Written Answers Nos. 699-727
699. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding an application for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34792/14]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that this application is being processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation, such as good character and lawful residence, and will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
700. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the proposed mediation Bill which will promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs and speeding up the resolution of disputes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34794/14]
View answerThe Mediation Bill is at an advanced stage of drafting and will promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs and speeding up the resolution of disputes. It will introduce an obligation on solicitors and barristers to advise any person wishing to commence court proceedings to consider mediation as a means of resolving the matter before embarking on such proceedings. It will also provide that a court may, following the commencement of any such proceedings, on its own initiative invite parties to consider the mediation option and suspend the proceedings to facilitate such a process.
I am at present giving consideration to the possible inclusion in the legislation of an over-arching governance structure for the mediation sector. The Deputy may recall that this matter was raised by the Joint Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence in its constructive Report on the General Scheme of the Mediation Bill. Such a representative structure could, for example, play an important role in the promotion of mediation as an alternative to court proceedings and in the development of codes of practice for the sector. A number of mediation bodies have made submissions on mediation regulation and standards in the context of the future legislation and I shall have regard to the various views expressed when finalising the Bill for publication in the coming months.
701. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she is willing to take measures to stop media incursion on family privacy at civil court proceedings in view of a number of judges who have come out and spoken of concerns over media being present in courts, often in plain sight of personal documents and, under the Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2013, are then free, although under guidelines, to report on individual cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34803/14]
View answerPart 2 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 allows Press access to the courts in family law and child care proceedings subject to strict conditions preventing identification of the parties and children involved. The provisions aim for a careful balance of the requirement to safeguard the privacy of persons involved in the proceedings with the need to promote public confidence in the administration of justice by ensuring transparency in how family and child care law operates in the courts.
Under the Act the court itself has the power to exclude representatives of the Press or restrict or prohibit the publication of evidence given in the proceedings in order to protect the anonymity of the parties, or if this is required by the nature or circumstances of the case or the interests of justice. Publication or broadcast of material which breaches anonymity safeguards is an offence and is subject to a fine of up to €50,000 or a term of imprisonment up to 3 years.
The provisions arise from a commitment in the Programme for Government to reform and modernise aspects of family law.
702. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will disclose the advice she received, and from whom, that informed the decision of the then Minister for Justice and Equality to delete section 42(C) of the European Arrest Warrant Act in February 2005; if she will publish the correspondence setting out such advice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34816/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to Dáil Éireann Debates Vol. 598 No. 3, 616-617 on the Report Stage of the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Bill 2002 where the rationale for the amendment to the European Arrest Warrant Act 2003 he refers to is set out in detail.
704. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of new appointments made in her Department and those under her remit since March 2011 to date in 2014, with a breakdown of the grade to which they were appointed during the period. [35125/14]
View answerI am advised the total numbers of new appointments made in my Department and those Bodies or Agencies under my remit from 1 March 2011 to 1 September 2014 are as follows:
|
Department (including the Irish Prison Service) |
|
|
Special Advisor |
2 |
|
Legal Researcher |
1 |
|
Member of Garda Síochána Inspectorate |
2 |
|
Director, Insolvency Service of Ireland |
1 |
|
Head of Information & Communication Technology |
1 |
|
Community Service Supervisors |
6 |
|
Locum Probation Officer |
5 |
|
Technology Advisor, Data Protection Commissioner's Office |
1 |
|
Accountant |
6 |
|
Solicitor |
3 |
|
Deputy Chief Inspector, Garda Inspectorate |
1 |
|
Driver to the Minister of State |
1 |
|
Psychologist |
3 |
|
Prison Officer |
40 |
|
PASO Grade 3 |
104 |
|
PASO Grade 2 |
13 |
|
PASO Grade 1 |
6 |
|
Prison Nurse |
5 |
|
Doctor |
1 |
|
Governor 3 |
1 |
|
Campus Governor |
1 |
|
Nationality Disability Authority |
|
|
Senior Research officer, Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
Legal Aid Board |
|
|
Mediator |
3 |
|
Law Clerk |
1 |
|
Solicitor |
14 |
|
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission |
|
|
Director, Assistant Secretary |
1 |
|
Property Registration Authority |
|
|
Service Officer |
3 |
|
Courts Service |
|
|
Executive Legal Officer |
1 |
|
Usher to High Court Judge |
3 |
|
Court Crier |
2 |
|
Court Messenger |
3 |
|
Judicial Assistant |
30 |
|
Judicial Clerk |
3 |
|
Judicial Researcher |
11 |
|
Solicitor |
1 |
|
Irish Human Rights Commission |
|
|
Assistant Principal |
2 |
|
Garda Síochána |
|
|
Head of Legal Affairs |
1 |
|
Chief Administrative Officer |
1 |
|
Accident Damage Coordinator |
2 |
|
Grooms - Mounted unit |
2 |
|
Head of Communications |
1 |
|
Total |
290 |
In addition to the above a number of temporary clerical officers were employed on short term contracts during March 2011 and September 2014. These are, by definition, short term contracts designed to meet seasonal peaks and facilitate staff who avail of Shorter Working Year Scheme.
705. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of public sector employees under her remit who are subject to a freeze on their increment payment in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35137/14]
View answerThe information is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.
706. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of civil servants, public servants and semi-State employees in her Department on career break at the time of the Haddington Road Agreement who lost their right to return to their old positions; of these, the number who have since been offered redeployment opportunities; the number who availed of suitable redeployment opportunities; the number who terminated their employment; the number who have been accommodated with supernumerary positions after being on redeployment lists of over one year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35149/14]
View answerI am advised that the number of staff in my Department on career break at the time of the Haddington Road Agreement on 1 July 2013 was 70. Of these 70, 53 continue to be on career break, 8 are currently on the resource panel awaiting redeployment to suitable posts within the civil or public service. Of the balance, I understand 1 returned to a post in my Department, 6 availed of suitable redeployment opportunities to other areas of the civil or public service and 3 resigned from their employment.
707. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider introducing the English and Welsh model of sentencing with starting tariffs outlining minimum sentences in cases of murder or homicide. [32901/14]
View answerThere is a serious question as to whether the model of sentencing used in England, where certain sentences may have both a punitive element/tariff and a public protection element could be consistent with our Constitution.
In this jurisdiction the mandatory sentence for murder is life imprisonment, as provided by section 2 of the Criminal Justice Act 1990. A sentence of life imprisonment means that the prisoner is subject to that sentence for the rest of his or her life. Such a prisoner has no right to be released early at any stage. If granted temporary release, the prisoner remains subject to the life sentence and can be recalled to prison at any stage.
At present, the average duration of imprisonment as a result of a life sentence, based on those who have been granted temporary release from prison to date, is approximately 18 years. Of course, it must be noted that this is an average and many prisoners subject to a life sentence will be detained for a longer duration.
While I have no plans at present to amend the law to provide for a specific minimum term of imprisonment for murder, I intend to keep the matter under review.
The offence of manslaughter does not attract a mandatory penalty but is punishable by a maximum of life imprisonment. As the Deputy will appreciate, the courts are independent in the matter of sentencing, as in other matters concerning the exercise of judicial functions, subject only to the Constitution and the law. The approach of the Oireachtas has generally been to specify in law a maximum penalty for an offence, so that a court, having considered all the circumstances of a case, may impose an appropriate penalty up to that maximum. The court is required to impose a sentence which is proportionate not only to the crime but to the individual offender, in that process identifying where on the sentencing range the particular case should lie and then applying any mitigating factors which may be present. An important safeguard rests in the power of the Director of Public Prosecutions to apply to the Court of Criminal Appeal to review a sentence she regards as unduly lenient.
The superior courts have developed a substantial body of case law setting out general principles of sentencing. Sentencing practice is also being developed by a steering committee of the judiciary which developed the Irish Sentencing Information System (ISIS) website, a pilot initiative designed to gather information about the range of sentences and other penalties that have been imposed for particular types of offences across court jurisdictions. ISIS is being developed as a valuable tool not only for members of the judiciary but also for lawyers, researchers and those concerned with the needs of victims and their families. The initiative led by the judiciary through the Judicial Research Office in undertaking the detailed work of gathering and providing information via the website is welcomed.
A Penal Policy Review Group was established in September 2012 by the then Minister for Justice and Equality, Mr. Alan Shatter T.D. The Group was asked to undertake an examination and analysis of all aspects of penal policy including the role of penal policy in crime prevention, sentencing policy, alternatives to custody, prison accommodation and regimes, supports for reintegration and rehabilitation, and the issue of female offenders. The Group has completed its deliberations and recently submitted its final report to me. It is my intention to publish the report today, September 17.
708. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider making the age card available to persons under the age of 18 in order to provide a form of identification that can be used when using public transportation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32924/14]
View answerThe Garda Age Card is a voluntary proof of age card which may be issued to persons aged 18 years and over under the Intoxicating Liquor Act 1988 (Age Card) Regulations 2010. The purpose of the card is to verify a person's age in relation to the sale of alcohol as well as the sale of tobacco, as provided in section 45 of the Public Health (Tobacco) Act 2002, in the context of offences which might arise in relation to the sale of alcohol or tobacco to underage persons. The card is not designed to function as an identity card for other purposes.
Anyone aged 18 years and over may apply for an Age Card on-line at www.agecard.ie.
709. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will facilitate a meeting with members of a youth centre (details supplied) in County Longford to discuss the possibility of releasing necessary funds for a facility. [33794/14]
View answerIn 2013, €1.5m in capital funding was made available to my Department for a Youth Café scheme. Pobal assisted my Department to administer this scheme. In all 95 applications with proposals were received and some 30 proposals were approved for funding. These projects are currently working with Pobal to develop their projects to the next stage.
An application from the project in question was received under the scheme but was deemed ineligible.
Representatives of the project met with the then Minster for Children and Youth Affairs in January of this year. Representations have also been received in my Department on behalf of the project in question.
Officials of my Department and Pobal met with project representatives in recent days. Officials are now undertaking a full examination of all aspects of this case, including information and documentation provided at the meeting.
The outcome of this examination will be communicated to the project in the coming weeks.
710. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will ensure that no more cuts are implemented in the school completion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34086/14]
View answer745. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget allocation for school completion programmes in the years 2011 to 2013, inclusive, and to date in 2014 with a breakdown of the recipient organisations providing school completion programmes; and the locations of same in each of those years. [34340/14]
View answer748. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of providing the school completion programme nationally each year since 2010 respectively; if the 6.5% per annum savings over the period 2012 to 2014 identified in the 2011 comprehensive review of expenditure have been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34640/14]
View answer749. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there has been, or if there is due to be, a further budget and performance evaluation of the school completion programme following its review under the terms of the 2011 comprehensive review of expenditure; the issues identified as needing to be addressed in this review; the proposals and changes to be made to the programme as a result; the role of the Child and Family Agency in any review of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34641/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 710, 745, 748 and 749 together.
The School Completion Programme (SCP) aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to generally improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. The SCP is a targeted intervention aimed at those school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It involves 124 locally managed projects and related initiatives operating across 470 primary and 224 post-primary schools to provide targeted supports to approximately 36,000 children and young people. The programme's project model approach gives local communities the autonomy to devise innovative approaches to address the needs of young people most at risk of early school leaving.
Since its establishment on 1 January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to projects within the programme.
Details of the allocations to the School Completion Programmes since 2011 are as follows,
|
Year |
Annual Allocation |
|
2011 |
€30.256m |
|
2012 |
€28.256m |
|
2013 |
€26.456m |
|
2014 |
€24.756m |
As with all major spending programmes, the School Completion Programme budget was subject to examination under the terms of the 2011 Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE). This process identified a requirement for savings of 6.5% per annum across the programme over the period 2012 to 2014. These savings required are reflected in the allocations to the programmes in those years.
The potential for any changes in the funding allocated to the Child and Family Agency for the School Completion Programme in future years is a matter to be considered in the annual estimates and budgetary processes having regard to the resources available to the Government.
The planned programme review of SCP indicated in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure has commenced. The objectives of the review are to identify best practice, to clarify roles and responsibilities and to build upon the valuable learning and experience obtained to date across the programme.
Following the completion of the procurement process the ESRI has been contracted by the Child and Family Agency to undertake the review. The review process is being overseen by a steering committee which includes officials of the Child and Family Agency and my Department and officials from the Department of Education and Skills.
The review findings will assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the SCP programme on a sustainable footing for the future and ensure that available funds are targeted to those services which provide the greatest contribution to good educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage. It is anticipated that the review will be completed during the current academic year.
Arrangements are being made to send details of locations of the SCP projects to the Deputy as requested.
711. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding assistance towards child care cost in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34172/14]
View answerMy Department implements a number of programmes to support parents with the cost of childcare.
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to community childcare services to enable them to provide quality childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income working parents. The CCS programme, which is not provided through private or commercial childcare services, provides support for sessional pre-school, full time, part time and after school places, is targeted benefit primarily to lower income and disadvantaged families, and eligibility is based on means-tested entitlements. Parents who qualify for support can have their weekly childcare costs substantially reduced.
The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme supports parents who are endeavouring to enter or return to the workforce and who are participating in training or educational courses for this purpose. Under the CETS programme, childcare services are contracted to provide childcare places to qualifying Solas or Education and Training Boards (ETB) trainees or students for the duration of their courses. This programme also provides part time and after school places. Eligibility of training courses for support under the CETS programme is determined by the relevant training authority and the local Solas or ETB office should be able to advise.
712. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the services for young people through the young people's facilities and young people’s facilities and services fund to 2011 levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34516/14]
View answer726. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to consult with the Minister with responsibility for drugs on the future of young people’s facilities and services funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33365/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 712 and 726 together.
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. In 2014, funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 400,000 young people and involve, approximately 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
From within this budget, my Department provides funding to projects under the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund. Some 240 projects are supported under the Fund. They are located in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. The objective is to attract “at risk” young people into facilities and activities and divert them away from the dangers of substance abuse. In 2014, the allocation for the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund is €18.397m.
The provision of additional funding for the youth funding schemes including the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund is a matter for consideration in the context of the annual budget and the resources available to the Government.
My Department has completed a Value for Money and Policy Review of a number of the youth funding schemes that target disadvantaged young people including the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund. The review makes recommendations for the future operation of these youth schemes that will shape their development in the years ahead to ensure quality effective, value for money services that are evidence based and designed to secure the best outcomes for young people. The review’s recommendations will further inform the development of a National Youth Strategy which is due for completion this year.
I work closely with the Minister for Health and other ministers of Government on a range of policy priorities for children and young people. This includes the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009 – 2016, a cross cutting Government Strategy which is led by the Minister for Health and overseen by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy. My Department is represented on the Oversight Forum on Drugs which is chaired by the Minister for Health. In these contexts consultations will take place on the findings on the Value for Money Policy Review and the recommendations as to how best the youth programmes, including the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund, may be developed for the future to improve the prospects of securing good outcomes for the most vulnerable young people.
713. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form the number of interventions under section 12 of the Child Care Act notified to Child and Family Agency every month to date in 2014; the number of individual children involved; the number of such interventions that resulted in the child being admitted to care; the number of such interventions that resulted in the child being returned immediately to their homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32972/14]
View answerSection 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 provides for the removal of a child to a place of safety by an Garda Síochána in situations where it is believed that there is immediate and serious risk to the health or welfare of the child and the risk is such that it would not be appropriate to wait for the Child and Family Agency to make an application for an emergency care order. The Act provides that An Garda Síochána must place the child in the custody of the Child and Family Agency as soon as possible.
Section 12 operates in conjunction with other duties and obligations of the Agency. Where a child is received into care in circumstances such as these, the Agency is required, following initial assessment, to either return the child to his/her parents, if it is safe to do so, or make an application to the District Court for an Emergency Care Order at the first available opportunity. A District Court may grant an Emergency Care Order if there is reasonable cause to believe that there is an immediate and serious risk to the child or that there is likely to be if they were to leave the care setting. Emergency Care Orders have a limited duration and a fuller hearing must be convened within prescribed timelines.
I have been advised by the Agency that data in relation 2014 is collated on an annual basis at the end of the year and validated data will not be available till early 2015. The Agency advised that a total of 767 interventions under Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 were notified by an Garda Síochána to the Agency for the two year period 2012 - 2013. The majority of these children were admitted to care ( 63%), while the remainder were returned home without further intervention or court order. The most common reason for Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991 being invoked over the two year period 2012-2013 was categorised as neglect (44%) followed by welfare issues (15%).
714. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of personnel who are employed by the newly established Child and Family Agency; the number of these positions that have been filled by public advertisement; the number that were filled internally by appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32976/14]
View answerAt the end of July 2014, there were 3,471.22 whole time equivalents employed at the Child and Family Agency. The information requested in respect of the appointment process would not normally be held in my Department and I have asked my officials to arrange for the Agency to supply this information directly to the Deputy.
715. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 316 of 16 July 2014, if he will urgently seek sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to fill vacant posts for educational welfare officers in Dublin 3, 5 and 17. [33025/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware the functions and operational responsibilities of the former National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) are now part of the Child and Family Agency, which was established on 1st January 2014. Since this date the staff of the former NEWB, including its Education Welfare Officers (EWOs), have transferred to the new Agency. Within the Agency, the statutory Education Welfare Service has specific responsibility for the Agency’s general function to ensure that each child attends a recognised school or otherwise receives a certain minimum education. The appointment of EWOs is a function of the Child and Family Agency.
The Agency has advised me that staffing levels in the statutory Education Welfare Service country-wide are currently under review, taking account of ongoing restrictions on public service recruitment and current budgetary considerations.
The Agency advises that in order to address particularly urgent capacity issues in the greater Dublin area, including the areas to which the Deputy refers, a staged process is now underway to reorganise available EWO resources in the area. The objectives are to achieve more balanced geographical coverage, to provide an acceptable service to schools and families and to deal with growing inequity in EWO workloads arising from the demographic developments over many years and changes in the nature of school attendance and other educational welfare challenges. The Agency will advise my Department on progress with the reorganisation.
Staff vacancies in the front line services for children and young people at risk of early school leaving continue to be prioritised by the Agency, in consultation with my Department, in so far as possible working within Government policy on public service numbers and the moratorium on recruitment.
716. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to apply additional persons at the Irish Youth Justice Service in Oberstown, Lusk, County Dublin, including the position of night supervisory officers; the number of positions available; the timescale expected to complete the recruiting process; when staff will commence to be appointed; the timeframe the panel to be established will be in existence for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33026/14]
View answerThe Children Detention Schools in Oberstown are currently recruiting additional staff namely, 45 Residential Social Care Workers, 18 Night Supervisory Officers, 3 Unit Managers and 1 Clinical Nurse Manager (Grade 1). The 3 Unit Manager vacancies are being filled by way of internal promotion on the Oberstown campus. The other posts are being filled by way of open competition via the Public Appointments Service.
The closing date for applications for the posts of Residential Social Care Worker and Night Supervisory Officer was 1 May 2014. The recruitment process for both competitions is at an advanced stage. Employment contracts for the first batch of recruits have issued and training is expected to commence for those recruits within the coming weeks. Additional contracts will issue later in the year with a view to completing the recruitment process by end of year. Panels are likely to be in place for at least six months.
The closing date for applications for the post of Clinical Nurse Manager 1 is 25 September 2014. It is hoped to make an appointment before the end of year. The internal recruitment process for the 3 Unit Manager posts is well advanced.
717. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff who retired, left or otherwise departed from their employment from 1 July 2013 to 31 December 2013, and the expected annual savings arising therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2014, and the annual expected savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2015, and the annual savings therefrom; the number of staff expected to leave in 2016, and the annual savings therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33199/14]
View answer718. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of new staff employed since 1 July 2013 up to 31 December 2013 and the expected annual costs arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2014 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2015 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; the expected number to be employed in 2016 and the estimated annual cost arising therefrom; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33216/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 717 and 718 together.
The information requested by the Deputy in respect of the years 2013 and 2014 is set out in tabular format below. The full year costs identified relates to the annual gross salary as adjusted under the Haddington Road Agreement. It does not take account of employer PRSI contributions nor any notional employer contribution for accrual of superannuation entitlements.
|
Number of staff leaving |
Associated Annual Salary Savings |
Number of staff starting |
Associated Annual Salary Cost |
|
|
End 2013 |
5 |
€222,886 |
10 |
€658,638 |
|
End 2014 (est.) |
31 |
€1,158,953 |
37 |
€1,321,460 |
The Deputy should note that the high level of staff movements in 2014 reflects staffing adjustments associated with a number of changes in Ministerial responsibility at my Department. In addition, my Department employed a number of temporary clerical officers during the summer months. The core employment figures at my Department at the end of August 2014 was 140.29 whole time equivalents compared to 136.79 in August 2013. This is estimated to rise to 147 whole time equivalents by the end of 2014 due to the return of a number of staff from external secondments and is reflected in the above figures.
My officials are currently involved in a workforce planning exercise to identify the number of exits from the Department over the next two to three years. In that regard, it is currently estimated that up to 9 members of staff will retire during 2015 and 2016. The annualised salary costs of the 9 individuals is €647,241 (€453,117 in 2015 and €188,124 in 2016). In addition, a large number of staff will be eligible to retire but have not yet expressed their intentions in this regard. It would be my Department's intention to seek sanction for replacement of all these staffing resources. However as part of the overall workforce planning exercise, consideration will be given to the appropriate grade and skills mix required to meet demands on the Department and this will have an impact on overall replacement costs. I am not in a position to provide an estimate of these costs at this time but I would intend that there will be an overall reduction in costs through a better grade mix.
As the Deputy is also aware, my Department is responsible for the Commission of Investigation into matters relating to Mother and Baby Homes. This will have staffing implications for my Department. This and other matters relating to the Commission are currently under consideration and accordingly are not included in the above figures.
719. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if payments can be claimed-applied retrospectively in cases where early childhood care and education scheme payments are made to a provider but then inadvertently stopped before the child becomes ineligible on age grounds and if the child is attending a preschool that is registered with the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33241/14]
View answer720. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a child is moved from one child care provider to another, the way his Department ensures early childhood care and education scheme payments continue, assuming the child is in the correct age cohort and the school is registered with the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33242/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 719 and 720 together.
Children are eligible to avail of the free pre-school year under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme when they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September in the relevant year.
Generally the situation is that where parents wish to transfer a child to another service, four pre-school weeks advance notice of such a move should be given to the childcare service in which the child is enrolled. Where a child is moved to a new childcare service providing the free pre-school year under the programme and no advance notice has been given, the first service in which the child was enrolled will be paid four weeks capitation in lieu of notice and no capitation payment will be made to the new service for that child during that four week period.
During the first four weeks of the school year where advance notice is given, a child can transfer to a new service and the capitation payment will be provided to the new service at the end of that four week period. The first provider can opt to release the payment to the new service at any time following the transfer of the child and before the end of the four week period.
Where an eligible child enrols for the free pre-school provision and during that school year, because of health or other circumstances, ceases to avail of the provision, the childcare provider must inform my Department and the capitation payment for that child is discontinued. If the parent wishes to enrol that child in the following school year for the balance of the unused capitation entitlement, they will have to make application to my Department and when the circumstances are considered permission may be granted to allow the child to enrol again and avail of the unused free pre-school complement.
It is not clear from the questions submitted what the circumstances are that the Deputy is referring to, but the Early Years Policies and Programmes unit in my Department will clarify any issues or concerns that parents have in relation to the implementation of the programme.
721. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of applications that have been made to the courts in every calendar year since 1 August 2012 to have legal services costs related to the representation of guardians ad litem taxed or measured as provided for in sections 25(4), 26(2) and 26(2C) of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33298/14]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has responsibility for payment of Guardian ad litem and associated legal services under the Child Care Act 1991.
I am informed that Tusla has made no referrals to the Taxing Master since its establishment on 1 January, 2014. The information sought for the period from 1 August, 2012 to 31 December 2013 i.e. that period of time when this matter was the responsibility of the Health Services Executive, remains outstanding and I have requested Tusla to ascertain the position and inform the Deputy regarding same as soon as possible.
I should clarify that Section 26 (2)(c) of the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended) has not been commenced.
722. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the number of children availing of the after school child care initiative with a breakdown on a county basis, including the number of children availing of the initiative in Dublin 3, 5, 13 and 17. [33334/14]
View answerThe After-School Child Care (ASCC) programme was introduced in October 2013 specifically to provide after-school care for primary school children for certain categories of working parents for a once-off period of 52 weeks.
A table giving the uptake figures for each City/County Childcare Committee region is below. Figures are not available separately for Dublin postal district areas.
After-School Child Care Programme
Figures for uptake in each City/County Childcare Committee Region
|
CCC |
Children under ASCC |
|
Carlow |
1 |
|
Cork County |
1 |
|
Clare |
3 |
|
Cavan |
3 |
|
Cork City |
4 |
|
Donegal |
8 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
1 |
|
Dublin South |
3 |
|
Dublin City |
6 |
|
Fingal |
7 |
|
Galway |
4 |
|
Kildare |
11 |
|
Kilkenny |
1 |
|
Kerry |
2 |
|
Laois |
2 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
|
Limerick |
9 |
|
Longford |
0 |
|
Louth |
18 |
|
Mayo |
1 |
|
Meath |
2 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
|
North Tipp |
1 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
|
Sligo |
4 |
|
South Tipp |
4 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
|
Wexford |
4 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
|
Total Children |
106 |
723. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions No. 386 of 3 December 2013, No. 720 of 15 January 2014 and No. 658 of 18 February 2014, if he will provide an update on the current number of staff working in the adoption information and tracing service specifically in the area of organising and storing files transferred from former adoption societies and mother and baby homes to the State; and if he will indicate if there has been an increase in the number of staff working on this specific project since early 2014 to date. [33335/14]
View answer724. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown of the total number of staff working in the adoption information and tracing unit of the Child and Family Agency and any staff working in information and tracing services with the Adoption Authority of Ireland by grade and including staff on placements and internships; and if he will provide a breakdown of the Departments within the unit and the authority in which these staff members are employed. [33336/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 723 and 724 together.
The Child and Family Agency advises that there are approximately 25 whole time equivalent social workers dedicated to information and tracing. This figure does not include administrative and counselling services which also support the information and tracing service. The Agency advises that the Adoption Service with the Child and Family Agency is currently being re-structured in order to develop a national service to improve equity of access and quality of service and to ensure consistency of policy and practice.
In an effort to reduce waiting times for the information and tracing service, the Agency's adoption service has redistributed records in their entirety from individual institutions to the appropriate adoption team in each area. The waiting list for the service is kept under constant review to ensure that enquiries regarding information and tracing are dealt with as promptly as possible.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland advises that the following staff work in the area of Information and Tracing: one Principal Social Worker one day per week, two full-time social workers, one full-time Higher Executive Officer, one Staff Officer four days per week and one full-time Clerical Officer.
725. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 172 of 5 March 2014, if he will report on the current status of adoption files from Holles Street, St. Brigid’s and St. Patrick's Guild; and if all of these files have now been transferred to the Child and Family Agency. [33337/14]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency advises that it is currently in negotiations with all relevant parties in regard to the transfer of files from Holles Street, St. Brigid's and St. Patrick's Guild. The Agency anticipates that the process will be completed and the files transferred in early 2015.
727. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update with regard to the implementation and advancement of the recommendations outlined in the Study of Young Carers in the Irish Population; his views on developing a national framework of supports and policy guidelines for young carers in the education system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33456/14]
View answer"The Study of Young Carers in the Irish Population”, published by the then Department of Health and Children in 2010, highlights the importance of creating a better understanding of children as carers in Ireland. It found that it is very difficult to identify young carers in the population.
In order to learn more about children that undertake caring roles, my Department requested the Central Statistics Office to include a question in the Census of Population 2011. People of all ages were asked whether they provide any unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability. The Census of Population 2011 found that 6,449 children provided regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problems or disability. Overall, 5.6 per 1,000 children provided regular unpaid personal help for a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability. Rates ranged from 4.3 per 1,000 in Co. Louth to 8.2 per 1000 in Co. Leitrim. It is further planned, under the National Strategy for Research and Data on Children’s Lives (2011-2016) that an analysis will be carried out, of those children who reported in the 2011 Census that they undertook caring roles. This analysis will be published before the end of 2014 and, when published, will be examined to see how it can help inform future policy as to how best to address the support needs of children and young people who undertake caring roles.
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency is developing national guidelines as a practical support for schools in the preparation of School Attendance Strategies as outlined in Section 22 of the Education (Welfare) Act, 2000. The guidelines will assist schools to implement effective measures to support children at risk of poor attendance and participation, including those with caring responsibilities. It is anticipated that the guidelines will be completed before the beginning of the 2015/16 academic year.
The Educational Welfare Service (EWS) of the Child and Family Agency is in the process of refining and implementing a new strategic approach to service delivery through the integrated working of its three service strands. In working to deliver an integrated model of service it has committed to the principle of “One Child, One Team, One Plan”. This new model of service will provide an enhanced response to the needs of children, families and schools.
