Wednesday, 17 Sep 2014

Written Answers Nos. 728-755

Child and Family Agency Remit

Questions (728)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

728. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the work of the Child and Family Agency to support parents to adopt positive parenting practices with the aim of eliminating corporal punishment here; the number of positive parenting programmes that are being provided to this aim throughout the State through family resource centres or other agencies; if an audit has been carried out or other data collected on the quality, effectiveness and accessibility of positive parenting programmes around the State; and the manner in which information on positive parenting programmes is being disseminated to parents to encourage uptake. [33590/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Child and Family Agency has a Parenting Support Strategy (PSS) in place. This strategy gives a mandate for the commissioning of evidence based parenting support programmes in all 17 local areas. The Agency funds a range of parenting support services including Parenting Programmes, Parent and Toddler services, Springboard Projects, Parentline, Marte Meo model, Lone Parent Services and Treoir, Teen Parent Support Programmes through various entities including the large network of Family Resource Centres. In 2013, Family Resource Centres facilitated almost 140 positive parenting programmes. Many of theses programmes have been evaluated.

The theme of Positive Parenting is specifically addressed in many evidence based parenting programmes. Supporting children’s self-discipline and behaviour with a ‘learning’ strategy rather than a ‘punishment’ strategy is strongly and effectively advocated by many Parenting Support Programmes (for example the Lifestart Growing Child Programme, a home-based programme for parents of children aged from birth to five years).

The Agency has also launched a "50 Key Messages" document as part of the Parenting Support Strategy which is an evidence informed guide for parents and practitioners of key messages that are important for raising children well. Central to this are 31 key messages that deal with parenting of children across the lifecourse - from ‘preparing for parenthood’ through to parenting teenagers. One of the key messages is that ‘a Positive Parenting Style Works’. The Agency is currently incorporating these 31 key messages into a user-friendly branded section (www.parenting24seven.ie) of its website which will be launched shortly. This will be followed up by a number of related initiatives including practitioner and parent training, parental participation projects and the recruitment of parenting support champions. These initiatives will be monitored and evaluated along with other family support work.

Parenting Support can be formal, semi-formal or informal. Parents are made aware of the courses provided in FRCs through various means including local advertising, newsletters, leaflet drops and word of mouth. Some may be identified through their attendance at other services and activities provided within an FRC or through referrals from other support services. The Child and Family Agency website www.tusla.ie also information for parents with regard to positive parenting.

Central to the Child and Family Agency's understanding of positive parenting is the importance of a positive approach in the day to day care and education of our children. The style of parenting that is used is important and has a significant impact on children’s development, how they feel about themselves and the world around them. It can be as important to their long-term well-being as nutrition and physical exercise. Research indicates that adopting a positive parenting style results in children being happier, healthier, enjoying their learning and being able to make friends.

Supports for parents around ‘Parenting Positively’ are part of an integrated approach to improving children and family well-being and improving outcomes. Supporting parents is recognised as a key element of this collective work and described as a ‘transformational goal’ in the recently published National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. The evidence indicates that a "Positive Parenting Style" works and is linked to improving outcomes for children.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (729, 730, 740, 741, 742)

Finian McGrath

Question:

729. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding justice for Irish mother and baby homes campaign for a comprehensive inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33609/14]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

730. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to correspondence from a campaign group (details supplied) in relation to its response to the report of the Inter-Departmental Group on Mother and Baby Homes, in particular the group’s view that the terms of reference should not be limited to a small number of institutions. [33643/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

740. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to announce the terms of reference for the commission of inquiry into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34230/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

741. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on broadening terms of reference for the commission of inquiry into mother and baby homes to include all institutions involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34231/14]

Thomas Pringle

Question:

742. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on empowering the commission of inquiry into mother and baby homes to make observations regarding evidence suggesting criminal wrongdoing, so that it may make recommendations regarding a criminal investigation being established into such matters as it deems to be appropriate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34232/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 729, 730 and 740 to 742, inclusive, together.

I wish to assure the House that this Government is committed to establishing an effective Commission of Investigation into matters relating to Mother and Baby Homes which can deliver on public expectations in a realistic manner.

Considerable progress has been achieved to date and discussions are on-going with my Government colleagues with a view to finalising our deliberations on the terms of reference in early course. The Inter-Departmental Group’s Report, which I published on the 16th July, has served to stimulate and further inform public debate on these important matters. The work of the Inter-Departmental Group concentrated on the potentially most salient records which were accessible in the time available so as to inform Government's considerations of the scope and format of the Commission of Investigation.

The Report acknowledges the need to learn from the experience and lessons of previous statutory inquiries. It is my view that 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.

Given the breadth and complexity of the issues involved it is clear that comprehensive and precise terms of reference are required to ensure the Commission is set up on the most sound footing possible. The investigation needs to be broad enough and inclusive enough to give us an understanding of the issues but precise enough to facilitate completion in a timely and cost effective way. This is a complex task and it is appropriate to take the necessary time for detailed consultation and drafting. To do otherwise would not be in the best interests of the mothers and children most concerned or serve the wider public interest.

With regard to the specific question of criminal investigations, the Act obliges the Commission to report to the Minister and if the report reveals issues of concern which are potentially criminal in nature, these will of course be referred to the appropriate investigative and prosecution authorities.

I wish to again acknowledge the constructive contribution of opposition spokespersons and Deputies on both sides of the House with whom I have met. As I have previously stated, seeking the widest consensus possible in developing the terms of reference will assist in establishing an inquiry which is capable of effectively addressing these important matters in a sensitive and timely manner.

I expect to be in a position early in this Dáil term to bring a Memorandum to Government setting out the proposed Terms of Reference with a draft order to establish the Commission.

Children in Care

Questions (731, 744)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

731. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 324 of 16 July 2014, if he will confirm that the projects referred to in the reply, of four additional beds in Gleann Alainn in County Cork, 12 additional beds in Crannóg Nua, County Dublin and the upgrade and refurbishment works at Ballydowd, County Dublin, will all commence in 2014; if further funding over and above the €1.1 million allocation will be required to complete these projects in the time frame of 2014 to 2016; and when it is expected that the individual projects in each of the three centres will be completed. [33653/14]

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

744. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question 319 of 16 July 2014, if he will provide an updated report on the refurbishment works scheduled for Crannóg Nua High Support Unit at Portrane; and if a construction team has now been appointed to carry out the refurbishment works. [34291/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 731 and 744 together.

Special Care involves the detention of a child for his or her own welfare and protection in a Special Care Unit on order of the High Court. Special Care Units differ from ordinary residential care in that the Units offer higher staff ratios, on-site education as well as specialised input such as psychology and child psychiatric services. The child is not detained as a result of criminal offences, but is placed by a High Court Order.

There are three special Care Units in the country which are operated by the Child and Family Agency under a single national governance arrangement. They are Ballydowd in Dublin, Glenn Alainn in Cork and Coovagh House in Limerick. The Agency proposes to increase the number of special care places available and the current position with regard to these proposals is as follows;

- Provision of four additional places in Glenn Alainn, County Cork

The Agency has advised that this project is currently at the Tender Review stage. The appointment of a construction team and commencement of building works will occur following successful conclusion of the Tender Review process. It is anticipated that the Tender Review process will conclude by mid-November 2014.

- Provision of 12 additional places in Crannóg Nua, County Dublin

There are two projects for the provision of the 12 additional places, a new build project for 4 places and a refurbishment project for a further 8 places. The Agency has advised that the new build project (4 places) is at the Tender Review stage. A contractor can be engaged following successful conclusion of the Tender Review process which is anticipated to conclude by mid- November 2014. Refurbishment works at Crannóg Nua will provide a further 8 special care places. The Agency has advised that while the tender for the refurbishment works at Crannóg Nua has not yet issued, these works remain a priority for the Agency.

- Upgrade and refurbishment works at Ballydowd, County Dublin

I am advised by the Agency that this project is currently at the Tender Process stage, with works due to commence in 2014 and conclude in 2015.

As the Agency is currently reviewing the tenders received and the tender for the refurbishment works at Crannóg Nua has not yet issued, the Agency is not in a position to clarify at this time any additional capital funding which may be required to conclude these projects.

Child Care Services Provision

Questions (732)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

732. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 324 of 16 July 2014, in relation to the advice from the Child and Family Agency that it is in the process of changing its model of care provision for children who require additional supports; if a new strategy for high support and special care will be devised and published by the agency; if the criteria for admission to special care will be amended from the criteria currently being used by the Agency which were published in March 2012. [33654/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As the Deputy will be aware, children who required a high support placement were previously accommodated in one of two national high support units. However, this arrangement was not always found to be in the best interests of the child, given that this usually meant that the child was placed outside their local area at a time when building relationships with a family and community was important. The Child and Family Agency (the Agency) decided to increase the number of special care places and to provide high support to children who need it by way of individualised care packages in their local area.

The Agency recently revised the Standard Operating Process for referrals to Special Care and a copy of these documents are available on request from the Agency.

Departmental Staff Recruitment

Questions (733)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

733. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 632 of 1 July 2014, in relation to the vacancies as noted in the reply for which approval is awaited of social care worker, speech and language therapist and social worker in the assessment consultation and therapy service, if sanction has now been granted to fill the three vacancies. [33655/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have been advised by the Agency that sanction has been granted to fill three vacant positions in the Assessment Consultation and Therapy service and the recruitment process is now been progressed.

Child and Family Agency Investigations

Questions (734)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

734. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 632 of 1 July 2014, when it is expected that the Child and Family Agency will have developed a database in order to enable the contemporaneous tracking of young persons in receipt of services from ACTS, for example, in terms of their geographical location, their care status or whether they are in a care or detention setting. [33656/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have requested the information from the Child and Family Agency and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Children in Care

Questions (735)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

735. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unaccompanied minors in the care of the State in the years 2012, 2013 and to date 2014; and the types of care settings in which unaccompanied minors were cared for during this period. [33657/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have requested the information from the Child and Family Agency and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Departmental Programmes

Questions (736)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

736. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of parents who have engaged in positive parenting programmes each year since their introduction; the costs charged to parents for participating in these programmes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33676/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Child and Family Agency funds a range of parenting support services across the State, including a range of Parenting Programmes, Parent and Toddler Services, Springboard Projects, Parentline, Marte Meo model, Lone Parent Services, Treoir and Teen Parent Support Programmes. These parent support services take place in various settings, including in the network of Family Resource Centres. The most recent information from the Agency indicates that over 1,250 parents completed Parenting Courses in 2012 and almost 1,200 in 2013, within a Family Resource Centre setting broken down as follows:-

Number of Parents completing specific Parenting Courses in a Family Resource Centre

Programme	2012	2013
Strengthening Families	258	267
Community Mothers	56	12
Incredible Years	124	78
Lifestart	42	12
Parents Plus	315	403
Positive Parenting	445	377
Common Sense Parenting	12	32
Total	1,252	1,181

Charges for participating in these programmes vary, with some offered free of charge and others at a nominal fee.

Data in respect of parenting programmes run in other settings is not readily available.

Departmental Contracts

Questions (737)

Seán Fleming

Question:

737. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of administrative arrangements, as opposed to contracts for service his Department is a party to; if he will provide in tabular form the party or parties to the administrative arrangement; the duration of these administrative arrangements; the cost recovery value of these administrative arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33998/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

My Department has an administrative arrangement(s) with Pobal for the provision of services across a number of childcare and youth programmes. The total value of payments made to Pobal for these programmes in 2013 amounted to €101 million (inclusive of administrative costs). Also, since the Department of Children and Youth Affairs was established in July 2011 the Department of Health has provided Accounts and IT support to my Department.

Youth Cafés Provision

Questions (738)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

738. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if details have been made available in respect of 2014 capital funding for small capital projects in the youth services such as youth cafes; if so, the source of the funding available; the application process involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34071/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

In 2014 some €500,000 in capital funding has been made available to my Department for small capital projects in the youth services.

It is intended that the grants will be made available to youth projects and services that are funded by my Department. The criteria for the grants anticipates that eligible proposals will, in the main, be for small scale projects, for example, refurbishments, replacement of equipment, accessibility measures and other improvements in facilities. It is not intended that the scheme will provide grants for larger scale developments such as new youth cafes. These developments were the focus of the 2013 capital grants programme in which €1.5m was available and some 30 new youth cafes were approved for funding.

My Department is working to finalise the arrangements for the 2014 scheme and it is anticipated that details will be announced shortly.

Early Childhood Care Education

Questions (739)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

739. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will deal with a matter (details supplied) regarding the early childhood care and education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34081/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before commencing primary school. Approximately 68,000 children avail of the provision each academic year.

There is no provision under the ECCE programme to provide for a second free pre-school year for any child. However, the programme includes a number of additional provisions to take account of children with special needs. These include an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification under the programme where a child is developmentally delayed and would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. In addition, children with special needs can apply to have the pre-school year split over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Application for these exemptions must be made prior to the child commencing the programme.

It is considered that the introduction of a second year would benefit children’s educational and developmental outcomes. 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 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 Early Years 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 Early Years Quality Agenda.

Questions Nos. 740 to 742, inclusive, answered with Question No. 729.

Early Childhood Care Education

Questions (743)

Pat Deering

Question:

743. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of preschools that have applied for or requested a second free ECCE year for children with a disability or who have difficulty with the English language; if funding is available for individual cases where this is deemed necessary and how such funding is accessed. [34235/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme provides for one free pre-school year for all eligible children before commencing primary school.

Children with special needs can avail of the free pre-school provision over two years on a pro-rata basis, for example availing of the programme for 2 days a week in the first year and for 3 days a week in the second year. Application for these exemptions are made by the parent prior to the child commencing the programme.

There is no provision under the programme for a second full pre-school year for any child.

Question No. 744 answered with Question No. 731.

Question No. 745 answered with Question No. 710.

Child and Family Agency Remit

Questions (746)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

746. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 16 July 2014, if the report referred to in the reply is now to hand. [34343/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, the Child and Family Agency has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection. The policy of the Agency is to place children in care settings, preferably in foster care, as close as possible to their home and community.

A very small minority of young people under 18 years of age have highly specialised needs arising from severe behaviour difficulties, due to their childhood experiences or in some cases as a result of injury, accident or disability. The care needs of these young people are generally met by directly provided residential services or services commissioned by the Agency within Ireland.

For a small number of young people, the Agency is on occasion required to make arrangements for their placement in care and treatment facilities outside of the State, primarily in the UK, to allow for access to an individually tailored mix of care and therapeutic services and psychiatric treatment not currently available in this country. This is done on as infrequent a basis as possible and only where such placement is considered to be in the best interest of the child. Placements where a child will be detained are made under the order and supervision of the High Court.

The Agency ensure that these placements are suitable and the child's social worker visits regularly and makes arrangements for family or carers of the child to also visit.

The units in which the children are placed are inspected and regulated by their national authorities and the Agency is attentive to the standards of care delivered in these specialised units. The level of requirement for these services is closely monitored by the Agency. I have been advised by the Agency that the average weekly cost of a single placement for a child placed in a residential setting outside the State as of 31 July 2014 is approximately €6,000. The cost of placements for children on special care orders in secure placements out of State can cost up to €8,500 per week.

Child Care Services Regulation

Questions (747)

Denis Naughten

Question:

747. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to make it compulsory for those caring for preschool children to be trained in paediatric first aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34628/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As pointed out to the Deputy in replies to previous Questions on this matter in April and July 2014, this Department is in the process of introducing a number of reforms with a view to improving the quality of early years services.

Legislation to strengthen the current inspection regime and underpin the Early Years Quality Agenda has been enacted. Regulations to give effect to the legislative changes are currently being drafted and it is expected that the final draft will include a requirement that early years services shall ensure that a person trained in first aid for children be available at all times.

Following the implementation of the new regulatory regime, my Department will review all aspects of the Regulations, including the provision of first aid support in early years services.

Questions Nos. 748 and 749 answered with Question No. 710.

Court Judgments

Questions (750)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

750. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 6 of 13 February 2013, regarding the judgment in the case of Health Service Executive v WR (Neutral Citation (2007) IEHC 459) if his attention has been drawn to paragraph 52 of the judgment wherein the deciding judge said that the HSE was to produce a report on an annual basis in July of each year dealing with the manner in which the needs of young people at risk were being fulfilled in the provision of special care and high support services; the current status of any actions being taken by the Child and Family Agency to comply with this aspect of the judgment; and if the Child and Family Agency carries out surveys on a monthly or annual basis of the number of children in care potentially requiring a placement in special care or high support. [34756/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The Deputy refers to the judgement in the case of Health Service Executive v WR (Neutral Citation (2007) IEHC 459), which was one of three judgments of the High Court, delivered by Mr Justice MacMenamin in 2007. In this particular case, in which a child was being considered for placement in a special care unit, the judge sought to establish the process whereby cases were prioritised by the HSE (now the Child and Family Agency).

In his judgement in the case, the Judge was complimentary of the HSE in the manner in which cases were being dealt with. The offer of the HSE to produce an annual report in these matters was not taken up by the Court. The ongoing procedures for dealing with Special Care applications to the High Court have evolved in the meantime whereby all cases in which the inherent jurisdiction of the High Court has been invoked to effect Special Care placements are listed for mention before the Court on a monthly basis. In these circumstances, the need for an annual report has been obviated.

The Agency produces an annual Review of Adequacy Report under Section 8 of the Child Care Act, 1991. This report examines the adequacy of child care and family support services, including special care and high support services. The determination of adequacy is an ongoing process of review and reflection in order to improve planning, development and delivery of effective services.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (751)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

751. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the current number of social worker vacancies; and his plans to ensure that all vacant posts are filled immediately. [34761/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

At the end of July 2014, there were 1,395.92 whole time equivalent social workers employed at the Child and Family Agency. A rigorous system of risk analysis is in place in each area to ensure that staffing numbers do not fall to an unsafe level and gaps identified through this process are addressed with the additional resources of temporary staff as required. All identified vacancies are the subject of a recruitment process to ensure their filling at the earliest opportunity.

The latest figures available to my Department show 92 social workers have been recruited since the Agency was established with a further additional 100 posts currently on offer to candidates or under active recruitment. In addition, senior management at the Agency are currently considering a further 48 posts for recruitment approval.

In order to address gaps in service resulting from maternity leave, a pilot Maternity Leave Cover scheme has been introduced whereby maternity related vacancies can be filled by way of a 12 month temporary contract. There are currently 165 members of staff of the Agency on maternity leave, 83 of whom are social workers.

Youth Cafés Expenditure

Questions (752)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

752. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form, by county, the funding his Department has provided for youth cafés every year since 2011. [34866/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

In recent years there has been a significant investment in the development of youth café facilities in Ireland and capital funding has been made available to my Department for these facilities.

In 2013 a capital allocation of € 1.5m was made available to my Department for a new Youth Café scheme. In all 95 applications with proposals for new youth cafés 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. In 2012 €.5m was made available to my Department and 8 proposals for new youth cafés were approved.

In 2010/2011 €1.5m was allocated to support the provision of Youth Café facilities and 64 projects were approved for funding. There were two strands to the funding scheme. Strand 1 was for new youth cafés and strand 2 provided grants for upgrading or maintenance/ improvement to existing cafés. As a result 16 new youth café were approved and 48 existing youth cafés received grants to upgrade facilities. An additional €200,000 was made available by my Department in December 2011 to support a further 18 youth projects in providing or maintaining youth cafés facilities.

A detailed list by county, of the youth café projects funded is being compiled by my Department will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (753, 755)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

753. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form, by county, the funding his Department has provided for community childcare services, parent and toddler groups and childminders each year since 2011. [34867/14]

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

755. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form, by county, the funding his Department has provided for city or county childcare committees every year since 2011. [34869/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 753 and 755 together.

The information requested is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.

Preschool Services

Questions (754)

Seán Ó Fearghaíl

Question:

754. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form, by county, the number of children availing of the preschool year every year since its introduction. [34868/14]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The information requested is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.

Question No. 755 answered with Question No. 753.