Tuesday, 30 Jan 2018

Written Answers Nos. 541-560

Swimming Pool Programme Funding

Ceisteanna (541, 542)

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

541. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of his Department's budget allocation for 2017 allocated to the local authority swimming pool grant. [4264/18]

Imelda Munster

Ceist:

542. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of his Department's budget allocation for 2018 that will be allocated to the local authority swimming pool grant. [4265/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 and 542 together.

The Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme (LASPP) provides grant aid to local authorities towards the capital costs of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools.

The budget allocation for 2017 for the programme was €4.2m, all of which was expended. The allocation for 2018 is also €4.2m.

There are four swimming pool projects in the current LASPP and the priority in 2018 will be on progressing these projects.

In relation to the future funding of swimming pools, the upcoming National Sports Policy, which I expect will be considered by Government during the first Quarter of 2018, with a view to its publication shortly thereafter, will include a specific focus on how Government should fund sports facilities, including swimming pools, in the years ahead.

Road Tolls

Ceisteanna (543)

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

543. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to arrange with Transport Infrastructure Ireland and a company (details supplied) for the temporary lifting of the secondary road tolls on the M1 at Drogheda for the duration of the Fleadh Cheoil 2018; the estimated costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4271/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

Noting the above, I am referring the question to TII for direct reply within 10 working days. Please inform my private office if you do not receive the information.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Driver Licences

Ceisteanna (544)

Frank O'Rourke

Ceist:

544. Deputy Frank O'Rourke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a person (details supplied) who is an asylum seeker is entitled to apply for a driving licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4292/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Asylum-seekers cannot be issued with a driving licence.

Under EU law, Member States issue driving licences to people whose normal residence is in their jurisdiction. By definition, the residence status of an asylum-seeker is not yet determined. It is therefore not possible under EU law to issue driving licences to asylum-seekers.

Motor Tax Collection

Ceisteanna (545)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

545. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 501 of 23 January 2018, the amount of motor tax collected in each of the years 2015 to 2017 by county, in tabular form; the way in which the funds collected are redistributed; the way in which motor tax receipts are spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4355/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Motor tax receipts for each licensing authority for the years 2015 to 2017 are set out in the tables below.

As of 1 January 2018, motor tax receipts are paid into the Central Fund and, accordingly, the redistribution of receipts is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Finance, Mr. Paschal Donohoe, T.D. In this regard, the response to Question No. 163 of 23 January, 2018 refers.

2017

Licensing Authority	MTO receipts - (€)	Online receipts - (€)	Total - (€)
Carlow	6,286,253	8,398,060	14,684,313
Cavan	5,533,498	10,923,434	16,456,932
Clare	9,397,593	17,699,119	27,096,712
Cork	29,156,083	91,584,122	120,740,205
Donegal	15,742,532	16,209,631	31,952,163
Dublin City	40,365,248	217,904,003	258,269,251
Galway	17,717,892	38,626,879	56,344,771
Kerry	9,349,678	25,399,845	34,749,523
Kildare	10,145,994	39,145,697	49,291,691
Kilkenny	7,202,910	14,498,549	21,701,459
Laois	7,338,054	10,016,720	17,354,774
Leitrim	2,679,224	4,505,062	7,184,286
Limerick City and County	13,961,701	28,588,338	42,550,039
Longford	3,847,484	4,978,736	8,826,220
Louth	8,713,517	15,154,762	23,868,279
Mayo	11,025,761	19,207,654	30,233,415
Meath	8,961,770	34,350,315	43,312,085
Monaghan	5,879,246	8,059,490	13,938,736
Offaly	6,213,957	10,706,840	16,920,797
Roscommon	7,078,143	8,639,445	15,717,588
Sligo	5,861,704	8,434,983	14,296,687
Tipperary	11,619,129	27,039,749	38,658,878
Waterford City and County	8,752,194	17,412,175	26,164,369
Westmeath	8,744,038	11,203,150	19,947,188
Wexford	11,723,875	25,133,243	36,857,118
Wicklow	8,265,337	26,060,109	34,325,446
Total	281,562,815	739,880,110	1,021,442,925

2016

Licensing   Authority	MTO receipts (€)	Online receipts (€)	Total (€)
Carlow	6,814,097	8,290,941	15,105,038
Cavan	6,029,327	10,680,064	16,709,391
Clare	10,252,804	17,727,771	27,980,575
Cork	32,682,181	91,748,508	124,430,689
Donegal	17,459,261	15,878,437	33,337,698
Dublin City	45,426,953	221,450,439	266,877,392
Galway	19,990,309	38,457,921	58,448,230
Kerry	10,231,237	25,532,662	35,763,899
Kildare	11,389,716	39,174,306	50,564,022
Kilkenny	7,975,519	14,476,768	22,452,287
Laois	7,821,727	9,774,712	17,596,439
Leitrim	3,054,633	4,416,296	7,470,929
Limerick City and County	15,149,511	28,653,379	43,802,890
Longford	4,280,575	4,849,878	9,130,453
Louth	9,911,461	14,991,338	24,902,799
Mayo	12,312,247	18,718,178	31,030,425
Meath	10,190,525	33,812,426	44,002,951
Monaghan	6,464,394	7,641,237	14,105,631
Offaly	6,907,040	10,419,900	17,326,940
Roscommon	7,403,707	8,536,460	15,940,167
Sligo	6,388,795	8,358,811	14,747,606
Tipperary	12,860,867	26,886,852	39,747,719
Waterford City and County	9,442,251	17,359,263	26,801,514
Westmeath	9,741,470	11,016,293	20,757,763
Wexford	12,923,450	24,402,896	37,326,346
Wicklow	9,207,520	26,065,131	35,272,651
Total	312,311,577	739,320,867	1,051,632,444

2015

Licensing Authority	MTO receipts - (€)	Online receipts - (€)	Total - (€)
Carlow	8,011,652	8,360,200	16,371,852
Cavan	7,286,662	10,894,977	18,181,639
Clare	11,856,853	17,902,031	29,758,884
Cork	40,143,820	93,835,284	133,979,104
Donegal	20,061,022	16,010,088	36,071,110
Dublin City	56,170,098	224,434,956	280,605,054
Galway	24,623,358	38,056,654	62,680,012
Kerry	11,868,212	25,988,786	37,856,998
Kildare	14,215,403	39,622,062	53,837,465
Kilkenny	9,736,708	14,661,026	24,397,734
Laois	9,426,748	9,599,035	19,025,783
Leitrim	3,566,591	4,365,316	7,931,907
Limerick City and County	19,364,590	28,465,221	47,829,811
Longford	5,117,598	4,771,437	9,889,035
Louth	11,793,284	15,205,721	26,999,005
Mayo	14,505,870	18,737,126	33,242,996
Meath	13,162,468	34,184,938	47,347,406
Monaghan	8,775,700	7,832,613	16,608,313
Offaly	8,244,558	10,158,262	18,402,820
Roscommon	8,683,682	8,422,660	17,106,342
Sligo	7,440,772	8,472,576	15,913,348
Tipperary	15,991,541	27,158,588	43,150,129
Waterford City and County	10,815,420	17,528,255	28,343,675
Westmeath	10,573,905	10,989,318	21,563,223
Wexford	16,203,861	24,233,460	40,437,321
Wicklow	10,796,908	26,023,932	36,820,840
Total	378,437,284	745,914,522	1,124,351,806

Road Safety

Ceisteanna (546)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

546. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will address concerns relating to poor surface traction on the County Tipperary portion of the N7 Limerick to Dublin road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4396/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects  is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Road Tolls

Ceisteanna (547)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

547. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the temporary removal of the tolls at Drogheda will be facilitated for the duration of Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4398/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy in relation to national roads. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects on national roads are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the relevant local authority. More specifically, the statutory powers to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors are vested in TII under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007).

Noting the above, I am referring the question to TII for direct reply within 10 working days.

Please inform my private office if you do not receive the information.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Road Network

Ceisteanna (548)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

548. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the road category and road mileage each local authority is responsible for (details supplied); the allowance made for road usage in respect of road deterioration; the areas in which such allowances are applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4419/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects  is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Public Private Partnerships Data

Ceisteanna (549)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

549. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the public private partnerships his Department is currently engaged in; the name, cost and timeframe of each; the names of all private parties involved; the nature of each project in terms of design, build, maintain and so on, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4443/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

My Department is not currently engaged in any Public Private Partnerships.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Individual national road schemes, including Public Private Partnership schemes, are a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

EU Funding

Ceisteanna (550)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

550. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding his Department's talks with the EU on the commitment in the programme for Government that, in the first three months, the new Government will apply to the European Union for the revision of the TEN-T core network, including applying for the reinstatement of the cross-border western arc; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4460/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Under the Programme for Partnership Government, the Government committed to applying to the European Union for the revision of the TEN-T Core Network, including in relation to the Western Arc. A submission is being prepared for the European Commission for a revision of the TEN-T Core Network, which would seek to facilitate consideration of transport-related project proposals for funding under the Connecting Europe Facility for transport in the Western Arc region. The submission will also take into account the implications of Brexit on western and north-west regions.

My officials met the European Commissioner for Transport, Ms Violeta Bulc, and her officials in October 2017 in relation to transport issues, including the potential impacts of Brexit on Ireland’s connectivity and increased geographical isolation in the EU. In that context, my officials informed the Commissioner that a submission will be forthcoming. My officials also separately met with the Directorate-General for Mobility and Transport (DG MOVE) in November of last year and briefed DG Move on the Government’s commitment and on the pending submission. DG Move advised that the submission would be considered on receipt but indicated that it may not meet the criteria for the Core Network. However, it noted that under the Regulation, a review of the implementation of the Core Network will take place by end 2023.

Road Projects

Ceisteanna (551)

Lisa Chambers

Ceist:

551. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the planned extension of the M17 from Tuam to Claremorris; if the project will be included in the forthcoming NDP; the position regarding CPOs and funding; the commencement date for the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4471/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual road projects  is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.

Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Parking Provision

Ceisteanna (552)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

552. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the parking infrastructure planned for Newbridge train station to match the increase in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4475/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for an update on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Sports Facilities Provision

Ceisteanna (553)

Shane Cassells

Ceist:

553. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department will support the redevelopment of a stadium (details supplied) from the capital fund of €50 million for stadiums in view of the fact that an organisation has large extensive redevelopment plans to upgrade the stadium; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4485/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Following the conclusion of Budget 2018 discussions, my Department is committed to establishing a new Large Scale Sport Infrastructure Scheme with funding available from 2019 onwards. The new scheme will be for larger sports projects where the proposed Government contribution exceeds the amount available under the Sports Capital Programme. The terms and conditions of the new scheme are still to be finalised but all projects will be subject to the Public Spending Code and State Aid Requirements prior to any funding commitments. Full details of the new scheme are expected to be published later this year. Prior to these details being finalised and relevant organisations having the opportunity to apply for funding, it is not possible to say which projects will be supported.

Tourism Promotion

Ceisteanna (554)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

554. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to develop tourism in the Lee Valley area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4493/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

My Department's role in relation to tourism lies primarily  in the area of developing national tourism policy, while the tourism agencies have operational responsibility for the implementation of this policy. The matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the agency for further information and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive  a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Advertising Regulation

Ceisteanna (555)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

555. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the increasing use of children and minors to advertise commercial products through television, radio and online. [3990/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

While my Department has no role in the regulation of advertising or broadcasting on any of the media to which he refers, I would be concerned about advertising that involves the use of children in an exploitative manner or anything that risks the safety and welfare of children. I know there are controls in place with regard to broadcast media on radio and television but I believe that regulating online activity, including advertising, presents the greatest challenge for us today. I have discussed this with other Ministers and believe the response requires a whole of government approach in partnership with all stakeholders. The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, Denis Naughten, is taking a lead role in organising an open policy debate on internet safety for children in early March 2018 with support and participation from my Department, the Departments of Justice and Equality; Business, Enterprise and Innovation; Education and Skills and Health. Representatives from industry, NGOs and stakeholders will also participate. The overall aim of the event is to raise awareness among all participants of the activities which are being undertaken by the Irish Government, the EU, industry, NGOs and others and to identify gaps where further action is required and areas where further cooperation between stakeholders is possible. This will help develop and finalise Government policy on this important and timely issue.

If the Deputy has a particular concern in this matter in which case he might write to me with further details.

Community Childcare Subvention Programme

Ceisteanna (556)

John McGuinness

Ceist:

556. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in not being paid on band A of the child care eligibility criteria for their child; and if approval for the proper payment will be expedited. [4021/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCS Plus) Programme provides support for parents on a low income to avail of reduced childcare costs at participating privately owned childcare services and at community not-for-profit childcare services, a list of these services is available through the relevant local County Childcare Committee. Under CCS Plus my Department pays a portion of the childcare costs for eligible children with the parent paying the remainder. The rate of subvention payable is determined by the status of the parent with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Registrations for CCS Plus must be accompanied with the relevant supporting documentation and meet the criteria set out in the Rules for my Department's Childcare Funding Programmes which are available on my Department's website; (www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/ecce-scheme/20171027RulesForDCYAFundingProgrammes.pdf).

As part of the requirements for CCS Plus eligibility documents must be dated within one month prior to and/or including the week of the child start date on the Programme. In this instance the registration in question does not have the supporting documentation dated within one month prior to the registration date.

For a letter from Tús to be accepted the following are essential requirements:

- The letter is on headed paper.

- The letter is dated ensuring this is no earlier than one month prior to the child start date on the programme.

- The letter is signed and stamped by the employer.

- The parent name and PPSN on the letter matches the parent details on the child registration.

- The name of the employment programme is stated.

- The letter confirms the parent was participating in the employment programme during the period one month prior to and/or including the week of the child start date on the Programme.

The highest band available has been granted for the person named based on the information available.

Once any amended eligibility documents have been obtained the service can make a new registration and the registration can be updated to the relevant band.

Child Support Payments

Ceisteanna (557)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

557. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a subsidy paid for children in a crèche; if so, the amount per child; and if it varies if the crèche is private or community funded. [4106/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department administers a wide range of subsidised childcare programmes which eligible parents may choose to avail of, subsidies are not linked to the status of the childcare provider whether private or community funded.

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE):

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a free pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and has been expanded to a two year programme from September 2018 for all eligible children. The programme year runs from September to June. The standard weekly ECCE rate is €64.50 for the 2017/2018 programme year.

Community Childcare Subvention (CCS):

This programme provides childcare funding support targeting low income families in community childcare services relative to the status of the parent/s with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. (Please see table 1 below)

Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP):

This programme provides childcare funding support targeting low income families in both private childcare services and community childcare services relative to the status of the parent/s with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

Further information is contained in the following link:

Childcare

Child Care Services Staff

Ceisteanna (558)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

558. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if pay restoration which may apply in future for workers in section 39 agencies will apply to those workers that were previously employed in section 39 agencies when their pay was cut and that are now employed in agencies covered by section 56 of the Child and Family Act 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4131/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Section 56 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, makes provision for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, subject to certain matters including the resources available to the Agency, to enter into arrangements with not for profit service providers for the provision of services similar to activities carried out by the Agency and consistent with its functions.

Tusla allocates funding, under an arrangement, to not for profit service providers for the provision of a level of service commensurate with the funding provided. Not for profit organisations operate independently of Tusla and are responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed. Staff in these organisations are not public servants and, as such, are not entitled to the pay restoration provided for in the Public Service Agreements. Indeed, the issue of public servant status for the employees of such organisations is an issue which goes beyond the social care sector with far reaching implications across the public sector as a whole.

Tusla fully appreciates the role that not for profit organisations play in providing services and supports to vulnerable children and families.

Affordable Childcare Scheme Eligibility

Ceisteanna (559)

Anne Rabbitte

Ceist:

559. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if under the affordable childcare scheme low-income parents that are not working or in training will be eligible for a maximum 15 hours child care per week. [4133/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Affordable Childcare Scheme will address a number of issues relating not only to the affordability of childcare but to achieving better outcomes for children and families. Families will qualify for an income-based subsidy based on parental income and, parents’ who are in work or training will be approved for the maximum number of hours of subsidy available. Some families will qualify for the scheme for other reasons and more detail relating to this is included later in this answer. The scheme's approach to eligibility for maximum hours for those in work or in training is based on evidence regarding how to achieve the best outcomes for children and families.

When parents are engaged in work (including part-time work and labour market activation programmes) or in education or training, they will be eligible for an enhanced subsidy of up to 40 hours per week. When parents are not in work or training, childcare will be subsidised on a standard basis of up to a maximum of 15 hours per week. I believe that this is a reasonable approach for the majority of children and families.

It will mean that this Scheme is open – albeit for standard hours rather than enhanced hours – to parents who are not taking part in work or training, but who choose to avail of up to 15 hours of childcare per week. In the case of school going children, the child development objectives are met through school-going hours and, as such, the 15 standard hours of childcare applies to non-term time.

The Childcare Support Bill 2017, as published, will enable me to make regulations that specify definitions of "work" and "study" for the purposes of the Scheme. When setting out these definitions, I intend to adopt an inclusive approach that recognises the diversity of progression routes towards labour market participation, particularly for those who are distant from the labour market.

I acknowledge that, where a parent is at home and not engaged in any relevant form of work or study, a family with school age children will not benefit from subsidised after-school childcare. However, I believe it is important that the Scheme should actively support labour market participation through linking the number of hours of subsidy to a family’s need for childcare for the purpose of work, education or training.

There is also a small but important group of families for whom childcare is needed on child welfare grounds or for whom childcare is a necessary early intervention support. Under the current subvention schemes Tusla and the HSE may make referrals for subvention for such families.

For the Affordable Childcare Scheme, the Childcare Support Bill 2017 specifies five statutory bodies that may provide referrals for free or additional childcare: Tusla, the HSE, the Department of Education and Skills (in relation to parents who are under 18), the Department of Justice and Equality (in relation to asylum seekers and programme refugees), and Local Authorities (in relation to homeless children and children transitioning out of homelessness).

It is proposed that, where such a referral is made, families would automatically qualify for a subsidy under the Affordable Childcare Scheme without having to satisfy any income or work/study test. The referring body would recommend the hours of childcare needed, which may - depending on the referring body and the needs of the family - be for up to full-time childcare. The Scheme would then provide the maximum rate of subsidy in respect of those hours of care, and no payment would be asked of the parents in these circumstances. This approach is consistent with current practice under the Community Childcare Subvention scheme and is critical to supporting strong child welfare and protection practices. My officials are currently in discussion with the relevant statutory bodies in relation to the way in which this referral process will operate in the Affordable Childcare Scheme.

Public Private Partnerships Data

Ceisteanna (560)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

560. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the public private partnerships her Department is currently engaged in; the name, cost and timeframe of each; the names of all private parties involved; the nature of each project in terms of design, build, maintain and so on, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4429/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I can confirm to the Deputy that my Department is not currently engaged in any public private partnerships.