Wednesday, 6 Mar 2024

Written Answers Nos. 171-190

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (171)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

171. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and grades of each person within his Department responsible for sport horse policy; the qualifications of those persons; the number of those persons with a direct involvement in the sport horse sector, such as competing horses in sports competitions by them or direct family members; if there any conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts between current sport horse policy staff; the measures taken by his Department to ensure no conflicts or perceived conflicts arise; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11088/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The officials in my Department  responsible for policy regarding the sport horse sector includes  one Senior Inspector (Bachelor Agricultural Science,  Ph D) and one Agricultural Inspector (Masters Agricultural Science M Agr Sc). Other staff within my Department, from administrative, technical or professional grades may be consulted on specific policy matters as required. 

All Civil Servants including those with direct responsibility for sport horse policy are subject to the Civil Service Code of Standards and Behaviour which includes, inter alia, managing potential conflicts of interest. 

I am satisfied that this policy and associated actions are fully complied with by those responsible for horse sport policy in my Department.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (172)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

172. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he receives regular updates from Horse Sport Ireland on the current passporting difficulties experienced by equine breeders; the current numbers waiting for 2023 passports to be issued by each equine studbook, by breed, reason for delay, duration of delay in tabular form; if the migration to SNP DNA testing could have been managed better by either his Department or studbooks supported by his Department; the impact of such migration on passport issuing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11089/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

  Horse Sport Ireland operates the following studbooks under contract to my Department:

- the Irish Sport Horse,

- the Irish Sport Pony, -

 - the Irish Draught,

- the Irish Cob, and

- the Irish Part-bred Cob. 

My Department is in regular contact with Horse Sport Ireland with regard to the contract, including the issuance of passports. I am advised that the current situation with regard to 2023 applications for passports is as follows:

-     6,097 foal applications received across the five administered studbooks,  4,841 (79%) of these have been issued to breeders with 1,256 (21%) remaining.

-     Of the remaining passports:

• 409 (7% of the total) have full DNA results received from the laboratory and are being actively      worked on.

• 847 (14% of the total) remain outstanding due to additional DNA or documentation required from  breeders.

Total	6097
Passports Posted	4841	79%
Passports Remaining	1256	21%

Of the passports remaining

DNA Received	409	32%
No Cover Certificate	68	5%
Full DNA not received	779	62%

My officials do not have the current breakdown by breed. I have asked that HSI provide the to officials in my Department for onwards transmission to the Deputy.

The decision of my Department to only fund Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) genomic testing, under the National Breeding Services and the Equine Technical Support (ETS) Scheme, will facilitate advances in breeding programmes to the betterment of the industry as well as providing parentage verification.  While I am aware that delays were experienced in issuance of passports in recent months, I understand that HSI have taken a number of steps to address these issues and will continue to work with breeders to issue all outstanding passports as soon as possible.

Horse Racing Industry

Questions (173, 174)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

173. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided by either Horse Sport Ireland and Sport Ireland to equestrian related bodies in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; under what programmes and for what purposes in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11090/24]

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

174. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided by Horse Sport Ireland to equestrian related bodies in 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; under what programmes and for what purposes in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11091/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 173 and 174 together.

I have requested the funding information provided by Horse Sport Ireland and upon receipt of same will forward it directly to the Deputy.

Funding provided by Sport Ireland does not come within the remit of my Department.

Question No. 174 answered with Question No. 173.

Departmental Staff

Questions (175)

Alan Kelly

Question:

175. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to list all staff/management exit packages for staff/management in their Departments that they sanctioned since 2016 (details supplied). [11153/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Public Expenditure NDP Delivery and Reform sets out clear guidelines around the arrangements for severance and redundancy payments applicable to staff at the termination of their employment.

My Department facilitates  severance and redundancy payments in accordance with the Terms set out by the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform.

Details of severance and redundancy payments for former staff in my Department for the years 2016 to 2024 are shown in the table below:

Role in Department	Description of Payment	Year of Payment	Amount of payment
Personal   Assistant to Minister of State	Severance	2016	€16,610.03
Personal Assistant   to Minister of State	Severance	2016	€31,430.01
Personal   Secretary to Minister	Severance and   Redundancy	2016	Severance          €63,113.10 Redundancy      € 21,648     Total:                  €84,761.10
Personal   Secretary to Minister of State	Severance	2016
Personal   Secretary to Minister of State	Severance	2016	€4,467.87
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance	2016	€5,494.12
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance	2016	€5,783.28
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance	2016	€5,783.28
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance	2016	€7,703.97
Special   Advisor to Minister of State	Severance	2020	€11,684
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance and   Redundancy	2020	Severance          €8,772.54 Redundancy      €5,543.46   Total:                   €14,316.54
Special Advisor   to Minister	Severance and   Redundancy	2020	Severance         €85,358.01 Redundancy     €15,876   Total:                 €101,234.01
Special   Advisor to Minister	Severance and   Redundancy	2020	Severance         €67,780.15 Redundancy     €15,828   Total:                 €83,608.15
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance and   Redundancy	2020	Severance         €15,770.64 Redundancy     €7,644   Total:                 €23,414.64
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance and   Redundancy	2020	Severance         €11,424.36 Redundancy     €5,424   Total:                 €16,848.36
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance and   Redundancy	2020	Severance         €8,679.15 Redundancy     €5,496   Total:                 €14,175.15
Minister’s   Civilian Driver	Severance and   Redundancy	2023	Severance         €4,915.18 Redundancy     €3,264   Total:                 €8,179.18

 

Departmental Data

Questions (176)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

176. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a county-by-county breakdown of the number of herd numbers with declared natura lands; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11174/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The EU Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) placed an obligation on Member States of the EU to establish the Natura 2000 network.  The network is made up of Special Protection Areas (SPAs), established under the EU Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), and Special Areas of Conservation (SACs), established under the Habitats Directive itself. 

Natura land is of high biodiversity value and contains protected habitats and bird nesting sites and is also in many circumstances important grazing lands, particularly for extensive livestock grazing enterprises.  It is critically important that agricultural lands within Natura areas continue to be managed by farmers.

The number of farmers by county that have declared lands in 2023 as part of the Basic Income Support for Sustainability (BISS) scheme, that are are either partially or fully within Natura areas, are set out below.

County	Number Herds
CARLOW	476
CAVAN	672
CLARE	1935
CORK	2538
DONEGAL	3397
DUBLIN	68
GALWAY	4963
KERRY	3753
KILDARE	189
KILKENNY	695
LAOIS	736
LEITRIM	674
LIMERICK	1263
LONGFORD	198
LOUTH	220
MAYO	4558
MEATH	425
MONAGHAN	95
OFFALY	433
ROSCOMMON	1052
SLIGO	1134
TIPPERARY	1484
WATERFORD	621
WESTMEATH	456
WEXFORD	675
WICKLOW	424

Harbours and Piers

Questions (177)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn

Question:

177. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 278 of 1 June 2023, and 381 and 382 of 27 February 2024, if he will provide the latest update for development plans at Dunmore East; if a significant capital development project for Dunmore East will be announced in the near future; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11204/24]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department is currently revisiting a report from a consulting engineering firm with regard to value-for-money future development options for Dunmore East Fishery Harbour Centre.  In this context the Department considered it prudent to pause on further development on the West Wharf at this time.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (178)

Joan Collins

Question:

178. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for the current waiting times for children in Dublin north to receive an assessment of need; and the current waiting times in the rest of Dublin and nationally. [10934/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps

Mother and Baby Homes

Questions (179)

Holly Cairns

Question:

179. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in relation to prioritising the elderly in the redress scheme for survivors of mother and baby homes, what will the age criteria be; and if survivors will be entitled to redress even if they previously received redress for time spent in a mother and baby home as a person under the age of 18, but not for the time spent in a mother and baby home as an adult. [10837/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, opening on March 20th, will be the largest scheme of its type in the history of the State with an anticipated 34,000 people eligible for its benefits.

I am conscious that many potential applicants to the Scheme are elderly.  As promised, the Scheme will, generally speaking, prioritise applications according to the age of the applicant, and so applications from older people will be prioritised. The Case Management System that has been developed to underpin the administration of the Scheme will automatically carry out prioritisation based on the age of applicants. All the applicant has to do is provide their date of birth and the system will sequence accordingly.

In relation to the question posed by the Deputy regarding eligibility if someone had previously received redress for time spent in a mother and baby home as a person under the age of 18, but not for the time spent in a mother and baby home as an adult, I would see no reason why, on the face of it, the person would not be eligible to apply in relation to their time spent as an adult. 

A dedicated webpage is now live at www.gov.ie/paymentscheme, which contains information on how people will be able to apply to the Payment Scheme, and what information applicants will need. Once the Scheme opens, the Payment Scheme Office will process all applications as quickly as possible, with the first payments expected to be made in Quarter 2 of this year.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (180)

Michael Lowry

Question:

180. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 283 of 8 February 2024, if the additional information concerning an application for ECCE time extension exemption for a child (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10843/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The additional information relating to this overage exemption application has been received in my Department. 

Officials from my Department have been in contact with the parent, and I can confirm the matter has been resolved.

Early Childhood Care and Education

Questions (181)

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin

Question:

181. Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will extend the filing deadline for preschools regarding the submission of core funding finance requirements and programme income from 22 March 2024 to a date no less than six weeks later than the availability of the portal through which the filing is supposed to be submitted as the portal is not currently available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10872/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

In line with a recommendation in Partnership for the Public Good, providers that had an active Core Funding Contract during the 2022/2023 Programme Year must provide validated Financial Returns as per their Core Funding Partner Service Funding Agreement.

Following constructive engagement with members and nominees of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF), my officials finalised transitional arrangements for financial reporting to cover year 1 and year 2 of the scheme.

Financial reporting requirements in this transitional phase have been significantly simplified and streamlined. Specifically, in this transitional phase, the financial reporting requirement is for an Income and Expenditure Template based on a significantly reduced set of Core Funding Chart of Accounts nominal codes. This Template was shared with providers last December.

This Income and Expenditure Template will need to be submitted onto an online reporting portal by either a qualified accountant from a registered practice or a registered professional (*ICAI, ACCA, CPA, AIA, CIMA).

My Department officials have advised that providers can complete the Income and Expenditure Template in advance of the portal going live. The Template is available to download from the Hive, under the Financial Reporting Requirements for Year 1 tab. The portal is only required to upload and submit the completed Income and Expenditure Template.

My officials will soon be providing guidance to providers on how to upload the completed Income and Expenditure Template and will provide guidance on other supports for providers in preparing and submitting these returns, including training supports and targeted financial supports for those that may need it. Following a recent meeting of the ELCSF members and nominees, my officials committed to reviewing the deadline for submission of Income and Expenditure Template. Any change to this deadline will be included in this communication to the sector.

* Please see list below;

ICAI - Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland

ACCA - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

CPA - Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Ireland

AIA -  Association of International Accountants

CIMA -  Chartered Institute of Management Accountants

CIPFA - Chartered Institute of Public Finance & Accountancy

Disability Services

Questions (182)

Sorca Clarke

Question:

182. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff vacancies per department in the Phoenix Centre in Longford town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10882/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Disability Services

Questions (183)

Réada Cronin

Question:

183. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason that from March 2024 the YAT will no longer support individuals attending a Section 38 organisation, such individuals being referred to the clinical supports available within their organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10889/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (184)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

184. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10910/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (185)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

185. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) has not received an appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10911/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps

Charitable and Voluntary Organisations

Questions (186)

Niamh Smyth

Question:

186. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth why a person (details supplied) has lost his respite entitlement and has not received any respite since the beginning of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10913/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.

Disability Services

Questions (187)

Joan Collins

Question:

187. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current Children's Disability Network Team waiting times in Dublin North, the rest of Dublin and nationally. [10945/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps

Departmental Staff

Questions (188)

Carol Nolan

Question:

188. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify the number of redundancies, or so called ‘exit-packages’, that have been paid to staff or personnel at any level of seniority in his Department, or in any agency or body under the aegis of his Department, from 2018 to date; the value of each and the total value, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10980/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter in relation to staff of their own organisations. 

I and my officials are committed at all times to the proper use of public funds, and my Department sanctions such packages in line with the relevant circulars and guidelines. 

To answer your question with regard to staff of my Department, I can confirm that no exit packages were sanctioned for staff other than Ministerial staff in accordance with central guidance from DPER.

Departmental Staff

Questions (189)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

189. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of exit and or severance and or redundancy packages granted by his Department, and bodies under his aegis, and of bodies he funds in full or in part, of €200,000 and above in the years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; and if he will provide the amount of same, body, name and year. [11009/24]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

I wish to advise the Deputy that my officials have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter in relation to staff of their own organisations. 

I and my officials are committed at all times to the proper use of public funds, and my Department sanctions such packages in line with the relevant circulars and guidelines. 

To answer your question with regard to staff of my Department, I can confirm that no exit packages were sanctioned for staff other than Ministerial staff in accordance with central guidance from DPER.

Disability Services

Questions (190)

Martin Browne

Question:

190. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if provision can be made to provide a family (details supplied) with some respite; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11026/24]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As 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 likely be aware that the industrial action by certain Forsa grades in the HSE has been suspended. The HSE has indicated that they have recommenced issuing replies to questions but there is a significant backlog of PQs and Reps to be responded to and has advised that they are working to get through these as soon as possible while at the same time managing the volume of current PQs and Reps.