Tuesday, 26 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 498-514

Rural Development Policy

Questions (498)

Tom Fleming

Question:

498. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will take into consideration that further to the re-allocation of moneys from pillar 1 of cap to pillar 2 for the expansion of rural development policies and considering with the introduction of 7% greening requirements on farms, if he will introduce a series of top up payments to smaller family farms that are hit hardest by these new measures and that by giving an extra payment to farmers on smaller holdings with lower payments will be contributing to the rural development and sustainability in rural areas by not allowing rural depopulation and the wipe-out of smaller family farms. [15060/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Last week’s agreement by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on a General Approach to the Commission’s proposals for the reform of the CAP included additional flexibility for Member States to implement alternative models for the internal distribution of direct payments.

Included in these alternative models were the Irish ‘partial convergence’ approach - which significantly reduces transfers between farmers compared to the Commission’s flat-rate proposal - and what is known as a ‘first hectares’ approach which would, in addition, redistribute a portion of the national envelope over a number of initial hectares to be decided by a Member State.

However, I do not believe we should rush a national decision on the matter. The agreement last week established a Council position for opening negotiations with the European Parliament on this and all other elements of CAP reform. Many elements of that agreement may be changed in the course of these negotiations and we need to see the final outcome on all aspects of the direct payments regime before we can take informed decisions on what is the best course for Ireland. I will of course consult widely before taking any decisions on this matter.

Public Sector Remuneration

Questions (499)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

499. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the annual saving to the public sector pay bill if non-commercial State agency pay was capped at €100,000. [15961/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The details of the salaries of the Chief Executive Officers of the eight non commercial State Bodies operating under the aegis of my Department for 2012 are outlined in the table below. The details of salaries for the staff of these State Agencies are a matter for the Agencies themselves.

Non-Commercial

Body/Agency	Salary
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board	This Board does not have a CEO. A Higher Executive Officer in my Department is Secretary to the Board
An Bord Bia	€160,082
Bord Iascaigh Mhara	€129,512
Marine Institute	€146,221
National Milk Agency	€85,600
Sea Fisheries Protection Agency	This position is currently vacant. Principal Officer 1 Salary Scale applies
Teagasc	€160,082
Veterinary Council of Ireland	The salary of the Chief Executive Officer is on par with that of a Principal Officer.

Foster Care Provision

Questions (500)

Joan Collins

Question:

500. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the parents and/or guardians of fostered children highlighted in recent Health Information and Quality Authority reports as potentially not being safe, were informed that this may be the case by social services. [14981/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

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.

Youth Services

Questions (501)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

501. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the excellent work done by youth services in Dublin, her plans to reverse her decision to cut their budget in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14682/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector. These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drug Task Force Projects and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, the European Youth in Action Programme (administered by Léargas – the Exchange Bureau) and Gaisce – the President’s Award.

Funding of €53.173m has been provided to my Department for the provision of youth services in 2013. Of this total funding, €1.75 has been provided in a new capital funding programme for 2013.

The Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE) published in December 2011 sets out clearly the savings required from the Department in 2012, 2013, 2014. The CRE contains a detailed seven page chapter outlining savings required from youth work funding. The CRE requires a 10% saving in 2013, with a lessor saving in 2014. Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department has tried to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.

With respect to future funding provision, my Department has commenced a comprehensive Value for Money and Policy Review of youth funding and this report is expected later this year.

In addition, 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 cohesion across departments and front line youth services including youth services in Dublin. This will ensure that the funding available in future years will be used as effectively as possible.

Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Questions (502)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

502. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that the rights, welfare and entitlements of children who live in direct provision accommodation are vindicated under the current system in a manner that is in keeping with the Children First Guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14683/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

At the outset, I would like to clarify that the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS), a division of the Department of Justice and Equality. RIA is charged with providing accommodation and ancillary services to asylum seekers i.e. adults and their children, under the Direct Provision system while their applications for asylum are processed. Direct Provision centres are monitored three times a year, twice by Department of Justice staff and once by an external company.

The revised Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children was published in July, 2011. The Guidance deals with the recognition, reporting and management of child safety concerns. It sets out a number of key messages relating to the duty to protect children. Among these are that the safety and welfare of children is everyone’s responsibility, that children will have safer lives where everyone is attentive to their wellbeing and that people who work with children across a range of areas understand 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 multi disciplinary, 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 guidance does not deal specifically with the rights and entitlements of children. These issues are dealt with in a range of other documents including the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The HSE has advised me that concerns about the welfare, safety or wellbeing of a children in Direct Provision are reported to the HSE Children and Family Services, in line with Children First. Referrals include welfare concerns such as a parent being hospitalised, parental illness, a child being left unsupervised by an adult or mental health concerns regarding the parent, while a smaller number would relate to child protection concerns.

There is a specific unit within RIA - the Child and Family Services Unit - whose role is to manage, deliver, co-ordinate, monitor and plan all matters relating to child and family services for all asylum seekers residing in the direct provision system. This unit also links, where necessary, directly with an Garda Síochána.

Following a recent Seanad debate on this issue, I have been engaging with the HSE to ensure that those children currently residing in Direct Provision are afforded the same levels of welfare and protection that their counterparts in the wider community are afforded.

Missing Children

Questions (503)

Clare Daly

Question:

503. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of Ireland currently holding the EU Presidency, if she will provide a definite timeframe for when the EU Missing Children's Hotline 116000 will be operational here; and if she will provide a guarantee that there will be funds available to operate the service annually. [14774/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department established and is leading a cross-sectoral Project Team, including representatives of my own Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, ComReg and An Garda Síochána, to advance this matter. Following cross departmental consultation and an examination of the issues involved by the Project Team, ComReg, which has responsibility for the allocation of the Missing Children Hotline number in Ireland, allocated the number to the ISPCC. The ISPCC has been successful in securing EU Daphne funding to support the establishment of the line. The ISPCC also submitted an application for funding to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to cover the establishment and running of the Hotline. This application has been approved for 2012 and 2013. Future applications for running costs will be considered in the context of the annual budget estimates process.

Officials of my Department are liaising with the ISPCC in relation to the implementation of the 116000 Missing Children Hotline. A phased implementation of the 116000 line commenced in December 2012. The service is operating on a pilot basis initially, on a reduced hours basis from 4pm-10am (16hrs), until the end of April, at which time it will move to a full service, on a 24/7 basis, as recommended by the EU. The service will be officially launched in June 2013.

Memoranda of understanding between the ISPCC and the HSE, my Department and the Gardaí, respectively were finalised in advance of the commencement of the pilot in December 2012.

The 116000 Hotline will:

- Provide emotional support to children who are missing, their family and others responsible for the missing child

- Offer guidance and advice to the callers regarding a missing child;

- Report risk cases (where identifying information has been received) to the Gardai/HSE as per Children First Guidance;

- Support the Garda Investigation, where appropriate;

- Redirect calls outside the scope of the line.

It is important to note that the 116000 number is not an emergency number. Emergency calls should always be directed to the 999/112 number in the first instance, where the relevant emergency responses, including the recently launched Garda Missing Children Amber Alert mechanism, may be activated. The establishment of the 116000 line will, however, be of valuable support and assistance to families of missing children and to missing children themselves.

Youth Services

Questions (504)

Peter Mathews

Question:

504. Deputy Peter Mathews asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update in respect of funding for a school (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14930/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes and programmes to the youth sector. The aim of these programmes is to support and promote non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people to enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the youth work needs of young people between the ages of 10 and 21, and to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged.

Funding of some €53.173m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. These funding schemes support national and local youth work provision and involve approximately 1,400 paid staff and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.

The Youth Affairs Unit does not provide any funding to the school referred to by the Deputy. In light of budgetary constraints, the focus in 2013 is on consolidating and maintaining, insofar as possible, the level of existing programmes and services for young people. In this context, Youth Affairs Unit is not in a position to consider any additional applications for funding in 2013.

Foster Care Provision

Questions (505)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

505. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 572 of 22 January 2013, if she will ensure that a national register is compiled of foster parents who are not deemed suitable to have children placed with them in order to prevent the scenario whereby foster parents suspended or refused in one health area on child protection grounds are not employed in another health area. [15120/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As the Deputy will be aware, each local HSE area holds their own register of approved foster carers. A national register for foster carers is currently under development by the HSE. The HSE plans to pilot a register towards the end of 2013 in a number of sites across the country and subject to the findings of the review of the pilots, it is expected that the national register will be finalised in 2014 . There is no national register of foster parents who are not deemed suitable. However, it is policy that any approved foster carer who is later found to be unsuitable is removed from the panel of persons willing to act as foster carers.

Prospective foster carers or applicants undergo an assessment and training process to establish their suitability and competence as future foster carers. The assessment procedure is carried out by a social worker from the local fostering team and includes Garda vetting, internal HSE checks to establish previous involvement with child protection services, a medical assessment, personal interviews in the applicant’s home and if the applicant(s) have children, the social worker will also talk to them about being part of a foster family. Garda vetting includes adult children and extended family members residing in the home. The applicant(s) will also be asked to provide referees who will be interviewed by the social worker as part of the assessment process. The social worker then prepares a report, which is shared with the applicant(s) and their views are represented. This report is then presented to the Foster Care committee for approval, including a recommendation as to the age of the child and type of foster care suitable to the applicant(s). All approved foster carers are entered on a panel of approved foster carers.

When a child is being placed in foster care, the suitability of a placement with relatives is explored in the first instance. Where the HSE is satisfied that an immediate placement with relatives is in the interests of the child, such placement may occur before full approval of the committee is in place. Such emergency placements are provided for in the regulations. Prior to placement, the relative is assessed by a principal social worker, including early garda vetting. This is followed by a full assessment and approval by the foster care committee as outlined above.

Any concerns about the welfare, safety or well-being of a child in foster care should be reported to the HSE Children and Family Services, in line with Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children, was published in July, 2011.

Foster Care Provision

Questions (506)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

506. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 f 13 February 2013, if he will outline the situation where individuals who have provided references for foster parent applicants have subsequently withdrawn their references and whether this would lead to the initiation of an enquiry into the foster parent applicants' suitability to care for a child. [15139/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

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.

Foster Care Provision

Questions (507)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

507. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 203 f 13 February 2013, the frequency with which the Health Service Executive conducts checks on referees for foster parents' applicants; if she has figures on the number of occasions where such checks have had to be carried out in 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15140/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

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.

Public Sector Remuneration

Questions (508)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

508. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide in tabular form a breakdown of the annual saving to the public sector pay bill if non-commercial State agency pay was capped at €100,000. [15963/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department does not generally hold information relating to the salaries of individual employees of the various agencies operating under the Department's remit and, accordingly, the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Officials of my Department have requested the specific information required and this will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available. The Deputy should note that this information will relate to gross savings as my Department will not be in a position to provide details of the net savings to the Exchequer as this would require an examination of the tax and other statutory deductions applicable for each individual employee.

Public Sector Remuneration

Questions (509)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

509. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in a tabular form a breakdown of the annual saving to the public sector pay bill if hospital consultant pay was capped at €150,000 and non-commercial State agency pay was capped at €100,000. [14794/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As the first request is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

The information requested in relation to the Non-Commercial State Agencies is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (510)

John McGuinness

Question:

510. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health if home help hours in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny will be restored as a matter of urgency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14720/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Questions (511)

Gerry Adams

Question:

511. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the exceptional circumstances in respect of an application for motorised transport grant, with regard to an applicant's disabilities, mobility and medical need for transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14752/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

While a Government Decision of 26th February, 2013 ended the Motorised Transport Grant Scheme, applications received by the Health Service Executive (HSE) prior to that date will be processed and if found qualified after assessment, the grant will be paid.

As part of their work of reviewing the Motorised Transport Grant scheme, following on from a report of the Ombudsman from September 2012, the HSE reviewed the guidelines for the assessment of "Exceptional Circumstances". In March 2013, the HSE issued National Guidelines to ensure a consistent national approach to the issue of "Exceptional Circumstances". I will forward a copy of the guidelines to the Deputy.

Disabled Drivers Grant Eligibility

Questions (512, 513)

Gerry Adams

Question:

512. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health if, under motorised transport grant guidelines, March 2009, there is provision for a parent to apply for the grant in respect of a dependant who is under seventeen years of age, being so severely disabled that they are impeded from using public transport in order to access health services, appointments and day to day travel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14753/13]

Gerry Adams

Question:

513. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the services and supports that exist in respect of disabled persons aged under seventeen years who have been deemed ineligible for the motorised transport grant, taking into consideration that the persons meet criteria for primary medical certificate (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14754/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 512 and 513 together.

While a Government Decision of 26th February, 2013, ended the Motorised Transport Grant Scheme, applications received by the Health Service Executive (HSE) prior to that date will be processed and if found qualified after assessment, the grant will be paid. The Motorised Transport Grant is a means-tested HSE payment for people with disabilities who are 17 years or older and who need to buy a car in order to retain employment. There is no provision under the guidelines for Motorised Transport Grant for the circumstances outlined by the Deputy.

The Revenue Commissioners operate a Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers Scheme, whereby a family member of a disabled passenger can qualify for tax relief linked to the purchase of vehicles, provided he/she is living with and is responsible for the transport of the disabled person in question; has acquired the vehicle for that purpose and the disabled passenger is the holder of a Primary Medical Certificate. Applications for Primary Medical Certificates are processed by the Health Service Executive, through local health offices.

The Government is very conscious of the needs of people with a disability who require transport supports from the State and is also conscious of the position of the Ombudsman that the Mobility Allowance and Motorised Transport Grant schemes are illegal in the context of the Equal Status Acts. Following detailed consideration of issues involved with Cabinet colleagues, the Government decided on 26th February that it is no longer possible to allow the two schemes to continue as they presently operate and to devise an alternative solution for meeting people's needs.

A special review group, which is independently chaired, has been established to seek an alternative method to provide for the priority transport needs of people with a disability in a manner that does not run counter to the Equal Status Acts. Following the initial phase of the group's work, which will concentrate on issues around Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant, a key concentration of the group will be to look at opportunities for the enhancement of the transport options provided to the relevant persons in need. As part of the review, the Health Service Executive (HSE) will examine the circumstances of all those currently benefiting from the schemes to ensure the identified solutions will encompass their priority mobility needs. In addition, the Minister for Health has instructed the HSE to contact each individual in receipt of the payments to notify them of this decision.

In advance of the establishment of the Project Group, Department of Health officials met with representatives of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies, the Disability Federation of Ireland and the Irish Wheelchair Association at my request. In addition, membership of the Project Group is drawn from both the statutory and non-statutory sectors. The work of the Project Group is being supported by the National Disability Authority and includes representatives from the Irish Wheelchair Association, the Disability Federation of Ireland, the Centre for Independent Living, an independent service user and advocate for people with disabilities and a retired County Council Manager with relevant experience. Both Minister Reilly and myself have instructed the Project Group to seek solutions across the whole of Government, so that alongside representatives from the Department of Health and the HSE, membership also includes representatives from Pobal and from the Departments of Transport, Tourism & Sport, Environment, Community and Local Government, Social Protection and Finance.

The Project Group has already met three times and their next meeting is scheduled for 16th April. The Government decision includes a requirement that the results of the review will be presented to the Government before any final decisions are made on future arrangements. The funding involved in the two schemes (€10.6 million) remains committed to meeting the priority transport needs of people with a disability.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (514)

Martin Ferris

Question:

514. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a breakdown of the number of home help hours delivered in County Kerry in 2010, 2011, 2012 and the number that will be delivered in 2013. [14758/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.