Written Answers Nos. 166-182
166. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures taken to tackle the rise of child poverty as outlined in the report of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) (details supplied). [7744/15]
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 are provided 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.
167. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his priorities for the school completion programme 2015. [7760/15]
View answerThe 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 at risk of educational disadvantage. The Programme is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified through the Department of Education and Skills’ DEIS Action Plan for Educational Inclusion. It provides targeted supports annually to approximately 36,000 children.
Since 1st January 2014, the Child and Family Agency has operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to local projects. In 2014, an allocation of €24.756 million has been provided for the School Completion programme. The Agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year. The first two instalments of 2014/15 funding have been issued to local projects, with a third instalment planned for payment in May 2015. The estimate for the Child and Family Agency for 2015 is €631 million, a 4.3% increase on its 2014 allocation.
The planned programme review of the School Completion Programme, indicated in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012 - 2014 is underway. The objectives of the review are to examine the programme's structures, clarify roles and responsibilities, to analyse the interventions and supports provided and identify best practice for young people at risk of early school leaving and make recommendations for the future of the programme.
The plan for the review includes arrangements to capture the views of a range of stakeholders, including staff and all those involved in the organisation and administration of the School Completion Programme.
The review of the School Completion Programme is an important initiative in planning for the future development of the programme. It will assist in identifying the reforms necessary to consolidate the programme on a sustainable footing for the future. Preliminary information gathered in the review indicates that the School Completion Programme encompasses a broad and diverse range of measures and interventions that have been developed by local projects over the years. The intention is to learn more about the most successful of these, share the learning across the programme and ensure that available funds are targeted to those services that provide the greatest contribution to good educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage.
The completion of the review is a priority for the Child & Family Agency and my Department. Work is at an advanced stage and it is anticipated that the review will be completed during the current academic year.
168. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will extend eligibility for the existing learner fund to all child care staff, in order to enable all staff to access third level qualifications; if he will fund child-free continuous professional development days, in order to enable child care workers to implement the national curriculum and quality frameworks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7738/15]
View answerMy Department is currently progressing the Early Years Quality Agenda with the objective of improving the quality of childcare services available to young children. As part of this process, all staff working directly with children in pre-school services must hold a major award in early childhood care and education at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications, or the equivalent. This minimum qualification, which will be a requirement under the Pre-School Regulations, will apply to all pre-school services from September 2015. Staff who wish to continue in employment in the childcare sector must satisfy the new qualification requirements.
In relation to the Early Childhood Care and Education programme, it will be a contractual requirement from the above dates that all pre-school leaders delivering the free pre-school year hold a major award in early childhood care and education at Level 6 or the equivalent.
Specific funding of €3 million has been provided in 2014/15 under the Learner Fund initiative to support childcare workers seeking to obtain the required qualifications. The first and most important objective of this funding is to ensure that all existing staff are in a position to meet the mandatory qualification requirements for the positions that they are currently occupying, otherwise it will not be possible for them to continue in these positions after September 2015.
The Learner Fund is linked to the introduction of the mandatory qualifications and while other training priorities can be examined at a future date, the priority for now must be to use the funding available for staff who must achieve mandatory qualifications.
A National Early Years Quality Support Service, Better Start , has been introduced under the Early Years Quality Agenda. Funding has been provided to allow for the recruitment of 30 graduates in early childhood care and education to work directly with services to assist services in implementing the Síolta Framework and the Aistear Curriculum and improving the quality of childcare provision.
The new support service will work closely with the City and County Childcare Committees and the Voluntary Childcare Organisations to support service providers in improving the quality of their services. The work of the service will be based on a new Practice Guide based on Síolta and Aistear, which is currently being developed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA).
169. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Taoiseach the population changes in the Ballymun area, Dublin, from 1997 to date in 2015. [7726/15]
View answerThe total population of the Ballymun electoral divisions (Ballymun A, Ballymun B, Ballymun C, Ballymun D, Ballymun E and Ballymun F) in the 1996 Census of Population (no Census was held in 1997) was 21,366. According to the most recent Census of Population (2011), the population in this area was 20,141.
|
Electoral Division |
Census 1996 |
Census 2011 |
|
Ballymun A |
1,766 |
3,678 |
|
Ballymun B |
4,431 |
4,012 |
|
Ballymun C |
6,575 |
5,585 |
|
Ballymun D |
3,794 |
2,961 |
|
Ballymun E |
1,863 |
1,582 |
|
Ballymun F |
2,937 |
2,323 |
|
Ballymun Total |
21,366 |
20,141 |
170. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Taoiseach the percentage of the population in Ballymun, Dublin, that are lone parents; and the changes that have taken place since 1997. [7727/15]
View answerAccording to the 1996 Census of Population (no Census was held in 1997) there were 2,086 family units classified as lone parents in the Ballymun electoral divisions (Ballymun A, Ballymun B, Ballymun C, Ballymun D, Ballymun E and Ballymun F), accounting for 38.4 per cent of all families. According to the most recent Census of Population (2011), lone parents accounted for 41.5 per cent of all families, amounting to 2,246 families.
|
Ballymun |
Census 1996 |
Census 2011 |
|
Actual |
2,086 |
2,246 |
|
Percentage |
38.4% |
41.5% |
171. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach if he will provide a list of dates the Economic Management Council has met with the banks operating here; if he will provide the issues discussed at each meeting. [7939/15]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my previous response to Question No. 124 dated 18 November 2014 on this matter, a copy of which is set out below. The position remains unchanged.
The Government has worked closely with the Irish banks to ensure that the banking sector supports economic recovery. As part of this process the Economic Management Council met with the banks on 9 November 2011, 21 February 2012 and 26 June 2012. As a Cabinet Committee, confidentiality of discussions at the Economic Management Council are protected by the Constitution and, in line with long-standing practice, it is not appropriate to answer questions about proceedings.
172. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach if he is implementing a plain English policy, as outlined by the National Adult Literacy Agency, in his Department's communications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7291/15]
View answerThe use of Plain English by Government Departments and Offices is an important part of the Government’s Public Service Reform agenda. The Public Service Reform Plan 2014-2016, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in January 2014, contains an action to “Continue to centrally promote the benefits of the use of plain language including through guidelines, training and other supports”. The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, in cooperation with National Adult Literacy Agency (NALA), have produced a handbook on the use of plain language which is available on their website.
Consistent with my Department’s commitment to Quality Customer Service under its Customer Charter, this guidance is availed of by my Department when appropriate in order to support effective public communications.
173. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach the current unemployment rate in County Kerry; and the rate for each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7513/15]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of unemployment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2014. Estimates of unemployment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS 3 South-West region includes Cork City, Cork County and Kerry. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Kerry County estimates from the QNHS.
The table below shows the unemployment rate of persons aged 15 years and over classified by NUTS3 South-West region in Q3 of each year from 2005 to 2014.
Unemployment rate of persons aged 15 years and over classified by NUTS3 South-West region, Q3 2005 - Q3 2014
%
|
Q3 05 |
Q3 06 |
Q3 07 |
Q3 08 |
Q3 09 |
Q3 10 |
Q3 11 |
Q3 12 |
Q3 13 |
Q3 14 |
|
|
Unemploy- ment rate |
3.8 |
4.0 |
3.9 |
6.5 |
11.9 |
13.6 |
14.1 |
12.9 |
11.3 |
10.5 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
174. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Taoiseach the number of jobs lost and gained in County Louth in each of the past six years and in 2015, to date. [8089/15]
View answerThe exact information requested by the Deputy is not available. The Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) is the official source of estimates of employment in the State. The most recent figures available are for Q3 2014. Estimates of employment are produced by NUTS 3 Regions. The NUTS3 Border region includes Cavan, Donegal, Leitrim, Louth, Monaghan and Sligo. Due to methodology and sample size it is not possible to produce reliable Louth County estimates from the QNHS.
Table 1a below shows the number of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS3 Border region in Q3 of each year from 2008 to 2014.
Table 1b shows the annual change in the numbers of persons aged 15 years and over in employment classified by NUTS3 Border region in Q3 of each year from 2009 to 2014.
As Table 1a shows the overall stock of persons employed at given points in time, the annual changes which are calculated using these stock figures depend both on the number of jobs lost and jobs created over the period in question.
The QNHS does not record whether a job is newly created.
Table 1a Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NUTS3 Border region, Q3 2008 - Q3 2014
'000
|
- |
Q3 08 |
Q3 09 |
Q310 |
Q3 11 |
Q3 12 |
Q3 13 |
Q3 14 |
|
In employment |
216.1 |
198.5 |
190.5 |
185.1 |
172.4 |
181.8 |
190.7 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: q3=Jul-Sep.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
Table 1b Persons aged 15 years and over in employment (ILO) classified by NUTS3 Border region, Q3 2009 - Q3 2014
Annual change
'000
|
- |
Q3 09 |
Q3 10 |
Q3 11 |
Q3 12 |
Q3 13 |
Q3 14 |
|
In employment |
-17.6 |
-8.0 |
-5.4 |
-12.7 |
9.4 |
8.9 |
Data may be subject to sampling or other survey errors, which are greater in respect of smaller values or estimates of change.
Reference period: q3=Jul-Sep.
Source: Quarterly National Household Survey, Central Statistics Office.
175. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if he or any predecessor in office has ever received a report from the complaints referee appointed under section 9 of the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunication Messages (Regulation) Act 1993; the dates such reports were received; the findings of any such report; the actions that were prompted in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8269/15]
View answerNo such report has been received by my Department.
176. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of the nationwide 47 dedicated community employment drug schemes that are operating at full capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8094/15]
View answer177. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the number of the 35 dedicated community employment drug schemes in the Dublin region that are operating at full capacity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8095/15]
View answer178. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an updated confirmation on the number of ring-fenced drug rehabilitation participants on community employment schemes, since reported by the Department of Social Protection, as 824 participants as at 31 December 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8096/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 176 to 178, inclusive, together.
I am pleased to say that considerable progress has been made in increasing the number of participants on the community employment (CE) drug rehabilitation scheme, the majority of which (two-thirds of participants) are in the Dublin region. At December 2014, there are 936 referred clients on drug rehabilitation places, compared to 824 in 2012. In addition, there are 220 support workers giving a total of 1,156 places dedicated to drugs rehabilitation on CE. This number is very close to full capacity.
A key first step in securing this improvement was the establishment of a stakeholder group which now assists the Department to identify and implement enhancements to the scheme. In addition, workshops have been held with the scheme supervisors and departmental staff to ensure that the schemes meet the needs of participants. To complement these changes, an improved vacancy notification system and referral process was introduced by this Department.
During any given year, participants may exit for many reasons, including illness/relapse, gaining employment, maternity leave, retirement, emigration, transfer to another scheme, exit to a training programme or completion of CE. Therefore, there is a cycle of places becoming vacant and being filled on an ongoing basis on schemes. All referrals to the drug rehabilitation places come directly from treatment centres or other designated personnel engaged in the rehabilitation process.
The CE Drug Rehabilitation Scheme plays an important role in helping recovering drug users to develop their personal and employment skills. In this regard, I am pleased that the number of places filled increased substantially last year and that this will continue in 2015.
179. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an up to date age profile breakdown for the drug rehabilitation participants on community employment schemes; if she will further provide an up to date age profile breakdown for general participants on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8097/15]
View answer180. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a gender breakdown for the drug rehabilitation participants on community employment schemes; if she will further provide an up to date gender profile breakdown for general participants on community employment schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8098/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 179 and 180 together.
In terms of the age profile of participants on Community Employment (CE):
- Table 1 below provides the profile of participants on CE drug rehabilitation projects. At December 2014, 27% (257) are under 25 years of age. While the minimum age for participation on a standard CE programme is 25 years of age, this requirement has been reduced for people referred to CE in recovery from substance misuse to 18 years. The majority of participants - 67% - are between the ages of 25-54 years.
- Table 2 below provides the age profile for all participants on CE. As of December 2014, less than 3% (655) are under 25 years of age. The majority of participants - 65% - are between the ages 25-54 years.
In terms of the gender breakdown of participants on CE:
- Table 3 below provides the breakdown for referred participants on drug rehabilitation projects. As of December 2014, there are 936 referred clients on drug rehabilitation projects - 69% are male (644) and 31% are (292) female.
- Table 4 below provides the breakdown for all participants on CE. As of December 2014, there are 23,249 participants on CE – 57% (13,276) are male and 43% (9,973) are female.
Table 1: Drug Rehabilitation Places on Community Employment by Age (Referred Clients)
|
Age Band |
Total |
% |
|
Under 20 |
50 |
5.3 |
|
20-24 |
207 |
22.1 |
|
25-34 |
266 |
28.4 |
|
35-44 |
264 |
28.2 |
|
45-54 |
98 |
10.5 |
|
55 and over |
51 |
5.5 |
|
Total |
936 |
100.0 |
December 2014: CSM IT Extracts (Referred clients)
Table 2: Community Employment Participants by Age
|
Age Band |
Total |
% |
|
Under 20 |
134 |
0.6 |
|
20-24 |
521 |
2.2 |
|
25-34 |
3,697 |
15.9 |
|
35-44 |
5,466 |
23.5 |
|
45-54 |
5,903 |
25.4 |
|
55 and over |
7,528 |
32.4 |
|
Total |
23,249 |
100.0 |
December 2014: CSM IT Extracts
Table 3: Ring-fenced Drug Rehabilitation Places and Gender (Referred Clients)
|
Gender |
Ring-fenced Drug Places |
% |
|
Male |
644 |
68.8 |
|
Female |
292 |
31.2 |
|
Total |
936 |
100.0 |
December 2014: CSM IT Extracts (Referred clients)
Table 4: Community Employment Participants and Gender
|
Gender |
Community Employment Places |
% |
|
Male |
13,276 |
57.1 |
|
Female |
9,973 |
42.9 |
|
Total |
23,249 |
100.0 |
December 2014: CSM IT Extracts
181. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if she will provide a breakdown of the rates of lone parents' allowances for the years 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. [7728/15]
View answerThe rates of payment for the One Parent Family Payment scheme are set out in the table below. Also provided are the increases for each child dependent who qualifies under the scheme rules.
Rates of One Parent Family Payment, 2008 to 2014 and increases for a qualified child
|
Year |
Rate |
Increase for Qualified Child |
|
2014 |
€188.00 |
€29.80 |
|
2013 |
€188.00 |
€29.80 |
|
2012 |
€188.00 |
€29.80 |
|
2011 |
€188.00 |
€29.80 |
|
2010 |
€196.00 |
€29.80 |
|
2009 |
€204.30 |
€26.00 |
|
2008 |
€197.80 |
€24.00 |
182. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection her views that long-term family carers are not eligible for the contributory State pension (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7819/15]
View answerThe State pension (contributory) is a very valuable benefit and is the bedrock of the Irish pension system. Therefore, it is important to ensure that those qualifying have made a sustained contribution to the Social Insurance Fund over their working lives. This is particularly important given the challenge that increased longevity is posing for the future sustainability of the State pension. Therefore, when assessing whether an individual is entitled to a State pension, and to ensure that they can maximise such entitlement, all contributions (paid or credited) from when they first enter insurable employment until pension age are taken into account.
The State already assists those with caring roles to qualify for a State pension (contributory). The homemaker’s scheme makes qualification for State pension (contributory) easier for those who take time out of the workforce for caring duties. The scheme, which was introduced in 1994, allows up to 20 years spent caring for children under 12 years of age or incapacitated people to be disregarded when a person’s social insurance record is being averaged for pension purposes. Given the valuable nature of the State pension (contributory), those who qualify under the homemaker’s scheme still need to fulfil the eligibility requirements for that scheme, and have at least 520 paid contributions over the course of their working lives.
However, for those with insufficient contributions to meet the requirements for a State pension (contributory), the State pension system provides alternative methods of support. If someone has been a carer for nearly all of their adult life and has paid little or no PRSI, they may qualify for a means tested State pension (non-contributory), the maximum personal rate for which is €219, which amounts to just over 95% of the maximum rate of the State pension (contributory). Alternatively, if their spouse or civil partner is in receipt of a State pension (contributory) they may instead qualify for an Increase for a Qualified Adult of up to €206.30, which is just under 90% of the maximum personal rate of the State pension (contributory).
It is expected that a total contributions approach to pension qualification will replace the current average contributions test for State pension (contributory) from 2020, although that date is subject to change. Issues such as equality of outcomes for women and men, including those who spend some years outside the labour market on caring duties, will be considered carefully in the context of that reform.
