Written Answers Nos. 1442-1461
1442. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of speech and language therapists that are currently in place in CHO6, Wicklow under the Children's Disability Network Team; the average wait time for SLT services for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38604/23]
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.
1443. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a detailed breakdown by county, those operating privately and through community structures, the number of early learning and care (ELC) and school-aged childcare (SAC) services currently operating per county registered with Tusla; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38608/23]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
1444. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in light of the introduction of core funding in September 2022, if he will provide a detailed breakdown by county and month of the number of additional early learning and care (ELC) and school-aged childcare (SAC) services opened and registered with Tusla for the past 18 months to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38609/23]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
1445. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in light of the introduction of core funding in September 2022, if he will provide a detailed breakdown by county and month of the number of closures within the early learning and care (ELC) and school-aged childcare (SAC) services notified in writing to Tusla for the past 18 months to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38610/23]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
1446. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide a breakdown per county on the current number of placements available for children with a disability that have access to the AIM programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38611/23]
View answerIn order for a child to Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) supports, they must be within the eligible age range for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. All services providing ECCE can also provide services to children with disabilities. As such there are no disability "placements".
The goal of AIM is to empower Early Learning and Care (ELC) providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the preschool service. It offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability.
Applications for AIM for the 2023/24 programme opened in May this year. The AIM application process remains open year round. Applications for AIM targeted supports (Levels 4-7) are completed by the childcare service provider in collaboration with the child’s parent/guardian.
Details of the levels of support under AIM are provided below.
Universal supports (Levels 1-3)
|
Level 1 |
Aims to embed an inclusive culture in services, includes the national inclusion policy and guidelines for ECCE, the funding of the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) training programme, the establishment of Inclusion Co-Ordinator (INCO) roles in ECCE settings. |
|
Level 2 |
Involves provision of information for parents and providers on AIM, through the AIM.gov.ie website and information provided by County/City Childcare Committees. |
|
Level 3 |
Recognises the requirement to continue to develop a qualified workforce that can confidently meet the needs of all children participating in the ECCE Programme. Supports include funding of training courses such as Hanen, Lámh and Sensory Processing E-Learning (SPEL). |
Targeted supports (Levels 4-7)
|
Level 4 |
Addresses the needs of early learning and care practitioners to have timely access to advice and support from experts in early learning and care (and disability in particular) to assist them meet each child’s needs. |
|
Level 5 |
Recognises that some children require specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or that some early learning and care settings may require minor structural alterations to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme. Supports include grants for equipment and some minor capital building works. |
|
Level 6 |
Provides access to therapeutic supports where they are critical to enable a child be enrolled, and fully participate, in the ECCE programme. |
|
Level 7 |
Additional assistance in the pre-school room involves additional capitation for service providers where an application process has demonstrated that supports at Level 1-6 have not, or will not, by themselves, meet the child’s needs. Funding can be used by the provider to buy in additional support, or reduce the staff / child ratio, supporting the pre-school leader to ensure the child’s optimal participation. |
Whilst there are no dedicated disability placements in mainstream services, it may be informative to provide the number if applications during the 22/23 programme call.
|
County |
2022 Programme: Total ECCE Services benefitting |
2022 Programme: Total Children benefitting |
County |
2023 Programme: Total Applications |
|
|
Carlow |
32 |
102 |
Carlow |
134 |
|
|
Cavan |
44 |
125 |
Cavan |
168 |
|
|
Clare |
82 |
188 |
Clare |
228 |
|
|
Cork |
319 |
905 |
Cork |
1298 |
|
|
Donegal |
90 |
243 |
Donegal |
272 |
|
|
Dublin |
597 |
1661 |
Dublin |
2124 |
|
|
Galway |
149 |
311 |
Galway |
382 |
|
|
Kerry |
80 |
220 |
Kerry |
312 |
|
|
Kildare |
121 |
380 |
Kildare |
446 |
|
|
Kilkenny |
57 |
155 |
Kilkenny |
211 |
|
|
Laois |
57 |
198 |
Laois |
233 |
|
|
Leitrim |
19 |
37 |
Leitrim |
52 |
|
|
Limerick |
121 |
388 |
Limerick |
465 |
|
|
Longford |
20 |
54 |
Longford |
55 |
|
|
Louth |
81 |
308 |
Louth |
378 |
|
|
Mayo |
86 |
185 |
Mayo |
243 |
|
|
Meath |
130 |
373 |
Meath |
503 |
|
|
Monaghan |
32 |
61 |
Monaghan |
105 |
|
|
Offaly |
50 |
141 |
Offaly |
148 |
|
|
Roscommon |
40 |
90 |
Roscommon |
140 |
|
|
Sligo |
26 |
71 |
Sligo |
74 |
|
|
Tipperary |
103 |
282 |
Tipperary |
352 |
|
|
Waterford |
62 |
164 |
Waterford |
232 |
|
|
Westmeath |
44 |
131 |
Westmeath |
212 |
|
|
Wexford |
84 |
240 |
Wexford |
334 |
|
|
Wicklow |
89 |
206 |
Wicklow |
245 |
|
|
Grand Total |
2615 |
7217 |
Grand Total |
9346 |
|
1447. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the level of funding that has been allocated to the AIM programme and the way he is ensuring that the AIM programme is implemented effectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38612/23]
View answerMy Department is committed to fully implementing the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) that supports children with disabilities and additional needs to access early education and care settings.
AIM provides a range of both universal and targeted measures, to support children with disabilities to take part in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) pre-school programme in mainstream settings, and to help make pre-school services more inclusive – benefiting all children in those services. The degree of support provided through AIM depends on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school service.
AIM has seven levels of support, including universal supports (levels 1-3) and targeted supports (levels 4-7), based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting they are attending.
Universal supports (Levels 1-3):
• Level 1, which aims to embed an inclusive culture in services, includes the national inclusion policy and guidelines for Early Childhood Care and Education, the funding of the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) training programme, the establishment of Inclusion Co-Ordinator (INCO) roles in ECCE settings.
• Level 2 involves provision of information for parents and providers on AIM, through the AIM website, and supports and information provided by County/City Childcare Committees.
• Level 3 recognises the requirement to continue to develop a qualified workforce that can confidently meet the needs of all children participating in the ECCE Programme. Supports include funding of training courses such as Hanen, Lámh and Sensory Processing E-Learning (SPEL).
Targeted supports (Levels 4-7):
• Level 4 addresses the needs of early learning and care practitioners to have timely access to advice and support from experts in early learning and care (and disability in particular) to assist them to meet each child’s needs.
• Level 5 recognises that some children require specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or that some early learning and care settings may require minor structural alterations to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme. Supports include grants for equipment and some minor capital building works.
• Level 6 provides access to therapeutic supports where they are critical to enable a child be enrolled, and fully participate, in the ECCE programme.
• Level 7: Additional assistance in the pre-school room involves additional capitation for service providers where an application process has demonstrated that supports at Level 1-6 have not, or will not, by themselves, meet the child’s needs. Funding can be used by the provider to buy in additional support, or reduce the staff / child ratio, supporting the pre-school leader to ensure the child’s optimal participation.
Over 26,000 children in over 4,000 services have benefitted from targeted supports since AIM began in 2016.
One of the commitments in First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, was to undertake an evaluation of AIM and subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, to consider enhancements to, and/or extension of, AIM to, for example, all early learning and care services, all school-age childcare services and to children with additional needs other than a disability. An End-of-Year-Three evaluation of the AIM programme has now been completed, with the final report due to be published by the end of 2023. My Department continuously review processes and seek opportunities for service improvement to ensure AIM is implemented effectively.
The AIM budget for 2023 is €43.6 million.
1448. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the new Tusla regulations that have been introduced for childminders and the supports that will be provided to help childminders comply with these regulations in order that parents can access the NCS for children attending these services. [38613/23]
View answerThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to extending regulation and supports to all paid, non-relative childminders who work in their homes over the coming years. The National Action Plan commits to opening the National Childcare Scheme to all childminders at the earliest possible opportunity, though it will be necessary first to introduce childminder-specific regulations, and to give childminders adequate time and support to meet regulatory requirements.
The National Action Plan sets out a phased approach with a preparatory phase followed by an extended transition period, to allow childminders lead-in time for any requirements. This supportive, phased process aims to facilitate the largest possible number of childminders to enter the regulated sector, the sphere of quality assurance, and access to Government subsidies, while recognising the time and supports required for this reform.
Phase 1 of the Plan, which began in 2021, involves developing regulations specific and appropriate to childminders, which will come into effect in Phase 2. As the new regulations are not yet in effect, the current regulations – and legal exemptions from regulation for most childminders – will remain in place during Phase 1. Phase 1 allows for consultation, research and development actions, to ensure that the regulations that apply to childminders are appropriate to the home environment, to build the quality support infrastructure required (including expansion of inspectorates and provision of training), and to ensure reforms are based on consultation and research evidence.
A number of consultations with childminders will be taking place over the coming months, the results of which will help shape the draft regulations. An Advisory Group on Stakeholder Engagement, Consultation and Communications – which includes childminder representatives – has been formed to support these consultations.
1449. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the rationale and background with his Departments €69 capitation per head per week under the core funding model for ECCE services and the failure to increase this amount in line with the cost of doing business, inflationary pressures, wages increases and holiday pay for providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38614/23]
View answerMy Department funds private early learning and care service providers to provide the ECCE programme at a standard rate of €69 per week per child attending the ECCE programme. €4.50 of this fee goes directly to the provider and the remaining €64.50 reducing the fees paid by the parent/guardian.
In 2010, when the ECCE Programme was first introduced, the standard capitation was €64.50, the higher capitation rate (for services with graduate room leaders) was €75 and the adult child ratio was 1:10. This equated to a maximum weekly income to providers of €645 (with standard capitation) and €750 (with higher capitation) for every 10 children to one adult.
In 2012, as part of austerity measures, the standard capitation was reduced to €62.50 and the higher capitation rate was reduced to €73. To offset this, the adult child ratio increased from 1:10 to 1:11. This equated to a maximum weekly income to providers of €687.50 (with standard capitation) and €803 (with higher capitation) for every 11 children to one adult.
In 2016, ECCE capitation was restored to €64.50 (standard capitation) and €75 (higher capitation) though the increased ratio remained in place. This equated to a maximum weekly income to providers of €709.50 (with standard capitation) and €825 (with higher capitation) for every 11 children to one adult.
In 2017, a non-contact time payment – later known as Programme Support Payment (PSP) – was introduced. This provided additional funding to ECCE providers equivalent to 7 additional days at standard capitation rates (equivalent to an additional €26.14 per week per 11 children or €2.38 per week per child). Funding for the ECCE Programme and PSP combined equated to a maximum weekly income to providers of €735.64 (where standard capitation applied) and €851.14 (where higher capitation applied) for every 11 children to one adult.
In 2018, ECCE capitation was increase by 7% to €69.00 (standard capitation) and €80.25 (higher capitation). Funding for the ECCE Programme and PSP (equivalent to 7 additional days at standard capitation rates equivalent to an additional €27.96 per week per 11 children or €2.54 per week per child) combined equated to a maximum weekly income to providers of €786.96 (where standard capitation applied) and €910.71 (where higher capitation applied) for every 11 children to one adult.
It is important to note that these estimates are based on a static system and do not account for any potential changes in behaviour that would result from these changes. It should also be noted that the above estimate is for increasing ECCE standard capitation only, ECCE higher capitation no longer exists and has been replaced by Core Funding. As higher capitation no longer exists it cannot be costed in the same way as ECCE capitation.
I would also note that I have appointed of Stranmillis University College, Belfast to undertake an independent review of the ECCE programme. The review will assess whether the ECCE Programme is meeting its core objectives and will identify any changes or improvements that can be made to the Programme, based on international evidence and experience to date. As part of the ECCE Review, there will be a wide stakeholder engagement which will include parents and pre-school providers. The review is due to conclude at the end of 2023.
I do not want any services to be faced with financial sustainability issues and I am fully committed to working with any such service to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good. There are supports, financial and otherwise, available to services who need them.
Sustainability funding is available to Partner Services, community and private, who are experiencing financial difficulty. Partner Services can be assisted through the case management route to ensure their services remain sustainable under Together for Better.
My Department strongly encourages services which are experiencing financial difficulty, and would like support to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route.
1450. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the reason Childcare service providers are not allowed to increase their fees, even though they are facing rising costs, wages continue to increase in line with the ERO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38615/23]
View answerCore Funding, introduced in September 2022, is designed to meet the combined objectives of:
• Improved affordability for parents by ensuring that fees do not increase;
• Improved quality for children through better pay and conditions for the workforce by supporting agreement on an Employment Regulation Order through the Joint Labour Committee and supporting the employment of graduate staff; and
• Improved sustainability and stability for services.
Core Funding is paid directly to providers and operates alongside the early learning and childcare subsidies - National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). It constitutes additional income for providers on top of funding for these schemes, as well as income from parental fees.
Core Funding in year 1 resulted in a €259 million increase in public investment in the sector. For year 2 of the scheme, the Core Funding budget will increase by 11% to reach €287 million.
The levels of Core Funding in the sector are such, that even substantial increases in the total cost base related to both pay and non-pay costs, can be absorbed by services participating in Core Funding. This therefore, maintains the conditions necessary for the ongoing implementation of fee management in a sustainable manner.
In year one and year two of Core Funding, fee management is effectively a fee freeze, where providers cannot increase the fees charged from September 2021. This ensures that parents’ costs do not increase and that the increased NCS subsidies are fully felt by parents.
My Department uses the most recent data available to allocate Core Funding. Data emerging from current operations of services from March 2023 as well as the most up-to-date macroeconomic projections underpinned the allocation model for year 2 of the scheme.
More data will be available to my Department through the validated financial returns, which will be gathered in Quarter 4 2023, and will allow further analysis of provider income and costs. This financial return data may underpin developments in fee management for Core Funding in year 3.
I do not want any services to be faced with financial sustainability issues and I am fully committed to working with any such service to support them in delivering early learning and childcare for the public good. There are supports, financial and otherwise, available to services who need them.
Sustainability funding is available to Core Funding services, community and private, who are experiencing financial difficulty. These services can be assisted through the case management route to ensure their services remain sustainable.
I strongly encourage services which are experiencing financial difficulty, and would like support to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route.
1451. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will examine a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38618/23]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act), and the The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Act 2022 (the 2022 Act), were commenced on 26th April this year. The 2015 Act abolishes the wards of court system for adults and replaces it with a system of tiered and rights based decision-making supports.
One type of decision-making supports available under the 2015 Act is Enduring Powers of Attorney, which allows a person to appoint an attorney to effect decisions on their behalf, such as personal welfare and property and affairs decisions, should they be unable to make them in future.
The Decision Support Service (DSS), which is the organisation that operates the provisions of the 2015 Act, is responsible for processing applications for new Enduring Powers of Attorney. Noting that many elderly people will indeed be making Enduring Powers of Attorney, the DSS is fully available to all persons making these applications, and can support persons who may need assistance with applications or who may not wish to use digital means to make an application, such as older persons, through the process. It is not mandatory for the donor to make their Enduring Power of Attorney application online, there is an option to complete a paper based application, which can be supported by the DSS.
Whether a person chooses to engage a solicitor to help them with their application, is a matter for each individual. There is no requirement under the legislation to require a person to engage a solicitor, other than for the completion of the legal practitioner statement on behalf of the donor. This reflects the intention of the Act to make the establishment of supports less formal and more affordable and accessible.
The 2015 Act, including Part 7 concerning Enduring Powers of Attorney, contains a range of balanced safeguards over and above those that featured in the Powers of Attorney Act 1996 and are designed to protect the interests of the donor. These include oversight by the Decision Support Service, reporting requirements, and a robust complaints mechanism. Mandatory notice requirements in the 2015 Act, as amended, are designed to assist in addressing potential issues regarding a decision support arrangement at key stages during the relevant process. The completion of the legal practitioner statement by a solicitor for an Enduring Power of Attorney is one such safeguard, and importantly ensures that the donor fully understands the implications of making an Enduring Power of Attorney and that the donor can revoke or change the power.
Initial data from the DSS indicates that there has been a strong uptake of Enduring Power of Attorney applications under the 2015 Act, with over 400 applications received in the first few months of operation.
The DSS are available to clarity any issues that arise in relation to the procedures and processes governing Enduring Powers of Attorney and have worked closely with legal practitioners and the Law Society in this regard.
1452. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current situation with the personalised disability budgets pilot project; the number of people currently receiving this service; the number of staff members currently employed on this project; if there is a plan to increase the number of individuals who can avail of personalised budgets within the current pilot scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38626/23]
View answerThe pilot Personalised Budget Project is open to adults with a disability who are currently in receipt of HSE funded services across a broad spectrum of services, including day services, residential services and respite services. It provides participants with more control in accessing health funded personal social services, giving each participant on the Pilot Personalised Budget Project greater independence and choice in accessing services which best meet their individual needs.
The pilot Personalised Budget Project is currently in its demonstration phase and it is anticipated that up to 180 persons will participate in the project by either establishing a person managed fund where they are managing the service themselves, by entering into a co-managed arrangement with a current service provider, or by utilising the services of a broker to purchase services.
An extension to the demonstrator project was granted by Minister Rabbitte, which will see the project extend to Q3 2023 for admission to the demonstrator project, with the final evaluation due for completion in Q2 2024.
This extension will facilitate suitable applicant participation and allow time for a robust evaluation to be completed.
1453. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if urgent assistance will be provided in relation to the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38759/23]
View answerAs the query refers to an individuals case, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1454. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on and any plans relevant to a request (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38779/23]
View answerI thank the Deputy for raising this important issue affecting foster carers.
Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
I am conscious of the disappointment expressed by foster carers that there has been no increase to the foster care allowance since 2009. I can inform the Deputy that a priority of mine is to seek to secure an increase to the foster care allowance in Budget 2024.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to work with Tusla, with my Government colleagues, and with any other relevant stakeholders going forward, seeking to review and improve the suite of supports available to foster carers.
1455. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the poor conditions of the temporary housing of asylum seekers on the grounds of the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum including insufficient heating, tents that are not weatherproof, resulting in bedding becoming wet, no drying facilities after heavy rain or replacement bedding being offered, and errors with the food service which has involved some people being unaccounted for; his plans to address these issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38791/23]
View answerDue to the unprecedented numbers seeking accommodation assistance there has been a need, for Ireland and for many administrations across Europe, to turn to movable structures such as tents, containers and modular houses. Tented and modular accommodation remain a part of the accommodation solution, and projects to expand capacity in this area continue to be explored.
The Land Development Agency (LDA) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) have offered my Department use of grounds of the Central Mental Hospital (CMH) for emergency tented accommodation.
Defence Forces tents have been erected on a suitable site on the grounds of the former CMH and residents have access to indoor facilities for dining and the use of existing sanitation infrastructure.
In relation to the concerns raised over the suitability of the tented accommodation in CMH, the Department has raised these matters with the accommodation provider, and is satisfied that they have taken the appropriate mitigating measures required to address them.
Residents are encouraged to raise issues directly with centre managers in the first instance, or may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team. IPAS also funds a dedicated NGO run helpline where residents can raise any concerns or issues they may have. The contact details for the National Resident helpline are: 1800 929 008.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) Resident Welfare Team conduct in person clinics in the International Protection accommodation portfolio, where residents can directly raise any issues they have in relation to their accommodation with Departmental staff. Various NGOs have also offered further regular support presence at this location.
All international protection applicants have access to the services of the Ombudsman and Office of the Ombudsman for Children, should they consider that their complaint has not been managed appropriately.
1456. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has received written correspondence dated 14 July 2023 from a school (details supplied) with a business case for additional funding; if they have examined the business case; and if his Department will increase funding for this school in light of the business case. [38842/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Department has received written correspondence dated 14th July, 2023 from St. Ultan's together with a Business Case as referred to by the Deputy. Officials in my Department are aware of the request for additional funding as outlined in the Business Case. Last July, officials in my Department held discussions with St. Ultan's Senior Management and the Chairperson of the St. Ultan's Board regarding this funding request.
My Department funds the work of St. Ultan's via an annual Service Level Agreement and in 2023 nearly €1m in funding has been allocated by my Department to St. Ultan's covering Early Years Provision (NCS, ECCE, AIM), the St. Ultan's Integrated Care and Education Model and the Home Parent Child Plus Programme.
My Department has always engaged with St. Ultan's in a proactive manner as regards funding and sustainability issues and in 2023 additional sustainability funding was allocated to St. Ultan's to further fund the Integrated Care and Education Model on the Campus.
1457. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of an application (details supplied); when the applicant will receive a decision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38864/23]
View answerIreland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-government humanitarian response to assist over 92,000 arrivals fleeing the war in Ukraine that have been granted temporary protection, approximately 80% of whom have sought accommodation from this Department.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, my Department has contracted in excess of 49,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 800 settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
With regard to the offer to which the Deputy refers, I am advised that one of my officials will directly contact your constituent in the coming weeks to discuss potential next steps.
My Department continues to assess and review all accommodation offers received on an ongoing basis as to their suitability to meet the needs of BOTPs.
1458. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has advanced proposals to have floating accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and/or those seeking international protection; if he will provide details on when the tender process for this will open; and where these centres are intended for. [38882/23]
View answerThe Department has received a number of offers of ‘floating accommodation’ in recent times. Consideration of such proposals comes in the wake of an unprecedented accommodation crisis.
Following detailed investigation and analysis of its use, and in consultation with various stakeholders including the Maritime Unit in the Department of Transport, my Department is still exploring the possibility of publishing a Request For Tender (RFT) on eTenders, seeking flotel accommodation for international protection applicants (IPAs).
However, as my Department is still in an exploratory phase and as there are legal and regulatory issues to be addressed, there are currently no time lines on any potential publication.
The Ukraine Accommodation Procurement team are not considering floating accommodation at this time.
1459. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when funding will issue to an organisation (details supplied);; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38887/23]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1460. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will give consideration, in consultation with Pobal, to a publicly funded community childcare facility in Shannon, County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38900/23]
View answerAn Expert Group was established in September 2019 to develop a new funding model for the Early Learning and Childcare sector. Under their terms of reference, the Expert Group was not asked to propose changes to the current model of delivery (i.e. privately-operated provision), rather that the Group should seek to further achieve policy objectives of quality, affordability, accessibility and contributing to addressing disadvantage in a privately-operated system through increased public funding and public management.
In December 2021, Government approved the 25 recommendations contained in the Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare. The recommendations were accepted in full by Government and implementation of this new funding model is well under way.
Of the 25 recommendations, three are grouped under the title 'Role of the State'. In particular, the final recommendation states that, “[I]n the medium term, the Minister should mandate the Department to examine whether some element of public provision should be introduced alongside private provision.”
Taken together, these recommendations reflect a key theme of the report, which is the importance of strengthened State involvement and enhanced public management in the sector, in conjunction with increased State funding. This is underpinned by a cultural shift to a partnership relationship between providers and the State that reflects the public good dimension of early learning and childcare, with new responsibilities on both sides.
In September 2022, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families as well as stability and sustainability for providers.
Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) and the new Core Funding scheme. Core Funding, which began in September 2022, is the new funding stream worth €259 million in full year costs to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed. This is the start of a multi-annual investment plan which, along with other Budget 2023 announcements, realises the First 5 target of investment of €1 billion, five years ahead of schedule. Together for Better begins a journey that I am confident will see exceptional standards of early learning and childcare achieved, delivering Government commitments in Partnership for the Public Good, expanding the sector and growing capacity through public management and investment, and ensuring positive outcomes for children, their families, and society overall.
In the coming weeks, my Department will be announcing a large scale capital funding scheme for Early Learning and Care Services and School Age Childcare Services. This will be the second of three capital schemes funded under the revised National Development Plan.
The primary goal of the Building Blocks Capacity Grant Scheme is to increase capacity in areas of undersupply. Up to €45m will be made available under the Scheme to address capacity gaps, expand existing provision and, where possible, invest in the development of new provision, where most needed. Grants will be awarded in 2024 and 2025.
The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need. Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
1461. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any progress has been made with regard to securing a residential place for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38927/23]
View answerAs the query refers to an individuals case, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
