Written Answers Nos. 1880-1899
1880. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the services available for those with a dual diagnosis of mental illness and addiction issues; the waiting times for such services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35325/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs these are service matters I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1881. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the amount of funding provided to independent charities that work in harm reduction in drug use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35326/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health provides funding on an annual basis to the HSE for the provision of drug-related services either directly or through voluntary organisations, including charities. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the funding it provides to independent charities.
In addition, the Department provides annual funding to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces for community based initiatives. Some tasks forces are registered charities. The level of funding provided to each task force in 2018 is set out in the attached table.
Funding allocated to Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in 2018
|
LDATF |
2018 DOH funding |
2018 HSE funding |
|
Ballyfermot |
€255,446 |
€1,231,286 |
|
Ballymun |
€422,958 |
€697,957 |
|
Blanchardstown |
€179,305 |
€913,589 |
|
Bray |
€573,860 |
€916,271 |
|
Canal Communities |
€338,605 |
€1,141,309 |
|
Clondalkin |
€388,114 |
€1,007,948 |
|
Cork |
€411,988 |
€1,108,299 |
|
Dublin 12 |
€70,397 |
€993,750 |
|
Dublin NE |
€239,971 |
€777,116 |
|
Dun Laoghaire |
€94,676 |
€786,755 |
|
Finglas Cabra |
€263,277 |
€627,960 |
|
NIC |
€394,856 |
€1,834,723 |
|
SIC |
€176,043 |
€1,868,014 |
|
Tallaght |
€336,022 |
€898,930 |
|
Total LDATF |
€4,145,518 |
€14,803,907 |
|
RDATF |
2018 DOH |
2018 HSE |
|
East Coast Area |
€58,200 |
€508,500 |
|
Midland |
€136,816 |
€662,491 |
|
Mid-West |
€147,982 |
€1,260,007 |
|
North East |
€0 |
€927,813 |
|
North West |
€258,633 |
€461,730 |
|
North Dublin City & Co. |
€266,245 |
€511,019 |
|
South East |
€0 |
€1,065,760 |
|
South West |
€102,820 |
€696,497 |
|
Southern |
€0 |
€973,178 |
|
Western |
€136,994 |
€524,155 |
|
Total RDATF |
€1,107,690 |
€7,591,150 |
|
Overall Total |
€27,648,265 |
1882. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the process available to employees of the HSE that wish to make a protected disclosure; the timelines that should be met by the officer in charge of protected disclosures within the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35366/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question is a matter for the HSE I have re-directed it to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
1883. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Health if an audit of all external workplace investigations conducted by companies (details supplied) will be provided; the outcome in relation to complaints against his Department; when the investigation will commence in relation to an allegation against an employee; the number of occasions on which a complaint was upheld against his Department by the investigators; and the number of occasions on which an investigation against an employee found grounds for disciplinary action. [35372/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs only one of these companies has been used by my Department for a workplace investigation on only one occasion, it is considered that an audit of that investigation by the company concerned is not warranted. The investigation on that one occasion has been concluded. The finding was that the complaint against the employee was not upheld and therefore, no disciplinary action was required.
1884. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health the amount paid for consultancy services in each of the years 2012 to 2017; the details of these payments; the companies that received the payments; the amount received by each company; the hourly rates that applied to each company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35384/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is the policy of my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is more cost effective .
These services are procured by open competitive tendering processes in accordance with EU and national rules and comply with the overall value for money objective of the Department.
Expenditure on the engagement of consultants is paid out of the Departments A7 budget and this year represents around 0.01% of the Health Vote.
The total amount spent on external consultants by my Department from 2012 to 2017 is available at
While some contracts are negotiated on the basis of a daily or hourly rate, others are paid a fee on the basis of reaching of a number of milestones during the process and in some case producing a report.
1886. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the amount provided by his Department to rape crisis centres each year for the past ten years; and the services and supports provided from this funding by each centre or project. [35410/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department administered a National Lottery Discretionary Fund up to and including 2016 from which once-off grants were paid to community and voluntary organisations providing a range of health related services.
The following grants were approved from my Department's National Lottery Fund to rape crisis centres during the period in question:-
2009 - Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre €6,000 towards a Safety Awareness Youth Information Training Programme
2010 - Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre €8,000 towards a Group Therapy Programme for female survivors of Child Sexual Abuse
2011 - Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre €14,000 towards providing extra support to people at high risk of suicide
2012 - Kerry Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre €8,100 towards a Group Therapy Programme for female survivors of Adult Sexual Abuse
2012 - Tullamore Sexual Abuse and Rape Crisis Counselling Service €2,500 towards the cost of purchasing furniture and lighting for two counselling rooms
2016 - Dublin Rape Crisis Centre €86,800 towards the cost of new IT Hardware
2016 - Rape Crisis North East €15,438 towards the cost of refurbishment of new premises
1887. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on investigating measures to increase the carbon efficiency of agriculture in each of the past ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33166/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has placed a major emphasis in its research funding over many years on measures that have contributed heavily to increasing the carbon efficiency of agriculture. This long-term level of commitment is evidenced by the funding of 25 separate projects in this thematic area over the past 10 years with a cumulative spend of €10.7 million over the period in question – this encompassed projects funded under the Department’s Competitive Research Funding Programmes for agriculture and forestry and it also included co-funding of the Irish partners in multi-country partnered projects at a European level to help address our shared challenges.
I am acutely aware of the need for constant innovation and deepening of our scientific knowledge in this area, thus earlier this month as part of the latest round of new funding awards made by my Department I was delighted to announce funding for a project Evaluating Land-Use and Land Management Impacts on Soil organic Carbon in Irish Agricultural Systems which will examine Carbon sequestration associated with pastures and improved grassland management and which could provide mitigation options without impacting on agricultural production – this will be co-funded by the EPA and will have a significant international outreach collaborative component, and will contribute strongly to the substantive body of evidence garnered in the other 24 projects funded over the past 10 years.
1888. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding that has been committed to the clean-up of Haulbowline Island, County Cork; the amount that has been spent to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33784/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was originally tasked with taking responsibility for the submission of an application to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regularise the licensing status of the East Tip of Haulbowline Island in relation to the hazardous waste deposited on this site. The requirement for a waste licence at the East Tip arises from the outstanding measures necessary to comply with the judgement of the Court of Justice of the European Union dated 26 April 2005 in Case C-494/01. To ensure that there were no legal obstacles to the Department undertaking the project, ownership of Haulbowline Island was formally transferred at Ministerial level in October 2013. The scope of the remediation was later extended by Government to include ground level remediation of the former steelworks factory site including the area of the island known as the South Tip. The Government approved a total ring-fenced budget of €61m for all costs associated with remediation of Haulbowline Island.
Funding for the remediation of the Haulbowline Island is ring-fenced in my Department’s Vote for this specific purpose and the remit of my Department relates only to the remediation of the island.
Cork County Council is appointed as my agent for the operational delivery of the remediation project. Cork County Council has a project office commissioned for managing the Haulbowline Island Remediation Project, which includes the East Tip, South Tip and steelworks sites.
My Department assumed responsibility for remediation works at Haulbowline Island in 2012. In the period up to 2017 expenditure was focussed on preparing for and securing the necessary planning and waste licence consents and upgrading the island infrastructure (bridge and access road) in anticipation of works. The funding is being provided through my Department’s vote, in accordance with the specific conditions set out by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, on an annual basis up to the completion date of the remediation works. The total expenditure incurred by the Department (including expenditure commissioned by Cork County Council acting as agents for the project and reimbursed through the Department) to the end of 2017 is just over €13m.
The Revised Estimates for Public Services allocates €10m to the project for 2018. The expenditure incurred in 2018 will be influenced by the nature of risks which may arise in remediation works on a site with a legacy as complex as Haulbowline Island. While the works and contractual arrangements have been designed to achieve cost-effective remediation, it is not possible at this point to be definitive about the final costs. The works being carried out on site include marine elements to prevent tidal incursions to the site, access and infrastructure works and capping the waste materials to render the site safe, stable and suitable for future uses. To date, I am advised that works are progressing well on the East Tip and are expected to be concluded in December 2018.
1889. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the ways in which he will ensure that the next CAP rural development programme will have a much more ambitious agri-environment scheme that delivers worthwhile benefit to farmers that go the extra mile for the environment and climate change, such as is the case with the rural environment protection scheme, REPS. [35199/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe new legislative proposals for the Common Agricultural Policy 2021 - 2027 were launched on Friday 1 June 2018 by Commissioner Hogan. The Commission proposals, as drafted, involve significant changes, including in relation to governance, the distribution of direct payments among farmers and the environmental conditionality attaching to such payments.
They provide for some additional discretion for Member States in configuring the measures available, within parameters laid down in the draft proposals. The new Commission proposals commit to a more significant environmental ambition than the current CAP schemes, including in pillar I, where an eco measure, which would be mandatory for member states, but voluntary for farmers, is provided for. At the moment, it is too early to say how such a scheme, or other environmental schemes, might be configured. However, the Commission proposals require 40% of the total budget, and 30% of pillar II funding excluding funding for Areas of Natural Constraint, to be devoted to the environment and climate change.
I can assure the deputy that I will be working to ensure that the CAP post 2020 is resourced and configured to provide the support needed to help farmers make a positive contribution to the environment and climate change, to improve competitiveness and encourage technology adoption at farm level, to encourage intergenerational change and to support farm incomes.
1890. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will request the lands division of his Department to finalise a commonage division (details supplied). [32408/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in the Lands Branch of my Department have indicated that there is an issue regarding the ownership of one of the shares in the commonage at Commons East, Co. Galway, VPC 278. The resolution of this title issue is a matter between the individuals concerned. Given that the division and registration of shares are inter-dependent on each other and individual shares cannot be vested in isolation, my officials are not in a position to vest the commonage lands until the title of all the shares is resolved.
1891. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of complaints against farm inspectors in relation to farm inspections nationally in each of the years 2013 to 2017, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32496/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested is set out in the table that follows.
|
Year |
Number of customer service complaints from farmers received by Quality Service Unit regarding inspections |
Counties |
|
2013 |
6 |
Tipperary, Wexford, Donegal, Offaly, Kildare, Cork |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
|
2015 |
1 |
Longford |
|
2016 |
3 |
Galway, Carlow, Kerry |
|
2017 |
1 |
Mayo |
The data set out in the table relates to complaints from farmers received by the Quality Service Unit of my Department as part of my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure. It is important to note that this Customer Service Complaints Procedure concerns complaints regarding customer service, it does not cover requests for reviews or appeals against actual decisions taken in the operation of a scheme or service.
Where an applicant considers that an inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements or if they consider that the inspection findings are incorrect they can seek an initial review, within my Department, by an officer more senior than the original inspecting officer. Subsequent appeals concerning entitlement to any of the payments related to the schemes listed in the schedule to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 as amended are dealt with by the Agriculture Appeals Office. The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent agency established in 2002 to provide an appeals service to farmers who are dissatisfied with decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning designated Schemes operated by the Department. In the event that an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal process he/she has the right to pursue the matter further with the Office of the Ombudsman.
As set out in my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure, there are three steps in the customer service complaints process:
1. Complaints should first be directed to the senior officer in charge of the business area within the Department to which the complaint pertains.
2. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the response received from the Head of the relevant business area, the complaint can be sent to the Quality Service Unit who will examine any customer service aspect of the complaint. The Quality Service Unit will have the matter fully and impartially investigated by an officer who was not involved in the matter giving rise to the complaint.
3. If the complainant remains dissatisfied after steps 1 and 2 above, it is open to the complainant to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies, for example, government departments.
1892. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which a complaint from a farmer in respect of an inspection is handled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32497/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to providing a user-friendly, high quality service to all farmers. Where it is considered that my Department falls short of this, there is a Customer Service Complaints Procedure in place that can be availed of by farmers.
It is important to note that this Customer Service Complaints Procedure concerns complaints regarding customer service, it does not cover requests for reviews or appeals against actual decisions taken in the operation of a scheme or service.
Where an applicant considers that an inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements or if they consider that the inspection findings are incorrect they can seek an initial review, within my Department, by an officer more senior than the original inspecting officer. Subsequent appeals concerning entitlement to any of the payments related to the schemes listed in the schedule to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 as amended are dealt with by the Agriculture Appeals Office. The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent agency established in 2002 to provide an appeals service to farmers who are dissatisfied with decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning designated Schemes operated by the Department. In the event that an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal process he/she has the right to pursue the matter further with the Office of the Ombudsman.
As set out in my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure, there are three steps in the customer service complaints process:
1. Complaints should first be directed to the senior officer in charge of the business area within the Department to which the complaint pertains.
2. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the response received from the Head of the relevant business area, the complaint can be sent to the Quality Service Unit who will examine any customer service aspect of the complaint. The Quality Service Unit will have the matter fully and impartially investigated by an officer who was not involved in the matter giving rise to the complaint.
3. If the complainant remains dissatisfied after steps 1 and 2 above, it is open to the complainant to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies, for example, government departments.
Again as set out in my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure, my Department is committed to:
- Acknowledging and responding to complaints within prescribed timeframes.
- Judging all complaints on their merits and facts.
- Managing complaints in a way that is fair, non-recriminatory, respectful and impartial.
- Apologising and trying to rectify the situation without delay if a mistake is made.
- Learning from complaints and taking appropriate remedial action where required.
1893. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the sanctions or penalties applied when a complaint by a farmer in respect of an inspector is upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32498/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn responding to this question I initially wish to state that the Deputy’s Office provided the following clarification in relation to the question being asked:
If a farmer is penalised after an inspection and appeals it and is successful:
1. Are the penalties dropped?
2. What sanction is put on the inspector following a successful appeal?
A farmer that is dissatisfied with the findings of the Department regarding a claim may appeal to the Agriculture Appeals Office, which is an office completely independent of my Department. Appeals submitted to the Agricultural Appeals Office may be upheld, partially successful or disallowed. The Appeals Officer independently considers the grounds of appeal which may include, for example, additional information/documentation that was not provided at the time of the original inspection process; the conduct of the inspection; the outcome of the inspection; and any sanctions/penalties that applied. Having considered all matters relating to the appeal, the Appeals Officer makes their decision.
My Department implements the decision of the Appeals Officer and will arrange to issue any monies outstanding to the farmer as a result of the decision. Where my Department considers that the decision of the Appeals Officer is contrary to the governing EU Regulations or not in compliance with a scheme's terms and conditions, a decision may be made to appeal the decision to the Director of the Appeals Office.
As outlined above, the outcome of any appeal is predicated on numerous factors. Therefore, where the Appeals Office finds in favour of an applicant, that does not of itself constitute grounds for action regarding an inspector.
In the event that a complaint is made regarding alleged misbehaviour or misconduct of any officer of my Department, this is dealt with by the Quality Services Unit. Full details for contacting the Unit are available on my Department's website and it is the point of contact for any farmer with an issue relating to alleged misconduct by a Department staff member. The complaint will be investigated and, if upheld, any disciplinary matters arising will be dealt with in accordance with the Civil Service Disciplinary Code. This code applies to all civil servants.
1894. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of complaints received from farmers regarding inspections since 2013; the details of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32499/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe data requested is set out in the table that follows.
|
Year |
Number of customer service complaints from farmers received by Quality Service Unit regarding inspections |
|
2013 |
6 |
|
2014 |
0 |
|
2015 |
1 |
|
2016 |
3 |
|
2017 |
1 |
|
2018 to date (01/01/2018 – 11/07/2018) |
2 |
The data set out in the table relates to complaints from farmers received by the Quality Service Unit of my Department as part of my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure. It is important to note that this Customer Service Complaints Procedure concerns complaints regarding customer service, it does not cover requests for reviews or appeals against actual decisions taken in the operation of a scheme or service.
Where an applicant considers that an inspection has not been conducted in accordance with legislative requirements or if they consider that the inspection findings are incorrect they can seek an initial review, within my Department, by an officer more senior than the original inspecting officer. Subsequent appeals concerning entitlement to any of the payments related to the schemes listed in the schedule to the Agriculture Appeals Act, 2001 as amended are dealt with by the Agriculture Appeals Office. The Agriculture Appeals Office is an independent agency established in 2002 to provide an appeals service to farmers who are dissatisfied with decisions of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine concerning designated Schemes operated by the Department. In the event that an applicant is not satisfied with the outcome of the appeal process he/she has the right to pursue the matter further with the Office of the Ombudsman.
Having regard to data protection obligations, specific detail in respect of these complaints cannot be provided but in general they involve dissatisfaction with aspects of inspections such as the alleged lack of notice, attitude and conduct of Department staff and methodologies employed.
As set out in my Department’s Customer Service Complaints Procedure, there are three steps in the customer service complaints process:
1. Complaints should first be directed to the senior officer in charge of the business area within the Department to which the complaint pertains.
2. If the complainant is dissatisfied with the response received from the Head of the relevant business area, the complaint can be sent to the Quality Service Unit who will examine any customer service aspect of the complaint. The Quality Service Unit will have the matter fully and impartially investigated by an officer who was not involved in the matter giving rise to the complaint.
3. If the complainant remains dissatisfied after steps 1 and 2 above, it is open to the complainant to contact the Office of the Ombudsman. The Office of the Ombudsman examines complaints from people who feel they have been unfairly treated by certain public bodies, for example, government departments.
1895. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons employed by his Department in human resources; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32500/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Human Resources Division provides HR services to over 3,300 people working in the Department (approximately 3,170 full time equivalents). In addition to the transactional HR services provided to civil servants generally by the PeoplePoint shared service within the National Shared Services Office, this "retained" HR function encompasses a very broad remit including HR Strategy, Industrial Relations, Management and Employee Supports and Services, as well as Learning and Development and Competitions and Recruitment - all of which are focussed on the specialist requirements of my Department. The Division engages proactively with internal and external stakeholders with a view to delivering on the strategic goals and business needs of my Department.
A total of 83 staff (approximately 76 measured in Full-Time Equivalents) are currently assigned to Human Resources Division.
1896. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the expenditure incurred by his Department in respect of legal fees in each of the past three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32518/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department generally avails of the legal services of the Chief State Solicitor’s Office and its own Legal Services Division. However, occasionally it engages private Solicitor Firms and Junior and Senior Counsel for external legal advice. The amount spent by my Department on legal fees was €23,807 in 2015, €3,595 in 2016 and nil in 2017.
1897. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if veterinary inspectors will visit mink farms to ensure that all measures are being met to alleviate suffering for the animals in view of the recent hot weather (details supplied) [32592/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010(Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Primary responsibility for the welfare of animals under their care rests with the owner/person in charge. Irish fur farmers are subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer.
My Department continues to carry out inspections both planned and unplanned on these facilities. The premises in question will be inspected in the normal course. No specific weather related welfare issues have been identified this Summer.
1898. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the impact the heatwave is having upon mink held in mink farms here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32596/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has statutory responsibility for the welfare and protection of farmed animals under the European Communities (Welfare of Farmed Animals) Regulations, 2010 (Statutory Instrument No 311/2010) and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. Primary responsibility for the welfare of animals under their care rests with the owner/person in charge. Irish fur farmers are subject to the same animal welfare legislation as any other livestock farmer.
My Department continues to carry out inspections both planned and unplanned on these facilities. No specific weather related welfare issues have been identified this Summer.
1899. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has contracted the legal services of a company (details supplied) at any point over each of the past six years; if so, the costs involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32633/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are no records of any contractual payments (invoices) to this company in the last six years.
