Written Answers Nos. 774-797
774. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason members of the IASS were included in the State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25894/14]
View answerThe State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill provides for amendments to the existing provisions governing the State airport authorities' superannuation schemes. The Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS) is a multi-employer scheme involving DAA, SAA, Aer Lingus and former SR Technics staff. Resolution of the funding difficulties in the IAS scheme, where there is a deficit of over €760m, is primarily a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the Scheme, the members and the Pensions Authority. The deficit in the scheme has arisen over the years as the companies and the members did not put enough into the scheme to match the benefits that were expected.
The provisions of the Bill in relation to the IASS do not prejudice in any way the discussions that are taking place among the parties on finding a solution to the problems in the pension scheme or the work undertaken by the Expert Panel established by the Departments of Transport, Tourism and Sport and Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Ibec and ICTU aimed at finding a solution to the industrial relations issues relating to the IASS. The Panel presented its final report on 16 June. Now that the Panel's work is complete, I would urge all parties to the Scheme to give the report very careful consideration, use its recommendations as the basis for timely constructive engagement, and to achieve a resolution in the best interests of all parties. The recommendations in this report represent the last best chance to resolve this long-standing problem, and give people certainty about their future pension entitlements.
The aim of the provisions in the Bill is to ensure that any legislative blockages to solutions arrived at by the parties are removed. Without providing for these changes in the Bill, the recommendations of the Expert Panel, or indeed any solution agreed among the parties, will be incapable of being implemented by the employers and the trustees.
775. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has considered the information provided in documents received by his Department on 6 June 2014 regarding the development of land at Harristown, County Dublin; if, in view of this information, he will now raise the matter with the State company concerned; his views on whether the charge of political responsibility in this matter should take precedence over court action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25928/14]
View answerThis matter is the subject of legal proceedings currently underway and is therefore sub-judice. In the circumstances, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter raised.
776. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the discussions both he and his officials have had with their respective counterparts in Northern Ireland regarding the common travel area since March 2011 through the medium of the North-South Ministerial Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25951/14]
View answerFollowing clarification of the question, I understand it refers to the possibility of a shared HGV road charging regime with the UK. The issue of the HGV road user levy introduced on April 1 2014 in the UK, including Northern Ireland, has been discussed at the North South Ministerial Council. It has been acknowledged in these discussions that this issue is an excepted matter under the exclusive authority of the UK government in Westminster.
A cross-Departmental working group has been established, following consultation with my colleague Phil Hogan, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, to examine the feasibility of introducing a pay-as-you-go road tax scheme for HGVs in Ireland. The group is due to report to Government by the middle of this year with its recommendations. One of the options under review is a common road charging regime, where a single charge is applied but payers can use roads in more than one country. There is precedence in Europe with the Eurovignette for a common road charging regime to be established. We may look to this example and seek to establish a common regime between the UK and Ireland.
While there are many issues surrounding the introduction of a common regime and it requires the support of the UK Government, I believe that such a regime may have merit given our circumstances. Therefore, my officials have begun exploratory discussions with their UK and Northern Ireland counterparts on this potential long-term solution. A common regime would be of benefit to HGV operators north and south of the border, rather than having two different regimes that would impose significant regulatory burdens on them.
777. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps his Department is taking to ensure the future viability of Aer Lingus; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25953/14]
View answerThe State's shareholding in Aer Lingus does not allow it to interfere in any way in the commercial operations of the company. Aer Lingus reported an operating profit of €61.1 m in 2013 which was the company's fourth consecutive year of profitability. The Government continues to manage its shareholding actively, with the aim of maximising the value of the shareholding, securing dividends and encouraging new routes and additional capacity where commercially viable.
As Minister I have responsibility to ensure that the right conditions exist to facilitate the development and growth of the aviation industry as a whole. With that in mind I am in the process of developing a new civil aviation policy for Ireland. It will be the first policy framework for aviation in Ireland in over 20 years. The new policy will facilitate the expansion of the industry, help make it more competitive, tackle barriers to growth and facilitate the development of new air transport links. It will provide a basis for us to plan for the future of this vital industry and Aer Lingus has a big part to play in that.
778. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request the National Roads Authority to provide funding as a matter of priority to extend the public lighting adjacent to a section of Ireland's premier tourist route (details supplied) in County Kerry; if he agrees that this short section of road is extremely dark and dangerous and is a major health and safety issue; if he will request the Road Safety Authority to examine this case immediately on health and safety grounds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25960/14]
View answerThe position remains as outlined in the response to an identical PQ, Question No. 707 of 8 April 2014. As Minister for Transport, Tourism & 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. More specifically, the provision and maintenance of public lighting on national roads is a matter for the NRA and the relevant local authority, in this case, Kerry County Council.
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.
779. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason a festival based in County Donegal (details supplied) has failed to receive its full allocated grant assistance from Fáilte Ireland for 2013 and is facing a reduction of 60% in its funding for 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25988/14]
View answerI have no direct role in relation to the allocation of funding to festivals. This is a matter for the board and management of Fáilte Ireland. Accordingly I have referred the question to the agency for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
780. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide a breakdown of the fines associated with the recently introduced Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014; if he will confirm if the €100 maximum fine will apply to cars clamped in emergency areas such as hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25989/14]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate for vehicle clamping. Following approval by Government, I published the Vehicle Clamping Bill 2014 on the 9th June 2014. I hope to introduce the Bill in the Oireachtas in the near future. The provisions of the Bill, including the provisions for non-compliance, together with an Explanatory Memorandum, are available for download from the Oireachtas website under the Oireachtas Business/Bills and Legislation section.
The Bill provides that the National Transport Authority may prescribe the maximum charge that may be imposed in non-statutory clamping places, which includes hospitals, for the removal of a clamp and for the relocation of a vehicle. Where no charge stands prescribed, the Bill proposes that the maximum charge that may be imposed is €100 in respect of clamp release and €50 in respect of relocation.
781. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the serious delays for driver licence applicants at the South Gate office, Drogheda, County Louth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25997/14]
View answerThe operation of the National Driver Licensing Service (NDLS) is the statutory responsibility of the Road Safety Authority. I have therefore referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response has not been received within ten days.
782. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the revised employee handbook issued by Dublin Port, if his attention has been drawn to the provisions of section 2.4.2, on confidential disclosures, and the potential impact on the duty of any employee to report to outside State agencies and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26019/14]
View answerDublin Port is a commercial state company that operates under the Harbour Acts. Employment related issues are a statutory matter for the port company itself. However, officials from my Department have been informed that the employee handbook referred to is in draft format and Dublin Port is currently engaged in a consultative process on it. The trade unions have been circulated with a copy of the draft document and invited to make comments.
783. Deputy Regina Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport in relation to licences issued by the Commission for Aviation Regulation to travel consultants (details supplied), the difference between the two licences issued; the reason the difference exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26057/14]
View answerThe Commission for Aviation Regulation (CAR) has responsibility for licensing the travel trade. I have referred the Deputy's question to them for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
784. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding the Irish airlines superannuation scheme in respect of the report compiled by the expert panel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26133/14]
View answerResolution of the funding difficulties in the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS), where there is a deficit of over €760m, is primarily a matter for the Trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme's members and the Pensions Board. The deficit in the scheme has arisen over the years as the companies and the members did not put enough into it to match the benefits that were expected. The problems with this scheme have long been recognised and an opportunity now exists to resolve them.
The Expert Panel established by the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, IBEC and ICTU to find a solution to the industrial relations issues relating to the IASS, presented its report on 16 June. During its investigations, the Panel met with all the parties involved, including the deferred pensioners. The report has been published on my Department's website. I welcome the Expert Panel's report and urge all parties to give the report very careful consideration. The report's recommendations can be used by the parties as the basis for constructive engagement and to achieve a resolution in the best interests of all. The Expert Panel has stated that it considers that its recommendations represent the best possible outcome that can be achieved. While some of the decisions that will be required will be challenging, the report presents a final opportunity to bring this issue to a conclusion in a fair manner.
For the Deputy's information, the Expert Panel met with the Deferred IASS Action Group on two separate occasions. Neither occasion was the day before the findings were issued.
785. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the implementation of the national early years access initiative and the area-based childhood ABC programme. [25236/14]
View answerThe National Early Years Access Initiative (NEYAI) is a collaborative partnership between the Atlantic Philanthropies, Mount Street Club Trust, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Early Years Education Policy Unit (DES) and Pobal, who provide from a Governance, management and administration role to the initiative. The NEYAI aims to improve quality and practice within early years services for children (0-6 years) and their families living in disadvantaged areas. It does this through interagency collaboration and by developing innovative community-based models to respond to local needs. NEYAI works across a number of thematic areas with a strong focus on Síolta - the National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education (CECDC, 2006), and Aistear - the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA, 2009). Both of these are seen as fundamental to the growth and development of quality in the provision of early years care and education.
The rights of the child are the primary focus of NEYAI, as it aims to ensure that each child is given the opportunity to reach his or her full potential and that obstacles to the realisation of this goal can be addressed in policy and practice. All projects are now moving into their final phase of implementation and are exploring legacy, sustainability and related dissemination activities to ensure policy engagement, in conjunction with the NEYAI Learning Community and at individual-project level. The NEYAI Initiative is now coming to a close, but the Projects have different end dates – two concluded in April, four will conclude in July and five in August.
On the 23rd of May last, the NEYAI National Conference presented the final NEYAI National Evaluation report. The findings from both the national evaluation report and each of the projects local evaluations will be taken into account, as part of the development of the National Early Years Quality Support Service. This new national initiative will be a dedicated service provided on a national basis. The objective of the National Early Years Quality Support Service is to enhance the quality of practice in early childhood care and education settings and developing their capacity to provide high quality early education and care experiences for children and their families. This will be achieved by effective coordination of state funded support services available to this sector, one of which will be a new specialist support service. A recruitment process for a National Manager for this service is currently underway.
The Area-Based Childhood (ABC) Programme is an innovative initiative announced in the Programme for Government which will run from 2013 – 2016. It reflects the Government's commitment to adopt an area-based approach to help reduce child poverty by improving outcomes for children. The ABC programme targets investment in evidence-informed interventions to improve the long-term outcomes for children and families living in areas of disadvantage. It aims to break “the cycle of child poverty within areas where it is most deeply entrenched and where children are most disadvantaged, through integrated and effective services and interventions” in the areas of child development, child well-being, parenting and educational disadvantage.
The ABC Programme is being jointly funded by my Department and Atlantic Philanthropies. The total amount of funding available in the period 2013-2016 will be €29.7m. 50 applications, from among the most disadvantaged areas of the State, were received from consortia wishing to participate in the ABC Programme. On 27 November last my Department announced that 13 areas had been approved for entry into the new ABC Programme. These included the three existing projects which participated in the forerunner Prevention and Early Intervention programme (PEIP) in Tallaght, Ballymun and Darndale which had already been approved for entry into the new ABC Programme.
Pobal and the Centre for Effective Services are managing the programme on behalf of my Department and Atlantic Philanthropies. Four sites have recently been 'fast tracked' and are ready to proceed to contract stage. The remaining sites have been asked to submit further proposals by the end of June. The overall aim is to have all of the new sites contracted by end 2014.
786. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of all funding allocated to youth projects in County Cork for the years 2012, 2013 and 2014; his plans to re-establish a youth café in a town (details supplied); if he has received any applications from groups in that town for youth café funding; if his attention has been drawn to the lack of youth services in the local area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25277/14]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €49.780m is available in 2014 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. This includes provision of €9.948m under the Youth Service Grant Scheme for some 30 national and regional organisations including Foróige, to support the development of services for young people throughout the country. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects.
Details of the funding allocated in 2012, 2013 and 2014 to individual projects in Cork City and county under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 are outlined in the following table.
|
Special Projects for Youth |
2012 Allocation |
2013 Allocation |
2014 Allocation |
|
Glen Youth Development Project |
99,529 |
89,576 |
86,217 |
|
Mahon Youth Development Project |
108,006 |
97,205 |
93,560 |
|
Cork Youth Encounter Project Youth Work Programme. |
43,219 |
38,897 |
37,438 |
|
STEP Project |
49,792 |
44,812 |
43,132 |
|
Churchfield-Gurranabraher Youth Development Project |
93,106 |
83,796 |
80,653 |
|
Togher Youth Development Centre |
94,171 |
84,754 |
81,576 |
|
Farranree Youth Development Project |
88,325 |
79,492 |
76,511 |
|
Knocknaheeny-Hollyhill Outreach |
49,792 |
44,812 |
43,132 |
|
YMCA Youth Development Centre |
49,792 |
44,812 |
43,132 |
|
Knocknaheeny-Hollyhill 11-15 yrs |
99,583 |
89,625 |
86,264 |
|
Summer Recreation Project |
17,486 |
15,738 |
15,147 |
|
Ballyphehane Youth Development Project |
94,093 |
84,684 |
81,508 |
|
Bishopstown Special Project |
99,583 |
89,625 |
86,264 |
|
Strawberry Hill Youth Development Centre |
94,171 |
84,754 |
81,576 |
|
Riverstown Youth Project |
93,108 |
83,796 |
80,653 |
|
Sky Project (Mitchelstown/Charleville |
94,171 |
84,754 |
81,576 |
|
Summer Recreation Scheme |
14,761 |
13,285 |
12,787 |
|
Beara Youth Development Project |
97,708 |
87,937 |
84,639 |
|
Cobh Youth Services |
86,177 |
77,559 |
74,651 |
|
Fermoy/Middleton/Mallow Youth Projects |
193,623 |
174,261 |
167,726 |
|
Young People's Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF 1) |
2012 Allocation |
2013 Allocation |
2014 Allocation |
|
Bishopstown Outreach Project |
28,069 |
25,262 |
24,314 |
|
Ballyphehan Action for Youth (BAY) |
28,069 |
25,262 |
24,314 |
|
Blarney Street Youth Project |
53,329 |
47,996 |
46,196 |
|
St Joseph's Mayfield Youth |
56,136 |
50,523 |
48,628 |
|
Churchfield Youth Community Trust |
58,008 |
52,207 |
50,249 |
|
Bádoireacht – Meitheal Mara (Sailing and Boatbuilding) |
51,458 |
46,313 |
44,576 |
|
Gurranabraher Arts Programme (GAP) |
32,747 |
29,472 |
28,367 |
|
Togher Link-up |
27,132 |
24,419 |
23,503 |
|
Glen Young Adults Project |
56,136 |
50,523 |
48,628 |
|
Togher Family Centre Ltd |
32,747 |
29,472 |
28,367 |
|
WellSprings Outreach Programme |
46,734 |
42,060 |
40,483 |
|
Alliance Sexual Health Centre (Young Peoples Helpline) |
46,734 |
42,060 |
40,483 |
|
Matt Talbot Services |
46,734 |
42,060 |
40,483 |
|
Cork Simon Community |
51,406 |
46,265 |
44,531 |
|
YPFSF 2 |
2012 Allocation |
2013 Allocation |
2014 Allocation |
|
Knocknaheeny - Link Point |
476,196 |
428,576 |
412,504 |
|
Sports Development Officer |
50,490 |
45,441 |
43,737 |
|
Good Shepherd Services - 1 Youth Worker |
50,023 |
45,020 |
43,332 |
|
St. Joseph's Community Centre |
64,048 |
57,643 |
55,481 |
Funding for youth projects and services in Cork City and Cork county is administered on behalf of my Department, in the main, by City of Cork and County Cork Education Training Board.
With regard to the Deputy's question about youth café facilities, I have been advised that in 2008 and 2009 one-off funding grants of €30,000 and €15,000 respectively were provided to a youth café project in the town in question by the Department of Education under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. My Department is not aware of any recent applications in respect of youth café projects from the town. Youth café facilities have a distinct contribution to make to the range of youth services designed to meet the needs of young people in local communities. The development of these facilities is an important priority should further capital resources become available to my Department in the future.
787. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of proposed funding for a youth project (details supplied) in County Longford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25402/14]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department administers a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. In 2014, current funding of some €49.780m is available to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. This includes provision of €9.948m under the Youth Service Grant Scheme for some 30 national and major regional organisations, including Foróige and Youth Work Ireland, to support the development of their services for young people. In 2014, funding of €86,779 has been provided under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme to two projects in county Longford - County Longford Youth Service, which is part of Longford Community Resources Ltd (€74,651), and Longford Youth Service (€12,128). In addition, €9,733 has been allocated to the Education and Training Board under the 2014 Local Youth Club Grant Scheme to support youth work activities at a local level.
In 2013, a capital allocation of €1.55m was made available by my Department for the provision of new youth cafes. Pobal assisted my Department with the application process. Some 95 applications for support under this scheme were received by Pobal. Following the completion of the evaluation process some 30 proposals for new youth cafes projects around the country were approved for funding. An application for funding was received in respect of the youth project in question, however, the application was deemed ineligible on the grounds that the project was not establishing a 'new' youth café. The application and the outcome of the process were discussed at a meeting with representatives of the youth project in January of this year and the position was confirmed to the group.
In 2014, an allocation of €.5m in capital funding has been provided to my Department for small capital projects in the youth services. Details of the scheme will be announced in the coming months. However, there is no capital funding scheme available to my Department at this time for large scale projects such as that envisaged by the youth project in question. Given the challenging budgetary position that my Department, along with all Government departments, is managing at this time, it is not anticipated, that this situation will change in the immediate future.
I met with the proposers of the youth project on a recent visit to Longford. I was impressed with their commitment and the quality of their work to support youth people in Longford town and county. Youth cafes offer young people a safe, alcohol and drug free space for recreation, non-formal learning and youth focused activities. As such, they can make an important contribution to the development of services to meet the needs of young people in their local communities. The development of youth café facilities is a priority for my Department should further capital funding become available in future years.
Officials from my Department and Pobal are available to meet the group again to discuss their proposals and to explain the funding situation at this time.
788. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to extend the early childhood care and education scheme in order that children may avail of two years as opposed to one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25405/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children are availing of the provision in the current academic year. The free pre-school provision represents an annual investment of approximately €175 million and this funding has been maintained despite the challenging budgetary situation.
The introduction of a second pre-school year would require considerable additional funding, broadly in line with the cost of the current one-year provision. This additional funding is not currently available due to the financial constraints under which the Government is operating. In addition, all of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the pre-school provision is key to good outcomes for children. The Pre-School Quality Agenda that is being progressed by my Department, and which involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime, is a key building block for any further extension of universal childcare provision.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the national policy framework for children and young people 2014-2020, recognises the value of early childhood care and education in supporting children's early cognitive, social and emotional development, and the Government is committed to the introduction of a second free pre-school year within the lifetime of the framework once the required quality standards are achieved and subject to the availability of resources. My Department and I will be keeping this commitment under review in the context of the progress of the Pre-School Quality Agenda.
789. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total amount of capital spending on construction projects carried out by his Department and by bodies operating under the responsibility of his Department between 2008 and to date in 2014; if he will provide the information on an annual basis in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25535/14]
View answerThe Department of Children and Youth Affairs was established in June 2011. I am providing information relating to payments made since establishment.
|
Year |
Name of fund |
Amount |
|
2011 |
Young People's Facilities & Services Fund, Capital Programme |
€800,000 |
|
- |
National Childcare Investment Programme |
€4,000,000 |
|
2012 |
Capital Funding Programme for new Youth Cafes |
€580,000 |
|
- |
Oberstown, new national children detention facilities |
€1,000,000 |
|
- |
Childcare Capital Programme |
€4,350,000 |
|
2013 |
Capital Funding Programme for new Youth Cafes |
€1,550,000 |
|
- |
Oberstown, new national children detention facilities |
€9,940,000 |
|
- |
Childcare Capital Programme |
€2,250,000 |
|
- |
Play & Recreation facilities |
€250,000 |
|
2014 |
Capital Funding Programme for Youth Projects |
€500,000 |
|
- |
Oberstown, new national children detention facilities |
€10,000,000 |
|
- |
Early Years Childcare Capital Programme |
€2,500,000 |
|
- |
- |
Total Amount €33,720,000 |
Separately, I have requested information from the Child and Family Agency and I will forward this element of the reply to the Deputy upon receipt.
790. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of the €35 million designated to his Department for direct Exchequer capital, funding according to the Government Estimates for 2014, is expected to go towards construction-related projects; if he will list the projects; if he will provide an update on any of these projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25549/14]
View answerOf the €35 million designated for capital funding in 2014, a total of €33.9 million is allocated for construction related projects, including refurbishment and improvement works. The 2014 capital allocation includes the provision of €30.871 million to meet the costs of the construction project to develop new national children detention centres at Oberstown, Lusk, Co.Dublin. The site is already the location for the existing children detention schools (Trinity House School, Oberstown Boys School and Oberstown Girls School) which provide places to the courts for boys aged up to 17 years and girls aged up to 18 years ordered to be remanded or committed.
The facilities being developed at Oberstown will provide sufficient new capacity to enable the transfer of responsibility for 17 year old boys from the Irish Prison Service and meet the commitment in the Programme for Government to end the practice of detaining children in adult prison facilities. Construction on the project commenced on site in September 2013 and the first new residential units, which will prioritise the provision of residential places for 17 year old boys ordered to be detained, will be delivered in fourth quarter of 2014. The project will also deliver associated education, recreation, visiting, medical and other ancillary facilities. It is planned that the project will be fully completed during 2015.
Under the Early Years Childcare Capital Programme €2.5 million is being made available for community childcare facilities and is being directed to two specific purposes, namely large-scale maintenance works and quality improvements and sustainability works. A list of qualifying projects is not yet available.
A further €0.5 million has been allocated to Youth Projects under various schemes, for capital improvements to existing services. The application process to avail of this funding has yet to be announced.
791. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reasons for a cut in funding to the Therapeutic Learning Centre in Ballinasloe; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that it is a 50% cut in funding to the service; the way he intends to replace the speech and language service that will cease because of the cut in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25570/14]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency has advised that it has provided funding of €9,500 to the Ballinasloe Therapeutic Learning Centre for 2014. In 2013 the Centre received funding of €19,000 from HSE Children and Family Services. The work of the Centre is primarily with children who have a speech and language delay/disorder who are referred from Early Intervention Teams in the HSE. The Centre was advised of the reduction in 2014 funding in March this year.
The Child and Family Agency has advised that the reasons for the reduction in funding are as follows:
- Cost containment as per the national cost containment requirements which has been applied across the sector;
- In working towards the national strategic direction of the new Child and Family Agency, there is a requirement to commission services in line with the Meitheal model and to prioritise the development of Child and Family Support networks, targeting children and families who meet the threshold for the services of the Agency, i.e. child protection and welfare;
- The work of Ballinasloe Therapeutic Learning Centre is primarily with children who have speech and language delays/disorders and responsibility for the provision of such services lies with the HSE.
The Centre has informed the Child and Family Agency that from September onwards, they will continue to see individual children and families for 8 hours per week who are in child protection and welfare services in the local area. However, they will have to cease offering the 8 hours per week group speech and language therapy supports. The Agency has advised that the Centre has applied for a National Lottery grant of €2,460 to cover summer programmes in July 2014. It has been agreed that the Agency will fund the summer programme should the National Lottery grant application be unsuccessful. The Family Support Services Manager in the Child and Family Agency will meet with Ballinasloe Therapeutic Learning Centre during the summer to assist in programme planning and the provision of supports on the future direction of the organisation in line with Child and Family Support Network and existing services in the area.
It should be noted that Ballinasloe Family Services, which is separately funded and operated by the Agency, has recently had an increase of one full time staff as a result of redeployment, thereby increasing the capacity to deliver child welfare and family support services in the area.
792. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of organisations to which payments are being made under the early childhood care and education scheme; the number of these organisations that employ persons under community employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25631/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides for one free pre-school year for all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Capitation payments are made to approximately 4,300 pre-school services that have eligible children enrolled under the programme. Responsibility for employing suitably qualified staff for the delivery of the programme is a matter for the childcare provider.
Only community/not-for-profit childcare services may employ persons under the community employment scheme. Approximately 1,200 community services are participating in the ECCE programme. Figures for the number of persons employed under the CE scheme in community/not-for-profit childcare services are not collated. by my Department. However, figures published in Pobal's Annual Survey of the Early Years Sector 2012 indicate that there were 877 persons employed under the CE scheme from a total of 863 community based childcare services which participated in the survey.
793. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of cases before the Labour Court, Equality Tribunal, CPSA and EAT involving civil servants taking cases against his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25634/14]
View answerAs far as I am aware, there are no cases before the bodies mentioned by the Deputy involving civil servants from my Department.
794. Deputy Eamonn Maloney asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a review of the Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency has been conducted; and if he will provide details of the nature, scope, date of completion and outcome of any inquires carried out by the then Adoption Board arising from comments in the 2009 ISS report. [25686/14]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland is the central authority in Ireland for intercountry adoption. Agencies are accredited by the Adoption Authority to provide mediation services in relation to intercountry adoption to assist prospective adoptive parents with the adoption process in respect of particular countries. The operation of such bodies is seen as an additional safeguard for countries in the conduct of the adoption process and is considered good practice by the Hague authorities. Monitoring and oversight of these agencies is solely a matter for the Adoption Authority.
The Authority have informed me that, as a result of the Report of the International Social Service ("Assessment of the Adoption System in Vietnam", May-June 2009 by Mr. Herve Boechat, Mr. Nigel Cantwell and Ms. Mia Dambach), the former Adoption Board raised a number of queries with Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency relating to level of humanitarian aid, transport costs, medical costs, passport costs, and translations costs. Discussions on these queries were ongoing and remained outstanding when the former Adoption Board was disbanded on 31 October 2010.
The Authority have stated that these queries were again addressed when HHAMA applied for, and was granted, accreditation by the Adoption Authority of Ireland for facilitating adoptions from Vietnam in June 2012.
795. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made in putting transitional arrangements in place for prospective adoptive parents who are at risk of being aged out of the system while waiting for the accredited agency to be fully operational; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25738/14]
View answerThe Adoption Act, 2010, does not prescribe an age limit for adoption. However, it is a matter for each sovereign State to decide the manner in which they choose to implement the Hague Convention, including any restrictions in relation to age, having regard to the principles of the Convention. The 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 expiration of declarations is covered under Section 41(1) of the Adoption Act, 2010. The section provides that a declaration of eligibility and suitability expires after 24 months from the date of issuance of the declaration or after a further period of not more than 12 months that the Adoption Authority may specify. I understand that at the time of drafting of the legislation it was felt that this provided an adequate period following the initial assessment of applicants to complete an adoption. Given the changing landscape of intercountry adoption, this may no longer be the case. I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. However, any change to the length of validity of a declaration must be weighed up against the necessity to ensure that an applicant's current situation in relation to their suitability to adopt is taken into account in the adoption process.
796. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent per annum from 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014 on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance in respect of these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of concerns by the Revenue Commissioners over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25810/14]
View answerDetails of the expenditure incurred by my Department on travel and subsistence, including taxi fares, in respect of home travel since 2011 are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Cost |
Portion of cost spent on taxi usage |
|
2011 |
€23,878 |
€1,485 |
|
2012 |
€47,573 |
€6,028 |
|
2013 |
€55,217 |
€10,317 |
|
2014 to date |
€20,693 |
€2,895 |
The Deputy might wish to note that claims are only paid in respect of costs necessarily incurred in the performance of official duties and are in line with the relevant travel and subsistence circulars as issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and previously by the Department of Finance, particularly Circular 11/82 which sets out the detailed instructions governing the payment of travelling and subsistence allowances.
Expenditure in this regard is examined by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as part of its annual audit of Departmental expenditure.
797. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is capital funding available for the upgrading and refurbishment of child care facilities in 2014; if applications are being accepted at present; to whom applications should be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25840/14]
View answerCapital funding of €2.5 million is being provided in the current year under the Childcare Capital 2014 programme for the maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit childcare services. The objective of this funding is to ensure that previously-funded community facilities remain fit-for-purpose, maintain and improve quality, and to make community services more efficient and sustainable through improving the energy rating of these facilities. The closing date for applications for grants under this programme, which is being administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, was the 7th May 2014.
Additional capital funding of €5 million has been made available to my Department in the current year under the Phase 4 Infrastructure Stimulus which is being introduced by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I am currently considering the best options for the use of this additional funding.
