Written Answers Nos. 71 - 90
71. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on situations where the special areas of conservation area border infringes on and extends in on the border of land that is under grant aid under area maps, and the options left open to the farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16917/15]
View answerUnder the EU Regulations, the following Natura areas including the Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) will continue to benefit from payment under the Basic Payment Scheme provided the areas meet the following conditions:
(i) The area in question was declared on a 2008 Single Payment Scheme (SPS) form.
(ii) The area was declared as eligible under the 2008 Scheme.
(iii) The applicant was paid under the 2008 SPS Scheme.
(iv) The ineligible area was as a result of the SPA or SAC limitations imposed under a habitat management plan.
72. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total allocation under the rural development programme for the GLAS scheme, excluding transitional payments for the rural environment protection scheme and the agri-environment options scheme; the number of farmers to date that have chosen actions under GLAS+; the total to date that have chosen actions under GLAS, exclusive of applicants who have chosen actions under GLAS and GLAS+; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16947/15]
View answerThe Rural Development Programme (RDP), 2014-2020 will be a key support in enhancing the competitiveness of the agri-food sector, achieving more sustainable management of natural resources and ensuring a more balanced development of rural areas. EU Regulation No 1305/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council on support for Rural Development by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) sets out the breakdown of EU support for rural development for each Member State for the years 2014 – 2020. Ireland’s total EAFRD allocation for rural development is some €2.19 billion (or some €313 million per annum), as agreed at the EU Multi-annual Financial Framework (MFF) negotiations in 2013. EU funding amounts are combined with national co-funding to provide for each Member State’s RDP. In Ireland’s case, National Exchequer funding brings the total to be spent on RDP schemes in the 2014-2020 period to some €4 billion.
The total allocation for Agri-Environment and Climate Measures under Measure 10 of the new RDP is made up of a number of elements. Within this, the allocation for GLAS (incorporating GLAS training and the linked Traditional Farm Building Scheme) is some €1.08bn of EU and national funding. In addition to this figure, there is a total allocation of some €390 million in respect of transitional funding for previous Agri-environment schemes. In this regard, it is anticipated that many AEOS farmers will join GLAS and where this happens it would be expected that the transitional figure will decrease with a corresponding increase in the GLAS figure. In addition, the overlap of funding between programming periods is a standard feature of RDP design, and it would be expected that funding from the next RDP period would be allocated to GLAS in much the same way as REPS and AEOS are funded in the new RDP. This will also be reflected in adjustment of the total spend on GLAS over the lifetime of the scheme.
To date over 21,000 applications have been registered on the GLAS online system, of which more than 13,000 have already selected actions. Both figures are increasing daily. It is important to note that applicants do not ‘select’ actions to qualify for GLAS Plus - the increased payments available under this measure are automatically applied where the annual cost for a farmer of addressing a combination of Tier 1 Priority Environmental Assets (PEAs) exceeds €5,000 per annum. These farmers move into the GLAS Plus category, where the ceiling for annual payment is €7,000. Farmers managing bird PEAs can qualify for GLAS Plus on the strength of their bird PEA alone, without the need for any other PEA, provided of course that they manage enough area of habitat to draw the additional payment.
73. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the collaborative action she is taking with her colleagues in Government to address the growing number of recent physical attacks on vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16892/15]
View answerAny instance of an assault against a child, including where that child might be particularly vulnerable, is a cause of great concern. In that regard I can assure the Deputy that An Garda Síochána places an emphasis on tackling crimes against children as well as proactive cooperation with all relevant Departments, organisations and agencies to improve the safety of children. Children First National Guidance 2011 is adopted as Garda policy and interaction with Tusla (Child and Family Agency) is an integral part of that policy in relation to all investigations of child abuse, or when child protection issues arise generally. Special legislative provisions are in place with respect to the giving of evidence by children in certain criminal proceedings and An Garda Síochána and Tusla personnel have undergone joint and intensive training in specialised skills necessary for interviewing children, including where a child might be particularly vulnerable in some way. All of these arrangements are kept under ongoing review and any instance of assault or other abuse brought to Garda attention is fully investigated.
The Deputy will also be aware of the significant legislative measures introduced recently to strengthen child protection including the Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 and the Children First Bill 2014. I will continue to work closely with my Government colleagues and all relevant agencies to advance these and related child protection measures.
74. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current measures in place to deal with juvenile perpetrators of violent acts against vulnerable children and young persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16893/15]
View answerThe Children Act 2001 sets out the framework under which the youth justice system deals with all youth crime. The youth justice system should be considered in its entirety, from the Garda Diversion Programme through to the Children Courts and the Children Detention Schools. It is not a simple question of choice between diversion, community sanctions and detention. The principles of the Children Act 2001 require the various authorities to apply, incrementally, a series of "filters" or tests to each case where a child comes into conflict with the law.
The first main filter is the Garda Diversion Programme. Section 18 of the Children Act 2001, as amended, requires that, unless the interests of society otherwise require, any child who has committed an offence and accepts responsibility for his or her criminal behaviour shall be consider for admission to the Programme. The aim of the Diversion Programme, through the network of Juvenile Liaison Officers is to deal with young people who offend, by way of administering a caution thus diverting the young offender away from the Courts and minimising the likelihood of further offending. The caution may be either a formal caution, which involves supervision by a JLO or an informal caution, generally with no supervision. The process may also include involvement with a Garda Youth Diversion Project. The programme embraces, whenever possible, the principles of restorative justice and takes into account the needs of the victims. The programme has proven to be highly successful in diverting young people away from crime by offering guidance and support to them and their families. In considering whether a young person should be admitted to the Garda Diversion Programme, Section 23(2) of the Children Act sets out that the Director (of the Programme) "shall be satisfied that the admission of the child to the Programme would be appropriate in the best interests of the child and not inconsistent with the interests of society and any victim".
The second main filter is provided by the non-custodial sanctions available to the Courts, including dismissal under the Probation Act and unsupervised sanctions (fines, disqualification, peace bond, curfew etc.). When dealing with a child charged with an offence, the court also must have due regard to the child's best interests, the interests of the victim of the offence and the protection of society. The next stage involves the Probation supervised sanctions (community service and other community sanctions). Finally, as a last resort, detention may be used.
75. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality is she will report on the current status of the Charities Regulatory Authority; the activities that will prevent charities from accessing CHY and tax exemption status; the measures being taken to invigilate charities reported to be breaching regulations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16894/15]
View answerThe aim of the Charities Regulatory Authority, established on a statutory basis on 16 October 2014, is to provide for better regulation of charitable organisations through a framework of registration, regulation and support. The initial focus of the Authority has been on the development of the statutory Register of Charities in accordance with the Charities Act 2009. Some 8,500 CHY charities with tax exemption status have been registered automatically on the Register of Charities. Any charity established before 16 October 2014 and not automatically registered must apply directly to the Authority for inclusion on the register. The period within which these charities have to register has recently been extended to 16 April 2016.
I recently met the Chairman and representatives of the Board and was briefed on the work the Authority has undertaken since its establishment in October last which has included communication with the 8,500 CHY charities with tax exemption status regarding the additional information and legal documentation required to support their registered status; development of an online system for organisations to apply for inclusion in the Register of Charities; provision of information to the charities sector on their obligations and duties under the new regulatory regime; and the continuation of services hitherto provided by the Commissioners for Charitable Donations and Bequests for Ireland.
The range of services to be provided by the Authority will be developed over the period ahead. These services include the development of an annual reporting framework for registered charities, the development of a monitoring and compliance programme and the development of the investigatory role of the Authority under Part 4 of the Act which has not yet been commenced. The Register, when more advanced, will underpin the investigative and other regulatory work of the Authority.
I am pleased to advise that sanction was recently granted for the appointment of 10 additional staff for the Authority and these will be put in place as soon as possible. I understand this will enable the Authority to build on the work already completed in relation to the Register of Charities and to make significant progress in developing its monitoring and compliance functions.
As regards any activities that would prevent charities from accessing CHY and tax exemption status, I should advise that under the Charities Act 2009, the Authority does not have any role in determining CHY or tax exemption status; this is the responsibility of the Office of the Revenue Commissioners.
Additional information and advice for charities and other stakeholders is available on the Authority's website, www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie.
76. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will report on the remaining sections of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 that have yet to be commenced; when she will commence these remaining sections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16896/15]
View answerThe current position is that all sections of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008 have been commenced apart from section 9. This section provides for the structural separation of alcohol products from other products in mixed trading premises such as supermarkets and convenience stores. Together with my colleague the Minister for Health, I have decided jointly to review, in the context of the forthcoming Public Health (Alcohol) Bill, matters relating to structural separation, including appropriate future enforcement mechanisms. I expect this review to be concluded shortly.
77. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress on the implementation of the recommendations of the Ombudsman report into the Roma cases. [16934/15]
View answerAs indicated at the launch of Ms Logan's Report in July 2014, the Minister for Justice and Equality fully accepted the Inquiry’s recommendations in relation to engagement with and supports for the Roma community. An Implementation Group, chaired by the Department of Justice and Equality, which comprised membership from all relevant Government Departments and Agencies, was established to ensure that the recommendations set out in the Report were progressed. The Group's report has been prepared and will shortly be presented formally to the Minister and published.
78. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that the transfer of 28,000 charges by Bank of Scotland Ireland over the weekend of 17 April 2015 were transferred in full compliance with the statutory instruments governing the transfer of charges as held in the name of the bank with the land registry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16952/15]
View answer79. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will confirm that the Property Registration Authority of Ireland, when transferring ownership of property, does so in full compliance with the statutory instruments governing the transfer of property; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16953/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 78 and 79 together.
I can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.
The Deputy will be aware of the service to T.D.s and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round.
I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.
80. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will bring forward a mediation Bill to promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings, thereby reducing legal costs and speeding up the resolution of disputes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16958/15]
View answerThe Mediation Bill is currently being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel. However, as the Deputy is aware, the Government has a demanding schedule of urgent legislation at present and for that reason it is not possible to give a specific date for publication of the Bill at this stage. However, it is my intention to proceed quickly with enactment of the Bill following its publication later this year.
81. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider implementing legislation on the topping and cutting of trees on private property, in particular where such trees are obstructing public footpaths and roads, interfering with rights of access, posing a risk to public safety and-or interfering with the supply of public services, such as electricity and telephone connections; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16959/15]
View answerThe difficulties experienced by property owners arising from trees and high hedges on neighbouring land were raised in both the Dáil and Seanad during passage of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009. At that time, my Department consulted on the matter with the Law Reform Commission, which had been involved in drafting the 2009 Act, and the Commission took the view that unreasonable interference caused by high trees or hedges was a matter in any particular case for tort law or more generally for planning or environmental law.
In England and Wales, for example, difficulties arising in connection with high hedges are dealt with under Part 8 of the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003. This Act makes provision for local authorities to determine complaints by the owners or occupiers of domestic property who are adversely affected by evergreen hedges over 2 metres high. Broadly similar legislation, i.e. the High Hedges Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, came into operation in Northern Ireland on 31 March 2012.
The manner in which problems associated with high hedges and overhanging trees are resolved in both England and Wales and Northern Ireland demonstrates a clear preference for the resolution of such disputes at local level, preferably by mediation, with recourse to the courts only as a last resort. This is intended to reduce the risk of prolonged and costly litigation, and the risk that court proceedings could leave a legacy of bitterness between neighbours and ill-feeling in the local community. The introduction of such legislation in this jurisdiction would be a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government and his Department.
Under our existing law, a person may be in a position to seek damages or an injunction requiring the cutting of boundary hedges or trees under the tort of nuisance. In order for the nuisance to be actionable, the person concerned would have to show that an easement existed and that there had been a substantial interference with that right.
The Mediation Bill is being drafted in the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to proceed quickly with enactment of the Bill following its publication later this year. The Bill, while not directly dealing with the issue of high hedges and overhanging trees will introduce an obligation on solicitors and barristers to advise any person wishing to commence legal proceedings to consider mediation as a means of resolving a dispute before embarking on such proceedings. It will also provide that a court may, following the commencement of proceedings, on its own initiative invite parties to consider mediation and suspend the proceedings to facilitate the mediation process.
Under section 70 of the Roads Act 1993, an owner or occupier of land is required to take all reasonable steps to ensure that trees, shrubs and hedges on land are not a hazard or potential hazard for a person using a public road. The section also provides that where a tree, shrub or hedge is a hazard, or obstructs the safe use of a public road, a road authority may serve notice on the owner or occupier of the land requiring that action such as the felling, cutting or removal of the tree, hedge or shrub be taken within a stated period. In addition, section 58 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002 provides that a network operator may, after serving notice on the owner or occupier of the land, lop or cut any tree or shrub which obstructs or interferes with any physical infrastructure of the network operator.
82. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of cases in 2014 where the applicant was a person against whom proceedings had been issued for the repossession of that person's principal dwelling house and had been designated as a priority applicant; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16965/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service and I have no role in the matter. Section 4(3) of the 1998 Act provides that the Courts Service is independent in the performance of its functions, which includes the provision of information on the courts system.
However, following additional clarification from the Deputy, I will have enquiries made with the Legal Aid Board and will get back to him shortly with a response.
83. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a payments issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16978/15]
View answerTo date no proposals have been agreed to change the process by which retired members of An Garda Síochána are paid their pension from the current method of payment in advance. I can, however, state that consideration of this matter is at an exploratory stage.
84. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will support the role of the voluntary sector as the prime provider of youth work here, consistent with the Youth Work Act 2001; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16865/15]
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. This was an important priority for the voluntary youth organisations that have a key role in the provision of quality youth work services for young people.
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 Youth Work Act 2001 provides for certain arrangements to do with the organisation and administration of youth work policy and provision. Since the enactment of the Youth Work Act, in 2001 and the publication of the National Youth Development Plan in 2003, there have been significant policy and legislative developments that are relevant to the provision of youth services, including the introduction of Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020.
The Deputy will be aware that my Department is now developing a National Youth Strategy. The National Youth Strategy will focus on the youth-related policy commitments outlined in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures 2014 - 2020, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10 to 24 years. It will have a particular focus on those who are most disadvantaged or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore in most need of support.
The National Youth Strategy is being developed in close consultation with statutory youth interests and the voluntary youth organisations and services that work with young people. A National Youth Strategy Task Group, convened by my Department, is overseeing its development. This Task Group comprises representatives of Government Departments, relevant agencies, business, academia and the voluntary youth organisations. A comprehensive consultation with youth stakeholders, including volunteers and young people on the priorities for the youth strategy has recently concluded. My Department is working to finalise the new National Youth Strategy by early Summer.
85. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the early years capital grant 2015 will allow an existing community child care provider extend a current property with a new building under this scheme. [16877/15]
View answer88. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if planning permission must be applied for before submitting an application for a grant under the early years capital programme 2015; and if consideration will be given to projects that have commenced before December 2015 but which have not been completed before this date, due to planning and administration procedures . [16946/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 85 and 88 together.
I recently announced the introduction of the Early Years Capital (EYC) 2015 programme with funding totalling €7 million provided for developments in the early years sector. The programme is being administered by Pobal, on behalf of my Department, and details of the programme including a Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) section, are available on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie.
Under the criteria of the new programme projects must be completed, and grant funds fully reported, by December 2015. As such, the “readiness” of a project to proceed, and be completed within the timeframe, will be a major consideration when Pobal are reviewing the applications. Applicants that can best demonstrate “readiness” will be those that:
a) have obtained full planning permission, or can demonstrate that planning is not required;
b) have completed an appropriate tendering process where tenders are still in date and valid; and,
c) have confirmation that project can be completed within the timeframe available.
Strand 1 funding under the programme, which provides for large scale capital grants, is available to groups who have an opportunity to move their service from an unsuitable building to a more suitable location e.g. where a premises has been made available to the group but will need works to make it suitable for the delivery early years services. This strand of funding is also available to services to undertake major essential refurbishment work in order that their current premises remains fit-for-purpose. In both cases, the works may result in the service having increased capacity on completion of the project. Funding is not available where the sole purpose of the project is to increase the capacity of the service.
86. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action his Department is taking regarding the recent growing number of physical attacks on vulnerable children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16891/15]
View answerThere are strong legal provisions for deterring assaults on children of any age, irrespective of their circumstances. These come within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997, provides criminal sanctions in cases of persons convicted of assault against any other person, including a child. Section 2 of the Act states that “a person shall be guilty of the offence of assault who, without lawful excuse, intentionally or recklessly, directly or indirectly applies force to or causes an impact on the body of another”. A person guilty of an offence under Section 2 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 is liable on summary conviction to a fine or a term of imprisonment.
Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act, 1997 provides that a person, who assaults another, causing that other person harm, shall be guilty of an offence. Harm is defined in the 1997 Act as “harm to body or mind and includes pain and unconsciousness”. A person convicted of assault causing harm is liable, on summary conviction or on conviction on indictment to a fine or a term of imprisonment.
Section 246 of the Children Act, 2001 concerns legal provision in relation to cruelty to children. This section makes it an offence for “any person who has the custody, charge or care of a child wilfully to assault, ill-treat, neglect, abandon or expose the child or cause or procure or allow the child to be assaulted, ill-treated, neglected, abandoned or exposed in a manner likely to cause unnecessary suffering or injury to the child’s health or seriously to affect his or her wellbeing”. A person convicted of an offence under Section 246 is liable, on summary conviction or on conviction on indictment, to a fine or a term of imprisonment.
87. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the recommendations put forward by the independent child death review group. [16935/15]
View answerThe Report of the Independent Child Death Review Group (ICDRG) was published in 2012. The recommendations of the Review Group fall under three headings, namely the establishment of a child death review unit, the operation of the in camera rule and the reform of the child protection system in general. The status in relation to each is set out below.
The National Review Panel (NRP) for the investigation of serious incidents including the deaths of children in care and known to the child protection system was set up in 2010 as part of the Implementation Plan associated with the Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (2009) (Ryan Report). The NRP reviews serious incidents involving children known to child welfare and protection services of the Child and Family Agency including the deaths of children in care. The overarching objective of the NRP is to promote learning and best practice from its review of cases with a view to assisting the child welfare and protection system in improving its services and minimising the possibility of similar deaths and/or serious incidents to children and young people using their services. It is considered that this mechanism fulfils the recommendation in relation to child death review units in the ICDRG report. Following the report, it was considered that strengthening the NRP and conducting reviews in accordance with HIQA agreed guidance was the most appropriate way to copperfasten the structures for future reviews. For information, the guidance for the NRP was revised and published last year.
In response to the recommendation regarding the in camera rule, the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous provisions) Act 2013 amended Section 29 of the Child Care Act 1991 in relation to the in camera rule. In addition, the Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) was established under the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007, in accordance with the 2012 Regulations made under that Act. The aims and objectives of the project are to:
- Provide information to the public on child care proceedings in the courts;
- Conduct research on these proceedings in order to promote debate and inform policy-makers;
- Make recommendations to address any short-comings in the child care system identified by the research;
- Assist in the implementation of these recommendations;
- Promote confidence in the child care system.
To date the project has published 9 volumes of case reports - 4 volumes each year in 2013 and 2014 and another volume of case reports was published on 1 April 2015. It has also published two interim reports, in November 2013 and October 2014. Both interim reports contain a number of (interim) observations and suggestions, but no recommendations. A final report, with recommendations, will be published in October 2015.
Significant reform of the child protection system is ongoing. The Programme for Government commitment to establish the Child and Family Agency reflected significant concern over recent years regarding the protection of children and the response of relevant services, and a determination to align key services into a single, comprehensive, integrated and accountable service delivery system.
Significant service and organisational improvements have been achieved including:
- Reformation of the management structure;
- More equitable distribution of resources;
- Consistent implementation of Children First;
- Expanded counselling services;
- Specialist clinical services for children in special care and detention;
- The mainstreaming of care placements for separated children seeking asylum;
- Improved care planning for children in care;
- A national emergency out of hours placement service;
- Improved aftercare services;
- Improved supervision and staff retention strategies.
89. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding school completion programmes, such as that operated successfully in Westside, Galway city; if he will confirm that funding will be allocated to ensure the continued operation of the programmes; if clarity on the funding will be forthcoming in order that plans for the next school year can be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16961/15]
View answerThe School Completion Programme aims to retain young people in the formal education system to completion of senior cycle and to improve the school attendance, participation and retention of its target cohort. It is a targeted intervention aimed at school communities identified under the Department of Education and Skills DEIS Action Plan. It involves 124 locally managed projects and provides targeted supports to approximately 36,000 children and young people.
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 was provided for the School Completion Programme. The Agency has indicated a similar allocation for the programme in 2015. The Westside Galway project is comprised of four primary schools and two post-primary schools. I am advised that an amount of €175,968 was allocated by the Agency to this project for the school year 2014-2015.
The Agency has approved local projects' school retention plans for the 2014/2015 academic year. The first two instalments of 2014/15 funding have issued to local projects, with a third instalment planned for May 2015.
The ESRI is currently reviewing the School Completion Programme, which will help in future decisions on its structure, governance and operation. Its final report is expected very shortly. The Minister for Education and Skills recently published an evaluation of the DEIS programme which was also prepared by the ESRI, and which refers to the School Completion Programme as an integral support within DEIS in improving attendance and engagement in education.
I have advised the Agency of my commitment to ensuring that there is no diminution in the school completion programme services. The School Completion Programme is an important service within the Agency’s educational welfare services. It is highly regarded as a key response in securing improved educational outcomes for children and young people at risk of early school leaving.
90. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if any new surgeons have been employed to date by the Health Service Executive to carry out kidney transplants in Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16858/15]
View answer96. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the steps that the Health Service Executive is taking to fill the two vacant consultant transplant surgeon posts at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9. [16889/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 96 together.
At the end of 2014, two consultant transplant surgeons left the renal and pancreas transplant programme at Beaumont Hospital, one on retirement and the second on leave of absence for professional development purposes. Given the limited number of surgeons who specialise in transplantation, the filling of any vacancies poses a challenge. Every effort is currently being made to fill these vacancies.
Meanwhile, my Department and the HSE are working in collaboration with Beaumont Hospital to ensure that measures are put in place to alleviate current pressures and to address the challenges facing the transplant personnel and the hospital management.
