Written Answers Nos. 18-40
18. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will report on the developments related to the working group seeking to streamline children’s access to mental health services here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52228/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Working Group referred to by the Deputy held its inaugural meeting on 19th January 2018. The group is co-chaired by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs and the Department of Health.
The group is made up of senior officials from both Departments with representatives from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency and the Health Service Executive.
The key objective of the working group is to examine psychological and mental health services for children and young people with the aim of agreeing a clear continuum of provision and strengthening alignment between providers.
In order to secure the best possible output it is essential to establish complete and up-to-date information on current provision. My officials have been working with Tusla to establish greater clarity around existing service availability and provision, with a view to ensuring that all respective inputs from the agencies provide a comprehensive overview of provision in this area.
Under the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013 Tusla has responsibility for services relating to the psychological welfare of children and families but not for more acute services focusing on complex developmental issues and disabilities and more severe mental health problems. Community-based psychological services are delivered by the HSE with financial support from Tusla.
Tusla also deliver specific psychological services through the Assessment Consultation Therapy Service (ACTS). ACTS provides multidisciplinary consultation, assessment and focused interventions to young people with complex needs.
Tusla and the HSE have in place both a Memorandum of Understanding and a Joint Protocol for inter-agency collaboration among the two organisations. Discussions are ongoing between the two organisations to ensure collaboration is effective and sustained.
A key initiative that will further inform the work of the group is the Youth Mental Health Pathfinder Project, being established by the Department of Health. Progress in this area, aligned to a clear overview of existing provision and proposed plans from the agencies will identify gaps in provision, areas for alignment and areas for further development.
My Department will, in conjunction with the Department of Health, and with colleagues in our respective agencies, continue to collaborate with the aim of ensuring aligned and accessible service provision.
19. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the costs associated with her most recent visit to New York; the meetings she attended over the three days; and if those meetings were related to her brief as Minister. [52442/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI participated in events in my role as Minister of the Government and also as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs.
There were three speeches at the United Nations. First to mark a centenary of Irish women’s suffrage with the President of the General Assembly. Poet Eavan Boland and international representatives recited a poem during the celebrations.
I addressed the Security Council on “Cooperation between the UN and regional and sub-regional organisations: the role of States, regional arrangements and the United Nations in the prevention and resolution of conflicts”.
Along with the Secretary General of the United Nations, I participated in a high-level Pledging Event on the UN Central Emergency Response Fund, reaffirming Ireland’s commitment with €10million annually for the next three years.
There were also bilateral meetings as part of our campaign to become a member of the Security Council.
In addition I met members of our diaspora who are survivors and relatives of survivors of the Mother and Baby Homes.
In a further meeting the Irish American artistic community discussed the role of the arts in truth telling, particularly in respect of our past.
I attended a meeting with Professor Jeffrey Sachs, Special Advisor the Secretary General of the United Nations on the Sustainable Development Goals. This meeting was a follow-up to a workshop I hosted in Dublin on tackling child poverty.
There was a very welcome opportunity to address 100 young Irish people now living in New York. Many recently arrived and spoke of challenges they face. It was also reassuring to experience the support offered to them by our consulate in New York.
At present, the only cost paid is for the flights which comes to a total of €2291.12 for four people.
20. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of new ECCE places created nationally, and specifically in Ballincollig, County Cork, as part of the 2018 early years and school age capital programmes announced in June 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52467/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe results of the 2018 Early Years and School Age Capital programmes were announced in June 2018, with successful applicants entering into contract as soon thereafter as possible.
The budget for the 2018 capital programmes was set at €6.86m, and this was delivered under five strands. These allowed for the creation of new early years places, the creation of new school age places, the essential maintenance and repair of community services and the creation of new natural outdoor play areas in early years services.
As the Deputy may be aware, Early Years Capital funding may be used to create either 0-3 places or ECCE places, while School Age Capital funding may be used to create school age childcare places.
I am pleased to say that this year's funding saw applications approved for the creation of 2,757 new childcare places nationwide. This included the approval of 85 applications for 1,950 new early years places, 697 places for children under 3, and 1,253 ECCE places, and 45 applications for the creation of 807 new school age places.
Pobal has indicated that for Cork county, 4 applications were approved for the creation of 46 new childcare places: 13 ECCE places and 33 school age places. None of these were registered as in Ballincollig.
It should be noted that the capital programmes were particularly competitive this year, and many high quality applications did not ultimately receive an offer of funding. I hope to announce my plans for 2019 capital funding very early in the new year.
Finally, it should be noted that the capital programmes have not yet fully concluded and thus the figures mentioned are provisional, based on approved funding.
21. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her role in the family reunification process; and if her attention has been drawn to the stress and anxiety caused to certain children due to time delays and inefficiency of the process. [52429/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her question. I do not have a role in the family reunification process. Family reunification falls under the policy remit of my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
A separated child seeking asylum may make an application for reunification with family members, depending on the circumstances of their arrival and their status in Ireland. Where the family are already in Ireland, the UK or EU, Tusla will work with the separated child seeking asylum, where it is deemed in their interest, to reunify that child with their family as soon as possible. Children arriving through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, and who have their status approved prior to, or within a short period of arrival, are in a position to apply for their family to come to Ireland. Decisions about such applications are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
A child seeking asylum who arrives at a point of entry unaccompanied by parents or guardians is taken into the care of Tusla and it is required that their leave to remain status is established before they can apply for family to join them in Ireland. The possibility of family reunification is considered as part of a detailed needs assessment process carried out when a child comes into the care of Tusla. Not all young persons are in a position to make an informed application for international protection on arrival; some are deeply traumatised from their experiences. They need a period of stability and care before being supported in making their application for residency. Some young people may need medical or psychological supports on arrival, and some may need educational supports and intensive social work support in order to prepare them for making the application.
I am aware that the process of applying for asylum, and applying for family reunification where eligible, can be difficult, and in some cases stressful. Every separated child seeking asylum has an allocated social worker, who works with the child to prepare them for the application process, and to secure supports for the child in line with their needs and best interests.
All factors, including potential for family reunification, and reunification with a guardian, are considered by the social worker when evaluating the right time to make an application with a young person. Child-centred practice requires that the individual needs and circumstances of the child/young person, as well as their opinion, are taken into account. In the main, it is on this basis that decisions about the timing of applications is made.
22. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress being made to identify cases of illegal or incorrect adoption registrations; the steps taken to inform the person identified as being illegally or incorrectly registered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52312/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFollowing the discovery by Tusla of evidence of illegal birth registrations in the St. Patrick's Guild files, I initiated a review of adoption records to determine if similar evidence of illegal registration could be identified from the records of other former adoption agencies and other relevant bodies.
A targeted review of adoption records in the custody of the State (i.e. in the custody of Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland) is being carried out in the first instance owing to the volume of files involved. This review will provide information to assist me to reach a decision about what, if any, subsequent action might be established to identify more fully the scale of illegal registration. It is not possible at this stage to anticipate the type of information that will emerge from the review. Given the sensitive personal data contained in the files, data protection and GDPR issues have arisen, which have delayed the review, but these have now been addressed and the final report of the review is expected to be submitted to me before Easter 2019.Regarding the illegal registrations identified in the St Patrick's Guild files, Tusla is continuing the process of notifying the subjects of illegal registration. Tusla social workers are supporting these individuals as they deal with the news that they are subjects of illegal registration. The information that an illegal birth registration has taken place is potentially life changing and the State has a responsibility to reach a high level of certainty that this has in fact happened before it contacts the individuals concerned. I am keeping the situation continuously under review.
23. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the affordable childcare scheme; and the further status of efforts to build an information technology infrastructure and make the scheme more accessible to parents using childminders. [52423/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra36. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the affordable childcare scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52395/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 23 and 36 together.
The Affordable Childcare Scheme is a radical new approach to how we deliver accessible, affordable, high quality early learning and care and school age childcare to families in Ireland. The scheme will open to applications in October 2019, with payments flowing from November 2019. Its launch will mark a milestone in our quest to transform Ireland's childcare system from one of the most expensive in the world into one of the best.
I am delighted to report that good progress continues to be made in the development of the legislative, administrative and ICT infrastructure for the scheme.
As you know, earlier this year, with wide cross party support, the Childcare Support Act 2018 was signed into law. Detailed secondary legislation and policy guidelines are now being prepared under the auspices of the Act.
I also hope to sign regulations in the coming weeks which will provide, for the first time, for the registration of school-age childcare services. This will allow these services to participate in the new scheme from the start. It also represents an important first step on the path to full regulation for school-age childcare services.
Our IT development contractor, Codec, is busy working with officials from DCYA and Pobal to develop the scheme's supporting IT system on schedule and in advance of the scheme's October launch.
A comprehensive awareness campaign for parents and the public will commence in the spring, alongside training and information supports for childcare providers and other key stakeholders.
I was delighted in Budget 2019 to have been able to enhance the originally proposed Affordable Childcare Scheme by raising the upper and lower income thresholds. More families will benefit as a result of these revised thresholds. The increase to the lower threshold to €26,000 now poverty proofs the scheme and the increase to the upper threshold to €60,000 net income also ensures that families earning up to €100,000 gross income may benefit from targeted subsidies.
Registration with Tusla will be a requirement for any childminder wishing to take part in the Affordable Childcare Scheme and, therefore, the widening of registration to more childminders will be necessary if parents who use childminders are to benefit from childcare subsidies.
I am committed to publishing a Childminding Action Plan in the near future. The Plan will contain short, medium and long term goals for the sector, setting out steps to move towards the wider regulation, support and professional development of childminders. In the short term, it will include actions to support already eligible childminders to register and participate in the Affordable Childcare Scheme.
Budget 2019 allocated €0.5m to create a team of Childminding Development Officers to support the registration of childminders with Tusla and to help them upskill to the required regulatory standards to be introduced in the coming years.
Recent developments for childminders include the opening of a bursary fund under the DCYA Learner Fund to support childminders to obtain a relevant NFQ Level 5 qualification, which is currently required for childminders to register with Tusla. It is anticipated that this financial support will incentivise more childminders eligible to register with Tusla to do so in advance of the introduction of the Affordable Childcare Scheme.
DCYA also currently provide childminding development grants of up to €1,000 for childminders who provide a home based childminding service. This grant can be applied for every 2 years to make modifications to the service or to purchase toys, educational material or equipment. To be eligible for the grant, a childminder must have completed the Quality Awareness Programme or Children First: Child Protection and Welfare training, and be voluntarily notified to their local City/County Childcare Committee or registered with Tusla.
24. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the steps she is taking to support stay-at-home parents; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52431/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to supporting parents in caring for young children at home in a range of ways.
Within the remit of my Department, a number of schemes provide support to parents whether they work full time, part time, or look after their children at home.
For example, from September of this year, all children are eligible to avail of two years of universal pre-school, without cost, through the Early Childhood Care and Education programme (ECCE) prior to beginning primary school. Some 114,000 children are expected to benefit, many of whom will be children of stay-at-home parents.
Furthermore the current targeted early learning and care subsidy schemes are available to families where parents are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, medical cards, or GP Visit cards, again many of whom are stay-at-home parents.
A universal subsidy is available to all parents of children under the age of three, or whenever the child becomes eligible for the universal preschool programme, regardless of whether parents are working outside the home or not. The Affordable Childcare Scheme, ACS, which is under development will make early learning and care subsidies available on the basis of family income and will be available to stay-at-home parents. This is underpinned by the Childcare Support Act 2018.
My Department also provides funding for local parent and toddler groups to organise activities for parents and young children in the community to support their development through play. Both working parents and stay-at-home parents participate.
More widely across Government, there are various initiatives that support stay-at-home parents. A child benefit payment of €140 per child per month is available for all children. Budget 2019 announced an increase to the home carer tax credit to €1,500 per year.
There has also been a number of new measures to support parents to spend time at home with children in their early years. Two weeks of paternity leave and benefit for fathers was introduced in 2016. In 2017, there was an extension to maternity leave and benefit to mothers of babies born prematurely. Budget 2019 also announced the introduction of a new parental leave scheme which will be available to both fathers and mothers.
My Department has recently led the development and publication of First 5: A Whole-of-Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families. The Strategy includes a range of measures to support families given the fundamental importance they play in shaping children’s outcomes. A copy of First 5 was recently circulated to all Deputies.
25. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the implementation of action 1.4 in the corporate plan of Tusla; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52424/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question is identical to Priority No. 1 (Dáil ref 1) answered on 13 Dec 2018, and therefore the answer is the same.
26. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the home school liaison programme will be expanded to non-DEIS schools; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52298/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy might be aware, both the DEIS programme and the Home School Community Liaison (HSCL) Scheme are initiatives of the Department of Education and Skills (DES). HSCL posts are allocated by the Department of Education and Skills to schools which are part of the DEIS programme.
I am informed by Tusla Educational Welfare Services that in 2017 the DES reviewed the DEIS programme and this resulted in 16 additional HSCL posts being allocated to schools that were included following that review.
Responsibility for the services formerly provided by the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB) rests with the Tusla Educational Welfare Services. However, it should be noted that all HSCL staff are employees of their schools and any extension of the HSCL scheme is a matter for the Minister of Education and Skills.
My Department works closely with the Department of Education and Skills on such issues. One recent development has involved the allocation by the Department of Educational and Skills of additional resources in the form of Home School Community Liaison staff to work on a pilot programme aimed at improving the retention and participation of Traveller children in schools. This is being delivered under the National Traveller and Roma Integration Strategy.
27. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the report of the national review panel which commenced on 16 May 2016 on the care of three children in a foster home in County Galway will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52338/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for her important question. The abuse suffered by these very brave young women while in foster care in the early 2000's is shocking, and I am very sorry that their lives were so disrupted and deeply impacted by it. I appreciate that the Deputy is anxious to know the findings of this report. I am also conscious that the matter is the subject of significant public interest.
I have been informed that the NRP has completed the report. In keeping with established procedures the report has been submitted to the Chair of the Board of Tusla. My officials have been informed by Tusla that significant matters are raised in the report, which must be given the proper consideration by Tusla. Tusla is committed to being accountable in respect of the report's findings, but has emphasised to the Department that it is also conscious of the need to protect the rights, privacy, safety and well-being of all of the young people involved.
As part of the review process, all those who participated in the review, including the young people involved, and Tusla staff, were given an opportunity to review and respond to the sections of the report which relate to them. This report concerned an extremely complex and serious matter, and I am aware that it is not easy to predict how long such considerations can take. This may have been a factor in the report being finalised later than expected.
The report is with the Board of Tusla and is being considered at present. When deciding whether to publish any NRP report, Tusla must consider the views of the young people involved, and the potential impact publication may have on them and their families.
I understand that there is dissatisfaction with the length of time that it has taken for the report to be finalised, but I am sure the Deputy can appreciate that any interference with an independent review process would be inappropriate.
28. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a review of the foster care allowance has been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52470/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have no plans to change the rate of the Foster Care Allowance at this time. However, my Department has begun an extensive review of the Child Care Act 1991, and will examine foster care arrangements as part of this review. This will have regard to income support measures available to foster families generally.
I acknowledge foster carers as the backbone of our child care services. Foster care is the preferred option in Ireland for children who cannot live with their parents or guardians, and approximately 92% of children in care in Ireland are looked after by foster carers. More than a quarter of these children are placed with relative foster carers.
The Foster Care Allowance is currently €325 per week per child under 12 years of age and €352 per week per child aged 12 and over. This payment was protected during recent economic hardships, and it is tax free. It is paid in respect of the child and is provided in order to allow foster carers to meet all of the child's daily living needs including food, clothing, basic travel, education costs and hobbies and sporting activities. The allowance is not considered as means for Social Welfare purposes.
Foster carers receive a number of targeted supports to ensure they continue to function as a recognised and valued part of the alternative care system. Key elements of this support include a link social worker, access to training and support group meetings and the allocation of a social worker for each child in care. It is important that foster carers have access to specialist services to meet the child's identified needs. Respite care for children may be arranged, if it is part of their care plan.
Pre-assessment and ongoing training is compulsory for foster carers in order to equip them with the skills and knowledge to provide high-quality care. Recognising the specific dynamics and the personal nature of relative care, Tusla addresses the training needs of relatives who are foster carers separately. In addition, Tusla provides funding to the Irish Foster Care Association, which offers a range of supports to carers, including advocacy, mediation, training and a phone advice service.
29. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of reports being prepared by the national review panel; the subject matter of each; the date on which each review was commenced; the anticipated date of publication of each report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52339/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Review Panel (NRP) is commissioned by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, but is functionally independent. Its purpose is to conduct reviews of child deaths and serious incidents and produce reports that are factually based and identify points of learning with a view to improving the quality of services provided to children and families. The panel consists of independent professionals from a range of disciplines who are engaged for their professional expertise. Reviews are carried out independently by the NRP. The panel has its own independent legal advisors and its Chair reports directly to the Chair of the Board of Tusla. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has no role in commissioning or overseeing these reports.
Completed reviews are submitted to the Chair of Tusla. The decision on whether and how much of the report is to be published rests with Tusla.
The focus of publication is to ensure that the reports are available to the public; the dissemination of learning to staff and to ensure that progress in relation to recommendations made are monitored and reported upon to the Board of Tusla. The decision to publish is underpinned by a number of principles including, transparency and accountability, the wishes of the family/individuals involved and consideration of the wishes and best interest of other children from the family who may be in care or living at home. A decision not to publish a report, or elements of it, is only taken where there are compelling reasons not to do. Such reasons might include ongoing legal/criminal proceedings or where it is considered that the report will adversely affect the well-being of those involved, most notably the family of the young person in question.
30. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied with Tusla’s management of child welfare and protection concerns and reports thereof; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52422/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am satisfied that Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, act immediately if a child is at immediate risk. All urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team. Other cases are screened as they arrive into Tusla and are referred to family support services or dealt with by child protection teams, as needed.
Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by An Garda Síochána or by Tusla, and often both agencies work together in such cases. Tusla, when alerted to a child at immediate risk, for instance a young child left alone at home or abandoned, will contact AGS if the child needs to be removed from that situation.
Cases of neglect or risk are managed in line with Children First National Guidance for the Protection and Welfare of Children. I am happy to add that HIQA, in their inspections of Tusla child protection services, verify that Tusla act appropriately in cases where it becomes known that a child is at immediate risk.
Tusla has also introduced an international evidenced practice methodology called “Signs of Safety” which should help to improve the depth and quality of the screening and assessments of referrals.
I can advise the Deputy that there are oversight mechanisms in place to ensure that the service provided by Tusla meets the high standards that we expect.
Tusla provides me with information on children in care, their placement type, care status and allocation of social workers. This information provides statistical evidence of improvements to child welfare and protection services and highlights challenges and areas where further improvement is required, such as the recruitment of additional social workers.
The Health Information and Quality Authority conducts regular inspections against National Standards of the child protection, foster care and residential care services provided by Tusla. Inspection reports are submitted to me prior to publication. Each report includes an agreed action plan to improve the service which has been inspected. My officials review the issues being raised by HIQA in inspection reports, including the recommendations made to address any failings or shortcoming in practice and meet regularly with HIQA to explore how the process can be improved.
31. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to a report by the European Migration Network and published by the ESRI, regarding unaccompanied minors; the measures she has taken to assist unaccompanied minors that come here following the publication of the report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52432/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI thank the Deputy for his question, which relates to a report published on Tuesday, December 4th, on the important subject of separated children seeking asylum. I would like to take this opportunity to note that children who arrive with their family and seek asylum remain in the care and custody of their parents.
It is also worth noting that a minority of the referrals made to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, in respect of separated children seeking asylum are either found to be young people over the age of 18, or they are reunited with their parent/guardian who is already in the country. Where a young person is under 18 years of age, they taken into the care of Tusla.
The Tusla Separated Children Seeking Asylum Team have developed an effective model of working with these children to identify the supports they need. I am satisfied that the care provided to separated children seeking asylum is of a high standard. The report notes that the standard of treatment separated children receive in Ireland compares very favourably to the services provided in many European jurisdictions.
All separated children seeking asylum see a social worker on the day of referral, and are placed in the care of Tusla. The children, mainly in the age group 15-17 years are placed initially in a specialist residential unit where they receive supports and undergo a needs assessment which includes an assessment of medical and educational needs. They may move to a foster care placement, supported lodgings, or remain in residential care, depending on their needs.
All separated children have an allocated social worker from the specialist team and have written care plan, which looks at all aspects of a child's health and development. This includes the provision of language, educational, medical and psychological supports, and a clinical assessment and decision on the most appropriate time to support the child in making an to application for asylum.
32. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cén beartas atá aici lena dhéanamh cinnte go speagtar úsáid na Gaeilge i naíonraí agus naíolanna na tíre ó tharla go bhfuil sé cruthaithe gurb é an tráth dá saoil is éasca do leanaí teangacha a thabhairt leo ná nuair atá siad an-óg; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [52226/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuigim go maith an luach a bhaineann le tacaíocht a thabhairt do sholáthar seirbhísí sa Ghaeilge do leanaí óga, agus an ról a bhaineann le naíonraí agus naíolanna chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar theanga bheo. Maidir leis sin, bhí mo Roinn ag plé go réamhghníomhach le comhghleacaithe sa Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus sa Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, agus d'aontaigh siad ar sraith chuimsitheach gníomhartha faoin bPlean Gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge 2018-2022, a sheol an tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta i mí an Mheithimh 2018. Tá réimse gníomhartha comhaontaithe leagtha amach sa phlean cúig bliana seo, agus na tréimhsí a bhaineann leo, agus táthar chun iad a chur i bhfeidhm chun tacú leis an Straitéis 20 Bliain don Ghaeilge uileghabhálach.
Tá ról tábhachtach ag suíomhanna luathbhlianta chun cumas sa Ghaeilge a chothú agus tá mo Roinn tiomanta do réimse gníomhartha atá ceaptha chun an tábhacht sin a dhearbhú. Tá sé mar aidhm ag na gníomhartha seo ná cur leis na bearta, tacaíochtaí agus comhpháirtíochtaí atá ann cheana in earnáil an oideachais luathbhlianta Gaeilge, agus chun tuilleadh feabhais a chur ar tacaíochtaí agus seirbhísí. I measc na ngníomhartha comhaontaithe tá cruthú dhá phost Gaeilge luathbhlianta chun forbairt an tsoláthair don Ghaeilge in earnáil na luathbhlianta laistigh den Ghaeltacht a chomhordú, agus bunlíne na dtacaíochtaí do naíonraí a bhunú chun bonn eolais a chur faoi phleananna maidir le polasaí as seo amach.
Déantar iarrachtaí i mo Roinn chun cumarsáid níos fearr le seirbhísí cúraim leanaí Gaeilge a chinntiú, go háirithe i gcomhthéacs na scéimeanna náisiúnta móra um chúram leanaí atá maoinithe ag mo Roinn. Mar shampla, maidir leis an Scéim Inacmhainne Cúraim Leanaí atá le teacht, beidh an suíomh gréasáin atáthar ag forbairt faoi láthair ar fáil i nGaeilge, chomh maith leis an tairseach an mháthair-fheidhmchlár. Beidh scéala maidir le seoladh na Scéime nua ar fáil i nGaeilge freisin. Beidh cainteoirí Gaeilge ar foireann an ionaid tacaíochta teagmhála. Tá an oiliúint don tSamhail um Rochtain agus Cuimsiú (AIM) ar fáil i nGaeilge do shuíomhanna luathbhlianta sa Ghaeltacht – cabhraíonn an scéim seo le leanaí faoi mhíchumas chun go mbeidh siad in ann páirt a ghlacadh sa scéim ECCE. Tá an suíomh gréasáin agus ábhair AIM ar fáil i nGaeilge. Níl ansin ach cuid samplaí de na bealaí a bhfuil mo Roinn ag plé leis, agus ag cinntiú go héascaítear seirbhísí cúraim leanaí Gaeilge a chuid seirbhísí a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge.
Seoladh Straitéis Uile-Rialtais do Naíonáin, Leanaí Óga agus a dTeaghlaigh 2019-2028 ar an 19 Samhain. Tá dhá ghníomhartha sa phlean deich mbliana uaillmhianach seo atá dírithe go sonrach chun tacú le forbairt na Gaeilge san earnáil luathfhoghlama agus chúraim. Is iad seo a leanas na gníomhartha:
- Tabhair isteach bearta chun cinntiú go bhfuil rochtain ag leanaí sa Ghaeltacht do Luathfhoghlaim agus Cúram trí Ghaeilge.
- Forbair bealaí chun tacaíochtaí Gaeilge a chur ar fáil do Luathfhoghlaim agus Cúram in áiteanna ina bhfuil cuid mhór leanaí ag foghlaim trí Ghaeilge.
Foilseofar plean feidhmithe do na gníomhartha sa Straitéis laistigh de shé mhí.
I am very conscious of the value of supporting the provision of services in the Irish language to children at an early age, and of the role pre-schools and crèches can play in promoting Irish as a living language. In that regard, my Department has participated proactively with colleagues in the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and the Department of Education and Skills in agreeing a comprehensive set of actions to be implemented under the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022, launched by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in June 2018. This five year action plan sets out a range of agreed actions, with associated timeframes, to be implemented in support of the overarching 20 Year Strategy for the Irish Language 2010 to 2030.
My Department has committed to a range of actions designed to affirm the importance of the role that early years settings can play in fostering Irish language proficiency. The aim of these actions is to build on existing measures, supports and partnerships in the area of Irish-medium early years education and further improve supports and services. The agreed actions include the creation of two Irish language early years posts to co-ordinate the development of Irish language provision in the early years sector in non-Gaeltacht areas, and the establishment of a baseline of supports for naíonraí that will inform future policy plans.
Efforts are also being made within my Department to ensure improved communication with Irish speaking childcare services, in particular in the context of the major national childcare schemes that my Department funds. For example, in relation to the forthcoming Affordable Childcare Scheme, the website currently in development will be available in Irish, as will the parent application portal. Communications in relation to the launch of the new Scheme will also be available in Irish. The contact support centre will have Irish speakers on staff. Training for the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM) that helps children with a disability to participate in the ECCE scheme has been made available through Irish for Gaeltacht pre-school settings, and the AIM website and materials are available in the Irish language. These are just some examples of the ways in which my Department is engaging with, and ensuring that, Irish medium childcare services are facilitated to provide their services through the Irish language.
A Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families was launched on 19th November. This ambitious ten year plan contains two actions specifically aimed at supporting the development of the Irish language within the early learning and care sector. These actions are as follows:
- Introduce measures to ensure that children in Gaeltacht areas have access to Irish-medium ELC provision;
- Develop mechanisms to provide Irish-language supports to ELC provision where there are high proportions of children who are learning through the medium of Irish.
An implementation plan for the actions contained within that Strategy will be published within six months.
33. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a value for money review will be undertaken of the national childcare investment programme which operated from 2006 to 2010 with a particular focus on the private sector capital funding element of the programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52295/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe NCIP (National Childcare Investment Programme, 2006 - 2010) Capital Programme was a strategic infrastructural programme within the childcare sector with an aim to address local needs and meet local demands in the provision of childcare places.
A total of €177.8m was awarded under the programme to 847 childcare facilities. Of these, 501 were private providers, receiving a total of €33m in funding. The NCIP represents the most recent programme of large-scale capital investment in childcare in the country. Pobal produced a closure report in 2013 which provided data on the outputs from the programme.
The model of early learning and care and school age childcare currently in operation in Ireland is one of a market model, relying on private businesses as well as community / not for profits. Hence, NCIP and indeed ongoing annual capital schemes are open to both to continue to build capacity and meet demand.
As the Deputy may be aware, under the National Development Plan 2018-2027 and the National Planning Framework, I ensured that childcare was included as a key strategic priority, and I secured €250m in capital funding as part of this.
My Department has started work with Pobal :-
- to consider how best this investment can be used to increase access to high quality places in the medium and long term
- to audit existing capital infrastructure on a national level
- to understand the need that exists now and will exist in the coming years as the Affordable Childcare Scheme is rolled out, and
- to learn from previous capital investment schemes, including the NCIP.
I will be happy to brief Deputies further as this work progresses and as the detail of our plans emerge.
34. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the response she has received from the board of Tusla following her engagement with the board on matters raised on the findings of the disclosures tribunal in respect of Tusla. [52440/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe recommendations of the report are mainly a matter for An Garda Síochána. A relatively small portion of the report concerns Tusla. Although it does not make specific recommendations about Tusla, the report does identify some very serious issues that existed in a social work office in one area at the time.
Arising from the Tribunal's report, I wrote to the Chairperson of Tusla on 6 November 2018. In the letter, I noted the failures in the management of the referral made in respect of Garda Sergeant Maurice McCabe.
I asked the Board to consider what steps it would take in terms of a management response (including training, performance management and leadership) and in terms of changing the culture of the organisation to ensure it learns from previous mistakes. I received a response from the Board on 11th December. It addresses the issues raised in my letter, notes actions underway and provides the basis for further consideration of these serious matters.
I met with the Board of Tusla on 25th October regarding the implications of the Disclosures Tribunal (Charleton) Report for the agency. At the meeting I expressed serious concern about a number of conclusions and findings of the Tribunal. Among the issues I raised were the:
- Serious practice issues at local level
- Failure to follow national procedures and policy
- Attempt at local level to conceal the extent of the errors made
- Breakdown between local, regional and national level in relation to roles and responsibilities
- Questions about organisational culture at local level in allowing so serious an error to go uncorrected
The Deputy will be aware that a number of the issues were also identified in HIQA's Statutory Investigation into Tusla's management of allegations sexual abuse that I established in 2017, and which was published in June of this year.
These issues included poor record keeping and management, and an inconsistent approach to the implementation of national policies and procedures. Following the publication of the HIQA report, Tusla committed to a Strategic Action Plan, approved by the Board.
Many of the issues relevant to Tusla which were raised in Mr. Justice Charleton's Report are addressed in this plan. Others which have not been covered to date will be incorporated into the Action Plan, once agreed by the Board.
The Strategic Action Plan has been submitted to my Department and to the Expert Assurance Group (EAG) I have established to monitor the implementation of the recommendations, and advise Tusla and my Department. The Group meets regularly to assess the status of the key actions under its remit and I expect that its first quarterly report will be submitted to me in the coming days.
There is much to learn from both the Tribunal report and HIQA's statutory investigation. I believe that the process of addressing these matters within Tusla is well underway. Progress will be monitored and encouraged by the Board, the EAG and by my department.
35. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the adequacy of the budget available to her Department to cater for the full extent of its responsibilities including the protection of children, the monitoring of at risk cases the follow-up as necessary; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52438/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to inform the Deputy that the gross amount of funding being made available to my Department in Budget 2019 will be €1.511 billion which represents an increase of 9% over its allocation for 2018. The allocation includes a current provision of €1.479 billion and a capital allocation of €32 million.
Just over half of the total funding, or €786 million, is targeted at public services within Tusla to protect children and to provide for their welfare. A further €574 million will help us to build an accessible, affordable and high quality childcare system.
I have secured an additional €110 million for Tusla since becoming Minister in 2016. With regard to 2019 funding, I am pleased to confirm that the agency will receive an additional €33 million.
This will bring Tusla’s overall allocation to €786 million which represents an increase of 4% over the 2018 allocation. €25 million of the overall increase will be used to meet increasing costs associated with existing services.
In addition to this, the extra funding I secured for Tusla will be used to progress a number of key priorities including the implementation of recommendations made by HIQA following its investigation into the management of child sexual abuse allegations.
Together with experts from Tusla, the Gardaí, children’s rights campaigners and advocates I have been examining how we can improve our support and help to children who have been sexually abused.
Funding has now been secured to allow us to pilot a new approach which will ensure that children do not have to relive their abuse by having to retell their experience over and over again. A new One House model will be piloted in 2019, and this represents a joint approach across three Government Departments and three statutory agencies.
Throughout the country I have seen at first hand the work of Family Resource Centres in transforming lives. I secured additional funding for Family Resources Centres in 2018 and I am pleased to be able to provide further support again with an increase of €1.5 million in funding in 2019.
I am satisfied that the significant additional resources secured for 2019 will enable my Department and its agencies build on the good work achieved to date. The extra funding continues this Government’s commitment to provide high quality services for children and young people.
37. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains satisfied that adequate protection is in place to ensure early reporting and prompt action in cases of suspected child abuse whether in State institutions, foster care or in the home; the number of outstanding cases awaiting attention; the average timescale for investigating such issues; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52439/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe safety of all children , and particularly those living in State care, is a key priority for me. On December 11 2017, I commenced the remaining provisions of the Children First Act, 2015. This saw the introduction of mandatory reporting of child protection concerns. The Children First Act 2015 places a statutory obligation on persons, who have been identified by virtue of their position, training, qualifications and experience, to make reports of concerns of harm, above a defined threshold, to Tusla, The Child and Family Agency. All institutions providing services to children who are not in the company of their parents are now legislatively bound to undertake a risk assessment which should inform their Child Safeguarding Statement.
The additional resources secured for Tusla in 2019 will assist in meeting key priorities. The additional investment allows Tusla to recruit a range of additional staff to respond to areas of key risk, and to meet increased demand for services. The Deputy will be aware that referrals to Tusla are increasing on a year on year basis. This increase in funding is also enabling the further management of unallocated cases. To improve the overall functioning of Child Protection Teams, Tusla is in the process of recruiting more administrative staff as well as social work practitioners.
Tusla has introduced an international evidenced practice methodology called “Signs of Safety” which aims to provide a greater depth and quality of the screening and assessments of referrals.
The first consideration when receiving a referral is the immediate safety of the child. All referrals to Tusla Social Work Services are screened on the day they are received, irrespective of the source.
The criteria for a member of the public or a mandated person to consider a referral of a child protection or welfare concern is also detailed in Children First National Guidance and in Tusla's Children First Guide for the Reporting of Child Welfare and Protection Concerns .
While the number of cases waiting allocation has risen by 13% compared to Q3 last year, the number of High Priority cases awaiting allocation fell by 14% to 829 at the end of Q3 2108. All cases waiting the allocation of a dedicated social worker are held on the social work duty team who review all cases regularly to identify any changes in a child's circumstances and who will respond accordingly.
The table below provides a breakdown of cases awaiting allocation by priority level and time waiting. These figures are published on the Tusla website on a quarterly basis.
Cases Awaiting Allocation by Priority Level and Waiting Time
|
High Priority / Time Waiting |
Q4 2017* |
Q1 2018* |
Q2 2018 |
Q3 2018 |
|
<1 month |
196 |
250 |
421 |
259 |
|
1-3 months |
189 |
158 |
249 |
244 |
|
>3 months |
346 |
274 |
317 |
326 |
|
Total |
731 |
682 |
987 |
829 |
*Based on incomplete returns (15/17 areas)
|
Medium Priority / Time Waiting |
Q4 2017* |
Q1 2018* |
Q2 2018 |
Q3 2018 |
|
<1 month |
623 |
923 |
958 |
560 |
|
1-3 months |
717 |
607 |
999 |
947 |
|
>3 months |
1,248 |
1,126 |
1,323 |
1,606 |
|
Total |
2,588 |
2,656 |
3,280 |
3,113 |
*Based on incomplete returns (15/17 areas)
|
Low Priority / Time Waiting |
Q3 2017* |
Q1 2018* |
Q2 2018 |
Q3 2018 |
|
<1 month |
167 |
187 |
394 |
579 |
|
1-3 months |
355 |
164 |
624 |
624 |
|
>3 months |
519 |
496 |
571 |
835 |
|
Total |
1,041 |
847 |
1,589 |
2,038 |
*Based on incomplete returns (15/17 areas)
38. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of family support workers working with homeless families in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the ratio of families to support worker for each of those years; if there is a waiting list for allocation of support workers; if so, the average length of time each family is waiting for the support; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52229/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are operational matters, I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
39. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of educational welfare officers in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by county; her plans to increase these numbers; if schools can apply for additional educational welfare officers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49224/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, Tusla Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) work with young people who are experiencing difficulty with school attendance and their families. EWOs are employed throughout the country, working with all recognised schools to offer advice and guidance to parents who need support in ensuring that their child attends school regularly. I am attaching a document containing the information in relation to the number of EWO's for 2015 to 2018 per county as requested by the Deputy.
I am also advised by Tusla EWS that seven further EWOs are in the process of being recruited, four of whom will be allocated to work with the Traveller and Roma communities, on a pilot programme aimed at improving the retention and participation of Traveller and Roma children in schools. This initiative is an action outlined in the National Traveller and Roma Integration Strategy, 2017 - 2021.
EWOs are not assigned to individual schools, therefore schools cannot apply for additional EWOs. However, schools can make a referral to Tusla EWS and an EWO will be allocated the case providing it is an appropriate referral.
40. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the protections and protocols in place to avoid a repetition of the traumatic removal of a child from the breast-feeding mother in a maternity hospital in view of a recent High Court decision (details supplied). [52427/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware that I am not in a position to comment on individual cases, or on matters which are the subject of court decisions. I therefore propose to answer the question in general terms.
The decision to remove a child from the care of their parents is not one that is taken lightly, particularly at a young age. In all cases, the safety, well-being and best interests of the child must be the primary concern. Situations where a child is taken into care generally take place with the agreement of all concerned and do not give rise to controversy or traumatic circumstances for the child or parent.
In some situations, such as when a parent resists attempts for a child to come into care, or there is an assessed high risk of violence or risk of harm to the child or adult, the assistance of the Gardaí may be called on. In situations where the Gardaí are involved they make an assessment of the risk and the most appropriate steps to be taken.
I have been advised that, in these cases social work staff follow Garda instructions, while at all times trying to minimise the difficulties for the child and parent. Taking a child into care is an extraordinary event, and transparency and planning are important. In situations where a child may be at immediate or serious risk, it may not always be appropriate to communicate plans to parents in advance.
