Parliamentary questions

Child Care Proceedings

Robert Troy

1. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she considers the level of fees paid to guardians ad litem to represent children in court to be sustainable or appropriate in the current economic climate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6951/14]

Public Health Policy

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

2. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking to address the dangers of the Neknomination Internet craze in view of the recent tragic consequences; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6694/14]

Adoption Records Provision

Thomas Pringle

3. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to release more than 60,000 files on forced adoptions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6921/14]

Proposed Legislation

Robert Troy

4. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she will bring forward adoption information and tracing legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6952/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

John Halligan

5. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review an application to the Adoption Authority of Ireland for the registration of a child adopted from Vietnam in October 2012 who is now registered and residing here (details supplied); if she will confirm that at the time of this adoption both Vietnam and Ireland had signed up to the Hague Convention and a bilateral agreement that had been put in place by her; if she will consider directing the Adoption Authority of Ireland to progress the registration of this child on the basis that its parents were in full compliance with the 1991 Act in view of the adoption process having begun prior to the 2010 Act being introduced (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6695/14]

Child and Family Agency Establishment

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

6. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her observations on the establishment of the Child and Family Agency, now over one month in being; if the transition has been smooth; if there are particular concerns or issues requiring special address; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6643/14]

Adoption Legislation

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

7. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the adoption (information and tracing) Bill; if she will provide a comprehensive account of the provisions of the forthcoming legislation; if she will confirm her welcome and support for the Philomena Project; the way she and her Department intends engaging with same in the lead up to the Bill's publication; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6645/14]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Robert Troy

8. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will expedite a resolution to the conflict between data protection legislation and preschool regulation compliance to enable students to undertake mandatory placements in child care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6651/14]

Children in Care

Bernard Durkan

9. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding safety, well-being and welfare of children in State institutions or otherwise under State care; the extent to which monitoring and reporting services remains available; the degree to which reports are followed up; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6574/14]

Child and Family Agency Establishment

Thomas Pringle

10. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of contracts for social work services tendered by her Department; if she will list in table format the details of each company; the value of each contract; the amount being spent by these companies and for what purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6637/14]

Departmental Funding

Joe Higgins

11. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure the continued funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland as scheduled for the end of March, in view of the essential specialist research and support it provides for rape crisis centres. [5327/14]

Children in Care

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

12. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the recently published Health Information and Quality Authority report on Crannóg Nua at Portrane; the actions she expects will follow on its content and recommendations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6647/14]

Children in Care

Thomas P. Broughan

13. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the actions that will be taken in 2014 to reduce waiting times for children to obtain places in special care units in circumstances where they have fulfilled the criteria for admission to special care. [6492/14]

European Court of Human Rights Judgments

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

14. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the level of consultation and engagement that has taken place with her Department or its agencies in their consideration thus far of the State's responsibilities to other schoolchildren and former schoolchildren arising from the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6646/14]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Charlie McConalogue

15. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will amend the Child and Family Agency requirements under the Garda vetting standard of the child care preschool services regulations that relate to students to allow a letter confirming clearance from training organisations to be deemed compliant with regulations; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the regulations as they stand are jeopardising training placements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6656/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

David Stanton

16. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made by her Department and the Adoption Authority of Ireland with regard to accrediting an agency to deal with inter-country adoptions from India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6649/14]

Departmental Functions

Bernard Durkan

17. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the main elements of her Department's responsibilities for children and young adults, with particular reference to the extent to which it is intended to provide or make available supportive services in areas most notably in need of such services in recent years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6573/14]

Preschool Services

Robert Troy

18. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she will take to address the lack of information regarding regulation reform, the new inspection process and required standards in view of the fact that preschool services have in effect become part of the new Child and Family Agency registration process from January 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6650/14]

Inter-Country Adoptions

David Stanton

19. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on progress regarding inter-country adoptions from India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6648/14]

Social Media Regulation

Thomas Pringle

20. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the contact she has made with Facebook regarding Neknominations; the response given, if any; and if she plans further actions regarding same. [6636/14]

Departmental Funding

Joe Higgins

21. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that funding will be made available for Rape Crisis Network Ireland, which provides rape crisis centres with vital specialist research and support and whose closure is imminent due to the fact that its current funding is scheduled to be terminated on 31 March 2014. [5328/14]

Youth Services Funding

Catherine Murphy

22. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether the current geographic spend on youth services is adequate to provide the same level of service on a countrywide basis; if her attention has been drawn to particular examples where organisations which received funding under the youth service grant scheme concentrate their activities in particular areas of the country and, as a result, funding is unbalanced around the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6642/14]

European Court of Human Rights Judgments

Thomas Pringle

23. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details on the review of current and planned child protection systems; when this review will be completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6640/14]

Proposed Legislation

Robert Troy

24. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Children First legislation will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6654/14]

Adoption Records Provision

Clare Daly

25. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in view of the undeniable evidence, in writing, that religious run adoption agencies participated in and facilitated illegal adoptions, the reason neither her Department nor the Adoption Authority of Ireland has carried out an audit of every adoption record held in the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6523/14]

Departmental Funding

Pádraig MacLochlainn

26. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding funding for Rape Crisis Network Ireland; if it is due to end on 31 March 2014; if she will clarify what the process will then be; if she will indicate the consultation undertaken with those involved in the rape crisis sector; and if she will outline the groups which she has met to date to discuss funding. [5334/14]

Child Protection

Denis Naughten

27. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the discussions she has had with other Departments on foot of the publication of the audit report on neglect cases; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6495/14]

Child and Family Agency Remit

Thomas Pringle

28. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the date on which all services are due to be transferred to the Child and Family Agency, including public health nursing and child mental health; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6639/14]

Child and Family Agency Funding

Thomas Pringle

29. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the €600 million budget for the Child and Family Agency is to be spent; if she deems this to be an adequate level of funding for the agency to function efficiently in view of its responsibilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6638/14]

Garda Vetting of Personnel

Charlie McConalogue

30. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will amend the Child and Family Agency requirements under the Garda vetting standard of the child care preschool services regulations relating to students to allow a letter confirming clearance from training organisations to meet compliance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6655/14]

Child Care Services Inspections

Seán Kyne

31. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the progress of her Department, Pobal and the other relevant stakeholders in implementing a digitised and online system of recording and disseminating inspection reports on child care and preschool facilities; the level of engagement between her Department, Pobal, the Health Service Executive and other stakeholders such as the child care committees; and if she will indicate the current rate of inspections being undertaken. [6608/14]

Ombudsman for Children Reports

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

32. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made by the Ombudsman for Children in the preparation of her report into the two cases of children of Roma families who were taken from their parents by the State; when she expects to receive the ombudsman's report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6644/14]

Youth Services Funding

Catherine Murphy

33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the difficulties being experienced by Kildare Youth Services and other such services around the country at present due to their inability to fund qualified youth social workers; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that such roles often bring inherent knock-on benefits to the youth of a community, resulting in decreased drug use and decreased instances of self-harm and bullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6641/14]

Child Care Qualifications

Seán Kyne

34. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the context of the need to ensure an adequate qualification framework, the funding supports available to community child care providers, in particular, to meet the qualification standards that are rightly required for quality child care and preschool care. [6607/14]

Social Workers Recruitment

Mick Wallace

35. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on reports that at least 200 social work posts are currently vacant even though there have been significant increases in the number of reports of children at risk of abuse or neglect; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6635/14]

National Carers Strategy Status

Clare Daly

36. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plans she has to support the thousands of children in the State who are currently acting as carers. [6524/14]

Preschool Services

Éamon Ó Cuív

37. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the money being provided for the provision of the preschool year; the number of children being catered for; the number of these preschools being operated through Irish and the number being operated through English, with the number of children in each category; her policy regarding same in view of the 20-year strategy for the Irish language; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6493/14]

Child Care Costs

Denis Naughten

38. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the additional steps she will take to address the availability and affordability of regulated child care services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6494/14]

Social Workers Recruitment

Robert Troy

39. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she will take to address the inadequate numbers of necessary social workers for vulnerable children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6653/14]

Social Media Regulation

Robert Troy

40. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she will take to help young persons who may be at risk from irresponsible and reckless forms of social media; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6652/14]

Departmental Bodies

Michael McNamara

41. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of bodies under the aegis of his Department in respect of Government policy for which he is responsible for answering parliamentary questions pursuant to Standing Order 34. [7002/14]

Ministerial Appointments

Michael McNamara

42. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of bodies to which he has the authority to appoint board members. [7017/14]

Local Authority Functions

Kevin Humphreys

43. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a list of all specific new powers or functions conferred on local authorities by legislation under his area since June 2009 and a reference to the specific section or regulation in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7032/14]

Passport Application Refusals

Bernard Durkan

44. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if and when a passport will issue in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7109/14]

Passport Controls

Brendan Smith

45. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the checks made to ensure the security and integrity of Irish passports; if he will outline the staff selection process carried out before hiring staff to the Passport Office; if he is concerned at recent investigations into the Passport Office by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7130/14]

Living City Initiative

Billy Kelleher

46. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Finance the progress of the roll-out of the Living City Initiative; when the designated areas will be identified by local authorities; when the ministerial order will be moved for commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7106/14]

VAT Rate Application

Derek Nolan

47. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will broaden the remit of those businesses which benefit under the special VAT rate of 9% for bus operators working in the tourism industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6975/14]

Tax Rebates

Derek Nolan

48. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Finance if he will allow bus operators working in the tourism industry to avail of a rebate on diesel charges similar to that applicable to airlines and ferry companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6976/14]

Departmental Bodies

Michael McNamara

49. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of bodies under the aegis of his Department in respect of Government policy for which he is responsible for answering parliamentary questions pursuant to Standing Order 34. [7001/14]

Ministerial Appointments

Michael McNamara

50. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Finance if he will provide a list of bodies to which he has the authority to appoint board members. [7016/14]