Joint Committee on Health and Children

Joint Committee on Health and ChildrenQuestions to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, for answer at the meeting of the Committee on Thursday, 12 July, 20121 Question 1 (Deputy Jerry Buttimer) To ask the Minister and Department of Children and Youth Affairs when it is expected that the transfer of the Family Support Agency from the Department of Health will be completed, if it expects all staff working with the Family Support Agency under the remit of the Department of Health to transfer to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the amount of funding allocated to the Family Support Agency in current budgetary year and how the funding position compares with the funding provided to the Family Support Agency over the last three years.Reply: The Family Support Agency (FSA) was established by way of primary legislation in 2001. The FSA became an agency of my Department in 2011. The funding allocated to the FSA for 2012 is €26.465m. In the last three years, the approved level of funding for the FSA was as follows:- 2011 - €28.455m 2010 - €30.949m 2009 - €35.981At present, the Agency consists of a total of 13 staff. This includes 1 Acting CEO, 2 Assistant Principals, 3 Higher Executive Officers, 4 Executive Officers and 3 Clerical Officers.The Family Support Agency operates the Scheme of Grants to voluntary organisations providing marriage and relationship, child and bereavement counselling services and the Family Resource Centre Programme. The functions of the FSA will form part of the new Child and Family Support Agency to which the Government is committed. The preparations are designed to allow for the new Agency to assume full statutory responsibility for services for children and families early in 2013.2 Question 2 (Deputy Jerry Buttimer) To ask the Minister and Department of Children and Youth Affairs the number of cases referred to child protection services each year, the number of cases for allocation in each operational area, the number of social workers and the whole time equivalent number of social workers in each operational area, the expected increase in the number of referrals following implementation of the proposed Children First legislation and if the Department has assessed international examples of an increase in referrals following implementation of similar legislation and reporting provisions.Reply: Information relating to referrals to the HSE’s child welfare and protection services has primarily been available through the annual Review of Adequacy for HSE Children and Family Services prepared under Section 8 of the Child Care Act, 1991. The latest such report is in respect of 2010 and indicates the following:Number of child welfare and protection reports to the HSE Year Welfare Reports Child Protection Reports 2010 16452 12825The primary reason for a report to social work in 2010 was for welfare reasons (56.2% of Reports, n=16,452/29,277). Neglect is the second highest primary report type at 16.2% (n=4,755). Sexual abuse accounted for 10.1% (n=2,962), physical abuse for 8.9% (n=2,608) and emotional abuse for 8.5% (n=2,500). The annual Review of Adequacy Report for 2011 is currently being prepared by the HSE. In addition, the Department of Children and Youth Affairs has agreed with the HSE to introduce new quarterly Performance Indicators to track the numbers of referrals of abuse and welfare concerns on an ongoing basis. While some reporting against these new indicators has taken place for some regions the data is incomplete at this time. This will improve as the rollout of standardised business processes and the introduction of the forthcoming National Child Care Information System are progressed over the coming months.As regards the numbers of social workers currently employed, the HSE compiles a monthly census of employment in the public health and social care sector. The employment census indicates that in the case of social workers employed in the Children and Families area, there were 1,197 WTEs employed at the end of March 2012.In relation to demands placed on services following the introduction of the forthcoming legislation it should be stressed that the focus of the proposed Children First legislation is on the protection of individual children about whom a report is made and other children who may be at risk from an alleged perpetrator of abuse. Its aim is to make organisations safe places, and to ensure that key people in authority in these organisations, and named professionals report to and co-operate with the HSE information about abuse and serious neglect. In the legislation, it is proposed that the Designated Officer along with certain named professionals will have statutory3 responsibility to report information about abuse to the HSE. The obligation to report abuse extends to abuse and neglect wherever it occurs, that comes to the attention of the Designated Officer in the course of his / her work or volunteer activities. To assist Designated Officers and certain named professionals make a determination as to whether to report abuse, a ‘Guidance for Reporting of Abuse’ is to be developed by my Department. This Guidance will deal with issues such as definitions, thresholds and appropriate routes for the reporting of abuse. The Guidance will assist designated officers and professionals named in the legislation, in their considering a number of factors to see if the concern reaches the threshold of a report under the legislation. Experience in other countries indicated that guidance to those responsible for reporting, and effective screening of all reports are important in designing an effective filtering system which deploys resources appropriately based upon child protection criteria. 4 Question 3 (Deputy Jerry Buttimer) To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to outline the amount spent on the provision of children residential services (including fostering) by private operators in each of the last three years and the amount of money spent on the provision of similar services under the direct control of the Department/HSE, the number of children who are provided with residential services by the Department/HSE and by private providers and if the Department considers the use of private service providers as representing value for money.Reply: The HSE has advised me that 249 children were placed in private foster care at a cost of €6,727,698 in 2009, 304 children were placed in private foster care at a cost of €9,581,360 in 2010 and 360 children were placed in private foster care at a cost of €12,893,243 in 2011. I am awaiting data from the HSE on the other matters raised and I will provide this data to the Deputy when available.5 Question 4 (Deputy Robert Dowds)Could the Minister give an update on preparations for a referendum on children's rights, and indicate when she intends to hold a referendum?Reply:The Referendum on Children’s Rights is a Programme for Government priority. The Government has endorsed my proposal that the Referendum be held on a stand alone basis. I have previously stated that the Referendum will be held later this year and arrangements are being made to this effect. I will announce the poll date, to be approved by Government, later as preparations continue to advance. 6 Question 5 (Deputy Robert Dowds)Could the Minister give an update on the work of the Inter-Departmental Liaison Group established to draw up the third report of Ireland to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child?Reply:Phase 1 of the work of the Inter-Departmental Liaison Group established to draw up the third report of Ireland to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child, has now been completed. The material, drawn together from across Government departments, is extensive and complex given the nature of the various articles of the convention and is currently being assessed in my Department. The next phase of the process will be the drafting of the report itself. My Department will ensure that the best possible report will be produced in line with the revised guidelines for producing UN reports. It is necessary to ensure that the report is concise and high level running to a maximum length of 70-80 pages in total. I expect to be in a position to present the report to Cabinet and forward it to the UN Committee on the Rights of the Child later this year.7 Question 6 (Deputy Catherine Byrne)Will the Minister provide a breakdown of funding allocated by her Department to youth organisations/youth services and youth cafes in Dublin and country-wide i.e. how many are receiving funding from her department; how much funding do they each receive; and how much/what proportion of this funding comes from the European Union?ReplyThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. These include the Youth Service Grant Scheme, the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2) and certain other provisions including the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme and the Local Drug Task Force Projects. These programmes support the delivery of youth services to some 500,000 young people by approximately 1,100 youth work personnel and a volunteer base which is estimated to be of the order of 60,000.Funding of some €56.806m for current expenditure and €1.5m for capital expenditure was allocated in 2012 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The distribution of the capital funding is under active consideration at present and a decision in relation to its distribution will be announced shortly.No funding is received by my Department from the European Union in respect of youth services.Details of funding to youth organisations and projects are outlined as follows:-APPENDIX A - Youth Service Grant Scheme (YSGS) APPENDIX B - Special Projects for Youth (SPY) APPENDIX C - Youth Information Centres (YICs) APPENDIX D - Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund 1 (YPFSF 1) APPENDIX E - Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund 2 (YPFSF2) APPENDIX F - Local Drug Task Force (LDTF) APPENDIX G - Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) APPENDIX H - Youth Cafés – 2011 allocations given. A proposal is being developed for the distribution of €0.6m of the capital allocation for 2012 in the coming weeks.The Community Programmes Unit of IYJS, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, separately funds 100 Garda Youth Diversion Projects (GYDP’s), 5 worker-led Local Drugs Task Forces and 20 Young Person Probation Community Projects. IYJS secured European Social Fund part- funding under the Human Capital Investment Programme which has the specific purpose to increase the capacity of the participants in GYDPS to find employment. The ESF refund in 2011 was €1.463 million, which is equivalent to approximately 12% of the cost of GYDP’s.8 APPENDIX A: Youth Service Grant Scheme 2012 Allocation An Oige 198,559 Belong To – LGBT 98,437 Catholic Guides of Ireland 284,888 Catholic Youth Care 1,010,735 Church of Ireland Youth Department 197,868 Confederation of Peace Corps 141,692 ECO - UNESCO Clubs 134,643 Experiment In International Living 31,710 Feachtas 98,069 Foróige 2,353,117 Girls Brigade 50,043 Irish Girl Guides 420,598 Junior Chamber Ireland 18,638 Macra na Feirme 487,175 National Association for Youth Drama 112,038 National Federation of Arch Clubs 57,501 National Youth Council of Ireland 637,172 No Name Club Ltd 214,683 Ogra Chorcai 592,611 Ogras 205,000 Order of Malta Cadets 53,261 Scouting Ireland Ltd 939,971 The Boys Brigade 63,212 Voluntary Services International 88,754 Young Christian Workers 105,046 Young Irish Film Makers 64,312 Young Mens Christian Association 166,466 Youth Work Ireland 2,102,707 Totals 10,928,908Girls Friendly Society 34,864 DYCW Methodist Church in Ireland 32,744 Presbyterian Youth 54,788 Sub-totals 122,396 Grand Total 11,051,3039 APPENDIX BSpecial Projects for Youth (SPY) 2012 Allocation Dun Laoghaire VEC 406,349City of Dublin VEC (CDYSB) 3,608,123 City of Cork VEC 1,106,874 County Cork VEC 385,923 City of Galway VEC 901,085 Co. Galway VEC 31,432 Co. Leitrim VEC 31,663 City of Limerick VEC 390,353 Co. Limerick VEC 328,485 City of Waterford VEC 973,314 County Dublin VEC 2,208,932 Co Wicklow VEC 193,754 Co Kerry VEC 200,167 Co. Tipperary VEC 186,213 Catholic Youth Care 30,758 Co. Wicklow VEC - formerly CYC 49,792 National Association of Travellers Centres 653,756 Youth Work Ireland 390,753 Overall Total 17,041,730APPENDIX CYouth Information Centres (YICs) 2012 Allocation Total 1,424,59210 APPENDIX DYPFSF (1) 2012 Allocations City of Cork VEC 670,828 Dun Laoghaire VEC 316,760 Co. Dublin VEC 1,212,187 CDYSB 3,838,644 County Carlow VEC 86,617 City of Limerick VEC 201,757 City of Galway VEC 191,618 County Wicklow VEC 150,835 Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council 55,718 Overall Total 6,724,964APPENDIX EYPFSF (2) Current 2012 Allocations Dublin City Council 1,963,407 CDYSB 4,645,361 CO DUBLIN VEC 2,550,306 Dún Laoghaire VEC 401,115 Dún Laoghaire Rathdown Co Council 374,374 Co Wicklow VEC 520,982 City of Cork VEC 657,586 Co Louth VEC 56,661 Athlone Town Council 1,870 Co Westmeath VEC 95,884 Co Wexford VEC 56,661 City of Galway VEC 175,313 Co Carlow VEC 234,779 City of Limerick VEC 852,814 HSE South Eastern Area 1,143,879 GAA Munster Council - GAA DO's L.C. 50,490 Munster Rugby - Rugby DO's L.C. 50,490 National Organisations ISPCC 50,490 FORÓIGE 50,490 CYC 50,490 YMCA 50,490 ECO (UNESCO) 75,735 Total - National Organisations 277,695 An Síol CDP Homework Club 52,360 FAI 388,047 Overall Total YPFSF (2) 14,606,73211 APPENDIX FLocal Drug Task Force (LDTFs) 2012 Allocation Admin/Evaluation 60,340 Ballyfermot Youth Service - LDTF 86,305 BRYR (Ballymun Regional Youth Resource) 93,125 St. Michaels Youth Project 46,919 Bonnybrook Youth Project (Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service) 129,404 L.E.A.P.P. (Local Education and Prevention Project) Finglas 129,836 Finglas Youth Resource Centre 91,952 Ballybough Youth Project 50,344 Catholic Youth Care (South Inner City Post) 48,957 South Area Youth Service (SAYS) Charlemount /Whitefriar Projects 46,563 Cork Street & Maryland Community Project (DAYS - Donore Avenue Youth Service) 50,197 St. Andrew's Youth Resource Centre 45,994 SWICN - South West Inner City Network 46,049Blanchardstown Peer Drug Education. Prevention Programme. 54,428 Clondalkin Travellers Development Project 37,272 Ballyogan Youth Project , Dundrum/Rathdown Youth Service 45,885 Shanganagh/Rathsallagh Youth Project, Dundrum/Rathdown Youth Service 55,938 Whitechurch Community Youth Project , Tallaght Youth Service 40,871 Youth Skills/Peer Education, Tallaght Youth Service 38,469 Drug Education and Prevention Officer 42,823 Alternative High , Dun Laoghaire Youth Service 42,823 St. Aengus Neighbourhood Youth Project , Tallaght Youth Service 55,007 Total 1,339,50112 APPENDIX GLocal Youth Club Grant Scheme (LYCGS) 2012 Allocation VEC Carlow 14,361 Co. Dublin 138,361 Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown 55,333 Kildare 55,756 Kilkenny 24,186 Laois 20,304 Longford 9,733 Louth 32,435 Meath 46,185 Offaly 20,395 Westmeath 23,164 Wexford 36,643 Wicklow 34,910 Clare 29,797 Cork City 34,844 Cork County 98,291 Kerry 34,898 Limerick City 16,648 Limerick County 36,181 North Tipperary 17,610 South Tipperary 22,488 Waterford County 16,809 Galway City 22,668 Galway County 43,224 Leitrim 7,219 Mayo 32,250 Roscommon 15,432 Sligo 17,449 Cavan 19,062 Donegal 42,607 Monaghan 15,754 Total 1,035,00013 APPENDIX H Youth CafésCounty Project Grant 2010/2011 Carlow Tullow Youth Café, Carlow Regional Youth Services 95,300 Limited Cavan The Bridge Street Youth Café, Foroige 10,000 Cootehill Youth Café, Co. Cavan VEC 42,870 Clare Fishbowl Youth Café, Ard Aoibhinn Community 4,000 Initiatives Limited Youth Space Ennis/Kick Back Café Shannon, Clare 3,000 Youth Service Shannon Leisure Centre, Shannon Swimming & 3,000 Leisure Centre LTD Cork TYC Friday (Togher Youth Café) & Mayfield Youth 6,000 Café, Togher Community Association Limited The Attic Youth Café, West Cork Development 2,113 Partnership Limited Monday Night Café, Cork YMCA 2,000 Gurranabraher Youth Development Project Drop in 2,000 Youth Café, Cumann Spraoi Limited (trading as Youth Work Ireland Cork) Youghal Youth Project, Foroige 2,113 Funky Fish Youth Café 5,773 Ballyphehane Youth Café, Ballyphehane Community 63,500 Association Limited Donegal South West Donegal Youth Project & Drop in Centre – 9,060 Foroige, Dublin The South Leitrim Neighbourhood Youth Project 3,000 (SlNYP) Dublin Nutgrove Youth Centre, CYC 7,949 Ronanstown Youth Service, Stars Youth Café, CYC 5,000 Kilmacthomas Youth Café, Foróige 5,000 The Bonnybrook Drop-in, Sphere 17 Youth Service 10,000 The Pine Youth Café, Foróige 10,000 Mega-Bites Youth Café, Foróige 5,000 Carrick-on-Suir Neighbourhood Youth Project, 5,000 Foróige Headquarters, Dublin Foróige Tubbercurry, Foróige Headquarters, Dublin 66,989 The Rush Hour Youth Café, Balbriggan, Foróige, CYC 93,000 City Centre Youth Café, Bradóg, Dublin 1 73,500 Dún Laoghaire VEC 70,000 Galway The Gaf Youth Café, YWI /Foróige 9,718 Sign Out Youth Café, Portumna 3,500 Ougherard Colour Crave Youth Café 3,000 Crib na nÓg Ionad Oige, and Cheathru Rua 3,500 Youth Space, Galway VEC 40,000 Kerry The Vibe, Kerry Diocesan Youth Service 10,000 Mobile Youth Café, Kerry Diocesan Youth Service 85,00014 Kildare Leixlip Youth and Community Centre 8,000 Curragh Youth Project 2,000 Kilkenny The Drum Youth Project and Health Café 5,000 The Rock, Kilkenny Christian Centre 5,000 Laois Timahoe Foróige Club 10,000 Portlaoise Youth Café 88,300 Leitrim The Cabin 3,000 Mohill Youth Café 4,000 Limerick Croom Youth in Action Project 5,000 Abbeyfeale Youth Café 5,000 St. John’s 3rd/14th scout Group, Scouting Ireland 100,000 Longford Luas na GréineYouth Café 10,000 Louth The Base Youth Café, Apple Tree Foundation 10,000 Youthwork Centre, Drogheda 58,000 Mayo Ballina Family Resource Centre 10,000 Meath Meet and Eat Youth Café 10,000 Jigsaw Meath, Ballivor 75,300 Monaghan Monaghan Neighbourhood Youth Project, Foróige 10,000 Offaly Tullamore Youth Café 90,000 Roscommon The Hub Youth Information Centre 3,333 Neighbourhood Youth Project, Castlerea, Foróige 3,300 D’umbrella, Elphin Youth Café 3,333 Sligo Crib Youth Project and Health Café 10,000 Tipperary Killenaule Youth Café 5,000 Roscrea Youth Café 4,949 Waterford Ferrybank Youth Café 5,500 Youth Booth Café, Foróige 5,000 Squashy Couch Adolescent Health and Information 4,500 Project Westmeath Gateway Project, Athlone 84,300 Wexford The Shambles New Ross Youth Café 92,500 Wicklow Foróige Chillax Youth Café 9,800 Total 1,500,000Cootehill Youth Café, Co Cavan 20,000 Clonakilty Youth Project, Co Cork 5,000 Timoleague Youth Café, Co Cork 2,000 Palmerstown Youth Café, Dublin 20 5,000 Clondalkin Youth Café, Dublin 22 5,000 Ballinasloe D'Cube Youth Café, Co Galway 2,000 Café Óige Cois Fharraige, Indreabhan, Co Galway 5,000 Sign Out Youth Café, Portumna, Co Galway 2,000 Ballybunion Youth Café, Co Kerry 5,000 Timahoe Foróige Club Youth Café, Co Laois 2,000 Breffni Youth Café, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Leitrim 2,00015 RAY Youth Café, Trim, Co Meath 4,000 Elm Grove Clonmel Youth Café, Co Tipperary 71,500 Templemore Youth Café, Co Tipperary 21,000 Manor St John Youth Café, Waterford City 10,800 St Patrick's Hall, Tallow, Co Waterford 12,000 Mid-Way Youth Project, Portlaw, Co Waterford 20,700 FDYS West Wexford Youth Café, Wexford Town 5,000 TOTAL 200,000 GRAND TOTAL €1,700,000A proposal is being developed at present in relation to the distribution of the 2012 capital allocation in the coming weeks. A decision in this regard will be made shortly.16 Question 7 (Deputy Catherine Byrne)Can the Minister provide a breakdown of funding allocated by her Department to Drugs Taskforces? What services are funded? Are they specifically targeted to under18s? And are these services required to submit an annual report to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs on how their funding is used?ReplyLocal Drugs Task Forces were set up in 1997 to develop a more effective response to the drug crisis that was devastating many communities and to reduce the numbers of people turning to drugs through comprehensive education and prevention programmes. Taskforces comprise a partnership between the statutory, voluntary and community sectors. Responsibility for 21 youth related projects transferred from the Department of Education and Skills to Youth Affairs Unit in January 2011. Responsibility for Youth Affairs has now transferred to the new Department of Children and Youth Affairs with effect from June 2011. These projects, targeting young people under the various pillars of the National Drugs Strategy, provide a wide range of supports by way of targeted drug prevention and awareness programmes. Programmes include education drug awareness, outreach, advice and advocacy, developmental youth work, specialised issue based programmes, one-one support, traveller youth programmes, health and well being , leadership, drop-in services, social skills and summer activities.LDTF Projects in general target young people between the ages of 10 an 21 years.In 2009, a standardised reporting and funding application process was developed, piloted, refined and initiated for youth services including the LDTF Projects. Youth Services, Projects and Organisations are required to submit an Application Form/Progress Report each year providing clear and accurate financial and service delivery information.Funding allocations for 2012 are set out in the attached table.The Community Programmes Unit of IYJS, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality separately funds 5 worker-led Local Drugs Task Forces and one LDTF Community Policing Fund.17 Local Drug Task Force (LDTFs) 2012 Allocation18 Admin/Evaluation 60,340 Ballyfermot Youth Service - LDTF 86,305 BRYR (Ballymun Regional Youth Resource) 93,125 St. Michaels Youth Project 46,919 Bonnybrook Youth Project (Sphere 17 Regional Youth Service) 129,404 L.E.A.P.P. (Local Education and Prevention Project) Finglas 129,836 Finglas Youth Resource Centre 91,952 Ballybough Youth Project 50,344 Catholic Youth Care (South Inner City Post) 48,957 South Area Youth Service (SAYS) Charlemount /Whitefriar Projects 46,563 Cork Street & Maryland Community Project (DAYS - Donore Avenue Youth Service) 50,197 St. Andrew's Youth Resource Centre 45,994 SWICN - South West Inner City Network 46,049Blanchardstown Peer Drug Education. Prevention Programme. 54,428 Clondalkin Travellers Development Project 37,272 Ballyogan Youth Project , Dundrum/Rathdown Youth Service 45,885 Shanganagh/Rathsallagh Youth Project, Dundrum/Rathdown Youth Service 55,938 Whitechurch Community Youth Project , Tallaght Youth Service 40,871 Youth Skills/Peer Education, Tallaght Youth Service 38,469 Drug Education and Prevention Officer 42,823 Alternative High , Dun Laoghaire Youth Service 42,823 St. Aengus Neighbourhood Youth Project , Tallaght Youth Service 55,007 Total 1,339,501Question 8 (Deputy Catherine Byrne) Can the Minister give a breakdown of how and where funding from her Department is used by the Gaisce programme?19 Reply Gaisce – the President’s Award was established under the patronage of Uachtaran na hEireann by trust deed dated 28 March 1985. It was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee and not having a share capital on 26 June 1996. It was granted Charitable Status on 30 March 1999 ( CHY8482). As a limited company, Gaisce is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association. Under the Memorandum and Articles, appointment of staff and terms and conditions of service, including salary scales, are subject to the approval of the relevant Minister – now the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs– and the Department of Finance. Gasice’s headquarters is located in Ratra House in the Phoenix Park. Gaisce Council The members of the Council of Gaisce were appointed by the Minister for Children & Youth Affairs for a period of three years as of 7th March 2012.Gaisce staff and administration The Chief Executive and 7 permanent management/development staff are responsible for day to day operations. In addition, over 1,000 volunteer President's Award Leaders (PALs) co-ordinate and administer the Award at local level. The President's Award - Gaisce is the National Challenge Award from the President of Ireland to the young people of Ireland (15 to 25 years of age). Gaisce is a member of the International Award Association which comprises 121 countries world wide. The purpose of the Award is to encourage young people to set and achieve a demanding challenge for themselves in a non-competitive environment. The Award is conducted through schools, youth clubs and youth organisations and with the assistance and support of many other state and non-state sector bodies.The challenge is carried out under the guidance of a leader/mentor known as the President's Award Leader (PAL). In each case the challenge agreed between the participant and the PAL is unique to that participant. This aspect of the Award programme encourages the participation of young people from all social backgrounds and levels of ability including young people with special needs. The achievement of the award is measured in hours of endeavour and effort to earn the Award. There are three levels of Award to be earned - Bronze, Silver and Gold - each with its own degree of difficulty and requiring its own level of commitment, the Gold Award being the premier Award. The 4 challenge areas are: 1. Community Involvement. 2. Personal Skill3. Physical Recreation. 4. Adventure Journey (A residential project is required for the Gold Award)Funding20 Funding to support the work of Gaisce is provided by way of grant aid by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. It also raises some money from sponsors and through fundraising activities.The Department of Children and Youth Affairs funding allocation for Gaisce in 2012 is €689,564.In 2011  20,536 young people registered with Gaisce for the Award  10,809 Awards were presented by year end  A further 231 Awards were presented in Northern Ireland.21 Question 9 (Deputy Denis Naughten) When will the audit produced on foot of the recommendations in the report on the Roscommon Child Care Case be published; the current PCCC areas where this audit has been completed, and where it is ongoing at present.Answer: An audit of neglect cases in Roscommon, Waterford and Dublin South-East has been completed by the HSE. In each area it was determined that a sample 30 cases would be reviewed. The HSE intends to prepare a composite report of the audit in order to maximise the learning from this exercise. Key learning from the report concentrates on areas such as, but not limited to: . Decision making . Thresholds for when neglect various over time . Meeting children alone . Dealing with uncooperative parents . Dealing with alcohol/addiction problemsThe matter of publication will be considered by the HSE when the composite report is completed.I am assured by the HSE's National Director for Children and Family Services that quality assurance and audit of child protection cases is now an ongoing process in all HSE areas nationally.22 Question 10 (Deputy Denis Naughten)The steps being taken to protect frontline youth services, in light of the projected 50% cut in the budget between 2009 & 2014 Reply:In light of the significant reduction in the overall current budget for the youth sector over the past few years, the emphasis has been, and will continue to be, in so far as is possible, on preserving front line youth services. In determining financial allocations to initiatives and schemes in 2012 officials from my Department have met with representatives of the youth sector on an ongoing basis with a view to determining how best to minimise the impact of the reduction on youth services. As Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I am committed to the development of a new youth policy framework which my Department is currently progressing. Through this work a clear policy framework will emerge that will aim to enhance the development, participation and support of young people. I intend that the policy framework will also facilitate and promote co-ordination and cohesion across youth services and front line youth services. This will ensure that the funding available in future years will be used as effectively as possible.23 Question 11 (Deputy Denis Naughten) How many reports has the HSE/child and family services nationally received regarding alleged child abuse? Please provide a breakdown where possible of the type of abuse being reported - sexual, physical, child neglect, etc - and the number reported in 2011, 2010 & 2009 respectively, where the type of abuse reported or investigated was found to have taken place by PCCC area. And the corresponding figures for the number of cases investigated where evidence of the alleged abuse was not found, and the number where investigation is ongoing. Reply:Information relating to referrals to the HSE’s child welfare and protection services has primarily been available through the annual Review of Adequacy for HSE Children and Family Services prepared under Section 8 of the Child Care Act, 1991. The latest such report is in respect of 2010. The annual Review of Adequacy Report for 2011 is currently being prepared by the HSE.The available figures requested by the Deputy indicate:Number of child welfare and protection reports to the HSE 2009-2010 Year Welfare Reports Child Protection Reports 2009 14875 12013 2010 16452 12825Report type 2009 2010 Welfare 14,875 16,452 Physical 2,617 2,608 abuse Sexual abuse 2,594 2,962 Emotional 2,125 2,500 abuse Neglect 4,677 4,755 National 26,888 29,27724 Question 12 (Senator Colm Burke) There are a number of centres around the country, including the Cork Life Centre, who are supporting young people who have dropped out of the education system. These centres are not receiving any funding from the Department of Education and Skills, the VEC or FAS. They appear to be falling between a number of different government departments including the Department of Education and Skills, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Could the Minister clarify if her Department is prepared to examine the role of these centres, with a view to providing a long term funding mechanism, so that they can continue to provide the necessary services for these young people.Reply:As indicated to you Senator Burke at this Committee on the 21st June, I have followed up on the issue, which you raised above, with officials in my Department.Of the total Youth Affairs Unit budget of €56.806 of my Department for 2012, €1.686m is allocated to youth projects in the City and County of Cork under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme; €53,303 under the Youth Information Centre scheme; €133,135 under the Local Youth Club Grant Scheme (which funded 210 local clubs in the Cork City and County area in 2011) and €1.328m under the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund.In addition over €2.569m is allocated to School completion projects in the Cork City and County area under the School Completion Programme (SCP) administered by my Department. The Cork Life Centre is not funded under the youth services or School Completion Programme by my Department. As I understand it, the Cork Life Centre offers students one-to-one tuition in Junior and Leaving Certificate subjects and supports the young people in their preparations for these State examinations. Officials of my Department have consulted with the Department of Education and Skills regarding the Cork Life Centre. Officials of DES have advised that the Centre was established by the Christian Brothers in 1996, with the assistance of the Holy Faith Sisters. It caters for approximately 10 young people between the ages of 12 and 16 who are out of the mainstream school system. The Centre provides a model of high support educational provision incorporating intensive personal, social and educational support.Young people are referred to the Centre by various agencies including the National Educational Welfare Board, social workers, juvenile liaison officers and parents. Typically, applicants have been out of school for some time, ranging from a few weeks to a few years.25 The Centre prepares young people for the Junior Certificate and for life and work as productive and integrated members of society. The Centre aims to address a range of needs that the young people present with – a need for certification, preparation for work, a positive attitude toward society, communication skills, ICT skills and recreational skills.The Life Centre in Cork was funded by the Department of Education and Skills since 1999 under the Fund for the Development of Targeted Educational Responses to Certain Children at Risk (Children at Risk Fund). In 2005, the Department of Education and Skills launched the DEIS initiative which brought together a range of programmes and supports aimed at tackling educational disadvantage in schools throughout the country. In light of this additional investment, a decision was taken in Budget 2009 to discontinue the Children at Risk Fund and since then the Life Centre in Cork project has continued to be funded by the Department of Education and Skills under a miscellaneous subhead pending a decision on the future of the Project. For the 2012 calendar year the Life Centre was allocated €47,500.In addition almost 1,000 teaching hours are allocated under the Co-operation Hours scheme operated by the local VECs. With the hours allocated, City of Cork VEC employs four tutors who work in the centre and deliver tuition in CSPE, Reading, Literacy, Arts and Crafts, Woodwork and Home Economics.Alongside the support and funding the Department of Education and Skills provides to this centre, that Department also funds a range of national programmes that cater for early school leavers, such as Youthreach, FÁS Community Training Centres and Youth Encounter Projects. I have arranged for the detailed information to be forwarded directly to the Deputy by the Department of Education and Skills.26 Question 13 (Senator Jillian Van Turnhout) What progress has been made to advance the National Quality Standards for Care Services for Children and Young People, which were developed by a working group of HIQA and submitted to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Minister for Health for consideration in 2011? The working group has not has not had any communication from the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, the Department of Health, or HIQA since it finished its work nor has any announcement been made that the progression of the Standards for Care Services for Children and Young People has been formally handed over the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. Furthermore, I was advised by the Minister for Health in a letter dated 26 April 2012 that work on the Draft National Standards for Residential Services for People with Disabilities will also cover children with disabilities. Would keeping children with disabilities in the same category as other children receiving services from the State not fit in better with the Government policy of mainstreaming?Answer: HIQA prepared Draft National Standards for Care Services for Children and Young People (Foster Care, Children’s Residential Centres, Special Care Units, Children Detention Schools, Residential Centres for Children and Young People with Disabilities). Following an extension consultation with key stakeholders, HIQA decided that using dedicated standards for children in different care settings would be more appropriate and would be more likely to lead to the improvement of services. There was a particular argument in relation to having separate standards for family based foster care services and standards for services which require to be registered under the Heath Act 2007, and services which detain children. HIQA are mindful of the issue in common which are shared by all children in receipt of care services and these will be reflected through out all standards. In line with Government priorities, HIQA have developed Standards for Child Protection and these will be published shortly. HIQA have been allocated additional staff to undertake these inspections and they have been recruited and trained. Inspections of the HSE’s child protection services will commence later this year. Work has commenced on separate draft Standards for use in the registration of Special Care Units. It is envisaged that these units will be registered under the Health Act, 2007 within the next year. In line with agreed priorities between my Department and the Department of Health, HIQA are preparing for the inspection and registration of services providing residential and respite care for adults and children with disabilities. As part of this work, HIQA are revising the current draft Standards for Residential Services for People with Disabilities (which were originally drafted with only the needs of adults in mind) to ensure that the unique position of children are appropriately reflected throughout those Standards. This is in preparation for the commencement by the Minister of Health of the regulation of such services as “designated centres” as from 2013. 27 My priority alongside my cabinet colleague Minister Lynch, is to ensure that all residential services for children are inspected and are deliveingr a high standard of safety and children’s rights. The only area of residential services for children that are currently not inspected are those for children with a disability. This is a matter of serious concern. I have accepted the advice of HIQA that the most pragmatic way to ensure children with disabilities are safeguarded by inspection is that their services are included when HIQA undertakes the registration of the the organisations which deliver services to both adults and children, frequently on the same campus. Waiting for the opportunity to mainstream the standards at this stage might delay their introduction. Therefore, a pragmatic decision has been made to ensure the standards are advanced as quickly as possible. The work on both these sets of draft Standards will be informed by the work previously undertaken on the Draft National Standards for Care Services for Children and Young People as well as HIQA’s ongoing experience in developing an overall framework for outcome-based standards development across health and social care services. 28 Question 14 (Senator Jillian Van Turnhout)On 18 April 2012, Minister for Social Protection, Joan Burton TD, told Dáil Éireann: “I entirely agree that seven is too young for anyone to seriously contemplate any of these things without there being a system of safe, affordable and accessible childcare in place, similar to what is found in the Scandinavian countries whose systems of social protection we aspire to. That is why I am undertaking tonight that I will only proceed with the measures to reduce the upper age limit to seven years in the event that I get a credible and bankable commitment on the delivery of such a system of childcare by the time of this year’s Budget. If this is not forthcoming, the measure will not proceed. I will be engaging with the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs and the Minister for Education and Skills to having co-ordinated, cross-departmental approach to ensuring that the required level of services are in place to support lone parents as their youngest child reaches the relevant age thresholds.” Can the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs outline the engagement she has had with the Minister for Social Protection to realise the delivery of the system of childcare “similar to what is found in the Scandinavian countries” for lone parents?Question 24 (Deputy Charlie McConalogue)To ask the Minister the additional number of childcare and after school places that would be required in order to meet the projected demand as a result of Minister Burtons plans to restrict single parents allowance to children of 7 years of age or under and to detail what a Scandinavian level of childcare provision in Ireland would look like.ReplyI propose to answer questions 14 and 24 together.I meet my Government colleagues regularly, both collectively and also bilaterally on specific shared issues. The Government has considered the issue of services to support the objective of labour activation and directed officials of relevant departments to assist in examining those issues. One group is looking specifically at the nature and extent of childcare supports and services that might be required to meet the Government’s activation agenda. There are a range of issues that will need to be addressed over the coming months. However, the very significant capital investment over the past ten years means that there is a considerable network of childcare facilities (both community and privately operated) across the State.The Government currently supports the provision of early childhood care and education through three support programmes - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme. These programmes are administered by my Department.I met with Minister Burton only recently to discuss a number of issues relating to the impact on children and families of the changes made in the Budget. In addition, in 29 view of the strong links between the work of our two Departments, there is ongoing liaison at official level, including a high level group that meets on a quarterly basis.The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, introduced in January 2010, provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Almost every pre-school service in the State is participating in the programme, ensuring it is available to children in all areas. About 66,000 children, that is approximately 94% of children in the year before school, are availing of the free pre-school provision at this time. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining the universal free pre-school year and to developing early childhood care and education as resources allow. In this context the funding for the pre-school year has been increased from €166 million in 2011 to €175.8 million in 2012 to cater for changing demographics, and provide for the increased number of children in the relevant age cohort.It is my intention to incrementally develop the ECCE programme over the term of this Government as resources permit. A key element of this is the implementation of the Workforce Development Plan by the Early Education Policy Unit of the Department of Education and Skills, which is co-located in my Department. Officials from my Department worked closely with the Department of Education and Skills in the development of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategy which was formally launched by my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills, last year. My Department is committed to incentivising the early years sector to acquire additional skills in oral language competency development for young children once this minimum qualification requirements of the ECCE programme have been met. In developing the ECCE programme the focus will be on improving the quality of childcare services.The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme supports community-based childcare services by enabling them to provide childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families. These not-for-profit facilities provide childcare at cost price with reductions to qualifying parents based on the level of subvention they are entitled to under the programme. Under the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme, which was introduced in September 2010, funding is provided by the Department to participating childcare services in return for the provision of free childcare places to qualifying students and trainees. The eligibility criteria under which students and trainees qualify under the programme is determined by FÁS and the VECs. Approximately 2,800 full time equivalent childcare places are currently funded under the programme.I am pleased that all three support programmes are being retained despite the ongoing need to reduce Government expenditure. The capital grant programme 2012 was designed to support childcare services continue to deliver quality care and education as required under the programmes. 30 Question 15 (Senator Jillian Van Turnhout)To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to confirm the Government’s commitment to hold the Children’s Rights Referendum in Autumn 2012 and to outline her plans with respect to: securing all party/group consensus on the wording; the schedule for the accompanying legislation; and the necessary public awareness raising campaign. ReplyThe Programme for Government 2011 - 2016 states that the Referendum on Children’s Rights is a priority, and that the wording of the proposed referendum will be along the lines of that proposed by the All Party Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children (JCCAC). From the outset of deliberations in relation to the constitutional amendment on children’s rights, the need for all party consensus on this topic was highlighted. Having been a member of the JCCAC alongside the Deputy, I can attest to the level of all party co-operation afforded the then Government in the work of the Committee.Both myself and officials of my Department have engaged extensively with the Attorney General and her officials to formulate a draft wording for the proposed constitutional amendment. Contact in that regard is ongoing and, as part of normal process, will involve consultations across the relevant departments in advance of presentation of a proposed wording to Government for consideration. To ensure that the public are fully informed of the nature of the proposal, and the consequences of approving it, the proposed amending legislation in the area of adoption will be published along with the wording of the amendment.Publication of the Referendum Bill will have regard to the need to allow an appropriate period of time for the proposal to be fully debated and considered by the public.I have already undertaken informal consultations with the political parties and intend to continue to consult with opposition spokespersons as the preparations which are currently underway progress. I also envisage that the issue will be dealt with in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children.While the Government has yet to consider the matter of the precise referendum date, it has already decided that it will take place later this year and will be held on a standalone basis. The significant and complex work currently being done is geared towards this timeline and objective. 31 Question 16 (Deputy Derek Keating) When does the Minister envisage the establishment of a Child Protection Service and when will it be separated from the HSE.Reply:At present child protection services are provided by the HSE Child & Family Services headed by National Director Gordon Jeyes.As I have previously stated, I am proceeding, in line with the Programme for Government, to establish the new Child & Family Support Agency, to be up-and- running in 2013.I have established a Taskforce to advise on the establishment of the new Agency. The Taskforce has undertaken a considerable body of work in preparation for the new Agency. I will shortly receive the Taskforce’s final report which will propose a vision for the Agency, governance arrangements and appropriate services for inclusion in the Agency. This report will inform decisions on legislative proposals and transitional arrangements regarding the new Agency.32 Question 17 (Deputy Derek Keating) What are the staffing numbers in relation to Child Protection for Dublin Midwest, which is the old HSE Area 5 and are there any plans for social workers to be taken from other areas such as care of the elderly, learning disability or the psychiatric services to meet the needs of the Child Protection Service and will the Minister consider changing the title of the Child Protection Policy which is currently called “Trusting in Care” and give it a more appropriate name.Reply:Material in relation to staffing levels in this particular area is awaited from the HSE. The Trust in Care document referred to by the Deputy is a HSE document and not a Departmental Child Protection policy document. Trust in Care relates to upholding the dignity and welfare of patient/clients and the procedure for managing allegations of abuse against staff members.Departmental child protection policy is contained in Children First. 33 Question 18 (Deputy Derek Keating)What funding does your department have for the Youth Services, Anti-Social Behaviour Programmes, and Health & Sexual Education Programmes for young people and what are the procedures and protocols for Youth Services to apply for this funding.Reply:Some €56.806m for current expenditure and €1.5m for capital expenditure is being provided in 2012 by the Youth Affairs Unit of my Department to support the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and youth services.Many Projects may include health and sexual education programmes and services but a number of projects are targeted specifically towards the development of programmes which are exclusively health and sexual education. The Community Programmes Unit of IYJS, which is the responsibility of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, separately funds 100 Garda Youth Diversion Projects, 5 worker-led Local Drugs Task Forces and 20 Young Person Probation Community Projects. These projects all play a role in combating youth crime, especially high volume youth crime involving alcohol, drugs, criminal damage and other social code offences. No additional funding is available.34 Question 19 (Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin) Does the Minister have any further information on the model or type of out-of-hours social care service that will be rolled out across the state that she mentioned in her response to a Priority Question on Child Care Services, Tuesday, 15 May 2012?Reply: Minister Fitzgerald recently discussed this issue with Gordon Jeyes, National Director for Children and Family Services in the HSE and expects the HSE to bring forward an implementation plan for the roll out of a national service model, later this year, for implementation by the new Child and Family Support Agency.The Health Service Executive already provides out-of-hours emergency services for children at risk in the greater Dublin area through the Crisis Intervention Service, and outside the greater Dublin area through the Emergency Place of Safety Service.The Crisis Intervention Service provides out-of-hours emergency social work assistance to young people aged under 18 years who are in crisis. The service operates across the greater Dublin area (Counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow). Referrals are made by service providers outside of normal working hours i.e. Gardai, hospital and ambulance service personnel. Outside the greater Dublin area, the HSE in 2009 established the Emergency Place of Safety Service whereby Gardai can access an emergency placement for children found to be at risk out-of-hours. This service involves the placement of a child in a family setting until the next working day, when the local social work service assumes responsibility for the case. As part of this service Gardai have access to advice and information from a non-HSE social work off-site resource which is provided on a contract basis.The HSE in 2011 commenced two out-of-hours pilot projects, one in Donegal and the other in Cork. Both projects were internally evaluated by the HSE, which then commissioned an independent external assessment, undertaken by Trinity College Dublin. The evaluation was completed in May 2012 and the findings will inform further decisions in the coming months on progression to a national out of hours service model. The existing pilot projects in Cork and Donegal will continue in 2012. Clearly whatever model emerges will need to address the challenges of varying demographic demands in both rural and urban settings, for example the number of referral to the Cork pilot was 29, while the Donegal pilot only received 8 referrals. Building in the Cork and Donegal projects, the Department will be working closely with the HSE to design comprehensive national arrangements which can be implemented by the new Child and Family Support Agency when it is established early in 2013.35 Question 20 (Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin)Does the Minister plan to increase support for children and young people following disclosures of abuse, in co-operation with the Minister for Health, including the provision of psychological and other therapeutic support and without undue delay?Reply: The number of psychologists in the health services has grown significantly over the last ten years rising from 375 psychologists in 2002 to 708 currently, representing an 89% increase in staffing levels.Within the HSE, as it is currently structured, clinical psychology services for children and young adults are delivered through community based services at Primary Care Team and Primary Care Network level in each Integrated Service Area (ISA). Services provided include psychological assessment, diagnosis and intervention. The HSE continues to invest significantly in the training of clinical psychologists and currently sponsors circa 104 trainee clinical psychologists across four post-graduate doctoral level programmes.36 Question 21 (Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin) Does the Minister plan to introduce a standardised system of categorising reported child protection concerns for social workers in the new Child and Family Support Agency?Reply: As Minister I have prioritised the need for more reliable, timely and detailed information in relation to child protection and HSE service capacity and performance. Progress is now being made by the HSE to remedy this situation. A major information technology project, the National Child Care Information System, the NCCIS, has now gone to tender. The NCCIS will be the central system supporting Social Work services. As a social work case management system, it will be used to record and store the case history of every child and other clients of the service. Management information will be derived automatically from the case management system. The aim of the NCCIS project is to identify and procure an easy to use technology solution to support this type of case recording and to automatically provide management information. A first step was to develop agreed and consistent definitions and business processes across all social work offices. In this regard, a national standardised business process has been rolled out nationally. This will ensure that definitions used are consistent, for example to ensure the number of recorded referrals relates to individual children and not families. I am confident that the process being led by Gordon Jeyes, the HSE National Director of Children and Families Services will deliver the information needed. 37 Question 22 (Deputy Ciara Conway)Could the Minister outline how much National Lottery funding the Department gets each year, can she outline how this money is distributed, and particularly how much of it goes towards Pre school education.Reply: The Vote of my Department contains resource allocations in two Subheads which are part funded by the National Lottery and these are as follows - Subhead Title Current Capital Total Provision Provision €000 €000 €000 B.5 Youth Organisations and Services (part funded by the National lottery) 56,806 1,500 58,306 C.6 Grants to Organisations (part funded by the National lottery) 500 - 500Particulars relating to the funding allocations in 2012 under these Subheads are as follows: Youth Organisations and Services (Subhead B5) My Department provides for the delivery of a range of youth work schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding is made available to national youth organisations under the Youth Service Grant Scheme and to projects/organisations under the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund (Rounds 1 and 2), Local Youth Clubs Grant Scheme, Youth Information Centres, collaborative programmes on Youth Health and Youth Arts, Gaisce- The President’s award and Léargas, the body established to administer international exchange programmes. Funding of some €56.806 million has been allocated for current expenditure and details of funding to youth organisations are outlined hereunder. This funding is partly sourced from the National Lottery. Youth Service Grant Scheme – funding is made available on an annual basis to 31 national and major regional voluntary organisations. The continued funding of voluntary youth organisations through the Scheme is intended to ensure the emergence, promotion, growth and development of youth organisations with distinctive philosophies and programmes aimed at the social education of young people. Special Projects for Youth - Under this Scheme, funding of €17.042 million is made available to organisations and groups for specific projects which seek to address the needs of young people who are disadvantaged due to a combination of factors e.g., social isolation, substance misuse, homelessness, early school leaving and unemployment. Projects facilitate the personal and social development of participants thus enabling them to realise their potential. This aim underpins all programmes and activities of the Scheme. In addition, they present opportunities for young people to 38 undertake actions corresponding to their own aspirations and to assume responsibilities within their local communities. Services are delivered by a combination of local youth organisations and local community groups. In general, these youth work initiatives entail consultation with the local community, the involvement of members of the local community in the management structure of the project, and liaison with other voluntary and statutory agencies operating in the youth service sphere. Youth Information Centres – Youth Information Centres, since the first opened in the 1980s, have provided a free and confidential service to young people and those who work with them, including parents, teachers, youth workers and social workers, on a wide range of topics. This includes information on rights and entitlements, employment opportunities and training, welfare benefits, health, accommodation and other matters. The service also helps those looking for advice and help concerning emigration and mobility within Europe. The centres operate as a first point of contact where information and public internet access is available under one roof. There are currently 28 Youth Information Centres throughout the country. Youth Organisations and Service (Subhead B5) – Capital ExpenditureMy Department is committed to supporting the development of quality; front-line youth work projects and services which address to the changing needs of young people and communities. A key element of this is to support the continued nationwide development of youth café facilities given the considerable benefits they offer for young people to meet in safe drug and alcohol free spaces and most importantly the identification of the need for such spaces by young people themselves. In support of this priority, I have secured as part of the Government’s Capital Review capital funding of €1.5 million in 2012 and it is anticipated that a portion of this funding will be specifically allocated to youth cafés. The distribution of this funding is under active consideration at present and a decision in this regard is expected shortly.The current and capital provisions under Subhead B5 specifically provides financial support for the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for young people and it is not intended that the funds from this source will assist early childhood care and education services. Grants to Organisations (Subhead C6)Subhead C.6 contains a resource allocation of €500,000 in 2012 to support requests for grant funding from individuals, groups and organisations with an involvement in the provision of supports and services for children and young people under the application based National Lottery Funding Scheme. Details of the funding scheme are available on my Department's website www.dcya.gov.ieApproximately 75 applications for support from the National Lottery have been received to date by my Department which includes 14 applications relating to early childhood care and education services. The current value of all applications amount to just over €3 million. In the circumstances the applications for grant support this year far exceed the available resources so it may not be possible, unfortunately, to assist all39 applications. The assessment of applications is at an advanced stage of finalisation and all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application as soon as a final decision has been made.Support for Early Childhood Care and EducationThe Deputy might note that the Government currently supports the provision of early childhood care and education through three support programmes - the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme, the Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme. These programmes are implemented by my Department.The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free pre-school year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Almost every pre-school service in the State is participating in the programme, ensuring it is available to children in all areas. About 66,000 children, that is approximately 95% of children in the year before school, are availing of the free pre-school provision at this time. In line with the Programme for Government, my Department has made a significant commitment to maintaining the universal free pre-school year and to developing early childhood care and education as resources allow. In this context the funding for the pre-school year has been increased from €166 million in 2011 to €175.8 million in 2012 to cater for changing demographics, and provide for the increased number of children in the relevant age cohort.The Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) programme supports community-based childcare services by enabling them to provide childcare at reduced rates to disadvantaged and low income families. These not-for-profit facilities provide childcare at cost price with reductions to qualifying parents based on the level of subvention they are entitled to under the programme. The Childcare Education and Training Support (CETS) programme was introduced in September 2010. Under the CETS programme, funding is provided by my Department to participating childcare services in return for the provision of free childcare places to qualifying students and trainees. The eligibility criteria under which students and trainees qualify under the programme is determined by FÁS and the VECs. Approximately 2,800 full time equivalent childcare places are currently funded under the programme.In addition, the Government announced, in December 2011, a new National Childcare Investment Programme (NCIP) Capital Funding 2012 grant. This grant will provide capital funding of €6.5 million this year to both community and private childcare providers currently participating in one or more of the above funding programmes: CCS programme; CETS programme and ECCE programme. The capital grant, which provides funding up to €50,000, is available for small maintenance/renovation work or equipment, will ensure that childcare services are in a position to continue in the future to deliver quality care and education as required under the programmes. 40 Question 23 (Deputy Ciara Conway) Can the Minister outline the measures being taken to address the situation whereby large number of childcare workers are unable to access Children First training, is she considering moves to allow organisations like Early Childhood Ireland to supply training to their members, and can she set out a roadmap in relation to this?Reply:The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First. The Heads of the Bill have been prepared and submitted to the Committee for Health and Children for its consideration. The implementation of this legislation will require that all staff working directly with children, including volunteers, receive child protection training and that named Designated Officers are trained and understand their roles and responsibilities for reporting.With the publication of the revised Guidance, staff within the HSE have been required to attend briefing sessions to ensure that they know their responsibilities. The HSE’s one day Children First Basic Level training programme has also been standardised. HSE Children First Information and Advice Officers have also provided standardised briefing sessions to staff working in the voluntary and community sector. In addition, the HSE and An Garda Siochana work collaboratively to ensure that the statutory authorities provide a clear standard understanding of their roles and functions. The HSE and An Garda Siochana provide joint standardised training in Children First for social workers and gardai. An Garda Síochana lead out joint specialist interviewing training for social workers and gardai.Further, the HSE is leading, in consultation with the Department, in establishing a number of sector specific overarching Children First steering groups. As examples; the overarching steering group for the Youth sector has had three meetings to date and the early years group is established and meeting on the 11th of July. The steering groups are chaired by a senior representative from their sector, are supported by the HSE, and are tasked with leading strategically to ensure policy and procedure development, training and quality assurance systems in respect of child protection operate effectively within each sector. Training for all groups is a significant issue. Since 2001, the training (Keeping Safe) for the voluntary/community sector has been provided by the HSE Children First Information and Advice Officers (15). Keeping Safe is an accredited, quality assured training programme based on Children First and Our Duty to Care. It is provided throughout the country at no cost to organisations, and it has been very positively received. The HSE is working with the various children services sectors to ensure that all organisations are able to access child protection training. Part of this approach will involve 'train the trainer' courses being established alongside access to a HSE validation and quality assurance system for sector specific child protection training programmes. To assist and inform this all HSE Children First training including Keeping Safe Training is undergoing evaluation through NUIG Child and Family Policy and Research Centre.41 Question 25 (Deputy Charlie McConalogue) To ask the Minister for Children to outline any impact assessment she has carried out examining the likely impact of mandatory reporting on reporting numbers and her accompanying assessment of the need for additional social workers to be employed to handle the increased workload.Reply: The focus of the proposed Children First legislation is on the protection of individual children about whom a report is made and other children who may be at risk from an alleged perpetrator of abuse. Its aim is to make organisations safe places, and to ensure that key people in authority in these organisations, and named professionals report to and co-operate with the HSE information about abuse and serious neglect. In the legislation, it is proposed that the Designated Officer along with certain named professionals will have statutory responsibility to report information about abuse to the HSE. The obligation to report abuse extends to abuse and neglect wherever it occurs, that comes to the attention of the Designated Officer in the course of his / her work or volunteer activities. To assist Designated Officers and certain named professionals make a determination as to whether to report abuse, a ‘Guidance for Reporting of Abuse’ is to be developed by my Department. This Guidance will deal with issues such as definitions, thresholds and appropriate routes for the reporting of abuse. The Guidance will assist designated officers and professionals named in the legislation, in their considering a number of factors to see if the concern reaches the threshold of a report under the legislation.Experience in other countries indicated that guidance to those responsible for reporting, and effective screening of all reports are important in designing an effective filtering system which deploys resources appropriately based upon child protection criteria. In this regard, my Department will be developing ‘Guidance for Reporting of Abuse’ which will deal with issues such as definitions, thresholds and appropriate channels for the reporting of abuse. The Guidance will require designated officers and professionals named in the legislation, to consider a number of factors to determine whether the concern reaches the threshold of a report under the legislation. ‘ Guidance for Reporting of Abuse’ is to be developed by my Department. This Guidance will deal with issues such as definitions, thresholds and appropriate routes for the reporting of abuse. The Guidance will be dependent on designated officers and professionals named in the legislation, considering a number of factors to see if the concern reaches the threshold of a report under the legislation. 42 Question 26 (Deputy Charlie McConalogue)To ask the Minister for Children to provide monthly totals in tabular format of the numbers of WTE social workers employed in the area of child and family services as well as details of total social worker numbers across all areas for each month of the past three years.Reply: The tables below provide the total number of social work staff (including non- professionally qualified staff) on a monthly basis since start 2010. The table also breaks down the staff into care groups. It should be noted that the classification by care group is viewed by the HSE and the Department as provisional and is subject to ongoing revision/refinement as part of the process of disaggregating the children and families resource base from the HSE prior to the establishment of the new Children and Family Support Agency. This is particularly so in the earlier period covered by these tables. To place these figures in their proper context I have included all other care groups in the tables.31/01/2010 28/02/2010 31/03/2010 30/04/2010 31/05/2010 Acute Hospitals 273.02 272.84 275.18 275.51 277.55 Cancer Services 7 7 7 6 6 Children & Families 963.57 968.13 963.47 972.26 964.49 Corporate Functions 7.7 7.71 7.54 7.34 7.57 Disabilities 341.9 341.47 338.41 335.78 336.37 Health & Well- being 1.8 1.85 1.85 1.8 1.8 Mental Health 165.4 163.9 168.25 172.25 173.76 Older People 40.91 41.14 40.61 38.59 40.83 Palliative Care 16.5 14.39 20.19 19.93 21 Primary Care 358.65 359.23 356.02 366.35 367.13 Social Inclusion 18.34 18.4 18.4 18 18.6 Total 2194.79 2196.06 2196.92 2213.81 2215.130/06/2010 31/07/2010 31/08/2010 30/09/2010 31/10/2010 Acute Hospitals 277.79 273.38 268.44 268.1 266.62 Cancer Services 6 6 6 6 7 Children & Families 977.95 978.14 984.2 1,022.25 1,066.87 Corporate Functions 7.57 7.57 7.57 7.57 7.57 Disabilities 337.1 339.28 343.39 344.49 345.53 Health & Well- being 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 Mental Health 176.63 177 172.63 172.99 174.77 Older People 37.35 38.07 37.6 36.33 37.4243 Palliative Care 20 21.05 19.83 19.6 20 Primary Care 371.24 373.59 374.21 383.46 404.13 Social Inclusion 19.5 20 19.6 19.67 19.7 Total 2232.93 2235.88 2235.27 2282.26 2351.4130/11/2010 31/12/2010 31/01/2011 28/02/2011 31/03/2011 Acute Hospitals 266.07 266.51 259.62 264.32 261.65 Cancer Services 7 6 6 6 6.5 Children & Families 1,158.92 1,183.27 1,196.29 1,190.23 1,190.35 Corporate Functions 7.57 7.57 7.49 7.57 7.57 Disabilities 227.5 247.78 231.79 229.7 226.06 Health & Well- being 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 1.8 Mental Health 180.75 177.24 179.31 175.84 176.71 Older People 44.52 39.05 45.85 46.2 49.16 Palliative Care 20 19.82 19.6 18.77 16.72 Primary Care 415.71 421.6 420.18 424.61 429.15 Social Inclusion 61.18 60.92 58.98 58.63 61.9 Total 2391.02 2431.56 2426.91 2423.67 2427.5730/04/2011 31/05/2011 30/06/2011 31/07/2011 31/08/2011 Acute Hospitals 267.65 269.03 268.91 269.5 275.4 Cancer Services 5.5 5.5 5.5 3.9 3.5 Children & Families 1,195.64 1,193.85 1,194.47 1,197.05 1,188.89 Corporate Functions 7.57 7.57 7.57 7.57 7.57 Disabilities 226.33 228.73 228.18 228.69 229.24 Health & Well- being 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 Mental Health 180.08 180.89 181.02 181.54 183.1 Older People 47.78 48.58 49.06 51.52 49.17 Palliative Care 16.94 16.85 16.75 17.05 18.65 Primary Care 430.19 431.13 428.75 427.48 427.7 Social Inclusion 61.95 62.44 63.76 61.25 61.19 Total 2442.23 2447.17 2446.57 2448.15 2447.0130/09/2011 31/10/2011 30/11/2011 31/12/2011 31/01/2012 Acute Hospitals 273.59 273.57 275.04 274.93 272.13 Cancer Services 3.5 3.5 3 4 4.5 Children & Families 1,213.03 1,206.78 1,199.02 1,220.28 1,217.39 Corporate Functions 7.57 7.57 7.57 7.53 7.57 Disabilities 208.63 207.84 212.98 213.54 214.4544 Health & Well- being 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.6 Mental Health 203.37 200.89 200.35 200.65 198.76 Older People 49.45 48.73 50.25 49.26 50.98 Palliative Care 17.65 17.61 17.65 16.65 16.37 Primary Care 390.73 389.79 398.19 397.27 395.8 Social Inclusion 59.15 56.67 56.74 54.98 54.74 Total 2429.27 2415.55 2423.39 2441.69 2435.2929/02/2012 31/03/2012 Acute Hospitals 266.61 264.29 Cancer Services 4.5 4 Children & Families 1,215.94 1,196.85 Corporate Functions 7.57 7.57 Disabilities 211.01 200.54 Health & Well- being 2.6 2.6 Mental Health 199.68 206.45 Older People 50.09 49.28 Palliative Care 16.5 15.74 Primary Care 396.3 393.99 Social Inclusion 53.87 56.09 Total 2424.67 2397.445

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