Written Answers Nos. 320-339
320. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if legislation provides for sanctions where substandard artificial insemination, AI, straws are provided to farmers by bovine AI field service licence holders; if so, the possible sanctions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20585/23]
View answerBovine A.I. Field Service Licences (FSL) are issued by my Department in accordance with Statutory Instrument 19 of 2009. Applicants must have an adequate level of resources to deliver traceability with regard to Zootechnical and Animal Health information and ensure records can be produced on request. The Regulations governing this area are currently being revised and a new Statutory Instrument is being drafted.
AI Technicians are contracted to an FSL Licence holder and must ensure they are adhering to the highest of traceability and disease prevention standards. AI Technicians are licenced by my Department under the Animal Health and Welfare (AI Technician Licence Regulations) 2019 (S.I No.431 of 2019).
My Department has not been made aware of any issues regarding substandard AI straws. Depending on the issue, this may be a matter between the service provider and the customer.
322. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an Areas of Natural Constraint, ANC, payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20670/23]
View answerThe Inheritance Enquiry Unit of the Department has been liaising over the last number of months with the Solicitor’s for the Estate of the deceased person who held this herd number jointly with the person named. The final documentation required was submitted to my Department on 26 April 2023. On 27 April 2023, the case was finalised to facilitate payment of outstanding monies. Any payment due will now issue to the nominated bank account as quickly as possible.
323. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a settlement figure will be provided to a person (details supplied). [20717/23]
View answerI can confirm that my Officials in the Lands Branch of my Department have made contact with the individual concerned and I understand that all relevant information has now been provided.
324. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20719/23]
View answerOfficials in my Department have examined the relevant records and have confirmed that no application was made by the person named in relation to the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme. This Scheme opened for online applications on 2nd November 2022 and closed for applications on 5th December 2022.
The procedure for seeking an internal review of a case on force majeure grounds is outlined in sections 10 and 11 of the 2023 Fodder Support Scheme Terms and Conditions. On 27th April 2023, my Department contacted the person named by phone and outlined this procedure. As of 2nd May 2023, no appeal has yet been received.
325. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 474 of 8 February 2023, if an exclusion order against a named person (details supplied) remains in place; if it was in effect on 3 February 2023 when the person was photographed at Shelbourne Park Stadium with a representative of Greyhound Racing Ireland after their greyhound finished first in a race; if this constituted a breach of the exclusion order which prohibits the excluded individual from being on any greyhound track; if so, the action that will be taken; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20757/23]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
326. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total cost of the transfer of the disability portfolio from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20579/23]
View answer327. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total allocation to the disability section of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20580/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 326 and 327 together.
On 1 March 2023 Specialist Community-Based Disability Services transferred from the Department of Health to the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The budget allocation that will transfer between the two departments, subject to Oireachtas approval, is €2.647 billion based on the agreed scope of services to transfer, and includes funding for an expected end year workforce of 20,424 Whole Time Equivalents employed by the HSE and Section 38 agencies.
There was no additional cost to the exchequer associated with the transfer, which was progressed in line with the established principles set out in the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform’s Transfer of Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook, which states that “Transfers of functions should be Exchequer-neutral”. Both Departments worked together collaboratively to ensure the transfer was delivered in line with best practices.
328. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 518 of 6 December 2022, the status of the roll-out of the two community neuro-rehabilitation teams within CHO 6 and CHO 7; the status of recruitment in this regard; if he will clarify in which CHOs the promised two additional community neuro-rehabilitation teams will be located in 2023; the timeline for the roll-out of a community neuro-rehabilitation team in CHO 2, and in all CHOs in which a community neuro-rehabilitation team is yet to be established; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20776/23]
View answerAs this question refers to an operational matter I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
329. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has been made aware of the difficulties that a special needs preschool (details supplied) that caters for children with complex needs is having sourcing a new premises, and that it faces closure in June 2023 if an approved premises is not found; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20206/23]
View answerAs the subject matter of the Deputy's question relates to a service matter for the HSE, I have referred the matter to the HSE for direct reply.
330. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to amend legislation to address the situation whereby job interviewees believe they have been discriminated against by employers at job interview stage, especially in instances where interviewees have taken cases to the WRC and believe they have been discriminated against due to taking said cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20210/23]
View answerDiscrimination on nine specified grounds, namely, gender, civil status, family, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, membership of the Traveller is prohibited by law in the field of employment under the Employment Equality Acts 1998 to 2015. The Acts prohibit direct and indirect discrimination or harassment related to any of the discriminatory grounds, sexual harassment, and victimisation. These include recruitment and promotion; equal pay; working conditions; training or experience; dismissal and harassment including sexual harassment. They also prohibit victimisation for taking equality claims.
Complaints regarding breaches of equality legislation may be pursued before the Workplace Relations Commission, which publishes statistics regularly on its decisions in regard to equality complaints disaggregated by discriminatory ground. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, which is independent in the exercise of its statutory functions, provides information on taking complaints under these acts and supports strategic litigation in this regard.
I am currently conducting a review of the Equality Acts to examine, among other issues, the functioning of the Acts and their effectiveness in combatting discrimination and promoting equality.
331. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the drafting of legislation to ban conversion therapy in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20236/23]
View answer332. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the research commissioned by his Department on capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to conversion practices in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20237/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 331 and 332 together.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion strategy 2019 – 2021 contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy provides for the prohibition of “the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland” and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy commits to investigating conversion therapy in Ireland and following up with appropriate counter measures.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned research into the issue of conversion therapy. The multi-phased mixed-methodology research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and a report of the findings was published in February 2023. The research provides an insight into how conversion therapy practices operate in Ireland. It also includes an examination of the growing body of recent international research literature in the area. The findings of the research indicate that conversion therapy practices take place in Ireland, and has developed understanding of how these practices operate. It confirms the harm that is inflicted on those who experience such practices.
Given the potential complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, the Government is carefully considering the underpinning policy matters to ensure that vulnerable members of society are protected from these harmful practices. Work on the plan to draft legislation is ongoing including the identification of the key legal issues including the promotion of conversion therapy practices, and is a priority for Government this year. It is planned that legislative proposals will be brought forward by the end of the year, informed by this research and international best practice.
333. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will support a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20257/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
334. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide a definite timeframe for when a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be established in HSE area CHO 7; when recruitment will begin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20269/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
335. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the programme for Government commitment to ban conversion therapy in Ireland; if he will provide an update on the research commissioned by his Department on capturing the views and experiences of people who have been subjected to conversion practices in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20289/23]
View answerThe Programme for Government contains a commitment to legislate to ban conversion therapy. The National LGBTI Youth Strategy 2018 – 2020 and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion strategy 2019 – 2021 contain commitments in relation to conversion therapy. The LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy provides for the prohibition of “the promotion or practice of conversion therapy by health professionals in Ireland” and the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy commits to investigating conversion therapy in Ireland and following up with appropriate counter measures.
The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth commissioned research into the issue of conversion therapy. The multi-phased mixed-methodology research was carried out by Trinity College Dublin, School of Nursing and Midwifery, and a report of the findings was published in February 2023. The research provides an insight into how conversion therapy practices operate in Ireland. It also includes an examination of the growing body of recent international research literature in the area. The findings of the research indicate that conversion therapy practices take place in Ireland, and has developed understanding of how these practices operate. It confirms the harm that is inflicted on those who experience such practices.
Given the potential complex and sensitive nature of the proposed legislation, the Government is carefully considering the underpinning policy matters to ensure that vulnerable members of society are protected from these harmful practices. Work on the plan to draft legislation is ongoing including the identification of the key legal issues including the promotion of conversion therapy practices, and is a priority for Government this year. It is planned that legislative proposals will be brought forward by the end of the year, informed by this research and international best practice.
336. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position regarding the roll-out of the national neuro-rehabilitation team for CHO 8 covering County Meath; if he will ensure the neuro-rehabilitation team will be provided for CHO 8 and the Meath area as a matter of extreme urgency (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20298/23]
View answerAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
337. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled adults on the HSE list for services in County Meath; the number on a waiting list for services; the number of whom are neuro-disabled people; and the number who are classified as having an acquired brain injury, by number and percentage of the total, in tabular form. [20300/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
338. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled adults on the HSE list for services in County Meath who are on a waiting list to see physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists, speech and language therapists, by number and percentage of the total, in tabular form. [20301/23]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
339. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and speech and language therapists, respectively, delivering services in County Meath, that is, not allocated, but actually on the ground delivering services, by number and percentage of the total, in tabular form. [20302/23]
View answer340. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position regarding funding for acquired brain injury services in County Meath; the amount that is actually being provided via the voluntary sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20303/23]
View answer341. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the funds that are allocated to an organisation (details supplied) for the physical and sensory disability service in Dunboyne, County Meath; the allocation that is going to people with acquired brain injury; if there is a specific allocation for such service users with funding for appropriately trained staff and activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20304/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 339 to 341, inclusive, together.
As this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
