Jack Chambers
Ceist:2340. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her Department's expenditure on external consultancy in 2017 and to date in 2018. [34259/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraDepartmental Expenditure
Ceisteanna (2340)
Freagraí scríofa
My Department spent €1,241,312 on external consultancies in 2017 and has incurred a cost of €514,255 in 2018 to date.
My Department engages a wide variety of professional services to provide advice within a particular field of expertise where such expertise is not readily available within my Department. This ranges from archaeology services to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes to ICT related professional services, such as web design and maintenance. Other areas include graphic design, copy editing, proof reading, audit and HR related services such as learning & development supports. These figures do not include details of legal opinions or advices received as they are not defined as consultants.
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (2341)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:2341. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the detail of each non-Civil Service appointment that has been made in her Department; the pay grade of each appointment; and the relevant qualifications that each appointee has for their position. [34276/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I have appointed two special advisers and two civilian drivers in my Department. The appointments have been made in accordance with instructions for ministerial appointments as published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. These instructions set specific conditions to be met in respect of such appointments including the salaries to be applied. In accordance with these instructions, both my special advisers have been placed on the principal officer standard scale - PPC and are both currently on the fifth point of this scale - €98,391 and my civilian drivers are both on an annual salary of €34,305.
I am satisfied that all of the persons appointed by me are appropriately qualified to carry out their official functions.
Question No. 2342 answered with Question No. 2338.
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (2343)
Jack Chambers
Ceist:2343. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of full-time equivalent press officers employed by her Department and her personally. [34310/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department does not have a designated press officer or stand-alone press office.
One of my appointed special advisors, Mr Jerry O'Connor, has special responsibility for communications. Mr O'Connor took up the role after my appointment in mid 2016.
There are currently two civil servants in my Department who typically service the day-to-day press office requirements of my Department's communications and corporate governance unit.
Departmental Contracts
Ceisteanna (2344)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2344. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the contracts awarded by her Department to a company (details supplied) in each of the past three years; the value of these contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34354/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can confirm that my Department has had no contracts with the company in question in period concerned.
Child Care Costs
Ceisteanna (2345)
Bobby Aylward
Ceist:2345. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that there is parity in the cost of childcare for working parents versus the cost of childcare for non-working parents in terms of state subventions; the steps being taken to achieve parity in the cost of childcare for working parents versus the cost of childcare for non-working parents; her plans to raise the State subvention to better assist working parents in meeting the significant costs of childcare thus allowing them to remain in the workplace during the early years of childhood; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34459/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I empathise with parents on the issue of childcare costs and I understand that this can create significant challenges for all families. Ensuring access to high quality, affordable childcare has been a key priority for me since becoming Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and whilst much has been achieved in this regard, there is still a long way to go to transform the Irish childcare sector from one of the most expensive in the world to one of the best.
The roots of this issue lie in the chronic underinvestment in childcare over the past number of decades. Over the last three budgets (2016, 2017 and 2018), this Government has acted to address this by increasing investment in childcare by nearly 80%. However, sustained investment is needed to build the kind of childcare infrastructure needed to sustain growth in the economy.
The childcare subsidies currently available to all families can be broadly categorised into two categories; universal supports and targeted supports.
The universal Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme is available to all children regardless of their parents' employment status.
ECCE operates over a 38 week programme year from the beginning of September to the end of June. From September 2018, all children meeting the minimum age requirement of two years and eight months will be eligible for a full two programme years on the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE), meaning a total of 76 weeks of the scheme is available to every child, free of charge.
The non means-tested subsidy of up to €1,040 per year for children under three years introduced last September is also a universal scheme and provides an important first step towards lowering the cost of childcare for working families and those wishing to return to employment. This subsidy equates to six week's free childcare based on the national average and one month in the capital where childcare costs are higher. As 20 July, the families of more than 38,000 children had benefitted from this new measure.
It is also important that we support families to return to work by subsidising the cost of childcare for families who are earning low incomes and individuals who are engaged in training to upskill and re-join the workforce. Enhanced subsidies of up to €145 per week for children up to the age of 15 are available for families that need it most and as of 20 July more than 40,000 children have registered for these enhanced targeted subsidies.
We are also making progress on the development of the new affordable childcare scheme; which will amalgamate the above supports into a single, easy to use system which will provide both universal and targeted supports.
To enable this, childcare support has been enshrined in primary legislation for the first time. There will be a clear legal entitlement to financial support for childcare costs, benefiting generations of families to come. The Childcare Support Act was signed by President Higgins last month, having received widespread, cross-party support.
The contract to build the IT system which will deliver the scheme has been awarded to Codec, following a rigorous public procurement process. The IT system is a central element of the ACS as it will allow people to apply online for a childcare subsidy, and in the vast majority of cases, be automatically assessed and approved in a timely, user-friendly way. The system will be developed by Codec, working in close collaboration with my Department and Pobal, who will act as the scheme administrator.
Once launched, the ACS will provide financial support to help reduce the cost of childcare for parents. Through this financial support, the scheme aims to improve access; assist families to return to work and training; reduce child poverty; and improve outcomes for children.
The ACS should impact positively on supporting all parents. By providing financial assistance towards the cost of childcare and by moving towards an income-based system for subsidies, the ACS will contribute to supporting child development as well as employment and labour market participation nationally. Similarly, an important policy objective of the ACS is to support increased female labour market participation. As such, it is intended to have a positive impact on gender equality with reference to labour market participation and employment opportunities.
Further I would mention that I have commissioned experts to look at what the real cost of delivering childcare is so that the Government can be better informed of what appropriate fees are, and the level of funding that is required to subsidise fees for parents. The independent review of the cost of delivering quality childcare, which is currently being carried out by a specialist company, Crowe, represents a key milestone in the on-going reformation of childcare in Ireland. It offers a unique opportunity to revisit the approach to, and the levels of childcare funding.
Although my Department has been successful in securing additional funding for this sector over the past three budgets, as outlined above, it is acknowledged that much more must be done if we are truly to have affordable, accessible, quality childcare and continue to improve both the affordability and quality of childcare.
To this end I will continue to engage with Government colleagues with a view to securing additional investment for the childcare sector in future budgets to build the childcare infrastructure needed to sustain the economy and support families in Ireland.
Child Protection Services Provision
Ceisteanna (2346)
Thomas P. Broughan
Ceist:2346. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of child protection cases reported to Tusla that have yet to be investigated or assigned a social worker; the length of time since the reporting of the cases by periods (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34534/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Data on the number of child protection and welfare cases awaiting allocation of a social worker by time band is not collated by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in the format requested by the Deputy. The most recent data available to my Department was reported by Tusla for the end of the first quarter of 2018. However, data was only available for 4,185 of the 4,689 cases awaiting the allocation of a social worker.
It should be noted an unallocated case relates to a case about a child that requires a social work response, but has not yet been allocated to a social worker. These cases are monitored and may be further progressed by the duty team. This can include checks with relevant professionals, home visits and gathering additional information. It is important to stress that urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
I am continuing to engage with the Tusla Board and Senior Management Team to monitor and review progress in reducing the number of unallocated cases and the waiting time for the allocation of a social worker to a case assessed as requiring a social work service.
Number of Cases Awaiting Allocation in Time Bands (March 2018)*
|
Area |
< 1 Week |
1-2 Weeks |
2-3 Weeks |
3-4 Weeks |
1-2 Months |
2-3 Months |
> 3 Months |
|
Total |
126 |
421 |
248 |
565 |
534 |
395 |
1,896 |
*Notes: 1) Cases of Retrospective Abuse not included; 2) Number awaiting in time bands is not available from Donegal, Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan and Waterford/Wexford
Community Childcare Subvention Programme
Ceisteanna (2347)
Denise Mitchell
Ceist:2347. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the estimated additional cost in 2019 of increasing the universal minimum subsidy across the proposed affordable childcare scheme assuming the minimum target subsidy is increased in tandem, in 50 cent intervals up to an additional €4.50 reaching €5.00, assuming a start date of September; the estimated cost for a full year; and the number of children that would benefit. [34544/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The current universal minimum childcare subsidy available through the Community Childcare Subvention – Universal Programme (CCSU) stands at a rate of €0.50 per hour up to a maximum of 40 hours per week.
The total cost of the CCSU programme for the 2017/2018 programme year is forecasted to be in the region of €18.75 million (based on current outturn and current registrations).
The following table shows the estimated full year cost of increasing the universal subsidy by of €0.50.
|
Hourly Subsidy |
Increase in Annual Cost |
Annual Programme Cost |
|
€0.50 |
n/a |
€18.75 million |
|
€1.00 |
€18.75 million |
€37.5 million |
|
€1.50 |
€37.5 million |
€56.25 million |
|
€2.00 |
€56.25 million |
€75.00 million |
|
€2.50 |
€75.00 million |
€93.74 million |
|
€3.00 |
€93.74 million |
€112.5 million |
|
€3.50 |
€112.5 million |
€131.24 million |
|
€4.00 |
€131.24 million |
€150.00 million |
|
€4.50 |
€150.00 million |
€168.74 million |
|
€5.00 |
€168.74 million |
€187.49 million |
In the 2017/2018 academic year 38,045 children benefited from the CCSU programme; with the average monthly full-time attendance equating to 21,000 children.
Departmental Staff Recruitment
Ceisteanna (2348)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:2348. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of extra employees to be hired in her Department between now and March 2019 to prepare for a hard Brexit; the specific roles these new employees will take up; the estimated cost of hiring these new employees; the impacts on her Department's expenditure ceilings for 2018 and 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34658/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Given the limited impact of Brexit on my Department, there is not the requirement for additional resources within my Department to prepare for a hard Brexit. However, my Department continues to engage with all relevant structures and communication channels – co-ordinated by the Department of An Taoiseach.
Departmental Staff Data
Ceisteanna (2349)
Barry Cowen
Ceist:2349. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of unfilled vacancies in her Department; the time these vacancies have been open from when the roles were first advertised to date for each vacancy or group of vacancies; the number of unfilled vacancies in each agency under her remit; the time these vacancies have been open from when the roles were first advertised to date for each vacancy or group of vacancies; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34676/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
From time to time, generalist vacancies may arise in my Department which are filled through generalist competitions run by the Public Appointments Service, through internal promotion competitions, or, if the situation allows, by other suitable means such as by re-allocating existing internal resources or by staff returning from long-term leave or secondment. The generalist vacancies which arise in my Department are therefore not typically advertised for filling by my Department, as such.
Some specialist posts may arise from time to time - these are filled through specialist competitions held by PAS or by other suitable means. The filling of posts in specialist areas tends to involve a longer lead-in time.
10 posts are actively being filled in my Department at present. In 8 of these cases, the posts are generalist in nature and the vacancies arose for filling within the last three months. In the other two cases, the posts are in specialist fields. Those vacancies arose for filling in late 2017.
The information sought by the Deputy in respect of agencies under the remit of the Department has been forward to those bodies for direct response to the Deputy.
The following referred reply was received under Standing Order 42A.
The Adoption Authority of Ireland
All posts in the Adoption Authority are currently filled.
EU Directives
Ceisteanna (2350)
Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:2350. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of the EU directives that fall under her remit not yet transposed into law; the deadline imposed by the EU for the transposition of same; and the estimated date for the transposition of those directives into law. [34704/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I can inform the Deputy, there are no EU directives as referred to in the question under my Department's remit.
Family Resource Centres
Ceisteanna (2351)
Róisín Shortall
Ceist:2351. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 333 of 5 July 2018, the specific funding allocation for each of the centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34833/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As previously outlined to the Deputy, 11 new Family Resource Centres are being added to the Family Resource Centre Programme in 2018. The Programme is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency. Centres were selected for inclusion by Tusla following an assessment process conducted by the Agency.
Tusla has advised that local implementation teams have been established in each of the areas in which the new Family Resource Centres are situated. Each implementation teams comprises a representative from:
- Tusla management in the area in which the Family Resource Centre is situated,
- the regional support agency for Family Resource Centres in the region,
- the new Family Resource Centre.
The teams have been tasked by Tusla to produce an implementation plan to enable the establishment of the new centres.
The majority of the implementation plans have been received as completed. It is expected that all implementation plans will be completed shortly.
Tusla has advised that each new Centre will receive a funding allocation of €80,000 in August, which reflects six months funding.
The 11 new Family Resource Centres are planned to be fully operational in Quarter 4, 2018.
Child Care Services Regulation
Ceisteanna (2352)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:2352. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 481 of 3 July 2018, her views on whether HIQA should be awarded the power to enforce its recommendations on foster care and child protection services. [34907/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
HIQA plays a vital role in ensuring that standards and regulatory requirements - across all domains of the wider health family, including social care services for children - are being met and its independence in this regard is one of its key strengths.
HIQA has recently submitted its report and recommendations arising from a statutory investigation into Tusla's management of child abuse referrals which it undertook at my request. One of the recommendations made was that my Department, with the assistance of HIQA, would undertake an international review of best practice in the regulation of children's social services in order to inform the development of a regulatory framework for these services in Ireland. This work is commencing, and the findings of the review will inform the policy direction for the regulation of children's preventative and protective services provided in the community. It is not my intention to pre-judge the findings of this review. I look forward to working closely with HIQA in developing this work towards improved outcomes for vulnerable children and their families.
Social Workers Recruitment
Ceisteanna (2353)
Anne Rabbitte
Ceist:2353. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of efforts to recruit additional social care workers and additional administrative staff to assist social care workers. [34908/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your written parliamentary question (ref: 34908/18, 24 July 2018);
To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of efforts to recruit additional social care workers and additional administrative staff to assist social care workers.
As advised in my response on 23 July, my officials requested the information you were seeking from Tusla.
For 2018 Tusla has a recruitment target of an additional 117 Social Care Workers and 162 Clerical/Admin staff. Tusla has advised me that a national recruitment campaign for Social Care Workers was organised in 2017 which provided an extensive recruitment panel and talent pool from which newly funded and vacant positions are filled on an ongoing basis. Tusla will continue to appoint from this panel for positions identified in Q3 and Q4 2018.
I understand that there is also a bespoke campaign with an ongoing recruitment drive for Social Care Workers in Special Care. Recruitment Panels are formed from successful applicants and vacancies are filled through this recruitment campaign for more difficult to fill special care settings.
With regard to clerical/admin recruitment specifically, Tusla has advised that panels are in place from which appointments will be made on an ongoing basis.
Furthermore, Tusla is developing a Multi-annual Strategic Workforce Plan to identify the future composition of Tusla’s workforce for 2019 and beyond. This Plan will support the delivery of Tusla’s priorities and encompass a range of activities aimed at addressing Tusla’s short, medium and long term needs and managing the challenges Tusla faces recruiting and retaining certain key grades.
The Multi-annual Strategic Workforce Plan will also seek to deliver on a strategic focus for Tusla with a gradual transition to multi-disciplinary teams. The multi-disciplinary teams will look to consist of the optimum mix of skills across social work, social care, therapeutic staff, family support, education welfare and administrative support. This transition will have a significant and a positive impact on how the workload is distributed within the teams with appropriate assignment of tasks.
Affordable Childcare Scheme
Ceisteanna (2354)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:2354. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when further details of the new affordable childcare scheme will be made available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35120/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The development of the affordable childcare scheme is a core component in delivering a childcare infrastructure that provides access to quality, affordable childcare to families throughout Ireland.
Bearing this in mind, I am delighted to report that good progress is being made by officials at my Department in developing the various elements of the scheme in preparation for its launch.
This development involves intensive work across legislative, ICT, administrative, governance and communications areas.
With regard to the legislation establishing the new affordable childcare scheme, the Childcare Support Act 2018 was signed by the President on Monday, 2 July. The Act will be underpinned by detailed secondary legislation and formal policy guidelines. Work is currently ongoing on both of these and also on the development of regulations to provide, for the first time, for the registration of school-age childcare services by the Tusla early years inspectorate. These latter regulations will be introduced in advance of the Affordable Childcare Scheme to allow school-age childcare services to register and thereby participate in the scheme from its inception.
With regard to the ICT system to underpin the scheme, my Department has just concluded a full open tender public procurement process and I have awarded a contract for the development of the system. The launch of the scheme is dependent on this ICT system. As such, now that a contractor is in place, my officials are finalising a detailed project plan and I will shortly confirm and communicate a planned start date for the affordable childcare scheme.
In the meantime, as of 20 July, the families of more than 80,000 children have availed of the universal and targeted childcare subsidies introduced last September to reduce the cost of childcare. More than 38,000 children have been registered for the new, non means tested subsidy of up to €1,040 per year for children under three; representing a saving of between four to six week's full time childcare cost, depending on which part of the country families live. These supports will remain in place until the full launch of the affordable childcare scheme.
Information on childcare schemes is currently available at www.affordablechildcare.ie
My Department is committed to delivering a national communications campaign for parents and providers in advance of the launch of the affordable childcare scheme.
Child Care Services Funding
Ceisteanna (2355)
Brendan Smith
Ceist:2355. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase the level of childcare subvention and universal subsidy payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35121/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
From September 2018, the ECCE capitation rates will increase by 7%. The increase in capitation is targeted at increasing the quality of care and education provided through ECCE and, in particular, supporting the recruitment and retention of high quality staff. The increased capitation will contribute to the enhancement of the three hour ECCE provision accessed by children.
Further, in recent years, I have undertaken to secure investment in key childcare areas, focusing investment at each stage on different elements of early years care and education. The new measures announced in Budget 2018 form part of a trend in continued growth in early years investment; in Budget 2017 I secured a 35% increase in childcare funding, with a similar 35% increase in Budget 2016.
The increase in supports I announced in April 2017 for the 2017/2018 programme year represented a major step towards accessible affordable quality childcare after decades of neglect and under-investment by successive Governments. These increases reflect my ambition to support quality childcare services with appropriately supported staff.
These increases were considerable, up to 50% in the targeted subsidies, which significantly decreases the amount of payment required of low income families or parents in education or training. I also introduced a universal subsidy worth up to €1,040 per year, this subsidy targeted children not yet in the free pre-school year.
These changes are key towards our goal to deliver genuine affordable, accessible, quality childcare.
My Department is also progressing with the wider Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) Project. This requires robust IT systems and an appropriate legal and legislative grounding. We must ensure that the new system is fit for purpose for years to come.
The increase in the targeted subsidies as part of the "September Measures" in September 2017 are with the intention to come in line with the funding levels expected of the new ACS. As this scheme is still in the development phase, subsidy rates for all targeted childcare programmes will remain at the same level for the upcoming 2018/2019 programme year and there are no further plans to increase these subsidies before the ACS is finalised and launched.
Regulatory Impact Assessments
Ceisteanna (2356)
Billy Kelleher
Ceist:2356. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the details of proposals (details supplied) over the 2011 to 2018 period on an annual basis in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35136/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Please see response in following table.
|
Year of Legislative Proposal (General Scheme) |
Name of legislative proposal |
Name of subsequent Bill |
Underwent RIA |
RIA Published |
|
2018 |
Revised General Scheme of the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2018 |
Currently in drafting |
Yes |
No |
|
2017 |
General Scheme of the Child Care(Amendment) Bill 2017 |
As above |
Yes |
No |
|
2017 |
Affordable Childcare Scheme Heads of Bill and General Scheme 2017 |
Childcare Support Bill 2017 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
2015 |
Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill - General Scheme and Heads of Bill 2015 |
Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill 2016 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
2014 |
General Scheme and Heads of Aftercare Bill 2014 |
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2015 |
Yes |
No |
|
2013 |
General Scheme and Heads of Bill - Children First Bill 2013 |
Children First Bill 2015 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
2013 |
General Scheme of Children (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
Children (Amendment) Bill 2015 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
2013 |
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
No |
No |
|
2013 |
Inter-Country Adoption from non-Hague Conventions 2013 |
Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2013 |
No |
No |
|
2012 |
General Scheme of Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2012 |
Adoption (Amendment) Bill 2016 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
2012 |
General Scheme and Heads - Child and Family Support Agency Bill 2012 |
Child and Family Agency Bill 2013 |
Yes |
Yes |
|
2012 |
Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012 |
Thirty-First Amendment of the Constitution (Children) Bill 2012 |
No |
No |
|
Year |
Total Legislative Proposals |
Underwent RIA |
Did not under go RIA |
RIA Published |
RIA Not Published |
|
2018 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
2017 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
2015 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
|
2014 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
|
2013 |
4 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
|
2012 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
|
Total |
12 |
9 |
3 |
6 |
3 |
Capital Expenditure Programme
Ceisteanna (2357)
Brendan Howlin
Ceist:2357. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the breakdown by project for the capital allocation of €28 million in 2018 to her Vote group; the breakdown by project for the proposed allocation of €32 million in 2019; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35278/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The National Development Plan sets out the Government`s capital investment priorities that will underpin the new National Planning Framework. My Department has been allocated €156 million in capital expenditure over the period 2018-2022. This includes the provision of €28 million for 2018 and €32 million for 2019.
The €28 million allocation for 2018 is being deployed to support the following:
- €6.7 million towards the early years and school age capital grants scheme to facilitate expanding and improving early years and school age facilities by childcare providers.
- €3.0 million towards the youth capital funding scheme to support targeted staff-led youth projects across the country and a capital grant scheme for play and recreation to support new and existing play and recreation amenities for children and young people.
- €13.9 million for Tusla to meet existing contractual commitments such as the completion of the roll-out of the National Child Care Information System and to commence new projects including the roll-out of the first phase of the agency`s ICT strategy, commence refurbishment of front-line services facilities and staff accommodation and a programme of minor capital works.
- €4.2 million for a range of remedial and improvements works at the Oberstown Children Detention Campus.
The allocation of 2019 capital funding across the various programme areas of my Department will be be considered in the context of the budget/estimates process for next year. However, at this stage I can confirm to the Deputy that the resources will support continued investment in the following areas:
- Childcare, to ensure quality and supply of sufficient childcare places.
- Youth services that support and target disadvantaged young people and improve their employability.
- Tusla, through the continued development of ICT and standards of accommodation, and
- Oberstown Children Detention Campus through the provision of safe and secure places.
Consultancy Contracts Expenditure
Ceisteanna (2358)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:2358. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35378/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
My Department is compiling the information requested and will respond directly to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I refer to your written parliamentary question (ref.35378/18) of 24 July.
“To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if she will make a statement on the matter.”
In my reply, I advised that my Department was compiling this information and I would like to apologise that it has taken this long to respond. A spreadsheet outlining this information is enclosed. However it should be noted that hourly rates do not apply in most of these contracts.
A wide variety of professional services have been engaged by my Department to provide advice within a particular field of expertise where such expertise is not readily available within the Department itself over these years. This ranges from archaeology consultants working to the Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes, to undertaking reviews, providing reports and assisting the drafting of strategy across the Department.
These figures do not include details of legal opinions or advices, or the provision of professional ICT related services, such as web design and maintenance. Other areas not included are for graphic design, copy editing, proof reading, audit and HR related services such as learning & development supports which are regarded as a service and are no longer defined as a consultancy.
|
Company Name |
Details of Payment |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
Total VAT incl. |
|
MKC Communications |
Service to assist with Information and Communications Initiatives |
€32,350 |
€32,350 |
|||||
|
Behaviours and Attitudes Ltd |
Report Writing |
€103,012 |
€103,012 |
|||||
|
Olivia Mc Evoy (Cnag ar an Doras) |
Consultations |
€20,000 |
€6,150 |
€26,150 |
||||
|
Dr Ursula Kilkelly (UCC) |
Short literature review and draft policy paper / Scoping Hub and Database Development |
€6,215 |
€20,890 |
€27,105 |
||||
|
Angela O'Connell (Anam Cara) |
Survey |
€5,300 |
€5,300 |
|||||
|
Brenda Dooley |
Consultant on Interview Board |
€521 |
€521 |
|||||
|
John Malone |
Consultant on Interview Board / Process Auditor |
€500 |
€5,600 |
€8,920 |
€6,150 |
€21,170 |
||
|
Cnag ar an Doras |
Project Consultations / Management |
€5,500 |
€29,322 |
€17,220 |
€52,042 |
|||
|
Satya Brink |
GUI External Advisor |
€34,965 |
€19,050 |
€19,088 |
€14,184 |
€19,499 |
€22,933 |
€129,719 |
|
Anne Sanson |
GUI External Advisor |
€28,323 |
€6,076 |
€16,528 |
€5,356 |
€3,942 |
€18,524 |
€78,749 |
|
HV McElfatrick |
Investigation |
€3,557 |
€3,557 |
|||||
|
Thomas McGuinness |
Review of Rosters |
€6,716 |
€6,716 |
|||||
|
JJ Campbell & Associates |
Damage Report / Engineering Consultancy |
€7,667 |
€2,419 |
€10,086 |
||||
|
Janet Hughes |
Adjudicator / Chair Industrial Relations Forum |
€2,276 |
€2,276 |
|||||
|
Mazars |
Strategic Human Resources Review of DCYA / Consultancy on Establishment of CFA (Tusla) / CCS Review / Prof. services provided re: Development of LGBTI + National Youth Strategy |
€222,516 |
€16,605 |
€116,425 |
€355,546 |
|||
|
Prof. Trevor Spratt, Trinity College |
expert advice on drafting policy |
€1,476 |
€1,476 |
|||||
|
The Wheel |
Information on funding for training event |
€400 |
€400 |
|||||
|
UCD |
Report Writing |
€7,915 |
€7,915 |
|||||
|
Carmel Corrigan |
Report Writing |
€4,000 |
€4,000 |
|||||
|
Eamon Doyle Associates Consulting Engineers |
Meetings on site works |
€1,445 |
€1,445 |
|||||
|
Lisney Ltd |
Land Valuation Report |
€2,152 |
€2,152 |
|||||
|
Peter Smyth Consultancy Services |
Procurement Advisor |
€10,332 |
€6,458 |
€9,902 |
€26,691 |
|||
|
Gerard Barry |
IR consultancy for establishment of CFA (Tusla) |
€10,440 |
€10,440 |
|||||
|
Pat O'Brien Safety Ltd |
Health and Safety Audit |
€732 |
€732 |
|||||
|
Nick Frost, Leeds Metropolitan University, UK |
draft policy statement |
€961 |
€961 |
|||||
|
UCC |
testing / report writing |
€23,259 |
€19,877 |
€43,136 |
||||
|
Sandra Roe |
Report Writing |
€14,800 |
€4,000 |
€18,800 |
||||
|
Dermot O'Brien |
Facilitator / Development Strategy costs |
€2,878 |
€2,194 |
€5,072 |
||||
|
National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) |
development strategy costs |
€2,995 |
€2,995 |
|||||
|
Educative |
development strategy costs |
€1,600 |
€1,600 |
|||||
|
Centre for Effective Services |
consultation / development strategy costs / funding report |
€80,000 |
€80,000 |
€160,000 |
||||
|
UCL Consulting (Ingrid Schoon) |
GUI Study Team Advisor |
€13,618 |
€2,461 |
€16,256 |
€32,335 |
|||
|
John Brynner |
GUI Study Team Advisor / Strategic Review |
€12,055 |
€2,461 |
€49,201 |
€63,717 |
|||
|
Imelda Coyne |
EYPP |
€23,865 |
€23,865 |
|||||
|
IT Executive Focus |
Review and report of ICT |
€34,379 |
€174,008 |
€208,387 |
||||
|
Mandy Johnston |
Communications advise on revised Sept 2017 plans |
€4,750 |
€4,750 |
|||||
|
Marino Institute of Education |
Report Writing |
€4,601 |
€4,601 |
|||||
|
Middlequarter |
Review of NQS Framework |
€30,904 |
€14,491 |
€45,395 |
||||
|
Beaumont Hospital |
Risk Assessment & Report |
€300 |
€300 |
|||||
|
Tom Beegan & Associates |
Evaluation of services |
€6,150 |
€12,300 |
€18,450 |
||||
|
Brian Harvey Social Research |
Landscape Study for Quality Capacity Building Initiative (QCBI) |
€11,070 |
€11,070 |
€22,140 |
||||
|
Dr. Nelleke Bakker |
Report Writing |
€5,536 |
€5,536 |
|||||
|
Glasgow Caledonian University |
Research |
€7,270 |
€7,270 |
|||||
|
Malayo Ltd |
Consultancy |
€61,916 |
€18,958 |
€80,874 |
||||
|
Paul Harrison |
Research |
€6,600 |
€6,600 |
|||||
|
James Gallen |
Advice and Documents prepared |
€4,950 |
€4,950 |
|||||
|
Aidan Harte T/A Munster Archeology |
Consultancy |
€26,915 |
€26,915 |
|||||
|
Linda Lynch |
Consultancy |
€15,343 |
€15,343 |
|||||
|
Dan Mulvihill & Assoc. Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Civil Engineer Report |
€5,535 |
€5,535 |
|||||
|
Shorecontrol Safety |
Health and Safety Report |
€554 |
€554 |
|||||
|
Dr. Brian Farrell |
Consultancy |
€4,500 |
€4,500 |
|||||
|
Paul Snell |
Consultancy and Desktop Review |
€13,531 |
€13,531 |
|||||
|
NJN Consulting |
Assessment of appointment |
€938 |
€938 |
|||||
|
Downes Associates |
Report on fire damage |
€7,933 |
€7,933 |
|||||
|
Michael Little |
consultations re mainstreaming Learning |
€4,406 |
€4,406 |
|||||
|
Naomi Eisenstadt |
consultations re mainstreaming ABC Learning |
€1,442 |
€1,442 |
|||||
|
Noel Fitzgerald |
Early Years Operations |
€900 |
€900 |
|||||
|
Dara Dooge |
Consultancy |
€11,200 |
€11,200 |
|||||
|
Darragh Buckley |
Consultancy |
€13,300 |
€13,300 |
|||||
|
Kathleen C O'Flaherty |
Consultancy |
€7,613 |
€7,613 |
|||||
|
Monsignor Gordon F Read |
Report |
€1,158 |
€1,158 |
|||||
|
Niamh Malone |
Consultancy |
€1,800 |
€1,800 |
|||||
|
OSC Consulting Engineers Ltd |
Consultancy re sub-surface investigation |
€7,736 |
€7,736 |
|||||
|
BeLongTo |
Consultation Support |
€8,650 |
€8,650 |
|||||
|
Deirdre Fullerton - Insights |
Consultation Report LGBT |
€15,950 |
€15,950 |
|||||
|
SpunOut.ie |
Survey Incentive and Online Consultation |
€6,512 |
€6,512 |
|||||
|
Trinity College Dublin |
Report on process of Consultations |
€5,855 |
€5,855 |
|||||
|
Total per year |
€238,698 |
€310,943 |
€114,632 |
€208,925 |
€330,388 |
€641,554 |
€1,845,141 |
Departmental Legal Services
Ceisteanna (2359)
Richard Boyd Barrett
Ceist:2359. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount paid for external legal services in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35392/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The information requested in respect of the expenditure incurred by my Department on external legal services in the period 2012 to 2017 is currently being collated and will be forwarded to the Deputy when available in the near future.