Written Answers Nos. 297-316
298. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider banning the importation of non-native honeybees given the threat they pose to the native Irish honeybee (apis mellifera mellifera) arising from introgression, crossing and cross-breeding; the research available to date to his Department regarding this problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43317/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe movement of bees within the Union is governed by Regulation (EU) 2016/429 (the Animal Health Law) which is supplemented by Commission Implementing and Delegated Regulations (Regulation (EU) 2020/688 and 2021/403). These EU regulations contain specific provisions to safeguard the health of bees located in the territory of the union. The importation of honeybees into Ireland is allowed under these Regulations and a statutory ban on non-native bee imports into Ireland may constitute a restriction on trade.
My Department has procured research services to provide an independent scientific assessment to investigate the threat to and adverse impact upon biodiversity and the ecosystem arising from the introgression/crossing/cross-breeding of the native Irish Honey Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera with non-native species or sub-species of and/or strains derived from Apis mellifera imported to Ireland.
A Request for Tender for the provision of Research Services regarding the Native Irish Honey Bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) was published on the eTenders website. The tendering process is now complete, and a 12-month contract is currently being finalised.
299. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive his full payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43202/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has examined the relevant records and have confirmed that, in line with the terms and conditions of the scheme, this applicant's Fodder Support Scheme 2022 application was selected as part of administrative checks and the applicant was asked to submit receipts to support the declaration of cutting of silage/hay.
Two letters issued to the applicant; the first on 10 October 2022 and a final reminder letter issued on 13 January 2023.
A reminder SMS text message issued to the applicant on the 10 November 2022.
The SMS message that issued on the 10 November 2022 read:
“Final Reminder, please submit your requested receipts for Fodder Support 2022 immediately in order to receive your payment. To optout freetext STOP to 50124”
Since the requested receipts were not submitted despite the two letters and the reminder text message, a penalty has now been applied to the payment in accordance with the 2022 Fodder Support Scheme Terms and Conditions.
300. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a reply will issue to correspondence received (details supplied); the reason a reply has not issued to date; if this delay to respond is in breach of Departmental protocols and if this correspondence was discussed at the level of Secretary General of his Department. [43248/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe above person is claiming land in an area known as Keelderry Commonage. In 2010 this land was subject to inspection, the findings of which resulted in a reduction in the number of eligible hectares available to all those claiming Keelderry commonage, resulting in a reduced payment under the Single Payment Scheme.
The correspondence we refer to is currently being examined by my Department. The person concerned received a phone call on Monday 0 2 October 23 to update him on the position.
301. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to speak with Coillte regarding a project (details supplied); and to provide an update on this matter [43257/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte is a private limited company established under the Forestry Act 1988 and is operationally independent from the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine. I have referred the matters raised to Coillte for direct follow-up with the Deputy.
302. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when ACRES payment will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43262/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs is the case with all EU co-funded schemes, all ACRES applications must pass regulatory controls and validations before payment can issue. It is anticipated that payments for those cases that have passed all validations will commence in late November, and will continue to issue thereafter on a weekly basis.
All necessary material to enable ACRES payments to be calculated needs to be provided to my Department by advisors on behalf of their clients. This includes the submission of completed scorecards, where applicable, and the submission of Low Emission Slurry Spreading returns where this action has been chosen. In addition, each participant is required to complete a one-day training course in the first year of their contract. I would urge all advisors and farmers to ensure that all outstanding requirements are fulfilled in order to facilitate the earliest possible payment of participants.
303. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is permitted to spread rock phosphate fertiliser in forestry all year around; if it is confined to certain periods of the year; if he will outline those periods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43263/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has issued guidance on the application of rock phosphate on afforestation sites within the Fertiliser sections in the Forestry Standards Manual (August 2023) and the Environmental Requirements for Afforestation (August 2023).
Within the Forestry Standards Manual it is stated that; ‘Fertiliser is best applied in early summer and not outside the period April to August’.
Furthermore, both the Forest Standards Manual and Environmental Requirements for Afforestation cover best practice in relation to fertiliser application in unfavourable weather.
Both documents state that, Fertiliser should not be applied during periods of heavy rainfall and/ or high winds, or following heavy rainfall until the site has dried out sufficiently.
Details of proposed fertiliser applications must be submitted for assessment as part of the afforestation licence application.
Information relating to fertiliser application on reforestation sites can be found in Section 13 of my Departments publication ‘Standards for Felling and Reforestation (2019)’.
304. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures, if any, his Department is undertaking in conjunction with other Departments or by itself, to prevent bark beetle being imported from areas of Scotland or elsewhere where it is prevalent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43308/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn November 2019, my Department launched a major plant health initiative in its ‘Plant Health and Biosecurity Strategy 2020-2025’ which outlines the importance of plant health biosecurity for Ireland and helps ensure that all stakeholders are aware of the risks to plant health in Ireland, and their role and responsibilities to reduce those risks.
My Department has invested heavily in EU ‘Border Control Posts’ facilities in recent years to allow import control inspections of plants and plant products from non-EU countries.
My Department has substantially increased staff resources in plant health and has established a dedicated Pest Risk Analysis Unit.
Coniferous roundwood is both imported into and exported out of Ireland. Importers in Ireland do not import roundwood from areas known to be affected by bark beetles. The only area where imports into Ireland of coniferous roundwood originate from is a Pest Free Area in the West of Scotland.
Imports of roundwood logs from the Pest Free area (PFA) are subject to an inspection regime. All imports from the PFA must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate.
All forest sector stakeholders have a responsibility for forest health and should ensure they engage in best practice to help prevent the introduction of pests and diseases on plants and plant products.
305. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will reimburse families who have to pay privately for speech and language therapy and occupational therapy, due to a lack of services in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43239/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
306. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what services are available to young adults who require an assessment (details supplied) where the young adult can no longer access child and family psychology services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43345/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
307. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to reimburse parents who are forced to have their children seen privately in order to access assessments and therapies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43346/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
308. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures his Department is taking to improve recreational facilities and services for young people in County Westmeath. [43358/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department operates the Play and Recreation Capital grant scheme, which provides funding, via Local Authorities, to support the development of new recreation facilities for children and young people. The scheme also funds the refurbishment of existing play and recreation facilities and the incorporation of natural play elements.
The criteria for the scheme were developed in partnership with the Local Authority Play and Recreation Network, established to bring a focus on play and recreation within each local authority. Grants are for the development of new play facilities, the refurbishment of existing playgrounds and/or the incorporation of natural play areas.
For each project, 25% of the awarded amount must be provided by the Local Authority. Facilities and equipment funded must be accessible to children and young people of all abilities, as far as possible.
All facilities and equipment funded must be child-friendly and safe, and all projects funded under the scheme must provide evidence that children and young people living locally who will have access to the facility have been consulted about the project for which funding is sought.
All spaces and facilities for which funding is granted must be available for use by all children and young people in the locality at times when they are free to use them, including outside of school hours.
From 2017 to 2023, Westmeath County Council has been the recipient of €111,207, provided by my Department through this fund for the development and renovation of children’s playgrounds.
Children’s playgrounds and play areas should be places of fun and activity for all children to enjoy, so that every child can experience the joy and excitement that comes with playing outdoors.
309. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether he is considering providing funding for running costs of providing transport including drivers to individuals to and from day services as outlined in the response received from the HSE; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43381/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HSE provides specialist disability services, including Day Services and Rehabilitative Training, to people with disabilities who require such services, and people with intellectual disabilities would form the majority of service users who are supported by these services. While day service funding does not include transport, some transport supports are provided by the HSE or funded agencies on a discretionary basis, and a variety of transport solutions are pursued in different CHO areas. These include travel training to enable public transport to be used, where appropriate, local transport such as Local Link, private bus transport and taxis, and some service providers provide transport where capacity exists.
In general, day service users are in receipt of disability allowance and are automatically entitled to the Free Travel Pass. The HSE have been working with the National Transport Authority on this issue of transport to day services, through the ‘Open Routes’ project. Open Routes is based on the idea that transport to HSE services such as day services would be best served by accessible local public transport such as the Local Link, transporting people to their day services, but also serving the wider local community as well with enhanced public transport provision.
The approach is being piloted in Leitrim, in line with mainstreaming of services for people with disabilities. The NTA advise that the Integrated Pilot Project was developed in close collaboration with the HSE, with a revised network that is designed to meet the needs of mainstream public transport users as well as the transport needs of passengers with disabilities and those accessing health care services in the county.
This Pilot Project has now been in operation for over a year. To date all feedback with regard to the pilot from stakeholders such as HSE, HSE Day Centres, external stakeholders and passengers has been very positive. In addition to the positive feedback, passenger numbers on Regular Rural Services has grown considerably since the introduction of the revised TFI Local Link network for County Leitrim.
This is a model that could be applied in other parts of the country, with the NTA leading on this and working closely with local partners such as the HSE. The NTA and HSE are continuing to progress this work, with a view to conducting a review of the pilot.
310. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the measures being implemented to address the delays in the provision of therapies for children with additional needs in counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43397/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
311. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for his advice on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43204/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe sustainability and stability of health and social care sectors are a concern for Government and we recognise the ability of voluntary organisations to pay their staff is highly dependent on state funding. I am therefore committed to resolving this issue.
In July my Department and the Department of Health made a combined offer of a 5% pay funding increase to employer bodies. This is in line with offers accepted by community and voluntary workers in other sectors and included a commitment to further engage with unions pending the conclusion of any public sector pay talks. This offer remains on the table.
Early last week unions representing Section 39 and Section 56 workers announced that their members in a selection of employer organisations would take indefinite strike action from Tuesday 17 October.
Actions will involve health and community workers in a variety of grades and in multiple locations across 19 voluntary service provider organisations.
Any industrial action will impact negatively on the people who use their services, and I encourage the unions and employers to return to the negotiation process, to avoid industrial action and the negative impacts this will have on service users.
In the meantime the relevant agencies (Tusla/HSE) are engaged in contingency planning with the employer organisations that will be affected by industrial action, so that any impact on those who depend on these essential services can be managed to the greatest extent possible.
I am conscious that similar considerations arise in respect of other sectors across Government adding to the complexity in seeking a resolution for any specific sector.
The Department is engaging in on-going dialogue with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Health Service Executive in relation to the Budget 2024 and DCEDIY recognises that a solution to the current situation will involve much needed additional investment into these sectors.
These discussions are still progressing and until they are concluded it would not be appropriate for me to comment on the level of available funding to address this or any other area that could benefit from increased funding next year.
312. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he agrees that a minimum of 315 additional residential places for people with disabilities is required to meet emergency needs. [43208/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraResidential services make up the largest part of the Disability funding disbursed by the HSE – over 60% of the total budget – and approximately 90 service providers provide residential services to over 8,000 individuals throughout the country.
The end of July 2023 position indicates that there were 8,330 residential places for people with a disability, delivered predominantly by section 38 and section 39 organisations funded under the Health Act 2004.
In accordance with the National Service Plan 2023, the HSE received funding to provide a range of residential supports including :
• 43 additional residential places in response to current need (at end of July 2023, 84 new residential places were developed).
• Support 18 delayed transfers of care in line with the Winter Plan (27 people received new residential places with 3 further receiving home care packages).
• Provide 23 residential care packages to young people ageing out of Tusla services in line with the Joint Protocol ( at end of July 2023, 24 packages were developed)
Demand for full-time residential placements within designated centres is extremely high. The HSE profiles those actively seeking specialist disability services, including residential services, using a profiling tool, the Disability Services Management Application Tool (DSMAT) which it has developed. It is a support to the CHO areas in their decision making processes, representing an indicator of need.
This means that services are allocated on the basis of greatest presenting need and associated risk factors, noting that needs can change.
In 2021 the Disability Capacity Review – A Review of Social Care Demand and Capacity Requirements to 2032- was published. It outlined the capacity needs for a growing and aging population and the increasing demands for specialist disability services, including residential services and care, up to 2032. The Review projected a need for a minimum of an additional 1,900 residential places by 2032 under a minimum projection.
The Action Plan for Disability for Disability Service 2024 -2026 was developed arising from the recommendations of the Capacity Review. It was approved by Government in July 2023, following the transfer of specialist disability function from Department of Health to Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
The Action Plan is a plan for the first phase of developing necessary capacity in specialist disability services, as well as driving reforms in how services are planned and delivered to achieve better outcomes for persons with a disability. The plan is currently being finalised for publication.
313. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if a community neuro-rehabilitation team will be established in CHO4; and if so, the timeline for same. [43264/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the query refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
314. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 236 of 11 May 2022, if any improvement has been made in filling vacant therapist posts (occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, psychology therapy) in County Wexford’s four CDNTs; the plans he has to ensure that an adequate service for children in County Wexford is provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43288/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
315. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacancies in the accommodation housing Ukrainian refugees; the reason there are Ukrainian refugees being housed in tents, when not all the centres for accommodating Ukrainian refugees are full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43328/23]
Amharc ar fhreagra316. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of vacant beds in a centre accommodating Ukrainian refugees; the reason for these vacancies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43329/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 315 and 316 together.
Each accommodation provider who has a contract with my Department to provide accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) is required to notify my officials of any vacancies at the accommodation on a weekly basis. The accommodation provider for which details have been supplied is one of our contracted providers and has notified my Department of vacancies at that accommodation by sending a weekly register via email to a designated mailbox.
Maximising the use of contracted vacancies is a priority for my Department. A dedicated team were established in Q2 of this year to actively validate vacancies notified to us by accommodation providers to ensure these are within contract and meet our standards. In addition, improvements to our processes have significantly increased accommodation provider compliance with the requirement to submit weekly registers, currently over 82%, and my officials are actively contacting those outstanding providers not currently doing so to ensure we have a full picture of contracted vacancies.
There are a number of circumstances, however, under which vacancies cannot be used in the short term and must be paused. Where a provider is nearing the end of their contract, for example, or where an issue has been raised with my Department such that the provider’s offering is under review, vacancies notified by that accommodation provider will not be filled until these matters are resolved to ensure the safety and security of BOTPs.
Vacancies which are suitable for immediate use are made available by my officials to operational teams for allocation. Due to varying room configurations and geographical location, some vacancies may take longer to fill then others given they are utilised to meet the specific requirements of individuals and family groups of BOTPs.
The total number of vacancies available for allocation changes daily as vacancies are both validated and allocated to BOTPs on a daily basis. The average weekly arrival rate of 500-600 BOTPs seeking state supported accommodation despite active management of suitable vacancies necessitates the use of contingency measures such as tented accommodation. It is my Department's policy that BOTPs will be in tented accommodation for as short a time as possible and BOTPs being periodically moved out of the tents at Stradbally are then allocated to contracted vacancies.
While the number of total available vacancies notified to my Department are not insignificant and welcomed, it is important to note that a large proportion of the vacancies notified will be for small numbers of beds in disparate locations which brings logistical difficulties. Where small numbers are identified these are regularly single beds available in family rooms with resident BOTPs, which are difficult to fill. Also, it is often the case that when operational teams seek to use vacancies that have been notified, accommodation providers will reduce the numbers of beds previously indicated to my officials due to rooms being refurbished or needing repair.
My Department will continue to engage with providers to fill suitable vacancies where this is possible.
