Written Answers Nos. 458-485
458. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on funds being made available for the erection of memorials for mother and baby homes. [6017/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn responding to the Final Report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, the Government has approved the development of a Strategic Action Plan encompassing a suite of 22 measures. Most importantly, we will take a survivor-centred approach to the development and implementation of these measures. The Action Plan has a number of distinct themes including: access to personal information; archiving and databases, education and research; memorialisation; dignified burial, and restorative recognition.
In the area of memorialisation the Action Plan focuses on 4 key pieces of work, including: the development of a national memorial: support for local memorials; funding for survivor-led annual commemoration, and the creation of a children’s fund to honour the memory of the children who died in these institutions.
My Department is committed to exploring the mechanisms to provide support for local memorialisation projects in conjunction with the Local Authorities and other relevant parties. A number of Local Authorities have publicly indicated their willingness to these projects in the context of their individual responses to the findings of the Commission of Investigation. Funding will need to be provided and related practical matters will be considered in the development and implementation of the Strategic Action Plan.
459. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the extension of parental leave from two weeks to five weeks will be legislated for; when parents can apply for five weeks parental leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4989/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra460. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the timeframe for an increase in paid parental leave from two to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 November 2019 as committed to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5063/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra468. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated timeframe as to when legislation will be introduced to extend parent's leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5115/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 459, 460 and 468 together.
The Parent’s Leave and Benefit Act 2019 introduced two weeks of paid Parents' Leave for each parent to be taken in the first year after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Under proposals approved by Government in December 2020, each parent will be given an additional three weeks of paid Parents' Leave, and the period in which it can be taken will be extended to the first two years after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. Legislation is currently being developed in this regard and it is anticipated that it will be introduced in early 2021.
Payment of Parents’ Benefit is a matter for the Minister for Social Protection, and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made. As a result, the estimated timescale for the necessary updates being put in place is April 2021.
461. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women and children who have been referred to the parent and infant unit in Bessborough for residential support and assessment in each of the past five years. [5084/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
462. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of units for residential support and assessment for parents operational nationwide; the location of each facility; and if Tusla refers women and-or children to Northern Ireland or overseas for parental assessment or support. [5085/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
463. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women who have availed of and been through parental assessments that have subsequently had their children placed in State care; and the number of women who have retained custody of their children. [5086/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
464. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who have been taken into State care in each of the past five years by age and birthplace of the children, by county or region. [5087/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
465. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of women who have been subject to parental assessment by the State in each of the past five years. [5088/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
466. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will clarify crèche guidelines for children under a year old (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5102/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarly Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC) services, other than the ECCE programme, are currently open for the children of essential workers and vulnerable children only. Latest data gathered from the City/County Childcare Committees show that more than 1,800 services are open nationally, many of which at operating at low occupancy levels.
ELC and SAC services are privately operated and are therefore free to set their own admission policies but I am aware that many of these providers are already accommodating additional demand for ELC and SAC at this time due to school closures.
The City/County Childcare Committees are available to assist parents currently experiencing difficulties securing a place for their child to find suitable childcare in their local area on the basis of current available capacity. A list of all City/County Childcare Committees can be found on myccc.ie.
467. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a large cohort of parents who are not classed as essential workers by their employer but have been informed by their crèche facilities that they are eligible to access crèche services, as essential workers; if no guidance has been issued to private crèches to refund parents who do not avail of childcare service during level 5; if his attention has been drawn to the financial pressure on parents who have to take parental leave as the result of not being issued an essential worker letter to travel to work (details supplied); if there is a mechanism to support crèches and parents to ensure children do not lose their places and that crèches remain solvent in order to keep their places; the instructions or guidance that has been offered to crèches regarding refunds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5108/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment decided on 6 January that, in order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme would not resume until 1 February. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children only. It has now been agreed that the programme will remain suspended during extended restrictions up to 5 March.
Essential workers are those that work in the list of essential services published on gov.ie. Essential services include categories of services in Agriculture, horticulture, forestry, fishing, animal welfare and related services; Manufacturing; Supply, repair and installation of machinery and equipment; Electricity, gas, water, sewage and waste management; Construction and development; Wholesale and retail trade; Transport, storage and communications; Accommodation and food services; Information and communications; Financial and legal activities; Professional, scientific and technical activities; Rental and leasing activities; Administrative and support activities; Public administration, emergency services and defence; Human health and social work activities; Education; Community and voluntary services; and Diplomatic missions and consular affairs.
One parent who is an essential worker confers eligibility on the child to access a service. For the purposes of accessing early learning and childcare services, an essential worker may be working from home.
My Department is aware that many providers have already chosen to refund, waive or credit fees for families not currently using an early learning and childcare services and I have welcomed this.
During the February 1 to March 5 period I have introduced revised and enhanced funding arrangements to support providers and to help address a number of objectives including waiving fees for parents who do not use services; maintaining places for children previously attending; retaining staff in the service; engaging with children not attending the service; and engaging staff in CPD or other planning or administrative activities. Funding is now structured into standard funding and enhanced funding.
Where a provider has opted to avail of this enhanced funding, they are required to agree to the conditions outlined above.
One element of the enhanced funding is the Covid Support Payment which is available for services that have a high degree of reliance on parental fees. This payment is subject to providers agreeing not to charge parents who don’t attend.
My Department estimates that the overwhelming majority of providers will be sustainable with these measures. For the small numbers where there are particular challenges, the Sustainability Fund will open a new strand of funding tailored to the present arrangements.
If providers do not access the conditional funding, they may still request fees from parents. Contract terms between providers and parents may stipulate specific obligations of both parties and I acknowledge that the relationship between a service and parent is a private one based on a contract between those two parties.
Providers will be able to confirm if they are receiving enhanced funding, and consequently, their fee arrangements. They will also be able to clarify refund or credit arrangements for any pre-paid fees. These arrangements will apply from February 1st to March 5th.
Detailed guidance has issued to providers on these matters and is available at https://first5.gov.ie/guidance.
469. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount paid to commercial firms to accommodate persons seeking international protection and privately-owned direct provision centres in each of the years 2017 to 2019, and to the date in 2020 on which responsibility was passed to his Department; if he will provide the schedule and number of firms and-or companies, over that duration, that received; and if he will provide the schedule and number of firms and-or companies, over that duration, that received differing amounts (details supplied). [5172/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra470. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of firms and or companies that received payments directly related to the services associated with direct provision in each of the years 2017 to 2020, inclusive. [5173/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 469 and 470 together.
Total amounts paid to companies/firms to accommodate persons seeking international protection in privately owned International Protection Accommodation Centres in 2017, 2018, 2019 and to the end of October 2020.
|
Year |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
Up to end of October 2020 |
|
Amounts Paid |
€48,381,842 |
€57,120,512 |
€73,590,440 |
€83,545,221 |
Number of companies/firms in years 2017, 2018, 2019 and to end of October 2020 by total amounts paid
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
Up to end of Oct 2020 |
|
|
€m |
||||
|
0-1 |
4 |
5 |
3 |
4 |
|
1-2 |
7 |
9 |
8 |
11 |
|
2-3 |
2 |
3 |
5 |
4 |
|
3-4 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
|
4-5 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
5-6 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
|
6-7 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
7-8 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
|
€8m plus |
1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Total Number of Companies/Firms paid |
18 |
22 |
23 |
26 |
The provision of services associated with International Protection Accommodation Centres by companies or firms who received payment from 2017 to 2020 can be grouped as follows:
- Provision of accommodation and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are privately owned and operated
- Provision of management and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are state owned
- Provision of emergency accommodation where there was insufficient capacity within accommodation portfolio to meet demand for services
- Provision of transport services to international protection applicants living in accommodation centres
- Provision of utilities in state owned centres e.g. electricity, gas, water.
- Funding to NGOs/Community Groups to assist residents and
- Purchasing of fixtures and fitting for state owned centres.
The table below lists the number of companies by year who provided these services and the total amount paid for these services.
|
Year |
Type of Service |
No. of Companies |
Total Amount Paid |
|
2017 |
Provision of accommodation and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are privately owned and operated |
18 |
€48,381,842.22 |
|
2017 |
Provision of management and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are state owned |
2 |
€9,691,161.43 |
|
2017 |
Provision of emergency accommodation where there was insufficient capacity within accommodation portfolio to meet demand for services |
0 |
€0 |
|
2017 |
Provision of transport services to international protection applicants living in accommodation centres |
3 |
€90,541.18 |
|
2017 |
Provision of utilities in state owned centres e.g. electricity, gas, water |
4 |
€841,363.44 |
|
2017 |
Funding to NGOs/Community Groups to assist residents |
0 |
0 |
|
2017 |
Purchasing of fixtures and fitting for state owned centres |
7 |
€205,491.09 |
|
2018 |
Provision of accommodation and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are privately owned and operated |
22 |
€57,120,512 |
|
2018 |
Provision of management and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are state owned |
2 |
€9,635,439.40 |
|
2018 |
Provision of emergency accommodation where there was insufficient capacity within accommodation portfolio to meet demand for services |
2 |
€1,011,706.83 |
|
2018 |
Provision of transport services to international protection applicants living in accommodation centres |
6 |
€140,049.82 |
|
2018 |
Provision of utilities in state owned centres e.g. electricity, gas, water |
3 |
€809,744.31 |
|
2018 |
Funding to NGOs/Community Groups to assist residents |
4 |
€151,526.35 |
|
2018 |
Purchasing of fixtures and fitting for state owned centres |
7 |
€154,031.62 |
|
2019 |
Provision of accommodation and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are privately owned and operated |
23 |
€73,590,439.71 |
|
2019 |
Provision of management and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are state owned |
2 |
€9,990,536.04 |
|
2019 |
Provision of emergency accommodation where there was insufficient capacity within accommodation portfolio to meet demand for services |
24 |
€34,282,998.09 |
|
2019 |
Provision of transport services to international protection applicants living in accommodation centres |
4 |
€548,655.39 |
|
2019 |
Provision of utilities in state owned centres e.g. electricity, gas, water |
3 |
€809,744.31 |
|
2019 |
Funding to NGOs/Community Groups to assist residents |
6 |
€1,319,333.34 |
|
2019 |
Purchasing of fixtures and fitting for state owned centres |
4 |
€112,492.29 |
|
2020 |
Provision of accommodation and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are privately owned and operated |
26 |
€99,521,828.72 |
|
2020 |
Provision of management and ancillary services in accommodation centres that are state owned |
2 |
€10,672,033.68 |
|
2020 |
Provision of emergency accommodation where there was insufficient capacity within accommodation portfolio to meet demand for services |
32 |
€59,708,536.40 |
|
2020 |
Provision of transport services to international protection applicants living in accommodation centres |
8 |
€434,083.23 |
|
2020 |
Provision of utilities in state owned centres e.g. electricity, gas, water |
3 |
€823,323.35 |
|
2020 |
Funding to NGOs/Community Groups to assist residents |
7 |
€1,308,461.69 |
|
2020 |
Purchasing of fixtures and fitting for state owned centres |
5 |
€113,448.04 |
471. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons seeking international protection who were accommodated in direct provision centres in each of the years 2017 to 2020, inclusive; the number broken down by gender, and if they were minors or adults, in direct provision centres at the end of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5174/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out the number of people being accommodated by my Department in International Protection Accommodation Centres, temporary emergency accommodation in the form of hotels and guesthouses and the National Reception Centre in Balseskin from 2017 to 2020. The gender breakdown is also provided. However, this was not available for 2017.
Gender Breakdown of Residents
|
|
2020 |
2019 |
2018 |
2017 |
|
Total |
6997 |
7683 |
6115 |
5096 |
|
Male |
57% |
57% |
58% |
N/A |
|
Female |
43% |
43% |
42% |
N/A |
Of the 6,997 residents being accommodated by my Department as of the end of December 2020, 1,985 of these were minors. The breakdown of which is approximately 52% male, and 48% female. The breakdown for adults is approximately 60% male and 40% female.
472. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residents in direct provision centres who contracted Covid-19 in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5175/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the recording of the number of people who test positive for COVID-19 lies with the Department of Health. My Department cannot confirm positive test results of any person as we do not hold such personal medical information. Decisions on who should be tested and the release of data relating to same are matters for the HSE in a public health context. My Department's priority is the protection of residents, staff and the wider community and it is working very closely with the HSE to manage the challenges of this public health crisis.
Information regarding outbreaks of COVID-19 are published weekly by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HSPC). Details of outbreaks in International Protection Accommodation Centres can be found in table 5 at the following link:
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/surveillance/covid-19outbreaksclustersinireland/COVID-19%20Weekly%20Outbreak%20Report_Week532020_v1.0_04012021_WebVersion.pdf
473. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of residents in direct provision who have secured refugee status but remained at direct provision centres in the end of 2020. [5176/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs of 31 December 2020 there were 1,010 residents accommodated by my Department who had secured an International Protection status or a permission to remain in the State.
Residents who have been granted an International Protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals.
Considerable work is being undertaken to support these residents to move out of accommodation centres and into secure permanent accommodation. My Department has a specific team who work in collaboration with Depaul Ireland, the Jesuit Refugee Service, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the City and County Managers Association to collectively support residents with status or permission to remain to access housing options.
Throughout 2020 a total of 1,136 people moved to accommodation in the community, of whom 799 received assistance from the support services outlined. This compares to a total of 837 people who moved to community housing in 2019 from accommodation centres.
474. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of new direct provision centres opened in 2019 and 2020. [5177/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring the years 2019 and 2020 there were seven new accommodation centres for International Protection applicants opened in total, with a combined capacity of 784 beds. In addition to these seven centres, one further centre in Co. Kerry was contracted on a short-term contract from March 2020 but was closed in September 2020.
475. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when details for the resumption of the full early childhood care and education, ECCE, programme will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5180/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn Tuesday 26 January, Government made the decision to extend the suspension of the ECCE programme and to continue to restrict access to other Early Learning and Childcare services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children.
The decision to postpone resumption of the ECCE programme and the restrict access to ELC/SAC services only to children of essential workers and vulnerable children has been taken in order to minimise the movement of people at a time of elevated levels of infection of Covid-19 in the community, whilst at the same time providing a service for those who most need it.
It is currently planned for these arrangements to be in place until 5 March. This timeframe remains subject to review in the context of the evolving public health circumstances.
476. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration will be given to the circumstances regarding ECCE in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5288/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year.
In certain circumstances, an overage exemption to the upper age limit is granted to children with additional needs subject to an application to my Department.
Overage exemptions for the ECCE programme provided by my Department are governed by three guiding principles:
- A specialist has recommended the additional time in the ECCE Programme
- The child not reaching 6 years of age before beginning primary education as per the Educational Welfare Act, 2000.
- If a child has already availed of the full two years of the ECCE Programme, they will not be eligible for a further year.
Where an application does not fulfil the above criteria the application is declined.
An application submitted to my Department for an overage exemption on behalf of the child named did not include a recommendation from a specialist as required and this was communicated to the parents. If the parents have a recommendation from a specialist, it is open to them to re-apply if they so wish.
477. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of services (details supplied) in Killorglin, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5289/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that in 2020, the service in question received significant funding of over €444,000 from my Department for its youth services in Kerry. The service also received funding from other sources, such as Tusla in relation to family support services. I understand from previous questions and representations to me that the Deputy is referring to a matter relating to family support services funded by Tusla. It is important to understand that other activities, such as youth cafes, do not fall under this area, and would fall under the category of "youth funding" instead.
The commissioning of family support services is an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. With regard to the issue raised by the Deputy, Tusla has reassured me that services will continue to be available in Killorglin and its surrounding area. Tusla's realignment of services will provide additional supports to young people, children and families throughout County Kerry. Tusla has also advised my Department that it has not reduced funding for the organisation named by the Deputy. It is important for Tusla to decide the most appropriate use of funding and resources within family support services.
In the commissioning of services, Tusla aims to utilise the total resources available for children and families in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way in order to improve outcomes for children and young people.
As the Deputy may require further information on this particular case, I have requested that Tusla respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
478. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the circumstance in which an essential worker must continue to pay for childcare even if he or she is not using it at present during the level 5 lockdown; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5311/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to reduce movement in the population, the ECCE programme has been suspended until 5 March. Other Early Learning and Childcare and School-Age Childcare services (ELC/SAC services) can remain open on a restricted basis, to offer services to the children of essential workers and to vulnerable children only.
Essential workers are those that work in the list of essential services published on gov.ie. One parent who is an essential worker confers eligibility on the child to access a service. For the purposes of accessing early learning and childcare services, an essential worker may be working from home.
Essential workers, as well as other parents, have a broad range of circumstances at this time and some have chosen not to take up their ELC place even though they are not restricted from doing so.
My Department is aware that many providers have already chosen to refund, waive or credit fees for families not currently using an early learning and childcare service and I have welcomed this.
During the February 1 to March 5 period, to enable parental fees to be waived, along with other objectives, I have introduced revised and enhanced funding arrangements to support providers. Funding is now structured into standard funding and enhanced funding.
Where a provider has opted to avail of enhanced funding, they are required to waive fees for children not attending. This applies to both open and closed services.
One element of the enhanced funding is the Covid Support Payment which is available for services that have a high degree of reliance on parental fees. This payment is subject to providers agreeing not to charge parents who don’t attend.
If providers do not access the conditional funding, they may still request fees from parents. Contract terms between providers and parents may stipulate specific obligations of both parties and I acknowledge that the relationship between a service and parent is a private one based on a contract between those two parties.
Providers will be able to confirm if they are receiving enhanced funding, and consequently, their fee arrangements. They will also be able to clarify refund or credit arrangements for any pre-paid fees. These arrangements will apply from February 1st to March 5th.
479. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of his plans to resettle Syrian refugees currently based in Lebanon in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5326/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to confirm to the Deputy that I am very keen to resume the resettlement of Syrian refugees from Lebanon as soon as that is possible, and with due regard for Covid-19 restrictions in Ireland and the Lebanon.
The Irish selection mission to Beirut in March last year was interrupted due to Covid-19. I am happy to inform the Deputy that late last year we welcomed 234 Syrian refugees to Ireland, 198 of whom were selected during last year's Beirut mission.
480. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if private nursing homes were included in the remit for the recently published mother and baby homes report, including a home (details supplied); if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5337/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established in 2015 response to significant concerns around a specific type of institution, namely mother and baby homes. The investigation was framed to provide a clear emphasis on the experiences of women and children who spent time in these institutions. Initially the public focus was very narrow and related to concerns around the former home in Tuam, Co. Galway. This focus broadened significantly in the course of the extensive public consultation process and inter-departmental review which assisted the then Government in defining the terms of reference for this inquiry.
Notably, the criteria used to identify Mother and Baby homes included having the main function of providing sheltered and supervised ante- and post-natal facilities to single mothers and their children, including both board and lodgings; and an ethos which those running the institutions considered to promote a regime of work, training or education as part of an overall approach to either rehabilitating single mothers, or to give them training for living independently. Religious ethos, or the private or public status of potentially relevant institutions, were not determining factors in the analysis. This is evident in the fact that a number of privately operated institutions were included within the scope of the inquiry. The specific institution raised by the Deputy is not one of the 14 named Mother and Baby Homes, which the Commission was directed to investigate, alongside the representative sample of County Homes selected by the Commission.
Chapter 1 and 2 of the Commission's report describes and lists many of the other types of institutions, including maternity homes, which were in operation in the period in question. A number of maternity homes with addresses on North Circular Road, are identified in this section of the Report, although the Commission did not specifically investigate these separate institutions.
481. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the effects the current Covid-19 restrictions are having on the training and pairing of guide dogs; his plans to ensure the pairing of guide dogs with their forever family can resume as soon as circumstances allow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5339/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is not a matter which has previously been brought to my attention as the training and pairing of guide dogs is not a matter which falls within the remit of my Department. I would suggest that the Deputy contact the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind in relation to this matter. The HSE may also be able to provide assistance with information as to the potential impact of the current Covid-19 restrictions on this issue.
482. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if children who qualified for ECCE and missed the opportunity to participate in preschool due to Covid-19 will be allowed to qualify for a second year of support. [5376/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and runs from September to June each year, aligned with the primary school calendar.
A decision was taken by Government in January to delay the resumption of the ECCE programme until 5 March in order to reduce movement in the community.
Over the 4 January to 31 January, my Department continued to provide funding for the ECCE programme to services that remained open, or had been directed or approved to close. Providers were asked to engage, where possible, with children who normally take part in the ECCE programme. This included children not accessing services during this period.
In order to continue to receive ECCE programme funding for the extended closure period (1 February to 5 March), it is a condition that services offering the ECCE Programme engage with ECCE children not attending their service.
To assist providers engage with children remotely at this time, a preschool hub with free online resources has been made available on the First 5 website.
483. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if having an elderly and high-risk person in the household is considered for force majeure permission with regard to the non-reopening of a childcare centre that is also a primary residence given the ongoing pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5385/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraForce majeure permission will not be granted where a service decides to close due to Covid-19 concerns and where there is no direction to close by public health. This is to ensure that the children of essential workers and vulnerable children continue to receive Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) during this period.
Public Health guidance continues to recommend that operating ELC and SAC services is safe for children and staff, in the context of necessary precautions. The risk of infection can be reduced significantly by following the sector specific guidance on infection prevention and control published by the HPSC. It is also important to note that the incidence of Covid-19 in children under 13 remains significantly lower than in the population at large.
HSE guidance should be followed in relation to vulnerable people or those living with vulnerable people.
484. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the roll-out of the baby box scheme as committed to in the programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5414/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra485. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a further pilot scheme for the baby box programme is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5415/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 484 and 485 together.
Baby Boxes for newborns are to be piloted under First 5 A Whole-of -Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028. Piloting Baby Boxes is just one initiative which is part of a wide ranging strategy addressing various aspects of the lives of children from birth to age five including supports for parents to balance working and caring, developments in early learning and care and health initiatives.
The gift of the Baby Box is intended as a welcome from the state for a new arrival to a family and an acknowledgement of this very significant moment for parents. The universal distribution of Baby Boxes also reflects an important equality principle that each child is given something of equal value at the start of their life. The concept of Baby Boxes originates in Finland (and has been implemented in a number of other countries) and consists of a package of items to assist with the transition to parenthood. The pilot will undertake research and consultation to determine items for inclusion in the pack and these may include safety items, baby clothes and toys to support early development and books.
Key objectives with the Baby Box and linked communications will include support for parent-infant bonding, information on baby development and early learning, advice and support for breastfeeding and promotion of infant health and safety.
Owing to Covid-19, work on the pilot project has been delayed. However, the Terms of Reference for the Working Group are being finalised and this group will be established in the coming weeks to lead this development. An initial task of this Group will be to finalise the scope of this project and agree a detailed project plan. Key initial considerations will include the identification of the pilot area, agreement on the optimal timing for (pre- or post-natal), and channel of, distribution of the baby box and the likely contents. Research and engagement with parents will be undertaken to inform the identification of items for inclusion.
Following this initial scoping phase, the Working Group will oversee a process to appoint suitable partners to develop and distribute the baby boxes and undertake a full evaluation of the pilot.
