Written Answers Nos. 81-103
81. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on a review of the Equality Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32566/23]
View answerIn 2021, I announced that my Department would be conducting a Review of the Equal Status Acts 2000 and the Employment Equality Acts 1998 (The Equality Acts).
The Review, which is ongoing, is examining the operation of the Equality Acts from the perspective of the person taking a claim under its redress mechanisms.
It is further reviewing the degree to which those experiencing discrimination are aware of the legislation and whether there are practical or other obstacles which preclude or deter them from taking an action.
The Review is also examining the 2020 Programme for Government commitments to amend the gender ground in equality legislation to ensure that someone discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity is able to avail of the legislation.
Further, the Review is looking at the introduction of a new ground based on disadvantaged socio-economic status.
In July 2021, I launched a public consultation process as part of the review of the Equality Acts.
My Department invited written submissions to the public consultation from 06 July 2021 - 08 December 2021, and was pleased to receive an extensive response to the consultation.
A report summarising the key issues raised in the public consultation is being finalised for publication and I hope to publish this report in the coming weeks.
It is intended that some legislative proposals arising from the review will be brought forward this year, however, the nature of these proposals will be dependent on decisions around further consultation and research.
82. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the Programme for Government commitment to establish an agency (details supplied) to assist in the expansion of high-quality childcare, spearheading leadership, best practice and innovation, as well as professional development in community and private settings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31577/23]
View answerOn 29th March 2022, Government accepted the findings of an Independent Review of the Early Learning and Childcare Operating Model in Ireland that a dedicated state agency is the optimal operating model for the early learning and childcare sector for the years ahead.
A dedicated state agency will assist in the development of a more streamlined structure to better support the delivery of early learning and childcare, and will facilitate my Department in implementing and progressing the significant reform agenda envisaged under First 5, the Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families. It will also meet the Programme for Government commitment to establish an agency referred to by the Deputy.
My Department has commenced a comprehensive phase of analysis, planning, consultation, and engagement with sectoral stakeholders to determine how the recommendation arising from the Review can best be implemented. This phase includes a detailed design of a new agency, which will comprise a comprehensive evidence-based cost projection for the establishment and annual running costs of the agency, a determination of the appropriate national, local and regional structures, and an examination of all legal requirements, as well as transition and continuity planning and risk management.
A Programme Board has been appointed to oversee this work and comprises inter-departmental representatives alongside several external experts with experience at senior level in change management and large-scale reform, leadership, governance, public policy, and a knowledge of the early learning and childcare sector. A programme of work and set of priorities are currently being agreed with the Programme Board.
This work will culminate in a full agency design and implementation plan and I look forward to presenting this to Government for approval in due course.
83. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department's plans to allow parents of children who need or received an assessment of need privately to claim back from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26698/23]
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.
84. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish an action plan and allocate resources to support the findings of the Government’s own Cost of Disability report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32471/23]
View answerThe Cost of Disability in Ireland report was commissioned by the Minister for Social Protection and was prepared by Indecon International Research Economists. It was published by the Department of Social Protection in December 2021. It provides important evidence of the additional costs that people with a disability face.
The report has implications for many areas of public policy. As such, a whole-of-Government approach is required to develop appropriate responses and to ensure that everyday costs are reduced for people with disabilities and their families. This is in keeping with Ireland's long-standing mainstream-first approach to the development of disability policy. For that reason, the Cost of Disability report was referred to the Steering Group of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDISSG) within 24 hours of publication, and the NDISSG agreed to consider the conclusions and recommendations of the report in the context of monitoring actions under the NDIS until the conclusion of that strategy in December 2022.
During this time, departments and agencies across Government reported to the NDISSG on the various ways in which the Cost of Disability report was informing their approach to delivering actions under the NDIS. The NDIS concluded in December 2022 and work is now underway to develop an ambitious successor strategy.
In that context there are no plans to develop a specific cost of disability action plan. Rather, the report provides an important evidence base for all of government to consider, on a mainstream basis, and in the specific context of the development of the NDIS successor.
Work is ongoing across Government to coordinate the development of a successor strategy to the NDIS. As this strategy is intended to provide a blueprint for more comprehensive realisation of the UNCRPD it is necessary to allow sufficient time for it's development, and work will continue on this throughout the year. In particular, consultations on the strategy will be conducted over the coming months.
It is important to me that this strategy includes meaningful action to address day to day costs for people with disabilities in Ireland. The Cost of Disability in Ireland Report will be an important contribution to the evidence base from which actions and commitments in the new strategy are developed across Government throughout 2023.
85. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 60 of 30 May 2023, to outline the progress made, if any, by his Department in putting in place support measures for vulnerable young adults with intellectual disabilities to attend training centres and workshops post-second level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32399/23]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the most recent reply which I gave on 30 May 2023 in response to previous questions by the Deputy. There is no change in the position outlined in that reply regarding the provision of transport for young adults with intellectual disabilities to attend training centres and workshops in a post-second level setting.
The HSE provides specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services, and people with intellectual disabilities would form the majority of service users who are supported by these services. While day service funding does not include transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis, and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass. The HSE have been working with the National Transport Authority on this issue of transport to day services, through the ‘Open Routes’ project. Open Routes is based on the idea that transport to HSE services such as day services would be best served by accessible local public transport such as the Local Link, transporting people to their day services, but also serving the wider local community as well with enhanced public transport provision.
The approach is being piloted in Leitrim. The NTA advise that the Integrated Pilot Project was developed in close collaboration with the HSE, with a revised network that is designed to meet the needs of mainstream public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers with disabilities and those accessing health care services in the county. To date all feedback with regard to the pilot from stakeholders such as HSE, HSE Day Centres, external stakeholders and passengers has been very positive. In addition to the positive feedback, passenger numbers on Regular Rural Services has grown considerably since the introduction of the revised TFI Local Link network for County Leitrim.
This is a model that could be applied in other parts of the country, with the NTA leading on this and working closely with local partners such as the HSE. My Department will be meeting shortly with officials from the Department of Transport to evaluate next steps for this project.
At a national level, under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) which concluded in December 2022, the Department of Transport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport. To develop proposals for better coordination of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities, a Transport Working Group was established under Action 104 of the NDIS, and I chaired this Group from January 2022 until its conclusion in December 2022.
The final report of the Group was published in February 2023 and it provides a valuable evidence base for future policy development, including the successor strategy to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. It is incumbent on all departments and agencies responsibility for the delivery of transport and mobility supports to people with disabilities on a mainstream first basis to consider the recommendations in the report, as I continue to do in the context of the responsibilities of my Department.
In relation to the individual case the Deputy raised previously, my office has provided a response to the Deputy.
86. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what is being put in place to resolve the crisis in staffing issues in SLT in CHO2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32518/23]
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.
87. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current staffing levels of CDNTs in Cork. [32444/23]
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.
88. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine funding for transport for children in support services once they reach the age of 18 years. [32061/23]
View answerThe HSE provides specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services, and people with intellectual disabilities would form the majority of service users who are supported by these services. While day service funding does not include transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis, and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass. The HSE have been working with the National Transport Authority on this issue of transport to day services, through the ‘Open Routes’ project. Open Routes is based on the idea that transport to HSE services such as day services would be best served by accessible local public transport such as the Local Link, transporting people to their day services, but also serving the wider local community as well with enhanced public transport provision.
The approach is being piloted in Leitrim. The NTA advise that the Integrated Pilot Project was developed in close collaboration with the HSE, with a revised network that is designed to meet the needs of mainstream public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers with disabilities and those accessing health care services in the county. To date all feedback with regard to the pilot from stakeholders such as HSE, HSE Day Centres, external stakeholders and passengers has been very positive. In addition to the positive feedback, passenger numbers on Regular Rural Services has grown considerably since the introduction of the revised TFI Local Link network for County Leitrim.
This is a model that could be applied in other parts of the country, with the NTA leading on this and working closely with local partners such as the HSE. My Department will be meeting shortly with officials from the Department of Transport to evaluate next steps for this project.
At a national level, under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) which concluded in December 2022, the Department of Transport had responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of accessible public transport. To develop proposals for better coordination of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities, a Transport Working Group was established under Action 104 of the NDIS, and I chaired this Group from January 2022 until its conclusion in December 2022.
The final report of the Group was published in February 2023 and it provides a valuable evidence base for future policy development, including the successor strategy to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. It is incumbent on all departments and agencies responsibility for the delivery of transport and mobility supports to people with disabilities on a mainstream first basis to consider the recommendations in the report, as I continue to do in the context of the responsibilities of my Department.
89. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps being taken to address the additional transport costs associated with disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31580/23]
View answerThe issue of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities is a key priority that has implications for several Departments across Government.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward. I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022.
The Transport Working Group's work has now concluded and its final report was published in February 2023. The Report sets out the contributions made by members of the Working Group for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities, including proposals which touch upon the additional cost of transport incurred by people with disabilities.
Transport and mobility supports are critical in supporting inclusion and independent living. For that reason, it is incumbent on colleagues across Government with responsibility for transport and mobility supports to carefully consider how the recommendations of the Transport Working Group ought to be advanced.
Within my own Department, I will be giving full and due consideration to the recommendations of the Transport Working Group. This includes transport to and from specialist community-based disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, for people with disabilities who require such services. While day service funding does not include funding for transport specifically, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas.
The Working group Report will also form an important part of the evidence base guiding the development of the successor to the National Disability Inclusion Strategy.
90. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expects the Optional Protocol of the UNCRPD will be adopted by Ireland; what is the reason for the delay in acceding to the Protocol; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32323/23]
View answer119. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 21 of 30 March 2023, if he will provide an update on the possible 'earlier ratification of the Optional Protocol’ of the UN Convention for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32565/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 119 together.
The Optional Protocol is an international treaty that establishes procedures aimed at strengthening the implementation and monitoring of the Convention. Ratification of the Optional Protocol is a commitment in the Programme for Government. The timeline for ratification was originally anticipated to follow the conclusion of Ireland’s first review period before the UN Committee. Due to delays at UN level, Ireland’s appearance before the Committee will now be delayed. Due to this, both Minister O'Gorman and I have indicated our support for earlier ratification of the Optional Protocol.
My Department is continuing to scope out the requirements for earlier ratification. This scoping work is required due to the long-standing position of the state in relation to honouring international agreements. As a matter of foreign policy, Ireland does not enter into binding international treaties until we are confident that the obligations set out within can be complied with. As such, the ongoing scoping exercise is procedurally necessary.
While I had expected the scoping exercise to have been completed by Easter this year, the procurement of appropriate expert legal services to complete and conclude the exercise has taken longer than anticipated. A tender for the necessary specialist services was issued in February of this year, but that process did not result in a suitable contract being awarded. My Department is now in the process of revising the approach to be taken but I can assure the Deputy that this is being addressed as a matter of urgency.
My Department is consulting with the Office of the Attorney General to identify appropriate legal expertise so that the scoping exercise can be completed at the earliest possible time. I am informed that the work will be complete in Quarter 4 of this year, should the procurement of expertise go to plan on this occasion.
91. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has met with Rehab Enterprises in Navan to discuss the risk of job losses there; if he will put measures in places to ensure that these jobs are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32401/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment. DETE have recently answered a Topical Issue on this matter -
www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/2023-06-14/3/
93. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will be support Tusla with the necessary capital investment required to achieve 50:50 public private children’s residential centre provision by 2025; if this investment will be part of Budget 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32480/23]
View answerTusla has a statutory responsibility to provide Alternative Care Services, under the provisions of the Child Care Act, 1991, the Children Act, 2001 and the Child Care (Amendment) Act, 2007. Tusla provides these, in the main through placement in foster care, with relatives, or alternatively in residential care settings in Tusla-owned and operated houses, in houses owned by not-for-profit organisations, or those owned and run by private operators.
At the end of 2022 there were 5,759 children in care. 88.8% (5,112) of children in care were in foster care, 7.6% (439) in residential care 3.6% (208) in other placements such as in supported lodgings, at home under a care order, in a detention school/centre, in disability units/drugs and alcohol rehabilitation centres.
While overall, the numbers of children in care has decreased in recent years, there has been a continued increase in demand for placements for children and young people in residential care, many of whom have had traumatic life experiences or have complex needs.
As a result, of these service demands, there has been an increased dependence on private provision of residential care placements, with 57% of residential care placements being with private providers.
It is worth noting that private providers provide a high standard of quality care to the children who make use of services and Tusla acknowledges that private operators will continue to play an important part of Tusla’s provision of residential care. There are cost and sustainability issues arising from a dependence on such placements and it is prudent and necessary to increase Tusla’s own residential care capacity.
The government IGEES service conducted a spending review on the provision of residential care in 2019 and this provides good evidence for my department and Tusla to make decisions about residential care. Other factors such as care models and range of needs that children present with, would also be relevant in decisions about residential care provision.
Tusla has developed a strategic plan for residential care services which aims to increase capacity in its residential services by 104 beds, to achieve 50:50 private:public provision by 2025.
Tusla has a capital budget, which it requires to maintain its existing properties in which it provides frontline services across the State. It also provides for ICT infrastructural development. Since 2021 Tusla has used a portion of its capital funding to purchase properties for the purpose of providing residential care capacity and has purchased 9 properties to date and which are due to come on stream in 2024 and 2025.
I fully support Tusla’s plans to increase public residential care capacity and reduce reliance on private sector provision. I will work with my Government colleagues to secure funding, through the Estimates process, that will allow Tusla to progress work. This will require investment, both through capital funding which will be required to purchase and fit out new properties, and current expenditure investment to staff and run these facilities.
94. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the Disability Capacity Review Action Plan will be published; the reason for the delay in the publication of the plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32459/23]
View answerThe Department of Health published the Disability Capacity Review in July 2021. This report set out the capacity requirements for health-funded disability services for the period up to 2032 and it is intended to address the capacity deficits in a phased approach over this period. This reflects the obligation under the UNCRPD for progressive implementation of social, cultural and economic rights.
Following the commitment in the 2020 Programme for Government to work towards implementing the findings, a Disability Action Plan Framework was published in July 2021 alongside the Terms of Reference for an interdepartmental Working Group to develop this Action Plan.
The Working Group has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan, which will be a vehicle for implementing the recommendations of the Disability Capacity Review and an implementation plan for the first phase, is currently being finalised for approval. As the plan is still being finalised, there is no date for publication at this time. This detailed Action Plan sets out the first phase of work to build the necessary capacity. This Action Plan aims to;
• build the capacity of disability support services to meet changing needs;
• improve timely access to services;
• do the groundwork to tackle constraints on the development of services;
• strengthen the focus on individualised services and supports to enable people with disabilities to live a life of their choosing in the community;
• begin the realignment of services to deliver better value with a particular focus on early intervention;
In recent years, significant resources have been invested by the health sector in disability services. Building on the previous year, an unprecedented level of funding of €2.6b for Disability services has been allocated for 2023. This follows substantial increases in the budget in 2021 and 2022; and reflects this Government’s commitment to strengthening the funding provided for the disability sector and working to act to address the shortfalls identified in the Disability Capacity Review.
96. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will confirm the number of early years services that have been unsuccessful for the sustainability grant by county, in tabular form; the reasons given; and the supports that his Department offer those turned down to ensure future applications are successful. [32487/23]
View answerMy Department oversees a case management process, through which local City and County Childcare Committee (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to all Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Care (SAC) services experiencing difficulties, and through which Sustainability Funding may be granted should the need arise.
Under the direction of my Department, Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering on-the-ground case management assistance. This can include help for services with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
In some instances, financial supports through Sustainability Funding may be appropriate, in tandem with this case management process. Pobal undertake a detailed financial review of any service wishing to apply for sustainability funding in order to assess their financial eligibility and need for funding. At the conclusion of this process, Pobal decide on the basis of the funding criteria and the information gathered whether or not to recommend sustainability funding. These recommendations come to my Department for decision.
In 2022, I introduced a new strand of Sustainability Funding to ensure that Partner Services, whether community or private, would remain sustainable with the introduction of the new funding model, which includes public management requirements, like the fee freeze. To date, no service has received funding under the new strand of Sustainability Funding. Two services completed the process to access this funding and both were deemed ineligible for the funding. Please see below in tabular form.
|
County |
Number of Services |
Reasons for not receiving this funding |
|
Dublin |
1 |
Did not meet the financial Eligibility Criteria |
|
Louth |
1 |
Did not meet the financial Eligibility Criteria |
It should be noted that while these services did not meet the eligibility requirements for Sustainability Funding, all ineligible services can continue to avail of the aforementioned operational supports through the Case Management Process should they choose to. If a services circumstances change, they may be re-assessed for Sustainability Funding and can seek this through their CCC.
If any service has viability concerns, I would encourage them to reach out to their local CCC to start availing of supports through the aforementioned case management process.
97. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what engagement he has had with staff representatives in the CDNT sector in terms of pay and conditions [32058/23]
View answerMy Department recognises that many organisations funded under Section 39 are experiencing challenges in the recruitment and retention of staff. These challenges are mirrored in many of the health and social care professions across the State. The sustainability of the sector who deliver valuable services through their staff on our behalf is a concern for both the Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Children’s disability services in the Republic of Ireland have been reconfigured into 91 Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs) to provide services on an equitable basis for all children with complex needs arising from their disability, regardless of where they live or what type of disability they have.
A Children’s Disability Network Team is a team of health and social care professionals supported by administration staff, who provide services for children with complex needs in a specific geographical area. Each team is led by a children’s disability network manager on behalf of a Lead Agency which can be the HSE or a Section 38 or 39 provider. Out of the 91 teams in place nationally, the HSE are the lead agency for 41 teams, while the remaining 50 are led by 11 different providers. This is an illustration of the absolutely crucial role played by section 38 and 39 providers and their staff in the delivery of children’s disability services.
Notwithstanding that the employees of Section 39 organisation are private sector employees with no employment relationship with the HSE, Tusla or my Department, a process of engagement to examine the pay of workers in community and voluntary organisations was committed to by the Government in October last year and we remain fully committed to the process.
Prior to the summer recess I intend to bring proposals to Government, jointly with the Minister for Health, seeking to effectively support section 39 and section 56 service providers to address the staff recruitment and retention issues currently affecting the sustainable provision of services by these organisations.
In terms of ongoing engagement, I also want to highlight to role of the Dialogue Forum with Voluntary Organisations was established in 2019 by the then Minister for Health with the aim of building a stronger working relationship between the State and the voluntary healthcare sector for the benefit of patients and service users. The Forum facilitates regular dialogue with the voluntary sector on future policy and strategic developments. The Forum recently developed and agreed a set of Partnership Principles. These provide the foundation for the future relationship between the State and the voluntary sector and demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening this relationship.
98. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will comment on the recent early years pilot meals programme; to disclose the services that took part in the pilot and whether the programme will be widened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32486/23]
View answerThe pilot meals programme was funded through Dormant Accounts Funding. €150,000 was allocated to test the provision of additional meals and snacks for children living in areas of high disadvantage. Pilot services also had the support of a dietician to support the delivery of meals to a high nutritional standard during the 6 week testing window. The delivery of the pilot was supported by Pobal. The pilot ended on 21 June.
The 9 services included in the pilot were:
Service 1: St. Margaret's Preschool, Ballymun
Service 2: Little Treasures Community Service, Sheriff Street, Dublin City
Service 3: Sunbeams Playschool, Balbriggan
Service 4: Johnstown Community Childcare, Kilkenny
Service 5: Ballymore Community Childcare, Ballymore
Service 6: Kids Aloud, Baltinglass
Service 7: Little Bray Family Resource Centre, Preschool and Afterschool
Service 8: Traveller Visibility Group Gora, Community Childcare, Cork City
Service 9: Naíonra Cró na nÓg, Mahon, Cork
As part of the evaluation of the pilot, consultation is underway with children, parents, educators and service managers as to the value, experience, and impact of including hot meals and additional snacks into the daily routine of the service.
The impact of the pilot and the views of all involved will be considered to inform a potential wider roll-out of nutritional supports to children experiencing disadvantage as part of the Equal Participation Model.
99. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to reduce childcare costs for families. [32535/23]
View answer107. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to further reduce childcare costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32403/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 99 and 107 together.
In 2023, the Government has for the first time allocated more than €1 billion to early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Within this, for its second year the Core Funding scheme will increase by €28 million, an 11% increase, to a total of €287 million. This is paid directly to providers to contribute to operating costs.
Core Funding includes targeted measures to support and fund smaller and sessional services. It also continues the fee freeze under Fee Management to ensure that parents’ costs do not increase and that the increased National Childcare Scheme subsidies are fully felt by parents.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is a subsidy provided to help parents to meet the cost of childcare and allow children to access Early Learning and School Age Childcare.
My Department has made a number of recent 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.
Working in tandem, Fee Management under Core Funding and NCS subsidies provides significant affordability benefits for parents in terms of reducing their early learning and childcare costs.
OECD data from 2018, before the introduction of the NCS in late 2019, showed that early learning and childcare costs in Ireland, relative to household income, were the highest in the EU for couples on low incomes and third highest for lone parents on low incomes, with couples paying on average 26.5 per cent and lone parents paying 25.2 per cent, compared to the EU averages of 9.6 per cent and 10.5 per cent respectively.
By 2021, early learning and childcare costs in Ireland fell to 14.2 per cent of net income for couples and 5.3 per cent for lone parents - compared to the EU averages of 8.1 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively.
It is important to note that these data do not take account of enhancements made to the NCS in 2022 and early 2023 and the new fee management measures under Core Funding.
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.
I am committed to increasing investment in early learning and childcare and any further changes to the NCS or Core Funding will be considered as part of Budget 2024 and announced on Budget day.
100. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extra funding provided to disability organisations for new services this year; the number of new services provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32071/23]
View answerThe Department of Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth does not directly fund any charitable voluntary groups. Under Section 38 and Section 39 of the 2004 Health Act funding is provided by the Health Service Executive. I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to this matter.
101. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking, including what engagement he has had with the Minister for Housing, to ensure that the human rights of homeless children and children at risk of homelessness are protected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32512/23]
View answerThe primary responsibility for housing and managing homelessness lies with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the Local Authorities.
This area of work requires a whole-of-Government approach, with a multitude of key stakeholders playing a vital role in addressing the fundamental issues arising in addressing homelessness.
Stable and appropriate accommodation is an essential pre-requisite for the well-being of children. Given the significant levels of family homelessness it is important to prioritise action aimed at preventing homelessness, accelerating exits from homelessness, and mitigating the impact of inappropriate housing. Government has identified family homelessness as a focus area for the Child Poverty and Well-Being Programme Office in the Department of the Taoiseach. While housing policy generally has a significant momentum and existing oversight arrangements, the Programme Office will help to provide a focus on how other measures can assist in preventing family homelessness and helping those in homeless services as they transition to more stable housing arrangements.
My Department will work closely with the Programme Office to progress this priority.
My Department is also represented on the National Homeless Action Committee (NHAC) which is chaired by the Minister for Housing allowing for the sharing of information and co-ordination of relevant actions.
Tusla provides family support and prevention and early intervention services for children and their families through a multiagency and coordinated response. Tusla works in partnership with Local Authorities, the HSE and the community and voluntary sector focusing on prevention and early intervention community-based family support through Children and Young People's Services Committees and Child and Family Support Networks. Family support staff throughout the country are providing practical supports to families at risk of homelessness, including:
• The ‘My place to Play’ initiative for families living in homeless accommodation.
• Assisting with the completion of relevant forms
• Working with families to signpost the relevant services.
Furthermore, the National Childcare Scheme includes specific arrangements for vulnerable children and families to be referred to the Scheme by certain statutory bodies. This arrangement (commonly referred to as a 'sponsor referral') will enable such children to avail of free childcare under the Scheme. Under this arrangement Local Authorities can refer homeless persons with children who are homeless or moving out of homelessness to enable them access childcare services. The payment is made directly to the service provider on behalf of the child and the parent is informed that additional fees are not payable in respect of the hours of childcare under the sponsor referral.
A key theme of the next national policy framework for children and young people is that the rights and best interests of the child should be a central consideration in all decision making which affects them. The Blueprint for the Framework, published last year, commits to a number of high level systemic actions which address how children's rights are taken into account in how government does business. These actions are based largely on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and the General Measures of Implementation. They include the development of Child Rights Impact Assessments, a review of legislation for compliance with the UNCRC, the development of child budgeting, and further development of the participation of children and young people in decision making.
102. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has identified the need for new supply in early childhood education and childcare; and if he has developed any proposals for capital support in areas of shortage. [32474/23]
View answerSome €69 million has been allocated over the period 2023-2025 to the early learning and childcare sector under the revised National Development Plan (NDP). This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare across three pillars:
Building Blocks - Improvement Grant;
Building Blocks - Capacity Grant; and
Building Blocks - Innovation Grant.
The Building Blocks - Improvement Grant is now closed. Under this Pillar, €9 million was allocated earlier this year in grants ranging from €35,000 to €75,000 for energy upgrades and retrofit projects.
Work is currently underway on the design and delivery of Pillars 2 and 3, which have a combined allocation of €20 million in 2024 and €40 million in 2025.
The Building Blocks – Capacity Grant will fund an expansion of existing services in areas of under supply. Funding will also be provided to support the development of new services, where most needed.
The Building Blocks – Innovation Grant will pilot a range of innovative initiatives such as outdoor early learning and childcare services.
A working group, comprising officials from my Department, representatives of the City/County Childcare Committees and Pobal, has been established to oversee the design and delivery of Pillar 2. The group is conducting a needs analysis, which will identify areas of unmet need, by geographical area and by age cohort.
I hope to be in a position to provide more information on the delivery of this Building Blocks – Capacity Grant in the coming weeks.
In addition to capital funding to support an increase in capacity in the early learning and childcare sector, I recently announced the allocation model for year 2 of Core Funding, which makes provision for a 3% growth in capacity across the sector.
103. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if it is possible to engage with a local authority on the improvement of a road to allow a bus service support an entity (details supplied). [32062/23]
View answerI have no statutory role or powers in relation to the improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads, which is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants, where applicable.
I am aware that the Department of Transport does consider applications for funding a limited number of road improvement projects however that Department has confirmed that it has no application on hand in respect of an upgrade of the road mentioned.
