Written Answers Nos. 304-327
304. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, the number of computers in each Garda station; her plans to upgrade the IT infrastructure in An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49351/14]
View answerUnder the Garda Síochána Act, 2005 the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of available Garda resources which includes the various technologies deployed to support front line Gardaí and intelligence led operations against organised crime. In that context I am informed by the Garda authorities that there are currently 6,500 desktop computers operating in 430 networked locations across the Garda Síochána estate, each with access to a variety of Garda systems such as PULSE, the Fixed Charge Processing System, the Garda National Immigration Bureau Information System and the Garda Portal in addition to email and Internet facilities. I am further advised that precise details of the number of computers in operation broken down by each of the 430 locations is not readily available and would require a disproportionate amount of Garda time and resources to compile.
As regards plans for the upgrading of technology, the Deputy will be aware that following the publication of the Garda Inspectorate report on Crime Investigation, I clearly signalled my intention to support the Garda Síochána in their efforts to address IT issues which were identified in the report. I have entered into discussions with my colleague the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in this regard and there have also been preliminary discussions between my Department, the Garda Inspectorate and the Garda Síochána in order to identify what can be implemented in the short, medium and long term. A separate internal in-depth examination of all the recommendations in the Garda Inspectorate report has also been commenced by the Garda Commissioner and this will also encompass those relating to technology.
Finally, notwithstanding the deficits identified in the Inspectorate's report, there have been recent positive developments with regard to the use of technology to support Garda operations. In particular, I have been informed that a project to migrate all Garda desktop PCs to a new industry standard operating system is 95% complete and will be fully completed in January 2015.
An additional upgrade that will facilitate additional functionality in the area of data classification is also being implemented as part of this upgrade. More efficient and cost effective printing services and data storage facilities and the virtualisation of server environments have also been achieved in recent months and the forensic capacity of An Garda Síochána will soon be enhanced by the new national DNA database which is expected to become operational in the new year.
305. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the independent review mechanism will be complete; the costs to date of conducting the independent review mechanism; the estimated cost of the review; the replacement for the independent review mechanism; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49352/14]
View answerThe Deputy is referring to the mechanism established for the independent review of certain allegations of Garda misconduct, or inadequacies in the investigation of certain allegations, which have been made to me as Minister for Justice and Equality, or the Taoiseach, with a view to determining to what extent and in what manner further action may be required in each case. A panel consisting of two Senior and five Junior Counsel was established for the purpose. The counsel appointed to the panel were all selected on the basis of their experience of the criminal justice system.
The independent review is well under way and 307 cases have been referred to them. It is important that nothing arises which might detract from the integrity of the review mechanism. It is therefore considered inappropriate to place a time constraint upon the working of the Panel, although they intend to conclude their work as soon is reasonably practicable.
The costs to date have been approximately €164,000 including VAT.
The independent review mechanism was established as a temporary measure, but I have no doubt that the contents of the recommendations received from the Panel will also inform how we deal with any such issues in the future, after the independent review mechanism has concluded its work. In that context, the Deputy will be aware that, as part of the Government's comprehensive programme of reform in the areas of policing and justice in the State, I am bringing forward new legislation to amend the Garda Síochána Act 2005 to strengthen the remit and powers of GSOC, which is the statutory independent body set up under the Act with oversight functions in relation to the Garda Síochána. One of the legislative changes is to broaden the scope for me as Minister to refer any matter that gives rise to a concern to GSOC for investigation, and I would envisage GSOC as the primary mechanism for the future examination of allegations of this nature.
306. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the commission of investigation recommended by the Guerin report will be established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49353/14]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that I intend laying the draft order to establish this Commission of Investigation, including its terms of reference, before both Houses of the Oireachtas in the very near future.
307. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the operation of the Court of Appeal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49354/14]
View answerThe scheduling of court cases and the allocation of court business is a matter for the Presidents of the courts and the presiding judge who are under the Constitution independent in the exercise of their judicial functions. The Court of Appeal was established by order of the Government on 28th October, 2014 and sat for the first time on Wednesday 5 November, 2014. The bench of the Court of Appeal comprises a President and nine ordinary Judges.
In relation to the civil business of the court, the Supreme Court has transferred a caseload of 1,368 civil matters to the Court of Appeal, including 258 cases that were already certified as ready for hearing. A further 78 new cases have been lodged. In relation to the criminal business of the court, sentence related appeals in approximately 140 cases that were ready to proceed have been listed for the current sittings. These cases are either appeals against severity of sentence or appeals by the Director of Public Prosecution on the ground of undue leniency. I am informed that as of the 11th December 2014, the court has disposed of 87 criminal appeal cases and in relation to the civil caseload it has heard and determined 15 interlocutory motions and disposed of 9 appeals.
The Judges of the Court of Appeal have developed new procedures for dealing with the caseload of the court which are designed to ensure that cases are managed from the date of the appeal. These procedures are set out in the Practice Directions of the President of the Court of Appeal and in the Rules of the Superior Courts, all of which are available from the Courts Service website. Written judgments of the court will also be published on the Courts Service website.
309. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total external public relations costs incurred by her Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [49385/14]
View answerMy Department did not incur any costs in relation to the provision of public relations services during the years in question.
It is my Department's policy to use in house resources as much as possible and to restrict the use of external groups to a minimum.
310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if or when an application for naturalisation can be facilitated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow in view of the urgent necessity to qualify for a higher education grant. [49401/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a valid application for a certificate of naturalisation has been received from the person referred to by the Deputy.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process. I am informed that this application is now at an advanced stage of processing and the applicant will be informed of my decision in due course.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
311. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding long-term residency entitlement in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49404/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that a new application for this person received on 08/12/14 is currently receiving attention.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up-to-date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
312. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 73 of 20 November 2014, the current and likely residency position in the case of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 24, whose spouse is an EU national and who has three dependent children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49405/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person referred to is an EU National, and is entitled to remain in the State whilst he is exercising his EU Treaty Rights.
The spouse of the above named was granted permission to remain in the State as the spouse of an EU national who was exercising their EU Treaty Rights in this State. This permission was valid until 24th January 2012. This permission was not renewed as the person concerned failed to submit satisfactory evidence of the EU citizen, exercising his EU Treaty Rights in the State for a continuous period of five years. The person concerned was notified of this decision by letter dated 9th July 2012. The matter is now being considered by INIS under Regulation 20 of the European Communities (Free Movement of Persons Regulations) 2006 and 2008. All information and documentation on file will be fully considered in advance of final decisions being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
313. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the decision to deport in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford who has been here for almost ten years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49406/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the Reply given to his Parliamentary Question No. 122 on Thursday 6th November, 2014. The status of the person concerned is as set out in that Reply.
I am informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned, together with other family members are the subject of Deportation Orders.
However, if new information or circumstances have come to light, which has a direct bearing on her case, and which have arisen since the original Deportation Order was made, there remains the option of a request that I use my discretion, pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act, 1999 (as amended) to revoke the Deportation Order. However I wish to make clear that such a request would require substantial grounds to be successful. In the mean-time, the Deportation Order remains valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
314. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the decision to deport in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49407/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order.
Representations were received in late 2013 from the person's legal representative, pursuant to Section 3 (11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), to revoke the Deportation Order. The Deputy might wish to note that any such decision will be to 'affirm' or to 'revoke' the existing Deportation Order. In the mean-time, the Deportation Order remain valid and in place.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
315. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current and or likely position in respect of long-term residency or naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49416/14]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned has current permission to remain in the State until 16th July, 2016. The child of the person concerned is included in that permission.
It will be open to the person concerned to apply to the Citizenship Division of my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation when they are in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to the lodgement of such applications. Details on the criteria to be met by persons lodging such applications are available from the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Website (www.inis.gov.ie).
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
316. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 79 of 26 November 2014, the extent to which her Department has received requests for increased Garda strength from the Garda authorities in Kildare, in respect of the various Garda stations outlined in her reply, with particular reference to those stations that have experienced a reduction in manning levels in recent years; the extra number of gardaí now required in the county to bring the various stations currently deficient in numbers up to optimum levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49431/14]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. In this regard and as I have previously stated in my reply to the Deputy on the 26 November 2014, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
The first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College in Templemore on Monday 15th September 2014 and I recently announced a further intake of 200 recruits into the Garda College, Templemore. The intake will be in two batches, the first was on 15 December and the second in early 2015. This will bring to 300 the number of recruits in the Garda College and is a measure of this Government's commitment to ensure that recruitment to An Garda Síochána continues seamlessly. The first batch of recruits (already in training) will attest as members of the Garda Síochána in May of 2015 and will be assigned to Garda Stations throughout the country by the Garda Commissioner. The Garda Commissioner, will of course, continue to keep the needs of the Kildare Division under review within the overall context of the needs of Garda Divisions throughout the country.
317. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department has published its annual report for 2013. [48765/14]
View answerMy Department has not yet published its annual report for 2013.
318. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the helpline set up to deal with mother and baby home queries is still operational; the number of calls the helpline has received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48779/14]
View answerThe telephone Information line available for people seeking information or details of support available to those affected by issues relating to Mother and Baby Homes remains operational. Those seeking such information may telephone the HSE National Information Line; Low Call Telephone 1850 24 1850 during Monday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm. The HSE National Counselling Service is also available to assist those affected and callers to the HSE National Information line will be connected to a local service. The service provides professional, confidential counselling and psychotherapy service free of charge in all regions of the Health Service Executive for adults who have experienced trauma and abuse in childhood with priority given to adult survivors of institutional abuse in Ireland.
I am advised by the administrators of the Information line that it has received a number of contacts related to Mother and Baby Homes, including some callers already know to the services, since these arrangements were initially announced on the 18th June. I will arrange for the HSE to provide the Deputy with exact figures directly once collated.
Those affected can also directly contact the CONNECT free telephone out of hours professional counselling and support service where they can talk in confidence with a trained counsellor. CONNECT is an out of hours service available from 6-10 pm from Wednesday to Sunday. The CONNECT out of hours service is contactable at Freephone 1800 477 477 from the Republic of Ireland and 00800 477 477 77 from Northern Ireland and the UK.
These Helpline contact details have been published on the Department of Children & Youth Affairs website (www.dcya.gov.ie). The arrangements have also been included in a number of statements made in the Houses by my predecessor and media updates issued through my Department’s press office and HSE communications offices.
319. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the legal costs incurred by Tusla to date in 2014. [48784/14]
View answerI am informed by Tusla that they have paid €35.5 million in legal costs to date in 2014.
320. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions he will take to address the very serious concerns of an organisation (details supplied) regarding funding for its emergency phone line and fears that it will no longer be operational on a 24 hour basis. [48792/14]
View answerI am aware that the ISPCC has been experiencing difficulties with regard to the funding of Childline which is a dedicated 24 hour listening service for children. Officials from my Department and the Child and Family Agency met with representatives from the ISPCC on a couple of occasions very recently.
The purpose of these meetings was to clarify the nature and extent of the difficulties being faced by Childline. Arising from the meetings, the ISPCC has provided additional information which is being examined. Another meeting with the ISPCC is scheduled for tomorrow. I will be happy to keep the Deputy updated on this matter.
321. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the number of interventions under section 12 of the Child Care Act notified to the Child and Family Agency every month to date in 2014; the number of individual children involved; the number of such interventions that resulted in the child being admitted to care; the number of such interventions that resulted in the child being immediately returned home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48851/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to the reply on Wednesday, 17 September 2014, to Parliamentary Question number 32972/14, which noted that the Child and Family Agency advised that data in relation to Section 12 of the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, is collated on an annual basis only and the figures for this year are expected to be available in early 2015. The position remains unchanged.
322. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the request for assistance with the provision of a necessary facility for children (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48904/14]
View answerIn recent years capital funding has been made available to my Department for the development of youth café facilities. In 2013 a capital allocation of €1.5m was made available by my Department for the provision of new youth cafes. Pobal assisted my Department with the administration of the scheme. Some 95 applications were received and 30 proposals for new youth cafes around the country were approved for funding.
I am advised that an application was received in respect of a youth café in Monasterevin from Kildare Youth Services. However, the application was unsuccessful on this occasion as it did not achieve a sufficiently high score for inclusion in the final list of projects approved for funding. An application from County Kildare Youth Hub in Kildare Town was successful and has received a capital grant of €50,000 towards the cost of developing a new youth café facility. The group is working with Pobal to complete the youth café project.
My Department does not have available to it a capital fund for the development of new youth cafés in 2014. Youth Cafés offer young people a safe, alcohol and drug free space, for recreation, non-formal learning and youth activities and they make an important contribution to facilities for young people at local level. The development of youth café facilities is a priority for my Department should further capital funding become available in future years.
323. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social work posts within Tusla that are vacant; if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis of the numbers employed and posts vacant; the steps being taken to fill vacant posts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48928/14]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) have advised that there were 1,395.22 whole time equivalent social workers employed in its services throughout the country at the end of October 2014. They have further advised that they are currently recruiting an additional 175 social workers to meet existing vacancies. In addition to this, a system of risk analysis is in place in each area to ensure that staffing numbers do not fall to an unsafe level and gaps identified through this process are addressed with the additional resource of temporary staff as required.
The following table provides a breakdown of the numbers employed and vacant posts being filled, which is compiled by region rather than on a county basis.
Child and Family Agency – Social Work numbers - 30th October 2014
|
- |
Social Work WTE |
Vacancies being filled |
|
Child Residential Service |
16.00 |
|
|
Residential DML |
6.00 |
|
|
Residential DNE |
2.23 |
|
|
Residential South |
4.77 |
|
|
Special Care Services |
3.00 |
|
|
Corporate |
6.00 |
|
|
Corporate |
5.00 |
|
|
Early Years Service |
1.00 |
|
|
Dublin Mid Leinster |
362.09 |
55 |
|
Dublin South Central |
79.86 |
15 |
|
Dublin Sth East\Wicklow |
86.33 |
16 |
|
Dublin Sth West\Kildare West Wicklow |
86.48 |
14 |
|
Midland |
76.92 |
10 |
|
Regional Services DML |
32.50 |
|
|
Dublin North East |
328.31 |
66 |
|
Cavan\Monaghan |
24.31 |
4 |
|
Dublin North City |
126.84 |
24 |
|
Louth\Meath |
85.25 |
15 |
|
North Dublin |
51.97 |
23 |
|
Regional Services DNE |
39.94 |
|
|
South |
347.22 |
26 |
|
Carlow\Kilkenny\Sth Tipperary |
56.64 |
7 |
|
Cork |
158.57 |
8 |
|
Kerry |
14.81 |
2 |
|
Regional Services South |
34.62 |
|
|
Waterford\Wexford |
82.58 |
9 |
|
West |
335.6 |
28 |
|
Donegal |
55.18 |
2 |
|
Galway\Roscommon |
81.22 |
8 |
|
Mayo |
33.66 |
3 |
|
Mid West |
112.98 |
14 |
|
Regional Services West |
13.13 |
|
|
Sligo\Leitrim |
39.43 |
1 |
|
Grand Total |
1395.22 |
175 |
324. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps taken since the Health Information and Quality Authority review to address concerns raised regarding Tusla services in County Roscommon; the steps yet to be taken to fulfil all outstanding aspects of the recommendations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48929/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Health Information and Quality Authority carried out an inspection of the Co. Roscommon child welfare and protection services of the Child and Family Agency. The report in respect of monitoring against national standards was published in July 2014. This inspection report indicated that the service was well managed and that key staff provided appropriate leadership in the context of the transition to the new Child and Family Agency. It also found that children received a child-centred child protection and welfare service which supported them in the key decisions about their safety and welfare. The report identifies issues whereby children identified as ‘high priority’ were not allocated but later states that appropriate action was taken for all children deemed to be at immediate or serious risk. Many of the deficits identified by HIQA related to factors that were outside of the immediate control of the service. For example, the report states that assessments were of a high quality but would benefit from guidance on risk and thresholds of harm. Guidance on these issues is being developed at national level and is to be rolled out for all areas.
An action plan to address the moderate non-compliance issues was also published and it noted that a number of actions or interim steps had been taken at the time of publication. Initiatives at Agency level that are under way at present will inform the work to address the recommendations in the report involving communications and thresholds. I have asked the Agency to provide an update on this action plan and I will reply to the Deputy when this is to hand.
325. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the priorities in his Department for the remainder of the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49018/14]
View answerDeputy, I have considered, in conjunction with senior officials in my Department, my priorities for the remainder of my term of office. There is much work to be done and it is not without its challenges. Obviously, to deliver in full on our commitments in the Programme for Governments is of key importance and, in that context, the following will form part of my key priorities.
My most immediate priority is to establish and support a Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes. This is a complex subject and has required extensive consultation and very careful consideration. It is not a short-term project and will continue to require the support of the Government beyond our present term.
This government committed to fundamentally reforming the delivery of child and family welfare and child protection services, creating a dedicated Agency and reforming the model of service delivery. I will continue to work with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to support and progress a wide ranging programme of reform of child and family welfare and protection services. This is a huge undertaking, but I am heartened by knowing that in Gordon Jeyes, the Agency’s CEO, and Norah Gibbons, Chair of the Tusla Board, we have the commitment and dedication we need to reform and transform services for children and families in Ireland.
I intend to honour another Programme for Government commitment by enacting the Children First Bill, which will strengthen the child protection legislative framework in Ireland.
Since taking on the role of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have been fortunate to meet many young people who spent time in care as a child. We know that the transition from living in care to independent living can be a very difficult one. Therefore I also aim to provide for a statutory right to an aftercare plan, so that we will have a clear sense of the needs of every young person as they embark on that transition. This week, Government approved a number of amendments to that legislation on foot of recommendations made by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, and I am grateful to the valuable work the Committee did in that regard.
The new National Children Detention Facilities at Oberstown will be completed shortly: construction work is being finalised, new staff are being recruited and trained. We will meet our Programme for Government commitment to end the practice of detaining children in prison facilities. To achieve that objective, I have received Government approval to make the necessary changes to the Children Act 2001. Amongst other things, this legislation will provide for the merging of the three existing Children Detention Schools into a single legal entity, and will also address a number of legal and policy issues associated with managing all children under the age of 18 on that site. I expect to publish and enact that legislation shortly.
I intend to launch Ireland’s first ever Early Years Strategy creating an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s early years sector. Before finalising the strategy, I want to conduct a series of consultation meetings with a range of interests, so that I will have a better feeling for the views of stakeholders. I also intend to continue quality improvements in early years and child care services and to review existing targeted child care supports. It is crucial that we deliver high standards and transparency in this area, and that all parents have confidence in our early years sector. I am committed to maintaining the universal Early Childhood Care and Education programme, and am also examining the priorities for future investment in terms of the supply, accessibility and affordability of quality child care.
In relation to adoption services, work is continuing on the Heads of Bill for the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill and I hope to be in a position to seek Government approval to publish the Heads of Bill as soon as possible. The Bill aims to provide for structured and regulated access to information and contact for those affected by adoption. Significant legal and operational complexities arise in giving effect to this objective, but I am committed to realising as progressive an approach as possible. Once approved by Government, the Heads of Bill will be sent to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for its detailed consideration. I also hope to conclude a review of the Adoption Act 2010.
I have just announced the commencement of a consultation to ensure that all interests, including youth organisations and services, have the opportunity to input to a new National Youth Strategy. My Department is currently developing the strategy, which will be for all young people aged 10 to 24 years, having particular regard to young people experiencing or at risk of experiencing the poorest outcomes and in most need of support. I intend to publish the new National Youth Strategy early in 2015.
A key concern in reforming services for children and families is the need to bring a greater focus on early intervention and prevention. The Area Based Childhood (ABC) programme was a key commitment of this Government aimed at tackling child poverty, building on and continuing the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme. I intend to develop an evaluation framework for the ABC Programme that will be overseen by an International Expert Advisory Group to build on the learning to date from the existing 13 programme sites. I also hope to develop a high-end mentoring initiative to support other sites who, while unsuccessful in the application stage for ABC, showed potential in terms of the design and delivery of effective evidence informed programmes.
Consistent with a preventative approach, the Deputy will be aware that the Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Bill 2012 completed its passage in the Oireachtas today (18 December 2014). The new law, once commenced, will ban smoking in cars where children are present. I wish to thank all those who worked on that legislation, particularly Senators Jillian Van Turnhout, John Crown, and Mark Daly. Similarly, I am determined to secure the passage of the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014. This legislation will effectively remove the last billboard for tobacco products – the cigarette box itself – and I passionately believe it will reduce the number of children and young persons starting to smoke.
In April of this year, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young people was launched. The document is a milestone in developing a coordinated, government-wide set of actions to provide a better future for our children and young people. It is the first national policy framework that spans the age range of 0 to 24 years, bringing together policies for all children and young people right across government. As a third of the Irish population is aged between 0 and 24, the scale of the task speaks for itself. I have established an Advisory Council, with a range of independent experts and leading representatives from NGOs, to leverage engagement with the whole of society to move this agenda on. In 2015, it is a key priority of mine and my department, to work with the Advisory Council and my government colleagues to implement the wide range of actions set out in the Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures framework.
326. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form by county, the funding his Department has provided for youth cafés every year since 2011. [49094/14]
View answerIn recent years there has been a significant investment in the development of youth café facilities in Ireland and capital funding has been made available to my Department for these facilities.
In 2013 a capital allocation of € 1.5m was made available to my Department for a new Youth Café scheme. In all 95 applications with proposals for new youth cafés were received and some 30 proposals were approved for funding. These projects are currently working with Pobal to develop their projects to the next stage. In 2012 €.5m was made available to my Department and 8 proposals for new youth cafés were approved.
In 2010/2011 €1.5m was allocated to support the provision of Youth Café facilities and 64 projects were approved for funding. There were two strands to the funding scheme. Strand 1 was for new youth cafés and strand 2 provided grants for upgrading or maintenance/ improvement to existing cafés. As a result 16 new youth café were approved and 48 existing youth cafés received grants to upgrade facilities. An additional €200,000 was made available by my Department in December 2011 to support a further 18 youth projects in providing or maintaining youth cafés facilities.
A detailed list by county of the youth café projects funded is being compiled by my Department and will be forwarded to the Deputy shortly.
327. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form divided by county, the funding his Department has provided for community child care services, parent and toddler groups and childminders every year since 2011. [49095/14]
View answerThe tables show the information sought by the Deputy.
Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Programme
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
Carlow |
1,563,832 |
1,306,717 |
1,108,801 |
|
Cavan |
1,135,083 |
1,061,251 |
710,482 |
|
Clare |
1,820,275 |
2,218,386 |
2,041,380 |
|
Cork City |
1,566,636 |
1,802,179 |
1,650,589 |
|
Cork County |
1,519,124 |
1,726,694 |
1,514,077 |
|
Donegal |
878,483 |
1,178,156 |
1,289,862 |
|
Dublin City |
8,844,859 |
9,839,867 |
9,371,267 |
|
Dún Laoghaire/Rathdown |
481,904 |
571,229 |
426,525 |
|
Fingal |
773,856 |
665,381 |
674,874 |
|
Galway City |
809,449 |
817,660 |
756,533 |
|
Galway County |
1,389,917 |
1,241,976 |
1,432,879 |
|
Kerry |
1,971,418 |
2,180,618 |
1,813,589 |
|
Kildare |
678,664 |
726,197 |
815,785 |
|
Kilkenny |
1,367,531 |
1,497,836 |
1,391,910 |
|
Laois |
962,471 |
1,008,711 |
1,108,104 |
|
Leitrim |
770,156 |
885,539 |
795,283 |
|
Limerick City |
1,686,291 |
1,866,977 |
1,497,110 |
|
Limerick County |
770,913 |
1,000,215 |
831,732 |
|
Longford |
1,084,367 |
1,176,064 |
1,062,129 |
|
Louth |
1,525,638 |
1,540,580 |
1,438,821 |
|
Mayo |
1,603,337 |
1,683,504 |
1,456,517 |
|
Meath |
676,792 |
863,774 |
842,064 |
|
Monaghan |
2,045,463 |
2,171,193 |
2,132,712 |
|
North Tipperary |
440,706 |
555,317 |
640,868 |
|
Offaly |
260,742 |
251,223 |
240,332 |
|
Roscommon |
518,379 |
557,593 |
587,323 |
|
Sligo |
1,080,898 |
1,269,838 |
1,390,844 |
|
South Dublin |
2,348,806 |
2,631,622 |
2,404,084 |
|
South Tipperary |
768,377 |
741,885 |
689,865 |
|
Waterford City |
1,003,200 |
1,164,218 |
1,397,139 |
|
Waterford County |
465,180 |
436,119 |
577,245 |
|
Westmeath |
1,753,748 |
1,734,592 |
1,363,903 |
|
Wexford |
1,213,643 |
1,404,948 |
1,318,007 |
|
Wicklow |
478,061 |
744,046 |
638,446 |
|
Totals |
46,258,199 |
50,522,105 |
47,411,080 |
Childcare Education & Training Support (CETS) Programme
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
Carlow |
375,920 |
177,175 |
78,674 |
|
Cavan |
65,035 |
85,905 |
82,747 |
|
Clare |
703,300 |
417,895 |
244,753 |
|
Cork City |
364,685 |
236,915 |
67,994 |
|
Cork County |
280,730 |
139,915 |
79,268 |
|
Donegal |
199,480 |
233,275 |
191,831 |
|
Dublin City |
1,279,195 |
1,053,670 |
682,583 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
240,805 |
197,220 |
107,705 |
|
Fingal |
195,160 |
91,595 |
55,600 |
|
Galway City |
32,200 |
16,345 |
22,255 |
|
Galway County |
342,535 |
207,860 |
177,448 |
|
Kerry |
213,900 |
222,075 |
223,275 |
|
Kildare |
108,345 |
59,935 |
109,881 |
|
Kilkenny |
162,120 |
127,350 |
95,290 |
|
Laois |
27,860 |
46,440 |
28,536 |
|
Leitrim |
60,005 |
71,050 |
107,013 |
|
Limerick City |
78,115 |
129,150 |
122,520 |
|
Limerick County |
250,040 |
83,530 |
49,510 |
|
Longford |
163,360 |
151,550 |
144,503 |
|
Louth |
107,820 |
95,910 |
77,551 |
|
Mayo |
199,355 |
127,110 |
55,739 |
|
Meath |
117,305 |
102,046 |
62,804 |
|
Monaghan |
179,695 |
212,435 |
185,079 |
|
North Tipperary |
155,150 |
84,285 |
45,094 |
|
Offaly |
26,980 |
23,805 |
32,483 |
|
Roscommon |
99,530 |
107,767 |
53,925 |
|
Sligo |
163,445 |
114,935 |
159,028 |
|
South Dublin |
316,545 |
222,520 |
152,733 |
|
South Tipperary |
194,455 |
177,430 |
152,190 |
|
Waterford City |
349,225 |
251,370 |
233,866 |
|
Waterford County |
131,545 |
67,965 |
53,000 |
|
Westmeath |
74,225 |
115,410 |
42,536 |
|
Wexford |
140,340 |
136,210 |
109,395 |
|
Wicklow |
449,675 |
364,255 |
228,289 |
|
Totals |
7,848,080 |
5,952,303 |
4,315,098 |
Childminding Development Grants
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
|
Carlow |
0 |
4,373 |
3,278 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
3,308 |
4,387 |
|
Clare |
0 |
6,754 |
6,494 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
3,136 |
4,778 |
|
Cork County |
0 |
9,501 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
4,999 |
0 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
8,640 |
10,710 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
0 |
2,928 |
5,085 |
|
Fingal |
0 |
10,984 |
10,191 |
|
Galway City & County |
0 |
9,246 |
5,516 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
7,000 |
13,267 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
6,594 |
13,529 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
6,078 |
1,649 |
|
Laois |
0 |
33,971 |
0 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
6,001 |
2,900 |
|
Limerick City |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick County |
0 |
6,510 |
10,562 |
|
Longford |
0 |
2,653 |
2,990 |
|
Louth |
0 |
3,269 |
2,498 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
6,689 |
9,420 |
|
Meath |
0 |
1,915 |
9,468 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
5,686 |
1,764 |
|
North Tipperary |
0 |
6,500 |
7,050 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
4,000 |
2,553 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
5,895 |
7,000 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
7,000 |
4,110 |
|
South Dublin |
0 |
3,319 |
0 |
|
South Tipperary |
0 |
5,029 |
850 |
|
Waterford City |
0 |
5,905 |
2,400 |
|
Waterford County |
0 |
6,004 |
7,714 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
1,977 |
2,900 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
7,735 |
4,630 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
6,594 |
13,529 |
|
Totals |
0 |
210,193 |
171,222 |
Parent & Toddler Initiative
|
- |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
|
Carlow |
1,313 |
5,144 |
3,680 |
|
Cavan |
0 |
5,257 |
6,300 |
|
Clare |
0 |
4,724 |
19 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
5,981 |
8,381 |
|
Cork County |
16,099 |
15,600 |
17,112 |
|
Donegal |
2,948 |
12,300 |
13,375 |
|
Dublin City |
0 |
12,500 |
18,914 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
0 |
7,700 |
7,688 |
|
Fingal |
710 |
5,887 |
7,587 |
|
Galway City & County |
6,504 |
18,200 |
17,780 |
|
Kerry |
4,764 |
16,400 |
15,920 |
|
Kildare |
7,234 |
8,307 |
8,326 |
|
Kilkenny |
0 |
5,200 |
4,142 |
|
Laois |
0 |
4,200 |
4,310 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
4,486 |
4,941 |
|
Limerick City |
0 |
0 |
4,000 |
|
Limerick County |
630 |
6,500 |
5,516 |
|
Longford |
0 |
0 |
2,800 |
|
Louth |
1,015 |
3,342 |
7,582 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
11,800 |
14,100 |
|
Meath |
4,852 |
9,400 |
13,115 |
|
Monaghan |
0 |
1,457 |
7,365 |
|
North Tipperary |
0 |
6,600 |
6,910 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
6,857 |
9,515 |
|
Roscommon |
0 |
4,600 |
11,250 |
|
Sligo |
0 |
3,697 |
3,111 |
|
South Dublin |
6,889 |
9,700 |
12,850 |
|
South Tipperary |
0 |
4,500 |
6,550 |
|
Waterford City |
0 |
0 |
1,106 |
|
Waterford County |
0 |
5,600 |
6,984 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
6,807 |
7,657 |
|
Wexford |
1,398 |
9,800 |
7,287 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
9,000 |
11,675 |
|
Totals |
54,356 |
231,546 |
277,848 |
ECCE PAID TO COMMUNITY BASED SERVICES
|
School Year |
School Year |
School Year |
|
|
County |
2011-2012 |
2012-2013 |
2013-2014 |
|
Carlow |
804,504 |
757,074 |
734,715 |
|
Cavan |
1,084,943 |
1,120,120 |
1,046,935 |
|
Clare |
1,284,600 |
1,247,767 |
1,325,243 |
|
Cork |
5,622,203 |
5,137,913 |
5,081,429 |
|
Donegal |
3,063,843 |
2,713,427 |
2,699,546 |
|
Dublin |
7,177,649 |
7,701,058 |
7,646,063 |
|
Galway |
2,812,180 |
2,873,129 |
2,595,553 |
|
Kerry |
2,010,742 |
2,033,473 |
1,850,701 |
|
Kildare |
631,861 |
601,310 |
642,185 |
|
Kilkenny |
730,081 |
745,339 |
749,019 |
|
Laois |
607,162 |
672,550 |
728,160 |
|
Leitrim |
694,691 |
635,701 |
617,375 |
|
Limerick |
1,776,297 |
1,819,341 |
1,791,761 |
|
Longford |
612,890 |
661,002 |
679,196 |
|
Louth |
572,164 |
545,833 |
577,036 |
|
Mayo |
1,819,575 |
1,633,714 |
1,661,107 |
|
Meath |
1,035,441 |
1,020,047 |
814,393 |
|
Monaghan |
1,222,542 |
1,269,655 |
1,240,001 |
|
Offaly |
682,558 |
643,142 |
624,612 |
|
Roscommon |
946,089 |
807,210 |
823,231 |
|
Sligo |
971,034 |
944,353 |
907,924 |
|
Tipperary |
1,676,333 |
1,573,531 |
1,720,143 |
|
Waterford |
1,804,598 |
1,856,869 |
1,888,593 |
|
Westmeath |
695,566 |
725,706 |
711,126 |
|
Wexford |
1,928,123 |
1,993,235 |
1,685,197 |
|
Wicklow |
848,212 |
852,658 |
762,613 |
|
Total |
43,115,878 |
42,585,156 |
41,603,855 |
