Written Answers Nos. 678-701
678. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to fill the 18 vacant posts in the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19726/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is an independent statutory body and I, as Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation have no direct function in the day to day operations of the Agency including in relation to its recruitment activities.
The CCPC is now well advanced into the process of hiring 25 additional staff to make up the numbers that have been depleted over the years and to resource new functions.
Since the most recent recruitment process began the CCPC has filled 12 positions over the last two months. The skill sets recruited include competition experts, enforcement, policy analysts, senior IT, regulation, HR and administration. Many of those recruited have commenced employment or are due to start shortly. The rest of the vacancies are at various stages of the recruitment process, including backfilling for vacancies created where internal staff have been successful in the external competitions and for new vacancies that have arisen as a result of departures (including resignations and retirements). The CCPC expects to have the remaining vacancies filled over the coming months.
679. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of additional public sector staff hired in her Department over and above those who had retired or left the service, that is, new positions only as and from 31 December 2010, broken down for each of the years 2011 to 2016, to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20145/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra680. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of new public sector workers in her Department hired to replace retiring staff and those who left the Department in each of the years 2013 to 2015; the overall percentage of staff turnover this represents; the cost or savings in payroll and pensions accrued, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20152/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.
The changes to the overall staffing numbers shown in the following table reflect a range of entrance/exit mechanisms – retirements, resignations, transfers in and out on promotion, recruitment of new staff and also include changes due to the transfer of functions both in and out of my Department with the associated staff performing those functions. These include the transfer of some Departmental functions in 2010 and 2011 to the Departments of Social Protection (36.23 staff) and Department of Education and Skills (30.8 staff), the transition into the Department of the Equality Tribunal from the Department of Justice and Equality in 2013 (24.9 staff), the integration of the state Agency Forfas into the Department in 2014 (54 staff). In addition, a Government Decision of October 2014 transferred responsibility for implementation of the Construction Contracts Act 2013 from the Department of Public Expenditure & Reform to my Department and we also have responsibility for the Low Pay Commission with the direct staffing for both of these Units contributing to the figures shown in the table.
|
Year |
FTE Staffing Numbers* |
Increase/ Decrease over previous year |
% of Overall FTE Staff Numbers |
DJEI Paybudget*** Out-turn at year end €million |
|
end 2009 |
993.98 |
- |
- |
57,955 |
|
end 2010 |
905.74 |
-88.24 |
-8.88% |
50,337 |
|
end 2011 |
831.45 |
-74.30 |
-8.20% |
43,851 |
|
end 2012 |
787.65 |
-43.80 |
-5.27% |
44,033 |
|
end 2013 |
802.37 |
14.73 |
1.87% |
45,108 |
|
end 2014 |
798.07 |
-4.30 |
-0.54% |
45,226 |
|
end 2015 |
795.67 |
-2.40 |
-0.30% |
47,113 |
|
end Jun-16 |
797.27** |
1.60 |
0.20% |
23,169 |
*FTE = Full-time equivalent posts (e.g. 2 staff employed on a 50% basis = 1 full-time post)
**Figure is artificially low as new Ministerial personal staff have yet to be formally added pending finalisation of contractual approval arrangements
*** Gross Pay figures, i.e. inclusive of allowances, PRSI and pensions elements.
The Deputy’s Questions cover, in the main, the period of the Moratorium on recruitment where the principal focus was managing the business delivery by the Department during a period of staff reductions – as was the case across the Civil and Public Service. As the Deputy will be aware, the Moratorium was lifted in Budget 2015 and succeeded by a Staffing Resource Management Framework. Simultaneously, my Department had secured sanction from the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (DPER) to fill key posts within the terms of the Employment Control Framework (ECF) which guided the operation of the Moratorium.
Since the lifting of the Moratorium and the move to pay-budget limits, my Department has filled a modest number of vacancies and, in addition, we have grown the number of graduates recruited at Administrative Officer level, recruited a number of Forensic Accountants for the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, appointed an additional Division (Deputy Chairman and two Members) plus an additional Deputy Chairman to the Labour Court as part of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) reforms which, among other things, will see the wind-up of the Employment Appeals Tribunal (EAT) once that body has disposed of its legacy caseload. My Department has also recruited a number of Temporary Clerical Officers (TCOs) for a finite period associated with Companies Act conversion project and to assist with a spike in demand in Employment Permits.
The statistics in this regard to end-June 2016 are as follows:
|
New Posts |
End 2011 |
End 2012 |
End 2013 |
End 2014 |
End 2015 |
2016 to date |
|
Administrative Officer |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
6 |
|
Forensic Accountant (ODCE) |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3 |
|
Labour Court Members |
- |
- |
- |
- |
4 |
0 |
|
Temporary Clerical Officers |
- |
- |
- |
- |
13 |
1.5 |
681. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs how a parent can apply under the special needs assistant scheme in respect of a child in preschool; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19136/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPolicy on SNAs is the responsibility of my colleague, Richard Bruton, T.D., Minister for Education and Skills. I note that the SNA model operates in primary and secondary schools.
For the pre-school sector, I recently unveiled details of a new model of supports, funded by my Department, which will support children with a disability to access the free pre-school programme. The new Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) is now available to enable children with disabilities to access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme. The model will deliver seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, to enable the full inclusion and meaningful participation of children with disabilities in the ECCE Programme. The new model focuses on the developmental level of children with disabilities, their functional ability, their strengths and their needs. It is not an SNA model, but is much more comprehensive, and will not focus on diagnosis, recognising that many children may not have a formal diagnosis at the time of presenting to pre-school.
The main supports offered under the model include:
- A new higher education programme to upskill early years practitioners in inclusive early years care and education. My Department will fund a small capitation increase where service providers employ a graduate from the programme;
- A dedicated website containing comprehensive information resources for parents and providers. Information can be accessed at www.preschoolaccess.ie;
- Advice and support from a team of 50 experts in early years education for children with disabilities;
- A scheme for the provision of specialised equipment, appliances and minor building alterations;
- Therapeutic intervention where this is needed to allow a child enrol, and fully participate in, pre-school; and
- Additional capitation to enable the pre-school leader to buy-in additional support or reduce the staff to child ratio where this is critical to ensuring a child’s participation.
Parents who consider that their child will need additional assistance to participate in the ECCE Programme should contact their pre-school provider as soon as possible to discuss their child’s needs. The service provider, in partnership with the parents, will then submit an application to Pobal for supports under the AIM model to allow them to plan for pre-school enrolment in September 2016. Signed parental consent is required to complete the application process.
682. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide estimates on the number and percentage of current child protection and welfare cases that have not been allocated a social worker, who are adult disclosures or historical referral cases; to provide estimates for the average waiting time for an adult disclosure case to be allocated a social worker; and the number of these which are considered high-risk, medium-risk and low-risk cases. [19151/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra683. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to provide estimates on the number and the percentage of referrals going through social work offices that are adult disclosure cases. [19152/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra684. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, will publish its draft policy or strategy on adult disclosure cases, so-called section 3 referrals; and the current guidelines on dealing with adult disclosure cases by social worker offices. [19153/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 682 to 684, inclusive, together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised me that data in relation to retrospective abuse cases is not routinely collected at present. My Department has requested that Tusla provide figures, broken down by area, for cases awaiting the allocation of a social worker that involve adult disclosures of retrospective abuse allegations. Tusla has informed me that they are planning to commence the routine return of this information on a monthly basis by the end of the year.
In 2015, Tusla conducted a National Review of Cases Awaiting Allocation which included information on the number of retrospective cases. The review showed, at February 2015, that of the 8,865 cases awaiting allocation nationally there were 1,204 cases of retrospective abuse disclosures. The review indicated that of these 1,204 retrospective cases, 27% were a High priority (327), 46% Medium priority (550) and 27% Low Priority (327). The review did not look at the average waiting times for retrospective cases awaiting allocation of a social worker.
For the 2016 review, Tusla is examining all cases awaiting allocation including retrospective abuse cases. This review will examine each individual case and the priority of same. The review will be concluded by year end and will provide detailed information to my Department in respect of such matters.
The current operational policy on dealing with disclosures by adults is included in the "Policy and Procedures for Responding to Allegations of Child Abuse and Neglect". This policy was approved in September 2014 and is available on request directly from Tusla. I am arranging to have a copy forwarded by Tusla to the Deputy. The policy takes into account Children First guidelines and relevant Court judgements as they apply to fair procedure and due process. A full national review of this policy has been completed and a revised text is to be considered shortly by the senior management team within Tusla, and its National Policy Oversight Committee, for approval and circulation.
Under Section 3.6 of the Children First (2011) guidelines, when a retrospective disclosure of abuse is made, an assessment must be taken to ensure there is no current risk to any child who may be in contact with the alleged abuser. Should risk be identified, Tusla will work with other agencies, including An Garda Síochána, for investigative purposes. Reporting a child abuse concern, whether it is current or historical, should be reported to Tusla and An Garda Síochána, in line with the Children First Guidance.
685. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs why the walk-in child sexual abuse service in County Galway is being shut down by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency; her views on whether this is the correct approach; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19154/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised that it does not provide funding for this Sexual Assault Treatment Unit in Galway. The Unit is funded by the Health Service Executive under its Acute Hospitals Programme.
Tusla has further advised that although the Unit was closed for a period of time, it has re opened. It is now open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Tusla has a good working relationship with the Unit in question.
Tusla has established a national Interagency Steering Committee on services for children who have been sexually abused and is progressing work on regional co-ordination of services for these children.
I am not in a position to comment on the specific issue of availability of national forensic medical services for children who have been sexually abused as these services are funded and managed by the Health Service Executive, which comes under the remit of the Department of Health.
686. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the barriers to integrating information technology, IT, systems across social worker regional offices; if she is aware of the fact that there is no integration of referral systems across social service regions due to the lack of integration of IT systems and as a result, vital pieces of information that may be detailed regarding a prior case or individual in the files of one social work office are regularly not known by social worker offices in other regions dealing with the same case or individual; her views that this lack of integration is acceptable; and her plans to reform this unacceptable situation. [19155/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI acknowledge the need for investment in ICT infrastructure to support both social workers and other staff in their work. The increased capital provision for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in 2016 included provision for the continued rollout of the National Child Care Information System (NCCIS). NCCIS will operate as the central national database supporting the provision of child welfare and protection services and it is a key priority for Tusla.
Access to the NCCIS system will ensure that every social work department has a user-friendly technology solution to record the case history of every child who is the subject of a child protection or welfare concern, from the point of initial referral to case closure. The system will also have the capacity to facilitate the integration and sharing of information on child protection and welfare cases between Tusla areas where appropriate. Individuals using the system will be required to have authorised access to ensure access security, data security and client privacy.
The NCCIS has been piloted in Tusla’s Mid-West region (North Tipperary, Clare and Limerick). Tusla intends to roll out the system nationally and for it to become fully operational in all areas between now and the end of 2018.
A high level Steering Group, which is co-chaired by my Department and Tusla has been established to oversee the delivery of the NCCIS project within the required timeframes and budget.
687. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount paid by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to all independent guardians ad litem, GAL, in 2015; and the amount which was paid to each individual to act as an independent GAL in the same year. [19157/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child Care Act, 1991, as amended, the Child and Family Agency has responsibility for payment of any costs incurred by a person who has been appointed by a court to act as a guardian ad litem in proceedings under the Act. The Child and Family Agency has advised that, pursuant to this responsibility, the total amount paid in 2015 to guardians ad litem was €8,976,386.18. The following is a breakdown of that amount:
|
Guardian ad litem – 2015 payments |
Grand Total |
|
BARNARDOS - BEACON |
3,822,950.27 |
|
THE INDEPENDENT GUARDIAN AD LITEM |
1,304,481.76 |
|
CLAIRE QUINN |
307,465.14 |
|
CHILD AND FAMILY CONSULTANCY LTD |
272,095.52 |
|
JIGSAW TRAINING SOLUTIONS LTD |
268,305.34 |
|
CEILI O'CALLAGHAN CONSULTANCY LTD |
251,624.20 |
|
CARMEL MURPHY |
245,258.55 |
|
CHILD ADVOCACY SERVICES |
226,818.58 |
|
CELBRIDGE COUNSELLING SERVICE |
220,740.14 |
|
INDEPENDENT GUARDIAN AD LITEM SERVICE |
181,083.55 |
|
NATIONAL CHILDRENS WELFARE SERVICES |
171,574.09 |
|
INDEPENDENT SOCIAL WORK SERVICE |
170,739.78 |
|
CHILD FORENSIC SERVICES LTD |
162,622.23 |
|
TMM GUARDIAN AD LITEM LTD |
158,600.77 |
|
MAEVE DRUMMEY |
153,304.29 |
|
RENEE HANLEY |
141,467.92 |
|
LE CHEILE CHILDCARE SERVCES LTD |
125,181.19 |
|
DAVID KENNEDY T/A |
117,415.25 |
|
SOCIAL WORK CONSULTANCY IRELAND LTD |
114,512.62 |
|
ALPHA GUARDIAN AD-LITEM SERVICES |
111,203.97 |
|
JC GAL SERVICES LTD |
94,174.31 |
|
MARY O'SHEA T/A MARY MOLLOY |
62,352.70 |
|
SARAH TREACY |
60,683.60 |
|
PATRICIA MCKAY LTD |
59,840.98 |
|
INDEPENDENT SOCIAL WORK |
40,698.59 |
|
PAT DONNELLY |
34,401.89 |
|
CLARE OHARE |
34,025.57 |
|
MIEKE RYAN - MDR CHILD AND FAMILY |
26,367.77 |
|
MARY BIRD, GUARDIAN AD LITEM |
15,981.30 |
|
CHRISTINE JENKINS |
13,002.35 |
|
RAYMOND MCEVOY |
3,955.58 |
|
JOHN P MURPHY |
3,456.38 |
|
Grand Total |
8,976,386.18 |
688. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is aware of the substantial cuts experienced by Westmeath County Childcare Committee Limited, which has seen a drop of 26% in funding since 2010 and is now facing a very serious situation in relation to the support of children and working families in the county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19323/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the 'Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest', the funding of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) nationally was cut in Budget 2011 by 12.5%. My Department communicated the rationale for the cut in funding to Westmeath CCC at this time. As a consequence, the allocation of funding to Westmeath CCC was reduced from €316,829 (2010 allocation) to €277,226, representing a reduction of 12.5%. It is also my understanding that my Department advised the CCC Chairpersons of the requirement to implement reductions to CCC staff salaries aligned to the agreed Local Authority pay scales.
In 2012, my Department and Pobal conducted a review of funding allocations to the CCCs under a Revised Allocations Framework. The rationale for the Revised Allocations Framework was to implement a more balanced allocation of available funding and also to implement further required national savings of 8% in the overall CCCs' budget over the two years 2013/2014. The analysis of funding allocations indicated that a number of CCCs, when compared with each other, had allocations that appeared to be disproportionate to their population and service profiles. The review resulted in a reduction in the funding allocation to Westmeath CCC, from €277,226 in 2012 to €241,000 in 2014, representing a reduction of 13%. Westmeath CCC was informed by my Department of this reduction together with the rationale and methodology used to arrive at the decision. €241,000 is the current level of funding allocated to Westmeath CCC in 2016.
I understand that there are currently 2,345 unique children registered in Westmeath under the following DCYA programmes: Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the three programmes collectively known as the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programme (i.e ASSC -Afterschool Childcare, CEC - Community Employment Childcare and CETS - Childcare Education and Training Support).
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 30 CCCs, as Limerick City and Limerick County CCCs have amalgamated, as have Waterford City and Waterford County CCC and North and South Tipperary. Each Committee has a distinct legal identity and board of directors. 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, which are approved by my Department to reflect national policy objectives. Pobal acts as managing agent on behalf of the Department in relation to performance of individual CCCs. Pobal appraises and monitors the local planning and implementation of activity and outcomes of each CCC associated with my Department's funding; and supports CCCs individually and collectively.
The allocation of funding to CCCs is a matter which is constantly under review within my Department. At present, my Department has no budget available to reverse the reduction in the allocation of funding to Westmeath CCC but it is something which may be reviewed at a future point. I recognise and appreciate the valuable work conducted by the CCCs in assisting my Department with the operation of the various childcare schemes, in supporting providers to develop and deliver high quality services and in providing advice to parents.
689. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide post-adoptive services for adopted children as proposed by the Russian Irish Adoption Group and others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19394/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Barnardos provides professional supports to children adopted from abroad and their families who are living in the Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow area on a range of post adoption issues. In other areas, Tusla Adoption services provide information on the availability of local services, access to the social work duty system and facilitate peer support groups for parents of adopted children.
However it should be noted that under the Adoption Act 2010, when a child is the subject of a domestic or intercountry adoption, that child is considered the child of the adopter/s. The Adoption Act 2010 also provides that children adopted from abroad should be registered with the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, it is open to any adopted child to access the full range of services which are currently available to all Irish children. These include specialist psychiatric and psychological services, health services and speech and language services.
690. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reasons for the proposed closure of a centre (details supplied); and if she or officials in her Department will agree to meet with the board of the centre to discuss the proposed closure. [19503/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Resource Centre (FRC) referred to by the Deputy has been in receipt of funding under the Family Resource Centre Programme which is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. The Centre was in receipt of funding from November 2005 to March 2016.
In December 2014, Tusla met members of the Centre's Voluntary Board of Management regarding the provision of funding to the Centre under the Family Resource Centre Programme.
Tusla was concerned that despite three recruitment processes, the Centre had been without a full-time Co-Ordinator since March 2013. This had clearly affected the management and operation of the Centre in terms of services to children and families in the community and the continued development of the FRC in line with Tusla’s priorities. While Tusla acknowledged the work of the Centre, it was decided that the situation could not continue as the centre was clearly not operating to its full potential.
Tusla fully recognises the need for community-based family support services serving the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare. To that end, Tusla worked with these communities to ensure that the funding currently available under the Family Resource Centre Programme is directed to the provision of a community-based service, one that is operating to its full potential and which best supports and promotes the development, welfare and protection of children, and the effective functioning of families.
Consistent with this approach, it was decided to establish a new Family Resource Centre in Kenmare to serve the communities of Sneem, Tahilla, Castlecove, Kilgarvan and Kenmare.
Tusla is working with the Kenmare Committee to set up a Voluntary Board of Management for the new FRC. As soon as the Voluntary Board of Management is established and a legal entity is formed, a co-ordinator will be recruited for the Centre.
The Kenmare committee agreed to accept the two employees who were previously employed in the Centre referred to by the Deputy. These employees were informed in writing by the Kenmare Committee that it was in the process of setting up an FRC in Kenmare and this Centre will be their new employer when established. Kenmare FRC are currently seeking premises to establish the centre. On 1 April, 2016, the Kenmare Committee assumed the duties of employer for the two employees, on an interim basis, until the Kenmare FRC is formally established.
There has been no interruption to services in the Sneem area. The funding allocation for the Centre in question will be transferred to Kenmare. A budget of approximately €114,000 will be allocated to Kenmare FRC in 2016.
Tusla, as a statutory funder of Family Resource Centres, has advised that it will be meeting the Board and representatives of the Centre on July 6th, 2016 to discuss the closure.
691. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of the 8,000 community child care subvention scheme places from budget 2016 which have become available; the level of the uptake from child care service providers; and the number of places which have become available since the scheme was launched, by area, in Dublin and nationwide. [19546/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2016 provided €16m to create an additional 3,200 (full-time equivalent) Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) childcare places, or approximately 8,000 places based on average uptake. Traditionally, CCS has only been available through community (not for profit) childcare services of which there are 900 across the country. Eligible families who did not live in an area with a community service could not traditionally access the scheme. At the end of 2015, using savings from that year, my Department lifted the cap on the number of CCS places available though community services and encouraged these services to provide additional CCS places. However, there was insufficient capacity within the community sector to meet all eligible families needs and hence my Department extended the terms of the CCS scheme so that it could be provided by private childcare providers across the country. This was to ensure that eligible families, regardless of where they lived, could access this important childcare subvention. The Community Childcare Subvention Private (CCSP) programme launched in March of this year.
Of the 8000 subvented childcare places available, 803 (full-time equivalent) childcare places (or approximately 2,014 part-time) are available in Dublin. The balance of 2,397 (full-time equivalent) childcare places (or approximately 5,986 part-time) are available on a pro-rata basis across the remainder of the country. These numbers can be broken down by area in Dublin as follows:
|
Area |
Full-time Equivalent places |
Numbers of part-time places / Children |
|
Dublin City |
259 |
650 |
|
Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
121 |
305 |
|
Fingal |
221 |
554 |
|
South Dublin |
202 |
505 |
|
TOTAL |
803 |
2,014 |
Thus far, 532 private childcare providers have registered for the CCSP Programme. Applications for this programme have been received for 1,227 individual children (includes approved and provisional applications). Of this number, 33 are in Dublin city, 18 are in South Dublin and 9 are in Fingal.
My Department has been monitoring the take-up of CCSP places and will be instituting a number of initiatives to increase public awareness of the CCSP programme. These initiatives include advertisements on social media sites, local and national newspapers and within community settings and support services. It is hoped that as a result of this campaign, additional families will avail of this programme.
The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme provides funding to childcare services to enable them to provide quality childcare, including after-school care, at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income working parents. Parents qualify as disadvantaged or low income on the basis of means-tested entitlements. In the case of full day care, parents qualifying for the higher rate of subvention under the CCS programme can have up to €95 per week deducted from the overall charge for childcare in the participating childcare facility.
692. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff employed in her Department's archive unit in each of the years 2010 to 2016, to date, in tabular form; her plans to expand this number; if there are protocol changes arising from changes to the National Archives Acts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19611/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not have a dedicated Archive Unit. The Support Services Unit in my Department has overall responsibility for file management as part of its workload, while each Unit in my Department has responsibility for the day to day management of its local files.
693. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will take steps to reverse the 26% cut in the financial allocation from €316,797 in 2010 to €241,000 in 2016 to Westmeath County Childcare Committee Limited, which has led to a serious position for the delivery of services and support for children and families in the county, where in excess of 4,000 children are attending a range of such services; if, in this context, she will immediately provide increased supports and resources to this committee to enable it to continue its vital work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [19706/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the 'Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest', the funding of County Childcare Committees (CCCs) nationally was cut in Budget 2011 by 12.5%. My Department communicated the rationale for the cut in funding to Westmeath CCC at this time. As a consequence, the allocation of funding to Westmeath CCC was reduced from €316,829 (2010 allocation) to €277,226, representing a reduction of 12.5%. It is also my understanding that my Department advised the CCC Chairpersons of the requirement to implement reductions to CCC staff salaries aligned to the agreed Local Authority pay scales.
In 2012, my Department and Pobal conducted a review of funding allocations to the CCCs under a Revised Allocations Framework. The rationale for the Revised Allocations Framework was to implement a more balanced allocation of available funding and also to implement further required national savings of 8% in the overall CCCs' budget over the two years 2013/2014. The analysis of funding allocations indicated that a number of CCCs, when compared with each other, had allocations that appeared to be disproportionate to their population and service profiles. The review resulted in a reduction in the funding allocation to Westmeath CCC, from €277,226 in 2012 to €241,000 in 2014, representing a reduction of 13%. Westmeath CCC was informed by my Department of this reduction together with the rationale and methodology used to arrive at the decision. €241,000 is the current level of funding allocated to Westmeath CCC in 2016.
I understand that there are currently 2,345 unique children registered in Westmeath under the following DCYA programmes: Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the three programmes collectively known as the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) programme (i.e ASSC -Afterschool Childcare, CEC - Community Employment Childcare and CETS - Childcare Education and Training Support).
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 30 CCCs, as Limerick City and Limerick County CCCs have amalgamated, as have Waterford City and Waterford County CCC and North and South Tipperary. Each Committee has a distinct legal identity and board of directors. 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, which are approved by my Department to reflect national policy objectives. Pobal acts as managing agent on behalf of the Department in relation to performance of individual CCCs. Pobal appraises and monitors the local planning and implementation of activity and outcomes of each CCC associated with my Department's funding; and supports CCCs individually and collectively.
The allocation of funding to CCCs is a matter which is constantly under review within my Department. At present, my Department has no budget available to reverse the reduction in the allocation of funding to Westmeath CCC but it is something which may be reviewed at a future point. I recognise and appreciate the valuable work conducted by the CCCs in assisting my Department with the operation of the various childcare schemes, in supporting providers to develop and deliver high quality services and in providing advice to parents.
694. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of additional public sector staff hired in her Department over and above those who had retired or left the service, that is, new positions only as and from 31 December 2010, broken down for each of the years 2011 to 2016, to date, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20140/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra695. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of new public sector workers in her Department hired to replace retiring staff and those who left the Department in each of the years 2013 to 2015; the overall percentage of staff turnover this represents; the cost or savings in payroll and pensions accrued, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20149/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 694 and 695 together.
My Department was established in 2011 and as such, records only exist from that time onwards. The number of staff employed in my Department (whole time equivalents) at end 2011, at end of each subsequent year and at mid 2016 are as follows:
|
End of year |
Whole time equivalents |
Comment |
|
End 2011 |
113.09 |
|
|
End 2012 |
131.66 |
The increase was largely due to the transfer of the Irish Youth Justice Service from the Department of Justice and Equality to my Department. |
|
End 2013 |
137.49 |
|
|
End 2014 |
144.86 |
|
|
End 2015 |
148.96 |
This includes 2 Temporary Clerical Officers on short term contracts. |
|
Mid 2016 |
175.96 |
This includes 10 Temporary Clerical Officers on short term contracts due to expire before the end of 2016. |
The Deputy also asked for information on the number of staff hired to replace exiting staff and the relevant turnover this represents. This is set out below.
|
Year |
Number of departing staff replaced (WTE) |
As percentage of all staff |
|
2013 |
1.0 |
0.72% |
|
2014 |
5.1 |
3.52% |
|
2015 |
8.5 |
5.7% |
The figures above do not include changes and replacements in Ministerial staff.
The information sought on the costs or savings in payroll and pension accruals is not readily available and will be supplied directly to the Deputy once it has been compiled.
696. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his contingency plans in place for counties Cavan and Monaghan following the Brexit referendum result; if Army personnel will be relocated in Cavan or Monaghan; if Border controls will be reintroduced; the estimated amount this will cost as there is no Army barracks following their disposal due to cutbacks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19150/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraPrimary responsibility for the internal security of the State rests with the Department of Justice and Equality and An Garda Síochána. Among the roles assigned to the Defence Forces in the White Paper on Defence is the provision of Aid to the Civil Power (ATCP) which, in practice, means to provide assistance and support to An Garda Síochána when requested to do so.
The Defence Forces keep operational plans under constant review. It is premature at this juncture to anticipate the detailed implications of the result of the UK Referendum.
697. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if Lariam is still being provided to members of the Defence Forces; if not, when this practice ended; if it is still being administered, the rationale for this practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19169/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnti-malarial medications, including Lariam, remain in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by Malaria. Malaria is a serious disease that killed approximately 438,000 people in 2015, with 90% of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, as reported by the World Health Organization. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area.
Significant precautions are taken by Irish Defence Forces Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of our Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. It is the policy of the Irish Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability. The objective is to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by malaria.
The health and welfare of the Defence Forces are a priority for me and this informs my approach to the issue of Lariam. The choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Irish Defence Forces.
698. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 38 of 21 June 2016, regarding the potential strategic implications of the planned waste incinerator, currently in the planning permission process, on the Naval Service headquarters in County Cork, his Department's contingency plans, should this planning permission be granted; the next steps in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19341/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence, following consultation with the Air Corps and the Naval Service, recently made an oral submission to an Bord Pleanála regarding the proposed development of the waste to energy facility in Ringaskiddy. The submission identified two areas of concern, the proximity of the incinerator stack to Haulbowline and the difficulties in the evacuation of the island if necessitated by an incident at the incinerator facility.
As the planning application on the building of an incinerator in Ringaskiddy is currently under consideration by An Bord Pleanála it is not proposed to anticipate the outcome. The operational requirements of the Defence Forces will be reviewed in the context of the planning decision in due course.
699. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views as to whether officers travelling to sub-Saharan areas are prescribed Malarone or Doxycycline, rather than Lariam; when this policy was initiated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19386/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra700. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views confirming that Lariam is prescribed for a six-month period when Defence Forces personnel are on a four-month tour of duty; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19387/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 699 and 700 together.
The choice of medication for overseas deployment is a medical decision that is made by Medical Officers in the Irish Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Irish Defence Forces. Consideration is given to:
- location;
- sensitivity of the local mosquito species to anti-malarial drugs;
- duration of exposure;
- duration of time available before deployment;
- the individual’s past medical history; and
- the operational imperative which requires any specific individual to travel.
These determinants are used to select the most appropriate agent for all personnel being deployed, irrespective of rank.
It is the policy of the Irish Defence Forces Medical Corps to follow best practice in relation to prescribing and dispensing all medicines to members of the Defence Forces. All drugs, including Lariam are prescribed in accordance with the manufacturer's guidelines/instructions. It is used prior to arrival in the malarious region in order to ensure adequate blood levels on arrival on location and to detect any sensitivity to its effects prior to deployment so that mitigating interventions can be employed at home.
Malaria remains a very serious disease, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. It killed approximately 438,000 people in 2015, according to the World Health Organization. It is a grave threat to any military force operating in that area and as I have made clear, the health and welfare of the Defence Forces are a priority for me and this informs my approach to the issue of Lariam.
701. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of staff employed in his Department's archive unit in each of the years 2010 to 2016, to date, in tabular form; his plans to expand this number; if there are protocol changes arising from changes to the National Archives Acts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19613/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Defence does not have an Archive Unit. Central Registry Section staff deal with duties which come under the National Archives Act 1986, amongst other duties. I am satisfied that this is sufficient to fulfil the Department’s duty under the National Archives Act 1986.
