Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 June 2023
397. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the main policy achievements of his Department since 27 June 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31856/23]
View answerSince my appointment as Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the remit of the Department has been broadened with the inclusion of a number of very important new policy areas including equality, integration and disability.
Significant work has been completed across all policy areas since 2020 and, with the publication of my Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021-23 in March 2021, we have set out ambitious goals that we want to achieve across a range of policy areas over this period. The Department's activities in meeting these goals are outlined in its Annual Reports.
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict. Responding to the needs of the over 76,000 people fleeing Ukraine, of whom in excess of 63,000 have sought accommodation from the State, has been a huge challenge and has had a significant impact on resources in the Department. This will be addressed in our 2023 Business Plan.
I set out below the main policy achievements of my Department since 27 June 2020 as they relate to the six strategic goals outlined in my Department’s Statement of Strategy 2021-23.
In 2020:
My Department launched a consultation inviting written submissions on its initial proposals to amend the Child Care Act, 1991. The Department initiated a review of the operating and oversight model used to support the delivery of accessible, affordable and high quality early learning care and school age childcare services.
A new programme of consultation was launched on the future early learning and care and school-age childcare workforce and a future funding model for the sector.
An Independent Review of the Cost of Providing Quality Early Learning and Childcare in Ireland was published.
The Government’s First 5 Annual Implementation Report 2019 was published.
In December 2020, the Government approved drafting of the Bill to extend paid Parents’ Leave from two weeks to five as well as approving provisions to amend the Adoptive Leave Act 1995 to allow male same-sex couples avail of adoptive leave.
The Government approved the drafting of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2021, which provides for reform of the Guardian ad litem (GAL) system.
In 2021:
The Gender Pay Gap Information Act, 2021 was signed into Law on 13 July 2021.
The family leave provisions under the Family Leave and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021 were commenced on 1 April 2021, which enabled parents to avail of three weeks additional Parent’s Leave and Parent’s Benefit.
In 2022:
My Department published the Institutional Burials Bill in February 2022. This legislation provides a legal basis to allow recovery and identification of the children inappropriately interred at the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam.
The Birth Information and Tracing Bill was signed into law in June 2022, providing a clear right for each person to full access of their information.
The Child Care (Amendment) Act was signed into law in July 2022. This Act strengthens the voice of children in child-care proceedings.
The Government approved the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Bill in October 2022. The Payment Scheme provides financial payments and an enhanced medical card in acknowledgement of suffering experienced while resident in Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
In 2023:
In 2020:
In July 2020, a Focused Policy Assessment of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Higher Capitation payment was published. The report showed that the introduction of the Higher Capitation payment, which provides increased funding for services with a graduate workforce, has contributed to a rise in the number of practitioners with a degree level qualification.
In August 2020, over €2.32 million in capital grant funding was announced for 147 targeted, staff-led, youth projects/services and 25 national youth organisations across the country. The grants enabled youth services to purchase and replace essential equipment to support the running of their services for young people and for national youth organisations to provide innovative models of safe online communication for staff and with young people.
A new programme of consultation was launched on the future early learning and care and school-age childcare workforce and a future funding model for the sector.
National Quality Guidelines for School-Age Childcare Services were launched, as well as the award of the 2020 round of Childminder Development Grants, totalling just over €190,000.
The Report of the Advisory Group on Direct Provision was published jointly with the Department of Justice, and formed a key input to the White Paper to End Direct Provision that was subsequently published in February 2021.
In 2021:
Budget 2022 saw the introduction of additional funding of €183 million comprising:
an increase of €78m for Early Learning and Childcare
an increase of €41m for International Protection Support and White Paper Transition
an increase of €41m for Tusla, the Child & Family Agency
additional funding of €23m secured for a range of areas in the department including for Youth Services, Equality and Inclusion, Disability, Mother and Baby Homes actions, Refugee and Migrant Integration; Traveller and Roma Initiatives and for the Adoption Authority, amongst others
The Department published a White Paper to end Direct Provision and to establish a new International Protection Support Service.
The Department published the National Action Plan for Childminding, which aims to improve access to high quality and affordable early learning and care and school-age childcare through childminding.
In 2022:
My Department launched the new funding model for ELC and SAC, Together for Better. This new model brings together 3 major elements, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme and Core Funding, and is launched as Core Funding comes into operation, with 90% of eligible services signing up.
The project to reform the Youth Services Grant Scheme moved into its implementation phase and my Department activated a Project Implementation Plan with a detailed outline of how the projects deliverable will be achieved.
My Department increased the funding allocation for Tusla the Child and Family Agency to €935 million. This will help to address increasing demand for Tusla services, address the provision of statutory residential care as recommended by the IGEES Spending Review of Residential Care and support the community and voluntary sector funded by Tusla to deliver important services on its behalf. This will also allow Tusla to continue its existing capital programmes.
The My Little Library initiative was rolled out for all children starting school in September 2022. This initiative provides a My Little Library book bag to each child for collection in libraries across the country.
Following the publication of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill in June, my Department launched a new Information and Tracing Service in October 2022. This allows applications to be made for access to birth, early life, care and medical information.
My Department has worked closely with our colleagues in Tusla to support the Department of Justice in launching its Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
My Department finalised Ireland’s National Action Plan for Implementation of the EU Child Guarantee.
Supporting Parents, the national model for parenting support services, was approved by Government and implementation of key actions are underway.
My Department hosted Dail na nÓg and Seanad na nÓg and an international conference on child participation with the Council of Europe
The National Youth Assembly was established and delivered three Assemblies on Climate, Rural life and Artificial Intelligence
Multiple consultations were held with children and young people in support of policy objectives of the Department and other departments and agencies
In 2023:
Under Budget 2023, my Department secured a 5% increase in expenditure on Traveller and Roma initiatives, bringing the total allocation to €5.942 million in 2023.
My Department secured additional investment of over €50m for Tusla in 2023, bringing Tusla’s overall funding to over €1 billion for the first time since its establishment. This will allow Tusla to address increasing demand for services, hire frontline staff, increase its residential care capacity, provide additional resources to funded services across the country, and improve its ICT infrastructure and GDPR compliance.
Additionally, my Department secured a further €31 million for Tusla and its funded services in the community, to respond to the needs of Ukrainian Children and families arriving in Ireland since 2022.
My Department has supported the Department of Justice in the work to establish the new DSGBV Agency and ensured continued service provision through Tusla funding via a memo of understanding between involved parties. In addition, the recommendations of the Tusla Review of Refuge Accommodation are being enacted through a working group, this is also aiding in the advancement of actions in the 3rd National Strategy for DSGBV.
The first deliverable of the project to reform the Youth Services Grant Scheme has been achieved, with the publication of the YSGS Reform Policy Intent Statement (PIS). The PIS sets out the overarching objectives and principles of the reformed scheme. Work is continuing towards the project’s other deliverables.
Through the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, my Department supports the work of Local Authorities in improving access to quality play and recreation facilities within their communities. A total of €450,000 was awarded to 29 Local Authorities.
The second National Youth Assembly on Climate was delivered in collaboration with Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in March.
My Department hosted the Comhairle na nÓg National Showcase in April, showcasing the work of the 31 Comhairle na nÓg to government members, officials and decision-makers.
Consultations were held with children and young people in support of policy objectives across government.
In 2020:
In September 2020, officials agreed a joint approach to be adopted by Tusla and HSE for the management and funding of placements for children with disabilities in care, or those transitioning out of State care, and to provide a person-centred pathway to meet the needs of children with a complex disability and their families.
The Disability Participation and Consultation Network was launched. Its purpose was to make sure people with a disability would be involved in the development of policy and legislation.
Discussions on how to address pay and conditions in the early years care and school age care sector were held in partnership with SIPTU and CSI/IBEC, which culminated in a subsequent decision to establish a Joint Labour Committee.
The Minister marked International Migrants Day with the announcement of €2.2m in funding to support migrant integration projects across Ireland.
The 13th Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection was presented to Government and published. It was the first annual report to be submitted by Professor Conor O’Mahony, who was appointed as the new Special Rapporteur in July 2019 for a term of three years.
In 2021:
National Children First Awareness Week ran from 1st to 7th November 2021. The aim of the week was to raise awareness of Children First and remind wider society, including organisations working with children and young people, of our collective responsibility to keep them safe in our communities.
The Department announced new funding schemes worth €800,000 as part of What Works Initiative.
In 2022:
A Disability Division was established within my Department and a new Assistant Secretary was appointed. My Department is actively engaging with colleagues in the Department of Health and the HSE to support the Transfer of Functions programme of work.
Eight new services were delivered under UBU Your Place Your Space in 2022.
My Department implemented its objectives under the European Year of Youth through establishing a National Steering Group and additional funding to support grants for youth activities.
Development and roll out of ELC and SAC Action Plan for Ukrainian Children and their Families, including legislative amendment to allow people with residency rights to access the NCS under the Temporary International Protection Directive.
In 2023:
My Department is progressing the establishment of an Executive Office to run the new national Guardian ad litem service, following the enactment of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2022.
My Department has recently held an open procurement process seeking consultancy services in relation to the development of operating and practice manuals for the GAL Executive Office.
My Department continues to work with the Department of Justice to progress actions from the Family Justice Strategy, which was published in November 2022.
My Department is engaging with key stakeholders to plan a further National Children First Awareness Week. The aim of the awareness week is to raise awareness of Children First and remind wider society, including organisations working with children and young people, of our collective responsibility to keep them safe in our communities.
My Department’s dormant accounts funded project supports young Travellers in having a voice in local and national policy-making, by connecting Traveller youth organisations, communities and leaders with youth participation structures, creating sustainable links and developing pathways for the inclusion of young Travellers.
Applications were opened for the second cycle of UBU, the youth services funding scheme which is targeted at young people who are disadvantaged, vulnerable or marginalised.
In 2020:
The Department published the General Scheme of the Preservation and Transfer of Specified Records of the Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Bill, which was enacted later in the year.
Budget 2021 saw extra funding of some €121 million for Tusla, International Protection Seekers Accommodation, Traveller and Roma Initiatives and Youth services, bringing the total investment in the Department to over €1.9 billion for 2021. The significant additional funding was targeted at improving outcomes for children, young people and their families as well as the promotion of equality and human rights. The funding also provided for the inclusion and integration of persons seeking international protection.
On 30 October 2020, the Minister received the final report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters.
Additional funding of €4.7 million was announced to support domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) services across the country in 2021.
I confirmed the 29 projects around the country that would receive funding of €700,000 under the 2020 LGBTI+ Communities Services Fund.
The Irish Sign Language Act, 2017 was formally commenced on 23 December, 2020.
My Department, together with the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), IHREC and Pavee Point Traveller and Roma Centre, launched a report on the rights and living conditions of Travellers in Ireland.
In 2021:
The Department published An Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions and details of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme.
The Department launched a consultation on the review of the Equality Acts.
In 2022:
Following the publication of the Birth Information and Tracing Bill in June, my Department launched a new Information and Tracing Service in October 2022. This allows applications to be made for access to birth, early life, care and medical information.
My Department has worked closely with our colleagues in Tusla to support the Department of Justice in launching its Third National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence.
In 2023:
My Department established an Expert Panel to provide advice on the use of the Children’s Fund, under Action 18 of the Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions.
On 21 March 2023, the Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, announced the publication of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) 2023-2027.
In 2020:
A €90,000 scheme was announced for Comhairle na nÓg ICT Capital Funding, open to applications from all Local Authorities to support the work of Comhairle na nÓg.
How’s Your Head – Young Voices during COVID-19’, a national consultation with young people on mental health and wellbeing, was published.
113 community projects around the country were allocated funding of almost €500,000 under the 2020 Communities Integration Fund. This was the fourth year of the Communities Integration Fund, bringing the total amount made available to over €2 million.
In 2021:
Ireland’s draft State Report under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was published for consultation in October 2021.
The Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Disability, Ms Anne Rabbitte T.D., published Ireland’s first report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
The Department launched the ‘National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making’.
The Department announced major reforms to the funding model for early learning and childcare services.
In 2022:
My Department finalised Ireland’s National Action Plan for Implementation of the EU Child Guarantee.
Supporting Parents, the national model for parenting support services, was approved by Government and implementation of key actions are underway.
My Department hosted Dail na nÓg and Seanad na nÓg and an international conference on child participation with the Council of Europe
The National Youth Assembly was established and delivered three Assemblies on Climate, Rural life and Artificial Intelligence
Multiple consultations were held with children and young people in support of policy objectives of the Department and other departments and agencies
In 2023:
My Department coordinated the Irish delegation to the UN Committee Hearing on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, in January 2023.
Informed by earlier consultations with children and young people, civil society and the public, my Department engaged with other departments and agencies to prepare the next national policy framework for children and young people 2023-2028.
My Department is facilitating a series of local consultations with Traveller and Roma representatives to inform the next iteration of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. The current Strategy continues to be implemented through proactive partnership with key stakeholders, including through cross-Government collaboration and engagement with Traveller and Roma representative bodies.
Officials continue to meet with colleagues from Northern Ireland under the aegis of the North South Ministerial Council (NSMC) in relation to the Child Protection agenda, approximately twice per year. This officials group covers areas of mutual interest and it progresses a Work Programme, which includes: Information/knowledge exchange; monitoring of emerging issues relating to vulnerable groups of children; social work practice, and cross border co-operation on specific child welfare and protection initiatives. NI colleagues hosted the most recent meeting of officials on 30th May 2023. The next meeting is due be hosted by DCEDIY in November 2023.
The second National Youth Assembly on Climate was delivered in collaboration with Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in March.
My Department hosted the Comhairle na nÓg National Showcase in April, showcasing the work of the 31 Comhairle na nÓg to government members, officials and decision-makers.
Consultations were held with children and young people in support of policy objectives across government.
• In May 2023 my Department launched the What Works Ireland Evidence Hub. The Evidence Hub us an online tool designed to increase access to effective prevention and early intervention programmes by making the best evidence on what works available to policy makers, service commissioners, providers and other audiences and promotes the use of evidence-based programmes.
• My Department is in the process of developing the strategic policy to succeed the Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy, 2017 – 2021, expected to be published by end 2023. This process involves close collaboration and consultation with members of the Traveller and Roma communities.
• My Department is in the process of commissioning a review of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy, which is expected to be completed by end of 2023. This will include a review of LGBTI+ Strategies in other jurisdictions and national and international research to determine, among other things, key themes, gaps and priorities that should be considered for inclusion in the successor Strategy.
• My Department published research into the issue of conversion practices in Ireland in February 2023. The multi-phased mixed-methodology research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery. The research provided an insight into how conversion practices operate in Ireland and examined the body of international research literature in the area. Findings indicate that conversion therapy practices take place in Ireland. The Government is carefully considering the underpinning policy matters to ensure that vulnerable members of society are protected from these harmful practices. Work on the plan to draft legislation is ongoing including the identification of the key legal issues, and is a priority for Government.
• In April 2023, the Department received Government approval for the General Scheme of a Bill to amend the Child Care Act 1991. These legislative proposals, which will become the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2023, are intended to revise and update the 1991 Act to better reflect changes in child welfare and protection services in Ireland and will align with current legislative, policy and practice developments. The proposed legislation will also revise and update Part VIIA of the 1991 Act, which covers the regulation of early learning and childcare services.
• In January 2023, Ms Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC was appointed as Special Rapporteur on Child Protection for a three-year term. The appointment follows an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS).
• My Department published the final review of the National Strategy on Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision-Making, 2015–2020. The aim of the final review was to understand and document the progress made on each of the actions in the Strategy during its lifetime. The review also outlines examples of good practice demonstrated by Departments and Agencies. The report found that 93% of the agreed actions reached completion or are in progress.
• The General Scheme for a Child Care (Amendment) Bill were published, which includes proposed reforms to enhance the enforcement powers of the Tusla Early Years Inspectorate and to remove the legal exemptions of childminders from regulation, in line with the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028.
• Annual reports were published in the first year of implementation both of the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 and of Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare 2022-2028.
• Consultation on a new five year Action Plan for Youth Services was launched in Q2, 2023, with the aim of adopting an Action Plan for the sector by end 2023.
• The Government’s First 5 Annual Implementation Reports 2020 and 2021/22 were published.
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In 2020:
The Department recruited 32 new staff in 2020, accounting for around 8.5% of employees in the Department. Additionally, a number of specialist external recruitment competitions were carried out to increase the Department’s skillset.
The Department launched a review of the operating and oversight model used to support the delivery of accessible, affordable and high quality early learning care and school age childcare services.
The Department established a new Information Management Unit to respond quickly to its GDPR obligations, with particular reference to records previously held by the Commission on Mother and Baby Homes.
A review of the Tusla Oversight Agreement setting out the formal oversight and governance engagements between DCEDIY and Tusla also commenced.
• Section 41 of the Child and Family Agency Act requires that the Minister issues a Performance Framework to Tusla every three years to give policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters for the next three year period. A new framework to cover the period 2021-2023 was developed in 2020 and delivered to Tusla by September that year.
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In 2021:
• The Department recruited 171 new staff in 2021, accounting for around 35% of employees in the Department. 32 employees or 6% of all staff were promoted through internal or external competitions. Again, a number of specialist external recruitment competitions were carried out to increase the Department’s skillset.
• The review of the operating model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) concluded in 2021 and, subject to Government approval, work was due to commence in early 2022 on identifying how best to implement its findings.
• A review of the existing DCEDIY-Tusla Oversight Agreement was completed. This set out the key aspects of the relationship and governance arrangements between the Department and Tusla. The revised Oversight Agreement was finalised and signed by both parties in 2021
• The Department reviewed and amended its Risk Management Framework in September 2021.
In 2022:
• From 1st of January until 12th of December 2022, the Department recruited 212 new employees with 3% of all staff promoted through internal or external competitions. A number of specialist external recruitment competitions were also carried out to increase the Department’s skillset. The Department also recruited for an Assistant Secretary position for the Disability Division.
• In March 2022, my Department published the Independent Review of the Operating Model in respect of ELC and SAC, a commitment made in the First 5 strategy. Following this report, my Department commenced a period of further detailed analysis in respect of this important reform project.
• A review of the existing DCEDIY-Tusla Oversight Agreement was completed. This set out the key aspects of the relationship and governance arrangements between the Department and Tusla. The revised Oversight Agreement was finalised and signed by both parties in 2022
In 2023:
• The DCEDIY-Tusla Oversight Agreement has been extensively reviewed and revised to better reflect the relationship between parent Department and State agency. The agreement documents the relationship and governance arrangements between both parties. Development of the 2023 agreement represents an extensive piece of work and will be finalised shortly.
• Section 41 of the Child and Family Agency Act requires that the Minister issues a Performance Framework to Tusla every three years to give policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters for the next three year period. Work is underway in 2023 to develop the new framework to cover the period 2024-2026, and this will be delivered to Tusla in September.
