Written Answers Nos. 519-535
519. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in respect of State boards under his Department's remit the number of appointments to State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards; the number of vacancies in State boards publically advertised; and the number of appointments to State boards drawn directly from the public advertisement process in the period March 2011 to 2015 to date. [23580/15]
View answerForty-eight persons have been appointed to the boards of management of bodies under the aegis of my Department, since its establishment in June 2011. Details are set out in the following table:
|
Agency |
Board Membership |
Appointed since June 2011 |
|
Child and Family Agency |
9 |
9* |
|
Adoption Authority |
7 |
2 |
|
Children Detention Schools Board of Management, Oberstown |
13 |
13 |
|
Family Support Agency |
n/a |
23 |
|
National Educational Welfare Board |
n/a |
10 |
*The membership of the board of the Family Support Agency was appointed to the board of the new Child and Family Agency on its establishment on 1st January 2014.
The Deputy may wish to note that the governing legislation in relation to each of these bodies sets out the composition of the board either in terms of their qualifications and experience, or the Government Minister or body that is responsible for nominating representatives on them or who must be consulted in the nomination process.
In line with Government decisions in 2011 relating to appointments to State Boards and bodies, the vacancies on the boards of State Bodies and Agencies operating under my Department's aegis were published on my Department's website and expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to these boards were invited. My officials acknowledged all expressions of interest received and maintained a database of those expressions. In May 2013 the Public Appointments Service (PAS), on behalf of my Department, sought expressions of interest from those interested in being appointed to the Board of the Family Support Agency having regard to both its existing statutory functions and its planned role in facilitating the establishment of the Child and Family Agency.
New arrangements concerning appointments to State Boards were approved by Government in November 2014. Guidelines covering the process to be used were published on 25th November 2014 by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Under these new arrangements, PAS will manage the process of advertising and subsequently, the selection of suitable potential appointees to State Boards.
Currently, there are vacancies for the positions of chairperson and one ordinary member of the Board of Management of the Children Detention Schools following the resignations of Mr. Joe Horan and Ms. Rachel Grimes respectively. Another member of the Board, Ms. Ursula Kilkelly, is currently performing the role of acting Chairperson. There is also one vacancy on the Board of the Child and Family Agency following the recent resignation of Ms. Ita Mangan. My Department is currently engaging with the relevant Boards and with PAS to advertise these vacancies on the new State Boards website. I am also arranging for certain vacant positions on Gaisce, the Presidents Award scheme, to be advertised through the State Boards process. Arrangements will also be made to advertise for members of the Adoption Authority of Ireland as the current Board's term ends later this year.
In making my decisions on appointments to boards, subject to the governing legislation, I will consider the most suitable persons for the positions available with due regard to the body or agency in question and its particular responsibilities and I will seek to ensure that the appropriate mix of skills and experience is in place to achieve the best result.
520. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form for each year from 2009 to 2014 and for 2015 to date, the total number of freedom of information requests received by his Department; the total refused; granted; partly granted; successful appeals; partly successful appeals; and refusals of appeals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23603/15]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table and is with effect from the date of the establishment of my Department, 2 June 2011.
|
Year |
Total Received |
Refused |
Granted |
Part Granted |
Appealed/Part Appealed |
Appeals/Part Appeals - Successful/Refused |
*Withdrawn/Dealt with Outside of FOI |
*Carried over at Year End* |
|
2011 |
6 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
1 |
1 Appeal Successful |
0 |
# |
|
2012 |
32 |
2 |
18 |
1 |
1 Appeal |
1 Appeal Successful |
4 |
7 |
|
2013 |
30 |
1 |
23 |
1 |
1 Part Appeal |
1 Part Appeal -Refused |
4 |
8 |
|
2014 |
37 |
1 |
18 |
9 |
1 Part Appeal |
1 Part Appeal -Refused |
2 |
12 |
|
2015 |
30 |
1 |
20 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
# |
521. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department that have been subject to the pre-legislative scrutiny procedure in the Oireachtas. [23634/15]
View answerThe information is provided in the following table.
|
Name of Bill |
Date Initiated |
Bill Number |
|
Children First Bill 2014 |
10 April 2014 |
30 of 2014 |
522. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the number, name and date of Bills initiated in his Department since September 2013. [23660/15]
View answerThe information is provided in the following table.
|
Name of Bill |
Date Initiated |
Bill Number |
|
Children (Amendment) Bill 2015 |
11 May 2015 |
43 of 2015 |
|
Children First Bill 2014 |
10 April 2014 |
30 of 2014 |
|
Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013* |
16 December 2013 |
133 of 2013 |
*Enacted on 20 December 2013 as the Adoption (Amendment) Act 2013
523. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the total amount spent in each of the years 2011 to 2014 and in 2015 to date on staff subsistence payments and staff taxi payments; if his Department has been audited for tax compliance on these payments and other benefits-in-kind; if these processes have been revised in view of the Revenue Commissioners' concerns over practices in other State bodies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23676/15]
View answerDetails of the expenditure incurred by my Department on overseas and home travel and subsistence, including the costs associated with taxi fares, since 2011 are set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Cost |
Portion of cost spent on taxi usage |
|
2011 |
€66,087 |
€374 |
|
2012 |
€102,002 |
€5,487 |
|
2013 |
€136,231 |
€9,282 |
|
2014 |
€78,104 |
€4,825 |
|
2015 to date |
€47,462 |
€4,373 |
The Deputy might note that claims in respect of travel and subsistence are only paid in respect of costs necessarily incurred in the performance of official duties and are in line with the relevant travel and subsistence circulars as issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and previously by the Department of Finance, particularly Circular 11/82 which sets out the detailed instructions governing the payment of travelling and subsistence allowances.
Expenditure in this regard is examined by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General as part of its annual audit of Departmental expenditure and was also made available for examination by the Office of the Revenue Commissioners as part of its audit of the Department earlier this year.
524. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form by year, all external consultant reports commissioned by his Department since March 2011; the costs per report; the company involved; the title of the report; and publication date. [23692/15]
View answerIn order to deliver key commitments in relation to children and young people and to put in place a unified framework of policy, legislation and provision across Government in respect of children and young people, it is at times necessary to commission reports and utilise expertise from a range of expert individuals and bodies. My Department ensures that all reports commissioned are of direct relevance to the operational and policy commitments of my Department.
I have set out as follows the full range of external consultant reports commissioned by my Department. Costs may include, where applicable, copy editing, design and other costs relating to publication. Separate material is provided in respect of the Growing Up in Ireland study.
|
Name of External Report |
Date of Commission |
Date/expected date of Publication |
Name of External Consultant |
Cost of Report |
|
Audit of Children and Young people’s Participation in decision making in Ireland |
November 2009 |
November 2011 |
Cnag ar an Doras and Sandra Roe (joint contract) |
€19,890.42 |
|
National Consultation with Children Living in the Care of the State |
November 2010 |
July 2011 |
Cnag ar an Doras |
€25,610.00 |
|
Body Image Survey Report |
March 2011 |
October 2011 |
Anam Cara |
€6,800.00 |
|
Youth Work: A Systematic Map of the Research Literature |
September 2011 |
June 2013 |
Social Science Research Unit, Institute of Education, University of (EPPI-Centre) London. |
€67,000 |
|
Valuation report |
November 2011 |
Internal use only |
Elliott Fitzgerald Ltd. |
€1,230.00 |
|
Needs Assessment for the Redevelopment of www.childrensdatabase.ie |
December 2011 |
Internal use only |
Centre for Effective Services |
€18,400 |
|
Every Child a Home: A Review of the Implementation of the Youth Homelessness Strategy |
December 2011 |
July 2013 |
Centre for Effective Services Penhouse Design Intacta Print - Carole Devaney for proofing of report and of briefing note |
€6,000 €5,522.70 €4,706.57 €1,360.00 Total: €17,589.27 |
|
Comhairle na nÓg and Garda Siochana survey on the Attitudes of Gardaí to Young People. Questionnaire for Gardaí and Young People |
July 2012 |
Publication date to be finalised |
Anam Cara |
€7,650 |
|
Public Knowledge and Attitudes Relating to Children’s Rights, Welfare, Protection and Services |
July 2012 |
Publication date to be finalised |
Behaviour and Attitudes Qualitative Research – Group Facilitation Quantitative Research – Interviews Barometer Research |
€42,864.98 €59,040.00 €1,107.00 Total: €103,011.98 |
|
Ireland’s Consolidated 3rd and 4th Report to the United Nations Committee in the Rights of the Child |
July 2012 |
July 2013 |
Ms. Carmel Corrigan – Drafting of Report Ms. Carol Devaney – Editing, Formatting and Indexing |
€12,600 €4,760 Total: €17,360 |
|
Strategic Human Resources |
December 2012 |
April 2013 |
Mazars |
€20,602.50 |
|
Internal Audit Report Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme Internal Audit Report ICT Shared Services Arrangements |
December 2012 December 2012 |
Internal Use Only Internal Use Only |
Capita Business Services Ltd Capita Business Services Ltd |
Combined for both reports €23,803.00 |
|
Summary Report for Young Voices Have Your Say- Structured Dialogue |
January 2013 |
March 2013 |
Cnag ar an Doras |
€4,918.00 |
|
Care Issues Review |
March 2013 |
Internal use only |
Victor McElfatrick |
€3,556.56 |
|
Report on Structural Damage |
March 2013 |
Internal use only |
Frontier Engineering Group Ltd. |
€7,668.74 |
|
Staff Roster Review |
April 2013 |
Internal use only |
McGuinness Killen Partnership |
€6,715.80 |
|
Role Review for Child & Family Agency |
May 2013 |
November 2013 |
Mazars |
€16,512.75 |
|
Care Issues Review |
September 2013 |
Internal use only |
Conal Devine & Associates |
€13,636.21 |
|
Internal Audit Report Community Childcare Subvention / Childcare Education and Training Supports Programmes |
January 2014 |
Internal Use Only |
Capita Business Services Ltd |
€8,200.00 |
|
Care Issues Review |
February 2014 |
Internal use only |
Kieran McGrath |
€13,500 |
|
Policy Analysis and Development on Remission of Sentence |
March 2014 |
Internal use only |
Bramell Lane Ltd |
€29,151 |
|
Land Valuation Report |
August 2014 |
Internal use only |
Lisney Chartered Surveyors |
€2,152.50 |
|
Internal Audit Report National Childrens Detention Facility |
October 2014 |
Internal use only |
Capita Business Services |
€12,623 |
|
Internal Audit Report: Programme Integration Platform |
November 2014 |
Internal Use Only |
Capita Business Services |
€15,675 |
|
Report on Ireland’s Implementation of EU Youth Strategy |
November 2014 |
Late 2015 |
Carmel Corrigan |
€6,300 |
|
Report of the involvement of children and young people in the recruitment of the Ombudsman for Children |
March 2015 |
December 2015 |
Sandra Roe |
€6,000 |
Growing Up in Ireland
In 2006 a Contract to carry out the National Longitudinal Study of Children in Ireland was awarded by the Department of Health and Children (through the Office of the Minister For Children & Youth Affairs) to a consortium comprising of the ESRI and the Children’s Research Centre at TCD. Since then the Study has adopted the working title of 'Growing Up in Ireland'. As part of this overall contract the ESRI/TCD are required to prepare and publish reports from time to time. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs meets the costs of printing these reports and since this Department was established in June 2011 the total cost of printing is €31,967.14.
525. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the financial records for Bessborough mother and baby home were not handed over to the Health Service Executive in the 2011 transfer of files. [23832/15]
View answer526. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Bessborough mother and baby home was offered any indemnity against material in the files that it handed over to the Health Service Executive in 2011. [23833/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 525 and 526 together.
The issues raised by the Deputy are a matter for the Child and Family Agency and I have asked the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy
527. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the fact that a Health Service Executive report in 2012 uncovered 478 deaths at Bessborough mother and baby home over a 19-year period, a similar death rate to Tuam, County Galway; the reason an investigation was not undertaken at that time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23834/15]
View answerAs I have previously outlined, the document the Deputy is referring to was an appendix to a draft report provided by the HSE to the McAleese Inquiry into State involvement with Magdalen Laundries. The author of this appendix acknowledged that its conclusions remained a matter of conjecture until such time as a more forensic examination of the home’s records could be undertaken by the HSE.
As these matters were outside the direct remit of the McAleese Committee, the HSE subsequently advised that these wider concerns would be examined separately by the HSE. At that time my Department advised the HSE that any validated findings of concern from this separate process should be appropriately communicated by the HSE. I can confirm that my Department is not aware of any such subsequent report by the HSE. As these issues are now within the remit of the Child and Family Agency, I will ask the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy and request that I am sent a copy of this reply.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs became actively involved in responding to the concerns relating to Mother and Baby Homes following the publication of information on the former Bon Secours Home in Tuam around mid-2014. The Inter Departmental Review Group was set up by my predecessor to assist Government in its deliberations on the terms of reference of a Commission of Investigation and to map the important dimensions of the issues in the short time available. The more extensive process of assembling and investigating all relevant records now forms a very significant part of the Commission’s work. The Group's Report cites a range of academic research and published social histories which explore matters related to Mother and Baby Homes and demonstrates that concerns in relation to the role and purpose of these institutions have been the subject of attention, report and debate since their establishment in the early years of the State.
This work culminated in the establishment of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters in February 2015. Using its extensive legal powers, this Commission is now examining matters within its comprehensive terms of reference to ensure that what happened to vulnerable women and children in Mother and Baby Homes is fully examined. Its findings will be published.
I am satisfied that the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, together with the terms of reference set out in S.I. No. 57 of 2015, provides this Commission with all necessary powers to comprehensively examine the broad range of public concerns that have been expressed in relation to mother and baby homes.
528. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm that Tusla-Child and Family Agency has cut its funding to the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23914/15]
View answer529. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he was informed of the Tusla-Child and Family Agency decision before it was given to the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland; if he sought an explanation for it; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23915/15]
View answer530. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he has received a report on the likely impact of the decision by Tusla-Child and Family Agency not to fund the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland on the provision of rape crisis services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23916/15]
View answer531. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if any of the existing Rape Crisis Centres will be forced to close as a result of the decision by Tusla-Child and Family Agency not to fund the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23917/15]
View answer532. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm that a report to the Government in 2011 concluded that the State had twice the number of rape crisis centres as are believed necessary under European Union policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23918/15]
View answer533. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla-Child and Family Agency and / or his Department have adopted a position of rationalising rape crisis services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23919/15]
View answer534. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will confirm that a firm of consultants is currently reviewing the provision of rape crisis services; the persons who ordered this review; when it will conclude; if the report will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23920/15]
View answer535. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide a breakdown by constituency for each of the years 2010 to 2014 and for 2015 to date of the funding arrangements for the 16 rape crisis centres, the 44 domestic violence services, including the 20 refuges, the two national networks, the Rape Crisis Network Ireland and Safe Ireland; his views on the current funding arrangements.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23921/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 528 to 535, inclusive, together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, assumed statutory responsibility with effect from 1 January 2014 for domestic, sexual and gender based violence services. These services were previously funded by the Health Service Executive (HSE).
Sexual violence services are being developed by Tusla, as a national specialist service, so as to enable better outcomes for both children and adults who are survivors of sexual violence.
Tusla has undertaken a comprehensive review of sexual violence and domestic violence services. The purpose was to identify strategic priorities and set out a roadmap for the delivery of these services. Tusla considers that there is scope for a more co-ordinated and more equitable provision of these services across the country. In reviewing the make up of current services, it is seeking to address any identified gaps in services, to avoid duplication and to support effective delivery of frontline services nationally.
Tusla has appointed a national manager to ensure a single line of accountability for all resources in this important area. Tusla is currently in the process of recruiting eight additional staff for domestic, sexual and gender based violence services.
Tusla has commenced an external consultancy process to assist with developing key components of models of domestic and sexual violence service provision. This does not involve an evaluation of current service providers, but there will be outputs from this process, including a report for internal Tusla for planning and implementation purposes.
I requested that Tusla give particular priority to protecting frontline services, and in that context, funding for the 16 Rape Crisis Centres nationwide which provide services directly to rape survivors has been protected in 2015. Almost €4.0m in funding is dedicated to Rape Crisis Centres in 2015, with funding maintained at 2014 levels. I can confirm that no Rape Crisis Centres are to be closed.
Tusla has advised that it informed RCNI of it's decision to withdraw funding at a meeting last December. I subsequently became aware of this decision in January of this year and had ongoing discussions with Tusla in relation to its budgetary plans for 2015 including its decision to withdraw funding from RCNI.
The specific funding provided for RCNI by Tusla was to develop and maintain a database of information recorded by workers in Rape Crisis Centres. Tusla had concerns that this database did not capture information from all 16 Rape Crisis Centres as only 11 centres are affiliated with the Network.
In addition, Tusla did not always have timely access to the data collected, which is essential to support the delivery of high quality services across both the domestic violence and sexual violence services sector.
Consequently, Tusla has taken the decision to put in place a comprehensive data system that best meets the current and future data needs of a developing service. In order to plan properly for the future, Tusla needs access to complete and reliable information.
As part of revised governance arrangements, funded sexual violence services will provide information directly to Tusla, creating, for the first time, a comprehensive dataset on all such services funded by the Agency. This information is critically important as Tusla continues to reform services to ensure that we provide the best possible response to survivors of sexual violence.
Tusla's own analysis indicates that there is sufficient service provision with regard to Council of Europe guidelines and Tusla is currently looking at access to these services arising from population distribution.
In 2015, Tusla will spend approximately €19m on these services. The information sought by the Deputy in relation to a breakdown of funding by constituency has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
