Written Answers Nos. 232-242
232. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if consideration will be given to a road safety campaign focusing on visibility and awareness for vulnerable road users such as cyclists, schoolchildren and joggers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8908/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Road Safety Strategy 2013 to 2020, includes measures to promote the use of personal protection equipment and high visibility clothing, for vulnerable road users such as cyclists, school children and joggers, which are heavily funded by the Road Safety Authority (RSA). The Strategy includes an Action to 'Develop a standardised road safety cycling training proficiency programme for children and seek to make this programme available to as many schools as possible.' The programme encourages road awareness and being visible when cycling, and a pilot roll-out of the programme in a number of schools across the country commenced in Autumn 2015. Assimilated training has taken place to bring existing trainers up to the new standard and further training will be available for those wishing to attain the new standard. A training register is administered by Cycling Ireland. Rollout of 'CycleRight' to all interested schools began in recent weeks, funded by my Department and the RSA.
The RSA is continuing a number of road safety campaigns during 2017 through traditional media as well as through media aimed at younger people (digital and social media, cinema, in pubs, etc.) regarding speeding, seat-belt wearing, distracted driving/use of mobile phones, and alcohol and drug driving. In addition RSA National Promotional Officers visit national and secondary schools to promote road safety awareness and the RSA work with other organisations, e.g., Motorsport Ireland at rally events and local authority Safety Officers to promote road safety to younger age groups. The RSA run the 'Be Safe Be Seen' campaign, particularly through digital and social media used more by younger persons, throughout the year but with a particular focus when schools resume and in the winter months.
I am also currently looking at other ways to ensure all road users, particularly cyclists and pedestrians, are highly visible at night, as that is sadly a cause for a high number of road deaths.
233. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide funding to a sports club (details supplied) to allow the upgrade of its pitch; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8931/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sports Capital Programme (SCP) is the Government's primary vehicle to support the development of sports facilities and the purchase of sports equipment.
The 2017 round of the programme is currently open for applications. Applications must be made online at www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie. The application period closes on Friday next 24 February.
Information on how to make an application, including written and "YouTube" guides to the application process, are also available on the website.
Once the closing date has passed, work will begin on assessing the applications received. Based on previous timeframes, I expect that allocations under the current round will be made in August/September of this year.
234. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process by which a holder of an international driver's licence can obtain an Irish licence. [8933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are three ways for people with driving licences from outside this jurisdiction to obtain an Irish driving licence. Common to all cases is the fact that, under EU law, Member States may issue driving licences only to people normally resident on their territory. We cannot issue licences to people who have not taken up residence here.
The three cases are as follows. First, if a person is a holder of a driving licence issued by another EU Member State, then on taking up residence here they can exchange it for the Irish equivalent. Second, in the case of non-EU States we may reach bilateral agreements on exchange of driving licences. If a person with a driving licence from a State with which we have a bilateral agreement takes up residence here, they too may exchange their licence for an Irish one. Finally, if the person comes from a State with which we do not have an exchange arrangement, they are treated as a learner and must go through the driver learning process. They are not, however, required to wait the normal 6 months before applying for a driving test.
The International Driving Permit (IDP), as it is properly called, is not a driving licence as such. It is a translation of the person's national licence into an internationally recognised format. As such, possession of an IDP has no relevance to the question of exchange of a licence.
235. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the regulations for persons using horses and sulkies racing on public roadways; the rules under the Road Traffic Acts dealing with this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9072/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPeople riding horses and drivers of sulkies and other animal-drawn vehicles are obliged to comply with road traffic legislation, and are responsible for behaving in a safe manner, as are all road users.
There is at present no licensing regime for drivers of animal-drawn vehicles comparable to the system of driver licensing for mechanically propelled vehicles.
It is my understanding that, under the Control of Horses Act 1996, a local authority may declare an area within its territory to be a control area, and as such require that all horses in the area be licensed. A licence cannot be issued to a person under the age of 16.
In regard to races on public roads, there are proper mechanisms under the Roads Act 1993 for arranging races on public roads with the consent of local authorities and An Garda Síochána.
It is an offence to organise an unauthorised race on a public road.
236. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if each Minister of State in his Department has appointed a programme manager or adviser; the date of such appointment; and the remuneration and expenses allowance for each. [9536/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMinister of State O'Donovan has not appointed a programme manager or advisor.
237. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the detail of the grant aid and support programmes overseen by her Department which encourage businesses to build their online presence and compete in the online marketplace; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8900/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) are the first-stop-shop front line service assisting in delivering business growth and jobs for the small & micro-enterprise sector. The LEOs are the first port of call for anyone who wishes to start or expand a business, in terms of advice, training, sign posting to other support providers and, in certain circumstances, grant support. The LEOs undertake a number of activities to encourage businesses to build their online presence and compete in the online market place.
The LEOs nationwide actively promote the Trading Online Voucher Scheme (TOVS) on behalf of the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment. The TOVS offers matched financial assistance of up to €2,500, along with training and advice, to micro companies (10 or less employees) who want to establish an online presence for the first time, or who wish to expand a basic existing website to incorporate a more substantive online trading capacity. Since the start of the scheme in July 2014 to date almost 3,000 micro companies have availed of the TOVS.
The LEOs also offer a wide range of short training programmes to support their clients in building their online presence and to compete in the online marketplace. These programmes are focused on different elements which aim at maximising outputs from investment in online trading such as:
- Marketing, focused mainly on development of an online/mobile marketing strategy;
- Social Media, with the majority of programmes focused on educating the client base on how to use the different social media platforms to support their business;
- eCommerce Sales Strategy, including how to convert website visits into sales; and
- Search Engine Optimisation, including web analytics and video optimisation for web.
Enterprise Ireland (EI) works with 5,000 manufacturing and internationally traded services companies, and building an online presence is part of the range of supports offered to those clients. EI has supported projects focused on developing innovative products on new product platforms for international markets. However, EI cannot support companies whose only function is in the area of sales/distribution.
Working closely with the Irish Internet Association, EI delivers a range of funded and advisory eCommerce supports for its clients to develop their online marketing capabilities, for example:
- ‘Marketing Funding Support’: under a Business Process Improvement Grant client companies can apply for grant support to plan and implement significant strategic e-marketing projects
- ‘Measuring your Internet Marketing Maturity’: to help clients develop an understanding of their web presence and activity.
EI regularly organises events which can connect clients with leading experts and inform them on best practice. Topics covered include Developing an Online Strategy; Online Localisation for International Markets; Search Engine Optimisation; Pay Per Click Marketing; Branding and Getting the Web Content Right.
EI also offers an Excel @ Export Selling Workshop Series which includes creating a digital marketing strategy. This workshop is aimed at senior management executives with responsibility for selling high value products and services into business-to-business markets.
Finally, one of the key challenges identified by members of the Retail Consultation Forum which I chair is developing digital capacity across the retail sector. As set out in the 2017 Action Plan for Jobs, a pilot training programme to support retailers to scale up their online trading activity and expand into international markets will be developed. This initiative is being driven by DJEI, working with members of the Retail Consultation Forum and skills providers.
238. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation if each Minister of State in her Department has appointed a programme manager or adviser; the date of such appointment; and the remuneration and expenses allowance for each. [9534/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraStaffing numbers and remuneration in the offices of Government Ministers and Ministers of State are managed in line with Instructions issued by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
There are two Ministers of State with responsibilities assigned in my Department. My colleague, Minister of State John Halligan, T.D, has had sanction to appoint a Special Adviser. Minister of State Halligan’s portfolio extends to both my Department and the Department of Education and Skills, and his Special Adviser’s appointment likewise reflects that portfolio. The matter of the appointment of a Special Adviser to Mr. John Halligan, T.D. was processed by my colleague Mr. Richard Bruton, T.D., Minister for Education & Skills and I understand as the employer he will provide a definitive response to this matter.
239. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will grant adopted persons unfettered access to their birth certificates and adoption records. [9128/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra240. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will remove the proposed undertaking in section 41 of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016. [9129/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra247. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will grant adopted persons unfettered access to their birth certificates and adoption records. [9156/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra248. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will remove the proposed undertaking in section 41 of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016. [9157/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra255. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will grant adopted persons unfettered access to their birth certificates and adoption records. [9260/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra256. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will remove the proposed undertaking in section 41 of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016. [9261/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra283. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will grant adopted persons unfettered access to their birth certificates and adoption records. [9058/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra284. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has considered removing the proposed undertaking in section 41 of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016. [9059/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 239, 240, 247, 248, 255, 256, 283 and 284 together.
An adopted person aged 18 years or over who was adopted before the proposed legislation comes into operation, will be provided with his/her birth certificate information, as held on record, following a request to Tusla, subject to certain conditions.
Where an adoption order was made before the proposed legislation comes into operation, birth certificate information will be provided to an adopted person, after he/she has given an undertaking agreeing not to contact or attempt to contact his/her birth parent or not to ask anyone else to make or attempt to make contact on his/her behalf. This undertaking must be given except where the birth parent is deceased or is seeking to have contact with or willing to be contacted by the adopted person.
I am aware of the concerns of some adopted persons in relation to the need for the provision of an undertaking. However for the Bill to be legally sound, it must ensure that the birth parents’ right to privacy is protected as required in Irish constitutional law. This is one of the most important measures to protect this right, which includes, for example:
- enabling a birth parent to register his or her name on the Register of Adoption Contact Enquiries and to express his or her contact preferences;
- notifying a birth parent (whose name is entered on Register) in advance of the proposed release of birth certificate information and providing that parent with an opportunity to provide the Agency with a statement setting out his or her view that there are 'compelling reasons' as to why the information should not be released;
- offering support and guidance to both parties.
- Additionally, an awareness campaign will be undertaken during the first six months after commencement, to alert the relevant persons to the intention to release information to enable an adopted person to obtain his or her birth certificate (or a copy of his or her adoption order).
241. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the compelling reasons ground for refusing the release of information in the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 only applies when adopted persons are seeking information. [9130/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra242. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the release of information to an adopted person might endanger the life of a person. [9131/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra249. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the compelling reasons ground for refusing the release of information in the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 only applies when adopted persons are seeking information. [9158/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra250. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way the release of information to an adopted person might endanger the life of a person. [9159/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the compelling reasons ground for refusing the release of information in the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 only applies when adopted persons are seeking information. [9262/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason for the claim that the release of information to an adopted person may endanger the life of a person. [9263/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra285. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the compelling reasons ground for refusing the release of information in the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 only applies when adopted persons are seeking information. [9060/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra286. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the circumstances under which she considers the release of information to an adopted person might endanger the life of a person; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9061/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 241, 242, 249, 250, 257, 258, 285 and 286 together.
The Government approved the publication of the Heads and General Scheme of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill and referred it to the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for pre-legislative scrutiny. The Committee issued its report in November 2015 and included reference to the issue of refusal to disclose birth certificate information where Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, considers that there are compelling reasons, such as may endanger the life of a person, for so doing.
My Department considered the report of the Committee and a revised policy was developed to reflect concerns raised. The Bill provides that where a birth mother has registered her details on the Register, Tusla will notify her, in writing, of the adopted person’s application for his/her birth certificate information. She will be offered support and guidance by the Agency and advised that the adopted person has also been also been offered support and guidance. The birth mother will be advised that the information will be provided to the adopted person unless she advises Tusla within 12 weeks, that she considers that there are compelling reasons not to release this information. Where the Agency having considered any information, either provided by a birth parent or otherwise available to it, considers that there are compelling reasons for not disclosing information, it will refer the matter to the Circuit Court for determination. Any court hearing will be held in private. Compelling reasons are reasons that, having regard to all the circumstances, are likely to endanger the life of a person. This process only applies to the provision of birth certificate information to an adopted person, as such information which identifies the birth mother is being provided to an adopted person without the birth mother's consent. Any information about an adopted person will be only provided to a birth parent, where the adopted person consents.
