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Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 20 Mar 2018

Written Answers Nos 894-910

Health Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (894)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

894. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the work and cost of a unit (details supplied) in County Kildare. [12049/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have no responsibility in this area. The subject matter of this Parliamentary Question is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health.

Health Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (895)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Ceist:

895. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the work and cost of a unit (details supplied) in County Kildare. [12050/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I have no responsibility in this area. The subject matter of this Parliamentary Question is under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Health.

UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Ceisteanna (896)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

896. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when Ireland will ratify the second optional protocol of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. [12323/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am determined to ensure that Ireland ratifies the Second Optional Protocol on the sale of children, child prostitution and child pornography at the earliest possible date. As noted in my previous reply to the Deputy, my Department is currently working with the Department of Justice and Equality to ensure that all necessary arrangements are in place to fully comply with the provisions of the Second Optional Protocol.  The preparation process is progressing well and I expect it to be concluded later this year.

School Curriculum

Ceisteanna (897)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

897. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cross-departmental work she undertakes with the Department of Education and Skills regarding work experience placements of secondary school students during transition year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12496/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department does not undertake any cross-Departmental work with the Department of Education and Skills to place secondary school students on work experience during transition year.

My Department is fully committed to safeguarding the well-being of all the children and young people with whom we work and, in accordance with section 11 of the Children First Act 2015,  it has prepared and issued the Department's Child Safeguarding Statement to all our staff. This Statement supports developing the potential of children and young people and, in this context, the Department aims to facilitate the placement of transition year students in its offices from time to time. In providing such placements, the Department recognises its obligations to safeguard these children in accordance with Children First legislation, guidance and best practice.

An Teanga Gaeilge

Ceisteanna (898)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

898. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Peadar Tóibín den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige an dtabharfaidh sí léiriú ar chumas a Roinne an réimse seirbhísí a sholáthraíonn siad a sheachadadh trí mheán na Gaeilge; cá mhéad comhaltaí foirne atá ainmnithe chun an méid sin a dhéanamh; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [12508/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Go ginearálta, ní chuireann mo Roinn seirbhísí ar fáil go díreach don phobal. Tá mo Roinn tiomanta do na hoibleagáidí atá againn faoi Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla a chur i bhfeidhm agus tá socruithe curtha ar bun chun an riachtanais maidir le soláthar seirbhíse as Gaeilge d'aon duine atá á lorg a chomhlíonadh.  

Le déanaí, earcaíodh beirt bhall foirne ó na comórtais shruth Gaeilge a reáchtálann an tSeirbhís um Cheapachán Phoiblí chun soláthar na seirbhíse seo a fheabhsú. Tá roinnt baill foirne eile sa Roinn a bhfuil cumas sa Ghaeilge acu agus atá toilteanach cúnamh a thabhairt do chomhghleacaithe.

Mar chuid de Phlean Bliantúil Oiliúna na Roinne, tá tacaíocht faoi leith ann chun cabhair a thabhairt dóibh siúd atá ag iarraidh a gcumas Ghaeilge a fheabhsú trí fhreastal ar chúrsaí.

Leanfaidh mo Roinn ar aghaidh ag déanamh measúnú ar a riachtanais i dtaobh seo.

Youth Work Projects Data

Ceisteanna (899)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

899. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of youth workers funded in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the way in which this number compares proportionally with the number of youth workers employed throughout the rest of the country; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12663/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Deputy will be aware that my Department is managing the most significant reform of youth services ever undertaken. This will provide an opportunity to identify need and to focus the bulk of the €58.9m funding available in 2018 on young people most in need of intervention.  Funding is provided by my Department for youth services rather than youth workers and the funding provided to youth services has generally been targeted at areas of disadvantage and not in proportion to the youth population of a county.  Last year, I approved funding for the establishment of new youth projects and for the augmentation of a small number of existing youth services to meet new challenges arising from population increases.

Each of the sixteen Education and Training Boards, including Cavan Monaghan ETB, was invited to nominate locations within their catchment areas for the establishment of new services and to nominate a project or service to be considered for augmentation. In total twenty-eight applications for new services were received.  Subsequently I approved the establishment of nine new targeted youth services across the country and the expansion of a further seven to respond to new demand from increased population and needs of young people.

Under the Revised Youth Funding Scheme, the Bounce Back Youth Project was established in Cavan in 2016 and approval was provided in 2017 for the establishment of a new service in West County Cavan.

Future development and investment in youth services will be informed by the mapping exercise completed last year which mapped youth service provision across the State. This mapping will assist the Department and the relevant ETB in developing a detailed social demographic profile in terms of both population numbers and deprivation levels.  My Department is committed to working with Cavan Monaghan ETB to identify need and explore ways to address this need where it emerges.

Family Resource Centres

Ceisteanna (900)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

900. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding that was provided to each family resource centre in each of the years 2014 to 2017, and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12888/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The matter raised relates to operations funded by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. I have asked Tusla to supply the relevant information to the Deputy directly.

School Completion Programme

Ceisteanna (901)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

901. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual funding to each of the 124 school completion programme clusters in each of the years 2011 to 2017, and to date in 2018; the per capita funding figure for each cluster for each year; the criteria used in determining the funding level for each cluster; the information gathered by her Department to determine the level of need in the schools in each cluster; the governance issues being considered as part of the review of the school completion programme; her plans to reduce the number of co-ordinators of these programmes; her further plans to transfer the co-ordinators from their current hands on role within the clusters to a more regional role; the timeframe for the completion of the review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12904/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am very conscious that the School Completion Programme (SCP) delivers a valuable service for some of our most vulnerable young people. I am advised by the Educational Welfare Service of Tusla (EWS) that the current funding criteria and parameters are outlined in the Retention Plan Guidance Notes and accompanying planning templates. I have included Appendices 1-4 these documents for the information of the Deputy. Each of the 124 SCP projects submit a Retention Plan annually to secure their project allocation for the next funding period. Tusla requires financial returns twice in the funding period and an annual return at the end of the funding period to ensure that allocations are appropriately expended and outcomes achieved.

I also include at Appendix 5 for the information of the Deputy the annual funding allocations to each of the 124 SCP projects since the SCP transferred to Tusla in 2014.

I recognise however that the programme is in need of development and reform with regard  to governance and organisation to ensure that we optimise the outcomes for young people. With this in mind, I am currently considering the report of the expert panel convened to identify and examine a potential revised model of good practice and governance of the SCP. I am also considering the range of views expressed at an SCP Consultation event on January 29th last. This event explored how best the organisation and governance of the SCP could be improved to ensure that the best service possible is delivered to those who need it. The information provided during all of these significant engagements and from key stakeholders is currently being considered along with a range of options.  Following this the plan for the development and reform of the SCP will be finalised.

I am very much aware of the positive outcomes from the School Completion Programme and I can assure the Deputy that my Department along with Tusla Educational Welfare Service are fully committed to the future of the SCP.

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3

Table 4

Table 5

DEIS Scheme

Ceisteanna (902)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

902. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the percentage of pupils in non-DEIS schools that have come from DEIS feeder schools will be considered when changes or future funding allocations to the schools completion programme are being made; if issues such as rent supplement and housing assistance dependency in private housing estates will be taken into account; the location of direct provision centres; the levels of homelessness within the non-DEIS schools catchment areas; and the non-DEIS schools enrolment numbers. [12905/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The School Completion Programme was established in 2002 by the Department of Education and Skills (DES) as part of the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) programme building on the earlier Early School Leaver Initiative (ESLI). The programme was expanded in 2005/2006 when additional schools were included in the DEIS programme. The majority of schools in the SCP programme are included as they were identified for extra supports under the DEIS programme. The aim of SCP is to increase the numbers of young people staying in primary and second level schools and in doing so improve the numbers of pupils who successfully complete the Senior Cycle, or equivalent.  

The new DEIS Plan published in 2017 aims to achieve a more robust assessment framework for identifying schools and for allocating resources. It also seeks to support best practice in schools through inter agency collaboration. The implementation of these and other key goals in the plan will lead to an improved learning experience and outcomes for pupils attending DEIS schools. 

Under this Plan a number of new schools are now included and will be joining the SCP from September 2018. In this regard it is anticipated that the provision of SCP supports in additional schools will require further resources to be made available to the SCP from the 2018/19 school year onwards. 

My colleague the Minister for Education and Skills  and he is responsible for the DEIS programme and the School Completion Programme which is just one of a large number of supports which are provided under DEIS. Only a small number of schools outside of DEIS are in receipt of supports under the SCP. Tracking students and their movement between DEIS schools (which are in receipt of SCP supports) and non -DEIS schools (which by and large do not have SCP supports) is a matter for the Department of Education and Skills.

School Completion Programme

Ceisteanna (903)

Eoin Ó Broin

Ceist:

903. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to reduce the number of co-ordinators allocated to the schools completion programme; if so, the number; and the way in which these coordinators will be configured across the existing 124 school completion programmes. [12906/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am very conscious that the School Completion Programme (SCP) delivers a very valuable service for some of our most vulnerable young people. It is however in need of development and reform in terms of governance and organisation to ensure that we optimise the outcomes for these young people. 

With this in mind, the Board of Tusla convened an expert panel to identify and examine a potential revised model of good practice and governance of the SCP. The panel also examined how Industrial Relations and Human resources issues in relation to School Completion Staff could be resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholders. The panel comprised of an external legal expert, representatives of Tusla Educational Welfare Service (EWS), Finance, HR and Legal units, representatives from my own Department, the Department of Education and Skills and Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. It was chaired by the Tusla CEO.

When I examined its findings, I decided to carry out further engagement with a range of key stakeholders. To this end I hosted a Consultation event on January 29th  last. The event was attended by a representative group including Academics with expertise in educational welfare, representatives from the voluntary sector, officials from a number of State bodies, a number of School Completion Programme Co-ordinators and School Principals. There was a range of views expressed as to how practice and governance of the SCP could be improved to ensure that the best service possible is delivered to those who need it.  I expect to receive the final report on this event shortly and will consider the findings and the range of perspectives in full.

The information provided during all of these significant engagements and from key stakeholders is currently being considered along with a range of options.  Following this the plan for the development and reform of the School Completion Programme will be finalised. My wish is that this Plan will be reflective of the inputs from stakeholders and will be directly responsive to areas for development needed to support the most effective delivery of the SCP.

I am very much aware of the positive outcomes from the School Completion Programme and I can assure the Deputy that my Department along with Tusla Educational Welfare Service are fully committed to the future of the School Completion Programme.

National Development Plan Data

Ceisteanna (904)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

904. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the projects mentioned in the National Development Plan 2018-2027 that come under her Department's remit or bodies under its aegis; and the estimated completion dates for each project in tabular form. [12984/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The most significant element of the National Development Plan (NDP) for my Department relates to the need for future expansion of childcare places due to multiple factors, such as demographics, labour force trends and  current supply levels.

There is a recognised need for large-scale, multi-annual capital investment in childcare over the period of the NDP and an additional €250million is targeted for this purpose. Increasing the proportion of children who have access to high-quality early years care and education is one of the cornerstones of the forthcoming 10-year cross-Governmental Early Years Strategy. Officials in my Department are currently examining possibilities for a multi-annual capital programme for childcare as well as research on existing capital holdings and future capital needs of the sector, at national and local levels. Once gathered, this data will be used to inform large-scale, targeted capital investment in childcare.

In addition to childcare, the NDP notes that further capital investment is required to support continued investment in Tusla, Oberstown Children Detention Campus and Youth Services.

At this point in time it is not possible to identify specific projects with completion dates spanning the period of the NDP.

Departmental Banking

Ceisteanna (905)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

905. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the cost to his Department of negative interest rates on deposits held; the details of same for agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11743/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Department is still in developmental stage, it does not hold any funds in commercial bank accounts and is not impacted by negative interest rates on deposit . In relation to agencies, I will follow up with the Deputy in relation to the treasury management functions adopted in agencies under the aegis of my Department.

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

Ceisteanna (906)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

906. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent by his Department on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising and public awareness campaigns from January 2017 to date in 2018, by year, month and company engaged in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11773/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department was established on 19 July 2017. I can confirm that my Department has not spent any funding on third party public relations advice, communications advice, online advertising or public awareness campaigns since the date of its establishment.

However, in tandem with the Seniors Alert Scheme which launched on 1 November 2017, a nationwide public awareness campaign was rolled out, in partnership with Pobal, to increase a greater level of awareness, interest and participation in the scheme. The costs associated with the Pobal managed campaign were incorporated into my Department's Service Level Agreement with Pobal, as part of the overall cost of Pobal's services in relation to the Scheme.

Community Development Projects

Ceisteanna (907)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

907. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount spent on the local community development programme in each of the years 2007 to 2017 by county in tabular form. [11821/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Local Community Development Programme (LCDP) was launched on 1 January 2010. The table sets out the funding allocated to the Programme by County for the period 2010 to 2017.

The LCDP was superseded by the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) from 1 April 2015 in most parts of the country. However, due to a deliberative process in County Meath and County Galway, LCDP funding continued to be issued in those areas on an interim basis to ensure business continuity. The payment in Dublin during 2016 relates to LCDP windup costs claimed during 2016.

The table also outlines LCDP funding that was provided at a national level to the National Collective of Community Based Women’s Network and the National Traveller Partnership. Responsibility for these organisations transferred to the Department of Justice and Equality in 2015.

County

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

Carlow

668,084.69

661,809.13

576,701.57

536,279.67

536,428.00

125,384.33

0

0

Cavan

915,461.33

911,406.01

759,174.39

739,937.46

739,298.61

147,194.44

0

0

Clare

1,095,173.85

1,036,849.55

919,719.11

849,506.16

855,309.74

199,933.16

0

0

Cork

4,227,542.49

3,731,285.49

3,192,108.25

2,965,838.94

2,967,919.46

548,120.76

0

0

Donegal

2,800,399.92

2,399,934.61

2,230,787.28

1,949,680.79

1,929,726.67

422,057.55

0

0

Dublin

17,739,835.42

16,258,561.56

12,747,865.64

11,459,095.60

11,321,155.64

2,850,665.72

29,677.09

0.00

Galway

3,536,620.13

3,256,849.78

3,265,085.80

2,833,434.75

2,960,925.54

1,889,866.74

1,420,104.88

88,375.34

Kerry

4,298,091.79

3,315,094.15

2,061,082.06

1,845,321.06

1,803,611.66

417,287.22

0

0

Kildare

1,326,869.31

1,245,367.35

1,065,252.33

990,255.93

1,017,216.97

199,615.06

0

0

Kilkenny

745,596.72

749,218.73

649,354.77

606,125.92

606,877.62

160,511.31

0

0

Laois

674,709.44

651,078.06

602,608.90

562,406.30

560,486.62

122,458.76

0

0

Leitrim

928,737.94

804,426.05

687,713.62

611,836.36

580,542.03

93,467.86

0

0

Limerick

3,737,220.15

3,335,036.22

2,891,277.53

2,610,871.51

2,555,940.79

527,968.52

0

0

Longford

828,040.47

776,210.33

671,779.16

592,620.50

579,678.97

135,284.83

0

0

Louth

1,938,236.16

1,781,607.35

1,525,177.02

1,371,935.99

1,352,244.78

269,235.56

0

0

Mayo

1,434,922.09

1,103,927.55

1,241,563.08

1,221,442.86

1,227,436.30

167,425.68

0

0

Meath

621,083.18

622,394.60

395,515.13

366,957.21

370,446.00

117,444.98

0

0

Monaghan

1,087,422.51

825,902.37

680,294.85

657,470.53

645,540.12

91,853.70

0

0

Offaly

1,090,565.10

1,015,339.94

785,215.31

738,313.98

734,799.53

131,132.39

0

0

Roscommon

956,599.56

831,463.07

703,744.33

650,882.71

618,547.22

115,551.49

0

0

Sligo

930,051.07

898,711.39

749,361.83

672,929.15

658,383.00

144,385.18

0

0

Tipperary

1,597,522.45

985,155.42

1,136,192.89

1,087,061.42

1,097,847.11

203,081.20

0

Waterford

1,993,678.07

2,007,937.27

1,394,846.04

1,228,249.40

1,179,904.06

262,504.49

0

0

Westmeath

1,321,811.02

1,033,730.75

884,603.67

806,529.12

806,542.00

234,236.25

0

0

Wexford

2,609,156.00

2,290,731.53

1,986,442.47

1,725,970.46

1,710,145.19

451,160.83

0

0

Wicklow

2,204,540.50

2,006,412.94

1,557,475.05

1,419,283.53

1,394,143.08

250,900.72

0

0

National Collective of Community Based Women’s Network (NCCWN)

10,250.00

1,721,108

1,498,194.21

1,362,601.20

1,344,620.00

324,357

0

0

National Traveller Partnership (NTP)

100,000

1,201,612.00

1,184,467.12

1,171,800.00

287,091

0

0

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (908)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

908. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons holding Civil Service positions above clerical officer grade in his Department who entered the Civil Service via a route other than through an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service or its predecessors; the grades of each; and the basis for the non-standard recruitment. [11864/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department was established on 19 July 2017. I can confirm that the only appointments made outside of the Public Appointments Service recruitment system, which would not have been the appropriate recruitment channel, relate to my two Advisers, the Press Adviser and the Special Adviser.

Public Sector Staff Remuneration

Ceisteanna (909)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

909. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the directions provided for the payment of staff in the public sector and Civil Service that fall under the direction of his Department for the days during Storm Emma when staff were directed to stay at home; if deductions in pay and annual leave were made to staff in the public sector or Civil Service as a result of days lost during the storm; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11881/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

During Storm Emma, my Department operated in accordance with the guidance provided by the National Emergency Coordinating Group (NECG), which my Department is represented on. On foot of the NECG advice all Government Offices were closed on 1 and 2 March during the status red weather warning.

I am advised that, while staff were directed to stay at home during Storm Emma, no pay or annual leave was deducted from staff in my Department. My Department's ICT systems enable many of the staff to work from outside their main office locations using official ICT equipment; therefore, while the main buildings may have been closed, it was possible for key staff to work from home during the storm.

Local Improvement Scheme Administration

Ceisteanna (910)

Dara Calleary

Ceist:

910. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the rationale for the decision to remove approval authority from local authorities for local improvement scheme, LIS, road funding; his views on whether this is an undermining of locally elected council members, the professional staff of local authorities, for example, road engineers that previously have approved and inspected these applications; the advice received on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12089/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) is a programme for improvement works on small private/non-public roads. The scheme is currently funded by my Department and administered through the Local Authorities.

Following on from the success of the LIS scheme which I launched last year, I announced details of the 2018 LIS scheme at the end of February 2018.

I have made an indicative allocation to each Local Authority for this year, based broadly on the area of the relevant county. Each Local Authority is required to submit a list of the roads they intend to include in the scheme to my Department by the end of March. However, all decisions regarding the roads to be included in the scheme are entirely a matter for the Local Authorities. This is stated clearly in the scheme documentation issued to the Local Authorities by my Department.

There has, therefore, been no removal of the authority of the Local Authorities to approve the roads under the LIS scheme.

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