Vol. 745 No. 3
12 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeline for the establishment of the children and family services agency; if she will outline the proposed division of her responsibilities between her and the agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32479/11]
I established the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency in September 2011 under the chairmanship of Ms Maureen Lynott.
The Task Force will advise my Department in regard to the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, and will base its work on best practice in child welfare, family support and public administration; consistent with the Government's public sector reform agenda.
In relation to the Agency it has been asked to:
Propose a vision and the principles to guide operations;
Advise on the appropriate service responsibilities, and the delivery of same;
Review existing financial, staffing and corporate resources; and propose a methodology for resource allocation;
Propose an organisational design and operating child welfare and protection service model;
Prepare a detailed implementation plan;
Identify the main priorities and core relationships required;
Oversee the implementation and monitor progress, pending establishment of the Agency.
As I already outlined, the Task Force will advise on the appropriate service responsibilities for the Agency during the course of its work from amongst those within the HSE that relate to children and family services or from within the relevant operational responsibilities of my Department or its agencies. In this regard I have also asked the Task Force to consider which services should transfer from the outset and which might be subject to a longer timetable. In addition, it has been asked to consider which services should be directly provided by the Agency and which should be commissioned.
The Task Force met for the fifth time today. I look forward to receiving the report of its work, which will inform preparations for the new Agency, including the drafting of legislation. It is my intention, working with my colleague the Minister for Health, to establish a dedicated Child and Family Programme within the HSE in 2012. This will provide for a dedicated management structure and budget for children and family services. Management of these services will be led by the National Director (Mr Gordon Jeyes) who already has a very close working relationship with me and my Department. A considerable change programme is already being implemented by the National Director within HSE Child and Family Services aimed at strengthening organisation capacity, business processes and systems. These developments are an integral part of preparations for the new stand alone Agency. I am anxious to advance the full establishment of the Agency at as early a date as possible, subject to the work of the Task Force and necessary legislature provision. I would envisage tabling legislation before the House next year to provide for the Agency's establishment in 2013.
13 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has made a submission to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland on TV advertising and its impact on children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32496/11]
In August 2011, the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland issued a consultation document entitled Children's Commercial Communications Code and launched a related public consultation process regarding same on how food and drink should be commercially promoted to children in broadcast media.
My Department ensures the establishment of effective strategies for participation by children in decision making. In this regard, my Department has facilitated a reply by Dáil na nÓg, the national parliament for young people aged 12-18, to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland in relation to the Authority's consultation document on the Children's Commercial Communications Code.
200 delegates aged 12-18 attended the ninth annual Dáil na nÓg which took place on 5 March 2010 in Croke Park, Dublin and discussed the issues of mental health and access to education. Dáil na nÓg found there to be no comprehensive studies on how body image affects Irish teenagers today. They have created their our own survey, with the help of researchers from University College Cork to gather this critical information first hand. The researchers from UCC were commissioned by my Department to work with Dáil na nÓg. The survey is currently being filled out by young people in all 34 Comhairle na nÓg throughout the country during October and early November. The results will then be analysed by the researchers of University College Cork. I expect the survey to provide direct feedback on the impact of advertising and media coverage of children, particularly in relation to their views on body image. The findings will be compiled into a report by early January and sent to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland.
15 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the research and development activities she is undertaking in order to inform progression of the objectives of the literacy and numeracy strategies in childhood settings. [32519/11]
The Literacy and Numeracy Strategy was published by my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills in July following extensive consultation. The Strategy sets out the Government's plans to improve literacy and numeracy and has a range of recommendations across Government, including by my Department.
Quality early childhood settings are important in giving young children the skills that will be key to the development of literacy and numeracy. 94% of children take part in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free pre-school year, giving the ideal opportunity to develop these skills. The focus of my Department over the next few years will, therefore, be on continuing to work to improve quality in the sector. Specific actions include a workforce development plan under which all pre-school leaders will have at least a level 5 qualification by July 2012 and under which we will continue to subvent training; adherence to Siolta and moving to implement Aistear, both of which support literacy and numeracy; and introducing joint HSE/Department of Education and Skills inspections.
In all of these developments my Department works very closely with the Early Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, which is co-located within my Department. The next phase of collaborative work will be the development of tools for assessment under the Strategy.
From projects supported to date by Government, there is a body of research available or well under way to inform progression of the literacy and numeracy strategy. I would point to the following as being particularly relevant projects in this regard:
The Glen Early Language and Learning Project (Cork City Partnership)
The Write-Minded Programme (Young Ballymun Prevention and Early Intervention Programme)
The Travelling Library (Department of Foreign Affairs' Reconciliation Fund)
The evaluation of and evidence emerging from these projects will inform the implementation of the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy.
Within my Department, the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children's Lives is currently being prepared for publication. As a priority for further development, it has identified improved information on literacy and numeracy at key stages of children's lives and by key characteristics. A principal focus of the strategy is the improved use of existing information sources to inform policy and service development and the development of capacity among researchers and policy makers to make maximal use of such information. A series of summer schools supported by the Department in 2011, to address this need included one school focussed on educational data sources with a particular emphasis on analysis of data from the National Assessments of mathematics and English reading literacy. Other statutory bodies including the Department of Education and Skills and the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment have committed to actions in relation to improved understandings of literacy and numeracy development in the action plan of the strategy.
One of the key commitments given in the Literacy and Numeracy Strategy is for my Department to document the broad range of initiatives and projects that support families in various ways, to identify the approaches that have the most beneficial effects on the lives of families, children and young people, and to seek to coordinate and improve the services that are provided. There is a substantial amount of work already being done in the area of early literacy. What we have to do is to ensure that the interventions we prioritise make a real, measurable and positive difference to the lives and learning successes of children and young people.
16 Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has completed the review of 2001 youth homeless strategy; and the position regarding the development of an implementation framework to address youth homelessness over the next five years. [32518/11]
It is appropriate that, some ten years after the National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001, we review progress and set new targets. A review of progress in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency co-operation, early prevention and an ‘out of hours' service.
My Department met with service providers engaged in addressing the problem of youth homelessness in recent months. The purpose was to assess and review the current demand for services, the progress made to date under the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2001 and the need to address any outstanding service deficits. This workshop was very beneficial in getting the views of stakeholders and arising out of the priorities identified on the day, work will commence shortly on developing a high level review of the 2001 strategy. Discussions are ongoing in the Department regarding the most effective model for review and it is hoped to progress this shortly. It is intended that this review will form the basis for the development of an implementation framework to address youth homelessness over the next 5 years.
17 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children over 18 years who are in receipt of aftercare services after leaving care. [32513/11]
Section 45 of the Childcare Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and, if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care or high support, are entitled to an Aftercare Service based on their assessed needs. The core eligible age range for aftercare is 18 years and up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education in which he/she is engaged up to the age of 23 years of age.
The HSE commissioned Mark Brierly Consulting to undertake a review of the capacity for alternative care services, including aftercare services. The audit date for the data was 13 March 2011 and based on this audit the HSE has informed me that a total of 1,051 young people were in receipt of aftercare nationally at March 2011. The breakdown between male and female was 46% and 54% respectively.
Aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical support. An individual holistic needs assessment identifies a young persons need for accommodation, financial support, social network support and training and education. One of the key features of Aftercare support is to advocate on behalf of young people to promote their development as a fulfilled adult in their community. The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training.
The HSE National Aftercare Service is underpinned by a National Policy and Procedures Document which has been developed in co-operation with the key stakeholders including the voluntary sector agencies involved in Aftercare provision and my Department. The policy commits to promoting and achieving the best outcomes for young people leaving care and in ensuring consistency of support to these young people.
The HSE National Policy on Aftercare is being rolled out nationally under the watch of the HSE's Aftercare Implementation Group, which includes representation from the HSE, mental health, family service and disability service, as well as representation from the voluntary sector and a young persons representative from Empowering People in Care (EPIC).
I am very much aware of the challenges facing the aftercare service, the need for information required to plan the services; the need for consistency across all areas; the need to follow up with young people who may at first reject its services and the need to link in with adult services as necessary. To accommodate such challenges funding was provided in 2011 to support the recruitment of ten additional aftercare workers. Additionally funding was provided to EPIC to develop a national advocacy and support service for young people in care, leaving care and aftercare.
18 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the voluntary organisations to which she will provide funding over the next 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32502/11]
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs currently provides funding directly to a wide range of voluntary organisations engaged in the provision of services to children and young people. The most significant share of the funding is targeted at implementing three major child care programmes that include the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, and the Community Education and Training CETS) programme.
Under the CCS programme, funding is provided to community/not-for-profit child care facilities to enable them to charge reduced child care fees to eligible parents. Under the programme, funding is paid directly to the service, based on weekly subvention rates of either €50 or €100 per full-time place, depending on the eligibility of the parent. The programme is targeted towards disadvantaged and low-income working parents. There are almost 1,000 community child care providers participating in the CCS programme, which is expected to cost in the region of €43 million in 2011.
The ECCE programme is open to both community-based and private child care providers, and provides an annual programme of early learning to children before they start primary school. Under the programme, capitation fees of €2,450 per annum are paid directly to the service in respect of each eligible child enrolled in the service. A higher rate of capitation (€2,850 per annum) is payable to sessional playschool services with highly qualified staff. Approximately 4,500 child care providers are participating in the programme, which is expected to cost in the region of €166 million in 2011.
The CETS programme, introduced in September 2010, replaced previous child care support schemes implemented by FÁS and the VECs under which students and trainees were directly allocated child care payments to support the costs of their child care. Under the CETS programme, participating child care services are paid a weekly capitation fee (€170 per full-time place) in respect of each CETS child care place contracted with their service. In return, the service is required to provide a child care place, free of charge, to the qualifying student or trainee. 800 community and commercial child care services participated in the programme in the September 2010/August 2011 year, and more than 1,400 are expected to participate from September 2011. The CETS programme is expected to cost in the region of €21 million in 2011.
My Department also provides funds to support voluntary organisations through a number of other programmes that include the following—
Funding for the support of voluntary youth work is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional voluntary youth organisations through the Youth Service Grant Scheme which is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people. Just over €11 million has been made available this year to support the organisations.
Support for three organisations — Barnardos, the National Children's Nurseries Association and the Irish Pre-School Play Association who act in the role of authorised signatory in accordance with the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No. 2) Regulations for the vetting of child care providers. e Department of Children and Youth Affairs has facilitated these organisations in this regard through the provision of funding, which amounts to €232,000 in 2011, to cover the cost of providing this service. The agreement in place with Barnardos was expanded to provide access to vetting for a range of other child care services such as after-school clubs, creches and staff of county child care committees.
As part of the commitment to ensure that seldom-heard children and young people are included in participation structures and projects, funding of €120,000 is provided this year to the National Youth Council of Ireland to provide a service to support the delivery of Dáil na nÓg and Dáil na nÓg Council. In addition to this, funding of €105,000 is being allocated to Foroige and €70,000 to Youth Work Ireland for the provision of services by Participation Officers to support the operation of Comhairle na nÓg and other children and young people's initiatives.
Grants are also made available to individuals, groups and organisations involved in the provision of services to children and young people through the provision of €500,000 from the National Lottery Funding Scheme. Organisations who have been awarded funds of €334,000 from this scheme earlier in the year include Castlefinn Youth Club, ARC Adoption Limited, Erris "No Name" Club and La Go Bhri Community Childcare Services.
The Deputy might note that the allocation of resources in 2012 from the various funding schemes administered by my Department will be considered in the context of the finalisation of the 2012 estimates process.
19 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who are registered as homeless for more than three months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32334/11]
37 Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children under the age of 16 years who are registered as homeless for more than seven days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32333/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 37 together.
It is appropriate that, some ten years after the National Strategy for Youth Homelessness was developed in 2001, we review progress and set new targets. A review of progress in 2008 by the HSE in conjunction with other agencies found that significant progress had been made, especially in the areas of interagency co-operation, early prevention and an ‘out of hours' service.
My Department met with service providers engaged in addressing the problem of youth homelessness in recent months. The purpose was to assess and review the current demand for services, the progress made to date under the Youth Homelessness Strategy 2001 and the need to address any outstanding service deficits. This workshop was very beneficial in getting the views of stakeholders and arising out of the priorities identified on the day, work will commence shortly on developing a high level review of the 2001 strategy. Discussions are ongoing in the Department regarding the most effective model for review and it is hoped to progress this shortly. It is intended that this review will form the basis for the development of an implementation framework to address youth homelessness over the next 5 years.
I have asked the HSE for the information in relation to the number of children registered as homeless to me and I will forward it to the Deputy when it is available.
20 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to date on addressing concerns relating to the care of unaccompanied minors claiming asylum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32332/11]
41 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unaccompanied minors currently residing in hostel accommodation; and her plans to end this practice. [32521/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 41 together.
Unaccompanied minors seeking asylum are deemed to be in need of care and protection under the Child Care Act, 1991 and are entitled to the same treatment and rights as indigenous young people. The immediate and ongoing needs of separated children seeking asylum (SCSA) as well as their application for refugee status are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive (HSE) in accordance with the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) and the Child Care Act, 1991. Where children are identified by An Garda Síochána, at the point of entry, the circumstances are investigated and if there are any concerns about the welfare of the child, they are placed into the care of the HSE.
The Implementation Plan on the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009, contained a commitment that the HSE would end the use of separately run hostels for separated children seeking asylum and accommodate children in mainstream care, on a par with other children in the care system. In accordance with this commitment, the HSE phased out hostel type care for separated children seeking asylum and since January 2011, hostels have not been used to accommodate unaccompanied minors. Instead each child is cared for in a registered care placement or equivalent.
The HSE has developed a national policy on the standards and services to be provided to separated children seeking asylum. The policy seeks to achieve equity and equality of services to separated children seeking asylum vis a vis indigenous or resident children and to ensure that there is no differentiation of care provision, care practices, care priorities, standards or protocols.
21 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which the referendum Bill on the constitutional amendment on children will be published. [32514/11]
The Programme for Government 2011 states that the Referendum on Children's Rights is a priority, and that the wording of the proposed referendum will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children.
Since taking office, both myself and officials of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have had a number of meetings with the Attorney General and her officials to progress this commitment. Work on the wording of the referendum is ongoing, focusing on ensuring that the proposed Referendum reflects the deliberations and conclusions of the Joint Committee and the commitment in the Programme for Government. It is my intention to seek approval from Government for the proposed wording, with a view to holding the referendum next year.
In accordance with electoral law polling day must take place between 30 and 90 days after the passing of the Bill.
22 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason neither the chairman nor the executive of the Adoption Authority has answered two letters from an organisation (details supplied) despite repeated reminders; and when the organisation can expect a response. [32417/11]
Following the commencement of the Adoption Act, 2010, which took place on 1 November 2010, adoption in Ireland is now regulated by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI) which is an independent quasi-judicial statutory body appointed by Government. The functions of the Authority are set out in Section 96 of the Adoption Act, 2010. These include functions of an operational, judicial and quasi-judicial nature in relation to the adoption process itself, as provided for under the Act and relating to the Authority's designation as the Central Authority for the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
While the issue raised by the Deputy is the administrative responsibility of the AAI I asked the AAI for an update on the case involved. I have been informed that the correspondence relates to an individual case which has been the subject of extensive correspondence between the Authority and the relevant parties.
23 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of vacant youth officer posts in vocational education committees; and when she expects these to be filled. [32506/11]
The following table shows the number of Youth Officers employed in VECs and details of where vacancies exist. Under the current restrictions on recruitment in the public service, agencies do not have the discretion to fill vacant posts by recruitment or promotion. In line with the Croke Park Agreement, this often necessitates the prioritisation of work amongst existing staff and examination of the scope for reassignment or redeployment.
|
VEC Area |
Post — WTE |
|
Co Carlow |
1 |
|
Co Cavan |
1 |
|
Co Clare |
1 |
|
City of Cork |
1 |
|
Co Cork |
1 |
|
Co Donegal |
1 |
|
Co Dublin |
1 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
1 |
|
City of Galway |
1 |
|
Co Galway |
1 |
|
Co Kerry |
1 |
|
Co Kildare |
Vacancy |
|
Co Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Co Laois |
0.75 |
|
Co Sligo/Co Leitrim |
0.6/0.04 |
|
City of Limerick |
1 |
|
Co Limerick |
1 |
|
Co Longford |
Vacancy |
|
Co Louth |
1 |
|
Co Mayo |
1 |
|
Co Meath |
1 |
|
Co Monaghan |
Vacancy |
|
Co Offaly |
0.75 |
|
Co Roscommon |
0.5 |
|
Tipperary NR |
0.75 |
|
Tipperary SR |
1 |
|
City of Waterford |
1 |
|
Co Waterford |
0.5 |
|
Co Westmeath |
0.75 |
|
Co Wexford |
Vacancy |
|
Co Wicklow |
1 |
|
Total |
25 |
24 Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in the care of the State for each of the past five years; and a breakdown in tabular form of the reasons that they were placed in the care if the State. [32504/11]
153 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of children in care in each of the past five years to date in 2011; the number that were deemed vulnerable; the action taken to protect them; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32653/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 24 and 153 together.
The HSE compiles monthly performance reports which provide an overall analysis of key performance data from finance, HR, hospital and primary and community services. These reports include statistics in relation to children received into the care of the State when they are deemed to be in need of care and protection in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991.
The total number of children brought in to the care of the State in each of the past five years is as follows:—
|
Year |
No. of Children |
|
December 2007 |
5,307 |
|
December 2008 |
5,357 |
|
December 2009 |
5,689 |
|
December 2010 |
5,964 |
|
To August 2011 |
6,215 |
I have asked the HSE to provide a further breakdown of this data to the deputies.
25 Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which she will publish legislation to underpin the Children First guidelines. [32515/11]
The preparation of legislation to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, as far as practicable, on a statutory basis, is under way following the approval of the Government to the preparation of the Heads of Bill and General Scheme on 12 July 2011. The Government has committed in the Programme for Government to this legislation and is attaching a high priority to its preparation. It is my intention that the legislation will reflect a broad based approach to compliance with obligations extending beyond reporting to the safeguarding of children at risk. The objective will be to ensure the greater protection of children by strengthening the existing system for reporting and responding to suspected child abuse. While considerable progress has been made in developing detailed legislative proposals, I am not in a position to give a specific date for the publication of the Bill at this time.
26 Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the announcement that funding to homeless services is being cut by up to 10%, the measures she is putting in place to protect the welfare of homeless children and young persons. [32529/11]
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
27 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has identified the life skill support requirements for young persons with particular reference to the need to ensure that adequate provision is made at all levels including access to education, sport and recreational activities, health issues and social services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32527/11]
The National Children's Strategy (2000) identified the needs of children under a number of different objectives. Effective and responsive policy making and service provision for children and young people relies on good data and research. The Strategy is currently being reviewed and updated and this will be informed by the best available evidence. I look forward to working with my colleagues to progress the agenda across Government to equip children and young people with the necessary skills to support them through life.
At a national level, my Department has been leading out a National Children's Research Programme to advance Goal 2 of the Children's Strategy, which states that ’children’s lives will be better understood’. Over this period a solid evidence base has accumulated.
The National Children's Research Programme includes:
Growing Up in Ireland: The National Longitudinal Study of Children;
Other funded research projects, which were commissioned to answer specific policy questions; and
The biennial State of the Nations Children Report.
A National Data and Research Strategy on Children's Lives has also been prepared by my Department for publication in 2011 and this identifies a number of data and research priorities in respect of children's lives, particularly in the area of health, education, participation, safety and economic security.
At a local level Children's Services Committees have been established to promote interagency working and plan for the integrated delivery of services in their area. There are 10 local children's services committees in place with an additional 5 at the preparatory stage. It is planned to have 20 committees in place by the end of 2012. The CSCs are chaired by the HSE and have representatives from agencies such as the local authority, Garda Síochána, Education Sector, the Probation Service and social inclusion partners and other providers of services to children who work together to promote integrated delivery of services in their respective areas. The Children Services Committee's are encouraged to:
prepare a socio-demographic profile of children and families in their local area, and
undertake an audit of services in their local area to inform their local plans for the coordinated and integrated delivery of services and improved outcomes for children and young people.
28 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in the care of the State who have not seen their social worker for more than ten months. [32509/11]
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter with the most up-to-date information.
29 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to implement the recommendations of the independent review group on child deaths. [32512/11]
The report of the Independent Review Group on Child Deaths is at an advanced stage of preparation. I expect to receive the report in the coming weeks. The Report will be presented to Government, following which it is my intention to lay it before the Houses of the Oireachtas and publish. Without pre-empting the work of the group, I am anticipating that the change programme already underway in HSE Child and Family Services will be an important part of the response to the recommendations of the Group. Of course, I will need to consider the content of the report in full prior to commenting on recommendations contained therein.
30 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she plans to expand the number of places in the child care education and training support programme. [32525/11]
The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme was introduced in September last year and is implemented by my Department, on behalf of FÁS and the Vocational Educational Committees (VECs).
The CETS programme replaces the previous childcare support programmes implemented by FÁS and the VECs under which qualifying students and trainees were paid a weekly Childcare Allowance of up to €63.50 per child as a contribution towards their childcare costs. Under the new programme, funding is provided by my Department to participating services in return for the provision of free childcare places to qualifying students and trainees. Students and trainees can avail of free childcare places for the duration of their course.
A capitation fee is paid for each childcare place contracted, at a weekly rate of €170 per full-time place, €95 per half day care place and €50 per after-school place. After-school places with a "pick-up" facility attract €95 capitation. The eligibility criteria under which students and trainees qualify under the programme continue to be determined by the FÁS and the VECs. Some 2,800 full-time equivalent childcare places are currently provided for under the programme and demand has increased very significantly from earlier this year, with the number of places funded exceeding 3,000 during the Summer. As the number of places fluctuate during the year, the programme has not exceeded the total funding for the year. However, it will require close management to ensure it remains within budget. It is not, therefore, proposed to increase the number of places in the programme at this time.
31 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to enhance communication between child and family services and community groups to ensure children and young persons do not fall through the cracks in service provision. [32523/11]
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
32 Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to review the operation of the Youth Work Act 2001 and the national youth work development plan; the progress being made by her in the development of a new youth policy framework; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32468/11]
A priority for my Department is to ensure the enhanced integration and coordination of constituent units responsible for youth work and youth related policies with a view to developing a new strategic framework for youth related services under my remit.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is currently progressing. Through this work a clear policy framework will emerge that will aim to enhance the development, participation and support of young people.
I intend that the policy framework will also facilitate and promote co-ordination and coherence across departments and services and will set out the priorities, rationale and criteria for future funding programmes. It will also accommodate issues relevant to young people within the 10-24 age range in informal or out-of-school settings that fall within the remit of my Department. The Youth Work Act, 2001 and the National Youth Work Development Plan 2003-2007 will be considered in this context. The overall aim will be to clarify and enhance coherence, connectivity, coordination and delivery in youth services and related out-of-schools services for young people. Ensuring quality service delivery is an ongoing priority for me. My Department is at present progressing two quality standards initiatives in the youth area that will help ensure an improvement in good practice, that services are outcomes focussed and that the young people involved are deriving the maximum benefit from being involved.
One of my key aims for youth policy development will be to ensure optimum use of all the financial and human resources available. Accordingly, the development of my Department's policy in relation to young people will focus specifically on ensuring greater coherence, coordination and impact in youth policy and provision so as to ensure quality outcomes for all.
33 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has set out her legislative agenda over the next five years; the extent to which she has identified inadequacies in the law to protect children and vulnerable adults; if she expects to put in place all necessary legislation identified as being required following various developments over the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32526/11]
I have an extensive legislative programme in the coming years to address a number of issues which fall within my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
The preparation of legislation to put Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, as far as practicable, on a statutory basis, is underway following the approval of the Government to the preparation of the Heads of Bill and General Scheme on 12 July 2011.
The Child and Family Support Agency Bill is also a priority and a range of matters relating to the new agency, including consideration of the various functions to be discharged and associated governance arrangements, will be addressed in advance of the preparation of the Heads of Bill and General Scheme.
The drafting of a Children's Referendum Bill will follow the consideration by Government of a revised draft wording amending the Constitution to acknowledge and affirm the rights of children. This wording is currently being drafted by the Attorney General's Office in association with my Department and will be brought to Government as soon as this work is completed. Depending on the wording and the outcome of the Referendum, legislation may be necessary to give effect to the Constitutional amendment in relation to some matters.
The preparation of the Heads and General Scheme of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill are at an advanced stage. This Bill will include the provision of information in relation to adoptions to applicants and also for a tracing service to be provided, as appropriate.
My Department undertakes an ongoing watching brief in relation to matters which are under my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and where issues arise and it is considered appropriate they be dealt with by way of legislation I will bring forward the necessary Bills for consideration by the Oireachtas.
I wish to advise the Deputy that my Department does not have responsibility for vulnerable adults.
35 Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the mechanisms she will use to enhance the role of early intervention in child poverty and support programmes for vulnerable children in the context of the new child and family support services agency. [32507/11]
I established the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency in September 2011 under the chairmanship of Ms Maureen Lynott.
The Task Force will advise my Department in regard to the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, and will base its work on best practice in child welfare, family support and public administration; consistent with the Government's public sector reform agenda.
In terms of enhancing child and family services, the Task Force has been asked to propose an organisational design and operating child welfare and protection service model for the new Agency, which is integrated, provides the most appropriate structure, systems and people to meet the vision and operating principles within the resources available. The Terms of Reference of the Task Force are sufficiently broad to allow them to consider the full range of possibilities in their advice to my Department on the appropriate service responsibilities for the new Agency across all services under my remit.
36 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of vacant social worker posts; the location of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32510/11]
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter with the most up-to-date information.
38 Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to expand the resources available to the national review panel of deaths of children in care. [32524/11]
In January 2010 HIQA published Guidance for the Health Service Executive for the Review of Serious Incidents including Deaths of Children in Care. The Guidance became operational from March 2010. The Guidance required the HSE to establish a panel of appropriately skilled professionals, both internal and external to the HSE, to review cases under specified criteria. According to the HIQA guidance the panel should have an independent chair and deputy chair and professionals from a range of disciplines appointed for their professional expertise. The subsequent establishment of this panel and its resources is a matter for the HSE.
In accordance with the HIQA Guidance the HSE last year established the National Review Panel for the purpose of undertaking these reviews. Dr. Helen Buckley, Senior Lecturer and Research Fellow at the School of Social Work and Social Policy, Trinity College Dublin was appointed as Chair. Dr. Bill Lockhart, retired CEO, Youth Justice Agency, Northern Ireland, was appointed as deputy Chair. There are twenty ordinary members on the panel, eighteen of whom are external to the HSE. In addition, a senior professional manager and a senior administrative manager were assigned to support the work of the Panel. While the National Review Panel has been established under the auspices of the HSE, it remains functionally independent, making findings of fact and producing reports that are objective and independent of the HSE.
The National Review Panel recently published its Annual Report for 2010. The report covers the period from March to December 2010. During this period 22 cases of death were notified and 8 serious incidents. Of the 22 deaths reported 6 of these were due to natural causes, 4 were drugs overdoses, 4 were as the result of suicide, 4 were due to road traffic accidents, 2 were homicide and 2 were as a result of accidents other than road traffic accidents.
Given the fact that this is a new process, it is unsurprising that the Review Panel have remarked on the nature of the process itself and challenges in operationalising the HIQA guidance. HIQA have already agreed to review the guidance and are engaging actively with the National Review Panel and the HSE Children and Family Services in this regard. These are matters which will be considered by HIQA in the first instance and by my officials in the context of related policy and legislative developments already in train.
The first Annual Report of the NRP is the subject of consideration by the HSE and I would expect that any measures falling directly to the HSE which are necessary to strengthen the effectiveness of the review process will be implemented.
39 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to date on implementing the recommendations in the report on the Roscommon child care case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32331/11]
The Report into the Roscommon case was published by the HSE on 27th October 2010. Since its publication the HSE has given assurances that practice in assessing and responding to child welfare and protection concerns is being applied to the necessary standard across all regions. The HSE has already stated that it is committed to learning from this and other reports to ensure that services are strengthened to help protect children to the greatest extent possible.
In relation to the specific family case the management of the case was transferred to Mayo ISA in January 2011 and the monitoring and oversight role is undertaken by the HSE Regional Lead for Childcare. Child in Care Reviews on all the children have been undertaken and chaired by the Regional Lead.
The local Management Team in Roscommon is leading out on implementation of recommendations and monitoring and supporting the process. An external consultant has provided training across disciplines on working with neglect, gender issues attachment and supervision.
Nationally Workshops were convened to share the learning from the Roscommon Inquiry with specific focus on the Recommendations of that Enquiry. The Workshops had a multidisciplinary focus and a Practice Guidance Document, ‘Back to Basics' as disseminated which documented key messages with accompanying guidance.
One of the Recommendations from the Inquiry was for a National Audit of Neglect Cases to be completed, commencing with Roscommon. An external consultant has completed a Review of Practice and Audit of the Management of Cases of Neglect in Roscommon, and has highlighted both strengths and challenges. It is envisaged that an executive summary will be published in the near future. Positive outcomes included:
Well established multidisciplinary arrangements and organisational structures which facilitated teamwork and communication
Initial assessments routinely completed
An emphasis on direct work with children and young persons and commitment to listening to children and ensuring their voices were heard
The Review found that in a majority of the cases, staff and managers displayed a commitment to early assessment of need and provided a range of supports to assist children and families, resulting in improved parenting capacity and better outcomes for children. The Review concluded that the challenges involved are similar throughout Ireland and the United Kingdom including the need for more authoritative social work, senior managers reviewing and auditing files, national supervision policy implementation and establishing thresholds for legal intervention in cases.
A Review of Progress following Audit was undertaken after three months and again this had many positive outcomes.
Achievements included:
The recommendations of the Inquiry Report and the Review of Practice and Management of Neglect are being implemented via an Interdisciplinary Child Care Steering group.
A monthly child care meeting chaired by the General Manager considers specific developments within the Child Care Service, including budgetary and resourcing issues, waiting lists and individual cases which require to be notified to senior management.
Family Support Services have been streamlined to include a single point of entry and is being realigned with new social work boundaries.
Revised management structures have been put in place in Child Care Services in Roscommon and 5 additional social work posts were allocated to Roscommon in 2010. A further 3 additional posts have been allocated in Roscommon and will be appointed as soon as the recruitment pause is lifted. This is envisaged to be late 2011. The recent advertisement of the Children and Family Integrated Service Areas Managers who will soon be appointed will also further strengthen the management structure in the region.
40 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the facilities outside of this State to which children in care with specific behaviour difficulties are sent; and if she has considered developing a facility within this State. [32503/11]
Under the Child Care Act, 1991, the Health Service Executive has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection. In discharging this function the HSE has in place a network of special care and high support facilities for children with specialised care needs. Beyond that, the HSE is on occasion, required to make arrangements for the placement of children in care facilities outside of the State to allow for access to therapeutic services not available in this country. This is done on as infrequent a basis as possible and only where such placement is considered to be in the best interest of the child. These children most commonly have severe behaviour difficulties, in some cases as a result of injury or accident or in others due to their childhood experiences.
Where children are placed abroad they remain in the care of the State and they have an allocated social worker who visits them in their placement. They also have a Care Plan and this is reviewed within the statutory framework. All units in which children are placed are subject to the regulatory and inspection framework of that jurisdiction and the HSE makes itself aware of any reports prior to placing a child abroad.
I am advised by the HSE that there were 15 children in placements outside the jurisdiction in 2010. The following facilities for overseas placements have been used by the HSE — Friends Therapeutic Community Trust, Fresh Start, Eden Priory Grove, Southlands, Coxlease, St Lukes Hospital Group, Alderwasley Hall School, Keys Childcare Led, Five Rivers, Quay Foyer, Redbank Treatment Centre, Watling House, Kibble and Jennifer House in the UK; Betterkeys, Camphill Community and Care in Northern Ireland and Boystown, Nebraska, USA.
I should emphasise that the referral of persons abroad for specialised therapeutic interventions is an established feature within our health and social care system and decisions in each case are made in the best interests of the individual. Some children have specialised needs, many of these are met by directly provided services or services commissioned by the HSE within Ireland. For a small number of children their needs are best met in specialised care settings abroad, primarily in the UK, which can provide an individually tailored mix of care and therapeutic interventions. The level of requirement for these services is closely monitored by the National Director and my officials. The establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency will provide a further opportunity to review the development and configuration of the range of specialised residential provision in Ireland.
42 Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the high numbers of children who are placed in the care of the State due to financial difficulties of their families rather than risk. [32508/11]
Under the Child Care Act 1991 children should, in the first instance, be supported to remain with their families. Children should only be taken into care where the HSE has identified abuse or the risk of abuse, including neglect than cannot be prevented or resolved without the child being received into care.
My officials had a recent meeting with the Department of Social Protection at which this matter was discussed. It was agreed that there should not be any cases in which children enter the care system due to financial need rather than cases of abuse or the risk of abuse. If any such cases are identified by the HSE, my officials will work with the Department of Social Protection and the HSE to ensure that children are only received into care on the basis of risk to their safety and welfare that cannot be alleviated by financial support alone.
43 Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the numerous breaches of Children First regarding the Health Service Executive and Garda liaison in domestic violence situations as set out in the Baby G report. [32522/11]
The Review undertaken in respect of the death of a child known to the child protection system as Baby G was finalised on the 13th May, 2011 and concluded that, while there was no connection between any actions or inaction on the part of the HSE with baby G's death, compliance with Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children 1999 was patchy and that the protocol on joint working between the HSE and An Garda Síochána does not appear to have been followed.
This conclusion is in line with reviews in relation to Children First National Guidelines for the Protection and Welfare of Children 1999 conducted by the former OMCYA and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children. Both these reviews found that while the Guidelines themselves were fundamentally sound, a number of implementation difficulties with the Guidelines, including in the area of inter-agency working.
In July, 2011, I launched the revised Children First National Guidance for the protection and welfare of children. The Guidance deals with the recognition, reporting and management of child safety concerns. It emphasises the need to safeguard and protect children, that the safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility and that children will have safer lives where everyone is attentive to their well being. People who work with children across a range of areas must be clear in understanding their responsibility for safe practice and the reporting of concerns.
There is an acknowledged need for greater consistency in the implementation of the Children First Guidance across all sectors and organisations working with children. This was highlighted by the Ryan Commission which recommended that Children First should be uniformly and consistently implemented throughout the State. In recognition of this the Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First. It is my intention that the legislation will reflect a broad based approach to compliance with obligations extending beyond reporting to one of safeguarding children at risk. The objective will be to ensure the greater protection of children by strengthening the existing system for reporting and responding to suspected child abuse.
I also recently launched the HSE's accompanying ‘Child Welfare and Protection Practice Handbook' for use by all social workers and other relevant practitioners. The Handbook complements the Children First Guidance and sets specific protocols for HSE social workers, Gardaí and other front line staff in dealing with suspected abuse and neglect. The objective is to ensure that safe and effective child protection practices are operated across all organisations and sectors that work with children.
Children First will also be supported by an assurance framework which will include strong emphasis on inspection and the need to provide demonstrable evidence of implementation. In the case of the health sector, the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is being expanded to include oversight of the HSE's Child Protection services, including the operation of Children First. HIQA is currently developing standards to allow for inspection of the HSE's child protection services. In addition my Department is chairing an inter-departmental group aimed at promoting consistent implementation of the Guidance across sectors. The importance of effective inter-agency working is relevant in this regard. My Department is also convening a regular forum with representation from the HSE and An Garda Síochána, as the two bodies with particular statutory responsibilities in this area, to consider implementation issues, particularly inter-agency working between the two organisations.
44 Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to expand the guardian ad litem scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32511/11]
Under the Child Care Act 1991, a Guardian Ad Litem (GAL) provides a service to the Courts. This happens where a judge requests that a Guardian Ad Litem be appointed to a child to represent the interests of a child who is the subject of care proceedings. They are always appointed where a child is subject to Special Care proceedings. The service is funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
I consider there is considerable scope to improve the organisation of the current service which has evolved in an ad hoc manner over a number of years. My Department is currently reviewing provision of GAL services having regard to previous reports and current data on demand. Officials are working closely with the HSE in this regard with a view to establishing the most appropriate arrangements for the future organisation and delivery of this service. Preliminary discussions have also taken place with the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence in relation to this matter.
45 Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Health Information and Quality Authority will begin their public consultation on standards for oversight of the Health Service Executive child protection services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32516/11]
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has convened a Standards Advisory Group to advise on the development of National Standards for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The Advisory Group, which comprises a wide representation of people from the health and social care sector has met several times and continues to advise HIQA on the draft standards, prior to a wider public consultation. The Authority anticipates that it will be in a position to commence the public consultation by the end of the year. The draft standards will then be amended based on feedback received from the consultation process and the final draft standards will be forwarded to me for approval.
46 Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has met with the Department of Justice and Equality on legislation for the vetting of employees and sharing of soft information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32520/11]
Draft Heads of Bill for a National Vetting Bureau were developed by my Department and following consultation with my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality we agreed that this legislation will be brought forward by Minister Shatter.
A working group to progress this legislation has been established on which my Department is represented. In addition there continues to be regular and ongoing contact at official and Ministerial level in relation to this very important piece of legislation.
47 Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the cutbacks to the community child-care subvention programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30306/11]
The Community Childcare Subvention Scheme (CCSS) was introduced in January 2008 under the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) to enable community not-for-profit childcare service to provide childare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families. Under the CCSS, community services were required to make an annual return to the Childcare Directorate which recorded the actual level of disadvantage among parents using their service and the level of service being used.
In Budget 2010, the Minister for Finance announced that the CCSS would be succeeded by a follow-on programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, with effect from September 2010 along with a new Childcare Education and Training (CETS) programme. The new CCS programme continues to provide support funding to community childcare services based on the level of service reported by them and maintains and improves the provision for disadvantaged and low income families. The CCS has a stronger focus on low income working parents and also continues the policy of tapered withdrawal of the subvention to assist parents moving from unemployment back into the workforce. The programme is demand led, and there has been no decrease in the rates of funding in the programme since its introduction last year.
Some 900 community services throughout the State are participating in the CCS programme. Services recently made their 2011/12 return, and the entitlements of individual parents are currently being assessed by the Department of Social Protection. The number of parents claiming support in this return indicates that the level of subvention under the programme is likely to rise in the 2011/2012 year.
48 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32683/11]
49 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32698/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 48 and 49 together.
My Department implemented an electronic payslip system in January 2008 as part of the "Transforming Public Service" programme of civil service modernisation. All of the Department's staff are now paid by electronic funds transfer.
The vast majority of the Department's headquarters staff avail of an e-payslips system via the Department's intranet. However, it remains necessary to issue hard copy payslips to staff who do not have access to the Department's intranet either because of the nature of their work or due to temporary absences on secondment, maternity leave or other reasons. The numbers change from week to week but are in the range of 100-120 which represents about 9% of the total payroll.
The cost of issuing hard copy payslips is estimated to be of the order of €3,000 per annum and my Department is continuing to look at ways of reducing payroll administration costs even further.
There are no agencies accountable to me.
50 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Finance his plans to reduce the VAT charged on school e-books; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32637/11]
I am advised by the Revenue Commissioners that the VAT rating of goods and services is subject to the requirements of EU VAT law with which Irish VAT law must comply. The general position is that school books are zero-rated. The zero rate applies to printed books, including atlases, children's picture, drawing and colouring books and books of music. All digitised publications, regardless of their rate when printed (for example, a book liable at zero rate), are treated as the supply of a service liable at the standard rate of VAT, currently 21%. E-books, online newspaper subscriptions and online information services purchased via download over the Internet are also considered the supply of services liable for VAT at the standard rate. The EU position is that digital information services are not the direct equivalent of traditional printed products, including books. Even where the content is similar, the additional functionality (e.g. search facilities, hyperlinks, archives, etc) associated with electronic content produces a fundamentally different product.
51 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Finance the situation regarding distressed mortgages which are held by a lender other than the two pillar banks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32599/11]
The measures that are in place to assist people who are having genuine difficulties in meeting their mortgage repayments cover both the "pillar banks" and the non pillar banks. The Central Bank's revised Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (the Code) applies to mortgage lending activities with borrowers in respect of their principal private residence in the State. Compliance with the Code is mandatory on all mortgage lenders registered with the Central Bank. The Code came into effect on 1 January 2011. With effect from 30 June 2011, lenders must have in place the required systems and trained staff necessary to support the implementation of the Code. The Code sets out the framework that lenders must use when dealing with borrowers who are in arrears or are in pre-arrears. For the purposes of the Code a "pre-arrears" case arises when the borrower contacts the lender stating that he or she is in danger of getting into financial difficulties and/or is concerned about getting into mortgage arrears. The Code can be accessed at www.centralbank.ie. The Central Bank has produced, with input from the National Consumer Agency, a consumer guide to assist consumers in understanding the new process under the revised Code.
Financial assistance is available to eligible claimants under the Department of Social Protection's Mortgage Interest Supplement Scheme.
People in debt or in danger of getting into debt can avail of the services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service. This is a national, free, confidential, and independent service.
Prior to the Summer recess the Economic Management Council asked an Inter-Departmental Group to consider further necessary actions to alleviate the increasing problem of mortgage over-indebtedness. The Group's report was published on 12 October 2011 and is available on my Department's website. The report was discussed in the Dail last month during which all members were given an opportunity to put forward their views. When these views have been collated I will put forward proposals to the Government on next steps including an implementation mechanism.
In the meantime work is already underway to implement some of the key recommendations of the report:-
The Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government with special responsibility for Housing and Planning will launch two mortgage-to-rent schemes in line with the report's recommendations. These will operate on a pilot basis initially subject to prompt review ahead of wider roll-out. Under each scheme households in extreme mortgage distress who are eligible for social housing will be able to remain in their homes as social housing tenants with either their lending institution or a housing association taking ownership of the property.
The Minister for Justice and Equality has already undertaken extensive work on the Heads of a Personal Insolvency Bill as set out in the report and these will be published shortly.
I have instructed the Banking Division of my Department to begin discussions with the banks to ensure speedy implementation of the measures set out in the report.
52 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide the primary Exchequer deficit, excluding interest payments on debt, and payments for bank recapitalisation and bond redemption on an annual basis from 2007 to 2010 in tabular form, and projections for 2011, 2012 and 2013 that is the annual difference between revenue and current and capital expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32604/11]
The information requested by the Deputy concerning the Exchequer primary deficit — that is the Exchequer deficit excluding debt interest expenditure — bank recapitalisation payments and bond redemptions for each of the years 2007-2010 is set out in the table. The Deputy should be aware that in 2007, the Exchequer was in primary balance. The Exchequer primary balances are calculated using figures from the annual Finance Accounts.
|
€billions |
||||
|
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
|
|
Exchequer Primary Balance |
0.0 |
-11.2 |
-22.1 |
-15.3 |
|
Exchequer Bank Recapitalisation Payments |
4.0 |
0.7 |
||
|
Bond Redemptions |
6.0 |
0.03 |
5.1 |
0.8 |
In 2009 the Exchequer funded a €4 billion capital injection into Anglo Irish Bank. In 2010, the Exchequer provided €625 million to Educational Building Society (EBS) and €100 million to Irish Nationwide Building Society (INBS) by way of special investment shares. This method of investment gave the State extensive powers and full economic ownership of the two building societies. These payments are reflected in the table above as they were sourced from the Exchequer.
Other banking related payments were funded from the National Pensions Reserve Fund (NPRF). Following the frontloading of the 2009 and 2010 Exchequer contributions, the NPRF invested, in 2009, €3.5 billion in each of Bank of Ireland and Allied Irish Banks. In 2010, the NPRF injected a further net €3.7 billion in capital into Allied Irish Banks.
In 2010, €30.85 billion was committed to Anglo Irish Bank, INBS and EBS by way of Promissory Notes. There was no Exchequer expenditure associated with these Notes in 2010. The first Exchequer payments in relation to these Notes took place in 2011.
The most recently published Department of Finance economic and budgetary forecasts are contained in April's Stability Programme Update (SPU). Updated economic and budgetary projections for the period 2011-2015 will be contained in the Medium-Term Fiscal Statement, which will be published tomorrow, Friday, 4th November.
53 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32682/11]
All employees in my Department are on electronic payslips and hard copy payslips are only provided to employees who are on extended absence, for example, maternity leave. The details sought by the Deputy are as follows:
Number of staff issued with payslips, 19.
Annual cost, €183
54 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Finance the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32697/11]
My Department is a shared services payroll provider and, in addition to paying Department of Finance staff, provides a service for a number of other Government Departments/Offices. Hard copy payslips are only provided to Departments/Offices who specifically request them.
The details sought by the Deputy are as follows:
Number of staff issued with payslips, 272.
Annual cost, €1,914.
The figures quoted represent total numbers and costs for payslips for the shared payroll services for the following Departments/Offices: Department of Finance, Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Office of the Chief State Solicitor, Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Attorney General, Office of the Ombudsman, Commission for Public Service Appointments, Public Appointments Service, State Laboratory, President's Establishment, Judicial salaries and salary for the President and the Comptroller and Auditor General.
The Office of the Paymaster General in my Department is responsible for the issue of pension payments to 22,000 retired Civil and Public Servants and their surviving spouses across a range of Government Departments and Offices. The figures provided exclude numbers and costs associated with pension payments.
The Revenue Commissioners, the Appeals Commissioners, the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General and NAMA, which are under the aegis of my Department, are not part of my Department's shared services payroll. The numbers and costs associated with these bodies are as follows:
Revenue Commissioners and Appeals Commissioners
no costs as they do not issue hard copy payslips to their employees:
Comptroller and Auditor General:
Number of staff issued with payslips, 154.
Annual cost, €830.
NTMA
There are currently 423 employees in the NTMA. Processing of the NTMA payroll is outsourced to PwC. Payslips are currently issued in hardcopy on a monthly basis . The NTMA are considering a move to electronic payslips. There would be a saving of five cent in the cost of processing each payslip from such a move as well as savings in postage and courier charges. It is estimated that the annual savings from such a move would be €415.
55 Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his attention has been drawn to the concerns amongst Protestant faith schools of the impact on their future sustainability of a further cut in funding in view of the removal in 2009 of the funding which traditionally safeguarded the viability of Protestant schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32558/11]
I assume the Deputy is referring to the withdrawal of certain funding from minority faith schools with effect from 1 January 2009, which realised an annual saving of €2.8 million to the Exchequer. These grants were withdrawn due to real concerns about the constitutionality of making grants available to fee-charging schools of one ethos and not to those of another.
As these schools no longer receive funding, the question of a further cut does not arise. The Deputy will appreciate that in advance of any decisions by the Government in the context of the upcoming budget, I am not at liberty to speculate on measures that may be announced.
There are 26 distinctively Protestant schools and one Jewish school. Of these schools, the Jewish school and 20 of the Protestant schools charge fees. Many of the schools have a boarding facility, reflecting the dispersed nature of the communities across the country. The six Protestant schools within the free education scheme receive the same funding as all other schools within the free education system.
This Government recognises the importance of ensuring that students from a Protestant or reformed church background can attend a school that reflects their denominational ethos while at the same time ensuring that funding arrangements are in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. I remind the Deputy that the Constitution specifically states that the State shall not discriminate against one religion in favour of another.
With regard to the fee-charging Protestant schools, an arrangement exists whereby funding is paid to the Secondary Education Committee, an organisation run by the churches involved in managing the schools. The Secondary Education Committee then disburses funds to the Protestant fee-charging schools on behalf of pupils who would otherwise have difficulty with the cost of boarding fees and who, in the absence of such financial support, would be unable to attend a second level school of a reformed church or Protestant ethos. Funding amounts to €6.5 million annually. There are no changes proposed in respect of the Protestant block grant.
Teachers in all fee-charging schools are paid by the State. This arrangement pre-dated the introduction of free education arrangements and has existed since the foundation of the State and predates the foundation of the State. The estimated cost of these posts in 2011 is of the order of €100 million. I am already on record as saying that this is not a simple matter as these arrangements, which are historic and of long standing, impact upon a substantial number of schools which cater for religious minorities.
56 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding autistic children in a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32563/11]
My Department approved funding to the school referred to by the Deputy for a building project consisting of a Special Needs Unit together with a secure hard/soft play area and parking provision. A once-off set up grant for the Unit was also approved.
My Department understands that works have now commenced on site and that the school authority has made temporary arrangements for a designated play area for those pupils in the special needs unit and in two other mainstream classes.
57 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the minor works scheme grants for primary schools are to be paid this year; when the payments will start; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32564/11]
Schools have been informed that they are not to enter into commitments in expectation of the issuing of the primary school minor works grant in the current school year (2011/12). The decision regarding the payment of the grant is likely to be taken in the near future.
58 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will ensure that the special needs assistant is approved in respect of a school (details supplied) in County Donegal. [32565/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts.
I wish to clarify for the Deputy the distinction between the role of the SNA and that of the teacher. SNAs and teachers have separate yet complementary roles. The class teacher is responsible for educating all pupils in his/her class, including any pupil with a special educational need. In this task, the teacher may be supported by a learning support teacher and/or resource teacher. SNAs are allocated to schools to enable them to support pupils with disabilities who also have significant care needs.
The NCSE has now advised all mainstream schools of their SNA allocation for the current school year, taking into account the care needs of qualifying pupils attending the school and has published statistical information in relation to the allocation of SNA posts and resource teaching hours to Primary, Special and Post Primary Schools. The information is provided on a county by county and school by school basis on its website at www.ncse.ie.
The school referred to by the Deputy has an allocation of 4 SNA posts.
The NCSE has a retained capacity to respond to emergency cases, or where additional care needs arise for schools as a result of new school enrolments, injuries or diagnoses, during the school year, in the context of existing SNA provision in the school.
The NCSE will advise schools in the near future of a process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
59 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of special needs assistants posts that were held back for the start of the new school year that have now been filled; the number of applications on hand and when schools that have applied can expect to hear about their application. [32567/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts. This number is 10,575 whole time equivalent (WTE) posts.
The NCSE has advised all mainstream schools of their SNA allocations for the 2011/12 school year and has recently published statistical information in relation to the allocation of SNA posts and resource teaching hours to Primary Special and Post Primary Schools. The information is provided on a county by county and school by school basis on its website at www.ncse.ie. In total, approximately 10,100 WTE SNA posts have been allocated to date for the current school year.
The NCSE retained 475 SNA posts in order to allocate them over the current school year in cases such as emergency, appeals, acquired injuries or new school entrants with care needs. The allocation of the 475 SNA posts is underway. It is expected that the bulk of the posts will be distributed to schools by the end of November with recruitment being undertaken by individual schools as soon as they are notified of any additional allocation. A number of schools have already started the recruitment process to fill posts allocated to them recently and others will start recruiting once they receive their notification.
The NCSE will advise schools in the near future of a process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism. I have arranged for the Deputy's query regarding the number of applications on hand to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply.
60 Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason redundancy payment was not paid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; if the person may now apply for redundancy in view of the extraordinary circumstances in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32575/11]
The redundancy arrangements for Special Needs Assistants were agreed at a national level under the auspices of the Labour Relations Commission. These arrangements are outlined in my Department's Circular 58/2006 (Redundancy Arrangements for Special Needs Assistants). Under the terms of the Circular, the time limit for submitting an application for payment of redundancy is 52 weeks after the date of termination of the contract of employment. The person referred to by the Deputy is not entitled to payment as the time limit for submitting an application has expired.
Circular 0058/2006 was posted to all schools in 2006 for the attention of Boards of Management, Principal Teachers and Special Needs Assistants. This Circular has also been on my Department's website since that time. As the SNA's employer, the Board of Management is responsible for following correct procedures in recruitment and any other matters regarding that person's employment contract.
61 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to deal with the teaching vacancies in both post primary and primary schools that will arise from the February 2012 retirement deadline under the Croke Park agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32594/11]
I am conscious of the potential impact of teachers retiring on State examination classes in post-primary schools. My Department has had discussions with second-level management bodies on this matter and intends to issue information to schools on re-employing such teachers for the remainder of the school year where this is considered necessary to reduce that impact.
Any measures will be confined to teachers teaching State examination classes in post-primary schools. Vacancies in primary schools may be filled in a temporary capacity for the remainder of the school year in accordance with agreed procedures.
62 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills the position regarding a school building (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32596/11]
The new school referred to by the Deputy is one of eight schools which were approved for inclusion in the 3rd Bundle of schools to be procured via Public Private Partnership. This Bundle was handed over to the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) in July 2010 to commence the tender procurement process. I am pleased to inform the Deputy that tenders were received on 5th July 2011 and following evaluation, the BAM PPP consortium was appointed Preferred Tenderer on 30th September 2011. BAM has recently submitted applications for full planning permission to the relevant local authorities and subject to the successful outcomes to these applications and the completion of the procurement process, it is anticipated that construction of the schools in the Bundle will commence in the first quarter of 2012. The accommodation is expected to be ready for occupation in September 2013.
63 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans on the appointment of school psychologists; and the progress that has been made in providing psychologists in schools. [32600/11]
I can inform the Deputy that all primary and post- primary schools have access to psychological assessments either directly through the National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) or through the Scheme for Commissioning Psychological Assessments (SCPA) whereby the school can have an assessment carried out by a member of the panel of private psychologists approved by NEPS, and NEPS will pay the psychologist the fees for this assessment directly. NEPS currently directly employs some 174 psychologists sited in 22 local and Regional offices countrywide and assigned to schools in their respective catchment areas. Recruitment of additional psychologist staff has been ongoing and in the past year some 23 have been employed within the service (most recently 3 in September 2011) offset somewhat by the loss of 5 staff due to resignation or retirement. At present some 93% of primary and post-primary pupils are in schools with a NEPS psychologist assigned an increase from 86% for the same period last year. In regard to commitments within the Programme for Government to further expand NEPS staffing psychologist staffing levels I will be consulting with colleagues within Government in relation to this and other such commitments with a view to the timing of the implementation thereof at which stage I will make public my Department's intentions in this regard.
64 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the 10% of special needs assistant posts that were held in reserve have been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32601/11]
The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. This now includes a requirement for the NCSE to have regard to an overall cap on the number of SNA posts. This number is 10,575 whole time equivalent (WTE) posts.
The NCSE advised all mainstream schools of their SNA allocations for the 2011/12 school year and published statistical information in relation to the allocation of SNA posts and resource teaching hours to Primary Special and Post Primary Schools. The information is provided on a county by county and school by school basis on its website at www.ncse.ie.
The NCSE retained 475 SNA posts in order to allocate them over the current school year in cases such as emergency, appeals, acquired injuries or new school entrants with care needs. The allocation of the 475 SNA posts is underway. It is expected that the bulk of the posts will be distributed to schools by the end of November with recruitment being undertaken by individual schools as soon as they are notified of any additional allocation. A number of schools have already started the recruitment process to fill posts allocated to them recently and others will start recruiting once they receive their notification.
The NCSE will advise schools in the near future of a process to review allocation decisions to ensure that correct procedures were followed and that they comply with my Department's policy. The merits of individual allocation decisions will not be open to appeal under this mechanism.
65 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Education and Skills the extent to which the 10% of resource teacher posts that were held in reserve have been allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32602/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that approximately 9,950 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) learning support/resource teacher posts, including those provided under the General Allocation Model, are being provided in primary & post primary schools in the 2011/12 school year in order to provide additional teaching support to pupils with special educational needs. This represents an increase of approximately 350 whole time equivalent posts over last year's allocation. Of the 9,950 posts being provided for Learning Support/Resource Teaching, 9,430 WTE posts were sanctioned in schools (including 4450 posts provided under the General Allocation Model) in advance of the 2011/12 school year. The Deputy will be aware that the National Council for Special Education (NCSE) is responsible, through its network of local Special Educational Needs Organisers (SENOs) for allocating resource teachers and Special Needs Assistants (SNAs) to schools to support children with special educational needs. The NCSE operates within my Department's criteria in allocating such support. Circular 37/2011 provides information to schools regarding the arrangements which are being put in place for the 2011/12 school year for the allocation of Resource Teaching hours for children with assessed special educational needs.
In relation to the allocation of individual Resource Teaching hours, the position is that for the 2011/12 school year an initial allocation of 90% of valid identified resource teaching allocations was made by the NCSE to schools. This allocation, in the first instance, provided schools with the majority of their allocation, yet preserved enough capacity to deal with late applications and ensure that my Department can remain within Employment Control Framework obligations. Schools had been requested to forward any outstanding applications, or additional outstanding materials to support incomplete applications to the NCSE for consideration before 16th September 2011. These applications have been considered and my Department has approved the allocation of further Resource Teaching supports in schools by the NCSE, as well as allowing for limited capacity for further allocations by the NCSE as and when valid applications arise throughout the remainder of the school year. The NCSE will be in contact with schools in the near future to inform them of their individual allocations. The NCSE has recently published statistical information in relation to the allocation of SNA posts and resource teaching hours to Primary, Special and Post Primary Schools. The information is provided on a county by county and school by school basis on its website at www.ncse.ie.
66 Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the third level grant will be paid to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32629/11]
The processing of student grants is carried out by local grant awarding authorities — VECs and local authorities. In the circumstances, it will be necessary for the student in question to contact his grant awarding authority to ascertain the position regarding his grant application.
67 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Education and Skills if, in view of medical circumstances a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will be considered for one further year of home tuition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32642/11]
The Deputy will be aware that my Department's home tuition scheme provides funding to parents to provide education at home for children who, for a number of reasons such as chronic illness, are unable to attend school. The scheme was extended in recent years to facilitate tuition for children awaiting a suitable educational placement and also to provide early educational intervention for pre-school children with autism. Children with a significant medical condition which is likely to cause major disruption to their attendance at school on a continuing basis are eligible for home tuition under the scheme. Eligibility in this regard is assessed with reference to a completed medical report and attendance records supplied by the school in which the pupil is enrolled. In the case referred to by the Deputy the child has not yet enrolled in school and does not meet the eligibility criteria for Home Tuition.
68 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills when a response will issue from him in relation to an issue (details supplied). [32645/11]
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that a response issued last week from my Department to the school on the issues to which he refers. I have previously advised the Deputy the position in relation to the provision of an administrative principal posts in special schools. The Report of the Special Education Review Committee outlines that an administrative principal post should be appointed in a special school at the point at which the six teacher (5th assistant) is about to be appointed to a school. My officials have previously outlined this position directly to the school in question which has an authorised staffing of 1 Principal and 3 full-time teachers.
Similarly my Department's ancillary services grant is based on the number of authorised full-time teaching staff approved for the school. The special school referred to by the Deputy receives an ancillary services grant of €24,050.00, based on its authorised staffing level. Circular Letter 25/02 outlines the number of days that teaching principals may take as release time in a school year. The On Line Claims System, through which schools record absences for teachers, allows Principal Release Time to be recorded only in accordance with Circular Letter 25/02 based on the mainstream class teachers in the school.
69 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if further consideration will be given to the concerns outlined by a group (details supplied) in the preparation of the legislation to establish the statutory fund in view of the fact that those concerns were outlined at a meeting in his Department on 22 July 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32658/11]
I had a very constructive meeting with groups representing survivors of residential institutional abuse on 22nd July last, when we discussed the Government's approach to the proposed Statutory Fund to support the needs of victims of residential institutional abuse. A number of the groups represented at that meeting, including that referred to by the Deputy, raised a number of issues regarding aspects of the proposed approach as set out in the General Scheme of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill. I should point out also that since that meeting I have received a number of submissions from groups and individuals in relation to the proposed legislation. Work on the drafting of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Bill is at an advanced stage and the various views expressed are being considered as the drafting process continues.
70 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) in County Cavan will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32659/11]
The Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning. The Design Team are currently working on finalising the Stage 1 submission (Preliminary Sketch Design) which is expected to be submitted to my Department shortly. When this submission is received, it will be reviewed by my Department and my officials will then be in contact with the Board of Management of the school with regard to the further progression of the project.
71 Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the proposed building project for a school (details supplied) will proceed to the next stage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32660/11]
The Major Building Project referred to by the Deputy is currently at an early stage of Architectural Planning. The Design Team are currently working on finalising the Stage 1 submission (Preliminary Sketch Design) which is expected to be submitted to my Department shortly. When this submission is received, it will be reviewed by my Department and my officials will then be in contact with the Board of Management of the school with regard to the further progression of the project.
72 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32680/11]
73 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Education and Skills the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32695/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 72 and 73 together.
The annualised cost of issuing hardcopy payslips to the approximate 94,000 school employees and pensioners, and staff employed by my Department and some bodies under its aegis, is €1.48 million.
Consideration was given by officials in my Department in 2010, to making payslips available electronically to serving and retired school employees on the Department's payrolls using esinet (which is a portal for the delivery of online applications to schools and school staff). Following consideration of the issue, it was decided that it was not practical to proceed with the initiative at this stage, due to a number of practical and logistical issues including the initial set-up cost. However, my Department will keep this issue under review.
My Department is currently testing an online payslips facility which is intended to be made available to staff in my Department from early 2012. My Department is also exploring with potential providers the movement of the staff payroll and associated services to a shared services platform as part of the Public Service Reform Agenda. The provision of online payslips would form an element of such a service. The information in relation to agencies accountable to me is not readily available and would involve an inordinate amount of administrative time to compile. However, if the Deputy has any particular agency in mind I would be happy to have my officials obtain the relevant details and communicate them to the Deputy.
74 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if a date has been set to introduce the Construction Contracts Bills in Dáil Éireann this term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32550/11]
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to introduce new legislation to protect small building subcontractors that have been denied payments from bigger companies. In addition, you may be aware that the Construction Contracts Bill 2010 was introduced by Senator Feargal Quinn and passed Committee and remaining stages in the Seanad on 8 March 2011. It is now before the Dáil. My colleague Minister of State Mr Brian Hayes has been working with Senator Quinn to develop the Bill into a robust piece of legislation. In this regard, Minister Hayes and Senator Quinn met relevant stakeholders and opposition spokespersons on 28 June 2011. This consultation highlighted a number of matters relating to the Bill that required further consideration. These have been taken into account now in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) on the Bill which was published on 27 September. The Report is available on my Department's website: www.per.gov.ie/reports. I understand that a note on this issue has been circulated to all Oireachtas members.
Minister Hayes will reflect on the findings of the RIA and incorporate them into the legislative proposals which will be brought to Government shortly for approval. It is essential that the solution to this issue needs to be balanced so as to avoid imposing regulatory or cost burdens on parties in dispute, the State or others.
75 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32687/11]
76 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32702/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 75 and 76 together.
My Department payroll and that of a number of Offices under the aegis of my Department is administered by the Department of Finance shared services payroll and the details sought by the Deputy are included in the figures returned by that Department. The Department of Finance is a Payroll Agent for the following Departments/Offices under my remit: Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, Commission for Public Service Appointments, Public Appointments Service, State Laboratory, Office of the Ombudsman, Presidents Establishment and the Office of the Paymaster General.
The Commissioners of Public Works and the Valuation Office, which is also under the aegis of my Department, is not part of the Department of Finance shared services payroll and the numbers and costs associated with both these bodies are as follows:
The Valuation Office does not issue any hard copy payslips to staff. All staff members are paid by EFT.
In the case of the Office of Public Works (OPW), the average number of staff issued with payslips is 1,450 at an annual cost of €11,260.
The OPW has confirmed that all staff on the established side have access to online payslips through work. A handful of staff (on average 18 per week) on the established side are issued with payslips. These are staff who are off long term on, for example, sick leave, maternity leave, etc. Payroll Section receives an instruction from Personnel to issue such payslips. The vast majority of the payslips are issued on the Industrial side as most of these staff do not have access to computers in work. The OPW is currently examining different ways of transferring these staff to online payslips.
77 Deputy Frank Feighan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a company (details supplied) in County Leitrim regarding the retention of jobs; the status of inquiries to purchase the company and the likely timeframe of developments. [32562/11]
My priority is that any decision taken by Bank of America (BOA) will have minimal impact on employees at the Carrick on Shannon operation and ensure that jobs are maintained at the facility. I emphasised this when I travelled to the USA recently and held discussions with BOA CEO and senior management. While the company has not made any final sale decisions, I am satisfied as to its current level of engagement with IDA Ireland.
IDA Ireland has had regular contact with local management since the announcement by Bank of America to monitor the evolving situation and has engaged its international network of overseas offices to identify groups with a potential interest in the Carrick operation.
It is still very early in the process of attempting to maximise future activity and employment at the Carrick facility. There has been positive preliminary interest. However it would clearly take some time for any definitive proposal to emerge and be selected. Fortunately, Bank of America has not set down any rigid timelines so there is an opportunity for both it and the IDA to evaluate opportunities.
78 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32685/11]
My Department has recently commenced issuing payslips electronically. All staff in my Department and its Offices can now view their payslips and other related payroll documents by logging on to a secure computer application. The new facility replaces the traditional method of providing each staff member with a hard copy payslip and it provides quick and secure access to both current and historical payslip and other payroll information online. This initiative will have both positive environmental and cost impacts by reducing the amount of paper produced by the Department.
79 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32700/11]
As this is a day to day matter for the respective agencies, I have referred the question to them for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
80 Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Limerick will receive their redundancy payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32593/11]
Under the Redundancy Payments Scheme all eligible employees are entitled to a statutory redundancy lump sum payment on being made redundant. In this case no claim appears to have been submitted for the individual concerned.
81 Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Social Protection the average waiting time for mortgage interest relief applications to be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32630/11]
The community welfare service (CWS) and the community welfare officers providing it transferred formally to the Department of Social Protection (DSP) from 1 October 2011. The service and the staff are now part of the DSP.
The timescale for determining applications for mortgage interest supplement (MIS) is dependent, among other things, on the availability of the required information, such as details of the applicant's income, bank statements etc. In addition, some aspects of the application are inevitably time consuming and delays can occur where investigations such as home visits or third party evidence are required. Delays can also arise if the applicant is slow to respond to requests for additional information.
Statistics are not available on the average length of time taken to assess mortgage interest supplement applications.
The provision of a prompt service is a major objective for the Department's staff dealing with MIS applications. However, this is tempered by the necessity to ensure that every case is fully investigated and that all cases are dealt with in a consistent and fair manner. While certain applications may take more time to process than others, I am satisfied that the Department's staff dealing with these applications make every effort to ensure mortgage interest supplement claims are processed efficiently and that the appropriate levels of oversight and controls are in place.
83 Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Social Protection if will release a child poverty impact analysis in relation to budget 2012 and future budgets; her views on the need and usefulness of such an analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32628/11]
As part of the deliberative process for Budget 2012, my Department will analyse, in so far as possible, the distributive and poverty impact, including the impact on children, of possible welfare changes prior to the finalisation of the Budget.
My department undertook an analysis of the distributive and poverty impacts on families of the Budget 2011 tax and welfare package, in conjunction with the Department of Finance. I arranged for this to be published on the department's website in March 2011. It is my intention that a similar analysis of Budget 2012 will be published early next year.
84 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Social Protection the way a medical adviser from her Department came to a conclusion that contradicts that of several medical experts. [32552/11]
An application for invalidity pension, on behalf of the person concerned, has been assessed by three separate departmental medical assessors, including the Chief Medical Advisor. A medical report from only one consultant cardiologist is on file. This report states that the applicant is not capable of returning to his former employment. To qualify for invalidity pension a person must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months or be permanently incapable of work. Whilst acknowledging that the cardiologist is of the opinion that the applicant is not capable of returning to his former employment, the departmental medical assessors are of the opinion that he does not satisfy the medical requirements of the invalidity pension scheme, where all categories of work are taken into consideration.
85 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection if free travel for older persons and those with disabilities is being cut to off peak only times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32555/11]
At the outset, let me say that I am very conscious of the needs of people on Social Welfare and fully understand that a wide range of groups depend on the welfare budget for vital support. In the context of a very tough budgetary environment, I will do my utmost to protect the most vulnerable people in Irish society, including people with disabilities and older people in receipt of the free travel scheme.
My Department will spend over €77 million in 2011 on the free travel scheme which will benefit over 700,000 people, some 520,000 of whom are aged over 66.
Sustainable public finances are a prerequisite for maintaining an adequate system of social protection as well as for achieving future economic stability and growth. For these reasons, the State must pursue a determined deficit reduction strategy. Accordingly, there will be an on-going requirement to curtail expenditure and prioritise resources in my Department and in all other Departments, in 2012 and in later years.
In this regard, my Department has completed a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure. The purpose of the review is to assess the effectiveness and value for money of spending programmes across all Departments and agencies. All spending lines are being examined without exception and possible ways of reducing spending are being considered in every area of expenditure. The fact that measures have been identified in which spending could potentially be reduced does not mean that all of these approaches will be implemented.
The intention behind the methodology being followed is to provide the Government with a set of decision options to enable it to meet three objectives. These objectives are firstly to achieve overall fiscal consolidation outcomes, both as regards spending and numbers reduction targets, secondly to re-align spending with the programme for Government priorities and thirdly, to consider new ways of implementing Government policy in the context of public sector reform.
In my discussions with my colleagues in Government I will have regard to any views expressed by welfare representative organisations. In this regard, I held a Pre-Budget Forum on 16th September last. This was attended by 34 organisations and my officials and I had the opportunity to listen carefully to their proposals relating to the next Budget.
I would like to stress that no decisions have been made to date in relation to welfare expenditure next year. These decisions will be made in due course after full consideration by the Government and will be announced on Budget day.
86 Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Carlow will receive a decision on their application for disability; and if she will expedite a response. [32561/11]
I confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome. The average time taken to process a claim to completion, including assessment of the claimant's means, medical condition and habitual residence status is approximately 17 weeks.
87 Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Social Protection the current situation regarding JobBridge internships in the area of direct work with children and young persons; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that several of these internships have been disallowed and that many voluntary and community organisations who wish to offer opportunities in this area cannot do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32569/11]
When JobBridge was originally launched restrictions were put in place in relation to care related internships, including working with children. However, these restrictions were removed on 7 October and applications for care related internships have been accepted since this date.
It should be noted that all applications for internships must meet the JobBridge eligibility criteria in order to be approved and posted on the JobBridge website. Host organisations that do not meet these criteria will not have their applications approved. One such criterion is that a Host Organisation must have at least one full time employee in order to qualify to participate in JobBridge. A small number of community and voluntary organisations do.
88 Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 13 October 2011 if, considering specific provision is made to ensure that time spent on maternity leave does not compromise compliance with the employment condition of entitlement to carer’s benefit, she will introduce similar provision and allow credited contributions accrued on maternity leave to count towards the PRSI contribution condition for carer’s benefit. [32581/11]
The current conditions are designed to ensure that those qualifying for carer's benefit have had an adequate and sustained commitment to the social insurance system, thereby upholding the contributory principle that underpins the qualifying conditions for all social insurance payments.
The social insurance system is based on two fundamental principles — the contributory principle whereby there is a direct link between contributions paid and entitlement to a varying range of benefits and pensions that are payable as a right — if and when particular contingencies arise, and the solidarity principle whereby contributions paid by insured persons are not actuarially linked to benefits but are instead redistributed to support contributors who are more vulnerable. It is an expression of solidarity between both earning groups and generations.
I have no plans to amend the PRSI contributions requirement for carer's benefit.
An applicant who does not qualify for carer's benefit may qualify for carer's allowance. The means test for carer's allowance has been significantly eased over the years, and is now one of the most generous means tests in the social welfare system, most notably with regard to spouse's earnings. Since April 2008, the income disregard has been €332.50 per week for a single person and €665 per week for a couple. This means that a couple with two children can earn in the region of €35,400 and qualify for the maximum rate of carer's allowance as well as the associated free travel and household benefits. A couple with an income in the region of €59,300 can still qualify for a minimum payment, as well as the associated free travel, household benefits package.
89 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding the flood relief scheme for persons who need financial assistance due to the damage caused during the recent flooding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32597/11]
The Government is critically aware of the devastation suffered by people in many areas of the country as a result of the recent floods. My Department is playing a key part in the Government's response to these events.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department makes exceptional needs payments (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which cannot be met out of people's weekly income. In addition to the payment of ENPs, my Department also makes urgent needs payments, which can be made to persons who would not normally be entitled to SWA. The aftermath of flooding is one situation where urgent needs payments can be made.
Since the floods earlier this week, my Departmental Officials (former Community Welfare Officers) are providing individuals with emergency payments to offset their immediate needs such as the purchase of food, clothing, fuel and household goods. My officials have made house to house calls to individuals they have identified as being vulnerable at this difficult time. In addition special clinics have been established to offer help to affected households.
Any person experiencing hardship as a result of the recent flooding should contact the local Department of Social Protection representative administering the SWA scheme who may be able to offer assistance.
90 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will respond to the call from an organisation (details supplied) to reverse the fuel allowance cuts as we do not want elderly and disadvantaged persons going cold this winter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32611/11]
My Department will spend over €530 million in 2011 on the fuel scheme and the telephone, gas and electricity elements of the household benefits package which will benefit some 390,000 people on household benefits and 375,000 on the fuel allowance. In 2005 there were 325,000 people on household benefits and 265,000 on the fuel allowance at a cost of €280 million. The costs have almost doubled in six years while the number of customers has risen by more than 20%.
The fuel allowance is paid for thirty-two weeks, beginning on 26 September. All customers will receive the standard rate of €20 per week, the rate previously received by the majority of customers, with no additional allowance for living in a smokeless area. The allowance represents a contribution towards a person's normal heating expenses. It is not intended to meet those costs in full.
Difficult decisions had to be made in light of the existing economic situation and commitments made by the previous government. However, I should emphasise that my Department will cover the cost of the price increases in electricity which came into effect from 1 October and maintain the value of these allowances at 1,800 units. In other words, the price increases will not have an impact on the customers who benefit from this support. The electricity allowance, which was €35.80 per month, will increase to €39.40. The price increases will cost the Department over €4 million in 2011 and €17.3 million in a full year.
I accept that the recent reduction in the household benefits package may be difficult for some people. I hope the fact that these new price increases will be covered by my Department will give reassurance to those who are supported by the household benefits package.
We should also bear in mind that data show that households comprising predominantly older people have lower consistent poverty rates than other age categories. In 2009 single adults aged over 65 with no children had a consistent poverty rate of 0.6% while people in households with two adults, at least one of whom was aged 65 or over, with no children had a consistent poverty rate of 1.0%. In the general population, 5.5% of people were in consistent poverty. The Survey on Income and Living Conditions (2009) also showed that the elderly were less likely than other groups to have gone without heating in the previous year. The most cost-effective means of protecting households from energy poverty is to reduce consumption of energy through improving the home's thermal efficiency. Sustainable Energy Ireland has administered the Warmer Homes programme for privately owned low-income households since 2001, benefitting 65,000 households, with a further 15,000 to receive upgrades this year. A similar programme is in place for local authority houses.
91 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32618/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that the appeal from the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who proposes to hold an oral hearing in this case.
There has been a very significant increase in the number of appeals received by the Social Welfare Appeals Office since 2007 when the intake was 14,070 to 2010 when the intake rose to 32,432. This has significantly impacted on the processing time for appeals which require oral hearings and, in order to be fair to all appellants, they are dealt with in strict chronological order. In the context of dealing with the considerable number of appeals now on hand, the Department made 9 additional appointments to the office earlier this year.
While every effort is being made to deal with the large numbers awaiting oral hearing as quickly as possible, it is not possible to give a date when the person's oral hearing will be heard, but s/he will be informed when arrangements have been made.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
92 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Social Protection when the date will be set for an oral hearing regarding an appeal for an invalidity pension by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32643/11]
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal, by the person concerned, was registered in that office on 25 August 2011. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant Departmental papers and comments by the Social Welfare Services on the grounds of appeal be sought. When received, the appeal in question will be referred to an Appeals Officer for consideration. As part of this consideration, the Appeals Officer will decide if an oral hearing is appropriate in this case.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions on social welfare entitlements.
94 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by her; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32688/11]
95 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Social Protection the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to her; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32703/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 94 and 95 together.
Under the Payment of Wages Act, 1991 an employee is entitled to a clear statement of the gross amount of the wages payable to the employee and the nature and amount of any deductions from that pay. The Department's staff have access to this statement electronically via an online system which is available to them through the Department's internal corporate intranet site.
Since July 2009 hard copy pay slips are not issued to the Department's staff except in a very limited number of situations where employees do not have access to the Department's internal corporate intranet site, for example if they are on extended leave such as long term sick leave or maternity leave. Over 97% of the Department's staff receive information on wages paid and associated deductions solely by electronic means.
Hard copy pay slips are issued to 176 members of staff at present. These represent less than 3% of a total of the Department's total of 6,557 staff. The estimated cost of issuing pay slips to these employees is approximately €5,400 per annum.
The three statutory bodies operating under the aegis of the Department are the Social Welfare Tribunal, the Citizens Information Board and the Pensions Board. In addition, the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman comes under the remit of the Department.
The Social Welfare Tribunal has no employees. Its administration support is provided as required by a designated member of the Department's staff who performs this role as part of their normal duties as an executive officer. That person's salary is paid electronically and they receive information on wages paid and associated deductions solely by electronic means.
The Pensions Board has for the past five years issued payslips to all employees by electronic means only. However, there are two retired members of staff who receive hard copy payslips as they do not have access to email. The annual cost is estimated to be €12.
In the Citizens Information Board (CIB), expenditure of some €1,000 is anticipated in 2011 to provide payslips to 122 current and retired members of staff. The CIB is currently investigating the option of providing payslips by electronic means. However, no decision has been made yet in this regard.
No employee in the Office of the Pensions Ombudsman is issued with a hard copy payslip.
96 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 609 of 9 July 2009 and 123 of 5 November 2009, if funding will be made available to upgrade the canal walkway in an area of Dublin (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32590/11]
I am informed by Waterways Ireland that the upgrading of the stretch of canal referred to by the Deputy was to be included as part of a significant redevelopment being considered in the area by Dublin City Council. However, this redevelopment has not proceeded. I am also advised by Waterways Ireland that funding has not been allocated to this project at present. Waterways Ireland will continue to maintain canal walkways in Dublin, within the resources available to it.
97 Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht his plans to amend the Wildlife Amendment Act 2010 to accommodate Ward Union Hunt as was committed prior to the general election 2011. [32619/11]
The Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2010 made it an offence to hunt a deer with two or more dogs. This legislation had the purpose of banning stag hunting by riders and hounds.
I have a broad remit to protect Ireland's wildlife and natural heritage. One of my biggest challenges will be to work towards greater common understanding of the issues we face in protecting our natural heritage. My Department has significant challenges before it to ensure that Ireland is in full compliance with EU Directives on nature conservation, and that we ensure that the richness of Ireland's built and natural heritage contributes to national economic recovery. It is my view that the resources of my Department should be focused on those areas. I will continue to keep all provisions of the Wildlife Acts under review and introduce improvements to the law where appropriate.
98 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32676/11]
As the Deputy will be aware, my Department was established on the 2nd of June 2011. Payroll services are provided to my Department by the Financial Shared Service (FSS) of the Department of Justice and Equality. Currently, 22 of 73 weekly-paid and 40 of 161 fortnightly-paid staff are in receipt of hard copy payslips on an ongoing basis. FSS estimates that the cost associated with issuing hard copy payslips to these employees, which is borne by FSS, for the year 2011 is €2,445.27.
For completeness, I would also advise the Deputy that payroll services for Heritage staff have only been transferred to the Financial Shared Service during the month of October. As a result, a number of staff who are normally in receipt of electronic payslips are currently being provided with hard copy payslips on a transitional basis. My Department and the Financial Shared Service are working together to restore electronic access to payslips for these staff by the end of this month.
All staff are encouraged to avail of electronic forms of payment and electronic payslips, where possible, and my Department reviews the operation of its payroll service on an ongoing basis to improve efficiency and minimise costs in this area.
99 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32691/11]
It is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the time-frame permitted for this Parliamentary Question. I will ensure that the information is sent directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
100 Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the circumstances in which formal consultation is required in relation to licence applications for exploration or development in Northern Ireland that could have a transfrontier element. [32566/11]
Article 7 of the EIA directive (85/337/EEC) provides for a trans-boundary consultation regime where a project in one Member State is likely to have significant effect on the environment in another Member State. The directive also requires Member States to agree on a reasonable time frame for the duration of the consultation period.
I can inform the Deputy that details of the Petroleum Licence issued by the Northern Ireland authorities in the Lough Allen Basin are in the public domain and do not involve drilling in the first three years of the licence. The onshore petroleum authorisations granted on both sides of the border in the Lough Allen Basin are therefore at a very early stage. Informal contact with the Northern Ireland Authorities will continue in relation to these authorisations.
101 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32678/11]
The payroll function for my Department is carried out by the Department of Finance under a shared service agreement. Accordingly, there are no costs to my Department that relate to the issuing of hard copy payslips.
102 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32693/11]
I wish to advise the Deputy that the day to day running of the payroll function in the State agencies under my aegis is a matter for each individual agency and you should contact them directly with regard to the information sought.
103 Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will extend the 31 October deadline for the spreading of farm slurry, due to the continuation of extremely high rainfall, which prohibited slurry disposal on land from mid-October in many areas and especially in the south west. [32633/11]
I refer to the reply to Question No. 390 of 25 October 2011 which set out the position in this matter.
104 Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a person who resides in rented accommodation while owning a principal residence they no longer live in due to necessity of employment in a different part of the country, are liable under section 5(c) of the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32548/11]
The €200 charge on non-principal private residences is payable by the owners of private rented accommodation, holiday homes and other non-principal residences. The most important exemption under the Local Government (Charges) Act 2009 is for a person's sole or main residence. However, any one individual can have only one such residence.
In a situation where a person owns a property in which he or she does not live and his or her sole or main residence is a rented property, there would be a liability for the charge in respect of the property owned by the person, unless it is otherwise exempted under section 4 of the Act.
105 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the assistance available to an elderly person in receipt of an old age pension to replace windows and doors in view of the fact that the local authority are not accepting any applications due to lack of funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32554/11]
Under the terms of my Department's Housing Aid for Older People Grant Scheme, which is administered by the local authorities, grants of up to €10,500 are available to assist older people living in poor housing conditions to have necessary repairs or improvements carried out. Grant eligible works are varied and may include repairs to or replacement of windows and doors, which in the opinion of the local authority are considered necessary to make the house habitable for the lifetime of the occupant. The maximum grant available is €10,500 which may cover up to 100% of the costs of works for applicants with gross annual household incomes of less than €30,000, tapering to 30% for those with incomes of €54,001 to €65,000.
In the case of County Wicklow, my Department notified Wicklow County Council on 17 February 2011 of an Exchequer allocation of €0.919 million for 2011 under the suite of grants for older people and people with a disability. To date some €0.686 million of this, amounting to 75% of the approved funding, has been drawn down by the Council.
My Department is aware that these schemes are very heavily subscribed and available funding has been committed in many areas. My Department is also aware of the financial constraints on local authority own resources funding at this time and, in order to relieve the pressure on revenue funding, agreed to allow authorities to use internal capital receipts to boost the revenue funding available for supporting the grant schemes in 2011.
To provide for continuity in the processing of applications and the payment of grants under the various grant measures, local authorities are advised by my Department that they can commit up to 50% of their current year allocation in respect of grant payments falling due in the following year.
106 Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on a matter regarding the waiver of rates (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32560/11]
Local authorities are under a statutory obligation to levy rates on any property used for commercial purposes in accordance with the details entered in the valuation lists prepared by the independent Commissioner of Valuation under the Valuation Act 2001. The levying and collection of rates are matters for each individual local authority.
There is currently no legal provision to introduce a national waiver scheme for rates. Under the legislation the person liable for payment of rates is the person in occupation of a rateable property on the date of the making of the rate by the relevant local authority. The owner rather than the occupier may be liable for commercial rates if the property in question is unoccupied on the date of the making of the rate. Should a person's occupancy commence after the date of the making of the rate then that person is not primarily liable for rates for that year. However, as a subsequent occupier, that person can be held liable for up to two years arrears of rates if they cannot be recovered from the person with whom the primary liability lies.
I recognise that these are difficult economic times for many businesses and I am keeping all matters relating to rates under regular consideration in my Department.
107 Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Dog Breeding Establishment Act will be signed into law in order that the relevant authorities can work to prevent animal cruelty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32568/11]
109 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 271 of 14 April 2011, when he intends to commence the Dog Breeding Establishments Bill 2009 in view of the fact that it is a matter of some urgency that regulation be applied to the dog breeding industry to ensure that cruel practises are stopped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32576/11]
111 Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government when the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010 will be enacted. [32595/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 107, 109 and 111 together.
I refer to the reply to Questions Nos. 254 and 255 of 2 November 2011 which set out the position in this matter.
108 Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the number of persons who have applied for technical assessment under the Building Control Act 2007 since its introduction; the number of applications in total that have been rejected from sitting the technical assessment after paying the initial fee; the number of applicants that have passed the technical assessment exam; the number of applicants who have failed the technical assessment exam; the date on which the 2010 annual report which is stipulated in section 73 of the Building Control Act 2007 will be published and be made available to the public taking into account that it is now November 2011. [32572/11]
Part 3 of the Building Control Act 2007 provides for the registration of persons permitted to use the title of Architect while Parts 4 and 5 of the Act similarly provide for the registration of persons permitted to use the titles of Quantity Surveyor and Building Surveyor respectively. The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) has been designated as the registration body for the purposes of Part 3 of the Act while the Society of Chartered Surveyors, now known as the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI) has been designated as the registration body for Parts 4 and 5.
Section 22 of the Act makes specific provision for a category of practically trained persons who had already been providing architectural services in Ireland commensurate with those understood as being provided by Architects for the purpose of the Building Control Act 2007 for a period of ten years at the time the Act became law. This provision is transitional in nature and enables this category of persons to become registered once they have been assessed as eligible for registration by the Technical Assessment Board in accordance with the practical experience assessment procedure — a process which assesses work submitted by the applicant and which does not involve any requirement to sit an examination.
The RIAI has advised my Department that eight applications for technical assessment have been received to date. Of these, seven applications have been fully considered by the Technical Assessment Board with five applicants being deemed eligible for registration and two applicants being deemed unsuccessful. A further application is currently being assessed.
The registers maintained by the SCSI were commenced in recent months and one application for technical assessment for inclusion on the register of building surveyors has been received to date and is currently being assessed.
My Department is currently discussing reporting arrangements with the registration bodies. Information regarding its activities under the Act was included in the RIAI's annual report for 2010.
110 Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if he will immediately end the system of self-certification in the building regulations and return to a situation in which local authorities are responsible for certifying development, in tandem with the lifting of the public sector recruitment embargo, in order to ensure that they have the appropriate levels of staff to deal with the function. [32579/11]
In July 2011, I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations.
In broad terms the measures will involve:-
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;
(b) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity;
(c) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions;
(d) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.
Decisions in relation to the appropriate levels of staffing for building control purposes are a matter for each County and City Manager who, under section 159 of the Local Government Act 2001, is responsible for staffing and organisational arrangements necessary for carrying out the functions of the local authorities for which he or she is responsible. In this regard, it is a matter for each County and City Manager, in the first instance, to ensure that staffing levels and necessary reductions are managed so that the appropriate service level is maintained. Within this context, however, I believe that mandatory certification and improved inspection arrangements are key reforms which will have the capacity to improve the quality of buildings and will lead to further strengthening of the regulatory regime as early as possible in 2012.
112 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his plans to bring forward legislative changes to the planning invalidations system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32598/11]
The Planning and Development Acts 2000-2010 and associated Regulations require planning applications to be checked for completeness prior to being considered. It is essential that the planning authority has all the information, documentation and maps which have been prescribed for the purpose of the planning application. It is also necessary that all public participation requirements of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001-2011, that is, in relation to site notices and newspaper notices, are met. Where the prescribed requirements are not complied with, a planning application is deemed invalid.
All aspects of the Planning Regulations, including the validation requirements, are kept under review in my Department in the light of feedback from planning authorities, and the views of planning agents and the general public. I have no plans currently to amend the validation requirements for planning applications.
113 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if a national programme of neutering and spaying of wildcats could be introduced in view of the fact that this would have a direct effect on reducing the wild population of cats; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32615/11]
The matter referred to in the question is an animal welfare issue and is therefore for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have no function in relation to the matter raised.
114 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding building regulations. [32666/11]
A robust system of building control exists and this is demonstrated by the Priory Hall situation where the local authority is successfully using its powers to make the appropriate party responsible.
I attach high priority to consumer protection in the area of quality construction of new dwellings. That is why, in July 2011, I announced a number of measures to be advanced by my Department and local authorities with a view to improving compliance with, and oversight of, the requirements of the Building Regulations. In broad terms the measures will involve:-
(a) the introduction of mandatory certificates of compliance by builders and designers of buildings confirming that the statutory requirements of the Building Regulations have been met;
(b) more efficient pooling of building control staff and resources across the local authority sector to ensure more effective and meaningful oversight of building activity;
(c) standardised approaches and common protocols to ensure nationwide consistency in the administration of building control functions; and
(d) better support and further development of the building control function nationwide.
The Building Regulations are prepared by my Department, which receives relevant advice and recommendations from the Building Regulations Advisory Body (BRAB), a statutory body established under the Building Control Act 1990. Membership of the BRAB is comprised of nominees from both the public and private sectors, several of whom are qualified engineers, and a member of which is nominated by the National Consumer Agency. Legislation referred to in the correspondence in question is in fact relevant to the sale of construction related products and services. The mandatory certification and improved inspection arrangements outlined above are key reforms which, I believe, will have the capacity to improve the quality of buildings and will lead to further strengthening of the regulatory regime as early as possible in 2012.
115 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32681/11]
116 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32696/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 115 and 116 together.
At present, 328 staff in my Department are issued with hard copy payslips at an estimated annual cost of €7,800. Arrangements are underway to move 187 of these staff to electronic payslips over the coming weeks. Subject to IT security considerations, access to electronic payslips will be provided to as many as possible of the remaining staff and provision of hard copies will be ended over the next few months. Information in this regard in respect of bodies under the aegis of my Department is a matter for the body concerned.
117 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which he can put in place measures to prevent that trafficking of children or minors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32655/11]
I refer the Deputy to my reply below to Parliamentary Question No. 386 of 20 September 2011. The position is unchanged since then apart from the following two initiatives:
A pack for the Civil, Social and Political Education curriculum in Secondary schools was developed and sent out to 750 schools in September 2011. Each pack contained leaflets, a poster, a booklet for teachers and information cards which will facilitate a group learning activity for students in the junior cycle on the issue of slavery. The Anti-Human Trafficking Unit in my Department is running an art competition for senior cycle Secondary School students (Transition Year, 5th and 6th years). Students have been asked to design a cover for a Guide for Service Providers who may encounter victims of child trafficking.
The purpose of these activities is to give effect to measures in various international instruments governing human trafficking, including Article 6(d) of the Council of Europe Convention on Action against Trafficking in Human Beings, which calls on States to implement measures to discourage demand by means of educational programmes for boys and girls during their schooling.
Reply to Question No. 386 of 20/09/2011:
Over the past few years strong legislative, administrative and operational measures have been put in place to combat human trafficking, including child trafficking, for the purpose of labour or sexual exploitation or the removal of organs. These measures include:
the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act, 2008 with penalties of up to life imprisonment which builds on the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act, 1998.
4 dedicated Units in State Agencies dealing with this issue — a dedicated Unit in my Department, in An Garda Síochána, in the HSE and in the Legal Aid Board.
Dedicated personnel have also been assigned to deal with the prosecution of cases in the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
A National Action Plan to Prevent and Combat the Trafficking of Human Beings in Ireland, 2009-2012 was published with 144 Actions of which 92 were completed or significantly progressed by the end of 2010 and a further 52 were ongoing. Part 4 of the Plan is dedicated to the issue of child trafficking.
A Working Group on Child Trafficking — which is one of 5 Working Groups dealing with different aspects of human trafficking — meets regularly to progress the 26 Actions in the Plan related to child trafficking.
A wide range of awareness raising and training initiatives have taken place focussing on all aspects of human trafficking including child trafficking.
Periods of recovery and reflection and temporary residence are granted to victims of trafficking who do not have a permission to be in the State.
The care of children who are suspected victims of human trafficking is primarily the responsibility of the HSE. Services provided to child victims of human trafficking include counselling and debriefing, a multi-disciplinary assessment of need, the allocation of a Social Worker to oversee and implement an individual Care Plan, medical screening, access to primary and post-primary education and voluntary return is arranged, if this is deemed to be in the best interests of the child. A protocol between An Garda Síochána and the HSE to maximise inter-agency cooperation and promote the safety and welfare of children has been in place since April, 2009.
In 2011 An Garda Síochána, in their Annual Policing Plan, identified trafficking in human beings as one of their priorities and have conducted a number of operations to combat human trafficking, including child trafficking, and will continue to do so in line with intelligence available to them.
118 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if the application will be expedited. [32577/11]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in September 2010. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
119 Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; if the application will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32578/11]
I am advised by the Citizenship Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation was received from the person referred to by the Deputy in November 2010. The application is currently being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
120 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will consider including those who are letting agents of residential property under those who must be licensed for provision of property services in the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32606/11]
The position is that the licensing requirements of the Property Services (Regulation) Bill 2009 will, when enacted, apply to providers of property services, including the letting of land. As the Interpretation Act 2005 already contains a definition of "land", which includes houses and buildings, there is no legal requirement to include a definition in this legislation. However, in order to avoid any future uncertainty regarding licensing requirements, I am considering the possibility of inserting a definition of "land" in the Bill on Report Stage.
121 Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the legal services regulatory authority will be funded through a levy on the Bar Council and Law Society to cover each professional body of barristers and solicitors respectively, or if there will be a specific levy on individual practitioners; if an individual levy were to apply, will there be any effort made in the legal services Bill to structure an individual levy in a tiered way to protect those who are just entering the profession and would not have the same financial ability to meet such a charge as more established practitioners; if, in the case of a levy on the professional body, such a directive will include rules to protect newer entrants of the specific professions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32607/11]
I would draw the attention of the Deputy to sections 69 and 70 in Part 6 of the Legal Services Regulation Bill 2011 which makes provision for the imposition of a levy on the Bar Council and Law Society to cover the expenses of the Legal Services Regulatory Authority and of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal.
As a general rule, the total amount of the levy payable in each financial year will be the sum of the approved expenses of the Authority and the expenses of the Disciplinary Tribunal in respect of the preceding financial year. The Minister will, in consultation with the Legal Services Regulatory Authority, determine the proportion of the approved expenses of the Authority attributable to its complaints functions and the proportion attributable to its other functions. Of the proportion that relates to the complaints functions of the Authority—
10 per cent will be payable by the Bar Council,
10 per cent will be payable by the Law Society, and
the remaining 80 per cent will be payable pro rata by the Bar Council and the Law Society according to the proportion of the expenses that was incurred by the Authority in the consideration and investigation of complaints relating to barristers and complaints relating to solicitors.
The proportion of the approved expenses relating to the other functions of the Authority will be payable pro rata by the Bar Council and the Law Society according to the number of barristers on the roll of practising barristers and the number of solicitors on the roll of solicitors on the first day of the year to which those expenses relate.
In respect of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Tribunal, the Minister will, in consultation with the Disciplinary Tribunal, apportion the expenses of the Tribunal between complaints relating to barristers and complaints relating to solicitors. Of this amount—
10 per cent will be payable by the Bar Council,
10 per cent will be payable by the Law Society, and
the remaining 80 per cent will be payable pro rata by the Bar Council and the Law Society according to the proportion of the expenses that was incurred by the Disciplinary Tribunal in the consideration and investigation of complaints relating to barristers and complaints relating to solicitors.
Under section 70, the Minister can make regulations to provide for all or any of the following matters:
the date on which payment of the levy becomes payable;
the keeping by the Authority and the Disciplinary Tribunal of specified records in respect of matters connected with the liability to pay the levy;
the collection and recovery of the levy;
the rate of interest on amounts not paid when due; and
such other matters as are necessary for, or incidental to, the imposition, payment and collection of the levy.
Calculations of levies under the Bill are, among other matters, by reference to the numbers of practising barristers and solicitors who may be involved. No distinction is made on the basis of how long they are in practice. I look forward to engaging in debate on these and other aspects of the Bill as it progresses through the House.
122 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed closure of Garda stations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32616/11]
A final decision on whether station closures will take place will be taken in the coming weeks when the Commissioner's Policing Plan for 2012 is finalised. That policing plan will be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
I must stress that as with every other public sector organisation, the Garda Síochána is going to have to manage with reduced resources. The Garda Commissioner is therefore quite properly reviewing all aspects of the Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the operation of Garda stations, both in terms of opening hours and possible closures. The purpose of the review is to ensure that Garda resources are managed and deployed in the most appropriate manner to meet existing and emerging policing requirements.
I will very carefully consider the outcome of this review and the Commissioner's policing plan for next year with the objective of ensuring that priority is given to the maintenance of frontline services.
123 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32686/11]
The estimated annual cost of issuing hard copy payslips to 754 employees in my Department and in its associated offices amounts to €8,655 in 2011. Options for the increased use of electronic payslips are currently under consideration and I would expect a significant reduction in these figures during 2012.
124 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32701/11]
The estimated annual cost of issuing hard copy payslips to the 20,799 employees and 9,026 pensioners of the agencies accountable to me amounts to €510,641 in 2011. Options for the increased use of electronic payslips are currently under consideration but there are particular technical, logistical and cost challenges in providing electronic payslips for the majority of these people since they do not have ready access to office computers in their workplaces, e.g., members of An Garda Síochána, Garda Pensioners and Prison Officers.
125 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will confirm that grant-in-aid to the Irish Red Cross will not be used to pay for the information technology, IT, web design contract recently awarded by the Irish Red Cross to a United Kingdom company when there are multiple Irish IT companies equally well placed to do the work. [32665/11]
In accordance with relevant legislation, the Irish Red Cross Society is an independent charitable body corporate with full power to manage and administer its own affairs. My Department pays an annual grant to the Society of €951,000 which includes the Government's annual contribution (currently €130,000) to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The balance of the grant goes towards the salary and administration costs of running the headquarters of the Irish Society and will not be used for the purpose mentioned in the question.
126 Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Defence the implications for personnel working in the naval base and dockyard of the intended expenditure on the clean-up of the former Irish Steel plant; is it expected that relocation or other disruption will be involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32549/11]
In June last the Government decided that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine would chair a Working Group to oversee the clean-up of the former Ispat site on Haulbowline Island. Cork County Council are acting as an agent of that Department on the technical aspects of an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for a landfill licence. The preparation of the application to the EPA and consideration of it by them is likely to take up to eighteen months. While close co-operation is being maintained with the EPA it is only when the licence is granted that the full details of the extent of the remedial works will become known. The Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine has also convened a steering group to advise him on the project as it gets underway. The Naval Service is represented on this steering group.
As an immediate step to deal with sea water washing onto the East Tip of Haulbowline, Cork County Council will be undertaking work to repair about 30 metres of the sea wall on the Tip. This work, which will be completed in the coming weeks, has no implications for the staff of the Naval Service. Arrangements have been made for staff representatives in the Naval Service to be fully briefed in advance of these works commencing.
127 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32679/11]
128 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32694/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 127 and 128 together.
The cost of issuing payslips to all employees and pensioners paid by me (including cheques/payslips) for 2010 was in the region of €137k. The number of employees who received hard copy payslips for the year 2010 is as follows:
Defence Forces Personnel 9,746;
Defence Forces Reserve 3,170 (occasional payments);
Defence Forces Civilian Employees 736;
Civil Servants 67;
Pensioners 11,163.
The Department is currently investigating and testing a technical option for the provision of payroll information to Defence Forces personnel by electronic means that is cost effective and overcomes the fact that many Defence Forces personnel do not have access to electronic information in the normal course of their duties. The number of employees in agencies accountable to me is thirty two. Twenty two of these receive payroll information via the Department's intranet facility. Therefore, the cost of issuing hard copy payslips to the remaining ten employees is negligible.
129 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Defence the protocol involved for the deployment of the Air Corps air ambulance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32705/11]
The Department of Health is responsible for policy formation in respect of pre-hospital emergency care, and the Health Service Executive, (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the provision of ambulance services throughout the State. The role of the Air Corps as set out in the White Paper on Defence is to provide a range of military and non-military services in support of the State. These services include the provision of an air ambulance service on the basis of agreed arrangements with the Department of Health.
A Service Level Agreement between my Department and the Department of Health has been in place since 2005 which formalises the arrangements for the provision of an air ambulance service by the Air Corps. Under the terms of the Service Level Agreement, the Air Corps provide aircraft and flying crews. The provision of the Service is dependent on the availability of a suitable aircraft, the availability of flying crews, and the suitability of weather conditions. The Agreement details the range of services provided by the Air Corps, specifically emergency inter-hospital transfers for spinal and serious injuries and illnesses, air transport of neonates requiring immediate medical intervention within Ireland, air transport of patients requiring organ transplants in the UK, air transport of Organ Retrieval Teams within Ireland and air transport of patients from offshore islands to mainland hospitals where the Irish Coast Guard service is not available. My Department is currently finalising a revised Service Level Agreement for the provision of this Service.
130 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the animal health and welfare Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32612/11]
134 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a timeframe for the animal health and welfare Bill (details supplied). [32589/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 130 and 134 together.
The Programme for Government 2011 contains a commitment to amend and strengthen legislation on animal cruelty and animal welfare. The main vehicle to fulfil this commitment will be the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which is a comprehensive piece of legislation providing a broad basis for regulating the related but distinct areas of animal health and welfare and consolidating animal welfare legislation dating back more than 100 years into a single statute.
Drafting of the Bill is ongoing with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to publish the Bill at an early date.
131 Deputy Heather Humphreys asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Cavan in relation to the suckler welfare scheme 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32553/11]
The person named registered eleven animals under the Suckler Welfare Scheme in 2010. In the case of herds with more than ten cows, the calves must be weaned in at least two separate groups with each group being weaned at a minimum interval of five days under the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme. Based on the information provided by the person named, all of the calves were weaned on the same day and, therefore, they were not eligible for payment. The applicant was informed of the non-compliance and has requested a review of the decision. The person named will be advised in writing of the outcome of the review shortly.
132 Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32556/11]
An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 3 May 2011, processing of which was recently completed, thereby allowing payment of the 50% advance of the Single Farm Payment to issue to the person named on 1 November. Balancing payments under this Scheme will commence to issue on 1 December 2011
133 Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny has not received a single farm payment and other payments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32583/11]
An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2011, processing of which was recently completed, thereby allowing payment to issue to the person named on 25 October, in respect of the Single Payment Scheme and 1 November in respect of the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme.
135 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that it will be attractive for young farmers to take over their family farms; the level of funding that will be made available for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32614/11]
We are all aware that there is a need to improve the age structure of our agricultural work force, and to support well-educated young farmers who will be the platform for further innovation and growth in our agriculture industry. To achieve our Food Harvest 2020 targets, Ireland will need to respond to new market opportunities, and young people tend to be quicker to adapt when change is required. The number of farmers under 35 in Ireland is very low, just 7% of the total. A recent Commission study found that ‘younger managers tend to perform better than the EU average, with 46% more area and 57% more economic potential for 21% more labour force' ([1]Commission Staff Working Paper, Impact Assessment, CAP towards 2020, Annex 1: Situation and prospects for EU agriculture and rural areas, p. 25. Brussels, 12/10/2011.1]. There are several measures in the tax system that encourage the transfer of land to young farmers. For example, if a farmer increases the value of his stock over the course of his accounting year, he is entitled to deduct 25% of this increase against his trading profit for tax purposes. But young trained farmers can deduct 100% of any increase in stock valuation. This full relief is available to young trained farmers for four years.
Another measure is the relief from stamp duty for young trained farmers when they purchase land or have it transferred to them. This is designed to encourage the transfer of farms to young farmers. When it is combined with agricultural relief from Capital Acquisitions Tax it encourages inter-generational transfers. There are also reliefs from Capital Gains Tax to encourage farmers over the age of 55 to hand the farm on to the next generation. There is full relief from Capital Gains Tax if the farm changes hands within a family. ([1]Commission Staff Working Paper, Impact Assessment, CAP towards 2020, Annex 1: Situation and prospects for EU agriculture and rural areas, p. 25. Brussels, 12/10/2011.)
We have also generally favoured young farmers in aid rates and/or selection criteria for on-farm investment support measures. However in my view, we should also consider further measures to assist young trained farmers, and I think that it is sensible to provide for such support in both Pillar 1 and Pillar 2 of the CAP. In this regard I have welcomed the measure in relation to Young Farmers in the recent CAP reform proposals from the Commission, which mandates Member States to use up to 2% of the national direct payment ceiling to make top-up payments to young farmers for a five year period. This is a proposal that Ireland was particularly active in pressing with the Commission in advance of the emergence of the legal proposals and one that we will continue to support in the negotiations.
136 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32634/11]
An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 25 April 2011, following processing of which over-claims were identified in respect of three land parcels declared by the person named. As this has recently been satisfactorily resolved, the 50% advance payment will issue shortly.
137 Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32635/11]
The person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) with effect from 1st November 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in relation to the digitisation of a Natura land parcel listed on the AEOS application of the person named. This particular problem is now being addressed with a view to rectifying the digitisation problem and issuing payment as quickly as possible.
138 Deputy John Deasy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the single farm payment has not issued to a person (details supplied); and when payment will issue. [32638/11]
An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 11 May 2011, processing of which has recently been completed, thereby allowing payment to issue to the applicant shortly.
139 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application for single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32639/11]
The application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme, received from the person named on 11 May 2011, was the subject of an eligibility inspection by way of Remote Sensing. As this inspection revealed discrepancies, it was necessary to conduct a ground inspection to clarify the position. The application will be further processed immediately the results of the inspection are known, with a view to the appropriate payment issuing shortly thereafter.
140 Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of maps submitted for digitisation with applications for payments to his Department in 2009, 2010 and to date in 2011. [32661/11]
The following table details the estimated numbers of maps submitted by farmers under the Single Payment Scheme, based on an average of two maps per farmer. Farmers submit maps to my Department to facilitate re-digitising, in order to have various ineligible features, such as buildings, roadways, farmyards, etc, properly recorded on my Department's Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS).
As any failings or shortcomings in LPIS would leave Ireland open to the very real risk of significant fines, it is crucial that amendments be made, on an ongoing basis, to accurately reflect the position on the ground. To avoid the possibility of EU fines due to shortcomings in the LPIS system, my Department is encouraging all scheme participants to continue to update their mapping data, as circumstances dictate.
|
Scheme Year |
Estimated numbers of maps |
|
2009 |
37,096 |
|
2010 |
84,610 |
|
2011 |
64,284 |
The changes made to LPIS on foot of the maps submitted by farmers is one of the three main methods used to update the spatial data, the other two being changes identified during ground and remote sensing inspections and changes identified during my Department's internal review of ortho-photography. In general, approximately 250,000 parcels annually require some amendment.
141 Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has not received full payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32674/11]
The application under the 2010 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which gave rise to the overpayment in question, was received by my Department on 7 May 2010. The reason the person named did not receive full payment is that ineligible areas were identified among the areas declared. I can confirm that my Department has a robust system in place for considering all appeals; should the person named lodge an appeal, I can confirm that it will receive swift attention. The person named will be advised of the outcome of any such appeal, in writing, with the reasons for the decision being clearly outlined.
142 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32675/11]
143 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32690/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 142 and 143 together.
Almost 3,200 staff in my Department access their payslips on-line on the Department's IT system and do not receive payslips. Hardcopy payslips continue issue to some 380 staff, at an annual cost of approximately €7,000, taking account of stationery and postage costs. It is planned that all staff will be paid by electronically by the end of this year and this will reduce the numbers of hardcopy payslips issued by one third. While the issuing of hard copy payslips is kept under review, there remains a number staff members who do not have access to the on-line system who will continue to require a hard copy.
The situation in relation to each of the non-commercial State bodies that come within the aegis of my Department is as follows:
Bord Bia: with effect from November 2011, all payslips will issue by e-mail.
An Bord Iascaigh Mhara: all staff payslips issue electronically. Hard copy payslips issue only to BIM pensioners and Ice Plant operators, a total of 115 people. The estimated cost is €100 per month.
The Sea Fisheries Protection Authority: hardcopy payslips issue to 96 staff. The estimated cost involved is one half day of staff time per month and €50 per month for stationery costs. An electronic payment system is being developed and is expected to be implemented before the end of the year.
The Marine Institute: hardcopy payslips issue to 7 staff and 12 pensioners at a cost of €192.72 per annum. All other staff access their payslips through an online facility.
Teagasc: the estimated annual cost for producing hard copy payslips is €23,800 for 1,590 pensioners and 1,364 employees. Teagasc is in the process of making payslips available electronically for staff within the next six months, after which hard copies will be phased out. It will, however, continue to provide hard copies for pensioners at an approximate cost of €12,700 per annum.
The National Milk Agency: a staff complement of five are issued with hardcopy payslips.
144 Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive farm grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32707/11]
An application under the 2011 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 12 May 2011, processing of which has recently been completed thereby allowing payments under both Schemes to issue in the coming days.
145 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the work of the task force on the Child and Family Support Agency to date; and the date on which she expects the child protection and welfare agency to be operational. [32625/11]
I established the Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency in September 2011 under the chairmanship of Ms Maureen Lynott.
The Task Force will advise my Department in regard to the necessary transition programme to establish a Child and Family Support Agency, and will base its work on best practice in child welfare, family support and public administration; consistent with the Government's public sector reform agenda.
In relation to the Agency it has been asked to:
Propose a vision and the principles to guide operations;
Advise on the appropriate service responsibilities, and the delivery of same;
Review existing financial, staffing and corporate resources; and propose a methodology for resource allocation;
Propose an organisational design and operating child welfare and protection service model;
Prepare a detailed implementation plan;
Identify the main priorities and core relationships required;
Oversee the implementation and monitor progress, pending establishment of the Agency.
As I already outlined, the Task Force will advise on the appropriate service responsibilities for the Agency during the course of its work from amongst those within the HSE that relate to children and family services or from within the relevant operational responsibilities of my Department or its agencies. In this regard I have also asked the Task Force to consider which services should transfer from the outset and which might be subject to a longer timetable. In addition, it has been asked to consider which services should be directly provided by the Agency and which should be commissioned.
The Task Force met for the fifth time today. I look forward to receiving the report of its work, which will inform preparations for the new Agency, including the drafting of legislation. It is my intention, working with my colleague the Minister for Health, to establish a dedicated Child and Family Programme within the HSE in 2012. This will provide for a dedicated management structure and budget for children and family services. Management of these services will be led by the National Director (Mr. Gordon Jeyes) who already has a very close working relationship with me and my Department. A considerable change programme is already being implemented by the National Director within HSE Child and Family Services aimed at strengthening organisation capacity, business processes and systems. These developments are an integral part of preparations for the new stand alone Agency. I am anxious to advance the full establishment of the Agency at as early a date as possible, subject to the work of the Task Force and necessary legislature provision. I would envisage tabling legislation before the House next year to provide for the Agency's establishment in 2013.
146 Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have left the care of the State in each of the past five years; and the number of persons in receipt of aftercare services for each of the past five years. [32626/11]
The HSE compiles monthly performance reports which provide an overall analysis of key performance data from finance, HR, hospital and primary and community services. These reports include a range of statistics in relation to children in care. A new performance indicator was introduced in 2011 to collect information on the number of young adults aged 18-21 years in receipt of an aftercare service. Collection of this data commenced in the third quarter of 2011 and validated data should be available shortly. I wish to advise the Deputy that the HSE has not to date routinely collected national data in respect of children who leave the care of the state each year. The data currently available on a national basis sets out the number of children in care and their placement type. Children leave the care of the State on reaching their 18th birthday. However many remain in their foster care placement as an aftercare arrangement. Children may also leave care at an earlier age to return home or, in exceptional circumstances due to being adopted. Some children may be in care for a very short period.
I have however requested my Department to seek information from the HSE on children who have left care this year. I will provide the Deputy with further information as it becomes available.
Since taking office I have prioritised the need to improve access to timely and accurate data on our child and family services. The availability of reliable data is of critical importance to inform the management, resource allocation and further development of our child and family services.
An important element of this is the establishment by the HSE of a National Child Care Information System (NCCIS), to operate as the central system to support Social Work services and will record and store the case history of every child in care. The procurement of this system is at the pre tender stage.
The National Child Care Information System will include for the regular collection of national data in respect of children who leave the care of the state each year.
The HSE commissioned an independent external consultant to undertake a review of the capacity for alternative care services, including aftercare services. The audit date for the data was 13 March 2011 and based on this audit the HSE has informed me that a total of 1,051 young people were in receipt of aftercare nationally at March 2011. The breakdown between male and female was 46% and 54% respectively. I am further advised by the HSE that the number of young people who began to receive aftercare in 2008 and 2009 was 979 and 847 respectively. Section 45 of the Child Care Act 1991 places a statutory duty on the HSE to form a view in relation to each person leaving care as to whether there is a "need for assistance" and, if it forms such a view, to provide services in accordance with the legislation and subject to resources. All young people who have had a care history with the HSE, be it foster care, residential care or high support, are entitled to an Aftercare Service based on their assessed needs. The core eligible age range for aftercare is 18 years and up to 21 years. This can be extended until the completion of a course of education in which he/she is engaged up to the age of 23 years of age.
Aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical support. An individual holistic needs assessment identifies a young person's need for accommodation, financial support, social network support and training and education. One of the key features of Aftercare support is to advocate on behalf of young people to promote their development as a fulfilled adult in their community. The most important requirements for young people leaving care are for secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training.
The HSE National Aftercare Service is underpinned by a National Policy and Procedures Document which has been developed in cooperation with the key stakeholders including the voluntary sector agencies involved in Aftercare provision and my Department. The policy commits to promoting and achieving the best outcomes for young people leaving care and in ensuring consistency of support to these young people.
The HSE National Policy on Aftercare is being rolled out nationally under the watch of the HSE's Aftercare Implementation Group, which includes representation from the HSE, mental health, family service and disability service, as well as representation from the voluntary sector and a young persons' representative from Empowering People in Care (EPIC).
I am very much aware of the challenges facing the aftercare service, the need for information required to plan the services; the need for consistency across all areas; the need to follow up with young people who may at first reject its services and the need to link in with adult services as necessary. To accommodate such challenges funding was provided in 2011 to support the recruitment of ten additional aftercare workers. Additionally funding was provided to EPIC to develop a national advocacy and support service for young people in care, leaving care and aftercare.
147 Deputy Paschal Donohoe asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if State funding will be put in place next year in respect of a group (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32570/11]
The 2011 budget allocation for the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is €60.154m on current expenditure and €800,000 on capital expenditure. This funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities through grants-in-aid.
Foróige is currently in receipt of €6.037m from Youth Affairs Unit for projects run under a number of schemes including the Youth Service Grant Scheme, Special Projects for Youth Scheme, four (4) Youth Information Centres and for a number of projects under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2).
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is aware of the Big Brother Big Sister Programme which is run by Foróige. However, having regard to the reductions in public expenditure that must be achieved by Government Departments and State Agencies and the limited funding available, it was not possible to consider funding for the programme in 2011. In light of expected budgetary constraints in 2012, it is unlikely that any new applications for funding will be considered next year.
148 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has engaged with the various youth organisations throughout the country with a view to the determination of youth policy in the future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32648/11]
149 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has received submissions from various youth organisations or community groups involved with young persons; her proposals to address the most important issues raised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32649/11]
150 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she and her Department have identified particular weaknesses in the extent of youth support services and facilities throughout the country on a local, regional or national basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32650/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 to 150, inclusive, together.
My Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas the Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce the President's Award.
Funding of €60.954m is available from my Department in 2011 to support the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector. Youth work programmes and services are delivered to young participants in the various programmes by some 1,100 youth work staff and by a volunteer base of over 60,000. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is currently progressing. Through this work a clear policy framework will emerge that will aim to enhance the development, participation and support of young people.
I intend that the policy framework will also facilitate and promote co-ordination and coherence across departments and services and will set out the priorities, rationale and criteria for future funding programmes. It will also accommodate issues relevant to young people within the 10-24 age range in informal or out-of-school settings that fall within the remit of my Department. The overall aim will be to clarify and enhance coherence, connectivity, co-ordination and delivery in youth services and related out-of-schools services for young people and to ensure such provision is both quality and outcomes based.
Ensuring quality service delivery is an ongoing priority for me. My Department is at present progressing two quality standards initiatives in the youth area that will help ensure an improvement in good practice, that services are outcomes focused and that the young people involved are deriving the maximum benefit from being involved.
One of my key aims for youth policy development will be to ensure optimum use of all the financial and human resources available. Accordingly, the development of my Department's policy in relation to young people will focus specifically on ensuring greater coherence, co-ordination and impact in youth policy and provision so as to ensure quality outcomes for all.
My Department is involved in ongoing and productive dialogue with the youth sector through the National Youth Work Advisory Committee (NYWAC). This committee comprises a chairperson and 32 members drawn equally from the voluntary and statutory sectors involved in the administration and provision of youth work programmes and services. Thirteen nominees from the National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) and four from the Irish Vocational Education Association (IVEA) are represented on the committee.
Any submissions received from youth organisations by my Department are given due consideration. Since my appointment as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have met with a number of youth organisations and listened to their views and concerns.
151 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that adequate protection measures are in place or likely to be put in place to ensure to the greatest degree possible the protection of children and or vulnerable adults; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32651/11]
152 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she hopes to ensure that children in care are provided with adequate protection, that careful assessment is done to identify particularly sensitive issues that might present any ongoing problems; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32652/11]
154 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she intends to take to ensure that vulnerable children are given the degree and scale of protection required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32654/11]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 151, 152 and 154 together.
The Government is committed to a series of measures designed to significantly strengthen the existing legislative, policy and practice framework in the area of child protection. The intention is to ensure that child abuse in Ireland is strongly and decisively tackled and that children are properly safeguarded. A number of significant structural and legislative changes are being progressed in this context. These include the establishment of a new agency with dedicated responsibility for the delivery of child welfare and protection services, separate from the HSE and reporting directly to my Department. Work on the establishment of the agency is under way and includes the preparation of primary legislation to provide for its establishment.
In July 2011, I launched the revised Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The Guidance deals with the recognition, reporting and management of child safety concerns. It emphasises the need to safeguard and protect children, that the safety and welfare of children is everyone's responsibility and that children will have safer lives where everyone is attentive to their well-being. People who work with children across a range of areas must be clear in understanding their responsibility for safe practice and the reporting of concerns. The Guidance sets out specific protocols for HSE social workers, gardaí and other front line staff in dealing with suspected abuse. The scope of Children First extends beyond the reporting of suspected abuse. It emphasises the importance of multidisciplinary, inter-agency working in the management of such concerns. Key to this is the sharing of information between agencies and disciplines in the best interests of children and the need for full co-operation to ensure better outcomes.
The HSE recently published a Child Welfare and Protection Practice Handbook for all its staff in order to achieve consistency and Children First compliance across all its authorities. I attended the launch of the Handbook at four regional meetings where representatives of An Garda Síochána also participated. In addition to the existing structures in place to support Children First, significant additional resources have been provided to the HSE over the past two years to increase the number of social workers in the child welfare and protection area. The number of social workers increased in 2010 by 200 and the necessary funding has been provided to the HSE to complete the recruitment of an additional 60 social workers by year end. The recruitment of these additional social workers was included in the Ryan Report Implementation Plan, as was the commitment to place the Children First Guidelines on a statutory basis. This additional resource will be of particular assistance to the HSE in driving forward the process of implementation of Children First.
There is an acknowledged need for greater consistency in the implementation of the Children First Guidance across all sectors and organisations working with children. This was highlighted by the Ryan Commission which recommended that Children First should be uniformly and consistently implemented throughout the State. In recognition of this and following publication of the Guidance, an Inter Departmental Committee was established to oversee the implementation of Children First across all sectors. The Committee is chaired by my Department and includes representatives from the various Departments involved in the provision of services to children. Arrangements are also in place between the HSE and Garda Síochána to monitor the implementation of Children First across these two statutory agencies which have specific responsibilities to assess and investigate child protection and welfare concerns.
I have also received Government approval to put the Children First Guidance on a statutory basis and my Department is currently working with the Office of the Attorney General in developing the necessary legislative approach. Children First will also be supported by an assurance framework which will include strong emphasis on inspection and the need to provide demonstrable evidence of implementation. In the case of the health sector, the remit of the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) is being expanded to include oversight of the HSE’s Child Protection services, including the operation of Children First. HIQA is currently developing standards to allow for inspection of the HSE’s child protection services.
I will continue to consult widely as the legislation is prepared. My Department will also be meeting with relevant Government Departments, the relevant professional regulatory bodies and other relevant agencies as the legislation is developed. I would hope that the legislative proposals which I will bring forward enjoy widespread support in the interests of protecting vulnerable children.
In addition to the measures I have outlined, my colleague the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence is bringing forward legislation which will put the vetting of employees on a statutory footing and also allow for the sharing of soft information as part of the vetting process. Minister Shatter is also introducing legislation on the withholding of information relating to crimes committed against children and vulnerable adults.
155 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees paid by her; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32677/11]
Employees of my Department have access to an electronic Employee Self Service (ESS) feature as part of the payroll system. A limited number of hard copy payslips are provided to employees in circumstances where an employee does not have access to ESS through illness, off-site assignment or not being connected to the intranet network. As part of a shared service arrangement, the Department of Health provides payroll services to my Department and I am advised that there are currently 13 staff of my Department receiving hard copy payslips. I understand that the Minister for Health is providing overall cost details for the production of hard copy payslips in his response to this question.
156 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to her; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32692/11]
I am advised that the majority of staff employed in agencies under the aegis of my Department utilise electronic payslip facilities. The majority of staff at the Adoption Authority of Ireland for example, are on secondment from other public service organisations and utilise the payslip facilities provided by their parent organisation.
The National Educational Welfare Board has advised me that all bar one person has opted for electronic payslips and they incur costs of €200 per annum in respect of producing one hard copy payslip as a result. The Office of the Children's Ombudsman has advised me that they still issue hard copy payslips to their staff but they cannot provide an actual cost on the issuing of payslips as it is built into their overall payroll package. They have further advised me that their payroll providers plan to put an electronic payroll system in place in early 2012.
157 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the frequency and extent of school examinations with a view to identifying at an early stage children’s health problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32656/11]
The policy on school health examinations forms part of the Best Health for Children guidelines, produced in 1999 and revised in 2006. These guidelines were produced after a rigorous evaluation of international literature, and a review of good practice in Ireland and abroad. A comprehensive training programme for staff working in this area was also developed. The policy is kept under review, and will be re-visited in 2012 as part of the HSE work plan.
New governance structures are also being put in place in relation to child health screening and surveillance in the HSE which will further improve the quality assurance of the process. The World Health Organisation in 2007, in a review of child health in Europe, commended the Best Health for Children approach adopted by Ireland as an example of good practice.
The Best Health for Children guidelines sets out a clear timetable for child health checks and details what is required at each stage. I have asked the HSE to prepare a report on the extent to which the guidelines are implemented. The guidelines are available on the HSE website.
158 Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he hopes to put in place adequate diagnostic and support services for children with special needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32657/11]
Services have been developed by individual service providers or former Health Boards over time and reflect the individual experience and expertise of providers in meeting local needs. This has led to variations in the way services are configured and, in relation to the provision of supports for children with disabilities, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has recognised the need to enhance the level of consistency and standardisation in the way both early intervention services and services for school-aged children with disabilities are delivered. The reconfiguration of existing therapy resources to geographic based teams for children and young people has been identified as a priority and is a "Key Result Area" in the Executive's National Service Plan 2011.
National, regional and local level structures are being put in place to progress this initiative, which will have a positive impact on the assessment process for children with disabilities and the provision of appropriate clinical services and supports to them.
159 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if a social worker will call to a person (details supplied) in Dublin 17. [32584/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
160 Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the options available to a person (details supplied) in County Cork in terms of an aspect of a medical card application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32588/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
161 Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Health the position regarding funding for community supports in respect of persons with multiple sclerosis, which in the past have facilitated hospital appointments, day trips and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32603/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
162 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 501 of 18 October 2011, if he will provide a breakdown of the size of the populations served by each one of the regions mentioned. [32605/11]
The breakdown of population across the four HSE regions is shown in the following table. This is based on the latest official figures available, the 2006 Census. The figures for the 2011 Census have not yet been finalised by the Central Statistics Office. However, the preliminary CSO Census 2011 figures indicate that the total population has increased from 4,239,848 in 2006 to 4,581,269 in April 2011; an increase of 341,421 or 8.1%.
|
Region |
Population Census 2006 |
|
Dublin North East |
927,410 |
|
Dublin Mid-Leinster |
1,216,848 |
|
South |
1,081,968 |
|
West |
1,013,622 |
|
Total |
4,239,848 |
163 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the provision being made for persons living in the Dingle area, County Kerry, who need to deal with emergency services and who need the provision of a service for the Irish speaking persons in the Gaeltacht, especially the elderly, who would have little English if an emergency situation was to arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32608/11]
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
164 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the continuation of the provision of the dental services in Kenmare town, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32609/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
165 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the dental health centre clinic was taken out of Dingle and centralised to Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32610/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
166 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the opening of the cystic fibrosis unit in Cork University Hospital; and if he will let CF sufferers finally know whether or not they will be supported by him. [32617/11]
I have stated my Department's policy that there must be sufficient inpatient beds to treat all people with cystic fibrosis who require hospitalisation.
I am happy to say that construction of the new 100 bed unit at St. Vincent's hospital is well under way and is due to be completed next year. The new building, which has single en-suite rooms and isolation rooms, will play a vital role in the treatment of patients with cystic fibrosis and a range of other conditions.
Cork University Hospital has the second largest adult cystic fibrosis (CF) centre in Ireland. The CUH centre currently caters for the needs of 145 adult patients attending from the Munster region.
In September 2007, Dr. Barry Plant was appointed as the Director of the adult cystic fibrosis programme at CUH. Since his appointment, Dr. Plant has worked closely with various HSE services, philanthropic organisations such as Build4Life and CFAI, and scientific research agencies in advancing the needs of these patients. In June of 2008, Dr. Plant, in consultation with the CF Multi Disciplinary Team and the CF community locally, submitted a "Statement of Need" for CF services to the Executive Management Board of Cork University Hospital. This document, which was approved by the Board, outlined a strategic plan to develop CF services in the hospital, including the provision of day and inpatient facilities.
The CF Day Centre, which opened in CUH in May of this year, caters for most clinical needs of CF patients. It includes five isolation rooms, a dedicated CF gym, a multidisciplinary team room and consultant rooms. The capital costs for this development were provided through a partnership approach between HSE South and the Build4Life organisation.
Currently, Dr. Plant is working with the Executive Management Board of the CUH to develop a designated inpatient unit, with en-suite rooms for CF patients. A location has been identified for a combined designated adult inpatient facility and respiratory unit. This is in a vacated ward on the CUH campus. Provisional plans and costings have been made, with an estimated build cost of approximately €3m.
The hospital is working in partnership with Build4Life to co-fund this development. To date, Build4Life has raised over €2m to support CF capital developments at CUH. HSE South is examining ways to secure additional capital funding to complete the unit, in the context of decreasing capital budget allocations in the present stringent climate. The need to develop the adult in-patient facility remains a Board and HSE South priority and the HSE will continue to work with Build4Life to complete this project.
I recently met with the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland and I am keenly aware of the needs of people who live with CF. I am actively considering a Lotto application from Build4Life and will make a decision shortly and will inform the Deputy and Build4Life when I have done so.
167 Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the programme for the provision of services for spina bifida and hydrocephalus sufferers; the extent of the provision of multidisciplinary treatment currently available along with future plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32636/11]
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
168 Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding an appointment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32663/11]
I am determined to address the issues which cause unacceptable delays in patients receiving treatment in our hospitals. In this regard I have established the Special Delivery Unit (SDU), which will work to unblock access to acute services by dramatically improving the flow of patients through the system, and by streamlining waiting lists, including referrals from GPs. The SDU is working closely with its partner agencies — mainly the HSE and the NTPF.
As a priority, public hospitals have been instructed to ensure that, by the end of 2011, they have no patients waiting more than 12 months for treatment. Where they fail to do so, the NTPF will source the necessary treatments elsewhere and an appropriate budgetary adjustment will be made.
As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. Should the patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he/she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and facility involved.
169 Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if a medical card will be issued to a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [32664/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
170 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding a medical card in respect of a person (details supplied). [32667/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
171 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the number of doctors working in Gaeltacht areas who have good Irish and are competent in the language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32670/11]
The HSE has advised that 26 General Practitioners are working in Gaeltacht areas and that they possess a level of proficiency in the Irish language which allows them to discharge their clinical and contractual duties and obligations on a day to day basis.
172 Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the dental health centre clinic was taken out of Caherciveen and centralised to Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32671/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
173 Deputy Patrick O’Donovan asked the Minister for Health when the Health Service Executive mid-west region last benefited from an increase in the number of home helps working in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32673/11]
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
174 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32684/11]
Department has been providing electronic payslips to its employees for a number of years as part of the Employee Self Service (ESS) feature which is enabled by the Payroll System and provided through the existing Departmental Intranet. A limited number of hardcopy payslips are provided to employees in circumstances where an employee does not have access to ESS through illness, off-site assignment or not being connected to the Intranet network. Currently that number is 39 for the combined staffs of the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for whom my Department provides a financial shared service including payroll.
|
Estimated Cost |
€ |
|
The estimated annual non-pay cost for hardcopy payslips issued to employees is |
€150 |
|
The estimated annual pay cost for hardcopy payslips issued to employees is |
€406 |
|
Total |
€556 |
175 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32699/11]
The information requested is not currently held by my Department. The agencies concerned have been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.
176 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health his views regarding the hospital treatment in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 5. [32706/11]
My Department has sought a report from the HSE on the matter referred to by the Deputy.
177 Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an application for grant aid will be forthcoming in respect of a premises (details supplied) in County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32587/11]
The matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
178 Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the moneys spent by him and by the National Roads Authority on a road project (details supplied) in County Mayo on an annual basis since the year 2000. [32644/11]
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Within is capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
179 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees paid by him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32689/11]
Electronic payslips have been in operation for employees of my Department since September 2008.
180 Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of issuing hard-copy payslips to all employees of agencies accountable to him; the number of staff issued with such payslips; the steps being taken to only issue payslips by electronic means; the timetable involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32704/11]
The provision of the material requested is a matter for the agencies themselves. I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the agencies concerned for their direct response. If the Deputy does not receive a reply within ten working days, please advise my private office.
