Written Answers Nos. 258-268
258. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA Ireland client visits to each county in 2017 on a monthly basis, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22640/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIDA Ireland maintains statistics of site visits by potential investors on a quarterly basis only. In the first quarter of 2017, there were 173 site visits, up from 136 for the same period in 2016. The table sets out, on a county-by-county basis, the number of IDA Ireland-sponsored site visits for the first quarter of 2017.
Site Visits by County, 2016 and Quarter 1 2017
|
County |
2016 |
Q1 2017 |
|
Carlow |
9 |
3 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
0 |
|
Clare |
18 |
10 |
|
Cork |
49 |
9 |
|
Donegal |
7 |
1 |
|
Dublin |
284 |
82 |
|
Galway |
42 |
23 |
|
Kerry |
3 |
1 |
|
Kildare |
8 |
2 |
|
Kilkenny |
10 |
2 |
|
Laois |
6 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
49 |
10 |
|
Longford |
6 |
0 |
|
Louth |
24 |
5 |
|
Mayo |
5 |
0 |
|
Meath |
8 |
0 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
1 |
|
Offaly |
4 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
1 |
1 |
|
Sligo |
20 |
2 |
|
Tipperary |
8 |
5 |
|
Waterford |
17 |
3 |
|
Westmeath |
36 |
9 |
|
Wexford |
7 |
1 |
|
Wicklow |
5 |
1 |
|
Total |
638 |
173 |
259. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of each European Union, EU Competitiveness Council Ministers' meeting at which she made the case for the need for a revision of state aid rules of Regulation (EU) No 1407/2013 to protect enterprises and jobs here during the UK’s two-year exit phase from the EU; the date of every such meeting at which this was raised, in tabular form; the status of progress being made at EU level to increase current state aid thresholds to support enterprises in the event of a hard Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22642/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is conscious of the need to consider the types of supports that Irish businesses may require to address challenges arising as a result of the Brexit Referendum, which is likely to represent a structural shift in the UK trading relations. Short, medium and long term responses from market diversification through to price repositioning will be needed.
On foot of extensive engagement with industry, my Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Enterprise Ireland and the SBCI to develop appropriate, tailored and targeted responses. This work, along with market developments as a result of Brexit, and ongoing engagement with the business community, will inform further discussions with the Commission and the development of any further initiatives to business.
Since the Brexit Referendum, I have attended two meetings of the Competitiveness Council. State Aid rules did not feature on the agenda. However, in my engagements with both EU Commissioners and Ministers from other Member States since the UK decision, Brexit has been a central part of the discussions at these meetings. Last autumn, officials of my Department initiated discussions with DG Competition to sensitise the Commission to potential difficulties likely to be encountered by Irish firms from the Brexit referendum result. These discussions continue at the highest levels to address all relevant issues relating to any proposals emerging from our work with industry.
260. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the role of the Central Bank in facilitating job creation opportunities in view of financial services firms wishing to relocate here after Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22649/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Central Bank delivers effective regulation and supervision in achieving its mandate of safeguarding financial stability and protecting consumers. It carries out its functions in the context of a harmonised approach to financial regulation across the European Union.
A key element in sustaining Ireland's attractiveness to financial services providers is the Central Bank's international credibility and reputation as a strong and independent regulator. The Bank does not, however, have a promotional mandate and is precluded from actively promoting Ireland as a location for international financial services activities. This responsibility lies instead with IDA Ireland, who continue to work assiduously to attract further financial services-related foreign direct investment to Ireland, whether Brexit-related or not.
261. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has conducted an economic analysis on the potential impact of the single affordable child care scheme on child care prices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22427/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy paper on the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS), which the Government approved last October included a preliminary economic analysis of childcare provision in Ireland. The policy paper examined the option of imposing price-caps on childcare providers to prevent erosion of subsidies through fee-inflation. The policy paper noted the potential benefits of price-caps, including preventing fee-inflation and providing certainty for parents, and equity between parents. It did however note the problems that might arise. Introduction of price-caps would represent economic regulation of the market, raising legal questions as well as economic questions as to what constitutes a fair price for childcare.
The policy paper recommended that there should be no initial price-cap, but that the option of price-caps should be considered following the Independent Review of Costs and examination of the initial market response to higher subsidies. The Independent Review, which will be commissioned later this year, will include examination of variation in costs and fees. It will be a key input into any future consideration of the potential benefits and risks of introducing price-caps.
262. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she will take to ensure the financial viability and affordability of the child care sector in addition to the single affordable child care scheme. [22428/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Childcare Scheme will replace all the existing targeted childcare schemes. When it is introduced, two schemes will then be in operation to support the affordability of childcare and early education: the Affordable Childcare Scheme, and the ECCE free pre-school programme, which will continue to provide 15 hours of free early education each week during term-times for children from the age of 3 until they start primary school.
The Independent Review of the Cost of Quality Childcare, which will be commissioned later this year, will include consideration of factors that impact on the financial viability of the childcare sector. While the precise scope and methodolody of the Independent Review is still to be confirmed, the Review is likely to examine issues such as:
- the total average cost of provision;
- costs and revenues for services operating in disadvantaged communities, including the range of service provided by such services and sustainability issues and
- the likely impact of future cost-pressures. This will inform future policy development and Estimate processes.
In the longer term, the question of sustainability must be addressed comprehensively, and at the core of this is working with community services to develop adequate funding streams and business models. The Deputy will be aware that I have recently announced a significant expansion and extension of the funding available under the Community Childcare Subvention from September of this year; which I anticipate will be of significant assistance to services. In addition arrangements are progressing for the provision of 'non-contact time' funding to services this summer, representing an additional seven days' payment to each service, for which I secured €14.5m in Budget 2017. I will be seeking to retain this funding in 2018 and am examining integrating this into the capitation rates paid to services. I will also be examining how the €1m sustainability funding provided for 2017 can be used in 2018, and I will be working with the sector and stakeholders in this endeavour.
263. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons that will be availing of the targeted level of subsidy under the single affordable child care scheme; and the number of persons that will avail of the universal level of subsidy. [22429/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is estimated that in the first year of operation of the Single Affordable Childcare Scheme the total number of children availing of subsidies under the scheme will be up to 79,000, of which up to 54,000 will benefit from targeted subsidies and approximately 25,000 will benefit from the universal level of subsidy under the scheme. As many families have more than one child in childcare, the number of families benefiting from the scheme is expected to be less.
It is expected that over time the number of beneficiaries is likely to rise further, as the labour market response and changes in parental choices in response to the rise in childcare subsidies will take time to have their full effect.
It must be stressed that these figures are estimates. The take-up of childcare subsidies depends not just on eligibility, but on parental demand for childcare, and on the availability of childcare places in local childcare facilities that are taking part in the scheme.
As the policy paper on the Single Affordable Childcare Scheme makes clear (p.66) “We do not know how great the increase in demand will be, and the research evidence does not offer a clear guide. International research in relation to the impact of childcare reforms on the demand for childcare indicates considerable variation between countries, which reflects variation in labour market conditions, in the degree of targeting of reforms and in parental preferences between different types of childcare, and there is no Irish research on the question."
264. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she has taken to ensure that a larger number of child minders will be eligible providers under the single affordable child care scheme. [22430/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Childcare Scheme has been designed to facilitate the inclusion of childminders. However, it is essential that public subsidies are only provided to childcare providers where there is a sufficient level of assurance of the quality of provision. For this reason, the Affordable Childcare Scheme will be delivered through Tusla-registered childcare providers, both centre-based providers and childminders.
A working group has been established, chaired by Childminding Ireland (CMI), and including officials from Tusla and the Department, to make recommendations on reforms for the sector including proposals in relation to quality assurance, whether on a voluntary/non-statutory basis in the short term, or on a mandatory/statutory basis in the long term. These will include recommendations in relation to childminders who are exempt from registration with Tusla (Child and Family Agency) (those minding three or fewer pre-school children, or those minding school age children only). The recommendations are likely to include proposals to be progressed in the short, medium and long term, including the development of National Quality Standards for childminders and a proportionate system of quality assurance and regulation. The Group hopes to present its recommendations to me as Minister very shortly.
Depending on the recommendations of the Working Group, it is possible that other approaches to quality assurance may be developed for childminding, possibly on a temporary basis pending transition to full regulation. It is with that possibility in mind that the Heads of Bill and General Scheme for the Affordable Childcare Scheme proposes the possibility that approved providers under the Scheme may include both Tusla-registered providers and other approved providers whose quality has been assured by other mechanisms, to be specified in regulations. This proposed approach to the inclusion of childminders in the scheme is dependent on the development of a satisfactory approach to quality assurance. There is no question of providing subsidies where quality standards have not been assured.
265. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that all necessary provisions to protect children in residential or foster care are in place and operational; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22618/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla holds the statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, and is the appropriate body to receive reports relating to the safety and well-being of a child. This applies to children under the age of 18, living in their own home or living in care. Each referral received by Tusla is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team.
There are safeguards surrounding each child care placement, whether foster or residential care. Placements are supervised by a professionally qualified social worker, and the provision of care services is monitored by Tusla management and subject to inspections by the Health Information Quality Authority and by Tusla Registration Services.
The Deputy should also be aware that children in care have access to independent advocacy supports, such as the organisation Empowering People in Care, or EPIC. Children in care also have access to the complaints mechanism in Tulsa, and may make complaints, or be assisted to make complaints, about their care to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children.
There is, however, no room for complacency about our safeguarding measures, and we will constantly review them to ensure that they are effective.
266. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in residential care; the average duration of their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22619/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra267. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in foster care; the average duration of their care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22620/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 266 and 267 together.
The most recent figures provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that there were 6,309 children in care at the end of February 2017, which is a decrease of 2% compared with the previous year.
Foster care is the preferred option for children who have been received into care. This can be as a result of abuse and/or neglect and their parents' inability to care for them due to a combination of difficulties in their own lives. Of the children in care at the end of February, 92% were in foster care nationally; there were 4,127 (65%) children in general foster care, 1,695 (27%) in relative care.
At the end of February, 355 (6%) children in care were in a residential placement. A child is placed in a residential setting only when they have an identified need that can be met by this service or for an intensive assessment or provision of specialist services. In general, these centres are based in domestic style homes in the community, and staffed by social care workers to attend to the needs of the child. Specialist supports are also made available, as needed, and many centres have specialist skill-sets and therapeutic modalities.
Tusla has advised that figures from 2015 are the most up to date regarding the duration of stay. I am advised that on the 31st December 2015 the total number of children in care was 6,384. The information on duration refers to all children in care and is not broken down by care type.
Duration of stay - children in care 31st December 2016
|
Duration of time in care |
Number |
% of total children in care |
|
under 1 year |
929 |
14.6% |
|
1 - 5 years |
2,715 |
42.5% |
|
over 5 years |
2,740 |
42.9% |
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children or young adults with special needs currently in foster and residential care; the extent to which the situation in regard to their security and protection continues to be monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22621/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, carried out a census of the young people in care with a diagnosed disability described as moderate to severe in September 2016. The census findings indicates that at that time there were 59 children in residential care, and 523 children in foster care, who have been diagnosed by a clinical specialist as having a moderate to severe disability.
It is important to note that information which affects a young person's care plan is addressed as part of care planning. A child in care will be allocated a social worker and a regularly reviewed care plan will be put in place. Children in care who have been diagnosed by a clinical specialist as having a moderate or severe disability may avail of disability services operated by the HSE, or from the private sector. Foster care placements are monitored by Tusla, for example by regular visits from the child's allocated social worker and the foster family's link worker. In addition, Tusla's services are subject to regulatory inspection, primarily by the Health Information and Quality Authority.
Any allegation involving a child is dealt with under Children First, and, under its policies and procedures, these are given child protection assessments. Where credible disclosures of welfare or abuse concerns are received, social workers act sensitively to protect the child, taking into account the negative impact that may arise from disrupting the life of the young person, when mitigating the risk to them. However, this is sometimes unavoidable, particularly where a young person must be moved to a new care setting.
With respect to young persons with special needs or mental health issues, a joint protocol for inter-agency collaboration has been recently published together by Tusla and the HSE, who are committed to implementing it across the country. The protocol clarifies the separate and distinct roles, responsibilities and legal requirements of both agencies and will ensure joint and effective management of the transition of young people with special needs and/or complex mental health issues to adult services. The Protocol also provides for a clear escalation process that can be used by Tusla or the HSE should an issue arise, or if there is an unresolved matter regarding access to appropriate, available services.
A young person is no longer in Tusla's care when they reach the age of 18 years. Where a young person with special needs has been in care with Tusla, the young person is supported in the transition to independent living or, where appropriate, transfer to adult services provided by the HSE. The aftercare planning is a collaborative approach that involves the young person, their families, their carers and relevant State bodies. In the case of vulnerable adults, the HSE has a national policy and safeguarding team in place.
