Michael Healy-Rae
Question:540. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a driver test for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39894/18]
View answerDriver Test Waiting Lists
Questions (540)
Written answers
This is a matter for the Road Safety Authority. I have referred the question to the Authority for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a response is not received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Public Transport
Questions (541)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:541. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the timeframe for the introduction of legislation to combat rickshaws in view of the fact that it has been established that legislation is needed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39917/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has considered a range of options for regulating rickshaws from the perspectives of proportionality, public safety and enforcement as well as regarding the question of costs and benefits. I now believe that the appropriate response to the concerns raised is to regulate rickshaws with the introduction of a licensing regime. Licensing provisions will, first and foremost, be designed as a framework to help ensure improved public safety and an enhanced rickshaw passenger experience. I expect a Draft General Scheme of a Bill to be presented to Government within a matter of weeks.
Rail Services Provision
Questions (542)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Question:542. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the fact that some DARTs arriving at stations during rush hours have just four carriages when prior to the timetable changes all DARTs at rush hour had eight carriages (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39933/18]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Public Transport Data
Questions (543)
Catherine Martin
Question:543. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the data available to him in regard to regular overcrowding of commuter buses, trams and trains; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39981/18]
View answerWritten answers
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the relevant transport providers 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.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A
Road Traffic Offences
Questions (544)
Thomas P. Broughan
Question:544. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to legislate in order to include the non-production of a driver licence as a penalty point offence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39987/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under section 40 of the Road Traffic Act 1961, a member of An Garda Síochána may demand the production of a driving licence by a person who is driving a mechanically propelled vehicle in a public place or by a person who is the accompanying driver to a learner driver. Failure or refusal to produce a licence on demand is an offence.
The penalty for an offence under section 40 is the general penalty under the Road Traffic Acts. This is a fine of up to €1,000 for a first offence, a fine of up to €2,000 for a second or subsequent offence, and a fine of up to €2,000 and/or up to 3 months in prison for a third or subsequent offence within a 12-month period.
My officials are currently reviewing the legislation in light of the provisions of sections 4 and 5 of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Act 2018.
Sport Ireland Funding
Questions (545)
Maureen O'Sullivan
Question:545. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated cost in 2019 if the budget for Sport Ireland increased by 10%. [40091/18]
View answerWritten answers
In 2018, Sport Ireland was allocated €51.626m in current funding and €6.7m in capital funding from my Department. Current funding provides for Sport Ireland’s expenditure on sports programmes as well as administration costs, including staff costs, and other general expenses incurred by Sport Ireland in discharging its statutory role. The capital allocation provides for the development of the National Sports Campus.
Accordingly, the cost of a 10% increase in the current budget would be €5.16m and in the capital budget would be €0.67m.
In addition to the above, an amount of €5m was allocated to Sport Ireland this year from the Dormant Accounts Fund. €4m of this relates to current expenditure and €1m relates to capital expenditure.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (546)
Charlie McConalogue
Question:546. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of his Department's stand at the National Ploughing Championships 2018; the number of staff deployed from his Department for the week; and the cost of same. [40359/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department did not maintain a stand at the Ploughing Championships. However, the Coast Guard, a division of my Department, did have a stand as part of its Safety on the Water campaign. The cost of the stand was €4,829.60. The staffing costs consisted of out of pocket expenses for one permanent member of staff and for a small number of Coast Guard volunteers.
Child and Family Agency Staff
Questions (547)
Seán Sherlock
Question:547. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers trained to interview child victims of sexual abuse according to the Garda Inspectorate [39767/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in relation to the matter. A further response will issue when I have had a reply.
Departmental Expenditure
Questions (548)
Niall Collins
Question:548. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the communications, press and public relations budget allocated to her Department for 2018; the way in which it is being spent; if it is behind or ahead of profile; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39366/18]
View answerWritten answers
Details of the costs incurred on communications, press and public relations by my Department since the beginning of 2018 are set out in the tables below.
The Deputy might note that, while there is no dedicated budget made available for such purposes, the overall objective is to keep costs of this nature to a minimum and ensure that these services are only used when deemed necessary in the course of Departmental operational activity.
Communications
|
Company |
Purpose of spend |
Cost |
|
Inform Display Network |
Poster and Leaflet distribution to GP and Hospitals Nationwide on ‘affordable childcare’ |
€10,332.00 |
Press
|
Company |
Purpose of spend |
Cost |
|
GCN (Gay Community News) |
Advertisement of LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy Launch in their Pride magazine edition |
€1,045.50 |
|
EU Media |
Full Page Ad in Pregnancy Diary on ‘affordable childcare’ |
€3,382.50 |
|
EU Media |
Full Page Ad in Ultimate Maternity Guide on ‘affordable childcare’ |
€8,548.50 |
|
Mediavest |
A media campaign seeking expressions of interest to participate in a Collaborative Forum of former residents of Mother and Baby Homes and those with comparable experience in a County Home |
€122,885.49 |
|
Iris Oifigúil |
Public notice of the 1 year extension given by the Government to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes |
€75 |
Public Relations
|
Company |
Purpose of spend |
Cost |
|
Facebook Ltd. |
Promotion of the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy Launch event |
€ 15.99 |
|
Facebook Ltd. |
Promotion of LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy Post |
€ 12.30 |
Child and Family Agency Staff
Questions (549)
Clare Daly
Question:549. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the proportion of Tusla social workers that have received specialist training in identifying signs of child sexual abuse. [39471/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to request this information. A further response will issue to the Deputy when I receive the reply.
Child and Family Agency Staff
Questions (550)
Clare Daly
Question:550. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the proportion of Tusla social workers that have received specialist training in conducting forensic interviews in cases of child sexual abuse. [39472/18]
View answerWritten answers
I have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to request this information. A further response will issue to the Deputy when I receive the reply.
Child and Family Agency Staff
Questions (551)
Clare Daly
Question:551. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a single accountable person within Tusla has been appointed to have overall responsibility for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the HIQA report of the investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse against adults of concern, as recommended in the report by HIQA; if so, the details of the person; and when they were appointed. [39474/18]
View answerWritten answers
In keeping with recommendation one in the HIQA report referred to by the Deputy, the Chief Executive Officer of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the sponsor of the Tusla Action Plan, with the Senior Management Team acting as the Steering Group for its implementation. The CEO reports to the Board of Tusla. The Board approved the Strategic Action Plan on the 21st September.
Mr Fred McBride was the CEO when the Action Plan was drawn up, and as the Deputy will be aware, the CEO post will become vacant at the end of September. The interim CEO will assume responsibility for the implementation of the Tusla Action Plan, on appointment.
Child and Family Agency
Questions (552)
Clare Daly
Question:552. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla has drawn up a plan for the implementation of the recommendations contained in the HIQA report of the investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse against adults of concern; if so, if the plan includes clear timelines as recommended by HIQA; and if she will provide a copy of same. [39475/18]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has developed a Strategic Action Plan arising from the findings of the HIQA Investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse against adults of concern by the Child and Family Agency. Each actions has a designated owner, and a timeframe.
The Strategic Action Plan was approved by the Board of Tusla on the 21st September and will be published on Tusla's website in the near future, in line with the recommendation in the report.
Child and Family Agency Funding
Questions (553)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:553. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be provided to a group (details supplied) in County Kildare. [39483/18]
View answerWritten answers
Tusla has statutory responsibility for the provision of services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Tusla provides funding to some 60 services nationally which respond to the needs of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Services provided include emergency refuge and support services for individuals and families fleeing domestic violence, community-based domestic violence support services, and rape crisis centres around the country.
In 2017 Tusla provided funding of €264,000 to the service to which the Deputy refers. The organisation has been allocated an additional €10,000 in resources in 2018.
The programme to which the Deputy refers is targeted at perpetrators of domestic violence. Tusla is not directly involved in the funding of this programme.
The additional €10,000 which is being provided to the organisation to which the Deputy refers, will allow the organisation to prepare for delivery of a programme for children who have been exposed to domestic violence.
I strongly support the work of Tusla, and I am committed to supporting the Agency in meeting the needs of individuals who experience domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes
Questions (554, 572)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:554. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme can be extended to having two dates of entry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39484/18]
View answer
Martin Heydon
Question:572. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the entry points of the ECCE programme will be reviewed in order to reinstate a January entry point that many families had planned for; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39949/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 554 and 572 together.
From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). The upper age ECCE requirement is that the child must not reach 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year.
This new measure will address the previous situation with regard to multiple entry points whereby there was a broad fluctuation in the number of free preschool weeks a child could avail of –between 61 and 88 weeks depending on the date of birth of the child – and will ensure a programme that is equitable for all children. The situation where there was more than one entry point created a perception of inequality to some parents when they considered the variance in the number of weeks of ECCE provision, dependant on their entry point.
The number of entry points reverted to one at the beginning of September 2018. One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help to streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. It also makes it easier for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children. There are currently no plans to change this single entry point.
Some children will not be able to commence their ECCE in September of the programme year as they will not have reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August. However, they will be able to commence ECCE in the following September and continue for a further year from September of the next programme year. Parents of children born around this time of the year may prefer for their children to start school at 4 rather than 5. These parents may therefore choose to avail of 1 year of ECCE only. However, it is important to note that this is a parental choice and that the overall policy change has ensured that two programme years are available to all children.
Project Ireland 2040 Expenditure
Questions (555)
Micheál Martin
Question:555. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of each seminar held on Project Ireland 2040 up to and including September 2018 by her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39577/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department has not incurred any expenditure in relation to seminars on Project Ireland 2040 to date.
Youth Services Data
Questions (556)
Fiona O'Loughlin
Question:556. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of youth centres open in County Kildare; the details of each centre; and the amount of funding provided to each. [39625/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes which provide funding to youth organisations and projects in County Kildare.
In 2018, an amount of €539,283 was allocated for projects and services under Kildare Youth Services, which operates under Youth Work Ireland. My Department provides funding to Kildare Youth Services under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme in respect of six local youth projects in Athy, Naas, Leixlip, Newbridge, the Curragh and Kildare town and a Youth Information Centre in Naas.
The Hive Youth Hub is located in the centre of Kildare town and is a dedicated youth space for young people and funding was provided by my Department in 2013 for the development of a youth café.
In 2017, over a hundred clubs in Kildare and Wicklow received funding under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme which supports youth work activities at a local level. Funding of €126,545 has been provided to Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board for this initiative in 2018.
In addition, I was pleased to approve the establishment of a capital grant scheme in 2018 for targeted staff led youth projects and services across the country. Kildare Youth Service received funding of €11,272. under this initiative.
Funding of €12,500 has recently been provided to Kildare Wicklow Education and Training Board to identify youth services currently available to the young LGBTI+ young people in Kildare and Wicklow and will also to provide grant assistance to youth services in County Kildare to increase contact hours with LGBTI+ young people.