Written Answers Nos 201-210
201. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) is being paid his salary to the end of July 2018 in view of the fact that he resigned early; if this was part of his contract; if negotiations took place with the person on the matter; if so, the persons who participated in the negotiations on the State’s behalf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21913/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe terms applied to the former Director General are those specified in his contract. The contract provided for the offer of an alternative position in the public service on completion of the contract or, payment equivalent to 6 months salary on conclusion of the contract. The contract also provides for payment in lieu of notice to the end of the contract term.
202. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if queries raised by persons (details supplied) in correspondence will receive a response. [21914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraA reply to the concerns raised in Mrs Byrne's correspondence has been issued from my office. This acknowledged the work done by the association on the recognition and management of ME and my Department has been in contact with the HSE on these issues.
203. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if a case regarding persons (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21919/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that Housing Adaptation Grants are a matter for the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the correct level of support payable through the nursing home support scheme in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21933/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) has been contacted in regard to CervicalCheck; when she will receive a follow-up; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21946/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE have advised that any woman who has received a clear CervicalCheck smear test result previously should proceed with their next scheduled test as normal.
With a view to reassuring women about the safety of the CervicalCheck programme, I have arranged that any woman who has had a CervicalCheck smear test, and who following consultation with her GP determines that she wishes to have a further test, may do so without charge.
206. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if additional resources have been provided to assist farmers whose herds are restricted and are suffering from the fodder crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21741/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates a Hardship Grant scheme as part of the TB Eradication Programme. The scheme operates from 1 November to 30 April 2018 and is aimed at assisting eligible herdowners who retain and feed animals during prolonged periods of restriction as a result of a TB breakdown.
In response to pressures on fodder supplies, felt initially in the West and North West caused by a long wet winter and spring, a national Fodder Transport Support measure was deemed the appropriate response and was introduced in January 2018. The situation changed quickly following storm Emma in March and fodder shortages spread to the South and remaining parts of the country. At this point, following consultation with Teagasc and industry representatives, importation of fodder was considered necessary to address domestic shortages. As a result, a Fodder Import Support measure was introduced in the first week of April to complement the more locally based Fodder Transport Support measure.
These two interventions working together effectively addressed issues around fodder availability in the country. Grass growth, as confirmed by Teagasc assessments, has continued to improve significantly and livestock are out to graze. However, ground conditions were slow to improve in some areas and in a concluding response to remaining fodder difficulties it was decided to extend both measures by one week until 7th May.
207. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the financial supports available for struggling fishermen in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21785/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand that the Deputy is referring to difficulties experienced by fishermen in Kerry in putting to sea because of unsettled weather conditions.
My Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme is the vehicle for financial supports to the seafood sector up to 2021. The Programme delivers a wide range of supports for aquaculture, fisheries and seafood processing through a suite of 17 schemes. I have made very considerable funds available to the seafood sector in 2018 through a range of EMFF schemes. In doing so, I secured a very significant commitment from the Exchequer to the EMFF Programme. However, this means that there are no other sources of funds available to me, other than the EMFF, to assist the sector with any support requirements.
The EMFF Regulation (508/2014) provides for a special compensation scheme for fishermen experiencing significant economic losses arising from severe storms etc. Article 35 foresees the establishment by fishermen of a 'Mutual Fund for Adverse Climatic Events and Environmental Incidents'. This Fund would act as a form of mutual insurance for otherwise uninsurable losses, by paying compensation to affiliated fishermen for losses that exceed 30% of the fisherman's annual turnover arising from severe storms and other adverse climatic events, for losses arising from environmental incidents and for the costs of rescue at sea for fishermen or fishing vessels. The Fund must be established and managed by fishermen and be funded through the subscriptions of affiliated fishermen. The compensation would only be available to fishermen affiliated to the Fund. Support to the Fund from the EMFF Programme would be in the form of a contribution to the costs of compensation paid out by the Fund. Depending on the type of vessels or fishermen experiencing losses, EMFF assistance may be as high as 80%. To date, no fishing representatives have proposed to me that they wish to take on responsibility for the establishment of a Mutual Fund. I cannot lawfully establish the Fund on behalf of the sector. When appropriate representatives of the sector are in a position to establish the Fund, my Department and BIM stand ready to assist and advise fishermen and their representatives in any way possible. However, the EMFF does not permit a financial contribution towards the costs of establishment or management of the Fund. In order for such a Fund to be viable, it is likely to be necessary for the fishing sector to strongly support the initiative through widespread affiliation.
208. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway under the 2017 GLAS scheme; the reason for the delay in issuing the payment; if his attention has been drawn to the financial burden on farmers awaiting GLAS payments due to the fodder crises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21811/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above-named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of January 1st 2017.
Administrative checks take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. In addition, in the cases selected for inspection, the inspection and any issues arising must be finalised. GLAS payments are being made on a weekly basis as cases become eligible for payment.
209. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 375 of 2 November 2016, the status of the case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21822/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe applicant in this case was reminded of the required setback distances that must be observed for dwelling houses and was again advised that all trees within this specified setback zone should be removed without delay. A Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine official subsequently visited the site again to ascertain if this has been carried out and consideration is ongoing arising from that visit.
210. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway under the 2017 GLAS scheme; the reason for the delay in issuing the payment in view of the fact that there is no issue with the GLAS plan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21828/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above-named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and has received all payments in respect of 2016.
Administrative checks involving a number of sections within the Department take place on all GLAS claims. All cases must clear validation checks before payment can issue. Department officials are working proactively to complete the checks in this case and will be in direct contact with the participant concerned to resolve the issue arising. GLAS payments continue to issue on a weekly basis as cases are cleared for payment.
