Written Answers Nos. 256-275
256. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a review of a BISS penalty in respect of a farmer in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51589/23]
View answerAn application for participation in the 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability Scheme (BISS), Complementary Redistributive Support for Sustainability (CRISS), Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) and ECO schemes was received from the above named applicant on the 28th of April, 2023.
Following a review of parcels using Satellite Imagery parcels within this application were identified as being burned between the 1st of March and the 31st of August. It is specified in the 2023 BISS Terms & Conditions that land burnt between the 1st of March and the 31st of August is not eligible for payment purposes. Accordingly, the burnt area has been deducted from the eligible area within the parcels leaving a reduced area upon which payment can be claimed for the 2023 BISS scheme year. The claiming of the ineligible area has resulted in an overclaim on this application.
The application has been processed and advance payment issued on the 2nd of November 2023, balancing payments are due to issue the first week in December.
My department has received an appeal from the named person, the case will be examined on its merits and any information supplied by the applicant will be taken into consideration. Once the review is completed the applicant will be notified of the outcome as soon as possible.
257. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a proposal to make available grant assistance for purchasing shredders/mulchers for use on family farms, given the new regulations and restrictions surrounding the burning of green waste on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51620/23]
View answerThe Targeted Agriculture Modernisation Scheme (TAMS 3) provides grants to farmers to build and/or improve a specified range of farm buildings and equipment on their holdings. There is an indicative budget of €370 million available for the period 2023-2027, and all investments must be linked to Climate, Environment or Animal Welfare.
Mounted mulchers are available in TAMS 3 to eligible applicants under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Tillage Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Capital Investment Scheme. Self-driven mulchers are also available under the Organic Capital Investment Scheme.
In addition to mulchers, PTO wood chippers are also available under the Animal Welfare and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme, Women Farmers Capital Investment Scheme and the Organic Capital Investment Scheme.
258. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51630/23]
View answer260. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he considers that financial losses faced by vessels in respect of pelagic stocks such as mackerel and herring will be adequately compensated for by the Brexit pelagic fisheries support scheme, given that they will be required to repay any funding received for months that their vessels were tied up as part of the Brexit temporary fleet tie-up scheme or other introduced temporary schemes through the seafood taskforce scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51643/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 258 and 260 together.
The Brexit Pelagic Fisheries Support Scheme, funded under the Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR), will compensate owners of Refrigerated Sea Water (RSW) pelagic vessels and polyvalent Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels that have suffered losses of mackerel quota over the period 2021-2023 as a result of the quota transfers to the EU under Brexit. The support is designed to stabilise cashflow and assist vessel owners to re-structure their operations in light of the loss of earnings associated with the reduction of available quota under the TCA. The scheme is intended to benefit 23 RSW vessels and the 27 polyvalent Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels.
As with all schemes implemented under the BAR, the scheme was submitted to the Commission for a State Aid decision. The Commission sought that where any applicant under this scheme had received payment under the Temporary Fleet Tie-Up Scheme, this payment would be deducted from the aid provided under this scheme. The concern of the Commission related to vessel owners potentially receiving aid under two different schemes in respect of the same loss i.e. they would receive double compensation.
In an effort to mitigate the impact of this on beneficiaries under this scheme my Department engaged with the Commission and sought that only payments made under the Temporary Fleet Tie-Up Scheme during the pelagic fishing season would be deducted. This was on the basis that the risk of double compensation only arose where vessels received tie-up payments during the season in which they could fish mackerel. In the text put forward by my Department the pelagic fishing season was defined, on the advice of Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), as January to March and November to December. The Commission accepted this, and as such this represented a compromise on their part.
Subsequently I have been made aware that some Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels were not authorised to fish mackerel in the month of December, and that a number of these vessels had received payment under the Temporary Fleet Tie-Up Scheme in the month of December 2021. As a result, these vessels stood to lose some of the aid available under the Pelagic Fisheries Support Scheme, even though there was no risk of double compensation arising, as they had been unable to fish mackerel in December.
As I announced today, my Department has been successful in clarifying with the EU Commission that as there was no authorisation to fish mackerel in the month of December, payments to Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels under the Temporary Fleet Tie-Up Scheme in that month do not have to be deducted from any aid being paid to them under the Pelagic Fisheries Support Scheme. I appreciate the assistance of the Commission in resolving this matter quickly, which will now allow the maximum aid possible under the scheme to be accessed by eligible vessels.
259. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will publish the Brexit pelagic fisheries support scheme application submitted by Ireland to the European Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51642/23]
View answerI do not intend to publish the Brexit Pelagic Fisheries Support Scheme application submitted by Ireland to the EU Commission. Schemes submitted to the Commission for a State Aid decision are submitted in draft form, and are subject to a process involving consultation with a number of Directorates within the Commission. It is the norm that in the course of this consultation queries are raised by the Commission, and amendments are made to the schemes in light of these queries.
Once a positive State Aid decision is formally notified by the Commission, my Department checks that the final draft of the scheme document is fully aligned with the State Aid decision, and it is then that the final scheme document is provided to Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), who is requested to implement same. The final scheme document is published and available on bim.ie/fisheries/funding/brexit-pelagic-fisheries-support-scheme/.
261. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will look at opening the fodder scheme 2023 to new entrants in view of recent adverse weather (details supplied). [51675/23]
View answerFollowing the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the Deputy will be aware that on 15 June 2022, I announced the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme. The aim of the scheme was to incentivise farmers to grow more fodder.
Building on the success of the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme, on 2 November 2022, I launched the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme.
The 2023 Fodder Support Scheme is a continuance of the 2022 Scheme and only successful applicants for the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme were eligible to apply for the 2023 Scheme, which closed at midnight on the 5th of December 2022.
The re-opening of the scheme in July 2023 was to facilitate existing Fodder Support Scheme 2023 applicants to amend downwards the area they entered for the Fodder Support Scheme 2023 in November/December 2022 to reflect the land the participant has claimed on their 2023 BISS application if required. The amendment facility closed on the 12 September 2023.
I have continued to monitor the situation around the price of agricultural inputs throughout 2023, but I have no plans to re-open the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme to new applicants. I intend to commence balancing payments to 2023 Fodder Support Scheme participants in the coming weeks.
Separately, the Deputy will be aware that I have recently announced supports such as the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme and Unharvested Crop Support Scheme which will target farmers impacted by exceptional flooding in 2023.
262. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a forestry licence application (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51681/23]
View answerA decision on this application should issue in the coming weeks. If the applicant has not received a decision within that timeframe, they may contact my Department directly at forestryappenq@agriculture.gov.ie for an update.
263. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of finfish aquaculture licences currently up for renewal in Ireland; the number of finfish aquaculture licences currently that applied for renewal in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51724/23]
View answerMy Department’s records indicate that there are currently 30 renewal applications under consideration in respect of marine finfish aquaculture. My Department considers all applications for aquaculture licences, including renewal applications, in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable national and EU legislation. The licensing process is complex and involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advisers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation. All submissions received during the public and statutory consultation phase are considered during the licensing process. In addition, applications for marine finfish licences must be accompanied by a detailed Environmental Impact Statement or Environmental Impact Assessment Report as set out in both EU and national legislation.
The licences concerned are currently permitted to operate under Section 19(A)4 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997. Section 19(A)4 of the Act permits an operator who has applied for a renewal of an aquaculture licence to continue operating, subject to the terms and conditions of the original licence held, pending a determination in respect of the licence renewal application in question.
264. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of finfish aquaculture licences currently up for renewal that have been supplied with all and sufficient environmental assessments that are needed to support the renewal application as required by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51726/23]
View answerApplications for marine finfish licences, with some very limited exceptions, must be accompanied by an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR). The requirement for an EIS/EIAR is set out in legislation and relevant applications cannot be considered in its absence. A marine finfish application, whether for a new licence or the renewal of a licence cannot be processed by my Department until a valid EIS/EIAR is received which complies with both national and EU legislation.
My Department’s records indicate that there are currently 30 renewal applications under consideration in respect of marine finfish aquaculture. As part of my Department’s strategy for the elimination of the marine finfish licensing backlog a formal request for the submission of outstanding EIS/EIARs issued to all operators in December 2018 and specified the deadline for submission of the necessary documentation to be 30 September 2019.
This deadline was subsequently extended to 30 June 2021. While all applicants submitted EIS/EIARs in advance of this deadline, a number of the Reports submitted required further review and updates, and work is ongoing with the applicants concerned in order to progress these applications. The applicants concerned have recently been advised that all outstanding information in respect of these applications must be submitted by 9 February 2024.
Once the necessary documents/information are received and the required technical and scientific reviews are completed, these applications will be subjected to both Public and Statutory Consultation in accordance with the relevant legislation.
As these applications are currently under consideration as part of Statutory process it would not be appropriate to comment further on specific applications at this time.
265. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to the introduction of a scheme for farm buildings damaged by the recent flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51737/23]
View answerAt present there are no plans for my Department to put in place a scheme for farmers affected by the recent flooding.
The Emergency Flood Relief Scheme is operated by the Irish Red Cross on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
Details of the scheme may be obtained from the Irish Red Cross website, www.redcross.ie/flood-support-scheme/ and any questions regarding the scheme should be directed to them.
266. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review the process regarding a potential land deal in Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51741/23]
View answerCoillte was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act 1988. Day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of its forest estate and land transactions, are the responsibility of the company.
I have referred the matter to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
267. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial support that he is providing to farmers in the Shannon callows for lost fodder and grass as a result of the flooding over the past number of months; if this support is available to farmers along the river Suck south of Ballinasloe and on the Little Brosna, where the same floodwaters have had a similar impact; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51790/23]
View answerFollowing exceptional flooding in the Shannon Callows during summer 2023, the Deputy will be aware that on the 7th November 2023, I announced the launch of the Shannon Callows Flood Scheme. The aim of the scheme is to support farmers who have been affected by fodder loss due to flooding in the region during summer 2023.
I have allocated funding of approximately €800,000 which will allow for a payment rate of up to €325 per hectare for LPIS parcels impacted as determined by my Department's Area Monitoring System and which were claimed by farmers on their 2023 Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) application.
A small number of LPIS parcels along the River Suck and the Little Brosna River that are within the Shannon Callows area are included within the Shannon's Callows Flood Scheme.
My Department have contacted the farmers that the Area Monitoring System has identified as having been impacted by the flooding and provided them with a simple application form for them to sign and return if they wish to apply for the support. Farmers will be asked to confirm they have lost fodder as a result of the extended flooding in order to receive payment.
The application form needs to be returned by 27 November 2023. It is my intention that payments will commence in December 2023.
268. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farmers are debarred from benefitting from reliefs if they have solar panels on their farms (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51809/23]
View answerThis is a matter for the Minister for Finance, who has primary responsibility for taxation policy.
269. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received correspondence from a charity (details supplied) regarding a funding deficit; and what action his Department will take to ensure the service can continue. [51604/23]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, commissions CARI to provide therapeutic services to children and their families impacted by Child Sexual Abuse.
CARI highlighted the issue of a financial deficit in August 2023 where it was expressed to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and my Department that CARI would need €243,000 until the end of 2023. Tusla and my Department have been actively engaging with CARI, and additional funding was provided by Tusla in October to address the projected financial deficit by CARI at that time. The conditional agreement between Tusla and CARI was based upon CARI providing a detailed financial governance business plan to Tusla to ensure on going core funding for 2024.
The CEO and Senior Management of Tusla are engaging with CARI actively to reach a solution. The key elements of the financial deficit for CARI have been identified by the Department. There are several key drivers which have led to cost increases including the using up of financial reserves built up over time to supplement funding shortfalls such as; an increase in running costs, decreased income from funding and under charging for the full cost of therapy.
As a Department the promotion of child welfare is the paramount concern. The initial amount required to ensure operations by CARI could function until end of year was outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and a plan was put in place on the 8th of November. This is an ongoing development that requires both Tusla and CARI to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, CARI's financial deficit has changed significantly from the original figure outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and upon which significant and additional once off financial funding was provided.
It is important to note that Tusla has not reduced funding to CARI’s core funding. The core agreed funding level remains at €336,000 yearly. This is the amount the organisation is funded to operate their core services within. Additional services provided to local areas based on local need are funded separately and of course these amounts vary, dependent on both the level of need for such services and the capacity of CARI to deliver these services. In addition to core funding, and additional funding for local needs, Tusla also provided a 5% Covid expenditure payment in 2021, and 4% increase to all section 56 organisations core funding for sustainability in 2022.
Tusla's CEO confirmed in writing to the Chair of CARI that Tusla funding to CARI in 2024 would be continued as core funding and local funding similar to 2023.
Tusla anticipate 2024 funding for CARI will be approximately 576,000 (core and service initiatives) but will not include additional 250,000 once off. The once off additional funding was provided by Tusla to allow the Board of CARI time to develop a business plan for 2024 in line with their allocation and to provide a sustainable model of financial governance.
Officials from my Department are continuing to liaise with Tusla in this regard and the situation requires close review by Tusla regarding any future issues in this regard. The Department welcomes the continued communication between Tusla and CARI.
270. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51629/23]
View answerCARI offers an important and vital service to Children who have experienced sexual abuse, and the support offered by the service to the parents of those children. The Minister, and the Department understand the vital role CARI play in providing therapy to those who have experienced sexual abuse and it is acknowledged how vital this service is for children and their families through an extremely distressing and difficult time.
CARI highlighted the issue of a financial deficit in August 2023 where it was expressed to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Department that CARI would need €243,000 until the end of 2023. Tusla and the Department have been actively engaging with CARI, and additional funding was provided by Tusla in October to address the projected financial deficit by CARI at that time. The conditional agreement between Tusla and CARI was based upon CARI providing a detailed financial governance business plan to Tusla to ensure on going core funding for 2024.
The CEO and Senior Management of Tusla are engaging with CARI actively to reach a solution. The key elements of the financial deficit for CARI have been identified by the Department. There are several key drivers which have led to cost increases including the using up of financial reserves built up over time to supplement funding shortfalls such as; an increase in running costs, decreased income from funding and under charging for the full cost of therapy.
As a Department the promotion of child welfare is the paramount concern. The initial amount required to ensure operations by CARI could function until end of year was outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and a plan was put in place on the 8th of November. This is an ongoing development that requires both Tusla and CARI to reach a mutually beneficial agreement. However, CARI's financial deficit has changed significantly from the original figure outlined to Tusla in August 2023 and upon which significant and additional once off financial funding was provided.
The Department officials are continuing to liaise with Tusla in this regard and the situation requires close review by Tusla regarding any future issues in this regard. The Department welcomes the continued communication between Tusla and CARI.
271. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to push the introduction of the budgeted increase in the ECC hours to €2.14 per hour to January 2024, and not September 2024 as budgeted for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51640/23]
View answerIn arriving at the introductory date of the increase in the minimum subsidy, I had to balance a number of policy priorities with the available budgetary envelope. In order to deliver on the existing schemes as well as the make a number of enhancements of other early years schemes within the budgetary envelope a September start date was necessary.
These policy commitments include:
• The continuation of the ECCE programme that will benefit more than 103,000 children in 2024
• An expansion of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) to allow children with a disability to avail of AIM supports outside of ECCE hours, in term and out of term.
• The continuation of Core Funding, with enhancements to the Scheme in year 3.
• The introduction of the Equal Participation Model (EPM), whereby services will be provided with a proportionate mix of universal and targeted supports to support children and families accessing their services who are experiencing disadvantage.
• The delivery of a range of regulatory and quality supports for the implementation of the National Action Plan for Childminding; Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan, and the ongoing development of the registration and inspection system as well as policy development commitments set out in First 5 and the Programme for Government.
I would also note that the increased subsidy coincides with the start of the new programme year as providers and schemes generally operate on a September to August cycle.
In addition, this lead-in time will support smoother implementation and transition in a time where my Department is actively seeking to reduce the administrative burden on providers.
272. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide details of the actions he has taken to address the Committee on the Rights of the Child's concluding observations on the combined fifth and sixth periodic reports of Ireland recommendation 18 (b): Strengthen measures to promote the meaningful and empowered participation of all children, including children in disadvantaged situations, within the family, the community, schools and in the realm of policymaking at the local, municipal and national levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51650/23]
View answerBoth my Department and other Government Departments have undertaken a series of measures to address the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child's concluding observations. In particular, in relation to recommendation 18(b), my Department has taken a leadership role in promoting the meaningful participation of children in all aspects of life.
The National Framework for Children and Young People’s Participation in Decision Making, supports departments, agencies and organisations to improve their participation practice with children and young people.
The Framework is the strategic foundation from which Hub na nÓg develops targeted policy and practical guidance.
To date, actions to implement the Framework include the delivery of a capacity building grant and participation training programmes across a variety of sectors. This includes organisations that support seldom heard children and young people, particularly those from the Traveller community, disability organisations, youth services, early years practitioners and arts organisations. In 2024, the focus will turn to sports organisations.
The forthcoming publication of the Children and Young People's Participation in Decision Making: Action Plan 2023-2028, will further build on the ambition and achievements of the first National Strategy on Children and Young People's Participation in Decision Making (2015-2020) which laid out and delivered on the cross government commitment to realising the right of children and young people to be heard when decisions that impact their lives are being made.
The Children and Young People's Participation in Decision Making Action Plan 2023-2028, being currently finalised, is a key component of the delivery of Young Ireland: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028, which was launched on 21 November 2023.
My Department undertook a series of consultations with children and young people to secure their views on the implementation of children’s rights in Ireland. Two sets of consultations were undertaken. In the first, 1215 children aged between 4 and 13 years were recruited through 21 primary schools, and 46 young people aged 13 to 18 years recruited from selected Comhairle na nÓg (youth councils). Participating children and young people came from a variety of locations (urban/rural) and had a good representation of harder to reach populations. Additional consultations took place in 2022 with young carers, minority ethnic young people and young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness which informed the development of Young Ireland. Consultations with young people experiencing or at risk of homelessness also informed the development of the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2023 - 2025 (Department of Housing, 2023).
Additionally, as part of the preparation for the next State report to the UNCRC, my Department commissioned a Review of recent consultations (DCEDIY 2021) undertaken by Government Departments and State Agencies to:
(a) identify key issues raised by Children and Young People relevant to the UNCRC,
(b) provide an overview of the emerging themes relevant to the implementation of rights of children (including specific groups) and
(c) highlight any gaps raised by the consultations.
In total, 20 consultations with 14,567 children and young people aged between 5 and 26. Children and young people shared their experiences of specific services such as the child care system, adoption regulation, direct provision, and the Garda Youth Diversion Projects.
In March 2023 my Department supported the Department of Education, in establishing a dedicated unit, the Student Participation Unit, to ensure that children and young people have meaningful input into the development of Department policy. An expert group has been formed to advise the work of the new unit. This expert group is independently chaired by a renowned expert on participation of children and young people, Professor Laura Lundy.
273. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of early years and school-age care providers that have withdrawn from Core funding for each month to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51666/23]
View answerInvestment in early learning and childcare is at unprecedented levels with public funding for the first time reaching more than €1 billion in 2023 for early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector.
Core Funding is in operation since 15 September 2022 and has achieved very significant success in terms of the high levels of participation. With 95% participation in year 1 and to date, 94% or over 4,300 providers have signed up for Core Funding Year 2, with applications still open. There are officially more services contracted for Core Funding year 2 than there were at the peak of Core Funding year 1.
Participation in Core Funding is optional but it remains open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding.
Core Funding has increased by 11% to reach €287 million for year 2 of the scheme, providing a sustainable platform for investment with increases for all services.
Budget 2024 allocated an additional €37.4m to Core Funding. This increase on the 2023 allocation will support continued implementation of the scheme for the second programme year (September 2023 to August 2024) and into the third programme year from September 2024.
In Core Funding Programme Year 1, 4 Services, early years and school-age care providers, withdrew their application in 2023.
In Core Funding Programme Year 2, *14 Services, early years and school-age care providers, withdrew their application in 2023. See table below for breakdown.
*Please note that 11 Services that withdrew in August, did so before contract began in programme year 2.
|
Programme call |
Year of change |
Month of change |
No of services |
|
Core Funding 2022 |
2023 |
Apr |
1 |
|
Core Funding 2022 |
2023 |
Jun |
3 |
|
Programme call |
Year of change |
Month of change |
No of services |
|
Core Funding 2023 |
2023 |
Aug |
11 |
|
Core Funding 2023 |
2023 |
Sep |
2 |
|
Core Funding 2023 |
2023 |
Oct |
1 |
It is matter for providers to decide whether they wish to benefit from this public funding or withdraw from the Scheme and remove the benefits of the Core Funding to parents, in particular the Core Funding Fee Freeze.
However, I am confident that given the level of investment and associated supports, services should not need to take this step.
There is extensive engagement with provider representatives and providers of all types, via various specific consultation activities and through various fora, including through the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum.
In addition, special supports are available from my Department where a service is experiencing financial difficulty or has concerns about their viability, accessed through local City or County Childcare Committee (CCC). This support can take the form of assisting services with interpreting analysis of staff ratios and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
I strongly encourage services to avail of these case management supports as an alternative to withdrawing from Core Funding and removing the benefits of Core Funding to parents.
274. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of "baby room" closures that have been reported for each month to date in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51667/23]
View answerMy Department is currently collating the information requested and a reply will issue directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
275. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the actions in Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028 regarding English language proficiency for non-native speakers working in ELC and SAC services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51668/23]
View answerIn December 2021, I published "Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028", which aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in early learning and care and school-age childcare and to raise the profile of careers in the sector.
Under Pillar 5, Nurturing Skills commits to introduce a regulatory requirement for English language proficiency for Early Years Educators and SAC Practitioners working in English-medium settings over an appropriate timescale.
To inform decision-making on the nature of such a requirement and an appropriate timeline for introduction, Nurturing Skills committed to establish a language competency working group to advise on a regulatory requirement, and to carry out research on language proficiency across the sector. My officials are currently in the process of commissioning research on language requirements in other jurisdictions and comparative sectors to inform proposals prior to establishing a consultation mechanism with key stakeholders on the matter.
A Monitoring Committee has been established to monitor the implementation of the actions contained in Nurturing Skills. The Committee published its first Nurturing Skills annual progress report (on actions undertaken 2022) in March 2023. I am expecting to receive the next annual progress report from the Monitoring Committee (on 2023) in Q1 of 2024.
