Written Answers Nos. 487-501
487. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine for an update on the decommissioning scheme being operated by his Department; how many applications have been approved; the stage they are at in progression; how many vessel owners have been paid at this stage of the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29792/23]
View answerIn March it was announced that 42 vessels had accepted offers made under the Brexit Voluntary Permanent Cessation Scheme. These vessels had a combined total capacity of over 6,700 gross tonnes, equivalent to 84% of the target of 8,000 Gross Tonnes to be voluntarily withdrawn from the Irish fleet that was recommended by the Seafood Taskforce. The total cost for decommissioning these vessels was approximately €63 million. These 42 vessels comprise a mixture of prawn and whitefish trawlers, seine netters, gillnetters, and beam trawl vessels, spread around fishing ports along the coast.
Since this announcement, 14 vessels have completed decommissioning of which, 11 have received final payment.
Additional vessels are in various stages of the decommissioning process. While the offers made under the scheme have been accepted by the vessel owners, these individuals still have to comply with the terms and conditions of the offer and complete the decommissioning process within the timelines specified by the scheme. As the majority of these vessel owners are yet to complete this process and receive all payments, it would not be appropriate at this point to offer any further segmentation, detail or individual vessel characteristics which may result in the identification of individual applicants.
488. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Ireland decided not to implement the EMFF 2014-2020 and EMFAF 2021-2027 making crisis support available for the operators in the fishery and aquaculture sectors for income lost due to adverse conditions caused by the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29793/23]
View answerI have been closely monitoring the trends in fuel prices and have engaged with the industry frequently on this matter. It has been a welcome signal, that after peaks in the summer, fuel prices began to fall towards the latter part of 2022 and for 2023 to date have continued to fall and stabilise at levels similar to those experienced prior to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
During these events, I have been ensuring support has been provided for the seafood sector through the development of schemes based on Seafood Task Force recommendations, totalling €271.3 million to date. These include increased support for fishers with additional tie-up periods for the whitefish segment and a reopening of the Brexit Inshore Business Model Adjustment Scheme for 2023. Additional schemes are being examined at present with regard to State Aid rules.
The EMFF Seafood Development Programme is nearing closure with the majority of funds committed. In utilising the residual EMFF funding, in February I announced the reopening the Sustainable Fisheries Scheme (Part B). This scheme provides grant aid for on-board capital investment in fishing vessels and is an important opportunity to maintain investment in the fleet and to enable vessel owners invest in environmentally progressive sustainable fishing.
The EMFAF Seafood Development Programme was adopted by the European Commission in December 2022 and is the primary source of funding for the seafood sector over the coming years. For fisheries, the Programme will include supports for capital investment on board vessels, innovation in fishing gear and methods and technical advice to the fleet.
This combined approach has ensured that short-term supports are available to fishers in the challenging operating environment, that long term investment supports are in place to reduce the exposure of the fleet to future shocks and that funds are maximised to ensure the longer-term development and sustainability of the seafood sector as a whole.
489. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will advise on the continued implementation and monitoring of regulations around live exports; if he will advise with regard to reports regarding a specific case (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29829/23]
View answerThe management and operation of any vessel carrying livestock from Ireland is subject to EU rules, including prior inspection and approval of the vessel by this Department. Ireland has also introduced its own national legislation regulating animal welfare in dedicated livestock vessels, which lays down more stringent controls that go further than those in EU law.
Vessels can only be used after being inspected by a specialised veterinarian and a marine engineer. Each loading of livestock onto dedicated vessels for export to non-EU countries is monitored and supervised by a team of experienced Department officials, both at the assembly centre and at the exit port. The Department assess and approves such voyages only where the requirements of the legislation are met by the operators.
The consignment of cattle referred to underwent the required level of supervision and control as outlined above.
490. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking in response to CSO figures showing that 14,119 tonnes of beef was imported into Ireland in the first three months of 2023, including where this beef is being imported from and which markets it is servicing. [29835/23]
View answerThe Central Statistics Office will release the April 2023, Goods Exports and Imports figures on Wednesday 21 June 2023. It is anticipated that there will be revisions to the beef import figures for the first quarter 2023 and for parts of 2022.
I will forward directly the requested data when available to the Deputy.
Ireland is amongst the largest net exporters of beef in the world and Irish farmers are significant beneficiaries of the EU global market and the rules bases global trading order upon which this is based.
|
Beef |
Imports |
|
|
Jan – April 2023 |
||
|
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
|
United Kingdom |
51,192 |
9,545 |
|
% of overall imports |
87% |
85% |
|
Beef |
Exports |
|
|
Jan – April 2023 |
||
|
€000 |
Tonnes |
|
|
United Kingdom |
452,301 |
68,974 |
|
% of overall exports |
46% |
45% |
491. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need that have been outsourced by the HSE to private providers in CHO 4 in 2022 and 2023; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29388/23]
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.
492. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need that have been outsourced by the HSE to private providers in CHO 5 in 2022 and 2023; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29389/23]
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.
493. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need that have been outsourced by the HSE to private providers in CHO 6 in 2022 and 2023; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29390/23]
View answer494. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need that have been outsourced by the HSE to private providers in CHO 7 in 2022 and 2023; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29391/23]
View answer495. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need that have been outsourced by the HSE to private providers in CHO 8 in 2022 and 2023; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29392/23]
View answer496. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of assessments of need that have been outsourced by the HSE to private providers in CHO 9 in 2022 and 2023; the cost of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29393/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 493 to 496, 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.
497. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the HSE will establish a community neuro-rehabilitation team in the CHO 8 area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29400/23]
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.
498. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on developments around needs-based accommodations and supports for people with a disability in getting employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29414/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my Cabinet colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
499. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the additional staff and resources that have been provided through secondment or otherwise to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth since the beginning of the war in Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29846/23]
View answerAt the end of February 2022 there was 484 staff in my Department and as of 31 May 2023 there are 672 staff in my Department a total increase of 158.
500. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will ensure that a child (details supplied) receives speech and language, occupational therapy and psychology input as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29064/23]
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.
501. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the contractual requirements on suppliers of accommodation to international protection residents to provide supports for children in their care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29084/23]
View answerThe health and well-being of all residents in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) centres is of the highest priority to myself and my officials.
When new accommodation centres are contracted by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) through a Request for Tender (RFT) process, there are strict requirements in the form of supports and services that must be provided for children.
Supports and services for children are required to ensure that they are safe from harm, active and healthy and achieving their full potential in their development. This includes (but is not limited to) education-related supports including access to a quiet space for homework/study, sporting and recreational activities and age-appropriate toys and equipment.
Access to a range of adequate and accessible play, sports and recreational facilities, both indoor and outdoor, within the locale must be provided or facilitated to meet the needs of children or young people.
Children under school-going age must have access to a crèche/preschool within walking distance.
Children First training is provided to all staff in IPAS accommodation centres and the training is provided by IPAS.
The staffing service must include provision for:
• Identifying and linking young people and families with the appropriate community supports;
• Supporting young persons to identify their interests and to support parents with parenting.
• A member of the centre's management team must be designated as a Child and Youth Support Officer assigned particular responsibility for providing age-appropriate services and supports for children and young people.
• The Child and Youth Support Officer must be fully trained in Child Safeguarding and Children First procedures as required under legislation and have appropriate experience and training in working with children and young people. They also must hold at minimum a QQI Level 6 qualification in social care or equivalent.
• Within the accommodation centre, information including notices about online safety must be available to children, young people and parents.
• In terms of Emergency accommodation centres, the following services and supports are included in the contract for providers:
• All staff, employees or other Centre personnel must be Garda vetted in accordance with the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012;
• The accommodation provider must comply with and implement the provisions of the Children’s First Act 2015, in particular the requirement to have a Child Safeguarding Statement and acceptance of the requirement for accommodation managers and/or designated liaison persons to be "mandated reporting persons" within the meaning of the Act;
• A suitable private area must be available for the use of the international protection applicant, IPAS and the agencies providing services to applicants such as HSE, Department of Social Protection and Tusla Education Support Services;
• The accommodation provider is required to make suitable arrangements for transport as required including to and from schools.
