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Thursday, 14 Mar 2013

Written Answers Nos. 117-135

Defence Forces Reserve Training

Questions (117)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

117. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence the degree to which the army reserves continue to have access to available modern training facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13577/13]

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Written answers

The Reserve Defence Force (RDF) is currently undergoing a major re-organisation. This is consistent with the recommendations of the recently published VFM Review. The new “Single Force” concept comprises Permanent Defence Force (PDF) Units with Reserve components, rather than a parallel Reserve force. Reserve Units within barracks are supported by their parent PDF Unit and have access to the training facilities within the barracks. The 16 Units outside of PDF installations have access to training facilities identified by the military as being most suitable from the pool of RDF training establishments already in place. I am satisfied that the changes when fully implemented will ensure a better Reserve and enhance overarching Defence capabilities.

Defence Forces Strength

Questions (118)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

118. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Defence if he is satisfied that he can continue to maintain the current strength of the Army, Navy and Air Corps notwithstanding cost cutting arising from the memorandum of understanding entered into by his predecessor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13578/13]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Military Authorities that the strength of the Permanent Defence Force at 31 January 2013, the latest date for which details are available, was 9,313. This is against the agreed stabilised strength for the Permanent Defence Force of 9,500. In this context it is my intention that targeted recruitment will continue within the resource envelope allocated to Defence. Targeted recruitment will ensure that into the future the Permanent Defence Force can continue to deliver all operational outputs required by Government in the domestic environment as well as for overseas peace support operations. The full spectrum of Defence Forces personnel and equipment, is also available for deployments in response to emergencies and crises.

Departmental Staff Redeployment

Questions (119)

Luke 'Ming' Flanagan

Question:

119. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of years employees of his Department have been seconded to two private companies, the Irish Horse Board Cooperative Society Ltd and Horse Sport Ireland Ltd; if there are any current employees of his Department working within these two companies; if so, the names of the persons and the length of time they have been seconded to HSI or IHB; if not, when his Department's employees' ceased working within the IHB and HSI; if there are any of his Department's employees currently or previously working within private companies other then IHB and HSI with their salaries paid by his Department; his views on whether it is appropriate that taxpayers here pay the salaries of civil servants working for private companies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13580/13]

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Written answers

One Superintending Veterinary Inspector has been seconded to Animal Health Ireland as its Chief Executive in September 2009 and my Department continues to pay his salary as part of its annual subvention to AHI. Two Executive Officers have been seconded from my Department since 1994 to Horse Sport Ireland Limited. The salaries in respect of the two individuals are recouped from Horse Sport Ireland Limited. No other civil servants have been seconded from my Department to work in private companies.

Horse Passports

Questions (120)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

120. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans, if any, to enforce the transfer of ownership regulations in relation to horse traceability, in order that horse ownership changes are recorded; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13449/13]

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Written answers

EU legislation 504/2008 provides that equine animals must be identified from 1 July 2009 with a passport and a microchip. The relevant national legislation is S.I. No. 357 of 2011 - European Communities (Equine) Regulations 2011 (as amended). This legislation provides that if an equine animal has not been identified within six months of the date of its birth, or by 31 of December in the year of its birth, whichever date occurs later, then the equine animal cannot be admitted to the food chain.

There is no provision in the EU or national equine legislation relating to the transfer of ownership; however, my Department is currently exploring options in relation to the introduction of obligations on owners to notify the Passport Issuing Organisation of the transfer of ownership on the sale of horses in the context of this legislative background.

My Department is also developing a central database of horses which will involve migration of selected data from Passport Issuing Bodies (PIOs) to the Department. The central database will be populated with information provided from the databases maintained by the PIOs, by the Department from records obtained at slaughter plants and knackeries and by Local Authority Veterinary Inspectors in respect of records maintained at appropriate slaughter plants. If a decision is taken by my Department to introduce ownership transfer notification requirements on horse owners, the Passport Issuing Organisations will be required to notify the central database of transfers of ownership.

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Questions (121)

Michael Creed

Question:

121. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive payment in respect of their 2011 suckler cow grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13469/13]

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Written answers

The person named registered 2 animals in 2011 and 3 animals in 2012 for the Suckler Welfare Scheme. Errors were identified in relation to both of the 2011 born animals and following correspondence with the applicant these errors have now been resolved. Payment will issue shortly in respect of these animals.

One of the 2012 born animals is ineligible for payment as it was not registered within the statutory 27 days of birth. Details of the measures required under the Scheme have not yet been received for the other two animals and payment cannot be considered until this information has been received and found to be in compliance with the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.

Rural Environment Protection Scheme Payments

Questions (122)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

122. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a REP scheme payment will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13480/13]

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Written answers

The person named commenced REPS 4 in April 2008 and received payments for the first four years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been completed for 2012 in this case and the 75% Year 4 payment amounting to €6,739.05 issued for payment on 5th March 2013 and the remaining 25% Year 4 balancing payment will issue shortly.

Suckler Welfare Scheme Payments

Questions (123)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

123. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of the suckler cow welfare scheme will issue in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13481/13]

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Written answers

The person named registered 5 animals under the 2012 Suckler Welfare Scheme. Errors have been identified in respect of all of these animals and the applicant has been written to with a view to resolving the issues. Payment cannot be considered until these issues have been resolved satisfactorily.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Payments

Questions (124)

Michael Creed

Question:

124. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be paid their agri-environment options scheme grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13489/13]

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Written answers

The person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from the 1st September 2011. 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 issues were identified in relation to the claimed areas on the Natura action. Officials in my Department are currently investigating these issues with the intention of finalising and issuing payment for 2011 as soon as possible. Once these checks have been finalised the 2012 application will be further processed.

Forestry Sector

Questions (125)

Timmy Dooley

Question:

125. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for the hold up in granting approvals for forestry planations in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13496/13]

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Written answers

In the absence of specific details of the applications that are considered to be unduly delayed it is not possible to comment further on the matter. If the Deputy wishes Forestry Division in Wexford will contact him to obtain a list of such cases with the relevant details of the persons affected and I will be happy to have the matter investigated further.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (126)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

126. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding disadvantaged area aid in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [13516/13]

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Written answers

The person named was recently confirmed as having satisfied the minimum stocking density requirements under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, following a review of the agri-enviroment plan for the holding. Processing of the application is now complete and payment is due to issue shortly to the nominated bank account.

Live Exports

Questions (127)

Jack Wall

Question:

127. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedure involved in the transport of live animals to a destination (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13520/13]

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Written answers

All animals exported to destinations outside of the European Union are required to be accompanied by a veterinary certificate attesting to animal health requirements as stipulated by the importing country.

The requirements in relation to the transport of live animals on a commercial basis are laid down in Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations. This Regulation sets out the requirements for the authorisation of transporters of live animals, approval of means of transport, transport practices, required documentation etc. The Regulation is implemented in Irish law under the European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006. Accordingly, specific requirements for the transportation of animals to destinations such as Lagos will ultimately depend on the transport method used. For example, livestock vessels used for the transport of animals by sea must be approved in accordance with the aforementioned Regulations and under the Diseases of Animals (Carriage of Cattle by Sea) Orders, 1996 and 1998.

The transport of animals by air is also governed by Council Regulation (EC) 1/2005 as well as by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) Live Animals regulations, which set out the requirements for transporting different animal species by air, including among other things, the container specifications required for their transport.

Energy Usage

Questions (128, 129, 130)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

128. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the measure that have been taken by his Department and the Health Service Executive to reduce energy use and to increase the use of electricity generated from renewable sources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13455/13]

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Jerry Buttimer

Question:

129. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the savings that have been generated to date by energy saving initiatives in both his Department and the Health Service Executive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13456/13]

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Jerry Buttimer

Question:

130. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health if his Department and the Health Service Executive have estimated the amount of savings which could be achieved through reducing energy use and increasing energy efficiency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13457/13]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 128 to 130, inclusive, together.

My Department is participating in the Office of Public Works "Optimising Power @ Work" scheme.The aim of this staff energy awareness campaign is to reduce C02 emissions from energy consumption by the public sector.The main focus of the scheme is a staff energy awareness campaign and at the same time ensuring that the buildings are being operated in the most efficient manner possible regarding all energy consuming processes.

Savings have been achieved in the heating and electricity consumption at my Department's headquarters in Hawkins House, not withstandingthe age of the building and the limitations arising from single glazed metal windows.

In 2012 the Department took the following steps to further improve energy performance and efficiency:

continued to monitor and adjust heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems;

carried out 'Building Management System' audits;

renewed focus on staff awareness;

recalculated benchmarks and HVAC control performance.

In addition work was carried out to the main heating system which involved upgrading/replacement of the original heating boilers including the installation of summer time immersion heating for hot water to the toilet/kitchen facilities. This also includes a more up to date BMS system allowing for additional local control of heating distribution.

My Department do not select the electricity provider as this is completed by the National Procurement Service who are attached to the Office of Public Works and therefore do not have control on the amount of electricity consumed which is produced from a renewable source.

Since Hawkins House became involved with the Office of Public Works "Optimising Power @ Work" scheme the energy consumption of the building has been reduced by 14%. The position regarding the Health Service Executive (HSE) is a matter for themselves. I have requested the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in this regard.

Health Services

Questions (131)

Jerry Buttimer

Question:

131. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Health the support services available in County Cork for amputees; the funding assigned for prosthetic and orthotic services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13460/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive, for a direct reply to the Deputy.

Health Services

Questions (132)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

132. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 252 of 6 March 2013, the services and treatments available to diabetes Type 1 patients under the medical card scheme. [13463/13]

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Written answers

The Dental Treatment Service Scheme (DTSS) provides access to dental treatment for adult medical card holders. All medical card holders are entitled to specific dental treatments e.g., an annual dental examination, two fillings in each calendar year, extractions as necessary. Patients with special needs, high risk patients and those who have greater clinical needs, including patients with type 1 diabetes, receive a wider range of services. This may include all fillings as required and more complex care such as root canal treatment, gum treatment and dentures. Dentists must apply to the HSE for approval to provide such additional services. The HSE has issued Standard Operating Procedures to HSE Principal Dental Surgeons and dental contractors to support equitable and priority funding and to provide clear guidance to dentists on the application of such requests.

Accident and Emergency Services

Questions (133)

Seán Fleming

Question:

133. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when the on call for emergency management under the auspices of the major emergency management framework programme was formally agreed and implemented; if he will provide the details of the negotiators in relation to each side of this framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13465/13]

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Written answers

As the Deputy's query relates to an operational issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Substance Misuse

Questions (134)

Simon Harris

Question:

134. Deputy Simon Harris asked the Minister for Health the progress that has been made in introducing the recommendations arising from the national strategy of substances misuse which includes alcohol, particularly the need for structural separation of alcohol products from other products in supermarkets and other stores; if he intends to give statutory effect to section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act in relation to this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13471/13]

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Written answers

I am pleased to inform the Deputy that real and tangible proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the National Substance Misuse Strategy report. These proposalscover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including minimum unit pricing, advertising of alcohol, and the structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets. My Department is also working closely with the Department of Justice and Equality in relation to, inter alia, section 9 of the Intoxicating Liquor Act 2008, which deals with the structural separation of alcohol from other products in mixed trading outlets. The recommendation of the Substance Misuse Steering Group in this vein was to commence Section 9 of that Act.

The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has considered these proposals and I intend to bring forward specific proposals for consideration by Government as soon as possible.In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing. For example, in conjunction with Northern Ireland, a health impact assessment is being commissioned as part of the process of developing a legislative basis for minimum unit pricing. (Scotland commissioned the same sort of assessment before it drafted its legislation on minimum unit pricing.) The health impact assessment will study the impact of different minimum prices on a range of areas such as health, crime and likely economic impact.

Thalidomide Victim Compensation

Questions (135, 143)

Jack Wall

Question:

135. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Health his views on a submission (details supplied) regarding thalidomide survivors; the number of meetings he has had with the group and the number planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13476/13]

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Seán Fleming

Question:

143. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health when his Department will come to a fair and reasonable decision in respect of victims of thalidomide to address the serious consequences arising from their disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13537/13]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 135 and 143 together.

Given the challenges that persist for each individual, this Government's aim is to address the health and personal social care needs of thalidomide survivors living in Ireland. I have stated that I am willing to enter into discussions about a health care package on a non-statutory basis; an ex-gratia payment having regard to current financial circumstances; and a statement to the Dáil recognising the challenges faced by survivors.

There are two thalidomide representative organisations. The largest group, the Irish Thalidomide Association announced publicly in 2012 that it had ceased talks with the Government. The Association's legal advisor has initiated personal injuries claims against the manufacturer and distributors of the Thalidomide drug and the State.

The second organisation, the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society, has sought an independent agency and a statutory health care package including other aspects of their needs such as housing, heating, transport and clothing, which are outside the remit of the health sector. My position remains unchanged from that outlined in my letter to the Irish Thalidomide Survivors Society in June last year in which I requested that the Society consider, in good faith, proceeding with a Health Care Protocol which envisaged appointing and training a multi-disciplinary team, arranging a multi-disciplinary health evaluation, identifying and documenting their healthcare needs/issues and developing plans to address those needs.

I met with both organisations in July 2011 and have been in correspondence since.

There are currently 32 Irish Thalidomide survivors. Each survivor received lump sum payments from a German Foundation and the Irish Government in the early 1970s. In 1975 the lump-sums paid by the Irish Government ranged from €6,400 to €21,000. In addition, each survivor receives on-going monthly payments from both the German Foundation and the Irish Government. Combining the Irish and German payments, most individuals receive €30,386 per annum or €2,572 per month, tax free. The German and Irish monthly allowance is not reckonable for State benefits and each individual is automatically entitled to a medical card.

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