Written Answers Nos. 958-975
958. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on progress regarding the possibility of entering into a bilateral adoption agreement with Ethiopia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47838/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra966. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the Ethiopian adoption issue and plans for the future of same. [48345/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 958 and 966 together.
Ethiopia is not a signatory of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption. In these circumstances, future adoptions from Ethiopia would require a bilateral agreement between Ireland and Ethiopia. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010 which states that "the Authority, with the prior consent of the Minister, may enter into discussions with any non-contracting state concerning the possibility of the Government entering into a bilateral agreement with that State."
The Adoption Authority delegation visit to Ethiopia in April of this year was an initial part of the Authority's deliberations on the feasibility and suitability of entering into discussions with Ethiopia on a bilateral adoption agreement. The Authority is awaiting legal advice and will contact me once it has received this advice and completed its consideration of the matter. Once I have received the Authority's assessment I can then fully consider the appropriate next steps in this regard.
959. Deputy Brian Walsh asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on progress made regarding the possibility of entering into a bilateral adoption agreement with Russia; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47839/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdoptions from Russia, effected under the transitional arrangements provided for in the Adoption Act 2010, are ongoing and are currently being examined, and recognised, by the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI). Under the provisions of the legislation, such adoptions may take place up to the end of October 2013.
As regards adoptions thereafter, Russia has not ratified the Hague Convention; therefore, future adoptions from Russia, beyond those provided for under the transitional arrangements, may only be possible under a bilateral agreement. The negotiation of bilateral agreements on intercountry adoption with states who have not ratified the Hague Convention is governed by Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. Any bilateral arrangements which might be entered into would be required by law to meet the minimum standards set out in the Hague Convention.
It is the role of the Adoption Authority to make an assessment of whether the intercountry adoption legislation and practices in a non-contracting state, in this case Russia, are in compliance with both Irish legislation and the principles of the Hague Convention. As part of this assessment the Adoption Authority has reviewed a draft bilateral agreement presented to it during previous discussions with its Russian counterparts and has provided me with an initial assessment in this regard. I have asked the Adoption Authority to have further exploratory talks with the Russian authorities focussing on areas of concern in order that the Authority may progress its assessment of the situation and provide a definitive recommendation to me on the feasibility of formally opening discussion with the Russian Federation under Section 73 of the Adoption Act 2010. The Adoption Authority, through the Irish Embassy in Moscow, have sought to meet the Russian authorities in this regard. The Russian authorities have indicated that they are not in a position to facilitate such a meeting until the first quarter of 2013. The Adoption Authority is following-up to secure an appropriate date.
Further information on intercountry adoption from Russia can be found on the Adoption Authority website (www.aai.gov.ie).
960. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No 224 of 22 February 2012, when the figures for 2011 will be available and the details of same. [47958/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the HSE that there were 2,248 admissions to care in 2011. Of these admissions 354 related to children who were aged under 2 years. Of all admissions to care in 2011, 62% were based on a voluntary agreement between the parent/guardian and the HSE. Data on the principal reason for admission of all children to care is collated under a number of categories - abuse, child problems and family problems. Over 85% of non-voluntary admissions to care in 2011 were due to abuse, neglect and serious family problems.
961. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for withdrawing funding from a project (details supplied) in Dublin 11; her plans, if any, to ensure that the work of this valuable service is continued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47988/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector. In particular, the Youth Affairs Unit provides targeted supports to disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects.
Funding of €56.806m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services in 2012. Some 477 projects and youth services throughout the country receive support under the schemes. The annual funding allocations for youth projects are determined by my Department and the funding is administered, on behalf of my Department, by a number of grant administering agencies that includes the City of Dublin Youth Service Board (CDYSB) of the CDVEC.
The Active Parenting Project /Service operated by the Fingal Centre in Finglas is in receipt of funding under the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (Round 1). The 2012 allocation is €36,071.
My Department has been advised that the CDYSB, in anticipation of reductions in the funding allocations next year, has been holding a series of meetings with the projects within its area. CDYSB met with the Fingal Centre in recent weeks. While I understand that the CDYSB would be recommending funding for the Active Parenting Project/Service be discontinued from 2013. I wish to advise that no decisions have been made by my Department in relation to the 2013 funding allocations for youth services throughout the country nor in relation to the funding allocations to be provided for individual projects.
My Department is working on the funding allocation for youth services in 2013.Having regard to the substantial savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure my Department is seeking to ensure that, in the determination process for the allocations, the front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people are protected as far as possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
962. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in the context of the forthcoming referendum on Children's Rights, if she will outline her commitment to providing sufficient resources to ensure the imprescriptible rights of the child including health and education and the individualised nature of children’s needs are met for children with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48071/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the proposed Constitutional Amendment is to recognise children in their own right within the Constitution and to acknowledge that each child enjoys rights and deserves certain protections from the State by virtue of the fact that, as a child, they are vulnerable. The Referendum will not address all wider issues that impact on children.
This Referendum is the fundamental backdrop to the wider Programme for Change for Children being pursued by the Government. These reforms focus on intervention to ensure the safety and welfare of children and to ensure that child protection services can respond proportionately to all child protection concerns.
Central to the Programme for Change for Children is the plan to take child protection services out of the HSE and establish a new dedicated Child and Family Support Agency. This Agency will be fully operational in 2013 and will mean a move to a situation where child and family welfare will be the sole focus of a single dedicated agency, overseen by a single dedicated government Department.
The report of the Taskforce, which I set up to advise on how to best organise services for children in this country, was published in July of this year. This Taskforce report maps out an executive agenda for the development of services so that we can do the very best for parents, children and families. Ahead of establishment of the new Agency, an additional €21 million in funding has been made available to the HSE Child & Family Services in 2012. This reflects the priority attached by Government to the reform of child welfare and protection services.
Since February 2011, there has been an increase of 69 whole time equivalents (wte) and 86 individual child and family social workers and an increase in the proportion of children with an allocated social worker.
The question of resource allocation in the areas of health and education are matters for my colleagues the Minister for Health and the Minister for Education and Skills. During the summer Minister of State Kathleen Lynch published the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services. This Review recommended a significant restructuring of the current disability services programme towards a model of person-centred individually chosen supports to enhance the quality of life and well-being of both children and adults with disabilities. This Government is committed to the protection of frontline services for pupils with special educational needs, in order to ensure that every child in the State, regardless of ability, can access education and to ensure that the individual requirements of pupils with special educational needs can continue to be met.
Overall, the matter of resources for services to children will be considered by the Government in the context of the overall budgetary arrangements for 2013. While it is not open to me, in that context, to pre-empt decisions to be made by Government, I would point out that the Government continues to invest very significantly in services for children across a range of areas. The Government will continue this approach, to the greatest possible extent, in dealing with the serious financial challenges facing the country overall.
963. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the drafting and publication of the Child and Family Support Agency Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48078/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am firmly committed to the transformation of Ireland’s child protection and welfare services, and to the establishment of a new Child and Family Support Agency. The new Agency and the wider transformation of children's services represents on the of the largest, and most ambitious, areas of public sector of reform embarked upon by this Government.
The necessary legislation is being prepared by my Department as a priority. It is anticipated that the Bill will be published and enacted in the course of this session. It is my intention that the Child and Family Support Agency will assume statutory responsibility for services for children and families in January 2013.
964. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will respond to a query (details supplied) regarding adoption; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48126/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn tandem with the Children Referendum I have published the General Scheme of the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012, which the Government plans to bring before the Oireachtas on the passing of this Referendum. This Bill sets out in detail how it is proposed to address issues in relation to adoption which would arise in relation to the proposed amendment to the Constitution. It is proposed that the Adoption (Amendment) Bill will allow for the adoption of children of marriage.
965. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to extend the early childhood care and education scheme in terms of the hours provided and for an additional year in view of the evidence of the clear benefits of the scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48133/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining the universal free pre-school year. About 65,000 children, that is approximately 95% of children in the year before school, are availing of the free pre-school provision at this time.
In 2011, the ECCE programme cost approximately €163 million. Additional funding has been made available for 2012 when the cost of the programme is expected to rise to €175 million to cater for changing demographics and provide for the increased number of children in the relevant age cohort.
I am aware of the need to further develop the early childhood care and education sector. However, any development that involved further provision of pre-school would require considerable additional funding and given the financial constraints under which the Government is currently operating it is not possible to provide for any enhancements to the programme at this time. I am also very conscious that work is continuing on improvement of quality within the pre-school year. All of the available evidence indicates that the quality of the provision is key to good outcomes for children. I would therefore hope to invest further in quality before expanding the programme.
Future developments relating to early years care and education will, of course, be considered during preparation of the new National Early Years Strategy 2012.
967. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement her Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South Activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy.; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48540/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my response to his last question on this issue (PQ 46612/12). In this reply, I confirmed that while there is no dedicated North South Co-operation Unit in my Department, officials engage with their counter-parts in Northern Ireland on issues of mutual concern and importance and as part of their day-to-day responsibilities,. As such, it is not possible to state categorically the frequency of North South engagements; the number of whole-time equivalents assigned to North South matters; the amount of time each grade spends on these matters; or the address the Deputy's question relating to vacancies.
Examples of some of the important work approached on a collaborative basis between my officials and their counter parts in Northern Ireland are:
- the establishment of the North South Child Protection Hub, (a dedicated on-line child protection resource);
- the development of an "Inter-Jurisdictional Protocol for the Transfer of Child Care cases between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland";
- a review of vetting and barring arrangements in both jurisdictions;
- the development of a joint communication strategy to promote awareness of child welfare and protection;
- promoting internet safety in the area of child welfare and protection;
- promoting North-South Education and Training Standards in Youth Work; and
- promoting Youth Exchange Programmes (e.g. 'Causeway')
In addition, the Irish Youth Justice Service in my Department is involved in a North-South Process which is led by the Department of Justice and Equality under the auspices of the St. Andrews Agreement. The Youth Justice Project Advisory Group is one of six strands in this process. It aims to guide and support co-operation in the youth justice area on both sides of the border; to provide a forum for the active exchange of information, ideas and expertise between participating bodies on matters including restorative justice and tackling re offending; and the examination and identification of the areas where joint working could take place. The North-South Youth Justice Project Advisory Group meets twice a year and reports to the North-South High Level Senior Officials Group.
968. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the sectors of the public sector that are currently employed on a roster basis and if there are any plans to remove employees from the rostering system. [49069/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraCertain grades of care staff are employed on a roster basis in the Children Detention School and due to the nature of the work involved, there are no plans to remove them from that system.
969. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the exact number of public servants who are back in employment in the public service, who are on pensions and have accepted lump sums; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49082/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to public servants who retired during the period 1 January 2010 to the 29 February 2012. I can only answer this question in relation to my own Department and agencies that fall under its remit. In that respect, I understand that the National Educational Welfare Board has recently appointed one member of staff as interim Chief Executive Officer on a short term fixed contract who retired from the Department of Education & Skills during the period specified by the Deputy.
I can confirm that no other such persons have been rehired by my Department, the Ombudsman for Children's Office, the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Family Support Agency or the Children Detention Schools.
970. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if she will review the withdrawal of a blind allowance with a view to reinstating this payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [47454/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
971. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the model of the home help services of Northern Ireland has been examined by his Department in view of the recent report composed by researchers from Trinity College Dublin and Queen's University Belfast; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48107/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report entitled Towards the Development of a Predictive Model of Long-Term Care Demand for Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland was launched on 25 October last.
The Report is a welcome contribution on how we might meet the changing requirements of older people across all of Ireland in future years. The various issues raised in the report, including Home Help services in various countries, are broadly familiar to the Department of Health. The Report is at present being given detailed consideration in the Department in the context of on-going development of policies and services for older people, as agreed under the Programme for National Recovery 2011-2016.
972. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Health the reason motorised transport grants are being held up due to delays with Department of Social Protection officials carrying out financial assessments in relation to the grants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48621/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to the question raised by the Deputy for today and further to the Deputy's previous question of 20th September 2012, I have requested a report from the Health Service Executive on the matter and I will reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
973. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in putting a package of supports in place for those sufferers of unique narcolepsy disorder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48822/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1162. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in presenting a paper on the supports to be made available to children who developed narcolepsy as a consequence of the State sponsored vaccination programme involving pandemrix as had been promised to parent representatives of those affected, the position regarding the paper and a date when he expects to bring it to Dail Eireann. [48441/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1163. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Health when he will bring a memorandum outlining the package of supports being put in place for those who have acquired narcolepsy and associated conditions due to inoculation with pandemrix; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48442/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1169. Deputy Joanna Tuffy asked the Minister for Health when he will put in place a package of supports to meet the needs of children, adolescents and young adults affected by Narcolepsy after vaccination with Pandemrix; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48590/12]
Amharc ar fhreagra1180. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when he plans to present the paper outlining the package of supports being put in place for those affected by Narcolepsy associated with the vaccine Pandemrix; the reason for the delay in the presentation of the paper prior to the Dáil summer recess, again in September 2012 and then once again this October; when will he re-establish communication with SOUND; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48655/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 973, 1162, 1163, 1169 and 1180 together.
My Department is working closely with the Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Department of Education and Skills to address the needs of those affected by narcolepsy following pandemic vaccination.
The HSE provides a range of services and supports to those affected including access to rapid diagnosis, clear treatment pathways, temporary medical cards and reimbursement of expenses incurred. Multidisciplinary assessments which allow for the appropriate individualised health and educational supports to be put in place have commenced. The National Educational Psychological Service (NEPS) is also engaging with the HSE and with the individual schools and parents of children concerned to identify and provide educational supports for the children and adolescents affected.
My Department is considering all other possible supports which may need to be put in place for those affected. Any such supports require my approval and the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. My officials are currently engaged in discussions with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform on this issue. I would like to assure the Deputy that this matter continues to be a priority for my Department.
974. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Health if he will respond to the concerns expressed regarding the fair deal scheme in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47211/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhen the Nursing Homes Support Scheme commenced in October 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The reason for allowing this period to elapse is to ensure that trends and statistics will be available in order to inform the work.
A public consultation process to inform the review concluded in mid-July. The issues raised by the Deputy in the details supplied portion of the question were submitted during the course of the consultation process. The Department will be publishing a summary report of the submissions received. Thereafter, the Department will be seeking tenders through the public procurement process for the carrying out of the review.
The Terms of Reference for the review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme are:
Taking account of Government policy, demographic trends and the fiscal situation -
1. To examine the on-going sustainability of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme,
2. To examine the overall cost of long-term residential care in public and private nursing homes and the effectiveness of the current methods of negotiating/setting prices,
3. Having regard to 1. and 2. above, to consider the balance of funding between long-term residential care and community based services, and
5. To make recommendations for the future operation and management of the scheme.
As the Scheme is statutory based, the implementation of any recommendations arising from the review may require significant amendments to the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009.
A considerable amount of preparatory work for the review has already been completed. It will progress within the constraints of available staff and other priorities. At this stage I envisage that the review will be completed in 2013.
975. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a date for an urgent operation for a person (details supplied) in County Laois; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47220/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
