The issue of migration will top the agenda once again when Cabinet meets this morning in Dublin.
Ministers will consider a memorandum which will lead to all recipients of temporary protection status receiving the same benefits – regardless of when they first entered the State – and the entitlements of International Protection Applicants are also being reviewed.
More than 100,000 Ukrainians have come to Ireland under the temporary protection directive since March 2022, following Russia’s invasion of the country.
Last December, Cabinet agreed to reduce welfare rates and to limit State accommodation for new arrivals from Ukraine to 90 days.
Under a new plan to be considered by ministers today, all beneficiaries of temporary protection will receive the same rate of payment, regardless of when they arrived in Ireland.
There will be a 12-week lead in time before the changes take affect.
The Cabinet is also to order a review of entitlements for asylum seekers applying for international protection, with a report to be completed within six weeks.
Other initiatives include the Minister for Enterprise ordering an increase of the inspections of workplaces to ensure regulations are being enforced.
The Minister for Justice is also due to report back to Cabinet shortly on her ongoing review of safe countries.
Once a country receives such a designation, applicants for International Protection must have their cases decided within a maximum of 90 days.
Childcare funding model
Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman will seek Cabinet approval this morning for a new childcare funding model for children experiencing disadvantage.
It is understood the new scheme will be called ‘Equal Start’ and is similar to the DEIS model in schools.
Its primary focus will be providing supports targeted at childcare settings operating in areas of disadvantage, as well as child-targeted and universal supports.
Around 800 settings and more than 35,000 children in these settings are expected to benefit from the setting-targeted supports.
If passed by Cabinet, the rollout of the scheme will commence in September, with €4.5m provided this year to fund start-up costs such as additional staff time.
The investment is expected to be equivalent to €13.5m in a full year.
Sligo for remediation scheme
Sligo is to be added to the remediation scheme for homes damaged by defective concrete blocks, according to a plan to be brought to Cabinet today by the Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien.
A report last February by the Housing Agency noted pyrite damage to between 250 and 350 dwellings in certain parts of Sligo.
Including Sligo will require both Dáil and Seanad approving an order of designatation under the Remediation of Dwellings Damaged by the Use of Defective Concrete Blocks Act 2022.
Literacy strategy
A new Literacy, Numeracy and Digital Literacy strategy will be brought to Cabinet today by Minister for Education Norma Foley and Minister for Children Roderic O’Gorman.
The strategy is set to run for ten years, but it includes an implementation plan for the first five years.
The previous national literacy strategy in 2011 led to reforms in teacher training courses, professional learning opportunities for existing teachers, extensive curriculum reform, extra supports for learners in most need, and increased parental and community involvement.
Ministers will be told that this played a role in Ireland’s improved international rankings in tests of reading and mathematics in the OECD’s Programme for International Student Assessment tests.
Enterprise support package
A new targeted enterprise support package, which is expected to be approved by Cabinet this morning, is set to include more generous sustainability grants.
The overall plan aims assist retail and hospitality businesses hit hard by higher costs, and will be funded by tapping unused monies in a €257 million business support scheme.
That allowed businesses to claim 50% of last year’s rates bill up to €10,000, giving business owners a maximum grant of €5,000.
Minister For Enterprise Peter Burke will suggest another round of grants for eligible businesses in the retail and hospitality sector.
The sustainability element will involve the department altering the level of funding it provides, likely paying more than the previous 50/50 split.
Last month, Taoiseach Simon Harris said a key priority for him would be to provide new supports for businesses, amid complaints from the sector that they were being burdened with higher costs.
For example, the minimum wage was increased to €12.70 this January but employers argued they were landed with higher costs because the PRSI threshold for the higher rate remained the same.
It’s understood Minister Burke’s memo to government could see that changed as well.
The Restaurants Association of Ireland maintains, however, that while the top-up in cash support will be welcomed – the “key measure” the sector needs “is a reduction of VAT to 9%”.
