Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2023
527. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will outline the implementation of circular 25/2016 by each State body under the aegis of his Department; and if he will provide, in tabular form, by State agency, the compliance with each of the standards and timelines set out in responding to Oireachtas Members’ queries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29469/23]
View answerPlease refer to the table below for information on compliance with the provisions of Circular 25/2016 within each of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
Please note that the Office of the Ombudsman for Children (OCO) and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) will revert directly with their responses to this question.
As Gaisce is not a State Body, this question does not apply to it.
I trust that the information below is helpful.
|
Name of State Body |
Response |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland |
The Adoption Authority of Ireland, established on 1 November 2010 under the Adoption Act 2010, is an independent quasi-judicial body under the aegis of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY). The Authority is also, in line with The Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, the central authority for intercountry adoption in Ireland. The purpose of the Adoption Act 2010 is to improve standards in both domestic and intercountry adoption. In accordance with D/PER Circular 25/2016 - Protocol for the Provision of Information to Members of the Oireachtas by State Bodies under the aegis of Government Departments/Offices, the Authority are obliged to: Provide and maintain a dedicated email address (corporate@aai.gov.ie) for Oireachtas members and notify/publicise this to Oireachtas members (available on the Authority’s website). Put in place formal feedback processes to obtain feedback from Oireachtas members. Comply with target deadlines and standards in terms of acknowledgements and responses to queries. As stated in the Authority’s Customer Charter, each section inbox is monitored on a daily basis and the Authority will make every effort to send an email of acknowledgment within two working days. Where it is not possible to provide a definitive reply with the acknowledgment, a reply will be provided within 10 working days. The Head of Compliance has the responsibility for ensuring the timely provision of information to members of the Oireachtas. Report annually (in the Chairperson’s comprehensive report to the Minister) on compliance with standards set out in Circular 25/2016. Seek, where appropriate, to publish the response to queries from members of the Oireachtas on the Authority’s website. |
|
TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency |
TUSLA has a Parliamentary Affairs Division dedicated to providing responses and input to Parliamentary Questions, Reps and other queries. This Parliamentary Affairs Division also acts as a point of contacts for queries from Oireachtas members. At all times TUSLA endeavours to reply within specified timelines while being mindful that responses often require input and validation from front-line Social Workers, who are engaged in vital work protecting some of the most vulnerable in society. A more detailed response will be shared directly with the Deputy by TUSLA. |
|
The National Disability Authority (NDA) |
The National Disability Authority is the statutory body with a role to provide independent evidence-informed advice to government on matters relevant to disability policy and practice, and to promote Universal Design. In relation to circular 25/2016, the NDA offers the following response in relation to the various elements of the circular relevant to State Bodies, as set out on page 4 of same: The NDA maintains a dedicated email address for Oireachtas members, oireachtasreps@nda.ie, and this is publicised on our website nda.ie/about/contact The NDA receives a very small number of queries through this address and so feedback surveys would not be appropriate. However, the responses issued have been welcomed by the Oireachtas members in question, with thanks communicated for the information and advice provided. We have taken this to indicate positive feedback to our response approach and content. The NDA complies with the timelines for response set out in the circular. The Head of Corporate Services at the NDA takes responsibility for ensuring the timely provision of information to members of the Oireachtas, with final oversight and accountability from the Director of the organisation. The NDA reports on our overall compliance with the circular in the annual report, and will further report on the standards through the Chairperson’s Statement. The NDA has not published responses to queries from Oireachtas members on its website to date, as the number of queries submitted over the last number of years has been very low. We will keep this situation under review and if appropriate, will proceed to publish relevant responses. |
|
Oberstown Children Detention Campus |
The Oberstown Children Detention Campus has not yet made steps to implement the provisions set out in Circular 25/2016. However, officials in my Department are working with Oberstown to put these processes in place. |
