Written Answers Nos. 126-140
130. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a community employment placement will be extended in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45635/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Community Employment ( CE ) programme is to enhance the employability of disadvantaged and unemployed people by providing work experience and training opportunities for them within their communities. Participation limits on these schemes are necessary to allow for the maximum utilisation of places amongst qualifying persons. It is important to note that participation is intended to be for a temporary fixed term and the positions offered are not full-time sustainable jobs. Instead, the placements are designed to break the cycle of unemployment and maintain work readiness, thereby improving a person’s opportunities of returning to the open labour market.
In general, placements for new entrants aged between 21 and 55 years are for one year. Those participants who are working towards a Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) major award can seek to extend their participation on CE by up to two years to enable them to reach the required standard of qualification. Participants aged 55 years or older can remain on CE for three years and do not have to work towards a QQI major award. In both instances, a maximum of three consecutive year’s participation is permissible. A person may re-qualify for CE after a 12 month break once they satisfy the qualifying conditions. An overall lifetime limit of six years applies to all CE participants (seven years for those on a disability payment).
As the person concerned has now been on CE for in excess of 3 consecutive years, ( their time having been extended due to the Covid 19 Pandemic ) their placement will now finish on 5th November 2021. The person concerned may re-qualify for CE after a 12 month break subject to satisfying the qualifying conditions.
As is always the case, where a CE participant finishes up on their CE scheme without completing the training outlined in their Individual Learning Plan and if, unfortunately, they remain unemployed, they may continue their development through a range of training supports provided by my Department such as the Training Support Grant and the Back to Education Allowance. Department case officers are available to engage with former CE participants to discuss the available options and to ensure that the benefits and experience received during their time on CE are maximised.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
131. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department’s IT infrastructure is monitored for security breaches on a 24/7 basis; the guidance provided from Government on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45305/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraICT services are provided to my Department by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO). The provision of ICT security is part of that service. The Department engages closely with the OGCIO on the issue of cyber security, who in turn engage with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to ensure best practice is followed as it relates to all aspects of cyber security.For operational and security reasons, the NCSC has advised not to disclose details of systems and processes which could in any way compromise those efforts. In particular, it is not considered appropriate to disclose information which might assist criminals to identify potential vulnerabilities in departmental cyber security arrangements. Therefore it is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to cyber security tools and services.My Department does not comment on operational security matters.
132. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps taken by his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within his Department who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; his plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45362/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraA central policy framework for Blended Working in the Civil Service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives over the coming months. This framework will inform my Department's blended working policy, that will be tailored to the specific requirements of my Department. My Department operates a ‘single device policy’. Each member of our staff is provided with a laptop computer to facilitate remote and office working utilising the IT services/shared networks provided by the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
133. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps taken by agencies under the remit of his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within these agencies who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; if there are plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45379/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked the relevant agencies to respond to you directly on this matter.
134. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of any investigations into the leak regarding the report on the mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45446/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Secretary General of the Department of An Taoiseach is leading the investigation into this matter. As part of the process, he has been tasked with examining the broader issue of unauthorised dissemination of documentation and other information related to the work of the Cabinet and its sub-committees.
This matter continues to be pursued as the leaking of details from the Commission's report before its publication was unacceptable and added to the distress to survivors. My Department has provided input to assist the Secretary General with his investigation. Although it is not yet possible to say when the investigation will be completed, I can assure the Deputy that its outcome will be publicised.
135. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the proposals he has to improve childcare provision under the national childcare scheme for children whose parents are not working or in education or training; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45462/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help parents to meet the cost of childcare and to support better outcomes for children. The schemes objectives are to promote (i) a reduction in child poverty, (ii) positive child development outcomes, (iii) labour market activation and (iv) improved quality.
The NCS is designed to be highly inclusive and to meet the needs of those families who need it the most. The NCS is based on the principle of progressive universalism and has regard to the best interests of children.
By making this fundamental shift away from the legacy schemes where subsidies are grounded in medical card and social protection entitlements, and by tangibly reducing the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families, the NCS aims to improve children’s outcomes, improve labour market participation and reduce child poverty. It is a central policy component of the NCS to poverty proof and assist people in exiting the poverty trap.
Within this framework, an income-related subsidy is payable for children up to 15 years of age. The subsidy level is determined by the family’s income and the child's age. The number of hours subsidised is determined by the parent's employment or education arrangements.
The scheme is also built to ensure that families are supported to access a minimum level of early learning and childcare provision to support positive child outcomes.
Importantly, the evidence also shows that these benefits are, in most cases, realised with part-time participation. On this basis, 20 hours are available all year round for children who have not started school, and in non-term time for school age children, regardless of whether the parents or guardians are in work or study.
During term time, the child's development needs are generally met through school participation.
Households on incomes of less than €26,000 NET can access full subsidies of up to €225 per child, per week, covering up to 45 hours week. To access 45 hours rather than 20 hours, the parent must be in some type of employment or be engaged in training.
The definition of work or study is broad, covering all forms of work or study arrangements: full-time, part-time, week-on/week-off and zero hour contracts. Moreover, the minimum hours required to engage in work or study to qualify for up to 45 hours per week is very low – at just two hours per week. In this way, the NCS encourages parents to exit poverty and deliver better outcomes for their children.
Underpinned by this approach is strong evidence that shows how growing up in poverty negatively impacts on child outcomes. Taking up work or engaging in training, even a very low number of hours, is key to enabling families to break that cycle and that is what the NCS is designed in part to support.
It also reflects the need to ensure that our systems recognise the critical role of family in children’s lives. Particularly where those families are available to care for their children.
For children living in exceptional circumstances of disadvantage or need, the NCS sponsorship arrangement is designed so that they can access free early learning and care or school age childcare for longer or full time hours where required.
The DCEDIY is committed to keeping the scheme under review and to assess whether it is meeting its objectives. I have contracted Frontier Economics to undertake a review of the National Childcare Scheme in line with Section 26 of the Childcare Support Act.
Variations on the concept of a work/study test is widely used around the wold and I have also requested that Frontier review the usage and evidence of efficacy of this approach in other countries.
This work is due to be finalised in the final quarter of this year and will inform in an evidence based manner the future development of the scheme.
136. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons that were deemed adults by the International Protection Office and placed into direct provision following the assessments; and the number that were deemed minors and placed in the care of Tusla. [45467/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Justice has the remit for immigration and international protection processes and it makes the final decision as to whether someone will be considered as a minor during their application for international protection. Where referrals are made to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, by International Protection Office (formerly ORAC) and by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB), Tusla’s role is to determine if the person is deemed to be eligible for the provision of services under the Child Care Act 1991
The below table demonstrates the number of eligibility assessments undertaken by Tusla from 2016 to end 2020.
|
YEAR |
No. of assessments for eligibility to receive services under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended |
Deemed ineligible for services under the Act |
Deemed eligible for services under the Act |
Other |
|
2016 |
35 (33 actual) |
24 |
9 |
2 (went missing before assessments) |
|
2017 |
25 |
12 |
13 |
|
|
2018 |
18 |
9 |
9 |
|
|
2019 |
24 |
15 |
9 |
|
|
2020 |
16 (15 actual) |
7 |
8 |
1 (aged-out of care before assessment) |
Tusla provides specialist services for separated children seeking international protection (SCSIP) who arrive via two different routes. Applicants who present at ports and other points of entry and declare themselves to be children and are referred by GNIB and the IPO. A smaller number of separated children, agreed to be children before they arrive in Ireland under an organised refugee programme
Between 2016 and 2020 a total of 438 separated children seeking asylum came into the care of Tusla’s Separated Children’s Team.
In 2020 there was 80 referrals to Tusla’s Separated Children’s Team. This was 104 (56%) fewer than the 184 referrals in 2019 and the lowest number of referrals since 2012 (71).
At the end of July 2021 Tusla reported 54 separated children seeking international protection in its care.
137. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider extending the ECCE grant for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45470/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is a universal free two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range.
As the child to which the Deputy refers has not availed of any ECCE time in 2019 or 2020, and the child will not have reached 6 years before starting primary school in September 2022 I will grant an exemption in this case.
The child will be eligible to attend ECCE from September 2021 to June 2022. My Department will notify Pobal, who are the administrators of the ECCE programme, of this decision.
138. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to provide supports and recreation centres for families with autism and other such spectrums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45477/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that I am not in a position to comment on these matters which are more appropriate for the attention of my Cabinet colleagues, the Minister for Health and the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
139. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the Bill to amend the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015; the other technical issues that have been resolved other than the repeal of the Marriage of Lunatics Act 1811 to date; and the actions currently being taken by his Department apart from the development of the decision support service. [45509/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is a very important piece of legislation that changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis. It will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
The Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to commencing the 2015 Act, recognising the importance of the much needed reform it represents. We are working towards a date of June 2022 for full commencement. An inter-departmental steering group is meeting regularly to prepare for commencement of the Act.
Amendments are required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. Work is actively underway on an Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which will address a number of issues required to streamline processes and improve safeguards for those who will rely on the provisions of the Act. I expect to be in a position to publish a Bill by year-end, and to see it enacted next year.
140. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2019 which provides for the monitoring structures that will apply to the implementation of the UNCRPD. [45510/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016 lapsed with the dissolution of the last Dáil.
The Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill is being used to advance a number of legislative provisions required by the UNCRPD that were previously included in the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2016.
This include measures such as the role to be played by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the National Disability Authority in monitoring the implementation of the UNCRPD. It also includes measures to bolster the public sector obligation to lead on providing pathways to work for people with disabilities, by doubling the amount of people with disabilities to be employed by public bodies from 3% to 6% by 2024.
Work is actively taking place on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be published by year-end. The aim is that it will be enacted next year.
