Robert Troy
Ceist:517. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the percentage of the existing Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann fleet that has hybrid energy-efficient and diesel engines. [22617/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBus Services
Ceisteanna (517)
Freagraí scríofa
The issue raised is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA), in conjunction with Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Dublin Port Tunnel
Ceisteanna (518)
Robert Troy
Ceist:518. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the capacity in the Dublin port tunnel. [22618/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and operation of individual roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Acts 1993-2015 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Community Involvement Scheme
Ceisteanna (519)
Robert Troy
Ceist:519. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the funding for the community involvement scheme will be announced. [22643/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am in the process of reviewing a recommendation from my officials in relation to the Community Involvement Scheme and I expect to announce the grant allocations shortly.
Public Transport Provision
Ceisteanna (520)
Maurice Quinlivan
Ceist:520. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the viability of a Dublin orbital paratransit service has been considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22713/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I have responsibility for policy and overall funding in relation to public transport.
Under the Dublin Transport Authority Act 2008 the National Transport Authority (NTA) has functional responsibility for promoting the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network, including responsibility for securing the provision of public passenger bus services.
In light of the NTA's responsibilities in this matter, I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
Marine Safety
Ceisteanna (521)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:521. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the process regarding the Marine Survey Office conducting a health and safety re-evaluation for operators landing at Inishmurray Island, County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22718/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As the Deputy is aware from my replies to other parliamentary questions and the recent topical issue debate, the Marine Survey Office carried out an assessment of the landing point at Inishmurray Island in 2008. The "recognised landing point" on the island was deemed wholly unsuitable for landing passengers safely. As a consequence, no passenger licences have been issued which include Inishmurray on their plying limits.
The MSO is a safety regulator. Passenger safety is my first priority here. Once an appropriate landing facility is provided, officials of the Marine Survey office will assess it and any passenger vessel proposing to use the facility with a view to granting the appropriate licence.
Boat Permits
Ceisteanna (522)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:522. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will obtain from the Marine Survey Office examples whereby licences with limitations were provided to boat operators in order to operate in certain circumstances, as was the case with regard to the licences that were allocated for serving Ireland's Eye; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22721/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I understand that the Deputy and his adviser met with Minister of State Griffin, the MSO and a senior official from my Department on the 10th of May where these matters were extensively discussed. I trust this meeting was useful. My Department will be in touch shortly to provide the information requested regarding Ireland's Eye.
Departmental Funding
Ceisteanna (523)
Eamon Scanlon
Ceist:523. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the retrofitting phase of a project (details supplied) will go for tender; when it is expected retrofitting will commence on the building; the timeframe for the completion of the project; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22020/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is in receipt of capital funding of almost €14.0m in 2018. Tusla has made provision, within its Capital Plan, for the Carrick-on-Shannon project.
I have forwarded the Deputy’s request to Tusla and have asked the Agency to respond directly to the Deputy with the requested information.
Youth Services Funding
Ceisteanna (524)
John Lahart
Ceist:524. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the allocations made to projects and community facilities in Dublin 24. [22055/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country and funding is allocated on an annual basis.
The 2018 funding allocations provided for Dublin 24 under the various youth funding schemes are not yet finalised and are subject to review by the Education and Training Board who may propose some reconfiguration of allocations across projects and across funding streams. Any such review will be dependent on approval by my Department. This process will be completed by 29 June 2018.
The 2017 funding allocated to Dublin 24 is administered on behalf of the Department by Dublin Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board and is outlined in the following table.
|
Special Projects for Youth |
Amount |
|
Services for Young Travellers, Tallaght |
€82,743 |
|
Tallaght Youth Services (Foróige) |
€632,139 |
|
|
|
|
Young People Facilities and Services Fund Round 1 and 2 |
|
|
CARP |
€47,171 |
|
Tallaght Traveller Youth Service |
€47,173 |
|
Tallaght Youth Service (Brookfield) |
€51,707 |
|
Tallaght Youth Service (Springfield) |
€51,381 |
|
Brookfield Youth and Community Centre |
€356,850 |
|
Fettercairn Community Centre |
€51,707 |
|
Killinarden Community Centre |
€210,476 |
|
St. Mark's Youth & Family Centre |
€51,707 |
|
Tallaght Operational Grant |
€18,131 |
|
Sports Development Officer |
€54,341 |
|
|
|
|
Local Drugs Taskforce Projects |
|
|
St. Aengus Neighbourhood Youth Project |
€53,334 |
|
Youth Support in Whitechurch |
€39,629 |
|
Youth Skills/Peer Education |
€37,300 |
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (525)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:525. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of cases since 2011 in which a newborn child has been removed from the custody of its parents directly or soon after birth; the status of the development of a metric that collates the number of newborn children taken into care directly or soon after birth; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22094/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I am informed by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, that data is not collated nationally on the number of infants received into the care of Tusla, by way of court order or on a voluntary basis.
Data regarding the number of children in care on 31st December aged less than 1 year of age, the number of admissions to care for children less than 1 year of age, and the number of first time admissions to care for children less than 1 year of age for the years 2011 to 2016, is set out in the following table.
I am advised by Tusla that the most recent data available for this is to the end of 2016, and that figures are expected mid-year for 2017.
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
|
|
Number of Children in Care on 31st December aged less than 1 year of age |
136* |
148* |
136* |
139 |
121 |
85 |
Due Mid 2018 |
|
Number of Admissions to Care during the reporting period for children less than 1 year of age |
230# |
255# |
224# |
231# |
205# |
131** |
Due Mid 2018 |
|
Number of First Time Admissions to Care during the reporting period for children less than 1 year of age |
125 |
Due Mid 2018 |
Notes:
*figures include any children who were in respite care from home on the last day of the year. These children are not included in data for 2015 and 2016.
#figures include admissions into respite care from home. These children are not included in data for 2016
** figure based on complete returns from 16/17 administrative areas and a partial return from the remaining area.
Admissions to care is a count of all admissions to care and not a count of individual children admitted – a child can have more than one admission in a reporting period.
First time admissions is a count of individual children admitted to care. Reporting of this metric commenced in 2016.
Children in Care
Ceisteanna (526)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:526. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children or young adults who have died while in the care of the State since 2011; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22095/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can advise the Deputy that a child or young person who is the subject of a legal court order or through voluntary parental consent, is placed in foster care or residential care with either state, private or voluntary providers.
Prior to the establishment of Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in 2014, child protection services, including State care, were carried out by the Health Services Executive (HSE).
Between the 1st January 2011 and the 16th May 2018, a total of 19 children sadly passed away while in the care of Tusla. The following table outlines the total, year by year. I will revert to the Deputy with the cause of death for the children, to include death by natural causes.
Deaths of children in care, by year
|
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
|
2 |
3 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
1 |
5 |
0 |
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (527)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:527. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the breakdown of the training and development and incidental expenses incurred by her Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22134/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information required by the Deputy is not readily available in the format requested. I have requested my Department to assemble the information as soon as possible and this will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (528)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:528. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the breakdown of the travel and subsistence expenses incurred by her Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22150/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Details of the expenditure outlays on travel and subsistence by my Department in 2017 are set out in the following table.
|
Home Travel |
€64,400.76 |
|
EU Travel |
€39,631.77 |
|
Non EU Travel |
€31,892.50 |
The overall objective is to keep costs associated with official travel to a minimum and to achieve value for money for expenditure necessarily incurred for the effective discharge of official duties.
Departmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (529)
Mattie McGrath
Ceist:529. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the consultancy services, value-for-money and policy review expenses incurred by her Department in the year ending 31 December 2017. [22166/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is collating the information requested and will forward this directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.
Aftercare Services
Ceisteanna (530, 531, 532)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:530. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of residential aftercare places in each region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22488/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:531. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons aged 18 years of age and over who have been assessed as having a need for residential aftercare services; the number of those over 18 years of age who have been referred and are awaiting access to a residential aftercare service in each region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22490/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:532. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young persons aged 17 years of age who have been assessed as having a need for residential aftercare in each region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22496/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 to 532, inclusive, together.
Young adults, aged 18, leaving care should have a statutory aftercare plan. The plan should identify the young person's needs, including accommodation. The vast majority of young people leaving care have been living in foster care, and many remain there while completing their second level education and commencing further education or training.
At the end of 2017, 2,037 young people over the age of 18 were in receipt of aftercare services. Of these, 5% were in a residential placement. If a young adult needs residential care when they reach 18 for reasons related to disability, they transfer to the care of the HSE.
Performance indicators for aftercare services are in the process of being developed and so the specific information requested by the Deputy is currently not collated nationally.
Charities Regulation
Ceisteanna (533, 534)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:533. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of complaints received from the public and-or internal staff regarding a centre (details supplied) exhibiting artwork; the reason the Charities Regulatory Authority issued a letter to the centre on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22211/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraCatherine Murphy
Ceist:534. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the way in which the Charities Regulatory Authority plans to review and assess all the artworks on display by arts charities both now and in the future; the way in which the authority plans to assess the political content of all the programmes that are being run by all charities in the course of pursuing their charitable purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22213/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 533 and 534 together.
The Charities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Charities Regulator’) operates under the aegis of the Department of Rural and Community Development. Section 14(3) of the Charities Act 2009, provides that the Charities Regulator is independent in the performance of its statutory functions.
My Department has no function in investigating potential breaches of the Charities Act, including recording the number of complaints received or correspondence with organisations on the matter of potential breaches of the Act. In addition, it should be noted that my Department has no function in reviewing the procedures the Charities Regulator has in place for investigating potential breaches of the Act.
The Charities Regulator’s complaints policy and concerns policy (for members of the public who are concerned that an organisation may be operating in breach of the Charities Act 2009) are published on its website www.charitiesregulatoryauthority.ie.
I am informed that the Charities Regulator does not publish information about concerns received in relation to individual charities as to do so could unnecessarily undermine confidence in the charities concerned and undermine the Regulator's function to increase public trust and confidence in Charities. However, I understand the Regulator intends to publish detailed aggregated information as part of a compliance report due in the coming weeks.
Charities Regulation
Ceisteanna (535)
Catherine Murphy
Ceist:535. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the appointments process for the 13 members of the Charities Regulatory Authority; if membership of the authority is a paid or voluntary position; the service terms for members of the authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22214/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Schedule 1, section 2(1) of the Charities Act 2009 states that the Authority shall consist of not less than nine and not greater than twenty members. Section 2(2) of schedule 1 provides that the members of the Authority shall be appointed by the Minister, with the approval of the Government.
The Act also states that the Minister shall ensure that among the members of the Authority are persons who have knowledge of and expertise in relation to:
(a) the law relating to charities,
(b) the keeping of accounts by, and funding of, charitable organisations, and
(c) the management of charitable organisations.
The fees payable to board members of the Charities Regulatory Authority are €5,985 per annum.
Under the Charities Act 2009, appointments to the Authority will be for an initial period of up to five years. Appointments to the Board are made on the recommendation of the Minister based on the results of an open competition conducted by the Public Appointments Service. Section 2(8) of Schedule 1 of the Act provides that a member of the Authority shall be eligible for re-appointment subject to the condition that they shall not hold office for periods the aggregate of which exceeds ten years.
The following table shows the composition of the current Board, including appointment dates.
|
Name |
First Appointed |
Reappointed |
Expiry Date |
Position type |
|
Patrick Hopkins |
16/10/2014 |
15/10/2018 |
Chair |
|
|
Cynthia Clampett |
16/10/2014 |
15/10/2018 |
Board Member |
|
|
David Brady |
16/10/2014 |
16/10/2017 |
15/10/2022 |
Board Member |
|
Fergus Finlay |
16/10/2014 |
15/10/2018 |
Board Member |
|
|
Graham Richards |
16/10/2014 |
15/10/2018 |
Board Member |
|
|
Katie Cadden |
16/10/2014 |
15/10/2018 |
Board Member |
|
|
Noel Wardick |
16/10/2014 |
15/10/2018 |
Board Member |
|
|
Patricia Cronin |
16/10/2014 |
16/10/2017 |
15/10/2022 |
Board Member |
|
Sandra Chambers |
16/10/2014 |
15/10/2018 |
Board Member |
|
|
Tom Costello |
16/10/2014 |
16/10/2017 |
15/10/2022 |
Board Member |
|
Maire McMahon |
16/01/2018 |
15/01/2023 |
Board Member |
|
|
Niamh Cahill |
16/01/2018 |
15/01/2023 |
Board Member |
|
|
Ercus Stewart |
16/01/2018 |
15/01/2023 |
Board Member |