Written Answers Nos. 538-559
538. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is represented on the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee, which advises the board of the Health and Safety Authority; if so, the way any such appointment is made; the duration of any such appointment; the role and functions of his Department's representative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18761/24]
View answerMy Department is represented on the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee. The appointment of the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee is the responsibility of the Health and Safety Authority.
At the request of the Health and Safety Authority, my Department nominates a representative to participate on the Committee. The appointment is usually for the duration of each three-year Farm Safety Action Plan.
The primary role of my Department's representative on the Committee is to work with industry stakeholders on improving occupational safety and health in agriculture. My Department's representative on the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee is involved in the development, promotion and delivery of farm safety, health and wellbeing initiatives within my Department.
My Department is also represented on each of the five Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee working groups and holds the chair of the Buildings, Working at Height working group. These working groups assist the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee in achieving the agreed actions set out in the Farm Safety Action Plan.
Together with my Ministerial colleague, Martin Heydon, we are committed to improving the safety, health and wellbeing of our farming community, and working with the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee is very important in this regard.
Through our close involvement with the Committee, my Department funded the printing and distribution of the Farm Safety Partnership’s booklet on “Farmers’ Health and Wellbeing - A Guide to Staying Healthy While Farming” in BISS packs last year and the “How to Make Construction Appointments for Your Farm – Guidance” in the 2024 BISS packs. The latter booklet was produced jointly by the Farm Safety Partnership Advisory Committee and the Construction Safety Partnership.
539. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reopening the fodder support scheme in 2024 given the fodder shortage experienced this winter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18827/24]
View answerOn 15th June 2022, I announced the launch of the €56 million Fodder Support Scheme 2022, which aimed to incentivise farmers, in particular drystock farmers, to grow more fodder (silage and/or hay) for winter 2022. This was to ensure that Ireland did not not have any animal welfare issue over the 2022 winter/2023 spring and was a direct result of the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia. The impact that this war had on the price of agricultural inputs and in particular chemical fertiliser was really significant, with fertiliser prices rising to a historic high. When applications for the scheme closed, there were approximately 71,000 farmers participating in the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme.
In that 2022 scheme, farmers were able to receive a payment of €100 per eligible hectare of fodder, with a maximum limit of 10 hectares. Ultimately, farmers could have benefited by €1000 each under this scheme.
In November 2022 there was continuing high prices of agricultural inputs required for conserving grass for hay/silage, and I announced the opening of the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme. Approximately 67,000 applied for the scheme and advance payment of 57% or cumulatively €29.9 million was paid out before end of December 2022. A further approximately €20 million has since being paid in balancing payments to eligible cases.
Farmers could obtain very similar benefits to those under the 2022 scheme, with a maximum benefit of €1000 per applicant.
My Department continues to monitor the costs of agricultural inputs and weather related difficulties, but at this time there are no plans to announce a 2024 Fodder Support Scheme.
540. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on recent increases to Horse Sport Ireland registration charges; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18828/24]
View answerFollowing a competitive procurement process carried out in 2022, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) was awarded the contract from 2023 to deliver studbook services for the Irish Sport Horse, Irish Draught, Irish Sport Pony, Irish Cob and Irish Partbred Cob breeds.
The contract requires HSI to operate breeding programmes for these breeds in accordance with the rules of the EU Animal Breeding Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012). The contract does not provide any public funding to HSI for delivering this service. It provides the right to administer the stud books which includes the right to charging fees to clients who wish to avail of their stud book services.
Fees charged by breed societies, including HSI, for the services they provide are a matter for the individual breed societies.
541. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total number of copper communication lines within his Department that are currently in active operation and for which his Department is paying for on a monthly basis, inclusive of ISDN, PTSN and copper-based lease lines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18830/24]
View answerThe Department has approximately 90 WAN circuits delivered on DSL over copper. The Department has no active copper-based lease lines. The costings for the WAN circuits on copper lines are approximately €25 per circuit per month. The Departments Telephony uses 634 lines at €16,599 per month ex. Vat.
542. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration is being given to providing a label or certification of quality to Irish grain, given the quality and low-carbon nature of Irish grain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18855/24]
View answerThe tillage sector is an important and integral component of the Agri-food industry and is a sector that I want to see grow and develop. Adding value to Irish grain is an integral part of growing and improving the economic sustainability of the tillage sector.
Research work carried out by Teagasc and University College Dublin has confirmed the nutritional quality and low carbon nature of Irish grains. The food and beverage sector places significant value on the quality of Irish grain as demonstrated by recent growth in the volume of Irish grain used by these sectors. Food and beverage suppliers are marketing their products based on sustainability claims as a growing number of consumers are interested in knowing the environmental impact of the food and beverage products they buy and consume. I believe that Irish grain has real potential to meet this demand for low carbon sustainable food production.
The low carbon footprint of Irish grain is a unique selling point for the Irish tillage sector. Recent research work carried out by Teagasc on developing a Life Cycle Assessment model for Irish tillage crops, which included a comprehensive assessment of data from 48 farmers who grow crops, provided real evidence of the low carbon footprint of the sector. The challenge for the tillage sector now is to build on this early-stage Life Cycle Assessment work and to present verifiable evidence of the low carbon credentials of Irish grain to the marketplace.
Adding value to Irish grain was one of the key considerations of the Food Vision Tillage Group which I established last year to set out a road map for the sustainable growth and development of the sector to 400,000ha by 2030. I recently received the final report from the group, and I am considering its recommendations.
543. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated full year current costs that would be needed if Departmental officials were present at Dublin Airport between the hours of 7.30 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week. [18906/24]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine border control post (BCP) at Dublin Airport operates everyday between 7:30am and 9:00pm, Monday to Sunday. My staff provide a range of services including inspections on imports from non-EU countries and compliance checks on pets arriving in Ireland.
Passengers coming from outside the EU with their pets are required to notify my officials in advance of their arrival. If they arrive outside of normal operating hours, an on-call service is available through a private operator who conducts compliance checks on behalf of the department. Only a small number of passengers use this out-of-hours service annually.
The estimated costs of extending the hours of service from the current hours outlined to 7.30 to 11 pm, seven days a week, are approximately €670,000. This estimate is based on the additional administration staff requirement as well as an increase in the numbers of officers from the professional grades. My Department have assessed that two additional Veterinary Inspectors, two additional Assistant Agricultural Inspectors, one additional Executive Officer Portal Inspector and four additional Clerical Officer Portal Inspectors, at an estimated combined annual additional cost of €570,622.40, would be required. Furthermore, there would also be a requirement to extend the hours of operation of the current facilities management contract with a projected increased cost of approximately €100,000 per annum.
To date, my Department has not received any requests to extend the operational hours at Dublin Airport and I am satisfied that the current opening hours are sufficient to meet the existing demand.
544. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the headage payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19066/24]
View answerAn application for participation in the Areas of Natural Constraint (ANC) scheme was received from the above named applicant on May 30th, 2023.
Following completion of all the relevant administration checks by my Department, ANC advance and balancing payments totalling €3,190 issued to the applicant on October 17th 2023 and December 1st , 2023.
Remittance details relating to these payments was issued to the applicant at the time the payment issued to his nominated bank account.
545. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the ACRES payment for a person (details supplied); the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19067/24]
View answerMy Department officials have advised me that there is no record of an application being submitted in 2022 for Tranche 1 of the Agri-Climate Rural Environment Scheme (ACRES) for the person named.
I can confirm that an ACRES General application was submitted on behalf of the person named on the 10th of December 2023 for Tranche 2 of the scheme.
Tranche 2 participants have a contract commencement date of 1st January 2024. Details of this are outlined in the approval letter which is now available to view on Agfood and a copy of this letter will also issue to the person named by post shortly.
ACRES advance payments for Tranche 2 participants are anticipated to commence in quarter 4 2024.
546. Deputy John Paul Phelan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all Acts and statutory instruments sponsored by his Department which became law from 20 February 2020 to date in 2024 and which were necessitated, either in whole or in part, to transpose or give effect to regulations, directives or other measures passed at European Union level. [19159/24]
View answerSince February 2020, my Department made approximately 90 Statutory Instruments and was the sponsoring Department for 3 Bills which were necessitated to transpose or give effect to European regulations and directives. Please see the list of Acts and Regulations below.
Sea Fisheries (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 (No. 2 of 2022)
Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Act 2023 (No. 19 of 2023)
Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feed and Fertilisers Regulation Act 2023 (No. 21 of 2023)
Regulations:
2020
9/2020 European Union (Temporary Increase of Official Controls and Emergency Measures on Imports of Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) Regulations 2020
22/2020 Food and Feed Hygiene Regulations 2020
29/2020 European Communities (Marketing of Fruit Plant Propagating Material) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
31/2020 Forestry (Amendment) Regulations 2020.
48/2020 European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining Agriculture Plant Species) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
49/2020 European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining of Vegetable Species) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.
54/2020 Sea-Fisheries (North Western Waters Landing Obligation) Regulations 2020
57/2020 Sea Fisheries (Quotas) Regulations 2020
58/2020 European Communities (Vegetable Seeds) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
59/2020 European Communities (Marketing of Vegetable Propagating and Plant Material, other than Seed) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
141/2020 Pet Travel (Cats, dogs and ferrets) Regulations 2020.
160/2020 European Communities (Vegetable Seeds) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020.
172/2020 Sea Fisheries (Shark Fin) regulations 2020
197/2020 European Union (Cereal Seed) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
198/2020 European Communities (Seed of Fodder Plants) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
199/2020 European Communities (Marketing of Fruit Plant Propagating Material) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
200/2020 European Communities (Marketing of Vegetable Propagating and Planting Material, other than Seed) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2020
201/2020 European Communities (Seed of Oil Plants and Fibre Plants) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
202/2020 European Communities (Vegetable Seeds) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2020.
203/2020 European Union (Seed Potatoes) (Amendment) Regulations 2020.
208/2020 European Communities (Marketing of Ornamental Plant Propagating Material and Ornamental Plants) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
318/2020European Union (Common Fisheries Policy) (Point System) Regulations 2020
237/2020 European Union (Temporary Increase of Official Controls and Measures on Imports of Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
440/2020 Sea-Fisheries (Technical Measures) Regulations
459/2020 European Union (Plant Health) Regulations 2020
558/2020 European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
656/2020 European Union (Imports of Animals and Animal Products from Third Countries) Regulations 2020
660/2020 European Union (Food and Feed Hygiene) (Amendment) Regulations 2020
664/2020 European Union (Temporary Increase of Official Controls and Emergency Measures on Imports of Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2020
677/2020 European Union (Amendment of Pre-notification of Imports) Regulations 2020
2021
37/2021Sea-Fisheries (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
151/2021 Pet Travel (Cats, dogs and ferrets) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
69/2021 Sea Fisheries Quotas Regulations 2021
70/2021 Sea Fisheries Quotas Deep Sea Stocks Regulations 2021
101/2021 North Western Waters Landing Obligation Regulations 2021
198/2021 European Union (Unfair Trading Practices in the agricultural and food supply chain) Regulations 2021
227/2021 European Union (Animal Breeding) Regulations 2021
309/2021 European Union (Temporary Increase of Official Controls and Emergency Measures on Imports of Food and Feed of Non-Animal Origin) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
310/2021 European Union (Plant Health Controls) Regulations 2021
315/2021 European Communities (Seed of Fodder Plants) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
316/2021 European Union (Cereal Seed) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
416/2021 Monkfish (Control of Landings) (No. 2) Regulations 2013 (Amendment) Regulations 2021
449/2021 European Union (Market Transparency) Regulations 2021
497/2021 Sea-Fisheries (Common Fisheries Policy) (Bluefin Tuna) (Amendment) Regulations 202
590/2021 European Union (Common Fisheries Policy)(Point System)(Amendment) Regulations 2021
602/2021 Sea-fisheries (Revocation) Regulations 2021
645/2021 European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
752/2021 European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining Agriculture Plant Species) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021
753/2021 European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining of Vegetable Species) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2021
2022
33/2022 European Union (Cereal Seed) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
36/2022 European Union (Veterinary Medicinal Products and Medicated Feed) Regulations 2022
223/2022 Sea-Fisheries (Technical Measures) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
224/2022 Sea-Fisheries (North Western Waters Landing Obligation) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
241/2022European Union (Temporary Increase of Official Controls and Emergency Measures on Imports of Food and Feed of Non-animal Origin) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
290/2022 Sea-fisheries (Quotas) Regulations 2022
319/2022 Forestry (Amendment) Regulations 2022
378/2022 European Union (Cereal Seed) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022
407/2022 European Union (Sea-fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
494/2022 European Union (Organic Farming) Regulations 2022
572/2022 European Union (Temporary Increase Of Official Controls And Emergency Measures On Imports Of Food And Feed Of Non-Animal Origin) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2022
594/2022 European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining Agriculture Plant Species) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
595/2022 European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining of Vegetable Species) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
613/2022 European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
638/2022 Sea - Fisheries (Community Control System) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2022
463/2022 Sea-Fisheries (Community Control System) (Amendment) Regulations 2022
2023
13/2023 Sea Fisheries (Technical Measures) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
47/2023Sea-Fisheries (North Western Waters Landing Obligation) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
164/2023 European Communities (Pesticide Residues) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
198/2023 - European Union (Spirit Drinks) Regulations 2023
254/2023 - European Union (Animal Identification and Tracing) Regulations 2023
259/2023 Import and Export of Animals and Animal Products (Animal Health Certificates) Regulations 2021 (Amendment) Regulations 2022
264/2023 Sea-Fisheries (Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
272/2023 - Avian Influenza (Biosecurity Measures) Regulations 2022 (Revocation) Regulations 2023
274/2023 Sea Fisheries (Quotas) Regulations 2023
282/2023 - European Communities (Marketing of Ornamental Plant Propagating Material and Ornamental Plants)(Amendment) Regulations 2023
283/2023 - European Communities (Marketing of Fruit Plant Propagating Material) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
285/2023 - European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining Agriculture Plant Species) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
286/2023 - European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining of Vegetable Species) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
290/2023 - Animal Health (Identification and Tracing) Regulations 2023
307/2023 - European Union (Temporary Increase of official Controls and Emergency Measures on Imports of Food and Feed of Non - Animal Origin) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
323/2023 - Sea-Fisheries (North Western Waters Landing Obligation) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations 2023
393/2023 - European Union (Temporary Increase of official Controls 2and Emergency Measures on Imports of Food and Feed of Non - Animal Origin) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2023
396/2023 - European Union (Agricultural Producer Organisations) Regulations 2023
445/2023 - Forestry (Amendment) Regulations 2023
496/2023 - European Union (Plant Health) (Amendment) Regulations 2023
506/2023 - European Union (Equine) Regulations 2023
518/2023 - European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining Agriculture Plant Species) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2023
519/2023 - European Communities (Minimum Conditions for Examining of Vegetable Species) (Amendment) (No.2) Regulations 2023
625/2023 - Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (Unfair Trading) Regulations 2023
628/2023 - European Union (Cap Strategic Plan, Information Sharing) Regulations 2023
547. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting so long for payment of the young farmers scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19186/24]
View answerAn application for participation in the Basic Income Support of Sustainability (BISS) scheme was received from the above named applicant on May 26th, 2023.
A new requirement under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) effective from January 1st, 2023 requires that applicants receiving payments under any CAP scheme must meet an “active farmer check”. This is to ensure the person receiving the payments is the person farming the land being claimed.
The active farmer claim selected by the applicant at the time of application was "plan to purchase livestock in 2023". Where this claim is selected applicants are advised that payment may be delayed to 2024. This is to allow verification of stocking rate calculations in relation to this active farmer claim.
In January 2024 an administration review of the applicants stocking profile showed no bovine or ovine movements into the herd. Equine movements may have occurred. As outlined in Annex 4 of the BISS terms and conditions, the onus is on the applicant to advise the Department of these movements.
On foot of this administrative review, a letter in relation to the active farmer claim was issued to the applicant on February 7th 2024 outlining the options available to meet the active farmer check. Supporting documentation submitted by the applicant has now been processed and verifies the applicant's active farmer status.
An application received for Complimentary Income Support for Young Farmers (CISYF) Scheme was approved on 26th February following the completion of an inspection.
Payment due under any CAP scheme for which the applicant has applied and is eligible can now issue on the next scheduled payment run.
548. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the amount of grant-aid returned and or surrendered to his Department, by local authority in 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, to include the heading of which it was intended for. [19354/24]
View answerI wish to inform the Deputy that funding provided through the Brexit Adjustment Local Authority Marine Infrastructure (BALAMI) Scheme 2022-2023 was allocated for individual projects in advance of project commencement. My Department co-funded up to 95% of the total cost of the approved projects, with the local authorities providing the balance. Local authorities were reimbursed eligible project costs (pro-rata) on a matured liability basis following inspection of the capital works and verification of the evidenced expenditure. For this reason, funding is not returned or surrendered to my Department.
549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied). [19387/24]
View answerAn ER1 herd number application was received in Kerry Regional Veterinary Office (RVO) on 31st May 2023 from the named person. The application at the time was not accompanied with the required documentation. A Technical Agricultural Officer of my Department visited the holding and informed the applicant of the documentation required to progress the application. The applicant supplied the requested documentation on March 1st and April 22nd 2024. A Technical Agricultural Officer visited the holding on the 25th April 2024, and noted deficiencies in the facilities and structures on the holding as proposed by the applicant. The applicant was present and was made aware of the deficiencies.
The applicant undertook to rectify the deficiencies and to contact the Inspecting Officer when the deficiencies were addressed. If the applicant has further queries on the matter, they can contact Kerry RVO by calling the office on (066) 7145052 or by email Kerry_DVO@agriculture.gov.ie.
550. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions that are being put in place to safeguard the Irish potato-growing industry and seed potatoes (details supplied); if he will consider plans for a scheme and funding to help this vital part of agriculture and the food chain over this crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19438/24]
View answerI am deeply committed to safeguarding the Irish potato sector and my Department provides a range of supports to achieve this.
In response to the UK’s decision to leave the EU, the sector was supported in 2022 and 2023 through the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Seed Potato Sector and the Chipping Potato Sector. My Department also provides ongoing and expanded support for potato growers through the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme.
I am keenly aware of the challenges posed by weather conditions in 2023 and into 2024. In relation to last year’s crop, I understand the weather has impacted potato growers to differing extents around the country. It was estimated that less than 3.6% of the overall planted area remained in the ground at the beginning of March 2024.
Nevertheless, I am very mindful of the impact of the prolonged exceptional weather conditions in 2024 on the potato sector. The recent wet weather caused a delay in the planting of potatoes this season. It is estimated that only 10-15% of the intended plantings of early potatoes were sown due to poor weather conditions.
To give confidence to farmers to plant crops this year and to give them confidence in the future of their industry, I recently announced that I would work to deliver a €100/ha payment for every farmer that puts seed in the soil for the harvest year 2024. My Department is considering the next steps, including the State Aid and other approvals and the identification of appropriate funding. I am committed to our potato sector and despite the constraints of my existing budget, I will work to deliver this support for these farmers.
Planting is now well underway for both second earlies and main crop potatoes. My Department will continue to closely monitor the situation.
551. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth how he and his Department will ensure that the Government urgently puts funding in place to develop the HSE clinical pathway for functional neurologic disorder and the multidisciplinary teams urgently required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18801/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
552. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has made any efforts to seek contributions from international protection applicants from 2018 to date for their reception costs in line with article 5(2) of SI 230 of 2018; if so, the amount of contributions received during this period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19391/24]
View answerThe State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek International Protection (IP), and in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (transposed under SI 230 of 2018, or the "Reception Conditions Regulations"), to those that require it.The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is responsible for the provision of accommodation and related services to IP applicants who wish to accept an offer of accommodation from the State. This offering includes all meals and utilities, access to public medical services, and an expense allowance at a standard rate E38.80 per adult.
While regulation 5 of the Reception Conditions Regulations allows for the assessment and adjustment of a recipient’s weekly income, IPAS does not currently request a contribution from IP applicants residing in IPAS accommodation centres.
553. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if consideration has been given to the full roll-out of the community neurorehabilitation teams in all regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19507/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
554. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the recent HIQA report which found that the human rights of residents were not consistently promoted, respected or upheld at the Knockalisheen direct provision centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18771/24]
View answerI am aware of the publication of an inspection report following the inspection of Knockalisheen International Protection Accommodation Centres carried out by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) earlier this year.
The purpose of these inspections is to ensure that Centres are fulfilling their obligations under the ‘National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process’ (“National Standards”) adopted in 2019 and in effect since the beginning of 2021.
The National Standards address a range of issues relating to accommodation; food and catering; individual, community and family life; health and wellbeing; governance; and meeting the special reception needs of applicants seeking international protection. Compliance with the National Standards can only be adequately measured through on-site assessment.
I acknowledge that partial compliance and non-compliance with the National Standards has been identified at Knockalisheen during the course of these inspections.
A bespoke Compliance Plan has been agreed between HIQA and the service provider of Knockalisheen International Protection Accommodation Centre. These Compliance Plans note the specific and time-bound measures which will be taken in order to ensure full compliance with the National Standards.
International Protection Accommodation Services within my Department will be engaging directly with the service provider of Knockalisheen to issue guidance and assistance in order to ensure adherence to agreed Compliance Plans.
555. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide information in relation to whether the provision of accommodation (details supplied) was scheduled to be delivered in four phases; if the owners will be offered an extension to their current contract when the initial 12-month period ends; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18778/24]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it. To date, over 106,000 beneficiaries of temporary protection (BOTPs) have arrived in Ireland and approximately 84,000 of those have been referred to my Department seeking accommodation from the State.
To date Phase 1 of the refurbished accommodation at the location to which the Deputy refers has been contracted by my Department as accommodation for BOTPs, with a capacity for 155 persons. The remaining phases are pending completion. My Department has not contracted for these remaining phases to date.
Contract renewals are considered in light of various factors, including my Department’s need for accommodation at the time, the nature of the accommodation and commercial terms. Contract renewals are also subject to discussions and agreement with the Service Providers. As such, my Department cannot comment on possible extensions to a current contract when an existing contract ends.
As part of Government policy, a move to a more sustainable accommodation strategy is underway. My Department is now focused on the stand up of larger-scale designated accommodation centres for new arrivals and a reduction in the overall privately provided accommodation stock being used for BOTPs. My Department is also currently able to cope with arrival numbers in Designated Accommodation Centres, as well as for those who need to be moved due to contracts ending using vacancies arising within our existing portfolio.
556. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 1166 of 9 April 2024, what the community childcare subvention and the community childcare subvention plus programmes have been replaced with, and what the eligibility criteria is for a sponsor referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18780/24]
View answerThe Community Childcare Subvention (CCS) and the Community Childcare Subvention Plus (CCSP) Programmes were replaced by the National Childcare Scheme (NCS). The NCS replaced these schemes with a single coherent and integrated scheme designed to be flexible, recognising that early learning and childcare needs are different for each family and to provide a greater level of access to subsidies for families.
By making this fundamental shift away from the legacy schemes, and by tangibly reducing the cost of quality childcare for thousands of families, the NCS aims to improve children’s outcomes, improve labour market participation and reduce child poverty.
As referenced by the Deputy, the NCS sponsorship arrangement allows designated sponsor bodies to refer children to the Scheme on child welfare, protection, family support or other specified grounds. Where a child is referred to the Scheme, the full cost of the childcare place is paid without cost to the family. The criteria for referring children to the Scheme is set by the referral bodies and outlined in the Childcare Support Act 2018, these criteria and the relevant referral body can be found below in tabular form.
|
Referral Body |
Criteria for referral to NCS sponsorship |
|
Minister for Education |
To support parents under the age of 18 years to remain in education or training through access to childcare services. |
|
Minister for Justice |
To facilitate access to childcare services for applicants within the meaning of section 2 of the Act of 2015 and programme refugees within the meaning of section 59 of the Act of 2015, so that parents or children can access education, integration and other relevant supports. |
|
Tusla |
To enable participation in a childcare service as part of the provision of child care and family support services by the Child and Family Agency to promote the welfare of children who are in need of additional care or protection. |
|
Health Service Executive |
To enable participation in a childcare service where there is an identified need for childcare as an additional support to the home environment to meet child development needs for a child who is under the age of 4 years and who is not enrolled in a pre-school programme funded by the Minister or the Minister for Education and Skills and who would otherwise not attend a childcare service. |
|
Local Authorities |
To support homeless persons (within the meaning of the Housing Act 1988 ) with children that are homeless or moving out of homelessness to access childcare services. |
557. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of patients currently on CDNT waiting lists, by length of time and CDNT area, in tabular form. [18785/24]
View answer558. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current number of staff employed by each CDNT; and the current number of unfilled positions; by role, in tabular form. [18786/24]
View answer559. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the population base of each CDNT, in tabular form. [18787/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 557, 558 and 559 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
