Written Answers Nos. 360-377
360. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the approximate date when she will publish the heads of the terms of employment (information) (amendment) and organisation of working time (amendment) Bill 2016 proposals regarding protections for workers on insecure, low-hour contracts; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12679/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy colleague, Minister Mitchell O’Connor, and I intend to bring forward proposals in this area for consideration by Government. In this respect, work has progressed well on developing a policy response to the Programme for Government commitment to address the increased casualisation of work and to strengthen the regulation of precarious employment. We intend to include protections aimed particularly at low-paid, more vulnerable workers. Our proposals will address the issue of employees on low hour contracts who consistently work more hours each week but whose contracts do not reflect the reality of their hours worked. The proposals will also seek to ensure that employees are better informed about the nature of their employment arrangements and their core terms at an early stage in their employment.
The policy response is being informed by the University of Limerick study on zero hour contracts and low hour contracts as well as the extensive material and practical examples provided by respondents to the public consultation conducted by my Department.
Developing policy proposals in this area is a complex matter. A balance needs to be found between protecting the rights of employees and avoiding unintended consequences on business which may negatively affect the competitiveness of the Irish economy.
My Department engaged in an intensive dialogue process with ICTU and IBEC in an effort to secure broad agreement before finalising proposals. The intention now is to submit our proposals to Government in Q1 2017 for consideration and approval to draft a Bill giving effect to those proposals. I envisage that the proposed legislation would, subject to Government approval, be published as a matter of priority once a Bill is drafted.
361. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the approximate costs associated with tendering for the Succeed in Ireland operation under IDA Ireland, when the current contract ends in March 2017; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12680/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am informed by the IDA that, for contracts of significant size, it typically hires a consultant to advise on all matters associated with the procurement process. A consultant is only engaged itself after a request for a fee proposal is issued to at least three potential contractors. Such a fee proposal provides a description of the project and the services required in respect of it. The firm that is subsequently appointed then manages the procurement process for the contract in question.
I understand that the costs associated with engaging a consultant to manage a procurement process can vary considerably, depending on the level of services required in each instance. It is therefore difficult to provide an accurate estimate of costs.
362. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the incentives and polices in place to address the current shortage of qualified engineers to fill vacancies arising; the steps she is taking to rectify the current skills shortages in this area and STEM-related qualifications; if consideration has been given to attract qualified persons here to address the shortages of qualified engineers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12681/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Education and Skills has a number of strategies underway that aim to identify and find solutions to existing and future skills needs across a number of sectors of our economy. Launched last year, the Action Plan for Education 2016 – 2019 contains a range of actions to be implemented with a particular focus on identifying and addressing the skills needs of employers in skills areas such as engineering and STEM related skills demands. The National Skills Strategy 2025 also launched in 2016, contains over 140 Actions, a number of which of which are aimed at identifying and addressing skills shortages across various sectors including engineering and STEM related skills demands.
The 9 Regional Skills Fora have been established and a Regional Skills Manager has been appointed to lead the activities of each Forum. The Managers have established a strong network of working relationships between the relevant stakeholders in the region, with particular focus on liaison between enterprise and education and training providers in advancing the objectives of each Forum which include addressing identified skills demands by using evidence based data in the various sectors in each Region.
The expert report on education in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in Irish primary and post-primary schools was published in November 2016 by the STEM Education Review Group. The report presents a detailed examination of the provision of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education in Ireland. One of the recommendations of the report is for the development of an integrated National STEM Education Policy Statement by end June 2017 and that this Policy Statement should include a detailed implementation plan with responsibilities and timelines clearly outlined.
Within the Further Education and Training (FET) sector, significant improvements have been made in the planning and funding of provision since the publication of the FET Strategy in 2014. Education and Training Boards engage in a service planning process annually against a range of detailed parameters set by SOLAS. This process has been refined and improved each year and includes the use of strengthened labour market data provided by the Skills and Labour Market Research Unit to ensure that the skill needs of learners and enterprise are met.
The FET Services Plan published by SOLAS each year since 2014 sets out measures to address FET skill needs in line with labour market and EGFSN forecasts. ETBs are currently reviewing existing provision for the purpose of matching capacity with potential demand for specific programmes e.g. apprenticeship, engineering, entrepreneurship and IT. This will also enable the realignment of course provision to meet identified skills needs.
In 2015 a new Career Traineeship initiative was initiated by SOLAS in collaboration with the ETBs and enterprise to develop a more effective model of work-based learning, primarily at NFQ levels 4 and 5, incorporating best national and international research and practice. The Career Traineeship model of work-based learning is currently being piloted with the Hospitality and Engineering sectors, with the involvement of seven ETBs.
Funding is provided to the Higher Education Institutions to support summer camps in Computer Science for second level students. The aim of the camps is to encourage more students to take up Computer Science at third level. In 2016, 29 camps were funded accommodating over 1,245 students. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) computing departments are centrally involved in supporting coder dojos, providing facilities to host dojos, third level computing students to run clubs and lecturers to provide mentoring strategies. HEIs link their computing camps and computing outreach activities to Coder dojo activities and use these to foster greater links with secondary schools within their region.
Budget 2017 provided for an additional €1 million to support 200 places on Level 9 ICT conversion courses for graduates of non ICT courses to convert to this skill shortage area.
All Higher Education Institutions work within their own region to promote STEM courses examples include Limerick for IT and Limerick for Engineering where organisers host events aimed at second level students and their parents with invited industry and higher education institution representatives to promote STEM as a career.
The Higher Education Authority has recently issued a further Call for course proposals to be funded under Springboard+ 2017. Springboard+ provides jobseekers with free part-time upskilling and reskilling higher education opportunities in areas of identified skills need to include skills shortages in STEM.
In relation to the employment of non-EEA nationals, the State's general policy is to promote the sourcing of labour and skills needs from within the workforce of Ireland and the European Economic Area (EEA). The employment permits system, which the Department Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation administers, is intended to offer an interim solution for employers where specific skills prove difficult to source within the EEA.
The system offers a conduit into the Irish labour market for non-EEA nationals with in-demand skills and is operated as a vacancy-led system. Vacancies must be for eligible occupations – the system is ordered by the use of lists which determine which occupations are highly demanded and which are ineligible for consideration for employment permits.
Changes to access to the Irish labour market for specific occupations via the employment permits system are made on the basis of research undertaken by the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) in tandem with a consultation process, as part of a package of measures to meet those skills needs. Such changes are made on the basis of bi-annual reviews, which include a public consultation process.
Non-EEA engineering professionals with specified skills in electrical, electronics, mechanical, design and development, and production and process, as well as material scientists are currently included on the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List for employment permits, which means that such professionals may be granted Critical Skills Employment Permits if they choose to work in this State.
Critical Skills Employment Permits confer a number of benefits to their holders which are additional to those offered by other employment permit types, including immediate access to the Irish labour market for specified family members. All other types of engineering professional are eligible for employment permits, and may apply for a General Employment Permit if they don’t meet the criteria for a Critical Skills Employment Permit.
The next review of the Highly Skilled Eligible Occupations List will take place in the 2nd quarter of 2017, and submissions relating to in demand occupations will be invited, via the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (www.djei.ie), during that review.
363. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the new initiatives that will be introduced by the State's industrial promotion agencies to attract inward investment and jobs to areas such as counties Cavan and Monaghan due to adverse impacts that Brexit will have on this region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12696/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very much aware of the potential impact of Brexit on border areas and I am committed to doing all I can to assist enterprise in the region. I regularly engage with stakeholders from the area and, on 19 January, I hosted a large delegation of elected representatives from Cavan and Monaghan to discuss issues including Brexit.
IDA Ireland, Enterprise Ireland and the Local Enterprise Offices are also working on an ongoing basis with client companies to both mitigate the challenges and maximise the opportunities arising from the UK’s decision to leave the EU. InterTrade Ireland is also working with companies engaged in North-South trade to ensure they are best prepared as possible to address the challenges Brexit may pose for cross-border commerce.
The wider strategy for increasing employment in the region is the Regional Action Plan for the North East/North West, which has a strong Brexit focus. This plan aims to support the creation of 28,000 new jobs across Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan, and Louth by 2020. I am pleased that there has been strong progress to date, with 5,600 more people in employment across the region since the start of 2015.
364. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation the number of freedom of information requests received by her Department on which the Office of the Chief State Solicitor has incurred expenses for each of the past three years and to date in 2017; and the amount of fees for counsel and other legal costs incurred, respectively, for each of the past three years and to date in 2017. [12778/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department did not seek advice from the Chief State Solicitor's Office in relation to Freedom of Information requests received from 2014 to date nor has it incurred any legal costs fees in relation to FOI requests received during that period.
365. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to improve services for victims of domestic abuse in the north east with particular reference to the lack of adequate provision of such services in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12453/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla, the Child and Family Agency allocates funding for a network of 60 organisations that provide services to victims of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence in Ireland. This includes 20 services that provide some 147 family units of emergency refuge accommodation to women and children.
In 2016, the dedicated national budget for domestic, sexual and gender-based services was €20.6m. This funding level will increase by €1.5m this year and will allow for the continuing implementation of actions in the second National Strategy for Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and the Council of Europe Convention on the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence (the Istanbul Convention).
Tusla is currently finalising details of funding to be allocated to domestic violence services in 2017 and will be informing individual services shortly.
Currently, there are no refuges located in counties Cavan and Monaghan. However, there are three refuge services located in counties Louth and Meath which are responsible for providing services to women and families across the wider North East area.
A range of supports are required in order to reduce the need for women and families to use emergency accommodation and to ensure that families disrupted by domestic violence can be supported to resume safe family living beyond refuge type accommodation, within the shortest possible time frames. Local domestic violence services play an important role in prevention and supporting families outside of refuge.
Tusla recognises that there are challenges to be addressed in ensuring that there is an appropriate configuration of spaces available to all women and children who require emergency refuge accommodation, and that those with the greatest need for safe accommodation, are prioritised appropriately.
As part of its commissioning process, Tusla is looking at levels of need and will work with domestic violence services and all key stakeholders to ensure that appropriate responses are in place for those affected by domestic violence in counties Cavan and Monaghan.
366. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children currently in care; the number in care without an allocated social worker, broken down by local area; the steps being taken to address this problem; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12527/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent figures provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that there were 6,258 children in care at the end of December 2016, which is a decrease of 2% compared with the previous year. Of the children in care, 93% were in foster care nationally. Tusla has indicated that there were 453 children in care awaiting the allocation of a social worker at the end of 2016. The following table shows the breakdown by administrative areas at the end of December 2016.
|
Administrative Areas: December 2016 |
Number of children in care |
Number of children in care with an allocated aftercare worker |
Number of children in care awaiting an allocated aftercare worker |
|
Dublin South Central |
383 |
383 |
0 |
|
Dublin South East/Wicklow |
287 |
277 |
10 |
|
Dublin South West/Kildare/West Wicklow |
440 |
404 |
36 |
|
Midlands |
397 |
355 |
42 |
|
Dublin North City |
611 |
587 |
24 |
|
Dublin North |
326 |
303 |
23 |
|
Louth/Meath |
396 |
332 |
64 |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
152 |
144 |
8 |
|
Cork |
858 |
834 |
24 |
|
Kerry |
152 |
151 |
1 |
|
Carlow /Kilkenny/South Tipperary |
366 |
332 |
44 |
|
Waterford/Wexford |
427 |
406 |
21 |
|
Mid West |
596 |
487 |
109 |
|
Galway/Roscommon |
414 |
357 |
57 |
|
Mayo |
134 |
134 |
0 |
|
Donegal |
216 |
216 |
0 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim/West Cavan |
103 |
103 |
0 |
|
Total |
6,258 |
5,805 |
453 |
It is a key priority for me to address the number of children who are without an allocated social worker. I secured additional funding for this purpose in 2017, and Tusla is now in the second year of a 3-year plan to ensure that a social worker is allocated to all children and young people who need one. It is important to emphasise that, as Tusla's 3-year plan to address unallocated cases continues, all urgent cases are dealt with immediately and do not simply go on a waiting list. I will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and senior management team, over the course of the year, to review progress.
367. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers in each local area looking after the needs of children in care; the reason some areas appear to have a shortage of social workers who can be allocated to look after the interests of every child in care; the number of extra social workers who would need to be employed to ensure that no child in care is without a dedicated social worker; the additional cost in a year to employ the number required; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12528/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department receives monthly reports regarding numbers employed in Tusla's various staffing categories including social work however, the more detailed information requested is not readily available in my Department. My officials have requested the information from Tusla and I will forward the reply to the Deputy once I have been furnished with it.
368. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Question No. 630 of 24 May 2016, if the information indicated (details supplied) can be provided. [12559/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have been advised that, according to our records, the information referred to in the reply to parliamentary question number 630 of 24 May 2016 was issued in a letter to the Deputy dated 27 July 2016. Tusla, the Child and Family Agency has informed me that this information remains correct.
Tusla had advised me that in 2015 there were 9 children in out of State secure care and mental health placements which cost the State €3,700,570 in that year. As of the 31 May 2016 there were 8 children in out of state secure care and mental health placements which has cost the State €1,146,759 in 2016.
Tusla informed me that it is not possible to provide figures for the years prior to 2015 as coding arrangements to disaggregate these figures were not in place for the full year.
There are also a small number of children in foster care placements abroad which costs the State €350 approximately per week, per child. Some of these children were placed with foster carers in Ireland who subsequently moved abroad and, in keeping with their care plans, the children moved with them. Others would have been placed in the care of relatives who live outside the State. Tusla continues to monitor the welfare of any children in care who are residing outside of the State.
369. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of children currently in care, per region, in tabular form; the number of these children who are in foster care; the number in the foster care of a relative; the number in residential care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12745/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent figures provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that there were 6,258 children in care at the end of December 2016, which is a decrease of 2% compared with the previous year. Of the children in care, 93% were in foster care nationally. At the end of 2016, there were 4,102 (66%) children in general foster care, 1,715 (27%) in relative care and 316 (5%) children in a residential care placement. A further 125 (2%) children were in other care placements, which include supported lodgings, being at home under a care order and other types of residential provision, such as therapeutic disability or residential assessment centres.
The breakdown of the number of children in care by region at the end of December 2016 is as follows:
|
Region |
Number of children in care at end of December 2016 |
Number of children in general foster care at end of December 2016 |
Number of children in the relative care at end of December 2016 |
Number of children in a residential placement at end of December 2016 |
Number of children in Other care placement at end of December 2016 |
|
Dublin Mid-Leinster |
1,507 |
949 |
427 |
104 |
27 |
|
Dublin North East |
1,485 |
930 |
437 |
87 |
31 |
|
South |
1,803 |
1150 |
535 |
84 |
34 |
|
West |
1,463 |
1073 |
316 |
41 |
33 |
|
Total |
6,258 |
4,102 |
1,715 |
316 |
125 |
Tusla has a statutory duty under the Child Care Act 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection and, if necessary, to receive a child into the care of the State. The placement of children in care is governed by the Child Care Regulations 1995, which set out the requirements for pre-placement, monitoring and inspection of placements. In addition, foster care placements are inspected against standards by the Health Information and Quality Authority. The legislation and standards set out duties for service providers, including standards on the welfare of the child, care practices, records, accommodation, and safeguarding. Ireland has a very high rate of children placed in family foster care, and Tusla works to support these placements for children in care. Later on, supports are provided for those young adults who continue to live with their former foster carers in aftercare.
370. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of cases relating to children in care for which a social worker has yet to be allocated, per region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12746/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe most recent figures provided by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, indicate that there were 6,258 children in care at the end of December 2016, which is a decrease of 2% compared with the previous year. Of the children in care, 93% were in foster care nationally. Tusla has indicated that there were 453 children in care awaiting the allocation of a social worker at the end of 2016. The following table shows the breakdown by region at the end of December 2016.
|
Region |
Children with an allocated Social worker |
Children awaiting an allocated Social worker |
|
Dublin Mid Leinster |
1,419 |
88 |
|
Dublin North East |
1,366 |
119 |
|
South |
1,723 |
80 |
|
West |
1,297 |
166 |
|
Total |
5,805 |
453 |
It is a key priority for me to address the number of children who are without an allocated social worker. I secured additional funding for this purpose in 2017, and Tusla is now in the second year of a 3-year plan to ensure that a social worker is allocated to all children and young people who need one. It is important to emphasise that, as Tusla's 3-year plan to address unallocated cases continues, all urgent cases are dealt with immediately and do not simply go on a waiting list. I will continue to engage directly with the Tusla Board and senior management team, over the course of the year, to review progress.
371. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of social workers employed by Tusla; the number of social workers registered with CORU, the social workers' register; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12747/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraTusla has advised that as of the end of January 2017 the number of Social Workers employed by Tusla was 1467.45 Whole Time Equivalent. They have also confirmed that all practising social workers in Tusla are registered with CORU.
372. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the total number of persons currently employed by Tusla; the number of these who are social workers, social care professionals, psychologists, counsellors, nursing staff, education and welfare officers, family support staff, other support staff including staff caterers, administration staff grades 3 to 7 and management grades 8 and above, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12748/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Child and Family Agency (Tusla) has advised that at the end of January, 2017 there were 3,616.02 whole-time equivalent staff directly employed. The numerical breakdown of staff by category is set down in tabular format below:
|
Category |
Whole time equivalent staff January 2017 |
|
Social Work |
1,467.45 |
|
Social Care |
1,114.99 |
|
Psychology and Counselling |
23.40 |
|
Other Support Staff inc catering |
63.04 |
|
Other Health Professionals |
9.76 |
|
Nursing |
49.91 |
|
Management Grade VIII |
106.97 |
|
Family Support |
165.72 |
|
Education and Welfare Officer |
86.84 |
|
Admin Grade III-VII |
527.94 |
|
Total |
3,616.02 |
373. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have died while in the care of the State, per region, for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the details in each instance of the cause of death; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12749/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe death of any child or young person is a tragedy, and a profound loss for their families and carers and I deeply sympathise with all those affected. In order to identify learning about how to better address the needs of vulnerable children and families, the National Review Panel (NRP) was established in 2010 to review serious incidents and deaths of children in care, in aftercare, and those known to Child Welfare and Protection Services. It is an independent body chaired by Dr Helen Buckley and its reports are published on the Tusla website.
Information on the cases and the work of the Panel is published in the National Review Panel annual reports, which are available on the Tusla website.
The following table is a summary of the deaths of children and young people in care over the period 2011 to 2014
Table 1: Number of Deaths notified for children and young people in care
|
Year |
Cause of Death |
Total |
|||
|
Natural Causes |
Homicide |
Suicide |
Drug Overdose |
||
|
2011 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
|
2012 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
|
2013 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
3 |
|
2014 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
0 |
3 |
For the information of the Deputy, I am also including the following table that sets out the deaths and serious incidents for children and young people who were in care, in an aftercare programme or were known to the Child Welfare and Protection Services.
Table 2: Number of Deaths and Serious Incidents notified for children and young people in care, aftercare or were known to the Child Welfare and Protection Services (National Review Panel Annual Report 2014)
|
Causes of Death, as notified to the National Review Panel |
2010 |
2011 |
2012 |
2013 |
2014 |
|
Natural Causes |
6 |
8 |
7 |
7 |
8 |
|
Suicide |
4 |
3 |
9 |
4 |
8 |
|
Road Traffic Accident |
4 |
1 |
2 |
0 |
5 |
|
Other – Accidental |
2 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
|
Drug Overdose |
4 |
2 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
|
Homicide |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
|
Cause of Death to be Verified |
0 |
0 |
0 |
4 |
1 |
|
Total |
22 |
15 |
23 |
17 |
26 |
|
Number of Serious Incidents |
8 |
1 |
1 |
3 |
3 |
For completeness, I would note that the Report of the Independent Child Death Review Group gives data on deaths of 196 children during the period of 1 January 2000 to 30 April 2010 who were in care (18%), known to social services (65%) or in aftercare (16%). This report is available on www.dcya.gov.ie.
The remaining information sought by the Deputy has been requested from the Child and Family Agency and I will respond directly to the Deputy when the information is received.
374. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children, per region, who have gone missing or have disappeared while placed in the care of the State, for each of the years 2011 to 2017 to date, in tabular form; the number of these whose whereabouts are still unknown; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12750/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra375. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of children who have gone missing or have disappeared while placed in the care of the State but whose whereabouts were subsequently rediscovered for each of the years 2011 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the numbers who were retraced to brothels; the numbers retraced to businesses; the numbers retraced to private households and to any other location in which it is believed they may have been used as slaves; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12751/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.
Tusla has confirmed to me that all of the children who went missing during 2016 were returned safely to their foster or residential placement. I understand that information on children's absences from care is being collected in all administrative areas, and is being used in service and care planning for children in care. However, it may not be collated in the manner referred to by the Deputy. I have asked Tusla, the Child and Family Agency for the information and I will respond to you when their reply has been received.
A child in care would be expected to have an Absence Management Plan. This is used to assess the risk in the event of a child going missing and the action to be taken. A child in care is considered to be missing when his or her whereabouts are unknown and the Absence Management Plan indicates concern for the child’s safety. For example, a child in care can be subject to curfews as part of their placement plan that reflect their ability to keep themselves safe. It should be remembered that most children in care live in family settings in the community.
I can inform the Deputy that I have been assured that there is strong inter-agency co-operation to promote the safety and welfare of children who are reported missing from care. In this regard, a Joint Protocol between An Garda Síochána and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, sets out the procedure to be followed in the event that a child in care goes missing. Children in care are recognised by An Garda Síochána and Tusla as being among the most vulnerable in our society.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A:
Further to Parliamentary Questions (12750/17 and 12751/17) of 9 March 2017, I have received the following information from Tusla, the Child and Family Agency in relation to the number of incidents of where a child went missing from care.
A child in care would be expected to have an Absence Management Plan. This is used to assess the risk in the event of a child going missing and the action to be taken. A child in care is considered to be missing when his or her whereabouts are unknown and the Absence Management Plan indicates concern for the child’s safety. For example, a child in care can be subject to curfews as part of their placement plan that reflects their ability to keep themselves safe. It should be remembered that most children In care live in family settings in the community.
It should be noted that time missing cannot be used to determine whether a child qualifies as missing, rather it is a combination of the time period with all other circumstances of the case that must be considered. For example, If a child is not allowed unsupervised time outside the home and cannot be found in the home, this will be counted as an incident of a child missing from care regardless of the period of time involved.
Tusla operates a procedure which records each missing from care incident and liaises with An Garda Síochána as necessary. With the development of the National Child Care Information System, Tusla will be in a position to provide more detailed information as the project develops.
Tusla has confirmed to me that all of the children who went missing during 2016 were returned safely to their foster or residential placement. Tusla has advised there were two young people who went missing from care in 2017 who have not been located. One young person is believed to be with his mother and the other young person is believed to be in the U.K.
It should be noted that children in care are significantly more likely to go missing than other children, with those in residential care an estimated three times more likely to go missing (Rees and Lee, 2005). National figures for years prior to 2016 are not available. In the vast majority of cases, where a child is missing from care, these incidents last for under 12 hours.
|
Private Residential Centres |
Tusla and Voluntary Centres |
Secure Care |
|
|
2016 |
2,545 |
2,931 |
78 |
|
2017 (to date) |
413 |
513 |
8 |
I trust that this information is helpful.
376. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of freedom of information requests received by her Department on which the Office of the Chief State Solicitor has incurred expenses for each of the past three years and to date in 2017; and the amount of fees for counsel and other legal costs incurred, respectively, for each of the past three years and to date in 2017. [12770/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere has never been any involvement of the Chief State Solicitor's Office in any Freedom of Information requests received by my Department.
377. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of freedom of information requests received by his Department on which the Office of the Chief State Solicitor has incurred expenses for each of the past three years and to date in 2017; and the amount of fees for counsel and other legal costs incurred, respectively, for each of the past three years and to date in 2017. [12772/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has not received any Freedom of Information requests in the past three years in which the Chief State Solicitor’s Office had any involvement.
