Written Answers Nos. 233-250
233. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the position regarding current staffing levels for paediatric epilepsy services at University Hospital Limerick (details supplied); the arrangements that are being put in place to ensure children are receiving continuing care; if a recruitment campaign has been initiated to fill vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8757/22]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
234. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the audit on spending to date on the new national maternity hospital enabling works at Elm Park has been completed; if so, if he will provide a copy of the audit report; if not, if there is an expected date for completion; and the reason that the late 2021 completion date was missed. [8802/22]
View answer235. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he is aware of whether the Comptroller and Auditor General has determined that a value for money special report is required for the new national maternity hospital given the comments by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the audit on the spending (details supplied); if so, if he is of the view that such a report will apply to the entire new national maternity hospital project at Elm Park; when it is expected such a report will be completed; and if the report will be publicly available. [8803/22]
View answer236. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the increase in the budget for the new National Maternity Hospital enabling works which has increased from €22 million to €51 million known spend to date; and if the Comptroller and Auditor General has carried out analysis to explain the variance. [8804/22]
View answer237. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if all new national maternity hospital enabling works are now completed; if not, the further works that are in progress or not yet started; and the projected end total cost of these enabling works. [8805/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 234 to 237, inclusive, together.
The Department of Health has not received any correspondence from the Comptroller & Auditor General (C&AG) in relation to an audit as described by the Deputy.
As the Deputy’s question relates to expenditure by the HSE, any engagement by the C&AG in this area would most likely be directly with the HSE and, as such, I have referred your questions to the HSE for direct reply.
Planning permission for the new NMH was secured in 2017 and contracts for various enabling works were subsequently awarded. As part of these enabling works, and in order to prepare the proposed site of the relocated NMH, a replacement pharmacy has been constructed and is now operational and a carpark extension is being completed.
The €51m investment referred to by the Deputy is a combined figure for a number of construction and enabling works to prepare the site of the new maternity hospital and de-risk the campus in advance of the construction works for the new hospital. These works include a single construction contract awarded for the replacement pharmacy and extension to existing multi-storey carpark works, at a value of €28,911,062.80 including VAT.
Also included in the €51m (including Vat) spend to date, are contracts for a number of other enabling works, ongoing at present, to facilitate the move of the NMH from Holles Street to the Saint Vincent's University Hospital campus and consist of:
- Aspergillus protection and prevention works
- Demolition works
- Junction upgrades to the entrances at Nutley Lane and Merrion Road in line with planning conditions
- Enabling works / site preparation works; and
- Infrastructural works, including diversions of life critical mechanical and electrical systems supporting the adult hospital.
I have also referred the questions relating to enabling works to the HSE to provide any further updates, for direct reply.
238. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which an efficient, effective and expeditious procedure exists to facilitate medical staff, consultants, doctors, nurses or other medical professionals who in response to advertisements have applied to join the health services but in some cases have been waiting for an inordinate amount of time for a reply resulting in some applicants going to other jurisdictions; if these issues can be identified and resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8807/22]
View answerGiven the issues raised, I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
239. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the way that the processing of application by UK-trained nurses for positions here can be expedited to avoid such applicants having to go elsewhere to take up employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8808/22]
View answerMy Department has been informed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI) that, as the UK training standards for nurses and midwives continue to align closely with the requirements of the EU Qualifications Directive, applications from UK trained graduates for registration with the NMBI are processed swiftly. Typically, delays arise where applicants have not included certain necessary documents such as verification of identification, a certified copy of a passport or documentation from a Higher Education Institution. Completed applications from UK graduates are typically processed within three to four days.
240. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed ministerial Garda drivers to his Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9032/22]
View answerThere are in total seven civilian drivers currently employed by the Department, between them assigned to the Minister for Health and each of the three Ministers of State at the Department of Health. The salary for civilian drivers is €741.26 PPC per week since 1st February 2022. The drivers work on a week on/week off basis.
In January 2022 two Garda drivers were assigned by an Garda Síochána to provide these services for the Minister for Health and will replace the services of two of the civilian drivers currently employed by the Department.
The salaries of the Garda drivers are a matter for an Garda Síochána and are not paid by the Department of Health.
241. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by his Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if he will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on, to include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8499/22]
View answerThe following links shows foreign travel arranged for each year as at 15/02/2022.
242. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department can legislate for any activity on the seabed that belongs to the Crown Estate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8518/22]
View answer243. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Crown Estate legislates for any activity on the seabed of which the Government of Ireland or any Department thereof claims ownership over; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8519/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 242 and 243 together.
The responsibility for the foreshore in the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine extends only to Aquaculture and Fisheries related activities, including activities in the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres. All other activities which do not relate to Aquaculture or Fisheries activities are the responsibility of the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The management of aquaculture and associated foreshore licensing function in Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough gives rise to legal and jurisdictional complexities. Applications for Aquaculture licenses are considered by my Department under the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act, and applicable EU Legislation. However, in the case of Lough Foyle, Section 2 of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act disapplies the Act to the Moville Area, as it is defined in the Foyle Fisheries Act, 1952.
The Good Friday Agreement provided for the establishment of the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission (FCILC). This body is one of the six North South Implementation Bodies created under the Agreement. The Loughs Agency, as part of the FCLIC, has been given responsibility for fisheries related matters in respect of both Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough and the legislation envisages that the Agency will enter into management agreement with the relevant authorities in both jurisdictions with a view to assuming responsibly for aquaculture licensing within the loughs.
Discussions in respect of the management agreement are ongoing. Negotiations regarding the jurisdiction of the Lough Foyle and Carlingford Lough along with any other jurisdictional issues are in the first instance, a matter for the Department of Foreign Affairs. In view of the multi-dimensional and cross jurisdictional nature of the issue involved it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.
244. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is his Department's policy to increase penalties on farmers who exercise their right to appeal; if he will investigate a case in which a farmer (details supplied) in County Kerry had their penalty more than doubled when they exercised their right of appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8669/22]
View answerFollowing completion of an inspection, and in cases where a penalty is being imposed, a final decision (FN) letter issues to the beneficiary. The beneficiary is informed that they can seek a review of the final decision to the District Inspector if they are unhappy with that decision. The FN letter also points out that, on seeking a review, a penalty can remain as notified, it can be removed entirely, reduced or increased. The District Inspector is required to take all available evidence in to account when making the decision.
In relation to the specific case referred to by the Deputy, a cross compliance penalty was applied following the cross reporting of findings from a GLAS inspection. These findings concerned serious works having been carried on a number of land parcels within a Special Area of Conservation (namely the Killarney National Park, MacGillycuddy Reeks and Caragh River Catchment), for which prior written approval is required from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) under EU Regulations. No evidence of prior written approval was provided by the person named. A review of the case was completed by the District Inspector on 7th January 2022, with the documentation from the applicant having been considered. The person named was informed in the review letter of his right to seek an Appeal to the Independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
245. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if allowances can be made for the small number of inshore fishery vessels to access the Brexit Inshore Fisheries business model adjustment scheme as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8682/22]
View answer247. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget that has been allocated for the 2022 Brexit inshore fisheries business model adjustment scheme; and the reason for excluding boats under 18 metres who have received payment under the Brexit temporary tie-up scheme. [8711/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 245 and 247 together.
On 12 January, I was delighted to announce a support scheme for the inshore fisheries sector to assist inshore fishers in adjusting to the impacts of Brexit on their businesses. The Brexit Inshore Fisheries Business Model Adjustment Scheme delivers on a recommendation of the Report of the Seafood Task Force - Navigating Change (October 2021). The scheme is proposed for funding under the EU Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR). The new scheme will assist inshore fishers in adjusting their business model to the post Brexit market environment via a suite of four online training modules to be made available by BIM, specifically tailored to the inshore fishing sector. The scheme will provide payments to the participants to adjust their business and marketing plans etc., putting into practice the learnings from the BIM training. Some €4,000 will be paid to owners of vessels over 8 metres in length (and under 18 metres) and some €2,700 to owners of vessels under 8 metres. The maximum budget for the scheme is €3.7 million.
The eligibility criteria for the scheme are based on the detailed scheme proposal to the Task Force made by the National Inshore Fisheries Forum and recommended by the Task Force for implementation. The NIFF criteria include an exclusion for owners of vessels which have received a payment under the Brexit Temporary Fleet Tie-up Scheme, with the objective being to avoid aiding individuals twice for the impacts of Brexit.
246. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if expenditure was incurred by his Department in each of the years 2017 to date in 2022 with regard to a company (details supplied); the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8692/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that in 2021, my Department incurred expenditure of €210 with the company concerned.
This includes the costs in respect of three members of staff attending an event organised by the company that year. No costs were incurred in the preceding years.
248. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed mMinisterial Garda drivers to his Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9027/22]
View answerIn common with many Government Departments, my Department has a number of civilian drivers appointed to support my work and that of the two Ministers of State. There are no Garda drivers assigned currently.
Until 2020, there were four drivers assigned and following the creation of the position of Minister of State with responsibility for land use and biodiversity, two additional drivers were engaged. There are currently six drivers in total.
The 2021 salary cost associated with my Department's civilian drivers is outlined below.
|
- |
Number of Civilian Drivers |
Salary Cost |
|
2021 |
6 |
€193,398.04 |
249. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will provide a schedule of foreign travel episodes arranged by her Department for elected representatives, Ministers and their staff and-or special advisers since 1 January 2018 to date in 2022; and if she will provide a schedule of locations of the travel arranged or advised on. to include the final destination of travel episode, by year, and the full cost of same. [8511/22]
View answerI have not undertaken any foreign travel since my appointment as Minister for Rural and Community Development on 27/06/2020.
Minister O’Brien has not undertaken any foreign travel since his appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for Community Development and Charities at the Department of Rural and Community Development on 27/06/2020.
The cost of Ministerial foreign travel is routinely published by the Department as part of our FOI publication scheme, and this information is available on the Departments website at: www.gov.ie/en/collection/ee623f-ministerial-expenses/
250. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the annual cost of the salaries of any recently appointed ministerial Garda drivers to her Department; the cost of the annual salary of the existing civilian Garda drivers in her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9035/22]
View answerThe Department of Rural and Community Development does not have any Ministerial Garda drivers or civilian Garda drivers in its employment.
