Dear colleagues

Early Years Republic of Ireland e-briefing – w/c 12 December 2016 'Valuing Staff, Members and their Commitment'

The following briefing outlines key issues or developments of relevance to our members and the organisation in the Republic of Ireland. 1. Weekly agenda 1.1 Weekly business ‘Schedule of Business’ link: http://www.oireachtas.ie/ViewDoc.asp?DocId=-1&CatID=60&m=w Access to Live Webcasts link: http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/watchlisten/

2. Questions to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 2.1 Child Care Qualifications Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Sinn Féin – Cork South-Central) asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that all members of staff in child care which count towards ratios are trained up to FETAC level 5 with regard to child-care regulations taking effect at the end of November; if this requirement will be met if a member of staff is undertaking that training at that moment in time; and if there is flexibility regarding members of staff who are in training for such qualifications. [38646/16] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): The majority of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 came into effect 30th June 2016. The Regulations provide that each employee working directly with children attending the service must hold 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 to be equivalent. The Regulations clearly state that the service provider must ensure that their staff meet this standard. This section of the regulations took effect on 30th June 2016 for services registering after that date and for all other services it will take effect on 31st December 2016. My Department introduced this regulatory change following many years consultation with the sector. Mindful of the challenge that it would present to the sector, my Department introduced the following supportive measures:  Learner Funds to provide sector workers with an opportunity to upskill to a Level 5 qualification.  The Regulations provide an exemption for certain existing childcare staff who intend to retire from the sector in the near future, do not hold the minimum qualification and who do not wish to undertake a course of training at this stage. The option to apply for an exemption, which was first publicised through the City/County Childcare Committees in 2014 applies up to September 2021. The Regulations stipulate that persons seeking to avail of this exemption must, by 30th June 2016, have signed the necessary declaration and be in possession of a letter from the Minister confirming that the exemption had been granted.

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 A qualifications assessment procedure, put in place by DCYA in the latter half of 2015, allows for applications to be made for individual qualifications assessment. This is conducted by DCYA in consultation with the Early Years Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, and is available to anyone who applies. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis. Staff who have completed a relevant award at NFQ Level 5 or above by the 31st of December, or who were granted an exemption before the 30th June 2016, will meet the regulatory standard. Staff who are currently undergoing education to achieve a Level 5 award will not meet the regulatory standard until that award has been achieved. 2.2 Child Care Services Deputy Niamh Smyth (Fianna Fáil – Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the grants available for disability ramps for a child-care facility; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38651/16] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): In June 2016, I introduced the new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM), which enables children with disabilities to access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The model delivers seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, to enable the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the ECCE Programme. The degree of support provided will depend on the needs of the child in the context of the pre-school service delivering the ECCE programme. Level 5 of the model provides for specialised equipment, appliances and grants for minor building alterations (to include disability ramps) which are necessary to support a child’s participation in the ECCE programme. The maximum grant available under this stream for minor building alterations is €7,000. An application to Pobal, who are the administrators of the scheme, can be made by the pre-school service provider in conjunction with the parent for a minor building alterations grant. Further information is available in the AIM Policy on the dedicated website, www.aim.gov.ie. 2.3 Child Care Services Deputy Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fáil – Galway East) asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 785 of 29 November 2016, if she will provide clarity in particular on a sentence (details supplied); if this means that the universal subsidy will be paid to parents on a pro rata basis; if so, the number of hours of child care per week and the number of weeks per year a child will have to undertake for their parents to be eligible for the maximum subsidy of €900; and if she will provide an explanation for a scenario (details supplied). [38904/16] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): The universal element of the Affordable Childcare Scheme will be available to all families with children between the age of 6 months and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the free pre-school programme if later than 36 months), who are attending a childcare provider who is registered with Tusla initially, including both centre-based childcare providers (e.g. crèches, preschools and daycare centres) and child- minders. Under the scheme, there will be no requirement to avail of a minimum number of subsidised hours or weeks. Subject to the terms of the scheme, including the maximum subsidised hours per week, the universal subsidy will be payable for the

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number of hours and weeks agreed between the parent and childcare provider. The universal subsidy is paid at a rate of €0.50 per hour of childcare. If one household (''Household A'') pays €7,200 per year on a full time care place (30 hours per week, for 36 weeks per year), this household be eligible for the maximum rate of €540 i.e. 30hrs x.50 cent per hr =€15 per week x36weeks = €540 If one household (''Household B'') pays the same amount on childcare per year as Household A of €7,200 per year but for a part time care place (15 hours per day, for 36 weeks per year), this household be eligible for the maximum rate of €270 i.e. 15hrs x.50 cent per hr =€7.5 per week x36weeks = €270. 2.4 Child Care Services Provision Deputy Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fáil – Galway East) asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 23 November 2016, if she has consulted with the Data Protection Commissioner on PPSN use, data sharing provisions and changes to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 that will be made in the new primary legislation proposed; if she will provide a description of the Data Protection Commissioner's views or recommendations; and if she has received approval from the Commissioner to make these changes to data sharing that will be required. [38909/16] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): In order to make the application process for the Affordable Childcare Scheme as easy as possible for parents, it is intended that the means-testing will, in most cases, be carried out through an automatic link with income data held by the Revenue Commissioners and by the Department of Social Protection. However, parents will be able to appeal decisions and/or request a manual means test by the delegated scheme administrator, which will require the submission of documentary evidence of income and relevant deductible expenses. The use of the PPS number and data sharing across public bodies and agencies will be enabled and supported through legislation and formal data sharing agreements. The primary legislation will take account of all necessary amendments to existing legislation, including any changes which may be required to the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2015. A national consultation process on the policy proposals for the scheme has just concluded. Further detailed consultation will take place with all relevant parties, as deemed necessary throughout the legislative development process. 2.5 Child Care Services Provision Deputy Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fáil – Galway East) asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 215 of 23 November 2016, when she expects to bring this legislation before the Houses of the Oireachtas; and the date this legislation will have to be commenced for the administrative system for the new scheme to be in place by September 2017. [38910/16] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): The new Affordable Childcare Scheme will be introduced to provide financial support for parents towards the cost of childcare. The scheme will be set out in primary legislation, encompassing:  clear and detailed rules for the assessment of income and the provision of subsidies; clearly prescribed authority in relation to the sharing of data across public bodies and administrators; and  comprehensive provisions in relation to the powers and obligations of the scheme administrator

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Officials in my department are currently drafting Heads of Bill for the scheme, which are at an advanced stage. It is intended to bring the Heads of Bill to Government for approval early in the new year. Thereafter, the precise timeframe for the drafting of the legislation and its passage through the Houses will be subject to the usual considerations regarding scheduling and allocation of parliamentary time. It is intended that legislation would be in place in early summer.

3. Questions to the Minister for Education and Skills 3.1 Education Grants Deputy Charlie McConalogue (Fianna Fáil – Donegal) asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of plans his Department has to offer supports for families which fall outside the income limits for a student maintenance or fee grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38372/16] Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy ): My Department currently provides more than €400m in student supports to assist some 80,000 disadvantaged students to participate in higher education. Approximately 45% of all undergraduate students in higher education received financial support in the 2015/16 academic year. The principal support is provided for under the statutory based student grant scheme, which makes available means-tested financial assistance to students in further and higher education and which is operated by Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI). I am also reintroducing, from September 2017, the maintenance grant (worth almost €6,000 per student) for postgraduate students who meet the qualifying conditions for the special rate of grant. In relation to other supports, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Information on the fund is available through the Access Officer in the third level institution attended. Tax relief at the standard rate of tax may also be claimed in respect of tuition fees paid for approved courses at approved colleges of higher education including approved undergraduate and postgraduate courses in EU Member States and in non-EU countries. Further information on this tax relief is available from the Revenue Commissioners. 3.2 School Transport Review Deputy Carol Nolan (Sinn Féin – Offaly) asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the review of the school transport scheme will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38392/16] Minister of State at the Department of Education and Skills (Deputy John Halligan): School transport is a significant operation managed by Bus Éireann on behalf of the Department. Currently over 113,000 children, including some 10,000 children with special educational needs, are being transported in approximately 4,000 vehicles on a daily basis to primary and post-primary schools throughout the country covering over 100 million kilometres annually. The review of the concessionary charges and rules element of the School Transport Scheme committed to under the Programme for Government has been completed. I intend publishing a copy of the Review shortly.

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3.3 School Funding Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fáil – Kildare South) asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress his Department has made on establishing the proposed new schools excellence fund; and the aims and purpose of the proposed fund. [39358/16] Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton): The development of proposals for a School Excellence Fund (SEF), to promote excellence and innovation in the context of available resources, is a key action under the draft Action Plan for Education 2016-2020, currently being finalised within my Department. Work on the development of proposals for a SEF is underway. The primary aim of the SEF will be to encourage schools to work innovatively and creatively in their pursuit of improved learning outcomes for their students. Within the context of targeting resources at our most disadvantaged students, it is intended that the SEF will enable schools to apply for funding to implement innovative programmes which are context-specific and aimed at improving learning outcomes. Access to the SEF is being designed to ensure that some of the barriers frequently cited by school personnel as being impediments to improvements can be removed.

4. Questions to the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade 4.1 Northern Ireland Deputy Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fáil – Dublin Fingal) asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status and implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38825/16] Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy ): Full and timely implementation of the Agreement is a key priority for the Government and this is reflected by its inclusion in the new Programme for Government. The Government continues to work closely with all relevant stakeholders in this regard. Progress on implementing the provisions of both the Fresh Start and Stormont House Agreements are considered at periodic review meetings. These are attended by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, the First and deputy First Ministers and, where relevant to her portfolio, the Northern Ireland Minister for Justice. I represent the Government at these meetings. The last review was held on 29 June 2016, and the next meeting is scheduled for 14 December. These review meetings are important in providing political direction and momentum for the full implementation of the Agreements. There has been sustained progress with the implementation of the Fresh Start Agreement over the last year, with each administration actively pursuing the necessary work to fulfil the respective commitments. Together with the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality, I hosted a trilateral ministerial meeting on enhancing law enforcement co-operation on the island, as envisaged by the Fresh Start Agreement, in Farmleigh on 21 December 2015. This meeting, which included the two Governments and the Northern Ireland Executive, also launched the Joint Agency Task Force on cross-border crime. The Joint Agency Task Force quickly became fully operational and is progressing its work to tackle cross-jurisdictional organised crime and bring to justice those involved in it. The Task Force builds on existing operational arrangements to tackle organised crime, including that linked to paramilitarism, on a cross-border basis. The Task Force reports on its work to the two Justice Ministers within the framework of their regular meetings under the Inter-Governmental Agreement on Criminal Justice Co- operation, as provided for in the Fresh Start Agreement. The Government is meeting its commitments as regards infrastructure projects under the Fresh Start Agreement.

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This includes a contribution of €25 million from the Irish Government in 2019 for the upgrading of the A5 Western Transport Corridor road project, which is in addition to the €50 million previously committed. The Government’s committed funding of €2.5 million to the North West Development Fund has been provided and is to be matched by the NI Executive. Discussions are continuing at senior official level with the Northern Ireland Executive regarding co-operation on other infrastructure projects, including the Narrow Water Bridge project and the Ulster Canal and exploring financing options for future border infrastructure projects. As provided for in Fresh Start, a three-person Panel was appointed last December to recommend the elements of a strategy for the disbandment of paramilitary groups. This panel, comprising Lord John Alderdice, Monica McWilliams, and John McBurney, made over forty recommendations. The Northern Ireland Executive updated the June review meeting on its then draft Action Plan to take these recommendations forward. In July, the Northern Ireland Executive published its Action Plan on Tackling Paramilitary Activity, Criminality and Organised Crime. On 13 September, I signed an international agreement with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to establish the Independent Reporting Commission (IRC). The Fresh Start Agreement provides that the IRC will report annually on progress towards ending continuing paramilitary activity connected with Northern Ireland. These reports will inform future Northern Ireland Executive Programme for Government commitments through to 2021. The Government will shortly bring forward legislative proposals before the Oireachtas to establish the IRC in law. The aim is to get the IRC established and up and running as soon as possible. The NI Executive and the British Government are also proceeding with implementation of their respective commitments under the Fresh Start Agreement. The Executive signed off on the 2016-17 Budget last December and the Welfare Bill implementing the relevant provisions in the Agreement passed into UK law on 25 November 2015. The UK Treasury has also approved the release of monies from the Stormont House Agreement funding to support integrated education. The institutional reforms provided for under the Fresh Start Agreement have also been implemented, including the reduction in the number of Executive Ministries from 12 to 9 and the option for parties entitled to a place in the Executive to instead designate as part of the formal opposition in the Assembly. This option was taken up by both the UUP and SDLP following the Assembly election last May. In June, the Co-Chairs and members of the Flags, Identity, Culture and Tradition Commission were appointed by the Northern Ireland Executive and the Commission is now progressing its work, as foreseen in the Stormont House Agreement and reiterated in Fresh Start. With regard to the establishment of a framework for dealing with the legacy of the past, as envisaged in the Stormont House Agreement but on which final agreement could not be reached during the Fresh Start Agreement talks, the Government remains committed to the full implementation of these commitments. I am continuing to engage with the Secretary of State and with the Northern Ireland Executive and other parties in Northern Ireland, to see how we can to find a route to a final agreement on legacy issues. While there remain a number of outstanding issues, there is an urgent need to achieve progress - so that the institutions can be established and start working to meet the needs of victims and survivors and support broader societal healing and reconciliation. I am therefore working to secure the necessary political agreement to get the legacy bodies established and up and running as soon as possible.

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5. Questions to the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs 5.1 Rural Development Plan Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fáil – Kildare South) asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the unit that has been tasked to co-ordinating work with communities to develop co-operative structures to keep vital local services in place and to retain and develop vibrant local enterprises; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39201/16] Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Deputy ): A dedicated co-ordination unit has been established within my Department and is currently working on finalising an Action Plan for Rural Development, which will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives across Government which will benefit rural Ireland. The implementation of those initiatives will contribute significantly to the protection and enhancement of local services and help generate increased economic activity in rural areas. The objective of the Action Plan is to bring a joined up approach to the implementation of policies that affect rural communities. We will be working right across Government to ensure that the actions included in the Plan improve both the social and economic fabric of rural Ireland. The Action Plan will be published in early 2017. I have already started to put practical schemes in place to help local communities through the roll out of a suite of initiatives, such as the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the expansion of the REDZ initiative and the reintroduction of the CLÁR programme. My Department is also working on proposals for the renewal of the post office network, as well as measures to facilitate the roll out of high speed broadband in rural areas once Government contracts are awarded next year under the National Broadband Plan.

6. News releases and articles Department of the Progress Report on the Programme for a Partnership Government The Progress Report on the Programme for a Partnership Government sets out the progress made to date across all of Government on implementing those actions and commitments and includes measures recently announced under Budget 2017. The Finance Bill 2016, which includes Budget announcements, is currently before the Houses of the Oireachtas. The Progress Report on the Programme for a Partnership Government can be accessed via the following web link: http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/Work_Of_The_Department/Programme_for_Govern ment/Programme_for_a_Partnership_Government_-_First_Progress_Report.pdf The full press release can be accessed via the following link: http://www.taoiseach.gov.ie/eng/News/Government_Press_Releases/Progress_Repo rt_on_the_Programme_for_a_Partnership_Government.html

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Department of Children and Youth Affairs Brexit and Young People Joint approach needed across Irish Sea The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone T.D., believes that young people on both sides of the Irish Sea must be given an active voice in the Brexit process. http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?Docid=4054&CatID=11&mn=&StartDate=1+Jan uary+2016 ‘Voices of Young Travellers must be heard’ Remarks by Dr Katherine Zappone, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs during launch of ‘Including Young Travellers’ Research at the GPO, Dublin http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?Docid=4059&CatID=11&mn=&StartDate=1+Jan uary+2016 New national analysis of childcare services shows sharp increase in children availing of free pre-school year A new report which provides an overview of the 4,300 facilities providing childcare services across Ireland shows that between September 2015 and June 2016, 73,964 children enrolled in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free preschool year. This represents an increase of 13% on the previous year and increased expenditure on the scheme by 28%, up to ?178 million. http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?Docid=4065&CatID=11&mn=&StartDate=1+Jan uary+2016 Open Policy Debate on the National Early Years Strategy The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs hosted an Open Policy Debate on the National Early Years Strategy, at Iveagh House in Dublin on Wednesday 7th December. The event, which brought together more than 80 experts, practitioners and stakeholders, was a key step in the development of Ireland’s first ever national strategy for young children. The event provided an opportunity to take stock of the ongoing work on the Strategy, and to invite reflection, comments and feedback from representatives of the wide range of sectors that are concerned with early years (0-6 years). http://www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?Docid=4066&CatID=11&mn=&StartDate=1+Jan uary+2016

Department of Education and Skills Minister Bruton welcomes the Second National Forum on Education for Sustainable Development The Department of Education and Skills, has hosted the Second National Forum on Education for Sustainable Development. Education for Sustainable Development fosters and strengthens the capacity of individuals to make judgements and choices in favour of sustainable development. http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press- Releases/PR2016-01-12.html Minister Bruton welcomes publication of major international study on Irish students’ competences in reading, mathematics and science The Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton TD, has welcomed the latest OECD PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) results which show that in 2015, Ireland’s 15-year-olds are among the best in OECD countries in reading and are performing significantly higher than the OECD average in mathematics and science.

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PISA takes place every three years and aims to measure how well students, at age 15, are performing in reading, mathematics and science. http://www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2016-Press- Releases/PR2016-06-12.html

Department of Health Minister for Health Simon Harris welcomes agreement reached between the National Maternity Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Group The Minister for Health, Simon Harris, has announced that agreement has been reached between the National Maternity Hospital (NMH) and St Vincent’s Hospital Group on the redevelopment of the NMH on the Elm Park campus. This follows extensive mediation discussions over recent months. Both hospitals have now agreed a new governance arrangement for the co-located hospitals which will see the establishment of a new Company – The National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC (limited by shares). http://health.gov.ie/blog/press-release/minister-for-health-simon-harris-welcomes- agreement-reached-between-the-national-maternity-hospital-and-st-vincents- hospital-group/

Please also feel free to share this briefing with colleagues, staff, members and parents/carers. For any further information, comments or suggestions in relation to any of the above items please feel free to contact: Noel McAllister (noelm@early- years.org).

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