Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 18 Dec 2018

Written Answers Nos. 581-603

Court Orders

Ceisteanna (581)

Pearse Doherty

Ceist:

581. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when Tusla will carry out a section 20 report as ordered in May 2017 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52811/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is an operational matter, I have written to Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, and requested that they contact the Deputy directly.

As I noted previously, under section 20 of the Child Care Act 1991, a Court, may of its own volition or on the application of any person, adjourn proceedings and direct the Child and Family Agency, Tusla, to report on the safety, care, health or welfare of a child involved in the proceedings. The subsequent report will advise and give reasons should an application for a care or supervision order be recommended, and an indication of what other services the child may need. Section 20 requests go to the local areas and are allocated according to the principles of caseload management.

Child and Family Agency Reports

Ceisteanna (582)

Peter Burke

Ceist:

582. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a process (details supplied) will be expedited in view of the circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52840/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Early Years Inspectorate in Tusla (the Child and Family Agency) is aware of the circumstances of the Registered Provider given in details provided by the TD and is working to finalise this matter as expeditiously as possible.

A previous response was given in relation to this case in Parliamentary Question No. 209 of 17 October 2018

The Early Years Inspectorate continues to engage with the Registered Provider of this service as part of the inspection and registration process. A meeting was held with the Registered Provider on 12 November 2018 to discuss actions to be taken to address outstanding issues. It was agreed with the Inspectorate that the Registered Provider would submit outstanding documentary evidence of compliance within five days of this meeting. This documentary evidence, which was not received by the Inspectorate until 6 December, has been reviewed by the Inspectorate and the final Inspection Report on this matter has been finalised. This Inspection Report is scheduled to be discussed at a meeting of the Early Years Registration Panel on 18 December, and a response on this matter will issue to the Registered Provider shortly thereafter.

Cúram Leanaí

Ceisteanna (583)

Denise Mitchell

Ceist:

583. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Denise Mitchell den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cathain a bheidh an cúrsa ar líne Children First ar fáil as Gaeilge do phobal na Gaeilge agus na Gaeltachta lena chinntiú nach mbeidh éagothromas ann maidir leis na seirbhísí a bhaineann le Children First. [52857/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

D'fhorbair Tusla an clár ríomhfhoghlama do Thús Áite do Leanaí chun tacú le cur i bhfeidhm Thús Áite do Leanaí. Modúl oiliúna 90 nóiméad is ea é atá ann, saor in aisce, do dhuine ar bith ar mhaith leo leas a bhaint as. Cé nach clár oiliúna éigeantach é seo, molann RLGÓ agus Tusla araon an clár seo do dhuine ar bith a oibríonn le leanaí.

D'fhorbair Tusla an uirlis ríomhfhoghlama seo agus is leosan é. Tuigim ón eagraíocht sin nach bhfuil aon phleananna ann i láthair an clár a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge.

Tabhair do d'aire, le do thoil, sula gcuireadh tús iomlán le forálachta an Achta um Thús Áite do Leanaí ar 11 Nollaig 2017, d'ullmhaigh mo Roinn leagan nuashonraithe agus uasdátaithe de Thús Áite do Leanaí: Treoir Náisiúnta do Chosaint agus Leas Leanaí. Tá an foilseachán sin ar fáil i nGaeilge. Is féidir é a íoslódáil saor in aisce ó shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne, nó is féidir é a cheannach ó Oifig Fhoilseacháin an Rialtais ar €1.00. Chomh maith leis sin, rinne an Roinn go leor cóipeanna de leagan Gaeilge na Treorach Náisiúnta do Thús Áite do Leanaí a chlóbhualadh agus cuireadh iad chuig gach Gaelscoil sa tír, nuair a d'iarr an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna a leithéid.

Early Years Sector

Ceisteanna (584)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

584. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views on a matter (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52868/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I would like to thank the Deputy for raising the matter regarding an Early Learning and Care setting in Co. Kerry.

I am pleased to note that the service in question has successfully availed of the Early Years Capital funding strand provided by my Department.

Clearly the 2018 Early Years and School Age Capital programmes have concluded, and their budget has been allocated in full. Work in my Department is currently being finalised to prepare for the Capital offering for 2019 and an announcement is expected to issue on this shortly. Following this, I will invite services to submit an application under the measure, should they be in a position to meet the specified programme criteria.

Services who are concerned about their future sustainability can also avail of a range of supports offered by my Department. I would advise the service in question to contact both Pobal and Kerry County Childcare Committee, outlining in detail the current situation and the challenges they face. Pobal has a dedicated team that assess services facing crisis situations, and upon reviewing the particulars of the case, they may be in a position to offer valuable operational guidance and support.

I note that the service provider is aware of the recent report circulated from Mercer which was commissioned by the National Childhood Network in conjunction with Crann Support Group. I have been unequivocal in my support for better pay and conditions for staff in the sector. Early Learning and Care practitioners, in pre-school setting and elsewhere, play a critical role for families and they deserve to be recognised, valued and respected for this.

However, my Department is not the employer of early learning and care sector staff and cannot set wage levels. I have supported a range of measures to improve pay and conditions however using the tools available to me. In particular, my Department has seen a 117% increase in investment in the sector over the last four budgets. Twice as many children are receiving Government childcare subsidies than were doing so three years ago. The number of services is remaining relatively the same, so this increased investment should be seen in staff working conditions. The 7% increase in ECCE capitation this September and the €55 million in Programme Support Payments which will, by the end of next year, have been paid to services over a three year period, are particular features of the increased investment.

I am aware of the difficulties reported by providers in recruiting staff. I am seeking continued investment to address this issue and to address the wider issue of attracting and retaining staff across the early years sector.

The evidence from the latest Pobal report shows an 8% increase in staff in the sector in this year alone and a continued growth in the proportion of staff with specialised third-level qualifications in Early Learning and Care. Turnover of staff in the sector has also decreased by 3%, but it remains unacceptably high and it is the case that more must be done to retain early years staff to ensure high quality services to our children.

Under First 5, a Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and their Families, published last month, my Department and the Department of Education and Skills have committed to delivering a new Workforce Development Plan for the early learning and care sector. The Workforce Development Plan will examine and address the impact of a rapidly changing policy and practice landscape in the sector on future skills requirements, so that Government can ensure that a high quality workforce is in place over the next decade. Work on the plan will begin early in 2019.

Child and Family Agency Staff

Ceisteanna (585, 586)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

585. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if all Tusla CEOs to date have been appointed through open competition; and if not, the methodology used to select the winning candidate in each case. [52898/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Clare Daly

Ceist:

586. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an open competition for the post of Tusla CEO is being run by the Public Appointments Service; and if not, the reason therefor. [52899/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 585 and 586 together.

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency was established on the 1 January, 2014, following the enactment of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. Section 28 of the Act deals with the Appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). It provides that the Minister can appoint the first CEO but otherwise the Board of the Child and Family Agency is responsible for the appointment of the CEO in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act 2004.

Mr. Gordon Jeyes was nominated by the then Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Ms Frances Fitzgerald as the first Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Tusla under Section 28(2) of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013.

Mr. Jeyes' successor, Mr. Fred McBride was appointed as CEO by the Board of the Child and Family Agency, in February 2016, in accordance with Section 28(1) of the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013. This appointment followed an open competition run by the Public Appointments Service (PAS) on behalf of Tusla, and in accordance with the Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004.

Following Mr. McBride's resignation, Tusla conducted a competitive process with a request for expressions of interest seeking an internal candidate. Mr. Pat Smyth, Tusla's Director of Finance, was successful at interview and subsequently appointed by the Board as interim CEO with effect from 1 October 2018.

The Public Service Management (Recruitment and Appointments) Act, 2004 provides for a modern and efficient framework for public service recruitment which allows for increased flexibility, while maintaining high standards of probity. It empowers Government Departments and other public service bodies to recruit staff directly under licence, as well as through the centralised recruitment system provided by PAS.

The Board of Tusla has advised me that an open competition for the post of Tusla CEO will be run by the Public Appointments Service.

Child and Family Agency Data

Ceisteanna (587)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

587. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if a data protection officer has been appointed to Tusla; if not, the reason for delay in appointing an officer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53261/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I wish to advise that my officials have requested Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy on this issue.

Aftercare Services

Ceisteanna (588)

John Curran

Ceist:

588. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the necessary one-off supports being put in place for care leavers to gain practical lifelong skills in line with action 69 of the Ryan report in order to reduce their risk of developing substance use problems. [53291/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The aftercare provisions of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 came into force on 1 September 2017. This means that there is now a statutory obligation on Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to prepare an aftercare plan for each eligible child and young person. This plan encompasses the range of supports that a young person may need from all service providers to help them make the transition to independent adult life.

Tusla Aftercare Workers coordinate the implementation of this plan, which aims to ensure that young people leaving care have developed a sufficient level of resilience, as well as important practical life and social skills, to cope with the adversities that they may face in adult life.

The National Drug Strategy, 'Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’ recognises that young people leaving care and detention services, particularly those young people leaving residential or hostel accommodation, are more at risk than the general population for addiction problems.

While it is important to remember that the nature of the transitional support required by a young care-leaver depends on the specific circumstances of his or her individual situation, in some cases the young person may engage in or be at risk of engaging in substance misuse.

In these cases, the young person’s assigned Aftercare Worker will provide him or her with ongoing support to attend services and seek help. The Aftercare Worker may support the young person to refer into a specialist service or General Practitioner, or may make a representation on the young person’s behalf with their consent. In addition, the Aftercare Worker may refer the young adult, with their consent, to the steering committee or alert the appropriate HSE services representative if the young adult is already known to the committee.

Furthermore, where a young care-leaver does not present with substance misuse but substance abuse is noted by the Aftercare Worker, the Worker will discuss their concerns and engage in open discussion with the young person.

Substance abuse should be seen within the context of the other problems a young care-leaver may face. Ultimately, the role of Aftercare is to develop the young person’s resilience and skills so that they can cope with life's challenges and achieve positive outcomes.

Bereavement Counselling Services Provision

Ceisteanna (589)

John Curran

Ceist:

589. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which her Department and Tusla are developing addiction-specific bereavement support programmes and supporting the provision of respite for family members. [53292/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has undertaken to clarify this question but have been unable to contact the Deputy. In light of this, I am not in a position to answer the Deputy's question at this time.

Family Support Services

Ceisteanna (590)

John Curran

Ceist:

590. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which her Department and Tusla are supporting families with non-violent resistance training to address child-to-parent violence. [53293/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Tusla Family Support Centres engage with parents and children with a range of difficulties and either provide direct services or signpost them to relevant services for advice, intervention, support and training, as appropriate to their needs. Examples include parenting training, addiction services, and domestic violence services. Tusla do not have a role where adult children are proving a threat to parents, and in such circumstances parents would be advised to contact relevant services which could include the supports provided by An Garda Síochána, when violence is involved.

Substance Misuse

Ceisteanna (591)

John Curran

Ceist:

591. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the way in which her Department and Tusla are supporting those caring for children and young persons in their family as a result of substance misuse to access relevant information, supports and services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53294/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I would like to thank the Deputy for his question. However, clarification is required from the Deputy as to whether the supports in question relate to parental or child addiction. In addition, clarity is also required as to whether the child, the subject matter of the question, is residing within his/her birth family or elsewhere. Once clarification is received, either this Department or Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, will reply directly to the Deputy.

Substance Misuse

Ceisteanna (592)

John Curran

Ceist:

592. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the role her Department and Tusla are playing in expanding the range, availability and geographical spread of problem drug and alcohol services for those under 18 years of age. [53295/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the relevant policy document “Reducing Harm Supporting Recovery” is the responsibility of the Department of Health, the matter is more appropriate for my colleague, the Minister for Health to respond.

Substance Misuse

Ceisteanna (593)

John Curran

Ceist:

593. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the role her Department and Tusla are playing in developing multidisciplinary child and adolescent teams and developing better interagency co-operation between problem substance use and child and family services. [53296/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

This matter does not fall under the remit of my Department. It is more appropriate for my colleague the Minister for Health to reply in this instance.

Counselling Services Provision

Ceisteanna (594)

John Curran

Ceist:

594. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the role her Department and Tusla are playing in providing access to timely appropriate interventions such as resilience building programmes and-or counselling, educational assessments and-or clinical psychological assessments as appropriate. [53297/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, provides family support and child welfare and protection services to families and children identified as needing such services. Tusla provides some tailored programmes to children and families but in general does not provide counselling, educational assessment or clinical psychological assessments. Arrangements can be made for a family member or a child to receive such services from an appropriate agency if, following assessment, it is deemed necessary.

My Department and the Child and Family Agency are in discussion about how services, including some of those referred to by the Deputy, might be developed and made available in the future.

Child and Family Agency Data

Ceisteanna (595)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

595. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to data protection breaches in the context of GDPR at Tusla; if her attention has been further drawn to instances in which personal data are being used in presentations that has been received from an organisation (details supplied) by Tusla; the amount of funding granted to the organisation in the past two years to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53313/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department has recently received from Tusla, the Child And Family Agency a copy of correspondence referring to data breach notifications which it reported to the Data Protection Commission since the introduction of GDPR in May, this year.

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) very significantly increases the obligations and responsibilities for organisations and businesses in how they collect, use and protect personal data. At the centre of the new regulations is the requirement for organisations and businesses to be fully transparent about how they are using and safeguarding personal data, and to be able to demonstrate accountability for their data processing activities.

Tusla has advised me that it is not aware of specific privacy concerns or incidents having been received by, or referred to, either its data protection unit or the responsible service unit, in relation to the named organisation. Tusla has also advised that it does not request or receive personal data from the organisation referred to by the Deputy but would request statistical data from its member organisations. This statistical data is utilised in a variety of ways, but always without it being identifiable to any individual.

Tusla has advised if the Deputy is aware of a data protection breach concerning the organisation, she should make contact with its Data Protection Officer at datacontroller@tusla.ie.

The organisation referred to by the Deputy has not been in receipt of funding from Tusla since 2015.

Child and Family Agency Payments

Ceisteanna (596)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

596. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has had engagement with Tusla regarding its funding of an organisation (details supplied) in the past two years; if her attention has been drawn to instances in which Tusla has delayed or ceased funding the organisation as a result of a dispute regarding a demand by Tusla to have client data transferred to it from the organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53316/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I can confirm that I have not had any engagement with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in regard to funding of the organisation referred to by the Deputy over the past two years.

Tusla ceased funding the organisation referred to in 2015 and has taken on direct responsibility for the development and maintenance of a database of information recorded on behalf of relevant services.

Preschool Services

Ceisteanna (597)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

597. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the status of the closure of a preschool (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53317/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, my Department does not directly provide childcare services - rather we administer a number of schemes and initiatives to support families access affordable and high quality childcare. These schemes are available via regulated childcare providers. Providers include individuals, companies and community/not-for-profit groups. Pobal and 30 City and County Childcare Committees across the country are funded by my Department to perform a range of functions related to childcare including the provision of support to local services.

I understand that Castlemaine Family Resource Centre has indicated its intention to close the service early in 2019. I understand it has made this announcement early to facilitate families to seek alternative provision.

Castlemaine Family Resource Centre requested support from Pobal and Kerry Childcare Committee to address issues faced by its Board. Pobal advised the Board that it was assessing ways of providing support, including the possibility of funds to access external expertise and HR support. Kerry CCC has also made itself available to aid the Board to develop a plan of action for the future of the childcare element of their Centre.

While the Department, Pobal and local CCCs are available to provide support to services and help them through periods of difficulty, the decision to remain open ultimately lies with the service provider, and in this case its Board. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the providers have decided to close the service noting recruitment issues, limited access to facilities including an outside play area, and the impact the childcare service is having on the time the Board has to operate the whole Family Resource Centre.

Kerry CCC has contacted other local childcare services to notify them of the closure of Maine Valley Childcare. It is my understanding that local services will be able to offer an alternative service to all the children and families concerned. Both Pobal and Kerry CCC will continue to support the Board through the planned closure process and to assist families with finding alternative provision if required.

My Department has historically offered support to communities seeking to re-activate a closed childcare service. If it emerges that a need exists for a replacement service in the area, this assistance will continue to be made available.

Youth Services Funding

Ceisteanna (598)

Jack Chambers

Ceist:

598. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to increase funding to local youth community groups and agencies in Ballymun to 2008 levels at the very least in order to tackle the recent rise in anti-social behaviour and crime linked to crack cocaine; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53356/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware my Department was established in 2011. My Department, along with all government departments, was required to deliver substantial savings on all funding programmes in line with the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure 2012-2014. My Department sought to ensure front line youth services, particularly those for the most vulnerable young people, were protected as far as possible from the impact of the reduction in funding.

I understand that in 2011 Ballymun Regional Youth Service and Poppintree Youth received a combined total of €539,104 in youth funding from my Department. In 2018 these services received youth funding with a combined total of €1,442,794.

In recent years funding for the provision of youth services has been increased on an annual basis.

In 2018 an extra €1.5 million was allocated in current funding to support the provision of youth services which brought the total current youth funding available to my Department to €58 million. The additional funding is being used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people.

My Department has commenced a process to identify service development needs for 2019 and to finalise the 2019 youth funding allocations. The primary purpose of this process is to ensure that youth services are sufficiently resourced to meet the needs of young people and particularly those who are at risk of drugs or alcohol misuse, early school leaving, homelessness or who are living in disadvantaged communities.

In this regard, officials within my Department are currently awaiting the return of completed funding renewal applications on behalf of youth projects throughout the country which are due to be submitted by 21 December 2018. On receipt of these completed renewal applications, my Department will be in a position to finalise the funding allocation which will be provided for each youth project in 2019, having regard to the overall budgetary position. Every effort will be made to complete this process as soon as possible and all youth services will be notified of their allocation at the earliest possible date.

Protected Disclosures

Ceisteanna (599)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

599. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to audit or investigate the penalisation of managers within Tusla who have submitted complaints in regard to breaches of the Tusla dignity at work policy. [53361/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I currently have no plans to audit or investigate the matter referred to by the Deputy.

Abbey Theatre

Ceisteanna (600)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

600. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to audit or investigate the penalisation of Tusla managers and former managers who have submitted protected disclosures in regard to the practice and performance of the organisation in regard to child safety. [53362/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I currently have no plans to audit or investigate the matter referred to by the Deputy.

Child Detention Centres

Ceisteanna (601)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

601. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 613 of 4 December 2018, the case on which the assertion that all members of the board of Oberstown detention centre had an opportunity to read the operational review of the centre before the decision was taken in 2017 to not publish the report is based; and her views on whether members of the board did, in fact, read the report before that decision was taken. [53378/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Chairperson of the Board of Oberstown Children's Detention Centre has advised that a specially convened meeting of the Board was held on 22 May 2017 to consider the Operational Review in light of legal advice received as to concerns about its publication. Board members were provided with the opportunity to read the report at this meeting. However the Chairperson cannot verify that all members did in fact read the Report. This meeting was attended by all but 1 member of the Board.

Cúram Leanaí

Ceisteanna (602)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

602. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige cén fáth nach bhfuil fáil trí Ghaeilge ar an scrúdú Cosanta Leanaí Children First a chaithfear a dhéanamh le cáilíocht a bhaint amach mar chúramóir nó mar fhear/bhean tí faoi Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [53395/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

D'fhorbair Tusla an clár ríomhfhoghlama do Thús Áite do Leanaí chun tacú le cur i bhfeidhm Thús Áite do Leanaí. Modúl oiliúna 90 nóiméad is ea é atá ann, saor in aisce, do dhuine ar bith ar mhaith leo leas a bhaint as. Cé nach clár oiliúna éigeantach é seo, molann RLGÓ agus Tusla araon an clár seo do dhuine ar bith a oibríonn le leanaí.

D'fhorbair Tusla an uirlis ríomhfhoghlama seo agus is leosan é. Tuigim ón eagraíocht sin nach bhfuil aon phleananna ann faoi láthair chun an clár a chur ar fáil i nGaeilge.

Tabhair do d'aire, le do thoil, sula gcuireadh tús iomlán le forálacha an Achta um Thús Áite do Leanaí ar 11 Nollaig 2017, d'ullmhaigh mo Roinn leagan nuashonraithe agus uasdátaithe de Thús Áite do Leanaí: Treoir Náisiúnta do Chosaint agus Leas Leanaí. Tá an foilseachán sin ar fáil i nGaeilge. Is féidir é a íoslódáil saor in aisce ó shuíomh gréasáin na Roinne, nó is féidir é a cheannach ó Oifig Fhoilseacháin an Rialtais ar €1.00. Chomh maith leis sin, rinne an Roinn go leor cóipeanna de leagan Gaeilge na Treorach Náisiúnta do Thús Áite do Leanaí a chlóbhualadh agus cuireadh iad chuig gach Gaelscoil sa tír, nuair a d'iarr an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna orainn a leithéid a dhéanamh.

Mar Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige, nílim freagrach as scéimeanna faoi leith a riar ar nós na Scéime a luaigh an Teachta, Scéim na bhFoghlaimeoirí Gaeilge, agus mholfainn dó teagmháil a dhéanamh le mo chomhghleacaí, an tAire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta. Tuigim go bhfuil ról lárnach ag an Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta agus ag an Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna i dtacaíocht a thabhairt d'earnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh Gaeilge, ach is ar údaráis na gcoláistí go príomha atá an cúram maidir le hearnáil na gcoláistí samhraidh Gaeilge a riar - agus tá a n-oibleagáidí reachtúla maidir le sábháilteacht ó dhóiteán agus le sábháilteacht leanaí san áireamh anseo. I dtéarmaí ginearálta, mar gheall ar an ról ginearálta seo, déantar comhlíonadh maidir le hoibleagáidí reachtúla a chur chun cinn, agus cinntítear go bhfuil comhlíonadh le dea-chleachtas i ngach limistéar ábhartha eile - an fheidhm teagaisc agus foghlama atá ag na coláistí san áireamh.

Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

Ceisteanna (603)

Mick Wallace

Ceist:

603. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his views on the legality, appropriateness and wisdom of his Department granting €2 million under the rural regeneration and development fund to a proposed aquaculture marine park at Kilkieran, Connemara, in view of the fact that the project is still going through an appeal with An Bord Pleanála; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52945/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September. €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities with €55 million allocated to the fund in Budget 2019.

I announced the first 18 successful projects under the Fund on the 23 November. These projects will receive a total of €24.4 million from the Fund while unlocking a further €11 million in other funding, and all are ready to commence in 2019. Further announcements of successful Category 1 and Category 2 projects will take place early in the New Year with a further call for the Fund taking place later in 2019.

The project referred to by the Deputy was not among the 18 successful projects referred to above and, therefore, no funding has been allocated to the project from the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.

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