: Maximum Income Assessed Subsidy
|
Child’s age |
Per Hour |
|
24 weeks to 12 months |
€5.10 |
|
12 to 35 months |
€4.35 |
|
3 years or older and not yet in school |
€3.95 |
|
School age (or 6 years to 15 years) |
€3.75 |
In addition, on 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model will support delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families.
Together for Better brings together three major elements, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the NCS and Core Funding.
Core Funding is the new funding stream in operation since 15 September 2022. A central condition of Core Funding is that providers agree not to increase fees above those which were charged last year. This gives parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensures that increases to NCS subsidies are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time.
Participation in the Core Funding is optional and a list of participating services is available online here: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/together-for-better/. To date, more than 91% of services are signed-up and thereby agreeing to operating the fee conditions. Parents should also be receiving a copy of their Partner Services fees policy outlined in the Parent Statement. I would encourage parents to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for support and guidance. Contact information for City/County Childcare Committee is available here: myccc.ie/
154. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the consideration that he has given to a review of the legislation underpinning Section 47 reports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50590/22]
View answerThis is a matter more appropriate for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice.
155. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the constitutional challenge by a ward of court as referred to by him during the pre-legislative scrutiny of the Assisted-Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50737/22]
View answerA constitutional challenge has been taken against the State in relation to both the Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811 and the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871, which is the legal underpinning for wardship in the State.The Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Act 2015 provides for the repeal of the Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811 and a replacement of the current wards of court system. The relevant provisions of the Act of 2015 regarding marriage have been commenced, but the remainder of the Act cannot be, without the enactment of the Amendment Bill. The constitutional challenge was adjourned on the basis that wardship would be abolished in orderly fashion via an Act of the Oireachtas.
The Government is committed to the abolition of wardship and to replacing it with a more person-centred and rights-based functional capacity model. The enactment of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022 will allow for the commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is a very important piece of legislation that 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.
It 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) will operate the progressive provisions of the 2015 Act and will respond to the complex decision-making needs of people with capacity difficulties.
It should be noted that, outside of the issue of the constitutional challenge, Government is committed to ending wardship primarily as a matter of good policy and the advancement of citizens' rights. A considerable degree of momentum has now built around the commencement of the Act and extensive operational preparations have been made, particularly over the last 18 months, to prepare for commencement of the Act and the full operationalisation of the Decision Support Service, which will implement the new decision support arrangements. It is important that this momentum is not lost and I am committed to commencing the amended 2015 Act in the earliest possible course.
157. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline progress to date on the development of a legal ban on the practice of conversion therapy; when he expects legislation to be ready for introduction; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50620/22]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, an objective I strongly support.In addition, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland, and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022 commits to ensuring that the practice is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures. Both of these strategies are underpinned by a whole-of-Government approach. My Department commissioned research aimed at capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland to provide an evidence base to support the development of legislation. This qualitative research which commenced in February 2022 is expected to be completed shortly. The findings of the research will assist the Government in developing legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy. My Department will also look at international good practice in this regard.
A research subgroup of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee was established in May 2021. The group comprises Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth officials and a sub-set of members of the overall Steering Committee. Meetings have focused on conversion therapy and the next steps in progressing related Programme for Government commitments, with the most recent meeting taking place this week, 11th October.
Work has also begun to identify the key legal issues that must be addressed in any new legislation. It is planned that legislative proposals will be developed over the coming months, informed by the research.
159. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders to ensure that refugees placed in accommodation in isolated areas will have access to transportation for basic requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50619/22]
View answerDeputy, I can confirm that my Department engages with relevant stakeholders and accommodation service providers as appropriate to ensure that international protection applicants placed in accommodation in isolated areas will have access to transportation for basic requirements.
The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) try to ensure in as far as possible that international protection applicants are not located in remote locations. In situations where a centre is located in an isolated area without public transport links, IPPS will ensure that a shuttle bus service to a nearby town or public transport stop is provided.
This Department engages with the Department of Transport, as the need arises, regarding the expansion of the Local Link network for both international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection.
160. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans, if any, to deliver a sustainable, affordable early learning and pre-school sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49960/22]
View answerOn 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers. Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme.
Together for Better is about getting the most out of the three early learning and childcare programmes, and ensuring stability and sustainability in the sector. I do not want any services to be faced with financial sustainability issues and I am fully committed to working with any such service to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
We are not seeing any evidence of a significant lack of sustainability for ECCE-only services or to suggest that services will face closure as a result of Core Funding. Services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route and it also allows for trends and themes across the country to be identified that can inform a more systematic response if necessary. We are not receiving any indications from CCCs that there have been providers reporting financial difficulties and in need of support. This case management process through the CCCs is the route to access additional sustainability funding if required.
Data from Tusla on numbers of closures in recent months show that the number of closures this year is broadly in line with other years, and reasons for closure (given to Tusla by service providers that have closed) suggests considerable diversity in the reasons for closure. While some services have closed for financial or regulatory reasons, many have closed for other reasons (e.g. retirement of the owner/manager).
The Department, Pobal and the CCCs continue to closely monitor trends concerning services entering case management and will continue to maintain the availability of Sustainability Funding for individual services at risk.
The primary purpose of Core Funding is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability and accessibility for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers. Core Funding allows for a very substantial increase in the total cost base for the sector without requiring those costs to be passed on to parents. The vast majority of services are seeing substantial increases in funding. No service will see a decrease in funding. Core Funding will contribute to services’ sustainability and will significantly increase income for the overwhelming majority of services and provide greater funding stability.
With Core Funding in operation for four weeks, key achievements already include:
- Fee management in place for over 90% services on at least September 2021 levels, to ensure that developments in National Childcare Scheme (NCS) are fully realised by parents.
- Agreement of Employment Regulation Orders covering staff at all grades in the sector and instituting differential pay rates for graduate staff in certain roles, putting in place a career framework for staff in the sector to support recruitment and retention.
- Improved pay for an estimated 73% of those working in the sector who will see their wages rise as a result of the Employment Regulation Orders, which would not have been achieved without Core Funding.
- A significant expansion of capacity, resulting in more hours of provision for parents and children and opportunities for staff to work more hours per week and weeks per year.
I was delighted to announce under Budget 2023 that the original allocation for Core Funding will be increased to €259 million for Year 1 of the Scheme to meet the cost of expanded capacity that has materialised through the actual application data that has been received to date. In addition, the full year value of Core Funding will increase by €28 million to €287 million in Year 2 of the Scheme, an increase of 11% in the allocation.
The additional allocation to Core Funding in Year 1 of the Scheme will cover the additional costs arising from substantially increased capacity, and particularly capacity for younger children which we have seen grow significantly, as well as covering the increased costs arising from greater numbers of graduates in leadership roles.
In Year 2 of the Scheme, I intend to remove the requirement of 3 years’ experience for graduate premiums and plan to support this change with approximately €4 million, on condition of an ERO reflecting this change for both Graduate Lead Educator and Graduate Managers roles. Many representatives in the sector advocated for this development. The additional allocation for Year 2 will also allow for some further developments to Core Funding which may include additional investment through the base rate or more targeted approaches. Any such developments will be driven by analysis of data available through the Core Funding application process.
As part of Budget 2023, I also announced major reforms to the NCS from January 2023, which will substantially improve the affordability of early learning and childcare for families.
Additional funding of €121 million has been allocated to the NCS from January 2023 so all families accessing registered early learning and childcare will receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of €1.40 off the cost of early learning and childcare. With the current minimum hourly NCS subsidy set at €0.50 per hour, the represents an additional €0.90 per hour off the cost of early learning and childcare. This translates to up to €63.00 off a family's weekly bill for early learning and childcare per child. With up to €22.50 currently available per week, this represents up to an additional €40.50 off weekly costs.
From 2nd of January 2023, any family who is not already at the maximum hourly subsidy under NCS will see an increase in their subsidy. For those who receive a subsidy based on an income assessed subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly subsidy rate. The amount of increase individual families will see in their per hour subsidy, will differ depending on their current subsidy.
A central condition for all Partner Services is that they must not increase fees above those which were charged last year. This gives parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensures that the significant increases to NCS subsidies announced in Budget 2023 are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time. Fee management is a key part of the new funding model and features in four of the 25 recommendations laid out in the Expert Group report, developed further to two years of analysis, research and consultation.
Budget 2023 allocates €1,025m to early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Together for Better aims to transform the sector and I am committed to working with Partner Services delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
161. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the impact that the Budget 2023 changes on childcare costs will have for parents in Dún Laoghaire having regard to the unduly high costs currently incurred there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50032/22]
View answerAs part of Budget 2023, I introduced further enhancements to the NCS to take effect from January 2023. An additional investment in the National Childcare Scheme will increase the minimum subsidy from 50c to €1.40. This translates to up to €63.00 off families’ weekly bill for early learning and childcare per child. With up to €22.50 currently available per week, this represents up to an additional €40.50 off weekly costs.
It will also mean that any family who is not already at the maximum hourly subsidy will see an increase in their subsidy. For those who have an award less than the maximum subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly subsidy.
In terms of income the largest increase (an extra 90c per hour) will be seen by those on net income of €60,000 and above; all families with reckonable income of €26,000 and above will see some level of increase with the rate of increase tapering off as they move closer to €26,000. Those at €26,000 and below are already on the highest levels of subsidy.
The exact reduction in costs will be unique to each family depending on their personal circumstances and childcare needs including location specific variables such as service provider. However, a subsidy copayment tool will be made available in the coming weeks to help estimate increased subsidies available. It will be available on ncs.gov.ie
On 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model will support delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families.
Together for Better brings together three major elements, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model, the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding.
Core Funding is the new funding stream in operation since 15 September 2022. A central condition of Core Funding is that providers agree not to increase fees above those which were charged last year. This gives parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensures that increases to NCS subsidies are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time.
Participation in the Core Funding is optional and a list of participating services is available online here: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/together-for-better/. To date, more than 90% of services are signed-up and thereby agreeing to operating the fee conditions. Parents should also be receiving a copy of their Partner Services fees policy outlined in the Parent Statement. I would encourage parents to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for support and guidance. Contact information for City/County Childcare Committee is available here: myccc.ie/.
162. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are sufficient staff involved in the online operation of the information and tracing services under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 at birthinfo.ie; his views on persons claiming to have been dealt with abruptly after contacting Tusla by phone due to issues with the online system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50743/22]
View answerAs Minister, I am mindful of the resource requirements that come with the implementation of services provided for under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022. Accordingly, I allocated additional resources to the Adoption Authority of Ireland and to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in 2022 to fund additional posts, including genealogical and archival expertise and support, to meet estimated demand on the new information and tracing services.
Robust recruitment campaigns were undertaken by the Adoption Authority and Tusla respectively on the basis of this additional funding. While recognising the initial surge of demand for these new services, I am satisfied that there is sufficient staffing in place to support their delivery.
As the latter part of the Deputy’s question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
163. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans to increase childcare places in the Dublin 9 and 11 areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50622/22]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare 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. Every year, more than 100,000 children participate in the universal pre-school programme (ECCE) and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) subsidises more than 80,000 children.
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 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.
My Department has continued to monitor early learning and childcare capacity, with a particular focus on monitoring Covid-19 impacts as public health restrictions have been lifted and on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families. Data captured earlier this year parallels the pre-Covid-19 context, whereby the supply of early learning and childcare places is meeting demand though there is evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
In April of this year, City/County Childcare Committees (CCC) undertook a nationwide survey of capacity in early learning and childcare services. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal.
Preliminary analysis of the latest data captured by CCC and Pobal reveal a drop in vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate now averaging at 13.3% and the overall vacancy rate in Dublin City averaging at 12.4%.
The network of 30 CCC across the country, including Dublin City CCC are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. In addition, the CCC has been mobilised to engage proactively with services to identify vacant places and to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need. Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact Dublin CCC for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
In addition to this, a range of other steps are being taken by my Department to address issues of under supply.
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.
Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, my Department has committed to opening up access to the NCS to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders, which is expected to happen within the first 2-3 years of the Plan.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings.
In addition, the new Core Funding scheme, introduced on 15 September, has given rise to a significant growth in capacity - with initial analysis showing a significant capacity growth for certain cohorts (such as babies and toddlers) and in areas where there has been significant pressure on places, including Dublin.
To meet the cost of this capacity growth, I recently announced that the original allocation for Core Funding will be increased to €259 million for Year 1 of the Scheme. In addition, the full year value of Core Funding will increase by €28 million to €287 million in Year 2 of the Scheme.
Funding earmarked for the Scheme in Year 2 will be informed by the emerging data from Year 1 and may focus on promoting further capacity expansion.
164. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has had discussions recently with representative organisations concerning the impact of recent changes in relation to the core funding model given that concerns have been experienced by some ECCE childcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50623/22]
View answerOn 15 September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families.
Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme.
I am delighted that to date, 91% - well over 4,000 - providers have signed up. Of these, 972 are based in Dublin. This is a tremendous level of uptake and will make a positive impact for parents and children using these services through investment in quality and in affordability with more funding for staff and a commitment not to increase fees.
Stakeholder engagement has been a key part of the development of the new funding model from the beginning. The Expert Group tasked with reviewing the existing model and developing the new model undertook a widespread programme of stakeholder consultation and engagement. Over two years they heard from parents, providers, the workforce, the public, and other stakeholders, all of which is documented and published.
Since Core Funding was announced last year as part of Budget 2022, my Department has hosted eight meetings of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum, and several Core Funding specific meetings with the Forum, provider representatives, and the Joint Labour Committee. In particular, during August and September, there were frequent meetings with provider representative groups in preparation for the commencement of Core Funding.
Representations received from individual providers on Core Funding have been shared with the relevant Officials. I have also met with and visited a number of early learning and childcare services.
While a large majority of providers have embraced Core Funding, some have raised concerns about the impact of the changes to the funding model on small services in particular. The rationale for the change in approach is to allow for a fairer distribution of supports for graduate staff and I have been unequivocal that no service will lose out in the funding this year compared to last year. The safety net of sustainability supports is available for the small number who may experience financial difficulty.
We are not seeing any evidence of a significant lack of sustainability for ECCE-only services or to suggest that services will face closure as a result of Core Funding. Services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route and it also allows for trends and themes across the country to be identified that can inform a more systematic response if necessary.
We are not receiving any indications from CCCs that there have been providers reporting financial difficulties and in need of support. This case management process through the CCCs is the route to access additional sustainability funding if required. The Department, Pobal and the CCC’s continue to closely monitor trends concerning services entering case management and will continue to maintain the availability of Sustainability Funding for individual services at risk.
Across the country, the 30 CCCs have been working intensively to support individual providers and parents with the new scheme and continue to be available to do so.
With Core Funding in operation for four weeks, key achievements already include:
- Fee management in place for over 90% services on at least September 2021 levels, to ensure that developments in National Childcare Scheme (NCS) are fully realised by parents.
- Agreement of Employment Regulation Orders covering staff at all grades in the sector and instituting differential pay rates for graduate staff in certain roles, putting in place a career framework for staff in the sector to support recruitment and retention.
- Improved pay for an estimated 73% of those working in the sector who will see their wages rise as a result of the Employment Regulation Orders, which would not have been achieved without Core Funding.
- A significant expansion of capacity, resulting in more hours of provision for parents and children and opportunities for staff to work more hours per week and weeks per year.
I was delighted to announce under Budget 2023 that the original allocation for Core Funding will be increased to €259 million for Year 1 of the Scheme to meet the cost of expanded capacity that has materialised through the actual application data that has been received to date. In addition, the full year value of Core Funding will increase by €28 million to €287 million in Year 2 of the Scheme, an increase of 11% in the allocation.
The additional allocation to Core Funding in Year 1 of the Scheme will cover the additional costs arising from substantially increased capacity, and particularly capacity for younger children which we have seen grow significantly, as well as covering the increased costs arising from greater numbers of graduates in leadership roles.
In Year 2 of the Scheme, I intend to remove the requirement of 3 years’ experience for graduate premiums and plan to support this change with approximately €4 million, on condition of an ERO reflecting this change for both Graduate Lead Educator and Graduate Managers roles. Many representatives in the sector advocated for this development. The additional allocation for Year 2 will also allow for some further developments to Core Funding which may include additional investment through the base rate or more targeted approaches. Any such developments will be driven by analysis of data available through the Core Funding application process.
165. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he will publish the final report by the National Disability Authority on the operation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 that was provided to the Minister in July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50632/22]
View answerThe Irish Sign Language Act 2017 was signed into law on 24th December 2017 and I commenced the Act jointly with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, in December 2020.
The Act recognises the right of the Deaf community to use Irish Sign Language (ISL) as their native language. The Act creates obligations for the public sector regarding the provision of ISL. In addition, the Act provides for specific duties and obligations in the areas of legal proceedings, educational provision and broadcasting.
Implementing the Irish Sign Language Act requires a whole of government approach. As such, all public bodies have obligations to fulfil.
Section 10 of the Act requires me, as Minister, to request a report on the operation of the Act to be produced, initially three years after enactment and every five years thereafter. These reports must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In line with these requirements, the National Disability Authority (NDA) was commissioned to produce the first report on the operation of the Act last year. A draft Report was submitted to me last year and subsequently circulated to departments and agencies for observations and to ensure accuracy in the preparation of a final version. The Report was finalised early this year and was formally submitted to me by the NDA.
There has been a delay in publishing the first report on the operation of the ISL Act to avoid prejudicing the outcome of an ongoing legal matter. However, publishing the first report on the operation of the ISL Act remains a key priority for me, and prospective dates for publication are being kept under constant review.I intend to publish the report and lay it before the Houses at the earliest possible opportunity.
166. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider requesting an assessment from each county childcare committee of the balance between supply and demand in different areas of childcare; if he will request that they make a formal submission to the revision of each county development plan on the matter; if he will provide an update on existing supply constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50637/22]
View answerData on the supply of, and demand for, early learning and childcare is already gathered by Pobal on behalf of my Department on an annual basis.
These data, captured before the onset of Covid-19, indicated that the supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups 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.
Data captured earlier this year parallels the pre-Covid-19 context, whereby the supply of early learning and childcare places is meeting demand though there is evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
Specifically, in April of this year, City/County Childcare Committees (CCC) undertook a nationwide survey of capacity in early learning and childcare services. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal.
Preliminary analysis of the latest data captured by CCC and Pobal reveal a drop in vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate now averaging at 13.3%.
The network of CCC already play a proactive role in this area.
As well as gathering capacity data on behalf of my Department, the network of 30 CCC across the country also use available data to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. In addition, they have been mobilised to engage proactively with services to identify vacant places and to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need and they routinely engage with local authorities on this issue.
In line with a commitment in First 5, my Department has committed to strengthening its approach to managing supply and demand.
A range of steps are being taken in this regard.
Among these steps is work underway to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG).
To date, this has involved a detailed review of the 2001 Planning Guidelines, with a survey of Local Authorities by DHPLG on current planning issues to roll out later this year.
As part of this work, to strengthen the role of my Department in managing supply and demand, the DHPLG is currently supporting is the inclusion of my Department in the updated lists of prescribed bodies (authorities) that need to be notified on certain planning matters. This will involve updating Article 11, 12 and 13 concerning notices on the formulation of County Development Plans and Article 14 concerning notices on the formulation Local Area Plans.
It is hoped updated draft Planning Guidelines will be available for consultation in early 2023.
An important and wider consideration in this work is the impact of Core Funding. Though this scheme is only in place since 15 September, initial analysis shows that there have been a significant growth in capacity in terms of place hours offered - with capacity growth for cohorts (such as babies and toddlers) and in areas where there has been significant pressure on places.
Applications for Core Funding continue to be received and more in depth analysis of Core Funding application data will allow for a more up to date and detailed picture of capacity to emerge.
167. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the newly announced pay rates for the childcare sector will include recognition of long service or an incremental pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50311/22]
View answerAs 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.
However, there is now, through the Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate pay rates for the early learning and childcare sector.
This is an independent process and neither I, nor my Department, are represented on the JLC. It is a matter for the JLC members to negotiate and agree minimum rates of pay and working conditions.
On 15 September 2022, the first ever Employment Regulation Orders for Early Years Services came into effect, setting new minimum hourly rates of pay for various roles in services. The Employment Regulation Orders will mean improved pay for over 70% of employees in Early Years Services.
This historic achievement is supported by the new Core Funding scheme, which will see increases in funding to early learning and childcare services to support improvements in staff wages, alongside a commitment to freeze parental fees. Core Funding also commenced on 15 September 2022.
The Employment Regulation Orders include specific recognition for different roles and qualification levels, thus creating a new pay structure within Early Years Services. The new minimum hourly rates of pay are as follows:
- €13.00 for Early Years Educators/ School-Age Childcare practitioners;
- €14.00 for Early Years Lead Educators / School-Age Childcare co-ordinators;
- €15.50 for Graduate Early Years Lead Educators / School-Age Childcare co-ordinators
- €15.70 for Deputy Managers;
- €16.50 for Managers; and
- €17.25 for Graduate Managers.
168. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated savings to parents following the introduction of supports for children in Budget 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50534/22]
View answerBudget 2023 introduced further enhancements to the NCS to take effect from January 2023. An additional investment in the National Childcare Scheme will increase the minimum subsidy from 50c to €1.40. This translates to up to €63.00 off families’ weekly bill for early learning and childcare per child. With up to €22.50 currently available per week, this represents up to an additional €40.50 off weekly costs.
It will also mean that any family who is not already at the maximum hourly subsidy will see an increase in their subsidy. For those who have an award less than the maximum subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly subsidy.
In terms of income the largest increase (an extra 90c per hour) will be seen by those on net income of €60,000 and above; all families with reckonable income of €26,000 and above will see some level of increase with the rate of increase tapering off as they move closer to €26,000. Those at €26,000 and below are already on the highest levels of subsidy.
The exact reduction in costs will be unique to each family depending on their personal circumstance and childcare needs. However, a subsidy copayment tool will be made available in the coming weeks to help estimate increased subsidies available. It will be available on ncs.gov.ie.
