Written Answers Nos. 182-196
182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of meetings held by the board of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, in 2018; and the attendees of each meeting. [7250/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra183. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount paid to each member of the board of Transport Infrastructure Ireland, TII, for service as a board member in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7251/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
The Chairman of the TII is paid the Government approved fee of €21,600 per annum for his services to the Board. Directors are paid a rate of €12,600 per annum. I have asked TII to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the more detailed information sought. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
184. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of meetings held by the board of Sport Ireland in 2018; and the attendees of each meeting. [7252/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the number of board meetings held by the board of Sport Ireland in 2018 and the list of attendees at each meeting is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
185. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount paid to each member of the board of Sport Ireland for service as a board member in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7253/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the amount paid to each member of the board of Sport Ireland for their service in 2018 is a matter for Sport Ireland, I have referred the Deputy's question to Sport Ireland for direct reply. I would ask the Deputy to inform my office if a reply is not received within 10 days.
186. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of meetings held by the board of Fáilte Ireland in 2018; and the attendees of each meeting. [7254/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra187. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount paid to each member of the board of Fáilte Ireland for service as a board member in 2018. [7255/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 186 and 187 together.
The amount paid to each member of the Board of Fáilte Ireland is subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies and to the rates sanctioned and approved by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. The payment of the fees and any expenses to Board members, the scheduling of Board meetings and the recording of attendees at each meeting are operational matters for Fáilte Ireland.
Accordingly, I have asked Fáilte Ireland to respond directly to the Deputy. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
188. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the funds expended on the Slane bypass project since planning permission was refused in 2012 and the purpose in this regard. [7268/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned.
Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
189. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the local and regional roads funding allocated to each local authority in 2018 and to date in 2019; and the length of local and regional roads in each local authority area in tabular form. [7298/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of local authorities, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from the Council's own resources supplemented by State road grants. The initial selection and prioritisation of works to be funded is also a matter for the local authority.
Within the budget available to the Department, grant funding is allocated on as fair and equitable basis as possible. In this context, grants in the main grant categories are allocated based on the length of regional and local roads within a local authority area of responsibility and contributing traffic factors. Arising from the arrangements in place in relation to Local Property Tax receipts, the four Dublin Councils are largely self-funding for works on regional and local roads since 2015 and my Department no longer provides grants to these Councils under the main regional and local road grant categories.
Grant funding has been allocated based on the 2012 road length figures as set out in the table below. The Department is currently in the process of updating those road length figures.
Details of the regional and local road grant allocations and payments for 2018 and allocations for 2019 (to local authorities) are outlined in the regional and local road grant booklets which are available in the Dáil Library.
|
Local Authority |
Regional km |
Local km |
Total km |
|
Carlow |
186 |
1008 |
1194 |
|
Cavan |
399 |
2481 |
2880 |
|
Clare |
634 |
3439 |
4073 |
|
Cork |
1402 |
10465 |
11867 |
|
Donegal |
800 |
5325 |
6125 |
|
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown |
106 |
561 |
667 |
|
Fingal |
262 |
982 |
1244 |
|
Galway |
826 |
5443 |
6269 |
|
Kerry |
536 |
3802 |
4338 |
|
Kildare |
482 |
1889 |
2371 |
|
Kilkenny |
421 |
2584 |
3005 |
|
Laois |
349 |
1721 |
2070 |
|
Leitrim |
336 |
1769 |
2105 |
|
Limerick City and County |
521 |
3138 |
3659 |
|
Longford |
154 |
1367 |
1521 |
|
Louth |
266 |
1389 |
1655 |
|
Mayo |
629 |
5459 |
6088 |
|
Meath |
574 |
2578 |
3152 |
|
Monaghan |
302 |
2122 |
2424 |
|
Offaly |
389 |
1666 |
2055 |
|
Roscommon |
373 |
3357 |
3730 |
|
Sligo |
224 |
2286 |
2510 |
|
South Dublin |
106 |
786 |
892 |
|
Tipperary |
896 |
4482 |
5378 |
|
Waterford City and County |
421 |
2426 |
2847 |
|
Westmeath |
310 |
1829 |
2139 |
|
Wexford |
477 |
2851 |
3328 |
|
Wicklow |
445 |
1671 |
2116 |
|
Cork City |
44 |
419 |
463 |
|
Dublin City |
215 |
931 |
1146 |
|
Galway City |
35 |
245 |
280 |
|
Total |
13,120 |
80,471 |
93,591 |
190. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on action No. 251 of the Action Plan for Rural Development (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7309/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is probably aware, the Programme for a Partnership Government committed toward a review of public transport policy and that review was also identified as an action in the Action Plan for Rural Development.
I can inform the Deputy that work on the review of Public Transport policy has been ongoing in my Department for a number of months. All elements of public transport are being considered in the review, including public transport in rural communities.
My officials have now substantially completed the significant research and analysis required to inform a public consultation as part of the review. I expect to launch the public consultation process shortly.
191. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aindrias Moynihan den Aire Leanaí agus Gnóthaí Óige an líon cigirí atá ar fáil chun cigireacht a dhéanamh ar naíonraí agus aonaid éagsúla luathbhlianta atá ag feidhmiú trí Ghaolinn taobh istigh is taobh amuigh den Ghaeltacht; agus an ndéantar an cigireacht trí Ghaolinn. [7044/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am conscious of the role early learning and care services play in promoting Irish as a living language and how this helps children to develop proficiency in the Irish language.
My Department has participated proactively with colleagues in the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in agreeing a comprehensive set of early learning and care actions to be implemented under the Action Plan for the Irish Language 2018 to 2022.
Inspections of early learning and care services are carried out by two Inspectorates. The first is located in Tusla and the second in the Department of Education and Skills.
Tusla’s Early Years Inspectorate seeks to provide a high standard of service through the medium of Irish and is committed to supporting early learning and care services where Irish is spoken. At present, Tusla has one inspector with high level proficiency in the Irish language. This inspector carried out 17 inspections through the medium of Irish in 2018.
There are a number of inspectors with conversational Irish who engage with the providers outside and inside the Gaeltacht at an informal level through Irish. The Tusla Inspectorate is currently engaged in recruiting a further specific Irish language inspector with expert proficiency in both oral and written Irish.
With regard to the Early Years Inspectorate of the Department of Education and Skills, of the current total inspection team of 20 (Whole-time Equivalent) inspectors, seven have strong capacity to engage in Early Years Education Inspection fully through Irish, including the writing of inspection reports, providing feedback for continuous improvement and responding in Irish to issues raised by personnel in the early years services.
In addition, the Inspectorate deploys primary inspectors, who have special expertise in early years education, in the quality assurance of reports that are prepared for publication in Irish.
The DES Inspectorate also has an active continuing professional development (CPD) programme to build the capacity of the wider Early Years Inspection team which includes Early Years and Primary Inspectors.
Tuigim an ról atá ag seirbhísí luathfhoghlama agus cúraim chun an Ghaeilge mar theanga bheo a chur chun cinn, agus tuigim an chaoi a gcuidíonn sé sin le leanaí chun feabhas a chur ar a gcuid Gaeilge.
D'oibrigh mo Roinn le comhghleacaí sa Roinn Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta chun sraith chuimsitheach gníomhartha maidir le luathfhoghlaim agus cúram a aontú. Déanfar na gníomhartha sin a chur i bhfeidhm faoin bPlean Gníomhaíochta don Ghaeilge 2018-2022.
Tá dhá Fhoireann Cigireachta ann chun iniúchadh a dhéanamh ar sheirbhísí luathfhoghlama agus cúraim. Tá ceann amháin in Tusla agus an ceann eile sa Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna.
Tá Foireann Cigireachta na Luathbhlianta in Tusla ag iarraidh seirbhís ar ardchaighdeán trí mheán na Gaeilge a chur ar fáil agus tá siad tiomanta do sheirbhísí luathfhoghlama agus cúraim ina labhraítear an Ghaeilge a thacú. Faoi láthair, tá cigire amháin ag Tusla a bhfuil leibhéal ard inniúlachta sa Ghaeilge aige. Rinne an cigire sin 17 gcigireacht trí mheán na Gaeilge in 2018.
Tá roinnt cigirí ann atá ábalta comhrá a bheith acu i nGaeilge agus téann siad i dteagmháil le soláthróirí laistigh agus lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht trí mheán na Gaeilge ag leibhéal neamhfhoirmiúil. Tá cigire Gaeilge eile á earcú ag an bhFoireann Cigireachta in Tusla faoi láthair. Beidh leibhéal ard inniúlachta ag an duine sin i scríobh agus i labhairt na Gaeilge.
Maidir le Foireann Cigireachta na Luathbhlianta sa Roinn Oideachais agus Scileanna, tá 20 duine (Coibhéis Lánaimseartha) ar fhoireann na gcigirí ina iomlán faoi láthair, agus tá Gaeilge láidir ag seachtar acu. Tá siadsan in ann Cigireacht Oideachas na Luathbhlianta a dhéanamh go hiomlán trí Ghaeilge; an méid seo a leanas san áireamh: na tuairiscí cigireachta a scríobh, aiseolas le haghaidh dul chun cinn leanúnach a chur ar fáil agus freagra i nGaeilge a chur ar fáil nuair atá ceist ag ball foirne de chuid na seirbhísí luathbhlianta.
Chomh maith leis sin, baineann an Fhoireann Cigireachta úsáid as cigirí bunoideachais, a bhfuil saineolas acu in oideachas na luathbhlianta, chun dearbhú cáilíochta a dhéanamh ar thuairiscí atá le foilsiú i nGaeilge.
Tá clár gníomhach ag Foireann Cigireachta na Roinne Oideachais agus Scileanna a bhaineann le forbairt ghairmiúil leanúnach (nó CPD) chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar an acmhainn atá ag an bhfoireann leathan a phléann le Cigireacht na Luathbhlianta. Cuimsíonn sin Cigirí Bunoideachais agus Cigirí na Luathbhlianta.
192. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the exemptions or fast-track to Further Education and Training Council, FETAC, 5 available to persons with various teaching qualifications and over 20 years of experience with early childhood education and management; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7166/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI would like to thank the Deputy for his question and for his interest in the qualification standards for work in the Early Learning and Care sector introduced by my department.
I understand the Deputy's reference to FETAC 5 to mean qualifications in early childhood care and education at Level 5 on the National Framework for Qualifications (NFQ). Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), which took over the functions of FETAC (the Further Education and Training Awards Council), is the awarding body for further education awards in Ireland and is also responsible for the NFQ. Access to programmes of learning which lead to QQI-accredited awards are widely available through a variety of education and training providers nationwide.
The 2016 Childcare Regulations (Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016) came into effect at the end of June 2016. A specific section of the regulations deals with the matter of qualifications for Early Learning and Care workers who are working with children in a pre-school service. This section of the regulations took effect for new services from 30th June 2016 and for all other services it took effect after 31st December 2016. It states (Part 3, 9.4) that each employee working directly with children attending the service must hold at least a major award in Early Childhood Care and Education at Level 5 on the NFQ or a qualification deemed by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to be equivalent.
This regulatory change was introduced following many years of consultation with the sector. Mindful of the challenge that it would present to the sector, my department introduced the following supportive measures:
- Learner Funds to provide sector workers with an opportunity to upskill to a Level 5 qualification. Three Learner Funds were available to upskill to Level 5, the most recent with a closing date for applications of July 29th 2016. The courses undertaken through the Learner Funds were wholly funded by my Department via the City / County Childcare Committees (CCCs).
- A ‘grandfathering declaration’, to allow sector workers nearing the end of their career to continue working. The option to apply for a grandfathering declaration was first made available in the latter half of 2014, and publicised through the CCCs. Early Years sector workers were able to avail of the grandfathering declaration up to the time that the regulations came into effect. Grandfathering declarations signed after the 30th of June 2016 are not considered valid, and this time limit is stated in the Regulations. The grandfathering declarations apply up to the start of September 2021, allowing signatories to meet the minimum regulatory standard until that time.
- Delayed introduction of regulations. Following consultation with various stakeholders regarding regulatory change, the introduction of regulations was extended from September 2015 to June 2016. The date for the minimum qualification standard to take effect was extended beyond this to the 31st of December 2016. The sector was first informed about the intention to introduce new regulations, including a minimum qualification standard, in 2013.
- A qualifications assessment procedure put in place by my Department in the latter half of 2015, which allows for applications to be made for individual assessment; applicants may include any documentation they believe to be relevant and assessment is made on the basis of the entire qualifications profile as evidenced by the applicant. This is conducted by officials in my Department in consultation with the Early Years Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, and is available to anyone who applies. Each application is dealt with on a case by case basis.
If the Deputy is referring to a specific case, I would advise that individual to apply to my Department for qualifications recognition, if they have not already done so. If they want to pursue additional education, they should contact an appropriate education provider and enquire directly with them as to their options. Some education providers may be able to provide advanced access to a programme of learning on foot of pre-existing qualifications or a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
I must emphasise that the Department of Children and Youth Affairs is neither an education and training provider, nor an awarding body, and cannot issue instruction to educational institutions in this regard.
193. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of reports commissioned from firms (details supplied) in 2018; the firm that completed each report; and the cost of each report. [7172/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra194. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of consultants from firms (details supplied) contracted to perform work in 2018; and the amount spent on consultants from each firm. [7189/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 193 and 194 together.
My Department commissioned one report in 2018 by Deloitte and Touche, which cost €8,781.
The Department of Education and Skills, the national authority for the Erasmus+ programme, is required by the EU to produce, on an annual basis, an independent audit of the monies provided to Leargas. Youth in Action (YIA) is part of the Erasmus+ programme and my Department is responsible for covering the cost of that part of the annual audit by Deloitte & Touche.
I am not in a position to advise on the number of consultants involved in this report as these details are not available.
I confirm that there was no work commissioned or carried out in my Department by the other firms listed in 2018.
195. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the organisations in County Wexford that received psychotherapy and counselling funding from Tusla in 2018; and the amount of funding provided to each organisation. [7292/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child and Family Agency Act, 2013, Tusla, the Child and Family Agency is required to support and promote the development, welfare and protection of children. Tusla provides funding to a range of organisations which provide counselling, psychotherapy and support services to vulnerable children and families.
As the Deputy's question refers to an operational matter for Tusla, I have requested Tusla to respond directly to the Deputy.
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which the number of children at risk can be identified and have their issues addressed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7388/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection in Ireland. Tusla has experienced a 40% growth in child welfare and protection referrals since its establishment in 2014. This increase in referrals clearly shows the growing awareness and concern in society with respect to children’s wellbeing and safety.
Where Tusla assess that a child is at risk, due to their home situation or, indeed, their own risk taking behaviour, they work with the parents/carers to see if the child can remain living safely at home with social work and family support interventions.
In January 2019, I attended the joint launch of the Tusla/HSE ‘Hidden Harm Strategic Statement’ to alert people to the effects of substance misuse behind closed doors. ‘Hidden Harm’ is the term now being used to describe the damage caused to children where their parents or carers abuse alcohol or drugs.
My Department and Tusla have been working hard to ensure early preventative services are in place to help families with these difficulties. Tusla is implementing its Partnership Prevention Family Support Programme (PPFS) to identify, with other professionals and families, ways of helping families and children before problems become habitual.
Tusla has a Child Protection Notification System (CPNS), a list of children living at home, who are deemed to be at current risk, and who are subjected to child protection case conferences and structured interventions. The reasons stated for a significant number of these children’s listing is due to an adult mental health problem, addiction or domestic violence.
When a child’s situation is at such a level of risk that they cannot be protected safely at home, they are either received into care on a voluntary basis or Tusla apply to the courts for a care order. Tusla act immediately on notification of an immediate risk to a child. Children who are in a situation of immediate risk may initially be dealt with by An Garda Síochána or by Tusla, but in the main both agencies work together in such cases.
Gardaí have specific powers under Section 12 of the Child Care Act to remove a child from a situation of danger, and under Section 13 of to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. At that point, Tusla will carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm.
I thank the Deputy for his ongoing interest in this important area.
