Written Answers Nos. 341-357
341. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will intervene to overturn the decision to refuse a family unification visa in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15. [2676/15]
View answerThe visa application referred to by the Deputy was received in the Visa Office, Abu Dhabi on 30 October, 2014. Following full consideration, the Visa Officer decided to refuse the grant of the visa on 2 November, 2014. The decision to refuse was appealed on 14 December, 2014 and was upheld by an Appeals Officer on 24 December, 2014. A letter providing the reasons for this was issued to the applicant. At both the stage of the original decision and at appeal stage, it was considered that the financial situation of the sponsor in Ireland fell substantially short of the financial criteria as set out in Paragraph 17.2 of the Policy Document on Non-EEA Family Reunification agreed by the Government last year. In these circumstances, it is reasonable to conclude that the granting of a visa in this case could result in a cost to State funds or resources.
As the appeal process has been completed, the application in question is now closed. However, it is always open to the person concerned to make a new application at any time should they so wish, especially if their or the sponsor's circumstances change. In making a new application, the applicant should be in a position to address the reasons for the original refusal.
Guidelines regarding the visa application procedures are available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service - www.inis.gov.ie. Queries in relation to general matters may be made directly to INIS by email using the Oireachtas Mail facility which as 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 email service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
342. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on response times to parliamentary questions submitted to her and forwarded to the Garda Commissioner; and if she will ensure that all parliamentary questions requiring a further detailed reply are dealt with within a 15-day limit similar to the way other Departments operate. [2681/15]
View answerI appreciate that delays in receiving detailed replies can be frustrating for Deputies. In some instances, however, it is necessary to collate responses from numerous sources and operational pressures may cause delay. I will arrange to have this matter raised with the Garda Commissioner and the Chair designate of the Independent Police Authority with a view to improving my Department's response times.
343. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a new inquiry into the Stardust tragedy (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2707/15]
View answerI met with the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee in July of last year and this meeting provided an opportunity for me to hear their concerns at first hand. At that meeting the Committee and their representatives set out, in some detail, their concerns in relation to the Inquiries into this matter that have been undertaken previously and some related financial issues that have arisen. I indicated to the Committee that, while I am prepared to examine matters they wish to bring to my attention, I am anxious that no unrealistic expectations about what can be achieved are raised.
Following that meeting, I appointed an official in my Department to liaise with the Committee and he has engaged with the Committee and their representatives in relation to these matters. With regard to the question of any new evidence that might warrant the consideration of a further inquiry, two reports compiled by a researcher associated with the Committee were submitted to my Department since my meeting with the Committee. However, subsequently the researcher concerned requested the return of these reports and my Department complied with this request. My Department has, through the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee, requested that the decision to withdraw these reports be reconsidered. The Deputy will be aware that Mr. Paul Coffey SC was appointed in 2008 by the then Government, with the agreement of the Victims Committee, to review the case made by the Committee for a new inquiry into the fire. His report was published in January 2009. He concluded that the original Tribunal finding of arson was a hypothetical one only and that no-one present on the night can be held responsible. He further concluded that in the absence of any identified evidence as to the cause of the fire, the most another inquiry could achieve would be another set of hypothetical findings, which would not be in the public interest. The then Government accepted Mr. Coffey’s findings and motions were passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas endorsing his conclusions and expressing sympathy with the families.
I wish also to inform the Deputy that allegations raised by the Stardust Relatives' and Victims Committee and their representatives in relation to certain matters are the subject of an ongoing investigation by An Garda Síochána. I am informed by the Garda Commissioner, that this is a complex investigation and, as the Deputy will understand, I cannot do anything that might cut across this investigation.
344. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter regarding a posthumous pardon to a person (details supplied); her plans to progress this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2748/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that it is my intention to bring a recommendation to Government in the near future concerning the question of a pardon in this case. The specific issue raised by him will fall to be examined following formal consideration by Government on the question of a pardon. I can, however, advise him that my Department is in contact with family members of the person in question regarding the forthcoming recommendation.
345. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí attached to each Garda station in the Cavan-Monaghan division at the end of December 2010, at the end of December 2011, at the end of December 2012, at the end of December 2013 and at the end of December 2014; her proposals to increase the Garda complement in Cavan-Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2786/15]
View answerOne of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts, is to direct and control An Garda Síochána. The Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keeps 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 Deputy will appreciate that, as with any large organisation, on any given day the number of Gardaí assigned to any Division may fluctuate due, for example, to promotion, transfer, retirements and resignations. I have however been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Cavan/Monaghan Garda Division on 31 December 2010 to 2013 and on 30 November 2014, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was as set out in the table:
Gardaí
|
Station |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Bailieboro |
40 |
40 |
39 |
37 |
36 |
|
Ballyjamesduff |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
3 |
|
Cootehill |
9 |
9 |
9 |
7 |
7 |
|
Kingscourt |
6 |
6 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
|
Mullagh |
1 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
|
Shercock |
2 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Virginia |
5 |
5 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
|
Ballyconnell |
29 |
28 |
25 |
19 |
18 |
|
Bawnboy |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Closed 31/1/13 |
- |
|
Belturbet |
4 |
4 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Blacklion |
4 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Dowra |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Killeshandra |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Swanlinbar |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
Ballybay |
5 |
5 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
|
Carrickmacross |
51 |
46 |
16 |
45 |
43 |
|
Castleblayney |
24 |
24 |
24 |
25 |
26 |
|
Corrinshigagh |
2 |
1 |
1 |
Closed 31/1/13 |
- |
|
Rockcorry |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
|
Shantonagh |
2 |
2 |
1 |
Closed 31/1/13 |
- |
|
Arva |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
Ballinagh |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
|
Cavan |
69 |
62 |
61 |
60 |
59 |
|
Kilnaleck |
4 |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
|
Redhills |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Closed 31/1/13 |
- |
|
Stradone |
1 |
1 |
0 |
Closed 31/1/13 |
- |
|
Clones |
9 |
7 |
6 |
6 |
6 |
|
Clontibret |
1 |
0 |
Closed 30/3/12 |
- |
- |
|
Emyvale |
4 |
4 |
4 |
3 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
97 |
86 |
82 |
81 |
79 |
|
Newbliss |
1 |
1 |
1 |
Closed 31/1/13 |
- |
|
Scotstown |
3 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
346. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support services for all children with a disability in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2325/15]
View answerI should inform the Deputy at the outset that responsibility for disability rests with the Minister for Health. The Department of Justice and Equality leads on the National Disability Strategy and my Department supports that effort.
Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People includes a number of commitments from across a range of Government Departments and agencies aimed at improving outcomes for children and young people with disabilities.
The National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan contains three actions which my Department must progress involving children with disabilities in participation and consultation; needs assessment in the context of child welfare and protection; and better supports in the preschool year.
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme makes special provisions for access by children with special needs. These include an exemption to the upper age limit and the option of splitting the provision over two years, by availing of the programme for 2 days per week in the first year and for 3 days per week in the second year. A module on working with children with special needs is being included in FETAC Level 6 Awards for pre-school leaders to assist in up-skilling pre-school services. My Department has been working with the Departments of Health and Education & Skills on building better supports to facilitate the inclusion of special needs children in mainstream pre-school settings.
I believe that Tusla, now just one year old, has a significant contribution to make to supporting children and families dealing with a disability. I am informed by Tusla that it has put in place a number of its initiatives. The "Meitheal" model currently under development will identify additional supports for families who do not meet the threshold for receipt of a child protection or child welfare service but have other vulnerabilities identified and ensure those needs are met by the appropriate service provider. Tusla is working to enhance links in these areas to ensure that services are provided in a co-ordinated and efficient manner. A key priority for Tusla in 2015 will be the development of collaborative arrangements in respect of primary care provision, including a focus on Youth Mental Health. Performance indicators are in place regarding children in care with disability. Tusla has ongoing liaison with the Health Service Executive with regard to disability services.
In December 2014, the National Disability Authority and Tusla jointly co-hosted a roundtable on "Parents and Parenting with a Disability". The priority issues to emerge from the discussion highlighted a range of needs - early identification and intervention; early assessment based on competency to parent; clarity on the role of statutory bodies; joined-up and planned approach in support services and supports in the community. None of these conclusions are new and none are a surprise but they are a reflection of the challenges that faces families and the services they need in dealing with disability.
347. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the announcement to appoint an official to co-ordinate the State's response to victims of sexual abuse; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45776/14]
View answerI understand that the Deputy may be referring to a request made at a meeting with the Taoiseach, Minister for Education and I with Ms. Louise O'Keeffe late in 2014. During the meeting a number of matters were discussed including the need to ensure that all children have a trusted person to whom they can disclose any abuse which they may have been subject to. During the meeting, I outlined the existing arrangements which are in place under Child First National Guidelines regarding the reporting of abuse. I also outlined the statutory role of the Child and Family Agency under the Child Care Act 1991 and the new responsibilities regarding reporting that will arise from the Children First Bill. In addition, I outlined the very important provisions set out in the Bill regarding the receipt of child's disclosures of harm by mandated persons and the requirements to report such disclosures immediately. Notwithstanding those proposed provisions, I undertook to consider further the need for a "child-friendly" access point for a child to make a disclosure in circumstances where they are reluctant to disclosure to a parent or other trusted adult and in situations where a trusted adult may indeed be the abuser. I have asked the CEO of the Child and Family Agency to consider such matters in devising information and reporting arrangements for the children, parents, mandated persons and other reporters. In particular, I have asked him to consider the possibility of having specific child-oriented access points to ensure that every child has an easy, reliable and approachable point of contact which is well-recognised and appealing to children who find themselves in such circumstances.
349. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by his Department on special advisers for each of the past four years; the way this compares with the four years from 2007 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2501/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table.
|
Year |
Salaries (including Employers PRSI) |
Travel and Subsistence |
Total |
|
June - December 2011 |
€97,868 |
€1,055 |
€98,923 |
|
2012 |
€179,915 |
€2,641 |
€182,556 |
|
2013 |
€160,010 |
€1,250 |
€161,260 |
|
2014 |
€155,406 |
€276 |
€155,682 |
As my Department was established on the 2nd June 2011, I am unable to provide the comparison for the four years from 2007 to 2010.
350. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount spent by his Department on ministerial drivers and associated travel expenses for each of the past four years; the way this compares with similar expenditure for the four years from 2007 to 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2517/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is provided in the table.
|
Year |
Salaries (including Employers PRSI) |
Travel and Subsistence |
Total |
|
June - December 2011 |
€44,272 |
€2,348 |
€46,620 |
|
2012 |
€77,185 |
€4,964 |
€82,149 |
|
2013 |
€76,990 |
€6,880 |
€83,870 |
|
2014 |
€98,547 |
€12,533 |
€111,080 |
The higher expenditure in 2014 was mainly due to redundancy payments made to two civilian drivers following changes in portfolios of Ministers.
As my Department was established on the 2nd June 2011, I am unable to provide the comparison for the four years from 2007 to 2010.
351. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the fact that under existing legislation, only one member of staff in child care facilities and nurseries is required to be trained in paediatric first aid; in view of the amount of children often on the premises, his views that this law needs to be revised and that this lack of onus on crèches and other facilities is creating a deficiency in care for children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2567/15]
View answerMy Department is in the process of introducing a number of reforms with a view to improving the quality of early years services, including revision of the existing Childcare Regulations as required under amendments to the Childcare legislation.
The final draft of the new regulations will include a requirement that early years services have a person trained in first aid for children available at all times.
My Department is currently considering options in relation to increasing the number of childcare staff required to be trained in paediatric first aid.
352. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department continues to evaluate incidents of child poverty; if any consideration has been given to the selection of pilot areas to address any particularly severe incidences affecting particular locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2739/15]
View answer353. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if his Department continues to liaise with school authorities and/or parents' groups with a view to identifying specific areas of deprivation resulting in child poverty and putting in place remedial measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2740/15]
View answer354. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which his Department continues to identify specific areas and/or locations of social and economic deprivation with a view to engaging with children and young people in a positive and supportive way in an effort to stabilise, assist and meet any obvious deficiencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2742/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 352 to 354, inclusive, together.
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 which is the lead department on child poverty 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. The Department of Social Protection are active partners in the implementation infrastructure of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures which is being led by my Department. The Department of Social Protection also has lead responsibility for the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion.
My Department is leading the implementation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme (2013-2016). The ABC Programme is an innovative prevention and early intervention initiative consisting of committed funding for an area-based approach to helping to improve outcomes for children and thereby impacting on child poverty. The programme builds on and continues the work of the Prevention and Early Intervention Programme (PEIP) 2007 - 2013 which was co-funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (DCYA) and The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP).
The ABC Programme targets investment in evidence-informed interventions to improve the long-term outcomes for children and families living in areas of disadvantage. It aims to break “the cycle of child poverty within areas where it is most deeply entrenched and where children are most disadvantaged, through integrated and effective services and interventions” in the areas of child development, child well-being, parenting and educational disadvantage.
The ABC Programme is jointly funded by my Department and The Atlantic Philanthropies (AP). The total amount of committed funding from both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and The Atlantic Philanthropies available in the period 2013-2016 will be €29.7m.
The ABC Programme Project Team was set up in 2013 to oversee the implementation of the programme. The Project Team is chaired by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and includes representatives from six other Government Departments, our co-funders The Atlantic Philanthropies, Tusla Child and Family Agency as well as two organisations, Pobal and the Centre for Effective Services (CES), which have been designated to manage the programme on behalf of Department of Children and Youth Affairs and The Atlantic Philanthropies.
As part of the rigorous ABC Programme application process, applicants were required to demonstrate through the use of Pobal Maps that their applications covered disadvantaged areas. Pobal Maps was developed by Pobal to allow the identification of disadvantage areas at a local level.
In 2013, 13 sites were approved for inclusion in the ABC Programme. It is expected that all of the projects will be operational in early 2015.
The long term goal of the ABC Programme is to mainstream the learning from the Programme. My Department is currently in the process of considering how best this learning can be disseminated and replicated in mainstream services post 2016. My Department will consider this in consultation with the ABC Project Team to ensure the efficient and effective return on investment in the area of services for children and young people.
355. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department engages with voluntary and local groups and youth services with a view to providing positive and supportive assistance to young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2743/15]
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. In 2015, funding of €49.9m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. 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.
Ongoing engagement and dialogue with the voluntary youth sector organisations and with young people themselves are priorities in the formulation of policies and provision of services to support young people’s development and learning. My Department works closely with the youth sector interests in various fora in developing key initiatives. The National Youth Work Advisory Committee, whose members include representatives of the national youth organisations, Government departments and the Education and Training Boards, that support youth services at local level, has an important advisory role to me in matters to do with provision for young people. My Department has worked with the youth sector on the development of youth work responses to the challenges of youth unemployment, including the contribution that the youth services can make to the Government's employment agenda and the Action Plan For Jobs, 2014.
The youth sector is engaged in the development, by my Department, of the new National Youth Strategy 2014- 2020. The strategy will have its basis in National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, ‘Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures’ and will span the period 2014 – 2020. A National Youth Strategy Task Group, convened by my Department, is overseeing the development of the new Strategy. This Task Group comprises statutory youth interests and voluntary agencies and organisations working with young people.
I am keen that all stakeholders have a role to play in the development of the National Youth Strategy and a comprehensive consultation process is underway at present. It includes online surveys of young people and those working with young people and three major stakeholder consultation events planned for later this month. These events are for young people, the youth sector, NGOs working for and with young people, Education and Training Boards, Government departments, agencies, business and academia and other youth interests.
I, and officials of my Department have met, and continue to meet regularly, with youth organisations and groups. In September, I met with the representatives of some 30 national and major regional youth organisations. 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.
356. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he continues to support Kildare Youth Services; his plans to continue supports to the services in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2744/15]
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 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 2015, funding of €49.9m has been provided to my Department for these schemes. There has been no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations. My Department is in the process of notifying youth organisations and projects, including Kildare Youth Service, of their 2015 allocations in respect of their youth services. An allocation of €488,200 has been allocated for the projects and services under Kildare Youth Services.
Last year, officials of my Department met Kildare Youth Services and have visited their office in Naas to hear about their work and their proposals, for the provision of services in County Kildare. My Department provides funding to Kildare Youth Services under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme in respect of six local youth projects in Athy, Naas, Leixlip, Newbridge, the Curragh and Kildare town and a Youth Information Centre in Naas. In addition, Kildare Youth Hub, Kildare Town has received approval under the 2013 Capital Scheme for the development of a new youth café facility.
357. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he remains satisfied regarding the welfare of children in State care; the number and location of children in State care; if adequate support services remain available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2745/15]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and, if necessary, to receive a child into the care of the State. I am satisfied that the Agency takes its responsibility regarding the welfare of children in care very seriously and that there is a robust framework of regulations and standards, to ensure that children are placed in safe and caring settings. All children in care should have an allocated social worker but it is important to note that if a child has not been allocated a social worker then the cases are reviewed regularly by the principal social worker and are often managed by duty social work teams to ensure the necessary services are being addressed. I would note that the social work services provided under the auspices of the Child and Family Agency are separate from other services, including social, medical and educational services, that a child may require. These services are accessed or continue to be accessed while the child is in care.
The number of children in state care, as of 31 October 2014 was 6,454 and the majority of these children, 93%, were in foster care placements. The number of children in care by area is given in the table below.
|
Area |
Children in Care |
|
Dublin Mid-Leinster |
1,532 |
|
Dublin North East |
1,496 |
|
South |
1,965 |
|
West |
1,461 |
|
Total |
6,454 |
In addition to the inspection regime which gives us information on how standards are being addressed by individual services, the Child and Family Agency has developed a suite of performance indicators to allow policy makers and practitioners to monitor service provision and these are published on the Agency website, www.tusla.ie. As the majority of children in care are in foster care family settings in the community, indicators of stability of the placement and participation in education are useful in monitoring the performance of the Agency in relation to overall welfare. I am happy to say that the Child and Family Agency has reported that the results for these indicators are positive and show that placement stability is very high and participation in education is on a par with the national participation rates.
I am satisfied that the necessary services and supports are in place to ensure the protection and welfare of children in State care, and that we have the structures in place to regulate and inspect service provision. I am also satisfied that my Department and the Agency continue to drive both improvements in the quality of the care services and the quality of the experience for children in care through a partnership approach with services, children and non-governmental bodies.
