Written Answers Nos. 1630-1649
1630. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to reach agreement with the USA to include it on the recognised countries list for the purposes of driver licence exchange; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38959/17]
View answerThe issue of whether driving licence exchange with the USA would be possible has been examined and is, regrettably, not being pursued at this time given the complexities involved.
Driver licensing law is grounded on the principle that people must meet certain defined standards. Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets common standards for driver testing across all Member States. On this basis, all EU licences are mutually exchangeable.
In the case of licences issued by non-EU states, we may reach bilateral agreements on exchange. This is not a straightforward matter. The relevant authorities must first compare to two licensing regimes in detail so that each side may be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side, this task is undertaken by the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
The RSA has previously examined the possibility of reaching exchange agreements with the USA. However, US driver licensing operates at state rather than federal level. This means that there are 50 different systems, sometimes with greatly varying standards. Reaching agreement would mean reaching 50 agreements, each of which would have to take account of the arrangements which exist between that state and the other 49. This would not be feasible.
1631. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal can expect to receive a date for a driving test; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38960/17]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1632. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the terms of access, the precautions in place and the personal public service data that can be accessed by a company (details supplied); the sanctions in place for breach or misuse of this data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39007/17]
View answerThis is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
1633. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the most recent figure for the full-year funding allocated to the school completion programme for DEIS schools. [37694/17]
View answerI have been advised by Tusla that the full year funding allocated in the current year (2017) to the School Completion Programme is €24.7 million.
1634. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocated to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016, and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38586/17]
View answerIn 2017, funding of €57.4 million has been provided to my Department for various youth schemes, an increase of €5.5 million over 2016. The additional funding is being used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services. My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, amounting to €10.65 million in 2017, under which funding is made available on an annual basis to thirty national and major regional youth organisations. This funding is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people.
Scouting Ireland receives grant aid on an annual basis under the Youth Service Grant Scheme. Details of the funding allocated to Scouting Ireland for the years 2011 to 2017 are outlined hereunder.
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme |
Year |
Grant - € |
|
2017 |
876,337 |
|
|
2016 |
834,607 |
|
|
2015 |
814,250 |
|
|
2014 |
814,250 |
|
|
2013 |
845,974 |
|
|
2012 |
939,971 |
|
|
2011 |
1,005,317 |
In addition to the above, Scouting Ireland was allocated €150,000 in current funding in 2015 and a further €200,000 in Dormant Accounts funding in 2016 to support the Operation Lelievlet youth employment initiative.
Scouting Ireland also received €49,630 under the capital funding scheme for youth projects and services in 2016 to fund the improvement of disability access and security at Scouting Ireland.
In 2015 €30,000 was also allocated to Scouting Ireland to assist it with its budget sustainability to the year end.
1635. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of political staff employed in her Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work within her Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36948/17]
View answerI take the part of the Deputy's question on seconded staff to refer to seconded staff specifically working in the Minister's office or constituency office.
There were no civil or public service staff seconded by my Department to work in the Minister's office or constituency office in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017.
In respect of political staff employed in this Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisors, drivers and other relevant positions, the details are set out as follows in respect of the numbers, salary scales, and job titles/roles for each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017.
|
2015 (31st Dáil) - Minister Reilly |
|
|
Position Held |
Salary |
|
Special Adviser |
€87,258 |
|
Special Adviser |
€82,587 |
|
Personal Assistant |
€47,304 |
|
Personal Secretary |
€29,342 |
|
Civilian Driver |
€32,965 |
|
Civilian Driver |
€32,965 |
|
2016 (32nd Dáil) - Minister Reilly |
|
|
Position Held |
Salary |
|
Special Adviser |
€85,750 |
|
Special Adviser |
€85,750 |
|
Personal Assistant |
See note |
|
Civilian Driver |
€32,965 |
|
Civilian Driver |
€32,965 |
|
2017 (32nd Dáil) - Minister Zappone |
|
|
Position Held |
Salary |
|
Special Adviser |
€88,936 |
|
Special Adviser |
€88,936 |
|
Personal Assistant |
See note |
|
Civilian Driver |
€32,965 |
|
Civilian Driver |
€32,965 |
All my Ministerial staff appointments have been made in accordance with Instructions for Ministerial Appointments as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in June 2016.
Note: In accordance with revised arrangements put in place for the 32nd Dáil, my Personal Assistant is paid under the Scheme for Secretarial Assistance by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The following revised table was received on 8 November 2017
|
2017 (32nd Dáil) - Minister Zappone |
|
|
Position Held |
Salary |
|
Special Adviser |
€91,716 |
|
Special Adviser |
€91,716 |
|
Personal Assistant |
See note |
|
Civilian Driver |
€33,965 |
|
Civilian Driver |
€33,965 |
Note: In accordance with revised arrangements put in place for the 32nd Dáil, my Personal Assistant is paid under the Scheme for Secretarial Assistance by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
1636. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla plans to engage with a union (details supplied) regarding its representation of family resource centres to the WRC on the issue of better pay and conditions. [36966/17]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency provides funding to support the work of a large number of Family Resource Centres throughout the country. This funding is provided under an annual Service Level Agreement, and is by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres.
Family Resource Centres are independent companies limited by guarantee and are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. They operate independently of Tusla. Each individual Family Resource Centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.
Tusla very much values the work of Family Resource Centres and recognises the positive impact of their work in supporting families and local communities around the country. Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to children and families in their communities.
1637. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her Department's approach and plans to ensure the future sustainability of family resource centres. [36967/17]
View answerThere are over 100 Family Resource Centres currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual Service Level Agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. The 2017 Tusla allocation to Family Resource Centres is €13.512 million.
Family Resource Centres are front-line services rooted in the communities they serve. Acting as a focal point within their communities, Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to all children and families in their communities. While Family Resource Centres operate an open-door policy and provide many services and development opportunities at a universal level, they also proactively target specific cohorts within their communities.
Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty.
It is not possible at this stage to advise on what level of funding will be made available by Tusla to Family Resource Centres in 2018. This issue will be clarified in the context of the annual Estimates process and having regard to the overall level of funding available to Tusla in 2018.
1638. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reconsider the application for funding by an organisation (details supplied). [36974/17]
View answerMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and communities throughout the country.
In 2017, €57.4 million has been allocated in current funding to support the provision of youth services, an increase of €5.5 million on 2016. The additional funding is being used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services.
Earlier this year, I was please to approve funding of €800,000 for the establishment of new youth projects and for the augmentation of a small number of existing youth services to meet new challenges arising from population increases. This additional investment is being provided in regions of the country where there is a pressing need for services to meet the needs of young people.
Each of the sixteen Education and Training Boards, including Laois and Offaly ETB, was invited to nominate locations within their catchment areas for the establishment of new services and to nominate a project or service to be considered for augmentation. In total twenty-eight applications for new services were received, including an application for a new service which would be partly based in Mountmellick.
Based on the recommendations of a specially convened appraisal committee, and given the very limited resources available for the scheme, I approved the establishment of nine new targeted youth services across the country.
The application in respect of Laois was, unfortunately, not successful on this occasion. Should further moneys be made available to my Department in the coming years, it is my intention to invite Education and Training Boards to nominate locations for the establishment of new services.
1639. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla will attend the Workplace Relations Commission talks with an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37000/17]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency provides funding to support the work of a large number of Family Resource Centres throughout the country. This funding is provided under an annual Service Level Agreement, and is by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres.
Family Resource Centres are independent companies limited by guarantee and are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. They operate independently of Tusla. Each individual Family Resource Centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.
Tusla very much values the work of Family Resource Centres and recognises the positive impact of their work in supporting families and local communities around the country. Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to children and families in their communities.
1640. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of women and men, respectively, employed in her Department in tabular form. [37067/17]
View answerAt 31 August 2017, the following staff numbers (headcount) by gender in my Department were as set out in the following table:
|
Women |
Men |
|
142 |
85 |
1641. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of men and women, respectively, in her Department who hold posts (details supplied). [37078/17]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out as follows, correct as of 31 August 2017. In the interest of clarity, the post of Director has been included.
|
Grade |
Men |
Women |
|
Secretary General |
1 |
0 |
|
Second Secretary |
0 |
0 |
|
Deputy Secretary |
0 |
0 |
|
Assistant Secretary |
1 |
2 |
|
Director |
0 |
1 |
|
Principal Officer |
7 |
13 |
|
Assistant Principal |
21 |
24 |
1642. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a workplace dispute; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37091/17]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency provides funding to support the work of a large number of Family Resource Centres throughout the country. This funding is provided under an annual Service Level Agreement, and is by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres.
Family Resource Centres are independent companies limited by guarantee and are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. They operate independently of Tusla. Each individual Family Resource Centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.
Tusla very much values the work of Family Resource Centres and recognises the positive impact of their work in supporting families and local communities around the country. Family Resource Centres provide a holistic service of child, family and community support and advocacy to children and families in their communities.
1643. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce a cap on crèche fees further to reports that crèches around the country are raising their fees as a consequence of the introduction of subsidies for child care costs, effectively utilising the extra funding made available to parents. [37178/17]
View answer1644. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many crèches are increasing their fees on foot of the introduction of subsidies for child care costs, effectively utilising the extra funding made available to parents; and her views on the perceived major design flaw of the scheme. [37179/17]
View answer1650. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention her been drawn to the fact that some child care providers have increased costs proportionate to the amount provided in the affordable childcare scheme which neutralises the benefit for families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37559/17]
View answer1651. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that families are struggling to meet the new charges imposed by some child care providers following the introduction of the affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37560/17]
View answer1656. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to child care fees rising in line with the new affordable childcare scheme making the subsidy ineffective for parents; the measures she will take to prevent this practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37681/17]
View answer1664. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the widespread practice by crèches to increase their fees in line with the newly introduced affordable childcare payment; the measures she is taking to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37895/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1643, 1644, 1650, 1651, 1656 and 1664 together.
As the Deputies will be aware, the factors impacting on the costs across delivery of services in any sector are complex and multifaceted. The cost to childcare providers is affected by many factors such as rates, rent, labour costs, and insurance amongst other things.
The cost to parents to access that childcare is decided by childcare providers taking account of these overheads.
Notwithstanding this, I am committed to ensuring that childcare is affordable, accessible and of a high quality.
The increase in supports I have provided from this month for the next programme year represents a major step towards accessible affordable quality childcare after decades of neglect and under-investment by successive Governments.
There are two supports being rolled out under the Community Childcare Scheme. These include universal non-means tested supports of up to €1,040 per year and enhanced supports of up to €7,500 per year to assist families to return to work, and/or training and education.
I am delighted with the strong response from the sector. The number of providers signing up to deliver the services increases daily.
My Department is monitoring the cost of childcare closely and will continue to do so. Initial research from a sampling of services shows that fee increases for full-term services delivering the Community Childcare Scheme (including CCS Plus) rose by €5.26 on average between this programme year (2017/18) and the previous programme year. By way of comparison the fees across all services delivering full-time childcare rose by €7.26 between 2015/16 and 2016/17 following a number or years of price stagnation.If over the coming weeks or months those percentage increases in fees by service providers were to rise then I will consider whether actions such as regulation or price capping is required for government schemes.
Towards meeting some of the administrative overhead, I announced in recent months payments totalling €3.5 million towards “non contact time” for all childcare providers who register for the enhanced childcare measures under the Community Childcare Scheme. These payments range from €28 per child for the universal scheme up to as much as €203 per child registered on the more targeted supports. This, in addition to €14.5 million that has been already paid to childcare services so far in 2017 in recognition of administration associated with ECCE and other schemes, provides for €18 million in "non-contact time" payments this year.
The payment of €18 million this year in non contact payments should ensure that the availability of the supports to make childcare more affordable should not be a reason for any increase.
1645. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase the funding made available to family resource centres through her Department's family resource centre programme; her further plans to address the issue of pay disparity within the sector in view of the fact that it is hampering the ability of centres to recruit suitably qualified staff and fill existing vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37218/17]
View answerThere are over 100 Family Resource Centres currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual Service Level Agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. The 2017 Tusla allocation to Family Resource Centres is €13.512 million.
Family Resource Centres are independent companies limited by guarantee and they are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. The centres operate independently of Tusla and each individual centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.
Tusla fully appreciates the role that Family Resource Centres play in offering early intervention support to families in difficulty.
It is not possible at this stage to advise on what level of funding will be made available by Tusla to Family Resource Centres in 2018. This issue will be clarified in the context of the annual Estimates process and having regard to the overall level of funding available to Tusla in 2018.
1646. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost her Department incurred in each of the past five years due to debit and credit card payment services and banking fees; the financial institutions to which the payments were made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37220/17]
View answerThe costs my Department incurred in each of the past five years due to credit and debit payment services and banking fees can be seen in table 1 and table 2.
Table 1: Credit Cards, 2012-2016:
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
Bank of Ireland |
€381.63 |
€352.66 |
€395.38 |
€534.38 |
€707.43 |
Table 2: Bank Accounts, 2012-2016:
|
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
|
Bank of Ireland |
€0 |
€0 |
€34.26 |
€363.10 |
€222.20 |
My Department is currently examining ways to reduce charges in relation to credit cards and I expect a new system to be in place shortly. The bank account charges for 2014 to 2016 are also under review and are being queried.
1647. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many child care providers have not signed up to provide the single affordable childcare scheme and the burden that this is placing on parents; and the steps she will take to address this issue. [37230/17]
View answer1648. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons will be unable to access the single affordable childcare scheme due to the fact there are no available places in crèches providing the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37231/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1647 and 1648 together.
On 11 April I made an announcement that the Affordable Childcare Scheme would not commence this September but that a range of measures would be introduced in September by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
As part of these 'September measures', a new universal subsidy is available for all children aged between 6 months and 3 years of age (or until they qualify for ECCE if later than 36 months) in registered childcare. This amounts to as much as €20 a week or €1,040 per year for children in full time childcare. The ‘September measures’ relates to the introduction of the Universal payment and the increase in band rates across the different strands of the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme.
I am pleased to inform the Deputies that as of September 7 2792 services are in contract to provide CCS Plus.
This represents over 75% of eligible providers, based on the numbers of providers who have previously contracted with the Department (excluding those who only provide the ECCE scheme). That number continues to rise.
I am keenly aware of the pressures on the sector with regard to availability of places and my Department has provided €8.4 million for its 2017 Early Years Capital funding programme. This represents a doubling of the €4 million provided under the 2016 Early Years Capital Funding Programme. This funding has been made available to early years providers under three strands, the largest of which (€4.2 million) will go towards enabling early years services to provide additional childcare places. The maximum grant available under Strand 1 is €50,000 which will allow for the full cost of a minor expansion project in an early years service, or for the purchase of a temporary structure. 89 projects have been approved for funding under Strand 1. In addition to this, my Department has also provided €4 million for its 2017 School Age Childcare Capital programme. This funding has been made available under three strands, and it is expected to create an additional 5,000 places. The maximum grant available under Strand A is €20,000 which is for the creation of new School Age childcare services, the maximum grant available under Strand B is €10,000 which is for the expansion of existing School age childcare services. 113 projects have been approved for funding under Strand A, while 112 projects have been approved for funding under Strand B.
My Department will also be conducting a review of capacity through the City and County Childcare Committees to identify where pressure points might exist, and based on this information will consider other possible measures to address these pressures.
I am committed to ensuring that childcare is affordable, accessible and of a high quality.
1649. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding allocated to women's refuge accommodation in each of the past five years, and in 2017, in tabular form; and the number of families and persons who availed of these services for each of these years, and to date in 2017. [37454/17]
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.
