Written Answers Nos. 270-277
270. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal has yet to receive an acknowledgement or response from the local office of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, regarding a freedom of information request; if she will direct local authorities to issue a reply to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22320/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has informed me that correspondence was issued to the person concerned on 24th April 2017, acknowledging receipt of a Freedom of Information request. The local office has contacted the person concerned and an update has been provided on the status of the FOI request.
271. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to a letter issued to her by this Deputy dated 20 February 2017, the actions she has taken to progress the issue of a freedom of information request made by persons (details supplied) in County Donegal; if a reply will issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22370/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with this information.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
Tusla advises that a letter of acknowledgement in relation to the Freedom of Information request was issued to the persons concerned, and that the request is on a waiting list at this time.
My Department has drawn Tusla's attention to its obligations under the Freedom of Information Act 2014, including the need to respond to applicants within the time specified in the legislation.
272. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in care with an up-to-date care plan, by local area division, in tabular form; if her attention has been drawn to media reports of a discrepancy between Tusla and HIQA figures; the reason for this discrepancy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22377/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe latest figures from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that, at the end of February 2017, there were 6,309 children in care. Of these, 5,784 (92%) had a written care plan. I can inform the Deputy that 12 of the 17 administrative areas met Tusla's target of 90% of children in care having a written care plan. Figures are provided to HIQA by Tusla and are drawn from data available at the time of the request.
The placement of children in care is governed by the Child Care Regulations 1995 which provide for the welfare of the child, the care practices, care plans, accommodation and safety precautions. The regulations stipulate that all care plans are to be reviewed and updated on a regular basis and sets out the frequency for these reviews to take place. When a child is received into care on an emergency basis the care plan is to be developed within 14 days of the placement.
The number of Children in Care with a written care plan at end February 2017
|
Area |
Number in Care |
Number with a written care plan |
|
Dublin South East/Wicklow |
285 |
251 |
|
Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow |
440 |
372 |
|
Dublin South Central |
389 |
235 |
|
Midlands |
405 |
385 |
|
Dublin North City |
613 |
565 |
|
Dublin North |
332 |
263 |
|
Louth/Meath |
395 |
380 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
149 |
133 |
|
Kerry |
153 |
151 |
|
Cork |
859 |
793 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary |
364 |
340 |
|
Waterford/Wexford |
414 |
412 |
|
Donegal |
216 |
215 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan |
100 |
99 |
|
Mayo |
142 |
142 |
|
Galway/Roscommon |
405 |
402 |
|
Midwest |
593 |
593 |
|
Separated Children Seeking Asylum |
53 |
53 |
|
National Total |
6,309 |
5,784 |
273. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of child care cases awaiting allocation to a social worker in each Tusla local office area, by the priority status of the case and the average waiting time in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22378/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAddressing the number of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is a priority for me. I secured additional funding for the purpose of addressing this issue in 2017, and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is now in the second year of a 3-year plan to provide for the allocation of a dedicated social worker to all children who need one. The Deputy should note that all urgent and emergency cases notified to Tusla are dealt with immediately. Urgent and emergency cases could involve cases of abandonment, allegations of physical and sexual abuse, parental ill health leading to the need for an immediate placement, or threat to the safety or life of a child by a third party.
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 dedicated social worker. Of the children awaiting allocation to a social worker at the end of February, 1,057 were high priority, 3,260 were medium priority and 1,403 were low priority.
Cases that are unallocated are monitored, supported and managed by the duty social work team under the supervision of the principal social worker. The following tables provides a breakdown of the number of cases awaiting allocation of a social worker (at the end of February) and also information on waiting times by administrative area.
|
Area |
Total number of cases awaiting allocation |
High Priority |
Medium Priority |
Low Priority |
|
Dublin South East/Wicklow |
161 |
16 |
111 |
34 |
|
Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow |
972 |
350 |
574 |
48 |
|
Dublin South Central |
310 |
84 |
117 |
109 |
|
Midlands |
428 |
52 |
327 |
49 |
|
Dublin North City |
280 |
1 |
168 |
111 |
|
Dublin North |
827 |
0 |
288 |
539 |
|
Louth/Meath |
274 |
5 |
213 |
56 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
124 |
7 |
93 |
24 |
|
Kerry |
12 |
0 |
5 |
7 |
|
Cork |
626 |
121 |
376 |
129 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary |
324 |
9 |
304 |
11 |
|
Waterford/Wexford |
353 |
137 |
158 |
58 |
|
Donegal |
271 |
38 |
165 |
68 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan |
89 |
30 |
52 |
7 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway/Roscommon |
333 |
83 |
217 |
33 |
|
Midwest |
334 |
122 |
92 |
120 |
|
National Total |
5,720 |
1,057 |
3,260 |
1,403 |
I can inform the Deputy that the average length of time cases are waiting is not collated nationally but rather by the number of cases waiting in time bands.
|
Area |
Total number of cases awaiting allocation |
Total cases waiting <3 months |
Total cases waiting > 3 months |
|
Dublin South East/Wicklow |
161 |
122 |
39 |
|
Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow |
972 |
309 |
663 |
|
Dublin South Central |
310 |
285 |
25 |
|
Midlands |
428 |
234 |
194 |
|
Dublin North City |
280 |
181 |
99 |
|
Dublin North |
827 |
417 |
410 |
|
Louth/Meath |
274 |
108 |
166 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
124 |
45 |
79 |
|
Kerry |
12 |
8 |
4 |
|
Cork |
626 |
422 |
204 |
|
Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary |
324 |
324 |
0 |
|
Waterford/Wexford |
353 |
272 |
81 |
|
Donegal |
271 |
240 |
31 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan |
89 |
81 |
8 |
|
Mayo |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
Galway/Roscommon |
333 |
175 |
158 |
|
Midwest |
334 |
186 |
148 |
|
National Total |
5,720 |
3,411 |
2,309 |
It is a continuing priority of Tusla to address the problem of unallocated cases in 2017. Tusla currently has 1,480 whole time equivalent (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 employing additional social care staff to work alongside social workers, for instance, facilitating access between children in care and their families. This allows allocated social workers to address more immediate child protection problems. Additional administrative support is also being provided.
My Department will continue to closely monitor progress in this regard. I attach a high priority to tackling this matter and I will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and senior management team, over the course of the year, to review progress.
274. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will allow members of the Defence Forces to join trade unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22262/17]
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 without the consent of the Minister.
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.
275. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will restore the salaries for all Army, Naval Service and Air Corps personnel; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22263/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraRates of remuneration and conditions of employment in each part of the Irish public sector have traditionally been set by reference to levels of pay available in related public sector employments.
I believe that measures contained in the Lansdowne Road Agreement (LRA) and the provisions introduced in Budget 2016 and 2017 will be of benefit generally to members of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF). The provisions set out in the LRA are an extension of the provision of the Haddington Road Agreement and all existing dispute resolution procedures continue to apply.
The LRA provided for increased salaries during 2016 and 2017 in a manner which benefited the lower paid. These benefits come in the form of increases in gross pay in 2016 for those earning up to €31,000 and in 2017 for all those earning up to €65,000. In addition the Government has introduced legislation which has commenced the process to reduce the pay reduction applied under the FEMPI Acts.
In relation to the Pensions Related Deduction (PRD), which is commonly referred to as the ‘Pension Levy’, the exemption threshold for payment of the ‘Levy’ will increase substantially during the course of the agreement from €15,000 to €28,750 which means that annual income subject to the levy below €28,750 will no longer be liable to the deduction.
In terms of remuneration going forward, the Public Service Pay Commission (PSPC) report published yesterday, will inform Government consideration on future developments on public service remuneration, including the Defence Forces, in the context of the FEMPI Acts 2009 - 2015. The report is now the subject of detailed consideration. The Government intends to initiate negotiations on a successor to the Lansdowne Road Agreement in the coming weeks. Future remuneration of Defence Forces personnel will be dealt with within this process.
276. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will review post-1994 contracts whereby those who have not made the rank of sergeant have no choice but to retire after 21 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22264/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMilitary life places unique physical and psychological demands on individuals and it is necessary that its members be physically and mentally prepared to meet the challenges of all military operations and to undertake their duties on deployment overseas. To this end, it is vital the age and health profile of personnel be such as to ensure that operational capability and effectiveness are not compromised in any way.
The unsatisfactory age and fitness profile of the Permanent Defence Force was an issue of serious concern during the 1990’s and was the subject of severe criticism by a series of external reports, mainly Price Waterhouse Consultants and the Efficiency Audit Group (EAG). One of the key areas identified for urgent action by the EAG was the development of a manpower policy with an emphasis on lowering the age profile of Permanent Defence Force personnel. As a result new terms and conditions were introduced for enlisted personnel enlisting after 1994. Arising from a claim by PDFORRA, a new set of criteria was agreed with PDFORRA to provide longer careers for those who enlisted post 1994 while continuing to address the Government’s objective of having an appropriate age profile to meet the challenges of a modern Defence Forces.
The criteria require that any person re-engaging after 12 years service must be able to continue to operate at their current level both at home and overseas on an ongoing basis. Re-engagement is subject to the individual soldier meeting specified criteria in regard to physical fitness, medical category, successful completion of military courses of instruction, service overseas and conduct ratings. The maximum service period for these personnel is as follows:-
- Enlisted Personnel, up to and including the rank of Corporal (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may not serve beyond 21 years service.
- Enlisted Personnel, in the rank of Sergeant (and equivalent Naval Service rank), may be permitted to continue in service up to the age of fifty years.
- Enlisted Personnel in all higher ranks may serve to the age of fifty-six.
The first effects of the agreement, whereby Privates and Corporals may not serve beyond 21 years, was felt by Permanent Defence Force members in those ranks in 2015.
A claim was received from PDFORRA for a further review in relation to this matter. That claim was 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.
277. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to cease the use of the drug Lariam in the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22265/17]
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.
