Written Answers Nos. 83-87
83. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of freedom of information requests in tabular form received by her Department in 2015 to date; the number of these where the period of consideration was completed within four weeks of the receipt of the request; was extended by up to four weeks because the necessary resources to complete the request within the original timeframe were not available. [36752/15]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that up to 19 October, 2015, my Department has received 827 Freedom of Information Requests.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to provide the Deputy with the breakdown as requested above, as those statistics are not readily available. To provide the figures would involve a disproportionate amount of time by the staff collating the information.
84. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the implications of the 173 recommendations contained in the report of the working group on the protection process for Departments; the services they affect; and the proposed time frames for their implementation. [36791/15]
View answer85. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality given the reply to a Parliamentary Question on the Report of the Working Group on the Protection Process, published on 22 September 2015, in which she confirmed that her Department will be working with other Government Departments on an overall response to the recommendations contained in this report over the coming weeks, when this response will be published; and the time frame for the implementation of its regulations [36793/15]
View answer86. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the Accommodation Centre at Lissywoollen in Athlone will be considered as one of the areas for the Pilot Information Programme, as proposed in the Report of the Working Group on the Protection Process. [36794/15]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 84 to 86, inclusive, together.
The Report of the Working Group on the Protection Process contains 173 recommendations many of which have implications for a number of Government Departments and services.
The Government recommended that the report should in the first instance be the subject of a detailed discussion at the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The Committee held its first discussion on the Report on 13 July 2015. At this meeting the Committee agreed that my Department should prepare a report for the Cabinet Committee, in conjunction with relevant Departments, on the legal, financial and practical implications of the Report's recommendations. I wrote to all relevant Ministers seeking their views on the Report's recommendations, asking them to identify any impacts and issues that may arise and timescales for implementation. My Department is currently analysing the responses, received and will prepare a report for the Cabinet Committee. This will be submitted in the coming weeks.
The Government has decided to bring forward as a major priority the International Protection Bill which will provide for the introduction of a single applications procedure for international protection. This reform will simplify and streamline the existing arrangements and provide applicants with a final decision on their protection application in a more straightforward and timely fashion. This is aimed at addressing one of the key issues identified in the report, that is, the length of time persons remain in the direct provision system.
In addition, the Minister for Health has already signed an order exempting persons in receipt of a Direct Provision allowance from prescription charges and the Minister for Education and Skills has initiated a grants scheme to support certain categories of students in the protection process to access third level studies this year.
When referring to a pilot information programme, I assume the Deputy is referring to one of the outcomes of a Task Force, arising from the Working Group Report, set-up to assist people granted status to transition out of Direct Provision, six information sessions covering eight centres were piloted by the Task Force who will be reporting back to the Cabinet Committee. Based on the success of the pilot, I expect that this programme will be rolled out to all people granted status. My Department is working closely with the Citizens Information Service, Intreo, MABS and local authorities on the Task Force to advance this proposal.
87. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the report from the Economic and Social Research Institute on the funding of the school completion programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36233/15]
View answerThe School Completion Programme provides targeted supports to approximately 36,000 children and young people at risk of educational disadvantage.
Since January 2014 Tusla has had operational responsibility for the School Completion Programme, including the allocation of funds to projects within the programme. In line with all other services, the programme experienced funding reductions during the years of economic recession. However, in 2015, the allocation to the programme, at almost €24.8m, was similar to that provided in 2014. Budget 2016 has confirmed that the Agency will receive funding of €676m in 2016, including capital, which is an increase of €38m on the provision in 2015. The overall level of funding being provided will significantly strengthen the Agency’s base funding level and its capacity to progress core programmes to secure improved outcomes for children and their families including educational outcomes.
The review of the School Completion Programme, undertaken for Tusla, was published by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) on 7th October 2015. It is now being considered by my Department and a range of actions has already been taken by the Agency aimed at strengthening the operation of the programme throughout the country.
The School Completion Programme is one of a number of educational welfare programmes brought together under the remit of Tusla last year as part of a new integrated response to meet the needs of children at risk of educational disadvantage. My Department will continue to work closely with the Agency and, in the context of the DEIS programme, with officials in Department of Education and Skills, to realise the potential of the School Completion Programme for these children.
