Written Answers Nos. 1125-1148
1125. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the position regarding engagement and progress between State agencies and a school (details supplied); the name of each agency; the number of meetings that each agency has had with the school since 1 January 2017; the dates of these meetings on the continued high level of suspensions and expulsions from the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46766/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Educational Welfare Service of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has advised that Tusla Educational Welfare Services (EWS) Regional Manager (RM), Senior Educational Welfare Officer (SEWO) and the Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) assigned to the school met with St Joseph's Principal, Deputy Principal (DP) and Senior management team on 25th April, 2017 to discuss the level of suspensions/expulsions in the school. Prior to this meeting, the SEWO spoke to the National Co-ordinator of the National Behaviour Support Service (NBSS), to discuss potential supports for schools that are experiencing high levels of suspensions/expulsions.
As a follow-up to the meeting, further engagement took place between the relevant parties in relation to the issues that were raised at this meeting.
Tusla EWS held a 'Restorative Practices in Schools' information session on 30/05/17 which was attended by the Principal, 2 Deputy Principals and the Guidance Counsellor.
The Educational Welfare Officer (EWO) assigned to the school has also had a number of meetings with the school in relation to individual cases of expulsion and suspension.
1126. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if progress has been made by State agencies in addressing the exceptionally high ongoing level of forced absence punishments at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46767/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined below.
The following are the number of expelled and suspended students from 2014-2017:
- 2014/2015 - 63840C had 653 enrolled, 98 were suspended (15%) and 4 expelled (0.6%)
- 2015/2016 - 63840C had 637 enrolled, 75 were suspended (11.8%) and 5 expelled (0.7%)
- 2016/2017 - 63840C had 727 enrolled, 66 were suspended (9.1%) and 3 expelled (0.4%)
There is a downward trend year on year from data above in the number of forced absence punishments in the school referred to.
1127. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on suspensions as a form of student punishment, specifically on the level of suspensions at a school (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46768/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla Educational Welfare Service (EWS) has advised my Department that suspension should be a proportionate response to the behaviour that is causing concern. The decision to suspend a student should, in the view of Tusla EWS, require serious grounds such as:
- the student's behaviour has had a seriously detrimental effect on the education of other students,
- the student's continued presence in the school at this time constitutes a threat to safety,
- the student is responsible for serious damage to property.
A single incident of serious misconduct may be grounds for suspension.
Where the purpose of a proposed suspension is clearly identified, and that purpose cannot be achieved in any other way, suspension can, in the view of Tusla EWS, have value.
Suspensions can give the student time to reflect on the link between their action and its consequences and give staff time to plan ways of helping the student to change unacceptable behaviour.
School management should consider the risk of any unwanted outcomes from suspension.
1128. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of expulsions at a school (details supplied) for the academic years 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 in order that the interests of transparency can be met and a more full understanding of the pattern of forced absence punishments at the school over a three-year period can be known; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46769/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is outlined below.
Tusla has advised there was a 0.6% rate of expulsions in 2014/2015, enrolment 653 (4 students); 0.7% rate of expulsions in 2015/2016, enrolment 637 (5 students); 0.3% rate of expulsions in 2016/2017, enrolment 727 (3 students).
There is a downward trend in the number of suspensions and expulsions from the school referred to.
1129. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a school (details supplied) has recorded the highest percentage of suspensions and expulsions; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46770/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Educational Welfare Service of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised my Department that the school referred to has not recorded the highest number of suspensions and expulsions.
1130. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether it is necessary to intervene in the continued exceptionally high level of suspensions and expulsions at a school (details supplied); the shape these interventions will take; the timeframe within which she will report regarding progress on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46771/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1131. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the powers she has to address the exceptionally high level of suspensions and expulsions at a school (details supplied); her plans to invoke these powers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46772/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1132. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the ongoing monitoring and supervision of school management at a school (details supplied) being undertaken by her Department with regard to the continued and ongoing exceptionally high level of suspensions and expulsions at the school; the point at which she will take action to intervene and address the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46773/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1130 to 1132, inclusive, together.
The Educational Welfare Service of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised my Department that there has been a downward trend year on year in the number of suspensions and expulsions in the school referred to.
Tusla EWS does not have role in the internal management of a school. Each school's Board of Management is responsible for the management of the school and the Code of Behaviour is the policy in the school that deals with suspensions and expulsions. Each school must adhere to their own Code of Behaviour in relation to suspensions and expulsions.
Where the total number of days for which the student has been suspended in the current school year reaches twenty days, the parents, or a student aged over eighteen years, may appeal the suspension under section 29 of the Education Act 1998, as amended by the Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2007.
At the time when parents are being formally notified of such a suspension, they and the student should be told about their right to appeal to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science under section 29 of the Education Act 1998, and should be given information about how to appeal.
A parent, or a student aged over eighteen years, may appeal a decision to expel to the Secretary General of the Department of Education and Science (Education Act 1998 section 29).
1133. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the family resource centres funded by her Department; the number of full-time equivalent staff in each centre; and the level of core funding for their activities, in tabular form. [46862/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are 109 Family Resource Centres currently in receipt of funding from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Tusla provides funding to the centres under an annual agreement. This funding is provided by way of a contribution towards the running costs of the centres. The financial allocation to support this programme amounts to €13.51m in 2017. I was pleased to announce recently that additional funding of approximately €5.0m is being allocated to existing centres and to support the expansion of the programme with the inclusion of an additional 11 centres next year.
In relation to the additional data which the Deputy has requested, I have asked Tusla to provide the information requested directly to the Deputy.
1134. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the increase in funding allocated for resource centres for 2018; the number of new family resource centres that she expects to fund with this allocation; the number of core full-time equivalent staff that will be allocated to these new centres; and the core funding allocation expected to be made to each of these new centres. [46863/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that additional funding of approximately €5.0m is being made available to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency to be spent between now and the end of 2018 to support the work of Family Resource Centres.
This includes the provision of additional funding to Tusla to expand the existing Family Resource Centre Programme. A total of 11 centres will be added to the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2018. Details of the application process for this funding is available on Tusla's website, www.tusla.ie.
Tusla is also being provided with additional funding in 2018 to support the existing 109 Family Resource Centres across the country. Centres will be asked to work with their local Tusla office to identify services needed in their community. Up to €10,000 will be available to each Family Resource Centre next year subject to approval of their proposal.
I am also pleased to announce that my Department is providing exceptional, once-off funding for Family Resource Centres to be spent by the end of this year. This funding will be in the form of minor capital assistance. Details of the application process for this funding is available on Tusla's website, www.tusla.ie. Applications will be assessed by Tusla and the deadline for applications is Thursday, 9th November 2017.
Family Resource Centres are independent organisations. They are managed by a Voluntary Board of Management which is representative of the local community. The centres operate independently of Tusla and each individual centre is responsible for the recruitment of employees and the terms and conditions under which they are employed.
Tusla administers the Family Resource Centre Programme. As the Family Resource Centre Programme is managed by Tusla, it is a matter for that organisation to make decisions regarding the individual funding allocations of Family Resource Centres within the programme.
I am pleased to be in a position to support the work of centres through the targeting of additional resources to services that will impact positively on vulnerable children and families.
1135. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the consideration that has been given to the inclusion of young persons from Gaeltacht areas as a target group in the value-for-money and policy review of youth programmes in view of the emphasis on the language planning process taking place in Gaeltacht areas and the fact that proper provision of services for young persons from the Gaeltacht in their native language is vital; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47132/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Value for Money and Policy Review (VFMPR) of the Youth Funding programmes 2014 examined three of the targeted funding schemes, the Special Projects for Youth (SPY) scheme, the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund (YPFSF) rounds 1 and 2, and Local Drug Task Force (LDTF) projects scheme. The schemes support the provision of youth services for young people who are at risk of drugs, alcohol misuse, early school leaving, homelessness or who are living in disadvantaged communities. The review involved an in-depth scrutiny of a complex area to do with the impact youth service provision has in young people’s lives.
One of the key recommendations of the VFMPR was the amalgamation of the above four schemes into a single targeted youth funding scheme. Stakeholder consultations are on-going in relation to the crafting of this new revised scheme.
To provide continued funding to the youth sector during the development of the new funding scheme, the “sample project” programme was created with the following characteristics: priority focus on young people at risk; primarily geographic-community based; non-formal education approach; out of school setting; 10-24 year olds and Hardiker Model of needs assessment – scheme priority on Level Two.
These projects would be based in areas of need as identified by the local Education and Training Boards (ETBs). In 2016, four ETBs established five new youth projects. In 2017, an application process was initiated in April, open to all ETBs. Each ETB was invited to apply for up to three new projects and one augmentation to an existing service in their area. Applications were received at the end of May and, following a review and assessment in early June, services were short-listed for inclusion as sample projects. This has now led to the approval of nine new youth projects and the expansion of seven existing ones.
There are no specific criteria regarding inclusion of young people from Gaeltacht areas as a target group. The Department does, however, provide funding for youth service provision to organisations operating in Gaeltacht areas and/or whose remit includes the promotion of the Irish language and culture. The 2017 allocations were €91,430 to Feachtas and €191,122 to Ógras under the Youth Services Grant Scheme (YSGS) and €57,640 to Udarás na Gaeltachta under SPY.
1136. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to roll out staffless libraries, by county, in tabular form. [46385/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Open Library is an initiative under Opportunities for All, the national public library strategy 2013-2017, which seeks to extend access to library services and facilities at times when they would be otherwise unavailable. In this regard, My Open Library provides additional opening hours for library members between 8am and 10pm, seven days-per-week, affording members the freedom and flexibility to use the library at times that suit them best.
The My Open Library service will be introduced in a further 20 library branches from early 2018 following a successful trial of the service in Tullamore, Banagher and Tubbercurry libraries. These branches, which are detailed in the attached table, were selected and funded by my Department on foot of applications from local authorities.
Learning from this phase of the roll-out will help inform and shape the future development and implementation of the service across the broader library network. There will be no reduction in staffing levels or staffed hours as a result of the service.
Funding permitting, My Open Library will be introduced in additional branches from 2019 onwards. These branches will be identified and selected subject to suitable applications being received from local authorities in coming years.
|
County |
Library Branch |
|
Carlow |
Mhuine Bheag |
|
Cavan |
Johnstown, Cavan |
|
Clare |
Ennis |
|
Dun Laoghaire Rathdown |
Deansgrange |
|
Galway |
Oranmore |
|
Galway |
Ballinasloe |
|
Kilkenny |
Castlecomer |
|
Laois |
Portarlington |
|
Limerick |
Cappamore |
|
Longford |
Ballymahon |
|
Louth |
Ardee |
|
Mayo |
Swinford |
|
Meath |
Trim |
|
Monaghan |
Carickmacross |
|
Offaly |
Ferbane |
|
Offaly |
Edenderry |
|
Tipperary |
Nenagh |
|
Waterford |
Dungarvan |
|
Wexford |
Gorey |
|
Wicklow |
Arklow |
1137. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding for Pobal will be increased in line with the increase in minimum wage, in view of the fact that Pobal-funded projects are facing a deficit due to the rise in employees' salaries without the corresponding rise in Pobal funding available to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45671/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhilst my Department has responsibility as the lead and funding Department for a number of programmes and schemes administered by Pobal, issues relating to employee terms and conditions, including salaries, are a matter for the employer and employees concerned, subject to compliance with employment legislation. My Department has no role in the matter.
1138. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocated to the seniors alert scheme in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of successful applicants in each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45794/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1139. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the criteria for eligibility under the seniors alert scheme; the circumstances under which persons not living alone are eligible for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45795/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1140. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding allocation for the seniors alert scheme in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45796/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1138 to 1140, inclusive, together.
My Department is responsible for the Seniors Alert Scheme which encourages support for vulnerable older people in our communities through the provision of personalised monitored alarms to enable them to continue to live securely in their homes with confidence, independence and peace of mind.
The allocations provided from 2011 to 2016 and the number of beneficiaries in each of these years (to mid-October 2017) are outlined in the following table.
|
Year |
Allocation €000s |
Beneficiaries |
|
2011 |
2,436 |
7,910 |
|
2012 |
2,524 |
9,142 |
|
2013 |
2,321 |
10,597 |
|
2014 |
1,706 |
7,120 |
|
2015 |
1,539 |
6,705 |
|
2016 |
1,800 |
7,301 |
|
2017 |
2,300 |
8,048 |
In order to qualify under the Scheme, participants must be 65 years or older, of limited means, living alone or living with another person who meets the eligibility criteria or living alone for significant periods of time during the day or a carer to someone else in their household. In addition, participants are required to reside within the geographical area of the relevant registered organisation under the scheme, be able to benefit from the equipment supplied and be prepared to maintain contact with the registered organisation.
The loosening up of the living alone requirements introduced under the new scheme is designed to better reflect the day-to-day circumstances of elderly people in our communities.
1141. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the external company undertaking an audit of his departmental website; the cost of the audit; the timeframe for its completion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45866/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department's website went live in August 2017 following the establishment of the Department in July 2017. There is no external company undertaking an audit of my Department's website.
1142. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if transitional funding for a society (details supplied) will be provided in 2018; the sum that will be provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45886/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of the issues regarding the transitional funding arrangements in place since 2015 for the organisation concerned. I am also aware of the timelines involved and my Department is liaising with relevant stakeholders in the matter.
1143. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to provide funds in order to ensure that employees made redundant by a company (details supplied) will receive enhanced redundancy terms as per a Labour Court recommendation. [45911/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal Development Companies that deliver the LEADER programme are private not for profit companies/non-public organisations. My Department has no role in the internal operations of those companies and likewise has no role in relation to staff or employment matters. These are matters for the Board of each company, as the employer, to manage. It should also be noted that my Department was not a party in the matter referred to by the Deputy.
Nonetheless, I understand that the former Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs contributed to the cost of redundancies that arose in the company referred to by the Deputy and in other Local Development Companies as part of the transition to the new LEADER 2014-2020 Programme. This contribution was towards the statutory minimum rate based on the time each employee spent working on the LEADER Programme. The contribution made to the relevant staff in the company referred to was in line with the contributions made by that Department in respect of LEADER-related redundancies which arose in other Local Development Companies as part of the transition to the new LEADER programme.
Provision of enhanced redundancy terms to employees is a matter for the Local Development Companies themselves, as employers.
1144. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the estimated cost of the provision of a defibrillator in each public building owned by his Department and agency under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45979/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFour state bodies fall under the remit of my Department: Pobal, Irish Water Safety, the Western Development Commission and the Charities Regulatory Authority.
There are no public buildings owned either by my Department or by any of the above agencies.
1145. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the meetings of the strategic communications unit he or his Department officials attended; the date and location of each such meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45998/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraA meeting between the Director and staff of the Strategic Communications Unit took place on 5 October. It was attended by myself, the Secretary General and officials from my department. The Director of the SCU provided a briefing on the work of the Unit and the role it will play in improving effectiveness, efficiency and cross Government cooperation to foster and develop a whole of Government approach to communications.
My Secretary General has met and been briefed by the Strategic Communications Unit in the context of her membership of the Civil Service Management Board.
1146. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the last time his Department's website was revamped or remodelled; the cost of same; if he or his Department officials have been consulted regarding creating one stand-alone online Government portal website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46015/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Rural and Community Development's website went live in August 2017 following the establishment of the Department in July 2017. As the Department's website is hosted on the Government network, no additional costs were incurred in building it. The Department's website has not been revamped or remodelled since it went live, although it is anticipated that further development work will take place over the course of the next 12 months.
My officials and I have met with the Strategic Communications Unit to discuss the simplification of Government communications in the context of the further development of the Department’s communications capability. As a new Department, I am keen to ensure the quality and accessibility of information for the public as well as to ensure value for money for any media spend incurred by my Department. Officials are participating in on-going discussions on a cross-government approach to support a streamlined and efficient set of arrangements to support my Department’s work.
1147. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the investment in his Department’s website since 2011 including total associated costs incurred; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46032/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe website for the Department of Rural and Community Development went live in August 2017 following the establishment of the Department on 19 July 2017. There have been no associated costs incurred to date.
1148. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of Department staff in his press office; the reporting relationship in operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46049/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs a newly established Government Department, we are currently in the process of establishing all of the associated corporate functions, one of them being the Press Office. At present, we have two Department staff assigned to press and wider communications duties who report directly to the Assistant Principal Officer in the Corporate Support and Management Services Division.
