Written Answers Nos. 550-568
550. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the procedure a person who was born and adopted in the 1950s in Dublin should take in order to find their original birth certificate (details supplied). [13835/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAt present an adopted person may access the information required to obtain their birth certificate where there is birth parent consent or where the birth parent is deceased. The Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the first time a statutory entitlement to identity information for adopted persons. It provides for a structured and regulated access to information and tracing services for those affected by adoption. It sets out the information that can be provided and the circumstances in which it can be provided to adopted persons and provides that services will be provided by Tusla. A key provision in the Bill provides that an adopted person aged 18 years or over who was adopted prior to commencement of the Bill will be provided with the information required to apply for his or her birth certificate, subject to certain conditions. The Bill passed Second Stage in Seanad Eireann in May 2017.
Information and tracing services to adopted persons are provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. 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.
551. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will address the funding cuts that have taken place in regard to organisations (details supplied); the funding received since 2007, in tabular form; when funding will be restored in view of the fact that pay restoration has also been a factor over this period; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13900/18]
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 areas.
My Department, along with all government departments, was required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. My Department sought to ensure front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people, were protected as far as possible from the impact of the reduction in funding.
In recent years funding for the provision of youth services has been increased on an annual basis by €1.1m in 2016 to provide current funding of €51.895m, by €5.5m in 2017 to provide current funding of €57.395 and by a further €1.5m in 2018 to provide current funding of €58.895m.
I am aware that a number of youth workers based in Dublin City and employed in projects administered by the City of Dublin Youth Service Board, are on scales linked to public pay scales and may be eligible for increases under the Haddington Road agreement.
It is important to note that the youth workers employed by these services are not public servants and that this local arrangement is unique to services operating in Dublin City.
Based on the information provided to my Department, the cost of implementing the Haddington Road agreement in these Dublin City services is more than offset by the increases provided to all youth services over the past two years. In 2016, all staff-led youth services were provided with a 2.5% increase in allocation. In 2017, services were provided with a 5% increase in their allocation.
The funding provided to Ballymun Regional Youth Resource and Poppintree Youth since the establishment of my Department in 2011 is provided in the following tables.
|
Ballymun Regional Youth Service |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€47,641 |
€44,544 |
€176,820 |
€170,189 |
€170,189 |
€221,135 |
€232,192 |
|
Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Round 1 & 2 |
€297,897 |
€705,363 |
€662,706 |
€637,854 |
€637,854 |
€653,801 |
€769,188 |
|
Local Drugs Task Force |
€99,599 |
€93,125 |
€103,168 |
€99,299 |
€99,299 |
€101,782 |
€106,871 |
|
Sports Development Officer |
€100,980 |
€90,882 |
€87,474 |
€87,474 |
€89,661 |
€94,144 |
|
Poppintree Youth |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
Special Projects for Youth |
€93,967 |
€87,859 |
€99,176 |
€95,457 |
€95,457 |
€97,843 |
€102,735 |
|
Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Round 1 & 2 |
€114,348 |
€106,915 |
€112,379 |
€108,165 |
€108,265 |
€110,869 |
€116,412 |
552. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the funding cuts to clubs (details supplied); and if alternative funding will be allocated. [13901/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe provision of Breakfast Clubs by Ballymun Education Support Team (BEST) School Completion Programme (SCP) was funded under Ballymun Local Drugs Task Force. Tusla Educational Welfare Services does not provide funding in this regard.
School meals funding is under the remit of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Applications for funding can be made through the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, School Meals Local Projects Scheme.
553. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is support, either financial or otherwise, for a person who was born in a mother and baby home to attend counselling and-or to access taxi services to attend counselling. [13971/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe issues raised by the Deputy relate to the provision of health services and as such are policy matters for my colleague the Minister for Health and his Department. I am aware that the Health Service Executive (HSE) does provide counselling services and can provide transport services/supports in certain circumstances to assist patients to access services provided on its behalf. However, eligibility for any support would need to be determined by the HSE.
If the Deputy is in a position to provide my office with additional details of an individual case, including the current service provider, I will certainly make enquiries with the Department of Health on behalf of this person.
Separately, access to health and well being supports is one of the issues to be examined through the Collaborative Forum process which I announced recently. The selection process for members of the Forum is due to commence shortly and participants will drive forward a process to identify and prioritise actions and solutions to issues of concern to them.
554. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of progress made by her Department in order to find a solution to the current inequitable administering of commercial rates between private early years' service providers for the early childhood care and education scheme, ECCE, and those offering full day-care services and after-school services; the interactions between her Department and other Departments and agencies on this matter; if legal advice has been sought; if her Department has a timeframe for a solution to be found; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14005/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter of rates payments for Early Years’ service providers does not fall under the remit of my Department, nor does it have a role in determining which properties are rateable. This is the responsibility of the Commissioner of Valuation. The Valuation Office falls under the aegis of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
In this regard, I understand that the Valuation Act, 2001 as amended by the Valuation (Amendment) Act 2015 provides that all buildings used or developed for any purpose, including constructions affixed thereto, are rateable unless expressly exempted under Schedule 4 of the Act. Under Schedule 4, paragraph 22, community childcare facilities are exempt from commercial rates, by virtue of the fact that they operate on a not-for-profit basis. The Valuations Office have also advised that, under Schedule 4 paragraph 10, facilities who provide the Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE) only are exempt from commercial rates.
Officials from this Department have met with officials from the Department of Justice and Equality – under whose ageis the Valuation Office formerly fell– to discuss the issue of commercial rates for childcare providers. At this meeting it was re-iterated that properties of occupiers that operate with the intention of making a profit are rateable, and that this applies to private childcare facilities offering services over and above ECCE only.
My Department sought legal advice in respect of private for-profit childcare facilities to establish if there may be grounds for exemption under the Act. The legal advice received confirmed that childcare facilities established for the purposes of making a profit are indeed rateable, and that no exemptions apply, other than as outlined above.
I remain committed to the provision of affordable and accessible childcare, and will continue to engage on this matter as appropriate.
555. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the capacity for special care beds in each of the special care units nationally (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14174/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra556. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons currently placed in special care (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14175/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra557. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons currently on a list for special care beds (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14176/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra558. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase the number of beds available in special care (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14177/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 555 to 558, inclusive, together.
I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency to provide the details requested by the Deputy and I will forward the information when it is to hand.
|
Centre |
Capacity |
Current occupancy |
Current number of young people resident |
Reason for under-occupancy |
|
Ballydowd |
10 young people |
5 young people |
4 young people |
The need to increase staffing numbers. |
|
Coovagh House |
4 young people |
2 young people |
2 young people * |
To building works. |
|
Crannog Nua |
12 young people |
4 young people |
4 young people |
The need to increase staffing numbers. |
|
Gleann Alainn |
4 young people |
2 young people |
1 young person |
The need to increase staffing numbers. |
559. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all special care units in operation are in full compliance with the new statutory regulations (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14178/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, Special care is where a child, in the absence of criminal charges, is detained on foot of an Order of the High Court, so that the child, deemed to be at immediate risk of harm to his or her life, safety or well-being, can receive the appropriate therapeutic support
The Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 provides a statutory framework for special care by which jurisdiction is granted to the High Court to hear special care and interim special care orders. The Act also proposes (by way of the insertion of a new Part IVA) a substantial amendment to the Child Care Act 1991 creating a legislative framework within which special care procedures can be governed.
Under the new provisions the High Court may make a special care order where it is satisfied that the child has attained 11 years of age and that thechild's behaviour poses a real and substantial risk of harm to his or her life, health, safety, development or welfare and where the provision of continued care other than special care and treatment/services under the Mental Health Act 2001 is not adequate to address the therapeutic requirements of the child.
The High Court has discretion regarding the requirement for a consultation procedure with parents and their child and in relation to the requirement for a family welfare conference prior to the granting of the order. Thespecial care order has effect for a maximum of three months from the date of the order and must be reviewed in each four-week period for which the order has effect.
The High Court is obliged to reassess the requirement for the original order and may vary the order on review. Reviews of the special care order can be heard even where the child is in specialcare outside the State. The High Court is granted the power to extend the original order for a maximum of two further three-month periods (the maximum duration of a special care order is nine months) where it is deemed that the child is benefitting from the treatment or where the circumstances warranting the original order continue to exist. The renewal applications must be made prior to the expiration of the original order/repeat order and the extension takes effect at the expiry of the original order/repeat order as the case demands.
The commencement of the relevant provisions of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011, in conjunction with the making of commencement orders for provisions contained in the Health Act 2007 and the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015, has resulted in a legal framework for the making of special care orders by the High Court and whereby all special care units are to be registered and inspected by HIQA (in accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 2007). It might also be noted that new (HIQA) standards for special care units, agreed between the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, Tusla and HIQA, are also now operational.
The commencement of this new regulatory regime, with effect from 1 January, 2018, is particularly relevant in light of the most recent amendment to the Constitution providing for the rights of the child.
It should be noted that the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2011 provides for a transitional phase for special care units of 12 months – and during this phase they are deemed to be registered for the purposes of the Health Act 2007. Therefore, HIQA’s formal registration of all Tusla special care units must be concluded by the end of this year.
Officials from my Department worked closely with colleagues in Tusla and HIQA in relation to the drafting of all relevant Regulations and standards. I have been informed by Tusla that the Agency has been preparing for special care registration for the last twelve months and a senior manager has been reassigned to ensure that special care units are ready for registration. The Service Director for Residential and Special Care has been in discussion with HIQA and will make the necessary applications for Registration as agreed with HIQA on the 12th of April 2018. Special Care Services are currently preparing for registration inspections following these applications.
560. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received a request to provide funding for the provision of a family resource centre for Longford town in 2018 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14229/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that I received a representation regarding the issue referred to by the Deputy on 15th March, 2018.
In Budget 2018, I was pleased to secure an additional €3.0m for Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to support the Family Resource Centre Programme. This increased Tusla's budget for the Programme to just under €16.5m. The additional funding provided is being used to support existing Family Resource Centres, and has also provided for expansion of the Programme with the addition of eleven new centres.
Following a public application process, Tusla recently announced the eleven centres which are being included in the Programme this year.
I understand from Tusla that the applications to join the Family Resource Centre Programme were of a very high standard. The criteria considered included the size and make-up of the geographical area; the social and economic conditions of the specified area; and the overall population breakdown of the area that would be serviced by the centre. The criteria also considered the structure of the organisation applying to the programme; its objectives, targets, and current relationships with other organisations; and the inclusion of available research, community projects, and needs assessments with the application.
Tusla received a high number of applications - 47 in total - for inclusion in the programme. One of the applications was for a centre in the Longford area. Tusla was faced with a difficult decision making process in securing eleven new centres for inclusion in the programme.
It is important that the needs of children and families are met in the best way possible, particularly in areas of disadvantage. I will continue to support the work of Family Resource Centres and family support services throughout the country.
561. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the case of an association (details supplied) in County Kerry will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13917/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Community Services Programme 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 organisation in question submitted a business plan to Pobal in 2017 as part of the normal CSP re-contracting process. The business plan failed to satisfy key CSP appraisal criteria. In particular, there were concerns regarding the organisation's continued financial sustainability. The CSP contribution is based on a 39-hour working week and is a fixed annual contribution that is required to be co-funded by supported organisations from other sources, for example, from income received from the public use of their facilities and services. The organisation has very low levels of traded income and, despite the CSP funding available to support each post, could not show it was capable of sustaining the number of posts sought.
The business plan also failed to show sufficient need for the service, that it was a sufficiently strong strategic fit under the CSP or that it represented good value-for-money.
It was decided to continue funding the organisation under CSP Strand 1 with funding reduced to a more sustainable level for the organisation i.e. two full-time equivalent posts. The organisation appealed the decision but, following a full review by Pobal, the original decision was upheld.
The formal CSP appeals process is now exhausted. The new funding arrangements, providing support for two full-time equivalent posts under Strand 1, will commence from July 2018.
562. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the assessment of the Comptroller and Auditor General that the low level of disbursement from the dormant accounts funds including the allocation of funds to measures which do not fully use the resources, prevents other programmes from being funded; if this has the consequence that the resources available from the fund are not being used in an efficient and effective manner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13702/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra564. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme, recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will evaluate the appropriateness of the amount set aside in the fund as a statutory reserve; if this requirement can be fulfilled by some alternative arrangement for example insurance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13704/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra565. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme, recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider the accounting methods that apply to the dormant accounts fund in which each disbursement, while not taxpayer funded is accounted as a loss to the line department and as a diminution of the resources available to the Exchequer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13705/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra566. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider whether reclaims from the fund will continue to be provided for by way of reserve rather than for example to taking an insurance policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13706/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra568. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider the reasons for the low level of disbursements; if allocating funds to measures which do not fully use the resources prevents other programmes from being funded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13708/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra569. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider if the public profile of the fund has diminished since the abolition of the dormant accounts board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13709/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra573. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider if funds dormant since for example the early nineteenth century should continue to be considered in the same way as funds dormant for 16 years or within the lifetime of persons currently living; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 562, 564 to 566, inclusive, 568, 569 and 573 together.
I refer to the reply to Question No. [530] and Question Nos [531-535] of 8 March, which outlines the position with regard to the review of the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme 2013-2016.
These replies outlined that the Comptroller and Auditor General's report contained a single recommendation that the statutory review of the Disbursement Scheme should be carried out to identify how well the scheme was implemented and how future schemes can be designed to ensure the scheme objectives are met. The report also stated that the review should consider the reasons for the low level of disbursements, whether allocating funds to measures which do not fully use the resources prevent other programmes from being funded, and how the available funding can be best applied.
The replies also noted that following the transfer of the relevant functions to my Department in July 2017, my Department is now undertaking the statutory review, which will be completed by the end of June 2018. The key focus of the review is to addresses the points raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General and to ensure that the significant resources currently available from the fund are used in an efficient and effective manner. The review will also identify and consider wider and longer term issues, including how to best ensure the long term sustainability of the Dormant Accounts Fund, and public awareness of the Fund .
Where issues such as the accounting methods or accounting procedures are found to negatively impact on the administration and overall effectiveness of the fund, my Department will liaise with other relevant stakeholders, including the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the National Treasury Management Agency, to ensure that the impact of these issues can be mitigated.
However, it would not be appropriate, at this stage, to speculate on the possible conclusions of the review.
563. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of housing units, new-build or refurbished to which the dormant accounts fund has contributed since the commencement of the dormant accounts Acts 2001 and 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13703/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra570. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider the way in which the available funding can be best applied including in the area of addressing homelessness; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13710/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra571. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider the way in which to ensure the scheme objectives are met and the way in which to ensure that the significant resources available from the fund are used in an efficient and effective manner including measures to address the homelessness crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13711/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 563, 570 and 571 together.
The legislation governing the Dormant Accounts Funds provides a framework for the disbursement of funds for measures targeted at socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged people, and people with a disability. Under the Acts, a three-year Disbursement Scheme is prepared which sets out the priority areas for funding, underpinned by annual Action Plans which outline specific programmes to be funded each year.
The current Disbursement Scheme covering the period 2017-2019 and the previous Disbursement Scheme for 2013-2016 both include a provision to enable the delivery of measures to people who are homeless through the provision of non-accommodation based facilities such as drop-in/day centres. It is a matter for relevant line Departments to develop specific proposals in relation to this objective, for inclusion in the annual Dormant Accounts Action Plan. However, to date, no specific measures addressing this provision have emerged in subsequent Plans.
It would similarly be a matter for the relevant Department sponsoring a specific measure in the Dormant Accounts Fund Action Plans to collect data on the implementation of that measure.
Following the transfer to my Department in July 2017 of functions relating to the Dormant Accounts Funds legislation, my Department now coordinates the preparation of the Disbursement Scheme and the Annual Action Plans across Government. The preparation of the 2018 Action Plan has commenced and Minister Kyne recently wrote to each Minister requesting them to identify potential measures within their areas of responsibility for inclusion in the new Plan.
With regard to the review of the 2013-2016 Disbursement Scheme, the key focus of that review is to address the points raised in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General with regard to the administration of the Dormant Accounts Disbursement Scheme, and to ensure that the significant resources currently available from the fund are used in an efficient and effective manner. As part of this work, the review will consider whether the current operation of Disbursement Schemes is resulting in any unforeseen barriers to the funding of appropriate measures in any particular policy area across Government.
Questions Nos. 564 to 566, inclusive, answered with Question No. 562.
567. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider whether to reinstate a dormant accounts board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13707/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra572. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if the review of the dormant accounts disbursement scheme recommended by the Comptroller and Auditor General (details supplied) will consider if the reinstatement of a dormant accounts board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13712/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 567 and 572 together.
The report of the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Accounts for the Public Service 2016 indicated that a statutory review of the 2013-2016 Disbursement Scheme (required under the Dormant Accounts Act 2012), which should have been completed by the end of 2016, had not been conducted.
The Comptroller and Auditor General's report contained a single recommendation that the statutory review of the Disbursement Scheme should be carried out to identify how well the scheme was implemented and how future schemes can be designed to ensure the scheme objectives are met. The report also stated that the review should consider the reasons for the low level of disbursements, whether allocating funds to measures which do not fully use the resources prevent other programmes from being funded, and how the available funding can be best applied.
Following the transfer of the relevant functions to my Department in July 2017, my Department is now undertaking the statutory review, which will be completed by the end of June 2018. The key focus of the review is to addresses the points raised by the Comptroller and Auditor General and to ensure that the significant resources currently available from the fund are used in an efficient and effective manner. The review will also identify and consider wider and longer term issues, including how administration of the fund is best managed over the longer term.
It would not be appropriate, at this stage, to speculate on the possible conclusions of the review on the question of the future administration of the fund.
