Tuesday, 8 Oct 2013

Written Answers Nos. 501 - 519

Fishing Vessel Licences

Questions (501)

Joe McHugh

Question:

501. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of white fish boats that are registered with tonnage and are working out of each area in Irish waters. [42365/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Irish fishing fleet is divided into 5 main segments for licensing and registration purposes. Vessels targeting whitefish are licensed in the polyvalent and beam trawl segments of the fleet. In order to obtain a sea fishing boat licence, the owner must provide replacement capacity (comprising gross tonnage, a measure of volume, and kilowatts, a measure of engine power) from the fleet segment into which the vessel is being licensed.

I am informed by the Licensing Authority for Sea Fishing Boats that 1,473 polyvalent vessels and 10 beam trawlers that were licensed and registered at 31 December 2012 were entitled to target whitefish.

Control of the fishing activity within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone is a matter for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, operational issues concerning sea fisheries control, such as recording landings, are a matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I have asked the SFPA to respond directly to the Deputy's request by giving landings in Irish ports as a indicator of the fishing activity in the areas.

Fishing Vessel Licences

Questions (502)

Joe McHugh

Question:

502. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider issuing licences for small inshore boats and white fish boats in respect of monk, haddock and prawns; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42366/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The management of whitefish quotas do not generally involve a requirement for a secondary fishing license known as an authorisation, under the determination currently in force under section 13 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. The exception to this are vessels which are included in the industry led “Monkfish Scheme” and which are granted specific authorisations which set out the conditions of that scheme.

Whitefish quotas are set generally on a monthly basis by way of a fisheries management notice issued under section 12 of the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006. When preparing for the monthly allocation of whitefish stocks, the representative organisations of the industry, both fishermen and onshore processors, meet each month with my Department and the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority to make recommendations to me in relation to the quota to be allocated in the coming month(s). I am open to consider all proposals from the representatives of the industry on the management of fish quotas.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Application Numbers

Questions (503)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

503. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a breakdown per county of the number of successful applicants under the agri-environment options scheme 3; the total amount of funds allocated to each county under the scheme; the total number of ineligible applicants per county; the number of applicants awaiting a determination on their application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42386/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Agri-Environment Option Scheme has had a very positive uptake, which is why I was more than happy to open AEOS 3 in 2012, despite fiscal constraints. I secured €20 million per annum for the Scheme, allowing for a maximum payment of €4,000 per annum and a five year contract. The Scheme was oversubscribed, with a total of 9,729 applications received, therefore not all could be accommodated within the budget and a process of ranking and selection, as set out clearly in the scheme terms and conditions, was used.

Acceptance into the Scheme was established using the predetermined selection criteria as follows:

1. farmers in the Boora region of Co. Offaly who chose Wild Bird Cover Option B (Grey Partridge) as one of their selected options,

2. farmers with a minimum of 0.5 hectares of designated land,

3. farm partnerships,

4. farmers who previously participated in REPS commencing with smallest farms, and

5. others based on farm size (again favouring smaller holdings).

All eligible applicants in category 1, 2 and 3 were accepted into the Scheme. Based on the funding available farmers in category 4 with 22.06 hectares of utilisable agricultural area and below were successful. All applicants received a determination on their application and 6,000 were approved for participation in the scheme of which 5,981 applicants are currently active. Of the 3,748 not in the Scheme, 351 had invalid applications, 42 withdrew from the Scheme and 3,355 were excluded on the basis of the selection criteria. A number of applicants have appealed their status and these are being dealt with on an ongoing basis by my officials.

The tables below detail the number of successful applicants under the Agri-Environment Options Scheme 3 and the total number of applicants not in the Scheme on a County by County basis. The table named ‘Successful Applicants’ also shows the estimated allocation of funding per County on a yearly basis.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

County	Total	Total Amount
Carlow	25	€82,629.00
Cavan	137	€473,812.55
Clare	356	€1,265,594.92
Cork	314	€1,084,575.93
Donegal	1059	€3,443,126.59
Dublin	5	€16,220.35
Galway	1005	€3,493,876.17
Kerry	617	€2,143,262.53
Kildare	16	€58,365.50
Kilkenny	31	€109,741.97
Laois	25	€91,440.23
Leitrim	278	€1,004,701.26
Limerick	116	€398,153.91
Longford	42	€139,791.48
Louth	23	€66,314.19
Mayo	997	€3,339,972.42
Meath	32	€101,538.83
Monaghan	66	€195,948.78
Offaly	67	€231,235.47
Roscommon	274	€907,356.54
Sligo	220	€790,861.44
Tipperary	92	€311,181.51
Waterford	54	€197,214.22
Westmeath	58	€187,969.97
Wexford	27	€89,773.51
Wicklow	45	€159,475.52
Grand Total	5981	€20,384,134.79

UNSUCCESSFUL OR WITHDRAWN APPLICANTS

County	Total
Carlow	26
Cavan	173
Clare	335
Cork	220
Donegal	295
Dublin	2
Galway	481
Kerry	198
Kildare	49
Kilkenny	77
Laois	44
Leitrim	210
Limerick	152
Longford	82
Louth	29
Mayo	305
Meath	104
Monaghan	97
Offaly	72
Roscommon	307
Sligo	147
Tipperary	121
Waterford	32
Westmeath	87
Wexford	68
Wicklow	35
Grand Total	3748

Animal Welfare Expenditure

Questions (504)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

504. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the reinforcement by UK officials to have dogs travelling between here and the UK to have a rabies vaccination, if he will consider the increased funding needs of animal rescue centres in the country arising as a result of rabies vaccination costs; if he will extend the family pet 2015 derogation from the rabies vaccination to include rescue dogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42434/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department provides funding to animal welfare organisations directly involved in the delivery of animal care. I am hoping to be able to continue such funding again this year. This allocation depends on the availability of funds at the end of each financial year.

The new Pet Passport Regulation (EC) No 576/2013 comes into force from 1 January 2015. While both Ireland and the UK sought and achieved an amendment to the Commission proposal providing the possibility of a derogation from rabies vaccination for non commercial pets movements from 2015, this was not extended to commercial traffic which unfortunately includes the rehoming of rescue dogs from Ireland to the UK.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (505)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

505. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a disadvantaged areas scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Galway was not granted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42467/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 14 May 2013; this application was fully processed and cleared for payment. However, as the person named had outstanding debts under the Agri Environment Options Scheme, payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was offset against this debt. The person named had previously been notified directly of the amount due under AEOS.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Questions (506)

Paul Connaughton

Question:

506. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Galway in respect of both their disadvantaged areas scheme payment and their single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42469/13]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department has written to the person named on 25 June 2013, requesting proof of rental of certain lands declared by him on his 2012 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Area applications. As no reply had been received, a reminder letter issued on 11 July 2013 to which no reply has yet been received by my Department. As soon as the information requested has been received the applications can be further processed.

Child Care Services Inspections

Questions (507)

Emmet Stagg

Question:

507. Deputy Emmet Stagg asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if the Children Act 1991 will be amended to include after school crèche provision in the existing regulatory inspection system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42339/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

Amendments to provide for the regulation of after-school care are being brought forward as part of legislative changes necessary to provide for the establishment of the new Child and Family Agency. This legislation is currently being finalised in conjunction with Parliamentary Counsel and it is my intention to bring it before the Oireachtas during the current term.

Children in Care

Questions (508)

Sandra McLellan

Question:

508. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there are advocacy groups to assist parents whose children are in care; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41798/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

There are a range of groups working in communities whose general remit includes providing assistance to families whose circumstances may include having a child or children in care. These groups provide services which complement a variety of dedicated services provided or funded by the HSE. The Family Support Agency (FSA) also has an important role to play in this context. There are 106 family resource centres around the country, and they aim to combat disadvantage by supporting the functioning of the family unit by offering services and supports to children and families. The FSA also provides funding to voluntary and community organisations providing marriage, relationship, child and bereavement counselling services. These services aim to support people in dealing with difficulties they are experiencing in their relationships and to help children whose lives have been affected by parental separation.

The important thing to acknowledge and address is that if a child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, then the HSE has a duty to ensure they receive appropriate care. In cases where parents are unable to cope due to illness or other serious problems they may agree to their children being taken into the care of the HSE on a voluntary basis, under Section 4 of the Child Care Act, 1991. While the HSE has care of the children in such instances it must consider the parents' wishes as to how the care is provided. The HSE is obliged to provide care for these children for as long as their welfare requires it.

A child protection social worker assigned to a child placed in a care setting has a duty to prepare and regularly review the care plan for the child. Intrinsic to this process is ensuring that the wishes of the child and his or her family are considered, that access and contact is facilitated between the child, parents and siblings (unless there is a court agreed reason not to do so), and that full engagement takes place with the child and their family with a view to planning the child’s return home. A significant amount of work takes place between social workers and parents to create a situation where a child could return home, including referrals for parent(s) for relationship counselling, substance misuse or mental health issues.

In addition to social work services, HSE Children and Family Services also provide a broad range of family support services. These include family centres, community psychology, child care work and family support work e.g. counselling and parenting skills.

The Child and Family Agency will take on the crucial roles played by Children and Family Services and the FSA, and will continue to provide supports and assistance to ensure that children, where possible, are allowed to grow and develop within a supportive family environment.

Adoption Records Provision

Questions (509)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

509. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adopted persons and natural relatives registered on the national adoption contact preference register; the number of new persons added to the register in the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; the number of adopted persons who have made contact with their natural relatives as a result of being included on the register; and if she will outline the ongoing steps that are being taken to raise awareness of the existence of the register. [41882/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

The National Adoption Contact Register was established in 2005 to assist adopted people and their natural families to make contact with each other, exchange information or state their contact preferences. They decide, through a range of information and contact options, how they wish to proceed. The Adoption Authority of Ireland has responsibility for the operation of the National Adoption Contact Preference Register (NACPR). The Authority has indicated that there were 796 applications in 2011, 542 in 2012 and 526 to end Sept 2013, with a cumulative total of to date of 7426 adopted persons and 3312 relatives applying to register with the NCPR.

According to the Authority there have been 644 "matches" identified to date but it might be noted that some of these would have involved matches between two (or more) siblings that had been adopted so there would be more than 644 adopted persons matched with a relative.

The Authority, the Health Service Executive and accredited adoption services routinely inform enquirers about the existence of the register and encourage anyone interested in tracing and/or gaining information searching to join. It is also intended that the Adoption (Information and Tracing) Bill will provide for placing the National Contact Preference Register on a statutory basis and that a National Tracing Service will be established under the provisions of the Bill, the operation of which will be subject to guidelines to be set out in regulations.

Child Care Services Provision

Questions (510)

Maureen O'Sullivan

Question:

510. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 19 of 19 September 2013, the extent of the reduction in hours for child care staff in residential care homes funded by the Health Service Executive and in the voluntary sector and the number of closures in that sector. [42023/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have requested the relevant information from the HSE, and I will revert to the Deputy when this information is to hand.

Child Care Reports

Questions (511)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Question:

511. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when creche reports for County Meath will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42163/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

As 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.

Foreign Adoptions

Questions (512)

Michael Lowry

Question:

512. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress made to date in assisting the families currently engaged in the adoption process with Russia and who are affected by a recent change in Russian law which creates a conflict with section 63 of the Adoption Act 2010; the responses received further to representations made to the Russian authorities; if she will provide an assurance that she will bring forward amendments to the Adoption Act if action is not forthcoming from the Russian authorities; if she will provide an assure that these families will be allowed complete their adoptions prior to the 31 October deadline; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42425/13]

Written answers

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs

I have the utmost concern for the position that the prospective adopters who were close to finalising adoptions from Russia now find themselves in following the recent changes to the Russian adoption process. I have received a large volume of representations on behalf of the applicants involved and I and my officials have actively been trying to assist those affected.

Following queries I initiated through diplomatic channels the Ministry of Education and Science of the Russian Federation has confirmed to the Irish Embassy that new legislation came into force on 3rd July 2013 which requires a child to be on the national adoption database for twelve months before that child is deemed eligible for intercountry adoption and may be placed on an international adoption database. The previous period was eight months. I understand the purpose of the amendment is to extend the period during which possibilities for domestic adoption are considered. The Adoption Act, 2010, provides for adoptions from countries that have ratified the Hague Convention on adoption and from countries where there is a bilateral agreement in place. During the drafting of the Act a considered and detailed transitional process to deal with the change from previous legislation to the new Act was put in place. The transitional measure contained in Section 63 of the Adoption Act, 2010, allows applicants with a valid declaration of eligibility and suitability to adopt who had commenced the adoption process at the time of the commencement of the Act to continue with that adoption, from a non-Hague, non-bilateral country. Such applicants were thus afforded an additional three year period to complete these particular adoptions from non-Hague countries, and must complete the process by the 31st October 2013. The Adoption Authority has advised that the time period to complete the adoption process in Russia is generally less than a year and a large number of applicants with Section 63 declarations have successfully adopted from Russia during the period of validity of these Section 63 declarations.

The issue that has arisen is that the changes introduced by the Russian authorities mean that a small number of Irish applicants will not be able to conclude their adoption of a Russian child by 31 October 2013.

In an effort to assist I have been using diplomatic channels to seek solutions for the applicants involved. These diplomatic channels have been used to fully outline the difficult situation these applicants have been put in following the change in Russian procedures and to explore possible solutions. The Irish Ambassador to Russia met with the Deputy Foreign Minister Titov in Moscow on 10th September 2013. The Ambassador has highlighted the concerns of the specific applicants. He has also outlined the position and noted our desire for a degree of flexibility in relation to the implementation of the changes recently introduced, which has affected a small number of Irish applicants who were at an advanced stage in the adoption process. I also recently met with the Embassy Attaché from the Russian Embassy to Dublin who was representing the Russian Ambassador to highlight the current difficulties the sudden change in Russian legislation has created. This meeting was positive and the Attaché indicated that officials from the Ministry of Education in Moscow are aware of the issues and are examining them closely.

On October 3 2013 the Irish Ambassador in Moscow met Mr Vladimir Kabanov, Deputy Head of the Department for Children’s Rights at the Ministry for Education and Science. The Ambassador was informed that the amendment to the law applies to all cases that had not applied to the Court to finalise their adoptions by the date of 2 July 2013. It was agreed that the Ministry for Education and Science will verify the status of the Irish families in the Russian adoption system The Embassy is assisting in this process. Amongst the representations I have received is a proposal to amend the Adoption Act, 2010 to address this situation. As the Act is drafted on the basis of the incorporation of the Hague Convention and the minimum set of standards outlined therein, the implications of amending the Adoption Act, 2010 must be carefully examined. Issues also arise in confining any such amendment to the cases immediately affected by the recent changes in Russia. Nevertheless, these legislative issues are receiving consideration by my Department in parallel with the ongoing engagement with the Russian authorities.

Further meetings are scheduled for this week to examine the options available to progress this matter further.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (513)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

513. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health in view of the fact that it has been publicly stated that if tobacco companies are not allowed to use their branding, it could breach the intellectual property rights of these companies and these rights are guaranteed under the Constitution and the European Convention of Human Rights, if there is a possibility that the Government is exposing the Irish taxpayer to a court case which could cost hundreds of millions of euro; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41948/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Work is progressing on draft heads of a bill to regulate the retail packaging of tobacco products. It is not the Government's intention to develop legislation which would be in contravention of the Irish Constitution or the European Convention of Human Rights. I cannot comment on any future possible legal challenges in this regard.

Nursing Education

Questions (514)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

514. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health if he is concerned that nurses are emigrating because of the additional training years included in the Haddington Road agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42078/13]

Written answers

Minister for Health

A major objective of the Nurse Graduate scheme is to put in place more cost-effective service delivery arrangements, having regard to the high rates of expenditure on agency staffing and overtime. The scheme will enable the health services to offer 1,000 graduate nurses positions for two years, at a time when job opportunities in the public service are very limited. Under the Haddington Road Agreement it was agreed that participants will be paid 85% of the first point of the new entrant scale in the first year and 90% in the second. Therefore it supports the retention of recently qualified graduate nurses and midwives within the Irish health system and enables them to gain valuable work experience and development opportunities post-graduation.

The educational component of the scheme will comprise a two year part-time three module Certificate Graduate Education Programme that will be Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland approved and academically accredited. This formally accredited programme will have currency for accreditation for prior learning by Higher Education Institutes when graduates wish to undertake further study and progress towards a Masters Level Award at a later stage in their career.

To date 115 staff nurse/midwife graduates have commenced employment. A significant number of candidates are currently going through the recruitment and clearance process or are awaiting their registration with An Bord Altranais and will commence work on receipt of this.

Health Services Provision

Questions (515)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

515. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide for dialectical behavioural therapy services in County Tipperary in line with the services that exist in Dublin and Cork; when they will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41795/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services

Questions (516)

Arthur Spring

Question:

516. Deputy Arthur Spring asked the Minister for Health if the child and adult mental health service will recognise and accept reports from qualified medical persons on behalf of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41797/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Prescription Charges

Questions (517)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

517. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Health his plans to abolish prescription fees for medical card holders when they reach 80 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41799/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Medical card holders are required to pay a €1.50 charge per item for medicines and other prescription items supplied to them by community pharmacists, subject to a cap of €19.50 per month for each person or family. Prescription charges do not apply to children in the care of the HSE or to methadone supplied to patients participating in the Methadone Treatment Scheme. There are no plans to provide for further exemptions from prescription charges

Local Drugs Task Forces Funding

Questions (518, 519)

Patrick Nulty

Question:

518. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that local drugs task forces have unofficially been told to expect a cut in the order of 7% to their funding in 2014; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in Blanchardstown, this would mean a reduction in methadone detox beds in Coolmine treatment centre of 16 for 2014, or a reduction of 12 places on Coolmine’s residential rehabilitation programme; his views on whether this will impact on the Government's goal of 100% of problem drug users accessing treatment within one month as itemised in the key performance indicators of the National Drugs Strategy 2008-2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41809/13]

Patrick Nulty

Question:

519. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that if local drugs task forces receive a 7% cut, there are fears that the Blanchardstown drug prevention education project, which works with young persons most at risk of drugs use and which is funded by the Blanchardstown drugs and alcohol task force, may be unable to function for more than 3.5 days per week in 2014 if the cuts are implemented; if his attention has been drawn to the impact this will have on local young persons in Blanchardstown using the service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41810/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 518 and 519 together.

In line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. Funding in 2014 for community drugs initiatives will be determined in the context of the Estimates process, taking into account the need to protect front line service provision as far as possible.