Clare Daly
Ceist:545. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of secondees from companies (details supplied) that are working in his Department. [5842/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (545)
Freagraí scríofa
There are currently no secondees from the companies listed working in my Department.
I have asked the State agencies under the aegis of my Department to provide the Deputy with the information requested directly. If you do not receive a reply from the agencies within ten working days, you should advise my private office.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Rail Network Expansion
Ceisteanna (546)
Shane Cassells
Ceist:546. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the most recent costing for the construction and provision of phase 2 of the Navan to Dublin rail line; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5851/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport. The National Transport Authority, NTA, has statutory responsibility for the planning and development of public transport infrastructure and services in the greater Dublin area, GDA.
The Navan rail link project was originally included under the Transport 21 Initiative and was to be developed in two phases. Phase 1, comprising the Dunboyne Rail Line project was completed in 2013. Phase 2 was to provide for the extension of the Dunboyne line onwards to north Navan. This development together with a number of other transport projects was postponed in 2011 due to the economic and fiscal crisis.
In 2016 the NTA published its Transport Strategy for the GDA for the period 2016-2035. All the main transport corridors in the GDA were examined in the strategy including the Navan to city centre corridor. The NTA concluded that based on current population and employment forecasts, the level of travel demand between Navan, Dunshaughlin and various stations to the city centre is insufficient to justify the development of a high-capacity rail link at this time. Instead it is proposed that an enhanced bus service will be provided along the corridor in conjunction with the development of a bus hub in Navan.
The NTA has indicated that the position will be reassessed as part of the next review of the GDA Transport Strategy and this will take account of the level of development in the catchment area over the next six years. The NTA has also indicated that the corridor identified for a rail link to Navan should be protected from development intrusion in the meantime. If the review of the Transport Strategy concludes that a rail link is justified at that point, funding can be pursued in the context of the review and development of future capital investment plans.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in this area, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for any further update on the issue raised. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Mountain Rescue Service
Ceisteanna (547)
Éamon Ó Cuív
Ceist:547. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the objective criteria used to allocate funding to mountain rescue teams here; if there is a published scheme outlining these criteria; if so, the location from which it can be accessed; his plans to allocate each team a minimum of €14,815 in 2018 in view of the fact that the grants in 2008 were as high as €23,185 and gross government voted expenditure in 2018 will be broadly similar to 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5885/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There is no published scheme for the Mountain Rescue grants. A key criterion for eligibility for a grant is that they are declared resources to an An Garda Siochana who are responsible for tasking the Mountain Rescue Teams. The grants are administered in line with the relevant grant circular, 13/2014. The amount allocated to mountain rescue funding in 2018 will be broadly in line with the amount allocated in 2017.
The administration of these grants is being reviewed by my Department and will involve consultation with key stakeholders. A part of this review will consider the allocation of grant funding amongst teams and whether this reflects activity levels and anticipated demand. This is in recognition of the fact that patterns of activity may have altered since the original grant allocations were apportioned.
Road Projects Status
Ceisteanna (548, 549)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:548. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed upgrade of Tinker's cross junction in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5900/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraJonathan O'Brien
Ceist:549. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the proposed northern ring road in Cork city; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 549 together.
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority. The Department has not received any proposal from Cork City Council in respect of a proposed upgrade of Tinker's cross junction in Cork city.
In relation to the proposed Cork northern ring road, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Child Safety
Ceisteanna (550)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:550. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the measures taken to prevent and identify potential abuse on Ireland's athletic teams in view of recent events surrounding a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5936/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
At the outset it is important to highlight that the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, under the aegis of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, is the dedicated State agency responsible for improving wellbeing and outcomes for children, and provides valuable guidelines in matters relating to child protection.
Tusla has published Children First:National Guidance which places a responsibility on all people to protect children and, where appropriate, to report child protection or welfare concerns. The Criminal Justice (Withholding of Information on Offences against Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012, sets out various statutory obligations including provisions regarding reporting concerns.
Sport Ireland, which is funded by my Department, is the statutory body with responsibility for the development of sport, increasing participation at all levels and raising standards, including safety and child protection standards. Sport Ireland liaises closely with Tusla and the national governing bodies, NGBs, on child protection matters. Indeed, all NGBs who receive funding from Sport Ireland are required to adopt the Code of Ethics and Good Practice for Children’s Sport. Each national governing body is also required to appoint a national children’s officer to oversee implementation of the code within their sport. Sport Ireland acts in an advisory role in the promotion of best practice for young people in sport.
For further consideration, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply to you. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Asylum Support Services
Ceisteanna (551)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:551. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the way in which he plans to further encourage the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into sport teams throughout Ireland (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5937/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In our increasingly multi-cultural society, the positive role and contribution of sport in fostering greater societal inclusion and integration deserves acknowledgement. I am pleased therefore to note and support the positive example cited by the Deputy.
My Department is currently developing a new national sports policy, which will reflect the need to increase sport participation levels across all sections of society, including the groups in which active and social participation rates in sport have tended to be low. I will be publishing the new policy shortly.
Sport Ireland, which has responsibility for the development of sport in Ireland, includes in its criteria for national governing body, NGB, recognition a requirement that NGBs must have a formal policy demonstrating their commitment to equity and access. I am aware that a number of NGBs have specific programmes which aim to encourage the integration of persons such as refugees, asylum seekers and other minority groups.
Sport Ireland is in a position to provide further detail of such programmes, and I have therefore referred this matter to Sport Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy. I would ask the Deputy to contact my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Roads Maintenance Funding
Ceisteanna (552)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:552. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if sufficient provisions have been set aside for the fixing of roads in need of repair in view of the upcoming British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly plenary in Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5940/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities' own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is a matter for the local authority.
As regards State grants for regional and local roads, the grants for 2018 include an increase of over 17% in funding for road maintenance and rehabilitation grants. In addition ring-fenced funding is being provided for community involvement and drainage grants this year.
As regards national roads, as Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and maintenance of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for TII in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy's question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don't receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
School Transport Eligibility
Ceisteanna (553)
Ruth Coppinger
Ceist:553. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if public transport provision will be expanded to cater for the requirements of persons in a school (details supplied). [6036/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) in conjunction with the transport operator and I have forwarded the Deputy's questions to the NTA for direct reply.
Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Childcare Services
Ceisteanna (554)
Michael Harty
Ceist:554. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on the request by a resource centre (details supplied) in County Clare that the licence for childcare services be removed from a company allowing the resource centre to continue working with families and disadvantaged communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5505/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has advised that following the closure of certain childcare facilities in County Clare in 2016, the centre to which the Deputy refers provided support to Pobal, the relevant County Childcare Committee, and parents and families. At that time, the co-ordinator of the centre informed Tusla that it had been requested to take over the management of the childcare facilities. Tusla agreed that this would take place on an interim basis of six months, on the stipulation that regular updates and documentary evidence of progress be supplied.
The centre in question later advised Tusla that its responsibility for managing the childcare facilities was at an end, and that a local company would be managing the facilities for an 18 month period, during which time a new structure would be established.
Organisations enter into a contract with my Department in order to take part in one of its early years programmes. Cessation of a contract with a service will only occur in the event of serial contractual non-compliance, which would be established by Pobal and my Department, or in the event of serious regulatory non-compliance, which would be established by Tusla. Contracts are entered into on a yearly basis, beginning in September.
Tusla has advised that it will engage with relevant agencies in the area to establish whether the property referred to by the Deputy offers an opportunity for the centre in question.
Education Welfare Service
Ceisteanna (555)
Eugene Murphy
Ceist:555. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the guidelines provided to educational welfare officers in Tusla in relation to the point at which a family is brought before the court to force a child to attend school in view of the fact the parents are being deemed to be unco-operative; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5717/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The Tusla Educational Welfare Service, EWS, has supplied an extract of the guidelines provided to educational welfare officers in Tusla in relation to the point at which a family is brought before the court regarding the non-attendance at school of a particular child in view of the fact the parents are being deemed to be uncooperative and I have forwarded same for the consideration of the Deputy. These guidelines provide guidance and support to educational welfare officers when considering if it is necessary to bring a family to court in the event of such non-attendance of a child at school. Tusla EWS has advised that these guidelines were reviewed and updated in November 2017.
Childcare Services Administration
Ceisteanna (556, 557)
Clare Daly
Ceist:556. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention was drawn to concerns in counties Laois and Offaly social work service by Tusla management in the two years prior to May 2015 (details supplied); and if so, the number of such alerts received. [5812/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:557. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention was drawn to concerns in the counties Laois and Offaly social work service by Tusla management in the two years prior to May 2015 (details supplied); and if so, if copies of all alerts received and the dates on which they were received will be provided. [5813/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 556 and 557 together.
The then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was first made aware of the matters of concern referred to by the Deputy at the end of April, 2015. It appears that there were no specific concerns raised with the Department before then.
Childcare Services Administration
Ceisteanna (558)
Clare Daly
Ceist:558. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there were regular meetings in April and May 2015 between her Department officials and senior management in Tusla to discuss operational matters (details supplied) and to provide early warnings on matters that might escalate. [5814/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs was first informed of the issues referred to by the Deputy at the end of April 2015. The then Minister and his senior officials met with Tusla senior management on three occasions in the period April/May 2015. The Minister was updated on progress on the actions being taken by Tusla in response to the concerns about operational matters identified in the Tusla Midlands area.
Departmental senior officials and senior management in Tulsa met on a monthly basis throughout 2015 and 2016 to discuss national progress on operational performance and issues in the Midlands area formed part of this overall monitoring process.
Departmental Communications
Ceisteanna (559)
Clare Daly
Ceist:559. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if copies of all communications and or emails from a person (details supplied) in regard to a matter will be provided; and the responses thereto. [5815/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The request by the Deputy for copies of the documentation referred to has been forwarded to the organisation in question for attention and direct reply.
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (560)
Clare Daly
Ceist:560. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of secondees from companies (details supplied) that are working in her Department. [5829/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are no staff from the list of companies provided by the Deputy on secondment to my Department.
Departmental Data
Ceisteanna (561)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:561. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the postal and printing services outsourced to the private sector in 2017 by her Department; the purpose of the service; the cost involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5902/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
In 2017, my Department availed of the following printing and postage services from the private sector:
|
Specialist legislation printing |
€977.00 |
|
Awareness campaign for September 2017 affordable childcare measures |
€8,649.50 |
|
Printing of materials associated with Young Peoples consultations e.g. Posters, Certificates, Placemats, booklets, forms, manuals and ring binders |
€10,067.19 |
|
Printing and distribution of official reports |
€110,383.63 |
Childcare Services Data
Ceisteanna (562)
Jonathan O'Brien
Ceist:562. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adolescent residential beds in Munster both private and public in each of the years 2011 to 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5903/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency comprises 17 administrative areas arranged in four regions, namely Dublin Mid-Leinster, Dublin North East, South and West. I have asked Tusla if it is possible to provide the number of children residential beds in the format requested, and will revert to the Deputy when their answer is to hand.
The number of children residential centres for the South Region for each year since Tusla's establishment in 2014 is set out in Table 1. Tusla's South region comprises the administrative areas of Cork, Kerry, Waterford/Wexford, and Carlow/Kilkenny/South Tipperary. Prior to 2014, Tusla has indicated that it is not in a position to provide this data as residential care was then a matter for the HSE.
Residential places in the South region may accommodate adolescents from other regions.
Table 1.
|
Year |
Statutory Centres |
Private |
Voluntary |
Total |
|
2014 |
18 |
15 |
6 |
39 |
|
2015 |
15 |
21 |
5 |
41 |
|
2016 |
14 |
25 |
4 |
43 |
|
2017 |
11 |
25 |
4 |
40 |