Thursday, 21 Jun 2018

Written Answers Nos. 212-231

Waste Management

Questions (212)

Robert Troy

Question:

212. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Waste Reduction Bill 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27159/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I have welcomed the principles of the Private Members Bill on Waste Reduction and I asked the Joint Committee on Communications, Climate Action and the Environment to look at the merits of the proposals therein.  The Committee have published their report on the Bill and there are clear issues arising that need to be addressed. Firstly, it is clear that the Bill as it currently stands cannot proceed without amendments. The EU recently published its proposal to address the top ten single use plastic items that make up approximately 70% of beach litter (cotton bud sticks, cutlery, plates, straws, beverage stirrers, balloon sticks) and these proposals do include a possible ban on some items. I fully welcomed the EU proposal on plastics, having written to the EU Commissioner in support of this, and I will not delay in introducing the necessary bans on the items provided for in the proposal when the EU legislation is finalised.  However, Section 3 of the Waste Reduction Bill goes beyond the EU proposal to include plastic beverage containers, which are considered as packaging under the EU Packaging Directive. Under this Directive, I am prohibited from banning such items.

Secondly, more information is needed in relation to the introduction of a Deposit and Return scheme. As such I cannot support a mandatory introduction of a scheme about which we do not have sufficient information to fully understand the impacts, positive or negative. The Joint Oireachtas Committee report supports these concerns, particularly around costs of implementation, the effectiveness of this in achieving the desirable environmental outcomes and any potential impact on the existing kerbside collection system. To address this, I have asked my officials to set up a pilot scheme which is in early planning stages. This will allow us to assess the likely impacts and costs of Deposit and Return in an Irish context.

Finally, in line with Oireachtas procedures, once a Bill is examined after Second Stage, the Ceann Comhairle may write to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform requesting a money message which informs both the Committee and the sponsors of the Bill as to the decision received. The Ceann Comhairle has determined that this Bill could place a cost on the exchequer and as such, at this juncture the Bill can only progress in accordance with the procedures of the Oireachtas.

I have made it absolutely clear to the Joint Oireachtas Committee, at every opportunity, that I am very happy to help progress this important Bill. However, in addition to the proposals which are incompatible with EU law, I cannot agree to the compulsory introduction of a national Deposit and Return Scheme.  To agree to a mandatory scheme without proper analysis on the likely effect of increased costs for families and householders or evidence of its effectiveness in improving the recycling rates in this jurisdiction would be financially reckless.

Broadband Service Provision

Questions (213)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

213. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the fibre optic broadband system at a location (details supplied) can be extended due to poor broadband connectivity in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27161/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The Government's National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access (minimum 30 megabits per second) to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location.  The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. Today, 7 out of 10 of the 2.3 million premises in Ireland have access to high speed broadband. By 2020, 9 out of 10 premises will have access to a high speed broadband connection. This is being achieved via a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention. In April 2017 I published an updated High Speed Broadband Map, available at www.broadband.gov.ie, which shows those areas that will be served by commercial operators and those that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.  This includes approximately 300,000 premises to be passed as part of eir's rural deployment of high speed broadband as part of the Commitment Agreement signed in April 2017.

Both eircodes referenced by the Deputy fall within the townland of Ballybaun (Killiam By) in Co. Galway.  The townland comprises a total of 9 premises.  5 of these premises are in an AMBER area on my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map, this includes the first of the eircodes referenced by the Deputy.  These premises will therefore be included in the State Intervention Area under the NBP.  My Department is in a formal procurement process to select a company who will roll-out a new high speed broadband network in the State intervention area. That procurement process is now in its final stages.

The remaining 4 premises, which includes the second referenced eircode (the commercial premises) referenced by the Deputy, are part of eir’s planned rural deployment and will receive high speed broadband under that commercial deployment.   Information on eir's planned rural deployment is available at http://fibrerollout.ie .

Data for Q1 2018 recently verified by my Department indicates that the company has passed some 145,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. eir has signalled that there has been some knock-on effects to the delivery of the 2018 milestone targets due to the severe weather impacts of both storms Ophelia and Emma. I have met with the senior management in eir and expressed to them the importance of implementing measures to catch up with milestone targets as a priority.

With regard to the rollout of broadband infrastructure, decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the rollout and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.

For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives are being undertaken through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.

Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen.  These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities.  The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements with operators and clearing obstacles to developing infrastructure.

A list of Broadband Officers, is available on my Department's website at https://www.dccae.gov.ie/en-ie/communications/topics/Broadband/national-broadband-plan/latest-news/Pages/Broadband-Officers-Workshop.aspx.

State Bodies Data

Questions (214)

Michael McGrath

Question:

214. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the number of positions on the board in respect of the board of agencies and commercial State companies under his Department’s aegis in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting; the number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date; the length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27215/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

The following table sets out the composition of the State boards under the remit of my Department, including the vacancies on each Board, as at 31 May 2018.  The detail of all State Boards vacancies is available at www.stateboards.ie.

State Board	Maximum Number of persons on Board	Quorum Required for a Board Meeting	Ministerial Appointee Vacancies   (Date of Vacancy)
An Post	15	6	One vacancy (11 December 2017)
Bord na Móna	12	5	None
Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI)	9	5	None
BAI Compliance Committee	8	5	None
BAI Contracts Awards Committee	8	5	None
Digital Hub Development Agency (DHDA)	14	6	Five vacancies:  It is not proposed to fill these vacancies given the proposals to merge DHDA with Dublin City Council.
EirGrid	10	3	None
EPA Advisory Committee	12	2	None
ESB	12	4	None
Inland Fisheries Ireland	10	5	Two vacancies (11 August 2017 and 31 January 2018)
Irish National Petroleum Corporation (INPC)	3	3	None
Loughs Agency	12	6	None
Mining Board	3	No specific quorum required*	None
National Oil Reserves Agency (NORA)	6	2	One vacancy (9 February 2018)
RTÉ	12	7	One vacancy (4 November 2017)
Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland	12	5	One vacancy (1 October 2017)
TG4	12	7	None

*Section 169 of the Minerals Development Act 2017 provides that “the quorum of The Mining Board is all 3 members and its decisions may be made by a majority of its members."  This section of the Act has not been enacted as yet.

Mobile Telephony Services

Questions (215, 216)

Tom Neville

Question:

215. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will request mobile phone operators to provide mobile phone coverage in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27298/18]

Tom Neville

Question:

216. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will request mobile phone operators to provide mobile phone coverage in an area (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27299/18]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

I propose to take Questions Nos. 215 and 216 together.

I do not have statutory authority to require commercial companies to rollout services and make specific investments in particular locations. The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) consumer helpline is accessible at [e-mail] and I would urge consumers who feel they have not received an appropriate response from service providers to make contact with the Regulator.  Providing telecommunications services, including mobile phone services, is a matter for the relevant service providers operating in a fully liberalised market regulated by the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), as independent Regulator.

Notwithstanding ComReg's independence, I recognise the frustration felt by Irish consumers where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Accordingly, I specifically included in the Programme for Government a commitment to a Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce. The Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce a report in December 2016, available on my Department’s website, which contained 40 actions to alleviate some of the deficits. The Implementation Group I co-chair with Minister Kyne is overseeing implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. This includes ComReg, which attends as both an action owner, and in an observer capacity in its role as the independent Regulator.

Minister Kyne and I published the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Review 2017 on 21 February 2018, which comprehensively outlines the progress made in 2017 on the actions identified by the Taskforce. Of the 40 actions, 29 have been completed, with work on the remaining 11 carrying into the 2018 Work Programme. Following close engagement with stakeholders at the National Stakeholder Forum, an additional 23 new measures have been identified for delivery in 2018, which will lead to improvements for consumers across Ireland.

The fifth meeting of the Taskforce Implementation Group was held on 25 April 2018, and the Quarter 1 2018 Progress Report has since been published on my Department’s website. This report offers progress updates on all Q1 actions.

In terms of addressing mobile coverage blackspots, various initiatives are under way:

- My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development have worked to achieve a greater consensus around site selection for deployment of telecoms infrastructure and therefore improve mobile phone coverage.

- Both Departments also worked with a pilot group of local authorities to identify the issues associated with mapping local blackspots. This pilot exercise has been completed, with all local authorities having been asked to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be used to provide additional coverage on an economic basis. This exercise is ongoing under the 2018 Taskforce Work Programme. It is planned to have dedicated Geographic Information System (GIS) resources in place to support this.

- A review was conducted to identify recommendations to address blackspots. A focus group is continuing this work in 2018, to inform future policy development and initiatives. The work of this focus group will provide guidance on location categories where high quality mobile phone coverage should be made available as a priority, taking account of customer expectations.

- ComReg is also developing a composite national coverage map, which will, in tandem with its work on handset testing and awareness raising activities, allow people across Ireland to optimise the services available to them.

In tandem with the work of the Taskforce, the release by ComReg of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which has been identified at EU level as a primary band suitable for 5G rollout, will also contribute to addressing increasing mobile data demands and improve mobile coverage. Mobile operators’ commercial investment has also resulted in improved services, following ComReg's 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.

All of these initiatives should help enhance the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas.

Haulage Industry

Questions (217)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

217. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of Irish trucks that use Britain as a land bridge to export goods to mainland Europe each week; his contingency plans if this land bridge becomes unusable due to a hard Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27315/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I am acutely aware of the potential impact that a hard Brexit may have on the transport of goods to and from Ireland via the UK land bridge. Ireland is highly reliant on the use of the land bridge as a route for the transport of goods to and from European continental ports via ports in Great Britain.

The Irish Maritime Development Office is currently finalising a study into the use of the UK land bridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK land bridge at present, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on land bridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable. This research is expected to be completed shortly and will be published. This will assist my Department, other key Departments, and the relevant agencies in their ongoing preparations for a disorderly Brexit scenario.

Irish ports operate as commercial companies and they are examining the implications of Brexit and preparing in order to ensure as far as possible the smooth transport of goods into and out of the State. Irish ports are also open to any opportunities that may arise from Brexit.

Shipping companies are market driven and are already making provision for larger vessels with extra capacity on direct routes to continental Europe. A new larger vessel, the MV Celine, was recently launched from Dublin Port and will serve routes to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge.  The MV WB Yeats, which will operate between Dublin and France, is due to be launched later in 2018 and a new ferry route to Santander in Spain commenced from the Port of Cork last month.

Tourism Promotion

Questions (218, 219)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

218. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which his Department encourages the creation of historical or heritage journeys in respect of various heritage sites throughout the country in a way similar to the development of the Wild Atlantic Way and other similar initiatives; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27352/18]

Bernard Durkan

Question:

219. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the degree to which his Department has evaluated the economic potential of various local, historical and heritage sites throughout the country with a view to their further utilisation for tourism purposes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27350/18]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 218 and 219 together.

Promoting and leveraging the appeal of Ireland's history, culture and heritage for the benefit of tourism and the local and national economy is an intrinsic element of all the tourism experience brands. With specific regard to historical and heritage sites and their related tourism product offering, these are particularly to the fore in Ireland's Ancient East , which has an especially rich and diverse range of heritage experiences including passage tombs, monastic sites and medieval castles.

Researching and developing attractions and experiences relating to our heritage offering (including trails/touring routes and other ways of linking various historical or heritage sites), as well as associated promotions and enterprise supports, are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland. My Department is not directly involved in the management or development of individual tourism projects or programmes.

Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy's questions to Fáilte Ireland and asked them to provide further information. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Driver Licence Applications

Questions (220)

Robert Troy

Question:

220. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) will be examined. [27136/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

As the Question correctly points out, there is no fee for a driving licence for those over the age of 70.  It is however the practice that we require a medical report every three years, on grounds of safety.  As Minister, I have no power over fees charged by medical practitioners.

Appointments to State Boards

Questions (221)

Mary Butler

Question:

221. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the selection process and criteria employed to make appointments to the board of the DAA; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27172/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The selection process for new appointments to the board of daa is set out in the published Information Booklet for each appointment and these Booklets are available on the dedicated website of the Public Appointments Service, www.stateboards.ie. In line with the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Sponsored Bodied, the criteria for appointments in each case are agreed between my Department and the Public Appointments Service, following consultation with the daa, and are published in the Information Booklets.

In addition, I approved new internal principles and procedures within my Department which work to complement the Public Appointments Service process and allow for appointments to be made with greater confidence in the ability of the selected person to contribute effectively to a State Board, including the board of daa. These principles and procedures are available to view on my Department’s website through this link.

Bus Services

Questions (222, 223, 224)

John Curran

Question:

222. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the exact low emission technology for BusConnects have been determined; the technologies being considered; the details of the research and analysis that has been carried out into electric bus solutions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27179/18]

John Curran

Question:

223. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if there has been a further detailed assessment carried out as part of BusConnects as to the key locations being considered for park and ride facilities along the radial road network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27180/18]

John Curran

Question:

224. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the provision of continuous bus lanes as planned by the Lucan to city centre BusConnects route will have (details supplied); his plans to prevent further congestion at this point; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27181/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 222 to 224, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy is aware, the BusConnects Programme aims to transform the bus system in Dublin. It will include a full redesign of the bus network in order to provide a better and more efficient network for passengers; an expanded and modern fleet of vehicles; new road infrastructure to facilitate bus priority and faster journeys for public transport users, and also upgraded facilities for cyclists and pedestrians; improved passenger information and ticketing technology; and transition to a lower emission bus fleet.

Last week, the NTA published a discussion document outlining the Core Bus Corridor Project that is part of a wider BusConnects programme for Ireland’s cities, starting in Dublin and rolling out to Galway, Cork and Ireland’s remaining cities.  The NTA’s document focusses on the 230 km of continuous bus priority across 16 core bus routes expected achieve up to 40%-50% savings on current journey times and the 200km plus of cycle tracks/lanes and pedestrian facilities that are emerging as the likely core bus corridors in and out of Dublin city under this new investment Programme. It also confirms investment in low emission vehicles.

According to the most recent (2016) estimates from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), only about 3% of all transport-derived CO2 emissions come from bus and coach fleets. Therefore, converting these vehicles to low-carbon alternatives will have a limited mitigation impact on Ireland's overall CO2 emissions; however, it will show some important leadership in this area and will undoubtedly begin to promote and normalise the use of non-conventional fuels and technologies to the public. Under the new National Development Programme, we have committed that, from July 2019 onwards, we will no longer buy diesel-only buses for the urban public bus fleet. Work is underway on preparing for implementation of this.  In tandem, an up-to-date and comprehensive set of vehicle trials is being planned to commence later this year to help further inform purchasing decisions for new buses over the coming years. The technologies likely to be tested include full electrification, diesel-electric hybrids, and compressed natural gas; it is expected that the vehicles will be tested in both the GDA and in a regional city. The trials are likely to consider CO2 emissions, air quality impacts, and contribution potential towards renewable energy targets as well as costs, vehicle availability, and operational/infrastructural requirements. In 2017, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport established a ‘Green Public Transport Fund’ to support the uptake of energy-efficient technologies for PSO operators within the bus and small public service vehicle (SPSV) sector and it is envisaged that in 2018 the NTA will employ the Fund to support the alternative urban bus fleet trials.

Noting its responsibility with regards to this matter, I have referred the Deputy's queries to the NTA for consideration and direct reply.  Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Park and Ride Facilities

Questions (225, 226)

Robert Troy

Question:

225. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of park and ride facilities at train stations; the cost of constructing each of these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27208/18]

Robert Troy

Question:

226. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent on an annual basis on each park and ride facility in operation in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27209/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 and 226 together.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.  The National Transport Authority (NTA), working with the other relevant State bodies, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the Greater Dublin Area and, on a non-statutory basis, works with relevant local authorities in planning transport strategy in the Regional cities of Cork, Galway, Limerick and Waterford. 

Issues relating to the provision of car parking spaces at train stations on the heavy rail network outside of these cities are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann which receives Exchequer funding for such works via the NTA. 

In light of the role of the agencies, I have forwarded the Deputy’s questions to Iarnród Éireann and the NTA for further response on the matters raised.

A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

State Bodies Data

Questions (227)

Michael McGrath

Question:

227. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of positions on the board in respect of the board of agencies and commercial State companies under his Department’s aegis in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting; the number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date; the length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27227/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

Information regarding State Boards is available on my Department's website at the following link: State Boards.

The quroums required in respect of each State Board is typically a matter for that particular Board and  I have forwarded your query to the agencies under my remit for direct reply to you. If you do not hear back from them within 10 working days please contact my private office.

The referred replies were forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.

Irish Aviation Authority

Questions (228)

Jack Chambers

Question:

228. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 511 of 29 May 2018, if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there has been an effective change in the way in which the IAA is recognising written examination certificates issued by the UK authorised examiners which are held by many student pilots in training to become qualified pilots (details supplied); if he will examine the matter in view of the fact that this is causing great distress for the students; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27274/18]

Written answers

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I am advised by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), which is the State regulator of pilot training and licencing, that there has been no change to the practice of verification adopted by the IAA. When seeking verification, in the interests of safety, the IAA always seeks such verification directly from the Competent Authority in other States with oversight responsibility for the activity.

However, I am now advised that a policy change within the UK Civil Aviation Authority - in relation to the acquisition and retention of data from theoretical examinations (including results) - has impacted on the CAA's ability to provide the required verification to the IAA as previously given. The IAA has informed me that it has raised this issue with the UK CAA, and I have instructed the IAA to revert to me and also to advise you when there is a resolution.

Child and Family Agency Services

Questions (229)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

229. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will request Tusla to urgently engage in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27205/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I am aware that young people face many difficulties in their school lives and I believe it is crucial that issues such as bullying are dealt with sympathetically by those in authority. 

With regard to this particular case officials in my Department have referred the matter to the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla and will revert to the Deputy with the response.

State Bodies Data

Questions (230)

Michael McGrath

Question:

230. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of positions on the board in respect of the board of agencies and commercial State companies under her Department’s aegis in tabular form; the quorum required for a board meeting; the number of ministerial appointee vacancies on the board to date; the length of time the ministerial appointee vacancy has been present for each vacancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27214/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I am responsible for appointment of members to the boards of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), Gaisce and the Board of Management of the Oberstown Children Detention Campus. The below table display's the maximum number of positions on each board, the quorum for board meetings, Ministerial appointed vacancies on each board and the date each vacancy occurred.  

Board	Maximum number of positions	Quorum for Board Meeting	Ministerial Appointee Vacancies	Length of time since vacancy
Adoption Authority of Ireland	7	As per section 100(6) of the Adoption Act 2010 the quorum for a meeting of the Authority is the Chairperson or Deputy Chairperson and 2 ordinary members, one of whom shall be a social   worker with experience in adoption practice or with research expertise in   child welfare, child protection or both	0	N/A
Gaisce	15	5 members	0	N/A
Child and   Family Agency/Tusla	9	5 (If   there is a vacancy on the Board the quorum is reduced to 4)	1 vacancy	Position   vacant since 8 January 2018.
Board of Management of the Oberstown Children Detention Campus	13	Under section 175(2)(f) of the Children Act 2001, 'the quorum for a meeting shall be 6 or such greater number as the board may from time to time determine'.	1 vacancy	June 2018

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Questions (231)

Kathleen Funchion

Question:

231. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if five additional family accommodation units were opened in County Dublin in early 2018; if five additional family units in County Galway will be opened in September 2018; and if five units will be opened in County Clare by the end of 2018 in view of her statement in the media (details supplied). [27275/18]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the provision of care and protection to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

Tusla allocates funding to emergency refuges and a range of community based services to provide services to adults and children affected by domestic violence. This is currently undertaken through service level arrangements with external organisations in receipt of funding from Tusla. Tusla does not provide capital funding for these services.

This year funding of €23.8m was allocated to Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services, an increase of €1.7m over 2017.

With regard to the additional accommodation to which the Deputy refers there have been a number of delays that are outside the control of both Tusla and the service provider organisations involved.

Tusla has advised me of the current status of the three areas to which the Deputy's query relates:  

1. The County Dublin Domestic Violence Service which was awarded funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme, operated by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, provides emergency accommodation units for victims and their children was due to open five new family units of accommodation early in 2018. There has been a delay in the transaction to acquire an identified property, which it is hoped will be resolved shortly. The identified building requires some work, and it is hoped that the units should come on stream in Q4, 2018.  

2. Clare Haven Services, based in Ennis, Co. Clare plans to provide a new development with additional independent units of emergency accommodation. These new units will replace the current six refuge units that rely on shared communal areas. The project received approval for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme. Since the original plan was approved there have been ongoing discussions locally about structure and ownership of the proposed development to achieve the most effective service model. However, the development will not be completed before 2020. Tusla will remain engaged with the service provider to support this development.  

3. COPE Galway which currently runs Waterside House refuge in Galway, has plans to provide nine independent family units of emergency accommodation in Galway. These independent units will replace the existing six refuge units that rely on shared communal facilities. COPE Galway has started the tendering process to complete the building work, through the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Local Authority. The closing date for receipt of tenders is mid-July. The original completion target for this project was 2018. However, due to the building location and the history of the site, the process to deliver these units has been very lengthy. COPE Galway expects that construction will start in Quarter 1, 2019.

Tusla will continue to engage with service providers and other stakeholders to support and enable the provision of additional emergency domestic violence accommodation in areas of need.