Written Answers Nos. 164-170
164. Deputy Jim Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application to the milk trading scheme in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17243/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Milk Quota Trading Scheme was the main mechanism for the transfer of quota between milk producers. The sixteenth and final stage of the Scheme had a closing date of 7th February 2014 and the results were announced on 31 March 2014.
I am informed that the named person was not successful with his application to purchase additional quota because there was no quota offered for sale at his Co-operative’s exchange.
Details regarding the outcome of individual applications have been sent to the Co-operatives for issue to its participating suppliers.
165. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasons his Department is informing persons that agri-environment options, AEO, scheme payments will now not go ahead until the end of April in some cases; the reasons for this delay; if he will consider bringing forward the date of payment in cases of genuine hardship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17256/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe checks are well under way for AEOS 3 and I anticipate that payments for AEOS 3 in respect of 2013 will commence shortly.
Under the EU Regulations governing all area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check of all applications, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, must be completed before any payment can issue.
Successive EU audits have made it absolutely clear that compliance with the Regulations must be strictly adhered to and that all administrative checks must be passed and eligibility conditions met before payment issues. As a result, my Department is obliged to ensure that individual payments will not issue until all aspects of a farmer’s application are in order, all outstanding documentation provided and all queries resolved. Queries are being resolved on an ongoing basis and officials in my Department will have contacted the applicants concerned with the intention of issuing payment as soon as possible.
166. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied that the vetting of prospective parents by the Adoption Authority has been carried out properly and that persons who were refused by the initial investigations were not subsequently allowed to adopt. [17062/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter for which the Adoption Authority has responsibility, I have asked the Authority to reply directly to the Deputy.
167. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans for the funding of Rape Crisis Network Ireland from 2015 onwards; when a decision will be made on same; under which section of the Child and Family Agency does this funding decision come; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17069/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraResponsibility for the funding of the Rape Crisis Centres and Refuges previously funded by the HSE became the responsibility of the new Child and Family Agency upon its establishment on 1st January, 2014. In 2013 the HSE spent over €17 million on the provision of domestic and sexual violence services. This included the funding of 60 services throughout the country comprising:-
- €10m for 20 Crisis Refuges
- Over €4 million for 16 Rape Crisis Centres
- Almost €3.5 million for 24 Support Services.
Rape Crisis Network of Ireland had a two year service level agreement with the HSE which expired on 31st December, 2013, but was extended to 31st March, 2014 to allow for establishment of the Child and Family Agency, the appointment of a Programme Manager for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services and to enable the Agency to tender for future support services to support front-line agencies. The Agency have advised that this contract is now due to be extended, with revised conditions to the end of 2014.
Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services are managed within the office of the Chief Executive of the Child and Family Agency. The Programme Manager for Domestic, Sexual and Gender based Violence Services in the Agency will work with the Agency Head of Procurement to establish a tender process, due to begin in September, for longer-term provision of support to front-line agencies from 2015. All qualified providers, including the Rape Crisis Network of Ireland , may tender for this new contract.
168. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her plans to review the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17124/14]
Amharc ar fhreagra169. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she is satisfied with the current first aid requirements in place regarding staff as provided for in the Child Care (Pre-School Services) Regulations 2006; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17125/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 168 and 169 together.
Pre-school services are governed by Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 and by the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006.
The Explanatory Guide to the Child Care (Pre-School Services) (No 2) Regulations 2006 will be replaced by new National Quality Standards which are being introduced later this year. The new Standards is one of a number of key reforms I am introducing as part of the Pre-School Quality Agenda with the objective of improving the quality of child care services. I have identified a number of other areas that can significantly enhance the quality of the service provided including the implementation of the Síolta and Aistear frameworks. Legislative amendments to Part VII of the Child Care Act 1991 have been passed by the Oireachtas and will underpin the reforms.
When the new National Quality Standards are firmly embedded, my Department will be reviewing all aspects of the Regulations including the requirements relating to first aid support in the pre-school setting.
170. Deputy Michelle Mulherin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs when applications for the child care capital programme will be open; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17160/14]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Early Years Capital Programme 2014, which I recently announced, provides €2.5 million for maintenance and upgrade of community/not-for-profit child care services. The new capital programme, which will be administered by Pobal on behalf of my Department, opened for applications on the 7th April 2014 and the closing date for applications is the 7th May 2014. Full details of the programme, including instructions on how to apply for a grant, are available on the Pobal website at www.pobal.ie.
In addition to this funding, €0.25 million each is being provided to support the Parent and Toddler initiative and Childminding Development Grant scheme and is being administered by the City and County Childcare Committees.
