Written Answers Nos. 438-447
438. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which all outstanding issues with turf cutting on the various bogs throughout the country affected by SACs and NHAs are being resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4598/17]
View answer439. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which all outstanding issues with turf cutting on the various bogs throughout County Kildare affected by SACs and NHAs are being resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4599/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 and 439 together.
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 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 including exploring the 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.
177 applications under the cessation of turf cutting compensation scheme for raised bog special areas of conservation have been acknowledged by my Department in respect of Mouds Bog and 60 applications in respect of Ballynafagh Bog in County Kildare. A total of 504 annual payments, 220 turf deliveries and 41 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Mouds Bog and 125 annual payments, 22 turf deliveries and 15 once-off incentive payments have been made in respect of the applications received from Ballynafagh Bog. 79 applicants from Mouds Bog and 23 applicants from Ballynafagh Bog have expressed an interest in relocation to a non-designated bog.
Discussions are on-going with qualifying applicants from Ballynafagh Bog with a view to relocation to a non-designated bog in close proximity.
Due to the issues involved in terms of a relocation site for turf cutters from Mouds Bog, my Department, in consultation with turf cutter interests, is considering whether the provisions of article 6.3 of the Habitats Directive could be utilised to allow cutting within areas of the special area of conservation. Under article 6.3 of the Directive consent could only be given to cut turf on a raised bog special area of conservation where it can be shown by rigorous scientific investigations that such cutting will not have an adverse effect on the integrity of the site.
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 is currently proceeding through the necessary stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Its purpose is to provide for the implementation of a reconfiguration of the natural heritage area network arising from the 2014 Review.
Carbury Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of the natural heritage areas which is to remain designated as a natural heritage area arising from the review. Hodgestown Bog natural heritage area in County Kildare is one of those scheduled for de-designation.
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.
440. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the extent to which any outstanding contentious issues between Waterways Ireland and canal residents or canal recreational users on the Grand Canal have been resolved amicably; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4600/17]
View answerWaterways Ireland continues to work closely with boat owners using the canals, and adjacent land owners and representative groups. As part of this engagement, meetings are held with key stakeholder interest groups, the Royal Canal Amenity Group, Inland Waterways Association of Ireland (IWAI) and the Heritage Boat Association (HBA). In addition, Waterways Ireland works alongside the Friends of the Grand Canal and the Royal Canal Clean-Up Group in Dublin who like many of the communities who live close to and use the waterways support the efforts of Waterways Ireland in the maintenance and operation of the canals.
Waterways Ireland staff meet canal users on a daily basis and provide a wide range of service as well as managing boat use on the canals in accordance with the 1988 Canal bye-laws and regularly inspect canal boats for compliance. In this regard, Waterways Ireland actively pursues boat owners who are in breach of the Canal Bye-laws.
In areas where boat owners have refused to move from berths, consultation with the Heritage Boat Association and the Inland Waterways Association of Ireland has been undertaken, and proposals for use of these berths are being taken forward to protect these public recreational amenities and ensure moorings are available for boats touring on the canal system.
Question No. 441 answered with Question No. 431.
442. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta cén uair a chuirfear in iúl do na comharchumainn agus do na heagraíochtaí pobalbhunaithe eile cén t-ardú a thiocfaidh ar a ndeontais bhliantúla i bhfianaise an mhéadaithe a tháinig ar an soláthar airgid ón Roinn chuige seo sna meastacháin i mbliana; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [4605/17]
View answerGlactar leis go bhfuil an Teachta ag tagairt don soláthar airgid atá curtha ar fáil d'Údarás na Gaeltachta i mbliana faoi fhómhír C7 de Vóta mo Roinne. Mar a thug mé le fios i bhfreagra ar Cheist Dála Uimhir 277 den 6 Nollaig 2016, is eagraíocht neamhspleách reachtúil í Údarás na Gaeltachta. Dá bhrí sin, is faoin eagraíocht fhéin atá sé breithniú a dhéanamh ar chonas an chistíocht a chuirtear ar fáil di go bliantúil a chur chun fónaimh i gcomhthéacs na gcúramaí atá sainithe di, lena n-áirítear na cúramaí a bhaineann leis an bhforbairt pobail. Tuigim ón Údarás nach bhfuil cinneadh déanta ag an mBord go fóill maidir le leithdháileadh a dhéanamh ar an soláthar méadaithe atá curtha ar fáil i mbliana faoin bhfómhír caiteachais a luaitear thuas.
443. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the studies carried out by her Department on the potential damage pike can indirectly cause to the pearl mussel population, particularly in the Owenriff river near Oughterard, County Galway; the steps she has taken to consult Inland Fisheries Ireland and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment on this matter; if a policy of culling this species in Lough Corrib is proposed and an elimination of it from the Owenriff river near Oughterard; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4607/17]
View answerPike are not normally associated with the fast-flowing stream conditions that are typical of the Owenriff River and are not usually a factor in pearl mussel conservation. Regrettably the pike was recently released in some lakes upstream of Lough Corrib on the Owenriff system. I understand that Inland Fisheries Ireland are working to control or ideally eradicate these introduced fish.
Pearl mussels depend for some months of their lives on juvenile trout or salmon. The larval mussels attach themselves in a parasitic manner to the gills of the small fish and then drop off to begin life on the river bed. There is a possibility therefore that pike could have an impact on the number of juvenile fish available to the mussels.
It is believed however that the juvenile fish that host the mussels are likely to have spawned close to the mussel beds, and it may be the case that such stream-living fish are not impacted by pike elsewhere in the river system.
My Department intends in 2017 to carry out a fish host survey, including the Owenriff, to sample juvenile salmon and trout for mussel larvae and will review available fish data to assess trends in host fish populations.
444. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Ealaíon, Oidhreachta, Gnóthaí Réigiúnacha, Tuaithe agus Gaeltachta an bhfuil sé ar intinn aici airgead a chur ar fáil chun an plean infheistíochta, a comhaontaíodh idir 80 grúpa Gaeilge, a chur i bhfeidhm go hiomlán, rud a chruthódh breis is míle post agus go leor deiseanna úsáidte Gaeilge; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [4608/17]
View answerIs mian liom a chur in iúl don Teachta go bhfuil an Plean Infheistíochta sa Ghaeilge agus sa Ghaeltacht ó 2016 ar Aghaidh á scrúdú go gníomhach ag oifigigh mo Roinne faoi láthair. Tá an plean pléite le Conradh na Gaeilge le mí anuas, ar mhaithe le scrúdú a dhéanamh ar bhealaí chun na moltaí atá san áireamh ann a thabhairt chun cinn.
445. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to introduce greater awareness and prevention of mental health problems for children and young persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3761/17]
View answerAs Minister for Mental Health and Older People I am committed to ensuring that there is greater awareness and prevention of mental health problems for children and young people.
'A Vision for Change' advocated a holistic view of mental illness and an integrated multi-disciplinary approach to addressing the various factors that contribute to mental health problems, moving from traditional psychiatric based care to a patient-centred, flexible and community based service that promotes recovery and prevention. Significant progress has been made in this area through the expansion of community mental health teams from 49 in 2008 to 67 currently. In addition, specialist secondary care mental health counselling and psychotherapy is provided within HSE Community Mental Health Teams, and Child and Adolescent Mental Health Teams. Counselling is also provided by a range of voluntary organisations across the health service, including those supported by the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention.
Budget 2017 provided additional funding for mental health, to promote positive mental health and the development of Early Intervention and counselling responses. It made allowance for an additional €35 million for services to be initiated in 2017. Key priorities to be addressed in the HSE 2017 Service Plan include youth mental health, further improvement to child & adolescent (CAMHS) 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 €9.5 million in mental health associated with increased pay rates. This additional €24.7 million for 2017 will see the HSE Mental Health Budget increase to €851 million. With other minor adjustments, the National Service Plan Budget for Mental Health for 2017 totals €853.1m.
HSE funding for Jigsaw counselling services for young people was expanded in 2016 to establish five new centres in three cities. The Executive continues to commit to the development of publicity campaigns such as www.yourmentalhealth.ieand #littlethings. In 2013, the Department of Education and Skills, the HSE, and the Department of Health jointly developed Well-Being in Post Primary Schools Guidelines for Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention. This was followed in 2015 by the publication of Guidelines setting out a framework for mental health promotion in primary schools. The HSE will continue to assist in the development of this initiative during 2017.
The Programme for Partnership Government committed that "A National Taskforce on Youth Mental Health will be established to consider how best to introduce and teach resilience, coping mechanisms, greater awareness to children and young people, and how to access support services voluntarily at a young age." The Taskforce was established within the first 100 days of Government and is being chaired by me.
The aim of the Taskforce is to provide national leadership on youth mental health and wellbeing in order to enhance how the public, private and voluntary and community sectors work together to improve:
- Emotional literacy in the population;
- Awareness of services and supports;
- Accessibility to services and supports at different times and in different areas;
- Alignment of services and supports across different providers (public organisations, private organisations, community organisations, voluntary organisations, etc.).
The Taskforce is a small, diverse group of 18 leading national figures that represent a number of different sectors.It is an action-focused group, has met monthly since September 2016 and will work for 12-18 months. It has visited frontline services, and met with service users, parents and staff. As part of my commitment to ensuring that the voices of children and young people are at the core of the work of the Taskforce, a series of consultations with young people has commenced.
446. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that in calculation of income for the family income supplement, superannuation and the pension levy are deducted for the purpose of calculating assessable income, whereas they are not for the medical card, whereby only tax, PRSI and the USC are deducted; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that superannuation, pension levy and 1.5% spousal and child pension are mandatory deductions in his Department, thereby making it more difficult for those working in the sector to access such medical benefits; the rationale for this; his plans to change the calculation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3911/17]
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 was issued to Oireachtas members.
447. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time in County Kerry for results of a post mortem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3953/17]
View answerIn relation to this particular query, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
