Written Answers Nos. 268-293
268. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in crèches and childcare; the amount of subsidy being paid; the annual subsidy in the sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43947/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraNumber of children in childcare:
My Department collates figures on the total number of children in early learning and care and school age childcare who are availing of one of my Department's programmes, which include the universally available programmes Community Childcare Subvention Universal (CCSU) and Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) . The number of children registered on each Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) programme, along with the cost, for the 18/19 programme year was as follows:
|
Programme Call 2018/19 |
Approved Child Registrations |
Total Paid to date € |
|
CCSP |
35,514 |
105,118,527 |
|
CCSU |
33,780 |
included in CCSP figure above |
|
CCSRT - Transition |
432 |
included in CCSP figure above |
|
CCSR -Resettlement |
300 |
included in CCSP figure above |
|
CCS |
12,483 |
32,751,172 |
|
ASCC |
228 |
432,440 |
|
CEC (AS) |
686 |
872,797 |
|
CEC (PS) |
670 |
1,700,025 |
|
CETS |
1,929 |
5,803,419 |
|
ECCE |
108,189 |
293,384,153 |
|
Total |
194,211 |
440,062,534 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ECCE PSP* Payments |
|
9,439,029 |
|
CCS PSP Payments |
|
8,566,120 |
|
TEC PSP Payments |
|
609,828 |
|
Total PSP Payments |
|
18,614,976 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Paid to date € |
458,677,510 |
*Programme Support Payment (PSP) recognises the additional time required of childcare providers to complete the administrative work associated with the DCYA funded early learning and care and school age childcare programmes.
The annual subsidy in the sector
The total expenditure on subsidies, capitation or PSP for 2018/2019 programme year amounts to €458,677,510. Approximately 4,500 services availed of this investment.
269. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of crèches and crèche places that are operational, broken down by county and by status, that is, community or private. [43948/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraEach year Pobal conducts research on behalf of my Department to examine a number of factors related to childcare services in Ireland, including the monitoring of capacity. The Early Years Sector Profile report, which was published in November 2018 and relates to the 2017/2018 programme year, indicates that existing childcare provision nationally meets current needs nationwide in terms of capacity whilst recognising that small pockets of under-supply may exist within this.
The following table is the latest information available taken from the Pobal report
|
County |
Enrolled |
Vacant places |
|
Carlow |
2,057 |
68 |
|
Cavan |
3,120 |
104 |
|
Clare |
4,280 |
383 |
|
Cork City |
4,246 |
295 |
|
Cork County |
14,662 |
1,032 |
|
Donegal |
6,575 |
882 |
|
Dublin – Dublin City |
16,075 |
581 |
|
Dublin – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
6,357 |
224 |
|
Dublin – Fingal |
11,149 |
450 |
|
Dublin – South Dublin |
9,294 |
373 |
|
Galway |
10,514 |
620 |
|
Kerry |
5,625 |
186 |
|
Kildare |
8,045 |
304 |
|
Kilkenny |
3,944 |
195 |
|
Laois |
3,695 |
298 |
|
Leitrim |
1,437 |
74 |
|
Limerick |
7,805 |
278 |
|
Longford |
1,685 |
59 |
|
Louth |
4,297 |
197 |
|
Mayo |
4,509 |
331 |
|
Meath |
6,996 |
355 |
|
Monaghan |
3,623 |
190 |
|
Offaly |
2,697 |
225 |
|
Roscommon |
2,311 |
98 |
|
Sligo |
3,144 |
88 |
|
Tipperary |
6,662 |
437 |
|
Waterford |
4,612 |
203 |
|
Westmeath |
3,781 |
385 |
|
Wexford |
5,724 |
281 |
|
Wicklow |
4,276 |
224 |
|
Total |
173,197 |
9,420 |
The majority of early years services are operated by private organisations. In 2017/18 private services accounted for 74% (3,342) of all services contracted to provide at least one of the three early years programmes, with community services accounting for the remaining 26% (1,201). Over recent years, there has been a slight increase in the number of private services while the number of community services has remained relatively constant.
For reference please see figure 3.2 from the Early Years Sector Profile report attached, which gives a breakdown of the number of services by county and percentage by organisation type in the programme year 2017-18, which is the latest data available.
270. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applicants to each level of the AIM scheme; the number of successful applicants to each level of the scheme; the number of applicants who have drawn down their entitlements under the scheme; and the average cost of meeting the needs of one child on each level of the scheme in tabular form. [43949/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which was launched in June 2016, is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme and reap the benefits of quality early years care and education.
AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school setting they are attending. AIM is administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The levels of AIM for which applications may be made (either by the setting or by the setting and the parent together) are Levels 1, 4, 5 or 7.
AIM Level 1 – AIM Level 1 recognises that a strong culture of inclusion must be fostered and embedded to support all children’s maximum participation in the ECCE programme. This includes the higher education programme in Leadership for Inclusion in Early Years (LINC). Pre-school settings can elect to employ an Inclusion Coordinator who has graduated from the LINC Programme and has agreed to take on the role of Inclusion Coordinator (INCO) in the pre-school setting. Note – the LINC Programme commenced in September 2016, with the first cohort of graduates taking on the Inclusion Coordinator role from September 2017. The role of the INCO relates to the setting as a whole, and accordingly the average cost per application in the table relates to the cost per setting.
|
Programme call |
No. of INCO applications received |
Approved INCO applications |
No. of approved services that received a payment |
Total cost of INCO payments for each programme call |
No. of children registered on ECCE in services that received INCO funding |
Total INCO funding per service (not per child) |
|
AIM 2017 |
768 |
728 |
727 |
€1,644,435.23 |
26,625 |
€2,262 |
|
AIM 2018 |
1,393 |
1,286 |
1,283 |
€3,013,263.10 |
43,933 |
€2,349 |
|
AIM 2019* |
1,698 |
1,316 |
1,222 |
€829,728.50 |
38,457 |
€679 |
AIM Level 4 - AIM Level 4 involves expert educational advice and support from Early Years Specialists employed by Better Start. Level 4 involves advice and guidance to settings, and does not involve direct funding to settings. Whilst such support initially has direct benefit to the child who prompted the request for advice, the support provided has a wider benefit in upskilling the workforce across the setting that receives the support.
|
Programme call |
No. of applications received |
No. of approved applications |
Average cost per child |
|
AIM 2016 |
2,390 |
2,333 |
n/a |
|
AIM 2017 |
3,254 |
3,211 |
n/a |
|
AIM 2018 |
4,170 |
4,105 |
n/a |
|
AIM 2019* |
3,173 |
2,884 |
n/a |
AIM Level 5 - AIM Level 5 provides for access to specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or minor alterations capital grants for early learning and care settings to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme. A short report from a designated professional is required confirming that the specialised equipment or minor building alterations are necessary.
|
Programme call |
No. of applications received |
No. of approved applications - Equipment / Minor alterations |
No. of services that received a payment |
Total amount paid to services for alterations each programme call |
Total amount paid to services for equipment each programme call |
Total cost per approved application (across all types of Level 5 spending) |
|
AIM 2016 |
320 |
191 / 25 |
236 |
€117,538.75 |
€346,991 |
€2,151 |
|
AIM 2017 |
401 |
286 / 42 |
244 |
€58,301.58 |
€592,746 |
€1,985 |
|
AIM 2018 |
493 |
364 / 47 |
282 |
€132,628.63 |
€817,103 |
€2,311 |
|
AIM 2019* |
249 |
175 / 19 |
149 |
€41,676.92 |
€66,462 |
€557 |
AIM Level 7 - AIM Level 7 provides additional assistance in the pre-school room where this is critical to ensuring a child’s participation in the ECCE programme. In line with best practice to support the integration and independence of children with a disability, Level 7 does not fund one-to-one support for a child. Rather, it provides financial support to the pre-school provider, which can be used either to reduce the adult to child ratio in the pre-school room or to buy in additional assistance to the pre-school room. Level 7 assistance is a shared resource for the pre-school setting.
|
Programme call |
No. of applications received |
No. of approved applications |
No. of services that received a payment ** |
Total amount paid to services for each programme call |
Average cost per approved application |
|
AIM 2016 |
1,760 |
1,317 |
771 |
€3,412,414.55 |
€2,591.05 |
|
AIM 2017 |
3,533 |
2,978 |
1,546 |
€11,898,156.38 |
€3,995.35 |
|
AIM 2018 |
3,626 |
2,854 |
1,750 |
€17,253,275.93 |
€6,045.30 |
|
AIM 2019* |
4,606 |
3,646 |
1,373 |
€5,501,892.74 |
€1,509.02 |
* Please note that AIM 2019 figures are as at 22 October 2019. Applications continue to be received and processed and figures for AIM 2019 are likely to change over the coming months.
** Some services receive more than one Level 7 payment, where there is more than one child with a disability attending. In some cases where there is more than one child with a disability in a single pre-school room, depending on the level of need a single additional staff member may be approved and is a shared resource for all the children in that pre-school room. Decisions on Level 7 approvals respond to the needs of the child and to the needs of the setting.
271. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to cases in which a child has been deemed in need of level 7 of the AIM scheme but has been unable to access entitlements under the scheme due to the fact the childcare facility has been unable to provide the required member of staff for this scheme (details supplied). [43950/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the deputy is aware, the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Its goal is to empower preschool providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of quality early learning and care. AIM is a child-centred model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the preschool service.
Under Level 7 of AIM, preschool providers, in partnership with parents, can apply for additional capitation to fund extra support in the preschool room or to enable the reduction of the adult-to-child ratio. Where additional capitation is given to fund extra support in the preschool room, the preschool manager is responsible for recruiting a member of staff to take on this role.
The Better Start Early Years Specialist Service within Pobal administers AIM Level 7 on behalf of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Where there is a delay in recruitment of staff to provide AIM Level 7 support, service providers must complete the ‘Notification of Change’ form and submit this to Pobal.
Pobal has advised that data is available for the 2018/19 and 2019/20 (to date) preschool years on services which have been approved for AIM Level 7 support to support a child or children to access preschool, but who have informed Pobal that they have been unable to recruit suitable staff. Pobal has advised that the total number of preschool services who have notified them that they have been unable to recruit suitable staff to provide AIM Level 7 support is seven over the two years (six in 2018-19 and one to date in 2019-20).
It is important to note that in the small number of instances where a level 7 support is not available, the child and service provider will still be able to avail of supports under Levels 1,2,3,4,5 and 6 of AIM.
Children are entitled to two years’ of free preschool under the ECCE programme. Where a child has availed of AIM Level 7 in their first year of preschool, the preschool provider can submit a second year extension request for the child to avail of AIM Level 7 support in their second year of preschool.
Pobal data on Level 7 supports is broken down as follows:
|
- |
2018/2019 |
2019/2020 (as of 18th October 2019) |
|
Total AIM Level 7 applications approved (including second year extensions) |
3,924 |
3,464 |
|
Total AIM Level 7 applications approved (including second year extensions) where the preschool service has notified Pobal it is unable to recruit suitable staff |
6 |
1 |
Recruitment of staff has been a significant challenge to many services in recent years. Other than poor terms and conditions which impact retention, this is believed to be mostly due to the major expansion that has occurred in the sector which included a doubling of investment and a doubling of the number of early learning and care and school age childcare places.
The Pobal Sector Profile data is showing that, now that capacity has been doubled, the growth rates are levelling off although we expect that the further budgetary increase for 2020 will continue to support further growth in capacity. Turnover of staff has reduced by approx. 3.5% over the last two years.
A number of factors should begin to see the recruitment difficulties being experienced lessening over time. First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028), was published in November 2018. First 5 identifies over 150 actions across the domains that impact on young children’s lives, including ambitious and far reaching actions related to the Early Learning and Care (ELC) sector. First 5 commits to at least doubling investment in ELC by 2028 and a key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State will be a new Funding Model.
The intention with the new Funding Model is to design mechanisms to deliver additional funding to ELC and School Age Childcare providers to ensure greater levels of affordability, quality and inclusion in their services. It is planned that the new Funding Model will operate in addition to the major funding streams for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) universal preschool programme and the National Childcare Scheme, when it comes into operation later this year.
The new Funding Model will be a key vehicle to achieve the vision of ELC services that are equipped to provide high-quality, graduate-led services for children, affordability to parents and sustainability for providers. ELC services that operate in the context of disadvantage will also receive extra support to provide additional services to families.
Alongside the new Funding Model, work has also begun on a Workforce Development Plan (WDP), which will ensure appropriate levels of Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) staff at all levels in the sector. The Workforce Development Plan will aim to help to address recruitment difficulties by establishing role profiles, career pathways, qualifications requirements and associated policy mechanisms. The Workforce Development Plan will set out plans to raise the profile of careers in Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare, establishing a career framework and leadership development opportunities and work towards a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce.
The Workforce Development Plan will be carried out in two stages. The first stage will involve preparation of a core report that sets out a high-level vision for the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) workforce for the period 2020-2028 and a pathway for achieving the commitments set out in First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families (2019-2028), in relation to development of the ELC and SAC workforce. It will include qualification requirements for different roles in the sector, including ELC, SAC, and childminders. This stage is expected to conclude by mid- 2020. The second stage of the Workforce Development Plan will involve completion of implementation plans by working groups to be specified in Stage 1. Stage two of the plan is expected to be completed by mid-2021.
272. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of providing the living wage of €12.30 to every member of staff in her Department and agencies under her aegis. [43951/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, any adjustments to the salaries of public and civil servants are set out in the Public Service Stability Agreement (PSSA) 2018-2020.
A suggested living wage of €12.30 per hour would equate to an annual salary of €23,747, based on a standard civil service net working week of 37 hours. DPER Circular 17/2019 sets out the adjustments to the pay of civil servants on 1 September 2019 as provided for under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 and is available on www.circulars.gov.ie
As the information requested is not readily available in respect of the agencies under my Department's remit, I have asked the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Children Detention School Campus and Tusla to furnish this information directly to the Deputy.
273. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the number of hours available under the ECCE scheme each week by five, ten, 15 and 20 hours, respectively. [43952/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra€297m has been allocated for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme in 2020.
There are currently a maximum of 15 hours per week available on the ECCE scheme. The following table outlines the annual cost of increasing the number of hours available per week in 2020 by the specified hourly increments:
|
ECCE Capitation Costs |
||
|
|
Annual Cost (m) |
Increase (m) |
|
No change |
€297 |
|
|
5 hour increase |
€396 |
€99 |
|
10 hour increase |
€495 |
€198 |
|
15 hour increase |
€594 |
€297 |
|
20 hour increase |
€693 |
€396 |
Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) funding is linked to ECCE capitation. Subsequently, any increase in durations for the ECCE programme will also have an impact on AIM expenditure.
Initial estimates indicate that, in 2020, AIM level 7 will cost circa €26m and AIM level 1 will cost circa €5.4m. The two levels combined are therefore forecast to cost €31.4m.
The table below captures the projected impact of the outlined ECCE hour increases on the allocation for AIM Levels 1 & 7 in 2020.
|
Associated AIM costs |
||
|
Proposed change |
Annual Cost (€m) |
Increase (€m) |
|
No change |
€31.4 |
|
|
5 hour increase |
€41.9 |
€10.5 |
|
10 hour increase |
€52.3 |
€20.9 |
|
15 hour increase |
€62.8 |
€31.4 |
|
20 hour increase |
€73.3 |
€41.9 |
Please note, that for the purposes of this PQ, the estimates have been prepared by extrapolating simply from current hourly costs/rates. Additional hours in ECCE or AIM might result in some critical mass efficiencies and hence reduced costs, or indeed, extra costs such as for the provision of meals. A more detailed costing exercise would be required to prepare further estimates for any future policy development.
274. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the number of weeks available under the ECCE scheme by one, two, three, four, five, six and seven weeks. [43953/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra€297m has been allocated to the Early Childhood Care and Education programme in 2020.
ECCE is currently available for 38 weeks throughout the year. The following table outlines the cost of expanding the scheme as per the specified weekly increments:
|
ECCE Capitation Costs |
||
|
Proposed change |
Annual Cost (€m) |
Increase (€m) |
|
No change |
€297.0 |
|
|
1 week increase |
€304.8 |
€7.8 |
|
2 week increase |
€312.6 |
€15.6 |
|
3 week increase |
€320.5 |
€23.5 |
|
4 week increase |
€328.3 |
€31.3 |
|
5 week increase |
€336.1 |
€39.1 |
|
6 week increase |
€343.9 |
€46.9 |
|
7 week increase |
€351.7 |
€54.7 |
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is offered to children with disabilities who wish to participate in ECCE. AIM. Subsequently, any increase in duration of the ECCE programme will also have an impact on AIM expenditure.
Initial estimates indicate that, in 2020, AIM level 7 will cost circa €26m and AIM level 1 will cost circa €5.4m. The two levels combined are therefore forecast to cost €31.4m. The following table captures the projected impact of the outlined ECCE increases on the allocation for AIM Levels 1 & 7 in 2020.
|
Associated AIM costs |
||
|
Proposed change |
Annual Cost (€m) |
Increase (€m) |
|
No change |
€31.4 |
|
|
1 week increase |
€32.2 |
€0.8 |
|
2 week increase |
€33.1 |
€1.7 |
|
3 week increase |
€33.9 |
€2.5 |
|
4 week increase |
€34.7 |
€3.3 |
|
5 week increase |
€35.5 |
€4.1 |
|
6 week increase |
€36.4 |
€5.0 |
|
7 week increase |
€37.2 |
€5.8 |
275. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of increasing the higher and normal rates of ECCE subvention by €5, €10, €15 and €20. [43954/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra€297m euro has been allocated Early Childhood Care and Education programme in 2020.
The standard capitation rate for ECCE is currently €69 and the higher capitation rate is €80.25. The table outlines the annual cost of increasing the standard and higher capitation rates as per the specified increments:
|
ECCE Capitation Costs |
||
|
Proposed change |
Annual Cost (€m) |
Increase (€m) |
|
No change (€69, €80.25, per week) |
€297.0 |
|
|
€5 increase (€74, €85.25, per week) |
€316.5 |
€19.5 |
|
€10 increase (€79, €90.25, per week) |
€336.0 |
€38.9 |
|
€15 increase (€84, €95.25, per week) |
€355.5 |
€58.4 |
|
€20 increase (€89, €100.25, per week) |
€374.9 |
€77.9 |
Some supports available under the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) are linked to ECCE capitation. Subsequently, any increase in ECCE rates may also have an impact on AIM expenditure. Initial estimates indicate that AIM Level 7 supports will cost circa €26m in 2020. The following table captures the impacts the outlined ECCE increases would have on the estimated allocation for AIM Level 7 support costs in 2020.
|
Associated AIM costs |
||
|
Proposed change |
Annual Cost (€m) |
Increase (€m) |
|
No change |
€26.0 |
|
|
€5 increase |
€28.0 |
€2.0 |
|
€10 increase |
€30.0 |
€4.0 |
|
€15 increase |
€32.0 |
€6.0 |
|
€20 increase |
€34.0 |
€8.0 |
276. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided to Tusla for 2020 by programme area. [43955/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency for 2020. Tusla will have available to it some €814 million in funding, representing an increase of 3.8% over 2019.
This funding will allow Tusla to:
- meet increasing demand for existing services and continue to improve overall service performance,
- continue the progress made to reduce the number of children awaiting the allocation of a social worker, and
- address significant cost pressures being experienced in residential care.
The process of allocating funding within specific programme areas has yet to be concluded. The precise level of funding to be allocated to each programme area will be outlined in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2020 volume, to be published later this year.
277. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided to each ABC centre for 2020. [43956/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is a prevention and early intervention initiative targeting investment in effective services to improve the outcomes for children and families living in a number of specific areas of disadvantage.
DCYA is now the sole funder of the ABC Programme. In November 2017, my Department initiated a process, in consultation with key ABC Programme stakeholders, to consider options for sustaining the work of the ABC Programme within a new vision for a community based prevention and early intervention programme from 2019 and beyond. Following these consultations, the decision was taken to transfer the current ABC Programme to Tusla, from September 2019 as part of the national Prevention, Partnership and Family Support Programme (PPFS).
A working group was established in May 2018 to support the transition into this new national structure that can build on the achievements to date in both the ABC and PPFS Programmes, and strengthen Tusla’s prevention and early intervention operations. As part of this national structure, it will take a renewed focus on addressing child poverty and inform the delivery of prevention and early intervention initiatives, improving the lives of children and families throughout Ireland.
The budget agreed for 2020 for the Prevention Programme in Tusla, including funding for the ABC Programme, is €9.5m. The local budgeting process is ongoing, it is expected that areas will receive similar budgets in 2020, which will be drawn down on a needs basis.
278. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the need for a women’s refuge at a location (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44001/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence whether in the context of family or otherwise.
I have received representations from an organisation in County Laois with regard to the proposed development of a women's refuge in the county.
In 2019, additional funding was provided to support the national strategic review of domestic violence accommodation. The substantive work of the national review will be completed by the end of 2019, and will inform future provision of domestic violence emergency refuge accommodation.
It is important to note that while Tusla is responsible for the provision of services and supports to victims of domestic violence, the provision of capital funding for domestic violence refuges is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. Where appropriate, Tusla will work closely with emergency domestic violence refuges to ensure the necessary supports and services are provided.
I have requested that Tusla respond to the Deputy directly with regard to its views on the proposed development in Laois.
279. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be provided for a children's worker (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44002/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is responsible for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence whether in the context of family or otherwise.
I provided additional funding of €1.5m to Tusla this year to increase domestic, sexual and gender-based violence service provision. A proportion of this funding was allocated for the national roll-out of a healing programme for children who have been impacted by domestic abuse, and the recruitment of 12 additional outreach workers for women and children affected by domestic violence in identified areas of need.
To date this year, 8 children’s programmes have been delivered in 7 Tusla areas and planning is ongoing to deliver children’s programmes in the remaining 10 Tusla areas by year end. Data will be collected to gather evidence on the effectiveness of such programmes for children.
I have requested that Tusla respond to the Deputy directly with regard to the Deputy's proposal.
280. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of providing an additional refuge place; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44021/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra281. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of providing an additional 327 refuge places in line with the recommendations of the Council of Europe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44022/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra282. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of providing ten additional refuge places; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44023/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 280 to 282, inclusive, together.
Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, the provision of services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a statutory responsibility of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Tusla currently provides financial support for the provision of 155 family units of domestic violence accommodation:
- 145 family units of accommodation are provided in emergency refuge accommodation,
- 10 family units of accommodation are provided in emergency non-refuge accommodation
A family unit equates to one refuge place. A family unit can accommodate one adult and up to three children.
The approximate non-capital cost of providing one refuge place in an emergency domestic violence refuge is €100,000 per annum. Based on this figure, the cost of providing an additional 10 refuge places would be €1 million. The cost of providing an additional 327 refuge places would be €32.7 million.
It is important to note that, while Tusla is responsible for the provision of services and supports to victims of domestic violence, the provision of capital funding for domestic violence refuges is a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. As capital costs for the development of refuges is not the responsibility of Tusla, or my Department, they are not included in the costings above.
Delivery of an additional 327 refuge places would require significant strategic planning and collaboration between Government Departments and State agencies.
283. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of financial settlements reached by her Department and statutory bodies within her remit nationally; and the number which included confidentiality clauses in each of the past five years by organisation. [44056/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy in respect of the Department and agencies other than Tusla is set out in tabular format as follows. I can confirm that there were no confidentiality clauses included in any of the settlements.
|
Department/Agency |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
3 |
9 |
4 |
10 |
8 |
|
Department |
|
|
1 |
|
|
|
Total |
3 |
9 |
4 |
11 |
8 |
I have requested the information from Tusla and will revert to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
284. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the data depository of her Department with key indicators on data on children and youth affairs. [44154/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThroughout 2018 and 2019, my department have been working on making key data on children and young people publicly available in the Central Statistics Office's (CSO) statbank. The data will be easily accessible in many formats, in line with the government's Open Data Initiative. All indicators available in State of the Nation's Children (SONC) and the Better Outcomes Brighter Futures (BOBF) indicator set will be included.
Regarding SONC in particular, my department has also been working on modernising the delivery of this report, developing methods to allow it to be updated directly from the underlying data tables on statbank, as mentioned above. In this way, the most recently published data will always be presented. This is a considerable improvement on the current situation, where the report is only updated biennially.
It is envisaged that the work on this project will be completed by the end of 2019. My department will issue further information around this time through the usual channels. In the meantime, should you be interested, all previous SONC reports are available on the department’s website (https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/48d829-state-of-the-nations-children/).
285. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made on issues relating to public liability insurance (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43888/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, my Department has, for some time, been examining how best to introduce a scheme to indemnify private land owners, particularly in upland areas, with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes. This is a complex issue and the legal rights of landowners must be respected, while trying to facilitate access to their lands for recreational users on a permissive basis.
My Department has been advised that an indemnity scheme such as has been proposed will require legislative provision. My officials met with the Attorney General's Office to explore the various options open to the Department and to identify the precise legislation which would require to be introduced to implement such a scheme. It appears that a number of separate pieces of legislation could require amendment.
In light of the complexity involved, I am also considering other options that might be available to address the matter as an interim measure. My officials have been making enquiries into alternative options and will continue to work to find a solution that meets the concerns of landowners who provide access to their lands for recreational purposes.
286. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when announcements will be made on funding (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44016/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the 2019 Town and Village Renewal Scheme on 16th April last. The closing date for receipt of applications from Local Authorities under the Scheme was 28th June 2019.
Over 300 applications for funding were received from the Local Authorities.
I can confirm that an application was received in respect of the town referred to by the Deputy.
My officials have completed their assessment of all of the applications received and the successful applicants will be announced very shortly.
287. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of financial settlements reached by his Department and statutory bodies within his remit nationally; and the number which included confidentiality clauses in each of the past five years by organisation. [44068/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that no financial settlements were reached by my Department since its establishment in 2017. One statutory body within my Department's remit, Water Safety Ireland, had one financial settlement which did not include a confidentiality clause.
289. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications and inquires received by his Department directly or bodies under his aegis for funding to date in 2019; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to meet these demands in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44123/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established in 2017 to support the creation of vibrant and sustainable communities across this country and is committed to the successful delivery of a number of programmes which have provided financial and other supports to community groups and organisations across the country.
My Department delivers a coherent package of supports to strengthen rural and urban communities. These supports enable economic growth and development and also support communities to address gaps in meeting social needs, including those caused by higher levels of deprivation.
Over €230 million was invested by the Department in 2018 in rural and community supports, across a range of programmes and initiatives. In 2019 funding supports from my Department increased by 26% to €291 million. This is allowing for even more supports to be provided this year which will meet the projected out-turn, for my Department and its agencies, based on the level of demand. The exact figures for applications and of enquiries will be forwarded separately to the Deputy.
I was delighted to secure a further increase of 6% to €308 million for 2020 which demonstrates that Government commitment to investing in communities will continue.
My Department will continue to support our communities to become and remain sustainable and desirable places to live, work and raise families and we are committed to reviewing funding priorities on an ongoing basis to ensure supports remain targeted at those most in need.
Details of all these programmes, including eligibility criteria, how to apply, and other information, can be found on the Government's website, gov.ie.
290. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he envisages his Department engaging in a supportive role to communities seeking assistance nationally in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44124/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra293. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which his Department or bodies under his aegis are proactive in their engagement with local community groups with regard to the determination of the extent to which assistance is available or can be made available in various cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44127/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 293 together.
My Department is committed to the successful delivery of a wide range of programmes and supports to communities seeking assistance.
These schemes include large-scale investments in rural regeneration and renewal of our towns and villages, in rural development, and in community supports such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme and the Community Services Programme. In 2019 these had an allocation of €43.2 million and €46.2 million respectively. For 2020 this funding is being maintained – with an additional €1.5 million being provided for use across these two programmes to fund some new organisations and to provide targeted supports for disadvantaged communities.
These targeted investments for community development will assist organisations, communities and individuals right across the country. This builds on strong existing funding – including €12.6 million for supports for the community and development sector and €12.5 million in dormant accounts funding for a range of measures.
There are also small-scale financial grants and supports available through schemes like the Community Enhancement Programme (€4.5 million in 2019), the CLÁR Programme (€5 million in 2019) and the various supports to local community and voluntary groups and social enterprises.
€1.2 million is being provided to support the implementation of measures in the “Strategy for Community and Voluntary Sector development in Ireland”. This will include enhanced supports for the structures which drive local engagement in decision making – the Public Participation Networks and the Local Community Development Committees. A further €300,000 is being allocated to support delivery of the recently published “National Social Enterprise Policy for Ireland”.
I am delighted with the impacts these investments have had and are having in communities, however, I know that there are some groups or community organisations that may not have considered seeking funding because they do not have the experience of submitting funding applications or lack understanding of the criteria in place.
To help these groups, my Department, in conjunction with Pobal, held a series of six 'Helping Hands' events nationwide earlier this year, to make groups more aware of funding programmes, and to provide practical guidance on making applications. These events provided hints and tips on how to make a better funding application and how to identify local supports that community groups can draw upon.
I was delighted with the feedback from these events, and I have asked my officials to consider running or participating in similar events into 2020.
My Department also engaged with local community groups through a series of regional ‘Rural Opportunity' information sessions during between March and May of this year to raise awareness of the extent to which assistance is available to rural communities from across Government Departments. Staff from my Department and a number of other Departments and agencies were also on hand at the events to provide further information to attendees on the range of supports available.
My hope is that these ongoing efforts will encourage individuals and communities to take their own ideas or projects forward to ensure that our funding and supports have the broadest possible reach.
291. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the extent to which he expects to address the socioeconomic needs of disadvantaged urban communities nationally in the coming year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44125/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's mission is to support viable, inclusive and sustainable communities throughout Ireland. The Department's Community Development programmes play a key role in tackling social exclusion and addressing deprivation in all communities, both urban and rural.
The Social Inclusion Community Activation Programme (SICAP) has a funding allocation nationally of €38m in 2019 and will provide €190m over the lifetime of the Programme.
SICAP supports disadvantaged communities and individuals including unemployed people, people living in deprived areas, people with disabilities, single parent families, people on a low income, members of the Traveller and Roma community and other disadvantaged groups.
There is also €4.5m in funding for the Community Enhancement Programme in 2019, providing funding towards grants for Community Groups across Ireland. The allocation of funding is weighted towards those communities in most need. It is hoped to continue this programme into 2020.
I have also provided ring-fenced supports for particular areas of urban deprivation including, for example, €6.5m for initiatives in Dublin's North East Inner City in 2019.
All of these measures play a role in addressing the socioeconomic needs of disadvantaged urban communities nationally.
292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the degree to which he expects to be in a position to address the socioeconomic needs of rural areas nationally in the coming year, including issues such as isolation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44126/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that my Department delivers an effective package of supports which strengthen rural communities across the country, including dealing with the issue of isolation, and that this will continue into the coming year. Funding priorities are reviewed and monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure our supports remain targeted at those most in need socially and economically.
Initiatives such as the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme, the Community Services Programme, LEADER Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme and other funding for community groups and social enterprises provide supports that are addressing the requirements of rural communities and areas facing disadvantage and issues of isolation.
In addition, the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund will provide €1 billion over the next 10 years for rural towns and villages, while the Town Centre Living Initiative, a pilot programme aimed at testing approaches to the revitalisation of towns and villages, was launched in six towns in October 2018.
My Department also continues to develop policy that can assist with the effective targeting of future funding. We are developing a new Government rural development policy to follow on from the Action Plan for Rural Development, a cross-Government plan to support economic and social development in Ireland’s rural areas, while the Strategy for the Community and Voluntary Sector and Ireland's first National Social Enterprise Policy have both been published in recent months.
