Written Answers Nos. 544-566
544. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider extending the adoption declaration allowing families to adopt beyond the two years limit; if she will consider allowing an extension to these declarations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17345/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe expiration of declarations is covered under Section 41 (1) of the Adoption Act, 2010. The section provides that a declaration of eligibility and suitability expires after 24 months from the date of issuance of the declaration or after a further period of not more than 12 months that the Adoption Authority may specify. I understand that at the time of drafting of the legislation it was felt that this provided an adequate period following the initial assessment of applicants to complete an adoption. Given the changing landscape of intercountry adoption, this may no longer be the case. I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. However, any change to the length of validity of a declaration must be weighed up against the necessity to ensure that an applicant's current situation in relation to their suitability to adopt is taken in to account in the adoption process.
545. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when an accredited agency will be established for Irish adoptions from India; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17346/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption Authority has advised it is their position that it is necessary to have an Irish registered accredited body to facilitate inter-country adoptions from India in order to safeguard the process for the child and adoptive parents. The Authority has recently decided to delegate its functions under Articles 15, 16 and 17 of the Hague Convention to Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency with regard to adoptions from India. Helping Hands is awaiting approval by CARA in order to proceed in this regard.
546. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total legal costs incurred by her Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [17351/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data provided in the table below details total legal costs incurred by my Department from 2011 to 2013. Spending on legal costs is difficult to predict as it relates to the nature, timing and outcome of legal proceedings. My Department has a funding allocation of €848,000 in 2014 to support legal costs.
|
Year of Payment |
Total Legal Costs |
|
2011 |
€135,207.52 |
|
2012 |
€ 94,880.71 |
|
2013 |
€425,618.69 |
547. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total external public relations costs incurred by her Department in 2011, 2012, 2013 and estimated in 2014. [17367/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraPlease find below in tabular form as requested, the information you require. My Department's policy on external groups providing public relations services are hired as needs arise, where it is felt their professional expertise can be of assistance to my Department. I have no plans to use such services in 2014.
|
Name of Public Relations Firm |
Details of Services Supplied |
Date of Service |
Expenditure (incl VAT) |
|
MKC Communications |
Service to assist with information and communications initiatives for the Children’s Referendum, Report of the Child Death Review Group and the Child & Family Agency. |
July – December 2012 |
€39,595.00 |
548. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding available to a child care centre (details supplied) in Dublin 17; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17428/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the Child and Family Agency that the Darndale Belcamp Integrated Childcare Service is currently experiencing cash flow issues and as a consequence it has been necessary for the Agency to prepay two months of the annual funding allocation. This payment is being facilitated in order for a more comprehensive detailed analysis to be completed so as to arrive at a long term solution involving all stakeholders. I am also advised that a review of Agency funding to the centre will be reviewed with a view to identifying efficiencies and the impact on services resulting from the 2.8% reduction in Agency funding in 2013 and 2014.
Funding to this centre, provided by my Department under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) free pre-school year programme, and the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme which supports low income and disadvantaged families with childcare costs, has been maintained. To date, in this school year, funding totalling €35,500 has been paid under the ECCE programme. Funding of €98,600 has also been approved under the CCS programme for this school year and €49,300 of this figure has already been paid.
549. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will review the funding cut to Youth Work Ireland Galway, in view of the threat to the rural co-ordinator position within the group; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17451/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra559. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be maintained for the position of youth club officer with Youth Work Ireland who currently assists youth clubs and other youth facilities in County Galway with Garda vetting procedures, child protection requirements and issues, leadership training and other issues which are vital to the operation of youth facilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18072/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 549 and 559 together.
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted support for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young People's Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes such as the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. In addition, some 31 national and major regional youth work organisations, including Youth Work Ireland, are supported under my Department's Youth Service Grant Scheme. The funding schemes support national and local youth work provision to some 380,000 young people and involve approximately, 1,400 youth work staff in 477 projects and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country. In 2014, current funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
My Department, along with all government departments, is required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure (CRE). My Department, in determining the annual allocations for youth programmes, while having regard to the CRE, has sought to ensure that, as far as is possible, the focus is maintained on the front line youth services particularly those for the most vulnerable young people. This year, I secured an additional €1m in the 2014 Budget to offset the impact of the CRE on the youth services. As a result the overall reduction in 2014 budgets for the youth services at 3.75 % was significantly less had been indicated in the CRE.
In 2014, funding of €124,626 has been allocated for three projects under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme operated by Youth Work Ireland, Galway. Funding of €47,163 has also been allocated in 2014 for a Youth Information Centre in Ballinalsoe. The projects provide a range of quality services for young people in the area including activities such as recreational group work, youth clubs, in-school-anti-bullying initiatives, Summer camps, transition from primary to secondary school programmes and programmes to promote confidence and self-esteem in young people. The allocations provided in 2014 represent a reduction of 3.75% over the allocation provided in 2013 for the services.
In addition, I understand that Youth Work Ireland is providing an amount of €65,593 to Youth Work Ireland, Galway in 2014 to support the delivery of youth work services at regional level. This funding is being provided from the annual grant-aid Youth Work Ireland receives from my Department under the Youth Service Grant Scheme.
The funding provided under the schemes administered by my Department is intended to support the provision of services to young people by the voluntary youth sector and the operational arrangements for local services including the assignment of staff are matters for the organisations themselves.
I am aware of the challenges that the budgetary constraints raise for the youth services throughout the country and its impact on services such as Youth Work Ireland, Galway. I, and officials of my Department have met and will continue to meet with many youth organisations and groups to try and see how we can work together to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the resources available in order to continue to support the provision of quality and responsive youth services for young people.
550. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the average cost of child care in Dublin; the average cost of child care across the State; and the number of child care places in Dublin as a percentage of the number of children. [17560/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraBased on the response to a survey of childcare providers carried out by Pobal in 2012 the average weekly cost of a full-time childcare place across the State is €167 with the average weekly cost for a full-time place for a child less than 1 year being €174. While the survey does not specifically compare the cost of childcare in Dublin it does make a comparison between costs in urban and rural facilities. This comparison shows that the average full-time weekly cost in urban settings is €177.50 with the weekly cost in rural setting being some 13% less at €158.
The Government does support parents with the cost of childcare with approximately €260 million being allocated annually to provide for three childcare support programmes which are implemented by my Department. More that 100,000 children benefit each year from this investment.
The number of childcare places in Dublin is not collated and is not available to my Department.
551. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of assessments that have been completed by the Health Service Executive and any other bodies for the purposes of inter-country adoption from 2000 to 2013; if she will provide a breakdown of the figures for each year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17653/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the issues raised are a matter for the Child and Family Agency I have asked the Agency to reply directly to the Deputy.
552. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the sending countries, with associated numbers, for pre-Hague declaration inter-country adoptions into Ireland since November 2010; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17654/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Adoption Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
553. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the staffing numbers of the Adoption Authority since its inception, showing the increase or decrease in staff numbers since the authority was founded; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17655/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Adoption Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
554. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to extend the lifetime of post-Hague declarations of eligibility and suitability for the purposes of inter-country adoption in view of the lengthy delays inherent in the process due to lack of countries from which Irish applicants may process an adoption; if she has had any discussions with the Adoption Authority in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17656/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe expiration of declarations is covered under Section 41 (1) of the Adoption Act, 2010. The section provides that a declaration of eligibility and suitability expires after 24 months from the date of issuance of the declaration or after a further period of not more than 12 months that the Adoption Authority may specify. I understand that at the time of drafting of the legislation it was felt that this provided an adequate period following the initial assessment of applicants to complete an adoption. Given the changing landscape of intercountry adoption, this may no longer be the case.
I am currently examining a number of proposals in relation to amendments to the Adoption Act, 2010. I intend to bring forward any changes to the legislation in conjunction with the draft Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2013, which I propose to bring before the Oireachtas in the coming months. However, any change to the length of validity of a declaration must be weighed up against the necessity to ensure that an applicant's current situation in relation to their suitability to adopt is taken in to account in the adoption process.
555. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the length of time currently taken for the Adoption Authority to issue a declaration of eligibility and suitability from the time it receives the required documentation from the local adoption committee. [17657/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the Adoption Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
556. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 18 of 13 February 2013, if she will make available a copy of the report of the national director for children and family services on the after-care provision referred to. [17747/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI will arrange for my officials to forward a copy of this report to the Deputy.
557. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the full extent of allocations for youth services in 2013 paid out in County Longford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17996/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme under which funding is provided to support 31 national and major regional youth organisations. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund, Rounds 1 and 2, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres. In 2014, current funding of €49.78m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
Longford/Westmeath Education and Training Board (ETB) is one of a number of bodies (in the main these are the ETBs) that administer funding on behalf of my Department. In 2013, funding of €77,559 was provided to the ETB for the Co. Longford Youth Services Project under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. In addition, funding of €12,600 was made available to Longford Youth Services from Involve, formerly the National Association of Travellers’ Centres.
Under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme small grants are made available to youth clubs to support local level activities. In 2013, funding of €8,733 was made available for the support of local youth clubs in Co. Longford.
558. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide capital funding for community and not-for-profit child care services which have not availed of grant assistance to date; the timescale for the introduction of such a scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18068/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Years Capital Programme 2014, which I recently announced, provides €2.5 million for maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit childcare services. The closing date for applications for grants under the programmes, which will be administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, is the 7th May 2014. Full details of the programme is available on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie.
In addition to this funding, €0.25 million each is being provided to support the Parent and Toddler initiative and Childminding Development Grant scheme and is being administered by the City and County Childcare Committees.
The objective of Early Years Capital 2014 is to ensure that previously funded community facilities remain fit-for-purpose, maintain and improve quality, and to make community service more efficient and sustainable through improving the energy rating of these facilities.
Many community childcare facilities were built with large State investment under the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP) and the National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP). However, many are now over ten years old, and significant issues are emerging in terms of repair, maintenance and upgrade which must now be addressed, to ensure that quality childcare services can continue to be provided. The priority is to ensure that the considerable investment made by the State in this sector is protected so that the services on which so many people are dependent can be maintained.
As I indicated when announcing this year’s funding, I hope to be in a position later this year to make a further announcement regarding capital funding for 2015.
560. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his views on concerns expressed by US business organisations that standardised packaging could impact on US investment here (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17447/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, I received Government approval on 19th November 2013 to proceed with drafting the Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Bill 2013. Standardised packaging, also known as plain or generic packaging, means that all forms of branding – trademarks, logos, colours and graphics – would be removed from retail tobacco packaging, except for the brand and variant names, which would be presented in a uniform typeface for all brands on the market. All packs would be in a plain neutral colour, except for the mandatory health warnings and the tax stamp. The objective is to make all tobacco packs look less attractive to consumers and to make health warnings more prominent.
I assume that the Deputy’s question is in relation to the assertion, referred to in the article, that standardised packaging for tobacco products may affect intellectual property (IP) rights. I must assure the Deputy that Ireland has a robust legal framework in place to protect IP, a fact that is well recognised globally. This Government continues to focus on ensuring that Ireland’s intellectual property regime compares favourably with best international practice. In particular, actions arising from the Action Plan for Jobs target enhancements to Ireland’s IP regime to ensure that the regime allows for innovation which in turn contributes to job creation. The intention is to further reinforce Ireland’s reputation as a country where strong IP rights play a crucial role and strengthen Ireland’s already established reputation as a good place in which to do business.
561. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the provisions in place to aid disabled drivers and passengers who are not in a position to afford a vehicle that has been specially constructed or adapted for use by a disabled person and thus cannot avail of the benefits afforded to those under the disabled drivers and passengers scheme. [17591/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Concession Scheme is operated by the Revenue Commissioners. The scheme provides a range of tax reliefs linked to the purchase and use of vehicles by disabled drivers and disabled passengers in Ireland.
There is no scheme which would provide finance to a person with a disability to purchase a car/vehicle where the individual cannot afford to purchase a car/vehicle as outlined by the Deputy.
There have been major developments in recent years in both Government policy and services for people with disabilities. The thrust of Government policy has been to improve accessibility to mainstream services for people with a disability through the removal of barriers and the provision of equal opportunities rather than to provide specialised, segregated services. The Department of Transport’s Sectoral Plan published under the Disability Act promotes the principle of mainstreaming by requiring accessibility to be an integral element of the public transport services. There are a number of Government Departments, State agencies, voluntary and community groups and transport operators (both public and private) involved in a range of aspects of transport policy, provision and funding. Significant improvements have already taken place in the accessibility of public transport and the Department of Social Protection provides for free public transport for people with disabilities and a companion.
In November 2013, the Government decided that the detailed preparatory work required for a new travel support payment and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department of Health is working to progress this matter and will draw on the work, last year, of the Review Group on Transport Supports for People with Disabilities and the Inter-Departmental Group tasked by Government to consider this matter. Work is under way on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme.
The Mobility Allowance payment continues to be made to recipients of the allowance prior to it being closed last year. Those individuals continue to receive the same payment on a monthly basis, as before.
562. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure compliance with EU Regulation No. 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers regarding food ingredient allergens; if new rules to enhance the labelling requirements will be in place prior to the December 2016 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18009/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra563. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Health if, in the context of consumer rights, he will confirm if his Department is playing a role in the introduction of regulation 1169/2011 of the EU regarding new, enhanced requirements on the provision of allergen information on food products to consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18010/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 562 and 563 together.
EU Regulation 1169/2011 will provide a high level of consumer protection in relation to food and will assist consumers to make more informed decisions and healthier choices. My Department is leading on the implementation of the Regulation and the necessary legislation is currently being drafted. Consultations will take place with other Departments, including the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation as necessary.
The Regulation provides significant improvements in relation to allergen labelling legislation across the EU, particularly in the case of non-prepacked foods. In accordance with Article 54 of the Regulation, the majority of the new labelling measures, including those in relation to allergen labelling, will be introduced into Irish law on 13 December 2014. The requirements in relation to a nutrition declaration will take effect from 13 December 2016.
564. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form for 2011, 2012, 2013 and for Q1 2014, for each ambulance base in County Donegal, the percentage of ECHO calls reached by a first responder in under eight minutes; the percentage of DELTA calls reached by a first responder in under eight minutes; the percentage of ECHO calls reached by a patient-carrying vehicle in under 19 minutes; the percentage of DELTA calls reached by a patient-carrying vehicle in under 19 minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17266/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra565. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form for 2011, 2012, 2013 and for Q1 2014, for County Donegal together with the combined national figures, the percentage of ECHO calls reached by a first responder in under eight minutes; the percentage of DELTA calls reached by a first responder in under eight minutes; the percentage of ECHO calls reached by a patient-carrying vehicle in under 19 minutes; the percentage of DELTA calls reached by a patient-carrying vehicle in under 19 minutes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17267/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra566. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health if he will provide in tabular form for 2011, 2012, 2013 and Q1 2014, for each ambulance base in County Donegal, the number of times an ambulance left its own base, original base, to attend a call outside its base, other base, together with the name of the other ambulance base where it had to attend the call; the reason there was no ambulance on duty in the other base; the status of the call it responded to, that is, ECHO or DELTA; the length of time it took to reach the patient; if there was another ambulance on duty in the original ambulance base while they attended the call in the other ambulance base catchment area; if any other calls came through to the original ambulance base while the ambulance was on duty in the catchment area of another ambulance base; if there was no additional ambulance on duty in the original ambulance base and a call came through, the way that call was responded to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17310/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 564 to 566, inclusive, together.
In relation to the detailed queries raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to him directly.
