Written Answers Nos. 931-951
931. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farm is sold with its entitlements 113 acres sold with 47 entitlements, 83 acres of this is planted and the remaining 28 acres is sold to a third party; if the entire entitlements will be consolidated on to the portion that was sold and be claimed on the 28 acres, if he will clarify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48513/12]
View answerFarmers who satisfy certain conditions are eligible to apply to have their entitlements consolidated. The reduction in the number of hectares must have arisen because of one or more of the following circumstances: the acquisition of land by a public authority under a Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) for non-agriculture; lands leased in/ rented in during all or part of the reference period (2000-2002) where the lease /rental agreement has expired or will expire and the land parcels in question are no longer available.
However, a farmer who acquires entitlements and land by way of purchase/lease is not eligible to consolidate the purchased/leased entitlements.
932. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their single farm payment and disadvantaged area payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48521/12]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes.
To meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. As this process has not been completed, it has not, as yet, been possible to finalise the processing of this application. As soon as the inspection and related processes are completed, the application concerned will be progressed.
934. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when he expects the Animal Health and Welfare Bill 2012 to be passed by Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48532/12]
View answerThis is a matter for the Dáil which has a wide variety of important business before it. I would however be hopeful that the Bill passes at the earliest possible date and will do what I can to ensure its speedy passage.
935. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for delay in processing an application for the agri-environment option scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [48536/12]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1 November 2010.
Under the EU Regulations governing the scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in relation to the claimed Natura area on one of the parcels. This issue has been successfully resolved and final checks are now being carried out on the application with a view to issuing payment shortly.
936. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the type and frequency of North South engagement his Department undertakes; the current priorities in this area; the number of whole time equivalent staff assigned to these matters; the grades involved and the amount of time each grade spends on North South Activities as a proportion of their WTE employment; the co-ordination arrangements that have been put in place; if there are any current vacancies in North South Co-operation unites; the duration of this vacancy and the steps being taken to fill the vacancy. [48538/12]
View answerI am and my officials are directly involved in ongoing and frequent North-South engagement up to and including the highest levels. This involves having extensive contact between officials in my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland and interested parties in the food, agriculture and fishing sectors in both jurisdictions. This work is undertaken in the context of actively pursuing our priorities for advancing co-operation through the structures of the North-South Ministerial Council, most recently at the agriculture sectoral meeting of the Council which took place last Wednesday, 31 October in Armagh. Both Departments continue to enjoy excellent co-operation in the development of an All-Island Animal Health Strategy for control of animal movements and the prevention, containment and eradication of epizootic diseases in Ireland; the development of an All-Island Plant Health and Research Strategy including co-operation between both jurisdictions in relation to plant protection products and liaison on issues arising at WTO, EU enlargement and the mid-term review of the CAP.
There is also co-operation in other areas of common interest as specific matters arise, the most recent being issues relating to farm safety and the outbreak of the Chalara Fraxinea disease commonly known ash dieback. The engagement involves many officials in the Department.
937. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 218 of 24 October 2012, the way the corporate affairs division of his Department coordinates north south matters; the proportion of time each grade allocates to North South matters in view of the fact that agriculture is a designated area of cooperation under the Good Friday Agreement. [48556/12]
View answerThere is a North South coordinator at Assistant Principal level working in Corporate Affairs Division. The role of this AP is, among other things, to develop common areas of co-operation between my Department and the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Northern Ireland and to identify possible new areas of cooperation. The work is carried out through contact with other Departments and the North-South Joint Secretariat. There is also ongoing contact with other Divisions within my Department that are closely involved in North-South co-operation.
The AP reports to a Principal Officer and is assisted by a Higher Executive Officer and Clerical Officer. The amount of time spent on this work varies depending on the issues that arise during the year.
938. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the horse and greyhound fund continues to receive a subvention from the Exchequer; and the amount of that subvention in 2009, 2010, 2011 and to date in 2012. [48600/12]
View answerThe horse racing and greyhound racing industry are important indigenous Irish industries making an important contribution to the economic and social fabric of our country. It has been estimated these industries together support in excess of 27,300 jobs and contribute approximately €1.4 billion in economic output annually. A recent study on the Horse Racing Industry commissioned by my Department and undertaken by Indecon Economic Consultants, “A review of certain aspects of the Irish Horse Racing Industry”, considered inter alia the funding and management of the industry in Ireland. The report confirms the importance and potential of the Irish Horse Racing Industry and affirms that with appropriate policies and structures in place the sector can contribute significantly to the economic and social development of the country and to the expansion of employment.
The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) was established under section 12(1) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 (the Act) for the purpose of giving support to the horse and greyhound racing industries. State funding provided through the fund is pivotal to the survival of the horse and greyhound racing industries.
Amounts paid into the fund are approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas in accordance with the provisions of Section 12 of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001
When the Horse and Greyhound Fund was established in 2001 it was expected that it would be fully financed from the revenue from excise duty on off-course betting. However the reduction in the rate of excise duty charged on off-course betting (5% down to 1%) combined with an increase in on-line and remote betting (which are currently outside the tax net) has led to a severe decline in the revenue from duty on off-course betting. Revenue from excise cuty on off-course betting has declined from €68 million in 2001 to approximately €27 million in 2011.
The Deputy will be aware that the Minister for Finance has published the Betting (Amendment) Bill 2012 which, when enacted, will ensure that all bookmakers taking bets from Ireland will pay betting duty on those bets in the same way that betting shops currently do. Betting Exchanges will also be subject to tax under the new arrangements but the calculation of the tax will differ from that applying to bookmakers.
The Indecon report, referred to above, made recommendations aimed at securing the viability and sustainability of the horse racing industry so that it can make the maximum contribution to the economy. The report’s recommendations covering such areas as the funding of the industry, the structure, size and nomination process of the Board of Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), the opportunities for streamlining the functions of HRI the Racing Regulatory Authorities (Irish Turf Club/Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Committee) and strategies to optimise the marketing and competitiveness of the sector are at present being addressed.
Details of the amounts allocated to the Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund are presented in the Table below.
The Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund
|
Year |
Amount paid in to H&G Fund |
Betting duty receipts |
Exchequer top-up |
|
- |
in year |
in preceding year |
- |
|
- |
€m |
€m |
€m |
|
2009 |
68.128 |
36.700 |
31.428 |
|
2010 |
59.264 |
31.000 |
28.264 |
|
2011 |
57.290 |
31.000 |
26.290 |
|
2012 |
56.290 |
27.051 |
29.239 |
939. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of senior individuals whether board members or executives provided with credit cards in agencies under his aegis; and in particular with reference to Teagasc and An Bord Bia, the number of credit cards issued to him and his officials. [48618/12]
View answerMy Department does not issue credit cards to board members or executives of the State bodies under the aegis of my Department.
In relation to the issue of credit cards by the State bodies themselves, that would be an operational matter for the State Bodies concerned.
940. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when disadvantaged area scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48622/12]
View answerProcessing of the application concerned has recently been completed and payments under the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Areas Scheme will shortly issue to the nominated bank account of the person named.
941. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the 2012 disadvantaged area scheme, the single farm payment and the agri-environment option scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48639/12]
View answerThe person concerned is an applicant under the 2012 Single Payment and Disadvantaged Area Schemes.
In order to meet EU requirements, the application concerned was one of a number which was selected for inspection. As this process has not been completed, it has not, as yet, been possible to finalise the processing of this application. As soon as the inspection and related processes are completed, the application concerned will be progressed.
The person named was also approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 September 2011 and has received full payment totalling €1,333.32 in respect of 2011.
Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue. This process is well advanced in respect of payment for the 2012 scheme year. Payment will issue at the earliest opportunity once all validations and checks have been successfully completed.
942. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any enquiries have been made into the reason beef producers here receive a lower price for their product than their colleagues in the UK; if he can suggest any measures to alleviate the problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48718/12]
View answerThe price paid for products in the marketplace is a function of a number of market forces and the negotiation of commercial contracts is essentially a matter for the contracting parties. Returns to beef producers in individual EU markets reflect not only the local supply / demand balance but also overall trading conditions within the internal market and trade flows to third countries. Buoyant European cattle prices in 2011 and 2012 are attributable to a supply deficit throughout the EU and to strong global demand. In fact, Irish cattle prices have exceeded the EU average level for most of the year to date, with the Irish price for the benchmark grade only dipping below the EU producer price in August when countries such as Germany and Italy experienced supply shortfalls which had the effect of driving up prices substantially in those markets.
Trade with the UK is impacted by fluctuations in the euro/sterling exchange rate and the extent of Britain’s import requirement which is forecast to increase in the short run consequent on a continuing decline in domestic beef production. With consumption expected to remain stable and a continuing reduction in the size of national cattle herd, British beef imports are predicted to grow from 381,000 tonnes in 2011 to 417,000 tonnes in 2013.
A number of factors have been identified to account for the differential between Irish and UK cattle prices. These include a British consumer preference for indigenous beef product. In any analysis of comparative prices, it must also be recognised that UK cattle prices are currently among the highest in the EU. Moreover, a price differential makes Irish beef products competitive in the UK market such that Ireland supplies the bulk of the UK’s import demand, notwithstanding additional logistical and processing costs incurred in shipping to that market. When comparing Irish and UK cattle prices, it should be noted too that there is a significant exchange rate effect making the current UK price for a particular grade appear even higher compared to a year ago.
In the longer term, the industry aims to maximise returns for Irish beef through its repositioning and differentiation strategy that focuses on the key attributes of Irish beef: environmentally sustainable, grass-based production systems, full traceability, Quality-Assurance at all stages and superior eating quality.
In the meantime, my Department and its agencies will continue to support the sector through its efforts to open new markets for Irish beef and to ease the import conditions in markets that are already open. These efforts have yielded a number of positive results in countries such as South Africa, Tunisia, Russia, UAE, Singapore and Egypt over the past year or so.
In this context, you will also be aware that market access for beef was the focus of my visits earlier this year to China and the USA and that my Department is proactively engaged with a range of third countries in an ongoing effort to secure and expand market access. My Department will prioritise international market access for both beef and live animals.
I can also assure you that my Department will continue to facilitate live exports which have a dual function in stimulating cattle price competition and serving a real market demand. In this context, both the Libyan and Lebanese markets have recently been opened for live cattle from Ireland. In the case of Libya, my Department is working closely with the relevant veterinary authorities to increase the age limit from 24 months to 30 months. The Lebanese market is open for fattening and slaughter cattle and for breeding cattle under 36 months of age. The Egyptian market is also open for fattening cattle under 20 months and to slaughter cattle under 30 months. The resumption of trade with these countries will depend on commercial factors and the availability of suitable transport options.
943. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the sectors of the public sector that are currently employed on a roster basis and if there are any plans to remove employees from the rostering system. [49067/12]
View answerSome 32 staff of my Department engaged in information technology and border/port inspection duties are employed on a roster basis. My Department has no plans to remove these employees from their roster systems.
944. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the exact number of public servants who are back in employment in the public service, who are on pensions and have accepted lump sums; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49080/12]
View answerOne Senior Research Officer has been re-engaged on a contract for services basis which is due to expire on 1 March 2013.
An Assistant Secretary General and a Principal Officer have also been re-engaged on a contract basis until the end of June 2013.
945. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No 684 of 19 July 2012, if she will provide details relating to professional fees paid by her Department. [47257/12]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy will be provided this week.
946. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the names of each staff member within her Department that has been rehired since March 2011 and the cost involved in each case [47289/12]
View answerMy Department has not rehired any staff since March 2011.
947. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will commit to continue and long-term funding for the 116 000 missing child hotline number; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47644/12]
View answer948. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will issue a copy of the MOU by the project group in relation to the 116 000 missing children hotline number; the date on which she will issue same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47645/12]
View answer949. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will outline the process by which the 116 000 missing children hotline will be introduced; if he will outline the advertising and awareness raising campaign that will be undertaken; if it will be introduced on a phased basis and the detail of same; if funding will be dependent on numbers of calls received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47646/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 947 to 949, inclusive, together.
The Universal Service Directive requires Member States to "make every effort to ensure that citizens have access to a service operating a hotline to report cases of missing children. The hotline shall be available on the number 116 000." The same Directive also requires Member States to "ensure that citizens are adequately informed of the existence and use of services provided under the 116 numbering range, in particular through initiatives specifically targeting persons travelling between Member States."
The Hotline service will operate on two levels: the reporting of a missing child to the relevant authorities, the gardaí, and the provision of emotional support to parents of missing children.
Under EU telecoms rules agreed in 2009, the 116000 number is reserved in all EU member states for a missing children hotline. My Department established and is leading a cross-sectoral Project Team, including representatives of my own Department, the Department of Justice and Equality, ComReg and An Garda Síochána, to advance this matter. Following cross departmental consultation and an examination of the issues involved by the Project Team, ComReg, which has responsibility for the allocation of this number in Ireland, has now allocated the number to the ISPCC. The ISPCC has been successful in securing EU Daphne funding to support the establishment of the line.
The operation of the Hotline is now a matter for the ISPCC, who have made a successful application for funding to the European Commission. The ISPCC also submitted applications for funding to my Department to cover 1) set up costs in 2012 and 2) running costs for the Hotline for 2013. The application for 2012 has been approved and the application for running costs for 2013 and subsequent years will be considered in the context of the annual budget estimates process and in the context of the service needs.
Officials from my Department are liaising with the ISPCC in relation to the establishment of the 116000 hotline. This includes finalising Memoranda of Understanding between the ISPCC and key partners, namely my Department, the HSE and An Garda Síochána. Draft Memoranda are under consideration at present.
It is important to note that the 116000 number is not an emergency number. Emergency calls should always be directed to the 999/112 number in the first instance, where the relevant emergency responses, including the recently launched Garda Missing Children Amber Alert mechanism, may be activated. The establishment of the 116000 line will, however, be of valuable support and assistance to families of missing children and to missing children themselves.
In the interim the ISPCC has developed, with the Garda Síochána, an interim response that is currently heard if one rings the 116000 number. The number advises callers to report a missing child to An Garda Síochána and if it is a child calling for assistance to contact the ISPCC.
It is essential that the Hotline service is operated in accordance with all best practice standards. To fulfil this, the ISPCC has advised that a phased implementation will be necessary. It envisages that the number will become operational in December 2012 from 22:00-16:00 7 days a week and will be operating on a 24 hour basis by February 2013. This will be considered a 'pilot' phase. This will give the ISPCC the time to complete the necessary training, develop and implement formal relationships with statutory authorities, overcome technical troubleshooting and prepare a 116 000 service launch and awareness campaign.
It is intended that an official launch will take place on 25 May 2013, which is International Missing Children Day. The service launch bears particular importance as it is crucial that the public understand this is a support service rather than an emergency service. The service launch will comprise of a media and event launch, face to face outreaches by ISPCC service staff and promotional materials.
950. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will clarify when the findings of the investigation following abscondences from Gleann Alainn Special Care Unit in October 2011 will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47653/12]
View answerThe HSE has advised that this report is currently subject to detailed internal considerations with relevant staff to ensure learning is maximised and further action is taken as appropriate. The report will be published in early 2013.
The HSE also advised that there was an immediate management review and a series of changes including appointment of a new Unit Manager; reduction in capacity at the unit; a detailed programme of management intervention and support; and an external review of the incident was commissioned.
951. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views and opinions regarding the standards that child-minders should have in relation to formal qualifications; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that 6,500 child-minders have completed the quality awareness programme training course since it was launched in 2004; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that this training course is a ten hour introductory course only; her views in relation to this matter; her plans in relation to the formal regulation of training and standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47764/12]
View answer952. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs under the Childcare Act 1991, there are three exemption categories for carer's of pre-school children which are a relative of the child, anybody who is caring only for a child from one family in addition to their own children and anybody caring for three or fewer pre-school children of different families and she is aware that these exemptions cover the majority of paid child-minders, if she will outline to Dáil Éireann if she is satisfied with this situation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47765/12]
View answer953. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs she will agree that children in a home-based care and education setting should receive the same protection and support as all children who may attend centred based care and education settings; her y plans to regulate or to insist that child-minders have a minimum standard of qualification before they are allowed provide such a service. [47768/12]
View answer954. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs has her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 50,000 young children who are cared for by child-minders every day and most of their 19,000 child-minders are not regulated and are without supervision and support; if she will outline to Dáil Éireann her plans to regulate the child-minding profession; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47769/12]
View answer955. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a large proportion of child-minders work outside the formal economy and, while working outside the formal economy, they are exempt from inspection by the State in relation to regulations; her views on this matter; and the plans she has to rectify it. [47770/12]
View answer956. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views in relation to the regulating of the childcare profession and her views in relation to unacceptable practice that child-minders are exempt from inspection, child protection training and even Garda vetting; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47771/12]
View answer957. Deputy Derek Keating asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her attention has been drawn to the fact that there are 257 notified child-minders in Ireland compared to the estimated thousands who are not registered; if she has any plans to introduce a regulation and inspection framework for child-minders; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47772/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 951 to 957, inclusive, together.
My Department has begun work on Ireland’s first early years strategy. I have received Government approval for the approach I am taking in developing to this strategy as an innovative and dynamic blueprint for the future development of Ireland’s early years sector aimed at providing a coherent approach to seeking to improve the lives of children from birth to age six.
One of the priority issues of policy which I have identified for consideration in the preparation of the new strategy is the development of the child minding sector as a fully-integrated component of early childhood care and education, in particular for under-one age group. As part of this, issues relating to regulation and inspection of child minding will be considered.
At present pre-school services are regulated under the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No.2) Regulations 2006, as provided for under Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991.
Services providing care for children who have not yet commenced primary school are required to notify their service to the pre-school inspectorate of the Health Service Executive (HSE) and are subject to inspection and report by the Inspectorate on a regular basis. Services covered by the regulations include full-time, part-time and sessional services as well as childminders taking care of more than three pre-school children from different families in the childminder’s home.
The national guidelines for childminders, compiled by the National Childcare Coordinating Committee which oversees the development of an integrated childcare infrastructure throughout the country, provide guidance to childminders on good practice, and assist them to decide whether they are subject to the regulations, as well as providing other useful information on the role of the childminder in the provision of childcare services. In that context, city and county childcare committees encourage childminders to voluntarily notify themselves to their local committee and in 2011 there were over 1200 services notified in this way. Work to encourage voluntary notification and the active involvement of childminders in training and information activities will continue.
As is the case with all regulatory requirements, the child care regulations set the minimum standards which services are legally required to comply with. However, my Department is pro-active in monitoring, promoting and developing the highest standards of care and education throughout the sector, including the regulatory environment, given the important role which these services play in this crucial phase of children’s lives.
The Children First national guidance for the protection and welfare of children, which I published in 2011, provides clarity and guidance for individuals and organisations in identifying and responding appropriately to child abuse and neglect. It also sets out what organisations that care for or work with children should do to ensure they are safe whilst in the care of the organisation. The Government has committed, as a priority, to the introduction of legislation to underpin Children First.
The Deputy will be aware that I published the heads of the Children First Bill in April 2012. The purpose of the Bill is to ensure that organisations and professionals who work with children have a statutory responsibility to report reasonable concerns about the abuse or neglect of children in their care to the HSE child and family services.
I asked the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to consider the heads of the Children First Bill and make recommendations. I received their comprehensive report in July and I thank the committee for its work on this matter. My Department is currently considering the broad range of submissions to, and recommendations of the committee, including those submissions pertaining to the issue of childminders, and I hope to be in a position to publish the Bill in the coming months.
