Written Answers Nos. 515-537
515. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocated by her to services aimed at tackling domestic violence in County Louth, including women's refuges; the funding for these services in 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and the amount in 2014. [16545/14]
View answer516. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the impact that budget cuts in budget 2014 will have on the provision of services aimed at tackling domestic violence in County Louth including women's refuges; if she will provide a breakdown of the funding allocated by him to these services; the funding for these services in 2009 to 2013, inclusive, and what it will be in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16546/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.
Responsibility for the funding of the Rape Crisis Centres and Refuges previously funded by the HSE became the responsibility of the new Child and Family Agency upon its establishment on 1st January, 2014. The funding allocation by the HSE towards domestic violence, refuge and support services in County Louth, in the period 2009-2013, and by the new Child and Family Agency in 2014, is set out as follows:
|
Year |
2009 |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Total |
€1,032,837 |
€1,006,053 |
€950,450 |
€902,927 |
€880,355 |
€857,781 |
The Child and Family Agency is actively engaged with the County Louth based women's refuge centre regarding the provision of services to children and families affected by family violence. Child and Family Agency staff from Dublin North East have been in discussions regarding a business plan for the centre. Funding for refuges is commonly provided through a combination of funds from the Agency and the local authorities. The Agency is committed to working with Louth County Council, local services and the centre in question to ensure the delivery of services in response to identified need.
517. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the way the Child and Family Agency has been rolled out in County Waterford; her views on the changes that have been implemented or are planned in relation to infrastructure, including an update on the buildings that are being used and by whom; her views on whether these premises belong to the Health Service Executive, her Department or if rents are being paid in respect of same and at what cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16008/14]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency was established on 1 January, 2014. It involved bringing together nearly 4,000 staff from three separate organisations, the HSE, the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. The establishment of the new Agency with a budget of over €600m represents one of the most ambitious and far reaching public sector reforms undertaken by the Government.
In preparation for the disaggregation of services from the HSE a comprehensive log of all premises was compiled setting out the locations from which child and family services operate. This log includes premises used exclusively by child and family services, rented accommodation and premises shared with HSE services. The Agency is committed to working with the HSE to ensure arrangements continue to meet both their respective needs. A Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency and the HSE has been agreed which sets out a range of provisions that support the functional delivery of services by the Agency.
Child and Family Services operate from a range of properties in the Waterford area, only one of which is rented exclusively for Child and Family Services at St. Andrew's Terrace, Newtown. Another is rented on a shared basis at Johnstown. The remaining premises are in the ownership of the State.
A new facility at Belmont, Ferrybank which currently houses an Early Years Service on the ground floor will shortly accommodate some of the Agency's local child and family services. This premises has a long term-lease at nominal cost. Its construction was funded by a number of State Agencies, including the HSE, and two adjoining Local Authorities using once off capital funds. Additional capital funding was allocated to fit it out to meet the needs of the Agency. There are no plans for additional facilities in this area.
518. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the way the Child and Family Agency, CFA, has been rolled out in County Waterford; the number of staff now employed by the CFA in Waterford and the region; the number of these employees that have been transferred from the Health Service Executive; the numbers of new staff that have been recruited and to what roles; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16009/14]
View answerThe new Child and Family Agency, TUSLA, was established on 1 January 2014 and operational arrangements were completed in advance of this date to ensure the smooth transition of service provision, staff and service management. In the South Region, there are a total of 1,047 people employed, equating to 918.1 whole-time equivalents (WTE). Of these, 236 are employed in the Waterford/Wexford area and all of these transferred from the HSE. A further eight staff are still due to transfer from the HSE to this area. Two social workers have been recruited for the Waterford area since the Agency was established with a further five positions being processed.
519. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on relocating residential staff into community services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16010/14]
View answer549. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the vision for relocation of residential staff in Waterford into community services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16627/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 519 and 549 together.
I have requested the information from the Child and Family Agency and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
520. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the out of hours services of her Department in County Waterford will be extended as per the mission statement of the new agency; the way this will be achieved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16011/14]
View answerIn June 2009 the Health Service Executive established the Emergency Place of Safety Service (EPSS) whereby Gardaí, acting under the provisions of Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991, can access an appropriate place of safety placement for children found to be at risk out-of-hours (outside normal working hours, 6pm- 9am Monday to Friday and weekends and public holidays). The Emergency Place of Safety Service placements are provided by Five Rivers Ireland as an agent for the Child and Family Agency. The service operates in all areas with the exception of Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow where the existing Crisis Intervention Service (CIS) already provides an Out-of-Hours service.
In 2011, the HSE Children and Family Services established emergency Out-of- Hours Pilot Projects in Cork and Donegal. Following consideration of the outcome of these pilot initiatives the development of a National Out- of-Hours model of service is to be progressed. The 2014 Letter of Determination and Performance Statement which I issued to the Agency identified the roll-out of a model Out-of-Hours service throughout the country as one of the key priority reforms to be advanced this year.
The Agency is in the process of finalising plans to establish the Emergency Out-of-Hours Social Work Service to co-operate with and support the Garda Síochána in the execution of their duties and responsibilities under section 12(3) of the Child Care Act, 1991. The proposal will provide the Garda Síochána with the following:
- a national Call Centre providing social work consultation and advice;
- access to a local on-call social worker and
- placements for children under Section 12(3) of the Child Care Act, 1991.
The service will conform with relevant Child Care Regulations and with the National Standards for Foster Care.
521. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of motor vehicles in the possession of her Department or agencies of her Department that are not required to hold motor tax; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16023/14]
View answer522. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of motor vehicles in the possession of her Department or agencies of her Department that do not hold an insurance policy; the manner in which insurance claims arising in respect of vehicles in the possession of her Department or its agencies are handled; the amount of insurance claims paid on behalf of her Department in each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16039/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 521 and 522 together.
My Department does not hold any vehicles for official use; however both the Children Detention Schools and the Child and Family Agency hold vehicles on their fixed asset registers’. The Child and Family Agency are currently engaged in an asset reconciliation process with the HSE and any relevant information on motor vehicles will be forwarded to the Deputy when it is to hand. The Children Detention Schools in Oberstown have 14 vehicles in State ownership. As the vehicles are State owned they are exempt from the requirement for private motor insurance for the purposes of the Road Traffic Act 1961. However, it is a requirement to apply for and to display a motor tax disk on these vehicles and this is arranged each year.
My Department and the Children Detention Schools are clients of the State Claims Agency, which manages personal injury and property damage claims on behalf of State authorities, their servants or agents. Any claims which may arise in relation to these vehicles are managed by the State Claims Agency.
The State Claims Agency have confirmed that in respect of vehicles owned by delegated State bodies, in compliance with Public Financial Procedures, there is no commercial insurance policy in place. However a State Indemnity applies.
Should a claim arise relating to personal injury and third party property damage from an incident owned by a delegated State body, this will be handled by the State Claims Agency. Should a claim arise relating to damage to a State vehicle the cost will be borne by the State body/Department.
The State Claims Agency has indicated that they are only in a position to provide information on claims that are under their remit i.e. personal injury (employee’s and members of the public) and third party property damage. Thus we would only have available summary information on the number of road traffic collisions involving a particular Department. Details on whether the cause was attributed to another vehicle and driver and where the State vehicle was at fault are not recorded.
523. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will support the rights of Roma children as a matter of priority. [16077/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government commits the Government to promoting greater coordination and integration of delivery of services to the Traveller and migrant community across Government, using available resources more effectively to deliver on principles of social inclusion, particularly in the area of education.
The Department of Justice & Equality, which has lead policy responsibility in this area, prepared Ireland’s National Traveller / Roma Integration Strategy in 2011 against the background of the May 2011 EU Council Conclusions on an EU framework for national Roma integration strategies up to 2020. An update on progress in relation to the Strategy was sent to the EU Commission as recently as January 2014.
I am informed that the term “Roma” as defined by the Council of Europe embraces in the Irish context both indigenous Irish Travellers and “Roma” in the sense of persons of Roma origin who have come to Ireland exercising their right of free movement. The 2011 Census recorded 29,573 persons who identified themselves as Irish Travellers and while there are no official statistics on the number of Roma in Ireland a figure of 3,000 has been cited by the Roma Support Group Pavee Point.
I note the concerns expressed in the Children’s Rights Alliance’s Report Card 2014 in relation to improving the lives of Traveller and migrant children. Clearly there are challenges for Government in this regard. In reply to a recent parliamentary question (Ref No. 14008/14 from Deputy O'Caoláin on 27th March 2014), I outlined a range of supports for traveller and migrant children that are funded by my Department to support youth services, education and family support initiatives and to address child poverty. The new Child and Family Agency also has a key role to play in the context its statutory remit for services previously provided by the National Educational Welfare Board, relating to educational welfare and school completion and through its network of Family Resource Centres.
The National Children and Young People’s Policy Framework, which I plan to launch shortly, will cover the seven year period from 2014 to 2020. It will address Government commitments in relation to Traveller / Roma children and assist the collaboration across Government in implementing the National Strategy.
524. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 12 of 27 March 2014, when the national review of residential care currently being undertaken by the Child and Family Agency is due to be completed. [16089/14]
View answerI have been advised by the Child and Family Agency that the national review of residential care is ongoing at present with the consultation phase to commence shortly. The review is due to be completed by the end of the fourth quarter of 2014.
525. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 27 March 2014, the amount of expenditure incurred for commercial storage facilities to store adoption records transferred from adoption agencies to the Health Service Executive and the Child Family Agency in the years 2010 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014. [16090/14]
View answer526. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 15 of 27 March 2014, the assistance sought by the Child and Family Agency from the National Archive; if this assistance was in the form of staff secondment or otherwise from the National Archive; and if these services which have been provided or are being provided involve a cost being incurred by the Child and Family Agency. [16091/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
As these issues are service matters for which the Child and Family Agency have responsibility, I have asked the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
527. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide a breakdown in tabular form of the number of children detained in Oberstown boys' and girls' schools and Trinity House, Lusk, County Dublin on a monthly basis in 2013 and to date in 2014 including the gender and the ages of the children detained. [16092/14]
View answerThe three Children Detention Schools at Oberstown, Lusk, County Dublin are Trinity House Boys School, Oberstown Boys School and Oberstown Girls School. Under current arrangements, the children detention schools are authorised for detaining males up to the age of 17 years and females up to the age of 18 years. The information requested by the Deputy is outlined in the table based on the first working day for each month in 2013 and 2014.
|
Oberstown Boys School |
- |
Trinity House Boys School |
- |
Oberstown Girls School |
- |
|
|
|
2013 |
Remand |
Commital |
Remand |
Commital |
Remand |
Commital |
Total |
|
Jan |
5 |
11 |
5 |
7 |
0 |
3 |
31 |
|
Feb |
7 |
12 |
7 |
7 |
0 |
1 |
34 |
|
Mar |
6 |
12 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
34 |
|
Apr |
8 |
12 |
1 |
14 |
0 |
1 |
36 |
|
May |
8 |
12 |
4 |
12 |
0 |
1 |
37 |
|
Jun |
6 |
14 |
2 |
14 |
0 |
1 |
37 |
|
Jul |
7 |
13 |
2 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
38 |
|
Aug |
8 |
12 |
3 |
13 |
0 |
1 |
37 |
|
Sep |
7 |
12 |
3 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
34 |
|
Oct |
5 |
11 |
4 |
11 |
0 |
1 |
32 |
|
Nov |
8 |
14 |
6 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
40 |
|
Dec |
8 |
14 |
1 |
9 |
0 |
1 |
33 |
|
2014 |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
|
Jan |
6 |
7 |
2 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
27 |
|
Feb |
6 |
9 |
3 |
8 |
0 |
1 |
27 |
|
Mar |
10 |
11 |
5 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
39 |
|
Apr |
7 |
15 |
4 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
39 |
528. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cén méid airgid a caitheadh in 2013 ar aistriú doiciméad ó Bhéarla go Gaeilge nó ó Ghaeilge go Béarla, agus ó theangacha eile go Béarla agus ó Bhéarla go teangacha eile, faoi seach; cad ba chaiteachas iomlán riaracháin na Roinne sa bhliain 2013; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [16131/14]
View answerTá an t-eolas maidir leis an mhéid airgid a chaith mo Roinn ar sheirbhísí aistriúcháin in 2013 leagtha amach sa tábla seo a leanas:
|
Aistriúcháin |
Costas sa bhliain 2013 |
|
Béarla/Gaeilge |
€9,076 |
|
Béarla/Teangacha eile |
- |
|
Iomlán |
€9,076 |
Ina theannta sin, chaith an Roinn €9.491 milliún ar chostas riaracháin sa bhliain sin.
529. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs with regard to the planned legislation to ratify the Hague convention and the engagement with the relevant stakeholders the plans undertaken to carry this out; the actions to date to engage with other Hague convention countries or to develop bilateral agreements with non-Hague convention countries to prevent the current situation; the actions being taken to engage with other Hague convention countries or to develop bilateral agreements with non-Hague convention countries; if she is in a position to state which countries are opened to post Hague PAPs with what expected leadtimes in effecting an ICA; the reason there was no Irish representation at a recent meeting with the Cambodian authorities as this country is planning to be opened to ICA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16168/14]
View answerRecent years have seen a significant fall-off in the number of intercountry adoptions taking place internationally. The total number of children adopted into the top twelve receiving states in 2004 was 43,142. In 2011, this figure had dropped to 21,911 – a drop of 50 per cent. The United States which receives by far the largest number of adoptions has seen a reduction of almost 60 per cent over this period.
These trends reflect the significant decline in recent years in the number of children, particularly infants, available for adoption, as child protection safeguards have improved in developing countries which previously placed large numbers of children for adoption. In many cases these reforms in countries of origin have been given expression and impetus by their ratification of the Hague Convention. The Convention requires members to strengthen protections for children, birth parents and prospective adoptive parents in the adoption process and to prioritise the improvement of systems for the care and adoption of children domestically. This requirement is in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in particular Article 21. With the passing of the Adoption Act 2010 Ireland ratified the Hague Convention on the 1st November 2010 and is now one of 93 contracting States to the Convention.
Very significant efforts have been underway on the part of the Adoption Authority - with strong support from myself and my Department - to promote cooperation in intercountry adoption with relevant countries. The Adoption Authority has successfully concluded administrative agreements with both Vietnam and the US. The Adoption Authority is currently engaging with a number of Hague Convention countries in relation to intercountry adoptions including Bulgaria, China, Thailand, the Philippines and India. The Adoption Authority has recently visited Haiti as part of an initial examination of intercountry adoption with Haiti.
It is important to recognise that, although a country may be a member of Hague, legal and administrative obstacles may remain, there may be no children available for adoption or restrictions may be imposed in relation to the categories of children or prospective adoptive parents qualifying.
I am also aware that Ethiopia is currently seeking to bring its adoption standards up to those required under the Hague Convention and I have asked the Adoption Authority to keep me updated on the position.
Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention. However, my Department is continuing its discussion with the Russian authorities with a view to exploring the possibilities of establishing a bi-lateral agreement.
With regard to Cambodia, the Authority advises that it has no direct links with the adoption authorities in Cambodia and Ireland has no resident diplomatic presence in Cambodia. The Authority was not aware of any recent meetings regarding intercountry adoption from that country.
530. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the Adoption Authority of Ireland, when the position for the new CEO is expected to be filled in view of this position being left vacant for a number of months which may have affected the authority in making decisions; the reason the position was not advertised earlier; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16204/14]
View answerThe position of Chief Executive Officer of the Adoption Authority of Ireland has been advertised and interviews are due to take place shortly. Following which I expect the position to be filled shortly.
531. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the Adoption Authority of Ireland if there is a business plan for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16205/14]
View answerThe Adoption Authority submitted its 2014 Business Plan to the Department on 28 March 2014. It has been published on the Authority website.
532. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the Adoption Authority of Ireland and its 2013 figures, if she will provide a breakdown by country, a general outline of the reasons behind the refusals; if she will also provide a breakdown of pre and post Hague adoptions; if such documents will be posted on the AAI website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16206/14]
View answerI have asked the Adoption Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
533. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in relation to the Adoption Authority of Ireland and their report outlining a possible age limit for adoptive parents, if she will detail the reasons within this report; if this report will be made available on the AAI website; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16207/14]
View answerThe decision to deem a person suitable and eligible to adopt is a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland and is taken under criteria outlined in Section 34 of the Adoption Act, 2010. These criteria include that an applicant or applicants be of good health and of an age so that he or she has a reasonable expectation of being capable throughout the child’s childhood of providing the necessary health, social, educational and other interventions for the child, and having financial means to support the child.
The Authority has recommended that a maximum age differential of 42 years between the adoptive parent and child to be adopted be considered in order to safeguard the best interests of the chid to be adopted. It is important to note that this is an age differential and not an age limit of 42 years. I have indicated that I am against an age limit, per se.
534. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Adoption Authority of Ireland will work with the Health Service Executive offices completing assessments in order that the social workers have a better idea of the situation with ICA and countries [16208/14]
View answerI have asked the Adoption Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
535. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline her working relationship with the Adoption Authority of Ireland; the way she is kept up to date with its work-situation with the ICA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16209/14]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland is an independent, quasi judicial body established under the Adoption Act 2010. The relationship between the Minister and the Adoption Authority of Ireland is provided for in the Adoption Act 2010 which outlines the obligations of the Authority in this regard. Matters relating tot he accountability, plans, reports and funding are dealt with in Sections 107 - 112 of the Act. On an administrative and operational level the Department of Children and Youth Affairs have regular and ongoing interaction with the Authority.
536. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the communications posted on its website or given to the PAPS contacting the Adoption Authority of Ireland are so vague, misleading and easily misunderstood; if corrective action will be taken; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16210/14]
View answerI have asked the Adoption Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
537. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to complaints from PAPs regarding emails not being replied to; if she will explain such inefficiencies within the Authority; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16211/14]
View answerThe Adoption Authority has advised me that they endeavour to reply to all communications in line with the Authority's Customer Charter. The Authority however have indicated that the complexity of issues raised may necessitate administrative and or legal investigation which can prove time consuming. The Authority's Customer Charter is available on their website www.aai.gov.ie
