Written Answers Nos. 604-628
604. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is intended to seek protected geographical indication, PGI, status for Irish beef in a joint application with the Northern Ireland Minister for Agriculture; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29801/14]
View answerThe European Union scheme of geographical indications (GI) protects the names of quality agricultural products and foodstuffs where a strong link exists between the characteristics of a product or foodstuff and the defined geographical area. It represents a niche in European food production where a speciality typical of the locality is produced in a common way. In the case of a Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) the product must be produced or processed or prepared in the geographical area and a specific quality, reputation or other characteristics must be attributable to that area.
The concept is one of a local or regional food or ""terroir" rather than national reputation. A previous application for Irish Beef was withdrawn as the European Commission did not accept that there were exceptional circumstances to justify the use of the name of a Member State in the proposed PGI. The Commission also expressed reservations about an application to register 'Northern Ireland Beef' as a PGI.
Since then producer bodies and agencies have from time to time explored the possibility of a joint application but have not to date reached a shared position. If a consensus develops on the value of applying for an all island 'Irish Beef' PGI, my Department and its agencies will work with producer bodies and our counterparts on this matter. While the regulation now permits the use of the name of a Member State on a GI , however the qualities of the product have to be the same and it must be demonstrated how the same geographical and human factors throughout the whole geographical area have produced this product. There is furthermore, a very significant difficulty in establishing a PGI where, as in the case of beef, labelling rules already require the declaration of the Member State of origin.
Applications are developed by producer groups and are submitted by Member States who may agree that one Member State should submit the joint application. An application may cross more than one jurisdiction if the geographical area and region share the particular characteristics. I have discussed this with Minister O’Neill and we will continue to work together to support the development of opportunities for Irish beef farmers.
606. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the agri-environment option scheme payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry [29840/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from 1 May 2013. 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 over claim was identified in relation to the Natura action which resulted in deductions been made from the 2013 Scheme year payment. The person named was notified of these deductions by letter and 75% entitlements in respect of 2013 issued on the 30 June 2014. Final arrangements are in train to issue the balancing 25% payment to all eligible AEOS 3 participants as soon as possible.
607. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the cull of badgers to stop the spread of TB (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29859/14]
View answerMy Department’s TB Eradication Programme has incorporated a comprehensive badger removal policy since 2004 in response to research conducted over the years by the Department and others which demonstrated that the eradication of the disease is not a practicable proposition until the issue of the reservoir of infection in badgers, which is seeding infection into the cattle population, is addressed. This policy aims to limit the spread of TB infection within badgers and, as a result, their role as a vector of infection to the local cattle population. It is widely recognised among the scientific community that TB is maintained independently in both cattle and badgers that share the same environment and that there is interspecies transmission. This leads to spill back to cattle initiating an outbreak and leading to recurring bovine-to-bovine disease spread within cattle herds.
Under the wildlife strategy operated by my Department, badgers are removed in areas where they are associated with serious TB breakdown in cattle. Capturing is undertaken under licence, issued by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, following an epidemiological investigation carried out by my Department’s Veterinary Inspectorate that has found that badgers are the likely source of infection. Approximately 6,000 badgers are removed annually under the programme. However, the D/AHG licence issued to my Department limits capture to a maximum of 30% of the agriculture land at a national level so as to ensure that the badger population remains viable and not under threat. This limit ensures that Ireland remains in compliance with the Council of Europe’s Berne Convention. The success of this strategy can be seen from the fact that the disease level in badgers is about half of what it had been in 2002.
My Department also invests in extensive research in relation to badger ecology and vaccination programmes. The aim of this research is to replace badger culling with vaccination when research currently being undertaken demonstrates that this is a practicable proposition. However, targeted badger removals will continue in the medium term. In my earlier reply, I drew attention to the progressive and significant improvements in the TB situation in recent years with levels at the lowest since the commencement of the eradication programme in the 1950s. I fully recognise that, despite the progress made, the disease remains a real problem for those, albeit lower numbers of herd owners, affected. The eradication programme also continues to represent a significant cost to the State, notwithstanding the expenditure reductions achieved as result of the lower disease incidence. It is therefore in the interests of all concerned to build on the progress made to work towards eradication of the disease.
608. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application for AEOS payment will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29885/14]
View answerThe person named was approved for participation in the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS 3) with effect from the 1 May 2013. 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, have to be completed before any payment can issue. During these checks a query arose in respect of land parcels declared which required digitisation. This is being dealt with by my Department at present and once the digitisation process is completed, the application will be processed with a view to making payment in respect of 2013 at the earliest opportunity.
609. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason no sufficient advertising was carried out by his Department to announce the publication of the draft code of practice for the fur farming of mink; the reason no invitation was advertised for public consultation; the reason no date of publication was published on his Department's website including a deadline date for public submissions or an email address to send the public submissions; the reason no real consultative process was carried out with animal welfare groups inviting their formal submissions for the draft code of practice; if the current drafting of a code of practice for circuses is open to public consultation; where on the website this information is available; his views on extending the deadline for both submissions in view of the lack of sufficient public awareness of this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29927/14]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, there was an extensive Public Consultation in 2008 and 2009 on the Animal Health and Welfare Bill which covered all aspects of animal health and welfare. Furthermore, there was an extensive debate on these issues in both houses of the Oireachtas, including on fur farming. My Department issued a press release on 7 of March announcing the commencement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This press release also stated that, as part of this commencement, the draft Code of Practice on Mink Farming was being placed on the Department of Agriculture website for public consultation. I have extended the deadline for submissions on the draft Code for The Farming of Mink to Friday, 18 July 2014. The Code for of Practice for Circuses is not at a draft stage yet. However, my Department will happily receive submissions in the preparation of the Code.
611. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide in tabular form details of increments paid since 2008 in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30525/14]
View answerThe number of increments awarded to the various groups of staff employed by my Department in the period requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Agricultural Inspector Grades |
Technical Agricultural Officer Grades |
Veterinary Inspector Grades |
Administrative Grades |
Total No. Increments awarded |
|
2008 |
191 |
225 |
230 |
1060 |
1706 |
|
2009 |
227 |
250 |
166 |
1042 |
1685 |
|
2010 |
215 |
250 |
137 |
976 |
1578 |
|
2011 |
167 |
152 |
125 |
802 |
1246 |
|
2012 |
161 |
158 |
90 |
677 |
1086 |
|
2013 |
136 |
188 |
110 |
524 |
958 |
|
Jan-Jun14 |
56 |
50 |
57 |
222 |
385 |
|
- |
- |
- |
- |
Grand Total |
8644 |
612. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of retired civil and public servants that have been rehired on temporary contracts or as consultants under his remit; if he will provide a breakdown of those figures in tabular form, providing associated costs of such rehiring; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30550/14]
View answerDetails of retired staff who have been re-hired by my Department on a contract basis since March 2011 are set out in the table below. These contracts which have now expired were subject to normal pension abatement rules.
|
Grade prior to retirement |
Costs associated with contract |
|
Assistant Secretary General |
2011 - €66,047 |
|
- |
2012 - €75,352 |
|
- |
2013 - €52,231 |
|
Principal Officer |
2012 - €2,629 |
|
- |
2013 - €9,281 |
613. Deputy Ann Phelan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons that have engaged with the Insolvency Service of Ireland to date; the number of cases that have dealt with mortgage arrears specifically; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28971/14]
View answerAs I advised the Deputy last week, the Insolvency Service of Ireland (ISI) releases its statistics on a quarterly basis and the most up to date figures reflecting Quarter 2 of 2014 will be published on the ISI’s website www.isi.gov.ie later this month. As outlined in the ISI’s Quarter 1 Statistical Report, the number of cases as at 31 March 2014 was as follows:
- 55 Debt Solution Arrangements Approved (44 Debt Relief Notices, 7 Debt Settlement Arrangements and 4 Personal Insolvency Arrangements);
- 523 cases in progress - (320 PIAs, 121 DSAs and 82 DRNs);
- 70 Protective Certificates issued by the Courts. (Protective Certificates give protection to debtors against legal action by creditors for a period and allows a Personal Insolvency Practitioner 70 days in which to develop an arrangement);
- 66 bankruptcies in the first Quarter of 2014.
In terms of other engagement with the Service, I can advise the Deputy that since 2013 the ISI has received almost 11,000 telephone calls to its information line and 2,500 email enquiries. The ISI website had in excess of 166,000 website visits and more than 55,000 documents were downloaded from the site. The ISI has advised that it does not have data available on the number of cases that dealt specifically with mortgage arrears.
614. Deputy Billy Timmins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Mental Health Commission Annual Report 2013, which states that there are other areas where progress remains slow and is a cause of frustration; the fact that the Assisted Decision Making (Capacity) Bill, published in July 2013, has not been passed; the fact that Ireland’s name remains absent from the list of signatories of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29207/14]
View answerThe Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill is a far-reaching Bill which provides for a comprehensive reform of the legislation relating to capacity and to decision-making by persons who have difficulty in making decisions unaided. What has been proposed in this Bill represents international best practice. Nonetheless, international legislation in this area is rapidly evolving and new approaches are being developed all the time. This has necessitated extensive consultation on the Bill. The Bill’s publication in July 2013 was followed in September by a consultation symposium organised by my Department, by the Dáil Second Stage debate in December 2013, and by a second consultation process undertaken by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality, in Spring 2014.
All of these processes identified areas of the Bill which required amendment to ensure a better fit with the requirements of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the European Convention on Human Rights. Amending provisions are being drafted by the Department in tandem with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. These will be introduced at Committee Stage which is currently awaited. In addition, provisions on Advance Healthcare Directives will be incorporated at Committee Stage. The aim is to enact the legislation this year.
As the Deputy is no doubt aware, the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Bill is one of the core elements of the remaining work to be completed to enable ratification by the State of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The Government intends to proceed to ratification of the Convention as quickly as possible, taking into account the need to ensure all necessary legislative and administrative requirements under the Convention are met.
An interdepartmental committee on the Convention is reviewing the remaining legislative and administrative actions required to enable ratification. As part of its work programme, the committee has identified issues to be considered by various Departments and examination of these issues is ongoing. At the request of the committee, the National Disability Authority, the lead statutory agency for the sector, is also assisting in assessing remaining requirements for ratification to ensure that all outstanding issues will be comprehensively addressed. As the Deputy may be aware, Ireland does not become party to treaties until it is first in a position to comply with the obligations imposed by them, including the amendment of domestic law as necessary.
615. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality on speed detection vans, the number of speed detection operations carried out in County Longford in the years 2012 and 2013; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29272/14]
View answer616. Deputy James Bannon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality on speed detection vans operating in County Longford in 2012 and 2013 the amount of revenue that was generated; the location that generated the most revenue; the amount and the number of visits made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29410/14]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 615 and 616 together.
I have requested a report from the Garda authorities regarding the information available to them in relation to the matter referred to and I will contact the Deputy directly as soon as the report is to hand.
617. Deputy Damien English asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline any body of work that she has carried out to date on the issue of introducing shared parental leave; her views that a more flexible system is needed for parents of new born babies to allow them to choose the best work and family balance for their lives; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29427/14]
View answerWork on the preparation of a Family Leave Bill is underway and I hope be in a position to publish it before the end of 2014. As already announced, this Bill will provide for the consolidation into one piece of legislation of the current provisions regarding maternity, adoptive, parental and carer's leave. As the Deputy will be aware, the Government agreed, in 2013, not to oppose a Private Members' Bill introduced in Seanad Éireann by Senator Mary White, which provides for the sharing by the mother and father of the current maternity leave provision. The Government supports the principle of such flexibility, but the precise details of how this might be achieved need further consideration and consultation. Minister of State Lynch on behalf of the Government has indicated in the Seanad debates on the Bill that significant detailed amendments would be required and work is ongoing within my Department in this regard. I might also mention the current provision of 18 weeks unpaid parental leave is available to each parent per child. This was increased to 18 weeks from the previous applicable allowance of 14 weeks in 2013.
618. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider extending data protection legislation to cover records that are kept by religious institutions. [29774/14]
View answerThe position is that the Council of Europe's Data Protection Convention (1981) and the European Union's Data Protection Directive (1995) have been transposed into national law in the Data Protection Acts 1988 and 2003. The data protection rights of individuals under these Acts are generally applicable and the legislation does not distinguish between religious institutions and other bodies acting in their capacity as data controller when holding or processing the personal data of individuals.
619. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the funding that has been provided for counselling for victims of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings; the reason this funding has been withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29026/14]
View answerI refer the Deputy to my reply to Question No. 152 of 18 June 2014. The position in this regard has not changed.
The troubles on this island exacted a tragic human cost in terms of the lives lost, people injured and families bereaved. The impact of the many atrocities perpetrated over the course of the troubles lives long in our memory and is felt to this very day. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.
As part and parcel of addressing the legacy of conflict for victims, the Government established the Remembrance Commission. Over the lifetime of the Remembrance Commission from 2003 to 2008 €3.87 million in funding was made available to individual victims of the conflict in Northern Ireland resident in this jurisdiction to acknowledge their suffering, to address economic hardship and certain medical expenses. A significant amount of funding was also made available directly to Justice for the Forgotten, a group which supports many of the victims.
The exceptional payments element of the Remembrance Commission scheme provided for the possibility for payment of counselling expenses incurred prior to the establishment of the scheme, in the circumstances outlined in the scheme. Some ongoing counselling services were provided through Justice for the Forgotten.
Although it was not possible for my Department to continue funding Justice for the Forgotten, I am happy to inform the Deputy that the group was recently awarded funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under its Reconciliation and Anti-Sectarianism Funds to allow it to continue the important work it carries out for the victims it represents.
I might add that while it is not possible to extend the nature of the schemes administered by my Department's Victims of Crime Office, I can reiterate the assurances given previously that funding for certain ongoing medical needs of the people who sustained injuries in the bombings has been and will continue to be provided through my Department’s Victims of Crime Office.
620. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider taking on board an amnesty similar, but to a lesser degree, to that given by the Czech President Václav Klaus in 2013, where he granted amnesty to a third of his country's prisoners to mark 20 years of the Czech Republic's independence; if the Government will consider such a gesture having devised their own criteria of who would be eligible, in honour of the 1916 commemorations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29028/14]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that the Government has no plans to introduce such an amnesty here.
621. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline in tabular form for each year from 2009 to date in 2014 the total number of FOI requests received by her Department; the total refused; total granted; total part-granted; total appealed; total of successful appeals; total of part-successful appeals; total of refusals; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29072/14]
View answerThe information sought by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Number received |
Number Granted |
Number Part Granted |
Number refused |
Number Appealed |
Number Granted or Decision set aside |
Number Part Granted |
Number of Appeals Refused |
|
2009 |
844 |
214 |
187 |
123 |
61 |
9 |
18 |
24 |
|
2010 |
598 |
170 |
174 |
149 |
78 |
11 |
21 |
40 |
|
2011 |
597 |
116 |
263 |
117 |
67 |
11 |
17 |
37 |
|
2012 |
594 |
184 |
226 |
142 |
60 |
9 |
13 |
38 |
|
2103 |
550 |
176 |
233 |
116 |
84 |
7 |
21 |
52 |
|
2014* |
281 |
66 |
105 |
76 |
32 |
2 |
7 |
14 |
*Figures are up to end of June 2014. This figure also includes the number of requests which are ongoing.
I wish to point out to the Deputy that the figure for the number of Freedom of Information requests received each year also includes number of requests which were transferred, withdrawn and/or handled outside the Act. It is for this reason that the figures referring to the overall number of requests received, do not equate to the figures granted/part granted/refuse for each year.
622. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the number of staff in her Department currently on a sabbatical or career break, broken down by timeframe, that is, less than six months, six to 12 months, one to two years, two to three years, four to five years, and five years plus; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29089/14]
View answerAs of 3 July, 2014, the numbers of staff in my Department on career break is as set out in the following table. The information is provided in tabular format as requested and, while not requested by the Deputy, I have also included information for staff on career break in the 3-4 year category. The Deputy should note that the term sabbatical is not utilised in the context of leave granted to staff.
|
0-6 months |
3 |
|
6-12 months |
5 |
|
1-2 years |
15 |
|
2-3 years |
13 |
|
3-4 years |
7 |
|
4-5 years |
20 |
|
5+ years |
14 |
|
Total |
77 |
623. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, the total photography costs for her Department since coming to office inclusive of costs incurred from use of the ministerial allowance; the list of occasions for which photographers were booked; the photographers used; the breakdown of costs associated with each occasion that a photographer was used; if there is a policy regarding the booking of photographers within her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29106/14]
View answerPhotographic services are only used by my Department to mark and provide a record of significant occasions. Consideration is given at all times to the costs involved and best value for money is always a priority when sourcing such services. The photography costs incurred by my Department and agencies under my remit from the date of my appointment on 8 May 2014 to date, are set out as follows.
|
Occasion |
Photographer |
Cost |
|
Appointment of Chief Executive Designate to Charities Regulatory Authority |
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
€123 |
|
First Board meeting of the Charities Regulatory Authority |
Maxwell Photography Ltd |
€275.52 |
624. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide, in tabular form, the use of external public relations firms employed by her Department since coming to office; the list of uses of each external public relations firm; the internal Department policy with regard to employing external groups; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29123/14]
View answerMy Department's records to date show no external public relations firms have been employed since I took office. It is my Department's policy to use in house resources as much as possible and to restrict the use of external groups to a minimum.
625. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on the concerns over the resource and IT limitations of the computer crime investigation unit of the Garda Síochána that has led to serious delays in prosecuting persons suspected of having images of child abuse stored on their computers. [29130/14]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the provision and deployment of Garda resources, including to specialist units, is a matter for the Acting Garda Commissioner. In that regard, he will be aware that the Acting Commissioner has directed an immediate, comprehensive review and strategic realignment of Garda capacity to deal with emerging crime of this nature. In addition, the Acting Commissioner has recently put in place a number of new structures, processes and procedures, for implementation with immediate effect within the Computer Crime Investigation Unit, to address the issues of concern which have arisen regarding processing times. I am advised that this will immediately halt the growth in outstanding cases and begin to address the backlog.
These measures include the introduction of new 'triage' arrangements so as to maximise use of skilled resources, prioritisation of training to ensure a further 8 Forensic Examiners are fully trained and operational by end July, and a new approach to the management of the process which will double the closure rate by the end of the third quarter of 2014. Investment in high powered computers is also to be accelerated, and structures are to be put in place for fast-tracking cases that require early intervention. I am further advised that an in-depth review of this approach will be concluded by end 2014 to ensure that the desired increase in output is being delivered.
As I have previously indicated to the Deputy, I am determined to ensure that we are in a position to respond effectively to the abuse of children through child pornography and therefore very much welcome these proactive and practical steps being taken by the Acting Commissioner. My Department will remain in regular contact with the Garda authorities concerning their impact, and with respect to the broader review which the Acting Commissioner has also initiated.
626. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the length of time broken down by years that current asylum seekers have been living in direct provision accommodation. [29145/14]
View answerThe Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the voluntary accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Direct provision provides for full board accommodation supports while a final decision is awaited by a person on their protection or any related leave to remain application. As at 22 June 2014, there were 4,332 persons availing of direct provision accommodation in 34 centres under contract to the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department. The detailed statistical analysis sought by the Deputy for the year ending 31 December, 2013 is provided in RIA's 2013 Annual Report which is published on its website www.ria.gov.ie.
627. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the total amount spent on external IT consultants by her Department in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29158/14]
View answerMy Department's IT division provides a centralised IT shared service to approximately 2,000 users in 26 offices and agencies. Expenditure by the shared service on IT external consultants for the years in question was as follows: 2010 - €0; 2011 - €0; 2012 - €25,601; 2013 - €39,049; 2014 - €52,788 (to date).
628. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the action she will take regarding the long hours of lock-up time of 18-19 hours at Limerick women's prison in view of the fact that the time allocated to educational activity is seriously curtailed by this extensive lock-up policy. [29165/14]
View answerI am informed by the Irish Prison Service that the out of cell time in Limerick women's prison are similar to that of the male prison in Limerick. Following unlock for breakfast at 8.00 a.m. prisoners return to their cell for a brief period before they are unlocked to attend work/education and recreation at 9.00 a.m.. They remain unlocked until 12.45 where they are returned to their cell before being unlocked again at 14.00 to further attend work/education and recreation. They remain unlocked until 16.45. Following another short period of lock up prisoners are unlocked at 17.25 for work and recreation. Prison is locked down for the night at 19.30.
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 through Integrated Sentence Management and the delivery of prison based rehabilitative programmes such as education, work training and resettlement programmes. On 6 March 2014 the IPS published a Women’s Strategy entitled "An Effective Response to Women Who Offend". The Women’s Strategy sets out how the Irish Prison Service and the Probation Service will work together, as well as with other statutory, community and voluntary sector partners, to provide women focused interventions to help reduce offending, improve opportunities for reintegration and to improve outcomes more generally. This co-operative approach is a direct result of the Joint Strategy published last year which aims to deliver more effective offender management.
