Martin Ferris
Ceist:120. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the savings from Garda Síochána station closures in the Kerry division since January 2011. [34880/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraGarda Station Closures
Ceisteanna (120)
Freagraí scríofa
The Garda District and Station Rationalisation Programme was implemented in An Garda Síochána during 2012 and 2013. The primary objective of the Programme was to identify opportunities to introduce strategic reforms to enhance service delivery, increase efficiency and streamline practices within the organisation. In its review of the Garda Station Network which informed the Programme, Garda management concluded in relation to certain stations that Garda resources could be better deployed and more effectively used on the front line if those stations no longer had to be staffed and maintained. In reaching these conclusions, Garda management reviewed all aspects of An Garda Síochána's policing model, including the deployment of personnel, the utilisation of modern technologies and the overall operation of Garda stations.
As part of the Programme, there were a total of twelve station closures in the Kerry Division in 2012 and 2013. There were no station closures during 2011. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the total estimated direct savings since 2011 on utilities and maintenance as a result of the closure of these stations is €108,000. This does not, of course, represent the full value of the Programme. The closures have allowed front line Garda to be managed and deployed with greater mobility, greater flexibility, and in a more focused fashion particularly with regard to various targeted police operations.
I am further informed that local Garda management closely monitors the allocation of all resources in the context of crime trends, policing needs and other operational strategies, to ensure optimum use is made of Garda resources, and the best possible Garda service is provided to the public.
Garda Operations
Ceisteanna (121)
Seán Kyne
Ceist:121. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the procedures within An Garda Síochána for handling and transporting blasting gelignite; if An Garda Síochána is routinely available to police blasting procedures, or if the blasting procedures are fraught with delays; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34882/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, an Garda Síochána is involved in the security and protection of explosives (which could include gelignite type explosives) while they are being transported, stored and/or utilised. An Garda Síochána do not however, as a matter of policy and security, disclose the nature of the procedures in place in this regard.
Visa Applications
Ceisteanna (122)
Ciaran Lynch
Ceist:122. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider whether or not an injustice has occurred in the case of an application for a visa by a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34911/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that correspondence has issued to the person concerned seeking clarification with regard to their educational qualifications in order to establish whether or not the person meets the qualifying criteria in order to be granted the particular immigration permission sought.
On receipt of the information requested the person's application will be fully considered.
Departmental Staff Relocation
Ceisteanna (123)
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:123. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the total number of staff under the remit of her Department that have applied to be transferred to Department or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35298/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Human Resources Division of my Department manage a very substantial number of requests for staff transfers both across my Department and other Civil Service Departments and Offices each year. There are a range of different reasons for such a transfer request, one of which is based on geographic location. In such instances staff can submit a formal request to Human Resources Division for a transfer to a specific location. This request is then forwarded to all Civil Service Departments with offices in that location. It is then the responsibility of that Department to administer their transfer list and consider candidates as and when suitable vacancies arise.
Due to the large variation in the range and circumstances of staff transfers each year, it is not possible to readily isolate the numbers and breakdown sought by the Deputy in respect of transfers requests to Department or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region and attempting to retrieve this information would involve a disproportionate dedication of staff resources.
I wish to advise the Deputy that where possible my Department will facilitate such transfer requests however the priority will always be to maintain a balanced and appropriate level of staff resources in priority areas and to match people with the most relevant skills to the requirements of posts.
Housing Provision
Ceisteanna (124)
Niall Collins
Ceist:124. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he is aware of the serious concerns in the Tallaght region of Dublin 24 regarding the imminent closure of the Cuan Álainn refuge for women and families which has operated in the area since 2012; his views on a statement by Respond Housing Agency that this closure is due to the lack of Government funding; the action he will take to intervene in the crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Cuan Álainn centre provides accommodation for women and children who may have been in emergency accommodation provided by domestic violence refuges. I understand that the Centre was established independently of the State. It opened in 2012 and has been funded by Respond Housing Association.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency allocates available funding for domestic violence to emergency refuge accommodation services and community-based domestic violence supports.
I am advised that the Cuan Álainn facility does not operate as a front line emergency domestic violence service, rather it provides 'step down' or 'transitional' accommodation to support a transition into a permanent settled home. This can include survivors of domestic violence who are transitioning from emergency services to a new, permanent home.
Officials from my Department and Tusla recently met with Respond, at the housing association’s request, to discuss the situation in Cuan Álainn. The Department sought additional information from Respond, including information in relation to the housing association's financial well being. The most recent information provided indicates that Respond, which is made up of two companies, remains in good financial health.
I hope that the matter can be satisfactorily resolved, by allowing sufficient time for all avenues to be explored by the relevant parties. This will need to include discussion with other parties, including the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government as it would appear that these families have pressing housing needs.
Counselling Services Provision
Ceisteanna (125)
Joe Carey
Ceist:125. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide the necessary funding to re-establish the scheme of grants for marriage, child and bereavement counselling services, as previously administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34823/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is tasked with improving outcomes and well-being for children and young people. In this regard, Tusla must ensure that it makes the most efficient use of its resources in a way that is efficient, equitable, proportionate and sustainable.
In the context of resources available, a decision was taken by Tusla to direct its budget towards services which are best aligned to those outcomes prioritised in the Agency’s corporate plan. In this regard, it was necessary to effect some savings under the Scheme referred to by the Deputy.
I appreciate the decision creates a challenge for the organisations concerned.
While my Department is not in a position, at this time, to identify a new funding stream for these organisations, the position will be kept under close review.
Departmental Staff Relocation
Ceisteanna (126)
Seamus Kirk
Ceist:126. Deputy Seamus Kirk asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form the total number of staff under the remit of his Department that have applied to be transferred to Department or State agency offices located outside the Dublin region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35291/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
While my Department does not operate a transfer list, two members of staff have expressed an interest to the Department in a transfer to a location outside of the Dublin region.
The information requested in respect of the agencies under my aegis is not normally held in my Department and I have asked my officials to arrange for the Child and Family Agency, The Adoption Authority of Ireland, The Ombudsman for Children's Office and the Children Detention Schools to supply this information directly to the Deputy.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (127)
Finian McGrath
Ceist:127. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health the position regarding support for a family with a young child with autism under the early childhood care and education scheme (details supplied) in Dublin 5; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34934/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, provides for a free pre-school year to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. The objective of this scheme is to support early learning in a formal setting in advance of starting school. I understand that certain flexibilities are built into the scheme in an effort to accommodate children with special needs, such as an overage exemption, or waiver, for children with special needs who do not meet the age criteria and the option to avail of the free pre-school year over two years.
The Health Service Executive has no statutory obligation to provide assistant supports for children with special needs wishing to avail of the free pre-school year. However, the HSE does work at local level and in partnership with the relevant disability service providers to address individual needs as they arise. This is done, for example, by funding special pre-schools that cater specifically for children with disabilities. In some limited cases at local level, disability services have also facilitated children with a disability to attend mainstream pre-schools by providing assistant supports where possible and where resources are available. The provision of such pre-school assistant supports should not be confused with Special Needs Assistants who are funded by the Department of Education and Skills to support children with special educational needs in primary and post-primary school settings.
The Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures children and young people's policy framework that has been developed by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs contains a commitment to develop a plan for the inclusion of children with a disability in mainstream pre-school and early years settings. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has lead responsibility for the implementation of this commitment and has recently concluded an intensive process of deliberation and consultation on the matter in conjunction with my Department and the Department of Education and Skills. Work is ongoing to develop an appropriate model of supports to facilitate the full participation of children with special needs in the ECCE Programme.
Within this context, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the individual case he has highlighted. 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.