Written Answers Nos. 504-522
504. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has produced a new statement of strategy since May 2016; and if so, the measures in it to support persons with disabilities. [33632/16]
View answerMy Department is currently finalising its Statement of Strategy 2016–2019 and I expect that a final draft will be submitted shortly to Government for information. The Statement of Strategy will then be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas, in accordance with Section 5(2) of the PSMA, 1997 and will be published thereafter.
My Department does not have a direct role on the formulation of policy on the provision of employment or other supports for people with disabilities. Its mission is to encourage the creation of high quality and sustainable full employment by championing enterprise across government, supporting a competitive enterprise base, and promoting fair and competitive markets.
In pursuing these objectives, DJEI provides a range of supports which are delivered through the Department and its Agencies and are available to all persons, including people with disabilities, who satisfy the general criteria for the programmes or schemes in question.
In our Statement of Strategy 2016 – 2019 my Department, in line with our obligations under the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act, 2014, affirms our commitment to proofing our policies, procedures and services across our business areas to ensure we comply with our requirements in the area of human rights and equality.
505. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation further to Questions Nos. 807 of 12 July 2016 and 1,903 of 16 September 2016, her plans to assist small and medium enterprises that are totally or very heavily dependent on the Northern Irish and British markets for exports, in view of the weakening of the value of sterling; if her attention has been drawn to such companies which are experiencing difficulties; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33646/16]
View answerThere is a whole of Government approach in place focusing on Brexit issues, and my Department and I, together with the Agencies under my remit, are to the forefront of this effort.
Any changes in the UK’s relationship with the EU will present both challenges and opportunities for the Irish economy, and I am fully aware of the challenges for the Irish SME sector in regard to current Euro/Sterling currency fluctuations.
As part of Budget 2017, I secured the largest capital provision made to my Department over the past fifteen years. This extra funding will be used to fund additional measures to support companies impacted by Brexit, as well as new competitive funds for the Regions focused on job creation.
I also secured additional monies, as part of Budget 2017 which will provide for 50+ new posts for the Department and its agencies to respond to Brexit and to work with companies to help them respond to the challenges and opportunities they now face.
In terms of FDI, IDA Ireland is constantly engaged with clients across its entire portfolio and, in the months leading up to the UK referendum, it engaged with clients and prospective clients in relation to the potential impact of BREXIT. IDA Ireland believes there are potential FDI opportunities for Ireland as a result of the UK vote to leave the EU. These opportunities are likely to be found along differing timelines, partially influenced by sector. I am confident that Ireland is well positioned to maximise any opportunities that Brexit may present from an FDI perspective.
From a strategic perspective Enterprise Ireland is assisting companies to maintain and grow UK exports and extend their international reach, as well as helping companies to enhance their competitiveness. The Local Enterprise Offices are also working closely with those clients likely to be impacted by Brexit.
As Minister, I have responsibility for supporting Irish firms, especially our SMEs, across the whole of the economy. That is why I am making sure that I am in possession of all the detail of how Brexit impacts on each and every sector and company type – be they micro, small, medium, or even larger companies in some instances - before I finalise my proposals or make any announcements about specific measures.
My Officials have also engaged with the European Commission to gain clarification on, and a full understanding of, the scope of EU State Aid rules. The Commission is also aware from our contacts with them that Ireland, above all Member States, stands to be uniquely impacted by Brexit.
In order to build further on the foregoing, my Department is currently scoping out various possible responses to the short term currency challenge and I expect to be in a position to announce more detail, based on actual company needs, shortly. Any new initiative must be tailored, targeted and evidence-based in order for our SMEs to receive the maximum support possible, and in the sectors most needed.
506. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of trade promotion visits organised by agencies under the remit of her Department, such as Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland, which had representation from Northern Ireland on such missions for each of the years 2010 to 2015, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33694/16]
View answerBoth agencies under the aegis of my Department, Enterprise Ireland (EI) and IDA Ireland, engage with relevant bodies in Northern Ireland to pursue areas of mutual advantage. Developing all-island initiatives and cooperation can, in certain circumstances, better build our competitive advantage internationally.
In the period 2010 to 2015, Enterprise Ireland had representation from Northern Ireland on 12 trade promotion visits while IDA involved companies from Northern Ireland on 3 occasions.
Extensive links have been forged by EI with various agencies and bodies in Northern Ireland. In particular there is close co-operation between Invest Northern Ireland (INI) and EI. A Memorandum of Understanding is in place between EI and INI to enable clients of both agencies to access market services, trade missions/fairs, seminars and to provide INI clients with access to EI management development programmes such as Leadership 4 Growth and the International Selling Programme. There is also close collaboration between EI, INI and InterTrade Ireland (ITI) on the specific Cross Border programmes which are run by the latter body, in order to ensure effective operation and non-duplication.
Enterprise Ireland, IDA and Invest Northern Ireland cooperated in relation to a Trade Mission to Singapore in December 2013 which was specifically targeted at companies from both jurisdictions who are active in the aerospace sector.
In 2015 and 2016 IDA Ireland in co-operation with EI, Department of Foreign Affairs and INI hosted a dinner in the Irish Embassy in London to coincide with the Irish Aviation Purchasing and Management Exhibition.
507. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the regulations in place for fitness studios to open up; and if any qualifications and standards must be met. [33857/16]
View answerInsofar as the question raises standards that must be met and come under the remit of my Department, employment rights and occupational health and safety of individuals working in the sector, are regulated.
Ireland has a comprehensive body of employment, equality and industrial relations legislation, in respect of which the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) is mandated to secure compliance. Ireland’s employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis.
Additionally, as regards occupational health and safety legislation, the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2005 requires employers to ensure that working conditions are such as will protect the safety, health and welfare at work of employees. It also requires employers to manage their business in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that individuals at the place of work who are not employees, are not exposed to risks to their safety, health or welfare. In reference to any activity or sector, the 2005 Act only applies where there is a work activity or likely to be one carried out in the near future.
Any persons with questions or complaints regarding their rights under employment legislation should contact the Workplace Relations Customer Service section of the WRC, which provides general information in relation to the rights and obligations under the relevant legislation. It can be contacted at Lo-call: 1890 808090. The WRC website www.workplacerelations.ie also provides extensive information on employment right.
The Health and Safety Authority’s Workplace Contact Unit (WCU) is a helpdesk resource for employers, employees and members of the public. The WCU is the primary point of contact for a range of topics including obtaining health and safety information; complaints relating to workplaces; notification of accidents at work etc. The WCU can be contacted by a variety of means, email wcu@hsa.ie, telephone LoCall: 1890 289 389 (Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 12:30pm) or fax 01 614 7125.
508. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the consultation on the new affordable child care scheme will include consideration of supports for alternative child care choices, including in respect of those parents raising children at home. [33831/16]
View answerOn 28th October, I launched a public consultation on the new Affordable Childcare Scheme for Ireland. The consultation is focused on the details of the new scheme, as set out in the published policy paper, and is intended to inform the further refinement of the scheme in advance of its implementation in September 2017.
I am very much open to hearing views about supports for parents raising children at home, but I also want to ensure that the measures I announced recently are implemented with the needs of children and their parents to the fore. The Affordable Childcare Scheme responds to a specific need to increase the affordability, quality and supply of early years and school-age care and education services in Ireland. It also reflects a core recommendation of the 2015 Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Childcare in Ireland to replace the existing targeted childcare schemes, which are administratively complex and inadequate in terms of accessibility, with a single, streamlined and more user-friendly scheme.
It is important to recognise that the Affordable Childcare Scheme is only one element of a broader set of commitments and supports aimed at parents and children. The provision of improved services for centre-based care is very important, but I will not lose sight of the needs of children who do not attend them. In this regard, Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People contains a commitment to produce Ireland’s first-ever National Early Years Strategy. The intention is to deliver a cross-cutting strategy which will take a joined-up, whole of Government approach to the issue of supporting children and their families during the early years (0-6 years). The drafting of the National Early Years Strategy is very advanced and I intend to host an Open Policy Debate on the strategy before the end of the year with a view to publication shortly thereafter.
I believe that we need to develop the quality, affordability and accessibility of centre-based care, and that achieving this does not affect the supports that we can offer parents who opt for other forms of care for their children.
509. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if National Lottery funding is available at present through her Department to support the work of community groups; if so, if there are specific programmes eligible for grant assistance; the details of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33267/16]
View answerMy Department is not administering a National Lottery Scheme in 2016. While a National Lottery Grant scheme was administered by my Department in 2014, it did not prove possible to allocate funding to administer a National Lottery Grant Scheme in 2015 or 2016 due to the many competing demands facing the Department’s Vote in those years, and the overall budgetary envelope available.
510. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review a case (details supplied) with regard to an application for higher capitation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33312/16]
View answerIn order to receive the Higher Capitation Rate, under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, the service provider must submit an application on an annual basis. For a childcare room/session to be approved for the ECCE Higher Capitation Rate the following criteria applies:
- Pre-school leaders must satisfy the minimum qualification requirements as approved on the published list of my Department's Early Years Recognised Qualifications and have at least three years' experience working in the early years sector
- Pre-school assistants must have a minimum qualification of Level 5 or equivalent in a recognised Early Years Qualification
- The appropriate qualified staff should be present for each ECCE session applying for Higher Capitation in accordance with the ECCE child:staff ratio requirement.
It is my understanding that an administrative error occurred while the application from the service in question was being processed. The nominated person from this service was incorrectly deemed to be a Higher Capitation room leader. Upon noticing this error, officials from my Department corrected it and informed the service provider. Officials have reviewed the relevant qualifications, as sent in by the service provider, and have advised that they do not meet the minimum requirements for Higher Capitation.
If a provider feels that their qualifications meet the required criteria there is a mechanism to submit their full qualifications portfolio to the Department to have them individually assessed. The full qualifications portfolio should be submitted along with the relevant application form to the qualifications recognition section in the Early Years Policies and Programmes Unit in my Department. My Department cannot make a decision regarding higher capitation payment until such a provider submits their qualifications portfolio to be assessed, and the outcome of this assessment is known, or the qualification is on the DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications list. Further information on this is available at http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2Fchildcare%2Fqualifications.htm&mn=chim&nID=11.
In relation to Nursing Degrees my Department has published the following information:
"This qualification is accepted as meeting the minimum Regulatory requirements to work in early years. Award certificates dated 2015 or earlier, will be accepted for ECCE room Leader. Award certificates dated from 2016 will require additional qualifications in Early Education to be accepted as room leader. NB this qualification does not meet the Higher Cap requirement."
For transparency the Published list of DCYA Early Years Recognised Qualifications can be downloaded from http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=%2Fdocuments%2Fchildcare%2Fqualifications.htm&mn=chim&nID=11.
511. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the State should not adopt or support a preferential view with respect to the care of children in their early years, specifically on whether the State should not preference subsidising access to child care facilities while failing to support parents who choose to care for their children at home; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33452/16]
View answerI am committed to the provision of childcare options for families that respect parental choice and reflect international evidence on how to attain the best outcomes for children. While operational responsibility for these do not fall within my policy remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I support the extension of parental leave for parents; particularly in the crucial first year. The Government has provided additional support for stay-at-home parents through the home carer tax credit, which has been increased to €1,100 per year. I support an increase in the earnings threshold for this, and have raised this with the Minister for Finance.
My Department provides a number of childcare schemes available to all families, including the ECCE free pre-school year, which has been extended into a second year from this September - children’s eligibility for ECCE has increased from 38 weeks for all children, to an average of 61 weeks (ranging from 51 to 88 weeks depending on date of birth and age starting school). The Department projects that the expanded ECCE scheme will have a peak enrolment of 127,000 children in the April-June session in 2017. This is an increase of 60,000 children from the pre-expansion volume. Registrations for the September intake are on-going. Presently, the Department expects up to 89,000 children to take part in ECCE from September 2016. Over the last number of years, up to 96% of pre-school children have accessed the ECCE Programme, demonstrating both good supply and good take-up across the country. All children can benefit from the learning and socialisation provided through this scheme.
The proposals reflect a key recommendation of the 2015 Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Childcare in Ireland to replace the existing targeted schemes with a new single Affordable Childcare Scheme for Ireland. They also reflect commitments in the Programme for Government to “streamline the existing schemes to make them more accessible for both parents and providers”, to “continue to support subsidised childcare places for low income families”, and to provide “a robust model for subsidised high quality childcare for children aged 9-36 months”.
Some media comments have claimed the scheme discriminates against stay at home parents. However, this scheme responds specifically to the high cost of childcare in Ireland, which has been criticised by the European Commission and Irish families.
512. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the detail of any funding received from an organisation (details supplied) for projects under the remit of her Department for the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33453/16]
View answerMy Department did nor receive any funding from the organisation mentioned by the Deputy.
513. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the assistance her Department will provide to a local parent-based campaign (details supplied) to achieve its objective of having a playground built at a location granted to the campaigners by Cork County Council; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33454/16]
View answerThe provision of play and recreation facilities is primarily a matter for Local Authorities. My Department administers a Capital Grant Funding Scheme for Play and Recreation. The Scheme was introduced in 2013 to support new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people. The total amount of funding available under the Scheme in any year is €250,000, with a maximum grant of €20,000 to any Local Authority.
Applications are invited for projects providing:
- New and innovative play and recreation spaces and facilities (New and innovative projects can include new facilities, equipment, designs and /or the utilisation of non-traditional play spaces);
- Refurbishment or upgrading of existing play and recreation spaces and facilities.
Funding criteria for the Scheme were developed in conjunction with the Local Area Play and Recreation Network (LAPRN), a group established in 2012 to introduce a more coordinated and interagency approach to achieving the main goals of the play and recreation policies, at both national and local level. The following criteria are applied to applications:
- Play and recreation spaces and facilities must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them i.e. outside of school hours
- All facilities and equipment must be accessible to children and young people with additional needs
- All facilities and equipment must be youth-friendly and safe
- All projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence, or a commitment to providing evidence, that children and young people have been or will be consulted about the project for which funding is requested
- All projects funded under the scheme must provide confirmation that 'No Smoking' signage will be displayed in play spaces and facilities funded under this scheme.
Voluntary Groups can apply to this Scheme for funding for community projects through the Local Authority in which the facility/equipment will be available. Matched funding is a requirement of the Scheme and can be in the form of funds raise by voluntary groups, or a Local Authority contribution of finance or in kind funding.
Subject to the availability of funds, applications for funding under this Scheme will be invited in the first quarter of 2017.
514. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the development of the new Tusla building in Carrick-on-Shannon, County Leitrim; when it will be open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33477/16]
View answerI can confirm that Tusla, Child and Family Agency has recently approved the lease of new modern office space at Shannonside Retail Park in Carrick-on-Shannon. These new premises will provide easy access to the public and will accommodate the expansion of Tusla staff and services for local communities. Lease terms are currently being agreed between the parties, and work on outfitting the building is expected to commence shortly. It is envisaged that the outfitting of the accommodation will take approximately four months to complete.
515. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of the provision of legal services and so on to children and families to Tusla annually; and the way and by whom these services are monitored and evaluated with regard to value for money and effectiveness. [33575/16]
View answerTusla has informed me that the provision of legal services include the costs of legal services directly to Tulsa and the legal costs that Tusla may need to discharge such as Guardian ad Litem, their solicitors, their counsel or third party costs. There are also ancillary costs associated with legal proceedings such as translation service, tax accountants, settlements etc. The table below details these costs for the years 2014 to 2016:
|
Item |
2014 |
2015 |
YTD 2016 |
|
Legal Costs |
36,195,530 |
30,727,996 |
21,491,324 |
The Agency's internal Legal Services Office monitors and evaluates all legal costs.
516. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures which have been taken to provide services to needy children and families, especially those who, due to their undocumented status, are not eligible for a range of other State supports (details supplied); and the level of intercultural training which has been provided for all Tusla staff. [33576/16]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency. I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No 516, tabled by you for answer on 8 November, 2016. In relation to measures which have been taken to provide services to needy children and families and those who due to their undocumented status are not eligible for a range of other State supports.
Children and families who require additional support or are identified as vulnerable, can avail of main stream services provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and these include:
- Child protection and welfare services
- Prevention, Partnership and Family Support services
- Meitheal - National Practice Model for Prevention and Early Intervention
- Educational Welfare Services
- Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services
Tusla works in partnership with local authorities, the Health Service Executive and schools to ensure an integrated response to children and families.
Tusla’s Family Resource Centre Programme is Ireland’s largest family support programme delivering universal and targeted community-based family support services and developmental opportunities within disadvantaged communities across the country based on a life-cycle approach. Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are rooted in the community and work with children, parents and communities to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit.
The primary role of the Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme has been, and will continue to be, prevention and early intervention. Because of this role, the programme is perceived as non-stigmatising, offering an ‘open-door’ to all families in their community.
In relation to inter-cultural training a new training programme ‘Diversity In Modern Ireland’ has been developed by Tusla’s Workforce, Learning and Development Unit in 2016. There was in the first half of 2016 an initial pilot of the new training programme ‘Diversity in Modern Ireland’ and the second pilot will take place on the 7th of December in Dublin.
A Train the Trainer programme for the ‘Diversity in Modem Ireland’ Programme will be delivered in January 2017 and national roll out and main-streaming will commence shortly thereafter. The number of courses provided will depend on demand for this training and delivery of this training will be a priority for 2017. In the interim, some of the Tusla regions have commissioned diversity training in 2016.
In addition to Tusla’s own ‘inhouse’ programme, Tusla has worked with some external organisations which deliver bespoke training/awareness raising and Tusla has forged relationships with these groups e.g. New Communities Partnership. Staff members are directed to these organisations for assistance when required. I trust that this information is of assistance.
517. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that an agency (details supplied) has received over €36 million in State funding from her Department via Pobal but is refusing to obey and honour the findings of a Labour Court judgment in the case of forced redundancies of its workers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33337/16]
View answerThe agency referred to is funded by the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government, and my Department has not provided funding thereto.
518. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will arrange an assessment for a person (details supplied) and assign a social worker to support the family as soon as possible. [33587/16]
View answerI want to thank the Deputy for bringing this matter to my attention. My Department requires further information and has contacted the Deputy directly so that the matter can be progressed.
519. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has produced a new statement of strategy since May 2016; and if so, the measures in it to support persons with disabilities. [33627/16]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that my Department has prepared a draft Statement of Strategy for 2016-2019. The draft was prepared following consultations with external stakeholders, the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs, other Government Departments and the staff of my Department. The content is informed by the commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government for which I have responsibility, my stated priorities and my Department's ongoing responsibilities. The draft is also informed by the guidance issued to all Departments by the Department of the Taoiseach. Subject to some final adjustments, I expect it will be published shortly.
Although, I do not have lead responsibility in the area of disability I have lead responsibility on an initiative under my Department which provides supports for children with disabilities through the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM). This model, launched earlier this year, will enable all children with disabilities to fully access the ECCE scheme. When published, my Department's Statement of Strategy will reflect my ambition to continue to develop and implement this model which I believe to be a huge step forward for children with disabilities and their families.
The Strategy will also reflect my commitment to have a child welfare and protection system that is effective and responsive to the needs of all children, particularly the needs of most vulnerable groups that include children with disabilities. It will reflect the importance I attach to the participation of children and young people in decisions that affect their lives. I intend to implement the National Strategy on the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision Making 2015-2020 which includes particular initiatives to involve marginalised children, including children with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
Central to the priorities that I want to advance, as reflected in my Statement of Strategy, will be the implementation of Better Outcomes Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020. This framework requires collaboration with all stakeholders and provides the context for our own work as well as the agenda for our leadership of effort to improve outcomes for children and young people, including children with disabilities.
520. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered a request by family resource centres that 3% of Tusla's budget be ringfenced for the family resource centre national programme to support voluntary boards of management in meeting the basic operational costs of the 109 family resource centres throughout the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33698/16]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I recently announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency for next year. Tusla will have available to it some €713 million in funding, representing an increase of €37 million over 2016. The precise level of funding to be allocated in 2017 to the Family Resource Centre Programme will be considered by Tusla in preparing its Business Plan for next year, which will be submitted to me for consideration.
There are currently 109 communities supported through the Family Resource Centre Programme which is funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Family Resource Centre Programme is a national programme with its own dedicated budget. Tusla provides core funding to Family Resource Centres to cover the employment of two to three members of staff and some overhead costs. In 2016, Tusla provided €13.5m in funding for the Family Resource Centre Programme.
I recognise and value the very positive impact of the work of Family Resource Centres in supporting families and local communities. The Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their communities. This universal accessibility allows for early identification of need, provision of appropriate interventions, and timely referrals to appropriate services for more intensive and targeted work as required.
I can assure the Deputy that I will continue to support the work of the Family Resource Centres and the targeting of available resources at those services which make the greatest impact on vulnerable children and families.
521. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the provisions of the Children First legislation that have been commenced; the provisions that have not been commenced; the reason for the delay in commencing any provisions of the legislation; the timeframe for full commencement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33699/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Children First Act 2015 was signed into law on 19 November 2015, in accordance with a key commitment in the Programme for Government, and provides for, inter alia:
- mandatory reporting by key professionals,
- mandated assisting,
- comprehensive risk assessment and preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements by services for children, and
- the establishment of the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group on a statutory basis.
A number of provisions of the Act have already been commenced as follows:
(i) Sections 1 to 5 (Part I) and section 28 (Part V) of the Act were commenced on 10 December 2015. Sections 1 to 5 are standard provisions in relation to title, citation, regulations, definitions etc. Section 28 relates to corporal punishment and removes the common law defence of reasonable chastisement in relation to same.
(ii) Section 18 (Part III) and Sections 20-26 (Part IV) were commenced on 1 May 2016. Section 18 of the Act is a technical amendment to ensure that the Child and Family Agency is a specified body for purposes of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. Sections 20-26 deal with establishing the Children First Interdepartmental Implementation Group (CFIDG) on a statutory basis and expanding the Group to include all Government Departments.
As the Act imposes obligations on certain individuals working with children and on relevant service providers, I think it is vital that all individuals and sectors are fully prepared and ready to implement the legislation before it is commenced. Therefore, in relation to those provisions of the Act which have not yet been commenced, I have recently signed off on a proposal for phased and structured preparations for implementation which will allow for full commencement of the Act by end February, 2018. These provisions include those related to mandated reporting of child abuse, mandated assisting and the preparation of Child Safeguarding Statements by organisations providing relevant services to children.
The phased implementation timetable will also allow Tusla to undertake the significant preparatory work required to enable it to fully meet its obligations under the legislation. This will include ensuring that the appropriate internal systems are in place to deal with the intake of mandatory reports by Tusla and that a suite of resources is available to support and assist all sectors in implementing the legislation. My Department is working closely with Tusla in relation to making available basic Children First training, information and resource materials.
In the meantime, my Department will continue to work closely with the Statutory Children First Inter-Departmental Implementation Group, which includes Tusla, an Garda Síochána and the HSE, who will take a key role in ensuring that all necessary preparations and supports are in place for those who will acquire legal obligations under the Act.
522. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the impact a change in regulation is having on a family centre (details supplied) in County Cork; her plans to address the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33727/16]
View answerI am aware of the service in question and the challenges they face due to new childcare Regulations. Under the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, registered providers of pre-school services will, from 31st December 2016, be required to ensure that each employee working directly with children attending the service holds at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the National Qualifications Framework or a qualification deemed by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to be equivalent.
Earlier this year my Department asked Childcare Committees Ireland (CCI) to lead on a national piece of work, with the 30 City and County Childcare Committees, to ascertain whether there were services who would struggle financially when the new regulations came into effect and all staff who were treated as part of the staff / child ratios would have to have a Level 5 qualification.
In working with services on this exercise, CCI was asked to explore how challenges could be resolved within existing resources. In any services where difficulties are being experienced, the CCCs are tasked with supporting services to assess the contributing factors and manage any change that may assist the service. This is done initially through the use of of business tools which focus on the finances and overheads of the service. For example, a fee calculation exercise looks at whether the fee being charged by the service is appropriate. There is also a staff ratio calculation applied to look at the numbers of children in the service, when they are booked in, and what ratio needs to be applied. For example, it may be that the service should take two fewer children in the morning, and two more in the afternoon in order to maximise the potential and run a viable service.
This methodology has been found to be very effective in many services across the country, and whilst sometimes unpopular decisions have had to be made in the short term, the medium and long term results should justify these decisions.
I hope that the support offered to the services can assist them reform their services to enable them to continue. I will of course be working extremely hard to seek further investment in childcare that will improve affordability for parents but also assist providers in running viable and high quality services. My Department has long-standing relationships with community/not-for-profit childcare providers, and recognises the important role that this sector has to play in childcare provision. I can certainly empathise with the challenges these services face and I continuously commend all early years services, particularly those operating on a not for profit basis, for the work they do.
The CCI review is due to be completed shortly, but preliminary results suggest that some services became over-reliant on unqualified CE participants to be part of core staff ratios over the years. Many services across the country began preparing for the regulations some time ago and have reduced or eliminated their reliance on CE participants as part of the ratios, but I understand that some remain, and this seems to be the case in the service in question.
I believe that the work presently being undertaken by my Department and the CCI will influence policy over the coming months and years as we seek to establish a high quality childcare infrastructure in Ireland. You will also be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to independently evaluate the cost of providing childcare. This report will give us solid evidence which will also inform future policy. Such evidence will be critical to ensuring that whilst we work to make high quality childcare more accessible and affordable for parents, we also invest sufficiently to enable services to operate to high standards and attract and retain their valued staff.
CCI and Cork City CC are engaged with this service to identify the specific challenges that the service face and to make recommendations on a sustainable business model.
