Written Answers Nos. 21-40
21. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that are in place for young people leaving care; the number of young people that have not been allocated an aftercare worker from 2017 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28472/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform Deputy O’Connor that Tusla has a statutory obligation to prepare an aftercare plan for every young person leaving care who is eligible under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended. This plan is informed by an assessment of need carried out prior to the young person leaving care.
The plan sets out the assistance that may be provided by Tusla to the eligible person from the age of 18. Specifically the Act states that any assessment of need shall include an assessment by Tusla of the needs (if any) of the person being assessed in relation to: education, financing and budgeting matters, training and employment, health and wellbeing, personal and social development, accommodation and family support.
There are a number of supports available to care leavers as follows:
Tusla provides financial support to eligible care leavers who are engaged in a qualifying educational course or training programme. The ‘aftercare allowance’ amounts to €300 per week and is available to care leavers up to the age of 23.
In addition, care leavers may also be entitled to a number of additional financial supports in respect of education which include the SUSI Grant (which is payable at the higher rate for care leavers) and the Tusla Dormant Accounts funded Bursary Scheme. Care leavers not engaged in education and not in employment are eligible for full Jobseekers Allowance (€203.00) rather than the reduced rate (€112.70), provided that they were in the care of Tusla for 12 months prior to their 18th birthday.
All eligible care leavers are supported through aftercare services. Care Leavers, depending on need, may be allocated an aftercare worker, and all care leavers, without exception or age limit, can attend drop-in centres organised by the Tusla aftercare service. Eligible care leavers are also entitled to an aftercare grant. This is a once off payment paid to the eligible adult when they leave a placement and is to assist with rent/ deposit and startup costs associated with initial moving home expenses.
In relation to the Deputy’s query on allocation of aftercare workers, Tusla has advised that they began to collate the metric in relation to young people/ young adults and allocation of an aftercare worker in 2018, with the introduction of the new Aftercare Policy, and accordingly the data provided does not include 2017 as requested by the Deputy.
The below table provides the number of young people in receipt of aftercare services who were assessed as needing an aftercare worker, and of these the number with/without an aftercare worker at year end for the year 2018 – 2021 and at the end Q1 2022. These are the latest figures available.
|
Year |
# Assessed |
#with Worker |
%with worker |
# awaiting |
|
2018 |
1805 |
1669 |
92% |
136 |
|
2019 |
2099 |
1889 |
90% |
210 |
|
2020 |
2238 |
2051 |
92% |
187 |
|
2021 |
2203 |
2080 |
94% |
123 |
|
Q1 2022 |
2,351 |
2,129 |
91% |
222 |
Tusla’s Business Plan for 2022 committed to improving the availability and quality of aftercare services for young people and includes a commitment to a 10% increase in the number of young people 18 years and over who have an allocated aftercare worker where their aftercare plan determines this as a need.
22. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received reports from the county childcare committees on the adequacy of provision for children under two years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28268/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI referred earlier to the nationwide survey on capacity in early learning and childcare services undertaken in April by City/County Childcare Committees. This survey was undertaken as part of the Action Plan put in place by my Department to respond to the early learning and childcare needs of Ukrainian children and their families. This survey was followed in May by the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey that is undertaken by Pobal. Approximately 83% of providers have already participated.
Before the onset of Covid-19, national data revealed an undersupply of early learning and childcare places for very young children.
Lower demand for early learning and childcare owing to Covid-19 gave rise to unprecedented vacancy rates – an overall vacancy rate of 21% and vacancy rates for children under 1 and children aged 1-2 years of 20% and 10% respectively.
Preliminary analysis of the latest data captured by CCC and Pobal reveal a drop in vacancy rates across the country – with the national vacancy rate now averaging at 13% and the vacancy rates for children under 1 and children aged 1-2 years 14% and 6% respectively.
The network of 30 CCC across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. CCC are also proactively engaging with early learning and childcare services to explore the potential for services in increase capacity where there is evidence of undersupply. I have already referred to the National Development Plan and work underway to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines, both of which will also help to address issues of undersupply.
In addition, the new Core Funding Scheme, to roll out in September, will provide funding for services aligned to costs of delivery. This means higher levels of funding will be available to services that cater for younger children where costs of delivery are higher. I am hopefully this new approach to funding will encourage services to operate baby and toddler rooms, where demand exists.
23. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the engagement her Department has had with relevant stakeholders in relation to the refugees arriving here from Ukraine and the co-ordination of services, supports and resources which are presently being delivered in an ad-hoc manner by volunteers attempting to meet the needs of those fleeing the Russian invasion. [28492/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 to date.
Since 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. Providing accommodation and supports to displaced persons from Ukraine would not be possible without the whole of society response including the contributions from stakeholders, volunteers and the Irish public in general.
My Department is in regular contact with all the relevant stakeholders to facilitate the provision of supports and services to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection. This includes the Local Authorities who have stood up the Community Response Forum which brings together organisations, statutory bodies such as Tusla and the HSE, and volunteers at a local level to link services to those that need them.
Furthermore, my Department has regular engagement with NGOs working in this sector. They have been extremely supportive and my Department is committed to continued cooperation and collaboration.
I have had the privilege in recent weeks to travel around the country to speak with representatives of community groups, family resource centres and youth services as well as those who are on the front line of this engagement. In particular, I thank the community groups around the country that have done so much, individually and collectively, to welcome those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine to our country.
24. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on plans to provide temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees in the east Meath area. [28367/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra27. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the development of 569 units by two organisations (details supplied) at the Ninch, Laytown, County Meath to provide temporary accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28366/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 27 together.
My Department has been approached about many potential projects which aim to provide suitable accommodation to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Engagement does take place between parties and the Department where suitable accommodation is potentially available to address the short term needs. However, it is not presently engaging in the particular project referenced which I understand has submitted a planning application.
Following the Government Decision dated 26 April 2022, the Government recently established a dedicated Cabinet Committee, chaired by An Taoiseach, to oversee and coordinate the Ukraine humanitarian response, including accommodation and supports for persons arriving in Ireland from the conflict in Ukraine.
My Department is leading the initial humanitarian response which involves the provision of temporary emergency accommodation and related supports. My Department has no role under the Planning and Development Act 2000 and any related applications are a matter for the relevant planning authority.
The Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage is focusing on solutions to the longer-term accommodation challenges, and is leading cross-government efforts through a Housing Taskforce established by the Government for this purpose. The Taskforce is examining options under three headings: rapid delivery volumetric accommodation; use of vacant public and private buildings as multi-occupancy accommodation; and measures to stimulate and accelerate construction of new permanent build homes.
The Office of Public Works is leading on the modular or volumetric accommodation solutions.
25. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the role that his Department is taking in leading and coordinating a whole of government approach to accessibility in the public realm given the cross-Departmental nature of this issue. [28411/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe principle of accessibility is set out in the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD), which Ireland ratified in March 2018. Article 9 of the UNCRPD requires signatories to take measures to ensure that persons with disabilities have equal access to the physical environment, to transportation, to information and communications, and to other facilities and services open or provided to the public.
In addition to the overarching obligations that flow from the UNCRPD, domestic legislation, in the form of the Disability Act 2005, obliges public bodies to ensure that public buildings, heritage sites, and services are accessible to people with disabilities.
My Department recognises the central importance of accessibility in creating a more inclusive society. DCEDIY is responsible for coordinating two whole-of-government strategies which aim to support implementation of Ireland's obligations under the UNCRPD and the Disability Act 2005, including in relation to accessibility. These are the National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) (2017-2022) and the Comprehensive Employment Strategy (2015-2024).
A number of NDIS actions specifically identify and seek to address a range of accessibility issues, including in relation to the provision of information, transport, assistive technologies, public buildings, ICT and procurement.
Implementation of the NDIS is monitored via 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).
Two working groups have also been established to address specific actions under the NDIS with important accessibility dimensions. The objective of the Action 104 Transport Working Group is to review all Government funded transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities in order to work towards ensuring more accessible transport options.
An ad-hoc Working Group on Assistive Technology has also been established to make progress on relevant actions related to accessibility and assistive technology.
The Government's approach to accessibility is informed by developments at EU level. Ireland has taken steps to implement the EU Web Accessibility Directive, which requires all public sector websites and mobile applications to be accessible to people with disabilities. My Department is also working to transpose the European Accessibility Act, which will introduce minimum accessibility requirements for certain products and services across the EU.
The National Disability Authority (NDA), which is funded and supported by my Department, plays a key role in supporting my Department in the coordination of disability policy, including in relation to accessibility. The Disability Act 2005 established a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) in the NDA. The CEUD is dedicated to promoting universal design, promoting the design of environments that can be accessed regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability. The NDA is also responsible for monitoring implementation of the EU Web Accessibility Directive. The first report on implementation of the Directive was published in December 2021.
26. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average childcare costs in 2022 or the latest such available data by county; his plans to tackle the costs for parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28403/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraEarlier this month I published the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report 2020/21. The report, based on a survey undertaken in June 2021, provided data on fees charged for early learning and childcare. This Report revealed that the average fee for a full time place was €186.84 while the average fee for a part time place and sessional place was €110.92 and €74.20 respectively.
As demonstrated in the table provided, fees charged to families vary considerably by county, with the highest fees reported all of types provision in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown.
|
County |
Full day |
Part-time |
Sessional |
|
County |
Full day |
Part-time |
Sessional |
|
Dublin - Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€244.08 |
€139.10 |
€84.71 |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
€214.30 |
€121.96 |
€76.81 |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
€214.08 |
€127.90 |
€78.69 |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
€213.85 |
€127.16 |
€78.60 |
|
Wicklow |
€213.36 |
€126.92 |
€77.65 |
|
Cork City |
€204.36 |
€113.73 |
€76.58 |
|
Cork County |
€193.53 |
€118.22 |
€77.15 |
|
Kildare |
€191.68 |
€120.02 |
€77.78 |
|
Meath |
€191.52 |
€112.35 |
€73.87 |
|
Westmeath |
€181.83 |
€107.48 |
€79.32 |
|
Kerry |
€181.01 |
€103.43 |
€67.01 |
|
Kilkenny |
€179.66 |
€103.86 |
€71.81 |
|
Louth |
€178.37 |
€117.06 |
€73.30 |
|
Wexford |
€177.69 |
€103.99 |
€73.85 |
|
Waterford |
€175.61 |
€101.27 |
€71.30 |
|
Limerick |
€175.48 |
€103.54 |
€72.52 |
|
Laois |
€174.89 |
€100.88 |
€73.62 |
|
Donegal |
€174.24 |
€95.35 |
€68.25 |
|
Galway |
€173.56 |
€105.61 |
€70.97 |
|
Offaly |
€173.33 |
€112.98 |
€71.81 |
|
Clare |
€172.00 |
€102.13 |
€72.20 |
|
Tipperary |
€166.71 |
€99.25 |
€71.68 |
|
Sligo |
€165.64 |
€97.02 |
€78.20 |
|
Leitrim |
€163.81 |
€89.58 |
€69.85 |
|
Roscommon |
€161.94 |
€99.36 |
€72.13 |
|
Cavan |
€160.88 |
€95.39 |
€69.21 |
|
Mayo |
€160.68 |
€95.02 |
€69.28 |
|
Longford |
€159.17 |
€92.92 |
€71.65 |
|
Monaghan |
€153.42 |
€87.76 |
€65.52 |
|
Carlow |
€152.08 |
€88.36 |
€71.27 |
|
Overall average |
€186.84 |
€110.92 |
€74.20 |
A range of supports have been put in place by my Department to support families to offset these fees charged, including the ECCE Programme and the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). A recent review of the NCS showed that:
38% families had more than half of their early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS;
56% families had more money to spend due to the scheme; and
28% families were working more because of NCS, with 8% reporting that they would not be in work without it.
I recognise however that the fee burden on some families remains high and we need to do more to ensure affordability.
The package of measures I announced in Budget 2022 will allow further progress to be made.
Since August 2020, early learning and childcare services had been able to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) without having to demonstrate a reduction in turnover. This continued to be available until the end of April. This significant level of funding to the sector has ensured that fees have remained largely static for the last two years, as demonstrated in the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report 2020/21.
Following the tapering of EWSS and prior to the introduction of a new Core Funding Scheme, I put in place a Transition Fund. The primary conditionality of the Transition Fund is an agreement not to increase fees from September 2021 levels. I am delighted to report that so far 93% of services have agreed to operate a freeze on parental fees by coming into contract for the Transition Fund.
A central condition of the Core Funding Scheme, which will commence in September, will be that providers agree not to increase fees above those which were charged last year. This will give parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensure that increases to NCS subsidies are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time.
Budget 2022 also extended universal NCS subsidies for children of all ages up to 15, and changed how ‘wraparound hours’ for NCS subsidies are determined.
Ensuring no fee increase, in tandem with developments to the NCS will together deliver improved affordability for parents.
28. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when work on the successor to Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28473/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraBetter Outcomes, Brighter Futures – The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014-2020 concluded at the end of 2020. A final Annual Report for 2020 was published on 20 January 2022, along with updates to the policy framework indicator set.
Recently, my Department concluded a public consultation on the policy framework which allowed children and young people, parents, professionals working in this sector and others to have their say on what is going well and not well for children and young people, as well as identify priorities for the new framework. This is part of an on-going consultative process for the framework, to ensure it reflects the priorities of children and young people and all those who support them.
A new Framework is intended to be published at the end of 2022, covering the period 2023-2028.
29. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports that his Department has in place for Ukrainian nationals arriving in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28461/22]
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-government response to the Ukraine crisis.
The operational challenges brought about by responding to the conflict are significant. Our country has never experienced an influx of displaced persons like the one that we have seen over the past months.
My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 32,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 23,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
My Department has contracted approximately 17,800 beds currently 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, accommodation belonging to voluntary bodies, student accommodation, holiday homes, religious order properties and Local Authority facilities.
Within my Department, a dedicated Ukraine Response Division has been newly established. The team includes more than 80 staff. The majority of these staff have moved from within the Department with consequent impacts on ongoing work priorities. The Division also includes new staff and those seconded from other Departments and Agencies.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, a broad range of accommodation types have been contracted, including emergency accommodation. While this is not ideal, the priority is to place people fleeing the conflict in safe and secure accommodation. Numbers seeking international protection have also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
I want to recognise the hard work and commitment of Department staff in providing accommodation for so many people in such a short period, as well as maintaining work progress in other key areas. Many staff have volunteered their own time, at night and on weekends, to work in the welcome centre in Citywest to provide that immediate welcome to people fleeing Ukraine as they arrive here. The Department and its staff will continue in their efforts to assist those arriving as best they can.
30. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on engagement with businesses in relation to the gender pay gap snapshot due in June 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27407/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra55. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline his Department’s strategy towards advancing women’s rights and equality; if he will provide an update on his progress with regard to tackling the gender pay gap; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27839/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 30 and 55 together.
The National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 has provided a whole-of-Government framework through which women’s empowerment continues to be advanced. This Strategy was developed in consultation with stakeholders, and the process included consultation with civil society and with the public.
The Programme for Government “Our Shared Future” includes a commitment that the Government will develop and implement a new National Strategy for Women and Girls. I will work with stakeholders to examine what has been achieved over the term of the outgoing Strategy, and consider how we can bring forth the next iterations of the suite of national equality strategies and ensure they are even more robust and effective. In this regard, my Department has commissioned a study to evaluate the processes for implementation of three equality strategies, which includes the National Strategy for Women and Girls as well as the Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. Consultations in regard to the successor strategy will commence during 2022. In the interim, the principles and priorities of the National Strategy for Women and Girls 2017-2020 continue to guide my Department's work to advance gender equality and women's rights.
The gender pay gap in Ireland, which was 14.4% in 2017, fell to 11.3% in 2018, the most recent year for which statistics are currently available. Addressing the factors behind the gender pay gap is a key commitment in the outgoing Strategy. Employers and their representative organisations have contributed to the public consultation undertaken on the matter in autumn 2017 and to the symposium that followed in January 2018. Tackling this issue contributes to equality and makes good business sense, as firms that can report a low or non-existent gender pay gap will have an advantage in recruiting and retaining employees. Initiatives to address the gender pay gap can also be expected to have a positive impact on disparities in income for women across and after their working lives.
Consultations have taken place with unions and employer representative organisations about the gender pay gap, especially in the context of the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021. The aim of the Act is to provide transparency on the gender pay gap and incentivise employers to take measures to address the issue insofar as they can. Regulations have been made under the Act. Under these Regulations, organisations are asked to select a ‘snapshot’ date in the month of June, and those organisations having not less than 250 employees on that date will then have six months to prepare their calculations before reporting six months later, during December. My Department has issued guidance to employers on calculating their gender pay gaps. It is also continuing to engage with trade union and employer representative bodies on the implementation of the legislation.
31. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there is a staffing shortage in fostering assessment teams in the south-east; the average length of time it takes to complete an assessment; if he will compare this comparison with target times; if he will provide details on approved staffing levels across all disciplines involved in the fostering assessment process; the details on the current staffing levels across each discipline for 2022 to date; the details on the level of vacancies across each discipline to-date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28535/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
32. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has taken place with regard to the cohort of UNHCR refugees based in Lebanon and Jordan that have been awaiting travel to Ireland for some time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28458/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn the 18 May 2022, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) welcomed 76 refugees from Lebanon, following selection missions there in September 2021 and Jordan in November 2021.
Arrangements are already underway to ensure that the remaining refugees selected as part of the these missions will arrive over the coming months. This process will bring the number of arriving Syrian refugees to approximately 528 in 2022, ahead of further selection missions later this year.
The timeline for the arrival of these programme refugees will remain dependent on the issuing of necessary travel documentation and ensuring appropriate supports and accommodation are in place in Ireland. As the Deputy will appreciate, the demand for accommodation to accommodate Ukrainian refugees is having an impact on the capacity of my Department and of local authorities to source the necessary accommodation for programme refugees under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
33. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy to make childcare more affordable and sustainable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28457/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSignificant investment is being made by my Department to support parents with the costs of paying for early learning and childcare and to support providers with the costs of delivering early learning and childcare.
The National Childcare Scheme is currently supporting thousands of families to offset their costs. A recent review of the NCS showed that:
38% families had more than half of their early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS;
56% families had more money to spend due to the scheme; and
28% families were working more because of NCS, with 8% reporting that they would not be in work without it.
I recognise however that the burden on some families remains high and we need to do more to ensure affordability and sustainability.
An Expert Group to develop a new funding model for the early learning and childcare sector made recommendations to Government in December which were accepted in full. This new funding model is now beginning to be implemented to improve quality, affordability, sustainability and accessibility of services.
The package of measures for the sector announced in Budget 2022 was informed by the Expert Group recommendations. The package includes a new Core Funding stream valued at up to €221 million in a full year. Making early learning and childcare more affordable to parents and improving services' sustainability are central objectives of Core Funding, along with improving quality including through better terms and conditions for the workforce.
A central condition of Core Funding will be that providers agree not to increase fees above those which were charged last year. This will give parents greater certainty about what they will be charged and ensure that increases to NCS subsidies are not absorbed by fee increases. The approach to fee management will be developed further over time.
Budget 2022 also extended universal NCS subsidies for children of all ages up to 15, and changed how ‘wraparound hours’ for NCS subsidies are determined. The Expert Group report also recommended increasing the NCS rates and this will also be implemented for future years.
Ensuring no fee increase, in tandem with developments to the NCS will together deliver improved affordability for parents.
Core Funding will contribute to services’ sustainability and will significantly increase income for the overwhelming majority of services and provide greater funding stability. A number of safeguards have been put in place to ensure no unintended outcomes of Core Funding including a funding guarantee and a Sustainability Fund which is open to services.
In order to contribute to services' stability and sustainability, Core Funding will be allocated based largely on capacity. Higher levels of funding will be available for capacity for younger children, to support the higher operating costs for these children arising from the higher staff ratio requirements.
Core Funding will give providers a stable income source based on the nature of the service they deliver. A provider’s income will now consist of Core Funding, NCS and ECCE subsidies, and parental fees. Structuring Core Funding primarily based on capacity means that services will have an allocation each year that will not fluctuate in line with children’s attendance.
Since August 2020, early learning and childcare services had been able to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) without having to demonstrate a reduction in turnover. This continued to be available until the end of April. This significant level of funding to the sector has ensured that fees have remained largely static for the last two years and that providers have continued to be sustainable.
Following the tapering of EWSS and prior to the introduction of Core Funding, a Transition Fund is available to providers. The primary conditionality of the Transition Fund will be an agreement not to increase fees from September 2021 levels. I am delighted to report that so far 93% of services have agreed to operate a freeze on parental fees by coming into contract for the Transition Fund.
The Fund is designed to support the stability and sustainability of services in the interim period between the end of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme and ahead of the introduction of the new Core Funding Scheme in September 2022.
As you can see, I am committed to putting in place a strong foundation to improve affordability for parents and sustainability for services, as well as improved quality of provision, including pay and conditions for the workforce. This foundation will allow for further developments in future years.
35. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the work that his Department has done in relation to using existing community facilities including schools as youth facilities on evenings, weekends and during school holidays such as the upcoming summer months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28404/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraYouth organisations use a wide range of facilities to provide the services which my Department is funding. The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department has no role in selecting facilities where youth clubs or services operate.
The main funding provided by my Department under UBU Your Place Your Space is for year round services. These services are expected, under the policy and operating rules for the scheme, to prioritise their operating hours to cover when young people are available. This includes evenings, weekends, and during school holidays. Access to existing community facilities is subject to local needs and negotiation.
Youth clubs and services are largely operating from shared community facilities, their own premises or rented accommodation. I have been advised that a recent survey has shown that UBU funded organisations have plans in place to provide activities over the summer months. This reflects, for many, the age profile of young people being served, and the requirement for accommodation to provide their service.
36. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of the Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28542/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 introduced the legislative basis for gender pay gap reporting in Ireland. The Act was commenced on 31 May 2022.
Regulations have been made under the Act which enable reporting in 2022. The Regulations require organisations with over 250 employees to report on their gender pay gap in 2022. Employers will choose a ‘snapshot’ date in June 2022 and will base their reporting on the employees they have on that date. Employers will then have six months to make the relevant calculations and prepare their report, which should be published on the equivalent date in December 2022. The Regulations also require employers to publish a statement setting out, in the employers’ opinion, the reasons for the gender pay gap in their company and what measures are being taken or proposed to be taken by the employer to eliminate or reduce that pay gap. Employers will be required to publish their report and statement in a manner easily accessible to the public, such as on their website.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has published guidance for employers on how gender pay gap calculations should be made (www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0cb29-gender-pay-gap-information-act-2021/). It is also continuing to engage with trade union and employer representative bodies.
Plans are in place to develop an online reporting system for the 2023 reporting cycle.
38. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to address the current recruitment crisis within the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28263/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra63. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps he is taking to address the current retention crisis within the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28264/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 38 and 63 together.
I acknowledge that many early learning and care and school-age childcare services are reporting staffing difficulties with staff recruitment and retention. My Department continues to monitor the issue.
According to the Annual Early Years Sector Profile, the annual staff turnover rate across the sector was 19% in 2021, which was down from 23% in 2019 but remains high. While at least 28% of these moved to another service in the sector, others left the sector.
In 2021, while 57% of services reported no staff turnover, when the size of service is taken into account, as much as 70% of small services retained all their staff, compared to 39% of medium-sized services and 27% of large services.
In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover, and recruitment and staff retention difficulties are undoubtedly linked to pay and conditions, with for example the average pay being €12.60 per hour in 2021.
However, as the State does not employ early years educators or school-age childcare practitioners, I cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. My Department has, over a number of years provided a range of supports to service providers to enable them to improve wages and working conditions.
In December last, I published Nurturing Skills, the Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022 to 2028. Actions in Nurturing Skills to develop career pathways and promote careers in the sector will complement efforts to improve pay and conditions of employment, to make the sector more attractive to potential workers.
A key enabler for Nurturing Skills will be the Joint Labour Committee for Early Years Services. I began a process in December 2020, which examined the possibility of regulating pay and conditions and the suitability of a Joint Labour Committee for the sector. This process culminated in the establishment of a Joint Labour Committee, which began meeting in December 2021. The Joint Labour Committee continues to meet.
In Budget 2022, I announced a new €221m Core Funding stream which, among other objectives, will support service providers to meet new higher minimum rates of pay that may be negotiated through the Joint Labour Committee.
39. Deputy James O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made regarding the transposition of the European Union Work Life Balance Directives to provide new rights to parents and carers in order to help support a better work life balance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 21 April the Government gave its approval for the drafting of a Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill, the main purpose of which is to transpose the remaining elements of the EU Work Life Balance Directive and provide new rights to parents and carers in order to help support a better work life balance. The General Scheme of the proposed Bill, which is published on my Department's website, has been referred to the Office of the Attorney General for drafting of the Bill.
The General Scheme has also been referred to the Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for pre-legislative scrutiny.
It is intended that this important legislation will be passed and enacted prior to summer recess.
40. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated the number of my little library book bags that have been distributed to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28399/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe First 5 My Little Library initiative offers a book bag with books and resources to every 4 and 5 year old starting school in September. The children have received an invitation through their early learning and care settings or special pre-school.
The objective of this action is that all children starting school in September 2022 will have storybooks in their home and be members of their local library.
The project works like this:
Books have been selected by an appropriate committee of experienced librarians, and books and bags have been procured by the LGMA.
Insert resources have been prepared by invited partners to be supplemented at county level including information for parents on transitions to primary school from NEPs.
The Little Library invite was delivered to all ECCE services by the 30 City & County Childcare Committees. The childcare services distributed them locally to parents with children making the transition from pre-school to school in September.
Every child of 4 & 5 in ELC starting school in September got the invitation to visit their local library to pick up a book bag with books and resources on starting school. When they visit the library with their parents for their book bag they are invited to join the library.
The bags are available in English and Irish and families can select which language bag they would like.
Extra flexibility has been offered to Ukrainian families where the book bag is available to all children newly arrived in Ireland starting primary school.
So far almost one third of the 60,000 bags have been provided to the libraries with over 19,000 bag pick ups reported so far. This action will continue throughout the summer to ensure all families who wish to avail of the initiative have an opportunity to do so.
