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Tuesday, 16 Oct 2018

Written Answers Nos. 507-524

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (507)

Margaret Murphy O'Mahony

Question:

507. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children's disability network teams in each local health office area in tabular form. [42481/18]

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Written answers

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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Budget 2019

Questions (508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513, 514)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

508. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the reason for the 58% increase to subhead E1 of the Health Vote as per page 216 of the budget 2019 expenditure report. [42521/18]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

509. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the €65 million estimate, inclusive of a €10 million increase indicated for subhead E3 - National Treatment Purchase Fund, NTPF, of the Health Vote, as per page 216 of the budget 2019 expenditure report, is the only voted expenditure for the NTPF; if not, the other subheads that include moneys for the NTPF; and the amount of same. [42522/18]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

510. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the details of subhead H of the Health Vote on page 217 of the budget 2019 expenditure report and its contents; the reason no percentage changes are recorded for the subhead; the reason there are no pension lump sum payments recorded under the 2019 Estimates; the reason there were no net pension costs recorded under the 2018 Estimates; and the reason for the 24% reduction to Exchequer pensions included in the net total noted at the bottom of page 217. [42523/18]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

511. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of subhead I of the Health Vote on page 217 of the budget 2019 expenditure report; the way in which this subhead differs to subhead I presented in the budget 2018 expenditure report on page 205; if the €143,539,000 recorded under subhead J5 2018 Estimates in budget 2019 was transferred in whole or part into subhead I; and if so, if those moneys make up part of the 10% increase recorded for subhead I. [42524/18]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

512. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of, and the rationale for, the €86 million increase to the Estimates for the State Claims Agency under subhead J4 of the Health Vote as per page 217 of the budget 2019 expenditure report. [42525/18]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

513. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of, and the rationale for, the €98.4 million increase to the Estimates for subhead K1 of the Health Vote as per page 217 of the budget 2019 expenditure report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42526/18]

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Louise O'Reilly

Question:

514. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of, and the rationale for, the 12% increase estimated for appropriations-in-aid in the Health Vote as per page 217 of the budget 2019 expenditure report. [42527/18]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 508 to 514, inclusive, together.

The provision for E.1 in 2019 is €99.131m an increase of €30.013m (43%) over 2018. This increase is primarily the additional funding for the SlainteCare Integration Fund as announced in the budget. The remainder will be used for essential health care projects as required during 2019.

A data entry error occurred which resulted in €10m of NTPF funding being included in error in the subhead E1, instead of E3. The NTPF allocation for 2019 is €75m. The full allocation to the NTPF is now reflected in the published Expenditure Report 2019 available on www.budget.gov.ie and will be reflected in the Revised Estimates for Public Services 2019 published before year end.

Up to 2018 the H subhead reflected funding for statutory pension lump payments only. All other pension funding was held in the Health Service Executive subheads I1 to I5. To improve transparency and the linkage between the Health Vote subheads and the Health Service Executives National Service Plan in 2019 subhead H was amended to reflect all HSE pension funding including lump sums. From 2019 this subhead will now reflect the full pension costs as set out in the National Service Plan for 2019.

The 2018 Health Vote for net exchequer pension costs was €649.476m. Pension related deductions (PRD) were netted against pay. In 2019, as part of the Public Service Stability Agreement, PRD will convert to Additional Superannuation Contributions (ASC), and therefore, are also netted off pensions costs for the 2019 Health Vote. It is the presentation of these additional superannuation contributions that is driving the perceived 24% reduction in exchequer pension costs.

It was determined that the format of subheads for I1 to I5 causes confusion as they do not align with how HSE performance is reported. The HSE reports performance against their annual service plan which is set out by service division. The HSE does not plan or report on services delivery by HSE region or on a statutory/voluntary basis as indicated by the previous subheads I1 to I5. To improve the linkage between the estimates presentation and the NSP the following adjustments were made.

Subhead I now represents the funding allocated to HSE service areas set out in the National Service Plan with the exception of PCRS/Local Demand Led Schemes and Long Term Residential Care which are funded from Subheads K1 and K2 respectively. It includes funding for new operational services developments for 2019 and excludes all pension related costs. Pension costs are now reported in total in subhead H.

The 10% increase in subhead I arises due to the increase in health funding for 2019 of €1.5 billion as set out in the budget book, less the funds applicable to subheads E, H, K.1 and K.2 as above.

An actuarial assessment for potential claims under the CIS is prepared annually by the State Claims Agency and a determination is taken with regard to the level of funding that will be required by year end, under subhead J4.

Regarding subhead K1; Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key objective of the health service. However, the challenge is to do this in an affordable and sustainable manner. The allocation provided under K1 for 2019 is arrived at following considerable consideration and analysis of a range of factors. The detailed allocation of the funding will be finalised as part of the preparation by the HSE of their 2019 National Service Plan.

Under EU regulations, where a person is employed in or a pensioner of one member state but residing or staying in another, the member state of employment or paying the pension must in general bear the responsibility for the cost of health services. As the number of Irish people living here who worked previously in the United Kingdom holding British pensions is considerable, a reimbursement agreement has been agreed between the two countries. The Appropriations-in-Aid receipt represents the U.K.'s net liability to this country. Following detailed engagement with UK officials it has been indicated that the net position due from the UK for 2018 will be €55m below planned on an ongoing basis giving rise to the 12% reduction in receipts reflected for 2019.

Basic Payment Scheme Appeals

Questions (515)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

515. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an overclaim appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41748/18]

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Written answers

An application under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) was lodged on behalf of the person named on 14 February 2018. Following the standard validation process, overclaims were identified on two land parcels.

Query letters and maps were issued by my Department outlining the position. The authorised agent of the person named replied, appealing the Departments initial findings. That appeal was successful leading to a reduction in the original overclaim to 0.13 hectares.

Payment under the 2018 Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme has now issued on this basis.

A further letter has issued to the person named detailing the overclaim of 0.13 hectares. It remains open to the person named to appeal this revised finding should he wish to do so.

Laboratory Facilities

Questions (516)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

516. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to outline the proposed redeployment and redevelopment of laboratories under the aegis of his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41749/18]

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Written answers

My Department has commissioned a cost-benefit analysis (CBA) of options that have been proposed for the future development of the Regional Veterinary Laboratories (RVLs). The team conducting the CBA includes internationally-recognised, independent experts in economic analysis and animal disease surveillance. It is currently finalising its work, after which a report and recommendations will be presented to me.

My Department completed an initial consultative process with all relevant stakeholders on the options for the RVLs during the course of last year and the consultants undertaking the CBA have also consulted with stakeholders. Any decision that is made on the RVLs will be informed by both those consultative processes and the outcome of the CBA.

Agri-Environment Options Scheme

Questions (517)

Eugene Murphy

Question:

517. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the AEOS 3 scheme which comes to an end in 2018 will be extended for another year in view of the fact that there is no alternative scheme available to persons leaving the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41754/18]

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Written answers

There are no plans to reopen or extend the Agri-Environment Options and Natura Schemes (AEOS) or the subsequent agri-environment scheme GLAS (the Green, Low-Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme), which is now fully subscribed with the RDP target of 50,000 participants met well ahead of schedule. It was open to AEOS participants to apply to join GLAS, and to terminate their AEOS contract. A large number of AEOS3 participants did take up this option. Our focus now is on continuing the full implementation of the GLAS scheme and ensuring that the 2018 advance payments commence as scheduled before the end of November.

Agri-environment policy is included in the CAP reform negotiations currently under way and any future scheme will be dependent on the outcome of these negotiations.

Departmental Communications

Questions (518)

Alan Kelly

Question:

518. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will release all documentation, including internal departmental emails, relating to the sale of a stadium (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41762/18]

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Written answers

The information requested by the Deputy will be provided by my Department officials directly to him as soon as possible.

Departmental Communications

Questions (519)

Alan Kelly

Question:

519. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all meetings, telephone calls or other forms of communications between his Department and the Irish Greyhound Board in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. [41763/18]

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Written answers

Bord na gCon (BNG), a commercial state body, was established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. It is responsible for the control, promotion and operation, including the regulation, of greyhound racing.

Bord na gCon operates under the aegis of my Department. Department officials are in almost daily contact with Bord na gCon as they are with the other 11 state bodies under the aegis of my Department. The Deputy's request is extremely broad in scope. My officials would be happy to forward the Deputy details of communications with Bord na gCon, but given the scope of the information sought it would be helpful if the Deputy could indicate any specific areas of interest.

Environmental Schemes

Questions (520)

Jackie Cahill

Question:

520. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for the hen harrier scheme by a person (details supplied); when a reply will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41765/18]

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Written answers

At the outset, I wish to clarify that the new Hen Harrier Programme is a locally led, locally designed and locally administered scheme - it is not operated or managed directly by my Department.

Payment will issue in the near future to more than 620 applicants who have already accepted Letters of Offer from the Hen Harrier Project Team. All other applications received are currently being assessed by the Project Team and Letters of Offer will commence again shortly for each of the six SPA designated areas.

The person in question should contact the Hen Harrier Project Team directly with regards to the status of their application.

Departmental Staff Promotions

Questions (521)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

521. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of staff in his Department and bodies under his aegis appointed to principal officer arising from internal competitions since 7 July 2015, by year. [41837/18]

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Written answers

I can confirm that a total of seven staff in my Department were appointed to Principal Officer posts arising from internal competitions since the 7th July 2015.

Four staff were appointed to Principal Officer in 2015 and three staff were appointed in 2018. I can confirm that no appointments arising from internal competitions took place in the years 2016 and 2017.

The question of appointments within the State Agencies under the aegis of my Department is an operational matter for each Agency. The question has been referred to the Agencies and they have been requested to respond directly to the Deputy.

Departmental Staff Grades

Questions (522)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

522. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons appointed from the panels arising from the 2015 and 2017 open competitions for principal officer run by the Public Appointments Service, by year; if a table (details supplied) will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41850/18]

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Written answers

The details of Principal Officer appointments in my Department for the years in question are shown in the following table.

It should be noted by the Deputy, that from time to time the Public Appointments Service run competitions for specific posts. In addition to the posts shown in the table, my Department has appointed three Principal Officers to specific posts in the years in question, one appointment in each of the years 2016, 2017 and 2018. A number of appointments have also been made under the Protocol on Principal Officer Mobility, in line with agreed sequences.

Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

2015

2016

2017

2018

No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2015 PO Open competition run by PAS (Campaign ID: 1512210)(Effective 7/7/15)

0

3

2

0

No. of Principal Officer appointments arising from 2017 PO Open Competition run by PAS(Campaign ID: 17101202)(Effective 23/11/17)

0

0

0

1

Control of Dogs

Questions (523)

Bríd Smith

Question:

523. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 959 of 7 September 2018, if he will expand on the term "available evidence" which he stated in his reply indicates a very high level of compliance with the microchip legislation; if his attention has been drawn to the feedback from rescue groups that there is an extremely low level of compliance with microchipping legislation; and if he will clarify the source and the extent of the available evidence. [41897/18]

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Written answers

The evidence on compliance I have cited has been based on total numbers of dogs registered with databases as provided by Europetnet as compared to estimates of the total dog population for the country.

The dogs which the various animal welfare charities are encountering are in many ways atypical in that they are unwanted or have been abandoned by irresponsible owners. For both these reasons they are less likely than the canine population as a whole to have been microchipped. In any case as part of the ex gratia funding arrangements in place for animal welfare organisations in recent years, additional funds have been made available to assist in the microchipping of dogs. Furthermore, special provision was made so that appropriate members of staff of the animal welfare charities who have obtained the necessary training may chip and register dogs in order to cut down on cost.

Control of Dogs

Questions (524)

Bríd Smith

Question:

524. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 959 of 7 September 2018, if there is a legal aspect of the microchip legislation under review; if so, the detail of same; and the cause, possible implications and proposed timeframe involved until the issue is resolved. [41898/18]

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Written answers

The legal requirement to have a dog microchipped is enshrined in the existing legislation. Under the Programme for a Partnership Government there is a commitment to strengthen the powers of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. In this regard, I have published the Greyhound Racing Bill 2018. While this Bill deals primarily with matters relating to greyhound racing and the greyhound industry, it also contains a number of amendments to the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013, including provisions relating to the recording of information about dogs.

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