Written Answers Nos. 139-151
139. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his Department’s strategy to support children with disabilities to access the State-funded Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36703/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department funds the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which was launched in June 2016 and 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 quality early learning and care. AIM offers tailored, practical supports based on need and does not require a formal diagnosis of disability.
There are seven levels of AIM, which encompass a range of both universal and targeted supports for pre-school settings. 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.
From September 2022 I will make additional funding available to support children with disabilities to access the State-funded Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. Additional capitation will be provided to increase AIM Level 7 supports to providers from €210 per week to €240 per week. This funding is used by the pre-school provider either to reduce the adult to child ratio in the pre-school room or to buy in additional assistance.
One of the commitments in First 5, A Government Strategy for Babies and Children, was to undertake an end of Three-Year Evaluation of AIM. That evaluation has been undertaken and the draft report has been reviewed by the Cross Sectoral Implementation Group (CSIG), with the final report due to be published in Q3 of this year.
The evaluation included extensive consultations with parents, providers and other key stakeholders.
Subject to evaluation findings and other relevant developments, we will be considering potential enhancements to, and/or extensions of AIM.
140. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the national action plan against racism will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36738/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government commits to publishing a National Action Plan Against Racism. As the Deputy is aware, the independent Anti-Racism Committee was established by Government in 2020 to provide a draft anti-racism strategy, containing a clear action plan, supported in their work by officials from my Department.
I received on 27 June 2022, a National Action Plan Against Racism, formally submitted to me by the Chair of the Anti-Racism Committee, which the Committee prepared in accordance with its Terms of Reference.
The plan follows the committee’s Interim Report, which I published in 2021, and which sets out the overall approach, the guiding principles and understandings of racism the committee employed in developing the plan. The committee consulted widely and received a large number of submissions.
I intend to bring this plan to Government following the summer recess and, subject to the agreement of the Government, publish it.
141. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth following the publication of Better outcomes, Brighter futures Annual Report, the actions his Department is taking to address the findings of this report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35467/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department published the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures Annual Report 2020 on 20 January 2022. This is the final Annual Report under Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (0-24), since the framework expired on 31 December 2020.
The Annual Report demonstrates that good progress was made under Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures. Of 163 commitments in the framework, 81% were reported as complete or ongoing, with 18% in progress and just 1% not being progressed. More importantly, the report highlights some of the key achievements under Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures during its lifetime from 2014-2020. The Annual Report offers several positive perspectives on implementation from the-then Secretary General of my Department, the Comhairle na nÓg National Executive, Chair of the National Advisory Council, and others.
My Department is now developing a new Policy Framework for Children and Young People (0-24) intended to cover the period 2023-2028. This annual report and the mid term review conducted in 2018, provides useful direction for this framework, which should retain the elements of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures which worked well, while addressing challenges. In particular, it will take on board the criticism of the range of low-level commitments in the previous framework, the need for streamlined implementation structures, and responding to emerging priorities or priorities where there are worsening challenges for children and young people, such as recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health and well-being.
142. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of projects that are funded under the Community Integration Fund announced recently; the purposes for the moneys provided; if he has earmarked any funding specifically for the Ukrainian community now in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36693/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Communities Integration Fund provides small grant funding (€1,000 - €5,000 per project) to local community-based projects to support the integration of migrant and host communities.
The purpose of the 2022 Fund is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants. This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and short to medium term projects. Projects should take an inclusive approach aiming to bring migrants and host communities together and may not be directed solely to any one particular ethnic group or nationality. Projects under the following themes were eligible for consideration: Intercultural Awareness; Combating Racism and Xenophobia; Sport & Community Games; Arts; Food/Cuisine; Community Events; Capacity Building; Employment; Education; and Integration Research. Projects involving initiatives that support the integration of migrant women, or that were aimed at supporting migrant children and youth, or that support migrants meaningfully to participate in the labour market, or that promote community volunteering, were given special priority and attracted additional marking during the selection process.
On 24 June 2022, I announced that 124 community projects were successful in their applications to receive funding under the Communities Integration Fund 2022 totalling €566,492.60, following a competitive open call which was open for applications between 10 March and 6 April 2022. Some of the projects funded were to assist Ukrainian arrivals to Ireland. The list of grantees was published on my Department's website on 24 June.
143. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will urgently establish a unit within the International Protection Accommodation Services for Oireachtas Member queries. [36578/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is open to any member of the Oireachtas to send a representation through the Minister’s office on matters relating to international protection. Such queries will be handled promptly.
The IPAS helpdesk is also available as part of the dedicated customer service unit in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) which responds to correspondence or queries from IPAS residents and their representatives and other stakeholders.
144. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount that he expects parents to financially save under the proposals to tackle the cost of childcare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35705/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme represents the first ever statutory entitlement to financial support for early learning and childcare.
The scheme is designed so that those on the lowest incomes receive the greatest support.
Where parents are not engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 20 hours per week. Where parents are engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidises up to 45 hours of per week.
A recent review of the NCS revealed that, as a proportion of total family early learning and childcare costs, 6% of families receiving NCS support reported that all early learning and childcare costs were covered by the NCS, while 38% reported that half or more of their costs were covered by the NCS.
Since the NCS review was undertaken, a further package of measures to directly address the costs of early learning and childcare was announced in Budget 2022, including:
- an extension of the NCS universal subsidy to all children under 15, benefitting up to 40,000 children from September this year.
- an end to the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from the entitlement to NCS subsidised hours from spring 2022, benefitting an estimated 5,000 children from low income families since 2 May.
- a new core funding scheme – worth €221m in a full year – to support:
- improved quality through better pay and conditions for the workforce by supporting agreement on an ERO through the JLC;
- the employment of graduate staff; and
- improved sustainability and stability for services.
The new core funding scheme aims to transform the sector to one that is increasingly publicly funded and publicly managed, delivering a service for the public good, through a partnership between the State and providers, to the benefit of children, parents, educators and practitioners, and society overall.
A new fee management system, attached to core funding, will mean no increase in fees from pre-pandemic levels for the September 2022 to August 2023 programme year, which, in tandem with developments to the NCS will together deliver significantly improved affordability for parents.
I have committed to building on this in Budget 2023 and I aim to prioritise a reduction in the cost of early learning and childcare for parents by increased investment in the NCS.
The potential models to give effect to such a reduction are currently under consideration in anticipation of Budget 2023. The National Childcare Scheme is specifically designed to allow for rapid changes to subsidies, income thresholds and certain other eligibility criteria as Government decisions are made and exchequer funding becomes available.
145. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he expected to receive the priority review of the disabled drivers and disabled passenger’s scheme. [35756/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme provides relief from Vehicle Registration Tax and VAT on the purchase and use of an adapted car, as well as an exemption from motor tax and an annual fuel grant. The Scheme is open to severely and permanently disabled persons as a driver or as a passenger and also to certain charitable organisations.
In response to recent concerns raised around access to the scheme and the relevant qualifying criteria, my colleague, Minister of Finance, Paschal Donohoe T.D committed to undertaking a comprehensive review of the scheme.
Following engagement with Minister Donohoe last year, it was decided to use the Transport Working Group, which was established in 2020 to advance Action 104 of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, to assist with the review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme. However, actual legislative and budgetary responsibility for the Scheme continues to lie with the Department of Finance, which will be able to address more granular queries in relation to the Scheme.
The objective of the Transport Working Group is to coordinate action on transport provision for people with disabilities across Government. Action 104 of the NDIS commits that a review will be conducted of existing transport schemes, and a coordinated plan will be developed to enhance the options for transport to work or employment for people with disabilities.
The Transport Working Group met at the end of January at a meeting which I chaired. The review of the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme was discussed at this meeting. The work of the Transport Group was also discussed at the April meeting of the Steering Group for the National Disability Inclusion Strategy.
The current focus of the Group's work is on scoping the provision of transport supports across government departments and public bodies, with a view to assessing gaps or anomalies in provision.
Further meetings of the Transport Working Group will be scheduled in the coming weeks.
147. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department plans to increasingly help and support parents who have fostered children in getting the fostered children their passports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35466/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for this question regarding passports for children in care. As this issue is primarily an operational matter for Tusla, I have sought and received an input from them on this matter.
I have been informed that when a child in care requires a passport, Tusla follows a clear process to ensure that the correct consent is in place and that the passport application is made in a timely manner. Depending on the complexity of the case this process can take additional time. The legal status of the child in care determines the approach taken by the social worker.
If a child is under a full care order under the 1991 Child Care Act, Tusla has the legal authority to provide consent for the application and makes the application for a passport on behalf of the child.
I have been further informed that for children in voluntary care or under an interim care order, consent for an application must be given by their legal guardian. Securing this consent can at times create a delay. If consent for an application is not given, Tusla must seek a direction from the courts under Section 47 of the Child Care Act 1991. Depending on the case, this process can take up to an additional 4 weeks.
For children who are born outside of Ireland, the process can also be delayed in seeking paperwork from their birth country.
Tusla would advise that foster carers provide sufficient notice to the social work department of any requests for Tusla to submit a passport application for a child in care. Once submitted to the relevant office or passport office, the application process is beyond the control of Tusla.
Tusla are in the process of developing a Strategic Plan on Foster Care 2022-2025. Further, I am aware that Tusla has recently engaged with foster carers in a consultation to inform the development of the Plan.
Tusla has informed me that their ambition for this Plan is to ensure that they implement the recommendations, to promote a partnership approach with foster carers and to ensure consistency in service provision. As part of their Plan currently in development, Tusla will review all current standard business processes including the process relating to passport applications.
148. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige toisc ról lárnach a bheith ag an nGaeilge mar phríomhtheanga oifigiúil an stáit agus mar theanga náisiúnta i gcultúr na tíre, cé na hiarrachtaí atá curtha chun cinn aige chun a chinntiú go mbeidh deiseanna ar leith ag imircigh, ag dídeanaithe, acu seo a bheidh ag lorg tearmainn agus ag pobail mhionlaigh nach bhfuil taithí acu ar an teanga, ar an nGaeilge a fhoghlaim agus ar lánpháirt a ghlacadh i saol na Gaeilge, mar chuid dá ról mar Aire ar a bhfuil freagracht maidir leis an lánpháirtíocht; an bhfuil an t-ábhar seo pléite aige leis an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán; agus an mbeadh sé sásta ranganna Gaeilge saor in aisce nó ar phraghas íseal, a bheadh ar bun i measc na bpobal sin, agus iad dírithe ar a gcuid riachtanas, a chur ar fáil dóibh mar chuid den phróiseas lánpháirtíochta. [36773/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraCé go mbíonn freagracht go ginearálta ormsa mar Aire maidir le polasaí an Rialtais tacú le haghaidh imircigh a imeascadh sa phobal ag féachaint don Straitéis maidir le hImeascadh na nImirceach, é sin ráite titeann na dualgais maidir le hoideachas agus maidir le scileanna teanga na n-imirceach, san áireamh cúrsaí a bhaineann le múineadh na Gaeilge agus le cultúr na tíre, go príomha ar an Aire Oideachais, ar an Aire Breisoideachais agus Ardoideachais, Taighde, Nuálaíochta agus Eolaíochta agus ar an Aire Turasóireachta, Cultúir, Ealaíon, Gaeltachta, Spóirt agus Meán. Go dtí seo bhí na gníomhartha a rinneadh faoin Straitéis maidir le hImeascadh na nImirceach dírithe ar fheabhas a chur ar shealbhú teanga agus ar inniúlacht teanga, is í Béarla an teanga a bhí i gceist.
Bhí deontais bheaga (€1,000 - €5,000 do thionscadal) ar fáil ón Roinn do thionscadail bheaga atá bunaithe sa phobal chun tacú le himeascadh phobal na n-imirceach agus pobal óstála faoin gCistiú le haghaidh Imeascadh Pobail, a bhaineann le Gníomh 51 den Straitéis maidir le hImeascadh na nImirceach. Osclaíodh gairmeacha oscailte d’iarratais idir 10 Márta agus 6 Aibreán i mbliana don Chistiú 2022 agus bhí sé mar aidhm an fheachtais seo treisiú le hiarrachtaí an phobail ar fud na tíre maidir le himeascadh na n-imirceach. D’fheadfá deontas faoin gCistiú seo a úsáid i dtreo tionscadal aon uaire nó tionscadal gearrthéarmach agus meántéarmach. Caithfear cur chuige ionchuimsitheach a bheith mar chuid de na tionscadail agus mar chuid de na tionscadail ag iarraidh pobal na n-imirceach agus pobal óstála a thabhairt le chéile agus ba chóir díriú ar níos mó ná grúpa eitneach nó náisiúnach amháin mar chuid de thionscadal. Leagadh amach deich dtéama áirithe a d’fhéadfaí a mheas mar chuid den Chistiú 2022, san áireamh bhí Feasacht Idirchultúrtha, Na hEalaíona, Oideachas agus Taighde Imeasctha. Ar an 24 Meitheamh, 2022, d’fhógair mé gur éirigh le 124 tionscadail pobail maoiniú, san iomlán €566,492.60, a fháil ón gCistiú le haghaidh Imeascadh Pobail. Fógraíodh liosta de na iarrthóirí rathúla ar shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne ar an 24 Meitheamh, 2022.
150. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of any proposed integration funding which may be made available to local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36743/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware I published A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service on 26 February 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland including supporting the principle of ‘integration from day one’.
Since I published the White Paper, my department has been working with the Local Authorities to design the integration supports that will be required at a local level under the new model. This includes the expansion of the current model of interagency working groups and resettlement and intercultural workers that is in place for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and establish a permanent integration system that will provide support both to Refugees and to applicants for International Protection.
It has been agreed with the Local Authorities that my Department will begin this year to fund the establishment of a permanent network of Integration Support Workers within local authorities. The role of the worker will be to link Refugees and International Protection applicants with mainstream services including health, education employment, monitor well-being, address issues arising and make provision for additional supports where required. They will be key to supporting the principle of ‘integration from day one’.
151. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the procedures Tusla employs to care for separated children from Ukraine; the number of such children that have arrived since the conflict began; the number of separated children that are seeking asylum from all other countries that have arrived to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36715/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is an important distinction between unaccompanied minors seeking asylum and separated children that arrive in Ireland seeking refuge. An 'unaccompanied minor' refers to third-country nationals or stateless persons below the age of eighteen, who arrive on the territory of the Member States unaccompanied by an adult responsible for them.
A 'separated child' is someone under 18 years of age who is outside their country of origin and separated from both parents or their previous legal / customary primary caregiver, but may arrive with other relatives or known (non-related) adults, including when those relatives or known adults have been provided with authorisation to travel with or care for the child.
In 2022, to date, 380 unaccompanied minors have been referred to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Since the commencement of the war on Ukraine on 25th February, 175 unaccompanied minors from Ukraine have been referred to Tusla.
In the first instance, Tusla makes every attempt to contact relatives of the child and to reunite the child with family members or friends. If children cannot be reunified with family or friends, they are either received into the State care, or, if older and in line with their needs, are fully supported by Tusla in having an appropriate placement, education and other assistance.
There are currently 64 unaccompanied minors from Ukraine in Tusla's care, and 105 children from all other countries.
Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, including children arriving from the Ukraine, are supported and accommodated by Tusla, in accordance with the provisions of the Child Care Act 1991.
Tusla has a specialist social work team for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum and separated children, which is referred to as the Separated Children Seeking International Protection Team (SCSIP). Over the past 20 years the SCSIP Team has developed expertise through Ireland’s participation in International Refugee Protection Programmes and by caring for unaccompanied minors seeking asylum who arrive unannounced at Irish ports, including airports.
Tusla has a significant role, as part of the State’s overall response, to support individuals, particularly women and children, displaced from Ukraine, as a result of the war and coming into Ireland. Tusla is committed to balancing the needs of families in a humanitarian crisis, with its child protection responsibilities, and requirement to support families and promote the welfare of children.
On arrival, separated children from Ukraine are referred to the Tusla specialist social work team for a screening assessment, to confirm their care arrangements. A review of documentation is undertaken to establish if parental consent or other relevant information is available. Where no immediate child protection or welfare concern is identified, the separated child and accompanying adults may travel to their intended destination. A local Tusla social work office will follow up and visit the child and include translator services as required.
Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum, who arrive at ports of entry to Ireland, are referred to Tusla for a child protection needs assessment. These children are placed by Tusla either in small specialist residential care centres, or with specifically recruited foster carers under the Fáilte Care project. Social Workers and social care workers are allocated to support and monitor the progress of the child or young person. The care plan may involve specialist English language tuition, intensive educational supports and therapeutic work in respect of trauma.
Children who arrive in Ireland outside of a dedicated refugee programme are supported in their application for refugee status.
Assisting children with reunification with their families has evolved as a key piece of the support social workers provide to those who are eligible to apply for refugee status. Where relevant, the process of reunification is started as soon as the children come to the attention of Tusla.
