Written Answers Nos. 504-523
504. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of beds available to refugees in a hotel (details supplied); the number of refugees currently based in the hotel; and the amount paid to the hotel operators per person per night. [27689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Over 23,000 people have sought short-term temporary accommodation from my Department to date.
As contract negotiations are still ongoing with the hotel in question, I am not in a position to provide the information requested. The Deputy should also note that the Department is not in a position to provide contractual values of individual providers in view of the commercially sensitive nature of the data.
505. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount that has been spent to date on private emergency accommodation for Ukrainian refugees. [27690/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the outbreak of the war in Ukraine on 24 February, and the invoking of the temporary protection Directive by the European Union shortly afterwards, my Department has worked intensively as part of the cross-governmental response to the Ukraine crisis.
My Department is focused on providing short-term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Some 23,000 people have been referred to my Department for accommodation to date.
As of 29 May 2022, my Department has contractual arrangements in place for approximately 17,800 beds currently in over 350 settings including in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings with additional capacity also being pursued through accommodation pledged by the general public, state-owned or private properties which may be suitable for short-term accommodation, student accommodation, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, religious order properties and Local Authority facilities.
As of 25 May the total invoiced expenditure of my Department on accommodation was approximately €47.3m which includes board.
506. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff who have been assigned to the implementation of the white paper on ending direct provision from 2021 to date in tabular form. [27692/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra507. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current estimated date for the full transition to the new model of accommodation for international protection applicants [27693/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra508. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when international protection applicants will begin to transition into the new model of accommodation. [27694/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will aware I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service on the 26th of February 2021. In the fourteen months since its publication my department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants. The progress made has included:
- Establishment of a dedicated transition team to drive implementation of the programme. This team currently has a staffing level of seven people.
- Development of a detailed implementation plan including inputs from other key stakeholders who have a responsibility for delivering services to International Protection applicants.
- Governance structures established to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee. The membership of the Programme Board includes a representative with lived experience of International Protection and representatives of non-governmental organisations. The Board has met regularly over the past twelve months to review progress. The board most recently met on the 28th April and are due to meet again on the 16th June. As part of the Programme Board governance framework it has appointed a Risk Committee to oversee the management of risks.
- Significant progress has been made on putting in place the new accommodation model. This work has involved working very closely with the Housing Agency in the development of detailed policy advice papers including an acquisition policy, an ownership model and a funding model. Proposals in relation to the ownership model were brought to the Programme Board in November and approved by myself in January 2022. Work is also ongoing to develop a funding model for Approved Housing Bodies to support them in building a pipeline of Phase Two accommodation. The funding model will be launched in the coming months.
- The County and City Management Association has developed and approved a Local Authority allocation key. The key allows for a distribution of applicants across the country according to population criteria. DCEDIY and the Housing Agency are using the allocation key to identify suitable properties for purchase for Phase Two accommodation.
- The Housing Agency has proceeded to source a range of properties for Phase Two accommodation and has acquired an initial number to date. Work to source and acquire properties will continue for the remainder of 2022.
- Work is also moving ahead on developing the system of income support that applicants will receive when moving into Phase Two accommodation. A policy paper has been developed and work is now proceeding to design the operational structures for the payment.
- The Transition Team is also developing an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper. In collaboration with the Local Authorities there has been a focus on designing the supports that will be required at a local level. The proposal is to expand the current model of interagency working groups and resettlement and intercultural workers that is in place for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. The aim is to establish a permanent integration system at local level that will provide support both to programme refugees and to applicants for international protection. Work is being finalised to determine the respective roles of Local Authorities and NGOs in delivering the new integration model;
- Work is ongoing to launch an integration fund in the coming months which will fund civil society organisations to support the integration of International Protection applicants;
- A number of stakeholders meetings were held in the early part of 2022 including a briefing of the NGO sector which I was delighted to attend. Over 30 organisations were in attendance and were provided with a comprehensive update on how the implementation of the White Paper is progressing. Further briefings with the NGO sector will be held periodically.
- Development of a Communication strategy including in February 2022 the launch of a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made in implementing the White Paper. Work will continue in 2022 to develop further, other avenues to ensure communities are fully briefed on implementation of the White Paper.
As deputies will appreciate the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for implementation of the White Paper, as staff in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth were temporarily diverted to fulfill Ireland’s obligations. Upwards of 33,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive, and over 23,000 have been accommodated by the State.
Over the coming weeks a review will be undertaken to assess the full impact of the Ukraine crisis. However, it is currently planned that the transition team will move ahead to operationalise parts of the new system in late 2022. The implementation of the new model is and will continue to be a key priority for my department.
509. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of cases that are currently open with Tulsa and in need of a social worker; the ratio of open cases to social worker; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27699/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Deputy is seeking information in relation to case numbers and social workers which is an operational matter for Tusla. Consequently, I have referred the matter to Tusla, and requested that a direct response be provided to the Deputy.
510. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding that is available for a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27724/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDuring 2021, my Department successfully secured €70m in the revised National Development Plan (NDP) allocation. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during 2023-2025.
Investment under the NDP will consist of three pillars: Modernisation, New Capacity and First 5 Initiatives. This will enable significant capital investment in early learning and childcare during the lifetime of the NDP as follows:
(1) Modernisation: Much of the existing early learning and childcare infrastructure that was previously delivered by large scale capital programmes is now in need of upgrading and modernisation in order to be fully compliant with new regulations and more recent guidelines, as well as to maximise energy efficiency. This investment will prioritise follow-up funding for buildings that were funded through the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP), with funding also available for previously non-funded infrastructure.
(2) New Capacity: Ireland is approaching the limits of capacity, with shortfalls for early learning and childcare places already evident in some areas and for some cohorts. The rates of participation in early learning and childcare are also lower than European averages. As investment in subsidisation grows in the coming years as committed to in First 5 and the Programme for Government, demand from parents will also increase.
In the coming years, NDP capital funding allocated to early learning and childcare will be used to increase the stock of early learning and childcare infrastructure, in order to address capacity challenges including the undersupply for certain types of provision and in specific areas of the country.
(3) First 5 Initiatives: First 5 (Government Strategy for babies, young children and their families 2019 -2028) was launched in 2018 and was re-committed to in the Programme for Government: Our Shared Future. First 5 envisages a range of innovative initiatives for the early learning and childcare sector, including piloting Family and Early Childhood Centres and piloting outdoor early learning and childcare provision, piloting meal provision. Each of these initiatives have capital requirements.
I am advised details of first phase of the NDP scheme will be announced in the coming months. My Department advises the services to contact their local County Childcare Committees, who will provide information on the first phase of this capital scheme, following its launch, including details on the application process in due course.
511. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way that the national childcare scheme addresses affordability for parents; the percentage reduction in costs that the scheme will yield for parents in 2022 and over the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27903/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant investment is being made by my Department to address affordability for parents through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). As the Deputy may be aware, I announced a number of changes to the Scheme as part of Budget 2022. These changes will be of significant benefit to many parents.
For instance, from 2 May, the NCS no longer deducts hours spent in pre-school, or school, from NCS awards. This means that parents may use their full awarded subsidised NCS hours – benefitting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families.
In September 2022, the NCS Universal subsidy will be extended to all children under 15 years of age. This is worth 50 cents per hour, or over €1,100 per annum for children in full time early learning and care. The extension of the universal subsidy will benefit up to 40,000 children.
Both of these changes will result in more parents getting additional subsidised hours for early learning and childcare in Tusla registered services.
Total funding under the NCS in 2022 is estimated to be €200 million. The NCS is demand lead so the total level of subsidy is dependent on the number of applications from parents, and the level of subsidy they are awarded.
Funding for the NCS will increase over the coming three years, to improve the affordability of childcare for parents. The amounts of NCS funding for each year will be set in the relevant Budgets.
In addition to these improvements to the NCS, a core funding stream is being introduced in September 2022. The intention of this funding is to support providers to cover increased operating costs linked to quality improvement measures. A condition of this funding is that providers will not increase parents’ fees for early learning and childcare from September 2021 levels. This will ensure that parents can fully benefit from NCS subsidies. Furthermore, to participate in core funding, providers will be required to offer the NCS and/or the ECCE programme to all eligible children/parents. This will ensure that more families can access NCS subsidies.
Finally, it is not possible to calculate a percentage reduction in costs that the scheme will yield for parents over the next three years, as subsidies awarded under the NCS will vary depending on the application type chosen, and a family’s individual circumstances.
Subsidies under the NCS are awarded as an hourly rate, along with a maximum number of hours for which that rate is payable. The rate a family receives will vary depending on their level of family income, child’s age and educational status, and the number of children in the family. Early learning and childcare providers set their own fees, and that the amount of childcare required will vary depending on individual family needs.
512. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement that has taken place between a development company and his Department and or IPAS on an issue (details supplied); if agencies such as the HSE and the Department of Education have been consulted to ensure that local supports and service provision will be put in place to support such an initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27914/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is focused on providing short term accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Over 23,000 people have sought short-term temporary accommodation from my Department to date.
My Department has been approached about many possible accommodation projects. However, it is not involved in the project referenced.
513. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the first year and full year cost of increasing the ECCE capitation grant by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27916/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe ECCE programme runs for 38 weeks each programme year. The capitation rate paid to providers is €69 per child, per week. The programme currently provides 15 hours of free early learning and care per week.
€272.6 m has been allocated to ECCE in 2022. The table below shows the financial impact of increasing the ECCE standard rate by 10% for the period September to December 2022 and the full year cost.
A 10% increase in ECCE capitation rates would equate to a full year increased cost of €27.2 million.
|
Capitation Increase |
Capitation Rate |
Sept 2022 - Dec 2022 Cost (€m) |
Increase for Sept-Dec 2022(€m) |
Full Year Cost (€m) |
Annual Increase (€m) |
|
0% |
€69.00 |
€106 m |
n/a |
€272.6 m |
n/a |
|
10% |
€75.90 |
€116.6 m |
€10.6 m |
€299.8 m |
€27.2 m |
These figures are based on the ECCE budgeted amount for 2022 however may be subject to change to allow for the inclusion of Ukrainian children in the ECCE programme.
514. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the first year and full year cost of increasing the affordable childcare subsidy for children under three years of age by €1 per hour; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27917/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme (or the Affordable Childcare Scheme):
- Currently, universal subsidies are available to all families with children under 3 years old. They are also available to families with children over 3 years who have not yet qualified for the free preschool programme (ECCE). This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
- Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and will be calculated based on your individual circumstances. The rate will vary depending on family income, child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in the family. The maximum available income assessed subsidy dependent on the aforementioned conditions is €5.10 per hour or a maximum weekly subsidy of €229.50.
Budget 2022 announced a number of changes to the NCS which will be rolled out this year. The first change removes the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours, benefiting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families. This came into effect on 2 May 2022. The second change will extend the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15 from September 2022. Full year estimates of these changes have been factored into the costs below but the impact of these changes will not be fully known until Q4 2022.
The estimated costs based on the scenarios presented are derived from current levels of usage and expenditure adjusted for the Budget 22 changes. These individual estimates are based on no behavioural change and should be interpreted with caution. It should be noted that changes to subsidies may result in changes to patterns and levels of usage by families. These changes are likely to be more pronounced at higher rates of increase.
Based on the above, the following are the estimated costs, assuming that the minimum targeted subsidy is increased so as never to be below the universal subsidy:
- First year cost of approximately €6 million
- Full year cost of approximately €18.5 million.
515. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that the State did not acquire the Bessboro lands when they were in the control of NAMA given the likelihood of burials on the site. [28025/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes was established in 2015 to investigate and report on a wide range of issues associated with Mother and Baby institutions, including burial practices. The Commission’s fifth interim report, which was published in March 2019, covered burial arrangements in the institutions. The final report of the Commission was published in January 2021.
In relation to Bessborough, the Commission concluded that it is likely that some of the children who died in the institution are buried in the grounds but was unable to find any physical or documentary evidence of this. The Commission carried out cartographic and landscape assessments of possible unrecorded burial arrangements and also followed up with people on responses to its appeal seeking information about burials in Bessborough. As no evidence of locations was found, the Commission did not consider it feasible to excavate the full available site, which amounts to 60 acres.
The Deputy’s question refers to a period which predates the publication of the Commission's report and its conclusions on the Bessborough site. In addition, I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Finance, that NAMA does not typically own or control properties; rather it owns loans for which the properties act as security. Under Section 10 of the National Asset Management Agency Act 2009, it is required to deal expeditiously with its acquired assets and to obtain the best achievable financial return from them. The State has to follow the same procedure as any other potential buyer of loans acquired by NAMA.
I am very conscious of the hurt that continues to be felt by survivors and family members of the people who died while resident in Mother and Baby institutions, including the former institution in Bessborough, Cork. As Minister, I have maintained a close interest in sites associated with these institutions. In 2021, I made submissions to An Bord Pleanála and Cork City Council as part of the normal planning process in respect of two planning applications made on the Bessborough lands, requesting that due consideration be given to the sensitivity of the site and the conclusions of the Commission. An Bord Pleanála refused permission to develop the area in question because it was not satisfied that the site was not previously used as a children’s burial ground.
It is a matter for the relevant planning authorities to make determinations regarding planned developments at the site of former Mother and Baby institutions, including Bessborough. I have consistently highlighted that adequate consideration should be given to requests from relatives of the deceased, survivors and their families for appropriate access and respectful memorialisation in due course.
In addition I have engaged with the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage with a view to supporting local authorities, including Cork City Council, in incorporating appropriate policies on burial sites into their development plans.
I will continue to raise the importance of respectful treatment of sites linked to former Mother and Baby institutions and promote engagement with relatives of the deceased, former residents and other stakeholders for that purpose.
516. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if early childhood education sectors will see an increase to the capitation on the early childhood care and education scheme rate. [28049/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department secured an overall 2022 allocation of €716m, an increase of €78m on the previous year’s allocation.
The 2022 allocation includes €272m for the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme Funding. Funding for the ECCE programme is allocated on a capitation basis that has regard to the unit cost of delivery, taking account of providers’ costs.
The 2022 budget also provides for the introduction of a new Core Funding scheme. 2022 will see up to €73m being made available for Core funding, which equates to €221m in full year costs.
From an ECCE perspective Core Funding is equivalent to an increase of at least 9.5% on the standard capitation. At a minimum, for every ECCE child €78.75 per week is now available (compared to €71.90 previously from ECCE standard capitation and programme support payment combined).
Sessional services with standard capitation, Full Time, Part Time and School Age services will all see substantial increases in funding. Most ECCE services currently in receipt of higher capitation rates will also benefit significantly.
No service will lose out. I have issued a funding guarantee to ensure that no service will receive less in Core Funding that it previously received in higher capitation and programme support payments, if their circumstances remain the same. An estimated 1% of services will be caught by the funding guarantee. All other services will see increases in funding, and most substantial increases in funding.
In the longer term, my Department is committed to increasing sectoral investment by at least €1bn by 2028.
Future investment will, amongst things be informed by a review of ECCE which will commence in the coming months. The review will include consideration of the adequacy of resourcing in respect of ECCE. My Department is in the process of finalising a contract with a preferred bidder for this review.
517. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of early years and after-school services that have changed the type of service that they offer from full-day to part-time sessional or part-time sessional to full day. [28066/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.
518. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if TUSLA social workers are entitled to the pandemic bonus payment as is the case in respect of HSE social workers in recognition of their frontline work during the Covid pandemic; if not, the reason; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28111/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Pandemic Special Recognition Payment is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Health. Following the Government decision in January on this matter, I understand that the HSE published eligibility guidelines for the payment in April and the Department of Health shall shortly publish information for other particular healthcare employees that are covered by the Government Decision. Tusla and other public service employees were not included in the Government decision and accordingly are not considered to be eligible for the payment.
519. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of sections of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 that remain to be implemented; the reason that all parts of the Act have not been enacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28125/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis.
The Act will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
Amendments are required to the 2015 Act before full commencement can take place. Work has been ongoing on the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which was published on 30 May this year and which will be introduced to the Houses on June 1st. Following the passage of this amending legislation, I will be in a position to commence the appropriate remaining sections of the 2015 Act, and bring the Decision Support Service, which will operate the progressive provisions of the new law, into full operation.
For the Deputy's information, the table below outlines the current commencement status of sections of the 2015, pending the delivery of amending legislation.
|
Section |
Commencement status |
Commencement Date |
Relevant instrument |
|
1-2 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
3-4 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
5-6 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
7(1) |
Commenced |
1 Feb 2021 |
S.I. No. 24 of 2021 |
|
7(2) |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
8-81 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
82 insofar as it relates to definition of “Minister” |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
83-90 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
91(1) insofar as it relates to the definition of “Code of Practice” and “Working Group” |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
91(1) other than insofar as it relates to the above. |
Commenced |
17 December 2018 |
S.I. No. 527 of 2018. |
|
91(2) |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
91(3) – (14) |
Commenced |
17 December 2018 |
S.I. No. 527 of 2018. |
|
92-93 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
94-95 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
96 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
97-98 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
99-102 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
|
103 |
Commenced |
17 Oct 2016 |
S.I. No. 515 of 2016 |
|
104-146 |
Not yet commenced |
June 2022 |
|
520. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Pobal commenced new data collection in April 2022 regarding demand in the early years sector as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey; when this survey will be made available; when further updated information among early learning and childcare services will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28133/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority.
Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. More than 100,000 children now participate on the universal pre-school programme on an annual basis and the National Childcare Scheme subsidises up to 80,000 children.
To ensure that the supply of early learning and childcare places meets demand, my Department has, since 2015, funded the creation of more than 27,000 new places through an Annual Capital Programme.
Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that, on the whole, supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic revealed lower demand for early learning and childcare, and reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services. Indeed, data captured in June 2021 found significant vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate averaging at 21%.
My Department is continuing to monitor early learning and childcare capacity, with a particular focus on monitoring Covid-19 impacts as public health restrictions have been lifted and on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
In April of this year, as part of an Action Plan developed by my Department to respond to the early learning and childcare needs of Ukrainian children and their families, City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) collected data on capacity in early learning and childcare services nationally.
This was followed in May by the Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal annually on behalf of my Department. Approximately 83% of providers have already completed this year’s survey and more have sought the opportunity to do so next month.
It is anticipated that the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report 2021/2022 will be published end 2022/ early 2023.
However, capacity data captured through the recent CCC survey and the Early Years Sector Profile Survey has been extracted and will be made available in the coming weeks.
521. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that his Department is taking to ensure that there are play and parent and child spaces in temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; the steps that will be taken if it is revealed that there are no play centres in an accommodation centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28134/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds the City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) and they have been tasked with co-ordinating Stay and Play sessions in medium term accommodation centres for families in arriving and staying in Ireland as beneficiaries of temporary protection as a result of the crisis in Ukraine.
This work is co-ordinated at a local level through the CCCs in collaboration with members of the community response fora, established by the local authorities. The format of the Stay and Play sessions may vary from area to area.
As you are no doubt aware the numbers of Ukrainian citizens seeking accommodation from my Department is unprecedented and all available suitable accommodation is being utilised in response to the high levels of demand. It may not be possible in all locations to provide optimal spaces for play.
Various initiatives are being planned including the provision of play mats for children under 2 in the more limited accommodation centres and an enhanced parent and toddler grant scheme that includes funding for the provision of buggy walking groups to provide local communities with opportunities to join in the response in welcoming and including our Ukrainian visitors.
522. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that are being taken by his Department to monitor capacity issues in childcare services across the country and to address any issue of under supply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28135/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority.
Since 2015, significant increases in State investment in early learning and childcare has given rise to a substantial growth in the numbers of children participating in these services. More than 100,000 children now participate on the universal pre-school programme on an annual basis and the National Childcare Scheme subsidises up to 80,000 children.
To ensure that the supply of early learning and childcare places meets demand, my Department has, since 2015, funded the creation of more than 27,000 new places through an Annual Capital Programme.
Before the onset of Covid-19, national data indicated that, on the whole, supply of early learning and childcare places was meeting demand, with evidence of undersupply for certain age groups including children under 3, and in certain areas.
Data gathered throughout the Covid-19 pandemic revealed lower demand for early learning and childcare, and reduced occupancy among early learning and childcare services. Indeed, data captured in June 2021 found significant vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate averaging at 21%.
|
National Vacancy Rate By Age (June 2021) |
|
|
Up to 1 year (0-12 months) |
20% |
|
1 year+ to 2 years (13-24 months) |
10% |
|
2 years+ to 3 years (25-36 months) |
17% |
|
3 years+ to 4 years (37-48 months) |
17% |
|
4 years+ to 5 years (49-60 months) Non-School-Going |
12% |
|
4 years+ to 5 years (49-60 months) School-Going |
42% |
|
5 years+ to 6 years (61-72 months) Non-school going |
30% |
|
5 years+ to 6 years (61-72 months) School going |
48% |
|
6 years+ to 8 years (73-96 months) |
37% |
|
8 years+ |
34% |
|
Total |
21% |
My Department is continuing to monitor early learning and childcare capacity, with a particular focus on monitoring Covid-19 impacts as public health restrictions have been lifted and on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
In April this year, City/County Childcare Committee collected data on capacity in early learning and childcare services nationally and in May, the Annual Early Years Sector Profile survey was undertaken by Pobal, gathering updated information on enrolments, waiting lists and capacity.
In addition to these efforts to monitor capacity issues across the country, my Department is planning a range of steps to address any issue of under supply. A new funding model, to roll out in September, will provide funding for services aligned to costs of delivery so, for example, greater funding will be available to services that cater for younger children where costs of delivery are higher than older children. Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places. Another important step being taken by my Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government (DHPLG), is to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. In addition, CCC are currently proactively engaging with early learning and childcare services to identify unused capacity and explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie .
523. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the planning guidelines for local authorities on early learning and childcare settings will be updated; what this will entail; the timeline for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28136/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare that is affordable and accessible is a key Government priority.
A key objective of First 5, the Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families is to 'maintain and extend the supply of high-quality publicly subsidised early learning and childcare to best serve the developmental needs of babies and young children, ensuring that it also reflects the needs and preferences of parents and families'.
Among a range of actions in this regard is the updating of the 2001 National Planning Guidelines for the development of Early Learning Childcare settings, in consultation with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
This work had begun in 2020 but progress was impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Officials in my Department are making preparations to recommence this work, in partnership with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. This involves undertaking a review of the existing guidelines, the identification of proposed changes to the existing guidelines and consultation on proposed changes before finalisation and publication of updated guidelines.
To inform this work, I recently convened a meeting with officials from a number of Local Authorities to seek their views on the existing guidelines, including any issues experienced around implementation.
This will inform the work of my Department in this initial review phase and adds to information captured from the network of City/County Childcare Committees on their views of the existing guidelines.
It is hoped draft updated guidelines will be available for consultation in early 2023.
