Seán Sherlock
Ceist:652. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision will be expedited on a working family payment claim for a person (details supplied). [34212/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraSocial Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (652)
Freagraí scríofa
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children which supports people in low paid employment. The WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with child dependents, and to offer a financial incentive to take up employment.
It is a targeted measure that is directly linked to household income and therefore directly supports low-income working families. There are approximately 46,000 families with 103,000 children who are currently in receipt of WFP. The estimated spend on WFP in 2022 is €349 million.
An application for WFP was received from the person concerned on 30 March 2022. Further information was requested by the Department on 13 May 2022. The person concerned submitted this information, and it was received by the Department on 03 June 2022.
A Deciding Officer reviewed the application, and WFP was awarded on 20 June 2022, with effect from their renewal date of 02 June 2022 to 31 May 2023. The first weekly payment and all arrears owing have issued to their selected financial account on 23 June2022.
The person concerned was notified on 20 June 2022 of this decision and of the right of review and appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Ceisteanna (653)
Richard Bruton
Ceist:653. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the policy of refusing to allow persons setting up as self-employed under a franchise qualify for short-term enterprise allowance; and if such persons will instead be allowed the opportunity to demonstrate independently the viability of their initiative. [34372/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Short Term Enterprise Allowance scheme (STEA) is designed to provide immediate support for someone who loses their job and qualifies for Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) or Jobseeker’s Benefit Self-Employed (JBSE) but wants to start a new business not currently in operation.
The support provides an incentive to avail of self-employment opportunities by allowing a person to retain their appropriate JB/JBSE rate. The scheme assists in the development of a new enterprise and alleviating the associated risks involved and provides an element of financial security along with business mentoring and supports. A venture which is not a new enterprise can base its income potential from past experiences, thus mitigating the financial risks associated with commencing a new enterprise.
Businesses setting up under an already market-established brand such as franchises are not considered eligible for receipt of the scheme and there are no plans to change this position.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (654)
Michael Ring
Ceist:654. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their enhanced illness benefit payment. [34420/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department received an Enhanced Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned on the 21st March 2022. This claim was awarded and a payment of €350.00 issued to him on the 28th March 2022, paying him for the duration of his medical certificate.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (655)
Michael Ring
Ceist:655. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their enhanced illness benefit payment. [34422/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There was a delay in processing the Enhanced Illness Benefit claim from the person concerned as it overlapped with payment she received of Jobseeker's Benefit. The monetary difference between the associated claim payment and her Enhanced Illness Benefit entitlement needed to be calculated before any payments due to her could issue.
Her Enhanced Illness Benefit claim has now been awarded, and a payment of €259.40 has issued to her paying her for the duration of her medical certificate.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Social Welfare Benefits
Ceisteanna (656)
Denis Naughten
Ceist:656. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of claims submitted and the number of persons who have received enhanced illness benefit for Covid-19; the number of persons who were in payment for two, four, six, eight and ten weeks, respectively; the number of persons who transferred over to illness benefit after the ten-week payment period had expired; the number of these claims that were in payment for more than two weeks; the number that was transferred over to disability allowance after the ten-week payment period had expired; the number of these claims that were in payment for more than two weeks; the number of such claims that were rejected or pending; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Enhanced Illness Benefit (EIB) is a form of Illness Benefit that is payable to self-employed persons or an employee who is told to self-isolate or has been diagnosed with Covid-19. It is important to note that a person may have received Enhanced Illness Benefit on more than one occasion since the payment was introduced, and thus have more than one claim for Enhanced illness Benefit. The number of claims received and the individuals claiming EIB up to June 24th 2022 are provided in Table 1.
Table 1: Number of EIB Claims and EIB Recipients
|
Claims |
Individual Recipients |
|
643,315 |
478,485 |
EIB is payable for up to 10 weeks where a person is diagnosed with Covid-19. In a case where a person continues to be ill beyond 10 weeks, standard Illness Benefit may be paid for an extended period, based on the person’s continued eligibility. Details on the duration of EIB claims are set out in Table 2. The data in Table 2 refers to the claim duration, based on the certification dates.
Table 2: EIB claim durations
|
Weeks |
Claims |
|
0-2 |
533,513 |
|
2-4 |
78,571 |
|
4-6 |
15,317 |
|
6-8 |
5,941 |
|
8-10 |
3,067 |
|
10+ |
6,906 |
Of the 6,906 claims with a total certification period of 10 or more weeks, these relate to 5,291 individuals, of whom 3,783 transferred to Illness Benefit payments, and were certified for 2 or more weeks. 93 persons who had at least one EIB claim of more than 10 weeks duration are now in receipt of Disability Allowance. A total of 50 people had a Disability Allowance claim rejected, while 18 people had Disability Allowance claims pending as of mid-June 2022.
Money Advice and Budgeting Service
Ceisteanna (657)
Seán Haughey
Ceist:657. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of unique clients engaged and supported by MABS in Dublin Central from January 2022 to June 2022 compared to the same timeframe in 2021; the nature of the supports provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34489/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), funded by the Citizens Information Board (CIB), a statutory body under the aegis of my Department, is the State’s money advice service and provides assistance to people, in particular those on low income or dependent on social welfare supports, who are over-indebted. As part of its free services, MABS also provides support to those in mortgage arrears and is an administrator of Abhaile - the national State funded Mortgage Arrears Resolution Service.
MABS comprises eight regional companies and North Dublin MABS is the company with responsibility for the Dublin Central area. Clients of North Dublin MABS can attend any of the MABS offices by appointment and can also contact a money advisor about their case by phone, email, online chat or video conferencing.
North Dublin MABS had 445 New Clients in Quarter 1 2022. This was an increase of 5.7% compared to the same timeframe in 2021, when they had 421 New Clients. Figures for Quarter 2 will not be available until early July, I have advised CIB to provide these figures to the Deputy directly.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (658)
Robert Troy
Ceist:658. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection when the Oireachtas phonelines will be open again as none of the Oireachtas Members enquiry lines this Deputy has for her Department are connecting. [34505/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department provides a dedicated TD enquiry line and mailbox for each of the main schemes whereby Teachtaí Dála can raise specific queries for their constituents directly with the relevant scheme area by phone or email. The enquiry lines and mailboxes are monitored daily to ensure an efficient and effective response is provided to queries raised.
With the onset of COVID-19, the imposition of social distancing meant that my Department had to reduce the number of staff working from within the traditional office environment. This resulted in the suspension of some of the TD enquiry lines. As more staff are now working in the Department's offices, the enquiry lines have been re-instated in all main scheme areas.
I hope this clarifies the position.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (659)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:659. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of complaints she has received in the past five years to date under her Department’ customer service charter; and if she will provide a breakdown in tabular form and by heading of the complaints made in respect of each service. [34564/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Social Protection is committed to delivering an excellent customer service as pledged in our Customer Service Charter.
My Department always aims to ensure that all customers are served in a fair, courteous, and timely manner, are informed of their rights, provided with full and clear information regarding entitlements and have their privacy respected.
All complaints received were accepted and fully investigated by the Department.
The requested information is presented below in tabular form for each year from 2017 to 2021, and for 2022, to the 24 June 2022.
|
REGION/SERVICE |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
|
Buncrana |
20 |
11 |
12 |
5 |
7 |
5 |
|
Carrick on Shannon-Central Prosecution |
2 |
2 |
7 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Carrick on Shannon-Client Identity Services |
23 |
34 |
48 |
94 |
61 |
9 |
|
Carrick on Shannon-Employment Services |
3 |
1 |
3 |
1 |
3 |
0 |
|
Client Eligibility Services |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Digital Services |
0 |
0 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
6 |
|
Disability Act |
5 |
3 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
8 |
|
General Registration Office-Births, Deaths etc. |
2 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Illness Benefit |
53 |
736 |
437 |
85 |
59 |
121 |
|
Income Support Helpline |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
9 |
2 |
|
JobPath |
56 |
43 |
37 |
6 |
13 |
16 |
|
Letterkenny |
99 |
105 |
94 |
56 |
45 |
12 |
|
Longford |
67 |
105 |
186 |
82 |
73 |
37 |
|
Medical Review & Respite Care |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
National Intreo Contact Centre |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
11 |
|
National Processing Team |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
27 |
9 |
|
Planning |
2 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
2 |
0 |
|
Regional Directors Office |
2 |
1 |
0 |
12 |
5 |
0 |
|
Scope & PRSI Refunds |
1 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
|
Sligo-Contributory Pensions & Guardians |
18 |
39 |
44 |
20 |
13 |
11 |
|
Sligo-Non-Contributory Pensions & Household Benefits |
20 |
29 |
9 |
11 |
4 |
6 |
|
Social Welfare Appeals Office |
3 |
5 |
5 |
7 |
11 |
5 |
|
Redundancy Payments |
1 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Sligo-Domiciliary Care |
1 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
|
Cork |
34 |
60 |
52 |
35 |
50 |
21 |
|
Dublin Central |
116 |
140 |
124 |
73 |
85 |
32 |
|
Dublin North |
54 |
76 |
69 |
51 |
39 |
27 |
|
Dublin South-Mid Leinster |
149 |
137 |
126 |
101 |
58 |
57 |
|
Midlands |
51 |
36 |
46 |
10 |
17 |
4 |
|
Mid-West |
44 |
56 |
55 |
17 |
28 |
19 |
|
North-East |
47 |
44 |
40 |
19 |
25 |
18 |
|
North-West |
34 |
30 |
37 |
19 |
25 |
21 |
|
South-East |
39 |
35 |
34 |
29 |
25 |
24 |
|
Western |
71 |
55 |
57 |
31 |
30 |
10 |
Equality Issues
Ceisteanna (660)
Cormac Devlin
Ceist:660. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of the Programme for Government commitments for LGBTQIA+ persons. [33807/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government - Our Shared Future, contains a number of actions with respect to gender recognition. My Department is engaged in progressing these actions. The Government has approved the drafting of legislation to give effect to recommendations with respect the process of gender recognition for children aged 16 and 17. Research is being commissioned to inform policy options with respect to children aged under 19 and all Departments and public bodies have been asked to progress positive actions to give effect to the acceptable use of pronouns, improvements in the design and content of official forms and documentation to permit the use of a third gender option, or no gender at all, where it is possible to do so, and to take any other positive steps to promote inclusiveness of person of all genders.
The Deputy will appreciate that some of the work being undertaken may result in proposals to amend the Gender Recognition Act 2015 which will be considered by Government in due course.I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (661, 671)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:661. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address issues raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33671/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Seán Canney
Ceist:671. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will meet with the Federation of Early Childhood Providers to address their issues around the viability of the business model as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).
The new funding model will support the delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.
The Expert Group engaged in a widespread programme of stakeholder consultation in order to review the existing funding model for Early Learning and Childcare and develop a new funding model. Over the course of the two year project, the extensive programme of stakeholder consultation engaged with parents, providers, the workforce, and other stakeholders, all of which is documented and publicly available.
Core Funding, which begins in September, is the new funding stream worth €221 million in full year costs to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers. Its primary purpose is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers. Core Funding allows for an estimated 19% increase in the total cost base for the sector.
My officials have engaged extensively with provider representatives and providers of all types, and continue to do so, via various fora, as the details of Core Funding are available. For example, on 12th April, senior officials in my Department met with a group of provider representatives to discuss issues regarding Core Funding.
In addition, on 4th May, I, along with officials, met with a delegation from the Federation of Early Childhood Providers (FECP) to discuss their position in relation to the new Core Funding stream following a survey of their members. The FECP shared extremely detailed materials at this meeting, including case studies and extensive data on provider costs. My officials have examined these materials and issued a comprehensive response to the FECP. Furthermore, on 22nd of June I met with the FECP at Leinster House to hear their concerns.
My Department and I have engaged with providers throughout the development and implementation of the new funding model, and will continue to do so in the future. The next meeting of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum is scheduled for 29th June and this will serve as a useful opportunity to hear from a variety and diversity of stakeholders in the sector.
Core Funding is a new way of providing funding for the sector and addresses some disparities in the previous system of funding. However, I do not believe that there is a solid foundation in evidence for the concerns expressed by some that Core Funding will compromise services' viability.
In examining all of the data available to the Department, including that provided by the FECP following our meeting on 4th May, there is no evidence about a significant lack of sustainability for ECCE-only services or to suggest that services will face closure as a result of Core Funding.
Analysis of providers’ income and costs shows that services with the characteristics correlated with ECCE-only provision had the highest levels of income in excess of costs compared to other types of provision. Levels of income in excess of costs range from 14% to 23%, depending on the characteristic chosen. These figures compare to a sector median proportion of income in excess of cost of 4%. This was prior to increases in ECCE capitation rates and does not take account of the substantial investment in services during Covid-19 or the new Core Funding income that services will be eligible for.
Accounting for the proposed Employment Regulation Order rates currently being considered, Department estimates show that services with ECCE and Core Funding, will receive income from the State that will cover the staff costs and leave considerable room for overheads and surplus, or for any service that may choose to raise wages above anticipated new minimum rates.
Every year a number of services close and others open. Current data on service closures and openings are not markedly different to the trend in previous years. This data also shows that services close for a wide range of reasons including retirement of owners or other personal circumstances and only a minority relate to sustainability issues.
I am committed to ensuring more stability of income for services, and that is one of the key objectives of Core Funding.
The vast majority of services will see an increase in funding, and less than 1% of services will see no change. No service will see a decrease in funding. For any service that does experience financial difficulties, a Sustainability Fund will be put in place. This new strand of the Sustainability Fund, linked to Core Funding, will be designed to provide an extra safety net for providers. This will be open to both private and community providers.
Departmental Bodies
Ceisteanna (662)
Michael Ring
Ceist:662. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the State boards that are under his remit; the details of each State board; the details of all the persons who are currently on each board in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33826/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are six bodies under the aegis of my Department with State Boards. They are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, Gaisce (the President’s Award), the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), Oberstown Children Detention Campus, the National Disability Authority and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. The current membership on each board is listed in the document attached.
State Board listings are also available at membership.stateboards.ie/
Flexible Work Practices
Ceisteanna (663)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:663. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of persons who are employed by his Department; the number who are currently working remotely; and the estimated number of persons in his Department who ordinarily worked from home prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. [33969/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department currently employs 537 staff. Currently staff are required to work in the office a minimum of 2 days per week.
My Department conducted an eWorking pilot before the pandemic and a small number of staff participated in the pilot.
Child Protection
Ceisteanna (664)
Neale Richmond
Ceist:664. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to an initiative (details supplied) which aims to reduce the levels of child abuse by 70% by 2030 in the UK; his views on whether a similar goal could be established in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34077/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is aware of the 70/30 Campaign initiated by a UK wide network of individuals, organisations and elected representatives working together to reduce child abuse, neglect and other adverse childhood experiences by at least 70% by the year 2030. The 70/30 Campaign target as referenced by the Deputy is believed achievable with the appropriate policies, actions and funding supports.
In Ireland, Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for children and young people 2014-2020 established a set of five national outcomes, for children and young people which all government departments and agencies, statutory services and the community and voluntary worked towards, to ensure a coherent response for children and young people. One of these five national outcomes is that of ‘safe and protected from harm’. A final annual report for 2020 was published in January 2022, along with updates to the policy framework indicator set, which tracks progress across the five national outcomes. The indicator set report showed a decrease in the number of children classified as ‘at ongoing risk of significant harm and in need of a child protection plan’, between 2015 and 2020, as well as a decrease in the percentage of open cases awaiting allocation of a social worker between 2014 and 2020. These five national outcomes will be retained in the next national policy framework for children and young people which is now being developed, and which will cover the period 2023-2028.
First 5, A Whole-of -Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families 2019-2028 contains a range of actions to improve the lives of babies, young children and their families. It is a ten-year plan to help make sure all children have positive early experiences and get a great start in life.
Furthermore, the What Works initiative led by my Department, with funding from Dormant Accounts, supports a move towards evidence informed prevention and early intervention services for children, young people and their families.
Quantifying the levels of child abuse in a country is not straightforward and different countries adopt different approaches.
In most countries child protection referral or substantiation data is used as some indication of the level of child abuse but it is widely recognised that this is not reflective of the prevalence of child abuse. Estimates would suggest that upwards of 50% of child abuse victims do not come to the attention of child protection agencies.
A new sexual violence survey is planned, which will be undertaken by the Central Statistics Office, and will for the first time provide statistics on the prevalence of sexual violence in Ireland.
Equality Issues
Ceisteanna (665)
Jennifer Carroll MacNeill
Ceist:665. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the details of his work on the proposal to ban conversion therapy; if a timeline is in place for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34295/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to end the practice of conversion therapy, an objective I strongly support.
In addition, the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy 2018 – 2021 contains a commitment to prohibit the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland, and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2022 commits to ensuring that the practice is investigated and followed up with appropriate counter measures.
My Department recently commissioned research aimed at capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to the practice of conversion therapy in Ireland. This qualitative research which commenced in February 2022 is expected to be completed in Autumn 2022, and will assist the Government in developing legislation to ban the practice of conversion therapy. My Department will also look at international good practice in this regard.
Irish Sign Language
Ceisteanna (666)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:666. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that he is in breach of section 10 of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017 signed into law on 24 December 2017 which states that the Minister shall, not later than three years after the date on which this Act is enacted require a report to be prepared on the operation of this Act, that under this provision that the report should have been completed in December 2020 and legal liability that he has now exposed the State to arising from this failure to meet his statutory obligations. [34312/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Irish Sign Language Act 2017 was signed into law on 24th December 2017 and I commenced the Act jointly with the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O'Gorman, in December 2020.
The Act recognises the right of the Deaf community to use Irish Sign Language (ISL) as their native language. The Act creates obligations for the public sector regarding the provision of ISL. In addition, the Act provides for specific duties and obligations in the areas of legal proceedings, educational provision and broadcasting.
Implementing the Irish Sign Language Act requires a whole of government approach. As such, all public bodies have obligations to fulfil.
Section 10 of the Act requires me, as Minister, to request a report on the operation of the Act to be produced, initially three years after enactment and every five years thereafter. These reports must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
In line with these requirements, the National Disability Authority (NDA) was commissioned to produce the first report on the operation of the Act last year. A draft Report was submitted to me last year and subsequently circulated to Departments and agencies for observations and to ensure accuracy in the preparation of a final version. The Report was finalised early this year and was formally submitted to me by the NDA.
The NDA report is now receiving detailed consideration within my Department. As the recommendations of the report affect a wide range of organisations, it has been necessary to consider the whole of government implications arising. I intend to publish the report and lay it before the Houses at the earliest possible opportunity.
Equality Issues
Ceisteanna (667)
Alan Farrell
Ceist:667. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that his Department is undertaking to ensure members of the LGBT+ community are encouraged and supported to make complaints regarding discrimination they experience in their workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34340/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Discrimination on specified grounds, including sexual orientation and gender, 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, which publishes statistics regularly on its decisions in regard to equality complaints disaggregated by discriminatory ground. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions, provides information on taking complaints under these acts and supports strategic litigation in this regard, including on behalf of members of the LGBT+ community.
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. The Review will include the Programme for Government's commitment to amend the gender ground so that someone discriminated against on the basis of their gender identity is able to avail of this legislation.
One of the four thematic pillars of the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019-2021 is that LGBTI+ people are treated equally. The outcomes pursued under this theme include that LGBTI+ people are aware of the supports and redress mechanisms available to them where discrimination has occurred. This is being advanced through two specific actions. Action 9.1, which is led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, aims to raise awareness of the role of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in dealing with complaints of discrimination under the Equal Status Acts and the Employment Equality Acts. Action 9.2, led by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in partnership with the Free Legal Aid Centres (FLAC), aims to provide tailored legal advice and advocacy to LGBTI+ people through a specialised legal advice clinic.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (668)
Jennifer Whitmore
Ceist:668. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will advise in relation to the situation regarding the Transition Fund (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34362/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In December 2021, Government adopted the 25 recommendations contained in an Expert Group report, Partnership for the Public Good: A New Funding Model for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC).
The new funding model will support the delivery of ELC and SAC for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families. To achieve this, there is a need for greater State investment and greater public management of provision.
One of my top priorities in Government is to improve affordability of Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare for parents. The package of measures I announced in Budget 2022 is designed to ensure that fees to parents do not increase and that the full affordability benefits of the National Childcare Scheme and the Early Childhood Care and Education programme are felt without being absorbed in fee increases.
The Transition Fund starts this process and will be in place between May and August 2022. This is a temporary, once-off scheme, to support providers transition from the end of the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) to the new Core Funding Scheme in September.
The main contractual requirement for the Transition Fund is that fees remain at or below the Registered Fees List that were in place on 30th September 2021 for the period of the scheme. This requirement will apply to all services who are in contract for the Transition Fund. If, between May and August, a service has not imposed any increases to Registered Fees List that was in place on 30th September 2021 then they are compliant with the terms and conditions of the Transition Fund.
Participation in the Transition Fund is optional but I am very pleased that approximately 94% of providers have now signed-up and thereby have agreed to maintain their fees at or below September 2021 rates.
Throughout the pandemic period, I was very concerned to hear of a small number of providers proposing to increase charges to parents at a time when the Government supported early learning and childcare providers very significantly. Fee increases that did occur during this period are unfortunate.
The name of the service to which you refer has not been shared so I am unable to comment on specifics. I would draw your attention to the Transition Fund list which compiles the over 4,000 services/providers participating in the scheme, available here: first5fundingmodel.gov.ie/core-funding/
Following on from the Transition Fund, Core Funding will begin from September. Fee management for year one of Core Funding will start with the requirement for providers to maintain fees at or below September 2021 levels, and the approach will be further developed over time. I am confident that the fee management system, in tandem with developments to the National Childcare Scheme, will together deliver significantly improved affordability for parents.
I would encourage any parent or provider with questions regarding the Transition Fund or fee management to contact their local City/County Childcare Committee for support and guidance at: myccc.ie/where-is-my-nearest-ccc.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (669)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:669. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide advice on a matter (details supplied) in relation to childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34382/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I firmly believe that the level of pay for early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners should reflect the value of their work for children, for families, for society and the economy. 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.
The State is not the employer, and my Department does not set wage levels nor determine working conditions for staff in the sector. However, I am doing all that is in my power to address the issue.
In particular, I began a process in December 2020 to examine 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 for Early Years Services, which began meeting in December 2021.
The outcomes of the Joint Labour Committee process will be supported by the new Core Funding stream I announced in Budget 2022 which will provide an additional €73 million of funding in 2022 and is equivalent to more than €221 million in a full year. Core Funding will support providers to meet the obligations of Employment Regulation Orders that may arise from the Joint Labour Committee for Early Years Services, improving workforce recruitment and retention through improvement in pay and conditions.
In addition, last December I launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare, 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in early learning and care and school-age childcare. One of its five "pillars" comprises commitments aimed at supporting recruitment, retention and diversity in the workforce, and it includes actions to raise the profile of careers in the sector.
My colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, is developing an automatic enrolment retirement savings scheme which will benefit all employees including those working in Early Learning Care and School Age Childcare.
In relation to the issue of affordability, significant investment is being made by my Department to address affordability for parents through the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). 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 so that their children can attend after-school services, which will benefit 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, so that all families will get a minimum subsidy of 50cents a hours, which equates to over €1, 100 per annum for a child in full time childcare.
Departmental Correspondence
Ceisteanna (670)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:670. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of a payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34390/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on meeting the immediate, temporary accommodation needs of those fleeing the conflict.
My Department is focused on the immediate, short-term accommodation needs of those who have fled here. To date, more than 35,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 25,000 of those have been referred to this Department seeking accommodation from the State.
The Ukraine crisis has seen a major increase in the amount of accommodation providers contracted by my Department to provide accommodation to beneficiaries of temporary protection.
Over 400 providers are in operation currently. This has led to a substantial increase in payment administration work for the Department.
With respect to the delay in payment to this particular provider, my Department has worked with the provider to address the issues relating to the payment set up for the accommodation they are providing .
The payment in question has been processed now and is expected to be paid to the provider this week.
Question No. 671 answered with Question No. 661.