Róisín Shortall
Ceist:474. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 592 of 21 May 2013, if she is now in a position to furnish a reply. [28832/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAftercare Services
Ceisteanna (474)
Freagraí scríofa
I have requested the information from the HSE and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
Child Poverty
Ceisteanna (475)
Paschal Donohoe
Ceist:475. Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she will make a decision on the application to be included in the Government's area based response to child poverty initiative submitted by the Docklands and East Inner City Consortium; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28777/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is implementing the new Area-Based Response to Child Poverty programme which was announced as part of Budget 2013. The programme is being introduced on foot of the Programme for Government commitment to adopt an area-based approach to child poverty, drawing on best international practice and existing services to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched and improve the outcomes for children and young people. The programme will build on and continue much of the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) which was also implemented by my Department.
The three existing PEIP sites and at least three additional sites are expected to participate in the new programme. In addition, it is my intention to broaden the impact of the programme by beginning the process of mainstreaming some of the evidence-based programmes which have been positively evaluated and are cost-effective. The establishment of my Department's new Child and Family Agency later this year will be important to this process.
Applications to participate in the programme were invited from interested not for profit consortia earlier this year. The closing date for receipt of applications was 31st May and fifty applications were received, including the one referred to by the Deputy. These are currently being reviewed by officials in my Department assisted by members of the cross-Departmental Project Team which is overseeing the process. When completed, I hope to be in a position to announce successful applicants later this year.
Child Care Qualifications
Ceisteanna (476)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:476. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there will be a recognition, in her plans to reform child care and preschool care facilities, for staff members who have worked in child care for an appropriate number of years to receive an exemption from the FETAC level five qualification; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28786/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme introduced the first-ever requirement for minimum qualifications for staff working in the childcare sector. Under the programme, the pre-school leader delivering the programme must hold a qualification in childcare/early education at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ), or an equivalent nationally-recognised qualification or a higher award in the childcare/early education field. A higher capitation rate is payable to services where all of the pre-school leaders hold a bachelor degree in childhood/early education (minimum of Level 7 on the NFQ) and have three years experience working in the sector, and where all of the pre-school assistants hold a relevant major award in childcare/early education at Level 5 on the NFQ.
I have indicated my intention to increase the qualification requirements for all staff working in pre-school services. The minimum requirement of Level 5 for pre-school leaders delivering the pre-school year will be increased to Level 6. In addition, all pre-school assistants, and all other staff caring for children in a pre-school service, will be subject to a minimum requirement of Level 5. This requirement will be effective from September 2014 for new services, and from September 2015 for existing services.
While I recognise the valuable experience which many childcare staff may have accrued, it is now essential that all staff have qualifications on a formal recognised basis. My Department is currently examining measures to support training for childcare staff in line with the increased qualification requirements.
Public Relations Contracts Expenditure
Ceisteanna (477)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:477. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail in tabular form, the names of all external public relations, communications consultants and organisations used by her Department since 9 March 2011; the details of the services supplied by each; the expenditure on each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28806/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Names of External PR,Communications Consultants & Organisations |
Details of Services Supplied |
Date of Service |
Expenditure |
|
MKC Communications |
Service to assist with Information and Communications Initiatives including the Children's Referendum, Report of the Child Death Review Group and the Child Family Agency |
July - December 2012 |
€ 38,499.65 |
Preschool Services
Ceisteanna (478)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:478. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the means by which children with disabilities and special needs may avail of the early childhood care and education scheme; if supports to enable such children to avail of the scheme are made available in every case; the way in which such supports are deployed;the funding that has been allocated to specifically cater for such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28842/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children.
The programme includes a number of additional provisions to take account of children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child is developmentally delayed and would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Application for these exemptions must be made prior to the child commencing the programme.
My Department has been actively working with the Department of Health, specifically the Office of Disability and Mental Health, in the context of building better supports to facilitate the inclusion of children with special needs in mainstream pre-school settings.
I was successful in securing capital funding in Budget 2013 to support the ongoing improvement of the childcare sector. The funding programme (applications for which closed on 30th April) will provide grants under four strands, one of which is specifically for grants to improve the accessibility of services for children with disabilities.
Child Care Services Regulation
Ceisteanna (479)
Derek Keating
Ceist:479. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce regulation for childminders; if they will be included in the Children First legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28900/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Work on the development of Ireland’s first Early Years Strategy for children aged from birth to 6 years, is underway in my Department. The approach I am taking in developing the Strategy has received Government approval. My intention is to create an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s early years sector and a coherent approach to seeking to improve the lives of children from birth to 6 years.
One of the specific issues of policy which I have identified for consideration in the preparation of the new Strategy is the future role and regulation of the childminding sector, which is already an important component of early childhood care and education. At present pre-school services are subject to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No.2) Regulations 2006, as provided for under Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991.
Services providing care for children who have not yet commenced primary school are required to notify their service to the Pre-School Inspectorate of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and are subject to inspection and report by the Inspectorate on a regular basis. Services covered by the Regulations include full-time, part-time and sessional services as well as childminders taking care of more than three pre-school children from different families in the childminder’s home.
A broad range of issues relating to regulations, standards, quality assurance, and inspection are currently being considered by the Expert Advisory Group which is advising my Department on the Strategy. As Minister I am committed to ensuring high standards in early years service provision, both in terms of care and curriculum. The role of quality provision is critical in contributing to childhood development and I am determined that this key objective will be reflected fully in the Early Years Strategy.
The Deputy will be aware that I published the Draft Heads and General Scheme for the Children First Bill 2012 on 25 April 2012 and immediately referred the Heads of Bill to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for consideration and advice. The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children published their report in July 2012.
As part of the Joint Committees consultation process a number of submissions were received. Overall there was a welcome that the legislation would increase the focus on child protection. The contributions in the main came from organisations already implementing Children First.
Submissions were not all in agreement and many points emerging needed to be considered and reconciled. This involves consideration of policy and operational issues, including those pertaining to childminders, as well as the best legal approach to achieving Children First objectives. In this regard, officials within my Department have consulted with a number of organisations and individuals and I recently met with a number of key stakeholders to discuss the complex issues that have arisen. I have also taken the opportunity to consult with a number of experts in relation to the development of the policy in this area. These discussions will inform the preparation of enhanced policy proposals that is currently underway.
The obligations of mandatory reporting are onerous and the inclusion of specific professionals and post holders is being considered very carefully at this time including persons working in the child care sector generally.
I should emphasise that under the existing Children First National Guidelines there is very clear advice available to all employees, volunteers and parents on how to raise any concerns they have about a child's safety and welfare.
It is my intention to submit further proposals to Government as soon as possible with a view to the drafting of the Children First Bill as a priority.
Health Services Staff Issues
Ceisteanna (480)
Derek Keating
Ceist:480. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs following the Health Information and Quality Authority report on social work staffing levels, her plans to address this problem; her views on the fact that there are not enough professionally trained and registered social workers to respond to the growing number of abuse and wilful neglect cases that are reported to the Health Service Executive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28902/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I believe that the report the Deputy refers to is the report of the HIQA inspection of the Fostering Service in Dublin South/Dun Laoghaire LHA in the Dublin South/East Wicklow Integrated Service Area, published recently. HIQA undertakes inspection of foster care services against the National Standards for Foster Care, under Section 69 of the Child Care Act 1991. The purpose of foster care inspections is to review compliance with regulations and standards for all children. HIQA's inspection methodology includes interviewing HSE managers and social workers, a sample of children, carers and birth parents and review a range of files, including complaints.
This announced inspection was carried out on dates between the 15th and 25th October 2012. This is the first inspection of this particular service and the findings highlighted areas of good practice as well as areas where improvements are required.
Arising from the recommendations contained in this report, the HSE has drawn up an Action Plan for implementation by end of 2013.
Social Work numbers
Figures supplied by the HSE, from its April 2013 census of employment in the public health and social care sector, indicate that the number of whole-time equivalent Social Workers is 1,399.
According to the HSE there are 36 professionally qualified social workers vacancies currently being filled and a further 114 social work posts including social work team leaders, principals etc are being processed.
Future Plans
The Government has approved the Heads of the Child and Family Agency Bill and has also agreed to the priority drafting of this Bill. The necessary legislative and organisational preparations are being prioritised so that the Agency can be established as soon as possible. The Agency, upon establishment, will assume full statutory responsibility for a range of child and family services currently provided by three separate agencies; namely the HSE, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board.
Child Care Qualifications
Ceisteanna (481)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:481. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding child care. [28928/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme introduced the first-ever requirement for minimum qualifications for staff working in the childcare sector. Under the programme, the pre-school leader delivering the programme must hold a qualification in childcare/early education at a minimum of Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications of Ireland (NFQ), or an equivalent nationally-recognised qualification or a higher award in the childcare/early education field. A higher capitation rate is payable to services where all of the pre-school leaders hold a bachelor degree in childhood/early education (minimum of Level 7 on the NFQ) and have three years experience working in the sector, and where all of the pre-school assistants hold a relevant major award in childcare/early education at Level 5 on the NFQ.
I have indicated my intention to increase the qualification requirements for all staff working in pre-school services. The minimum requirement of Level 5 for pre-school leaders delivering the pre-school year will be increased to Level 6. In addition, all pre-school assistants, and all other staff caring for children in a pre-school service, will be subject to a minimum requirement of Level 5. This requirement will be effective from September 2014 for new services, and from September 2015 for existing services.
Under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006, the inspection of pre-schools is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE).
It is important to realise that inspections alone are not the answer to improving quality. What is required is a multi-faceted approach, and since this Government came to office we have been working to ensure issues relating to child protection and welfare are put front and centre. The establishment of a Department of Children and Youth Affairs was recognition of the huge body of work which needs to be done in this area.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, driving the early childhood care and education quality agenda is one of my key objectives. I believe we can achieve this objective by taking a number of steps in conjunction with the Department of Education and Skills, including the adaptation of the existing pre-school inspection system to provide a more comprehensive and broader-based inspection regime for pre-schools, moving to a greater focus on outcomes for children.
In support of this, a Joint Pilot Inspection of Early Years Services was carried out by Inspectors from the HSE and the Department of Education and Skills between September 2011 and May 2012. This pilot will inform the proactive approach being taken.
The Programme for Government includes a commitment to improve the quality of the free Pre-School Year and, by extension, the quality of all early childhood care and education, through the implementation of standards and by reviewing training options for the workforce.
This commitment has always been a key priority for me. This is why my Department and I have been progressing work on Ireland’s first-ever Early Years Strategy and this why we have been working on a comprehensive Pre-School Quality Agenda.
We have identified a number of key areas of action which I believe need to be considered and addressed as a matter of urgency. These include:
- Introducing a registration system for all pre-school services
- Taking steps to make the inspection system more consistent and more robust
- Publishing inspection reports on-line as soon as possible
- Ensuring appropriate action is taken in response to findings of non-compliance
- Increasing and widening the sanctions which can be taken for non-compliance.
Registration of all childcare providers
Work is already underway in the Child and Family Services area of the Health Service Executive (HSE) to introduce a registration system for pre-school services. I understand this system will be in place for new services from the end of this year and will be phased in for existing services thereafter. This is an important development because it will move services from the current position, where they are required to notify the Pre-School Inspectorate of their intention to open, to a requirement to be inspected and found satisfactory, before being permitted to open. All pre-school services are currently required to pay an annual fee to the HSE of between €40 and €80. I am looking at increasing this fee. The additional funds raised will assist in improving inspection and supports for quality improvement.
Publication of Inspection Reports
Parents will rightly demand and expect the highest standards and this will be a key factor in driving change in the sector. Publishing inspection reports is an essential step in ensuring high standards and accountability. All new inspection reports will be made available on-line from the HSE as a matter of urgency. All current inspection reports will be made available on-line in 2014.
Taking steps to make the inspection system more consistent and more robust
We are working on developing a more robust, consistent and regular inspection system There has been a significant programme of work underway in the HSE over the past year to develop a single, consistent national inspection service (as opposed to 37 different local systems).
We propose moving to a position where there is consistent and assured national target rate for the frequency of inspection of pre-school services, while ensuring capacity for prioritisation based on risk assessment. The HSE is currently reviewing the regional spread of inspectors with a view to identifying whether either additional resources or redeployment of existing inspectors is required to achieve this.
Building on this work, officials of my Department and the Department of Education and Skills have been examining options to incrementally develop a more comprehensive and broader-based inspection regime for pre-schools; moving away from a narrow focus on compliance, and leading to a greater focus on children's outcomes, including educational development and child wellbeing. This work is being informed by the findings of the recent Joint Pilot Inspection carried out in a small number of settings by Inspectors from the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills.
Ensuring appropriate action is taken in response to findings of non-compliance
We are working to ensure consistent action is taken in response to findings of non-compliance. There must be a follow-through on inspections. Clearly, services which are found to be in serious breach of the Regulations will face closure and prosecution. It is proposed to develop a protocol with the Pre-School Inspectorate which will take a calibrated approach and which will enable more decisive action to be taken in response to non-compliance.
Increased Sanctions for non-compliance
My Department will also be undertaking a review of the penalties currently in place for breach of the Child Care (No. 2) Regulations 2006, as provided for under the Child Care Act 1991. The review will look at increasing the range and severity of the existing penalties including the actions which can be taken by Inspectors without recourse to court prosecution, as is currently the case.
Appointments to State Boards
Ceisteanna (482)
Niall Collins
Ceist:482. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of appointments made to State boards under her Department's remit since March 2011; the number of positions that have been advertised; the number of applications to the boards; the number of appointments to the boards that were drawn from the applications; the current number of vacancies on each board; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28971/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children. Gaisce also comes under the remit of my Department. With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001. Apart from the Ombudsman for Children's Office and Gaisce who do not have a board, I am responsible for all Board of Management appointments. Since I took office in March 2011, I have directly appointed 35 persons to the Boards of Management under the aegis of my Department.
As the Deputy may be aware, in line with the Government decision of April 2011, new arrangements were put in place for the making of appointments to State Boards and bodies. Following this Government Decision, on my Department's website I have invited expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under the Department's aegis. The notice indicates the vacancies in the boards of the respective bodies. My officials acknowledge all expressions of interest received and maintain a database of those expressions. My Department’s website is monitored and updated on a regular basis to reflect the number of vacancies as they arise.
The appointment of members to each of these bodies is not a competency-based process. The governing legislation in relation to each of these bodies sets out the composition of the Board either in terms of their qualifications and experience, or the Government Minister or body that is responsible for nominating representatives on them or who must be consulted in the nomination process.
For example, the Adoption Act, 2010 requires that the Adoption Authority of Ireland consists of 7 members – the chairperson must be a Judge, barrister or solicitor and the ordinary members must include a social worker with experience in adoption practice, a social worker with research expertise in child welfare, child protection or both, a barrister or solicitor with experience in the practice of law in relation to families and children, a medical practitioner and a person with appropriate training in psychology.
On the other hand, the Education Welfare Act, 2000 provides that the Minister shall make appointments to the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) from among persons who in the opinion of the Minister have a special interest or expertise in matters relating to the functions of the Board.
The Family Support Agency Act, 2001 provides that the Minister may appoint individuals to the Board who have a special interest or expertise in matters relating to the functions of the Agency. Between March 2011 and 31st May 2013, 9 of the FSA Board members appointed by me had submitted an expression of interest. Two other members appointed include an Officer of the Minister and a staff representative the Family Support Agency as prescribed under the Act.
The Children Act, 2001 outlines the different Ministers and organisations that nominate persons to serve on the board of management of the children detention schools. I can confirm that since March 2011, there have been 163 expressions of interest submitted in respect of vacancies on the Boards of Management under the aegis of my Department. Of this total, 90 expressions of interest were received via my Department’s website and 73 were recently received via the Public Appointments Service (PAS) who ran a competition for the filling of vacancies for the new Board of Management of the FSA. I am currently considering all of these expressions of interest and I intend to appoint the Board of Management in the near future. Pending the legal establishment of the Child and Family Agency (CFA), the newly appointed Board of the FSA will, in addition to its existing functions, provide oversight and direction to the organisational preparations which are underway for the CFA.
The expressions of interest received by the Department were submitted by a mixture of academics, professionals and other members of the public. Board appointments are not necessarily confined to those who make these expressions of interest but the process ensures that all those appointed have the relevant qualifications for the positions in question.
In making my decisions on appointments to Boards, subject to the governing legislation, I consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result.
I can confirm that there is currently once vacancy on the Board of Management of the AAI, 12 vacancies for the FSA, no vacancies for the NEWB and one vacancy for the Children Detention Schools.
Preschool Services
Ceisteanna (483)
Willie O'Dea
Ceist:483. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider preschool support in respect of a child (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28985/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The ECCE programme provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children. Approximately 68,000 children are availing of the ECCE programme in the current school year.
Children are eligible to avail of the free pre-school year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September in the relevant year. Children born between 2 February 2009 and 30 June 2010 will qualify for the free pre-school year in September 2013 and children born between 2 February 2010 and 30 June 2011 will qualify for the programme in September 2014.
As the child referred to by the Deputy was born in July 2010, he is below the age range for eligibility for the programme in the school year 2013/14, but can take up a place in the year 2014/15. As it is not in the best interests of children to enter the programme early, there is no provision under the programme to enrol children who are below the qualifying age.
The objective of the ECCE programme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. To achieve this, services participating in the pre-school year are expected to provide age-appropriate activities and programmes to children within a particular age cohort. For this reason, it is appropriate to set minimum and maximum limits to the age range within which children will qualify.
Preschool Services
Ceisteanna (484)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:484. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline her current position on the provision of a second free preschool year. [29025/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining this universal programme and some 68,000 children are availing of it at this time. The programme is expected to cost in the region of €175 million this year.
I am aware of the need to further develop the early childhood care and education sector. However, any development that involves further pre-school provision would require considerable additional funding. I am also very conscious that work is continuing on improvement of quality within the pre-school year. All of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the provision is key to good outcomes for children. In particular, I would like to see further progress in workforce development within the sector given the demands which expansion would place on the current pool of trained staff.
Future developments relating to early years care and education are being considered in the context of the National Early Years Strategy.
Child Detention Centres
Ceisteanna (485)
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
Ceist:485. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the construction of additional accommodation at the children detention school in an area (details supplied) in County Dublin is on target; if the project is still on schedule to be completed by mid 2014; and if she will provide a timeline for the Children (Amendment) Bill and the amalgamation of the three children detention schools. [29026/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I refer the Deputy to my reply to Parliamentary Question Number 20006/13 of 30 April 2013 in relation to the progress of the proposed National Children Detention Facility (NCDF) project in Oberstown, Lusk, Co Dublin. The position is unchanged.
In relation to the proposed amendments to the Children Act I can confirm that I obtained the approval of the Cabinet to proceed with the drafting of the necessary of the legislation. I understand that the drafting of the legislation will take place during the summer with a view to publishing a Bill by the autumn and progressing through the relevant parliamentary processes for enactment of legislation before the end of 2013.
The proposed amendment of the Children Act provides a mechanism for the amalgamation of the three children detention schools into one legal entity. The timeline for giving effect to this mechanism is dependent on the date of enactment of the proposed amendment. However, I can confirm that all necessary measures will be put in place to ensure that the amalgamation takes place as soon as possible after the proposed amendment to the legislation has been enacted.
Child Detention Centres
Ceisteanna (486)
Andrew Doyle
Ceist:486. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 866 of 11 June 2013, if the one remaining male who absconded from the Oberstown Boys School in Lusk, County Dublin, has been brought back into custody; the steps her Department or agencies under the aegis of her Department are taking regarding liaising with an Garda Síochána in returning the absconder to Oberstown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29056/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Further to my replies to Parliamentary Question Numbers 27791/13 and 28345/13, I can confirm that all three boys involved in this incident have now been apprehended and returned to Oberstown Boys School. I would like to record my appreciation for the work of an Garda Síochána in bringing this matter to a conclusion.
Child Care Services Provision
Ceisteanna (487, 488)
Robert Troy
Ceist:487. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, where existing community employment participants work in child care and hold a FETAC Level 5 Major Award in Child Care, they are deemed to count as part of the required adult-child ratio; and if their job title changes to trainee child care practitioner, under the new pilot scheme, to clarify their new status and whether they will be classified as students or as staff (details supplied). [29062/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraRobert Troy
Ceist:488. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, where existing community employment participants work in child care and do not have the full FETAC Level 5 Major Award, they count as part of the required adult-child ratio; and if their job title changes to that of trainee child care practitioner, under the new pilot, to clarify what their status will be (details supplied). [29063/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 487 and 488 together.
The adult/child ratios recommended for childcare services providing full day care, part-time care and sessional care are set out in the Explanatory Guide to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme makes early learning in a formal setting available to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The FETAC Level 5 qualification is only relevant to services participating in the ECCE programme where pre-school leaders in services providing the free pre-school provision must hold this qualification.
Community Employment (CE) workers on placement in childcare services will continue to be counted as part of the staff which make up the required adult/child ratio under both the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 and the ECCE programme.
Departmental Staff Sick Leave
Ceisteanna (489)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:489. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide in tabular form the total number of uncertified sick days taken by employees in her Department; the average uncertified sick days per employee taken; the total certified sick days taken by employees; the average certified sick days per employee; the total sick days taken by employees; the average total sick days and median overall sick days per employee in 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012. [29267/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As my Department was established on 2nd June 2011, the information requested by the Deputy is provided from June 2011 onwards. Absenteeism information relating to staff currently employed by my Department for the years 2009, 2010 and up to end May 2011 will be included in the returns from the Departments where the staff involved were employed prior to transfer to my Department.
|
YEAR |
Uncertified Sick Days |
Average Uncertified Sick Days per employee |
Certified Sick Days |
Average Certified Sick Days per employee |
Total Sick Days |
Average Total Sick Days per employee |
Median Overall Sick Days |
|
2011 (June-Dec) |
69 |
0.55 |
641 |
5.13 |
710 |
5.68 |
2 |
|
2012 |
101 |
0.83 |
934 |
6.48 |
1,053 |
7.31 |
2 |
While the overall number of days lost to sick leave appears to have increased over the period 2011 to 2012, account must also be taken that the numbers employed in the Department also increased during the same period. The overall lost time rate, which is the total amount of time lost due to sick leave as a percentage of total time available, is a more accurate picture of absenteeism levels and this has fallen from 5.48% in 2011 to 3.52% for 2012.
Departmental Strategies
Ceisteanna (490)
Seán Kyne
Ceist:490. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the progress of the preparation of the national early years strategy; and if she could provide an indicative time frame for publication of same. [29283/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is currently developing a new Children and Young People's Policy Framework which will set out high level goals for both my own and other Departments for the next five years. The Policy Framework is expected to be published in mid 2013 and will build on Our Children - Their Lives, Ireland's first Children's Strategy which was published in 2000. This is relevant to the Early Years Strategy as the Strategy is one of three, more detailed strategies which will be developed under the Framework.
The Early Years Strategy, which will be Ireland's first ever national strategy for early years, is under development. It is expected that it will cover a range of issues affecting children in their first years of life such as child health and well-being, parenting and family support, learning and development, play and recreation and early childhood care and education. The Strategy will further recognise the economic imperative and benefits accruing from targeted investment in early years interventions.
Key issues to be addressed in the Strategy include:
- the further development of early childhood care and education programmes;
- the need to enhance quality provision, curricular support; and workforce capacity in early years services;
- support and regulation of the childminding sector; and
- the future development of early intervention, therapeutic and family support services to support young children and their parents.
The Strategy will bring together and consider a significant amount of international and domestic research on the importance of early years for child development, including findings from the "Growing Up in Ireland" study. It will also be informed by the evaluations from the Prevention and Early Intervention Projects which have been funded jointly by my Department and philanthropic organisations, as well as an analysis of existing service provision and associated resources. The major programme of institutional change which is currently underway, including the establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency, will also be taken into account.
The results of a public consultation, undertaken as part of the development of the Children and Young People Policy Framework, is currently being analysed and will inform both the Framework and the Early Years Strategy.
I have appointed an Expert Advisory Group, chaired by Dr. Eilis Hennessy, Head of School of Psychology at UCD, to advise on the preparation of the Strategy. The Group comprises external experts from a range of specialties, including paediatrics, early childhood care and education, child protection and public health nursing and is continuing to meet on a regular basis. I have met the Expert Advisory Group on a number of occasions, and I am very satisfied with the progress being made in developing Ireland's first Early Years Strategy. I expect the Strategy to be published during the summer months.
Preschool Services
Ceisteanna (491)
Seán Kyne
Ceist:491. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the latest figures available indicating the uptake of the free preschool year; and the way the quality of services provided under this scheme is measured. [29284/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The free Pre-School Year in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining this universal programme.
Approximately 53,000 children, or 83% of the eligible cohort, availed of the programme in the first "short year". In 2010/2011, the first full year of the programme, in the region of 63,000 children, that is approximately 94% of the eligible cohort, availed of the free pre-school provision. In 2011/2012, approximately 66,000, or 94% of the eligible cohort, availed of the programme. In the current pre-school year, 2012/2013, approximately 68,000 children, or an estimated 95% of the eligible cohort, are participating in the free pre-school year.
Under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006, the inspection of pre-schools is the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE). Recently the Pre-School Inspectorate for the sector, together with the Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills, have carried out joint pilot inspections of a number of pre-school services. While that the findings have not yet been published I understand that the pilot inspections found good standards of personal care, the relationships around children and the physical and material environment for children’s development. The inspections also identified considerable scope for development in relation to planned programmes of activities and their implementation, as outlined in the Aistear and Siolta frameworks which promote all aspects of children’s development.
The findings will also inform officials of my Department and the Department of Education and Skills who have been examining options to incrementally develop a more comprehensive and broader-based inspection regime for pre-schools; moving away from a narrow focus on compliance, and leading to a greater focus on children's outcomes, including educational development and child wellbeing.
Child Protection Issues
Ceisteanna (492)
Luke 'Ming' Flanagan
Ceist:492. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she can account for the inadequate provisions made at a meeting (details supplied), which involved a convicted sex offender, for an initial child protection conference and where no Garda or probation officer attended, as promised; the reason the sex offender, while not on the schedule of attendees as circulated, did attend; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29295/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I have requested the information from the HSE and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.