Written Answers Nos. 296 - 306
296. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her views on whether the departure of the UK from the EU will have a negative impact on successful funding applications by Ireland to the Horizon 2020 programme. [7716/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has won €337 million in competitive EU funding under Horizon 2020 from 2014 to September 2016. Higher Education Institutes accounted for €198 million or, 59% of the total. Companies won €104 million or, 31%, with €74 million of this going to SMEs. This result indicates that Ireland is on track to achieve its national target of securing €1.25 billion over the lifetime of Horizon 2020.
The full implications of the UK vote to leave the EU for the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation have yet to be determined. Exit negotiations will not commence until Article 50 has been triggered by the UK and will probably take the maximum allowed period of two years to complete. Given that the UK Government has committed to triggering Article 50 during March, the earliest likely departure date for the UK is March 2019. There will be no change in the situation regarding the UK’s entitlement to participate in Horizon 2020 during that period. This point has been confirmed by the EU Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Carlos Moedas.
In August 2016 the UK Government announced that the UK Treasury will underwrite the payment of EU funding to all UK organisations bidding for Horizon 2020 projects while the UK is still a member of the EU, even when specific projects continue beyond the UK’s departure from the EU. This guarantee provides a measure of certainty both to UK applicants and their prospective partners in other member states.
Ireland's international collaborative links in Horizon 2020 are well diversified across the EU: only 13% of Ireland's collaborative links are with the UK. In addition, less than 5% of the funding won to date has come from UK led projects. Therefore, Ireland does not have a critical reliance on the UK as a partner in Horizon 2020 in order to secure funding.
In the light of these considerations, it is unlikely that the UK's departure from the EU will have a significant impact on Ireland’s success in securing funding from Horizon 2020.
297. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the discussions the director general of Science Foundation Ireland has had with his counterparts or other relevant officials in the UK on the permutations for Ireland on research collaboration between the two states when the UK exits the EU; and if funding for pre-existing awards will be guaranteed. [7717/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOver the last five years, SFI has put significant effort into enhancing Ireland’s scientific collaborations with the UK. SFI co-funds with Wellcome, the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), and the Royal Society and more recently has agreed collaborative arrangements with the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Centre (EPSRC). SFI also fosters collaborations between Ireland, Northern Ireland and the US through the US-Ireland Partnership programme. This programme invites researchers in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the US to work together on research projects that are then co-funded by SFI and the Health Research Board in Ireland, the Dept. of the Economy in Northern Ireland and the National Institutes of Health and National Science Foundation in the US. These collaborative arrangements are bilateral/trilateral and are, therefore, not impacted by Brexit. A key objective for SFI is to strengthen its research funding partnerships including with the UK with the goal of supporting further and stronger scientific collaboration. This will help to ensure that the Irish research community is well-positioned for all post Brexit scenarios. Funding from SFI for pre-existing awards is not impacted by Brexit.
298. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of trips outside the State taken by either the Minister or Ministers of State in her Department in tabular form; the locations they were to; the purpose of each trip; the duration of each trip; the officials who accompanied the Minister or Minister of State on each trip; and the costs of flights, accommodation and any other expenses incurred per person on each trip. [7733/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe table shows the costs borne by my Department to date for the official foreign engagements that I and my Ministerial colleagues, Minister Breen and Minister Halligan, have undertaken since our appointments in May 2016.
In a number of instances, the columns which show “Not applicable” indicate that travel undertaken was either on a single day and did not involve overnight accommodation costs or that certain costs were borne by other parties such as the EU, the Department of Foreign Affairs, Enterprise Ireland and IDA Ireland.
|
Minister / Officials |
Location |
Purpose |
Dates |
Cost of flights |
Cost of accommodation |
Travel & Subsistence costs
|
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Brussels, Belgium |
Trade Council Meeting |
12.05.2016 - 13.05.2016 |
€572.93 |
€168.25 |
€126.57 |
|
Private Secretary + 2 Senior Officials |
|
|
12.05.2016 - 13.05.2016 |
€1,010.85 (for 3 return flights) |
€504.75 [for 3 people] |
€468.53 (for 3 people) |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Brussels, Belgium |
Trade Council Meeting |
26.05.2016 |
€405.97 |
Not applicable |
€72.33 |
|
Private Secretary + Special Advisor + 3 Senior Officials |
|
|
26.05.2016 |
€1,517.86
(for 5 return flights) |
Not applicable for Private Secretary and Special Advisor.
€149.50 per person x 3 Senior Officials as overnight involved. |
€897.32 (for 5 people)
|
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Leeds, England. |
Visit in advance of UK Referendum |
07.06.2016 |
€59.26 per person |
N/A – day trip. |
€0.00 |
|
Private Secretary + Special Advisor |
|
|
|
|
|
€69.36 (for 2). |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Farnborough, England. |
Enterprise Ireland clients @ Farnborough International Air Show |
12.07.2016 – 13.07.2016 |
Costs borne directly by the Agency |
Costs borne directly by the Agency |
€83.68 |
|
Private Secretary + Special Advisor |
|
|
|
|
|
€335.19 (total for 2 people) |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Brussels, Belgium |
Meetings with EU Commissioner Bienkowska and EU Commissioner Malmstrom. |
05.09.2016 |
€100.98 |
N/A – day trip |
€36.16 |
|
Private Secretary + Special Advisor + 2 Senior Officials |
Brussels, Belgium |
|
|
€647.92 (total for 4 people ) |
€111.80 in accommodation costs for 1 official as overnight involved. |
€340.62 (total for 4 people) |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Brussels, Belgium |
EU Competitiveness Council |
29.09.2016 |
€76.48 |
Not applicable |
€36.16 |
|
Private Secretary + Special Advisor + 2 Senior Officials
|
|
Senior Officials 28th & 29th (2 nights) |
|
€411.94 ( for 4 return flights) |
N/A for Private Secretary and Special Advisor. €164.50 p/p for 2 officials as overnight involved for 2 days of Council meetings. |
€531.84 ( for 4 people) |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
San Francisco + Los Angeles, USA |
IDA Marketing Programme to the West Coast United States of America |
17.10.2016 – 22.10.2016 [6 days] |
Costs borne directly by the Agency |
Costs borne directly by the Agency |
€203.05
|
|
Private Secretary + Special Advisor + 1 Senior Official
|
|
|
|
|
|
€453.22 (or 3 people ) |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
London, England |
Meeting with Secretaries of State Clark and Fox |
02.11.2016 |
€171.87 |
N/A – day trip |
€67.31 |
|
Special Advisor & 1 Official |
|
|
|
€432.68 (for 2) |
|
€62.64 (for 2 people) |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Shenzhen and Beijing, China + Tokyo, Japan |
EI & IDA Trade and Investment Programme to China and Japan
|
14.112016 – 19.11.2016 [ 6 days ] |
Costs borne directly by the Agency |
Costs borne directly by the Agency |
€445.89 |
|
Private Secretary + Special Advisor + 1 Senior Official
|
|
|
|
|
|
€206.44 (for 3 people) |
|
Minister Mitchell O'Connor |
Brussels, Belgium |
EU Competitiveness Council |
28.11.2016 |
€181.97 |
N/A |
€36.16 |
|
Private Secretary + 2 Officials
|
Brussels, Belgium |
|
28.11.2016 |
€540.89 ( for 3 people) |
N/A for Private Secretary. Officials required for 2 days of meetings. €313.10 (for 2) |
€435.82 (for 3 people) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Luxembourg |
EPSCO Council |
1.6.2016/ 2.6.2016 |
€1,922.87 [Return via London. Flight delayed out of Luxembourg. This necessitated purchase of replacement flight at short notice to enable to get home for Ministerial event early the next morning.] |
€179.61 |
€134.10 |
|
Senior Official |
|
|
|
€589.85 |
€185 |
€281.12 |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Geneva, Switzerland |
International Labour Organisation Conference |
8.6.2016/ 9.6.2016 |
€518.70 |
€231.19 |
€252.05 |
|
Senior Official |
|
|
|
€195.82 |
€242.32 |
€252.67 |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Bratislava, Slovakia |
EU Competitiveness Council |
17.7.2016/ 18.7.2016 |
€529.28 per person |
€85.51 |
€24.50 |
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
|
€429.05 [for 2] |
€137.24 [for 2] |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Minneapolis, USA |
Trade Mission |
18.9.16/ 22.9.16 |
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
€352.16 |
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
|
|
€550.42 [2 people] |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Luxembourg |
CETA meeting |
17.10.16/ 18.10.16 |
€804.91 |
Costs borne by EU |
€188.41 |
|
Private Secretary |
|
|
|
€804.91 |
Costs borne by EU |
€127.59 |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Brussels, Belgium |
EU Trade Council |
10.11.16 /11.11.16 |
€83.99 |
N/A |
€126.58 |
|
Private Secretary + 2 Senior Officials |
|
|
|
€374.65 |
€96.15 per person |
€375.11 (for 3 people) |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
India |
Trade Mission |
14.11.16/ 21.11.16 |
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
€254.74 |
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
€182.65 (for 2 people) |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Warsaw, Poland |
Trade Event |
24.11.16/ 25.11.16 |
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
€174.65 |
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
€168.68 [for 2 people] |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Brussels, Belgium |
EPSCO Council |
7.12.16/ 8.11.16 |
€135.98 |
€180 |
€162.75 |
|
Private Secretary + 2 Senior Officials |
|
|
|
€321.94 (for 3) |
€540 (for 3 people) |
€674.05 [for 3 people] |
|
Minister Pat Breen |
Dubai, UAE. |
Trade Mission |
29.1.17/ 1.2.17 |
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
€0
|
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
€0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minister John Halligan |
Bratislava, Slovakia |
European Co-operation in Science & Technology Ministerial Conference |
22.9.16 /23.9.16 |
€90.19 |
Costs borne by EU Presidency |
€296.05 |
|
Private Secretary |
|
|
|
€90.19 |
Costs borne by EU Presidency |
€180.25 |
|
Minister John Halligan |
Kyoto & Osaka, Japan + onward leg to Seoul, South Korea |
(i)EU-Japan Science Policy Forum (ii) Meeting of the Science & Technology Forum (iii) RD&I Collaboration Mission n Science & Technology Ministerial Conference |
1.10.16 / 8.10.16 [8 days ] |
€1,474.73 |
€1,675.10
|
€1,017.94
|
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
€2,949.46 (for 2 people) |
€3,350.02 (for 2 people) |
€1,505.96 (for 2 people)
|
|
Other Costs incurred Room Hire (for some meetings) and Car Hire for delegation in Japan & South Korean |
|
|
|
|
|
€1,082.33 [8 days] |
|
Minister John Halligan |
Trento, Italy |
International Space Forum (Ministerial) |
23.10.16 – 25.10.16 |
€585.97 |
€230 per person |
€523.19 (includes London trip 25/26th Oct below)
|
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
€1262.93 (for 2 people) |
|
€614.43 (for 2 people)
(T&S also includes London trip 25/26th Oct below for Private Secretary)
|
|
Return transport from Verona to Trento for Ministerial delegation |
|
|
|
|
|
€610 |
|
Minister John Halligan |
London, England |
Enterprise Ireland Trade Mission |
25.10.16 – 26.10.16 |
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
-
|
|
Private Secretary |
|
|
|
Costs borne by Agency |
Costs borne by Agency |
- |
|
Minister John Halligan |
Vietnam + Laos |
Accompanying President Higgins |
7.11.16 – 11.11.16 (5 days) |
Costs borne by DFAT |
Costs borne by DFAT |
€441.75
|
|
Private Secretary |
|
|
|
Costs borne by DFAT |
Costs borne by DFAT |
€324.34
|
|
Minister John Halligan |
Lucerne, Switzerland |
European Space Agency Ministerial Council |
30.11.16 – 2.12.16
|
€300.98 |
€544 |
€85.44
|
|
Private Secretary + 1 Senior Official |
|
|
|
€398.94 (for 2 people) |
€1,329.87 (For 2 people. Official required to stay additional night) |
€589.71 (for 2 people) |
299. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the LGBT youth strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7498/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government (2016) gives a commitment to develop a Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) Youth Strategy. This is a key commitment for my Department in the Programme for Government and also makes a contribution towards the Government’s broader commitment to continue to strive for full inclusion of LGBT people in Ireland.
Better Outcomes Brighter Futures, The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People 2014 – 2020 and The National Youth Strategy 2015 – 2020 provide a framework within which the National LGBT Youth Strategy will be developed with a focus on appropriate measures to ensure that young people identifying as LGBT are supported in achieving their full potential. The LGBT Youth Strategy will build on the National Youth Strategy (2015) which aims to enable all young people to realise their maximum potential by respecting their rights, hearing their voices and addressing their concerns.
The five national outcomes that we want for all our children and young people are that they: are active and healthy, with positive physical and mental well-being; are achieving their full potential in all areas of learning and development; are safe and protected from harm; have economic security and opportunity; and are connected, respected and contributing to their world.
The National Youth Strategy identifies Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender young people as a specific group to be considered in the context of focused provision for marginalised young people; the National LGBT Youth Strategy will identify the additional measures that are required to ensure that young people identifying as LGBT can achieve the same outcomes as all children and young people.
In December 2016 I announced the establishment of an Oversight Committee with an Independent Chair. The LGBT Youth Strategy Oversight Committee met for the first time earlier this month in my Department. The Committee is comprised of officials from relevant departments and agencies along with stakeholders from the LGBT community and headed by an Independent Chair. This includes representatives from various government departments, Tusla, Sport Ireland, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, BeLonG To, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network and the Transgender Equality Network Ireland.
It is important to me that the voices and the experiences of young people are front and centre in forming the strategy – and a consultation will be a key part of the work. The strategy will be informed by youth and stakeholder consultation, situation analysis to include review of current policy, strategy and service provision and relevant existing data.
The consultations will target young people, both those identifying as LGBT and those not in order to ensure the voice of young people is respected and contributes to this strategy. The consultations will also seek to include those working with young people on a regular basis and the general population at large.
It is my intention to ensure that the consultation process and completion of the strategy are progressed in a timely fashion throughout 2017.
300. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1682 of 17 January 2017, the reason the Garda is not an agency involved in the process of creating a national service model for sexual abuse services for children and their families, particularly since she mentions Garda investigation as a key element in her reply; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7507/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is currently leading a national, multiagency process to implement a service model for sexual abuse services for children and their families. Tusla has advised that An Garda Síochána are represented on the National Steering Committee for Sexual Abuse Services which has been established to facilitate and promote integration and co-ordination of the key stakeholder agencies in the development of sexual abuse services for children in Ireland. Other agencies involved in this process are Tusla, the HSE, the Children's Hospital Group, the Probation Service and CARI.
301. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when refurbishment works currently being carried out to a children and young person's residential care unit (details supplied) are likely to be completed; if the centre will continue to be used to accommodate minors in care post-works; if so, when the facility will reopen for service users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7566/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that they are giving due consideration to the demands on the Children's Residential service and how best the centre can exist in meeting the demands of the limited number of children in Donegal who may require such a service. The needs of this group of children will be the determining factor in the decision as to what the role and function of the centre can be. Within this context, the purpose and function of the Children's Residential Centre in Letterkenny remains under consideration while the premises are being upgraded.
302. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the allocation of funding will be approved for the new Tusla building in Carrick-on-Shannon in view of the current state and condition of the older building and the previous commitments on this development; when progress will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7591/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family agency is in receipt of capital funding of €13.5m in 2017. Tusla has made provision, within its Capital Plan, for the Carrick-on-Shannon project.
I can confirm that Tusla is committed to the leasing of new modern office space at Shannonside Retail Park in Carrick-on-Shannon. These new premises will provide easy access to the public and will accommodate the expansion of Tusla staff and services for local communities. While there have been some delays in the development of this office space due to issues in relation to procurement, a design team has been engaged and the project is at detailed design stage. When that work is complete Tusla will be in a position to sign the lease.
303. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she plans to announce funding that will be allocated to preschool providers nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7597/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2017 provided for additional funding for childcare providers nationwide under several different headings. I will be providing, for the first time, an additional payment for providers at the end of the ECCE year to take account of the administrative work they are required to complete - some providers refer to this as 'non-contact time'. This will be equivalent to seven days' ECCE payment at the peak (post-April) enrolment. I will also be providing a similar payment to providers of the CCS and other targeted childcare schemes. €14.5million is provided for these payments.
In addition to this, I have secured funding for Capital projects for Early Years and after-school childcare provision. The criteria for application for these are in the final stages of development and I hope to open this grant programme for applications in the coming weeks. The total funding available under these two capital schemes will be €7.5 million.
A small number of providers will also be provided additional funding in the coming weeks, where their sustainability has been challenged by the full implementation of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016.
304. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1709 to 1712, inclusive, of 17 January 2017, her views on a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7686/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked Tusla to expand the Separated Children's team to progress the Dail resolution on unaccompanied minors who were previously in unofficial camps near Calais. Tusla is putting in place a project office and increasing the number of staff on this team. The additional staff will include a senior social work practitioner, social workers and social care staff. I understand that Tusla is examining how best to manage the required psychological support for the young people, including the recruitment of a psychologist into the team. I have been assured that residential accommodation being sourced will be homely in nature and in line with national standards.
I have committed to making sure that this service is properly resourced, and that the high standard of the current service continues. The estimates of the cost involved will be kept under review as the situation evolves. I am closely monitoring the emerging situation to ensure this humanitarian effort will be successful.
Tusla's most recent estimate is that an additional €8 million in a full year will be required to expand the Separated Children Seeking Asylum team. The estimate is likely to be reviewed as more information about the individual needs of the young people become known. The therapeutic needs can only be determined once the children have been assessed after arriving here. The estimated legal costs will depend on the complexity of the care order that is required and may be an overestimate overall. As the children will arrive on a phased basis it is expected that the cost in 2017 will be considerably less than €8 million.
305. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the false information in Tusla relating to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7724/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra306. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the false information in Tusla relating to a person (details supplied). [7725/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.
I can advise the Deputy that I have met with the person concerned, and heard for the first time of their experience with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I was extremely concerned for their individual situation and the serious impact it has had on the person concerned, his wife and their family.
This individual case, and the public response to the mistakes made, has shown again the necessity that agencies invested with responsibility for such important, sensitive and complex work can be trusted to be both competent and fair in their procedures and practices. I am concerned to know, and the public requires reassurance, that the mistakes acknowledged in this case cannot arise again in Tusla’s Child Protection and Welfare Services.
I have asked HIQA, the Health Information and Quality Authority, to undertake an independent Statutory Investigation, under Section 9 of the Health Act 2007, into how Tusla manages allegations of child abuse.
I will be making the Terms of Reference public as soon as possible and I will be seeking to have the investigation concluded as quickly as possible.
