Written Answers Nos. 574-589
574. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons in State care who have not been allocated a social worker; the action that is being taken to ensure that all young persons who need a social worker have access to one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest figures available show that in February 2015 there were 6,393 children in the care of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Of these, nearly 93% are in foster care, either with relatives or a general foster placement. Of all children in care, over 92% (5,878) have an allocated social worker and 90% (5,739) have an up to date written care plan. This indicates that 515 children in care are without a dedicated social worker and that there were 654 who did not have an updated care plan.
The policy in place and utilised by Tusla states that all children coming into care, and those in high risk placements, have an allocated social worker. Maternity leave, vacancies and competing priorities all contribute to gaps in staffing, which can cause strain on the allocation of social workers. I would note that figures provided by Tusla for children with a written care plan only include care plans that have formally completed the review process required under the Child Care Regulations 1995. Where a review is taking place, the existing care plan remains in place.
According to Tusla policy, where a child is awaiting the allocation of a social worker, they are responded to by a duty team on a risk management basis for any change in circumstances. During this time, specific pieces of work on the child's case may be undertaken by staff working in the duty system. Also, structures are in place to regulate and inspect service provision, including the independent inspection regime of the Health Information and Quality Authority. I am satisfied that, overall, the necessary services and supports are in place to ensure the care and welfare of children in State care.
575. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a programme is available for young persons leaving State care (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAftercare is the term used to describe the planning and support put in place to meet the needs of a young person who is leaving statutory care at 18 years of age, to assist him/her in making the transition to independent living. An aftercare programme is based on an assessed need, and an aftercare worker can make arrangements for various supports, including support for accommodation, and accessing training and education. Programmes for life skills can be provided if this is one of the assessed needs of the child who is preparing to leave care.
Aftercare workers are provided both by Tusla as well as through services that are commissioned from community, voluntary and private organisations. Funding is also made available to support a person who is to remain on with their foster family as part of their aftercare plan. In other cases, funding supports are available to facilitate independent living or supported lodgings. I understand that Tusla provides age appropriate information for young people preparing to leave care, and has plans for further accessible information on diet, money management and other basic life skills.
The Government has decided to amend the legislative provisions regarding aftercare. The aim is to create a clear statement of Tusla’s duty to satisfy itself as to the child’s or young person’s need for assistance by preparing a plan that identifies those needs for aftercare supports. It is anticipated that the Aftercare Bill will be published shortly.
576. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 321 of 28 April 2015, when a reply will be received stating the number of early years inspectors currently in place; the number of these on sick leave or maternity leave; and the number of early years facilities they are covering. [20675/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the submission of your previous Parliamentary question on the 28th April, I asked Tusla to compile the information requested and to reply directly to you. I now understand that Tusla wrote to the Deputy on 18th May last enclosing the relevant information.
578. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide, in tabular form, the amount paid by his Department to Solis MMC in respect of the care of young persons in residential settings in 2014 and to date in 2015; the locations for which payments were made; the number of young persons concerned in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20708/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested the information from the Child and Family Agency and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
579. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide funding in respect of a project (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20827/15]
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. Some 30 national and major regional youth services receive funding under the Youth Services Grants Scheme. 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, Local Drugs Task Force Projects and certain other programmes including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and Youth Information Centres 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 2015, an allocation of €49.9m has been provided to my Department to support the provision of youth services.
My Department does not have available to it, funding for the summer project initiative detailed by the Deputy. The project may be eligible for funding under the Summer Project Grant Scheme operated by the City of Dublin Youth Services Board. Under the scheme, grants are awarded towards the cost of educational programmes and activities in locally organised summer projects in the Dublin City area. Further details are available from www.cdysb.ie.
580. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of public and civil servants who were recruited under the aegis of his Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21103/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department recruited six members of staff in 2014.
In relation to agencies under the aegis of the Department in 2014, the Child and Family Agency recruited 192 members of staff, the Adoption Authority of Ireland recruited 4 members of staff and the Ombudsman for Children's Office did not recruit any staff.
Information in respect of the Children Detention Schools is currently being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy at the earliest opportunity.
581. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of public and civil servants under the aegis of his Department who were seconded abroad or to another Department in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21118/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt the end of 2014, there were 10 staff seconded from my Department to the Adoption Authority of Ireland.
The information requested in respect of secondments from agencies under my Department's aegis is not normally held in my Department. My officials have requested the information from the Child and Family Agency, the Ombudsman for Children's Office, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Children Detention Schools. I have asked the agencies to forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it is to hand.
582. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of public servants under the aegis of his Department who retired in 2014; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21139/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the agencies concerned that a total of 66 public servants retired. Fifty of these were in the Child and Family Agency (Tusla) and the remaining 16 related to retirements from the Children Detention Schools.
583. Deputy Mary Mitchell O'Connor asked the Minister for Health the number of children who are receiving speech and language therapy in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20033/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the Health Service Executive. Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
584. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Health when it is proposed to take action to meet the needs of persons who previously would have benefited from the mobility allowance, but now find that this allowance is no longer available to new applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20326/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra590. Deputy Ray Butler asked the Minister for Health the mechanisms being put in place to cater for persons who formerly received the mobility allowance and for those who currently cannot avail of it; the plans that exist to introduce a new regime or when it is envisaged that such a regime will be put in place, as stipulated in December 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20931/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra708. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health the progress made to date on finalising a replacement scheme for the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant; the reasons the new scheme has yet to be announced; when the new scheme is expected to be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20508/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 584, 590 and 708 together.
Conscious of the reports of the Ombudsman regarding the legal status of the Motorised Transport Grant and Mobility Allowance Scheme, in the context of the Equal Status Acts, the Government decided to close both schemes. The Government decided that the preparatory work required for a new transport support scheme and associated statutory provisions should be progressed by the Minister for Health. The Department is seeking a solution which would best meet the aim of supporting people with severe disabilities who require additional income to contribute towards the cost of their mobility needs, while remaining within the available budget and satisfying all legal and equality concerns.
Work is ongoing on the policy proposals to be brought to Government for the drafting of primary legislation for a new scheme. Once policy proposals have been finalised and approved by Government, the time frame for the introduction of a new scheme will become clearer. The Health (Transport Supports) Bill is included in the Government's legislative programme for 2015. On foot of a Government decision, monthly payments have continued to be made by the Health Service Executive to 4,700 people who were in receipt of the Mobility Allowance at the time the scheme closed, on the basis that this would prevent hardship and, on an interim basis, alleviate stress, anxiety and uncertainty among a vulnerable group in society.
585. Deputy Tom Fleming asked the Minister for Health the current status of the carer development officers in counties Kerry, Sligo, Donegal, Longford, Westmeath and Galway; if he will ensure that these vital jobs are protected, due to the vital work they perform in identifying and supporting family carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20455/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
586. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the ways in which the development and implementation of national standards for home help services are being progressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20517/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGovernment for National Recovery, 2011-2016 commits to developing and implementing national standards for home support services which will be subject to HIQA inspection. Primary legislation and resources will be required for the introduction of a statutory regulation system for home care services. This will be considered by Government on a prioritised and phased basis as resources, legislative and planning processes allow. In the meantime the HSE is progressing a range of measures to improve Home Care provision overall, to standardise services nationally and to promote quality and safety.
587. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the needs of carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20519/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraObjective 1.1 of the National Carers Strategy is to strengthen awareness of the role and contribution of carers at national, regional and local level. An action area within that objective is to ensure that carers' needs are considered in the development of any policies that might affect them (such as the Review of Disability Policy, the National Positive Ageing Strategy, and the Children and Young People's Policy Framework 2012-2017.
The needs of those who care for people with disabilities have been taken into account in the development of the Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services and related policy documents and will continue to be taken into account during implementation of the Review’s recommendations. Consultation with stakeholders, including carers, was a key element of the development of these policy initiatives, and this will continue to be the case. For example, carers were included in recent consultations on draft interim day service standards for people with disabilities which are nearing finalisation. Families and carers are also an integral part of the consultation and planning process for the transition of people living in congregated settings to community living. The provision of respite services is a vital part of the continuum of services which the HSE provides to support the families of people with disabilities. This year 5,274 people with a disability are expected to avail of residential centre-based respite services, utilising 190,003 bed nights, and increasing use is being made of newer and more innovative forms of non-centre-based respite services.
The National Positive Ageing Strategy notes that 80% of the main caregivers to people over the age of 50 are themselves aged 50 or over and approximately 20% of these are over 65. It states that Ireland's ageing population, coupled with medical advances in relation to disability and chronic illness, will result in more older people being cared for in the community in the years ahead. Under National Goal 2 of the Strategy which is to support people as they age to maintain, improve or manage their physical and mental health and wellbeing, Objective 2.3 explicitly stresses the need to recognise and support the role of carers by implementing the National Carers' Strategy.
The vital role of carers is also explicitly acknowledged in the recently published National Dementia Strategy (2014) which states that carers are the cornerstone of care for people with dementia living in the community. Carers' needs are accordingly prioritised throughout the Strategy. Section 6 of the Strategy focuses on integrated services, supports and care for people with dementia and their carers, and a number of the priority actions relate to the supports that need to be available both to people with dementia and to their carers to enable them to continue in their caring role. These include home care packages, respite care and access to information on available services and supports. The HSE has set up a National Dementia Strategy Implementation Office to bring forward implementation of the Strategy.
The needs of young carers are recognised in the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014-2020 Better Outcomes Brighter Futures in light of the potential vulnerability of children and young people with caring responsibilities. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has recently engaged with the Carer's Association in the development of the draft National Youth Strategy.
588. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding carers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20562/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2012 National Carers’ Strategy sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers.
It sets out a vision to work towards and an ambitious set of National Goals and Objectives to guide policy development and service delivery to ensure that carers feel valued and supported to manage their caring responsibilities with confidence and are empowered to have a life of their own outside of caring.
Objective 1.1 of the Strategy is to strengthen awareness of the role and contribution of carers at national, regional and local level. An action area within that objective is to promote more proactive approaches to the identification of carers and to addressing their needs among staff and organisations that are likely to encounter individuals in caring situations (e.g. health and personal social service providers, and particularly primary care team members, community and education professionals).
Within the Community Health Organisations (CHO) arrangements for care needs assessments are made as appropriate through the multi disciplinary primary care teams, public health nursing service, multi disciplinary (hospital & community) home care committees, and local placement fora (for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme). Input from a carer as appropriate i.e. with the service user’s permission; is integral to ensure that both informal and formal care is taken into account to ensure a holistic care package is developed.
In March 2014 the HSE launched ‘The Integrated Care Guidance: A practical guide to discharge and transfer from hospital’. Within the guide there are 9 steps for effective discharge planning and transfer from hospital to community healthcare settings. These include steps which specifically outlines the involvement of the service user and carers so they can make informed decisions and choices for future care.
In parallel to the on going work with the Single Assessment Tool, the HSE working with Irish Carers organisations and interRAI have finalised a draft Carers Need Assessment questionnaire. The draft is being further refined by interRAI and it is hoped to conduct a pilot in Ireland followed by a larger international field trial. This is a significant development for the HSE and carers.
The HSE has established a cross-divisional working group to examine all of the health related actions in the Strategy and this will include actions promoting more proactive identification of carers and their role in care planning subject to the consent of the service user.
With regard to education professionals, the Department of Education & Science actively participates in and supports the National Carers Strategy and is cognisant of the needs of the broad range of needs of carers within the education system be they parents or guardians of students therein or students with caring responsibilities themselves.
A core aim of DES policy in the school system is to provide a safe supportive and vigilant environment in which pupil learning and personal development can be nurtured. The core focus in this regard is, on the one hand, the promotion of positive mental health generally and, on the other, the identification and support of those pupils with a broad range of problems relating to their behavioural, emotional and social development. Supports are delivered via curricular programmes (SPHE, PE, etc), whole school policies (anti-bullying, R.S.E., substance misuse, etc) and by direct intervention through the class teacher, guidance counsellor, pastoral care structure assisted by a range of outside agents, including those within the education community.
Engagement with carers, especially carers of pupils with special educational, social or emotional needs, by the range of educational professionals is welcomed and encouraged relating to policy formulation, consent, advice, guidance, intervention and in some situations onward referral to other services.
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government supports the Community and Voluntary Sector in its contribution to an active, democratic and pluralist society, including the role of carers and the support they provide.
The funding Scheme to Support National Organisations in the Community and Voluntary sector along with the associated Bridging Funding Scheme provides multi-annual funding to national organisations towards core costs associated with the provision of services. (Among the organisations funded through these mechanisms are The Care Alliance, Caring for Carers Ireland and The Carers Association).
The Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government also manages the Seniors Alert Scheme, which encourages community support for vulnerable older people in our communities by providing grant assistance towards the purchase and installation of personal monitored alarms to enable older persons, of limited means, to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind. The scheme is administered by more than 900 local community and voluntary groups with the support of the Department.
589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the opportunities available for carers to be involved in care planning and provision by health and personal social service providers, and particularly by the primary care team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20743/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2012 National Carers’ Strategy sets the strategic direction for future policies, services and supports provided by Government Departments and agencies for carers.
It sets out a vision to work towards an ambitious set of National Goals and Objectives to guide policy development and service delivery to ensure that carers feel valued and supported to manage their caring responsibilities.
Objective 1.2 of the Strategy is to include carers in care planning and decision making for those that they care for. An action area within that objective is to involve carers, as appropriate as partners in care planning and provision by health and personal social service providers and particularly by the primary care team.
Within the Community Health Organisations (CHO) arrangements for care needs assessments are made through the multi-disciplinary primary care teams, public health nursing service, multi-disciplinary (hospital & community) home care committees, and local placement fora (for the Nursing Homes Support Scheme) as appropriate. Input from a carer (with the service user’s permission), is integral to ensure that both informal and formal care is taken into account to ensure a holistic care package is developed.
In addition, in March 2014 the HSE launched ‘The Integrated Care Guidance: A practical guide to discharge and transfer from hospital’. Within the guide there are 9 steps for effective discharge planning and transfer from hospital to community healthcare settings. These include steps which specifically outline the involvement of the service user and carers so they can make informed decisions and choices for future care.
The HSE established a cross-divisional working group to examine and progress all of the health related actions in the Strategy, which will include the actions regarding the involvement of carers with health professionals in the development of care plans.
