Written Answers Nos 53-73
53. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which parents will be able to access the subsidies offered under the affordable childcare scheme in September 2017 in view of the fact that there is no onus on childcare providers to offer the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31177/17]
View answer55. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which she envisages the affordable childcare scheme being rolled out in September 2017; the guarantees there are that childcare providers will take up the scheme in order to ensure access to it to all parents that are eligible for subsidies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31176/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 53 and 55 together.
On 11 April, I made an announcement that the Affordable Childcare Scheme would not commence this September but that a range of measures will be introduced by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government. I can confirm that these measures, which will benefit the families of tens of thousands of children, will commence this September.
These measures are being put in place to ensure that parents of up to 70,000 children due to benefit under the Affordable Childcare Scheme will be given the opportunity to avail of increased childcare subsidies from September. This will be achieved by significantly increasing the subsidy rates for the Community Childcare Subvention and the Training and Employment Childcare Schemes, in some instances by as much as 50%. There will also be a new universal, non-means tested childcare subsidy that will benefit parents with children aged between 6 months and 36 months.
These measures mean that the families of up to 70,000 children can look forward to benefitting from increased childcare subsidies starting from this September.
Following on from a coordinated online and postal information campaign targeting both childcare providers and parents with key information about the measures, my Department along with Pobal and the City/County Childcare Committees are currently hosting public information “roadshows” to build awareness and encourage providers to sign up to the September measures.
In addition, I have recently announced a payment for non-contact time to services who sign up to the September measures. The payment to providers is intended to make a contribution towards the administration and non-contact costs involved in providing my Department’s childcare programmes. In particular, the new funding recognises the time providers need to spend familiarising themselves with the new affordable childcare measures, signing contracts, meeting regulatory and compliance requirements and assisting parents with understanding how they can most benefit from the various childcare programmes available.
The measure provides for a payment equivalent to an additional seven days’ funding for services. €3.5m has been allocated for this purpose.
I am very aware that delivering these enhanced childcare supports is only possible because of the commitment and co-operation of more than 4,000 childcare providers throughout the country. I want to acknowledge their continuing support and, in recognition of their invaluable contribution, I will be asking for extra funding during Budget 2018 negotiations so we can address some of the issues raised by childcare providers.
54. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date by which she hopes to enact legislation on the single affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31217/17]
View answer551. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date by which she will enact legislation on the single affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31230/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 54 and 551 together.
The Heads of Bill and General Scheme for the Affordable Childcare Scheme Bill were approved by Government on 24 January 2017 and were examined by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children and Youth Affairs on 8 February 2017 before being transmitted to the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel (OPC).
Since that time, officials at my Department have worked closely and intensively with the drafter assigned to this legislation. The ACS is a complex scheme that includes both universal and targeted supports, as well as additional supports for vulnerable children, which will involve Tusla and other Government Departments and Agencies in application procedures. While much progress has been made, including submission of a number of requests for legal advice, further work is necessary before the Bill can be finalised and therefore it is unlikely that the ACS Bill will be published before mid-July.
In the meantime, to ensure delivery of the Government’s commitment to provide more affordable childcare to the families of tens of thousands of children from this September, my Department has put in place a series of measures; including both universal and targeted financial supports. These measures, available from September, will see families of all children under three, in Tusla-registered childcare, being able to access up to €1040 per year towards the cost of their childcare. Also, families on lower incomes or in training will be able to access as much as €145 per week towards the cost of their childcare.
Intensive work is also ongoing between my Department and Pobal on the IT system needed for the new scheme.
57. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the progress of the national LGBTI+ youth strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31214/17]
View answerThe Programme for Government (2016) gives a commitment to develop a National LGBTI+ Youth Strategy. A specific focus on LGBTI+ Youth will aim to ensure that appropriate measures are taken so that young members of the LGBTI+ Community are not in any way prevented from achieving their full potential.
Better Outcomes Brighter Futures, The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 – 2020 and The National Youth Strategy 2015 – 2020 will provide a framework within which the strategy can be framed with a focus on appropriate measures to ensure that young people identifying as LGBTI+ are supported in achieving their full potential.
The five national outcomes that we want for all our children and young people are that they:
(i) Are active and healthy, with positive physical and mental well-being;
(ii) Are achieving their full potential in all areas of learning and development;
(iii) Are safe and protected from harm;
(iv) Have economic security and opportunity; and
(v) Are connected, respected and contributing to their world.
An Oversight Committee was appointed to oversee the development of the strategy and represents a broad cross sectoral grouping of relevant organisations, bodies and Government Department/Agencies who will have a role in the development and implementation of the strategy.
The Strategy will be youth centred and in this regard a youth advisory group has also been established. They have had significant input into the work done so far, particularly in relation to developing the branding for the Strategy and the consultations which were held for young people. The youth advisory group are also represented on the Oversight Committee, providing two nominees to the Committee.
Consultations with young people are vital to the development of the Strategy. An online survey on www.spunout.ie was carried out in April and May which attracted approximately 4,000 responses. In addition to this, officials from my Department held seven consultations with young people across the country, one aimed at all young people who wished to contribute to the development of the Strategy and six reserved for young members of the LGBTI+ Community.
Two of these consultations were held in Dublin with the others taking place in Cork, Dundalk, Galway, Sligo and Waterford. A report writer was appointed for these consultations and the report will be published in the coming weeks. Finally a stakeholder consultation was held last week on June 28 in Farmleigh House, which was attended by representatives from approximately seventy different organisations.
The data arising from these consultations will be used to shape the development of the Strategy and identify priorities for the Oversight Committee to examine in the coming months.
61. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reconsider the withdrawal of funding for the school completion programme's counselling grant scheme and instead significantly increase the scheme's budget to allow the scheme to be opened up nationally; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31174/17]
View answerI have not ceased all funding for counselling services under the School Completion Programme. However, the available funding is very limited and is only benefitting a small proportion of schools. I am retaining the grant in its current form for the present, pending a decision on alternative approaches.
In 1994 the Department of Social Welfare opened a grant scheme to provide counselling supports to children who had experienced bereavement or loss. This grant scheme then passed to the Family Support Agency (FSA) when it was established in 2003 and subsequently to Tusla on establishment in January 2014.
Up until 2011 applications were invited through an annual public advertisement. The scheme was then closed for financial reasons and no new applications have been accepted since that time. Those who received funding in 2011 have continued to receive an annual grant equivalent to their 2011 grant. This Counselling Grants Scheme is for a total of €245,900 annually and currently there are only 64 grantees nationwide benefitting from it. With over 4,000 schools in Ireland 64 grantees means that less than 2% of schools are in receipt of support from this scheme currently.
I have decided that until an alternative methodology for provision of counselling can be established, the grant should stay in place in its current format. Any increase to Tusla Education Welfare Service will have to be considered in the context of the estimates process for Budget 2018.
63. Deputy John Brady asked the Taoiseach the number of vacant properties in Bray, County Wicklow. [30970/17]
View answerThe Census of Population 2016 publications include a comprehensive report titled Profile 1 - Housing in Ireland which was published on the Central Statistics Office website on 20 April 2017.
There are five electoral divisions in the Bray area and the following statistics on vacant properties are available.
|
Electoral Division |
Housing Stock |
Total Occupied |
Temporarily Absent |
Vacant houses |
Holiday homes |
|
Bray No. 1 |
832 |
749 |
24 |
59 |
0 |
|
Bray No. 2 |
2599 |
2300 |
95 |
199 |
5 |
|
Bray No. 3 |
2636 |
2433 |
84 |
117 |
2 |
|
Rathmichael (Bray) |
849 |
806 |
16 |
23 |
4 |
|
Kilmacanoge |
5008 |
4760 |
97 |
144 |
7 |
|
Total |
11924 |
11048 |
316 |
542 |
18 |
A breakdown of vacant dwellings by type shows the following:
|
Type of Vacant Dwelling |
Detached |
Semi- Detached |
Terraced |
Apts/ Flats in purpose built |
Converted Flats |
Bed- sits |
|
Bray No. 1 |
5 |
6 |
29 |
17 |
2 |
0 |
|
Bray No. 2 |
33 |
16 |
30 |
36 |
84 |
0 |
|
Bray No. 3 |
5 |
28 |
48 |
22 |
14 |
0 |
|
Rathmichael (Bray) |
3 |
1 |
11 |
8 |
0 |
0 |
|
Kilmacanoge |
55 |
35 |
33 |
18 |
3 |
0 |
Further information on vacant dwellings by small area is available on the CSO web site.
The complete set of 2016 census housing statistics for the census settlement of Bray will be available on the CSO web site from 20 July 2017.
64. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach the staffing and media monitoring in the Government Information Service unit; and if there will be changes in the unit. [30895/17]
View answerAs I stated in my reply of 20 June, 2017, the Government Information Service is comprised of:
- Government Press Secretary;
- Deputy Government Press Secretary;
- Assistant Government Press Secretary (Vacant);
- Two Assistant Principal Officers, one of whom is assigned to MerrionStreet.ie;
- Four Press Officers (Higher Executive Officer equivalent) - there are currently vacancies in two of these positions;
- Three Communications & Media Assistants (Executive Officer equivalent; two of whom are assigned to MerrionStreet.ie) - there are currently vacancies in all three of these positions; and
- 1 Clerical Officer.
All relevant recruitment processes are being finalised. However, temporary arrangements are in place to cover the vacancies detailed above.
I have not as yet made any decisions as to whether to make changes to the resourcing or structure of the Government Information Service.
65. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach his understanding of an invisible border with Northern Ireland following Brexit. [30896/17]
View answerThe Government’s position in relation to the border with Northern Ireland in the context of Brexit is very clear. Continued freedom of movement, absence of an economic border, and protection of the Good Friday Agreement are key objectives for the Irish Government.
We want to see the closest possible future relationship between the EU and the UK.
We want to maintain the reciprocity of civic rights that exist between Britain and Ireland as part of the Common Travel Area, the right of Irish citizens and British citizens to travel, live, work, study, reside and access public services in each other’s countries and that we are citizens in both.
We want to ensure as much as is possible that while there may be a political border between our two countries, that there should not be an economic border.
But we also recognise that this will be extremely challenging. The EU negotiation guidelines recognise that the unique circumstances on the island of Ireland will require “flexible and imaginative” solutions.
This Government will play its part in working constructively with all our partners – in Northern Ireland, in Britain and across the EU – to find solutions that are in the best interests of everyone on these islands.
66. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the commitment in the programme for Government regarding political reform; the actions that have been taken to date in 2017 regarding same; and the way in which he proposes to introduce changes in the near future [31252/17]
View answerIn relation to Dáil Reform, this Government continues to build on the Oireachtas reform packages introduced by the last Government. Implementation of the Programme for a Partnership Government requires a new relationship between the Government and Oireachtas. This is reflected in significant Dáil reforms which are being implemented, providing a significantly greater role for members of Dáil Éireann.
In the last few weeks two Private Members Bills have been passed by the Oireachtas. The Competition (Amendment) Act 2017 was originally published by Senator Ivana Bacik in January 2016 and the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Act 2017 was originally published by Deputy Tony McLoughlin in June 2016.
These arrangements require greater collaboration and sharing of information by the Government with the Oireachtas .
Central to our approach for delivering on this ambitious programme is the concept of ‘good faith and no surprises’.
This Government, and the previous Government, played a crucial role in the process of Dáil Reform including the first election of a Ceann Comhairle by secret ballot and the selection of Oireachtas Committee Chairs under a D'Hondt system among others. Following the General Election in 2016, the Dáil established an All Party Dáil Reform Committee. The Committee issued a Report in May 2016 and a number of the recommendations it made have since been introduced. The new structures are now in place a year and the Government along with the other Parties and Groups in the Dáil are currently reviewing the changes and making a number of proposals including reform of the way Private Members Bills are dealt with, the proportionality of speaking time in the Dáil and the amount of Dáil time provided to debate Government legislation among other issues.
Within my Department, there is an expanded role for the Chief Whip's Office, alongside the new Parliamentary Liaison Unit, to support these arrangements including supporting good communication between Departments and the Oireachtas, particularly in relation to progressing Government legislation through the Oireachtas.
The new arrangements include more pro-active communication between Ministers and their Departments and Opposition spokespeople and Oireachtas Committee Chairpersons and Members. It requires greater sharing of information with the Oireachtas to inform its deliberations, for example through the new Budgetary procedures, use of pre-legislative scrutiny by Committees, and more briefing on significant developments or issues.
There is a new Dáil Business Management Committee established to discuss and agree on the Dáil Schedule, more time for Private Members Business, new arrangements for Topical Motions and reformed structures for Parliamentary Questions. These all require a new approach from Ministers and their Departments and this Government is committed to ensuring it works effectively.
As regards Seanad Reform, in the Programme for a Partnership Government the Government restated its intention to reform Seanad Éireann and committed to pursuing implementation of the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform (the Manning Report). That Report was published in 2015 and it is available on my Department's website.
One of the recommendations of the Report was the establishment of an Implementation Group to oversee implementation of the reforms contained in the Report. The former Taoiseach agreed with a suggestion made in the Dáil some time ago by Deputy Martin that this Group should be based in the Oireachtas and should comprise members of the Dáil and Seanad from all parties and groups, with access to independent expert advice as required. The former Taoiseach wrote to Party Leaders in September last year seeking their agreement to the setting up of the Implementation Group and seeking nominees for same. This process is ongoing with a small number of nominees awaited. I hope this process is concluded as soon as possible and the Joint Committee is established in the very near future.
67. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date in 2017; and the anticipated cost. [31280/17]
View answerBrexit is treated as a crucial cross-cutting issue by my Department, through the International, EU and Northern Ireland Division, under a Second Secretary General who also acts as the Irish Sherpa in EU matters, including Brexit.
While the Division handles a range of responsibilities across international, EU and British and Northern Ireland relations, Brexit is the dominant issue at present. Staff in other divisions also contribute to the work on Brexit, notably the Economic Policy Division in respect of the economic implications and policy responses.
The International, EU and Northern Ireland Division has included secondment of personnel from Enterprise Ireland and the private sector to strengthen its capacity in this area.
Costs associated with Brexit were factored into my Department’s 2017 Revised Estimate provision which stands at €36.7 million. Resources allocated to Brexit in my Department are kept under ongoing review.
68. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will address matters in relation to the CETA agreement (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30917/17]
View answer69. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if she will address matters in relation to the CETA agreement (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30979/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 68 and 69 together.
On 15 February 2017, the European Parliament gave its consent to the provisional application of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Provisional application is a standard part of EU trade agreements and allows only those parts of the agreement for which the EU has competence to be provisionally applied, pending the completion of each Member State’s internal procedures for its ratification.
Provisional application will include the all-important reductions in tariffs on our exports, access to the Canadian procurement market, easing regulatory barriers and ensuring more transparent rules for market access. The provisions relating to investment protection, investor-state dispute settlement and the Investment Court System are excluded from provisional application. The provisional application of this Agreement shall be by the Union only. This means Ireland or the other Member States will not be bound by these provisions until they are ratified by all Member States in accordance with their national procedures.
In accordance with Articles 29.5.1 and Article 29.5.2 of the Constitution, and pursuant to a Government Decision, CETA will be laid before Dáil Éireann with a motion to approve the Agreement. In addition to the approval of Dáil Éireann, the authority of the Government will be required in order for Ireland to notify of the completion of its internal procedures. Relevant Government Departments will be consulted to ensure that all legislative or administrative steps that may be required have been taken.
The means by which Ireland notifies the completion of its internal procedures is by way of a written letter, delivered in hardcopy, from the Permanent Representative of Ireland to the EU addressed to the Secretary General of the Council of the European Union.
Canada is currently finalising its internal implementation procedures to allow for its ratification of the Agreement. This process is expected to be completed in the near future and should facilitate provisional application by Autumn this year.
In accordance with Article 30.7.2 of CETA, the Agreement shall enter into force on the first of the second month following the date the EU and Canada exchange written notifications certifying that they have completed their respective internal requirements and procedures or on a date agreed by the EU and Canada. Once all the Member States notify the General Secretariat of the EU that their internal procedures are complete, the General Secretariat of the Council of the EU may then submit a notification to Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.
70. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on the reopening of Enterprise Ireland offices or other representative offices in Taipei to promote Irish business; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [30983/17]
View answerEnterprise Ireland and IDA currently consider that, given the competing demands on limited resources, they can best manage the needs of their clients in China, including those in Taiwan, from their offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
Enterprise Ireland currently serves Taipei and Taiwan markets from its offices in Hong Kong and the Manager visits both countries 3 – 4 times per year. A “pathfinder”, which is a specialist trade consultant with the capability of providing clients with the appropriate support in markets, has also been identified for these markets to assist EI clients.
The State agencies keep their allocation of resources under review in order to promote Ireland's economic interests as effectively as possible.
71. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of companies that are registered here with the Companies Registration Office in 2017 that are deemed to be an external company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31053/17]
View answerThe Companies Registration Office (CRO) is the statutory authority for registering companies in Ireland and is the central repository of public statutory information on Irish companies.
As of the end of June 2017, the number of Irish companies on the register of companies was 209,886. The number of external companies on the register of companies was 2,706, comprising 1,842 European Economic Area (EEA) companies and 864 from non-EEA countries.
Statistics for previous years on the make-up of the register of companies and activity on the register of companies throughout a year are published in the Annual Reports produced by the Companies Registration Office, which may be accessed for free on the website www.cro.ie.
72. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the date on which the terms of reference for the review of the Succeed in Ireland initiative were finalised; the status of the review to date; the financial obligations in regard to the Succeed in Ireland initiative that have arose as the termination of the contract; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31070/17]
View answerAs was announced previously, my Department will soon be commissioning an independent review of the Succeed-in-Ireland programme. That review, which will be carried out after details of the initiative’s full and final costs are available, will equip us with a thorough understanding of the programme’s results and its contribution to employment generation in the State. This is in the interests of good governance and ensuring value for money for the taxpayer.
On 20 April my Department launched a public consultation calling for observations on the draft terms of reference for that review. The consultation period ended on 26 May. I am pleased that the consultation process elicited 17 different submissions. The responses that we received came from a broad range of stakeholders, including public representatives and the general public.
The terms of reference have not yet been finalised. My Department is completing the examination of all the responses to the public consultation, a process which will help to shape the final text.
The IDA has paid €2.27m to Connect Ireland in respect of confirmed jobs to date. In addition and in accordance with the terms of the contract, a further advance payment of €1.54m was made in respect of potential future jobs that have not yet been created. This advance payment is refundable to the IDA by Connect Ireland in the event that these further potential jobs do not materialise.
73. Deputy John Lahart asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of community enterprise schemes in Dublin south west; the number there have been in the same area in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31098/17]
View answerMy Department has run various community enterprise schemes, via Enterprise Ireland, since 1989. A number of projects in Dublin south west have been successful in receiving funding under these schemes.
Community Enterprise Centre Scheme
Since the launch of the first Community Enterprise Centre (CEC) scheme in 1989, €64 million has been approved by Enterprise Ireland for the development of CECs across the country. Supported by four CEC schemes (operated in 1989, 2000, 2006 and 2008) 157 centres have been approved for financial support.
In 2012 a €2m programme was launched for a Community Enterprise Centre Business Development Function/Manager by Enterprise Ireland. 46 business development managers were funded under this initiative.
Five Community Enterprise Centres from Dublin South West have benefitted from Enterprise Ireland under these various initiatives.
Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme
In 2015 Enterprise Ireland launched a €5 million Community Enterprise Initiative Scheme. This competitive scheme was open to new and existing organisations, groups and alliances, who collaboratively seek to promote entrepreneurship, create jobs, foster innovation and enhance export opportunities for small business. 32 projects were funded to a level of €3 million under this initiative.
Five projects were funded from Dublin County, one of which is Action Community and Enterprise Limited, based in South West Dublin, and is a project focused on enhancing an effective enterprise ecosystem in Dublin West.
LEO Competitive Fund
In 2015 Enterprise Ireland also launched a competitive fund to foster collaboration across the national LEO network. 16 projects were funded under this initiative to a level of €2 million.
One collaborative project involving LEO Fingal, LEO Dublin City, LEO South Dublin, and LEO Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown received funding under this initiative. This project is targeted at the Dublin food producer cohort and focuses on the creation of an online video education platform to enhance knowledge, improve skill sets and develop producer competencies.
Regional Enterprise Development Fund 2017-2020
Launched in May 2017, this €60 million competitive fund will support major new collaborative and innovative initiatives that can make a significant impact on enterprise development in the region/across regions or nationally to build the unique USP capabilities to grow the regions. Funding will be awarded via a competitive process and the call for applications closes on August 18.
