Written Answers Nos. 209-228
209. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a child (details supplied) will receive an appointment for speech and language therapy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34747/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 529 of 20 June 2023, his views on the fact that when healthcare professionals refers a child to a children's disability network team, this does not automatically result in the child being added to the assessment of need waiting list, thus denying that child a legal right to an assessment within the statutory timeframe; his views on whether this is morally and ethically correct, given that in many cases parents do not understand that the list they are on does not have the same legal protections as the assessment of need list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34748/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
211. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 325 of 1 June 2023, if he will provide a progress update regarding the new primary care area assessment team (PCAAT) in Wexford; if it will be in a position to inform children when they will receive their diagnostic assessment of need; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34753/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
212. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the schemes available to provide financial assistance for families who have to engage private providers for psychology assessments for children who are waiting more than three months to be assessed; the application process involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34408/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
213. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when a person (details supplied), who has been on the list for residential care since 2010, can expect to be offered a residential care place. [34430/23]
View answerAs this PQ refers to an individual's case and is a service issue, I am referring it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
214. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a formal application has been made to his Department for the use of (details supplied) for the accommodation of international protection applicants; if an informal approach has been made to his Department with regard to the future use of this property for the accommodation of international protection applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34432/23]
View answerThe Department is considering accommodation offers in County Cavan in the same way as other counties, taking into account existing numbers and available service provision.
The Department is conscious of the need to ensure quality in all accommodation contracted, while also providing shelter and safety urgently to those who need it. In considering offers, the Department takes into account a range of factors such as accommodation suitability, rates, capacity and amenities. Every effort is being made to activate suitable accommodation offers.
The Department is unable to give details relating to any specific suppliers while negotiations are ongoing, due to the commercial sensitivity of these negotiations.
215. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of children who have been in the disability services since birth who now find themselves without any prospective placement as they complete their school attendance, as in a particular case (details supplied); and if there are any policy options through which he could assist. [34461/23]
View answerHSE-funded day service programmes for people with intellectual disabilities, autism, or complex physical disabilities include a range of centre-based and community-based activities. The majority of young people due to leave school in a given year that require a HSE funded day service have been profiled by the end of the previous year to establish their support needs. Once needs are identified, referrals are made to the service provider of choice, funding is committed and negotiations are concluded with providers, normally by end of May, to confirm placements to young people and their families.
Each year a small number of placements are delayed in commencing due to issues such as recruitment or delays in the fit out of premises. The HSE monitor this very closely and work with all providers to solve issues as quickly as possible.
On June 27, a letter was sent to 13 families by St. Michael’s House (SMH) informing them that St. Michael’s House would not be able to accept a referral to their adult disability day service. 11 of these referrals are school leavers who are leaving St. Michael’s House school.
The HSE National Day services office and HSE CHO 9 met on the 29th June to discuss the issues identified, including referrals to services other than St Michael’s House. There are a total of 194 referrals in CHO 9 for the 2023 RT/School Leaver process, of this total, 146 placements have been confirmed and 25 have positive progression pathways.
The families of all 23 outstanding referrals in CHO 9 have been communicated with directly by the HSE CHO 9 Day Opportunities Team to discuss and explore day service placement options.
As you will be aware, I met this week (11th July) with the families of the school leavers affected and am committed to working with the HSE to find a satisfactory solution for these young people by the time they are due to start a day service in September. In addition, I plan to meet with the Board of St. Michael's House in the coming weeks.
There is significant ongoing effort by the local disability team in HSE CHO 9 to identify service placements for this group of school leavers. CHO 9 are actively working with existing providers to explore their capacity for additional referrals. The identification and development of new service locations is being explored as part of this. Meetings between the Disabilities and Estates teams are ongoing to explore accommodation options.
The Government and the HSE are committed to ensuring that young people leaving school in 2023 who wish to avail of a disability day service place will be supported. New developments funding of €8.5m in 2023 will support approximately 1,400 people with disabilities who are leaving school to transition into adult day services from September, with a full year cost of €27m in 2024.
216. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the amount paid by his Department in 2022 and to date in 2023 on outside or third-party reports of a technical nature or qualitative and quantitative nature, by payee, in tabular form. [34464/23]
View answerIn 2022 and 2023 to date, the Department commissioned a number of outside/third-party reports of a technical nature or qualitative and quantitative nature. Please find details of the amounts and payees below. The Ombudsman for Children's Office and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission will respond directly to the Deputy.
|
Payee and Year |
Sum of Amount |
|
ABL Surveyors |
12,300 |
|
2022 |
9,840 |
|
2023 |
2,460 |
|
ACE Communications |
15,326 |
|
2023 |
15,326 |
|
Angela Palmer, Creative Youth Plan |
5,042 |
|
2022 |
5,042 |
|
Anne O'Connell |
1,600 |
|
2023 |
1,600 |
|
Bearing Point |
129,027 |
|
2022 |
96,770 |
|
2023 |
32,257 |
|
Cambridge Technical |
12,600 |
|
2023 |
12,600 |
|
Centre for Effective Services |
39,800 |
|
2022 |
39,800 |
|
Centre for Effective Studies |
74,300 |
|
2022 |
37,150 |
|
2023 |
37,150 |
|
CSO |
111,375 |
|
2022 |
70,500 |
|
2023 |
40,875 |
|
Deirdre Fullerton Insights Health and Social Research |
50,100 |
|
2022 |
32,100 |
|
2023 |
18,000 |
|
DNG Sherry Fitzgerald |
15,498 |
|
2022 |
15,498 |
|
Doyle Morris Group |
26,401 |
|
2022 |
26,401 |
|
Dr. Maria Herron |
12,000 |
|
2022 |
12,000 |
|
Eamon O'Boyle Consulting Fire Engineers |
4,613 |
|
2023 |
4,613 |
|
Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) |
525,542 |
|
2022 |
445,542 |
|
2023 |
80,000 |
|
Evelyn Mahon |
3,500 |
|
2022 |
1,750 |
|
2023 |
1,750 |
|
Fitzpatrick Associates Economic Consultants |
41,205 |
|
2023 |
41,205 |
|
Frontier Economics |
3,814 |
|
2022 |
3,814 |
|
Helen McCormack |
6,162 |
|
2022 |
3,862 |
|
2023 |
2,300 |
|
HomeBond |
8,610 |
|
2022 |
8,610 |
|
Insights Health and Social Research |
3,000 |
|
2022 |
3,000 |
|
Insights Health and Social Research |
3,000 |
|
2022 |
3,000 |
|
Inventive Marketing (KICK) |
7,663 |
|
2022 |
7,663 |
|
IPSOS |
95,000 |
|
2022 |
95,000 |
|
JBA Consulting Engineers |
303 |
|
2022 |
303 |
|
KRA |
4,605 |
|
2023 |
4,605 |
|
Matheson |
28,315 |
|
2022 |
28,315 |
|
Maynooth University |
18,450 |
|
2022 |
18,450 |
|
McNally Handy |
59,188 |
|
2022 |
45,830 |
|
2023 |
13,358 |
|
O’Herlihy access Consulting - Building Accessibility Audit |
4,490 |
|
2022 |
4,490 |
|
O'Reilly Chartered Surveyors |
7,878 |
|
2022 |
7,878 |
|
Ove Arup and Partners Ireland |
20,726 |
|
2022 |
20,726 |
|
Patricia Prediville |
10,500 |
|
2022 |
10,500 |
|
Public Procurement Services |
1,882 |
|
2023 |
1,882 |
|
Quality Matters |
17,450 |
|
2022 |
17,450 |
|
Raymond Potterton |
2,927 |
|
2022 |
2,927 |
|
Rogerson Reddan |
47,576 |
|
2022 |
47,576 |
|
RSM Ireland Business Advisory |
|
|
Limited t/a RSM Ireland |
8,303 |
|
2023 |
8,303 |
|
TCD |
25,000 |
|
2022 |
25,000 |
|
The Centre for Effective Services (CES) |
41,451 |
|
2022 |
41,451 |
|
Thomas Campbell TA Group |
9,235 |
|
2022 |
9,235 |
|
Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery |
30,398 |
|
2023 |
30,398 |
|
Ukrainian Action in Ireland |
3,600 |
|
2023 |
3,600 |
|
UNITEs Team, Maynooth University |
67,781 |
|
2022 |
67,781 |
|
University College Dublin |
115,866 |
|
2022 |
115,866 |
|
University College Dublin, School of Social Policy, Social Work & Social Justice |
28,457 |
|
2022 |
28,457 |
|
University of Derby |
51,427 |
|
2022 |
51,427 |
|
Vincent Finnegan |
21,473 |
|
2022 |
21,412 |
|
2023 |
62 |
|
Winters Property Management |
13,530 |
|
2022 |
13,530 |
|
Grand Total |
1,848,287 |
217. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will address issues raised by the residents of a facility (details supplied) who have highlighted that some conditions of their accommodation have been violated; and if he will allow them to self-cater as requested and will he address the other questions raised in correspondence. [34513/23]
View answerProviders of accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) are contractually required to deliver services according to the agreed contract once in place. BOTPs do not have a right to see individual contracts between accommodation providers and my Department due to commercial sensitivities, however specific standards and guidelines, as provided in the offers portal, outline the conditions under which my Department agrees a contract with accommodation providers.
Where there is a possibility that these standards are not being met, my Department encourages BOTPs and management to discuss these issues and seek a resolution locally. Where a resolution cannot be agreed, the Department may engage with the provider and, where deemed appropriate, can direct an inspection of the premises.
The Department will address these with the provider and is currently undertaking a procurement process to award a contract for this service going forward.
When the provider makes an offer to the Department for their premises to be used for temporary accommodation, they indicate whether it is for full board or self-catering is at the discretion of the provider. Different standards are in place for each category which must be met for the Department to grant the request of the provider for the requisite service delivery. If the contract is for full board, it is not possible for individuals to cook for themselves at this premises. Contracts also provide that cultural and dietary requirement of residents must be met.
The issue of the premises being used for outside trading, or non-residents accessing the building, is not necessarily in breach of a contract, as many hospitality providers continue both sides of their business in this way. This would only apply if we contracted the entire property, and would only relate to the room areas. They are however obliged to provide meals in the dining room.
218. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to ensure appropriate provision of childcare services for babies aged six to 12 months in the Dublin 1, 3, 7, 9 and 11 areas, respectively; if he will outline the most up-to-date research conducted by his Department into the capacity of existing childcare provision in the same areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34537/23]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority. My Department monitors early learning and childcare capacity on an ongoing basis, with a particular focus on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
The annual data captured by Pobal on behalf of my Department - through the Early Years Sector Profile Survey - is one important data source that allows us to monitor supply and demand. In addition to this survey data, my Department also relies on data from the register of services held by Tusla, and data provided by services as part of their application for Core Funding. My Department has also conducted several surveys with parents. Since 2020, five parent surveys have been undertaken by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Department.
Data captured from the 2021/22 iteration of the Early Years Sector Profile, indicated that the average vacancy rate for children up to one year of age among services in Dublin 1,3,7,9 and 11 was 15% - similar to the average vacancy rates nationally. This data does not take account of increases in capacity since the introduction of Core Funding. Data collection for the 2022/23 Early Years Sector Profile has commenced and will give an updated position.
A series of steps are being taken to address issues of undersupply.
The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places. They engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion, particularly where there is unmet need.
Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, there is a commitment to open up access to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders.
Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. As part of this work, my Department has been included in the updated list of prescribed bodies that need to be notified on certain planning matters, including the formulation of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.
In addition, Core Funding - introduced in September 2022 - has already proven to be effective in expanding capacity, particularly in areas of undersupply and additional funding secured in Budget 2023 for year two of Core Funding provides further opportunity to invest in 3% capacity growth.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
219. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the progress made since 2020 to expand childcare provision for children under one year old; the steps he will take in budget 2024 to address availability and affordability for the same group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34542/23]
View answerThe availability of high-quality early learning and childcare is a key Government priority. My Department monitors early learning and childcare capacity on an ongoing basis, with a particular focus on responding to the unmet early learning and childcare needs of families.
The annual data captured by Pobal on behalf of my Department - through the Early Years Sector Profile Survey - is one important data source that allows us to monitor supply and demand. In addition to this survey data, the Department also relies on data from the register of services held by Tusla, data provided by services as part of their application for Core Funding and has also conducted several surveys with parents. Since 2020, five parent surveys have been undertaken by Ipsos MRBI on behalf of the Department.
Based on data captured through the Early Years Sector Profile Surveys 2020/22 (gathered in Spring 2021 with a response rate of 57%) and 2021/22 (gathered in Spring 2022 with a response rate of 82.5%) – extrapolated to take account of all services– the number of vacant places for children aged under one decreased nationally by 5%. Data collection for the Early Years Sector Profile 2022/23 has commenced and will give an updated position.
Officials in my Department are currently engaging in the Estimates process for Budget 2024, which will look to address availability and affordability of early learning and childcare provision. Currently a series of steps are being taken to address issues of undersupply.
The network of 30 City/County Childcare Committees across the country are in a position to match children and families to services operating with vacant places and engage proactively with services to explore possibilities for expansion among services, particularly where there is unmet need.
Under the National Action Plan for Childminding, there is a commitment to open up access to the National Childcare Scheme (NCS) to parents who use childminders following the extension of regulation to childminders.
Some €70m has been allocated to my Department through the revised National Development Plan (NDP) – with the majority of this funding earmarked for new places.
My Department, in partnership with the Department of Housing Planning and Local Government, is in the process of updating the 2001 Planning Guidelines for Local Authorities on Early Learning and Childcare Settings. As part of this work, my Department has been included in the updated list of prescribed bodies that need to be notified on certain planning matters, including the formulation of County Development Plans and Local Area Plans.
In addition, Core Funding - introduced in September 2022 - has already proven to be effective in expanding capacity, particularly in areas of undersupply and additional funding secured in Budget 2023 for year two of Core Funding provides further opportunity to invest in 3% capacity growth.
Parents experiencing difficulty in relation to their early learning and childcare needs should contact their local City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) for assistance. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie .
220. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether there are negotiations ongoing between his Department and accommodation providers in Galway city with regard to providing further accommodation for Ukrainian refugees and other asylum seekers; if so, the number of premises involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34548/23]
View answerIreland is now accommodating over 85,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants. This compares with 8,300 in February 2022. This includes over 64,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State.
In the context of this crisis, the State is availing of all offers of accommodation made in order to address the urgent accommodation need. As a result of current constraints on temporary accommodation, it is necessary for the Department to transfer Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection to accommodation as and where it becomes available. The Department is considering accommodation offers in all Counties, taking into account existing numbers and available service provision.
The Department is conscious of the need to ensure quality in all accommodation contracted, while also providing shelter and safety urgently to those who need it. In considering offers, the Department takes into account a range of factors such as accommodation suitability, rates, capacity and amenities. Every effort is being made to activate suitable accommodation offers.
221. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if IPAS will engage with an accommodation provider (details supplied) in County Kerry regarding a commercial offer of accommodation for Ukrainian refugees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34567/23]
View answerI want to thank the Deputy for his interest in this matter and indeed to thank all those who have offered accommodation to Ukrainians fleeing the war.
All offers of commercial accommodation must now be made by the updated form published on Gov.ie under point 4.1 of the “Offers of Commercial Accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine – Guidelines”
Offers will no longer be accepted through any other channel.
This is part of the Whole of Government Humanitarian Response and DCEDIY’s ongoing commitment to process improvement throughout our response to the unprecedented humanitarian emergency in Ukraine. If you have a query as to whether or not you have a valid commercial offer of accommodation for the Department to consider, please refer to these offer submission guidelines as publish on Gov.ie under “Offers of Commercial Accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) from Ukraine – Guidelines”
The offer submission guidelines provide clear information on the following:
1. The offer categories DCEDIY will accept for review
2. The essential criteria a valid offer must meet
3. Signposted information on other accommodation offer channels to explore across government, where an offer does not fall within DCEDIY’s accommodation categories’ scope
Please note, the wait time depend on supply and demand (arrivals and offers received) it is time dependent and variable on a lot of factors.
We have currently procured short term accommodation for the summer but this will come off stream in the Autumn, we will see more providers procured then
We appreciate your patience and support as we continue to improve our processes and respond to this unprecedented humanitarian emergency.
222. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of times the postponement part of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 has been accessed. [34580/23]
View answerThe Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks which will be extended to two years following the birth of the child through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023.
The Act includes provisions for the postponement of maternity leave in the event of the hospitalisation of the child and for the termination of additional unpaid maternity leave in the event of illness of the mother. Section 14B of the Maternity Protection Acts provides for postponement of maternity leave or additional maternity leave in event of hospitalisation of child. Section 16B provides for postponement of leave under section 16 in event of hospitalisation of child, by a father or other parent entitled to leave on death of the mother. Section 29 provides for postponement of return to work where it is unreasonable to expect the employee to do so because of an interruption or cessation of work at an employee’s place of employment.
The Department does not collect information on whether a parent has availed of these postponement options. However, the Department of Social Protection is responsible for the payment of Maternity Benefit and does not have records of any postponement since January 2020.
All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children. I have asked my officials to examine the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society regarding the deferral of maternity leave where a mother falls ill during this period and this work is ongoing.
223. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of programmes, and their purpose, operated by his Department with ESF support in place during 2023; the prospects of additional programmes in 2024; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34595/23]
View answerPlease see below a table outlining the programmes run by my Department with ESF funding, a description of their purpose and whether they will continue in 2024.
A second table is also included below outlining additional programmes which will include ESF funding in 2024.
I trust this information is helpful.
|
Name of ESF funded programme |
Purpose of programme |
Will this programme continue in 2024? |
|
Expansion of the Young Parents Support Programme |
The ESF+ project seeks to provide universal access to a Teen Parent Support Programme for all young parents in Ireland and make the service available to all parents up to the age of 25 (currently this service is only available to those aged up to 20 years of age).The main aim of the programme is to provide early interventions, which are needs-led and outcome focused, to enhance and support the well-being of all young parents and their children, empower young parents in their parenting role and ensure equality of opportunity for parent and child. Teen parents with higher needs are also supported with specific additional interventions (such as support with parenting skills or independent living) as part of an interagency approach to family support.The Teen Parents Support Programme currently works with young people who become parents when they are aged 19 years or under and, where needed, supports them until their children are two years of age. This programme, provides young parents with a dedicated support worker during pregnancy and through the first two years of their child’s life. The programme is currently available in 12 locations in Ireland and works with one third of all parents under the age of 20. Where resources allow, the TPSP also supports a small number of young parents in their early twenties who have high levels of need.Support is offered in all areas of the young person’s life – parenting, health, relationships, education, training, childcare, housing, social welfare entitlements, legal issues and anything else about which the young person is concerned. Grandparents and other family members involved with the young parents may also be supported.Young people may make contact directly with the Teen Parents Support Programme. Referrals are also made by professionals and anyone interested in the welfare of the young parent and his/her child. Referrals come from a wide variety of sources such as Tusla social workers, Tusla aftercare workers, schools, public health nurses and youth organisations – as well as self-referrals. A unique feature of the programme is that it supports young women while they are still pregnant and when most of them have no engagement with other social services. Over half of all referrals to the programme comes from maternity services. |
Yes |
|
Recruitment of x 17 Family Support Practitioner posts nationally to provide support to families living in IPAS accommodation |
The purpose of this programme is to recruit a Family Support Practitioners in each Tusla Areas to support families living in International Protection Accommodation Services. These support workers will provide Family Support consisting of parenting support, delivering individualised parenting programmes, a Family Support Clinic, Youth Groups, family support along with the Family Resource Centre in the community for family integration and social supports. Representatives from IPAS sit on the Steering Group for this project and provide regular up to date data on number and locations of children and families in IPAS Accommodation centres. |
Yes |
|
Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (‘PEIL’) |
Gender Equality (Call for Proposals in 2019) |
No |
|
Employment, Inclusion, Skills and Training (‘EIST’) |
Integration and Employment of Migrants (2022 Call for Proposals) |
Yes |
224. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 591 of 16 May 2023, if the information can now be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34620/23]
View answerStatutory and operational responsibility for the delivery of child protection and welfare services is a matter for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Tusla has advised that while it collates and publishes a wide range of data sets, the specific data requested by the Deputy is not currently collated at a national level.
225. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to childcare and early learning providers' petition to notify service users of the potential for them to withdraw from core funding and increase fees; and the steps he is taking in this regard. [34669/23]
View answerThis Government has in 2023, for the first time, allocated more than €1 billion to early learning and childcare – a clear demonstration from Government of the value of the sector. Over the past eight budgets, investment in early learning and childcare has risen from €260 million in 2015 to € 1.025 billion in 2023, reaching the First 5 investment target 5 years ahead of time. This unprecedented investment speaks to the commitment of Government in prioritising early learning and childcare services. In September 2022, Together for Better, the new funding model for early learning and childcare was launched, bringing together the ECCE programme, including the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), the NCS and Core Funding, with a fourth programme, the Equal Participation Model in development.
The new funding model has been broadly welcomed by sectoral representative organisations who I meet with regularly through the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum. While some representatives have raised issues in relation to fee management, I am not aware of any petition relating to withdrawl from the model. Core Funding is optional and to date more than 95% of services, over 4,200, are signed-up. I am pleased with this high level of engagement and every effort has been made to carefully design the scheme to meet the policy objectives, including making the scheme attractive to providers to choose to operate their services with the terms and conditions associated with the scheme.
In terms of investment in the new Core Funding scheme, the initial investment in Budget 2022 of €207 million, was increased to €221 million in April 2022, and again increased to €259 million before the programme began in September 2022. For year 2 of the scheme, a further 11% increase in this budget or €28 million was secured. In total, there is now €287million provided to the sector for year 2 of Core Funding, providing a sustainable model with increases for all services.
Core Funding introduced a new way of funding the sector through direct funding to contribute to a services costs of delivery, where services have significant freedom on how best to spend this grant once they are committed to delivering their service in line with public management requirements. Such a significant investment of public money needs the appropriate controls through public management to ensure that it achieves its purposes in the public interest.
One of the key conditions in relation to public management is fee management. Core Funding allows for substantial increases in the total cost base for the sector, related both to pay and non-pay costs thereby creating the conditions to introduce fee management, which in year one and two is effectively a fee freeze, where providers cannot increase the fees charged from September 2021. This ensures that parents’ costs do not increase and that the increased NCS subsidies are fully felt by parents.
Fee management has been introduced following the recommendations approved by Government of the Expert Group to first limit increases in fee rates. This effectively freezes services fees at those set by services in September 2021 to ensure that the introduction of Fee Management to the sector is done in a sustainable and considered manner.
For the vast majority of services, the increased income through Core Funding is above the potential income services would have received through higher fees, based on trends in individual services fees over a number of years. It is reasonable and justifiable therefore that on receipt of the Core Funding grant, Partner Services must agree not to increase their fees given the level of funding available and the supply side nature of it.
The approach for fee management in future years will be further guided by the Expert Group recommendations and may include the introduction of a common national provider fee structure and rates, and transitional arrangements such as where all fee rates would have to fall within a specified percentage tolerance range around a given rate.
Services that are experiencing difficulty and who would like support are encouraged to contact their City/County Childcare Committee (CCC) to access case management supports. Services can be assisted on an individual basis through this route. Sustainability funding is available to Partner Services, community and private, who are experiencing financial difficulty. Partner Services set their own fees policies based on their individual operating model, however Partner Services can be assisted through the case management route to ensure their services remain sustainable under Together for Better.
For Budget 2024, I want to build on the success of Together for Better, with the ECCE programme (including AIM), the NCS and Core Funding working well to achieve affordability, quality, inclusion and sustainability achieving significant benefits for services, staff, parents, children and society overall.
226. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of service providers that have opted into the core funding model since its introduction; the number that did not opt in; and the number that have since withdrawn. [34670/23]
View answerCore Funding, which began in September 2022, is the new funding scheme under Together for Better the new funding model for early learning and childcare. The primary purpose of Core Funding is to improve pay and conditions in the sector as a whole and improve affordability for parents as well as ensuring a stable income to providers.
Core Funding offers greater stability and sustainability for providers by substantially increasing the overall investment in the sector, particularly through a supply-side funding approach and in providing funding for spaces rather than participating children. Services can choose to spend their Core Funding on a wide range of expenditure areas related to the delivery of a quality service.
The original Core Funding allocation of €207 million secured in Budget 2022 increased to €221 million in spring 2022 at a time when cost pressures were significantly increasing. This further increased to €259 million based on significant capacity growth in sector in Budget 2023. For the second year of operation, Core Funding has increased by €28 million, an 11% increase, to a total of €287million.
With 95% of eligible services signed up for Core Funding in year 1, these benefits for parents, providers, staff and children are felt widely across the sector.
There are 4,452 services eligible [1] to sign up to Core Funding for Programme Year 2022/2023 and of this eligible cohort 4,212 are currently contracted. 7 Services have a ‘Withdrawn’ application since the beginning of Core Funding Programme Year 2022/2033. [2]
[1] Eligible Service = any open service on EYP currently contracted to at least one of the Department’s early learning and childcare programmes.
[2] Data sourced from Pobal as of 10 July 2023
227. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current status of Action 2.4 of the National LGBTI Inclusion Strategy, concerning the development of an LGBT+ Employee and Ally network, specifically regarding progress since March of 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34697/23]
View answerAction 2.4 of the Strategy provides for the development of a Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network. In advance of establishing the Civil and Public Service wide LGBT+ Employee and Ally Network, my Department established an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Network for staff of the Department in March 2023.
Its remit is to review the current DCEDIY Equality, Diversity and Inclusion draft strategy and action plan, develop EDI initiatives to raise awareness of EDI challenges and take positive actions to build a culture that champions Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Since March 2023, the group has managed the Department’s participation and awareness building around Pride 2023 and once training has been undertaken, it will move onto staff focus groups and the review of the Department’s draft Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
There has previously been engagement with relevant officials including members of existing LGBTI+ networks within the civil and public service to discuss progressing Action 2.4. Once the work of the EDI has progressed sufficiently, further consideration will be given to the development of wider civil and public networks.
228. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he can offer an explanation for the 75% failure to meet set targets for movement of those with disabilities in congregated residential care settings to community-based settings; what measures Government will take to bring Ireland into line with the UN convention on the rights of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34719/23]
View answerAs the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
