Written Answers Nos. 418-432
418. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the consideration he has given to the pre-budget submission by a group (details supplied) in relation to allocating 10% of the transport budget to cycling in order to radically transform the present situation and positively assist in reaching climate change emission targets and to tackle obesity; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38515/18]
View answer421. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on the request by a group (details supplied) that 10% of the budget for transportation be allocated for cycling and cyclists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38544/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 421 together.
I would like to advise the Deputy that I am acutely aware of the importance of investing in a safe cycling infrastructure not just to ensure the safety of cyclists, but also to help alleviate congestion, lower emissions and improve the overall health of those who chose to cycle.
Improvements to our cycling infrastructure will be made possible by the increased funding I have secured over the period 2018 to 2021 such as:
- €110 million to be allocated through the National Transport Authority, NTA, and local authorities to develop cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford;
- €135 million secured for the Sustainable Urban Transport projects to be developed by the NTA in conjunction with relevant local authorities which will provide both direct and indirect improvements to cycling and walking infrastructure in the Greater Dublin Area, Galway, Limerick, Cork and Waterford;
- €750 million which will be provided to support the roll-out of BusConnects by the NTA, initially in Dublin, which will provide over 200 km of, where possible, segregated cycle lanes in the city
- €53 million allocated to support greenways projects across the country in line with the new greenways strategy.
In addition to this capital investment, my Department also provides funding to the NTA for the delivery of behavioural change programmes in workplaces and campuses designed to encourage more people to take up cycling, while my Department has also worked with Cycling Ireland on the development of a new a new national cycle training standard - "Cycle Right" – which was rolled out in January 2017 to approximately 15,000 primary school students, the RSA in relation to the promotion of safe roads for all users and local authorities for initiatives such as the annual Bike Week and European Mobility Week.
I believe these measures, and the funding I have secured to underpin them, will positively assist with the better development and provision of cycling and walking infrastructure across the State.
419. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the specific funding available to upgrade the Portsalon to Fanad Head road in County Donegal; if a request has been received by his Department from the relevant authorities for funding and-or supports to be made available in order to carry out improvement works on the section; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38518/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads in County Donegal is the statutory responsibility of Donegal County Council, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority. My Department has no grant application on hand in relation to the upgrade of the Portsalon to Fanad Head road.
Given the cutbacks in State funding for regional and local roads since the financial crisis, it has been necessary to curtail the grant programme for major new regional and local road schemes and for major realignment schemes in order to protect the funding available for the maintenance of the existing network. The bulk of the funding allocated under the capital plan is, therefore, earmarked for the maintenance and renewal of the road network with some limited investment in the new projects.
420. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the overcrowding problem on the DART service from Dublin's northside heading southbound during morning peak hours (details supplied); if extra capacity will be provided on these routes at this time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38535/18]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
422. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if unsuccessful applications under the sports capital programme 2017 must resubmit a full application for 2018; if unsuccessful applications will be rolled over and considered in the next round of funding; and the body which makes the application in a case in which a sports body and a school wish to submit a joint application. [38568/18]
View answerAll valid local applications under the 2017 round of the sports capital programme, SCP, were allocated a grant. In the case of invalid applications, all those deemed invalid due to the submission of incorrect documentation have been advised they can now submit corrected documentation in order to be considered for funding under the 2018 round of the programme and a full new application is not required. In addition, a small number of applicants have been informed that their 2017 application can now be considered without amendment due to changes to the terms and conditions of the 2018 round being such as to accommodate the original application. Finally, some applications under the 2017 round cannot be made valid by the submission of revised documentation. Typically these are applications that had no sporting content and will require a new application.
All invalid applications under the 2017 round have been contacted in relation to their options. In all cases the applicant is free to make an entirely new application if preferred.
In the case of schools and sports clubs or groups making joint applications, it is a requirement that the landowner makes the application for capital works. Either party can apply for sports equipment. All joint applications must be accompanied by a signed licence agreement between the parties.
All organisations wishing to apply for 2018 SCP funding are advised to consult the Department's guide to making an application and view the YouTube guide to the application form. Links to these resources are available on my Department's website at www.dttas.ie.
423. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated amount it would cost in a full year if the PSO levy to CIÉ increased by 12.5%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38668/18]
View answerSince 2010, Public Service Obligation, PSO, subvention is no longer paid by my Department to transport operators. The award and subvention of PSO contracts now falls under the independent statutory remit of the National Transport Authority, NTA, which has direct responsibility for this area along with the routes covered. I have therefore forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
424. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to upgrade the R392 from Mullingar to Ballymahon; if traffic surveys along this route can be carried out in order to gauge the increase in traffic levels, in particular, a large increase in HGVs using this route; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38711/18]
View answerThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from a local authority's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works, including traffic surveys, is also a matter for the local authority.
My Department is providing grant assistance to Longford County Council under the specific grant programme for certain improvement works on the R392 at present.
425. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funding his Department received directly from the Exchequer to substitute for funding previously obtained from the local government fund receipts relating to motor tax; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38788/18]
View answerIn 2017 my Department received €1,810 million in total funding according to the Revised Estimates Volume as published. €1,442 million came from the Exchequer and €367.95 million came from appropriations-in-aid. Within the appropriations-in-aid €345.5 million was received from the local government fund.
Since my Department took over motor tax policy, the receipts from motor tax payments are paid directly to the Exchequer. They are no longer paid to the local government fund. My Department no longer receives an appropriation-in-aid from the local government fund.
In 2018 my Department received €2,029.8 million in total funding according to the latest Revised Estimates Volume as published. €2,005.3 million came from the Exchequer. €24.5 million came from appropriations-in-aid. However, under the new arrangements, these appropriations-in-aid came from sources other than the local government fund.
As the Deputy can see, the total funding in my Department’s Vote was increased significantly between 2017 and 2018. Funding in 2018 is therefore not directly comparable with that in 2017 which included a contribution from the local government fund. However, it is clear that my Department did not lose funding as result of the change in the treatment of the local government fund.
426. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a priority list; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38302/18]
View answerThe agency the Deputy has referred to is accredited to undertake its work by the Adoption Authority of Ireland. I have asked the authority to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.
427. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla carries out assessments on potential short-term foster carers solely for weekend respite or emergency placements for foster children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38343/18]
View answerI can confirm that Tusla undertakes assessments on all potential general foster care applicants regardless of whether they are short term, emergency carers or long term foster carers. The assessment process provides a framework to enable assessing social workers make recommendations in relation to their suitability to foster. The requirement for assessment and approval is set out in legislation for foster care.
The Child Care Act 1991, part IV, section 36 (1) legislates for the accommodation and maintenance of children in care. It states:
Where a child is in the care of a health board, the health board shall provide such care for him, subject to its control and supervision, in such of the following ways as it considers to be in his best interests-
by placing him with a foster parent
by placing him in a residential centre
where a child is eligible for adoption by placing him with a suitable person with a view to adoption by making such other suitable arrangements (which may include placing the child with a relative) as the health board thinks proper.
The Child Care (Placement of Children in Foster Care) Regulations 1995 stipulate that all children who require foster care are placed with persons chosen from a panel of persons who are willing to act as foster parents. They set out conditions to be met to be placed on such a panel which include: A written assessment of their suitability, having been considered by a foster care committee who are satisfied that they are suitable persons to act as foster parents.
These regulations further charge TUSLA with responsibility for matching children with foster carers chosen for their capacity to meet children’s assessed needs. These needs are identified as encompassing the children’s emotional, psychological, medical, educational, physical care, identity, ethnicity, religious, safety and security needs.
The National Standards for Foster Care (2003) 14(a) require that foster care applicants participate in a comprehensive assessment of their ability to carry out the fostering task and are formally approved prior to any child or young person being placed with them.
Standard 23 of The National Standards for Foster Care (2003) stipulates that foster care committees recommend whether or not to place applicants’ names on their panel of approved foster carers.
This task is underlined in the HSE National Policy, Procedures and Best Practice Guidance for HSE Foster Care Committees, 2012 which sets out the criteria for acceptance of foster care applicants.
The only exception to the assessment process relates to the emergency placement of children in care with relatives. In these circumstances children can be placed with relatives without an assessment having taken place. This is governed by the Child Care (Placement of Children with Relatives) Regulations 1995, article 6 (1):
Where a health board is satisfied that the immediate placement of a child in its care with his or her relatives is in the interests of the child, the board my, notwithstanding that one or more of the provision of article 5 of these Regulations have not been complied with in relation to the relative place the child with those relatives provided the board is of the option after having caused-
(a) the relatives to be interviewed and their home to be visited by an authorised person and
(b) such other enquiries as are practicable to be made in the particular circumstances of the case that the relatives are suitable persons to take care of the child on behalf of the board.
An assessment process will commence with the potential relative foster carers following the placement of the child in these emergency circumstances.
I hope this information clarifies the current position in relation to the assessment of foster carers.
428. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are sporting organisations operating here under the governance and child protection arrangements and guidelines from another jurisdiction; if her attention has been further drawn to the fact that these organisations are not adhering to the Children First guidelines; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38432/18]
View answer429. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps that have been taken to ensure that the Children First guidelines are followed by organisations in which children are members that are governed by rules and guidelines from another jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38433/18]
View answer430. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the conditions that can or should be applied to sporting organisations hosting competitions or other such activities in which children are involved to ensure that the Children First guidelines are followed; if there are conditions attached to licensing such activity; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38434/18]
View answer431. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the person or organisation that has responsibility for ensuring that the Children First guidelines are observed in sporting organisations in cases in which the governing body, the competition and other rules are set in another jurisdiction; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38435/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 428 to 431, inclusive, together.
The Children First Act 2015, which was fully commenced in December 2017, provides for a number of key child protection measures, including raising awareness of child abuse and neglect, providing for reporting and management of child protection concerns and improving child protection arrangements in organisations providing services to children.
The Act places a number of statutory obligations on organisations providing relevant services to children. These obligations include: a requirement to keep children safe from harm while they are availing of the service; a requirement to carry out a risk assessment, and, a requirement to prepare a child safeguarding statement which sets out the policies and procedures which are in place to mitigate these risks.
The Act operates side-by-side with the non-statutory obligations provided for in Children First: National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. The guidance sets out definitions of abuse, and signs for its recognition. It explains how reports about reasonable concerns of child abuse or neglect should be made by the general public and professionals to Tusla. It sets out what organisations need to do to keep children safe. It also describes the obligations under the Children First Act 2015 and who they attach to. These guidelines have been in place since 1999 and were fully revised and published in October 2017 to include reference to the provisions of the Act.
The statutory obligations in the Children First Act apply to both public and private sector organisations providing relevant services to children operating in this jurisdiction, regardless of where an organisation’s governing body is located. The relevant services to children that attract an obligation to produce a child safeguarding statement are set out in schedule 1 of the Act.
Sections 12 and 13 of the Act make provision for the Child and Family Agency to establish and maintain a register of non-compliance for providers of relevant services who fail to provide a copy of the Child Safeguarding Statement to Tusla when requested to do so. A new Child Safeguarding Compliance Unit has recently been established within Tusla. As this is a new statutory obligation for many organisations, Tusla is focusing on encouraging and supporting providers of relevant services to meet their statutory obligations and it will endeavour only to place relevant service providers on the register where a supportive approach has proved unsuccessful.
In addition, section 27 requires each Government Department to prepare and publish a sectorial implementation plan that outlines the programme of measures to be taken to ensure that the Department, and any body that provides a relevant service and receives funding from that Department, comply with the provisions of the Act.
The key principle of Children First is that child protection issues are the responsibility of all and that child safety and welfare concerns must be dealt with as and where they arise. In this regard the specific issues raised by the Deputy relating to sporting organisations come within the remit of the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport.
432. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the expenditure savings that are earmarked for her Department for 2019 that are not accounted for in the mid-year expenditure report or are not included in the fiscal space calculations for 2019. [38480/18]
View answerThe figures set out in the Mid-Year Expenditure Report in respect of my Department do not include expenditure savings targets. My Department is currently examining expenditure requirements across all programme areas, including expenditure trends in 2018, to identify how services can be delivered within the overall fiscal parameters for 2019.
As the Deputy will be aware, this forms part of the normal budget/estimates process and it would be inappropriate for me to comment further at this point.
