Brendan Griffin
Question:485. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1175/15]
View answerForeign Adoptions
Questions (485, 487, 498)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:487. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding a bilateral agreement with Russia which would allow many Russian children in State care to be adopted by Irish families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1356/15]
View answer
Michael Lowry
Question:498. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps being taken to resolve the on-going issues with adoptions from Russia; if a bilateral agreement with Russia on adoption will be advanced; if so, when it can be expected; the timeframe for its creation; if his attention has been drawn to the devastation and heartbreak this ongoing uncertainty is causing for families here already engaged and at an advanced stage of the adoption process with Russia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1193/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 485, 487 and 498 together.
Efforts are ongoing in my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. Following a meeting with a delegation of Russian officials in October 2013 my Department prepared revised draft wording on a number of specific points, which was forwarded to the Russian Authorities in February 2014. In transmitting these revisions it was suggested that should these revisions be acceptable to the Russian Federation, it would be useful for both sides to meet again for further discussions. In April 2014 the Ministry of Education and Science advised the Irish Embassy in Moscow that all proposed adoption agreements were on hold while the Russian Government considered proposals in relation to how they deal with adoption agreements in general.
A reply from the Russian authorities was received in my Department in October 2014 with further correspondence from the Russian authorities received in the Department on 24 December 2014. Consideration of these communications is currently taking place in my Department.
I met the Russian Irish Adoption Group in September of last year to update them on the background to and the current situation with regard to discussions on a possible bilateral adoption agreement with Russia.
Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
Questions (486, 500)
Finian McGrath
Question:486. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding a mother and baby home inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1211/15]
View answer
Fergus O'Dowd
Question:500. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding the proposed mother and baby inquiry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1387/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 500 together.
I announced the proposed Terms of Reference for the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters last week. Relevant details are available on my Department’s website. In developing the Terms of Reference due regard has been given to the emphasis on “Mother and Baby Homes” in the motion approved by Dáil Eireann on the 11th June 2014 and the investigation will examine a wide agenda of matters in relation to these homes. The investigation will thoroughly examine the experience of the many mothers and children who were resident in a Mother and Baby Home over the period 1922-1998. These institutions have not been the central focus of previous statutory investigations.
From the information provided by the Deputy, it would appear that the issues being raised would not be within the remit of this particular Commission. While there are many additional matters which some might like to include, it is preferable that the investigation would focus as intended on mothers and children accommodated in Mother and Baby Homes for the purposes of extended maternity and infant care services. However as an independent Commission it will be a matter for the new Commission to decide how it proceeds with its investigations. Once established, the Commission will publicise its contact details and the person concerned may wish to consider providing the Commission with any information in their possession which they consider may be relevant to its terms of reference.
As we know a major investigation into historical child abuse has already been conducted by the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse. Its remit was to inquire into the abuse of children in institutions in the period 1940 to 1999 and the broad definition of institutions covered included the particular institution raised in the details supplied. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I do not have specific powers to make arrangements for exhumations, but I will refer the details supplied by the Deputy to Minister for Education and Skills for further consideration given her Department's role in relation to such institutions and the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse.
Question No. 487 answered with Question No. 485.
Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries
Questions (488)
Joe Costello
Question:488. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will make arrangements for the exhumation of a child (details supplied) in order to determine cause of death and based on the evidence uncovered, if he will include the case in the inquiry into mother and baby homes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49480/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Deputy may be aware that I have recently received correspondence directly from a solicitor representing the family involved in this case. This correspondence encloses a series of communications over recent years between the family, the Minister for Justice and Equality and the Garda Commissioner.
The papers refer to the detailed investigations which have been undertaken by an Garda Síochána in relation to these matters. Although the position of the Garda authorities is that there is no substantive evidence alleging any criminal act or other matters upon which to base a request for an Exhumation Order, the Minister for Justice and Equality has asked the Dublin Coroner to review the case. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs I do not have specific powers to make arrangements for exhumations, but I will refer the details supplied by the Deputy to Minister Frances Fitzgerald for her consideration pending the outcome of the current review.
With regard to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, I announced the proposed terms of reference for this investigation last week and relevant details are available on my Department’s website.
From the information available, it would appear that the case raised by the Deputy would not be within the remit of this particular Commission. However as an independent Commission it will be a matter for Commission to decide how it proceeds with its investigations. Once established, the Commission will publicise its contact details and the family may wish to consider providing the Commission with any information in their possession which they consider may be relevant to its terms of reference.
Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund
Questions (489)
Robert Troy
Question:489. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will advise Cabra for Youth (details supplied) of its 2015 funding allocation [49510/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional youth organisations. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme 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.
Cabra for Youth receives funding from my Department under the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund. In 2014 the service received an allocation of €205,362.
My Department is now in a position to confirm that overall funding of €49.93m is being made available to support the provision of youth services in 2015. The funding allocations for 2015 envisage no change over the 2014 allocations provided in respect of each of the following youth funding schemes: Youth Service Grant Scheme; Special Projects for Youth; Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund; Youth Information Centres, and Local Drugs Task Force projects.
My Department has commenced work on the detailed 2015 allocations for local projects and every effort will be made to notify youth organisations and youth projects, including Cabra for Youth, of their 2015 allocations as soon as possible.
Sports Funding
Questions (490)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:490. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding that is available from his Department to fund sports activities for young persons in disadvantaged areas. [49630/14]
View answerWritten answers
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional youth organisations. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme 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.
Typically, projects in disadvantaged areas focus on young people at risk of substance misuse, homelessness, anti-social behaviour, early school leaving and youth unemployment. Local projects provide a wide range of programmes and services for young people including drugs education, personal development programmes, outreach and summer programmes, creative/arts, recreational activities and sports activities. Funding is provided to Dublin City Council under the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund for a number of sporting activities. These include Sports Development Officers (€481,107 in 2014) and St. Catherine Community Sports Centre (€276,110 in 2014). Funding is also provided to national sports organisations including Munster Rugby (443,737 in 2014), Limerick GAA (€43,737 in 2014) and the FAI (€336,146 in 2014) under the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund for specific sports activities for young people at risk of disadvantage.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that Budget 2015 has confirmed that funding of €49.93m 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 allocations for youth services and projects in 2015. Every effort will be made to notify youth organisations and projects of their 2015 allocations in respect of their youth services as soon as possible.
Family Support Services
Questions (491)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:491. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a decision been made by his Department of the provision of funding to a centre (details sullied) in County Dublin for 2015. [49650/14]
View answerWritten answers
The Centre referred to by the Deputy has sought to be included within the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme operated by the Child and Family Agency.
The Agency has advised that it is meeting again with the Centre on 19 January next to discuss its application to join the FRC Programme, having regard to the level of funding available in 2015 in this area.
School Completion Programme
Questions (492)
Finian McGrath
Question:492. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the school completion programme funding in Donaghmede, Ayrfield, Kilbarrack and Edenmore areas, Dublin will be protected in 2015; if Túsla is seeking savings from this programme as it has been cut by 33% since 2008 which has had a huge effect on disadvantaged children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49682/14]
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 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 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 have issued over the past month, with a third instalment in May 2015.
There are two School Completion Programme projects for the areas mentioned by the Deputy. The Donaghmede Ayrfield and Edenmore project is comprised of six primary schools and two post-primary schools. I am advised that an amount of €214,184 was allocated by the Agency to this project for the school year 2014-2015, of which €174, 024 has been paid in two instalments by 31 December 2014, with a final payment of €40,160 due in May 2015. The Edenmore, Kilbarrack, Raheny SCP Project comprises of three Primary and one post-primary school. I am advised that an amount of €178,203 was allocated by the Agency to this project for the school year 2014-2015, of which €144,790 has been paid in two instalments by 31 December 2014, with a final payment of €33,413 due in May 2015. The amounts provided for 2014-2015 take account of the savings requirements in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. The allocation of the funding across the range of interventions planned for young people and between the local schools in the School Completion Programme project for the area is a matter for the Local Management Committee.
The estimate for the Child and Family Agency for 2015 is €631 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation. My Department has recently issued a Performance Statement to the Agency under Section 45 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. This includes my priorities for consideration in the development of the Agency's 2015 Business Plan. The Business Plan will set out the Agency's proposed activities, programmes and priorities for 2015, including provision for the School Completion Programme, in the 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.
Youth Services Funding
Questions (493)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:493. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding the recent allocation of capital grants for youth projects, if he will provide a breakdown of the amount of spending involved and the proportion of spending allocated to each local authority area; and when these grants will resume. [49742/14]
View answerWritten answers
In 2014 some €500,000 in capital funding was made available to my Department for small capital projects in the youth services. The aim of this capital funding scheme was to provide much needed assistance to youth projects to improve the facilities and equipment available for their work with young people in their communities. The grants awarded under this funding scheme will provide for the up-grade or replacement of equipment or for the purchase of essential equipment to support the running of the project/organisation.
In December, I was pleased to announce the allocation of capital grants to 50 youth projects and organisations throughout the country. Of these, 43 of the grants were allocated to local organisations, while 7 were allocated to national organisations. The scheme was run in conjunction with the Education and Training Boards and the details of awards under the scheme are provided by Education Training Board area, in the table below.
In 2015, further capital funding of €500,000 is being made available by my Department to support capital projects in the youth services. The focus of the 2015 scheme is a support for capital projects such as health and safety improvements to premises or the upgrade or refurbishment of premises. The closing date for applications is 27th February 2015. Further details are available on my Department's website at www.dcya.gov.ie or from the Youth Officer in the local Education and Training Board.
|
Education and Training Board area |
Project Name |
Grant Allocation |
|
Cavan and Monaghan |
Youth Information Café/Early school leavers programme |
€14,578.48 |
|
City of Dublin |
The Cavan Centre funded by City of Dublin Youth Services Board |
€10,000.00 |
|
City of Dublin |
SAYS - South Area Youth Service |
€15,000.00 |
|
City of Dublin |
Clay Crumlin Lower |
€3,393.00 |
|
City of Dublin |
East Wall North Port |
€3,393.00 |
|
City of Dublin |
Poppintree Youth Project |
€4,862.30 |
|
Cork |
Churchfield Cork |
€12,143.00 |
|
Cork |
Cloyne Diocesan Youth Services, Cork County |
€14,428.00 |
|
Cork |
St Kevins Youth Encounter Project |
€4,020.87 |
|
Donegal |
The DECK |
€15,000.00 |
|
Donegal |
Travteen Youth Service, Letterkenny |
€7,231.00 |
|
Dublin and Dun Laighaoire |
Outdoor Learning Centre |
€15,000.00 |
|
Dublin and Dun Laighaoire |
Balbriggan Youth Service |
€15,000.00 |
|
Dublin and Dun Laighaoire |
Blanchardstown Youth Service |
€14,951.23 |
|
Galway and Roscommon |
Forum Adolescent Support Programme |
€11,377.00 |
|
Galway and Roscommon |
Westside Project Youth Work Ireland |
€4,898.98 |
|
Galway and Roscommon |
Youth Work Ireland, Roscommon |
€8,995.45 |
|
Kerry |
Listowel SPY (Special Project for Youth) |
€11,040.26 |
|
Kerry |
Killarney SPY (Special Project for Youth) |
€7,500.00 |
|
Kerry |
Tralee SPY (Special Project for Youth) |
€7,500.00 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow |
Kildare Town Curragh |
€15,000.00 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow |
Ossory Youth |
€15,000.00 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow |
Wicklow Travellers Group |
€6,260.56 |
|
Kildare and Wicklow |
The Seomra Bray and Ballywaltrim |
€13,091.60 |
|
Kilkenny and Carlow |
Carlow Regional Service |
€15,000.00 |
|
Laois and Offaly |
Youth Work Ireland Laois |
€14,987.01 |
|
Laois and Offaly |
Tullamore Youth Project |
€1,681.57 |
|
Limerick and Clare |
Clare Youth Service |
€11,423.00 |
|
Limerick and Clare |
St John's Partnership |
€13,134.00 |
|
Limerick and Clare |
Loobagh Area Youth Project |
€4,943.00 |
|
Longford and Westmeath |
Midlands Regional Youth Service Westmeath |
€1,000.00 |
|
Longford and Westmeath |
Foroige Athlone |
€13,227.39 |
|
Louth and Meath |
Youth Work Ireland Coxes |
€3,020.00 |
|
Louth and Meath |
Dundalk Youth Café |
€9,520.00 |
|
Louth and Meath |
Involve |
€12,142.62 |
|
Mayo Sligo and Leitrim |
Ballina Youth Project |
€10,389.28 |
|
Mayo Sligo and Leitrim |
Sligo Leitrim Home Youth Liason School Project |
€8,311.52 |
|
Tipperary |
Tipperary SPY (Special Project for Youth) |
€14,810.20 |
|
Tipperary |
Tipperary Youth Information Project |
€11,345.69 |
|
Tipperary |
Foroige Nenagh Youth Development Project |
€10,256.28 |
|
Waterford and Wexford |
Edmund Rice Youth and Community Multiplex |
€4,786.80 |
|
Waterford and Wexford |
Ferrybank Drug Prevention |
€13,596.15 |
|
Waterford and Wexford |
Northern Suburban Community Youth Project |
€1,759.92 |
|
National Organisation |
Grant allocation |
|
Eco Unesco |
€15,000 |
|
Ogras |
€14,105.26 |
|
Irish Methodist Youth and Children’s Department |
€15,000 |
|
Young Irish Film Makers |
€15,024.45 |
|
National Association for Youth Drama |
€10,864.36 |
|
Catholic Guides of Ireland |
€2,503 |
|
Voluntary Service International |
€2,503.00 |
Children First Guidelines
Questions (494)
Michael McGrath
Question:494. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs regarding child protection, the steps that a person must undertake, and the approvals they must secure, in regard to setting up classes for regular fitness classes with a qualified instructor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49761/14]
View answerWritten answers
Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children is the current national policy which sets out the non-statutory child protection requirements which are in place for all sectors of society. A person wishing to establish a service for children should familiarise themselves with this publication, which is available on my Department's website.
The Children First Bill, 2014, which is currently progressing through the Oireachtas, will place key elements of the Children First National Guidance on a statutory basis once it is enacted and commenced. In effect, this means that providers of relevant services will acquire a number of statutory obligations. Under the Bill, providers of relevant services are defined as organisations which employ one or more persons. Relevant services are listed in Schedule 1 of the Children First Bill and include leisure and physical activities, such as fitness classes for children. Once the Bill is commenced, a provider of relevant services will be required to undertake a risk assessment of the potential harm which could come to a child while availing of the services, and to then prepare a Child Safeguarding Statement which outlines the policies and procedures which are in place to mitigate the risks identified.
In parallel to the legislative process, my officials are currently revising and updating the existing Children First National Guidance. This is to ensure that the Guidance, which will continue as the basis for all citizens to report concerns, reflects the new legislative obligations and provides, in one place, a complete reference resource for individuals and organisations. This will provide clarity and ensure consistency between the proposed legislation and the existing non-statutory obligations which will continue to operate administratively for all sectors of society.
Requirements in relation to the vetting of persons who work with children are a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality. The Deputy should refer to the website of that Department for further information, including in relation to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act, 2012.
Departmental Agencies Funding
Questions (495)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:495. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of agencies quangos or other bodies within, funded by or established by his Department which have been scrapped, merged or reduced since this Government was formed; the amount saved in each case; the reduction in staff as a result; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1009/15]
View answerWritten answers
I would like to inform the Deputy that there are three agencies which are currently funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency and the Ombudsman for Children's Office.
Up to 31 December, 2013, my Department also funded the Family Support Agency (FSA) and the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB). The Child and Family Agency, established on 1st January 2014 under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, has statutory responsibility for services previously provided by the NEWB and FSA. In addition, the Agency has responsibility for children and family services previously delivered by the HSE together with domestic and sexual violence services, certain psychological welfare services, and preschool inspection services. The coming together under one Agency of such a range of services provides a platform for the delivery of more efficient and effective services to children and families. The remit of the Agency will contribute to the achievement of its overall vision, which is seeking to bring about greater integration of services with a focus on early intervention and community engagement.
As the new Agency subsumed all of the staff and functions of the NEWB and the FSA there have been no savings of any significance accruing. The achievement of establishing the Agency means that, for the first time, there is a dedicated body responsible for child care and protection in Ireland. However, it is envisaged that when the staff of the former FSA and NEWB move into Tusla's new building, there will be a full year saving of €112k based on rent.
In July 2011, the Government decided that the Family Mediation Service should transfer from the Family Support Agency to the Legal Aid Board. This is in line with the Government's commitment to facilitate the use of mediation in family disputes in order to speed up the legal process, reduce cost and ameliorate the stress of contested court proceedings. On 26 October 2011, the Minister for Justice and Equality signed the commencement order for Part 16 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 which gave effect to the transfer from 1st November 2011.
It should be noted that following enactment of the Child Care Amendment Act 2011 the Children's Act Advisory Board was subsequently dissolved by means of the commencement by the Minister of Health of Part 6 of the Child Amendment Act 2011.
Decentralisation Programme Data
Questions (496)
Patrick O'Donovan
Question:496. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the agencies or sections from his Department that were decentralised during the period 1997 to 2011; the travel costs and expenses incurred by decentralised personnel travelling to their base Department in that period. [1024/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department was established in June 2011 and I can confirm that there has been no decentralisation of agencies or sections of my Department since then.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (497)
Dara Calleary
Question:497. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total moneys paid by his Department to external consultants, professional companies or advisors under the jobs action plan in each year since and including 2012; if he will provide in a tabular form the list of those organisations who received money; his Department's procurement policy regarding this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1132/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department did not incur any expenditure on the engagement of external consultants, professional companies or advisors in relation to the implementation of the Action Plan for Jobs.
Question No. 498 answered with Question No. 485.
Social Workers Register
Questions (499)
Michael McGrath
Question:499. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla will to re-open the social workers' panel to new applicants during 2015 for potential vacancies that may arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1331/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Child and Family Agency (TUSLA) has advised me that, at the end of November 2014, they were actively recruiting 192 social workers. Of these, 118 have successfully completed the qualifying stages and are at varying stages of advanced recruitment, such as agreeing start dates. The remaining 74 posts will involve interviewing applicants, some of whom have previously applied for social worker posts. The Agency has advised that as recruitment continues into 2015, further panels will be created and anyone interested in a career with the Agency should monitor their website and apply when the relevant post is advertised.
Question No. 500 answered with Question No. 486.