Written Answers Nos. 1704-1721
1704. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the need to ensure increased funding is provided for the development of youth services, including capital funding for facilities, in suburban areas built in the greater Dublin and east Leinster commuter belt over the past 15 to 20 years in which there is likely to be a substantial increase in the teenager population over the coming years. [1529/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1705. Deputy Colm Brophy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to provide capital funding for the provision of new youth services facilities in areas of high demand. [1530/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1704 and 1705 together.
My 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.
As the Deputy is aware, Budget 2017 has provided an additional €5.5m in current funding to my Department to support the provision of youth services. This will bring the total youth funding in 2017 to €57.4m. 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. My Department has commenced the process with national organisations and local services to identify service development needs for 2017 and to agree the 2017 allocations.
Budget 2017 also provided €2.6m to my Department for a capital funding scheme for youth projects and services. Work on the development of a new capital funding scheme for 2017 is underway and my Department is engaging with each Education and Training Board Youth Officer to identify the capital needs of the youth sector. I hope to announce details of this new capital scheme in the coming months.
The Deputy will be aware that a number of funding schemes supporting youth services were the subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review in 2014. The review involved an in-depth scrutiny of the impact youth service provision has on young people’s lives. The review made a number of recommendations for the future operation of the youth schemes and their development in the years ahead. This includes the development of a new youth funding scheme.
Work on the development of this scheme has been prioritised by my Department and consultations with youth services are continuing with a view to introducing the new youth funding programme in line with the review over the coming years. My Department has embarked on an exercise, in conjunction with Pobal and each Education and Training Board (ETB) Youth Officer, which will map youth service provision across the State. This mapping exercise will assist my Department and the relevant ETB in developing a detailed socio-demographic profile in terms of both population numbers and deprivation levels. It is my intention that the mapping exercise will inform future development and investment in youth services and will inform the establishment of a small number of new sample projects, to be commenced during 2017. In addition, my Department has already provided funding for the commencement of five new “Sample Value for Money and Policy Review” youth projects in 2016. These projects are based in South East Cavan, West Wicklow, Drogheda, County Louth, in Cahir, County Tipperary and in the Fethard/Killenaule area of Tipperary.
1706. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plans in place to advertise the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes in Ireland in print, radio and electronic media outlets; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1637/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1707. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plans in place to advertise the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes overseas in print, radio and electronic media outlets and to ensure members of the diaspora have an opportunity to share their testimony with the Commission (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1638/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1706 and 1707 together.
At the outset it is important to state that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes (and Certain related matters) is independent in its conduct. Therefore the advertising strategy is a matter for the Commission to decide and I do not have any role or influence in this regard.
I am aware that the Commission of Investigation has conducted three advertising campaigns in Ireland using local and national radio and local and national newspapers. These were conducted in June/July 2015, June 2016 and November 2016. A number of radio stations conducted interviews with a representative from the Commission.
In addition, the Commission has written to a range of Irish groups in the UK and the USA inviting relevant people to come forward. The Confidential Committee has already visited the UK for hearings and proposes to do so again in the near future.
While I do not have a direct role the Commission's advertising strategies, I am on record of this House as encouraging any person with information which may be relevant to the Commission to contact them directly. All relevant information is on my Department's website and can be accessed at www.dcya.gov.ie.
1708. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she plans to publish the second interim report of the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am committed to publishing this Report. Given the scope of the Commission's work, a number of issues in the Report extend beyond the remit of my Department and it has been necessary to consult Cabinet colleagues and the Attorney General on these matters.
I am sensitive to the concerns of former residents and their expectations for an early publication date. I will conclude this process as quickly as possible.
1709. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify a matter (details supplied) regarding the cost of accommodating persons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1695/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1710. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a media report (details supplied) regarding the costs associated with the relocation of unaccompanied minors from France; if she will provide a detailed breakdown of the allocation of these funds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1754/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1711. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the costs associated with the resettlement of all minors from the former migrant camp at Calais; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1712. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the measures she is taking to ensure all child refugees or migrants from the former camp at Calais are minors below the age of 18, particularly in view of the fact that all bogus assertions of child status will result in genuine children being deprived of assistance or help (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1799/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1709 to 1712, inclusive, together.
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am deeply concerned by the plight of the young people who were in the Calais camp, and particularly the many unaccompanied minors who were at the frontline of this terrible situation.
The All Party Dáil motion approved by Government on 10 November last called on the Government to work with the French authorities to identify up to 200 unaccompanied minors previously living in the unofficial migrant camp in Calais, and who have expressed a desire to come and stay in Ireland.
On 5 January 2017, officials from my Department, Tusla and the Department of Justice and Equality travelled to Paris to meet their counterparts to further progress the arrival of an initial group of 40 of these young people. They will only be relocated to Ireland if it is their express wish to do so and it is clearly in their best interest. They will receive an equitable care and aftercare service relative to Irish young people.
An initial group of 16 young people have been identified by French officials to be the first to go through the assessment process to come to Ireland. The latest information is that all of the young people who have expressed an interest in coming to Ireland are boys of 16 and 17 years of age.
Tusla has advised that the young people will need residential assessment, and then, in the majority of cases, a residential placement until they are 18 when aftercare supports will be provided. In the first instance, given the age and recent experiences of the young people, it is likely that they will need the services that residential care can provide. Residential care carries a significant resource requirement and is therefore costly.
Tusla's most recent estimate indicates an overall full year cost to it for approximately 40 young people will be almost €8m based on initial costings pending completion of needs assessments for the young people. The costs are similar to the costs incurred for residential care services generally.
1713. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total use his Department has made of the Government jet since coming into office. [40689/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra1714. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the total use his Department has made of the Government jet per annum from March 2011 to February 2016, in tabular form. [40690/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1713 and 1714 together.
Information relating to the usage of the Ministerial Air Transport Service (MATS) for the years in question is available and publicly accessible on the Department of Defence website. This information is updated on a monthly basis.
1715. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will make available the findings of the military investigation into the siege of Jadotville, which left the men of A Company 35th Infantry Battalion to fend for themselves without support; the number of soldiers interviewed as part of that investigation; the reasons A Company was detailed in Jadotville with only a verbal order while that week B Company and a Swedish company were pulled from their position in Jadotville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41685/16]
Amharc ar fhreagra1716. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will release the radio recordings made to and from the A Company 35th Infantry Battalion during the siege of Jadotville; the reason its calls for backup support during the ambush were not met; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41686/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1715 and 1716 together.
I was delighted to be able to formally recognise the collective bravery and actions of the men of A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion at a ceremony in Custume Barracks, Athlone on Saturday 17 September 2016. During this ceremony, I presented a Unit Citation to the Company in recognition of their collective bravery and professional performance during the Siege of Jadotville whilst cut-off from support and reinforcements.
I have been informed by the Military Authorities that, in the aftermath of the events which occurred at Jadotville, there was no formal military investigation and that official records remaining do not contain any information regarding the decision-making process underlying the reasons for the deployment of A Company. The Military Authorities have also confirmed there are no known recordings of radio transmissions from this overseas mission held in the Military Archives. However, it is known that two relief attempts were made by road; both were unsuccessful due to obstacles on the main supply route. A helicopter resupply was also conducted, bringing ammunition and water which had, unfortunately, been contaminated.
In the 1960s, a Medals Board considered the issue of the award of medals to A Company. It considered the various cases presented and recommended that no medals would be awarded. The Chief of Staff of the day considered the findings of the Board and was satisfied. Subsequently the question was raised again in a letter to the then Chief, who forwarded the letter to the Medals Board. The Board indicated that the issues raised had received due consideration and that the Board was not prepared to alter its findings.
In 2004, the then Minister for Defence, initiated a re-examination of the Jadotville case on foot of a request from a retired Army Officer. A report was prepared by the Military Authorities and was based on the submission received and associated academic references as well as a review of information contained within the Military Archives. They recommended that the events of Jadotville, the actions of A Company and the contribution of the 35th Battalion be given appropriate recognition.
My decision to issue a Unit Citation and Insignia has formally acknowledged the collective bravery of the men of A Company 35th Infantry Battalion during the siege of Jadotville. This award was a first in the history of the Defence Forces and I am satisfied that it has provided appropriate recognition of the contributions made by all of the members of A company 35th Infantry Battalion.
1717. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will address concerns that members of the Civil Defence in County Tipperary are being barred from assisting at community or local authority events; if this is now a nationwide policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1551/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCivil Defence is a statutory volunteer-based organisation which supports the frontline emergency services. It operates in partnership between the Department of Defence and local authorities throughout Ireland. The Department of Defence is charged with the strategic management and development of Civil Defence at national level.
At local level, Civil Defence is based in each local authority area under the operational control of the relevant local authority. On a day-to-day basis these Units operate under the control of a Civil Defence Officer (CDO). The CDO is a full-time employee of the local authority and is responsible for the day-to-day management of Civil Defence matters under the overall direction of the Chief Executive of the local authority.
The White Paper on Defence (2015) establishes the priority task for Civil Defence as emergency support to the Principal Response Agencies (An Garda Síochána, the Health Service Executive and local authorities). This embraces the large number of support roles under the Framework for Major Emergency Management which includes providing assisting in dealing with a wide range of emergencies at national and local level, including severe weather, flooding and searches for missing persons.
There is no prohibition on Civil Defence Units engaging in community support activities. The day-to-day operational management of local Civil Defence units is the responsibility of the relevant local authority in which the unit is based. In this context, it is a matter for each local authority to determine the type of community events that can be supported and the level of support that can be provided. In making this determination, the local authority will take a wide range of factors into consideration including the availability of volunteers, whether those volunteers are trained and equipped to safely undertake the task, competing demands for Civil Defence support, etc. As such, there are limits to the community support that can be provided.
Civil Defence Units throughout the country perform excellent work in supporting the Principal Response Agencies and their communities including during adverse circumstances such as the severe weather we have seen over recent years. I very much appreciate the efforts of all the volunteers and it is my intention that Civil Defence will continue to receive the necessary funding and supports to further develop its capacity to support the Principal Response Agencies, particularly in emergency situations.
1718. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the position in relation to the payment of an Army Ranger Wing allowance which was the subject of arbitration in 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41061/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 27 September 2010 the Adjudicator under the Conciliation and Arbitration Scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force awarded an increase in the Army Ranger Wing allowance. This award was backdated to 1 June 2006.
The Adjudicator’s Findings cannot be implemented having regard to the provisions of Sections 2 and 5 of the Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest (No 2) Act 2009.
This adjudication is one of the outstanding adjudication findings covered under paragraph 1.16 of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014. Paragraph 5.3 of the Public Service Stability Agreement 2013-2018, known as the Lansdowne Road Agreement, states that “The Parties have agreed that any outstanding adjudications as referred to in paragraph 1.16 of the Public Service Agreement 2010-2014 will be reviewed jointly by the Parties prior to the expiry of this agreement.” The review mechanism is the subject of ongoing consideration in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
1719. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of appointments in the Defence Forces training centre for civilian employees; the number of these positions unfilled currently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41110/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no set establishment for civilian numbers employed in the Defence Forces Training Centre (DFTC). Civilian Employees are recruited by my Department based on the prioritised needs and operational requirements of the Defence Forces. In this regard military management have identified a number of priority vacancies in the DFTC and these posts are being filled as part of an ongoing recruitment programme.
There are currently 131 civilians employed in the DFTC.
1720. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if there is any redress for former members of the Defence Forces who were not part of a personal injury compensation scheme within the timeframe stated of six months; if so, the criteria which would need to be fulfilled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41233/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Personal Injuries Compensation Scheme for Members of the Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is a non-statutory scheme administered by my Department. The Scheme covers members of the RDF who are injured in the course of their duties, typically while participating in annual training, field days, exercises, parades and courses of instruction. Details of the Scheme are available at Unit level for Reserve Defence Force personnel.
In general, the deadline is that formal application under the scheme must be made to my Department within six months of the date on which the injury was sustained. The person in question was discharged from the RDF in 2008; however, he did not make an enquiry about making an application under the Scheme until April 2016. He was advised that as he did not initiate a claim within the specified time limit it was not possible to accept an application from him.
There is provision for extension of the six-month time limit if there are special circumstances in a particular case. In this regard it should be noted that the six-month time limit applies from the date the injury was sustained, rather than the date of discharge. I am not aware that any special circumstances exist in this case. However, if the person concerned wishes to make a case regarding the time limit, it can be considered. This should be sent to the Pensions Administration Section, Department of Defence, Áras an tSáile, Renmore, Galway.
1721. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the small Army contingent currently serving in Mali, Africa, is not afforded any kind of stipend towards phone call credit to be used to contact families at home while away on duty (details supplied); and his views on whether it is unacceptable that those serving in Mali who are living in isolated locations without access to Internet and Skype should have to rely on family members to call their partners and fathers at their own expense, which is high in cost at international call charges. [41234/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the Military Authorities that deployed personnel are provided with voice communications at a rate of five minutes per month. This is increased to ten minutes per month if designated a hardship mission. This is generally provided by means of a 30 to 60 minute call card.
Troops deployed in Mali were in receipt of voice and Internet services under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with deployed UK forces. On the cessation of the joint deployment arrangements with the UK, this facility was lost. The Defence Forces Director of Communications authorised the purchase of a local call card to provide each of the deployed personnel with a 60 minute voice allocation.
On 29 November 2016, the Defence Forces authorised the additional purchase of an Internet solution due to the hardship nature of the mission. This solution has been identified and purchased locally for immediate availability to mission personnel.
