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Thursday, 21 Feb 2019

Written Answers Nos. 105-124

Spent Convictions Legislation

Questions (105, 106)

Clare Daly

Question:

105. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if an assessment of the effect of spent convictions legislation on those with drug convictions has been undertaken in order to gain insights into the barriers to work and education and so on experienced by drug offenders the convictions of whom cannot be spent under the legislation. [8861/19]

View answer

Clare Daly

Question:

106. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has carried out research to determine whether public order alcohol offences become spent at a rate far exceeding drug offences and to determine if spent convictions legislation needs to be revised in order to provide for more equitable treatment of drug and alcohol offences. [8862/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 106 together.

The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016 came into force just under three years ago. The Act underwent extensive consultation and scrutiny both within the Houses of the Oireachtas and with other stakeholders in the period before enactment. The Bill, as it was then, was amended several times as it progressed through the Houses of the Oireachtas, and these amendments considerably expanded the scope of the Bill such that, it was estimated at the time, approximately 80 to 85% of all criminal convictions would become spent after 7 years.

That said, I am conscious of the case for keeping under review the application and scope of the provisions set out in the Act. My Department will continue to carefully consider the effectiveness and balance of these provisions so that the fairest possible outcome can be achieved for all our citizens. In this connection, the Deputy may be aware that the Government did not oppose the Private Members' Criminal Justice (Rehabilitative Periods) Bill 2018 at second stage in the Seanad this month. That Bill proposes to amend the 2016 Act and provide for a considerable extension of the 2016 legislation in terms of affording a more liberal approach on spent convictions.  The implications of any such changes will require careful analysis and consideration including, to the extent possible, the type of analysis referred to by the Deputy.  A balance does need to be struck between protecting the public and rehabilitating the offender, and I look forward to discussing and debating the proposals contained in the Private Members' Bill.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Questions (107)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

107. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a list of all reported anti-social behaviour will be provided for the past five years in the James’s Street, Dublin 8 area, in tabular form. [8876/19]

View answer

Written answers

As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of recorded crime statistics, and the CSO has established a dedicated unit for this purpose.

However, to be of assistance, I have asked the CSO to forward the available statistics directly to the Deputy.

The Deputy will be familiar with local Joint Policing Committees, which provide important opportunities for local representatives to discuss concerns about criminality with local Gardaí. The Deputy may also wish to raise any concerns he may have at this forum.

Fines Data

Questions (108)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

108. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of fines and the amount in fines paid by drivers in locations (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8919/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Deputy will appreciate that my Department is not responsible for road traffic enforcement, which is an operational matter for An Garda Síochána. However, to be of assistance, I have asked An Garda Síochána whether it is possible to extract the specific Fixed Charge Notice statistics sought in response to your query.

I will contact the Deputy directly on receipt of a Garda response.

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

Naturalisation Eligibility

Questions (109)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

109. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the current or expected position in regard to a determination of eligibility for citizenship in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8941/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), the person concerned has not submitted written representations.

The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. If any representations are submitted, they will be considered before a final decision is made.

The Deputy may wish to note that as the person concerned has no current right of residency in the State, he would not be in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to persons applying to my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (110)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

110. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position in regard to the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8942/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. On completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. Should further documentation be required it will be requested from the applicant in due course.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union level, and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Residency Permits

Questions (111)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if permission to remain, extended residency or stamp 4 will be considered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8943/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that on 11 February 2019 the person concerned made an application for a right to residency accompanied by a right to work based on their parentage of an Irish citizen child.

I am also advised that on 11 February 2019 INIS wrote to the person concerned seeking further information. I understand that INIS will consider the application further upon receipt of a response from the individual concerned.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Applications

Questions (112)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

112. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a person (details supplied) can visit a family member in their home country on compassionate grounds without prejudicing their residency status or entitlement to naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8947/19]

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Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. On completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. Should further documentation be required it will be requested from the applicant in due course.

The residency criterion for an application for a certificate of naturalisation is laid out in the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 as amended. It is the case that short absences for holidays, family emergencies etc. are permitted but the applicant should inform INIS if they are going to be absent from the State for a prolonged period. It is incumbent on all applicants to keep their permission to remain up to date at all times.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union level, and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Eligibility

Questions (113)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

113. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for naturalisation in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8953/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the processing of the application for a certificate of naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy is ongoing. On completion of the necessary processing the application will be submitted to me for decision as expeditiously as possible. Should further documentation be required it will be requested from the applicant in due course.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements, not only within the State but also at European Union level, and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. The nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Naturalisation Eligibility

Questions (114)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

114. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when the children of a person (details supplied) are likely to be approved for naturalisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8956/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that there is no record of a current application for a certificate of naturalisation on behalf of the persons referred to by the Deputy. An application for naturalisation was received on behalf of the first named child, however it was returned in its entirety on 9 January 2019 as it was not completed on the correct application form. As the Deputy will appreciate, determination on whether an applicant satisfies the statutory criteria attendant to naturalisation can only be made after a valid application is received.

Where sections 6A and 6B of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956, as amended, are applicable, a child born in the island of Ireland on or after 1 January 2005 has an entitlement to Irish citizenship if, at the time of the birth of the child, one of his or her parents had, during the period of 4 years immediately preceding the person's birth, been resident in the island of Ireland for a period of not less than 3 years or periods the aggregate of which is not less than 3 years. Periods of unlawful residence, periods of residence which were for the sole purpose of having an application for refugee status determined or periods of residence where permission was granted for the purposes of study are excluded from the determination of periods of reckonable residence. Entitlement of a child to Irish citizenship is determined by the Passport Office following receipt of an application for a passport on the child's behalf.

Where a child born in the State did not at birth have an entitlement to Irish citizenship, the parent or guardian or person who is in loco parentis to the child may lodge an application for naturalisation on behalf of the child if and when the conditions for naturalisation are satisfied, including a requirement to have 5 years residence in the State.

The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and I know the Deputy will appreciate that it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement Data

Questions (115)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

115. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of staff in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, ODCE, in each of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019, by account, administrative staff, legal personnel and other staff, in tabular form; the amount of funding allocated to the ODCE in each of the years 2010 to 2018; the allocation for 2019; the amount expended in each of the years 2010 to 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8936/19]

View answer

Written answers

The number of staff in the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement (ODCE) in respect of the years 2010 to 2018 and to date in 2019 are set out in the following table.

The funding allocation and expenditure for the ODCE in respect of the years 2010 to 2018 are set out in the following table.

Year

2010 €m

2011 €m

2012  €m

2013  €m

2014  €m

2015  €m

2016  €m

2017  €m

2018  €m

Funding allocation

6.086

5.967

5.697

5.330

4.672

5.091

5.015

4.895

5.057

Expenditure at year end

3.699

3.397

3.436

3.123

3.013

3.073

2.727

3.014

3.701

The distribution of the funding allocations across my Department’s Vote, including that of the Office of the Director of Corporate Enforcement, is determined through the annual Revised Estimates Volume (REV) process.

A significant element of the non-pay allocation provided to the Office provides for possible legal costs. These costs, as well as their timing, are difficult to forecast as the Office has little or no control over the timing of when the cases will be determined. It is also the case that the Office cannot be sure of the outcome of cases in terms of costs orders and it cannot anticipate the scale of costs that other parties may seek.  Whilst it is entirely prudent that provision continue to be made to meet legal costs in the Office’s subhead, the corollary of the uncertainty in relation to the amount, timing etc. of such costs can lead to underspends. This has been the case for the last number of years where the Office’s legal costs have been significantly less than anticipated thus giving rise to underspends.

There have also been underspends in the pay allocation.  Over recent years, a number of senior-level vacancies have arisen within the Office through a combination of retirement, promotion and transfer to other parts of the public service.  Whilst the Office, along with a number of other State organisations, faces challenges in the recruitment of highly qualified professional staff, particularly in the current buoyant labour market, I am satisfied that it has sufficient pay monies.  At present, there are no requests for additional staffing from the Office.

An additional €1m was provided for the ODCE in 2019 to reflect the likely costs associated with the transition of the ODCE into a stand-alone Agency.  A funding allocation of €6.057m has been provided for the ODCE for 2019.

Staffing Resources2010 – 2011 *

Grade

2010

2011

Director

1

1

Corporate Compliance Manager

1

1

Principal Officer

2

2

Legal Adviser (PO Equivalent)

3

3

Principal Solicitor (PO Equivalent)

1

1

Assistant Principal

4

4

Solicitor (AP Equivalent)

2

2

Accountant Grade I (AP Equivalent)

2

2

Accountant Grade III (HEO Equivalent)

0

0

Higher Executive Officer/Systems Analyst

9.7

8.7

Executive Officer

6.7

6.7

Clerical Officer

7.3

7.3

Temporary Legal Secretary (CO Equiv.)

1

1

Detective Inspector

1

1

Detective Sergeant

2

2

Detective Garda

7

7

TOTALS

50.7

49.7

* Staffing figures are given as at 31 December each year to 2018

The Office was re-configured in 2012

Staffing Resources 2012 - 2018*

Grade

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

February 2019

Director

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

1

Heads of Function

4

4

4

4

3

2

1

1

Legal Adviser (PO Equivalent)

2

2

2

2

1

1

-

-

Accountant Grade I

2

1

1

0

-

-

-

-

Accountant Grade III

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

0

Solicitor (AP Equivalent)

2

2

2

1

1

1

1

1

Assistant Principal

4

4

3

3

3

3

4

4

Higher Executive Officer

7.6

8

7

7

7

5.8

6.8

6.8

Executive Officer

6.8

6.8

6

5.8

4.8

5.5

5.5

5.5

Clerical Officer

6.5

6.5

6.5

6.8

7.7

5.7

7.8

7.8

Temp. Legal Secretary (CO Equiv.)

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

Forensic Accountant

-

-

-

-

5

5

7

7

Enforcement Portfolio Manager

-

-

-

-

-

1

2

2

Digital Forensics Specialist

­-

-

-

-

-

1

1

1

Enforcement Lawyer

-

-

-

-

-

-

2

2

Det. Inspector (Head of Function)

1

1

1

1

0

1

1

1

Detective Sergeant

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

2

Detective Garda

4.5

2.5

2.5

2

3

4

4

4

Garda

1

1

1

1

0

0

0

0

Superintendent

0.1

0.1

0

0

0

0

0

0

TOTALS

45.5

42.9

40

37.6

38.5

39

46.1

46.1

Brexit Preparations

Questions (116)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

116. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the supports and advice contact points available to businesses from her Department and agencies under her remit with regard to contacting suppliers to ensure continuity of supply of goods and services post-Brexit. [8937/19]

View answer

Written answers

As it stands, the UK is scheduled to leave the European Union as of 11pm on Friday, 29 March 2019. While many Irish businesses already have plans in place to mitigate the impacts of Brexit, I am conscious that a proportion of businesses have delayed their Brexit planning due to the degree of uncertainty in the UK surrounding the Brexit negotiations and the withdrawal process. As we approach the withdrawal date, I am urging all businesses to prepare, make all necessary decisions, and complete all required administrative actions.

Extensive work has been ongoing in my Department and across Government to help businesses prepare for all Brexit eventualities. This includes research and development of supports to help ensure that businesses are prepared for potential difficulties arising as a result of the UK’s decision to leave the EU. It is important that businesses understand that there are supports and advice available to help them prepare for Brexit.

My Department and its agencies are fully engaged in preparing Irish businesses for Brexit and have participated in the Government of Ireland’s series of Getting Ireland Brexit Ready events in Cork, Galway, Monaghan, Dublin, Limerick and Donegal. As part of awareness-raising activities, EI continues to roll out regional Brexit Advisory clinics. To date, these clinics have been held in Letterkenny, Tralee, Portlaoise, Claremorris, Cootehill, Charleville, Dublin, Galway, Dundalk, Waterford and Limerick. Further events are planned in Galway, Cork, Letterkenny and Dublin ahead of the withdrawal date.

EI has also been running a PrepareforBrexit communications campaign, featuring the Brexit SME Scorecard and the PrepareforBrexit.ie website, which offers information on the likely impacts of Brexit on Irish businesses and how these impacts might be mitigated. The Brexit SME Scorecard is an interactive online platform that can be used by all Irish businesses to self-assess their exposure to Brexit. EI has also made available a Be Prepared Grant which offers up to €5,000 for exporting client companies to conduct further research and use external expertise to develop a Brexit Action Plan.

Funding to the Local Enterprise Offices has been increased by 22% and they, along with InterTradeIreland, are offering a range of Brexit focused supports to companies, including those engaged in cross-border trade with Northern Ireland. InterTradeIreland continues to offer its Brexit: Start to Plan voucher scheme, which makes available financial support of up to €2,250 towards professional advisory services to address Brexit-related challenges.

The LEOs offer Brexit supports to micro and small businesses through the 31 LEOs nationwide. These include a “Technical Assistance for Micro-enterprises” grant, designed to support qualifying businesses to diversify into new markets, enabling companies to explore and develop new market opportunities. This is accompanied by tailored mentoring to address Brexit-related business challenges, and targeted training on specific Brexit challenges.

After the withdrawal date, businesses that continue to buy goods from the UK will be classed as importers. This has the potential to cause further disruption to supply chains. Businesses are encouraged to contact Revenue to understand the changes that may affect them once the UK leaves the EU. Businesses are also urged to contact their suppliers and service providers to seek assurances about the continuity of the supply of their goods and services post Brexit.

Where standards and conformity assessment are areas of potential concern, businesses are encouraged to contact the National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI), which provides support and guidance to Irish businesses and industry to mitigate Brexit effects on standards and certification. For businesses importing chemicals from the UK, the Health and Safety Authority's (HSA) Chemicals Helpdesk is available to help prepare for Brexit.

For further information, as well as a full list of the information and advisory supports available, businesses should consult my Department's Getting Business Brexit Ready page at dbei.gov.ie/BrexitReady.

Brexit Preparations

Questions (117)

Billy Kelleher

Question:

117. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the timeline for implementation of all the recommendations to date in relation to the report by the expert group on future skills needs on addressing the skills needs arising from the potential trade implications of Brexit; the details of recommendations implemented and not implemented to date, in tabular form; the details of all customs awareness and higher level customs clearance training and advice for third country trading that are in place; the number of participants in customs training and mentoring supports that was announced in budget 2019; and the amount of such funding expended that was announced in budget 2019 to date regarding customs training. [8938/19]

View answer

Written answers

The Expert Group on Future Skills Needs (EGFSN) is an independent body tasked with advising the Government on the current and future skills needs of the Irish economy, as well as any other issues that impact on the national potential for enterprise and employment growth.

In June of last year the Group published its report “Addressing the Skills Needs Arising from the Potential Trade Implications of Brexit”, which was an important contribution to the evidence base on Brexit and the Government’s wider contingency planning.

Following the report’s publication my Department formally engaged with the responsible bodies identified in the report, including a number of Government Departments, agencies, and industry bodies, to action and formally progress its recommendations- the timelines for which, as per the advice offered by the EGFSN, were both short term and longer term in nature.

The recommendations of the EGFSN have been reflected in the work the Government has undertaken to ensure the enterprise base can respond to Brexit through enhancing its capacity to compete, innovate and trade. As far as my Department is concerned, this has been reflected in:

- The participation of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and its enterprise agencies in the Government’s national Brexit preparedness public information and awareness campaign, ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’.

- My Department’s establishment of a dedicated “Getting Business Brexit Ready” web portal, which includes sections on advice and guidance, financial supports, and upskilling, and is linked to by my Department's Brexit social media campaign. This can be accessed at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/EU-Internal-Market/Brexit/Getting-Brexit-Ready/

- The launch of Enterprise Ireland’s national and regional communications campaign urging companies to prepare for Brexit through planning, innovating, competing and diversifying their trade, which complements its promotion of the Brexit Scorecard, Be Prepared Grant, Brexit Advisory Clinics, and Act On support programme.

- The awareness raising and outreach, as well as Brexit supports, offered by InterTradeIreland and the Local Enterprise Office network, including the Brexit Planning Online Guide, Start to Plan voucher, the Brexit mentor programme, as well as Brexit related conferences, workshops and targeted radio and social media adverting campaigns.

- The publication by my Department of the Currency Risk Management for Irish SMEs guide, and support for financial and currency management advice and training under Enterprise Ireland’s Act On programme, InterTradeIreland’s Start to Plan voucher, and Enterprise Ireland’s Management Development training provision.

- Enterprise Ireland’s continued promotion of the Graduate Stayback permission scheme to international students, its GradStart language support, and International Graduate programme.

- The engagement by my Department’s enterprise agencies with the National Skills architecture more generally, to ensure that those trade related skills needs identified in the report, and amongst client companies, are serviced by the education and training system.

The EGFSN report also recommended the introduction or expansion of customs awareness and higher level customs clearance training and advice for third country trading.

My Department’s enterprise agencies have liaised closely with the Revenue Commissioners in the roll out of its Trader Engagement programme.

Customs training and advice offered by the mainly private providers active in this field is also eligible for support under InterTradeIreland’s Brexit Start to Plan voucher. A list of these providers can be found on the Brexit section of the InterTradeIreland website: https://intertradeireland.com/brexit/brexit-service-providers/

In December Enterprise Ireland launched its Customs Insights online course, which is aimed at helping businesses understand key customs concepts, documentation and processes. The course, which is available to both Enterprise Ireland and non-Enterprise Ireland client companies, can be accessed through Enterprise Ireland’s Prepare for Brexit portal: www.prepareforbrexit.com/customs-insights-course/.

As announced in Budget 2019, the Local Enterprise Offices are also organising the rolling out a series of ‘Prepare Your Business for Customs’ workshops.

These customs workshops are fully funded by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation through Enterprise Ireland and are open to businesses from all sectors and from all parts of the country.

‘Prepare Your Business for Customs’ initial workshops are being organised by Local Enterprise Offices over the next month- in Cavan on February 25th, Cork on March 8th, Dublin on March 13th and Laois on March 21st. Further dates and locations for workshops in every region will be announced shortly. It is envisaged that there will be a maximum participation level of 25 at each workshop.

Organ Donation

Questions (118)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

118. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) in relation to organ donation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8784/19]

View answer

Written answers

The General Scheme of a Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill is being finalised at present and will be submitted to Government shortly.

The General Scheme will include provisions for a soft opt-out system of consent for deceased organ donation.

National Maternity Strategy Implementation

Questions (119)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

119. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health if implementation of the new national maternity strategy will be delayed or modified due to the rescheduling of funding for certain projects to offset the cost overrun at the new national children’s hospital; the degree of implementation of the national maternity strategy in County Donegal to date; the way in which implementation in County Donegal will be affected in the event of funding rescheduling taking place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8785/19]

View answer

Written answers

The new children’s hospital is a vital and much needed project. The Government has examined the funding pressures associated with delivering this important project and has made adjustments to capital allocations to ensure that the new children’s hospital will be delivered. My Department and the HSE are currently engaged in a process to finalise the HSE Capital Plan for 2019. The HSE Capital Plan will determine the projects that can progress in 2019, and beyond, having regard to the total available capital funding and the relevant priority of each project. All Health capital projects, currently at various stages of development, including maternity projects, are included as part of this process.

I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly in relation to your specific queries on progress made to implement the National Maternity Strategy in Donegal.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Staff

Questions (120)

Marcella Corcoran Kennedy

Question:

120. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Health the reason an art therapist post in child and adolescent mental health services, CAMHS, in counties Laois and Offaly has been discontinued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8786/19]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Services for People with Disabilities

Questions (121)

Joan Collins

Question:

121. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address matters in relation to early intervention team services for a person (details supplied). [8790/19]

View answer

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.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Questions (122)

Dessie Ellis

Question:

122. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Health when a new primary care centre will be delivered for an area (details supplied) in Dublin 11 for which land has already been identified; when funding will be available to build the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8810/19]

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Written answers

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Departmental Funding

Questions (123)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

123. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if requested and necessary funding has been allocated for the work and projects of a society (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8820/19]

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Written answers

I am aware of the financial difficulties that the Irish Deaf Society is currently experiencing and the concerns regarding its future sustainability.

The Irish Deaf Society focuses its service delivery on advocacy, training and development as distinct from the delivery of health and social care supports to the deaf community and for this reason, it does not receive core-funding from the Health Vote. However, there are a number of other funding options available to the Irish Deaf Society. It has received funding, in the past, from the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Department of Education & Skills. It has also received grants from the Department of Justice and Equality and the National Lottery.

I am currently working with colleagues in Government to see if this issue can be resolved and I remain hopeful of a positive outcome.

Medicinal Products Availability

Questions (124)

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

124. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health when the HSE will publish the results of its consultation (details supplied) and policy on improving the use of biosimilar medicines in the health system here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8821/19]

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Written answers

My Department and the HSE are engaging in a number of initiatives which will endeavour to lead to better access to medicines for patients, value for the taxpayer and the cost- effective provision of medicines in Ireland.

A public consultation on a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy was undertaken by my Department in 2017. The responses to that consultation and other possible policy levers are being considered by my Department with a view to developing a National Biosimilar Medicines Policy which will require the involvement of stakeholders from across the health service. I expect that my Department will make progress in this regard in 2019.

At an operational level, the HSE's Acute Hospitals Drugs Management Programme has a biosimilar strategy in place since 2017 which is making considerable progress using a collaborative approach with hospital pharmacists and clinical teams to bring about changes in prescribing practice. In that respect, hospitals are working towards a targeted minimum prescribing rate for biosimilars of 50%.

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