Written Answers Nos. 597-614
597. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the private companies that currently provide child-adult psychiatric and psychological services in the Munster region; the procurement procedure used in selecting such companies; the budget in 2013 for child-adult psychiatric services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42407/13]
View answerAs this is a service matter this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
600. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the numbers of women who availed of the BreastCheck screening service in each of the years 2010, 2011, 2012 and to the end of September 2013; if access is open and equitable across the State; the areas not yet fully catered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42432/13]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
601. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health in view of the increasing diversity of illicit drugs and prescribed drugs being abused in deprived parts of cities and towns and increasingly in conjunction with increased consumption of cheap alcohol and consequent damage to persons, families and communities, the way he will work with communities in facing the challenges of addiction and health resulting from these patterns of poly-drug use among varying age groups; if he is committed to a local integrated solution based approach; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42435/13]
View answerDrugs misuse continues to be one of the most significant challenges facing our country. It is highly destructive and has devastating effects on individuals, relationships, families, communities and society in general. Recent trends indicate that levels of illicit drug use remained stable in Ireland between 2006/7 and 2010/11. However, polydrug use is increasingly becoming the norm among those who take drugs. The use of two or more substances, often including alcohol, presents substantial risks to those involved, as well as increased challenges for treatment personnel. Moreover, there is clear evidence in relation to the harms caused by alcohol use and misuse to individuals and to Irish society.
Proposals are currently being finalised on foot of the recommendations in the Steering Group Report on a National Substance Misuse Strategy 2012. These proposals cover all of the areas mentioned in the report, including legislation on minimum unit pricing, controls on alcohol advertising and sponsorship and any attended impact on the revenue streams of organisations; labelling of alcohol products; measures on access and availability of alcohol and a social responsibility levy on the drinks industry. The Cabinet Committee on Social Policy has considered these proposals and it is intended to bring forward a finalised package of proposals for consideration by Government very shortly. In the meantime, work on developing a framework for the necessary Department of Health legislation is continuing.
The levels of usage of some prescription medicines, in particular benzodiazepines and z-drugs, are also a matter of concern. As the Deputy will be aware, my Department is preparing amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1988 which will include the introduction of measures to address the problem of the illicit trading and supply of benzodiazepines and z-drugs and other updates to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. The proposed draft Regulations constitute a major amendment to the Misuse of Drugs Regulations. The Government is committed to maintaining the integrated partnership approach which is a hallmark of the National Drugs Strategy. To this end, I will be meeting with representatives of the statutory, community and voluntary sectors and the Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in the coming weeks in order to strengthen and consolidate this approach, including at the local level.
602. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he has examined the current qualification system for Irish skippers and former fishermen hoping to work in the offshore wind industry; if his attention has been drawn to the restriction of Irish Masters ticket holders to Irish waters only and the adverse impact this restriction could pose to the continued employment of some Irish skippers and former fishermen in the offshore wind industry; if he intends to address the lack of certification for former fishermen to reflect their years of service in the Irish marine industry; and if he has examined the possibilities open to former skippers and fishermen to seek alternative employment in offshore wind installation and maintenance programmes. [41883/13]
View answer603. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he intends to liaise with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine to examine certification and retraining proposals to redeploy unemployed Irish fishermen and skippers into the offshore energy industry, such as in offshore wind installation and maintenance programmes. [41911/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 602 and 603 together.
The certification of seafarers, including fishermen, is governed strictly by the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW). The STCW convention allows for maritime administrations to issue national certification for domestic waters, but any certification for vessels on international voyages must comply in full with the STCW provisions.
My Department has published two Marine Notices to facilitate skippers and fishermen to attain an STCW qualification that would enable them to work in the wider marine sector. The first, Marine Notice 2 of 2009, sets out the process whereby certain fishermen can convert their existing qualifications to obtain the necessary Certificates of Competency to allow them to take up employment on stand-by, seismic survey or oceanographic research vessels. The second, Marine Notice 3 of 2009, gives details of how skippers holding particular Irish qualifications for fishing vessels can convert these to Certificates of Competency for certain merchant shipping qualifications. A skipper’s relevant experience will also be taken into account in this process. In addition, my Department is also considering at this time the possibility of introducing new provisions to enable the employment of persons with particular fishing vessel qualifications to work on certain domestic cargo vessels operating exclusively within the State.
604. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the Kilkenny ring road will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42099/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. Within its capital budget, the assessment and prioritisation of individual projects is a matter in the first instance for the NRA in accordance with Section 19 of the Roads Act. Noting the above position, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
605. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding a public transport walking initiative in respect of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 13; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41873/13]
View answerI am very familiar with the Initiative referred to in this PQ having met with Mr. Murphy in August this year. My Department has endeavoured to respond to the correspondence received and I have also sought the views of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on the matter. I have commend the work that Mr Murphy is doing in terms of promoting the “Sli na Slainte” walking initiative.
Mr Murphy proposes the use of signage on buses, trains and Luas stops/stations that would incorporate the Sli na Slainte logo. These signs would advocate walking 30 minutes every day. While I fully support the intention of such a campaign, given the undeniable benefits of walking from a health and environmental perspective, it is the case that this campaign fits more under the umbrella of a health initiative than a public transport initiative. Nevertheless I did meet with Mr Murphy and a representative of the NTA to assess the potential of assisting in this initiative. The NTA indicated that they cannot accommodate the “Sli na Slainte” symbol and message on bus stop information panels, due to space restrictions, bilingual requirements and overall legibility of the information sign.
In relation to bus shelters, where more space is available for information panels, the NTA intends providing local area maps with transport information as well as local area destination information. As part of the local area map, the Authority will be including a walking distance indicator from the bus shelter location, in a style that is in keeping with the overall mapping. The NTA have undertaken to meet with Mr Murphy along with their graphic designers to examine design options to also incorporate a version of this health message on the bus shelter information panels. I understand that this engagement is to take place shortly.
606. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will report on the decision to allocate funding to the Dublin Now project; the cost-benefit analysis of the project that has taken place; if he is satisfied that it will provide a benefit to the local economy. [41904/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for Fáilte Ireland. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
607. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the additional efforts Fáilte Ireland has made in 2013 to bring extra visitors here and, in particular, the those tourists interested in golf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41934/13]
View answerThe matter raised is an operational matter for the State tourism agencies. I have referred the Deputy's Question to Fáilte Ireland and Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.
608. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans regarding the introduction of a sports capital grant programme. [41956/13]
View answer609. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when applications will be called for the next round of funding under the sports capital programme; the approximate timing of when they are to be submitted to the Department and the expected date on which they will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41981/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 609 together.
No decision has been made on the timing of any future rounds of the Sports Capital Programme. Any future rounds of the Programme will be advertised in the national press. Any interested group should register on www.sportscapitalprogramme.ie as this will be the only way to apply under any future rounds of the Programme.
610. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will contact the chief executive officer of Iarnród Éireann to ensure the number of security personnel at Howth Junction-Donaghmede DART station are not reduced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42004/13]
View answerThe issue raised is a matter for Iarnród Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
611. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to the disturbance being caused to residents of an estate (details supplied) in Dublin 11 by aeroplanes flying over their houses between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. [42009/13]
View answerI have no statutory function in this matter. I have referred the Deputy's question to the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) for direct reply on the basis that the IAA has certain statutory responsiblities for noise related issues at Dublin Airport. Please contact my Private Office if you do not hear back from the IAA within 10 working days. Issues concerning air pollution fall within the remit of my colleague the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government.
612. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to renegotiate the subvention that is currently being paid to the operator of the M3 motorway; when the current contract with the operator will end; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42038/13]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. The planning, design and implementation of individual road projects is a matter for the National Roads Authority (NRA) under the Roads Acts 1993 to 2007 in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. In addition, the statutory power to levy tolls on national roads, to make toll bye-laws and to enter into toll agreements with private investors in respect of national roads is vested in the NRA under Part V of the Roads Act 1993 (as amended by the Planning and Development Act 2000 and the Roads Act 2007). I have referred the Deputy’s question to the NRA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.
613. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will request from Dublin City Council a detailed update on the progress and expected date of completion for the roll out of the next phase of Dublinbikes. [42051/13]
View answerDecisions regarding the expansion of the Dublinbikes scheme and progress made to date are matters falling entirely within the remit of Dublin City Council and the National Transport Authority (NTA), given their role in the implementation and development of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area as well as the development of an integrated, accessible public transport network. Accordingly, I have forwarded the Deputy's question to the NTA for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.
614. Deputy Andrew Doyle asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question No. 487 of 1 October 2013, if a logbook may be released to An Garda Síochána for a vehicle (details supplied) in County Wicklow for their inspection in order to pay road tax at the large public service vehicle rate, in view of the fact that the vehicle registration tax has been paid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42124/13]
View answerUnder the provisions of Section 131(5)(b) of the Finance Act, 1992, a Vehicle Registration Certificate may not issue for a vehicle unless motor tax has been paid. I understand that the vehicle in question was taxed by the owner at Wicklow motor tax office on 3 October 2013 and a Vehicle Registration Certificate (log book) issued from my Department on 4th October.
