Written Answers Nos. 560 - 578
560. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 423 of 5 March 2013, the reason the review submitted to his Department on 28 January 2013 has not taken place; if the earlier response is his Department's final position; if the applicant can now appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19092/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1 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 an overclaim was identified in relation to claimed areas on the Natura action which will result in a penalty being applied. Also the person named requested the withdrawal of an action from their application which will result in a further penalty of 10% on their 2011 payment.
To date, 75% payment totalling €555.11 in respect of the 2011 scheme year issued on 17 April 2013. A review of the 10% penalty was carried out as a result of documentation which was received in my Department on 28 January 2013. This review resulted in the original decision to apply the 10% penalty being upheld. A letter has issued to the person named informing her of this and giving the option to appeal the decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office. The balancing 25% payment (net of penalty) will issue shortly. Payments in respect of the 2012 scheme year are subject to a similar administrative checking process. Following the payment for 2011, this process will get under way in respect of 2012.
561. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the district veterinary office in Roscommon will accept single farm payment forms this year; if received on the closing date, will this count as received on time by his Department; if staff at the DVO office in Roscommon will be able to assist in the completion of the single farm payment application forms as in previous years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19095/13]
View answerThe closing date for receipt of applications under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme has been set as Wednesday, 15 May 2013 and, by way of further improving the service offered to farmers in 2013 and in recognition of the significant contribution of the Single Farm Payment to the incomes of farmers, it has been decided to individually acknowledge receipt of each application form, as soon as possible after receipt. Consequently, applications under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme must be posted/delivered to my Department’s SPS Payments Unit in Portlaoise and can, therefore, no longer be lodged in Department Local Offices.
562. Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No 172 of 13 February 2013 regarding all the bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis reactors removed under section 20 of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 as referred to in his written reply of the 13 February 2013, if he will confirm the actual number of bovine tuberculosis and brucellosis reactors that have been taken possession of by agreement in accordance with section 20(a)(i) of the Diseases of Animals Act 1966 since its inception; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in failing to take possession of all bovine TB and brucellosis reactors by agreement in accordance with section 20(a)(i) of the Diseases of Animals Act he is committing a criminal offence;; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19135/13]
View answerAs indicated in the previous reply, the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966 (as amended) makes general provision for the control and eradication of disease, the categories of animals and classes of diseases to which the Act applies. Section 20 of the Act empowers, but does not oblige, the Minister to make Ministerial Orders for specified purposes and the nature of offences that may be prosecuted. The Bovine Tuberculosis (Attestation of the State and General Provisions) Order, 1989 was made under powers conferred by several sections, including a number of those provided for in Section 20, of the Act. The Order provides for, inter alia, the prohibition of tuberculosis testing without Department permission, the type of test to be used, the tagging of reactors, the removal, movement, control and slaughter of reactors. Similarly the Brucellosis in Cattle (General Provisions) Order, 1991 as amended was made under powers conferred by the Diseases of Animals Act, 1966, including section 20, and contains similar provisions to the TB Order. Statistics on the numbers of TB reactors removed up to the end of 2012 were provided in the February reply. The number of reactors removed to date in 2013 (21 April) is 3,240. The number of reactors removed during the same period in 2012 was 3,702.
563. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 639 of 19 February 2013, if eight years is an acceptable time for people to have to wait to have their records released or five years if you are over 65; if he will investigate the matter and redeploy more staff to deal with this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18237/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy with the most up-to-date information.
564. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when a decision will be made on applications for funding for youth cafes under the capital programme. [18536/13]
View answerFunding of up to €1 million is available in 2013 from my Department for fit-out, refurbishment works or building enhancement projects for the startup of new Youth Cafés. One of the core functions of a youth café is that it offers support to young people, ranging from practical support to advice through their participation in activities that are of interest to them and that are varied and on offer at times that suit their normal activities. The criteria for the Scheme places a clear focus on both long term sustainability and service planning. Pobal is assisting my Department in managing the Youth Café Programme 2013.
The closing date for applications was Friday, 12 April. The initial appraisal process will take place up to the end of May. Phase 2 of the application process for those applicants who are successful in Phase 1 will take place from July to October. Any decisions about projects to be funded will be made at the end of October. It is anticipated that funding draw-down for the successful applications will commence in November 2013.
565. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide details of funding provided in 2012 and in 2013 for special youth projects in Cork city and county; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18743/13]
View answerThe Youth Affairs Unit of my Department provides a range of funding schemes, programmes and supports to the youth sector. Funding of some €53.173m is available in 2013 to support the provision of youth services and programmes to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. Targeted supports for disadvantaged, marginalised and at risk young people are provided through the Special Projects for Youth Scheme, the Young Peoples Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 and Local Drugs Task Force Projects. This funding supports the delivery of a range of youth work programmes and services for all young people, including those from disadvantaged communities, by the voluntary youth sector.
My Department provides funding to City of Cork and Co. Cork under a number of funding schemes. These are the Special Projects for Youth Scheme (SPY) and the Young People’s Facilities and Services Fund Rounds 1 and 2 (YPFSF). The details of the funding allocated in 2012 and 2013 under these schemes is currently being collated and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
566. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the progress being made in relation to the development of infrastructure for after school services; the extension of subsidies for after school services and raising quality standards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18813/13]
View answerAs part of Budget 2013 I, together with my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection, was pleased to announce a new School Age Childcare initiative which will be targeted at low-income parents availing of employment opportunities. The initiative is expected to receive funding of €14 million to provide, in a full year, in the region of 6,000 after-school places for children attending primary school, in order to support parents to take up employment.
Lack of access to affordable, quality childcare is a significant barrier to many low income and disadvantaged families seeking to avail of work opportunities. This initiative will provide an important support measure to enable parents to avail of these opportunities. This is in line with the Government's overall strategy to support parents of low income families to take up employment. Preparations are well advanced for the introduction of a pilot project in a small number of locations with the national roll-out of the programme planned for September this year. The pilot programme will assist both Departments in determining the procedural, quality and practical issues that require attention prior to the finalisation of the programme. Service providers seeking to join the programme can apply to participate, with effect from September 2013, in the normal manner.
As you know the emphasis now in relation to all childcare support programmes is the delivery of easily accessible, affordable and quality childcare provision. The pilot phase of the programme will be evaluated to establish if the programme meets this objective and, if necessary, to identify areas where corrective action is required.
567. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will outline the progress being made in relation to reforming the qualification requirements for workers in early care and education services and regulation, supported by a training fund; the progress being made in relation to reform of the inspection system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18814/13]
View answerThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 with the objective of providing one free pre-school year for all eligible children prior to commencing primary school. Childcare services participating in the ECCE programme are paid a standard capitation fee of €62.50 per week for each eligible child enrolled for the free pre-school year. Under the terms of the ECCE programme, the pre-school leaders delivering the programme must hold a certification for a major award in childcare/early education at a minimum of level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) or an equivalent nationally-recognised qualification or a higher award in the childcare/early education field. My Department has part-subsidised on-line courses, developed by one of the National Voluntary Childcare Organisations (NVCOs), for unqualified practitioners in the current workforce who wish to achieve a level 5 award.
In keeping with the Government's commitment to increasing standards in the pre-school sector, a higher capitation payment of €73 per week is available to childcare services in which all childcare workers have qualification levels above the minimum requirements for the programme. To qualify for the higher capitation rate, the pre-school leader must hold a qualification in a relevant discipline at a minimum of a full Level 7 award on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and meet other conditions as set out by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. A joint inspection pilot conducted by the HSE Inspectorate and the Department of Education and Skills was recently completed. It is anticipated that the learning from this project will inform the debate on the future development of the pre-school inspection system.
568. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if he will provide in tabular form the number of civil/public servants under the remit of his Department who earn more than €500,000, between €400,000-€500,00, €300,000 - €250,000, €250,000 - €200,000, €200,000 - €150,000, €150,000 - €100,000, €100,000 - €80,000, €80,000 - €60,000, €60,000 - €40,000 and less than €30,000. [18864/13]
View answerThe information requested in relation to staff in my Department is set out below.
|
Salary Range |
Number of staff |
|
More than €200,000 |
0 |
|
Between €150,000-€200,000 |
1 |
|
Between €100,000-€150,000 |
12 |
|
Between €80,000-€100,000 |
17 |
|
Between €60,000-€80,000 |
16 |
|
Between €40,000-€60,000 |
54 |
|
Between €30,000-€40,000 |
33 |
|
Less than €30,000 |
12 |
My Department does not generally hold information relating to the salaries of individual employees of the various agencies operating under the Department's remit and, accordingly, the information requested by the Deputy is not readily available. Officials of my Department have requested the specific information required be supplied directly to you by the agencies involved.
569. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will provide an update on her plans to strengthen the new investment to aftercare as announced at the hearing of the child deaths last July. [19073/13]
View answerThe Deputy will be aware that I am currently examining options, in association with the Attorney General, to strengthen legislation regarding the provision of aftercare. I have recently held round-table discussions with HSE, service providers, advocates and the voluntary sector in relation to the recent improvements in aftercare service delivery and the proposed legislative change. My officials have met with their counterparts in Northern Ireland to discuss the nature and impact of the strengthening of aftercare legislatively in Northern Ireland and issues to do with service provision. The Deputy will be aware that I had previously indicated my intention to bring forward legislative amendments in the legislation to establish the Child and Family Agency, and this remains my focus.
The HSE Children and Family Services has developed a National Policy and Procedures Document which sets out out eligibility, assessment and service available to young people on reaching 18 years and a National Implementation Group has been established to oversee the progress and challenges in improving services and outcomes for young people leaving care. The Group is comprised of representatives of funded services providers such as Focus Ireland and other advocacy organisations, as well as representatives of foster carers and other groups. They have found an increasingly systematic approach across the country to young people around age sixteen being identified through the care planning review process and a standardised aftercare planning template. This approach is helping the early identification of young people with special needs, such as learning disabilities, and has led to good examples of inter-agency working. There have also been some improvements in the data available although more work is required in this area and in rolling out fully standardised financial allowances.
The HSE's annual spend on aftercare in 2012 was €17 million. There are currently 45 dedicated aftercare workers in the HSE; additionally, the HSE commissions aftercare services, residential and support in the community, from Focus Ireland, Don Bosco and Cross Care across the country. The HSE have advised me that approximately 500 young people reach the age of 18 in care every year, with 412 young people in care reaching their 18th birthday in 2012.
At the end of December 2012:
- 639 young people over the age of 18 years were supported financially to remain living with their foster carers. These young people did not have to face the transition of leaving their foster carers at age 18 and for many, in addition to having access to an after care worker, they received their key support from their foster carers.
- 110 young people were living in supported living arrangements and had an aftercare key worker.
- there were 384 young people over 21 receiving some aspect of aftercare support; the remaining 1073 were between 18 and 21.
- 599 of the total number were in full time education.
- a further 656 were in some form of education and training.
Given the particular difficulties of some young people in areas of mental health and disability, the aftercare policy has a strong multi-agency dimension. The Aftercare Implementation Group is developing protocols with Social Inclusion, Disability Services, Mental Health Services and Primary Care and the Department of the Environment regarding housing to support this approach. A protocol has been signed with the Irish Youth Justice Service which covers joint working arrangements for young people in Detention Schools.
Clearly, there have been improvements in the delivery of an aftercare service but more work remains to be done. My officials will continue to engage with the HSE to ensure that the service is addressing the needs of these vulnerable young people and the information provided will inform the policy development being undertaken to underpin aftercare in legislation.
570. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will detail the external agencies and NGOs which are funded by the Health Service Executive or her Department to provide aftercare services. [19074/13]
View answerThe HSE has advised me it commissions a number of agencies to provide provide aftercare services to young people leaving care as follows: Focus Ireland, Crosscare, Don Bosco, Peter McVerry Trust, Smyly's Aftercare, ClareCare and Good Shepherd Services, Cork.
571. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of aftercare workers employed directly by the Health Service Executive. [19075/13]
View answerThe HSE has advised me that at their last audit in January 2013, there were 45 dedicated aftercare workers in the HSE. In addition, many social workers and social care workers in residential settings while not dedicated aftercare workers, provide aftercare on a continuing basis, as part of their workload.
572. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young people who left care in 2012; and the number of those who received aftercare support. [19076/13]
View answerAt the end of December 2012, 1,457 young people were in receipt of an aftercare service. The HSE has indicated that 412 children in care turned 18 years of age in 2012. The needs of all of these young people was considered and 300 young people were assessed as needing one or a combination of these specific aftercare services: remaining with foster carers, remaining in supported lodgings, moving to supported residential accommodation, assistance in finding private accommodation, financial help with education and training opportunities and the allocation of an aftercare key worker. Only six young people of the 300 who were offered an aftercare service or services said they did not wish to avail of aftercare.
The HSE advise that of the remaining 112, some young people returned to their birth families and wished to break off contact with the HSE while some young people remain living with their foster carers and they and their foster carers may decide they no longer wish to be provided with financial or other supports.
573. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of young people in receipt of aftercare services. [19077/13]
View answerThe HSE has indicated that as at the 31st December 2013, the number of young people in receipt of aftercare service is 1457.
574. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will consider the South East Fingal Drugs and Alcohol Project proposed by the Howth Sutton Community Council (details supplied) which serves the communities of Baldoyle, Bayside, Howth and Sutton, Dublin. [18267/13]
View answerOn 7 January last, my Department received a proposal from the Howth Sutton Community Council for funding to establish a drugs and alcohol prevention project in South East Fingal, which would serve communities in Baldoyle, Bayside, Sutton and Howth. The Deputy will be aware that Local and Regional Drugs Task Forces play a key role in assessing the nature of the drug problem in their areas and coordinating action at local level so that there is a targeted response to the drug problem in local communities. It is a matter for each Drugs Task Force to decide which projects to support based on agreed priorities for their area within the overall budget available to them. I have been in contact with Howth Sutton Community Council and have advised them to submit their proposal to Dublin North East Local Drugs Task Force for consideration. My Department will consider the proposal if it is recommended by the Task Force.
575. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the current status of the aeromedical review; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18377/13]
View answer620. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will publish the criteria under which the evaluation of the Aero Medical Service Review will be conducted; if the review will independently evaluate the effectiveness of the Air Ambulance Service as an emergency response service for all patients who are in life threatening situations; if there is provision to consult with stakeholders on the review criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18748/13]
View answer621. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health if he will include patient representatives and an external accident and emergency consultant who has experience of aero medical services as part of the aero medical service review team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18750/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 575, 620 and 621 together.
In cooperation with my colleague Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, I decided in March 2012 to carry out an emergency aeromedical support (EAS) service pilot project. The pilot, which involves the Irish Air Corps and the HSE National Ambulance Service (NAS), was established to obtain operational and clinical data for this type of service in an Irish context, in order to inform policy decisions on the future provision of such services. A review of the pilot is being carried out by the EAS Audit and Evaluation Group, comprising representatives from the NAS, including its Medical Director, the Air Corps and the Departments of Health and Defence, as required by the Memorandum of Understanding between the departments which established the pilot. The review is focussed on data in relation to operational issues and clinical outcomes arising from the pilot, with a view to agreeing recommendations, in the event that a decision is made to provide this type of service, on how best to proceed. The Group's report is expected to be completed before the end of the pilot. I will consider its recommendations at that time.
576. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Health his plans to roll out, or help reduce the cost of calcification screening for heart health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18222/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
577. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health when the MICGP/alternative pathway scheme will be introduced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18228/13]
View answerThe Irish College of General Practitioners (ICGP) is the recognised professional body for general practice and as such is the standard setting body on behalf of the Irish Medical Council. Any alternative route to membership of the College must be approved by the ICGP and must be of equivalent standard to the conventional route to membership, i.e. formal training undertaken in an accredited GP training programme and completion of end point assessment - the MICGP examination.
In March 2009, the College sought a declaration of interest in order to gauge the level of interest in the alternative route to membership. In the interim, consideration needed to be given to the criteria for eligibility, possible models of assessment and the budgetary and funding implications. In February 2012, an online pre-application questionnaire was carried out to determine the number of potential applicants who may be eligible. 173 applicants responded, 135 approx. of whom are likely to meet the criteria and also meet the requirements in order to engage in the assessment process. A programme director was formally appointed for this project in May 2012 and work is underway to set up the structures and processes required to implement the alternative route. The various assessment components are being prepared for pilot at present. The College will open the process for the taking of applications from 23 April 23, 2013.
The eligibility criteria for application for this route to membership have been agreed by the ICGP Postgraduate Training Committee and this was endorsed by the Council of the College in March 2011. It details the minimum requirements with regard to GP experience and training and attainment of this experience and training within defined dates. Of its nature, selection criteria may exclude some applicants. It is impossible to comment on an individual doctor's eligibility for participation in the Alternative Route Programme until they formally apply and supply the necessary details to the programme team for assessment. All information will be updated on the ICGP website after 23 April 23 on the following link: http://www.icgp.ie/go/membership/routes_to_membership/alternative_route_to_college_membership.
578. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when an appointment for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be made available, in view of the fact that this treatment was diagnosed as priority and the patient has been on a priority waiting list since November 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18238/13]
View answerThe National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2013, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has recently been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists. In relation to this particular query raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to investigate the situation and respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
