Written Answers Nos. 168-176
168. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the new INTERREG programme will be operational; the funding allocated for this programme; the financial contribution by the European Union, by the Irish Government and by the British Government.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21582/16]
View answerThe European Commission formally adopted the 2014-2020 INTERREG Cooperation Programme for the Border Region of Ireland, Northern Ireland and Western Scotland on 13 February 2015. The Programme was opened for funding calls in August 2015.
The INTERREG Programme has a total value of €283 million, with 85% being recouped from the European Regional Development Fund and the balance funded by the two Member States:
|
- |
€ |
|
ERDF |
€ 240.35m |
|
Ireland |
€ 12.57m |
|
UK |
€ 29.84m |
|
Total |
€ 282.76m |
The INTERREG programme has four key priority areas for investment, namely research and innovation, the environment, sustainable transport, and health. Funding calls have issued for all priorities and the assessment of proposed projects is underway. Further project calls will issue during 2016 and 2017.
169. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to confirm that there will be no delays to projects funded through cross-Border bodies where contracts are due to be finalised within the next few months; if the result of the recent British European Union membership referendum will have any effect on the roll-out of these programmes.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21583/16]
View answerIn the wake of the UK Referendum on EU membership the Irish Government has been clear that it remains committed to the successful implementation of the EU funded PEACE and INTERREG programmes. The programmes are not only an important source of funding, but provide a visible demonstration of the European Union's continuing support for the process of peace building and reconciliation. Together they will see investment of more than half a billion euro in Northern Ireland and the border region of Ireland over the period 2014-2020, with 85% of that being contributed by the European Regional Development Fund. Funding calls have issued for both programmes and further project calls are planned during 2016 and 2017.
Immediately following the result of the UK Referendum, my officials made contact with the European Commission and also officials of the Northern Ireland Executive to underscore our commitment to the programmes and to discuss how they would continue to benefit from ERDF funding. They have also been in touch with officials of the Scottish and Welsh Governments, which are partners in our two INTERREG Programmes.
In addition, the PEACE and INTERREG Programmes were discussed by the Irish Government and the Northern Ireland Executive at the Plenary meeting of the North South Ministerial Council in Dublin Castle on 4 July 2016, where both administrations confirmed their continuing commitment to the Programmes. The Northern Ireland Finance Minister, Máirtín Ó Muilleoir, and I considered the matter further at a bilateral meeting in Dublin on 7 July 2016, where we discussed ways of securing the ERDF funding for the Programmes, including through engagement with the European Commission.
170. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the rules governing public and private special purpose vehicles; the number in existence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21599/16]
View answerSpecial Purpose Vehicles are a common feature of business and are widely used in the private sector. As I understand it, Special Purpose Vehicles are generally established under Company Law and are formed to facilitate financial transactions, although I understand that the Central Bank of Ireland and the Revenue Commissioners also have specific reporting requirements in relation to Special Purpose Vehicles. As such, the rules governing the establishment of Special Purpose Vehicles are a matter for my colleagues the Minister for Jobs Enterprise and Innovation and the Minister for Finance.
171. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht further to Parliamentary Question No. 148 of 30 June 2016, to clarify that the provisions under section 42 of the Wildlife Acts, are not appropriate or sufficient for dealing with large-scale problems with seagulls across a large area of north County Dublin. [21479/16]
View answer172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her views regarding the fact that the National Parks and Wildlife Service has said that it does not undertake wild bird control programmes; has advised that control measures are a matter best raised at a local level in the first instance with relevant local authorities, advice contradicted by local authorities which say control measures are a matter for the appropriate national authorities; to clarify the body, in the first instance, empowered to undertake or organise control measures in instances where wild birds are causing a serious nuisance. [21480/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 171 and 172 together.
All birds are subject to protection under the EU Birds Directive. As such, seagulls, the bird species in question, enjoy protection under this legislation. The population of herring gulls has greatly declined in Ireland (by about 90%) over the past 40 years, probably due to improvements in managing landfill sites as well as other factors. Nonetheless there are substantial numbers in some coastal towns and cities, including north Dublin city and county. Herring gulls can be a nuisance because of noise, mainly in July and early August, and may steal food from people eating outdoors. In the latter case, the easy availability of food sources from litter or feeding by people may be contributing factors to the bird behaviour of concern.
Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the Birds Directive. There are circumstances under which Member States can derogate from certain provisions of the Birds Directive in cases where there is no other satisfactory solution. The circumstances include: in the interests of public health and safety, in the interests of air safety, to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water and for the protection of flora and fauna.
Applications for derogation licences are considered on a case by case basis. My Department has not received an application for such a licence nor has it received any definitive proposal in relation to the control of birds in the context of the area in question. One of the primary roles of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department is the implementation of EU law in Ireland in respect of nature conservation. My Department does not undertake control programmes, such as culls for example, in relation to bird species protected under the Directive. My Department will consider any application for such a licence, having regard to the provisions of the relevant legislation.
In terms of an application for a licence or a project proposal, the applicant would be required to demonstrate that a demonstrable risk to public health tied to a specific problem exists. My Department is not a competent authority in relation to matters of public health. I should point out that this application process is separate to any application received under Section 42 of the Wildlife Acts and, in that regard, my Department has received no application under Section 42.
173. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health to pursue a cap on the maximum charge that can be applied to non-residential assets and productive assets to ensure that farmers can avail of the fair deal scheme. [21469/16]
View answerWhen the Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) commenced in 2009, a commitment was made that it would be reviewed after three years. The Report of the Review was published in July 2015. Arising out of the Review, a number of key issues have been identified for more detailed consideration across Departments and Agencies, including the treatment of business and farm assets for the purposes of the financial assessment element of the Scheme. In advance of the Review, submissions were sought from groups or bodies who wished to make a contribution, and the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) made a submission in this context on which they expanded at a subsequent meeting with officials of the Department of Health.
An Interdepartmental/Agency Working Group has been established to progress the recommendations contained in the Review. This group is chaired by the Department of Health and includes representatives from the Department of the Taoiseach, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, the HSE, the Revenue Commissioners and, when required, the National Treatment Purchase Fund. I have recently met with the IFA and invited them to present their submission at the next meeting of the Working Group, due to take place in September 2016.
The Programme for a Partnership Government has committed to reviewing the NHSS to remove any discrimination against small business and family farms.
174. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Health the allocation of hours under the school leavers programme for a person (details supplied). [21478/16]
View answerThis Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide them with greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This is particularly important at key transition points, including the transition from school to adult life, and for this reason the Programme for Government contains a commitment to ensuring that all 18 year old school leavers with disabilities have continued education or training opportunities.
Many school leavers with disabilities will progress to mainstream education, training and employment. Some however will require continuing health-funded supports, and to ensure that the needs of this cohort are met, funding of €7.25 million has been allocated by the HSE in 2016 to provide appropriate services and supports. Once off funding of €2 million is also being provided for the refurbishment and fit-out of buildings to provide suitable service locations by September, based on an assessment of the physical capacity within existing services to accommodate the additional numbers. In addition, I am pleased to confirm that a proportion of the additional €3 million secured for disability services last week will also fund new initiatives to meet the needs of this year’s school leavers.
As the Deputy's specific questions relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy. If a reply has not been received from the HSE within 15 working days, the Deputy can contact my Private Office and they will follow the matter up with the HSE.
175. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health if he will prioritise an application by a person (details supplied) under the medical card scheme as a matter of urgency. [21398/16]
View answerThe Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information has recently issued to Oireachtas members.
If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, he should contact my Private Office who will follow up the matter with them.
176. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) with 12 years' experience working as a care assistant has to take a significant pay cut if selected for the student paramedic programme with the Health Service Executive. [21399/16]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter. If the Deputy has not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days he should contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
