Written Answers Nos. 610-623
610. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on the Health Information and Quality Authority report on the provision of child welfare services for children in direct provision centres; the steps he will take following the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21443/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) carried out an inspection of Tusla’s management of child protection and welfare referrals for children living in direct provision. The direct provision system comes under the aegis of the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), as part of the remit of the Minister for Justice and Equality.
HIQA reviewed all referrals to Tusla relating to children living in direct provision over a 12 month period. Additionally, HIQA visited four Tusla administrative service areas to review files and meet managers and social workers. The report stated that direct provision centres were present in 14 out of 17 administrative service areas. The report concluded that the quality of service being provided was mixed, with evidence of good service delivery in the majority of areas and some poor practice in the remaining areas. The report noted that good support and social work practices by Tusla staff were evident.
Tusla has accepted the recommendations from the report and is currently finalising an action plan to address comprehensively the issues raised. My Department, Tusla and RIA are committed to working together to improve child protection and welfare services for children in direct provision.
My colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, is taking steps to address issues relating to the asylum seeking process by introducing a single procedure to manage applications for protection in the International Protection Bill. Further, my Department is represented on the Working Group on the Protection Process, set up by the Minister for Justice and Equality. This Group has a particular focus on direct provision and is independently chaired by former High Court Judge Bryan McMahon. My Department has taken an active interest in the work of the Group, and has contributed developmental papers as well as commenting on child welfare and protection issues during their deliberations. The Working Group report is expected in the near future.
611. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will assist in resolving an issue (details supplied) regarding a resource centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21493/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Resource Centre referred to by the Deputy has been in receipt of funding under the Family Resource Centre Programme which is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Centre’s budget for 2015 is set at €90,453.
I am advised by Tusla that representatives met with members of the Voluntary Board of Management last December regarding the provision of funding to the Centre under the Family Resource Centre Programme. The Centre has been without a full-time Co-Ordinator since March 2013. This has impacted on the management and operation of the Centre in terms of services to children and families in the community and the continued development of the Centre in line with Tusla’s priorities.
Tusla fully recognises the need for community-based family support services serving the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare. Tusla will continue to work with the Centre and representatives from these communities to ensure that the funding currently available under the Family Resource Centre Programme is directed to a community-based service that is operating to its full potential and best supports and promotes the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families, in line with Tusla’s priorities.
In this regard, a decision has been made to establish a new Family Resource Centre based in Kenmare to serve the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare. A new legal entity will be formed. The current Voluntary Board of Management of Kenmare Community Care will be re-constituted. It will initially include community representatives from the Family Resource Centre referred to and Kenmare Community Care.
In time, it is proposed that the new Voluntary Board of Management will also include community representatives from Tahilla, Castlecove and Kilgarvan. The detail of this will be a matter for discussion and agreement under an agreed process which is being managed and facilitated by Tusla. The first meeting in this agreed process was to take place last month but was cancelled due to the unavailability of some representatives. Tusla has requested that the first meeting be rescheduled to a suitable date within the next two weeks.
Tusla has advised that the existing Family Resource Centre will continue to administer its Programme funding until the process is completed and will continue to receive Tusla funding for counselling services during the process.
612. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cé na bearta atá á ndéanamh ag a Roinn chun an pobal a chur ar an eolas faoi na seirbhísí i nGaeilge atá ar fáil ón Roinn agus ó na heagraíochtaí atá faoi choimirce na Roinne; agus an ndéanfaidh sé ráiteas ina thaobh. [21517/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI mí Dheireadh Fomhair 2013, dhaingnigh an tAire sa Roinn Ealaíon, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta scéim teanga faoi alt 14 d'Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 leis an Roinn Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Oige. Leagann an Scéim seo amach an méid ina bhfuil seirbhísí ar fáil faoi láthair trí mheán na Gaeilge, agus aithníonn sí réimsí ar féidir iad a fheabhsú sa todhchaí. Is féidir cóip den Scéim a íoslódáil ó shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne, www.dcya.gov.ie nó is féidir cóip chrua a fháil trí ríomhphost a chur chuig an Roinn. Beidh an Scéim i bhfeidhm ar feadh tréimshe trí bliana. Ag deireadh an chéad bhliain feidhme, rinne an Coimisinéir Teanga iniúchadh ar fheidhmiú na scéime. Beidh an tuairisc faireacháin ar an gcéad bhliain feidhme den Scéim le fáil uaidh go luath.
613. Deputy Gabrielle McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the long-term future for Westmeath support services against domestic abuse in Mullingar, County Westmeath; the future for its manager (details supplied); if funding will continue to be provided for this service into the long-term; the long-term plans to cater for the service-users of the services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21545/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the first time, with the establishment of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence service provision is under one body with clear national direction. There is now a single line of accountability and a consolidated national budget which is reserved for allocation to these particular services.
Tusla’s budget for the provision of domestic, sexual and gender based violence services is in excess of €19m in 2015. Tusla has undertaken a comprehensive review of these services over recent months. The purpose was to identify strategic priorities and set out a roadmap for the future delivery of sexual violence and domestic violence services.
Tusla considers, arising from the review, that there is scope for a more co-ordinated and more equitable approach to the provision of these services across the country. As part of this process Tusla has reviewed the configuration of domestic violence services in Co. Westmeath and has identified scope for some degree of re-organisation and reconstitution of services while ensuring continuity for service users. Tusla has assured me that there is no question of services in the county being reduced. Indeed I have emphasised to Tusla the importance of ensuring that front line services are protected.
Westmeath Support Services Against Domestic Abuse was in receipt of €47,146 in funding from Tusla last year. In 2015 funding of €23,572 is being allocated with services in the area to also be re-configured.
Tusla met with representatives from the organisation in question in May and a further meeting is to be held to discuss issues regarding continuity of service. I am assured by Tusla that the change in funding arrangements constitutes a re-allocation rather than a reduction in funding. Furthermore, Tusla has committed to enhancing the availability of services to women and children experiencing domestic violence in the Westmeath area.
Tulsa, in reviewing the make up of current services, is seeking to address any identified gaps in services, to avoid duplication and to support effective delivery of frontline services nationally.
614. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the bilateral agreement between Ireland and Russia on inter-country adoptions; the reason more progress is not being made on this issue; the obstacles to progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21578/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraEfforts are ongoing in my Department in relation to a bilateral agreement on intercountry adoption between Ireland and the Russian Federation. It was intended that officials visit Russia in January of this year; however, it was decided to liaise with officials in the Ministry of Education and Science in Russia to ensure that Irish proposals in regard the provision of post placement reports are acceptable to the Russian Federation before continuing the detailed negotiations.
The Irish Constitution protects the integrity of family life and once adopted in Ireland the child is treated in the same way as other Irish children. This means that the ability of the State to intervene in a family, when a child’s welfare and protection is not compromised, is limited. The Department has advised the Russian Federation of this Constitutional imperative in instances where families, who had given commitments to the Russian authorities in regard to the provision of post placement reports, fail to adhere to those commitments. In these instances the State has no legislative power to enforce compliance with the commitments given by Irish families, legal or otherwise, to provide post placement reports. It is imperative that this matter is fully addressed so as to ensure that further discussions on other aspects of the bilateral agreement are beneficial.
615. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position relating to cuts in Túsla - Child and Family Agency funding for June 2015 regarding day care (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21585/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
616. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to introduce capital funding for private childcare providers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21650/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra€18.25 million in capital funding has been allocated to childcare providers by my Department since 2012. Of this funding, €10.75 million was available to both private and community/not-for-profit childcare providers.
€7 million is being made available in 2015 under the Early Years Capital Programme 2015, with €5 million of this funding available for grants specifically for community/not for profit services. This funding will provide grant aid, in the region of €500,000, for significant upgrades of community/not-for-profit services, such as major refurbishment or relocation to new premises. Also under this strand of funding, grants of up to €50,000 will be available for essential maintenance, or works undertaken to improve the energy performance.
The remaining €2 million in capital funding is being made available for both private and community/not-for-profit childcare providers to access grants of up to €500 for quality improvement measures, specifically in the area of upgrading IT facilities. The closing date for applications was 28th May.
Capital funding of €2.5 million was provided in 2014 for maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit childcare services. The objective of this funding was to ensure that previously-funded community facilities remain fit-for-purpose, maintain and improve quality, and to make community services more efficient and sustainable through improving the energy rating of these facilities.
€2.75m was provided in Budget 2013 to support the on-going improvement of the child care sector. Both community/not-for-profit childcare facilities and private childcare facilities were eligible to apply for a grant under the Programme.
Capital funding of €6m was allocated in Budget 2012 to fund a maintenance programme for childcare facilities. The programme was open to both community not-for-profit childcare facilities and private childcare facilities. The aim of the funding was to provide support to childcare settings to address remedial, maintenance and renovation work, or to purchase equipment.
It is a requirement of all early years capital funding programmes administered by this Department that applicants must be providing services under at least one of the Department's childcare support programmes.
617. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding an application for funding for an organisation (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21756/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn recent years capital funding has been made available to my Department for the development of youth café facilities. In 2013 a capital allocation of €1.5m was made available by my Department for the provision of new youth cafes. Pobal assisted my Department with the administration of the scheme. Some 95 applications were received and 30 proposals for new youth cafes around the country were approved for funding.
I am advised that an application was received in respect of a youth café in Monasterevin from Kildare Youth Services. However, the application was unsuccessful on this occasion as it did not achieve a sufficiently high score for inclusion in the final list of projects approved for funding. An application from County Kildare Youth Hub in Kildare Town was successful and has received a capital grant of €50,000 towards the cost of developing a new youth café facility. The group is working with Pobal to complete the youth café project.
My Department does not have available to it a capital fund for the development of new youth cafés in 2015.
Youth Cafés offer young people a safe, alcohol and drug free space, for recreation, non-formal learning and youth activities and they make an important contribution to facilities for young people at local level. The development of youth café facilities is a priority for my Department should further capital funding become available in future years.
618. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will permit a resource centre (details supplied) in County Kerry to recruit a co-ordinator for its area. [21775/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Resource Centre referred to by the Deputy has been in receipt of funding under the Family Resource Centre Programme which is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Centre’s budget for 2015 is set at €90,453.
I am advised by Tusla that representatives met with members of the Voluntary Board of Management last December regarding the provision of funding to the Centre under the Family Resource Centre Programme. The Centre has been without a full-time Co-Ordinator since March 2013. This has impacted on the management and operation of the Centre in terms of services to children and families in the community and the continued development of the Centre in line with Tusla’s priorities.
Tusla fully recognises the need for community-based family support services serving the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare. Tusla will continue to work with the Centre and representatives from these communities to ensure that the funding currently available under the Family Resource Centre Programme is directed to a community-based service that is operating to its full potential and best supports and promotes the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families, in line with Tusla’s priorities.
In this regard, a decision has been made to establish a new Family Resource Centre based in Kenmare to serve the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare. A new legal entity will be formed. The current Voluntary Board of Management of Kenmare Community Care will be re-constituted. It will initially include community representatives from the Family Resource Centre referred to and Kenmare Community Care.
In time, it is proposed that the new Voluntary Board of Management will also include community representatives from Tahilla, Castlecove and Kilgarvan. The detail of this will be a matter for discussion and agreement under an agreed process which is being managed and facilitated by Tusla. The first meeting in this agreed process was to take place last month but was cancelled due to the unavailability of some representatives. Tusla has requested that the first meeting be rescheduled to a suitable date within the next two weeks.
Tusla has advised that the existing Family Resource Centre will continue to administer its Programme funding until the process is completed and will continue to receive Tusla funding for counselling services during the process.
619. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of centres authorised to deliver early childhood education and care that are operating without the required planning permission; the number of these centres that are contracted to deliver the early childhood care and education scheme on behalf of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21822/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe granting of planning permission is a matter for local authorities and my Department has no role in the planning process.
620. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on correspondence in relation to the Edenmore early education centre (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and the cuts in funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21854/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
621. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will re-instate funding to an organisation (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21879/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
622. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when he expects to respond and allocate adequate resources to deal with the immediate crisis of more than 550 children on the waiting list for social worker support under the Children First guidelines in the Kildare and west Wicklow area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21901/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the estimates process for Budget 2015 I secured gross funding of €1,027 million for my Department to deliver important reform and service developments to support children and young people next year. This includes a provision of €992 million in current expenditure and €35 million in capital expenditure, which in Vote terms, represents an overall increase of €30 million, or 3%, over the 2014 allocation.
The Estimate for 2015 contains significant additional resources to fund the services and programmes provided by Tusla - the Child and Family Agency. This amounts to €643 million, which accounts for 63% of the Vote allocation, and represents an increase of €34 million or 5% against the 2014 allocation. While I understand that this level of funding cannot address all of the challenges that the Agency faces in doing its work, I believe that the additional funding allows the Agency to alleviate the pressures on the range of services currently in place. It will also help Tusla to build on the extensive programme of reform across the range of services for children and young people, a process which is well underway. Officials in my Department continue to closely monitor the cash position of Tusla and are working on an ongoing basis to monitor its financial requirement. Any discussions regarding additional resources for Tusla will take place in the context of the Estimates process.
Tusla have advised that there were 1,425.02 whole time equivalent social workers employed at the end of April 2015 and that they are currently recruiting an additional 124 social workers to meet existing vacancies. While a zero rate of vacancies in this specialised area of work would be ideal, it is important to acknowledge that, as staffing vacancies arise for a variety of reasons, including retirements, career breaks, paid and unpaid leave (including maternity and other family related leave) and resignations, in that context there will always be gaps in timing around the filling of posts. Every effort is being made by the Agency to speed up recruitment and develop a comprehensive workforce development plan in 2015 which will assist in addressing staff turnover rates and hopefully lower them further.
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. 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.
623. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views on changing the eligibility criteria for the free preschool year in order that it can be availed of by a child aged three years; if not, the reason eligibility is restricted to children aged three years and three months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21928/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the free pre-school year provided under the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. Children qualify for the free pre-school provision when they are within the qualifying age range which is 3 years and 2 months to 4 years and 7 months in the September of the relevant year. This means, for example, that children born between 2 February 2011 and 30 June 2012 will qualify in the school year commencing in September 2015. There is currently no provision under the programme to enrol children who are below the qualifying age.
It is likely however, that this current eligibility criteria will be considered by the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment in Early Years and School-Age Care and Education, which I established in February this year. This Inter-Departmental Group, which is tasked with setting out a range of options for current and future investment, will consider options to enhance affordability, options to increase the accessibility of provision and options to build the quality of provision and support the sustainability of the early years sector. The Group is expected to submit a series of recommendations to Government in June 2015.
