Tuesday, 8 Nov 2016

Written Answers Nos. 276-294

Rural Development Policy

Questions (276)

Alan Farrell

Question:

276. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views that the rural communities of north County Dublin are being actively forgotten in the context of the Government's focus on supporting rural Ireland; her further views that more must be done by her Department to support the local rural communities in north County Dublin, including Ballyboughal, Garristown, Oldtown, and Naul; if she will provide information on the rural supports provided to north County Dublin since 2011, including funding type, by year in tabular form; the actions she plans to take to ensure the significant rural community in Fingal is no longer forgotten in the context of her Department's work; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33283/16]

Written answers

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

Under the Programme for a Partnership Government, the Government has placed a strong focus on supporting all communities in rural Ireland, including rural communities in north Co. Dublin. The LEADER programme is an important component of the funding provided by my Department to support rural development. Under the 2007-2013 LEADER programme, €4,399,216 was provided to Fingal LEADER Partnership between 2011 and 2015 for the delivery of the programme across rural areas in Co. Dublin, including north Co. Dublin. The breakdown of this funding on a year-by-year basis is shown on Table 1.

Under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme, Fingal LEADER Partnership is the Implementing Partner for the Local Development Strategy which has been approved to cover the rural areas under the remit of the Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown, Fingal and South Dublin Co. Councils. As part of this Strategy, I understand that Ballyboughal, Garristown, Oldtown, and the Naul will be targeted for assistance under LEADER. The total amount of funding allocated for the Dublin rural sub-regional area under the 2014-2020 LEADER Programme is €6.37 million.

Just recently, I announced the details of 172 towns and villages that were approved for funding under the 2016 Town and Village Renewal Scheme. Under this Scheme, Fingal Co. Council has been approved for €380,000 in funding to support projects in 7 towns and villages in north Co. Dublin. The details of these towns and villages, and the amounts allocated to each, based on proposals from the Co. Council, are shown on Table 2.

My officials will be in contact with Fingal County Council shortly to finalise arrangements to enter a funding agreement for the proposed projects.

Table 1 – 2007-2013 LEADER Programme: Payments to Fingal LEADER Partnership

Local Action Group	2011	2012	2013	2014	2015	Total
Fingal LEADER Partnership	€447,811	€412,008	€698,117	€1,781,702	€1,059,578	€4,399,216

Table 2 – Town and Village Renewal Scheme: allocations for Fingal County Council

Town/ Village	Level of funding approved
Ballyboughal	€34,000
Balrothery	€100,000
Donabate	€39,000
Balscadden	€34,000
Loughshinny	€29,000
Rush	€99,000
Tyrrelstown	€45,000

Wildlife Regulations

Questions (277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284)

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

277. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if section 3(1)(a) of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 254 of 1986) gives effect to the EU derogation that permits and legalises a range of control measures to be carried out on otherwise legally protected bird species, expressly and explicitly, for the protection of public health and safety and the prevention of disease or injury; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33483/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

278. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the direct authority and the frequency with which the process is carried out for the review or updating as necessary, production and publication of both the declaration under 3(1)(a)of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 254 of 1986) and the derogation species list that it covers; the exact means by which this process is initiated, conducted and completed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33484/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

279. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the organisations which are represented in the process that produces the declaration under 3(1)(a)of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 254 of 1986) and, in respect of the organisation(s) represented, the grade levels, functions, qualifications and expertise of the personnel involved in the process, with particular reference to the legal and stated purpose of the declaration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33485/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

280. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way and by whom the final decision is made in respect of each bird species as to whether it is included on or removed or excluded from the derogation list covered by the declaration under 3(1)(a)of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 254 of 1986); if those decisions are reached on a consensus basis, which organisation holds a casting vote if one is needed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33486/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

281. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the way in which, the formats in which, the frequency with which, and the sources from which information is gathered, verified and assessed each time the declaration under 3(1)(a) of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 254 of 1986) is updated and published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33487/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

282. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if any gull species (details supplied) have ever previously been considered for inclusion on the derogation list under SI No. 254 of 1986; if so, if she will summarise the considerations made and the basis for the decisions taken; if none of the pertinent gull species have previously been considered for listing, the circumstances that would necessitate consideration of any or each of the gull species to be considered for listing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33488/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

283. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are any safeguards in the process used to produce the declaration under 3(1)(a)of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 254 of 1986), and the derogation species list that it covers, to ensure that a protected species that may also be currently red listed as a species of conservation concern, would and will nonetheless be made amenable to control measures in circumstances in which it poses a risk to public health and safety, including injury or sickness; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33489/16]

Darragh O'Brien

Question:

284. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are safeguards in the process used to produce the declaration under 3(1)(a) of the European Communities (Wildlife Act 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986 (SI No. 254 of 1986), and the derogation species) list that it covers, if she will advise of same; the person who has the ultimate decision authority regarding a red listed species that may in fact need to go onto the derogation list; if there are no such safeguards in the current process, the way in which her Department intends to address such a procedural issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33490/16]

Written answers

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 277 to 284, inclusive, together.

The EU Birds Directive is implemented in Ireland under the Wildlife Acts and the European Communities (Birds and Natural Habitats) Regulations 2011. Under the terms of the Directive, all Member States of the EU are bound to take measures to protect all wild birds and their habitats. Under Article 9(a), Member States may derogate in the interests of: public health and safety; air safety; to prevent serious damage to crops, livestock, forests, fisheries and water; and for the protection of flora and fauna.

These derogations are achieved by way of declarations, which are made on an annual basis, under the European Communities (Wildlife Act, 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986, as amended, which allow the capturing and killing of some listed bird species in certain situations. There are no specified formats for, nor specified sources from which, relevant information which may be considered in this regard. The declarations are made under the legislation by the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs and there is no voting process involved.

The herring gull, the greater black-backed gull, the lesser-black-backed gull, the starling and the sparrow, while listed in the European Communities (Wildlife Act, 1976) (Amendment) Regulations 1986, are not currently included in the derogations. A review of the derogations is scheduled for 2018, as advised to the EU Commission, and this will take account of all relevant factors, including perceived threats, distribution and population data available on the bird species in the derogations. The review will include a public/stakeholder consultation element. In the meantime, species can be added to or dropped from the derogations list, depending on new information available at the time of making annual derogations.

Estimates Process

Questions (285, 287, 288)

Mick Barry

Question:

285. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she has considered the concerns raised by Conradh na Gaeilge concerning the Foras na Gaeilge budget for 2017 (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33584/16]

Kate O'Connell

Question:

287. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will increase the budget of Foras na Gaeilge in line with the investment plan submitted to her by 80 Irish language groups, which would provide opportunities to local Irish language groups in Dublin Bay South and in other constituencies to implement language plans and develop Irish language hubs in their areas. [33636/16]

Kate O'Connell

Question:

288. Deputy Kate O'Connell asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her views on the fact that, if the Foras na Gaeilge budget, which has been reduced by nearly 30% since 2008, is not increased, local Irish language groups in areas such as Dublin Bay South will not be able to access supports to develop the Irish language in their areas and to attain the new status arising from the Gaeltacht Act of an Irish language network. [33637/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht

I propose to take Questions Nos. 285, 287 and 288 together.

As I indicated in my response to Question No. 377 on 25 October 2016, the budget for Foras na Gaeilge is subject to approval by the North South Ministerial Council, given its status as an agency of An Foras Teanga, which is a North South Implementation Body co-funded by my Department and the Department for Communities in Northern Ireland.

An indicative provision of €13.239m has been provided within my Department’s Vote for An Foras Teanga in 2017. In regard to funding for specific programmes of work, the dispersal of the budget will be an operational matter for Foras na Gaeilge, within the framework of the NSMC-approved business plan and budget.

The investment plan submitted by Conradh na Gaeilge on behalf of Irish language and Gaeltacht groups is very ambitious in seeking additional funding in the region of €5m in 2017 and €30m over the period. In that context, I should say that almost €60m has been provided in the 2017 Estimates for my Department’s Irish language, Gaeltacht and Islands programme, including funding for An Foras Teanga. This represents an increase of €2.3m over the 2016 provision. However, the Deputies can rest assured that I will continue, insofar as I can, to seek additional funding for the Irish language, within the overall budgetary resources available to the Government.

Departmental Strategy Statements

Questions (286)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

286. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department has produced a new statement of strategy since May 2016; and if so, the measures in it to support persons with disabilities. [33624/16]

Written answers

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

My Department has prepared a Draft Statement of Strategy as provided for under Section 5 of the Public Service Management Act 1997. I am currently considering this document with a view to finalising it before its submission to Government.

My Department is not directly responsible for the provision of services specifically targeted at persons with disabilities. However, the relevant provisions of the National Disability Strategy Implementation Plan, which underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society, will continue to be reflected in the development and implementation of policies and schemes administered by my Department.

Questions Nos. 287 and 288 answered with Question No. 285.

Archaeological Sites

Questions (289)

John McGuinness

Question:

289. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she is satisfied that the recent salvage and recovery of artefacts from the RMS Lusitania has been carried out under licence from her Department; if she is further satisfied that the licence conditions are being complied with; and the level of archaeological supervision and input her Department, the National Monuments Service and the National Museum had in respect of the recovery of these artefacts from the RMS Lusitania. [33798/16]

Written answers

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

The recent recovery of a telegraph from the wreck of the RMS Lusitania was undertaken with my Department's approval by the holder of a dive license granted by the Department’s National Monuments Service under the National Monuments Acts.

The telegraph is currently being conserved and its recovery and location has, I understand, been notified to the National Museum of Ireland by the owner of the wreck, as required by the licence.

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Questions (290, 291)

David Cullinane

Question:

290. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the starting salary and allowances in place for nurses as and from 1 January 2010; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33752/16]

David Cullinane

Question:

291. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the starting salary and allowances in place for nurses as and from 1 November 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33753/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 290 and 291 together.

The starting salary for staff nurses and midwives as and from 1 January 2010 was €30,234, for mental health staff nurses the starting salary as and from 1 January 2010 was €30,937. The corresponding salaries as and from 1 November 2016 are €27,483 and €28,122. This reflects the 10% reduced new entrant scales introduced with effect from 1 January 2011.

Nurses and midwives may also qualify for a range of allowances and premium payments depending on their working hours, their work location and the qualifications they hold. With effect from the 1 January 2017 nurses will receive a 36 week incremental credit for their 4th year student clinical placement which will apply to all graduating nurses. This means they will move on to the second point of the incremental pay scale after 16 weeks in their first post. From 1 September 2017 they will also receive €1,000 as part of restoration of pay under the Lansdowne Road Agreement.

Further details are set out in the consolidated salary scales which contains salary scales for all grades of nursing and details of all of the allowances that may be available to qualifying nurses.

The 1 January 2010 salary scales are available here:

http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/department-of-health-and-children-consolidated-salary-scales-effective-from-1st-jan-2010/.

The 1 January 2016 salary scales which are still current as of today's date are available here: http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/department-of-health-consolidated-salary-scales-in-accordance-with-clause-5-1-of-the-lansdowne-road-agreement/.

Psychological Services

Questions (292)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

292. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which child psychological services require improvement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33837/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

Additional funding provided for mental health services in Budget 2017 accords with Programme for Government commitments to improve all aspects of mental health services, including Child and Adolescent Mental Health services. The allocation for mental health in 2017 will total around €851 million, thereby giving an increase of €24.7 million, or approximately 3%, over 2016.

In line with the recommendations of A Vision for Change, the HSE continues to prioritise the mental health needs of those under age 18 by developing services in line with annual HSE National Service Plans. Child and Adolescent Mental Health services fall within the secondary and tertiary levels of specialist care. A young person, therefore, must have a moderate to severe mental illness in order to access such specialist services, based on professional assessed need. The publication of a new Standard Operating Procedures in 2015 has provided greater clarity and consistency on how specialist mental health service for children are delivered nationally. It is important to note that, despite increasing demands overall on the Child and Adolescent Mental Health system, individual cases assessed as urgent receive priority.

The HSE is, for example, improving collaboration between Mental Health and Primary Care in the key areas of Preventative, Early Intervention and Counselling services for young people. In the vast majority of cases, young people will be assessed and treated at Primary Care level, in Social Care or Disability services, without needing specialist clinical input. The latter is only one element of an overall care approach provided to young people to promote positive mental health and Recovery, as appropriate. In the context of expanding services, the HSE is pursuing various initiatives to address widely recognised difficulties in the recruitment and retention of healthcare staff, including child psychologists.

While there were significant reductions in the length of waiting times for HSE Primary Care Psychology services in 2015, there was also an increased demand for treatment. To address this, significant funding in 2017 will resource improved recruitment of additional psychologists, and also fund rapid access to better evidence-based stepped care interventions. The provision of improved integrated services should ensure that Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services are able to operate at the specialist mental health service level intended.

The Deputy may rest assured that the Department of Health, in conjunction with the HSE, will continue to closely monitor planned service improvements for this key care area.

National Lottery Funding Data

Questions (293)

Brendan Smith

Question:

293. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if national lottery funding is available at present through his Department to support the work of community groups; if so, whether there are specific programmes eligible for grant assistance; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33274/16]

Written answers

Minister for Health

My Department administers a National Lottery Discretionary Fund from which once-off grants are paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services. Funding in 2016 amounts to €3.286m.

The closing date for receipt of applications for 2016 was the 6th May.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (294)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

294. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite the provision of specific therapy for persons (details supplied) in County Cork. [33289/16]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The 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.