Written Answers Nos. 1695-1708
1695. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the expenditure savings that are earmarked for her Department for 2018 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2018. [38896/17]
View answerThe mid-year expenditure report sets out the pre-Budget expenditure ceiling for my Department of €1,285 million for current expenditure and €27 million for capital expenditure. This represents the spending baseline for examination of my Department's budgetary priorities for 2018. This is line in with the allocation for my Department in 2017.
At present officials in my Department are engaged on the estimates and budgetary process for 2018. I am sure that the Deputy will appreciate that it would be inappropriate to comment at this time on any future decisions that may be taken by Government in the context of Budget 2018 on the expenditure allocations for programmes and services within my Department.
1696. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of the 5,893 unallocated cases, 991 of which they deemed high priority, mentioned in the June 2017 Tusla activity report that relate to section 3 referrals. [38919/17]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, is the central piece of legislation regarding the care and welfare of children. The Act is the basis for providing child welfare and protection services, receiving children into care, developing aftercare plans, and the provision of alternative care, e.g. foster care, residential centres.
Section 3 of the Child Care Act requires Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and attention, and to identify such children. Overall, 40% of referrals to Tusla's Child Protection and Welfare Services are related to children with high levels of need arising from physical, sexual and emotional abuse, and 60% to neglect and welfare concerns. Tusla received 47,399 referrals in 2016, a 9% increase on referrals in 2015.
Under the provisions of Section 3 Tusla is required to access allegations of historical abuse made by adults in order to establish if there are children currently at risk.
I can advise that, in this context, all of the 5,893 unallocated cases to which the Deputy refers relate to Section 3 of the Child Care Act. However, this figure refers to child protection and welfare referrals where the risk is identified as current.
Tusla also receives historical/retrospective abuse referrals, where the focus is on establishing if there are children currently at risk. These referrals are recorded separately.
1697. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to allow adopted persons access their personal files and information regarding their adoption and origins; when she plans to allow adopted persons such access; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38938/17]
View answerThe Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the first time a statutory entitlement to identity information for adopted persons. It provides for a structured and regulated access to information and tracing services for those affected by adoption. It sets out the information that can be provided and the circumstances in which it can be provided to adopted persons. A key provision in the Bill provides that an adopted person aged 18 years or over who was adopted prior to commencement of the Bill will be provided with the information required to apply for his or her birth certificate, subject to certain conditions. The Bill also provides for access to relevant records containing the information concerned that are held by the Authority. The Bill passed Second Stage in Seanad Éireann in May 2017 and will proceed to Committee Stage in the Seanad as soon as possible.
1698. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of section 3 adult retrospective reports of abuse cases that are currently unallocated; the year when first referred in view of the evidence which emerged at the Charleton tribunal in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38957/17]
View answerA historical or retrospective disclosure is where an adult discloses abuse experienced in childhood. I understand that the overwhelming majority of such disclosures are about sexual abuse. Tusla has advised me that at the end of June, there were 1,898 open cases of historical abuse of which 1,326 (70%) were allocated and 572 (28%) were awaiting allocation.
Of the 572 awaiting allocation 24 (4%) were active on duty. This means that there are actions being undertaken by a dedicated duty team or rotating social workers on a duty roster to progress the protection and welfare of the child.
Of those 572 awaiting allocation, length of time awaiting allocation is as follows:
|
< 1 week |
8 |
|
1-2 weeks |
26 |
|
2-3 weeks |
18 |
|
3-4 weeks |
23 |
|
1-2 months |
97 |
|
2-3 months |
115 |
|
>3 months |
285 |
|
Total |
572 |
I have asked Tusla to write to the Deputy directly regarding the length of time cases on the list for more than 3 months have been waiting.
1699. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the promised assessment of the economic costing of childcare services; and the timeframe for completion of this work. [38996/17]
View answerI understand that the Deputy is referring to the 'Independent Review of the Cost of Delivering Quality Childcare' which will be commissioned in the coming weeks. Once commissioned there will be a 10-month deadline to deliver findings. Officials in my Department have been scoping the research that will be involved and preparing terms of reference for the study. In this regard a Request for Tenders (RFT) was issued on 4 August. The independent review seeks to: analyse the current costs of providing childcare in Ireland and factors that impact on those costs; develop a model of the unit cost/costs of providing childcare that allows analysis of policy changes and variation in cost-drivers, including the potential impact of increased professionalisation; provide an objective, high level market analysis of the childcare sector in Ireland, including analysis of fee levels charged to parents; and provide a range of outputs as specified in the Request for Tenders.
It is anticipated that the independent review will be a key input in informing future decisions on policy development and funding of childcare schemes, including both the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free pre-school programme and the Affordable Childcare Scheme, and will finally help us build a sustainable quality childcare sector in Ireland.
1700. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to facilitate a greater share of the banking market here by post offices through the facilitation of a community banking service comparable to a model (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37620/17]
View answerThe programme for a Partnership Government envisaged that An Post, the Irish League of Credit Unions and other interested stakeholders would be asked to investigate and propose a new model of community banking, based on overseas models, which could potentially be delivered, inter alia, through the post office network.
My officials have been working actively with the Department of Finance over the last number of months to progress these commitments. In addition, a public consultation process, seeking views on the community banking model, was launched in early March and ran for four weeks. A total of 16 replies were received from a range of stakeholders and all submissions have been reviewed and considered.
My officials, along with Department of Finance officials, also met with the Sparkassen Foundation for International Co-operation in relation to the German Sparkassen model in particular, and obtained detailed information from that organisation.
The Departmental officials are currently finalising a report on the merits of establishing a local public banking model in Ireland. Their work is now nearing completion and a report will be submitted to me and to the Minister for Finance shortly for consideration.
1701. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation of funding under the outdoor recreation infrastructure scheme in each of the years 2006 to 2017. [37674/17]
View answer1750. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation under the rural recreation scheme each year since it was established; and the amount of funding sought under the scheme. [38420/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1701 and 1750 together.
I introduced the Rural Recreation Scheme as a formal programme in 2016; it was re-titled the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in 2017. The scheme supports the development and promotion of new recreational facilities and the maintenance of existing recreational infrastructure throughout rural Ireland.
I understand that prior to 2016, funding in relation to this type of intervention was done on a case-by-case basis with submissions made by relevant stakeholders involved in promoting and maintaining walks and trails across Ireland. Some small amounts were allocated on the basis of these submissions, but there was no formal scheme in place and no defined allocation.
In 2016, 221 applications were received under the scheme, requesting total funding of €17.6 million. A total of €7.4 million was approved for 117 projects.
The 2017 scheme was launched last April, with applications invited under three Measures:
Measure 1: Small Scale Maintenance/Promotion and Marketing
Measure 2: Medium Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Trail Development
Measure 3: Large Scale Repair/Upgrade and New Strategy Trail Development.
376 applications for funding were received under these measures, with a total value in excess of €27 million. To date, 219 projects with a value of €11.4 million have been approved under measures 1 and 3, and these will be implemented over a 15 month period. Successful projects under measure 2 have yet to be announced.
The number of projects approved for funding each year is contingent on the budgetary provision available.
1702. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the position regarding works on a site (details supplied) in Castleblayney; when these works are likely to begin; the amount which has been allocated; when works will be concluded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37739/17]
View answerThe provision of premises and facilities in the public library service is generally a matter for each local authority in its capacity as a library authority.
Notwithstanding this, my Department is providing approximately €20 million under the Libraries Capital Investment Programme 2016-2021 to support 16 priority capital projects submitted by local authorities. The programme includes the development of a new library for Monaghan Town, which was submitted as a priority proposal by Monaghan County Council. Castleblayney Library was not submitted as a priority proposal and, accordingly, was not considered for funding under the programme.
Accordingly, the development of Castleblayney Library will be a matter to be progressed primarily by Monaghan County Council. My Department continues to engage with Monaghan County Council on the proposal, which I understand is at the very early stages of design. Monaghan County Council has been advised that this proposal and all other proposals on hand for funding will be reconsidered should additional capital monies become available.
1703. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the senior alert scheme each year since it was established. [38448/17]
View answerThe objective of the Seniors Alert Scheme is to encourage support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personal monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. Funding is available under the Scheme towards the purchase by a registered community-based organisation of equipment, i.e. a personal alarm and/or pendant, which is provided to the elderly person participating, while the associated monitoring and service charges are the responsibility of the individual participant.
The Scheme commenced in 2010, replacing Scheme of Community Support for Older People. The funding provided each year from 2010 to 2016 and allocated in 2017 is outlined in the table.
|
Year |
Amount €’000s |
|
2010 |
1,948 |
|
2011 |
2,436 |
|
2012 |
2,524 |
|
2013 |
2,321 |
|
2014 |
1,706 |
|
2015 |
1,539 |
|
2016 |
1,800 |
|
2017 |
2,300 |
1704. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the allocation to the walks scheme in the past ten years; and the number of walks which this funded in the past ten years, in tabular form. [38515/17]
View answerMy Department administers the Walks Scheme which was launched in March 2008. The scheme was an innovative response to facilitating the development and maintenance of many of Ireland’s key walking trails. The key aspect of the Scheme is that it includes landholders as key participants in the provision of high quality walking trails by contracting them to undertake maintenance work on sections of National Way Marked Ways and other priority walks that traverse their lands. The landholders received modest payments for maintenance work undertaken in line with agreed work plans.
A total of 39 trails are currently covered by the scheme and the number of participants in the scheme currently stands at 1,904. Payments in respect of the scheme are disbursed through the Local Development Company network.
The table outlines the funding made available to the Walks scheme, and the number of walks funded, since its inception in 2008. It includes funding for all aspects of the scheme including participant payments and other ancillary costs.
Walks Scheme Expenditure 2008-2017.
|
Year |
Number of walks |
Expenditure |
|
2008 |
14 |
€1,159,049 |
|
2009 |
29 |
€2,117,282 |
|
2010 |
40 |
€2,637,247 |
|
2011 |
40 |
€2,683,461 |
|
2012 |
40 |
€2,645,590 |
|
2013 |
39 |
€2,518,415 |
|
2014 |
39 |
€2,519,136 |
|
2015 |
39 |
€2,573,394 |
|
2016 |
39 |
€2,497,234 |
|
2017 |
39 |
€2,481,742 |
|
Total |
€23,832,550 |
1705. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will allocate further funds to the CLÁR programme in view of the fact many applications had to be refused; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36935/17]
View answerThe 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March last with a closing date of 5 May. Funding under the programme was available through four separate measures:
Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas
Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure
Measure 4: First Responder Supports
In total, more than 500 applications were received across the four measures, to the value of €15 million.
Funding to support projects under CLÁR this year was limited and it was not possible to fund all applications. In general, applications were assessed on the basis of their eligibility under the scheme criteria and on the quality of the documentation supporting their proposals. A total of just under €7 million was allocated to 231 successful projects.
All funding available under the CLÁR programme for 2017 has now been allocated and I currently have no plans to assign further funding to the programme this year.
1706. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of women and men respectively employed in his Department, in tabular form. [37271/17]
View answer1707. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of men and women respectively in his Department that hold posts (details supplied). [37272/17]
View answer1742. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the annual percentage of non-commercial State-sponsored bodies staff under the remit of his department that were women in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38367/17]
View answer1744. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the annual percentage of public service staff who were women under the remit of his Department in each of the years 2010 to 2016, inclusive, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [38390/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1706, 1707, 1742 and 1744 together.
The Department of Rural and Community Development was established following the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 2017 on 19 July 2017.
Functions transferred to my Department include the Rural Division from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Community Division from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the Charities Regulatory Authority from the Department of Justice and Equality.
We are also in the process of assessing the required needs of my Department with regards to corporate resourcing.
Negotiations are ongoing with these Departments and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform to determine the final staffing compliment of my Department.
This will be finalised in due course and I will provide the deputy with a full breakdown of requested information on completion of this process.
1708. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost his 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 he will make a statement on the matter. [37273/17]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development was established following the enactment of the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 2017 on 19 July 2017.
Functions transferred to my Department include the Rural Division from the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, the Community Division from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the Charities Regulatory Authority from the Department of Justice and Equality.
Details of financial transaction costs for these divisions for the past five years, prior to 19 July 2017, will be available within data held by these Departments.
The financial management arrangements for my Department (including transitional provisions) are being progressed in co-operation with the finance divisions of the transferring departments.
