Written Answers Nos. 315-322
316. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Rasaíocht Con Éireann laboratory has the capacity to test blood and hair follicle samples; and if so, the number of such tests carried out in 2023, in tabular form. [3576/24]
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.
317. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget allocation for Sea Fisheries Protection Authority in 2022, 2023 and 2024, in tabular form. [3577/24]
View answerThe Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) is an independent regulatory agency as set down in the Sea-Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006.
The budget allocation (as per the Revised Book of Estimates) provided to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) enables the SFPA to continue to meet its National and EU obligations as Ireland's Competent Authority for enforcement of Sea Fisheries and seafood safety law.
The annual exchequer budgetary details are as follows;
|
Budget Allocation(€,000) |
||
|
2022 |
26,257 |
|
|
2023 |
28,081 |
|
|
2024 |
27,414 |
318. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the drafting of amendments to the Health Act 2007 that will transfer the registration and inspection functions for non-statutory children's residential centres from Tusla to HIQA; if the necessary amendments will be included in the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2024 or the Health (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2024 as a miscellaneous provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3510/24]
View answerAll residential care centres for children are subject to, and inspected against, the National Standards for Children's Residential Centres. HIQA are responsible for the inspection of centres operated directly by the Child and Family Agency (Tusla), whereas, under Part VIII of the Child Care Act 1991, Tusla are currently responsible for inspecting non-statutory centres for children that are operated by private and community organisations.
The Department of Children has indicated its intention to move to HIQA the registration and inspection of non-statutory residential centres for the care of children. However, the legislative amendments that are required in order to effect this change are complex, and span both the Child Care Act 1991, as amended, and provisions under the Health Act 2007.
The Department of Children continues to work to consider and progress these amendments. The Health Act 2007 is under the remit of the Department of Health, and amendments to that Act continue to be subject to consultation with that Department.
319. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason home support services were refused in the case of a person (details supplied); if the package of care provided through the disability services will be reviewed immediately; and if a positive response will be expedited. [3549/24]
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.
The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FORSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations.
The HSE has been engaged with Forsa through the auspices of the WRC in an effort to resolve the dispute but a resolution has not been reached as of yet.
320. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the total number of recipients of the €800-per-month pledged accommodation for Ukrainian refugees payment; how many housing units in total have been allocated under the scheme; if he is aware how many people have been accommodated through this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3613/24]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced in July 2022 to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) arriving in Ireland from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive. The ARP is paid at the rate of €800 per month per property with a unique Eircode.
The scheme is provided in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on my behalf.
The ARP scheme does not involve the allocation of housing units. It is up to individual hosts to apply for the recognition payment.
I am informed by the Department of Social Protection that:, as of 21 January 2024:
• 12,867 hosts have been awarded an ARP claim in respect of 13,771 properties.
• 28,825 BOTPs have been hosted with support from this scheme since its introduction.
• At present, 21,136 BOTPs are being accommodated in 10,472 properties with 9,309 hosts in receipt of ARP.
321. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to comment on a recent report of the Health Information and Quality Authority (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3634/24]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2007, the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is legally responsible for the monitoring, inspection and registration of designated centres for adults and children with a disability.
Additionally, HIQA has responsibility for setting standards for healthcare services, and monitoring compliance with those standards. It also regulates facilities providing care for those with disabilities, to determine if they are meeting the relevant National Standards
I am advised that at the time of inspection it was found that the provider was failing to implement its own Garda vetting policy in the centre. The issue relates to the renewal of Garda vetting, and also the review of Garda vetting outcomes when received, to ensure they do not contain information of concern.I understand that the provider acknowledged the potential safeguarding risk of these findings and took timely action to review its Garda vetting arrangements.
HIQA is satisfied that the provider has implemented the arrangements. HIQA Inspectors reviewed the implementation of these arrangements at subsequent inspections, and have found that the new arrangements are being implemented and that there is improved oversight of Garda vetting as a safeguarding issue.
322. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which steps can be taken to alleviate the burden on the family of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3671/24]
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.
The Deputy will be aware that due to the ongoing industrial action by FORSA administrative and management grade staff in the HSE (which commenced on 6 October, 2023), delays remain in receiving answers to parliamentary questions and ministerial representations.
The HSE has been engaged with Forsa through the auspices of the WRC in an effort to resolve the dispute but a resolution has not been reached as of yet.
