Written Answers Nos. 1175-1194
1175. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s plans in relation to the recommendation within the Joint Oireachtas Report on Autism on the establishment of a one stop shop for the autism community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12644/24]
View answerThe Government is committed to better meeting the needs of autistic people and their families in the State and I am not opposed in principle to the establishment of a one stop shop to support the autistic community.
In the context of development of a new national strategy on autism, the Autism Innovation Strategy, consideration is being given to methods of providing enhanced information for autistic people and their families and improving the signposting of information. I intend to bring forward actions to improve information about autism and coordination between different services. I am not opposed in principle to the establishment of a one stop shop, which supports the autism community.
While the Autism Innovation Strategy was in development prior to the publication of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism’s report, the Committee’s recommendations have been, and continue to be, carefully considered in the context of finalising the Autism Innovation Strategy.
The Autism Innovation Strategy will provide a framework for cross-government action on autism, which is designed to complement and enhance existing policy frameworks. The Strategy will seek to provide for better mainstream understanding and accommodation of the needs of autistic people across the public system over its 18-month lifespan. It will also seek to promote a more holistic and coordinated approach to services and supports for autistic people in the State.
A draft of the Autism Innovation Strategy was published in early February this year as part of a further public consultation to seek the views of the autistic community on the draft Autism Innovation Strategy before it is finalised and launched.
The draft Strategy was prepared based on feedback received as part of an initial public consultation held in 2022 and consultation with the Autism Innovation Strategy Oversight and Advisory Group. Engagements were also undertaken with departments and agencies across Government to agree actions under the Strategy.
There was a very positive response to the public consultation, with over three hundred responses received. These responses are currently being collated and analysed. The Autism Innovation Strategy will be finalised on the basis of the feedback received.
It is my intention to launch the Autism Innovation Strategy in the coming weeks.
1176. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when applications for the mother and baby institutions payment scheme are open, if an individual will be able to apply if they are residing abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12651/24]
View answerThe Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme will open for applications on 20 March.
A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people will be able to apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need.
The Scheme will be promoted through a substantive public awareness campaign that will be delivered both in Ireland and overseas.
Those who live abroad will be able to apply in the same way as someone living in Ireland, once the Scheme opens, that is via the online portal or by post if a paper form is preferable. Regardless of where applicants live, the financial payments from this Scheme are awarded in the same way.
In terms of health benefits available under the Scheme, those benefits available through the enhanced medical card cannot be availed of outside of Ireland. So, for those who live abroad, they can apply for a health support payment valued at €3,000, instead of the enhanced medical card if they wish. For anyone who lives outside Ireland and still wants to be issued with an enhanced medical card in case they return to Ireland either temporarily or permanently, they will need a Personal Public Service Number (PPSN). In addition, to avail of the benefits offered through the enhanced medical card, they must be registered with a General Practitioner in Ireland.
1177. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of unaccompanied children in the care of the Child and Family Agency; the number of those children who, according to the process set out in section 14 (4) of the International Protection Act 2015, have made an application for international protection. [12652/24]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
1178. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children waiting and the length of time they are waiting for initial contact from CDNTs in CHO2; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12667/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1179. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish a list of the NGOs funded by his Department; and the level the funding each NGO received in the past three years, in tabular form. [12714/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that a large number of organisations funded by my Department may be classified as non-governmental organisations (NGOs). In the absence of a formal definition of NGO, my officials are preparing a response which takes account of community-based / voluntary bodies with charitable tax status funded by this Department between 2021 and 2023.
Information sought by the Deputy is currently being collated and the response will issue as soon as possible.
1180. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of engagements, including online meetings, webinars, briefings and in-person meetings that he or officials from his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department have had with an organisation (details supplied), including its representatives, from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12734/24]
View answerThe organisation in question is an important stakeholder and is both impacted by and provides input into a number of policy and service areas under my Department's remit.
I am advised that it attended a total of 41 engagements with me and/or officials of the Department and bodies under the aegis of the Department in this capacity since 1 January 2019,
1181. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can stand over a situation in Tipperary south where a child (details supplied) who was referred for an ASD assessment in 2017 has still not received an assessment seven years later; if he will urgently review this case; the steps his Department will take to ensure this child receives an assessment and all associated supports without delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12814/24]
View answerI note the update received from the HSE regarding the current position with the child in question. The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to comment on an individual child or family. However, the Government and the HSE both acknowledge the challenges in meeting the demand for disability services and are acutely aware of how these challenges impact on children and their families. The Government is committed to delivering real and tangible solutions to enhance services to better support the needs of children with special needs in Ireland.
Children with complex special needs access therapy services through the Children’s Disability Network Teams (CDNTs). While the Assessment of Needs process is one route to accessing services, it is important to stress children do not require an Assessment of Need (AON) under the Disability Act to access health services.
The provision of AON is a particular challenge because of the complexity and length of these assessments; however, it is acknowledged that waiting times are too long and work continues to fully resource CDNTs in order to enhance capacity, via recruitment campaigns and other measures.
In this regard, and for the first time ever, a dedicated recruitment campaign specifically for CDNTs was launched in January 2024. Approximately 495 applications have been received and HSE is in the process of progressing the selection process, with interviews underway across the country. Appointments for these roles will be made as soon as possible.
In addition, the allocation of funding in Budgets 2023 and 2024 (total of €16.5m) has facilitated CHOs to procure diagnostic ASD assessments through the private sector. This allows assessments to take place while preserving CDNT capacity to continue therapy intervention supports.
Notwithstanding current challenges, it is important to acknowledge that significant work is ongoing, with approximately 46,000 children currently accessing services and supports provided by CDNTs.
1182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when an assessment of needs will take place in the case of a person (details supplied) who has applied for same through an organisation, who currently has no professional support network and also requires access to CAMHS, occupational therapy and play therapy; the steps that can be taken to ensure early access to all services required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12843/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1183. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the progress of the new build for children's services in Carlow shared between a specialist pre-school (details supplied) and Carlow CDNT; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12854/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. The Deputy will likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Fórsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.
1184. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of children availing of his Department's funding programmes CCSP Saver Programme, ECCE, NCS in 2024. [12862/24]
View answerThe total number of unique children availing of my Department's funded early learning and care ECCE, NCS and CCSP Saver Programmes in the calendar year 2024 are outlined in the table below.
|
Programme |
Number of unique children |
|
NCS |
154,959 |
|
ECCE |
104,979 |
|
CCSP Saver Programme |
1,894 |
|
Total |
219,925 |
Note that the sum of the children for each programme does not add to the total because there are children who were registered with more than one programme.
1185. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of unique children that are in a sponsorship arrangement through the NCS for 2024; the full year cost of 2024; the cost per child of these sponsorship arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12869/24]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) sponsorship arrangement allows designated sponsor bodies to refer children to the Scheme on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a child is referred to the Scheme, the full cost of the childcare place is paid without cost to the family.
The number of unique children benefitting from a successful Sponsorship claim so far this year is 5,139. This equates to a total value of €4,309,975 for successful claims in 2024, year-to-date.
The cost per child in receipt of Sponsorship will vary depending on factors including hours awarded and the age of the child. Each Sponsor Body will determine how much childcare is needed based on the family's circumstances and in line with their Agreement with the Department. The maximum amount of funded childcare available is 45 hours per week. The average weekly value of successful claims for Sponsored children is €90.60
Included below is a table which outlines the rates according to the child's age. It may be of interest to note that these rates are set to increase from September as part of Budget 2024 measures.
|
Age of Child |
Current Rate |
|
24-52 Weeks |
€5.87 |
|
1-2 Years |
€5.00 |
|
3+ Years |
€4.54 |
|
School Age |
€4.31 |
1186. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there will be an independent investigation into the leaking of the Attorney General’s referendum advice to the media the day before the referendum. [12883/24]
View answerThis is a matter for the Department of the Taoiseach.
1187. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any site or property in Coole is being considered for an IPAS accommodation centre; if information will be provided on any new potential arrivals arriving to Coole in the coming months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12925/24]
View answerThe Department does not release data with respect to potential IPAS accommodation offers for security reasons and as a matter of operational policy.
The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) carefully appraises each property that is offered for use as accommodation for International Protection (IP) applicants before contracts are issued.
The Department can only confirm use of a premises once a contract has been signed, and will, following this, inform local public representatives and statutory agencies through its Community Engagement Team (CET).
1189. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who are availing of the full 45 hours under the national childcare scheme; the number of children who are availing of part-time hours under the national childcare scheme; the number of children availing of afterschool care under the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13049/24]
View answerThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is designed to substantially reduce costs to families using eligible early learning and childcare. It is intended to be flexible, recognising that childcare needs are different for each family.
For this reason subsidies are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of weekly hours that the subsidy will be paid for. Where parents are engaged in work or study, the NCS will subsidise up to 45 hours per week (Enhanced award). Families not engaged in employment or education can still benefit under the Scheme by receiving up to 20 hours per week (Standard Award).
Once an application has been approved, families must work with their chosen provider to agree on the amount of childcare required based on their own requirements and what the service can offer.
Year-to-date, a total of 155,153 children are benefitting from subsidies under the NCS. The table below shows the median and average weekly total hours claimed for children benefitting from an NCS subsidy so far this year. It is important to note that children cannot claim for hours they are attending school or ECCE, and given that this age cohort makes up a significant number of children using the scheme at present, this weekly usage may change during the summer months.
|
Standard or Enhanced Hours |
Number of unique children |
Median weekly total hours claimed |
Average weekly total hours claimed |
|
Enhanced |
143,729 |
20 |
22 |
|
Standard |
12,027 |
15 |
13 |
|
Grand Total |
155,153 |
20 |
22 |
The table below additionally shows the number of children benefitting from an NCS subsidy so far this year by weekly hours claimed band.
|
Weekly hours claimed band |
Number of unique children |
|
5 hrs or less |
18,702 |
|
5-10 hrs |
30,012 |
|
10-15 hrs |
26,968 |
|
15-20 hrs |
30,890 |
|
20-25 hrs |
21,210 |
|
25-30 hrs |
26,067 |
|
30-35 hrs |
9,197 |
|
35-40 hrs |
14,705 |
|
40-45 hrs |
36,161 |
|
Grand Total |
155,153 |
* Please note in both tables above, the number of unique children in each category may vary from the 'Grand Total' This is because some children may have multiple claims in more than one category.
Lastly, the number of unique school-aged children benefitting from an NCS subsidy so far this year is 69,730. These are children falling within the following education stages: Junior/Senior Infants, 1st-6th class and Post-Primary.
1190. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans for a centre (details supplied) in Kilkenny as a potential housing solution for Ukrainian refugees; what communication have taken place with Kilkenny local authorities to date regarding this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13059/24]
View answerMy Department received an offer of accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) at Wallslough Village, Wallslough, Co. Kilkenny R95 T9FE.
The property is currently being assessed as part of the Emergency Refurbishment (Ukraine) Project which is overseen by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with the assistance of Local Authorities. This assessment, as part of which Kilkenny County Council plays a central role, will ascertain whether the property is suitable for future use following conversion/refurbishment works.
1191. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide the rationale for capping the amount of funding for the Early Learning and Care Building Blocks Capital Grant Stage 2 at €100,000 to include professional fees and VAT, while not allowing early learning and care services the use of their own reserves; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13083/24]
View answerLast month, I was pleased to announce an €18 million capital grant scheme for the Early Learning and Childcare Sector. The Building Blocks Capacity Expansion Grant Scheme is part of the wider Building Blocks Capital Programme for this sector under the National Development Plan.The primary focus of the Scheme is to increase capacity in the 1-3 year old, pre-ECCE, age range for full day or part-time care. It will provide for an immediate increase in affordable early learning and childcare places in 2024, and will be specifically targeted in areas in where they are needed mostThe Scheme will provide capital grants to fund projects of between €50,000 and €100,000 for Early Learning and Childcare services to expand their capacity by means of small scale internal renovations and reconfigurations. The grant will be open to both private and community-based services, under the following conditions:• Community Providers can apply for funding between €50,000 and €100,000• Private Providers can apply for funding between €25,000 and €50,000.
Match funding will be required for privately owned services, with a maximum contribution by the Department of 50% of total project costs. Match funding will not be required of community-led services.
The rationale for seeking 50% match funding from private providers is a balancing of consideration of the limitations on providers being in a position to fully fund expansion with the fact that the delivery of new places will confer additional scope for income for private providers. Many previous capital schemes were available only to community providers with others open to private providers with a match funding requirement. Following that precedent, this scheme is open to private providers on a match-funding basis.
The Expansion Grant Scheme will be the first of two significant capital investment schemes, to be delivered in 2024 and 2025.A larger-scale Extension Grant scheme is currently being designed by my Department, funding will be made available to providers next year to commence larger-scale expansion projects, most likely in the region of €100,000 to €500,000. I want to ensure that the two schemes are distinct, as service providers will not be allowed to apply for grants under both schemes. For this reason, projects under the Expansion Grant Scheme are capped at €100,000. Services seeking to deliver larger-scale projects will be eligible to apply under the Expansion Grant, once it is announced.
1192. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he proposes measures to ease the pressure on childcare providers resulting from the carer-child ratio laid down by his Department; whether such measures would include provision to include students and/or apprentices within the carer ratio; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13098/24]
View answerIn setting regulatory requirements, the primary consideration must be children’s health, safety and well-being. The adult-to-child ratios for Early Learning and Care (ELC) services are set out in Schedule 6 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. School age childcare (SAC) services' adult-to-child ratios are set out in Regulation 9 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. The ratios are the minimum number of adults required to supervise, care for and work directly with the children in the service.
The minimum required ratios of adults to children in ELC services in Ireland for full day care or part-time provision are: 1:3 for children under 1 year old; 1:5 for children aged between 1 and 2 years old; 1:6 for 2 year olds; and 1:8 for pre-school children aged between 3 and 6. For children in sessional (less than 3.5 hours) pre-school provision who are aged between 2 years 6 months and 6 years old, there is a minimum adult-child ratio of 1:11. This sessional minimum ratio of 1:11 applies to children participating in the Early Childcare Care and Education (ECCE) programme, for which the eligible age group is children between 2 year 8 months and 5 year 6 months. The minimum required ratios of adults to children in SAC is 1:12.
These adult-child ratios are among the more favourable in Europe according to the most recent (2019) edition of the Eurydice / European Commission report on 'Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe' .
There are no plans at present to revise the minimum adult-to-child ratio for ELC or SAC services.
I acknowledge that many early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services report staffing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention. In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover.
Providers of ELC and SAC are private businesses. As the State does not employ staff in ELC and SAC services, neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
However, there is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate terms and conditions of employment including minimum pay rates for different roles in ELC and SAC services.
In line with commitments in First 5, in December 2021, I launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC), 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in ELC and SAC and to raise the profile of careers in the sector. It includes a career framework and commitments to support early years educators to upskill and develop their careers. It also includes commitments to strengthen continuing professional development for staff working in the sector.
Pillar 4 of Nurturing Skills includes a commitment to examine the development of a range of entry routes into the sector, including apprenticeships or other work-based learning, and access programmes in further education and higher education. While Nurturing Skills commits to examining alternative entry-routes, the development of an apprenticeship for the sector would rely on the formulation of proposals by employers and education institutions, and approval by the National Apprenticeship Office.
Last summer, my Department facilitated an accelerated process for assessment of equivalence for students. This was a temporary measure specifically to help services with short-term staffing shortages over the summer period. This service will be available to students again this year.
I have recently established a sub-group of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum to discuss issues of recruitment and retention with stakeholders in the sector. The first meeting of the sub-group took place in December and the stakeholder group will continue to meet during 2024.
1193. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can advise what plans are in place for demountable dwellings to be installed at a location in County Westmeath (details supplied); the number of occupants planned for this location; the timescale for their arrival; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13114/24]
View answerI thank the Deputy for this question. A response will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
The Deputy may wish to be aware that the Community Engagement Team has been established within my Department which stands ready to respond to queries of this nature, and they may be contacted directly at community@equality.gov.ie
1194. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an application has been made to move Ukrainian refugees into accommodation at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13115/24]
View answerThe property to which the Deputy refers was appraised by the Technical Working group in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, set up for the purpose of prioritising buildings to be refurbished for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. The criteria for assessment included Location, Capacity, Delivery Time Lines and Value for Money among others. The Technical Working Group in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage deemed this property to be unsuitable.
