Written Answers Nos. 293-309
293. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps his Department is taking to address the serious challenges in staff recruitment and retention within the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49075/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that many early learning and childcare services are reporting staffing and recruitment difficulties, with increased pressures as a result of Covid-19. My Department is actively monitoring the issue and has sought data and evidence-based proposals from sectoral representatives.
The primary data-source for the sector is the Annual Early Years Sector Profile. In the most recent published Sector Profile (published in 2021, and relating to data from 2020), 44% of services reported challenges in recruiting suitably qualified staff over the past 12 months. While this figure was down 9% from the previous year, it remains very high. The staff turnover rate has similarly fallen from 23% to 18%, but remains unacceptably high.
Recruitment and recruitment difficulties in the sector are undoubtedly linked to poor terms and conditions in the workforce, with for example the average pay being €12.45 per hour.
I am very conscious of the need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in early learning and childcare services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy.
As the State does not employ early learning and childcare practitioners, I cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. My Department has, however, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions.
I am committed to doing what is in my power to improve wages and working conditions. That is why last December I began a process to examine the possibility of regulating pay and conditions in the sector and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC). In agreement with IBEC/Childhood Services Ireland, and SIPTU, I appointed Dr Kevin Duffy, former Chair of the Labour Court, to be the independent chair of this process.
On foot of Dr Duffy’s report, on 11 March I wrote to the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, recommending the establishment of a JLC for the sector.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Labour Court recommended establishment of a JLC, and Minister English accepted the Labour Court’s recommendations. The Establishment Order came into effect at the beginning of July. The JLC will provide an opportunity for unions and employer representatives to work together to determine wages and working conditions for ELC and SAC.
In addition, work on a Workforce Development Plan for ELC and SAC continues, with a final report expected by the end of the year.
294. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will engage with employers to encourage them to top-up employee parent’s leave rates to encourage its take-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47976/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has been a significant expansion in the provision of family leaves in recent years, with the introduction of paid parent's leave through the Parent's Leave and Benefit Act 2019 and its extension to five weeks this year with the Family Leaves and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2021; as well as extensions to unpaid parental leave through the Parental Leave Amendment Act 2019 to 26 weeks per child before their twelfth birthday.These additional forms of family leave are a welcome boost to the work-life balance of working parents but they also have implications for employers. In this context, while employers are free to top up Parent's Benefit, the Government has no plans to require them to do so. My Department will continue to monitor the uptake of Parent's Leave and the wider suite of family leaves and will develop further policy positions based on any issues arising.
295. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to encourage the take-up of paternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47977/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Paternity Leave and Benefit Act 2016 (as amended), an employee who is a relevant parent in relation to a child is entitled to 2 weeks paid paternity leave to be taken in the first 6 months after the birth or adoptive placement of a child. A relevant parent in relation to a child means a person, other than the mother, who is the father of the child, the partner (spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) of the mother of the child, the parent of a donor-conceived child, or, the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of the qualifying adopter of the child.
The intention of paternity leave is to support and encourage parents, particularly fathers, to play a role in supporting their child’s early development. Paternity Benefit is paid at an equivalent rate to Maternity, Adoptive and Parent’s benefits at €245 per week.
My Department is committed to ensuring that the provision of family leaves meets the needs of working parents and families. In keeping with my Department’s commitments under the Programme for Government, a public consultation on flexible working was recently undertaken which will inform the development of a new flexible working policy aimed at promoting better work-life balance for parents and those with caring responsibilities.
My Department is continuing to monitor the uptake of family leaves and will examine the need for further actions, as required.
296. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made under First 5, the whole-of Government strategy for babies, young children and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48703/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFirst 5 was published in November 2018. The strategy focuses on the period of early childhood and takes a joined-up, cross-government approach to supporting babies, young children and their families during their early years.
The Implementation Plan, published in May 2019, covers the first phase of the ten year plan and identifies key milestones for each action across 2019, 2020 and 2021. An Implementation Office monitors progress supported by an Inter Departmental Group and produces an Annual Implementation Report. The implementation structures of the Better Outcomes Brighter Futures framework provide further support and oversight for implementation. The measurability of the actions committed to, the oversight structures, and the transparent approach to monitoring are described by the Better Outcomes Brighter Futures Advisory Council as ‘a model for other strategies’.
The Annual Implementation Report for 2019 monitored progress on all 305 milestones for 2019, illustrating that 69% of milestones were met by end 2019. By the end of 2020, 90% of 2019 milestones were met.
The Annual Implementation Report for 2020 is currently being compiled and when published will show continuing and significant progress being made on all 322 milestones for 2020, notwithstanding the significant impact of Covid-19 during that year and since.
The Programme for Government negotiated in 2020 also reaffirmed commitment to First 5 implementation.
Major examples of progress include the extension of Parent’s Leave and Benefit to five weeks for each parent. Unpaid parental leave has increased by four weeks to 26 weeks for each eligible child and can now be taken until the child's 12th birthday.
Healthy eating guidelines and a children’s food pyramid for 1-5 year-olds were developed and published. A pilot milk schemes was run with Early Learning and Care providers in 2020.
Clearly the Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact on anticipated progress in 2020 given the significant requirement of the civil and public service to respond to the public health emergency and put in place alternative arrangements across many of the major action areas in the strategy including early learning and childcare services, education and, most obviously, health services.
Despite this, there are many examples of good progress that have been achieved across Government to realise the vision set out in First 5. The 2020 Annual Implementation Report will be published later this year and outline a full account of year two of implementation.
297. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures he has undertaken within his remit to address the issue of youth employment and youth employability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48696/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issue of employment is a key consideration for both myself and my Government colleagues. Indeed, in the past few weeks I attended a round table discussion convened by the Tanaiste involving Ministers and officials from relevant Departments and the youth sector to consider this issue. I issued a joint press release on 24 September detailing this meeting which may be of interest to the Deputy.
My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has recently published Pathways to Work 2021 -2025 with a number of key goals. Youth employment and youth employability generally comes within their remit.
With respect to employability and a role for youth services, my Department is working with the Education and Training Boards on a Targeted Youth Employability Support Initiative, beginning in 2021 and for the full year of 2022. This Initiative is supported by the Dormant Accounts Fund. This initiative builds on a similar previous initiative which was reviewed and found that small group and 1 to 1 interventions by youth services proved beneficial in helping hard to reach young people. The ETBs have recently completed an application process and I anticipate that I and my colleague the Minister for Rural and Community Development will receive a submission shortly. This iteration will focus on mentoring, leadership, local networks of NGOs and statutory bodies and outreach programmes.
Further, my Department provides significant funding in both the targeted and universal space to support young people to address range of needs including the provision of age appropriate tools and information related to the acquisition of employment and life skills. Of the over 250 UBU Your Place Your Space funded organisations, 75% include identified target groups of a) youth unemployment or b) young people not in employment, education or training.
298. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement by his Department with children within the asylum system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47517/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraGenerally, three cohorts of children can be involved with the international protection process, those in the company of their parents or guardian, children who arrive unaccompanied by a guardian (separated children) to ports of entry and unaccompanied child refugees who come to Ireland under specific relocation projects under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). The processing of all international protection applications is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice.
While Tulsa has no role in the asylum system, it has a specialist team of social workers dealing with separated children - the Separated Children Seeking Asylum (SCSA) team. The SCSA team also works with unaccompanied minors that Ireland has agreed to accept under specific projects led by the IRPP. The SCSA will assist the child in completing a protection application form for the International Protection Office and will also provide emotional support to the child.
Separated children are the largest cohort of children who come into Tusla care when they present to the immigration authorities at our sea and air ports. The service provided to these children is demand-led, and accurately estimating future demand is challenging as the international situation can change quickly. These children are received into care and are placed in residential and foster care.
Tusla's SCSA team received 80 referrals in 2020. Often such referrals include children who arrive unaccompanied at a port of entry but who have an adult relative or friend who lives in Ireland and is willing to care for them. The children who do not have adult relatives or guardians are received into care. There were 52 of these children in 2020.
With regard to children who are accompanied by their parents or guardians, such children are included in the protection applications made by their parents. The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department has no role in the processing of asylum applications. IPAS is responsible for the provision of accommodation and other services to persons who indicate their need for such accommodation during the protection application process. IPAS has also developed its own developed a Child Protection and Welfare Policy, the implementation of which is overseen by a social work team leader on secondment from Tusla to IPAS. In addition to this oversight role, the social work team leader also works directly with centre staff and families within IPAS accommodation centres to ensure they receive the child and family supports they require.
Numerous organisations, including NGOs and State Partners, also provide in-reach assistance to the families to assist with their orientation to the country. Such assistance includes linking them in to State supports and legal advisory services.
Other key service responses delivered or supported by Tusla, such as Tusla Education Support Services, Family Support Services and Children and Young People’s Services Committees, actively engage with children in these settings to support their transition and integration into the community.
In addition, IPAS has officials seconded full time from both the Department of Education and the Tusla Education Support Services who assist residents with the placement of their children in local schools and any additional education needs. All children, irrespective of their gender, including children of international protection applicants, refugees, migrant workers and unaccompanied minors can access pre-school, first and second level education in a manner similar to Irish nationals, until they have reached the age of 18 years.
299. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to increase funding for the childcare sector in Budget 2022. [48756/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is investing €638 million this year in the Early Learning and Care and School Age Childcare sector. State investment in ELC and SAC has increased by an unprecedented 141% since 2015. This funding has significantly extended the number of places available in the sector and the numbers of children benefiting from free or subsidised services.
Government has committed to increase investment in the sector to €1 billion by 2028.
A key vehicle to ensure that such significant additional investment delivers for children, families and the State will be a new funding model.
An Expert Group was established in September 2019 to develop this new funding model. The Group is independently chaired and includes national and international experts in ELC and SAC systems, funding, quality, economics, and relevant policy experts.
The Group has commissioned a series of research reports examining Ireland’s approach to this sector in an international context and engaged in an extensive programme of stakeholder consultation and engagement.
The report of the Expert Group is currently being drafted and will be submitted to me in November. I have met with the Chair of the Group and been briefed on its progress.
Further information on the work of the Expert Group and documentation related to the process is available at www.first5fundingmodel.ie.
300. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the submission from an organisation (details supplied) with its business plan for the reinvigoration of the voluntary clubs network across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48850/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy may be aware that my officials and I have met with Youth Work Ireland in relation to their business plan for the reinvigoration of the voluntary clubs network. We had an in-depth discussion on the implications of the report and the issue is under review by officials in the context of our consideration of the Estimates for 2022.
As the Deputy will be aware, I provided an increase of €5 million in funding for youth services in 2021, bringing the total from my Department to €66.8 million this year.
Each year, my Department funds universally focused, volunteer led, youth work through the Youth Service Grant Scheme. A number of National Youth Organisations will benefit from over €12 million in funding under this scheme in 2021. This represents a 6% increase over the funding provided in 2020. I believe that the youth work carried out by these volunteer groups is transformative for young people.
Additionally, the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level. The funding for this scheme increased by 7% to €2.3m in 2021. This scheme supports 1,400 clubs or groups nationwide.
I would like to reiterate the significance and value I place on the contributions made by volunteers to the community life of our country and to supporting our most vulnerable. In the youth sector, the work of some 40,000 volunteers has been key to the ability of youth work organisations to function effectively prior to the pandemic.
My Department sits on the Implementation Group of the National Volunteering Strategy 2021 – 2025. The purpose of this Strategy, led by the Department of Rural and Community Development, is to recognise, support and promote the unique value and contribution of volunteers to Irish society. A number of representatives of the voluntary youth sector are represented on subgroups under the Strategy working to advance actions in the areas of volunteer support and training as well as youth engagement .
301. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the protections that have been put in place and-or the consultation he or Tusla have with An Garda Síochána in advance of a raid by gardaí on a house and or dwelling that is known to contain children; if he and-or Tusla provide a counselling service post-raid in cases in which a child and or teenager has been present during a raid; and the number of referrals made to Tusla as a result of raids by gardaí since 2015. [48901/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra303. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the protections that have been put in place and-or the consultation by his Department or Tusla with An Garda Síochána in advance of a warranted search by An Garda Síochána on a house and or dwelling that is known to contain children; if he and-or Tusla provide a counselling service post the warranted search in cases in which a child and or teenager has been present during a search; the number of referrals made to Tusla as a result of a warranted searches by gardaí since 2015; and if Tusla officials accompany gardaí on raids or warranted searches in cases in which it is suspected children will be present. [48908/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 301 and 303 together.
The Deputy refers to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that Tusla reply directly to the Deputy.
302. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will review the current payscale for early year and childcare workers and ensure that they are paid a professional salary in line with the responsibility they hold and the level of education required for this position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48902/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious of the need for significant improvement in pay and working conditions for practitioners in early learning and childcare services. The level of pay they receive does not reflect the value of the work they do for children, for families and for the wider society and economy.
The State is not the employer and therefore cannot determine wages in the sector. However, I am committed to doing what is in my power to improve wages and conditions of employment in the sector. Increased investment by my Department in early learning and childcare services over a number of years has aimed to support improvements in pay. Overall, investment in the sector increased 141% over five budgets to 2020. This investment included specific measures to assist employers to improve pay and conditions such as: a 7% increase in ECCE capitation in 2018; higher capitation payments for graduates and Inclusion Coordinators; support for school-age childcare to make it easier to offer full-time, full-year employment contracts; and a pilot measure to fund participation in CPD.
Last December I began a process to examine the possibility of regulating pay and conditions in the sector and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee (JLC). In agreement with IBEC/Childhood Services Ireland, and SIPTU, I appointed Dr Kevin Duffy, former Chair of the Labour Court, to be the independent chair of this process.
On foot of Dr Duffy’s report, on 11 March I wrote to the Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail, recommending the establishment of a JLC for the sector.
In line with the provisions of the Industrial Relations Acts, the Labour Court recommended establishment of a JLC, and Minister English has now accepted the Labour Court’s recommendations. The Establishment Order came into effect at the beginning of July. The JLC will provide an opportunity for unions and employer representatives to work together to determine wages and working conditions for the sector.
Work is also progressing on a new funding model. The recommendations of a dedicated Expert Group are due later in 2021 and will be central to addressing both affordability and quality issues. The Expert Group’s Draft Guiding Principles to underpin a new funding model recognise the importance of the workforce in delivering quality services.
Finally, work continues on the Workforce Development Plan in setting out an approach to achieve commitments in First 5 relating to the workforce in early learning and childcare services, including commitments to raise the profile of careers in the sector and to ensure sufficient numbers of staff at all levels within the sector along with leadership development opportunities, and to work towards a more gender-balanced and diverse workforce. It is expected that the Workforce Development Plan will be completed by the end of this year.
304. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if information regarding potential avenues of State funding from his Department will be provided to a service in (details supplied) County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48928/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that my Department's responsibilities include a range of policy and service activity, direct and indirect, for children and young people, adults, families and communities and have a diverse range of cross-cutting impacts on other policy areas. My Department's expenditure is focussed on cross-cutting children’s initiatives including child welfare and protection, early learning and care and school age childcare, youth work, youth justice, children and young people's participation, research on children and young people, and since the transfer of functions took place in October 2020, the Department’s remit now includes responsibility for policy, legislation and services in the areas of integration, equality and disability and asylum accommodation services, areas previously managed by the Department of Justice. Information on these matters is available on my Department's website.
I would be greateful if the organisation to which the Deputy refers would write to my Department setting out their particular area of interest so that my officials will be able to respond with the most appropriate information.
My Department also provides funding to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to achieve its statutory responsibilities, including the care and protection of victims of Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
The commissioning and funding of individual services is an operational matter for Tusla, and I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy in this regard.
307. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which adequate support is available to children at risk in all situations throughout the country; the action taken or pending on any particularly sensitive cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49004/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI must advise the Deputy that it is not appropriate for me to comment on action taken or pending in respect of individual and/or particularly sensitive child protection matters or child care proceedings.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. If I, or my officials, become aware of a situation in which a child is considered to be at risk, that concern is communicated to Tusla as a matter of urgency.
If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, An Garda Síochána (AGS) should be alerted without delay.
Tusla acts urgently on notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by AGS or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases.
Tusla has an out of hours emergency number for AGS which provides advice to the AGS based on the circumstances and also can identify where a child is listed on the Child Protection Notification System. There is a 24/7 'out of hours' social work team available in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Cork and on call social workers in other areas. Tusla has a network of emergency foster care placements for children in need of emergency care out of hours.
Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 of that same act, to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will at that point carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm. Where a child is already in care, Tusla will make a determination as to whether the child is safe in their placement or if they need to be moved.
In April 2021 Tusla published research undertaken by National University of Ireland Galway (NUIG) which examined the actions undertaken by Tusla social workers when AGS transfer custody of a child to their care, following the AGS removing the child under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991. This research was carried out following the publication of an audit report, by the former Special Rapporteur for Child Protection, of the use of Section 12 by AGS.
A total of 452 cases recorded in Tusla’s Section 12 database for the period July 1st 2016 to June 30th 2017 were analysed. The findings showed that most of the children were aged 15 to 17 years and there were slightly more boys than girls. The research also showed that the most commonly reported reasons for invoking a Section 12 were:
- Severe parenting Difficulties
- Parental Alcohol/Drug Abuse
- Child Behaviour Difficulties.
As the data for the report was collected in 2016/2017 many of the findings of the report, and subsequent recommendations, have been addressed through ongoing service development and improvement in Tusla, including, as mentioned, the standardised processes of communication between Tusla and AGS.
308. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which his Department continues to meet any necessary requirements in respect of deficiencies in the protection of children in care or as reported at home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49005/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services.
Tusla has a dedicated Quality Assurance Team which produces monthly, quarterly and annual reports in respect of Tusla's functions, including detailed reporting on child safety and protection services. The reports are published on Tusla's website and are scrutinised by my officials. Issues of note are brought to my attention. The reports provide statistical evidence of improvements to child welfare and protection services and highlight challenges and areas where further improvement is required, such as the recruitment of additional social workers.
Additionally, Tusla child protection and welfare, and alternative care services are inspected against the relevant Standards and Regulations by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA). These inspection reports are also published, and the findings used to inform the development and improvement of services within Tusla.
HIQA carries out announced and unannounced inspections of children’s services including Child Protection and Welfare Services, Foster Care Services, Children’s Residential Centres and Special Care units. In addition, HIQA has a programme of thematic and overview reports, which assess Tusla at a whole-service level. Inspections include reviews of on-site files, interviews with staff and service users and their families.
Following an inspection, HIQA shares its 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, including the area or service’s Action Plans, are submitted to the Department for information and monitored by my officials. Most inspections are generally positive, and reflect both examples of good practice and dedicated staff. However, some reports identify challenges within individual areas, including the impact of staffing shortages, and difficulties in finding appropriate placements for children and young people.
Officials from my Department meet Tusla management on a regular basis to review the level of service provision, including areas in need of improvement.
309. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the degree to which a rapid response remains available to children deemed to be at risk of physical, mental or sexual abuse; if any particular issues have arisen which need further attention in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49006/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is referring to an operational matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have therefore referred the matter to Tusla, and asked that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
