Pa Daly
Ceist:432. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are any plans to increase the allowances paid to Tusla foster carers. [35290/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraChildren in Care
Ceisteanna (432)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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 will examine foster care arrangements as part of this review.
Further, Tusla has 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. Once 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.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (433)
Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:433. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35294/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Since the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine on February 24, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) 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 38,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 28,000 of those have been referred to this Department 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 my 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/.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (434)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:434. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Ukrainian refugees being placed in pledged accommodation in March, April, May and June 2022. [35420/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
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 38,000 people have arrived in Ireland and in excess of 28,000 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 Government is committed to delivering a humanitarian response to welcome people seeking protection in Ireland as part of the European Union's overall response. The scale of response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed an incredible level of generosity in their support and pledges of accommodation.
The Irish Red Cross has put in place a national pledge as the mechanism for channeling the offers of accommodation which many members of the public wish to provide. The website through which offers of accommodation are pledged is registerofpledges.redcross.ie. I understand that over 25,000 offers of accommodation have been pledged by the Irish public through the Irish Red Cross (IRC).
I can confirm to the Deputy that to date, approximately 2000 people have been matched to over 700 pledged properties.
A more detailed breakdown is available below. Available figures are from April 2022 to present.
|
Month |
Number of Beneficiaries |
|
April |
270 |
|
May |
910 |
|
June |
823 |
Cumulative Figures are as follows:
|
Month |
Number of Beneficiaries |
|
April |
270 |
|
May |
1180 |
|
June |
2003 |
International Protection
Ceisteanna (435)
Seán Sherlock
Ceist:435. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of persons employed in the International Protection Accommodation Services; and the number of these who were working on the placement of refugees in pledged accommodation as of 21 June 2022. [35421/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm to the Deputy that the total number of persons employed in the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) currently stands at 56.
IPAS is responsible for the accommodation of international protection applicants only.
Departmental Reviews
Ceisteanna (436)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:436. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will elaborate on the actions that his Department has taken in regard to historical sexual abuse within an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35425/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department has taken a number of actions in response to findings of formerly poor safeguarding policies and practice in the organisation referred to by the Deputy. These have included suspension of Departmental funding pending the appointment of a new Board, which is now in place, and the commissioning in 2018 of an independent review of governance within the organisation, as well as a follow up review, published in May 2020, which found that the recommendations of the original review had been satisfactorily implemented, while identifying some outstanding matters which were subsequently addressed by the organisation in a report to my Department in September 2020.
In addition, the organisation in question commissioned its own independent learning review of historical sexual abuse within the organisation. My predecessor met with this reviewer in May 2020 and was reassured, notwithstanding his very serious findings in relation to historical practices, by his satisfaction with current governance and safeguarding practice within the organisation.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (437)
Rose Conway-Walsh
Ceist:437. Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of PhD positions funded by his Department or bodies under the aegis of his Department; the average stipend or salary paid to full-time PhD candidates through these funding streams; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35427/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are no PHD positions funded by my Department. The bodies under the aegis of my Department will respond to the deputy directly.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (438)
David Stanton
Ceist:438. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider exceptions to age grounds pertaining to the access and inclusion model in pre-schools; if there is any avenue by which a case can be made for such an exception to enable a child who is a few weeks too young under the current criteria to be accepted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35442/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
AIM operates in tandem with the ECCE programme and as such, provision of AIM supports are directly linked with ECCE participation/hours of operation The ECCE programme is available to all children within the eligible age range. The minimum eligibility age of 2 years and 8 months for the ECCE programme was chosen based on national experience and a review of international practice. It also had regard to the regulatory environment for early years’ education and care in this country and issues such as child development readiness and adult-child ratios.
The Minister accepts that the use of age limits in a scheme such as ECCE creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range, however, the Department have to place an age cut-off at some point, and in the interests of fairness and consistency there can be no discretion in this regard.
The Department does its best to ensure, in so far as possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for funding under the ECCE Programme and AIM. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness, it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied evenly.
One of the commitments within First 5, A Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, was to undertake an end of 3-year evaluation of AIM. That evaluation has now been completed, with the final report due to be published in quarter 3 of this year. Subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, we will be considering enhancements to, and/or extension of, AIM to, for example, all ELC services, all school-age childcare services and to children with additional needs other than a disability.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (439)
Carol Nolan
Ceist:439. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 21 June 2022, the costs of the contracts that are in place with third level institutions and with the owners of privately owned student accommodation; the names of the third level institutions involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35447/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
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 38,000 people have arrived in Ireland and just in excess of 28,000 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.
The number of people seeking international protection has also increased adding to accommodation capacity issues.
My Department has entered into contracts with the following third-level institutions: Dublin City University, Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin, University of Limerick, Maynooth University, University College Cork and National University of Ireland, Galway.
It is not possible to provide contract values because of commercial sensitivity.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (440)
Pa Daly
Ceist:440. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if HIQA inspections will apply to all providers of accommodation to IPAS; and the details of any exceptions. [35470/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
It is the Government’s intention that the accommodation centres operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), which is part of my Department, will be independently monitored by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for compliance with the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process. These Standards were adopted by Government in 2019, and came into effect in January 2021.
HIQA's role will apply to all of IPAS's permanent centres. It will not apply to emergency centres as they are subject to separate contractual arrangements.
In advance of the introduction of independent monitoring, IPAS has taken steps to support adherence to the National Standards through its contract arrangements with accommodation centres. All properties selected under IPAS’ most recent tender process are required to be able to implement the National Standards.
International Protection
Ceisteanna (441)
Pa Daly
Ceist:441. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when legislation enabling HIQA inspections of IPAS-contracted properties will be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. [35471/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is currently working with the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) to implement the commitment for HIQA to monitor International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres against National Standards adopted in 2019 and in effect since the beginning of 2021.
Planning is well advanced on this process. My Department is currently engaging with HIQA on resources and staffing required by HIQA to undertake its monitoring role. In parallel with this process, detailed work is being undertaken by my Department, in consultation with Office of the Attorney General, to provide the necessary legal basis for HIQA's monitoring role. The aim is that this will be done by means of regulation and that it would be published in the next Dail session.
HIQA is progressing with preparations for commencement of this function. Part of the preparations include the development of the monitoring and inspection methodology. An Expert Advisory Group (EAG) has been established to inform this process and provide expert advice and feedback. This group comprises members from a range of different stakeholder organisations, service providers and service use, including the Head of IPAS and the Head of International Protection Accommodation Policy in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The first meeting of the EAG was 25 May 2022 and the second meeting was 29 June 2022.
IPAS accommodation centres are currently subject to regular unannounced inspections both by my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service and by an independent inspectorate company (QTS Limited).
Traveller Community
Ceisteanna (442)
Pádraig MacLochlainn
Ceist:442. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to a recent submission from an organisation (details supplied) if he will agree to a 25% restoration of funding to restore the core funding of local Traveller organisations to 2008 levels. [35475/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy will be aware, funding is provided across a range of Government Departments to support and address the specific needs of the Traveller and Roma Communities and all of the relevant Departments have their own specific budgetary supports in place.
In 2022, my own Department is providing just over €5.6m to provide core funding to a number of NGOs and to progress actions under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. A further €880,000 was secured from Dormant Account Funds to support Traveller and Roma initiatives. This represents a total increase of €914,000 over the 2021 allocation, which enabled a 3% increase in core grant funding to a number of NGOs, including to the group mentioned by the Deputy in 2022. My Department is providing over €1.6m to this group in 2022. I note the increase sought by this network but remind the Deputy that it is premature at this point to speculate as to any increase that might be provided as part of Budget 2023.
Local Authorities
Ceisteanna (443)
Seán Canney
Ceist:443. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if (details supplied) a local voluntary group has received any funding from Galway County Council under the 2021 Disability Participation and Awareness Fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35497/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In October 2021, I launched the 2021 Disability Participation and Awareness Fund (DPAF).
The purpose of DPAF 2021 was to provide funding to Local Authorities across Ireland to support the participation of people with disabilities in local activities, to help to remove barriers to community involvement, and to support the promotion and implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in communities. A total of €2.5m was made available to Local Authorities to fund projects in their local area for these purposes.
While Galway County Council did receive funding on foot of a successful application to DPAF 2021, it is my understanding that to date Galway County Council has not provided funding received through DPAF 2021 to the organisation specified. Dispersal of funds under DPAF is required to be in line with applications submitted and approved.
Work is underway on a follow-on fund which will be awarded this year.
Child and Family Agency
Ceisteanna (444)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:444. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the purpose of a Tusla practice assurance and service monitoring team report; the number of PASM reports that Tusla has carried out since the agency was established; if he will list the primary pseudonym used in each report; the PASM reports that he has read or been briefed on since he took office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35666/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring (PASM) reports are an internal management tool employed by Tusla to support the provision of high quality services for children and families. The monitoring extends to a very broad cross section of Tusla activity.
Over the last number of years quarterly meetings have taken place between the Quality & Regulation Directorate (formerly the Quality Assurance Directorate) and the Child Care Performance and Social Work Unit (led by the Chief Social Worker). In recent years the Quality & Regulation Directorate have furnished the Department with a quarterly report of their work at these meetings. The last time one of these meetings took place was 16th December 2021. However, it is planned that these meetings will commence again shortly.
The most recent report the Department has received is from December 2021 and relates to Q3 2021. This report entitled QuAD & Operations Joint Report, Incorporating the Chief Risk Officer Report and Response from the Director of Services and Integrations details:
- An integrated overview of key trends concerning Tusla performance through the presentation of performance data and information relating to risks, incidents and complaints compiled by the Quality Assurance Directorate for the most recent reporting period;
- Information relating to where specific assurance and service improvement activity is required by providing an analysis of the findings of the Practice Assurance and Service Monitoring Team’s programme of audit and service review activity;
- Findings from the most recent HIQA inspections;
- A response to the findings in the report from the Director of Services and Integration on actions that have commenced/been implemented to mitigate the performance challenges and risks identified in the report.
These reports are read and discussed by attendees at the quarterly meetings.
A new Practice Audit Framework for all PASM reports has been developed and piloted in 2021 and is ready for full implementation in 2022.
Department officials regularly monitor Tusla performance across all areas and liaise with Tusla on the findings of its reports, the internal audits they conduct and associated follow-on actions. My Department also responds to inspections carried out by HIQA and reports generated by the Ombudsman for Children office.
I am aware that the Deputy has raised other points with Tusla and I understand that Tusla is preparing an overall response to the Deputy. I will ensure this is shared as soon as possible.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (445)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:445. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the additional funding that will enable displaced persons with residency in the State under the European Union Temporary International Protection Directive to benefit from supports under the national childcare scheme (details supplied) will be paid out of the Covid Contingency Fund; if not, if it will be funded through additional voted expenditure or otherwise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35688/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive are not currently eligible for supports under the National Childcare Scheme.
Their exclusion from the NCS is being rectified by way of an amendment to the Childcare Support Act 2018, which is being brought as part of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which is currently before this House., and which I hope can be passed within the next week. Once this Bill is enacted, beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive will be able to access NCS supports. Once enacted these families will be able to avail of NCS supports on the same basis as other eligible families.
The cost of subsidies for beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive will be met from the NCS budget. The Covid Contingency Fund will not be used for NCS subsidies.
The NCS provides both universal and targeted subsidies to families on a progressive basis, with families with the greatest need receiving the highest subsidies.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (446)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:446. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has carried out an analysis of expenditure or forecasting on the impact of providing persons with residency in the State under the European Union Temporary International Protection Directive access to the national childcare scheme; and, if so, the cost in 2022 and 2023, in relation to these changes. [35689/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive are not currently eligible for supports under the National Childcare Scheme.
Their exclusion NCS is being rectified by way of an amendment to the Childcare Support Act 2018, which is being brought as part of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which is currently before this House., and which I hope can be passed within the next week. Once this Bill is enacted, beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive will be able to access NCS supports.
The NCS provides both universal and targeted subsidies to families on a progressive basis, with families with the greatest need receiving the highest subsidies.
- The Universal Subsidy is currently available to all families with children under 3 years old, but will be extended to all children under 15 from 1 September 2022. This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a childcare, which is worth over €1,100 per annum for a child in full time childcare.
- Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and varies depending on family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in the family. This subsidy can, for those families most in need, cover the full cost of childcare.
With regard to the cost of providing NCS supports to families fleeing Ukraine, based on the age profile of the people who are already in the State, my Department has calculated that 25% of all beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive are ages 12 and under, and therefore the ages most likely to use childcare services, including after-school services.
The NCS is a demand led scheme it is not possible to accurately calculate the cost of expanding the NCS to Temporary International Protection Directive beneficiaries, as it is dependent on the number of families who come to Ireland from Ukraine and on the childcare decisions made by those individual families.
Child and Family Agency
Ceisteanna (447)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:447. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers who have left Tusla in 2020, 2021 and to date 2022; the number who were recruited in 2020, 2021 and to date 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35708/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I wish to inform the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.
Employment Rights
Ceisteanna (448)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:448. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the ongoing work to introduce special leave for a person who has had a miscarriage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35757/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I recognise the enormous impact that pregnancy loss has on expectant parents, and I wish to extend my sympathies to all parents who have suffered such a loss.
As the Deputy may be aware, work to examine the needs of bereaved parents coping with pregnancy loss is being advanced at present. My Department is currently concluding the process of commissioning of a qualitative research study to examine the workplace experiences of parents coping with pregnancy loss. The study will examine whether policy interventions are required at a national level better to support bereaved parents in the workplace following pregnancy loss. Recommendations arising from this study will help to inform Government policy on this matter, including the development of legislation if required.
Direct Provision System
Ceisteanna (449)
Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:449. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the way that his Department will meet the medical needs of a resident (details supplied) in a direct provision centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35820/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I would like to assure the Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to myself and my officials.
I cannot comment on the specifics of individual cases in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation, 2018. However, I can inform you that the relevant teams in the International Protection Accommodation Service have been working with the referred to person and a response will be issued to the Deputy in due course.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (450)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:450. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children in the State from Ukraine under the Temporary International Protection Directive who he expects will qualify for the national childcare scheme; if they will qualify for the universal or means-tested subsidy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35821/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive are not currently eligible for supports under the National Childcare Scheme.
Their exclusion from the NCS is being rectified by way of an amendment to the Childcare Support Act 2018, which is being brought as part of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which is currently before this House., and which I hope can be passed within the next week.
These families will then be able to access NCS supports on the same basis as other families, including universal and means tested supports, and sponsorship from bodies such as Tulsa and local authorities.
All children aged up to 15 who are beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Order will qualify for NCS supports. There were, as of end June, over 40, 000 people from Ukraine in the State, based on the number of PPSN allocations. Approximately 30% of the total, 12, 000 individuals, are aged under 15 and therefore eligible for NCS supports. As the NCS is a demand led scheme it is not possible to accurately estimate the number of children who will attend childcare with NCS supports, as this is dependent on the childcare choices made by individual families.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (451)
Kathleen Funchion
Ceist:451. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost to place Ukrainian children in the State under the Temporary International Protection Directive on the national childcare scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35822/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive are not currently eligible for supports under the National Childcare Scheme.
Their exclusion from the NCS is being rectified by way of an amendment to the Childcare Support Act 2018, which is being brought as part of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2022, which is currently before this House., and which I hope can be passed within the next week. Once this Bill is enacted, beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive will be able to access NCS supports.
The NCS provides both universal and targeted subsidies to families on a progressive basis, with families with the greatest need receiving the highest subsidies.
- The Universal Subsidy is currently available to all families with children under 3 years old, but will be extended to all children under 15 from 1 September 2022. This subsidy is not means tested and provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a childcare, which is worth over €1,100 per annum for a child in full time childcare.
- Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and varies depending on family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in the family. This subsidy can, for those families most in need, cover the full cost of childcare.
With regard to the cost of providing NCS supports to families fleeing Ukraine, based on the age profile of the people who are already in the State, 25% of all beneficiaries of the Temporary International Protection Directive are ages 12 and under, and therefore the ages most likely to use childcare services, including after-school services.
As the NCS is a demand led scheme it is not possible to accurately calculate the cost of expanding the NCS to Temporary International Protection Directive beneficiaries.