Charlie McConalogue
Question:111. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce legislation to tackle sex trafficking; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20972/15]
View answerHuman Trafficking
Questions (111)
Written answers
On 27 November, I published the General Scheme of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill. The General Scheme includes wide ranging provisions to enhance the protection of children and vulnerable persons from sexual abuse and exploitation. In addition, the Bill will provide for new offences of purchasing, in the context of prostitution, sexual services.
The first is a general offence of purchasing sexual services which carries a penalty of a fine of up to €500 for a first offence and fines of up to €1000 for a second or subsequent offence. The second is the more serious offence of purchasing a sexual service from a trafficked person and carries a potential penalty of up to 5 years imprisonment and/or a fine. In both cases, the person selling the sexual service will not be subject to an offence.
These proposals have been developed following extensive consultation, initiated by my Department, dating back to 2012. The new offences also implement the recommendation from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Equality and Defence which called for the introduction of an offence criminalising the purchase of sexual services.
The Bill is priority legislation and is currently being drafted, with a view to publication in this parliamentary session.
I would also draw the Deputy's attention to the existing legislative provisions addressing the trafficking of persons for the purpose of exploitation (including sexual exploitation) which can attract significant penalties. Under the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008, any person found guilty of trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation shall be liable to imprisonment for a period up to life. It is also an offence for a person to solicit or importune a trafficked person for the purposes of prostitution with a potential penalty of imprisonment for up to 5 years.
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (112)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:112. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Question No. 100 of 4 March 2015, if she will report, in respect of the 63,131 fixed charge notices issued since 2013 for the offence of holding a mobile phone, the number of these notices where a fine was subsequently paid, that were summonsed to court and that resulted in a conviction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20976/15]
View answerWritten answers
I have sought a report on the issues raised by the Deputy as to whether the specific information requested is available and I will be in contact with the Deputy directly when this report is to hand.
Court Procedures
Questions (113)
Seán Crowe
Question:113. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department provides video link services in order that Irish citizens can give testimony in foreign court cases, without leaving Ireland, or if it can assist citizens in giving testimony by video link to foreign courts. [21018/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy may be aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts is the responsibility of the Courts Service. The Act provides that the Service is independent in the performance of its functions, including the provision of courthouse facilities.
Formal requests for the hearing of evidence by video conference in criminal matters can be made under the Criminal Justice (Mutual Assistance) Act 2008. If my Department receives such a request and is satisfied that all is in order, a request is sent to the Courts Service to provide a courtroom with video-link services to facilitate the taking of evidence from a victim or witness for a criminal trial in another jurisdiction. Separately, my Department contacts the President of the District Court to request that a District Court Judge be assigned to preside over the hearing of evidence in the Irish Court.
For civil proceedings it is not necessary for the person who is giving evidence from Ireland by way of video-conference to a foreign court to do so from an Irish court room. Furthermore, if persons giving such evidence were to do so from an Irish court it would be necessary to defer or interrupt cases going through the Irish courts, thus increasing waiting times for litigation. Accordingly, it is not the practice of the Courts Service in civil matters to facilitate the giving of evidence in this manner.
Children's Rights Referendum
Questions (114)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:114. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will report, following the decision of the Supreme Court on 24 April 2015 to uphold the result of the children’s rights referendum, if Article 42A is now effective; if not, when he plans to commence the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20868/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Act, 2012, enshrining Article 42A into the Constitution, was signed into law on 28 April, 2015.
Child Abuse Reports
Questions (115)
Mick Wallace
Question:115. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide an update on the implementation of the Ryan report, and in particular the recommendation for a once-off life skills programme for young persons leaving care; if he is satisfied with the rate of progress on implementation of the Ryan report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20892/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse (The Ryan Report) was published in 2009 and detailed disturbing and significant levels of historic abuse of Irish children who were placed, by the State, in residential institutions run by religious orders. The Government accepted all of the recommendations of the Ryan Report, and in response developed an Implementation Plan. The Implementation Plan set out a series of 99 actions which addressed the recommendations to improve services to children in care, in detention and at risk.
The Government has approved the Fourth and Final Monitoring Report of the Ryan Implementation Group which illustrated that the vast majority of the recommendations (i.e. 94 out of a total of 99), have been implemented or are being implemented on an ongoing basis. The Report, which was published in March 2015, is available on the websites of my Department and the Oireachtas. It should also be noted that the Monitoring Group, which authored the Report, welcomed the significant positive developments that have taken place over the lifetime of the Implementation Plan.
I share the concern of the Monitoring Group that five of the actions are incomplete. These incomplete actions are in relation to the erection of a memorial to the survivors of institutional abuse; a longitudinal study of children in care; the maintenance of records of children in care and the development of an archive for same, and research into best practice in family law court processes. As the Government has committed to the full implementation of all 99 of the Implementation Plan actions, I will continue to liaise with relevant Government colleagues and the Child and Family Agency as regards implementation and I have also undertaken to keep the Government informed of progress until full implementation is achieved.
I presume that the Deputy is referring to Action 69 of the Ryan Implementation Plan which states that "the OMCYA, in conjunction with the HSE, will consider how best to provide necessary once-off supports for care leavers to gain practical life-long skills".
Young people leaving the care of the State at 18 years of age are entitled to an aftercare service. Aftercare is the term used to describe the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of such young people to assist them in making the transition to independent living. Aftercare provision incorporates advice, guidance and practical (including accommodation and financial) support. Advocating on behalf of young people to support their development as fulfilled adults in their community and, when necessary, to link them to targeted adult services, are also crucial elements of an aftercare service.
It has been decided to strengthen the legislative provisions regarding aftercare. The Child Care Act 1991 is to be amended to impose a statutory duty on the Child and Family Agency to prepare an aftercare plan for an eligible child or eligible young person. The aim is to create an explicit, as opposed to implicit, statement of the Agency’s duty to satisfy itself as to the child’s or young person’s need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports.
It is anticipated that the Aftercare Bill will be published shortly.
Youth Services
Questions (116, 117, 118)
Mary Lou McDonald
Question:116. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the process involved for youth work staff who are funded by his Department to be re-assigned to other duties in the head office of the City of Dublin Youth Services Board. [20903/15]
View answerMary Lou McDonald
Question:117. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of front-line youth work staff, who are funded by his Department and who were previously allocated to work directly with young persons through Stoneybatter Youth Service, who have now been re-assigned to other geographical areas and to administrative and support duties in the head office of the City of Dublin Youth Services Board. [20904/15]
View answerMary Lou McDonald
Question:118. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if re-assigning youth work staff who work directly with young persons, due to reductions in funding for front-line youth workers, to other duties such as administration roles, is an appropriate use of scarce resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20905/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, together.
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people. It is estimated that the voluntary youth services throughout the country 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, current funding of €49.93m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
The funding for local youth projects and services is administered in the main by Education and Training Boards. In Dublin City, City of Dublin Youth Service Board under City of Dublin Education and Training Board undertakes this role. Some eighty local projects and services are in receipt of funding under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund and Local Drugs Task Force Projects and €10m in 2015 has been allocated to City of Dublin Youth Service Board for distribution to the projects.
An allocation of €407,267 in 2015 has been made by my Department to the Stoneybatter Youth Service, unchanged from 2014.
The Stoneybatter Youth Service provides youth services to young people aged 10 to 21 years in the Stoneybatter area, particularly targeting those affected by a range of economic and social factors.
My Department works closely with City of Dublin Youth Service Board and Education and Training Boards throughout the country in the administration of youth services. In determining the annual allocations to youth programmes, in the challenging budgetary situation that has applied in recent years, my Department has sought to ensure that, as far as possible, the focus was maintained on the frontline youth services, particularly those for vulnerable young people.
With regard to the details requested by the Deputy about the employment arrangements and assignment of youth work staff employed in the Stoneybatter Youth Service by City of Dublin Education and Training Board, officials of my Department are making enquiries in the matter and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as the reply is received.
Domestic Violence Refuges Provision
Questions (119)
Denis Naughten
Question:119. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plans which Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has for domestic violence support services in County Roscommon from 2016; his views on concerns that the current service is being undermined by the ongoing uncertainty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20955/15]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla has concluded a review of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services and a consolidated national budget is now in place for these services. A roadmap for the future delivery of services has been approved by the Board of the Agency. This provides the necessary platform to ensure the provision of a co-ordinated and equitable Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Service across the country.
Tusla continues to give high priority to the provision and development of Domestic Violence services in Co. Roscommon and Tusla will work closely with service providers in this regard. The approach being adopted by Tusla to the planning of services is focused on addressing gaps, avoiding duplication and supporting effective delivery of frontline services. Enhanced services will be developed with support from existing providers.
Tusla has recently communicated with funded service providers to update them on Tusla funding. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of Domestic Violence are being met in the best way possible and that no potential service is disadvantaged due to geographical considerations.
Children in Care
Questions (120)
Bernard Durkan
Question:120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which ongoing review takes place in respect of children in care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21029/15]
View answerWritten answers
A care plan for each child who is received into care is required under the Child Care Regulations 1995. The regulations stipulate that all care plans are to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and sets out the frequency for these reviews to take place. A review of the care planned for a child under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, is a process to monitor and review the progress of the plan and to update it if required. A key consideration for the social worker is to consult with the child, family members, foster carers, and other people involved with the child to ensure that his or her needs are being met and that the care being provided is optimal.
It is important to note that where a review is underway, the existing care plan remains in place. When reporting on the number of care plans in place, Tusla only includes figures for care plans that are currently up to date and does not include those under review.
In putting together its practice handbook, Tusla took into account the regulatory requirements and listened to children who were in care. This consultation showed that the perception of the children involved was that reviews were not working as well as they should and the child friendly aspect could be improved. This has been highlighted in Tusla's practice handbook to ensure that reviews are designed for all the participant's voices to be heard and that the child is, in every practical way, at the heart of the process.
Child Protection Services Provision
Questions (121)
Bernard Durkan
Question:121. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which support continues to be made available to children deemed to be at risk, with particular emphasis on identification of such children and putting the necessary support services in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21030/15]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency holds the statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, and is the appropriate body to receive reports of concerns relating to children at risk.
Each referral received by the Agency is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. Preliminary screening is aimed at establishing the appropriateness of the referral to Tusla services and if necessary is followed by an initial assessment of the concern to determine the best course of action for the child and their family. At any stage, if a determination is made that there is abuse, whether physical, emotional, sexual or neglect, from which there is an ongoing risk of significant harm, the child protection pathway is followed. This may lead to the child being placed on the child protection notification system (CPNS).
In accordance with Children First National Guidance and the Agency's standard business processes, a child's name is placed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) in the following circumstances:
- Following the child protection conference, where the end decision is that a child protection plan is required to ensure that the necessary safeguards are in place;
- Where a review child protection conference - held at a minimum of 6 monthly intervals - confirms that the child remains at ongoing risk of significant harm necessitating a child protection plan.
The protection plan for a child can involve a range of interventions and services provided by Tusla directly, through commissioned services or provided by other State bodies, including mental health services for the child and parent, family therapy, courses to support parenting skills, addiction services and other family supports. A child protection conference is an interagency meeting that will draw on the expertise of relevant professionals and persons involved in the child's care, and, where possible, seek the views of the child. Every effort is made to minimise the disruption to the life of the child in their community. However, if a protection plan is reviewed and it is found that it is not being effective in keeping a child safe, then the option to take the child into care is given further consideration.
Cyberbullying Issues
Questions (122)
Bernard Durkan
Question:122. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which social media continues to be monitored in respect of bullying of children and teenagers; the extent to which such incidents or practices are conveyed to his Department on a regular basis, with a view to determining an appropriate response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21034/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Action Plan On Bullying: Report of the Anti-Bullying Working Group to the Minister for Education and Skills which was published in January 2013 clearly recognised the necessity to tackle this issue in a holistic way which saw schools as pivotal, but placed the issue within a much wider social context. Cyberbullying is just one aspect of bullying, but one given the rapid expansion of access to technology by young people which has come much more sharply into focus.
It is important for parents to talk to children about bullying whether it is through social media or not. Data gathered from nine year old children as part of Growing Up in Ireland, the National Longitudinal Survey commissioned by my Department, showed that based on responses from their mothers, 24% of children had been victims of bullying in the past year. This represents a significantly lower proportion than that reported by children themselves, which was reported at 40%, suggesting either that many parents are unaware that their child has experienced bullying in the previous year, or that they may have different perspectives about what constitutes bullying.
Schools are strengthening collaboration and interaction with youth services and promote the active participation by pupils in youth focused services within their local communities. DCYA supports the National Youth Health Programme which is in partnership with the HSE and the National Youth Council of Ireland. The programme's aims are to provide a broad-based, flexible health promotion/education support and training service to youth organisations and to all those working with young people in out-of-school settings, and includes programmes aimed at exploring bullying and cyberbullying with young people.
The Minister of Communications established an Internet Content Governance Advisory Group under the chair of Dr. Brian O’Neil in 2013 to ensure our national policy represents best practice in offering the same online protections to our citizens as those available in the offline world. The Group’s report was approved by Cabinet and published in May 2014 and makes several recommendations aimed at protecting children and young people without unduly limiting their opportunities and rights online. Along with changes to institutional, administrative and legal structures, the report makes four specific recommendations on cyberbullying, aimed at providing stronger supports for tackling this issue through primary and post-primary curricula, and additional training and awareness measures
The Office for Internet Safety is an Executive Office of the Department of Justice and Equality and has been established by the Government to take a lead responsibility for internet safety in Ireland, particularly as it relates to children. As part of its work it holds an annual Safer Internet Day, which has included a rollout of a social marketing campaign specifically targeted at young people.
Children in Care
Questions (123, 127)
Bernard Durkan
Question:123. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of incidents of abuse, intimidation or neglect of children in institutional care brought to the attention of his Department in each of the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21035/15]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:127. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young children and adults placed into care in each of the past three years and to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21039/15]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 123 and 127 together.
Children First guidelines set out the roles and responsibilities for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, as well as for State institutions and other publicly funded services, in relation to allegations of abuse. Under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, only children may be received into care and this can be up to the age of 18 years.
Children who are received into care, depending on their identified need, may be placed in foster care either with relatives or general foster carers, residential care, special care or other placement types. The majority of these children are in stable placements, with over 92% of children in care currently in a foster family setting. Residential settings represent most of the remaining placements, usually between 5 and 8% of all children in care. A residential setting will typically have 3 to 4 children in residence, who are usually older teenagers, allowing for their individual needs to be met. Regulations under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, underpin a number of safeguards for children in care, including the frequency of reviews of care plans and of visits by social workers to the child's care setting. In addition there are standards in place for foster and residential placements and there is a regime of regular monitoring and inspections.
Data, made available by Tusla, on children in care are on the basis of the type of care placement that is involved. Tusla does not provide data on the residence of the child at the time of the referral. However, feedback from practice information and from the independent inspection regime of the Health Information and Quality Authority shows that the most likely source of risks that lead to a child protection response is located in the wider community.
Tusla's data shows that in 2013, it received a total of 41,599 referrals, of which 19,407 related to abuse referrals. Figures to date for 2014 indicate that there had been 14,112 abuse referrals out of a total of 32,687 referrals up to the end of quarter three. It should be noted that more than one referral can be received in relation to a child so referrals data does not equate to the number of children that come to the attention of Tusla.
Data published in recent years indicate that the numbers of children entering care has been decreasing. This indicates that the increase in the number of children in care seen between 2012 and 2013 is a result of fewer children leaving care during the period. Tusla has reported that the number of children in care at year end, and most recently up to the end of February 2015, are as follows:
|
Year |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 (to end of Feb) |
|
Children in Care |
6,332 |
6,462 |
6,449 |
6,393 |
Adoption Services Provision
Questions (124)
Bernard Durkan
Question:124. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the role played by his Department in respect of adoption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21036/15]
View answerWritten answers
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs is responsible for developing, strengthening and aligning adoption policies, legislation and resources in order to achieve better outcomes for children and young people and provide support for parents and families.
Youth Services Funding
Questions (125)
Bernard Durkan
Question:125. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which funding from his Department remains available to youth organisations, with particular reference to those providing back-up or support services to young persons; the extent to which such support has fluctuated over the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21037/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The 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. Youth organisations and local youth services provide a range of non-formal and informal learning opportunities for young people. These include volunteering, leadership and entrepreneurship programmes, recreational activities, arts and cultural activities. Supports provided include mentoring, health and mental wellbeing and other supports, such as alcohol and drug awareness programmes for young people who are at risk. In 2015, funding of €49.93m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
Over the period 2012 to 2014, my Department, as with all Government departments, was required to deliver substantial savings on all major funding programmes under the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012 - 2014. In line with these savings requirements the reduction in finding provision for the youth services over the period amounted to approximately 18.75%. My Department in determining the annual allocations to youth programmes, while having regard to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure savings requirements, sought to ensure that, as far as possible, the focus was maintained on the frontline youth services, particularly those for vulnerable young people.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that there was no reduction in the overall allocation for youth services in 2015 which was a key priority for youth organisations.
In recent years capital funding has been allocated by my Department for capital projects in the youth services. This included provision to support youth cafes, refurbishments, equipment and other capital works projects. I am aware of the challenges that the youth services have faced in recent years in continuing to provide high quality services that meet young people's needs. I, and officials of my Department have met, and continue to meet regularly, with youth organisations and groups. 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.
My Department is developing a new National Youth Strategy. It will be a universal strategy for all young people aged 10-24 years and will have a particular focus on those young people who are most marginalised or at risk and who have the poorest outcomes and therefore who are most in need of support. My Department is working to finalise the new National Youth Strategy by the Summer.
Youth Services Provision
Questions (126)
Bernard Durkan
Question:126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department continues to support Kildare Youth Service throughout the county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21038/15]
View answerWritten answers
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The 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, which operates under Youth Work Ireland.
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. Officials of my Department continue to be available to meet with youth services to discuss any issues that arise for them in the provision of local services within the budgets available.
Question No. 127 answered with Question No. 123.
Juvenile Offenders
Questions (128)
Bernard Durkan
Question:128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of incidences in respect of which rehabilitative support has been offered to, and taken up by, juvenile offenders in each of the past three years and to date in 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21040/15]
View answerWritten answers
It is important to note that a range of rehabilitative supports is offered to every child entering the children detention schools as part of an overall programme, focused on their individual needs. The extent to which each child avails of these services depends on the individual profile in each case.
On admission, every child is assigned a specific member of staff who acts as the child’s "keyworker". The focus is on developing supportive relationships with the main emphasis placed on education and rehabilitation rather than on control and security. Each child is also the subject of an individual screening to determine any clinical services required, such as psychology, psychiatry or speech and language therapy. A “Placement Plan” is developed and reviewed at regular intervals during each child’s stay in detention. This ensures that all relevant supports that may be available in the community on a child’s release are put in place. The plan identifies responses to the identified needs of a child on release and names persons willing to assist in the rehabilitative process.
In addition, a strong ethos of school attendance, education and training is in place in the children detention schools, tailored to each child's individual needs. Education and training services are provided by the Dublin and Dún Laoghaire Education and Training Board.
The key principles of the Children Act 2001 are that detention of a child should only be imposed as a last resort. Among the other options that may be considered are the programmes provided by the Probation Service and Garda Youth Diversion Programme. In 2012, a total of 12,246 children were referred to the Garda Diversion Programme and a total of 134 children were either remanded or sentenced to a period of detention in the children detention schools. This would indicate that when all children in contact with the criminal justice system are considered, there is an emphasis on the promotion of non-custodial options as a first priority.
Child Care Services Provision
Questions (129)
Bernard Durkan
Question:129. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which his Department monitors the needs of children in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21042/15]
View answerWritten answers
As the Deputy is aware, Direct Provision is under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. With regards to the welfare of children in Direct Provision centres, there are a range of supports available to families resident within the centres facilitated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, as well as other bodies such as the Department of Education, Department of Social Protection, Department of Health and the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA).
The Child and Family Services unit within RIA that monitors the child and family services for asylum seekers is headed up by a seconded member of Tusla and links, where necessary, directly with An Garda Síochana. RIA and other State service providers, particularly the HSE and the Child and Family Agency, link in with Direct Provision centres to provide on-site monitoring of children and families through services including Public Health Nurse and GPs.
The needs of children in direct provision include education, child care such as preschool, medical and health issues. Tusla provide a range of services that offer advice and support to families. This includes family support workers, social workers, youth workers, family resource centres, support groups and counselling services. Preschools under Tusla have monitoring and inspection systems in place, according to national regulation and standards. While children living in Direct Provision are in their parents' care, any concerns about the welfare, safety or well-being of a child in Direct Provision are reported to the Child and Family Agency in line with Children First guidelines. Referrals include welfare concerns such as a parent being hospitalised, parental illness, a child being left unsupervised by an adult or mental health concerns regarding the parent, while a smaller number would relate to child protection concerns.
The Department of Justice and Equality has established a Working Group to review a range of issues pertaining to the protection process, including Direct Provision and supports to asylum seekers. The first meeting of the Working Group on the Protection Process was held on the 10th November 2014, chaired by Judge McMahon. A representative from my Department sits on this Working Group. I look forward to learning of the findings and recommendations of the Working Group in summer of 2015.
There has been correspondence between my Department and the CEO of the Child and Family Agency on Direct Provision, and this issue will be kept under review in the context of my overarching responsibility for child protection generally.
Child Poverty
Questions (130)
Róisín Shortall
Question:130. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the Ombudsman for Children's findings that there are now 138,000 children living in consistent poverty, his views that the child poverty reduction targets are now completely inadequate; his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21050/15]
View answerWritten answers
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 part of the implementation of Better Outcomes, Better Futures, Department of Social Protection have identified child poverty as a cross-sectoral priority action for 2015. The Department of Social Protection have the lead role in delivery on a child poverty target and are the Sponsor of outcome 4 of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures - economic security and opportunity.
This child target relates to lifting over 70,000 children out of consistent poverty by 2020, a reduction of at least two-thirds on the 2011 level. In order to meet this target 101,000 children will need to be lifted out of poverty by 2020. The Department of Social Protection also has lead responsibility for the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion.
Through social transfers, the at-risk-of-poverty rate for children is reduced from 45.5 per cent to 17.9 per cent in 2013 a poverty reduction effect of 60.7 per cent. The comparable figure in 2008 was 56.6%. Ireland remains one of the best performing EU countries in reducing child poverty through social transfers, according to Eurostat data.
The Government is implementing a whole-of-government, multi-dimensional approach to tackling child poverty. This builds on the life-cycle approach in the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion 2007-2016 and is informed by the European Commission’s Recommendation, ‘Investing in Children, Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage’.
To inform the development of a multi-dimensional approach to tackling child poverty, a national seminar on ‘Investing in children – breaking the cycle of disadvantage’ was held with the European Commission and attended by national stakeholders in November 2014. My Department continues to work closely with the Department of Social Protection supporting this multi-dimensional approach to child poverty.
The Government acknowledges the challenge in successfully achieving the child poverty target, but remains committed to meeting it. The timescale for achieving the target will be influenced by the pace of economic and employment growth. However, we believe having an ambitious target and actively monitoring it will provide a roadmap towards which we can develop and implement a strong multi-dimensional policy response.
As regards my own Department there are a number of areas of focus that support this response to child poverty. My Department invests €260 million annually on early childhood care and education and after-school support programmes which provide care to 100,000 children. A number of these programmes are targeted at those on lowest incomes. In addition in early 2015, I established an Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and After-School Care and Education. The work of the group is focused on identifying policy objectives to guide future investment in this area.
My Department is also leading the implementation of the Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme (2013-2016). The ABC Programme is 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 also provides targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people provided through a range of schemes totalling €49.93m of funding. The forthcoming National Youth Strategy will ensure that the social inclusion of young people is a key objective.
Finally, as part of my Department's response, Tusla, the child and family agency is also responsible for the delivery of educational welfare services which involves intensive intervention and a multidisciplinary approach to address the child's needs and support school attendance. During this period the School Completion Programme provided targeted support to approximately 36,000 children and young people at risk of early school leaving across 124 community based programmes.
Tusla also provides a range of services that offer advice and support to families. This includes over 100 family resource centres. The aim of the Family Resource Centre Programme is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. The Programme emphasises involving local communities in tackling the problems they face, and creating successful partnerships between voluntary and statutory agencies at community level.
Child Protection Services Provision
Questions (131)
Róisín Shortall
Question:131. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children awaiting allocation to a social worker on child welfare and protection grounds, broken down by local area and category of case. [21051/15]
View answerWritten answers
I am advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that the number of children awaiting allocation to a Social Worker has reduced from 8,351 nationally at the end of 2014 to 7,921 at the end of February 2015. The number of high priority cases within this figure has reduced from 2,731 nationally at the end of 2014 to 2,303 at the end of February 2015.
This improvement may be linked with the implementation of Tusla’s Service Delivery Framework which is designed to ensure referrals are responded to in an appropriate, proportionate and timely fashion. Currently, a national review of cases awaiting allocation is being finalised by Tusla to inform further actions required to reduce these numbers. This review is expected to be completed shortly and will be submitted to me for consideration.
For the Deputy's information, I have set out in tabular format, national and regional data in relation to the total number of children in receipt of social work services who are awaiting allocation to a social worker, and their associated priority levels as at end February, 2015.
The Agency has advised that it collects the relevant data in a standardised manner and not in the format as requested by the Deputy.
|
Cases awaiting allocation at end of February 2015 |
High Priority |
Medium Priority |
Low Priority |
Total |
|
Dublin Mid Leinster |
972 |
1,505 |
435 |
2,912 |
|
Dublin North East |
499 |
882 |
573 |
1,954 |
|
South |
539 |
904 |
490 |
1,933 |
|
West |
293 |
575 |
254 |
1,122 |
|
National Total |
2,303 |
3,866 |
1,752 |
7,921 |