Written Answers Nos. 305-326
305. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place to support those who take in Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22139/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment announced on 17th May that a payment of €400 in recognition of those pledging property for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will be introduced once appropriate legislation is enacted.
The administration of the Scheme will be carried out by the Department of Social Protection as an appropriate payment agent on behalf of the my Department.
The Recognition Payment Scheme will be a monthly flat rate payment of €400 per property in respect of individual properties (shared or vacant) pledged. There is no link assumed between the payment and actual costs incurred.
The proposed approach has the merit of being relatively simple to explain and administer. I anticipate it will take 2 months to put the legislation in place, and I confirm that payments will be backdated.
The payment will be conditional on a minimum time commitment for hosting (6 months), with payments continuing for hosting arrangements beyond this timeframe. The payment is for those who have pledged accommodation through the Irish Red Cross Portal, and for private pledged arrangements through other means.
306. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees from Afghanistan who are currently being hosted in the homes of Irish families in the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16009/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn response to the crisis in Afghanistan in August 2021, my Department, through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP), has made approximately 545 programme refugee places available for humanitarian cases from Afghanistan.
A total of 218 of these Afghan refugees are being hosted by Irish families or communities.
307. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of refugees resettled in Ireland from Greece under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (details supplied) in each year since 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16010/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of 1,089 refugees have been resettled in Ireland from Greece through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme since 2016, under the scheme referenced in the attached article. Please find the breakdown of figures by year below:
|
Year |
Refugees |
|
2016 |
248 |
|
2017 |
523 |
|
2018 |
268 |
|
2021 |
50 |
|
Total |
1089 |
I trust that this information clarifies the matter.
308. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his response to a key conclusion in the research report, The Cost of Disability in Ireland, that persons with a disability experience significant challenges in accessing employment (details supplied). [25343/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister of Social Protection Heather Humphreys T.D., published the Cost of Disability Research Report in December 2021. This Report highlighted the difficulties facing people with disabilities in Ireland in accessing employment.
The Irish Government is committed to ensuring that persons with disabilities can access employment so that they are supported to live the lives that they want to and are provided equal opportunity to do so. While there are undoubtedly many challenges facing Ireland in successfully integrating people with disabilities into the labour market, the Government is determined to continue making progress in meeting Ireland’s UNCRPD obligations, in particular in relation to Article 27 related to work and employment.
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 (CES) is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It is a cross-government strategy, bringing together actions by Government Departments and Agencies to address the barriers and challenges to the employment of persons with disabilities.
Implementation of the Strategy is undertaken through agreed action plans and is monitored by an Implementation Group with an independent chairperson. Currently the group is developing a final Action Plan for the period 2022 – 2024.
A number of successful steps have been taken under the CES to date. One such success is the decision to allow all young people leaving school or rehabilitative training to defer their day service placement by up to 3 years to allow them to pursue other opportunities such as further education or employment.
Other key areas of progress include the ongoing implementation of specific recommendations arising from the Make Work Pay Report, the production by the Public Appointment Service of a Guide to Promoting Inclusive Employment, the ‘Towards Work’ Project, which focuses on providing practical support for people with disabilities to enter into the workforce, and ‘Employers for Change: A Disability Information Service’, which provides an expert peer source of advice and information on employing staff with disabilities.
There are also several grants available to employers to make their workplaces more disability-friendly, such as the Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, the Personal Reader Grant, the Job Interview Interpreter Grant; and the Employee Retention Grant.
The Government is committed to increasing the statutory target for persons with disabilities employed in the public sector from 3% to 6%. This new target will be enshrined in primary legislation via the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be in place before the end of the current Oireachtas session.
309. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to improve the employment rates among people with disabilities. [25344/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities 2015-2024 (CES) is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It is a cross-government strategy, bringing together actions by Government Departments and Agencies to address the barriers and challenges to the employment of persons with disabilities.
Implementation of the Strategy is undertaken through agreed action plans and is monitored by an Implementation Group with an independent chairperson. Currently the group is developing a final Action Plan for the period 2022 – 2024.
A number of successful steps have been taken under the CES to date. One such success is the decision to allow all young people leaving school or rehabilitative training to defer their day service placement by up to 3 years to allow them to pursue other opportunities such as further education or employment.
Other key areas of progress include the ongoing implementation of specific recommendations arising from the Make Work Pay Report, the production by the Public Appointment Service of a Guide to Promoting Inclusive Employment, the ‘Towards Work’ Project, which focuses on providing practical support for people with disabilities to enter into the workforce, and ‘Employers for Change: A Disability Information Service’, which provides an expert peer source of advice and information on employing staff with disabilities.
There are also several grants available to employers to make their workplaces more disability-friendly, such as the Workplace Equipment Adaptation Grant, the Personal Reader Grant, the Job Interview Interpreter Grant; and the Employee Retention Grant.
The Government is committed to increasing the statutory target for persons with disabilities employed in the public sector from 3% to 6%. This new target will be enshrined in primary legislation via the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill, which is expected to be in place before the end of the current Oireachtas session.
310. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of hotels that will be used exclusively to house refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22147/22]
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 sought accommodation in Ireland to date.
As of 29 May 2022, my Department has contractual arrangements in place for approximately 17,800 beds currently in over 300 settings including 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 belonging to voluntary bodies, religious order properties and Local authority facilities.
It is worth noting that in many cases, my Department has not contracted the facility in its entirety.
311. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is considering the introduction of financial supports for persons in Ireland hosting refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21457/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment announced on 17th May that a payment of €400 in recognition of those pledging property for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will be introduced once appropriate legislation is enacted.
The administration of the Scheme will be carried out by the Department of Social Protection as an appropriate payment agent on behalf of the my Department.
The Recognition Payment Scheme will be a monthly flat rate payment of €400 per property in respect of individual properties (shared or vacant) pledged. There is no link assumed between the payment and actual costs incurred.
The proposed approach has the merit of being relatively simple to explain and administer. I anticipate it will take 2 months to put the legislation in place, and I confirm that payments will be backdated.
The payment will be conditional on a minimum time commitment for hosting (6 months), with payments continuing for hosting arrangements beyond this timeframe. The payment is for those who have pledged accommodation through the Irish Red Cross Portal, and for private hosting arrangements.
Penalties will apply in the case of any false declarations made.
It is a financial contribution that recognises the valued contribution of those who host persons fleeing the conflict in Ukraine and I thank all members of the public who have been so generous with their assistance.
312. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of offices operated by his Department that are in high-risk areas for radon; the number that have been tested for radon; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28569/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that my Department operates from 2 offices:
1. Miesian Plaza. 50-58 Baggot Street Lower, Dublin 2. D02 XWI4
2. Montague Court. 7/11 Montague Court, Montague Street, Dublin.
Miesian Plaza is deemed a low risk area for radon. The site was tested before occupation in 2018, and the test confirmed the recorded levels as being significantly below the national reference level for workplaces.
Montague Court is not deemed to be in a high risk area for radon. The Montague Court site has not been tested for radon.
313. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the foster care allowance will be increased; if the allowance will be index-linked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28680/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations, 1995 and the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations, 1995, stipulates that the allowance payable to foster carers and relatives shall not be less than an amount specified by the Minister.
The foster care allowance was last increased on January 1st 2009. Foster carers are paid a weekly allowance, which is a payment to meet the needs of the child in their care. The foster care allowance is currently €325 per week for a child under 12 years of age and €352 per week for a child aged 12 years and over. It is paid in respect of the child and provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs, including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sports activities. The allowance is not considered as means for social welfare purposes, and is not subject to tax.
If required, Tusla can also provide additional financial supports to foster carers through either additional or enhanced payments. Additional payments refers to any payment made to a foster carer that exceeds the standard rate of the fostering allowance. Such additional payments may be made in respect of children or young people who have additional needs that are not covered by the standardised fostering allowance. Additional payments can only be made where a child has additional medical or educational needs and when authorisation has been received from the Tusla Area Manager. Each application for an additional payment will be accompanied by supporting documentation evidencing the need.
Enhanced allowances for foster carers can be made when a longer term financial need is identified for additional supports for the child. A maximum of twice the weekly allowance may be paid in respect of children aged between 0-18 years if they require significant care over and above the needs of other children in foster care. This includes children who have been diagnosed with significant special needs and require a high level of personal care and supervision. The purpose of considering an enhanced allowance in these cases is to support foster carers in providing care to these children who have additional needs.
The foster care allowance is in respect of and for the benefit of the foster child and therefore must be used to meet the day to day costs associated with looking after the foster child. In considering any 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.
A request for enhanced supports must certified by the Principal Social Worker and approved by the Area Manager following submission of an assessment of the child’s needs and supporting documentation. A review arrangement for the enhanced allowance must be part of the submission for approval.
In addition to the foster care allowance, foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system. Key elements of this support include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care. Respite care for children may be arranged if it is part of their care plan.
Pre-assessment and ongoing training are compulsory for foster carers in order to equip them with the skills and knowledge to provide high quality care. Recognising the specific dynamics and the personal nature of relative care, Tusla addresses the training needs of relatives who are foster carers separately. In addition, Tusla provides funding for the Irish Foster Care Association which offers a range of supports to carers, including advocacy, mediation, training and a telephone advice service.
The foster care allowance is one element of the support that Tusla provides to carers when they offer a home and care to children some of whom may have additional, and sometimes significant, needs. Tusla have advised that they have recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation. Through this consultation, foster carers highlighted the need for the foster care allowance to be reviewed in light of inflation and increases in social welfare allowances. Tusla is currently preparing a paper on this matter, which will then be considered by my Department.
The rate of the foster care allowance is kept under review by officials within the Department and at present there are no plans to change the rate. However, the Department is undertaking an extensive review of the Child Care Act 1991 and the provisions in relation foster care will form part of this review.
315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which integration programmes are currently in place with a view to addressing the needs of children and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28747/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department has responsibility for migrant integration policy, including the outgoing Migrant Integration Strategy, that sets out the Government’s commitment to the promotion of migrant integration as a key part of Ireland’s renewal and as an underpinning principle of Irish society. The Strategy provides a framework for a range of actions to support migrants to participate fully in Irish life. While initially due to conclude in 2020, the Migrant Integration Strategy was extended to the end of 2021 in recognition of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Strategy’s implementation.
My Department has commissioned a study to evaluate the processes for implementation of three equality strategies, which includes the Migrant Integration Strategy as well as the National Strategy for Women and Girls and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. I anticipate that a consultation process to develop a new strategic policy for migrant integration will commence during 2022, with work to build the new Strategy taking place in 2023.
As part of its actions under the Migrant Integration Strategy, my Department administers a number of funding programmes to support integration at both national and local level.
One such initiative is the National Integration Fund, a three-year funding programme to promote projects that address areas where migrants find it difficult to avail of opportunities on an equal basis with other members of Irish society. Following a competitive funding call launched in August 2020, 18 successful projects located throughout Ireland were granted funding totalling almost €2.2 million over the three year period. This funding will support national organisations and larger-scale initiatives to empower new members of Irish society to play an active part in their communities.
In addition, the Communities Integration Fund, which has been in place since 2017, provides small grants of up to €5,000 to community organisations for initiatives to promote integration at local level. Since its inception, the Communities Integration Fund has supported over 490 projects with grant funding totalling €2.76m. The 2022 funding call closed in April this year and an announcement on funding will be made shortly.
316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to meet the needs of people with disabilities of all ages and gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28748/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I am acutely aware of the need to make further advances towards meeting the needs of people with disabilities in Ireland and I have consistently worked to move towards a rights based approach of support for people with disabilities.
Given the interlinkages between disability equality policy and other equality areas such as gender and children's rights, my officials coordinate with a wide range of colleagues across the Department, other Government Departments/Agencies and external stakeholders to ensure that policy and strategy development takes account of the specific needs of different groups in society, on an explicitly intersectional basis.
Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) on 20 March 2018. This marked an important milestone in a process to strengthen the rights of people with disabilities in Ireland that has gathered momentum since Ireland became a signatory to the Convention in 2007. Every Government Department and every Agency plays a role in ensuring implementation of the UNCRPD.
The Government’s approach to meeting the obligations of the UNCRPD is one of progressive realisation - each year moving forward on key reforms, through delivery of two whole-of-government national strategies - the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy for People with Disabilities. This model involves obligations arising from the Convention being met over time. Initial priority has been given to meeting legislative commitments and requirements.
Ireland submitted its Initial State Report on the implementation of the UNCRPD to the UN Committee in November 2021, following extensive consultation with persons with disabilities, disabled persons organisations, representative organisations, and families. My Department is currently awaiting a review date from the UN Committee to evaluate progress made to date.
My Department coordinates two major national strategies, which aim to address the needs of people with disabilities in Ireland.
Firstly, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS), contains 123 actions to support effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the UNCRPD, including in relation to children and women with disabilities. Implementation of the NDIS is monitored in regular NDIS Steering Group meetings through a reporting system which requires Government Departments and Agencies to detail their progress biannually. The group is supported by independent analysis and advice from the National Disability Authority (NDA).
The Comprehensive Employment Strategy (CES), is the primary disability employment policy initiative in Ireland. It is a cross-government approach, bringing together actions by Government Departments and Agencies to address the barriers and challenges to the employment of persons with disabilities. The CES’s strategic priorities are to build skills, capacity and independence, to provide bridges and supports into work, to make work pay, to promote job retention and re-entry to work, to provide coordinated and seamless supports and to engage employers. Implementation of the CES is undertaken through agreed action plans and is monitored by an Implementation Group with an independent chairperson.
Efforts are also underway to address the specific needs of people with autism. Last year, on World Autism Day, I announced my intention to develop an Autism Innovation Strategy. The Autism Innovation Strategy will identify key areas where individuals with autism face particular challenges and barriers, focusing on areas which may not be addressed by other national strategies. Once published, the Autism Innovation Strategy will utilise the key themes of innovation, empowerment and awareness raising to shape future policies and strategies to accelerate our journey towards being a more autism-inclusive and neurodiverse-friendly society.
317. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which women with disabilities are receiving sufficient attention and correspondence from his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28749/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI engage on an ongoing basis with a range of stakeholders, including people with disabilities and Disabled Persons Organisations (DPOs), to make progress on the issues and challenges facing people with disabilities and to further realise the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in Ireland.
I consider the input of all stakeholders, including women with disabilities, to be fundamentally important to the development of effective and inclusive disability policy. This view is shared by my colleague, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman T.D..
Women with disabilities are strongly represented in policy development processes. The Disabled Women of Ireland (DWI), for instance, is one of several DPOs in receipt of funding from my Department as part of the Disability Participation and Consultation Network (DPCN).
Given the interlinkages between disability equality policy and other equality areas such as gender, my officials coordinate a wide range of colleagues across the Department, other Government Departments/Agencies and external stakeholders to ensure that disability policy and strategy development takes account of the specific needs of different groups in society, on an explicitly intersectional basis.
Equally, the equality needs of people with disabilities are taken into account in other national equality strategies. One of the aims of the outgoing National Strategy for Women and Girls, for instance, is to ensure that women with disabilities can participate fully in Irish society.
My Department coordinates two whole-of-government strategies which include important measures to support people with disabilities in all aspects of their lives. The first of these is the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS). The second is the Comprehensive Employment Strategy.
The NDIS is a key framework for policy and action to support effective progress in delivering on the obligations set out in the UNCRPD. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group, which I chair, includes representatives from several Government Departments and Agencies and the Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG). Disabled Women of Ireland is represented on the NDIS Steering Group as a member of the DSG and their views are considered as part of the Steering Group's work in monitoring implementation of the NDIS.
318. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to liaise with youth groups and representatives in County Kildare and throughout the country with a view to establishing supportive dialogue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28750/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department maintains close contact with 30 national youth organisations which it funds under the Youth Service Grant Scheme. My officials and I meet formally with these organisations twice a year to share knowledge and information on developments or challenges in the youth sector. This provides a forum for organisations to give information on national issues but also identify specific locations that require additional focus. A number of these national organisations provide a range of youth services in the Kildare area.
My Department provides funding to all 16 Education and Training Boards (including Kildare/Wicklow ETB) to support youth services in their area. Youth Officers are supported to provide an important function for my Department in the co-ordination and administration of youth services at local level. My officials hold quarterly meetings with the ETBs. These meetings assist my Department in identifying service needs and emerging issues, particularly for vulnerable young people.
Officials from my Department also meet with various youth organisations on an individual basis when the need arises, in regular formal meetings with individual organisations, or as a group, and by maintaining informal contacts.
As we move beyond the pandemic and manage the national response to the Ukrainian crisis, my Department will continue to ensure there is sufficient engagement with this important sector, which provides enormous value to young people.
319. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the attention of he and his Department has been drawn to children who may be at risk for one reason or another whether in institutions, fosterage or elsewhere; if the necessary support services are being made available to ensure that children do not feel isolated or alone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28751/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. 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 recognise that the best way to improve outcomes for children is to intervene at an early stage to try to resolve problems and prevent harm. A way this can be done is by working with parents and communities to support children at the earliest possible stage. Consequently, Tusla, and its partner agencies, have undertaken a comprehensive suite of early intervention and preventative services. The aim of Tusla’s Prevention Partnership & Family Support (PPFS) Service is to prevent risks to children and young people arising or escalating through early intervention and family support.
The Children First Act 2015 places a number of statutory obligations on specific groups of professionals and on particular organisations providing services to children. Additionally the Children’s First Guidance 2017 includes information on the statutory obligations for those individuals and organisations under the Act. It also sets out the best practice procedures that should be in place for all organisations providing services to children.
With regard to the safety of children in the care of the State, Tusla is committed to promoting safe practice in all areas of alternative care including residential care and foster care. Safe practice is defined as the implementation of appropriate safeguarding measures necessary for working with young people in a manner that acknowledges their need to live in as normal an environment as possible. Regulations govern the placement of children in care. These provide for the welfare of the child, the care practices, care records, accommodation and safety precautions. The Regulations also provide that the allocated social worker oversees the implementation of the child's care plan, visits the child and consults with family members, foster carers and other people involved with the child to ensure that his or her needs are being met and that the care being provided is optimal.
HIQA carries out announced and unannounced inspections of children’s services including Child Protection and Welfare Services, Foster Care Services, statutory Children’s Residential Centres and Special Care units. HIQA carry out these inspections against Regulations and Standards, by reviewing files on site, interviews and questionnaires with staff and service users and their families. Following an inspection, HIQA share their initial judgements and draft report with the service/area. HIQA then works with the management of the centre or area in order to agree an Action Plan to address any identified deficits. Final reports are published, and are submitted to the Department with the area or service’s Action Plans and are monitored as necessary by DCEDIY officials.
It has been shown that the best environment for most children in care to thrive and reach their potential is best achieved within a foster care placement. Such placements also offer the child a loving and stable environment in which to live. Ireland can be proud of the fact that over 90% of all children in care, reside in foster care, a figure that compares favourably with our European neighbours. In some instances a child’s needs are best met in Residential Care. Residential centres are typically domestic style homes where between 2 to 6 young people are being cared for. Young people in residential centres have an allocated a Key Worker, and their friends and family are free to visit in line with their care plan. Where possible these young people attend local schools and are supported to take part in local sporting and community activities.
320. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the efforts currently in hand to ensure that Ireland can have a national childcare scheme where the prices paid for childcare are similar to prices paid for childcare elsewhere across the European Union; the recent progress in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28752/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent edition of 'Key data on early childhood education and care in Europe' published by the European Commission in 2019, highlighted the high level of fees for full time early childhood education and care for under 3s in countries which rely on market mechanisms to including Ireland, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. Since then, the Government has set out a range of commitments in the Programme for Government to address this issue with a commitment to increase State spending to at least €1bn by 2028.
More than 100,000 children now avail of the Early Childhood Care and Education Programme (ECCE) programme, a universal two-year pre-school programme available free to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June each year.
In addition, the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides financial support to help with childcare costs to more than 80,000 children. There are two types of subsidies available under the National Childcare Scheme:
- 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 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.
A recent review of the NCS revealed that, as a proportion of total family childcare costs, 6% of parents receiving NCS support reported that all childcare costs were covered by the NCS, while 38% reported that half or more of their costs were covered by the NCS.
Since the review took place, I announced a further package of measures to directly address the costs associated with childcare in Budget 2022, including:
- an extension of the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15, benefitting up to 40,000 children from September this year.
- an end to the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours from spring 2022, benefitting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families since 2 May.
- a new core funding scheme – worth €221m in a full year – to support:
1. improved quality through better pay and conditions for the workforce by supporting agreement on an ERO through the JLC;
2. the employment of graduate staff; and
3. improved sustainability and stability for services.
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, educators and practitioners, and society overall.
A new fee management system, attached to core funding, will mean no increase in fees from pre-pandemic levels for the September 2022 to August 2023 programme year, which, in tandem with developments to the NCS will together deliver significantly improved affordability for parents.
321. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the plans that are underway to provide further assistance to families for childcare under the national childcare scheme with particular reference to the financial pressures placed on families due to the cost of childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28753/22]
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.
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he and his Department continue to offer assistance to children and families fleeing from the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28754/22]
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. In excess of 23,000 people have been referred to my Department for accommodation.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a significant role as part of the State’s overall response, to support children and families displaced from Ukraine, as a result of the war and coming into Ireland. Tusla is committed to balancing the needs of families in a humanitarian crisis, with its child protection responsibilities, and requirement to support families and promote the welfare of children.
Tusla has always been available to come to a port to assist immigration authorities where a separated child seeking international protection arrives in the State. Tusla has been advised that 88% of all Ukrainians are arriving in Ireland through Dublin Airport and has a Social Worker present at Dublin Airport providing a duty service from 10am until 2am the following day. The social worker will ensure all State authorities at the airport are aware of the referral process for child protection concerns and to assist with screening for indicators of potential child trafficking.
Separated children seeking international protection who arrive at ports of entry to Ireland are referred to Tusla for a child protection needs assessment. Guidance regarding safeguarding and the immediate needs of children who have encountered trauma will be provided by the Tusla dedicated SCSIP Team and the broader Tusla child protection and foster care services.
Furthermore, on the issue of childcare, Ukrainian children are entitled to access the early childhood care and education, ECCE Programme, which provides two years of free preschool. The Early Years Division in my Department has taken responsibility for a number of actions supporting Ukrainian parents and children, allowing them to access preschool and ensuring children’s well-being. These actions have included:
- The development and translation of introductory information on the Irish early learning and care sector.
- A capacity analysis across the country identified vacant preschool places and work is ongoing to match children to the vacant places and to create additional early childhood care and education, ECCE places, where possible, in high areas of demand.
- Information on the access and inclusion model for children with disabilities accessing preschool has been translated into Ukrainian and Russian.
In areas where there is pressure on ECCE services, my Department work with city and country childcare committees to identify what supply is available.
With regard to supports for children, Tusla has compiled a list of 116 community contact centres across the country. These are local family support services which are either provided directly by Tusla or Tusla-funded services. That support for Ukrainian families in particular areas is available.
323. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he proposes to use equality as a means of ensuring proper and adequate services to those deemed to be in need of such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28755/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll public bodies have responsibility under Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans. The public sector duty assessment and implementation for the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth was published in 2021 and the Department will continue to report on developments relating to the implementation of the Duty in its Annual Report.
Discrimination on specified grounds is prohibited by law in the field of employment under the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2021 and in the supply of and access to goods and services under the Equal Status Acts 2000 to 2018. Complaints regarding breaches of equality legislation may be pursued before the Workplace Relations Commission. The Workplace Relations Commission publishes statistics regularly on its decisions in regard to equality complaints, disaggregated by discriminatory ground.
I am conducting a review of the Equality Acts to examine, among other issues, the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality. This exercise includes a public consultation during 2021 which remained open for contributions until December 2021 and these submissions are now being examined. The review will also look at the degree to which the legislation is effective in ensuring equal access to services.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions, includes among those functions keeping under review the adequacy and effectiveness of law and practice in the State relating to the protection of human rights and equality, including in relation to the provision of goods and services.
325. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount that was spent in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 on apprenticeships. [28642/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025 sets out new ways of structuring, funding, and promoting apprenticeships to make apprenticeship accessible to employers and learners. The actions set out in the Plan seek to deliver on a target of 10,000 annual apprenticeship registrations by 2025.
The Government is committed under the Action Plan to working with employers to promote, enable and support the recruitment and training of apprentices. There is a very substantial allocation of resources to both SOLAS and the Higher Education Authority (HEA) for apprenticeships, drawing on the resources provided by employers through the Training Levy into the National Training Fund.
The budget allocation for 2020 was €169m, for 2021 it was €198.4m and 2022 it is €206m.
326. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the amount that was spent in each of the years 2020, 2021 and 2022 on apprenticeships for chefs. [28643/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy on apprenticeships for chefs is currently being collated and will be sent to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
