Written Answers Nos. 151-168
151. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to ensure that childcare is affordable and accessible to all families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47979/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraImproving early learning and childcare affordability for parents is a key priority for me, along with increasing quality and accessibility for children and ensuring that providers can operate sustainably and that their employees can benefit from improved pay and conditions.
Early Learning and Childcare is a public good with benefits across society, as have become even more evident in the context of Covid-19.
My Department is investing €638 million this year in the sector, with affordability for parents as a key policy objective of this investment.
This is distinct from the additional investment, currently estimated at approximately €34 million per month, that early learning and childcare employers have been able to access through the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme without having to demonstrate the 30% reduction in income required by other employers. This has allowed services to operate sustainably within the context of public health guidance throughout a period of significant uncertainty.
In the context of Covid period, I note that there have not, on the whole, been significant fee increases to parents compared to average full-time fee increases of 3% per annum in the 2017-2019 period.
The major programmes funded by my Department that contribute to affordability and accessibility for parents include the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme, the Access and Inclusion Model and the National Childcare Scheme.
The universal Early Childhood Care and Education preschool programme provides for free access to early learning and childcare for 15 hours per week for the two years before children start primary school. This significantly offsets the costs to parents of early learning and childcare at this stage.
An estimated 95% children in the relevant age cohort participate in this programme.
The Access and Inclusion Model provides a range of both universal and targeted measures, to support children with disabilities to take part in the ECCE pre-school programme in mainstream settings, and to help make pre-school services more accessible and inclusive – benefiting all children in those services.
The National Childcare Scheme provides universal and income-assessed subsidies to parents.
A universal subsidy for children up to three is available for up to 45 hours per week. An income-assessed subsidy is available for children of all ages for up to 45 hours per week, the level of which is determined by the family’s income. 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.
The Programme for Government commits to an ambitious range of actions to develop the early learning and childcare sector including the implementation of the First 5 strategy, an action in which is to undertake an examination of the funding model for the sector and make recommendations for development. Other relevant commitments are to continue to invest in the National Childcare Scheme and to examine the approach of other European countries to set a cap on parental fees, irrespective of income.
The examination of the funding model is being led by an Expert Group. The terms of reference of the Group include to review the existing approach to funding in terms of its effectiveness in delivering on the policy objectives of quality, affordability, accessibility and contributing to addressing disadvantage; identify and consider options on how additional funding could be structured to deliver on policy objectives; and agree a proposed design for a new funding model.
The Expert Group is comprised of international and national figures who have significant experience of early learning and childcare quality, systems and funding and is independently chaired. The Group has undertaken an in-depth programme of research and analysis and engaged in an extensive and detailed stakeholder consultation process. The Group has commissioned a series of research reports examining Ireland’s approach to this sector in an international context including approaches to reducing costs to parents and mechanisms to control fees, all of which have been published.
The report of the Expert Group is currently being drafted and is on track to be submitted to me in November.
152. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to alter the eligibility for the ECCE scheme given the cut-off dates currently set as part of the scheme can lead to one child missing out on the cut-off by a mere couple of days but having to wait an entire year to access the ECCE scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45020/21]
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.
The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios.
There are currently no plans to amend eligibility dates for the ECCE programme.
I accept that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however it is necessary for the fair and consistent administration of the scheme.
My Department is committed to delivering equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for childcare funding under the ECCE Programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied evenly. An essential component of the ECCE programme rules is an eligibility start date to ensure that the programme can be administered and budgeted for in an appropriate manner.
153. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 253 of 3 December 2020, the reason the latest inspection report on the International Protection Accommodation Service website for this direct provision centre is for May 2019 when an inspection was supposed to have been carried out in September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48692/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe inspection report to which the Deputy refers was published on the former Reception and Integration Agency website, www.ria.gov.ie. The RIA website was replaced by a dedicated International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) website in August 2021. Unfortunately, the published inspection report was not migrated to the new IPAS website, part of the gov.ie portal. This has now been rectified. The report is available in the publications section at www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/#monaghan, together with reports of two further inspections of the centre in 2020. I am grateful to the Deputy for drawing my attention to this matter.
154. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way in which his Department supports play and play facilities nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48702/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates the Play and Recreation Capital grant scheme, which provides funding, via Local Authorities, to support the development of new recreation facilities for children and young people, and for the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and incorporation of natural play elements.
Under this scheme, each of the 31 Local Authorities can make one application with a maximum of 3 projects for the refurbishment of existing playgrounds or development of a new playground. This year, applications were received from all 31 Local Authorities for 52 projects and a total of €450,000 was awarded by my Department. This year’s scheme was opened to applications from Local Authorities on April 1, with a closing date of April 22
Criteria for the scheme are developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN), established for the purpose of bringing a focus on play and recreation within each Local Authority.
One of the key criteria that is measured and scored during this process is Accessibility & Inclusivity ; under this criteria we require Local Authorities to indicate how improvements to facilities and equipment for which funding is sought will:
- improve access/inclusivity to the park/facility for children and young people with additional needs, and
- provide access/inclusivity to the play equipment for all children
Having accessibility included as a funding criteria encourages Local Authorities to include projects for consideration that are primarily geared towards accessibility/inclusivity. This year for example, we approved funding for a number of projects to incorporate basket swing and wheelchair accessible swings into existing playgrounds.
In addition to the Play and Recreation Capital scheme, my Department also allocated €87k to Local Authorities in relation to National Play Day 2021, which took place in July of this year.
The aim of National Play Day is to promote play opportunities for children and young people across the country, with this year’s theme being Playful Communities. The National Play Day grant scheme is one part of the wider Summer of Play campaign ; a government-led initiative designed to remind everyone, young and old, of the fundamental importance of play.
My Department received applications from 29 Local Authorities for this funding. All applicants qualified for the maximum amount of funding available - €3,000 per Local Authority (which represents a 50% increase on the funding available to each Local Authority under this scheme in 2020).
The applications approved for funding enabled Local Authorities to deliver play opportunities for a diverse range of children and young people in the community. Numerous approved applications entailed play packs being purchased and targeted for disbursement to a number of harder to reach children, including traveller children, children with additional needs, children residing in women's refuge centres and children residing in direct provision centres.
Additionally a diverse range of outdoor activities were targeted at all children and young people in the respective Local Authority communities.
The Summer of Play campaign, referred to earlier, included a capital grant programme to enhance outdoor provision in early learning and care and school age services. There were 3,689 approved applications with a total spend of €4,597,500.
A grant was also offered to support new and existing Parent and Toddler groups. Support included guidance on settings up Parent and Toddler Groups. Applications were approved for a total of €177,651.
155. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of commitments to transfer unaccompanied minors to Ireland as refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48710/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018 Ireland committed to receiving 36 separated children seeking international protection (unaccompanied minors) from Greece under the European Union Relief Projects. Of that 36 I can confirm that there are now 34 separated children in Ireland from Greece with the further remaining two due to arrive in the coming weeks. Their arrival had been delayed by the additional challenges presented for travel by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2021, an additional €5m was provided to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to provide dedicated services to expedite the intake of the separated children in Greece to whom we had a commitment. Tusla has developed a suite of care options to include expansion of residential care placements, development of specialist foster care placements and provision of additional aftercare supports for those children seeking international protection in Ireland.
156. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the results of the survey of providers and parents and the data gathered in respect of the review of the national childcare scheme; his recent engagements with the sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48615/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018 provides for a review of the operation of the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to commence 12 months after the first payment of subsidies under the scheme. The 12 month review, which commenced at the end of March 2021, is an independent assessment of the implementation and impacts of the NCS during its first year of operation.
Primary evidence collection for the review took place throughout May and June 2021, during the information gathering process of the review. The data collection exercise included a number of surveys. This included a survey of parents who had applied to the NCS, which generated 3,116 responses. A survey of providers contracted to offer the NCS, generated 968 responses and a survey of providers not contracted to offer the NCS generating 238 responses.
The process also included a comprehensive review of engagements, correspondence and submissions made with regard to the NCS since its inception.
The report is in the final stages of completion by the consultant tasked with the review of the NCS and it is intended that the report will be submitted to the houses of the Oireachtas in Q.4 of this year.
An analysis of the survey results will be included in the review report of the NCS once it has been finalised.
The review, once completed, will provide an opportunity for my Department and me to consider how the NCS meets its policy objectives, of improved children's outcomes, parental engagement in work or study and reduced child poverty, and support those most in need in the best evidence informed manner.
157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the process to end the direct provision system. [48683/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this year, I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. Since then my Department has taken a series of steps to implement these reforms.
A staff team has been established in my Department to lead the transition to the new model and has developed a detailed implementation plan.
I have established a Programme Board chaired by my Department and with both Government and independent membership. This Board will provide detailed oversight and advice to the implementation team. It meets monthly, to review and monitor the progress of the reforms.
Working with the Housing Agency, my Department has begun to acquire the accommodation needed for Phase Two - that is, after people have completed their initial four months in a Reception and Integration Centre, and move into the community.
An allocation key to determine the spread of this accommodation across all counties has been agreed by Local Authorities.
In collaboration with the housing experts on the Programme Board, my Department is preparing advice on the optimal ownership model for the accommodation, as well as on the funding model to enable Approved Housing Bodies and other not-for-profit organisations to act as our delivery partners for the accommodation and support elements of the new system.
Policy on the International Protection Support Payments is being developed in consultation with the Department of Social Protection.
My Department has also begun to develop the integration policy for the new model, based on the principle of 'integration from day one' set out in the White Paper.
It will take time to end Direct Provision and replace it with a new and very different system of accommodation and supports - grounded in human rights and delivered on a not-for-profit basis. Our work to do this has begun. We are making good progress and anticipate starting to move people out of Direct Provision into accommodation sourced in accordance with the new model early next year.
158. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work of the Anti-Racism Committee; when he expects the final report to be published; the actions he will undertake in response to the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48697/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Anti-Racism Committee is an independent Committee established by Government in 2020 to develop a National Action Plan Against Racism. The work of the Committee will help to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism and will build on the anti-racism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy (NTRIS). The Committee will also examine international best practice in combatting racism and will benchmark its actions against these standards.
On 21 April this year, I had the pleasure of publishing the Anti-Racism Committee’s Interim Report, which sets out the Committee’s initial ideas and plans for developing the National Action Plan Against Racism. The publication of this Action Plan will fulfil a key commitment within the Programme for Government.
On the same day as the publication of the Interim Report, the Committee launched the public consultation phase of its work, which ran for twelve weeks from 21 April until 14 July. During this phase, the Committee accepted written submissions, conducted an online survey, and held a series of consultation sessions with stakeholders in order better to understand the nature and different forms of racism that are present in Ireland today. There were 14 consultation sessions which took place between May and July, and these were attended by approximately 170 people in total. These sessions addressed different themes such as access to justice; media and new technologies; and others identified by the Committee as being of particular concern in the fight against racism. I was pleased to see that over 100 written submissions were made, and these are currently being analysed.
Having completed its public consultation, the Anti-Racism Committee is now engaged in the preparation of the National Action Plan Against Racism, with a view to submitting a draft Plan to me for consideration in the coming months. I then intend to bring this Plan to Government and, subject to the agreement of the Government, hope to publish it early next year.
160. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the development of proposals to provide a statutory entitlement to domestic violence leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48700/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince its formation, this Government has made clear that tackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence is a priority. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to investigate the provision of paid leave and social protection provision to victims of domestic violence with a view to establishing a statutory entitlement to paid domestic violence leave.
My Department is currently finalising policy proposals for consideration by Government and has examined both international models of domestic violence leave and best practice in this regard. It has researched the development of a suitable model for rollout in Ireland.
My Department has also engaged in a targeted consultation process with relevant stakeholders and social partners to examine how a scheme of paid leave should operate to address the needs of victims most effectively, including with the monitoring committee of the Second National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence, employers' groups and trade unions and with stakeholders of the National Equality Strategy Committees falling under my Department’s remit.
A report is being prepared based on this work which will be brought to Government shortly. The report will include recommendations on how best to support employees experiencing domestic abuse, including leave.
161. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will liaise with the Minister for Justice on the matter of some section 47 assessments and reports given the difficulties in their operation reported by mothers in regard to themselves and their children and the fact these difficulties have been further outlined and underscored by highly qualified family practitioners and accredited therapists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47619/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra163. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he intends to publish the review into the national childcare scheme; the way he plans to implement the recommendations of the review; and if he will implement these recommendations early in 2022. [48518/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 12 month review of the National Childcare Scheme, as required under Section 26 of the Childcare Support Act 2018, commenced at the end of March 2021. It is an independent assessment of the implementation and impacts of NCS during its first year of operation and will provide key data and information to support the future development of the NCS.
The report is in the final stages of completion by the consultant tasked with the review of the NCS and it is intended that the report will be submitted to the houses of the Oireachtas in Q.4 of this year.
The review was undertaken to provide a basis for my Department to consider how effectively the NCS is operating and whether it delivered on its objectives within the first year.
The review, once completed, will provide an opportunity for my Department and I to consider how the NCS meets its policy objectives, of improved children's outcomes, parental engagement in work or study and reduced child poverty, and support those most in need in the best evidence informed manner.
In considering these matters, my Department will also consider how best to respond to any issues raised and pathways to implementation.
164. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way his Department supports migrant integration; the funding his Department awards in support of community and migrant integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48199/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department has encouraged and promoted integration in all areas throughout the country; the extent of any issues that have arisen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49011/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 164 and 314 together.
Since 2017, the ‘Migrant Integration Strategy (MIS) – A Blueprint for the Future’ has been the central policy framework adopted by Government to promote the integration of all migrants who are legally residing in the State.
Coordinated by my Department, the Strategy envisages a whole-of-government approach to enhance diversity, inclusion and equity for migrants across all aspects of Irish society. It brings together State and non-State actors to implement change across 76 targeted actions, including measures to promote social inclusion, to improve access to public services and to address racism and xenophobia.
While initially due to conclude in 2020, the Migrant Integration Strategy was extended to the end of 2021 in recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Strategy’s implementation. My Department intends to commission an independent evaluation of all equality strategies due to conclude this year, the findings of which will inform the development of the future strategic approach to equality policies. I anticipate that a consultation process to develop a new strategic policy for migrant integration will begin early in 2022.
A number of funding streams have been made available by my Department to support migrants, or persons of migrant origin, to participate on an equal basis with those of Irish heritage.
- National Funding Streams
Under the National Integration Fund 2020, a total of €2.2 million has been made available over a three year period to support 18 integration projects nationwide. These projects aim to increase mutual understanding between local communities and migrants; combat racism and xenophobia; promote the integration of vulnerable or socially-excluded immigrants and encourage the involvement of migrants in sport, volunteering and cultural activities.
In addition, the Communities Integration Fund provides small grant funding (€1,000 - €5,000 per project) to local community-based projects to support migrant integration. Following a competitive open call in 2021, 111 local community-based organisations nationwide have been selected to receive grant funding under the Communities Integration Fund totalling €497,772.
Both the National Integration Fund and Communities Integration Fund arose from actions contained within the Migrant Integration Strategy.
- Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)
In 2016, EU Funds Unit (then part of Department of Justice and Equality, now part of Funds Administration Unit of DCEDIY) ran a call for proposals for migrant integration initiatives. 20 projects were selected, with total funding of €4.5m (75% of project budget, funded by EU under the AMIF 2014-2020 programme) over 3 years. In 2019 a further call for proposals awarded funding of €4.5m (again, 75% of total budget, the balance to be co-funded by the grantee) to 19 projects over 3 years to 30 September 2022.
- European Social Fund (ESF)
In 2016, EU Funds Unit awarded grants totalling €3.3m to 5 projects following a Call for Proposals, to fund migrant employment support initiatives over 4 years. These grant amounts were 50% funded by EU, 50% by Government of Ireland.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the treatment of children in residential care or fosterage with particular reference to the need to ensure their welfare and well-being on follow up in relation to issues of any concern; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48448/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra305. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to monitor the welfare of children in State care, fosterage or other forms of care other than parental care with a view to ensuring strict observance of child welfare requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49002/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which breaches of child welfare supports have been observed or reported in respect of children in various forms of State care including fosterage; the action taken on foot of any such reports; the follow up in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49003/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 165, 305 and 306 together.
The Child and Family Agency (Tusla), is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving child welfare and protection outcomes for children. Tusla is committed to promoting safe practice in all areas of alternative care, including residential care and foster care. Safe practice is defined as the implementation of appropriate safeguarding measures necessary for working with young people in a manner that acknowledges their need to live in as normal an environment as possible. All children have the right to be cared for, fulfill their potential and be protected from harm.
Once a child has been received into care, the most crucial task for the social worker is to find a placement that matches that child's needs. Children, depending on their identified need, may be placed in foster care either with relatives or general foster carers, in residential care, special care or other placement types. A key part of the social worker role is to develop, in consultation with the child and relevant others, a care plan which will guide the quality and safety of the child's placement, and to meet with the child on a one to one basis on all visits. There are safeguards surrounding each child's care placement, whether foster or residential care, and all placements are supervised by a professionally qualified social worker.
Regulations govern the placement of children in care. These provide for the welfare of the child, the care practices, care records, accommodation and safety precautions. The Regulations also provide that the allocated social worker oversees the implementation of the child's care plan, visits the child and consults with family members, foster carers and other people involved with the child to ensure that his or her needs are being met and that the care being provided is optimal.
HIQA carries out announced and unannounced inspections of children’s services including Child Protection and Welfare Services, Foster Care Services, statutory Children’s Residential Centres and Special Care units. HIQA carry out these inspections against Regulations and Standards, by reviewing files on site, interviews and questionnaires with staff and service users and their families. Following an inspection, HIQA share their initial judgements and draft report with the service/area. HIQA then works with the management of the centre or area in order to agree an Action Plan to address any identified deficits. Final reports are published, and are submitted to the Department with the area or service’s Action Plans and are monitored as necessary by DCEDIY officials.
Tusla has policies and procedures for responding to concerns, allegations and complaints made by or on behalf of children in care. This includes ensuring all allegations, concerns, and complaints by children in care are taken seriously and receive the required response as stated in policies within Tusla. In addition, the Ombudsman for Children and Tusla’s own National Review Panel will report on specific topics relating to the work of Tusla which prompts further improvements in Tusla services.
The foregoing sets out the safeguards in place with regard to all placements of children in care. Tusla in discharging its statutory responsibilities under the Child Care Acts must have the best interests of the child as its paramount consideration. It actively monitors every placement of every child in care to ensure its appropriateness to the needs of that child, and any concerns or breaches of standards are addressed in this context.
166. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total allocation in 2021 for the childcare capital grant scheme; the projected drawdown of this funding by year end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48633/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has, since 2015, administered an annual capital funding programme, under which early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) service providers are invited to apply for capital funding, to maintain and improve their services.
In 2021 I secured €10.5 million in Capital Funding for ELC and SAC childcare services.
The objective of the first round of grants under the 2021 Capital Programme was to provide grants to providers to help them to comply with fire safety regulations, a condition of their registration with Tulsa. As the full capital allocation was not claimed for these works, I announced a second round of capital grands would be in June 2021 to be used by services to support outdoor play and improve ventilation, as Covid infection control measures.
Pobal administers the Capital programme on behalf of my Department. Pobal have informed me that they received applications for €4,991,963 under the Fire Safety Grant, of which €4,689,711 has been paid to date.
3,689 applications were received for the second round of funding and a total of €4,597,500 has been paid to these services.
167. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to expand autism specific services in the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47693/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMany children with disabilities, including autism, take part in mainstream early learning and care services. Participation of children with disabilities in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) universal pre-school programme in mainstream early learning and care services is supported by the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which is delivered by my Department. The key objective of AIM is to support early learning and care providers to deliver an inclusive preschool experience, ensuring that children with a disability can fully participate in the ECCE Programme, thereby reaping the benefits of quality preschool provision.
First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, commits to consider enhancements to, or extension of AIM, following completion of the evaluation of AIM. Such an extension might involve younger children, longer hours of availability of targeted supports, children with additional needs other than a disability, or children attending school-age childcare services. Any decisions on extension or reform of AIM will be informed by the findings of the end-of-year-three evaluation of AIM, which is currently underway, with the final report due to be published in February 2022.
The 2015 report of the Inter-Departmental Group which led to the establishment of AIM recommended that specialist pre-school services for children with disabilities, which include services provided by the Department of Education and by the HSE, should remain in place at least during the initial years of AIM roll-out. These specialist pre-school services include autism-specific pre-school services provided by the Department of Education, which include:
- 132 Early Intervention Classes attached to primary schools for autistic children aged three and over.
- A Home Tuition Scheme which provides funding towards 10 hours' tuition for children under 3 years of age and 20 hours per week for children over 3 years of who cannot secure a placement in an early intervention class. Subject to conditions, parents are free to use the grant to engage tutors to deliver tuition in their home or pre-school providers to deliver tuition in a group/pre-school setting. Such arrangements are essentially between the parents and the relevant provider.
If parents are seeking a place for their child in primary school or in an early intervention class in a school setting, supports are available through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education. If so, I would recommend the parents to contact their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance. The local SENO contact details are available on www.ncse.ie.
168. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount that has been provided in capital grants to support national youth organisations and local youth services and clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48539/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount provided in 2020 and 2021 to youth capital projects; and the amount of the allocation that was drawn down for 2020 and 2021 (to date) is provided in the table below.
|
Youth Capital |
2020 |
2021 |
|
Allocation |
€1,950,000 |
€3,000,000 |
|
Draw down |
€2,379,650 |
€2,328,650 |
The capital scheme for 2021 saw some 500 individual grants provided to services and youth clubs across 16 Education and Training Board areas and 24 National Youth Organisations, including NYCI, Foróige, Crosscare, YWI, and Gaisce.
The capital grants awarded are supporting services and clubs with upgrade works, the purchase of new equipment, ICT for online service provision, improvements to ventilation, and adaptations to outdoor spaces to facilitate youth services to run outdoor activities. Some 24 National Youth Organisations are benefiting from over €500,000 in capital grants to support their work across the country in the area of ICT, minor works and equipment.
Youth services play a vital role in our communities, providing support and guidance to young people, and empowering them to reach their full potential. They have been at the forefront at reaching out to help young people throughout this pandemic, helping to alleviate social isolation, by offering them a space in person or online, to meet with their peers, and process the challenges of Covid-19.
Youth clubs and services continue to work to improve the well-being of young people, and by providing opportunities for personal development, they are helping young people to achieve better social outcomes and gain a greater understanding of the world around them. The capital funding provided supports services to provide real benefits to young people’s lives.
