Written Answers Nos. 371-385
371. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of respite hours provided to families in Longford and Westmeath over each of the past 12 months; the total number that has been provided each month since March 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45786/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
372. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of overnight respite beds for children and adults, respectively in Longford and Westmeath in 2019 and 2024, in tabular form. [45787/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
373. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funding provided to the Midlands Regional Hospital for child and adult respite, respectively in each of the years 2019 to date, in tabular form. [45788/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
374. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of an ongoing issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45827/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn March 2023 I established the Office of the Director of Authorised Intervention, Tuam and, in May 2023, I appointed Mr Daniel MacSweeney as the Director to head up the Office. The Director’s role is to recover, where possible to identify, and to re-bury in a respectful and appropriate way, the children who were inappropriately buried at the site of the former Mother and Baby institution in Tuam.
The Director’s initial priorities have been engagement with key stakeholders, including families and survivors, and undertaking the necessary preparatory works to allow for the excavation to commence. Preliminary works at the site will begin in the coming weeks and will be followed by the commencement of full excavation works in early 2025.
The Director and his team are also working to get the Identification Programme up and running and to begin taking DNA from eligible family members as soon as possible. Under the Institutional Burials Act 2022, a number of steps need to be taken before the Director can start taking DNA from eligible family members: a sample of recovered remains need to be analysed to ensure that DNA of sufficient quality is available to enable DNA comparison and a public information campaign needs to be launched to raise awareness and let people know how they can participate in the programme.
In the meantime, if a family member is not in a position to wait for the Identification Programme to begin, because of serious concerns about their age or health status, I have put arrangements in place in the form of an Administrative Scheme. The Administrative Scheme allows a sample to be taken now, on a purely voluntary basis, so that it will be available to be used to help identify remains from the site. To date, a small number of DNA samples have been taken from elderly or vulnerable eligible family members under this scheme.
The Director’s Office is also engaging with individuals who have queries in relation to providing a sample as part of the Identification Programme.
375. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of funding 1,000 new public early childhood education and school aged care places per year, operating on a full-time basis and for 52 weeks per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45852/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have prepared an estimated cost of funding for public early childhood education and school-aged care services under the following assumptions:
• Assuming each service delivers 60 places, 17 services will deliver 1,020 places
• ELC operating 45 hours/week, 52 weeks/year.
• SAC operating 45 hours/week, 14 weeks/year (out of term).
• SAC operating 20 hours/week, 38 weeks/year (in term).
• Each service has the following capacity profile:
• 0-1 year old: 3 places & 1-2 years old: 5 places (2 staff required – 1 Graduate Lead Educator, 1 EY Educator)
• 2-3 years old: 12 places (2 staff required – 1 EY Educator, 1 EY Lead Educator)
• 3-6 years old: 16 places (all of which are full time places, no ECCE-only children) – (2 staff required, 1 EY Educator, 1 Graduate Manager)
• SAC: 24 places (2 staff required – 1 SAC Coordinator, 1 SAC Practitioners)
• One Deputy Manager working for 35 hours per week to provide cover as necessary, allow for administration etc.
• These services will be staffed as per regulatory ratios, with provision for salaries at hourly rates stipulated by the most recent Employment Regulation Orders. These are the legally-required minimum hourly rates of pay for staff at different grades. Hourly rates in excess of these minimums would clearly increase services’ operating costs.
• Staff pay rates are:
• EY Lead Educator @ €14.70/hour
• EY Graduate Lead Educator @ €16.28/hour
• EY Educator @ €13.65/hour
• Deputy Manager @ €16.49/hour
• Graduate Manager @ €18.11/hour
• SAC Coordinator @ €14.70/hour
• SAC Practitioner @ €13.65/hour
• All rooms are fully staffed for the centre's opening duration.
• Assuming non-staff running costs, including premises costs are 32% of total costs and where 100% costs are determined by staffing costs (as per national averages in Independent Review of Costs of Independent Review of the Costs of Providing Quality Early Learning and Childcare in Ireland).
Given these assumptions, the following table outlines the basis of the cost of operating such a service.
|
Staff |
Rate of pay (€) |
Hours |
Staff pay (€) |
Plus employer costs @23%[[1]] (€) |
|
EY Lead Educator |
14.70 |
45 |
661.5 |
813.65 |
|
EY Graduate Lead Educator |
16.28 |
45 |
732.6 |
901.10 |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
SAC Coordinator |
14.70 |
45/20 |
661.50/294 |
813.65/361.62 |
|
SAC Practitioner |
13.65 |
45/20 |
614.25/273 |
755.53/335.79 |
|
Deputy Manager |
16.49 |
35 |
577.15 |
709.89 |
|
Graduate Manager |
18.11 |
45 |
814.95 |
1,002.39 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total weekly staff costs out of term: |
|
|
|
€7,262.78 |
|
Total weekly staff costs in term |
|
|
|
€6,391.02 |
|
Total weekly operating costs out of term: |
|
|
|
€10,680.56[[2]] |
|
Total weekly operating costs in term. |
|
|
|
€9,398.56 |
|
Total annual operating costs: |
|
|
|
€506,673.00 |
[1] 23% takes account of 8% leave, 11% PRSI, 1.5% pension and 1.3% sick pay costs, 1.2% other
[2] determined on the basis of staff costs equalling 68% of total costs
€506,673 is the annual operating cost for one service offering 60 places.
For 17 services offering 1,020 places, the annual operating cost is €8.6 million.
The cost to the Exchequer would depend on the fees paid by parents. If a parental fee was charged it would reduce the cost of funding a service. The impact would depend on the level of fee and the level of occupancy of the service.
These costings are for determining the operating costs of services based on current data and operations in the sector. They do not make provision for any changes to operations or the cost base from what is currently in place and outlined above, and noting in particular that the pay cost reflect the minimum hourly rates required by the EROs only.
The concept of public early childhood education and care is interpreted differently by different stakeholders. Key considerations include issues relating to staff employment, pay and conditions; ownership and management of buildings; operating models; governance arrangements; service offering; fees for parents; and the overall funding model will need to be examined. These issues, along with the wider potential implications of introducing an element of public delivery for staff and children, are being examined by officials in my Department.
376. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost of funding 1,000 new public early childhood education places per year, operating on a full-time basis and for 52 weeks per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45853/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy officials have prepared an estimated cost of funding for public early childhood education and care services under the following assumptions:
• Assuming each service will deliver 60 places, 17 services will provide 1,020 places.
• These services will be staffed as per regulatory ratios, with provision for salaries at hourly rates stipulated by the most recent Employment Regulation Orders. These are the legally-required minimum hourly rates of pay for staff at different grades. Hourly rates in excess of these minimums would clearly increase services’ operating costs.
• Each service has the following capacity profile:
• 0-1 year old: 6 places (1 room, 2 staff required – 1 Early Years Educator @ €13.65, 1 Lead Educator @ €14.70)
• 1-2 years old: 10 places (1 room, 2 staff required – 1 Early Years Educators @ €13.65, 1 Graduate Lead Educator @ €16.28)
• 2-3 years old: 12 places (2 staff required, 1 Early Years Educator @ €13.65, 1 Lead Educator @ €14.70)
• 3-6 years old: 32 places across 2 rooms (all of which are full time places, no ECCE-only children) – (4 staff required, 2 Early Years Educators @ €13.65, 1 Graduate Lead Educator @ €16.28, 1 (non-graduate) Manager @ €17.33)
• One Deputy Manager working for 35 hours per week @ €16.49 to provide cover as necessary, allow for administration etc.
• Assuming each service operates from 8:30am-5:30pm (45 hours/week) and all rooms are fully staffed for that duration.
• Assuming non-staff running costs, including premises costs are 32% of total costs and where 100% costs are determined by staffing costs (as per national averages in Independent Review of Costs of Independent Review of the Costs of Providing Quality Early Learning and Childcare in Ireland).
Given these assumptions, the following table outlines the basis of the cost of operating such a service.
|
Staff |
Rate of pay(€) |
Hours |
Staff pay (€) |
Plus employer costs @23%[1] (€) |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
EY Educator |
13.65 |
45 |
614.25 |
755.53 |
|
Lead Educator |
14.70 |
45 |
661.5 |
813.65 |
|
Lead Educator |
14.70 |
45 |
661.5 |
813.65 |
|
Grad Lead Educator |
16.28 |
45 |
732.6 |
901.10 |
|
Grad Lead Educator |
16.28 |
45 |
732.6 |
901.10 |
|
Deputy Manager |
16.49 |
35 |
577.15 |
709.89 |
|
Manager |
17.33 |
45 |
779.85 |
959.22 |
|
Total weekly staff costs: |
€8,876.23 |
|||
|
Total weekly operating costs |
€13,053.27[2] |
|||
|
Total annual operating costs: |
€678,770.87[3] |
[1] 23% takes account of 8% leave, 11% PRSI, 1.5% pension and 1.3% sick pay costs, 1.2% other
[2] determined on the basis of staff costs equalling 68% of total costs
[3] determined on the basis of service operating 52 weeks
€678,770.87 is the annual cost is for one service offering 60 places.
• For 17 services providing 1,020 places the total annual running costs would be €11.5 million.
The cost to the Exchequer would depend on the fees paid by parents. If a parental fee was charged it would reduce the cost to the Exchequer of funding a service. The impact would depend on the level of fee and the level of occupancy of the service.
These costings are for determining the operating costs of services based on current data and operations in the sector. They do not make provision for any changes to operations or the cost base from what is currently in place and outlined above, and noting in particular that the pay costs reflect the minimum hourly rates required by the EROs only.
The concept of public early childhood education and care is interpreted differently by different stakeholders. Key considerations include issues relating to staff employment, pay and conditions; ownership and management of buildings; operating models; governance arrangements; service offering; fees for parents; and the overall funding model will need to be examined. These issues, along with the wider potential implications of introducing an element of public delivery for staff and children, are being examined by officials in my Department.
377. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of reducing early years and school aged care costs to a maximum of €400, €500 and €600, per family, per month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45854/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question requests the cost of reducing childcare fees so that families pay no more than €400 per month, €500 per month and €600 per month.
The NCS Universal Subsidy is available to all families with children under 15 years old. This subsidy is not means tested and provides €2.14 per hour towards the cost of a registered childcare place for a maximum of 45 hours per week.
This Department does not hold individualised fee data for parents as these are local agreements between parents and providers; instead a reduction in the average cost of ELC to parents is examined. To estimate these costs, data from Pobal on average weekly fees across the country was used. The NCS is not currently designed to apply subsidies at family level and it is necessary to make some assumptions to support such a model.
Estimated costs per monthly fee per family is presented below in tabular form. Each monthly fee cap per family is then explained in more detail below, describing the model used to calculate these costs and the assumptions and caveats applied in this modelling.
|
Monthly cost per family |
Full year cost to Exchequer |
|
€400 |
€121.65m |
|
€500 |
€82.64m |
|
€600 |
€58.71m |
These estimates come with a number of caveats, from September 2024 a number of enhancements were made to the NCS, the estimates factor in these changes:
Increase in universal subsidy from €1.40 to €2.14.
Extension of NCS to families availing of childminders
Increase in NCS sponsor subsidy to €5.30 per hour for all children over the age of 1.
The impact of these changes is yet to be determined and carry a risk of altering the above costings due to increased participation of childminders for example. As such extensions to the scheme are based on estimates.
As has been referenced previously the above costing is based on an average fee, the Department is aware of significant variation in fees but without enough information must use an average. The distribution of costs for first/only children versus additional children is based on current Pobal data, if this distribution were to change through increased NCS participation or more children per family availing of the NCS this cost would increase significantly.
Finally, this costing is made on the basis of a static system; that is, the model assumes that the level of usage of eligible ELC does not increase or decrease but remains static. Any changes to subsidies may create a change in behaviour of families, for example, return to/increased labour force participation and use of formal ELC for the first time.
€400 per month fee cap per family
To ensure a cap of €400 per month for all families, data from Pobal on the number of children per family availing of the NCS was used. The first or only child in a family had their fees capped at €400 euro per month. This cap requires an increase to the universal subsidy for these children to €2.34 per hour. All children that are not the first child in the family had their universal subsidy set to the average weekly fee, which will theoretically cover their entire fee for full-time provision when averaged nationally.
As these costings are based on an average fee, the impact of this change would vary based on the level of fees within the services, patterns of usage and age of the child. The below estimates have been costed such that all families will have their costs reduced to at least €400 per month, in some cases the reduction will be greater.
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of this change and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS. The full year cost of this change was estimated at €121.65m.
€500 per month fee cap per family
To ensure a cap of €500 per month for all families, data from Pobal on the number of children per family availing of the NCS was used and the first or only child in a family had their fees capped at €500 euro per month.
Under the current NCS universal subsidy and based on the national average fee for full time childcare, families currently do not pay more than €500 per month for a single child. Because of this, the additional cost of this change is as a result of children that are not the first or only child claiming NCS in their family. These children had their universal subsidy set to the average weekly fee, which will theoretically cover their entire fee for full-time provision when averaged nationally. The universal subsidy for the first children in these multiple children families were adjusted down to reflect the €500 cap.
As these costings are based on an average fee, the impact of this change would vary based on the level of fees within the services, patterns of usage and age of the child. The below estimate has been costed such that all families will have their costs reduced to at least €500 per month, in some cases the reduction will be greater.
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of this change and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS. The full year cost of this change was estimated at €82.64m.
€600 per month fee cap per family
To ensure a cap of €600 per month for all families, data from Pobal on the number of children per family availing of the NCS was used and the first or only child in a family had their fees capped at €600 euro per month.
Under the current NCS universal subsidy and based on the national average fee for full time childcare, families currently do not pay more than €600 per month for a single child. Because of this, the additional cost of this change is as a result of children that are not the first or only child claiming NCS in their family. These children had their universal subsidy set to the average weekly fee, which will theoretically cover their entire fee for full-time provision when averaged nationally. The universal subsidy for the first children in these multiple children families were adjusted down to reflect the €600 cap.
As these costings are based on an average fee, the impact of this change would vary based on the level of fees within the services, patterns of usage and age of the child. The below estimate has been costed such that all families will have their costs reduced to at least €600 per month, in some cases the reduction will be greater.
The ESRI SWITCH model was then used to estimate the quantum of this change and applied to the Departments baseline cost of the NCS. The full year cost of this change was estimated at €58.71m.
378. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the foster care allowance by €5, €10 and €15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45855/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to data collated by Tusla, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
379. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing the foster care initial placement payment by €5, €10 and €15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45856/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to data collated by Tusla, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
380. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing funding to AIMs by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45857/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2025 budget allocation for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is €80.861m.
This funding covers the cost of the seven levels of AIM, which encompass a range of both universal and targeted supports for pre-school settings. It funds a programme of capital grants for specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or minor alterations for pre-school settings to ensure children with a disability can participate in Early Learning and Childcare. It is also intended to facilitate either the recruitment of additional staff or to compensate services for a reduction in the adult-to-child ratio in the pre-school room, supporting the meaningful participation of all children within the pre-school room.
It provides access to therapeutic services where they are critical to enable a child to be enrolled and to meaningfully participate in their pre-school setting and access to expert early year’s educational advice and support from a team of dedicated Early Years Specialists.
It also provides for continued development of a qualified and confident workforce through the provision of ongoing training courses such as Hanen and SPEL and provision of funding for training under the Leadership for Inclusion (LINC) training programme and employment of Inclusion Co-Ordinator (INCO) position.
AIM has recently expanded beyond time spent in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. This allows children to access AIM support for an additional 3 hours a day during the ECCE term and 6 hours outside of the ECCE term.
To note, this costing assumes that all services are in a position to uplift provision by an additional 10% and that all families currently availing of AIM support would be in a position to avail of this additional support.
A 10% increase in funding for the overall Access and Inclusion Model would approximately cost an additional €8.086 million per annum.
381. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of fully rolling out equal start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45858/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn September 2024, DCEDIY commenced the rollout of Equal Start, a major model of supports to ensure children experiencing disadvantage can access and meaningfully participate in early learning and childcare.
790 services have been targeted, and 728 services have completed the sign-up process thus far.
Equal Start is designed to be developed and rolled out in phases. Services with the highest level of need are targeted in the early phases.
€17,185,000 has been allocated to Equal Start in 2025 raising from commitments in Budget 24 (13.4m) and Budget 25 (€4m). Full year costings of all these measures will be €25m.
For the 24/25 programme year this includes additional staffing supports providing for a 15% increase in staffing hours for Tier 1 services, and 8% for Tier 2 services based on the minimum staffing required under regulation.
Provision has also been made for additional supports for Traveller and Roma families delivered through Better Start and Tusla, language and literacy measures including the rollout of Early Talk Boost.
Additional measures for 25/26 includes provision for the following new development measures:
• An additional Nutrition Programme in priority ECCE only services;
• The development of a Parent Community Coordinator post to enhance parental engagement in services;
• The update and rollout of Diversity Equality and Inclusion guidelines and training.
An additional €1.3m will be provided to support small equipment purchases through capital measures to support the rollout of the additional nutrition programme.
It is not possible at this stage to provide a costing for full rollout of all Equal Start measures. Many of these measures will require further design and consultation and the rollout duration from 2024-2028 reflects that need.
382. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated cost of increasing funding for Tusla by 10%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45859/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThank you Deputy for your question relating to Tusla funding.
A 10% increase in total overall funding, over the 2025 allocation, would cost an additional €128 million and bring Tusla funding to a level of €1,406 million
In 2025, Tusla will have a total funding allocation of approximately €1,278 million from exchequer funding. This includes funding from both DCEDIY and the Department of Education.
This represents an increase of some €145 million (12%) over the equivalent total allocation in 2024 which was €1,133 million.
383. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and location of residential places for adults and children since 2011; the number proposed; the delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45860/24]
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.
384. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of personal assistant hours provided from 2011 to 2024; the number proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45861/24]
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.
385. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the annual funding provided to early learning and childcare for the years 2011 to 2024 inclusive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45862/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnnual government investment in Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Aged Childcare (SAC) increased by €856m (or 340%) between 2011 (€253m) and 2024 (€1,109m).
During this time, additional funding was provided to expand the ECCE programme to two full years per child, to fund the introduction of, and ongoing enhancements to, the Access and Inclusion Model and National Childcare Scheme (NCS), along with a broad range of additional measures to support capacity, access, affordability and quality of provision.
The greatest year on year increase in the annual budget allocation during this time was in 2023, when my Department secured a €1 billion budget allocation, 5 years ahead of the First 5 2028 target. This represented a 51% increase on the 2022 allocation, and which funded the introduction of the Core Funding model, the introduction of universal National Childcare Scheme (NCS) payments, and the discontinuation of the practice of deducing hours in pre-school and school against NCS hours.
The budget allocation I secured for 2025 will provide for unprecedented investment of €1.37 billion, which represents an additional investment of €266m, or 24% when compared with 2024, and which will continue to provide improved affordability for parents, facilitate capacity growth within the sector, and ensure additional supports for children and families who are experiencing disadvantage.
|
Year |
Funding € |
|
2011 |
253m |
|
2012 |
257m |
|
2013 |
261m |
|
2014 |
264m |
|
2015 |
260m |
|
2016 |
345m |
|
2017 |
466m |
|
2018 |
485m |
|
2019 |
574m |
|
2020 |
638m |
|
2021 |
640m |
|
2022 |
716m |
|
2023 |
1,025m |
|
2024 |
1,109m |
