Written Answers Nos. 259-281
259. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to provide funding to renovate Rochfortbridge and Castlepollard Garda Síochána stations in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5155/16]
View answerThe programme of replacement and refurbishment of Garda accommodation is progressed by the Garda authorities working in close cooperation with the Office of Public Works which has the responsibility for the provision and maintenance of Garda accommodation.
I understand that local Garda management have highlighted issues relating to the accommodation at both stations and have requested the Office of Public Works to provide an assessment of the works required and an estimated cost of same. Upon receipt of the assessment and associated costings from the Office of Public Works, the question of sanctioning the works will then be considered, having regard to the funding available.
260. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fully qualified Garda Síochána; the number in training and the number on leave of absence as of 1 March 2016. [5289/16]
View answerI am informed by the Garda Commissioner that as of 31 January 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, there were 12,798 members of An Garda Síochána. This figure includes 296 probationer Gardaí who have been fully attested and are undertaking Garda duties in communities nationwide. At present there are 155 Garda Trainees in the College at Templemore.
I have asked the Garda authorities for the information requested in relation to the number of Gardaí on leave of absence as of 1 March 2016, and I will revert to the Deputy as soon as I have this information to hand.
261. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the personnel strength of the Garda Síochána Reserve as of 1 March 2016. [5290/16]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the recruitment of the Garda Reserve is a matter for the Garda Commissioner, and I as Minister have no direct role in the matter.
I have been informed by the Garda Commissioner that the strength of the Garda Reserve on 31 January 2016, the latest date for which figures are readily available, was 944 with 19 Garda Reserves in training.
262. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will work with lawyers from the Immigrant Council of Ireland on the ground in refugee camps in France to identify vulnerable migrants, including lone children who may have legal grounds for entry here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5300/16]
View answerI understand that this Immigrant Council of Ireland initiative is a preliminary mission to assess the need for lawyers to represent persons in refugee camps on the North Coast of France, which the Council is undertaking in its capacity as an independent Law Centre.
Ireland has always lived up to its international humanitarian obligations and is fully committed to playing its part in addressing the current migrant and refugee crisis facing Europe. This humanitarian crisis requires a co-ordinated EU response and Ireland has been working closely and collaboratively with our European partners to find sustainable solutions. In this regard the Deputy will be aware that we have given a clear commitment to accept up to 4,000 persons overall under the EU Resettlement and Relocation Programmes. Any person who considers they are legally entitled to enter the State can make application for a visa. Full details are available on the INIS website. As the Deputy will be aware, persons who are in need of international protection and who are currently residing in France are entitled to make an application for asylum in that country, should they wish to do so.
263. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the timeline for Ireland to meet its commitment to offer shelter, protection and hope to 4,000 refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5301/16]
View answer264. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will guarantee that Ireland’s commitment to offer shelter to 4,000 refugees will not be affected by any new arrangement between the European Union and Turkey; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5302/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 263 and 264 together.
I assume the Deputy is referring to the Government's decision to establish the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the EU migrant crisis. Under the programme Ireland has agreed to accept 4,000 persons in total under resettlement and relocation programmes within a two year period. The figure of 4,000 includes approximately 2,600 asylum seekers to be taken in from migration hotspots in Italy and Greece under the new EU programme and 520 programme refugees from Lebanon and Jordan, which the Irish Government has committed to taking in by the end of 2016 under Ireland's Refugee Resettlement programme. The mechanism by which the balance of the 4,000 will be taken in, has yet to be decided by Government. While the Government proposal is to accept all 4,000 persons within a two year period, this proposed timeframe is, to a great degree, dependant on external factors including the effectiveness of the measures put in place in migration hotspots in Greece and Italy to support the EU relocation mechanism and the rapidly changing political landscape at EU level.
It is not expected that Ireland’s commitment for a total of 4,000 refugees will be affected by the new arrangement between the European Union and Turkey although the mix of relocation and resettlement may be need to be adjusted.
265. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vacancies which exist within her Department for candidates who must display competence in the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5438/16]
View answerThere are currently no vacancies in my Department for candidates who must display competence in the Irish Language.
The Department currently has one post, that of Aistritheoir (Translator), where it is a requirement for the holder to be functionally bilingual in Irish and English. The main role for the Aistritheoir is the translation of the Rules of Court into Irish.
In addition, there is a cohort of over 40 officers in the Department who are available to provide services (i.e. answer queries) in Irish.
266. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will introduce funding for the recruitment of special needs assistants for preschool children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4944/16]
View answerI have been conscious for some time of the difficulty experienced by some children with a disability in accessing and benefitting fully from the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. With this in mind, an Inter-Departmental Group, led by this Department, was established with a brief to bring forward recommendations to address this issue.
The Group concluded its work and its recommendations were fully accepted and funded by Government. I announced, as part of Budget 2016, the necessary funding to implement the new model. The work of this Group has identified a practical, workable model for meeting the needs of children with a disability. The model, when fully operational, will deliver seven levels of support to enable the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the ECCE Programme. These are:-
- An Inclusive Culture: includes training dedicated Inclusion Co-ordinators in pre-schools, and a small capitation increase for particular childcare services to support fully inclusive practice;
- Information for Parents and Providers: includes development of a national website and information packs for parents and providers;
-A Qualified and Confident Workforce: resourcing formal and informal training for early years practitioners to support more inclusive provision;
-Expert Educational Advice & Support: enhancing the Better Start Early Years Specialist Service so that practitioners have prompt access to advice and support from experts in early years education for children with disabilities;
-Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations: capital grants to fund specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology, or minor building alterations so that children with disabilities can participate in pre-school;
-Therapeutic Intervention: additional resources to enable access to HSE therapeutic services, where these are needed to allow a child enrol, and fully participate in, pre-school.
-Additional Assistance: where the supports available at levels 1-6 are not sufficient to meet a child’s needs, additional capitation can be made available to childcare providers to support the pre-school leader to ensure children’s full participation. This could include, for example, buying in additional support, or, in particular circumstances, reducing the staff:child ratio.
Two groups have been established to oversee and implement the new model; a Cross Sectorial Implementation Group will oversee and monitor implementation, while the second group, the Project Group, will implement the model for roll-out by September 2016. Further details are expected to be available in June this year and it is expected that children will begin to benefit from these measures from September 2016.
Separately, the ECCE programme includes an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification where children, including children with a disability, would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. The City and County Childcare Committees continue to provide information and support for parents, on some occasions assisting to access supports locally and providing training for early years providers.
There is no additional funding available to this Department to support the employment of special needs assistants in pre-school services in this school year. As you are aware the HSE does, on an ad hoc basis, make some supports available and it is expected that these arrangements will continue until the new model has been established.
267. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of staffing granted to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to facilitate a speedy, robust and transparent system for handling sensitive information given the age profile of those persons seeking information regarding adoptions from mother and baby homes; the waiting time for responses in the regional adoption service, Child and Family Agency in St Conal's Campus, Letterkenny, County Donegal; if he is aware that many of those persons requesting information are elderly and cannot afford the long waiting times for responses, as currently being experienced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5107/16]
View answerAs this is a service matter for which Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has responsibility, I have asked Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy.
268. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the numbers of mixed-race Irish babies and children in the 16 mother and baby homes including St. Patrick's, Navan Road, Dublin 7; if St. Patrick's was the designated holding centre for all mixed-race Irish babies and children from across the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4812/16]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related matters) is tasked with thoroughly examining the experiences of mothers and children resident in these homes. With regard to the particular focus raised by the Deputy, the Commission will specifically examine whether any group of residents was systematically treated differently on any grounds, including that of race.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs does not have information on the numbers of mixed race children who may have been in the Mother and Baby Homes. There is no centralised records system for the fourteen (14) specified homes that are under investigation by the Commission but the Deputy may wish to note that certain records from several of these homes, including Saint Patrick's, are now in the possession of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
I am satisfied that the Commission has sufficient scope and statutory power to access records and obtain the information necessary to make a determination on all relevant matters.
Should the Deputy wish to contact the independent Commission directly it can be contacted at 73 Lower Baggot Street, Dublin 2, e-mail info@mbhcoi.ie or freephone 1800 806688.
269. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made on the implementation of supports for children with disabilities at preschool level; the way in which and when parents can apply for such supports for September 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4953/16]
View answerI have been conscious for some time of the difficulty experienced by some children with a disability in accessing and benefitting fully from the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. With this in mind, an Inter-Departmental Group, led by this Department, was established with a brief to bring forward recommendations to address this issue.
The Group concluded its work and its recommendations were fully accepted and funded by Government. I announced, as part of Budget 2016, the necessary funding to implement the new model. The work of this Group has identified a practical, workable model for meeting the needs of children with a disability. The model, when fully operational, will deliver seven levels of support to enable the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the ECCE Programme. These are:-
- An Inclusive Culture: includes training dedicated Inclusion Co-ordinators in pre-schools, and a small capitation increase for particular childcare services to support fully inclusive practice;
-Information for Parents and Providers: includes development of a national website and information packs for parents and providers;
-A Qualified and Confident Workforce: resourcing formal and informal training for early years practitioners to support more inclusive provision;
-Expert Educational Advice & Support: enhancing the Better Start Early Years Specialist Service so that practitioners have prompt access to advice and support from experts in early years education for children with disabilities;
-Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations: capital grants to fund specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology, or minor building alterations so that children with disabilities can participate in pre-school;
-Therapeutic Intervention: additional resources to enable access to HSE therapeutic services, where these are needed to allow a child enrol, and fully participate in, pre-school.
- Additional Assistance: where the supports available at levels 1-6 are not sufficient to meet a child’s needs, additional capitation can be made available to childcare providers to support the pre-school leader to ensure children’s full participation. This could include, for example, buying in additional support, or, in particular circumstances, reducing the staff:child ratio.
Two groups have been established to oversee and implement the new model; a Cross Sectorial Implementation Group will oversee and monitor implementation, while the second group, the Project Group, will implement the model for roll-out by September 2016. Further details are expected to be available in June this year and it is expected that children will begin to benefit from these measures from September 2016.
Separately, the ECCE programme includes an exemption from the upper age limit for qualification where children, including children with a disability, would benefit from starting primary school at a later age. The City and County Childcare Committees continue to provide information and support for parents, on some occasions assisting to access supports locally and providing training for early years providers.
There is no additional funding available to this Department to support the employment of special needs assistants in pre-school services in this school year. As you are aware the HSE does, on an ad hoc basis, make some supports available and it is expected that these arrangements will continue until the new model has been established.
270. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will make the next round of capital funding available for applications from community child care facilities to build new centres such as one in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5014/16]
View answerCapital funding of more than €420 million was provided by the State to support the development of childcare infrastructure in the period up until 2008. The greater proportion of this funding was allocated for the development of community childcare services throughout the country. Since the economic downturn the limited funding available to this Department has been targeted to support the refurbishment and maintenance of childcare facilities in which there has already considerable investment.
I announced the introduction of an Early Years Capital Programme 2016 with total funding of €4 million available. This funding is targeted at early years pre-school providers that are making alterations to their services to accommodate the increased numbers of children eligible for the free pre-school provision following my decision to expand the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The number of children availing of the programme will increase from approximately 67,000 per year to 127,000 per year following the full roll out of the expanded pre-school provision.
The maximum grant available under the programme is €10,000 and full information and application details will be available shortly. I am aware that this funding would not be sufficient for the purchase or development of new childcare facilities but there is no other capital funding available to the Department at this time.
271. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware of the decision by the domestic violence support service Lifeline in Inishowen to terminate its operations due to a lack of financial assistance from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency; if he will provide appropriate funding support to enable the service to continue to operate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5077/16]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. A network of 60 organisations provides services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in Ireland, including 20 services providing emergency refuge accommodation to women and children and 24 community-based domestic violence services.
Currently, Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service, which is funded by Tusla, provides services to women and families throughout Donegal, including Inishowen. The service involves the provision of a 24-hour freephone helpline, safe accommodation and outreach services across all areas of Donegal for women and children who are at risk or have suffered abuse within the family. Outreach supports (e.g one to one support; advocacy in accessing other services; safety planning etc.) are provided at a range of health service, community venues and other locations across Inishowen that are accessible and safe for individual women. Recently, there has been a move towards the provision of more mobile arrangements for meeting with service users rather than the "clinic" approach used previously, which enables greater flexibility and responsiveness to the needs of women. This is a development which Tusla encourages to make the best use of resources.
Tusla does not provide core funding to Lifeline Inishowen. While it recognises the work of Lifeline Inishowen, Tusla considers that there would be an inevitable duplication of service provision in the Inishowen area and a risk of fragmentation of services if several organisations were to provide similar services within the same geographical area. In the circumstances Tusla is not in a position to provide separate funding to Lifeline Inishowen for a similar service as that which is already funded.
I understand that Tusla has recently written to Lifeline outlining service arrangements for domestic violence services in Donegal and the specific service arrangements in place to provide a Donegal-wide service to women and families who experience domestic abuse.
Tusla has also been in contact with Donegal Women’s Domestic Violence Service about the proposed cessation of the Lifeline Inishowen service, and I understand that Tusla has been assured by Donegal Women's Domestic Violence Service that it is in a position to respond to service needs in Inishowen.
Tusla will continue to consider the needs of those who experience domestic violence in Co. Donegal as part of its planning processes, in order to ensure that appropriate responses are in place and that resources are used to achieve the best outcomes for individuals, children and families.
272. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he will publish the new regulations on child care standards; if the regulations will provide for paediatric first aid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5139/16]
View answerPre-school services are currently subject to the Child Care (Pre-school Services)(No 2) Regulations 2006. To provide for the implementation of the legislative changes to the Child Care Act 1991 which were enacted through the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, it was necessary to carry out a root and branch re-examination of the 2006 Regulations, including a re-structuring of the Regulations in line with the latest drafting practices. This exercise has proved to be more time-consuming that originally envisaged, but is now nearing completion.
As the Deputy is aware, I am very anxious that everyone working directly with children in the early years sector should have an appropriate qualification in paediatric first aid. There is currently no accredited award in paediatric first aid at any level on the National Qualifications Framework. There are a number of companies delivering courses in paediatric first aid, but the content and delivery of the courses is unregulated. What is required is an external quality assurance process to ensure that the institutions which will provide the training leading to the qualification have the necessary skills and competencies to deliver such a course.
My Department has now secured agreement with the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) on a paediatric first aid standard, a paediatric first aid instructor standard, and a process to accredit appropriate institutions to deliver the courses and assess and certify students. The completion of this process will facilitate the inclusion of a first aid provision in the regulations in the future.
273. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in conjunction with Pobal, to assist in providing additional funding for the re-opening of the Kildysart community crèche, a vital community service (details supplied) in County Clare; if he is aware of the continued concern and distress felt by the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5198/16]
View answerI am aware of the situation described and I understand the difficulty that the closure of a Community Childcare Service poses to a local community. It is important to understand the background to the situation described: My Department implements a number of childcare support programmes including the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programmes. Pobal works closely with this Department in implementing these programmes and undertakes a compliance process to verify, through on-site visits, that the conditions of the various programmes are being complied with. Pobal also carries out audits at the request of the Department.
Following an audit of the West Clare Early Years (WCEY) Group , Pobal submitted a report to West Clare Early Years (WCEY) in November 2015. This report identified major governance issues and the need for repayment of over-claimed childcare funding. The Board of WCEY accepted the findings of the report and, at a meeting with Pobal on February 10th, agreed to prepare an action plan to resolve the situation. However, the Board of WCEY subsequently took a decision on February 13th to liquidate the company and to close the childcare services under its management with immediate effect. Neither the Department nor Pobal were consulted about the decision to liquidate.
Since that time, Pobal and Clare County Childcare Committee have been working intensively on behalf of my Department to identify sustainable solutions that will restore childcare provision in West Clare. It is essential that replacement services have appropriate governance and management. Pobal, Clare County Childcare Committee and officials in my Department are continuing to do all they can to support and facilitate the re-opening of services including Kildysart Community Crèche in a proper manner, and I am confident that the situation will be resolved as soon as possible.
274. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of vacancies which exist within his Department for candidates who must display competence in the Irish language; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5429/16]
View answerMy Department is currently filling two positions for which competency in the Irish language is required. Both positions are awaiting allocation of resources via the Public Appointments Service recruitment process.
275. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health to outline his commitment to services at Scoil Aonghusa in Cashel, County Tipperary, particularly in respect of the services and respite care for those over 18 years of age; if he will meet with a deputation to discuss the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4767/16]
View answerMy Department has asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in respect of the service issues raised. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
In relation to meeting with a deputation, my Private Office has no record of having received a request for a meeting from this particular group. If the group submits a meeting request to my Private Office, it will be considered in line with normal procedures.
276. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate payments under the long-term illness scheme for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if outstanding moneys are owed; when these will be re-imbursed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4715/16]
View answerThe HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to you.
If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
277. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to expedite an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath. [4724/16]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
278. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Health to increase the funding for persons with Huntington's disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4726/16]
View answer299. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health to support the Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland in its combatting of this disease (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4803/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 278 and 299 together.
With regard to Deputy McGrath's reference to funding under the Scheme to Support National Organisations (SSNO), that Scheme is operated by the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government. The Scheme aims to provide multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. I understand that the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government has appointed Pobal to administer and manage a new round of funding for the Scheme for the period 2016-2019 and that applications for funding were recently invited by Pobal for this funding.
The issues raised by the Deputies relating to funding for services for people with Huntington's Disease and for the Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland are service matters. I have arranged for the questions to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputies. If the Deputies have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, they can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
279. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the cost of introducing a free screening programme for sudden adult death syndrome and other heart issues for all secondary level students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4728/16]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
280. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will have surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4733/16]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
281. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health how he will address the casualisation within the National Ambulance Service, specifically with regard to non-rostered paramedics. [4739/16]
View answerI know that the Director of the National Ambulance Service is fully aware of concerns relating to non-rostered paramedics. However as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
