Written Answers Nos. 605 - 629
605. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and bodies or groups under her aegis have received or are scheduled to receive supportive funding from her Department, with specific reference to youth organisations, bodies dealing with children at risk or others; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50557/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe overall budget for the Youth Sector in 2017 is €57.4 million in current expenditure, this funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth work sector.
The following are the main services and projects currently supported through grant aid:
|
Services and Projects |
Amount Allocated |
|
Youth Service Grant Scheme - currently funding 30 national and major regional voluntary organisations. The continued funding of voluntary youth organisations through the Scheme is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people. |
€10.65m allocated in 2017 |
|
Special Projects for Youth - grant-aid is made available in respect of out-of-school projects for disadvantaged young people. Priority is given to projects in the spheres of special youth work initiatives, young homeless people, young people at risk of substance abuse and young travellers. |
€14.7m allocated in 2017 (171 Projects) |
|
Young Peoples Facilities and Services Funds Rounds 1 & 2 – this fund was established by the Government in 1998 to assist in the development of preventative strategies in a targeted manner through the development of youth facilities, including sports and recreational facilities, and services in disadvantaged areas where a significant drug problem exists or has the potential to develop. |
83 mainstreamed projects (Round 1) 140 current projects (Round 2) €18.85m allocated in 2017 |
|
Local Youth Club Grant Scheme - supports youth work activities at a local level. These grants are made available to all youth clubs and groups through local ETBs. |
1,400 youth groups/clubs eligible €1.17m allocated in 2017 |
|
Youth Information Centres - This programme funds 20 Youth Information Centres. The purpose of these Centres is to provide young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters. |
€1.28m allocated in 2017 |
|
Local Drug Task Force Projects - Responsibility for 21 youth related projects transferred to the Department in 2011. These projects, targeting young people under the various pillars of the National Drugs Strategy, provide a range of supports for young people by way of targeted drug prevention and awareness programmes as well as referrals. |
€1.18m allocated in 2017 |
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, which deals with children at risk will receive a 5.7% increase of €40.6m for 2018, higher than the €37m increase provided in 2017. The extra funding will be used to progress a number of key priorities including the introduction of mandatory reporting under Children First, addressing gaps in out of hours services and further investing in Family Resource Centres that deliver services to families in disadvantaged areas across the country. The additional investment will allow Tusla to recruit over 300 staff to respond to areas of identified risk and to meet increased demand for services. This includes resources for responding to expected increases in referrals following the introduction of mandatory reporting; management of unallocated cases and developing aftercare services. It will also allow for improvements in Tusla’s ICT systems and overall organisational structures, including governance.
606. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of resources available to her Department to meet all contingencies in the course of 2018; if particular issues of concern have been identified; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50558/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraBudget 2018 made provision for a gross funding provision of €1.384 billion to my Department in 2018. This represents an increase of €73 million or 6% over the allocation for 2017. The Deputy might note that the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2018 will be published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in the near future. This will set out the full particulars of the financial resources made available to Vote 40 of my Department in 2018 to support the provision of a range of targetted programmes and services for children, young people and their families. The publication also contains details of the number of public service employees associated with the delivery of the programmes and services.
I am satisfied that the significant additional resources secured for 2018 will allow my Department and its agencies build on the good work by all involved in working with children and families to deliver on this Government’s commitment to fundamentally reform the delivery of services.
607. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied regarding the adequacy of the staffing levels available to and through her Department to meet all anticipated requirements in the course of 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince my appointment as Minister, my Department's staffing complement has grown from 181 to 241 people, with a further cohort currently being recruited which will bring the total staffing numbers to around 280 people before end 2018. The increase in staffing numbers reflects the continuing growth in the responsibilities of my Department, whose allocation will grow to €1.38 billion in 2018 following increases in the two Budgets since I took office.
As additional streams of work emerge in my Department, it is inevitable that, from time to time, temporary staffing shortfalls may occur. These are remedied at the earliest opportunity. I am satisfied that the workload required from my Department will be adequately resourced in 2018.
608. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in residential care; the extent to which such numbers have fluctuated in the past five years; the age profile of such children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50560/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra609. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children and their age profile in foster homes; the extent to which these numbers have fluctuated over the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50561/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency have advised that as of the end of August 2017, there were 6,237 children in care. There were 4,056 children in general foster care, 1,684 in relative foster care and 362 in residential care. 135 children were in other forms of care suited to their individual needs and situations.
Children in care by year (2013-2017)
Table 1 is based on Tusla's Reviews of Adequacy reports and Quarterly Reports. The numbers of children in care for 2017 is the figure as of the end of August, and includes Separated Children Seeking Asylum. Prior to January 2017, these children were not included in the overall figure.
Table 1
|
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 (To end August) |
|
6,469 |
6,454 |
6,384 |
6,258 |
6,297 |
Children in care by age
Table 2 is based on Tusla's Review of Adequacy. These reports review services provided by the HSE prior to the establishment of Tusla in 2014. Children in care before 2014 were in the care of the HSE. The Reviews of Adequacy of HSE services are published on the Tusla website. The figures on children in care are prior to 2014 are presented as age ranges.
Table 2
|
- |
0-8 |
9-13 |
14-17 |
|
2011 |
37% |
32% |
31% |
|
2012 |
36% |
33% |
31% |
|
2013 |
37% |
33% |
31% |
Services provided by Tusla
Table 3 is based on Tusla's Reviews of Adequacy, published annually on the Tusla website. The figures are presented year-on-year.
Table 3
|
Age |
<1 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
|
2014 |
2.2% |
2.9% |
3.5% |
4% |
4.2% |
4.7% |
4.9% |
5% |
5% |
5.7% |
6.1% |
6.4% |
6.9% |
7.1% |
7.3% |
7.9% |
7.5% |
8.2% |
|
2015 |
1.9% |
2.6% |
3.1% |
3.8% |
4.4% |
4.7% |
4.9% |
5.2% |
5.2% |
5.4% |
5.9% |
6.6% |
6.6% |
7.4% |
7.4% |
7.8% |
8.1% |
8.4% |
610. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which instances of child abuse of a physical, mental or sexual nature have been brought to her Department's attention since it was established; if the issues have been satisfactorily and conclusively investigated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50562/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was established on the 1st January 2014. Tusla have provided a breakdown of the referrals they have received in the years 2014, 2015 and 2016, which is included in tabular format. In addition I include data as published on Tusla's website for quarter 1 2017. It should be noted that multiple referrals may be received that relate to the same child. The Deputy will notice from the table below that the vast majority of referrals are for emotional abuse and neglect, possibly indicating abuse within the family setting.
Each referral received by Tusla is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. Approximately 60% of referrals to Tusla are of a child welfare concern with the remaining 40% related to child protection concerns. Tusla's policy is to refer child welfare referrals to relevant family and community support services. At any stage, if a determination is made that there is abuse, whether physical, emotional, sexual or neglect, from which there is an ongoing risk of harm, the child protection pathway is followed. In a minority of cases this may lead to the child being placed on the Child Protection Notification System (CPNS) or the child being received into care.
Upon receipt of an appropriate referral, the Duty Social Worker carries out preliminary enquiries, including checking to see if the case is already open or known to child protection services, clarifies the nature of the concern, contacts key professionals, e.g. public health nurses or teachers, and records the details of the child and family. It is possible that duplicate referrals have been received, or that the child involved is already receiving a service from Tusla, or that the child needs another service such as, for instance, the HSE's Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. If the threshold for a child protection assessment or response is not met but a child has an unmet need then this may be addressed as a child welfare concern by local family and community support services, organised through the Local Area Pathways team.
A referral becomes an open case (one per child) when it meets the criteria to need an initial assessment. Based on the information available, the referral will be given a priority level of high, medium and low. Open cases also include children receiving a social work service or who have been received into care.
The additional €40m funding which has been secured for Tusla in the 2018 Budget will support the continued implementation of child protection services. Tusla aims to provide a proportionate and timely response to children at risk or in need. Where appropriate, responsibility and control will be shared with families and communities by developing joint solutions and through inter-agency collaboration.
Child Protection referrals made to Tusla by category 2014 - 2016
|
- |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
Q1 2017 |
|
All Referrals |
43,630 |
43,596 |
47,399 |
13,344 |
|
Child Protection Referrals |
18,676 |
18,235 |
19,087 |
5,458 |
|
By Category: |
||||
|
Physical Abuse |
4,066 |
3,991 |
4,450 |
1,394 |
|
Emotional Abuse |
6,233 |
6,535 |
6,870 |
1,896 |
|
Sexual Abuse |
3,114 |
2,940 |
3,042 |
921 |
|
Neglect |
5,263 |
4,769 |
4,724 |
1,247 |
611. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department monitors the well-being of children in residential or foster care on an ongoing basis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50563/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection, and if necessary, to receive a child into the care of the State.
The placement of children in care is governed by Regulations. These provide for the welfare of the child, the care practices, care records, accommodation and safety precautions. Children, depending on their identified needs, may be placed by their social worker in foster care either with relatives or general foster carers, in residential care or other placement types. The majority of children are placed in long term stable placements and currently over 92% of children are placed in foster care. A key part of the social worker role is to ensure the quality and safety of the child's placement, and to meet with the child on a one to one basis on all visits. There are safeguards surrounding each child care placement, whether foster or residential care and placements are supervised by a professionally qualified social worker.
All foster care services and statutory residential centres are subject to inspection by the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) and private and voluntary residential centres are inspected by Tusla against National Standards. These inspection reports of children's residential centres, fostering services and child protection services are also reviewed and analysed by my officials. The overview of these reports provides me with a level of assurance on the overall capacity of Tusla to identify and provide services to families and children.
Within its national office, Tusla, has a dedicated Quality Assurance Team. This team produces monthly, quarterly and annual reports in respect of Tusla's functions, including detailed reporting on child safety and protection services. Tusla also provides me with information on children in care, their placement type, care status and allocation of social workers. Within my Department there is a Unit which scrutinises these reports and briefs me and senior officials on issues of note. The reports also provide statistical evidence of improvements to child welfare and protection services and highlights challenges and areas where further improvement is required, such as the recruitment of additional social workers.
Officials from my Department meet Tusla management on a regular basis to review the level of service provision, including areas in need of improvement. I myself meet on a regular basis with the CEO and Chair of Tusla. Contact is maintained with non-governmental bodies on issues within the sector, including, for example, the Children's Rights Alliance, EPIC and the Irish Foster are Association.
The Deputy should also be aware that children in care have access to independent advocacy supports, such as the organisation Empowering People in Care (EPIC). Children in care also have access to the complaints mechanism in Tulsa, and may make complaints, or be assisted to make complaints, about their care to the Office of the Ombudsman for Children.
612. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which a rapid response exists in cases of incidents of children at risk brought to the attention of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50564/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, deals immediately with emergency cases, including for instance, if a child has been abandoned or is in immediate physical danger or at immediate risk of sexual abuse. Social work duty teams keep high priority cases under review by regularly checking to ascertain risk to the child, and where necessary will reprioritise the case.
It is important to note that if a child is at immediate risk or in danger, the Gardaí should be alerted without delay. Under the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, Gardaí have the power to remove, without a warrant, a child in immediate danger to a place of safety when it is not possible to seek an emergency care order from the Courts. Tusla's local offices and out of hours contact number provides social work advice and support for Gardaí around the clock.
Where the child has been removed by Gardaí or risk is not immediate, Tusla can go directly to the Courts for an Emergency Care Order to bring the child into care. The Courts, as part of proceedings, can also provide a warrant to Gardaí to support social workers and Gardaí may remove the child, by force if necessary. Once the child is in a place of relative safety, Tusla social workers can carry out a fuller assessment and put in place steps to support the child to reunify with their family, to put in place a child protection plan, or to receive the child into care. Where a child has a child protection plan they are listed as active on the Child Protection Notification System. This information helps social workers determine if a child who comes to their attention is already considered at risk. If sufficient progress is not being made in the plan, a child may be received into care, on a voluntary basis or by applying to the courts for a care order.
Tusla, holds the statutory responsibility for child welfare and protection, and is the appropriate body to receive reports of concerns relating to children at risk. Each referral received by the Agency is assessed and dealt with on an individual basis by the relevant social work team. Every report of concern for the safety and well-being of a child is assessed and required action is identified.
I have been very pleased to have secured an additional €40m for Tusla in Budget 2018 - which will allow for the continued recruitment and expansion of Tusla social work, social care, family support and business support staff. In addition to recruitment, I glad to say that this budget has also provided for enhancing early intervention pathways, as it includes funding for the establishment of an additional 11 Family Resource Centres.
613. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and her Department continues to grant aid to organisations involved in caring for children at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50565/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has responsibility for grant programmes covering Child Welfare and Protection, the School Completion Programme, and Family and Community Support, all of which provide supports for children and young people at risk. Grants are issued to service providers that work in conjunction with Tusla, as well as local school completion projects and voluntary organisations.
The total expenditure in grants paid by Tusla in 2016 came to €143.9m. The precise amount of 2017 funding will be confirmed by year end. My Department supports the work of Tusla in providing these grants to community and service providers working with children at risk. Tusla will continue to support voluntary bodies that carry out this important work in 2018 and into the future.
614. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which her Department offers support to undocumented families, with particular reference to children that might be at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50566/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child Care Act, 1991 applies to all children resident in the State irrespective of their immigration status. Under the Child Care Act, 1991 and the Child and Family Agency Act 2013, Tusla has a duty to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care or protection. The Agency is obliged to provide care for these children for as long as their welfare requires it. Tusla operates under the principle of equity of care.
Children First National Guidance (2011) gives advice for notifying Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, of situations where abuse is suspected. A range of professionals including teachers, nurses, early years educators, Gardaí and other health professionals, who see children regularly, are in a good position to identify children at risk. Where someone has reasonable grounds for suspecting a child is being, or has been, abused, they are expected to immediately contact Tusla.
The Children First Act, 2015 places a statutory obligation on key professionals (mandated persons) to report concerns of harm above a defined threshold to Tusla without delay. These provisions will be commenced on December 11th, this year.
If a child is taken into care, their needs are given priority. A social worker is assigned to a child placed in State care and has a duty to prepare and regularly review the care plan for the child. Intrinsic to this process is ensuring that the wishes of the child are listened to, and if appropriate, Tusla may assist them in establishing residency.
Unaccompanied asylum seeking children are placed in care and have their needs assessed, and are allocated a social worker.
Children who, with their parents, live in Direct Provision, are provided with welfare supports as required. Tusla have seconded an experienced social worker to the Department of Justice and Equality to liaise directly between Direct Provision and Tusla services.
615. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which her Department continues to monitor children and families at risk with a view to averting incidents of self harm; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50567/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is required to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children. Tusla provides family support services to children and families when a need is identified. These services can be provided directly by Tusla through its family support services, social work or social care services, or through play and other therapies as appropriate.
Key elements of the support provided to children at risk of self harm may include referral and advocacy for access to specialist services to meet the child’s needs, for example counselling and psychology services. Mental health policy is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health. However, Tusla works closely with other care providers, including the Health Service Executive (HSE), in respect of access to Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). Tusla and the HSE monitor their interagency responsibilities to ensure that they are working effectively in the best interests of children and families.
Tusla will continue to strive to meet the requirements of the children and families they serve, and I will continue to support them in doing so.
616. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the counselling services available through her Department to children and families at risk; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50568/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is required to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children. Tusla provides funding to voluntary organisations offering a range of counselling and support services to children and families including:
- Marriage and relationship counselling,
- Child counselling,
- Rainbows Peer Support Programme for children,
- Bereavement counselling and support on the death of a family member.
In addition to direct service provision, Tusla provides grant aid to community and voluntary agencies for the provision of a wide range of family support services.
Tusla provides funding to the Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Service, which works to support children and families coping with death. This includes a bereavement telephone helpline and a skilled therapeutic service that supports children, especially in relation to complicated grief and traumatic loss.
Tusla also supports Rainbows Ireland, which provides group based support to children dealing with loss following parental separation /divorce or a death. The Rainbows programme is currently delivered in schools and community-based centres around the country.
Childhood bereavement is an area of special focus for Tusla. Together with the Irish Hospice Foundation, Tusla co-funds the Irish Childhood Bereavement Network, which works to improve awareness of and support for bereaved children.
Tusla is currently developing an integrated service model for the provision of therapy services relating to the psychological welfare of children and their families which supports and informs front line practitioners in their day to day work with children and families as well as providing multidisciplinary therapeutic services which can address more complex needs.
Community Therapy Services will include therapeutic services to children and families in the community and in care placements; assessment, consultation and/or intervention services in for children at significant risk of placement in secure settings; therapeutic support for professionals including residential care staff and foster carers in their ongoing work with young people and their families; and expert court reports.
Mental health policy is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health, and Tusla works closely with other care providers including the Health Service Executive (HSE), in respect of access to child and adolescent mental health services.
The protection and welfare of children and young people is of great concern to me, and I will continue to support Tusla in assisting children and young people at risk.
In this context, I announced a significant increase in the funding allocation to Tusla for next year. Tusla will have available to it some €753 million in funding, representing an increase of over €40 million over 2017. The precise level of funding to be provided to counselling, therapy and support services will be considered by Tusla in developing its Business Plan for 2018.
617. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding that has been allocated to levels 4 to 7 of the access and inclusion model between September 2016 and September 2017. [50656/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra618. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of funding that has been allocated to levels 4 to 7 of the access and inclusion model to date in 2017. [50657/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 617 and 618 together.
AIM supports children with disabilities to reap the full benefits of free pre-school education. Its goal is to empower pre-school providers to deliver an inclusive pre-school experience. AIM is a child-centred and evidence-based model, involving seven levels of progressive support, moving from the universal to the targeted, based on the needs of the child and the pre-school setting.
AIM was launched in June 2016. Funding is allocated to AIM on an annual basis. Funding allocated in 2016 and 2017 to levels 4, 5 and 7 of AIM by my Department is set out below. Funding for AIM Level 6 comes from the Department of Health Vote.
|
Level |
Element of model |
2016 |
2017 |
|
- |
- |
(m*) |
(m*) |
|
- |
- |
Allocation |
Allocation |
|
4 |
Expert Early Years Educational Advice and Support |
5.4 |
10.1 |
|
5 |
Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations Grants and application process |
1.61 |
2.5 |
|
6 |
Therapeutic Intervention |
- |
- |
|
7 |
Additional Assistance in the Pre-School Room and Application Process |
5.43 |
14.1 |
*Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.
619. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cén líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe ina Roinn faoi láthair; cé mhéid post atá daingnithe nó aitheanta ag an Roinn (i scéim teanga, nó ar aon bhealach eile) mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; cé mhéid duine atá ann ag a bhfuil líofacht i nGaeilge agus atá ag feidhmiú sna poist sin atá daingnithe no aitheanta mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; an bhfuil sí beartaithe ag an tráth seo aon phost eile de chuid na Roinne a aithint mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge. [50676/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra620. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cé mhéid folúntas a líonadh ina Roinn ó thús na bliana seo; cé mhéid de na folúntais sin a bhain le poist a bhí sainaitheanta mar phoist a raibh Gaeilge riachtanach ina leith; cé mhéid folúntas atá le líonadh faoi láthair agus cé mhéid de na folúntais siúd atá sainaitheanta mar fholúntais a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo. [50693/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 619 and 620 together.
Ag tús 2017, bhí 188 ball foirne i mo Roinn. Tá 241 fostaí ann anois. Dhá cheann de na folúntais bhreise a líonadh, baineadh úsáid as sruthanna Ghaeilge de chuid chomórtais na Seirbhíse um Cheapacháin Phoiblí chun feabhais a chur ar sholáthar seirbhíse na Gaeilge i mo Roinn. Tá Gaeilge líofa ag an mbeirt fhostaithe sin. Cé nach bhfuil tuilleadh pleananna ann faoi láthair chun breis foirne a earcú ó shruthanna Ghaeilge, leanfaidh mo Roinn ar aghaidh ag déanamh measúnú ar a riachtanais i dtaobh seo.
621. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the funding from his Department in conjunction with Dublin City Council, for the Dublin City Community Co-operative Society will be retained or increased in 2018 and beyond to ensure the continuation of a vital project (details supplied). [49876/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume that the Deputy is referring to transitional funding provided by my Department to the Dublin Inner City Community Co-operative Society on behalf of its members including the organisation referred to. I am aware of the issues regarding the transitional funding arrangements in place since 2015. I wish to confirm that my Department officials have met with officials from Dublin City Council and have agreed a plan in relation to Quarter 1, 2018, transitional funding. Logistical arrangements, including terms and conditions, will be communicated to the stakeholders shortly.
622. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of vacancies in each State board under the aegis of his Department, in tabular form. [49942/17]
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. The table outlines the current vacancies on each State Board:
|
State Board |
No. of vacancies |
|
Pobal |
0 |
|
Irish Water Safety |
0 |
|
Western Development Commission |
0 |
|
Charities Regulatory Authority |
3 |
Further information on the membership of State Boards can be found at the website www.stateboards.ie.
623. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the names of persons he has appointed to each State board under the aegis of his Department that have not come from the Public Appointments Service list of suitable candidates, in tabular form. [50004/17]
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.
I have not appointed any Board members to a State board under the aegis of my Department that have not been in line with the Public Appointments Service guidelines.
624. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if a grant will be awarded to an organisation (details supplied) in order to enable it continue to participate in tidy district competitions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50025/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 60th anniversary of the TidyTowns competition will take place in 2018. In order to celebrate this milestone and to mark the invaluable work carried out by generations of TidyTowns volunteers in their own communities, I recently announced a €1.4 million grant scheme to assist committees with their preparations for the upcoming competition in 2018.
The scheme will allow each local committee which has entered the competition in any of the past 3 years to apply for a grant of between €1,000 and €4,000 to support the work they do. The level of grant will be based on each town or area’s category under the TidyTowns competition criteria.
Pobal is administering the grant scheme on behalf of my Department. I have written to all eligible committees - including the group referred to by the Deputy - and advised them of the grant availability and how it may be applied for. In order to obtain this once-off grant payment, the group concerned should complete, sign and return the acceptance form to Pobal by 15th December 2017.
625. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he has used a private email account to send or receive official documents or positions on Brexit; and if so, the details of this correspondence. [50065/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have not used a private email account to send or receive official documents or positions on Brexit.
626. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the bodies under the aegis of his Department to which it provides in excess of €1 million funding per annum; the public funding received by these bodies; the bodies in which 50% or more of their income comes from public sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50121/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI assume the Deputy is referring to funding provided in 2017 however where these figures are not available, the most recent available figures are given i.e. 2016.
My Department provides funding in excess of €1 million per annum to the four state bodies which fall under its remit - Pobal, the Western Development Commission, Irish Water Safety, and the Charities Regulatory Authority.
The following table outlines the 2017 allocation to each body and states the bodies where 50% or more of its income comes from public sources:
|
State Body |
Allocation |
Year |
=50% or >50% income comes from public sources |
|
Pobal |
€451.6m |
2016 |
Yes |
|
Western Development Commission |
€2.412m |
2017 |
Yes |
|
Irish Water Safety |
€1.075m |
2017 |
Yes |
|
Charities Regulatory Authority |
€4.379m |
2017 |
Y |
627. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the public contracts between his Department and companies (details supplied) in each of the years 2011 to 2016; the value of each contract; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50407/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not used the services of the companies concerned.
628. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cén líon iomlán foirne atá fostaithe ina Roinn faoi láthair; cé mhéid post atá daingnithe nó aitheanta ag an Roinn (i scéim teanga, nó ar aon bhealach eile) mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; cé mhéid duine atá ann ag a bhfuil líofacht i nGaeilge agus atá ag feidhmiú sna poist sin atá daingnithe no aitheanta mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo; an bhfuil sé beartaithe ag an tráth seo aon phost eile de chuid na Roinne a aithint mar phoist a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge. [50688/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra629. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail cé mhéid folúntas a líonadh ina Roinn ó thús na bliana seo; cé mhéid de na folúntais sin a bhain le poist a bhí sainaitheanta mar phoist a raibh Gaeilge riachtanach ina leith; cé mhéid folúntas atá le líonadh faoi láthair agus cé mhéid de na folúntais siúd atá sainaitheanta mar fholúntais a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge ag baint leo. [50705/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 628 and 629 together.
Bunaíodh an Roinn Forbhartha Tuaithe agus Pobail ar an 19ú mí Iúil 2017. Faoi láthair, tá 122 fostaithe sa roinn. Fostaíodh 28 oibrithe ó bhunú an roinn. Tá 42 oibrithe breise fostaithe ag an Rialálaí Carthanacht.
Tá earcaíocht ar siúl faoi láthair le haghaidh folúntas bhreise.
Níl aon poist sa roinn agus baint riachtanach ag an Gaeilge leis, áfach, aithníonn an roinn an cúram chun seirbhísí áirithe a chur ar fáil don phobal trí Ghaeilge. Tá roinnt daoine sa roinn agus is féidir leo déileáil le freagracht agus fiafraí trí Ghaeilge, de réir mar is gá.
