Written Answers Nos. 184-201
184. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Education the number of pilot or network schools are trialling the updated leaving certificate curriculum; the way these schools were identified; if there was a set of criteria required for schools to be included in the pilot scheme; if she will provide a list of the schools already identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23798/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, on 29 March I announced an ambitious programme of work for a reimagined Senior Cycle of education where the student is at the centre of their Senior Cycle experience.
The three tenets of Senior Cycle reform are to:
- Empower students to meet the challenges of the 21st century
- Enrich the student experience and build on what’s strong in our current system
- Embed well-being and reduce student stress levels
Introducing significant change at Senior Cycle needs to be thought through carefully and it is essential to ensure that the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA), State Examinations Commission (SEC), the Department and schools can work through the changes with all stakeholders over a sustained period of time.
I have requested the NCCA to invite a selection of schools, representative of the different types and sizes of schools across Ireland, to become “network schools”. In order to successfully deliver on the vision I have set out, we need to partner with schools to trial, evaluate, learn, adjust and succeed.
Network schools will be given the opportunity to participate at an early stage in revised curriculum and assessment arrangements. These schools will receive support through a variety of forms to enable their participation. The network school approach will allow the curriculum and assessment arrangements to be co-constructed with students and their teachers allowing specific aspects of these proposals to be progressed and evaluated.
It will be important to carefully manage this work so that students in these schools, or in other schools, would not be disadvantaged in any way and this will be an important consideration during the delivery phase of the reforms I have announced.
The process for the selection of network schools is currently under consideration by the NCCA.
185. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23852/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the Department does not have a policy in place to install such artificial structures, my Department is committed to implementing green public procurement (GPP) policies in all appropriate tenders including landscaping tenders.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 29th March 2022
|
Name of Body |
Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas |
Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members |
|
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta |
oireachtas@cogg.ie |
jacquelinenifhearghusa@cogg.ie |
|
Educational Research Centre |
oireachtas.queries@erc.ie |
aidan.clerkin@erc.ie |
|
National Centre for Guidance in Education |
oireachtas@ncge.ie |
Jennifer.mckenzie@ncge.ie |
|
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Note 1 |
oireactasqueries@ncca.ie |
Aine.ArmstrongFarrell@ncca.ie |
|
State Examinations Commission |
Oireachtas@examinations.ie |
Paddy.Quinn@examinations.ie |
|
The Teaching Council |
pqrep@teachingcouncil.ie |
pfox@teachingcouncil.ie |
|
National Council for Special Education |
oireachtasqueries@ncse.ie |
patrick.martin@ncse.ie and cindyjane.oconnell@ncse.ie |
|
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Michael.Fitzpatrick@caranua.ie |
Note 1 - The spelling of the NCCA e-mail address to which Oireachtas queries may be addressed has been verified with the NCCA as being accurate.
186. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Social Protection the total amount spent on rent supplement in 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23529/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total amount of Rent Supplement paid by the Department of Social Protection in 2021 was €122.96 million.
The scheme provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment or income, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Since the introduction of HAP, rent supplement is reverting to its original role of providing short-term support to those who have become temporarily unemployed and require income support to meet their tenancy cost while they seek alternative employment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
187. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to an anomaly in the school meals programme whereby newly added schools for the DEIS programme for September 2022 do not qualify for the scheme due to funding shortages; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23541/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,506 schools and organisations benefitting 230,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
In recent years entry to the School Meals Scheme has been confined to DEIS schools in addition to schools identified as having levels of concentrated disadvantage that would benefit from access to the School Meals Programme.
Prior to the introduction of DEIS in 2005, all schools and organisations that were part of one of a number of Department of Education and Skills’ initiatives for disadvantaged schools, which included Breaking the Cycle, Giving Children an Even Break, the Disadvantaged Area Scheme, Home School Community Liaison and the School Completion Programme, were eligible to participate in the programme.
These schools and organisations have continued to remain in the scheme since the introduction of DEIS in 2005 but their level of funding has been capped at the same rate year on year to allow for the concentration of the scheme on DEIS schools.
Budget 2022 provided funding for all DEIS schools currently in the programme. Any provision to extend the programme to the newly added schools to the DEIS programme will need to be considered as part of the budgetary process.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
188. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if an application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will provide an update on this matter. [23579/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from this person on 30 March 2022.
On 6 May 2022 the person concerned was requested to supply supporting documentation required by the deciding officer in order to make a decision on their eligibility. On receipt of this information a decision will be made on their DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
189. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Social Protection the status of a service (details supplied) which has been closed since the start of the pandemic; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23652/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB), under the aegis of the Department of Social Protection, is the statutory body with responsibility for the Citizens Information Service (CIS). CIB provides funding to 22 companies in order to deliver services on its behalf. This includes eight CIS companies that operate a national network of Citizens Information Centres, including South Leinster CIS which encompasses Co. Wicklow.
In March 2020, the Board of South Leinster CIS made the decision to close the Wicklow town Citizens Information Centre (CIC) office as part of their COVID 19 response. The decision to close any office within the CIS network is a matter for the relevant CIS Board as they are responsible for their region’s service delivery. On 6 December 2021, the South Leinster CIS Regional Manager on behalf of the Board informed CIB that they had made the decision to discontinue services in their Wicklow town office due to health and safety concerns. The Board had undertaken an internal assessment of the premises and identified that they were unsuitable under a number of areas, including the issue of lone working. The Information Officer previously based in Wicklow CIC has worked supporting citizens of Wicklow from Bray CIC since March 2020.
An office space in the centre of Wicklow town was considered in 2021. However the premises required substantial financial investment before it could be utilised. Recently an alternative outreach office space was identified in Wicklow Town. However, the Board of South Leinster CIS has made the decision not to proceed with this outreach at present. CIB is engaging with South Leinster CIS to ensure the needs of Wicklow residents are met.
Citizens Information Services continue to be available in Wicklow in Arklow and Bray. Arklow CIC is open for drop in callers on Tuesdays from 10am to 1pm and 1.30pm to 4.30pm. Appointments are also available. Callers can also ring the service Monday to Friday with their queries from 9am to 5pm. Bray CIC is open for drop in callers on Mondays and Thursdays from 9.30am to 4.30pm. Callers can also ring the service Monday to Friday with their queries from 9am to 5pm. Appointments are also available. Both CIB and the Board of South Leinster CIS are committed to the continued ongoing delivery of high-quality services to the people of county Wicklow.
190. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a State pension (non-contributory) overpayment file in respect of the estate of a deceased person (details supplied). [23694/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraState pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record. Recipients of state pension non-contributory are obliged to notify the Department of any changes in their circumstances that may affect their pension entitlement. A list of the reportable changes of circumstance is included in the initial notification of pension award and in all subsequent review communications issued.
Social welfare legislation provides that the personal representative of a deceased person who, at any time, received a means-tested payment is obliged to give notice to the Department of their intention to distribute the deceased's estate and to provide a schedule of the assets of the estate. The personal representative is requested not to distribute the estate until they receive formal clearance from the Department. If, on examination of the schedule of assets, it is found that not all of the deceased’s means had been disclosed, or if the values of previously assessed means had changed, the Department will seek to recover any monies overpaid from the estate.
Examination of the assets of the estate of the deceased person concerned indicated that the person may not have been entitled to the weekly rate of pension paid to them. An investigation by an Inspector of the Department has been completed and the case is currently being examined by a Deciding Officer.
Before making their formal decision, the Deciding Officer will write to the personal representative, affording them an opportunity (within 21 days of the date of the letter), to comment or furnish any statement or evidence they wish the Deciding Officer to take into consideration.
If a personal representative is dissatisfied with the Deciding Officer's final decision, they may request a review, or appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. Details of the options open to the personal representative will be provided in the decision letter.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
191. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in County Westmeath in receipt of carer’s allowance, carer’s respite care grant and carers benefit in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022. [23714/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in counties Longford and Westmeath, respectively in receipt of payments (details supplied) in 2020, 2021 and 2022, in tabular form. [23749/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 191 and 194 together.
The information requested is contained in the tables below. With the exception of Fuel Allowance, all the number of distinct recipients by quarter are provided. For Fuel allowance, the number of distinct recipients by year are provided.
Table 1 shows the recipients of each scheme by quarter from Q1 2020 to Q1 2022 in Westmeath, and Table 2 shows the recipients of each scheme by quarter from Q1 2020 to Q1 2022 in Longford. Table 3 shows the number of recipients of Fuel Allowance in Westmeath and Longford, by year.
Table 1: Recipients of various schemes by quarter in Westmeath
|
Q1 2020 |
Q2 2020 |
Q3 2020 |
Q4 2020 |
Q1 2021 |
Q2 2021 |
Q3 2021 |
Q4 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
|
|
Carer's Allowance |
2,027 |
2,055 |
2,097 |
2,127 |
2,142 |
2,186 |
2,205 |
2,218 |
2,215 |
|
Carer's Benefit |
88 |
95 |
96 |
102 |
105 |
111 |
117 |
112 |
109 |
|
Disability Allowance |
3,290 |
3,313 |
3,360 |
3,382 |
3,417 |
3,439 |
3,464 |
3,469 |
3,483 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
1,165 |
1,118 |
1,068 |
1,053 |
1,015 |
986 |
996 |
992 |
999 |
|
Guardians Payment (Contributory) |
29 |
30 |
31 |
30 |
29 |
28 |
27 |
28 |
24 |
|
Guardians Payment (Non-Contributory) |
15 |
16 |
16 |
17 |
19 |
20 |
19 |
18 |
18 |
|
Illness Benefit |
1,952 |
2,130 |
1,728 |
2,125 |
2,157 |
1,976 |
2,400 |
3,445 |
6,699 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
1,336 |
1,341 |
1,350 |
1,352 |
1,361 |
1,361 |
1,351 |
1,337 |
1,330 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
3,640 |
3,365 |
3,712 |
3,681 |
3,365 |
3,386 |
3,448 |
3,226 |
3,163 |
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
1,350 |
1,165 |
1,239 |
1,083 |
998 |
954 |
1,125 |
1,081 |
1,479 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
801 |
794 |
795 |
812 |
817 |
811 |
825 |
832 |
859 |
|
Respite Care Grant Scheme |
40 |
2,587 |
61 |
48 |
18 |
2,729 |
76 |
43 |
31 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
7,330 |
7,406 |
7,499 |
7,596 |
7,671 |
7,764 |
7,862 |
7,964 |
8,061 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
1,730 |
1,736 |
1,729 |
1,732 |
1,731 |
1,726 |
1,725 |
1,728 |
1,725 |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
2,368 |
2,359 |
2,362 |
2,372 |
2,370 |
2,390 |
2,381 |
2,384 |
2,387 |
|
Widows Non Contributory Pension |
29 |
30 |
30 |
29 |
27 |
27 |
28 |
28 |
30 |
Table 2: Recipients of various schemes by quarter in Longford
|
Q1 2020 |
Q2 2020 |
Q3 2020 |
Q4 2020 |
Q1 2021 |
Q2 2021 |
Q3 2021 |
Q4 2021 |
Q1 2022 |
|
|
Disability Allowance |
1,816 |
1,842 |
1,874 |
1,885 |
1,902 |
1,890 |
1,889 |
1,904 |
1,888 |
|
Family Income Supplement |
826 |
790 |
749 |
746 |
733 |
698 |
706 |
725 |
732 |
|
Guardians Payment (Contributory) |
13 |
14 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
|
Guardians Payment (Non-Contributory) |
9 |
10 |
10 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
13 |
|
Illness Benefit |
859 |
1,100 |
900 |
1,065 |
1,146 |
904 |
1,090 |
1,604 |
3,100 |
|
Invalidity Pension |
664 |
661 |
667 |
661 |
660 |
649 |
643 |
637 |
638 |
|
Jobseekers Allowance |
2,115 |
2,011 |
2,249 |
2,189 |
2,070 |
2,060 |
2,014 |
1,924 |
1,890 |
|
Jobseekers Benefit |
630 |
579 |
561 |
457 |
399 |
405 |
513 |
430 |
595 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
423 |
417 |
428 |
431 |
431 |
433 |
446 |
451 |
460 |
|
State Pension Contributory |
3,535 |
3,577 |
3,637 |
3,665 |
3,718 |
3,744 |
3,788 |
3,834 |
3,867 |
|
State Pension Non Contributory |
1,271 |
1,263 |
1,266 |
1,268 |
1,267 |
1,270 |
1,270 |
1,263 |
1,270 |
|
Widow(er)'s Contributory Pension |
1,054 |
1,056 |
1,058 |
1,067 |
1,070 |
1,072 |
1,074 |
1,084 |
1,085 |
|
Widows Non Contributory Pension |
23 |
23 |
21 |
22 |
22 |
21 |
19 |
16 |
16 |
Table 3: Recipients of Fuel Allowance in Westmeath and Longford, by year
|
County |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Westmeath |
5,086 |
5,326 |
5,036 |
|
Longford |
3,037 |
3,222 |
3,079 |
192. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of persons in counties Westmeath and Longford, respectively, who transferred from the pandemic unemployment payment to unemployment benefit or unemployment allowance when the pandemic unemployment payment was discontinued. [23723/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) was introduced in response to the unprecedented disruption to the labour market caused by the COVID-19 Pandemic. Over the course of the pandemic, over 880,000 individuals received support under the scheme, at an associated cost of over €9 billion.
Following the full lifting of public health restrictions earlier this year, the scheme has now been wound down. The phased closure of the PUP, which was initiated in October 2021, concluded at the end of March this year.
Following the final PUP on March 29th, the transition process to jobseeker terms for eligible PUP recipients commenced, with the first jobseeker payments paid on 5 April.
In Longford, on the week of 5 April, there were 82 people who had transitioned from the PUP in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance and 165 people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit. Similarly, on the same week in Westmeath, there were 169 people in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance claims and 447 in receipt of Jobseeker’s Benefit, who transitioned from the PUP.
These figures also include those who transitioned to a Jobseeker’s payment at other stages of the phased closure of the scheme, provided their PUP was within 31 days of opening their Jobseeker’s claim. They are also inclusive of ‘casuals’.
My Department is actively working to assist all those individuals that transitioned from the PUP to standard jobseeker terms back into work.
193. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Social Protection if long-Covid is being cited as a condition in medical certification for social welfare payments and supports; and if so, the number of cases there have been; the number at present; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23744/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. It is important to note that entitlement to these supports is generally not contingent on the nature of the illness or disability but on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
In March 2020, under the Health (Preservation and Protection and other Emergency Measures in the Public Interest) Act 2020 (No. 1) and subsequent regulations, the Government provided for entitlement to Illness Benefit for persons who have been diagnosed with Covid-19 or are a probable source of infection with Covid-19.
The rate of payment of the enhanced Illness Benefit payment in respect of Covid-19 is higher than the normal maximum personal rate of illness benefit, for a limited period. The enhanced rate is €350, with additional payments in respect of dependent adults and children. Over 578,000 claims had been processed by 6 May 2022 – of those, 55% were diagnosed with Covid, 41% were a probable risk of Covid and 3% had made former Covid-19 claims. Almost 550,000 claims have received a payment since its introduction and 2,970 are currently in payment.
The enhanced rate is payable for a maximum of ten weeks for those diagnosed with Covid-19. In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility.
After this time, doctors should certify people according to the primary reason for incapacity for work – this varies greatly among people experiencing long-Covid and may include a wide range of physical and mental health conditions. If they continue to use the code for Covid-19 in the International Classification of Diseases, illness benefit will be paid at the standard rate after the initial period of 10 weeks at the enhanced rate. It is not possible to state how many people have long-Covid. By way of illustration, a person experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder following a period in intensive care may be certified by their doctor for PTSD rather than for Covid-19. Approximately 3% of people who have been on enhanced illness benefit move to standard illness benefit. However, some may have conditions not related to Covid in any way but due to another form of illness. Others may have been on the payment for up to two weeks as being a probable risk of Covid and then developed another separate illness – they may still be recorded as a former claimant of the Covid payment on the Department's IT system.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
195. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider reducing the amount of time that a person must be on the live register in order to qualify for a community employment scheme given the shortage of community employment applicants in areas including Dublin, and the influx of Ukrainians who may want to avail of this scheme as in the case of a centre (details supplied). [23762/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Employment (CE) Scheme is an active labour market programme designed to provide long-term unemployed people, who have been out of work for a year, with an opportunity to engage in useful work experience and training opportunities within their communities on a temporary, fixed term basis to improve their prospect of returning to employment. While the duration on CE can vary depending on the age and personal circumstances of individual participants, most participants stay on CE for up to three years, with the minimum commitment being one year.
We need to ensure that employment support programmes, such as CE, which were designed to assist those furthest from the labour market, continue to be available for those who would most benefit most from these programmes. For CE, this continues to be those out of work for a year.
Employment support programmes are being provided and are available to persons coming from Ukraine on the same conditions that are currently in place for all customers.
Government is very aware that many of those arriving here from Ukraine can take up employment. In this context my Department is also providing assistance to Ukrainians to find employment. A dedicated section on www.jobsireland.ie, has been developed providing information on employment supports and opportunities for newly arrived Ukrainians. Ukrainians seeking employment can also use jobsireland.ie, to upload details of their skills and experience for matching with available employment opportunities or can come to a local Intreo Office to talk to an employment support officer. Employers across all sectors who wish to support Ukrainians through provision of employment opportunities, should register on www.jobsireland.ie to advertise vacancies. This will further assist Intreo employment services officers match the skills of those seeking employment with available work opportunities.
My Department has recently launched a programme of employment engagement events specifically for those who have come to this country from Ukraine. This will enable Intreo and the wider Public Employment Services to provide further support and assistance to Ukrainians in finding employment. These engagements are being provided on an outreach basis in, or close to, current accommodation hubs, or by inviting the people concerned into Intreo offices to meet with employment support officers.
My Department continues to work with CE sponsor groups to nominate candidates to fill vacancies as they arise. Changes made to CE eligibility criteria by Minister Humphreys and myself in December 2021, including the possibility of having a participant's contract extended where it is not possible to find a replacement, should also help in this regard.
Eligibility criteria for CE continues to be kept under active review by my Department officials to ensure the best outcomes for individual long term unemployed participants, to support the vital community services delivered by schemes and in light of changes to the labour market.
I trust this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
196. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will assist a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23776/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability allowance (DA) is a weekly income support paid to people who are aged over 16 and under 66 and who are substantially restricted from doing work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of their age, experience and qualifications by virtue of them having an injury, disease or physical or mental disability. The specified disability must be expected to last for at least on year and eligibility for the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
A decision as to whether or not a person is eligible to receive a DA payment can only be considered on receipt of a completed application form for that payment. To date no application for DA has been received from the person concerned. An application form has been issued by post by the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
197. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under her remit have policies in place to install artificial structures that provide shelter and habitat space for wild species such as, but not limited to, insect hotels, bat boxes, nesting towers and beehives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23863/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Government’s Climate Action Plan, my Department is committed to countering climate change and improving our environment for present and future generations.
My Department has a Greener Department Group, comprising staff and managers which promotes a greener, more ecological culture within the Department, coordinates green initiatives, champions sustainable practices, and instills an overall culture of green thinking. This group is supported by green teams at local level who develop initiatives such as artificial insect habitats.
My Department is also exploring with the Office of Public Works the feasibility of installing beehives in some of our buildings.
198. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has completed the core funding contract with the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23521/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key conditions of the Core Funding contract were outlined in the report of the Expert Group, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare. This was launched on 7th December 2021 and states that providers who sign up to Core Funding should be required to:
- Follow the fee management system - in 2022/23 this will be a requirement not to increase fees above September 2021 levels;
- Implement the quality improvement measures under the Nurturing Skills, the workforce plan for ELC and SAC;
- Implement the relevant practice frameworks;
- Develop, implement, and report on an annual quality development plan;
- Provide transparent financial reports and participate as required in cost surveys and other necessary data-collection exercises; and
- Offer the NCS and ECCE programme to all eligible children/parents, including children accessing the NCS through sponsorship arrangements.
The full detail of the contract will be available in June for review by potential applicants. The contract will be available for signing in August.
The application process will consist of three stages, as follows:
- Stage 1 of the application process opened in April with the Sector Profile and Income & Costs Survey, which is a pre-requisite for application for Core Funding. Collection of data for the Annual Early Years Sector Profile closed in May. In cases where a service could not complete the survey during this period, they will continue to have the opportunity to enter Core Funding by completing the survey in advance of the application form for Core Funding.
- Stage 2 of the application process opens in June, when providers will be required to define their service’s profile and their capacity in detail in an online application form. The service-specific Core Funding values will be communicated to providers (subject to final verifications and confirmations). The Core Funding contract will also be published in June to allow applicants to review what they will later be asked to sign.
- Stage 3 of the application process opens in August and will entail individual contracts being made available to applicants for signature. The full contractual obligations of Core Funding will come into effect from the point of the provider signing the contract.
The new funding model being implemented aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, practitioners, and society overall.
This transformation starts with Core Funding and the new approach will entail a shift in the relationship between the State and providers in relation to delivering ELC and SAC, with new responsibilities on both sides. Core Funding is open to all registered providers subject to their agreement to the terms and conditions of the funding stipulated in the contract. It is my ambition that the maximum number providers choose to participate in this partnership to deliver ELC and SAC for the public good and come into contract for Core Funding. Core Funding however is optional for providers.
I look forward to working together in partnership with providers to deliver ELC and SAC services for the public good.
199. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has considered the rise in the cost of living in the context of capping childcare fees due in September 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23522/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEnsuring improved quality, affordability and sustainability of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare (ELC and SAC) services is a key priority for Government. My Department has undertaken detailed analysis of providers' operating costs and has in-depth understanding of the cost breakdown and cost drivers of ELC and SAC delivery.
As part of Budget 2022, I was pleased to announce that Government investment in ELC and SAC next year will reach €716 million.
From September 2022, a major new funding stream - Core Funding - will be introduced. Under the new funding stream, in return for a commitment that fees to parents will not increase, providers will be supported in meeting their operating costs, including increased costs related to improved quality measures.
It is important to support services with staff costs, which comprise approximately 70% of a service's operating costs. In this respect, Core Funding includes allocations for improvements in staff pay and conditions (€138 million) and for administrative staff/time (€25 million). Employer costs are factored in to the staff costs allocation in Core Funding. A further €38 million will be distributed in line with ELC graduate qualifications of ELC Lead Educators and Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services.
Core Funding will also make a contribution to non-staff overhead costs (for example, utilities, rent) that make up the remaining 30% of providers costs. In a full year, there is an allocation of €20 million for a contribution to non-staff overhead costs through Core Funding. This includes an increase since the original allocation was announced in the budget.
The significant majority of ELC and SAC services will see substantial increases in income through Core Funding. It is important to state that no service will lose out because of Core Funding.
Budget 2022 also announced that the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) would continue to be available to the ELC and SAC sector. Employers in the sector were entitled to access the EWSS, with an exemption from the requirement to demonstrate the drop in turnover that applies to other sectors, from August 2020 until the end of April 2022.
A Transition Fund is now in place to support providers between the end of the EWSS and the introduction of Core Funding. The main conditionality of access to the Transition Fund will be that services do not increase the fees charged to parents above September 2021 levels. The sum paid to each service under the Transition Fund will depend on the service’s capacity, location, and service type.
The introduction of fee management measures is one of the recommendations contained in the Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, as approved by Government. Fee management will start with the requirement for providers to maintain fees at or below September 2021 levels to access Core Funding in 2022. Further information on proposed fee management mechanisms in the longer term is available in the Group's report, available here: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/report/
Where providers require further financial assistance in addition to current supports available, the Department operates a Sustainability Fund for providers experiencing sustainability challenges. Providers facing these challenges should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee.
200. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the official procedure for Tusla giving instructions to foster carers; if instructions are to be made in writing and not just verbally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23559/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo reply to the Deputy's question my Department requested information from Tusla. They have informed us of the following:
Tusla does not have any policy which indicates if ‘instructions’ are to be provided in writing, or verbally, to Foster Carers. It is Tusla's intention that Foster Carers are as considered key partners in care planning and decision-making, for the children and young people in their care, but the agency understands that is not the experience of all Foster Carers at this time. During recent engagements with Foster Carers, Tusla has heard from Foster Carers who have had positive experiences of Care Planning, where they have received copies of the child or young person’s care plan, and others where they have not. Foster Carers have also informed Tusla that there is information that they would like to receive in writing, such as information on their entitlements, how to access services, or approaches to positive engagement with the children and young people in their care, and Tusla is now working to develop this information and ensure consistency in approach. Tusla are currently finalising a Strategic Plan for Foster Care 2022-2025. The ambition of this plan is to ensure that Tusla implements the recommendations, based on feedback from internal and external stakeholders including Foster Carers, to promote a partnership approach and to ensure consistency in service provision, including those issues raised in the Deputy's correspondence.Should the Deputy have any specific information in relation to concerns raised by Foster Carers in relation to how they were communicated with, or received instructions, or whereby Foster Carers are experiencing challenges in this regard, Tusla would welcome further information and the opportunity to address these inconsistencies with these Foster Carers.
201. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the lack of standardisation in the expenses that Tusla will cover with regard to foster carers; if his attention has been further drawn to foster carers paying for their own Tusla medical examinations and fees in relation to children’s passports; the reason that the coverage of certain costs varies across the country; if he will provide a list of the of expenses that Tusla must cover; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23560/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo reply to the Deputy's question my Department requested information from Tusla. They have informed us of the following:
The Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995, and the Child Care (Placement of Children in Relative Foster Care) Regulations 1995, state that the allowance payable to Foster Carers should not be less than an amount specified by the Minister, is exempt from taxation and is paid in respect of the child in their care to meet the child’s daily living needs. The weekly allowance is €325 per week per child under 12yrs and €352 per week per child over 12yrs.
Enhanced allowances can be paid when a longer-term financial need is identified for additional supports for the child. A maximum of twice the weekly rate may be paid in respect of children, if they have additional medical or educational needs that require an additional level of care. In considering an enhanced allowance, the assessing social worker is required to evidence that the standard fostering allowance does not adequately provide for the cost of caring for the child.
Tusla have promoted standardisation in the application of enhanced payments. However, the Agency is aware from recent engagements with Foster Carers of some variations in other payments, for example the costs associated with medical expenses or for reviews of foster carers. In February 2022, instruction was issued to all Tusla Areas to confirm payment of these costs. In relation to the specific query on the cost of passports, it would be intended that the fostering allowance would cover the costs of passports.
Should the Deputy have any specific information in relation to areas that this may not be the practice or whereby specific foster carers are experiencing variation in practice in relation to foster care payments, Tusla would welcome further information and the opportunity to address these inconsistencies.
In discharging its responsibilities, Tusla is committed to ensuring that policies, practices, and financial supports are applied in an equitable and consistent manner across the service, to ensure that children and young people in foster families receive the best possible level of care and support.
