Written Answers Nos. 366-384
366. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when a reversing compound will be provided for the RSA to carry out truck driver tests in County Galway in view of the fact that truck driver tests are now being cancelled in Galway city due to a lack of facilities; the timeframe for the resolution of this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18876/18]
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.
The referred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
368. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the appeals mechanism which was available for unsuccessful applications for the 2017 sports capital grant; the way in which unsuccessful applicants were informed of the appeal process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18960/18]
View answerOn 6 December, 2017 organisations that submitted an invalid or partially invalid local application under the 2017 round of the Sports Capital Programme (SCP) were contacted by email offering them the opportunity to submit an appeal. This email invited clubs to appeal if they believed that the Department had made an error in deeming their application invalid, based on the documentation submitted by the deadline of 24 February 2017. No new documentation was accepted as a basis for appeal. The deadline for appeals against decisions made on local applications was 20 December, 2017. These organisations had previously been informed of the fact that their application was invalid or partially invalid and the reasons for same on 29 and 30 November 2017, respectively.
In the case of invalid non-local applications, a single email informed applicants both of the fact that their application was invalid, the reason(s) for same and the fact that an appeals process was available to them. This email was sent on 22 December. On the same day, partially invalid applicants received both an email informing them of a provisional allocation being made to them and the purpose for same as well as a separate email informing them of the appeals process and the fact that they could appeal the decision on the invalid element(s) of their application. The deadline for making an appeal against a decision on a non-local application was 19 January, 2018.
Full details of the appeals mechanism are set out in the review of the 2017 Sports Capital Programme which is published on the Department's website at http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-2017-review/review-2017-sports-capital-programme.pdf.
Questions Nos. 369 and 370 answered with Question No. 362.
371. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if an applicant was not awarded the full amount sought under the 2017 sports capital programme and their application was deemed to be valid, the mechanism by which a lesser amount was awarded; if the same formula is used for all allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18963/18]
View answerA review of the 2017 Sports Capital Programme is now complete and has been published on my Department's website at:
http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/publications/sport/english/sports-capital-programme-2017-review/review-2017-sports-capital-programme.pdf.
All valid local applications received a grant offer determined by the following formula:
- The Maximum Grant for each valid application was multiplied by the Assessment Score for that application producing a weighted score (A);
- The total weighted scores (As) for all applications in a county were added together to give a total (T);
- This total figure (T) was divided into the Per Capita County Funding (C) giving a Ratio of total weighted score to the available funding (T to C); and
- The Ratio was then multiplied by A for each application to give the draft recommended allocation to each application.
For national and regional applications, the top scoring two-thirds of valid applications received a grant offer and the same formula was applied to calculate actual grant amounts. This formula was also used for allocations made on foot of successful appeals.
372. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of buses in the Bus Éireann fleet in west County Cork that are wheelchair friendly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18992/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
373. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the NTA will publish an integrated implementation plan for the greater Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19052/18]
View answerThe NTA's "Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035" provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services in the GDA over the next two decades. The measures proposed in the strategy are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region and also will be subject to a number of influencing factors including funding availability.
On the issue of funding availability, Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport with a four-year capital envelope of €2.7 billion over the period 2018-2021.
The National Development Plan (NDP), which was launched earlier this year by Government as part of Project Ireland 2040, confirms a number of key investment priorities. These will be delivered progressively and steadily over the short, medium and long term, to deliver a comprehensive public transport network to match transport demand, alleviate congestion and deliver a range of benefits over the next decade.
In line with legislation, the NTA Strategy will be supported and given effect through a series of sequential shorter-term implementation plans that will set out the investment priorities and proposals over a six year period. Now that the National Development Plan and the National Planning Framework are published, the NTA are in a position to finalise a draft Integrated Implementation Plan for the next 6 year period. I understand that a consultation process on the proposed draft Plan will be commenced later this year after which the Draft Plan will be submitted for my approval.
374. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding funding; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18633/18]
View answerPobal administers many aspects of the Access and Inclusion Model on behalf of the Department. Pobal has advised that no application has yet been made under AIM Level 5 on behalf of the child in question.
The pre-school service should apply for the specific piece of equipment by completing an AIM Level 5 application on the Programmes Implementation Platform (PIP) on the Pobal website. The application should be accompanied by a parental consent form and by a HSE AIM Level 5 template completed by a health professional. The health professional will need to confirm that the proposed equipment is necessary and critical to enable the child to participate in the ECCE programme.
The application process for AIM supports for children entering ECCE for the first time in September 2018 opens on 1st May. It is advisable that applications for AIM supports are made as early as possible to ensure that the relevant supports are in place when required.
AIM is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with a disability can access the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The key objective of AIM is to support pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience, ensuring that children with a disability can fully participate in the ECCE programme, thereby reaping the benefits of quality pre-school education.
AIM is a child-centered model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting. AIM Level 5 provides for access to specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or minor alterations capital grants for early years settings to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme. A short report from a designated professional is required confirming that the specialised equipment or minor building alterations are necessary.
375. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if children born in mother and baby homes will be eligible for redress to address the psychological impact of having been separated from their birth mothers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18590/18]
View answerThe question of redress for former residents of Mother and Baby Homes is one which I have addressed on a number of occasions and I am happy to restate the Government's position for the Deputy.
Mother and Baby Homes have not been central to any previous statutory inquiry so this Commission must be given the opportunity to advance its investigation and to establish the facts of what happened in and around these institutions.
The independent Commission of Investigation has made no findings to date about abuse or neglect in any of the homes within its terms of reference. In these circumstances, it is not possible for Government to put in place a redress scheme in relation to the broad range of matters within the scope of this investigation prior to the Commission submitting its findings and conclusions.
The challenges for Government in considering such matters at an interim stage of a Commission’s work were further highlighted in the Special Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Residential Institutions Redress Scheme.
As I have indicated previously, when the final reports of the Commission are available, the Government will listen and respond to the full account of the Commission’s conclusions on this and all matters regarding the treatment of former residents.
In the interim, the Government has agreed to consider supports to meet the health and well-being needs of former residents. The establishment of a Collaborative Forum is a progressive approach to assist former residents to prioritise areas of concern for them and their families. A public information campaign is to commence this week seeking expressions of interest in being appointed to the Forum.
376. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports for children living in emergency accommodation; if further studies on the impact of homelessness have been undertaken; and the way in which she will address the needs of children living in long-term homeless accommodation. [18610/18]
View answerWhile the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government has ultimate responsibility for managing homelessness, as the Deputy will be aware, I am committed to helping children and families as part of a whole-of-Government response to the problem of homelessness. While no further studies on the impact of homelessness have been carried out by my Department, there can be little doubt that homelessness is an extremely distressing experience, and that any medium to long-term period living in a hotel or other emergency accommodation seriously impacts on normal family life and is particularly detrimental to children.
Where children are homeless as part of a family experiencing homelessness, my Department is working closely with Tusla to provide supports to mitigate the challenges faced by these parents and children. These include the introduction of free childcare for the children of families experiencing homelessness. As part of the scheme a daily meal is provided for each child, the cost of which is included in the subvention rate. The scheme is also designed to help those transitioning from homelessness to permanent accommodation.
Tusla works together with other statutory and voluntary agencies to provide services and supports to children, young people and families experiencing homelessness. Actions taken by Tusla include the provision of funding for child support workers and the appointment of a Homelessness Liaison Officer.
Family Resource Centres, part funded by Tusla, are working with people who are experiencing homelessness and many have developed local responses to the needs of families in emergency accommodation. These include, by way of example, family fun days, homework support, after school programmes, play therapy and transport services. Under its Business Plan for 2018 Tusla has committed to assigning a Tusla team to all currently operational family hubs and to each new hub at the commencement of operations. Tusla has also committed to developing specific targeted initiatives so that children and their families who are homeless can avail of services in a safe, warm, welcoming space where they feel comfortable and respected. These initiatives will be located in FRCs and places which are close to where children and families may access emergency accommodation.
In recognition of the difficulties associated with homelessness and school attendance, Tusla’s Educational Welfare Service offers a number of supports to children (and families) experiencing homelessness.
Tusla’s joint protocol with the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive (DRHE) covers child welfare and protection matters for children in emergency accommodation. It is fully operational in the DRHE areas and it is intended to replicate this protocol across the State. A Joint Working Protocol has been signed between Tusla and Galway City Council.
Finally, the DRHE is coordinating the development of a comprehensive National Quality Standards Framework for homeless services on behalf of all housing authorities. Consultation with service users and key stakeholders, including Tusla, has been undertaken and the draft standards have been piloted in selected services. These standards, including a child safety element which will provide homeless services with a framework for continuous quality improvement, will be implemented nationally.
It is important to note that Tusla only intervenes in family life in exceptional circumstances. Children who are with their families in emergency accommodation remain in the care of their parents or guardians. Where Tusla has concerns regarding the welfare and development of any child they will provide family supports to assist that family and child.
Ultimately, my concern is that we minimise and then eliminate the problem of homelessness. In the meantime, I will continue to support measures to help those affected, to the greatest degree possible within my area of responsibility.
377. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children or young adults that Tusla is assisting with housing needs; the costs associated with same for each of the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18654/18]
View answerAs these are operational matters, I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
378. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has sought clarification as to whether all family hubs funded by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government have child protection policies in place (details supplied); and if all staff are Garda vetted. [18687/18]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, all Private Emergency Accommodation service providers are required to have child protection policies in place. Furthermore, the DRHE requires that, in relation to service providers for emergency accommodation, all owners, managers and staff, contract or otherwise must undergo Garda vetting in advance of commencing employment. The service provider has responsibility for obtaining Garda vetting and the DRHE provide assistance to the service provider in this regard.
I met with Inner City Helping Homeless in March and agreed, on foot of that meeting, to raise a number of concerns voiced on the day with the Dublin Region Homeless Executive (DRHE). The DRHE replied to my letter of March 14 on March 23. This response has recently been forwarded to Inner City Helping Homeless and I apologise for the delay in so doing.
I understand that in the latter half of 2017, the DRHE developed a guideline document for Private Emergency Accommodation service providers, outlining the requirements that operators must meet as part of their contractual arrangements with the DRHE. In line with this document, the DRHE developed a training programme for all staff employed by private emergency operators which covers areas such as child protection, dealing with challenging behaviour, staff conduct and boundary setting. This programme of training is offered to all providers of private emergency accommodation and continues to be rolled out through 2018.
In relation to the component of training referring to child protection, a full of training takes place covering child protection matters - delivered by an expert in the area of child welfare and protection.
Finally, the DRHE have informed me that they carry out regular inspections, both announced and unannounced, on all service providers. The inspection results are made known to the service providers who are then required to carry out any corrective action necessary.
379. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the progression of the transitional justice for survivors of mother and baby homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18718/18]
View answerI am committed to working with my colleagues in Government, and in collaboration with former residents, to take appropriate actions to address the issues which have already emerged from the work of the Commission. I believe that this is the best way forward in our response to what are hugely complex and sensitive matters. The principles of transitional justice inform my approach to these measures.
In this regard the Deputy may be aware that I am currently in the process of establishing a Collaborative Forum for former residents. It is a progressive response to the theme of “nothing about us without us” which emerged from the facilitated consultations I held with former residents last year. A number of priority areas have been identified from our consultations to date. The Forum will incorporate three sub-committees that will examine a range of areas, including key transitional justice measures such as memorialisation and the capture of personal narratives. I have appointed an independent Selection Panel to select representative members from those persons who express an interest in participating in this process. An information campaign on how to apply to become a member of the Forum will commence in the coming days.
I believe that open and consistent communication with former residents and other stakeholders on the matters of concern to them is essential while the Commission continues with the work it was established to do. In this regard, my Department has continued to post a an e-zine update on the Mother and Babies Homes section of my Department's website on the first Friday of every month. In this way we can ensure that everyone has access to the same information at the same time.
I also secured Government approval for an invitation to be extended to the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence to visit Ireland. I am pleased to confirm that this invitation has issued. The Special Rapporteur will have many demands on his time but I hope that he may be in a position to provide a favourable response to this invitation. A visit from the UN Special Rapporteur would provide a vital insight into the relationship between international human rights standards and the everyday lives of Ireland’s citizens.
In relation to the site of the former Mother and Baby Home in Tuam, following the publication of the Report of the Expert Technical Group, public consultations were held in March so that all interested parties could have an opportunity to voice their opinions on these sensitive matters. The facilitator's report is now available to inform the deliberations of the inter-departmental committee coordinating the State's response to this matter. The committee is meeting tomorrow with a view to making recommendations to me on these sensitive matters. I will then be in a position to bring proposals to Government for a decision on the future of the site.
My Department continues to post a monthly e-zine update on the Mother and Babies Homes section of my Department's website on the first Friday of every month. In this way everyone has access to the same information at the same time.
380. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a reply will issue to correspondence (details supplied). [18744/18]
View answerI would like to inform the Deputy that a response was forwarded to the person concerned on Friday 27th April.
381. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding set aside in each of the past five years for vulnerable and disadvantaged young persons between 16 and 24 years of age in County Sligo who are not in regular education or training; her views on whether there is a particular problem in the north west; her further views on the reasons for same; if her Department, or agencies under its remit, plan to improve the situation for young persons in County Sligo; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18816/18]
View answerChildren and Young People's Services Committees (CYPSC) are a key structure identified by Government to plan and co-ordinate services for children and young people in every county in Ireland including County Sligo. The overall purpose is to improve outcomes for children and young people by enhancing interagency co-operation at a local and national level having regard to issues including children and young people not in education or who are not participating in training courses. Through its work in the Sligo area, Sligo CYPSC aims to realise the five national outcomes set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014–2020).
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.
The funding provided by my Department to Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board over the past five years for vulnerable and disadvantaged people in Sligo is provided in the accompanying table. In certain circumstances the distribution of funds between counties within an ETB area is not available to my Department.
|
Special Projects for Youth |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim Home Youth Liaison Service |
€44,812 |
€44,812 |
€43,132 |
€44,210 |
€46,421 |
|
Youth Information Centre |
|||||
|
Sligo YIC |
€64,602 |
€64,602 |
€62,179 |
€63,734 |
€66,921 |
|
Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund 1 & 2 |
|||||
|
3rd Level Facilitator Programme |
€7,540 |
€7,540 |
€7,257 |
€7,438 |
€7,810 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme |
|||||
|
Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB |
€17,449 (Sligo) |
€17,449 (Sligo) |
€17,449 (Sligo) |
€58,568 |
€64,425 |
|
Youth Employability Initiative |
|||||
|
North Connaught Youth & Community Service |
- |
- |
- |
€4,971 |
€4,971 |
|
Local Youth Club Equipment Scheme |
|||||
|
Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim ETBLYCES Allocation |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€420,032 |
|
Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim ETB funding provided to administer the LYCES |
- |
- |
- |
- |
€16,816 |
|
Youth Officer Function |
|||||
|
Mayo, Sligo & Leitrim ETB Youth Officer Function payment |
€73,280(Sligo Leitrim) |
€71,082 (Sligo Leitrim) |
€71,082 (Sligo Leitrim) |
€140,199 |
€115,889 |
|
Capital Payment |
|||||
|
Sligo Leitrim Home Youth Liaison School Project |
- |
€8,312 (Sligo Leitrim) |
- |
- |
- |
Special Projects for Youth funding is made available in respect of out-of-school projects for disadvantaged young people. Young People Facilities and Services funding was established by the Government in 1998 to assist in the development of preventative strategies in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sports and recreational facilities. Youth Information Centre funding provides young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, health and other matters. The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through their local Education and Training Board.
Youth Officers of the Education and Training Boards have an important support role to my Department in the administration and co-ordination of youth services at a local level. Funding is provided under the Youth Officer function to assist Education and Training Boards with the cost of employing youth officers. Last year the local youth club equipment scheme enabled volunteer led clubs and groups that work with young people to purchase sports, arts, adventure and other much needed items.
My Department recently completed an exercise with Pobal and each Education and Training Board which mapped youth service provision across the State. This mapping exercise will assist my Department and each Education and Training Board in developing a detailed social demographic profile, in terms of both population numbers and deprivation levels, which will inform future developments and investment in youth services. My Department is committed to working with Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim ETB to identify need and explore ways to address this need where it emerges.
382. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a youth service (details supplied) in Dublin 1 will receive formal acknowledgement of its funding application for 2018. [18833/18]
View answerI can confirm that an application for youth funding for 2018 has been submitted to my Department via the funding intermediary, City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) on behalf of this organisation.
The funding allocations for 2018 for all organisations funded to support the provision of youth services throughout the country are currently being finalised within my Department. When these allocations are finalised a letter of allocation will issue to CDYSB advising it of the funding allocation provided to support youth services within its ETB area. This letter of allocation will include the allocated funding for SWAN Youth Services.
383. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the invitation to Mr. Pablo De Greiff, UN Special Rapporteur, was extended to provide international human rights oversight of the Government's response to issues regarding the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18834/18]
View answer385. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an invitation has been issued to a person (details supplied) to visit Ireland to assist in issues related to former mother and baby homes; if so, when he is expected to arrive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18883/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 383 and 385 together.
Notwithstanding Ireland’s standing invitation to all United Nations thematic special procedures holders, I received Government approval for a specific invitation to be extended to the Special Rapporteur on the promotion of truth, justice, reparation and guarantees of non-recurrence to visit Ireland in the context of our response to the issue of mother and baby homes and related matters.
The Deputy may be aware that Mr. Fabian Salvioli has recently replaced Mr. Pablo de Grieff in that position, and the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade issued a formal invitation on behalf of the Irish Government to Mr. Fabian Salvioli on the 18 April. I understand that the Special Rapporteur will have many demands on his time but I hope that he may be in a position to provide a favourable response to this invitation.
The Government believes that the expertise and experience of Mr. Fabian Salvioli can provide valuable assistance in our response to the issues relating to mother and baby homes. A visit from the UN Special Rapporteur could also provide vital insight into the relationship between international human rights standards and the everyday lives of Ireland’s citizens.
Separately, the Deputy may also wish to note that I will be meeting with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Sale and Sexual Exploitation of Children in the course of her upcoming visit to Ireland from 14th to 21st of May.
I have a keen interest and focus on the mandate of the Rapporteur which covers a broad scope of children's issues. These include the sexual exploitation of children online; sexual exploitation of children in travel and tourism; child prostitution, child pornography and child trafficking for sale and sexual exploitation; and sale of children for the purpose of illegal adoption, transfer of organs, child marriage and forced labour.
I understand that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes has also agreed to meet with the Special Rapporteur while she is here.
384. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of survivors who have given evidence to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes to date; the number who were referred to counselling services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18881/18]
View answerWith regard to the statutory Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters), it is firstly important to recognise that the Commission is independent in the conduct of its investigations.
I am conscious that revisiting difficult personal experiences when giving testimony to a Commission would be distressing for those involved. I know that some people may need to access various supports around this time and I have previously advised any persons so affected to consider contacting the Health Service Executive National Counselling Service.
With regard to the Commission of Investigation, it is important to recognise that the statutory Commission is independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore, the individual arrangements with witnesses are a matter for the Commission and I have no role in this regard.
I am aware that the Commission does ask former residents attending as witnesses if they have access to supports and whether they would like information on available services. I understand that, if they so wish, this information is provided by the Commission but it does not make referrals to these services.
In relation to the number of former residents who have given evidence to the Commission, I do not have this information for the reasons outlined above. However, the Commission's Third Interim Report, which I have published, states that as of September 2017, the confidential committee had met 346 former residents or others with connections to the institutions under investigation, and expected to engage with a further 200 persons who had applied to meet the committee.
