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Tuesday, 16 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 579-596

Sport Ireland Funding

Questions (579, 580)

Noel Rock

Question:

579. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the breakdown of funding for grassroots sport to each county in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42212/18]

View answer

Noel Rock

Question:

580. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the breakdown of funding for grassroots sport to each sporting organisation for the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42213/18]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 579 and 580 together.

Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development and promotion of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including the allocation of funding across its various programmes. Sport Ireland channels funding through its network of Local Sports Partnerships, recognised National Governing Bodies of Sport and other relevant sporting organisations.

I have referred the Deputy's Questions to Sport Ireland for direct reply regarding the funding it provides for grassroots sport. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.

In relation to the Sports Capital Programme, which is administered by my Department, details of all allocations, on a county by county basis, are available on my Department’s website at http://www.dttas.ie/sport/english/sports-capital-programme.

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

Transport Infrastructure Ireland

Questions (581)

Robert Troy

Question:

581. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will liaise with the NTA to ensure measures are taken to reduce the average speed of traffic including HGVs along a route (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42277/18]

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Written answers

For the purpose of my reply to the question, I have assumed and as subsequently clarified by you, that the question should have referred to Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), formerly known as the National Roads Authority (NRA).

As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.

With regard to speed limits on national roads, the application of Special Speed Limits i.e. speed limits other than the default speed limits, are provided for in Section 9 of the Road Traffic Act 2004 which gives local authorities the power to make bye-laws (“special speed limit bye-laws”) in respect of any specified public road or specified part of a public road or specified carriageway or lane of a public road within a local authority's administrative area.

The 2004 Act also states that a County Council or City Council shall not make bye-laws relating to a national road or a motorway without the prior written consent of TII. I would also make the point that An Garda Síochána has responsibility for the enforcement of the speed limits.

However, noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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

National Transport Authority

Questions (582)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

582. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a bus stop will be provided in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42285/18]

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Written answers

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority (NTA) has responsibility for ensuring the development and delivery of public transport infrastructure, including the provision of bus stops.

In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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

Rail Network Expansion

Questions (583)

Clare Daly

Question:

583. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline his views on the plans of Iarnród Éireann to extend the DART to Rush, Skerries and Balbriggan; and the steps he has taken relating to same. [42287/18]

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Written answers

The National Transport Authority's (NTA) 'Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035' proposes implementation of the overall DART Expansion Programme which, as the Deputy is aware and as outlined in the National Development Plan (NDP), is a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected.

The NDP investment in the DART Expansion Programme will provide fast, high-frequency electrified services - to Drogheda on the Northern Line (incorporating the stations the Deputy has mentioned); to Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line; and to Celbridge/Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line; while continuing to provide DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones. The investment will provide for significant improvements in services for commuters along these lines and also provide for the delivery of other priority elements such as the introduction of additional train fleet including the expansion of the fleet with new diesel electric trains. This fleet type will allow the introduction of DART services north of Malahide in advance of completion of the full electrification of the line.

Noting the NTA's responsibility for implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area, I have referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

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

Rail Services Provision

Questions (584)

Clare Daly

Question:

584. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to outline the steps he has taken to intervene with Iarnród Éireann to address the fact that DART trains are full in the evenings coming from the city centre to Portmarnock and the need to require at least two further additional trains between 4.53 p.m. and 5.53 p.m. in view of the fact that the present 20-minute frequency is perceived to be not enough; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42326/18]

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Written 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

Family Resource Centres

Questions (585)

Joan Collins

Question:

585. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide details on the number of new family resource centres that will be funded in the upcoming programme; and her views on whether an area (details supplied) is in need of a family resource centre. [41778/18]

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Written answers

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, administers the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme.

In Budget 2018, I secured an additional funding of €3.0 m for Tusla to support the Family Resource Centre Programme. The additional funding was to support existing Family Resource Centres and for expansion of the Programme with the inclusion of 11 new centres, which means that 120 centres will be operational by the end of 2018.

I understand that the Walkinstown and Greenhills Resource Centre made an application for inclusion in the Family Resource Centre Programme last year but was unsuccessful.

Tusla has advised me that it met with representatives from Walkinstown and Greenhills Resource Centre in July, 2017 to discuss local community needs and Tusla's commissioning priorities. Tusla is acutely aware of the level of need in certain areas, and is actively working to improve outcomes for children and young people.

Tusla will continue to work with Family Resource Centres and other family support organisations throughout the country and will discuss service needs and funding resources with centres where appropriate. Tusla is committed to using all available resources for children and families in the most efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable way.

In Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce a €33 m increase in funding for Tusla, which will include targeted funds for further investment and development of the Family Resource Centre Programme.

Child Detention Centres

Questions (586)

Clare Daly

Question:

586. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a report (details supplied) into safety at Oberstown Detention Centre will be made public. [41798/18]

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Written answers

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has been advised by Oberstown Children Detention Campus that in light of the challenges experienced in 2016, several external, expert reviews were undertaken to support the development of Oberstown Children Detention Campus into the future. An external expert was appointed to undertake a review of Health and Safety on campus. The Health and Safety Report undertaken by Tom Beegan Associates was shared with the relevant parties, including the Oberstown Board of Management, staff representatives and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs.

In July 2017 the Board of Management published a summary report of all external reviews outlining their recommendations and explaining the process underway to ensure their implementation. This report can be viewed at www.oberstown.com.

To ensure the implementation of each of the reviews’ recommendations the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs established a Review Implementation Group in March 2017. The Group was chaired by Professor Ursula Kilkelly, Chairperson of the Oberstown Board of Management. It included representatives from Oberstown staff and management, the Board of Management, DCYA, a child development expert and also representatives of the IMPACT Trade Union.

The First Report of the Review Implementation Group Action Plan was completed in May 2018. This report can also be viewed at www.oberstown.com.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (587)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

587. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to set out by year the number of staff in her Department and bodies under her aegis appointed to principal officer arising from internal competitions since 7 July 2015. [41839/18]

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Written answers

The following principal officer appointments were made in my Department arising from internal competitions since 7 July 2015:

2016 - 1 appointment

2017 - 2 appointments

2018 - 2 appointments.

The bodies under the aegis of my Department have not appointed principal officers from internal competitions in that period.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (588)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

588. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to set out by year the number of persons appointed from the panels arising from the 2015 and 2017 open competitions for principal officer run by the Public Appointments Service; if a table (details supplied) will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41852/18]

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Written answers

The number of principal officers appointed in my Department following open competitions runs by the Public Appointments Service between 2015 and 2017 are as follows:

Following 2015 competition (Campaign ID 1512210) - 1 appointment in 2016

Following 2017 competition (Campaign ID 17101202) - 2 appointments in 2018.

Protected Disclosures

Questions (589)

Clare Daly

Question:

589. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department provided a protected disclosure from a person (details supplied) to HIQA in the course of the HIQA investigation into the management of allegations of child sexual abuse against adults of concern by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. [41900/18]

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Written answers

I would like to inform the Deputy that it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual disclosures under the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014.

Foster Care Policy

Questions (590)

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

590. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to outline the reason foster carers are no longer covered by public liability insurance through Tusla; when foster carers were notified that they were no longer covered; the efforts being made to address these matters; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41912/18]

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Written answers

As the Deputy is aware, foster carers are no longer covered by a commercial public liability insurance policy. Attempts by Tusla to secure continuing commercial cover have proved unsuccessful.

However, I am pleased to confirm that pending a permanent solution all foster carers have an indemnity on an individual basis where required. This is on an ex-gratia basis as a temporary measure to address immediate individual cases while the overall indemnification issues are being resolved.

As I have stated previously, I fully support extending the State Indemnity Scheme under the State Claims Agency to foster parents. Unfortunately, this has taken longer than expected due to technical issues associated with the approvals and statutory process involved, but I can assure the Deputy that work is continuing to address these matters. My Department has been in discussion with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on the matter, and my intention is to include foster carers under the General Indemnity Scheme operated by the State Claims Agency as soon as possible. In this regard, work is ongoing with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel to draft the necessary Order for Government.

My Department has written to the Irish Foster Carers Association (IFCA) outlining the position and, through the Association, foster carers have been informed as to the current position. IFCA have been kept up to date on a continuous basis. In addition, I understand that Tusla has also made publicly available the information provided to IFCA so as to communicate the position to those foster carers who are not members of that association.

Early Childhood Care and Education Funding

Questions (591)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

591. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide details on the funding allocated to an organisation (details supplied) on a yearly basis. [41985/18]

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Written answers

Early Childhood Ireland (ECI) is a registered charity and one of the largest organisations operating in the Early Years sector. ECI represents 3,800 childcare members, who support over 100,000 children and their families through preschool, after-school, and full day-care provision nationwide. They provide a broad range of training, mentoring, information and advocacy supports to better shape the systems, policies and practices that impact on the lives of young children.

ECI is one of seven National Voluntary Childcare Organisations (NVCOs) formerly funded under the Quality Sub Measure of the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme 2000-2006 (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme 2006-2010 and continue to receive annual exchequer funding.

In 2018, ECI received funding of €1,190,000 from my Department. This funding remains unchanged from both 2017 and 2016. This funding is provided to ECI:

1. To support the Department of Children and Youth Affairs in the delivery of the national childcare programmes;

2. To provide support to all childcare service providers (community, private, childminders, parent and toddler groups, after-schools) in accordance with all statutory regulations, national policy and quality standards;

3. To contribute to national policy development and participate in national collaborations to develop and improve quality standards in childcare, and

4. To enable ECI to provide a support service to their members in the context of the early childhood care and education programmes.

My Department also provides additional funding to ECI on the agreement that they act as an “authorised signatory” and process applications for the Garda Vetting of its members. In 2018, my Department allocated funding of €222,080 to ECI for Garda Vetting. The total number of Garda vetting transactions with members in 2017 was 97,051, with a total of 30,137 applications received.

After-School Support Service Provision

Questions (592)

Eoin Ó Broin

Question:

592. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to outline the after-school care provisions available where the local community crèche does not cater for the age of the child. [42077/18]

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Written answers

It must be noted that my Department is not the owner/employer of Early Years services as these are private businesses that operate independently of the State.

My Department offers a range of programmes to support the delivery of childcare. However, individual services are free to choose what levels of service they offer.

I would advise any parent having difficulty sourcing an after school programme for their child to contact their local County/City Childcare Committee (CCC’s) who are in a position to offer advice regarding services available in the area that best suit their circumstances. A list of CCC’s can be found on www.pobal.ie/programmes/county-city-childcare-committees-ccc/.

Affordable Childcare Scheme

Questions (593)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

593. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to outline the changes in 2019 in the amount of benefit parents can enjoy under the universal element of the affordable childcare scheme. [42278/18]

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Written answers

In September 2017 I introduced a range of measures to lower the cost of childcare while the new Affordable Childcare Scheme was under development. These included raising the level of childcare subsidy available for families that need it most by up to 50% (from a maximum of €95 to €145 per week for children up to the age of fifteen). I also introduced a brand new universal subsidy of up to €1,040 per annum for children under three in registered childcare. Over the past year these measures have reached the families of more than 84,000 children.

In Budget 2019, rather than adjusting the existing schemes, which will continue to be available until the Affordable Childcare Scheme is in place, I announced changes to the income thresholds that will operate as part of the Affordable Childcare Scheme when it is introduced later next year.

Under the scheme’s original policy proposals, income-based subsidies would have been available to all families with a net annual income of up to €47,500. This threshold will now increase by 26% to cover all families with a net annual income of up to €60,000. The scheme’s lower income thresholds have also been adjusted, meaning that maximum subsidy rates will now be paid to all families with a net annual income of up to €26,000 (the previous proposed threshold stood at €22,700). These increased thresholds will mean that thousands more families will benefit from the new Affordable Childcare Scheme once launched at the end of 2019 and will see their childcare costs tangibly reduce.

It is my view that making these changes is a more progressive use of available resources than merely adjusting the universal element of the scheme. Because of these changes, an estimated additional 8,000 children will be eligible for the scheme for the first time. Another 8,000 will move from a universal subsidy to a higher targeted subsidy. 44,000 other children will continue to access a subsidy, 34,000 of whom will see increases to their subsidies.

The new measures ensure that families with, in some cases, a gross income of €100,000 will benefit from subsidies.

The increase in the lower net income threshold to €26,000 from €22,700 is important in terms of benefitting people at the lower end of the income spectrum. The measure ‘poverty proofs’ the scheme by ensuring that families at, or below, the relative income poverty line will benefit from the very highest subsidy rates under the scheme.

For those above the net income threshold of €60,000, but with a child under 3 in regulated childcare, the scheme will continue to make up to €1,040 per annum available.

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Questions (594)

Brendan Ryan

Question:

594. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she, through Tusla, will provide for a domestic violence refuge in the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown area in view of the fact that no such support exists at present for women in the area; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42294/18]

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Written answers

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic violence are being met in the best way possible.

The provision of capital funding for refuges is dealt with by the Housing Authorities and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

In 2018, Tusla allocated funding of €23.8 million to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services, which represents an increase of €1.7 million over 2017 funding. Tusla's priority is to achieve the best outcomes for victims of domestic violence from the use of its available resources.

Tusla recognises that the provision of emergency refuge accommodation for victims of domestic violence is a core element of the response to domestic violence. While there is no domestic violence refuge located in the Dún Laoghaire Rathdown area, there are currently four units of emergency Safe Home accommodation provided in the area, which are supported by Tusla. Safe Homes provide services to those affected by domestic violence that may require lower levels of support. Safe Home accommodation comprises independent housing units with additional safety measures, where victims and families receive intensive support to achieve long term safety and well-being.

Victims of domestic violence and their children can also access emergency refuge accommodation in refuges across Dublin or in adjacent areas.

Early Childhood Care and Education Programmes

Questions (595)

Anne Rabbitte

Question:

595. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to outline the position regarding the treatment of booking deposits for childcare providers; the circumstances in which they must return same to parents; if the requirement to return such deposits applies to children availing of ECCE services only or also applies to children in full-time care; if there has been a change of policy in recent months whereby providers are now also required to return deposits to parents of children in full-time care; the basis for such a change; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42397/18]

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Written answers

The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is fully funded by my Department and the rule in relation to the return of booking deposits relating to ECCE services remains unchanged.

"Booking deposits may be taken from parents provided such booking deposits are no more than four times the weekly capitation fee applicable to the pre-school service. The deposit must be repaid in full to the parents once the child’s registration has been approved on PIP."

This rule means that the maximum ECCE deposit that can be held is €258.

If a service is holding a deposit that exceeds this amount for a child that has already been attending the service prior to commencement of ECCE, depending on the level of ECCE service they must return up to €258 to the parent/guardian once the child has been registered for ECCE on the Programme Implementation Platform (PIP) system.

The purpose of this clause is to prevent an over payment of exchequer funding, because if a child leaves a service provider unexpectedly, my Department will continue to pay their ECCE funding for 4 weeks.

It must be noted that my Department is not the owner/employer of Early Years services; they are private businesses and their policy on deposits relating to levels of service not funded by my Department, including full time care, are a matter between the service provider and the individual parent.

Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme

Questions (596)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

596. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development to outline in tabular form the number and detail of the recipients of the outdoor rural recreation fund for 2017 and to date in 2018; and the amount approved. [41779/18]

View answer

Written answers

The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme (previously known as the Rural Recreation Scheme) provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure and for the maintenance and promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in rural Ireland.

A total of €13.6 million was allocated to 251 projects under the 2017 scheme.

I launched the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme on 1st June last, with an indicative budget of €12 million under three measures. The final closing date for applications under the 2018 scheme was 27 July 2018.

On 18th September, I approved over €1.8 million for 128 small projects under Measure 1, which supports small-scale projects. Further approvals in respect of medium and large-scale projects will be announced shortly under Measures 2 and 3 of the scheme respectively.

Details of all projects approved under the scheme since its inception are available on the Rural Development pages of my Department’s website at: www.drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/rural-development/rural-recreation.

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