Thursday, 3 May 2018

Written Answers Nos. 203-226

Cancer Screening Programmes

Ceisteanna (203)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

203. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the timeline surrounding the failure of the national cervical cancer screening programme to notify women of incorrect results; the date on which the attention of the screening programme was drawn to the incorrect results in relation to a person (details supplied); if its attention was drawn to other cases before that date; if so, the number; the steps it took to review results once the person's case was brought to its attention; the date his Department was informed of the person's case and the wider issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19472/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

My Department was notified that a patient had taken a legal case against MedLab/Clinical Pathology Laboratories Ltd, the company providing cytopathology for CervicalCheck, and the HSE on 6 April.

My Department received further information on issues related to the communication of the outcome of the CervicalCheck clinical audit process to women in the period since that date.

As the Deputy will be aware, I received a briefing note on the 16th April which I have published and I have set out the information available to me on the record of the Dáil, including during questions with the opposition on Tuesday, 1 May 2018.

The questions that the Deputy has raised directly in relation to CervicalCheck are more appropriate to the HSE and I have asked the HSE to respond directly to her in that regard.

Hospital Services

Ceisteanna (204)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if dermatology services will be restored to Mullingar Regional Hospital; and if patients will be offered treatment in an alternative setting in the interim. [19476/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you, as soon as possible.

Primary Care Centres Provision

Ceisteanna (205)

John Lahart

Ceist:

205. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given on the need for a primary care facility in the Meakstown and Charlestown areas of Dublin 11. [19485/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As the HSE has responsibility for the provision, along with the maintenance and operation of Primary Care Centres and other Primary Care facilities, the Executive has been asked to reply directly to the Deputy.

Meals-on-Wheels Services

Ceisteanna (206)

John Lahart

Ceist:

206. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health if mainstream funding for meals-on-wheels rather than the situation whereby meals-on-wheels is carried out through community employment schemes will be considered. [19486/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Health Service Executive provides funding for meals on wheels. The majority of this funding is provided through grant aid to voluntary agencies, with a small level of service also provided by the HSE directly.

The Deputy will be aware that a considerable component of the Sláintecare Report focuses on reorientation of health services towards primary and community based care. With a view to supporting the shift in our model of care to one that is focused on prevention and early intervention, I have requested that my Department and the HSE consider how community-based services for older people are delivered, with particular focus on day care and meals-on-wheels. The HSE is currently engaged in a process of mapping the type and level of such service across the country and the associated grants to voluntary bodies.

My officials are also in discussions with the Health Research Board with a view to the undertaking of international research focused on day care and meals-on-wheels services in a number of other jurisdictions to identify key learnings and ideas for models of delivery and/or support for such services.

It is my objective that our older people are supported to stay at home and in their communities for as long as possible, as they wish to do. With that in mind, in line with the work described above, I have asked my officials and the HSE to explore proposals for further support in this regard in the context of this year's estimates process.

Home Help Service Provision

Ceisteanna (207)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

207. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if further home help hours requested by persons (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19539/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Constitutional Amendments

Ceisteanna (208, 209, 210)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

208. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the referendum campaign on the eighth amendment of the Constitution. [18887/18]

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

209. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the referendum campaign on the eighth amendment to the Constitution. [18890/18]

Mary Lou McDonald

Ceist:

210. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health if will report on the referendum to repeal the eighth amendment of the Constitution. [18733/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 208 to 210, inclusive, together.

The Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government has made a Polling Day Order for a referendum to be held on Friday 25 May 2018.

On Polling Day, the people will be asked to vote on whether they agree or disagree with the proposal to delete Article 40.3.3 in its entirety, and to substitute an article in the Constitution, the object and effect of which would be to articulate clearly the principle that laws may be enacted by the Oireachtas to provide for the regulation of termination of pregnancy.

The Referendum Commission was formally established on the 9 March by the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government, and the Hon. Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy was nominated by the Chief Justice to act as Chairperson to the Commission. Queries on the referendum should be directed to the Referendum Commission (Tel: [phone]; email: [e-mail]).

The Department of Health has no role in relation to the referendum campaign.

Basic Payment Scheme Appeals

Ceisteanna (211)

Tony McLoughlin

Ceist:

211. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an appeal by a person (details supplied) will be decided upon by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19320/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application in respect of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 7 November 2017 thus incurring a 100% late penalty.

Following review of the appeal submitted it has been decided to waive the late penalty in this case and payment in respect of the 2017 application will issue in the coming days.

GLAS Administration

Ceisteanna (212)

Declan Breathnach

Ceist:

212. Deputy Declan Breathnach asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a further extension of the grazing period on traditional hay meadows in GLAS until 14 May 2018 will be considered due to the hardship caused by the fodder crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19328/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

In order to alleviate the current forage supply problem, one of the initiatives put in place was an extension to the end date for grazing livestock on land containing the Traditional Hay Meadow action under the GLAS scheme with grazing by livestock permitted up to 1st May this year.

The Traditional Hay Meadow action under GLAS promotes the maintenance of a traditional method of forage conservation that is beneficial to grassland flora and fauna. My priority is to ensure that farmers continue to qualify to receive payment of €315 per hectare for this action.

There are currently no further plans to extend the period.

Departmental Staff Training

Ceisteanna (213)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

213. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on facilitating departmental members' attendance at social media training conferences or other external events. [19389/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department's social media presence is managed by the Press and Information Office of my Department. Since 2011, staff members from the Press and Information Office and I.T. sections have attended 3 training courses on the use of social media, at a total cost of €475. Separate to these courses, a member of my Department's staff attended Social Media Dublin 2017, a conference on the topic of social media, in January 2017, and 3 staff members attended the same conference in 2018. Total expenditure by my Department for attendance at these events was approximately €1,000.

GLAS Data

Ceisteanna (214)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

214. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of GLAS 1, 2 and 3 who have received their 2017 balancing payment by county in tabular form; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 2017 balancing payment; the number of GLAS recipients that have yet to receive the 2017 balancing payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19405/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Balancing Payments for the GLAS scheme can only commence when the Member State has verified that all eligibility conditions have been met. This is a requirement in the relevant EU Payment Regulations and is a long-standing EU audit requirement. The Department is currently undertaking the verification process. It is anticipated that GLAS balancing payments will commence later this month.

I would encourage any GLAS applicant with outstanding obligations, such as the submission of a Nutrient Management Plan or a Commonage Management Plan to speak to their advisor and ensure that this work is completed as a priority. Without the submission of all the required information, these applicants will be ineligible for further GLAS payments.

GLAS 2017 Payments to date:

GLAS 1

County	Cases	Advance	Advance Amt	Advance+	Advance+ Amt
Carlow	272	265	€998,078.31	6	€1,947.30
Cavan	901	881	€3,212,529.45	16	€14,769.54
Clare	1601	1,561	€5,595,027.94	229	€323,941.73
Cork	2124	2,060	€7,101,269.71	177	€237,278.60
Donegal	1921	1,852	€6,139,330.88	117	€145,873.39
Dublin	58	56	€203,562.47	2	€1,718.48
Galway	3036	2,907	€10,402,754.58	149	€147,385.35
Kerry	1758	1,677	€5,937,731.22	270	€333,400.23
Kildare	242	227	€847,600.21	0	€0.00
Kilkenny	423	414	€1,515,922.75	0	€0.00
Laois	366	358	€1,289,051.74	17	€23,894.27
Leitrim	1010	989	€3,556,212.77	36	€45,925.05
Limerick	1039	1,013	€3,625,388.14	153	€228,515.70
Longford	510	503	€1,817,702.76	1	€1,699.99
Louth	147	134	€489,762.15	0	€0.00
Mayo	2529	2,365	€8,365,521.99	151	€117,142.56
Meath	418	406	€1,462,827.32	0	€0.00
Monaghan	572	562	€1,850,761.00	7	€7,438.53
Offaly	474	463	€1,635,639.57	13	€17,320.84
Roscommon	1513	1,490	€5,419,342.64	5	€3,152.92
Sligo	929	896	€3,152,949.01	13	€16,353.29
Tipperary	1115	1,076	€3,950,526.35	73	€98,975.23
Waterford	355	327	€1,154,401.74	24	€28,756.02
Westmeath	639	629	€2,292,651.64	4	€3,805.89
Wexford	746	716	€2,693,691.07	7	€6,811.70
Wicklow	325	310	€1,175,917.66	9	€5,554.46
TOTAL	25,023	24,137	€85,886,155.07	1,479	€1,811,661.07

GLAS 2

County	Cases	Advance	Advance Amt	Advance+	Advance+ Amt
Carlow	125	118	€421,768.28	0	€0.00
Cavan	429	411	€1,478,022.44	15	€21,577.15
Clare	684	664	€2,428,404.03	112	€156,050.29
Cork	996	944	€3,331,575.55	115	€158,556.76
Donegal	994	946	€3,075,064.22	119	€145,693.32
Dublin	17	17	€63,772.73	1	€1,699.99
Galway	1,286	1,199	€4,109,361.38	93	€100,205.14
Kerry	864	824	€2,977,079.24	174	€209,578.51
Kildare	76	64	€226,328.10	0	€0.00
Kilkenny	207	196	€734,712.01	0	€0.00
Laois	191	183	€649,663.97	8	€11,056.15
Leitrim	419	402	€1,457,972.88	38	€49,740.95
Limerick	296	281	€993,109.57	42	€55,469.56
Longford	341	330	€1,217,671.10	5	€5,745.69
Louth	77	70	€243,188.58	0	€0.00
Mayo	1,318	1,204	€4,113,331.25	128	€112,157.21
Meath	195	190	€680,752.13	0	€0.00
Monaghan	144	141	€483,204.20	5	€8,499.92
Offaly	275	257	€974,435.02	16	€24,015.47
Roscommon	547	521	€1,868,539.31	11	€7,013.98
Sligo	362	349	€1,198,156.70	18	€21,852.76
Tipperary	500	476	€1,768,999.10	43	€54,009.42
Waterford	130	112	€399,345.57	6	€10,199.84
Westmeath	263	251	€924,575.54	8	€9,325.55
Wexford	262	239	€893,218.63	7	€7,953.33
Wicklow	151	142	€555,962.25	15	€11,889.71
TOTAL	11,149	10,531	€37,268,213.78	979	€1,182,290.70

GLAS 3

County	Cases	Advance	Advance Amt	Advance+	Advance+ Amt
Carlow	127	124	€452,397.43	4	€3,647.76
Cavan	535	521	€1,847,584.43	12	€15,613.16
Clare	806	783	€2,776,553.64	68	€84,821.20
Cork	931	887	€3,000,992.68	63	€91,761.79
Donegal	1,407	1,353	€4,163,490.32	115	€140,235.26
Dublin	19	19	€64,567.68	0	€0.00
Galway	1,580	1,534	€5,273,518.16	92	€79,110.00
Kerry	758	728	€2,514,792.30	111	€123,544.14
Kildare	114	105	€393,946.49	4	€4,277.30
Kilkenny	190	175	€664,561.44	2	€1,959.03
Laois	231	218	€793,916.22	9	€12,309.57
Leitrim	524	512	€1,791,625.33	37	€44,494.27
Limerick	401	394	€1,391,151.53	25	€33,084.98
Longford	328	320	€1,155,992.78	1	€885.32
Louth	94	92	€329,671.92	1	€41.33
Mayo	1,654	1,576	€5,254,982.08	122	€90,211.43
Meath	249	235	€840,000.22	1	€1,700.00
Monaghan	336	334	€1,134,206.57	2	€1,792.95
Offaly	294	282	€1,046,317.19	17	€19,185.15
Roscommon	712	696	€2,486,931.58	15	€17,433.09
Sligo	492	478	€1,680,685.41	24	€22,214.86
Tipperary	495	479	€1,774,680.15	30	€45,657.22
Waterford	121	111	€400,605.07	11	€14,049.78
Westmeath	278	268	€990,418.53	3	€2,623.91
Wexford	307	283	€1,085,681.74	10	€13,595.60
Wicklow	200	192	€713,025.62	3	€3,647.25
TOTAL	13,183	12,699	€44,022,296.51	782	€867,896.35

Agri-Environment Options Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (215)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

215. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in receipt of AOES payments who have received the 2017 balancing payment by county in tabular form; the number of persons that have passed all payment approval checks and are awaiting the 2017 balancing payment; the number of AOES recipients that have yet to receive the 2017 balancing payment by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19407/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

All AEOS cases that have passed payment approval checks have been paid in full for 2017. The table below gives the numbers per county paid and the numbers per county not paid. Any participants who have been contacted in relation to outstanding documentation are encouraged to reply without delay. Any participants who have been contacted in relation to outstanding documentation are encouraged to reply without delay.

County	Numbers Paid	Not paid
Carlow	8	0
Cavan	72	2
Clare	119	6
Cork	82	8
Donegal	297	12
Dublin	3	0
Galway	349	11
Kerry	161	11
Kildare	5	1
Kilkenny	18	0
Laois	17	1
Leitrim	152	7
Limerick	52	2
Longford	18	0
Louth	12	1
Mayo	335	22
Meath	22	1
Monaghan	45	0
Offaly	21	4
Roscommon	127	8
Sligo	85	6
Tipperary	33	1
Waterford	16	0
Westmeath	29	0
Wexford	11	0
Wicklow	12	2
Totals	2,101	106

Commonage Framework Plans

Ceisteanna (216)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

216. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to lift the requirement that final commonage plans must be in place before the final 15% GLAS 2017 payment is made due to serious cash flow difficulties on hill farms due to the fodder crisis. [19408/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The requirement to prepare a Commonage Management Plan (CMP) is an essential component of the GLAS scheme. A complete CMP is required for each commonage over 10 hectares. The facility to submit CMP's has been available since October of last year and completed CMPs continue to be submitted on an ongoing basis.

The Department has regularly highlighted the importance of the CMP requirements with regard to potential impact on GLAS payments and has communicated again recently with both applicants and their advisors yet to submit a completed CMP. The requirement is to submit a complete CMP. Failure

to submit will prevent further payments, including balancing payments. The Department will continue to bring this requirement to the attention of GLAS participants.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (217)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Ceist:

217. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding an application by a person (details supplied); and if the difficult circumstances this person found themselves in during the period in question is being taken into consideration. [19460/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017 and has received the advance payment in respect of the 2017 scheme year. GLAS payments are currently up to date in this case.

However, the Department's records indicate that the nutrient management plan (NMP) remains outstanding. This plan must be submitted to allow for the issuing of further payments, including the 2017 balancing payment.

Land Parcel Identification System

Ceisteanna (218)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

218. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the person or body that has the contract for carrying out the mapping for his Department by way of land parcel identification system, LPIS; when the contract was awarded; the number of persons involved in the process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19531/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Following completion of a recent competitive tender process, Mallon Technology Limited was awarded the contract for the updating and maintenance of the Department's Land Parcel Identification System and other digitising services. In line with standard procedures for the awarding of such contracts, an evaluation committee was put in place to evaluate all the tenders received. Seven officials sat on this evaluation committee, and the contract was awarded in April 2018.

Departmental Staff Training

Ceisteanna (219)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

219. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the amount spent on facilitating departmental members' attendance at social media training conferences or other external events. [19392/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment

My Department did not incur any expenditure on staff attendance at external social media training conferences or events.

Free Travel Scheme

Ceisteanna (220)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

220. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of his engagement on the proposed plans for free InterRail; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19561/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The proposal for free InterRail referred to by the Deputy is a European Commission initiative. I understand that the Commission has allocated €12m for the provision of free travel passes for up to 15,000 18 year olds from across the European Union in 2018.

The passes are to be allocated by means of a competition details of which are due to be announced by the Commission shortly. Those who avail of the pass will be able to travel up to a maximum of 30 days and visit up to 4 different country destinations between July and September of this year.

18-year-olds here in Ireland who are interested in availing of this commendable EU initiative should regularly check the EU's online European Youth Portal, where details of the competition and the application procedure will be announced. Information will also be disseminated through the European Youth Facebook page and the European Youth twitter account .

Motor Tax

Ceisteanna (221, 222)

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

221. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of issuing a motor tax disc on a quarterly, six monthly and annual basis which is paid for over the counter at a local authority office; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19353/18]

Aindrias Moynihan

Ceist:

222. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the cost of issuing a motor tax disc on a quarterly, six monthly and annual basis when it is paid for online; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19354/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

I propose to take Questions Nos. 221 and 222 together.

The Comptroller and Auditor General published a Special Report on the administration and collection of motor tax in December 2016. The data compiled for the Report indicates that the average cost of processing a motor tax transaction in a local authority office is €10. The average cost for an online transaction is €5.

As each quarterly or half-yearly renewal of motor tax follows the same administrative procedures as the annual renewal process, the same average costs apply to each transaction.

Departmental Staff Training

Ceisteanna (223)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

223. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount spent on facilitating departmental members' attendance at social media training conferences or other external events. [19404/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

There was no expenditure incurred on attendance by Department staff at social media training conferences or other external events.

Coast Guard Services

Ceisteanna (224)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

224. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the responsibilities of the Coast Guard including if the Coast Guard is responsible for the enforcement of the Sea Pollution Acts 1991 and 2006, the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993 and Annexe 12 (Standards and Recommended Practices Search and Rescue) Designation of Authorities Order 1995 [19482/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

The IRCG have a number of functions and responsibilities, primarily Search and Rescue (SAR) and Maritime Pollution Prevention and Response. SAR functions are provided for in International Conventions promulgated by both the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). Ireland is a contracting State to both organisations.

The powers to undertake such activities have been conferred by Government Decision - S.15675D of May 1998 in relation to pollution response and S. 21910 of August 1990 in respect of SAR. The rights and obligations are contained in national legislation, both primary and secondary.

The Irish Marine Emergency Service (IMES) was established by Government Decision S. 21910 of 2 August 1990, as a Division of the Department of the Marine. The name was later changed to the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG), in 2000 and the division was subsequently transferred to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in 2006.

As Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport I am empowered, through national and EU legislation, to appoint authorised officers to carry out certain functions. Nominated officers in the Coast Guard are authorised officers under the Sea Pollution Act 1991 and the Sea Pollution (Amendment) Act 1999 to perform functions in relation to maritime pollution.

In addition, nominated officers in the Coast Guard are authorised officers under the Merchant Shipping (Salvage and Wreck) Act 1993. The functions of the authorised officer include the taking such steps as the officer thinks fit to save the lives of persons belonging to the vessel and saving the vessel and the cargo.

Additionally, European Communities (Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System) Regulations 2010, give the IRCG powers to act in relation to Places of Refuge incidents and the monitoring of hazardous ships.

Finally, Annexe 12 (Standards and Recommended Practices Search & Rescue) (Designation Of Authorities) Order, 1995, designated the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications as the authority responsible for execution of powers under Annex 12 to the Chicago Convention, other than in relation to Aviation Rescue Co-ordination Centres and Aviation Rescue Co-ordination Sub-Centres, which are the responsibility of the Irish Aviation Authority.

Departmental Expenditure

Ceisteanna (225)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

225. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 217 of 25 April 2018 and 355 of 29 March 2018, the full yearly breakdown of the amount his Department spent on social media consultancy and social media training since 2011, in view of the fact that the breakdowns of external expenditure provided on his website do not indicate whether such expenditure relates to social media specifically. [19483/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

My Department has not incurred any expenditure on social media training since 2011.

As part of my Department's promotion of Bike Week in 2017, external expenditure was incurred in relation to the online promotion of this national event and that expenditure is recorded on my Department's website.

Total expenditure was €40,000 (ex VAT) and would include the establishment and management of a social media presence as part of the event's overall promotion.

Road Network

Ceisteanna (226)

Brendan Smith

Ceist:

226. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of official Border crossings with Northern Ireland; the location of such crossings; the classification of the roads leading to such crossing points; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19538/18]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport

My Department has been working with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland to determine and agree on public road border crossings on the island of Ireland.

I understand that this work is nearing completion and I expect to receive a report in the matter in the coming days. Thereafter, it is my intention to arrange for joint publication of the document together with the Department for Infrastructure in Northern Ireland.