Written Answers Nos. 1077-1101
1077. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the increase in the PSO for budget 2018 which will go towards tendered contracts, such as bus services (details supplied); and the percentage towards CIÉ run services. [47033/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware in Budget 2018, I secured an 8% increase in the overall Exchequer funding available for PSO services throughout the country. This means that in 2018 over €285 million will be allocated via the National Transport Authority (NTA) to support the continued delivery of these socially necessary but financially unviable services that have grown in recent years.
As is normal, the precise allocations to the companies will be decided by the NTA in exercise of its statutory mandate and in accordance with the various contract arrangements that it has in place with PSO service providers. I have therefore referred the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1078. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the PSO funding for rural link services in each of the years 2008 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [47034/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides Current funding for the Rural Transport Programme (RTP) to the National Transport Authority (NTA) which has national responsibility for integrated local and rural transport, including, since 2012, management of the RTP.
In July of this year the NTA published the current figures in respect of the RTP for the years 2007 to 2016 in its Statistical Bulletin no 2/17 "Bus and Rail statistics for Ireland - State Funded Services", page 23. For the assistance of the Deputy I have copied these amounts from that publication.
|
Year |
RTP grant (€ millions) |
|
2007 |
€8.98 |
|
2008 |
€9.80 |
|
2009 |
€10.97 |
|
2010 |
€11.00 |
|
2011 |
€10.62 |
|
2012 |
€9.77 |
|
2013 |
€9.63 |
|
2014 |
€10.10* |
|
2015 |
€10.70* |
|
2016 |
€11.86 |
* Additional funds included in the above figures were made available to to Rural Transport in 2014 and 2015
The allocation for RTP funding for 2017 is €13.75 million.
In Budget 2018 I secured an additional €500,000 in current funding for the RTP next year. This builds on the increased funding in the last 2 years, which enabled the improvement of existing services and development of new routes.
1079. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of new small public service vehicle licences provided in each of the years 2008 to 2016 and to date in 2017 for the Dublin region; and the number for each year. [47035/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe regulation of the small public service vehicle (SPSV) industry, including the licensing of vehicles within this sector, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013.
I have referred your question to the NTA for direct reply to you. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within 10 working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1080. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the estimated difference between average annual steady-state cost of national roads, regional and local roads, heavy rail, Luas and buses with regard to the integration initiative as estimated in a report (details supplied) and actual expenditure outlay by general Government and his Department in each of the years 2014 to 2017. [47036/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2015, my Department published the Strategic Investment Framework for Land Transport. As part of the extensive preparatory work for this publication, 21 background papers were produced and one of these estimated the steady state funding requirement for our transport network, as detailed by the Deputy. For ease of reference, I include those estimates as follows:
Table 1: Estimated Annual Steady State Expenditure Requirement, 2014-2016 and Post-2016 (€m)
|
|
Average Annual Cost 2014-2016 |
Average Annual Cost Attributable to DTTaS 2014-2016 |
Average Annual Cost post-2017 |
Average Annual Cost Attributable to DTTaS post-2017 |
|
National Roads |
585 |
481 |
573 |
469 |
|
RLR Roads |
580 |
480 |
580 |
480 |
|
Heavy Rail |
291 |
195 |
291 |
195 |
|
Luas |
81 |
60 |
49 |
21 |
|
Buses |
61 |
61 |
61 |
61 |
|
Integration |
15 |
15 |
15 |
15 |
|
Total |
1,613 |
1,292 |
1,569 |
1,241 |
Disaggregating expenditure into ‘steady state’ and ‘new projects’ is difficult and, to an extent, subjective. However, on the basis of information available, below I include my Department’s best assessment of Departmental steady state expenditure from 2014 to 2017. Note that National Roads figures for 2016 and 2017 are not currently available. However, I have referred the Deputy’s question to Transport Infrastructure Ireland for direct reply in relation to this area. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
Table 2: Departmental Steady State Expenditure, 2014-2017 (€m)
|
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017* |
|
National Roads |
238 |
244 |
|
|
|
RLR Roads |
323 |
292 |
354 |
286 |
|
Heavy Rail |
176 |
173 |
134 |
159 |
|
Buses |
85 |
48 |
30 |
64 |
|
Integration |
18 |
19 |
13 |
9 |
|
Total |
840 |
776 |
531 |
518 |
*Projected.
Finally, I include the shortfall between the estimated steady state requirement for each area and expenditure for the period from 2014 to 2017 below.
Table 3: Steady State Expenditure Deficit, 2014-2017 (€m)
|
|
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017* |
Total |
|
National Roads |
-243 |
-237 |
|
|
-480 |
|
RLR Roads |
-157 |
-188 |
-126 |
-194 |
-665 |
|
Heavy Rail |
-19 |
-22 |
-61 |
-36 |
-138 |
|
Buses |
21 |
-13 |
-31 |
3 |
-20 |
|
Integration |
3 |
4 |
-2 |
-6 |
-1 |
|
Total |
-395 |
-456 |
-220 |
-233 |
-1,304 |
*Projected.
While this is not precisely the breakdown that the Deputy asked for, I hope it illustrates the point that Departmental spending has fallen short of the estimated steady state requirement for a number of years and a deficit has accumulated over the period. While this underinvestment is understandable in light of the constrained fiscal context we are now emerging from, it is important to note that the most cost-effective way to protect our transport infrastructure – with a value running into the tens of billions – is to invest in it sufficiently on an ongoing basis to maintain the network in an adequate state.
It is for this reason that I welcome the increased capital allocations for my Department from now until 2021 announced as part of Budget 2018. Aside from the many exciting new initiatives that this funding will facilitate, the increased envelopes also mean, for example, that we will be investing the required level of steady state funding into our national, regional and local road network by 2020 or 2021 and at the same time as investing in other needed infrastructure.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1081. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason the NTA has set maximum fees of €125 which is above the maximum fee as set out in section 15 of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015; and the rationale for the NTA setting the fee above the rate outlined in the legislation. [47037/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1082. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the recommendations the NTA has provided to the bodies responsible for statutory clamping places with regard to the level they should set clamping release charges; and his views on one body should be in charge of statutory clamping locations, that is, CIÉ, setting release charges at €120 which is above the maximum charges set out in section 15 of the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015. [47038/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1081 and 1082 together.
On 1 October, the National Transport Authority (NTA) assumed its responsibilities as the regulator of vehicle clamping activities in both statutory and non-statutory (privately-owned) clamping places throughout the State.
Under the Vehicle Clamping Act 2015 the setting of a clamp release fee for clamping activities occurring in non-statutory clamping places is a matter for the NTA.
Also under the 2015 Act it is a matter for the NTA to make recommendations to a statutory body regarding clamping activities taking place on the statutory body's property.
As such I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
1083. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to engage with farming representative bodies regarding a proposed national car test to be introduced in 2018; if he has engaged with relevant stakeholders to date; the criteria regarding the testing of tractors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47088/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy knows, I am absolutely committed to do everything I can as Minister to ensure road safety. That is why I am determined that Ireland complies with latest EU directives on testing vehicles for their roadworthiness – not just because of our obligations under EU law. However, it is important that we do that in a practical and enforceable way.
At my invitation, representative bodies from the agriculture and forestry sector met with officials of my Department on 1 November to discuss their concerns about proposed regulations to comply with an EU directive regarding testing the roadworthiness of T5 tractors - that is, those which can exceed 40 km/hr in speed.
Arising out of the range of issues that were identified by the various bodies in terms of how the regulations might impact on their members’ farms and businesses, I have asked my officials to re-examine the text of the regulations. Subject to legal advice and further engagement with the sector, I intend to bring forward alternative proposals as a matter of urgency.
In the meantime, I am looking at means to ensure that the current text does not take effect with any unintended consequences.
1084. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the departmental funding to each domestic violence refuge in each of the past five years. [46661/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence whether in the context of the family or otherwise. At all times, Tusla’s key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of domestic violence are being met in the best way possible.
A network of some 60 organisations provide services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence in Ireland, including 20 services providing emergency refuge accommodation to women and children and 24 community-based domestic violence services.
Details of total Tusla funding for domestic violence services in the years 2014 up to June 2017 is set out in the table. Tusla does not hold funding details for domestic violence services prior to 2014 as these services were previously delivered through the Health Service Executive.
|
Name of Organisation |
Tusla Funding 2014 |
Tusla Funding 2015 |
Tusla Funding 2016 |
Tusla Allocated Funding up to June 2017 |
|
Saoirse Women's Refuge, Tallaght |
€681,627 |
€740,627 |
€740,627 |
€789,627 |
|
Teach Tearmainn Refuge, Co. Kildare |
€254,000 |
€264,000 |
€264,000 |
€264,000 |
|
Esker House Women's Refuge And Support Services, Athlone, Co. Westmeath |
€208,120 |
€261,120 |
€291,120 |
€303,120 |
|
Sonas Refuge Blanchardstown |
€654,397 |
€906,522 |
€906,531 |
€906,531 |
|
Drogheda Women's & Children's Refuge Centre, Co. Louth |
€439,098 |
€462,098 |
€432,098 |
€475,098 |
|
Meath Women's Refuge & Support Services, Co. Meath |
€249,555 |
€342,759 |
€342,147 |
€354,143 |
|
Women's Aid Dundalk, Co. Louth |
€414,805 |
€462,105 |
€462,105 |
€462,105 |
|
Aoibhneas Women & Children's Refuge, Coolock, Dublin 17 |
€869,817 |
€1,135,000 |
€1,035,000 |
€1,137,000 |
|
Bray Women's Refuge , Co. Wicklow |
€572,395 |
€584,070 |
€583,629 |
€585,621 |
|
Cuanlee Refuge, Cork |
€327,964 |
€408,738 |
€407,405 |
€409,401 |
|
Amber Refuge (Kilkenny), |
€389,239 |
€488,968 |
€488,968 |
€493,968 |
|
ADAPT Kerry Ltd., Co. Kerry |
€296,177 |
€456,478 |
€456,478 |
€469,311 |
|
Oasis House Women's Refuge, Waterford |
€414,181 |
€425,596 |
€424,403 |
€434,399 |
|
Wexford Women's Refuge |
€324,123 |
€430,073 |
€428,876 |
€428,871 |
|
Donegal Domestic Violence Services |
€434,802 |
€471,474 |
€470,231 |
€516,857 |
|
COPE Galway |
€631,162 |
€724,503 |
€725,227 |
€730,218 |
|
Cuan Saor Women's Refuge And Support Services, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary |
€401,248 |
€525,809 |
€536,187 |
€536,187 |
|
ADAPT Domestic Abuse Service, Limerick |
€592,736 |
€871,405 |
€864,901 |
€927,856 |
|
Mayo Women's Support Services Refuge |
€324,914 |
€348,664 |
€348,664 |
€348,664 |
|
Clarehaven Services, Co. Clare |
€469,301 |
€715,336 |
€715,336 |
€715,336 |
|
Women's Refuge Rathmines, Dublin |
€938,000 |
€750,000 |
€767,804 |
€767,804 |
|
|
€9,887,661.00 |
€11,775,345 |
€11,691,737 |
€12,056,117 |
1085. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of post-primary students that were placed on a reduced timetable in the 2016/2017 school year; the reason and duration regarding being placed on reduced timetables; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46753/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1086. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has issued guidelines to post-primary schools regarding the rationale for placing young persons on reduced timetables; if consent for such a decision is required by the young persons, parents-guardians, teachers, principal and or board of management; the options available to young persons and their families to appeal such decisions; the minimum and maximum length of time respectively a person can be placed on a reduced timetable; the decision making mechanisms by which a young person can return to a full timetable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46765/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1085 and 1086 together.
The Educational Welfare Service of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised my Department that the Agency does not hold data on the number of post-primary students that are placed on reduced timetables.
Tusla has not issued guidelines to schools on the rationale of placing students on reduced timetables. In certain cases where the number of hours missed in school due to a reduced timetable equates to 20 cumulative days in the current school year, it may be viewed as a de facto suspension.
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.
1087. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla will produce an annual report on sexual violence statistics for 2016 in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45629/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the provision of services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence, and provides funding to some 60 organisations nationally to deliver these services.
Since 2015, Tusla has been working in partnership with funded domestic, sexual and gender based violence services to enhance the quality and availability of data relating to the use of services. Using information provided by the funded services, Tusla will shortly be issuing a report on the activities and uptake of these services in 2016. The report will include data pertaining to the use of all specialist sexual violence/rape crisis services funded by Tusla nationally, and relates only to those who use these services.
Tusla is mindful of obligations under the Council of Europe Convention on Preventing and Combatting Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention) to gather and report on domestic, sexual and gender based violence nationally, and is working in collaboration with other bodies towards achieving Gold Standard for data collection in these services.
1088. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department will contribute to the funding of a second sexual abuse and violence study here, SAVI 2; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45630/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe proposal to conduct a second Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI 2) research project has been raised for several years. The Sexual Abuse and Violence in Ireland (SAVI 1) study was funded by Atlantic Philanthropies with additional funding from the Department of Health and Children and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform. It was published in 2002.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Department of Justice and Equality is responsible for formulating policy in this area. Active consideration is being given to a further SAVI type study with factors including the new sources of more recent data in relation to sexual violence available to underpin and inform policy development along with the need for ongoing investment in support services for victims. The Ministers for Justice and Equality; Health; and I are considering if statistics on sexual violence are adequate and examining if the statistics are comparable with those collated in other EU countries.
If a decision is taken to fund a further study, my Department would be happy to consider contributing to the study, in conjunction with other departments. Importantly, in order to be compliant with public procurement rules, any commissioned research funded by my Department would be subject to the usual procurement process.
1089. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is provision to extend the age band for participation on the early years care and education in exceptional circumstances; her plans to review and or extend the scheme (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45635/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood and Education Programme (ECCE) programme was expanded from September 2016 so that children may start free pre-school from age 3, and can continue in free pre-school once the child is not older than 5 years and 6 months at the end of the relevant pre-school year. Currently there are three different points in the year - September, January and April.
Under Budget 2018, the ECCE programme has been expanded further so that all eligible children can avail of a full two programme year. There will also only be one enrolment point each year (i.e. September). However, I must advise the Deputy that these will not come into effect until September 2018.
An upper age limit in free pre-school was set by the Inter-Departmental Group on Future Investment on the advice of the Department of Education and Skills. Limiting the diversity in age ranges in primary school is considered to be generally in the best interest of children, in relation to peer interaction in junior infants, as well as other educational considerations.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs does its best to ensure, in so far as is possible, the equitable treatment of all children and families who apply for child care funding under the ECCE Programme. In order to ensure objectivity and fairness it is essential that clear rules exist for the scheme and that they are applied in a fair manner. The rules for all the Department’s childcare schemes are clearly published to ensure transparency and consistent application. An essential component of the scheme’s rules is an eligibility date to ensure that the scheme can be administered and budgeted for in an appropriate manner.
For the programme year 2017/2018 parents may request an exemption from ECCE eligibility criteria under limited circumstances from my Department; specifically where a diagnosed special and/or medical need exists. This must be supported by a letter from a relevant medical specialist, recommending additional time in pre-school. However, please be aware that my Department is currently reviewing the overage exemption process. I would urge the parents of the child in question to contact my Department to enquire about such an exemption.
1090. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will request Tusla to collect figures for women and children using domestic violence refuges and step down accommodation on a monthly basis for inclusion in the monthly Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government homeless figures. [45639/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the provision of services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. Services are delivered by some 60 organisations nationally, 16 providing sexual violence services, and 44 providing community based services to victims of domestic violence, of which 20 provide specialist emergency accommodation.
Tusla facilitates a range of services to victims of domestic violence and their families, including 155 family units, comprising 147 emergency refuge family units and 8 emergency non-refuge family units. The remit of these services is to provide safe emergency accommodation on a short-term basis.
As part of its national information project, Tusla gathers administrative data from its service provider organisations, on an annual basis. Currently arrangements are not in place to seek monthly data on accommodation provision from these organisations.
As refuges are used to capacity most of the time, the numbers of individual families using them remains fairly stable at any time. Depending on the number and size of families in residence at a particular moment in time, there can be variations in the numbers of children in refuges.
Tusla will be seeking further details from provider organisations in 2018 on use of refuges, and remains open to contributing to homelessness data should there be a particular request to the Agency.
1091. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all front-line staff, including but not exclusively those of Tusla, receive suicide prevention training, if suicide prevention training is mandatory for front-line staff under the aegis of her Department; and if not, her plans to make such training mandatory with the provision of a refresher online course available to staff to be completed every three years thereafter. [45656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile the provision of suicide prevention training to all frontline staff for the four agencies within my remit is an operational matter, I wish to inform the Deputy that I am advised by the agencies as follows:
- A number of staff in the Adoption Authority of Ireland have participated in suicide prevention training. The Authority supported their attendance and will continue to support other staff members who may wish to avail of such training. The training is not mandatory for staff of the Authority.
- To address suicide or self-harm behaviour in young people in Oberstown Children Detention Campus, training of 6 in house facilitators has commenced to roll out Suicide Prevention and Self-Harm mitigation training for all front line staff. The training selected is STORM (Skills based Training On Risk Management) a model which utilises skills-based techniques to build a skill-set for suicide risk assessment and safety planning. I am informed that this training will be provided to all frontline staff in 2018 and it will be mandatory. It is also envisaged that all staff will receive 3 year refresher training.
- While suicide prevention training is not currently mandatory for frontline staff in Tusla, it is prioritised by managers. All staff in Tusla have access to training in SafeTalk and ASSIST through the HSE regional resource officers for suicide prevention (National Office for Suicide Prevention Programme - NOSP). The NOSP online programme esuicideTALK is also available to Tusla staff. Working with NOSP, Tusla Workforce Learning and Development is developing internal capacity for delivery of SafeTalk and ASSIST.
The Office of the Ombudsman for Children is independent in its function and reports to the Oireachtas on matters within its remit, as required by the Ombudsman for Children Act 2002. I have forwarded the question to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and asked that they might correspond with you directly in this matter.
1092. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if funding will be provided for an organisation (details supplied) to publish statistics on rape and sexual assault for 2016 in view of the fact that this cannot be done without same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45715/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence.
Since its establishment in 2014, Tusla has reviewed domestic, sexual and gender based violence services with a view to providing more equitable and co-ordinated services across the country.
It was in this context that Tusla decided to cease funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) and to take on direct responsibility for the development and maintenance of a database of information recorded on behalf of the Rape Crisis Centres. Tusla has created a comprehensive national dataset, including information from all funded sexual violence services.
This is designed to ensure that Tusla to meets its requirements for data having regard to the Agency's obligations under the Council of Europe Convention for Preventing and Combatting Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), and the need for high quality data to underpin responses to victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. It was in this context that Tusla decided to cease funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) in 2015.
Funding provided to RCNI by Tusla was to develop and maintain a database of information recorded by workers in Rape Crisis Centres. Tusla was concerned that the RCNI database did not capture information from all 16 Rape Crisis Centres. At present, only 8 centres are affiliated to the Network.
Tusla funds 60 non-statutory specialist domestic violence and sexual violence services, including: 44 Domestic Violence services and 16 Sexual Violence/Rape Crisis services. These services provide information to Tusla on the services they provide, including those provided to survivors of sexual violence.
This information is critically important as Tusla continues to reform services to ensure that we provide the best possible response to survivors of sexual violence.
Tusla is strongly committed to providing effective responses to survivors of sexual abuse. It takes a broad view of its responsibilities in this regard, recognising that these issues are complex and require a whole of government response. At all times, the first and key priority is to ensure that the needs of victims of sexual abuse are being met in the best way possible.
1093. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 516 of 17 October 2017 and 183 of 27 September 2017, when a formal response will be issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45772/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to my reply to parliamentary question 516 of 17 October 2017; the position remains unchanged. I am advised by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that searches were conducted on the basis of the information which was previously supplied with parliamentary question 183 of 27 September 2017. Unfortunately, that information was not sufficient enough to allow the report to be sourced. In order to facilitate further searches, I would suggest that the individual who has made representations to the Deputy make direct contact with Tusla.
1094. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will meet with a group (details supplied) in view of the struggles many family resource centres are facing across the country and in County Donegal which have not recovered from 30% funding cuts since 2008; the reason provisions in budget 2018 did not address the chronic under funding of existing family resource centres; the measures she will take to facilitate the recovery of the sector in order that family resource centres can continue to provide vital resources to disadvantaged families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45792/17]
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 are 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 are available on Tusla's website, www.tusla.ie. Applications will be assessed by Tusla and the deadline for applications is Thursday, 9 November 2017.
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.
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.
I am happy 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.
1095. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 505 of 17 October 2017, if the 35 member firms paid €12.6 million by Tusla in fees in 2016 are contracted for service on a case-by-case basis by Tusla or paid an annual retainer or both; and the distinction between external legal counsel and member firms providing legal services to Tusla. [45814/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to a day-to-day operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to the attention of Tusla for a directly reply.
1096. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the services provided by a firm (details supplied) to Tusla in 2016 in view of the fact that the firm was paid a €1 million management fee by the agency in 2016. [45815/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the subject matter of the Deputy`s question relates to a day-to-day operational matter for Tusla, I have referred the matter to the attention of the agency for direct reply to the Deputy.
1097. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding allocated to an organisation (details supplied) in each of the years 2014 to 2017 in tabular form. [45843/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency has statutory responsibility for the care and protection of victims of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. Since its establishment in 2014, Tusla has reviewed domestic, sexual and gender based violence services with a view to providing more equitable and co-ordinated services across the country.
It was in this context that Tusla decided to cease funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) and to take on direct responsibility for the development and maintenance of a database of information recorded on behalf of the Rape Crisis Centres. Tusla has created a comprehensive national dataset, including information from all funded sexual violence services.
This is designed to ensure that Tusla to meets its requirements for data having regard to the Agency's obligations under the Council of Europe Convention for Preventing and Combatting Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (Istanbul Convention), and the need for high quality data to underpin responses to victims and survivors of domestic, sexual and gender based violence. It was in this context that Tusla decided to cease funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) in 2015.
Tusla has created a comprehensive national dataset relating to domestic, sexual and gender based violence, including information from all funded sexual violence services.
Details of funding provided by Tusla to Rape Crisis Network Ireland are provided in tabular format below:
|
Rape Crisis Network Ireland funding allocated by Tusla |
2014 |
2015 |
|
Total |
€184,000 |
€44,000 |
1098. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to issues raised by a local authority (details supplied) in relation to child care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45844/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important that we acknowledge the critical role childcare workers play in delivering high quality childcare services. They deserve to be recognised, valued and respected for this. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs acknowledges that pay and conditions are major issues facing the sector. My Department is exploring how this can be addressed.
The Programme for Government commits to carrying out an independent review of the cost of providing quality childcare. The 'Independent Review of the Cost of Delivering Quality Childcare' which will be carried out by Crowe Horwath, will examine the costs faced by childcare providers in delivering quality childcare, including a survey of childcare providers. Following completion the review is intended to be used to strengthen the evidence base underpinning investment in early years. As such, it will feed into future policy development, including in relation to levels of payments to services.
In terms of pay for the Early Years sector, it must be noted that my Department is not the direct employer of childcare workers. However, in terms of improving pay and conditions I have suggested to the sector that they could apply to the Labour Court for a Sectoral Employment Order (SEO), asking the Court to make a recommendation in relation to pay for the whole Early Years sector.
Under an SEO process, organisations substantially representative of employers and employees come together to agree a way forward and submissions are sought from key stakeholders. My Department would not be party to the SEO process, however, as a significant funder, and with policy responsibility for quality, my Department would be well placed to make a submission to the Court once it publishes its notice in relation to the matter of the application for a SEO for the sector. I will be very supportive of any reasonable measures aimed at improving pay and conditions of the Early Years sector. While my Department does not have direct control over the matter, it will continue to support any appropriate initiatives in this area.
In the interim, my Department continues to invest significant resources in the early years sector. In the last three Budgets (2016, 2017 and 2018) investment in Early Years sector has increased by some 87% which reflect the emphasis being placed on developing a quality service with appropriately supported staff. This has helped to address affordability, access and quality, although it is recognised that there is more to be done. The announcement under Budget 2018 to increase ECCE capitation rates by 7% is intended to support the workforce.
The funding provided by my Department has always been intended to be sufficient to cater for all of the costs associated with the childcare schemes funded, including administrative and "non-contact time" work, or to fund this pro-rata where my Department's contribution is a part of the total cost of care provided. Notwithstanding this, to take account of the additional administrative burden on childcare providers as the result of significant changes to the childcare schemes in 2016-2017, including the expansion of the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme to include three intake points, contractual changes and the coming into force of the Childcare Regulations, some €14.5 million was provided in 2017 to be drawn down as a "non-contact time" payment for providers, equivalent to seven days' funding. I have also secured an additional once-off payment of up to €3.5 million in December in respect of the Community Childcare Universal Subsidy (CCSU). This will bring the overall total 'non-contact' support (or 'Programme Support Payments') to €18m in 2017. In Budget 2018, it was announced that €18m in programme support payments will be continued for the coming year. This funding is also intended to support providers and their employees.
On 11 April 2017, I made an announcement that the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) would not commence this September but that a range of measures would be introduced in September by my Department to make childcare more affordable for thousands of families throughout Ireland. This honours a key commitment in the Programme for Government.
The ‘September measures’ relate to the introduction of the Community Childcare Subvention Universal (CCSU) payment and the increase in band rates across the different strands of the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) Scheme and the Training and Employment Childcare (TEC) Scheme. As part of these 'September measures', a universal subsidy is available for all children aged between 6 months and 3 years of age (or until they qualify for ECCE if later than 36 months) in registered childcare. This amounts to up to €20 a week or €1,040 per year for children in full time childcare.
I am keenly aware of the pressures on the sector with regard to availability of places and sustainability and, following on from significant investment in 2016 and 2017, my Department will provide €6.86m for its capital funding programme under Budget 2018.
Although my Department has been successful in securing additional funding for this sector over the past three budgets, as outlined above, it is acknowledged that much more must be done if we are truly to have affordable, accessible, quality childcare and continue to improve both the affordability and quality of childcare. To this end I will continue to engage with Government colleagues with a view to securing additional investment for the Early Years sector in future budgets. Childcare workers are part of a growing sector, which the Government is strongly supporting. My Department and I believe that by working together with all the stakeholders in the Early Years sector we can ensure that it is a viable and strong sector which makes a significant contribution to the care and personal development of our children.
I am committed to ensuring childcare is affordable, accessible and of a high quality.
1099. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the external company undertaking an audit of her departmental website; the cost of the audit; the timeframe for its completion [45854/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is no audit of the website of my Department being undertaken.
1100. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of ECCE places available in each county as of September 2017 in tabular form. [45933/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra1101. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that were eligible for the ECCE scheme in September 2017 by county. [45934/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1100 and 1101 together.
The information requested is not yet available for September 2017 so I have provided the same information for the previous year (2016 - 2017) as published in the Early Years Sector Profile 2016 - 2017. It is expected that the figures for September 2017 will be similar to the previous year's figures. Please see the table and for further information I refer you to the report which can be found on the Pobal website. The analysis covers 3-5 year olds which correlates with ECCE eligibility.
It should also be noted that not all parents take up their full allocation. For example some parents may choose to send their children to primary school at a younger age rather than take up a second year of ECCE.
|
County |
3 - 5 year olds capacity |
3 - 5 year olds population |
|
Carlow |
1689 |
1721 |
|
Cavan |
1919 |
2419 |
|
Clare |
3121 |
3456 |
|
Cork City |
3102 |
2482 |
|
Cork County |
10968 |
13228 |
|
Donegal |
4197 |
4557 |
|
Dublin - Dublin City |
10873 |
11908 |
|
Dublin - Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown |
4926 |
5637 |
|
Dublin - Fingal |
8556 |
10620 |
|
Dublin - South Dublin |
6960 |
9201 |
|
Galway |
6921 |
7506 |
|
Kerry |
3469 |
3922 |
|
Kildare |
5980 |
7289 |
|
Kilkenny |
2731 |
3014 |
|
Laois |
2516 |
2859 |
|
Leitrim |
618 |
915 |
|
Limerick |
5123 |
5446 |
|
Longford |
1049 |
1315 |
|
Louth |
3437 |
3995 |
|
Mayo |
3188 |
3514 |
|
Meath |
5747 |
6797 |
|
Monaghan |
1781 |
1957 |
|
Offaly |
2079 |
2347 |
|
Roscommon |
1517 |
1843 |
|
Sligo |
1628 |
1876 |
|
Tipperary |
4195 |
4523 |
|
Waterford |
2948 |
3185 |
|
Westmeath |
2797 |
2667 |
|
Wexford |
3923 |
4335 |
|
Wicklow |
4024 |
4377 |
