Written Answers Nos. 191-202
191. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a grant for flood gates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35625/16]
View answerThe Interdepartmental Flood Policy Coordination Group that I chair is considering the potential costs and benefits associated with the introduction of an individual property protection scheme. The Group will be informed by two pilot projects which are currently underway in Thomastown and Graiguenamanagh in County Kilkenny and Crossmolina in County Mayo. The Group’s work, when completed, will be submitted to Government for consideration in the context of the merits of the introduction of any such scheme.
The Group recently presented for consideration and agreement by Government an interim report setting out progress on its work and making appropriate recommendations for consideration by Government at this time. The report has been published and is available on the OPW website, www.opw.ie.
192. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the details of all pension top-ups paid in respect of chief executives of semi-State companies including the name of the organisation, the name of the chief executive, the amount of the top-up and the date of payment, and if the top-up was approved by his Department in each of the years 2011 to 2016 to date, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35649/16]
View answerIn reply to the Deputy's question, I can confirm that there are no semi-State companies under the aegis of my Department.
193. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the total overall amount paid by way of grant aid to An Taisce from 2010 to 2016; the amount per each year from 2010 to 2016; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35513/16]
View answerSince 2011, funding has been provided by my Department, by way of grant aid, as a contribution to the Green Schools programme, an environmental education programme for schools administered by An Taisce. This funding is reviewed on an annual basis.
Grants have also been provided on occasion to help fund biodiversity awareness projects carried out by An Taisce, such as the Nature’s Way series of publications, a valuable educational resource addressing a range of biodiversity topics including peatlands and ecosystems in Ireland.
The amounts paid each year are outlined in the following table.
Funding Provided to An Taisce 2011 to 2016.
|
Year |
Amount € |
Description |
|
2011 |
64,713 |
Green Schools Programme and Biodiversity Awareness Projects |
|
2012 |
59,800 |
Green Schools Programme and Biodiversity Awareness Projects |
|
2013 |
59,415 |
Green Schools Programme and Biodiversity Awareness Projects |
|
2014 |
40,000 |
Green Schools Programme |
|
2015 |
40,000 |
Green Schools Programme |
|
2016 (to 14th November) |
40,000 |
Green Schools Programme |
|
Total |
303,928 |
194. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to replace wildlife rangers (details supplied) in County Kerry, as the lack of these rangers has left large areas of the county unattended; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35576/16]
View answerMy Department is currently working with the Public Appointments Service to create a Conservation Ranger panel from which gaps across the country will be filled. The campaign was advertised by the Public Appointments Service on 11 November 2016 , on www.publicjobs.ie , and is open for applications until the 1 st December.
195. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the reason her Department or any bodies under its aegis are not purchasing the final order of surrender by Pádraig Pearse in Easter 1916; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35650/16]
View answer196. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if her Department has considered purchasing the original Pearse surrender letter on behalf of the State; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35653/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 195 and 196 together.
There exist a number of historically important original documents in the possession of the State written by Pádraig Pearse during the 1916 Rising and during his subsequent imprisonment. Following consultation with the relevant institutions under the aegis of my Department, it is a shared view that the amount being sought for this one letter – between €1m and €1.5m - was not justifiable in terms of expenditure of public monies and in the context of historical material already held.
197. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the last all-Ireland Traveller health study was completed six years ago, in 2010, and that no study of the specific health needs or outcomes of Travellers has since been conducted; his further views on the fact that the data in the 2010 study is now out of date; when the next comprehensive Traveller health study will be funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35508/16]
View answer198. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason the National Traveller Health Advisory Committee has not met since 2012, particularly in view of the findings of the all-Ireland Traveller health study which showed that Travellers experience extremely serious health challenges and poor health outcomes relative to the rest of the population. [35509/16]
View answer199. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if he will account for the 18% underspend in allocated budgets to Traveller health programmes between 2008 and 2013 in view of the fact that the all-Ireland Traveller health study showed that Travellers experience extremely serious health challenges and poor health outcomes relative to the rest of the population. [35510/16]
View answer200. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health his plans to increase and ring-fence funding for Traveller health units. [35511/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 197 to 200, inclusive, together.
A review of the role and functionality of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee (THAC) took place in 2013. The review found that the transfer of the health budget to the HSE in 2006 resulted in significant changes to the functioning of the THAC and that the original purpose and focus of the Committee had changed. The THAC has not been convened since the review. The Traveller Health Advisory Forum, chaired by the HSE, continues to act as a national forum for discussion on issues around Traveller health.
The Deputy will be aware that the Department of Justice and Equality is leading on the development of a new National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. The Strategy, which is expected to run from 2016 to 2020, aims to provide a set of specific actions that need to be taken to improve the situation for Traveller and Roma communities in Ireland. It is envisaged that the Strategy will include agreed actions in relation to improving the health of Travellers. In the circumstances, the Department of Health intends to await the completion of the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy to inform consideration of the need for a repeat of the All Ireland Traveller Health Survey and the necessity for any additional national structures to address Traveller health.
In relation to the funding for Traveller health programmes and Traveller health units, this query has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
201. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35512/16]
View answerUnder 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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
202. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 133 of 27 October 2016, the reason only €15 million of the €35 million additional funding for mental health will be released to the HSE for 2017; the purpose for which this funding will be used; the timing factors that are preventing the expenditure of the full €35 million in 2017 in view of the huge demand for mental health services here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35517/16]
View answerThe allocation for Mental Health in 2017 will be €851.3 million, an increase of €24.7 million, or approximately 3%, over 2016.
I am initiating €35 million in new services in 2017 to further implement "A Vision For Change". Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE's 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to child & adolescent and adult services, older people's services and further enhanced out-of-hours response for those in need of urgent services. Recognising the time lag in new staff taking up posts and the completion of preparations for the introduction of these services, it is estimated that the revenue spend in 2017 associated with this increased allocation will be some €15 million. There will also be a further additional spend of €9.7 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates.
