Written Answers Nos. 426-440
426. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the latest figures for persons cycling to work; the amount the bike to work scheme costs to run; and if he has carried out a cost-benefit analysis of the scheme. [20112/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe number of people cycling to work has steadily increased in recent years. The most recent Census figures compiled by the Central Statistics Office show 56,837 people cycling to work, school or college nationally in 2016 increasing from 39,803 in 2011, which represents an increase of 43%.
The Canal Cordon Count collected by Dublin City Council provides data on the number of cyclists who pass the canal cordon in Dublin between 7.00am and 10.00am; it shows that the numbers cycling increased from 10,893 in 2015 to 12,089 in 2016 an increase of 11%. Looking at the cordon count data over a 10-year period, shows growth from 4,839 people cycling in 2006 to 12,089 in 2016 - an increase of 150% over that period. The 2017 data is expected to be released shortly and I would be confident that the 2017 data will continue to report an upward trend in cycling numbers.
The "Bike to Work" scheme to which the Deputy refers is a very attractive incentive which encourages more people to enjoy the benefits of cycling whilst playing an increasing role in relieving traffic congestion. As the Deputy may be aware, this scheme is a tax incentive arrangement, and therefore is administered by the Revenue Commissioners and governed by tax legislation and tax policy which are matters for my colleague the Minister for Finance.
427. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of cases of alleged sexual abuse of children in foster care by a person or persons in the home that have been reported to the HSE in each year in the past decade; the policy of the HSE for dealing with such reports; if An Garda Síochána was informed in each case; if the policy is for the children to be removed from the home on foot of an allegation being made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20117/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is of an operational nature, I have asked Tusla to request figures from the local areas that may be of assistance and to reply to the Deputy directly. I would note that Tusla was set up in January 2014, and prior to this the services were provided by the Health Service Executive.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has a clear protocol for managing concerns or allegations about foster carers which is procedure which is the ‘Interim Protocol for managing concerns and allegations of abuse or neglect against Foster Carers and Section 36 (relative) Foster Carers’. This guidance is in place nationally. A revised national procedure and guidance is expected to be available this year.
The guidance is underpinned by the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, the foster care regulations, Children First guidance and the National Standards for Foster Care. All foster carers are mandated reporters under Children First Act 2015.
When an allegation of abuse is made, immediate action is taken to protect any child or children who may be at immediate risk. All steps taken are informed by the best interests and safety of the children involved. Under Children First, all referrals involving child sexual abuse are referred by Tusla to An Garda Síochána.
Sexual abuse allegations are the most serious form of concerns that are raised against foster carers. An allegation regarding a child in foster care is investigated by the Child Protection Social Work Team. The link social worker for the foster carers does not investigate the allegation however a notification is made to An Garda Síochána, as it would be for any referral where abuse is suspected or confirmed.
Sexual abuse is often a secretive act, and sometimes even those closest to the child won’t know until the child feels they can disclose what is happening. Each case is unique and all the facts must be looked at to make sure that the child is safe from harm or abuse.
It is often necessary to consider if a child should be moved from the foster home in order to keep them safe. However, In some cases the person who is in or who has access to the foster home and who may be posing the risk to the child can be removed. It may, then, be assessed that the child could remain in the foster home if an effective safety plan can be put in place and there are no other reasons for the child to be moved from the home. The child involved is interviewed and this is included as part of the assessment. This is done sensitively by trained social workers, who moderate their approach according to the child’s ability to discuss the events. The commitment and ability of the foster carers to protect the child is also assessed. A key element of a good safety plan is regular monitoring. If a safety plan is not appropriate given the circumstances, an immediate action to remove the child to an alternate placement will take place.
428. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking to ensure the progress of the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20179/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 provides for the first time a statutory entitlement to identity information for adopted persons.
The legislation provides for structured and regulated access to information and tracing services for those affected by adoption. It sets out the information that can be provided, which includes early life information and medical information, and the circumstances in which it can be provided to adopted persons. A key provision in the Bill is that an adopted person aged 18 years or over who was adopted prior to the 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 also provides that a person who was in an informal arrangement where no adoption order was affected and persons whose birth was incorrectly registered can apply for information and tracing services.
My focus is on proceeding with the Bill as quickly as possible, so that we can move to a situation where these new rights and services are available to this cohort of people. My officials are currently actively engaged in drafting Committee Stage amendments to address issues raised in the debate to date and I hope to progress the Bill as soon as possible.
429. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the level of CLÁR funding which will be made available under each strand in 2018; the level of funding under each strand which was granted in 2016 and 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19726/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 and closed for applications in 2010. I re-opened the programme in 2016. In 2016 and 2017 my Department approved and funded 900 projects under CLÁR.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on 15th March, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures (€2 million)
Measure 2: Play Areas/ MUGAs (€2 million)
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure (€1 million)
The allocation for each measure is indicative and may vary depending on the number and quality of applications received under each strand.
The closing date for applications under CLÁR 2018 was 30th April and in excess of 400 applications were received. My Department is currently assessing all of the applications received and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks.
The following tables outline the level of funding approved under each measure under CLÁR in 2016 and 2017.
CLÁR 2016
|
Measures |
Funding approved 2016 |
|
CLÁR Safety Package for Schools/community Facilities Measure |
€5,134,250 |
|
Outdoor Play Facilities Enhancement Scheme/Support for the development of Multi Use Games (MUGA) |
€1,752,496 |
|
Local Access Roads Measure |
€1,352,120 |
|
Total |
€8,238,866 |
CLÁR 2017
|
Measures |
Funding Approved 2017 |
|
Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures |
€2,722,329 |
|
Play Areas Measures |
€2,207,676 |
|
Targeted Community Infrastructure Needs Measure |
€768,875 |
|
Emergency Response Measure |
€1,213,470 |
|
Totals |
€6,912,350 |
430. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a decision regarding the 2018 CLÁR funding allocations will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19727/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 and closed for applications in 2010. I re-opened the programme in 2016. In 2016 and 2017 my Department approved and funded 900 projects under CLÁR.
On 15th March last I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/ MUGAs
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for applications under CLÁR 2018 was 30th April and in excess of 400 applications were received. My Department is currently assessing all of the applications received and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks.
431. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the SICAP funding received by an organisation (details supplied) in 2016 and 2017. [19750/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra432. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the SICAP funding received by an organisation (details supplied) in 2016 and 2017. [19751/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 431 and 432 together.
SICAP funding is allocated to the Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) via the Local Authorities. The Local Authorities, on behalf of the LCDCs, issue the funding to the contracted SICAP Programme Implementers.
No SICAP funding was provided to the organisations in question in 2016 and 2017. Supports to the groups referenced transferred in 2015 from the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government to the Department of Justice and Equality.
433. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding issued to each county via the community development programmes LDSIP, LCDP and SICAP on a yearly basis since 2008, in tabular form. [19890/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to refer the Deputy to the replies to PQ17873/18 (Question No 554) of 24 April 2018, which sets out the LDSIP and CDP funding for the period 2008 and 2009, PQ11821/18 (Question No 907) of 20 March 2018, which sets out the LCDP funding for the period 2010 - 2017 and PQ13350/18 (Question No 274) of 22 March 2018, which sets out SICAP funding for the period 2015 to 2018 in the requested format.
434. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding for the RAPID programme in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19910/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe following table sets out funding provided under RAPID from 2007 to 2017. The original RAPID programme was closed to applications from 2011 onwards. Spend in the years from 2011 to 2016 reflects my Department’s contractual commitments under existing RAPID projects, mainly under the Sports Capital Scheme.
In 2017, a recast RAPID programme was launched. The spend in 2017 includes expenditure relating to contractual commitments under the original RAPID programme, funding for the new recast RAPID programme, and funding which was ring fenced for the Dublin North East Inner City area.
|
Year |
Outturn - €'000s |
|
2007 |
6,873 |
|
2008 |
9,578 |
|
2009 |
10,406 |
|
2010 |
6,067 |
|
2011 |
2,269 |
|
2012 |
3,062 |
|
2013 |
261 |
|
2014 |
170 |
|
2015 |
317 |
|
2016 |
32 |
|
2017 |
4,962 |
|
Allocation |
|
|
2018 |
6,000 |
In 2017, the total funding allocation under the RAPID subhead was €5 million. Of this, under the new recast RAPID programme each of the 31 Local Authority areas received an allocation of €64,500. Separately, €2.5 million was ring fenced for the Dublin North East Inner City area. In addition, €0.5 million (of the €5 million total) was allocated to honour legacy commitments under the original RAPID programme.
For 2018, the budget available for the recast national RAPID programme is €2 million. In addition, there are provisions in 2018 for €3.5 million relating to the Dublin North East Inner City area and €0.5 million for legacy commitments relating to the original RAPID programme.
My Department is currently reviewing the recast RAPID Programme to facilitate improvements for 2018. Any changes will be communicated to stakeholders on the announcement of the 2018 scheme.
435. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the funding for the CLÁR programme in each of the years 2007 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19911/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation. The programme was originally launched in October 2001 and closed for applications in 2010.
I re-opened the programme in 2016 and launched further calls for proposals in 2017 and 2018. The amounts allocated in each of the years 2016 to 2018 under the CLÁR programme are provided on Table 1. The closing date for CLÁR 2018 was 30th April. I hope to be in a position to announce the successful 2018 CLÁR projects in the coming weeks following the assessment of all proposals received.
Table 1 - Allocations under CLÁR 2016-2018
|
Year |
Allocation |
|
2016 |
€8,238, 866 |
|
2017 |
€6,912,350 |
|
2018 |
€5,000,000 (indicative) |
The draw-down of funding allocated under the CLÁR programme can straddle more than one calendar year. Table 2 shows the details of payments made under CLÁR for each of the years from 2007 to date. Payments made in the period 2010 to 2016 were in respect of legacy projects.
Table 2 - Payments made under the CLÁR programme from 2007 to 2018:
|
Year |
Amount paid |
|
2018 to date |
€695,144 |
|
2017 |
€5,059,579 |
|
2016 |
€8,293,463 |
|
2015 |
0.00 |
|
2014 |
€50,747 |
|
2013 |
€105,950 |
|
2012 |
€91,077 |
|
2011 |
€348,265 |
|
2010 |
€5,722,915 |
|
2009 |
€13,598,247 |
|
2008 |
€24,178,471 |
|
2007 |
€21,329361 |
436. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the total funding for the SICAP programme in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19912/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) provides funding to tackle poverty and social exclusion through local engagement and partnerships between disadvantaged individuals, community organisations and public sector agencies. SICAP funding for the years 2015 to 2017 is set out in the following table. The 2018 full year allocation is €38.028 million.
|
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 (paid to date) |
|
28,038,175 |
37,441,230 |
37,441,230 |
17,714,849 |
437. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if there are grants available in relation to the establishment of community halls in rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19946/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that funding is available through a number of schemes run through my Department to support the management, and development, of community centres, respectively.
The Community Services Programme (CSP) supports community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model. Such services include community owned, or community managed, buildings and facilities that are used for community benefit, including community centres. CSP funding is provided as a contribution to the cost of a manager and an agreed number of full-time equivalent positions, with €32,000 per annum provided for a manager and €19,033 per annum for each full-time equivalent position.
Capital funding may be available under my Department's LEADER Programme to develop or renovate a community centre. LEADER is a multi-annual EU co-funded programme to support rural development. Ireland has an allocation of €250 million under the programme over the period 2014-2020, including both national and EU funding. LEADER is delivered through Local Action Groups in 28 rural areas around the country.
In order for a project to be eligible for LEADER funding, it must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the area concerned, and it must comply with the Operating Rules and EU Regulations in place for the programme.
The decision to approve a project, or otherwise, is a matter for the Local Action Group in the relevant area. Applications for funding can be made directly to the relevant Local Action Groups. Contact details for all Local Action Groups are available on my Department's website www.drcd.gov.ie/rural/development/leader
The 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme was launched on 27 April with an allocation of €15million secured in Budget 2018. This follows an allocation of €21.6million to projects in towns and villages across rural Ireland which I announced in October 2017.
This year I am again placing an emphasis on projects that can demonstrate strong economic benefits for towns, villages and their environs. As in previous years, Local Authorities are invited to submit applications to the Department for consideration. Local Authorities will be required to advertise for expressions of interest from towns and villages in their area and proposals to develop a community or sports hall may be considered if the application displays a strong economic benefit to the community and falls within the criteria of the 2018 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Local Authorities will select a number of projects for development into detailed proposals and can submit up to 12 applications to the Department.
438. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding will be provided to Louth County Council and ring-fenced to further develop the Great Eastern Greenway to extend it south of Carlingford and to Drogheda; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19971/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme is part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and provides funding for the development of new outdoor recreational infrastructure or the necessary maintenance, enhancement or promotion of existing outdoor recreational infrastructure in Ireland. The scheme was implemented in 2016 and 2017 and has facilitated the development of greenways, blueways, walks and other trails across the country.
In 2017, funding of €8,500 was approved under the scheme for improvements to the Carlingford to Omeath portion of the Great Eastern Greenway. I plan to launch the 2018 Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme in the coming weeks. While details of the scheme have yet to be finalised, it may provide an opportunity for an application to be made for funding for the further development of the Greenway. The Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme operates on a competitive bid basis and all applications will be assessed on their merits against the scheme criteria.
439. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for CLÁR funding submitted by an association (details supplied) in County Cork; when final decisions on 2018 applications will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20033/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for CLÁR 2018 was 30th April. More than 400 applications were received in total by my Department. An application does not appear to have been received in respect of the association referred to by the Deputy. However, if the Deputy wishes to provide me with further information, I will look further into the matter.
My officials are currently assessing all applications received under the 2018 CLÁR programme and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful 2018 CLÁR projects in the coming weeks.
440. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an application for CLÁR funding submitted by an association (details supplied) in County Cork; when final decisions on 2018 applications will be made public; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20034/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCLÁR is a targeted capital investment programme for rural areas which have experienced significant levels of depopulation.
I launched the 2018 CLÁR programme on 15th March last, with an indicative allocation of €5 million for qualifying projects under the following measures:
Measure 1: Support for Schools/Community Safety Measures
Measure 2: Play Areas/Multi-Use Games Areas
Measure 3: First Response Support Measure
The closing date for CLÁR 2018 was 30th April. I can confirm that an application was received in respect of the group referred to by the Deputy. The group is based in Co. Sligo.
More than 400 applications were received in total by my Department and my officials are currently assessing these proposals. I hope to be in a position to announce the successful 2018 CLÁR projects in the coming weeks, following the completion of the assessment process.
