Written Answers Nos. 89-99
89. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children accessing early childhood education and school age childcare on the NCS sponsorship subsidy; if he will provide a breakdown of same by county, in tabular form; and if he will provide a breakdown of same by way of percentage of those in community and private services. [21917/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 early learning and care 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 early learning and care for families referred to the Scheme by a Sponsor Body.
As of 22 April, the total number of unique children benefitting from NCS Sponsorship arrangements is 4,830. A breakdown of this figure according to county is as follows:
|
Provider County |
Number of children |
|
Carlow |
137 |
|
Cavan |
155 |
|
Clare |
55 |
|
Cork |
316 |
|
Donegal |
69 |
|
Dublin |
1,820 |
|
Galway |
150 |
|
Kerry |
200 |
|
Kildare |
102 |
|
Kilkenny |
172 |
|
Laois |
96 |
|
Leitrim |
9 |
|
Limerick |
412 |
|
Longford |
25 |
|
Louth |
104 |
|
Mayo |
58 |
|
Meath |
57 |
|
Monaghan |
46 |
|
Offaly |
9 |
|
Roscommon |
56 |
|
Sligo |
59 |
|
Tipperary |
180 |
|
Waterford |
87 |
|
Westmeath |
42 |
|
Wexford |
151 |
|
Wicklow |
265 |
The majority of children availing of NCS Sponsorship attend Community services. A detailed breakdown is as follows:
|
Organisation Type |
Number of children |
% children |
|
Community |
2,971 |
62% |
|
Private |
1,864 |
39% |
|
Total unique children |
4,830 |
100% |
Finally, in terms of methodology, please note that a child may attend more than one service. These services may be in different counties, or different organising types (i.e. community or private) - for this reason a child may appear in the counts for multiple counties or organisation types. However, the child will only appear once for the total . For this reason, the sum of the number of children in all counties/organisation types may be greater than the total number of unique children.
90. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a breakdown of referrals for NCS sponsorship by each of the Minister for Education, the Minister for Justice, Tusla, the HSE and local authorities in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21918/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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 early learning and care 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 early learning and care for families referred to the Scheme by a Sponsor Body.
A full breakdown of the number of children receiving Sponsorship in the specified years, according to Sponsor body is detailed below. The table includes a year-to-date figure for 2024 (up to week starting 29 April).
|
Sponsor Body |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 YTD |
|
Department of Education (DOE) |
4 |
4 |
2 |
|
Health Services Executive (HSE) |
588 |
903 |
711 |
|
Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) |
227 |
214 |
175 |
|
National Homeless Authorities |
563 |
658 |
470 |
|
TUSLA Child and Family Agency |
3,887 |
5,496 |
4,175 |
|
Grand Total |
5,207 |
7,197 |
5,508 |
Please note that children may have sponsored claims under applications by multiple Sponsor Bodies throughout the year. In such cases, they will be counted under the relevant Sponsor Bodies for the individual totals however, they will only be counted once for the Grand Total, where they are identified uniquely. For this reason, there may be some variance between the total of the rows above and the Grand Total.
91. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; the lowest childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form; and the highest childcare fee paid by parents in each county in each of the years 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [21919/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraEvery year Pobal compiles data on behalf of my Department from Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) providers as part of the Annual Early Years Sector Profile Survey (AEYSP).
In December 2023, my Department launched the Early Learning and Childcare Data website. The website provides a new and innovative way of displaying administrative data as well as survey data collected annually from over 4,400 early learning and childcare services across the country, supporting evidence-informed policy development and planning.
This new website will replace the traditional paper-based AEYSP report. It will include interactive dashboards released by Pobal on behalf of my Department. To date, the website includes dashboards providing an overview of service providers and capacity. Dashboards for fees are expected to be released in the coming weeks.
The most recently published fee data for the 2020/21 programme year indicates that the average* weekly fee per child before subsidies was €186.84 for full day, €110.92 for part-time, and €74.20 for sessional service provision. The average weekly fee by county and type of care provision shows that Dun Laoghaire Rathdown had the average highest fees, nationally, while Monaghan and Carlow had the lowest.
It is worth noting that averages can mask significant variations within counties. For example, the highest weekly full day fee charged by an individual service was in Dún Laoghaire Rathdown (€324.35). However, the lowest full day weekly fee charged in the same local authority was €134. The highest weekly part-time fee in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown was €239.50 and the lowest was €78.50.
Table 1. Average weekly fee by county and type of care provision (full-day, part-time, sessional)
|
County |
Full-day |
Part-time |
Sessional |
|
Dublin – Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
€244.08 |
€139.10 |
€84.71 |
|
Dublin – Fingal |
€214.30 |
€121.96 |
€76.81 |
|
Dublin – South Dublin |
€214.08 |
€127.90 |
€78.69 |
|
Dublin – Dublin City |
€213.85 |
€127.16 |
€78.60 |
|
Wicklow |
€213.36 |
€126.92 |
€77.65 |
|
Cork City |
€204.36 |
€113.73 |
€76.58 |
|
Cork County |
€193.53 |
€118.22 |
€77.15 |
|
Kildare |
€191.68 |
€120.02 |
€77.78 |
|
Meath |
€191.52 |
€112.35 |
€73.87 |
|
Westmeath |
€181.83 |
€107.48 |
€79.32 |
|
Kerry |
€181.01 |
€103.43 |
€67.01 |
|
Kilkenny |
€179.66 |
€103.86 |
€71.81 |
|
Louth |
€178.37 |
€117.06 |
€73.30 |
|
Wexford |
€177.69 |
€103.99 |
€73.85 |
|
Waterford |
€175.61 |
€101.27 |
€71.30 |
|
Limerick |
€175.48 |
€103.54 |
€72.53 |
|
Laois |
€174.89 |
€100.88 |
€73.63 |
|
Donegal |
€174.24 |
€95.35 |
€68.25 |
|
Galway |
€173.56 |
€105.61 |
€70.97 |
|
Offaly |
€173.33 |
€112.98 |
€71.81 |
|
Clare |
€172.00 |
€102.13 |
€72.20 |
|
Tipperary |
€166.71 |
€99.25 |
€71.68 |
|
Sligo |
€165.64 |
€97.02 |
€78.20 |
|
Leitrim |
€163.81 |
€89.58 |
€69.85 |
|
Roscommon |
€161.94 |
€99.36 |
€72.13 |
|
Cavan |
€160.88 |
€95.39 |
€69.21 |
|
Mayo |
€160.68 |
€95.02 |
€69.28 |
|
Longford |
€159.17 |
€93.93 |
€71.65 |
|
Monaghan |
€153.42 |
€87.76 |
€65.52 |
|
Carlow |
€152.08 |
€88.36 |
€71.27 |
|
Overall average |
€186.84 |
€110.92 |
€74.20 |
*Average is calculated as the median value for all services
Fee management was introduced with the substantial investment of Core Funding in September 2022. This follows the recommendations of the Expert Group, approved by Government, to first limit increases in fee rates. This effectively freezes services’ fees at those they charged to parents in September 2021 to ensure that the introduction of Fee Management to the sector was done in a sustainable and considered manner. Increasing the Core Funding budget while maintaining the same level of conditions on fees, will help embed the Core Funding Fee Management system in the sector and prepare the sector for the ongoing development of fee management in future years.
92. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated percentage of Government funding, as against private fees, funding the early years sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21920/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department does not gather data on parental fee income to early learning and childcare services other than occasional research studies, e.g. the independent review of costs. The independent review of costs undertaken by Crowe in 2018 on behalf of the Department found that approximately 40% of the total income to the sector in 2017 came from parental fees at a time when annual state investment in the sector was €466 million. This percentage varied significantly across services. Many services relied entirely on State funding while a small proportion of service relied exclusively on parental fees.
Core Funding, which began in September 2022, is the new funding stream to start a partnership for the public good between the State and providers. In its first programme year (September 2022 – August 2023) 95% of eligible services signed up to Core Funding.
In line with a recommendation in Partnership for the Public Good, providers that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
The reporting requirement will consist of a sector specific Income and Expenditure Template. This Income and Expenditure Template is due on the 26 June 2024 and will provide details of their income and costs, which should provide up to date insight in to the financial operations of services.
93. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure the provision of local accommodation for a person (details supplied). [21922/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment on individual cases.
The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.
If they wish to request IPAS accommodation they may contact the IPAS helpdesk to seek advice. The IPAS helpdesk can be contacted by email at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie.
In the event of a resident not feeling comfortable with contacting the Department directly or the centre management, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operate a confidential support helpline for all residents being accommodated by IPAS. The Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). If a resident wishes, a complaint made through this service may be passed, in confidence, to IPAS for investigation and resolution. All residents have access to this independent support helpline. IPAS is working to facilitate clinics at centres, in line with public health restrictions. The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) helpline contact number is 1800 929 00 or email: info@jrs.ie
All International Protection (IP) applicants have access to the services of the Ombudsman and Office of the Ombudsman for Children, should they consider that their complaint has not been managed appropriately.
94. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to examine an issue for an individual (details supplied). [21940/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
95. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the progress of a new travel support scheme, following the closure of the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant scheme in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21941/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government decided to close the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance administrative schemes in 2013, on foot of the Ombudsman reports in 2011 and 2012 regarding the legal status of both schemes in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Both schemes remain closed.
Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy 2017-2022, the Action 104 Transport Working Group was established in 2020 to make progress on an important cross-Government action to review transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities and to advance proposals for the enhancement of these supports going forward.
As Minister of State with responsibility for Disability, I chaired meetings of the Transport Working Group from January 2022 up to its conclusion in December 2022. The Group's work has now concluded and the final report was published in February 2023. The Report sets out the contributions made by members for the enhancement of transport and mobility supports for people with disabilities.
Access to transport for people with disabilities is a multifaceted issue that involves work carried out by multiple Government departments and agencies. It is incumbent on all Ministers, Departments and Agencies with responsibility for transport and mobility schemes for people with disabilities to consider the recommendations of the Transport Working Group, as I will be giving due consideration to the recommendations in the context of the schemes outlined above. These considerations will continue in the context of the development of a new National Disability Strategy.
96. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 91 and 92 of 30 April 2024, if he is aware that the proposed draft childminding regulations represent a further bureaucratisation of a system that is already onerous for parents and service providers; if he is aware that childminders are reporting that these regulations are too extreme and will drive many of them out of childminding, creating a further dearth of places for parents already facing difficulties in securing care for their children; if he will scrap the current draft proposals with a view to consulting with and listening to childminders and parents’ concerns (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21964/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to the introduction of regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting, to respect the unique way in which childminders work. It also commits to providing supports to childminders to help them meet regulatory requirements.
The main route through which parents are subsidised for their early learning and childcare costs is the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, which is nearing completion, allows for consultation, research and development actions, to ensure that the regulations that apply to childminders are appropriate to the home environment, to build the quality support infrastructure required (including expansion of inspectorates and provision of training), and to ensure reforms are based on consultation and research evidence.
The draft childminding regulations were developed through an inclusive process that involved childminders and Childminding Ireland as active members of the Steering Group and four Advisory Groups on the National Action Plan for Childminding.
I launched the public consultation on the draft childminding regulations on 8 February, and the consultation remained open until 2 May. The consultation process allowed childminders, parents and other interested parties to contribute in a variety of ways including an online survey and written submissions, as well as through focus groups and a consultation event for national stakeholder organisations. An independent company has been contracted to undertake the analysis of the submissions and of other elements of the consultation process, and to present a report of their findings. On receipt of the report on findings, the Steering Group on the National Action Plan for Childminding will consider any changes that need to be made to the draft regulations, and their proposals will then come to me for review and consideration.
I have been talking to childminders in my own constituency and have held meetings with others and I am aware of their concerns regarding the introduction of regulations.
The Bill to amend the Child Care Act 1991 to enable the regulation and support of childminders is currently being drafted with a view to the introduction of the childminding-specific regulations in the autumn. The proposed amendments to the primary legislation, as set out in the Heads of Bill and General Scheme, include a proposed transition period of three years. In line with the National Action Plan for Childminding, this phased approach is intended to give childminders the time to prepare for and meet the new regulation and registration requirements that will be put in place.
97. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of publicly funded contracts awarded to a company (details supplied) by his Department in each of the past ten years; the cost of each contract; and the purpose for which each contract was awarded. [18662/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth does not have any current or prior contracts with BAM Ireland.
98. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) will receive an assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22000/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
99. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the new regulations for childminders; if he is aware of the concerns being expressed regarding these new regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22011/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI launched the public consultation on the draft childminding regulations on 8 February and the consultation remained open until 2 May. The consultation process allowed childminders, parents and other interested parties to contribute in a variety of ways including an online survey and written submission, as well as through focus groups and a consultation event for national stakeholder organisations. An independent company has been contracted to undertake the analysis of the submissions and of other elements of the consultation process, and to present a report of their findings. On receipt of the report on findings, the Steering Group on the National Action Plan for Childminding will consider any changes that need to be made to the draft regulations, and their proposals will then come to me for review and consideration.
The National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to the introduction of regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting, to respect the unique way in which childminders work. It also commits to providing supports to childminders to help them meet regulatory requirements.
The main route through which parents are subsidised for their early learning and childcare costs is the National Childcare Scheme. The Childcare Support Act 2018, which provides a statutory basis for the National Childcare Scheme, specifies that only Tusla-registered providers are eligible to participate in the Scheme. The limitation of public funding schemes to Tusla-registered childcare providers helps to ensure that public funding is provided where there is assurance of the quality of provision.
Phase 1 of the National Action Plan, which is nearing completion, allows for consultation, research and development actions, to ensure that the regulations that apply to childminders are appropriate to the home environment, to build the quality support infrastructure required (including expansion of inspectorates and provision of training), and to ensure reforms are based on consultation and research evidence.
The draft childminding regulations were developed through an inclusive process that involved childminders and Childminding Ireland as active members of the Steering Group and four Advisory Groups on the National Action Plan for Childminding.
I have been talking to childminders in my own constituency and have held meetings with others and I am aware of their concerns regarding the introduction of regulations.
The Bill to amend the Child Care Act 1991 to enable the regulation and support of childminders is currently being drafted with a view to the introduction of the childminding-specific regulations in the autumn. The proposed amendments to the primary legislation, as set out in the Heads of Bill and General Scheme, include a proposed transition period of three years. In line with the National Action Plan for Childminding, this phased approach is intended to give childminders the time to prepare for and meet the new regulation and registration requirements that will be put in place.
