I welcome the Minister.
Commencement Matters
Garda Station Refurbishment
It is a pleasure to welcome the Minister to the Chamber. I wish to discuss the condition of the Timoleague Garda station. Timoleague is a lovely village in the heart of west Cork. It is a tourism area, but the indigenous population needs to be supported. A key factor in that is the services it receives, be they the post office, shops or the Garda station. A garda lives in the station. It is an important part of the community and we hope that it can be upgraded. We must have such institutions down south, given that they promote those elements that are important for rural communities.
There is a significant tourism element to this Garda station. Courtmacsherry, a prominent tourism town that does well in that regard, is literally down the road. Considerable amenities also attach to the village, for example, long walkways and the abbey. We hope that the Department will consider this station as part of a national redevelopment and invest money in it so that it can be upgraded. It is a key part of the physical and social infrastructure of the area. If we can improve such elements, we can improve the quality of life for people on the ground.
I hope to get a suitable response from the Minister so that I can assure those from Timoleague with whom I have been speaking that their Garda station will be developed.
The Senator is moving west.
I am answering on behalf of the Tánaiste, who cannot be present.
I thank the Senator for raising this issue. He will appreciate that the programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close co-operation with the Office of Public Works, which has responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation. This includes identifying and progressing any necessary new build and any remedial or refurbishment work required at individual stations. The Tánaiste has no role in these matters.
I am informed that the opening hours for Timoleague Garda station, which forms part of the Bandon district, are 10 a.m. to 12 noon, Monday to Sunday, with calls diverted automatically to Bandon Garda station outside of these hours. I understand that the strength of the Bandon district is 103 members, three Garda reservists and 11 civilian staff. The Garda authorities have informed me that there are no plans at present to undertake significant works at the station.
The Senator will be aware of the significant current investment in the Garda estate. For example, the 2016-21 Garda station building and refurbishment programme, which was announced in October 2015 by the Tánaiste and the Minister of State at the OPW, is based on agreed priorities established by the Garda. More than 30 locations around the country will benefit from the programme, which includes major refurbishment of stations and facilities, for example, facilities for meeting victims of crime, essential remedial works to existing stations, development of large-scale property and exhibit management stores, the upgrade of cells and the provision of improved custody management facilities. The programme is being delivered by the Garda authorities in co-operation with the OPW, which has responsibility for capital expenditure in this area. Under the programme, new Garda stations will also be provided in Glanmire, County Cork, and Bailieborough, County Cavan, through direct Exchequer funding and a further three new Garda stations will be provided in Sligo, Macroom and Clonmel by means of public-private partnerships.
In addition to the programme, more than €100 million has been provided for new divisional headquarters in Kevin Street, Dublin, and Wexford as well as for a new regional headquarters in Galway. These projects are under way and are expected to be completed in 2017.
These measures cannot be viewed in isolation from the Government's overarching commitment to ensuring a strong and visible police presence throughout the country in order to maintain and strengthen community engagement, provide reassurance to citizens and deter crime. In furtherance of this, the Senator will be aware that, in July 2016, the Government approved the Tánaiste's proposal for an overall Garda workforce of 21,000 personnel by 2021 comprising 15,000 gardaí. 2,000 Reserve members and 4,000 civilians. In addition, the Government's Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 provides some €205 million for investment in Garda ICT infrastructure and €46 million for investment in the Garda fleet. Taken together, the Tánaiste believes that these measures reinforce the Government's commitment to enabling significant reform in An Garda Síochána and to providing a high-profile and visible policing service for our communities.
An bhfuil tú sásta? Has the Senator received his answers? He should be brief.
I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to come in again. I will be very brief.
I thank the Minister for his response. The Government's investment in An Garda Síochána and related services is greatly welcomed. The Minister mentioned major developments in Macroom and Cavan, but we also need to look at smaller Garda stations. Garda stations in small towns and villages must not be allowed to fall into disrepair, resulting in an infrastructural deficit. The Department of Education and Skills is a great example of how the State can do a fantastic job in reacting. I hope, therefore, something similar can be done in this regard. We should consider upgrading Garda stations throughout the country. New stations are being built, including in Glanmire, but we also need to examine the nuts and bolts of planned infrastructure. Garda stations in small towns and villages will be important in the future.
The Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality has set out her plans within the confines of the existing budget. We are entering into a mid-term review of capital expenditure programmes and a public consultation process is under way. One of the key themes of the plan will be how to deliver sustainable regional and rural development. We will have to examine closely priority areas where we could make investments in regional and rural networks. I cannot decide whether investing in rural Garda stations is the priority, or whether there are other investments that could boost regional and rural development. As regards my own Department, building education networks in the regions will be vital to achieving our ambitions to have strong and vibrant rural communities. I am sure each Minister will be examining these matters in the context of the challenge to embed regional development as we approach the mid-term review, but in any capital plan resources will be scarce. I will, however, convey the Senator's views to the Tánaiste.
Schools Building Projects
I thank the Minister, Deputy Richard Bruton, for attending to address this matter which is extremely important to Monaleen national school, Castletroy. I live in Monaleen where my four children went to school. There has, however, been an ongoing problem with overcrowding in Monaleen national school which has over 850 students and the enrolment is growing. It will probably reach 900 next year and be capped at that level. There are 31 classrooms, of which 13 are in prefabs. Three are in the original old school building, while a further 15 are in the newer school building. That number will increase to 16 next year, bringing the total to 32.
Following my discussions with the Minister, I am glad that his Department is considering providing a brand new 32 classroom school on the site. Effectively, that will involve knocking down and replacing the existing buildings. While that is to be welcomed, I would like to deal with the logistics. I understand a brief formulation report is being completed by the Department, but I am asking for it to be fast-tracked in order that we can proceed to the architectural planning and design phase of the new school building. Does the Minister expect the Department to examine the project in order that the school can apply for planning permission and put a contractor in place? I understand the process will take about 18 months to complete, but the new school building is urgently needed. It is welcome that the project is being prioritised for examination by the Department, but I want it to be fast-tracked in order that the brief formulation report can be issued. It will provide the roadmap for how the new school building will be constructed, including the appointment of design consultants as quickly as possible. The school could then proceed to the planning phase, followed by the appointment of contractors. Parents and pupils in the fast growing greater Monaleen-Castletroy area will then have a school that is fit for purpose. It is a great school in terms of its teaching methods, but the buildings are old and need to be replaced. In addition, there are 13 prefabs which are not fit for purpose in the modern era. The Minister may wish to give me an indication of the logistics involved and indicate how quickly we can expect to have the new school building up and running.
I thank the Senator for raising this matter. He knows the backdrop to the schools building programme. There are serious demand pressures exerted by a growing population such that we must provide approximately 15,000 extra places every year to meet increasing enrolments. On top of this, we replace about 5,000 places per annum, which absorbs virtually all of our budget. We are working hard to keep up with demographic growth pressures, not least in County Limerick, as recognised in the six-year construction programme.
Monaleen national school is a co-educational, Catholic primary school which caters for boys and girls from junior infants to sixth class. In recent years the school has experienced rapid growth in enrolments, increasing from 565 pupils in 2009 to 865 in 2016, an increase of 300. As a result, it has required considerable rented accommodation to meet demand. It is projected to grow to a 32-classroom school. I can confirm that it submitted an application to the Department to meet its accommodation needs. The application sought to replace the significant temporary accommodation, in addition to providing further accommodation to meet the increase in pupil enrolments.
To progress the project for the school, approval was granted in March 2015 for the provision of eight mainstream classrooms in the first phase, together with ancillary accommodation. Responsibility for delivery of the project was devolved to the school authority. The school was advised that the provision of further additional accommodation required to meet its needs would be progressed as phase 2 of the project.
The project for the school is contained in the Department’s six-year construction programme, 2016 to 2021. In the course of 2016 it emerged that there were significant complexities and constraints, as the Senator has described, presented mainly by the school site and the location of existing school buildings, as well as infrastructural deficiencies in existing accommodation. Accordingly, taking into account the need to keep the school in operation during the construction phases, it was considered to be more cost-effective to proceed with a single construction project in two phases, with a 16 classroom development being provided in each phase. The approach which is also likely to achieve economies of scale was advised and has been welcomed by the school authority. My Department will continue to liaise with the school concerning the project development and is committed to progressing the project as quickly as possible into the architectural planning process.
I again thank the Senator for raising the matter. As I said, the first phase involves the construction of a two-storey, 16 classroom school. Pupils will then be transferred into the new block from the 1977 building which will subsequently be demolished. A new two-story extension to phase 1 will then be constructed, creating a new 32-classroom school. The prefab accommodation will be demolished to enable external works to be completed. There is, therefore, a good programme of work which the Department is fully committed to progressing.
I see that the Senator is extremely happy with that good news.
I welcome the Minister's reply which contains positive news for Monaleen national school. As there are many families with young children in the area, it is welcome that the brief formulation report is being completed. In addition, the Minister is seeking to expedite the project to architectural planning phase as quickly possible. The project is being prioritised by the Department. I thank the Minister and his Department for taking an interest in the project which will yield enormous benefits. The new school is urgently required in the greater Monaleen and Castletroy area.
Respite Care Services Provision
I welcome the Minister of State. This is the third time I have raised this on the Commencement and he has responded on two occasions.
In 2005, Tir na nÓg opened with ten children to meet the demand for respite care in Carlow and the surrounding area. Eleven years later, 42 children were using the weekend respite service with a waiting list of more than 30 children. The centre was located in a house on a private estate in Carlow town, which was funded by the HSE. In December 2015, this facility closed because the house was too small. Prior to that, the doors had to be widened and a hoist installed but the house was still not big enough for what was needed. Given the new rules and regulations, HIQA came in and that was why it closed.
In March 2016, to fulfil the desperate need for a respite centre, an alternative day respite service was set up. On Friday, between 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and on Saturdays and Sundays between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., children are picked up and brought to the Delta Centre. The core issue is no emergency or overnight respite service is available in Carlow or Kilkenny. Only ten children use the emergency facility established by the Minister of State. An overnight respite service is needed most. A total of 42 children were using the weekend respite service with a waiting list of more than 30 children and this continues to increase. Originally, a businessman from Carlow town donated a site to Tir na nÓg. The centre set up a fundraising committee for a new building. A price of €350,000 was quoted at the time and we forwarded this to the Department. That is a not a significant amount to provide a service for the most vulnerable in our community but the new build did not happen. All we have now is the weekend service.
I brought this issue to the attention of the HSE south east through Councillor Arthur McDonald who work with me three times over the past six months. The centre has been closed for 14 months but we keep being told it was being looked at and that nothing had been signed. The Minister of State, Deputy McEntee, who replied on the last occasion I raised this matter, said the funding was in place but no lease had been signed. That is not acceptable. Yesterday in the House, I raised a recent survey on vacant properties in Carlow. The county has one of the highest vacancy rates in the country, along with Dublin, Galway and Waterford. The HSE says it cannot find a suitable vacant property in Carlow town. Officials are considering a property in Bagenalstown. They are saying they do not know if it is suitable and no lease has been signed. There has been no update. This is 14 months later and the overnight respite service remains closed.
I am sure the Minister of State will allay the Senator's fears.
I thank the Senator for raising this issue and I accept her frustration regarding respite services. I welcome the opportunity to outline the current position. Holy Angels Day Care Centre is a disability agency providing services, including a preschool service, for children with disabilities in Carlow. The facility is funded on an annual basis by the HSE under section 39 of the Health Act and it received funding of approximately €720,000 in 2015. Respite services for the parents of children in Carlow were previously provided by Holy Angels Tir na nÓg in Carlow. Since 2013, the services delivered by Tir na nÓg have been under the remit of the independent regulatory body, HIQA, in respect of the standards of care being delivered.
In December 2015, the Holy Angels Day Care Centre advised HIQA and the HSE of the decision of the board of management to close the centre from January 2016 after they received notice from the landlord. On 16 December 2015, the HSE disability services manager wrote to the care centre requesting the development of a plan regarding an alternative approach to respite service provision to be completed in consultation with families, notifying them of the discontinuation of the existing respite service. Families were invited to meetings in January 2016 regarding respite services. To address current respite provision requirements, in March 2016 an alternative respire provision was set up in partnership with the HSE and Holy Angels. In 2016, €140,000 was allocated for the provision of respite services by Holy Angels. This is currently being provided by Holy Angels in the Delta Centre as an interim arrangement. This service is ongoing and the HSE is liaising with Holy Angels in this regard.
The matter of providing overnight respite services to families of Carlow and Kilkenny is of key importance to the HSE and to the Senator and myself. I understand that a venue for respite service delivery has now been agreed and is being finalised on a two-year lease. A tender process for service provision was completed on 27 January 2017. The tender evaluation for the provision of respite services in Carlow-Kilkenny is ongoing and has almost been concluded. It is anticipated that a recommendation to proceed on the basis of the evaluation process will be issued to the head of procurement, and thereafter to the budget holder, this week. The successful agency will then have to seek HIQA registration and this process can take up to six months. I also share the Senator's frustration in this regard. The HSE, via the successful agency, will request that HIQA fast-tracks the registration process which would be approximately four months. It is hoped, therefore, that services will commence to provide overnight respite services in July 2017 at the earliest, depending on the HIQA process.
I am so disappointed by this reply. We are 14 months on. This has gone to tender but the HSE will not say where the site is. The least officials could do is tell the people of Carlow-Kilkenny where it is. Everything is top secret, which is unacceptable. The Holy Angels accommodation is in prefabs. A new school was promised five years ago with a €5 million contract. The reason €140,000 was allocated last year was to fix leaks in the roof and because it was unfit for purpose. This is unacceptable. No respite service is available and we still do not know where the centre will be located. We are still waiting on the tender. The HSE and the Department have a duty to tell those who avail of the service where it will be provided. July is another five months away, which means it will be 18 months since the centre closed. The tender will come back to the Minister of State and the health board over the next two weeks. Parents should be told where the tender is for. We have been told the tender has been going on for six months. Will the Minister of State clarify where the tender is for?
I share the Senator's frustration regarding delays over the past few months and I take her point regarding the school.
There have been three positive developments in terms of respite care. First, the matter will go to the head of procurement and thereafter to the budget holder this week. Second, I understand the Senator's frustration about possible delays with HIQA, but I must observe certain standards as Minister of State. I will ask HIQA to fast-track the registration process. Third, I will talk to the HSE about the valid points raised by the Senator about the tender process and other issues relating to respite. They must be acted on. There is no point in having a service plan and budget of €1.688 billion for disability services in 2017 if a group of parents cannot get respite in Carlow-Kilkenny. I will take the Senator's point to the HSE and push it strongly.
I thank the Minister of State.
I am sure that the Minister of State will communicate developments to the Senator. I thank both Members.
Sitting suspended at 11.05 a.m. and resumed at 11.30 a.m.