Written Answers Nos. 439-458
439. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will consider introducing legislation to facilitate breastfeeding in the workplace, including adequate breaks for breastfeeding and dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31736/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004, mothers in employment who have given birth within the previous 6 months (26 weeks) and who are breastfeeding are entitled to take one hour paid time off work each day in order to breastfeed. At the choice of the employer, a breastfeeding mother may breastfeed in the workplace or express breast milk, where facilities are provided in the workplace by the employer or, where facilities are not made available, have their working hours reduced (without loss of pay) to facilitate breastfeeding.
“FIRST 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children ad their Families” provides for a review of the relevant provisions of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 on the issue of extending the current entitlement to paid time off work for breastfeeding mothers from 26 to 104 weeks after the baby’s birth. This reflects a similar commitment in the National Strategy on Women and Girls 2017-2020, which my Department now coordinates and oversees following the transfer of functions last week. Work is underway in my Department on legislative proposals in this regard.
440. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will consider including a town (details supplied) in County Kildare in a youth development programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30975/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraFunding for the provision of youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the Education and Training Boards, which allocate funding via applications to the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. This scheme is aimed at young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are, or are at risk of becoming, disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable. Targeted annual youth funding of €38.7m is allocated under the scheme.
Key to achieving the scheme's aims is the development of the Area Profile and Needs Assessment Tool. The purpose of this Tool is to allow each ETB to avail of quantitative and qualitative information to objectively identify the needs of young people within their functional area. This analysis leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for discussion between ETBs and service providers in terms of service delivery to meet the needs of young people in the area.
The approach ensures that we can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated on the basis of evidenced need. There is no expectation that the youth services work beyond their available resources, but rather work with the young people identified by the ETB in order of priority, as set out in the Service Requirement.
The total value of the grant for youth services in County Kildare in 2020 is €246,705. Funded Youth Services based in Kildare are overseen by Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) in respect of matters relating to grants and service provision.
441. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the amount of funding allocated to County Kildare for youth projects over each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30976/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe tables below sets out the funding allocated to County Kildare Youth projects, as well as funding to Kildare and Wicklow Education Training Board, for the years in question.
Funding to Youth Services in Kildare administered by Kildare & Wicklow ETB 2018 - 2020
|
Youth Projects/Services in Kildare |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
TOTAL |
€539,283 |
€539,283 |
€544,167 |
|
Kildare & Wicklow ETB |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
|
TOTAL |
€354,822 |
€305,945 |
€375,980 |
In July 2020, the UBU – Your Space Your Place scheme was launched. This is a targeted youth funding scheme aimed at supporting young people between the ages of 10 and 24 who are at risk of becoming disadvantaged, marginalised or vulnerable. It replaces the Special Youth Funding (SPY), the Young Peoples Facilities Funding (Rounds 1 and 2) and Local Drug Task Force funding directed at young people. The launch of UBU – Your Space Your Place marked the culmination of five years preparation, consultation, design and implementation of the reform of youth funding in Ireland recommended in the Value for Money and Policy Review for Youth Programmes (2014).
A key tenet of the UBU – Your Space Your Place scheme is the production of evidence of local need. The scheme entails a robust process by which new services may enter the scheme and existing schemes may be augmented. In allocating funding under the scheme, each ETB carries out an Area Profile, Needs Assessment and Service requirement process. This process draws upon quantitative and qualitative information to objectively identify the needs of young people within the ETB’s functional area. This analysis leads to the development of a Service Requirement which is then used as the basis for discussion between ETBs and service providers in terms of service delivery to meet the needs of young people in the area. This approach ensures that we can target supports to the young people most in need of intervention and that funding is allocated on the basis of evidenced need.
In 2020, UBU funding for Kildare projects amounts to €246,705; a further €246,703 was allocated for the Targeted Youth Funding Scheme (TYFS), and €50,759 is provided for Youth Information Centres in the county.
Kildare & Wicklow ETB, who act on behalf of my Department in administering youth funding in that area, receive funding for Technical Assistance and Youth Work Functions (€190,000 in 2020). They administer the Local Youth Club Funding Scheme, the LBGTI+ funding scheme and the Covid 19 Small grants scheme (€158,500; €4,000 and €3,000 respectively in 2020). The Kildare & Wicklow ETB also administer the 2020 Capital funding scheme for the area which amounted to just over €20,000 in total.
442. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if his Department has completed research (details supplied); the status of the research; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30977/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the publication of the material referred to by the Deputy, there have been significant changes to funding for youth services nationally. Since 1 July 2020, and following a reform process, targeted youth funding is provided under the UBU Your Place Your Space scheme. This is presented in the table below.
|
Education and Training Board |
Targeted Youth Funding Scheme (Jan- Jun 2020) |
Revised Youth Funding Scheme (Jan to June 2020) |
UBU Your Place Your Space (July to Dec 2020) |
Youth Information Centres (Jan to Dec 2020) |
Total Funding 2020 |
|
Cavan Monaghan |
€24,722.00 |
€233,302.00 |
€258,024.00 |
€114,493.00 |
€630,541.00 |
|
Cork |
€1,386,814.00 |
€146,891.00 |
€1,525,501.00 |
€127,176.00 |
€3,186,382.00 |
|
City of Dublin |
€7,313,797.00 |
€0.00 |
€6,894,147.00 |
€99,675.00 |
€14,307,619.00 |
|
Dublin Dun Laoghaire |
€3,656,734.00 |
€134,052.00 |
€3,790,117.00 |
€128,105.00 |
€7,709,008.00 |
|
Donegal |
€182,617.00 |
€0.00 |
€182,618.00 |
€137,983.00 |
€503,218.00 |
|
Galway Roscommon |
€766,582.00 |
€184,053.00 |
€980,203.00 |
€80,327.00 |
€2,011,165.00 |
|
Kerry |
€213,979.00 |
€0.00 |
€213,979.00 |
€115,677.00 |
€543,635.00 |
|
Kilkenny Carlow |
€306,201.00 |
€136,791.00 |
€442,991.00 |
€50,759.00 |
€936,742.00 |
|
Kildare Wicklow |
€644,681.00 |
€177,448.00 |
€822,128.00 |
€101,518.00 |
€1,745,775.00 |
|
Limerick Clare |
€1,287,612.00 |
€123,793.00 |
€1,396,611.00 |
€104,614.00 |
€2,912,630.00 |
|
Louth Meath |
€254,134.00 |
€50,965.00 |
€305,099.00 |
€0.00 |
€610,198.00 |
|
Laois Offaly |
€113,976.00 |
€0.00 |
€113,977.00 |
€0.00 |
€227,953.00 |
|
Longford Westmeath |
€150,259.00 |
€141,791.00 |
€292,051.00 |
€50,759.00 |
€634,860.00 |
|
Mayo Sligo Leitrim |
€183,549.00 |
€70,584.00 |
€250,032.00 |
€66,921.00 |
€571,086.00 |
|
Tipperary |
€188,856.00 |
€220,843.00 |
€409,700.00 |
€59,363.00 |
€878,762.00 |
|
Waterford Wexford |
€1,224,331.00 |
€0.00 |
€1,224,332.00 |
€110,122.00 |
€2,558,785.00 |
|
TOTAL |
€17,898,844.00 |
€1,620,513.00 |
€19,101,510.00 |
€1,347,492.00 |
€39,968,359.00 |
By way of background to these changes, in 2014, the Value for Money Policy Review of Youth Funding Programmes recommended that youth funding be provided in a single funding scheme. The reform process led to UBU Your Place Your Space, which was rolled out from 1 July 2020.
443. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if plans are in place to review the foster care allowance given that the allowance has not changed since 2005. [31052/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI currently do not have any plans to make any changes to the Foster Care Allowance. However, an extensive review of the Child Care Act 1991 is being carried out in my Department, which will examine foster care arrangements as part of the overall review.
The Foster Care Allowance is €325 per week per child under 12 years of age and €352 per week per child aged 12 and over. The allowance is paid for the child in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child’s daily living needs including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs, hobbies, and sporting activities. The Foster Care Allowance is tax free and not included in means testing for Social Welfare.
I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge foster carers as the backbone of our child care services in Ireland. Foster care is the preferred option in Ireland for children who cannot live with their parents or guardians, and as of June 2020, the most recent date for which figures are available, 91 per cent of children in care were in foster care or relative foster care (65% and 26% respectively). A number of targeted supports are available to foster carers to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system. These supports include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings, and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care.
It is important that foster careers can access specialist services to meet a child’s identified needs. Respite care for children may also be arranged, if part of their care plan. Pre-assessment and continuous training is compulsory for foster carers in order to equip them with skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care. The specific dynamics and the personal nature of relative care mean that Tusla addresses the training needs of relative foster carers separately. Also, Tusla provides funding to the Irish Foster Care Association, which provides supports to carers such as advocacy, mediation, training, and a phone advice service.
444. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will have the issues raised in correspondence considered (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31054/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and another Matter, Bill 2020 has been brought forward to ensure that we have the opportunity to preserve access to invaluable information relating to Mother and Baby Homes now and into the future. The legislation provides a legal basis for the transfer of specified databases and related records from the Commission to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and ensures that the records deposited with my Department are preserved in full.
Earlier this year, the Commission advised that it had created a database during the course of its work of persons who spent time in the main Mother and Baby Homes under investigation. However, the Commission did not feel it had a legal basis to transfer that database and would be compelled by law to redact the valuable information we are trying to now preserve. This Bill proposes to allow the database to be preserved and transferred to Tusla, as the Agency already holds most of the original records. It aims to prevent the information from effectively being destroyed, and legislates to allow access to that information under existing laws.
The immediate and urgent policy intent in drafting a Records Bill is to ensure the Commission's database, and related records, are preserved and available to support current and future tracing services. The Bill is currently making its way through the Houses and following debate in the Seanad, I will be bringing forward a number of amendments to the published Bill in response to a number of the issues which have emerged.
I am aware that interesting proposals have been developed in relation to the potential development of a national archive of institutional abuse at the former Seán McDermott Street Laundry. While this is a matter worthy of further discussion, I am mindful that it is a complex matter which extends beyond my own Department. It would require detailed consideration and extensive engagement, both with other Government colleagues and Departments, and with a large number of statutory bodies and stakeholder groups.
I am also conscious that the Government will wish to consider the final report of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation prior to considering its overall response to issues of this nature.
I am absolutely committed to addressing the wider matter of providing a new architecture surrounding access to birth information and tracing; this will be advanced soon. I look forward to engaging widely to allow all those with a stake in this process to have their voice heard.
445. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the plans under way for a collaborative forum for survivors of mother and baby homes. [31119/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters is due to deliver its final report at the end of this month and I recognise the importance of consultation and dialogue with those who have lived experiences of these institutions. This statutory inquiry is investigating the lived experiences of mothers and children in these institutions and I am acutely aware that this is not simply an historical or legal matter, but that these experiences continue to impact the lives of many women, children and their families today.
I am committed to effective stakeholder engagement on all matters that impact former residents of these institutions. I am considering how best to facilitate that in the immediate term, in particular in light of current public health restrictions related to Covid-19.
The Collaborative Forum process, established by my predecessor as a representative body on these matters, was unfortunately interrupted by the general election and subsequent change in Government. In addition, it was necessary to put these meetings on hold in the context of the restrictions introduced in an effort to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19. A number of members travel from outside the jurisdiction and, given the age profile involved, some members would also be categorised as being in the at risk groups identified by public health authorities.
From our experience to date, it is evident that remote meetings based on the use of technology would present additional challenges for an engagement process as sensitive as this one. However, I hope to make arrangements to engage with former residents and their advocates in the near future and my Department is examining how best this could be facilitated.
The Deputy may wish to note that a copy of the Collaborative Forum's report was provided by my Department to the Commission of Investigation for its appropriate attention and consideration in the context of its statutory investigations. When the Commission submits its final report in the coming weeks, the Government will be in a position to examine its findings and conclusions and engage with former residents and their advocates in formulating an appropriate State response. The significant work of the of the Collaborative Forum to identify the priority concerns of those most centrally involved will assist to inform this process. At that time it will also be possible to consider publication of the Forum's report subject to any further advices of the Attorney General.
446. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the position in relation to an ECCE place for a child (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31137/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraECCE provides two years of free pre-school. Children are eligible for ECCE if they are 2 years and 8 months old on or prior to 31 August of the year they start ECCE. In addition, a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year, which runs from late August to the end of June. The reason for the age cap is to ensure that children progress to primary school with their peers, as this is in the best interests of the child.
In order for a child to be eligible to be enrolled for free pre-school in September 2020 they must have been born between 1st January 2016 and 31st December 2017.
In the case referred to by the Deputy, the child was born in December 2015 and therefore eligible to begin her first ECCE year in September 2018 and complete a second year from September 2019. The decision not to avail of the first year of ECCE was at the discretion of the parents, but two full years of ECCE were made available by my Department.
447. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of children under 12 years of age in Tusla care by area. [31149/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla and asked Tusla to reply directly to the Deputy.
448. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of children in Tusla care placed outside their area of origin by local office. [31152/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the question to Tusla and asked that they reply directly to the Deputy in due course.
449. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the reason the retention of records of the Tuam mother and baby home will not be available for public viewing following the findings of the commission of inquiry. [31242/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established under the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004. The Act requires that before its dissolution, the Commission shall deposit all evidence received, and all documents created by, or for the Commission with the prescribed Minister. After the expiry of 30 years access to these records is governed by the provisions of the National Archive Act. The legislative framework provides in detail for the Commission’s archive and its confidentiality to be preserved.
The Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) Records, and Another Matter, Bill 2020 which is currently travelling through the Houses, is seeking to ensure that the records of the Commission of Investigation are preserved in whole. It also seeks to provide for transfer of databases and records relating to the former residents of the institutions being examined by the Commission, to the Child and Family Agency for use in accordance with existing Statute.
I have separately committed to developing further legislation with a view to an expanded statutory information and tracing service.
It is important to note that unrestricted use or open public access to the information contained in the Commissions database is not being proposed. Importantly, in bringing forward this Bill, it is not proposed that it would extend to providing a basis for any new entitlement or right for access by individuals to these records. Access to personal information held in these records will continue to be regulated by the Adoption Act 2010, GDPR and Data Protection Act and the Freedom of Information Act, having regard to the constitutional rights of third parties.
The records surrendered to the Health Authorities by the Bon Secours after the Tuam Mother and Baby Home ceased operations are currently in the possession of the Child and Family Agency. Many of these records contain sensitive personal information and it would not be appropriate to provide for public access. The Agency has dedicated resources to assist relevant persons in accessing their personal information. Any person seeking such assistance may wish to contact Tusla by phone at 01 7718500 or by email at info@tusla.ie.
450. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans to raise investment in the early years sector to bring Ireland from the bottom of the investment league in the OECD. [31384/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the past six budgets, investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) has increased by 141% - rising from €260 million in 2015, to €638 million in 2021. This excludes substantial funding provided to support the sector during the closure period from March - June and to operate in a COVID-19 context since reopening. Despite this progress, investment in the area remains low by international standards.
In their latest calculation of Ireland’s expenditure on early learning and care, the OECD includes an estimate of the cost of primary school for children aged under 6 years.
This is to account for the fact that many children in Ireland start primary school at an earlier age than in other countries. Using this measure, Ireland spends an estimated 0.5% of GDP on early learning and care.
If the cost of primary school for children aged under 6 is excluded, Ireland spends just 0.2% of GDP on this area, compared to the OECD average of 0.7%. Our spending also falls short of the UNICEF-recommended investment level of 1.0% of GDP.
It is important to note however that Irish GDP is seen as a poor point of international comparison and work is underway to provide more analysis using an alternative benchmark. That being said everyone acknowledges we need greater investment.
The First 5 Strategy, commits the Government to at least double public spending on early learning and care services by 2028. This doubling of investment would increase Ireland’s position by €574m or by approximately an extra 0.2 per cent of GDP. Every 0.1% increase in spending as a share of GDP would cost an estimated €339m per annum.
A key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers optimally for children, families and the State will be a new Funding Model.
An Expert Group to develop the new Funding Model was appointed in September 2019. The Group will examine how additional public funding can be used to deliver higher quality, more affordable, more sustainable and more inclusive services.
This important project is recognised in the Programme for Government. I am pleased that a programme of consultation is currently underway and I greatly look forward to receiving their report next year.
451. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration his plans to deal with the precarious position of school age childcare, SAC, services in view of an internal poll of Early Childhood Ireland’s SAC members found that 79% of members have seen their numbers reduce since they reopened. [31385/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware that school-age childcare providers have been particularly affected by lower demand from families in the initial weeks of reopening, during the Covid-19 pandemic. School-age childcare has been centre-stage in the Department’s thinking throughout this time, and it remains high on the agenda of the Advisory Group on Reopening, which meets on a regular basis. Throughout the pandemic a primary focus of my Department has been, and remains, on sustaining the early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) sector. We have kept services open by funding the additional costs associated with following public health guidance, the cost of lower occupancy, and through encouraging greater uptake of childcare places.
The key new contributor to the ELC and SAC sector is the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme, which funds up to €200 per week per staff member. This funding in now secured until 31 March next and I will continue to work to ensure that the needs of the sector are recognised in any reforms of the scheme thereafter.
A second key contributor to the sector in 2021 will be to encourage more parents to access safe and more affordable early learning and childcare services. We have witnessed a reduction in demand in 2020 in terms of numbers and hours.
Despite this, I have retained all funding in Budget 2021, meaning that there is funding available for up to 20,000 new families to join the National Childcare Scheme and access subsidies of up to €200 per child, per week.
School-age childcare is central to the childcare funding schemes. The National Childcare Scheme allows parents receive hourly subsidies for wrap-around childcare in term-time, and for longer hours over holiday periods. I was pleased to increase the number of subsidised hours from September this year, partly to address the concerns of providers.
Where providers are struggling with an imminent threat to the viability of the service arising from a demonstrated decline in occupancy and/or demonstrated increase in costs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, my Department has made available financial support in the form of COVID-19 Sustainability Support funding. This sustainability funding is available to both private, for-profit providers and community non-profit providers, subject to eligibility criteria and an assessment of need.
As of 1 October, the ELC and SAC COVID-19 Sustainability Support Fund is now open for applications. This funding is accessible to providers (not-for-profit and for-profit) who can demonstrate that the other measures available as part of the July Stimulus Package are not sufficient by themselves to enable viable operations of their business. Further information in relation to eligibility is available in the Applicant Guidelines. The Application Form, Workbook, and Applicant Guidelines for the ELC & SAC COVID-19 Sustainability Support Fund are available on the Hive and can be accessed at the following link: https://earlyyearshive.ncs.gov.ie/useful-links/. Support for ELC and SAC providers in relation to the completion of the application form and workbook is available via the local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs). Contact details for the CCCs can be found in the Guidelines document, or at www.myccc.ie.
In addition to the COVID-19 Sustainability Support, my Department oversees a case management process through which local CCCs and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to early learning and care services and school-age childcare services in difficulty. This can include help with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios, fee setting and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances. Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering initial, and on-going, case management assistance. The CCC, where appropriate, will proceed to make a formal notification to Pobal who will provide more consolidated support while verifying the service’s necessity for a financial intervention. All services who require support should contact their local CCC in the first instance.
In relation specifically to the reduction in attendance at school-age childcare services, officials in my Department are keeping this matter under review.
452. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of persons waiting to enrol in the localise youth volunteering programme nationally. [31079/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocalise Youth Volunteering carries out valuable work by involving young people in directly addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged locally.
In recognition of the importance of such activities both to the young people involved and to their local communities, my Department provides funding to Localise through the Youth Services Grant Scheme.
The funding provided to Localise under this scheme in 2020 was €140,819. In addition, funding of €6,093 was provided to the organisation under the Youth Climate Justice Fund and Youth Capital Funding of €29,934.50 was also provided.
As of the end of 2019, Localise indicated that it had a waiting list of over 130 organisations wishing to engage with its services.
453. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration when universal subsidy in the case of a person (details supplied) will issue to the crèche in question; if this matter can be rectified at an early date with a view to ensuring seamless transition when an increase in hours has been awarded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31548/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the National Childcare Scheme is an initiative of my Department, a Scheme Administrator has been engaged to manage the operation of the Scheme on the Department’s behalf. Pobal acts as this capacity as Scheme Administrator and it is their role to follow up on individual cases. My Department has referred this case to Pobal for appropriate follow up.
From the 7th September 2020, the maximum number of subsidised hours available under the NCS has increased from 40 to 45 hours per week. These additional hours were automatically added to all existing NCS awards, effective from the 7th September. Both the provider and the parent are required to take action to claim these hours as they are in all claims within the NCS
In August, an announcement issued to all childcare providers informing them of the upcoming change in hours, and that they should confirm with NCS parents in their service where these extra hours would be utilised.
Notifications also issued to all NCS applicants, advising them of the upcoming increase in hours and that they must take action in order to avail of these extra hours
Another notification issued to applicants after 7th September to confirm that more hours were now available to them and that they must liaise with their childcare provider to avail of these additional hours.
NCS subsidies can only be paid once an application is successfully completed, a ‘CHICK’ (Child Identifier Code) has been registered with a childcare provider, and the parent has confirmed on the system that all details are correct. It is a key aspect of the Scheme that all claims are paid in arrears based on the attendance of a child. This is a key financial and governance control to ensure we are maximising the benefits of public monies and that the investment is following the child.
454. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will bring forward the implementation of the three-week extension of parent leave and benefit from 1 April 2021 for children born after 1 November 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31622/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Parent’s Leave and Benefit Bill 2019 provides for two weeks of parent’s leave and benefit for all new parents in employment or self-employment in respect of children born or placed for adoption on or after 1 November 2019. This is to facilitate parents to spend more time with their children in their critical first year of life.
The Minister for Public Expenditure announced in Budget 2021 that he would extend Parent’s Benefit by a further three weeks for all children born or placed for adoption on or after 1 November 2019, and to extend the period in which this leave can be taken to two years. This means that each parent will be able to avail of 5 weeks paid Parent’s Leave.
Legislation will be required to progress this commitment and work is now underway in my Department in this regard.
455. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if information on the sustainability fund will be provided; the way in which it can be applied for; and the locations in which information can be found in this regard. [31631/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra€2.2m was made available to services who require sustainability support in 2020. In addition to this, I have secured an equal amount of funding in the Budget for sustainability efforts in 2021. Information on the sustainability fund can be accessed through participation in the Case Management process.
My Department oversees a Case Management process through which local City/County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and Pobal work together to assess and provide support to early learning and care and school age services in difficulty. This can include help with completing and interpreting analysis of staff ratios, fee setting and cash flow, as well as more specialised advice and support appropriate to individual circumstances.
Financial supports, which may also be accessed through the Case Management process, are available for community services presenting with sustainability issues following a financial assessment by Pobal. I note that while my Department does provide funding to assist childcare providers through specific challenges to their sustainability, these supports are currently only available to community not for profit services. Community services which wish to know more should contact their local CCC in the first instance.
However, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, my Department has made a new strand of funding available; COVID-19 Sustainability Support funding. This strand of the sustainability funding is available to both private for-profit providers and community non-profit providers, subject to eligibility criteria and an assessment of need. This funding is available for providers which are struggling with an imminent threat to the viability of the service arising from a demonstrated decline in occupancy and/or demonstrated increase in costs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Applicant guidelines, as well as the forms necessary to apply, are available through the Early Years Platform (the Hive) and PIP. Support for ELC and SAC providers in relation to the completion of an application is available via the local City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs). Contact details for the CCCs can be found in the Guidelines document, or at www.myccc.ie.
456. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the way in which the Pobal overpayments were calculated; and if a service can be given a breakdown of the figure if requested. [31632/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe DCYA-led Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) was launched on 15 April as a unique, sector specific response to the COVID-19 crisis. While the scheme's operational details were being finalised, to assist with cashflow challenges, preliminary payments were paid in advance to providers to enable them retain their staff and cover some overhead costs. The preliminary payments were based on estimates of each individual service’s staff, in advance of the more detailed TWSCS subsidy calculations, and primarily based on pre-covid staffing levels. It emerged subsequently that such staffing levels were not maintained by some providers and this has resulted in excess funding.
At present, Pobal are undergoing a reconciliation process between the final subsidy amount actually due to providers and the preliminary payments that were made. The process is expected to conclude in late October.
The final overpayment amount will be communicated to providers from late October. There are a number of providers where issues have been identified with their application. Those providers will be given the opportunity to correct any elements before final payment.
In the meantime, providers can view their current overpayment position by referring to the Contract and Payment Statement TWSCS on PIP (Pobal IT system). The TWSCS contract value is provided, along with the amount paid, resulting in a balance due. If the balance due is negative, it indicates an overpayment position.
Due to pressures providers face at the beginning of any programme year, my Department decided to hold off recoupment until November. The overpayments will be offset against beneficiary funding payments due to be paid to providers then. For providers due more than one payment in November, we will spread the amount involved against all their payments to lessen the impact.
It is acknowledged that some providers may require special or alternative arrangements due to ongoing cashflow difficulties. My Department and Pobal are prepared to be flexible in supporting providers who may struggle with recoupment and Pobal will be available to work closely with these providers.
Government has provided an estimated €180m to the childcare sector in 2020 above and beyond the normal childcare budget; this is alongside parental fees. A further €60m is due in the first quarter of 2021 under the EWSS. All these supports are expected to meet the needs of the vast majority of providers. If however a provider continues to experience viability issues, my Department has put in place a new Sustainability Fund. This will assist providers (not-for-profit and for-profit) struggling with an imminent threat to the viability of their service arising from a decline in occupancy and/or demonstrated increase in costs due to the COVID-19 Pandemic that has not been addressed by all other measures. Details on eligibility and how to apply for the new sustainability fund are available on the Pobal provider platform. In the meantime, the Department encourages providers seeking further advice and support to contact their City/ County Childcare Committee in the first instance.
457. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration if he will address and clarify a series of matters (details supplied). [31637/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraPobal have informed my Department that they are not aware of any issues or delays in relation to making payments for the week of 17 August.
The week beginning 17 August was the first week of the 2020-21 CCSP programme year and preliminary payments issued on August 14 to all providers who had signed a funding agreement.
The number of children on CCSP which includes CCSU and CCSRT for the week ending 16 August 2020 was 16,685. Of this cohort 4,719 children have since recorded registrations under ECCE 2020-21.
The table below sets out the transfer rates for CCSP registrations to ECCE, and the numbers of those who did not transfer in the 2020-21 programme year.
|
CCSP 2019 registration type |
No ECCE 2020 Registration |
ECCE 2020 Registration |
Grand Total |
|
CCSP |
8,486 |
1,366 |
9,852 |
|
CCSRT |
44 |
19 |
63 |
|
CCSU |
3,436 |
3,334 |
6,770 |
|
Grand Total |
11,966 |
4,719 |
16,685 |
Pobal administer and manage funding for my Department and operates a dedicated e-mail enquiry service for Oireachtas members at oireachtasqueries@pobal.ie
458. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of reports of children at risk received in the past 12 months; the extent to which an adequate response followed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31659/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is asking about an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct reply be provided in due course.
