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Home , Enda Kenny, Joan Burton

Dear colleagues

Early Years Republic of Ireland e-briefing – w/c 18 January 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 ‘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. Election 2016 2.1 Kenny confirms he has chosen date of election – Independent.ie has settled on the date of the general election, saying it will be revealed in a "very public fashion". strategists believe the most likely date for polling is Friday, February 26. It is anticipated that Mr Kenny will call the election in or around February 2 - paving the way for a campaign of just over three weeks. http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2016/kenny-confirms-he-has-chosen- date-of-election-34355717.html

3. Questions to the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection 3.1 Child Poverty Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the policy measures she is taking to address the drastic level of child poverty and the large percentage of children experiencing social deprivation; if it is a fact that child poverty has significantly worsened under this Government; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42948/15] Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection (Deputy ): The CSO Survey on Income and living Conditions for 2014 shows that 11.2 per cent of children were in consistent poverty, a slight but not statistically significant decrease on the 2013 rate of 11.7 per cent. In the period since the economic crisis (2009-2014), the average rate of child poverty was 9.9 per cent. This compares with an average rate of 8.7 per cent in the years preceding the crisis (2005-2008), an increase of 1.2 per cent. A key driver in preventing poverty among children is social transfers, such as welfare payments and child benefit. In 2014, social transfers reduced the at-risk-of- poverty rate for children from 44.6 per cent to 18.6 per cent, thereby lifting a quarter of all children out of income poverty. Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the national policy framework for children and young people 2014-2020, published by my colleague the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in 2014 and approved by Government includes a specific target to reduce child poverty by two-thirds by 2020. Meeting this target means lifting upwards of 100,000 children out of poverty. Under Better Outcomes, Better Futures , the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in collaboration Departments such as my own and other relevant government departments is taking a whole-of-government approach to tackling child poverty.

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In Budget 2016, the Government committed over €200 million to support families with children by increasing child benefit and FIS rates and by investing in the provision of childcare. The social impact assessment of the Budget, published by the Department of Social Protection, shows that families will gain up to 2 per cent in average household income. Finally, a key way to tackle child poverty is to help unemployed families to take-up work and to improve the rewards from work. Government employment policies, such as Pathways to Work and the Action Plan on Jobs , along with income supports such as the family income supplement and the back to work family dividend, are clearly working in this regard. 3.2 Community Services Programme Deputy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection to provide funding to projects under the community services programme to cover the increase in the minimum wage; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1650/16] Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection (Deputy Kevin Humphreys): The community services programme (CSP) is one of a number of programmes and schemes operated by the Department. It provides financial support to community companies that provide revenue generating services of a social inclusion nature. Many of these companies are also funded from other sources and generate revenue from the public use of their facilities and services. The CSP provides a contribution to the wage costs of the companies on the basis that the services are not fully self-financing or the cost of provision would be prohibitive on users. The Department does not set the wage rate but requires the payment of appropriate wage rates, consistent with local norms. At December 2015, 398 companies employing some 2,800 employees were directly supported by the CSP. The Department estimates that, at the end of 2015, some 60% of these employees were being paid above the level of the minimum wage, in keeping with the social inclusion and social benefit objectives of the programme. The Department is committed to working with the remaining companies to achieve the objective of paying a reasonable wage. The Deputy should note that the CSP accounts for less than a third of the resources generated by these companies. Contracts of up to three years duration are provided for under the CSP. Arrangements whereby individual companies will be able to access additional financial resources to compensate for the welcome increase in the minimum wage are being put in place. Submissions will be assessed on a case-by-case basis with the annual funding commitment being adjusted accordingly, where it is found to be warranted. An advance of 25% of the contract value for 2016 has been, or is in the course of being, paid to companies currently in the programme. This ensures that immediate cash-flow requirements are supported. Overall, I am satisfied that the level of resources available to the CSP in 2016 at just over €45m will be adequate to meet the on-going funding needs of the programme.

4. Questions to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs 4.1 Family Resource Centres Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how he will ensure the retention of the national aspect of the family resource centre programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46493/15] Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how he is ensuring that the operational funding for the national family resource centre programme is excluded from the commissioning process and that commissioning for community services will be reconsidered given the new EU directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46494/15]

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Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how he will ensure that all family resource centre projects have sufficient core funding to employ three full-time equivalent staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46495/15] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy James Reilly): I propose to take Questions Nos. 516 to 518, inclusive, together. 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 2015, Tusla provided €13.09m in funding for the Family Resource Centre Programme. Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are front-line services rooted in the communities they serve. Acting as a focal point within their communities, Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their communities. While Family Resource Centres operate an open-door policy and provide many services and development opportunities at a universal level, they also proactively target specific cohorts within their communities. Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty. The Agency also recognises the benefits that additional staffing resources can bring to a Family Resource Centre and this is an item under review as Tusla’s budget allocations for 2016 are currently under consideration. The concerns of some service providers in regard to Tusla’s plan to introduce commissioning, and the requirements of the new Directive on Public Procurement (2014/24/EU) have recently been highlighted to me. Tusla has advised that it does not envisage that the new European Union Directive on Public Procurement (2014/24/EU) will have any impact on the operational funding available to the National Family Resource Centre Programme. With regard to commissioning for Family Resource Services, the aim of Tusla’s Commissioning Strategy is to target services not currently available in Family Resource Centre areas and to procure these services by way of a separate budget established for this purpose. Tusla is currently developing plans for the introduction of its commissioning approach. It will engage closely with stakeholders in this regard and will provide the necessary guidance and advice. Tusla is committed to a partnership approach whereby it will engage with other statutory partners and respect the unique role of community and voluntary organisations, including small scale providers to ensure that there is full engagement with all stakeholders at each stage of the process.. As the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla for this year. Tusla has available to it some €676 million in funding, representing an increase of €38 million over 2015. This increase in funding will allow Tusla to address critical shortcomings such as the number of children and families awaiting services. The precise level of funding to be provided to Family Support Centres for this year has been considered by Tusla in developing its Business Plan for 2016, which has been submitted to me for consideration. The Government, since its establishment, has attached particular priority to supporting vulnerable children and families and the significant increase in funding being made available to Tusla this year represents further evidence of our delivery on this ambition.

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4.2 Child and Family Agency Funding Deputy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the additional funding to be provided to Túsla, the Child and Family Agency, following Ireland's signing of the Istanbul Convention; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46507/15] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy James Reilly): Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for the provision of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services. The Agency’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims are met in the best way possible. Accordingly, in 2015, a dedicated national budget of €19.5m was directed towards protecting front- line services for survivors. As the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the overall funding allocation to Tusla for 2016. Tusla has available to it some €676 million in funding, representing an increase of €38 million over 2015. The 2016 allocation includes specific funding of €200,000 requested by Tusla to support the implementation of obligations under the Istanbul Convention on violence against women and domestic violence. Tusla has also identified the need for further funding in subsequent years to develop services in line with the provisions of the Convention. This will be the subject of consideration in the context of overall funding to be provided to Tusla in 2017 and beyond. Additional provision of outreach services and an increase in the number of emergency refuge spaces in the greater area are amongst specific developments planned for 2016 in order to enhance access to services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. Tusla has also established a nationally managed structure, with a single line of accountability and a dedicated national team to support provision of accessible and high quality services. Planning for domestic violence and sexual violence services will seek to address gaps, avoid duplication and support effective delivery of frontline services nationally. The increase in funding for 2016 significantly strengthens Tusla's base funding level and gives the Agency greater capacity to respond to current risk and anticipated demand in 2016. The precise level of funding to be provided to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services this year has been considered by Tusla in developing its Business Plan for 2016, which has been submitted to me for consideration. 4.3 Child Care Services Funding Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the capitation fee awarded to participating services in the early childhood capitation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46618/15] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy James Reilly): At present, capitation payments are provided to childcare providers participating in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme and covers children who have reached the age of 3 years and 2 months by 1 September of the relevant year. A standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week per eligible child is paid to participating childcare services, with a higher capitation fee of €73 per week paid to services with more highly qualified staff. From September 2016, I am expanding the ECCE programme to allow children to access free pre-school from the time they are 3 years of age until they start primary school. There will be three intakes of eligible children during the pre-school year: children who reach the age of 3 between April and August can access the programme from September; children who reach the age of 3 between September

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and December can access the programme from January; and children who reach the age of 3 between January and March can access the programme from April. In the region of €172 million is provided annually to support the ECCE programme and the cost of the extended provision is estimated to be an additional €47 million in 2016. This includes the cost of restoring capitation rates to providers to pre-2012 levels from September 2016. From that date the standard capitation rate of €64.50 and higher capitation rate of €75 per week will apply. 4.4. Child Care Services Expenditure Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to extend the community childcare subvention scheme to private crèches before September 2016 in areas where there is no community crèche within 3.2 km. of the existing private crèche to ensure universal access to this scheme to all parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1023/16] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy James Reilly): Budget 2016 makes provision for additional childcare places under the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which provides affordable childcare for low income families. Based on current take up and expenditure, it is estimated that the additional €16 million in funding will provide for a further 3,200 full-time equivalent childcare places or about 8,000 children each year. These new childcare places will be available through community/not-for-profit childcare providers and, for the first time, through private childcare providers. It is envisaged that these places will be targeted at private providers in areas with identified need and where no community/not-for-profit providers are available. My Department will be working closely with the local City and County Childcare Committees and Pobal to identify areas of need. 4.5 Departmental Schemes Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the schemes in place to fund family centres and pre-school and afterschool services in disadvantaged communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1025/16] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy James Reilly): In relation to family centres, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides services and support to local communities through its Family and Community Services Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. Tusla provides core funding to its established network of 107 Family Support Centres nationwide, and two outreach Centres. The FRC programme is Ireland’s largest family support programme delivering universal services to families in disadvantaged areas across the country based on a life-cycle approach. The aim of the FRC programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. Each FRC operates autonomously working inclusively with individuals, families, communities, and both statutory and non- statutory agencies. The programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level. Tusla allocated €13.09m in 2015 to support these Centres around the country, and will continue to fund this programme in 2016. In relation to pre-school and after school services, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to provide quality childcare, including after-school care, at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income working parents. While these community services are generally located in disadvantaged areas, all parents that satisfy the eligibility criteria and who are enrolled in a participating community service are eligible to apply for subvention support.

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In addition to the CCS programme there are a range of programmes implemented by my Department to assist qualifying parents to access quality and affordable after- school childcare. These include:  The After-School Childcare (ASCC) programme that provides after-school care for primary school children of eligible parents for a period of 52 weeks. Eligibility for the programme is determined by the Department of Social Protection.  The Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programme, which is targeted specifically at participants in the Community Employment (CE) schemes operated by the Department of Social Protection. Eligibility for the CEC programme is determined by the Department of Social Protection.  The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme, which provides childcare places, including part-time and after-school places, to qualifying Solas or Education and Training Boards (ETB) trainees or students for the duration of their courses. Eligibility for the CETS programme is determined by the Department of Education and Skills.  The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is a free and universal programme to which all children have access. The objective of the programme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to eligible children before they commence primary school. The total funding provided by my Department to support these programmes in 2016 is €345 million, an increase of €85 million from 2015.

5. Questions to the Minister for Education and Skills 5.1 Research and Development Funding Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the research budget she administers and the budgets administered by agencies of her Department; how the spending of these budgets is prioritised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46461/15] Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan): The services provided by my Department are delivered through a combination of provision by the Department directly and by a number of bodies and agencies operating under the aegis of the Department. Details of expenditure on these services, including the allocations for certain Departmental bodies and agencies, are set out in the Revised Estimates Volume (REV) for Public Services. The REV for 2016 is available on the website of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform at http://www.per.gov.ie/en/rev/. Further details regarding the Education and Skills estimate are available on my Department's website at http://www.education.ie/en/Publications/Estimates/. Research activity forms an element of a number of programmes and services funded from my Department's Budget. Specific provision of €37.6 million in 2016 is also, however, made in my Department's Estimate, under Subhead C.12 - Research Activities. This provision supports the development of research capabilities across the broad range of disciplines in third level institutions through the funding of human capital – generally PhD students and early-stage postdoctoral researchers - and also funds underpinning e-infrastructure for the research system. The Higher Education Authority administers the funding under this subhead on behalf of my Department. The determination of the expenditure allocations across Government Departments and within individual Departments forms part of the annual Estimates and Budgetary process and is informed by priorities as set out in programmes for Government.

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5.2 Special Educational Needs Service Provision Deputy asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps she is taking to improve special needs education; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46543/15] Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan): I wish to advise the Deputy that some €1.37 billion will be spent in support of children with Special Educational Needs this year, which represents approximately 15% of my Department's budget. This provides for a range of supports and services including additional learning and resource teaching support, Special Needs Assistant (SNA) support, special transport arrangements, building adaptations, enhanced capitation, funding for the purchase of specialised equipment, services of the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS), enhanced levels of capitation in Special schools and Special Classes and additional teacher training. The policy of my Department is that children with special educational needs should be included where possible and appropriate in mainstream placements with additional supports provided. In circumstances where children with special educational need require more specialised interventions, special school or special class places are also available. A range of supports have been provided for schools which have enrolled pupils with special educational needs in order to ensure that, wherever a child is enrolled, they will have access to an appropriate education. We now have a higher level of Resource Teaching and SNA support than ever before. In July last, I announced that an additional 610 Special Needs Assistant posts are being provided for this year. From September, there are 11,820 whole time equivalent SNA posts available in Primary, Post Primary and Special schools to support children with special educational needs with assessed care needs. This is the highest level of SNA allocation that we have ever had. In total there has been an increase of 11.7% in SNA posts available for allocation to schools since this Government came to office. These extra posts will ensure that the Government's policy of ensuring that every child who is assessed as needing SNA support will receive access to such support. In addition, the NCSE has established over 150 new Special Classes in the 2015/16 school year, which means there are now over 1,000 special classes attached to mainstream schools catering for children with special educational needs. I also announced provision for an additional 480 Resource Teachers, to take into account increased demand and demographic growth and to ensure that children can continue to have access to additional supports in school. The Deputy will be aware that I have also established a pilot of a new model for allocating resource teachers to schools, which is currently underway in 47 schools with widespread support. The NCSE had recommended that a new model be developed based on the profiled needs of each school, rather than on the diagnosed disability of individual children. It is intended that this new model will reduce the inequities in the current system and also ensure that we are not unnecessarily labelling children from a young age. The pilot, which will run for the duration of the current school year, will test the practical impacts of the new model prior to full implementation. It will also review the experiences of the schools who participated and assist us further in developing the model. Consultation will continue to take place with education partners and stakeholders prior to the implementation of any new model.

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This Government's continued investment in education will ensure that children with special educational needs can continue to participate in education and be supported in a manner appropriate to their needs. We have been resolutely committed to protecting, and in some instances increasing, the level of investment being made to support children with special educational needs at a time when there has been a requirement to make expenditure reductions across a range of areas. It is an area of spending which has been prioritised above most other areas by this Government, despite the enormous pressures on all areas of public spending. 5.3 Pupil-Teacher Ratio Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of reducing the average class size in schools with delivering equality of opportunity in schools band 1 status to 16 for junior classes and 18 for senior classes and how many new teachers this would require, if imposed, in the 2015-16 school year. [1612/16] Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Jan O'Sullivan): As the Deputy is aware a process for the review of the DEIS Programme is currently underway in my Department. This process is being undertaken over the course of the current school year and will consider all issues pertaining to educational disadvantage in order to inform future policy direction in this important area. While this process is underway, I do not intend to make any changes to the current DEIS programme, including any changes to the current staffing arrangements.

6. Questions to the Minister for Health 6.1 National Children's Hospital Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health when a final reply will issue to his interim reply regarding persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1456/16] Minister for Health (Deputy ): The Government's decision to locate the new children’s hospital on the St. James’s hospital campus was based on the over-riding priority of best clinical outcomes for our children, and in particular the sickest of these. It is important to recognise the benefits of co-location with St James's Hospital. St. James's Hospital and the new children's hospital are both model 4 hospitals. St James's Hospital has the widest range of sub-specialities and the highest level of clinical complexity of all the adult hospitals in the country. The skill and expertise of the clinical staff in the co-located new children's hospital and St James's Hospital match appropriately, and these shared skills and expertise are precisely what is required for the care of the most complex and life-threatening conditions with which children from all over Ireland will present to the new children's hospital. By bringing together the full spectrum of sub-specialities in paediatric and neonatology on a single campus, the degree of critical mass can be attained that will support the more complex treatment and care for the sickest children and young people of Ireland. The National Paediatric Hospital Development Board (NPHDB) is the statutory body responsible for planning, designing, building and equipping the new children's hospital. On 10 August 2015 the NPHDB submitted a planning application for the new hospital and satellite centres to An Bord Pleanála. The oral hearing process began on 30 November and heard submissions from key stakeholders and interested parties, including the Jack and Jill Foundation, before concluding on 15 December. An Bord Pleanála will consider all of the evidence presented and I look forward to the planning decision which is expected in February. A final reply to the Deputy has issued on this matter.

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7. Questions to the Minister for Justice and Equality 7.1 Maternity Leave Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make changes to the provision of maternity leave (details supplied). [46540/15] Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin): Currently, maternity leave extends to 26 weeks paid with a social welfare benefit and a further entitlement to 16 weeks unpaid leave immediately afterwards. These periods are towards the upper end of the European range of entitlements and I have no plans to extend them further. The Deputy will be aware however that the Government has decided that two weeks paternity leave will be introduced from September next. 7.2 Parental Leave Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to amend the Parental Leave Act, in order that persons working for different employers in the public service would be able to transfer their parental leave from one parent to the other; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1021/16] Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if it is intended to amend the Parental Leave Act, in order that persons working in the education sector, and receiving their payments from the Department of Education and Skills, would be able to transfer their parental leave from one parent to the other; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1022/16] Deputy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to extend provisions in the Parental Leave Act whereby parents can transfer up to 14 weeks of parental leave to the other parent, currently only available if the individuals work for the same employer or in any Department in the Civil Service, in order to provide this benefit to all parents where both employers agree and to other public sector workers. [46810/15] Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin): I propose to take Questions Nos. 457, 458 and 484 together. Under the Parental Leave Act 1998 (as amended) both parents are entitled to 18 weeks unpaid parental leave in respect of each child under the age of eight years with certain extensions allowed for adoptees or children with a disability or long-term illness. I have no plans to change the current arrangements along the lines suggested by the Deputy. Aside from the considerable management difficulties that would arise in relation to employees transferring leave outside a common employer, the impact of the proposal referred to in the Question in terms of gender equality in the workplace would need careful consideration.

8. News releases and articles

Department of the Taoiseach Taoiseach & Tánaiste launch Programme for Government report Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Tánaiste Joan Burton today launched the Programme for Government Annual Report 2016. The Annual Report can be accessed by clicking below: http://merrionstreet.ie/en/ImageLibrary/Programme_for_Government_Annual_Report _2016.pdf The full press release can be accessed via the following location: http://www.merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Taoiseach_Tanaiste_launch_Programme_for_Government_report.html

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Department of Social Protection Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Education Minister launch Pathways to Work 2016-2020 Pathways to Work 2016-2020 will fuel the drive to full employment and the increase in the numbers at work to 2.2 million by 2020. The strategy, devised by the Department of Social Protection, was launched by Taoiseach Enda Kenny T.D., Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton T.D. and the Minister for Education and Skills Jan O’Sullivan T.D. at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin today (Wednesday, 13 January 2016). It contains six key strands involving 86 dedicated actions to build on the employment progress to date under previous Pathways strategies. Pathways to Work 2016-2020 will enhance employment, education and training services for jobseekers, continue with reforms to make work pay, and increase engagement with employers to provide greater opportunities for those seeking work. The Strategy can be accessed by clicking below: https://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Pathways-to-Work-2016.aspx The full press release can be accessed via the following location: https://www.welfare.ie/en/pressoffice/Pages/pr130116.aspx

Department of Health Varadkar announces start date for smoking in cars where children are present The ban on smoking in cars where children are present came into effect on New Year’s Day. http://health.gov.ie/blog/press-release/varadkar-announces-start-date-for-smoking- ban-in-cars-where-children-are-present/ Ireland’s first ever National Physical Activity Plan is launched by Government The Government has launched Ireland’s first ever National Physical Activity Plan which aims to get at least half a million more taking regular exercise within ten years. The plan was launched in Ballybough Community, Youth & Fitness Centre in Dublin by Minister for Health Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport , Minister of State for Mental Health, Primary Care and Social Care (Disabilities and Older People) Kathleen Lynch, and Minister of State for Tourism & Sport . The key target is to increase the number of people taking regular exercise by 1% a year over ten years – that’s around 50,000 people every year or half a million in total – by making exercise a normal part of everyday life and giving people more opportunities to be active. Ministers said the emphasis is on fun and enjoyment but the goal couldn’t be more serious, as seven out of ten adults don’t get enough exercise. At least €5.5 million in funding across the three Departments has been ring-fenced to implement the Plan in 2016, comprising sports measures, Healthy Ireland initiatives, Sport Ireland programme funding, and education projects. The National Physical Activity Plan can be accessed via the web link below: http://health.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Get-Ireland-Active-the-National- Physical-Activity-Plan.pdf The full press release is available via the following location: http://health.gov.ie/blog/press-release/irelands-first-ever-national-physical-activity- plan-is-launched-by-government/

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Department of Environment, Community and Local Government Historic global deal on climate change agreed Environment Minister has welcomed the agreement by all 196 parties at the 21st Conference of the Parties to the UNFCCC on a new ambitious legally- binding, global agreement on climate change. The agreement provides a framework for a global response on climate change to hold the increase in global temperature to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre- industrial levels and to keep the more stringent target of below 1.5 degrees in sight. http://merrionstreet.ie/en/News- Room/News/Historic_global_deal_on_climate_change_agreed.html

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport Government approves publication of the Road Traffic Bill 2015 Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Paschal Donohoe TD, has announced that the Government has given approval for the publication of the Road Traffic Bill 2015. The main provisions of the Bill are (further details on these are listed in notes to editors): A new offence of driving/being in charge of a mechanically propelled vehicle with the presence of certain illicit drugs – cannabis, cocaine, and heroin – in your blood. Provision for preliminary testing of oral fluid for drugs by An Garda Síochána at the roadside or in a Garda station. Creation of a new option for local authorities to impose a special speed limit of 20km/h in built-up areas. Provision to give effect to agreement with the UK on mutual recognition of driver disqualifications. A number of miscellaneous and technical amendment. http://www.dttas.ie/press-releases/2015/government-approves-publication-road- traffic-bill-2015

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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