Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:614. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of her Department. [11423/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Properties
Ceisteanna (614)
Freagraí scríofa
Accommodation for my Department is provided by the Office of Public Works (OPW) in buildings which are either State owned or leased by OPW on our behalf. Therefore, my Department does not directly own or rent any properties or land.
Any rents or ground rents payable by Agencies of my Department is a matter for the individual Agencies concerned for which I have no direct function. However, I have asked all Agencies to advise me of any such rental details, and I will communicate that information to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
Employment Rights
Ceisteanna (615, 620)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:615. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to update employment laws to properly regulate the employment of au pairs in line with best international practice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11445/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra
Kate O'Connell
Ceist:620. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her progress on drafting legislation to best serve au pairs and host families who enter into this cultural exchange; to formalise the arrangement in law for the benefit of all involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11748/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 615 and 620 together.
There is no separate legal definition of the term “au pair” in Irish legislation, and individuals described as “au pairs”, “nannies” or “child-minders” are not exempted or treated as separate categories of workers under Irish employment law. Ireland’s body of employment rights legislation protects all employees who are legally employed on an employer-employee basis, regardless of what title is given to them. Therefore, once it is clear that a person is working under a contract of employment (written or verbal), on a full-time or part-time basis, that person has the same protection under employment law as other employees, including entitlement to the national minimum wage.
The recent WRC decision regarding an individual working as an Au Pair does not constitute any change to existing employment law and any persons working under a contract of employment must continue to have the full protection of employment law.
All employers, including those in private homes, carry the same obligations in relation to compliance with employment law. Where the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), which is responsible for securing compliance with employment legislation, receives a complaint involving somebody described as an au pair, the WRC will investigate with a view to establishing whether a person has statutory entitlements under employment law. Complaints involving au pairs are considered on a case-by-case basis, in the light of the facts of each case.
Foreign Direct Investment
Ceisteanna (616)
Timmy Dooley
Ceist:616. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of potential foreign direct investment clients that the Industrial Development Agency Ireland has attracted to the Shannon Free Zone in County Clare in the past 12 months; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11450/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
IDA Ireland actively promotes the Shannon Free zone – along with the rest of Clare, Limerick and North Tipperary – as part of its Mid-West region. Currently there are 123 client companies of the Agency employing 14,280 staff (Annual Employment Survey 2015) across that area.
As part of the restructuring of Shannon Development in 2014, its enterprise support functions were transferred to IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland to ensure continuation of support to both foreign direct investment and indigenous enterprises in the region. Since IDA Ireland has taken over the enterprise support remit, there has been an increase of site visits year-on-year to Clare with five in 2013, nine in 2014 and 12 in 2015. For reasons of client confidentiality and commercial sensitivity, however, IDA Ireland does not provide information on the number of site visits to specific locations.
It should be noted that substantial progress has been made in securing projects for the Mid-West Region over the past 18 months. This includes a new investment by First Data in Nenagh in County Tipperary and the Uber Centre of Excellence in County Limerick.
Regional Development Initiatives
Ceisteanna (617)
Pat Deering
Ceist:617. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the advance facility project in County Carlow, given that the advance facility in County Waterford is full and that under the regional action plan for jobs and IDA Ireland's schedule, the advance facility in County Carlow was the next to be constructed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11619/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under its Strategy for 2015-2019, IDA Ireland is targeting a minimum 30%-40% increase in the number of investments for each region outside Dublin. In pursuit of this goal, the Agency regularly assesses nationwide property requirements and has already identified locations where quality building and site solutions would enhance the likelihood of securing new foreign direct investment (FDI). In February 2015, the Government unveiled a five-year strategy aimed at accelerating the jobs recovery in every part of the country. The plan includes the delivery of a €150m IDA Ireland property investment programme to attract FDI to different parts of Ireland over that period. This is targeted at ensuring the availability of an adequate supply of marketable serviced land, offices, industrial and manufacturing buildings in advance of demand by both existing and potential new client companies.
Carlow is among the locations identified by the IDA as a suitable site for an advance facility and work will begin at the location in due course.
Green Enterprise
Ceisteanna (618)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:618. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the grant assistance available to businesses wishing to avail of rain harvesting systems on their premises. [11664/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Water conservation and, more broadly, the development of the Green Economy, offers significant potential for the development of new jobs and for the development of competitive, sustainable enterprises. Indeed, many of the Regional Action Plans published to date include specific actions to support the Green Economy as a sector with potential for jobs growth within the regions.
My Department and the Agencies under its remit offer a wide suite of policies and supports to businesses across key and emerging sectors, such as the Green Economy, to assist and facilitate them at all stages of development and growth, from nascent and early stage entrepreneurs to companies of scale trading internationally.
However, my Department does not grant aid the installation of rain harvesting systems for businesses. Water conservation comes under the remit of my colleague, Mr. Simon Coveney, Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, so perhaps his Department would be in a position to provide further details.
Workplace Relations Services
Ceisteanna (619)
Mary Butler
Ceist:619. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation why County Waterford is not chosen as one of the adjudication centres for the Workplace Relations Commission; if she will relocate a centre to Waterford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11698/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
With effect from 1 October 2015, the activities of the Labour Relations Commission, the National Employment Rights Authority, the Equality Tribunal and the first instance functions of the Employment Appeals Tribunal were merged into a new Body of First Instance known as the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC). From 1st October 2015, all complaints fall to be referred to the Workplace Relations Commission in the first instance, and on appeal to the Labour Court.
The WRC’s core services include the provision of early resolution, mediation, conciliation, facilitation and advisory services, adjudication on employment and equality complaints, the monitoring of employment conditions to ensure the compliance and enforcement of employment rights legislation, the provision of information, and the processing of employment agency and protection of young persons (employment) licences.
You may recall that my predecessor previously indicated in a Workplace Relations Reform “Blueprint” document the intention to consolidate operations and hold WRC hearings in venues that have good roads and public transport links. There were previously over 70 venues used by different workplace bodies, with significant variance in relation to the costs associated with hearing venues. The intention is to have regional centres across the country.
The WRC is independent in the exercise of its quasi-judicial function and I have no direct involvement in its day to day operations.
I am informed by the WRC that they are working in conjunction with the Office of Public Works to identify offices/venues for possible use for hearing venues.
I understand from the WRC that the regional venues for hearings are not set in stone and the venues will be reviewed in light of experience, volume of claims in different locations, costs, availability of adjudicators in proximity to hearing venues etc.
Question No. 620 answered with Question No. 615.
Early Childhood Care and Education
Ceisteanna (621)
Robert Troy
Ceist:621. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she will issue a decision on applications for capital funding under the early childhood care and education scheme; if a positive decision can be made in respect of an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11208/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Capital funding of €4 million is being made available through the Early Years Capital Programme in 2016 for early years pre-school services, both private and not-for-profit/community, that are intending to expand their service to provide for more capacity in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The maximum grant available under this programme is €10,000. The closing date for applications was 8 April, 2016.
Pobal is responsible for the administration of this funding scheme on behalf of my Department. I have been advised by Pobal that an appraisal process is underway and that recommendations for approval of funding, in line with the published criteria, will be with my Department by early June. The award of funding will be based partially on evidence of current need and/or projected future demand for additional ECCE places in 2016/2017 in the catchment area of each applying service. The relevant City/County Childcare Committee will assist Pobal with demand versus supply data. Value for money is also an awarding criteria and the costs / grant requested relative to the number of ECCE places being created will be taken into account when evaluating grant applications.
I have been advised by Pobal that an application from Little Blessings Community Service has been received and that it is currently in the appraisal process.
Grant agreements will be issued to successful applicants in July 2016. The date by which a service's grant and own funds must be fully spent and reported to Pobal is 31st December 2016.
Adoption Data
Ceisteanna (622)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:622. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to request Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to establish a task force to process retrospective cases so that persons seeking information about ancestors in care will have a specific point of contact. [11270/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Adoption Act 1952 provided a legal basis for adoption in Ireland and brought order to what had been the system of ad hoc arrangements in lieu of formal adoption procedures up to this point. Prior to the introduction of the Adoption Act 1952 some children were placed in life-long family care arrangements, where a child was in the custody of a person other than his or her parent or guardian and where no adoption order was effected. These arrangements were never formalised.
Adoption information and tracing services are provided by Tusla, the Adoption Authority and a number of accredited agencies that hold adoption records. The Agencies deal with a significant number of requests for information from birth parents, adoptees, their relatives and those who were subject of informal care arrangements. Since its establishment, Tusla has been working to bring local adoption services under the management of one national service in order to provide a more consistent and streamlined approach to adoption services. An improvement plan was introduced to address the waiting list and as a result the waiting list and waiting times are reducing. I also understand that Tusla gives priority to individual cases, having regard to the particular circumstances of the case, including the age or health of the individual concerned.
The forthcoming Adoption [Information and Tracing] Bill will provide a legal basis for people to trace their origins where this is possible and it will deal with the issue of birth records and access to them. In these circumstances, I do not consider that a task force, as suggested by the Deputy, will be required.
Foster Care Policy
Ceisteanna (623)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:623. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the requirements for an Irish couple to foster a Syrian child; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11278/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection under the Child Care Act 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013. Parents may agree to their children being taken into the care of Tusla on a voluntary basis, or, Tusla may apply to the court for a care order.
Foster care (including relative foster care) is the main form of alternative care provided by Tusla for children in need of care. Fostering involves caring for someone else’s child in one’s own home, providing family life for a child or young person who cannot live with his or her own parents. All foster carers, including relatives, undergo an assessment and training process to establish their suitability and competence. It should be noted that some 93% of children in State care are in foster care. Culture, ethnicity and religious affiliation are taken into account when placing any child in foster care.
As the Deputy is aware, the Minister for Justice and Equality has primary responsibility in the area of asylum and immigration. Any child under the age of 18, which might include children from Syria, arriving at a port of entry or at the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC), and who is not in the custody of an adult, will be referred to Tusla.
Tusla has a dedicated social work team for separated children seeking asylum. The social workers carry out an immediate assessment of need and risk, and make appropriate arrangements for the accommodation, care and protection of the child in accordance with the Child Care Act 1991. Children are placed in the most appropriate placement option depending on their assessed needs. Again, the most common form of placement is with a foster family. An equity of care principle applies to separated children, which affords them the same standard of care provision as any other child in State care.
Tusla has advised me that the process for fostering a Syrian child is the same as the process for all fostering applications in Ireland. People who are interested in becoming foster carers express their interest either directly to a local fostering team or they can make enquiries on line at www.tusla.ie. Social work departments in the area follow up with them to check that they understand what fostering entails and if they remain interested in it. If so, a link social worker is assigned to them and the assessment process commences.
The issue of any proposed inter-jurisdictional transfer of a child from Syria or a third country is a separate matter. Apart from immigration requirements, the determination of whether it would be in the best interests of any child to be moved from their country of origin or habitual residence for the purposes of providing alternative care is a matter for the appropriate authorities in the country of origin or habitual residence of the child. Such transfers are rare and, in the main, are associated with relative care or guardianship arrangements if a child has been orphaned or abandoned.
City and County Child Care Committees
Ceisteanna (624)
Robert Troy
Ceist:624. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the policy on the configuration of county child care boards; if there is a requirement, in terms of governance, regarding who sits on a board; and if a board should include a community service representative and a private service representative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11283/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
33 City and County Childcare Committees (CCCs) were established in 2001 to advance the provision of childcare facilities in their local areas. They comprise local representatives from the statutory, community and voluntary sectors, childcare providers and parents. There are now 31 CCCs, as Limerick City and Limerick County CCs have amalgamated, as have Waterford City and Waterford County CCs. Each Committee has a distinct legal identity. CCCs receive funding from my Department for the operations of the Committee, allowing each one to employ staff and implement actions contained in its strategic plan, mandated by my Department to reflect national policy objectives.
The Boards of CCCs are legally autonomous and I have no role in appointing Board members. The Department, as the sponsor and primary funder of the CCCs attaches accountabilities related to standards of governance, performance, accounting and reporting to its funding; as do other associated funding or oversight organisations. Pobal acts as managing agent on behalf of the Department in relation to performance of individual CCCs. Towards this Pobal formats, appraises and monitors the local planning and implementation of activity and outcomes associated with my Department's funding; contracts, administers and verifies the funding and its use, and supports CCCs individually and collectively as Boards and as organisations to perform and develop in their function.
My Department has issued a Governance Framework for CCCs, most recently updated in 2013. This framework indicates that Board membership should, as far as possible, represent appropriate agencies, service providers, both private and community, and parents. Boards, through their membership, are required to represent and ensure appropriate expertise, representation and knowledge of early childhood care and education, as well as strong governance. Boards are also requested to ensure that their memberships are of a size and composition that supports effective governance, operation and continuity.
Guidance from my Department also indicates that membership should be determined by the contribution or influence an agency/organisation/individual can have on the planning, development, resourcing or alignment of services within the county/city. In the absence of direct representation of a key agency, constituency or attribute, liaison arrangements should be put in place to ensure that there are opportunities to source requisite knowledge, expertise or information in order to ensure timely access as may be required.
My Department is available to provide support to the Boards towards securing appropriate representation and calibre of membership.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (625)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:625. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of her Department. [11415/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs does not own any vacant State property or land holding.
Departmental Agencies Staff Data
Ceisteanna (626)
Thomas Byrne
Ceist:626. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, staff currently on leave, not including holiday or sick leave, with full or partial pay. [11492/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla informs me that the most current and complete record of paid leave refers to April 26th, 2016. On this date, a total of 123 Tusla employees were on paid leave other than holiday or sick leave.
Children and Family Services Provision
Ceisteanna (627)
Stephen Donnelly
Ceist:627. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on ensuring the provision of a comprehensive range of services for families throughout a child's life by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency; the priority she gives to this; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11566/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is firmly committed to transforming Ireland’s children and family services. The establishment in 2014 of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was a key commitment of the previous Programme for Government. It represented an essential response to reports on child protection failings, including inconsistency and fragmentation in service provision.
Tusla brings a dedicated focus to child protection, family support and other key children’s services.
The Agency is as broadly based as possible and includes services that (i) may prevent problems arising for a family in the first instance, (ii) identify problems and provide supports at an early stage, and (iii) assist children and families in managing serious problems requiring specialised intervention beyond their own resources.
The range of services includes child welfare and protection, family support, educational welfare, early years provision and pre-school inspection, domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services, and other community-based initiatives.
It is important to stress that many children and families never need to engage with Tusla. Some children and families may come into contact with the Agency for a specified purpose over a defined period of time, whereas others may require a longer term engagement with the Agency. All interactions are based on assessments of need, with a view to assisting families to function independently and for children and young people to achieve their full potential.
In 2015, my Department published a ‘High-Level Policy Statement on Supporting Parents and Families’ aimed at strengthening and growing parenting and family support as an effective prevention and early intervention measure to promote the best possible outcomes for children. The Statement, together with relevant legislative provisions, constitutes a clear policy platform under which Tusla provides family support services and is currently engaged in developing capability in the area through the Prevention, Participation and Family Support Programme which it launched in 2015.
In relation to foster care, a range of supports are in place to assist families throughout a child’s time in care, which can often extend beyond their eighteenth birthday. Aftercare planning is an important support, where the most important requirements for young people leaving care are for continuity of relationships, secure, suitable accommodation as well as further education, employment or training.
Tusla has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual or gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise.
At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic and sexual violence are being met in the best way possible. Tusla also has a key role in the implementation of Children First, and ensuring that all child protection concerns are brought to its attention without delay.
Section 41 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 provides for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to develop a Performance Framework to provide the Agency with policy guidance, direction and prioritisation parameters for the preparation of its Corporate Plan, which will in turn include the Agency’s key objectives, outputs and related strategies. This is an important function, and regular engagement takes place between my Department and Tusla in relation to its ongoing business priorities. I have already met with the Chair of the Tusla Board and the Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to active engagement with Tusla within the statutory framework, and am committed to ensuring the sufficiency of resources necessary for Tusla to achieve its many objectives.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (628)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:628. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an explanation for the recent closure of a children and young person's residential care unit (details supplied) in County Donegal; the alternative accommodation arrangements which have been provided for residents of the facility; the measures which have been put in place to guarantee the welfare and well-being of service users as part of this sudden relocation; if the aforementioned facility will reopen; if so, when this is expected to occur; if it is anticipated that all former residents will be subsequently returned to the unit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11567/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The number of young people in general residential care represents just 5% of the 6,398 children in care on the same date. Residential centres are based in domestic style houses in the community, staffed by social care workers. There are, at a minimum, two staff on duty and when needed this number is increased. There is an average of two young people per centre, although the number of children in a centre will range from one to four. Residential care is usually for older children, where their needs may not be met in a foster care placement. At the end of December 2015, there were 153 children's residential centres nationally.
The age profile of children in residential centres has risen over the last number of years, and now just over half the young people placed are aged 16 and 17 years. Some of these young people will have come into care recently, while others will have experienced the breakdown of other care placements, including foster care. In some instances the complex needs of the young person will have triggered the breakdown.
As of 29 February 2016, there were 337 children in residential general care nationally, with 188 (56%) of these in private residential placements and the remainder in centres run by the statutory and voluntary sector.
Tusla closed its children's residential centre in Co. Donegal as a result of findings from a recent HIQA inspection. Services were suspended owing to quality issues associated with the protracted absence of the substantive Centre Manager and difficulties arising replacing same with a suitably qualified and experienced candidate. It is envisaged that the facility will reopen when a Centre Manager is secured and the recruitment process to fill this vacancy has commenced.
Tusla has confirmed that the three young people were informed shortly after the decision was taken on May 10th/11th to close the Centre temporarily. Two young people were moved the following day and are settled in a suitable alternative placement. The other young person is moving to a local foster care placement. The young people are being supported through the transition by their social workers.
Decisions on the return or otherwise of former residents to the unit will be taken at the appropriate time and in the context of the social work care planning process.
Youth Services Funding
Ceisteanna (629)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:629. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to increase funding for Foróige, following reductions imposed on it over the past number of years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11700/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services by the voluntary youth sector 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. The voluntary youth sector involves approximately 1,400 paid staff, including youth workers and 40,000 volunteers working in youth work services and communities throughout the country.
I am pleased to advise the Deputy that Budget 2016 provided an additional €1.1m in current youth funding to my Department bringing the total allocation for the youth services to €51m in 2016. This additional funding will be used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services. In the main, it has allowed for a 2.5% increase in 2016 allocations.
In 2016, Foróige has been allocated €2.62m under the Youth Service Grant Scheme, an increase of €63,793 over its 2015 allocation. In relation to the youth projects that target young people that are disadvantaged, Foróige has received an allocation of €2.75m under the Special Projects for Youth scheme and €1.84m under the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund to support some 48 local youth projects. This represents an increase of €111,933 over the 2015 allocation in respect of these projects. In addition, Foróige’s Big Brother, Big Sister programme will be funded for €750,000 in 2016 under the Dormant Accounts Action Plan.
In December 2015, my Department provided Foróige with €55,000 in ‘once off’ funding to meet costs arising in the Foróige Youth Entrepreneurship Programme (NFTE) and in the Foróige Mayo Centre.
In 2016, €2.6m in capital funding has been made available to my Department to support small scale projects, including refurbishment, health and safety fit-outs and accessibility improvements in youth services. The closing date for applications was 20 May 2016. Foróige, along with any of its projects funded under the Special Projects for Youth scheme and the Young People’s Services and Facilities Fund were eligible to apply for the scheme. I hope to announce the details of the successful applicants in the coming weeks.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (630)
Clare Daly
Ceist:630. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of Irish children who have been or who are in care in other countries for whatever reason, including psychological and medical purposes, and the cost of this to the State since 2008; and why they cannot be cared for here. [11742/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection. When a child cannot live with their parents and is received into care, it is Tusla policy to place them in care settings, preferably in foster care, as close as possible to their home and community. However there are a small number of children in care, currently 17 in number, who do not live in Ireland. Reasons for a child in state care to live abroad include where a foster family have moved abroad and have, in consultation with the Courts, applied to have the child in care remain with their family. Another situation is when a child placed in relative care is with a relation living abroad. A small number of children are placed in specialised therapeutic residential centres.
A very small minority of children under 18 years of age have highly specialised needs arising from severe behavioural or other difficulties, due to their childhood experiences or in some cases as a result of injury, accident or disability. The care needs of these children are generally met by directly provided residential services or a privately commissioned service within Ireland. While services continue to be expanded and improved in Ireland, including the development of secure mental health facilities, there may be instances where the need for a particular specialised placement is not available here. On these occasions, Tusla is required to make arrangements for the placement of these children in care and treatment facilities outside of the State, primarily in the UK, to allow for access to an individually tailored mix of care and therapeutic services and sometimes secure psychiatric treatment not currently available in this country. This is done on as infrequent a basis as possible and only where such placement is considered to be in the best interest of the child. Placements where a child will be detained in a secure facility are made under the order and supervision of the High Court.
The units in which the children are placed are inspected and regulated by their national authorities and Tusla is attentive to the standards of care delivered in these specialised units. Tusla ensure that these placements are suitable and a care plan is in place, which is reviewed within the statutory framework. The child's social worker visits regularly and makes arrangements for family or carers of the child to also visit.
As of the 30th April 2016, there were 17 children in an out of state placement, including foster care, general residential and other specialised secure care placements. I have requested information on the cost of such placements from Tusla, and I will respond to the Deputy separately when I receive the figures.
Youth Cafés Provision
Ceisteanna (631)
Brendan Griffin
Ceist:631. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide funding for a youth café (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11848/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In some recent years capital funding has been made available to my Department for the development of youth café facilities. 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. Recent research undertaken by my Department indicates that there are now more than 150 youth cafés throughout the country. In the main, these have been developed, over the years, by local communities with the support of different funding sources. In 2013, capital funding provided to my Department supported the development of some 30 new youth café proposals.
While capital funding of €2.6m has been provided to my Department in 2016, this funding is allocated, in the main, for small scale capital works, such as re-fits and accessibility improvements in the voluntary youth services funded under schemes administered by my Department.
My Department does not have available to it in 2016 a capital fund for the development of further new youth cafés. The development of youth café facilities is a priority for my Department should further capital funding become available for these purposes in future years.
Army Barracks
Ceisteanna (632)
Robert Troy
Ceist:632. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans for the future use of Columb Barracks (details supplied) in Mullingar, County Westmeath. [11282/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Following the closure of Columb Barracks in 2012, my Department wrote to Government Departments and other Public Bodies inviting them to express any interest in the property, with a view to its disposal by the Department. No such interest was expressed at that time. My officials also met with local representatives and officials from Westmeath County Council to discuss the future of the Barracks.
As the Deputy is aware, my Department was approached by the Westmeath GAA County Board for the use of the Barracks as a training centre on a short term lease with a possibility of a future purchase and development by the GAA. It would now appear from recent discussion with the Westmeath County Board that this outcome will not be achieved. At present the former Barracks is used by the County Board, An Garda Síochána and the Customs Service for training purposes. A number of other local groups including the Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), the Order of Malta and the Midland Youth Services have also been allocated units in the Barracks. My Department has also received numerous requests from other community groups wishing to avail of accommodation within the Barracks.
In January this year Officials from the Department again met with the CEO of Westmeath County Council to discuss the long term future plans for the Barracks. At the meeting the Council indicated that they do not have the resources to take over the running Barracks on behalf of the community.
While the Department supports the ongoing use of the Barracks by the local community, the current financial and administrative burden resulting from the retention of the Barracks cannot be sustained given that the Barracks is no longer required for military purposes.
I would be happy to receive proposals from any interested group, for the possible purchase and future development of the site for the benefit of the local community. However, to date we have received no indications that this is likely to occur. The option of disposing of the property by public auction is now being considered. This is in keeping with the Department’s policy to dispose of surplus property no longer required for military purposes.
Departmental Properties
Ceisteanna (633)
Peadar Tóibín
Ceist:633. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the annual rental value of each vacant property and land holding of his Department. [11417/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Regarding the vacant properties and lands listed in the previous Parliamentary Question Number 102 of the 4th May, listed below, no annual rental fee is currently being received for these as the properties and lands are either currently being prepared for disposal in keeping with the Department’s policy to dispose of surplus property no longer required for military purposes, or due to their condition or location are not considered appropriate for rental.
|
Property |
Location |
Approx acreage |
Local Authority |
|
Landing pier |
Castletownbere, Cork |
1 |
Cork |
|
Fort Shannon |
Tarbert |
2 |
Kerry |
|
Part of former rifle range lands |
Cushla Roscommon |
139 |
Roscommon |
|
Former rifle range lands |
Kilcoran, Tipperary |
13 |
Tipperary |
|
Part of former Military Barracks |
Nenagh |
2 |
Tipperary |
|
Former rifle range lands |
Barna ne Templemore |
1 |
Tipperary |
|
Lands |
Garrynafeala Athlone |
15 |
Westmeath |
|
Former Military Barracks |
Mullingar |
24 |
Westmeath |
Defence Forces Deployment
Ceisteanna (634)
Lisa Chambers
Ceist:634. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of Defence Forces personnel who are serving overseas by services, by rank and by gender; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11814/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Ireland is currently contributing 476 personnel to 11 different missions throughout the world. The main overseas missions, in which Defence Forces personnel are currently deployed, are the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) with 199 personnel, the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) with 137 personnel and the Naval Service Humanitarian Mission in the Mediterranean with 57 personnel.
The total number of Defence Forces personnel, Army, Navy and Air Corps, male and female, by rank currently serving overseas is as set out in the following table:
|
Rank |
Army |
Naval Service |
Air Corps |
Total |
|||
|
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
||
|
Brigadier General |
2 |
2 |
|||||
|
Colonel |
8 |
8 |
|||||
|
Lieutenant Colonel |
25 |
1 |
26 |
||||
|
Commandant |
35 |
2 |
1 |
38 |
|||
|
Captain |
35 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
41 |
||
|
Lieutenant |
16 |
3 |
2 |
21 |
|||
|
Sergeant Major |
5 |
1 |
6 |
||||
|
Battalion Quartermaster Sergeant |
2 |
1 |
3 |
||||
|
Company Sergeant |
10 |
2 |
1 |
13 |
|||
|
Company Quartermaster |
9 |
1 |
10 |
||||
|
Sergeant |
40 |
1 |
9 |
1 |
2 |
53 |
|
|
Corporal |
69 |
5 |
9 |
1 |
1 |
85 |
|
|
Private |
137 |
5 |
25 |
1 |
2 |
170 |
|
|
TOTAL |
393 |
17 |
54 |
3 |
9 |
0 |
476 |