Written Answers Nos. 1 - 30
11. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if expenditure for the school completion programme has been ring-fenced for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43981/14]
View answerThe School Completion Programme 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 young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at those school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports to 36,000 children.
Since 1 January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme.
The estimate for the Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 in December. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the Agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015 in light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The review will examine the programme structures. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
12. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the school completion programme will develop in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43980/14]
View answerThe School Completion Programme 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 young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at those school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports to 36,000 children.
Since 1 January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme.
The estimate for the Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 in December. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the Agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015 in light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The review will examine the programme structures. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
13. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to permit the Ombudsman for Children to take complaints from children affected by the direct provision system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43963/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the direct provision system is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Department of Justice and Equality has primary responsibility in the area of asylum and immigration.
The Deputy may be aware that a report ‘Review of the operation of the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002’,was submitted by the Ombudsman for Children, Ms. Emily Logan to the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in March 2012. One of the recommendations contained in that report was that "… section 11(1)(e) should be amended to clarify that the exclusion regarding the administration of law in the area of asylum, immigration, naturalisation or citizenship relates solely to decisions taken by the relevant authorities in accordance with statutory procedures for determining whether a person is entitled to a particular status.”
My Department engaged with the Department of Justice and Equality on this recommendation, among others. The then Minister for Justice and Equality considered that no legislative change was required and this position has been reaffirmed by that Department.
In a reply to a question by Deputy Brendan Griffin (Reference No. 31092/14 on 15th July 2014), the Minister for Justice and Equality addressed, among other issues, the question of the Ombudsman for Children being given jurisdiction in the direct provision system and for the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) to be allowed inspect direct provision hostels. In replying, the Minister made reference to provisions in both the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002 and Ombudsman Act 1980 which excludes either Ombudsman from investigating any action taken by or on behalf of a person in the administration of law relating to, inter alia, asylum. If I may quote from Minister Fitzgerald's response, she said "Whilst there are no plans to change those legislative provisions, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) including RIA, has administrative arrangements in place with both Offices to assist and provide information on matters brought to its attention by them".
The Department of Justice has established a working group to review a range of issues pertaining to asylum seekers and direct provision. The first meeting of the Working Group on the Protection Process was held on the 10th November 2014, chaired by Dr Bryan McMahon. The Working Group consists of children's rights advocates, organisations engaged with asylum groups and representatives from a range of relevant government departments, including a representative from my own Department. I look forward to learning of the findings and recommendations of the working group in the Spring of 2015.
14. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding he has allocated for the school completion programme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43930/14]
View answerThe School Completion Programme 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 young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at those school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports to some 36,000 children and young people.
Since 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. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme.
The estimate for the Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 in December. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the proposed activities, programmes and priorities for the Agency for 2015 in light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The review will examine the programme structures. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
15. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the State support that has and will be provided to computer coding club initiatives, for example, CoderDojo and TechSpace; if any support is planned for such initiatives; if there is to be co-ordination of such initiatives; the locations of and plans for the further development of such important clubs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43968/14]
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 Youth Service Grant Scheme provides funding for some 30 national and major regional youth organisations which support the provision of programmes and services for the personal and social education of young people between the ages of 10 to 24. Other schemes support youth projects which focus on preventative responses for young people who are disadvantaged, in particular young people who are homeless, at risk of alcohol and drugs misuse, are out of school or Traveller children.
In 2014, funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. I am pleased to advise that Budget 2015 has confirmed that funding of €49.78m will again be provided to my Department in 2015 to support the provision of youth services. There will be no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations.
The initiatives mentioned by the Deputy have not received funding from my Department and their activities do not come within the scope of the main funding programmes available to my Department at this time.
I am aware of the valuable work carried out at local level by computer coding clubs such as CoderDojo and TechSpace. Computer coding initiatives have much to contribute to helping young people in making the most of digital technology and in particular, in positioning Ireland to take advantage of the opportunities of digital in line with the objectives of the National Digital Strategy led by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources.
I would like to advise the Deputy that local volunteer-led youth clubs are eligible to apply for funding under my Department's Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and other related schemes operated in Dublin and Waterford Cities. In 2014, €1.035m was made available under this Scheme to local youth clubs and groups, for 1,900 volunteer-led youth clubs with almost 100,000 young members. These annual grants are an important source of funding for local youth clubs and groups. The Scheme is administered by 16 Education and Training Boards on behalf of my Department. Further information on this is available on my Department’s website, www.dcya.gov.ie, or from regional Education and Training Boards.
Details of the 2015 Scheme will be announced in the first quarter of 2015.
16. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the continuing pressures being voiced by the early childhood sector regarding threats to the financial sustainability of services, the plans in place to address the current sustainability crisis faced by the sector; if his Department has brought the issue of charging early childhood services commercial rates to the attention of the national Valuation Office as an immediate threat to the sustainability of services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43976/14]
View answerI am aware of and concerned by sustainability issues for early years services. Annual funding in the region of €260 million is provided to the childcare sector to support a number of childcare programmes that are implemented by this Department. These programmes include the Community Childcare Subvention programme, the Early Childhood Care and Education programme and a number of labour activation initiatives under the Training and Employment Childcare programmes. These programmes, and in particular the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, provide a guaranteed source of income to participating services and given that many parents would otherwise not be able to avail of pre-school care and education for their children, the funding has ensured that many childcare services, both commercial and community, have the resources to continue to operate.
Despite the budgetary situation that prevailed in recent years the Government has maintained the funding necessary to support the childcare programmes and has introduced new initiatives to meet the changing circumstances, particularly in regard to the improved employment opportunities in the economy. As funding becomes available, I would hope that the capitation rates for all programmes could be increased to provide further support.
Following concerns expressed by childcare providers throughout the country, the issue of commercial rates on pre-school services was raised with the previous Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and the concerns of childcare providers in relation to commercial rates were brought to the attention of officials in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Officials from my Department recently met with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the context of the Valuation Bill currently going through the Houses of the Oireachtas and discussed the issue of commercial rates on pre-school services. The Government has recently approved an amendment to the Bill to exempt not-for-profit childcare providers from rates.
17. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs arising from the recently published UNICEF report on child poverty, the extent to which he has identified possible child welfare issues of a significant nature and relevant to his Department; his plans to take any specific steps to address any issues arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43960/14]
View answerSupport for families who require income support to meet basic needs is provided through the social welfare system which is the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Social Protection. A range of income supports are available to parents, both those who are unemployed and those on low incomes. The Department of Social Protection also has lead responsibility for the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 (BOBF), which was published and launched by Government in 2014, provides the overarching framework for the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people. As provided for in the framework, the Department of Social Protection is the lead department on child poverty and has the lead responsibility for a specific commitment to a national child-specific social target to lift over 70,000 children out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level.
My Department is working on a number of initiatives which are relevant in addressing issues related to children poverty. For example, it is leading the implementation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme (2013-2016). 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 childcare support programmes which provide childcare to 100,000 children. A number of these programmes are targeted at those on lowest incomes. The CCS programme provides subvention support to parents on low incomes and parents in receipt of certain social welfare payments, whose children are enrolled in community childcare facilities. Additionally, the 3 Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programmes - the Childcare Education and Training Programme, the Community Employment Childcare programme and the Afterschool Childcare Programme - provide childcare supports to eligible parents returning to work or to education.
My Department also provides funding for targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through three youth 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. I am pleased to advise that Budget 2015 has confirmed that funding of €49.78m will again be provided to my Department in 2015 to support the provision of youth services. There will be no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which is a key priority for youth organisations.
With regard to the child welfare, the Child and Family Agency has a range of services from family support to child protection which aim to support children and families, and enable the Agency to fulfil its statutory responsibility regarding children’s welfare and protection. Neglect can be associated with, but is not necessarily caused by poverty is a common reason for referral to child protection and welfare services. All referrals to child protection and welfare services are reviewed in order to determine the most appropriate service response so that children and families achieve the best possible outcome.
18. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on bringing child and adolescent mental health services within the new Child and Family Agency in order to ensure a better and more co-ordinated response to children with mental health difficulties. [43928/14]
View answerThe establishment of the Child and Family Agency on 1 January 2014 constituted one of the most extensive public service organisational reforms ever implemented. It brought together child welfare and protection responsibilities formerly under the Health Service Executive, the functions of the Family Support Agency, and the functions of the National Educational Welfare Board.
The Agency has a staff of 4,000 and its budget is just over €600 million in the current year. Accordingly, in terms of the range of services provided directly by the Agency, a considerable amount of activity has been in consolidating, organisational changes to support the better delivery of service with a view to better outcomes for children.
The Agency has statutory responsibility for the provision of psychology services to children and families.
Psychology and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) for children are currently being provided by the HSE.
The Agency and the HSE have in place both a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Protocol for inter-agency collaboration which underpins the provision of these services for children.
The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to set out the partnership agreement between the HSE and the Agency to continue pre-establishment levels of service across both organisations in accordance with the Health Service National Service Plan 2014, the Child and Family Agency Service Plan 2014 and Operational Plans 2014.
The objective of the Joint Protocol is to specify a pathway and associated responsibilities for children and families whose needs cross between Health Service Divisions and the Agency.
Both the Memorandum of Understanding and the Joint Protocol are subject to regular monitoring and review to ensure that they are working effectively in the best interests of children and families. Additionally, the Agency and the HSE are working to finalise a service level agreement to underpin the provision of psychological services by the HSE. The service level agreement with the HSE will determine the quantum of service needed to meet the Agency's requirements and will be an interim arrangement pending the Agency providing the service directly.
The Task Force on the Child and Family Support Agency made recommendations regarding direct provision by the new agency of a range of other services relevant to children and families, which included child and adolescent mental health services.
The practical implications of the scale of on-going organisational change are such as to require that consideration of the Task Force's wider recommendations and their possible implementation would take place according to a less immediate timescale. This will allow for more careful review and considerations in conjunction with relevant Departments, principally the Department of Health.
19. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if measures are being introduced to professionalise child care provision which would be of benefit to child care providers, in terms of personal development and recognition of skills acquired but also for ensuring a high standard of child care at facilities across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43965/14]
View answerPrior to the introduction of the free pre-school year under the Early Childhood Care and Education programme in January 2010, there were no qualification requirements for staff working with children in the childcare sector. The new programme required that pre-school leaders in childcare services delivering the free pre-school provision hold a Level 5 qualification or equivalent on the National Framework of Qualifications.
Reforms across the childcare sector are being introduced by my Department under the Early Years Quality Agenda. These reforms include the requirement that by September 2015 all staff working directly with children in the 0 to 6 years age category in early years services must hold a relevant Level 5 qualification or equivalent.
In addition to the general requirement for a Level 5 qualification, pre-school leaders delivering the free pre-school provision under the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, who are currently required to hold a Level 5 qualification, will have to have a Level 6 qualification, or equivalent, by September 2015.
Last March, my Department introduced a Learner Fund to assist existing staff working in the childcare sector to meet the new requirements. This fund has a total allocation of €3 million for the years 2014 and 2015 and is designed to subsidise the cost for childcare staff who are required to undertake accredited Level 5 and Level 6 courses.
Ireland, like other European countries, does not provide for mandatory Continuing Professional Development for early years practitioners. I would like to be in a position to provide for mandatory CPD and, while there is an emphasis on encouraging services to employ staff with higher qualifications, and the ECCE programme does provide for this by providing higher capitation payments to services with staff who hold Level 7 or higher qualifications, the immediate priority is to ensure that all childcare services meet the minimum qualification requirements. This will help to ensure higher standards and consistency of quality across the childcare sector.
20. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the adoption (information and tracing) Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43975/14]
View answerI am taking a positive and pro-active approach to introduce measures to address the provision of a robust legal and operational services in the realm of information and tracing for those affected by adoption.
In this context I have instigated the following policy and operational developments:
1) Development of an Adoption (Information and Tracing) General Scheme and Heads of Bill which will provide for statutory access to adoption records and birth information. This work is well under way. The Heads will provide access to records for birth parents and adopted persons in so far as is possible in line with legal advices. I am proposing as progressive an approach as is possible within the significant legal and operational complexities which arise in giving effect to this objective.
The proposed legislation will provide for, inter alia,
- Placing the National Adoption Contact Preference Register on a statutory basis
- Arranging for the management of Adoption Records
- Setting out the information to be provided and circumstances in which it can be provided both for retrospective and prospective adoptions
- Providing for Information and Tracing Supports Services.
It is my intention to have the General Scheme and Heads of Bill finalised on this basis as soon as possible and submitted for the consideration of Government, in advance of referral to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children. This will be the subject of consultation with all relevant Government Departments in advance.
2) In parallel, I have requested officials to examine operational arrangements for the preservation of, and access to, adoption records both to secure existing service provision and to make ready for any proposed new legislation.
21. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which his Department remains in touch with the various child support agencies with a view to early and strategic intervention in cases of a potential threat to the well-being of children in situations where the extent of vulnerability may lead to depression and/or self-harm; the extent to which structures are in place to monitor such situations on an ongoing basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43961/14]
View answerThere is a wide range of child support services available through both the statutory and non statutory sectors. These include services provided through Government Departments, other state agencies and an extensive network of non governmental organisations. In the area of child welfare and protection services we now have, with the establishment this year of the Child and Family Agency, the necessary structure to ensure the provision of a more responsive and integrated service to children and young people at risk. The Agency, in discharging its functions, is placing a strong emphasis on prevention, early intervention, family support, therapeutic and care interventions, all of which are key to the provision of integrated, multi-disciplinary services for vulnerable children and families.
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services services are currently being provided by arrangement with the Health Service Executive.
The Child and Family Agency and the HSE have in place both a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Protocol to underpin the provision of these services for children. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding and the Joint Protocol is to set out arrangements for collaborative working by the Agencies in order to ensure the provision of efficient, effective and proportionate services for children and families across the full range of health and social care services. The arrangements also specify a pathway and associated responsibilities for children and families where their care needs cross the Child and Family Agency and the HSE.
Both agreements are subject to regular monitoring and review to ensure that they are working effectively in the best interests of children and families. Additionally, the Agency and the HSE are working to finalise a service level agreement to underpin the provision of psychology services by the HSE. This will determine the quantum of service needed to meet the Agency’s requirements in this area, and will operate as an interim arrangement pending the Agency providing the service directly.
Separately, my Department chairs an Inter Departmental Group on the implementation of Children First. This group works to ensure that all bodies working with children, including those with particular vulnerabilities, are aware of their responsibilities with regard to the welfare and protection of children and are provided with the necessary training and guidance to support them in this work.
My Department has a range of systems in place to ensure it is informed of risk to children and the measures put in place to minimise these risks. Monthly, quarterly and annual reports are received from the Child and Family Agency in respect of its functions, including detailed reporting on key performance indicators. Officials frequently meet with the Agency to review areas in need of improvement. There are also protocols in place for the Agency to inform the Minister and the Department of specific issues where risk is identified and to ensure that a robust management response is put in place.
22. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the expenditure Tusla is allocating for the school completion programme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43979/14]
View answerThe School Completion Programme 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 young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme 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 which operate across 470 primary and 224 post-primary schools. It provides targeted supports to some 36,000 children and young people. The Programme’s design gives local communities the autonomy to devise innovative approaches to address the needs of young people most at risk of early school leaving. Typically, projects offer homework clubs; breakfast clubs; mentoring programmes; learning support; social and personal development programmes; out of school supports including music, art and sports and a range of activities during holiday periods.
Since 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. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme.
The estimate for the Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 in December. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the proposed activities, programmes and priorities for the Agency for 2015 in light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is an important initiative in relation to identifying the reforms necessary and planning for the future development of this Programme which is a key support to young people’s participation in education. The review is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The review will, inter alia, examine the School Completion Programme structures, and their fitness for purpose to support an integrated approach to address early school leaving. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
23. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if progress has been made on introducing a second year of the early childhood care and education programme; if there is an indicative timeframe for its introduction in view of the success, as verified by research, of the programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43964/14]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children before commencing primary school.
Despite the challenging budgetary situation, the pre-school year has been maintained as a universal and free programme, ensuring that a significant number of children can avail of quality pre-school services who would not otherwise be in a position to do so.
There is an increasing body of Irish and International evidence quantifying the benefits of early years interventions in terms of improving outcomes for children and in delivering significant economic and societal return to the State. In this context I believe the introduction of a second year would benefit children’s educational and developmental outcomes.
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 implementation of the actions contained in the Early Years Quality Agenda, which involves a range of actions in key areas aimed at improving quality within early years services and enhancing the regulatory regime, is a key building block for any further extension of universal childcare provision.
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.
24. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to his speech in Dáil Éireann on 16 October 2014 following the announcement of budget 2015, if he will provide a detailed report on his Department’s engagement with the Child and Family Agency in rolling out a model of an out-of-hours service throughout the country. [43934/14]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency provides a range of services aimed at addressing emergency situations in the area of child welfare and protection. In the main, these emergency situations arise out of hours.
At present, out of hours emergency services for children at risk in the greater Dublin area (Dublin, Kildare, Wicklow) are provided by the Child and Family Agency through the Crisis Intervention Service. The remit of the service is to respond to crisis situations in which a child or young person requires immediate placement either due to child protection or welfare concerns. This service is delivered by the Child and Family Agency social work service.
Outside the greater Dublin area, an Emergency Place of Safety Service (EPSS) is provided for the Agency under a commercial arrangement with Five Rivers Ireland. Under Section 12 of the Child Care Act, 1991, a member of An Garda Síochána may remove a child to a place of safety where they have reasonable grounds for believing that there is an immediate risk to the welfare or safety of a child. The child is placed in a family setting until the following working day, when the local social work service assumes responsibility for the case. The objective is to build on the existing arrangements by ensuring that An Garda Síochána can consult with a social worker out of hours. The service will be known as the Emergency Out of Hours Service.
Provision for the development of this service was included in the Child and Family Agency Business Plan for 2014. Discussions with the staff side are progressing with a view to ensuring the early introduction of this extended service.
A draft Joint Protocol between the Child and Family Agency, An Garda Síochána and Five Rivers Ireland is also being finalised. This will set out the official policy and procedure governing the joint actions of the three agencies in the performance of activities regarding the provision of an appropriate response and place of safety for children found to be at risk outside normal working hours and removed by An Garda Síochána under section 12 of the Child Care Act, 1991.
Progress with regard to the introduction of the service is being closely monitored by my Department and my officials will continue to keep me apprised of developments.
25. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made to ensure that all children on the child protection notification system have a social worker allocated; the number of children yet to have a social worker allocated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43970/14]
View answerStatutory responsibility for the delivery of child welfare and protection services rests with the Child and Family Agency which is the appropriate body to receive all reports of concerns relating to all forms of child abuse.
In accordance with Children First (2011), the Agency's standard business processes and policies and procedures for carrying out initial assessments of child abuse and neglect, a child's name is placed on the Child Protection Notification System in the following circumstances:
- The outcome of an initial assessment is that a child is at risk of significant harm requiring a child protection conference to be convened;
- The decision of the child protection conference is that a child protection plan is required to ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place;
- A review child protection conference - held at a minimum of 6 monthly intervals - confirms that the child remains at ongoing risk of significant harm necessitating a child protection plan.
Each referral received by the Agency is assessed and progressed on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. Preliminary screening is aimed at establishing the appropriateness of the referral to the Child and Family Agency services and if necessary is followed by an initial assessment of the nature and degree of any harm and an assessment of the child's needs.
At the end of the 2nd quarter in 2014, the Agency reported that there were 1,720 children listed on the Child Protection Notification System, of these 55 had not been allocated a social worker. Where a child has not yet been allocated a social worker on CPNS a risk management and assurance plan is required with a view to ensuring that the known risks are adequately managed.
26. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans for the school completion programme in 2015; the funding that it will be receiving; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43977/14]
View answerThe School Completion Programme 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 young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme 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 which operate across 470 primary and 224 post-primary schools. It provides targeted supports to some 36,000 children and young people. The Programme’s design gives local communities the autonomy to devise innovative approaches to address the needs of young people most at risk of early school leaving. Typically, projects offer homework clubs; breakfast clubs; mentoring programmes; learning support; social and personal development programmes; out of school supports including music, art and sports and a range of activities during holiday periods.
Since 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. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme
The estimate for the Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 in December. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the proposed activities, programmes and priorities for the Agency for 2015 in light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is an important initiative in relation to identifying the reforms necessary and planning for the future development of this Programme which is a key support to young people’s participation in education. The review is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The review will, inter alia, examine the School Completion Programme structures, and their fitness for purpose to support an integrated approach to address early school leaving. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
27. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the submission to the Joint Committee on Health and Children by a person (details supplied), particularly where they strongly urge that rather than adding to the already enormous pressure on the Child and Family Agency, satellite type services, embedded within existing community centres like schools and addiction services centres, are preferable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43926/14]
View answerDr. Helen Buckley in her recent submission to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children on 4 November last, raises a range of significant issues in relation to the capacity of the Child and Family Agency to deal with the demands being place on it, now and into the future. These issues include numbers and location of social workers, waiting lists, early intervention and family support, and statistical information.
These issues, which are at the heart of the delivery of an efficient and effective child welfare and protection service, are the subject of on-going and regular contact between my officials and officials of the Child and Family Agency, both in the context of the development of that Agency’s corporate and business plans, and in regular performance monitoring meetings. The specific issues raised by Dr. Buckley will be considered in this context and in the broader context of cross government work, including her recommendation in relation to the provision of social work services to children and families in the sites where their difficulties emerge, such as schools and health services.
I note that Dr. Buckley commends developments in relation to community based prevention and partnership initiatives being established by the Child and Family Agency.
Dr. Buckley’s submission also references the Children First Interdepartmental Group, and suggests that it should be established on a permanent basis. The provisions of Part 4 of the Children First Bill 2014, published in April 2014, relate to the Children First Inter Departmental Implementation Group. Section 17 of the Bill provides for the establishment of the Group on a statutory basis and section 18 provides that all Government Departments will be represented on the Group. The Group currently operates on an administrative basis, and Dr. Buckley’s suggestions in relation to the establishment of child protection units in the HSE and in the education sector will be raised with that Group.
Finally, I fully agree with Dr. Buckley in relation to her assessment of the significance of relevant adult services such as domestic violence, addiction and mental health services in the context of child welfare and protection, and the Children First Bill 2014 defines certain persons working in these services as mandated persons with an obligation to report abuse and to assist the Agency if requested to do so.
28. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to develop the school completion programme in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43929/14]
View answerThe School Completion Programme 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 young people who are at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme 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 which operate across 470 primary and 224 post-primary schools. It provides targeted supports to some 36,000 children and young people. The Programme’s design gives local communities the autonomy to devise innovative approaches to address the needs of young people most at risk of early school leaving. Typically, projects offer homework clubs; breakfast clubs; mentoring programmes; learning support; social and personal development programmes; out of school supports including music, art and sports and a range of activities during holiday periods.
Since 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. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion Programme.
The estimate for the Agency for 2015 is €635 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department will issue a Performance Statement under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 in December. This will include my priorities for consideration in the development of the 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the proposed activities, programmes and priorities for the Agency for 2015 in light of the monies available.
A review of the School Completion Programme has commenced. It is an important initiative in relation to identifying the reforms necessary and planning for the future development of this Programme which is a key support to young people’s participation in education. The review is being carried out by the ESRI following a procurement process managed by the Agency. The review will, inter alia, examine the School Completion Programme structures, and their fitness for purpose to support an integrated approach to address early school leaving. It will analyse the interventions provided and make recommendations for evidence informed supports designed to secure the best educational outcomes for young people. The programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
29. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures his Department is taking to financially support youth services in disadvantaged communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43971/14]
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. I am pleased to advise that Budget 2015 has confirmed that funding of €49.78m will again be provided to my Department in 2015 to support the provision of youth services. There will be no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations. My Department has commenced work on the detailed 2015 allocations for local projects and services and every effort will be made to notify youth organisations and youth projects of their 2015 allocations as soon as possible.
In addition, I recently announced a capital funding scheme to provide grants towards the cost of refurbishments for youth projects, funded by my Department, in disadvantaged communities. This year, €0.5m is available under the scheme. Further details are available on my Department’s website – www.dcya.gov.ie.
My Department has completed a Value for Money and Policy Review of the youth funding schemes that target disadvantaged young people. The review makes recommendations for the future operation of youth programmes that will shape their development in the years ahead to ensure quality, effective, value-for-money services that are evidence based and secure the best outcomes for young people. I intend that the recommendations of the review will be progressed in the context of the new National Youth Strategy that is being developed by my Department for the end of 2014. The Strategy will be a universal strategy for all young people, aged between 10 and 24 years, while having particular regard to those young people who are experiencing or at risk of experiencing the poorest outcomes and, therefore, in most need of support.
I, and officials of my Department have met, and continue to meet regularly, with youth organisations and groups, including those from disadvantaged areas throughout the country. 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.
30. 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. [43922/14]
View answerAs pointed out to the Deputy in replies to previous Questions on this matter, this Department is in the process of introducing a number of reforms with a view to improving the quality of early years services.
The revised Child Care Regulations which are required under the new amendments to Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 are currently being developed in association with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. The drafting of the new regulations has required a root and branch re-examination of the existing regulations including a restructuring of regulations and guidance content in line with the latest drafting practices. This has proved more time consuming than originally envisaged but is close to finalisation. The final draft will include a requirement that early years services have a person trained in first aid for children available at all times.
