Written Answers Nos. 358-369
358. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding available for youth services and youth development services in counties Sligo and Leitrim, with particular reference to areas of social and economic deprivation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16907/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy 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 involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff working in youth services and communities throughout the country.
In 2017, €57.4 m has been allocated in current funding to support the provision of youth services, an increase of €5.5m. The additional funding is being 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 provides funding to Sligo/Leitrim Home Youth Liaison Service Project (€46,421 in 2017), Mohill Community Youth Project (€29,520 in 2017), Leitrim Youth Project (€86,803 in 2017) and Leitrim Traveller Youth Project (€15,103) under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme . In addition, Sligo Youth Information Centre has been allocated €66,921 in 2017.
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through the local Education and Training Boards. The scheme is open to some 1,600 youth groups and clubs, with an estimated 89,000 club members around the country. The scheme, which is open to new entrants, is advertised locally and applications for funding are invited by the Education and Training Boards from local groups in their respective areas. Each year, some 600 local youth clubs benefit from the scheme. In 2016, €1.065m was allocated to this scheme, of which €58,568 was allocated to Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board. In 2017, I have provided an additional 10% in funding to the scheme, brining the total allocation to €1.1715. My Department will be advising Education and Training Boards of their allocations later this month.
As the Deputy may be aware, a number of funding schemes supporting youth services were the subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review in 2014. Work on the development of a new funding scheme has been prioritised by my Department and consultations with youth services are continuing with a view to introducing the new youth funding programme as soon as possible. As part of this process, 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 this mapping exercise will inform future development and investment in youth services.
359. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to assess specific deficiencies in respect of child care, youth support and-or development services, in particular counties Sligo and Leitrim; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16920/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra360. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the supports in place to assist children or teenagers who may be vulnerable in child care, youth support and or development services, in particular counties Sligo and Leitrim; the extent to which she continues to liaise with specific groups in this regard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16921/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 359 and 360 together.
It is recognised that particular groups of children and young people can face more challenges in achieving the five national outcomes set out in Better Outcomes Brighter Futures: the National Policy Framework for Children and Young People (2014-2020), and numerous specific commitments of the Framework reflect this.
My Department identified prevention and early intervention as a key cross-sectoral priority. This is being addressed through the Area-Based Childhood programme, the development of a Quality and Capacity Building initiative, and supporting relevant priorities of other Government Departments. As part of this, the Advisory Council for Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures, which brings together members of the community and voluntary sector as well as independent experts, has worked on a number of priority areas including homelessness and child poverty. Members of the Council and officials from my Department recently met with representatives from Focus Ireland and St. Vincent de Paul to progress these issues.
My Department funds the County and City Childcare Committees (CCCs) (including Sligo and Leitrim CCCs) and Childcare Committees Ireland, to provide business support to services. Funding is also provided to Better Start, to provide a quality support service and to Pobal who undertake compliance visits on behalf of this Department, and the Department of Education and Skills who provide education focussed support to childcare providers.
My Department also administers a range of funding schemes and targeted programmes that support the provision of youth services for young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. My Department provides funding to Sligo/Leitrim Home Youth Liaison Service Project (€46,421 in 2017), Mohill Community Youth Project (€29,520 in 2017), Leitrim Youth Project (€86,803 in 2017) and Leitrim Traveller Youth Project (€15,103) under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme. In addition, Sligo Youth Information Centre has been allocated €66,921 in 2017.
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports youth work activities at a local level. Each year, some 600 local youth clubs benefit from the scheme. In 2016, €1.065m was allocated to this scheme, of which €58,568 was allocated to Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim Education and Training Board.
I have visited many youth services and projects across the country since taking office and I am committed to continuing to do so. Officials in my Department have regular contact with the larger national youth organisations and with the sixteen Education and Training Boards, including Mayo Sligo and Leitrim ETB. I, along with my officials, meet with 30 national youth organisations every six months.
As the Deputy may be aware, a number of funding schemes supporting youth services were the subject of a Value for Money and Policy Review in 2014. Work on the development of a new funding 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.
My Department is well advanced 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 ETBs in developing a detailed socio-demographic profile, in terms of both population numbers and deprivation levels. It is my intention that this mapping exercise will inform future development and investment in youth services.
The Deputy will also be aware that my Department provides funding for the Child and Family Agency, Tusla. In 2017, Tusla has been allocated Exchequer funding of €713 million, representing an increase of €37 million on 2016. Tusla provides a comprehensive range of services and supports for vulnerable children and families. These include: Child Welfare and Protection Services, including family support services; Educational Welfare Services; Pre-school Inspection services and Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence services. Tusla works closely with other care providers including the HSE, in respect of access to primary care services, child and adolescent mental health services, disability and other services. Tusla and the HSE monitor their interagency relationship to ensure that they are working effectively in the best interests of children and families.
My Department is currently working on legislation to reform the Guardian ad litem service. Guardians ad litem perform a very important function in child care proceedings. They are an invaluable source of advice to the Courts and a great support for the children and young people who are involved in these proceedings. The reform proposals will address significant inadequacies in the existing arrangements and will replace the existing ad hoc system with a high quality, child-centred, cost effective national service. Most importantly, it will extend the Guardian ad litem system to benefit the greatest number of children and young people.
361. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeframe for the date for publishing an interim report into the Tuam mother and baby home. [16956/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious that it has not been possible to date to publish the Second Interim Report. However, as I have previously outlined, it has been necessary for me to engage with Cabinet colleagues on issues in the report which extend beyond my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I briefed the Cabinet on the matter again on Tuesday the 28th of March and expect be able to clarify the time frame for completion of this process shortly.
I am sensitive to the expectations of former residents and their advocates who wish to see the contents of this Report. My Department will contact representative groups to advise of developments prior to any public announcement.
362. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of private investigation firms hired by statutory agencies and-or semi-State bodies under the aegis of her Department in the past five years to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied her Department with a report on completion of their work; if she will provide copies of reports submitted to her from these firms as a result of her engagement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16979/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe bodies under the aegis of my Department are the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), the Adoption Authority of Ireland, the Ombudsman for Children and the Oberstown Children Detention Campus. I have referred the Deputy's question to each of these bodies and asked them to provide the information sought directly to the Deputy.
The referred replies under Standing Order 42A were forwarded to the Deputy.
363. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in her Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra364. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of staff deployed full time in her Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17013/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 363 and 364 together.
There is no senior official in my Department with designated responsibility for Brexit matters. My Department is represented at Principal Officer level on the Interdepartmental Committee on Brexit chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. I have no specific Brexit Unit and, accordingly, no funding allocated or anticipated costs.
365. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 35 of 28 February 2017, when the second interim report on the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes will be published; the details of the scoping exercise to examine an extension of the terms of reference; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17144/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very conscious that it has not been possible to date to publish the Second Interim Report. However, as I have previously outlined, it has been necessary for me to engage with Cabinet colleagues on issues in the report which extend beyond my remit as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. I briefed the Cabinet on the matter again on Tuesday the 28th of March and expect be able to clarify the time frame for completion of this process shortly.
I am sensitive to the expectations of former residents and their advocates who wish to see the contents of this Report. My Department will contact representative groups to advise of developments prior to any public announcement.
While some of the issues raised in recent weeks are outside the intended remit of this Commission, I have committed to carrying out a scoping exercise regarding the Commission’s terms of reference to see if broader terms of reference would help answer the many questions now arising. In accordance with the legal framework under which the statutory Commission was established, it is my intention to consult with the Commission on this matter, and I will make further announcements about this process in the coming weeks.
366. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will provide a copy of the results of the air-quality test that was carried out in the main technical stores, Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel and adjoining office complex on 9 February 2017 by an external assessor. [16892/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Occupational Air Survey Report referred to by the Deputy was forwarded to the Military Authorities on 28th March 2017 by the external assessor.
The monitoring found that none of the areas tested exceeded the Occupational Exposure Limits outlined in the 2016 Code of Practice for the Safety, Health and Welfare (Chemical Agents) Regulations, 2001.
In line with the recommendations of the report, I am informed by the Military Authorities that:
1. All personnel working in the Technical Stores building were paraded and informed of the content of the report and its findings.
2. The report is currently available for viewing by all personnel at the Air Corps Health and Safety Office.
3. In due course the report will be published on the Defence Forces Intranet site.
367. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of private investigation firms hired by statutory agencies and-or semi-State companies under the aegis of his Department in the past five years to date in 2017; the names of the firms; the amount they were paid; if they supplied his Department with a report on completion of their work; and if he will provide copies of reports submitted to him from these firms as a result of his engagement. [16981/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe only State body under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board. Neither my Department nor the Army Pensions Board has hired any private investigation firms in the past 5 years.
368. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there is a senior official with designated responsibility for Brexit matters in his Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date; the anticipated cost; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra369. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of staff deployed full time in his Department in respect of Brexit; if there is a designated section or unit to deal with Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17015/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.
The outcome of the vote of 23 June 2016 in the UK will have implications across all aspects of the business of the European Union. While the vote does not give rise to fundamental strategic issues for Defence Forces operations or for Ireland’s continuing engagement within the EU in the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), it is expected that Brexit will have an impact on future developments in the Defence sphere.
The structures put in place in the Department of Defence to address the potential challenges arising from Brexit include the assignment of responsibility to a senior official at Assistant Secretary General level in relation to Brexit related matters. The senior official is leading the Department’s input to deliberations within the framework established across Government and is supported in their role by a number of branches in the Department. The senior official represents the Department on the Interdepartmental Group on EU-UK Affairs which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach and is engaged with the identification of key strategic, operational and policy issues arising from Brexit. In addition, the Management Board is acting as a clearing house for Brexit and maintains oversight on an ongoing basis.
As the Deputy will also be aware, the Government has adopted a contingency framework to deal with all issues arising in respect of the UK vote to leave the EU. Accordingly, any issues arising, including those within the Defence area, whether bilateral, or in respect of developments in CSDP, or regarding our wider international multilateral defence engagements, will be also addressed within that framework.
As matters relating to Brexit are currently being absorbed and dealt with within already existing Department structures and resources, there is currently no dedicated Brexit funding allocation in the Department of Defence.
As the Deputy is aware the UK triggered Article 50 on 29 March 2017 and a meeting of Heads of State and Government is scheduled to take place on 29 April to discuss the UK withdrawal. It is expected that formal negotiations will commence in May or June, once the remaining 27 member States reach consensus on the EU's negotiating position. The negotiations themselves can then be expected to take at least two years to complete and all potential consequences in the defence sphere, arising during the negotiations, will remain the subject of ongoing consideration by my Department throughout this process, including whether there will be a future requirement for a dedicated unit to exclusively handle Brexit related matters.
