Written Answers Nos. 443-469
443. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, with regard to the affordable child care scheme, the current programme implementation platform, PIP, system and the new information technology online application system will be ready prior to September 2017 to ensure it is piloted and tested properly and that early years practitioners are provided the training on the way to implement the new system. [9207/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe policy paper for the introduction of the Affordable Childcare Scheme was approved by Government in October 2016. Since then, officials of the DCYA and Pobal have been working intensively to plan for the implementation of the Affordable Childcare Scheme. I am committed to the earliest possible introduction of the Affordable Childcare Scheme.
We are working to an ambitious deadline because of what is involved – legislation, new business processes, data protection and building a new IT system.
We will need to integrate data from the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue Commissioners so that the system can calculate every family’s net income and ACS subsidy. We will need to test the IT system rigorously to make sure it works, even in complicated family circumstances.
Because of all of this, we may not have a fully automated system that delivers everything by September 2017. However, we are working intensively to make sure we have an initial system that works for parents from that date. This may involve, for example, having an automated version of the universal element, with quick turnaround times for parents, while leaving somewhat longer turnaround times to complete the means assessment for applications for the targeted element of the system. DCYA will then continue work, with Pobal, on building a fully automated system.
Full information on the Scheme will be made available to parents and childcare providers well in advance of September, and change management supports will be provided to childcare services.
444. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the fact that early years practitioners have had to learn new systems and programmes with no additional funding; if there will be an additional administration budget for the 2017-2018 annual year (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9208/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn Budget 2017, I was pleased to secure additional funding of €14.5m, to help ease the burden of administration on childcare providers by paying for over a week's 'non-contact time' on top of existing capitation payments. Officials are making the arrangements necessary to administer this payment, which will be made in summer 2017. I am of the view that, in the long term, the cost of administration of schemes operated on behalf of my Department should be fully integrated into the capitation payments made to services. Research is necessary to accurately capture the cost - and time - burdens that providers face, and I am committed to undertaking this. In relation to the 2017-2018 year, I will be seeking funding for administration costs for childcare providers as part of the estimates process prior to Budget 2018.
445. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the further funding that might be available to a playgroup (details supplied); if her Department will review the current funding provided; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9209/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a Capital Grant Scheme for Play and Recreation, which supports new and existing play and recreation facilities for children and young people.
The Scheme provides for new and innovative projects which can include new facilities, equipment, designs and/or the utilisation of non-traditional play spaces or the refurbishment or upgrading of existing play and recreation spaces and facilities.
Applications to this Scheme can be made through the Local Authority in which the facility/equipment will be available. Matched funding is a requirement of the Scheme and can be in the form of funds raise by voluntary groups, or a Local Authority contribution of finance or ‘in kind’ funding.
The total amount of funding available in 2017 is €250,000. A maximum grant of €20,000 will be allocated to each Local Authority.
446. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when parents in counties Cavan and Monaghan will have access to or have some information on the subsidy to which they are entitled under the affordable child care scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9210/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra"The universal element of the Scheme will be available to all families with children between the age of 6 months and 36 months (or until the child qualifies for the free pre-school programme if later than 36 months). The targeted element of the scheme will involve a progressive system of income-related subsidies for parents with children between 6 months and 15 years, with eligibility based on net parental income. A family may receive either the universal or the targeted subsidy per eligible child, not both. The subsidy provided will be whichever of the universal and targeted payment is most favourable to a family.
For parents with net incomes up to €22,700 per annum, the maximum rate of childcare subsidy will be payable. The rate of subsidy will taper downwards as net income rises, with no means-tested / income related subsidy payable when net income reaches €47,500. For families with net income levels above this threshold, the universal subsidy may be available, depending on the age of the child.
The scheme will be available in childcare providers who are registered with Tusla, including both centre-based childcare providers (e.g. crèches, preschools and daycare centres) and child-minders.
Further information regarding the Affordable Childcare Scheme can be found on the Department's website. There is also a FAQs document which should be of help to the parents in Cavan and Monaghan, as it outlines the subsidies that they will be able to avail of."
As plans for the implementation of the scheme progress further, details will become available through a dedicated website.
447. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason parents are means-tested on their net income and not their disposable income with regard to the affordable child care scheme; her views on the fact that many parents in counties Cavan and Monaghan will not be able to access this scheme because of the criteria; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9284/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Affordable Childcare Scheme was conceived with fairness and equality at its core. As you are aware the Scheme has two elements, universal and targeted. This means that the Scheme is available to all families with children under 3 years of age.
It is an imperative of the targeted element of the scheme that those on the lowest incomes receive the greatest subsidies. The most transparent, and fairest, way in which to achieve this is to base this element of the scheme on the net income of families. It is fairer and more accessible than the current targeted subsidy programmes, under which many low-income families are not currently able to access subsidised childcare because of the requirement to be in receipt of certain State benefits or attending certain training programmes. If it was based on disposable income, this allowance would generally benefit higher-income earners more, which would run counter to the intention of the Scheme to target supports primarily at those with the lowest incomes. This approach to assessing means is very much in line with most means-assessment Government schemes currently in operation.
While all targeted schemes, by their nature, have thresholds and cut-off points, the new Affordable Childcare Scheme is designed to be flexible, with the ability to adjust income thresholds, subsidy rates and income taper rates, over time and as further Government investment becomes available.
448. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost per year for the past three years of the retrieval and return of hard copy files stored at off-site locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9302/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has not incurred any expenditure for the past three years in relation to the retrieval and return of hard copy files stored at off site locations.
449. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of witnesses who have given evidence to the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes confidential committee. [9361/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra450. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of witnesses who have given evidence to the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes investigation committee. [9362/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra451. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of witnesses who have been refused an opportunity to give evidence to the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes. [9363/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra452. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of witnesses who have given evidence to the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes confidential committee who have subsequently been invited to a hearing of the commission's investigation committee. [9364/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 452, inclusive, together.
In accordance with section 9 of the Commissions of Investigation Act 2004, it is essential to recognise that the Commission is independent in the performance of its functions. Therefore, I do not have access to the information sought by the Deputy. The engagement with witnesses is a matter for the Commission to manage and progress and I do not have any role or influence in this regard.
The Deputy may wish to contact the Commission directly at info@mbhcoi.ie.
453. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will grant adopted persons unfettered access to their birth certificates and adoption records. [9365/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra454. Deputy Anne Rabbitte 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. [9366/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 453 and 454 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).
455. Deputy Anne Rabbitte 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. [9367/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra456. Deputy Anne Rabbitte 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. [9368/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 455 and 456 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 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 mothers consent. Any information about an adopted person will be only provided to a birth parent, where the adopted person consents.
457. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that the national adoption contact preference register is put on a statutory footing in the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016. [9369/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill was published on 25th November 2016. The Bill provides at Section 14 that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, shall establish and maintain a register to be known as the Register of Adoption Contact Enquiries. The existing National Adoption Contact Preference Register (NACPR) will be discontinued. However, all information relating to the NACPR will be retained. Before the new Register is established, each person whose details are on the NACPR will be contacted advising them of the new Register that is being established by Tusla. They will be invited to apply to have their details entered on the new Register. However, where birth parents have already indicated a preference for no contact on the NACPR, details of this preference will be transferred to the new Register.
458. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will ensure that information sources holding records pertaining to illegal adoptions, particularly instances in which no adoption order exists, will be compelled under the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 to transfer their records to the Adoption Authority of Ireland. [9370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdoption records are currently held by the Adoption Authority of Ireland, Tusla and agencies accredited under the Adoption Act 2010. Under the proposed legislation, the Authority will have overall responsibility for the safeguarding of all adoption records, including information relating to informal adoptions and persons whose birth was incorrectly registered. All adoption records, which are currently held in a number of locations, are to be transferred to the custody of the Authority. The Bill provides that the records are to be indexed and a searchable electronic database of the records is to be created. The Authority is to ensure that all adoption records are to be kept in a suitable and secure location. The Bill also provides the Authority with wide ranging powers to collect records including those related to incorrect birth registrations.
459. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the plans in place to reach out to the more than 2,000 persons who were sent from Ireland to America for adoption from the 1940s to the 1970s. [9371/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill was published on 25th November 2016 and it provides a statutory basis for the provision of information related to both past and future adoptions. The Bill is intended to facilitate access to adoption information and operates on the basis of a presumption in favour of disclosing information in so far as is legally and constitutionally possible. It provides clarity around the information that can be provided and the circumstances in which it can be provided to those affected by adoption. The definition of adopted person in the Bill was drafted so as to ensure service provision in all historic adoptions where a child was placed and brought up outside the State primarily in the USA.
There will be an information campaign for six months following commencement of the Act to publicise the provisions of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill. Tusla will liaise with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to identify the methods of maximising contact with persons outside of the State affected by Irish adoptions through media outlets, social media and other appropriate methods.
460. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will reinstate the stakeholder adoption advisory groups established by her predecessor (details supplied). [9372/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2003 then Minister for Children, Brian Lenihan TD, launched a consultation process in regard to adoption. As a result of this process in January 2005 the Department of Health and Children published "Adoption Legislation: 2003 Consultation and Proposals For Change". The Report has served to inform the legislative developments that have taken place since then in particular the Adoption Act 2010 and the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland has operational responsibility for adoption in Ireland. In this regard I am advised by the Authority that it is proactive in its consultation with stakeholders. The Authority continues to meet with various stakeholder groups on a regular basis. These include Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, the Departments of Health and Children and Youth Affairs, and the various Bodies accredited to provide adoption services and various country-specific adoption support groups (e.g. Viet South and the Irish Chinese Contact Group).
I am also advised that during 2016, the CEO and/or members of the Authority's Senior Management Team met with the Adoption Rights Alliance, Irish Foster Care Association, Childrens' Rights Alliance and Treoir. The Authority also resumed meetings 'on circuit' which allowed it to meet locally based groups, e.g. 'Know My Own' (Cork), the Sligo Family Resource Centre and Danu. The Authority intends to meet with local adoption groups in Galway and Waterford later this year. Furthermore the Authority has held a variety of information seminars involving all stakeholders.
I have no plans to establish the stakeholder adoption advisory groups but I have asked the Adoption Authority to keep me advised of any issues which arise in their consultation.
461. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost per year for the past three years of the storage of data and-or files on cloud storage or third-party servers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9400/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that my Department has not incurred any expenditure for the past three years for the storage of data and or files on cloud storage or third party servers.
462. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all regulatory impact assessments for her legislative proposals are published on her Department websites; the web address for each such site; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9416/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA regulatory impact assessment (RIA) is prepared in respect of each Bill and is published in due course but not before the publication of the Bill. Each published RIA and its corresponding web address are listed as follows.
|
Agency |
Web Address |
|
Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill RIA |
www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/legislation/20161214RegImpactAnalysisAdoptInfoandTracingBill.pdf |
|
Adoption (Amendment) Bill RIA |
www.dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/legislation/20161214RegImpactAssAdoptAmendBillApr2016.pdf |
|
Child and Family Agency Bill 2013 RIA |
www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/chidfamilysupportagency/RIA_CFA.pdf |
|
Children First Bill 2014 RIA |
http://dcya.gov.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/children_first/ChildrenFirstRIAMAY2014.pdf |
|
Children (Amendment) Bill 2015 RIA |
www.dcya.gov.ie/documents/publications/20151215ChildAmendBillRIAssessment.pdf |
463. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of employees in her Department and under its aegis who are suspended from work without prejudice and on full pay pending an investigation. [9715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no staff in my Department suspended from work without prejudice and on full pay pending an investigation.
With regard to the agencies within my remit:
- Tusla has advised me that seven employees are currently on administrative leave on full pay pending an internal investigation;
- Oberstown Children Detention Campus has advised me that one employee is currently on suspension from work without prejudice and on full pay pending an investigation;
- The Adoption Authority of Ireland has advised me that they have no staff suspended from work without prejudice and on full pay pending an investigation;
- The Ombudsman for Children's Office have advised that they have replied directly to the Deputy on this matter.
464. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost per year for the past three years of the retrieval and return of hard copy files stored at off-site locations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9304/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe cost for the retrieval and return of Department of Defence hard copy files stored at off site locations for the past three years is set out in the following table. Figures shown are ex. VAT which is payable at 23%.
|
Costs |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
|
Retrieval & Refile |
€3,643.76 |
€3,218.98 |
€3,331.07 |
These costs are paid by the Office of Public Works.
I am satisfied that the costs incurred in the storage of records for the Defence Organisation are kept to a minimum while ensuring that such records are retained for the purposes of compliance with National Archives legislation.
465. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the Health and Safety Authority inspections of the Air Corps at Casement Aerodrome were by invitation or as a result of complaints regarding ongoing and long-term health and safety violations by serving and former personnel. [9393/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am advised by the military authorities that the three inspections conducted by the Health and Safety Authority at Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel in 2016 were as a result of a complaint the Authority received in relation to chemical safety in the Air Corps.
The military authorities have further advised that they have no details regarding the source of this complaint.
466. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost per year for the past three years of the storage of data and-or files on cloud storage or third-party servers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were no costs incurred by my Department for the past three years for the storage of data and or files on cloud storage or third party servers.
467. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if all regulatory impact assessments for his legislative proposals are published on his Department websites; the web address for each such site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9418/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn general, legislation emanating from the Department of Defence is focused on the Defence Forces only and does not apply to the ordinary citizen or to business. For this reason, it has not been considered necessary to publish regulatory impact assessments on legislative proposals on the Department’s website. Notwithstanding this, the Department applies the principles set out in the Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) Guidelines issued by the Department of the Taoiseach where appropriate.
468. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide, with regard to Article 31 of the Defence Forces Regulations, R5 (New Series) Reserve Defence Forces, October 2005, which provides for the promotion of officers of the Reserve, the number of officers who have applied for promotion from lieutenant to captain, RDF, under this provision for each of the years 2009 to 2016; the number of officers that were promoted under the provisions of Article 31(2) in each of the years 2009 to 2015; the number of captain, RDF, vacancies that now exist in each of the two brigades; the number of redress of wrong applications that have been made from those officers who want to utilise this article of the regulations to secure promotion; the reason this existing promotion process which is provided by regulation does not appear to have been utilised for those persons who are considered qualified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9525/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought could not be provided in the time allowed. The information will be provided to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.
469. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of employees in his Department and under its aegis who are suspended from work without prejudice and on full pay pending an investigation. [9717/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present there is one employee of my Department suspended with pay pending an investigation.
