Written Answers Nos. 100-121
100. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who are dependent on disability benefit are living significantly below the poverty line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56939/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis is a matter for my cabinet colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
101. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of individuals from Ukraine who are being housed in private properties where the owner is in receipt of the recognition payment; if he will provide an update on the number of pledged properties which have been deemed suitable for the placement of a person or family from Ukraine; the number of such persons who have been placed in pledged accommodation to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56921/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 the response to this crisis has been unprecedented and Irish people have displayed a commendable level of generosity in their support, in their welcome for beneficiaries into their communities, and in pledges of accommodation.
I can advise the Deputy that every effort is being made to provide beneficiaries of temporary protection with pledged accommodation that is suitable for their needs. Once a pledge has passed through the inspection process and Garda vetting (where applicable), NGO Implementing Partners and Local Authorities will match BOTPs to suitable pledges. Since the beginning of the pledge programme in April this year, 10,991 pledged properties have been notified to Local Authorities and other NGO Implementing Partners, with a view to assessing their viability and to match beneficiaries to those properties where possible.
In particular, efforts are focused on activating the remaining pledges that are available for placement of BOTPs. At present, 1,064 pledges remain suitable for the placement of a person or family from Ukraine and NGOs and Local Authorities continue to offer these to BOTPs.
As of 15 November, it has been reported to the Department that 5,313 beneficiaries have been matched to 2,009 pledged properties. To date, over €8 million has been paid out to 4,110 applicants of the Accommodation Recognition Payment, in respect of 8,702 temporary protection beneficiaries. This number reflects the fact that hosts are also eligible to apply for the Recognition Payment if they have made private arrangements to accommodate BOTPs, outside of the formal pledge process.
102. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the requirements for Garda vetting and other training or qualifications for staff in IPAS-contracted properties. [56574/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraDeputy, firstly I would like to take this opportunity to reaffirm that every official in my Department is subject to Garda vetting and training on an ongoing basis. I would also like to reiterate that IPAS are fully compliant with vetting of staff working in IPAS accommodation centres.
The following training was delivered to Centre Managers in the past two years and will be scheduled again in the coming months:
- ‘Understanding Child Development through a Trauma Informed Lens’ by Barnardos
This was delivered to 292 Centre staff and was completed April 2021.
- ‘Refugee Mental Wellbeing Awareness Training’ by the IOM (International Organisation of Migration) was delivered to 82 Centre Managers from November 2021 to February 2022.
Both of the above training pieces will be delivered again in quarter 1 of 2023 and any centre managers who did not attend will be encouraged to do so.
Added to the above, the following training courses are currently ongoing.
1. The Suicide Prevention by Living in conjunction with the HSE, who deliver the training. Training was offered to staff in 65 Accommodation Centres of which 88 people have completed the training, 11 centres have yet to participate. Each centre is required to have at least one person trained in this subject.
2. Child Protection and Safeguarding training is ongoing. All IPAS accommodation centres are up to date in this training. All Emergency Centres were informed in writing 7 November 22 that all staff should complete Children First Tusla e-learning Programme. It is the Centre Manager’s responsibility to ensure all staff complete this module.
In addition to the above courses, further training for Accommodation Centre managers is being developed. This will training will be focused on an Overview of IPAS procedures. It will include the complaints procedures, Child Protection safeguarding, vulnerability referrals and an overview of the regulations governing the International Protection process.
I trust that this information can give you the necessary reassurance in regard to staff vetting and training in IPAS accommodation centres.
103. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on advancements to date with regard to mandatory returns under gender pay gap legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56987/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 introduced the legislative basis for gender pay gap reporting in Ireland. The Act was commenced on 31 May 2022. Regulations have been made under the Act which enable reporting in 2022. The Regulations require organisations with over 250 employees to report on their gender pay gap in 2022. This obligation will extend in 2024 to employers with over 150 employees, and in 2025 to employers with over 50 employees.
Employers due to report in 2022 were required to choose a ‘snapshot’ date in June 2022 and to base their reporting on the employees they have on that date. Employers have six months from that date to make the relevant calculations and prepare their report, which should be published on the equivalent date in December 2022. The Regulations also require employers to publish a statement setting out, in the employers’ opinion, the reasons for the gender pay gap in their company and what measures are being taken or proposed to be taken by the employer to eliminate or reduce that pay gap. Employers will be required to publish their report and statement in a manner easily accessible to the public, such as on their website. Plans are in place to develop an online reporting system for future reporting cycles.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has published guidance for employers on how gender pay gap calculations should be made (www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/0cb29-gender-pay-gap-information-act-2021/ ) and has been running an awareness campaign for the past number of months to inform relevant employers of their responsibilities. Employers may submit further queries by email to genderequality@equality.gov.ie. My Department is also continuing to engage with trade union and employer representative bodies.
104. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will consider the establishment of a working group with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage to begin including playgrounds and recreational space in planning requirements when building estates over a certain size. [56901/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraYou may be aware that my Department is currently working on the development of the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2023-2028. The cross departmental work undertaken in this context will consider general provision for play and recreation facilities in built environments, such as the ones you highlight.
My department will continue to administer the Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, running since 2013. The Scheme provides support for the development of new play and recreation facilities and the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and / or incorporating natural play elements. The scheme is run in conjunction with each of the 31 Local Authorities via the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN). This approach is taken to allow each Local Authority to assess and prioritise needs in their area.
Additionally support for play is at the heart of many of the supports and funding provided by DCEDIY to support high quality Early Learning an Care, whether that is through initial training for early years educators, continued professional development, or the inspection frameworks used by the two inspectorates (Tusla and the Department of Education).
105. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide details of his engagement with religious congregations and church leaders to date as regards to the way that they will contribute to the cost of the mother-and-baby institutions payment scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56947/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra115. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the details of his engagement with religious orders and pharmaceutical companies concerning making payments to the redress scheme for the survivors of mother-and-baby homes. [56956/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 115 together.
The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes made significant findings in relation to the failings of the State and Religious Congregations, who together ran Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions. The Government believes that all relevant parties have a shared moral and ethical obligation to support appropriate actions in response to the Commission’s Report.
Following Government approval on 16th November 2021 of the proposals for the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, I commenced a process of engagement with the Religious Congregations and Church Leaders with a view to outlining the details of the proposed Scheme and discussing with them how they might contribute to the cost of the Scheme. I have met with all six of the Religious Congregations and organisations involved in the running of the homes. These are:
- Daughters of
- Sisters of St John of God
- Sisters of Mercy
- Sisters of the Good Shepherd
- Sisters of the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary
- Bons Secours Sisters
- Legion of Mary
I have also met with the Church of Ireland.
This engagement is ongoing. While the negotiations are ongoing they are being treated as confidential. Accordingly, it would not be appropriate to say anything further on the matter at this time. A full report on the outcome of discussions will be provided to Government when the process is concluded. It is hoped to conclude this process of engagement in the shortest possible time frame, but it is expected that it may take a number more months.
In relation to pharmaceutical companies, following the publication of the Commission of Investigation’s Final Report, I had a meeting with Glaxo Smith Kline (GSK), the lead entity in many trials, and conveyed my view that all relevant parties had a moral and ethical obligation to take appropriate action in response to the Report. I urged them to consider the failures laid bare in the Commission’s report and respond appropriately, given their corporate responsibilities. Ultimately, however, it is a matter for GSK to decide what action they take, or remedy they offer, having considered the Commission’s findings.
I am aware that GSK have since publicised arrangements for persons wishing to access personal information which may be contained within their corporate archives.
106. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the anti-racism strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56949/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, the Government established an independent Anti-Racism Committee to strengthen the Government’s approach to combatting individual and institutional racism. The Committee was tasked with building on the anti-racism actions included in the Migrant Integration Strategy and the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy.
Following an extensive public consultation, including engagement with international experts, the Committee submitted its Action Plan Against Racism to me on 27 June 2022. I then brought the Committee to a close, as they had discharged their duties as per their Terms of Reference.
My Department is engaged in an inter-departmental process to agree year-one implementation plans to bring to Government together with the National Action Plan Against Racism. This process will inform the way the strategy will be implemented. I intend to bring the plan to Government for approval as soon as this stage of the process has been completed, at the latest in mid January.
107. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will initiate a thorough investigation in the form of a non-statutory State inquiry into illegal adoptions to determine the scale of illegal adoptions, given that the actions taken to date have fallen far short in terms of remedying this egregious violation of persons’ human and identity rights; if he will commit to following up on files marked as suspicious in the course of the 2019 review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56885/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2021, following publication of the Independent Review into Illegal Birth Registration, I asked Professor Conor O’Mahony, the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, to consider the significant complexities and challenges which arise in relation to the issue of illegal birth registrations, and to provide a report proposing an appropriate course of action. On 14th March 2022 I published the report which sets out 17 numbered recommendations.
Follow up on files marked as suspicious in the Independent Review
Recommendations 8 – 12 of the report by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection related to the creation of a specialist tracing service. The Special Rapporteur recommended that the specialist service should conduct a full trace on files which were flagged by Tusla as suspicious in the course of the Independent Review process, with a view to establishing which (if any) of these cases can be confirmed as cases of illegal birth registration. In response, Government agreed that, in the case of files which were flagged as suspicious, Tusla would be asked to undertake a review of these files to identify which ones have markers which are indicative of potential illegal birth registration and to establish if any of these cases can be confirmed. It further agreed that the legal underpinning for this review would be provided through the Birth Information and Tracing legislation prior to issuing a formal request to Tusla.Further to these commitments, section 33 of the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 provides a lawful basis to investigate if a person has been the subject of an illegal birth registration by means of reviewing records, undertaking a trace and obtaining other information relevant to an investigation. Such measures may be undertaken where the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is satisfied that it is necessary and in the public interest to do so, and issues a direction in writing requesting the investigation. In accordance with section 33, and having satisfied myself that it is necessary and in the public interest to do so, I have directed Tusla to undertake a review and trace of the files which, in the course of the Independent Review process, were flagged by Tusla as containing suspicious markers which could be indicative of an illegal birth registration. This should involve undertaking a review of the relevant records and obtaining other relevant information in accordance with section 33(1)(a) and also conducting traces under section 33(1)(b) where this is necessary. Where any cases are confirmed through this review, I have asked Tusla to inform the affected individuals in an ethical, sensitive and fully supported manner. This is in keeping with Government’s recognition of a person’s right to identity and right to know of their confirmed illegal birth registration.
Inquiry into Illegal Adoption
Recommendation 17 of the report by the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection was that a State inquiry into illegal adoptions (broadly defined) should be established on a non-statutory basis.The question of creating an effective non-statutory inquiry is a sensitive, complex and challenging one. The Special Rapporteur acknowledges this and, in particular, notes the challenges associated with access to records for a non-statutory inquiry. In this regard, it is also important to note that some of the actions set out in the Government Action Plan for Survivors and Former Residents of Mother and Baby and County Home Institutions achieve some of the objectives of a Truth Commission as proposed by the Special Rapporteur.
In March of this year, Government approved high-level proposals for a National Centre for Research and Remembrance. The National Centre will stand as a site of conscience and will be designed to be an enduring and educational memorial to honour all those who were resident in Industrial Schools, Mother and Baby Homes, Magdalen Laundries and related institutions. The National Centre will be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry in Sean MacDermott Street in Dublin city centre and will have an inclusive, national and global reach.The Centre will comprise a number of distinct, yet interrelated, areas, including a museum and exhibition space, the development of which will be led by the National Museum of Ireland, as well as a research centre and central repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, which will form part of the National Archives. It is anticipated that the central repository will sit at the heart of the Centre and will ultimately be underpinned by legislation. One unique aspect of the central repository will be the intended inclusion of the personal testimonies of survivors; allowing the lived experiences of survivors to be formally recognised as part of the official record. Inclusion of the personal testimonies of survivors will ensure that the lived experiences of survivors will be captured in their own words, for publication and archiving for posterity in the National Centre.
The centralised archive of institutional records and personal testimony will, in turn, support further future analysis and research on these important matters.
As a consequence of all of this ongoing work, the Government will need to give further consideration to the specific recommendation on the establishment of a Truth Commission.
Investigation by An Garda Síochána
Finally, I would note that An Garda Síochána is tasked with investigating all criminal offences reported to it and they have confirmed to my Department that they will have no difficulty doing so where any person who considers themselves a victim of illegal birth registration or illegal adoption practice wishes to report any such case.
108. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures that are being taken to address the staff shortage issues in childcare facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56919/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge that many early learning and childcare services report difficulties in relation to recruitment and retention of early years educators and school-age childcare practitioners.
In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover. Recruitment and retention difficulties are undoubtedly linked to pay and conditions.
As the State does not employ early years educators or school-age childcare practitioners, I cannot set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector. However, there has recently been an important and historic development with the setting of new minimum hourly rates for various roles in the sector, when the first ever Employment Regulation Orders for Early Years Services came into effect on 15 September.
It is estimated that 73% of those working in the sector will see their wages rise as a result.
The Orders are being supported by Core Funding– which has an allocation of €259 million in its first year – to support improvements in staff wages, as well as to freeze parental fees and support sustainability of services.
As announced in Budget 2023, the Core Funding allocation will increase by €28 million for year 2 and already I have signalled that €4 million of that allocation will support the removal of the "3-year experience" rule for graduate premiums – with the allocation of the remaining €24 million to be informed by the emerging data from Year 1 of operation.
I am also committed to addressing other challenges which may impact on recruitment and retention of staff.
In December 2021, I published "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. One of the five "pillars" of Nurturing Skills 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.
109. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to reform the national childcare scheme and to examine ways in which it can better support lower-income families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56877/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Childcare Scheme (NCS) is the first ever statutory entitlement to support for childcare costs in Ireland. The NCS provides financial support to help parents to meet the cost of childcare. Introduced in November 2019, the Scheme has been designed on the principle of progressive universalism ensuring that families on the lowest incomes receive the greatest level of support.
The NCS has anti-poverty, or disadvantage, objectives built in by encouraging work or training. For example, where parents are engaged in work or study, the NCS subsidised up to 45 hours per week. Families not engaged in employment or education can still benefit under the Scheme by receiving up to 20 hours per week.
The National Childcare Scheme (NCS) provides parents with financial support towards childcare costs. There are three types of subsidy provided through the NCS:
Universal subsidies are available to all families with children between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. This subsidy is not means tested and currently provides 50c per hour towards the cost of a registered early learning and childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week. This will increase to €1.40 per hour from 2 January 2023.
Income Assessed Subsidies are available to families with children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years. This subsidy is means tested and is be calculated based the applicants level of family income, the child’s age and educational stage, and the number of children in a family. It can be used towards the cost of a registered early learning and childcare place for up to a maximum of 45 hours per week. Families on a lower reckonable income will receive a higher income assessed subsidy.
The Sponsorship arrangement available under the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) makes special provision for vulnerable children. The NCS Sponsorship arrangement allows designated bodies to refer children to the Scheme where childcare is needed on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a referral is made by a Sponsor body, the family will automatically qualify for a subsidy without having to satisfy the Scheme’s eligibility, income or enhanced hours requirements. The Scheme will pay the full cost of the childcare for families referred to the Scheme by a Sponsor Body.
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 were announced including:
The removal of the practice of deducting hours spent in pre-school or school from NCS awards (wraparound care). This means that parents are able to use their full awarded subsidised NCS hours regardless of whether their children are in pre-school or school. Also, from September the universal subsidy has been extended to include all children under 15 years of age.
Additional funding of €121 million has been allocated to the NCS from January 2023 so all families accessing registered early learning and childcare will receive a minimum hourly NCS subsidy of €1.40 off the cost of early learning and childcare. With the current minimum hourly NCS subsidy set at €0.50 per hour, this represents an additional €0.90 per hour off the cost of early learning and childcare. This translates to up to €63.00 off families’ weekly bill for early learning and childcare per child.
From 2nd of January 2023, any family who is not already at the maximum hourly subsidy under NCS will see an increase in their subsidy. For those who receive a subsidy based on an income assessed subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly subsidy rate.
Later this year, my Department will commence the process for a end of year three review of the NCS.
113. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will undertake the development of a national policy and framework on the recognition and consultation of persons with disabilities and their disabled persons' organisations. [56792/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI note the recommendations made in two reports published this year by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters, which the Deputy chairs, in relation to the participation of people with disabilities.
Government has no plans to develop a stand-alone national policy and framework on the recognition and consultation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations, having regard to the range of whole of government measures and policies already in place, and our focus on continuous advancement and improvement of those policies and practices.
I recognise that the inclusion of people with disabilities in the policy making process is set out as a clear obligation in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and it is of the utmost importance to me as Minister of State with responsibility for Disability.
Effective and meaningful consultation with people with disabilities and their representative organisations is a critical component of inclusive policy making processes. In that regard, the Disability Participation and Consultation Network (DPCN) was established in 2020 with funding from my Department.
The DPCN successfully facilitated a comprehensive and inclusive consultation on Ireland's first State Report under the UNCRPD. The final Report that was submitted to the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in November 2021 benefits greatly from contributions made through this process. It continues to facilitate consultations with people with disabilities, and remains an important forum through which people with disabilities, including Disabled Persons Organisations, are supported to become involved in consultations that inform the development of law and policy in Ireland.
As Ireland's approach to implementing its obligations in the UNCRPD is one of continuous advancement - each year strengthening and improving upon the way in which we uphold the rights and obligations therein - I am conscious of the need to continually review the ways in which we advance and implement inclusive consultation. To that end, I welcome the recent report published by the National Disability Authority (NDA) titled “Participation Matters: Guidelines on implementing the obligation to meaningfully engage with disabled people in public decision making”.
Consultation of persons with disabilities and their representative organisations will also form a strong part of future national policy frameworks. The Government is committed to developing an overarching UNCRPD Implementation Plan and I look forward to working through the development of this Plan in consultation with people with disabilities and their representative organisations.
114. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the proposed reforms to the national childcare scheme will take effect from January 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56978/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra127. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way and when parents can avail of the indicated 25% average reduction in childcare fees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56908/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 114 and 127 together.
Budget 2023 introduced further enhancements to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) which come into effect on 2 January 2023. This will see an increase in the minimum subsidy from 50c to €1.40, which translates to up to €63.00 off families’ weekly bill for early learning and childcare per child. This measure aims to reduce the average co-payment paid by families to providers by 25%.
For those in receipt of the universal subsidy they will see their subsidy increased from 50c per hour to €1.40. For those in receipt of income assessed subsidies, it will mean that any family who is not already at the maximum hourly subsidy will see an increase in their subsidy (see table below). For those who have an award less than the maximum subsidy, the amount of the increase will taper down as they approach the maximum hourly subsidy.
Maximum Income Assessed Subsidy
|
24 weeks to 12 months |
€5.10 |
|
Child’s age |
Per Hour |
|
12 to 35 months |
€4.35 |
|
3 years or older and not yet in school |
€3.95 |
|
School age (or 6 years to 15 years) |
€3.75 |
The new rate will automatically be updated for families with existing awards, where applicable, and they will be notified when this happens.
Parents wishing to apply for the first time can use their MyGovID at ncs.gov.ie. Alternatively, parents may contact the NCS Parent Support Centre on 01 906 8530 to make a paper application. Once the application is approved, parents will be awarded a unique code called a Childcare Identifier Code Key (CHICK) which they must bring to the childcare provider of their choice. The provider will use the CHICK and the child’s information to register the child for the NCS and once the parents have confirmed the hours of childcare are correct, the subsidy will start to be applied. For more information on eligibility and subsidies available, parents can visit ncs.gov.ie.
117. Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he intends to expand the provisions of flexible working and remote working contained in the Work Life Balance Bill 2022 to all employees, beyond those who are in care relationships; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56948/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving reflected on the recommendations of the Pre-Legislative Scrutiny Reports of both Bills and input from stakeholders, the Tánaiste and I secured Cabinet approval last week for proposals to integrate the provisions of the Right to Request Remote Working Bill into the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Bill to Cabinet last week. This approach will deliver an integrated Bill that gives a right to request remote working to all workers, while the right to request other forms of flexible working will remain limited to parents and carers as defined in the Bill.
In addition, a review clause will be added to the Bill to provide for the review of the provisions related to the right to request flexible working two years after their introduction. The review requirement in the Bill will allow for consideration to extend the general right to all forms of flexible working as part of the review process.
Officials in the Department of Enterprise, with the support of officials in my Department are working with the Office of Parliamentary Council to develop the relevant amendments necessary to provide for the general right to request remote working in the Bill. The amendments will be introduced at a later stage in the legislative process.
118. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the latest level of take-up of the core funding model for childcare for providers; if any need to adapt the existing suite of supports has been identified for providers who have sought additional transitional support and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56604/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTogether for Better is the new funding model that supports the delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good. This was recommended by an Expert Group, adopted by Government, and has been widely welcomed by representative groups advocating for parents, children, the workforce and providers.
I am delighted that to date, 4,141 early learning and childcare providers have applied for Core Funding over 93% of the sector. This is a tremendous level of uptake and will make a positive impact for parents and children using these services through investment in quality and in affordability with more funding for staff and a commitment not to increase fees.
Core Funding has a budget of €259 million in full year costs for year 1 of the programme (September 2022-August 2023) to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers.
The majority of Core Funding is distributed based on a service's capacity - the opening hours, opening weeks and the age group of children for whom services are provided as well as number of places available. This includes allocations for improvements in staff pay and conditions, for administrative staff/time, and a contribution to non-staff overhead costs. Contact and non-contact time, holiday pay, sick pay and other employer costs, are all factored in to the staff costs allocation in Core Funding.In addition, further funding is allocated to contribute to support graduates to be Lead Educators across ELC and to support graduates as Managers in ELC or combined ELC and SAC services. Heretofore funding has only been available in respect of graduate Room Leaders in the ECCE programme. The Graduate Lead Educator Premium in Core Funding is paid as a top up on the number of hours of provision that is led by a graduate. The Graduate Manager Premium is paid as a top up on the number of hours of operation of a service whose manager is a graduate.
Core Funding allows for substantial increases in the total cost base for the sector, related both to pay and non-pay costs, without additional costs being passed on to parents.
Under Core Funding, the overwhelming majority of services will see an increase in their funding, most will see very substantial increases, and no services will see a decrease in funding if their circumstances remain the same. A very small number of services, approximately 60 of the over 4,100 signed-up, will receive top-up Core Funding payments to match the difference in ECCE higher capitation and PSP from last year, provided they offer the same amount of graduate led provision as last year.
The new funding model comes after the substantial Covid-19 supports of approximately €1bn provided to the sector over the course of the pandemic (2020-2022), including the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS).
A temporary Transition Fund was put in place to bridge the gap between the end of the EWSS and the introduction of Core Funding. The Transition Fund, which operated from May-August 2022, made a contribution of 7% of each service's calculated income capacity in respect of the weeks that the service was open. This was a significant contribution to services' sustainability.
Interim Funding was in place to bridge the gap between the end of the Transition Fund (August 31) and the introduction of Core Funding (September 15). This enabled a smooth transition from one scheme to the other once the Employment Regulation Orders were in effect.
I have been unequivocal that I do not want any services to be faced with financial sustainability issues and remain fully committed to working with providers to support them. Sustainability supports, including funding if required, are available for any providers that may face financial difficulties at this time. To date, in 2022, just two services have applied for sustainability funding. Services can also avail of the Temporary Business Energy Support Scheme.
Together for Better provides a robust model of funding to the sector and aims to transform the sector. The necessary safeguards are in place to support any providers who may need additional assistance. I have not yet seen evidence of the need to make amendments to the model of funding currently available through Core Funding in Year 1 of the Scheme.
The full year value of Core Funding will increase by €28m to €287 million in Year 2, an increase of 11% in the allocation. Approximately, €4m of the additional funding for Year 2 will achieve the removal of the 3-year experience rule for graduate premiums, with an additional €24m earmarked for other developments to the Scheme, informed by the emerging data from Year 1 of operation. Further interrogation of the new Core Funding application data is required in order to most effectively design developments in Year 2 of the scheme. Developments may focus on promoting further capacity expansion, investing more in the base rate or to taking more targeted initiatives to invest in specific parts of the sector.
I am committed to working with Partner Services delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
119. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide the details concerning his engagement with disabled persons' organisations concerning the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) (Amendment) Bill 2022. [56957/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) is an important piece of legislation that represents significant legal reform. It changes the existing law on capacity from the status approach of the wardship system to a flexible functional approach, whereby capacity is assessed on an issue and time-specific basis.
The Act will abolish the wards of court system for adults by repealing the Lunacy Regulation (Ireland) Act 1871. Adults currently in wardship will transition to the new decision-making support arrangements on a phased basis over 3 years from the date of commencement.
Following pre-legislative scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, work has moved quickly on the finalisation of the Bill. Given the Government's commitment to the commencement of the 2015 Act, and the seven year period in which the Act has been eagerly anticipated, the focus of this work has been to move to commencement as son as possible.
It should be noted that, whilst it is significant in terms of procedural and safeguarding improvements, the Amendment Bill does not deviate from the essential policy positions of the 2015 Act. In that regard, careful attention has been given to discourse and commentary on both the Bill and the original 2015 Act, which has stretched back to the time of the formation of the original Act itself, and for which significant consultations were undertaken.
A consultation process took place towards the end of 2021 and start of 2022 on the codes of practice that will accompany the commencement of the Act. This was a public consultation to which all persons and organisations, including disabled persons organisations (DPOs) had the opportunity to contribute. Additionally there has been regular engagement between the Department and disability groups in various fora, which has facilitated input on Assisted Decision-Making legislation.
Whilst not a full consultation, discussion on the progress of the legislation has taken place over the course of the year with members of the Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG) at my Department's Disability Consultative Committee meetings, and also with the wider DSG at a meetings of the full National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Group. The DSG is a voluntary group that oversees implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy and provides input to wider government disability policy. It is comprised of individuals and groups with experience of disability issues, whether lived experience, professional or academic expertise, advocacy or civil society experience, or as representatives of disabled person's organisations (DPOs).
A high-level Steering Group comprising senior officials from my Department, the Department of Justice, the Department of Health, the Mental Health Commission, the Courts Service and the HSE, together with the Director of the Decision Support Service , has overseen the preparations for commencement of the Act and these officials have also engaged with various bodies and stakeholders in relation to Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act.
120. Deputy Brian Leddin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of childcare services that have signed a core funding contract to date; the average payment to a service under core funding; the aggregate monetary support provided to early years' services throughout the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56920/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraAffordable, accessible, high-quality and sustainable early learning and childcare is a key priority for Government. On 15th September, I launched Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare. This new funding model will support delivery of early learning and childcare for the public good, for quality and affordability for children, parents and families.
Together for Better brings together three major programmes, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model, the National Childcare Scheme and the new Core Funding scheme.
I am delighted that to date, 4,141 early learning and childcare providers have applied for Core Funding over 93% of the sector. This is a tremendous level of uptake and will make a positive impact for parents and children using these services through investment in quality and in affordability with more funding for staff and a commitment not to increase fees.
Core Funding has a budget of €259 million in full year costs for year 1 of the programme (September 2022-August 2023) to start this partnership for the public good between the State and providers.
The latest available data, as of 15th November, indicates an average weekly Core Funding grant per service of €1,166.86 and an average annual Core Funding grant, for a full 52 week programme year, of €60,676.85 per service. Many Partner Services are currently in the process of submitting changes to their Core Funding application, and therefore the average grants may change in the coming weeks.
From the outset of the Covid-19 pandemic, my Department and the State more broadly put in place a range of supports for early learning and childcare services, estimated to cost €1 billion. The objective of these supports were to:
- support providers’ sustainability to enable services return to normal once restrictions were lifted;
- support providers to retain their staff;
- ensure that services could reopen and remain open, even at very low levels of occupancy;
- ensure that services could operate safely for children, families and staff;
- ensure that increased costs associated with public health requirements, and lower demand / occupancy were not passed on to parents; achieve administrative efficiency through the continued use of existing funding schemes and other whole of economy supports; and
- protect exchequer investment.
Supports in 2020 included:
- The continuation of funding under the DCEDIY schemes on an ex gratis basis (13 March - 5 April)
- The Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (6 April – 28 June 2020); which was layered on top of the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS) and provided a top-up for wages of eligible early learning and care and school-age childcare staff and a further payment to be used towards ongoing/non-deferrable operational costs such as rent, insurance and ICT.
- The Reopening Funding Package, (29 June – 23 August 2020), which included a once-off Reopening Support Payment (RSP), a once-off Covid-19 capital grant.
The table below shows the 2020 expenditure amounts for the sector across DCEDIY subsidy schemes and DCEDIY Covid-19 supports.
|
Scheme |
Net Expenditure |
|
Covid-19 TWSCS |
€52.4m |
|
Covid-19 Reopening Support Payment |
€13.1m |
|
Covid-19 Capital |
€13m |
|
Sustainability Support Funds |
€0.8m |
In 2021, the DCEDIY provided supports under the Covid-19 Operating Support Payment, the Playing Outdoor Grant and the Ventilation Grant, as follows:
|
Scheme |
Expenditure |
|
Covid-19 Operating Support Scheme Playing Outdoors Grant Ventilation Grant |
€12m €4.7m €7.8m |
In addition to these DCEDIY supports, the TWSS was estimated to cost €100m and the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS), was estimated to cost €632m. The EWSS:
- at enhanced rates from October 2020- January 2022 covered 80% of staff costs /50% of staff costs at a monthly cost of €34m per month.
- at standard rates, from August-September 2020 and February 2022 covered 50% of staff costs/38% of operating costs cost €22m per month.
- at flat rates, from March and April 2022, covered 25% of staff costs/ 11% of operating costs at a monthly cost of €11m per month.
From August 2020 until the end of April, early learning and childcare services were able to access the Employment Wage Subsidy Scheme (EWSS) without having to demonstrate a reduction in turnover. This significant level of funding to the sector ensured that fees remained largely static and that providers continued to be sustainable. In addition, the temporary Transition Fund - put in place to bridge the gap between the end of the EWSS and the introduction of core funding - operated from May-August 2022, with expenditure of €23m.
There was other supports to the sector provided during the pandemic, including the PUP, the Restart Grant and the commercial rates waiver.
I am committed to ensuring more stability of income for services, and that is one of the key objectives of Core Funding. Together for Better aims to transform the sector and I am committed to working with Partner Services delivering early learning and childcare for the public good.
