Tuesday, 4 Jul 2017

Written Answers Nos. 314-35

Wildlife Conservation

Questions (315)

John Brady

Question:

315. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the recorded numbers of golden eagle, white-tailed eagle and red kite birds, respectively, since their reintroduction here; the costs involved with the reintroduction of each bird; the other additional ongoing costs involved; the recorded nest sites or geographical spread in the State for each of the birds; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31042/17]

Written answers

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

Since 2000, my Department, through its National Parks and Wildlife Service, has been providing funding and logistical support to the Golden Eagle Trust for reintroduction projects of the Golden Eagle, the White-tailed Eagle and the Red Kite. Between 2001 and 2012, 63 Golden Eagles were released in Glenveagh National Park, Donegal.

Between 2007 and 2011, a total of 100 White-tailed Eagle were released in Killarney National Park, Kerry and during the same period 160 young Red Kites were released near Avoca, Wicklow and two locations in north Co. Dublin. At present, there are 5 territorial pairs of golden eagles, 85 territorial pairs of Red Kites and 10 territorial pairs of White-tailed Eagles being monitored.

The Golden Eagles are the most difficult species to re-introduce, and fledged 12 wild bred chicks between 2007 and 2016; the red kites have fledged 192 chicks since 2010; and the white tailed eagles have fledged 14 chicks in the wild since 2013. It is hoped that chicks of each species currently being monitored will fledge successfully this year. Poisoning has hampered the success of the eagle projects and continues to be a threat.

The geographical distribution of the reintroduced birds differs for the three species involved. Golden Eagles have only been recorded as breeding in County Donegal though, in 2016, there has been some nesting activity recorded in Northern Ireland. Individuals have been recorded as far afield as Co. Kerry and Scotland. White-tailed Eagles have bred in County Kerry, where they were first reintroduced, and also in counties Clare, Cork and Galway. A young territorial pair of White-tailed Eagles has also been recorded this year in County Longford. The Red Kites have bred mostly in Wicklow, but also in counties Dublin, Meath and Wexford. There are now territorial eagles in each of the four provinces and the red kite has established a strong presence along several areas on the eastern seaboard.

Clare County Council reported that, in 2015, over 10,000 visitors came to view the pair of nesting white-tailed eagles in east Clare bringing important tourism revenue to the area. The eagles have been of great interest to visitors coming to Glenveagh and Killarney National Parks. This highlights that not only is there an intrinsic value in restoring, preserving and protecting our native species but that there exists a valuable opportunity for local businesses to benefit from biodiversity projects.

My Department is compiling figures on the funds provided to the Golden Eagle Trust and will send them to the Deputy in accordance with the timelines set out in Standing Orders.

The deferred reply under Standing Order 42A was forwarded to the Deputy.

Brexit Data

Questions (316)

Joan Burton

Question:

316. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if a senior official has been given responsibility for Brexit matters in her Department; if so, the grade of the designated official; the funding allocated to the said Brexit unit; the cost to date in 2017; the anticipated cost; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31267/17]

Written answers

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

As I advised the House in my reply to Parliamentary Question No. 267 and 268 of 5 April 2017, a Working Group, chaired at Assistant Secretary level and composed of officials from across the Department was established last year to deal with Brexit issues. This Working Group is supported by the Department's Corporate Governance and Coordination Unit which is also responsible for managing those issues relating to Brexit that fall within my Department’s remit.

The Department also has a full time dedicated attaché assigned to Ireland's Permanent Representation in Brussels. This officer is a member of the Department’s Working Group and is also fully involved in the preparations by Ireland’s diplomatic team in Brussels.

These arrangements are being kept under review and will be enhanced as required.

EU Directives

Questions (317)

Clare Daly

Question:

317. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 975 of 20 June 2017, the authority under which the review referred to is being instituted; the level of funding that will be required for the review; the Department or body's budget from which it will come; the organisations which will be consulted and-or have a direct say in the review; when the review will be completed and its recommendations acted upon and implemented; the person or body to which the review group will report; and the person or body that has the authority to make recommendations and decisions arising from the review. [31325/17]

Written answers

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

In my reply to Questions No 975 and 976 of 20 June, I indicated that a major review of the derogations is scheduled for 2018, and this will take account of all relevant factors, including perceived threats, distribution and population data available on various bird species. The review will include a public/stakeholder consultation element and all interested parties will be afforded the opportunity to input into the Review. Any costs relating to the review will be funded from within the Department’s resources. I expect that the review will be completed in a time frame to allow for any relevant recommendations to be considered by me as part of the renewal of the declarations on 1 May 2018.

Departmental Functions

Questions (318)

Dara Calleary

Question:

318. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the functions that will be transferred to the Department of community and rural affairs; the areas in which those functions currently lie; if responsibility and budgets for the RSS scheme will transfer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31360/17]

Written answers

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

In his speech to Dáil Éireann on 14 June 2017, An Taoiseach announced the establishment of a new Department of State for Community and Rural Affairs, to be led by Minister Michael Ring.

The functions to transfer from my Department to the new Department will be outlined in a Transfer of Functions Order which is being prepared at present. Functions will also transfer to the new Department from the Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government.

In relation to the Rural Social Scheme I am advised Deputy that responsibility for this scheme resides currently with the Department of Social Protection.

Commemorative Events

Questions (319)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

319. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs her plans to provide either a permanent or temporary exhibition space within State-funded museums in Dublin as part of the State commemoration of the Great Famine. [31396/17]

Written answers

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

As Chair of the National Famine Commemoration Committee, I am responsible for ensuring that appropriate arrangements are in place to commemorate the Great Irish Famine. In carrying out these functions, my main focus is to ensure that the victims of the Irish Famine are respectfully and appropriately remembered and also to raise awareness of current food security issues worldwide.

The Great Famine is marked each year at formal commemorations in Ireland and abroad. This year’s National Famine Commemoration will take place on Saturday, 30th September 2017 at the Famine Warhouse 1848 in Ballingarry, County Tipperary.

In relation to the reference to plans to provide either a permanent or temporary exhibition space within State funded museums in Dublin as part of the State commemoration of the Great Famine, the Deputy will appreciate that decisions in relation to any such displays would be operational matters for the relevant cultural institutions or other entities concerned.

The Deputy will, of course, be aware that there are many local museums and other entities around the country that display material relating to the Famine period, the Irish National Famine Museum at Strokestown Park, Co Roscommon, being an excellent example.

Census of Population

Questions (320)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

320. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the consideration which is given to the details of the census of population within her Department; the sections of her Department involved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31406/17]

Written answers

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

Population statistics from census reports inform a range of activities within my Department, both formally and informally. Generally, population statistics can assist in the development of policies and schemes in terms of overall guidance while reports and studies using census data might also, on occasion, be of particular relevance to individual projects.

Census data is of particular relevance in those areas listed in the following table:

Language Planning	Use is made of census data relating to the Irish language insofar as it relates to Gaeltacht Language Planning Areas, Gaeltacht Service Towns and Irish Language Networks as defined under the Gaeltacht Act 2012 . This quantitative data is being used as a key indicator in determining how best to support the language in the context of language plans being developed for implementation at community level under the language planning process. In order to facilitate the usage and disseminations of such data, the Department , in co-operation with the CSO has developed a language planning map viewer . This is accessed via the Department’s website and presents, inter alia , Irish language data from Census 2011 for the language planning areas. 2016 Irish language census data will be provided on the map viewer, on publication of this data by the CSO in late July.
CLÁR	CLÁR, and the geographical area of coverage of the scheme, is related to levels of depopulation over a period of time and is based on the census data for 1926 and 2002 i.e. the criteria for the scheme are based on levels of depopulation between those years. It is intended to review the areas of coverage of the scheme later this year when the detailed census data for 2016 is available.
LEADER	Information from the CSO and the census is used in policy decisions impacting on the LEADER programme e.g. in the resource allocation model used for the distribution of LEADER Funds.

CLÁR Programme

Questions (321)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

321. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the projects for counties Cavan and Monaghan that will be funded under the CLÁR programme in 2017. [31429/17]

Written answers

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

The 2017 CLÁR programme was launched on 31 March 2017 and will provide funding for small scale infrastructural projects in disadvantaged rural areas that have experienced significant levels of de-population. Funding is available this year under four separate Measures:

Measure 1: Support for School and Community Safety Measures.

Measure 2: Play Areas.

Measure 3: Targeted Community Infrastructure.

Measure 4: First Responder Supports.

Applications under Measures 1, 2 and 3 were submitted through the Local Authorities, while Measure 4 was targeted at voluntary organisations involved in emergency rescue or first-response efforts. The closing date for applications under the 2017 CLÁR programme was 5 May 2017 and over 500 applications were received across the four measures.

Successful projects were announced over the last few weeks, with a total of just under €7 million allocated to approximately 230 projects across the four Measures.

Details of the approved projects, including those in counties Cavan and Monaghan, are available at http://www.ahrrga.gov.ie/rural/rural-development/clar-2016/.

Arts Council Grants

Questions (322)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

322. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of Aosdána members who applied for Cnuas funding in each of the years 2014 to 2016, inclusive, who were refused a Cnuas; and the reason for these refusals. [31558/17]

Written answers

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

Aosdána is an initiative established by the Arts Council in 1981 to honour creative artists who have made a significant contribution to the arts in Ireland. There are currently some 250 members of Aosdána. Individual members of Aosdána can qualify for a means-tested payment known as the Cnuas if they are resident in Ireland, are full-time practising artists and if their income is below the threshold for qualification. Details of Aosdána membership including the names of members who receive funding are published every year in the Arts Council's Annual Report and on the Aosdána website at www.aosdana.ie.

Operation of the scheme is the responsibility of the Arts Council and my Department has no role in relation to it.

Departmental Staff Data

Questions (323)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

323. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the number of civil servants in her Department that have requested a transfer to a location outside County Dublin; the number of civil servants in her Department that have requested a transfer from a location outside of Dublin into County Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31773/17]

Written answers

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

I am advised that, since the establishment of my Department in 2016 and to date in 2017 no civil servants in my Department have requested a transfer to a location outside County Dublin. In 2016 one civil servant requested a transfer from a location outside of Dublin into County Dublin.

HSE Staff Data

Questions (324)

Fiona O'Loughlin

Question:

324. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the percentage of HSE employees that are not members of recognised unions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30787/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Questions (325)

James Lawless

Question:

325. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the continued reason for the delay in treatment for a person (details supplied). [30789/17]

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 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.

Mental Health Services Data

Questions (326)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

326. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons that presented for mental health or psychiatric services to HSE facilities in County Clare in each of the years 2010 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of these that had been referred by a general practitioner; and the number of these that were self-referrals. [30791/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Mental Health Services

Questions (327)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

327. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the general admission and treatment policies at Ennis acute psychiatric unit. [30792/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

Hospital Appointments Status

Questions (328)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

328. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30793/17]

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 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.

National Treatment Purchase Fund

Questions (329)

Jack Chambers

Question:

329. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if all resources allocated in 2016 to the National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, to tackle waiting lists was spent; if all the resources for tackling endoscopy waiting lists were spent; if not, the reason therefor; the detail of such underspend; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30805/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) was established on a statutory basis in 2004 and previously arranged for the provision of hospital treatment to classes of persons determined by the Minister. This function was suspended after 2011.

From 2012, the NTPF's role has focussed on: the maintenance, audit and quality assurance of waiting lists; pricing under the Nursing Home Support Scheme; and supporting the HSE in the delivery of a number of waiting list initiatives.

In 2016 the only waiting list initiative delivered by the NTPF was the Endoscopy Initiative which was funded from the NTPF's full budget allocation of €5m for 2016. The purpose of this initiative was that no patient would be waiting more than 12 months for an endoscopy procedure by the end of December 2016. The NTPF has advised that approximately €1.7m was spent on procedures in 2016 and a further €185,852 in 2017 so far.

The NTPF Endoscopy Initiative for 2016 resulted in only 11 patients waiting for an endoscopy procedure for over 12 months at the end of the December, from 5,701 in June. This represents a 99.4% reduction in the number of patients waiting over 12 months for a routine endoscopy.

Health Services Staff Training

Questions (330)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

330. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the cost of providing 20 extra training places for child psychologists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30810/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.

Orthodontic Services Waiting Lists

Questions (331)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

331. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons under 18 years of age in CHO area 9 waiting between zero to three months, three to six months, six to nine months, nine to 12 months and over 12 months for orthodontic treatment; the steps being taken to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30811/17]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

Home Help Service Provision

Questions (332)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

332. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if home help will be made available for a person (details supplied). [30828/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Home Help Service

Questions (333)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

333. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of persons on the waiting list for home help by county; the average waiting time; and the longest times for waiting in each county. [30829/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Questions (334)

Brendan Smith

Question:

334. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will expedite surgery for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30839/17]

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 (335)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

335. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time for a spinal bed in the National Rehabilitation Hospital; if waiting times have been affected adversely by the closure of beds in the hospital in April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30840/17]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.