Written Answers Nos. 320-326
320. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce a fund similar to the enterprise stabilisation fund to assist businesses affected by Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20926/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that my Department commissioned a survey, which was carried out by Behaviour and Attitudes in January, seeking the views of SMEs on the impact of Brexit on their businesses. This survey looked at the impact to date of Brexit and forward to the more medium term impacts (over the coming 18 months).
Extensive engagement has also been undertaken with stakeholders including the local enterprise offices, Enterprise Ireland and the business community.
Informed by this evidence base, my Department is working with the Department of Finance, the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine, the SBCI and Enterprise Ireland to formulate appropriate tailored targeted responses to meet real identified business needs of companies adapting to the challenges posed by Brexit.
321. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the details of payments made by her Department or a public body under the aegis of her Department to a person (details supplied) in the past 36 months and to date in 2017. [21390/17]
View answerThe person in question was employed as chief executive officer of the Labour Relations Commission until 30 September 2015, and as director general of the Workplace Relations Commission following its establishment on 1 October 2015.
In this context, my Department processed salary payments to the person in question during the period referred to. These ceased upon the person's retirement in June 2016.
No further payments have been made to the person by my Department.
Any payments to the person by agencies under the aegis of my Department are an operational matter for the agencies concerned. I have asked the agencies to supply details of any such payments to me and I will forward to the Deputy once received.
322. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of establishing ten new family resource centres; and the estimated full year cost of running these centres. [20996/17]
View answerI have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to Parliamentary Question No. 20996 for answer on 3rd May, 2017 in relation to the Family Resource Centre Programme. I apologise for the delay in responding to you.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency runs the Family Resource Centre Programme, which supports 109 communities. Tusla values the work of Family Resource Centres (FRCs) and recognises the positive impact of their work in supporting families and local communities. FRCs provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their community.
The Family Resource Centre Programme is a national programme with its own dedicated budget. Tusla provides core funding to FRCs to cover the employment of two to three members of staff and some overhead costs. The overheads can include rent, heating, utilities, office supplies and general expenses in the running of the FRC.
The Family Resource Centre Programme was first initiated in 1994 by the then Department of Social and Family Affairs, now the Department of Social Protection. It was never the intention of the Family Resource Centre Programme to cover all running costs for FRCs. While Programme funding contributes significantly to FRCs around the country, it does not cover full running costs. The core funding provided through the Family Resource Centre Programme does not cover programme costs for FRCs.
Tusla has informed me that the estimated initial set up costs of establishing a new Family Resource Centre would be approximately €30,000. The estimated cost of setting up ten new Centres would be approximately €300,000.
In a scenario where the budget was available, the estimated cost of three full-time positions would be approximately €128,000 per centre. This would cover the salary and pension costs of a full-time Co-ordinator, full-time Family Support/Development worker and Administrator all starting at the third point of the Family Resource Centre Programme Recommended Salary Scale. The estimated annual cost for three core-funded staff for ten new Centres would be approximately €1,280,000.
The estimated one year running costs for ten centres would be approximately €320,000.
No two Family Resource Centres are the same. Running costs vary from centre to centre, as there can be significant differences amongst Centres in relation to operational costs.
The running costs of a centre vary, and depend on a range of factors:
- the size, age, or location of the premises (depending on whether it is urban or rural),
- the dependent needs of the community, and the services and supports delivered by the centre,
- the ownership of the premises, or if it is rented, leased, or mortgaged,
- the Centre’s ability to supplement income or to raise funds for running the Centre from other sources; e.g., room rental,
- the receipt of funding from other statutory and voluntary organisations,
- the receipt of contributions towards running costs from other working partners on the premises,
- volunteer-related costs and the cost of travel and subsistence.
Tusla has advised that the current 2017 allocation to the Family Resource Centre Programme is €13.512m. Tusla plans to build on the strengths of the Family Resource Centre Programme in the years ahead to deliver its mandate for community-based early intervention and family support.
323. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the full year cost of employing an aftercare worker. [20997/17]
View answerMy officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
Tusla has since informed me that, currently there are various grades fulfilling aftercare worker roles in Tusla nationally.
In the context of standardising aftercare services there is a process ongoing with IMPACT and discussions are at an advanced stage. Once this process is completed it will be possible for Tusla to provide a full year's costing for employing an aftercare worker.
324. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of payments made by her Department or a public body under the aegis of her Department to a person (details supplied) in the past 36 months and to date in 2017. [21385/17]
View answerThe Deputy might note that my Department did not make any payments to the person in question. In relation to the State Agencies under the remit of my Department I am also advised that Tusla, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Oberstown Children Detention Campus did not incur any such payments and that the Office of the Ombudsman for Children will respond directly to the Deputy in the matter.
325. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) appointed to investigate protective disclosures into health and safety issues at Casement Aerodrome is empowered to compel witnesses to give evidence and make findings; when they are due to conclude their investigation; and if these findings will be made public. [21007/17]
View answer326. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will address concerns that a person (details supplied) appointed to investigate protective disclosures into health and safety issues at Casement Aerodrome does not have the relevant qualifications to investigate the health and safety risks as they relate to hazardous chemicals and possible serious health complications for personnel that were tasked with handling these materials. [21008/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 325 and 326 together.
The position is that in September 2016, I appointed an independent third party to review allegations made in a number of protected disclosures relating to health and safety issues in the Air Corps which were received in late 2015 and early 2016. The terms of reference for the review were as follows –
"The review shall encompass a review of all relevant documents held by the Department and the Defence Forces, any additional material as may be supplied or received by the reviewer, and interviews of such persons as considered appropriate by the reviewer.
The reviewer will:
1. Review the allegations as detailed in the written correspondence to the Minister and determine if –
In the period covered by the disclosure, did the Air Corps comply with relevant health and safety standards with regard to the safe use of toxic chemicals and if not what action has been
taken in the intervening period to ensure compliance.
2. In relation to the disclosure, provide considered views and observations in relation to the allegations set out.
3. Provide such other considered views and observations as are considered necessary.
The reviewer shall be provided with access to all available documentation relevant to the events and any other documentation requested by the Reviewer.
The reviewer shall be provided with the names of all relevant persons, including serving or retired members of the Defence Forces, or other persons the reviewer considers appropriate. The reviewer shall endeavour to interview or take statements from all relevant persons.
The Department of Defence and the Defence Forces shall each appoint a liaison officer to provide the necessary information required in order to conduct the review and to assist the reviewer in identifying the relevant persons to be interviewed.
The review shall be submitted to the Minister with Responsibility for Defence by the reviewer.".
These terms of reference were made available to those that submitted the protected disclosures at the outset of the review process. I am satisfied that the person appointed has the experience required to carry out the review he has been asked to undertake.
Once a final review is to hand, I will determine any further steps required and ensure that all recommendations will be acted upon to ensure the safety of the men and women of the Air Corps. Publication of the report will be a matter to be considered in light of its content and the obligations in the Protected Disclosures Act 2014 to protect the identity of those making such disclosures.
