Written Answers Nos. 396-414
396. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently supervised in the community under a post-release supervision order under Part 5 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of persons currently in breach of conditions under this Part; the number of cases pending; the number of convictions; if she will provide a regional breakdown of these figures; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30253/15]
View answerThere are 94 persons being supervised by the Probation Service under the conditions of a Post Release Supervision Order as provided for in Part 5 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001. A regional breakdown of this number is illustrated in the table.
|
Region |
Number |
|
Dublin North, Meath and Louth |
24 |
|
Dublin South and Wicklow |
22 |
|
Midlands and South East |
15 |
|
South West |
12 |
|
West and North West (including Westmeath) |
21 |
|
Total |
94 |
The information the Deputy has requested in respect of cases involving non-compliance with a Supervision Order under Section 33 of the Act is not readily available.
397. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons registered under Part 2 of the Sex Offenders Act 2001; the number of breaches under this Part in 2014 and in 2015 to date; the number of cases pending; the number of convictions in each year concerned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30254/15]
View answerThe Sex Offenders Act 2001 contains a comprehensive series of provisions aimed at protecting children and other persons. Part 2 of the Act makes persons convicted of a range of sexual offences subject to notification requirements. The provisions of the Act also extend to any offenders convicted abroad of the same range of sexual offences who enter the State.
All offenders subject to the notification requirements are monitored by the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit (SOMIU) at the Garda National Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Unit is supported by Garda Inspectors nominated in each Garda Division throughout the State. I am informed that the nominated Inspector in each Division has access to all necessary resources within his/her Division to assist him/her in carrying out his/her duties.
Where An Garda Síochána becomes aware that an offender subject to the notification requirements has breached those requirements, appropriate action is taken, including circulation through PULSE of their information, as well as inquiries to identify their current whereabouts. I am advised that the appropriate level of monitoring is carried out by An Garda Síochána and that all breaches of the requirements which come to notice are pursued.
I am also informed that when the Garda authorities become aware that a convicted sex offender has left or is intending to leave the State, the Sex Offender Management and Intelligence Unit ensures that the relevant law enforcement agency in the country of destination is advised via Interpol.
I have asked the Garda authorities to provide the information requested concerning the number of persons who are subject to the requirements of Part 2 of the Act and I will contact the Deputy directly when this is to hand.
As the Deputy will be aware the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the publication of recorded crime statistics. I have requested the CSO to provide the available statistics in relation to offences and convictions as requested by the Deputy directly to him.
398. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 74 of 28 January 2015, the number of complaints of petrol stretching and contamination received in each Garda Síochána division in 2015 to date; the position regarding these complaints; the number of these that have been investigated, resulting in a person being charged or a file being forwarded to the Director of Public Prosecutions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30272/15]
View answer399. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of complaints of petrol stretching and contamination received in the past 12 months by An Garda Síochána; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30274/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 398 and 399 together.
I wish to advise the Deputy that it has not been possible to provide the information sought in the time available for reply. However, I have requested the Garda authorities to provide the requested information and I will be in further contact with the Deputy upon receipt.
400. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department was notified by the Department of Social Protection of an identity error in respect of a person (details supplied); the measures her Department has taken to ensure there are no residual consequences for the person in question; if she will outline how the various records have been amended; if her Department will acknowledge the error in writing to this person; if the Data Protection Acts were breached and, if so, whether this has been notified to the Data Protection Commissioner; if not, the reason for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30280/15]
View answerIn relation to the particular case that the Deputy has mentioned, I have asked officials in my Department to establish the precise detail of how this situation arose, in liaison with the Department for Social Protection.
I will be in further contact with the Deputy when the facts of the case have been established.
401. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the target response time An Garda Síochána seeks to achieve for call-outs to reported incidents of crime, analysed per crime category, including 999 calls; the average call-out response time achieved per crime category, analysed by Garda Síochána division, for the years 2011 to 2014 and for 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30346/15]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the deputy from the Garda Commissioner and will write directly to the Deputy on receipt of same.
402. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way the closure of Garda stations has impacted on Garda call-out and response times; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30347/15]
View answerThe formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
An Garda Síochána completed a comprehensive review of its district and station network in 2012 and 2013. The objective was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation’s resource base would best meet public demand.
I am informed by Garda management that the Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme continues to provide for effectiveness and efficiencies through a programme of restructuring and reconfiguration of service delivery methods, concomitant with changes to work practices within the new rostering arrangements already introduced.
I am further informed that the restructured station network continues to provide the necessary levels of policing services through a centralisation of services which in turn has facilitated the introduction of enhanced patrolling systems that are operational and intelligence led. This helps ensure that a high visibility and community oriented policing service continues to be delivered throughout the country and yields the following benefits:
- Increased Garda visibility and patrol hours
- Increased mobility and flexibility within an area resulting in an improved policing service to the public
- Enhanced co-ordination of Garda activity resulting in a greater visibility and presence in the communities
- More effective use of limited resources across a wider area
- Continued Garda presence in communities
Finally I have been assured by the Garda authorities that local Garda Management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies in place on a District, Divisional and Regional level, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
403. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality given the recent publication of the Central Statistics Office's crime statistics, if an impact analysis of crime has been undertaken in the areas where Garda stations were closed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30348/15]
View answerI can assure the Deputy that Garda management monitor crime trends on an ongoing basis with a view to providing the most effective possible policing service to communities throughout the country. I am advised that Garda operational strategies, including the deployment of Garda resources, takes account of crime trend data and that the policing needs of all communities, including in those areas where a Garda station may have been closed, are kept under ongoing review.
While the most recently published CSO Recorded Crime Statistics for the first quarter of 2015 show decreases in many categories of crime, there are increases recorded in some categories, including burglary, and to support the Garda operational response to this crime threat, I recently announced additional resources for new specialised vehicles to support an enhanced operational response by Gardaí with particular reference to crime being committed by highly-mobile gangs. The Deputy will also be aware that further additional resources are coming on stream which will strengthen Garda capacity to respond to all crime trends. In May of this year we saw the first deployment of newly attested Gardaí since 2009. I understand that a further group of new recruits will attest as Gardaí at the end of July 2015. These welcome developments follow on the recruitment of 300 new entrants to the Garda College in Templemore since September last year, with an additional 250 Garda recruits due to commence training during 2015. This injection of resources will undoubtedly support enhanced policing and community safety in all areas of the country.
404. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the compensatory measures announced by her predecessor when closing Garda stations, including community and mobile Garda clinics, have not been implemented; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30349/15]
View answerThe formulation of proposals in relation to the opening and closing of Garda stations is a matter, in the first instance, for the Garda Commissioner in the context of annual policing plans, as provided for in section 22 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005.
In this regard the Deputy will be aware that the Garda Síochána carried out a comprehensive review of its district and station network in 2012 and 2013. The objective was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. The review concluded that a revised district and station network commensurate with the organisation resource base would best meet public demand. The resulting Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme aims to provide a more effective and efficient allocation of resources through a programme of restructuring and reconfiguration of service delivery methods.
Against that background, Community Policing is the underpinning philosophy and ethos through which An Garda Síochána delivers a service to the community and the use of policing clinics is an established practice in community policing models in other jurisdictions. Garda clinics are small public Garda facilities that provide basic Garda services to the communities they serves and augment District/Sub District Garda Stations. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the use of such clinics has increased since the launch of the National Model of Community Policing in 2009 and more recently they have served to counteract the closure of Garda stations around the country.
I am further informed that Garda clinics are run by community policing members with the intention of putting the needs of our communities at the centre of Garda services and improving An Garda Síochána’s ability to identify and anticipate community needs through pro-active engagement and effective service provision. Such clinics are delivered in partnership with the community and are, where possible, conducted at community orientated venues that are cost effective, neutral in nature or might attract a high footfall.
Garda authorities advise that the function of Garda clinics will differ even within districts and that in addition to focusing on topics such as neighbourhood watch, crime prevention and advice to older persons, these clinics also support the delivery of various Garda services traditionally provided at Garda stations, e.g. passport applications, driving license production, age card applications and crime prevention advice. Clinics are generally open for 1-2 hours and are as consistent as possible in terms of their frequency and venue.
405. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí assigned to each Garda station in the Cavan-Monaghan division, from the end of May 2010 until the end of May 2015; the proposals in place to increase Garda numbers in the Cavan-Monaghan division; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30351/15]
View answer406. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the proposals in place to reinstate the Garda drugs unit in the Cavan-Monaghan division, given the need to provide additional resources to specifically target those persons involved in the drugs trade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30352/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 405 and 406 together.
The Deputy will be aware that one of the primary functions of the Garda Commissioner under the Garda Síochána Acts is to direct and control An Garda Síochána and as such, the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. I have no direct role in this function. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review taking into account crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the strength of the Cavan/Monaghan Division on 31 May 2010 and on 31 May 2015, was as set out in the tables.
The Deputy will be aware that the first intake since 2009 of 100 new recruits entered training at the Garda College, Templemore, on 15 September 2014. As part of Budget 2015, a further intake of 200 recruits in two batches was announced. On 15 December 2014, the first 100 of these batches commenced their training. The remaining 100 entered the college in February this year. In addition I received sanction from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for the further intake of 250 recruits in 2015. It is expected that there will be a further intake into the Garda College of 100 trainees later this month, with two further intakes scheduled for October and December of this year. This will bring the number of new recruits to 550 by the end of 2015.
The September intake of recruits attested as members of the Garda Síochána on 23 April 2015 and further attestation of 99 new Probationer Gardaí is scheduled for later this month.
On attestation, these new Probationer Gardaí will be assigned to Garda stations throughout the country, where they will be allocated to mainstream uniform policing duties, and the needs of all Garda Divisions will be fully considered as part of this process.
I have also been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the Detective Branch in the Cavan/Monaghan Division take a lead role in the enforcement of drug related legislation in conjunction with the Garda National Drugs Unit members of the Cavan/Monaghan Division.
Tackling the issue of drug misuse in our society remains one of the most complex challenges that we face. The overall response to the problem is set out in the National Drugs Strategy for the period 2009-2016. The Strategy provides a co-ordinated and comprehensive response to issue of drug misuse and is very much founded on a partnership approach. Drug law enforcement remains a fundamental feature of our overall approach and continues to be a key priority area.
I understand that the specific strategies put in place by An Garda Síochána, to address the sale, supply, importation and distribution of illegal drugs include the establishment of targeted intelligence led operations focused on specific facets of the drugs trade. A further feature of the Garda response is the continued and close co-operation with the Revenue Commissioners (Customs Service) and with other national drug law enforcement agencies, such as the Health Products Regulatory Authority in tackling drug supply.
I am further informed that Garda Management is satisfied that a comprehensive policing service in the Cavan/Monaghan Division continues to be delivered and that current structures in place meet the requirement to deliver an effective and efficient policing service to the community.
Table 1 Garda Strength Cavan Monaghan Division 31 May 2010
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Garda |
Sgt |
Insp |
Supt |
C/Supt |
Acc. Comm |
Total |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
Bailieboro |
Bailieboro |
32 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
42 |
||
|
Ballyjamesduff |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Cootehill |
9 |
1 |
10 |
||||||
|
Kingscourt |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
Mullagh |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Shercock |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Virginia |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
Total |
56 |
13 |
1 |
1 |
71 |
||||
|
Ballyconnell |
Ballyconnell |
23 |
5 |
1 |
29 |
||||
|
Bawnboy |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Belturbet |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Blacklion |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Dowra |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Killeshanra |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Swanlinbar |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Total |
34 |
10 |
1 |
45 |
|||||
|
Carrickmacross |
Ballybay |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
Carrickmacross |
42 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
53 |
||||
|
Castleblaney |
23 |
4 |
27 |
||||||
|
Corrinshigagh |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Rockcorry |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Shantonagh |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Total |
72 |
16 |
1 |
1 |
90 |
||||
|
Cavan |
Arva |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|||||
|
Balllinagh |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Cavan |
58 |
7 |
1 |
1 |
67 |
||||
|
Kinlaneck |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Redhills |
1 |
||||||||
|
Stradone |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Total |
66 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
79 |
||||
|
Monaghan |
Clones |
8 |
1 |
9 |
|||||
|
Clontibret |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Emyvale |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Monaghan |
82 |
15 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
103 |
|||
|
Newbliss |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Scotstown |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Total |
97 |
19 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
122 |
|||
|
Total |
325 |
69 |
6 |
6 |
1 |
407 |
Table 2 Garda Strength Cavan Monaghan Division 31 May 2015
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Garda |
Sgt |
Insp |
Supt |
C/Supt |
Acc. Comm |
Total |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
Bailieboro |
Bailieboro |
26 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
36 |
||
|
Ballyjamesduff |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Cootehill |
6 |
6 |
|||||||
|
Kingscourt |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Mullagh |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Shercock |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Virginia |
10 |
1 |
11 |
||||||
|
Total |
48 |
11 |
1 |
1 |
61 |
||||
|
Carrickmacross |
Ballybay |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|||||
|
Carrickmacross |
32 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
43 |
||||
|
Castleblaney |
23 |
4 |
27 |
||||||
|
Rockcorry |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
Total |
60 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
76 |
||||
|
Cavan |
Arva |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|||||
|
Ballinagh |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Ballyconnell |
15 |
2 |
17 |
||||||
|
Belturbet |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
Blacklion |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Cavan |
47 |
8 |
1 |
1 |
57 |
||||
|
Dowra |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Killeshandra |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Kilnaleck |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Swanlinbar |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Total |
77 |
14 |
1 |
1 |
93 |
||||
|
Monaghan |
Clones |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|||||
|
Emyvale |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Monaghan |
57 |
14 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
76 |
|||
|
Scotstown |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||||
|
Total |
65 |
17 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
87 |
|||
|
Total |
250 |
56 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
317 |
407. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total number of members of An Garda Síochána who are permanently stationed along the Border corridor in County Donegal, in tabular form and by station, including stations located in the Border towns of Bundoran; Burnfoot; Carrigans; Castlefinn; Convoy; Lifford; Muff; Newtowncunningham; Pettigo; and Raphoe; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30371/15]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the distribution of personnel among the Garda Regions, Divisions, and Districts. Garda management keep this distribution under continuing review taking account of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the best possible use is made of these resources.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the personnel strength of Donegal Garda Division as of the 31 May 2015, the latest date for which figures are readily available, are as set out in the table.
|
Division |
District |
Station |
Garda |
Sgt |
Insp. |
Supt |
C/Supt |
A. Comm |
Total |
|
Donegal |
Ballyshannon |
An Charraig |
1 |
1 |
2 |
||||
|
Aed An Rátha |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
Ballintra |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Ballyshannon |
34 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
43 |
||||
|
Bundoran |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
Donegal Town |
23 |
5 |
28 |
||||||
|
Mountcharles |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Na Cealla Beaga |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
Na Gleannta |
11 |
1 |
12 |
||||||
|
Pettigo |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Total |
84 |
15 |
1 |
2 |
102 |
||||
|
Buncrana |
Buncrana |
39 |
6 |
1 |
1 |
47 |
|||
|
Burnfoot |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
Carndonagh |
6 |
1 |
7 |
||||||
|
Clonmany |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Moville |
4 |
1 |
5 |
||||||
|
Muff |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Total |
56 |
10 |
1 |
1 |
68 |
||||
|
Letterkenny |
Ballybofey |
21 |
3 |
24 |
|||||
|
Carrigans |
4 |
4 |
|||||||
|
Castlefin |
3 |
1 |
4 |
||||||
|
Convoy |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Letterkenny |
83 |
13 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
101 |
|||
|
Lifford |
12 |
2 |
14 |
||||||
|
Newtowncunningham |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
Raphoe |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||||
|
Total |
129 |
21 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
155 |
|||
|
Milford |
An Bun Beag |
13 |
2 |
15 |
|||||
|
An Clochán Liath |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||||
|
An Craoslach |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
An Fál Carrach |
7 |
1 |
8 |
||||||
|
Carraig Airt |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
Dún Fionnachaid |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
Kerrykeel |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
Kilmacrennan |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Milford |
25 |
3 |
1 |
29 |
|||||
|
Rametton |
2 |
2 |
|||||||
|
Rathmullen |
1 |
1 |
|||||||
|
Total |
61 |
7 |
1 |
69 |
|||||
|
Total |
330 |
53 |
5 |
5 |
1 |
394 |
408. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 370 of 1 July 2014 (details supplied), if she will confirm that her Department, in partnership with the Health Service Executive, is providing the same level of funding in 2015 to an association to employ the same level of staffing for the programme, namely, a national co-ordinator and five development staff; if she will confirm that the association produced a valid tax clearance certificate on each occasion it received a funding allocation during 2015 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30376/15]
View answerIn 2015 as in previous years, my Department is providing funding to Muintir na Tire to support the operation of the Community Alert scheme. I can confirm that it is intended to maintain the same level of funding from my Department as in 2014 (€152,000), and I understand that the HSE is also continuing to fund the scheme. As in previous years my Department is providing funding to support the national administration of the scheme. As I have indicated to the Deputy in response to previous questions, my Department does not employ staff in connection with the scheme and the details of the relevant employment arrangements are a matter for Muintir na Tire. The arrangements for the management of the scheme are of course the subject of ongoing monitoring and discussion with Muintir na Tire, and having regard to the views of An Garda Síochána as the partners in the programme.
In relation to payments made by my Department in this and previous years I am advised that appropriate verification has been obtained in relation to tax compliance and in this regard I understand that the organisation in question has obtained charitable status under the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997.
409. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding equality legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30387/15]
View answerThe Employment Equality Act 1998 protects employees against discrimination on any of nine grounds (age, civil status, family status, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability, race, or membership of the Traveller community). Claims under the legislation can be taken for assessment and adjudication to the Equality Tribunal and a person who considers that he or she has been discriminated against in the workplace and wishes to take a claim can seek advice and assistance in that regard from the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission. Insofar as civil servants are concerned, there are a number of avenues open to address matters of the type raised by the Deputy, including:
- in the first instance, having a frank discussion with one's manager;
- using the annual goal setting, interim and final reviews of performance under the Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) to raise matters of concern;
- seeking the assistance of the officer's HRM Division; or
- invoking the Civil Service Grievance procedure.
410. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will revise the rules and code of conduct in An Garda Síochána following a case where a garda was disciplined for an interaction with a person who had been arrested earlier for alleged prostitution related offences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30408/15]
View answerWhile I do not wish to comment on an individual case, I can say that I have no current plans to amend the Garda Síochána (Discipline) Regulations 2007, or the Garda Síochána Act 2005 in the manner suggested by the Deputy.
411. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Irish citizens currently involved in fighting in the Middle East or Africa; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30417/15]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware I have previously informed the House that it is estimated that in the region of 25 to 30 individuals of Irish origin have travelled to various conflict areas in North Africa and the Middle East since the beginning of the Arab Spring uprisings in December 2010. While some of these people travelled for family or humanitarian reasons, some travelled to participate in conflict and a small number are known to have lost their lives since then.
The Deputy will appreciate that the potential threat posed by foreign fighters is a matter of shared concern at EU and the broader international level. While it is a problem of much greater proportions for other states, Ireland, like any other democratic country with similar values, is not immune to a threat from international terrorism. While an attack on Ireland is possible it is not assessed as likely and there is no specific information in relation to a threat to Ireland. An Garda Síochána is keeping the level of threat from international terrorism under continuous review in light of ongoing developments and will continue to take all appropriate measures to counteract this threat. The Garda authorities work closely with their international counterparts in this regard. In this they have the full support of the Government.
412. Deputy Michael Colreavy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs given the commitment to improve the standard and availability of child care facilities, the provisions and supports that are available to child care facilities which are proving to be financially unviable and at risk of imminent closure in areas where there are no alternative child care facilities. [29867/15]
View answerIn the region of €260 million is provided annually by my Department through community and commercial childcare services to support a number of childcare programmes which assist parents in accessing quality and affordable childcare. In the region of 4,300 childcare services are participating in these programmes.
The childcare programmes include the free pre-school year provided under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme, which provides funding to community childcare services to support disadvantaged or low income families, and a number of programmes that support parents returning to work or availing of education or training opportunities. These programmes include the Childcare Education and Training Supports (CETS) programme providing support to parents availing of training and education courses provided by Solas or the Education Training Board (ETB), the After-School Child Care (ASCC) programme and a Community Employment Childcare (CEC) programme supporting qualifying parents who are participating in Community Employment (CE) schemes.
The funding to support these childcare programmes has been maintained despite the difficult budgetary position that has prevailed in recent years.
I recognise the difficulties being faced by childcare providers and parents and I am aware of their concerns in relation to the sustainability of services. I acknowledge that increased capitation and subvention payments through the support programmes would assist childcare services in addressing some of their cost issues. I have indicated that, if resources become available to my Department, I will consider the scope for increasing the level of these capitation payments.
However, I am looking at the question of appropriate supports for child care in a wider context. It is crucial that we develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare services. To ensure that all the benefits of current (and future) investment are fully realised, it must be evidence-based and strategically coordinated. Accordingly, I have established an Inter-Departmental Group to develop a coherent whole-of-Government approach to investment in childcare. The Group is expected to submit its final report to Government shortly.
413. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers working with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency; and the financial budget for the agency for 2015-16. [30383/15]
View answerAs at 31st May 2015, there was a total number of 1, 543 (1,408.31 whole time equivalent) Social Workers employed by the Child and Family Agency (Túsla). This represented 41% of the Agency's total workforce. The Agency is currently finalising its workforce statistics for June 2015 and I am expecting this Report shortly.
In 2015, Tusla has a total budget of €643 million which includes €631 million in current funding and €12 million in capital. This represents an increase of €34 million and is a 5.6% increase on the estimate allocation provided to Tusla in 2014. This funding increase demonstrates that, despite the budgetary constraints, this Government remains strongly committed to delivering the critically important support and reforms needed to support Ireland’s children and families. This additional funding is helping drive key priorities in the reform of services and assist Tusla to deliver on its mandate from Government. The resource allocation for 2016 will be considered in the context of the estimates process.
414. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his Department's priorities for the remainder of this Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29580/15]
View answerI am committed to building on the significant work of the Government to develop and enhance a wide range of services for children and families. Among my main priorities will be:
- To publish the report of the interdepartmental group I established to advise on options for future investment in affordable child care and to progress implementation in the context of Budget 2016;
- To complete the national children detention facility project at Oberstown, Lusk, Co. Dublin, which will see an end to the practice of detaining children in adult prisons. This will include enactment of the Children (Amendment) Bill before the summer recess;
- To enact the Children First Bill 2014, which has passed all stages in the Dáil earlier this week and will now proceed to the Seanad;
- To publish the General Scheme and Heads of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill, and refer it for pre-legislative scrutiny to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children;
- To publish and enact the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2015, which will provide for aftercare planning;
- To finalise the draft Child Care (Pre-School) Regulations, which will strengthen the regulatory and inspection powers of Tusla in relation to early years services;
- To maintain oversight of the work being done by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to develop its range of services and to address a number of key concerns regarding child welfare and protection services;
- To oversee the second phase of the Growing Up in Ireland Study, which will run from 2015 to 2019;
- To maintain the momentum of the work generated by Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, and to present the annual report on its first year of implementation;
- To publish a new Early Years Strategy, which will build on the extensive commitments already contained in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures;
- Through the Children and Young People’s Services Committees, to build inter-agency cooperation towards improving outcomes for children and young people;
- To publish a new Youth Strategy;
- To establish a Children and Young People’s Participation Hub, as part of the Department’s Participation Strategy;
- To finalise policy proposals and develop legislation for the reform of guardian ad litem services under the Child Care Act 1991;
- To promulgate Regulations providing for a ban on corporal punishment in certain alternative care settings; and
- To progress the Area Based Childhood (ABC) programme.
I do not regard this as an exhaustive list, but I will work intensively over the coming months to progress these and other priorities to the benefit of children and families.
