Written Answers Nos. 1171-1188
1171. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the access-and-inclusion model payment of €14 per hour to a maximum of 15 hours will be increased to cover the employer shortfall on employer PRSI and accrued leave given the increase in salary scale due to the impending employment regulation order. [29145/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that every eligible child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE Programme and reap the benefits of high quality early learning and care.
Where AIM Level 7 support is granted, additional capitation is provided to the pre-school service to either reduce the child-to-adult ratio in the pre-school room from approximately 1:11 to 1:8 or to buy in additional assistance. Level 7 is not a 1:1 support (nor is it an SNA support) but it is a shared resource with other children to facilitate optimal participation for the child who has additional needs.
When AIM was introduced in 2016, the maximum weekly AIM Level 7 capitation rate was €195 (equivalent to approximately 3 ECCE places at the standard ECCE capitation rate at the time). The maximum weekly AIM Level 7 capitation rate was increased to €240 in 2021 to align with an increase in the ECCE capitation rate in 2018.
From September 2022, Core Funding will be rolled out. Core Funding will, among other objectives, support providers to meet the requirements of any Employment Regulation Orders that result from the work of the Joint Labour Commission (JLC). It is understood that the JLC is continuing to meet, with a view to agreeing proposals.
Core Funding will provide additional funding to the overwhelming majority of providers delivering the ECCE programme, as well as providers more broadly. My Department is currently reviewing the AIM Level 7 capitation rate in light of this, with a view to maintaining the level of funding that is sufficient to achieve its policy objectives.
1172. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount of interest that his Department has been charged by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29197/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to provide the following information to the Deputy regarding the interest charged for savings or other funds on deposit in Irish banks since negative interest rates were introduced.
|
Bank Account |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
Sum of Q1 2022 |
Total |
|
DCYA Current A/c - Bank of Ireland |
€4,462.93 |
€7,000.78 |
€24.20 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€11,487.91 |
|
DCYA Receipts A/c - Bank of Ireland |
€109.28 |
€175.06 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€284.34 |
|
DCYA Petty Cash A/c - Bank pf Ireland |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
MBH Commission Bank A/c - Bank of Ireland |
€26.31 |
€16.34 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€42.65 |
|
DCEDIY Current A/c - Danske Bank |
N/A |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
DCEDIY Lodgement A/c - Danske Bank |
N/A |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
DCEDIY PMG A/c - Danske Bank |
N/A |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
|
DCEDIY Petty Cash A/c - Danske Bank |
N/A |
€0.00 |
€0.00 |
€0.69 |
€2.69 |
€0.67 |
€4.05 |
|
MBH Commission Bank A/c - Danske Bank |
N/A |
€0.00 |
€6.72 |
€10.08 |
€5.59 |
€0.00 |
€22.39 |
|
€4,598.52 |
€7,192.18 |
€30.92 |
€10.77 |
€8.28 |
€0.67 |
€11,841.34 |
My Department moved from Bank of Ireland to Danske Bank in August 2018. Three of the bank accounts with Danske Bank are not subject to Negative Credit Interest as shown above. The Bank account for the Commission of Investigation into the Mother and Baby Homes was closed on the 16th July 2021.
1173. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the State agencies, organisations or boards under the responsibility of his Department or that receive funding from his Department that have been charged negative interest by financial institutions since negative interest rates were introduced; the amount of interest that has been charged to each State agency, organisation or board in 2021 in each of the preceding years in which such charges were applied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29216/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to provide the following information to the Deputy regarding the negative interest charged by financial institutions in 2021 and since negative interest rates were introduced.
|
Agency |
Negative Interest Charged to State Agencies |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) |
Nil |
|
Gaisce - The President's Award |
Will respond directly to the Deputy |
|
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) |
Will respond directly to the Deputy |
|
National Disability Authority (NDA) |
Nil |
|
Children Detention School(Oberstown) |
Nil |
|
Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) |
Will respond directly to the Deputy |
|
Child and Family Agency (Tusla) |
€3,204.78 (all in 2021) |
Please note, Gaisce - The President's Award, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) and Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO) will all respond directly to the Deputy.
1174. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a transfer (details supplied) will take place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29235/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware the Government Decision on the 22nd of December 2020 confirmed the transfer of policy, functions and funding responsibility relating to specialist community-based disability services (SCBDS) from the Department of Health to my Department. This is a very significant transfer of functions, both from the point of view of improving services for persons with a disability but also from the perspective the Department of Health and this Department. It involves over €2.3 billion of funding and has significant implications for the HSE.
Following significant engagement between my Department, the Department of Health (DoH) and the Attorney General’s Office, an overarching legislative framework was agreed and submitted to Government on 10th December 2021, to put in place the necessary arrangements to facilitate the HSE to report to two Ministers for different elements of its functions and provide for revised corporate governance and accountability arrangements of the HSE.
The Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022, was subsequently signed by the President on the 12th of April 2022. My officials are now actively engaging with their counterparts in the Department of Health to facilitate this transfer.
1175. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if any former Secretaries General are seconded from his Department; the locations of same; the purpose of the secondment; the remuneration they are in receipt of from his Department or additional allocation to the agency or institution to which they are seconded arising from the secondment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29258/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that there are no secondments in place for any former Secretary General from my Department.
1176. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the history of his Department’s involvement and policy role in the provision of early-intervention education; the responsibilities of his Department and others in relation to early-intervention education; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29324/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy of the following supports provided my Department, specifically:
The ECCE Programme , which was established in 2010 to provide children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school.
When first introduced, the ECCE Programme was delivered over 38 weeks in a given ECCE Programme Year and children were required to be between the ages of 3 years and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months in September in the year they enrolled.
In accordance with recommendations in the Report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment and the Report of the Expert Advisory Group on the Early Years Strategy, Right from the Start , this Programme was extended in September 2016. Under this expanded Programme children were eligible to enrol in the Programme at age three, and remain in Programme until they transitioned primary school (or reached 5 years 6 months).
In line with a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government, the ECCE Programme was expanded again. Since September 2018, children qualify for two years of pre-school under this Programme and can enrol when they are 2 years and 8 months of age in September in the year they enrol and continue until they transfer to primary school (or reach 5 years 6 months).
Since introduction, the ECCE programme has enjoyed high participation rates, with more than 95% of the eligible cohort benefitting from the programme.
The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) was introduced in 2016, to enable the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities/additional needs in the ECCE Programme. AIM involves 7 levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the early learning and care setting. Universal supports are designed to create a more inclusive culture in early learning and care settings, through training courses and qualifications for staff. Where universal supports are not enough to meet the needs of an individual child, targeted supports are available to ensure the child can meaningfully participate in the ECCE programme.
More than 4,000 children with disabilities/additional needs receive targeted AIM supports every year, and many other children are benefitting from universal AIM supports.
First 5 committed to undertake an evaluation of AIM and subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, to consider enhancements to, and/or extension of, AIM to, for example, all early learning and care services, all school-age childcare services and to children with additional needs other than a disability. The AIM evaluation is close to completion and the report is due to be published in quarter 3 of this year. The findings from the evaluation will inform further development of AIM, as committed to in First 5.
The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is an area-based prevention and early intervention initiative which is delivered in 12 areas of significant socioeconomic disadvantage across the country through Tusla’s Prevention Partnership and Family Support (PPFS) services. The ABC Programme works in partnership with families, practitioners, communities and national stakeholders to deliver better outcomes for children and families living in areas where poverty is deeply entrenched. My Department is currently funding Tusla to scale proven models from the ABC programme under the What Works prevention and early intervention initiative. Work is underway identifying the locations for these in areas of deprivation across Ireland.
In addition to supports provided by my Department, the State supports early intervention for children with special educational needs through the following:
- Early Intervention classes in mainstream and special schools
- Early Intervention settings in HSE funded service providers
- Early intervention settings supported by HSE grant aid or HSE funded Pre-School Assistant.
- Home Tuition Grant Scheme for children aged between 3 and 4 years of age with a diagnosis of autism where a placement in an Early Intervention setting is not available.
1177. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children who were referred to Tusla in 2021; and the location from which they were referred; the person or body that referred them; and the reason they were referred. [29404/22]
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 referral numbers 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
1178. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to an increase in the number of children being referred to Tusla in each year; if his Department has undertaken any study as to the reason that the number is increasing; his views on the increase; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29405/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, systematically review and analyse data that is captured by the National Child Care Information Service (NCCIS) on referrals and published by Tusla in monthly, quarterly and annual performance and activity reports (available at www.tusla.ie/data-figures). The NCCIS has greatly improved the integrity of the data collected. It has facilitated greater consistency to the interpretation of data and has provided scope for additional data to be gathered. However, there are some limitations to how the data can be interpreted, given the relative newness of this national system.
Looking across the years 2014 to 2021 there has been a notable increase in the number of referrals received by Tusla. Referrals rose by 30% from 2014 to 2019, however there was very little increase across the years 2017 to 2019. This is of interest as mandated reporting commenced in December 2017. The introduction of the NCCIS in 2017 and 2018 may explain some of the increase observed between 2016 and the years 2017 – 2019. During that time, and with the NCCIS being new, areas were counting referrals differently. Some areas were counting all referrals received, even if they were deemed not to require a social work response, while other areas were only counting referrals that required a social work response following screening.
There was a significant increase in referrals between 2019 (56,561) and 2020 (69,712). It is also likely that fewer referrals than expected were received in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated closure of schools and other services for certain periods of time. However, to understand this increase it is important to highlight the change in the methodology for counting of referrals that was introduced in 2020. This change means that since then all areas now count all referrals, including those which are screened out. This provides a better account of activity and demand on child protection and welfare services but has inflated the number of referrals.
Analysis of the source of referrals shows an increase across the majority of sources between 2020 and 2021 and although it is difficult to say for certain, there may be particular reasons as to why. For example, an increase in referrals from An Garda Síochána may be due to Gardaí being more attuned to the issues of domestic and gender-based violence leading them to increase the number of referrals made. Increases from safeguarding officers, psychologists, teachers and some others are likely due to the increasing awareness and understanding of abuse combined with the obligations under mandatory reporting.
Tusla has begun to collect data on re-referral and this data indicates a re-referral rate of approximately 20%, which is in line with international trends. This data indicates that for the vast majority of children and families referred to Tusla, once their interaction with the Agency is completed no further intervention is required or requested.
Given the nuances of referral data and significant changes which have occurred in recent times (i.e., introduction of NCCIS and the Covid-19 pandemic) it is difficult to comment with any certainty on the reason for increase in referrals at this time. However, with NCCIS now mainstreamed, clear guidance and data quality officers and other staff in place, Tusla and my Department are now in a better position to monitor and analyse trends and patterns in referrals at a national level.
1179. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the acute shortage for crèche accommodating babies under two years in many parts of Dublin; if he plans any initiatives to bridge this gap; if he will extend support to parents who now must opt for care in private homes as the only option to meet their needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29465/22]
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 children under 2.
Lower demand for early learning and childcare owing to Covid-19 gave rise to unprecedented vacancy rates in 2020 and 2021, with data from June 2021 revealing 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 data captured by City and County Childcare Committees (CCC) and Pobal over April and May of this year 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 vacancy rates in Dublin for children under 1 and children aged 1-2 years are shown below:
|
Vacancy Rate by Age |
||
|
Under 1 |
Age 1-2 |
|
|
Dublin City |
13.5% |
6.0% |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
9.2% |
4.8% |
|
South Dublin |
16.3% |
8.3% |
|
Fingal |
15.9% |
6.6% |
|
National |
14.1% |
6.0% |
The network of 30 CCC across the country, including CCC in Dublin, 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.
In addition to this, a range of steps are being taken to address issues of under supply. My Department has been allocated some €70m in the National Development Plan for early learning and childcare, the majority of which has been earmarked for new places. Work is underway to update the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Early Learning and Childcare Services, in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. 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. With regard to home-based early learning and childcare specifically, the National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028, which I published in 2021, sets out a plan for extending State support and regulation to childminding on a phased basis by 2028, with accelerated access to subsidies for childminders through the National Childcare Scheme. The Action Plan will involve opening up funding schemes to childminders, minding children in their own homes as well as providing dedicated funding to support childminders to meet registration and regulatory requirements.
Parents currently 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.
1180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will indicate the eligibility requirement for redress and compensation as part of the Mother and Baby Homes redress scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); the procedure to apply for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29504/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2022 I secured Government approval for the draft Heads of Bill for the Mother and Baby Institution Payment Scheme. I sought priority drafting of the Bill to ensure that it can be introduced to the Houses of the Oireachtas as soon as possible. I also referred the draft Heads of Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for pre-legislative scrutiny and requested their assistance in meeting the urgent need to deliver this Scheme for survivors as soon as possible. That process is underway, with the Joint Oireachtas Committee launching a public consultation process on the draft legislation in April and hearings commencing in May. My Department has engaged with the process.
In parallel with the legislative process, my Department is working on the administrative arrangements needed to operate the Scheme and deal with applications. Once the legislation has been passed by the Oireachtas and the necessary preparatory work has been completed, the Scheme will be open for applications. I hope that this will be possible by the end of 2022. Details on how to apply will be widely advertised when the Scheme is launched.
A person who was resident as a child in a Mother and Baby or County Home Institution for a period of six months or more will be entitled to a General Payment under the Scheme and will also be eligible for a form of enhanced medical card. Full details of the proposals for the Scheme, including a table which sets out the payment rates agreed by Government for inclusion in the Scheme, can be found on my Department’s website (www.gov.ie/en/publication/0c637-mother-and-baby-institutions-payment-scheme/).
I am acutely aware of the sense of urgency surrounding the establishment of the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme and I am focused on delivering the Scheme as soon as possible.
1181. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the early childhood care and education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29704/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is a universal fully funded two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range i.e. a child must have turned 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August 2022, and not be older than 5 years and 6 months on or before 30th June 2023, to be eligible for the 2022/23 programme year. ECCE 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.
ECCE is provided by Tusla registered community and private providers who enter into funding agreements with my Department to provide ECCE. Payment is on a per-capita basis.
There are currently 105,000 children attending ECCE programmes. The ECCE scheme is not mandatory but is very successful, with more than 95% of the eligible cohort availing of ECCE every year.
Providers offering ECCE must provide an appropriate pre-school educational programme which adheres to the principles and standards of Síolta and Aistear, the national practice frameworks.
More details on the ECCE programme are available on my Department's website at:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/2459ee-early-childhood-care-and-education-programme-ecce/.
1182. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of the early childhood care and education scheme for persons living in Northern Ireland but working in the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildren are required to be resident in the State and have a PPSN to avail of ECCE. Children who are resident in Northern Ireland can access the Northern Irish Pre-school Education Programme.
1183. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional supports that are being put in place in County Cavan to support victims of domestic violence on a long-term basis; if his Department will review the need for a dedicated refuge in the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29713/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra1184. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of Government plans for a domestic violence refuge for counties Cavan and Monaghan given the rising number of victims within the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29714/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1183 and 1184 together.
As you are aware Cavan/Monaghan has been identified as a priority area in Tusla's Accommodation Review. Recent meetings on this very matter involving local representatives, Tusla, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Housing Authorities and DSGBV voluntary groups have taken place. A second meeting has also been scheduled.
Every effort will be made to ensure progress in the delivery of this vital service. The need to increase the provision of refuges is widely acknowledged by Government. The timelines for delivery of these places, as well as further targets for nationwide delivery of refuge accommodation, will be outlined in the Dept. of Justice's upcoming Third National Strategy and further detail will be contained in the accompanying action plan.
With input from the Taoiseach, Minister McEntee and I have worked intensively with Departmental officials on the Audit of the segmentation of Government’s response to DSGBV and how the results of that Audit fits with the, soon to be published, Third National Strategy on DSGBV. As a result of those discussions and in response to the Audit, it has been agreed that the Department of Justice will be the lead Department with responsibility for responding to DSGBV, and that responsibility for policy, accommodation and services will also sit within the Department of Justice.
In the meantime, my Department and Tusla are actively collaborating with the Department of Justice. Tusla will continue to have responsibility for accommodation and services while the new administrative arrangements are being put in place.
1185. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase the foster carer’s payment (details supplied) as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29725/22]
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.
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.
Tusla have advised that they have recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of a Strategic Plan on Foster Care. Through this consultation, foster carers highlighted their view that the foster care allowance should be reviewed in light of inflation and increases in social welfare allowances. When the Strategic Plan on Foster Care is finalised by Tusla, it will then be considered by the Department. Any decision to review the current rate of the foster allowance shall be informed by the Tusla Plan and the consultations that have preceded it.
1186. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise on the assistance that can be offered to a family (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29999/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a universal two-year pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must have reached 2 years and 8 months of age on or prior to 31 August of the relevant programme year to be eligible for the September start date and a child cannot turn 5 years and 6 months of age during the course of the ECCE programme year.
The child referred to was eligible for the ECCE programme in September 2019 and again in September 2020, so has been able to benefit from the full two years of ECCE.
For children with additional needs, supports are available for school aged children through the National Council for Special Education (NCSE), affiliated to the Department of Education, to support children in the primary school setting. I would urge the parents to contact their local Special Education Needs Organiser (SENO) for further assistance on this.
1187. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1153 of 26 April 2022, if he will provide an update (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30026/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised in reply to Parliamentary Question No. 1153 of 26 April 2022, there has been no withdrawal of ECCE funding for the child referred to. Pobal will continue to fund this child's ECCE place until the end of the ECCE term in late June.
If the child's parents have any on-going concerns about the ECCE programme they and/or the pre-school provider can get support and advice from their local County Childcare Committee (CCC). Details of the local CCC can be found on the website myccc.ie.
1188. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a system is in place whereby Ukrainian refugees currently in accommodation in one part of the country can be rehomed in another part following a successful job offer to facilitate their employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30028/22]
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.
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 four months. My Department’s role is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 34,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 25,000 of those have been referred to us seeking accommodation from the State.
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.
The accommodation provided to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine by this Department is temporary in its nature, and given the number of people that are being accommodated it is not possible to develop tailored solutions for individuals or families. I understand that people may wish to be accommodated in specific locations for a variety of reasons, but my Department cannot facilitate these requests at this time given the number of people wishing to be accommodated.
Beneficiaries of temporary protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements if they wish, and can avail of some supports to do so.
More information on supports available to Ukrainian people while they are in Ireland and information on how people and community groups can help can be found at the Government website:
www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/bc537-irelands-response-to-the-situation-in-ukraine/
