Written Answers Nos. 372-391
372. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the additional supports that have been put in place to date to assist businesses that are heavily or totally dependent on Northern Ireland or the British market, in view of the uncertainty that has arisen due to Brexit and currency fluctuations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19079/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2017, I secured additional monies, both current and capital, to support Enterprise Ireland’s strategic response to Brexit, including 39 targeted posts, both at home and abroad to support its clients across all markets.
There are 1,500 Enterprise Ireland (EI) client companies recording exports to the UK. They employ 100,000 people across the country and have exports of over €7 billion. Enterprise Ireland is particularly working with companies in the UK market who are most exposed in areas such as engineering, food, construction and timber to maintain their market share.
Enterprise Ireland’s #PrepareforBrexit communications campaign featuring the ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ on www.prepareforbrexit.ie was launched in March. The ‘Brexit SME Scorecard’ is a new interactive online platform which can be used by all Irish companies, whether they are EI clients or not, to self-assess their exposure to Brexit under six business pillars.
The Scorecard generates an immediate report which provides advice as well as information on supports and resources to Irish businesses preparing for Brexit. The Prepare for Brexit website also includes case studies of clients who have achieved export success in a range of key sectors and markets and features tips and advice. Enterprise Ireland is also running a series of Brexit events featuring expert speakers throughout the country to promote the tool and encourage companies to prepare for Brexit.
Enterprise Ireland has introduced a ‘Be Prepared Grant’ which offers up to €5,000 in funding to support exporting client companies develop a Brexit Action Plan. It is designed for SMEs who would benefit from further research and the use of external expertise in developing this plan.
Training and supports in terms of management capability, leadership, marketing/sales skills, innovation and R&D are being intensified to help companies to build market share and create new market opportunities.
Enterprise Ireland is also delivering a suite of supports that help clients reduce supply-chain costs and drive efficiencies and cost reductions as a means of improving operating margins, thereby increasing competitiveness.
Furthermore a range of measures are being put in place to supplement the existing Local Enterprise Office (LEO) supports, including:
- Supports to facilitate micro enterprises to develop new internationalisation opportunities;
- Roll out of a national Lean for Micro initiative to drive firm level competitiveness;
- Brexit-focused mentoring and training initiatives; and
- Local level awareness raising and information sharing about Brexit, including; seminars, workshops and cross-border business networking.
In Budget 2017 I was also able to provide additional funding to InterTrade Ireland, the Cross Border Body which has specific responsibility for developing Cross Border Trade. InterTrade Ireland is undertaking a range of initiatives for SMEs trading across the border to help them adapt to the changed circumstances. Assistance will include the provision of factual advice, supports for capability building and the provision of other specialist expertise. In addition, this funding will enable a study to be undertaken by the ESRI which will improve our understanding of the impact of different trade and tariff regimes which might be imposed following Brexit. Work is currently underway on this project.
373. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for her Department; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18841/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the youth justice project at Oberstown and early years and youth programmes; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18843/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 375 together.
The overall resource allocation to my Department under the Capital Investment Plan 2016 – 2021 amounts €136 million. Details of the indicative allocations for each of the capital programmes and the level of expenditure for the period ending March 2017 are set out in the table.
|
Programme |
Allocation |
Spend to end March 2017 |
|
Child and Family Agency |
€81m |
€18.4m |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
€10m |
€2.1m |
|
General Childcare Programmes |
€35m |
€7.0m |
|
Youth Organisations and Services |
€10m |
€2.3m |
|
Total |
€136m |
€29.8m |
Particulars relating to the individual programmes are as follows –
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency
The funding provision to the Agency allows for a number of key critical infrastructural projects to be advanced. These include the completion of the new build and refurbishment works at the Crannog Nua Special Care Unit, Portrane, Dublin, completion of refurbishment works at the Ballydowd Special Care Unit, Lucan, Dublin, further roll out of the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS), minor capital works and vehicle replacement.
The special care unit works at Crannog Nua and Ballydowd are almost complete. The NCCIS system has been piloted in Tusla’s Mid-West region (North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick) and will be rolled out nationally in all 17 Tusla areas between now and the end of 2018. A range of minor capital projects are also underway and Tusla has commenced a vehicle replacement programme. The Capital Plan also includes provision for refurbishment works to frontline staff accommodation.
Oberstown Children Detention Campus
The resource allocation made provision for the development of new national children detention facilities at Oberstown. The project is substantially complete and it has enabled, with effect from 31 March 2017, responsibility for detaining 17 year old males sentenced by the courts to be transferred to Oberstown from the Irish Prison Service. The funding also provides for a range of remedial and improvement works identified as being required following a period of operation of new facilities and several incidences of damage to both new and previously existing facilities by young people. Works are currently underway in one new residential unit and will be replicated across other new units over the next number of months.
General Childcare Programmes
The funding supports the annual Early Years Capital Funding Scheme which aims to improve childcare services through the provision of additional childcare places, building improvements and maintenance and natural outdoor play areas. Pobal has responsibility for administering the 2017 scheme which was open to applications on 24 March and will close on 21 April next. A further €3 million is also available this year to support increased capacity for the provision of school age childcare through the School Age Childcare Capital Scheme. The Scheme is aimed at increasing the number of School Aged Childcare (SAC) places in 2017 and to improve the quality of existing school aged services. The Scheme is being administered on-line by Pobal and currently open to applications since 7 April and will close on 5 May next.
Youth Organisations and Services
The funding is being made available on an annual basis to support small scale projects, including equipment replacement, refurbishments, health and safety fit outs and accessibility projects in local youth services. My Department is engaging with relevant stakeholders in order to identify the capital requirements of the youth sector for 2017. In addition, funds are also made available to Local Authorities to support the provision of play and recreation facilities. Applications for this year`s scheme opened on 30 March and will close on 21 April next.
374. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the Tusla special care capacity; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18842/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe resource allocation to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency to support capital developments since establishment on the 1st January, 2014 amounts to €48.847 million. Details for funding provision for the years 2014 to 2017 are set out in the table below:
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Capital Allocation |
€6.841 million |
€12.386 million |
€16.060 million |
€13.560 million |
The capital allocation allows for key infrastructural projects and minor capital works to be carried out. Tusla has made provision, within its Capital Plan, for significant national capital projects which include the completion of new build and refurbishment works at the Crannog Nua Special Care Unit, Portrane, Dublin and completion of refurbishment works at the Ballydowd Special Care Unit, Lucan, Dublin. On completion of these projects, national special care capacity will increase from 17 to 30 places.
The current projected overall cost for the Crannog Nua project which commenced in July 2015 and is scheduled for completion in May 2017 is €16.4 million (incl VAT). The capital spend to date is €15.2 million.
The capital project at the Special Care Unit, Ballydowd, Lucan, Co. Dublin commenced in July 2015 and is scheduled for completion in April 2017 with a projected overall cost of €5.2 million (incl VAT). The capital spend to date is €4.9 million.
The refurbished special care units will provide short term, stabilising and safe care in a secure, therapeutic environment for young people with the aim of enabling them to return to a less secure placement as soon as possible, based on their assessed needs.
376. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she travelled abroad as part of the St. Patrick's Day celebrations; the location she travelled to; the duration of the trip; the cost of the trip including travel and accommodation in addition to other expenses incurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18890/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSt. Patrick’s Day offers a unique opportunity to promote Ireland’s economic and political interests overseas, with levels of publicity and media attention unmatched by the national day of any other country.
I travelled to Boston, USA as part of the 2017 Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations. I attended a range of events during five days, including meetings, cultural events and the South Boston Parade. My programme included a range of high-level political and Irish community engagements, in addition to business-focussed events, reminding people that Ireland is a very attractive destination for investment, trade, study and tourism. I emphasised that the Irish Government continued to prioritise the plight of the undocumented Irish in the USA. At the annual St Patrick’s Day Breakfast in South Boston, I echoed the Taoiseach’s comments on the history of Irish emigrants to the USA.
Flights taken and other incidental costs incurred, including for my Private Secretary, amounted to €5,833.67. In addition, the cancellation of internal USA flights cost €546.66 as my planned visit to Seattle did not go ahead due to my Dáil commitments. Accommodation and local transport costs have not yet been paid by my Department.
377. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the rules surrounding the hiring of staff in the early education sector to address the current shortage of suitably qualified applicants in line with the current rules in the primary education category (details supplied). [19049/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 provide that each employee working directly with children attending the service must hold at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed by the Minister to be equivalent. The Regulations clearly state that the service provider must ensure that their staff meet this standard.
This section of the regulations took effect on 30th June 2016 for services registering after that date and for all other services took effect on 31st December 2016.
The Department introduced this regulatory change following many years consultation with the sector. Mindful of the challenge that it would present to the sector, the Department introduced the following supportive measures:
· Learner Funds to provide sector workers with an opportunity to upskill to a Level 5 qualification. · The Regulations provided an exemption for certain existing childcare staff who intend to retire from the sector in the near future, do not hold the minimum qualification and who do not wish to undertake a course of training at this stage. The option to apply for an exemption, which was first publicised through the City / County Childcare Committees in 2014 applies up to September 2021. The Regulations stipulate that persons seeking to avail of this exemption must, by 30th June 2016, have signed the necessary declaration and be in possession of a letter from the Minister confirming that the exemption had been granted. · A qualifications assessment procedure, put in place by the Department in the latter half of 2015, allows for applications to be made for individual qualifications assessment. This is conducted by the Department in consultation with the Early Years Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, and is available to anyone who applies. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis. Staff who have completed a relevant award at NFQ Level 5 or above by the 31st of December, or who were granted an exemption before the 30th June 2016, will meet the regulatory standard. Staff who are currently undergoing education to achieve a Level 5 award will not meet the regulatory standard until that award has been achieved.
The Department is aware of reports from the Early Years sector regarding the difficulties recruiting staff. It is believed that the expansion of ECCE from September 2016 to April 2017 may have contributed to this. The Department is working with the Department of Education and Skills to explore the possibility of a new workforce plan for the Early Years sector. This would provide objective evidence and analysis regarding supply and demand issues, to inform future capacity planning by both Departments.
378. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grants available to child care providers such as the outdoor equipment grant; the restrictions that apply to these grants in terms of facilities eligibility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19069/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 20th March 2017 I announced the Early Years Capital programme for 2017 in three strands, as follows:
- Strand 1: Additional Places (€3 million total available – maximum €50,000 per grant);
- Strand 2: Building improvements and maintenance/refurbishment (€500,000 total available, maximum €20,000 per grant, Community childcare services only);
- Strand 3: Natural outdoor play area (€500,000 total available, maximum €5,000 per grant).
The application process opened on Friday 24th March and will close at 3pm on Friday 21st April.
Additionally, at the recent launch of the Action Plan for School Age Childcare I announced a separate €3 million in capital funding for services providing school age childcare. This capital scheme opened on Friday 7th April and will close on Friday 5th May. It will encourage expansion in the number of school age childcare places along with enhancements to quality.
In relation to the restrictions that apply to these grants in terms of facilities' eligibility I assume that the Deputy is referring to the threshold of 25 registered children per service. This number was chosen to provide smaller services with an opportunity to apply, particularly in light of the fact that the 2013 capital funding strand for outdoor play favoured larger services. Notwithstanding, approximately 2259 services remain eligible to apply for this level of funding. The largest quantum of funding, at €3 million, is open to all services.
I recognise that services who do not fall within the threshold will be disappointed - this is always the case with any threshold. If outdoor play is a priority for medium and larger services, I will revisit this in the context of the 2018 capital plan.
I am aware that Pobal has been speaking directly with the Deputy on this matter in recent weeks. Should the Deputy have any further queries, my officials and Pobal are available to assist.
379. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 311 of 22 March 2017, when it is proposed to introduce the new affordable child care scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19095/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government has agreed its plan to make childcare more affordable, using the additional €19m childcare funding agreed in Budget 2017, and has approved a range of measures that will see more than 70,000 families benefit from reduced childcare costs from September.
Moving from one of the most expensive childcare systems in the world to one of the best is ambitious, and we need to move one step at a time.
Significant progress has been made in developing the Affordable Childcare Scheme. My Department is working with Government Departments and Agencies to build a fully automated on-line system. This will provide a user-friendly means for parents to access childcare supports. It will also facilitate the administrative efficiency of the new Scheme. Given the sheer complexity of this development, and a number of external factors beyond the control of my Department, the on-line system will not now be introduced until a later date. However, in the meantime, a number of enhancements to existing childcare schemes are being made with effect from September 2017.
From September, up to 33,000 children aged from 6 months up to 36 months and availing of registered childcare will benefit from a new universal childcare subsidy. The maximum weekly subsidy payable will be €20 for children attending full-time care.
Also from September, up to 23,000 children and their families currently availing of childcare support under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme will benefit from significant increases, of up to 50%, in the subvention rates provided under the programme. For example, parents availing of full-time childcare who currently have their childcare costs subsidised by €95 per week will see their subvention rate rise to €145 per week. Up to 7,000 children and their families currently availing of the Training and Education Childcare Support programmes will also see increases in subsidy rates.
Up to 7,000 additional children and their families are expected to benefit from the CCS for the first time from September, due to improved access to the Scheme through a greater number of community and private childcare providers throughout the country.
Children and families can avail of these new levels of childcare subsidies under a number of circumstances, including if they are in receipt of Family Income Supplement or if they hold a medical card or a GP visit card.
Yesterday, I announced the launch of a Public Information Campaign which will provide detailed information, through a variety of sources, to ensure that parents and service providers will be able to find out everything they need to know about the new supports. In particular, the campaign will help families to find out what childcare supports will be available to them from September 2017. It will also help families to establish what childcare supports will become available in the future when the on-line system becomes available. At that point, using existing levels of investment, a further 9,000 families will benefit from more affordable childcare through childcare subsidies of up to €12 per week.
380. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the yearly cost of increasing the capitation rates paid to ECCE childcare providers by 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, 6%, 7%, 8%, 9% and 10% respectively, in tabular form. [19098/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe actual cost of this proposal would be subject to a number of factors including actual levels of participation, and the number of children subvented at the 'higher capitation' rate- costs increase as the number of higher qualified staff increase. At current levels of uptake and capitation rates the cost per 1 percent increase would be approximately €2.8m; taking all at the higher capitation rate, this would approach €3m.
|
Percentage Increase |
Cost |
|
0 |
279m (total) |
|
1 |
2.8 |
|
2 |
5.6m |
|
3 |
8.4m |
|
4 |
11.2m |
|
5 |
14m |
|
6 |
16.8m |
|
7 |
19.6m |
|
8 |
22.4m |
|
9 |
25.2m |
|
10 |
28m |
381. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual cost of increasing the number of ECCE weeks to 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 respectively. [19105/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen introduced, the ECCE scheme provided free-preschool for 38 weeks of the year. The 38 weeks broadly mirrored the primary school academic year. When ECCE was expanded as a result of Budget 2016, it enabled all children to attend ECCE from the age of three, entering at one of three entry points after their third birthday, September, January or April, and remain there until they started in primary school, with the exception that they could not be more than 5 years and 6 months when they finished ECCE in June. This followed a recommendation from the Expert Group "Right from the Start".
Using the current levels of enrolment and uptake the following estimates would apply. In general the cost is slightly in excess of €7.5m per week added.
|
Weeks |
Costs |
|
38 (current ECCE cycle) |
279m (total) |
|
39 |
7.5m |
|
40 |
15m |
|
41 |
23m |
|
42 |
31m |
|
43 |
38m |
|
44 |
46m |
|
45 |
54m |
|
46 |
62m |
|
47 |
69m |
|
48 |
77m |
|
49 |
85m |
|
50 |
93m |
It should be noted that this question only addresses the financial aspect of such increases. Any such changes would require revision of rules around eligibility and enrolment dates and would need to look at issues of capacity with regard to physical space, staffing capacities and other associated matters.
382. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of increasing each income threshold of the single affordable child care scheme by €100, €200, €300, €400, €500, €600, €700, €800, €900 and €1,000 respectively. [19100/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of increasing each income threshold of the single affordable child care scheme by 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% respectively. [19135/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 386 together.
The detailed information sought by the Deputy is not currently available in the format requested. Officials in my Department are compiling this information, which will be supplied to the Deputy in no later than 10 working days.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A for Question No. 382.
The Affordable Childcare Scheme will have two income-thresholds: the "base income threshold" and the "maximum income-threshold". Families that benefit from childcare subsidies under the Scheme and whose incomes are below the base income-threshold will be awarded the maximum subsidy-rate. Families whose incomes are above the maximum income-threshold will not benefit from any income-related subsidy, though if their child is younger than the qualifying age for the ECCE scheme they may benefit from a universal childcare subsidy.
The income-thresholds proposed for the Affordable Childcare Scheme are €22,700 for the base income-threshold and €47,500 for the maximum income-threshold. Given these income-thresholds, and the subsidy-rates currently proposed for the scheme, it is estimated that the full-year cost of the scheme will be approximately €150m.
In setting the base and maximum income-thresholds, a number of factors were considered such as the poverty line, income distribution, disincentive effects, continuity with current targeted childcare schemes, and cost and cost effectiveness.
It is estimated that increasing the base income-threshold from €22,700 to €27,500, while keeping other elements of the scheme unchanged, would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €19m. On this basis, it is estimated that increasing the base income-threshold by €100 (from €22,700 to €22,800) would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €400,000, and each additional €100 increase within this income-range would cost an additional €400,000. An increase of €1,000 (from €22,700 to €23,700) would accordingly cost approximately €4m.
It is estimated that increasing the maximum income-threshold from €47,500 to €52,500, while keeping other elements of the scheme unchanged, would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €8m. On this basis, it is estimated that increasing the maximum income-threshold by €100 (from €47,500 to €47,600) would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €160,000, and each additional €100 increase within this income-range would cost an additional €160,000. An increase of €1,000 (from €47,500 to €48,500) would accordingly cost approximately €1.6m.
It must be stressed that all cost figures for the Affordable Childcare Scheme are estimates, given the uncertainty surrounding the impact on demand for childcare of changes to the net price of childcare to parents that result from the scheme.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A for Question No. 386.
The Affordable Childcare Scheme will have two income-thresholds: the "base income threshold" and the "maximum income-threshold". Families that benefit from childcare subsidies under the Scheme and whose incomes are below the base income-threshold will be awarded the maximum subsidy-rate. Families whose incomes are above the maximum income-threshold will not benefit from any income-related subsidy, though if their child is younger than the qualifying age for the ECCE scheme they may benefit from a universal childcare subsidy.
The income-thresholds proposed for the Affordable Childcare Scheme are €22,700 for the base income-threshold and €47,500 for the maximum income-threshold. Given these income-thresholds, and the subsidy-rates currently proposed for the scheme, it is estimated that the full-year cost of the scheme will be approximately €150m.
In setting the base and maximum income-thresholds, a number of factors were considered such as the poverty line, income distribution, disincentive effects, continuity with current targeted childcare schemes, and cost and cost effectiveness.
It is estimated that increasing the base income-threshold from €22,700 to €22,500 which is an increase of 21%, while keeping other elements of the scheme unchanged, would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €19m. On this basis, it is estimated that increasing the base income-threshold by 5% (from €22,700 to €23,835) would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €4.5m, and each additional 5% increase within this income-range would cost an additional €4.5m. An increase of 20% (from €22,700 to €27,240) would accordingly cost approximately €18m.
It is estimated that increasing the maximum income-threshold from €47,500 to €57,500 which is an increase of 21%, which keeping other elements of the scheme unchanged, would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €16m. On this basis, it is estimated that increasing the maximum income-threshold by 5% (from €47,500 to €49,900) would increase the cost of the scheme by approximately €3.8m, and each additional 5% increase within this income-range would cost an additional €3.8m. An increase of 20% (from €47,500 to €57,000) would accordingly cost approximately €15m.
It must be stressed that all cost figures for the Affordable Childcare Scheme are estimates, given the uncertainty surrounding the impact on demand for childcare of changes to the net price of childcare to parents that result from the scheme.
383. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of maintaining all targeted child care schemes, such as the community childcare subvention, in tabular form. [19101/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2017 provided an additional €19m to enable the introduction of more affordable childcare from September. This additional funding includes development costs for the Single Affordable Childcare Scheme (SACS) and is in addition to the existing funding of €86 million, which supports the current targeted schemes, specifically, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme and the Training and Education Childcare (TEC) schemes (i.e. Childcare Education and Training Supports (CETS), After-School Child Care (ASCC), and Community Employment Childcare (CEC).
The current budget for these targeted childcare schemes for 2017 is presented below. These figures take account of planned enhancements to existing targeted childcare schemes from September, which were announced yesterday. These enhancements include:
- A new universal childcare subsidy for children aged from 6 months up to 36 months old (or commencement of the free pre-school programme (using registered childcare) via an enhancement to the CCS scheme; and
- Significant increases, some up to 50 per cent, in childcare subvention rates provided under the CCS and TEC Schemes for children aged from 6 months up to 15 years old.
More than 70,000 families will benefit from reduced childcare costs from September as a result of these enhancements to these Schemes.
|
- |
Jan – Aug 2017 €m |
Sep – Dec 2017 €m |
TOTAL €m |
|
CCS / CCSP |
30.20 |
36.20 |
66.40 |
|
CCS-Universal |
– |
6.90 |
6.90 |
|
CETS |
8.00 |
4.00 |
12.00 |
|
ASCC |
1.10 |
0.60 |
1.70 |
|
CEC |
4.30 |
2.40 |
6.70 |
|
SACS development |
– |
2.00 |
2.00 |
|
Administration, programme support & sustainability funding |
5.90 |
3.70 |
9.60 |
|
TOTAL |
49.50 |
55.80 |
105.30 |
384. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if social care workers without social care qualifications but with considerable work experience in the field are eligible to apply for management positions in Tusla care facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19102/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCriteria for particular positions is a matter for Tusla and accordingly the information requested is not readily available in my Department. My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
Criteria for particular positions are a matter for Tusla, therefore I asked my officials to request the information from the agency.
Tusla has since confirmed that the eligibility criteria for a position determines the requirements of the role in terms of the experience, skills, knowledge and qualifications required in order to perform the specific role. Accordingly eligibility criteria vary between different positions and for these reasons Tusla is unable to comment in general terms.
385. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the expected cost of the independent review of the cost of providing quality child care in private and community settings; and if her Department will require additional money in budget 2018 to meet the cost. [19108/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraGiven the importance of financial sustainability for the provision of quality childcare, the Programme for Government has committed to conducting and publishing an independent review of the cost of delivering quality childcare in Ireland. Work on preparing a Request for Tender for this Review is currently underway and it is envisaged that this RFT will be published in the coming months.
As this Review will be subject to public procurement, it is not possible to provide cost estimates at this point as this may influence the procurement process. It is envisaged however, that the cost of this Review will be met from the Department’s existing budget allocation.
387. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the information technology infrastructure across her Department; the amount spent to date; the progress to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19284/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm there is no specific funding provided under the capital plan 2016 - 2021 for the information technology infrastructure across my Department.
388. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the Army; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18838/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra389. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the Air Corps; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18839/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra390. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the amount of funding provided under the capital plan for the Naval Service; the amount spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18840/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 388 to 390, inclusive, together.
Vote 36 (Defence) is managed through a single programme with all operational outputs delivered from a single set of forces encompassing the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service. Capital funding is not apportioned separately in the Capital Plan, but is included in the overall programme costs across the Defence Vote. The White Paper on Defence outlined the strategic defence framework for the next ten years, and identified, as key organisational priorities, the replacement of major equipment platforms and the initiation of infrastructural development programmes for the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service.
The Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021, published in July 2015, allocated €437m in capital funding for Vote 36 (Defence) over the 2016-2021 timeframe. Budget 2017 provided an additional €7m in capital funding for Vote 36 and the updated Capital Plan amounts are shown in the table.
Revised Defence Capital Allocation 2016-2021
Defence
|
- |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Total |
|
Revised envelope (€m) |
68 |
74 |
74 |
85 |
85 |
88 |
474 |
In 2016 Defence capital investment expenditure amounted to some €100m and included a technical supplementary estimate to transfer expenditure to capital subheads within the Vote to meet payments due on the contract for the Naval Service Ships Replacement Programme.
Capital spending in Vote 36 (Defence) is mainly expended as follows:
- Replacement programmes for defensive equipment across the Army, Air Corps and Naval Service;
- Investment in Defence Forces Built Infrastructure including the refurbishment of the Defence property portfolio and provision of replacement and additional facilities where required;
- Purchase of new and replacement Information and Communication Technology hardware across the Department and the Defence Forces.
391. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Army cannot conduct live firing training in Kilworth Camp due to the fact there is a lack of corporals to oversee the training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18857/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the military authorities that live fire training is not dependent on the availability of Corporals. This training is conducted under the authority of personnel of higher rank, either in the rank of Sergeant (and higher NCO rank) or Commissioned Officers who hold a suitable live fire qualification.
I am further advised that live firing exercises have, and will continue to be undertaken in Kilworth Camp in 2017. Kilworth Camp has been used extensively for Live Fire Tactical Training to date this year. The most recent Live Fire Tactical Training was undertaken as recently as last week.
