Written Answers Nos. 566-590
566. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she remains satisfied that sufficient staff with the appropriate qualifications remain available to her Department to address such issues as child abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43580/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by Tusla that as of the end of June 2019, the most recent verified figures available, there were 5,759 cases awaiting allocation of a social worker.
Tusla has confirmed that of these cases, 991 (17.2%) were categorised as high priority; 1,868 (32.4%) cases were low priority; and 2,900 (50.4%) were medium priority.
The priority level assigned to the case is based on the resources required to address the case, rather than on risk to the child. I am informed that all urgent and emergency cases receive immediate attention by the local duty social work team.
It is important to note that CORU is required to accredit courses for the education and training of all social workers, as well as registering individual social workers. Social workers are educated and registered as generic social workers, who may then apply to take up employment in specific areas such as child protection, probation, mental health and disability services. Accordingly, social workers are required to undertake at least two placements on a CORU accredited training course. The placement has to be supervised by a registered experienced social worker and a student is required to undertake at least one statutory placement (Tusla or Probation Services) and to have experience of both adult and children's services. Students have to pass their placement in order to graduate.
I can assure the Deputy that addressing the needs of children who are awaiting the allocation of a social worker is one of my key priorities. I have continued to secure additional funding each year for Tusla since becoming Minister in 2016 and in 2019 Tusla’s allocation was €783 million. I have achieved a further €31 million for 2020.
I am aware of Tusla’s significant proactive approach to the recruitment of social workers in a difficult and challenging recruitment environment where the supply of social workers is limited and where Tusla is competing with the HSE and the voluntary and private sectors.
Tusla has advised that the total number of whole time equivalent staff in Tusla at 31 August 2019 is 4004, of whom 1,513 are social workers. Tusla has also informed me that recruitment efforts to 31 August 2019 are ahead of target for Social Work with a total figure of 149 hires. This has resulted in an increase of Social Workers by 64 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE), when attrition is taken into account.
I am also informed that Tusla Recruit is operating 16 social work specific campaigns for example:
- a rolling campaign for Professionally Qualified Social Workers,
- the Social Work Graduate Programme designed to recruit new graduates,
- Social Work Team Lead,
- Senior Social Work Practitioner, and
- Principal Social Worker.
I requested that Tusla develop a strategic multi-annual workforce plan, which would include reflection of the labour market and the current limited supply of social workers. I am pleased that Tusla now has a Strategic Workforce Planning Model which I understand will be rolled out over the coming years.
I welcome the fact that there is a focus on recruitment and retention as part of the roll-out of the Strategic Workforce Implementation Plan, assisting staff wellbeing by assessing workplace stressors and critical incident exposure in the workplace.
The Model will also seek to deliver on a strategic focus for Tusla with a gradual transition to multi-disciplinary teams. The multi-disciplinary teams will look to consist of the optimum mix of skills across social work, social care, therapeutic staff, family support, education welfare and administrative support.
My Department has also taken the initiative to establish the Social Work Education Group which provides a forum for Tusla and other stakeholders to explore and act upon possible actions to influence the future supply of social workers.
The first priority identified by the Group is the streamlining of student placements. My Department has commissioned research to identify ways and alternative approaches to streamline this process, working with stakeholders. I understand a final report is due shortly and possible next steps will be considered.
567. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which her Department or bodies under her aegis have had adequate resources, including social workers, to deal with issues such as bullying including cyberbullying; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43581/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll of society should be concerned with child welfare and protection and it is important that concerns are dealt with as and where they arise. The primary responsibility for protecting children rests with their parents but parents are supported in this role by a range of service providers, state agencies, schools and professionals working with children and young people.
There is a range of services available which can assist children and young people in coping with bullying situations for example:
www.webwise.ie - An initiative of the Department of Education and Skills – provides information on a range of internet safety issues and concerns and offers advice and support for young people, teachers and parents.
www.tacklebullying.ie - a national website to counter bullying and cyberbullying for young people, parents and teachers.
At a national and community level, youth organisations and voluntary youth services funded by my Department provide education programmes, run awareness campaigns about bullying and provide programmes for young people to give them the knowledge and skills to build supportive links and counter bullying behaviours. Specifically, my Department supports the National Youth Health Programme which is in partnership with the HSE and the National Youth Council of Ireland. The programme’s aims are to provide a broad-based, flexible health promotion / education support and training service to youth organisations and to all those working with young people in out-of school settings, and includes programmes aimed at exploring bullying and cyberbullying with young people.
A range of Government Departments and agencies have a role in relation to internet safety. In recognition of the whole of government approach required, in July 2018, the Taoiseach launched the Action Plan for Online Safety 2018-19. The Action Plan involves a wide range of actions, across six Government Departments – Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Education and Skills; Justice and Equality; Children and Youth Affairs; Health; and Business Enterprise and Innovation, recognising that online safety is not the responsibility of just one Department and signifying the range and breadth of the issues involved. A Sponsors Group, involving the six Departments and chaired by the Department of Education and Skills, has been established to drive implementation of the Action Plan.
As part of the Action Plan for Online Safety, my Department committed to amending the Children First Guidance to include a specific reference to the need to consider online safety in the completion of a Child Safeguarding Statement. An addendum to the Guidance, clarifying the need to consider online safety in the preparation of risk assessments and Child Safeguarding Statements, was finalised and published on my Department’s website in January. In addition, Tusla has revised its template for the completion of Child Safeguarding Statements to refer to the need to consider online risks to children if a service provides access to the internet.
568. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which her Department or bodies under her aegis can quickly respond to and take appropriate action in response to reports of suspected child abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43582/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra569. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she has available to her Department the adequate resources to respond to and treat children that may be the subject of physical, mental or sexual abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43583/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra573. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which her Department remains alert to and can respond quickly to all forms of child abuse; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43588/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 568, 569 and 573 together.
Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, is the statutory body with responsibility for child protection and welfare services. If I, or my officials, become aware of a situation in which a child is considered to be at risk, that concern is communicated to Tusla as a matter of urgency.
If a child appears to be at risk of harm or neglect, the concerns should be reported to Tusla. Anyone can report a concern about a child to Tusla, and information on how to do so is available on the Tusla website. If a child is at immediate risk or in danger, the Gardaí should be alerted without delay.
Tusla act urgently 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. 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.
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 that same act to deliver that child into the custody of Tusla. Tusla will at that point carry out an assessment to determine the child's needs. This may in some cases include applying for an Emergency Care Order. In all cases, a plan will be put in place to ensure that the child is safe from harm.
Tusla have implemented Signs of Safety, a child protection methodology which has at its core the involvement of the child in any assessment and decision making process.
Timely response to reported concerns is a key objective for Tusla, and my Departments officials work closely with the senior management team to reduce waiting times, including through investment in partnership, prevention and family support services that provide for a community-led response to referrals that do not reach the threshold for a child protection or social-work led intervention.
In 2015, the Children First Act placed key elements of the Children First National Guidance on a statutory basis. The Act provides for a number of key child protection required measures including mandated reporting of child protection concerns to the Child and Family Agency by designated persons, compliance with best practice in child protection as set out in the Children First Guidance, and development of an organisation-specific Child Safeguarding Statement. Organisations providing service to children are obliged to identify areas of risk to children in their services and to set out mitigating factors. The Safeguarding Statement is to be made available publicly.
Tusla also has a dedicated Quality Assurance Team. This team produces monthly, quarterly and annual reports in respect of Tusla's functions, including detailed reporting on child safety and protection services. Tusla provides monthly, quarterly and annual information on children in care, their placement type, care status and allocation of social workers and these are published on their website. My officials scrutinise these reports and brief me and the Secretary General on issues of note. The reports provide 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.
Officials from my Department meet Tusla management on a regular basis to review the level of service provision, including areas in need of improvement.
570. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of reports of bullying reported to her Department in the past 12 months; the extent to which this compares with the previous four years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43585/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the past 12 months there has been one allegation of bullying reported to the HR Unit in my Department.
The HR Unit in my Department received no reports of bullying in the previous 4 years.
It is a central policy of my Department to ensure that managers and staff encourage and maintain good employee relations in order to ensure a motivated workforce and an efficient service.
571. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the degree to which she has been able to respond to requests for financial or other assistance from an organisation (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43586/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received correspondence from Kildare Youth Services on 9th July of this year. The reply, issued 23rd July, highlighted that my Department is currently managing the most significant reform of youth services ever undertaken, which is providing an opportunity to identify need and to focus funding on young people most in need of intervention.
The reply further explained that future development and investment in youth services will be informed by the mapping exercise completed in 2017, which mapped youth service provision across the State as well as an Area Profiling, Needs Assessment and Service Requirement tool which was designed in collaboration with the Education and Training Board (ETB) sector and was officially launched in January 2019. This mapping and tool is assisting the Department and ETBs to develop a detailed social demographic profile in terms of both population numbers and deprivation patterns.
The reply also explained that funding for the provision of youth services is administered on behalf of my Department by the sixteen Education and Training Boards (ETBs), and went on to stress that my Department is committed to working with ETBs to identify requirements in their area and facilitate decisions on service requirement by reference to evidenced need.
Finally, the response provided the contact details for Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board (KWETB) and suggested that they might be contacted regarding the matters outlined in the correspondence.
572. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children in residential care or foster care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43587/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFoster care is the main form of alternative care for children in need of care and protection, and is the preferred option for children who cannot live with their parents or guardians. As of the 31 July 2019, of the children in care, 91% were in foster care nationally; there were 3,957 children in general foster care, 1,560 in relative care and 402 children were in a residential care placement, with the remaining children in other care placements appropriate to their assessed needs.
For children who cannot live either at home or in an alternative family environment such as foster care, there are a number of types of residential care settings that may be appropriate, of which secure care is one type.
A very small number of children (2%) are in other care placements. Such placements can include supported lodgings, at home under a care order, detention centre and other residential centres e.g. therapeutic, mental health or disability residential care.
As foster care is the dominant type of care, Tusla regularly carry out area and national recruitment campaigns to meet foster care demands. Fostering teams are responsible for the recruitment and assessment of foster carers. When an assessment is complete, a report is presented to the Foster Care Committee who decide whether or not to approve the applicant.
The recruitment and retention of an appropriate range of foster carers is part of Tusla's business plan. Tusla are particularly interested in recruiting foster carers with the skills required to look after children with complex needs, or from a range of ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
574. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the extent to which she and her Department continue to engage with local and voluntary youth services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43589/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and I continue to engage with local and voluntary youth services in a range of ways which I happy to outline for the Deputy.
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country, including those from disadvantaged communities. My Department also involves stakeholders from the sector on an ongoing basis, and also around specific developments and consultations.
The Department of Children and Youth Affairs administers the Youth Service Grant Scheme which provides funding for 30 nationwide voluntary Youth Organisations to provide and promote non-formal education and development opportunities for young people, and to help them develop social skills and competencies. My Department and I maintain close contact with the national youth organisations throughout the year and meet formally with them all twice a year to share knowledge and information on developments in the youth sector.
My Department also supports marginalised, vulnerable and disadvantaged young people through informal and non-formal educational opportunities via The Targeted Youth Funding Scheme. Working through local ETBs takes advantage of on-the-ground youth work expertise and allows for flexible youth services to be designed based on local analysis of need and existing provision, implemented using evidence-based approaches, and evaluated to ensure impact for service users and value for money for the taxpayer. We have worked extremely closely with the sector in the development of the new scheme, under the principle of 'co-design', and have had many consultation events around the country with stakeholders from local youth project, ETBs, national youth organisations, and young people themselves.
My Department also administers the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme via local ETBs to support activities at local youth clubs and groups; and also funds 21 Youth Information Centres which provide young people with access to information on rights, opportunities, benefits, health, welfare and other matters.
In addition, the Capital Funding Scheme has provided small to medium capital grants to qualifying youth projects which are in receipt of funding from DCYA. Eligible youth projects make an application through their local Education and Training Board.
575. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the capital spend by his Department to date in 2019 including the capital carry over from 2018, by subhead; the provision under each subhead including the capital carry over from 2018 provided for in the Revised Estimates Volume for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42986/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Further Revised Estimates for 2019 in respect of the Department of Rural and Community Development provides for gross capital expenditure of €138 million. There was no carryover from 2018 as the provision was fully utilised.
€76.3 million of my Department's capital allocation has been spent to date. I have set out expenditure allocations by subhead, and the respective spend to 16 October, in the following table.
Gross capital expenditure to the end of September, the most recent period that can be compared to profiled expenditure, is slightly ahead of the profile estimated at the start of the year. As is usual for capital projects, the majority of claims for payment will be made in the final quarter of the year as projects progress to completion and capital grant approvals are drawn down.
Continued close monitoring of expenditure is a matter of significant priority so as to ensure full use of our allocated resources, and that value for money is delivered in respect of our funding.
Capital Expenditure to 16 October
|
|
REV 2019 |
YTD - Actual |
|
V42 – GROSS (€’000s) |
138,000 |
76,342 |
|
|
|
|
|
A - REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT & REGIONAL AFFAIRS |
122,882 |
69,705 |
|
A.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
182 |
73 |
|
A.4 - NATIONAL RURAL DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES |
15,000 |
8,881 |
|
A.5 - LEADER - RURAL ECONOMY SUB PROGRAMME |
30,000 |
34,239 |
|
A.7 - TOWN AND VILLAGE REGENERATION |
15,000 |
9,843 |
|
A.8 – REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT |
700 |
4 |
|
A.9. - LOCAL IMPROVEMENT SCHEMES |
10,000 |
5,599 |
|
A10 - RURAL REGENERATION & DEVELOPMENT FUND |
52,000 |
11,066 |
|
B - COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT |
15,118 |
6,636 |
|
B.2 - ADMINISTRATION - NON PAY |
151 |
52 |
|
B.3 –SUPPORTS FOR COMMUNITY & VOLUNTARY SECTOR |
1 |
- |
|
B.6- SUPPORTS FOR DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES |
1,767 |
371 |
|
B.7- DORMANT ACCOUNT MEASURES |
2,500 |
702 |
|
B.8- PROGRAMME FOR PEACE AND RECONCILIATION |
650 |
- |
|
B.10 - LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AND ARCHIVE SERVICE |
6,049 |
1,512 |
|
B.11 - COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT PROGRAMME |
4,000 |
4,000 |
576. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress to date for each of the 41 action points made in the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce report published in December 2016 in which his Department has lead or joint responsibility for implementing following the third National Stakeholder Forum; if each such action point has been completed, not completed or is ongoing, respectively; and the revised deadlines for action points not delivered by the original timeframes set out in tabular form. [42987/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce was published in December 2016 and included 40 actions to alleviate barriers to mobile phone reception and broadband access. A Taskforce Implementation Group was established in early 2017 to oversee the delivery of the actions in the report.
A Review of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce report was published on 21 February 2018, and provides a comprehensive progress report on all 40 of the actions included in the original report. In addition, the Review presented the 2018 Work Programme of the Implementation Group, comprising 34 actions to be progressed during 2018. Any relevant actions which were not completed or closed in 2017 were carried forward into the 2018 Work Programme.
A Review of the 2018 Work Programme was published in February 2019. This provides a progress report on the 2018 Work Programme, as well as setting out 35 actions for the Implementation Group to progress in 2019. Again, any relevant actions which were not completed or closed in 2018 were carried forward into the 2019 Work Programme.
Each implementation review, as well as quarterly progress reports highlighting the status of each action, can be found on the Gov.ie website at: https://www.gov.ie/en/collection/215136-mobile-phone-and-broadband-taskforce/. The most recent progress report, for Quarter 2 2019, was published on 9th July.
The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce structure is now in its third year of operation. It continues to identify solutions to barriers to the roll out of telecommunications infrastructure and aims to improve mobile phone and broadband coverage nationwide.
The third National Stakeholder Forum was held in Dublin on 11th October and the discussions that took place at that event will form the basis of the future work programme of the Taskforce.
577. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the regional telecommunications development unit of his Department, in tabular form; the role of the unit in his Department with regard to the national broadband plan; the progress to date on the provision of a map of blackspots in mobile phone coverage undertaken by the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42990/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently 3.75 whole time equivalent civil servants working on telecommunications issues in the Regional Development and Innovation Unit of the Department of Rural and Community Development. A breakdown of the staffing by grade is provided in tabular format.
Regional Development and Innovation Unit – Broadband Support
|
Grade |
Number of Staff |
|
Principal Officer |
.5 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
.25 |
|
Total Staff |
3.75 |
The Regional Development and Innovation Unit works closely with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment to identify and mitigate barriers to the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure, including the National Broadband Plan (NBP).
The Unit shares responsibility with officials at the Department for Communications, Climate Action and Environment for the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce, which I chair. The Unit also supports the nationwide network of 31 Local Authority Broadband Officers, who are co-funded by the Department of Rural and Community Development. The Broadband Officers play a pivotal role in local telecommunications development and will be central figures in the roll-out of the NBP.
With regard to mobile phone coverage mapping, the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) has made an online outdoor mobile coverage map available on its website, https://www.comreg.ie/ . This resource provides consumers with information on the quality of mobile services, by operator, across the country. The map was a deliverable of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce.
578. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of persons by Civil Service grade working in the broadband office support unit of his Department, in tabular form. [42991/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Regional Development and Innovation Unit of the Department of Rural and Community Development is tasked with identifying and mitigating barriers to the rollout of telecommunications infrastructure, including the National Broadband Plan. The Unit works closely with Broadband Officers, who are co-funded by the Department, and based in each local authority, in support of this objective. The Unit also has responsibility for supporting the development of the Atlantic Economic Corridor initiative.
There are currently 3.75 civil servants working in the Department's Regional Development and Innovation Unit on telecommunications issues. A breakdown of staff by grade is provided in tabular format.
|
Regional Development and Innovation Unit – Broadband Support |
|
|
Grade |
Number of Staff |
|
Principal Officer |
.5 |
|
Assistant Principal |
1 |
|
Higher Executive Officer |
2 |
|
Clerical Officer |
.25 |
|
Total Staff |
3.75 |
579. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the progress made to date with the roll-out of the LEADER Programme 2014 to 2020; the expenditure incurred to date on the programme by administrative, amination and projects costs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42994/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a total budget of €250 million over the period to 2020. It is administered by Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme across the country.
Total expenditure on the LEADER programme since it commenced - effectively in 2016 when the majority of Funding Agreements were signed with the LAGs - amounts to over €69.5 million. This comprises:
- €1.5 million in initial costs incurred by the LAGs to develop their Local Development Strategies.
- €31.9 million in administration costs of the LAGs and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects.
- €36.1 million on project expenditure.
The level of project activity under the LEADER programme has increased significantly over the last year. Over 2,400 projects have now been approved for funding of over €91.8 million. A total of 935 projects have been approved in 2019 alone.
A further 310 applications, requesting an additional €26.4 million, are at an earlier stage in the approvals process.
In addition, more than 100 Food and Co-operation projects have been approved at national level, outside of the core budget available to the LAGs.
Project payments have increased significantly in recent months as approved works are completed and claims are submitted. Over €36.1 million of project expenditure has been incurred to date, €22.9 million of that in the current calendar year.
Indeed, there is a growing demand for more LEADER funding to be made available in some areas. In this regard, earlier this week I announced the allocation of an additional €5 million to the 10 LAGs that are most advanced in delivering the LEADER programme. This is further evidence of the significant progress made under LEADER since my Department introduced a range of administrative improvements to the programme in 2017 and 2018.
580. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the clubs, groups and organisations that have received funding under the LEADER programme in County Galway in each of the years 2016 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the level of funding provided to each group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43131/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe LEADER programme in County Galway is administered by two Local Action Groups (LAGs).
The Galway West LAG, Forum Connemara CLG, covers the Connemara region and the off-shore Islands. The Galway East LAG, Galway Rural Development CLG, covers the municipal districts to the east of Galway City.
The Funding Agreement for the LEADER 2014-2020 programme was signed with Forum Connemara in October 2016, while the Funding Agreement with Galway Rural Development was signed in April 2017. The programme effectively became operational in County Galway from these dates.
The total amount of funding allocated to County Galway for the duration of the LEADER programme to 2020 is in excess of €12.1 million. €4.5 million of this is allocated to the Galway West LAG, and €7.6 million is allocated to the Galway East LAG.
No projects were approved for funding is these LAG areas in 2016 or 2017 as the initial focus of the LAGs was to work with potential project promoters to develop project ideas and bring forward proposals for funding. However, there has been a significant increase in project approvals nationally since the start of 2018, and this is also evident in County Galway.
The Galway East LAG has now approved 61 projects applications to a value of over €2 million. A further 17 projects, requesting funding in excess of €603,000 are at earlier stages in the approvals process.
The Galway West LAG has approved funding of over €1.5 million to 48 projects, while a further 4 projects seeking almost €500,000 in funding are at earlier stages in the process.
Payments under the programme will increase significantly as these projects are completed and payment claims are submitted.
Details of all projects funded by the LEADER Local Action Groups in County Galway are available on-line at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/b849be-local-action-groups-approved-projects-2014-2020/.
581. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the consultancy service providers engaged by his Department from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019; the costs associated with each (details supplied); the reason for each service engagement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43320/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have set out in the following table details requested in relation to consultancy services engaged by my Department in 2018.
|
Name |
Subhead |
Invoice Date |
Amount |
Service Engagement |
|
KOSI CORPORATION LTD |
A.2 (vii) Consultancy Services and VFM & Policy Reviews |
13-April 2018 |
12,822.75 |
Project Management Assistance |
582. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the details of each value for money and policy review conducted by his Department from 1 January 2018 to 1 January 2019; the cost of each exercise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43337/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have provided the information requested by the Deputy in the following table. These reviews were all carried out in-house (no external consultants engaged) and are all available on the Government website Gov.ie.
|
Name of Value for money/policy review |
Date completed |
Cost |
Details |
|
LCDC Review |
August 2019 |
Zero |
The Department of Rural and Community Development commenced an internal review of Local Community Development Committees (LCDCs) in October 2017. The review sought to assess strategic and operational development of LCDCs since they were established and to identify opportunities to strengthen and support them in the coming years. The review was overseen by a steering group established by the Department for that purpose. It was underpinned by comprehensive consultation and supported by an analysis of data gathered during the review process. The LCDC Review was published in August 2019. |
|
Review of Revitalising Areas by Planning, Investment and Development (RAPID) programme and the Communities Facilities Scheme (CFS) |
June 2018 |
Zero |
On foot of this review, the new Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) was launched in May 2018. It replaces and builds on RAPID and the Communities Facilities Scheme (CFS)Combining these schemes makes for a more flexible, streamlined and targeted approach to providing funding to those communities most in need, while reducing the level of administration involved. |
|
Revised Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines. |
July 2018 |
Zero |
The Department published revised Dog Breeding Establishment Guidelines in July 2018, following a review of this area. These revised Guidelines became effective from 1 January 2019. |
583. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the financial allocations on an annual basis under the 2014-2020 rural development programme per measure 19 support for LEADER local development; the annual amount expended on the programme in each year of the RDP up to 30 September 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43471/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraLEADER, which is referred to at EU level as Measure 19 of the Rural Development Programme, forms part of Ireland's Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and has a total budget of €250 million over the programming period.
€225 million of this budget is allocated to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This includes €5 million in additional funding I allocated to the top 10 performing LAGs this week. The balance of €25 million is provided for thematic projects which are approved at national level.
The funding which has been allocated to the LAGs is provided for the duration of the programme, rather than on an annual basis. This provides greater flexibility to the LAGs in managing their resources.
Table 1 details the overall expenditure incurred each year to date under the programme. The figures reflect expenditure from the LAGs' core funding as well as expenditure under the national thematic schemes. The expenditure includes the initial costs incurred by the LAGs in developing their Local Development Strategies in the early years of the programme, LAG administration costs and the cost of their engagement with communities to generate projects, as well as project expenditure itself.
Expenditure and project approvals under LEADER have increased significantly over the last year. As of 30th September 2019, a total of 2,419 projects were approved by the LAGs for core funding of over €90.2 million. A further 292 core projects with a combined value in excess of €23.5 million were at earlier stages of the approvals process.
In addition, over 100 Food and Co-operation projects have been approved at national level under the thematic schemes referred to above.
The level of project expenditure under the programme is expected to increase further in 2019 as payment claims are submitted in respect of these project approvals.
Table 1: LEADER 2014-2020 Expenditure broken down per year as of 30 th September 2019
|
Total Programme Expenditure |
|
|
2015 |
€1,251,185 |
|
2016 |
€1,260,921 |
|
2017 |
€12,123,851 |
|
2018 |
€22,983,713 |
|
2019 |
€29,984,087 |
|
Total |
€67,603,757 |
584. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of applications made under the rural regeneration and development fund to date by county; the number of applications granted funding to date by county; the funding approved for the scheme in 2019; the number and value of payments made to date in 2019 for approved projects; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43540/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund seeks to support ambitious and strategic projects which have the potential to transform rural economies and communities. The Government has committed €1 billion over 10 years to the Fund and €315 million is allocated to the Fund for the period 2019-2022.
The first call under the Fund closed in September 2018. 280 applications were received – 126 Category 1 applications (projects which had the relevant planning and consents in place and could commence capital works in 2019) and 154 Category 2 applications (projects which had potential but needed further development to enable them to be potentially submitted as Category 1 proposals in the future). The number of applications per county is set out in Table 1.
In November 2018 and February 2019 I announced details of a total of 38 Category 1 projects and 46 Category 2 projects which were successful under the first call from the Fund, providing €86m in support for projects worth a total of €117m. The county breakdown of the projects which were announced is set out in Table 2.
Following the announcement of the successful projects, my Department engaged with each lead party to complete due diligence requirements. Contractual arrangements were also drawn up with the release of funding based on the achievement of key milestones in the projects.
In this regard, significant progress is already being made on the implementation of successful projects. A number of the projects have already reached their first milestone and had funding released. To date, €13,966,102 has been drawn down from the Fund by 25 separate projects. I expect that payments from the Fund will continue to accelerate over the coming weeks and months as further milestones are achieved across the other projects.
The second call for Category 1 applications under the Fund closed on the 6th August 2019 and 69 applications were received. The number of applications per County is set out in Table 3. My Department is currently finalising the assessment process in relation to the applications, carried out in conjunction with the Project Advisory Board for the Fund, which is comprised of representatives from key Government Departments and independent experts. In that regard, I expect to be in a position to announce successful projects under the second call shortly.
Table 1. Number of Applications under the First Call per County
|
|
Category 1 Applications |
Category 2 Applications |
Overall Applications per County |
|
Carlow |
1 |
5 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
Clare |
13 |
10 |
23 |
|
Cork |
17 |
49 |
66 |
|
Donegal |
8 |
4 |
12 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Galway |
9 |
5 |
14 |
|
Kerry |
7 |
7 |
14 |
|
Kildare |
4 |
9 |
13 |
|
Kilkenny |
4 |
5 |
9 |
|
Laois |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
3 |
5 |
|
Limerick |
13 |
5 |
18 |
|
Longford |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Louth |
2 |
2 |
4 |
|
Mayo |
7 |
6 |
13 |
|
Meath |
2 |
6 |
8 |
|
Monaghan |
5 |
4 |
9 |
|
Offaly |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Roscommon |
4 |
1 |
5 |
|
Sligo |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Tipperary |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
Waterford |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Westmeath |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Wexford |
5 |
6 |
11 |
|
Wicklow |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Multiple Locations |
5 |
4 |
9 |
|
Totals |
126 |
154 |
280 |
Table 2. Number of Projects Announced as Approved for Funding by County
|
|
Applications Announced as Approved for Funding Category 1 |
Applications Announced as Approved for Funding Category 2 |
Total Applications Announced as Approved for Funding |
|
Carlow |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Cavan |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Clare |
4 |
2 |
6 |
|
Cork |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
Donegal |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Dublin |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Galway |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
Kerry |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Kildare |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
Kilkenny |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Laois |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Longford |
2 |
0 |
2 |
|
Louth |
1 |
1 |
2 |
|
Mayo |
3 |
2 |
5 |
|
Meath |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
Monaghan |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Offaly |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Roscommon |
3 |
1 |
4 |
|
Sligo |
2 |
1 |
3 |
|
Tipperary |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Wexford |
1 |
4 |
5 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
0 |
0 |
|
Multiple Locations |
3 |
3 |
6 |
|
Totals |
38 |
46 |
84 |
Table 3. Number of Applications under the Second Call per County
|
County |
Number of Applications |
|
Carlow |
2 |
|
Cavan |
4 |
|
Clare |
5 |
|
Cork |
4 |
|
Donegal |
3 |
|
Donegal, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim |
1 |
|
Galway |
4 |
|
Kerry |
6 |
|
Kildare, Laois |
1 |
|
Kilkenny |
3 |
|
Laois |
1 |
|
Leitrim |
2 |
|
Limerick |
5 |
|
Longford |
1 |
|
Mayo |
4 |
|
Meath |
3 |
|
Monaghan |
2 |
|
Offaly |
3 |
|
Roscommon |
2 |
|
Sligo |
1 |
|
Tipperary |
4 |
|
Waterford |
2 |
|
Wexford |
3 |
|
Wicklow |
3 |
|
Grand Total |
69 |
585. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the situation for an Irish citizen living in Northern Ireland with regard to payment of social security if they wish to continue to enjoy benefits here and in other member states in the event of a no-deal Brexit or with a Brexit deal (details supplied). [43357/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the context of Brexit, it is important to underline that, under any scenario, Irish citizens will continue to have EU citizenship wherever they reside. They will continue to enjoy the right to live and work throughout the EU and the right not to be discriminated against on the grounds of nationality.
In addition, in any scenario the Government will continue to work with the UK to underline that the rights and entitlements of Irish citizens living in Northern Ireland are of fundamental importance and must be protected in accordance with the Good Friday Agreement. There is also an onus on the UK government to protect the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and it should ensure that these issues, including possible future UK participation in EU funds and programmes, are part of its position for the detailed discussions on the EU-UK future relationship.
It is important to be clear that the Common Travel Area will also be maintained in all circumstances, and this allows Irish citizens and British citizens to access a range of similar rights in each other’s countries on a reciprocal basis, including access to healthcare and education. This is particularly important for the ways in which people live on the island of Ireland.
In the event of a no deal Brexit, under the Common Travel Area, Irish citizens and British citizens in each other’s state have the right to access social security benefits on the same basis as citizens of that state. This includes reciprocal arrangements for social insurance schemes, social assistance schemes and child benefit. The Government is committed to ensuring that the reciprocity of social welfare rights and entitlements, which currently exist for Irish and British citizens within the Common Travel Area, are safeguarded and maintained.
Because of the unique nature of the Common Travel Area and the associated rights and privileges which it provides and will continue to provide for Irish and British citizens in each other’s countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom have formalised the pre-existing Common Travel Area social security arrangements in a legally binding agreement. Under the terms of the agreement, all existing arrangements regarding social insurance entitlements will be maintained in Ireland and the UK. This means that Irish citizens living in Ireland maintain the right to benefit from social insurance contributions made when working in the UK and to access social insurance payments if living in the UK and vice versa. This is in keeping with the current EU social security coordination practices, whereby a person ordinarily pays social security contributions in the country in which they work (rather than reside).
The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland (that is an integral part of the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the UK from the EU, and which has now been endorsed by the European Council and agreed with the UK Government) confirms the Union citizenship of Irish citizens in Northern Ireland. The Protocol also confirms that Irish citizens in Northern Ireland, “will continue to enjoy, exercise and have access to rights opportunities and benefits” that come with EU citizenship.
How best to ensure the access of those entitled to Irish citizenship in Northern Ireland to specific EU benefits - such as in the areas of social security - will be addressed as appropriate during the period of transition and in the context of the future relationship. To this end, the Government will continue to proactively engage to ensure that people in Northern Ireland enjoy access to EU rights, opportunities and benefits into the future. Ireland will continue to seek - to the greatest extent possible - the maintenance of the status quo.
The Government will continue to proactively engage to ensure that people in Northern Ireland continue to enjoy access to EU rights, opportunities, and benefits in to the future. The Government has made commitments in respect of access to the benefits of the European Health Insurance Card and the Erasmus+ programme in the context of a no deal scenario and the Government is committed to achieving the outcome that the people of Northern Ireland can access these entitlements in any circumstance.
It is important to note that in the event of an orderly Brexit, under Article 18 of the Withdrawal Agreement, the transition period would ensure no change in terms of access under EU law until December 2020 at the earliest.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
586. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42968/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was registered in that office. It is a statutory requirement of the appeals process that the relevant papers and comments by or on behalf of the Deciding Officer on the grounds of appeal be sought from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. These papers were received in the Social Welfare Appeals Office on 18 September 2019 and the case will be referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
587. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress made to date by the interdepartmental group in relation to the hosting of the community employment social inclusion schemes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43023/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra607. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the interdepartmental review of community employment schemes will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43101/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 587 and 607 together.
As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed to establish an Interdepartmental Group (IDG) to explore how social inclusion schemes might be organised going forward.
A series of meetings of the IDG have taken place and a number of follow-up meetings were undertaken with the relevant Departments. There was also a stakeholder consultation process which resulted in a number of submissions that were included in the wider review. I expect to have the final report over the coming weeks.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
588. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer's allowance application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43035/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance from the person concerned on 16 July 2019. Additional information in relation to the person’s application was requested by a deciding officer on 16 October 2019.
Once the information is received the application will be processed without delay and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
589. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a respite care grant for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43037/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment made by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection to full-time carers.
The person concerned was paid the 2018 grant in early 2019. A short questionnaire was sent to her for completion in order to assess her eligibility for the 2019 grant. However, the person concerned indicated in her reply that she had reduced the hours of care that she provided. She confirmed this in reply to a further subsequent enquiry.
A written decision refusing her claim for the 2019 grant has been sent to her. She was advised of her right to submit additional information to enable a review of this decision to be undertaken. She has also been advised of her right of appeal the decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
590. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43039/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
As a result of an Appeals Officer’s decision, carer's allowance was awarded to the person concerned on 17 September 2019 with effect from 18 October 2018.
The first payment issued on 26 September 2019. Arrears for the period 18 October 2018 to 18 September 2019 along with the 2019 carer's support grant also issued on 26 September 2019.
The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 17 September 2019.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
