Written Answers Nos. 155-158
155. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if the review of entitlement has been concluded in respect of an application for rent support in the case of persons (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10908/13]
View answerA review of this application is being undertaken at present and the persons concerned will be informed of the outcome once the review is completed.
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason jobseeker's allowance has not been approved and updated in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10932/13]
View answerThe person concerned has not applied for jobseeker’s allowance. His jobseeker’s benefit claim has been awarded and payments will issue shortly.
157. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if he will introduce a system for investigating the deaths of seals, dolphins and porpoises. [10857/13]
View answerSeals, dolphins and porpoises are protected under the Wildlife Acts. Special Areas of Conservation have been designated around our coasts for these species and a robust programme of scientific monitoring is in place, both for our seal species and for cetaceans. Furthermore, dolphins and porpoises have very strict protection under Article 12 of the EU Habitats Directive.
In recent months, officials of my Department have conducted wildlife law enforcement operations regarding dead seals on the Waterford and Wexford coasts. These cases were investigated and, following a necropsy examination in one case, foul play was not considered to be involved. Officials working in coastal areas will remain particularly vigilant during the seal breeding season and will continue to work closely with other law enforcement authorities in such situations.
Officials of my Department also work closely with the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group. This group operates a Cetacean Stranding Scheme, with funding from my Department, all around the Irish coastline. The scheme monitors the strandings of whales, dolphins and porpoises. While most mortality is due to natural causes, where strandings occur in unusual or suspicious circumstances my Department is in a position to carry out further investigations. For example, in response to the recent strandings of 15 common dolphins over a short period of time in Mayo, my Department organised for post mortems to be carried out on five of these animals. The final results of these tests are expected in March.
158. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the position regarding the proposal to extend the Shannon navigation towards Dowra, County Cavan; when it is proposed to lodge a new planning permission application; the likely timescale for construction of this project if planning permission is granted; the projected overall financial investment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10745/13]
View answerI am advised by Waterways Ireland that, following the refusal of An Bord Pleanála to award planning permission for the extension of the Shannon Navigation towards Dowra, an assessment was undertaken by Waterways Ireland of the various issues raised in the planning process.
Since that time, however, Waterways Ireland has reprioritised its work programme in the context of reduced resources and has now advised that it is not proposed to re-apply for planning permission for the Dowra project at this time.
