Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 April 2024
606. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he proposes to take to address any or all inequalities affecting children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19482/24]
View answerI am committed to addressing inequality affecting children and young people, especially those who are vulnerable. Young Ireland, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, which I launched in November last year, envisions an Ireland which fully respects and realises the rights of all children and young people. There is good evidence that some groups of children and young people experience disadvantage growing up, which negatively affects them today and may also impact their outcomes into adulthood.
Young Ireland identifies five National Outcomes which, if achieved, give a good indication that children and young people are doing well in Ireland. The framework sets out a number of actions which will be achieved to improve these outcomes for all children and young people.
The Framework also sets out actions to ensure that children and young people are a central part of everyone’s agenda. This requires a number of changes at a systemic level to place their rights and well-being as a core part of policy and decision-making. Hearing the voice of the child is an essential part of this and my Department recently published the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-making Action Plan which aims to develop participation structures that are inclusive, accessible and safe for all children and young people including those who need additional supports in order to engage and participate.
Importantly, Young Ireland recognises that there are key areas where focused cross government attention is required. These areas (child poverty; mental health and wellbeing; and disability services) have been highlighted by children and young people, as well as by data and research. We expect that by focusing attention on these Spotlight areas we can have a profound, positive impact on children and young people, especially those who are vulnerable.
Inequality can have particularly profound impacts on young children, and my Department is now developing the Equal Start model under First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families. Equal Start is a funding model and a set of universal and targeted measures to support access and full participation in early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) for children and their families who experience disadvantage.
Equal Start is a strategic priority in “From Poverty to Potential: A Programme Plan for Child Well-being 2023-2025” and is identified as a key action in Ireland’s Action Plan for the EU Child Guarantee.
The design of Equal Start has been finalised and will be brought to Government in the coming weeks with a view to publication in late May 2024. Equal Start will adopt a tiered approach, which incorporates universal supports, child-targeted supports and setting-targeted supports.
Implementation will be phased with ongoing engagement with key stakeholders on later phases being a key element of the implementation approach. Equal Start is intended to complement a range of other policies that also support disadvantaged children within ELC and School-Aged Childcare (SAC).
It forms the fourth element of the Together for Better funding model for ELC and SAC settings, which provides complementary universal and targeted supports through the ECCE programme and AIM, the National Childcare Scheme, and Core Funding. Through this suite of measures I am delivering on the Programme for Government Commitment to reform the childcare system to create one that brings together the best of community and private childcare provision, is focused on children’s rights and quality outcomes, reduces inequalities, supports staff retention, and substantially reduces costs to parents.
Under Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services, my Department is working to geomap all parenting support services provided by Tusla, making these more accessible for parents and practitioners to identify. My Department is also promoting parenting supports on our social media channels and on dedicated supporting parents’ pages on gov.ie.
The Parent Peer Support Fund under Supporting Parents: A National Model of Parenting Support Services has had its funding increased for 2024 from €50,000 in 2023 to €75,000 in 2024, reaching more communities. Funding to raise awareness of parenting support activities is being provided to all 27 Children and Young People's Services Committees (CYPSC) areas.
Family and Parenting support services are funded by Tusla and others to provide tailored community-based services and awareness raising for those families who would benefit from information, advice, support and assistance in bringing up their children, so that these children will reach their full potential. The majority of these services are accessible without referral directly to Tusla - either by referral/contact by other professionals directly into the service or by self-referral by the family. Tusla’s Family Support Programme encompasses a wide range of activities that strengthen positive informal social networks through community based programmes and services. The main focus of these services is on early intervention, aiming to promote and protect the health, well-being and rights of children, young people and their families. At the same time, particular attention is given to those who are vulnerable or at risk.
