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Wednesday, 28 Apr 2021

Written Answers Nos. 680-698

Enterprise Support Services

Ceisteanna (680)

Jim O'Callaghan

Ceist:

680. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of the enterprise support grant; the number of grants that have been approved to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22234/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Enterprise Support Grant (ESG) is available to eligible self-employed recipients who close their Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) and re-start their business. A once-off grant of up to €1,000 is available under this measure to assist with the costs associated with reopening a business.  

This grant is available to self-employed individuals who satisfy the scheme conditions including, employing fewer than 10 people, having an annual turnover of less than €1 million and not being liable for commercial rates.  This grant is available for micro enterprises that are not eligible for other similar COVID business re-start grants from other Government Departments.

Over 9,000 ESG applications have been approved since the introduction of this grant, with almost €8.4m paid to small businesses. Detailed information about this grant including qualifying conditions is available on the Government website.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Community Employment Schemes

Ceisteanna (681)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

681. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress that has been made on the creation of a community employment scheme for the disabled (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22247/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Community Employment (CE) is a labour market activation programme designed to provide eligible long-term unemployed people with an opportunity to engage in work experience and training opportunities within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis.  

The eligibility for participation on CE is dependent on the individual circumstances of each person and the length of time she or he has been in receipt of a CE-qualifying social welfare payment.  While some of the persons the Deputy refers to in his question may be eligible to apply to CE schemes, subject to existing qualification criteria, this may not be the case for all persons affected by Rehab redundancies. In addition,  existing CE schemes may be more immediately accessible than one new CE scheme as they exist in a number of locations and regularly have CE placement opportunities available.

As the Deputy may be aware, Department officials from the local Intreo office have been engaging with Rehab Enterprises since the announcement of the redundancy consultation process.  All enquiries relating to the income maintenance and other Departmental supports to the employees have been pursued through liaison with a nominated representative of the company. Information packs containing application forms for PUP, Disability Allowance, information on Employability Service and Activation Services issued to all affected employees via the company. This pack also contained INTREO and Employment Services contacts. 

An Intreo Centre Case Officer has been assigned to deal with any individual supports requested and arrangements have also been made to ensure that any Social Welfare claims arising from the redundancy programme can be expedited. The Limerick Employability Service have held an information session on site with the employees. They have also conducted one-to-one meetings by phone with many of the employees. 

Department officials are continuing to work the Employability Service to provide support to the employees concerned, including on the process for possible referrals of employees to the National Learning Network.   The Department will continue to work with the Employability Service to ensure that existing supports are available and availed of by employees affected by the redundancies from Rehab.

I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.

Community Welfare Services

Ceisteanna (682, 683)

Michael Ring

Ceist:

682. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount paid out by community welfare officers in each of the years 2018 to 2020, by county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22255/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Ring

Ceist:

683. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection the headings and categories under which the moneys paid issued by community welfare officers in each of the years 2018 to 2020 were paid out; the breakdown on the expenditure; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22256/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 682 and 683 together.

My Department's Community Welfare Service has responsibly for the administration of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, the Daily Expenses Allowance and the Humanitarian Assistance Scheme.

The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents.  Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single exceptional needs payments (ENPs) and urgent needs payments (UNPs). 

Daily Expenses Allowance is a payment to applicants for International Protection who live in accommodation provided by International Protection Accommodation Services of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. 

The purpose of the humanitarian assistance scheme is to provide income-tested financial support to people whose homes are damaged as a result of severe weather events 

The following table provides a summary of expenditure under each of the schemes for the years 2018 to 2020.  Expenditure figures by county on each of the schemes are not collated.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy. 

Expenditure on schemes administered by the Community Welfare Service 2018-2020

 

Basic SWA

Rent Supplement

Other Supplements

Exceptional Needs Payments

Daily Expenses Allowance

Humanitarian Assistance Scheme

2018

€111.8m

€175.0m

€7.7m

€42.3m

€6.4m

€0.35m

2019

€120.2m

€125.2m

€6.6m

€43.2m

€11.2m

€0.12m

2020

€115.2m

€133.1m

€4.9m

€41.1m

€13.1m

€0.83m

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (684)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

684. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on public relations advice and media advice since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged for this advice in tabular form. [22281/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There has been no expenditure by the Department in the area of public relations advice or media advice in 2020 or to date in 2021.

 I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (685)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

685. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount spent by her Department on advertising and public messaging in print, broadcast and online since January 2020 to date in 2021; and the companies engaged to assist with placing the advertisements and the companies advertised with in tabular form. [22299/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department administers over 90 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is committed to ensuring that members of the public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services that are available to them and public information campaigns are an important part of this work. 

The total public information campaign advertising spend for 2020 and to date in 2021 is outlined in tabular form below, with a breakdown of spend per media channel for each year.  These figures also include advertising spend paid for from the direct budgets of the Low Pay Commission (in 2020) and the Pensions Commission (in 2021) but booked by the Department.  The below figures do not include VAT, creative costs, or other agency fees.

Year

PRINT TOTAL (ex VAT & Fees)

BROADCAST TOTAL (ex VAT & Fees)

ONLINE TOTAL (ex VAT & Fees)

2020

€702,813.65

€996,465.49

€327,632.15

2021*

€166,666.57

€144,088.77

€76,465.29

*Amounts are those which have been invoiced to date 25 April 2021. Additional invoices are still due on some ongoing campaigns.  

The Department works with a media buying agency, appointed under an OGP framework, in order to plan and buy advertising effectively and has engaged two companies in the planning and placement of advertisements during 2020 and 2021: MEC/Wavemaker Global and Mediavest Ltd. t/a Sparkfoundry.

All public information campaigns are developed and targeted carefully in collaboration with our media buyer using the best mix of media formats to ensure that the Department’s messages reach members of the public effectively, while ensuring value for money. 

Advertising in 2020 and 2021 included national and regional print publications, national and regional radio, as well as targeted digital and social media advertising. The companies advertised with throughout 2020 and 2021 are listed in the following table.

Print Advertising

Company

Publication/Channel

DMG Media Ireland 

Irish Daily Mail

Irish Mail on Sunday 

Examiner Publications Ltd

The Irish Examiner 

Independent News and Media 

Irish Independent

The Herald

The Sunday Independent 

Independent Star Limited 

The Star

Mediaforce Ireland 

Bray People, Leinster Express, Leinster Leader, Kerryman, Kilkenny People, Longford Leader, Midland Tribune, Clonmel Nationalist, Leitrim Observer, Anglo Celt, Northern Standard, Donegal Democrat, Carlow Nationalist, Meath Chronical, Limerick Leader, Munster Express, Connacht Tribune, Clare Champion, Waterford News, Fingal Independent, Dundalk Argus, Westmeath Independent, Wexford People, Wicklow People, Southern Star, Corkman, Western People, Roscommon Herald, Sligo Champion

MediaSales 

Drogheda Leader

Sligo Weekender

Wexford Chronicle

MGN Ltd

Irish Sunday Mirror

Irish Mirror 

News Ireland Ltd 

Sunday Times Euro

The Irish Sun

S&L Promotions Ltd 

Senior Times

Sunday Business Post

The Sunday Business Post

Sunday Newspapers Ltd

The Sunday World 

The Irish Times Ltd

The Irish Times

The Economist

The Economist

Irish Farmer's Journal

Irish Farmer's Journal

Other independently owned print titles

Clare Echo

Cork Independent

Dublin Gazette

Galway Advertiser

Kerry Eve

Limerick Post

Mayo Advertiser

Meath Topic

Roscommon People

Westmeath Topic

Wicklow Times

Broadcast Advertising

 

Company

Publication/Channel

IRS Ltd

IRS stations: 

Clare FM, East Coast FM, Highland Radio, KCLR,

KFM, Midlands 103, Midwest, Northern Sound, Ocean FM, Radio Kerry, Radio Nova, Shannonside Radio, South East Radio, Sunshine FM, Tipp FM 

Media Central

98 FM, Beat FM, Classic Hits 4FM, iRadio, Newstalk, Spin 1038, Spin Southwest

Today FM

RTE

2FM

Lyric FM

RTE Radio 

Siteridge Ltd

Red FM

UTV Radio Solutions 

LMFM, Limerick Live 95, Dublin's Q102, Cork's 96FM, Cork's C103 FM, WLR FM, FM104, Galway Bay FM

 

 

Online Advertising

(includes social media, digital audio, VOD, and digital programmatic)

Company

Channel

Acast Stories Ire Ltd

Acast Stories Ireland

Digitize

Spotify

Facebook.com

Facebook

Instagram

Jellyfish Dynamix (DBM)

Marketing partner for all programmatic display, providing access to google digital marketing platform.

Twitter

Twitter

LinkedIN

LinkedIN

MEC/Wavemaker Global

Marketing partner for all programmatic

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Ceisteanna (686)

Seán Sherlock

Ceist:

686. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the expected timeframe for a decision on an application for the domiciliary care allowance by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22317/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This domiciliary care allowance application in respect of the person concerned has been assigned to a deciding officer.  Further medical information in support of the claim has been requested.  Once this is received, the claim will be further considered by the deciding officer and the decision will be notified to applicant as soon as possible.

 I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.  

Free Travel Scheme

Ceisteanna (687)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

687. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to extend access to free travel to persons with epilepsy and other long-term health conditions that are ineligible to hold a driver licence as a result of their health condition; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22325/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Free Travel scheme provides free travel on the main public and private transport services for those eligible under the scheme.  These include road, rail and ferry services provided by companies such as Bus Átha Cliath, Bus Éireann and Iarnród Éireann, as well as Luas and services provided by over 80 private transport operators.  There are currently approx. 994,000 customers with direct eligibility.  The estimated expenditure on free travel in 2021 is €95 million.

In general, access to a free travel pass for those aged under 66 is linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary Social Protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. 

Any possible extension to the eligibility criteria for free travel to include those with long-term health conditions such as epilepsy, who are not allowed to drive due to their diagnosis, regardless of whether or not they receive a qualifying payment, would have significant implications for the Free Travel scheme.  It would be expected that any such decision would immediately lead to calls for all people who had a disability and/or significant health issues to be eligible for a free travel pass.

If the Free Travel scheme were to be extended to all people who had a disability and/or significant health issues, regardless of whether they receive a qualifying payment, a medical assessment process would be required for all such applications, significantly changing the nature of the scheme and requiring additional administrative processes to be put in place in order to adjudicate eligibility.  Significant extra funding would also be required and accordingly, it could only be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may award a travel supplement, where the circumstances of the particular case so warrant.  The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.  Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the individual case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Free Travel Scheme

Ceisteanna (688)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

688. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 1207 of 21 April 2021 and a matter (details supplied), if she will include this small number of persons who without the free travel scheme are incurring significant personal costs; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22357/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

While I have sympathy for all persons who incur significant travel expense in their daily lives because of a disability, extending the free travel scheme to the cohort of people highlighted by the Deputy cannot be considered in isolation.  As the 700 service users do not meet the medical conditions to be registered as blind or are not in receipt of a payment from my Department that would qualify them for a free travel pass, the provision of the free travel pass would be on the basis that their disability prevents them from holding a driving licence.

There are a range of disabilities and medical conditions that can prevent a person from holding a driving licence and to award a free travel pass to any one of these conditions in isolation would immediately result in calls for all people who are not allowed hold a driving licence because of their medical condition to receive the free travel pass.  The Department would also most likely face challenges under the Equal Status Act if they refused these calls.

As previously stated any possible extension to the eligibility criteria for free travel to include people who are deemed unsuitable to drive by the national licensing authority because of their disability would have to be considered in the overall budgetary and policy context.  It would be expected that any such extension to the eligibility criteria would have significant implications for the free travel scheme, including significant extra funding requirements.

I would again urge the Deputy to highlight to the NCBI service users the availability of support under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. 

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Ceisteanna (689)

Gary Gannon

Ceist:

689. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection the amount awarded as travel supplement under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme for the past five years in tabular form. [22358/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA), my Department may award a travel supplement in any case where the circumstances of the case so warrant. The supplement is intended to assist with ongoing or recurring travel costs that cannot be met from the client’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary. Every decision is based on consideration of the circumstances of the case, taking account of the nature and extent of the need and of the resources of the person concerned. 

The following table shows expenditure on travel supplements for the years 2016 to 2020. 

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.    

Travel Supplements 2016-2020  

Year 

Expenditure 

Number of Recipients (year end) 

2016 

€969,000 

768 

2017

€949,000 

630 

2018 

€824,000 

589 

2019 

€720,000 

491 

2020 

€503,000 

246 

Departmental Transport

Ceisteanna (690)

Darren O'Rourke

Ceist:

690. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Social Protection the estimated cost of replacing State vehicles which are owned by her Department or agencies under her remit with hybrid or electric models; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22571/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department and its agencies currently have three motor vehicles. The cost of replacing these vehicles with an electrical equivalent is estimated to be in the region of €85,000 (excluding VAT and VRT).

As the energy usage on these vehicles is relatively low, the Department does not consider that there is an economic or major environmental benefit in changing these vehicles at this time.

At the end of their life cycle, consideration will be given to the need to replace them and to the best environmental option at that stage.

Direct Provision System

Ceisteanna (691)

Matt Carthy

Ceist:

691. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider the relocation of a person (details supplied) to a Dublin centre given that they have secured employment in Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22179/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department are currently not in a position to transfer residents between accommodation centres on request. All non-essential transfers are suspended due to the ongoing Covid-19 emergency and based on Public Health advice. Once Public Health advises that such restrictions can be lifted, residents will be informed and can then apply for transfers to other locations.

The International Protection applicant referred to by the Deputy was considered to be in suitable accommodation for their circumstances at the time that they were assigned the accommodation space. Unfortunately, it is also the case that there is no accommodation space available in their preferred location at this time. As the Deputy will appreciate, there is significant demand for any available spaces within the greater Dublin region but such spaces are limited because of the cost of such accommodation and because contractors have not offered accommodation to IPAS for use for accommodating applicants for International Protection.

Direct Provision System

Ceisteanna (692)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

692. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the direct provision centre in Meelick, County Clare and the self-isolation protocol used there; the reason persons are required to self-isolate on site and are not brought to an off-site facility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21118/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department is guided by the HSE and Public Health in all measures we are taking to safeguard residents availing of our International Protection accommodation services.  In this context the  International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) has been working closely with the HSE National Social Inclusion team and key regional Public Health officials since the beginning of the pandemic to develop protocols to manage the impact of the pandemic on IPAS centres and their residents.

The current advice from the HSE and Public Health officials remains that, during the COVID crisis, residents who may be symptomatic, identified as COVID positive or identified as a close contact, should isolate in a place and manner recommended by the local Public Health officer dealing with the area. 

Specifically, where a resident is identified as requiring isolation, Public Health officials, in conjunction with the regional HSE Social Inclusion office will advise IPAS on the appropriate course of action in each case.  This may include a direction that residents should either be transferred to an offsite isolation facility, or where deemed appropriate by Public Health, should be allowed to isolate onsite at their designated centre.  IPAS provides facilities for self-isolation both on and off-site as required to meet any isolation needs identified by our HSE/Public Health colleagues.

Direct Provision System

Ceisteanna (693)

Violet-Anne Wynne

Ceist:

693. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the communal facilities in direct provision centres; if communal activities such as meal times are being staggered in the interest of health and safety; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21119/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Communal facilities in accommodation centres provided by my Department vary from centre to centre but include reception areas, dining areas, play rooms for children, communal family rooms, study areas, laundry facilities and cooking facilities.

My Department communicates directly with centre managers and residents via regular newsletters, which can be found on our website -  www.accommodationcentres.ie.

The newsletters have provided practical information on implementing social and physical distancing at this time and promoted shared learning and best practice across our network of centres. Residents have also been made aware of the need for good hand hygiene and coughing/sneezing etiquette. Information and posters have been distributed to all centres and translations of public health information have also been provided.

All centres are following the guidelines that were published by the HSE’s Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC). These are publicly available at its website www.hpsc.ie. That guidance exists precisely because it is recognised that congregated settings such as our accommodation centres present specific challenges in this pandemic. My Department is working closely with the HSE and public health authorities in ensuring that guidance and measures in place at all centres are sufficient in light of changing conditions.

Centre managers have been asked to increase the standard and frequency of cleaning throughout the centres paying particular attention to communal areas. A regular supply of hand sanitiser for centres is in place and this is distributed to centres for the use of residents and staff as required. Other PPE such as masks, gloves, visors and aprons are distributed as needed and in line with the HPSC guidelines for its appropriate use in residential settings.

In addition an IPAS Living with COVID Plan was developed and clearly explains how each of the five levels of restrictions in Resilience and  Recovery 2020-2021 affects residents and visitors to centres.

All centres have put arrangements in place to support social and physical distancing when using laundry rooms, communal kitchens, dining rooms, foodhalls and other communal areas.  Such arrangements may include limits on the number of people using the facilities at one time, rota systems and food collection for dining in own rooms.  Residents are advised of the specific measures in each centre and appropriate signage is put in place too.

Legislative Measures

Ceisteanna (694, 700, 713)

Mick Barry

Ceist:

694. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will bring forward legislation on banning so-called conversion therapy aimed at LGBTQ persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21311/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

700. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to form a consultative panel of representatives from the LGBTQ+ community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21481/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Cian O'Callaghan

Ceist:

713. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will form a consultative panel of representatives from the LGBTQ+ community and initiate proposals to ban so-called conversion therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21852/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 694, 700 and 713 together.

Ireland’s first National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 was published on 28 November 2019 and complements the National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy published in June 2018. Since the launch of the Inclusion Strategy, a Committee has been in place to oversee its implementation. This group is made up of officials from key Government departments as well as civil society groups that represent LGBTI+ people in Ireland. The Committee has met on four occasions to date, most recently in March 2021. The Committee will meet next in June 2021.

The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, a commitment I strongly support. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland. The National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2022 commits to ensuring that the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.

My Department has prepared an initial scoping paper on this issue. A research subgroup of the Inclusion Strategy is being established and will consider what further research might be required in this area before legislative proposal can be brought forward by the Department of Health. I will engage on these proposals in the first instance with the LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy Committee.

Anti-Racism Measures

Ceisteanna (695)

Joe O'Brien

Ceist:

695. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the interim report of the Anti-Racism Committee which held its first meeting on the 18 June 2020 will be provided to Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21367/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following Government approval on 20 April 2021, the Anti-Racism Committee’s Interim Report was published on 21 April 2021. The Deputy can access the report on my Department's website, www.gov.ie/dcediy.

The Interim Report is the first Report from the Committee. It sets out the overall approach that the Committee intends to take to its work in developing the Action Plan, which is in keeping with the fundamental principles of human rights as outlined by the United Nations, and the EU Anti-Racism Action Plan 2020-2025.

The Anti-Racism Committee launched its public consultation on 21 April 2021, to coincide with the publication of its report.

National Childcare Scheme

Ceisteanna (696)

Fergus O'Dowd

Ceist:

696. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if concerns raised by a person (details supplied) in relation to the national childcare scheme community based after school provision in County Louth will receive a response; the status of the provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21394/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the challenges facing the childcare services to which he is referring.

The National Childcare Scheme represents a significant step forward in combatting the poverty traps of previous targeted childcare schemes. It removes many of the restrictive eligibility requirements, for example, dependency on Social Protection payments.

Under the NCS parents may avail of 45 subsidised childcare hours when the parents are engaged in work, training or study, and they may avail of 20 subsidised hours if they are not engaged in work, training or study. 

The NCS was designed in this way to meet anti-poverty objectives, by encouraging parents to enter work or training. The definition of work is extremely broad, covering all forms of work arrangements: full-time, part-time, week-on/ week-off and zero hour contracts.  The definition of study is also broad, and allows parents to access 45 hours of childcare when completing any NFQ qualification, from level 1, for even a small number of hours per week.

The NCS supports the strong benefits of Early Learning and Care for disadvantaged children. Importantly, the evidence also shows that these benefits are, in most cases, realised even with part-time participation.

Over 99,400 applications have been submitted for the National Childcare Scheme, relating to over 95,200 children. 52,346 children have received NCS subsidies since the programme launched.

As of 20th April 2021:

- 3,024 childcare providers have contracted to provide the NCS.

- 99,450 active applications have been submitted.

- There have been 62,287 income-assessed applications submitted, relating to 70,669 children.

- There have been 37,163 universal applications submitted, relating to 38,899 children.

Additional supports are available for families with complex needs, under the NCS Sponsorship model, which provides additional supports to large numbers of disadvantaged children.  

The need for a sponsored referral is a determination for the relevant Sponsor Body and one they make based on the particular need of the child in line with their defined criteria as set out in the Childcare Support Act 2018. 

Once a child meets the criteria for sponsorship by a given Sponsor Body, the child can automatically avail of up to 45 hours per week.

As of week ending 18 April 2021, there have been 1982 sponsor applications since scheme launch.

Area

Applications

TUSLA Child and Family Agency

1018

National Homeless Authorities (for Sponsored NCS)

517

Minister for Justice

244

Health Service Executive (HSE)

197

Minister for Education

    6

Total

1982

A dedicated phone line and email address has been launched to streamline sponsor contacts with the Scheme Administrator. Contact the NCS Sponsors Team on 01 906 8535 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or by email at sponsors@ncs.gov.ie.

The NCS is designed to be highly inclusive, to meet the needs of the most economically vulnerable children and those living with other forms of disadvantage. I will keep the Scheme under review, and I will continue to work with my officials to identify whether any refinements are needed to ensure that it delivers for those most in need.

As an immediate response, support is available to these services through Case Management. 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 experiencing difficulties. 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. In 2021 this includes a strand of funding, COVID-19 Impact Support, which is available for both Community and Private services.

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.

Child Detention Centres

Ceisteanna (697)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

697. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children placed in Oberstown Childrens Detention Campus for periods of up to three years, three to four years and five years or more in tabular form; and the number of children classed as committed or on remand. [21414/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information sought is of an operational nature and the request has been referred to Oberstown Children Detention School for direct reply to the Deputy.

National Childcare Scheme

Ceisteanna (698)

Gerald Nash

Ceist:

698. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the impact on the viability and continuation of services (details supplied) in County Louth arising from the impact of the new national childcare scheme on community-based after-school provision; his views on whether changes to the scheme will have a negative impact on the schemes; the way in which he plans to address these issues; if his attention has been further drawn to the recommendations of the report carried out by a person on behalf of the Department of Justice as they relate to the remit of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21441/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I thank the Deputy for his question. I am aware of the report referred to by the Deputy, which includes recommendations of relevance to a number of areas falling under my remit. In relation to the specific points raised in this Parliamentary Question, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the following.

The National Childcare Scheme represents a significant step forward in combatting the poverty traps of previous targeted childcare schemes. It removes many of the restrictive eligibility requirements, for example, dependency on Social Protection payments.

Under the NCS parents may avail of 45 subsidised childcare hours when the parents are engaged in work, training or study, and they may avail of 20 subsidised hours if they are not engaged in work, training or study. 

The NCS was designed in this way to meet anti-poverty objectives, by encouraging parents to enter work or training. The definition of work is extremely broad, covering all forms of work arrangements: full-time, part-time, week-on/ week-off and zero hour contracts.  The definition of study is also broad, and allows parents to access 45 hours of childcare when completing any NFQ qualification, from level 1, for even a small number of hours per week.

The NCS supports the strong benefits of Early Learning and Care for disadvantaged children. Importantly, the evidence also shows that these benefits are, in most cases, realised even with part-time participation.

Over 99,400 applications have been submitted for the National Childcare Scheme, relating to over 95,200 children. 52,346 children have received NCS subsidies since the programme launched.

As of 20th April 2021:

- 3,024 childcare providers have contracted to provide the NCS.

- 99,450 active applications have been submitted.

- There have been 62,287 income-assessed applications submitted, relating to 70,669 children.

- There have been 37,163 universal applications submitted, relating to 38,899 children. 

Additional supports are available for families with complex needs, under the NCS Sponsorship model, which provides additional supports to large numbers of disadvantaged children.  

The need for a sponsored referral is a determination for the relevant Sponsor Body and one they make based on the particular need of the child in line with their defined criteria as set out in the Childcare Support Act 2018. 

Once a child meets the criteria for sponsorship by a given Sponsor Body, the child can automatically avail of up to 45 hours per week.

As of week ending 18 April 2021, there have been 1982 sponsor applications since scheme launch.

Area

Applications

TUSLA Child and Family Agency

1018

National Homeless Authorities (for Sponsored NCS)

517

Minister for Justice

244

Health Service Executive (HSE)

197

Minister for Education

    6

Total

1982

 

A dedicated phone line and email address has been launched to streamline sponsor contacts with the Scheme Administrator. Contact the NCS Sponsors Team on 01 906 8535 from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or by email at sponsors@ncs.gov.ie.

The NCS is designed to be highly inclusive, to meet the needs of the most economically vulnerable children and those living with other forms of disadvantage. I will keep the Scheme under review, and I will continue to work with my officials to identify whether any refinements are needed to ensure that it delivers for those most in need.

As an immediate response, support is available to these services through Case Management. 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 experiencing difficulties. 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.

Pobal co-ordinate the overall case management process with the CCC administering initial, and on-going, case management assistance. Pobal will verify the service’s necessity for a financial intervention. All services who require support should contact their local CCC in the first instance.

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