Written Answers Nos. 188-212
188. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a funding application has been received to date on the Julianstown bypass in County Meath to deal with the number of vehicles driving through the village; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38207/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of the relevant County or City Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the Council.
Prior to the financial crisis, applications for funding for road improvement projects would have been considered as part of the Specific Improvement, and Strategic Regional and Local Road Grant Schemes. However, the extent of the cutbacks in grant funding during the crisis meant these grant schemes had to be curtailed after 2013 because expenditure on maintenance/renewal was falling well short of what was required to adequately maintain the regional and local road network.
The NDP does provide for the gradual build up in funding for the road network but it will take some years yet to reach the level required for the adequate maintenance and renewal of the network. For this reason there is limited scope at present for funding projects under the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes.
Any projects proposed by local authorities for consideration under the Specific and Strategic Grant Programmes are assessed by the Department on a case-by-case basis. All projects put forward by local authorities for consideration must comply with the requirements of the Public Spending Code and my Department's Capital Appraisal Framework and it is important for local authorities to prioritise projects within their overall area of responsibility with these requirements in mind.
Under the capital project appraisal process a Preliminary Appraisal has to be submitted in relation to each proposed project. Once an appraisal is received it is assessed taking into account other competing projects and the overall roads budget. To date no application has been received by my Department from Meath County Council in relation to a bypass of Julianstown.
189. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he will take to liaise with Iarnród Éireann with a view to progressing the reopening of the train station at Thomastown, Killucan; his plans to visit the location to establish the position and the importance of same particularly in the provision of public transport; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38211/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the National Development Plan (NDP) notes the funding priority for the inter-urban rail network is to protect the investment already made in the national rail network, including the Mullingar line, by funding projects needed to maintain safety and service levels in railway operations. The NDP also confirms a number of key investment priorities to address transport demand and deliver a range of benefits over the next ten years.
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport and the operation of the rail network and stations on the network is a matter for Iarnród Éireann in the first instance.
In view of Iarnród Éireann's responsibility in these matter, I have referred the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
190. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if grant payments are issuing in respect of projects successfully completed under the 2017 sports capital programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38221/18]
View answerThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the primary vehicle for Government support for the development of sports and physical recreation facilities and the purchase of non-personal sports equipment throughout the country.Under the 2017 Sports capital Programme a total of €62m was allocated to over 1,830 projects.
The time taken for clubs to complete their projects can vary depending on the nature of the work involved. As soon as the necessary documentation to draw down grants is submitted however, it is processed by my Department and payment issues. To date at least 462 payments have been made in respect of 2017 SCP applications.
191. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide funding to the Department of Justice and Equality for the full implementation of the Istanbul Convention with regard to one women's shelter per 10,000 inhabitants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29104/18]
View answerI thank the Deputy for her question.
There are 2 principal policy instruments guiding Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services:
1. Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention).
2. National Strategy on Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) (2016 – 2021).
Policy responsibility for domestic, sexual and gender-based violence falls under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the provision of services for the care and protection to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
I would like to clarify that it does not fall under my remit as the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide funding to the Department of Justice and Equality for the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.
Funding is allocated to Tusla under my Department's Vote to provide services to victims of domestic and sexual violence, and to meet obligations under the Istanbul Convention.
The number of domestic violence refuge spaces provided in 2017 was 155 family units, comprising 147 emergency refuge family units and 8 emergency non-refuge family units. Guidance from the Council of Europe in relation to the provision of family places in a refuge indicates that “In member states where shelters form part of a community strategy with intervention projects, there should be one family place per 10,000 women”.
Using the methodology set out by the Council of Europe, based on average family size and overall bed capacity, where a "family place should cater for a woman and the number of children based on the average family size for the country", current provision in Ireland is one family place per 7,765 adult women, which exceeds the recommendation for minimum refuge provision.
Variations in configurations of unit size and type, the emergency basis of refuge provision, and geographical distribution of demand have led to some difficulties in ensuring a direct match between available units and families seeking refuge.
While this remains a challenge for Tusla, additional resources provided this year have allowed the Agency to address a number of issues that will ensure better outcomes for individuals and their families who need services and support.
At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence are met in the best way possible, with due attention to the quality, accessibility, and outcome of services.
Since becoming Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have attached a high priority to the development of domestic, sexual and gender based violence services, and I am committed to supporting Tusla in meeting the needs of victims and the implementation of the Istanbul Convention.
192. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the land her Department or agencies under its remit own in County Meath; the location of same; the use to which the land is put; the location of the land that is vacant, not in use or being used for agricultural purposes; the land which has been made available to Meath County Council or other housing agencies for the purpose of house building; and the amount of this land that could be made available for housing. [38051/18]
View answerI can confirm that my Department does not own nor use any land in Co Meath. The Adoption Authority of Ireland, Tusla, and the Oberstown Children Detention Campus have provided a similar clarification.
The Ombudsman for Children's Office will reply directly to the Deputy.
193. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated cost of each extra social worker and social care worker recruited in 2019. [38157/18]
View answerI am advised by Tusla that the estimated cost of each extra social worker and social care worker recruited in 2018 is as follows:
|
Grade |
Pay |
ER PRSI |
Total Pay |
Non Pay |
Total |
WTE |
|
Professionally Qualified Social Worker |
49,901 |
5,414 |
55,315 |
12,475 |
67,790 |
1.0 |
|
Social Care Worker (with Qualification) |
39,049 |
4,237 |
43,286 |
9,762 |
53,048 |
1.0 |
The costings are based on the midpoint of the pay scale and includes employer PRSI and an overhead cost of 25% of basic pay to cover staff travel/office accommodation/other general costs.
194. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a recently published report by a group (details supplied); her views on the findings of the report; the actions she will take to address the issues raised in the cases that were highlighted in the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38218/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, on Monday 17 September the Child Care Law Reporting Project (CCLRP) published its latest series of reports on child care proceedings in Ireland, detailing 30 cases. This series is the first to be published under a new agreement between the CCLRP and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. The agreement will run for 3 years.
The Child Care Law Reporting Project is an independent project authorised under Section 29 of the Child Care Act 1991 (as amended by the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2007), and in accordance with Regulations made under that Section to report on child care proceedings. The project is supported in this work by my Department.
These cases reveal the complexities that can arise in child care proceedings and the challenges that arise in certain cases, including delays in obtaining appropriate placements and services for young people with severe therapeutic needs, and the prevalence of substance abuse, learning disabilities and mental health issues among parents in child care cases. The reports clearly highlight the variety and complexity of factors present in certain child care proceedings that come before the courts. The reports also include examples of successful outcomes – one young man, having spent three years in State care, had turned his life around and was hoping to attend third-level education; there was also an example of family reunification.
Aspects of the reports including the lack of adequate facilities for children with severe psychological and psychiatric needs, and the prolonged nature of court proceedings, especially those involving allegations of child sexual abuse, have received attention in the media.
To address this lack of adequate facilities, Tusla are currently working towards increasing capacity of special care beds. Furthermore, Tusla are aiming to achieve positive outcomes by implementing a new model of care; this will provide staff and young people with a framework that focuses on all aspects of their lives and not just behaviour, leading to improved relationships and understanding of the young person’s needs and how, in partnership with them, these needs might be met. It also provides a visible assessment tool where progress can be clearly demonstrated, strengthening and extending the governance process in special care to include the remodeling of the current referrals committee (for special care) and extend and strengthen the governance of special care placements with direct accountability from the Area Managers. Tusla is also examining additional mechanisms by which staffing vacancies in special care can be met.
I am pleased to note that Tusla have accepted the findings of previous CCLRP reports and are working to improve their own services and processes on this basis.
The CCLRP’s work continues to be invaluable in assisting my Department to gain a greater depth of knowledge and understanding of child care cases and increasing the evidence base on which future policy formulation can be based. In particular, the Project’s case reports are proving to be highly useful in the ongoing Review of the Child Care Act 1991.
195. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the availability of secure places for children deemed to be at risk from physical, psychological or sexual abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38238/18]
View answerA child may be taken into care because they are at risk of physical, psychological or sexual abuse or because they have particular needs that their parents cannot meet, even when community based family supports are provided. The decision to remove a child from the care of its parents is not one that is taken lightly.
Where the High Court deems a child is a serious risk to themselves they may order their detention, for a limited period, in a Special Care Unit. There are currently four Special Care Units located in Limerick, Cork, North and West Dublin.
The use of special care (secure care) is intended to be a short term measure. It is only intended for use where the community based alternatives are not suitable to the needs of the child. The Child Care Act 1991, as amended, places a time limit for a particular order for being detained in special care, comprising an initial period up to 3 months with a potential for 2 extensions on that order. Children in special care are expected to return to a community based residential unit or a foster care setting after their time in special care.
Tusla is actively recruiting specialised special care staff and places will increase when the full staff complement is in place.
The individual needs of children may also determine the number of children accommodated in a unit where there are children with challenging behaviour, requiring specific supervision and therapeutic input. Children in special care also have individualised educational plans.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate foster home places exist to meet the demand throughout Ireland; if specific initiatives are required in this area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38239/18]
View answerThe majority (92%) of children in care in Ireland are in foster care. Children, depending on their individual need, may be placed in foster care either with relatives, with general foster carers or with private foster carers.
The recruitment and retention of foster carers is a challenge, as it is in all jurisdictions. According to Tusla's most recent verified data, there were 4,302 foster carers on the panel of approved foster carers at the end of Quarter 1, 2018.
- 2,703 of these were general foster carers;
- 1,124 were relative foster carers;
- and 475 were private foster carers.
The high numbers of children in foster care includes older teenagers, children with challenging behaviour, children with disabilities, and children from different ethnic backgrounds. With respect to these requirements, Tusla experiences difficulties in matching the needs of all children requiring a foster care placement, with the foster care families available.
There are regular area recruitment campaigns to meet foster care demands. Fostering teams are responsible for the recruitment and assessment of foster carers. When an assessment is complete, a report is presented to the Foster Care Committee who decide whether or not to approve the applicant.
The recruitment and retention of an appropriate range of foster carers is part of Tusla's business plan. I would encourage anyone interested in becoming a foster carer to contact their local Tusla office directly. Tusla are particularly interested in recruiting foster carers who can provide specialised care for children with complex needs.
197. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate resources remain available to her Department to enable a rapid response to issues raised by children who are victims; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38240/18]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the appropriate body dealing with the protection and welfare of children. I am satisfied that the funding secured for Tusla in Budget 2018 has provided adequate resources to meet the demand for their child protection functions.
Tusla act immediately if there is an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by An Garda Siochana (AGS) or by Tusla, but both agencies work together in such cases. Tusla, when alerted to a child at immediate risk, for instance a young child left alone at home or abandoned, will contact AGS if the child needs to be removed from that situation. A plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm.
Cases of neglect or risk are managed in line with Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. If anybody becomes aware of a child at risk, they should contact Tusla immediately, or An Garda Síochána out of hours.
Depending on the experiences the child has had, some cases will require follow up services such as mental health, psychological or therapeutic services that come under the remit of the HSE.
Tusla at all times endeavour to make sure that the voice of the child is heard and their concerns and expressed wishes are taken into account. Children are allocated dedicated social workers, and are given opportunities to discuss their experiences and concerns with them. Where harm has occurred, it is the role of Tusla to identify the supports required and liaise with other agencies and organisations to put the supports in place.
198. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children placed in care in each of the past three years to date; the extent to which this met the demand and continues to so do; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38241/18]
View answerThe most recent figures provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that there were 6,132 children in care at the end of June 2018. It is vital that all children in care, and their carers, receive adequate support to ensure a successful placement.
Foster care is the main form of alternative care for children in need of care and protection, and is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their parents or guardians. Of the children in care, 92% were in foster care nationally; there were 4,057 (66%) children in general foster care, 1,615 (26%) in relative care and 364 (6%) children were in a residential care placement, with the remaining children in other care placements appropriate to their assessed needs.
For children who cannot live either at home or in an alternative family environment such as foster care, there are a number of types of residential care settings that may be appropriate, of which secure care is one type.
A very small number of children (2%) are in other care placements. Such placements can include supported lodgings, at home under a care order, detention centre/prison, youth homeless facilities, other residential centres e.g. therapeutic, disability, residential assessment, designated mother and baby units.
The following table details the number of children in care as at the 31st December on the past three years, and demonstrates that, year on year, this number has been declining.
|
Number of children in care as at 31st December |
|
|
2017 |
6,190* |
|
2016 |
6,267** |
|
2015 |
6,384** |
*Quarterly Service Performance and Activity Report Quarter 1 2018
** Annual Review of the Adequacy of Child Care and Family Support Services Available 2016
Foster care is the preferred option for children who have been received into care. This can be as a result of abuse and/or neglect and their parents' inability to care for them due to a combination of difficulties in their own lives. In recent years, more than 90% of children in care were in a foster care placement.
There are regular area recruitment campaigns to meet foster care demands. Fostering teams are responsible for the recruitment and assessment of foster carers. When an assessment is complete, a report is presented to the Foster Care Committee who decide whether or not to approve the applicant.
The recruitment and retention of an appropriate range of foster carers is part of Tusla's business plan.
199. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which adequate childcare professionals remain available to provide an adequate support service for children at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38242/18]
View answerI am informed by Tusla that as of June 2018, the most recent figures available, there were 5,856 cases awaiting allocation of a social worker.
Tusla has confirmed that of these cases, 987 were categorised as high priority; 1,589 cases were low priority; and 3,280 were medium priority. The priority level assigned to the case is based on the resources required to address the case, rather than on risk to the child. I am informed that all urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
I can assure the Deputy that addressing the needs of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. Significant additional pay provision has been provided by my Department to Tusla, since its establishment in 2014, for the recruitment of Senior Social Work Practitioners, social workers, social care workers and administrative staff.
Tusla is operating in a difficult recruitment environment. Since establishment in 2014, and despite significant recruitment activity, Tusla has increased its total whole time equivalent (WTE) staff by 366 (as at 31 July, 2018). I am advised by Tusla that their in-house recruitment function, Tusla Recruit, has created panels for the majority of its grades and will continue with plans to provide panels for all grades and supplement panels in 2018/2019.
I also look forward to receiving Tusla’s Multi-annual Strategic Workforce Plan later this year which will indicate the future composition of Tusla’s workforce for the coming years, given the resources and skills available in the market.
200. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which caseworkers are assigned as required to children deemed to be at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38243/18]
View answerI am informed by Tusla that as of June 2018, the most recent figures available, there were 5,856 cases awaiting allocation of a social worker. An unallocated case relates to a case about a child that is deemed to need a social work assessment, but has not yet been allocated to a social worker.
Of these cases, 987 were categorised as high priority; 1,589 cases were low priority; and 3,280 cases were medium priority. The priority level assigned to the case is based on the need for intervention in the case, rather than on risk to the child. All urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
I am also informed by Tusla that a case awaiting allocation may be listed as 'active on duty'. Tusla indicate that this may include checking with professionals who see the child regularly, or visiting the child and family at home, getting additional information about the child's situation and, in some instances where a child is in care, organising a Care Plan Review and visiting the child.
The majority of unallocated cases are new referrals. However, they may also include children living with their families who had an allocated social worker, or to a child in care, where there is now a social work vacancy.
Addressing the number of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. I secured funding in Budget 2018 which will allow Tusla to carry out the final year of a 3 year plan to provide for the allocation of a dedicated social worker to all children who need one. Tusla are also funded to recruit family support workers, social care staff and administrative staff to work alongside social workers in supporting vulnerable children and families.
I am continuing to engage with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review progress in reducing the number of unallocated cases.
201. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which her Department continues to offer support to parents who may find themselves in a challenging situation due to financial or health issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38244/18]
View answerMy Department operates a number of initiatives to support parents who may find themselves in a challenging situations due to financial or health issues.
The Area Based Childhood (ABC) Programme, which is a prevention and early intervention initiative, targets investment in effective services to improve the outcomes for children and families living in areas of disadvantage. The programme is delivered in 13 areas of disadvantage in Ireland, each led by local consortia who co-ordinate the planning and delivery of a wide range of services and supports in their local area. Each of the ABC sites deliver a range of universal and targeted interventions designed to support parents and improve outcomes for children, from home visiting programmes to community based supports.
In June 2018, several proposals supporting parenting projects were also awarded once off funding under the Quality and Capacity Building Initiative (QCBI) Innovation Fund. The aim of this funding measure is to support organisations testing out new approaches or programmes in communities around the country, in order to address unmet needs of families with children and young people and their families facing disadvantage.
My Department, as part of its commitment to highlighting the critical importance of parenting in children’s lives and influencing social, emotional and physical outcomes, hosted an Open Policy Debate (OPD) on the theme of Parenting Supports in Ireland in May 2018. The OPD gathered stakeholders including policymakers, providers, practitioners and national and international experts from across this sector. The findings from this event are informing the Department’s approach to developing the theme of parenting.
My Department operates a number of targeted programmes to support families. CCS (Community Childcare Subvention) is a childcare programme targeted at parents on low income so that they can avail of reduced childcare costs at participating community childcare services.
The CCSP (Plus) programme supports parents on low income to avail of reduced childcare costs at participating privately owned childcare services and at community not-for-profit childcare services. CCSRT (Transitional) is a CCS programme which provides access to free childcare for children of families experiencing homelessness and is designed to help those transitioning from homelessness to permanent accommodation. CCSR (Resettlement) is a programme which provides access to free childcare to children of parents who are programme refugees, in order to help support their resettlement and integration into Irish Society.
The TEC (Training and Employment Childcare) programme is an overarching childcare programme specifically designed to support parents on eligible training courses as well as certain categories of parents returning to work, by providing subsidised childcare places. Notwithstanding the above, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months are eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE).
My Department also introduced the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) as a way of providing a programme of supports to enable children with a disability to access and meaningfully participate in 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.
My Department also introduced a universal (non-means tested) subsidy, Community Childcare Subvention Universal (CCSU), for all children in Tusla-registered childcare aged between 6 months until they are eligible for the ECCE programme, which amounts to up to €1,040 per year for children in full-time childcare.
Finally, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a key role in supporting and promoting child protection and welfare, and the effective functioning of families. Family support services provided by Tusla, include, but are not limited to, counselling services to vulnerable children and families in local community settings, and universal services through Family Resource Centres nationwide. Tusla also provides services for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
202. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which a staff augmentation has been undertaken throughout the front-line services under the aegis of her Department over the past three years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38245/18]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that this is an operational matter with regard to workforce planning for the two agencies within my remit that provide frontline services, namely Tusla and Oberstown Children Detention Campus.
I am advised by Tusla and Oberstown respectively, that their Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) staffing numbers from 2015 - 31st July 2018, the most recent numbers available, are as follows:
|
- |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
As at 31/07/2018 |
|
Oberstown |
222.5 |
248.5 |
245 |
244 |
|
Tusla |
3460 |
3597.27 |
3696.32 |
3778 |
Tusla has informed me that the vast majority of the 3778 whole time equivalent (WTE) staff focus on responding to the needs of children and families at risk. I am aware of the need for Tusla to increase Social Worker numbers, and other support personnel, to ensure the continuation of this cohesive service to children and families. Significant additional pay provision has been provided by my Department to Tusla, since its establishment in 2014, for the recruitment of staff, particularly Senior Social Work Practitioners, social workers, social care workers and administrative staff.
Tusla is operating in a difficult recruitment environment however, its in-house recruitment function, Tusla Recruit, has been very proactive in targeting social work graduate streams and has also created panels for the majority of the Agency's grades and will continue with plans to provide panels for all grades and supplement panels in 2018/2019.
I am further advised by Tusla that with the current available staff, all urgent and emergency cases are dealt with immediately.
As additional streams of work emerge, it is inevitable that temporary staffing shortfalls may occur and I am assured that these are remedied at the earliest opportunity. In this context, Tusla has advised me that it currently engages 179 agency social workers to ensure continuity of service.
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average waiting time for referrals to be dealt with in particular with regard to children at risk or families in difficult social or economic circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38246/18]
View answerI wish to assure the Deputy that all referrals to Tusla are screened in a timely manner. Where appropriate, the referral will be routed to family support services or, in the case of child protection and welfare concerns, to a social work service. It is important to stress that urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, does not make a distinction between children who require assistance on the basis of their social or economic circumstances. The most recent data available to my Department was reported by Tusla for the end of the 1st quarter of 2018 and shows that at that time there were 24,669 open cases. Of these, 19,980 were allocated to a social worker and 4,689 (19%) were awaiting allocation.
Of the cases awaiting allocation to a social worker, 734 were categorised as high priority. The priority level assigned to the case is based on the need for intervention in the case, rather than on risk to the child.
It should be noted an unallocated case relates to a case involving a child which requires a social work response, but has not yet been allocated to a social worker. These cases are monitored and may be further progressed by the duty team. This can include checks with relevant professionals, home visits and gathering additional information.
The following table provides a breakdown of the waiting time for the high priority cases awaiting allocation to a social worker in March 2018. However, data in relation to waiting time was only available for 682 of these cases.
I am continuing to engage with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review progress in reducing the number of unallocated cases and the waiting time for the allocation of a social worker to a case assessed as requiring a social work service.
|
Number of High Priority Cases Awaiting Allocation in Time Bands (March 2018)* |
|||||||
|
Area |
< 1 Week |
1-2 Weeks |
2-3 Weeks |
3-4 Weeks |
1-2 Months |
2-3 Months |
> 3 Months |
|
Total |
20 |
124 |
34 |
72 |
106 |
52 |
274 |
*Notes: 1) Cases of Retrospective Abuse not included; 2) Number awaiting in time bands is not available from Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan and Waterford/Wexford.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which she is committed to liaising with voluntary organisations engaged in offering support to children or families at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38247/18]
View answerTusla, the Child and Family Agency, commissions services for children and families through voluntary organisations throughout the country. Tusla's priority is to improve outcomes for children and to ensure that services are provided in the most effective, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.
In 2017, Tusla issued some €140m to external organisations providing services to children and families throughout Ireland.
I have requested Tusla to respond to the Deputy directly with further information.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which complaints are still outstanding in respect of children alleged to have been abused while in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38265/18]
View answerAllegations of abuse of any child are taken seriously and treated with priority, especially where a child is in care. Any such allegation is dealt with under the Children First procedures. Following an initial assessment of the allegation, and where appropriate, a safety plan is put in place for the child's immediate protection. A notification of the allegation is sent to An Garda Siochana for criminal investigation.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, do not collect at a national level data on retrospective or current allegations of abuse relating to children in care.
HIQA, when inspecting children's residential care and foster care, pay particular attention to the management of allegations of abuse and draw attention to areas requiring improvement.
206. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which her Department monitors possible illegal adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38266/18]
View answerThe Adoption Authority of Ireland is the independent regulatory body over adoption in Ireland, under the Adoption Act 2010.
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced in May of this year that clear evidence of illegal registration had been uncovered in records from St. Patrick's Guild former adoption agency. There have been suspicions about illegal birth registrations for a number of years, but there has never been any hard evidence. Record-keeping was limited and not all relevant records are in State ownership. The issue with the SPG files came to light when Tusla social workers were scanning the files, and came across a marker saying ‘Adoption from Birth’.
Adoption has been regulated since the commencement of the 1952 Adoption Act. In the cases uncovered, individuals appear to have circumvented any safeguards in place and to have registered false information in relation to births, which was an offense.
Following the discovery of clear evidence of illegal 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 illegal registration that can be extracted from the records of adoption agencies.
There are an estimated 150,000 adoption records in existence and, of these, approximately 100,000 are currently in the custody of the State, i.e. in the possession of either Tusla or the Adoption Authority of Ireland. The review is focused on those 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 illegal birth registrations and in identifying any necessary next steps.
207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department can ensure the protection of children of refugees; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38267/18]
View answerThe Child Care Act, 1991 applies to all children resident in the State, regardless of their immigration status. Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection.
In some circumstances a person seeking refugee in this country, with their children, may avail of the Direct Provision system, while their application is being considered.
Children living in Direct Provision are provided with welfare supports as required. Direct Provision Centre managers are categorised as Designated Persons under Children First, and so are required to make mandatory reports of concerns relating to children resident in their centres; Direct Provision Centres are also required to have child safeguarding statements and practices in place.
A senior social worker from Tusla is seconded to the Reception and Integration Agency, providing social work advice to the Agency, and working directly with Direct Provision Centres to develop their child safeguarding practices and links to community supports.
Concerns about the welfare, safety or well-being of a child in direct provision are reported to Tusla, in line with Children First Legislation. A range of professionals including teachers, nurses, early years educators, gardaí and other health professionals, who see children regularly, are in a good position to identify children where there are welfare or safety issues.
The Children First Act, 2015 places a statutory obligation on key professionals, such as those named, to report concerns of harm above a defined threshold, to Tusla without delay.
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children who seek the assistance of the State are placed in the statutory care of Tusla. Their needs are assessed by an allocated a social worker from a specialist team who work exclusively with unaccompanied minors. They receive appropriate educational, social and medical counselling support.
208. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has established a working group for the national stray dog strategy; and if so, the terms of reference. [38183/18]
View answerMy Department has not established a working group for a National Stray Dog Strategy. I understand that an hoc working group, under the auspices of Veterinary Ireland, has been established to identify a strategy to reduce the stray dog population in Ireland. Accordingly any terms of reference are a matter for the working group.
209. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the land his Department or agencies under its remit own in County Meath; the location of same; the use to which the land is put; the location of the land that is vacant, not in use or being used for agricultural purposes; the land which has been made available to Meath County Council or other housing agencies for the purpose of house building; and the amount of this land that could be made available for housing. [38063/18]
View answerMy Department was established on 19 July 2017. There are four agencies under the remit of the Department, Pobal, Irish Water Safety, the Western Development Commission and the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA). Neither my Department, or any of the four agencies, own any land.
All property used by my Department or by Irish Water Safety, the Western Development Commission and the CRA is owned, or leased, by the Office of Public Works, on our behalf.
Pobal operates from a number of locations nationwide, all through private lease agreements, however none of these are located in Co. Meath.
210. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the estimated cost for each 1% increase in the funding for school meals. [38156/18]
View answerThe school meals programme provides funding towards the provision of food to some 1,580 schools and organisations benefiting 250,000 children at a total cost of €54 million in 2018 representing an increase of €6.5 million over the previous year. The objective of the scheme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children who are unable, due to lack of good quality food, to take full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Based on the 2018 budgetary allocation of €54 million, the additional annual cost of expanding the school meals programme by 1% is €540,000. Changes to increase the funding of any scheme administered by my Department would have to be considered in a budgetary context.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
211. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the amount spent on rent supplement in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38233/18]
View answer212. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the number of recipients on rent supplement in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38234/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 211 and 212 together.
Rent supplement plays a vital role in housing families and individuals, with the scheme supporting approximately 27,400 recipients for which the Government has provided €180 million for in 2018.
End of year statistics for rent supplement recipients and expenditure for the years 2011 to 2017 and for the eight months ending August 2018 are provided in the following tabular statement.
Rent supplement customer numbers have declined significantly since 2011. The strategic initiative of returning rent supplement to its original purpose, that of a short-term income support, facilitated by the introduction of the HAP scheme has been the main driver in rent supplement’s base decline. Other contributory factors include the continuing improvement in the economy leading to fewer people seeking support due to retaining and securing long-term employment allied with more people exiting rent supplement through activation and securing job opportunities.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Rent Supplement: Recipient Numbers & Expenditure 2011 - 2017 and Eight Months Ending August 2018
|
Year |
Total Expenditure - €000 |
Total Recipients |
|
2011 |
502,747 |
96,803 |
|
2012 |
422,536 |
87,684 |
|
2013 |
372,909 |
79,788 |
|
2014 |
338,208 |
71,533 |
|
2015 |
311,059 |
61,247 |
|
2016 |
275,294 |
48,041 |
|
2017 |
231,221 |
34,378 |
|
8 Months to August 2018 |
123,063 |
27,378 |
