Written Answers Nos. 153-61
153. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current early childhood care and education scheme and school age child care capitation rates within the child care sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8694/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 67,000 children are availing of the provision in the current academic year.
The free pre-school provision represents an annual investment of approximately €175 million. The standard capitation fee paid to participating childcare services is €62.50 per week for each eligible child. A higher capitation fee of €73 per week is available to pre-school services with more highly qualified staff.
After-school childcare support is provided under a number of childcare support programmes implemented by this Department. Under the Childcare Education and Training Supports (CETS) programme, which supports parents on Solas and Education Training Board (ETB) training and education courses, €45 per week is provided to eligible parents for after-school care with €80 provided where a pick-up services is available. The maximum to be charged to a parent for the after-school provision is €15 per week.
The After-school Childcare (ASCC) programme introduced to support low-income and unemployed persons to return to the workforce contributes €40 per week. The maximum charge to the parent is €15 per week. Where a pick-up service is available €80 per week is provided. This programme provides after-school care for primary school children for certain categories of working parents for a once-off period of 52 weeks. The Department of Social Protection determines eligibility for the childcare places. Pro-rata rate applies for parents who require support over a shorter weekly period.
The Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programme, which supports parents on Community Employment (CE) schemes, provides €40 per week to support parents with after-school care. The maximum charge to the parents is €15 per week.
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which provides support for sessional pre-school, full time, part time and after school places through community childcare facilities, is targeted at disadvantaged or low income families and eligibility for support is based on means-tested entitlements. The funding provided depends on the category or Band that applies to the parent and the length of time of the after-school session. A parent, for example, availing of after-school support for 1 hour and 15 minutes each day for 5 days and who is entitled to the highest category of payment, receives €31.35.
154. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual cost of the community childcare subvention scheme; the number of children enrolled in it, in each year, from 2011 to 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8695/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe figures in relation to the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, requested by the Deputy, are as follows:
|
Year |
No. of children enrolled |
Funding |
|
2011/12 |
26,504 |
€51 million |
|
2012/13 |
24,907 |
€44.5 million |
|
2013/14 |
23,728 |
€43 million |
The subvention funding is provided to community childcare services to enable them to reduce the weekly fees charged to disadvantaged or low income working families. Eligibility for this programme, which provides support for sessional pre-school, full time, part time and after school places, is based on means-tested entitlements.
155. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of providing a second free preschool year to children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8696/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe introduction of a second free pre-school year for children with special needs would mean the putting in place of an assessment process whereby a range of childcare specialists would evaluate the diverse needs of such children and confirm diagnosis and severity of disability. I am not in a position to estimate what the cost would be but it seems likely that very substantial investment would be needed to provide an additional service to specific children.
The introduction of a second pre-school year for all children would also require considerable additional funding which is not currently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating. In addition, all of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the pre-school provision is key to good outcomes for children. The Early Years Quality Agenda is being progressed by my Department. This involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime. These reforms are key building blocks for any further extension of universal childcare provision.
I want to ensure a cohesive, whole-of Government approach current and future investment in child care services. To ensure that all the benefits of childcare investments are fully realised, future public investment in childcare must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. With this in mind, I have established an Inter-Departmental Group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group which will include the provisions for children with special needs. I have asked the Group report to me by the Summer.
156. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total severance packages, individually detailed, received by any special advisers in his Department, or those under his aegis, since January, 2014, specifically in respect of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9089/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo severance packages have been paid to any special advisor in my Department. The persons referred to in the details supplied by the Deputy have not been employed in this Department.
157. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the Autism Bill will be put through Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8474/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2013, a Private Members Bill entitled the Autism Bill 2012 was debated and passed Second Stage in the Dáil. The Bill, as introduced, makes provision for the preparation of an autism strategy and a national framework for addressing the specific needs of adults with autism. The broad thrust of the Bill was accepted by Government and it was not opposed at Second Stage. Although the needs of people with autism have received some recognition in recent years, the Bill is seen as contributing to a more enlightened and educated public debate.
In the context of the Autism Bill, it is important to note that the Government is already committed under the National Disability Strategy (NDS) to ensuring that people with autism are empowered by policy and programmes to participate meaningfully as citizens in Irish society. The NDS is driven by this basic but fundamentally important objective and is the most effective combination of legislation, policies, institutional arrangements and services to support and reinforce equal participation for all people with disabilities.
The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has been examining issues around autism across Government Departments in association with the National Disability Authority (NDA). This work by the NDA, which has included consultation with families, will be of significant assistance in informing how best to address the needs of people with ASD, so that we can be sure that they are appropriately reflected and included in policies and actions.
The National Disability Strategy Implementation Group has already discussed the findings of the NDA consultation and mapping of services to people with autism. Further to the recommendations of this exercise, the NDA is now engaging bi-laterally with Departments and agencies to guide the development of actions under the umbrella of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan.
158. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of patients waiting for spinal surgery at Cappagh Hospital, Dublin 11; the measures being taken to combat the waiting time at the hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8489/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
159. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a child (details supplied) in County Limerick will be provided with a date for spinal surgery at Our Lady's Children's Hospital Crumlin, Dublin 12. [8491/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraSpinal conditions, including scoliosis, in children and young people are predominantly managed at Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin (OLCHC). It is acknowledged by all that waiting times for surgery are unacceptable and the HSE, Children's Hospital Group and OLCHC are actively working to address them as quickly as possible and exploring all short, medium- and long-term options to increase capacity. I am pleased to say that funding has been allocated in the 2015 Service Plan to facilitate the appointment of an orthopaedic surgeon, anaesthetist and support staff to maximise utilisation of available theatre sessions in OLCHC.
In relation to the particular patient query raised by you, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
160. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if all health centres have received a directive that the payments to Magdalen laundry survivors, made under the restorative justice scheme, are not to be considered income under any means test. [8493/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Justice and Equality welcomed the passing by Dáil Éireann of the Redress for Women Who Were Resident in Certain Institutions Bill on 18 February 2015. Seanad Second Stage deliberations on the Bill took place on Tuesday of this week.
When the Bill has completed its passage in the Oireachtas, the final provisions determined and the legislation commenced, the HSE will be so advised.
161. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) in County Kildare, who has multiple medical issues, and requires urgent attention and intervention, is not being fast-tracked through the early intervention disability service in mid-Kildare, NDT; if an immediate appointment will be arranged for the child to assess what care and intervention is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8494/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised by the Deputy relates to an individual case, this is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
