Written Answers Nos. 156-175
156. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a school (details supplied) can be included in the roll-out of the hot meal programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43012/23]
View answerThe School Meals Programme provides funding towards the provision of food services to some 1,700 schools and organisations benefitting 300,000 children. The objective of the programme is to provide regular, nutritious food to children to support them in taking full advantage of the education provided to them. The programme is an important component of policies to encourage school attendance and extra educational achievement.
Budget 2023 provided €94.4 million for the programme. In February, the Government approved an additional €14.5m to allow access to the Hot School Meals scheme for all remaining DEIS schools from September 2023.
Entry to the School Meals Scheme has been confined to DEIS schools in addition to schools identified by the Department of Education as having levels of concentrated disadvantage meaning that their students would benefit from access to the School Meals Programme. The school in question is a non DEIS school with no access to school meals programme funding.
Since my appointment as Minister for Social Protection, I have increased the number of schools with access to the Hot School Meal option from 37 to 1,100. I am committed to continuing to expand the School Meals Programme and building further on the significant extension of the programme that has taken place in recent years.
In this regard, as part of significant plans to extend the Hot School Meals programme, all remaining primary schools were contacted and requested to submit an expression of interest form if their school is interested in commencing the provision of hot school meals. Expressions of interest forms were received from over 900 non DEIS schools in respect of 150,000 children. I understand that an expression of interest has just been received from the school referred to by the Deputy.
From 2024, I intend commencing the roll-out of Hot School Meals to all remaining primary schools on a phased basis.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
157. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason for the refusal of an allowance for a person in County Sligo (details supplied). [43028/23]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 7 September 2023. Based on the medical evidence supplied in support of this application, their application for DA was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition for the scheme was not satisfied.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 26 September 2023 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). If further medical evidence is available, this should be forwarded to the Department immediately with a request for a review of the above decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
158. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection if, with regard to the 18.5 hours per week limited allowed to work or study in order to qualify for carer’s allowance, she acknowledges that this would exclude most part-time jobs or part-time course, as these usually are minimum 20 hours per week; if the 18.5 hours limit could be increased to allow for carers to take up part-time work or to upskill with part-time courses. [43098/23]
View answerMy Department provides a comprehensive package of carers’ income supports including Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer’s Support Grant. Combined spending on these payments in 2023 is estimated at almost €1.6 billion.
A primary qualifying condition for the carer income support payments provided by my department is that the applicant provides full-time care and attention to a person in need of such a level of care. The person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention and be likely to require this full-time care and attention for at least 12 months.
The minimum hours condition for which a carer can be regarded as providing full-time care and attention is set out in legislation. A carer will be regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a relevant person, where the number of hours providing such care is not less than 35 hours in a period of 7 consecutive days, and care is provided on any 5 days, whether consecutive or not, within a period of 7 consecutive days.
The provision of full-time care and attention requirement is moderated somewhat by allowing a carer to work or engage in education or training for up to 18.5 hours a week. Budget 2020 increased this limit from 15 to 18.5 hours. This measure was prioritised in response to the carers who expressed that they found 15 hours to be too restrictive, not only for work but for education and training purposes.
During any period of employment or education or training, adequate provision must be made for the care of the relevant person. It is considered that the current hours condition represents a reasonable balance between meeting the requirement for providing full-time care for the care recipient and the needs of the carer to engage in employment, training or education. It also serves the additional purpose of reducing the social alienation experienced by many carers.
Finally, it is worth noting that each additional hour in work, education and training by a person in receipt of carers allowance equates to an hour less care provided to the caree. Increasing the hours limit could undermine the purpose of the payment, which is to support those giving care and attention on a full-time basis.
I trust that this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
159. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection if any financial supports are available through her Department to facilitate the board of a school (details supplied) purchasing off-road parking; if she is aware of the urgency of this matter, in light of a near-tragic incident occurring on the N56, with children crossing the road to attend the school; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43185/23]
View answerThis is a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport.
160. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1185 of 11 September 2023, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities. [42907/23]
View answerThe Deputy's question of 11 September 2023 asked for the Garda stations that currently have a defibrillator located within the station, in tabular form.
I sought the information requested from the Garda authorities, and I have been advised by them that AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) installed at Garda Stations are funded and maintained by third party organisations, and managed at a local level.
The Garda authorities have also advised that they conducted a survey of Garda stations, and 36 stations have confirmed that they have a defibrillator installed within the station. These are listed in the table below.
|
Station |
County |
|
Carrigaline |
Cork |
|
Gurranabraher |
Cork |
|
Bandon |
Cork |
|
Bantry |
Cork |
|
Clonakilty |
Cork |
|
Mallow |
Cork |
|
Schull |
Cork |
|
Skibbereen |
Cork |
|
Swords |
Dublin |
|
Store Street |
Dublin |
|
Pearse Street |
Dublin |
|
Irishtown |
Dublin |
|
Buncrana |
Donegal |
|
Clifden |
Galway |
|
Kildare |
Kildare |
|
Leixlip |
Kildare |
|
Portlaoise |
Laois |
|
Henry Street |
Limerick |
|
Carrickmacross |
Monaghan |
|
Castleblayney |
Monaghan |
|
Drogheda |
Louth |
|
Dundalk |
Louth |
|
Longford |
Longford |
|
Ballina |
Mayo |
|
Castlerea |
Roscommon |
|
Ashbourne |
Meath |
|
Coolaney |
Sligo |
|
Gurteen |
Sligo |
|
Sligo |
Sligo |
|
Templemore |
Tippeary |
|
Tipperary Town |
Tipperary |
|
Thomastown |
Kilkenny |
|
Dungarvan |
Waterford |
|
Kilbeggan |
Westmeath |
|
Enniscorthy |
Wexford |
|
Gorey |
Wexford |
I can also advise the Deputy that the Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly TD has stated that an enhanced community response is critical to improving cardiac arrest survival rates. This is recognised in the National Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest Strategy (OHCA) “Putting Survival at the Heart of the Community” (2019).
According to Minister Donnelly the Governance Implementation Group for the Strategy have agreed their Priority Action Plan for 2023, and have continued a strong emphasis on strengthening the links of the Chain of Survival in the Irish community.
These actions include the training, equipping and deploying of high numbers of uniformed first responders including members of An Garda Síochána, retained fire services, GPs and off-duty ambulance staff.
I understand that the Implementation Group also has a specific aim to implement a National Ambulance Service (NAS), national Automated External Defibrillator (AED) Registry which is mapped to the NAS dispatch system, and a supporting application for dispatching first responders to the scene of an emergency.
I also understand that work is in progress on developing the AED Registry, with specific emphasis on ensuring the cyber safety of the NAS dispatch system.
161. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda public order unit vans allocated to each Garda division as of 28 September 2023, in tabular form. [42908/23]
View answerThe Government is committed to ensuring An Garda Síochána has the resources it needs to deliver a modern, fit-for-purpose, policing service. Budget 2023 provides funding of over €2 billion for An Garda Síochána, of which €10m has been allocated for investment in the Garda fleet.
As the Deputy will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including the purchase, allocation, and effective and efficient use of Garda vehicles. As Minister, I have no role in such matters.
I am assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities, to ensure their optimum use.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of Public Order Unit vans attached to the Garda fleet on 30 September 2023, the latest date for when figures are available. I am advised that for security reasons figures are provided by Region and not by Division as requested.
|
Region |
Total |
|
Southern |
5 |
|
North/West Region |
3 |
|
Eastern Region |
4 |
|
DMR Region |
18 |
|
Total |
30 |
162. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 719 of 20 September 2023, if she has received the necessary information from the Garda authorities. [42909/23]
View answerI understand that Parliamentary Question No.719 of 20 September 2023 sought the number of Gardaí and full-time civilian staff that are based in each of the four Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau satellite hubs as of 14 September 2023, in tabular form.
I am advised by the Garda authorities, that as of the end of August 2023, there were 65 Garda members assigned to the Garda National Cyber Crime Bureau. These Garda members are joined by 6 Garda Staff who are also assigned to the Bureau.
The Bureau is situated within offices at Walter Scott House, Dublin and at four hub locations at Anglesea Street, Cork; North West Regional Headquarters, Galway; Mullingar and Wexford Town.
The table below shows the staffing levels across each of the satellite hubs as of 14 September 2023.
|
Satellite Hub / |
Garda Members Total |
Garda Staff Total |
|
Cork |
8 |
0 |
|
Galway |
8 |
0 |
|
Mullingar |
5 |
0 |
|
Wexford |
6 |
0 |
|
Total |
27 |
0 |
You may also be interested to know that earlier this year a competition was held through the Public Appointment Services for the employment of Digital Forensic Examiners at Engineering Grade III and it is anticipated the successful candidates will commence employment at the Bureau throughout Q4 2023.
163. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice how the disregard of convictions for certain qualifying offences related to consensual sexual activity between men legislation is progressing; for a timeline on when draft legislation will be completed, as it was not included in the Government legislation programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42931/23]
View answerThe Victorian-era laws which were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay and bisexual men, criminalising and stigmatizing them simply because of their sexual orientation.
As the Deputy will be aware, I published the final report and recommendations of the Working Group examining the feasibility of a scheme to disregard certain historic convictions related to consensual sexual activity between men in June.
The report contains 95 recommendations regarding the introduction of a statutory scheme to enable the disregard of relevant criminal records. The report also makes a number of recommendations on eligibility standards, the application process that should be followed and the offences to include in the scheme.
The publication of the Working Group’s report marks an important moment in efforts to exonerate those impacted by these outdated laws and address some of the lingering harms of the past.
I am committed to progressing legislation that will provide for the introduction of a statutory scheme once the report’s recommendations have been considered in detail and legal advice sought to ensure that draft provisions are legally and constitutionally sound. My intention is to publish a General Scheme next year.
164. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Justice to provide a breakdown of spending, in tabular form, of the two allocations made to the Drogheda implementation board of €167,884 from the dormant accounts fund in 2022 and €268,407 from the dormant accounts fund in 2023; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42932/23]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated and I will contact the Deputy directly once the information is available.
|
Budget Line |
€ |
|
Staff Costs |
€62,283 |
|
Admin Support |
€3,459 |
|
Rent |
€9,600 |
|
IT Support |
€1,133 |
|
Events, Meetings, Conferences |
€12,363 |
|
Office Expenses |
€3,836 |
|
Telephone |
€207 |
|
Travel and Subsistence/Expenses |
€719 |
|
Advertising |
€1,500 |
|
Refurbishment of Lourdes Community Recreation Centre |
€42,487 |
|
Community Crime Impact Assessment delivery |
€7,500 |
|
Grant to Lifestyle Development Group CLG Alarm & lighting system refurbishment, website development |
€7,876 |
|
Grant to Connect FRC Provision of specialist counselling for children on Southside of Drogheda |
€8,000 |
|
Total |
€160,964 |
165. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice for an update on an application with INIS (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42935/23]
View answerThe naturalisation application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Citizenship Division of my Department on the 14 July 2023.
In correspondence dated the 11 September 2023 my Department acknowledged the application and outlined to the applicant that the current median processing time is 19 months.
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.
I understand the extended wait times can be frustrating for applicants and my Department has been working hard to clear backlogs.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, 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.
My Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be the freeing up of more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, improving service to our customers and reduction of waiting times.
Finally, I can advise the Deputy that the Citizenship Division of my Department intends to regularly communicate with all applicants on a quarterly basis into the future, to keep them updated on the status of their application.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, 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 Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
166. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice to provide a list of general schemes referred by her Department to an Oireachtas committee for pre-legislative scrutiny from 1 January 2016 to date; the date each was referred; the date that the general scheme was published for the public to review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42954/23]
View answerIt has not been possible to collate the information in the time allowed. I will write to the Deputy directly when the information is to hand.
167. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Justice her plans to raise criminal legal aid fees paid to solicitors to pre-2008 levels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [42966/23]
View answer168. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if she has considered the case made by barristers that the FEMPI restrictions are being unfairly still applied to them; if any engagement is underway on the issue; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43007/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 167 and 168 together.
Let me assure the Deputy that I recognise the important role played by barristers in undertaking criminal legal aid work.
Any increase in criminal legal aid fees would have to be considered as part of the estimates process for 2024, which is still underway.
169. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Justice for an update on plans for the old Cork prison. [43009/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, the former Cork prison was built in the early 1800s and served as a military detention barracks until it was transferred to the ownership of the Department of Justice in 1972. The building was closed in February 2016 following the construction of new prison facilities on a site opposite the old prison as part of the Irish Prison Service modernisation programme and capital plan for the prison estate.
I am advised by the Irish Prison Service that preliminary discussions have taken place with a number of bodies as to possible future uses of the site. These discussions have, to date, been exploratory in nature.
The Irish Prison Service is increasingly of the view that the site of the former Cork prison remains of strategic interest to the Irish Prison Service, particularly in light of the latest and likely future increases in prisoner numbers. However, no specific or detailed proposals in relation to the former Cork prison are currently under consideration.
170. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice if she will ensure that a person (details supplied) is permitted to attend their placement on an ARAS drug treatment course, given that the person is two years drug free and eager to attend the drug treatment course. [43029/23]
View answerI am informed by my officials in the Irish Prison Service that the prisoner referred to has approximately 2 years left to serve on his current sentence and early release is not being considered at present. His case will be kept under review and all options will be considered at the appropriate stage of his sentence.
By way of general information the Deputy will wish to be aware that the Irish Prison Service provides a health care service for prisoners with addictions in a structured, safe and professional basis in line with international best practice. The Irish Prison Service continues to be committed to, and involved with, the National Drugs Strategy in partnership with community colleagues and organisations.It is the policy of the Irish Prison Service that, where a person committed to prison gives a history of opiate use and tests positive for opioids, they are offered a medically assisted, symptomatic detoxification, if clinically indicated.Patients can, as part of the assessment process, discuss other treatment options with healthcare staff; those treatment options may include stabilisation on methadone maintenance for persons who wish to continue on maintenance while in prison, and when they return to the community on release.
I can further advise the Deputy that, the Irish Prison Service engages Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) to provide a prison-based addiction counselling service across the entire Irish Prison Service estate with the exception of Arbour Hill Prison where there is no clinical need for such a service in that prison. The addiction counselling service includes structured assessments and evidence-based counselling interventions, with clearly-defined treatment plans and goals.
The MQI service provides a range of counselling and intervention skills related to substance misuse and dependency. These skills include, motivational interviewing and enhancement therapy, a twelve step facilitation programme, cognitive behavioural therapy and harm reduction approaches. Prisoners are offered one to one counselling and group work interventions.
171. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if construction of the new deep-water quay at Ros an Mhíl fisheries harbour has commenced; and when his Department expects these works to be completed. [42904/23]
View answerIn January I announced the allocation of €37.3m for capital projects in Ireland’s six state-owned Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth through the 2023 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
The deep water quay project at Ros an Mhíl is one of the flagship projects contracted under the 2023 programme with an allocation of €16m. Additionally, I allocated €1.36m in funding for other capital works at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre. The capital works are currently progressing well and are due for completion in March 2025.
This Government places the utmost importance on safeguarding the future of our fisheries dependant coastal communities and investment in critical infrastructure will ensure that the seafood industry can operate effectively and be efficiently serviced. In 2022, according to the latest figures from SFPA, fish landings valued at €16.8m were landed at Ros an Mhíl Fishery Harbour Centre. When complete the deep water quay project will add 200 metres of quayside to the harbour and the facility will be able to accommodate larger fishing vessels and attract additional landings from Irish and non-Irish fishing vessels. The new quay will also be available to large vessels such as Irish Navy fleet, Marine Institute Research Vessels, marine survey vessels and marine leisure craft.
172. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of food products seized by his departmental officials at Dublin Airport in the years of 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [42905/23]
View answerControls undertaken by Department staff at our ports and airports are an important element of our national biosecurity measures.
Officials from my Department’s Imports Control Division have seized a total of 4680 food consignments in Dublin Airport in 2022 and 2023 to-date, please details below.
|
Year |
Number of Seized Consignments |
|
2022 |
2314 |
|
2023 to date |
2366 |
173. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if construction of the smooth point pier extension at Killybegs fisheries harbour has commenced; and when his Department expects these works to be completed. [42906/23]
View answerI announced the allocation of €37.3m for capital projects in 2023 in Ireland’s six state-owned Fishery Harbour Centres at Killybegs, Ros an Mhíl, An Daingean, Castletownbere, Dunmore East and Howth through the Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme.
The Smooth Point pier extension at Killybegs is one of the flagship projects contracted under the 2023 programme with €7.5m allocated for this year. Additionally, I have allocated €1.45m in funding for other capital works at Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre. The capital works are continuing and are due for completion in January 2024.
Killybegs Fishery Harbour Centre is Ireland's premier fishing port and, according to the latest figures from the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority, in 2022 fish landings valued at €136.4m were landed at the harbour. When complete, the Smooth Point pier extension will add 120 metres of additional quay space in the harbour and will alleviate congestion experienced during the peak fishing season. The project will also create the opportunity for the seafood industry in the region to continue to grow.
174. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a list of general schemes referred by his Department to an Oireachtas committee for pre-legislative scrutiny from 1 January 2016 to date; the date each was referred; the date that the general scheme was published for the public to review; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42943/23]
View answerMy Department has referred five general schemes of Bills to an Oireachtas Committee for pre-legislative scrutiny (PLS) from 1 January 2016 to date. Some of the dates are approximate as documents may have been sent to IT service on a particular day, but uploaded and published on the Department’s website on a subsequent day. The information requested on these enactments are as follows:
1. The General Scheme of the Greyhound Industry Bill 2017: referred for PLS 27 March 2017; published circa 27 March 2017.
2. The General Scheme of the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill 2021: referred for PLS 15 April 2021; published 19 April 2021.
3. The General Scheme of the Animal Health and Welfare (Amendment and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2021: referred for PLS circa 22 June 2021; published 1 July 2021.
4. The General Scheme of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022: referred for PLS 5 May 2022; Published 22 March 2022.
5. The General Scheme of the Veterinary Medicinal Products, Medicated Feeds and Fertilisers Regulation Bill 2022: referred for PLS 12 July 2022; published 14 July 2022.
175. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a list of farms in receipt of the hen harrier payment in County Clare, in tabular form. [43003/23]
View answerThe Hen Harrier Project, which ended in December 2022, was operationally independent of my Department and run by the Hen Harrier Project Team. The Project team was responsible for the administration of the project and associated payments. Any queries relating to payments should be addressed directly to the Project team.
