Written Answers Nos. 147-166
147. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all work rotas issued by Tusla are compliant with the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3559/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information required by the Deputy is not readily available. My officials have requested the information from Tusla and this will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
148. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of residential care units under the direction of Tusla, including residential care units brought under the direction of Tusla on its formation in each of the years from 2005 to 2017, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3560/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have requested information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have received this information.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
149. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the budget allocated to the access and inclusion model of early education and childcare provision under each of the levels four to seven of this scheme for 2017; the amounts drawn down for 2017 in respect of each of the four levels, in tabular form; the number of children in each county that have benefitted from funding under each of these four levels in 2017; the areas of support in which this funding under each of the four headings have been applied; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3540/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAIM supports children with disabilities to reap the full benefits of free pre-school education. Its goal is to support 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 and strengths of the child and the pre-school setting. Where a pre-school provider, in conjunction with a parent, considers that some additional support is needed in order to meet the needs of a child with a disability in an inclusive way, an application can be made for a suite of targeted supports, namely:
Level 4: Expert Early Years Educational Advice and Support
This level provides access to mentoring for pre-school practitioners from a team of dedicated Early Years Specialists. To avail of this support, pre-school providers and parents are requested to complete an online Access and Inclusion Profile. This looks at the strengths, abilities and needs of the child, as well as the strengths and needs of the pre-school setting.
Level 5: Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations Capital Grants
This level provides for access to specialised equipment, appliances, assistive technology and/or minor alterations capital grants for pre-school settings to ensure children with a disability can participate in the ECCE programme. A short report from a designated professional is required confirming that the specialised equipment or minor building alterations are necessary.
Level 6: Therapeutic Intervention
This level provides access to therapeutic services where they are critical to enable the child to be enrolled and to fully participate in the ECCE Programme. To avail of this support, pre-school providers and parents are requested to complete the online Access and Inclusion Profile. The Early Years Specialist will review the profile and, where therapeutic input is likely to be required; the Specialist will initiate contact with the HSE. The HSE decides on the appropriate level of therapeutic intervention.
Level 7: Additional Assistance in the Pre-School Room
This level provides additional assistance in the pre-school room where this is critical to ensuring a child’s participation in the ECCE Programme. It is estimated that pre-school providers may need Level 7 in the case of approximately 1% to 1.5% of all children. In line with emerging best practice to support the integration and independence of children with a disability, AIM does not fund Special Needs Assistants (SNAs). Rather, it provides financial support to the pre-school provider, which can be used either to reduce the adult to child ratio in the pre-school room or to buy in additional assistance to the pre-school room. Accordingly, Level 7 assistance is a shared resource for the pre-school setting.
AIM was launched in June 2016. The total funding allocated and outturn in 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.
The Inter-Department Group, which developed AIM recognised that it would take approximately three years to fully develop and implement the Model. It is expected that demand for all levels of support under AIM will increase in years 2 and 3 and the budget available for AIM makes provision for this.
|
Level |
Element of Model |
2017Allocation (m*) |
2017 Outturn (m*) |
|
4 |
Expert Early Years Educational Advice and Support |
10.1 |
4.417 |
|
5 |
Equipment, Appliances and Minor Alterations Grants and application process |
2.5 |
2.967 |
|
6 |
Therapeutic Intervention |
- |
- |
|
7 |
Additional Assistance in the Pre-School Room and Application Process |
14.1 |
8.202 |
*Figures rounded to the nearest thousand.
The number of children in each county who have benefitted from supports under AIM Levels 4, 5 and 7 in 2016 and 2017 is shown in the tables below. It should be noted that these figures relate to separate ECCE programme years (i.e. 2016/17 and 2017/18). Therefore, they may include double-counting of some children who were supported in both ECCE programme years.
Number of Children receiving AIM support in the ECCE Programme 2016/17 over the period January 2017 - June 2017
|
County |
Level 4 |
Level 5 Equipment |
Level 5 Alterations |
Level 7 |
|
Carlow |
24 |
1 |
|
15 |
|
Cavan |
35 |
4 |
1 |
30 |
|
Clare |
77 |
6 |
3 |
59 |
|
Cork |
265 |
29 |
7 |
210 |
|
Donegal |
72 |
5 |
3 |
56 |
|
Dublin |
371 |
18 |
1 |
263 |
|
Galway |
79 |
3 |
0 |
66 |
|
Kerry |
51 |
2 |
1 |
40 |
|
Kildare |
68 |
11 |
1 |
48 |
|
Kilkenny |
25 |
3 |
1 |
19 |
|
Laois |
43 |
10 |
1 |
30 |
|
Leitrim |
15 |
0 |
1 |
9 |
|
Limerick |
106 |
7 |
1 |
84 |
|
Longford |
23 |
|
|
11 |
|
Louth |
52 |
6 |
|
40 |
|
Mayo |
57 |
3 |
|
44 |
|
Meath |
77 |
14 |
3 |
57 |
|
Monaghan |
23 |
2 |
0 |
21 |
|
Offaly |
31 |
2 |
|
26 |
|
Roscommon |
34 |
2 |
1 |
16 |
|
Sligo |
19 |
6 |
1 |
13 |
|
Tipperary |
68 |
5 |
2 |
48 |
|
Waterford |
27 |
3 |
1 |
24 |
|
Westmeath |
23 |
1 |
|
18 |
|
Wexford |
60 |
1 |
2 |
51 |
|
Wicklow |
44 |
4 |
|
33 |
|
Total |
1,769 |
148 |
31 |
1,331 |
Number of Children receiving AIM support in the ECCE Programme 2017/18 over the period September 2017 - December 2017
|
County |
Level 4 |
Level 5 Equipment |
Level 5 Alterations |
Level 7 |
|
Carlow |
20 |
2 |
|
8 |
|
Cavan |
18 |
3 |
|
10 |
|
Clare |
24 |
2 |
|
9 |
|
Cork |
152 |
18 |
0 |
65 |
|
Donegal |
54 |
7 |
1 |
10 |
|
Dublin |
289 |
10 |
|
97 |
|
Galway |
65 |
5 |
|
27 |
|
Kerry |
54 |
4 |
|
15 |
|
Kildare |
59 |
4 |
|
31 |
|
Kilkenny |
24 |
2 |
|
16 |
|
Laois |
34 |
0 |
1 |
11 |
|
Leitrim |
8 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
|
Limerick |
48 |
8 |
|
25 |
|
Longford |
6 |
|
|
1 |
|
Louth |
44 |
0 |
|
14 |
|
Mayo |
42 |
4 |
|
13 |
|
Meath |
67 |
4 |
1 |
21 |
|
Monaghan |
6 |
1 |
|
1 |
|
Offaly |
30 |
2 |
1 |
19 |
|
Roscommon |
16 |
|
0 |
4 |
|
Sligo |
6 |
3 |
|
2 |
|
Tipperary |
46 |
8 |
|
18 |
|
Waterford |
28 |
|
|
6 |
|
Westmeath |
23 |
|
|
5 |
|
Wexford |
50 |
1 |
|
23 |
|
Wicklow |
31 |
1 |
|
14 |
|
Total |
1,244 |
91 |
5 |
467 |
150. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the possible closure of a service (details supplied); if so, the plans that have been put in place to streamline the service and to ensure that the service continues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3555/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTime4Us is a Play Centre for family members who wish to spend time with children that they do not live with. This can be parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, siblings or other family members.
Time4Us Ltd is a Registered Company, limited by guarantee. The service initially opened on the east side of Galway city and later moved to a HSE/Tusla owned property on Shantalla Road on the west side of Galway City.
The main source of referrals is from the courts and solicitors in private family law cases. Referrals are also recived from parents, mediation services and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Of the current 41 open cases the referral origin is as follows:
|
Referral origin |
Total |
|
Court ordered for non-supervised access |
25 |
|
Solicitor referrals |
4 |
|
Self-referrals |
7 |
|
Tusla referrals |
5 |
Time4Us in the past received funding from the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Justice. Funding ceased as a result of austerity measures and this led to a shortfall of approximately €30,000. For the past three years the St. Vincent de Paul in Galway, through the Maureen O'Connell fund, provided €30,000 to bridge the gap but this funding has now ceased.
Tusla, has informed me that the Board of Time4Us has decided to cease the service on 31st March 2018.
I understand that Tusla are working with the Board of Time4Us to identify any alternative supports, within Tusla's area of responsibility, that may be available to families in their local area.
151. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to lower funding or decrease staffing, including community employment schemes, to projects funded by her Department at a facility (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3565/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities.
These schemes include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, amounting to €10.65m in 2017, under which funding is made available on an annual basis to thirty national and major regional youth organisations. This funding 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.
Scouting Ireland receives grant aid on an annual basis under the Youth Service Grant Scheme. In 2017, €876,337 was allocated to the organisation under the Scheme, a 5% increase over the 2016 allocation.
Budget 2018 provided an additional €1.5m in current funding to my Department to support the provision of youth services, bringing the total allocation to €58.9m. This additional funding will be used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people. My Department has commenced a process with national organisations and local services to identify service development needs for 2018 and to finalise the 2018 allocations. Organisations, including Scouting Ireland, will be advised of their 2018 allocation as soon as possible. It is not envisaged at this point that there will be any reduction in the 2018 Youth Service Grant Scheme grant scheme allocation to Scouting Ireland.
Over the past few years, Scouting Ireland has received significant other funding through my Department, outside of the Youth Service Grant Scheme. The organisation was allocated €150,000 in current funding in 2015 and a further €200,000 in Dormant Accounts funding in 2016 to support the Operation Lelievlet youth employment initiative. It received €49,630 under the Youth Capital Funding Scheme 2016 / 2017 to fund capital works. In 2015 €30,000 was also provided to the organisation to assist it with its budget sustainability to the year end.
In addition to the grant funding above, additional funding is being provided to Scouting Ireland for its AcadaMoot Programme. Up to €200,000 will be made available to the organisation over a five year period in this regard.
I was pleased to approve the establishment the Local Youth Club Equipment Scheme in 2017. The primary focus of this scheme was to assist volunteer led clubs and groups that work with young people in communities throughout the country. The scheme allowed for the purchase of equipment for sport, arts, adventure and other much needed items. Some €6.35m has been made available nationally. I am advised that scouting groups across Ireland received in excess of €1.5m under the scheme in late 2017.
152. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children on care orders; and the types of care orders, in tabular form. [3575/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has informed me that the latest data available on the reason for a child being in care relates to Quarter 4, 2016. The 2017 data is currently being complied at area level and will be collated and verified at national level later in the year.
The table below relates to the number of children in care on 31st December 2016 and the legal reason for them being in care.
|
Types of Care orders |
Nos. |
Percentages |
|
Voluntary |
2,026 |
32% |
|
Another Care Order (e.g. Section 12) |
8 |
0.1% |
|
Special Care Order of the High Court |
12 |
0.2% |
|
Care Order |
3,508 |
56% |
|
Interim Care Order |
606 |
10% |
|
Emergency Care Order |
107 |
2% |
|
No. of Children in Care |
6,267 |
|
153. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children on voluntary care orders; and the length of time these children have spent on voluntary care orders, in tabular form. [3576/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra154. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children that have spent more than one, three, five and eight years respectively on voluntary care orders, in tabular form. [3577/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 153 and 154 together.
Under Section 4 of the Child Care Act, 1991, the means by which a child can be received into voluntary care by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is set out. This section of the Act allows Tusla to receive a child into care without a court order and with the consent of the child's parents, when this is required for the child’s welfare or protection.
Data about the length of time children spend on voluntary care orders is not collated in the manner requested by the Deputy.
Tusla have advised me that the most recent available data refers to Quarter Four 2016, which indicates that there were 6,267 children in care, and 2,026 of these children were in voluntary care.
The table displays data which is returned annually in relation to the overall number of children in care and the length of time in care broken down by three time bands
|
Time spent |
No. |
Percentage |
|
Length of time in Care less than 1 year |
704 |
11.2% |
|
Length of time in Care 1-5 years |
2,716 |
43.3% |
|
Length of time in Care greater than 5 years |
2,847 |
45.4% |
|
No. Children in Care |
6,267 |
155. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in foster care, residential care, relative foster care and other care placements, in tabular form; and the number of these children with an allocated social worker. [3578/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra156. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of child protection referrals made to Tusla in 2017. [3579/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 155 and 156 together.
Data on child welfare and protection referrals is reported by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, quarterly in arrears. At the end of Q2 2017 there had been 27,892 referrals to Child Protection and Welfare Services. Provisional figures indicate that there have been an approximately 12,700 referrals in Q3, 2017. On the basis of this trend, a full year figure should exceed 50,000 referrals to Tusla.
Based on the breakdown of type of referral in previous years, it is anticipated that approximately 40% of these referrals will relate to child welfare concerns, and 60%, approximately, will be for child protection concerns.
I am providing a Table showing the number of children in care by care type, and the number of these with an allocated social worker. The Table is based on the latest data available, up to the last day of October 2017.
|
Care Type |
Total |
Number with an allocated social worker |
Percentage with an allocated social worker |
|
Residential General Care |
346 |
342 |
99% |
|
Residential Special Care |
11 |
11 |
100% |
|
Foster Care (General) |
4,061 |
3,925 |
97% |
|
Foster Care (Relative) |
1,659 |
1,567 |
94% |
|
"Other" Care Placement |
129 |
128 |
99% |
|
Total |
6,206 |
5,973 |
96% |
157. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on whether Tusla has adequate resources to deal with the expected increase in workload due to the new regulations requiring the mandatory reporting of child protection concerns. [3580/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that I have secured an additional €40 million for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in 2018. This is the third year in succession that Tusla has received a significant increase in its funding, which now amounts to over €753m.
I strongly support the work of Tusla, and I am committed to supporting the Agency in meeting the growing needs of children and families.
The additional resources secured for Tusla in 2018 will assist in meeting key priorities. The additional investment will allow Tusla to recruit a range of additional staff to respond to areas of identified risk, and to meet increased demand for services, including an anticipated increase in referrals following the introduction of mandatory reporting. This increase in funding is also enabling the further management of unallocated cases. Tusla is also in the process of recruiting more administrative staff to support social workers in their child protection duties.
In 2018, funding is also being used to establish a single national out-of-hours social work service, building on significant progress made in recent years in strengthening this service, enhanced collaboration with An Garda Siochána, additional on-call social work capacity and a new out-of-hours support service for foster carers.
I have requested that Tusla develop a robust workforce plan which addresses succession planning, retention, career pathways, training and development, future workforce needs, priority gaps and a strategy for tackling the priority gaps, dealing with a rise in referrals due to mandatory reporting and reducing unallocated cases.
In conclusion, I am confident that the Exchequer funding of over €753m in 2018 provides Tusla with significantly increased capacity to respond to areas of identified risk and anticipated demand, including the introduction of mandated reporting, and to progress a number of key service developments which will ensure better outcomes for vulnerable children, and families, who need our services and support.
158. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the process undertaken by her Department to advertise outside of the State for witnesses to come forward to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3581/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe statutory Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) is independent in the conduct of its investigations. Therefore the advertising strategy is a matter for the Commission to decide and I do not have any role or influence in this regard.
The Commission previously informed me that it had written to a range of Irish groups in the UK and the USA inviting relevant people to come forward to provide testimony and information, and the Confidential Committee has visited the UK on a number of occasions.
As the Deputy will also be aware, the range of concerns relating to Mother and Baby Homes, and the establishment of the Commission of Investigation, continues to be widely reported by national and international media outlets.
While I do not have a direct role the Commission's advertising strategies, I am on record of this House as encouraging any person with information which may be relevant to the Commission to contact the investigation team directly. All relevant contact information is on my Department's website and can be accessed at www.dcya.gov.ie.
159. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has met with a group (details supplied); and her plans to meet the group regarding the expert technical report on Tuam. [3582/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have met members of the group referred to by the Deputy and with other former residents of the Tuam mother and baby home during my visits to Tuam and in other fora.
With regard to the Expert Technical Group Report on the Tuam site, I published this Report to give us a fuller understanding of the available options in responding to the confirmation of human remains interred at this site, and to ensure that the outcomes which might be realistic and attainable in respect of each course of action could be understood by the public.
I am conscious that this is a very sensitive and difficult matter for many former residents, their families and those living in the vicinity of the site. Therefore, I want to ensure that everyone who wishes to contribute to the deliberations on what action should be taken has an equal opportunity to do so. Galway County Council is making arrangements to facilitate a structured consultation to determine the views of interested parties and I do not wish to interfere in any way with this process.
I am advised that the Council plans to announce further details of the consultation process shortly. In the interim, the council has set up a dedicated telephone line (Tel: 091-509561) and e-mail address (TuamConsultation@galwaycoco.ie) for persons who may wish to contact the Council in relation to these matters.
An Inter-Departmental Group, led by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, will provide an oversight role for the whole of Government in terms of strategy and overall approach for the project. The results of the consultation process will be reported back to the Inter-Departmental Group in March. The Group will then assist me in preparing a proposal for the future of the site which I will bring to Government for its consideration.
160. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to failures by the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes to correspond or reply to survivors living abroad that had contacted the Commission. [3583/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra162. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason persons that have testified to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes have not been permitted access to that testimony along with their own personal records. [3586/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 160 and 162 together.
The statutory Commission of Investigation (Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters) is independent in the conduct of its investigations. I do not have any role or influence in how the Commission engages with witnesses in the course of its investigations.
I am advised that the Commission’s policy is to keep all the evidence provided to it in secure storage on its premises. Individuals who have met the Confidential Committee may come to the Commission’s premises and hear the recording of their evidence and/or read the notes on their case if these have been written up. Individuals who give evidence to the full Commission may similarly read the transcript of their evidence on the Commission’s premises. If individuals provide personal records to the Commission, it is the policy to photocopy these and return the originals to the people concerned on the day. The Commission does not have any role in assisting individuals in resolving questions on their identity or in tracing birth relatives. Persons seeking such information should contact the Information and Tracing services of TUSLA, the Child and Family Agency (www.tusla.ie) or the Adoption Authority of Ireland (www.aai.gov.ie).
The Commission’s policy is to reply to all correspondence whether from Ireland or abroad. I know that the Commission would welcome being contacted again if it has inadvertently failed to reply to any individual. If the Deputy is aware of any specific cases she may wish to advise the person involved to contact the Commission directly in relation to these matters.
161. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there has been progress on her proposal to examine a transitional justice approach to deal with the legacy of mother and baby homes. [3585/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is important to note that the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes is a vital step on the path we have commenced to achieve a holistic truth. The Commission is continuing to do the valuable work it was established to do.
In parallel to the Commission's work, it is my wish to adopt a transitional justice approach through developing measures to support and empower former residents of these institutions and their families. I am progressing a number of initiatives in this regard to facilitate an appropriate way forward in our response to what are hugely complex and sensitive matters.
In June and October of last year two facilitated meetings were held with former residents of Mother and Baby Homes. A key ask that emerged from these meetings was that of “nothing about us without us”. My recent announcement of the establishment of a Collaborative Forum for former residents is a direct response to this wish by former residents.
The Forum will enable former residents to identify, discuss and prioritise the issues of concern to them, and facilitate them to make recommendations for actions and solutions. I published a Charter for the Collaborative Forum which describes its structure, scope and working methodology.
The Forum will examine specific themes on a modular basis to facilitate it in making recommendations to me. The Forum will explore a wide number of practical issues including: issues dealing with respectful and inclusive terminology and language; strategies to undo stigma and raise public awareness; identifying and sharing good practice in peer to peer support activities; access to professional counselling services and other specific health and personal social services; memorialisation which acknowledges and recognise past events; and documenting and presenting personal narratives of former residents and their relatives to ensure an archive of material is created and preserved. I will be making an announcement with further details on this Forum shortly.
In addition, the Government has agreed to invite Mr. Pablo de Greiff, UN Special Rapporteur, to assist Ireland in our response to issues related to former Mother and Baby homes and I am working with my colleague the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to arrange this invitation.
Improving communication with former residents continues to be a priority of mine as I believe that open and consistent communication on the matters of concern is essential while the Commission continues with the work that it was established to do. My Department has increased its focus on communication by establishing an e-zine update which is posted on the Mother and Babies Homes section of my Department's website on the first Friday of every month. In this way everyone has access to the same information at the same time.
My department has also established a dedicated phone line and email address to facilitate direct communications with my Department by interested parties.
163. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding a centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3542/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Around 425 organisations are supported under the CSP, with funding provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions. The CSP contribution must be co-funded by the organisation concerned from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services. General administration costs are met from this locally generated income.
The organisation in question has been supported by the CSP since 2006 with a funding contribution towards the cost of a manager and three full-time equivalent posts. However, it has now voluntarily exited the Programme and, in this context, I understand that the organisation will not be required by Pobal to submit audited statements.
164. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to concerns in respect of pensions provisions that the minimum funding standards are inappropriate; if there has been an examination of this issue; her plans to review the legislation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3654/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraPensions legislation provides for the supervision and regulation of occupational pension schemes and, in that context, requires defined benefit schemes to meet the commitments they have made to their members. This method by which this is regulated is set out in the Funding Standard.
The Funding Standard provides a benchmark against which the ‘health’ of a scheme can be tested. A scheme failing the Funding Standard means that, unless some action is taken, the scheme will not be able to pay the benefits promised. The existence of the Funding Standard itself is not the central issue in relation to whether a scheme is properly funded. Rather the responsibility rests with the employer and the trustees for ensuring that the scheme is properly funded and managed. However, the Funding Standard does provide the regulatory mechanism for ensuring that a scheme can provide a level of the pension benefits promised.
The funding standard is a wind-up standard, and is intended to approximate the monies needed to secure the benefits if the scheme was wound up and the accrued benefits bought out.
The Pensions Authority is the independent body responsible for regulating the funding standard. If a scheme does not meet the funding standard, a funding proposal must be submitted to the Authority in accordance with the time limits detailed in the Pensions Act.
The Pensions Authority requires that, in setting investment policy, the trustees of a DB scheme must have regard to the need to satisfy at regular intervals the minimum funding standard set down in the Pensions Act. However a number of steps have been taken to reduce the risks to pension scheme members caused by market volatility.
In order to provide increased investment options for pension schemes the Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2010 and 2011 introduced the option for trustees to purchase sovereign annuities. Pension schemes that purchase sovereign annuities or the underlying bonds benefit from a reduction in their liabilities under the funding standard. Buying sovereign annuities for the pensioners has the effect of reducing pensioner liabilities under the funding standard and provides additional funds for the other members of the scheme.
The Social Welfare and Pensions Act 2012 requires a DB scheme to hold additional funding in the form of a ‘risk reserve’ by 2023. This function of this ‘risk reserve’ is to provide some protection and long term stability for scheme members against future volatility in financial markets. Additionally, and in appropriate circumstances, the regulator may now approve scheme funding proposals that provide for the recovery of their schemes funding over longer periods that was previously the case.
It should be noted that the Irish funding standard is less demanding in comparison to almost all other European countries. I believe that the minimum funding standard is appropriate and my Department, in conjunction with the Pensions Authority, monitors the operation of the minimum funding standard for DB pension schemes.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
165. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for carer's benefit by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3503/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for carer’s benefit was received from the person concerned on 12 December 2017.
The application was awarded to the person concerned with effect from 22 February 2018 from when her carer’s leave commences. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 22 February 2018.
The person concerned was notified on 12 January 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
166. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the Citizens Information Board to be categorised as a charity and to have a charitable status; her views on whether theboard's status as a charity may be in breach of the Charities Act 2009; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3512/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Citizens Information Board (CIB) under the aegis of my Department is responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice (including money advice and budgeting) and advocacy on a wide range of public and social services. The Citizens Information Board delivers on this remit through direct provision, by supporting a network of delivery partners, and by funding targeted projects.
CIB meets the registration requirements of the Charities Regulatory Authority (CRA) to be granted charitable status. It operates for charitable purposes and is of public benefit.
The Charities Regulator, the Charities Regulatory Authority, was established on 16 October 2014 pursuant to the Charities Act 2009. The general function of the regulator is to regulate charitable organisations operating in Ireland in order to increase public trust and confidence in their management and administration.
Part 4 of the Charities Act 2009 confers investigative and enforcement powers on the Charities Regulator, complementing its regulatory powers under Part 3 of the Act. Any person who has concerns that a charitable organisation is in breach of the Charities Act 2009, should forward details of his or her concerns to the Charities Regulator. All concerns expressed to the regulator are actively reviewed.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
