Written Answers Nos. 401-416
401. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of first-time prisoners on rehabilitative, training, educational or upskilling courses at present; the extent to which all such places are filled; the number of unsuccessful applicants for such places; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53091/13]
View answerI am informed by the Director General of the Irish Prison Service that records of prisoner participation in vocational training and education programmes are not maintained in such a way as to provide the specific information sought by the Deputy.
The Irish Prison Service provides a wide range of rehabilitative programmes that include education, vocational training, health care, psychiatric, psychological, counselling, welfare and spiritual services. These programmes are available in all prisons and all prisoners are eligible to use the services. On committal, all prisoners are interviewed by the Governor and are informed of the services available in the prison. At this point prisoners may be referred to services or they can self refer at a later date. Where Governors consider, on the information available, that a prisoner needs a particular intervention they will initiate a referral.
The Irish Prison Service has also been expanding the number of accredited courses and opportunities available to prisoners in Work Training in recent years. Enhanced partnership arrangements with accrediting bodies such as City and Guilds, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), and the Guild of Launders and Cleaners and the centralising of co-ordination and quality assurance arrangements have enabled us to extend the number of available courses and activities with certification.
The development of prisoner programmes forms a central part of the Irish Prison Service Three Year Strategic Plan 2012 - 2015. There is a clear commitment in the Strategy to enhance sentence planning including Integrated Sentence Management and the delivery of prison based rehabilitative programmes such as education, work training and resettlement programmes.
402. Deputy Kevin Humphreys asked the Minister for Defence of the €2 million in capital spending recorded as not spent under the expenditure profile at end November in the most recent analysis of Gross Voted Expenditure Exchequer figures, the reason for the underspend; if he will provide a breakdown of the capital projects or outlays that have not commenced as yet as per the profile; if any of the total €107.2 million in total capital carryover in Government for 2012 relates to his Department; the amount of same; if it has been spent; on what it has been spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52954/13]
View answerThe variance between profiled and actual capital expenditure within the Defence Vote at the end of November 2013 is largely due to some of the more significant works projects not progressing as originally scheduled. In particular, building works in the Curragh Camp and refurbishment works in McKee Barracks were delayed earlier in the year. The factors which led to the initial delays have been addressed and the projects are now underway. A capital carryover of €900,000 from 2012 has been fully spent in 2013. Progress on capital projects is reviewed on an ongoing basis and, where unforeseen delays arise on particular projects, other projects are brought forward, in so far as is possible. My Department has also received approval for an application for a deferred surrender of €900,000 of capital funds to 2014 to meet commitments which will not mature before year-end, due to the delays referred to above. At this point, it is expected that the remaining funding for 2013 will be substantially spent by year end.
403. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence the number of submissions he has received to date on the Green Paper on Defence consultations held by his Department; the expected time line for the White Paper on Defence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53117/13]
View answerThe Green Paper on Defence, which was published earlier this year, initiated a public consultative process which will inform the development of the next White Paper on Defence. The response to the request for submissions has been very positive. 122 submissions were received from a wide and diverse range of sources. As part of the consultative process, a number of people who made written submissions have been invited to meet with civil and military staff of the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. The purpose of these meetings is to provide the opportunity to certain individuals/organisations to elaborate further on their submission. It also allows the representatives from the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces to explore aspects of these submissions. These meetings are ongoing and will continue into early 2014.
The White Paper on Defence is due to be completed and submitted to Government for approval in 2014.
404. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Minister for Defence his plans regarding a service and facilities at a clinic (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53121/13]
View answerThe Curragh Families Clinic currently provides free GP and pharmacy services to the families of certain enlisted military personnel who are resident within the Curragh camp and surrounding areas. The services provided by the Clinic are being discontinued with effect from 31 December 2013. The service dates back to a time where the provision of medical services for all families of enlisted personnel was included in Defence Forces Regulations. Following the introduction of free public hospital care for all citizens in the 1970s, the entitlement to medical services for military families was formally removed from Regulations in 1987 and the family section of the Curragh Military Hospital closed at this time. However, the Curragh Families Clinic was retained because of the difficulty in obtaining doctor and pharmacy services in the Curragh area at the time. This is no longer the case.
The service is an anomaly in that it is a benefit which is only available to a relatively small number of families resident within the Curragh Camp and surrounding areas. Similar services are not provided to families of enlisted military personnel at any other location in the State. A further anomaly arises in that new personnel deployed to the Curragh in recent times do not receive the benefit of free family care.
A number of reviews, undertaken in the period since 1990, have recommended that the Clinic be closed. The decision to discontinue the operation of the clinic has been made having regard to those reviews, equity considerations and the cost of the service.
I would like to emphasise that the families affected will have the same rights of access to public health services as other families of enlisted personnel. Also, existing services are being maintained until 31 December 2013 to allow families make arrangements to transfer to local GPs and apply for medical cards or GP visit cards if required. As I have indicated previously, if any patient requires assistance in finding a new GP or applying for a medical or GP visit card this can be provided by staff in the Clinic during the transition period.
405. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Defence the amount of funding his Department gives to Irish charities; the name of each organisation that receives funding; the amount of funding each organisation receives; the number of such that are open and transparent regarding salaries; and the steps he is taking to deal with non-disclosures. [53548/13]
View answerThe table below outlines the amounts paid by my Department to registered charities in 2013:
|
Organisation/Body |
Organisation/Body |
Organisation/Body |
|
Organisation of National ex-Servicemen and Women (ONE) |
Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) |
The Irish Red Cross Society |
|
€ 40,000 |
€ 10,000 |
€ 739,000 |
Both the Organisation of National ex-Servicemen and Women (ONE) and Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) are registered as charitable organisations (CHY 13868 and CHY 10066 respectively). A condition of the grants/subventions to ONE and IUNVA is the annual submission of audited accounts to my Department. The ONE audited accounts contain details of the moneys paid in salaries by the Organisation. IUNVA does not have any employees.
The Irish Red Cross Society (CHY 3950) is an independent statute based charitable organisation with full power to manage its own affairs. This grant is provided as a contribution towards the salary and administration costs of running the Society's headquarters. A report on how the annual grant is utilised by the Society is provided to my Department each year.
406. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide details of the funding committed under the aquaculture initiative by his Department in 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52472/13]
View answerThe Aquaculture Initiative (CBAIT) was established in 1998 as a European Economic Interest Group (EEIG) under the European Communities (European Economic Interest Groupings) Regulations 1989 – S.I. 191 of 1989 with Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) listed as the member for Ireland. CBAIT was established for the purpose of assisting in the development of the aquaculture sector in the Six Counties of Northern Ireland and in the six Border counties of Ireland.
CBAIT’s operating costs were funded primarily under the PEACE Programme and its successors however that source of funding is no longer available. On 1st January 2012 personnel in CBAIT, assigned to the six Border counties of Ireland, were absorbed into the BIM staff complement.
BIM continues to support the development of aquaculture on a national basis. The amounts allocated to aquaculture development through national and EU measures for the years 2011, 2012 and 2013 were €654,402, €546,456 and €260,198 (year to date) respectively.
407. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to put in place a strict time limit for aquaculture licence applications to ensure that aquaculture companies can effectively plan for the future and meet the ambitious targets of Harvest 2020. [52485/13]
View answerThe majority of areas for which aquaculture licences are sought are located in areas designated as Special Areas of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and/or Special Protection Areas under the EU Birds Directive (known as ‘Natura 2000’areas). All applications in 'Natura 2000’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Habitats/Birds Directives. An additional factor is that all aquaculture applications now undergo Environmental Impact pre-screening assessment which requires significant input from my Department's scientific and technical advisers.
My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of 'Natura 2000' areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. Analysis of the data, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.
The timeframe for processing each particular application varies depending on location, species, scale and intensity of production, statutory status of sites, potential visual impact etc. Other factors include consideration of any submissions or observations raised during the public consultation period.
My Department continues to make every effort to expedite the determination of all aquaculture applications having regard to the complexities of each case and the need to comply fully with all national and EU legislation.
408. Deputy Dan Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will expedite a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick. [52497/13]
View answerThe 50% advance under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme issued to the person named on 12 November 2013 and the balancing payment on 2 December 2013, directly to the nominated bank account of to the person named.
409. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are means of compensation for a person (details supplied) in County Laois when delays in testing for bovine tuberculosis had a negative impact on the farm business; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52578/13]
View answerIn line with normal rules, a restriction was imposed on the outward movement of cattle from the herd of the person concerned in April 2013 (which, nonetheless, facilitated movement to slaughter) due to the presence in that herd of more than 20% of animals which had not been tested within the requisite 12 month period. The herdowner was notified at that time that the restriction notice could only be lifted after the testing was carried out. This testing was undertaken in November, following which the restriction was removed. No compensation arises in such cases.
410. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment and a disadvantaged area payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52585/13]
View answerAn application in respect of the Single Payment Scheme and Disadvantaged Area Scheme was received from the above named on 3rd May 2013.
This application of the person named was selected for Satellite (remote sensing) Inspection. Following initial processing an over claim of less than 3% was determined. A letter explaining the foregoing and also informing the person named of a right to appeal, issued on 13 November 2013. In the meantime the advance of the Single Farm Payment, with a deduction for the over claim identified, was issued on 14th November and the remaining balancing payment due was issued on 2nd December to the nominated bank account of the person named. Payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme has also issued on 25th November to the relevant nominated bank account.
411. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form, all the current offshore marine finfish aquaculture licences issued to operators here; if he will supply for each licence the file reference licence identifier, the site name and grid references, the licensee name company, the current operator's name or company; if the site is being used in 2013; the tonnage, area, maximum smoult input; the licence expiry date; if a renewal has been applied for; the annual aquaculture licence fee; the annual foreshore licence fee; and the sum of arrears owing on each licence. [52626/13]
View answerThe detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and will require extensive compilation by my Department from documentary and electronic sources.
The information will be forwarded to the Deputy within two weeks.
412. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the penalties that have been assessed against a person (details supplied) in County Galway; the reason the penalties have been applied; the scheme years to which the penalties apply; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52629/13]
View answerThe person named submitted a Single Farm Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme application on 16 April 2013. EU regulations governing the administration of the schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases farm inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a ground eligibility/cross compliance inspection.
The ground eligibility inspection identified discrepancies between the area declared and the area found, resulting in an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20%. Based on the Terms and Conditions of the schemes, this results in the 2013 payments being based on the found area having being reduced by double the difference between the area found and the area claimed.
The cross compliance inspection identified breaches relating to requirements applying to the Nitrates Regulations in relation to the stockpiling of farmyard manure, resulting in a 20% penalty. Further breaches were identified relating to the requirement to maintain land in Good Agricultural and Environmental Condition in relation to lands being poached by animals leading to soil erosion and the direct discharge of slurry to groundwater, resulting in a 20% penalty. The combined penalties results in a total cross compliance penalty of 40% being applied to the 2013 payments.
The person named was notified of these decisions on 20 September 2013 and 20 November 2013 respectively. The person named was also informed of the right to seek a review of these decisions. In the event that the person named in dissatisfied with the outcome of any review, the decision can be appealed to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
Payment of the advance and balancing payments under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme, on the basis set out above, issued to the nominated bank account of the person named on 14 November and 2 December 2013, respectively. Payment under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, on the basis set out above, issued on 25 November 2013.
413. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the future of the turbary scheme in respect of Kilbride bog, County Mayo (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52632/13]
View answerPreliminary work was carried out a number of years ago to deal with the possible disposal of the turbary rights still on hands in the Carrowleagh area but due to the limited resources available a Scheme did not proceed. It is anticipated that the matter will be re-examined in 2014 and the individual named will be contacted if a Scheme to dispose of the turbary rights is proceeding.
414. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the agri-environment options scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52672/13]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the 2011 Agri-Environment Options Scheme with effect from 1st September 2011 and has received full payment in respect of the 2011 and 2012 Scheme years.
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. These checks have been successfully completed in respect of the 2013 Scheme year and 75% payment issued on the 28th November 2013. I expect the balancing 25% payment in respect of 2013 will issue shortly.
415. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment under the disadvantaged areas scheme will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52675/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Disadvantaged Area Scheme has recently been finalised, payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
416. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when single farm payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52676/13]
View answerAs processing of the application of the person named under the 2013 Single Payment Scheme has recently been finalised, payment will issue shortly, directly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
