Written Answers Nos. 146-165
146. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if funding will be provided for a location (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26479/17]
View answerI am advised by the Commissioners of Public Works that funding of €107,016 has been approved under the Office of Public Works (OPW) Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme for a project at Incherea, Glenbeigh, Co Kerry.
The progression of the works is a matter for Kerry County Council.
147. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if dormant accounts funding will be made available to a community organisation (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26483/17]
View answerA call for proposals under the Social Enterprise measure of the Dormant Accounts Fund Disbursement Scheme was issued on 8 February 2017. This measure will support social enterprises that provide services to, or employment opportunities for, disadvantaged people, particularly in rural areas. The closing date for applications under the measure was 15 March 2017.
I can confirm that an application for funding under the Social Enterprise measure was received from the group referred to by the Deputy.
All applications received under the measure have been assessed by Pobal on behalf of my Department and I hope to be in a position to announce the successful applicants very shortly.
148. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the expenses incurred by her Department relating to insurance of all types in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by her Department over the same time period per annum; if she will provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26280/17]
View answerAs I recently informed the house in response to Parliamentary Question No 305 of 28 March, my Department and a number of the bodies under its aegis operate under State Indemnity, a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the cost of claims. This approach is set out in the Public Financial Procedures at C8 Section 11 whereby the general rule is that no insurance should be effected against the risk of any loss which, if it arose would fall wholly and directly on public funds. This is based on the understanding that the risks for which the Government is liable are innumerable and widely distributed and that losses maturing in any one year are never so large as to materially disturb the financial position of the year, so that it is cheaper in the long term for the Exchequer to “carry its own insurance”.
The National Treasury Management Agency is designated as the State Claims Agency (SCA) when performing the claims and risk management functions delegated to it under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000. Since the establishment of the SCA, the management of claims functions has been delegated to the Agency.
The table below provides a summary of insurance costs incurred during the period in question by bodies under the aegis of my Department.
Annual Insurance Costs 2012-2017
|
Body |
2012 € |
2013 € |
2014 € |
2015 € |
2016 € |
|
An Coimisinéir Teanga |
1,250 |
1,250 |
912 |
1,234 |
1,357 |
|
National Gallery of Ireland |
45,855 |
39,027 |
41,814 |
38,731 |
23,168 |
|
National Library of Ireland |
23,456 |
41,227 |
- |
- |
- |
|
National Museum of Ireland |
10,231 |
9,946 |
9,750 |
9,658 |
9,750 |
|
Waterways Ireland |
94,998 |
78,750 |
23,800 |
184 |
- |
|
Arts Council |
15,564 |
16,685 |
12,907 |
12,448 |
13,695 |
|
Chester Beatty Library |
31,469 |
28,926 |
30,709 |
34,192 |
30,311 |
|
Crawford Art Gallery |
46,525 |
42,186 |
45,067 |
42,118 |
42,279 |
|
Heritage Council |
34,481 |
30,919 |
29,345 |
15,604 |
17,260 |
|
Irish Film Board |
6,749 |
9,560 |
8,702 |
9,585 |
10,761 |
|
Irish Museum of Modern Art |
9,520 |
9,385 |
9,574 |
9,688 |
11,097 |
|
National Concert Hall |
44,639 |
56,364 |
56,613 |
53,950 |
51,123 |
|
Údarás na Gaeltachta |
266,987 |
260,583 |
273,532 |
305,200 |
334,164 |
|
Western Development Commission |
6,805 |
6,855 |
6,639 |
6,572 |
6,633 |
|
Foras na Gaeilge |
36,751 |
33,167 |
13,491 |
26,390 |
44,475 |
|
The Ulster Scots Agency |
6,552 |
4,243 |
5,184 |
5,477 |
8,799 |
|
Total |
681,832 |
669,072 |
568,039 |
571,030 |
604,873 |
149. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if she will make funding available to a local community group (details supplied) in County Kerry to put in place signage to indicate special areas of conservation, SAC, and special protection areas, SPA, and related information; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26312/17]
View answerThere is currently no specific funding stream available in my Department for the erection of signage to indicate SAC and SPA areas and related information.
Projects such as this may be eligible for funding under the LEADER 2014-2020 Programme, depending on the nature of the investment concerned. Applications for support for LEADER funding must be compatible with the actions outlined in the approved Local Development Strategy in the LEADER area. Project approvals are a matter for the Local Action Group and, in this regard, the community group should contact the relevant Implementing Partner - North, East & West Kerry Development, Áras an Phobail, Croílár na Mistéalach, Tralee, Co. Kerry, who will advise them, based on a more detailed consideration of the project, whether it is eligible for LEADER funding.
150. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the budget allocation to Údarás na Gaeltachta in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26341/17]
View answer151. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in each of the years 2007 to 2016 and to date in 2017. [26342/17]
View answer152. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of jobs in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in each of the years 2007 to 2016, and to date in 2017, by county, in tabular form. [26343/17]
View answer153. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of new jobs created in Údarás na Gaeltachta client companies in each of the years 2007 to 2016, and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [26344/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 150 to 153, inclusive, together.
The information sought by the Deputy is published by Údarás na Gaeltachta in its Annual Report and Accounts which are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas each year. The body’s 2007 through to 2015 Annual Reports and Accounts have already been laid before the Houses and those in respect of 2016 and 2017 will be laid in due course. Notwithstanding this, the organisation’s 2016 employment figures have already been published in its End of Year Statement which is available at: http://www.udaras.ie/en/nuacht/athbhreithniu-deireadh-bliana-2016-eisithe/.
Údarás na Gaeltachta’s Exchequer allocation for 2017 has, the Deputy will be aware, been published in this year's Revised Estimates Volume.
154. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the outcome of discussions she had with an organisation (details supplied) and local action groups regarding delays in rolling out the LEADER programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26355/17]
View answerThe LEADER programme is a key part of the Government’s Action Plan for Rural Development and has the capacity to deliver significant outcomes for rural areas.
I am committed to implementing the LEADER 2014-2020 programme as effectively and as efficiently as possible. However, I am also aware that concerns have been expressed regarding some of the administrative processes related to the programme, and I want to see these issues resolved to the greatest extent possible. In this regard, on 17 May last, I hosted a forum with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER, to explore the issues of concern to them and to identify potential solutions to streamlining the current administrative and application procedures.
The forum, which was attended by more than 70 people including representatives of the Irish Local Development Network, was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined and where the burden on project applicants could be reduced.
Following on from the feedback at the forum, I gave a commitment to the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies present that I would implement a number of the suggestions put forward, while being mindful of the regulatory requirements associated with this EU co-financed programme.
My officials have been reviewing and prioritising all of the contributions made at the forum and will introduce improvements to the LEADER administrative procedures as soon as possible. I am confident that these improvements will assist in the delivery of the LEADER programme to the benefit of rural communities throughout the country.
155. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the value of projects approved fully to date under the Leader programme 2014 to 2020 broken down by local action group; the expenditure by her Department on projects to date by LAG; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26380/17]
View answerExpenditure of approximately €2.509 million has been incurred to date in 2017 under the LEADER 2014-2020 programme. This represents expenditure incurred on administration and animation costs by the Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme in each LEADER sub-regional area.
While no project expenditure has yet been paid out by my Department under the 2014-2020 LEADER programme, I understand that more than 4,800 expressions of interest from potential applicants, with an estimated value of over €200 million, have been recorded on the LEADER ICT system. The LAGs are currently working through these expressions of interest with a view to assisting project promoters in developing and finalising project applications.
To date 46 projects have been fully approved for LEADER funding by the LAGs. The total value for these projects is €786,313. A breakdown of this figure by sub-regional area is provided on Table 1.
Approximately 40 further projects, with a value of over €800,000, are at the final stages of the approval process.
On the basis of the progress now being made by the LAGs, I anticipate a significant increase in project approvals and payments under LEADER over the coming months.
In addition, on 17 May last, I hosted a forum with participants from all of the Local Action Groups and the Local Development Companies delivering LEADER to explore the administrative issues impacting on project approvals and to identify potential solutions to the issues identified.
The forum was very productive and participants identified a number of areas where they felt procedures could be streamlined and where the burden on project applicants could be reduced. My Department will shortly introduce a number of the changes suggested by participants. I am confident that these changes will further contribute to an increase in the level of project approvals.
Table 1: Project Approval by LAG Area
|
Local Action Group |
No. of Projects approved for LEADER funding |
Value of Projects approved for LEADER funding |
|
Carlow |
2 |
€59,140.00 |
|
Kilkenny |
8 |
€124,956.38 |
|
Laois |
4 |
€51,107.00 |
|
Offaly |
21 |
€228,721.46 |
|
Sligo |
9 |
€315,248.27 |
|
Westmeath |
2 |
€7,140.15 |
|
Total |
46 |
€786,313.26 |
156. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the funding which will be made available for Leader in 2017 and 2018; when the next funding will be announced; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [26473/17]
View answerLEADER is a multi-annual programme which has a budget of €250 million over the period to 2020. €220 million of this funding has been allocated to the 28 LEADER sub-regional areas in Ireland and will be delivered through the Local Action Groups (LAGs) which manage the programme in each area. The remaining €30 million will be managed at a national level for targeted investment initiatives in areas such as co-operation projects between LAGs, and support for artisan food producers.
The annual funding requirement for the LEADER programme is reviewed on a year-by-year basis as part of the Estimates process. A sum of €40 million has been allocated for LEADER in my Department’s Vote for 2017. The figure for 2018 will be decided as part of the 2018 Estimates process later this year.
Applications for project funding at sub-regional level are made directly to the LAGs. The LAGs are open to accepting proposals from project promoters on an ongoing basis or through targeted calls.
157. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite surgery for a person (details supplied) at Tallaght hospital. [26275/17]
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.
158. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite surgery for a person (details supplied) at University Hospital Waterford. [26276/17]
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 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.
159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health the expenses incurred by his Department relating to insurance of all types in each of the past five years; the cost of each insurance policy held by his Department over the same time period per annum; if he will provide the same data for all bodies under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26288/17]
View answerIn response to the Deputy's question, my Department operates under State Indemnity, a self-insurance model whereby the State bears the financial risk associated with the cost of claims. This approach is set out in the Public Financial Procedures at C8 Section 11 whereby the general rule is that no insurance should be effected against the risk of any loss which, if it arose would fall wholly and directly on public funds. This is based on the understanding that the risks for which the Government is liable are innumerable and widely distributed and that losses maturing in any one year are never so large as to materially disturb the financial position of the year, so that it is cheaper in the long term for the Exchequer to "carry its own insurance".
The National Treasury Management Agency is designated as the State Claims Agency (SCA) when performing the claims and risk management functions delegated to it under the National Treasury Management Agency (Amendment) Act 2000. Since the establishment of the SCA, the management of claims functions has been delegated to the Agency. It currently manages claims and risks on behalf of 139 delegated State Authorities.
I have also forwarded your question to the HSE for direct reply. Details for other bodies under the aegis of the Department are operational matters for the bodies concerned and the Deputy should contact the relevant Director/CEO/Registrar directly.
160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of a medical card for a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26299/17]
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 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.
161. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health the number of children in counties Cavan and Monaghan waiting for an assessment of need; the time they have been waiting that is more than three months, six months, a year and so on; the number of children in counties Cavan and Monaghan waiting for follow-on appointments with psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists, respectively; the time they have been waiting for these appointments; the number of psychologists, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and speech and language therapists employed by the HSE in the Cavan and Monaghan area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26300/17]
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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
162. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Health the expected date for publishing a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26305/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.
163. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if there is a standardised test or testing protocol for the physical and psychological symptoms of mefloquine neurotoxicity here. [26309/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
164. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Health the progress which has been made in appointing a permanent consultant medical oncologist with special interest in the area of sarcoma at St. Vincent's University Hospital, Dublin 4 in line with previous commitments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26318/17]
View answerThe Deputy's question relates to service delivery matters and accordingly I have asked the HSE to respond directly to him.
165. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be facilitated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26323/17]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
