Written Answers Nos. 160-71
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department has been alerted to incidents of bullying amongst children, teenagers and-or young adults; the extent to which the most commonly noted forms of such bullying has been identified or categorised; if provision has been or may be made to address such issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36297/14]
View answerAs Minister for Children and 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 and that the necessary supports are in place for a safe environment for children and young adults.
Some correspondence on bullying amongst children and young people has been received in my Department, mostly relating to bullying in the school setting. Correspondence of this nature is referred to the Department of Education and Skills. Issues raised in correspondence received that raise child welfare and protection concerns would be referred to the Child and Family Agency.
The new procedures under the Action Plan for Bullying, led by the Department of Education and Skills, which place a requirement on all schools to address incidences of bullying, are highly relevant to the contexts of young people’s lives and not only in the school setting. They specifically include incidences of cyber-bullying that occur both in and out of the school context and the posting of hurtful messages, images or statements on social media sites, within the definition of bullying. They highlight the need for parents and young people to understand how to use modern technologies safely and to know how to protect themselves in school, at home and in their communities. The Office for Internet Safety, under the Department of Justice and Equality, takes a lead responsibility for internet safety in Ireland, particularly as it relates to children.
There is a range of support services, supported by various departments and their agencies, including my own Department, which can assist children and young people in coping with bullying situations. These include advice and guidance for families. For example, www.webwise.ie - an initiative of the Department of Education and Skills - provides information and advice for parents and teachers about risks and how to protect children against cyber bullying. At community level, many of the voluntary youth services funded by my Department provide education programmes, run awareness campaigns about bullying and provide programmes for young people to give them the knowledge and skills to build supportive links and counter bullying behaviours.
Revised Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children was published in 2011. The aim of Children First is to direct the identification, investigation, assessment, reporting, treatment and management of child abuse. Bullying is defined in section 9.4 of the National Guidance, as repeated aggression that is conducted by an individual or group against others. The guidance requires that serious instances of bullying behaviour should be referred to the Child and Family Agency.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department has received applications for financial support from various youth organisations throughout the country in the current year; the extent to which he expects to be in a position to respond; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36298/14]
View answerMy 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. The schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional youth organisations. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 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. In 2014, funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
Youth organisations and projects in receipt of funding are required to complete an annual application form for my Department. The process also involves the submission of an annual progress report detailing the services provided and the cohort of young people who participate in youth activities.
In recent years, my Department, along with all government departments, has been required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. My Department, in determining the annual allocations for youth programmes, while having regard to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure savings requirements, has sought to ensure that, as far as is possible, the focus is maintained on the front line youth services particularly those for the most vulnerable young people.
The question of additional funding to my Department to support the provision of youth services is a matter for consideration in the context of the annual Estimates and Budgetary processes and having regard to the resources available to the Government.
I, and officials of my Department have met, and continue to meet regularly, with youth organisations and groups. Earlier this month, over 2 days, I met with the representatives of some 30 national and major regional youth organisations. My aim is to see how we can work together to bring about the best possible outcomes for young people, having regard to resources available to us and to ensure that the programmes and services being provided are relevant and responsive to young people’s needs.
162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps he has taken or will take to address the issue of Internet bullying in respect of children and young adults outside of an educational environment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36301/14]
View answerAs Minister for Children and 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 and that the necessary supports are in place for a safe environment for children and young adults.
There is a range of support services, supported by various departments and their agencies, including my own Department, which can assist children and young people in coping with bullying situations. These include advice and guidance for families. For example, www.webwise.ie - an initiative of the Department of Education and Skills - provides information and advice for parents and teachers about risks and how to protect children against cyber bullying. At community level, many of the voluntary youth services funded by my Department provide education programmes, run awareness campaigns about bullying and provide programmes for young people to give them the knowledge and skills to build supportive links and counter bullying behaviours.
The new procedures under the Action Plan for Bullying, led by the Department of Education and Skills, which place a requirement on all schools to address incidences of bullying, are highly relevant to the contexts of young people’s lives and not only in the school setting. They specifically include incidences of cyber bullying that occur both in and out of the school context and the posting of hurtful messages, images or statements on social media sites, within the definition of bullying. They highlight the need for parents and young people to understand how to use modern technologies safely and to know how to protect themselves in school, at home and in their communities. The Office for Internet Safety, under the Department of Justice and Equality, takes a lead responsibility for internet safety in Ireland, particularly as it relates to children.
Under Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children serious incidents of bullying should be reported to the Child and Family Agency. I have been advised that, in such cases and where it is required, appropriate support will be put in place. In addition to support for the family and the child or young adult, which can be provided by the Child and Family Agency, there are services provided by the HSE, including the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, which may be relevant depending on the nature of the condition being experienced by a child or young adult.
My Department continues to work with other departments, child care services, education welfare services and the youth sector to raise awareness about bullying, its impact on children and young people, to improve access to information and support for them and their families and to advance measures to combat bullying and promote a safer environment for our young people.
163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department continues to monitor issues of youth poverty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36302/14]
View answerBetter Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 (BOBF) was published and launched by Government in 2014. BOBF comprehends the continuum from infancy through early and middle childhood to adolescence and early adulthood. It provides the overarching framework for the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people.
As provided for in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020, the Department of Social Protection, under Commitment 4.2, has lead responsibility for a national child-specific social target to lift 70,000 children out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level. This target will include reducing the poverty rate for households with children, which is consistently higher when compared to non-child households and for children as compared to adults. It is expected that this commitment will be addressed on a cross-departmental basis.
My Department is working on a number of initiatives which are relevant in addressing issues related to child and youth poverty. It is, for example, leading the implementation of the Area Based Childhood Programme. The ABC Programme is being co-funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and will have a total funding allocation of up to €29.7 million. The ABC Programme draws on best international practice to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched, and improve the outcomes for children and young people and existing services.
In terms of other provision, my Department is spending €260 million annually on three child care support programmes which provide child care to 100,000 children. A number of these programmes are targeted at those on lowest incomes.
My Department also provides funding for targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through three schemes. The three programmes are Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund and Local Drugs Task Force. Projects. In addition, national and regional youth work organisations are supported under my Department's Youth Service Grant Scheme. In 2014, current funding of €49.78 million has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
The Youth Work Sector has a significant role to play in young people’s personal and social development and progression and improving outcomes for all young people, including those in most need of support and at risk of poverty. The sector has particular expertise in working with young people and provides non-formal and informal learning opportunities which aid young people’s preparedness, participation, and progression in key areas of their lives such as education, inclusion and employment.
The National Youth Strategy 2014 - 2020 which being developed by my Department as a constituent strategy of BOBF in collaboration with other Government departments and youth interests will have a particular focus on ensuring greater coordination in policy and provision across government for young people aged 10 – 24 years. The National Youth Strategy is for all young people aged 10 to 24 years, spanning the period 2014 – 2020 and will aim to be responsive to current and emerging issues which impact on young people’s lives.
Within this universal strategy, there will be particular regard to young people experiencing or at risk of experiencing the poorest outcomes and in most need of support. It will set out the cross-cutting actions that will improve the effectiveness of services in supporting young people to attain the national outcomes. The Strategy will be evidence informed and implementation focused, with priorities underpinned by realistic and achievable actions tied to specific outcomes and measurable indicators.
164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department continues to monitor the issue of youth homelessness; the degree to which it has been found possible to respond to such queries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36303/14]
View answerMy Department commissioned the Centre for Effective Services (CES) to undertake a review of the implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy, 2001 to establish the extent that the strategy has been successful and to identify any blockages or challenges to its implementation. The report found that there have been significant improvements in the service response to homelessness of children and this has contributed to a decrease in the number of children presenting to services as being homeless.
It should of course be noted that policy responsibility for homeless young people, insofar as it extends to my Department, relates to children under 18 and any child welfare and protection concerns that may arise in the context of the Child Care Act 1991. Young people who are homeless, either singly or as part of a family unit and not falling within this category are the responsibility of the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government and local authorities. Young people who were formerly in the care of the State and presently in receipt of aftercare services will, as part of this support, have their accommodation needs identified.
Children under 16 who present as being homeless to emergency services are taken into care. Children aged 16 and 17 may be taken into care, or provided a service under Section 5 of the Child Care Act 1991. Such children are typically more challenging to care for as they may be out of school; have experienced neglect and serious family discord; problematic drug use; have mental health or learning difficulties. These children often wish to be only involved with peers and they may be less inclined to engage with social work services. Services need to provide early and flexible options to engage with these children and to support them beyond their 18 birthday.
Aftercare is the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him/her in making the transition to independent living. The children most vulnerable to homelessness as care leavers are those leaving residential care or short term foster care placements. Children, who come into care late, in their mid to late teens, may not have developed the relationships with staff or aftercare workers that helps them achieve positive outcomes. It is essential that these young people have an opportunity to develop a relationship with a dedicated aftercare worker who will work with them to identify their needs and ensure that services are in place to help provide them with the stability and support they need.
Furthermore, as the Deputy will be aware, it has been decided to strengthen the legislative provisions regarding aftercare. This is in response to concerns that there was insufficient focus in this area and that such planning was not taking place on a properly structured and consistent basis.
The prioritisation of services for young people receiving aftercare is considered in the context of the statutory and administrative criteria and rules relating to State provision of services and the requirement of all State bodies to provide services in accordance with resources available to them. The Agency and officials of the DCYA have been and continue to explore these matters further with the relevant Departments and agencies, on a bilateral basis, to continue to support the improvement of aftercare for this vulnerable cohort.
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, at its sitting on 1 April, considered the draft aftercare provisions. The Committee’s report on the Bill was made available to the Department in mid-July and is currently under consideration, prior to refining the text of the provisions in conjunction with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel.
165. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has designated or will designate a point of contact in his Department to liaise with youth educators on the various departmental schemes across Government, in place to assist children in education and fitness, and the various eligibility criteria and so on to help youth educators better navigate the system. [36319/14]
View answerThe Deputy may be aware that my Department supports and promotes non-formal education and developmental opportunities for young people through which they can enhance their personal and social skills and competencies. Particular regard is had to the youth work needs of young people between the ages of 10 and 21, and to those who are socially or economically disadvantaged.
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. The schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional youth organisations. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme. Funding is also made available for a network of Youth Information Centres throughout the country. The purpose of these Centres is to provide young people and those who work with them, with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters.
The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 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. In 2014, funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. Information about the funding schemes and the provision of youth services is available on my Department's Website at www.dcya.gov.ie.
A wide and diverse range of programmes and activities are organised by youth services and projects throughout the country, for and with young people. These include programmes to promote personal and social development, including activities to encourage healthy lifestyles, physical and mental well-being and initiatives to raise awareness of the risks associated with drugs and alcohol abuse and other issues that impact on young people’s lives and their engagement in their local communities.
Programmes and activities are organised and delivered at local level by professional youth workers in projects and well trained volunteers. This work is supported by a network of Youth Officers in the Education and Training Boards.
Youth Officers are a key resource in the co-ordination of youth service provision to my Department and a contact point in their respective localities. They have an important support role to the providers of youth services in the implementation of the National Quality Standards Framework - a Framework to ensure that the diverse range of programmes available for young people have a common approach to ensuring quality services that draw on best practice and are responsive to young people’s needs. The National Youth Organisations that support the local services are the key contacts for information about the range and choice of youth facilities and youth programmes available to young people and how to access them.
The Youth Affairs Unit of my Department is engaged in an on-going basis with the providers of youth services throughout the country and with the network of Youth Officers. My Department works collaboratively with those key contacts, including the various structured Fora, to ensure that they have access to the tools and best practice resources that are available to support their work with young people.
Details of the Websites of the major national youth organisations are being compiled and will be forwarded to the deputy shortly.
166. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding a resource centre (details supplied) in County Meath received in 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36355/14]
View answerThe information sought has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is received.
167. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the approximate cost of reducing the monthly threshold for the drugs payment scheme from €144 to €130, €120, €110 and €100, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36227/14]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
168. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the approximate cost of reducing the monthly maximum payment for prescription charges to €15 and €10, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36228/14]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
169. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the approximate cost of reducing prescription charges to €2 per item and reducing the monthly maximum payment for prescription charges to €15 and €10, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36229/14]
View answerUnder the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, therefore the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
170. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of support services for children and teenagers identified as having a tendency to self-harm; the number of instances of such vulnerable young persons brought to the attention of his Department in the past 12 months; the extent to which it has been possible to make a positive intervention; if any particular deficiencies have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36299/14]
View answerThe National Suicide Research Foundation (NSRF), which is funded by the National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) operates the National Registry of Deliberate Self Harm. This is a national system which monitors the occurrence of deliberate self-harm presenting to hospital Emergency Departments. The NSRF compiles and publishes data on the incidence of deliberate self harm an annual basis. Emergency Departments have the expertise in deliberate self-harm, crisis intervention nurses and/or liaison psychiatry services to support anyone who attends after an episode of self-harm.
For the period from 1 January to 31 December, 2012, the Registry recorded 1,118 deliberate self harm presentations to hospital that were made by 960 children (296 boys and 664 girls) aged from 10 to 17 years. In 5% of cases involving children aged 10 to 17 years, the child left the emergency department before a next care recommendation could be made. Following their treatment in the emergency department, inpatient admission was the next stage of care recommended for 41%, irrespective of whether general or psychiatric admission was intended and whether admission was refused or not. Of all deliberate self harm cases, 37% resulted in admission to a ward of the treating hospital and 53% of cases were discharged following treatment in the emergency department.
Government policy on deliberate self-harm and suicide prevention is guided by our national strategy Reach Out which makes a number of recommendations in relation to fast track referrals to community-based mental health services, effective response to deliberate self-harm, training, reducing stigma and promoting positive mental health, initiatives aimed at helping young men and research. The HSE's National Office for Suicide Prevention (NOSP) has primary responsibility for the implementation of Reach Out.
Action Area 12 in Reach Out aims to "Develop and resource an effective response in the health services or people who present to services having engaged in deliberate self harm and design ways to reach out to those who self-harm but are reluctant to access traditional services and supports". In this regard, the NOSP fund a range of services including Pieta House; two on-line providers - SpunOut and Inspire Ireland, to provide direct information to parents, teachers and young people on self harm; a self-harm liaison nurse post in Temple Street Hospital; training for community gatekeepers and front-line services responding to self-harm from young people. In 2012 the NOSP also published an information leaflet for parents on dealing with and responding to self- harm. In addition, this Government has provided funding for an 232 additional posts for the development of Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) teams since 2012, with approximately 190 in post by the end of June 2014.
Having regard to the resources available, and the many competing demands on the mental health services, I am satisfied that there is an adequate wide range of support services in place for children and teenagers identified as having a tendency to self-harm.
171. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which Outreach or other supportive or interactive services remain available for young persons identified as being likely to self-harm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36300/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
