Written Answers Nos 1011-1027
1011. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will address the issue of funding cuts to a youth service (details supplied) in County Kerry; if she will provide additional funding for the service; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35153/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall budget for the youth sector in 2013 is €53.498 million. Within this total funding, €1.75 million has been provided for a new capital funding programme. This funding 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 work sector.
The Youth Service referred to by the Deputy administers a number of youth projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme and one Youth Information Service and the allocation provided by my Department for these projects is €511,465 in 2013.
Having regard to the savings requirements identified in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure which amount to €5.393 million in 2013, my Department has tried 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 is possible from the impact of any necessary reductions in funding.
There is no doubt that the current budgetary situation is challenging for many organisations. In considering how best to manage within the allocations available, organisations are being asked to consider the scope for reducing administration costs and other overheads and to work closely with their local VEC that administers the funding on behalf of my Department, in order to maintain the front line services for young people particularly for those young people who may be disadvantaged.
My Department is developing a new youth policy framework for publication later this year. The new youth policy framework will aim to enhance the provision of youth services and activities and it will, inter alia, promote co-ordination between Government Departments and youth sector organisations with a view to maximising the effectiveness of the State funding available to support services for young people in future years.
1012. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that the adoption waiting lists for countries like the Philippines are regularly updated to ensure withdrawals are removed from the list; so as not to hold up places that could otherwise be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34325/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the registration of intercountry adoptions is a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), an independent quasi-judicial entity established under the Adoption Act 2010. It is a matter for the AAI to ensure that all adoptions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Act 2010. Accordingly, as Minister, it is not open to me to intervene in individual cases.
The Authority has advised that this year it has received four referrals this year from the Philippines. In three cases these referrals have been refused. One the basis that the age of the child referred to Ireland was outside the age range for which the prospective adoptive parents had been assessed. Two further adoptions were not continued with by the prospective adoptive parents due to changed domestic or financial circumstances.
The AAI would encourage all prospective adoptive parents who wish to withdraw from the adoption process to inform the AAI and-or their Accredited Body immediately.
1013. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she intends to address through legislation the issue of adoptive parents having to get a guardian's order for adoptions from certain countries after 12 months; if this consent issue can be addressed at an earlier stage without this cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34326/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe responsibility for the registration of intercountry adoptions is a matter for the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI), an independent quasi-judicial entity established under the Adoption Act 2010. It is a matter for the AAI to ensure that all adoptions are made in accordance with the provisions of the Adoption Act 2010. Accordingly, as Minister, it is not open to me to intervene in individual cases.
The Authority have advised me that the Deputy query concerns inter country adoption with the Republic of the Philippines. The Philippines does not grant intercountry adoption to prospective adoptive parents residing in Ireland. Prospective adoptive parents who chose the Philippines as their country of origin are advised to seek independent legal advice prior to deciding to do so. There are a number of complex legal and constitutional issues to be considered. Prospective adoptive parents have in the past applied for and been granted Guardianship Orders in respect of children that they then bring to Ireland for the purposes of adoption in Ireland under Irish legislation.
Issues which then arise are:
1. The placement of the child may be contrary to Irish legislation (i.e. it may be considered a ‘private’ placement).
2. The Adoption Authority of Ireland is obliged to notify and consult with the natural father, details of whom are routinely not available to prospective adoptive parents.
3. Prospective adoptive parents can rarely, if ever, secure the statutory consents required for under Irish legislation.
In consideration of the above, applications for domestic Adoption Order for child born brought in from the Philippines invariably end up in the High Court at considerable cost to the Health Service Executive.
Correspondence from the Health Service Executive, on 1 July 2013 states
In relation to placements of children from the Philippines, it is unreasonable and unsustainable that the Health Service Executive should have to fund High Court pplications for the dispensing of parental consents. It is our intention from now on to make it clear at information meetings that there is no guarantee that the Health Service Executive will meet this cost in the future. The Health Service Executive will meet the cost of any current application that commenced prior to the making of this decision.
Prospective adoptive parents proposing to adopt from the Philippines should contact their local Health Service Executive Regional Adoption Service to discuss this important issue. Those already in the process of adopting from the Philippines should direct their enquires to the HSE.
1014. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on the progress of the State ratifying optional protocols 2 and 3 to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34394/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has signed but not yet ratified the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the rights of the child on the sale of Children, Child Prostitution and Child Pornography. It is my intention to progress to ratification in due course, once I am satisfied that the State will be able to meet all its obligations therein. I discussed the issue of ratification of this Protocol in a meeting with the UN Special Representative on Violence against Children, which took place on 11 June 2012, during the Special Representative's official visit to Ireland. We agreed that the matter would be prioritised in due course following completion of my Department's work on the Children's Referendum, the submission of the State's next report to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child and the setting up of the new Child and Family Agency.
The criminal law elements of the Optional Protocol have largely been implemented by the Child Trafficking and Pornography Act 1998 and the Criminal Law (Human Trafficking) Act 2008. Legislative proposals to further protect children against sexual exploitation are at an advanced stage of preparation. The Minister for Justice and Equality expects to bring these legislative proposals to Government shortly. It is also proposed to put in place the necessary administrative procedures and arrangements to allow for accession and, subject to the advice of the Attorney General's Office, it is proposed to ratify the Optional Protocol as soon as is practicable.
I have previously stated that it was my intention to sign the Third Optional Protocol on behalf of Ireland as soon as possible. My Department now has finalised and submitted to Government for approval the State's combined 3rd and 4th Reports to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child. Subject to Government approval, the report will be submitted to the UN Committee. I expect to consult with other Government Departments shortly and seek the approval of the Government to the signing of the Third Optional Protocol on behalf of Ireland. Ratification would generally take place some time after that, once the State is satisfied that the necessary legislative and administrative procedures are in place to enable full compliance. This matter will be assessed by my Department in consultation with the Office of the Attorney General and other Government Departments.
1015. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by her Department since March 2011. [34398/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being collated by my Department and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy as soon as it is finalised.
1016. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of the fees and expenses paid to each member of each State board, to include the chair and board members, and the number of members on each State board under the aegis of her Department. [34508/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
There are currently 13 serving Board members for the NEWB, 11 for the Children Detention Schools, 12 for the FSA and 6 for the AAI. The Ombudsman for Children’s Office does not have a Board of Management.
I have set out in tabular format a breakdown of the annual fees currently paid to members of the Boards of Management under the aegis of my Department. It should be noted that all current members of the Board of Management for the Children Detention Schools waived their fees when they were appointed in March 2012.
Also included are details of expenses claimed to date for 2012 by members of the Boards. The Deputy should also note that some members of the Boards have not yet submitted claims for expenses incurred in 2012. The Adoption Authority of Ireland have confirmed that they will write directly to the Deputy in relation to expenses for 2012.
National Educational Welfare Board
|
Board Member |
Annual remuneration |
Expenses 2012 |
|
Nuala Doherty (Chair) |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Cathal Flynn (former Chair – not on current Board) |
€5,000 |
€2,844 |
|
Brendan Broderick |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Catherine Connery |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Marian Jennings |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Eamonn Flynn |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Bob Dowling |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Ruairí Gogan |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Deirdre Matthews |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Anne McDonnell |
Does not receive fee |
€1,305 |
|
Marie-Claire McAleer |
Does not receive fee |
€Nil |
|
Don Myers |
Does not receive fee |
€3,838 |
|
Pat McSitric (interim CEO) |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
Children Detention Schools
|
Board Member |
Annual remuneration |
Expenses 2012 |
|
Joe Horan (Chair) |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Gerard McKiernan |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Ursula Kilkelly |
Does not receive fee |
€1,790.44 |
|
Diego Gallagher |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Sylda Langford |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Pat Rooney |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Elizabeth Howard |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Colin Fetherston |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Barry Rooney |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Deirdre Keyes |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Dan Kelleher |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
Family Support Agency
|
Board Member |
Annual remuneration |
Expenses 2012 |
|
Sharon Foley (Chair) |
€8,978 |
Nil |
|
Caroline Murphy |
€5,985 |
Nil |
|
Dick Hickey |
€5,985 |
€8,954 |
|
Dr. John Griffin |
€5,985 |
Nil |
|
Marie Fenlon |
€5,985 |
€4,167 |
|
Liz Chaloner |
€5,985 |
€200 |
|
Nuala Ryan |
€5,985 |
Nil |
|
Catherine Downey Murphy |
€5,985 |
€1,104 |
|
Marie Dullea |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Imelda Martin |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Lorraine Mulligan |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
|
Dr. Nollaig Byrne |
Does not receive fee |
Nil |
Adoption Authority of Ireland
|
Board Member |
Annual Remuneration |
Expenses 2012 |
|
Dr. Geoffrey Shannon (Chair) |
€63,120 |
To be confirmed |
|
Siobhan Keogh |
€7,965 |
To be confirmed |
|
Anne McWilliams |
€7,965 |
Nil |
|
Corina Carrick |
€7,965 |
To be confirmed |
|
Helen Collins |
€7,965 |
To be confirmed |
|
Dr. Imelda Ryan |
Does not receive fee |
To be confirmed |
1017. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, the annual salary of all non-commercial State-sponsored bodies' chief executive officers under the aegis of her Department. [34524/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children's Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
I have set out in tabular format the current annual salaries payable to the Chief Executive Officers of non-commercial State sponsored bodies under the aegis of my Department.
|
Agency |
Current Remuneration |
|
National Educational Welfare Board |
€52,335 |
|
Family Support Agency |
Acting CEO €80,700 |
|
Adoption Authority of Ireland |
€116,250 |
|
Ombudsman for Children’s Office |
No CEO |
|
Children Detention Schools |
No CEO |
1018. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, a list of all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT-related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013. [34540/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra1020. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 20% reduction in all professional fees, including but not limited to legal, consultancy, IT-related, advisory, advertising and accountancy; the company name and the amount invoiced between 1 June 2012 and 31 May 2013. [34572/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1018 and 1020 together.
The information requested is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
1019. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, a breakdown of all third level courses, training programmes and courses and accompanying cost for the 2012/13 academic year, 1 September 2012 to 30 June 2013, provided for employees of her Department. [34556/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraTo-date, a total of €45,957 has been spent on third level courses, training programmes and courses for the period 1 September 2012 to 30 June 2013. The following table sets out relevant details:
|
3rd Level Course |
Number of staff |
Total Cost |
|
Doctorate/PhD |
3 |
€12,941 |
|
Post Graduate |
1 |
€3,320 |
|
Training Programme / Course |
Number of staff |
Total Cost |
|
Risk Management |
1 |
€225 |
|
HR Training & Seminars |
8 |
€2,152 |
|
Management Training |
5 |
€7,255 |
|
EU Presidency Training |
3 |
€675 |
|
IT Skills |
4 |
€1,494 |
|
Report writing |
4 |
€900 |
|
Irish language training |
1 |
€745 |
|
Developing Policy |
1 |
€450 |
|
Leadership Programme |
3 |
€15,800 |
A number of other commitments have been given to staff under the Refund of Fees Scheme for the 2012-13 academic year totalling approximately €23,000. However, no payments have been made to date pending successful completion of exams and submission of supporting documentation.
Question No. 1020 answered with Question No. 1018.
1021. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 1%, 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction in travel and expenses for her Department. [34588/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €134,000 was spent in my Department on travel and subsistence of staff during 2012. The following table details the annual savings that would occur if the reduction percentages identified by the Deputy were applied to the 2012 amount.
|
Reduction % |
Saving |
|
1% |
€1,340 |
|
5% |
€6,700 |
|
7% |
€9,380 |
|
10% |
€13,400 |
|
12% |
€16,080 |
|
15% |
€20,100 |
|
17% |
€22,780 |
|
20% |
€26,800 |
1022. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer of a 5%, 7%, 10%, 12%, 15%, 17% and 20% reduction in training and development for her Department. [34604/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total of €58,000 was spent in my Department on training and development of staff during 2012. The following table details the annual savings that would occur if the reduction percentages identified by the Deputy were applied to the 2012 amount.
|
Total |
Reduction % |
Saving |
|
€55,100 |
5% |
€2,900 |
|
€53,940 |
7% |
€4,060 |
|
€52,200 |
10% |
€5,800 |
|
€51,040 |
12% |
€6,960 |
|
€49,300 |
15% |
€8,700 |
|
€48,140 |
17% |
€9,860 |
|
€46,400 |
20% |
€11,600 |
1023. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, the annual saving to the Exchequer if all her special advisors' pay was capped at the first point of the principal officer grade; if she will provide a list of all salaries, post-implementation of the Haddington Road Agreement paid to her special advisors. [34620/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI currently have two special advisors appointed to me, one of which works full time and the other works a 50% pattern. Both advisors were originally appointed on the first point of the Principal Officer standard scale. The Principal Officer standard scale provides for annual increments, subject to satisfactory performance and attendance and each advisor has now progressed to the third point on this scale. In accordance with the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Act 2013, and the provisions of the Haddington Road Agreement, the relevant adjustments to pay have been made to the Principal Officer standard scale. A total amount of €4,535 would be saved during 2013 if both were capped at the first point of the scale.
|
Applicable Salary Scale |
WTE (Wholetime Equivalent) |
CurrentSalary |
1st point of Principal Officer Scale |
Savings if capped from 01/07/2013 |
|
Principal Officer standard scale |
1.0 |
€81,676 |
€75,647 |
€3,014 |
|
Principal Officer standard scale |
0.5 |
€40,838 |
€37,824 |
€1,507 |
1024. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of successful applications made for funding under her Department's grants system for projects within County Kildare for each of the past four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34669/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a number of grant schemes of both a capital and current nature. Grant assistance is available under a number of sources, including funding for youth organisations and services, National Lottery funding, as well as child care programmes. The matters funded under the various categories include funding for youth projects and facilities, playgrounds, equipment and general childcare facilities among others.
In relation to funding for projects in County Kildare, the following table below details the number of projects funded in each of the last three years. I would note that my Department was only established in June 2011 and therefore information in relation to 2010 is not provided in the table of figures.
|
Year |
Number of Projects |
|
2011 |
9 |
|
2012 |
16 |
|
2013 |
27 |
1025. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide, in tabular form, the commitments in the Programme for Government within her remit; if the commitment has been met or is in the process of being met; the estimated time for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34675/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe time line for delivery of the commitments in the Programme for Government is over the lifetime of the Government.
The following is a list of my Department's commitments in the Programme for Government and their current implementation status.
|
Programme for Government Commitment |
Status |
|
A referendum to amend the Constitution to ensure that children’s rights are strengthened, along the lines recommended by the All-Party Oireachtas committee. |
Completed |
|
We will maintain the free pre-school year in Early Childhood Care and Education to promote the best outcomes for children and families. We will improve the quality of the pre-school year by implementing standards and reviewing training options. |
Ongoing €9.5m additional funding provided in 2012 to maintain universality and meet increased demand due to increased birth rate. |
|
As resources allow, this Government will invest in a targeted early childhood education programme for disadvantaged children, building on existing targeted pre-school supports for families most in need of assistance such as the youngballymun project. |
In Progress |
|
We will end the practice of sending children to St. Patrick’s Institution. |
In Progress. Practice of detaining 16 year olds in St Patrick's has ceased. €50m in capital funding secured for development of national child detention facilities at Oberstown. |
|
We will fundamentally reform the delivery of child protection services by removing child welfare and protection from the HSE and creating a dedicated Child Welfare and Protection Agency, reforming the model of service delivery and improving accountability to the Dáil. |
In Progress. Child and Family Agency Bill published on 12 July 2013. |
|
We are committed to implementing the recommendations of the Ryan Report including putting the Children First Guidelines on a statutory footing and legislating for the use of “soft information”. |
In Progress |
|
We will enact legislation to consolidate and reform the law on adoption. |
In Progress |
|
A new approach is needed to break the cycle of child poverty where it is most deeply entrenched. We will adopt a new area based approach to child poverty, which draws on best international practice and existing services to tackle every aspect of child poverty. Initially, this model will be rolled out to up to ten of Ireland’s most disadvantaged communities, in cooperation with philanthropic partners to co-fund and manage the project. |
€14.85m in Exchequer funding, and 50% co-funding from a Philanthropic partner, have been sourced to support a new Area-Based Approach to Child Poverty Programme. Work is at an advanced stage to transition 3 existing sites into the new programme, and a number of new areas are expected to enter the programme before the end of the year |
1026. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail, in tabular form, the names of all external public relations, communications consultants and organisations used by organisations or agencies within the remit of her Department since 9 March 2011; the details of the services supplied by each; the expenditure on each; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34691/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to inform the Deputy there are four agencies which are funded by the Exchequer through my Department's Vote. These are the Adoption Authority of Ireland (AAI); the Family Support Agency (FSA); the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) and the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO). With effect from 1 January 2012, I have taken responsibility for the Children Detention Schools as provided in Part 10 of the Children Act 2001.
I can confirm that during the period in question, the FSA, AAI and the Children Detention Schools did not use external public relations or communications services. The Ombudsman for Children has confirmed that she will respond directly to the Deputy on the matter.
In relation to the NEWB, I have set out in tabular format the information as requested by the Deputy.
National Educational Welfare Board
|
- |
Company name |
Date |
Services Supplied |
Expenditure |
|
External Public Relations |
Avanti PR: Ms Deirdre Walsh |
19/08/2011 |
Copywriting/editing and media issue management |
€2,858.62 |
|
External Public Relations |
Brendan Bracken Public Relations: Mr. Brendan Bracken |
30/09/2011 |
Media issue management |
€484.00 |
|
External Public Relations |
Brendan Bracken Public Relations: Mr. Brendan Bracken |
21/03/2013 |
Media issue management |
€799.50 |
|
Communications Consultants |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
Nil |
1027. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has sought and received legal advice outside the Office of the Attorney General; the number of times advice was sought per year in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the costs of outside legal advice per year in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34977/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established on 2 June 2011. No such advice has been sought or received since then.
