Written Answers Nos 262-272
262. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the release charges under section 15(2)(a) of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 fixed at €100 has been changed by legislation; and the charges that apply to private companies managing clamping at train station car parks (details supplied). [13508/18]
View answerThe National Transport Authority, in exercise of the powers conferred on it by the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015, and with my consent, made Statutory Instrument (S.I.) No. 421 of 2017 relating to vehicle clamping and clamping signage on private property, although elements of the Regulations apply to all places where clamping takes place, including public roads.
The S.I. came into effect on October 1st 2017 and the maximum clamp release charge permitted for private clamping operators is set at a maximum of €125.
263. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the criteria used in a school cluster (details supplied),which is predominately non-DEIS schools, to determine the level of support and financial resources it should receive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13258/18]
View answerI am very conscious that the School Completion Programme (SCP) delivers a valuable service for some of our most vulnerable young people. I am advised by the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla (EWS) that the current funding criteria and parameters are outlined in the Retention Plan Guidance Notes and accompanying planning templates. I attach at Appendices 1-4 these documents for the information of the Deputy. Each of the 124 SCP projects submit a Retention Plan annually to secure their project allocation for the next funding period. Tusla requires financial returns twice in the funding period and an annual return at the end of the funding period to ensure that allocations are appropriately expended and outcomes achieved. In this instance the Retention Plan for the South Clondalkin School Completion Programme was developed by the Local Management Committee.
The EWS has advised that the current funding criteria outlined in the attached Retention Plan Guidance Notes and accompanying planning templates apply equally to projects with DEIS and non-DEIS schools included in their clusters.
264. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions taken to date or that she plans to take to implement the commitment in the National Youth Strategy 2015-2020 to undertake a review of the strategy to assess its progress, examine the process and review the continuing relevance of its objectives and priorities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13443/18]
View answerMy Department provides leadership at national level in implementing the National Youth Strategy and in ensuring that national policy is connected to local implementation. The implementation structures established by DCYA for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures are being optimised to assist and support the implementation of the National Youth Strategy.
A National Youth Strategy Lead Team has been established in the Department to co-ordinate, progress and monitor implementation of the Strategy. Two sub-groups of the National Youth Strategy Lead Team were also established: one to engage with the Better Outcomes, Brighter Future's Advisory Council and another to oversee the implementation of the Value For Money Policy Review of Youth Programmes.
All youth services funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs employ the National Youth Strategy Outcomes and Actions to plan and structure their strategy for delivering youth programmes. All youth services and national youth organisations funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, when applying for funding, must present their core outcomes to be achieved with reference to the 5 outcomes of the National Youth Strategy. This approach is also reflected in the Annual Progress Reports and the National Quality Standards Framework Annual Progress Reports for the youth services and the national youth organisations. The Department is confident that the National Youth Strategy is now embedded in the way youth services and national youth organisations operate.
Cross-departmental engagement is on-going. Departments with responsibilities under the National Youth Strategy report the status of actions through the Better Outcomes Brighter Futures reporting structures. The National Youth Strategy Lead Team monitors this information and is satisfied with the progress being made.
Any review of the National Youth Strategy will be linked to the review of Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures.
265. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 190 of 18 October 2017, if the evaluation report on the youth employability initiative has been published; if not, when she plans to publish same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13444/18]
View answerThe report of the evaluation of the Youth Employability Initiative will inform the thinking of my officials in the design and development of any future such initiative. It is intended to publish the report on the Department's website in due course.
266. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the names of all legal entities in receipt of public funds from her Department under the special projects for youth programme in tabular form. [13445/18]
View answer267. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the names of all legal entities in receipt of public funds from her Department under the young people’s facilities and services fund 1 and 2 schemes in tabular form. [13446/18]
View answer268. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the names of all legal entities in receipt of public funds from her Department under the local drugs task force projects in tabular form. [13447/18]
View answer269. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided to each legal entity in receipt of public funds from her Department under the special projects for youth programme in 2016 and 2017 in tabular form. [13481/18]
View answer270. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided to each legal entity in receipt of public funds from her Department under the young people’s facilities and services fund 1 and 2 schemes in 2016 and 2017 in tabular form. [13482/18]
View answer271. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding provided to each legal entity in receipt of public funds from her Department under the local drugs task force projects in 2016 and 2017 in tabular form. [13483/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 266 to 271, inclusive, together.
The information sought is being compiled and I will revert to the Deputy in the coming days.
272. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to defer the publishing of the procurement notice until all parameters regarding the transition from the existing service providers has been explored and every reasonable option to enable them to form alliances or consortia to competitively tender have been examined and communicated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13496/18]
View answerI understand that the procurement issue raised by the Deputy relates to Garda Youth Diversion projects. As such, this is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Charles Flanagan.
