Peadar Tóibín
Question:139. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to include the Westbank Home in the terms of reference for the commission of inquiry into mother and baby homes. [46527/14]
View answerCommission of Inquiry
Questions (139)
Written answers
The Government has undertaken to establish a statutory Commission of Investigation into matters relating to Mother and Baby Homes in accordance with the Motion passed by the Dáil on the 11th June. Considerable progress has been achieved since this date, including the publication of the Inter-Departmental Group’s Report, the announcement that Judge Yvonne Murphy will chair the Commission and an inclusive consultation process with stakeholders. The Government has also publicly confirmed that the intended scope of this investigation will go beyond the home operated by the Sisters of Bon Secours in Tuam, Co. Galway and these announcements have been widely welcomed.
As the Deputy will be aware, I am consulting with a number of key stakeholders, including the Bethany Survivor's Campaign and Survivors of Protestant Children's Institutions whom I have met in recent weeks, in order to update the parties on the emerging issues and to seek their further views.
Requests to include a range of institutions, and concerns related to particular practices are being examined in our current deliberations.
A key challenge in deciding on the scope of the investigation is to ensure that a realistic approach is taken so that the Commission is in a position to investigate these matters in a workable and effective manner. As recommended by the Inter-Departmental Report, 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.
Following the finalisation of the terms of reference it is my intention to bring these matters to Government as soon as possible thereafter.
School Completion Programme
Questions (140)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:140. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there will be no further cuts to the school completion programme, particularly the services delivered under the programme in disadvantaged areas of north Dublin, including Dublin 3, 5, 13 and 17. [46614/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.
Since 1st 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 Agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year. The first instalment of 2014/15 funding issued to local projects last September. Further payments totalling approximately €9.5m will issue this month, with a third instalment in May 2015. Projects serving north Dublin, including the postal areas referred to by the Deputy, will receive total grant-aid of approximately €2 million in the school year 2014-15.
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 this month under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. 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, including provision for SCP funding, 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 programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. The Review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
School Completion Programme
Questions (141)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:141. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding further cuts in the school completion programme; if he will outline cuts over the past five years and the way schools (details supplied) will be expected to take further cuts when the programme is already on its knees; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46616/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.
Since 1st January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. The School Completion Programme was subject to a Comprehensive Review of Expenditure in 2011, requiring an annual reduction in budget of 6.5% in the period 2012-2014 to the current (2014) allocation of €24.756m. Annual budgets for the period 2010-2014 were as follows:
|
Year |
Annual Budgets |
|
2014 |
€24.756m |
|
2013 |
€26.456m |
|
2012 |
€28.256m |
|
2011 |
€30.258m |
|
2010 |
€31m |
The agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year and provides ongoing support to projects in the task of planning appropriate and relevant intervention in line with SCP objectives and within available funds. The first instalment of 2014/15 funding issued to local projects last September. Further payments totalling approximately €9.5m will issue this month, with a third instalment in May 2015.
The school to which the Deputy refers is one of 6 primary schools which, along with 2 post-primary schools, form a School Completion Project to which, in line with Comprehensive Review of Expenditure requirements, funding of €214,183.93 was notified for the school year 2014-2015 and awarded on foot of a retention plan approved by the Agency in summer 2014. The allocation of this funding across the range of interventions planned and between the member schools is a matter for the Local Management Committee.
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 this month. 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, including provision for SCP funding, 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 programme has been in operation since 2002 and I believe that it is timely that a review be carried out. The Review is an important initiative to plan for the future development of this Programme. It is envisaged that the review will be completed during the 2014/2015 academic year.
Preschool Services
Questions (142)
Martin Heydon
Question:142. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the proposal to extend the free preschool year for a second year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46713/14]
View answerWritten answers
The 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 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.
Disability Support Services
Questions (143)
Clare Daly
Question:143. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the use of a company (details supplied) by the Health Service Executive south and its involvement in disability services in County Waterford in terms of whether the contract was awarded by public tender; the terms of reference; his views that there is a conflict of interest involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46537/14]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Health Services
Questions (144)
Clare Daly
Question:144. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the manner in which investigations into the Health Service Executive and its service providers are being conducted by private companies at considerable expense; his plans to regulate this industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46538/14]
View answerWritten answers
From time to time the Health Service Executive is required to carry out investigations. Engagement of external expertise can be necessary in some circumstances. All Government Departments and Agencies funded from the Exchequer including the HSE, are obliged to comply with EU Directives and national guidelines on procurement. If the Deputy has specific concerns she wishes to raise, I would ask her to forward the details to my office for investigation.
Medical Aids and Appliances Applications
Questions (145)
Michael McCarthy
Question:145. Deputy Michael McCarthy asked the Minister for Health the guidelines for applying for the aids and appliances grant; if this grant may be used to assist in purchasing a tablet in respect of a person details (supplied) for assistance with speech and language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46564/14]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, she can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
Medical Card Eligibility
Questions (146)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Question:146. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 8 will be considered for a discretionary medical card in view of the serious ongoing medical conditions they suffer. [46567/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.