Written Answers Nos. 226-235
226. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if further investigation might be undertaken to obtain residential care in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29153/16]
View answerThe Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide 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 commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.
As the Deputy's question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
227. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if, with reference to the Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1971, which prescribe diseases and conditions for the purposes of section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970, he will amend the offensive terminology employed therein to define a recognised condition (details supplied) and replace the term with the correct and acceptable term of intellectual disability; his view on the fact that the current legitimacy of the offending term as provided for by the regulations and as demonstrated by its continued usage on the application form for the long-term illness scheme, continues to cause much upset and offence to both those who have an intellectual disability and their families; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29165/16]
View answerThe term "mental handicap" as used on the Long Term Illness Scheme application form reflects the wording used in the Health Act 1970, as amended by S.I. No. 277/1971 - Health Services (Amendment) Regulations 1971, under which the scheme was introduced.
Officials in my Department are seeking advice as to whether legislation will be required to amend the wording on the LTI application form.
228. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on a proposal to establish a pilot programme to provide day care and therapeutic supports to people with acquired brain injuries (details supplied) and if he will consider allocating funding for this proposal in the 2017 service plan. [29168/16]
View answerThe Minister for Health, along with Department and Health Service Executive (HSE) officials, recently met with representatives of An Saol Project, at which they outlined their ideas for the project. I understand that the HSE will consider the proposal in the context of the ongoing estimates/budgetary process and the resources made available for the National Service Plan for 2017.
I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE for a more detailed reply on the matter.
229. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of children referred to CAMHS for assessment in each of the calendar years from 2010 to date in 2016; the number of cases awaiting assessment; the number of assessments completed; the number of assessment results that identify the person as unsuitable for treatment at CAMHS and may require a different level of intervention; the outcomes for those children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29169/16]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
230. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Health if a use it or lose it by year end rule is or has been in operation within his Department when devolving funding to agencies under his remit on an annual basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29198/16]
View answerIn line with Government Accounting Procedures all agencies which come under the remit of my Department are funded up to the approved level of their agreed allocation for that particular year or their actual expenditure, whichever is the lesser.
231. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position with regard to a farm inspection (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29011/16]
View answerThe person named was the subject of an inspection carried out by Kerry County Council in January 2016, the results of which were cross-reported to my Department as required under EU Regulations.
The inspection identified non-compliances with the cross compliance requirements under the Nitrates Regulations relating to the inadequate collection and management of soiled water. This resulted in an overall penalty of 20% being applied against the 2016 Direct Schemes payments.
The person named was notified of this decision on 18 April 2016. The person named has requested a review of this decision and this request is currently being examined by the District Inspector. The person named will be notified of the outcome of this examination as soon as possible.
In the event that the person named is dissatisfied with the outcome of this review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within 3 months.
232. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 812 of 27 September 2016, if any indication can be given as to the timeframe the examination process will take; if the payment process will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29058/16]
View answerUnder the EU Regulations governing GLAS 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.
The issue that arose during this process in relation to the Traditional Hay Meadow action is actively being examined by Department officials. It is expected that the issue will be resolved shortly and following the successful completion of all pre-payment validations, payment will then issue.
233. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a 2015 area aid payment for a person (details supplied). [29059/16]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 7 July 2016, thus incurring a 100% late penalty. My Department is currently reviewing the matter and a decision will issue shortly to the person named
234. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the qualifying criteria for forestry schemes (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29060/16]
View answerThe Reconstitution Scheme (Windblow) was launched on the 6th September 2016. The scheme provides financial aid to land owners whose plantations were damaged by storm force winds that occurred between 5th December 2013 and 12th February 2014, with the most severe windstorm, named ‘Storm Darwin’, on 12th February 2014. A maximum grant of €1,700/hectare up to a total of 10 hectares will be made available under the Scheme for both conifers and broadleaves. Conifer plantations planted after the 1st December 1989 and broadleaf plantation planted after the 1st December 1983 are eligible for grant aid.
Applications for the scheme will be accepted up to the 24th February 2017. The budget allocated to the Scheme can provide funding in respect of a total of 2,000 hectares. In the event of applications received exceeding that amount, a selection process will be undertaken after the closing date for receipt of applications in an effort to ensure that funding is allocated on an equitable basis to favour those forests which suffered the greatest loss.
The application forms and further details regarding the scheme can be found on the Department's website at:
http://www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/grantsandpremiumschemes2015-2016/.
235. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grant schemes available for farmers to build milking parlours and so on when transferring to dairy farming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29096/16]
View answer40% grants are available to farmers to build milking parlours under TAMS II (Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme). Young Qualified Farmers are eligible for 60% grants. Interested applicants should make an application on line and all information in relation to the scheme including Terms and Conditions, Specifications and Frequently asked Questions are readily available on my Department's website. www.agriculture.gov.ie.
The dairy related investments that are grant aided under TAMS II include; milking parlours, dairy areas, plant rooms, solid collecting yards, slatted collecting yards, roofs over collecting yards as well as a range of milking equipment.
