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Tuesday, 1 Jul 2014

Written Answers Nos. 1-80

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (68)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

68. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on his plans to set up a commission of investigation into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28014/14]

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Written answers

The Government has undertaken to establish a Commission of Investigation into concerns regarding conditions and related practices in Mother and Baby Homes. I have also publicly confirmed that the intended scope of this investigation will go beyond the home operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam, Co. Galway and these announcements have been widely welcomed.

I wish to acknowledge the constructive contribution of Government Deputies and opposition spokespersons with whom I have met in recent days. I look forward to continuing engagement across the House with a view to achieving all-party consensus as the necessary arrangements are finalised.

I have also met with representatives of a number of key advocacy groups and Church leaders, including the Adoption Rights Alliance, First Mothers Group, Bethany Homes Survivors Group, Cúnamh, Adoption Loss and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. I also hope to meet with Archbishop Jackson at his earliest availability.

The submissions made to me during these constructive discussions, together with those received through my Department’s dedicated e-mail facility, will feed into the process. I am confident that this inclusive approach in the essential scoping phase will assist in establishing an inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner.

I am consulting with Government colleagues in relation to the detailed approach to the Commission. We have been well served by the output of the Cross Departmental Review Committee which concluded its output by the due date of the 30th June. In parallel I intend continuing engagement with Opposition spokespersons so that they too have an input into the process.

I can assure the House that I am committed to taking the most appropriate approach to establish the truth in respect of these deeply tragic and disturbing events. It is my intention to bring a resolution before both Houses before the summer recess to facilitate the making of an order to formally establish the Commission.

Bullying of Children

Questions (69)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

69. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department is in a position to respond to concerns arising from cyber or other forms of bullying inside or outside the school environment; if he is satisfied regarding the extent to which victims can have access to support services at an early stage; if child psychiatric services are readily accessible or available in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27993/14]

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Written answers

As Minister for Children & Youth Affairs, I am committed to working with colleagues in Government to ensure that integrated policy responses to combat bullying are high on our agenda. I do not have specific legislative responsibilities in this area. Where a crime may have been committed it falls to An Garda Síochána to investigate. The Department of Justice and Equality also has responsibility for the Office for Internet Safety which takes a lead responsibility for internet safety in Ireland, particularly as it relates to children.

The Action Plan on Bullying is being led by the Department of Education and Skills. National anti-bullying procedures place a requirement on schools to record, investigate and address incidences of bullying and cyber-bullying, both in and out of school. The procedures highlight the need for parents and young people to understand how to protect themselves at home, in school, or in the community.

The Minister for Communications Energy & Natural Resources recently published the Report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group and announced the establishment of an implementation group to be chaired by his Department to oversee consideration of the report’s recommendations including on issues to do with bullying and harassment on line.

There are a range of support services in place to support children and young people who are coping with bullying situations. Webwise.ie, a Department of Education and Skills initiative, provides information for parents and teachers about the risks involved and how to protect children against cyber-bullying. Many of the youth services, funded by my Department, provide services to address bullying issues, increase awareness about internet safety and social media and to promote young people’s wellbeing.

Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children provides that serious incidents of bullying should be reported to the Child and Family Agency. Following assessment and where required, appropriate support will be put in place. In addition to support for the family and the child which can be provided by the Child and Family Agency in relation to serious incidents, there are also a range of services provided by the HSE, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health services which may be relevant depending on the nature of the condition being experienced by a child. Services provided by the HSE fall within the remit of the Minister for Health.

I can assure the Deputy that my Government colleagues and I are actively engaged in addressing the issues raised, as is evident in the Action Plan for Bullying and the very recently launched Report of the Internet Content Governance Advisory Group.

Child Care Services Funding

Questions (70)

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

70. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to reinstate the 2009 cuts to the early childcare supplement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28006/14]

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Written answers

The Early Childcare Supplement was introduced in April 2006 to assist parents with the costs of caring for children in their pre-school years. Due to the need to reduce public expenditure, a number of reductions were made to the Early Childcare Supplement from 2009 and the then Government took a decision to abolish the Early Childcare Supplement with effect from the 31st December 2009. At its peak the payment cost €480 million in 2008. Some of the funding previously available to support the provision of the Early Childcare Supplement was redirected to provide for the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, or free pre-school year, at an annual cost of €175 million.

The redirection of resources to this more targeted and child-centred policy is in line with the generally held principle that pre-primary education is a key determinant of student performance at all levels of education as it leads to improvements in motivation and the propensity to learn, which in turn raises the social and private returns from all future investments in their education. It also addressed the general criticism of the Early Childcare Supplement that it directed resources away from a more targeted and beneficial investment in early years care and education, in particular in the form of pre-school education.

While I believe the last Government missed a great opportunity to re-direct more money from the Early Childcare Supplement into promoting greater quality and accessibility for early childhood care and education, this Government has no plans to re-introduce the Early Childcare Supplement. Even if such funding was available from the Exchequer, its re-introduction would not be a good use of resources which would yield much greater benefits if used to directly support quality early years services.

This Government has made a very significant commitment in maintaining the pre-school year on a universal and free basis despite the current budgetary situation. The Early Childhood Care and Education programme, which represents an investment of almost €175 million annually, is funded by my Department through the provision of capitation grants paid directly to participating services. It is a fundamental principle of the programme that the pre-school provision is available to parents free of charge. In the region of 68,000 children benefit from the free pre-school provision each year.

There is significant international evidence of the benefits for children's outcomes of the provision of quality education and childcare in the earliest years. The provision of targeted funding to support specific early years childcare programmes is considered the best option for the use of the available resources and the Government will continue to fund these programme with an emphasis on improving the quality of the services provided.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (71)

Joan Collins

Question:

71. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Magdalen laundries and Bethany homes including Ovoca House, Westbank Orphanage and the Church of Ireland Magdalen home, Leeson Street will be included in the terms of reference of the statutory inquiry into mother and babies homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27897/14]

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Written answers

The Government has undertaken to establish a Commission of Investigation into the disturbing revelations on conditions and related matters in Mother and Baby Homes. I have publicly confirmed that the intended scope of this investigation will go beyond the home operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam, Co. Galway and will include the Bethany Home. The incorporation of any further institutions or homes, including those mentioned in the question will receive detailed consideration in the finalisation of the terms of reference for the proposed Commission of Investigation.

The Commission of Investigation will be statutory and independent and will operate under the Commission of Investigations Act, 2004. The process of developing detailed terms of reference for the Commission is being supported by a high level Cross Departmental Review Committee.

Public calls to include a range of institutions, and concerns related to particular practices, are also being considered as part of this work. A key task of the initial scoping exercise is to ensure that a realistic approach is taken to the investigation so that the Commission is in a position to operate in a workable and effective manner.

As well as working closely with my own officials, I have also met with representatives of a number of key advocacy groups and Church leaders, including the Adoption Rights Alliance, First Mothers Group, Bethany Homes Survivors Group, Cúnamh, Adoption Loss and Archbishop Diarmuid Martin. I also hope to meet with Archbishop Jackson at his earliest availability.

The submissions made to me during these constructive discussions, together with those received through my Department’s dedicated e-mail facility, will feed into the process. I am confident that this inclusive approach in the essential scoping phase will assist in establishing an inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner.

The position as outlined by my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, in response to a recent Parliamentary Question on this issue may be of interest to the Deputy. Minister Fitzgerald advised the House that the facts available regarding Magdalen laundries have already been set out in detail in the McAleese report which exceeds 1,000 pages. The women concerned have received an apology from the Taoiseach, had the opportunity to relate their stories to both Mr. McAleese and Judge Quirke and are entitled to receive a capital sum of up to €100,000 depending on duration of stay as well as life-long pension top up payments and access to medical services.

The McAleese report examined the links between Mother and Baby Homes and Magdalen Laundries. His statistical analysis of the known entry routes into Magdalen laundries for the period 1920 onwards showed that less than 4% of entries were from Mother and Baby Homes and Adoption Societies.

In the light of the above, the Minister suggested that there was a valid question as to how inclusion of the Magdalene Laundries within terms of reference of another inquiry would be in the interest of or be of benefit to the women in question.

I can assure the House that I am committed to arriving at a proposed approach to the scope of the Commission shortly following the Government's careful consideration of these matters.

Child Death Review Group Report

Questions (72)

Mick Wallace

Question:

72. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the outstanding measures that are to be implemented in view of the publication of the child death review. [27991/14]

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Written answers

The National Review Panel was established in 2010 to review serious incidences and deaths of children in care in order to identify any areas for improvement. It is chaired by Dr. Helen Buckley and is independent in its functions. All cases of the death or of a serious incident concerning children in care, in aftercare or known to the Agency child protection services, in keeping with Health Information Quality Authority Guidance, are reviewed by the National Review Panel.

The National Review Panel’s individual and annual reports are published on the Child and Family Agency’s website and are available for the three year period between 2010 and 2012. The National Review Panel Annual Report of 2012 did not find that the action or inaction of the Agency contributed to the death of a child. The Panel did however find areas of practice that required improvement.

While it is important to acknowledge that in some cases, disappointing deficiencies in practice are highlighted, it is also important to acknowledge that case work has improved. Managers and front line professional staff are more aware of the importance of recognising and responding to neglect while making sure that the long term impact on the future health and well being of a child is also recognised and responded to with good quality services.

Improvements must also be made, where necessary, in the mechanism employed to review serious incidents and deaths of children in care. In this regard work has been ongoing between officials in my Department, the National Review Panel, the Child and Family Agency and HIQA to ensure that the process and procedures around reviews are further supported and strengthened so as to ensure that the panel is assisted in producing robust reports in a timely fashion.

In this regard the Guidance for the Reviews, originally drafted in 2010, is currently being revised. This document will address issues in relation to the timing and publication of reports, implementation plans and reviews for panel recommendations and reporting lines for the panel to ensure its independence. I also intend to strengthen the operation of the National Review Panel by asking HIQA to undertake an audit/oversight role in relation to the processes of the Panel to which HIQA have agreed in principle.

I anticipate that a new Guidance document, agreed between all stakeholders, will emerge in the coming weeks.

Since the establishment of the Agency significant reform centred on co-ordination, accountability, oversight and multi-agency working has commenced and includes:

- A national service delivery model to ensure effective oversight and accountability in meeting the needs of young people.

- Out of hours services had been expanded to address the needs of young people who present in emergency situations outside of normal working hours.

- A new assessment framework which provides greater oversight of Care Plans or Child Protection Plans. Care planning is also now benchmarked and monitored against national guidance.

- A Memorandum of Understanding between the Agency and the Health Service Executive ensures that complex cases are discussed across agencies at six weekly intervals. Multi-agency working is also being improved through the development of protocols around information sharing.

- A dedicated Aftercare Service to standardise the delivery of Leaving and Aftercare services across the country so that every young person who is eligible will be provided with services to meet their specific needs.

Child Care Services Provision

Questions (73)

Joe Higgins

Question:

73. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will guarantee that a child care service (details supplied) in Dublin will remain open and fully funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27989/14]

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Written answers

I have provided the House with regular updates on issues regarding the services delivered by Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service Ltd.

It is a matter of record that this Centre has been experiencing cashflow difficulties. The Centre incurred expenditure of €2.022m in 2013 and received funding amounting to €1.96m, resulting in a deficit of €62,000. Projections by the Centre show that income of approximately €1.8m is anticipated during 2014. With such a level of financial support available it should be possible to work constructively to continue services and avoid the closure scenario that has previously been outlined by the Centre.

Senior representatives from the Child and Family Agency, Pobal, Dublin City Childcare Committee and representatives from the board and management of the Centre have met on a number of occasions to explore options available to allow the service operate on a sustainable basis within the allocated funding. A number of options were considered and to assist in this process, Dublin City Childcare Committee engaged the services of an external mentor to undertake an independent detailed analysis of the matter.

I understand that the external mentor will complete their report by mid July, 2014. The objective is to ensure the development of a sustainable model of service delivery into the future.

In parallel, a wider examination will be undertaken of the level and range of early years services supported by the State in the Darndale/Belcamp/Moatview area generally.

The Child and Family Agency, as one of a number of State funders of the Centre, agreed and has made additional pre-payments to the end of August. This is in addition to previous pre-payments advanced for May and June.

I very much welcome the process of engagement which is in place and I hope that a satisfactory outcome will be arrived at which will ensure the continued operation of the Centre within the significant funding levels available.

Child Care Services Provision

Questions (74)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

74. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 580 of 21 January 2014, if he will provide a progress update report on the plans to increase special care provision in Ireland to 34 beds by 2016; and the budget allocation for the capital development programme to increase special care provision in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016. [27946/14]

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Written answers

There are three Special Care Units in the country which are operated by the Agency under a single national governance arrangement. They are Ballydowd in Dublin for girls and boys, Gleann Alainn in Cork which is for girls only and Coovagh House in Limerick for boys only. These Units are inspected by the Health Information and Quality Authority, who reported positively on the level of care being provided in the three Special Care Units in the most recent inspections undertaken in 2013.

At any one time approximately 0.3% of all children in care are detained in the three Special Care Units.

As part of the Child and Family Agency's commitment to develop a comprehensive continuum of care services to meet the divergent and complex needs of all children in care, Crannóg Nua High Support Unit, Portrane is to be redesignated to function as a Special Care Unit. An upgrade of current buildings, with an additional new build residential unit, will be required to provide secure care. In excess of €1m has been allocated to progress national special care development projects for 2014 and discussions are under way regarding further significant amounts required in 2015 and future years.

The Agency has advised that eight additional special care beds will be provided at Crannóg Nua by the end of June 2015 and a further four beds will be provided there by the end of October 2015. Refurbishment work at Gleann Alainn Special Care Unit, due to be completed by May 2016, will bring the total special care capacity to 34 beds. These timescales refer to the current indicated Building Programme and may be subject to change.

Questions Nos. 75 and 76 answered orally.

Inter-Country Adoptions

Questions (77)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

77. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide details of his priorities to advance further opportunities for inter-country adoptions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27904/14]

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Written answers

Recent years have seen a significant fall-off in the number of intercountry adoptions taking place internationally. These trends reflect the significant decline in recent years in the number of children, particularly infants, available for adoption, as child welfare and protection systems 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.

The Adoption Authority continues to promote co-operation in intercountry adoption with relevant countries. The Adoption Authority has successfully concluded administrative arrangements with both Vietnam and the US and adoptions from these countries are continuing. In recent weeks adoptions have recommenced from Vietnam for the first time since 2009. The Adoption Authority is currently engaging with a number of other Hague Convention countries in relation to intercountry adoptions including Bulgaria, China, Thailand, the Philippines and India. The 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, restrictions may be imposed in relation to the categories of children or prospective adoptive parents qualifying or the host country may not wish to prioritise co-operation with Ireland from among the countries wishing to establish relations.

With regard to dealings with non-Hague countries, work is ongoing in relation to discussions on a bilateral adoption agreement with the Russian Federation. The Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation have advised the Irish Embassy in Moscow that all proposed adoption agreements are currently on hold while the Russian Government considers proposals in relation to how they deal with adoption agreements in general. It is understood that the Russian Federation's Supreme Court recently made recommendations regarding adoption agreements and these are currently being considered by the Russian Government. It is hoped that following the Russian Government's consideration of these matters they will be in a position to examine and respond to the Irish proposals.

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. Work is ongoing in relation to trying to establish the position of the Ministry of Women's Affairs in Ethiopia with regard to the desire of the Ethiopian authorities to enter into talks in relation to a bilateral agreement with Ireland.

Adoption Records Provision

Questions (78)

Patrick O'Donovan

Question:

78. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to allow adopted persons to gain access to information held by the State, and other organisations who acted on behalf of the State, on their natural parents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27903/14]

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Written answers

My Department is continuing work on the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill and I hope to be in a position to seek Government approval to publish the Heads of the Bill as soon as possible.

It is intended to proceed to finalise legislative proposals so that I may bring a general scheme and Heads of Bill to the Government as soon as possible. Subsequent consideration by the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee will allow the issues to be carefully teased out and the views of different interested parties on these important and sensitive matters to be fully considered.

I look forward to advancing these important matters in association with the Oireachtas Health and Children Committee later this year.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (79)

Robert Troy

Question:

79. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes to be established; if he will be securing a supplementary estimate to fund the commission’s work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28007/14]

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Written answers

As I have just outlined to the House, the Commission of Investigation into the concerns relating to the Mother and Baby Homes will be statutory and independent and will operate under the Commission of Investigations Act, 2004. The process of developing detailed terms of reference for the Commission is being supported by a high level Cross Departmental Review Committee. The Report from the Review Committee was submitted to Cabinet today. The next stage will be for Government to consider proposed Terms of Reference as soon as practicable.

I am deeply aware that there are people living with the daily reality of these painful experiences, so establishing an appropriate inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner is my primary concern. It is my intention to bring a resolution before both Houses prior to the summer recess to facilitate the making of an order to formally establish the Commission.

It is my intention to continue to remain in contact with the Deputy and other spokespersons in order to seek the widest possible consensus in relation to these matters.

With regard to funding, a key task of the initial scoping exercise is to ensure that a realistic approach is taken to investigating these matters. Our approach should have regard to the facts established through recent inquiries into related institutions, and the general experience gained in conducting similar investigations into matters of public importance. The House is only too well aware of previous Tribunals and Commissions that generated a great deal of expense and due to their protracted nature took much longer to arrive at conclusions than those most centrally concerned or this House would have wished.

The additional resources that will be required to facilitate this inquiry will be considered by Government in tandem with decisions necessary to finalise the terms of reference and establish the Commission of Investigation.

Preschool Services

Questions (80)

Seán Kyne

Question:

80. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in each of the past three years who have participated in the free preschool year of the early childhood care and education scheme; the number and locations by county of the child care providers participating; if a second preschool year will be added; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27974/14]

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Written answers

The 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. The programme is expected to cost about €175m in the current year, including the cost of administration.

Just over 65,000 children participated in the programme in the 2011/2012 school year. Approximately 68,000 children availed of the provision in the 2012/2013 academic year, and similar numbers are expected to avail of the provision during this academic year. A total of 4,220 childcare providers are participating in the programme in this academic year and a table listing those service providers is being forwarded directly to the Deputy.

Despite the challenging budgetary situation, the pre-school year has been maintained as a universal and free programme, ensuring that a significant number of children can avail of quality pre-school services who would not otherwise be in a position to do so.

There is an increasing body of Irish and International evidence quantifying the benefits of early years interventions in terms of improving children’s outcomes and in delivering significant economic and societal return to the state. In this context I believe the introduction of a second year would benefit children’s educational and developmental outcomes. A second free pre-school year would represent €2,500 to €3,000 worth of free childcare to parents and would be likely to generate 4,000-5,000 new jobs, albeit mostly part-time.

However, 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, which is €175 million per annum. This additional funding is not presently 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 Early Years Quality Agenda, 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.

Future developments relating to early years care and education are being considered as part of the preparation of the new National Early Years Strategy. The report of the Expert Advisory Group which I appointed to advise on recommendations for inclusion in the Strategy, ‘Right from the Start’, sets out a wide range of recommendations for consideration and will contribute substantially to the final draft of the Early Years Strategy. One of the recommendations in the Report for consideration in the preparation of the Strategy is to extend the free pre-school provision, but only after achieving higher quality standards, more investment in training and mentoring, and professionalisation of the Early Years workforce.

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