Written Answers Nos. 123 - 127
123. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will introduce a tax credit scheme in the Finance Bill to cover the significant costs of child care; his plans to keep child care costs as low as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42305/14]
View answerThe introduction of a tax credit scheme in the Finance Bill is a matter for Government and the Minister for Finance in the first instance.
I am aware of the relatively high cost of childcare in this country and of the difficulties that this presents, particularly where both parents are in employment outside of the home. To help address the issue, funding of €260 million is provided annually by my Department to support the implementation of a number of targeted childcare support programmes that assist parents in accessing quality and affordable childcare. More than 100,000 children benefit from these programmes each year.
The question of tax allowances for working parents who incur childcare costs was considered prior to the introduction of the targeted childcare supports which are now in place. A number of issues emerged at that time which did not favour the introduction of tax relief for childcare. This approach would not benefit parents working in the home and could, therefore, be seen by some as discriminatory. Tax reliefs would favour the higher-paid, and those on the minimum wage or in part-time work would not be in a position to benefit to the same extent. Many parents use childminders or relatives to meet their childcare requirements and may not be in a position to obtain receipts, making it impossible for them to establish their entitlement to tax relief. There is also a view that the introduction of tax credits could lead to increased prices and therefore have limited impact in terms of savings to parents.
I consider that the childcare programmes implemented by my Department, which include the universal free pre-school year, the Community Childcare Subvention programme and the Training and Employment Childcare programmes, are a fairer way of supporting parents who require childcare support.
124. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding future funding for a child and family centre (details supplied) in County Dublin, in view of the fact that the funding from Atlantic Philanthropies is coming to an end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42345/14]
View answerBalgaddy Child and Family Centre has sought to be included within the Family Resource Centre Programme operated by the Child and Family Agency. The Programme is closed at present to new applications.
I understand that discussions have been held between the Agency and the Centre, most recently last month.
The Centre has been in receipt of philanthropic funding and this funding arrangement is due to cease from 2015 onwards.
I will revert to the Deputy when discussions between the Child and Family Agency and the Centre have concluded.
125. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a list of applicants for positions on boards of State bodies in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42456/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that two State Bodies which are currently funded by the Exchequer through my Department's vote have governing Boards. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency. Since 1st January 2012, the Board of Management for the Children Detention Schools at Oberstown, Co. Dublin, comes under the remit of my Department. I am responsible for appointments to these three Boards.
Up to 31 December 2013 my Department also funded the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board. With the establishment of the Child and Family Agency on 1 January 2014 the Family Support Agency and the National Educational Welfare Board ceased to exist, and their roles were subsumed into the Child and Family Agency. Appointments to their boards ceased with effect from 31 December 2013. In making decisions on appointments to boards, subject to the governing legislation, the most suitable persons are considered for positions with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities. An appropriate mix of skills and experience is an important element of the selection process.
As the Deputy may be aware, in line with the Government decision of April 2011, new arrangements were put in place for the making of appointments to State Boards. Following this Government Decision, a notice was placed on my Department's website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under my Department's aegis. The notice indicates the vacancies in the boards of the respective bodies. My officials acknowledge all expressions of interest received and maintain a database of those expressions. My Department’s website is monitored and updated on a regular basis to reflect the number of vacancies as they arise.
In May 2013 the Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of my Department, sought expressions of interest from those interested in being appointed to the Board of the Family Support Agency having regard to both its existing statutory functions and its planned role in facilitating the establishment of the Child and Family Agency. The PAS provided my Department with the details of all suitable candidates who expressed an interest in being appointed to that Board.
126. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the alternative scheme to mobility allowance which is being devised by his Department which was promised when the mobility allowance scheme closed on 26 February 2013. [42330/14]
View answerThe Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the costs of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance scheme, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes on 26th February, 2013. In November 2013, the Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new travel subsidy scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health.
Work is on-going on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. The challenge is to provide these benefits to a wider cohort of people, while continuing to cater for the 4,700 people already in receipt of a monthly payment, within a limited budget.
Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer.
127. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the issues raised (details supplied) regarding CAMHS in Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42283/14]
View answerAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
