Written Answers Nos. 385-398
385. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) who is currently attending Crumlin Children’s Hospital will be seen by a speech and language therapist in Cork to assist with their communication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31739/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
386. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) who is currently attending Crumlin Children’s Hospital will receive respite care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31742/23]
View answerAs the query relates to service matters, I am referring it to the HSE for direct response to the Deputy.
387. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) seeking international protection was moved from a premises housing Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31759/23]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department is not aware of the event described in respect of the details supplied. Perhaps the Deputy might write to me with more specific information and I will look into this matter further.
388. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will meet with a group (details supplied) which has written to him on two occasions seeking a meeting, as a matter of urgency to discuss the intended reduction in its Tusla grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31767/23]
View answerI greatly appreciate the positive contribution of the ABC Programme to improved outcomes for children and families, and its wider influence on the planning, evaluation and delivery of services. I am aware of requests from the ABC Managers Forum for a meeting to discuss funding matters.
As an independent state agency, Tusla is responsible for the management and oversight of exchequer funding allocated to it, including funding provided to the ABC Programme.
The estimates process for 2024 is due to commence shortly and the agency's funding requirements will be considered in detail as part of this process.
389. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the range of assessments required in the case of a person (details supplied) will be arranged as a matter of urgency by the children's disability network 3; and if the required supports and interventions will be provided thereafter. [31769/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
390. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when his Department was first notified of instances of sexual exploitation of children in care; the measures taken to ensure the safety of children in care from sexual exploitation; when those measures were first implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31784/23]
View answerTusla has a statutory obligation to notify An Garda Síochana of all incidences of suspected child sexual exploitation, including those relating to children in the care of the State. An Garda Síochana lead the investigation into these notifications. Consequently, Tusla liaises closely with Gardaí, and also has an assigned Principal Social worker based with Garda National Protective Services.
In relation to the recent study published by University College Dublin, entitled ‘Sexual Exploitation of Children and Young People in Ireland’, my Department was informed of the publication of the report on the day prior to publication.
Children in the care of the State are some of the most vulnerable individuals in our society. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and my Department are committed to promoting safe and high quality practice in all areas of Alternative Care. This is achieved through the application of Regulations and Standards that govern the placement of children and young people.
The Child Care Act 1991 is the statutory framework for child welfare and protection in Ireland. The legislation places a statutory duty on Tusla to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. It sets the legislative provisions in relation to taking children into care, and the responsibilities of the Sate in that regard, which aim to improve outcomes for looked after children.
The placement of children in Residential Care is governed by the National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres 2018, and underpinned by the Child Care (Placement in Residential Care) Regulation 1995, and the Child Care (Standards in Children’s Residential Centres) 1996. Similar frameworks of standards and regulations also exist in relation to foster care and special care. All settings are inspected against the relevant standards and regulations.
While the issues raised in the report in relation to the potential sexual exploitation of children by organised groups of predatory men in our society are concerning, a number of key developments have recently taken place to assist with the reporting of child sexual exploitation. These developments include the following:
Tusla implemented its Child Exploitation (CSE) Procedure in 2021, in partnership with An Garda Síochána, which provides Tusla staff and carers with information on how to recognise indicators of child sexual exploitation, how to make appropriate referrals and how to respond to cases where children may be at risk of sexual exploitation;
The joint working protocol between Tusla and An Garda Síochána forms a critical part of the responses to child abuse and neglect, particularly in relation to child sexual exploitation, with regular meetings by Tusla local area and also by Tusla’s national children’s residential service with An Garda Síochana in respect of child sexual exploitation referrals. In addition, each Tusla area implements its own local area management meetings with local Garda divisional child protection units to review progress on Garda notifications;
Additionally, Tusla has established an anti-trafficking working group in readiness for the Department of Justice, National Action Plan for Human Trafficking which includes the area of child sexual exploitation.
My Department has recently established jointly with Tusla a working group looking at institutional and organisational abuse. This work is ongoing, including reviewing criteria for definition of such abuse and reviewing further supports and guidance for staff around any potential indicators of child sexual exploitation of children in State care.
In addition, Tusla is taking a range of initiatives jointly with the Health Service Executive on information, research and guidance on how to identify child sexual exploitation. Children First Information Advisory Officers are developing a range of new procedures regarding online safety, which are expected to be introduced in the coming months.
My Department is also leading an inter-departmental group on the national implementation of Barnahus which is a multi-agency approach to the provision of intervention and services to children subject to child sexual abuse. A pilot has been operational in Barnahus West (Galway) for the past number of years with additional centres planned to be established in the east and south of the country.
Where there may be child welfare concerns the onus falls on all of us to report concerns that a child may have been, is being, or is at risk of being abused or neglected. Tusla has developed a comprehensive referral system through which organisations, the public and mandated people can share their concerns for a child potentially at risk of neglect or abuse.
It is not necessary to prove that abuse has occurred to report a concern to Tusla. All that is required is that there are reasonable grounds to believe such abuse is taking place. It is Tusla’s role to assess the information that it receives with any other available information. A child protection assessment will be carried out where risk is identified.
Finally, in relation to responding to the UCD study, my Department will ask Tusla to liaise with An Gardaí Síochana in relation to the issues raised in the study’s findings. In addition, my Department will continue to work closely with Tusla's senior management team on the safeguarding framework for all children in care, including in residential care to ensure that the framework continues to be sufficiently robust to protect children from evolving risks.
391. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of the Tusla working group on institutional and organisational abuse; the date of its establishment; who sits on the working group; how often it meets; what its remit is; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31785/23]
View answerThis working group was set up as a joint action by the Department and Tusla following publication of Dr. Shannon’s review of St. John Ambulance Ireland in March 2023. This working group is not specifically about child sexual exploitation as it relates to issues within organisations and institutions regarding governance and safeguarding and any potential grooming of children by members of those organisations. However the joint working group, in light of UCD's recent research, will review the suspected sexual exploitation of children in residential units by any potential outside influences and review the training of staff around indicators of grooming behaviours and responses to same.
392. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will direct HIQA to initiate a full investigation of care homes and residential settings in light of evidence of the sexual exploitation of children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31786/23]
View answerThe findings of the recent UCD study are alarming. In the first instance, my Department has requested a detailed report from Tusla in relation to the findings of the research, including the number of notifications to An Garda Siochana regarding suspected Child Sexual Exploitation of children in residential care and in particular of young girls in residential care.
HIQA is authorised, under Section 69 of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended by Section 26 of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, to inspect Tusla children's residential services, child protection and welfare services, and foster cares services, including private foster care services provided on behalf of Tusla. Compliance is assessed under the Health Act 2007 (as amended).
HIQA conducts regular inspections of Tusla services under the National Standards for Foster Care, 2003; National Standards for Children’s Residential Centres, 2018; National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children, 2012; National Standards for Special Care Units, 2015.
The inspectors of social services review all information and matters about the centre. This includes any previous inspection findings, registration information and information submitted by the provider or person in charge since the last inspection. As part of the inspection, where possible, HIQA Inspectors:
§ speak with children and the people who visit them to find out their experience of the service,
§ talk to staff and management to find out how they plan, deliver and monitor the care and support services that are provided to children who live in the centre.
§ observe practice and daily life to see if it reflects what people tell the inspectors
§ review documents to see if appropriate records are kept and that they reflect practice and what people tell Inspectors.
In order to summarise the inspection findings and to describe how well a service is doing, the Inspectors group and report on the regulations under two dimensions:
1. Capacity and capability of the service:
This section describes the leadership and management of the centre and how
effective it is in ensuring that a good quality and safe service is being provided. It
outlines how people who work in the centre are recruited and trained and whether
there are appropriate systems and processes in place to underpin the safe delivery
and oversight of the service.
2. Quality and safety of the service:
This section describes the care and support children receive and if it was of a good
quality and ensured people were safe. It includes information about the care and
supports available for people and the environment in which they live.
Both Tusla and the DCEDIY review all HIQA inspection reports and Tusla's own inspection and monitoring services inspection reports of residential care units. Any matter of a child protection nature under Children First legislation, including any suspected Child Sexual Exploitation, if not already referred by the residential care units and by the child's allocated Tusla worker, would be referred immediately to An Garda Siochana for investigation and Tusla would complete an assessment of same. An immediate safety plan would be implemented in such circumstances by Tusla to ensure the child/young person's immediate safety if exposed to circumstances of any suspected child sexual exploitation.
393. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of reported incidents of sexual exploitation of children in care on a year-by-year basis since 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31787/23]
View answerAs this relates to Tusla operational matters, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
394. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he still intends to reduce childcare fees for parents by a further 25% in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31788/23]
View answerOver the last two Budgets, I have made a number of enhancements to the NCS to reduce the cost of childcare for parents availing of the NCS, these include:
• The removal of the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from NCS awards, meaning that parents are able to use their full awarded subsidised NCS hours regardless of whether their children are in pre-school or school.
• The increase in the upper age eligibility for the NCS universal subsidy from 3 years to all children under 15 years.
• An increase in the NCS minimum subsidy from €0.50 to €1.40 per hour.
• The fee freeze in place in 95% of services participating in the new Core Funding Scheme gives families greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensures that these enhancements to the NCS subsidies will not absorbed by fee increases. Through a combination of these measures I am working to ensure that high quality early learning and childcare is accessible and affordable to all regardless of means.
• The NCS is specifically designed to allow for rapid changes to subsidies, income thresholds and certain other eligibility criteria as Government decisions are made and exchequer funding becomes available. Any further changes to the NCS will be considered as part of of Budget 2024 and announced on Budget day.
395. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department purchased or produced any memorabilia such as pens, stationery, pins, badges, mugs or other types of souvenirs to mark or celebrate Pride 2023; if so, the costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31804/23]
View answerThe table below shows the items of memorabilia purchased in relation to Pride 2023.
|
Quantity |
Item |
Total Cost |
|
100 |
Pride T-Shirts |
€899.13 |
|
500 |
Pride Lapel Pins |
€1,362.84 |
|
500 |
Pride Lanyards |
€713.40 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Overall Total |
€2,975.37 |
|
|
|
|
396. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to amend legislation to enable women going through a cancer diagnosis during pregnancy or postpartum to defer their maternity leave while they go through cancer treatment; the reasons for a delay in meeting the calls made by an organisation (details supplied) on this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31821/23]
View answer398. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals, if any, he has to amend the Maternity Protection Act 2004 to enable women postpone maternity leave who are diagnosed with cancer or any other serious illness during pregnancy (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31908/23]
View answer401. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the unfair operation of the Maternity Protection Act 2004 whereby anyone diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy forfeits their maternity leave while undergoing treatment; the action, if any, which he intends to take to address this anomaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31983/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 396, 398 and 401 together.
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which will be extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.
The Acts include provisions for the postponement of maternity leave in the event of the hospitalisation of the child and for the termination of additional unpaid maternity leave in the event of illness of the mother.
All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children. I have asked my officials to examine the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society regarding the deferral of maternity leave where a mother falls ill during this period and this work is ongoing.
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.
