Written Answers Nos. 151-163
151. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the examination of an application for naturalisation by a person (details supplied) in Dublin 15; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41074/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is at an advanced stage of processing and the case will be submitted to me for decision shortly.
As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. While most cases are now generally processed within six months, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
The Deputy may wish to note that queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to INIS by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been established specifically for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
152. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an application for refugee status and residency by a person (details supplied) in County Laois will be reappraised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41079/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraIf the person whose details were supplied has made an application for asylum or subsidiary protection in the State, the Deputy will be aware that it is not the practice to comment on such applications until they have fully completed the protection process. This is in accordance with section 19(1) of the Refugee Act 1996 (as amended) which provides for the protection of the identity of protection applicants.
153. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality for details of all instances from 1 January 2000 to 2015 to date where legislation introduced by her or on her behalf, which is enacted and still in force, contains a provision amending the Data Protection Acts to allow for the transfer of personal or other data collected, retained and processed by the State for a particular purpose towards another specific purpose, in tabular form; the financial cost of creating and administering such databases, in tabular form; the projected financial cost for databases not yet complete; the specific legislative provision which enabled such data transfers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41141/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can inform the Deputy that, since the current Government took office on 9 March 2011, there is no legislation still in force, introduced or enacted by my Department, that contains a provision amending the Data Protection Acts.
154. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to review the cost structures which apply to texts in relation to community alert text schemes, which are a considerable cost to communities which are playing a crucial role in preventing and in detecting crime, particularly in rural communities; and if in the context of correspondence (details supplied), if she will consider providing funding to these schemes. [41145/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe position is that for many years my Department has supported community crime prevention by provided funding for the Community Alert programme, which is operated by Muintir na Tíre in partnership with the Garda authorities, and which supports over 1,400 local groups including many Text Alert schemes. There are now in excess of 700 local Text Alert schemes operating and guidelines for establishing and operating a Community Text Alert Service have been published and are available on the Garda Website www.garda.ie and information and advice on establishing such a scheme is available from local Community Gardaí.
I am pleased to say that I have secured €397,000 for the crime prevention initiatives supported directly by my Department in 2016, including Community Alert, and my Department is in the process of engaging with Community Alert in relation to how these increased resources will be deployed during 2016. This investment represents a doubling of funding in this area, and will complement Garda public awareness measures being implemented as part of the multi-strand approach to tackle burglary under Operation Thor.
I should advise the Deputy that neither my Department nor An Garda Síochána provide direct funding for the setting up of Text Alert Schemes, or for the operation of local Community Alert Groups generally. Instead, funding is provided in relation to the employment and associated costs of the national Community Alert programme, including the employment of regional Development Officers. The long-standing view has been that this is the best use of the resources available to my Department to support effective community crime prevention actions.
155. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new State bodies and agencies under her remit that have been established since February 2011; the number of such bodies subject to a sunset clause; the number of new public bodies currently being planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41273/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraInformation sought by the Deputy in relation to new State Bodies and Agencies under the remit of my Department, that have been established since February 2011 is set out in the table below. A sunset clause does not apply in respect of any of these bodies.
|
New State Bodies Established Since 2011 |
Date of Establishment |
|
Property Services Regulatory Authority |
3 April, 2012 |
|
Property Services Appeal Board |
24 July, 2012 |
|
Insolvency Service of Ireland |
1 March, 2013 |
|
Charities Regulatory Authority |
16 October, 2014 |
|
Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission* |
1 November 2014 |
* The IHREC replaced the Equality Authority and the Human Rights Commission which were merged to form the IHREC.
Moreover, I can advise that two new Bodies are planned:
1. Charity Appeals Tribunal
The Charities Act 2009 (on foot of which the Charities Regulatory Authority was established) also provides for the establishment of a Charity Appeals Tribunal. The Tribunal, when established, will come under the remit of my Department.
2. Policing Authority
Legislation is currently being considered by the Dáil which provides for the establishment of a Policing Authority.
156. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the positive parenting initiative, as set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter Future; if extended locations for the initiative are to be proposed; the funding provided for the initiative for 2015 and 2016; if a benchmarking and evaluation exercise on the outcomes of the initiative has been undertaken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40933/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of commitments with regard to the provision of support for parents set out in Better Outcomes, Brighter Future; the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People.
With regard to positive parenting initiatives I am informed that the Child and Family Agency continues to implement the Parenting Support Strategy which was launched in 2013. This gives a mandate for the commissioning of evidence based Parenting Support Programmes in all 17 Child and Family Agency local areas in conjunction with the Children and Young People Services Committees (CYPSC) which are led by the Agency's Area Managers. This is in keeping with the High Level Policy Statement on supporting Parents and Families launched by me earlier this year in accordance with the commitment to do so in the Policy Framework.
The Child and Family Agency funds a range of Parenting Support Programmes including those with a focus on positive parenting, parenting & toddler services, Lifestart, Springboard projects, Parentline, the Marte Meo model, lone parent services and Treoir. These are delivered through various entities including the large network of Family Resource Centres.
‘Supporting Parenting’ is a significant strand of work within the Prevention Partnership and Family Support Mainstreaming Programme within the Agency and partner organisations, which is funded by Atlantic Philanthropies. €340,000 will be available to the 17 Agency Areas in 2016-2017 to support ‘Parental Participation’ practices. Parental participation, first and foremost, is about supporting parents to participate positively in the care and education of their own children. The Agency is committed to engaging with children, parents and communities about the design, delivery and quality of its services. ‘Shaping our Parenting Support through Participation’ is the theme of the Agency's first parenting conference in a series of three conferences to take place from December 2015 through to 2017.
The Child and Family Agency has further informed me that a comprehensive revision of structures and systems is currently under way to implement a new approach to Prevention Partnership and Family Support within the Agency. This includes the appointment of senior managers for Prevention Partnership and Family Support as part of the Management Team of each Agency operational area; Child and Family Support Network Co-ordinators; and a Prevention Partnership and Family Support Steering Committee, to be a sub-group of CYPSC, where such a committee is in place.
‘Parenting24seven’ is a web based resource which is available on the Agency's website (www.tusla.ie/parenting-24-seven) and which has been developed with the support of partner organisations, most notably Childhood Development Initiative, Tallaght. Included in Parenting24seven is a video on Positive Parenting which gives parents tips on managing behaviour positively.
An extensive evaluation of the Prevention Partnership and Family Support programme of work is being undertaken by the UNESCO Child and Family Research Centre, NUI Galway. This includes collecting baseline data on parenting supports and participatory practices.
157. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for a breakdown of the 2015 and 2016 budget provided to Tusla - the Child and Family Agency; the additional supports provided to the agency on foot of its business case; the range of initiatives that will be introduced on foot of this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40934/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe total budget for Tusla in 2015 is €643 million. This is made up of €631 m in current funding and €12 m in capital funding.
In the Budget 2016 announcement I was successful in securing significant additional resources for Tusla. In 2016 Tusla will have an overall budget of some €676 m, which includes €662.4 m in current funding and €13.6 m in capital funding. This is an increase of over 5% compared to the 2015 provision.
The very significant additional provision being allocated in 2016 will ensure that the organisation, which is still in its early stages of operation, will have a strong base level of funding in order to meet known and anticipated costs arising in 2016. The increased level of funding is designed to assist Tusla in meeting identified service pressures and address areas of particular risk. This includes the full year cost of service pressures experienced in 2015. This level of provision addresses all of the key priorities identified by Tusla, and considered to be achievable in 2016. It will give rise to a substantial recruitment programme involving up to 400 additional staff in the Agency next year.
The increased capital provision will allow for a range of projects to be initiated and progressed including the development of new and improved special care facilities at Portrane and Ballydowd.
In accordance with the Agency's establishing legislation, my Department will be issuing a detailed Performance Statement to inform the preparation of Tusla's Business Plan for 2016. This Statement will set out the key priorities that I will require of Tusla in the coming year. I am very pleased that having asked Tusla for a detailed business case setting out the basis for seeking additional resources in 2016, I have been able to provide significant extra funding that will strengthen its funding base and secure the delivery of quality services.
158. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for details of all instances from 1 January 2000 to date where legislation introduced by him or on his behalf, which is enacted and still in force, contains a provision amending the Data Protection Acts to allow for the transfer of personal or other data collected, retained and processed by the State for a particular purpose towards another specific purpose, in tabular form; the financial cost of creating and administering such databases, by case; the projected financial cost for databases not yet complete; the specific legislative provision which enabled such data transfers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41132/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraNo legislation has been enacted either by or on behalf of my Department, since the establishment of the Department in June 2011, containing a provision amending the Data Protection Acts.
159. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of new State bodies and agencies under his remit that have been established since February 2011; the number of such bodies subject to a sunset clause; the number of new public bodies currenty being planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41265/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child and Family Agency is the only organisation/agency established by my Department since its establishment in June 2011 and it is not subject to a sunset clause.
The Child and Family Agency, established on 1st January 2014 under the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, has statutory responsibility for services previously provided by the National Educational Welfare Board and the Family Support Agency. In addition, the Agency has responsibility for children and family services previously delivered by the HSE together with domestic and sexual violence services, certain psychological welfare services, and preschool inspection services. The coming together under one Agency of such a range of services provides a platform for the delivery of more efficient and effective services to children and families. The remit of the Agency will contribute to the achievement of its overall vision, which is seeking to bring about greater integration of services with a focus on early intervention and community engagement.
There are no further plans to set up any new public bodies under the aegis of my Department.
160. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of defined benefit pension schemes currently listed for employees under his remit; the number that are in deficit; his plans to consolidate any of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41286/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are eight public service defined benefit schemes in operation across my Department and agencies under its remit. All schemes operate on a “pay as you go” basis and the question of deficits does not therefore arise.
Seven of the schemes are legacy schemes in that they apply only to civil or public servants employed prior to January 2013. Since January 2013, all new entrants are members of the Single Public Service Pension Scheme in accordance with the Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme and Other Provisions) Act 2012.
161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which provision is being made, or has been made, in respect of the costs associated with the hepatitis C and HIV tribunals, in respect of which legal or other costs are still outstanding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41094/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraExpenditure in 2015 to the end of October on the Hepatitis C & HIV Tribunal amounted to €13.8 m. To the end of 2014, the Tribunal had cost in excess of €1 bn, including awards, legal fees and administrative costs.
Expenditure will continue in the coming years and the amounts involved will depend on the number and timing of cases brought forward and on the outcome of those cases.
162. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive a hospital appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40913/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the Health Service Executive, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
163. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Health his plans to adjust the eligibility to the long-term illness scheme to include conditions and illnesses such as asthma, osteoporosis and cancer, given the high costs associated with these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40928/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LTI Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act, 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the LTI Scheme. The conditions covered by the LTI Scheme are as follows: Acute Leukaemia; Mental handicap; Cerebral Palsy; Mental Illness (in a person under 16); Cystic Fibrosis; Multiple Sclerosis; Diabetes Insipidus; Muscular Dystrophies; Diabetes Mellitus; Parkinsonism; Epilepsy; Phenylketonuria; Haemophilia; Spina Bifida; Hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the LTI Scheme.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €144 per calendar month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals incurring ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Under the provisions of the Health Acts, medical cards are provided to persons who are, in the opinion of the Health Service Executive (HSE), unable without undue hardship to arrange GP services for themselves and their dependants. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family.
