Written Answers Nos. 1165-1184
1165. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the findings of the national review panel in relation to the experiences of three young women while in the care of the State in County Galway commenced in 2016 will be available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36491/18]
View answerI am informed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that the anticipated completion date for the National Review Panel's report is October 2018.
The report will provide the findings of the review of three cases of child abuse in County Galway by the National Review Panel. The Panel is independent in its work, and the panel members for these cases have significant expertise in child protection, foster care and child sexual abuse. Once the report is completed, Tusla will act on identified areas for learning and any recommendations made.
1166. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there are two outstanding reports (details supplied) on Oberstown Detention Centre; when the contents will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36546/18]
View answerThe Deputy refers to two reports - an investigation by the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and the Operational Review of Oberstown Children Detention Campus commissioned by the Board of Management of Oberstown in September 2016.
The Ombudsman for Children is currently undertaking an investigation in relation to Oberstown under the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002. This Act provides that where the Ombudsman for Children conducts an investigation under the Act, he shall send a statement of the result of the investigation to the public body concerned and to the relevant the Department of State. The investigation has not concluded and I can confirm that my Department has not received this statement as yet.
The final report of the Operational Review of Oberstown Children Detention Campus that was commissioned by the Board of Management of Oberstown was received in February 2017. The full recommendations from this report were published in July 2017.
I am monitoring the progress of the implementation of the recommendations from this report and a number of other reviews which were commissioned at the same time. In this regard, I established a Review Implementation Group which began work in March 2017. The Group prepared a report in December 2017, which contained the collated recommendations from all of the reviews. The updated Action Plan from the Review Implementation Group was completed in May 2018 and was published on my Department’s website. A key priority for the Department is the implementation of key recommendations to bring about improvements in standards, which is now well underway.
The Operational Review was carried out following a particularly difficult time in Oberstown. However, I am advised by Oberstown management that the environment in Oberstown is now more stable. There is evidence of positive change in the day to day operations. I met with some young people when I visited Oberstown on a number of occasions in recent months. These young people were anxious that it be known that there are many positives about Oberstown. Given the passage of time it is considered that it would be misleading to publish the report now, having regard to progress that has been achieved in the interim.
Additionally, it is imperative that those commissioning the report must be satisfied that fair procedures were applied before publication. I have received a number of legal advices in relation to publication of the report of the Operational Review of Oberstown Children Detention Campus, the most recent of which was received in April 2018. I wished to be assured that fair procedures had been followed in relation to all persons referred to in the report, before it can be published. I sought assurance from the Board that it was satisfied that fair procedures were applied. The Board has not been in a position to provide such assurances to date and on this basis it is not proposed to publish the report.
As part of its recent inspection of Oberstown, HIQA was invited to review the report. It is expected that HIQA will consider any issues and concerns in its inspection report as appropriate.
1167. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual cost of the various childcare programmes across her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36598/18]
View answerThe overall allocation for Early Years Care and Education in 2018 is €484.8m.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs utilises this funding to operate a number of childcare programmes which are administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department. These are listed below along with details of the 2018 allocations. Yearly costs can fluctuate as demand for the schemes can increase or decrease. Data on the actual 2018 spend will be available later in the year. The balance of funding is used for various developments, quality initiatives and supports.
- €306m - ECCE / free preschool programme
- €25.0m – The Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) for children with disabilities attending ECCE
- €79m - Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme
- €6.5m - Childcare Employment and Training Support (CETS) programme
- €0.9m - Afterschool Childcare Initiative
- €3.6m – Community Employment (CE) Childcare programme.
1168. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the decision to reduce the two entry points to the ECCE scheme that existed in January and April 2018 to one annual entry point from September each year (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36613/18]
View answerAge limits have been used to determine eligibility since the inception of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme in 2010. These rules are a necessary component of any Government scheme and ensure that Exchequer funding is used for its intended purpose. In 2010, only one ECCE year, or 38 weeks, was available. This was enhanced in 2016 and, on average, children benefitted from 61 weeks. From September 2018, the additional investment secured in Budget 2018 will enable all children from the age of 2 years and 8 months to be eligible for two programme years.
The number of entry points is reverting to one at the beginning of the 2018/2019 programme year (September). The three ECCE entry points which were available for the years 2016/2017 and 2017/2018, created disruption for both service providers and parents seeking a childcare place for their child. One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. One entry point will also make it simpler for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
I do, however, fully accept that the use of age limits in a scheme such as this creates a situation whereby a child can fall just outside the age range. Although my Department is examining all options around this issue, there are no immediate plans to revise the ECCE rules beyond the changes being introduced this month. A consideration of any future change would need to have regard to a wide range of issues as to what is in the best interests of all of the children participating in the scheme.
Some families of children may prefer for their children to start school at 4 rather than 5. These families may therefore opt for one year of ECCE only. This decision is entirely at the discretion of the parent(s) or guardian but it is important to reiterate that two full years of ECCE provision is available to all children.
In such circumstances, it should be noted that the new universal subsidy of up to €1,040 per year, is available to parents of children in registered childcare until the child is eligible for ECCE. Please see affordablechildcare.ie for more information.
1169. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the monthly amount spent by Tusla on agency staff in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36807/18]
View answerTusla has advised that the average monthly spend on Agency Staff for 2016, 2017, and to date in 2018 is as follows:
|
|
2016 |
2017 |
2018 YTD July |
|
|
€'m |
€'m |
€'m |
|
Agency Pay |
18.622 |
25.216 |
17.646 |
|
Average Monthly |
1.552 |
2.101 |
2.521 |
1172. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of family support workers working with homeless families; the number of families per worker; if families in homeless accommodation are awaiting allocation of a family support worker; if so, the length of time; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36810/18]
View answerI wish to thank the Deputy for his question, and can confirm that I have referred the matter to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, for their direct reply.
1173. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when her attention was first drawn to the fact that the Adoption Authority of Ireland sent three reports on illegal birth registrations to her Department; if she has received those reports; her views in respect of those reports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36976/18]
View answer1179. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the occasions the attention of her Department was drawn by the Adoption Authority of Ireland to the possibilities of illegal registration; when the attention of her Department or her predecessors were drawn to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36982/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1173 and 1179 together.
I am aware the Adoption Authority of Ireland has made a number of reports to my Department on the issue of illegal birth registrations.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland undertook a review in 2010 of cases where information had been received through the National Adoption Contact Preference Register but where no adoption order existed. It carried out a cross referencing exercise with the GRO on these cases. Based on this process there was a concern in relation to illegal birth registrations in these and a number of other cases.
However, it has not to date been possible for the Adoption Authority of Ireland to reach the high level of certainty, following a rigorous process, that these individuals' births were in fact illegally registered as was achieved by Tusla in relation to the recent 126 Saint Patrick's Guild cases.
In the case of Saint Patrick's Guild, it was possible to identify and corroborate illegal registrations on the basis of the information on the files, and in particular the marker "adopted from birth".
The process for the potential cases identified by the AAI is not as straightforward. It may not be possible to identify a record in each case, as the only records in the possession of the Adoption Authority are domestic adoption records from 1953 and a small number of records from former adoption societies. If such records do exist for a case, there is no guarantee that the same level of evidence exists would be on the file which would allow the Adoption Authority of Ireland or Tusla to be satisfied to the same high level of certainty in the Saint Patrick's Guild cases that these individuals' births were in fact illegally registered.
However following the emergence of the Saint Patrick's Guild cases, I asked the Adoption Authority of Ireland to carry out a further review of their cases to see if further facts can be established. It will carry out this work with the assistance of Tusla.
1174. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to address the illegal birth registrations discovered in view of the fact many are mature adults; the reason social workers are required in respect of such cases as opposed to providing for the proper registration of these false birth registrations; her plans to address these issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36977/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, Tusla is actively engaged in the process of contacting those individuals affected by the recent discovery of evidence of incorrect registration in the St. Patrick's Guild records. People have the right to know of their true origins and, where we have clear evidence, I have stated that I believe we have an obligation to tell the people affected.
It is vital that this process is a social work-led process as this is potentially life-changing information that needs to be imparted sensitively and in a measured, supportive way. Some individuals may know already, but for others it will be entirely new and very difficult information to receive and absorb. The process of offering contact and support to those affected is being handled very carefully by Tusla on a case-by-case basis, applying best social work professional practice, and utilising experienced Tusla information and tracing social work staff.
I am aware of the complexity of issues that may arise for individuals receiving this life-changing information and I have already indicated my willingness to address the issues as they arise, with my Cabinet colleagues as required.
1175. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Adoption Authority of Ireland audit or the National Adoption Contact Register will identify the likely number of persons affected by false birth registration; the years covered by this analysis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36978/18]
View answerI take it that the Deputy is referring to the review of adoption records that I requested be undertaken, in the first instance, to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies.
This Review is not an audit of the National Adoption Contact Register. It is a targeted sampling exercise of adoption records within the custody of the State, i.e. with the AAI and Tusla.
The terms of reference of the review have been published on the website of my Department, and the report will be submitted to me by mid October.
It is impossible to say, at present, whether the review report will identify the likely number of persons affected by false birth registrations. The report will relate to the sample reviewed, and the findings of the report will assist me to make a decision about the necessary next steps.
1176. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the institutions and agencies, nursing homes, religious bodies and so on which have been identified as carrying out illegal birth registrations; the period of time this encompasses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36979/18]
View answerThe State must reach a high level of certainty that an illegal birth registration has taken place before contacting the individuals concerned. While there have been suspicions about the practice of illegal registrations for many years, that threshold of certainty has to date only been reached in the case of the 126 Saint Patrick's Guild cases that I announced in May of this year. Those cases spanned the years 1946 to 1969.
The Deputy will be aware that a process is now being undertaken in order to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies. There are an estimated 150,000 relevant records; these records are from the agencies, bodies and institutions historically involved with adoption and informal adoption. Approximately 100,000 of these records are currently in the custody of the State. The intention is that the Review will provide information to assist me to reach a decision about what subsequent action might be required to identify more fully the scale of incorrect birth registrations.
1177. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she now plans to hold a full scale audit of adoption records with a view to determining the number of adoption records that may be false and misleading, including illegal registration of births; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36980/18]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware of the analysis of adoption records that is currently being undertaken under my instruction. An exercise to see if the extent of incorrect registrations of birth can be established has commenced. The independent Chair, Ms. Marion Reynolds, is overseeing a process whereby the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla are analysing a sample of relevant records in their custody. There are an estimated 150,000 relevant records in existence and, of these, approximately 100,000 are currently in the custody of the State. The review will focus on those relevant records in the custody of the State.
The purpose of the review is to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies. The sampling exercise will provide information to assist me to reach a decision about what subsequent action might be required to identify more fully the scale of incorrect birth registrations.
The report of the review is due to be submitted to me by mid October.
The full terms of reference of the review are on my Department's website.
1178. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if evidence in a recent court case as far back as 2001 regarding patients of St. Patrick's Guild that illegal registration had been made for children is now being accepted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36981/18]
View answerIt is not clear what court case the Deputy is referring to, but I am assuming that the reference is to a recent High Court case relating to St Patrick's Guild. This case was settled and no judgement issued. In the absence of a judgement the issue of accepting evidence does not arise.
The State has a responsibility to reach a high level of certainty that there is in fact evidence that births were illegally registered before it contacts the individuals concerned. This threshold was reached in the 126 cases which Tusla are dealing with. I am very aware of the complexity of issues that may arise for individuals receiving this life-changing information and I intend to address these issues as they arise.
1180. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether as a civil and human right, adopted persons that are now adults should have full access to adoption records and files; when she will proceed with legislation to provide for this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36983/18]
View answerI am keenly aware of the importance of identity and of the significance for adopted people of access to their adoption records and early life information.
The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016, which, as the Deputy knows, passed Second Stage in the Seanad last year, will for the first time give adopted persons and other relevant individuals, birth parents and relatives a statutory right to an information and tracing service. The Bill provides for all adoption records to be brought into the custody of the State and will create offences for the concealment, destruction, mutilation or falsification of such records. It recognises the fundamental importance of access to adoption records and information for adopted persons and for their families into the future and is based on a presumption in favour of disclosing information in so far as is legally and constitutionally possible.
I have been clear that my intention is that the Bill will be enacted by the end of the year. I look forward to engaging with members of this House and of the Seanad so that all of us who wish to see this Bill implemented as soon as possible can work together to achieve this.
1181. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated number of persons adopted here prior to the Adoption Act 1952; the number which were adoptions of Irish children that were arranged for families in the United States of America, Canada, Austrialia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom since 1952; the number of adoptions from 1922 to 1952; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36984/18]
View answerThe Adoption Act 1952 established a statutory basis for adoption in Ireland and provided for the establishment of the Adoption Board, which is now the Adoption Authority of Ireland. The Authority holds all the records relating to domestic adoptions in Ireland from 1953 to the present day, which number approximately 45,000. Prior to 1952 there was no legal basis for adoption in Ireland.
My Department does not hold statistics in relation to children who may have travelled from Ireland to be adopted abroad. However the Department is aware that there are records relating to this practice in the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the Adoption Authority of Ireland to be responsible for collecting, restoring, preserving and safekeeping adoption records, including information relating to informal adoptions and persons whose birth was illegally registered.
The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 has passed Second Stage in the Seanad and it is my intention that the Bill will be enacted by the end of the year.
1182. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the scoping exercise into adoption was commenced by her Department; the number of adoption cases likely to be examined; if the adoption board, AAI, relevant Government Departments and their predecessors will be subject to examination; when she expects to examine the findings of the scoping report; the person carrying out the scoping exercise; the qualifications they have; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36986/18]
View answerFollowing the discovery of clear evidence of incorrect registration in the St. Patrick's Guild records, I directed that an analysis of adoption records be carried out to establish whether there is sufficient reliable evidence of the practice of incorrect registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies.
This review is being overseen independently by Marion Reynolds. Ms. Reynolds (MBE, Bsc, Dip Soc Work, CQSW, Cert Adv Soc Work) is a former Deputy Director of Social Services in Northern Ireland. She has worked since 1975 at practitioner, management, inspection, policy development and commissioning levels in family and child care services in Northern Ireland. She now provides independent analysis and reports for a range of social service providers in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
The first meeting between Ms. Reynolds and the nominated representatives from Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland took place in mid- June and I expect the final report within four months, i.e. by mid-October.
There are an estimated 150,000 adoption records in existence and, of these, approximately 100,000 are currently in the custody of the State. The review is focused on records in the custody of the State and a targeted sampling exercise in being carried out in the first instance owing to the volume of records involved. This targeted review will help to establish the extent of usable information that can be found in these historical records. The review will provide information to assist me in identifying more fully the scale of incorrect birth registrations.
The full terms of reference of the review are available on my Department's website.
1183. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adoption records held by the State by category (details supplied) at which babies were given up for adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36987/18]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland holds all the records relating to domestic adoptions in Ireland from 1953 to the present day, of which are approximately 45,000. In addition there are approximately 100,000 records in the care of Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland from former adoption societies.
While the records the Deputy has referenced are not adoption records, the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the Adoption Authority of Ireland to be responsible for collecting, restoring, preserving and safekeeping of adoption records, including information relating to informal adoptions and persons whose birth was illegally registered. It is possible that a number of these records of those institutions referenced in the Deputy's question, to the extent that they are relevant records under the legislation, will come in to the custody of the State under this legislation, if they are not already.
The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 has passed Second Stage in the Seanad and it is my intention that the Bill will be enacted by the end of the year.
1184. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated number of siblings placed in fosterage or adoption; if her Department sought to provide for the reunification of separated siblings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36989/18]
View answerI am advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that figures on the number of siblings placed in foster care are not centrally collated at this time. The National Standards for Foster Care specify that siblings should be placed together where this is in their interest and within the advised limits of the number of children that can be placed in a foster home.
When a child enters foster care, the assessed needs and best interests of the child are Tusla's primary concern.
Placement of sibling groups in foster care requires special consideration. Tusla aims to prioritise the placing of sibling groups together in foster care through the matching of children’s assessed needs with that of the carers. The assessment of need will indicate the needs of the child in relation to their sibling group and will support the matching process between the child/ siblings with the foster carers.
In the event that sibling groups are not placed together Tusla will endeavour to support placements within the same community or as close as possible to allow for regular contact.
Care planning for siblings entering, or about to enter care should assess the relationship between siblings, along with the needs and best interests of the children, and determine whether placing together or separately is the most appropriate option. A decision to place siblings separately must be supported by substantial evidence that such a placement is in the best interests of the children involved.
