Written Answers Nos. 169-176
169. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the action to be taken by the Government to stop the collapse of the An Post network contract offices; the actions she will undertake to halt the reduction of postmasters' incomes and help prevent the increase in costs that they are experiencing; and when the findings of the Bobby Kerr report will be delivered. [27651/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe postal sector has been undergoing systemic change both nationally and internationally in recent years, with the increased use of electronic communications leading to the decline in core mail volumes year on year. In recognition of this changing business environment, the Post Office Network Business Development Group, chaired by Mr. Bobby Kerr, was established in 2014 to examine the potential for new and existing Government services to be transacted through the post office network, and to identify new business opportunities for the network.
The final report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group, which was published in January of this year, made a number of recommendations to support the future sustainability of post offices. These include recommendations in relation to the renewal of the post office network, the development of a basic payment account, the provision of motor tax services, and the creation of hubs around which local economic and social activity could revolve. The report also recommended that An Post should, following appropriate consultation with postmasters and others, review and amend the five-year strategy for the post office network.
The Programme for a Partnership Government commits to acting on the recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group. A number of Working Groups have been established to progress the recommendations, including through the establishment of a Network Renewal Implementation Group, which is being independently chaired by Mr. Kerr. This Group is examining the number and spatial distribution of post offices, branch modernisation, the streamlining of products and services, postmaster payments and contracts, and training and qualifications for post office employees.
The Group is continuing to meet monthly, with the intention of finishing its deliberations soon and reporting back to the Board of An Post in the first instance.
I have separately established the Post Office Hub Working Group, to identify potential models under which the post offices could act as community hubs, especially in rural areas.
I will be reporting back to the Cabinet Committee on Regional and Rural Affairs on a regular basis on the progress being made on these, and other recommendations in the report of the Post Office Network Business Development Group.
170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding a structural repair; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27714/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe facility to which the Deputy refers is the responsibility of Kerry County Council. My Department does not have any funding available to it at this time which could be used to assist with structural repairs to this facility. Kerry County Council could consider an application for funding to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
171. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Kilkenny County Council submitted an application for funding under the rural recreation scheme; if submitted, the reason for refusal of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27656/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August 2015, the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government invited expressions of interest under the Rural Recreation Scheme in respect of the development and maintenance of recreational infrastructure.
Due to a variety of factors, including extreme weather conditions towards the end of 2015, the scheme did not proceed last year. However, on the basis of the expressions of interest, and following clarification by my Department that the projects in question were still in a position to proceed, €4.5 million was allocated to 75 projects around the country earlier this month for the development and maintenance of recreational infrastructure.
I can confirm that no expression of interest was received from Kilkenny County Council under the Rural Recreation Scheme.
172. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if Carlow County Council submitted an application for funding under the rural recreation scheme; if submitted, the reason for refusal of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27657/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn August 2015 the then Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government invited expressions of interest under the Rural Recreation Scheme in respect of the development and maintenance of recreational infrastructure. A total of 6 expressions of interest were received from Carlow County Council at that time.
Due to a variety of factors, including extreme weather conditions towards the end of 2015, the scheme did not proceed last year. However, on the basis of the expressions of interest, and following clarification by my Department that the projects in question were still in a position to proceed, €4.5 million was allocated to 75 projects around the country earlier this month for the development and maintenance of recreational infrastructure.
Five of the proposals submitted by Carlow County Council were deemed to be ineligible as the nature of these applications did not fulfil the criteria for outdoor recreational infrastructure as defined in the National Countryside Recreation Strategy.
My Department’s officials have been liaising with Carlow County Council in relation to further developing the sixth proposal, with a view to its consideration should additional funding become available under the Rural Recreation Scheme.
173. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs the criteria used for the tender that was put out with regard to the conservation of 14-17 Moore Street; the terms and conditions; if she will make these documents publicly available given the significant public interest; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27764/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department concluded a tendering process that was initiated when the property was under lien by NAMA in order to get conservation work underway as speedily as possible to prevent further deterioration to the fabric of the National Monument buildings.
The tenders sought were in respect of the proposals for the conservation and restoration of these buildings for which consent was given by my predecessor under section 14 of the National Monuments Acts in April 2014. I am arranging to have details of the consent forwarded to the Deputy. The works currently in progress are those approved by the High Court to preserve and protect the buildings for the time being.
174. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the cost of extending the restoration of the 36-week incremental credit for graduate nurses and midwives to the 2011-2015 cohort of graduates currently working in the public service; the cost of extending it to all 2011-2015 graduates should they return to work in the public service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27646/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraRestoration of the 36 week incremental credit to the 2011-2015 cohort of nursing and midwifery graduates is under consideration at present. The cost of granting the credit for those currently working in the public service is estimated at €4 million. Some of those who graduate will always pursue other career options. Assuming a 95% retention rate could be achieved the cost would be in the order of €9.5 million.
175. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the total moneys allocated for the Bring Them Home recruitment drive to attract Irish nursing staff back home from abroad; the total cost of this initiative; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27647/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
176. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Health the number of calls to date in 2016 and in each of the five previous years where gardaí in County Louth have responded to assist and detain people for their own safety and wellbeing under the Mental Health Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27664/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Mental Health Commission collates a wide range of information associated with the operation of the Mental Health Act 2001.
For example, information is routinely gathered in relation to persons who are detained under the 2001 Act and such information is provided in each of the Commission’s annual reports since 2007. One set of statistics collected by the Commission relates to the applicant i.e. a spouse, garda, other person etc, for all persons who are detained.
The information contained in the Commission’s annual reports from 2011 to 2015 (latest date for which national figures are available) for the categories of persons who applied for a person to be involuntarily admitted under Section 9 of the Act in 2015, is as follows:
|
Type |
2015 |
2014 |
2013 |
2012 |
2011 |
|||||
|
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
Total |
% |
|
|
Spouse Civil Partner Relative |
831 |
47 |
875 |
53 |
900 |
57 |
901 |
57 |
839 |
57 |
|
Authorised Officer |
231 |
13 |
204 |
12 |
121 |
8 |
127 |
8 |
116 |
8 |
|
Garda |
404 |
23 |
331 |
20 |
311 |
19 |
336 |
22 |
354 |
24 |
|
Any Other Person |
289 |
17 |
245 |
15 |
259 |
16 |
210 |
13 |
162 |
11 |
|
Total |
1755 |
100 |
1655 |
100 |
1591 |
100 |
1574 |
100 |
1471 |
100 |
It is important to point out that the Commission does not receive any information regarding any application that may be made by a Garda that does not proceed to an admission order.
The specific information with regard to categories of persons who applied for a person to be involuntarily admitted under Section 9 of the Act in County Louth is not readily available but I have asked the Commission to provide this information for the years 2011 to date to the Deputy.
