Written Answers Nos. 1302-1321
1303. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the size of the national dairy herd for each of the past 15 years, in tabular form; if there is a target figure for the size of the national herd; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35935/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraComprehensive data on dairy cow and other livestock numbers is available from the CSO through the following links and associated datasets, for June and December each year:
June: www.cso.ie/en/statistics/agriculture/cropsandlivestockjunefinalresults/
December: www.cso.ie/en/releasesandpublications/ep/p-lsd/livestocksurveydecember2023/
There is no target figure for the national dairy herd. It is notable that dairy cow numbers have largely stabilised from 2021 to 2023, at 1.6 million in June and 1.5 million in December, following significant growth after the abolition of EU milk quotas in 2015.
1305. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the introduction of a farm retirement scheme with funding from CAP and/or national resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35983/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe family farm is at the heart of agriculture in Ireland, and I am a strong supporter of assisting the next generation to take over the farm when the time is right to do so. It is essential for the ongoing development of agriculture that there are young and enthusiastic people coming through.
Supporting young farmers and new entrants is critical to ensure a bright future for the agri-food sector. Of course, it is also important to consider the position of older and retiring farmers. The current Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) cites generational renewal as one of its nine key objectives. Under Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027, there is substantial investment in achieving generational renewal. This is complemented with national supports, including strong taxation measures facilitating generational renewal and the early inter-generational transfer of family farms. In addition, long-term leasing income tax relief supports access to land for young farmers and provides a route to retirement for older farmers.
Our national stakeholder-led strategy for the agri-food sector, Food Vision 2030, highlights the challenge of generational renewal and proposes several actions, including maintaining the current strong level of support, the promotion of succession planning & land mobility, and increased education and promotion of the diversity of careers in the agri-food sector.
While a retirement scheme was discussed in preparations for this CAP, it was decided to direct the available funding into:
• The Complementary Income Support for Young Farmers’ Scheme, to help young farmers establish their farming businesses, by dedicating some 3% of the direct payments ceiling. This allocation of approximately €35m per year will see young farmers, who qualify, benefit from payments averaging some €175 per hectare over the five years of the scheme.
• The National Reserve, which provides support to two priority categories of Young Farmer and New Farmer. Successful applicants will receive an allocation of payment entitlements on land for which they hold no payment entitlements, and/or a top-up to the value of existing entitlements below the national average entitlement value to bring them up to the national average value, subject to an overall allocation of 50 entitlements per successful applicant.
• The TAMS capital investment measure, where a higher grant rate of 60% for qualified young farmers is available.
• A Collaborative Farming Grant Scheme to provide financial support to encourage older farmers to form partnerships with young, trained farmers.
In addition, acknowledging the complexity of the decisions facing older farmers, I also introduced a Succession Planning Advice Grant. It assists older farmers with the costs incurred for independent legal and financial advice on succession planning.
Last month, I announced my intention to establish a Commission on Generational Renewal in Farming. The purpose is to make generational renewal a central feature of our preparations for the new CAP, post 2027. Farm succession is a complex area and there are many factors that impact farmers’ decisions. Now is a good time to begin to prepare to ensure that the policy framework is as effective as it can be, considering that there are an unprecedented range of supports and resources available for young farmers.
1306. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an up-to-date review available concerning the adequacy of fodder stock for the coming winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35984/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am very aware of the challenges that weather conditions have placed on farmers this year. It was on this basis that I reconvened the National Fodder and Food Security Committee (NFFSC). The meeting of the NFFSC on 8th July heard from Teagasc specialists that grass growth has been below normal which is resulting in fodder stocks being behind target on some farms.
In response these findings, I asked Teagasc to highlight the advisory support services available to farmers to ensure they have the necessary information and advice to maximise fodder production over the autumn period.
It is also very important that farmers also have a source of supply of straw for the winter ahead. With straw stocks depleted from last winter, and to ensure a supply of straw for feeding and bedding, I introduced the Baling Assistance Payment to encourage tillage farmers to bale straw from crops under the SIM, instead of chopping and incorporating them.
Teagasc specialists are currently compiling the results of their most recent fodder survey to add to the results from the fodder survey carried out in June. This survey, as in previous years, will give an indication of overall fodder supply for the coming winter on both a regional and national basis. A meeting of the NFFSC will discuss the results of this survey.
I will continue to monitor the situation closely and work with all stakeholders to avoid a fodder shortage for the winter ahead.
1307. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to consider measures to address the cost of living to attract and retain staff in residential and day supports, as proposed by an organisation (details supplied) in its pre-budget 2025 submission, to ensure appropriate staffing levels and service delivery; if the Minister will take this matter into consideration when finalising his budget 2025 plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35686/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1308. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons admitted to the juvenile detention centre in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [33802/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Information requested for 2014 and 2015 is not centrally available.
|
Request |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 YTD |
|
Number of individual young persons admitted to Oberstown 01.04.16 – 21.08.24 |
N/A |
N/A |
159 |
133 |
132 |
127 |
122 |
73 |
82 |
95 |
68 |
1309. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the capacity of the juvenile detention centre. [33803/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe maximum number of children that can be detained in Oberstown Children Detention Campus at any time is set by the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth by way of a Certificate issued under sections 195 and 196 of the Children Act 2001. The current certificate allows for 46 children - 40 boys and 6 girls.
1310. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of inmates in the juvenile detention centre who have reported being physically or sexually assaulted, while in juvenile detention, in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [33804/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following tables.
|
Year |
No. of Physical Assaults Reported |
Outcome |
Comments |
|
2014 |
5 |
3 - unfounded 2 - unconfirmed |
5 - physical interventions/restraint by staff |
|
2015 |
12 |
2 - unfounded 2 - unconfirmed 8 - upheld |
11- physical interventions/restraint by staff 1 - peer on peer (Of these 1 reported to TUSLA) |
|
2016 |
10 |
3 - unfounded 3 - unconfirmed 4 - upheld |
9- physical interventions/restraint by staff 1 - peer on peer (Of these 2 reported to TUSLA) |
|
2017 |
7 |
4 - unfounded 3 - upheld |
7 - physical interventions/restraint by staff (Of these 2 reported to TUSLA) |
|
2018 |
9 |
5 - unfounded 2 - upheld 2 -unconfirmed |
9 - physical interventions/restraint by staff The two that were upheld were minor and did not meet the threshold for external reporting. |
|
2019 |
7 |
4 - unfounded 3 - upheld |
7 - physical interventions/restraint by staff |
|
2020 |
4 |
2 - upheld 2 - unconfirmed |
4 - physical interventions/restraint by staff (All were reported to TUSLA) |
|
2021 |
11 |
8 - unconfirmed 3 - upheld |
11 - physical interventions/restraint by staff (All were reported to TUSLA) |
|
2022 |
7 |
5 - unconfirmed 2 - upheld |
5 - physical interventions/restraint by staff 2 - peer on peer (All were reported to TUSLA) |
|
2023 |
11 |
3 - unconfirmed 7 - upheld 1 - withdrawn |
5 - physical interventions/restraint by staff 6 - peer on peer (Of these 10 were reported to TUSLA) |
|
2024 |
8 |
2 - unconfirmed 5 - upheld 1- withdraw |
2 - physical interventions/restraint by staff 6 - peer on peer (Of these 5 were reported to TUSLA) |
|
Year |
No. of Sexual Assaults Reported |
Outcome |
Comments |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
|
|
2015 |
2 |
2 - unfounded |
|
|
2016 |
0 |
|
|
|
2017 |
0 |
|
|
|
2018 |
2 |
1 - unfounded 1 - probably unfounded |
|
|
2019 |
0 |
|
|
|
2020 |
2 |
1 - unfounded 1 - upheld |
1 allegation while at Oberstown 1 allegation when left Oberstown - both by same young person, allegation between peers (Of these 1 was reported to TUSLA) |
|
2021 |
3 |
3 - withdrawn |
CCTV showed they were unfounded |
|
2022 |
0 |
|
|
|
2023 |
0 |
|
|
|
2024 |
3 |
1 - upheld 2 - unfounded |
1 - incident between peers |
1311. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of times ambulances have been called to the juvenile detention centre in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [33805/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Request |
2014 |
2015 |
2016 |
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 YTD |
|
No. of times ambulances have been called to Oberstown 01.01.15 – 21.08.24 |
N/A |
7 |
7 |
4 |
15 |
9 |
4 |
3 |
6 |
2 |
0 |
**The Information requested for 2014 is not centrally available.
Up to and including 21/08/24
1312. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of inmates who have died while in juvenile detention or while on probation following release from the service; and if a breakdown can be provided on the cause of death in each of the past ten years and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [33806/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere were no deaths in Oberstown over the period in question.
The second part of the question could be addressed to the Probation Service, as Oberstown do not have records on this.
1313. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons currently in juvenile detention in the State who previously served time in juvenile detention for an offence in the past, in tabular form. [33807/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
26/08/2024 |
Young People in Residence Today |
Young People Previously in Juvenile Detention |
First Time in Juvenile Detention |
|
|
38 |
28 |
10 |
Of the 38 young people in residence today (26/08/2024) 10 young people have not served previous periods of time in Juvenile Detention.
1314. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of social workers working in the juvenile detention centre, in tabular form. [33808/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is currently one permanent social worker employed in Oberstown.
1315. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of chaplains working in the juvenile detention centre, in tabular form.. [33809/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere is one full time chaplain working in Oberstown.
1316. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of counsellors or psychologists currently working in the juvenile detention centre, in tabular form. [33831/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraHSE Forensic Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (FCAMHS) provides psychiatric services to young people in Oberstown. Tusla’s ACTS (Assessment Consultation Therapy Service) provides multidisciplinary services to address behaviours associated with complex clinical needs.
Oberstown offers programmed interventions that aim to build young people’s responsibilities and address the factors associated with their offending behaviour. These interventions are developed and offered in line with each young person’s individual CEHOP® (Care, Education, Health, Offending Behaviour, Preparation for Leaving) care plan. The principles of restorative practice, with a focus on building relationships and positive outcomes, underpin all interventions with young people on Campus.
1317. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 28 May 2024, the exact wait time in months, and, where applicable, months and years, for assessments of need in each of the HSE areas of north Lee, south Lee, west Cork, north Cork and Kerry, in tabular form. [33847/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1318. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if assessments of need in CHO 4 are carried out by HSE staff or are outsourced to private clinicians; and, if the latter, to provide details of funding for this service. [33848/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1319. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way he plans to address the issue of crèche owners increasing their fees this September (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33882/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe service referred to by the Deputy has been in contract for Core Funding since the scheme was introduced in 2022. The service received €132,489.08 in year 1 of Core Funding and, as of June this year, the service had an approved contract value of €137,697.06 for year 2 of the scheme.
Services coming into contract for year 3 of the scheme will benefit from further increases in Core Funding owing to the 15% increase in the total allocation for the scheme, which now stands at €331 million.
To be eligible for Core Funding for the 2023/2024 programme year, it is necessary for services to agree to the Core Funding Fee Management terms and conditions as laid out in the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement, and the fee management guidelines.
Core Funding requires providers to freeze their fees at 2021 rates, to return deposits to parents and to offer the National Childcare Scheme to parents. It also requires operational and financial transparency over how services operate so that the State can be assured that public money is being used for its intended purpose.
In light of concerns about the fee freeze that have been raised by some providers charging low fees, in addition to the 15% increase in Core Funding in year 3, and improvements to targeted measures for small and sessional services, a new fee increase assessment and approval process has been introduced, whereby services with fees below the average in their county can apply to increase their fees up to an approved level by the Department.
In the case of the fee increase assessment and approval process resulting in the requirement for a fee increase, increases will be approved by my Department at the lesser of:
• the level of increase required following an assessment of the service, or
• the equivalent increase in NCS universal subsidy for parents/guardians
For example, an offering of 45 or more hours a week can be approved for an increase of no more than €33.30 a week. This is to ensure that the impact on parents of approved fee increases is controlled as much as possible. Therefore, parents on the universal subsidy using the full hours of their session will not see any further out of pocket costs.
Services in contract for year 3 of Core Funding who increase their fees without approval under the fee increase assessment and approval process will be in breach of the Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.
Where an individual identifies a case of a potential breach of Core Funding fee rules by a service, they may seek to have this examined and a conclusion reached through the Core Funding Fee Review process.
The Department would encourage any parent with concerns or questions about fees to contact their local CCC for support and guidance or to initiate a Core Funding Fee Review. The first point of contact for parents and providers in the Core Funding Fee Review process is their local CCC. Contact details for CCCs may be found on www.myccc.ie.
1320. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the case of a child (details supplied) will be reviewed; the status of appointments for them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33889/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1321. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that an independent review of the care system is launched with immediate Government action on the current crisis in care as a matter of urgency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33894/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe care and welfare of children in care is a priority for this Government, which continues to be the subject of focused and continuous engagement between my Department and Tusla at all levels. A number of interfaces exist in this regard, including quarterly meetings between myself and the Tusla Board, quarterly Executive Management Team meetings between senior officials in both organisations, and further bilateral engagements as required. Both I and officials in my Department are committed to continuing to provide whatever support to Tusla is necessary to address challenges impacting on alternative care, and within the context of our respective roles.
Tusla has indicated that it is facing significant and ongoing challenges in sourcing appropriate placements for children in the care of the State. This is due to a number of factors, including difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff, difficulties in maintaining the number of foster carers, the complexity of the presentation of some children presenting to Tusla, and the unprecedented number of Separated Children Seeking International Protection (SCSIP) requiring Tusla services. In relation to those young people presenting to Tusla with increasingly complex needs, my Department has established an Interagency Group on Vulnerable Children on an administrative basis. This group has met twice so far, and a third meeting is currently being scheduled. The group has had an initial focus on those children and young people presenting to Tusla with disability, mental health or addiction needs.
Tusla have published Strategic Plans in respect of Foster Care, Residential Care, and Aftercare. These Plans include a range of actions to increase capacity in alternative care and ensure that these services continue to meet the needs of children and their families in the future. The Strategic Plans focus on increasing capacity in alternative care, as well as recruitment and retention of staff and foster carers.
The Strategic Plan for Residential Care sets a target for reducing reliance on private provision of residential care placements, and in this regard since 2023 Tusla has procured a number of new statutory residential units. The Agency plans to continue investing in residential care capacity across the lifetime of that Strategic Plan, and my Department continues to support Tusla in its implementation of the three Strategic Plans.
In this regard, as part of Budget 2024, Tusla has received significant additional funding to maintain and expand their services to children. This increase of approximately €81m represents the single largest annual increase in core funding since Tusla’s establishment, and Tusla will receive over €1 billion in overall funding from the Department in 2024, ensuring an increased capacity to meet the growing demands for children requiring the care of the State.
