Written Answers Nos. 340-350
340. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the safeguarding measures being put in place to protect Ukrainian and other refugees being accommodated by families or in private settings. [17396/22]
View answerMy Department has met with members of the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) and the Irish Red Cross to set up the necessary procedures to enable a vetting process. This will involve the vetting of host families, i.e. hosts and their family members over 16 years of age, who have pledged their homes to be shared with Ukrainian families with children or with those considered vulnerable persons in accordance with National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012/2016.
The Irish Red Cross will nominate a number of Vetting Liaison Officers to work with the GNVB. In addition, regular meetings will be held with my Department, An Garda Síochána and the Irish Red Cross to ensure that this important process takes place with maximum speed and with the protection of children and vulnerable persons at its core.
341. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to issues in relation to a school (details supplied) in regard to the need for a fire safety certificate; and if he will intervene in the matter to ensure this vital service to the local community can remain in operation in the long-term. [17405/22]
View answerI am assuming that the Deputy is referring to the supporting documentation required as part of the re-registration process for early years services, which, for most services, was due to take place at the end of 2019. Services were required to provide Fire Safety Certificates as part of the re-registration process. Many services have already re-registered and submitted a Fire Safety Certificate and some have re-registered subject to submitting an up-to-date Fire Safety Certificate.
In August 2019, Tusla issued guidance for registered providers of early years services on the fire and planning requirements for the re-registration process. It is important to note that these were not new regulations, but guidance on the submission of documentation for the purpose of re-registration. Registration of early years services is granted only where Tusla is satisfied that the premises, operation and location of the service pose no unmanaged risk to children. All registered services are expected to have the appropriate fire certification in place.
In an effort to assist providers in meeting the re-registration deadline, Tusla divided the process into two parts. The first part, including submission of an application form and critical supporting documentation, was completed at the end of 2019 and the deadline for the second part (submission of remaining documents) was postponed until June 2020. Due to the unprecedented situation with Covid–19, a decision was taken to further defer the deadline for submission of remaining supporting documentation to 1 November 2021. This deadline has now passed and all services should have submitted the outstanding documentation to the Tusla Registrations Office.
The suitability and safety of premises is a key concern in the assessment of quality provision for children in early years services. Section 58G of the Child Care Act, 1991 (as amended by Part 12 of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013) places an onus on the providers of early years services to ensure that they take all reasonable measures to safeguard the health, safety and welfare of children. Under the Building Control legislation, the majority of early years settings fall into the category of purpose group that requires providers to ensure that the early years setting complies with specific provisions under fire building design and compliance regulations. Requirements of detection, containment and safe evacuation of children and staff in the event of fire must be considered. The statutory authority for the interpretation and determination of fire certification requirements for new or existing early years services is the local authority fire service department.
Tusla is the independent statutory regulator of early learning and care and school-age childcare services in Ireland. As Tusla is independent in its statutory functions, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth may not intervene in relation to particular cases.
Given the absolute priority to keep children safe in these services, I allocated funding under my Department's Annual Capital Programme in 2021 to assist services complete any outstanding fire safety works required to obtain a Fire Safety Certificate. A total of €5 million was allocated across 643 services to carry out remedial works to ensure these services will be fully compliant with fire safety standards as set out in Tulsa's registration requirements.
342. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the status of a report into the circumstances of the purchase by University of Limerick, UL, of a property in Limerick city (details supplied); the progress of the investigation under the Universities Act of a pension irregularity at UL; if he has given consideration to initiating a visitation under section 20 of the Universities Act with regard to the management and governance failures at UL; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17133/22]
View answerI understand that the report referred to by the Deputy in relation to the circumstances of the purchase by University of Limerick (UL) of a property in 2019 has been received and is under review by UL.
In relation to the pensions matter referred to by the Deputy, that follows a report of the Comptroller and Auditor General in 2018 which highlighted concerns on the level of professional added years awards made by UL. The Department has reviewed the level of awards made between 2011 and 2018 in the university and a report has been prepared on the matter which looks at awards to professional, technical and academic staff in UL. The final report is currently the matter of discussions with the University and Department officials. It should be noted that the review was not specifically carried out under the Universities Act.
Finally, the option of the Department appointing a Visitor under Section 20 of the Universities Act 1997 is one my Department is always cognisant of when any issue with regard to a shortfall in governance and oversight in the University sector arises. However, taking into account the limited set of circumstances in which a Visitor can be appointed, the courses of action chosen have not included the appointment of a Visitor.
All of these matters remain under review. As the Deputy may also be aware, my Department has withheld some devolved capital funding from UL.
343. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to identify and address gender pay disparity in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17359/22]
View answerThe majority of recruitment to my Department is from the Public Appointments Service (PAS) which is the centralised provider of recruitment, assessment and selection services across the Civil Service. All recruitment activities by the PAS are underpinned by their Equality, Inclusion and Diversity strategy 2021-2023 which identifies the key strategic priorities of greater knowledge and understanding of diversity in the recruitment market and the Irish Public sector and also recruitment and selection processes that encourage and enable access to candidates from diverse backgrounds. In the case of internal competitions all internal interview boards members are required to participate in unconscious bias training to eliminate gender stereotyping and encourage diversity in recruitment.
My Department has been represented on a civil service Gender Pay Gap Interdepartmental working group since May 2021. The Gender Pay Gap Information Act 2021 will require employers to both report on the gender pay gap in organisations and provide details of measures being taken to reduce the gap. My Department will comply with these requirements when in place.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
344. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the steps he is taking to encourage active travel modes to and from work in his Department and public bodies and agencies that operate under his remit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17378/22]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department has a number of initiatives in place to encourage and facilitate employees to use active travel to commute to work. Such initiatives include:
Cycle to Work scheme: The Cycle to Work scheme is a tax incentive scheme to encourage staff to cycle to work and is in operation in my Department.
Travel pass scheme: The travel pass scheme for public transport is also available to Department staff. It allows staff to purchase an annual travel pass for bus, train, DART and Luas by tax free salary deductions.
Business travel policy: My Department's policy in relation to the claiming of travel and subsistence expenses specifies that all travel should be by the shortest practicable routes and by the cheapest practicable mode of transport. Officers are encouraged to use public transport whenever practicable, with private transport to be used only in limited circumstances.
Health and Wellbeing
The Human Resources (HR) Unit of the Department circulates information on events/webinars/initiatives that encourage all types of physical activity, including walking where possible. Bicycle racks, lockers and shower facilities are available for staff who walk, cycle or jog to commute to work.
In addition, my Department promotes the annual European Mobility week which take place in September each year and focuses on a particular topic related to sustainable mobility. The Department also supports the car-free day, as part of that week, by encouraging staff who regularly drive to leave their cars at home.
The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.
345. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will provide details on the number of apprenticeship places offered by local authorities; his views on increasing the number of apprenticeships offered by local authorities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17398/22]
View answerA number of local authorities throughout the country employ apprentices, with around 50 apprentices currently employed by these bodies. The majority of the apprentices are employed in craft trades such as plumbing, carpentry and joinery, and electrical. A number are also employed in consortia programmes such as accounting technician and cyber security.
A key commitment of the ‘Action Plan for Apprenticeship 2021-2025’ is to grow the number of apprenticeship registrations across the public service, including local authorities, to reach 750 annual registrations by 2025. This represents in excess of a seven-fold increase on 2020 registrations and will support a long-term goal of 7% of the apprentice population being employed by public service employers.
The diversity of the public service in terms of service delivery provides a wide basis for involvement with the range of existing apprenticeships and those programmes in development. Apprenticeship provides an opportunity to target and widen the recruitment pool for both generalist and specialist roles within the public service.
My Department’s officials have undertaken a number of actions in order to make progress towards achieving this commitment:
1. Several general and sector-focused information sessions on apprenticeship were held, including one for local authorities.
2. A Working Group has been established, representing Government Departments and local authorities, to develop a Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan by summer 2022. The Group’s work will be based on surveying organisations in relation to their skills needs. The content, level and duration of public service apprenticeships will be determined by the identified skills needs
3. More specifically, there has been extensive bilateral engagement with the LGMA, to assist with surveying local authorities in relation to their skills needs.
Over 100 public service organisations have now been surveyed and the results are currently being analysed.
The survey results will inform the development of the Public Service Apprenticeship Recruitment Plan, with the content, level, and duration of public service apprenticeships determined by these identified skills needs.
346. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if his attention has been drawn to a post-primary school (details supplied) that was given Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools, DEIS, status in 2017 that was never partnered with a college, university access office; the reason for the delay; and if the Higher Education Authority, HEA, will respond to the school request to be linked to a college. [17406/22]
View answerI am informed by the HEA that there is extensive engagement between Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and DEIS schools. In an analysis carried out by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) 98% of post-primary DEIS schools had links or engagement with a HEI.
The particular issue raised by the Deputy is not one that I am aware of. Where a DEIS school wishes to establish links or a partnership with a Higher Education Institution in any way, that is a matter for the school and the HEI to decide on and to progress. HEA approval is not required in such cases.
I can say that the HEA have confirmed that the school in question has already established links with 3 Universities/Colleges, namely Trinity College Dublin, University College Dublin and the National College of Art and Design.
347. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice if there are plans with regard to the current licensing system for firearms (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17120/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the new Justice Plan 2022 contains a commitment to undertake an expansive review to modernise firearms and explosives legislation.
Within the plan, Action 34.3 outlines a commitment to identify all outstanding issues requiring overdue reform in the management and processing of firearms licensing, register of firearms dealers and inspections. It also commits to the production of a roadmap for addressing issues identified, including a new legislative framework.
I am pleased to report that work in regard to this action is progressing well. I anticipate that by the second quarter of this year, a determination will be made in terms of the medium term policy and legislative changes required, as well as a timeline agreed for the further development of legislation.
I have instructed a delivery date for the relevant roadmap to be completed by the end of this year.
While I cannot pre-empt the outcome of the review, I can advise that in advance of the finalisation of any new or amending measure, I will of course be consulting with all relevant stakeholders in due course and hope to be in a position to provide greater detail in relation to all of this work as the review progresses.
This review is proceeding in tandem with plans to establish a Firearms Expert Committee, on a non-statutory basis, which it is intended will bring forward recommendations on which type of firearms should be licensable in the State and for what purposes. An invitation for expressions of interest in relation to the membership of this Committee issued today and details may be found through: www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/EoI_Firearms_Expert_Committee.
348. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if she has received a report from An Garda Síochána on the Garda initiative to improve security in Dublin city centre; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17121/22]
View answerThe Government is determined to tackle anti-social behaviour and other forms of criminal behaviour, such as assault, and I am very conscious of the impact these behaviours can have on the quality of life for local communities, including in Dublin city centre.
We want people to feel safe and be safe, whether they live or work in Dublin city centre, or want to visit and enjoy our capital city. The Deputy will be aware that Budget 2022 includes significant additional funding to support initiatives under the Youth Justice Strategy and the new Community Safety Innovation Fund, €6.7 million and €2 million respectively, which will support community-based initiatives to ensure public safety.
In addition, North Inner City Dublin is one of three pilot locations where Local Community Safety Partnerships have been established. The lessons which are learnt in the North Inner City pilot will be of particular relevance to the future rollout nationwide, including in the South Inner City.
Both the Programme for Government, as well as the Justice Plan 2022 which was published this week, contain a number of commitments to tackle crime and improve community safety, including the ongoing prioritisation of the work of the Expert Forum on Anti-Social Behaviour, charged with considering the effectiveness of existing legislation and looking at proposals for new ways forward.
Gardaí continue to implement high visibility policing plans to address public disorder-related issues and anti-social behaviour, with particular overt and targeted policing of public places at times when public order incidents and anti-social behaviour typically increase, such as bank holiday weekends.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that Operation Citizen commenced in Dublin city centre on 22 October 2021. This operation places a particular focus on anti-social behaviour, public order and quality of life issues, assaults and high-volume crimes, and involves increased visible policing, particularly at key locations. In addition to Garda resources from the Dublin Metropolitan Region North Central and South Central divisions, Operation Citizen is supported by resources from the wider Dublin Region, Garda Roads Policing Units, the Garda National Public Order Unit and Garda Operational Support Units (Mounted Unit and Dog Unit).
I am advised by the Garda authorities that there are in excess of 100 Gardaí patrolling Dublin city centre each weekend evening. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday evening from 4pm, up to 30 additional Gardaí are deployed specifically on foot patrols in the city centre, resourced from outside the two core city centre divisions. Every Friday and Saturday evening, a Garda National Public Order Unit of 25 personnel (on mobile patrols) patrols the city centre. In excess of 500 additional hours of policing are provided each week.
In January this year, the Garda authorities launched Operation Saul to further support, enhance and strengthen the strategic and operational objectives of Operation Citizen. The aim of Operation Saul is to provide a safe environment for commuters utilising public transport services in the DMR.
The Deputy may be interested to note that Garda Operation Soteria is also in place to ensure a reduction of assaults in public, reduce fear of violence within communities, prioritise assault investigations and focus on problem areas and assault hotspots.
A summary of Garda proactive outputs recorded against any of the reported crime incidents associated with Garda operations Citizen, Saul and Soteria is contained in the following table:
|
Operation |
Prisoner logs |
Charges |
Summons |
Youth referrals |
Adult cautions |
|
Citizen |
887 |
1322 |
72 |
74 |
47 |
|
Soteria |
655 |
865 |
125 |
129 |
22 |
|
Saul |
18 |
28 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Less than 10 |
Operation Citizen activity reported between 22 October 2021 and 28 March 2022.
Operation Soteria activity reported between 1 January 2021 and 28 March 2022.
Operation Saul activity reported between 31 January 2022 and 28 March 2022.
It is noted that the Garda information provided is taken from PULSE as of 29 March 2022, is operational and is liable to change.
This combination of targeted Garda operations and Government funding and policy measures are having, and will continue to have, a positive impact on personal safety in Dublin city centre.
349. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the number of court-ordered section 32 reports that were sought by the courts in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17127/22]
View answerManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Court ordered Section 32 reports are a matter for the Courts and the presiding judge. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
350. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Justice the number of court-ordered section 47 reports that were sought by the courts in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17128/22]
View answerManagement of the courts, operational matters and logistical functions are the responsibility of the judiciary and Courts Service, which are independent in exercising their functions under the Courts Service Act 1998 and given the separation of powers in the Constitution. The Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas at: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
Court ordered Section 47 reports are a matter for the Courts and the presiding judge. Therefore, I have referred your question to the Courts Service for their direct reply.
