Thursday, 20 Oct 2016

Written Answers Nos. 207-219

Flood Risk Management

Questions (207)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

207. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which she continues to liaise with the various statutory and local voluntary bodies in the context of identifying areas of the country likely to be isolated through flooding during the winter months with a view to putting in place whatever provisions are necessary to prevent damage and isolation; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31412/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

My Department does not have a role in identifying areas of the county at risk from flooding. The Office of Public Works (OPW) is responsible for leading and co-ordinating Ireland’s whole of Government approach to flood risk management in relation to prevention (e.g. avoiding construction in flood-prone areas), protection (e.g. taking feasible measures, both structural and non-structural, to reduce the likelihood and impact of floods) and preparedness (e.g. informing the public about dealing with flood risk and a flood.)

OPW’s Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme is the principal and core mechanism through which the most significant flood risk throughout the country is being identified, assessed and managed. This Programme is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the Office of Public Works. I understand that the Programme involves the production of predictive flood mapping, the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of detailed flood risk management plans. This OPW Programme involves and provides a forum for close collaboration and consultation with all the main stakeholders involved in flooding both at a national level and at Regional and County level.

I understand that following the finalisation of the flood mapping and the preliminary flood risk management options, the final output from the project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures that can address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. I understand that following OPW’s public consultation process, the draft Plans will be finalised taking on board the comments received. The finalised Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, that can address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner. The Plans, which I understand are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016, will then be sent by OPW to the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform for his approval.

EU Directives

Questions (208)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

208. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which all outstanding issues relating to the application of special areas of conservation, SACs, and natural heritage areas, NHAs, which have been the subject of controversy over the past number of years, have been resolved to the satisfaction of all; if any outstanding issues remain; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31413/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Ireland, like all EU Member States, is bound by the requirements of the EU Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive. These Directives aim to ensure the protection of habitats and species which have been selected for conservation within special areas of conservation and special protection areas. Significant efforts have been made by the State to resolve the issue of the protection of Ireland’s raised bog special areas of conservation within the framework of the Habitats Directive. This has included intense and on-going engagement with turf cutting interests, the farming community, non-governmental organisations and with the European Commission, as well as the establishment of a long-term compensation scheme for affected turf cutters.

The National Raised Bog SAC Management Plan 2016-2021 will set out how the raised bog special areas of conservation are to be managed into the future and how the needs of turf cutters are to be addressed. These measures include financial compensation, relocation to non-designated bogs and possible options in terms of certain provisions of article 6 of the Habitats Directive. It is intended that the Plan will be published in the coming period, subject to Government approval.

The Review of Raised Bog Natural Heritage Area Network, published in January 2014, concluded that Ireland could more effectively achieve conservation of threatened raised bog habitat through focused protection and restoration of a reconfigured network. Arising from this Review, the Wildlife (Amendment) Bill 2016 has been presented to Dáil Éireann and published. Its purpose is to provide for the implementation of a reconfiguration of the natural heritage area network arising from the 2014 Review.

Final resolution of all issues in relation to the protection of Ireland’s protected raised bogs will only be brought about by everyone working together, within the law, with my Department and with the Peatlands Council, which was established for the purpose of ensuring the input from all stakeholders.

Leader Programmes Funding

Questions (209)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

209. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the maximum percentage of the funding allocated for the Leader programme 2014-2020 that can be spent on animation and administration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31435/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2013 outlines that support can be provided for the administration and animation costs of LEADER Local Action Groups.

Administration costs are those linked to the management of the implementation of the Local Development Strategy such as operating costs and personnel costs. Animation costs are those linked to the Local Development Strategy in order to facilitate information exchange, promote the strategy, and support potential applicants to develop projects and prepare applications.

The maximum percentage of funding that can be spent by Local Action Groups on animation and administration is 25% of the LEADER expenditure incurred in the delivery of their Local Development Strategy. This is in line with Article 35 of Regulation (EU) No. 1303/2015.

Rural Development Plan

Questions (210)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

210. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the progress made to date with consultations on the action plan for rural Ireland; the intended date of the publication of the plan; the consultation proposed on the draft plan with the relevant Oireachtas committee or committees; when implementation of the plan will commence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31439/16]

Written answers

Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs

The Action Plan for Rural Development will act as an overarching structure for the co-ordination and implementation of initiatives across Government for the benefit of rural Ireland.

Progress is now well under way on the development of the Action Plan. In September, I wrote to my Cabinet colleagues seeking inputs to the Plan. I took the opportunity to brief Oireachtas members on 29 September on the approach being taken in the development of the Action Plan and I invited members to offer practical suggestions for measures which could support both economic and social development in rural Ireland. I also invited the Oireachtas Committee on Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs to provide an input to the development of the Plan.

Over the last few weeks, my Department conducted an extensive consultation process through a series of workshops around the country, to seek the views of people living and working in rural Ireland on potential measures for inclusion in the Action Plan. My Department has also held a series of bilateral meetings with key stakeholder groups.

My officials are currently working through the many suggestions received arising from the consultation process and my objective is to publish the Action Plan for Rural Development before the end of the year.

My Department has already implemented a number of initiatives which will form part of the multi-annual Action Plan and which will be built on in 2017 and beyond. These include the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, the REDZ Initiative, the LEADER programme, and the CLÁR Programme. Their combined impact, along with other initiatives across Government, will make a real and sustainable difference to rural Ireland.

Question No. 211 answered with Question No. 167.

Question No. 212 answered with Question No. 170.

General Practitioner Services Provision

Questions (213)

John Brassil

Question:

213. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the operating hours for SouthDoc in the Ballylongford area; the reason it does not operate until 8 a.m., as advertised (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31185/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

General Practitioners contracted under the General Medical Services Scheme must make suitable arrangements to enable contact to be made with them, or a locum/deputy, for emergencies outside normal practice hours. While there is no obligation on GPs to participate in GP out-of-hours cooperatives as a means of meeting the contractual requirement, such services have been developed and expanded over time and are now an essential part of our primary care services helping to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, urgent care needs are met in the primary care setting.

As the Deputy's queries on the operating hours of SouthDoc relate to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (214)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

214. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if he will make available to medical card holders, free of charge, the medication preparation, Klean Prep and Picolax, for persons attending for endoscopy and colon testing (details supplied). [31193/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the primary care schemes, including the General Medical Services Scheme; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (215)

John McGuinness

Question:

215. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in arranging an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); the reason an appointment arranged by Waterford Regional Hospital in a letter was not acted upon; the reason the numerous letters written by the person's general practitioner were not acknowledged; and if he will expedite the matter. [31221/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (216)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

216. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an operation in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31222/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Commencement of Legislation

Questions (217)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

217. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 205 of 6 October 2016, the timeframe for the commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the Act; the steps he is taking to address concerns regarding the interim period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31230/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The detailed preparatory work required to facilitate the commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 is underway involving officials from my Department.

Pension Provisions

Questions (218)

Clare Daly

Question:

218. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the detail of the discussions he has had with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform regarding the transfer of members of the Central Remedial Clinic pension plan to the single public service pension scheme; the progress of those discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30725/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Central Remedial Clinic (CRC) is funded by the Health Service Executive under Section 38 of the Health Act 2004. The CRC is therefore accountable, in the first instance, to the HSE. As outlined in previous Parliamentary Question replies the HSE was requested to work with the CRC to resolve this matter in the context of Government policy in relation to pay and pensions.

On 28 July my Department, following consultation with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform, advised the HSE, that in the event that the wind up of the CRC Plan proceeded, that future service only, of the affected current CRC employees, will be provided for by way of access to standard public service pension scheme terms.

The HSE is currently engaging with the CRC in relation to the matter.

Pension Provisions

Questions (219)

Clare Daly

Question:

219. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health when he was first informed that the Central Remedial Clinic pension plan was to be wound up. [30726/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

On 18 May 2016 my Department received an email from the CEO of the CRC, with a copy of a letter attached, advising that following an Extraordinary meeting of the Board of the CRC on 17 May 2016 that it was decided to issue notice of termination of pension contributions to Irish Pensions Trust Ltd with effect from 18 May 2016.

Neither I or my officials had any advance notice of this decision.