Written Answers Nos. 344-365
344. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of hours the library in each prison is scheduled to open each week; the percentage of scheduled opening times the libraries were actually open during 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45297/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table. The libraries for Arbour Hill, Dóchas, Mountjoy, Wheatfield East Wing and the Training Unit are open as the demand requires.
|
Library |
Scheduled Opening Hours (per week) |
% hours open January - December 2014 |
|
Arbour Hill |
On demand |
As required |
|
Castlerea |
28.75 |
100 |
|
Cloverhill |
35.5 |
34 |
|
Cork |
31.5 |
64 |
|
Dóchas |
On demand |
As required |
|
Limerick |
21.25 |
85 |
|
Loughan House |
6 |
95 |
|
Midlands |
21 |
96 |
|
Mountjoy |
On demand |
As required |
|
Portlaoise C Block |
49 |
93 |
|
Portlaoise E Block |
49 |
93 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
11 |
99 |
|
St Patrick’s Institution/Mountjoy West |
Library reopened in August 2014 and is scheduled to open for 14 hrs per week |
100 |
|
Training Unit |
On demand |
As required |
|
Wheatfield East Wing |
On demand |
As required |
|
Wheatfield |
16 |
68 |
Libraries in prisons are regarded by prison management as key elements in the process of normalisation and rehabilitation for prisoners. Library services in prisons are mainly provided by Local Authority library personnel deployed to prisons. In some cases, libraries are managed by prison officers or prisoners, with professional librarian oversight. While it is the case that a shortfall in staffing numbers on a particular day can impact negatively on service provision, the Irish Prison Service is actively pursuing the option of having all libraries in prisons managed by long-term, suitably trained prisoners, with professional oversight in order to maximise the service. Prisoners have been trained up and are active in supporting library services in Arbour Hill, the Midlands Prison, Training Unit, Castlerea Prison, Limerick, Portlaoise, Mountjoy, Wheatfield and the Dochas Centre. In Cork, Shelton Abbey and Loughan House prisoners assist in the running of the libraries.
345. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners actively following courses with the Open University at present, by institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45298/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra346. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners from 18 to 20 years of age actively following courses with the Open University at present, by institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45299/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra347. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners from 21 to 25 years of age actively following courses with the Open University at present, by institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45300/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 345 to 347, inclusive, together.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that the Education Unit in each of the prisons offers a broad and flexible programme of education to prisoners, ranging from basic literacy classes to Open University courses.
Education Units in prisons are involved in the development and implementation of a wide variety of courses catering for the needs and interests of prisoners. While Open University courses represent the higher end of academic achievement in prisons, the majority of courses on offer lead to certification, mainly State examinations or QQI accreditation.
With regard to Open University, there is a uniform application procedure with associated guidelines and prisoners must demonstrate the proven academic ability required to complete a third level course of study, prior to funding being approved.
The number of prisoners following a course with the Open University at the present time, in total and in each institution is set out in the following table.
|
Prison |
Number of students |
Age 18 - 20 |
Age 21 - 25 |
|
Arbour Hill |
6 |
0 |
0 |
|
Castlerea |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Cork |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Dóchas |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Loughan House |
3 |
0 |
1 |
|
Midlands |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mountjoy |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Mountjoy West |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Portlaoise |
7 |
0 |
0 |
|
Training Unit |
1 |
0 |
0 |
|
Wheatfield |
9 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
43 |
0 |
1 |
348. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners from 18 to 20 years of age who participated in the integrated sentence management scheme from 24 November 2013 to 23 November 2015, by prison, by year, in tabular form. [45301/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra349. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of prisoners from 21 to 25 years of age who participated in the integrated sentence management scheme from 24 November 2013 to 23 November 2015, by prison, by year, in tabular form. [45302/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 349 together.
I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service does not record data in relation to participation in Integrated Sentence Management in the format requested. However, I can inform the Deputy that as of 14 December 2015, 3,045 prisoners were engaged in Integrated Sentence Management. The number of prisoners for whom an Integrated Sentence Management case has been created is broken down by prison in the following table.
|
Prison |
Number of ISM Cases Created |
|
Arbour Hill |
143 |
|
Castlerea |
171 |
|
Cloverhill |
143 |
|
Cork |
209 |
|
Dóchas |
99 |
|
Limerick |
181 |
|
Loughan |
142 |
|
Midlands |
585 |
|
Mountjoy Male |
512 |
|
Portlaoise |
203 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
116 |
|
Training Unit |
118 |
|
Wheatfield |
423 |
|
Total |
3,045 |
A total of 24 dedicated Integrated Sentence Management Coordinators are operational in all prisons and open centres since March 2015. The allocation of dedicated staff in each establishment greatly enhances the effectiveness of the sentence management system and facilitates the growing numbers of prisoners participating in the process.
Newly committed prisoners with a sentence of greater than one year are eligible to take part in Integrated Sentence Management. This involves a specific orientation in the delivery of services to prisoners and an emphasis on prisoners taking greater personal responsibility for their own development through active engagement with both specialist and non-specialist services in the prisons.
Following committal the Integrated Sentence Management Coordinator conducts a First Contact Assessment. This First Contact Assessment identifies the needs of the prisoner in several areas such as accommodation, education and offending behaviour. Referrals are made on foot of this assessment to services within the prison such as Education, Work/Training and outside agencies providing an in-reach service. The various actions recommended by these services are compiled into a Personal Integration Plan. This is a plan of actions for the prisoner to complete during his/her time in prison. The Personal Integration Plan will be reviewed regularly depending on the length of the sentence. Approximately 9 months prior to the release of the prisoner, a Community Integration Plan will be developed. This sets out a plan for the prisoner to prepare for his/her release.
The end result is a prisoner centred, multi-disciplinary approach to working with prisoners with provision for initial assessment, goal setting and periodic review to measure progress. Important issues such as accommodation, income support, training or employment are addressed to help the prisoner resettle into the community on release and reduce the risk of re-offending.
Integrated Sentence Management Coordinators are also active participants in sentence planning for certain categories of prisoners serving less than one year, for example, female prisoners, prisoners who have declared their risk of homelessness on release, or prisoners participating in the Community Support Scheme. The Integrated Sentence Management process has played a key role in the success of the Community Return Scheme.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that It is intended to review the overall Integrated Sentence Management Policy in the coming year to include a review of the Integrated Sentence Management database.
350. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who were serving a sentence for the first time who are diagnosed with a mental health problem, dependent on drugs, on remand, by prison and institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45303/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra351. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons from 18 to 20 years of age in Wheatfield place of detention being held under sentence or remand under existing legislation, the number serving a sentence for the first time who are diagnosed with a mental health problem, dependent on drugs or on remand among this age cohort, by prison; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45304/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons from 21 to 25 years who are serving a sentence for the first time who were diagnosed with a mental health problem, dependant on drug misuse, on remand or by institution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45305/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 350 to 352, inclusive, together.
I can advise the Deputy that the Irish Prison Service do not record data in the format requested in the question however, I can inform the Deputy that all persons in custody have access to primary healthcare services, including mental health and addiction services, which are equivalent to those available to citizens in the general community who are entitled to GMS services.
Any person who is diagnosed with a mental health problem and/or an addiction issue is, subject to their agreement to engage with the prison healthcare services, provided with the relevant mental health and addiction services, and the appropriate care and treatment while in custody.
354. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his views that in 2014 there were 16,464 incidents of domestic violence against women disclosed to Women's Aid direct services, involving 10,653 incidents of emotional abuse, 2,470 incidents of physical abuse and 1,746 instances of financial abuse disclosed, as well as 595 incidents of sexual abuse and 176 rapes; the action he will take to publicise this information and raise awareness regarding the need for action to be taken by adequately supporting Women's Aid, which continues to rely on private funding as a key source of keeping its services open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45399/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for the provision of domestic, sexual violence and gender-based violence services. The Agency’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims are met in the best way possible. Accordingly, in 2015, a dedicated national budget of €19.5m has been directed towards protecting front-line services for survivors.
Women's Aid receives a significant level of State funding. In 2015, Tusla has allocated funding of €645,000 to Women’s Aid to maintain current frontline service provision, including the development of the Women’s Aid national domestic violence helpline. Women’s Aid has also received funding from other government sources for services. This includes €158,000 over a two year period from the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government; in 2015, the Department of Justice and Equality provided €55,000 via the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (Cosc) and €78,000 via the Victims of Crime Office. Each year, Women's Aid publishes an annual report which is publicly available on its website.
As the Deputy will be aware, I announced a significant increase in the overall funding allocation to Tusla for 2016. Tusla will have available to it some €676 million in funding, representing an increase of €38 million over 2015. The 2016 allocation includes funding of €200,000 to implement the Istanbul Convention on violence against women and domestic violence.
The increase in funding will significantly strengthen Tusla's base funding level and also gives the Agency greater capacity to respond to current risk and anticipated demand in 2016.
The precise level of funding to be provided to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services is being considered by Tusla in developing its Business Plan for 2016, which will be sent to me shortly, for consideration.
Tusla recognises the valuable work of Women’s Aid, and other organisations providing services in the area of domestic and sexual violence and is committed to the development of these services in line with its statutory remit. In planning for the future provision and development of services, Tusla is committed to continuing to work in partnership with Women’s Aid and the wider domestic violence services sector into the future to address identified gaps in service provision, eliminate duplication where it exists and to ensure the provision of equitable services.
355. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if safety at the national children's detention facility in Oberstown is deteriorating for staff and residents; the number of notifiable incidents recorded in the past 12 months; the number of assault and injury days used in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44872/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe children detention schools aim to provide safe and secure custody for children to the greatest extent possible, thanks to the ongoing efforts of management and staff working together. I have previously underlined that any and all incidents resulting in assault and injury to staff or young people are to be condemned and there is no “acceptable” level of assault or injury in a children detention school. Unfortunately, the risk of injury cannot be excluded completely, given the nature of a children detention school. The trend of incidents in this area, the level of supports available and the lessons learned from each incident are kept under ongoing review by campus management. This is done as part of the normal operational management on the campus on a weekly basis. It is also linked to the issue of ongoing training and development and ensuring that appropriate staffing levels are in place.
A notifiable incident policy is in place on the Oberstown campus and this can be viewed on the website of the Irish Youth Justice Service at www.iyjs.ie. I am arranging for a copy of the policy to be forwarded to the Deputy.
The policy sets out 3 categories of notifiable incident, as follows:
- Grade 1 - this is the most serious situation requiring emergency action and immediate reporting to the Director, my Department and any other emergency contacts at any time of the day or night.
- Grade 2 - this is a critical incident which requires immediate reporting to the Director and immediate reporting to my Department between the hours of 8 a.m. and midnight. The Director will make the decision if additional emergency contacts need to be informed.
- Grade 3 - these incidents are the lowest grade of situations dealt with under this grading scale. Whilst still being significant, such incidents should not involve the emergency services; should not involve any serious injuries and should not involve any serious property damage.
I am advised that over the 12 month period from 1 December 2014 to 30 November 2015, there were a total of 102 incidents reported under the notifiable incident policy. Of these, there was 1 incident reported under grade 1, 46 incidents reported under grade 2 and 55 incidents reported under grade 3.
Over the same period, there were a total of 3005 employee days used across 65 individual employees under the assault and injury policy which is currently in place.
356. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the ground rents he or agencies under the remit of his Department has paid and will pay, by named property, by name of landlord and by amount payable, in 2015 and in 2016 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45050/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no ground rents payable by my Department. In relation to the three agencies under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs (Tusla, the Adoption Authority of Ireland and the Office of the Ombudsman for Children) I have referred your query to each for direct reply.
357. Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 341 of 8 December 2015, if he will ensure that the adoption information and tracing bill is brought before Dáil Éireann before the end of this Government, as he did not reply to that aspect of the parliamentary question; his views on the unacceptable nature of the delay that this legislation has encountered within his Department; if he will initiate an inquiry into the matter to rule out the possibility of any administrative bias against adopted persons within the process, given the extraordinarily slow rate of progress since this Bill was first proposed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45087/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government approved the publication of the Heads and General Scheme of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2015 last July. The Bill is intended to facilitate access to adoption information and operates on the basis of a presumption in favour of disclosing information in so far as is legally and constitutionally possible. The Bill will, for the first time, provide a statutory basis for the provision of information related to both past and future adoptions. It will provide clarity around the information that can be provided and the circumstances in which it can be provided.
I referred the Bill to the Joint Oireachtas Committee for Health and Children for pre legislative scrutiny and the Committee published their Report recently. My Department examined the recommendations of the Committee, and I met with officials to discuss the Report last week. I have agreed revised proposals on which legal advice will be sought. I hope, subject to this advice, to submit revised proposals to Government in January and to seek Government approval to draft a Bill as a matter of urgency.
I am currently progressing significant improvements in the Irish adoption legislation which stem from the Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012 incorporating amendments required to the Adoption Act 2010 arising from the Children's Referendum. The Bill is being amended to provide for step parent adoption and other amendments required on foot of the Child and Family Relations Bill.
358. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if and when, required counselling through Kildare youth services will be facilitated for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who requires the support due to ongoing health concerns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45131/15]
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. 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 2016, funding of €51m has been provided to my Department for these schemes.
An amount of €488,200 was allocated, in 2015, for the projects and services under Kildare Youth Services, which operates under Youth Work Ireland. My Department provides funding to Kildare Youth Services for programmes under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme in respect of six local youth projects in Athy, Naas, Leixlip, Newbridge, the Curragh and Kildare town and a Youth Information Centre in Naas.
I am aware that Kildare Youth Services provides a range of additional services to meet young people's needs. These include specific supports for children and young people, which are funded by a number of statutory agencies. I am making further enquiries about the matter which the Deputy has raised and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.
359. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Number 368 of 1 December 2015, his views on correspondence (details supplied) in relation to the early childhood care and education scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45357/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 to provide for one free pre-school year for children before they commenced primary school. Children aged between 3 year and 2 months and 4 years and 7 months in the relevant year qualified for the free provision. Those children qualifying for free pre-school in the 2015/2016 programme year were born between 2 February 2011 and 30 June 2012. Children born after 30 June 2012 will qualify for free pre-school in the 2016/17 programme year (i.e. from September 2016). This eligibility criteria remains in place until the introduction of the expanded programme at the commencement of the 2016/2017 programme year.
The expanded ECCE programme set new parameters to the eligibility age range for children availing of the programme from September 2016, with children born between 1 January 2012 and 31 August 2013 qualifying at that date. From September 2016, children will be eligible to avail of the programme from the first enrolment opportunity after they reach 3 years of age. These children can remain in the programme until they make the transition to primary school (once the child is not older than 5½ years at the end of the relevant programme year i.e. end June).
The cohort of approximately 36,000 children born in the second half of 2012 referred to by the Deputy could only have availed of increased free pre-school provision if it was possible to introduce the expanded programme from January 2016. While it is recognised that there may be some pre-school services in a position to meet the increased demand and accommodate individual enrolments from this cohort from this date, there is clear evidence to suggest that there would not be sufficient capacity in the early years sector to accommodate all 36,000 children in this cohort.
360. Deputy Joe Costello asked the Minister for Health the mental health services available for children and young persons, particularly those with special education needs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45163/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within the next 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
361. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the level of child psychology services available in west Cork, if a second child psychologist is required, when will one be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45254/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply. If you have not received a reply within the next 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
362. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Offaly will receive an appointment for the Midland Regional Hospital in Tullamore, County Offaly. [44681/15]
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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, 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.
363. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of speech and language therapists and occupational therapists employed in the Health Service Executive disability sector from 2010 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44683/15]
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 HSE 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.
364. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting assessment for speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, by length of time waiting, and the number of persons who having been assessed are awaiting treatment, by length of time waiting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44687/15]
Amharc ar fhreagra365. Deputy Colm Keaveney asked the Minister for Health the number of persons awaiting assessment for speech and language therapy and for occupational therapy, by county, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44691/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 364 and 365 together.
As these are service matters, they have been 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.
