Written Answers Nos. 660-681
660. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if guidelines have been produced by her Department in respect of the operation of the school completion programme; if the programme is co-ordinated on a national basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21411/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe School Completion Programme operates under the Administrative, Financial and Employment Guidelines (Revised Edition) issued by the Department of Education and Science in 2006. The guidelines can be viewed at the below web address.
www.tusla.ie/uploads/content/admin_financial_and_employment_guidelines.pdf.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, co-ordinate the School Completion Programme on a national basis. Each of the 124 School Completion Programmes is managed by a Local Management Committee responsible for delivering an agreed, funded Annual Retention Plan.
661. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of admissions of women to a centre (details supplied) in the past ten years. [22006/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your Parliamentary Questions (22006/17 and 22007/17) of 9th May 2017 in which you queried the number of admissions of women to a centre in the past ten years; and also the number of children or babies of women attending that centre in the past ten years that have been taken into care by social services as a result of being deemed at high risk.
I can confirm that the following information has now been received from Tusla.
The Centre referred to in cork has a number of family support services designed to provide a continuum of care for parents with crisis pregnancies to support them in safeguarding their children and to remain united when it is safe to do so. The Centre provides residentially based and community based supports and assessments for parents in crisis.
The residential Parent and Infant Unit, funded by Tusla, provides supports to mothers and fathers who are in crisis and whose children are deemed at risk. Pre-birth and post-birth referrals are admitted to the Unit.
Since 2007 there have been 282 admissions to the Parent and Infant Unit and 31 of these were admitted as couples. The majority of parents were aged between twenty and thirty-four (63%), 5% were under seventeen with a further 16% aged between 18 and 20, fourteen per cent aged between 35 to 44 and 2% were over 45. The majority of parents were referred to the Unit directly from child protection teams (90%) or homeless services (3%), while 7% of parents self-referred.
The primary referral issues relate to substance misuse, neglect, domestic violence and mental health with many service users having co-existing adversities. Over 90% of families had a history of involvement with the child protection system prior to admission.
The vast majority of parents were referred from the counties Cork and Kerry (75%). The remaining 25% came from other areas nationwide.
I can confirm that of the 284 infants at the Centre during the ten year period 95 (33%) were placed in care directly from the Centre by Tusla due to significant risks to the children's welfare and safety.
Since 2011, with financial supports from the Crisis Pregnancy Programme, the Centre provides further aftercare supports to parents and children to assist in the smooth transitioning to the community. After their intense residential programme these families continue to need parenting and relationship supports to assist them in remaining united as a family.
662. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children or babies of women attending a centre (details supplied) in the past ten year period who have been taken into care by social services as a result of being deemed at high risk. [22007/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your Parliamentary Questions (22006/17 and 22007/17) of 9th May 2017 in which you queried the number of admissions of women to a centre in the past ten years; and also the number of children or babies of women attending that centre in the past ten years that have been taken into care by social services as a result of being deemed at high risk.
I can confirm that the following information has now been received from Tusla.
The Centre referred to in cork has a number of family support services designed to provide a continuum of care for parents with crisis pregnancies to support them in safeguarding their children and to remain united when it is safe to do so. The Centre provides residentially based and community based supports and assessments for parents in crisis.
The residential Parent and Infant Unit, funded by Tusla, provides supports to mothers and fathers who are in crisis and whose children are deemed at risk. Pre-birth and post-birth referrals are admitted to the Unit.
Since 2007 there have been 282 admissions to the Parent and Infant Unit and 31 of these were admitted as couples. The majority of parents were aged between twenty and thirty-four (63%), 5% were under seventeen with a further 16% aged between 18 and 20, fourteen per cent aged between 35 to 44 and 2% were over 45. The majority of parents were referred to the Unit directly from child protection teams (90%) or homeless services (3%), while 7% of parents self-referred.
The primary referral issues relate to substance misuse, neglect, domestic violence and mental health with many service users having co-existing adversities. Over 90% of families had a history of involvement with the child protection system prior to admission.
The vast majority of parents were referred from the counties Cork and Kerry (75%). The remaining 25% came from other areas nationwide.
I can confirm that of the 284 infants at the Centre during the ten year period 95 (33%) were placed in care directly from the Centre by Tusla due to significant risks to the children's welfare and safety.
Since 2011, with financial supports from the Crisis Pregnancy Programme, the Centre provides further aftercare supports to parents and children to assist in the smooth transitioning to the community. After their intense residential programme these families continue to need parenting and relationship supports to assist them in remaining united as a family.
663. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 25 January 2017, the number of adults and children in Tusla-funded domestic violence refuges; and the number of adults and children in Tusla-funded domestic violence step-down accommodation on the first day of each month in 2016. [21666/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs I outlined to the Deputy in my previous response, Tusla does not collect information in respect of the numbers of women and children who use funded domestic violence refuges and step down accommodation on a month by month basis.
Tusla data indicates that in 2015, 1,736 women and 2,621 children were forced to leave their homes as a result of domestic violence and were accommodated in domestic violence accommodation. Data on the numbers of women and children who used these services in 2016 will be available in Quarter 4, 2017.
In 2016, Tusla provided €20.6 million in funding to support the provision of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (DSGBV) Services. This included funding for some 60 services throughout the country comprising:
- €12.0m for emergency refuge and support services,
- €4.6m for community based domestic violence support services, and
- €4.0m for Rape Crisis Centres.
This year, Tusla is allocating €22.1m to DSGBV services, an increase of €1.5m over 2016.
The provision of domestic violence refuge spaces nationally in 2016 was 155 family units, comprising 147 emergency refuge family units and 8 emergency non-refuge family units.
In 2017, Tusla is giving priority to implementing actions contained in the second National Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence Strategy, in preparation for ratification of the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), which includes improving access to services geographically, including the provision of additional short-term and safe, emergency accommodation for women and children.
664. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she plans to open an adoption programme between Haiti and Ireland; the steps she is taking to advance this programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21533/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra673. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the Adoption Authority of Ireland's recent visit to Haiti; the timeframe she expects for the commencement of a proposed adoption programme between Ireland and Haiti; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21999/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 664 and 673 together.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland has responsibility for implementing the Adoption Act 2010, including Ireland's responsibilities under the Hague Convention in relation to inter-country adoption.
Haiti ratified the Hague Convention on 1 April 2014. In May 2014 the Adoption Authority of Ireland accredited Helping Hands Adoption Mediation Agency to facilitate inter country adoption between Ireland and Haiti. Helping Hands applied for accreditation by Institut du Bien-Être Social et de Recherches (IBESR), the central authority of inter country adoption in Haiti. Helping Hands has been formally approved by IBESR to mediate adoptions from Haiti.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has consulted with the Department of Foreign Affairs on consular and diplomatic matters related to Haiti. In March the Adoption Authority of Ireland and a representative from Helping Hands Mediation Agency visited Haiti and the Department is awaiting a report of this visit from the Authority.
665. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of child minders registered with Tusla; the number of child minders not required to register with Tusla but who have voluntarily notified a city and county child care committee of their existence; the number of children her Department estimates are being cared for by child minders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21804/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla have confirmed that there were 119 services registered as child minders at the end of Quarter One 2017. Only child minders caring for 4 or more unrelated children in the child minder's home are eligible to register with Tusla.
The City and County Childcare Committees (CCC) provided Pobal with annual figures of child minders who voluntarily notified them of their service. Pobal has confirmed that in 2016 the total number of child minders operating nationwide, as reported by the CCCs, was 1,597.
Other than the number of child minders registered with Tusla and the number voluntarily notified to the City and County Childcare Committees, the DCYA currently has no accurate source of information on the total number of child minders in Ireland. However, the recently published School Age Childcare Report (2017) estimates that there are 21,000 child minders in Ireland.
I have recently established the Childminding Working Group, chaired by Child Minding Ireland, and including officials from Tusla and from my Department, to make recommendations on reforms for the sector including proposals in relation to quality assurance, whether on a voluntary/non-statutory basis in the short term, or on a mandatory/statutory basis in the long term. These will include recommendations in relation to child minders who are exempt from registration with Tusla (Child and Family Agency) (those minding three or fewer pre-school children, or those minding school age children only). The recommendations are likely to include proposals to be progressed in the short, medium and long term, including the development of National Quality Standards for child minders and a proportionate system of quality assurance and regulation. The Working Group is due to present its recommendations to me by the end of this month.
666. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reopen a community child care service (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21944/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince early 2015, my Department has supported intensive engagement with Pobal and Longford County Childcare Committee to maintain childcare provision in the service in question. Unfortunately, following an EGM of the board in March 2016, my Department was informed of the intention to proceed with an orderly wind-down of the service.
Following this closure I delegated Pobal, as agents of my Department, along with Longford County Childcare Committee, to work with local bodies in relation to McEoin Park and the re-establishment of a service for the local community. Proposals were requested from a number of existing community based services in May 2016 and none were forthcoming at that time. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department does not directly provide childcare - rather we work with individuals, companies and community/not-for-profit groups to fund childcare provision. Pobal and Longford CCC have had discussions with a number of groups regarding the re-opening of a childcare facility, and are still pursuing options locally in this regard. Longford County Council have also been proactive in making a suitable premises available, and in the refurbishment and maintenance of same.
Unfortunately, to date we have not yet been able to secure a partner to operate this service. Pobal and Longford CCC are still pursuing options locally in this regard, and I am open to receiving proposals from local/community groups who may be in a position to assist.
667. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when she will publish the report on the Oberstown children detention campus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21989/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand the question raised by the Deputy relates to the report on the Operational Review. This review was commissioned by the Oberstown Board of Management. A copy of the report has been forwarded to my Department and is under consideration. I am working with the Chairman of the Board with regard to the publication of the report.
668. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to the recently published HIQA 2016 overview, if the programme of registration of children's special care units has commenced; the additional resources which have been provided to undertake this task; and when the registration will be complete. [21994/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe registration of Special Care Units is governed by Regulations made under the Health Act 2007.
A series of technical amendments to this Act were required on foot of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 and were made in the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015. These provided for the commencement of the relevant provisions which govern the registration of special care.
The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 was signed into law in December 2015. In 2016, the Health (Amendment) Act 2016 was passed to provide for transition provisions for different types of designated centres. Draft commencement orders for the relevant provisions governing the registration of special care settings have been prepared by my Department.
Work on commencement orders to bring the appropriate provisions into force has been in progress for some time. The Office of the Attorney General has identified difficulties in relation to the interaction between the various commencement proposals and the amendments that have already been made in the legislation. These difficulties are now the subject matter of specific legal scrutiny in that Office, which will be finalised shortly and any additional technical amendments identified.
Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that Officials from my Department finalised, some time ago, the relevant regulations and, in agreement with HIQA, the National Standards that would apply to HIQA inspections of special care settings. Given that, currently, there are only 3 special care units, it is not anticipated that the registration of such settings will require additional resources by HIQA.
669. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to the recently published HIQA 2016 overview, the steps which have been taken to address the gaps in services for children being allocated a social worker; the number of children who remain unallocated to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21995/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of services to children being allocated a social worker, and in particular addressing the number of children who remain without an allocated social worker, is a high priority for me. I secured additional funding for this purpose in 2017. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is now in the second year of a 3-year plan to ensure the allocation of a social worker to all children and young people in need of one.
At the end of February 2017 (the latest data available), there was a total of 25,387 open child welfare and protection cases nationwide. An open case is one which is assessed as needing a dedicated (allocated) social work service. Of the 25,387 open cases, 77% (19,667) had an allocated social worker and 5,720 were waiting to be allocated a social worker. These cases are a mix of children in care or living with their families, whose social worker has left, either temporarily or permanently, and new cases.
The Deputy should note that all cases that are unallocated are closely monitored, supported and managed by the duty social work team under the supervision of the principal social worker.
It is a continuing priority of Tusla to address the problem of unallocated cases in 2017. Tusla currently has 1,480 WTE social workers and an end of 2017 target of 1,520 WTE. This target is short of the target set in Survival to Sustainability by approximately 100 WTE and reflects the constraints of the social work labour supply. Funding is in place to address the issue of unallocated cases, however, the recruitment environment for social workers is very challenging. Tusla is also focusing on intervening at an early stage of a family difficulty through social care and family supports. I have supported Tusla in the employment of additional social care workers and administrative staff to assist social workers in the course of their duties.
My Department will continue to closely monitor progress in this regard. I will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and senior management team, over the coming weeks and months, to review progress.
670. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to the recently published HIQA 2016 overview, the number of adults to whom a social worker has not been allocated in cases related to retrospective allegations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21996/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn historical/retrospective allegation is where an adult discloses abuse experienced in childhood. The overwhelming majority of historical/retrospective disclosures are about sexual abuse.
I can inform the Deputy that Tusla has advised that, at the end of February 2017, there were 1,985 historical/retrospective cases on hand, of which 1,144 were allocated to a social worker, and 841 were awaiting allocation. An unallocated case is given a high priority where there is information that the person against whom the allegation is made has a child abuse conviction, and a role that brings them into contact with children.
All child protection referrals which allege current or past criminal activity are referred to An Garda Síochána. Tusla’s focus is to screen historical/retrospective disclosures for any indication of current risk to children. Where a risk is identified, or in cases of urgent need, the disclosure is treated as a child protection referral and acted on accordingly. Tusla may also assist the person making the allegation to access HSE counselling services.
Tusla is engaged in year two of a three year plan to reduce the number of unallocated cases and is expanding the number of social workers it employs. The funding is in place to achieve this, but the recruitment environment is proving to be challenging. The Government is committed to helping Tusla to drive forward the reforms necessary to address this unacceptable waiting list.
671. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the Tusla feedback and complaints process, Tell Us; the stage the process is at in identifying and training complaints managers; if this process is now operational within Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21997/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, introduced its feedback and complaint policy, Tell Us: You Say, We Listen on September 5th, 2016. All complaints received by Tusla, from this date, are managed under the Tell Us policy.
Tusla has advised that its staff have been informed on the points of difference between Tell Us and the previous policy, Your Service Your Say, which was developed by the Health Service Executive (HSE), and used by Tusla while it was developing its own dedicated system. A programme of briefings is being conducted in order to develop awareness of Tell Us, and to clarify the need to apply the new policy and its procedures in the handling of complaints. These briefings are scheduled to continue until the end of August 2017. In this time, it is expected that over 4,000 Tusla staff members will be afforded the opportunity to attend the policy briefing sessions.
Tusla has also advised that dedicated training for Complaints Officers in complaint handling and management is scheduled to commence in Quarter 3, 2017. Staff designated as Complaints Officers will be required to attend this training.
Tusla has deemed that Principal Social Workers and equivalent grades should be considered as Complaints Officers and that Area Managers or managers at equivalent grades and above should be considered as Review Officers. Additional administrative staff are being put in place to support the complaints management function.
The Tell Us policy is available on the Tusla website: www.tusla.ie/about/feedback-and-complaints/tell-us-publications.
672. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding the review of the governance, leadership and management arrangements within Tusla undertaken in 2016; if the review has been completed; if so, the findings of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21998/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) initiated a Governance Review of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in 2016. HIQA has advised me that the Governance Review is still ongoing and hence the findings have not yet been finalised. As the review is still in process, it would be inappropriate for me to comment further on the matter at this time.
674. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide the resources to set up a central system to register early years child care practitioners; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22029/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Minister for Children and Youth Affairs established the National Collaborative Forum for the Early Years Care and Education Sector (The Early Years Forum) to allow issues of relevance to be discussed with key stakeholders. The Forum has enabled consultation and engagement between the Minister, key Department of Children and Youth Affairs officials, and key representatives of the sector.
Based on a recommendation from the Minister, members of the Early Years Forum have convened a working group to look at Professionalisation of the Early Years sector to assist with driving improvements in the quality of services for children. One area which this group is considering is the possibility of setting up an Early Years Council or professional regulator which would have responsibility, amongst other roles, for registering Early Years practitioners. Such a Council would take over certain responsibilities currently held by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Education and Skills. Clearly the establishment of a professional regulator would require legislation and has costs associated with it. Agreement to progress same would have to be made on a cross Departmental basis and be included in an estimates process. It is also important to note that the establishment of a professional regulator usually follows from a profession itself advancing professional standards and codes of conduct.
The Minister looks forward to continuing her engagement with the Early Years Forum on this matter.
675. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to increase investment in naval surveillance to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by foreign vessels, including having inspectors on board with access to all areas of these vessels in territorial waters. [21429/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 establishes the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) as the competent Authority for securing efficient and effective enforcement of sea fisheries protection legislation and the sustainable exploitation of marine fish resources from the waters around Ireland. To this end, the SFPA has a Service Level Agreement with the Department of Defence to secure efficient enforcement of sea-fisheries law through support provided by the Defence Forces, namely the Naval Service and the Air Corps. In accordance with this Agreement, an Annual Control Plan is agreed between the parties that sets out the strategy for achieving sea-fisheries control targets each year. The Naval Service is empowered to board and inspect vessels and their cargos and, when necessary, to formally detain vessels and direct them to port for arrest by An Garda Síochána. The role of the Naval Service and the Air Corps in support of the SFPA is coordinated by the Fisheries Monitoring Centre which is located at the Naval Base in Haulbowline and is operated by the Naval Service on a 24/7 basis.
The White Paper on Defence (2015) sets out the investment priorities for the Defence Forces for the next decade. There has been significant investment in new Naval Service Patrol Vessels over recent years with the commissioning of the LÉ Samuel Beckett in May 2014 , LÉ James Joyce in September 2015 and the LÉ William Butler Yeats in October 2016. A contract for an additional sister ship was placed in June 2016 at a cost of €54.3m, bringing investment in the new ships programme to over €250 million since 2010. This fourth ship is scheduled for delivery in mid 2018. The White Paper on Defence (2015) also provides for the replacement of the Air Corps’ two CASA 235s Maritime Patrol Aircraft, with consideration of their replacement with larger more capable aircraft.
The Naval Service and the Air Corps will continue to work closely supporting the SFPA in its work to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing by any vessel in Irish waters.
676. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to issue the 1916-2016 commemorative medal to veterans of the Defence Forces in recognition of their service to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the Programme for Government, it was proposed that a 1916 Centenary Commemorative medal be awarded to all Defence Forces personnel, both Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal is being awarded as a commemorative medal, personal to an individual’s service in the Defence Forces in the course of 2016.
I met with the Veterans Organisations (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO)) on 15 December last, and whilst I reiterated to them that there are no plans to award the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to Veterans, it was agreed that a further meeting be held between the Department and the Veterans’ Organisations to explore alternative means of recognition including exploring further the Department’s existing proposal of issuing a Commemorative plaque.
At my request officials from my Department met with representatives of the Veterans’ Organisations on Friday 17 February 2017. My officials proposed that a single presentation will be made to the Veterans Organisations of a commemorative plaque or framed medal with an accompanying citation in recognition of the significant contribution of members of the three organisations to the 1916 centenary commemorative events and their service to the State. The plaque or medal would have a bar with the term Veteran inscribed on it.
The Veterans’ Organisations agreed to the proposal to recognise the contribution of veterans in 2016 in this way. The Defence Forces have been asked to produce mock-up designs of both a plaque and medal which will then be shown to the Veterans’ Organisations for them to indicate their preference. I expect that to happen shortly and a ceremony will be arranged thereafter for a formal presentation to the Veterans Associations.
677. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way in which members of the Defence Forces can make representations to his Department regarding their pay and conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21725/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMembers of the Permanent Defence Force can make representations in relation to their pay and conditions of service through their representative bodies, PDFORRA and RACO. The Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force provides a formal mechanism for the Permanent Defence Force Representative Associations, RACO and PDFORRA, to engage with the Official side. The purpose of the scheme is to provide a means for the determination of claims and proposals from the Associations relating to remuneration and conditions of service.
It is open to the Representative Associations to submit claims to the Official side in relation to matters falling within the C&A scheme. Generally claims relate to pay and conditions, award of allowances etc. When submitted, these claims are generally the subject of negotiations and where agreement is not reached it is open to both sides to seek the assistance of an adjudicator to settle the matter. In addition, a framework exists which facilitates the Associations engaging with the official side in talks parallel to those taking place between ICTU and the official side at National level.
678. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if there will be a review of the post-1994 contracts for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21726/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms and conditions whereby Privates and Corporals may not serve beyond 21 years were adjudicated on in December 2015. The adjudicator made specific findings on the matter. Officials in my Department are currently analysing the issues arising in relation to the implementation of these findings and will recommend to me any necessary legislative changes in respect of the terms of service for Enlisted Personnel.
679. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the medical service of the Defence Forces is continuing to prescribe the anti-malarial drug Lariam for members of the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21727/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAnti-malarial medications, including Lariam, remain in the formulary of medications prescribed by the Medical Corps for Defence Forces personnel on appropriate overseas missions, to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by Malaria. Malaria is a serious disease that killed approximately 438,000 people in 2015, with 90% of deaths occurring in sub-Saharan Africa, as reported by the World Health Organisation. It is a serious threat to any military force operating in the area.
Significant precautions are taken by Irish Defence Forces Medical Officers in assessing the medical suitability of members of our Defence Forces to take any of the anti-malarial medications. It is the policy of the Irish Defence Forces that personnel are individually screened for fitness for service overseas and medical suitability. The objective is to ensure that our military personnel can have effective protection from the very serious risks posed by malaria.
The health and welfare of the Defence Forces are a priority for me. The choice of medication for overseas deployment, including the use of Lariam, is a medical decision made by Medical Officers in the Defence Forces, having regard to the specific circumstances of the mission and the individual member of the Irish Defence Forces.
680. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps he is taking to provide members of the Defence Forces the right to join a trade union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22000/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990 the Defence Forces Representative Associations are prohibited from being associated with, or affiliated to any trade unions, or any other body. Accordingly, the Representative Associations cannot be affiliated to ICTU. The basis for the prohibition is that it would be inappropriate to apply the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990 to members of the Defence Forces. The taking of any form of industrial action is irreconcilable with military service. This is a long standing policy position taken by respective Governments since the foundation of the State. The Defence Forces may be called on to contribute to maintaining vital services in times of industrial action. The potential for serious difficulties and conflicts could arise in these circumstances if the Defence Forces Representative Associations were associated with, or affiliated to ICTU, given ICTU rules in relation to such matters.
As the Deputy is aware, the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides a formal mechanism for the PDF Representative Associations, RACO and PDFORRA, to engage with the Official side. The purpose of the scheme is to provide a means for the determination of claims and proposals from the Associations relating to remuneration and conditions of service.
It is open to the Representative Associations to submit claims to the Official side in relation to matters falling within the C&A scheme. Generally claims relate to pay and conditions, award of allowances etc. When submitted, these claims are generally the subject of negotiations and where agreement is not reached it is open to both sides to seek the assistance of an adjudicator to settle the matter. In addition, a framework exists which facilitates the Associations engaging with the official side in talks parallel to those taking place between ICTU and the official side at National level.
I have received representations from PDFORRA seeking to have access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court made available to them in the event of any future legislative changes being made to provide An Garda Síochána with access to same. I am advised that the proposals in relation to An Garda Síochána being granted such access will require detailed legislative changes and the Department of Justice and Equality have established a Working Group to examine in detail what future legislative changes are required.
I remain satisfied with the present arrangements in place for the Defence Forces. However, in the light of PDFORRA’s representations the matter is being kept under review, including in the context of any future arrangements to be made for An Garda Síochána.
681. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to review the restrictions on the rights of members of the Defence Forces to the collective bargaining process and to participate in various forms of industrial action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22017/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the terms of the Defence (Amendment) Act, 1990 the Defence Forces Representative Associations are prohibited from being associated with, or affiliated to any trade unions, or any other body. Accordingly, the Representative Associations cannot be affiliated to ICTU. The basis for the prohibition is that it would be inappropriate to apply the provisions of the Industrial Relations Act, 1990 to members of the Defence Forces. The taking of any form of industrial action is irreconcilable with military service. This is a long standing policy position taken by respective Governments since the foundation of the State. The Defence Forces may be called on to contribute to maintaining vital services in times of industrial action. The potential for serious difficulties and conflicts could arise in these circumstances if the Defence Forces Representative Associations were associated with, or affiliated to ICTU, given ICTU rules in relation to such matters.
As the Deputy is aware, the Conciliation and Arbitration scheme for members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF) provides a formal mechanism for the PDF Representative Associations, RACO and PDFORRA, to engage with the Official side. The purpose of the scheme is to provide a means for the determination of claims and proposals from the Associations relating to remuneration and conditions of service.
It is open to the Representative Associations to submit claims to the Official side in relation to matters falling within the C&A scheme. Generally claims relate to pay and conditions, award of allowances etc. When submitted, these claims are generally the subject of negotiations and where agreement is not reached it is open to both sides to seek the assistance of an adjudicator to settle the matter. In addition, a framework exists which facilitates the Associations engaging with the official side in talks parallel to those taking place between ICTU and the official side at National level.
I have received representations from PDFORRA seeking to have access to the Workplace Relations Commission and the Labour Court made available to them in the event of any future legislative changes being made to provide An Garda Síochána with access to same. I am advised that the proposals in relation to An Garda Síochána being granted such access will require detailed legislative changes and the Department of Justice and Equality have established a Working Group to examine in detail what future legislative changes are required.
I remain satisfied with the present arrangements in place for the Defence Forces. However, in the light of PDFORRA’s representations the matter is being kept under review, including in the context of any future arrangements to be made for An Garda Síochána.
