Written Answers Nos. 206-216
206. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed drivers who have zero penalty points as of 30 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52573/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of current licensed drivers in Ireland on 30 November that have zero penalty points is 2,383,274.
207. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed drivers who have between zero and three penalty points as of 30 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52574/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of current licensed drivers in Ireland on 30 November 2017 that have between zero and three penalty points is 442,008.
208. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed drivers who have between three and six penalty points as of 30 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52575/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of current licensed drivers in Ireland on 30 November 2017 that have four, five or six penalty points is 88,394.
209. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed drivers who have between six and nine penalty points as of 30 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52576/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of current licensed drivers in Ireland on 30 November 2017 that have seven, eight or nine penalty points is 15,613.
210. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of licensed drivers who have ten or 11 penalty points as of 30 November 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52577/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of licensed drivers in Ireland on 30 November 2017 that have ten or 11 penalty points is 2,257.
211. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of drivers who have had their licence revoked due to accumulating the maximum number of penalty points to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52578/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of licensed drivers that have accumulated the maximum number of penalty points in 2017 (up to 30 November) and have been disqualified is 1,033 of which 235 are Novice drivers.
212. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the basis on which an application by a club (details supplied) for the sports capital grant was refused. [52590/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that the organisation referred to by the Deputy applied for a grant under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme.
When the 2017 Programme was advertised my Department issued a guide to filling out the application form which set out the Department's minimum requirements that applicants had to meet to be considered for funding.
While I do not think that it is appropriate to publish the specific reasons why individual applications were deemed invalid at this stage, applications were deemed invalid primarily for one or more of the following reasons:
- Title/Access requirements of the Sports Capital Programme not satisfied
- Evidence of own funding not provided in prescribed format
- Insufficient own funding.
All applicants have now been contacted with details of the outcome of the assessment of their application, including details of why applications were deemed invalid. Relevant organisations have also been informed that they may appeal these decisions if they believe that an error has been made in deeming their application invalid.
213. Deputy Seán Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the ECCE scheme can be extended in special circumstances for children with disabilities who are not ready to start school at five years of age and need a further year in preschool to develop intellectual and communication skills (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52405/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFor the programme year 2017/2018, parents may request an exemption from ECCE eligibility criteria under limited circumstances from my Department; specifically where a child is assessed as having a special/additional need. Applications for exemptions from ECCE eligibility criteria for 2017/2018, must be supported by a letter from a medical specialist (not a GP/PHN) specifying the child's special/additional need and diagnosis and confirmation that they (the medical specialist) specifically recommends an extra year of preschool for the child.
Unfortunately there is insufficient information provided regarding the child referred to in the Deputy’s question to provide a definitive response as to whether an over age exemption can be approved for the 2017/2018 programme year in this instance. I would urge that the family in question should engage with my Department on the matter who will be willing to assist to achieve the best outcome for all concerned.
My Department also offers the Access and Inclusion programme (AIM) which is a model of supports designed to ensure that children with disabilities can access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme. The AIM Early Years Specialists will work with the parents (and guardians), Providers, Special Education Needs Organisers (SENOs) and others (as appropriate) to support the child's transition to primary school.
Parents, guardians and providers are advised to engage with the AIM process where a concern in relations to a child's transition to primary school is identified. More detailed information on AIM can be found at www.aim.gov.ie.
The Department of Education and Skill (DES) also provides for the education of children with special educational needs through a number of support mechanisms, depending on the child's assessed disability.
Decisions regarding the over-age exemption for children hoping to avail of ECCE in the 2018/2019 programme year have been deferred until further consultation with parents occurs. My Department is committed to giving parents appropriate notice regarding the decision that is ultimately made.
214. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of units operated by charities (details supplied); the number of permanent staff; the number of volunteers, by county, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52320/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra215. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of units operated by charities (details supplied) that have closed due to lack of funding from 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52321/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra216. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to fund the re-opening of the Waterford unit operated by a charity that closed on 1 December 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52322/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 214 to 216, inclusive, together.
I can inform the Deputy that I have no function in relation to the charities to which she refers. I can also inform the Deputy that I have no role in the decision taken by the charity to close the Waterford Unit to which she refers. My understanding is that alternative arrangements have been made for children who accessed this service. At this point, I have no plans to fund the re-opening of the unit and have not received a request to do so. I understand that the national helpline service will continue to operate on a 24 hour basis and that the service to children in the Waterford area is not affected by the decision to close the unit. I hold the charity in question in high regard. The charity has met with my Department recently and outlined their vision for the future of their services nationally and I expect the charity will be in contact with my Department further in 2018 when it has further developed its proposals.
