4.066 (Anne Rabbitte) - To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

whether her department will be covering PRSI and USC payments in respect of

the top up which they are providing to childcare providers under the

Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme and the Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme;

and if she will make a statement on the matter.

4.07 (Anne Rabbitte) - To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

whether the Department of Children and Youth Affairs will be covering PAYE

and all other tax obligations in respect of the 30% wage top up which they are

provided to childcare providers under the Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme.

The Deputy will be aware that I launched the DCYA Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) on 15 April.

The TWSCS supplements the Revenue operated Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme (TWSS). Participants in my Department’s TWSCS with staff also benefit from the provisions of Revenue’s scheme. This includes a substantial reduction in PRSI costs. Employee PRSI will not apply to the TWSS subsidy or any additional payment by the employer (including payments under my Department’s TWSCS).

Employer’s PRSI will not apply to the TWSS subsidy and will be reduced from 11.05% to 0.5% on the additional ‘top-up’ payment from the employer (including payments under my Department’s TWSCS). As a result, under the combined TWSS and TWSCS, PRSI costs are eliminated for the employee and reduced considerably for the employer.

It is not possible for my Department to cover any tax liabilities (such as income tax or USC) that may arise under the top-up being provided by the TWSCS. As is normally the case, it is a matter for the employer to deduct and remit income taxes to Revenue under the PAYE system in respect of the top-up portion of the scheme and ultimately for the employee to discharge their tax liabilities.

3.420 (Anne Rabbitte)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to clarify the number of

childcare providers who have signed up to her Department’s Temporary

Wage Subsidy Scheme, broken down by service type (full-time, sessional etc)

and county if possible.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has

required a series of emergency responses from the Government.

I launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) on 15

April. This scheme is a very significant measure to support the sector and

reflects the particular impact the pandemic has had on early education and

childcare providers.

I can confirm that as of 29 April, 3,684 childcare provider have signed up to

participate in the TWSCS 1,029 of these are community services and 2,655 are

private services.

The breakdown by service type is outlined below. These figures were compiled

using information from the 2018/2019 Annual Early Years Sector Profile Report

by Pobal.

It should also be noted that the figures for each service type below in the county

list includes services that may provide multiple service types. For example, the

figure for full time services will include services that also offer part time or

sessional care.

Number of Services by Organisation Type

Organisation Type Number of Services

Community 1,029 Private 2,655

Total 3,684

Number of Services by County and Service Type

County Number of

Services - Full Time Care

Number of Services - Part

Time Care

Number of Services -

Sessional Care

Carlow 16 17 38

Cavan 17 22 36

Clare 34 37 91

Cork 72 97 292

Donegal 34 40 75

Dublin 301 313 556

Galway 67 80 154

Kerry 37 47 93

Kildare 56 59 146

Kilkenny 33 35 69

Laois 15 15 43

Leitrim 11 12 27

Limerick 40 42 111

Longford 11 16 26

Louth 32 39 82

Mayo 17 19 77

Meath 33 32 131

Monaghan 32 39 49

Offaly 14 15 46

Roscommon 19 26 42

Sligo 27 26 49

Tipperary 42 52 119

Waterford 25 28 67

Westmeath 23 33 57

Wexford 32 43 78

Wicklow 16 29 104

Total 1,056 1,213 2,658

4.205 Mary Lou McDonald

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to clarify if Tusla social

workers can facilitate video meeting between birth parents and their

children who are in care whose face to face visitation agreements cannot

take place due to the current public health movement restrictions.

I am conscious that disruption to family contact, also referred to as access, can

be a source of considerable anxiety and distress for children in care and their

families. I wish to assure the Deputy that the importance of maintaining

contact and family relationships (where it is in the child’s best interest) is

paramount in the decision making of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, at all

times.

Tusla is using a range of creative methods to support families in having contact

with children. Social workers have access to Microsoft Teams to facilitate

video-based access, and can also support direct video calls through platforms

such as FaceTime and Skype. Foster carers and residential staff have been

asked to facilitate more frequent digital contact for children where possible.

Tusla have also clarified that, if the parent or parents do not have a phone or

capability to video conference, social workers will work with the parents to

identify alternative solutions.

There may be some situations where social workers determine that a physical

access visit should occur. For example very young children may not be capable

of coping or meaningfully engaging with video calls. All planned access is

subject to a risk assessment, on a case by case basis. Where visits are

postponed, I have been informed by Tusla that every effort will be made to

reschedule as soon as it is safe and practicable to do so.

My officials continue to engage with the relevant stakeholders in relation to

the impact of current restrictions on children and families. I wish to advise the

Deputy that I have requested that, in the context of lifting restrictions, and

when the HSE has reached capacity both in terms of testing and getting the lab

results, that parents resuming access visits with their children be prioritised for

testing. Testing would not be a pre-requisite for resumed access visits, but

could be undertaken on a priority basis in recognition of concerns for foster

families and birth families of the need to protect themselves from contracting

COVID 19.

4.207 (Maurice Quinlivan/ Kathleen Funchion)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if people, who were

availing of the ECCE childcare scheme this year, will be entitled to an

additional ECCE place for their child next year, if they feel their child is not

ready for primary school now as a result of the closure of pre-schools due to

COVID-19; and will she make a statement on the matter?

The Deputies are aware that the COVID-19 Pandemic has created major

challenges for Ireland. The sudden closure of centre-based Early Learning and

Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services on 12th March was an

unexpected but necessary move to safeguard public health in Ireland.

I am acutely aware of the particular impact the pandemic and the emergency

measures have had on children.

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a free two year universal pre-school programme available to all children within the eligible age range. A child must be aged 2 years and 8 months on or before 31 August in order to be eligible and can’t turn 5 years and 6 months during the programme year. There is no provision for a third year.

For some children with special or additional needs, where attending preschool five days a week is not feasible, there is a facility to apply for an overage exemption. This overage exemption allows them split two years over three years. It was initially introduced when there was only one year of ECCE and before the Access and Inclusion Model was introduced to ECCE, providing a range of supports to children with disabilities and the pre-school. The overage exemption is governed by three guiding principles as follows:

The child not reaching 6 years of age during the exemption year to comply with the school staring age (as per Educational Welfare Act, 2000)

A Letter of recommendation supplied from a specialist (NB: Not a GP/Public Health Nurse)

ECCE Allocation taken-i.e. if a child has already availed of two years they will not be eligible.

The DCYA works jointly with the Department of Education and Skills (DES) with regards to matters such as this. The DES endorses the policy approach that it is in children's best interest to enrol in primary school with their peers, and to transition to becoming a teenager with their peers. This was the finding of research commissioned jointly by both Departments in 2018 from the National Disability Authority (NDA) which was published in March 2019.

Parents who have concerns over their child’s transition to school should, in the first instance, discuss this with the school. They may also contact the National Council for Special Education for advice on available supports for their child.

4.208 (Kathleen Funchion)

To ask Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how much has been spent on

the Covid Early Years Measures in her Department.

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has

required a series of emergency responses from the Government.

The closure of childcare services by Government on March 12 caused

considerable anxiety and stress regarding the potential loss of income and

future sustainability. To alleviate this, I directed that programme payments for

ECCE (free pre-school), the National Childcare Scheme and other funding

schemes continue on an ex-gratia basis until the DCYA Temporary Wage Subsidy

Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) was up and running. Payments over that initial

period totalled c. €21.1m.

On 10 April, I announced that 33% of Programme Support Payments scheduled

to issue in June and totalling c. €6.4m, would be paid to the sector on17 April.

This advance payment was to reflect the ongoing exceptional circumstances

and assist with cash flow requirements due to COVID-19.

The Deputy will be aware that I launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) on 15 April - this followed from my commitment on 25 March regarding the development of this scheme. The TWSCS builds on the wider provisions by Government and also recognises the unique place and importance of the early education and childcare sector.

A pre-payment totalling €13.6m was made under the TWSCS on 24 April, to any providers who had signed up by 21 April. It is anticipated that a second pre-payment totalling €18m will be made in the week-ending 1 May.

4.750 (Aengus Ó’Snodaigh)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost for a

four week period of the measures introduced to support the childcare sector,

namely the wage bill including the portion covered by the TWSS and the top-

up by her department and the provision of assistance for operating costs,

and to provide for the purposes of comparison, the total expenditure by way

of direct supports to this sector in a four week period prior to the pandemic.

Initial projections anticipated that that the DCYA Temporary Wage Subsidy

Childcare Scheme (TWSCS) will cost on average c. €26m over a 4 week period,

although this will be subject to the level of scheme demand. As of 29 April,

3,655 providers have signed up to the TWSCS.

There are natural variations in the level of funding that my Department

disburses each month. These variations occur in line with the timing of

spending commitments, such as payment dates on the demand-led Early

Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare (SAC) services programmes.

It is therefore not possible to identify a fully representative 4 week section of

actual payments under these programmes for the purposes of a comparison

against the TWSCS. An estimated overall average cost of the beneficiary

programmes over a monthly period, based on an apportionment of the

allocated funding, is €41m.

The DCYA TWSCS builds on the wider provisions by Government, including the

Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme operated by Revenue. The monthly cost of

the TWSCS therefore does not represent the full level of financial support to

participant providers.

However, it is important to note that the total cost to the State is higher than

the total expenditure by way of direct supports to this sector in a four-week

period prior to the pandemic.

Parents previously contributed approximately 40% of the sector’s income and

the State 60%. The new Government wide package of measures for the sector

across DCYA, Revenue and DEASP retain the State investment that was there

previously and compensates for the loss of some of the parental income. The

objective is to ensure that we retain as much capacity as possible in the sector

so that early education and childcare services can resume after COVID-19 and

support child development and economic recovery.

4.204 (Réada Cronin)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs what adequate resources

are being put in place by her Department to support the childcare sector

during Covid-19 and if a sustainability fund will be put in place for all Early

Years services following the regrettable closure of at least two preschool

ECCE providers in Kildare North?

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has

required a series of emergency responses from the Government.

I am acutely aware of the particular impact the pandemic and the emergency

measures have had on the Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age

Childcare (SAC) providers. I am also very conscious of the importance of the

ELC and SAC sector for children’s positive development and in terms of

supporting the economy as we move beyond this crisis.

Recognising this, I launched the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme

(TWSCS) on 15 April. This scheme is a very significant measure to support the

sector. The aim of the TWSCS is threefold:

to support the sustainability of the ELC and SAC sector so that it is in a

position to reopen after COVID-19;

to provide parents with a reassurance that if their ELC and SAC provider

signs up to the scheme, they are not required to pay fees during this

COVID-19 crisis, and they will maintain their ELC / SAC place when services

resume and

to give Early Learning and Care practitioners security and to retain these

vital Educators in the sector.

I am pleased to inform you that by 28 April, 80% of ELC and SAC services had signed up to the scheme and more are expected to do so. Services which had registered by 21 April received their first payment on 24 April.

With regard to the establishment of a sustainability fund for the childcare

sector, there are number of sustainability supports currently available to

childcare providers. Expert advice on business and sustainability issues is

available from Pobal and City/County Childcare Committees for all services,

whether community based or private operators. Financial supports are

available for community services presenting with sustainability issues following

a financial assessment by Pobal.

My Department has begun to consider whether this sustainability funding can

be extended to private services during the pandemic. However, I hope the

Deputy can appreciate that our immediate priority is the roll out the TWSCS

which is itself a significant sustainability measure.

My Department has made considerable investment in the sector in recent years. I want to preserve the fruits of this investment for children, families and our much valued ELC and SAC workforce and ensure that, when COVID- 19 has passed, we will have retained as many services, staff and places as possible.

With regard to the closure of services in Kildare North, this has indeed been

brought to my attention. I was very sorry to hear of this. I understand from our

colleagues in Pobal that Kildare County Childcare Committee has sought to

engage with the owner of one of the services in order to provide support for

parents affected by the closure. My officials will continue to liaise with Pobal

and Kildare CCC to keep abreast of the latest position regarding both services.

If there is any possibility of either of the service providers reopening, I would

urge them to make contact with Pobal or Kildare CCC to seek available assistance

Every year a number of services close, but over the last 5 years they have been replaced and indeed capacity has grown at a steady pace. COVID-19 however

has presented us with major challenges and this is why DCYA worked hard to develop the TWSCS. DCYA will continue to work with the sector to try to maintain as much capacity as is possible in these very difficult circumstances.

4.752 (Kathleen Funchion)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a sustainability fund will

be considered by the Minister for the early years sector to help facilities re

open as many feel they will have to close due to funding issues

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an unprecedented situation that has

required a series of emergency responses from the Government.

I am acutely aware of the particular impact the pandemic and the emergency

measures have had on Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School Age Childcare

(SAC) providers. I am also very conscious of the importance of the ELC and SAC

sector, particularly in the context of the current conditions and with a view to

supporting the economy as we move beyond this crisis.

The Deputy will be aware that the Temporary Wage Subsidy Childcare Scheme

(TWSCS) was developed to respond to sustainability issues in the sector. This

scheme builds on top of other Government supports available through

Revenue, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, and

elsewhere. The scheme is expected to cost DCYA up to €6m per week, in

addition to the Revenue and other costs.

A number of supports were available before COVID to improve the

sustainability of services during normal times, and these remain available now.

Financial supports are available for community services presenting with

sustainability issues following a financial assessment by Pobal.

My Department has begun to consider whether this sustainability funding can

be extended to private services during the pandemic.

My Department has made considerable investment in the sector in recent years.

I want to preserve the fruits of this investment for children, families and our

much valued ELC and SAC workforce and ensure that, when COVID- 19 has

passed, we will have retained as many services, staff and places as possible.

4.520 (Deputy Sean Sherlock)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs will the registration

process for childcare facilities in areas which have now seen closures be

expedited post COVID19.

I have consulted with Tusla to respond to this question

Tusla is aware of, and appreciates the difficulties faced by many childcare

providers as a result of the Government’s public health restrictions which have

been introduced in response to the on-going Covid-19 outbreak. As the Deputy

is aware, these restrictions mean that all registered early years services have

been temporarily closed until at least 5th May 2020. On this basis Tusla has

suspended its programme of inspections. This includes fit for purposes

inspections, which take place as part of the registration process, to assess the

suitability of a premises to provide early years services.

Despite this difficult situation, data received by Tusla’s Early Years

Inspectorate has shown that there have been relatively few permanent

closures of early years services – to date – as a result of the ongoing

restrictions. The Inspectorate however continues to keep this situation under

review. Subject to the resuming of inspections (including fit for purpose

inspections) in line with Government public health advice, the Early Years

Inspectorate will of course endeavour to expedite the processing of fully

completed registration applications, in line with the necessary regulatory

requirements.

In the interim, the Inspectorate team remains available to support registered

providers during this unprecedented situation, and they can be contacted

either by telephone on 061 461715 or by email at re.registration@tusla.ie.

4.751 (Brian Stanley)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs what steps are being

provided for childcare services for those workers classified as 'essential'. In

particular, what support is being provided to essential workers with children

that have special needs

The Deputy is aware that the COVID-19 Pandemic has created major challenges

for Ireland. The sudden closure of centre-based Early Learning and Care (ELC)

and School Age Childcare (SAC) services on 12th March was an unexpected but

necessary move to safeguard public health in Ireland.

Some childminders continue to be allowed to operate where they care for the

children of essential workers and where they follow HSE advice.

NPHET considered a proposal from a sub-group of the Senior Officials’ group on the matter of developing an emergency childcare service and concluded that it will be reviewed as a candidate measure in the context of any phased reduction in social distancing measures. DCYA supports this approach, and officials are finalising details of such a scheme, which will be implemented as public health guidance allows. I can also assure the Deputy that any scheme delivered will be child centred and designed to meet the needs of all children and families, including those with special needs. The Deputy may also be aware of another measure recently announced to support spouses / partners of essential healthcare workers to be facilitated by their employer to look after their children and to support the essential worker to continue to work.

4.753 (Matt Carthy T.D)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will introduce

mechanisms for essential workers to avail of childcare facilities.

The Deputy is aware that the COVID-19 Pandemic has created major challenges

for Ireland. The sudden closure of centre-based Early Learning and Care (ELC)

and School Age Childcare (SAC) services on 12th March was an unexpected but

necessary move to safeguard public health in Ireland.

Some childminders continue to be allowed to operate where they care for the

children of essential workers and where they follow HSE advice.

NPHET considered a proposal from a sub-group of the Senior Officials’ group on the matter of developing an emergency childcare service and concluded that it will be reviewed as a candidate measure in the context of any phased reduction in social distancing measures. DCYA supports this approach, and officials are finalising details of such a scheme, which will be implemented as public health guidance allows. The Deputy may also be aware of another measure recently announced to support spouses / partners of essential healthcare workers to be facilitated by their employer to look after their children and to support the essential worker to continue to work.

4.203, 4.241, 4.297 (Sean Crowe)

To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs what new arrangements are

being made for front-line workers for childcare provision so that they may

continue working and when will they be implemented

The Deputy is aware that the COVID-19 Pandemic has created major challenges

for Ireland. The sudden closure of centre-based Early Learning and Care (ELC)

and School Age Childcare (SAC) services on 12th March was an unexpected but

necessary move to safeguard public health in Ireland.

Some childminders continue to be allowed to operate where they care for the

children of essential workers and where they follow HSE advice.

NPHET considered a proposal from a sub-group of the Senior Officials’ group on the matter of developing an emergency childcare service and concluded that it will be reviewed as a candidate measure in the context of any phased reduction in social distancing measures. DCYA supports this approach, and officials are finalising details of such a scheme, which will be implemented as public health guidance allows. The Deputy may also be aware of another measure recently announced to support spouses / partners of essential healthcare workers to be facilitated by their employer to look after their children and to support the essential worker to continue to work.