Written Answers Nos. 221-232
221. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 514 of 9 October 2012, the position regarding an application for the dairy equipment scheme in respect of persons (details supplied) in County Clare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53542/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe persons named are applicants for grant-aid under the Dairy Equipment Scheme and have been successful in the selection process for the most recent tranche under the Scheme which has just been completed. The application is now being processed further with a view to issuing an approval as quickly as possible. The Deputy will be aware that it is a standard condition of all my Department’s on-farm investment schemes that no work can commence until written approval has issued from my Department.
222. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a single farm payment will be processed in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim. [53566/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn advance under the Single Payment Scheme issued to the person named on 15 November and full payment under the Disadvantaged Area Scheme issued 22 November. The remaining balance due under the Single Payment is due to issue on 1 December.
223. Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a final notification will be issued in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal. [53567/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under the 2012 Single Payment/Disadvantaged Areas Scheme was received from the person named on 19th March 2012. In order to comply with EU requirements, the applicant was one of a number selected for inspection. This inspection resulted in findings of an over-declaration in area of between 3% and 20% under the Single Payment Scheme and an over-declaration in Mountain Forage area of over 20% under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme, which, under the terms and conditions of the Schemes, resulted in reduced payments under both. The applicant has been notified of this outcome and the reasons for it. The applicant has also been advised of the right to seek a review and also of the right to appeal the outcome of any such review, in due course, to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office.
224. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if lands (details supplied) will be approved for afforestation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53568/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for pre-planting approval submitted by the person named included an area located within a Special Protection Area (SPA) designated for the protection of the hen harrier. Given the restrictions that apply to planting and other developments within this designated area, it was not possible to approve the application to plant. On 7 February 2012 the person named was asked to submit a revised application for approval (with maps) excluding the area within the SPA. To date, he has not submitted the revised application. If he wishes to proceed with an application he should now submit the required documentation to the Department.
225. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork got a reduced single farm payment of €7.14 [53629/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is an applicant under the 2012 Single Payment Scheme. In order to comply with EU requirements, the application was one of a number which was selected for inspection. Arising from this, an over-claim was confirmed and accordingly a reduced advance payment issued on 15 November. The applicant is due to receive the balancing payment under the Single Payment Scheme on 1st December and, since the full penalty was deducted from the advance payment, this will not be subject to any further deduction.
226. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason subsidy payments are not being granted in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Kilkenny. [53648/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named is an applicant under the 2012 Disadvantaged Area and Single Payment Schemes.
In order to comply with EU requirements, the application was one of a number which was selected for inspection. Following the completion of the inspection and related processes, an over-claim of greater than 50% was determined and application of the relevant penalties resulted in no payment being due. The position was set out in detail by letter to the person named on 18th October. An appeal has been received and is being processed.
227. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons for the delay in granting a single farm payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Carlow; and if he will expedite the matter. [53653/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application was received on 15th May 2012 requesting the transfer of 32.15 standard entitlements by way of change of legal entity (formation of a company) from the person named to the Company. During processing of this application, it was noticed that the application form was not signed by a second director named in the Memorandum and Articles of Association of the company, therefore the form was returned for signing by this person. In addition, as the herd number was transferred to the company name from 30th May 2012 after submission of the 2012 Single Payment application, it was necessary to request that the company named complete a Declaration of Undertaking whereby the company undertakes all responsibilities relating to the Single Payment Scheme for that year. This additional documentation was received on 14th November 2012.
This transfer was then processed and letters issued to both parties on 16th November 2012. Payment will issue shortly.
228. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the forestry were slow in taking action to try to limit the spread of ash dieback; the reason they waited until 90% of Denmark's ash trees were destroyed before starting to introduce measures to try to prevent the importation of additional sources of the disease; in view of the fact that the disease has been spreading across Europe for 10 to 15 years, the reason there has not been an information campaign to warn persons of the risk of importing a disease source; the way he can assure the Irish people that this disease has not been recently imported into several areas of the country through young ash plants, firewood, hurley butts, hurley planks or another source; the measures being taken to prevent the spread of the next tree disease to seep across Europe in years to come; with so many foresters retiring over recent years, if we have the experience and resources within Coillte to identify and tackle tree diseases; the percentage of Coillte employees that are actually trained and actively working foresters with the ability to work on the ground to combat this disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53675/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraChalara fraxinea is a fungal pathogen which causes ash dieback. Since 2008 the Forest Service of my Department has been carrying out surveys for the disease to determine its status in Ireland and has also been monitoring imports of ash plants and wood products. This is a relatively new disease of ash which was first named in 2006 but the reproducing and harmful stage of the disease, Hymenoscyphus pseudoalbidus, was not scientifically described until 2010. This is important because in drafting the legislation required to prohibit the importation of material from infected areas, it was necessary to accurately identify and name the causal agent. Furthermore, in order to bring in emergency measures under the EU Plant Health Directive, a Member State must first demonstrate that a disease has not established itself in the territory. There must also be a scientifically based Pest Risk Analysis or, at minimum, a Preliminary Pest Risk Analysis carried out for the disease.
I can confirm that surveys have been carried out in respect of Chalara fraxinea and we are continuing to carry them out. The Preliminary Pest Risk Analysis has also been completed. In addition, under the EU Plant Health Directive, the island of Ireland is treated as a single unit for Plant Health purposes so it was vitally important that any new legislative provisions on the importation of material from infected areas were jointly agreed with the Northern Ireland authorities. We have this agreement and the required legislation to prohibit the importation of both plant material and wood has now been introduced in both jurisdictions, the only EU Member States to do so to date.
Since the disease was first detected in Ireland in October 2012, my Department has issued several Press Releases to inform the public about the disease. Information is also available on the Department’s website, including information on the symptoms of the disease and contact information for anyone who believes they may have infected trees. A poster providing information about the disease is currently being distributed for display in the offices of my Department, Teagasc, Coillte and NPWS throughout the country, as well as other relevant private sector offices. In addition, the Minister of State with responsibility for forestry, Shane McEntee, has had a number of meetings with representatives of the forest industry in relation to this disease, including forest nurseries, hurley makers, forest owner organisations, professional foresters and forestry contractors.
The Forest Service of my Department has overall responsibility for the protection of the national forest estate from harmful insects and diseases. Site surveys by Department Forestry Inspectors are continuing, focusing on sites which are at most risk from infection, including recently planted forests where ash plants imported from the continent were used. Examinations of imported ash wood and planting material have also been increased to enforce recently enacted legislation. Departmental Inspectors are also surveying for the disease in garden centres, nurseries and landscape plantings. In addition specialist training on the winter symptoms of the disease has been provided to over 100 trained foresters in the Forestry Inspectorate, Teagasc, Coillte and the private sector foresters, who are all assisting in the surveillance effort. In relation to other disease threats I can confirm that Ireland has Protected Zone status for a total of 15 forestry related harmful organisms under the EU Plant Health Directive.
229. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when the Health Service Executive report surrounding the absconding from Gleann Alainn Special Care Unit in October 2011 will be published. [53471/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE have advised that this report is currently subject to detailed internal considerations with relevant staff to ensure learning is maximised and further action is taken as appropriate. The report and full details of associated action will be made available in early Spring 2013. The HSE also advised that following the incident in Gleann Alainn there was an immediate management review and a series of changes including, the appointment of a new Unit Manager and the number of places available in the Unit was reduced. A detailed programme of management intervention and support was initiated and an external review of the incident was commissioned. HIQA undertook a further inspection of Gleann Alainn in May 2012 and found that considerable progress has been made since the previous inspection.
230. Deputy Sandra McLellan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is any respite support available for a single parent of four children ranging in ages from four years to 10 years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53397/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Family Support Agency provides support for families under the Family Resource Centre (FRC) Programme. The aim is to combat disadvantage and improve the functioning of the family unit. Key services provided by FRCs include:
- Information, advice and support for groups and families at local level.
- Childcare facilities for those attending courses provided by the FRC.
- After-school clubs.
- Education courses and training opportunities.
- Assistance to community groups (such as training and the shared use of facilities).
A key role for FRCs is in providing information and advice. In 2010, over 136,000 people were advised directly by an FRC and a further 56,000 people were referred onwards to other information providers. The VECs and the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) were the services to which people were most frequently referred. FRCs have a broad range of involvement with children and young people and work closely with many local schools. The range of interventions include early childhood care and education, initiatives to retain children and young people in school, breakfast clubs, homework clubs, youth cafés, community based youth work, facilities and services for young people, work with particular target groups of vulnerable young people and work on issues of particular concern/risk to young people e.g. alcohol and drugs prevention, etc.
The Agency also provides funding to voluntary and community organisations providing marriage, relationship, child and bereavement counselling services. Some 600 organisations are funded each year. These services aim to support people deal with difficulties they are experiencing in their relationships, to help children whose lives have been affected by parental separation and to support families who have experienced the death of a family member. Over 20,000 individual counselling sessions were delivered within FRCs in 2010.
The pressures exerted by a range of issues - financial, interpersonal, behavioural, etc. - can have a negative influence on the family unit, and in turn impact on the health and/or welfare of a child or children. Children in such circumstances must be protected. In this context the Health Service Executive (HSE) has a duty under the Child Care Act, 1991 to promote the welfare of children who are not receiving adequate care and protection. If a child is in need of care and protection and is unlikely to receive it at home, the HSE has a duty to ensure they receive the appropriate level of care. Parents can and do seek the assistance of the HSE. Through direct provision or through its funding of a variety of family support and related community/voluntary providers the HSE works to support families. The HSE also receives children into care on a voluntary basis where parents indicate they need this support on a temporary or short-term basis because of their inability to cope. At all times the HSE seeks to support families in accessing all of the services and benefits to which they are entitled to meet the needs of their children. Only where there is a risk to the protection or welfare of a child does the HSE seek to take the child into care under a care order.
Looking to the future, the Family Support Agency will, along with the HSE’s Children and Family Services, form an integral part of the new Child and Family Support Agency, due to be established in 2013. Plans for the transition to this new entity are well under way. I believe this will provide for greater integration of these complementary services, with their shared aims of supporting parents and families and ensuring the welfare and protection of children are adequately safeguarded.
231. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an application under the early childhood care and education scheme in respect of a child (details supplied) in Dublin 15 will be expedited; the reason for the delay; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53488/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) programme was introduced in January 2010 and provides a free preschool year to all eligible children in the year before commencing primary school. Approximately 66,000 children are availing of the ECCE programme in the current school year and €175.8 million has been provided in 2012 to cover the cost of the programme.
The objective of the ECCE programme is to make early learning in a formal setting available to eligible children in the year before they commence primary school. To achieve this, services participating in the preschool year are expected to provide age-appropriate activities and programmes to children within a particular age cohort and therefore minimum and maximum limits to the age range within which children will qualify for the free preschool provision have been set. Children qualify for the free preschool year where they are aged more than 3 years 2 months and less than 4 years 7 months at 1 September in the relevant year. Children born between 2 February 2008 and 30 June 2009 qualified for the free preschool year in September 2012 and children born between 2 February 2009 and 30 June 2010 will qualify for the programme in September 2013. There are no exceptions for children who are below the qualifying age. The child referred to by the Deputy is outside the age range for eligibility for the programme in the school year commencing in September 2012 but will be eligible for the programme in the school year commencing in September 2013.
232. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the recent reduction in occupational therapy and speech language services to pupils at a school (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53553/12]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
