Wednesday, 14 Oct 2015

Written Answers Nos. 47-50

Departmental Staff Promotions

Questions (47)

Finian McGrath

Question:

47. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department recently held promotional competitions for appointment at higher executive officer level; the number of male and female applicants who applied; the number short-listed for interview; the number successfully placed on a panel for possible appointment, by grade, in each case; if there is any review channel for candidates who are unsatisfied at decisions made during the recruitment process; if so, the number of complaints received, by grade; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35894/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I can confirm that my Department recently held an internal promotion competition for appointment to the grade of Higher Executive Officer. This competition was held in accordance with the provisions of revised eligibility criteria for promotion arising from General Council Report 1526. This means that this competition was open to all staff (below the rank of Higher Executive Officer) across my Department.

The information requested by the Deputy regarding this competition is outlined in tabular form.

Applications received by grade and gender

Grade	Male	Female	Total
Clerical Officer	18	35	53
Staff Officer	3	4	7
Executive Officer and analogous grades	98	118	216
Total	119	157	276

Short-listed to second stage interview by grade and gender

Grade	Male	Female	Total
Clerical Officer	0	4	4
Staff Officer	0	1	1
Executive Officer	26	29	55
Total	26	34	60

Placed on panel by grade and gender

Grade	Male	Female	Total
Clerical Officer	0	1	1
Executive Officer	5	14	19
Total	5	15	20

This competition was conducted in accordance with the Code of Practice titled Appointment to Positions in the Civil Service and Public Service published by the Commission for Public Service Appointments (CPSA). This Code can be consulted at www.cpsa.ie. Where an applicant was dissatisfied with an action or decision in relation to their application, s/he could seek a review under Section 7 of the Code of Practice. Where an applicant believed that an aspect of the process breached the CPSA’s code of practice, s/he could have it investigated under Section 8 of the code. The Human Resources Division of my Department received one such complaint under Section 8 of the code.

Garda Data

Questions (48)

Michael Lowry

Question:

48. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out the number of members of An Garda Síochána who have retired or transferred from the Tipperary division, by grade, for each of the past six years, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35900/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I have requested the information sought from the Garda Commissioner and I will write directly to the Deputy on receipt of same.

Visa Applications

Questions (49)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

49. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) has ever applied for a holiday or work visa; when that application was made; if it has been determined, the outcome of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35909/15]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that no record of a visa application can be found based on the details supplied by the Deputy. If the Deputy is willing to provide further details, INIS will advise him further of the position.

Queries in relation to general immigration matters may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.

In addition, applicants may themselves e-mail queries directly to [e-mail].

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Questions (50)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

50. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to explain the reason that a centre (details supplied) in County Offaly has sustained 34% cuts to funding from the Health Service Executive-Túsla, Child and Family Agency, which is above cuts to similar providers; the reason for the delay in reimbursing a shortfall of €4,047 due to an error when transferring their funds in 2014, despite the fact that the funding level was confirmed to the centre in writing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35819/15]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has taken on statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual or gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise.

Funding of approximately €17.0 m transferred to Tusla from the HSE on 1 January 2014 in respect of these services. Additional funding of €2.541 m subsequently transferred to Tusla from the Department of Environment and Local Government, in respect of domestic violence refuges and services. Tusla funds 60 specialist domestic violence and sexual violence services mainly through service arrangements with non-governmental organisations. This year from the available resources it will support:

- 44 Domestic Violence services

- 16 Sexual Violence/Rape Crisis services

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. The ultimate goal is to enable better outcomes for those who have experienced sexual violence. The important role of Rape Crisis/Sexual Violence services is recognised.

In my discussions with Tusla earlier this year, I requested that particular priority be given to protecting frontline services. In that context, funding for the 16 Rape Crisis Centres nationwide, which provide services directly to rape survivors, has been protected in 2015. Almost €4.0 m in funding is dedicated to Rape Crisis Centres in 2015, with funding maintained at 2014 levels.

The Regional Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, Tullamore has been allocated funding of €81,300 in 2015.

Some anomalies emerged in the transfer of funding from HSE to Tusla due to the complexity of previous funding structures and arrangements. Tusla is seeking to address this issue in the context of the Regional Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, Tullamore. Tusla will continue to engage with the Regional Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Centre, Tullamore and I have asked Tusla to report to me on this matter.

Tusla has established a structure for the national oversight of domestic violence and sexual violence services with a consolidated national budget and a single line of accountability for these services. This will provide greater clarity and support for service provider organisations. A dedicated team to support the delivery of these services is being put in place. This approach will facilitate the provision of effective, high quality services with more equitable availability of services across different geographical areas and different population groups.

At all times the Agency’s key priority will be to ensure that the needs of victims of sexual violence and domestic violence are being met in the best way possible.