Written Answers Nos. 531-549
531. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which funding can be made available to the various local authorities in order to address damage to roads arising from inclement weather conditions over the winter months; if Kildare County Council can receive such funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18053/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
I announced the 2018 regional and local road allocations on 29th January and all grant funding available to my Department has now been allocated. It is a matter for each Council to determine its priorities and decide its work programme on that basis, taking available grant funding and its own resources into account. There is no additional funding available to my Department at present.
532. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to provide alternative direct transport access to Europe in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18054/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra533. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects to develop facilities at ports and airports in order to enhance access to the European Union and the global community in the aftermath of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18055/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 532 and 533 together.
The implications of Brexit for Ireland’s ports and airports will become clearer once the EU-UK negotiations have been completed and the future relationship between the EU and the UK has been settled. As with other Departments and agencies across the State, my Department and its agencies are preparing for the different potential outcomes, including contingency planning for a ‘no-deal’ scenario.
Irish ports and airports, and the airlines and shipping companies that use them, operate as independent commercial companies and planning and preparations in the context of Brexit are operational matters for each. Air and shipping services are market driven.
In relation to shipping, in the past shipping operators have responded to economic developments and increased or reduced capacity in response to market demands. I am confident that shipping services can be expected to adapt to changing market demands and we have seen the evidence of this over recent months with the actual and planned increase in shipping capacity on direct routes to continental ports.
However, a significant proportion of goods destined for EU markets use the UK landbridge to access these markets. The efficiency of these routes could be affected by Brexit, particularly if there are procedures and associated delays at UK ports or airports. The Irish Maritime Development Office, in conjunction with my Department, is currently finalising a study into the use of the UK landbridge by Irish importers and exporters. The purpose of this research is to establish the volume of traffic using the UK landbridge at present, the likely consequences that Brexit will have on landbridge usage and the various alternative options that may be viable. This research is expected to be completed shortly.
In relation to infrastructural requirements, the Government’s recently published Project Ireland 2040 recognises the role and infrastructural plans of ports and airports in supporting continued enhancement of Ireland’s high-quality international connectivity. Key actions planned include a new runway for Dublin Airport, continued development of Cork and Shannon Airports, investment in Ireland West Airport Knock, and for smaller airports under the Regional Airports Programme. There will also be major development of Dublin, Cork, Shannon-Foynes and other ports, as well as investment in transport connectivity to ports.
My Department inputs to the wider Government oversight and planning for Brexit. It remains in close contact with other Government Departments and agencies and with our ports and airports. As part of our Brexit planning, the Department held a stakeholder meeting with maritime stakeholders last month on the implications of Brexit for the maritime sector. It is also represented at meetings of a sub-group of the National Civil Aviation Development Forum, at which Brexit is a standing agenda item. This sub-group includes representatives from the airlines, airports, regulators and my Department and meets approximately every two months.
My officials will continue to work with the maritime and aviation sectors and with other transport and tourism stakeholders in planning for the implications of Brexit.
534. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which he expects public transport to become less reliant on fossil fuels in the future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18056/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClean and energy efficient vehicles have an important role to play in achieving Ireland's policy objectives of reducing energy consumption and lessening our levels of greenhouse gas emissions, and I am strongly committed to facilitating the uptake of low-emission vehicles and technologies in the public transport sector, for bus, rail and taxis.
As the Deputy will be aware, the recently published National Development Plan commits Ireland to replacing the urban public bus fleet with lower emitting alternatives, with no diesel-only buses purchased from July 2019 under the BusConnects fleet renewal programme. BusConnects will be delivered by the National Transport Authority (NTA) and will initially address the transition of bus fleets operating within the Greater Dublin Area with potential expansion to other urban centres - towards new low-emission vehicle technologies. It is expected that by 2023, half of the bus fleet (approximately 500 buses) will be converted to low-emission vehicles, with plans for full conversion by 2030.
My Department has also established a Green Public Transport Fund to support the uptake of energy-efficient technologies for PSO operators within the public transport sector; specifically, to support pilots, trials and demonstrations of emerging low emission technologies by covering the price differential between the cost of conventionally fuelled buses and the cost of an alternatively fuelled vehicle, as well as any associated refuelling or recharging infrastructure. I understand that the NTA intends to access this Fund before end 2018 to facilitate trials of a range of technologies in urban bus fleets.
The NTA has recently undertaken a market consultation assessing a broad range of alternative fuels and technologies. My Department and the NTA will continue to work together with a view to determining the most suitable options for the Irish context.
Equally, the importance of rail in providing an energy-efficient mode of transport has not been overlooked. Electrified rail use, in particular, is capable of achieving low emissions through utilising renewable sources of energy and considerable progress in projects such as the Luas Cross City has been achieved. This strong move towards electrification in the commuter rail sector which began with DART and was added to by LUAS will be reinforced and further developed through the new Metro Link and the Dart Expansion Programme set out in the National Development Plan.
In addition, I recently established a new electric vehicle (EV) grant scheme to support the transition of the Taxi/Hackney/Limousine sector to EVs. This new initiative will help to stimulate the uptake of EVs in the SPSV industry by giving drivers up to €7,000 towards the purchase of an EV. The scheme, which was launched on 01 February, has had a high number of applicants so far and will, I expect, play a key role in advocating for and normalising the use of EVs with members of the public.
535. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which it may be possible to bring forward the electrification of commuter rail routes, such as Enfield to Dublin, Sallins to Dublin and others, with a view to increased efficiency and less dependence on fossil fuels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18057/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Transport Authority's (NTA) Transport Strategy for the Greater Dublin Area provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades.
The recently published National Development Plan (NDP), which was launched earlier this year by Government as part of Project Ireland 2040, also confirms DART Expansion as one of a number of key investment priorities to deliver a comprehensive public transport network over the next decade.
DART Expansion is a series of projects that will create a full metropolitan area DART network for Dublin with all of the lines linked and connected. It includes the expansion of the fleet with new diesel electric trains and also provision of fast, high-frequency electrified services to Drogheda on the Northern Line, Celbridge/Hazelhatch on the Kildare Line, Maynooth and M3 Parkway on the Maynooth/Sligo Line, while continuing to provide DART services on the South-Eastern Line as far south as Greystones, all to achieve the benefits envisaged by the NDP.
It is noted that allocations in the NDP for the delivery of the different National Planning Framework National Strategic Objectives will be updated and adjusted where necessary as the National Development Plan is implemented, in light of progress achieved in relation to public capital investment priorities currently underway or planned; the on-going assessment of longer-term infrastructural priorities across sectors underpinning the implementation of NPF priorities; and the different planning horizons applying to different types of capital expenditure (for example, major infrastructural projects as compared to the provision of capital grants under particular spending programmes). This is to allow for appropriate flexibility and responsiveness of capital allocations to changing circumstances and priorities.
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 development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
Noting the NTA's responsibility in the matter I have referred the Deputy's questions to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
536. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which the hotel and catering industry is sufficient to meet the demands of the tourism sector now and for the foreseeable future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18058/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent statistics show that hotel room capacity grew by 2% between 2016 and 2017, however, bed capacity grew at a much faster rate of 9% over the same period. Hotel bed occupancy nationally grew from 56% to 60% between 2016 and 2017 while the aggregated bed occupancy rate for other types of accommodation was significantly lower at 42%.
Occupancy rates for hotels are considerably higher in Dublin and have increased as a result of the increased visitor numbers to Ireland in recent years. This has led to capacity issues at times of peak demand. However, a significant programme of hotel building is underway in Dublin to meet this demand. In this regard, research commissioned by Fáilte Ireland shows that significant additional tourist accommodation stock, in the order of 5,500 rooms through new builds and extensions, is being brought on stream in Dublin, the bulk in 2018 and 2019.
In response to consumer preferences and in order to boost the economic rationale for investment in hotel developments, Fáilte Ireland revised its hotel regulations. These changes make investment more attractive by allowing hotel operators provide more rooms per square metre and operate at a lower cost base, thereby improving hotel capacity, competitiveness and profitability. Consumers benefit from increased room capacity, more competition and a wider range of accommodation.
I am not aware of any issues with regard to the availability of restaurants. However, I should point out that they are not required to register with Fáilte Ireland. Given that the level of investment to enter the market is less challenging than that for hotels, I am confident that the market can respond sufficiently quickly to any changes in demand.
Projected skills demands across the economy are being addressed through a combination of measures involving various key stakeholders. I welcome the recent decision by the Minster for Business, Enterprise and Innovation to remove certain chef grades from the ineligible lists of Work Permits from non EEA.
A Hospitality Skills Oversight Group, involving all relevant stakeholders, oversees skills development and promotion in the sector to ensure the skills needs are met. Further specific queries the Deputy may have in relation to this group, should be directed to my colleague the Minister Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
A suite of culinary apprenticeships is being developed and overseen by a collaborative consortium including education and training providers, Fáilte Ireland and other key industry stakeholders. The first of these apprenticeship programmes for commis chefs commenced in autumn 2017 in Educational and Training Boards in various locations around the country.
The Tourism Action Plan 2018-2020, to be finalised shortly by the Tourism Leadership Group, will contain specific actions to address the demands of the tourism sector over the next number of years.
Fáilte Ireland's 'Get Brexit Ready' programme offers a suite of industry supports, designed to help businesses struggling with the loss of trade created by Brexit. The programme allows individual businesses to self-assess their exposures and risks and provides a range of interventions to help overcome any challenges arising from “Brexit”.
Government measures such as reducing the VAT to 9% on tourism services, also helps the industry to further meet the demands of the tourism sector.
537. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which Ireland continues to be marketed abroad as a venue for major sporting events; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18059/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe matter raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Tourism Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
538. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the extent to which further extensions of integrated ticketing are proposed throughout the public transport sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18060/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NTA Transport Strategy for the GDA 2016-2035 provides the overarching framework for the planning and delivery of transport infrastructure and services for Dublin over the next two decades. The measures proposed in the strategy are linked to an analysis of current and projected levels of travel demand across the region. The NTA Strategy envisages renewal, replacement and upgrading of ticketing systems including the on-going roll-out and expansion of integrated ticketing.
Budget 2018 provides for an increase in the multi-annual capital investment for public transport over the period 2018-2021, including investment in advances in technology to allow passengers make public transport payments in more convenient and efficient ways. This means upgrading end-of-life systems and equipment with modern technologies and up-to-date best international practice.
The National Development Plan (NDP), which was launched earlier this year by Government as part of Project Ireland 2040, also confirms a number of key investment priorities including in next generation passenger ticketing systems and fare structures to allow passengers make public transport payments in more convenient and efficient ways.
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 development and implementation of public transport in the Greater Dublin Area.
In light of the NTA's responsibility in the matters raised, I have referred the Deputy's question to the Authority for a more detailed reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
539. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is a model here similar to the children's panel that exists in Scotland (details supplied); and if not, her plans to put in place such a panel. [17533/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, the Scottish Children’s Panels exist in a very different legislative environment and framework to that prevailing in this State. Accordingly, the introduction of an analogous body is not proposed at this time.
However, as the Deputy knows, my Department is currently undertaking a wide-ranging review of the Child Care Act 1991, the principal legislation underpinning the child protection system. As part of this review, which is a commitment under Better Outcomes, Brighter Futures: The National Policy Framework for Children and Young People, 2014 – 2020, my officials will naturally take into account the developments and experiences of the child protection systems in other jurisdictions in Europe and beyond. All matters relevant to the situation of children in care will be considered in the context of the Review.
It should also be noted that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, already makes use of innovative methods to identify the appropriate intervention for children in need of help, including the use of Family welfare conferences (FWCs). Family welfare conferencing is a tool that harnesses the power of the extended family to create durable solutions for children and young people. With the support of an independent facilitator, FWCs enable families to make choices and to take ownership of a situation and its solutions. For example, in the case of relative foster care, a FWC might be used to ascertain the views of the child and their family on who in the extended family might be best placed to offer care to the child and thus lessen the impact and dislocation of entering care. Family Welfare Conferences are also an integral part of the Children Act 2001. The approach recognises the centrality of parental and family relationships and informal support networks in promoting the welfare of children and ensuring their safety, while enabling the Agency to meet its statutory and co-ordination functions.
540. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if Tusla will conduct a case review of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17548/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can advise the Deputy that I am aware of this case. While it is not appropriate for me to comment on individual cases, I have written to Tusla and asked them to give the case the appropriate attention.
541. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adults and children in Tusla-funded domestic violence refuges and domestic violence step-down accommodation, respectively, in 2017. [17585/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, has statutory responsibility for the provision of care and protection to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. In discharging its statutory responsibility, Tusla supports 20 emergency refuge and support services in providing services for women and children fleeing domestic violence. Twenty four community-based domestic violence support services and 16 rape crisis centres also receive financial support from Tusla. Funding for these services was increased by €1.7m in 2018, to a total of €23.8m.
Tusla does not have access to live data on refuge use. However, information provided by funded domestic violence services indicates that refuges consistently operate at full or near full-capacity. Any vacancies are generally attributed to the turnover between the discharge and admission of clients.
Tusla-funded services provide data to Tusla retrospectively on an annual basis. The data provided to the Deputy previously refers to the use of services in 2016. 2017 data will be made available later in the year.
542. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason the Department of Education and Skills is not represented on the working group tasked with streamlining children's mental health services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17620/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Working Group is to examine the provision of psychological and mental health services for children and young people with the aim of ascertaining a clear continuum of provision, strengthening alignment and areas for improvement, centred on the needs of children and young people.
The Working Group is jointly chaired by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health. The current membership includes representatives of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Health, the Health Service Executive and Tusla. It has been recognised that additional input to the work of the group will be considered when and where appropriate.
The Working Group met on 19 January 2018 and agreed that in charting a line of sight regarding service provision, that further gathering of information was necessary including
1. Information on current policy/service plans relating to psychological services (including CAMHS etc.) for children and young people
2. Information on current provision regarding same, indicating gaps (e.g. service, thematic, age cohort, tiered delivery) and areas of alignment
3. Information relating to expenditure and work-force numbers
4. Information regarding the strengths and impediments in relation to the foregoing.
This information will allow the Working Group to consider the feasibility of charting a continuum of provision and will also indicate areas for attention, either in terms of service provision, thresholds or transitions.
As referenced, additional input to the Working Group will be considered as the work of the group advances.
543. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the percentage of the out-of-hours budgets for social work services that were allocated to north County Dublin in each of the years from 2015 to 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17658/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, is responsible for out-of-hours social work services for children and young adults. As the distribution of funds between geographical areas is an operational issue, I have asked Tusla to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
544. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a person (details supplied) can avail of the early childhood care and education scheme in September 2018; if consideration is being given to the reintroduction of three enrolment points to facilitate greater flexibility and accessibility to families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17695/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). This measure refines the development introduced last year, whereby three intake dates were adopted, and will increase the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to a potential duration of 76 weeks (two programme years).
This new measure will address the situation whereby there was a wide range in the number of free preschool weeks a child could avail of – between 61 and 88 weeks – and will ensure a programme that is equitable for all children.
This further enhancement delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers. The second year of ECCE required either an increase in the upper age limit for ECCE, or a reduction in the lower age limit. The latter was chosen and is consistent with the legislative requirement with regard to school start age.
The number of entry points will revert to one at the beginning of the programme year (September). One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. This will also make it easier for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
In the example cited by the Deputy the child will not be able to commence their ECCE in September 2018 as they will not have reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August 2018. However, they will be able to commence ECCE in September 2019, continue for a further year from September 2020 and commence school in September 2021.
It must be noted that parents have the discretion to decide how much of ECCE to avail of for their child. A decision may be made to utilise one year only of the programme for various reasons. For example, depending on the child's date of birth, parents may wish to send their child to school at 4 rather than 5 years of age.
At a broader level, I announced on the 6th December 2017 that I have put a pause on the decision to remove the ECCE over age exemption so that further consultation with parents can occur. Until the consultation is complete, and both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Education and Skills have time to consider its findings, the overage exemption will continue to be available. In practice, this means that my Department is continuing to accept and approve applications for the September 2018/2019 ECCE year.
545. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the indemnity scheme under the State Claims Agency will be extended to foster carers; the progress that has been made to ensure there is accidental injury cover for children who are in the care of the State and who are fostered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17790/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to take this opportunity to assure you my Department is fully supportive of extending the State Indemnity Scheme under the State Claims Agency to foster parents.
Unfortunately this is taking longer than expected due to technical issues associated with the approvals and statutory process involved. Work is ongoing to address these matters. While we remain confident that these issues will be addressed, I can also confirm that the Department has approached the Department of Public Expenditure in order to put in place an interim solution.
This interim solution consists of advising Tusla that, while discussions continue between the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to including foster carers under the General Indemnity Scheme operated by the State Claims Agency, no approval for overall indemnification can be provided at this stage. However, both Departments are aware of the critical importance of this matter and are committed to ensuring that every foster parent is offered an indemnity on an individual basis where required.
In this regard, any such individual indemnification would be on an ex-gratia basis and, as such, indemnification would be made available voluntarily and outside any strict legal obligation. This is a temporary measure to address immediate individual cases while the overall indemnification issues are being resolved.
It might also be noted that the Irish Foster Care Association have been appraised of matters as they stand and my officials have undertaken to keep the Association informed as to progress in the matter.
546. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason there will be only one entry point for the new early childhood care and education, ECCE, scheme from 1 September 2018 and not the three periods as it is in the current programme; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this will lead to situations in which children who are not two years and eight months of age on 1 September will ultimately be held back in crèches and not start junior infants until they are almost six years of age; if consideration will be given to particular cases whereby children will miss the qualifying date by a few days; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17832/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFrom September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of 2 years and 8 months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE). The upper age ECCE requirement is that the child must not reach 5 years and 6 months before the end of the programme year.
Some children will not be able to commence their ECCE in September 2018 as they will not have reached the age of 2 years and 8 months on or before 31st August 2018. However, they will be able to commence ECCE in September 2019, and continue for a further year from September 2020, commencing school in September 2021. Parents of children born around this time of the year may prefer for their children to start school at 4 rather than 5. These parents may therefore choose to avail of 1 year of ECCE only. However, it is important to note that this is a parental choice and that the overall policy change has ensured that two programme years are available to all children, an improvement on the system as it has operated to date.
This extension to ECCE from September 2018 refines the development introduced last year, whereby three intake dates were adopted, and will increase the duration of each registered child on ECCE from a current average of 61 weeks, to an entitlement to 76 weeks (two programme years). This enhancement delivers fully on a commitment in the Programme for a Partnership Government that is good for children, families and Early Years providers.
This new measure will also address the situation where there was a wide range in the number of preschool weeks a child could avail of – between 61 and 88 weeks – and will ensure a programme that is equitable for all children.
The number of entry points will revert to one at the beginning of the new programme year (September, 2018). One enrolment period at the start of the pre-school year will help streamline the administration process and will make it easier for childcare providers to operate and budget for the programme year. This will also make it easier for parents to secure places on the ECCE programme for their children.
At a broader level, I announced on the 6th December 2017 that I have put a pause on the decision to remove the ECCE over age exemption so that further consultation with parents can occur. Until the consultation is complete, and both the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Education and Skills have time to consider its findings, the overage exemption will continue to be available. In practice, this means that my Department is continuing to accept and approve applications for the September 2018/2019 ECCE year.
547. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason funding is being withheld from an organisation (details supplied); if her attention has been drawn to concerns of local scout units that this will lead to the cessation of scouting activities in the near future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17892/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraArising from media coverage I became aware that an alleged perpetrator of a sexual assault was reinstated by Scouting Ireland without any further Garda vetting and was subsequently promoted within the volunteer ranks of Scouting Ireland.
Funding provided by my Department to youth organisations is contingent on organisations meeting with a range of governance standards, including commitment to and compliance with the legal requirements in the area of child protection.
In view of the information available to me relating to the governance arrangements within the organisation, I decided to withhold the drawdown of any further funding to Scouting Ireland under the Youth Service Grant Scheme until such time as I can be satisfied that the organisation's governance standards are up to the required level.
I subsequently met with Scouting Ireland on Thursday 19 April and I was informed of the organisation’s plans to reform the governance of the organisation and put new structures in place. Scouting Ireland also confirmed their commitment to implement the recommendations in relation to safeguarding and to carry out a full review of historic cases. The Garda vetting of the individual referred to in recent media reports has also been actioned.
There are a number of steps to be taken before I can be assured that Scouting Ireland has the proper governance arrangements in place which will allow me to restore funding.
The funding provided to organisations under the Youth Service Grant Scheme is primarily provided to head offices of those organisations. Scouting Ireland has been provided with €438,168 so far in 2018 which will continue to fund the organisation up until the end of June.
The Local Youth Club Grant Scheme supports youth work activities at a local level and grants are made available to clubs and organisations through the Education and Training Boards. Local scouting groups can still apply to their local Education and Training Board for grant funding under this scheme.
548. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the form, date and amount of all invoices issued to her Department by a company (details supplied) in each of the years from 2007 to 2017, in tabular form. [17900/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established in June 2011 and since then it has neither received invoices nor made payments to the company in question.
549. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, under the lobbyist register, it is expected that calls from lobbyists are recorded; if this is the practice in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17998/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the responsibility of the person who makes, manages or directs the lobbying activity to register and submit returns.
The Regulation of Lobbying Act 2015 does not set out any requirements for Designated Public Officials to register, submit returns or validate information contained in the returns submitted by lobbyists. Designated Public Officials continue to have obligations set out in other instruments, including ethics legislation, freedom of information legislation, and codes of conduct. While Designated Public Officials have no formal obligations under the Act, the Standards in Public Office Commission has identified a number of best practices, which are outlined in the Guidelines for Designated Public Officials, Guidelines for TDs, Senators and MEPs, and Guidelines for Local Authority Members, which are all available on its website.
