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Tuesday, 10 Nov 2020

Written Answers Nos. 538-562

Covid-19 Pandemic Supports

Questions (538)

John Brady

Question:

538. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection when the application process will open for the Covid-19 part-time job incentive for the self-employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35393/20]

View answer

Written answers

Budget 2021 introduced the COVID-19 Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme for the Self-Employed. The scheme commenced on 16th October 2020.

The scheme is available to self-employed people who were in receipt of the COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment or a Jobseeker’s payment in the week immediately prior to their application and are returning to or increasing their self-employment for up to a maximum of 24 hours per week.

A person who wishes to avail of this scheme must complete the new PTSE1 application form and satisfy the eligibility criteria. The application form is available to download from www.gov.ie. and further details about the scheme are also available there. The form should be posted or sent by email to the person's local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Pensions Reform

Questions (539)

Gary Gannon

Question:

539. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Social Protection her views on whether pension reforms require a specific gender perspective, given that only 16% of women receive the full State pension (contributory); her further views on whether this perspective and expertise is included in the newly announced membership of the pension committee; if so, the specific members in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35441/20]

View answer

Written answers

I am pleased that I secured approval from Government last week to establish the Commission on Pensions, in fulfilment of the Programme for Government commitment.

On Budget Day, I announced that the planned increase in the State pension age from January of next year will be deferred, in line with our Programme for Government commitment. In this regard, it will remain at 66 years pending the report of the Pensions Commission and I will introduce legislation later this year to give effect to this.

I am keenly aware of the gender issues related to pensions. In this regard, the Pensions Council, a statutory body set up to advise my office on matters related to pensions, funded a research programme with the ESRI on gender and pensions. While this research, published last year, found a 35% gender gap in overall pension payments in Ireland, there was no evidence of any gap stemming from the State pension system - the gap arises in occupational and personal pensions.

In this regard, the Government committed in the Programme for Government to introduce an automatic enrolment retirement saving system for workers, with the freedom of choice to opt-out. This will work to increase the low levels of supplementary pension coverage for workers in the private sector, an issue that particularly impacts women.

The introduction of the interim Total Contributions Approach to calculating the rate of the State Pension Contributory (SPC) has also had a significant impact on increasing the rate of payment for women. In particular, the introduction of HomeCaring periods recognises the impact that time out of labour force for caring purposes can have on the rate of pension payable. Unlike the Homemaker's scheme, HomeCaring periods can apply to periods before 1994. This approach has resulted in a significant increase in the pension payment rates for women, as women predominantly take on caring responsibilities.

In this regard, at end-January 2019, prior to the implementation of an interim 'Total Contributions Approach (TCA)', 37.4% of all women in receipt of SPC received payment at the maximum rate. Since the introduction of the interim TCA arrangements, by end September 2020, 48.1% of all women in receipt of SPC received the maximum rate. This is a significant improvement over a relatively short time period.

The Commission's Terms of Reference includes the examination of sustainability and eligibility issues with the State Pension and the Social Insurance Fund. More broadly, it will also consider the issue of retirement ages in employment contracts and consider how the pension system can further accommodate carers.

The membership of the Commission, approved by Government, reflects the need to have subject matter experts to deal with the complex social and public policy issues arising in pensions, as well as stakeholder representation which will keep the work of the Commission grounded. This includes representation of workers, employers, civil society, academics and those with technical and policy expertise. It will be chaired by Ms Josephine Feehily. More details, including the Terms of Reference and membership details, are available on the Department's website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/b1c64-minister-humphreys-announces-the-establishment-of-the-pensions-commission/.

The Commission has strong female representation in its membership and I am pleased that the majority of confirmed members - 5 out of 9 - are women. I am fully confident that the Commission, with its gender-balanced membership and extensive experience of social and public policy, has the necessary perspective and expertise to consider the potential impacts of pensions reform options on relevant affected groups, such as women, workers, and older people.

The Commission will also engage with a range of key stakeholders to ensure that it has a genuine understanding of not only the fiscal sustainability challenges involved, but the social sustainability challenges of implementing potential policy reforms. The exact mechanisms for this engagement will be shaped by the Chair and by Commission members.

As you will be aware, while this Government is acutely conscious of the need to consider the sustainability of the State's finances, this is not the only consideration when thinking of the State pension age. The State Pension is the bedrock of the pension system in Ireland. It is extremely effective at ensuring that our pensioners do not experience poverty. The Government is committed to ensuring that this remains the case.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (540)

Martin Browne

Question:

540. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the delays being experienced by applicants in getting on to the social work panel in the south east for counties Carlow, Kilkenny, south Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons who have applied for the Tusla recruit professionally qualified social worker social work panel have been waiting over nine months and have not received an interview date or any assurance of interview dates in respect of their applications; the reason for the delays; if there is a shortage of child protection social work staff in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34589/20]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked Tusla to respond directly to you on this matter.

Direct Provision System

Questions (541)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

541. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the inquiries his Department has carried out at a location (details supplied) in County Louth to ascertain its suitability as direct provision accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34600/20]

View answer

Written answers

The State has a legal obligation to provide accommodation and other services for International Protection applicants who are not in a position to provide for themselves.

My Department does not select a particular area or location for accommodation centres. Rather, we tender publically on eTenders (the State’s public tendering site) and also advertise nationally for expressions of interest, as the Department has a duty to utilise public funds to provide the best value to the State.

I can confirm that my Department has not made any enquiries regarding the location referred to by the Deputy and is not pursuing it as an accommodation centre.

Maternity Leave

Questions (542, 561)

Jennifer Murnane O'Connor

Question:

542. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the extended maternity leave that was announced in July 2020 will come into effect; if a person who is currently on unpaid maternity leave can have these extra weeks added on to the end of her maternity leave without having to come back to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35218/20]

View answer

Bríd Smith

Question:

561. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the detrimental impact that the Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns have had on new parents on maternity leave; if he will consider starting the additional three weeks of parental leave at the earlier time of January 2021 in recognition of the negative effects on parents mental, physical and emotional health in addition to the loss of critical socialisation time for their babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35293/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 542 and 561 together.

To support parents of children born during the strict lock-down measures, the Government intends to extend parent's leave from two weeks to five weeks for each parent of all children born or adopted on or after 1 Nov 2019. The Government also intends to extend the period in which parent's leave can be taken up until that child turns two or, in the case of an adoption, two years after the adoption placement date of the child. This extension will apply to parents who may have already availed of their existing entitlements.

Heads of a Bill to effect these changes are currently being drafted in my Department and I hope to bring these to Government shortly.

The Deputy will appreciate that I cannot comment on individual cases. The extension of parent's benefit is a matter for the Minister of Social Protection and I understand that it will take time for the relevant IT system changes to be made and that it will be April 2021 before the necessary updates can take place. However, it will be possible for parent's leave to be taken in advance of these changes and the benefit claimed retrospectively, once the legislation has been enacted, and I will ensure that parents are fully informed of their entitlements in this regard.

The extension to parent's leave and benefit follows a number of advancements in family leaves in recent years, including the introduction of parents leave and benefit in 2019 and the extension of unpaid parental leave to 26 weeks in September this year for a child under 12 years.

Protected Disclosures

Questions (543)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

543. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he and-or one of his officials met a person (details supplied) who made a protected disclosure regarding aspects of his Department in order to further rectify certain issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34537/20]

View answer

Written answers

I would like to inform the Deputy that it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases under the Protected Disclosures Act, 2014. However, I can confirm that I have not received a request for a meeting as described in the Deputy's question.

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Questions (544, 546)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

544. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date by which the statistics relating to the use of Tusla-funded emergency domestic violence accommodation for 2019 will be available. [34678/20]

View answer

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

546. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of requests for domestic refuge in Tusla-funded services that went unmet in 2019 and to date in 2020 due to the fact that refuges were full. [34680/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 544 and 546 together.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides funding and coordination supports to some 60 organisations that deliver a range of services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence throughout the country.

In 2020, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is providing Tusla with core funding of €25.3m for almost 60 organisations that deliver services for victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV). To date, Tusla has advised that it also has issued some €800,000 to DSGBV services to respond to the challenges arising from COVID-19 this year, with a further €400,000 in identified costs currently expected to maintain business-as-usual across all DSGBV services up to year end.

With regard to statistics relating to the use of Tusla-funded emergency domestic violence accommodation, Tusla has advised that data is collected retrospectively. The Department's understanding is that full data for 2019 is not yet available. I had hoped that a data report would be ready by Quarter 3 this year. However, Tusla had to prioritise the urgent needs of services after the outbreak of COVID-19, which delayed a number of processes. Tusla expects to finalise the substantive work of data verification later this year.

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Questions (545)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

545. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the date on which Tusla commenced work on the review of domestic violence accommodation; and the date on which this review will be complete. [34679/20]

View answer

Written answers

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.

I have requested Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy on the information sought.

Question No. 546 answered with Question No. 544.

Domestic Violence Refuges Provision

Questions (547)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

547. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional funding in budget 2021 to provide for the additional domestic violence refuge places to be delivered on completion of a Tusla review of domestic violence accommodation. [34681/20]

View answer

Written answers

The response to Domestic, Sexual Violence and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV) is a cross Departmental and multi-agency issue. Policy is coordinated by the Department of Justice and Equality (DJE). Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of DSGBV.

The Programme for Government sets out a number of commitments regarding Domestic Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV), including an audit on segmentation of DSGBV responsibilities across government departments and agencies.

In 2020 my Department provided €25.3m to Tusla for DSGBV services. Additional funds were allocated during 2020 for additional costs incurred due to COVID-19. The strategic review of emergency accommodation for victims of domestic violence that Tusla is currently undertaking is due to be finalised in Q2, 2021.

I am pleased to have secured significant additional funding for Tusla in Budget 2021 which, I believe, will help the Agency more fully achieve its vision. No specific allocation has yet been made in respect of additional refuge places. The exact details of where Tusla's additional funding is allocated will be finalised in Tusla’s Business Plan for 2021.

Capital costs for the development of refuges are not the responsibility of Tusla. Delivery of additional family units of accommodation will require significant funding, planning and collaboration between Government Departments, local authorities and State agencies.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (548)

Holly Cairns

Question:

548. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if experienced data protection law experts will be engaged to oversee the processes by which survivors of mother and baby homes and other relevant persons can access their personal information from the mother and baby homes commission archive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34761/20]

View answer

Written answers

My Department is carefully examining the advice of the Attorney General and the views of the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure that we can put in place the procedures and practices that will enable relevant persons to access certain personal information. At this juncture, my officials are continuing to engage with the Attorney General and the Data Protection Commissioner to ensure that those procedures and practices will be robust, flexible, and will fully respect the rights of all data subjects, without prejudicing the operation of any future Commission of Inquiry.

As I indicated to the Deputy previously, as part of this ongoing process I am open to engaging with expert legal opinion on this matter.

Legislative Measures

Questions (549, 550)

Holly Cairns

Question:

549. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Civil Registration Act 2004 will be amended to ensure that all adopted persons have access to their publicly registered birth certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34762/20]

View answer

Holly Cairns

Question:

550. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an Act will be introduced to ensure respect for the dignity and privacy rights of persons with experience of historical abuse within the social care and adoption system here by providing them with explicit statutory rights and clear avenues to access their personal data, to facilitate them in depositing personal data or other information about their experiences for the national historical record where desired and to facilitate an ongoing process of national truth telling in respect of Ireland’s social care and adoption system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34763/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 550 together.

The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill, 2016 dealt with access to birth information for adoptees and others seeking to know their origins. The Bill lapsed with the dissolution of the Dáil. I am currently committed to advancing fresh proposals in this area which will achieve the policy aim of allowing access to information, including birth certificates, for adoptees and others. Decisions regarding any amendments to current legislation will be considered in that context.

It is important to acknowledge that this is a subject of fundamental importance to very many adopted people. The issues at the heart of the debate are complex and very personal. I have engaged with representative groups on this issue and will continue to engage widely in order to help achieve a legislative consensus. I am committed to developing legislation that will help deliver much needed access to information for adopted people.

On the matter of depositing personal experiences and facilitating national truth telling, the Government has committed to establishing, on a formal, national basis, an archive of records related to institutional trauma during the 20th century. This will include archiving relevant records and witness testimony by victims and survivors. It will be developed at a suitable site and operated in accordance with the highest international standards. It will be designed in cooperation with professional archivists and historians, as well as with victims, survivors and their advocates.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (551)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

551. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of applications to Tusla for contact tracing adoption records in each of the years 2015 to 2019; the number completed during those years; the number outstanding at 1 November 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34770/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (552)

Cormac Devlin

Question:

552. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Tusla staff assigned to contact tracing adoption cases in each of the years 2015 to 2019; the number of staff assigned on 1 November 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34771/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

Questions (553, 554, 555)

Paul Murphy

Question:

553. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will reconvene and attend a meeting of the collaborative forum established by his predecessor; and if so, if the 13 items recommended by members of the forum (details supplied) will be included on the agenda. [34838/20]

View answer

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

554. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the report of the Collaborative Forum of Survivors of Mother and Baby, County and Bethany Homes set up by his predecessor, which was delivered in December 2018, will be published; the reason for the two-year delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35149/20]

View answer

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

555. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to reconvene the Collaborative Forum of Survivors of Mother and Baby, County and Bethany Homes set up by his predecessor; if so, when he plans to do so; his further plans to make extra expert resources available to the forum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35150/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 553 to 555, inclusive, together.

The Collaborative Forum process, established by my predecessor as a representative advisory body on these issues of priority for former residents and their families and supporters, was unfortunately interrupted by the general election and subsequent change in Government.

In addition, it was necessary to put these meetings on hold in the context of the restrictions introduced in an effort to reduce the spread and impact of COVID-19. A number of members travel from outside the jurisdiction and, given the age profile involved, some members would also be categorised as being in the at risk groups identified by public health authorities.

From our experience to date, it is evident that remote meetings based on the use of technology would present additional challenges for an engagement process as sensitive as this one.

I have previously stated my commitment to establishing renewed engagement with survivors and their advocates, including members of the Collaborative Forum. As an important first step in meeting this commitment, I have personally begun to engage with members of the Collaborative Forum, and other stakeholders.

Not withstanding the continuing logistical challenges, I am determined to investigate in more depth the concerns of all stakeholders, and explore ways that they might be discussed in a manner that is timely, appropriate and that is focused on their needs. I am also exploring the mechanisms to further the engagement and consultation to ensure that they will be central to the formulation and delivery of a comprehensive State response to the recent Report from the Commission of Investigation.

The Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters delivered its final report at the end of last month and I recognise the importance of consultation and dialogue with those who have lived experiences of these institutions. As I have previously stated, arrangements are being advanced to publish this report as soon as possible.

The Collaborative Forum Report was submitted to my department in December 2018. I have made a commitment, as had my predecessor, to revisit the publication of the report, in consultation with the Attorney General's Office, and I intend to honour this commitment.

I am conscious of the significant work undertaken by the Collaborative Forum to identify the priority concerns and needs of survivors and I commend them for their efforts. This work will greatly assist to inform this continuing engagement process.

Child Protection

Questions (556)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

556. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the action he is taking in response to the motions passed by local authorities across Ireland on recognising and addressing parental alienation; the consideration he has given to recommendation 36 of the Report on Reform of the Family Law System published by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality on 25 October 2019; and his views on the issue of parental alienation. [35217/20]

View answer

Written answers

The complex issue of parental alienation is a matter for the Department of Justice as the Department responsible for the reform of the family law system. I note that the Deputy has also raised this question with Minister McEntee.

Child and Family Agency

Questions (557)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

557. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide all information in the possession of Tusla that is relevant to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35225/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to an operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to them for a direct reply.

Traveller Community

Questions (558)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

558. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the work to plan for and oversee the development, publication and implementation as appropriate to date for the national Traveller health action plan and the Traveller education strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35226/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Government is committed to improving the quality of life of members of the Traveller and Roma communities. The Government's main tool to progress this goal is the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (NTRIS).

This Strategy represents a whole-of-Government approach to bring about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. It is a living document that will be reviewed and adjusted as required. Traveller and Roma organisations were involved in its development and are members of the Steering Committee monitoring its implementation which is chaired by me.

The National Traveller Health Action Plan is a matter for the Minister for Health and the Traveller Education Strategy is a matter for the Minister for Education. The implementation of these actions are being supported and monitored by the Steering Committee of the NTRIS.

Traveller Accommodation

Questions (559)

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill

Question:

559. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the interaction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage; the steps being taken to ensure the implementation of the report of the Expert Review Group on Traveller Accommodation, prepared by an independent expert group on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35227/20]

View answer

Written answers

The National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (NTRIS) represents a whole-of-Government approach to bringing about meaningful change and progress for the Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. It is a living document that will be reviewed and adjusted as required. Traveller and Roma organisations were involved in its development and are members of the Steering Committee monitoring its implementation which is chaired by me. The Strategy contains 149 actions, grouped under ten themes including Accommodation.

The National Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (NTACC), under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Housing, Planning and Heritage, was set up under the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 to advise the Minister for housing in relation to, inter alia, the most appropriate measures for improving, at local level, consultation with, and participation of, Travellers in the provision and management of accommodation and general matters concerning the preparation, adequacy, implementation and co-operation of Traveller accommodation programmes.

An expert group was appointed in 2019 to review the effectiveness, implementation and operation of the Traveller accommodation Act, 1998 with a view to examining whether it provides a robust legislative basis for meeting the current and future accommodation needs of the Traveller Community, which takes effective implementation into account in the context of the recognition of Traveller ethnicity in 2017.

Membership consists of representatives of Government Departments, including a representative from my Department, NGOs and Local Government.

The report completed by this expert committee is currently being reviewed and is still under consideration.

Youth Services

Questions (560)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

560. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on a matter regarding funding for youth cafes (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35248/20]

View answer

Written answers

Youth Cafés provide an important youth-friendly space for young people to come together to connect with their peers as well as to access supports in a non-stigmatising way. Between 2011 and 2013 capital funding provided by my Department supported the development and fit out of new youth café proposals and there are now approximately 150 youth cafes throughout the country. The development of further youth cafés may be considered as part of a needs-based decision making process for any capital funding that becomes available to my Department in future years.

I wish to assure the Deputy that there has been no reduction to youth services funding nationally. Indeed, I have been able to provide additional funding this year to support local funded organisations, Youth Information Centres and youth clubs to defray some of the Covid-19 costs. I have also secured an additional amount of €1m capital funding in the current year to support ICT procurement in the youth sector before year end. This grant scheme is being rolled out through the ETBs in their role as funding intermediary for youth schemes and was formally announced in the last few days.

In respect of 2021, I have secured an additional €5 million investment in youth services. I see this funding as supporting frontline services as they seek to continue to provide critical services to vulnerable young people.

The Deputy will be interested to know that the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme, which is open to youth cafés, supports volunteer-led youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through the local Education and Training Boards. Organisations wishing to apply for funding under this scheme should contact their local Education and Training Board for more information.

Question No. 561 answered with Question No. 542.

Departmental Staff

Questions (562)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

562. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of full-time equivalent and part-time equivalent posts filled by his Department at principal officer, assistant principal officer, higher executive officer, executive officer and clerical officer grades for the past five years; the cost to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35480/20]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy may be aware the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY ) was established on 15 October 2020. My Department can only provide information on DCEDIY for October 2020. Prior to the establishment of DCEDIY my Department was formerly known as DCYA. Please find staffing details in the table below for both DCEDIY 2020 and DCYA 2019- 2016. DPER Circular 12/2020 sets out the adjustments to the pay of civil servants on 1 October 2020 as provided for under the Public Service Pay and Pensions Act 2017 and is available at www.gov.ie.

DCYA - 2016

Grand Total

MB

PO

AP

HEO

AO

EO

SO

CO

SERV

Min Office

Minister's Office, MAC & IA

17.00

5.00

0.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

2.00

0.00

4.00

0.00

4.00

Children and Family Policy Division

23.23

0.00

3.73

4.50

1.00

7.00

2.40

1.00

3.60

0.00

0.00

Early Years, Education, Youth, Participation and Research

64.00

0.00

7.00

10.80

7.60

5.00

16.50

2.20

14.90

0.00

0.00

Youth Justice, Adoption & Legal Division

23.90

0.00

3.70

7.60

1.80

3.00

1.60

0.00

6.20

0.00

0.00

Governance & Performance Division

49.43

0.00

5.00

7.80

8.23

2.00

10.10

1.50

11.80

3.00

0.00

Total Department

177.56

5.00

19.43

30.70

19.63

18.00

32.60

4.70

40.50

3.00

4.00

DCYA - 2017

Grand Total

MB

PO

AP

HEO

AO

EO

SO

CO

SERV

Min Office

Minister's Office, MAC & IA

19.00

5.00

0.00

1.00

1.00

1.00

3.00

0.00

4.00

0.00

4

Children and Family Policy

33.63

0.00

4.73

10.30

3.00

6.00

5.60

0.00

4.00

0.00

0

Early Years, Education, Youth and Participation

86.90

0.00

5.00

17.80

14.60

5.00

23.40

0.00

21.10

0.00

0

Youth Justice, Adoption and Legal

25.10

0.00

4.70

7.70

2.00

4.00

1.50

0.00

5.20

0.00

0

Governance & Performance

65.10

0.00

5.00

10.80

11.80

3.00

16.70

0.00

14.80

3.00

0

Total Department

229.73

5.00

19.43

47.60

32.40

19.00

50.20

0.00

49.10

3.00

4

DCYA - 2018

Grand Total

MB

PO

AP

HEO

AO

EO

SO

CO

SERV

Min Office

Minister's Office, MAC & IA

18.95

5

0

1

1

1

3

0

3.95

0

4

Children and Family Policy Division

45

0

6

14.6

5

8

9.4

0

2

0

0

Early Years, Education, Youth and Participation

71.898

0

5

12.6

11.6

10

20.3

0

12.4

0

0

Youth Justice, Adoption, Youth & Participation

47.1

0

6.8

10.3

5

6

9.3

0

9.7

0

0

Corporate & Business Support

84.7

0

5.8

17.1

17.4

3

18.9

0

19.6

3

0

Total Department

267.65

5

23.6

55.6

40

28

60.8

0

47.6

3

4

DCYA - 2019

Grand Total

MB

PO

AP

HEO

AO

EO

SO

CO

SERV

Min Office

Minister's Office, MAC & IA

18.55

5

0

0.8

1

1

2.8

0

3.95

0

4

Children and Family Policy Division

52.2

0

7.5

17.2

7.95

7

9.55

0

3

0

0

Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

71.3

0

5

14

12.6

9

19.7

0

11

0

0

Youth Justice, Adoption, Youth & Participation

51.7

0

6.8

14.3

5

7

9.9

0

8.7

0

0

Corporate & Business Support

83.75

0

6.8

20.2

18.2

3

22

0

10.6

3

0

Total Department

277.5

5

26.1

66.5

44.8

27

63.9

0

37.3

3

4

DCEDIY - 2020

MB

PO

AP

HEO

AO

EO

CO

SERV

Min

Off

Total

Minister's Office, MB, PMO & IA

6.00

1.00

1.80

1.00

1.00

3.80

3.95

0.00

3.00

21.55

Children and Family Policy Division

0.00

6.50

14.40

5.95

7.00

8.00

3.00

0.00

0.00

44.85

Early Learning and Care and School-Age Childcare Division

0.00

5.00

17.00

12.60

11.00

19.90

10.00

0.00

0.00

75.50

Youth Justice, Adoption, Youth & Participation

0.00

6.80

14.00

6.00

5.00

10.30

8.00

0.00

0.00

50.10

Corporate & Business Support

0.00

7.80

22.20

18.80

6.00

24.95

12.20

3.00

0.00

94.95

Justice, International Protection and Equality

0.00

6.80

12.50

16.60

4.95

20.00

19.65

0.00

0.00

80.50

Total Department

6.00

33.90

81.90

60.95

34.95

86.95

56.80

3.00

3.00

367.45

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