Written Answers Nos. 363-377
363. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment of a single farm headage payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43508/13]
View answerThe person named is one of a number of applicants under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, whose cases were impacted by the requirement to have achieved a minimum stocking density of 0.3 livestock units per forage hectare in 2011, and who applied for and were refused derogation in this regard. The person named subsequently appealed unsuccessfully to the independently chaired DAS Appeals Committee who advised of the option to pursue the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman.
364. Deputy John O'Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their disadvantaged areas scheme payment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43530/13]
View answerPayments under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme commenced, on schedule, on 25 September and, to date, payments worth €143.3 million have issued nationally, to some 67,538 applicants, with payments continuing to issue on a twice weekly basis, with individual cases being paid as they are confirmed eligible. As processing of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application of the person named has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
365. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite completion of the digitising process in respect of a disadvantaged areas payment for a person (details supplied) in County Cork; if he will expedite payment of disadvantaged areas moneys due; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43533/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 19 April 2013. While processing the application an over-claim was identified in respect of one parcel declared by the person named. The person named has been notified of the over-claim and of his right of appeal. To date no appeal has been received. As the person named has a determined area of greater than 34 hectares the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme payment will shortly issue to the person named without any reduction penalty. Also the 50% advance payment under the Single Farm Payment Scheme will commence on 16 October and I expect that payment will issue to the person named on that date subject to a reduction penalty of between 3 and 20% based on the area determined.
366. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have their disadvantaged areas payment processed; if will he explain the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43534/13]
View answerAs processing of the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application of the person named has recently been finalised, payment will shortly issue, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
367. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will have their disadvantaged areas payment processed; if he will explain the reason for the delay in same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43535/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 March 2013. Payment has not yet issued to the person named as the holding has not satisfied the Scheme minimum stocking density requirements. Immediately the holding concerned is confirmed as having met these requirements, the case will be further processed with a view to payment at the earliest possible date thereafter.
368. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their disadvantaged areas payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43603/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 6 May 2013. Full payment totalling €3,400.86 issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 10 October 2013.
369. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Cork will receive their disadvantaged areas payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43604/13]
View answerAn application under the 2013 Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 8 May 2013. Full payment totalling €1,844.93 issued directly to the nominated bank account of the person named on 11 October 2013.
370. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rules in relation to the movement of cattle under the beef quality assurance scheme; if the restriction of movement of cattle under this scheme is disqualifying many farmers from the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43634/13]
View answerThe Bord Bia Beef and Lamb Quality Assurance Scheme (BLQAS) supports the Irish food industry by re-assuring consumers on food safety, traceability and origin. It is an integrated, voluntary scheme incorporating processors and producers and currently includes over 35,000 certified beef farms representing an estimated 87% of national production. Producers may apply for membership of the scheme directly to Bord Bia or through a meat plant and if accepted are subject to independent auditing conducted on an 18-month cycle. Approved farmers must be aware of the residency requirements for cattle which are verified at Bord Bia Approved Processor outlets. The BLQAS rules require that cattle must be resident on approved farm(s) for a minimum of 70 days prior to slaughter. Membership numbers have increased by approximately 6,000 farms over the past 12 months and therefore there is little evidence that the movement requirements are having a deterrent effect.
371. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of projects that Mayo County Council applied for funding under the marine leisure and marine tourism capital infrastructure development programme; the details of each project; the total value of each project and the sum applied for for each project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43658/13]
View answerThe applications received from Mayo County Council for funding under the 2013 Marine Leisure & Marine Tourism Capital Infrastructure Development Programme were as follows:
2013 Application for funding from Mayo County Council
|
Location |
Project Works |
100% Project Cost |
|
Killala Harbour |
Reconstruction of Harbour Walls and Safety Works |
€240,000 |
|
Westport |
New marine tourism /leisure infrastructure for Westport Harbour incorporating boat hard-standing, associated services and a new tourism amenity park. |
€200,000 |
The Killala Harbour project was not deemed appropriate for funding under this programme. However, funding in the amount of €150,000 has been approved for works at Westport under the Programme. The funding provided is 75% of the total cost of the project which is in accordance with the terms and conditions of the programme.
372. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 1244 of 18 September 2013, the reason referrals to the youth advocacy programme are so low in County Kerry; the steps that will be taken to ensure the relevant State agencies are encouraged to use the service more; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43456/13]
View answerWhen a young person becomes known to the HSE, the needs of the young person and their family are assessed in order to identify the most appropriate services which may assist them. Direct services are provided through the HSE Social Work and Family Support Department, or where necessary, a referral may be made to another service, such as the Youth Advocacy Programme.
The Youth Advocacy Programme has been available in Kerry since May 2011 and in that time there have been 12 referrals at a cost of €75,000. The Youth Advocacy Programme is one of a number of programmes available within the Kerry region to support young people and their families. Other services include the Springboard programme, the Neighbourhood Youth Project, and 14 Family Resource Centres. The HSE also works in tandem with, and supports, two counselling services for children.
The HSE has advised that as of October 1st, 2013, there were no unallocated child protection cases in Kerry. However as new cases come to the attention of the HSE the needs of children, young people and their families will be assessed and, based on this needs assessment, they will continue to be referred to the most appropriate service taking into account the services which are available and the outcomes of previously referred cases.
373. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she will consider amending section 41 of the Adoption Act 2010 in view of the distressing situation in which a number of young families intending to adopt children from Russia find themselves, who have pre-2010 declarations and who were in the process with the relevant authorities of bringing matters to a conclusion before 31 October; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43048/13]
View answer378. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to resolve the situation which sees a number of prospective Irish adopters prevented from adopting children in Russia due to recent protocol changes in that country; the measures which will be taken before the end of October 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43501/13]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 378 together.
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. 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 the 31st October 2013. 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.
In an effort to assist I have been using diplomatic channels to seek solutions for the applicants involved. These diplomatic channels were used to fully outline the difficult situation these applicants have been put in following the change in Russian procedures and to explore possible solutions. However, despite initial positive soundings from all those canvassed, when 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 he 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. In saying that 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.
Therefore it is apparent that the Russian Authorities will not move to address the difficulties faced by these Irish applicants due to the amendments to the Russian legislation. As I have previously indicated I have received representations that include 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. These legislative issues are receiving consideration by my Department.
I have also arranged to meet applicants affected by this situation later this week to update them on the situation.
374. Deputy Seán Ó Fearghaíl asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to amend the Child Care Act 1991; if she will be amending section 54 of that Act; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43063/13]
View answerAmendments of the Child Care Act 1991, including Section 54, 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.
375. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to introduce statutory regulation of the after school sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43090/13]
View answerThe Child Care Act, 1991 is the primary legislation for regulating childcare policy. The Act currently provides for the making of regulations for pre-school services and amendments to the Act to provide for the regulation of after-school services are being brought forward as part of legislative process for the establishment by my Department 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.
376. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when an announcement will be made regarding awarding of grants to youth cafes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43091/13]
View answerFunding in the region of €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 Youth Café scheme places a clear focus on both long term sustainability and service planning. Pobal is assisting my Department in managing the Youth Café Programme in 2013.
In all, 95 applications have been received for the scheme. The initial evaluation of the applications has been completed and the appraisal process is underway in my Department and nearing completion. It is expected that applicants will be notified of the outcome in the coming weeks.
377. Deputy Gerald Nash asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has made submissions to the Department of Finance in relation to the area of making child care deductible for tax purposes; her views on this issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43092/13]
View answerThe question of tax allowances for working parents who incur childcare costs was considered prior to the introduction of the targeted childcare supports which are now in place. A number of issues emerged at that time which did not favour the introduction of tax relief for childcare. This approach would not benefit parents working in the home and could, therefore, be seen by some as discriminatory. Tax reliefs would favour the higher-paid, and those on the minimum wage or in part-time work would not be in a position to benefit to the same extent. Many parents use childminders or relatives to meet their childcare requirements and may not be in a position to obtain receipts, making it impossible for them to establish their entitlement to tax relief. I consider that the childcare programmes implemented by my Department, which include the universal free pre-school year, the Community Childcare Subvention programme and the Childcare Education and Training Support programme, are a fairer way of supporting parents who require childcare.
