Written Answers Nos. 507-530
509. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider supporting the after-school education support programme in the North Wall area of Dublin by allowing it to use and awarding it tenancy of the vacant North Wall community training centre on St. Lawrence Place in order take in more students given that the area is experiencing a sudden increase in population. [59279/22]
View answerI understand that the North Wall Community Training Centre in St Lawrence Place is owned by Dublin City Council and queries with regard to this specific property should be directed to the Council.
More broadly, any service seeking advice or non-financial support can contact their local County Childcare Committee. Dublin City County Childcare Committee has been highly engaged in supporting services across North East Inner City, including advising on premises.
On the financial front, my Department successfully secured €70m in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation. 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 Initiatives.
In September, I announced a €9m Capital Grant for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for Early Learning and Childcare under the National Development Plan.
Whilst this application (relating to green energy, and retrofitting) closed on 25th of November, the grant scheme is part of a wider Building Blocks Capital Programme designed to meet current and long-term Early Learning and Childcare infrastructure needs – with details of a €45m Building Blocks - Capacity Grant and a €15m Building Blocks - Innovation Grant to be announced in the coming months.
As outlined in the National Development Plan 2021-2030, access to affordable early learning and childcare is inherently linked to creating an equitable society, sustainable communities and a thriving economy. Early learning and childcare provision is therefore considered under the National Development Plan, along with housing, schools and health facilities as an integral part of national infrastructure.
510. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing his Departments’ services who are employed in his Department as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way that his Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59286/22]
View answerWork is currently underway to identify a number of Access Officers across my Department to ensure that people with a disability have access to the services of my Department. Details of these will be published on the department's website shortly.
511. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an application has been received or made regarding the establishment of a direct provision centre or accommodation centre for international protection applicants or beneficiaries of the Temporary Protection Directive in Cadamstown, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59314/22]
View answerI am advised by my officials that following checking of records, no information can be located of an offer of accommodation for either Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection or International Protection Applicants at the location referred to in details supplied.
512. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has plans to review the operations and workings of the core funding model and ECCE funding to childcare providers, especially in relation to the current cost-of-living crisis impact on smaller and local community providers, specifically if he has considered any increases or additional supports in funding to small providers who may be struggling to stay in business in the current climate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59361/22]
View answerTogether for Better, the new funding model comprised of 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, is about getting the most out of the three early learning and childcare programmes, for children, parents, providers, the workforce, and society overall, 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.
I am delighted that to date, 94% - well over 4,100 - providers have signed up.
Under Core Funding, the overwhelming majority of services will see an increase in their funding, most will see very substantial increases, and no services will see a decrease in funding if their circumstances remain the same.
ECCE services without a graduate lead educator will see capitation increase by at least 9.5% through Core Funding.
ECCE services with a graduate lead educator will almost all see increases in income, although it may be smaller proportionally given the significant level of funding available under the old funding model.
A very small number of services, approximately 60 of the over 4,100 signed-up, will see no increase with their income matched to 2021/2022. For this small number of services who do not experience an increase, a Funding Guarantee will apply. This will top-up Core Funding payments to match the difference in ECCE higher capitation and PSP from last year, provided they offer the same amount of graduate led provision as last year.
With regards to financial viability, there is no evidence that the new funding model will render ECCE services unsustainable. My Department has extensive data on providers’ existing and projected income and delivery costs through data from Revenue, surveys and demographic and macro-economic information and has extensively analysed the question of sustainability.
Data available prior to the additional investment of Core Funding in the sector showed that the median surplus (income in excess of cost) for sector as a whole of 4%. However, services with the characteristics correlated with ECCE-only provision had higher levels of surplus than other types of provision – ranging from 14% to 23% depending on the characteristic.
- Do not offer full day: 17% income in excess of cost
- Do not offer wrap-around care: 16% income in excess of cost
- Open exactly 38 weeks each year: 19% income in excess of cost
- Low total numbers of childcare hours: 23% income in excess of cost
- Single-site services: 14% income in excess of cost
- Those whose only income source is ECCE funding: 19% income in excess of cost
Separately Sole Traders, which constitute a large proportion of ECCE-only provision had an average income in excess of costs of 23%.
This evidence suggests that ECCE-only services had the highest levels of income in excess of costs compared to other types of provision.
The collection of information on income and costs is essential for the full understanding of this complex and diverse sector in order to inform the development of policy. As recommended by the Expert Group, there needs to be full visibility and understanding of financial information in the sector in order to better understand the impact and interaction of income, costs, surplus and profit in the sector.
I am pleased therefore that the recent data collection for the 2021/2022 Annual Sector Profile, including questions on income and costs, has been completed by 95% of services. This new and emerging data will allow my Department to rerun income and cost analysis and ascertain the latest available financial position to inform the next policy developments.
Early learning and care services will be able to apply for the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme (TBESS). Under TBESS, businesses engaged in early learning and childcare services who have suffered an increase of at least 50% in the average unit price of electricity and/or natural gas for the relevant billing period in 2022, as compared with the average unit price for electricity and/or gas for the corresponding reference period in 2021, will be eligible under the scheme.
In Budget 2023, I secured an additional €28 million full year costs for Core Funding. Approximately €4m of the €28m will be used to remove the experience requirement on both graduate premiums under Core Funding. The experience requirement attached to the two premiums has received much criticism from the sector and this development was warmly welcomed. The remaining €24m will be used for further developments to the scheme, informed by the emerging data from Year 1 of operation. Further interrogation of the new Core Funding application data and other available evidence is required in order to most effectively design developments in Year 2 of the scheme.
Stability and sustainability of early learning and childcare services is a top priority for Government, as demonstrated by the significant additional investment in the new funding model plus the wider whole-of-government supports for providers throughout the pandemic and now offered through TBESS.
Any provider who is experiencing challenges is encouraged to contact their CCC. I have been and will continue to meet provider representatives on these important issues.
513. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will re-examine the position of providers who have not signed up to the core funding model in view of the current cost-of-living crisis and the difficulties faced by small providers of childcare services, and specifically the possibility or revisiting the issues around higher capitation and the PSP for those services not currently engaged in the core funding model; if his Department has met or will meet with representatives of small providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59362/22]
View answerGovernment is investing significantly in the early learning and childcare sector. In September, I launched Together for Better, an ambitious new funding model to support 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.
The original allocation for year 1 of Core Funding was €207 million. I grew this to €221 million in response to cost pressures, and increased that again to €259 million based on significant capacity growth in the sector.
The significant allocation on offer through Core Funding in year 1 is conditional on a fee freeze, support for new wage rates through an ERO and financial and operational transparency. These are central objectives of Core Funding and it is entirely appropriate that the substantial additional investment in the sector delivers for parents and for workers and allows the State to be assured that its funding is being spent appropriately.
For Core Funding year 2, I have secured a further €28 million, which will be designed and informed by emerging data from year 1 and other available evidence.
I am delighted that to date, 94% - well over 4,100 - providers have signed up to Core Funding.
Early learning and childcare services are diverse. While it was my ambition to have as high take-up as possible, at this moment in time 6% early learning and childcare services, less than 300 services, have chosen not to join Core Funding. 97% of community not-for-profit services have signed up. 92% of private for profit services have signed up.
Core Funding is distributed in a fair and reasonable manner that is related to services’ costs of delivery. Core Funding is allocated to services based on the number of child places being made available (whether filled or not), the age group of children for whom the places are available and the number of hours the places are available for, as well as the graduate qualifications of leaders in the service. These are the primary drivers of services costs and this is therefore the most proportionate and transparent manner to allocate funding.
Core Funding addresses some of the existing disparities in funding levels across ECCE and non-ECCE provision, providing funding proportionate to the age ratio of children being cared for and supporting the employment of graduate Lead Educators across ELC provision. While Core Funding operates in addition to and alongside ECCE (standard capitation), AIM, CCSP and NCS, it replaces ECCE higher capitation and incorporates funding previously allocated to the discretionary Programme Support Payments (PSP) – as recommended by the report of the Expert Group, Partnership for the Public Good.
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 have been unequivocal that 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.
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 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).
CCCs are receiving very small numbers of services reporting cases of financial unsustainability due to Core Funding. Just two services have applied for sustainability funding in 2022 and their difficulties predate Core Funding becoming available. Any provider who is experiencing challenges is encouraged to contact their CCC.
The new funding model was designed with extensive stakeholder consultation and engagement. Since Core Funding was announced, my Department has hosted eight meetings of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum and frequent meetings with provider representative groups on Core Funding since August. I have had further meetings with individual provider representative groups, and have also visited numerous services.
The overwhelming majority of services will benefit substantially from higher funding under Core Funding, supporting their sustainability. The Department, Pobal and the CCC 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.
Moreover, in preparation for developments to Core Funding, my officials will draw on evidence – existing and new - to determine on how best to structure the additional funding I secured for year 2 of this scheme.
514. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 17 November 2022, if the mentioned training has been provided within temporary IPAS-contracted properties such as hotels or guesthouses. [59363/22]
View answerIn the first instance I would like to confirm that anyone working in properties contracted temporarily by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is subject to the same training and vetting as any official working in my department.
I would like to inform you of recent developments in this area:
A dedicated IPAS centre Training Officer was recently appointed in August 2022. A number of training courses were delivered to Centre Managers and Emergency Centre Managers in the past two years.
These courses included ‘Understanding Child Development through a Trauma Informed Lens’ by Barnardo's, delivered to 292 centre staff, and ‘Refugee Mental Wellbeing Awareness Training’ by the International Organisation of Migration (IOM), delivered to 82 centre managers. These will continue to be run, with more scheduled again in the coming months.
Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that every official in my department is subject to Garda vetting and training on an ongoing basis. I would also like to reiterate that IPAS are fully compliant with vetting of staff working in IPAS accommodation centres. I trust that this information can give you the necessary reassurance in regard to staff vetting and training in temporary IPAS contracted accommodation.
515. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is intended for Ireland to ratify International Labour Organisation Convention 156 on work life balance. [59365/22]
View answer516. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when it is intended for Ireland to ratify International Labour Organisation Convention 183 on maternity care. [59366/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.
ILO Convention 156, concerning Equal Opportunities and Equal Treatment for Men and Women Workers: Workers with Family Responsibilities, was adopted in 1981 and entered into force in August 1983. To date, 13 EU Member States have ratified Convention 156, while 14 EU Member States including Ireland, have not.
ILO Convention 183, the Maternity Protection Convention, was adopted in 2000 and entered into force in February 2002. To date, 15 EU Member States have ratified Convention 183, while 12 EU Member States including Ireland, are yet to ratify.
Relevant provisions of ILO Conventions 156 and 183 will be examined in the context of the transposition of the EU Work life Balance Directive, and of the ongoing review of equality legislation.
On 20 September, the Government gave its approval for the publication of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill 2022, the primary purpose of which is to provide for transposition of elements of the EU Work Life Balance Directive. The Bill passed Committee Stage in the Dáil on Tuesday 8 November.
Discrimination on the family status ground is prohibited in Irish law in the field of employment under the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2021 and in the supply of and access to goods and services under the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018. My Department invited written submissions to a public consultation on the review of equality legislation in 2021 to examine the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. These submissions are currently being analysed by officials in the Department and it is planned that a report on the submissions will be ready for publication before the end of the year. Legislative proposals arising out of the review of the Equality Acts will be brought forward in 2023. However, the nature of these proposals will be dependent on the issues raised in the consultation process as well as on further research.
My Department's officials will then advise the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment of the extent to which equality and work-life balance policy measures and legislation provide for relevant rights and entitlements included in ILO Conventions C156 and C183.
It will be a matter for the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment to consider ratification of ILO Conventions C156 and C183 in the context of its standard approach to the ratification of international instruments.
517. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to meet with an organisation (details supplied) regarding the issues of capitation and core funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59367/22]
View answerI last met with the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP) on 28th November, following several offers to meet on the condition that the closures of the ECCE programme, which the FECP are coordinating, were suspended. While only a small proportion of providers took part in closures on 11 November, it caused significant disruption to children and families using these services. Therefore, I am pleased that the FECP agreed to cancel the closure – planned for 25th November - and instead meet with me and my Officials.
The purpose of this meeting was to find a common understanding of their issues and a pathway to resolve them. I consider this engagement to be positive and in keeping with the very significant levels of engagement I have had with this organisation, and others, as I introduce a transformative new funding model.
The new funding model, Together for Better, 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. It has introduced a fee freeze for parents, supported the Employment Regulation Order for staff, and a stable income source for providers based on child places offered, whether filled or not, that does not fluctuate in line with child registrations.
Early learning and childcare services are diverse. I am delighted that to date, 94% - well over 4,100 - providers have signed up for the new funding model. While it is my ambition to have as high take-up as possible, at this moment in time 6% of early learning and childcare services, representing less than 300 services, have chosen not to join Core Funding.
While the large majority of representative groups and individual providers have embraced Core Funding, and the overwhelming majority of providers benefit financial from Core Funding, the FECP has raised concerns for small, sessional services they represent.
To date, the sector level data available to my Officials has not indicated widespread financial viability issues connected to these services. Likewise, my Officials have not seen other indications, such as increased closures or call on sustainability funding, to indicate financial viability issues for small, sessional services. However, I have been unequivocal that I do not want any services to be faced with financial sustainability issues and am fully committed to working with these services to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
To address the concerns of small, sessional services, the Federation of Early Childhood Providers have called for an increase for the ECCE capitation to €76 at a cost of €30million. However, this is not a targeted solution to the issue they present. Moreover, with Core Funding and ECCE, there is already at least €78.75 per child per week available, with additional funding for graduate lead educators and graduate managers as well as AIM capitation and AIM Level 7 income where applicable.
Core Funding is a very significant new injection of funding into the sector and I have secured an increase in the Core Funding envelope for year two of operation (September 2023-August 2024) of €28 million (11% increase), the precise allocation of which will be determined by evidence and analysis emerging from year one of the operation of the scheme.
I have been clear that any developments to schemes and underpinning policy must be evidence based.
Given the concerns raised by the small, sessional services represented by FEPC, and in order to provide additional timely and robust data in preparation for developments to Core Funding in year 2, I will be undertaking an independent review of the financial viability of small, sessional services.
The review will involve services volunteering to participate in the research project that aims to gather evidence on financial viability to underpin policy development and possible targeted measures through the new funding model.
I am fully committed to working with sectoral representative groups and providers to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good and hope we can work constructively, collaboratively and positively towards this goal.
518. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels that the State is currently utilising to accommodate Ukrainians and other international refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59381/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department as of 20 November is currently using approximately 250 hotels around the country to accommodate people fleeing the war in Ukraine and there are approximately 40 hotels accommodating applicants for International Protection.
519. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to improve creche and childcare provision in the Dublin 9 and 11 areas given the current shortage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59388/22]
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) is currently subsidising 95,000 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.
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%. The overall vacancy rate in Dublin was 12.4% - though the vacancy rate for ECCE children in Dublin was slightly higher at 13.3%.
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.
520. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a substantive reply will issue to correspondence of 26 September 2022 with his office (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59455/22]
View answerI am advised by my officials that the accommodation provider referred to in details supplied has severed ties with the third-party agent previously involved in accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at the property. I am also informed that further to the previous residents vacating the property, new BOTP residents have arrived at the premises as of this week.
521. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when payments to service providers (details supplied) will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59488/22]
View answerI am advised by my officials that the details supplied by the Deputy have been reviewed internally and a report has issued to the provider on the status of each payment, together with a commitment to ensure any pending payments are issued as soon as possible.
522. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify the situation regarding a location (details supplied) for accommodation of persons seeking international protection. [59519/22]
View answerI am advised by my officials that the property referred to was originally offered to my Department by the owner. I understand that at that point in time, some works were required to make the accommodation fit for habitation. My officials advise me that the owner has since leased the building to a third party. My officials are currently engaging with this third party.
I trust this information is of assistance.
523. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels or accommodation centres housing Ukrainian refugees that have not been paid or have outstanding payments pending from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59530/22]
View answer650 providers are currently in contractual arrangements with my Department to provide short-term accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. Over €50m has been paid to date in November 2022 to these providers in respect of Ukraine accommodation and related costs. We have a considerable number of payments to process to year end given the scale of accommodation provision. This include many invoices which are not overdue and some which cannot yet be paid due to incomplete documentation submitted.
I acknowledge however that regrettably there have been delays in processing payments due to scale of the accommodation response required. The Department has assigned additional resources to the task of paying these and will keep this under review. Almost 40% more invoices have been processed in the last week compared with the previous week. My officials are prioritising older invoices with a view to clearing that backlog in the coming weeks.
I trust this information is of assistance.
524. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider increasing the rates of pay for foster carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59217/22]
View answerThe Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, stipulate that the allowance payable to foster carers and relatives shall not be less than an amount specified by the Minister.
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. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
In addition to the foster care allowance, 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.
The foster care allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children some of whom may have additional, and sometimes significant, needs.
I am acutely aware that foster parents at this present time are experiencing significant financial pressures and the challenges this brings to caring for the children under their care.
Myself and the CEO of Tusla met in the aftermath of the budget, and it was agreed that a single additional once-off cost of living payment in respect of each child in foster care is to be paid. The payment is to be made at the current foster care allowance rate of €325 for a child under 12 and €352 for a child over 12. I am informed that the payment should issue in November 2022 to all applicable cohorts of foster carers.
Additionally I have been engaging with Tusla around the issue of travel costs incurred by foster carers when they are facilitating access or medical visits for the foster child. I can advise that Tusla has committed to reviewing the current supports available to foster carers in respect of travel costs. Tusla have advised that they will be in a position to provide an update to me on their proposals in the latter half of February 2023.
I will continue to work with Tusla and with my Government colleagues and any other relevant stakeholders in the coming months to review and seek to improve supports available to foster parents.
525. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the reason that students who have to repeat a year during their degree course will not be able to avail of the reduced registration fees when doing so; the rationale for discriminating against repeat students like this who already face the added expenses involved in having to repeat such years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58752/22]
View answerUnder my Department’s free fees schemes, the Exchequer provides funding towards the tuition fee costs of eligible undergraduate higher education students with students paying the student contribution.
A key principle of the free fees schemes is to support students in progressing through a chosen course of study from year to year. Typically students are not supported for a repeat period of study or for a different course at the same level under the free fees schemes. However, once an equivalent period of study has been completed on the new course, the student may be eligible for free fees funding for the remainder of the course. An individual student's eligibility for the scheme is assessed by the institution in accordance with the terms of the scheme.
As part of Budget 2023 the Government has approved a once off reduction of €1,000 in the student contribution payable by students eligible for free tuition fees under the Department free fees schemes in academic year 22/23.
The student contribution, payable by free fees eligible students, is determined by Government. The Budget 2023 measure is a once off amendment to the current scheme and applies equally to all free fees eligible students.
The once off student contribution support of €1,000 cannot apply to students undertaking a repeat period of study that were not deemed eligible for the Free Fees schemes in 2022/23 by the institution attended.
Where undergraduate students do not meet the qualifying criteria of the free fees schemes, they are required to pay tuition fees in full to their higher education institution. It is a matter for the higher education institution as an autonomous body to determine the applicable fee rate for students.
I am conscious that not all students are eligible for free fees or student grants and so, as part of the cost of living measures, I have allocated a further €8 million of funding for the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for the current academic year. This Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college and can provide assistance towards their rent, childcare costs, transport costs and books/class materials. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. Applications can be made under the SAF through the Access Office in a student’s third level institution.
526. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on concerns raised (details supplied); if he will arrange for the appropriate officials to progress a meeting request in respect of the role of Personal Assistants who are contracted through ETBs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58770/22]
View answerWithin the Further Education and Training sector, SOLAS administers FSD funding to the Education and Training Boards (ETBs) who independently manage the funding allocations to PLC providers for services and accommodations required to support students with disabilities. Funding can be used to provide a range of supports and accommodations including non-medical helpers such as personal assistants and notetakers. I understand that some ETBs engage external service providers to provide personal assistant services while other ETBs directly employ personal assistants. As set out in the SOLAS FSD Guidelines, in cases where PLC colleges/schools or ETBs directly employ personnel to deliver supports, the contractual relationship is strictly between the individual employee and the ETB or college/school. As such, the terms and conditions of employment for Personal Assistants is a matter for the individual ETBs.
I am aware of the claims being made by personal assistants directly employed by ETBs and by FÓRSA for improved terms and conditions for these workers who are currently paid on an hourly rate basis. I understand that FÓRSA has tabled the matter for discussion at the ETB IR Forum, which deals with the ETB sector. As the Deputy will appreciate this matter should be pursued within the established industrial relations structures.
527. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if students studying graduate entry medicine at University College Dublin can apply and avail of scholarships; if not, the reason therefore; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59084/22]
View answerThe Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is the funding mechanism established to implement the National Access Plan (NAP). Strand 2 of the PATH Fund provides bursaries (1916 Bursary) to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged.
I am pleased to say that my department has recently changed the criteria so that students who hold a 1916 Bursary will be deemed to have met the progression requirement and can therefore be supported through this bursary scheme, if they choose to progress to Graduate Entry Medicine.
528. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will review SUSI grant eligibility criteria for those studying graduate entry medicine to ensure that students can apply and avail of this grant and are not ineligible due to their course being viewed as not progressing on the National Framework of Qualifications due to the fact that the entry level for this course is level 8 and the qualification on successfully completing this course is also at level 8; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59085/22]
View answerEntry to medicine in Irish HEIs is provided through both undergraduate and graduate entry routes. Graduate Entry Medicine (GEM) is one of the pathways to study medicine. Students pursuing graduate entry medicine (GEM) programmes do so as second degree courses and consequently are not eligible for free fees funding or for student grants. However, in order to widen access to GEM programmes and give assistance towards the financial burden on each student pursuing these programmes, the fees of participating EU students are partly subsidised by the State via the Higher Education Authority (HEA). In academic year 21/22 the state contribution was €11,950 per student with the balance of fees payable by the student.
I have been actively considering the range of policy and funding tools we have available to increase the supply of domestic medical graduates, which has involved considerable engagement with the medical schools and the Department of Health. On the 12th July last, I, along with the Minister for Health, announced an agreement with the Irish medical schools to increase the number of places available for EU students by 200 over the next five years. The agreement reached with the medical schools has begun with an additional 60 EU students in September 2022, which will climb to 120 in September 2023, and up to 200 by 2026. This marks a significant expansion in the number of places available to students applying through the CAO system. It increases the opportunities for students to progress to study medicine in Ireland and to help build our talent pipeline. Budget 2023 saw a significant increase in the amount the State pays for medicine places, including graduate entry. As part of this agreement, the state contribution for new places will increase to €14,500. For existing places, an increase in the state contribution to this level will be phased in.
The National Plan for Equity of Access to Higher Education (NAP) identifies target groups that are currently under-represented in higher education. These include entrants from socio-economic groups that have low participation in higher education who would not have considered attending higher education without such supports. The Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH) Fund is the funding mechanise established to implement the National Access Plan (NAP). There are three strands to the Programme for Access to Higher Education (PATH). Strand 2 provides bursaries (1916 Bursary) to students who have been identified by their higher education institution as being the most socio-economically disadvantaged students in the target groups under the National Access Plan. I have recently changed the rules so that students who hold a 1916 Bursary may continue their bursary if they wish to participate in Graduate Entry Medicine.
Students on graduate entry medicine courses may also be eligible to apply to the Student Assistance Fund (SAF) for financial support. The SAF guidelines provide that students with a previous higher education qualification at the same NFQ level, or who, in the past, attended higher education without ultimately obtaining a qualification, may be considered for support on a case-by-case basis and subject to available funding. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
In addition, tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be available in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education. Further information on this tax relief is available from a student's local Tax Office or from the Revenue Commissioners website, www.revenue.ie.
529. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if there is any further education funding that a person (details supplied) can access. [59099/22]
View answerI would suggest that the student you are referring to contacts the Access Office in the Higher Education Institution she is attending to see if she is eligible for supports under either or both of the Student Assistance Fund or the Fund for Students with Disabilities.
My department provides funding to publicly funded higher education institutions under the Student Assistance Fund (SAF). For the current academic year the total allocation is €17.1m. This total includes the additional €8m I secured under Budget 2023 as a cost of living measure. Students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the SAF. The Fund provides financial support to students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for SAF to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties and can be assisted towards the cost of their rent, childcare, transport and books/class materials etc. It is open to both full and part-time registered students on courses of not less than one year's duration leading to an undergraduate or postgraduate qualification. It is designed to provide a source of financial support in addition to a SUSI grant.
The Fund for Students with Disabilities (FSD) which has an annual allocation from my department totalling €7.658m provides funding to higher education institutions to assist them in offering supports and services to eligible students with disabilities so that they can participate on an equal basis with their peers.
530. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 19 May 2022, if she will provide an update on a joint proposal (details supplied) aimed at resolving these outstanding issues for adult education tutors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59162/22]
View answerThe claim to align tutors to a pay scale of an existing grade in Education and Training Boards remains unresolved. The Labour Court recommended in 2020 that the official side identify the scale of cost it was prepared or able to absorb and make an offer within those parameters given the constraints applying under FEMPI legislation and the Public Service Stability Agreement in relation to cost-increasing claims.
My officials have engaged with colleagues in the Department of Education, which has regulatory responsibility for the ETB Sector, on a joint proposal. This proposal is the subject of ongoing discussions between my officials and colleagues in the Departments of Education and Public Expenditure and Reform.
