1. This Week in the Oireachtas (03-07 December 2012)

Published: 03 December 2012

Contents

1. This Week in the Houses of the Oireachtas 03-07 December

2. Oireachtas Questions and Debate 26-30 November 2012 - Children’s Rights Referendum - Education: including special needs, minorities, disadvantage, literacy and numeracy, school staffing, school buildings, school patronage, curriculum - Asylum/Immigration - Child Services/ Children in Care: including foster care and social work services, HSE staffing, youth services - Family: including adoption - Child Abuse/Child Protection: including vetting, child abduction - Health and Wellbeing: including disability, mental health, substance misuse, primary care, health services, hospital services, obesity, sports facilities - Child Benefit/Social Welfare/Poverty - Justice Issues/Human Rights/Equality

1. This week in the Oireachtas (03-07 December 2012) http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?DocID=22325&&CatID=60

2. Oireachtas Questions and Debate (26-30 November 2012)

Children’s Rights Referendum

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Children's Rights Referendum. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Information on Frances Fitzgerald the timeframe for the enactment of changes to family law legislation that are expected following the passing of the Children's Referendum. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112800085?opendocument#Children%27s%20Rights%20Referendum

Education: including special needs, ECCE and childminding, minorities, disadvantage, literacy and numeracy, school staffing, school buildings, school patronage, curriculum

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Table of Contents. Special Educational Needs. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn when the review of the criteria for receiving an Irish exemption in schools will be concluded; if he envisages this review extending the criteria to include special needs such as autistic spectrum disorder and asperger's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112700059?opendocument#Special%20Educational%20Needs

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Table of Contents. School Transport. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn if there are any circumstances in which a child attending a primary school other than their nearest primary school may be able to avail of the school transport scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112700059?opendocument#School%20Transport

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Special Educational Needs. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn when the review of the criteria for receiving an Irish exemption in schools will be concluded; if he envisages this review extending the criteria to include special needs such as autistic spectrum disorder and asperger's syndrome; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112700059?opendocument#Special%20Educational%20Needs

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Education Welfare Service. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald if he will report on the status of the document one child, one team, one plan; if he will arrange to make this document available on his Department's website and if he will outline his plans for each of the services covered by this document. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Education%20Welfare%20Service

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Written Answers. School Patronage. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn if he will update on the consultation process with communities in regard to school patronage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12800070?opendocument&highlight=patronage#School%20Patronage

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Written Answers. Education Policy. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn his plans, if any, to sanction more community national schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112800070?opendocument&highlight=patronage#Education%20Policy

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. School Patronage. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Education and Skills Ruairí Quinn if he is satisfied that legislative measures to protect the religious ethos of schools do not act as a barrier to enrolment; if any complaints have been made to his Department in respect of pupils being denied the opportunity to enrol in a school on grounds of religious ethos; if any cases against the State have been taken on these grounds; his plans to review these legislative provisions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700060?opendocument#School%20Patronage

Asylum/Immigration

Seanad Éireann 28/11/2012 Refugee Accommodation. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/seanad20 12112800027?opendocument#

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Asylum Seeker Accommodation. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordán asked the Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter if there has been any movement in changing the way in which pending refugee applicants are being housed in Direct Provision Centres, which are often over crowded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12800081?opendocument&highlight=direct%20provision#Asylum%20Seeker%20Accommodation

Child Services/ Children in Care: including foster care and social work services, HSE staffing, youth services

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Children in Care. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the reason only 92.6 per cent of children in care had an allocated social worker at the end of September; if she expects the Health Service Executive target of 100 per cent for 2012 to be met; the action being taken to ensure that it is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Children in Care. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the reason 90.4 per cent of children in care currently have a written care plan, as defined by Child Care Regulations 1995; if she expects the Health Service Executive target of 100 per cent for 2012 to be met; the action being taken to ensure that it is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Children%20in%20Care

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Health Service Staff. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the reason no additional posts under Children and Families 2010 - the Ryan Report - were filled in September 2012; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument&highlight=social%20workers#Health%20Service%20Staff

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Health Service Staff. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the reason there were 80 fewer social workers at the end of September 2012 in comparison to the end of 2011; the prospects there are for meeting the end 2012 target; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Health%20Service%20Staff

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Health Service Staff. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald if the 10 posts of social care leader as advertised and interviewed for in 2011 have been filled; where the 10 posts have been filled; if they have not all been filled, if she will explain the reason; when same will be filled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Health%20Service%20Staff

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Being Young and Irish Initiative . Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the number of proposals from the Being Young and Irish initiative she will pursue and the timeline for implementation; in view of the fact that the Being Young and Irish report has been sent to all Government agencies and Departments, the way she is going to follow up and monitor the progress of the report's recommendations within each Department and agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Being%20Young%20and%20Irish%20Initiative

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child and Family Support Agency. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the reasons for not including public health nurses in phase one of the new Child and Family Agency; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Child%20and%20Family%20Support%20Agency

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child and Family Support Agency. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the anticipated increased cost of the constitutional changes to the taxpayer in terms of the establishment of the new Child and Family Support Agency and any other costs which may be incurred; the anticipated savings; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Child%20and%20Family%20Support%20Agency

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Departmental Funding. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the State contribution to Barnardos; ISPCC; Children's Rights Alliance and the Campaign for Children; the amount of money spent by these organisations; if the proposed change in the constitution will affect the amount of money that the State funnels into these organisation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Departmental%20Funding Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012. Children in Care. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the cost of a Guardian ad Litem; who supplies Guardian ad Litem services; if Guardian ad Litem will be a feature of every case involving a child under Amendment 31; the cost to the taxpayer; if Barnardos, ISPCC and Children's Rights Alliance offer Guardian ad Litem services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Departmental%20Funding

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child and Family Support Agency. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald when the child protection staff currently employed by the Health Service Executive will be transferred to the new agency; the number of staff that will be transferred; if they receive will redundancy payments and if so what is the estimated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Departmental%20Funding

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child Detention Centres. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald when the Health Service Executive report surrounding the absconding from Gleann Alainn Special Care Unit in October 2011 will be published. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12900063?opendocument&highlight=child%20care#Child%20Detention%20Centres Family: including adoption

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Respite Care Services. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald Zoom on Frances Fitzgerald if there is any respite support available for a single parent of four children ranging in ages from four years to 10 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12900063?opendocument&highlight=child%20care#Respite%20Care%20Services

Child Abuse/Child Protection: including vetting, child abduction

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Child Protection Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter the safe guards that have been put in place to protect children who are housed in direct provision centres whilst they and or their parent or legal guardian await their refugee application to be processed especially as many children in said centres are forced to share rooms with adults who are not known to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112800081?opendocument#Child%20Protection

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Domestic Violence. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordán asked the Minister for Health James Reilly if he will provide in tabular form the number of persons broken down by county, who are using front line services for victims of domestic violence and if such a breakdown could include numerical figures for those using said services who are under the age of 18 years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112800085?opendocument#Children%27s%20Rights%20Referendum

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child Abuse Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald the reason there is a disparity between Health Service Executive Regions regarding the percentage of referrals of child abuse where a preliminary enquiry took place within 24 hours; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Child%20Abuse

Health and Wellbeing: including disability, mental health, substance misuse, primary care, health services, hospital services, obesity, sports facilities

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Alcohol Advertising. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Information on Leo Varadkar his views on whether sponsorship of sporting events by alcoholic drinks companies should be subject to the same regulations as tobacco sponsorship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112700050?opendocument#Alcohol%20Advertising

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Services for Children with Disabilities. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health James Reilly if Autism will be a key priority of his as part of Ireland's Presidency of the EU in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112800085?opendocument#Services%20for%20Children%20with%20Disabilities

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child Nutrition. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald if her attention has been drawn to the growing problems with child nutrition here, particularly a recent study by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland showing that babies here are having fizzy drinks, cakes and so on at ages of less than six months old; his plans to address issues regarding child nutrition and to support families; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700073?opendocument#Child%20Nutrition

Dáil Éireann 29/11/2012 Written Answers. Mental Health Services. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health James Reilly if he will honour the €35 million pledge on community mental health. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12900064?opendocument&highlight=mental%20health#Mental%20Health%20Services

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Mental Health Services. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health James Reilly the role of the mental health services in the Strategic Framework for Reform of the Health Service 2012 to 2015. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700074?opendocument&highlight=mental%20health#Mental%20Health%20Services

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Health Dr. James Reilly the expenditure on mental health services as a percentage of the overall health services expenditure in each of the years 2005 to 2012 inclusive. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700074?opendocument&highlight=mental%20health#Mental%20Health%20Services

Child Benefit/Social Welfare/Poverty/Housing

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Budget 2013. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Finance Michael Noonan the analyses being done on Budget 2013 / Finance Bill proposals under his remit, for example poverty impact assessment and gender impact assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112700054?opendocument#Budget%202013

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Written Answers. Family Income Supplement Applications. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton the reason applicants for family income supplement made in June and July 2012 are been told that their applications will not be dealt with until in some cases as far as April 2013 while applications submitted in October this year have already been dealt with. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112800075?opendocument#Family%20Income%20Supplement%20Applications

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child Benefit Rates. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton if child benefit payments in relation to multiples will be maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112700061?opendocument#Child%20Benefit%20Rates

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Family Income Supplement Eligibility. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton the reason family income support is not paid to the self employed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/Debates%20Authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail2012 112700062?opendocument#Family%20Income%20Supplement%20Eligibility

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Child Benefit Rates. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton if child benefit payments in relation to multiples will be maintained; and if she will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700061?opendocument#Child%20Benefit%20Rates Justice Issues/ Human Rights/Equality

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Medical Treatment (Termination of Pregnancy in Case of Risk to Life of Pregnant Woman) (No. 2) Bill 2012: Second Stage (Resumed) [Private Members] http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12800051?opendocument

Dáil Éireann 27/11/2012 Written Answers. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Taoiseach Enda Kenny his views on whether there should be a constant review of the Constitution and that each generation should have a say on the total document; if such a move will be considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12700053?opendocument#Constitutional%20Convention

Seanad Éireann 27/11/2012 National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012: Second Stage http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/seanad20 12112700028?opendocument

Dáil Éireann 28/11/2012 Written Answers. Domestic Violence. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter his views on the current facilities available if an emergency barring order is required for victims of domestic violence and if there is a requirement to extend this facility; the possibility of revisiting legislation surrounding domestic violence in the near future relating to funding and the extension of protection to persons who are not cohabiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/dail20121 12800083?opendocument

Seanad Éireann 29/11/2012 Europol Bill 2012. http://oireachtasdebates.oireachtas.ie/debates%20authoring/DebatesWebPack.nsf/takes/seanad20 12112900028?opendocument