Written Answers Nos. 370-387
370. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department monitors the well-being of children in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8288/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the direct provision system is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Department of Justice and Equality has primary responsibility in the area of asylum and immigration.
The Department of Justice and Equality has established a working group to review a range of issues pertaining to asylum seekers and direct provision. The first meeting of the Working Group on the Protection Process was held on the 10th November 2014, chaired by Judge McMahon. The Working Group consists of children's rights advocates, organisations engaged with asylum groups and representatives from a range of relevant government departments, including a representative from my own Department. I look forward to learning of the findings and recommendations of the working group in the Spring of 2015.
371. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which his attention remains focused on the needs of children in direct provision, with particular reference to ensuring that normal standards and expectations are met and that areas such as trafficking are dealt with as a priority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8289/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that the direct provision system is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. The Department of Justice and Equality has primary responsibility in the area of asylum and immigration.
The Department of Justice and Equality has established a working group to review a range of issues pertaining to asylum seekers and direct provision. The first meeting of the Working Group on the Protection Process was held on the 10th November 2014, chaired by Judge McMahon. The Working Group consists of children's rights advocates, organisations engaged with asylum groups and representatives from a range of relevant government departments, including a representative from my own Department. I look forward to learning of the findings and recommendations of the working group in the Spring of 2015.
372. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which children in care, of all ages, continue to receive adequate support and supervision, with particular reference to those in respect of whom particular problems have been identified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8290/15]
View answerThe Child and Family Agency was established in January 2014 and is now the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children. It comprises services for the protection and welfare of children, fostering and residential care services, family support, inspection of early years services and services relating to domestic, sexual and gender based violence. In relation to receiving children into care this can be by a voluntary agreement with parents or guardians, or through a care order that is granted by the Courts . The majority of children who are in care are in foster care with other placements being used where this is assessed as not being suitable for their needs. This can include residential care, special care or other placements (including supported lodging or disability placements). As of October 2014 there were 6,454 children in care, of which 93% were in foster care, 5% were in residential care and the remaining 2% were in other placements. There is statutory provision for support and supervision of children in care; latest figures show that the majority of children in care had an allocated social worker and written care plan. In exceptional cases where an allocated social worker is not in place, the case is monitored at principal social worker level and managed by the duty social work team. It is important to note that urgent cases where a child is at imminent risk are acted upon immediately.
In relation to children for whom particular needs have been identified, it is important to state that children in care attend the same schools and services as other children in the community. This means that if a child in care needs a psychology assessment it would be accessed through the National Educational Psychology Service (NEPS) or through the community psychology service in primary care in the first instance depending on the particular need. These needs would be set out in the child's written care plan. Some residential care services have access to dedicated professionals. For example, children in special care attend school on-site and therapeutic services provided by the Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service (ACTS).
The Agency has a budget of €643 million for 2015, an increase of €34 million on 2014. I am satisfied that the work of the Agency is being well monitored by my Department and that the Agency has prepared a comprehensive business plan that aims to ensure that all children in care receive the supports and service they require.
373. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which the issue of child poverty continues to be monitored by his Department, with particular reference to the need to identify the most vulnerable families, with a view to provision of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8291/15]
View answerBetter Outcomes, Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 - 2020 (BOBF), which was published and launched by Government in 2014, provides the overarching framework for the development and implementation of policy and services for children and young people. As provided for in the Framework, the Department of Social Protection is the lead department on child poverty and has lead responsibility for the commitment 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 also has lead responsibility for the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion. The outcomes of the recent European Commission/ Departmental of Social Protection / Department of Children and Youth Affairs national seminar will inform the development of an implementation plan for tackling child poverty.
My Department is working on a number of initiatives which are relevant in addressing issues related to children poverty. My Department is leading the implementation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme (2013-2016). The ABC Programme is being co-funded by Atlantic Philanthropies and will have a total funding allocation of up to €29.7 million. The ABC Programme draws on best international practice to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched, and improve the outcomes for children and young people and existing services.
My Department is spending €260 million annually on childcare support programmes which provide childcare to 100,000 children. A number of these programmes are targeted at those on lowest incomes. We know from experience of other countries that investment in quality early childhood care and education is important in breaking the inter-generational cycle of poverty.
I have established an Inter-departmental Group to look at the provision right across the 0 to 6 age group as well as to consider the after-school needs of older school-going children. The Group’s work involves, inter alia, identifying policy objectives to guide investment in contributing towards improvements in social inclusion and poverty reduction. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare services. I have asked that this work be carried out within a relatively short time frame and I expect that the Group will be in a position to report me in the Summer.
My Department also provides targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, and Local Drugs Task Force projects. In addition, some 31 national and major regional youth work organisations are supported under my Department's Youth Service Grant Scheme. Other grant schemes include the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. In 2015, current funding of €49.93m will be provided to my Department for these schemes.
374. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department continues to monitor areas such as possible child pornography with particular reference to ensuring that adequate action will be taken to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8292/15]
View answerPrimary responsibility for issues relating to child pornography rests with the Department of Justice and Equality. Matters related to internet-based pornography are under the remit of the Office of Internet Safety, an executive office of that Department. Obviously, child pornography should be a concern to all of society. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, my concern is to ensure that any risk to the protection and welfare of a child from any source, including child pornography, is quickly and appropriately addressed.
One of the commitments in Better Outcomes Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, is a reduction by 2017 in the availability on the Internet of child sexual abuse material, including child pornography. This commitment is led by the Department of Justice and Equality with the support of a number of other Departments, including my own.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, produced a Child Protection and Welfare Practice Handbook which is intended for social workers and other professionals who refer child welfare and protection cases. The Handbook contains advice in respect of online safety and online child sexual abuse in order to heighten awareness of same.
375. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he expects to be in a position to continue support for Kildare Youth Services, in line with increased demands and requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8293/15]
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 has notified 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.
376. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which he continues to monitor the need for rehabilitative support for child or juvenile offenders, with particular reference to identification of families at risk and the putting in place of the relevant necessary measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8294/15]
View answerAppropriate education, training and other programmes and facilities for children are provided by the children detention schools on the Oberstown campus in line with the principles of the Children Act 2001, in conjunction with the Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board. The delivery of children detention services is focused on education and rehabilitation of those young people detained in order to address offending behaviour and support their early re-integration into the community.
The development project which is currently nearing completion in Oberstown will enable the extension of the child care model of detention to all children under the age of 18 years. The project also includes the provision of new education and recreation facilities as well as dedicated visiting facilities and a medical facility. These facilities will support and enhance the existing services already being provided to children in detention on the campus.
An individual management plan is put in place for each child on admission to the children detention schools which includes a mental health assessment to determine the need for more specialist services provided by the Assessment, Consultation and Therapy Service. This is a national service provided jointly by Tusla - the Child and Family Agency and the children detention schools which provides clinical services to children in detention and also in special care facilities, as well as short term interventions when the child returns to the community.
My Department also provides in the region of €53m to support the provision of quality youth provision throughout the country. This funding supports the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. 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 and the Local Drugs Task Force Projects.
The Deputy may also wish to note that earlier community based interventions to divert young people from offending behaviour, such as the Garda Youth Diversion Projects and the Garda Diversion Programme are also in place in the community and come under the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. These programmes aim to engage young people in contact with the criminal justice system in a process of learning and development that enables them to make positive lifestyle choices in the community.
377. Deputy Pat Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health his plans to allocate responsibility for the national drugs strategy to an existing Minister of State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7647/15]
View answerAs Minister for Health, I have overall responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy at Government level. This role includes chairing the Oversight Forum on Drugs, which is responsible for the high level monitoring of progress being achieved under the Strategy. In addition, I am responsible for implementing the recommendations of the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy 2012. In the circumstances, I have no plans to allocate responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy elsewhere.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
378. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if Ireland has officially responded to the objections from ten member states to the plain packaging Bill as it is obliged to do under the EU transparency directive; if the EU Commission has given the go ahead to proceed with this Bill as is also required; if all the correct processes have been followed; and if he will confirm that there is no exposure to the taxpayer of future compensation claims from the tobacco companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7876/15]
View answerThe Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill was formally notified to the Commission and to Member States under the EU Technical Standards Directive (98/34/EC) and the Tobacco Products Directive (2014/40/EU) on 17 June 2014. As the Deputy has noted, detailed opinions on the proposed measures were received from a number of Member States. Ireland’s response to these opinions was submitted to the Commission on 26 January 2015. The Commission has not issued any comment on the matter. Once the stand-still period set down under the Technical Standards Directive elapsed, the legislative process for the Bill could continue. The legislation has now been passed by the Seanad, and Committee Stage of the Bill was completed in the Dáil last week.
The Government considers that the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2014 is a justified and proportionate public health measure. It is very important that the threat of litigation should not be an obstacle to the introduction of important public health measures.
379. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns that some legal firms are simultaneously acting on behalf of the State in various matters and also for tobacco companies which are taking action or are threatening to take action against the State in respect of plain packaging measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8072/15]
View answerI assume the Deputy is referring to reports last week that Arthur Cox Solicitors are acting on behalf of Japan Tobacco International (JTI) and also as legal advisors to the HSE. In relation to the Standardised Packaging legislation, the legislation is being prepared by the Department of Health and not by the HSE.
The HSE has informed me that its contracting model for legal services came into effect in 2011 following a competitive tender process. The HSE’s model for legal services involves in excess of thirty law firms delivering services through four geographical panels; each panel representing a HSE Administrative Area. The law firms on these panels deliver advices and services across a broad range of areas, reflecting the breadth of services and activities of the HSE. Arthur Cox Solicitors act as the service manager for the contract and provide the HSE with corporate legal advice. The HSE should be informed of any direct conflicts of interest that exist between it and other clients of service providers. The HSE indicated that it was not notified by Arthur Cox in relation to JTI, and that it is making enquiries with Arthur Cox regarding any potential conflicts of interest in this regard as a matter of urgency.
380. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which child psychiatric services remain adequate to meet modern challenges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8283/15]
View answerThe vulnerability of young people is demonstrated by the fact that this is the time when about 75% of mental illnesses first emerge. It is critical, therefore, that the development of a full range of mental health services, including those for young people, reflects modern national and international practice to best meet evolving challenges within our society. This Government has always recognised the need to bring about the fundamental changes necessary to mental health care, and I think that this is generally acknowledged across the mental health sector.
In line with the Programme for Government, and notwithstanding severe economic constraints, we have prioritised modernisation of mental health services in line with the widely agreed policy document A Vision for Change. This year, the total HSE budget for mental health is in the region of €790 million. We have, since 2012, provided an additional €125 million, including around 1,150 new posts to develop the mental health care programme. Approximately 235 of these posts were focused towards the Child and Adolescent area. The large majority of these have been filled, and the remainder are going through normal recruitment processes.
At the start of this year, there were 54 operational child and adolescent beds available to the HSE. Overall, the HSE are targeting to increase its operational capacity to 74 such beds nationally by the end of 2015. It should be noted that difficulties with re-opening some existing beds at local level, already resourced in the system, primarily relates to securing or retaining staff, rather than a question of funding. The question of providing new bed capacity beyond this year can only be realistically considered in the light of evolving annual service priorities and resource availability.
A key element in relation to the issue raise by the Deputy is the recent decision by the HSE to re-focus its various operational initiatives across the mental health spectrum to achieve improvement in mental health services for young people in 2015. This includes clearly indicated, and agreed, priority actions to enhance performance in this area. I can assure the House that I, and the Department of Health, will continue to liaise closely with the HSE over the remainder of the year to ensure that evolving challenges are met to the greatest extent possible.
381. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Roscommon will receive an orthopaedic appointment; if the person's case has been listed as urgent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7291/15]
View answerThe scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she would be in the best position to take the matter up with the consultant and hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up with them.
382. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of fair deal beds available in the north-east region. [7649/15]
View answer383. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of fair deal beds available in the north-east region, by year, since the scheme began. [7650/15]
View answer384. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of fair deal beds available in the north-east region, by county, for each year since 2009. [7651/15]
View answer385. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the locations in the north-east region of homes where fair deal residents are; if he will provide a breakdown on a county basis; and the number of beds each location contains. [7652/15]
View answer386. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the amount paid out for each fair deal bed in the north-east region by location, home and county. [7653/15]
View answer387. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of citizens who are on the fair deal waiting list in the north-east region, by county, and by each year, since the scheme commenced. [7654/15]
View answer390. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated for the fair deal scheme for the north-east region, by year since 2009. [7657/15]
View answer391. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the budget allocated for the fair deal scheme, by county, in the north-east region, since 2009. [7658/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 to 387, inclusive, and 390 and 391 together.
As these are service matters they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
