Written Answers

20 November 2018 Written Answers.

The following are questions tabled by Members for written response and the ministerial replies as received on the day from the Departments [unrevised].

Questions Nos. 1 to 11, inclusive, answered orally.

Questions Nos. 12 to 20, inclusive, resubmitted.

Official Engagements

20/11/2018WRAAA0060021. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent engagement with the President of the European Parliament, Mr. Antonio Tajani. [45717/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA00700The Taoiseach: I had a bilateral meeting with the President of the European Parliament, Antonio Tajani, in the margins of the European Council on 18 October.

We discussed the state of play in the Brexit negotiations between the EU and the U.K. I thanked President Tajani for his ongoing strong solidarity in relation to our concerns and reiterated the need to ensure a legally operable and robust backstop in the Withdrawal Agreement.

I am pleased that agreement was subsequently reached at negotiator level on the draft With- drawal Agreement and an outline of the Joint Political Declaration on the future relationship.

I look forward to attending the special meeting of the European Council this Sunday, where it is hoped that the 27 EU leaders will formally endorse the draft Withdrawal Agreement and Joint Political Declaration.

Questions Nos. 22 to 28, inclusive, resubmitted.

Northern Ireland

20/11/2018WRAAA0090029. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent meeting with the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party, Ms Arlene Foster. [45718/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA01000The Taoiseach: I met the leader of the DUP Ms Arlene Foster on October 15. We discussed many issues including the current political situation in Northern Ireland and Brexit.

I emphasised the Government’s full commitment to the Good Friday Agreement, and our continuing determination to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions. We discussed what could be done to get the institutions in Northern Ireland up and running again.

I re-iterated to Ms Foster that the Government wants to put a political process in place that can secure an agreement on the operation of the devolved institutions and that we will continue

1 Questions - Written Answers to engage with the British Government and the political parties in Northern Ireland to seek urgent progress in the period immediately ahead.

We agreed that we can continue to build on existing practical North South co-operation.

We also discussed Brexit including negotiations on the backstop to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland.

Questions Nos. 30 to 33, inclusive, resubmitted.

Official Engagements

20/11/2018WRAAA0120034. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to County Cavan; the engagements he undertook; and if he met with stakeholders to discuss the impact of Brexit. [45719/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA01300The Taoiseach: I visited Counties Cavan and Monaghan on Friday 12th of October when I had a number of different engagements.

In the morning, I visited the Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff, the new Autism Unit in Bailieborough Community School and Bailieborough Courthouse.

In the afternoon, I visited Cootehill where I had the pleasure of turning the sod on the new Holy Family School. Finally, I spoke at a Cross-Border Childcare Conference in Emyvale, Co. Monaghan.

While I had no formal meetings with business people on this visit, I did of course meet a wide variety of invited guests and members of the public at the events I attended. During the course of my visit Brexit was to the fore.

The Cross Border Childcare Conference afforded me the opportunity to engage with those attending on the subject of Brexit.

Questions Nos. 35 and 36 resubmitted.

National Digital Strategy

20/11/2018WRAAA0150037. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the recently announced consultation process in respect of the national digital strategy. [46732/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA01600The Taoiseach: A new overarching National Digital Strategy is currently in development. The Strategy will help Ireland to maximise the economic and societal benefits from ongoing digitalisation and its transformative effects.

In 2013, Ireland’s previous National Digital Strategy was launched, and focused on Doing more with Digital. Five years on, the Government is seeking to develop a new National Digital Strategy to take full advantage of the evolving opportunities of digital transformation, and deal with the many challenges thrown up by the swift pace of technological advancement.

The Strategy is being led as a shared effort by the Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation; and the Office of the Chief Information Officer in the Department of Public Expen- diture and Reform, reflecting the spread of areas it will cover. 2 20 November 2018 An Interdepartmental Group, which includes representatives from all Departments, is assisting the development of the Strategy ensuring a comprehensive whole-of-Government approach.

As committed to in the Action Plan for Jobs, a Framework for Developing the new National Digital Strategy has been completed, which went to Government in July, and reflects preliminary stakeholder consultations with civic society, enterprise representatives, industry, education providers and academia.

A public consultation, to allow citizens to feed in and influence the development of the Strategy, is currently underway and will run for a month until Friday, November 23rd. Citizens can submit their views online, by email or by post.

The public’s submissions will help us carve out the issues that matter to the people of Ire- land, and create a strong new National Digital Strategy based on the real concerns, needs and ambitions of the country.

In parallel with the public consultation, consultation with stakeholders and sectoral specialists is taking place, to further inform the development of the Strategy.

The final Strategy will map out how we can positively embrace digital advances and provide for a national narrative to understand the impacts of digital technology on Ireland.

Questions Nos. 38 to 40, inclusive, resubmitted.

Official Engagements

20/11/2018WRAAA0180041. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his attendance at the recent ASEM summit. [46733/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA01900The Taoiseach: I attended the 12th ASEM Summit, or Asia - Europe Meeting, on the 18th and 19th of October in Brussels.

The focus of the recent Summit was on improving trade and connectivity between Europe and Asia, and on reinforcing the multilateral, rules-based system of governance on issues like international trade, peace and security, sustainable development and climate change.

As well as attending the plenary sessions, I held bilateral meetings with Prime Minister Sol- berg of Norway, President Battulga of Mongolia and the Deputy Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dr. Wan Azizah, focused on strengthening bilateral relations. I also raised Ireland’s candidature for an elected seat on the UN Security Council for the term 2021-2022.

I engaged informally with a number of other leaders including Chinese Premier Li, Japanese Prime Minister Abe, Russian Prime Minister Medvedev, Vice President of India Naidu, and the foreign ministers or special envoys of Laos, Myanmar, Australia, Kazakhstan and New Zea- land. These were primarily courtesy conversations about bilateral relations, though in several instances I raised Ireland’s candidacy for the UN Security Council.

Questions Nos. 42 and 43 resubmitted.

Departmental Advertising Expenditure

20/11/2018WRAAA0210044. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the proposed budget for social media advertising in his Department for 2019. [46734/18] 3 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRAAA02150The Taoiseach: The cost for any social media advertising undertaken in 2019 will be met from my Department’s administrative budget. Costs incurred are expected to be significantly less than the spend on digital advertising in 2018 which is estimated at approximately €450,000.

Question No. 45 resubmitted.

Official Engagements

20/11/2018WRAAA0225046. Deputy Eamon Ryan asked the Taoiseach if he will report on his recent visit to County Derry. [45930/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA02275The Taoiseach: I visited Derry City on Friday 26th October where I had several engagements.

I was pleased to visit the Apprentice Boys Headquarters and Museum where I enjoyed a tour of the Museum. I also had the opportunity to meet the Chair of the Management Committee Mr William Moore and a number of his colleagues.

I then visited Creggan Enterprises in the Rath Mór Centre in the Creggan where I spoke with local business people and members of the community. I also met those involved in projects operating from the Centre and met briefly with the local MP, Ms Elisha McCallion.

Finally, that evening I spoke at the St Columb’s College Annual Dinner which this year was in honour of one of St Columb’s former students, Mr Mark Durkan.

Questions Nos. 47 to 75, inclusive, resubmitted.

Questions Nos. 76 to 83, inclusive, answered orally.

Human Rights

20/11/2018WRAAA0240084. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which concerns regarding the safe repatriation of the Rohingya to Myanmar can be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48085/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA02500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Since military security operations began in Rakhine State, Myanmar in August 2017, approximately 720,000 refugees, mostly Rohingya, have fled to Bangladesh. The people and government of Bangladesh have demonstrated extraordinary generosity in receiving such a large influx of refugees in very difficult circumstances. I remain very concerned at the ongoing situation in Myanmar and the plight of these refugees who are living in extremely precarious conditions in overcrowded refugee camps. Ireland remains unwavering in its wish to see conditions that will enable the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable return of these Rohingya refugees to their places of origin in Myanmar in compliance with international human rights norms and the principle of non-refoulement.

I note that the signing of Memoranda of Understanding on the repatriation of the Rohingya between Myanmar and Bangladesh and between Myanmar and the UNDP and UNHCR have been important first steps on this path of return.

However, current conditions on the ground in Myanmar are not conducive to allow for the voluntary, safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of members of the Rohingya community.

4 20 November 2018 In that regard, I am concerned by the recent arrangement between Myanmar and Bangla- desh to begin the return of up to 5,000 refugees in the near future. I note the concerns expressed by UNHCR, who are on-the-ground, and the fact that UN agencies have not been included in these discussions. I also note concerning reports that many of the refugees concerned do not wish to be repatriated given conditions on the ground in Rakhine State.

Therefore, I call on Myanmar and Bangladesh to reconsider this arrangement and to take the necessary steps to create such conditions before taking any further or premature steps towards repatriation. I urge the parties to undertake further dialogue with international partners while also allowing the voices of the refugee community to play a key role in determining their future.

I also echo the calls for the full implementation of the findings of the Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.

Human Rights Cases

20/11/2018WRAAA0260085. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he or his officials have contacted his Pakistani counterpart in relation to the treatment of a person (details supplied) and the refusal to allow them to leave Pakistan until the verdict is reviewed; if he has considered offering asylum to the person and their family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48122/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA02700Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Ireland works within and alongside the EU and UN to address the persecution of religious minorities wherever it occurs. I am, of course, aware of the case of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman convicted in 2010 of Blasphemy and sentenced to death. Following an appeal, the Supreme Court of Pakistan recently overturned her conviction.

Minister Flanagan raised concerns on the blasphemy laws with his Pakistani counterpart on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2016. Minister Flanagan also raised the case with the Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires in January 2016. The European Union has also raised the case with the Pakistani authorities. I continue to follow developments in the case and strongly condemn all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are.

Ireland attaches great importance to the fundamental human rights of freedom of thought, conscience, religion or belief. I am well aware of the vulnerable situation of persons belonging to religious minorities in Pakistan and will continue to raise the issue with the Pakistan Govern- ment as well as through the framework and mechanisms of the European Union and the United Nations.

Ms. Bibi has not applied for asylum in Ireland to date. Any request for international protection in Ireland from Ms. Bibi would be looked upon favourably by the Minister for Justice and Equality.

Passport Services

20/11/2018WRAAA0280086. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to reinstate the free passport for old age pensioners in view of the fact that this is a form of official identification for some pensioners that do not hold driver licences; and if he will make

5 Questions - Written Answers a statement on the matter. [48087/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA02900Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Passport Service does not provide a reduced fee to any category of adult applicant for a passport, whether for the renewal of a passport or for a first time application. A reduced fee is applied on applications for passports for minors in recognition of the fact that a minor’s passport is valid for only five years. Most adult passports will be issued for a period of ten years. I have asked my staff to review the cost of the standard ten year adult Irish passport and to compare it to the cost of a similar passport in many other jurisdictions.

I am satisfied that, at a cost of €80, which breaks down to €8 per year, the Irish passport fee compares favourably with the services offered elsewhere. For example, an adult would have to pay €8.50 per year for a British passport, €8.60 per year for a French passport, €9.70 per year for an American passport and €18.10 per year for an Australian passport.

Based on 2017 application volumes, the Passport Service has calculated the potential annual cost of eliminating the passport application fee for applicants over 65 years of age to be over €6.2m. Given that any shortfall in revenue would have to be met by the taxpayer, a decision to waive or reduce the application fee for any category of applicant would require careful consideration. It is important to ensure that the major upgrades to the passport service technology platforms and business processes as well as significant customer service improvements which have taken place in recent years can be maintained and further developed.

In the context of the services provided by the Passport Service, I would like to draw attention to the well-advanced Passport Reform Programme, one element of which is an online passport application service which was launched on 30 March 2017.

To date over 273,000 adults have renewed their passport using this online facility. At present, the online passport application service accommodates adult passport renewal applications and passport card applications. The Passport Service is in the process of expanding this service further by the end of 2018.

The online passport application service enables adults to renew their passports within ten working days without the need for paperwork or witnesses. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from anywhere in the world. While the online service does not distinguish between applicants’ based on age, applicants can be assured that the online system will be the cheapest as well as the most efficient, secure and convenient way to apply to renew their passport.

Northern Ireland

20/11/2018WRAAA0300087. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if an official from his Department attended the inquest into the Ballymurphy massacre; and the supports he is providing to those persons in the pursuit of truth and justice for their loved ones killed by the British army in the massacre. [48135/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA03100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Government has supported the long campaign of the Ballymurphy families, including in bringing forward the All-Party Dáil Motion in 2015, and the Government will continue to stand in solidarity with the families.I have welcomed the new inquest in Belfast which commenced on 12 November. An official of my Department attended the opening day of the inquest, to express the Government’s continuing solidarity with the families as they commence the extremely difficult process of a coronial inquiry into the deaths of their family members. Like so many fami- 6 20 November 2018 lies from both communities in Northern Ireland, they deserve to establish the truth of what happened to their loved ones. I sincerely hope that this new inquest will provide the families with answers and the truth of what happened, which they are still seeking after forty-seven years.

I met with the Ballymurphy families in Belfast on 22 November last year to hear their views and experiences and to confirm the Government’s support for their campaign. I and my predecessors as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade have also consistently raised the Bal- lymurphy case with the British Government. The Government has underlined the requirement for all Troubles-related deaths - whatever the circumstances, and whoever is responsible - to be investigated in a manner that is consistent with the European Convention on Human Rights.

I have directed officials from my Department to monitor developments with the Ballymur- phy inquest closely and to remain in contact with the families as the inquiry proceeds over the coming months.

I will also continue to engage with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland to seek urgent further progress with the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy framework and with the adequate resourcing of legacy inquests in Northern Ireland, consistent with the requirements of Article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

Human Rights

20/11/2018WRAAA0320088. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is continuing to raise the persecution of LGBT citizens in Tanzania with his Tanzanian counterpart; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is deep concern for the safety and security of LGBT citizens in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48133/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA03300Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): ‘The Global Island: Ireland’s Foreign Policy For Changing World’ states clearly that: “We are committed to promoting the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex (LGBTI) individuals, who continue to suffer disproportionate levels of violence and face systemic discrimination in many countries.” There is no situation in which a person’s fundamental human rights should be prejudiced because of their sexual orientation.

This clear policy informed the Tánaiste’s letter to the Foreign Minister of Tanzania, Mr Augustine Mahiga, immediately upon learning of statements by the Dar es Salaam Regional Commissioner targeting members of the LGBTI+ community. The Tánaiste called upon the Tanzanian Government to ensure the protection of LGBTI+ people in line with Tanzania’s national and international human rights commitments.

Minister Mahiga subsequently issued a formal statement, distancing his Government from the Regional Commissioner’s comments and reiterating Tanzania’s commitment to uphold its international human rights obligations.

My Department, including through the Embassy of Ireland in Dar es Salaam, is monitoring the situation in Tanzania and working closely with partners in support of the protection and promotion of human rights.

The EU and its Member States consistently raise concerns with many countries on changing human rights environments, including stressing the importance of free speech. My officials are contributing to a broad review of EU relations with Tanzania which the EU agreed due to the changing context in Tanzania. This review is currently ongoing. 7 Questions - Written Answers Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRAAA0340089. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the potential impact of Brexit on County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48114/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA03500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I refer the Deputy to my earlier reply to Priority Question Number 5, in relation to the Government’s contingency and preparedness planning for all Brexit scenarios.This planning, as appropriate, includes any specific responses necessary according to regional needs and at the county level, including those of Cork, of which I am, of course, acutely aware. As part of the Government’s broader Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information campaign, the Minister for Agri- culture, Food and the Marine and I launched the first of an ongoing series of public outreach events, which was held in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on 5 October.

Bringing together individual Government Departments and Agencies under one roof, the event highlighted the existing supports and resources that are available from across Govern- ment to assist businesses in County Cork and beyond with their preparations for Brexit.

Human Rights

20/11/2018WRAAA0360090. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will seek consensus at EU level to add the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to an arms embargo list through the EU common position on arms trade in view of the current humanitarian situation in Yemen and the ongoing Saudi led offensive causing multiple deaths to civilians; and his views on whether many of the EU partners that trade in arms with Saudi Arabia are culpable of prolonging the conflict. [48084/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA0370099. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps he will take at EU level to lobby for the imposition of an EU wide arms embargo on Saudi Arabia in view of both of the atrocities being committed by that country in Yemen and in view of the fact that Germany has suspended arms sales to Saudi Arabia and Austria has called for an EU wide ban. [48079/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA03800Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 90 and 99 together.

I have already answered a number of questions setting out my views on the situation in Ye- men, and the actions which Ireland, the EU and UN are taking in this regard.

In relation to the specific question of an arms embargo, decisions at EU level to stop exports of arms require the agreement of all EU Member States. Although some have called for it, there is currently no consensus at EU level on an arms embargo on Saudi Arabia, or any member of the Coalition. I am aware that some Member States, including Germany, have decided to halt arms exports for the present.

For now, Irish efforts are concentrated on ensuring the effective implementation of Ex- port Control Regimes and the implementation of the 2014 Arms Trade Treaty, which has been signed and ratified by all EU Member States, and requires States to assess the potential that arms exports could be used to commit or facilitate serious violations of international humanitarian or human rights law, and to consider measures to mitigate the risk of these violations.

I firmly believe that effective measures to monitor the trade of arms and other dual use 8 20 November 2018 goods are necessary to ensure that the highest standards in international arms controls are met, and to tackle the illicit trade in arms.

As a member of multiple disarmament and non-proliferation Treaties and Conventions, Ire- land has a responsibility to ensure that adequate domestic controls are implemented.

All exports of goods from Ireland which are dual-use or have a military classification are subject to strict assessment on a case by case basis against the eight criteria contained in the EU Code of Conduct on Arms Exports. The Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation is the lead Department on issuing export licenses. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade plays a role in the assessment of export licenses for military rated and dual use goods, with the aim of ensuring that:

The goods are destined for the country and end-user as stated on the licence application;

The stated end-user will use the goods for a legitimate purpose, as detailed in the end-user certificate.

That there is no risk the goods may diverted to end users of concern, or that the goods may be used for human rights suppression.

Ireland will continue to assess all military rated and dual use goods license applications on a case by case base, ensuring compliance with our international obligations.

Questions Nos. 91 and 92 answered with Question No. 81.

United Nations

20/11/2018WRAAA0400093. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland’s contribution to the campaign for a United Nations parliamentary assembly; if a parliamentary assembly will be inaugurated in time for the 75th anniversary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47994/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA04100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Ireland has been strongly committed to the values and principles of the UN Charter, since joining the United Nations in 1955.

As a strong supporter of the UN, for more than 60 years, Ireland continues to advocate, through a range of fora, for reform of the UN’s structures and systems. Reform, in the political and administrative fields, is necessary to furnish the United Nations with the necessary tools and mechanisms to respond to the many significant and interlinked global challenges faced by the UN’s member states.

Ireland is committed, in this context, to consider proposals seeking to improve the effectiveness of the UN and the valuable contribution it can make to the peace, stability and development of all nations.

Ireland remains open-minded to the concept of a UN Parliamentary Assembly in the context of overall UN reform. I have taken note of the declaration adopted last month at the 42nd Ple- nary Meeting of the World Forum of United Nations Associations in the Dominican Republic, which called for the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly. I also recognise the important contribution of Deputy Broughan to the recently established Parliamentary Group for a United Nations Parliamentary Association.

9 Questions - Written Answers I am conscious that those who advocate the establishment of a UN Parliamentary Assembly are doing so from the perspective of seeking increase transparency and oversight of the UN. My Department is open to hearing further from those advocating for a Parliamentary Assembly.

The United Nations will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2020. In the lead-up to this occasion, Ireland is committed to supporting UN reform measures that will improve the way the organisation functions so that the objectives of the United Nations Charter, which we all share, can be reached.

State Visits

20/11/2018WRAAA0420094. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if there has been further indication of a possible visit from President Trump. [41064/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA04300Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): It was announced by the White House on 31 August last that the US President proposed to visit Ireland in November as part of his trip to Europe to commemorate the end of the First World War. As the Deputy will be aware, this visit was subsequently postponed, with the US Administration citing scheduling reasons. There are frequent and ongoing contacts between the Government and the US Administration at Ministerial and official level on the wide range of issues of mutual interest, and on international issues. To date, we have not received an indication, through these contacts, of when a possible future visit from President Trump might take place.

The visit of any US President offers an opportunity to reinforce the strong historic, economic, cultural and family ties shared by the US and Ireland - as well as an opportunity for good, open discussions on current issues. The US President is of course welcome to visit Ireland and has a standing invitation to do so, just as the Irish have a standing invitation to Washington DC every March.

I discussed Ireland-EU-US relations earlier this month with my colleagues in Government. The importance of continued engagement at Ministerial and official level with US leaders, and on sectoral issues of mutual interest, was noted - as was the desirability of increasing the numbers of US high level visits to Ireland in the coming years.

In the context of a changing transatlantic relationship, this enhanced and targeted engagement is critical, as we seek to protect and promote Ireland’s values, interests and prosperity. Through this engagement, we will increasingly seek to position Ireland as the transatlantic bridge between the US and the EU.

The Government’s forthcoming Strategy on the US and Canada - which I look forward to bringing to Cabinet in the coming weeks and launching in the US early in 2019 - will set out a framework for action in this regard aimed at maximising the potential of our relationship now and into the future.

Passport Applications

20/11/2018WRAAA0440095. Deputy John Curran asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress being made on the expansion of new online passport application services; when these new services are expected to be launched; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48128/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA04500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The 10 20 November 2018 Passport Online service was first launched on 30 March 2017 to facilitate the online renewal of the majority of adult passport types. To date, over 288,000 adults have renewed their passport using the online service. I am pleased to inform you that the Passport Online service will be expanded at the end of this month to encompass online renewals for children.

In the interest of child protection and in order to ensure the highest level of integrity for the passport renewal process, the online renewal of a child’s passport will continue to require that a child’s identity is verified and that the consent of each of the child’s legal guardians is received before a passport is issued.

The Passport Service has developed a pre-populated Child Passport Identity and Consent Form which will be generated at the end of the online process. Guardians will be required to print this form, have the child’s identity verified by an appropriate witness, and have the consent of all guardians witnessed. Guardians will then need to submit the form, along with any other required documents to the Passport Service in order to commence the processing of the application. There is a significant list of appropriate witnesses who can complete both of these tasks.

Guardians who are renewing their child’s passport will also be able to apply for a passport card for their child for the first time. These cards will be valid for the same period as the child’s passport book and valid for travel in the EU/EEA and Switzerland.

The expanded service will also allow for other adult renewal categories such as those changing their name and those requiring an observation on their passport.

I would urge applicants wishing to renew their passports, whether residing in Ireland or overseas, to avail of the online service where possible.

Humanitarian Aid

20/11/2018WRAAA0460096. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he along with his EU and UN colleagues continue to press for humanitarian assistance in the various conflict zones globally; if consideration continues to be given to the provision of safe or protective havens for civilian communities fleeing from war, genocide and terrorism; the extent to which peacekeeping interventions are being considered in the most sensitive war zones; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48117/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA04700Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): The number and complexity of humanitarian crises globally has increased in recent years, with the UN estimating that over 130 million people are in need of urgent humanitarian assistance and protection. Conflict is the most significant driver of this increased need.

Ireland prioritises the provision of needs based, principled humanitarian aid to high profile humanitarian crises such as Syria but also to ‘forgotten crises’ which receive less attention such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and Sudan. Over 90% of Ireland’s humanitarian funding in 2017 was directed in support of those affected by conflict.

Critical to maximising Ireland’s response is our strong and enduring commitment to effective multilateralism, particularly through our membership of the European Union and the United Nations. Ireland is a strong contributor not just to decisions regarding the international humanitarian response to crises but also to efforts to prevent conflict and to resolve conflict.

Ireland has a deep partnership with the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Af- fairs, OCHA. OCHA coordinates and leads coherent and effective international responses to

11 Questions - Written Answers humanitarian crises.

Among other funds, OCHA manages the Central Emergency Response Fund, which responds to sudden onset disasters and to under-funded crises. Ireland is a strong supporter of both mechanisms and the current chair of the OCHA donor support group, which works with the Office the UN Humanitarian Coordinator. A key priority for Ireland as chair is to ensure that Ireland plays an effective international role on the protection of civilians and to uphold international humanitarian law. In international forums, Ireland consistently advocates for adherence to the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality and independence, and called on all parties – for example, those engaged in the Syria conflict – to fulfill their responsibility to protect civilians and to allow the safe passage of humanitarian assistance.

Promoting international peace and security in regions of conflict is a core mission of the United Nations. By necessity, United Nations authorised interventions are required in the most sensitive war zones.

Ireland has a long tradition of contributing to UN and EU peace-support missions, including in some of the world’s most complex and intractable conflicts. Ireland has maintained a continuous presence in UN peace support operations since 1958, and has more than 570 personnel in United Nations mandated missions overseas. The Government is committed to participation in peace-keeping operations as a tangible contribution to the development of global peace and security. This commitment informs Ireland’s decision to seek election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the period 2021-22. If elected, membership of the Security Council would allow Ireland to play an important influencing role in the international response to the needs of the most vulnerable.

Overseas Development Aid

20/11/2018WRAAA0480097. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to develop a roadmap to reach the ODA to GNI 0.7% target; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48016/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA04900Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): In June 2018 the Taoiseach launched Global Ireland, a plan to double Ireland’s global impact by 2025. Among other things, the Government committed to publishing a White Paper on Ireland’s International Development Cooperation and to delivering 0.7% of GNI to Official Development Assistance by 2030.

The public consultation for the new White Paper on international development concluded last month. The intention is to finalise the White Paper before the end of the year.

The new policy will set the context for the Government to continue on its pathway to reaching the United Nations target of 0.7% GNI to ODA over the lifetime of the United Nations sustainable development goals, that is by 2030.

Sustained, managed increments will be required if this target is to be met. A first step was made in budget 2019, which saw the highest increase in the funding available to overseas development assistance in over a decade. Overall Irish ODA funding in 2019 is forecast to reach €816.9 million, an increase of €109.8 million on this year’s allocation. This allocation includes a €44.8 million increase in 2019 for Irish Aid, the international development programme managed by my Department.

12 20 November 2018 Human Rights

20/11/2018WRAAA0500098. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on attacks on Christians in India by extremists and the reports from organisations (details supplied) that the perpetrators are acting with impunity; and if this matter has been raised at EU level. [48083/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA05100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. I am aware of the Reports to which the Deputy refers. I very strongly condemn any violent attacks faced by the Christian community in India and all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where it occurs, or who the victims are.

My Department has received a number of reports from NGOs and other organisations which set out the details of several violent incidents targeting Christian communities in India. A suitable opportunity to raise such concerns is in the context of the EU-India Human Rights Dia- logue, in which the EU and India exchange views on a broad range of human rights concerns. A date for the next dialogue is currently being sought by the EU.

Freedom of religious expression is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy, and those rights must be guaranteed. Acts of violence and discrimination based on religion or belief, committed in the name of religion or national security, whether by individuals, by groups or by states, must be challenged.

The promotion and protection of human rights is an integral part of Ireland’s foreign policy. Ireland works closely with human rights defenders to protect them and the work they do and to promote the value of civil society space.

Officials from my Department, including in the Embassy in New Delhi, will continue to monitor the human rights situation in India, in close cooperation with the EU.

Question No. 99 answered with Question No. 90.

Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRAAA05300100. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has carried out an analysis by county of the potential impact of Brexit here, with particular reference to counties Cavan and Monaghan; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48121/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA05400113. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the efforts that have been made to minimise the impact of Brexit on County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48115/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA05500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 100 and 113 together.

Any Brexit scenario will mean considerable change and impact for Ireland. We are taking forward extensive and detailed Brexit preparedness and contingency work across all Govern- ment Departments and Agencies. This planning, as appropriate, includes any specific responses necessary according to regional needs and at the county level, including those of Cavan, Monaghan, and Cork of which I am, of course, acutely aware. 13 Questions - Written Answers As part of prudent preparation for Brexit, steps need to be taken at national level, at EU level and by business and citizens who will be affected.

The underlying strength and resilience of our economy is critical in ensuring that Ireland is in the best possible position to respond to the challenges that Brexit will bring and this has been a key factor in developing successive budgets including in Budget 2019.

The Government has already taken a number of key decisions on measures to be put in place for the necessary checks and controls for trade on an East-West basis. The recruitment of an additional 1,000 staff for customs and SPS controls, in addition to ICT and infrastructure measures at our ports and airports has been sanctioned and implementation is underway. Various contingency measures, such as the rapid redeployment of customs staff, are also under active consideration in a disorderly Brexit scenario.

Businesses and other affected sectors need to respond and prepare themselves and the Gov- ernment is providing an array of support and information measures to assist them. Specific support measures and schemes are now in place for the business and agri-food sector. To better inform our businesses and citizens the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information campaign was launched in September. Very successful outreach events were held in October and more will follow this month.

Of particular relevance to citizens is the work on the Common Travel Area to ensure that the arrangements by which Irish and British citizens can live, work and access public services in each other’s countries will continue into the future in any Brexit scenario.

In a number of key areas the appropriate response and mitigation will be at the EU level and we are continuing to engage actively with the Commission on areas of priority for Ireland. The Commission has flagged the particular impact of Brexit on Ireland and Irish business in its contingency planning communication last week.

Ireland is also working closely with fellow member states to discuss areas of key concern, particularly facilitating the use of the UK as a landbridge post Brexit.

While we respect the decisions of the British people, we did not seek Brexit nor has it ever been our view that it is a positive step. We continue to engage in extensive contingency planning across Government, with a view to mitigating as far as possible the negative outcomes that will arise when the UK leaves the EU, particularly in a disorderly Brexit scenario.

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

20/11/2018WRAAA05600101. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way in which the additional €110 million in budget 2019 for overseas development aid will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48081/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA05700Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): For 2019, the Government has allocated almost €817 million for Official Develop- ment Assistance (ODA). This level of allocation represents an increase of approximately €110 million – or 16% on the revised 2018 budget allocation. Of this, €544.9 million will be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, whose Vote 27 – International Co-operation – is known publicly as Irish Aid. The allocation to Vote 27 has been increased by €44 million, or almost 9% on last year’s allocation.

Priorities will be determined in the detailed programme budget planning cycle for Irish Aid

14 20 November 2018 in 2019, a process that will be completed before the end of this year. The Government is committed to increased allocations to education, to humanitarian assistance and to peacebuilding. Tackling climate change is another policy priority area that will benefit from the extra budget resources in 2019.

A further estimated €272 million will be managed through other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Co-operation Budget. This represents an increase of €65 million on 2018. This so-called ‘other ODA’ includes Ireland’s share of the EU development cooperation budget, which has increased in 2019.

In addition, the Department of Finance will oversee increased contributions to International Financial Institutions as well as Ireland’s membership of the African Development Bank which will take place in 2019.

There are also increased allocations to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine who manage Ireland’s partnerships with the World Food Programme and the Food and Agri- culture Organisation. Other programmes receiving increases are managed by the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment, and the Revenue Commissioners.

Human Rights

20/11/2018WRAAA05800102. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on recent comments by an organisation (details supplied) that the EU migration policy is trapping thousands of refugees in appalling conditions in Libya; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48014/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA05900Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): In June, the European Council reconfirmed that a precondition for a functioning EU policy on migration relies on a comprehensive approach to migration which combines effective controls of the EU’s external borders, external action to strengthen co-operation with countries of transit and origin and dealing with the management of migrants within the European Union, where a balance of solidarity and responsibility is needed.

As part of this multi-faceted approach, the March European Council adopted the Malta Declaration which sets out the EU’s commitment to assist Libya. This broad-ranging commitment includes capacity building, training, and the provision of equipment and support for the Libyan national coast guard and other agencies. It also seeks to ensure that there are adequate reception capacities in Libya for migrants, through working with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM). Progress has been made in alleviating the plight of migrants in Libya but this must be built upon. Since 2014, the EU has mobilised €286 million on migration projects in Libya, €20 million as bilateral assistance and €266 million through the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. Using the Trust Fund, the EU is working to provide multi-sectoral assistance and protection to migrants, refugees and host communities in different locations inside Libya, in particular inside detention centres, at disembarkation points and in urban settings. Assistance includes hygiene kits, basic non-food items and medical care. Funds are also being used to work towards the stabilisation of host communities, for example through socio-economic development at municipal level. Proj- ects are being implemented by international partners on the ground, including the UNHCR and UNICEF, and by EU Member States. Ireland has pledged €15 million for the Fund, of which €12 million is unearmarked, and overall Ireland’s is the third highest per capita contribution by an EU Member State.

15 Questions - Written Answers Support programmes have provided training to the Libyan authorities on international standards and human rights training. They have also focused on setting up mixed community development spaces and safe spaces as alternatives to detention centres. There has been progress in the efforts to support migrants stranded in Libya and wishing to return to their home countries. As an alternative to detention centres, the EU has also been supporting voluntary repatriation, voluntary return and the humanitarian return of migrants from Libya. So far in 2018, the Inter- national Organisation for Migration (IOM) has helped over 14,600 migrants to return voluntarily to their country of origin from Libya, with support from the EU.

While the EU has engaged substantially on this issue, further work remains to be done. I am deeply troubled by the persistent human rights abuse that have been perpetrated against migrants in Libyan detention centres, as reported by the UN Human Rights Office and others. I have raised these concerns at the Foreign Affairs Council and the Taoiseach has raised them at the European Council.

Ultimately, bringing real improvements to the lives of Libyans and migrants, and ensuring an end to human rights abuses, will require the restoration of political stability, and an end to lawlessness in Libya. This requires the formation of a fully functioning and unified government, and a return to order throughout the country. I call on all parties to cooperate fully with UN Special Representative Ghassan Salamé, whose efforts Ireland and the EU fully support.

I commend Italy’s efforts in hosting the conference on Libya in Palermo last week. I particularly welcome the conclusions announced following the conference, which call for a Libyan- led inclusive national conference to be held in early 2019, followed by an electoral process in spring. I call on all parties in Libya to uphold their commitments. An inclusive, Libyan-led reconciliation process is the only path to completing Libya’s transition, and bringing about a sovereign, democratic and stable country, that respects and protects the rights of all citizens, and all others in Libya.

Human Rights

20/11/2018WRAAA06000103. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the fact that 425 social and community leaders have been mur- dered in Colombia since the signing of the peace agreement; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that these murders are targeted and pose a very real threat to the peace process; if has he raised these continued attacks on and assassinations of community and political activists in Colombia with his Colombian counterpart; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48134/18]

20/11/2018WRAAA06100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Firstly, I wish to extend my sincere sympathies and condolences to all of those affected by these acts of violence in Colombia. Such violence is entirely unacceptable, and I would once again call on the Government of Colombia to ensure that all such incidents are thoroughly investigated and their perpetrators brought to justice. I continue to be concerned about the attacks targeting social and community leaders in Colombia. The peace deal between the Colombian Govern- ment and FARC-EP group signed in November 2016 offered great hope that the 50 year cycle of armed conflict would be brought to an end. It is worth recalling that this conflict took the lives of at least 220,000 Colombians and displaced close to six million people.

The signing of this agreement was a historic moment but, as we know from our experience in Ireland, the signing of a peace agreement only marks the beginning of a process. We in Ire- land understand the slow and painstaking work that goes into building trust between communi- 16 20 November 2018 ties to enable reconciliation and to develop a culture of trust. We have had many dark moments and setbacks on our own road to peace.

My Department has an ongoing commitment to support peace and human rights in Co- lombia, including through the full implementation of the country’s peace accord. As well as exchanges with the Colombian authorities at Government level, officials at the Department and at the Embassy of Ireland in Mexico (which at present has responsibility for Colombia) engage regularly with the European Union Delegation and other embassies in Bogota, as well as with human rights defenders and civil society leaders active across the country.

My Department is also pleased to provide ongoing support to former Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Eamon Gilmore in his role as EU Special Envoy to the Colombian peace process. Appointed to this role by HRVP Federica Mogherini in November 2015, Eamon Gilm- ore has been working with both Colombian and EU stakeholders to support the peace process, especially in the implementation phase.

I firmly believe that Colombia’s peace accord provides the framework in which the endemic violence and impunity which has afflicted Colombian society for decades can successfully be addressed. Historic strides have been made to date in its implementation. However, it is important to recognise that there remain significant challenges to its implementation, including in the areas of de-mining, attention to victims, transitional justice, and rural development, some of which directly impacts on the situation of political and community activists.

The Department provides funding directly to the United Nations Office of the High Com- missioner for Human Rights in Colombia (OHCHR) to support its essential work to promote and protect human rights including in some of Colombia’s most isolated and challenging regions, as well as to the Inter American Commission on Human Rights, which provides protection measures to community leaders and activists operating in Colombia and elsewhere in Latin America.

With the opening of our new embassy in Bogota early next year, we will be in an even stronger position to monitor the progress of the peace process and to work alongside our EU partners and other organisations active on the ground. I can assure the Deputy of our continued commitment to assisting the Colombian Government in their goal of achieving a brighter, more peaceful and more prosperous future for all Colombians.

20/11/2018WRBBB0010020/11/2018WRBBB00150Brexit Negotiations

20/11/2018WRBBB00200104. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of his Department’s discussions on Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48120/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB00300125. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his discussions with Mr. Michel Barnier with regard to the Brexit deal. [48407/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB00400Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 104 and 125 together.

Last week, the draft text for the Withdrawal Agreement was agreed by the EU and UK negotiating teams and subsequently accepted by the UK cabinet. This is an important and welcome breakthrough in the Brexit process. It would not have been achieved without the commitment and professionalism of EU and the UK negotiators who have worked intensively over many 17 Questions - Written Answers months to reach this outcome.

The Government, at both political and official levels, has remained in intensive contact with Michel Barnier and the EU Taskforce, and with other Member States throughout the process, and this will continue. We have also maintained very good channels of communication with British counterparts.

Yesterday I attended a General Affairs Council (Article 50) and expressed my sincere ap- preciation and gratitude to Michel Barnier and the EU Task Force for their tireless efforts, and to our fellow EU27 Member States who have consistently demonstrated solidarity and understanding for our concerns throughout this process. They understand that the importance of avoiding a hard border is not about concerns over the economic fallout, but about the harm it would bring to communities across Ireland and Northern Ireland, setting back the gains of the peace process considerably.

On Sunday 25 November, there will be a European Council to sign off on the finalised Withdrawal Agreement. This agreement fully achieves our priorities at this stage, and we will support it.

This is an important step, but still only a step, on a much larger journey. It is important to us to secure the deepest and most comprehensive relationship possible with the UK following its withdrawal from the EU. It is only through that relationship that we can secure the trade and other interests that are important to Ireland, the UK, and our EU partners.

None of this can be taken for granted, however.

Brexit will bring real changes for Ireland. My Department leads co-ordination of the whole- of-Government response to Brexit. It is in continuous contact with all government Departments and State Agencies to advance work our preparedness and contingency planning to ensure that Ireland is Brexit ready.

Given the impact of Brexit across all levels of society, the Government has also been engaged in substantial public communications campaign on Brexit preparedness. Our “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” campaign will continue over the coming weeks to build further awareness among the public and key sectoral audiences on the steps being taken by Government, and the various financial and other supports that are available to assist with Brexit preparedness.

Human Rights

20/11/2018WRBBB00500105. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has sought action either here or at EU level against Saudi Arabia following the killing of a person (details supplied). [48123/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB00600115. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the approach that has been taken by his Department in relation to the allegations that Saudi Arabia was responsible for the murder of a person (details supplied); and the way in which this compares to the approach taken regarding Russian diplomats and the Salisbury poisoning. [48050/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB00700Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 115 together.

As I have stated on a number of occasions, Ireland believes it is very important that an inde-

18 20 November 2018 pendent and impartial investigation into the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi takes place. On 20 October, High Representative Federica Mogherini issued a statement on behalf of the European Union insisting on the need for ‘continued thorough, credible and transparent investigation, shedding proper clarity on the circumstances of the killing and ensuring full accountability of all those responsible for it’. On 17 November, the High Representative issued a follow up statement reiterating this call and noting that ‘the need remains to shed full clarity on the circumstances surrounding this horrendous crime’. As previously mentioned in the Dáil, I met with Saudi Ambassador Al-Jubeir on 18 October and stressed the widespread shock caused by the case and the necessity for a credible and open investigation. Senior officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade have reiterated Ireland’s concerns to the Ambassador in recent weeks.

Having called for an investigation, we must wait and give consideration to findings based on verifiable evidence, before considering next steps. Though the media reports of the case are disturbing, we are still lacking verifiable facts at this stage.

In the Salisbury case there was an EU decision to stand in solidarity with a Member State. This decision was taken on foot of extensive briefings by the UK and a compelling case made by Prime Minister May in support of her government’s assessment that it was highly likely that the Russian Federation was responsible for the poisoning. Our decision to expel a Russian diplomat was made following an assessment that included various factors, including our own national security.

At the UN Human Rights Council in September, Ireland co-sponsored a resolution on ‘Safe- ty of Journalists’, condemning all violence against journalists and urging all states to ensure accountability for such attacks. Ireland also specifically raised the Khashoggi case at the UN Human Rights Council on 5 November in our intervention during the Universal Periodic Re- view of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

Ireland will continue to raise concerns about human rights issues directly with the Saudi authorities, and at EU and international levels, whenever appropriate opportunities arise.

Northern Ireland

20/11/2018WRBBB00800106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the outcome of the most recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and the political parties in Northern Ireland in relation to the need to have the Assembly and Executive restored; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48072/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB00900111. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which efforts continue to be made to restore the power sharing Assembly in Northern Ireland notwithstanding the issues such as Brexit that have impeded progress in that area; if the UK authorities are conscious of the dangers of allowing the internationally accepted agreement arising from the Good Friday Agreement and subsequent discussions to drift and the need to ensure that adequate cognisance is taken of the importance of continued dialogue commitment to the peace agreements throughout the island of Ireland and the UK and continued recognition of the importance of an international agreement signed and accepted by all parties.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48116/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB01000Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 106 and 111 together.

Since the Northern Ireland Assembly elections of March 2017, the Irish and British Govern- 19 Questions - Written Answers ments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a new power-sharing Executive.

Unfortunately, to date, it has not proved possible to reach an agreement on the formation of an Executive, despite intensive engagement. The absence of the Executive also means that the North South Ministerial Council cannot meet.

I am currently engaging with Secretary of State Bradley on how both Governments can most effectively secure the full operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agree- ment. I met with Secretary of State Bradley in Dublin on 17 September, in Belfast on 8 Octo- ber, and most recently in Dublin on Friday 2 November at the British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference. I spoke further with the Secretary of State by telephone on Monday 12 November.

Both Governments are continuing to engage with all of the political parties to seek a way forward to get the Institutions up and running again. All parties have re-affirmed their commitment to operating the devolved institutions and have provided views on their key concerns and issues.

In the period ahead, I believe a new political process is required to get beyond the current impasse and secure the necessary agreement between the parties on operating the devolved institutions again.

I do not underestimate the way to go in achieving that, but I firmly believe that a resolution is possible and that the calls from across all sections of the community in Northern Ireland for the devolved institutions to operate will be heeded.

The Government is acutely conscious of the challenges that the UK exit from the European Union has presented for the political process in Northern Ireland and the totality of relationships addressed by the Good Friday Agreement. The Government has worked intensively with the Commission Task Force and all of our EU partners in the Article 50 process with the UK to secure the draft Withdrawal Agreement which was agreed between the EU and UK negotiators and published on 14 November, and which is now being considered by EU Member States and the UK. The Taoiseach has confirmed that the Withdrawal Agreement will protect the Good Friday Agreement and the gains of the Peace Process and avoid a hard border on the island.

The Taoiseach and I in our engagement with the British Government and the leaders of the political parties in Northern Ireland have consistently underlined that, regardless of the challenges of the UK exit from the Union, there remains a pressing need to secure the operation of the devolved power-sharing institutions of the Agreement, which are at the heart of the Good Friday Agreement.

The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.

Middle East Issues

20/11/2018WRBBB01100107. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the A Programme for A Partnership Government commitment to recognise the state of Palestine has not been honoured to date. [48051/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB01200Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Programme for Government states that Ireland will “honour our commitment to recognise the

20 20 November 2018 State of Palestine as part of a lasting settlement of the conflict.” Successive Governments have seen recognition coming in the context of an overall peace agreement. We have discussed here in the Oireachtas on a number of occasions the question of whether the formal recognition of Palestine, in advance of its full achievement on the ground, would be a helpful step in advancing a resolution of the Israel- Palestine conflict. I have also regularly discussed it with EU partners and with leaders in the region, including with President Abbas during his visit to Ireland in September.

One of the many factors bearing on this question is the importance of assessing whether recognition now would positively affect the peace process or merely be viewed as a symbolic gesture, swiftly overtaken and surpassed by events on the ground.

Unilateral recognition by Ireland will also undoubtedly affect Ireland’s ongoing influence on the Middle East Peace Process at EU and international level, and it is imperative that it does not diminish Ireland’s impact as a peace interlocutor without delivering a commensurate benefit for the Palestinian people.

However, in the context of widespread frustration at the lack of political progress towards an agreement, and not least in light of the views expressed by the Dáil and the Seanad in 2014, I have stated that I will be ready to recommend immediate recognition of the State of Palestine to the Government if and when I believe it would be helpful in achieving our objective of a free and sovereign Palestinian state, or advancing the peace process to achieve it. I have not yet concluded that it would be helpful at this time, but situations change, and I keep this matter under continuous and active review.

Ireland remains fully committed to the resolution of the Middle East conflict, through an agreed settlement which includes the establishment of a sovereign State of Palestine recognised by all, living side by side in peace with the State of Israel, bringing to an end to the occupation that began in 1967. All of my actions on this issue are taken in pursuit of that objective.

British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference

20/11/2018WRBBB01300108. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the recent British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference. [47145/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB01400112. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the issues discussed at the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48073/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB01500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 108 and 112 together.

A meeting of the British-Irish Intergovernmental Conference (BIIGC) took place in Dublin on 2 November. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, and I represented the Government. The UK Government was represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lan- caster, David Lidington MP, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP.

Set up under the Good Friday Agreement, the Conference brings together the Irish and UK Governments to promote bilateral co-operation at all levels on all matters of mutual interest within the competence of both Governments. Following on from the BIIGC in London on 25 July, the meeting on 2 November provided the opportunity to continue our discussions on legacy issues, security co-operation, East-West matters, and political stability in Northern Ireland.

21 Questions - Written Answers At the meeting, we reaffirmed our commitment to implementing the framework established in the 2014 Stormont House Agreement to comprehensively address the legacy of Northern Ireland’s past, taking account of the UK Government’s public consultation on establishing the legacy institutions.

On security co-operation, both Governments recalled the commitments made in the 2015 Fresh Start Agreement to ending paramilitarism and welcomed the first report of the Indepen- dent Reporting Commission (IRC) established under that Agreement. In considering the findings and recommendations contained in the report, the Conference noted in particular the IRC’s view that the full operation of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement is essential to ending paramilitarism and achieving community transformation.

The Conference discussed a joint paper by Irish and British officials which outlined a number of possible models to maintain and strengthen the high level of bilateral co-operation between Ireland and the UK after it leaves the European Union. Both Governments agreed that these new structures for systemic bilateral co-operation should demonstrate the strength and depth of the relationship, provide opportunities for ministers and officials to continue to engage with each other, and provide an overall architecture for cooperation that is both meaningful and sustainable in the future.

As announced following the Conference, this model would include top level summits involving Heads of Government and senior ministers and would alternate between locations in Ireland and the UK. These summits would be supported by close bilateral work by ministers. Officials on both sides have been asked to turn these ideas into a detailed practical plan of work with a view to presenting a fully worked through proposal for future East-West cooperation for consideration at the next meeting of the Conference.

The Conference provided both Governments the opportunity to reaffirm our strong support for the Good Friday and subsequent Agreements. It was recognised that the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement have been essential for the progress made in Northern Ireland over the past two decades and that they remain the indispensable framework for the political process in Northern Ireland. Both Governments reiterated their shared commitment to securing the operation of the devolved power-sharing Northern Ireland Executive and Assembly and the consequent resumption of meetings of the North-South Ministerial Council at the earliest opportunity.

It was agreed that the BIIGC would reconvene in Spring 2019.

Question No. 109 answered with Question No. 81.

Foreign Conflicts

20/11/2018WRBBB01700110. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of discussions at EU level that are taking place in relation to the EU advocating for the withdrawal of foreign military powers from Syria in order to facilitate an end to the conflict in that country on the basis of dialogue between domestic political forces there. [48080/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB01800Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Ireland and the EU firmly believe that there can be no military solution to the Syria crisis. The misery caused by the long-running conflict in Syria has been further prolonged by military support which has been provided to the Assad regime. There are significant Iranian forces in Syria, which have been assisting the regime in the violent suppression of its own people. This is unhelpful and unwelcome. It is also quite clear that Russia’s support for the Assad regime has 22 20 November 2018 prolonged the suffering of the Syrian people. Russia has also repeatedly vetoed UN Security Council resolutions on Syria, which has seriously undermined the protection of Syrian civilians. Turkey has borne a heavy burden in terms of knock-on effects of the conflict, including hosting millions of refugees, as well as a risk of spill-over of violence and its concern about the conflict raging on its southern border is therefore understandable. Our messages to Turkey, in relation to its operations in Syria, have emphasised our overarching concern for the protection of civilians, including in the context of this particular operation, and urged caution to avoid escalating the conflict any further. Our primary concern is for the safety and well-being of civilians on both sides of the border, especially displaced and vulnerable communities. The Syria crisis is high on the EU agenda, and was last discussed at the informal meeting of EU Foreign Ministers in Vienna in August, where EU support for the UN-led political negotiations to end the conflict was restated. EU Foreign Ministers met with the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Staf- fan di Mistura, in the margins of the UN General Assembly in September this year, and reaffirmed our strong support for his work and that of his team. The EU provides direct assistance to the Geneva peace talks and has launched, in coordination with the UN, an initiative to develop political dialogue with key actors from the region to identify common ground.

The EU’s consistent position since the crisis began has been that the conflict can only be resolved by the Syrian people themselves. The UN Special Envoy’s work to bring about an end the conflict is undertaken in accordance with the 2012 Geneva Communiqué and UN Security Council resolution 2254, which are clear on the need for this to be a Syrian-led political process. We support UNSE di Mistura’s ongoing efforts to establish a constitutional committee, made up of Syrians of different political views, to chart the way forward for the country.

I take this opportunity to reiterate my unreserved condemnation of the violence perpetrated against civilians that has characterised the Syrian conflict to date. I have frequently called on all regional actors, and all those involved in the Syria conflict, to show restraint and avoid any escalation, which could further undermine regional stability, as well as adding to the suffering of civilians. I have also called on all parties with influence on the Syrian regime to exert that influence to ensure that civilians are protected, and to encourage the Syrian Government to engage fully with the UN-led peace process.

Question No. 111 answered with Question No. 106.

Question No. 112 answered with Question No. 108.

Question No. 113 answered with Question No. 100.

Diplomatic Representation

20/11/2018WRBBB02200114. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the embassies and consulates that have been opened in the past year; and the number planned for 2019. [48125/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB02300Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): In June of this year my colleagues and I in Government, launched ‘Global Ireland’, an ambitious plan to double the impact of Ireland’s Global Footprint by the year 2025. A key part of this plan is investing in our presence overseas – deepening our network by strengthening our presence in key existing locations and opening new offices which will leverage the opportunities to grow our trade and inward investment, to further strengthen political relationships with our partners and promote our values, and to support Irish citizens and our diaspora abroad. I believe it is prudent and wise to invest now in that global presence and I am delighted to say that work is

23 Questions - Written Answers well under way on the initial phase of the expansion of Ireland’s diplomatic network.

The Government has approved the set-up of 13 new offices including the opening of new embassies and consulates in Wellington, Vancouver, Bogotá, Santiago de Chile, Amman, Mum- bai, Cardiff, LA, Frankfurt, Kyiv, Manila and Rabat. The Irish Aid office in Monrovia is also being upgraded to an Embassy.

The new offices in Wellington and Vancouver opened in August and October 2018 respectively. These openings marked significant milestones in our expansion plan and I look forward to the next group of openings which will include the opening of new Embassies in Santiago de Chile, Bogotá, and Amman; and new Consulates General in Mumbai and Cardiff in early 2019. Planning is also underway for the opening of Consulates General in Frankfurt and LA in quarter four of 2019 and the opening of Embassies in Kyiv, Manila and Rabat within a tight timeframe thereafter.

The locations for new missions were identified on the basis of maximising impact in promoting our economic and political interests; expanding our influence in terms of values and in delivering clear benefits for the State.

Global Ireland recognises the importance of reinforcing our existing network to enable us to better shape and influence international events in our interests. It will allow us to play a more active role in supporting and promoting a rules based international environment and will help us play our full role in addressing some of the global challenges that will impact us over the period ahead.

Question No. 115 answered with Question No. 105.

Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRBBB02500116. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to put new formal structures for dialogue in place between Ireland and the UK in recognition of the need to maintain close ties post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48017/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB02600Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The question of new structures for dialogue between Ireland and the UK post-Brexit was considered at a recent meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference, which took place in Dublin on 2 November. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, and I represented the Government. The UK Government was represented by the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, David Lidington MP, and the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley MP.

At the Conference, we discussed a joint paper prepared by Irish and British officials. The paper outlined a number of possible models to maintain and strengthen the high level of bilateral co-operation between Ireland and the UK after it leaves the European Union. Both Govern- ments agreed that these new structures for systemic bilateral co-operation should demonstrate the strength and depth of the relationship, provide opportunities for ministers and officials to continue to engage with each other, and provide an overall architecture for cooperation that is both meaningful and sustainable in the future.

As announced following the Conference, this model would include top level summits involving Heads of Government and senior ministers and would alternate between Ireland and the UK. These summits would be supported by close bilateral work by ministers. Officials on both 24 20 November 2018 sides have been asked to turn these ideas into a detailed practical plan of work with a view to presenting a fully worked through proposal for future East-West cooperation for consideration at the next meeting of the Conference. The next meeting of the British Irish Intergovernmental Conference will take place in spring 2019.

Middle East Issues

20/11/2018WRBBB02700117. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will condemn Israel’s unilateral violation of the ceasefire in Gaza by its military forces which has resulted in deaths on both sides; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Gaza remains under an illegal Israeli blockade and that Israel continues to carry out human rights abuses against its inhabitants; and the steps he is taking to ensure a ceasefire in Gaza and that the illegal blockade is lifted. [48132/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB02800123. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent raid by Israeli covert special forces which resulted in the killing of seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the destruction of a six storey residential building which housed a kindergarten; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48012/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB02900Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 117 and 123 together.

The recent large-scale outbreak of attacks in both directions across the Gaza border was re- portedly preceded by an incursion of a covert Israeli unit deep into Gaza on 11 November, and subsequent fighting when its presence was detected. I do not know what the intended purpose of this incursion was, but the effect seems to have been tragically counterproductive, at a time when a temporary ceasefire was in operation, and a long term truce in relation to Gaza seemed to have been in prospect.

However, this provides no justification whatsoever for the very large-scale firing of rockets into Israel in retaliation. There appear to have been several hundred such rockets in a single day, and this could easily have resulted in much higher civilian casualties. Israeli forces, as is always the case, responded by attacking targets in Gaza they associate with Hamas.

A reported eight people have been killed by hundreds of aerial attacks in each direction. In addition, very large numbers of civilians on both sides, including young children, spent many hours sheltering from such attacks, which must have been a traumatic experience.

In view of the potential for further escalation, it is very welcome that an effective ceasefire was quickly re-established, and I commend all who were instrumental in achieving that, notably Egypt. I hope that this will allow progress towards a more durable truce to resume.

More importantly than what triggered this episode, these events strongly reinforce what I have stressed in all my discussions on Gaza, both in the region and at EU and international level. So long as the situation in Gaza is allowed to fester, these outbreaks of violence, each one threatening to be bigger and more destructive than the last, will only recur. The blockade is inhumane, and should be ended. All parties need to consider and attempt ways to change the dynamic and break this cycle. Such possibilities have been a major feature of my own discussions on Gaza, and Ireland is advancing specific projects on educational scholarships and power infrastructure to contribute to this effort.

Brexit Issues 25 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRBBB03000118. Deputy James Browne asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has discussed with his UK counterpart the issue of border checks on trucks originating here and arriving in the UK from Rosslare Europort but plan to travel onwards to another country within the Euopean Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47991/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB03100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Government’s planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge, including by trucks originating in Rosslare Europort. This is a priority for the Government, given the importance of the landbridge in getting Irish products, in particular agri-food products, to market on continental Europe. This is an important issue with regard to protecting the competitiveness of our producers and ensuring continued unhampered access to the EU Single Market. A Landbridge Project Group is chaired by my Department and involves all relevant Government Departments, including the Department of Finance, the Rev- enue Commissioners, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Marine, the Department of Health, the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. The Project Group has met four times to date.

Work on is being taken forward in two strands. The first is through the Article 50 negotiations. In the mandate provided to the European Commission by the EU27 in May 2017, it was agreed that the Withdrawal Agreement would take account of Ireland’s unique geographic situation, including the transit of goods (to and from Ireland via the UK).

The importance of maintaining the landbridge has been recognised and agreed through the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the draft Withdrawal Agreement which reaffirms the commitment of the UK to facilitate the efficient and timely transit through the UK of goods moving from Ireland to another EU Member State or another country, or vice versa.

To this end, I also welcome the UK’s formal notification to the European Commission of its intention to join the Common Transit Convention. The UK’s accession to the Common Travel Convention will play an important role in ensuring Ireland’s access to other EU Member States via the UK landbridge.

The second strand is our work with the European Commission and other affected Member States (Germany, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark and Sweden) with a view to preparing EU ports to facilitate the transit of EU products through the UK once it becomes a third country through the use of EU rules on internal transit set out under the Union’s Custom Code. This work is intensifying and good progress is being made.

Relevant Departments have also been tasked by the Government to roll out detailed Action Plans with a view to advancing, as appropriate, the mitigating measures which have been identified in the areas of their responsibility from the planning to the implementation phase. In line with this approach, the Government has already approved a number of key Brexit preparedness measures focused on East-West trade which will also take account of the continued use of the landbridge.

Middle East Issues

20/11/2018WRBBB03200119. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he discussed the killing of 200 Palestinians by the Israeli Defence Forces since the beginning of the great march for return in March 2018 with his counterparts in Europe; if he will meet with the Israeli Ambassador for urgent discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47967/18]

26 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRBBB03300Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I, and my Department, have been monitoring the increase in violence in Gaza over the past number of months with great anxiety. These events that have led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians, and the wounding of very many more, were senseless and avoidable.

I have given a high priority to the Middle East conflict since I assumed office, and discuss it regularly with my European colleagues, as well as with my Israeli and Palestinian counterparts during my visits to the region. Following the horrific events of 14 May 2018 in Gaza, I summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Iveagh House to convey the Government’s view that the actions by Israeli security forces were unjustified and unacceptable. I made clear, as I have done publicly, that Israel’s right to defend itself did not justify these actions.

I also raised Gaza with my EU counterparts, at the Foreign Affairs Council in May. I stressed the need to find practical ways to begin to ease the situation there, and to provide hope for an end to the cycle of recurring violence. Once again, we reiterated out commitment to reviving the political process, along the lines of the two- state solution.

Subsequently, Ireland and other states requested the calling of a Special Session of the Unit- ed Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva to discuss these events. At that session, Ireland co-sponsored a motion in which the Human Rights Council set up a commission of inquiry into what happened. Ireland also supported a resolution at the UN General Assembly in New York which called for examination of means of protecting Palestinian civilians.

Ireland has worked consistently, particularly at EU and UN level, to encourage international attention to focus on the long running and worsening problems in Gaza, and the need to end the restrictions imposed by Israel which have a debilitating effect on the population, as well as the need to end rocket fire, shootings, and other violence in both directions.

I have met the new Israeli Ambassador and raised with him my increasing concerns about the effects of the ongoing occupation of Palestine. I will continue to raise my concerns at every appropriate opportunity.

I have replied separately to other Questions today about the exchange of fire across the Gaza border, which took place in the last week.

UN Security Council

20/11/2018WRBBB03400120. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of Ireland’s efforts to win a seat on the UN Security Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48018/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB03500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Ireland is seeking election to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2021-2022 term. The election will take place in the General Assembly of the United Nations in June 2020. Ireland’s candidature was announced in 2005 and the campaign underway and intensifying as the election date draws closer.

Alongside the Taoiseach and cabinet colleagues, I am taking advantage of every available opportunity to promote Ireland’s candidature and make the case for the strong and independent role we would play on the Council. In addition, my Department’s diplomatic staff in Ireland, our Permanent Representation to the UN in New York, and our entire Embassy network have been actively presenting our case and seeking support.

27 Questions - Written Answers At the United Nations General Assembly this year, the theme for the General Debate was “Making the United Nations relevant to all people: global leadership and shared responsibilities for peaceful, equitable and sustainable societies”.

I delivered Ireland’s National Statement to the General Debate in which I emphasised Ire- land’s strong support for multilateralism as the best way to address global problems. I stated our conviction that we are stronger acting collectively than acting alone. We do not hold that unilateralism and protectionism are viable alternatives to the multilateral system.

Ireland is a global island, and it is our conviction, in today’s interdependent world, that we must live in each other’s shelter and not in each other’s shadow.

While attending September’s UN General Assembly, An Taoiseach, Minister of State Can- non and I met with a large number of Heads of State and Government and Ministers from all regions. During these constructive bilateral engagements, we received a strong hearing.

Ireland’s track record at the UN is widely respected as is our sense of Empathy, Partnership and Independence which are hallmarks of our Security Council campaign. Through all of our interactions and the extensive range of meetings taking place in the coming months, UN Mem- ber States will be very aware of Ireland’s candidature, our commitment to the United Nations and multilateralism and the values we seek to bring to the work of the Security Council.

Overseas Development Aid Expenditure

20/11/2018WRBBB03600121. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the additional level of expenditure allocated to Irish Aid in 2019 under budget 2019; the areas in which the additional moneys will be allocated; and the locations in which the extra spending will be committed by programme. [48126/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB03700Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): For 2019, the Government has allocated almost €817 million for Official Develop- ment Assistance (ODA). This level of allocation represents an increase of approximately €110 million – or 16% on the revised 2018 budget allocation. Of this, €544.9 million will be managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, whose Vote 27 – International Co-operation – is known publicly as Irish Aid. The allocation to Vote 27 has been increased by €44 million, or almost 9% on last year’s allocation.

Priorities will be determined in the detailed programme budget planning cycle for Irish Aid in 2019, a process that will be completed before the end of this year. The Government is committed to increased allocations to education, to humanitarian assistance and to peacebuilding. Tackling climate change is another policy priority area that will benefit from the extra budget resources in 2019.

Irish support for development cooperation is a basis for partnerships across the globe, reaching 130 countries in 2017. Our development cooperation is given in support of countries development needs, typically in response to their poverty reduction strategies, and through the provision of humanitarian assistance in response to emergencies and protracted crises.

A further estimated €272 million of Ireland’s overall ODA will be managed through other Government Departments and Ireland’s share of the EU Development Co-operation Budget. This represents an increase of €65 million on 2018.

28 20 November 2018 Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRBBB03800122. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of the backstop agreement between the EU and the UK Government with regard to ensuring a no-hard Border on the island of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48118/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB03900Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): From the outset of the Brexit negotiations, the Government has been clear on the need to ensure that a hard border cannot return to the island of Ireland. The backstop, included in the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the draft Withdrawal Agreement agreed by EU and UK negotiators, and accepted by the UK Cabinet, achieves this. We hope it will not be needed. Both sides are committed to the negotiation of a future EU-UK relationship that will be sufficiently close and comprehensive as to make it unnecessary. However, if a future relationship agreement delivering that outcome is not operable by 31 December 2020, or by the end of any extended transition period, if that is requested, the backstop will apply unless and until it is superseded by alternative arrangements that ensure the same outcome.

In the event that the backstop were applied, there would be a single EU-UK customs territory, negating the need for tariffs, quotas or checks on rules of origin between the EU and the UK.

The EU and the UK have agreed on a set of measures to ensure that there would be a level playing field between the EU and the UK.

Certain elements, such as the Union’s Custom Code, will continue to apply to Northern Ire- land, ensuring that Northern Irish businesses will not be subject to restrictions when selling into the EU’s Single Market. They will also be aligned with a limited set of rules related to the EU’s Single Market that are essential to avoiding a hard border. This includes elements related to legislation on goods, SPS checks, agricultural controls and VAT and excise in respect of goods.

This meets the commitments given by the UK last December that, in the absence of a full agreement to avoid a hard border as part of the future relationship, the UK would maintain full alignment with those rules of the Single Market and Customs Union necessary to protect the all-island economy, North-South Cooperation and the Good Friday Agreement.

Let me be clear. We hope this backstop is never needed, but its inclusion is a necessary insurance policy to guarantee that a hard border never returns to the island of Ireland.

Question No. 123 answered with Question No. 117.

Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRBBB04100124. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of his engagement with the EU Brexit negotiating team and the UK Gov- ernment with a view to ensuring regulatory alignment on agriculture matters post the UK leaving the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48119/18]

20/11/2018WRBBB04200Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I, as well as officials from my Department, am in ongoing contact with representatives of EU Mem- ber States, the Commission Task Force under Michel Barnier, and the UK. We liaise very closely on agricultural issues with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine and his officials.As regards the movement of animals and agricultural products between Northand South, the backstop in the draft Withdrawal Agreement agreed on 14 November at negotiator 29 Questions - Written Answers level and endorsed by the British cabinet provides for the necessary regulatory alignment between Northern Ireland and the EU on those elements of the EU Single Market relevant to the avoidance of a hard border. They includes sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) controls, and rules on agricultural production and marketing.

With regard to the future EU-UK relationship, both the EU and the UK have identified cooperation in the area of agriculture and trade in agri-food products as important aspects of the future trading relationship. Ireland wants the closest possible relationship between the EU and the UK, including in the area of trade, and in particular as regards agriculture and trade in agri-foods. This will be a priority for us in negotiations on the future relationship. A draft political declaration of the future relationship, to be adopted at the extraordinary European Council Summit on 25 November, will form the basis for negotiations on a detailed legal agreement once the UK has left the EU on 29 March 2019.

Question No. 125 answered with Question No. 104.

20/11/2018WRC00200British-Irish Council

20/11/2018WRC00300126. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the British-Irish Council meeting held in the Isle of Man on 9 November 2018. [47804/18]

20/11/2018WRC00400128. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Taoiseach if he will report on the British Irish Council meeting. [47665/18]

20/11/2018WRC00500The Taoiseach: I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 128 together.

I attended the 31st British Irish Council (BIC) Summit in the Isle of Man on Friday 9 No- vember, hosted by Chief Minister Howard Quale. I was accompanied by the Minister for Natu- ral Resources, Community Affairs and Digital Development, Sean Canney TD.

The discussion at the summit covered key political developments for Administrations since the last summit in June. The discussion focused largely on the implications of Brexit, particularly for relationships across the islands. The Council also discussed the current political situation in Northern Ireland and I reiterated my regret that Northern Ireland, until the Executive is restored, remains without political representation in this important forum.

The Council also endorsed plans for a future programme of work for the Council’s Digital Inclusion work sector.

Minister of State Canney took part in a thematic discussion on the subject of Digital Inclu- sion. Topics covered included digital rights, digital skills & literacy and partnership working between the BIC Administrations.

David Lidington MP, Cabinet Office Minister, and Karen Bradley MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, attended the summit meeting for the UK Government, along with Heads of Administration from Scotland, Wales and the Channel Islands. I took the opportunity to have bilateral discussions with First Minister Carwyn Jones and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon; in both meetings we exchanged views on issues of mutual interest and continued co-operation with discussions focusing mainly on Brexit and its impacts on business and citizens and on developments in Westminster and Brussels. I wished First Minister Jones well on the occasion of his last BIC Summit as he steps down as leader of the Welsh Labour Party and First Minister on 11 December.

30 20 November 2018 I also held brief discussions with David Lidington on Brexit and on the absence of an agreement between the parties on re-establishing the Northern Ireland Executive. I underlined the importance of the restoration of the institutions in the context of full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement, and undertook to continue to work with the British government to support the northern parties to achieve this outcome.

20/11/2018WRC00600Energy Efficiency

20/11/2018WRC00700127. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach if his Department is part of the public sector energy reporting programme; if so, the percentage of improvement in energy efficiency that has been achieved to date; the way in which this was achieved; if his Department noted a decrease in energy efficiency in view of the national energy efficiency action plan for energy efficiency targets; and if targets will be met by the 2020 deadline. [47664/18]

20/11/2018WRC00800The Taoiseach: My Department participates in the Public Sector Energy Reporting Pro- gramme, reporting all of its energy consumption through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland’s (SEAI) Monitoring and Reporting online system. Energy usage in the Government Buildings complex, including my Department, is administered by the Houses of the Oireach- tas. In recent years there have been some significant changes in the way energy services are apportioned among the different tenants of the complex and these changes have complicated reporting. However our returns to SEAI for 2017 reporting showed a 14.1% improvement in energy efficiency.

My Department is engaged with the OPW on various projects that will aim to achieve more energy efficiencies. This includes a lighting retrofits programme and participation in the OPW Optimising Power @ Work campaign. An in-house energy awareness event is also planned. My Department is committed to promoting energy efficiency into the culture of the organisation and will continue to work towards further energy efficiency and achieving 2020 targets.

Question No. 128 answered with Question No. 126.

20/11/2018WRC01000Government Information Service

20/11/2018WRC01100129. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Taoiseach the number of civil servants from the Government Information Service or merrionstreet.ie who are responsible for scripting, recording and editing his weekly video message; the specific role of each; and the tasks involved in producing this video production. [48143/18]

20/11/2018WRC01200The Taoiseach: Civil Servants from the Government Information Service, which includes MerrionStreet.ie, are not involved in any aspect of the weekly video message delivered by the Taoiseach.

20/11/2018WRC01300Military Medals

20/11/2018WRC01400130. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if service medals awarded to a former member of the Defence Forces can be reissued (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47668/18]

20/11/2018WRC01500Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The military authorities have made inquiries in this matter and based on those inquiries and on the information 31 Questions - Written Answers provided have established the named person’s entitlement to an Emergency Service Medal.

I am pleased to inform you that a replacement Emergency Service Medal will be issued by the Defence Forces and sent by registered post to the former member in question. The Emergen- cy Service Medal was introduced for members of the Defence Forces, Army Nursing Service, Chaplaincy Services and members of the Construction Corps who rendered the appropriate qualifying service during the period 3 September 1939 to 31 March 1946.

20/11/2018WRC01600Government Information Service

20/11/2018WRC01700131. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to concerns regarding the protocol and use of the Government of Ireland logo (details supplied); his views in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47778/18]

20/11/2018WRC01800Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The introduction of a unified government identity is part of an initiative to streamline government communications and make engagement with citizens simpler and better. This also sees cross-departmental initiatives now being produced under Rialtas na hÉireann, Government of Ireland.

This year marks the 60th Anniversary of Ireland’s participation in UN peacekeeping. A State event to celebrate Ireland’s service and commitment to UN peacekeeping participation by the Defence Forces, An Garda Síochána and civilian personnel was held on 24 June 2018, in Dublin Castle. A video was created for this event and the use of the Government of Ireland logo in the video reflects the cross-Government and multi-services nature of Ireland’s participation in UN peacekeeping. In relation to the all-Ireland hurling semi-final, following internal discussions it was agreed by all parties that the logo be used in the same manner as on the day of the State commemoration.

20/11/2018WRC01900Defence Forces Personnel Data

20/11/2018WRC02000132. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the level of obesity among members of the Defence Forces, by service branch; and the measures being taken to eliminate same. [47819/18]

20/11/2018WRC02100Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): Information relevant to this question is being collated by the military authorities and I will revert to the Deputy when the information is to hand.

20/11/2018WRC02200Defence Forces Medical Services

20/11/2018WRC02300133. Deputy James Browne asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the supports provided for members of the Defence Forces who undergo traumatic experiences while serving on UN-mandated missions. [47662/18]

20/11/2018WRC02400Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): A range of medical and non-medical services are provided to ensure that Defence Forces personnel are medically fit to undertake the duties assigned to them and to treat any medical condition that may arise.

As a matter of policy, psychiatric and psychological services, as well as the Defence Force

32 20 November 2018 Personnel Support Service (PSS), are provided to members of the Defence Forces. These provide for the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric or psychological disorders through to counselling and critical incident stress management.

Defence Force personnel preparing for deployment overseas undergo a rigorous programme of training designed to help them carry out their peacekeeping mission and provide for their protection. As part of the mission readiness process, all such personnel are provided with briefings by qualified PSS staff, on Critical Incidents and their effects along with stress management and wellness. Personnel are also issued with the Defence Force guide to Critical Incident Stress Management which provides useful information including how to manage stress associated with such incidents.

In response to any significant operational incidents at home or overseas, PSS personnel trained in Critical Incident Stress Management are deployed to provide both one-to-one and group psychological support. In addition, prior to deployment, PSS trains a cross section of personnel in Critical Incident Stress Management Peer Support which enables them to provide initial psychological support (Psychological First Aid) to any personnel who may be affected by a traumatic incident. Such support would include normalising the reactions, enhancing individual stress management and where appropriate referral of personnel to additional resources such as the unit medical officer.

Defence Force personnel have, both while on a tour of duty and following their return home, access to a Primary Carer Medical Practitioner, either military (Medical Officer) or civilian (GP), whose role it is to assess, diagnose, treat and refer individuals as necessary. Personnel experiencing psychological issues are referred by their Primary Carer for psychiatric and psychological assessment and treatment with onward referral to an external civilian service provider, as required.

I am satisfied that these measures provide comprehensive supports to individuals in the Defence Forces who may require them, and I can assure the Deputy that all such supports are kept under review.

20/11/2018WRC02500Departmental Expenditure

20/11/2018WRC02600134. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the cost of preparing a report (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48023/18]

20/11/2018WRC02700Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The report to which the Deputy refers was produced at the cost of €2,000 and payment was made in 2017.

20/11/2018WRC02800Defence Forces Personnel Data

20/11/2018WRC02900135. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the number of sick days taken in the Army, Naval Service and Air Corps respectively, for each of the past ten years, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48024/18]

20/11/2018WRC03000Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): The information requested by the Deputy cannot be made available by the military authorities within the time allowed for answer. I will forward the information to the Deputy as soon as it is provided to me.

33 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRC03100Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRC03200136. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Depart- ment has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes it has implemented; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48300/18]

20/11/2018WRC03300Minister of State at the Department of Defence (Deputy Paul Kehoe): My Department carries out an annual Be Winter Ready campaign each winter. The table below sets out the full costs for the campaign since winter 2013-2014. The costs associated with the 2018-2019 campaign are not yet finalised as the campaign is on-going following the recent launch on 7 November 2018.

Winter Ready Information Campaign 2013-2014 € 2014-2015 € 2015-2016 € 2016-2017 € Costs Irish translation of the Be Winter 856.98 1,546.27 604.42 1,519.06 Ready booklet, leaflet, Ministers speeches & Q&A’s Artwork & new inserts for 2 pop-up 216.48 1,213.76 Nil 645.63 banners Website updates 1,813.02 3,626.04 1,030.13 1,462.78 Audio Equipment Rental 627.30 1,353.00 1,353.00 Nil Aertel page for Be Winter Ready Nov- 12,300.00 Nil Nil Nil April Purchase of photographs for Be Winter Nil 218.94 200.00 Nil Ready booklet Printing of posters Nil 2,195.55 Nil Nil HiViz waistcoats with Be Winter Nil 4,920.00 4,585.29 4,585.29 Ready logo Hire of Podium Nil Nil 141.45 Nil Radio Advertisements 34,631.94 35,571.74 34,406.99 24,692.78 Be Winter Ready Twitter campaign Nil 3,690.00 5,041.78 5,043.00 Management of Twitter campaign Nil 2,214.00 2,214.00 1,476.00 Two page Be Winter Ready article in Nil Nil Nil 6,150.00 the Irish Independent 8/12/2016 Total 50,445.72 56,549.30 49,577.06 45,574.54

There are no other advertising campaigns carried out by the Department to promote policies or programmes.

20/11/2018WRC03400Departmental Staff Recruitment

20/11/2018WRC03500137. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the appointment of a person (details supplied) as director at his Department was conducted through the Public Appointments Service; and the date and portal on which the position was first advertised [48142/18]

20/11/2018WRC03600Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Director-General position referred to by the Deputy is filled by an officer on secondment to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and so was not advertised through the Public Ap- pointments Service. 34 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRC03700Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRC03800138. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if officials from his Department attend the weekly meetings held by the European Commission on preparing for Brexit. [48109/18]

20/11/2018WRC03900148. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he has had meetings with his various European counterparts in the context of Brexit concerns and negotiations in the past six months. [41479/18]

20/11/2018WRC04000Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 138 and 148 together.

Brexit is a priority issue for this Government, and the Taoiseach, my cabinet colleagues and I have taken every opportunity to engage with EU partners and the UK to advance Ireland’s priorities. I, as well as officials from my Department, remain in ongoing contact with representatives from EU Member States, the Commission and Task Force, and the UK.

Monthly meetings of the General Affairs Council (Article 50) are an opportunity for me to bring Ireland’s interests and concerns directly to both my EU counterparts, and to the Commis- sion Task Force. Yesterday I attended the GAC (Article 50) in Brussels where my counterparts and I discussed last week’s announcement of the agreement between the negotiating teams. I have attended the GAC (Article 50) on a monthly basis, most recently on 12 November, and 16 October. On each of these occasions, I met separately with Michel Barnier and I also met briefly with a range of EU colleagues.

Over the past six months, I met with many of my counterparts on a bilateral basis, both in Ireland and abroad. This includes Heiko Maas, my German counterpart, who I met en marge of the German Ambassadors’ Conference in Berlin in August, and my Estonian, Lithuanian and Finnish counterparts in September. More recently, I have held bilateral meetings with the Pol- ish Foreign Minister and European Affairs Minister, as well as Jean-Yves Le Drian, my French counterpart last month.

In all my meetings, I have been struck by the solidarity and unity of our EU partners with Ireland on the issue of the backstop. As part of the draft Withdrawal Agreement, we have a legally operable guarantee that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland. This would not have been possible without the unity and understanding displayed by our fellow EU27 Member States, as well as Michel Barnier and his team.

In addition to the above, my officials are in frequent contact with both their counterparts in EU Member States and institutions, as well as with the EU Task Force. Officials from my department, attend the Coreper (Article 50), as well as regular working group meetings, with officials from relevant Government Departments, which deal with the negotiations and brexit preparations.

20/11/2018WRC04100Brexit Negotiations

20/11/2018WRC04200139. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the draft treaty for the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. [48107/18]

20/11/2018WRC04300Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Last week agreement was reached between EU and UK negotiators on the text of the Withdrawal Agreement and an outline of the political declaration on the future relationship. On 14 Novem- 35 Questions - Written Answers ber, the British Government decided that the draft Withdrawal Agreement, with the outline of the political declaration, was an acceptable basis on which to proceed.

Work continues on finalising the political declaration on the future EU-UK relationship. This will form the basis for negotiations after 29 March. We are committed to working with the UK, and our EU partners, to secure a future relationship that is as deep and comprehensive as possible.

An extraordinary European Council Summit will be held on 25 November so that the Agree- ment, together with the political declaration, can be endorsed. This is a very significant and welcome breakthrough in the Brexit process.

EU and UK negotiators have worked intensively over a long period to achieve this, and should be congratulated and thanked for their work. In particular, Michel Barnier and his team, have demonstrated extraordinary commitment and understanding. This outcome would not have been achieved without the unity and solidarity of our EU Member States and institutions.

The draft Agreement, notably the Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, meets Ireland’s objectives.

It protects the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and the gains of the peace process. Im- portantly, nothing in the Agreement will prejudice the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and the principle of consent as set out in the Good Friday Agreement.

It translates the UK’s political commitment to avoiding a hard border on the island of Ire- land into a legal guarantee. It provides for a ‘backstop’ that will apply unless and until another solution is agreed. This means that there will be no hard border in any circumstances.

It underpins, in a dynamic way, continuing North/South cooperation and the all-island economy.

It provides for the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, ensuring that the arrangements by which Irish and British citizens can live, work and access services in each other’s countries will continue into the future.

It protects the provisions of the Good Friday Agreement on rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity and confirms that Irish citizens in Northern Ireland will continue to enjoy rights as EU citizens. It provides for a period of transition, which can be extended, in which preparations can be made for the future relationship between the EU and the UK.

While this is an important achievement, there is still considerable work to be done. Once the European Council has given its endorsement to the Agreement, it will be for the British and European Parliaments to consider and approve it according to their respective procedures.

20/11/2018WRC04400Ministerial Travel

20/11/2018WRC04500140. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on his trip to Belfast for Armistice Day; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47803/18]

20/11/2018WRC04600Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I represented the State at the Armistice Day service at Belfast City Hall on the morning of 11th November, which was also attended by Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Karen Bradley. During the ceremony, I laid a wreath on behalf of the Government of Ireland. Wreaths were 36 20 November 2018 also laid by local consuls and honorary consuls, local church leaders and representatives of various organisations from the wider community.

Armistice Day is an important day of remembrance and commemoration for people across this island, and the First World War impacted on families and communities all over Ireland. In recognition of this, the service at Belfast City Hall has been attended by a member of the Gov- ernment every year since 2012. This year, the Government was also represented at Armistice Day commemorations held in Northern Ireland by Minister Heather Humphreys at the Ceno- taph in Enniskillen and Minister Damien English at a Service of Remembrance at St Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.

20/11/2018WRC04700Ministerial Meetings

20/11/2018WRC04800141. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has met the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland recently; if so, the subjects that were discussed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47805/18]

20/11/2018WRC04900142. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the Northern Executive and Assembly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47806/18]

20/11/2018WRC05000Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 141 and 142 together.

Since the Northern Ireland Assembly elections of March 2017, the Irish and British Govern- ments, as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, have worked tirelessly to support and facilitate the parties in their efforts to form a new power-sharing Executive.

I am currently engaging with Secretary of State Bradley on how both Governments can most effectively secure the full operation of all of the institutions of the Good Friday Agreement.

I met with Secretary of State Bradley in Dublin on 17 September, in Belfast on 8 October and most recently in Dublin on 2 November at the British Irish Inter-Governmental Conference. I spoke further with the Secretary of State by telephone on Monday 12 November.

In my discussions with Secretary of State Bradley, I have underlined the Government’s deep concern at the continuing impasse with the devolved institutions, which she shares.

I have also set out the Government’s view that the legislation that was brought forward by the Secretary of State which temporarily suspends the requirement to call an Assembly election underlines the seriousness of the absence of the devolved institutions in Northern Ireland, and the urgent requirement for all with responsibilities to do everything in their power to get them operating again.

Secretary of State Bradley has confirmed that this legislation is temporary and time-bound and that it operates to provide the necessary scope to get the institutions back in place.

Secretary of State Bradley and I have in this context reaffirmed the strong determination of both Governments to get the devolved institutions up and running again. We are agreed that a new political process is required to secure the necessary agreement between the parties that will 37 Questions - Written Answers see the Assembly and Executive operating again on behalf of the people of Northern Ireland.

Both Governments are continuing to engage with all of the political parties to seek a way forward. All parties have re-affirmed their commitment to operating the devolved institutions and have provided views on their key concerns and issues.

I do not underestimate the way to go in achieving a way forward, but I continue to believe that a resolution is possible.

The calls from across all sections of the community in Northern Ireland for the devolved institutions to operate have to be heeded.

The Government will continue to do everything in its power, in accordance with its responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement, to secure the effective operation of all of its institutions.

20/11/2018WRC05200Northern Ireland

20/11/2018WRC05300143. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has read a recent publication by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47807/18]

20/11/2018WRC05400Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I am aware of the publication to which the Deputy refers.

The abduction and murder of Jean McConville by the IRA in 1972 was an appalling crime of the Troubles, and which had such a devastating and enduring impact on her young family.

There remain proceedings before the courts in Belfast regarding a pending prosecution related to the case and I therefore do not intend to make any commentary in this regard.

Any individual who has information on this or any other Troubles-related death should bring it to the attention of the Police Service of Northern Ireland or An Garda Síochána, as appropriate.

It is vitally important that all Troubles-related murders, whatever the circumstances, can be fully and effectively investigated and prosecutions pursued wherever possible.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims’ Remains (ICLVR), which conducted searches for the remains of Jean McConville in 1999 and 2002, and others who were killed and buried secretly by paramilitary groups during the Troubles, has worked and continues to work tirelessly in pursuit of its mandate. The Commission’s only aim is to locate the victims’ remains in order that they may be returned to their families to receive a decent burial. The Irish and British Governments are strongly supportive of the ICLVR’s ongoing work in support of the victims’ families.

The Government is also continuing to seek progress with the implementation of the legacy framework provided for under the Stormont House Agreement of 2014. Over the last 18 months, I have engaged extensively with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and with all of the political parties to support a way forward on the implementation of the Stormont House Agreement legacy bodies and the adequate resourcing of legacy inquests in Northern Ireland.

Comprehensive progress on legacy issues from the Troubles is crucial in order to meet the legitimate needs and expectations of victims and survivors, and to contribute to broader societal

38 20 November 2018 reconciliation as an integral part of the Peace Process.

The Government will continue to engage in support of that, consistent with our role and responsibilities as a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement.

20/11/2018WRC05500Visa Agreements

20/11/2018WRC05600144. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the progress to date of the proposed E3 visa programme; the estimated number of Irish persons who will receive such visas if the programme is implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47884/18]

20/11/2018WRC05700Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Government continues to pursue two key objectives with regard to Irish immigration to the United States; firstly, increased pathways for legal migration by Irish citizens to the US; and secondly, seeking some form of relief for undocumented Irish citizens living in the US.

The Taoiseach and I continue to prioritise this issue in all our engagements with the US Administration and Congress.

To this end, I was pleased to see a Bill recently laid in Congress which, if passed, would see Irish citizens being added to those entitled to apply for a pool of 10,500 E3 visas each year. Were the Bill to be passed as currently drafted, an estimated 4,000 – 5,000 visas might become available each year for Irish citizens who wished to live and work in the US for a period. The spouses and children of those who qualify would receive additional visas and would not count against this cap.

The passage of the Bill is far from certain however. The Government does not underestimate the significant difficulties ahead, with the Bill requiring a two thirds majority in the House and sixty votes in the Senate.

The Government - including through the work of the Embassy and of the Government’s Special Envoy to the US Congress on the Undocumented, Deputy John Deasy - will continue to engage proactively with the US Administration and elected representatives, both Democratic and Republican, on Irish immigration issues and specifically on this Bill.

20/11/2018WRC05800Common Travel Area

20/11/2018WRC05900145. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the legislative changes required to protect elements of the common travel area that fall within the remit of his Department; when he plans to bring forward this legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47945/18]

20/11/2018WRC06000146. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent report that states that the common travel area would benefit from greater legal certainty post-Brexit; if, in the absence of a withdrawal deal and no transition period, legislation will be required to ensure that the common travel area can continue to operate as it currently does; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47953/18]

20/11/2018WRC06100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 145 and 146 together.

39 Questions - Written Answers The Common Travel Area is a long-standing arrangement between the UK and Ireland which means Irish citizens can move freely to live, work, and study in the UK on the same basis as UK citizens and vice versa. It is an arrangement that is valued on both islands and the continuation of this arrangement is a stated objective of both the Irish and UK Governments. In the context of the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, it is important that any arrangements necessary to maintain the Common Travel Area are put in place.

The Common Travel Area provides for associated rights and entitlements which enable Irish and UK citizens to move freely between and reside in both jurisdictions. These rights and entitlements include access to employment, healthcare, education, and social benefits, as well as the right to vote in certain elections.

The CTA agreements have existed for over 95 years without a formal agreement but through a combination of legislative provisions and policy measures. Despite the lack of formal arrangement, the CTA has endured and proven to be flexible and adaptable. The CTA is recognised in EU law by Protocol No. 20 to the Treaty on European Union and the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

Article 5 of the Draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland, within the draft Withdrawal Agreement between the EU and the UK published on 14 November 2018, and agreed at negotiator level, is a translation into legal terms of the acknowledgment between the EU and UK negotiators made in their joint report of December 2017 that the UK and Ireland may “continue to make arrangements between themselves relating to the movement of persons between their territories”.

The maintenance of the CTA is a bilateral matter. Work is ongoing both with the UK and domestically at official level to ensure that the necessary provisions are made in both jurisdictions so that the CTA continues to function effectively after the UK leaves the EU. The UK Government has committed to updating domestic legislation, as necessary, to ensure that the agreed CTA rights and privileges are properly reflected.

While domestic work on the CTA is being coordinated by my Department, all relevant Gov- ernment Departments are examining the legislative changes, if any, which may be required to ensure that the CTA continues to operate in their respective policy areas. Ireland will undertake all the work necessary, including through legislative provision to ensure that the CTA is maintained.

20/11/2018WRD00300Human Rights Cases

20/11/2018WRD00400147. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the case of a person (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to ongoing concerns in respect of the health and welfare of the person; if he will consider offering the person and the person’s family asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48055/18]

20/11/2018WRD00500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Ireland works within and alongside the EU and UN to address the persecution of religious minorities wherever it occurs.

I am aware of the case of Asia Bibi, a Pakistani woman convicted in 2010 of Blasphemy and sentenced to death. Following an appeal, the Supreme Court of Pakistan recently overturned her conviction. Since the Supreme Court decision, I have received a number of Parliamentary 40 20 November 2018 Questions enquiring about the actons I have taken on this case and asking whether Ireland will offer asylum to Ms Bibi and her family.

I continue to follow developments in the case and strongly condemn all forms of persecution on the basis of religion or belief, irrespective of where they occur and who the victims are. Minister Flanagan raised concerns on the blasphemy laws with his Pakistani counterpart on the margins of the UN General Assembly in September 2016. Minister Flanagan also raised the case with the Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires en pied in January 2016. The European Union has also raised the case with the Pakistani authorities.

The Minister for Justice and Equality is aware of this case from his previous position as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and has followed developments in the case. Ms Bibi has not indicated a wish to come to Ireland and should such a wish be indicated, Minister Flanagan will look favourably on her case.

Question No. 148 answered with Question No. 138.

20/11/2018WRD00700State Visits

20/11/2018WRD00800149. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the details of all State visits his Department is organising. [43911/18]

20/11/2018WRD00900Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): State Visits provide an important opportunity to promote Ireland’s interests internationally and contribute to the development of strong economic, political and cultural links between Ireland and other States.

A State Visit is the highest level of official visit from one country to another. It is undertaken by a Head of State and takes place at the invitation of one State to another.

State Visits differ from and are less frequent than other types of visit, such as Official or Working Visits. Since January 2018, there has been one State Visit to Ireland, by His Excellency Mr. Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic, which took place between 14 and 15 February 2018. President Higgins has undertaken two State Visits abroad in 2018, to the Hel- lenic Republic from 21 to 24 February 2018, and to Latvia from 17 to 18 June 2018.

State Visits to Ireland include an official welcome ceremony at Áras an Uachtaráin, a wreath- laying ceremony at the Garden of Remembrance, a State Dinner hosted by the President and calls on the Taoiseach and the Oireachtas. Other elements can include business and community receptions and visits to places of historical, educational or cultural interest. State Visits abroad by the President normally include elements similar to these.

Possible State Visits to and from Ireland will be considered and confirmed in due course.

20/11/2018WRD01000Brexit Negotiations

41 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRD01100150. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has raised the issue of the UK’s accession to the common transit convention with his Euro- pean colleagues; and the details of such engagement to date. [48137/18]

20/11/2018WRD01200Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Government’s preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit has from the start included issues relating to the continued effective use of the UK landbridge. This is a priority for the Government given its importance for Irish exporters and importers as a means of access to the rest of the single market, in particular with regard to agri-food products. This is an important issue with regard to protecting the competitiveness of our producers and ensuring continued unhampered access to the EU Single Market.

To this end, I welcome the UK’s formal notification to the European Commission of its intention to join the Common Transit Convention. The UK’s accession to the Common Travel Convention will play an important role in ensuring Ireland’s access to other EU Member States via the UK landbridge.

20/11/2018WRD01300Election Monitoring Missions

20/11/2018WRD01400151. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade when he will announce the results of the election monitoring panel competition that closed on 20 August 2018; if the results will be announced before the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48228/18]

20/11/2018WRD01500Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): I refer the Deputy to responses to the following related parliamentary questions, namely Question 43 of 11 October 2018, Question 36 of 9 October 2018, and Question 70 of 7 September 2018.

International election monitoring missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade maintains a roster of observers for election monitoring missions. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The call for applications to establish a new election observation roster was issued on 2 July 42 20 November 2018 2018. A total of 395 applications were received by the deadline of 17:30 on 20 August 2018.

Applications from individuals who applied to join the International Election Observation Roster have been appraised according to the criteria and competencies contained in the application form. An external company was contracted to ensure quality assurance across the panels marking applications. The Quality Assurance process is ongoing. Subject to the satisfactory conclusion of the QA process, the Department will release results to all applicants no later than 30 November 2018.

An update on the call for Election Observers was published on the Department’s website on Friday, 16 November 2018.

20/11/2018WRD01600Passport Applications Data

20/11/2018WRD01700152. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons from Great Britain and Northern Ireland who have applied for an Irish passport in each of the years 2012 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [48253/18]

20/11/2018WRD01800Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Passport Service receives applications through a range of channels, including the online passport application service. The following figures reflect the numbers received through all channels.

Year Passport applications from Great Britain Passport applications from Northern Ireland 2012 45,646 41,124 2013 42,441 44,122 2014 43,449 48,475 2015 46,229 53,715 2016 63,453 67,582 2017 80,752 82,274 *2018 73,583 85,180 *Figures from 1 January to 31 October.

20/11/2018WRD01900Northern Ireland

20/11/2018WRD02000153. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had contact with the authorities in Great Britain or Northern Ireland about the conditions in the segregated wing of HMP Magheraberry and the need to urgently implement fully the agreement arrived at in Roe House in 2010; the result of these discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48271/18]

20/11/2018WRD02100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I am aware of the Deputy’s ongoing concerns about the accommodation situation for prisoners in Maghaberry Prison.

The management of the prison is a matter for the Northern Ireland Prison Service, an agency of the Department of Justice at Stormont. The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s day-today role is limited to adjudicating on prisoners’ access to the separated regime which separates paramilitary prisoners from the rest of the prison population, as well as loyalist prisoners from republican prisoners.

43 Questions - Written Answers As the Deputy knows, the Stocktake of the 2010 agreement between the NI Prison Service and the prisoners in the separated regime at Maghaberry was published in November 2014. It made a number of recommendations to be implemented within a period of six months. At the time, the Government’s strong view was that the full implementation of the Stocktake report offered an opportunity to create a conflict-free environment in the prison. This view was conveyed to the then Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, Ms. Theresa Villiers MP, to the then Minister of Justice in the Stormont Executive, Mr. David Ford MLA, and to their officials.

My officials at the Belfast Secretariat continue to engage on an ongoing basis with a range of parties including the Northern Ireland Office, the Northern Ireland Prison Service, the Inter- national Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent (ICRC), and others to discuss, explore and encourage progress. In recent months, officials from the Belfast Secretariat have met with members of the Education and training provision review for separated prisoners. In addition, a senior official from the Secretariat recently met the governor of Maghaberry and discussed a range of issues.

Officials remain in contact with the Criminal Justice Inspectorate for Northern Ireland whose most recent report on conditions in the prison, issued in August 2017, noted that health and educational provision is improving and that levels of disorder and violence were generally low. That report also found that there were still significant challenges around the separated regime, and officials have continued to monitor developments.

In seeking satisfactory outcomes in Maghaberry, the cooperation of both the Northern Ire- land Prison Service and the prisoners themselves is required. I would encourage all with influence to move forward in the right spirit. The restoration of the Executive at Stormont and the appointment of a new Northern Ireland Minister for Justice would also be of great assistance in addressing the issues facing Northern Irish prisons.

20/11/2018WRD02200Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRD02300154. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is satisfied that trade between Ireland and both Northern Ireland and the island of Britain will continue unimpeded after Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48272/18]

20/11/2018WRD02400159. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he remains satisfied that the recently announced draft Brexit agreement will stabilise the European Union while safeguarding the interests of the island of Ireland, North and South, and its relationship with the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48358/18]

20/11/2018WRD02500Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 154 and 159 together.

Last week agreement was reached between EU and UK negotiators on the text of the With- drawal Agreement. On 14 November, Prime Minister May and her cabinet indicated that, for the British Government, the draft text of the Withdrawal Agreement is an acceptable basis on which to proceed.

This is a very significant and welcome breakthrough in the Brexit process.

EU and UK negotiators have worked intensively, with great commitment and professionalism over a long period to achieve this.

44 20 November 2018 There is no ‘good’ Brexit for Ireland. We deeply regret the UK’s decision to leave, however much we respect that decision. For us, the objective with Brexit has always been to minimise the damage and to lay the best possible groundwork for the future.

Even in the best possible agreement, it is still the case that the UK is leaving the EU, and that will bring change. However it was and continues to be absolutely necessary that any change that did occur would not result in a hard border on the island of Ireland.

This Withdrawal Agreement does that. It also underpins, in a dynamic way, continuing North/South cooperation and the all-island economy.

It confirms that people in the North will continue to enjoy rights as EU citizens.

It provides for a period of transition in which all of us can prepare for the new relationship between the EU and the UK, following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.

In addition, the Single Electricity Market will be maintained on the island of Ireland and North South cooperation will continue in a range of important areas.

While this is an important achievement, there is still considerable work to be done.

President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, has called an extraordinary European Council Summit for 25 November so that the Agreement can be finalised and formalized.

It will then be for Westminster and the European Parliament to consider the agreement according to their respective procedures.

None of this can be taken for granted.

This is an important step, but only a step on a much longer journey. It is important for us to secure the deepest and most comprehensive relationship possible with the UK following its withdrawal from the EU. It is only through that relationship that we can secure the trade and other interests that are important to Ireland, the UK and our EU partners. We are absolutely committed to working closely with the UK, and our EU partners, to achieve that end.

20/11/2018WRD02600Departmental Advertising Data

20/11/2018WRD02700155. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48303/18]

20/11/2018WRD02800Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): My Department engages in advertising and public awareness campaigns where there is important information that needs to be brought to the attention of citizens. Some examples of these campaigns have included the Online Passport Renewals Service and a ‘Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe’ initiative. A public information campaign to promote awareness of Govern- ment-wide supports and resources that are available to assist with Brexit preparedness is also

45 Questions - Written Answers currently being coordinated by my Department.

In the time available it has only proved possible to gather information requested by the Deputy for the period 2016-to date. Details of relevant advertising campaigns carried out during this timeframe are as follows.

2018

Online Passport Renewals Service

In 2018 we have concentrated on highlighting the Online Passport Renewal Service as a fast and secure way for adults to renew their passports. Specific activities have included advertisements in local publications throughout the country and on social media platforms, press releases and attendance at relevant promotional events, as well as participation by the Director of the Passport Service in over 25 interviews on regional radio stations. The direct costs of advertising to raise public awareness in this regard are set out in Table 1.

Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe

Against the background of debate which is underway at EU level and beyond about how best to address the challenges of a rapidly changing the world, and in cooperation with Euro- pean Movement Ireland, my Department hosted a series of ‘Citizens Dialogue on the Future of Europe’ events throughout spring 2018. These events took place in Galway, Cork, Donegal, Kildare, Meath and Dublin and enabled citizens to share ideas and priorities on the future of Europe and on such themes as the economy, security, social responsibility and globalisation.

To raise awareness of these opportunities for citizens to engage with and attend these events, my Department undertook a communications campaign that included advertisements in local papers and on local radio in each of the locations concerned. The direct costs of this advertising are set out in Table 1.

Ireland’s Campaign for Election to the UN Security Council

On 2 July 2018, the Taoiseach and I publicly launched Ireland’s campaign to secure a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in June 2020 for the 2021-2022 term. Ireland’s campaign is premised on three themes: Empathy, Partnership and Independence. To coincide with this launch, my Department used social media platforms to promote public awareness of Ireland’s campaign online and the direct costs incurred in this regard are set out in Table 1.

Public Consultations on International Development Policy

A public consultation process in relation to Ireland’s new international development policy took place in 5 locations around the country over the period July – October 2018. The goal of the process was to hear the views of the public on how Ireland’s international development policy can contribute towards meeting the ambitious objectives of such initiatives as the 2030 Agenda Sustainable Development Goals agreed by the United Nations in 2015. To raise awareness of these opportunities for the citizens to engage and attend these events, my Department undertook a communications campaign that included advertisements in local papers. The direct costs of this advertising are set out in Table 1.

Government Brexit Update and ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready’

The Government Brexit Update email service and the Getting Ireland Brexit Ready public information campaign forms part of the Government’s overall strategy to keep the Irish public

46 20 November 2018 fully informed and up-to date on the implications and challenges of Brexit.

The Update is issuing on a regular basis via a commercial provider (MailChimp) and provides information on latest developments in the ongoing Brexit negotiations, on the latest available research publications and on engagement at Government level. It also highlights the range of business supports that are available through the various Government Departments and State agencies.

My Department is also coordinating a Government-wide ‘Getting Ireland Brexit Ready Campaign’ which I and Ministers Humphreys and Creed launched together on 20 September. This campaign has updated citizens, communities and businesses about Brexit preparedness and support measures that are available as well as public workshop events which were held over successive weeks throughout October. A programme of awareness raising via web and social media platforms and radio and print media advertising also took place.

2017

Online Passport Renewals Service

In 2017 to coincide with the launch of the online adult passport renewals facility, my De- partment advertised in order to ensure awareness by citizens of this innovative service.

The advertising in question took the form of a multi-format outdoor transport campaign combined with digital units in Dublin and Belfast Airports to promote the online passport service. The outdoor transport campaign ran over two two-week cycles in May and June 2017. The digital units in Dublin and Belfast Airports ran from May to August. In addition to the outdoor campaign, a further online and social media campaign was also run with ads being placed around digital articles and social media activity on travel-related themes. This part of the campaign ran from April until August of 2017.

2016

TravelWise App

In 2016, my Department launched the TravelWise smartphone app to help Irish people traveling abroad to stay safe and informed while traveling, living or working overseas. TravelWise makes all of the Department’s travel advice available to citizens offline and in their pockets as well as being a valuable messaging tool for use by our Consular Service during a crisis situation overseas. My Department advertised the TravelWise app widely to ensure a good uptake of this valuable service by citizens.

Table 1: Online Advertising and Public Awareness Campaigns Expenditure 2016-to date

2018

Campaign/Theme Supplier Cost Online Passport Renewals(March 2018- Mediavest €40,538.65 June 2018) Citizens’ Dialogue on the Future of Europe Topic Media, Celtic, Media, Highland Radio, €6,473 -(Feb-May 2018) Connacht Tribune, River Media, Irish Exam- iner, LMFM Radio & Galway Advertiser UN Security Council CampaignJuly 2018 Twitter and Facebook €461 Government Brexit Update (Jan 2018 - to Twitter and MailChimp €1,280.08 date) 47 Questions - Written Answers

Campaign/Theme Supplier Cost Getting Ireland Brexit Ready (20 Sept PhD Media/TBWA 28,948.10 2018 - to date) Transforming Our World public consulta- Mediavest & Vermillion Design €6,653.53 tions

2017

Campaign/Theme Supplier Cost Public Information Campaign to raise awareness of the MEC €210,324.15 Online Passport Service (April to August 2017)

2016

Campaign/Theme Supplier Cost Public Notices Golden Pages €5,881.86 Public Advisories & Notices/ Media Vest €12,039.67 TravelWise Focus Advertising €27,606

20/11/2018WRD02900Syrian Conflict

20/11/2018WRD03000156. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if his attention has been drawn to the situation of detainees in a prison (details supplied) going on hunger strike; the efforts being made at EU level to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48312/18]

20/11/2018WRD03100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): Over the past seven years, we have been horrified by the suffering caused by the Syria conflict, and by the acts of the Assad regime in relation to its people. This conflict actually began, in March 2011, as a result of popular revulsion against the mistreatment of people in custody.

Ireland and the EU have repeatedly condemned violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in Syria, some of which may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity. Ireland has called on numerous occasions for the situation in Syria to be referred to the International Criminal Court.

I am aware of reports that a hunger strike began in Hama Central Prison on 12 November. The same prison was reported to be the site of conflict in 2016 when hundreds of detainees were reported to have protested over the transfer of prisoners to the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus, where they expected to be sentenced to death by an extra-judicial military tribunal.

It has been reported that the current hunger strike was commenced by prisoners in protest of death sentences issued against them by the Assad regime. Ireland is opposed to the use of the death penalty in all cases and in all circumstances. Accordingly, Ireland, together with the rest of the EU, seeks the universal abolition of the death penalty.

I unreservedly condemn any violation of the human rights of prisoners, and call on all parties to the Syria conflict to ensure protection of human rights. The EU has made very clear, over a period of many years, our strong condemnation of all the human rights abuses perpetrated by the Assad regime. The regime is in no doubt about the strength of our views.

48 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRD03200Election Monitoring Missions

20/11/2018WRD03300157. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the criteria for selection for OSCE election observation missions; the weightings attached to the criteria; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48313/18]

20/11/2018WRD03400Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): I refer the Deputy to related parliamentary questions on this matter Question 71 of 7 September 2018, Question 138 of 10 July 2018, Questions 167 of 4 July 2018, Questions 167 and 172 of 25 October 2017, Questions 357 and 358 of 13 December 2016, Question 243 of 2 November 2016, Questions 157 and 158 of 20 October 2016, and Questions 335, 336 and 337 of 14 June 2016.

International election observation missions play an important role in the promotion of democracy and human rights. We aim to ensure that, when requested, Ireland is represented at an appropriate level on international observation missions for elections and constitutional referendums. Irish observers participate primarily in missions organised by the European Union or the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The criteria for selection for OSCE election observation missions is exactly the same as applied in all observation missions, which was set out in the Information Note for Applicants accompanying the call for applications to join the Election Observation Roster established in 2013.

For each election observation mission to which Ireland proposes to deploy observers, all roster members are invited to express their interest in the mission with a view to ensuring the widest possible participation. A shortlist is drawn up based on the specific criteria set out by the EU or OSCE, including relevant local and regional experience, language proficiency, gender and length of time since serving on a mission. In many cases, the EU and OSCE also invite Member States to nominate new observers or observers with limited experience. However, the final decision rests with the inviting body, usually the OSCE or the European Union.

20/11/2018WRD03500Brexit Negotiations

20/11/2018WRD03600158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he expects the draft Brexit proposals to be approved by all parties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48357/18]

20/11/2018WRD03700Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Brexit negotiations have been a long and complex process, and we should first welcome the progress made in getting to the current juncture.

Prime Minister May’s Cabinet have indicated that, for their side, the draft text for the With- drawal Agreement is an acceptable basis on which to proceed towards a meeting of the Euro- pean Council to sign-off on it.

We can now look ahead to a meeting of the European Council on 25 November to endorse what has been proposed, and it will then be for the UK Parliament and the European Parliament to give their respective approval in accordance with their own procedures.

Question No. 159 answered with Question No. 154.

49 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRD03900Foreign Conflicts

20/11/2018WRD04000160. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which he and his EU and-or UN colleagues continue to monitor the situation in various trouble spots globally including Yemen, Syria and on the African continent with particular reference to non-compliance with international human rights standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48359/18]

20/11/2018WRD04100Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The promotion and protection of human rights internationally is a foreign policy priority for my Department. Ireland works closely with EU and UN partners in the multilateral fora to monitor non-compliance with international human rights standards.

Ireland frequently raises issues of human rights abuses, in a national capacity, through the human rights mechanisms of the UN including the Human Rights Council and Universal Peri- odic Review in Geneva and the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly in New York. At the most recent session of the Human Rights Council, in September 2018, Ireland made a national intervention during the Interactive Dialogues with the Commissions of Inquiry on Syria and South Sudan. During this session, Ireland also expressed concern over the ongoing situation in Yemen and South Sudan in our statement during the Item 4 General Debate.

During the most recent session of the Universal Periodic Review, which concluded last week in Geneva, Ireland made two recommendations to all fourteen countries under review. Countries under review included Senegal, Nigeria, Central African Republic, Chad and Congo. Recommendations covered issues such as eradication of Female Genital Mutilation, LGBTI rights, human rights defenders, sexual violence, the death penalty and freedom of association and assembly.

Ireland strongly believes in the importance of multilateral engagement, both in a national capacity and through the EU. Ireland inputs into EU policy through meetings of the EU Work- ing Party on Human Rights in Brussels and coordination with the EU Delegation in New York and Geneva. At the current session of the UN General Assembly in New York, the EU delivered a statement on behalf of all member states on “Human rights questions, including alternative approaches for improving the effective enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms, and human rights situations and reports of special rapporteurs and representatives”. This statement made reference to a number of country specific human rights situations including in Bu- rundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen. During the 39th session of the Human Rights Council, the EU also delivered a statement during the Item 4 General Debate. This statement expressed concern over the human rights situations in, among others, Yemen and South Sudan.

20/11/2018WRD04200Middle East Peace Process

20/11/2018WRD04300161. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community continues to positively influence the situation in the Middle East with particular reference to the need to encourage peace initiatives between Israel and Palestine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48360/18]

20/11/2018WRD04400Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The peace process in the Middle East is currently at a standstill, and I have made clear my view that the international community needs to do more to attempt to break this deadlock. The violent events in recent months have clearly demonstrated the risks of the continued political vacuum. 50 20 November 2018 Ireland has worked consistently to maintain an international focus on the issue, and support for the two state solution.

The EU remains firmly committed to a two state solution to the conflict. With the prospects for peace continuing to deteriorate on the ground EU Foreign Ministers have discussed the Peace Process on numerous occasions over the last year, most recently at the informal Foreign Ministers meeting in August. There we considered how the EU can productively engage and better use all the levers at our disposal to influence the parties to the conflict. We must ensure that the EU’s support for the region is focused on delivery of the two-state solution.

However, there is also great concern among EU colleagues about threats to the viability of that solution, stemming principally from the settlement policy of the Israeli Government. The Middle East Peace Process has been effectively stalled for four years now.

Along with other EU colleagues I have sought to encourage and influence the United States in its current consideration of a Middle East initiative, so long as it addresses the needs of both parties to the conflict. And I have indicated my intention to hold an informal ministerial meeting in Ireland, for a small number of Arab and European Foreign Ministers. I believe this style of gathering could be useful in promoting the exchange of ideas on how to restart the stagnated peace process.

20/11/2018WRD04500Overseas Development Aid

20/11/2018WRD04600162. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the bilateral aid programme continues to reach those for whom it was intended with the least interference; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48361/18]

20/11/2018WRD04700163. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures continuously in operation in respect of international aid in view of the necessity to ensure that all such aid reaches its intended targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48362/18]

20/11/2018WRD04800165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which Ireland’s international aid programme remains unconditional as opposed to some countries which currently promote an aid for trade policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48364/18]

20/11/2018WRD04900Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): I propose to take Questions Nos. 162, 163 and 165 together.

The Government is strongly committed to Ireland’s overseas development assistance programme, and to its place at the heart of our foreign policy. Ireland’s development assistance programme is focused on delivering our goals of reducing poverty and hunger, promoting inclusive and sustainable growth and building more equitable and better systems of governance.

Ireland’s aid programme is delivered through a wide range of partners and channels, including partner government systems, Irish and international Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and missionary organisations, and UN and other multilateral agencies and organisations. Throughout, the ability of these funding channels to reach the poorest and most fragile countries and regions in the world, and deliver real results on the ground, is at the forefront of Ireland’s engagement. In this way, Ireland is playing a strong role in supporting the 2030 Agen- da for Sustainable Development and in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

51 Questions - Written Answers The Irish Aid Annual Report 2017, published on 2 October last, indicates that last year Irish bilateral assistance reached 87 of the world’s underdeveloped countries. Irish assistance is given in support of countries’ development needs, typically in response to their poverty reduction strategies, and through the provision of humanitarian assistance in response to emergencies and protracted crises. Sub-Saharan Africa remains our priority focus, where we direct assistance to the poorest communities, delivering real and sustainable improvements to the lives of some of the world poorest and most vulnerable people in the areas of basic health, education, agriculture, and food production. This focus is reflected in the adjudication in September by the Overseas Development Institute in the UK that Irish Aid is the world’s most efficient donor at targeting extreme poverty.

We have a particularly strategic input into poverty reduction in countries in Africa where we have a resident embassy – particularly Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tan- zania Uganda, Zambia - allowing Ireland to play a key role in their long-term development. A similar strategic role is played by the Embassy to Vietnam. Smaller more focused programmes are delivered in countries and territories such as Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, Kenya and Palestine.

Our bilateral assistance is complemented by our engagement with UN and multilateral agencies whose core mission and objectives are closely aligned to Ireland’s aid priorities, allowing us to work with and support vulnerable communities across most developing countries. A total of 143 countries received Irish support channelled through the multilateral system. A full list of all of the countries and multilateral agencies receiving ODA from Ireland is reflected in Irish Aid’s annual report, which is available at: https://www.irishaid.ie/news-publications/.

A key principle underpinning Irish development cooperation is that it should remain untied - that is, not conditional on acquiring goods and services from Ireland. This is regularly positively remarked upon by the OECD Development Assistance Committee in their regular assessments of Ireland’s international development cooperation and humanitarian programmes. Untying aid – removing the legal and regulatory barriers to open competition for aid-funded procurement – increases the effectiveness of aid by reducing transaction costs and improving the ability of partner countries to set their own course. Ireland is leading the way in this by making its bilateral Official Development Assistance 100% untied.

For example, Ireland has been to the forefront in encouraging the EU and its Member States to untie more of their aid. Progress is being made. The proportion of EU and Member States’ aid that is untied now stands at over 80%. The European Commission has increased its share of untied aid from 48% in 2010 to 72% in 2016. We will continue to encourage further progress in that regard and maintain our international record of keeping our ODA 100% untied.

20/11/2018WRD05100Humanitarian Aid Provision

20/11/2018WRD05200164. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the international community has delivered on its various commitments in respect of aid to the various victims of natural disasters globally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48363/18]

20/11/2018WRD05300Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): In 2017, over 95 million people were affected by disasters linked to natural hazards worldwide; over 9,000 people directly lost their lives; and economic losses from major disaster events were estimated at almost US$335 billion.

52 20 November 2018 Climate change, together with poverty and poor environmental management, means that an increasing number of countries, in particular developing countries, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters.

The international community is providing record levels of funding, with a coordinated response that is reaching tens of millions of people affected by natural disasters.

Ireland’s humanitarian programme leads our response to global natural disasters, working with partners in the UN, EU, the International Red Cross Movement (ICRC) and Irish and international NGOS.

Ireland has developed a deep partnership with the UN Office for Coordination of Humani- tarian Affairs, OCHA. OCHA coordinates and leads coherent and effective international responses to humanitarian crises. Amongst other funds, OCHA manages the Central Emergency Response Fund, which responds to sudden onset disasters and to under-funded crises. Ireland is a strong supporter of both mechanisms and the current chair of the OCHA donor support group, which works with the Office the UN Humanitarian Coordinator. In 2018 OCHA has assisted millions of people affected by natural disasters around the world, including the response to the earthquake in Indonesia, drought in Afghanistan, and floods in Nigeria.

Ireland also works closely with the ICRC and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The IFRC is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, comprising 191 Red Cross and Red Cres- cent member societies, and reaches 160 million people annually through 17 million volunteers, members and staff. Ireland is providing €1.85 million to the Federation in 2018 to support its coordination of relief operations to assist victims of natural disasters, including those affected by the recent devastating earthquake and tsunami that struck Indonesia.

Ireland also works with our NGO partners in order to provide rapid assistance following natural disasters. For example, in response to the eruption of the Fuego Volcano in Guatemala on 3 June 2018, Ireland provided €75,000 to Plan International to assist with shelter for those affected.

As well as responding quickly and effectively in the event of a disaster, it is also important to work with countries to build up their resilience to disasters. Ireland provides core support to the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction worth €0.5m to help them build capacity in Ireland’s key partner countries to prepare for and manage the impact of disasters.

Question No. 165 answered with Question No. 162.

20/11/2018WRE00200Middle East Issues

20/11/2018WRE00300166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the international community has attempted to intervene in the situation in Gaza with a view to ensuring the observance of basic human rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48365/18]

20/11/2018WRE00400Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I, and my Department, have been monitoring the increase in violence in Gaza over the past number of months with great anxiety. These events that have led to the deaths of hundreds of civilians, and the wounding of very many more, were senseless and avoidable.I have given a high priority to the Middle East conflict since I assumed office, and discuss it regularly with my European colleagues, as well as with my Israeli and Palestinian counterparts during my visits to the region. I have given particular priority to the situation in Gaza, which I visited most recently in January 53 Questions - Written Answers of this year. Following the horrific events of 14 May 2018 in Gaza, I summoned the Israeli Ambassador to Iveagh House to convey the Government’s view that the actions by Israeli security forces were unjustified and unacceptable. I made clear, as I have done publicly, that Israel’s right to defend itself did not justify these actions.

I also raised Gaza with my EU counterparts, at the Foreign Affairs Council in May. I stressed the need to find practical ways to begin to ease the situation there, and to provide hope for an end to the cycle of recurring violence. Once again, we reiterated our commitment to reviving the political process, along the lines of the two- state solution.

I have replied separately to other Questions today about the exchange of fire across the Gaza border, which took place in the last week.

20/11/2018WRE00500Human Rights

20/11/2018WRE00600167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which the UN continues to challenge the activities of Boko Haram and Al Shabaab; if cases are being referred to the International Court of Justice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48366/18]

20/11/2018WRE00700Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Ciarán Cannon): I remain deeply concerned by the threat to peace and security represented by armed groups such as Boko Haram and Al-Shabaab, whose brutal attacks on civilian populations, particularly women and girls, the Government consistently condemns.

Ireland works bilaterally and as an EU Member State, as well as with UN partners to promote peace and security in areas affected by the armed groups. The Embassies of Ireland in Nairobi and Abuja actively monitor the situation on the ground, and feed into Ireland’s effective advocacy within EU and UN forums.

In addition, Ireland works with a broad range of partners to coordinate our collective humanitarian response so that those affected can be most effectively protected and assisted. In this regard, Ireland this year is making a particularly important contribution, through our chair- ing of the OCHA donor support group which assists the UN Humanitarian Coordinator. So far this year, Ireland has provided over €4.8 million in humanitarian funding to the Lake Chad region and €5.5 million in humanitarian funding to Somalia. In addition, Ireland is also the 7th largest donor to the UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). CERF has this year allocated €14.9 million to Somalia, as well as a further €22.9million to the Lake Chad basin. 54 20 November 2018 Ireland and the EU are strong and consistent supporters of the work to build peace and stability in both the Lake Chad region and Somalia. The EU has contributed up to €50 million in support of the Multinational Joint Taskforce which promotes regional security in territories affected by Boko Haram.

The EU provides considerable support to the UN mandated AMISOM, the African Union- led peacekeeping mission in Somalia, to combat the serious threat posed by Al-Shabaab, and also to reinforce the establishment of Somalia’s government institutions. This is in addition to EU support for capacity building operations in the areas of maritime law enforcement and training.

Ireland is working with both EU and UN partners to implement a comprehensive approach that addresses the root causes of radicalisation in both regions. This includes the promotion of peace and giving people access to decent work and livelihoods, including via the EU’s Instru- ment contributing to Peace and Stability (IcSP) and the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF).

The appropriate international forum for determining whether a prosecutable crime has been committed would be the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The Of- fice of the Prosecutor determines whether a situation meets the legal criteria established by the Rome Statute to warrant investigation.

As Nigeria has deposited its instrument of ratification to the ICC, the Court has jurisdiction there. On 12 November 2015, the Office of the Prosecutor identified eight potential cases involving the commission of crimes against humanity and war crimes under articles 7 and 8 of the Statute that form the subject of an ongoing admissibility assessment, including six for conduct by Boko Haram and two for conduct by the Nigerian security forces.

The ICC does not currently have jurisdiction in Somalia.

20/11/2018WRE00800Brexit Negotiations

20/11/2018WRE00900168. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will report on the impact which the draft withdrawal treaty, if agreed, will have on the Good Friday Agreement. [48108/18]

20/11/2018WRE01000Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): The Government is acutely conscious of the potential impact on Northern Ireland of the UK decision to leave the European Union. The Government is determined to ensure that the Good Fri- day Agreement in all its parts, and the gains and benefits of the Peace Process, are protected for people on the island of Ireland, North and South. In this regard, the Government appreciates the solidarity and support which has been shown by all of our EU partners in respect of Ireland’s unique issues and concerns.

The Protocol on Ireland/Northern Ireland that is part of the draft Withdrawal Agreement published on 14 November 2018, and agreed at negotiator level, reflects the priority that the Government and our European partners have placed on protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts.

Prime Minister May and her Cabinet have indicated that, for their part, the draft text for the Withdrawal Agreement is an acceptable basis on which to proceed towards a meeting of the European Council which President Tusk has convened for 25 November.

55 Questions - Written Answers This is a very significant step, one that fully achieves our negotiating priorities for this phase and that reflects the commitments made in the Joint Report between the EU and UK negotiators published on 8 December 2017.

Through the Protocol, the EU and UK will be protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts. Importantly, the draft Protocol makes clear that nothing in this Withdrawal Agreement will affect the constitutional status of Northern Ireland and the principle of consent as set out in the Good Friday Agreement.

Critically, the backstop arrangements in the draft Protocol on Ireland and Northern Ireland in the draft Withdrawal Agreement guarantee that there will be no hard border on the island of Ireland in any circumstances.

There is a commitment that the UK will ensure that there will be no diminution of rights, safeguards and equality of opportunity as set out in the Good Friday Agreement. The Protocol also recognises that Irish citizens in Northern Ireland are EU citizens and that they will continue to enjoy rights, opportunities and benefits.

In addition, the Protocol provides that the Single Electricity Market will be maintained on the island of Ireland and that North South cooperation can continue in a range of important areas.

The Protocol also contains other provisions that address a number of other unique circumstances on the island of Ireland. These include provision for the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, a key Government objective in negotiations.

The Government will continue to engage intensively, as appropriate, with the EU and the UK to ensure the protection of the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts and to secure the gains and benefits of the Peace Process.

20/11/2018WRE01100Middle East Issues

20/11/2018WRE01200169. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he has had communications with his counterparts in the European countries that continue to sell arms and provide support to the coalition that is bombing Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48419/18]

20/11/2018WRE01300170. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he satisfied with the role the UN has played in terms of ending the war in Yemen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48420/18]

20/11/2018WRE01400Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade (Deputy Simon Coveney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 169 and 170 together.

The crisis in Yemen is a source of grave concern. Three years of armed conflict has been the driving force in a devastating, protracted humanitarian crisis.

I most recently discussed the situation in Yemen with my EU counterparts at yesterday’s meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council. [We were all in agreement on the need to continue our strong support for the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, who is working to bring the parties together for a new round of peace talks which may take place before the end of the year.] I was heartened to hear of the renewed prospects for negotiations. Work is also ongoing in New York on a UN Security Council Resolution that will hopefully see

56 20 November 2018 agreement on a ceasefire and will lay the groundwork for the resumption of peace negotiations.

While some individual EU Member States have announced decisions to refrain from selling arms and military equipment to members of the international Coalition , there is currently no consensus at EU level on an arms embargo related to the conflict in Yemen. For now Irish efforts are concentrated on ensuring the effective implementation of Export Control Regimes and the implementation of the 2014 Arms Trade Treaty.

The UN plays an important role in delivering and coordinating humanitarian support in Yemen, in facilitating access for commercial goods, in driving forward efforts to resolve the conflict through the work of the UN Security Council and the Special Envoy, and in providing oversight through the work of the Human Rights Council and other human rights bodies.

I fully support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy, who is working in very difficult circumstances. To make progress, he requires full cooperation and engagement from all parties to the conflict. He has worked hard since he took up the role in March to make a positive impact, and I hope his latest efforts to restart talks, later this month, will meet with success.

The UN is vital to the humanitarian effort in Yemen, playing a leadership role in coordinating assessments of need, and ensuring overall humanitarian coordination to avoid gaps and duplication. Since 2015, Ireland has provided almost €16.5 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen, much of which is disbursed via UN agencies, who ensure delivery on the ground. This includes a contribution of €4 million made to the UN Yemen Humanitarian Fund this year, which provides assistance in the areas of education, logistics, food security, nutrition and health. The UN agencies, along with a small number of international NGOs, are carrying the greatest burden in terms of providing food and basic services for the Yemeni people.

The United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism for Yemen (UNVIM) is important in facilitating the unimpeded free flow of commercial vessels sailing to Yemen ports not under the control of the internationally recognized government, namely Hodeidah and Saleef. The EU is now the largest donor to UNVIM.

The UN Human Rights Council also has a role in highlighting the grave human rights situation in Yemen. Ireland was part of a small core group of countries that drove forward the adoption by consensus of a Resolution at the Human Rights Council establishing a Group of Emi- nent Experts (GEE) on Yemen. The GEE presented its findings to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights in August 2018. While the report noted numerous violations and crimes, the experts indicated that they needed more time to complete their work. In September Ireland worked again with a core group of countries to extend the mandate of the GEE for a year, to allow them to do this.

20/11/2018WRE01600Tax Reliefs Availability

20/11/2018WRE01700171. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Finance if a tax allowance will be given to persons obtaining nutritional advice from professionals (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47739/18]

20/11/2018WRE01800Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): I am informed by Revenue that tax relief in respect of health expenses is provided for in section 469 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997. Section 469 defines “health expenses” as “expenses in respect of the provision of health care including the services of a practitioner”.

A practitioner is defined in the section as “any person who is: 57 Questions - Written Answers 1. registered in the register established under section 43 of the Medical Practitioners Act 2007,

2. registered in the register established under section 26 of the Dentists Act, 1985, or,

3. in relation to health care provided outside the State, entitled under the laws of the country in which the care is provided to practice medicine or dentistry there”.

Further details in relation to income tax relief for health expenses can be found on the Rev- enue website and also in the Tax and Duty Manual Part 15-02-12 on that website.

I have no plans to extend further the scope of health expenses relief at this time.

20/11/2018WRE01900Legislative Programme

20/11/2018WRE02000172. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the measures in the Finance Bill 2018 awaiting state aid approval; the measures from previous Finance Acts still awaiting state aid approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48170/18]

20/11/2018WRE02100Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): There are two measures awaiting State Aid approval, both are contained within Finance Bill 2018.

Section 24 of Finance Bill 2018, as initiated, gives effect to the Budget announcement providing for a four-year extension to the film tax credit provided in section 481 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, from the current end date of December 2020 to December 2024. The section also introduces a new, time-limited, tapered regional uplift for productions in areas designated under the State aid regional guidelines. This uplift will taper out over a period of 4 years. The uplift will be available at a rate of 5% in years 1 and 2, 3% in year 3 and finally 2% in year four. The section also provides for a number of administrative changes to ensure the credit operates in an efficient manner. As the film tax credit is a notified State aid, these changes are subject to EU approval and the process of notifying the EU is under way.

Section 11 of the Finance Bill 2018 amends Section 128F of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, which provides for favourable tax treatment of share options granted under the Key Em- ployee Engagement Programme (KEEP). Under the scheme there are restrictions imposed on the total market value of shares which can be granted by the qualifying company to the qualifying employee. The restrictions are set out in paragraph (d) in the definition of “qualifying share option” in subsection (1). The amendment changes the restriction applied at employee level, whereby the limit of €250,000 in any 3 consecutive years of assessment is replaced by a lifetime limit of €300,000, and the limit of 50% of the annual emoluments in the year of assessment is increased to 100% of the annual emoluments. This relief is also subject to State Aid provisions, although the KEEP scheme overall already has State Aid approval.

20/11/2018WRE02200Revenue Commissioners

20/11/2018WRE02300173. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Finance if the Revenue Commissioners will consider introducing an 01 landline phone number for employees, akin to the employer’s helpdesk phone number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47834/18]

20/11/2018WRE02400Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): As set out in my reply to Parliamentary Question 45247-18, Revenue launched a new telephony platform on 26 September 2018. The platform facilitates phone calls using standard telephone numbers, including 01 numbers, that 58 20 November 2018 do not incur the range of charges currently applied by service providers to 1890 calls.

Revenue has confirmed that the new service already includes an employee specific telephone number at 01-7383636, which operates in the same manner as the Employer Helpdesk.

20/11/2018WRE02500Property Tax Exemptions

20/11/2018WRE02600174. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if a property is liable for local property tax when commercial rates have been paid on the property (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47908/18]

20/11/2018WRE02700Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Local Property Tax (LPT) is a self- assessed tax that is chargeable on a building, or a part of a building, that is in use, or suitable for use, as a domestic dwelling. In situations where a property is used for both commercial and residential purposes, LPT is chargeable on the latter (residential) portion only.

However, properties with a residential element that are fully subject to commercial rates may be exempt from LPT. Where such conditions exist, Revenue will apply the exemption once confirmation is provided by the relevant Local Authority that the entire building is subject to commercial rates and that no allowance has been made for any residential portion.

Revenue has advised me that it is not possible to confirm entitlement to the exemption in the specific case to which the Deputy is referring from the information provided. If the Deputy wishes to provide the actual address of the property in question, Revenue will be happy to investigate the matter further and revert as quickly as possible.

20/11/2018WRE02800Tax Reliefs Availability

20/11/2018WRE02900175. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the comments by a person (details supplied) regarding tax breaks for those who invest in the development of football here; if he will consider same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48064/18]

20/11/2018WRE03000Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): I am very much aware of the important contribution that football can make in developing young adults; a role that will also help in strengthening the social fabric of our country.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Government recently approved a National Sports Policy 2018-2027 brought forward by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport. Any developments along the lines of those referred to in the Deputies question would need to be consistent with the National Sports Policy and with my Department’s Tax Expenditure Guidelines.

The Deputy may wish to note, however, that a range of tax incentives are already in place in relation to sporting activities.

Section 847A Taxes Consolidation Act 1997 (TCA) for donations to certain sports bodies for the funding of capital projects. For donations to be eligible for this tax relief, the project must be approved by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport and the sports body must hold a certificate from the Revenue Commissioners stating that the body is, in their opinion, an exempt body under section 235 TCA – that is, a body whose income is exempt from tax by virtue of the fact that it is a body established for and existing for the sole purpose of promoting athletic or amateur games or sports and whose income is applied solely for those purposes. Re- 59 Questions - Written Answers lief under the scheme is allowed for relevant donations up to €40,000,000 in respect of an approved project.

The method of granting tax relief for donations depends on whether the donor is a self- assessed individual, a PAYE-only taxpayer or a company. Self-assessed individuals claim a deduction in their annual tax return. In the case of PAYE-only taxpayers, the approved sports body is entitled to claim a refund of the income tax deducted after the donation has been re- grossed at the donor’s marginal income tax rate. Where a company makes a relevant donation to an approved sports body, the amount of the donation is treated as either a deductible trading expense or an expense of management deductible in computing total profits of the company for the relevant accounting period.

The type of approved capital projects of relevant sports bodies for which donations may attract tax relief under this scheme are the categories for which the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport has issued a certificate to the approved sports body certifying that it is an approved project, which are as follows:

- purchasing, constructing or refurbishing a building for use for sporting or recreation activities provided by the approved sports body,

- purchasing land for use by the approved sports body in providing sporting or recreation facilities,

- purchasing permanently based equipment for use by the approved sports body in providing such facilities,

- improving the playing pitches, surfaces or facilities of the approved sports body, and

- repaying money borrowed by the approved sports body for any of the above-mentioned purposes.

The tax status of recognized amateur sports bodies should also be noted. Section 235 TCA exempts from income tax and corporation tax the income of certain bodies established for the sole purpose of promotion of athletic or amateur games or sports where such income is applied solely for that purpose.

Section 610A TCA provides that a capital gain by an approved sports body will be exempt from capital gains tax where the proceeds of a disposal have been or will be applied for the sole purpose of promoting athletic or amateur games or sports.

The question of the appropriateness of existing tax incentives for sport, including the desirability of any additional measures in this area is something that will be kept under review in conjunction with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport.

20/11/2018WRE03100Home Renovation Incentive Scheme

20/11/2018WRE03200176. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Finance if the home renovation incentive is to be continued in 2019 and beyond as a means of improving housing stock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48104/18]

20/11/2018WRE03300Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): S477B of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997, the Home Renovation Incentive (HRI), contains a sunset clause for 31 December 2018. I do not propose that the incentive be extended beyond this date.

60 20 November 2018 The incentive was introduced in Budget 2014, at a time when there was considerable loss of employment within the construction sector, with the aim of stimulating increased activity and boosting employment in the sector. The objectives for which the scheme was put in place have been fulfilled, and the support is no longer necessary.

Also, in light of the current housing supply shortage, and the need to deliver 25,000 additional housing units per annum over the period 2017-2021, there is a risk that the Home Reno- vation Incentive could lead to increased competition for scarce resources within the construction sector, leading to upward pressure on construction costs and house prices. The potential for displacement of labour from work on new builds to work on home renovations would create a high opportunity cost of labour associated with HRI which was not present at the inception of the scheme.

Finally, as the Deputy will appreciate, I must be mindful of the public finances and the many demands on the Exchequer. Tax reliefs, no matter how worthwhile in themselves, reduce the tax base and make general reform of the tax system that much more difficult.

20/11/2018WRE03400Property Tax Deferrals

20/11/2018WRE03500177. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 212 to 214, inclusive, of 6 November 2018, the status of deferrals which will take post the review of local property tax, LPT; if the deferral facility will remain an option for persons who are LPT liable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48244/18]

20/11/2018WRE03600Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): I understand that the Deputy has clari- fied that her question refers to the status of LPT deferrals that are currently in place post the next LPT revaluation date (01 November 2019) . It is a condition of any deferral that, if a claimant’s circumstances change, Revenue must be notified. A change of circumstances may result in the deferral being terminated in respect of future LPT. In addition, certain events such as the receipt of money by way of winnings, gifts, inheritances or capital sums of any kind will cause the tax deferred up to that point, including interest, to become immediately payable.

The report of the review of the LPT is currently being finalised in conjunction with the Departments of the Taoiseach, Public Expenditure and Reform, Housing Planning and Local Government, and the Office of the Revenue Commissioners. I will of course consider the conclusions and recommendations of the report when it is presented to me.

20/11/2018WRE03700Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears Breaches

20/11/2018WRE03800178. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance the number of infractions of the code of conduct on mortgage arrears recorded since 2013; the number of fines or other penalties which resulted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48273/18]

20/11/2018WRE03900Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): The Central Bank assures me that it assertively supervises compliance with the requirements of the Code of Conduct on Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) and it will continue to do so.

No firm has been sanctioned for a breach of the CCMA to date. However, in 2015, the Cen- tral Bank conducted a themed inspection of lenders’ compliance with the CCMA.

The purpose of the inspection was to examine lenders’ processes for dealing with borrowers and to ensure that lenders can demonstrate full compliance with the letter and spirit of the 61 Questions - Written Answers CCMA. As part of the inspection, the Central Bank inspected seven lenders under the four key areas of ‘resolution of arrears in a timely manner’, ‘transparency of borrower communications’, ‘fair process’ and ‘process improvement and controls’.

Formal supervisory requirements, with specific timelines for remediation, were imposed on those lenders where the Central Bank identified risks to borrowers.

The Central Bank operates an assertive risk based approach to supervision which is supported by a credible threat of enforcement. The Central Bank’s enforcement strategy is aimed at promoting principled and ethical behaviour in regulated entities and those that work in such entities. The Central Bank will take appropriate action where regulated entities and/or individuals fall short of those expected standards of behaviour.

The Central Bank’s Enforcement division uses a wide range of tools to take action against regulated entities and/or individuals which fall short of our expected standards of behaviour including Administrative Sanctions, Fitness and Probity investigations and other enforcement tools.

20/11/2018WRE04000Tax Reliefs Application

20/11/2018WRE04100179. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Ques- tions Nos. 158, 164 and 169 to 171, inclusive, of 13 November 2018, if the changes mentioned will be introduced by primary or secondary legislation or without legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48282/18]

20/11/2018WRE04200Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Revenue have an on-going review of their concessionary flat rate expenses practice to ensure that the expenses granted remain justified & appropriate to modern day employments & work practices.

As a result, I am aware that the intention to update the practice was communicated to certain sectors and I have been advised by Revenue that the effective date for implementation of the changes referred to in the previous replies to parliamentary questions identified by the Deputy has been deferred to 1 January 2020. This approach will ensure that any changes that may be made to the flat rate expenses regime do not impact on any specific group earlier than the rest.

Revenue are independent in the administration of the tax code, but I understand that the flat rate expenses regime is an additional concessionary practice operated by Revenue where both specific commonality of expenditure exists across an employment category, and the statutory requirement for the tax deduction as set out in section 114 of the of the Taxes Consolidation Act (TCA) 1997 is satisfied.

It is important to be clear that there has been no change to the general rule set out in legislation that says that all employees are entitled to claim a deduction under section 114 TCA 1997 in respect of an expense incurred wholly, exclusively and necessarily in the performance of the duties of their employment, to the extent which the expenses are not reimbursed by the employer. This means that all employees remain entitled to claim deductions for valid and specific expenses incurred.

As a result, any change to a particular flat rate expense does not require a change to either primary or secondary legislation but results in an update to the relevant Tax and Duty Manual, which is available on the Revenue website.

The purpose of the regime is to simplify administration where the specific legislative criteria

62 20 November 2018 is met to help both the taxpayer and Revenue, by making it easier for large groups of employees working in the same sector to avail of their entitlement to tax relief in respect of expenses incurred in the performance of their employment duties.

Revenue have advised that any revisions to their administrative practice will only take place after engagement with the relevant representative body and won’t take effect before 1 January 2020.

20/11/2018WRE04300Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRE04400180. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his De- partment; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48299/18]

20/11/2018WRE04500Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): My Department has carried out a number of advertising campaigns to promote specific policies or programmes being implemented by my Department over the past five years. The following table sets out the campaigns or relevant programmes and associated total costs, in tabular form:

Year Advertising campaign to pro- The campaign or relevant Cost mote Departmental policies or programme programmes 2018 Switch Your Bank media cam- Switch Your Bank* media €351,165 (not including paign Phase 2 campaign Phase 2 €51,045, as indicated for 2017 below) 2017-2018 Supporting SME Online Tool SME Online Tool €13,318.94 Media Campaign 2017 Public information notice regard- AIB IPO Retail Offering €91,202.04 ing AIB IPO Retail Offering Information** Information 2017 Graphic design of poster and Awareness of availability €480 leaflet following transposition of payment accounts with of the European Union (Payment basic features Accounts) Directive 2017 Switch Your Bank media cam- Switch Your Bank* media €664,035.59 (not including paign – Phase 1 campaign – Phase 1 €49,282.41 for 2015-2016 below) 2017 Switch Your Bank media cam- Switch Your Bank* media €54,735 (of which €51,045 paign – Phase 2 campaign – Phase 2 was paid in January 2018) 2016 Switch Your Bank media cam- Switch Your Bank* media €73,964.41 (of which paign – Phase 1 campaign – Phase 1 €49,282.41 was paid in Janu- ary 2017) 2015-2016 Online Media Campaign for Sup- SME Online Tool € 49,781.00 porting SME Online Tool

*The cost of the Switch your Bank campaign is fully recoupable by AIB and Permanent TSB in the context of their restructuring plans. These costs relate to a Public awareness campaign as part of a range of competition measures agreed with the European Commission to raise awareness and promote customer switching of financial products.

** During the IPO of AIB, my Department incurred a cost of €91,202.04 to publish a public

63 Questions - Written Answers information notice in the largest Irish broadsheet weekly and Sunday newspapers. The announcement related to the availability of AIB shares through a Retail Offering, and how interested investors could engage with intermediary stockbrokers if they wanted to place an order for shares. The costs related to this project were incurred by my Department but paid for by the NTMA and later recouped from AIB.

20/11/2018WRE04600Insurance Costs

20/11/2018WRE04700181. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Finance the legislative proposals he plans to publish in relation to necessary insurance reform; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48338/18]

20/11/2018WRE04800Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): As the Deputy is aware, the Cost of Insurance Working Group was established in July 2016 to identify and examine the drivers of the cost of insurance and to recommend short, medium and long term measures, legislative and otherwise, to address the issue of increasing insurance costs, taking account of the requirement for the need to ensure a financially stable insurance sector.

The Working Group published its Report on the Cost of Motor Insurance in January 2017 and made 33 recommendations, along with a detailed Action Plan. This was followed in Janu- ary of this year with a Report on the Cost of Public and Employer liability Insurance which made 15 recommendations and included its own Action Plan. The Personal Injuries Commis- sion, which was established on foot of a recommendation of the Motor Report, has itself also delivered two reports which make a further 14 recommendations aimed at positively impacting the overall Irish claims environment.

Across the reports, legislative steps were recommended in a number of areas. Progress on the legislative measures taken by my Department to date are detailed below.

- The Insurance (Amendment) Act 2018 was enacted in July 2018 as part of the Implementa- tion of the Review of the Framework for Motor Insurance Compensation in Ireland;

- The Central Bank (National Claims Information Database) Bill 2018 was published in July and is currently being considered in the Oireachtas. It is scheduled to undergo Committee Stage on 29 November. This will also include proposed amendments to Section 8 and Section 14 of the Civil Liability and Courts Act 2004, following agreement with the Minister for Justice and Equality;

- The Insurance Distribution Directive was transposed in June 2018.

- The Department of Finance is also considering legislative measures in respect of Recom- mendation 8 of the Motor Report (developing a protocol for policyholders to be notified of claims made against them before settlement) and the equivalent recommendation from the EL/ PL Report as this appears the only feasible solution to achieve the recommendation in the absence of an agreement with industry on a protocol.

- The report of the Cost of Insurance Working Group also makes legislative recommendations addressed to other Departments and Agencies, including:

- the enhancement of the powers of the Personal Injuries Assessment Board, through the PIAB (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill 2018, which completed Second Stage in the Dáil on 8 Novem- ber;

64 20 November 2018 - the Central Bank to consider amending the relevant regulations regarding communications between insurers and consumers, with regard to premium information and renewal notice periods. Consultations have concluded on this and the Bank is finalising its considerations in advance of proposing an amending statutory instrument;

- the consideration by the Department of Justice and Equality of measures necessary to implement Pre-Action Protocols for personal injury cases;

- the preparation of criminal justice legislation, if required, by the Department of Justice and Equality, to implement a fully functioning integrated insurance fraud database. It has not yet been established if legislation is required in this regard; and

- the requirement for insurance companies to provide the driver licence number as part of work to establish a fully functioning database to identify uninsured drivers, through a proposed amendment of the Road Traffic Act 2016, which is currently being considered by the Depart- ment of Transport, Tourism and Sport, as part of the broader review of the database work.

Finally, I would note that the recommendations of the Personal Injuries Commission, with regard to establishing the Judicial Council, will require the progression of the Judicial Council Bill 2017 through the Houses of the Oireachtas. This Bill, which is currently awaiting Com- mittee Stage in Seanad Éireann, is a legislative priority for the Government. I am informed by the Department of Justice and Equality that the intention is to make significant progress towards the enactment of the Bill by the end of this year. The Minister for Justice and Equality and his Department are currently examining the form which an appropriate amendment to the Bill would take and the options in that regard.

Should the Deputy require further detail on the above, he should consult the Cost of Insur- ance Working Group’s seventh quarterly update which was published recently and is available on my Department’s website: https://www.finance.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/7th- Progress-Update-Q3-2018-Focus-003.pdf

20/11/2018WRE04900Banking Sector

20/11/2018WRE05000182. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Finance if his attention has been drawn to the fact that when asked to act as a third party authority on behalf of constituents regarding banking issues, some banks requested a copy of this Deputy’s driver licence or passport (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48389/18]

20/11/2018WRE05100Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): I, as Minister for Finance, have no statutory role in relation to the matter referred to in the question and I was not aware of this issue.

Lending institutions in Ireland are independent commercial entities and operational matters are a matter for the Board and Management of each bank. It is up to the bank in question what identification they ask for when dealing with a third party or dealing with a Deputy on behalf of a constituent.

On the issue more generally, in the area of financial services legislation, section 33 of the Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010, as amended (“the Act”), sets out obligations in relation to the identification and verification of customers and beneficial owners. Section 33(2) sets out the following measures that shall be applied by designated persons (which include banks and credit unions):

“(a) identifying the customer, and verifying the customer’s identity on the basis of docu-

65 Questions - Written Answers ments (whether or not in electronic form), or information, that the designated person has rea- sonable grounds to believe can be relied upon to confirm the identity of the customer, including -

(i) documents from a government source (whether or not a State government source), or (ii) any prescribed class of documents, or any prescribed combination of classes of documents;”.

It is important to note that the Act is not prescriptive as to what documentation and information a designated person must obtain, or the methods by which such documentation and information should be gathered, in order to comply with its customer due diligence obligations. A designated person may apply the measures that it deems appropriate in accordance with the designated person’s own risk based approach; however, the designated person must ensure that the measures applied adhere to the legislative requirements under the Act. The Act also requires designated persons to keep such documents or information used for the purpose of identification and verification up to date.

20/11/2018WRE05200Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman

20/11/2018WRE05300183. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Finance the recourse open to persons in cases in which a decision of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman has not been implemented by the financial services provider; the number of such cases in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48402/18]

20/11/2018WRE05400Minister for Finance (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Firstly, I must point out the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman (FSPO) is independent in the performance of his statutory functions. I have no role in the day to day workings of the office.

I have been advised by the FSPO that cases where a decision of the Ombudsman has not been implemented by the relevant financial services provider or pension provider are governed by Section 65 of the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman Act 2017. Section 65 (1) states that where a financial service provider or a pension provider fails or refuses to comply with a decision of the Ombudsman, within the period, or by the date, specified in the decision - the Circuit Court shall, on application to it on that behalf by:—

(a) the Ombudsman, as he or she sees fit, or

(b) the complainant in whose favour the decision was made,

make an order.

The Ombudsman has also informed me that his experience to date has been that non-compliance by providers to the terms of an FSPO decision is extremely rare. In the past 5 years, there are less than 5 examples of non-compliance of this nature.

20/11/2018WRE05500National Monuments

20/11/2018WRE05600184. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform when the Office of Public Works will commence works at a castle (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47793/18]

20/11/2018WRE05700Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Liscarroll Castle is a National Monument in State care and is maintained by the Office of PublicWorks.

66 20 November 2018 Some works have already been undertaken at the Castle, most significantly, an abutting building (an old garage) has been removed. The next major task relates to the removal of the underground petrol storage tanks and this is being planned currently in conjunction with the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, which is the legal owner of the property and which is responsible for providing the formal Ministerial Consent required under the National Monuments Acts before any work can be initiated.

There are a number of relevant factors to be considered before the project can be started, including archaeology and potential environmental pollution from the tank residue. Addition- ally however, there are signs of loose and unstable masonry at high levels of the Castle which is a significant health and safety concern and which needs to be resolved. The structure must be consolidated before substantial works on the tank removal can be undertaken. Currently, OPW is procuring a structural engineering consultant to advise on this aspect and to assist in developing a works solution.

Given competing priorities and limited resources available, it is not possible to say at this stage when work might commence on site, but it is hoped that significant progress will be made in 2019.

20/11/2018WRE05800National Broadband Plan

20/11/2018WRE05900185. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the impact on the national development plan if the tendering process for the national broadband plan is cancelled and an alternative roll-out plan is initiated; the amount of extra resources that would be required for the national broadband plan; the body the savings would be obtained from within the national development plan resource allocations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47907/18]

20/11/2018WRE06000Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): It would not be appropriate to comment or speculate on the National Broadband Plan (NBP) at this juncture in advance of the Government having considered the matter.

The Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment is currently evalu- ating the final tender received under the existing procurement process.

Separately, the Taoiseach has asked Mr Peter Smyth, the independent process auditor to the NBP procurement, to review the process. Mr. Smyth will submit a report to the Taoiseach and to the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment. Mr Smyth’s review is taking place in parallel with the evaluation being carried out by that Department’s procurement team on the final tender mentioned above.

20/11/2018WRF00200Flood Relief Schemes Status

20/11/2018WRF00300186. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the status of a number of proposed flood risk management schemes in locations (details supplied); when the OPW will provide further details to the local authority with regard to the design and construction of these schemes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48094/18]

20/11/2018WRF00400Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): The Catch- ment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme was the largest ever flood risk study carried out in the State and covered 300 areas believed to be at significant

67 Questions - Written Answers flood risk. The CFRAM programme culminated with the launch on 3rd May, 2018 of 29 flood risk management plans which proposed 118 new outline flood relief projects on top of the 42 major projects already completed and the 33 major schemes within the existing capital works programme of the Office of Public Works (OPW). In that regard funding of €257 million for an initial phase of 50 flood relief projects throughout the country was also announced which would be progressed to detailed design and construction, including the five largest schemes identified in the Plans and 31 small projects under €1 million which will be progressed directly by local authorities.

The proposed flood relief schemes at Downings, with an estimated cost of €870,000 and Carrowkeel (Kerrykeel), with an estimated cost of €30,000 are included in the 31 small projects under €1 million, and will be progressed directly by Donegal County Council with full funding from the OPW.

The proposed projects for Ramelton, Letterkenny and Rathmullan are not part of the first phase of projects to be advanced, but the OPW and Donegal County Council will work closely to ensure that they will be commenced in the coming years and within the 10-year timeframe for the programme of investment.

Further details on the design of the proposed schemes will emerge as the projects are developed through detailed design.

The OPW has set up frameworks of consultants which the local authorities may use to progress the design of each project and which will help to speed up the process to construction. Once consultants are appointed to progress these schemes, consultation with statutory and non- statutory bodies as well as the general public will take place at the appropriate stages to ensure good public participation in their development.

20/11/2018WRF00500Carbon Budget

20/11/2018WRF00600187. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the reason the revised public spending code recommends that the shadow price of carbon is set at the December 2017 level at €7.29 per tonne in project appraisals up to 2019, in view of the fact that the cost of carbon credits in the EU Emissions Trading System has risen significantly in the past few months to nearly €20; if the recommended shadow price will be revised upwards; and if he will amend the public spending code guidance document E5. [48145/18]

20/11/2018WRF00700Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): Facing challenging and legally binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, it is imperative that the assessment of public investment projects include an appropriate valuation of the cost that society will bear in dealing with the increased greenhouse gas emissions a project might give rise to.

Under the National Mitigation Plan, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform committed to “undertake a review of guidance on public expenditure appraisal and evaluation to ensure their suitability to capturing key costs and benefits of climate measures”. This review has now been published for public consultation (6 November).

The review concluded that the model currently in use for pricing carbon in the Public Spend- ing Code is outdated. A new model has been proposed that values future greenhouse gas emissions according to a shadow price of carbon that is based on the estimated marginal cost that will be faced by society in achieving Ireland’s legally binding 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target.

68 20 November 2018 In practical terms, this means a new shadow price of carbon for non-ETS emissions of €32 per tonne in 2020, rising by €6.80 a year to reach €100 per tonne by 2030. Beyond 2030, it is proposed that the shadow price of carbon will simply rise linearly by 5% a year. This means that the shadow price of carbon rises to €128 for 2035, €163 for 2040, €208 for 2045 and €265 for 2050.

In 2019, the price that will be applied to non-ETS emissions is the current value of the carbon tax - €20 per tonne of greenhouse gas emissions.

For any elements of projects that will effect emissions in sectors of the economy covered by the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), the shadow price of carbon will continue to be based on the estimated future value of allowances in the ETS. These values will be calculated according to the average of observed market values from public exchanges. At the time of the consultation papers publication, the projected value of an ETS allowance for delivery in March 2019 was €17.37.

The closing date for this consultation paper is 14th December 2018. Subject to the views received in this process, it is intended that the revised Public Spending Code will apply to all cost benefit analyses conducted from early 2019 onwards.

20/11/2018WRF00800Carbon Budget

20/11/2018WRF00900188. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will require all projects under the NDP to be appraised using a shadow price of carbon in view of the fact that the current EU Emissions Trading System price of nearly €20 may serve as a guide to assessing the long-term climate impacts of NDP investments. [48146/18]

20/11/2018WRF01000Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): The appraisal requirements for public expenditure projects and programmes are set out in the Public Spending Code. The Public Spending Code is the set of rules, procedures, and guidance to ensure Value for Money in public expenditure across the Irish Public Service. All relevant guidance material and requirements are presented together, through a unified web-portal at https://publicspend- ingcode.per.gov.ie/ Exchequer funded capital projects under the National Development Plan must be appraised in line with the requirements set out in the Public Spending Code.

The Public Spending Code stipulates that every spending proposal should be appraised carefully but the resources spent on appraisal should be commensurate with the cost of the projects or expenditure proposals. Projects over €5 million should be subjected to an economic appraisal. For projects from €5 million to €20 million, this should take the form of a Multi-Criteria Analysis and projects over €20 million should be subjected to a Cost Benefit Analysis or Cost Effectiveness Analysis. Section E of the Public Spending Code sets out the key technical and parameter values for conducting economic appraisals including the shadow price of carbon.

Shadow prices are used in appraisal where the use of market prices to value the cost of project inputs and outcomes does not reflect opportunity costs due to market failures. The current guidance on how to apply the shadow price of carbon in economic appraisal of projects can be found in Section E5 of the Public Spending Code.

The Public Spending Code is updated from time to time to ensure that it continues to reflect current best practice. It is currently being reviewed. As part of this review, a research paper on the central appraisal technical parameters, i.e. the discount rate, time horizon, shadow price of public funds and shadow price of labour was published in October 2018.

69 Questions - Written Answers A public consultation on the shadow price of carbon was also published on 6th November 2018 as part of the current review. The consultation presents the results of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform’s review of the guidance on public expenditure appraisal to ensure its suitability to capture key costs and benefits of climate measures as committed to under the National Mitigation Plan.

The Department’s review concluded that the model currently in use for pricing carbon in the Public Spending Code is outdated. A new model has been proposed that values future greenhouse gas emissions according to a shadow price of carbon that is based on the estimated marginal cost that will be faced by society in achieving Ireland’s legally binding 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target.

The closing date for this consultation paper is 14th December 2018. Subject to the views received in this process, it is intended that the revised Public Spending Code will apply to all economic appraisals conducted from early 2019 onwards.

20/11/2018WRF01100Carbon Budget

20/11/2018WRF01200189. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he will devise and use a carbon budget methodology to ensure that Government spending and tax policies are in line with the required reductions in greenhouse gasses in order to meet the national transition objective and EU climate and energy targets for 2030. [48148/18]

20/11/2018WRF01300Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): My Depart- ment’s role is to deliver well-managed and well-targeted public spending. When it comes to climate change that means ensuring that Ireland’s climate transition is achieved at the lowest possible cost and that it is done so in a manner which is equitable.

A Carbon Budget places a legal restriction on the amount of greenhouse gas a country or sector can produce in a given time period. The development of specific climate action policies, such as the potential introduction of carbon budget methodologies, is a matter for the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and the Environment in the first instance. However, a sustained whole of Government approach will be required to enable Ireland’s transition to a low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050. In this context, the National Mitigation Plan and Minister Bruton’s forthcoming multi-annual, all-of-government plan for climate action represent important steps towards mainstreaming the climate change agenda into the policy formulation and decision making processes across all of Government.

I am, together with my Department, committed to assisting in this transition. My Depart- ment is currently undertaking a number of actions in order to help mainstream the climate change agenda into policy formulation and decision making processes across all of Govern- ment. For example, my Department is currently reviewing the Public Spending Code to ensure that all Government investment decisions will incorporate an appropriate assessment of the climate consequences of those decisions. I recently accepted an invitation from the OECD to join the Paris Collaborative on Green Budgeting. Participation in the Collaborative will help us to integrate environmental and climate outcome based reporting into our annual budgetary processes. This will be an iterative process but, as a first step, this year’s Revised Estimates Volume (REV) will include a table on climate related expenditure in a separate section of that report.

Finally, taxation policy also has an important role in supporting climate change policy. In this regard, there are already several established tax measures which support the reduction in national carbon emissions, in particular the carbon tax, the CO2 based Vehicle Registration Tax,

70 20 November 2018 the CO2 based motor tax, tax incentives which incentivise the uptake of electric and hybrid electric vehicles, and an Accelerated Capital Allowances Scheme which incentivises the uptake of cleaner energy technologies.

It is my intention that the current suite of environmental taxes continue to play an important role in supporting climate change policy.

20/11/2018WRF01400Public Sector Staff Retirements

20/11/2018WRF01500190. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the progress of the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018; when the Bill will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48175/18]

20/11/2018WRF01600191. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018 will be enacted before the end of 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48227/18]

20/11/2018WRF01700Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (Deputy Paschal Donohoe): I propose to take Questions Nos. 190 and 191 together.

The Public Service Superannuation (Age of Retirement) Bill 2018 was published on Mon- day 9 July. It passed all stages in the Seanad on Tuesday 17 July and completed Second Stage in the Dáil on 7 November. The Bill is provisionally scheduled for Committee Stage in the Dail on 11 December. Ultimately scheduling of time for the enactment of legislation is a matter for the Oireachtas itself through the Business Committee, but my intention is to ensure enactment as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRF01900School Services Staff

20/11/2018WRF02000192. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale for the decision to change the 1978 scheme to the grant-based scheme in 1992, under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress, which negatively impacted upon some school secretaries who have no pension entitlements and are treated differently than those, for example, employed by the education and training boards. [47935/18]

20/11/2018WRF02100Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): A scheme for clerical staff in schools was initiated in April 1978 as part of the then Government’s job-creation programme, with a similar scheme for caretakers introduced in 1979 whereby staff employed on these schemes were paid directly by the Department. However, on foot of a Government decision of the 22 October 1982 to phase out these schemes, no new appointments were permitted and this decision was conveyed to schools at the time. While certain vacancies on the schemes were filled in subsequent years, the schemes were withdrawn completely in 2008.

The original 1978/79 schemes covered a relatively small number of primary and secondary schools and the decision to phase them out was part of a policy decision to spread the support more widely and ultimately cover all primary and secondary schools with funding for such services. Negotiations took place in the context of the introduction of new arrangements for the provision of clerical and caretaking assistance for schools under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress. A final agreement was reached between the Department and the unions to allow for implementation of the new arrangements.

As the 1978 and 1979 schemes were being phased out, they were superseded by these more 71 Questions - Written Answers extensive capitation grant schemes. Under these schemes, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Within the schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the capitation grant funding to employ a secretary or caretaker, such staff are employees of individual schools.

My Department has recently made significant efforts to improve the pay of School Secretar- ies and Caretakers who are employed using capitation grant assistance. In 2015 my Department engaged with the Unions representing school secretaries on negotiations and agreed to enter an independent arbitration process on the issue. The Arbitrator recommended a cumulative pay increase of 10% between 2016 and 2019 for school secretaries and caretakers comprehended by the terms of the arbitration process and that a minimum hourly pay rate of €13 for such staff be phased in over the period 2016 to 2019. Following the arbitration process, grant funding used by schools to fund the salaries of ancillary staff is being improved on a phased basis between 2016 and 2019 in order to enable schools to implement the arbitration outcome.

I am personally very much aware of this as an issue and the important role that School Sec- retaries and Caretakers play in the running of schools.

20/11/2018WRF02200Autism Support Services

20/11/2018WRF02300193. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the development of an autism unit for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47667/18]

20/11/2018WRF02400Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The delivery of a two classroom ASD unit for the school to which the Deputy refers was devolved for delivery to the local Education and Training Board (ETB) in December 2016. Subsequent to this approval, the ETB submitted a request to my Department to double the size of the Unit to four classrooms. My Department approved this request on 15 November 2018. The project did not proceed as originally envisaged as a result of the request from the ETB to double the size of the unit and the difficulties in finding a suitable location on site for the larger building due to the restrictive nature of the site.

The ETB has confirmed that it is a position to enrol pupils for September 2019 using existing accommodation and temporary accommodation pending the delivery of the permanent accommodation.

20/11/2018WRF02500Summer Works Scheme Applications

20/11/2018WRF02600194. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of funding for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47684/18]

20/11/2018WRF02700Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I am pleased to confirm to the Deputy that the school to which he refers has been approved funding in line with the request submitted by it for a Summer Works Scheme project.

20/11/2018WRF02800School Accommodation Provision

72 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRF02900195. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a decision has been made on an application for additional accommodation by a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47685/18]

20/11/2018WRF03000Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The Deputy will be aware that approval in principle has been given to deliver substantial additional accommodation at the school to which he refers.

It is acknowledged that this project will involve complex and careful master-planning of the site and in this regard, a project brief for the school is currently being finalised.

In that regard, my Department will continue to liaise with the school’s patron, Kerry Educa- tion and Training Board, in respect of progressing the project into the Architectural Planning process.

20/11/2018WRF03100School Inspection Reports

20/11/2018WRF03200196. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a full financial audit will be carried out on a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47690/18]

20/11/2018WRF03300197. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will address a matter regarding concerns that were raised with his Department in November 2017 in relation to a school (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47691/18]

20/11/2018WRF03400Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 197 together.

The Department received correspondence regarding this school in November 2017. This outlined a number of alleged concerns regarding various issues within the school.

The inspector has conducted a number of inspections in this school during 2018. The De- partment has considered the report on these inspections.

It is intended to undertake further action in the near future, which may include a review of the financial accounts pertaining to the school.

20/11/2018WRF03600School Accommodation Provision

20/11/2018WRF03700198. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills further to Par- liamentary Question No. 66 of 7 November 2018, the timeline for the new accommodation to be provided for a school (details supplied) in view of the fact that the lease on its temporary premises expires in April 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47693/18]

20/11/2018WRF03800Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): As the Deputy is aware, a major capital project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is being addressed through my Department’s Capital Programme.

73 Questions - Written Answers initiating architectural planning for the project, my Department is liaising with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. My Department will also continue to liaise with the school’s Patron in this regard.

20/11/2018WRF03900Schools Building Projects

20/11/2018WRF04000199. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the rationale behind the decision to provide the first of three new primary schools in Donabate on a site (details supplied) which is in contravention of the Donabate local area plan; the cost benefit analysis on the site which is privately owned compared to another site which is publicly owned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47757/18]

20/11/2018WRF04100Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): As you are aware, the Minis- ter recently announced the opening of 42 new schools over the next 4 years. This announcement followed nationwide demographic exercises carried out by the Department into the current and future need for primary and post-primary school places across the country. A new primary school to serve Donabate was part of that announcement.

A site identification and acquisition process is currently underway in respect of this new school, with the assistance of Fingal County Council under the Memorandum of Under- standing for the acquisition of school sites. No decision has yet been made regarding its location.

The designated school site at Corballis is one of those under consideration as this Depart- ment’s engagement with Fingal County Council has identified this development as likely to ma- terialise significantly in advance of the proposed development at Ballymastone, within which the Spires East site is located. As you may be aware, significant infrastructural works at Corbal- lis are being funded under the Local Infrastructure Housing Activation Fund which are intended to facilitate the development of approximately 1200 residential units by 2021. The requirement for school places that is anticipated to emerge from this development at Corballis contributed significantly to the decision to open the new school in Donabate.

With regard to the Ballymastone development, the Department is in engagement with Fingal County Council regarding school site provision within those lands in order to meet the expected school place requirements that will be generated by that future development.

In the interim, work on the acquisition of a site to accommodate the new school will continue and its location will be announced as soon as it is possible to do so.

20/11/2018WRF04200School Services Staff

20/11/2018WRF04300200. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of school secretaries employed under the 1978 scheme as of 30 September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47783/18]

20/11/2018WRF04400Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): A scheme was initiated in 1978/79 for the employment of Clerical Officers in primary and post primary schools.

Currently there are 156 primary and 111 post primary whole time equivalent Clerical Of- ficers (School Secretaries) employed in schools under the 1978 scheme and paid through my Department’s payroll.

74 20 November 2018 The 1978/79 scheme has been superseded by a more extensive capitation grant scheme towards the funding of ancillary services in schools which is also operated within my Department.

20/11/2018WRF04500School Services Staff

20/11/2018WRF04600201. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the actions taken to date to identify and address issues in funding school secretaries and caretakers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47784/18]

20/11/2018WRF04700Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Though schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in primary and secondary schools, where staff employed on these schemes are paid directly by the Department, these schemes have been largely phased out and have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes.

Under these schemes, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Within the schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the capitation grant funding to employ a secretary or caretaker, such staff are employees of individual schools.

I am personally very much aware of this as an issue and the important role that School Sec- retaries and Caretakers play in the running of schools.

20/11/2018WRF04800Third Level Staff

20/11/2018WRF04900202. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Education and Skills the specific thematic areas within the sciences and humanities that will be funded further to the announcement of women-only professorships; and the funding agency that will be tasked with the cost of this policy. [47787/18]

20/11/2018WRF05000Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Under the Senior Academic Leadership Initiative for the Higher Education sector, a total of 45 new and additional female- specific senior academic positions will be created. This initiative responds to the significant under representation of women at this level in the sector. These posts would be provided in disciplines where there is clear evidence of significant female gender under-representation, and will be funded through the Higher Education Authority.

A key requirements from the Higher Education Institutions in securing support under the Initiative will be a demonstration that gender equality objectives and targets are being success-

75 Questions - Written Answers fully prioritised to achieve real organisational and cultural change.

20/11/2018WRF05100Minor Works Scheme Data

20/11/2018WRF05200203. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills the moneys allocated to all schools as part of the minor works grant scheme in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47789/18]

20/11/2018WRF05300Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Under the Grant Scheme for Minor Works the following amounts were issued to primary schools in the years 2011 to 2017:

2011 - €28.2m

2012 - Nil

2013 - €28m

2014 - €28.5m

2015 - €28.7m

2016 - €28.7m

2017 - €28.9m

On 14 September 2018, the announcement of the major package of investment in education under Project Ireland 2040 confirmed that, starting this year, all primary schools will receive the €29 million minor works grant in either December or early January of each school year.

The number of schools per county in receipt of the Minor Works Grant was published in December 2017 when the grant for the 2017/18 school year was announced. The same will be done for the 2018/19 school year. The detail of the 2017 announcement is available at: https:// www.education.ie/en/Press-Events/Press-Releases/2017-Press-Releases/PR2017-05-12.html

20/11/2018WRF05400Skills Development

20/11/2018WRF05500204. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Education and Skills when the vacant position of regional skills co-ordinator for counties Longford and Westmeath will be advertised. [47816/18]

20/11/2018WRF05600Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The vacant position for Re- gional Skills Forum Manager in the the Midlands Region which covers counties Longford Westmeath Laois and Offaly , was advertised on Sunday 9th September 2018 in the Sunday In- dependent. The vacancy was also advertised shortly afterwards on PublicJobs.ie. The deadline for receipt of completed applications was Friday 28th September 2018. Interviews have taken place and it is planned that the new Manager will commence in the role in early January 2019.

20/11/2018WRF05700Student Universal Support Ireland

20/11/2018WRF05800205. Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to change the rules governing SUSI by which it will fund a diploma course in an approved college 76 20 November 2018 of further education but not the subsequent degree course should a student choose to continue in their studies (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47851/18]

20/11/2018WRF05900Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I wish to advise the Deputy that the college to which she refers, is an approved Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) centre which is managed and funded by City of Dublin ETB. Post Leaving Certificate Centres provide further education courses up to Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). However, my Department has facilitated the provision of a visual media course accredited by the University of Dundee, as the equivalent of a Level 8 on the NFQ for a number of years and continues to do so as an exceptional measure.

Section 7 of the Student Support Act, 2011 outlines the position with regard to approved institutions for the purposes of student grants.

This particular PLC college is comprehended within Section 7(1)(d) of the Act as an education institution in the State in receipt of grants out of moneys provided by the Oireachtas for the provision of post-leaving certificate courses. I have no plans to designate further education centres as approved third level institutions for the purposes of the student grant scheme.

I understand that prospective students are informed of the absence of grant support for the degree courses before they apply for places and through the college website.

20/11/2018WRG00200School Equipment

20/11/2018WRG00300206. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he has received correspondence from a school (details supplied) in County Donegal; if a reply issued to the school; the assistance and supports that will be provided to the school authorities in respect of their request; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47863/18]

20/11/2018WRG00400217. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Education and Skills if funding will be made available to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48159/18]

20/11/2018WRG00500Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I propose to take Questions Nos. 206 and 217 together.

I can confirm that the correspondence referred to by the Deputies has been received in my Department and a response to it has issued. This correspondence was from a teacher in the school. The response sets out the procedure that the Board of Management of the school should follow in respect of a request for funding for the equipment in question.

20/11/2018WRG00600Special Educational Needs Service Provision

20/11/2018WRG00700207. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an autism spectrum disorder, ASD, unit will be opened in Clonmel town to accommodate students with ASD; the level of demand expected for places in an ASD unit in the next two years; the number of places in ASD units at primary and secondary level in Clonmel town; if the number of places is sufficient to meet demand for the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47933/18]

20/11/2018WRG00800208. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if an ASD unit will be opened in Cahir town to accommodate students with ASD; the level of demand expected 77 Questions - Written Answers for places in an ASD unit in the next two years; the number of places in ASD units at primary and secondary level in Cahir town; if the number of places is sufficient to meet demand for the next three years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47934/18]

20/11/2018WRG00900Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I propose to take Questions Nos. 207 and 208 together.

Funding for special education provision in 2018 will amount to some €1.75 billion, up 43% since 2011 and equivalent to 18.7% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training.

My Department’s policy is to provide for the inclusive education of children with special educational needs, including Autism (ASD), in mainstream school settings, unless such a placement would not be in the best interests of the child concerned, or the children with whom they will be educated.

The greater proportion of children with Autism attend mainstream classes, but some require the environment of a special class or special school. This decision is based on a recommendation contained within a professional assessment and in consultation with the NCSE.

Special school placements are provided for other students with ASD and very complex special needs who wouldn’t manage in a mainstream school even for part of the week.

The NCSE is responsible, through its network of Special Needs Organisers, for the development and delivery and co-ordination of education services to children with Special Educational Needs, including the establishment of special class and special school placements.

Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes from 548 in 2011 to 1,459 across the country now, of which 1,196 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes.

There are 3 special schools and 66 special classes attached to mainstream schools in Co. Tipperary. Of these, 8 are ASD early intervention classes, 32 are primary ASD classes and 18 are post primary ASD classes. The number of ASD special classes in Co. Tipperary have increased from 10 in 2011/2012 to 58 in 2018/2019. Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available on www.ncse.ie.

The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year in Co Tipperary, and where special provision is required it is planned and established to meet that need. I have arranged for the Deputy’s question on emerging need in the Clonmel and Cahir areas to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. My Department has no role in making determinations in this area.

20/11/2018WRG01100Schools Property

20/11/2018WRG01200209. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of progress on the lease held by a school (details supplied) from an organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47961/18]

20/11/2018WRG01300Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I wish to advise the Deputy that the owners of the property granted a lease to the Minister for Education and Skills which commenced on the 1st of November 2013. The Minister in turn granted a sub-lease to the school authority in question. The lease and sub-lease are in place until June 2024.

78 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRG01400School Accommodation Provision

20/11/2018WRG01500210. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if extra funding will be made available to a school (details supplied) in County Tipperary that has received additional accommodation funding for a new classroom but requires a new corridor and office space; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47971/18]

20/11/2018WRG01600Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I can confirm to the Deputy that in December 2017, my Department approved funding for the provision of one Mainstream Classroom ensuite and a User Assisted toilet at the school referred to.

Subsequently, on foot of a second application received from the school, the project was increased to include a S.E.T. room in June 2018.

The delivery of this project is at an early stage of architectural planning.

The Department considers that this accommodation is appropriate to meet the school’s requirements and in that regard, there are no further deficits of accommodation at the school.

20/11/2018WRG01700Schools Refurbishment

20/11/2018WRG01800211. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Education and Skills if there are specific supports available excluding summer works and emergency works for schools operating in older preserved buildings for refurbishments in view of the age and historical importance of the buildings in their communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47988/18]

20/11/2018WRG01900Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The Deputy will be aware that the National Development Plan (NDP) provides for an €8.4 billion investment in school buildings over the period 2018 to 2027 to deliver on NDP and National Planning Framework objectives through addressing the twin priorities of catering for demographics and ensuring a strengthened focus on refurbishment of existing school stock. Works of the nature referred to by the Deputy would be available for consideration within this funding. My Department’s immediate priority is to provide 20,000 new and replacement school places each year to ensure that every child has access to a school place.

20/11/2018WRG02000State Examinations Commission

20/11/2018WRG02100212. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the junior cycle English 2017 Chief Examiner’s Report was issued to all management authorities in the second-level school sector; if so, the date the report was issued; the means of communication used to issue the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48053/18]

20/11/2018WRG02200Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The State Examinations Com- mission has statutory responsibility for operational matters relating to the certificate examinations.

In view of this I have forwarded your query to the State Examinations Commission for direct reply to you.

20/11/2018WRG02300Schools Amalgamation

79 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRG02400213. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Education and Skills if a response will issue in relation to a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48068/18]

20/11/2018WRG02500Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I wish to confirm to the Depu- ty that a project for the schools in question is included on my Department’s Capital Programme. In this regard, the amalgamation of the two schools will be concluded on the delivery of the major project, which will necessitate the preparation of a project brief. In this context I can advise that site suitability will be considered as part of the process.

20/11/2018WRG02600Schools Building Projects Status

20/11/2018WRG02700214. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the full title of the lands for a school (details supplied) have been transferred from South Dublin County Council to his Department; if the transfer is not subject to planning permission; if so, the cost associated with this process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48078/18]

20/11/2018WRG02800Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I am pleased to inform the Deputy that full title to the lands for the school to which the Deputy refers transferred to my De- partment from South Dublin County Council on 17 August 2018, the date the sale closed. The acquisition was not subject to planning permission. Architectural planning for a new building for the school is currently underway.

20/11/2018WRG02900School Curriculum

20/11/2018WRG03000215. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills the procedure for children that opt out of studying religious studies; if changes will be made in 2019 to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48141/18]

20/11/2018WRG03100Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Under the Constitution and in accordance with Section 30 of the Education Act 1998, parents have a right to have their children opt out of religion if they so wish.

The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, includes a specific provision that, when commenced, will require school enrolment policies to include details of the school’s arrangements for any students who do not wish to attend religious instruction. This is an important measure which will help ensure transparency from the outset as to how a school will uphold the rights of parents and students in this regard.

The follow-up paper to the Report of the Forum on Patronage and Pluralism in the Primary Sector which was published in 2014 outlines good practice and options for promoting diversity in all schools. The paper gives an overview of different types of arrangements that schools have put in place to facilitate those pupils who wish to opt-out of religious education.

The paper encourages school authorities to consider their policies and practices and to review whether they are taking the steps necessary to welcome all pupils and make them feel included. I understand that in the case of catholic schools, the Catholic Schools Partnership subsequently published guidelines for catholic schools in relation to the inclusion of all pupils and that this also contains suggestions on how such schools can manage the “opt-out” of religious education.

These are important steps, which alongside the circulars published earlier this year by my 80 20 November 2018 Department for state multi-denominational schools, help to inform parents in an open and transparent way how their requests to have their children opt out of religious instruction are handled by schools.

20/11/2018WRG03200Special Educational Needs Service Provision

20/11/2018WRG03300216. Deputy Seamus Healy asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans for the provision of ASD units in primary schools in Clonmel town in the absence of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48144/18]

20/11/2018WRG03400Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Funding for special education provision in 2018 will amount to some €1.75 billion, up 43% since 2011 and equivalent to 18.7% of the gross overall current allocation for education and training.

Special school placements are provided for other students with ASD and very complex special needs who wouldn’t manage in a mainstream school even for part of the week.

Since 2011, the NCSE has increased the number of special classes from 548 in 2011 to 1,459 across the country now, of which 1,196 are Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) special classes.

There are 3 special schools and 66 special classes attached to mainstream schools in Co. Tipperary. Of these, 8 are ASD early intervention classes, 32 are primary ASD classes and 18 are post primary ASD classes. The number of ASD special classes in Co. Tipperary have increased from 10 in 2011/2012 to 58 in 2018/2019. Details of all special classes for children with special educational needs are available on www.ncse.ie.

The NCSE is aware of emerging need from year to year in Co Tipperary, and where special provision is required it is planned and established to meet that need. I have arranged for the Deputy’s question on emerging need in the Clonmel area to be forwarded to the NCSE for their attention and direct reply. My Department has no role in making determinations in this matter.

Question No. 217 answered with Question No. 206.

20/11/2018WRG03600Schools Building Projects Status

20/11/2018WRG03700218. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the commencement of building works for a school (details supplied); the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48161/18]

81 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRG03800Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): As the Deputy is aware, a major capital project to provide permanent accommodation for the school in question is being addressed through my Department’s Capital Programme.

It is envisaged that this accommodation will be provided through a campus arrangement with a local Institute of Further Education on its current site. This project will also include the redevelopment and provision of enhanced accommodation for the Institute. In the context of initiating architectural planning for the project, my Department is liaising with Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board. My Department will also continue to liaise with the school’s Patron in this regard.

20/11/2018WRG03900Traveller Education

20/11/2018WRG04000219. Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Education and Skills the progress that has been made in restoring the number of resource teachers for Travellers since 2010 when 600 of these posts were abolished; his views on the fact that the level of participation in education by Travellers in County Limerick is far lower than in the rest of the country; the measures being taken to address the matter; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these problems have increased in County Limerick; if the matter will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48174/18]

20/11/2018WRG04100Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to implementing initiatives to improve Traveller retention, participation and achievement in the Education System.

The policy of my Department in relation to Traveller education is underpinned by the Na- tional Traveller and Roma Integration Strategy (NTRIS) 2017 – 2021 which was developed in consultation with relevant stakeholders including Traveller representative groups. There are a number of actions under NTRIS aimed at improving traveller participation and engagement in schools nationwide. My Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and Equality and Tusla Educational Welfare Services in progressing a pilot programme which, if successful, will inform the development of a sustainable programme to address the gap in educational outcomes for children and young people from the Travelling and Roma communities in other regions including Limerick.

A key objective of Traveller education policy in recent years has been the phasing out of segregated Traveller provision and the inclusion of Traveller children and young people in mainstream education. Funding for segregated Traveller provision has been incorporated into overall school and other funding streams in order to provide supports for Traveller pupils in mainstream schools.

As the Deputy may be aware, DEIS Plan 2017 which was launched by my Department in June 2017 includes a number of specific actions to improve educational outcomes for Traveller children and young people in the education system.

The provision of learning support following the removal of the Resource Teachers for Trav- ellers (RTT) posts meant that Primary schools were allocated additional teaching resources to support children who require additional learning support provision through the General Al- location Model (GAM). Post-primary students, formerly supported by RTT hours, access the learning support service.

A number of schools in the Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools (DEIS) scheme had smaller class sizes as a result of enhanced Pupil Teacher Ratios. Up until 2011 Traveller 82 20 November 2018 pupils attending a DEIS school, but who were supported by an RTT, were not counted as part of the valid enrolment for the implementation of the enhanced pupil teacher ratios. When the Traveller pupils were no longer supported by RTTs, the compensatory measure proposed for DEIS schools was to apply the DEIS Band 1 pupil teacher ratios to include Traveller pupils, for the purposes of determining the level of mainstream teaching staff in the relevant DEIS schools. There is one post primary school with a Learning Support post in Limerick and there are 5 al- leviation posts in Limerick.

20/11/2018WRG04200DEIS Status

20/11/2018WRG04300220. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills the reason a school (details supplied) in County Donegal does not obtain delivering equality of education in schools, DEIS, status; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that all the surrounding schools within the same catchment area have successfully obtained DEIS status; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that similar socio-economic indicators and factors apply right across the catchment area and therefore there is no divergence of indicators which would lead to the school not receiving the required DEIS status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48237/18]

20/11/2018WRG04400Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): As the Deputy is aware, my Department has introduced an objective, statistics based model for assessing which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS Programme, so that all stakeholders can have confidence that we are targeting extra resources at those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage.

The calculation of the level of disadvantage in each school is based on the socio-economic background of their pupil cohort using centrally held data as previously outlined to the Deputy. It is not based on the location of the school but on the geographical CSO Small Areas where the pupil cohort resides. Therefore it is important to understand that the demographic of neighbouring schools will not necessarily be the same and can indicate different levels of disadvantage based on the actual pupil cohort in each individual school.

A detailed document explaining the methodology used in the Identification process is available on the Department’s website at https://www.education.ie/en/Schools-Colleges/Services/ DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Identification-Process.pdf

DEIS Plan 2017 states that the improved data on the socio-demographic of schools resulting from the new identification model will have an impact not only on the assessment of schools for inclusion in the programme but also on the scaling of resources to allow for more graduated levels of support. This in turn allows for the ultimate objective of allocating resources to best meet the identified need of individual schools.

In order to achieve this, the current identification model needs to be as accurate as possible and this will be facilitated by the use of Eircode to ensure correct inputting of addresses. Further analysis is also required to examine other variables known to be strong predictors of educational disadvantage in the context of resource allocation. Therefore, in order to ensure the quality of the address data and conduct further analysis, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools until this work is complete.

20/11/2018WRG04500School Services Staff

20/11/2018WRG04600221. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will put 83 Questions - Written Answers in place the mechanism to have all school secretaries and caretakers paid from the ancillary grant, put onto grade 3 or grade 4 dependent on whole-time equivalent teaching numbers as per circular 37/97 of his Department’s pay scale; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48250/18]

20/11/2018WRG04700Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Though schemes were initiated in 1978 and 1979 for the employment of Clerical Officers and Caretakers in primary and secondary schools, where staff employed on these schemes are paid directly by the Department, these schemes have been largely phased out and have been superseded by the more extensive capitation grant schemes.

Under these schemes, the majority of primary and voluntary secondary schools in the Free Education Scheme now receive assistance to provide for secretarial, caretaking and cleaning services. Within the schemes, it is a matter for each individual school to decide how best to apply the grant funding to suit its particular needs. Where a school uses the capitation grant funding to employ a secretary or caretaker, such staff are employees of individual schools.

I am personally very much aware of this as an issue and the important role that School Sec- retaries and Caretakers play in the running of schools.

20/11/2018WRG04800School Accommodation Provision

20/11/2018WRG04900222. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of an application for a school extension at a school (details supplied). [48260/18]

20/11/2018WRG05000Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I can confirm to the Deputy that an application has been received from the school in question in respect of additional accommodation. In that context I wish to advise that my Department has written to the school to invite them to a meeting, in the coming weeks, to discuss the matter further.

20/11/2018WRG05100Free Education Scheme

20/11/2018WRG05200223. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills if correspondence (details supplied) will be examined; if funding will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48261/18]

20/11/2018WRG05300Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Funding for all primary schools in the free education scheme is dealt with on a per capita basis.

The two main grants are the capitation grant to cater for day to day running costs such as heating, lighting, cleaning, insurance, general up-keep etc., and the ancillary services grant to cater for the cost of employing ancillary services staff. 84 20 November 2018 Schools are permitted to regard the capitation and ancillary services grants as a combined grant and Boards of Management have autonomy on how they use and prioritise this funding to meet their day to day running costs, including for the provision of secretarial and caretaker services.

There is no provision for additional payments outside of those outlined above.

I expect to make an announcement shortly with regard to the timing of the payment of the Minor Works Grant for the current school year.

20/11/2018WRG05400Protected Disclosures

20/11/2018WRG05500224. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Education and Skills the process that will be involved in dealing with a case of protected disclosure (details supplied); the bodies that will be involved in this process; the steps involved including indicative timeframes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48266/18]

20/11/2018WRG05600Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Officials from my Department met with the discloser in relation to further information the discloser wished to include as part of their original disclosure. The Discloser subsequently forwarded additional information for inclusion.

The discloser was advised that the Department was taking the disclosure seriously, that the information provided would be considered and that action would be taken where appropriate.

This process has not yet fully concluded.

My Department also outlined to the Discloser that this would take some time as a number of matters were raised and that it was not possible to accurately indicate how long this would take.

My Department will write to the Discloser when its consideration of the protective disclosure has been concluded.

20/11/2018WRG05700Residential Institutions

20/11/2018WRG05800225. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Education and Skills when it is planned that two survivors will be appointed to the board of Caranua to replace the two persons who resigned in February 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48283/18]

20/11/2018WRG05900Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I have now appointed two former residents to fill the vacancies that arose on the Board of Caranua. The vacancies were filled in accordance with the provisions of the Residential Institutions Statutory Fund Act 2012 and the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards.

Special Educational Needs Service Provision

20/11/2018WRHH00200226. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to ex- 85 Questions - Written Answers tend July provision eligibility to include children with Down’s syndrome; if his attention has been drawn to the evidence which exists that shows that such intervention has a number of educational and developmental benefits for those living with the condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48291/18]

20/11/2018WRHH00300Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I wish to assure the Deputy that ensuring that all children with special educational needs are supported and given the opportunity to reach their full potential is a key priority for this government.

Funding for special education provision in 2018 will amount to some €1.75 billion, up 43% since 2011 and equivalent to almost 19% of Department’s overall Budget.

The July provision scheme provides funding for an extended school year for students with severe or profound intellectual disabilities and students with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

The scheme was developed to reduce potential regression in learning associated with these specific categories of special education needs over the summer holidays. The scheme does not make provision for children with other categories of Special Education Needs.

The National Council for Special Education’s Policy Advice on Educational Provision for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders was published in July 2016.

In the course of preparing the advice, the NCSE consulted widely with a range of stakeholders including parents, teachers, academics, experts, psychologists, HSE officials and others.

The NCSE also reviewed relevant national and international research.

The Policy advice, which is available on the NCSE’s website, includes a review of the July Provision scheme.

The NCSE review found that in general parents value July provision because it provides day-time respite for families and a structured day for students. However, the NCSE review found a number of problems with the scheme as currently organised.

This include concerns that the scheme may be inequitable because it is not provided to all students with complex special educational needs.

The NCSE advised that in general, the scheme is not meeting its original objective which was to reduce possible regression in academic learning.

The Council recommended that the relevant Government Departments consider how an equitable national day activity scheme could be developed for all students with complex special educational needs.

The proposed scheme would provide a structured, safe, social environment for all students with complex special educational needs, which might include some children with Down syndrome.

My Department has convened an Implementation Group with representatives of the NCSE, NEPS, the Inspectorate and representatives from other Departments and agencies to ensure that the Report’s recommendations are fully and appropriately considered.

There are no plans to change the July provision scheme coverage until this work is complete.

Departmental Advertising Campaigns

86 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRHH00400227. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Education and Skills if his Depart- ment has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48302/18]

20/11/2018WRHH00500Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): For the Deputy’s information, the following table lists expenditure for the years 2014 to date in 2018, on advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by my Department.

PQ No: 48302/18

Year Department Policy/Programme Cost 2014 European Schools recruitment advertisements €4,159.89 2015 European Schools recruitment advertisements €8,000.18 2017 Advertising the Student Assistance Fund in Student Union handbooks. The €2,509.00 Student Assistance Fund is co-financed by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020 2017 Language Connect Awareness Raising Campaign (promotion of foreign €35,000.00 languages as part of Ireland’s Foreign Language Strategy). Implemented by Post-Primary Language Initiative (PPLI). 2018 Invitation for submission from interested persons and parties on the Review €4,219.32 of Out-of-School Education Provision 2018 Funding for a public awareness video about Youthreach which is co- €4,500.00 financed by the Irish Government and the European Social Fund as part of the ESF Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020

20/11/2018WRHH00550School Curriculum

20/11/2018WRHH00600228. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Education and Skills the steps he is taking to tackle an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48324/18]

20/11/2018WRHH00700Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The Department of Health leads on the implementation and oversight of the Obesity Policy and Action Plan which was published in 2016. My Department works very closely with the Department of Health in promoting the ‘Healthy Ireland’ agenda in schools and is represented on the Obesity Policy Implementa- tion Oversight Group and the National Physical Activity Plan Implementation Group.

Schools and the wider education sector have a vital role to play in contributing to the Gov- ernment’s ‘Healthy Ireland’ agenda.

All schools are required to deliver physical education as part of the curriculum. Healthy lifestyles guidance was issued to all schools and was developed in consultation with the Depart- ment of Health and the Health Service Executive. It aims to support and strengthen schools efforts in developing in young people the skills and attitudes needed to make informed decisions about their health.

Through their primary and post primary education students are equipped with the key skills and knowledge to enable them to make healthier life choices. Schools’ efforts should be complemented by students’ families and their community.

School Accommodation Provision

87 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRHH00800229. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of a project (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48330/18]

20/11/2018WRHH00900Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): As the Deputy will be aware, the school to which she refers operates under the patronage of the local Education and Training Board (ETB). The ETB has informed my Department that the long term accommodation needs of the school are being reviewed and that it will revert to my Department when this process has been completed.

Schools Building Projects Data

20/11/2018WRHH01000230. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the company contracted to deliver each school, the school name and the completion year of all schools completed in each of the years 2004 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48331/18]

20/11/2018WRHH01100Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): Please see in the following link, as requested by the Deputy, a list of all schools completed between 2004 and to date in 2018 including the name of the company contracted to deliver each school.

[Table]

Health and Safety

20/11/2018WRHH01200231. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if fire safety audits have been completed on schools completed by a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2004 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48332/18]

20/11/2018WRHH01300Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): My Department initiated a programme of fire safety assessments in 55 schools in Q4 2017. This involved 30 schools constructed by a contractor under Design and Build contracts and a representative sample of 25 other schools constructed over the last 20 year, two of which were constructed by the company referred to by the Deputy.

Fire Safety Consultants have visited all 55 schools and to date 51 initial Fire Safety Assess- ment reports have been received in my Department with the remaining 4 reports due in the coming weeks. Fire Safety Assessment reports in respect of the two schools which were constructed by the company referred to by the Deputy have been received in my Department and have been shared with the school, Patron and Fire Officer.

The Fire Safety Consultants have engaged directly with the fire officers in their respective local authorities to advise of remedial works planned and underway.

The reports identify various housekeeping, maintenance and remedial works to be addressed and my Department has engaged the services of KSN Project Managers with a full technical team including Architects, Engineers and Fire Safety Consultants, to organise and oversee any necessary remedial works.

Health and Safety

88 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRHH01400232. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills if he will report on the completion of fire safety audits for schools since September 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48333/18]

20/11/2018WRHH01500Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): My Department initiated a programme of fire safety assessments in 55 schools in Q4 2017. This involved 30 schools constructed by a contractor under Design and Build contracts and a representative sample of 25 other schools constructed over the last 20 years. Fire Safety Consultants have visited all 55 schools and to date 51 initial Fire Safety Assessment reports have been received in my Depart- ment with the remaining 4 reports due in the coming weeks. The Fire Safety Consultants have engaged directly with the fire officers in their respective local authorities to advise of remedial works planned and underway.

The reports identify various housekeeping, maintenance and remedial works to be addressed and the Department has engaged the services of KSN Project Managers with a full technical team including Architects, Engineers and Fire Safety Consultants, to organise and oversee any necessary remedial works.

Schools Building Projects Status

20/11/2018WRHH01600233. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the completion of remedial works at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48334/18]

20/11/2018WRHH01700Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The school in question should forward details of the issues and a request for an inspection of the building outlining the basis of their request, to officials in the School Building Unit who will review the submission and follow up as appropriate.

DEIS Status

20/11/2018WRHH01800234. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to introduce a fairer system of designating DEIS status on schools; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the current system does not allow for direct inputs from the school authorities or broader school community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48336/18]

20/11/2018WRHH01900Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): DEIS Plan 2017 was the cul- mination of more than 18 months of consultation and discourse with education partners and other stakeholders to ensure that identification of schools and future delivery of interventions is fully informed by the practical experience of teachers, parents, students and non-governmental organisations working on behalf of children at risk of educational disadvantage and their families

As the Deputy is aware, my Department has introduced an objective, statistics based model for assessing which schools merit inclusion in the DEIS Programme, so that all stakeholders can have confidence that we are targeting extra resources at those schools with the highest levels of concentrated disadvantage.

A detailed document explaining the methodology used in the Identification process under DEIS plan 2017 is available on the Department’s website at https://www.education.ie/en/ Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Iden-

89 Questions - Written Answers tification-Process.pdf

In order to achieve this, the current identification model needs to be as accurate as possible and this will be facilitated by the use of Eircode to ensure correct inputting of addresses. This work is ongoing at present. Further analysis is also required to examine other variables known to be strong predictors of educational disadvantage in the context of resource allocation. Therefore, in order to ensure the quality of the address data and conduct further analysis, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools until this work is complete.

DEIS Eligibility

20/11/2018WRHH02000235. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if the further analysis in relation to the criteria for inclusion of primary and post-primary schools in the DEIS programme has been finalised; when it is planned to confer schools with this status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48340/18]

20/11/2018WRHH02100Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): DEIS Plan 2017 was the cul- mination of more than 18 months of consultation and discourse with education partners and other stakeholders to ensure that identification of schools and future delivery of interventions is fully informed by the practical experience of teachers, parents, students and non-governmental organisations working on behalf of children at risk of educational disadvantage and their families

A detailed document explaining the methodology used in the Identification process under DEIS plan 2017 is available on the Department’s website at https://www.education.ie/en/ Schools-Colleges/Services/DEIS-Delivering-Equality-of-Opportunity-in-Schools-/DEIS-Iden- tification-Process.pdf

In order to achieve this, the current identification model needs to be as accurate as possible and this will be facilitated by the use of Eircode to ensure correct inputting of addresses. This work is ongoing at present. Further analysis is also required to examine other variables known to be strong predictors of educational disadvantage in the context of resource allocation. Therefore, in order to ensure the quality of the address data and conduct further analysis, it is not intended to extend the DEIS programme to any further schools until this work is complete.

90 20 November 2018 Student Universal Support Ireland Data

20/11/2018WRHH02200236. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SUSI applications that have been submitted in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the number awarded the full grant; the number awarded a part grant; the number declined respectively, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48341/18]

20/11/2018WRHH02300Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The data provided in the following table is in respect of students who were awarded a grant from SUSI the centralised grant awarding authority, which was established in 2012. It does not encompass data relating to the 66 awarding authorities who have continued to process renewal applications on a transistionary basis, as their data is not collated in the format requested by the Deputy.

The following table provides a breakdown of the awards for each of the academic years 2013/14 – 2018/19 (provisional) in the categories requested by the Deputy. Please note that not all students who are awarded a grant take up the grant for a variety of reasons e.g. deferral of course or repeating a year.

The data in the tables has been supplied to my Department by SUSI.

RATE 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 to date Awarded Full 42,103 53,441 59,847 60,891 59,290 56,926 Rate Awarded Part 17,752 21,813 24,167 23,219 22,784 21,402 Rate Refused 23,713 19,199 18,593 17,640 17,132 13,483 Cancelled 8,721 9,294 5,598 3,558 4,167 2,949 Work in 3,748 progress Total 92,289 103,747 108,205 105,308 103,373 98,508

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

20/11/2018WRHH02400237. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SUSI applications that were declined between 2013 and 2018; the number of these that were appealed; the number of successful appeals; the number of applications forwarded to the Students Grant Appeal Board and that were successful in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48342/18]

20/11/2018WRHH02500Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The data provided in the following table is in respect of students who were awarded a grant from SUSI the centralised grant awarding authority, which was established in 2012. It does not encompass data relating to the 66 awarding authorities who have continued to process renewal applications on a transistionary basis, as their data is not collated in the format requested by the Deputy.

The first table - SUSI Grants appeals provides a breakdown of applications for each of the academic years 2013/14 – 2018/19 (provisional) in the categories requested by the Deputy. The data in the tables has been supplied to my Department by SUSI.

The second table - Stats for PQ relating to the number of applications forwarded to the Students Grant Appeal Board and the number of successful appeals to the Board has been prepared by the Board’s administrative support team.

91 Questions - Written Answers 2.1 The number of applications declined (i.e. refused grants)

Applications to SUSI 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 23,713 19,199 18,593 17,640 17,132 13,483

2.2 The number of appeals - *Note - data on appeals was not disaggregated between appeals on declined applications and appeals on applications awarded grants (i.e. appeals for higher rate of grants)

Appeals to 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 SUSI* (@ 11.11.18) 6,525 4,148 5,805 5,483 5,042 4,105

2.3 The number of successful appeals

Appeal Outcomes 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19(@ 11.11.18)

Appeals Upheld 3,906 1,938 2,691 2,598 2,281 1,287 Appeals Refused 2,619 2,210 3,114 2,885 2,761 1,805 Total Appeals to SUSI 6,525 4,148 5,805 5,483 5,042 3,092

(balance of 1,013 to be finalised @11.11.18)

Appeals received by Student Grants Appeals Board from 1st Sept 2012 - 19th November 2018

Academic Year Total Appeals Received SGAB Successful Appeals 1st Sept 2012 - 31st August 2013 783 201 1st Sept 2013 - 31st August 2014 923 239 1st Sept 2014 - 31st August 2015 664 177 1st Sept 2015 - 31st August 2016 774 284 1st Sept 2016 - 31st August 2017 724 252 1st Sept 2017 - 31st August 2018 942 243 1st Sept 2018 - 13th November 2018 530 66

Student Universal Support Ireland Data

20/11/2018WRHH02600238. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills the number of SUSI applicants between 2013 and 2018, having been declined application and appeal that have brought a case to the High Court on a point of law which is the suggested next step by SUSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48343/18]

20/11/2018WRHH02700Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): If an individual applicant considers that s/he has been unjustly refused a student grant or that the rate of grant awarded is not the correct one, s/he may appeal, in the first instance, to SUSI.

Where an individual applicant has had an appeal turned down in writing by SUSI and remains of the view that the scheme has not been interpreted correctly in his/her case, an appeal form outlining the position may be submitted by the applicant to the independent Student Grants Appeals Board within the required timeframe. 92 20 November 2018 Following the full appeals process, a person who is aggrieved by a determination of the Ap- peals Board, can appeal to the High Court on a specified point of law under Section 21(6) of the Student Support Act 2011.

Between 2013 and 2018 a total of 9 applications have appealed to the High Court under Section 21(6) of the Student Support Act 2011.

Summer Works Scheme

20/11/2018WRHH02800239. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to approve projects under the summer works scheme; if so, when such approvals will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48404/18]

20/11/2018WRHH02900240. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Education and Skills if applications under the summer works scheme in the categories 7 to 10 will be considered in the next round of approvals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48405/18]

20/11/2018WRHH03000Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): I propose to take Questions Nos. 239 and 240 together.

Summer Works Scheme (SWS) 2016 -2017 was applied on a multi-annual basis. The Dep- uty will be aware that nearly 50% of schools applied for inclusion under the scheme which reflects a very high demand.

Almost €80 million has been approved to date under the SWS, in respect of over 640 school projects in categories 1 - 6. Details of the successful school applicants are published on my Department’s website www.education.ie.

As the Deputy will be aware, Project Ireland 2040 included an announcement of a major package of investment in education for the next decade with the school building budget increasing by 70%. This investment will provide for the continued increase in demographics while also allowing for a greater focus on refurbishment and upgrading of existing school stock. In that context my Department is processing the remaining categories of project under SWS 2016- 2017.

Schools Building Projects Status

20/11/2018WRHH03100241. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Education and Skills his plans to provide a new school for an area (details supplied); the status of the latest planning application for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48417/18]

20/11/2018WRHH03200Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Joe McHugh): The school building project is to provide a new 16 no. classroom school with a 2 no. classroom Special Needs Unit together with all ancillary accommodation on the St. Tiernan’s Community School site located at Parkvale, Balally, Dublin 16. An application for planning permission was lodged with Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council in September 2018. The decision from Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council was to refuse planning permission. My Department’s officials are currently reviewing this decision in consultation with planning advisors and technical team and assessing all options including the consideration of an appeal to An Bord Pleanála.

Road Traffic Accidents Data 93 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRHH03300242. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of road traffic accidents reported since January 2013 to date in areas (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47780/18]

20/11/2018WRHH03400Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): An Garda Síochána have informed me that, due to the manner in which such data is recorded on PULSE, it is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy as identifying the exact area and circumstances would necessitate a disproportionate expenditure of Garda time and resources.

I understand that local authorities hold collision data for regional and local roads, while collision data for national roads is mapped and collated by Transport Infrastructure Ireland.

Immigration Status

20/11/2018WRHH03500243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the consideration of information submitted to his Department and subsequently acknowledged on 21 March 2018 in the case of a person (details supplied); the steps now required to be taken in this case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47671/18]

20/11/2018WRHH03600Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.

These representations, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Immigration Status

20/11/2018WRHH03700244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress to date in the determination of an application under section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47676/18]

20/11/2018WRHH03800Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.

Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically 94 20 November 2018 established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.

Court Accommodation Provision

20/11/2018WRHH03900245. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the new proposed courthouse in Tralee, County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47688/18]

20/11/2018WRHH04000Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998, management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions.

However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has informed me that, as part of its provincial capital building programme, one of the objectives is to provide improved court accommodation in Tralee which is one of a number of provincial city/county town venues nationwide still requiring new or upgraded courthouse accommodation and collectively these venues will be the next priority for investment in courthouse facilities outside the capital.

The Courts Service has advised that it envisages a courthouse comprising four courtrooms and related facilities (consultation rooms, custody facilities, facilities for juries and vulnerable witnesses, and legal practitioner’s suites) as being required to meet current and future needs in Tralee and that this will require a building significantly larger than the existing courthouse on Ashe Street. In terms of providing upgraded court accommodation the refurbishment, extension and development of existing courthouses has always been the Courts Service’s preference. However, while this is an option for Tralee, the scope for refurbishing and developing the existing courthouse on Ashe Street to provide the envisaged accommodation is extremely limited due to the nature of the building and the constrained nature of the site.

The Courts Service has also advised that it is currently considering a number of options for Tralee Courthouse, including the level of extension and refurbishment achievable within the confines of the existing courthouse site; whether it would be feasible to acquire an adjacent town centre site and the degree of extension and refurbishment this would allow. Previous efforts to acquire adjacent sites on Ashe Street have not been successful as the sites could not be acquired at a price that represented value for money. A further option is to build a new modern courthouse on a greenfield/brownfield site and a number of potential sites are being considered in this regard. The Courts Service has informed me that a decision has not yet been made and that all options are under review.

The Courts Service has further advised that the Chief Executive of the Courts Service has recently met with the Chief Executive of Kerry County Council in Tralee to discuss the future provision of court facilities there.

A number of developments in relation to Courts Service accommodation requirements are outlined in the Government’s recent National Development Plan 2018 -2027. They include:

- Further new or refurbished courthouses in regional cities and county towns where facilities remain substandard (including Galway City, Wicklow Town, Portlaoise, Tralee and Roscom- mon) and further provincial locations such as An Clochan Liath (Dungloe) to serve as the Gael- 95 Questions - Written Answers tacht court for the region, and Tuam;

- Regional Family Law Centres;

- A nationwide condition survey of all court buildings in the estate will be undertaken to determine their condition and identify works required in relation to any issues identified and meet ongoing maintenance requirements.

The precise allocation and timing of additional funding over the entire ten year period remains to be fully determined. It will be dependent on the outcome of further detailed planning and analysis of costs which will determine prioritisation of projects from a timing and budgetary perspective.

20/11/2018WRJ00200Deportation Orders

20/11/2018WRJ00300246. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if stamp 4 status will be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); if consideration will be given to awarding them temporary stamp 4 status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47717/18]

20/11/2018WRJ00400Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended), written representations have been submitted on behalf of the person concerned.

20/11/2018WRJ00500Legal Costs

20/11/2018WRJ00600247. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to section 48 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, which sets out the instances in which the Minister may contribute to the costs of a member of An Garda Síochána who is charged with a criminal offence in the context of legal representations being offered to a person (details supplied); if he has engaged with the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission regarding this matter; the general nature of his engagements with the Commission in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47731/18]

20/11/2018WRJ00700Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I can confirm to the Dep- uty that the person referred to is a named party in a civil action against the Minister for Justice and Equality, Ireland, the Attorney General and the Garda Commissioner, relating to matters which arose during his tenure as Commissioner.

The Deputy refers to a provision of the Garda Síochána Act 2005 Act (“the Act”) providing 96 20 November 2018 that the Minister may contribute to the legal costs of a member of the Garda Síochána who is charged with a criminal offence - that circumstance is provided for at section 49 (rather than section 48) of the Act.

Section 49 of the Act relates to criminal proceedings. By contrast, the person referred to by the Deputy is a named party in civil proceedings. Section 49 of the Act is therefore not applicable in this case and the question of the involvement of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission does not arise.

I can confirm that in accordance with section 48 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, on the recommendation of the Acting Garda Commissioner and in accordance with normal procedures, I approved an application for the granting of State representation to the person concerned on 13 July 2018.

It is important to note that State representation does not constitute an undertaking or grant of indemnity. Nor does the granting of representation imply that a case is being defended, rather it simply means the party is legally represented.

20/11/2018WRJ00800Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service Administration

20/11/2018WRJ00900248. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the fact that persons are finding it difficult to secure an appointment through the online booking system used by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (details supplied); the steps he is taking to address the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47761/18]

20/11/2018WRJ01000Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As outlined in responses to previous parliamentary questions, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department became aware in September of customers experiencing difficulties booking registration appointments. Some of these difficulties had arisen because third party agents had been able to secure multiple appointments through the use of automatic software.

A set of software fixes was introduced in mid-September to prevent this abuse of the system. As far as can be determined, this software update has been successful in preventing the block booking of appointments by third party agents. The system is being regularly monitored in this regard.

The period September to November is the busiest time for registrations with many student registrations in addition to the usual workload of the office. A number of measures have been taken to increase the capacity of the office, including the assignment of additional staff to the Registration Office, overtime and opening the office for registrations on most Saturdays and some Sundays. These measures are aimed at ensuring that as many appointments as possible are made available each day. INIS plans to continue these measures at least until December to ensure demand is met.

In that regard, I am advised that over 9,600 people were registered with INIS in Dublin in the month of October – up significantly on the September figure. I am further advised that to the end of October in excess of 67,000 persons have been registered this year in Dublin representing an increase of 7.5% on the same period for 2017. INIS expects to register over well over 80,000 people in Dublin this year.

Appointments are made available twice daily with over 400 per day released for booking. The system is being kept under review to address any abuses that may emerge. 97 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRJ01100Garda Resources

20/11/2018WRJ01200249. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that the Garda College in Templemore has sufficient broadband access; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47802/18]

20/11/2018WRJ01300Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for a Partnership Government recognises that Gardaí must have the modern technology and resources necessary to detect and investigate crime and to prevent loss and harm to citizens and their property on a 24/7 basis.

In support of this, €342 million is being invested in Garda ICT infrastructure between 2016 and 2021 to enable An Garda Síochána to deploy the latest cutting-edge technologies in delivering professional policing and security services for the community.

The Deputy will be aware that the Garda Commissioner is responsible for managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána as well as for decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including ICT. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the Garda College has a number of data services providing network connectivity, including a backup service which would operate should the primary service fail. I understand from the information provided by the Garda authorities that there is more than sufficient capacity in the current network arrangements for current levels of utilisation.

I am further informed that the Garda College has a student internet service which is a completely separate and additional service to the secure Garda Corporate Network provided for at the College.

20/11/2018WRJ01400Prison Service Staff

20/11/2018WRJ01500250. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamen- tary Question No. 422 of 6 November 2018, if the two nurses are both on duty inside the Mountjoy gate, which closes at 10 p.m; if one is linked to the Dochas Centre; and his views on whether this is adequate. [47825/18]

20/11/2018WRJ01600Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): Mountjoy Prison Cam- pus currently comprises Mountjoy Male Prison and the Dochas Centre both of which are located on the same site.

The manner in which the nursing resources on duty at night are deployed is as follows:

- One nurse is located in the Mountjoy Male Prison and one nurse is located in the Dochas Centre.

I have been advised by the Irish Prison Service that this represents the compliment of nurses required to provide appropriate cover as determined by a task review completed by agreement between the Irish Prison Service and its staff association. The Irish Prison Service has confirmed that it is currently reviewing nightly activity levels for its clinicians across the prison estate, and will engage with staff representatives under the Joint Task Review process in respect of any proposed changes that are required.

98 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRJ01700Crime Prevention

20/11/2018WRJ01800251. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Garda information messages issued by An Garda Síochána to persons whose lives are believed to be in danger from criminals in the past six years by year and district, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47885/18]

20/11/2018WRJ01900Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I have requested an up to date report from the Garda authorities in relation to this matter and I will contact the Deputy directly when the report is to hand.

20/11/2018WRJ02000Anti-Social Behaviour

20/11/2018WRJ02100252. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to the serious concerns of persons (details supplied) in respect of the ongoing men- ace of scramblers which is causing much distress and anger; the actions he will take to deal with the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47888/18]

20/11/2018WRJ02200Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I acknowledge and share the Deputy’s ongoing concern in relation to the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes in local communities.

I have been advised by An Garda Síochána that the area referred to by the Deputy is within the DMR South Garda Division, and that local Garda Management is aware of the difficulties being experienced by residents. A policing operation has been put in place, specifically targeting this type of criminality, which has resulted in a number of such vehicles being seized.

The Deputy will be aware that my officials have been engaged in cross-agency consultations since earlier this year with a view to identifying legislative or other solutions, which can assist in dealing with the misuse of these vehicles comprehensively.

Following these consultations, my Department wrote to the Office of the Attorney General to seek advice as to whether any legislative amendments were necessary to assist in curbing the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes, without giving rise to any unintended negative legislative consequences. My Department received formal legal advice from the Office of the Attorney General earlier this month. The advice is comprehensive in nature and is now being carefully considered by my officials, together with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport in the context of road traffic legislation. It will also be necessary to consult again with other relevant Government Departments and public bodies via the cross-agency forum established by my De- partment. The Deputy will appreciate that I am not in a position to provide any further details in relation to the legal advice until such time as these consultations are concluded.

The consultations that my officials are engaged in include participation in a Taskforce established by South Dublin County Council to consider the public order implications of the misuse of these off-road vehicles at a community level. The Taskforce has met on three occasions to date, most recently on 14 November 2018. The Taskforce is a useful and important forum and, indeed, Taskforce discussions informed the Department’s correspondence with the Office of the Attorney General.

Arising from the Taskforce meetings, the road safety officers from each of the Dublin-based local authorities have agreed to organise a public awareness campaign, urging parents not to purchase scramblers and quad bikes as Christmas presents for minors. In addition, the Road

99 Questions - Written Answers Safety Authority launched a related road safety campaign on 14 November 2018.

I will continue to closely monitor the consultations that are taking place concerning the misuse of scramblers and quad bikes.

20/11/2018WRJ02300Proposed Legislation

20/11/2018WRJ02400253. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of plans to legislate for a hate crime to be considered as an aggravating factor in the sentencing of crimes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47897/18]

20/11/2018WRJ02500Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): The Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland is a safe and secure place for all those who live and visit here, regardless of who they are, and there is a wide body of criminal law which is used to combat crimes motivated by hatred.

The Prohibition of Incitement to Hatred Act 1989 creates offences of incitement to hatred on account of race, religion, nationality, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Under the provisions of the Act, it is an offence to use words, behave, publish or distribute written material, or broadcast any visual images or sounds in a manner which is threatening, abusive or insulting and is intended, or is likely, to stir up hatred. “Hatred” is defined as “hatred against a group of persons in the State or elsewhere on account of their race, colour, nationality, religion, ethnic or national origins, membership of the travelling community or sexual orientation.” The provisions of the 1989 Act are currently under review within my Department.

Where criminal offences such as assault, criminal damage, or public order offences are committed with a hate motivation, they are prosecuted as generic offences through the wider criminal law. Where a person is convicted of an offence and there is evidence that there may have been a hate motivation, the prosecution can bring that to the attention of the court along with any available evidence relevant to the circumstances in which the offence was committed which is likely to assist the court in determining the appropriate sentence. The trial judge can then take aggravating factors, including hate motivation, into account at sentencing.

20/11/2018WRJ02600Crime Data

20/11/2018WRJ02700254. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of assaults carried out in 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018 in which the victim was clearly targeted on the basis of being a transgender person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47898/18]

20/11/2018WRJ02800Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy will be aware, the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as the national statistical agency, is responsible for the compilation and publication of all crime statistics. However, it is my understanding that the CSO are not currently producing statistics on crimes with a discriminatory motive.

As outlined in the Policing Plan for 2018, work is well underway within An Garda Síochána on the development of a definition of, and procedures to record, hate crimes. Once this definition is agreed, An Garda Síochána will be running a nationwide campaign to encourage the reporting of hate crimes to An Garda Síochána.

Improvements were made to the Garda PULSE system (PULSE release 6.8) in 2015 and, among the enhancements included in this release, was the introduction of a Victim Assessment 100 20 November 2018 Screen. This requires the mandatory recording of data relating to the apparent motive for a crime incident, such as whether it has been motivated by discrimination on specific grounds including age, disability, race, religion, gender or sexual orientation.

The Garda Racial Intercultural and Diversity Office (GRIDO) has responsibility for coordinating, monitoring and advising on all aspects of policing Ireland’s diverse communities. Ethnic and LGBT liaison officers in each Division also play a fundamental role in liaising with minority groups and work in partnership to encourage respect and understanding within communities and to help prevent hate and racist crime. Both the Garda Racial Intercultural and Diversity Office and Liaison Officers provide advice and assistance to victims of hate or racist crime where required or deemed necessary.

20/11/2018WRJ02900Direct Provision System

20/11/2018WRJ03000255. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the rationale for and detail of the tender process and decision making in relation to the leasing of a hotel (details supplied) in County Wicklow as a direct provision centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47899/18]

20/11/2018WRJ03100Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): In January and again in September of this year, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press for premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process (asylum seekers).

This call sought expressions of interest from parties who may be interested in providing accommodation and related services on an urgent and emergency basis. This was issued in response to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services from those persons arriving in the state seeking international protection.

The advertisement sought expressions of interest from providers for premises including Ho- tels, Hostels and Guesthouses that could accommodate a minimum capacity of 50 persons and should be reasonably close to services such as shops, school, transport, etc.

The criteria against which the Department assessed the offers of accommodation were availability, standard of property, ability to provide communal social spaces for residents, ability to cater at mealtimes and proximity to various other services.

To date, three premises have been identified from the most recent call for expressions of interest, as the most appropriate facilities to provide accommodation services to meet the emergency needs of persons entering the state who are seeking international protection and require accommodation. One of those three premises is the Grand Hotel in Wicklow.

It should be noted that these premises were offered voluntarily to the Department by individual contractors across the country; the locations involved reflect that fact, rather than any specific choice made by the Department.

As with every other accommodation centre in the country, my Department works closely with the HSE, the Departments of Education & Skills and Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection and all other relevant Government Departments and Agencies to coordinate the delivery of State services to residents.

I would like to note that the centre in Wicklow is opening on an emergency and time-limited

101 Questions - Written Answers basis.

In order to meet the accommodation needs in the longer term, the Department has recently commenced a public procurement exercise under which public tenders for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to persons in the protection process, by way of the independent living model, will be advertised. This process is scheduled to continue throughout 2019 and is due for completion in 2020. This will be delivered via a series of regional competitions to cover the entire State.

20/11/2018WRJ03200Garda Resources

20/11/2018WRJ03300256. Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if funding will be made available in 2019 for the replacement of boats in the Garda water unit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47921/18]

20/11/2018WRJ03400Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy will appreciate, decisions in relation to the allocation and management of Garda equipment and resources, including boats or specialist equipment for the Garda Water Unit, are matters for the Garda Commissioner. As Minister, I have no direct role in that regard.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the vessels which are currently allocated to the Garda Water Unit are all in good working order and subject to annual examination and service. Garda authorities consider the vessels as suitable to meet the current requirements of An Garda Síochána. As such, I am advised that the Garda authorities do not have any currently have any plans to replace the vessels allocated to the Garda Water Unit.

20/11/2018WRJ03500Proposed Legislation

20/11/2018WRJ03600257. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a comprehensive list has been compiled of the legislative changes that will be required here as a result of Brexit and for all Brexit scenarios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47955/18]

20/11/2018WRJ03700Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy will be aware, the Government’s contingency planning for Brexit began well in advance of the UK referendum in June 2016 and these efforts have intensified over the past 18 months.

Detailed preparedness and contingency planning is being carried forward by my Depart- ment across a range of areas expected to be impacted by Brexit.

Planning to date has focussed on how the Withdrawal Agreement would work in practice and on preparing for the transition period foreseen within it. The Department also continues to make contingency plans to prepare for a no-deal Brexit.

Insofar as the issues relevant to my Department are concerned, continued cooperation with the UK, both on criminal and civil justice matters, and in the maintenance of the Common Travel Area, are key priorities. Our analysis of these important issues is ongoing and work is continuing in identifying any legislative changes that may be required, in conjunction with other relevant Departments.

20/11/2018WRJ03800Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal

102 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRJ03900258. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when a matter (details supplied) will be finalised; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47972/18]

20/11/2018WRJ04000Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy will be aware the Criminal Injuries Compensation Tribunal, which has responsibility for the administration of the Scheme of Compensation for Personal Injuries Criminally Inflicted on Prison Officer, is independent of my Department in the processing of individual applications under the Scheme.

I can inform the Deputy that applications in the first instance are decided on a file of papers submitted to a single Tribunal Member for consideration as to whether payment of compensation is appropriate. Each case is addressed on the basis of its individual circumstances. While applications are processed with the minimum of formality compared to court proceedings, in making their decisions Tribunal members must be satisfied that all supporting documentation submitted is in order e.g. Garda reports arising from the related criminal investigation, vouched receipts for expenses, medical reports. Accordingly, the processing time for each case can vary considerably.

I understand that the Tribunal wrote to the applicant’s solicitor on 23 August 2018 providing them with an update on the case.

20/11/2018WRJ04100Ministerial Meetings

20/11/2018WRJ04200259. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has met with a person (details supplied); and if he plans to thank them in person for their services to the State. [47977/18]

20/11/2018WRJ04300Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I can confirm to the Dep- uty that I met with the person referred to in the question together with his wife on Friday 2 No- vember, having spoken to him by telephone some weeks previously. I apologised to him on behalf of the State for the ordeal he had endured over a number of years. I also expressed my thanks to him for all his service to the State.

20/11/2018WRJ04400Direct Provision System

20/11/2018WRJ04500260. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the accounts of companies managing direct provision centres are scrutinised, including those which are unlim- ited companies with accounts not open to public scrutiny; if this is done prior to the awarding of contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47987/18]

20/11/2018WRJ04600Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): I wish to advise the Deputy that, while there are obligations under all our contracts that the contractor must comply with all statutory charges and levies in relation to the Centre and have a current valid Tax Clearance Certificate, the accounts of those contractors are not requested or scrutinised.

In addition, the contractor is contractually obliged to comply with all relevant legislation and legally binding industrial and sectoral agreements including but not limited to Employment Permit Acts 2003 & 2006, Industrial Relations Acts 1964 to 2004, Minimum Wage Act 2000 and Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2004 etc.

103 Questions - Written Answers I should also point out that contract may be terminated without liability if the contractor is declared bankrupt or goes or is put into liquidation.

In order to meet the accommodation needs in the longer term, the Department has recently commenced a public procurement exercise under which public tenders for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services by way of the independent living model, to persons in the protection process, will be advertised. This process is scheduled to continue throughout 2019 and for completion in 2020. This will be delivered via a series of regional competitions to cover the entire State.

As part of the tender assessment, all bidders must complete as part of their bid a document referred to as a European Single Procurement Document. This document seeks details from the bidder on their company including declarations that the bidder is solvent, tax compliant, does not have any conflicts of interest and has not been found guilty of professional misconduct. The document is designed by the Office of Government Procurement and is part of their standard Request for Tender Documentation.

20/11/2018WRJ04700Direct Provision System

20/11/2018WRJ04800261. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the consultation process announced in August 2018 on draft national standards of accommodation for persons in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48038/18]

20/11/2018WRJ04900Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): The consultation process for standards for accommodation offered to those seeking the protection of the State was completed at the end of October 2018. The consultations included residents’ meetings, submissions from a number of national bodies and individuals as well as consultation with those seeking to deliver accommodation and those expert in a variety of fields including groups working with refugees.

The standards document is being finalised, in light of the consultation process, and will shortly be submitted to me for consideration.

20/11/2018WRJ05000Asylum Seeker Accommodation

20/11/2018WRJ05100262. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons seeking asylum who were not immediately accommodated in the direct provision system due to a shortage of space; the alternatives provided to such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48043/18]

20/11/2018WRJ05200Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): As the Deputy is aware, persons seeking international protection are offered accommodation and related services by my Department. Not every person accepts this offer and there is no obligation on any person to do so. Some persons may avail of accommodation with friends and-or family or may have means of their own.

A person who does not need accommodation and related services immediately on arrival in Ireland may seek to obtain these services at a later date.

In early September 2018, there was a sudden increase in demand for accommodation and priority had to be given to families and other vulnerable people arriving into Ireland. The number that did not initially receive an offer of accommodation was relatively small (approximately 104 20 November 2018 20 persons), and RIA has since offered accommodation to any of those who subsequently requested accommodation.

Since that time additional accommodation has been made available to RIA and all newly arrived protection applications who have requested accommodation have been so provided.

As of Sunday evening, 18th November 2018, 5,929 persons were accommodated throughout the State. This is from a contracted capacity of 6,211 with 224 spaces unavailable due to family configurations etc., and 90 spaces available for new applicants.

To address ongoing demands, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Depart- ment continues to work actively to identify and contract suitable accommodation. This will inevitably involve opening of new accommodation centres across the country.

Quite separate to this, RIA is also engaged in an open competitive process to establish a framework of accommodation centres from which we can draw down accommodation as and when needed over the coming years.

20/11/2018WRJ05300Asylum Seeker Employment

20/11/2018WRJ05400263. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of asylum seekers who have been successful in securing work since the introduction of work permits for those in the protection process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48054/18]

20/11/2018WRJ05500Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): The European Commu- nities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 which I signed into effect from 30 July 2018 includes access to the labour market for qualified international protection applicants. The Reg- ulations provide access to both employment and self-employment in all sectors and categories of employment with the exception of the Civil and Public Service, An Garda Síochána and Defence Forces.

I am advised by the Labour Market Access Unit of my Department that since the introduction of the Regulations, 2,466 international protection applicants have applied for a permission to access the labour market of which 1,689 were granted a permission and 714 were ineligible. The number of applicants who have applied for and been granted a permission (1,689) represents just over 40% of those estimated to be eligible for a permission under the Regulations.

When an international protection applicant is employed or self-employed the employer, or in the case of self-employment the applicant, is obliged to inform me within 21 days. This is done by way of a standard form made available on the website of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS).

Based on the returned declaration forms received to date I am advised that a total of 487 applicants have commenced employment or self-employment. As the employer or applicant has 21 days from the time they take up employment or self-employment to return the declaration form, there is likely to be a time lag between the actual date of commencement of employment and INIS being notified of same and this will not be reflected in the figures quoted.

20/11/2018WRJ05600Gender Balance

20/11/2018WRJ05700264. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of 105 Questions - Written Answers the work of a group (details supplied) established to report on actions to increase the percentage of women on corporate boards and in senior management in leading companies here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48060/18]

20/11/2018WRJ05800Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): On 30 July, the Taoiseach, Minister Flanagan and I announced the establishment of a new business-led group, Better Balance for Better Business. The group will have the task of identifying a programme of actions to be taken by Government and by business to increase the percentage of women on corporate boards and in senior management in leading Irish companies. It will engage with companies to make the case for change and will report annually on progress. The group is looking initially at companies listed on the Main Securities Market and the Enterprise Securities Market of Euronext Dublin (formerly the Irish Stock Exchange). It is gathering information on the gender makeup of boards of such companies and of a selection of other leading companies including multinationals.

The group is assisted by an Advisory Group, consisting of representatives of major business organisations and key stakeholder interests.

The group will make recommendations in its first report which will be in Q1 2019. The report will set progressive targets to 2023 for the achievement of improved gender balance on the boards and in senior management of companies. It will report annually thereafter, monitoring progress and developments.

20/11/2018WRJ05900Legal Aid Applications

20/11/2018WRJ06000265. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of times he engaged with a person (details supplied) and-or their colleagues in regard to the granting of legal representation to a person; if a schedule of those engagements and-or meetings will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48061/18]

20/11/2018WRJ06100Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy will be aware, the second named person is a named party in a civil action initiated against the Minister for Justice and Equality, Ireland, the Attorney General and the Garda Commissioner.

In accordance with section 48 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, on the recommendation of the Acting Garda Commissioner and in line with normal procedures, I approved an application for the granting of State representation to the person concerned on 13 July 2018.

It is not the practice for the Minister or for officials of the Department of Justice and Equal- ity to meet with persons who have been recommended for State representation by the Garda Commissioner in relation to their applications.

I can therefore confirm that in accordance with normal practice, neither I nor my officials engaged with the person who was granted State representation in this case. The only engagement with the then Acting Commissioner took place in the context of receiving his recommendation on the application and communicating my approval, as outlined above.

20/11/2018WRK00200Services for People with Disabilities 106 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRK00300266. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if €100,000 of funding will be included in his final budget preparations from an equality perspective for the roll-out of the just a minute card which helps persons with disabilities to navigate public transport and shops by signalling that the holder needs to be afforded some patience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48062/18]

20/11/2018WRK00400Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy Finian McGrath): As the Deputy will be aware, the Just a Minute Card is a tool that was introduced in Northern Ireland to allow people with a learning difficulty, autism or communication barrier to tell others they need ‘Just A Minute’ in a discrete and effective non-verbal manner.

In respect of the Deputy’s query concerning the provision of funding for such a scheme in this jurisdiction, the Department of Justice and Equality does not provide funding for disability related services or initiatives. This is a matter for individual Departments based on their areas of responsibility. As the initiative the Deputy refers to is related to accessible public transport services, the introduction of such a scheme and the provision of funding for same falls under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, in conjunction with the National Transport Authority. I will forward this request to him for consideration.

20/11/2018WRK00500Legislative Programme

267. Deputy Jim O’Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the courts and land and conveyancing law reform Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48067/18]

20/11/2018WRK00700Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): The position is that the process of drafting the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform (Amendment) Bill is nearing completion. The principal purpose of the Bill is to broaden the range of matters a court must take into account when deciding whether to grant a possession order to a lending institution in respect of a borrower’s principal private residence.

Following completion of drafting, I intend to consult with the Attorney General on whether consultation with the European Central Bank (ECB) on the Bill’s content will be required. Ar- ticles 127(4) and 282(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union require that the ECB be consulted by national authorities regarding draft legislative provisions in its areas of competence, and it may give an opinion. These areas include currency matters, means of payment, national central banks, the collection, compilation and distribution of monetary, financial, banking, payment systems and balance of payment statistics, payment and settlement systems, and, rules applicable to financial institutions insofar as they materially influence the stability of financial institutions and markets.

In the event that consultation with the ECB is not necessary, I intend to seek Government approval for the publication of the Bill in the coming weeks.

20/11/2018WRK00800Garda Support Services

20/11/2018WRK00900268. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if counselling is offered to gardaí following critical or traumatic incidents; the number of gardaí who availed of such counselling in each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48076/18]

107 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRK01000Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for managing An Garda Síochána including the provision of employee welfare supports.

I am assured by the Garda Commissioner that An Garda Síochána is committed to ensuring that members exposed to workplace stress receive the appropriate organisational response. There are a variety of supports in place for Garda members including the Garda Employee Assistance Service, a Peer Support Programme and an independent helpline and counselling service which is available to all Garda members and staff

The helpline and counselling service is available for both work and personal difficulties. The service is not mandatory and operates on the basis of self-referral. Garda members and staff may avail of six free sessions of counselling per year and an additional two will be provided if clinically approved. All appointments and consultations are arranged directly between the service provider and the staff member.

I have set out in the table, for the Deputy’s information, details on the uptake of the helpline and counselling service since its launch on 24 June 2016.

Period Number of Telephone / Number of times coun- Number of Counselling Helpline calls received. selling service activated. sessions delivered. Jun 2016 – Jun 2017 429 363 1328 Jun 2017 – Jun 2018 385 351 1680

20/11/2018WRK01100Garda Recruitment

20/11/2018WRK01200269. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated full-year cost of recruiting an extra 18 senior crime and policing analysts at higher executive officer, HEO, level and 18 crime and policing analysts at executive officer, EO, level; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48077/18]

20/11/2018WRK01300Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy will appreciate, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on, managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the recruitment and training of the members of An Garda Síochána. Further, the allocation of Garda resources is a matter for the Commissioner, in light of the availability of resources and his identified operational demands. As Minister I have no direct role in these matters.

I have been informed by the Garda authorities that the estimated full year cost to An Garda Síochána of employing an additional 18 senior crime and policing analysts at HEO level is approximately €1,042,000. The estimated annual salary costs of an additional 18 crime and policing analysts at EO level is approximately €753,000. These calculations are based on the mid-point (excluding long term increments) of the Higher Executive Officer and Executive Of- ficer pay scale currently in effect from 1 October 2018 and including an estimate of Employer’s PRSI.

20/11/2018WRK01400Garda Deployment

20/11/2018WRK01500270. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he 108 20 November 2018 will make a statement on the matter. [48177/18]

20/11/2018WRK01600271. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48178/18]

20/11/2018WRK01700272. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years, 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48179/18]

20/11/2018WRK01800273. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48180/18]

20/11/2018WRK01900274. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to the Dublin metropolitan region, DMR, north division in each of the years, 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48181/18]

20/11/2018WRK02000275. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48182/18]

20/11/2018WRK02100276. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48183/18]

20/11/2018WRK02200277. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48184/18]

20/11/2018WRK02300278. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48185/18]

20/11/2018WRK02400279. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Garristown Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48186/18]

20/11/2018WRK02500280. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48187/18]

20/11/2018WRK02600281. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48188/18] 109 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRK02700282. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48189/18]

20/11/2018WRK02800283. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48190/18]

20/11/2018WRK02900284. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Skerries Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48191/18]

20/11/2018WRK03000285. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48192/18]

20/11/2018WRK03100286. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48193/18]

20/11/2018WRK03200287. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48194/18]

20/11/2018WRK03300288. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48195/18]

20/11/2018WRK03400289. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Lusk Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48196/18]

20/11/2018WRK03500290. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48197/18]

20/11/2018WRK03600291. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48198/18]

20/11/2018WRK03700292. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48199/18]

20/11/2018WRK03800293. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 110 20 November 2018 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48200/18]

20/11/2018WRK03900294. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Swords Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48201/18]

20/11/2018WRK04000295. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48217/18]

20/11/2018WRK04100296. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48218/18]

20/11/2018WRK04200297. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48219/18]

20/11/2018WRK04300298. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48220/18]

20/11/2018WRK04400299. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Malahide Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48221/18]

20/11/2018WRK04500300. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of superintendent gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48222/18]

20/11/2018WRK04600301. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of inspector gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48223/18]

20/11/2018WRK04700302. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of community gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48224/18]

20/11/2018WRK04800303. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of sergeant gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48225/18]

20/11/2018WRK04900304. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of gardaí who were and are assigned to Balbriggan Garda station in each of the years 2008 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48226/18]

111 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRK05000Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I propose to take Ques- tions Nos. 270 to 304, inclusive, together.

As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for the distribution of resources, including personnel, among the various Garda Divisions and I, as Min- ister, have no direct role in the matter. Garda management keeps this distribution of resources under continual review in the context of crime trends and policing priorities so as to ensure that the optimum use is made of these resources.

Community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána as it recognises that every community, either urban or rural, has its own concerns and expectations. The role of a community Garda is not a specialist role in An Garda Síochána; rather it is the case that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in carrying out their duties. The official categorisation of Community Garda simply refers to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society including giving talks to schools, community groups and others. It is a matter for the Divisional Chief Superintendent to determine the optimum distribution of duties among the personnel available to him or her having regard to the profile of the area and its specific needs

The Garda strength by Station and Rank for the D.M.R. North Division, as provided by the Garda Commissioner from 2009, is available on my Department’s website through the link below.

Garda Nos. by Division

The information requested by the Deputy in relation to the Community Garda Strength in Garristown, Skerries, Lusk. Swords, Malahide and Balbriggan Garda Stations, and the D.M.R. North Division in each of the years 2009 to 30 September 2018, the latest date for which figures are currently available, as supplied by the Garda Commissoner are as set out in the table.

For more general information on Garda Facts and Figures please see the link below

http://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/An_Garda_Siochana_facts_and_figures

Garda Strength presented as “Community” Gardaí and Total Gardaí by Station and Year

[Garda Deployment]

20/11/2018WRL02100Direct Provision System

20/11/2018WRL02200305. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the transport arrangements that will be put in place for the new direct provision centre in Moville, County Donegal, to ensure asylum seekers will not have to cross the Border into Northern Ireland to access key public services and services related to their application for asylum; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48238/18]

20/11/2018WRL02300Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): In January and again in September of this year, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press for premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process (asylum seekers).

112 20 November 2018 This call sought expressions of interest from parties who may be interested in providing accommodation and related services on an urgent and emergency basis. This was issued in response to the urgent and unforeseen demand for accommodation and related services from those persons arriving in the state seeking international protection.

Following on-site assessments carried out by staff in the Department, the Caisleán Mara Hotel in Moville, Co. Donegal, was deemed to be suitable premises for the needs of the Depart- ment.

As the Deputy points out, asylum seekers in the state cannot commute through Northern Ireland to access services elsewhere in the state. With this in mind, my Department has agreed with the contractor running the centre to arrange overnight accommodation/rest and comfort breaks for those travelling to Dublin at the accommodation centre that they currently run in Sligo for anyone attending interviews in the International Protection Office or indeed accessing any other state services in Dublin.

The Department will also source overnight accommodation in Dublin if required and the RIA will liaise with the International Protection Office to arrange for grouped interview appointment times so that residents of the Caisleán Mara can travel together.

I have requested the Department to examine the logistical and resource implications to establish if such business could be carried out from remote locations.

20/11/2018WRM00200Direct Provision System

20/11/2018WRM00300306. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if overnight accommodation will be put in place for asylum seekers living in direct provision in remote areas (details supplied) when travel to Dublin is necessitated to attend their interview at the international protection office and access associated supports and services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48239/18]

20/11/2018WRM00400Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): In January and again in September of this year, the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department published a call for expressions of interest in the national press for premises to meet the increasing demand for accommodation for persons in the protection process (asylum seekers).

Following on-site assessments carried out by staff in the Department, the Caislean Mara Hotel in Moville, Co. Donegal, the King Thomond Hotel in Lisdoonvarna, Co. Clare and the Atlantic Lodge, Kenmare, Co. Kerry were deemed to be suitable premises for the needs of the Department.

In relation to the accommodation centre in Moville, asylum seekers in the state cannot commute through Northern Ireland to access services elsewhere in the state. With this in mind, my Department has agreed with the contractor running that centre to arrange overnight accommodation/rest and comfort breaks for those travelling to Dublin at the accommodation centre that they currently run in Sligo for anyone attending interviews in the International Protection Office or indeed accessing any other state services in Dublin. 113 Questions - Written Answers The Department will also source overnight accommodation in Dublin if required for residents of all three centres and RIA will liaise with the International Protection Office to arrange for grouped interview appointment times, where possible, so that residents from each of these centres can travel together.

I have requested the Department to examine the logistical and resource implications to establish if such business could be carried out from remote locations.

20/11/2018WRM00500Visa Agreements

20/11/2018WRM00600307. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to revise the visa requirements for Colombian visitors particularly in view of increased diplomatic relations with Colombia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48251/18]

20/11/2018WRM00700Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): The list of countries whose citizens are visa-required to come to Ireland is kept under regular review in consultation with my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade. There are no plans at present to revise the visa requirement for Colombian nationals.

As the Deputy may know, my Department is pursuing a Government approved strategy of greater co-ordination and co-operation on visa issues with the United Kingdom in the context of the Common Travel Area (CTA). This is exemplified by the operation of the British Irish Visa Scheme in China and India which allows for travel to and around Ireland and the UK on a single visa.

As part of this co-operation, the matter of alignment of those States whose citizens are visa- required is also being kept under review. The greater the extent of alignment between the two jurisdictions, the greater the opportunity to increase the numbers of tourism and business visits to the CTA. At present, both Ireland and the UK require all citizens of Colombia to be in possession of a visa for travel to their jurisdiction and thus it remains the position that any proposals for change will need to be considered in this context.

Officials met recently with the Colombian Ambassador and explained the current position. It was agreed nonetheless to consider the matters raised and to provide any assistance possible in the context of the development of the bilateral relationship.

20/11/2018WRM00800Refugee Data

20/11/2018WRM00900308. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons Ireland has committed to accepting here under the resettlement and relocation programmes; the number of persons who have been admitted here under the resettlement and relocation programmes; the number of unaccompanied minors admitted here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48252/18]

20/11/2018WRM01000Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy David Stanton): The Government established the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) in September 2015, as part of Ireland’s response to the migration crisis in central and southern Europe. Under this programme, the Government committed to accept up to 4,000 people into the State. This was to be done through a combination of the EU Relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, and the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme, which is currently focused on resettling refugees from Lebanon.

114 20 November 2018 Under the EU Relocation programme, Ireland admitted 1,022 persons into the State.

Ireland committed in 2015 and 2016 to accept 1,040 programme refugees under the resettlement strand of the programme. Thus far, 925 people have arrived and the remaining individuals are due to arrive in the coming months.

In addition, the Government has pledged to take a further 945 programme refugees by the end of 2019. 345 of these persons have already been selected in 2018.

Unaccompanied minors admitted through the Calais Special Project (CSP) are granted programme refugee status and form part of the IRPP. 41 young people were admitted under the CSP, which has now concluded. A further 6 minors were admitted under the EU relocation programme.

20/11/2018WRM01100Asylum Applications

20/11/2018WRM01200309. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position with regard to an application for international protection for a person (details supplied) in County Laois. [48257/18]

20/11/2018WRM01300Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): If an application for asylum or subsidiary protection has been made in the State, for confidentiality reasons it is not the practice to comment on such applications. The applicant or their designated legal advisor should contact the International Protection Office directly, either by email to [email protected]. ie, by telephone to the IPO Customer Service Centre at 01 6028008 or in writing to Customer Service Centre, International Protection Office, 79-83 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2.

Similarly, the International Protection Appeals Tribunal operate an email address (info@ protectionappeals.ie) which can be contacted by individuals with any queries regarding their application.

Under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015, it is an offence to identify an international protection applicant. The offence is punishable by summary conviction to a Class A fine or a term of imprisonment of 12 months or both.

The Chief International Protection Officer, following consultation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), published a statement on the Prioritisation of Applications for International Protection under the International Protection Act 2015 on 27 February 2017, which is available on the website of the International Protection Office www. ipo.gov.ie.

20/11/2018WRM01400Deportation Orders Re-examination

20/11/2018WRM01500310. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will reconsider the decision to deport persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48264/18]

20/11/2018WRM01600Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): I am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned is the subject of a Deportation Order made on 15 September 2017.

As previously advised it is open to the person concerned to submit further representations

115 Questions - Written Answers requesting that the Deportation Order be revoked, pursuant to Section 3(11) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended). However, I wish to make clear that such an application would require substantial grounds to be successful.

20/11/2018WRM01700Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRM01800311. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his Depart- ment has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48304/18]

20/11/2018WRM01900Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): My Department engages in public information campaigns, where appropriate, in order to draw attention to important issues in the Justice and Equality sector. In recent years, the focus in my Department has been on drawing attention to domestic violence and human trafficking. Some information relating to this expenditure can be seen in the following response to a previous Parliamentary Question: https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/question/2018-03-29/section/213/#pq-answers-216.

The information requested by the Deputy in respect of each of the past 5 years is currently being compiled and verified and I will forward this information directly to the Deputy in due course.

20/11/2018WRM02000Public Inquiries

20/11/2018WRM02100312. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he has taken to set up a public inquiry into the death of a person (details supplied) as per the vote of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48326/18]

20/11/2018WRM02200Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): As the Deputy is aware, the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission conducted an investigation into certain matters related to the circumstances surrounding the tragic death of Shane O’Farrell. This investigation arose out of a series of complaints to GSOC from members of the family of Shane O’Farrell. Certain aspects of the case were also referred to GSOC for investigation by a previous Minister.

The outcome of GSOC’s investigation was set out in a report earlier this year which was provided to the O’Farrell family. The investigation concluded that no criminal misbehaviour by members of An Garda Síochána was disclosed. However, a number of matters had been identified that warranted investigation in respect of potential breaches of discipline. The investigation of those matters by GSOC is still on-going. In the circumstances I do not propose to comment further while the investigation is proceeding.

The Deputy’s question refers to the motion passed by the House in June this year. As I have previously made clear to the House, it is imperative that the independence of the Ombudsman

116 20 November 2018 Commission is respected and that there is no improper interference with its investigations. I believe, therefore, that it is important that its investigation should be concluded before deciding on what further action may be necessary.

Nonetheless, I am writing to the Attorney General seeking his advice on how I can best give effect to the wishes of the House. When that advice is available I will be in a position to outline how I propose to proceed.

20/11/2018WRM02300Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission Investigations

20/11/2018WRM02400313. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the length of time GSOC has taken to investigate complaints surrounding the investigation into the death of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48327/18]

20/11/2018WRM02500Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Charles Flanagan): From the outset, I want to remind the Deputy that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission is the independent statutory body which investigates complaints against members of the Gardaí. Its independence is the guarantee to members of the public and Gardaí that complaints will be investigated fairly and free from outside influence. I believe that GSOC does an excellent job in difficult circumstances and, as Minister for Justice and Equality, I will fully respect their independence and will not do or say anything which could be interpreted as infringing GSOC’s independence.

In the case referred to in the Deputy’s question, GSOC has already provided a report following a referral from a previous Minister and a number of complaints made by members of the family of the person who died so tragically as a result of a road traffic incident. The outcome was that the investigation did not find any criminal misbehaviour by members of the Garda Síochána. However, a number of matters were identified that warrant investigation in respect of potential breaches of discipline. That investigation is on-going.

I know that it can be frustrating that investigations are not completed as quickly as people would like. However, our overriding concern must be that investigations are comprehensive and conducted to the highest standards.

The Deputy will be glad to know that, following a request for additional staffing, GSOC has recently been granted sanction to recruit up to 42 additional staff. I am confident that when these extra staff are recruited and fully operational, the time taken for the completion of investigations will be reduced.

20/11/2018WRM02600Work Permits Applications

20/11/2018WRM02700314. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innova- tion the status of a work permit application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48339/18]

20/11/2018WRM02800Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): The Employment Permits section of my Department inform me that an application for a Critical Skills Employment Permit for the person concerned was received on 23rd September 2018.

The Employment Permits section is experiencing high levels of demand for employment permits this year and this has contributed to increased processing times for applications. At end October 2018, 13,953 applications had been received, a 28% increase on the same time last year. My Department regrets the current delays, and those involved are working hard to bring 117 Questions - Written Answers processing times back to within customer service target times.

Through a combination of additional resources, fast-tracked training for new processors and various operational and ICT improvements, , processing times are now reducing. Trusted Partner processing times have reduced to 5 weeks (from a peak of 7 weeks) and Standard application processing times have reduced to 12 weeks (from a peak of 16 weeks).

Further reductions in processing times are anticipated in the coming weeks as the changes being implemented by my officials continue to show results.

The Employment Permit application in question will be considered within the next 3-4 weeks.

I am determined to bring employment permit processing times back to within our customer service targets as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRM02900Health and Safety Authority Expenditure

20/11/2018WRM03000315. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the amount spent by the Health and Safety Authority on farm safety initiatives, campaigns and projects in County Donegal in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47799/18]

20/11/2018WRM03100Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) does not have a breakdown of the annual spend on farm safety initiatives, campaigns and projects on a county by county basis. The HSA carries out a range of countrywide farm safety initiatives, campaigns and projects each year which include; attending and exhibiting at farm shows (e.g. Tullamore Show, National Ploughing Champion- ship), running television and radio advertisements, carrying out inspections and focused safety inspection campaigns.

The figures set out in the following table detail the overall national spend by the HSA on farm safety initiatives from 2011 to 2017;

Year Expenditure * 2011 €264,481 2012 €589,870 2013 €449,669 2014 €327,953 2015 €396,251 2016 €416,917 2017 €533,995 2018 (estimated) €624,000 *Note: Annual figures for expenditure include some cross sectoral initiatives where the expenditure is also relevant to other sectors. As it is not possible to extract this it has been included as the full figure.

20/11/2018WRM03200Jobs Protection

20/11/2018WRM03300316. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the steps she is taking to protect jobs in Russian owned companies based here that may be threat- 118 20 November 2018 ened by increased tariffs and trade sanctions; and the discussions she has had with officials from the United States of America administration in this regard. [47880/18]

20/11/2018WRM03400Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): In April this year, the US Government imposed sanctions on a number of Russian individuals and companies. These measures have unfortunately impacted the Limerick-based company Augh- inish Alumina (AA), which is owned by one of the sanctioned Russian firms.

The Government has been working hard, ever since the sanctions were announced, to help find a solution. We have been in regular communication, particularly through our Embassy in Washington, with the US about the particular issues facing AA. This included letters from myself, the Tánaiste and Minister Donohoe to our respective American counterparts. Ministers of State Pat Breen and Patrick O’Donovan also travelled to Washington in July to meet with the relevant US authorities, as well as members of Congress, to underline the importance of this for Ireland.

We remain, of course, in close contact with AA itself about the situation. The Taoiseach and Tanaiste have both met with the firm’s senior management and Minister of State Breen and I have also been heavily engaged. At official level, my Department and the Department of For- eign Affairs and Trade continue to work very closely together on this, with officials from both in regular contact with the company.

As regards wider international engagement, the Government has consulted with the Euro- pean Commission, who understand fully how important AA is to the Mid-West of Ireland and the Irish economy. We are also working together, both in Brussels and on the ground in Wash- ington, with other affected EU Member States in order to achieve a positive outcome.

The Government welcomes the most recent extension of a licence deadline - which effectively allows AA to continue to operate despite the sanctions - by the US authorities to 7 January 2019. We hope that this additional time will now facilitate a definitive resolution of the issues in a way that safeguards AA’s future and protects jobs at the Askeaton facility. We will continue to do everything we can to secure such an outcome.

20/11/2018WRM03500Trade Agreements

20/11/2018WRM03600317. Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the position regarding a free trade agreement between the EU and Thailand; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47922/18]

20/11/2018WRM03700Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): Ne- gotiations for an EU-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) were launched in March 2013 and four rounds of negotiations were held. Following the military takeover of Thailand in 2014, political contacts, including FTA negotiations, between the EU and Thailand were suspended.

Thailand and the EU had finalised a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in No- vember 2013 to provide a comprehensive framework for EU-Thailand relations. It is the position of the EU and its Member States that the PCA will not be signed until a democratically elected government is in place in Thailand.

On 10 October 2017, Thai authorities issued a statement that a general election would be held in November 2018. The election is now expected to take place in February 2019.

On 11 December 2017, while reiterating the need for the urgent restoration of the demo-

119 Questions - Written Answers cratic process and for improvements on human rights issues in Thailand, ministers at the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council decided to gradually resume political contacts at all levels. However, there are no specific plans to resume FTA negotiations with Thailand at this time.

Thailand is a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EU is working towards achieving a region-to-region FTA with ASEAN by first concluding FTAs with individual ASEAN members. The first of these was signed with Singapore in October and an FTA with Vietnam has also been successfully negotiated. Discussions with Indonesia are at an advanced stage and the EU hopes to conclude these negotiations during 2019.

20/11/2018WRM03800IDA Ireland Jobs Data

20/11/2018WRM03900318. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA supported jobs by county at the end of each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48089/18]

20/11/2018WRM04000Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): Re- gional development is a key priority of mine and I am focused on increasing investment in every county in Ireland. The IDA shares this objective and remains committed to increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) in every region of Ireland by 30% to 40% by the end of the Agency’s current strategy in 2019.

IDA Ireland’s performance in 2017 resulted in the fifth consecutive year of strong growth under the Agency’s current strategy. By the end of last year, total employment in the Agency’s client companies stood at 210,443. There are over 122,000 people employed across 649 firms in IDA client companies located outside of Dublin, with 45% of all new FDI jobs created last year based in regional locations.

The following table provides details of employment by IDA Ireland client companies in each county from 2013 to 2017. The figures for 2018 will not be available until the Depart- ment’s Annual Employment Survey (AES) is carried out at the end of 2018.

County 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Carlow 735 749 768 802 875 Cavan 1,135 1,136 1,165 1,203 1,155 Clare 6,056 6,232 6,353 6,735 6,775 Cork 27,257 28,251 32,101 33,831 35,248 Donegal 2,382 2,607 2,918 3,039 3,389 Dublin 66,050 69,673 74,459 81,925 88,318 Galway 14,273 14,638 15,367 16,932 17,696 Kerry 1,659 1,895 1,948 2,097 2,186 Kildare 10,327 10,285 10,628 10,229 9,282 Kilkenny 617 716 650 762 782 Laois 106 87 105 115 119 Leitrim 606 682 745 803 889 Limerick 7,448 7,930 8,702 9,827 10,677 Longford 701 650 686 672 474 Louth 2,568 3,053 3,236 3,593 3,702 Mayo 3,728 3,932 4,070 4,234 4,462 Meath 1,540 1,536 1,533 1,526 1,491 Monaghan 365 275 146 137 150

120 20 November 2018

County 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Offaly 896 874 887 914 940 Roscommon 962 916 994 985 1,128 Sligo 2,230 2,219 2,221 2,290 2,184 Tipperary North Riding 306 298 318 328 335 Tipperary South Riding 3,055 3,246 3,215 3,040 3,330 Waterford 5,183 5,248 5,574 6,253 6,850 Westmeath 2,202 2,386 2,519 2,573 2,794 Wexford 2,402 2,547 2,527 2,680 2,948 Wicklow 2,348 2,324 2,199 2,234 2,264 Grand Total 167,137 174,385 186,034 199,759 210,443

20/11/2018WRM04100IDA Ireland Data

20/11/2018WRM04200319. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of IDA visits by prospective clients by county in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48090/18]

20/11/2018WRM04300Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): I am focused on doing everything I can to deliver the fairest possible spread of foreign direct investment (FDI) across the country. Creating more jobs in the regions in particular is a clear priority for both my Department and the IDA.

Since 2015, IDA Ireland has been working towards regional development targets set out in their strategy for the period between 2015-2019. This includes a goal of increasing investment in every region of Ireland by 30%-40%. Real progress is being made towards that objective. In 2017, for example, 45% of all jobs created were based outside of Dublin. The Agency is working hard to increase that percentage further for 2018 and beyond.

IDA Ireland continues to highlight the benefits of expanding or locating in all counties of Ireland to its client base. It is important to remember, however, that the final decision as to where to invest always rests with the company concerned. It is also the case that site visit activity does not necessarily reflect investment potential, as almost 70% of all new FDI comes from existing IDA client companies.

The Government has taken a number of positive steps to increase FDI in the regions and the IDA’s Regional Property Programme is important in encouraging more FDI into regional locations. As part of Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce an allocation of €10m to the next phase of that Programme on top of the €150m that was announced when it was launched in 2015. Project Ireland 2040 names the Border and Midlands regions as priority areas for this Programme, and so the funding will be used to start building advanced facilities in a number of regional locations, including in Carlow, Dundalk, Monaghan, Sligo, Athlone, Waterford, Limerick and Galway.

The following table sets out the number of IDA Ireland site visits to each County from 2013 to 2017, as well as for the first three quarters of 2018.

County 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Dublin 180 205 242 284 327 69 72 68 Kildare 1 1 7 8 10 4 0 1 Meath 1 2 7 8 3 1 3 1 Wicklow 1 4 7 5 2 0 1 0

121 Questions - Written Answers

County 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Laois 2 0 4 6 4 4 2 1 Longford 0 0 2 6 7 0 0 2 Offaly 1 1 8 4 5 0 1 3 Westmeath 9 12 28 36 42 3 9 6 Clare 5 9 12 18 22 4 3 2 Limerick 23 22 40 49 42 8 7 10 Tipperary 4 3 12 8 8 1 1 2 Cavan 2 1 0 2 2 0 1 0 Louth 4 10 20 24 22 6 6 3 Monaghan 1 0 2 2 1 0 1 0 Donegal 7 6 5 7 2 0 3 3 Leitrim 1 2 8 8 5 2 3 0 Sligo 10 7 15 20 18 5 3 4 Carlow 1 2 1 9 8 1 2 0 Kilkenny 3 4 10 10 6 0 2 1 Waterford 14 11 31 17 11 5 9 5 Wexford 2 1 4 7 3 0 1 2 Cork 31 30 48 49 51 10 14 21 Kerry 1 3 6 3 9 0 5 3 Galway 15 19 41 42 62 10 20 12 Mayo 3 4 3 5 7 2 2 3 Roscom- 4 0 2 1 3 0 1 1 mon Total 326 359 565 638 682 135 172 154

20/11/2018WRM04400IDA Ireland Data

20/11/2018WRM04500320. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the investment provided by the IDA to its client companies by county in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48095/18]

20/11/2018WRM04600Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): As Minister, my objective is to create the best possible environment for enterprise, entrepreneur- ship, innovation and investment. Ireland continues to perform very strongly in terms of attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and encouraging further investment from multinational companies is a major priority of mine. I am pleased to say that there are now over 210,000 people employed in IDA Ireland client companies here, the highest in the State’s history.

However, we must recognise that global competition for FDI is increasing all the time, and we must therefore work harder than ever to retain and promote our competitive advantages and to secure new investment projects. That means improving, if possible, on our already compelling and attractive offering for multinationals to invest here. The IDA is authorised by my De- partment to provide a range of financial supports in the form of employment, capital, research and development, environmental and training grants. These grants are an important means of encouraging companies to invest in Ireland, particularly in regional locations.

The following table provides a breakdown of grants paid by IDA Ireland to its client companies between 2013 and 2017. The figure provided for Dublin includes payments to the National Institute for Bioprocessing Research and Training (NIBRT). Grant payment figures are released on an annual basis and I have been informed by the IDA that information on the total of grants paid to client companies in 2018 will be made available once they have been audited by the

122 20 November 2018 Comptroller and Auditor General.

It is important to note that grants paid in a particular year are not necessarily linked to either the investments won or the jobs created in that 12-month period. Grants are generally drawn down over the lifetime of a project which is normally over a period of three to five years. Some investments which result in job creation may not be grant aided and some well-established firms may no longer be receiving grant payments.

County 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 TOTAL Carlow €5,093,152 €72,000 €2,027,393 €1,080,631 €82,725 €8,355,901 Cavan €0 €0 €120,622 €418,271 €64,180 €603,073 Clare €0 €3,172,202 €4,463,951 €3,023,557 €2,521,600 €13,181,310 Cork €12,380,130 €18,353,580 €13,260,876 €13,220,973 €20,843,403 €78,058,962 Donegal €3,071,490 €1,889,800 €1,697,150 €685,500 €1,602,200 €8,946,140 Dublin €24,803,491 €19,952,938 €19,826,741 €20,136,706 €19,949,601 €104,669,477 Galway €17,277,141 €8,422,227 €18,357,383 €13,611,022 €7,681,690 €65,349,463 Kerry €584,145 €16,800 €3,220,609 €1,024,766 €2,357,952 €7,204,272 Kildare €4,690,248 €728,457 €5,798,570 €3,573,544 €2,096,053 €16,886,872 Kilkenny €0 €0 €350,000 €440,000 €156,000 €946,000 Laois €0 €25,000 €75,000 €5,000 €24,500 €129,500 Leitrim €0 €0 €0 €0 €0 €0 Limerick €4,434,483 €15,374,032 €10,596,531 €13,589,484 €7,036,757 €51,031,287 Longford €0 €0 €397,750 €169,542 €3,297,973 €3,865,265 Louth €2,935,800 €3,672,307 €993,000 €3,031,765 €924,060 €11,556,932 Mayo €4,180,577 €6,376,253 €2,406,422 €1,498,389 €3,184,082 €17,645,723 Meath €1,540,920 €0 €300,000 €0 €0 €1,840,920 Monaghan €0 €58,022 €200,000 €200,000 €0 €458,022 Offaly €150,042 €324,662 €120,000 €355,540 €960,089 €1,910,333 Roscommon €110,000 €0 €733,000 €0 €185,500 €1,028,500 Sligo €796,831 €750,892 €4,229,218 €922,814 €2,875,340 €9,575,095 Tipperary €2,729,055 €3,654,309 €2,939,811 €2,580,100 €3,428,740 €15,332,015 Waterford €1,938,976 €1,867,329 €1,341,864 €10,914,081 €7,794,598 €23,856,848 Westmeath €272,624 €1,948,923 €2,513,508 €1,768,687 €2,078,588 €8,582,330 Wexford €934,569 €783,794 €1,534,136 €568,307 €1,473,521 €5,294,327 Wicklow €27,623 €43,738 €234,048 €159,372 €321,734 €786,515 TOTAL €87,951,297 €87,487,265 €97,737,583 €92,978,051 €90,940,886 €457,095,082

20/11/2018WRM04700Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRM04800321. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by her Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48301/18]

20/11/2018WRM04900Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Heather Humphreys): The following table provides details of expenditure incurred since 2014 by my Department and its Offices on advertising campaigns to promote the Department’s policies and programmes.

My Department and its Offices use external advertising providers having regard to the business needs for such services. In engaging such providers, the Department and its Offices are mindful of the need to secure value for money and, accordingly, strive to keep costs to the 123 Questions - Written Answers minimum.

Expenditure incurred by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and its Offices over the period 2014 to date on Advertising Campaigns to Promote Policies or Programmes implemented by the Department

Description of Advertising Campaign Company Engaged to Promote Depart- Cost Incurred in 2014 ment’s Policy/Programme Newspaper advertisements regarding the Mediavest Ltd €30,750 introduction of the Companies Act 2014. This affected every company on the register who was obliged to effect changes. Total Expenditure Incurred in 2014 €30,750

Description of Advertising Campaign Company Engaged to Promote Depart- Cost Incurred in 2015 ment’s Policy/Programme Web development and creative video and radio Atomic Advertising Ltd 291,311 production costs associated with the action- planforjobs.ie awareness campaign to promote business supports for SMEs. Newspaper and radio advertisements and pro- Mediavest LtdAn Post €347,747 duction of newsletter regarding the introduction of the Companies Act 2014. This affected every company on the register who was obliged to effect changes. Total Expenditure Incurred in 2015 €639,058

Description of Advertising Campaign Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Cost Incurred in 2016 Policy/Programme Advertising campaign to raise awareness of the Strategem b.t.l. Ltd. €36,232 Prompt Payment Code Information campaign for the implementation of Mediavest Ltd €19,523 the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 Newspaper advertising regarding mandatory Mediavest Ltd €40,617 e-filing campaign. Companies obliged to file -an nual returns with CRO electronically in 2017. Web development and creative video and radio Atomic Advertising Ltd €12,054 production costs associated with the action- planforjobs.ie awareness campaign to promote business supports for SMEs. Total Expenditure Incurred in 2016 €108,426

Description of Advertising Campaign Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Cost Incurred in 2017 Policy/Programme Advertising campaign to raise awareness of the Strategem b.t.l. Ltd. €25,165 Prompt Payment Code Information campaign for the implementation of Mediavest Ltd €1,765 the Construction Contracts Act, 2013 Workplace Relations Commission advert in Guerin Media Ltd €1,230 National Ploughing Championship catalogue Radio and newspaper advertising relating to Fuzion Communications €4,404 the Workplace Relations Commission’s “Walk Through Working Life” campaign launched at the 2017 Ploughing Championships Advertising in relation to the opening of the Sligo Weekender Sligo Champion €3,198 Workplace Relations Commission Sligo Office Newspaper and radio advertising regarding Mediavest Ltd 161,249 mandatory e-filing campaign. Companies now obliged to file annual returns with CRO electronically.

124 20 November 2018

Description of Advertising Campaign Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Cost Incurred in 2016 Policy/Programme Total Expenditure Incurred in 2017 €197,011

Description of Advertising Campaign Company Engaged to Promote Department’s Cost Incurred to date Policy/Programme in 2018 Advertisement in the August 2018 edition of Chartered Accountants Ireland €3,247 the Accountancy Ireland magazine to create awareness of the supportingsmes.ie online tool Design of advertising for Workplace Relations Fuzion Communications €2,277 Commission stand at National Ploughing Cham- pionships Workplace Relations Commission employment Irish Farmers Journal €8,467 rights public awareness campaign – Market Garden Advertisement promoting Workplace Relations Irish Farmers Journal €3,764 Commission stand at the National Ploughing Championships Advertisement promoting Workplace Relations Westmeath/Offaly Independent Print Co Ltd €708 Commission stand at the National Ploughing Championships Radio advertisement promoting Workplace Rela- Midlands 103 €5,910 tions Commission stand at the National Plough- ing Championships Advertisement promoting Workplace Relations National Ploughing Catalogue €431 Commission stand at the National Ploughing Championships Newspaper and social media advertising to Mediavest Ltd €13,419 promote awareness of the Disruptive Technolo- gies Innovation Fund and the launch of the first call for funding Total Expenditure Incurred to date in 2018 €38,223

20/11/2018WRM05000Medical Products Supply

20/11/2018WRM05100322. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the changes that were made in budget 2019 regarding free access to anti-coagulation strips for patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47666/18]

20/11/2018WRM05200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, the HSE has statutory responsibility for the administration of the community drug schemes; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRM05300Neuro-Rehabilitation Services Provision

20/11/2018WRM05400323. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if funding was made available to the HSE in budget 2019 for the roll-out of the neuro-rehabilitation implementation framework; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47669/18]

20/11/2018WRM05500Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government,

125 Questions - Written Answers which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As recently announced by the Government, the overall Health budget for 2019 is €17 billion. This is the highest level of health investment in the history of the State.

The Health Service Executive is currently in the process of finalising its National Service Plan for 2019, in consultation with officials from my Department. Detailed Operational Plans for the coming year for each of the Executive’s service areas, including disability services, will stem from this process. Decisions in terms of the Disability Programme priorities for 2019 will be made within the context of the national service planning process. Pending the conclusion of this process, I am not in a position to comment further on the matter raised by the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRM05600Neuro-Rehabilitation Policy

20/11/2018WRM05700324. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the reason there has been no investment in clinical services providing neuro-rehabilitation across the country since the publication in 2011 of the National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland 2011-2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47670/18]

20/11/2018WRM05800Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRM05900Disability Services Provision

20/11/2018WRM06000325. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the accommodation opportunities that will become available for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47677/18]

20/11/2018WRM06100Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRN00200Cancer Screening Programmes

126 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRN00300326. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 645 of 6 November 2018, if the familial breast cancer risk assessment service in St. James’s Hospital will be restored in early 2019; if the hospital will have adequate resources to meet the demand on a third mammography machine in 2019; if the replacement of essential equipment can be arranged before the end of life period for older machines to ensure there are no gaps in service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47679/18]

20/11/2018WRN00400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The intention is to restore the Familial Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Service in St James’s Hospital as early as possible in the new year. A third mammography machine will be installed then and it is hoped that any required staffing resources will be made available under the 2019 National Service Plan.

The HSE’s National Cancer Control Programme in conjunction with HSE Estates works to oversee the replacement and refreshment of equipment on an ongoing basis in line with available resources. In this case, the third mammography machine is an extra machine rather than a replacement.

20/11/2018WRN00500Medicinal Products Regulation

20/11/2018WRN00600327. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) for access to legal cannabis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47681/18]

20/11/2018WRN00700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As the Deputy will be aware the Depart- ment cannot comment on individual cases. However, if the patient or their medical practitioner wishes to contact my Department directly to discuss the issue they are welcome to do so.

It should be noted that the Department of Health website contains detailed information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence. This information can be found at: health.gov.ie/blog/publications/cannabis-for-medical-use/.

It is important to note that the decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision- making process.

20/11/2018WRN00800Services for People with Disabilities

20/11/2018WRN00900328. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health when the new facility (details supplied) for young persons with special needs in County Kerry will be opened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47683/18]

20/11/2018WRN01000Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be 127 Questions - Written Answers referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRN01100Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

20/11/2018WRN01200329. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) who has been accepted onto the nursing home support scheme will be granted a place in one of the approved nursing homes in Dublin to allow them to leave St. James’s Hospital. [47694/18]

20/11/2018WRN01300Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRN01400Hospital Beds Data

20/11/2018WRN01500330. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of delayed discharges in each of the years 2011 to 2017 and to date 2018, by hospital; and the reason for delayed discharge in tabular form. [47697/18]

20/11/2018WRN01600Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRN01700Disease Management

20/11/2018WRN01800331. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the shortfalls in patient diagnosis and treatment of Lyme disease within the health service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47698/18]

20/11/2018WRN01900333. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the person or body that carried out the review of the final UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guidelines on Lyme disease; the input patient groups had into the review (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47700/18]

20/11/2018WRN02000335. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the reason the health system is not following the NICE guidelines as it relates to the interpretation of results from the two tier testing (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47702/18]

20/11/2018WRN02100336. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the reason many of the key recommendations from the NICE guidelines on Lyme disease are not being implemented in particular in relation to erythema rash which is definitive of a diagnosis of Lyme disease and should receive immediate treatment (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47703/18]

20/11/2018WRN02200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I propose to take Questions Nos. 331, 333, 335 and 336 together.

Lyme disease (also known as Lyme borelliosis) is an infection caused by a spiral-shaped bacterium called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is transmitted to humans by bites from infected ticks and is the commonest cause of tick-borne infections in Europe. Lyme neuroborreliosis was

128 20 November 2018 made statutorily notifiable in Ireland by the Infectious Diseases (Amendment) Regulations 2011 (S.I. no 452 of 2011). Testing and treatment for Lyme borreliosis is widely available in Ireland in all major hospitals. Lyme borreliosis is diagnosed by medical history and a physical examination which may be carried out by a General Practitioner. Lyme disease may also be treated by infectious disease specialists (of which there are 12 nationally) or by general internal medicine available in all acute hospitals. Medical training programmes at undergraduate or postgraduate level in Ireland provides specialist training in infectious diseases, including Lyme disease.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) of the HSE is responsible for the surveillance of notifiable infectious diseases such as Lyme disease. The Scientific Advisory Commit- tee (SAC) of the HPSC established a Lyme Borreliosis Subcommittee, the aim of which is to develop strategies to undertake primary prevention with a view to minimising the harm caused by Lyme Borreliosis in Ireland. The membership of the Subcommittee included a person nominated by Tick Talk Ireland to represent its views during the Subcommittee’s deliberations.

The Subcommittee will shortly submit its final report to the SAC. During the report’s preparation, the HPSC learned that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK was undertaking a systematic review of Lyme disease which resulted in the NICE Lyme disease guidelines. These guidelines are based on the most exhaustive systematic review yet undertaken of the evidence around Lyme disease and focused on producing recommendations based on best available evidence relating to diagnosis, management and public awareness of Lyme disease.

Given the significance of the NICE guidelines to the subject-matter of its work, the Subcom- mittee determined that it would be appropriate to delay finalisation of its report with a view to ensuring that the findings of these guidelines could be taken into consideration and to ensure that no relevant evidence regarding Lyme disease would be omitted. In considering the NICE report, the Subcommittee focused solely on the evidence and recommendations contained in the report that related to its remit (specifically in relation to awareness-raising - diagnostics and clinical management aspects fell outside the remit of the Subcommittee).

The report is scheduled to be finalised by the Subcommittee shortly, at which point it will be sent for consideration to the SAC. At this juncture, it would be inappropriate to consider making changes to the testing, treatment and/or management of the condition until this deliberative process has been completed. However, I have been advised that the report of the subcommittee will be recommending the formation of a group of clinicians to review evidence regarding the diagnostics and clinical management of Lyme disease in Ireland as part of its report.

Outside of the work of the Subcommittee, the HPSC website (hpsc.ie) provides extensive information on Lyme disease diagnosis, treatment and how to avoid tick bites for both the public and General Practitioners. Lyme disease can be successfully treated using common antibiotics by General Practitioners. These antibiotics are effective at clearing the characteristic rash (Erythema Migrans) that sometimes accompanies infection with Lyme disease and helping to prevent the development of complications. Antibiotics are generally given for up to three weeks. If complications develop, intravenous antibiotics may be considered. Lyme disease can, however, be a difficult diagnosis to make in cases where there is no evidence of a rash. It should also be noted that the symptoms associated with Lyme disease are also characteristic of other conditions such as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, food poisoning, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Depression and Multiple Sclerosis.

The infection can, however, be confirmed by blood tests which look for antibodies produced by an infected person’s body in response to the infection. These normally take several weeks to

129 Questions - Written Answers develop and may not be present in the early stages of the disease. In undertaking Lyme testing, it is essential that the results are interpreted in the light of the clinical condition of the patient. If the result of this initial screen is equivocal, the patient’s samples are referred to the U.K.’s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory. This laboratory uses a two-tier system recommended by American and European authorities which involves a screening test followed by a confirmatory test.

20/11/2018WRN02300Disease Management

20/11/2018WRN02400332. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health the action he plans to take to ensure Ireland implements the recent recommendations of the World Health Organisa- tion regarding Lyme disease (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47699/18]

20/11/2018WRN02500334. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that denial of treatment options that meet internationally accepted standards for chronic Lyme disease patients is a human rights violation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47701/18]

20/11/2018WRN02600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I propose to take Questions Nos. 332 and 334 together.

On 18 June 2018, the World Health Organisation released its new International Classifica- tion of Diseases (ICD-11). The ICD is the foundation for identifying health trends and statistics worldwide, and contains around 55,000 unique codes for injuries, diseases and causes of death. It provides a common language that allows health professionals worldwide to share health information. ICD-11 will be presented at the World Health Assembly in May 2019 for adoption by Member States, and will come into effect on 1 January 2022. According to the WHO’s website, the purpose of releasing the guidelines at this point in time is to provide an advance preview of them. Given the current status of the ICD-11 codes, it would be premature to comment upon their future implementation or any human rights implications with regard to their application at this stage of their development and roll-out.

In the interim, Lyme neuroborreliosis was (for the first time) on 28 June 2018, included on the list of diseases under EU epidemiological surveillance, with a uniform EU case definition being formally released at the same time. The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) will shortly move to adopt this case definition for surveillance of Lyme neuroborreliosis in Ireland. The choice of Lyme neuroborreliosis as the notifiable entity for Lyme surveillance in the EU was based on scientific advice provided by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) after following wide consultation with experts in all EU Member States. As well as enabling Ireland to have a robust and reliable method to monitor Lyme disease, by adopting the EU case definition, Ireland’s data will become directly comparable with data from other EU member states.

Testing and treatment for Lyme borreliosis is widely available in Ireland in all major hospitals. Lyme borelliosis is diagnosed by medical history and a physical examination. The infection is confirmed by blood tests which look for antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi produced by an infected person’s body in response to the infection. These normally take several weeks to develop and may not be present in the early stages of the disease. In undertaking Lyme testing, it is essential that the results are interpreted in the light of the clinical condition of the patient. If the result of this initial screen is equivocal, the patient’s samples are referred to the U.K.’s Rare and Imported Pathogens Laboratory (RIPL) Service of Public Health England Porton which 130 20 November 2018 uses a two-tier system recommended by American and European authorities. This involves a screening serological test followed by a confirmatory serological test. This two tier approach gives a great degree of certainty around the diagnosis of Lyme. All testing in Ireland is confirmed by RIPL.

Question No. 333 answered with Question No. 331.

Question No. 334 answered with Question No. 332.

Questions Nos. 335 and 336 answered with Question No. 331.

20/11/2018WRN03100Hospitals Building Programme

20/11/2018WRN03200337. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to an increase in construction vehicles entering and leaving the site owned by an organisation (details supplied) that is earmarked for the new maternity hospital; if this increase is linked to the construction of the planned new car park and pharmacy; and if so, if these works are going ahead with or without his knowledge or authority. [47709/18]

20/11/2018WRN03300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE has advised my Department that no works have commenced on the development of the car park and pharmacy on the site in question, as the contract for the car park and pharmacy has not as yet been awarded.

20/11/2018WRN03400HSE Reports

20/11/2018WRN03500338. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health if the report of the working group on a model of care for lymphoedema and lipoedema treatment in Ireland established by the HSE has been finalised and published; and if he will meet with a representative group (details supplied) for persons living with lymphoedema. [47710/18]

20/11/2018WRN03600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I am advised that the report of the Working Group on a Model of Care for Lymphoedema and Lipoedema Treatment in Ireland is under consideration by the HSE.

The recommendations arising from the report will be considered by my Department once they become available, with a view to progressing implementation by the HSE.

I am advised that officials in my Department and members of the Model of Care Working Group met with Lymphoedema Ireland in April this year.

20/11/2018WRN03700Pension Provisions

20/11/2018WRN03800339. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be contacted in relation to a pension payment which is €14 under the maximum rate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47713/18]

20/11/2018WRN03900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): It is understood from Deputy Butler’s office that the individual referred to was not employed in the public health service.

20/11/2018WRN04000Health Services 131 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRN04100340. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding the cost of non-healing wound care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47718/18]

20/11/2018WRN04200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): This is a service matter which is being referred to the HSE for answer.

20/11/2018WRN04300Emergency Departments Data

20/11/2018WRN04400341. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times a full capacity protocol was invoked in 2016, 2017 and to date 2018, by hospital in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47719/18]

20/11/2018WRN04500Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE National Escalation Framework, issued to the system in late 2015, consists of a tiered and incremental suite of actions to be adapted and implemented in hospitals with an ED during times when such hospitals are challenged in matching capacity and demand for acute inpatient care.

The full capacity protocol is the last escalation step in the HSE National Escalation Frame- work.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRN04600General Practitioner Services Provision

20/11/2018WRN04700342. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health the options available for a person (details supplied) who cannot secure a general practitioner in their area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47721/18]

20/11/2018WRN04800Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for it to be referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRN04900Services for People with Disabilities

20/11/2018WRN05000343. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the need for more beds for residential placements within disability services in County Wex- ford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47723/18]

20/11/2018WRN05100Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

132 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRN05200Mental Health Services Provision

20/11/2018WRN05300344. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the provision of a psychiatrist in a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47724/18]

20/11/2018WRN05400Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRN05500Nursing Staff Recruitment

20/11/2018WRN05600345. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding the appointment of a neuro-nurse for County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47725/18]

20/11/2018WRN05700Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRO00200Primary Care Centres

20/11/2018WRO00300346. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to make the physio- therapy room in the primary care centre in Wexford town available to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47727/18]

20/11/2018WRO00400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): 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.

20/11/2018WRO00500Services for People with Disabilities

20/11/2018WRO00600347. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health when a full-time dedicated social worker will be appointed to a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47729/18]

20/11/2018WRO00700Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO00800Services for People with Disabilities

133 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRO00900348. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied with the breakdown of the multidisciplinary team for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47730/18]

20/11/2018WRO01000Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO01100Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRO01200349. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied). [47733/18]

20/11/2018WRO01300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRO01400Mental Health Services Provision

20/11/2018WRO01500350. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Ques- tion No. 195 of 3 October 2018, when a position will open for applications; the way in which persons can apply for same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47741/18]

20/11/2018WRO01600Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRO01700Nursing Education

20/11/2018WRO01800351. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if he and the HSE have plans to

134 20 November 2018 expand the sponsored nursing training scheme for persons already employed in the health service such as care assistants. [47743/18]

20/11/2018WRO01900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

20/11/2018WRO02000Mental Health Services Provision

20/11/2018WRO02100352. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health when promised funding for a project (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be forthcoming; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47745/18]

20/11/2018WRO02200Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRO02300Home Help Service Provision

20/11/2018WRO02400353. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if the allocation of home help for a person (details supplied) will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47749/18]

20/11/2018WRO02500Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO02600Food Safety Authority of Ireland

20/11/2018WRO02700354. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health the mechanism through which he sought advice on public health and consumer interests in the area of food safety and hygiene before the establishment of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47752/18]

20/11/2018WRO02800Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Prior to the establishment of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Food Safety Advisory Board provided advice to the Minister for Health on food related issues. The functions of the Food Safety Advisory Board were:

(a) to organise and administer a service for obtaining and assessing information as regards the safety of food,

(b) to organise and administer a service for obtaining and assessing information as regards zoonotic diseases,

(c) to advise the Minister of developments in domestic and European law relating to food, 135 Questions - Written Answers (d) to advise the Minister on matters relating to food with particular reference to nutrition,

(e) to coordinate scientific cooperation with other European Union Member States in accordance with Council Directive 93/5/EEC,

(f) if requested by the Minister, to consider and report to him or her on arrangements to be made:

- for ensuring that the control of food processing and handling is compatible with accepted safety standards,

- for the registration and inspection of premises carrying on a food business,

(g) to undertake such other tasks as are consistent with its remit which the Minister for Ag- riculture, Food and Forestry and the Minister for the Marine may require,

(h) to consider and report to the Minister on such general matters in regard to food safety and nutrition as he or she may refer to the Board for advice.

The Board consisted of sixteen persons appointed by the Minister having a knowledge and experience of food safety, nutrition and consumer requirements.

SI No. 523/1997 - The Food Safety Advisory Board (Revocation) Order, 1997, which came into effect on 1st January 1998, transferred functions, property, rights, etc. to the FSAI.

20/11/2018WRO02900Respite Care Services Provision

20/11/2018WRO03000355. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) regarding respite care will be examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47758/18]

20/11/2018WRO03100Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

As the Deputy’s question relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO03200Psychological Services Waiting Lists

20/11/2018WRO03300356. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of children in CHO area 7 on the waiting list for an appointment with a child psychologist; the length of time each has been waiting; the measures in place to ease the backlog in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47760/18]

20/11/2018WRO03400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this question relates to service matters, I 136 20 November 2018 have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

20/11/2018WRO03500Rare Diseases Strategy

20/11/2018WRO03600357. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to create awareness of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and hypermobility; the supports in place for persons suffering with the condition here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47763/18]

20/11/2018WRO03700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this query relates specifically to the work of the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO03800Hospital Equipment

20/11/2018WRO03900358. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no upright or stand-up MRI machines; when funding will be provided for this equipment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47764/18]

20/11/2018WRO04000Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRO04100Hospital Equipment

20/11/2018WRO04200359. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is no facility for persons who require an upright MRI and that persons must travel to England for same at a cost of €1,600; if his attention has been further drawn to the fact that this is not covered under the EU cross-border directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47765/18]

20/11/2018WRO04300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As the provision of specific services in the acute hospital setting are an operational matter for the HSE I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on the issue of lack of upright MRI facilities.

In relation to accessing upright MRI facilities it is noted that patients often access services in other EU/EEA member states under different routes.

The Treatment Abroad Scheme (TAS) allows public patients to be referred to another EU/ EEA country for treatment that is not available in Ireland, subject to qualifying criteria. A patient’s Irish based consultant is responsible for referring the patient abroad under the terms of the TAS, after having exhausted all treatment options including tertiary care within Ireland. Applications to the TAS are processed and a determination given in accordance with the statutory framework prior to a patient travelling to avail of treatment. The statutory framework stipulates the patient must be a public patient and is required to have followed public patient pathways. Also, the treatment must be a proven treatment and not experimental/trial and it must be provided in the public health service of the country which the patient is being referred to.

In relation to the Cross Border Directive (CBD), patients in Ireland can seek to be referred to another EU/EEA country for medical treatment that is available in the public health service in Ireland. The patient my access the overseas service in either the public or private health

137 Questions - Written Answers sector of the country they choose to receive the service in. The patient pays for the treatment and claims reimbursement from the HSE at the cost of that treatment in Ireland or the cost of it abroad, whichever is the lesser.

Further information on the TAS may be obtained from the HSE website, by phone at 056 77845548 or by writing to the TAS Office, St. Canice’s Hospital Complex, Dublin Road, Kilkenny, Co Kilkenny. The contact details for the CBD are: National Contact Point: HSE Cross Border Directive, St Canice’s Hospital, Dublin Road, Kilkenny. Tel: 056 778 4547 or 056 778 4546 or 056 778 4556. email: [email protected].

20/11/2018WRO04400Rare Diseases Strategy

20/11/2018WRO04500360. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there are no Ehlers-Danlos syndrome specialists working here; his plans to provide funding to secure such a specialist here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47766/18]

20/11/2018WRO04600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this query relates specifically to the work of the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO04700Medicinal Products Prices

20/11/2018WRO04800361. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 18 October 2018, when the rare diseases technology review committee will begin assessing and reporting on orphan medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47767/18]

20/11/2018WRO04900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines , in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO05000Medicinal Products Prices

20/11/2018WRO05100362. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 238 and 670 of 18 October 2018, the reason the rare diseases technology review committee does not have a direct input into the NCPE health technology assessment process; if the committee will be permitted to replicate to the Scottish PACE model to have a direct input into the pharmacoeconomic evaluation of orphan medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47768/18]

20/11/2018WRO05200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO05300Services for People with Disabilities

138 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRO05400363. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the reason the foot shoe clinic for those with disabilities was relocated from Dungarvan Community Hospital to UHW; if his attention has been drawn to the inconvenience this has caused to those that use this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47770/18]

20/11/2018WRO05500Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRO05600Home Help Service Provision

20/11/2018WRO05700364. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health his plans to improve counselling services in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47772/18]

20/11/2018WRO05800Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRO05900Medicinal Products Reimbursement

20/11/2018WRO06000365. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of the reimbursement of the drug Respreeza; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47779/18]

20/11/2018WRO06100Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines , in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRP00200Health Services Data

20/11/2018WRP00300366. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the estimated number of persons living with diabetes for the past five years, in tabular form; the estimated percentage number requiring non-healing wound care per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47781/18]

20/11/2018WRP00400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRP00500Health Services

20/11/2018WRP00600367. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied). [47782/18]

20/11/2018WRP00700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRP00800Medicinal Products Reimbursement

20/11/2018WRP00900368. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his plans to engage with other 139 Questions - Written Answers members of the BeNeLuxA group to negotiate jointly to obtain reimbursement for Spinraza similar to that completed by the Netherlands and Belgium earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47786/18]

20/11/2018WRP01000Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): In July 2018, two members of the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy (Belgium and the Netherlands) completed a joint negotiation for the reimbursement of nusinersen (Spinraza). However, this joint negotiation process commenced when Ireland had only opened negotiations with Belgium, the Netherlands, Austria and Luxembourg on joining the existing collaboration between these four countries. As a can- didate country, Ireland was not notified, due to confidentiality arrangements, that negotiations were occurring for the reimbursement of nusinersen and we were not party to the negotiations and proceedings that occurred.

As the Deputy is aware, the Oireachtas has put in place a robust legal framework in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, which gives full statutory powers to the HSE to assess and make decisions on the reimbursement of medicines, taking account of a range of objective factors and expert opinion as appropriate.

The Act specifies the criteria for making reimbursement decisions, which include the clinical and cost effectiveness of the product, the opportunity cost and the impact on resources available to the HSE.

The HSE received an application for the reimbursement of nusinersen in July 2017.

The National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics conducted a health technology assessment on nusinersen and did not recommend its reimbursement at the submitted price.

The application is being considered by the Rare Diseases Medicinal Products/Technology Review Committee and the HSE Drugs Group and is due to be considered by the HSE Leader- ship Team shortly, following which the final decisions will be notified.

The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments are often multi-million euro investments on an ongoing basis. This can lead to protracted deliberative processes, which are usually bound by strict confidentially clauses at the insistence of applicant companies.

20/11/2018WRP01100Health Services

20/11/2018WRP01200369. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [47790/18]

20/11/2018WRP01300Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRP01400HSE National Service Plan

20/11/2018WRP01500370. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health when he expects the HSE service plan to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47808/18]

20/11/2018WRP01600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As provided for under legislation (Health

140 20 November 2018 Act 2004 as amended), my Department must write to the Health Service Executive to notify it of its allocation for 2019 not later than 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Public Services. The legislation further provides that, on receipt of the letter of determination, the Executive has 21 days to prepare and submit its Service Plan for 2019 for my approval. The Health Act allows me to extend the period provided to the HSE to prepare, adopt and submit its Service Plan, if required. The letter of determination issued from my Department on 17 October, 2018 and the HSE are currently in the process of preparing the 2019 National Service Plan. A request to extend the submission date for submission of the NSP to my Depart- ment to 30th November has been received from the HSE which I have approved.

Following the submission of the draft National Service Plan, the legislation provides 21 days for me to examine the proposed plan and where necessary to seek amendment to, or approve, the plan. The National Service Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the Service Plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.

20/11/2018WRP01700Hospital Consultant Recruitment

20/11/2018WRP01800371. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants that have been recruited to date in 2018; the estimated number to be recruited in 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47809/18]

20/11/2018WRP01900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

20/11/2018WRP02000Maternity Services Provision

20/11/2018WRP02100372. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the maternity strategy; if they are ahead or behind recommended timelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47810/18]

20/11/2018WRP02200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Implementation of Ireland’s first National Maternity Strategy - Creating A Better Future Together 2016 - 2026 - is being led by the Na- tional Women & Infants Health Programme on a phased basis. The Programme, which was established to lead the management, organisation and delivery of maternity, gynaecological and neonatal services, has developed a detailed Implementation Plan which I was pleased to launch in October 2017. The Plan is presented under the Strategy’s four strategic priorities and details how each of the 77 actions will be implemented, on an incremental basis. The Plan represents another essential building block to provide a consistently safe and high quality maternity service.

In response to your query regarding timelines for the implementation of the National Mater- nity Strategy, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

20/11/2018WRP02300Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRP02400373. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47811/18]

20/11/2018WRP02500Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- 141 Questions - Written Answers vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRP02600Home Care Packages Expenditure

20/11/2018WRP02700374. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the expenditure on home support programmes in counties Cavan and Monaghan in 2018; the projected expenditure for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47812/18]

20/11/2018WRP02800375. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the number of persons approved for home support and awaiting the commencement of the service in counties Cavan and Monaghan; the average time between approval of home support and such support being made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47813/18]

20/11/2018WRP02900Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): I propose to take Questions Nos. 374 and 375 together.

As these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRP03100Home Care Packages Funding

20/11/2018WRP03200376. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure that there will be a substantial increase in funding for home support in counties Cavan and Monaghan in view of the unacceptable delays in persons being provided with such necessary services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47814/18]

20/11/2018WRP03300Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): Following the recent Budget announcement, the HSE and officials from the Department of Health have commenced the process of developing and agreeing the HSE National Service Plan 2019, which will set out, in detail, the type and quantum of services to be delivered in 2019 including in relation to services for older people.

20/11/2018WRP03400Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRP03500377. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). [47815/18]

142 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRP03600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRP03700Obesity Strategy

20/11/2018WRP03800378. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken in conjunction with An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces to help reduce and eliminate obesity within their respective forces. [47817/18]

20/11/2018WRP03900Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): I am pleased to advise the Deputy that the universal implementation of my Department’s national Obesity Policy and Action Plan is continuing for the benefit of public health.

A ‘Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda.

This Policy, which takes a ‘whole system’ approach, covers a ten-year period up to 2025.

The Department of Health has established an Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group, comprising of officials from a range of other Departments as well as key academic and health agency representation. It is comprised of representatives from the following Depart- ments and Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Department of Education and Skills; Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; University College Cork; the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the Health Service Executive (HSE) - including the National Clinical Lead for Obesity; and Safefood.

Sub-groups on Reformulation and on Healthy Eating have been established as initial priority areas for action. Work has commenced on a Roadmap for Reformulation of foods and drinks to reduce sugar and fat content.

In addition, a voluntary code of practice for food and beverages promotion, marketing and sponsorship has also been developed involving representatives from the food industry, advertising sector, statutory agencies, and various Government Departments. This Code was published in February and work is underway to operationalise it.

The OPAP recommended that proposals be developed relating to the rollout of evidence based fiscal measures, including a levy on sugar-sweetened drinks, in support of healthy eating. As the Deputy is aware the Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax commenced on the 1st of May. It represents a positive step in our national policy to deal with the problem of obesity. In addition,

143 Questions - Written Answers the development of legislation for calorie posting to support people to make healthy choices is underway by the Department of Health. Currently, a behaviour study on how best to make the posting of calories meaningful to customers and more likely to impact on their behaviours is being finalised.

A HSE national Clinical Lead for Obesity was appointed in 2017. This appointment will be important in further advancing the implementation of many of the recommendations in the OPAP including the development of a national integrated service model for the health and social care of overweight and obese people and for developing quality assurance guidance for obesity services.

Furthermore, under the broader Healthy Ireland agenda, a number of other major initiatives support the Obesity Policy:

- The National Physical Activity Plan is one of the key developments arising from Healthy Ireland, and implementation of that Plan is well underway in collaboration with the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport and a range of other stakeholders.

- The Healthy Ireland 2018 Communications campaign aims to encourage people to make a small, healthy change under three themes – Healthy Eating, Physical Activity and Mental Wellbeing, and we are working with a range of national and local partners to deliver a range of communications and citizen engagement activities.

- The Healthy Ireland Fund, which was initiated in 2017 has supported a range of actions at both national and local level, which aim to support the Obesity Policy and the Physical Activity Plan.

- A national Healthy Workplace Framework is in development, in conjunction with the De- partment of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and a range of other stakeholders. This Frame- work, which is expected to be published in 2019, will support and foster initiatives to promote employee and workplace health and wellbeing within both public and private sector.

Finally, the question of targeted programmes along the lines suggested by the Deputy are matters for those Departments concerned in the first instance.

20/11/2018WRP04000Direct Provision System

20/11/2018WRP04100379. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Ques- tion No. 88 of 28 June 2018, the waiting lists for mental health supports and services for children in direct provision. [47826/18]

20/11/2018WRP04200Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRP04300Direct Provision System

20/11/2018WRP04400380. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Ques- tion No. 88 of 28 June 2018, the waiting lists for mental health supports and services for adults in direct provision. [47827/18]

20/11/2018WRP04500Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service

144 20 November 2018 matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRP04600Hospital Beds Data

20/11/2018WRP04700381. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the average number of acute hospital beds available in public hospitals in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by inpatient and day case, in tabular form. [47828/18]

20/11/2018WRP04800Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRP04900Hospital Waiting Lists Data

20/11/2018WRP05000382. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age and resident in County Wexford awaiting an ENT consultation; the number waiting longer than 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47837/18]

20/11/2018WRP05100Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): With regard to the matter raised, officials of my Department are collating the data requested and will provide it directly to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRP05200Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data

20/11/2018WRP05300383. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS appointments that have taken place in hotels or hired offices owing to a lack of accommodation to date in 2018, by county or LHO, in tabular form; the cost for each CHO of renting, hiring or leasing such accommodation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47841/18]

20/11/2018WRP05400Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRP05500Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data

20/11/2018WRP05600384. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS appointments provided in each CHO in which one or all of the medical staff providing the service was temporarily redeployed from another CHO to date in 2018, in tabular form. [47842/18]

20/11/2018WRP05700Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRP05800Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Data

20/11/2018WRP05900385. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of CAMHS appointments provided in each CHO at weekends by staff employed during the week in another CHO to date in 2018, in tabular form. [47843/18]

145 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRP06000Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRQ00200Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

20/11/2018WRQ00300386. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the travel and accommodation expenses incurred to date in 2018 regarding the provision of CAMHS appointments by staff employed in another CHO in each CHO area, in tabular form. [47844/18]

20/11/2018WRQ00400Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRQ00500Mental Health Services Funding

20/11/2018WRQ00600387. Deputy Margaret Murphy O’Mahony asked the Minister for Health the reason section 39 funding was denied to a facility (details supplied); the reason it was only informed of this in October 2018 when decisions were to be made available in March; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47849/18]

20/11/2018WRQ00700Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRQ00800HSE Properties

20/11/2018WRQ00900388. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the status of a graveyard on a site (details supplied); the provisions being made for the graveyard; if it will be part of the sale in process; if these grounds will be preserved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47862/18]

20/11/2018WRQ01000Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the health care property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.

20/11/2018WRQ01100Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRQ01200389. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled. [47868/18]

20/11/2018WRQ01300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive, HSE, is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has 146 20 November 2018 been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRQ01400Hospital Waiting Lists Data

20/11/2018WRQ01500390. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health the average waiting times for a spinal consultation; and his views on the fact that a number of patients awaiting such an appointment are now waiting far in excess of the expected 68 weeks. [47869/18]

20/11/2018WRQ01600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): With regard to the matter raised, I have asked the HSE to provide the data requested, and respond directly to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRQ01700Home Care Packages

20/11/2018WRQ01800391. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a home support package will be allocated to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47870/18]

20/11/2018WRQ01900Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRQ02000HSE National Service Plan

20/11/2018WRQ02100392. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health when the 2019 HSE service plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47872/18]

20/11/2018WRQ02200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As provided for under legislation, Health Act 2004 as amended, my Department must write to the Health Service Executive to notify it of its allocation for 2019 not later than 21 days after the publication by the Government of the Estimates for Public Services. The legislation further provides that, on receipt of the letter of determination, the executive has 21 days to prepare and submit its service plan for 2019 for my approval. The Health Act allows me to extend the period provided to the HSE to prepare, adopt and submit its Service Plan, NSP, if required. The letter of determination issued from my Department on 17 October, 2018 and the HSE are currently in the process of preparing the 2019 National Service Plan. A request to extend the submission date for submission of the NSP to my Department to 30 November has been received from the HSE which I have approved.

Following the submission of the draft National Service Plan, the legislation provides 21 days for me to examine the proposed plan and where necessary to seek amendment to, or approve, the plan. The National Service Plan must be laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas within 21 days of its approval. Once the Service Plan is laid before the Houses of the Oireach- tas the HSE will ensure it is published at the earliest possible time.

147 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRQ02300Public Health Policy

20/11/2018WRQ02400393. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the non- harm measures, that is, the removal of seagulls’ nests and eggs introduced in the Balbriggan area to reduce the increasing number of seagulls, are in the interest of public health in this area in view of available information (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47887/18]

20/11/2018WRQ02500Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The Health Protection Surveillance Centre, HPSC, is Ireland’s specialist agency for the surveillance of communicable diseases. It works in partnership with health service providers and similar organisations in Ireland and around the world, to provide the best possible information for the control and prevention of infectious diseases. The role of the HPSC includes providing timely information and independent advice, carrying out disease surveillance, epidemiological investigation and related research and training.

In 2017, the HPSC undertook an investigation to determine if gulls posed a potential infectious risk and to attempt to quantify this in the most valid manner. The main focus of the investigation was an examination of the potential for transmission from gulls to man, of infectious disease. An extensive review of relevant international literature on the evidence for transmission of infectious disease from gulls to man indicated that, although disease carriage is relatively common amongst such birds, there is very little evidence of disease transmission to humans and that wild birds play a limited role in human infectious disease.

In Public Health, health threats are prioritised using a number of parameters, namely sever- ity of disease, potential for transmission, number of cases of illness. Available evidence, while indicating that gulls and other wild birds do carry potentially harmful pathogenic bacteria, does not indicate that they transmit these microbes to any significant extent, or in any meaningful amount, to humans despite these birds having been documented as carrying and excreting these bacteria, in close proximity to humans, for many decades.

20/11/2018WRQ02600Hospital Services

20/11/2018WRQ02700394. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons whose elective orthopaedic procedures have been deferred consequent on the ongoing closure of one orthopaedic theatre at Merlin Park University Hospital Galway by length of time waiting and age in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47894/18]

20/11/2018WRQ02800395. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the alternative arrangements in place to treat patients at Merlin Park University Hospital Galway (details supplied); the alternative hospitals to which they have been sent in order for the procedures to be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47895/18]

20/11/2018WRQ02900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I propose to take Questions Nos. 394 and 395 together.

Merlin Park University Hospital advises that following the deferral of elective orthopaedic procedures in 2017, the hospital facilitated the transfer of elective sessions to University Hospital Galway, UHG, on a limited basis and with the support of Merlin Park staffing and 8 orthopaedic elective beds. In addition, some minor procedures were undertaken in Hospital 1 Merlin Park. In March 2018, remedial work facilitated the opening of one theatre at Merlin park and this facility provides access to approximately 10 theatre sessions per week and 44 cases per

148 20 November 2018 week. Prior to the closure, the Hospital advises that there were 14 staffed sessions per week and approximately 66 cases per week.

Merlin Park University Hospital further advises that they have not referred patients to other hospitals during the closure as they were able to transfer patients to UHG for a limited period and are now using the one operational theatre. Further, when the leak occurred in September 2017 there were 95 patients with dates for surgery whose surgeries were subsequently deferred and then listed in accordance with the availability of elective theatre sessions in UHG. The impact of the closures has been that approximately one third fewer elective operating cases have taken place year on year, with 3,466 cases undertaken from September 2016-2017, and 2,377 cases undertaken from September 2017-2018.

Merlin Park University Hospital advise that they are working towards restoring the full elective orthopaedic service as quickly as possible. The Hospital has also gone to tender for a modular theatre facility which would provide 2 replacement theatres and facilitate 20 sessions per week.

20/11/2018WRQ03100Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

20/11/2018WRQ03200396. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Health the position of a person (details supplied) on the waiting list to see a clinical psychologist at the Cherry Orchard CAMHS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47896/18]

20/11/2018WRQ03300Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRQ03400Tuberculosis Incidence

20/11/2018WRQ03500397. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a substantial number of staff members and or patients at Galway Univer- sity Hospital have contracted latent tuberculosis following the admission, treatment and care of a person with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; his views on the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47912/18]

20/11/2018WRQ03600399. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the care packages in place for staff members that have contracted latent tuberculosis following the admission, treatment and care of a patient to Galway University Hospital with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47914/18]

20/11/2018WRQ03700400. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the protocol or other procedures followed in Galway University Hospital following the admission, treatment and care of a patient with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47915/18]

20/11/2018WRQ03800401. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number of patients and or staff that contracted latent tuberculosis following the admission, treatment and care of a patient with active tuberculosis earlier in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47916/18]

20/11/2018WRQ03900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I propose to take Questions Nos. 397 and 399 to 401, inclusive, together. 149 Questions - Written Answers In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRQ04000Tuberculosis Incidence

20/11/2018WRQ04100398. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the policies and or protocols in relation to the admission, treatment and care of a patient with active tuberculosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47913/18]

20/11/2018WRQ04200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): A report entitled ‘Guidelines on the Preven- tion and Control of Tuberculosis in Ireland 2010’ was produced by the National TB Advisory Committee in April 2010. The National TB Advisory Committee was made up of experts covering a broad range of disciplines. The report (published by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre on its website) deals with many aspects of prevention, diagnosis and control of TB in Ireland. The guidelines are intended to act as a source of expert advice on tuberculosis and were amended in 2014.

Questions Nos. 399 to 401, inclusive, answered with Question No. 397.

20/11/2018WRQ04600Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRQ04700402. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for surgery at St. James’s Hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47924/18]

20/11/2018WRQ04800Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRQ04900Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRQ05000403. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for pain management treatment; the reason for the delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47926/18]

20/11/2018WRQ05100Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the

150 20 November 2018 Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRQ05200Medicinal Products Regulation

20/11/2018WRQ05300404. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the measures he is taking to address concerns that diagnoses of foetal anti-convulsant syndrome are still being made due to inadequate levels of public awareness in relation to the use of valproate medicines; the number of children diagnosed with the syndrome for each of the past four years; and if he will give consideration to introducing a financial redress scheme for persons with the condition. [47930/18]

20/11/2018WRQ05400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): A great deal of work has taken place in recent months to increase awareness of valproate medicines, following the European Medicines Agency’s decision to introduce new measures to prevent exposure of babies to valproate medicines in the womb.

The Health Products Regulatory Authority has collaborated with national stakeholders, including patient representatives and healthcare professionals, to implement the EMA’s new risk minimisation measures in Ireland. These measures have included changes to the product information for patients and healthcare professionals; a visual warning on the packaging of valproate medicines; updated educational materials to reflect the new measures and provide age-appropriate advice; and a patient alert card to be attached to the packaging so that pharmacists can go through it with the patient when valproate is dispensed.

The pharmacy regulator, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland, has directed pharmacists that they must inform women of child-bearing age of the potential risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes when supplying medicines containing valproate. This includes providing counselling and including a Package Leaflet and patient alert card with each supply of these medicines.

Meanwhile, as part of its Valproate Response Project, the HSE has written to all prescribers and pharmacists in relation to the new EMA measures and guidelines; issued letters to almost 2,700 patients who were dispensed valproate within the last six months; and developed an online resource, supported by social media activity, to provide information to patients regarding valproate and the recommendations for its use.

With regard to financial redress, I am giving this further consideration, as recommended by the joint committee.

As the Deputy’s question regarding the number of diagnoses relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRQ05500Hospital Appointments Status 151 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRQ05600405. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the number and the length of time persons are awaiting a DEXA scan in University Hospital Galway in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47957/18]

20/11/2018WRQ05700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRR00200Hospital Services

20/11/2018WRR00300406. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the details of the DEXA scanner service provided by University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47958/18]

20/11/2018WRR00400407. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if the position of staff nurse has been filled following the recruitment advertisement for a staff nurse to perform DEXA scans for University Hospital Galway which had a closing date for applications of 21 December 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47959/18]

20/11/2018WRR00500408. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health the necessary complement of staff in order to operate the DEXA scanner at University Hospital Galway; the number of staff employed to operate the scanner; the vacancies in this regard; the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47960/18]

20/11/2018WRR00600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I propose to take Questions Nos. 406 to 408, inclusive, together.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRR00900Medicinal Products Reimbursement

20/11/2018WRR01000409. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be allowed access to Versatis patches to treat fibromyalgia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47962/18]

20/11/2018WRR01100Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Medicines play a vital role in improving the health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines is a key health service objective. However, the challenge is to do this in a safe and sustainable manner. Treatment must be appropriate and proportionate and clinical decision-making, such as prescribing, should be based on both patient needs and sound medical evidence.

Lidocaine 5% medicated plasters are licensed for localised relief of post-shingles pain in adults. This is the patch’s only licensed use in Ireland. It has been reimbursed in the community drug schemes since 2010.

Clinical concern arose when, from 2012 on, usage increased significantly, to the point where more plasters were being used in Ireland than in the entire UK National Health Service. In such situations, it is important and appropriate for clinicians to review usage and, in 2016, the HSE Medicines Management Programme (MMP) reviewed the use of the plasters. The review estimated that only 5-10% of prescribing was for the licensed indication.

From September 2017, following the clinical review, the HSE introduced a new reimburse-

152 20 November 2018 ment approval system for the patches, to support appropriate use and patient care. Under these arrangements, the patient’s GP or consultant applies to the MMP for reimbursement approval on behalf of the patient. If an application is refused, the clinician may submit an appeal to the MMP, making a clear clinical case for the patient. Information for patients and practitioners is on the HSE MMP website at: hse.ie/yourmedicines.

The outcome of an application or an appeal for reimbursement of lidocaine patches is a matter between the MMP and the treating clinician. The Deputy will appreciate that, as Minister for Health, I cannot intervene in individual cases.

The decision to introduce a new reimbursement approval process is a matter for the HSE. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.

20/11/2018WRR01200Services for People with Disabilities

20/11/2018WRR01300410. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the serious financial problems experienced by a service (details supplied); if his attention has been further drawn to the fact the HSE has not honoured an agreement made in 2016 on a core deficit for ongoing services the service was providing without funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47963/18]

20/11/2018WRR01400Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRR01500Trade Union Membership

20/11/2018WRR01600411. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the situation regarding the continued refusal of the HSE to facilitate payroll deductions of union subscriptions for new members of a trade union (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47970/18]

20/11/2018WRR01700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): SIPTU is recognised by the HSE and has negotiating rights for ambulance grades employed by the Executive. As a result, the HSE deducts subscriptions at source for those ambulance staff that are members of that union.

However, the National Ambulance Service Representative Association (NASRA) is not recognised by the HSE and, therefore, does not have negotiating rights. Whilst individuals have a right to membership of any trade union, if they choose to join an association which is not recognised by their employer, such membership is not facilitated by their employer. This means that the HSE does not facilitate deduction of union subscriptions for this particular Association.

20/11/2018WRR01800Services for People with Disabilities

153 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRR01900412. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if an interim child psychologist has been appointed to the south Kildare disability network team to replace the senior child psychologist that is on maternity leave; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47978/18]

20/11/2018WRR02000Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRR02100Health Services Data

20/11/2018WRR02200413. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Health the number of women here diagnosed with endometriosis by county and the stages of the disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47982/18]

20/11/2018WRR02300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRR02400Home Care Packages Provision

20/11/2018WRR02500414. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health if the full number of approved homecare hours will be implemented each day for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47986/18]

20/11/2018WRR02600Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRR02700Rare Diseases Strategy Implementation

20/11/2018WRR02800415. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of the 48 recommendations of the national rare disease plan 2014-2018 that have been implemented; the recommendations that have not been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47995/18]

20/11/2018WRR02900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): In 2017, the Department published a prog-

154 20 November 2018 ress report on the National Rare Disease Plan and this is available on the Department’s website at: http://health.gov.ie/blog/publications/interim-report-on-national-rare-disease-plan-for-ireland-2014-2018/. It provides an update on all 48 recommendations as outlined in the Plan and progress achieved.

One of the principal recommendations in the Plan was the establishment of a National Clini- cal Programme for Rare Diseases which is responsible for assisting with mapping and developing care pathways for rare diseases; facilitating timely access to centres of expertise, nationally and internationally; and developing care pathways with European Reference Centres for those ultra-rare disorders where there may not be sufficient expertise in Ireland.

In line with the National Rare Diseases Plan, the National Clinical Programme for Rare Diseases and the Department of Health encouraged designated centres of expertise in Ireland to apply for membership of European Reference Networks (ERNs) during the first round of calls from the European Commission for participation in ERNs. Membership of ERNs will bring opportunities for engaging in research relating to Rare Diseases in keeping with the National Rare Diseases Plan. Further centres are expected to apply for membership or affiliated membership of ERNs when the next call takes place.

The establishment of a National Rare Disease Office (NRDO) featured prominently in the recommendations of the Rare Disease plan. The office provides current and reliable information about rare diseases to the general public, health care professionals, researchers and policy makers. The National Rare Diseases Office is responsible for updating Orphanet Ireland. Or- phanet is the international rare disease reference and information portal funded by the EU. The office also manages the National Rare Diseases Information Line (a Freephone service) and provides online information about rare diseases on http://www.rarediseases.ie/.

A number of recommendations about access to appropriate drugs and technologies were contained in the plan. One chief recommendation in this regard refers to the HSE developing a Working Group to bring forward appropriate decision criteria for the reimbursement of orphan medicines and technologies; and that the approach should include an assessment system similar to that for cancer therapies established under the National Cancer Control Programme. The HSE Acute Hospitals Division has developed the terms of reference, required membership and reporting relationship for this committee and Dr Michael Barry has been appointed as committee chairperson. A first meeting has taken place and membership of the Committee includes two public/patient representatives from a selected panel of three. The Rare Diseases Medicinal Products/Technology Review Committee is responsible for:

1. Reviewing proposals received from industry or expert groups in Ireland for funding of new products for rare diseases, or expanded indications for existing products for rare diseases and making recommendations as to the implementation of the relevant recommendations from the National Rare Diseases Plan 2011-2018; and

2. Providing contributions to the development of clinical guidelines for relevant Orphan Medicinal Products (OMPs) and supporting the implementation of guidelines in conjunction with the National Drugs Management Programme Office where applicable.

This Committee will also be supported by the National Clinical Programme for Rare Dis- eases Clinical Advisory Group.

The national plan for rare diseases recommended that the Health Identifiers Bill and the Health & Patient Safety Bill be published. The former was published in 2013 and enacted in 2014. The Individual Health Identifier part of the project is now being implemented by the HSE. The Patient Safety Bill 2018 is available on the Department’s website: https://health.gov. 155 Questions - Written Answers ie/blog/publications/general-scheme-patient-safety-bill-5-july-2018/.

Two recommendations referred to training in rare diseases for healthcare professionals. The Department of Health has contacted formally the various healthcare representative and professional bodies about implementing these recommendations. The National Rare Diseases Office developed eLearning modules for healthcare professionals. These modules are available on: http://www.hse.ie/eng/services/list/5/rarediseases/healthcareprofessionals.html.

The issue of rare diseases and of the creation of an all-island patient register has been raised in the context of on-going discussions at North-South meetings. It is also anticipated that the Model of Care for Rare Diseases will set out recommendations for rare disease registries. A public consultation was held on the Draft Model of Care, the results of which are currently under consideration.

The National Clinical Programme has developed a Model of Care for Transition from Paedi- atric to Adult Healthcare Providers in Rare Diseases. This has been now finalised and approved by the Clinical Advisory Group.

The National Rare Disease Plan continues to be implemented. It recommended that an Oversight Implementation Group of relevant stakeholders, including patients’ groups, be established to oversee and monitor implementation of the plan’s recommendations. This group was established by the Department of Health in 2015 and has met on a number of occasions.

While the current National Rare Disease Plan for Ireland will continue to be implemented, as part of its Work Programme for 2019 my Department is considering how best to take forward the next phase of the Plan.

20/11/2018WRR03000Rare Diseases

20/11/2018WRR03100416. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of times the rare disease technology review committee has met; the name of each member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47996/18]

20/11/2018WRR03200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRR03300Rare Diseases

20/11/2018WRR03400417. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of drugs considered by the rare disease technology review committee; the names of the drugs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47997/18]

20/11/2018WRR03500Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRR03600Paediatric Services

20/11/2018WRR03700418. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting

156 20 November 2018 an appointment with a genetic consultant here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47998/18]

20/11/2018WRR03800419. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children awaiting an appointment with a genetic counsellor here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47999/18]

20/11/2018WRR03900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I propose to take Questions Nos. 418 and 419 together.

Children’s Hospital Group (CHG) advise that Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital Crumlin (OL- CHC) holds the Genetic Counsellor and Consultant waiting lists for patients referred by a clinician to OLCHC and Temple Street Children’s University Hospital (TSCUH). I am advised that the waiting list for Genetic Counsellor as of the 20th of November stands at 1,276. The majority of these patients are adults (over 80% are adult patients).

The number of children (only) awaiting an appointment for a Genetic Consultant is 1,450 as of the 20th of November.

20/11/2018WRR04100Medicinal Products

20/11/2018WRR04200420. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of times he has met with pharmaceutical companies in a dialogue on access to new medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48000/18]

20/11/2018WRR04300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I am keen to engage with industry and to explore ways in which new medicines might be more easily introduced in Ireland. However, any innovative approaches that may be tabled must be compatible with the statutory provisions which are in place and must also recognise the context of finite Exchequer resources.

A recent bi-annual meeting was held between the Department of Health and the Irish Health- care Pharmaceutical Association and this proposed dialogue was discussed. It is envisioned that this will take the form of a structured platform of engagement, building a stronger partnership between the State and industry to create better patient access to new treatments.

In November 2015, an Open Policy Forum in relation to access to new medicines took place between the Department of Health, the Department of Finance, Public Expenditure and Reform and the Irish Healthcare Pharmaceutical Association.

20/11/2018WRR04400Medicinal Products Reimbursement

20/11/2018WRR04500421. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the names and titles of those on the HSE national drugs committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48001/18]

20/11/2018WRR04600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRR04700Nursing Home Services

157 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRR04800422. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the number of dementia-specific nursing homes in County Tipperary that have the ability to cater for patients with dementia; the number of nursing homes in County Tipperary not in a position to cater for patients with dementia; his plans to increase the number of residential beds available in County Tipperary for persons with dementia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48005/18]

20/11/2018WRR04900Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRR05000Homeless Persons Supports

20/11/2018WRR05100423. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the action he has taken further to being informed of the imminent eviction of a person (details supplied) from a service into the general homeless provision despite the person’s extensive list of disabilities and mental health issues. [48011/18]

20/11/2018WRR05200Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRR05300Emergency Departments Data

20/11/2018WRR05400424. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of attendances at each accident and emergency department in hospitals throughout the country in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48025/18]

20/11/2018WRR05500Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRR05600Birth Data

20/11/2018WRR05700425. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of births in each hospital in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48026/18]

20/11/2018WRR05800Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRS00200Hospital Admissions

20/11/2018WRS00300426. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of admissions in each paediatric hospital in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48027/18]

20/11/2018WRS00400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRS00500Emergency Departments Data 158 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRS00600427. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of accident and emergency attendances for each of the hospitals throughout the country; the number in which persons attend on an emergency basis in the paediatric department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48028/18]

20/11/2018WRS00700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRS00800Disabilities Assessments

20/11/2018WRS00900428. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of initial assessments of needs for children with disabilities up to 18 years of age that have been carried out in each county in each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form. [48029/18]

20/11/2018WRS01000Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRS01100Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRS01200429. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive cardiac surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48031/18]

20/11/2018WRS01300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRS01400Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRS01500430. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive a date for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48032/18]

159 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRS01600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRS01700Mobility Allowance Eligibility

20/11/2018WRS01800431. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has had their payment reduced from €208.50 to €78 per month; the reason this person was not included in those being paid mobility allowance on an interim basis pending the establishment of a new transport support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48033/18]

20/11/2018WRS01900Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Deputy will be familiar with the background to the closure of both the Mobility Allowance and Moto- rised Transport Grant schemes in February 2013.

My colleague, the Minister for Health and I brought a Memorandum to Government on proposals for a new Transport Support Payment Scheme towards the end of the last Dáil session. Following consideration of the matter, it was decided to withdraw the Memorandum from the Cabinet Agenda at the time. A new Transport Support Payment Scheme remains a priority and we intend to revert to Government with revised proposals to reflect the discussions at that Cabinet meeting and further discussions between ourselves, in due course.

With regard to the Motorised Transport Grant, this scheme operated as a means-tested grant to assist persons with severe disabilities with the purchase or adaptation of a car, where that car was essential to retain employment. The maximum Motorised Transport Grant, which was payable once in any three-year period, was €5,020. Following closure of the scheme in February 2013, no further Motorised Transport Grants have been payable.

It is important to note that the Disabled Drivers and Disabled Passengers scheme operated by the Revenue Commissioners, remains in place. This scheme provides VRT and VAT relief, an exemption from road tax and a fuel grant to drivers and passengers with a disability, who qualify under the relevant criteria set out in governing regulations made by the Minister for Finance. Specifically adapted vehicles driven by persons with a disability are also exempt from payment of tolls on national roads and toll bridges. Transport Infrastructure Ireland has responsibility for this particular scheme.

There are improvements in access to a range of transport support schemes available to persons with disabilities in the State and on-going work is being carried out by Government Departments, agencies and transport providers to further improve access to public transport services. Under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, the Department of Transport, Tourism 160 20 November 2018 and Sport has responsibility for the continued development of accessibility and availability of public transport for people with a disability.

As the Mobility Allowance is paid by the Health Service Executive (HSE) I have referred this question to the HSE for a direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRS02000Disabilities Assessments

20/11/2018WRS02100432. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if early intervention can be granted for children who have no diagnosis but are on the assessment of need list waiting on a diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48034/18]

20/11/2018WRS02200Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRS02300Disabilities Assessments

20/11/2018WRS02400433. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Health the number of children in County Wexford waiting on an initial assessment of needs; and the number waiting longer than three, six and 12 months and two and three years, respectively, for an initial assessment of needs. [48037/18]

20/11/2018WRS02500Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRS02600Patient Data

20/11/2018WRS02700434. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the estimated scale of disease-related malnutrition here; the clinical setting in which disease-related malnutrition predominantly exists; the estimated cost impact of disease-related malnutrition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48040/18]

20/11/2018WRS02800435. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Health the measures being undertaken to accurately measure the scale of malnutrition in the community setting here; and if he

161 Questions - Written Answers will make a statement on the matter. [48041/18]

20/11/2018WRS02900Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): I propose to take Questions Nos. 434 and 435 together.

Good nutrition is fundamental for good health, healing and recovery from illness and injury. Many factors including illness predispose to malnourishment and indicators of malnutrition can found in community patients.

Nutritional screening is a first-line process in identifying patients who are malnourished or at risk of becoming so; nutritional assessment is a detailed investigation to identify and quantify specific nutritional problems.

The Health Service Executive has a nutrition screening programme in the community setting and I am referring your questions to the HSE for their direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRS03100Health Services

20/11/2018WRS03200436. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health his plans to reduce venesec- tion charges for haemochromatosis patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48042/18]

20/11/2018WRS03300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The issue of the provision of therapeutic phlebotomy services for hereditary haemochromatosis patients, including the issue of charges, is currently under consideration by my Department and the HSE.

It is agreed that such services should be provided at the lowest level of complexity that is clinically and operationally feasible. In time it is envisaged that the majority of this work will be done in a primary care setting.

20/11/2018WRS03400Emergency Departments Data

20/11/2018WRS03500437. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Health the number of persons who required admission to hospital arising from a visit to the accident and emergency department or separately required a transfer to another hospital arising from their visit in respect of accident and emergency admissions in each of the departments in hospitals nationally in each of the years 2014 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48052/18]

20/11/2018WRS03600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRS03700Hospital Facilities

20/11/2018WRS03800438. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health his plans to install a spinal unit in Beaumont Hospital as part of upcoming development work at the site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48063/18]

20/11/2018WRS03900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

162 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRS04000Alcohol Pricing

20/11/2018WRS04100439. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health if it is still policy to introduce minimum unit pricing simultaneously with Northern Ireland to avoid the negative impact on cross- Border trade with reference to section 11 of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018; if his position on the matter has changed; if so, his plans to introduce minimum unit pricing ahead of Northern Ireland; if so, when he will proceed with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48066/18]

20/11/2018WRS04200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): My position has always been that I wish to implement Minimum Unit Pricing as soon as possible in order to address the health harms and costs associated with the harmful consumption of alcohol. The original policy intention in relation to the implementation of this measure was contained in a Government Decision from 2013. In view of the changed circumstances since that time I intend to seek a further Govern- ment Decision.

20/11/2018WRS04300Home Help Service Data

20/11/2018WRS04400440. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in CHO9 who are on the waiting list to receive home support hours as of 9 November 2018; the number of requested hours by persons on the waiting list; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48074/18]

20/11/2018WRS04500Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRS04600Carer’s Support Grant

20/11/2018WRS04700441. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the education, training, clinical and emotional support available to carers who are caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease, particularly for carers who have been refused carer’s allowance and a medical card due to their income levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48091/18]

20/11/2018WRS04800Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRS04900Home Help Service Eligibility

20/11/2018WRS05000442. Deputy Denise Mitchell asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) has not been able to avail of a service due to a lack of funds; when funding will be made available to the community healthcare organisation of the HSE for this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48092/18]

20/11/2018WRS05100Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

163 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRS05200Medical Card Applications

20/11/2018WRS05300443. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a medical card application in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48093/18]

20/11/2018WRS05400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRS05500Hospital Services

20/11/2018WRS05600444. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the reason a person (details supplied) was treated in a certain manner and received poor care at a hospital; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48096/18]

20/11/2018WRS05700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Our hospitals aim to treat patients with dignity, respect and compassion. When a service user feels that these standards have not been achieved, feedback and complaints can be submitted to the HSE through the “Your Service, Your Say” facility. The HSE is committed to having in place a complaints procedure that is clear and which supports the patient through the process. Further information on providing feedback or making a complaint can be found at https://www.hse.ie/eng/about/qavd/complaints. If a service user is not satisfied with the result of a complaint, the decision can be appealed to the Office of the Ombudsman. Alternatively, complaints can be made to the Office of the Ombuds- man in the first instance.

As this is a service matter I have also forwarded your query to the HSE for direct reply.

20/11/2018WRS05800Medicinal Products Availability

20/11/2018WRS05900445. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Health the actions that have been taken to speed up access to new medicines after their authorisation by the European Commis- sion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48099/18]

20/11/2018WRS06000475. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to ensure that patients here have the same access to new medicines as patients throughout Europe; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48318/18]

20/11/2018WRS06100Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I propose to take Questions Nos. 445 and 475 together.

The HSE has statutory responsibility for medicine pricing and reimbursement decisions, in accordance with the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013. The Act specifies the criteria for decisions on medicine reimbursement. As Minister for Health, I do not have any statutory power or function in relation to the reimbursement of medicines.

After receiving market authorisation and in line with the 2013 Act, a company which would like a medicine to be reimbursed by the HSE must submit an application for reimbursement approval.

The HSE strives to reach a decision in as timely a manner as possible. However, because of the significant monies involved, it must ensure that the best price is achieved, as these commitments are often multi-million euro investments on an ongoing basis. This can lead to a pro- 164 20 November 2018 tracted deliberation process.

I am keen to engage with industry and to explore ways in which new medicines might be more easily introduced in Ireland. However, any innovative approaches that may be tabled must be compatible with the statutory provisions in place and must also recognise the context of finite Exchequer resources.

I am aware that, at the recent bi-annual meeting between my Department and the Irish Healthcare Pharmaceutical Association, this proposed dialogue was discussed. It is envisioned that this will take the form of a structured platform of engagement, building a stronger partnership between the State and industry to create better patient access to new treatments.

The challenge of securing affordable access to innovative medicines is not unique to Ireland. Over the past two years, my officials and I have been engaging with a number of voluntary EU forums in an effort to identify solutions to issues of medicine pricing, sustainability and supply.

On 22 June 2018, I signed the Beneluxa Initiative on Pharmaceutical Policy with Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. This Agreement is in line with my objective to work with other European countries to identify workable solutions, in an increasingly challenging environment, to secure timely access for patients to new medicines in an affordable and sustainable way.

The Beneluxa Initiative will have an important role to play in securing faster access to innovative medicines and will provide important platforms to deliver the shared objective of securing access to high cost, innovative treatments at affordable prices.

20/11/2018WRT00200Health Services Provision

20/11/2018WRT00300446. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health his plans for the winter initiative in relation to University Hospital Limerick, UHL, and the mid-west region in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48129/18]

20/11/2018WRT00400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): My Department is working with the HSE to ensure the most effective response to the winter challenges to unscheduled care provision. Within this context, the HSE requested singular integrated winter plans from Hospital Groups and Community Health Organisations in June 2018. Subsequently in September and Octo- ber 2018, I met with Hospital Groups and Community Health Care Organisations to discuss their plans for winter preparedness.

The HSE Winter Plan 2018/19, which is currently under consideration by my Depart- ment, provides for a 4-week enhanced focus period from 17 December 2018 to 13 January 2019, targeting 9 key sites of concern. University Hospital Limerick has been identified as one of these 9 sites, based on performance in previous winters.

As part of Budget 2019, an additional €10 m in funding is being provided in 2018 for social care measures to enable older people to leave hospital and return to a more appropriate care setting, including their own home, as quickly as possible with the supports they need. The HSE has confirmed that measures to support older persons transition from acute care to the most appropriate setting have been identified and that the 2018 initiatives have now commenced.

Finally, I have asked the HSE to ensure that the National Service Plan 2019 provides for a significant uplift in activity across acute, primary and community care, to manage critical demand pressures, most particularly on Emergency Departments, at the beginning and the end

165 Questions - Written Answers of the year.

20/11/2018WRT00500Cross-Border Health Services Provision

20/11/2018WRT00600447. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health if there has been correspondence with his Department or the HSE from the Health and Social Care Board or the Department of Health in Northern Ireland in relation to the provision of perinatal and paediatric pathology services in Northern Ireland; the options explored in providing this service or accommodating the service to be provided here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48130/18]

20/11/2018WRT00700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I wish to advise the Deputy that senior health officials from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland recently met and agreed to examine the feasibility of cross-border co-operation in the provision of perinatal and paediatric pathology services. However, it is important to acknowledge at this stage that any outcomes from further discussions in this regard can only be deliverable in the medium to longer term, due to current capacity constraints and the time required for new trainees to specialise in this area.

20/11/2018WRT00800Health Services Data

20/11/2018WRT00900448. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health if the parental reference group for the HSE’s steering committee for children with complex medical needs has been set up; if so, the procedure used for selecting parent representatives; the number of times the parental reference group has met; the number of times the steering committee has met the parental reference group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48138/18]

20/11/2018WRT01000Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.

20/11/2018WRT01100Nursing Homes Support Scheme

20/11/2018WRT01200449. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) who applied for the nursing homes support scheme will be investigated. [48139/18]

20/11/2018WRT01300Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): The Nursing Homes Support Scheme (NHSS) is a system of financial support for those in need of long-term nursing home care. Participants contribute to the cost of their care according to their income and assets while the State pays the balance of the cost. The Scheme aims to ensure that long-term nursing home care is accessible and affordable for everyone and that people are cared for in the most appropriate settings.

In order to determine how much an applicant will contribute to the cost of their care, a financial assessment is carried out by the HSE which takes account of a person’s income and assets. As part of this assessment, the HSE identifies any income or assets that the applicant and his/ her partner may have deprived themselves of in the five years leading up to their application, or at any time on or subsequent to the date on which the application for financial support under the Scheme is first made. Such assets are defined in the Nursing Homes Support Scheme Act, 2009 as ‘transferred assets’ and ‘transferred income’. Under the legislation there are no exemptions in relation to transferred assets. 166 20 November 2018 Where a person is aggrieved by a decision of the HSE, they may appeal that decision no later than 40 working days after notice of the original decision was given. An appeal must be made in a form specified by the HSE and must state the reasons for the appeal. An appeal may be made in respect of, amongst other things, a determination of an application for State Support, i.e. section 11 (1) of the NHSS Act 2009.

As an element of this question is in relation to a service matter, I have asked the Health Ser- vice Executive to respond directly to the Deputy on this element as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRT01400Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRT01500450. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an ENT appointment in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48149/18]

20/11/2018WRT01600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRT01700Medicinal Products Reimbursement

20/11/2018WRT01800451. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48154/18]

20/11/2018WRT01900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The HSE has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicines, in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013; therefore, the matter has been referred to the HSE for reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRT02000Hospital Staff Data

20/11/2018WRT02100452. Deputy Louise O’Reilly asked the Minister for Health the spend on agency and locum staff in hospitals in each of the years 2010 to 2017 and to date in 2018, by nurses, doctors and so on and by hospital and CHO in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48158/18]

20/11/2018WRT02200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

167 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRT02300Home Help Service Provision

20/11/2018WRT02400453. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of home help for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48162/18]

20/11/2018WRT02500Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRT02600Health Services

20/11/2018WRT02700454. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Health the reason a child (details supplied) has to wait 18 months for clinical assessment by a physiologist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48163/18]

20/11/2018WRT02800Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): I understand that the Deputy’s question relates to a clinical assessment by a psychologist. The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to a service matter, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRT02900Blood Donations

20/11/2018WRT03000455. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Health the screening process in place to detect Lyme disease in blood donations; the way in which the Irish Blood Transfusion Ser- vice assesses donors for symptoms of Lyme disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48165/18]

20/11/2018WRT03100Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): A donor who has symptoms of chronic Lyme disease cannot donate blood. A donor who has made a full recovery from this disease can donate two weeks after full recovery.

Lyme disease was risk-assessed as a transfusion risk by the Standing Advisory Committee on Transfusion Transmitted Diseases UK in 2016 and it was determined that no specific measures were needed in view of the lack of evidence of transfusion-transmitted infection.

The IBTS will keep developments in this area under review and will continue to utilise the best medical and scientific evidence available to underpin their deferral policies for blood donation.

20/11/2018WRT03200Health Services Funding

20/11/2018WRT03300456. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Health the status of a revised application by an organisation (details supplied) for HSE funding which was resubmitted in August 168 20 November 2018 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48172/18]

20/11/2018WRT03400Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRT03500Health Services

20/11/2018WRT03600457. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in CHO 5QQ; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [48240/18]

20/11/2018WRT03700Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRT03800Primary Care Centres

20/11/2018WRT03900458. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if a primary care centre (details supplied) is structurally safe and poses no risk to the public; the recent building, construction and if applicable, remedial works which have been carried out to the property between 2011 and to date in 2018; the costs associated with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48246/18]

20/11/2018WRT04000Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): 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.

20/11/2018WRT04100Health Reports

20/11/2018WRT04200459. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Health the position regarding progress of the Farrelly commission; and when it is likely interim reports will be issued or final adjudica- tions brought before Dáil Éireann. [48265/18]

20/11/2018WRT04300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): On 15 May 2018, the Minister agreed to a

169 Questions - Written Answers twelve month extension to the Farrelly Commission of Investigation, to complete and submit it’s final report of Phase 1 Investigations.

In granting the extension, the Minister requested that two further interim reports be provided. The interim reports are to include a report on the Commission’s progress to date and a summary of work yet to be undertaken.

The latest report was published on 3 October 2018 and is available on the Department of Health’s website.

20/11/2018WRT04400Parliamentary Questions

20/11/2018WRT04500460. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason this Deputy did not receive a detailed reply from the HSE to a parliamentary question referred by him on 23 Octo- ber 2018 (details supplied); the steps he will take to ensure that parliamentary questions referred to the HSE for reply are replied to expeditiously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48268/18]

20/11/2018WRT04600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the HSE to examine the reason why a timely response has not issued to you.

On the substantive issue of the Island Healthcare Review, I and happy to advise the Deputy that the report will be officially launched in Galway on 27th November, 2018 by my colleague, Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, Jim Daly, TD, after which date the report will be available on the HSE website.

20/11/2018WRT04700Abortion Legislation

20/11/2018WRT04800461. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will provide the legal advice he received with respect to the amendments submitted for the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48286/18]

20/11/2018WRT04900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As the Deputy will be aware, legal advice is privileged. My responses to the Deputies during Committee Stage of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Bill gave an overview of the legal advice provided to me and are a matter of Dáil record.

20/11/2018WRT05000Hospital Equipment

20/11/2018WRT05100462. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns that there is currently a major infrastructural deficit with respect to the availability of ultrasound scanning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48287/18]

20/11/2018WRT05200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

20/11/2018WRT05300Abortion Services Provision

20/11/2018WRT05400463. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the way in which the €12

170 20 November 2018 million for the provision of abortion services was arrived at; the exact use this funding will be provided for; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48288/18]

20/11/2018WRT05500Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The figure of €12 million for termination of pregnancy services was arrived at during the Estimates 2019 process. The €12 million allocated for the service in 2019 will cover the cost of providing the service in both the community care and hospital settings.

20/11/2018WRT05600Alcohol Treatment Services

20/11/2018WRT05700464. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the details of the funding and support he has made available to tackle foetal alcohol syndrome in each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48289/18]

20/11/2018WRT05800Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The funding for services tackling foetal alcohol syndrome in each of the past five years has been allocated by the Health Service Execu- tive, therefore I am referring this PQ to the HSE for direct reply.

20/11/2018WRT05900Nursing Homes Support Scheme Applications

20/11/2018WRT06000465. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health if an application under the fair deal scheme will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48290/18]

20/11/2018WRT06100Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRU00200Drug and Alcohol Task Forces

20/11/2018WRU00300466. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of the 15 recommendations of the 2012 Report on the Review of Drugs Task Forces and the National Structures Under Which They Operate that have been implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48292/18]

20/11/2018WRU00400Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): The 2012 Report on the Review of Drug Task Forces made fifteen recommendations aimed at strengthening the effectiveness and impact of Drug Task Forces.

The Review’s recommendations focused on the role, composition and boundaries of Drugs Task Forces, the national structures as set out in the National Drugs Strategy 2009-2016, and the development of a performance measurement system.

Although the majority of the Review’s recommendations have been implemented, many of them are now out of date as they related to the oversight structures in place under the National Drug Strategy 2009-2016. In July 2017 a new strategy ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery- a health led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’ was subsequently launched. This strategy has taken on board the recommendations of the 2012 Review where appropriate.

Work is ongoing in the Department, in association with key stakeholders, on the revision of

171 Questions - Written Answers the ‘Task Force Handbook’. It is intended that the revised handbook will contribute to improving the overall governance and accountability of Task Forces. This work is an important preliminary step in the development of a performance measurement system as recommended in the 2012 Review. An implementation plan to operationalise a Performance Measurement System will be developed by 2020. It is intended that an outstanding recommendation from the 2012 Review on the realignment of Task Force boundaries will be examined as part of this process.

20/11/2018WRU00500Drug Treatment Programmes Data

20/11/2018WRU00600467. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health the number of residential de- tox and rehabilitation beds available; his plans to implement the recommendations of the 2007 Health Service Executive report on residential treatment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48293/18]

20/11/2018WRU00700Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRU00800Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRU00900468. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Health if advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department have been carried out; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48294/18]

20/11/2018WRU01000Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The Health Promotion Unit of the Health Service Executive has responsibility for promotion of policies in relation to public health. Within the Department, we have surveyed units which engage in public information campaigns and responses returned are as follows:

Year Campaign Cost € 2018 Healthy Ireland - communications and citizens engagement programme, 390,456 Healthy Ireland 2018 2017 Healthy Ireland - wall calendar 10,000 2016 Radio ad re Smoking in Cars 935 2015 Radio ad re Smoking in Cars 49,078

As not all units have yet made returns, I will contact the Deputy again if further relevant information is submitted.

20/11/2018WRU01100Proposed Legislation

20/11/2018WRU01200469. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary No. 404 of 13 November 2018, if he will consider the prohibition by clinics here to engage in the activity of proactively arranging for couples to seek anonymous gametes in clinics located in other jurisdictions in which it may be legal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48310/18]

172 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRU01300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As indicated in my previous response to you (on 13 November last) the purpose of the General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduc- tion Bill 2017 is to regulate assisted human reproduction (AHR) activities occurring in Ireland. This includes providing for the establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority here.

I would re-iterate that the State can only regulate activities that occur in this jurisdiction and cannot regulate people availing of AHR treatment that is legally provided in another country.

20/11/2018WRU01400Respite Care Services

20/11/2018WRU01500470. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health the entitlement that older persons that satisfy the means test and clinical assessment criteria to respite care in a public hospital or nursing home; the number of free days respite they are entitled to in every 12 month period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48311/18]

20/11/2018WRU01600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Respite care is an essential component to ensuring older people with care needs in the home, including those with dementia, can be cared for in their community and close to their carers. Respite beds offer additional assistance to families and carers thus helping to alleviate the ongoing stress associated with providing care. The provision of respite can often assist with avoidable acute hospital admissions.

There are in the region of 2,000 “short stay” public beds nationally with a budget of €212 million approximately. This includes step-up, step-down care, intermediate care, rehab and respite care comprised of a mixture of the following categories:

- Palliative

- Respite

- Rehab Specific

- Convalescent

- Dementia Respite

- Assessment beds

- Transitional care beds.

These beds are interchangeable for use depending on demand in the centres and so the number of specific respite beds in any one month can fluctuate up and down.

The Health Act 1970 (as amended) provides that all persons ordinarily resident in the country are eligible, subject to certain charges, for public in-patient services. In-patient services are defined as institutional services provided for persons while maintained in a hospital, convalescent home or home for persons suffering from physical or mental disability or in accommodation ancillary thereto.

Within this overall definition of in-patient care, a person may be eligible for acute in-patient care in circumstances where in-patient services are provided in a hospital for the care and treatment of patients with acute ailments to a person requiring medically acute care and treatment.

The definition of “in-patient services” covers a range of services which may include respite care provided or funded by the HSE in residential accommodation (other than in the person’s 173 Questions - Written Answers own home).

In this context, whether respite care services for older persons falls within the definition of in-patient or acute in-patient services depends on the setting in which the service is provided and the type of service provided.

A person in receipt of acute in-patient services is liable, subject to a number of exemptions, for the statutory acute in-patient charge, currently €80 per day for a maximum of 10 days in any period of 12 consecutive months.

In non-acute residential support service settings, an obligation to pay contributions towards maintenance and accommodation costs applies under section 67C of the Health Act 1970. This includes non-acute residential respite care services provided by the HSE or by agencies funded to provide such services on behalf of the HSE under section 38 of the Health Act 2004. These contributions apply to the maintenance and accommodation elements only of such services. There is no provision for free days in each 12 month period. However, a threshold provision means that contributions are payable on a given day if the person has received 30 or more days of residential support services during the immediately preceding 12-month period.

A waiver system is in place to ensure that each service user’s maintenance and accommodation contribution is based on what he or she can afford, taking account of the service user’s individual circumstances.

The HSE publishes detailed supporting documentation in relation to long stay residential support services maintenance and accommodation contributions on its website at www.hse.ie/ longstaycontributions.

20/11/2018WRU01700Home Care Packages

20/11/2018WRU01800471. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the provision he will make for home support services for the elderly in view of the significant increase in the number of persons waiting for home support services (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48314/18]

20/11/2018WRU01900472. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to deal with the challenges and risks posed to elderly persons waiting for homecare supports during adverse weather conditions; the number of extra persons he plans on providing these services to in winter 2018/2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48315/18]

20/11/2018WRU02000Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Jim Daly): I propose to take Questions Nos. 471 and 472 together.

Following the recent Budget announcement, the HSE and officials from the Department of Health are in the process of developing and agreeing the HSE National Service Plan 2019, which will set out, in detail, the type and quantum of services to be delivered in 2019 including in relation to services for older people.

In the context of winter planning there has been a sustained focus in recent years on reducing delayed discharges and enabling patients to be discharged from acute hospital sooner; the HSE is currently finalising its Winter Plan, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to provide the most effective response to the challenges to unscheduled care provision in the coming months. This Plan will contain a range of measures across hospitals, primary care and community care settings to manage critical demand pressures during winter to ensure that the

174 20 November 2018 system is working at full capacity throughout busy periods.

As part of Budget 2019, €10 million has been made available to the HSE for the winter period for home care packages and other supports to minimise delays in people getting home from hospital, with a focus on those in the over 75 age group. An additional €10m has been provided in 2018 to anticipate and manage critical demand pressures on the health service and Minister Harris has requested the HSE to prioritise social care measures, with a focus on measures to support older people to transition from acute care to the most appropriate setting. The Social Care measures to be included in the winter 2018/2019 plan are currently being put into place.

20/11/2018WRU02200Care of the Elderly

20/11/2018WRU02300473. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of carers in the employment of the HSE in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in each CHO area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48316/18]

20/11/2018WRU02400Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

20/11/2018WRU02500Vaccination Programme Data

20/11/2018WRU02600474. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a progress report on the uptake of the flu vaccine to date; the details of the uptake to date compared with 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48317/18]

20/11/2018WRU02700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The information that the Deputy seeks is not readily available. Therefore, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply directly to the Deputy.

Question No. 475 answered with Question No. 445.

20/11/2018WRU02900Obesity Strategy

20/11/2018WRU03000476. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health his plans to address an issue (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48320/18]

20/11/2018WRU03100Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Catherine Byrne): The issue that the Deputy has raised is being addressed in the context of the national Obesity Policy and Action Plan being implemented by my Department.

A ‘Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda.

This Policy, which takes a ‘whole system’ approach, and covers a ten-year period up to 2025, was developed with a high degree of consultation, including with children and young people.

Childhood obesity is a key priority under the Policy, as is reducing the inequalities we see in obesity rates, where children (and adults) from lower socioeconomic groups have higher levels of obesity.

175 Questions - Written Answers The Department of Health has established an Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group, comprising of officials from a range of other Departments as well as key academic and health agency representation. It is comprised of representatives from the following Depart- ments and Agencies: Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; Department of Education and Skills; Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government; University College Cork; the Food Safety Authority of Ireland; the Health Service Executive (HSE) - including the National Clinical Lead for Obesity; and Safefood.

A Sugar-Sweetened Drinks Tax commenced on the 1st of May this year.

New Healthy Eating Guidelines and Food Pyramid resources have been published, and widely disseminated, including to all primary and post-primary schools. In addition, new Nutri- tion Standards for the School Meals Scheme have been introduced.

Work has commenced on developing Healthy Eating Guidelines for the 1-5 year old age group, which will be a valuable resource for parents and carers in the future. In the HSE the Healthy Eating Active Living programme is supporting work in the education sector, as well as with parents, families and communities in delivering a more co-ordinated approach to prevention and early intervention in child obesity.

This includes a five-year communications campaign, called START, which is being- de livered in collaboration with the HSE and Safefood, with a focus on supporting parents make healthy choices around food and activity

A HSE national Clinical Lead for Obesity was appointed in 2017. Health assessments (including weight checks) were introduced in the GP under-6s contract. The HSE is also implementing a national Breastfeeding Action Plan which is very important and relevant to this topic.

Finally, under the broader Healthy Ireland agenda, a number of other major initiatives support the Obesity Policy:

- The Healthy Ireland Fund, which was initiated in 2017 has supported a range of actions at both national and local level, many of which are targeted at children and which aim to support the Obesity Policy and the Physical Activity Plan.

176 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRU03200Disabilities Assessments

20/11/2018WRU03300477. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an assessment of need will be scheduled in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48325/18]

20/11/2018WRU03400Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRU03500Hospital Accommodation Provision

20/11/2018WRU03600478. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health when the building of a unit (details supplied) will be commenced; when the building of the unit will be completed; and if these commitments will be fully included in the HSE service and capital plan for 2019. [48329/18]

20/11/2018WRU03700Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): The Programme for Partnership Govern- ment contains a Government commitment regarding the development of a dedicated Cystic Fi- brosis (CF) Unit in Beaumont Hospital, to be progressed in the context of a new model of care.

A model of care for people with Cystic Fibrosis in Ireland is being developed by the Na- tional Clinical Programme for Cystic Fibrosis. It will set out standards and requirements for the physical and human resources to be provided for treatment of people with Cystic Fibrosis from a national perspective.

In terms of the progression of the CF Unit capital project in Beaumont Hospital I am happy to confirm that it has been included in the National Planning Framework under Project Ireland 2040, as well as being recommended for inclusion in the HSE’s capital plan by the HSE Na- tional Capital and Property Steering Committee.

The Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health infrastructure projects and is currently preparing its National Service Plan for 2019 which will outline the details of this and other capital projects to be progressed next year.

20/11/2018WRU03800Speech and Language Therapy Provision

20/11/2018WRU03900479. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if extra funding will be provided to facilitate extra hours of speech and language therapy at a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48367/18]

20/11/2018WRU04000Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Govern- ment is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose, and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and

177 Questions - Written Answers plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

As the Deputy’s question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRU04100Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRU04200480. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will be allocated a spinal stimulator. [48399/18]

20/11/2018WRU04300Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRU04400Hospital Appointments Status

20/11/2018WRU04500481. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a MRI appointment for a child (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48403/18]

20/11/2018WRU04600Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Ser- vice Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

20/11/2018WRU04700Hospital Consultant Recruitment 178 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRU04800482. Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Health his plans to appoint an additional orthopaedic consultant surgeon to a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48411/18]

20/11/2018WRU04900Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.

20/11/2018WRU05000Health Services Reform

20/11/2018WRU05100483. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health the rationale for the decision not to proceed with legislating for the establishment of hospital trusts and groups; the reason this decision has been undertaken; the costs associated with the establishment of the trusts to date; the governance structure that will be put in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48416/18]

20/11/2018WRU05200Minister for Health (Deputy Simon Harris): As the Deputy will be aware, the cross- party Oireachtas Committee report, Sláintecare, recommended the establishment of regional health bodies to better support and underpin the delivery of new models of integrated care and population-based service planning and delivery.

In response, the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy approved by Government during the summer commits to the establishment of a new framework of health structures, governance and accountability.

As set out in the Strategy, these new structures will involve a reconfiguration of the current HSE into a leaner national centre with responsibility for national planning, strategy and standard setting. This central authority will be complemented in time by regional integrated care organisations which will operate with appropriate operational autonomy within defined geographic areas and with clear reporting structures and will deliver almost all services at regional and local level. These organisations will build on excellent work to date in the development of Hospital Groups and Community Healthcare Organisations. This has brought about positive change, but the fact that they are not aligned and are separate management structures impedes the kind of integrated planning and delivery unpinning the Sláintecare vision.

The Sláintecare Implementation Strategy sets out the steps to be taken to achieve these new structures. A public consultation on the geographical alignment of Hospital Groups and CHOs took place earlier this year, and I expect to bring proposals to Government on this in the near future. Over the coming period, work will also begin on defining and agreeing a new organisational and operational structure for the future reconfigured health service, including respective roles of the Department of Health, the HSE and national and regional integrated care organisations. Ultimately this will lead to legislation for the revised health structures, putting them on a statutory basis.

As the Deputy will appreciate, I decided to await the Oireachtas Committee’s recommendations before proceeding with the hospital trust process, and consequently, we have incurred no costs on this. Under the Sláintecare proposals, there would no longer be a requirement to establish trusts.

20/11/2018WRU05300Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRU05400484. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his

179 Questions - Written Answers plans to upgrade the customs post at Rosslare Europort to a border inspection post in view of Brexit. [47904/18]

20/11/2018WRU05500Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): As part of on-going planning for Brexit, my Department has been working with other government departments, including the Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, in assessing the infrastructure requirements at ports that are currently in receipt of consignments of products, plants and animals from the UK. Such consignments will require SPS checks to be carried out at a designated border control post, following the departure of the United Kingdom from the European Union, and after the transition period. Rosslare has been identified as a port where SPS checks will need to be carried out. Work is underway, in conjunction with the Office of Public Works (OPW), to identify a suitable site for the construction of a border control post (BCP) at Rosslare Port. The BCP will be part of a multi-agency central compound. DAFM will continue to liaise with the OPW and the other State bodies who will be sharing this facility, with a view to ensuring that the design meets all legislative requirements, works as efficiently and effectively as possible and maximizes value for money, in particular through the sharing of facilities where this is provided for by the legislation.

20/11/2018WRU05600Forestry Grants

20/11/2018WRU05700485. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47682/18]

20/11/2018WRU05800Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The person named was approved for an afforestation contract in January 2012. The second grant payment application from the person named was received by my Department in November 2017. On receipt of this payment application, an assessment of the plantation was carried out by the relevant District Inspector. A series of shortcomings in relation to adherence with the scheme’s silvicultural requirements was identified as part of the inspection and was communicated to the person named and their forestry company in December 2017 for remedial action to be completed no later than by 26th July 2019. The remedial works required were not related to any flooding incident, but were solely related to silvicultural requirements that apply to the afforestation scheme.

In October 2018, the applicant’s forestry company informed my Department that all remedial works had been completed. A subsequent assessment was carried out by the District Inspec- tor in October 2018. The Inspector advised that the site was not up to the required silvicultural standard and that there were still remedial works outstanding to be carried out. My Department informed the applicant and his forestry company of the outstanding remedial works on 7th No- vember 2018.

The Afforestation Scheme Terms and Conditions specify that second instalment grants will be paid only when the entire plantation is up to the required standard. If part of the plantation fails inspection, payment may be withheld on the entire area until the remedial works are carried out and the plantation established. In addition, the Terms and Conditions also set out that the 7th and all subsequent annual premium payments must be withheld until the second instalment grant has been paid. The person named was notified of the scheme’s terms and conditions when signing up to the grant scheme and in all subsequent correspondence from my Department.

20/11/2018WRV00200Budget 2019 180 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRV00300486. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if changes were introduced in budget 2019 to change the conditions for retiring farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47751/18]

20/11/2018WRV00400Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): No changes were introduced in Budget 2019 to the conditions for retiring farmers.

Ireland, like most of the EU, has a high proportion of older farmers. The recent Farm Struc- ture Survey found that 55% of farm holders were aged over 55, while just 5% were aged under the age of 35. There are a number of supports provided to young farmers and to support generational renewal. The National Reserve and the Young Farmers Scheme under the Basic Payment Scheme were introduced in 2015 to provide financial support to young farmers and new en- trants to farming during the crucial early years immediately following the setting up of a farming enterprise. Supporting young farmers and generational renewal will also form an important part of the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) post 2020 and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine will progress these issues during negotiations on the new CAP proposals.

There are a number of taxation measures specifically aimed at young farmers, the main policy objectives being 1) increasing land mobility and the productive use of land and 2) assisting succession and the transfer of farms. In June 2017, I launched the ‘Succession Farm Partnership Scheme’. The Scheme provides for a €25,000 tax credit over five years to assist with the transfers of farms within a partnership structure, promoting and supporting the earlier inter-generational transfer of family farms. It also encourages important conversations within farm families about succession planning. In Budget 2019, I welcomed the renewal by Minister Donohoe of two important young farmer reliefs for the sector:

- 100% Stock Relief on Income Tax for Certain Young Trained Farmers

- Stamp Duty Exemption on Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers.

In line with EU state aid requirements, the Finance Bill 2018 limits the amount of aid that can be granted under the various young farmer measures to a lifetime ceiling of €70,000.

20/11/2018WRV00500Basic Payment Scheme Applications

20/11/2018WRV00600487. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason farm payments for a person (details supplied) have not been issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47795/18]

20/11/2018WRV00700Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The person named submitted an application under the 2018 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme (ANC) on 30th March 2018.

Administrative checks on this application have now been completed and payments due under these schemes will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

20/11/2018WRV00800Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

20/11/2018WRV00900488. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine the number of 2018 participants in the areas of natural constraint scheme according to each area designation (details supplied) by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47831/18] 181 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRV01000Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The number of 2018 ANC participants in each category (Mountain, More Severe, Less Severe and ASC (Island Farming) by county is outlined in the table below.

Given that farmers can have land in more than one category, there is a level of overlap between categories.

County Farmers claiming Farmers claiming Farmers claiming Farmers claiming ‘Mountain Type ‘More Severely ‘Less Severely ‘Offshore Island’ Land’ Handicapped Land’ Handicapped’ land land Carlow 330 228 534 0 Cavan 501 4385 168 1 Clare 1305 5147 480 28 Cork 2949 2687 2403 129 Donegal 7228 2905 9 119 Dublin 130 18 36 1 Galway 3050 9215 25 393 Kerry 3751 3351 1650 26 Kildare 81 14 493 0 Kilkenny 456 499 1288 0 Laois 375 548 1233 0 Leitrim 1541 2428 66 0 Limerick 159 1352 1791 0 Longford 13 2342 81 0 Louth 214 122 641 0 Mayo 4934 7692 5 213 Meath 15 342 1127 1 Monaghan 21 4028 58 0 Offaly 137 724 1969 1 Roscommon 361 5389 44 1 Sligo 1585 3261 10 14 Tipperary 1140 1129 3233 0 Waterford 555 224 1056 0 Westmeath 9 439 2403 0 Wexford 245 28 1380 1 Wicklow 1084 456 869 0

20/11/2018WRV01100Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

20/11/2018WRV01200489. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine the amount of land designated as eligible under the areas of natural constraint scheme as a percentage of total land by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47832/18]

20/11/2018WRV01300Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The amount of ANC eligible lands as a percentage of total utilised agricultural area by county is outlined in table below.

County Utilised Agricultural Total ANC eligible Lands Percentage of Total Area(ha) (ha) Carlow 70,140.68 23,834.34 33.98

182 20 November 2018

County Utilised Agricultural Total ANC eligible Lands Percentage of Total Area(ha) (ha) Cavan 135,661.11 135,467.71 99.86 Clare 211,764.3 199,223.03 94.08 Cork 544,827.21 245,480.25 45.06 Donegal 318,989.06 288,337.15 90.39 Dublin 32,924.08 5,671.01 17.22 Galway 397,919.8 361,087.10 90.74 Kerry 337457.11 321,657.65 95.32 Kildare 109,408.07 17,986.90 16.44 Kilkenny 157,706.52 61,588.94 39.05 Laois 118,997.03 53,706.44 45.13 Leitrim 101,482.9 101,275.07 99.80 Limerick 197,974.38 87,805.04 44.35 Longford 70,572.41 69,955.96 99.13 Louth 61,253.88 20,520.00 33.50 Mayo 372,126.38 344,172.40 92.49 Meath 181,819.63 41,629.14 22.90 Monaghan 99,011.63 98,923.85 99.91 Offaly 121,187.7 77,982.11 64.35 Roscommon 164,420.87 159,855.00 97.22 Sligo 122,635.81 119,308.42 97.29 Tipperary 313,039.26 164,738.85 52.63 Waterford 127,327.1 61,280.76 48.13 Westmeath 123,962.19 93,112.97 75.11 Wexford 178,735.21 46,050.49 25.76 Wicklow 121,322.93 86,324.54 71.15

20/11/2018WRV01400Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

20/11/2018WRV01500490. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine the amount of farmland under each area designation (details supplied) as a percentage of total eligible areas of natural constraint land by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47833/18]

20/11/2018WRV01600Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The amount of designated ANC land under each category (Mountain, More Severe and Less Severe) as a percentage of the total eligible ANC land by county is as follows -

County ANC total(ha) Mountain % More Severe % Less Severe % Carlow 23,834.34 31.89 14.34 53.77 Cavan 135,467.71 13.09 84.92 1.99 Clare 199,223.03 14.9 78.14 6.96 Cork 245,480.25 44.87 29.35 25.78 Donegal 288,337.15 80.18 19.75 0.07 Dublin 5,671.01 78.03 8.49 13.48 Galway 361,087.10 30.43 69.48 0.09 Kerry 321,657.65 59.27 25.95 14.78 Kildare 17,986.90 15.49 3.16 81.35 Kilkenny 61,588.94 18.97 17.59 63.44

183 Questions - Written Answers

County ANC total(ha) Mountain % More Severe % Less Severe % Laois 53,706.44 14.61 20.93 64.46 Leitrim 101,275.07 47.14 51.3 1.56 Limerick 87,805.04 5.85 38.53 55.62 Longford 69,955.96 0.46 96.92 2.62 Louth 20,520.00 25.86 5.86 68.28 Mayo 344,172.40 53.38 46.6 0.02 Meath 41,629.14 0.81 17.28 81.91 Monaghan 98,923.85 0.44 98.92 0.64 Offaly 77,982.11 4.29 20.51 75.2 Roscommon 159,855.00 4.78 94.82 0.4 Sligo 119,308.42 39.35 60.35 0.3 Tipperary 164,738.85 21.34 15.97 62.69 Waterford 61,280.76 43.69 6.67 49.64 Westmeath 93,112.97 0.32 12.52 87.16 Wexford 46,050.49 14.95 0.57 84.48 Wicklow 86,324.54 59.57 11.01 29.42

The designation of land under the ANC Scheme is required under EU Regulation to be defined by reference to biophysical criteria in 2019. This process is now nearing completion.

20/11/2018WRV01700GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme

20/11/2018WRV01800491. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the criteria, deadline and other information regarding a 2018 scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47838/18]

20/11/2018WRV01900Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The 2018 GLAS Traditional Farm Buildings Scheme is administered by the Heritage Council on behalf of my Department and applications are evaluated and ranked by an expert panel in accordance with a selection criteria published as part of the scheme.

One of the conditions of entry to the scheme is that a farmer must have a GLAS contract with my Department. The farmer must also own the building or other related structure for which funding is sought or are acting with the permission of the owner.

The principal objective is to ensure that traditional farm buildings and other related structures that contribute to the character of the landscape, and are of significant heritage value, are conserved for active agricultural use.

Grant amounts vary between €4,000 and €25,000. A grant award will not be for more than 75% of the cost of the works with a maximum available grant of €25,000.

In 2018, 44 projects were approved and 18 projects were carried forward from 2017 to 2018 due to wildlife legislation and/or exceptional circumstances.

The 2018 Scheme closed for applications on 24 November 2017 and it is expected that the 2019 scheme will open for applications in early January 2019.

20/11/2018WRV02000Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme Eligibility

184 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRV02100492. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to relax the five-year rule that applies to the young farmer capital investment scheme of TAMS II (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47848/18]

20/11/2018WRV02200Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): There are no plans to change the eligibility criteria for the Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme of TAMS II, specifically the five year rule. Applications are currently accepted from young farmers who commenced farming during the five years preceding the date of application.

My Department is already availing of the maximum flexibility available under the Rural Development Regulations in order to ensure that as many Young Farmers as possible are able to avail of the enhanced grant rates of 60% available under the Scheme. There is no scope to extend the flexibility further under the EU regulations governing the Scheme.

Applicants who do not meet the eligibility conditions of the Young Farmer Scheme can avail of the other TAMS II measures where the applicable grant rate is 40%.

20/11/2018WRV02300Fishing Licences

20/11/2018WRV02400493. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 763 of 6 November 2018, the transactions registered by buyers of wild wrasse, that is, ballan wrasse, or labrus bergylta, and corkwing wrasse, or symphodus melops, in the past two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47852/18]

20/11/2018WRV02500Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The issue referred to by the Deputy is an operational matter for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority. My Department has referred the issue to the Authority for direct response to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRV02600Aquaculture Data

20/11/2018WRV02700494. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all salmon farms using wild caught wrasse, that is, ballan wrasse, or labrus bergylta, and corkwing wrasse, or symphodus melops, as cleaner fish for control of sea lice on salmon farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47853/18]

20/11/2018WRV02800Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): Wild caught wrasse are widely used in Irish salmon farms as cleaner fish. Ireland is not alone in this and this practice is commonly used internationally.

The Marine Institute has tracked movements of wild caught wrasse on to salmon farms since 2015 and has advised my Department that there are 17 salmon farms in total that the In- stitute has recorded as having wrasse on site at some stage since 2015.

20/11/2018WRV02900Fisheries Protection

20/11/2018WRV03000495. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of substantial mortalities reported to the authorities on 21 September 2017, reputedly in excess of 200,000 salmon; the name of the disease; the number and age of the fish affected; and the results of the statutory process due to the fact he stated it would not be appropriate for him to comment as per his response to Parliamentary Question No. 49 of 8 November 2017.

185 Questions - Written Answers [47859/18]

20/11/2018WRV03100Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): As the Deputy is aware, on 21 September 2017 my Department received an inquiry from Inland Fisheries Ireland concerning large quantities of dead fish at the site referred to by the Deputy. Inquiries by my Department’s Marine Engineering Division indicated that substantial mortalities had occurred.

The specific matters referred to by the Deputy are under consideration by my Department as part of a statutory process which remains ongoing. Therefore it would not be appropriate for me to comment further pending completion of this process.

20/11/2018WRV03200Fisheries Protection

20/11/2018WRV03300496. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all incidences of amoebic gill disease in farmed salmon here in the past two years. [47860/18]

20/11/2018WRV03400497. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the incidence of amoebic gill disease reported in salmon farms here can be considered a potential threat to wild Atlantic salmon populations or other fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47861/18]

20/11/2018WRV03500Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): I propose to take Questions Nos. 496 and 497 together.

Amoebic Gill Disease (AGD) is a common disease of farmed salmon and over the last two years AGD has been present in almost all salmon farms.

AGD is not listed as a disease requiring specific control measures in EU Council Directive 2006/88/EC and there is no legislative requirement for salmon farm operators to officially report the incidence of AGD.

However, under a voluntary good practice programme operated by the Marine Institute salmon farm operators report incidents of increased mortality on marine sites to the Institute when it exceeds specified trigger levels, regardless of the reason for the mortality.

The Marine Institute is not aware of any evidence that the occurrence of AGD in farmed salmon represents a potential risk to wild Atlantic Salmon population or other fish.

20/11/2018WRV03700Environmental Impact Assessments

20/11/2018WRV03800498. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason he did not request an environmental impact assessment, EIA, for new in-lough disposal of dredged material from Warrenpoint Harbour in Carlingford Lough rather than the current location 22 miles out at sea during the Northern Ireland Warrenpoint Harbour #Authority EIA screening consultation (details supplied). [47867/18]

20/11/2018WRV03900Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Depart- ment engaged pro-actively with the consultation process associated with the project referred to by the Deputy and supported the provision of a comprehensive and detailed level of impact assessment for the proposal which would be comparable to an Environmental Impact Assess-

186 20 November 2018 ment (EIA).

20/11/2018WRV04000Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Review

20/11/2018WRV04100499. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine the status of the ANC review with regard to redesignation using a set list of biophysical criteria; if the new approach must be introduced from January 2019; if the mapping of all current ANC lands has been completed; the specific actions that have been completed to date; the outstanding actions; the timeframe for remaining actions; when the final ANC data will be submitted to the European Commission in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47882/18]

20/11/2018WRV04200Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The framework for the new designation of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme is set out in the Rural Development Regulation – EU Regulation 1305 of 2013. This regulation sets out the new designation must be based on the following biophysical criteria

- Low temperature

- Dryness

- Excess soil moisture

- Limited soil drainage

- Unfavourable texture and stoniness

- Shallow rooting depth

- Poor chemical properties

- Steep slope

In tandem with this process, Member States are also required to undertake a fine tuning process. This process is required to identify areas where significant natural constraints were identified with reference to the above listed biophysical criteria, but where objective criteria have indicated that these constraints have been overcome by investments, economic activity, or evidence of normal land productivity, or in which production methods or farming systems have offset the income loss or added costs referred to in Article 31(1) of Regulation 1305/2013.

Finally, Member States may also areas where identify areas for inclusion as Areas of Spe- cific Constraint where “it is necessary for land management to be continued in order to conserve or improve the environment, to maintain the countryside, to preserve the tourist potential of the area, or to protect the coastline.”

The process of designation is nearing completion with the view to shortly engaging with stakeholders and the Monitoring Committee of the Rural Development Programme. The implementation of the new designation requires a formal amendment of the RDP. My Department will also be communicating directly with relevant farmers shortly in relation to the 2019 ANC Scheme.

20/11/2018WRV04300Basic Payment Scheme Data

187 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRV04400500. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine the number of 2018 BPS applicants by county; the number that have and have not received advance payments to date, respectively; the amount of expenditure in payments in 2018, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47883/18]

20/11/2018WRV04500Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The details requested by the Deputy are set out in the following table.

COUNTY Number of applica- Number eligible Number paid Amount paid tions CARLOW 1,648 1,580 1,501 €13,811,549.89 CAVAN 4,978 4,677 4,585 €22,896,130.25 CLARE 6,199 5,902 5,790 €31,353,528.29 CORK 13,237 12,683 12,310 €100,472,822.06 DONEGAL 9,074 8,244 7,816 €37,275,066.07 DUBLIN 658 618 589 €5,743,392.09 GALWAY 12,383 11,678 11,327 €55,751,493.25 KERRY 8,021 7,542 7,255 €43,708,893.46 KILDARE 2,164 2,029 1,924 €18,173,353.85 KILKENNY 3,450 3,311 3,153 €31,454,433.29 LAOIS 2,983 2,877 2,790 €23,899,413.20 LEITRIM 3,532 3,342 3,269 €13,707,520.78 LIMERICK 5,252 4,957 4,822 €32,577,382.54 LONGFORD 2,446 2,302 2,242 €12,340,352.08 LOUTH 1,536 1,463 1,418 €12,039,810.54 MAYO 11,754 11,164 10,718 €46,374,993.62 MEATH 3,906 3,690 3,601 €33,047,731.95 MONAGHAN 4,251 3,946 3,888 €18,538,306.59 OFFALY 3,090 2,944 2,861 €21,987,485.32 ROSCOMMON 5,839 5,530 5,357 €26,449,978.58 SLIGO 4,082 3,833 3,677 €16,313,148.91 TIPPERARY 7,038 6,700 6,534 €60,182,679.65 WATERFORD 2,479 2,344 2,254 €23,515,032.42 WESTMEATH 3,100 2,924 2,856 €21,092,345.34 WEXFORD 4,100 3,950 3,771 €35,614,625.04 WICKLOW 2,205 2,082 1,990 €18,123,160.86 TOTAL 129,405 122,312 118,298 €776,444,629.92

20/11/2018WRV04600Ministerial Meetings

20/11/2018WRV04700501. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine his plans to meet an association (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47892/18]

20/11/2018WRV04800Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Depart- ment funded the Indecon Review of the Irish Harness Racing Sector, which was published on 1st November 2017. This report provides the sport with a road map for its potential development and I will be supporting the recommendations within my Department’s remit from the onset.

In March 2018 my Department agreed to fund the preparation and development of a Five Year Strategic Plan for the Irish Harness Racing Association. This Strategic Plan 2019-2023 was recently received by my Department and is currently being reviewed. As part of this re- 188 20 November 2018 view, officials from my Department will be in contact with IHRA in the near future to discuss the plan.

20/11/2018WRV04900Coillte Teoranta Lands

20/11/2018WRV05000502. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine if Coillte has plans to sell, lease or enter into forms of management arrangement of land at a location (details supplied) in County Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47927/18]

20/11/2018WRV05100503. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine if Coillte or its representatives or agents have met or communicated with hotels (details supplied) or their representatives or agents to discuss the sale, lease or forms of management arrangement of land adjacent to the grounds of hotels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47928/18]

20/11/2018WRV05200504. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine if correspondence or minutes of meetings between Coillte or its representatives or agents and a group (details supplied) or its representatives or agents during the past two years will be made available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47929/18]

20/11/2018WRV05300Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): I propose to take Questions Nos. 502 to 504, inclusive, together.

Coillte is a commercial State Body and as such has responsibility for its own operational day-to-day matters, including the management of the forest estate and any associated land transactions. I have referred the Deputy’s questions to Coillte and have requested that a response issue to you within 10 days.

20/11/2018WRV05600Brexit Supports

20/11/2018WRV05700505. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions that have been made to protect farms that straddle the Border with Northern Ireland for all Brexit scenarios; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47954/18]

20/11/2018WRV05800Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): Brexit has the potential to have a very significant impact on farmers and on the agri-food sector throughout Ireland, including farmers whose farms straddle the Border with Northern Ireland.

As the Deputy will be aware, the agri-food sector is of critical importance to the Irish economy, and its regional spread means that it underpins the socio-economic development of rural Ireland, and of the border region in particular.

The primary means through which the Government is seeking to minimise the impact of Brexit is through the negotiated outcome. In a border context the UK commitment in the Joint EU-UK Report of last December to avoid a hard border on the island of Ireland was extremely important.

At the Government’s insistence this commitment has now been translated into legal form in the draft of the Withdrawal Agreement. The Withdrawal Agreement fully achieves the objective of avoiding a hard border on the island of Ireland in any circumstances. Crucially, Prime Minister May and her cabinet have indicated that the draft text of the Withdrawal Agreement is 189 Questions - Written Answers an acceptable basis on which to proceed.

I, and my Department, have been contributing actively to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - coordinated ‘whole of government’ approach, as well as engaging intensively with our EU counterparts and the European Commission Task Force, to achieve this progress.

Additionally, the Government has introduced a range of measures to deal with the short- term impacts of Brexit that will help protect farmers whose farms straddle the border with Northern Ireland. My Department introduced a €150 million low-cost loan scheme, new agri- taxation measures and increased funding under the Rural Development and Seafood Develop- ment Programmes in the 2017 Budget. In Budget 2018 I, along with my colleague the Minister for Enterprise, Business and Innovation, introduced a new €300m “Brexit Loan Scheme” to provide affordable, flexible financing to Irish businesses that are either currently impacted by Brexit or who will be in the future - at least 40% of which will be available to food businesses. In Budget 2019 I made available a Brexit resilience package of €78m. This included a range of measures to support farmers and industry including an increased allocation for farms in areas of natural constraint, the introduction of a Beef Environmental Efficiency Pilot Scheme, and additional funding for the horticulture sector.

To better address the long-term impacts of Brexit and to aid Market Diversification, my Department is supporting Bord Bia in its investment in market insight (through its ‘Thinking House’) and in market prioritisation initiatives which are aimed at identifying and developing potential diversification opportunities. To that end funding to Bord Bia has increased by €14.5m since the UK referendum. As regards Product Diversification, I have provided Teagasc with €8m for the development of a new National Food Innovation Hub in Fermoy. This Hub offers agri-food businesses the opportunity to engage in research activities in an affordable way.

I wish to assure the Deputy that the Government remains very focused on supporting farmers and the agri-food industry through the challenges ahead, whether they are based in the border region or in any other part of the country. Although the draft Withdrawal Agreement is a major step in the negotiations, further steps will be needed. The Government has been, and will continue to be, firm in arguing that any agreement reached between the EU and the UK must take account of the very serious challenges presented by Brexit for the sector, particularly given the unique circumstances along the border and the importance of our economic relationship with the UK. And, of course, ultimately Ireland’s objective in the negotiations is to have a future trading relationship with the UK which is as close as possible to the current arrangements.

20/11/2018WRW00200GLAS Payments

506. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when all payments will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47975/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The person named was approved into GLAS 2 and has received payments for 2016 and 2017. The 2017 claim is due a correcting payment in respect of the Wild Bird Cover action. The Department is currently working on this issue and expects the correcting balance payment to issue shortly.

In addition, this case has cleared the validations for the 2018 advance and this payment will issue in the coming days.

190 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRW00500Basic Payment Scheme Data

20/11/2018WRW00600507. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine if he will provide information (details supplied) on land eligibility and the basic payment scheme by county in 2016 and 2017, in tabular form. [48057/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The information is not readily available at the level of detail requested. Officials in my Department are currently examining the request and I will respond to the Deputy as quickly as possible.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

Further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 507 and 508 of 20 November 2018, please find below data requested relating to Cross Compliance inspections and Land Eligibility inspections for the years 2016 and 2017.

The data is being provided at national level as the annual inspection programme, including the risk analysis selection process, operates on a national basis. Therefore any comparison on a county basis is meaningless. The inspection outcomes are not comparable across counties.

Cases for inspection are selected by risk analysis with farmers selected randomly and by risk criteria. The selection process is carried out at Head Office level using various national data sets. Local Office staff have no involvement in the selection process. The selection process must meet the EU regulatory requirements and is subject to frequent audit by the EU Commis- sion.

The risk categories used take account of the land types, number and scale of enterprises, number of livestock and previous inspection history. Once the risk categories are identified the farms are selected randomly within each risk category. The Department is required to review the performance of the risk analysis annually and, where appropriate, to update the risks to be used in the following year.

Statistics on Land Eligibility Inspections – 2016 and 2017

The following table details the total number of land eligibility inspections; the number of ground and remote sensing inspections; the number of cases that incurred no payment reduction and the number of cases that incurred a payment reduction or a reduction/penalty based on the various reduction/penalty categories under the Basic Payment Scheme for the years 2016 and 2017. Area reductions determined under these schemes may also impact on payments under other EU funded area-based schemes. The following should be noted in respect of the data:

- The data provided is based on the current position and may be subject to change as a result of reviews/appeals.

- 2016/2017 Scheme Years - A new penalty regime was introduced in 2016 as part of the measures under the “Simplification of the CAP”. This amended the rate used for the calculation of penalties and also the penalty categories. This new regime applied for 2017 also. The data provided is based on the reduction/penalty categories prescribed in the EU governing regulations.

2016 & 2017 – BPS Land Eligibility Inspections – See Explanatory Notes

191 Questions - Written Answers

Year Total No. No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of Total Value of Inspec- Ground Remote Cases - No Cases – Cases – cases – of Reduc- tions Inspections Sensing In- Reduction Reduction Reduction/ Reduction/ tions/ spections Under Penalty Penalty Penalties 3%/2ha 3%-10% Over 10% 2016 7,111 898 6,213 6,186 650 189 86 €209,583 2017 7,403 896 6,507 5,932 1,065 269 137 €374,280

Statistics on Cross Compliance related Inspections – 2016 and 2017

The following table details the number of eligible BPS applicants, the number of cross compliance related inspections; the number of clear cases; the number of cases with a minor non-compliance that did not result in a monetary penalty; the total number of penalty cases; a breakdown of the penalty categories and the monetary value of penalties applied under BPS/ Greening/YFS, for the years 2016 and 2017.

Cross Compliance related inspections include the following: Full Cross Compliance and Animal Identification & Registration inspections, LA Nitrates inspections, Ad Hoc inspections, Cross Reports, etc. Penalties for breaches of Cross Compliance requirements apply to payments across all EU funded schemes. The following should be noted in respect of the data:

- The data for 2017 is based on the current position and will not take account of specific inspection elements yet to be finalised or cases not yet cross reported for processing.

- The data provided is based on the current position and may be subject to change as a result of review/appeals, etc.

2016 and 2017 – Cross Compliance Related Inspections

Year Total No. of No. of No. of Total No. of No. of No. of No. of Value of No. of Inspec- Clear Cases No. of Cases - Cases Cases Cases Monetary eligible tions Cases Minor Penalty 1% - 5% - >5% - >20% - 100% Sanction Ap- BPS ap- Non- Cases – Penalty - 20% <100% Penalty plied- BPS/ plicants Compli- Monetary Penalty Penalty Greening/ ance Sanction YFS – No Applied Monetary Sanction 2016 124,810 7,743 3,037 2,204 2,502 2,025 329 88 60 €1,716,049 2017 124,206 7,681 3,251 2,357 2,073 1,736 244 61 32 €1,805,083

20/11/2018WRW00800Basic Payment Scheme Data

20/11/2018WRW00900508. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine if he will provide basic payment scheme information (details supplied) by county for 2016 and 2017, in tabular form. [48058/18]

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

Further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 508 and 507 of 20 November 2018, please find below data requested relating to Cross Compliance inspections and Land Eligibility inspections for the years 2016 and 2017.

192 20 November 2018 The data is being provided at national level as the annual inspection programme, including the risk analysis selection process, operates on a national basis. Therefore any comparison on a county basis is meaningless. The inspection outcomes are not comparable across counties.

Statistics on Land Eligibility Inspections – 2016 and 2017

- The data provided is based on the current position and may be subject to change as a result of reviews/appeals.

2016 & 2017 – BPS Land Eligibility Inspections – See Explanatory Notes

Year Total No. No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of No. of Total of Inspec- Ground Remote Cases Cases – Cases cases Value of tions Inspec- Sensing - No Re- Reduction – Reduc- – Reduc- Reduc- tions Inspec- duction Under tion/ tion/ tions/ tions 3%/2ha Penalty Penalty Penalties 3%-10% Over 10% 2016 7,111 898 6,213 6,186 650 189 86 €209,583 2017 7,403 896 6,507 5,932 1,065 269 137 €374,280 Statistics on Cross Compliance related Inspections – 2016 and 2017

Cross Compliance related inspections include the following: Full Cross Compliance and Animal Identification & Registration inspections, LA Nitrates inspections, Ad Hoc inspections, Cross Reports, etc. Penalties for breaches of Cross Compliance requirements apply to payments 193 Questions - Written Answers across all EU funded schemes. The following should be noted in respect of the data:

- The data for 2017 is based on the current position and will not take account of specific inspection elements yet to be finalised or cases not yet cross reported for processing.

- The data provided is based on the current position and may be subject to change as a result of review/appeals, etc.

2016 and 2017 – Cross Compliance Related Inspections

20/11/2018WRW01100Fishing Industry

20/11/2018WRW01200509. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine the steps he is taking to protect our fishing interests at EU level; the status of discussions ahead of the December EU Council meeting of fisheries ministers at which the 2019 allowable catches and quotas will be agreed; and the bilateral discussions he has had in 2018 with his counterparts regarding 2019 total allowable catches and quotas. [48059/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): Let me begin by reassuring the Deputy that the fishing industry is a key priority for this Government and my officials and I are constantly engaged in protecting and enhancing the interests of that industry across a wide range of issues at all levels within the EU.

While the process for deciding on TAC levels for 2019 concludes in December, our preparation begins much earlier. The scientific data upon which the Commission bases its proposals generally becomes available from June onwards and that is when we begin our preparation in earnest. That data is informed by the work of the Marine Institute amongst others who work closely with the International Council for the Exploration of the Seas (ICES).

Discussions take place with many parties on issues in relation to December Council. There will be high level meetings with the Commission, the Presidency and other Member States as part of the preparation for the December Fisheries Council and a number of important technical meetings. There are also international negations to be concluded before December, for example those taking place this week in London on mackerel – our single most important fishery.

I engaged with a number of my Ministerial colleagues earlier this week at the Agriculture & Fisheries Council. These meetings help me to understand the priorities of other Member States and also gauge where Ireland can build relationships to help us deliver our priorities at the De- cember Council.

My aim in all of these negotiations is always, in consultation with the stakeholders, to ensure that we have a profitable and sustainable fishing industry that will continue to benefit our coastal communities. As part of this, I have also launched a public consultation as part of our Sustainability Impact Assessment and I look forward to the outcome of that process which I intend to lay before the Oireachtas later this month. 194 20 November 2018 This year, we are facing and additional challenge with the Landing Obligation - or discard ban- coming fully into force. Without pre-empting the outcome of the Sustainability Impact Assessment, or going into a stock by stock analysis, it is safe to say that I am concerned about a number of the proposals. Where cuts are justified by the scientific advice I will support them but I must be satisfied that the advice from ICES is being applied correctly by the Commission and in a fair and consistent manner.

I am always conscious of the immediate impacts the decisions taken at the December Fish- eries Council have for so many communities around our coast. This is why I believe the advance preparation should be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible involving my own De- partment as well as Bord Iascaigh Mhara and the Marine Institute; all industry representatives and the Environmental Pillar. This process is invaluable and helps me identify the key areas of concern.

The December Council is always a challenge and this year will be no different. I endeavour to ensure that my direct engagement and that of my officials with the issues concerning fisheries at EU level is as comprehensive as possible. I can assure the Deputy that Ireland is well prepared and I will do my utmost to ensure that the final outcome is one that is good for the industry and the long term sustainability of the stocks.

20/11/2018WRW01400Single Payment Scheme Payments

510. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a single farm payment for a person (details supplied) in County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48071/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint schemes application on the 11th April 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. Processing of this inspection necessitated the verification of the position on the ground by means of a field visit. This field visit has been completed and the results are currently being processed to finalisation with the intention of issuing any payments due to the nominated bank account of the person named as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

20/11/2018WRW01700Harbours and Piers Development

20/11/2018WRW01800511. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Ma- rine the capital works that will be carried out in Howth Harbour in 2019; the estimated cost of each project; when each of the capital project works will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48075/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Depart- ment owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and 195 Questions - Written Answers beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the 1902 ex-congested Districts Board piers, lights and Beacons Act.

I am happy to advise the Deputy that between the years 2010 to 2018, as part of my Depart- ment’s Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, in excess of €10 million has been invested in maintenance, development and upgrading works at Howth FHC.

In addition, I will shortly be announcing further support under the 2019 Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme. No final decisions on the full suite of projects to be undertaken under the 2019 capital programme have been made at this stage; however I have increased the overall allocation to this Programme by €6.29m to €27.29m.

20/11/2018WRW02000Aquaculture Licence Applications

512. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an aquaculture licence for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48088/18]

20/11/2018WRW02200Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): My Depart- ment considers all applications for aquaculture licences in accordance with the provisions of the 1997 Fisheries (Amendment) Act, the 1933 Foreshore Act and applicable EU legislation. The licensing process involves consultation with a wide range of scientific and technical advis- ers as well as various Statutory Consultees. The legislation also provides for a period of public consultation.

In addition, the legislation governing aquaculture licensing provides for an appeals mechanism. Appeals against licence decisions are a matter for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board (ALAB) which is an independent statutory body. Full details of the appeals process can be obtained at: http://www.alab.ie/appealsprocess/

A determination was made on this licence application on 5th October 2018. This determination is published on my Department’s website and, in addition, the applicant was informed in writing.

As you are aware ALAB has received an appeal against this decision. As the Board is currently considering the appeal in question as part of a statutory process it would not be appropriate for me to comment further on the matter pending the conclusion of that process.

20/11/2018WRW02300Marine Resources

513. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of all incidences of cardiomyopathy syndrome in farmed salmon here in the past two years. [48151/18]

514. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the incidents of cardiomyopathy syndrome reported in salmon farms here can be considered a potential threat to wild Atlantic salmon populations or other fish; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48152/18]

20/11/2018WRW02600515. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of incidences of cardiomyopathy syndrome in wrasse captured from the wild for the purposes of controlling lice in farmed salmon; and if infected wrasse could pose a potential threat 196 20 November 2018 to the native population of wrasse [48153/18]

20/11/2018WRW02700Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): I propose to answer Questions Nos. 513 to 515, inclusive, together.

Cardiomyopathy Syndrome (CMS) is not listed as a disease requiring specific control measures in EU Council Directive 2006/88/EC and there is no legislative requirement for salmon farm operators to officially report the incidence of CMS.

The Marine Institute is not aware of any evidence that the occurrence of CMS in farmed salmon represents a potential risk to wild Atlantic Salmon population or other fish.

The Marine Institute is not aware of any incidences of CMS in wild caught wrasse used for the purposes of controlling sea lice in farmed salmon.

20/11/2018WRW03000Coillte Teoranta

516. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of tax Coillte has paid since it was established in 1988. [48164/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The payment of tax is a matter for, and the responsibility of, the company as a commercial State Body. I have accordingly referred the Deputy’s question to Coillte and have requested that a response issue to you within 10 days.

The Deputy may wish to note that information about tax paid each year by Coillte is published in its Annual Report, copies of which are laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.

20/11/2018WRW03300Agriculture Scheme Payments

517. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an inspection will be finalised and payments issued to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48254/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint schemes application on the 12th March 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a Remote Sensing eligibility inspection. The finalisation of the inspection process, which included a field visit, is nearing completion with the intention of issuing any payments due to the nominated bank account of the person named as soon as possible. In the event that any queries arise officials in my Department will be in contact with the person named.

20/11/2018WRW03600Beef Data and Genomics Programme

197 Questions - Written Answers 518. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48258/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The Beef Data and Genomics Programme (BDGP) provides for six years of payments to participating farmers for the completion of actions which deliver accelerated genetic improvement in the Irish national herd and the improvement of its environmental sustainability.

The person named submitted an application to join the BDGP in 2015. An application was also received from a family member who subsequently transferred her land and animals to the person named. Under the Terms and Conditions of the BDGP, reference land and animals are based on the number of cows that calved in the herd in 2014. After the transfer of the land and animals the person named applied to increase his reference number based on the amalgamation of the two herds. This request was agreed to but due to the requested amalgamation additional animals needed to be genotyped. This requirement was subsequently fulfilled.

Payment had already issued to the person named in respect of his original reference data. A balancing payment for the additional land and animals for the above named applicant has been processed and will appear in their nominated bank account in the coming days.

20/11/2018WRW03900Brexit Issues

519. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the implications for the Irish marine sector of the draft withdrawal agreement for Brexit between the EU and the UK; if the interests of the Irish fisheries sector have been protected within the context of the draft agreement; the measures which specifically will protect the marine sector within the draft agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48262/18]

20/11/2018WRW04100Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): Overall, Ire- land’s and the EU27’s basic position is to protect our fishing communities. While all parties would like higher quota shares, the way to achieve that is to grow the fish stocks through sustainable management for the benefit of all. Managing fisheries sustainably and fairly must be an integral and inseparable part of the overall future EU/UK relationship.

If this withdrawal deal goes through, from a fisheries perspective, we have clarity that there will be no changes to the status quo on fisheries for the duration of the transition period. The transition period will last at least until the end of December 2020 but could be extended. Within this timeframe and within the context of the overall economic partnership, the EU and UK will work to establish a new fisheries agreement to be in place after transition.

As is set down in the draft Political Declaration, negotiations on fisheries will take place in the context of the overall future economic relationship between the EU and the United King- dom. In other words, fisheries will not be dealt with in isolation.

I will continue to work closely with the Tánaiste, the Commission, relevant Member States and the fishing industry to ensure the best outcome for Irelands’ fishing communities.

20/11/2018WRW04200Statutory Instruments

20/11/2018WRW04300520. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress he has made in preparing a replacement statutory instrument for serious 198 20 November 2018 fishing infringements as per the EU directive; the level of consultation he has held since May 2018 when the previous statutory instrument was rescinded by Dáil Éireann; the persons or bodies he has consulted with since May 2018 either within the fishing sector or Members of Dáil Éireann; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48263/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): As the Deputy is aware, on 20th March 2018 I signed into force the European Union (Common Fisheries Pol- icy) (Point System) Regulations 2018, S.I. No. 89 of 2018. However, S.I. No 89 was annulled by Dail Eireann on 29 May 2018.

I am at present considering, with my legal advisors, next steps following that annulment. I expect legal advice to be to hand in the near future and once it has been fully considered, I will determine next steps in this matter.

As the Deputy may be aware, S.I. No. 89 adopted the requirements of Article 92 of Council Regulation (EC) No. 1224/2009 and Title VII of Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No. 404/2011 of 8 April 2011. It should be noted that both of these EU regulations went through the ordinary legislative procedure at EU level which would have included widespread consultation with interested parties including the Member States, Advisory Councils, NGOs and the fishing Industry. The matter has also been discussed at industry liaison meetings over the years. The EU regulations on this matter are highly prescriptive in relation to licence holders, leaving little room for further negotiation.

20/11/2018WRW04500Departmental Advertising Campaigns

521. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48306/18]

20/11/2018WRW04700Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The vast bulk of my Department’s advertising is in respect of press notices in the specialised farming press, provincial and national newspapers. This includes the publication of Statutory Notices that are required to comply with various national and EU legislative requirements. Decisions on the placement of notices are made on a case by case basis, depending on the nature of the advertisement and the target audience.

Mediavest currently holds the central Government contract for the provision of the majority of advertising needs. Advertising campaigns related to forestry, fisheries, aquaculture license applications, various Department schemes and services, and animal health and welfare.

Due to the volume of individual adverts, it is not possible to list all instances of advertising. The following table sets out the main campaigns and the total advertising expenditure for the five years, as requested.

2014

Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Awards of €20m for Agri-Food and Forest Research Rural Development Programme North Irish Sea Razor Clam Consultation 2014

199 Questions - Written Answers Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Consultation on changes to the razor clam fishery in the vicinity of Natura 2000 sites off Wexford at Cahore and Rosslare Fishing Opportunities for 2015 Draft Policy Statement on Blue Whiting (2014) Regulatory Impact Assessment of the Proposal for a Bill to amend the Sea Fisheries & Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006 Fire Awareness Ongoing promotion of forestry Wood promotional programme 2014 Contribution to publication of ‘Oak-fine timber in 100 years’ Ongoing promotion of forestry Miscellaneous Public Notices Advertisement of Statutory Instruments Total expenditure €287,131

2015

Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Seafood Development Programme 2014-2020 & Draft Environmental Report and AA Screening National Strategic Plan For Sustainable Aquaculture Development Non-Commercial Pot Fishing Consultation 2015 Fishing Opportunities for 2016 Proposal to limit the number of multi-rigged fishing gear towed simultaneously Proposal to increase the allocation to the Celtic Sea Herring Sentinel Fishery for 2016 Ongoing promotion of forestry Miscellaneous Public Notices Advertisement of Statutory Instruments Total expenditure €230,160

2016

Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Awards of €28m for Agri-Food and Forest Research Rural Development Programme Consultation:Draft Fisheries Natura Plan for Dundalk Bay 2016-2020 Consultation:Draft Mitigation Response Plan for scallop fishery off Wexford Coast Consultation:Draft Fisheries Natura Plan for Castlemaine Harbour 2016 - 2026 BPS Online applications information campaign Requirements for the suckler farmer of the Beef Data and Genomics Programme Fishing Opportunities for 2017 Review of Replacement Capacity Requirements under Sea Fishing Boat Licensing Policy 2016 North West Herring Scientific Quota Scheme Funding available from Department

200 20 November 2018 Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Ongoing promotion of forestry Miscellaneous Public Notices Advertisement of Statutory Instruments Total expenditure €312,021 2017

Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Farm Safety Promotion Sheep Clean Livestock Policy Food Wise 2017 Conference Green Low-Carbon Agri-Environment (GLAS) Scheme radio advert encouraging participants to submit their Nutrient Management Plan Rural Development Programme Consultation:Management of Velvet Crab Independent Aquaculture Licensing Review BPS Online applications information campaign Fishing Opportunities for 2018 Consultation on amendment to Statutory Instrument 621 of 2011 – Fisheries (Amend- ment) Act 1997 (Prescribed Organisations for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board) Regulations 2011. Consultation on amendment to Statutory Instrument 621 of 2011 – Fisheries (Amend- ment) Act 1997 (Prescribed Organisations for the Aquaculture Licences Appeals Board) Regulations 2011. Review of Mackerel Allocation Policy between the Fleet segments (2017) Dog Purchase radio campaign Avian Influenza information campaign Scheme Funding available from Department Quota Balancing for Pelagic Stocks (2017) Ongoing Promotion of forestry Miscellaneous Public Notices Advertisement of Statutory Instruments Total expenditure €544,657

2018 to date

Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Agri-Food and Forest Research Sheep Clean Livestock Policy Rural Development Programme Consultation: Proposal for conservation measures for Brown CrabConsultation: Proposal to Increase the MnCRS for Razor Clam in the North Irish Sea Consultation: Draft Fishery Natura Plan for Irish Sea Mussel Seed Fishery for the years 2018-2023 BPS Online applications information campaign Trawling Activity inside the 6 nautical mile zone

201 Questions - Written Answers Title of Policy or Programme Campaign Ongoing Promotion of forestry Woodland Environment Fund Forest Fire Awareness Sector Expert Profile on careersportal.ie Miscellaneous Public Notices Advertisement of Statutory Instruments Total expenditure €283,703

20/11/2018WRW04800Agriculture Scheme Payments

522. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 775 of 6 November 2018, when the inspection for a remote sensing eligibility will be completed; when payments will issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48368/18]

20/11/2018WRW05000Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The person named submitted a 2018 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Schemes application on the 11th May 2018. EU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.

The application of the person named was selected for a remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection has been processed and the person named was notified of the initial findings on 15th November 2018. The notification outlines the options available at this stage, namely to accept the findings or to submit comments to my Department for consideration. On completion of this process, the inspection outcome will be finalised and any payments due will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRW05100Fishing Industry

20/11/2018WRW05200523. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his position on the voisinage agreement which was agreed under the London Fisheries Convention 1964 and subsequently materialised under exchange letters of 1965 between both jurisdictions; his future approach to this agreement; the degree of engagement he has had with his UK counterpart since the Bill on the voisinage agreement was withdrawn from Seanad Éire- ann in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48410/18]

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The Voisinage arrangements are long-standing reciprocal arrangements which have allowed fishing boats from Northern Ireland access to fish within the 0 to 6 nautical mile zone of the territorial waters of the State and vice versa. On the basis of the provisions of Articles 2 and 9 of the London Fisheries Convention, pre-existing reciprocal arrangements were re-affirmed at the time by means of an exchange of letters in the 1960s between the UK/Northern Ireland and Ireland. The Common Fisheries Policy (Article 5 of Regulation 1380/2013) provides for the continuation of such neighbourhood arrangements.

On 27 October 2016, the Supreme Court issued a judgment in a case taken by a number of mussel seed fishermen in which it found that fishing by Northern Ireland boats within the 0 to 6 nautical mile zone of the territorial waters of the State under the Voisinage arrangements is not 202 20 November 2018 permitted by law. It is important to note that the Supreme Court upheld the High Court finding that the Voisinage arrangements are not invalid but that, as it stands, there is insufficient provision for them in domestic law. The Supreme Court in fact noted that the arrangements were a sensible recognition at official level of practice and tradition, where fishing boats traditionally fished neighbouring waters.

The application of the judgment is to all fishing by Northern Irish fishing boats in the 0 to 6 nautical mile zone, measured from the baselines, relying on the Voisinage arrangements. The Government approved the publication of the Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Bill to address issues raised by the Supreme Court judgment, in so far as it relates to access for Northern Irish vessels. If enacted and commenced, the Bill will give the Voisinage arrangements a proper legal footing. The Bill was published in February 2017, commenced debate in the Seanad shortly thereafter and remains before the Oireachtas. It is fair to say that considerable opposing views to the Bill have been expressed in debates to date, particularly linking the Bill to Brexit. In the meantime, access continues to be provided for Irish sea-fishing boats to the Northern Ireland 0 to 6 nautical mile zone.

The UK had initially intimated that it would like to retain the Voisinage arrangements element of the London Fisheries Convention but had not advanced any legal basis on which they can be retained. More recently, and not surprisingly, the UK has expressed concerns about the unequal situation which currently prevails.

From the moment the UK leaves the EU, any negotiations on a new Voisinage arrangement would fall within the exclusive competence of the European Union and would be negotiated by the EU with the UK on our behalf.

20/11/2018WRW05400Afforestation Programme

524. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated cost of proposals (details supplied) in tabular form. [48413/18]

20/11/2018WRW05600Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): The estimated additional cost to the Exchequer of increasing the grant rate for GPCs 1 to 3, based on 2017 planting figures, is as follows:

GPC 2017 ha Grant rate N+2.5% N+5% N+7.5% N+10% Planted (N) 1 48.8 €2,740 €3,342.80 €6,685.60 €10,028.40 €13,371.20 2 0 €3,705 €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 3 4,345.48 €3,815 €414,450.20 €828,900.31 €1,243,350.47 €1,657,800.62

The estimated additional cost to the Exchequer of increasing the premium rate for GPCs 1 to 3, based on 2017 planting figures, is as follows:

GPC 2017 ha Premium rate N+2.5% N+5% N+7.5% N+10% Planted (N) 1 48.8 €185 €225.70 €451.40 €677.10 €902.80 2 0 €440 €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 €0.00 3 4,345.48 €510 €55,404.87 €110,809.74 €166,214.61 €221,619.48

20/11/2018WRW05700Afforestation Programme

203 Questions - Written Answers 525. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the different tree species permitted under both diverse conifers and broadleaf species under grant and premium category 3; his views on increasing the minimum level for broadleaf planting under this category; and the process involved to seek this. [48415/18]

20/11/2018WRW05900Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed): Grant and Premium Category 3 is comprised of an intimate mix of Sitka spruce and/or Lodgepole Pine together with a suitable diverse conifer (as described in the Forestry Standards and Procedures Manual – see list below). The diverse conifer content must be at least 10% of the total number of trees planted. This diverse species can be intimately mixed through the forest or planted in groups through the forest, or a combination of both where silviculturally compatible with the main species. In an intimate mix, the diverse conifer species may be substituted by suitable broadleaves, including birch, planted in groups where soils are suitable.

There is a large selection of conifers and broadleaves that can be used in GPC 3 as listed in the following table:

Diverse Conifers Broadleaf Species Monterey cypress Common alder Western hemlock Italian alder Douglas fir Beech Grand fir Cherry Corsican pine Spanish (Sweet) Chestnut Monterey pine Norway maple Scots pine Sycamore Norway spruce Pedunculate oak Serbian spruce Sessile oak Western red cedar Red oak Coast redwood Downy Birch Giant redwood Silver Birch Japanese cedar Lime

Under the midterm review of the Forestry Programme 2014-2020, which was completed in February 2018, the minimum level for broadleaf planting was reviewed. New rules introduced under this review increased the minimum mandatory requirement per site from 10% to 15% broadleaves with a minimum of 5% broadleaves to be planted as a block or blocks in grant and premium category 5 to 12. Under the midterm review, rates were increased across the board, with broadleaf species attracting the highest increases. In fact broadleaf planting as a percentage of overall planting has increased from 21% in 2017 to 26% so far in 2018.

20/11/2018WRX00200Waste Disposal

20/11/2018WRX00300526. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a waiver available for disposal of incontinence pads for adults with disabilities due to the changes in refuse charges which are not pay-by-weight; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47771/18]

20/11/2018WRX00400Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): My Department is continuing the work of developing a mechanism to provide a €75

204 20 November 2018 support for vulnerable persons with a condition such as lifelong or long-term medical incontinence to help meet the average annual cost of disposing of their domestic waste. I am informed that this process has taken longer than envisaged, due to a number of issues, including data protection issues that have arisen since the introduction of GDPR. However, I can assure the Deputy that I am committed to introducing an annual support as soon as practically possible in conjunction with relevant agencies and stakeholders.

20/11/2018WRX00500National Broadband Plan Administration

20/11/2018WRX00600527. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if there is a division within his Department that is involved in the provision of the national broadband plan. [48112/18]

20/11/2018WRX00700Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The National Broadband Plan Division is one of the Divisions making up the Com- munications Area of my Department. The work of the Division is primarily focussed on activities related to the procurement process for the NBP State-led intervention.

20/11/2018WRX00800Nuclear Waste

20/11/2018WRX00900528. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if nuclear mud dumping off the Welsh coast poses a risk here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47696/18]

20/11/2018WRX01000Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The matter of mud dredged from the Hinckley Point C construction site was raised by Irish officials and discussed at a recent meeting of the UK-Ireland Contact Group on Radiologi- cal Matters in London. This group, comprising senior officials from the United Kingdom and Irish Government Departments and relevant agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), meets biannually to discuss matters of mutual interest.

Natural Resource Wales, the Welsh environmental regulator, has undertaken independent environmental assessments at the Hinckley Point C construction site, and has verified that the dredged material poses no threat to public or environmental safety from a radiological perspective and, on that basis, has provided the appropriate permissions and licenses for the removal of the sediment. Further details on this verification and licensing process are available on the website of Natural Resources Wales at: https://naturalresources.wales/about-us/news-and-events/ statements/marine-licence-to-dispose-dredged-material-off-the-coast-of-south-wales/?

My Department is satisfied based on the information and expert advice available to it that this operation poses no risk to Ireland. My Department and the EPA will continue to monitor all aspects of the United Kingdom’s new nuclear build programme.

20/11/2018WRX01100Broadband Service Provision

20/11/2018WRX01200529. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a person (details supplied) will be included on the fibre broadband line being installed in an area; if not, the date for the roll-out of high speed broadband for the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47732/18]

205 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRX01300Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The premises referred to by the Deputy is in the AMBER area on the High Speed Broadband Map which is available on my Department’s website at www.broadband.gov.ie. The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process. The Deputy makes reference to the premises’ proximity to a commercial deployment of high speed broadband. This deployment is part of eir’s commercial rural roll out of high speed broadband to 300,000 predominantly rural premises, in line with a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.

With regard to the matter of ongoing infrastructure deployment in close proximity to the premises, decisions made by private telecommunication operators relating to the roll out and siting of infrastructure to provide high speed broadband services throughout Ireland are undertaken on a commercial basis by competing service providers operating in a liberalised market. I have no statutory role or function to intervene in the commercial decisions of private operators, and therefore cannot direct operators regarding infrastructure installation or delivery of services.

I recognise the importance of availability of high speed connectivity for all premises in Ire- land and fully appreciate the frustration for communities and businesses that do not currently have access to this level of connectivity. Delivering connectivity to the 540,000 premises that fall within the State led intervention under the NBP remains a Government priority.

For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.

Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through the Broadband Officers is continuing to strengthen. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements.

20/11/2018WRX01400Fishing Industry

20/11/2018WRX01500530. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if documentation from the Revenue Commissioners will be an acceptable independent proof of eel fishing activity for the purposes of the current support scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47735/18]

20/11/2018WRX01600531. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if applications to the eel fishing scheme can made without prejudice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47736/18]

20/11/2018WRX01700532. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to a recent judgement by the European Court of Human Rights (details supplied) regarding salmon fishing before designing the eel suppprt scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47737/18]

20/11/2018WRX01800Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environ- ment (Deputy Seán Canney): I propose to take Questions Nos. 530 to 532, inclusive, together.

The Eel Support Scheme fund is available to all persons who were the holder of a commer- 206 20 November 2018 cial public eel licence or an eel fishing permit from the ESB in the 2007 season (the base year). The 5 reckonable years for payments under the scheme are 2003-2007. In respect of former fishermen and women who were the holder of a licence or permit in the base year, payment will involve a tax free element for each of the 5 reckonable years for which the applicant was a licence or permit holder. A further taxable payment element will be based on the average annual catch, as formally declared by the applicant, during the reckonable years.

The scheme is currently open for applications which must be received by 5.00 p.m. 30 November 2018. An application form and detailed information on the scheme can be obtained from any IFI Office or by downloading the relevant documentation from the IFI website www. fisheriesireland.ie. In the interests of simplifying the application process it is not a requirement to submit evidence of eel fishing activity. The State holds accurate records of commercial public eel licence or an eel fishing permit from the ESB held in the 2007 season. The State also holds accurate records of catches which were declared by the fishermen themselves.

If the Deputy has a particular instance or case in mind, I am happy to arrange that officials from my Department can brief him fully.

I am aware of the case referred to by the Deputy, but my understanding is that it was a decision of the UK Supreme Court further to appeal by the United Kingdom’s Environmental Agency and not a decision of the European Court of Human Rights.

Fishing for eel in Ireland was by way of public licence. I am advised that the individual in the UK Supreme Court proceedings not only held a fishing licence but also leasehold interest in the fishery in question.

20/11/2018WRX02100Solar Energy Guidelines

20/11/2018WRX02200533. Deputy Jan O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the detail of his Department’s guidelines on the installation of solar panels in both urban and rural areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47794/18]

20/11/2018WRX02300Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The matter of planning guidelines for solar PV installations is a matter for the Depart- ment of Housing, Planning & Local Government and I have no statutory function in this matter.

20/11/2018WRX02400Energy Resources

20/11/2018WRX02500534. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if a company (details supplied) has made an application for a licence to import fracked gas to a terminal in the west of Ireland; if so, the thresholds of the licence; if there is a policy of not using fracked gas for energy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47835/18]

20/11/2018WRX02600549. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the importation of fracked shale gas; if such importation accedes with the national policy on fracking; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48386/18]

20/11/2018WRX02700Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): I propose to take Questions Nos. 534 and 549 together.

The 2015 Energy White Paper, Ireland’s Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future, sets out 207 Questions - Written Answers a road-map for Ireland to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% by 2050. The strategy is clear that non-renewable energy sources will make a significant – though progressively smaller – contribution to our energy mix over the course of the energy transition.

The National Mitigation Plan, published in July 2017, restates the Government’s commitment to move from a fossil fuel-based electricity system to a low-carbon power system. Invest- ment in further renewable generation will be incentivised. During this transition, gas has the potential to deliver significant and sustained benefits, particularly in terms of enhanced security of supply. The development of an LNG facility would further enhance Ireland’s gas security of supply by increasing import route diversity and would be compatible with the State’s commitments to tackle climate change.

Ireland’s energy policy is fully aligned with the EU’s climate and energy objectives on the transition to decarbonisation, which includes continuous and on-going review of policies to reduce harmful emissions, improve energy efficiency, incentivise efficient and sustainable infrastructure investment, integrate markets, and promote research and innovation while ensuring our energy security of supply is maintained and enhanced.

In relation to gas, the production, sourcing, buying and selling of natural gas produced outside this jurisdiction is an operational matter for the undertakings involved. I have no policy remit in relation to the means of energy production in other countries. There is no national legislative licensing requirement to specify from where natural gas should be imported, or how imported gas should be produced. An LNG facility will have to meet national safety and environmental conditions as well as meeting the gas quality specification for the transmission network as defined in the Code of Operations.

Final investment decisions for the Shannon LNG project and compliance with any legal and regulatory requirements in relation to consents or permits are the responsibility of the project promoter.

On 6 July 2017, the Petroleum and Other Minerals Development (Prohibition of Onshore Hydraulic Fracturing) Act, 2017 was enacted. The Act amended the Petroleum and Other Min- erals Development Act, 1960 to provide for the prohibition of exploration for and extraction of onshore petroleum by means of hydraulic fracturing in Ireland, and to provide for related matters.

20/11/2018WRX02800Broadband Service Provision

20/11/2018WRX02900535. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the fact that the roll-out of fibre broadband in an area (details supplied) has been pushed back by up to six months despite repeated assurances from Eir and his Department that the roll-out would occur in quarter 4 of 2018; and his further views on whether it is acceptable that the delay has not been communicated to customers in the area and was only confirmed on 13 November 2018. [47893/18]

20/11/2018WRX03000536. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will request Eir to put in place additional staff to deal with customer queries and queries from Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas to ensure such queries are dealt with in a timely manner and customers are kept informed in view of repeated missed targets by it in the roll-out of fibre broadband. [47910/18]

20/11/2018WRX03100Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): I propose to take Questions Nos. 535 and 536 together. 208 20 November 2018 In April 2017 my Department published an updated High Speed Broadband Map which is available at www.broadband.gov.ie. This map shows the areas targeted by commercial operators to provide high speed broadband services and the areas that will be included in the State Intervention Area under the National Broadband Plan. The Map is colour coded and searchable by address/eircode:

- The AMBER areas represent the target areas for the proposed State led Intervention under the NBP and are the subject of an ongoing procurement process.

- The BLUE represent those areas where commercial providers are either currently delivering or have plans to deliver high speed broadband services.

- The LIGHT BLUE areas represent eir’s commercial rural deployment plans to rollout high speed broadband to 300,000 premises as part of a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017.

There are 135 premises in Ballymore. 2 (1%) fall within the AMBER area and will be served under the State led Intervention, while 133 (99%) are LIGHT BLUE and fall to be served by eir’s planned rural deployment.

Under a Commitment Agreement signed with my Department in April 2017, eir is in the process of passing 300,000 predominantly rural homes with high speed broadband. According to data for Q3 2018 submitted by eir to my Department the company has passed almost 210,000 premises nationwide as part of its ongoing deployment. This data is to be published on my De- partment’s website shortly.

eir has indicated to the Department that their deployment schedule has been impacted by storms Emma and Ophelia, and other construction issues. The company has proposed new timelines for its deployment which would see the project completed by mid-2019. Officials from my Department are engaged with eir on this proposal.

As the Deputy will be aware, eir is a private company, operating on a commercial basis in a liberalised market. The company’s response to queries is a matter for it alone, and not one in which I have any statutory authority to intervene. If, after having exhausted a service provider’s complaint handling procedures, a customer is not happy, they may contact ComReg, on 1890 229 668; online at http://www.askcomreg.ie/ or by email at [email protected], for further assistance and guidance with their issue.

20/11/2018WRX03300Telecommunications Infrastructure

20/11/2018WRX03400537. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the progress made in improving mobile phone signals throughout County Donegal since the publication of the report of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task- force in January 2017; the specific measures and progress made from the date of publication to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47911/18]

20/11/2018WRX03500Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce worked with key stakeholders to produce a report in December 2016, available on my Department’s website, which contained 40 actions to alleviate some of the coverage deficits across the country. An Implementation Group is overseeing the implementation of the actions and comprises all key stakeholders responsible for delivery. The Implementation Group meets on a quarterly basis and publishes quarterly progress reports on the implementation status of actions. My Department and the Department 209 Questions - Written Answers of Rural and Community Development published the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce Implementation Review 2017 on 21 February 2018, which comprehensively outlines the progress made in 2017 on the actions identified by the Taskforce. Of the 40 actions, 29 have been completed, with work on the remaining 11 carrying into the 2018 Work Programme. Following close engagement with stakeholders at the inaugural National Stakeholder Forum 2017, an additional 23 new measures were identified for delivery in 2018.

The Quarter 3 Progress Report for 2018 will be published shortly.

Some of the Taskforce’s achievements to date include:

- My Department and the Department of Rural and Community Development have worked to achieve a greater consensus around site selection for telecoms infrastructure and therefore improve mobile phone coverage.

- Both Departments also worked with a pilot group of local authorities to identify the issues associated with mapping local blackspots. This pilot exercise has been completed, with all local authorities having been asked to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be used to provide additional coverage on an economic basis.

- A focus group was established to provide guidance with respect to categories of location where high quality reliable mobile coverage should be made available as a priority. The report of the focus group was published on my Department’s website on 31 August 2018. It is anticipated that the output of the focus group should influence the actions of the mobile network operators in their work to reduce mobile phone blackspots. It will also inform future policy in my Department with regards to priorities for mobile phone services.

- A working group has been established with the remit of investigating the feasibility of developing standardised policy for accessing and utilising State and publicly-owned assets for the deployment of telecommunications infrastructure.

- ComReg is delivering a composite national coverage map, which will, in tandem with its work on handset testing and activities to raise consumer awareness, allow people across Ireland to optimise the services available to them.

- ComReg has developed a licensing scheme which will enable households and businesses to use mobile phone repeaters to boost signals into their premises and bring immediate improvements in mobile coverage.

In tandem with the work of the Taskforce, the release by ComReg of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which has been identified at EU level as a primary band suitable for 5G rollout, will also contribute to addressing increasing mobile data demands and improve mobile coverage. Mobile operators’ commercial investment has also resulted in improved services, following ComReg’s 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.

All of these initiatives should help enhance the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas, including County Donegal.

20/11/2018WRX03600Energy Prices

20/11/2018WRX03700538. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Ac- tion and Environment his views on the fact that some energy supply companies have increased

210 20 November 2018 their prices twice in 2018; his plans to take action to curb their price increases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47918/18]

20/11/2018WRX03800Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): Announcements regarding electricity price increases in 2018 reflect that, since the final quarter of 2016, average international natural gas prices have increased. They have, more or less, continued to rise through 2017 and 2018, with UK National Balancing Point day ahead gas prices in September being 57% higher in Euro terms than 12 months earlier. Consistent with the upward international gas price trend, average Irish wholesale electricity prices have also increased. Consistent with the usual time-lag, the effect of this protracted rise in the wholesale electricity price since end 2016 has been observed in the retail market, with all significant Irish electricity suppliers announcing household customer price increases during 2018.

Consistent with European energy policy, the electricity and gas markets in Ireland are commercial, liberalised, and competitive. The position of successive Governments has been that competitive energy markets result in greater choice for consumers and businesses, in terms of suppliers, products and prices. Competition exerts downward pressure on suppliers’ prices. The regulation of retail market prices for electricity in Ireland ended in 2011 and for gas prices in 2014. The main thrust of Government policy on energy costs focused on the competitive market and supports for energy efficiency. Government policy has supported competition to drive down prices, and data from approved price comparison sites (www.bonkers.ie and www. switcher.ie) shows that consumers can make significant savings by switching energy suppliers.

Responsibility for the regulation of the gas or electricity markets is a matter for the Com- mission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU). It is an independent statutory body, and solely ac- countable to a committee of the Oireachtas for the performance of its functions. Section 10A of the Electricity Regulation Act 1999, as amended, sets out the procedure under which the Minister may give “general policy directions” to the CRU. The legislation sets out details on the tasks and inter-alia restrictions, timelines and consultation requirements with the independent regulator and Oireachtas. Energy markets in Ireland operate within a European regulatory regime in which Member States must guarantee the independence of National Regulatory Authorities, which are expressly forbidden from taking direct instructions from government, or any public body. The regime also restricts policy directions in the form of general policy guidelines in certain areas that are prescribed regulatory duties and powers in the EU Third Energy Package. A policy direction in this matter is therefore not being considered.

20/11/2018WRX03900Wind Farms

20/11/2018WRX04000539. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the steps he is taking to alleviate concerns of local residents regarding a wind farm (details supplied) in County Mayo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47983/18]

20/11/2018WRX04100Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): Individual wind farm developers must comply with the conditions of their planning permission including those relating to community engagement and community benefit schemes. Enforcement of planning control is a matter for the planning authority, which can take action if a development does not have the required permission or where the terms of permission have not been met, and I have no function in the matter. Regarding the specific project mentioned, I would recommend that the Deputy contacts Mayo County Council who are responsible for the administration of the community benefit fund as well as the Community Liaison Officer from the company developing the wind farm. As noted during the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action on 13 November, it is my understanding that the local community have formal- 211 Questions - Written Answers ly written to Mayo County Council to request a meeting regarding the set up and distribution of the community benefit fund.

Since December 2016 wind energy developers have committed to implementing the Code of Practice for Wind Energy Development in Ireland for community engagement which empha- sises full and transparent engagement with local communities. This Code of Practice is intended to ensure that wind energy development in Ireland is undertaken in observance with the best industry practices, with the full engagement of communities around the country and is available on my Department’s website at www.dccae.gov.ie for reference.

Increased community participation by wind energy developers is being built into future policy through the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) which was agreed by Government in July and the revised Wind Energy Development Guidelines that are being developed by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

20/11/2018WRX04200Telecommunications Services Provision

20/11/2018WRX04300540. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to prioritise rural areas in the terms and conditions before allocating the 5G licences to the respective companies; the way in which he plans to favourably discriminate towards rural areas that currently have poor or no service at all when allocating these respective licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48086/18]

20/11/2018WRX04400Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): In the first instance, the management of the radio spectrum is a statutory function of the Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg), under the Communications Regu- lation Act, 2002. This role includes the allocation of radio spectrum and the award of spectrum licences, including any terms, conditions and obligations that may be attached to such licences. ComReg is independent in the exercise of its functions, and as such it would not be appropriate for me to comment on specific licence terms and conditions. I do however recognise the frustration felt by Irish consumers where telecommunications networks are not always delivering the services people expect. Digital connectivity positively impacts on the lives and livelihoods of citizens throughout the country. In paving the way for 5G deployment in Ireland and future spectrum licence awards, consideration will need to be given to a number of factors, including quality of coverage as well as geographical spread.

There is currently a number of initiatives underway to help enhance the quality of mobile phone and data services, particularly in rural areas. These include the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to alleviate coverage deficits across the country. A report of a focus group was recently published under the auspices of the Taskforce to provide guidance with respect to categories of locations where high quality, mobile coverage should be made available as a priority. A pilot exercise has also been completed with all local authorities having been asked to map local blackspots and identify infrastructure that could potentially be sued to provide additional coverage on an economic basis.

In tandem with the work of the Taskforce, the release by ComReg of the 3.6GHz radio spectrum band, which has been identified at EU level as a primary band suitable for 5G rollout, will also contribute to addressing increasing mobile data demands and improve mobile coverage. Mobile operators’ commercial investment has also resulted in improved services, following ComReg’s 2012 multi-band spectrum auction. At least one operator now has in excess of 90% 4G population coverage.

212 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRX04500Television Licence Fee

20/11/2018WRX04600541. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the review of the collection of the television licence fee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48166/18]

20/11/2018WRX04700542. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the actions taken to address non-payment of television licence fees since 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48167/18]

20/11/2018WRX04800543. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the forgone revenue through non-payment of television licences this year to the end of October 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48168/18]

20/11/2018WRX04900552. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if the television licence fee (details supplied) will be reformed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48400/18]

20/11/2018WRX05000Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): I propose to take Questions Nos. 541 to 543, inclusive, and 552 together.

I am very much aware of the challenges that face the existing TV Licence system, including the current levels of evasion which have been estimated to equate to a loss of up to €40m per annum to public service broadcasting. In recent years the rate of compliance has increased from 84.5% to 85.9%.

With a view to increasing compliance further, my Department has been working with An Post and RTÉ on an on-going basis so that all steps are being taken to ensure the system is working as effectively as possible. Measures such as marketing campaigns, more evening and weekend inspections and appointment of additional temporary inspectors are just some of the initiatives that have been utilised to enhance sales and improve compliance rates.

As the Deputy will be aware, Government approval was obtained to draft a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2009, including amendments for the tendering of TV Licence fee collection.

The proposed amendments were considered under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment and their report was received on March 8th. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and is included as a priority on the Government’s Legislative Programme.

As the Deputy is also aware, the Committee was also asked to examine the longer term issue of the future funding of public service media and the Committee published their report at the end of November 2017. Following consideration of the recommendations made in that report, Government approval was received in July 2018 to establish a Working Group on the Future Funding of Public Service Broadcasting. The Working Group, which is chaired by my Depart- ment, will examine a number of options to support future funding and the reform of television licence fee collection and it is intended that it will report to me in Q1 2019.

20/11/2018WRX05300Climate Change Policy

20/11/2018WRX05400544. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of Ireland’s commitments to the Accord de Paris; and if he will 213 Questions - Written Answers make a statement on the matter. [48297/18]

20/11/2018WRX05500Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): I will lead on the development of an all of government plan which will set out the actions which must be taken in every government department and body to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change, not a follower. I will work with colleagues across government to develop new initiatives across electricity, transport, heat, as well as a range of other sectors. The Paris Agreement, which entered into force in November 2016, aims to hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels, and to pursue efforts to limit this increase to 1.5 °C. Additionally, the Agreement aims to strengthen the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change through resilience and adaptation, and to make finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

The Agreement is designed to meet this objective through Nationally Determined Contribu- tions (NDCs) submitted by all parties to the Agreement.

Ireland will contribute to meeting the objectives of the Paris Agreement through the NDC submitted by the EU on behalf of its Member States, which commits the EU to a 40% reduction in EU-wide emissions by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. In this context, the EU has undertaken to reduce emissions in sectors covered by the Emissions Trading System (ETS) by 43%, and has agreed binding targets for each Member State for those emissions falling outside the ETS. Ireland will be required to achieve a 30% reduction on 2005 levels of emissions by 2030 for emissions outside the ETS.

Ireland is committed, together with its EU partners, to finalising at the COP 24 climate conference next month, the rules through which the Paris Agreement will drive adaptation, mitigation, transparency and capacity-building action.

20/11/2018WRX05600Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRX05700545. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48298/18]

20/11/2018WRX05800Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): My Departmental remit includes complex policy areas, oversight of State regulation and service provision across key strategic services such as energy and public service broadcasting, as well as regulation of sectors such as mining and hydrocarbon exploration. Given the technical complexity, economic significance and community interest in these areas, there is a requirement to disseminate information and to address specific issues as they arise. My Depart- ment therefore necessarily incurs some expenditure on a number of advertising campaigns to promote its policies / programmes from time to time. In procuring these services, my Depart- ment always seeks to ensure value for money and the keeping of expenditure to the minimum necessary.

The information requested is outlined in tabular format:

Cost for each past five years €

214 20 November 2018

Campaign / Relevant Advertising in publica- 2014 2015 2016 2017 to date 2018 Programme tions / Broadcast Adver- tising / Outdoor Advertis- ing / Other consultancy or production Waste Campaign - 405,023 74,458 phase out of flat rate fees, awareness etc Tidy Towns 2,521 Anti-Dumping Initia- Figures relate to total 1,205 tive cost as it is not possible to give breakdown ObSERVE Other consultancy or 2,017 Production Local Agenda 21 Advertising in publica- 5,230 4,649 4,732 5,835 5,470 Scheme (Local Envi- tions ronmental Partnership Fund) Designation of Events Advertising in publica- 4,980 6,653 of Major Importance to tions Society Advertisement of Or- Broadcast advertising 31 der Designating Events of Major Importance to Society (S.I 465 of 2017) Ploughing Champing- Advertising in publica- 369 ship - Facebook adverts tions Phone Book - Golden Advertising in publica- 4,908 5,727 Pages (advertising non tions classified Directory Irish Language Scheme Advertising in publica- 1,721 - Advertising in Tuara- tions isc (Online magazine) Clean Air Award, Advertising in publica- 12,300 Sustainable Award and tions Climate Change Award Geoscience Ireland Advertising in publica- 1,823 2,442 1,747 6,622 6,932 tions INFOMAR Advertising in publica- 12,970 12,970 12,970 12,970 12,970 tions Advertising in publica- 14,448 25,583 18,929 51,501 12,345 tions Broadcasting advertising 865 Tellus Other consultancy or 285 Production Advertising in publica- 5,842 tions Consultation on draft Other consultancy or 10,744 National Adaptation Production Framework in line with the requirements of Climate Action and Low Carbon Develop- ment Act 2015

215 Questions - Written Answers

Campaign / Relevant Advertising in publica- 2014 2015 2016 2017 to date 2018 Programme tions / Broadcast Adver- tising / Outdoor Advertis- ing / Other consultancy or production National Adaptation Other consultancy or 7,699 Framework Production Publicity for National Advertising in publica- 25,500 Dialogue on Climate tions Action (NDCA) Ath- lone & Tralee (News- papers, social media) Project Ireland smock Advertising in publica- 25,188 alley event tions Tidy towns - Our com- Advertising in publica- 1,210 3,628 munity climate action tions award Celebrating 30 Years of Advertising in publica- 36,531 the IPCC - Communi- tions cation, education and outreach on the IPCC and climate change Advertising in publica- 6,738 tions National Mitigation Other consultancy or 54,248 Plan Production Advertising in publica- 15,018 60,918 tions Broadcasting advertising 60,426* 43,285 Trading Online Other consultancy or 6,842 8,716 Voucher Scheme Production Getting Citizens Online Advertising in publica- 1,175 1,476 Programme tions Promote EU LIFE Advertising in publica- 1,947 Information day tions Ireland’s Renewable Advertising in publica- 9,471 Energy Transformation tions Publishing of notices Advertising in publica- 18,069 13,495 22,900 in local newspapers, tions informing the public of the Minister’s intention to grant Prospecting and Mining Licences *€3075 of this figure is for a digital publication for the independent

20/11/2018WRY00200Climate Change Policy

20/11/2018WRY00300546. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans since taking office to increase ambition in tackling climate change and ensuring Ireland becomes a leader on climate action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48321/18]

20/11/2018WRY00400Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): l have secured Government approval to prepare an all of government plan which will

216 20 November 2018 set out the actions which must be taken in every government department and body to make Ireland a leader in responding to climate change. I will work with colleagues across Govern- ment to develop new initiatives across electricity, transport, heat, agriculture and other relevant sectors. The new plan will have a strong focus on implementation, including actions with clear timelines and steps needed to achieve each action, assigning clear lines of responsibility for delivery. The new plan will also be informed by successful approaches in other countries, where such approaches could be adapted for implementation in Ireland. This Plan will build on the previous actions taken by government, including in the National Mitigation Plan and the National Development Plan.

Ireland’s National Mitigation Plan, published in 2017, sets out the sectoral policy measures required in order to manage Ireland’s greenhouse gas emissions at a level appropriate for making progress towards our long-term national transition objective, as well as taking into account our EU and international obligations. Although this first Plan does not provide a complete roadmap to achieve our national transition objective to 2050, it begins the process of development of medium- to long-term options to ensure that we are well positioned to take the necessary actions in the next and future decades.

Building on the National Mitigation Plan, the publication in February of the National De- velopment Plan reaffirms the Government’s commitment to transitioning Ireland to a low carbon, climate resilient economy and society. Reflecting the strong commitment of Government on this issue, almost €22 billion will be directed, between Exchequer and non-Exchequer resources, to addressing the transition to a low-carbon and climate resilient society. This means that about €1 in €5 spent under the National Development Plan will be on climate action and this capital investment will enable us to deliver a significant reduction in our greenhouse gas emissions over the period to 2030.

20/11/2018WRY00500Climate Change Policy

20/11/2018WRY00600547. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he is satisfied that Ireland is ambitious enough on climate action and the use of renewable energy to continue to attract investment in the technology sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48322/18]

20/11/2018WRY00700Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is committed to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy. Latest data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicate that 30.1% of our electricity came from renewable sources in 2017. Overall, SEAI analysis shows that 10.6% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2017 were met from renewable sources, with an expectation that Ireland will achieve over 80% of its 16% renewable energy target by 2020. The SEAI has also estimated that the contribution of renewables avoided €276 million of fossil fuel imports in 2017.

The Government has adopted a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy including the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. In addition, my Department is developing the new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which will be designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030; and the Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH), the purpose of which is to reduce the use of fossil fuels within the heating sector.

217 Questions - Written Answers In April 2018, a policy statement on Biofuel Obligation Scheme was published. This policy statement set out an increase in the obligation to 10% from 1 January 2019; this will increase further to 11% from 1 January 2020.

In June of this year the EU agreed an EU-wide binding renewable energy target of 32% out to 2030 and Ireland’s contribution will be informed by the development of Ireland’s first integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), a draft of which will be submitted to the Commission in December. The NECP will include trajectories for renewable energy (including renewable electricity ambitions), energy efficiency, and national emissions, as well as the measures required to achieve these trajectories.

Data centres are becoming a key dimension of electricity demand growth in Ireland and earlier this year Government set out a statement of on the role data centres play in Ireland’s ambition to be a digital economy hot-spot in Europe. Ireland currently hosts several global players in the ICT sector and boasts a strong cadre of technology-rich Irish owned enterprises. Acknowledging that data centres, as large consumers of electricity, also pose particular challenges to the future planning and operation of a sustainable power system, the Government Statement recognised these challenges and a plan-led approach will develop a range of measures to promote regional options for data centre investment, minimising the need for additional grid infrastructure. The detailed statement is available at https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/ Publication-files/Government-Statement-Data-Centres-Enterprise-Strategy.pdf .

20/11/2018WRY00800Legislative Programme

20/11/2018WRY00900548. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the Broadcasting (Amendment) Bill 2018; the timeline for the introduction of provisions to reduce the burden of the broadcasting levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48369/18]

20/11/2018WRY01000Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): As the Deputy will be aware, Government approval was obtained to proceed with the drafting of a number of legislative amendments to the Broadcasting Act, 2009 including amendment of the provisions of the Act relating to the broadcasting levy to alleviate the burden on broadcasters. The proposals provide that a portion of the licence fee receipts will be paid to the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) to help defray their administrative costs. The proposed amendments were considered under Pre-Legislative Scrutiny by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Communications, Climate Action & Environment who published their report on 8 March. The Bill is currently being drafted by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel and is included as a priority on the Government’s Legislative Programme.

Question No. 549 answered with Question No. 534.

20/11/2018WRY01200Renewable Energy Generation Targets

20/11/2018WRY01300550. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the progress toward 2020 renewable energy targets; his plans to meet those targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48395/18]

20/11/2018WRY01400Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The 2009 EU Renewable Energy Directive sets Ireland a legally binding target of meeting 16% of our energy requirements from renewable sources by 2020. Ireland is commit- 218 20 November 2018 ted to achieving this target through meeting 40% of electricity demand, 12% of heat and 10% of transport from renewable sources of energy.

Latest data from the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) indicate that 30.1% of our electricity came from renewable sources in 2017. Overall, SEAI analysis shows that 10.6% of Ireland’s energy requirements in 2017 were met from renewable sources, with an expectation that Ireland will achieve over 80% of its 16% renewable energy target by 2020. The SEAI has also estimated that the contribution of renewables avoided €276 million of fossil fuel imports in 2017.

The Government has also adopted a range of policy measures and schemes to incentivise the use of renewable energy including the Renewable Energy Feed-In-Tariff (REFIT) schemes. In addition, my Department is progressing the proposed new Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), which has been designed to assist Ireland in meeting its renewable energy contributions out to 2030.

A Support Scheme for Renewable Heat (SSRH) was launched this year, which is open to all non-domestic heat users not operating in the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). The purpose of the scheme is to reduce the use of fossil fuels within the heating sector.

Moreover, the Government has committed significant funding to support electric vehicles through the National Development Plan, which includes an allocation of €200 million for the period 2018-2027. This year, there have been 1,686 new electric vehicles sold, which represents a 135% increase on the same point in 2017.

In April 2018, in order to provide certainty to obligated parties, a policy statement on the Biofuel Obligation Scheme was published. This policy statement set out an increase in the obligation to 10% from 1 January 2019, which has already been given effect to by way of a Statu- tory Instrument and to 11% from 1 January 2020.

In July 2018 a new pilot scheme to support micro generation, initially targeting domestic self-consumption through a grant scheme for solar PV installation and battery storage was announced. The data gathered during the pilot scheme will inform potential future phases of support for micro-generation in Ireland that may be appropriate, as we align with the ambition and requirements of the recast Renewable Energy Directive (RED) that recognises the rights, entitlements and obligations of renewable self-consumers.

20/11/2018WRY01500Energy Usage

20/11/2018WRY01600551. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will provide the most recent data on energy consumption; the percentage that the residential sector contributes to energy consumption; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48396/18]

20/11/2018WRY01700Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment (Deputy Richard Bruton): The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) publish an energy balance each year which provides the most recent data on all energy consumption in Ireland. This information is publicly available and can be found at the following link https://www.seai.ie/resources/ publications/Energy-Balance-2017.pdf. Based on the figures in the latest energy balance for 2017, 22.1% of final energy consumption is used in the residential sector.

The latest published report containing data on the residential sector is the SEAI’s “Energy in the Residential Sector – 2018 Report” which is publicly available and can be accessed at the 219 Questions - Written Answers following link https://www.seai.ie/resources/publications/Energy-in-the-Residential-Sector- 2018-Final.pdf.

Question No. 552 answered with Question No. 541.

20/11/2018WRY01900Road Signage

20/11/2018WRY02000553. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the procedures and rules for erecting village welcome signs in a village. [47716/18]

20/11/2018WRY02100Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): I note that the question does not refer to either National or Regional/Local roads. The Traffic Signs Manual published by my Department, provides details of the traffic signs which may be used on roads in Ireland, including their layout and symbols, the circumstances in which each sign may be used and rules for positioning them. The procedures and rules however vary from National roads to Regional and Local roads.

For National roads, construction, improvement and maintenance is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) under the Roads Act, 1993 in conjunction with the local authority concerned. More specifically, TII has responsibility for the provision of signage under Section 19 of the Act. I have, therefore, referred the Deputy’s question to TII for direct reply in that regard. Please advise my private office if you don’t receive a reply within 10 working days.

For Regional and Local roads, construction, improvement and maintenance (including signage) is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act, 1993. Works on those roads are funded from a local authority’s own resources, supplemented by State road grants. The selection and prioritisation of such works in is also a matter for each local authority. The question regarding signage on regional/local roads should, therefore, be taken up directly by the Deputy with the relevant local authority.

20/11/2018WRY02200Road Safety

20/11/2018WRY02300554. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the introduction of a crash barrier at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47796/18]

20/11/2018WRY02400Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): As Minister for Trans- port, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the construction, improvement and maintenance of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.

Noting the above position, I have referred the question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

20/11/2018WRY02500Sports Capital Programme Administration

20/11/2018WRY02600555. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when successful candidates in relation to sports capital grants will be notified; and if he will make a

220 20 November 2018 statement on the matter. [47840/18]

20/11/2018WRY02700566. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the allocation of the new round of 2018 sports capital programme grants will be announced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48150/18]

20/11/2018WRY02800Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Bren- dan Griffin): I propose to take Questions Nos. 555 and 566 together.

The 2018 round of the Sports Capital Programme opened for applications on Friday 7 Sep- tember and the application period closed on Friday 19th October. By that deadline, a record 2,337 applications were submitted seeking a total of €162m in funding.

187 submissions relate to applications deemed invalid under the 2017 round of the programme who have now submitted corrected documentation. These applications are being assessed first and I hope to make allocations to this category of application later this year or early in 2019.

For the first time, new applicants who have submitted incorrect documentation under this round will be given the opportunity to correct their application during the assessment period. While there will be no undue delay in completing the assessment process, in view of the opportunity to correct documentation, the record number of applications received and the detailed information contained in each application, it is likely to take a number of months to have all applications assessed. Accordingly, I expect that it will be towards the end of Q2 2019, at the earliest, before the full set of allocations under this current round of the programme are announced.

20/11/2018WRY02900Air Accident Investigations

20/11/2018WRY03000556. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the air accident report into Rescue 116 is due to be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47855/18]

20/11/2018WRY03100Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The tragic accident involving Rescue 116 occurred in the early hours of 14 March 2017, at Blackrock, Co. Mayo. I would again avail of the opportunity to offer my condolences to the families, colleagues and friends of the four crew members who lost their lives: Capt. Dara Fitzpatrick, Capt. Mark Duffy, Winch Operator Paul Ormsby and Winchman Ciarán Smith. I am also acutely aware that Paul and Ciarán remain lost at sea.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) commenced an Investigation immediately upon notification of the accident, and that Investigation is ongoing. The AAIU is the national Safety Investigation Authority for aviation accidents and incidents and while it is located within my Department, it functions independently of me and my Department. Regulations provide for investigations to be held in private and are confidential. The sole purpose of such Investigations is the prevention of future accidents and incidents and not to apportion blame or liability.

The Investigation has published two reports to date; a Preliminary Report AAIU Report No. 2017-006 published on 13 April 2017, and an Interim Report AAIU Report No. 2018-004 published on 16 April 2018. Both reports are publicly available on the AAIU website, www. AAIU.ie.

The AAIU’s investigation into the causes of the accident to R116 is ongoing. It is charged under domestic Law, EU Regulation and International Convention with examining all relevant

221 Questions - Written Answers issues it determines are pertinent to the occurrence it is investigating. As I have already stated publicly, whilst I understand the on-going public interest in this matter, it is vital that the AAIU is given the time and space to complete its work and report on its findings. As the AAIU is independent in the conduct of its investigations, I do not propose to become involved in individual investigations. As such, I am not in a position to directly comment further on the issues surrounding it.

However, on information provided by the Chief Inspector of Air Accidents, I can tell the house that work is progressing towards the finalisation of a Draft Report. Once prepared, the Draft Report will be circulated in confidence to interested parties for comment, a process that will take at least 60 days. The Investigation will then proceed to finalise the Report, taking into account the comments received. Due to the complexity of the work involved, and as the number of comments, which may be received is unknown; it is not possible to be definitive regarding a timescale for these activities.

20/11/2018WRY03200Marine Casualty Investigations Board

20/11/2018WRY03300557. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to change the composition of the NCIB in order to ensure that members of the board have maritime experience; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47856/18]

20/11/2018WRY03400Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The Marine Casualty Investigation Board (MCIB) was set up under the Merchant Shipping (Investigation of Marine Casualties) Act 2000 (“the 2000 Act”) to investigate and determine the cause of marine casualties and to publish reports of such investigations.

Under Section 8 of the 2000 Act, the MCIB is independent of the Minister in the performance of its functions and, in general, is independent of any other person or body whose interests could conflict with the functions of the Board.

In relation to the composition of the MCIB, I wish to confirm that the Board, and the individual members of the Board, do not actually carry out marine casualty investigations. Such investigations are carried out by external, independent investigators drawn from a panel established by the MCIB for this purpose.

Section 9 of the 2000 Act specifically deals with the composition of the MCIB. The Board consists of five members, three of which are appointed by the Minister for Transport, Tourism & Sport. In addition, the Chief Surveyor of the Marine Survey Office is an ex officio member of the board and the Secretary General of this Department, or his or her nominee, is also a member of the board. The current nominee of the Secretary General is the Lead Investigator of the Railway Accident Investigation Unit, which is based in this Department. Prior to this the previous nominee of the Secretary General was the Chief Aeronautical Officer of the Air Accident Investigation Unit, which is also based in this Department.

The remit of the Board, its statutory powers and its obligations are contained in the 2000 Act. In addition, the MCIB is also subject to the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies (revised in 2016), which is designed to ensure that State bodies meet the highest standards of corporate governance.

I wish to advise that the current Chairperson of the MCIB is due to complete her term in January 2019. In this regard, my Department has already begun the process to appoint the next Chairperson.

222 20 November 2018 On 5 October 2018 the Public Appointment Service (PAS) advertised for the upcoming vacancy on its dedicated website for appointments to State Boards (www.stateboards.ie). In support of this campaign, a comprehensive booklet was produced and published by PAS (in conjunction with my Department) inviting applications from suitably qualified candidates and specifying the particular skills and experiences required of the Chairperson of the MCIB. In addition to the identified key competencies required of the Chairperson, the booklet expressed a desire for applications from candidates with experience or knowledge of marine accident investigation or accident investigation in another sector, or Health and Safety Management.

My Department hopes to conclude the appointment process shortly and to have the new Chairperson in place by early 2019 to continue to lead the MCIB in its important work.

Finally, it is anticipated that 2 additional vacancies on the MCIB (including the position of Deputy Chairperson) may arise in 2020. My Department will work closely with PAS at the relevant time to ensure that we attract suitably qualified and experienced candidates who will uphold the required high standards of corporate governance and continue to oversee the effective running of the MCIB.

20/11/2018WRY03500Air Accident Investigations

20/11/2018WRY03600558. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the various responsibility of both the Irish Coast Guard and the Irish Aviation Authority in relation to aircraft crashes in marine zones with particular reference to the responsibility of the service of warrants. [47857/18]

20/11/2018WRY03700Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): Under the National Maritime SAR Framework which is legally underpined by various international and national legal obligations in relation to safety at sea, the Irish Coast Guard (IRCG) is responsible for carrying out search and rescue (SAR) in the context of an aircraft accident in a marine zone within the Irish Search and Rescue Region.

The location of the accident is determined by the Irish Aviation Authority’s Air Rescue Co- ordination Centre (ARCC) who track aircraft in distress in compliance with their international and national legal obligations. The transfer of co-ordination of such an incident to IRCG’s Ma- rine Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) occurs when the location is confirmed to be offshore or coastal. In carrying out its responsibilities, the MRCC coordinates various SAR assets available to it in consultation with a variety of state and voluntary entities. The transfer of responsibilities from the ARCC to MRCC is managed on the basis of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the National SAR Framework. The coordination of participants in the search and rescue operation is managed on the basis of standard operating procedures and various MoUs with the entities involved, as specified in the National SAR Framework.

Once the search and rescue has been completed, the Air Accident Investigation Unit (AAIU) will commence its investigation of the accident under International Convention, EU Regula- tion and national legislation. These obligations require it to conduct investigations into aviation accidents and serious incidents that occur in the state and its territorial waters, regardless of registration origin. Outside of territorial waters (12 miles) and in international waters, the AAIU is obligated to conduct investigations into aviation accidents and serious incidents that occur to Irish registered aircraft. With regard to occurrences to foreign registered aircraft, outside of Irish territorial waters but close to Ireland, the investigation will be completed by the state of registry and support will be provided by the AAIU if so sought by the state of registry.

223 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRY03800Driver Licensing Exchange Agreements

20/11/2018WRY03900559. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to introduce changes to the driver licence exchange scheme to facilitate returning immigrants; the timescale in this regard; his further plans to enter into a driver licence exchange programme with the United States of America; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47889/18]

20/11/2018WRY04000Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): Following discussions with the Road Safety Authority (RSA) and with my colleague Minister Ciaran Cannon, Minister for the Diaspora, I decided that drivers with full licences from non-Exchange countries should be offered a reduced Essential Driver Training programme of only 6 lessons. I am happy to say I have now signed into law the necessary regulations. As there will need to be a lead-in time for the RSA and driving instructors, the new measures will come into effect from 21 January 2019.

In relation to your query regarding a driver exchange agreement with the United States of America, as you are probably aware Irish driver licensing law operates within a framework of EU law, which sets common standards for driving tests across Europe. As a result, all EU driving licences are interchangeable - if a person takes up residence here with a driving licence from another EU Member State, they may exchange it for the Irish equivalent.

In the case of non-EU licences, we may reach bilateral agreements on exchange. These are not a straightforward matter, and we cannot reach them with a particular jurisdiction merely because it is convenient. Before any such agreement can be reached, the relevant authorities on each side must compare the two licensing regimes in detail, so that each may be satisfied that they are compatible. On the Irish side this task is undertaken by the RSA.

The RSA has examined the possibility of an exchange relationship for US driving licences. However, as driver licensing within the US operates at state rather than federal level, there are 50 different systems, with sometimes widely varying standards. Not only would it be necessary to reach 50 separate agreements, but each such agreement would have to take into account the exchange arrangements existing between that state and the other 49. The RSA concluded that this would not be feasible.

20/11/2018WRY04100Ports Policy

20/11/2018WRY04200560. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he is seeking to classify Rosslare as a tier one port; the progress made on the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47903/18]

20/11/2018WRY04300Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The 2013 National Ports Policy designated Rosslare Europort as a Port of National Significance (Tier 2).

Ports of National Significance (Tier 2) ports are responsible for at least 2.5% of overall tonnage through Irish ports, have the potential to handle higher volumes of unitised traffic and have existing transport links to serve a wider, national marketplace beyond their immediate region.

Ports of National Significance (Tier 1) are ports that are responsible for 15% to 20% of overall tonnage through Irish ports and have clear potential to lead the development of future port capacity in the medium and long term, when and as required.

The tonnage of goods handled at all Irish ports are published annually by the Central Sta- tistics Office. The following is a link to the latest published CSO figures showing tonnage over 224 20 November 2018 the last 12 years.

https://www.cso.ie/multiquicktables/quickTables.aspx?id=tba07

Rosslare Europort continues to fulfil the criteria of a Port of National Significance ier(T 2).

20/11/2018WRY04400Coastal Erosion

20/11/2018WRY04500561. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to address the challenge of marine erosion along the Rosslare rail line; and if the line will be upgraded. [47905/18]

20/11/2018WRY04600Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): I am advised that Iarnród Éireann monitors the coast line erosion rates at key points along the railway on an ongoing basis and engage with relevant local authorities on the issue.

In view of Iarnród Éireann’s responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the company for a more detailed, direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

20/11/2018WRY04700Tourism Promotion

20/11/2018WRY04800562. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the position regarding future plans for Ireland’s Ancient East with particular reference to his plans for County Wexford; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47216/18]

20/11/2018WRY04900Minister of State at the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Brendan Griffin): The tourism potential of the various counties and regions is developed and promoted in line with the relevant tourism experience brands, which provide the overarching context for related tourism product development, marketing and enterprise support. In the case of County Wexford, this is Ireland’s Ancient East, which, I believe, has very exciting potential to deliver sustainable growth for tourism in the region, resulting in higher revenue and additional jobs.

Specific plans for the further development and promotion of Ireland’s Ancient East generally and County Wexford specifically are operational matters for the boards and management of the two tourism agencies – Fáilte Ireland in regard to tourism development and domestic tourism promotion and Tourism Ireland in regard to overseas tourism marketing.

Accordingly, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the two agencies for further information and direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within ten working days.

20/11/2018WRY05000Road Safety

20/11/2018WRY05100563. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his attention has been drawn to concerns of a group (details supplied) regarding the slip road from junction 7 of the N7 to the roundabout in view of the fact that it presents a danger to road users; if will engage with TII with a view to remedying the situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47956/18]

20/11/2018WRY05200Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): As Minister for Trans- 225 Questions - Written Answers port, Tourism & Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the maintenance, improvement and operation of individual roads is a matter for the relevant road authority in relation to local and regional roads, or for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned, in relation to national roads.

Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a detailed and direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

20/11/2018WRY05300Rail Network

20/11/2018WRY05400564. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if Irish Rail has a timeline for when it will agree and sign off on a bridge (details supplied) with Kildare County Council. [47979/18]

20/11/2018WRY05500Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): As Minister for Trans- port, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for policy and overall funding of public transport. Issues relating to infrastructure, such as the bridge referred to by the Deputy, are an operational matter for Iarnród Éireann.

In view of Iarnród Éireann’s responsibility in this matter, I have referred the Deputy’s question to the company for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.

20/11/2018WRY05600Roads Maintenance Funding

20/11/2018WRY05700565. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if funding will be made available in 2019 for the restoration of Coughlanstown Road, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47980/18]

20/11/2018WRY05800Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The position remains as previously outlined to the Deputy in response to Questions No. 532 of 23 January 2018, and Nos. 1090 and 1091 of 7 September 2018:

“The improvement and maintenance of regional and local roads is the statutory responsibility of each local authority, in accordance with the provisions of Section 13 of the Roads Act 1993. Works on those roads are funded from local authorities’ own resources supplemented by State road grants.

As the selection and prioritisation of works is the responsibility of the local authority, it is a matter for the Council to assess the options open to it in relation to this road, taking the position regarding utility services into account.”

Notwithstanding the above, the 2019 regional and local road grant allocations will be announced in the New Year. It will then be open to Kildare County Council to fund works along the L6042 Coughlanstown Road from that grant allocation if it so wishes.

Question No. 566 answered with Question No. 555.

226 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRZ00300Bus Éireann Services

20/11/2018WRZ00400567. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of a bus route and depot (details supplied); and the effect it will have on employees in County Kildare. [48255/18]

20/11/2018WRZ00500Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The issue raised is a matter for Bus Éireann and I have forwarded the Deputy’s question to the company for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

20/11/2018WRZ00600Pension Fund Data

20/11/2018WRZ00700568. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the status of the current state of the CIE superannuation scheme 1951; his plans in relation to the scheme; his plans to reimburse the scheme of moneys previously removed during the recession; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48284/18]

20/11/2018WRZ00800Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): Issues in relation to Córas Iompair Éireann (CIÉ) pension schemes are primarily a matter for the trustees of the pension schemes, the CIÉ Group and their employees. Therefore, I have referred the Deputy’s question to CIÉ for direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a response within ten working days.

20/11/2018WRZ00900Cycling Facilities Provision

20/11/2018WRZ01000569. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the amount of funding he has allocated for the development of cycleways in 2017; the amount of funding that will be allocated to the Dublin area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48295/18]

20/11/2018WRZ01100Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): As the Deputy may be aware, over the period 2018 to 2021 I have secured significantly improved funding allocations which will benefit both cycling and walking.

These improved allocations over the 2018 to 2021 period include:

- €110 million specifically dedicated to cycling and walking infrastructure in our major urban areas;

- €135 million for sustainable urban transport measures; and

- €750 million towards the BusConnects programme in Dublin which will include the delivery of around 200 kilometres of segregated cycling lanes, where possible.

I am also providing €53 million to support the development of new Greenways in more rural areas, in line with the Greenways Strategy, published earlier this year.

As can be seen from the above, these are multi-annual capital expenditure programmes which will positively assist with the better development and provision of cycling and walking infrastructure across the State.

In addition to these infrastructure measures, my Department also provides funding to the

227 Questions - Written Answers National Transport Authority (NTA) in relation to behavioural change programmes and to Cy- cling Ireland to develop a new national cycle training standard - “Cycle Right” – which was rolled out in January 2017 and expected to train approximately 20,000 primary school students this year.

In relation to cycleways specifically, the NTA has statutory responsibility to secure or provide cycling infrastructure in the State. I have therefore referred the Deputy’s question to the NTA for a more detailed reply. Please contact my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 days.

20/11/2018WRZ01200Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRZ01300570. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48296/18]

20/11/2018WRZ01400Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): The information on advertising costs requested by the Deputy is available on my Department’s website at the following link: http://www.dttas.ie/corporate/english/expenditure-external-services

My Department publishes information on all expenditure on external services, on a six monthly basis each year, and the second part of 2018 (July - December) will be published in early 2019.

20/11/2018WRZ01500Aviation Policy

20/11/2018WRZ01600571. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the legislative timeframe for the appointment of an independent competent authority for noise; and if it is still his intention to appoint Fingal County Council as the competent authority. [48412/18]

20/11/2018WRZ01700Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport (Deputy Shane Ross): I intend to publish the Aircraft Noise (Dublin Airport) Regulation Bill 2018 this month, which was approved by cabinet today, providing for the designation of Fingal County Council as the Competent Authority for the purposes of EU Regulation 598/2014. The target is to enact the Bill by the end of the year.

As the Deputy is aware, a General Scheme of the Bill was considered and approved under the pre-legislative process last month, and in the period since there has been an intensive effort to produce a final Bill. I look forward to the Deputy’s contributions during the legislative process to come and ultimately to his support for this important piece of new regulatory law.

20/11/2018WRZ01800Child and Family Agency Expenditure

20/11/2018WRZ01900572. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if an organisation (details supplied) will receive an increase in funding in view of the fact that its case load has increased significantly since 2012, which contrasts with a 16% reduction in state support from 2012 to 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48176/18]

228 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRZ02000Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, has advised me that it provides annual funding of €82,389 to the organisation to which the Deputy refers. The purpose of this funding is to provide information, support and counselling to bereaved parents.

Tusla previously provided some funding to this organisation to maintain the National Paedi- atric Register. In 2017, the Register transferred to Temple Street Children’s University Hospital and Tusla no longer provides funding for this particular service.

Due to overall budget cuts, all community and voluntary organisations experienced funding reductions between 2012 and 2016. However, Tusla has maintained the level of funding to this organisation since 2016.

Tusla is committed to working with service providers throughout the country to ensure services are available to vulnerable children and families. As part of its commissioning approach, Tusla continuously seeks to assign resources to areas of the greatest need, ensuring the best possible outcomes.

I highly value the work of Tusla and its partner organisations in the provision of child and family services nationwide.

20/11/2018WRZ02100Aftercare Services Provision

20/11/2018WRZ02200573. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of adults discharged from Tusla funded aftercare into homelessness each year since the agency was established; and the supports in place to prevent the discharge of young adults from Tusla funded aftercare into homelessness. [47706/18]

20/11/2018WRZ02300Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): Every year more than 500 young people leave the care of the State. These young people are offered a wide range of services from different State actors including income supports, health supports, accommodation and education.

The aftercare provisions of the Child Care (Amendment) Act 2015 came into force on the first of September 2017. This means that there is now a statutory obligation on Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, to prepare an aftercare plan for each eligible child and young person. This plan encompasses the range of supports that a young person may need from all service providers, including Tusla, to help them make the transition to independent adult life. This plan must specifically include consideration of the young person’s needs in relation to accommodation.

The majority of young people who leave the care of the State each year upon turning 18 do so with stable accommodation in place. A significant number of young people leaving care remain living with their former foster carers. Those who do not have family support from a foster carer or family base are assisted in finding accommodation in supported lodgings, sheltered housing or independent accommodation and encouraged and supported financially in furthering their training and education.

Tusla does not collate data on the number of young adults discharged from aftercare into homelessness. Tusla does not operate a policy of discharging young adults into homeless services.

Of the 1,964 young adults aged 18 to 22 years in receipt of an aftercare service at the end of June 2018, 45.2% were living with their former foster carers, 25.1% were living independently,

229 Questions - Written Answers 10.5% were at home with their birth parents, and 9.3% were in a residential care placement or supported lodgings.

However, some 9% of young people leaving care are at a more pronounced risk of entering unstable accommodation due to the complexity of their support needs. In recognition of the particularly complex needs of a minority of young people leaving care, they have since 2017 been included for the first time as a separate category for funding under the Capital Assistance Scheme (CAS). CAS will provide targeted assistance to the most vulnerable care leavers by enabling Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) to acquire residential units to accommodate care- leavers. My Department and Tusla have developed principles and criteria relating to funding proposals under CAS. Where accommodation is provided under CAS, Tusla will provide and, where necessary advocate for, additional independent living supports, in particular for the most vulnerable care leavers, in accordance with the individual’s pre-agreed aftercare plan. I am pleased to be able to confirm that the first two care leavers have now taken occupancy of secure accommodation under the scheme while an additional 43 units, consisting of a mix of one and two bed units across the State, are “Sale Agreed” and should be available for many other young people leaving care in the near future.

The security provided by a tenancy in CAS accommodation, combined with the aftercare supports identified by Tusla as part of the aftercare planning process, can help ensure that these young people have a safe base from which to begin their transition to independent adult life.

20/11/2018WRZ02400Aftercare Services Provision

20/11/2018WRZ02500574. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) has been informed that their Tusla funded aftercare placement will end on 16 November 2018; and the steps Tusla will take to prevent them from being discharged into homelessness. [47707/18]

20/11/2018WRZ02600Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): The attention of my officials was drawn to this case by the young person’s former foster parents on the 11th of this month. My officials immediately contacted Tusla, the Child and Family Agency to establish the details of the case. I am pleased to assure you that Tusla have confirmed that they will temporarily extend the young person’s current aftercare placement to ensure that she has a safe place to stay.

According to the information provided by Tusla, the young person in question was due to be discharged from her current placement on Friday 16th November, with the intention that she could move directly to an Aftercare unit run by Focus Ireland and funded by Tusla. Unfortu- nately, on November 9th, this unit advised that they were not in a position to accommodate the young person due assessed risk.

Tusla are appealing this decision, and are offering additional support to the unit to manage concerns identified by that service. Due to the particularly complex needs of the young person identifying a suitable adult placement is a challenge. Tusla believe that the unit identified will best meet these needs. A final decision is awaited from the unit. In the interim, as mentioned, the young person can temporarily remain in her current placement.

20/11/2018WRZ02700Childcare Services Staff

20/11/2018WRZ02800575. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs her views 230 20 November 2018 on the pay grades outlined for childcare sector workers in the Mercer report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47777/18]

20/11/2018WRZ02900Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): I welcome inputs from all stakeholders in the early learning and care sector, including the recent Mercer report, which I understand was commissioned by the National Childhood Network and the Crann Support Group.

However, my Department is not the employer of early learning and care sector staff and cannot set wage levels. I renew my call for the sector to pursue a Sectoral Employment Order, and I note that the Mercer report advises this course of action also. A Sectoral Employment Order offers a viable mechanism to establish appropriate wage levels. My department will readily cooperate with such a process, if and when it is underway.

I would not wish to prejudice any future process through commenting on the specific wage levels suggested in this report, but will say again that I welcome all contributions that seek to address quality in Early Learning and Care, and I believe that those working in the sector need and deserve better pay and conditions, especially given the importance of the work they do in supporting children’s early learning and development.

I have supported a range of measures to improve pay and conditions using the tools available to me. In particular, I have introduced additional capitation into funding programmes for early learning and care, including a 7% rise this September in the ECCE capitation rate, as well as Programme Support Payments to recognise the administrative roles that services play. I have also continued to provide a higher rate of capitation payment for graduate-led pre-school rooms, to encourage the attraction and retention of graduates. This year I also introduced a pilot measure for funding services whose staff take part in continuing professional development, and I hope to build on this pilot over the years to come, following an evaluation.

New data on current wage rates will shortly be available through Pobal’s annual sector profile, which will be published later this month, and through the independent review of costs for service providers in the sector, which was commissioned by my Department. The new Whole of Government Strategy for Babies, Young Children and Families contains significant actions to develop and support a valued early learning and care workforce that will deliver quality services to children in the most important years of their development.

20/11/2018WRZ03000Mother and Baby Homes Inquiries

20/11/2018WRZ03100576. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the action she will take following the resignation of a person (details supplied) from the mother and baby homes collaborative forum; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47801/18]

20/11/2018WRZ03200Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): I remain absolutely committed to inclusive, constructive and collaborative engagement with former residents of mother and baby homes and other stakeholders.

I established the Collaborative Forum as a progressive response to the theme of “nothing about us without us” which emerged from my consultations with former residents of these institutions. This innovative approach facilitates and empowers former residents to actively contribute to decisions on matters of concern to them and their families.

I understand that the members of the Forum are working hard to produce a first report with a focus on priority issues around health and well-being supports, identity and memorialisation. 231 Questions - Written Answers The filling of the current vacancy will be considered having due regard to the representative nature of the Forum, its programme of work and the expressions of interest previously received.

20/11/2018WRZ03300Child Detention Centres

20/11/2018WRZ03400577. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she retains full confidence in the chairperson and members of the board of Oberstown Children Detention Campus in view of the refusal of the chairperson and the board to publish a report (details supplied); and the correspondence she has received from the chairperson which alluded to a threat of resignations if the report was published. [47873/18]

20/11/2018WRZ03500Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): I have full confidence in the chairperson and members of the Board of Management Oberstown Children Detention Campus in their management of the Oberstown Campus. Over the past 2 years there is evidence of positive change in the day to day operations in Oberstown. I have met with young people in Oberstown on a number of occasions in recent months, who were anxious that the many positives about Oberstown be highlighted. Furthermore, the most recent HIQA report also found that improvements were evident. I believe that these improvements have been brought about by the strong leadership of the Chairperson and the Board.

The Report referred to by the Deputy, relates to a Review that was commissioned by Ober- stown Board of Management following a particularly difficult time in Oberstown in 2016. There had been serious incidents involving young people which threatened the safety of the centre.

It is imperative that a report of this kind should observe due process and fair procedures, so that all persons referred to are treated appropriately. The Board of Oberstown and I have taken legal advice on the question of publication.

Following careful examination, the Board was not in a position to satisfy itself, or myself, that fair procedures had been applied before the report was finalised and submitted. In light of this and the legal advice received, I, following careful consideration of the matter, concluded that it is not appropriate to publish the full report.

In addition to this Review, the Board commissioned a number of other reports at the same time, with a view to engaging external expertise to support the development of the Campus. These reviews included security, health and safety and behaviour management. The Review Implementation Group, which I appointed, began work to oversee all the various recommendations in March 2017. The Group’s final report in December 2017 produced a coherent plan to implement all the recommendations. An updated Action Plan was completed in May 2018 and was published on my Department’s website.

20/11/2018WRZ03600Child Detention Centres

20/11/2018WRZ03700578. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of an operational review of Oberstown Children Detention Campus by a company (details supplied). [47874/18]

20/11/2018WRZ03800Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): I am advised by Oberstown Children Detention Campus that the cost of the report referred to by the Deputy was €15,366.60.

232 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRZ03900Child Detention Centres

20/11/2018WRZ04000579. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the cost of the legal advice sought and received by the board of Oberstown Children Detention Campus in relation to the publication of and matters arising from a report (details supplied). [47875/18]

20/11/2018WRZ04100Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): I am advised by Oberstown Children Detention Campus that the cost of the legal advice sought and received by the Board, in relation to the publication of and matters arising from the report referred to by the Deputy was €26,025.57.

20/11/2018WRZ04200Child Detention Centres

20/11/2018WRZ04300580. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the individual fees and expenses paid to the chairperson and members of the board of Oberstown Children Detention Campus for each of the years 2016, 2017 and to date in 2018. [47877/18]

20/11/2018WRZ04400Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): I am advised by Oberstown Children Detention Campus that three board members received no payments in respect of fees and expenses. Details of payments to the Chairperson and other board members for 2016 and 2017 are as set out in the following table. No fees have been paid to date in 2018.

Board Member 2018 2018 2017 2017 2016 2016 Board Vouched Board Fees Vouched Board Vouched Fees Expenses Expenses Fees Expenses Prof. Ursula Kilkelly - €6,411 €12,967 €3,393 (Chair) Mr Charles Irwin - €3,243 €5,985 €2,979 €1,750 €1,416 Ms Emer Woodfull - €5,985 €579 €1,750 €256 Ms Fiona Murphy - €136 €1,750 €447 Mr Michael Farrell - €967 €457 €342 Mr Jim Gibson - €219 Ms Sinead O’Herlihy - €189 Ms Laoise Manners - €189 Mr Pat Rooney - €5,985 Ms Elizabeth Howard - €5,985 Mr Don O’Leary - €549 €1,791 - - €11,170 €23,940 €19,287 €5,250 €6,073

20/11/2018WRZ04500Child Detention Centres

20/11/2018WRZ04600581. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if she has received the 2016 and 2017 annual accounts for Oberstown Children Detention Campus in accordance with section 173 of the Children’s Act 2001; and if so, her plans to publish same. [47878/18]

20/11/2018WRZ04700Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): The accounts for January to May 2016 were included in the Annual Report and Accounts for 2012-2016, following the amalgamation of the three children detention schools to form the Oberstown Chil- dren Detention Campus. They were laid before the Oireachtas on July 24, 2017,

233 Questions - Written Answers The accounts, for the period from June 2016 to December 2016, that were audited by the C&AG were sent into my Department in April 2018. However due to an administrative oversight, they were not been laid before the Houses. I will arrange for them to be laid before the Houses as a matter of urgency.

The annual accounts for 2017 are currently in the process of finalisation and will be laid before the Oireachtas as soon as they are available.

20/11/2018WRZ04800Childcare Services Provision

20/11/2018WRZ04900582. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if there is additional funding for a provider (details supplied) in circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48039/18]

20/11/2018WRZ05000Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): School Age Childcare (SAC) is hugely important to my Department and the registration and regulation of these services is a core priority for the upcoming year. In early 2019, DCYA will introduce initial SAC regulations which will enable the registration of SAC services, to be followed shortly thereafter by full regulations which will enable inspection. This move is designed to enable school aged children to avail of the Affordable Childcare Scheme (ACS) when it is launched in late 2019. A fundamental requirement for access to ACS will be registration with Tusla and for services to be subject to inspections. In Budget 2019, my Department secured additional funding for Tusla to recruit more inspectors to meet this increased demand. The recruitment process is ongoing and will see the staff in post in early 2019.

The Early Years and School Age Capital Programmes in 2018 were available to childcare providers looking to expand, repair, maintain or establish a new service. Applications for funding were open from February to March 2018, with the results of the process announced in June 2018. Strand 4 of the programmes was designed to assist new or existing services who were looking to provide additional school age childcare places and strand 5 covered building improvements and maintenance for school age childcare services. The maximum grant available under strand 4 in 2018 was €20,000 with a total of €750,000 awarded to 45 services. The maximum grant available under strand 5 in 2018 was €5,000 with a total of €250,000 awarded to 54 services. The design of 2019’s Capital offering is currently on-going, and the details of this will be made available to providers as soon as possible.

Currently, there are no specific funding streams covering school age children with disabilities. However, following the end of the third programme year of the Access and Inclusion Model (AIM, which operates in the ECCE / pre-school programme) in mid 2019, DCYA will carry out an evaluation of AIM, and in the light of the evaluation will consider possible extension of AIM to other age groups, such as school age children.

For any queries in relation to the various schemes run by the Department, the local City/ County Childcare Committee is best placed to assist. They are funded by DCYA to provide assistance on all matters related to childcare provision in a given area.

20/11/2018WRZ05100Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRZ05200583. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by her Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising 234 20 November 2018 in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48309/18]

20/11/2018WRZ05300Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Katherine Zappone): The detailed information requested by the Deputy is not readily available as it spans a number of programme, scheme and administrative areas of my Department. The information is currently being collated and will then be forwarded directly to the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRZ05400Rural Development Policy

20/11/2018WRZ05500584. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of an indemnity scheme (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47728/18]

20/11/2018WRZ05600Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): My Depart- ment has been working to develop a scheme to indemnify private land owners with regard to the use of their lands for recreational purposes. In this context, my officials have been in contact with the State Claims Agency and the Attorney General’s Office with a view to progressing the matter.

My Department has been advised that the proposed indemnity scheme should be underpinned by legislation, and my officials are now in the process of identifying the precise legislative requirements and/or processes required give effect to the scheme.

I have asked my officials to prioritise this work and to develop clear proposals to have the scheme progressed and rolled out as soon as possible on a phased basis, including in the area referred to by the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRZ05700CLÁR Programme

20/11/2018WRZ05800585. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the areas in which he is expanding CLÁR funding in 2019, by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47839/18]

20/11/2018WRZ05900Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): CLÁR was originally launched in October 2001 to provide for targeted investment in disadvantaged rural areas. The areas originally selected for inclusion in the programme were those which suffered the greatest population decline from 1926 to 1996. The Cooley Peninsula was also included on the basis of the serious difficulties caused in that area by Foot and Mouth disease. The average population loss in the original CLÁR regions over the period 1926 to 1996 was 50%.

In 2006, an analysis of the 2002 Census data was carried out by the NIRSA Institute at May- nooth University and the programme was extended to include areas with an average population loss of 35% between 1926 and 2002.

The CLÁR programme was closed for new applications in 2010. However, I re-launched the programme in the second half of 2016, using as a base-line the areas identified in the work carried out by NIRSA. Over 1,200 projects have been approved for funding of €25 million under CLÁR since I re-launched the programme in 2016.

I have initiated a review of the CLÁR programme which will examine CLÁR areas by reference to the 2016 Census of Population data. It will also consider whether there are any other 235 Questions - Written Answers factors that should be taken into account in designating areas for eligibility under CLÁR. The review will also help to inform future CLÁR programmes in 2019 and beyond.

Decisions regarding specific areas and measures which might be supported under the CLÁR programme in 2019 will be made early next year.

20/11/2018WRAA00200Post Office Closures

20/11/2018WRAA00300586. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development his plans to ensure the viability and sustainability of towns and villages in rural areas in which a decision has been taken to close the local post office; the efforts being made to mitigate against the harmful consequences of these closures on such local economies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47900/18]

20/11/2018WRAA00400Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): The Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment has policy responsibility for the postal sector, however, I am acutely aware of the value placed by rural communities on services such as the local post office. In my role as Minister for Rural and Community Development I am absolutely clear on the importance of ensuring that these communities can access the services they need so that they remain vibrant places in which to live and work.

Investment in rural Ireland is taking place right across Government. The Action Plan for Rural Development is a comprehensive cross-Government plan which sets out a wide range of measures focused on supporting and building sustainable communities; growing jobs and enterprise; improving access to services; maximising tourism, culture and heritage assets; and improving connectivity in rural areas.

Since its publication, Government departments have been working towards delivery of the measures contained in the Action Plan. The Third Progress Report on the Action Plan is due to be published shortly and I can confirm significant progress continues to be made across the range of measures.

Continued implementation of the Action Plan for Rural Development, together with the additional €1 billion investment provided for through the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund, will bring positive benefits to our rural communities. I expect to be able to announce the first group of projects to be supported by the Fund before the end of this month.

My Department also administers a range of funding programmes that support local communities throughout Ireland. Of particular importance for those towns and villages most disadvantaged in terms of access to services are the CLÁR Programme, the Community Enhancement Programme, the Town and Village Renewal Scheme and the funding being provided to our public libraries.

Additionally, funding delivered through the LEADER Programme and the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme provides supports tailored to the specific needs of individual areas.

The Government is also continuing to explore ways to sustain the viability of the post office network into the future. Last month, the Department of Communications, Climate Action and the Environment launched a new Digital Assist pilot initiative with An Post. Ten locations across the country will act as pilots for the provision of new services and I am delighted that my Department has been able to provide funding of €80,000 for this programme. The first unit has been unveiled in Ballymore Eustace post office in Co Kildare. 236 20 November 2018 In terms of directly facilitating access to services in rural Ireland, the Department of Trans- port, Tourism and Sport has provided a funding allocation of €14.9 million for local link services in 2018. Such funding facilitated 1.9 million passenger journeys last year – providing a vital service for rural communities.

20/11/2018WRAA00500Action Plan for Rural Development Implementation

20/11/2018WRAA00600587. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the status of the work and projects being undertaken in towns and villages in County Donegal as part of the Action Plan for Rural Development; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47901/18]

20/11/2018WRAA00700Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): The Town and Village Renewal Scheme is a key part of the Action Plan for Rural Development and supports the rejuvenation of towns and villages across the country to help them to achieve their full potential.

The Town and Village Renewal Scheme was first launched by the Government in the second half of 2016, prior to the publication of the Action Plan, when €10 million was allocated to 170 projects under the scheme.

Since the launch of the Action Plan for Rural Development in January 2017, I have allocated further funding of almost €43 million to over 500 projects throughout the country under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme. The scheme has therefore provided in excess of €53 million to over 670 projects since 2016.

The allocations made to projects in Co. Donegal under the Town and Village Renewal Scheme can be found on my Department’s website at https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/town-village-renewal-scheme/.

Town and villages in Co. Donegal have also benefited from funding under the CLAR programme. Details of the projects funded under CLAR are also available on my Department’s website, at https://drcd.gov.ie/about/rural/clar/.

20/11/2018WRAA00800Rural Regeneration and Development Fund

20/11/2018WRAA00900588. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Rural and Community Develop- ment when a decision will be made on the submission made by Cork County Council for funding for the Kanturk relief road under the rural regeneration programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47902/18]

20/11/2018WRAA01000589. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when a final decision on projects (details supplied) is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47932/18]

20/11/2018WRAA01100590. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when final decisions on projects (details supplied) are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47984/18]

20/11/2018WRAA01200591. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when final decisions on projects (details supplied) are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48004/18] 237 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRAA01300592. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when final decisions on projects (details supplied) are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48065/18]

20/11/2018WRAA01400593. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when successful applications for the rural regeneration and investment fund will be announced by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48388/18]

20/11/2018WRAA01500Minister for Rural and Community Development (Deputy Michael Ring): I propose to take Questions Nos. 588 to 593, inclusive, together.

The first call for applications for the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund closed at the end of September. €1 billion is committed to the Fund over a 10 year period to support rural economic development and help build strong communities.

There was an excellent response to the first call, with nearly 300 applications received. Applications for the Fund are currently being examined by the Project Advisory Board, made up of representatives from key Government Departments and external experts, which was established to oversee the assessment process. Category 1 “shovel ready” projects have been prioritised in the assessment process and Category 2 projects - those which need development funding to become potential Category 1 applications in future calls for applications - will be considered at a later date.

I expect to receive the first set of recommendations from the Project Advisory Board in relation to Category 1 projects for funding shortly. I will consider those recommendations once they are submitted and will make an announcement thereafter.

As the work of the Project Advisory Board continues, further announcements on successful Category 1 and Category 2 projects will follow.

20/11/2018WRAA02100Employment Rights

20/11/2018WRAA02200594. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the retirement age (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47673/18]

20/11/2018WRAA02300Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): There is no legally mandated retirement age in the State, and the age at which employees retire is a matter for the contract of employment between them and their employers. While such a contract may have been entered into with a retirement date of 65, in the context of the previous State pension arrangements, there is no legal impediment to the employer and employee agreeing to increase the duration of employment for one or more years, if both parties wish to do so. In this regard, the age at which public servants retire is a matter for the Minister of Public Expenditure and Reform.

With respect to retirement ages, the Workplace Relations Commission has produced a Code of Practice on Longer Working and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) has published guidance material for employers on the use of fixed-term contracts beyond normal retirement age, which may prove useful to the organisation and employees concerned.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

238 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRAA02400Carer’s Allowance Review

20/11/2018WRAA02500595. Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protec- tion when a decision will be made regarding a carer’s allowance review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47674/18]

20/11/2018WRAA02600Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Carer’s allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

If a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment in their own right (other than unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance) or being claimed as a qualified adult on their spouse/partner’s payment, a half-rate carer’s allowance can be paid too as long as all the normal conditions for receipt of CA are satisfied.

The person concerned was in receipt of Illness Benefit up to 24 September 2018. As a result CA was paid to her at half-rate.

As a result of the cessation of her Illness Benefit, it has been decided that the person concerned is entitled to full rate CA from 27 September 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 27 September 2018 to 14 November 2018 have issued.

The person concerned was notified on 15 November 2018 of this outcome and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA02700Disability Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRAA02800596. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance by a person (details supplied). [47689/18]

20/11/2018WRAA02900Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 30 April 2018.

They requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and supplied further medical evidence on the 18 October 2018.

The person concerned will be notified directly in writing once this review is complete.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA03000Illness Benefit Applications

20/11/2018WRAA03100597. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection when a person (details supplied) will receive payment; the reason for the delay in same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47692/18] 239 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRAA03200Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Ill- ness Benefit (IB) is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

The person concerned was advised by letter dated 9th October 2018 that he was not entitled to payment of IB as he does not satisfy all of the contribution conditions.

Although the person concerned satisfied the first PRSI contribution qualifying condition, unfortunately, he does not satisfy the second PRSI qualifying condition which is as follows:

- 39 weeks of PRSI contributions paid or credited in the relevant tax year, of which 13 must be paid contributions. If a person does not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, then 13 paid contributions in one of the following tax years can be used instead:

- Either of the two tax years before the relevant tax year

- The last complete tax year (before the year in which your claim for Illness Benefit begins)

- The current tax year

- 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the relevant tax year, and 26 weeks of PRSI contributions paid in the tax year immediately before the relevant tax year.

The relevant tax year is the second-last complete tax year before the year in which your claim for Illness Benefit begins.

The person concerned has no paid or credited contributions in the relevant PRSI contribution year which is 2016.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA03300Social Insurance

20/11/2018WRAA03400598. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if there is a mechanism that can be availed of in a circumstance (details supplied). [47704/18]

20/11/2018WRAA03500Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The social insurance system is based on the “contribution week”. This week begins on the first day of January each year.

Each contribution week where a person is engaged in insurable employment a contribution is paid based on the nature of their employment, for most workers earning over €38 per week this contribution will be made at Class A. Only one contribution per week may be used to qualify for a State pension (contributory) (SPC). Therefore, in cases where a contributor may have two employments in the same week only one contribution will count towards the qualifying conditions for SPC.

Similarly, a contribution year is made up of 52 contribution weeks and where a person has two or more employments throughout the year the maximum number of contributions that will be reckoned for State pension (contributory) will be 52, even if there are 104 contributions recorded for the contributor in that year.

240 20 November 2018 One of the main features of the social insurance system is the contributory principle. Em- ployees, along with the self-employed must pay the appropriate number of contributions in order to gain entitlement to any payment, including SPC. Any relaxation to the qualifying conditions for SPC or any other scheme would have a negative impact on the future financial viability of the social insurance fund.

Pensioners who do not qualify for the State pension (contributory) may apply for the means tested State pension (non-contributory).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA03600Illness Benefit Reform

20/11/2018WRAA03700599. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the measures she has taken to ensure that illness benefit payments are made on time due to the fact that the changeover to the new system has caused considerable stress for persons in the system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47708/18]

20/11/2018WRAA03800Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): My Department transferred administration of the Illness Benefit (IB) scheme to its core Business Objects IT platform in August 2018. Although the system change has worked effectively for over 80% of IB customers, significant difficulties arose following implementation for a number of customers.

My Department is taking three main steps to resolve the issues impacting on payments. First, we have deployed additional staff to process the tasks and respond to the customer enquiries. Second, we have developed some new IT routines or ‘workarounds’ that address the payment gap issues and to ensure a faster flow-through to payments. Third, we are reviewing the design rules in the system to afford greater flexibility in processing of claims and certificates.

Payment volumes were restored to normal levels in the last two weeks and my officials are monitoring them on a daily basis to ensure that they remain at this level. Any further issues that may arise will be dealt with as they are identified. In addition to these system issues, the Depart- ment acknowledges that it did not communicate effectively with customers.

In order to ensure that we learn from the lessons of this experience, I have arranged for an independent review into how the changes to IB were planned, implemented and – importantly – communicated to customers. I expect this work to be completed by the end of the year.

Finally, I would like to sincerely apologise again for the difficulties and frustration experienced by customers who did not receive the correct IB payment or who experienced delays in their payments over the last few weeks.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA03900Invalidity Pension Reviews

20/11/2018WRAA04000600. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if her attention has been drawn to the fact that a person (details supplied) is waiting a significant amount of time for a review of an invalidity pension application; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47720/18]

241 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRAA04100Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

A claim for IP was received from the person concerned on the 12 July 2018. Her claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. She was notified on 13 September 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted further evidence in support of her request. Following a review of all the information available the deciding officer is satisfied that the conditions for the scheme are satisfied.

The lady referred to has been awarded IP with effect from the 12 July 2018. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 29 November 2018. Any arrears due from 12 July 2018 to 28 November 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 15 November 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy

20/11/2018WRAA04200Redundancy Payments

20/11/2018WRAA04300601. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protec- tion further to Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 8 December 2016, if she will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied). [47722/18]

20/11/2018WRAA04400Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Un- der the Redundancy Payments Act an eligible employee is entitled to compensation on being made redundant. In the first instance it is the employer’s responsibility to pay statutory redundancy.

The purpose of the Redundancy Payments Scheme is to compensate employees for the loss of their job by reason of redundancy in cases where the employer can prove to the satisfaction of my Department that they are unable to make the payment.

To date, no claim form for redundancy has been received in my Department in respect of the person specified.

Under the terms of the scheme, the redundancy claim form must be signed by both the employer and the employee before being submitted to my Department.

If the employer refuses to engage with an employee and sign their redundancy form, the employee must apply to the Workplace Relations Commission to have them adjudicate on their entitlement under the Redundancy Payments Act 1967, as amended.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA04500Domiciliary Care Allowance

20/11/2018WRAA04600602. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to address the situation by which domiciliary care allowance is not payable

242 20 November 2018 in respect of certain children with a disability in circumstances (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47734/18]

20/11/2018WRAA04700Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is an allowance established as a recognition of the extra care and attention that is provided by parents at home for a child with a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age.

The qualified person to receive DCA is the person with whom the child is considered to be normally resident, as defined by section 140C of SI 162 of 2009 and section 13 of SI 142 of 2007.

Payment of DCA is subject to the following rule, “a qualified child who resides with a person for less than 5 days in any one week shall not be regarded as normally residing with that person for the purposes of domiciliary care allowance”, (Section 140C (2) of SI 162 of 2009 refers) unless the child is in an institution for some of the week.

There is no provision under current legislation to pay both parents on an alternate week basis or any split arrangement. Any proposal to do so would require detailed analysis and careful consideration as it would be complex to legislate for. As a consequence, it is likely to be difficult to implement and operate, and could result in a range of unintended consequences.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA04800Illness Benefit Applications

20/11/2018WRAA04900603. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection the position regarding an illness benefit claim submitted by a person (details supplied) on 24 September 2018, which has not been lodged or processed by her Department; if the reason certificates for the application have not been processed will be investigated despite them being physically submitted weekly since the claim date to her Department’s office in County Sligo; the further reason neither the application or certificates have been processed in Dublin; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47738/18]

20/11/2018WRAA05000Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The Department administers the Illness Benefit (IB) scheme to those customers who cannot work because they are sick or ill provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

Unfortunately, we appear to have no record of receiving an application for IB from the person concerned. One of my officials is contacting him as a matter of urgency and will assist him in making an application.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA05100Fuel Allowance Eligibility

20/11/2018WRAA05200604. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protec- tion her plans to change the criteria for fuel allowance in cases in which a person that was on a community employment scheme and in receipt of fuel allowance but had to cease employment due to injury was then placed on jobseeker’s benefit and is no longer eligible for a fuel allow- 243 Questions - Written Answers ance payment. [47742/18]

20/11/2018WRAA05300Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €630 each year) from October to April, to over 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.

The criteria for fuel allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. Therefore the fuel allowance is a means tested payment and qualifying payments are those payments that are considered long term payments by my Department. People on long term payments are unlikely to have additional resources of their own and are more vulnerable to energy poverty than people who have only recently become unemployed, and may only be jobless for a short period.

Jobseekers benefit is a short term non-means tested scheme and therefore is not a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance. Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for the fuel allowance scheme to include people on short term payment schemes such as jobseekers benefit would require additional funding for the scheme, and would have to be considered in the context of overall budgetary negotiations.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme a recipient of a social welfare or health service executive payment who has exceptional essential heating costs due to ill health or infir- mity and who cannot provide for such costs from within his or her own resources may qualify for a heating supplement. There is no standard rate for a heating supplement. Each case is examined on its merits and the Community Welfare Officer determines the amount to be paid taking account of the level of the expenses in question and the ability of the applicant to contribute towards his or her exceptional heating costs.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRAA05400Illness Benefit Payments

20/11/2018WRAA05500605. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an illness payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47753/18]

20/11/2018WRAA05600Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): All payments and arrears due to the person concerned are up to date.

If the customer remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible to ensure further payments can continue to be made to him.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB00200Social Welfare Benefits Applications

20/11/2018WRBB00300606. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if an application by a person (details supplied) for a back payment for a utility will be re-examined in view of the fact that they had not been made aware of the necessity to notify 244 20 November 2018 her Department when switching suppliers; the way in which this condition of the household benefits package is made known to those in receipt of the payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47756/18]

20/11/2018WRBB00400Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Un- der the Household Benefits (HHB) scheme, the person concerned was in receipt of a Gas Al- lowance up to 6 March 2018 at which time they changed utility provider, causing the allowance to be suspended. The Department was notified of the change on 8 October 2018.

The HHB claim of the person concerned has been reviewed and they have been re-awarded the Gas Allowance with effect from 7 March 2018. Arrears due to the person will be paid on the 4 December 2018.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB00500Disability Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRBB00600607. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an application for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47830/18]

20/11/2018WRBB00700Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): The person concerned submitted an application for disability allowance (DA) on 21 September 2018. Their application, based upon all the evidence submitted, was disallowed on the grounds that the medical condition was not satisfied; it was not found that this lady was substantially restricted in taking up employment.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 16 November 2018 and was also notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB00800Disability Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRBB00900608. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if an application by a person (details supplied) for a disability allowance will be processed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47836/18]

20/11/2018WRBB01000Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): Based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, her application for disability allowance (DA) was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied. The person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 4 October 2018.

This lady requested a review of the decision by a deciding officer (DO) and submitted additional medical evidence for consideration on 31 October 2018. The person concerned will be notified directly in writing once this review is complete.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

245 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRBB01100Carer’s Benefit Payments

20/11/2018WRBB01200609. Deputy Thomas Byrne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protec- tion if arrears for carer’s benefit will be awarded from when an application was submitted but the person that they were caring for was in hospital for the process time. [47854/18]

20/11/2018WRBB01300Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Carer’s benefit (CARB) is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a child or an adult in need of full-time care and attention.

Legislation prohibits the payment of the benefit where the care recipient is resident in a hospital, convalescent home or other similar institution.

If the care recipient was in hospital at the time of the application, CARB can only be awarded from the date of discharge, provided all the qualifying conditions for receipt of payment are satisfied.

If the Deputy has a particular case in mind he can bring it to the attention of the Department for further clarification.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB01400Domiciliary Care Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRBB01500610. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a domiciliary care allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47879/18]

20/11/2018WRBB01600Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): An application for Domiciliary Care Allowance was received from person concerned on the 16th October 2018. The case has been referred to the Department’s team of Medical Assessors for a medical opinion. When the medical opinion is to hand the claim will be passed to a Deciding Officer for a decision. Once this decision has been made the person concerned will be notified of the outcome in writing.

It is currently taking approximately ten weeks to process an application for Domiciliary Care Allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB01700Social Welfare Benefits Eligibility

20/11/2018WRBB01800611. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protec- tion the number of self-employed persons on class S PRSI contributions that will be eligible for social welfare benefits (details supplied) in 2019. [47881/18]

20/11/2018WRBB01900Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Self-employed workers, who earn €5,000 or more in a contribution year, are liable for PRSI at the class S rate of 4%, subject to a minimum annual payment of €500. This provides them with access to the following benefits: State pension (contributory), widow’s, widower’s or surviv- ing civil partner’s pension (contributory), guardian’s payment (contributory), maternity benefit, 246 20 November 2018 adoptive benefit, paternity benefit and treatment benefit (from March 2017). Entitlement to invalidity pension was extended to the self-employed from December 2017. In Budget 2019 I was pleased to announce that jobseeker’s benefit will be extended to the self-employed towards the end of 2019. All these improvements to entitlements were introduced without an increase in the PRSI charge for the self-employed.

Statistics for the latest year available, 2016, show that approximately 340,000 self-employed contributors will have entitlement to dental and optical benefits, invalidity pension and jobseeker’s benefit, subject to the normal qualifying conditions.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB02000Illness Benefit Applications

20/11/2018WRBB02100612. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for illness benefit by a person (details supplied) will be approved; if supplementary welfare will be approved while they are waiting; and if there is an arrangement with the Australian authorities for the person to benefit from their seven years work in Australia. [47890/18]

20/11/2018WRBB02200Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Ill- ness Benefit (IB) is payable to persons who cannot work because they are sick or ill, provided they are covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions.

Social insurance contributions that a person may have paid in Australia are not reckonable for the payment of IB.

Unfortunately, my Department appears to have no record of receiving an application for IB from the person concerned.

Any person who has an urgent financial need can apply to the Department’s Community Welfare Service to receive a payment. People in these circumstances should get in touch with their local Intreo Centre.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB02300Illness Benefit Payments

20/11/2018WRBB02400613. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection when an illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied) will be normalised; the status of changes to the system which has resulted in delayed or irregular payments; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47891/18]

20/11/2018WRBB02500Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned was certified and paid up to the 18th of November 2018.

If he remains ill and unfit for work, a further medical certificate should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

247 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRBB02600Invalidity Pension Appeals

20/11/2018WRBB02700614. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an invalidity pension file will be referred to the social welfare appeals office in order for a decision to issue in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47909/18]

20/11/2018WRBB02800Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): On receipt of additional medical evidence submitted in support of the appeal of the person concerned, a review of the claim was carried out by a deciding officer and she has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from 03 May 2018. As a result the appeal is no longer necessary.

Payment issued to her nominated bank account on 15 November 2018. Any arrears due from 03 May 2018 to 14 November 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on 31 October 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB02900Back to Education Allowance

20/11/2018WRBB03000615. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on a matter (details supplied) regarding the back to education allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47919/18]

20/11/2018WRBB03100Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The back to education allowance scheme (BTEA), operated by my Department, is designed to support second-chance education. It enables eligible persons to pursue approved education courses and to continue to receive income support for the duration of a course of study as long as they continue to maintain eligibility to an underlying social welfare payment, e.g. jobseeker’s allowance. The Deputy will be aware that I recently announced an increase in social welfare rates of payment from next March which will apply to BTEA participants.

The BTEA is not intended to be an alternative form of funding for people entering or re-entering the third-level education system. The Student Universal Support Ireland (SUSI) Grant, payable by the Department of Education and Skills, is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants.

Students are not eligible to receive the maintenance element of the grant from SUSI if they are in receipt of BTEA. The type of funding that a BTEA recipients may be eligible for will depend on the course that they are studying. The eligibility rules that govern the payment of a student grant are a matter for the Department of Education and Skills.

From the 2017/2018 academic year this Department reintroduced the annual Cost of Educa- tion Grant at a rate of €500, payable to BTEA participants with a payment in respect of a qualified child on their BTEA payment. This grant has been introduced to assist parents with the costs of returning to education.

Additionally the age related payments for all BTEA participants were abolished from Sep- tember 2017. Jobseekers under age 26 and receiving a reduced age-related payment, now receive a weekly payment of up to the maximum rate of €198 per week for the academic year while on BTEA.

248 20 November 2018 Any further changes to the rates of payment by my Department would have to be considered in the overall budgetary process. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB03200Birth Certificates Administration

20/11/2018WRBB03300616. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if a person identifying as a male while pregnant and that subsequently gives birth to a child will be recorded as the mother of the child on the birth certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47931/18]

20/11/2018WRBB03400Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): When section 99 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 is commenced it will be possible, in circumstances such as these, for the person who gives birth to be registered as “Par- ent” in the register of births.

Section 99 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 makes provision for registration of details of “Parent” in the register of births, in addition to current provisions for registration of “Mother” and “Father”. This section requires amendment to correct technical errors before it can be commenced. I intend to bring forward amending legislation to address this as soon as possible.

In the meantime, the person who gives birth will be recorded in the register of births as the “Mother” until such time as the registration system can be amended, to more accurately reflect the circumstances of such a birth, by using the term “Parent” for the person who gives birth.

20/11/2018WRBB03500Carer’s Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRBB03600617. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection when a decision will be made on an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47973/18]

20/11/2018WRBB03700Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Carer’s allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for CA was received from the person concerned on 15 August 2018.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that as a result they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 23 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

249 Questions - Written Answers I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB03800Carer’s Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRBB03900618. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if a payment will be backdated for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47974/18]

20/11/2018WRBB04000Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Carer’s allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

An application for carer’s allowance (CA) was received from the person concerned on 5 June 2018.

It is a condition for receipt of CA that where the applicant and the care recipient reside apart from each other, the care recipient cannot be receiving full time care and attention within his or her own residence from a person other than the applicant.

As the care recipient is in full-time residential care in a nursing home, this condition was not satisfied and CA was disallowed.

The person concerned was notified on 22 October 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB04100Social Welfare Appeals Delays

20/11/2018WRBB04200619. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection when a person (details supplied) will receive a date and time for their oral appeal hearing; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47985/18]

20/11/2018WRBB04300Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned was referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral hearing.

Summary decisions may be made where an Appeals Officer is of the opinion that the case is of such a nature that it can be properly determined on the basis of documentary evidence and without oral hearing.

The Social Welfare Appeals Office functions independently of the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection and of the Department and is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB04400State Pensions

250 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRBB04500620. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection the evidence carers must provide to be considered for the homecarers credits under the new total contribution approach calculations for the State pension (contributory); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47989/18]

20/11/2018WRBB04600Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): As the Deputy is aware, the legislation required to underpin the provision of home caring periods is included in the Social Welfare, Pensions and Registrations Bill 2018 which is currently before the Dáil for consideration. Until such time as the legislation is enacted and the supporting regulations required to underpin the revised arrangements are in place, it is not possible to provide operational details in relation to the scheme.

However, I can advise that it is the intent of my Department to ensure that the process of applying for Home Caring Periods is as user friendly as possible. In this regard, my Department will reuse as much of the information it has on hand as possible, e.g., details about gap periods will not be requested from a pensioner where it is clear from the Department records that they directly coincide with a period for which the person was providing full time care for a child under 12 years of age.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB04700Illness Benefit Payments

20/11/2018WRBB04800621. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if illness benefit claimants who have not received payments or who are receiving spo- radic payments owing to recent internal information technology systems problems and that are experiencing financial hardship as a result will be automatically granted an exceptional needs payment; if so, if payments in such instances will be means-tested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48070/18]

20/11/2018WRBB04900Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): My Department transferred administration of the Illness Benefit (IB) scheme to its core Business Objects IT platform in August 2018. Although the system change has worked effectively for over 80% of IB customers, significant difficulties arose following implementation for a number of customers.

Payment volumes were restored to normal levels in the last two weeks and my officials are monitoring them on a daily basis to ensure that they remain at this level. Any further issues that may arise will be dealt with as they are identified. In addition to these system issues, the Department acknowledges that it did not communicate effectively with customers.

Any customer with an urgent financial need should make contact with the Community Wel- fare Service through their local Intreo Centre. 251 Questions - Written Answers Finally, I would like to sincerely apologise again for the difficulties and frustration experienced by customers who did not receive the correct IB payment or who experienced delays in their payments over the last few weeks.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB05000Carer’s Benefit Applications

20/11/2018WRBB05100622. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a carer’s allowance for a person (details supplied). [48098/18]

20/11/2018WRBB05200Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Carer’s benefit (CARB) is a PRSI based payment, made to persons who are providing full-time care and attention to a person who has such a disability that they require that level of care.

Before a decision can be made on entitlement to carer’s benefit (CARB), evidence must be provided in respect of the care recipient’s care requirement, the level of care the carer provides, the carer’s hours of employment and their PRSI record.

An application for CARB was received from the person concerned on 18 July 2018.

One of the qualifying conditions requires that the carer must have the following:

- 39 reckonable contributions in the relevant tax year (2016 in this instance) or

- 39 reckonable contributions paid in the 12-month period before the start of Carer’s Benefit or

- 26 reckonable contributions paid in the Relevant Tax Year and 26 contributions paid in the year before that.

The application was disallowed on the grounds that this condition was not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 26 October 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision. The outcome of the review is that the original decision is confirmed. On 30 October 2018 the person concerned was notified of this outcome and of their right of appeal.

The department was notified on 8 November 2018 that the person concerned had submitted an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). Once the SWAO notifies the Depart- ment that it has received the appeal, a submission in support of the decision will be prepared and forwarded along with the file to the SWAO for determination.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB05300Invalidity Pension Applications

20/11/2018WRBB05400623. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when a decision will be made on a review in relation to an invalidity pension application by a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48131/18]

252 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRBB05500Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): Invalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.

A claim for IP was received from the person concerned on the 30 May 2018. His claim was disallowed on the grounds that the medical conditions for the scheme were not satisfied. He was notified on 16 August 2018 of this decision, the reasons for it and of his right of review and appeal.

The person concerned requested a review of this decision and submitted further evidence in support of his request. Following a review of all the information available the deciding officer is satisfied that the conditions for the scheme are satisfied.

The gentleman referred to has been awarded IP with effect from the 31 May 2018. Payment will issue to his nominated bank account on the 06 December 2018. Any arrears due from 31 May 2018 to 05 December 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The gentleman in question was notified of this decision on the 16 November 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB05600Disability Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRBB05700624. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48156/18]

20/11/2018WRBB05800Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 11 July 2018. The first payment will be made by his chosen payment method on 05 December 2018.

Arrears of payment due will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRBB05900Jobseeker’s Allowance

20/11/2018WRBB06000625. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason jobseeker’s allowance has not been paid in the case of a person (details supplied); when the matter will be resolved; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48157/18]

20/11/2018WRBB06100Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Ac- cording to the records of the Department, the person concerned has not submitted a recent application for jobseeker’s allowance. He currently has an open illness benefit claim and is in receipt of credited contributions only.

If the person concerned wishes to pursue an application for a jobseeker’s allowance payment, he should contact his local branch office in Athy where a member of staff will be in a

253 Questions - Written Answers position to assist him in this regard.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC00200Fuel Allowance Eligibility

20/11/2018WRCC00300626. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if the eligibility criteria will be extended for fuel allowance to include those in receipt of disablement benefit and for persons over 70 years of age in receipt of social protection payments; if she will discuss same with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform in advance of the next budget; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48160/18]

20/11/2018WRCC00400Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The fuel allowance is a payment of €22.50 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €630 each year) from October to April, to over 372,000 low income households, at an estimated cost of €227 million in 2018. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. Only one allowance is paid per household.

My Department also pays an electricity or gas allowance under the house hold benefits scheme at an estimated cost of €182 million in 2018. Household benefit applicants aged 70 or over do not have to satisfy the household composition criteria or undergo a means test.

The fuel allowance payment is targeted at those who are more vulnerable to energy poverty, including those reliant on social protection payments for longer periods and who are unlikely to have additional resources of their own. Disablement benefit is not included among those payments, as it is not means-tested and it can be paid to people in full time employment. Allowing all persons over 70 years of age in receipt of social protection payments regardless of means to receive the fuel allowance would also fundamentally change the nature of the scheme and add significantly to its cost.

Any decision to extend the eligibility criteria for fuel allowance scheme to include people who are in receipt of disablement benefit and for all people age over 70 who do not satisfy the means test would require considerable extra funding for the fuel allowance scheme and would have to be considered in the overall budgetary context. The appropriate levels of welfare support including eligibility for fuel allowance will be considered by the Government during budget negotiations, with due regard to the available resources.

In 2016 the Government launched a comprehensive Strategy to Combat Energy Poverty following extensive public consultation. This Strategy is spearheaded by the Minister for Com- munications, Climate Action and Environment. It sets out the Government’s commitment to protecting vulnerable households from energy poverty through a combination of supports, investment in schemes to improve energy efficiency, and energy efficiency awareness initiatives. One of the best ways to tackle fuel poverty in the long term is to improve the energy efficiency of the dwelling through proper building and household insulation. The Warmer Homes Scheme, administered by Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland, is designed to do that.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC00500Carer’s Allowance Applications

20/11/2018WRCC00600627. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social 254 20 November 2018 Protection the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48243/18]

20/11/2018WRCC00700Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): Carer’s allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

I confirm that my department received an application for CA from the person concerned on the 23 October 2018.

The application is currently being processed and once completed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC00800Occupational Injuries Benefit

20/11/2018WRCC00900628. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding payment being stopped in relation to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48249/18]

20/11/2018WRCC01000Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The Occupational Injury Benefit (OIB) claim for the person concerned is medically certified and paid up to 18 November 2018 and any arrears due have issued.

If the person concerned remains ill and unfit for work, further medical certificates should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue to him.

The Deputy should note that OIB is paid for a maximum of 26 weeks from the date of a person’s accident.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC01100Carer’s Allowance Payments

20/11/2018WRCC01200629. Deputy Darragh O’Brien asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection the status of a carer’s benefit application that was applied for in July 2018 by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48259/18]

20/11/2018WRCC01300Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): I confirm that my department received an application for carer’s allowance (CA) from the person concerned on 25 July 2018. This application was made as his Carer’s Benefit entitlement was about to exhaust on 1 August 2018 after the maximum 104 weeks of payment.

The application was awarded to the person concerned with effect from 2 August 2018. The first payment will issue to his nominated bank account on 22 November 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 2 August 2018 to 21 November 2018 will also issue on 22 November 2018.

The person concerned was notified on 15 November 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal. 255 Questions - Written Answers I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC01400Social Welfare Inspections

20/11/2018WRCC01500630. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection the names of the social welfare inspectors who worked across County Donegal and the area in which each was based between the years 2009 and 2011, inclusive, in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48274/18]

20/11/2018WRCC01600Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The following table provides the number of Social Welfare Investigators (SWI), the office they were based, geographical area covered and the dates served as an investigator in County Donegal from 2009 to 2011.

It is the policy of my Department not to publish names of individual inspectors.

It should be noted that the SWI’s can and have deputised in areas other than their own to cover for other SWI’s during periods of annual leave and sick leave.

Number Office Area Covered Dates Served 1 Letterkenny Office Manorcunninham 2009 - 2011 Killea Raphoe St. Johnston

1 Letterkenny Office Kerrykeel 2009 - 2011 Ramelton Rathmullan Fanad

2 Letterkenny Office Letterkenny Urban and surrounding Areas 2009 - 2011

1 Falcarragh Office Falcarragh, Jan 2009 - Nov 2009 Dunfanaghy Gortahork Creeslough 1 Falcarragh Office As above Nov 2009 - 2011

1 Dungloe Office Dungloe Jan 2009 - Sept. 2010 Arranmore Derrybeg Fintown 1 Dungloe Office As above Sept. 2010 - 2011

1 Ballybofey Office Ballybofey 2009 - 2011 Lifford Castlefin

1 Ballybofey Office Donegal Town and Surrounding Areas 2009 - 2011 256 20 November 2018

Number Office Area Covered Dates Served

1 Ballybofey Office Cloghan Autumn 2009 - 2011 Glenfin Drumkeen

1 Ballyshannon Office Ballyshannon and surrounding Areas Jan 2009 - May 2010 1 Ballyshannon Office As above May 2010 to 2011

1 Killybegs Office Killybegs Jan 2009 to Oct 2011 Glencolmcille Frosses Ardara 1 Killybegs Office As above Nov 2011 to Dec 2011

1 Buncrana Office Buncrana Urban/Rural 2009 - 2011 Clonmany Burnfoot

1 Buncrana Office Buncrana Urban April 2009 - 2011 Burnfoot Bridgend

1 Moville Office Malin Jan 2009 - Aug/ Sep 2009 Carndonagh Quigleys Point Moville

1 Carndonagh Office As above 18th Jan 2010 - 2011

1 Moville Office Moville 4th March 2010 - 2011 Moville Office Greencastle Muff

20/11/2018WRCC01700Illness Benefit Payments

20/11/2018WRCC01800631. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will have illness benefit payments issued. [48275/18]

20/11/2018WRCC01900Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The Illness Benefit claim for the person concerned is paid up to 20 November 2018 and certified up to 10 December 2018. Regular payments should now issue up to the certified date.

257 Questions - Written Answers If he remains ill and unfit for work, further medical certificates should be submitted to the Department as soon as possible in order for further payments to issue.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC02000Illness Benefit Payments

20/11/2018WRCC02100632. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused an emergency needs payment when an illness benefit payment was not issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48276/18]

20/11/2018WRCC02200Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The person concerned attended the Community Welfare service in Letterkenny on 6/11/2018 and was paid the balance of a shortfall in his Illness Benefit Payment.

He was advised that if his Illness Benefit was still delayed during the following week he should visit the clinic in Dunfanaghy.

In the course of a phone conversation with the Dunfanaghy Community Welfare Officer on the afternoon of 7/11/18 the person concerned advised that he had received a payment on the previous day in Letterkenny. He also mentioned that he was going into Letterkenny Gen- eral Hospital for an operation on Monday 12.11.18 and was concerned about his Illness Benefit payment.

The Officer advised him to call into the office in Falcarragh on Friday 9 November for payment if his Illness Benefit was not paid. He was further advised that if he had any issues while he was in hospital, he should contact the CWS service where he would be accommodated.

The person concerned sent a message on Friday evening last 16/11/18 to the Community Welfare Officer to say that he had received an email stating that his IB claim was reinstated and payment was due shortly.

There is no record of any contact with the Departments services for the date mentioned of 01/11/2018 in relation to an Illness Benefit Top-up payment.

I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC02300Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WRCC02400633. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by her Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48308/18]

20/11/2018WRCC02500Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): My Department administers over 70 separate schemes and services, which affect the lives of almost every person in the State. The Department is fully committed to ensuring that members of the general public are fully aware of the welfare supports and services available, as well as ensuring key changes are communicated to them. Public information campaigns are therefore an impor-

258 20 November 2018 tant part of the Department’s work. Expenditure on these campaigns will vary from year to year depending on the range and number of new initiatives or required messaging.

A Communications and Customer Service Unit was established in my Department in Au- gust 2016 bringing together key customer services and functions to support an aligned and strategic approach to communications and customer service.

The Department’s public information/advertising campaigns span national and regional print media and radio, digital, social media and outdoor advertising. In addition, the Depart- ment also periodically advertises consultations and senior management vacancies in print publications. Details of all print, radio, online and outdoor advertising in the years 2014 - 2018 are detailed as follows:

Year Advertising Campaigns Ad Formats Total Ad Costs 2014 Jobs Fairs, Education & Training Fairs, Branch Print, Radio & Digital €64,095 Office Vacancies, Recovery of Benefits campaign, Notification of Christmas arrangements 2015 Branch Office closures/vacancies, Water Conser- Print, Radio & Digital €209,198.58 vation Grant, FEAD, Tullamore Show, National Ploughing Championship, Jobs Week, Jobs Fairs, Notification of Christmas arrangements 2016 Branch Office closures/vacancies, Tullamore Print, Radio & Digital €87,642.92 Show, National Ploughing Championship, Jobs Week, Jobs Fairs, Notification of Christmas arrangements, Paternity Benefit awareness campaign 2017 Paternity Benefit, MyGovID, Treatment Ben- Print, Radio, Digital & €839,102.66 efits for the self-employed, Fraud & Control, Outdoor Maternity Benefit, Back to School Clothing & Footwear, Fuel Allowance, Invalidity Pension, National Minimum Wage, Jobs Week, Jobs Fairs, Branch Office vacancies, National Ploughing Championship, Tullamore Show 2018 National Minimum Wage, Jobs Week, Jobs Print, Radio, Digital & €302,187.66 * Fairs, Branch Office vacancies, National Plough- Outdoor ing Championship, Tullamore Show, Gender Recognition, Make Work Pay, False Self-Em- ployment, Farm Assist, Auto-Enrolment Pen- sion Reform, Low Pay Commission *Advertising costs to end of October 2018

20/11/2018WRCC02600Invalidity Pension Payments

20/11/2018WRCC02700634. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for invalidity pension in the case of a person (details supplied); when it is expected to bring their application to a conclusion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48328/18]

20/11/2018WRCC02800Minister of State at the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Finian McGrath): The lady referred to has been awarded invalidity pension with effect from the 27 September 2018. Payment will issue to her nominated bank account on the 06 December 2018. Any arrears due from 27 September 2018 to 5 December 2018 (less any overlapping social welfare payment) will issue in due course. The lady in question was notified of this decision on the 16 November 2018.

259 Questions - Written Answers I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC02900Jobseeker’s Allowance

20/11/2018WRCC03000635. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) will not receive the Christmas bonus in 2018; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48356/18]

20/11/2018WRCC03100Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): The person concerned had been in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance from Jan 2005 until 27 Aug 2013 when she closed her claim and opted to become a qualified adult on her spouse/partner’s Jobseeker’s Allowance claim.

The Jobseeker’s Allowance claim was closed as she was awarded Carer’s Allowance in August 2013.

The person concerned had chosen the option of taking half-rate Carer’s allowance , which also permitted her spouse/partner to claim an increase for a Qualified Adult on his Jobseeker’s Allowance.

The half rate Carers Allowance remained in payment up to 30 Apr 2014.

Following the cessation of her Carer’s Allowance claim she remained as qualified dependant on spouse/partners claim

The person concerned’s spouses’s Jobseeker’s Allowance claim was closed when he commenced on a Tús scheme on 20 Mar 2018.

The person concerned subsequently lodged an application for Jobseeker’s Allowance in her own right from 7 Jun 2018 which was processed and awarded.

This was a new application for Jobseeker’s Allowance which was subject to qualifying period of 3 waiting days. This latest claim for Jobseeker’s did not link back to the previous claim and time spent as qualified dependant on spouse/partner’s claim cannot be used for linking purposes.

In order to qualify for the Christmas bonus Jobseeker’s Allowance must be long-term only and in payment for 15 months / over 390 days of unemployment.

The most recent claim for Jobseeker’s Allowance has only been in payment for 136 days. It is deemed to be short term.

I regret to inform the Deputy that the person concerned is ineligible to receive the Christmas bonus in 2018.

20/11/2018WRCC03200Carer’s Allowance Appeals

20/11/2018WRCC03300636. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Pro- tection the reason for the delay in transferring the carer’s allowance application file of a person (details supplied) to the social welfare appeals office for independent assessment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48401/18]

20/11/2018WRCC03400Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection (Deputy Regina Doherty): 260 20 November 2018 Carer’s allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

CA was in payment to the person concerned from 27 May 2010. The Department periodically reviews applications that are in payment to ensure continued eligibility. After the person concerned commenced employment, a review was initiated in May 2018.

As a result of this review, it was decided that the person concerned was no longer entitled to CA as their means exceeded the statutory limit. She was notified of this decision on 8 June 2018 and of her right or review and appeal.

On 11 July 2018, the Department received notification from the Social Welfare Appeals Of- fice (SWAO) that an appeal had been received.

At this stage a different deciding officer re-examined the original decision along with the additional statement and evidence provided in support of the appeal.

The result was that CA was re-awarded to the person concerned on 15 November 2018 with effect from 21 June 2018. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 22 November 2018.

Arrears of allowance due from 21 June 2018 to 21 November 2018 will also issue to the person concerned on 22 November 2018.

The person concerned was notified on 15 November 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of her right of review and appeal.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

20/11/2018WRCC03500Urban Renewal Schemes

20/11/2018WRCC03600637. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment when successful applications for the urban regeneration and investment fund will be announced by category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47858/18]

20/11/2018WRCC03700655. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment when final decisions on projects (details supplied) are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48003/18]

20/11/2018WRCC03800656. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment when final decisions on projects (details supplied) are expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48006/18]

20/11/2018WRCC03900Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): I propose to take Questions Nos. 637, 655 and 656 together.

The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ireland 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.

I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for sub-

261 Questions - Written Answers mission of applications was 28 September.

My Department, through a dedicated Project Advisory Board (PAB), is now engaging in the assessment of submitted applications and at this point, the work of the Board is expected to continue until late November, after which the first round of funding allocations will be announced.

As the assessment process of the PAB is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on individual projects at this time.

20/11/2018WRCC04000Electoral Register

20/11/2018WRCC04100638. Deputy Willie O’Dea asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment the reason nursing home residents have to cast their vote in the presidential election a week before other persons; if he will consider moving this vote closer to the polling day in order that the residents can cast their vote with the benefit of the full election campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47906/18]

20/11/2018WRCC04200Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy John Paul Phelan): Electoral law provides that an elector ordinarily resident in a hospital, nursing home or other similar institution who is unable to go in person to vote at their normal polling station by reason of a physical illness or disability may apply to be included in a special voters list. Arrangements are made at each election or referendum, including at a Presidential election, for such voters to vote at the institution where they are resident. This is facilitated by the appointment of a special presiding officer accompanied by a Garda.

Electoral law also provides that the local returning officer for each constituency is responsible for conducting a Presidential election. The local returning officer is required to ensure that the delivery of voting documents to special voters is effected as soon as practicable after the adjournment of the Presidential election for the purposes of taking a poll.

Electoral law does not specify a date on which voting by special voters should take place at an election or referendum. This is a matter for the local returning officer in the context of making the necessary preparations for the special voting arrangements and ensuring that the completed voting documents are returned by the special presiding officer to the returning officer before the close of poll.

I have no proposals to amend legislation in this regard.

20/11/2018WRCC04300Wind Energy Guidelines

20/11/2018WRCC04400639. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment when he expects to publish the wind turbine guidelines. [48256/18]

20/11/2018WRCC04500Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): My Department is currently undertaking a focused review of the 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines. As part of the overall review, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is being undertaken on the revised Guidelines before they come into effect, in accordance with the requirements of EU Directive 2001/24/EC on the assessment of the effects of certain plans and programmes on the environment, otherwise known as the SEA Directive.

SEA is a process by which environmental considerations are required to be fully integrated into the preparation of plans and programmes which act as frameworks for development con- 262 20 November 2018 sent, prior to their final adoption, with public consultation as part of that process. Following a tendering process, my Department appointed SEA experts in December 2017 to assist in this regard. It is expected that a public consultation on the revised draft Guidelines, together with the comprehensive environmental report under the SEA process, will be commenced in the coming weeks, with the aim of issuing the finalised Guidelines, following detailed analysis and consideration of the submissions and views received during the consultation phase, in early 2019.

When finalised, the revised Guidelines will be issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended. Planning authorities and, where applicable, An Bord Pleanála must have regard to guidelines issued under Section 28 in the performance of their functions generally under the Planning Acts. In the meantime, the current 2006 Wind Energy Development Guidelines remain in force.

20/11/2018WRCC04600Home Loan Scheme

20/11/2018WRCC04700640. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason persons (details supplied) could be refused a Rebuilding Ireland home loan on the grounds of failing to demonstrate criteria; if an appeal made against the decision will be upheld; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47744/18]

20/11/2018WRCC04800Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan, was introduced on 1 February 2018 under the Housing (Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan) Regulations 2018. The Scheme enables local authorities to provide home loans in accordance with the criteria set out in the Regulations and the Statutory Credit Policy issued in accordance with them. The Housing Agency has been given the task of carrying out assessments of the loan applications on behalf of the authorities and making recommendations in respect of each application.

Section 63(3) of the Local Government Act 2001 provides that, subject to law, a local authority is independent in the performance of its functions. Section 6 of the Housing (Miscel- laneous Provisions) Act 2009 specifically provides that the Minister’s power to issue policy directions and guidelines to housing authorities in relation to their housing functions should not be construed as enabling the Minister to exercise any power or control in relation to any individual case with which a housing authority is or may be concerned. Therefore, I am precluded from intervening in relation to individual cases.

Under the Regulations it is a matter for each local authority to make the decision on loan approval applications. Under the Statutory Credit Policy each authority must establish a Credit Committee to consider these applications on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with the Statu- tory Credit Policy and having regard to the recommendations of the Housing Agency.

The Statutory Credit Policy also obliges local authorities to establish an appeals process to which applicants, who are dissatisfied with a decision of a Credit Committee, may appeal that decision. It is therefore open to the persons referred to by the Deputy to make such an appeal. Details of the appeals process can be obtained from the relevant local authority.

20/11/2018WRCC04900Traveller Accommodation

20/11/2018WRCC05000641. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the applications for approval of expenditure on Traveller accommodation received from each local authority, respectively; the amount involved; the applications which were ap- 263 Questions - Written Answers proved or rejected, respectively, in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47746/18]

20/11/2018WRCC05100642. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the length of time it took to assess applications for approval for local authorities’ expenditure on Traveller accommodation in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47747/18]

20/11/2018WRCC05200643. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason applications for approval for local authorities’ expenditure on Traveller accommodation were rejected in each of the years 2015 to 2017 and to date in 2018; if there is an appeals process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47748/18]

20/11/2018WRCC05300Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Damien English): I propose to take Questions Nos. 641 to 643, inclusive, together.

In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

Housing authorities submit funding proposals for individual Traveller-specific projects and developments on an annual basis. These projects are assessed on a case-by-case basis in my Department in advance of allocations being made. In addition, further funding may be considered by my Department throughout the year in the light of progress across the programmes generally. There is regular contact between my Department and housing authorities in order to try to ensure maximum progress and drawdown.

All applications for funding are dealt with on receipt. The timeline for assessment of Trav- eller-specific accommodation can vary considerably depending on the type of accommodation being developed or refurbished. Traveller-specific accommodation varies from Group Hous- ing Schemes, to Halting Sites with demountables, to provision of emergency mobile homes, to major and minor refurbishments and extensions of existing accommodation.

In the main, proposals for Traveller Accommodation are approved. However, on occasion projects may require clarification or revision based on assessment by my Department. There is no formal appeals process as my Department works successfully in collaborating with local authorities to bring projects to completion.

In line with the commitment in Rebuilding Ireland, and reflecting the disappointing level of overall funding drawdown in recent years, the Housing Agency, in 2017, commissioned a review of funding for Traveller-specific accommodation to date. This review had regard to targets contained in local authority TAPs and actual delivery, the current status of accommodation funded and funding provided for accommodation maintenance and other supports.

Following its consideration of the review, the National Traveller Accommodation Consulta- tive Committee recommended that an Independent Expert Group be established to examine and make recommendations on issues regarding Traveller accommodation policy, strategy and implementation. That Expert Group has now been established and has been tasked with reviewing the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998 and all other legislation that impacts the delivery of Traveller Accommodation. I have asked the Expert Group to bring forward recommendations that will improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally.

264 20 November 2018 My Department will consider any recommendations made by the Expert Group that improve the delivery of Traveller accommodation nationally and help to ensure that full use is made of the increasing level of funding available for investment in Traveller accommodation.

The amount of funding approved and drawn down by housing authorities for Traveller- specific accommodation from 2015 to 2018 is set out in the following table.

Allocation Draw- Allocation Drawdown Allocation Drawdown Allocation Draw- down down 2015 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 to date 2018 County € € € € € € € € Council Carlow - 130,000 207,905 71,450 167,740 Cavan - 8,600 9,398 13,729 13,729 30,000 Clare 37,000 200,000 169,194 42,444 853,250 13,250 Cork - 149,000 30,000 110,000 93,156 251,197 Donegal - 4,750 82,000 74,532 147,612 15,100 121,800 South Dublin 63,000 26,397 1,024,289 - 869,643 1,234,555 Fingal 645,000 1,113,425 26,842 26,847 17,420 851,189 874,207 Dun Laoghaire / 1,592,429 419,095 129,552 1,500,000 1,857,313 673,686 1,023,312 Rathdown Galway 117,000 123,816 625,000 - 1,080,100 36,158 Kerry - 4,550 3,810 57,000 255,730 28,566 28,566 15,350 Kildare - 200,000 - 200,000 - 80,000 - 80,000 Kilkenny 551,626 397,577 377,500 431,714 582,162 563,040 201,682 32,126 Laois - 30,600 - - - - 30,000 Leitrim - 65,975 18,800 12,794 98,875 59,933 159,614 Longford - 78,000 88,966 2,900 - 2,922 - 2,922 Louth - 7,620 - 444,484 237,087 220,048 17,039 3,810 Mayo ------30,000 Meath - - - 120,000 76,877 129,000 5,750 65,000 Monaghan ------400,000 29,714 Offaly 3,069 85,000 73,000 37,775 847,917 101,616 49,379 10,999 Roscommon 19,622 - 50,000 10,808 52,617 123,191 230,000 102,274 Sligo - - - - 161,249 9,931 1,046,095 75,974

265 Questions - Written Answers

Allocation Draw- Allocation Drawdown Allocation Drawdown Allocation Draw- down down 2015 2015 2016 2016 2017 2017 2018 to date 2018 Tipperary 800,000 23,142 900,000 1,399,370 327,492 399,337 25,655 42,003 Westmeath - 95,000 - 208,000 48,000 - - 150,000 Wexford - - 30,906 96,000 87,695 6,880 - 498,801 Wicklow 63,097 27,891 46,000 - 52,648 43,773 209,620 19,393 City Council Cork - 800,000 427,304 400,000 301,796 1,108,344 97,000 310,000 Dublin 366,299 99,162 1,405,198 762,342 414,829 734,209 1,321,558 440,663 Galway - - 62,150 40,000 - 209,000 95,102 176,996 Limerick City and 7,500 68,923 81,000 21,209 69,576 219,918 858,739 26,875 County Waterford - City and 413,347 - 263,000 13,545 545,000 22,610 317,280 County Reserve 66,890 85,065 221,258 905,665 TOTAL 4,300,000 4,129,630 5,500,000 4,267,831 9,000,000 4,834,636 12,000,000 3,965,314

20/11/2018WRCC05600Local Authority Housing Eligibility

20/11/2018WRCC05700644. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment if the means test for eligibility for social housing will be reviewed; if he has given consideration to allowing maintenance payments for children who are not living with the person being assessed to be deducted against gross income; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47750/18]

20/11/2018WRCC05800666. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment when the review being carried out into income limits for eligibility for social housing will be completed and a decision taken on the proposals in view of the very low thresholds that apply at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48270/18]

20/11/2018WRCC05900Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): I propose to take Questions Nos. 644 and 666 together.

The Social Housing Assessment Regulations 2011 prescribe maximum net income limits for each local authority, in different bands according to the area concerned, with income being defined and assessed according to a standard Household Means Policy.

The income bands and the authority area assigned to each band were based on an assessment of the income needed to provide for a household’s basic needs, plus a comparative analysis of the local rental cost of housing accommodation across the country. It is important to note that the limits introduced at that time also reflected a blanket increase of €5,000 introduced prior to the new system coming into operation, in order to broaden the base from which social housing tenants are drawn, both promoting sustainable communities and also providing a degree of 266 20 November 2018 future-proofing.

Under the Household Means Policy, which applies in all local authorities, net income for social housing assessment is defined as gross household income less income tax, PRSI and the universal social charge. The Policy provides for a range of income disregards, and local authorities also have discretion to decide to disregard income that is temporary, short-term or once off in nature. There is no provision in the policy to deduct any other regular outgoings, such as maintenance paid in respect of family members, from gross household income for the purposes of the income threshold.

As part of the broader social housing reform agenda, a review of income eligibility for social housing supports in each local authority area is underway and the Household Means Policy is being reviewed as part of this process. The Housing Agency is continuing to carry out the detailed statistical work, which will underpin this review on behalf of my Department.

The review will have regard to current initiatives being brought forward in terms of afford- ability and cost rental and will be completed when the impacts of these parallel initiatives have been considered.

20/11/2018WRCC06000Urban Renewal Schemes

20/11/2018WRCC06100645. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment the amount allocated for a project (details supplied) under the urban regeneration and development fund. [47759/18]

20/11/2018WRCC06200Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF) was launched as part of Project Ire- land 2040, to support the compact growth and sustainable development of Ireland’s five cities, regional drivers and other large urban centres. The URDF is designed to leverage a greater proportion of residential and commercial development, supported by infrastructure, services and amenities, within the existing built-up areas of our larger urban settlements.

I initiated the first call for proposals under the Fund in July 2018 and the deadline for submission of applications was 28 September.

My Department, through a dedicated Project Advisory Board (PAB), is now engaging in the assessment of submitted applications and at this point, the work of the Board is expected to take until late November, after which the first round of funding allocations will be announced.

As the assessment process of the PAB is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further on individual projects at this time.

20/11/2018WRDD00200Fire Service

20/11/2018WRDD00300646. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment his plans for the reorganisation of the management and organisation of the fire service at national, regional and local level; the timeline for the introduction of changes; the way in which his planned structures will differ from those in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47774/18]

20/11/2018WRDD00400Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Damien English): As Minister with policy and legislative responsibility for fire safety 267 Questions - Written Answers and the provision of fire services by local authorities, my primary concern, as set out in the Fire Services Acts 1981 and 2003, is that local authority provided fire services are meeting their statutory obligations in respect of provision of fire services and fire safety.

Fire services are provided in Ireland by local authorities in accordance with the provisions of the Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003. At the moment there are 31 fire authorities which provide fire prevention and fire protection services for communities through 27 service delivery structures. Local authority fire services are delivered by approximately 3,300 local authority staff engaged at 218 fire stations nationwide, with local authorities expending approximately €280m per annum on their fire services.

The most recent review of fire services in Ireland resulted in the publication of “Keeping Communities Safe - A Framework for Fire Safety in Ireland” (KCS) in 2013. This was the report on the outcome of a wide-ranging review of fire services in Ireland which was undertaken in 2011/2012, and was endorsed as national policy in early 2013. It concluded that local authorities were best positioned to continue to provide fire services in Ireland.

At national level, a National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management was created within my Department in 2009 to give central direction and leadership for the fire and emergency management services. The 2009 arrangements put in place a management structure at central government level with a clear mandate and visibility to develop national policy and to drive consistent achievement of quality fire services by local authorities, while not interfering with existing local political accountability for front-line service delivery. Under the system, responsibility for the day-to-day operation of fire services remains with the local authorities. However, the National Directorate’s mandate includes developing national policies and national standards, and supporting and overseeing their implementation at local level.

The KCS policy document sets out the overall approach, the methods and the techniques to achieve the objective of keeping communities safe from fire and, for the first time, set out national norms, standards and targets against which local authorities can benchmark their fire services.

Over the course of 2014/2015, the National Directorate’s Management Board’s External Validation Group (EVG) visited every fire service in the country as part of a new external validation process arising from implementation of KCS. In April 2016, the Management Board published the first EVG Report titled “Local Delivery - National Consistency”. The report concluded, inter alia, that:

- Fire Services are applying and refining internationally-recognised risk management approaches to reduce the fire risk and the annual toll of life and property loss caused by fire.

- Local authorities are matching the assessed fire risk in their individual fire station areas with services based on both full-time and retained fire service models, with a comprehensive support infrastructure, and applying a range of appropriate fire prevention and fire protection approaches.

- Local authorities have prioritised and maintained the financial and personnel resources in their fire services at times when they were implementing significant reductions in all other areas.

- Local authorities have benchmarked their fire services against national standards and national norms, and a strong degree of consistency, linked to area risk categorisation, now exists in fire service provision; all local authorities are using, or are working towards, national norms as minimum standards.

268 20 November 2018 A copy of this report is available on my Department’s website at the following link: www. housing.gov.ie/local-government/fire-and-emergency-management/fire-services-ireland-local- delivery-national.

It is widely recognised that the National Directorate structure has been very effective in leading the development of emergency management in Ireland as well as fire services. The Na- tional Directorate was central to the work which underpinned the successful response to severe weather emergencies including Ex-Hurricane Ophelia in October 2017 and Storm Emma earlier this year.

Following the publication of the “Fire Safety Task Force” Report in May 2018, which was convened at my request by the National Directorate, I have asked the Management Board of the National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management to oversee the implementation of the recommendations of Task Force Report.

I have no additional plans for the reorganisation of the fire service at national, regional and local level at this time, as the evidence suggests that current arrangements, as outlined, are working effectively to meet the challenges involved in trying to protect communities from fire and other emergencies.

20/11/2018WRDD00500Fire Service

20/11/2018WRDD00600647. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment the impact of the implementation of the European working time directive on the operations of the fire service nationwide; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47775/18]

20/11/2018WRDD00700Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Damien English): Council Directive 93/104/EC of 23 November 1993, concerning certain aspects of the organisation of working time (the Working Time Directive), lays down minimum safety and health requirements for the organisation of working time, in respect of periods of daily rest, breaks, weekly rest, maximum weekly working time, annual leave and aspects of night work, shift work and patterns of work. Implementation of this Directive is transposed through the Organisation of Working Time Act 1997, which comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

I understand that the concepts of ‘working time’ and ‘rest periods’ as provided for in the Directive were the subject of a recent judgment by the Court of Justice of the European Union.

The judgment of the Court was noted at my Department’s National Directorate for Fire and Emergency Management Board meeting of 13 September 2018. The Management Board requested that preliminary legal advice be sought regarding the potential impact of the judgment and I understand that this should be available by the end of the year. Subject to the advice received, the National Directorate may forward the matter to the Office of the Attorney General for its consideration.

20/11/2018WRDD00800Residential Tenancies Board

20/11/2018WRDD00900648. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment if the Residential Tenancies Board will ensure that an application by a person (details supplied) in County Wexford for a tribunal will be made under section 189 of the relevant Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47776/18]

269 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WRDD01000Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) was established as an independent statutory body under the Residential Tenancies Act 2004 to operate a national tenancy registration system and to resolve disputes between landlords and tenants.

Due to the quasi-judicial role of the RTB, it would be inappropriate for me as Minister or my Department to comment on, or to interfere in, the specifics of any case.

The Clerk of the Dáil requested that arrangements be put in place to facilitate the provision of information by State Bodies to members of the Oireachtas. Following the issue of Circular LG (P)05/16 on 20 September 2016 from my Department, the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) set up a dedicated email address for this purpose. The RTB may be contacted at Oireachtas- [email protected] in relation to the case referred to.

20/11/2018WRDD01100Brexit Issues

20/11/2018WRDD01200649. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment the contingency plans in place to deal with the impact of Brexit on the housing crisis; the number of meetings held by his officials in the past 12 months to prepare for this issue; and the number of meetings between staff of his Department, other Departments, State agencies and other organisations during the past 12 months to prepare for this issue. [47788/18]

20/11/2018WRDD01300Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): Planning for the U.K.’s exit from the European Union was initiated over two years ago and preparedness for different types of Brexit is well underway across Government.

To this end, co-ordination of the whole-of-Government response to Brexit is being taken forward through the cross-Departmental coordination structures chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In July of this year, the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade presented a Memorandum to the Government on Brexit Preparedness and Contin- gency Planning. On the basis of this Memorandum, Departments were tasked with developing detailed action plans to prepare for Brexit.

My Department is contributing to this process and contingency planning is underway. The priorities include assessing potential impacts on housing and our other areas of responsibility. This is necessarily an iterative and ongoing process and my Department continues to work closely in this regard with other Departments through the established structures. This includes regular attendance at a wide variety of inter-Departmental meetings that take place on a weekly and fortnightly basis, as well as internal discussions through a range of fora, including a specific cross-Divisional co-ordination group and at the Department’s Management Board.

It is difficult to predict with confidence the impact of Brexit on housing as this will be -de termined in large part by the outcome of the process around the draft withdrawal agreement but also by the nature of the future relationship between the UK and the EU. Nonetheless, the Brexit planning arrangements in place, taking account also of established approach to longer term planning, including in relation to the National Planning Framework, provide an effective vehicle for ensuring that the potential impact of developments within the evolving Brexit process can be assessed.

20/11/2018WRDD01400Electoral Divisions Report

270 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRDD01500650. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47791/18]

20/11/2018WRDD01600Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy John Paul Phelan): I established two independent Local Electoral Area Boundary Committees on 13 December 2017 to review and make recommendations on local electoral areas having regard to, among other things, the results of Census 2016 as well as the commitment to consider reducing the size of territorially large local electoral areas as set out in A Programme for Partnership Government (May 2016). The two Committees reported to me on 12 June 2018 and now stand dissolved.

On foot of the two reports, orders are currently being prepared within my Department under section 23 of the Local Government Act 2001 to give effect to the Committees’ recommendations in relation to local electoral areas. It is anticipated that these orders will be signed later this year. Once the orders have been made, it will be a matter for each local authority to prepare maps setting out the new local electoral areas and to make these available to elected members, to prospective candidates who may wish to stand at the local elections scheduled for late May 2019 and to such other persons who may be interested in receiving copies of such maps.

20/11/2018WRDD01700Local Authority Housing Mortgages

20/11/2018WRDD01800651. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment the number of Rebuilding Ireland home loan applications by local authority; the number of such loans approved by each local authority; and the number of loans drawn down by each local authority by quarter in 2018, in tabular form. [47800/18]

20/11/2018WRDD01900Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): My Department publishes information on the overall number and value of (i) local authority loan approvals and (ii) local authority loan drawdowns. Information up to Q2 2018, including in relation to number and value of mortgage drawdowns, is available on the Department’s website at the following link: www.housing.gov.ie/housing/statistics/house-prices-loans-and-profile- borrowers/local-authority-loan-activity, and this information will be updated on a quarterly basis as additional data is compiled.

In addition, the Housing Agency provides a central support service which assesses loan applications that are made to the local authorities and makes recommendations to the authorities as to whether loans should be offered to applicants. I have asked the Agency to centrally compile figures on the numbers of applications that it has assessed and recommended for approval, the most recent figures, as at the end of October, indicate that the Agency had recommended a total of 1,317 applications for approval since the Rebuilding Ireland home loan scheme launched, as set out in the following table.

Local Authority Applications Assessed Recommended to Approve Carlow County Council 43 15 Cavan County Council 11 2 Clare County Council 47 18 Cork City Council 87 43 Cork County Council 196 104 Donegal County Council 28 17 Dublin City Council 305 189

271 Questions - Written Answers

Local Authority Applications Assessed Recommended to Approve Dún Laoghaire - Rathdown 67 38 County Council Fingal County Council 365 185 Galway City Council 56 26 Galway County Council 94 36 Kerry County Council 74 35 Kildare County Council 166 85 Kilkenny County Council 24 13 Laois County Council 62 32 Leitrim County Council 9 2 Limerick City & County Council 64 38 Longford County Council 26 14 Louth County Council 58 22 Mayo County Council 37 15 Meath County Council 169 109 Monaghan County Council 13 3 Offaly County Council 32 12 Roscommon County Council 26 12 Sligo County Council 30 17 South Dublin County Council 188 92 Tipperary County Council 71 25 Waterford City & County Coun- 26 11 cil Westmeath County Council 19 12 Wexford County Council 76 39 Wicklow County Council 114 56 Total 2,583 1,317

Each local authority must have in place a credit committee and it is a matter for the committee to make the decision on applications for loans, in accordance with the regulations, having regard to the recommendations made by the Housing Agency.

20/11/2018WRDD02000Environmental Impact Assessments

20/11/2018WRDD02100652. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government the reason his Department made no comment on the Northern Ireland Warrenpoint Harbour Authority EIA screening consultation for new in-lough disposal of dredged material from the harbour in Carlingford Lough rather than the current location 22 miles out at sea (details supplied). [47865/18]

20/11/2018WRDD02200Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): My Department responded to the Marine and Fisheries Division in the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (NI) advising that the main issues arising are potential impacts on aquaculture activities on the southern shore, which is a matter for consideration by my colleague, the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine. In responding, my Department noted that observations were already sought from that Department.

20/11/2018WRDD02300Planning Issues 272 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRDD02400653. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment if his attention has been drawn to the practice of developer and-or owners of housing developments requiring that new buyers sign an agreement not to object to applications for changes to planning permissions to the developments; his views on whether this is good planning practice; and if his attention has been further drawn to the prevalence of the practice. [47925/18]

20/11/2018WRDD02500Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): My Department has not been informed of any instances of the practice described by the Deputy.

Public participation is a crucial element of all substantive decision-making processes under the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, having regard to the requirements of the Aarhus Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters and the EU Environmental Impact Assessment Di- rective. Thus, any member of the public is entitled to make observations or a submission on a planning application, and, where he or she does so, is entitled to

- have his or her observations or submission considered by the planning authority,

- be notified of the authority’s decision on the application,

- appeal the authority’s decision on the application to An Bord Pleanála or make observations or a submission to the Board in relation to an appeal of that decision, and

- withdraw in writing an appeal that he or she has made at any time before the appeal is determined by the Board, without any requirement to state the reason for the withdrawal.

In considering planning applications or appeals, a planning authority or the Board is required to consider the proper planning and sustainable development of the area concerned and the prospective effects on the environment of the proposed development, having regard to a range of matters specified in legislation, including observations or submissions made by members of the public.

Under section 30 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, I am specifically precluded from exercising any power or control in relation to any particular case with which a planning authority or An Bord Pleanála is or may be concerned.

20/11/2018WRDD02600Local Authority Staff

20/11/2018WRDD02700654. Deputy Fiona O’Loughlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment the procedure in place for county council water workers if Irish Water takes over all current duties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47981/18]

20/11/2018WRDD02800Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): Since 1 January 2014, Irish Water has statutory responsibility for all aspects of water services planning, delivery and operation at national, regional and local levels. Irish Water has entered into service level agreements (SLAs) with each local authority for the provision of water services. Staff members working under these arrangements remain local authority employees while continuing to perform key water services functions with local authorities acting as agents of Irish Water. Staffing arrangements are an operational matter for Irish Water and local authorities within the context of the SLA arrangements currently in place.

On 19 September 2018, I received a report from the Director General of the Workplace

273 Questions - Written Answers Relations Commission (WRC) in respect of a process of engagement that was undertaken at my request with the parties involved in the transformation programme for Irish Water, those being Irish Water, ICTU and relevant affiliated unions, Local Government management and my Department. The context here lies in Irish Water’s proposal to fully integrate its operations and end the current operational arrangements for the delivery of water services through the service level agreements with local authorities. The discussions with the parties have advanced on the basis that the current SLAs remain in place until such time as an alternative is agreed.

In considering the WRC report in consultation with my Government colleagues, I have been particularly mindful of the WRC’s comments that uncertainty about the next phase of transformation appears to be causing staffing difficulties at Local Government level and that further delay in providing the necessary clarity could exacerbate this situation and increase risks to the safe and effective delivery of water and wastewater services. Therefore, in the interests of clarity, I am asking the parties to now engage in a process to work towards the development of a stable structural and operational framework for the future. I am grateful for the commitment of the WRC to facilitate this process. My Department has been in communication with the parties in this regard.

Questions Nos. 655 and 656 answered with Question No. 637.

20/11/2018WRDD03100Housing Estates

20/11/2018WRDD03200657. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment further to Parliamentary Question No. 303 of 10 May 2018, when the preparation and finalisation of a national protocol with regard to taking estates served by developer provided infrastructure in charge will be finalised in order that local authorities can proceed to take these estates in charge and in particular in which there was developer provided infrastructure such as waste water treatment tanks, shores and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48022/18]

20/11/2018WRDD03300Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): My Department launched the National Taking-in-Charge Initiative (NTICI) in April 2016 to trial new approaches and working methods in supporting and accelerating overall national and local action on the process for taking-in-charge of housing estates, including estates with developer- provided water services infrastructure (DPI). Under the terms of the NTICI, which was underpinned by €10 million in funding, developments subject to valid taking-in-charge applications were eligible for inclusion in the associated call for funding proposals. Ultimately, €7.5 million of the allocated funding was paid to local authorities in respect of 330 developments, containing some 14,930 homes.

Findings and recommendations from the NTICI process will be included in a report on the initiative that it is intended to publish shortly. The publication of the NTICI report will be of value to local authorities and other stakeholders in applying the lessons from the pilot programme in a more general roll-out of a streamlined approach to taking-in-charge, including through coordination with capital works by Irish Water.

In addition, the National Development Plan includes a provision of €31 million for DPI in the period 2018-2021, demonstrating the Government’s commitment to transition from the pilot phase under NTICI to a programme phase.

My Department intends to write to local authorities to advise them of the future funding arrangements for DPI-type housing estates that are not taken in charge, following the publication,

274 20 November 2018 shortly, of the review report on the 2016 NTICI.

20/11/2018WRDD03400Local Authority Housing Mortgages

20/11/2018WRDD03500658. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment his plans to lower the required deposit level for local authority house loans in view of the difficulties for potential applicants in achieving the required deposit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48036/18]

20/11/2018WRDD03600Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan is designed to enable credit worthy first-time buyers, who are unable to access a mortgage from a commercial lender to obtain sustainable mortgage lending to purchase a new or second-hand property. The low rate of fixed interest associated with the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan provides first-time buyers with access to mortgage finance that they may not otherwise have been able to afford at a higher interest rate.

To support prudential lending and consistency of treatment for borrowers, a Loan to Value ratio of 90% applies to the Rebuilding Ireland Home Loan as per the Central Bank’s prudential lending guidelines. Therefore, in order to avail of the loan, applicants must have a deposit equivalent to 10% of the market value of the property.

Applicants must provide bank or similar statements (such as post office, credit union, etc.) for a 12-month period immediately prior to making an application, clearly showing a credible and consistent track record of savings. The cash savings should be no less than 3% of the market value of the property. Gifts are permissible up to 7% of the market value of the property, where their source is verified.

Given the need to administer the loan in a financially prudent manner, in order to protect the financial position of both the borrower and the State, I have no plans to reduce this deposit requirement.

20/11/2018WRDD03700Traveller Accommodation

20/11/2018WRDD03800659. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment the amount allocated to Fingal County Council in 2018 to improve accommodation specifically for Travellers; if none of this funding has been spent by Fingal County Council to date; the design plans for the accommodation of Travellers submitted to his Department for approval; the length of time it takes to sanction such plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48056/18]

20/11/2018WRDD03900Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Damien English): In accordance with the Housing (Traveller Accommodation) Act 1998, housing authorities have statutory responsibility for the assessment of the accommodation needs of Travellers and the preparation, adoption and implementation of multi-annual Traveller Accommodation Programmes (TAPs) in their areas. My Department’s role is to ensure that there are adequate structures and supports in place to assist the authorities in providing such accommodation, including a national framework of policy, legislation and funding.

The allocations and recoupment profiles for capital Traveller accommodation projects can vary across local authorities given the local priorities, circumstances and project timelines as set out in their programmes. These programmes provide a road map for local authority invest-

275 Questions - Written Answers ment priorities over the period. They also form the basis for the allocation of funding from my Department for Traveller accommodation. All applications for funding are dealt with on receipt. The timeline for assessment of Traveller-specific accommodation can vary considerably depending on the type of accommodation being developed or refurbished.

Fingal County Council’s allocation for spend on Traveller Accommodation in 2018 was €851,189. To date, Fingal County Council has drawn down this allocation in full with additional funding of €23,018 also provided by my Department. This funding provided for the refurbishment of a 10 bay Halting site at Moyne Park, Baldoyle.

20/11/2018WRDD04000Legislative Process

20/11/2018WRDD04100660. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government when section 49 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48069/18]

20/11/2018WRDD04200Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): Section 49 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 amends the Planning and Development Act 2000 to classify communications and data infrastructure above a certain size threshold as strategic infrastructure developments. This will mean that, when the provision has been commenced, applications for planning permission for communications and data infrastructure that meet the prescribed scale requirements will be made directly to An Bord Pleanála similar to other pre-existing types of strategic infrastructure development. The new arrangements will be commenced after the necessary preparations by the Board, and other necessary supporting requirements, have been completed. My Department is working towards the completion of this process as soon as possible.

20/11/2018WRDD04300Irish Water

20/11/2018WRDD04400661. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment the way in which Irish Water can justify the levying of a fee for a water connection for a person (details supplied) who constructed a dwelling for a family member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48100/18]

20/11/2018WRDD04500Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The Water Services Acts 2007-2017 set out the arrangements in place for the delivery of water and wastewater services by Irish Water, and for the scrutiny and oversight provisions that apply in respect of these arrangements. Responsibility for the independent economic regulation of the water sector is assigned to the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU) and the CRU is required to perform its functions in a manner that best serves the interests of customers of Irish Water.

Section 22(5) of the Water Services (No. 2) Act 2013 provides that a water charges plan may provide for charges in respect of the provision of a service connection (within the meaning of the Water Services Act 2007) to, or in respect of, a premises. In line with a direction issued by the CRU, Irish Water currently continues to apply the same connection charges for connect- ing to the public water and/or wastewater network as were applied by local authorities on 31 December 2013.

Following a comprehensive policy review and public consultation process, the CRU has recently published a proposed decision paper on a new National Connection Charging Policy 276 20 November 2018 for Irish Water. The Policy will be aimed at developing a more harmonised methodology for connections to the public water and wastewater network. I understand that the CRU intends to make its final decision on the new National Connection Charging Policy before the end of 2018, with a view to its implementation by Irish Water early in 2019.

As Minister, I must respect the statutory powers and functions which the Oireachtas has conferred on both Irish Water and the CRU in relation to these matters and I cannot involve myself in individual cases.

It should be noted that Irish Water has established a dedicated team to deal with representations and queries from public representatives. The team can be contacted via email to [email protected] or by telephone on a dedicated number, 1890 578 578.

20/11/2018WRDD04600Local Government Audit Service

20/11/2018WRDD04700662. Deputy Fergus O’Dowd asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment the way in which the investigation by the local government auditor into payments made by Meath County Council to a company (details supplied) in 2008 and 2009 is progressing; if the investigation has established that payments made to this company should have been paid to another company for work it carried out for the council during the period in question; if it has established if Meath County Council continues to make payments to the company despite the fact that the issue of the previous incorrect payments to the company has not been addressed and may be the subject of a fresh Garda investigation; if Meath County Council was in breach of its legal and statutory obligations to inform the local government auditor when these payment discrepancies were uncovered further to complaints by a person several years ago; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48101/18]

20/11/2018WRDD04800Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The function of the Local Government Audit Service is to complete the audits of all local authorities annual financial statements, using a structured audit methodology in accordance with the Code of Audit Practice and related guidelines. Local Government Auditors are independent in the performance of their duties and it is a matter for each auditor to decide what matters to review. Any material matters arising would be referred to in the audit report and all audit reports are published on my Department’s website.

In relation to the matter in question, my Department has been informed that the Local Gov- ernment Auditor is not undertaking an investigation into payments made by Meath County Council to any company in the years 2008 and 2009.

The Local Government Auditor has however received correspondence from an interested party in relation to payments of approximately €16,000 made to the company in question in 2008 and 2009. A review of the payments was undertaken in 2018, as part of the 2017 audit. The Local Government Auditor considered that the payments were not material in the overall context of the audit and, given the significant time delay since the payments were made, deemed that they were not relevant to the 2017 audit.

20/11/2018WRDD04900Private Rented Accommodation

20/11/2018WRDD05000663. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government his plans for the regulation of short-term lets by a company (details supplied); if the policy approach will be tailored in order not to impact on rural tourist areas in which there 277 Questions - Written Answers is no a demand for long-term lets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48102/18]

20/11/2018WRDD05100664. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government if the proposed restrictions to short-term lets by a company (details supplied) will also apply to other short-term holiday letting sites; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48103/18]

20/11/2018WRDD05200Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): I propose to take Questions Nos. 663 and 664 together.

Under Action 18 of the Strategy for the Rental Sector, a Working Group was established, involving representatives of all major public stakeholders with a policy interest in short-term lettings, to develop guidance in relation to planning applications, changes of use relating to short-term lettings and to examine the need for new regulatory arrangements, including having regard to regulations in place in other jurisdictions.

The proposals under consideration by the Working Group have been aimed at facilitating short-term letting of accommodation within permanent residences, known as homesharing, while protecting the existing stock of residential property in areas of high demand, safeguarding neighbourhood amenity and consumer protection, and generating revenue to address any negative effects of short term letting.

Having considered the Group’s report as well as the recommendations in the Oireach- tas Committee’s report on short-term lettings, I recently announced plans to introduce a “one host, one home” model in areas where there is high housing demand.

Homesharing will continue to be permissible for a person’s primary residence, and such home-sharers will have to now register with their local authority. An annual cap of 90 days will apply for the renting out, on a short-term basis – i.e. for 14 days or less at a time, of a person’s entire home where it is their primary residence.

Where a person owns a second property and intends to let it as a Short Term Letting (STL), they will require planning permission to do so unless the property is already permitted to be used for tourism / short-term letting purposes. Planning permission for a change of use to STL can be sought and it will be up to each local Planning Authority to consider applications, based on guidance that will issue from my Department, taking account of housing demand pressures and other relevant factors such as cumulative impacts.

These proposed changes will not affect the operation of holiday homes as typically understood, or longer-term flexible lettings which are provided for those coming to Ireland under employment contracts.

It is intended that the new planning changes will come into effect on 1 June 2019, to allow property owners to prepare for and adapt to the new laws. In addition to revised draft exempted development planning regulations, which have been prepared, amendments to primary legislation will also be introduced which will underpin and strengthen the new proposals; drafting of these amendments is currently underway.

Any unauthorised development, including breaches of the proposed exemptions, may be the subject of planning enforcement by the relevant planning authority.

20/11/2018WRDD05400Homeless Persons Data

278 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WRDD05500665. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment if he will confirm claims (details supplied) published on his Department’s website; and the data on which these claims are based. [48171/18]

20/11/2018WRDD05600Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): My Department’s role in relation to homelessness involves the provision of a national framework of policy, legislation and funding to underpin the role of housing authorities in addressing homelessness at local level. Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless persons rests with individual housing authorities.

In September, I wrote to the chief executives of the four Dublin local authorities highlighting the need for increased action to resolve homelessness. The Chief Executive of Dublin City Council, in his response to me on 10 September, informed me that data available to the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive suggested that approximately 33% of family households presenting as homeless and 42% of rough sleepers have no entitlement to avail of housing supports in the State. My Department does not have access to the source data referred to by the DRHE and Chief Executive in his correspondence. However, my Department is currently reviewing homelessness data collection and reporting with a view to obtaining better information from local authorities. This will include examining the collection of data on those households presenting to homeless services who are not entitled to apply for housing supports.

Question No. 666 answered with Question No. 644.

20/11/2018WREE00300Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WREE00400667. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Gov- ernment if his Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by his Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48307/18]

20/11/2018WREE00500Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): The details requested by the Deputy for the years 2012 to 2016 have previously been provided to him in reply to Question No. 825 of 11 July, 2017. Details in relation to expenditure in 2017 were provided in response to Question No. 744 of 14 December 2017. Details of expenditure in 2018 are currently being compiled in my Department, insofar as possible, and will be forwarded to the Deputy in accordance with standing orders.

The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A

Details of expenditure in 2018 are set out in the following table:

Cost Campaign €9,109.90 Rebuilding Ireland Consultation, Communication and Engagement Strategy €10,957.39 Repair & Leasing Scheme, Buy and Renew Scheme and the Long Term Leasing Initiative €7,560.07 Public Consultation on the General Scheme of the Water Environment (Abstractions) Bill 2018 €141,227.88 Fire safety campaigns including National Fire Safety Week €75,367.53 Presidential election and referendums

279 Questions - Written Answers

Cost Campaign €77,527.69 Invitation to make submission to the European Parliament Constituency Committee and Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee €6,509.16 Online advertising inviting submissions to Local Electoral Area Boundary Committee

20/11/2018WREE00600Rent Pressure Zones

20/11/2018WREE00700668. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment his views on the current rent pressure zones (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48323/18]

20/11/2018WREE00800Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy Eoghan Murphy): In April 2018, the Government approved the priority drafting of a new Bill to amend the Residen- tial Tenancies Acts 2004-2016 to enhance the powers of the RTB to protect both tenants and landlords in the residential rental sector, particularly with regard to enforcement of the annual rent increase limit in Rent Pressure Zones.

This Bill’s provisions are intended to strengthen further the effectiveness of the rent setting and rent review laws by empowering the RTB to investigate any contravention of the law around rent increase limits (4% per annum) in Rent Pressure Zones (RPZs) and to take enforcement action, if necessary. The provisions involved include power for the imposition of sanctions on landlords in breach of the legal requirements and power for the RTB to investigate without the need for a complaint to be made.

My Department is working closely with the RTB to appropriately resource and develop its capacity to implement these provisions. The proposed new powers for the RTB are a crucial first step in expanding its overall role and function as part of a multi-annual change management programme to proactively enforce tenancy law. The RTB publishes its quarterly Rent Index and advises my Department on the residential rental market on a continuous basis which informs policy development in this area.

My Department is working closely with the Office of the Attorney General in the drafting of the Residential Tenancies (Amendment) Bill and I hope to bring the Bill to Government in the coming weeks for approval to publish.

20/11/2018WREE00900Electoral Register

20/11/2018WREE01000669. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Housing, Planning and Local Govern- ment further to Parliamentary Question No. 622 of 13 November 2018, if online voter registration will be extended to the Seanad Éireann registers of electors maintained by the National University of Ireland and the University of Dublin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48335/18]

20/11/2018WREE01100Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government (Deputy John Paul Phelan): Electoral law provides that the preparation of the register of electors is a matter for each local registration authority. It is their duty to ensure, as far as possible and with the cooperation of the public, the accuracy and comprehensiveness of the Register. In March 2017 the Government determined that work should commence on modernisation of the voter registration process in the context of the possible need to register voters resident outside the State in the event that a referendum on extending the franchise in Presidential elections is passed.

280 20 November 2018 The register of electors maintained by local authorities is separate to the Seanad register of electors, The Seanad Electoral (University Members) Act 1937 provides that the governing body of every university which is a university constituency shall cause a register of electors to be kept in accordance with the 1937 Act. The National University of Ireland and the University of Dublin are therefore responsible for their respective electoral registers in accordance with the rules set out in the First Schedule of that Act.

The Programme for a Partnership Government includes a goal to pursue the implementation of the Manning Report, formally known as the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform. That report makes recommendations to restructure and reform the Seanad.

In April 2018, the Taoiseach established an Implementation Group on Seanad Reform to consider the Manning report and to develop specific proposals to legislate for Seanad- Re form. The Implementation Group comprises Members of the Oireachtas with the assistance of outside experts, as appropriate. The Group held its first meeting on 9 May 2018 and is to report back shortly, with the text of a Bill.

The reform of the Seanad, including any reform of the Seanad register of electors, is to be further considered in the context of the work of the Implementation Group.

20/11/2018WREE01200Special Areas of Conservation Designation

20/11/2018WREE01300670. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she is considering a farm level scheme with a view to work towards restoring the capital value of farm land to the level that existed prior to designation, that is, special areas of conservation, special protection areas and natural heritage areas. [48414/18]

20/11/2018WREE01400Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): My De- partment and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine are currently in discussions with farming representatives in relation to designated areas, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) payments in Natura 2000 lands and payments coming from the national exchequer, including via the NPWS farm plan scheme. The farmer organisations have also raised the issue of devaluation of Natura lands and the increased administrative burdens relating to designations.

Funding for the Natura 2000 network is currently available from existing financial instruments, as foreseen in Article 8 of the Habitats Directive. This includes, but is not limited to, CAP funding. My Department has access only to national exchequer funding and at present this funding is limited.

I understand that the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine will consider the CAP funding priorities to be included in the CAP Strategic Plan for Ireland in the next operating period. It is expected that all relevant competent authorities, economic and social partners and civil society will have a role in inputting to the CAP Strategic Plan. In the context of funding for farmers for Natura 2000 management, ongoing discussions with the farming organisation may inform the types of payments that could be considered in the next operating period, via CAP co-financed payments and through other funding instruments. I understand that there are options in the proposed CAP architecture that include eco-schemes under Pillar 1 and agri- environment/climate schemes under Pillar 2.

20/11/2018WREE01500Harbours and Piers Funding

281 Questions - Written Answers

20/11/2018WREE01600671. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gael- tacht the funding available for piers (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47675/18]

20/11/2018WREE01700Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Seán Kyne): In conjunction with relevant local authorities, my Department is open to co-funding appropriate capital works to improve access to our offshore islands. The eligibility criteria for this funding are as follows:

- the island must be permanently inhabited;

- the island be cut off from the mainland daily by the tide;

- the island must not be connected to the mainland by bridge; and,

- the island must not be in private ownership.

I understand that the island referred to does not satisfy all of the above criteria and, accordingly, would not qualify for funding from my Department.

20/11/2018WREE01800Departmental Funding

20/11/2018WREE01900672. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding a centre (details supplied) receives; the amount of funding it has received since 2012, in tabular form; if the funding was obtained from capital or public expenditure sources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47711/18]

20/11/2018WREE02000Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Seán Kyne): Please see in the following tables the amount of Capital and Current funding received by the centre referred to by the Deputy under the Department’s Gaeltacht Support Schemes, Arts, Film and Investment Unit and Údarás na Gaeltachta since 2012.

2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total Capital € Community and 14,651.26 15,348.74 124,970.70 326,042.90 481,013.60 Language Supports Programme - DCHG Arts, Film and Invest- 20,000 20,000 ment Unit- DCHG Údarás na Gaeltachta 1,000 1,000 2,000 Total 15,651.26 1,000 15,348.74 124,970.70 326,042.90 20,000 503,013.60

2011 2012 2013 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total Current € Community and Language 1,500 1,500 974.50 3,974.50 Supports Programme DCHG Arts, Film and Investment Unit - DCHG Údarás na Gaeltachta 1,200 7,035.95 10,245 20,480.95 Total 1,500 2,700 7,035.95 11,219.50 24,455.45

20/11/2018WREE02100Departmental Funding

282 20 November 2018

20/11/2018WREE02200673. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the funding a centre (details supplied) has received in each year since it was established; the funding which is from capital or public expenditure sources; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47712/18]

20/11/2018WREE02300Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): Accord- ing to my Department’s records which extend back to 2011, no funding has been provided to the centre referred to by the Deputy.

20/11/2018WREE02400National Monuments

20/11/2018WREE02500674. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht when she will be in a position to give permission to the Office of Public Works to commence works on a castle (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47792/18]

20/11/2018WREE02600Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): I am advised that an application for consent under Section 14 of the National Monuments Act 1930 is currently being prepared by the Office of Public Works for submission to my Department in respect of proposed works at this national monument. The application will be dealt with as quickly as possible following receipt.

20/11/2018WREE02700Caiteachas Ranna

20/11/2018WREE02800675. D’fhiafraigh Deputy Pat Buckley den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta an dóigh léi go bhfuil cothrom na féinne á thabhairt aici don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht, do na hOileáin agus don Fhoras Teanga leis an ardú 8% atá beartaithe aici dóibh i mBuiséad 2019 agus é beartaithe aici ag an am céanna ardú 14% a thabhairt do Chultúr agus 15% a thabhairt d’Oidhreacht ina Roinn féin; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [47850/18]

20/11/2018WREE02900Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Seán Kyne): Is ionann iomlán an mhaoinithe don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin don bhliain 2019 agus níos mó ná €54m. Nuair a chuirtear leithdháileadh an Fhorais Teanga san áireamh, is ionann an maoiniú iomlán agus €67.5m - méadú €5m nó 8% ar leithdháiltí 2018. San áireamh anseo tá:

- €0.6m sa bhreis chun tacú le cur i bhfeidhm an Phróisis Pleanála Teanga dá ndéantar foráil in Acht na Gaeltachta 2012;

- €1.5m breise d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun infheistíocht a dhéanamh i gcothabháil agus i gcruthú post i gceantair Ghaeltachta, rud a fhágann gurb é €8.5m (méadú 21% ar 2018) an leithdháileadh iomlán caipitil don eagraíocht;

- €0.5m sa bhreis i maoiniú reatha d’Údarás na Gaeltachta chun tacú le comharchumainn agus eagraíochtaí forbartha pobail sa Ghaeltacht den chuid is mó;

- Leithdháileadh breise de €0.5m do Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Gaeltachta mo Roinne chun tacú tuilleadh le Próiseas Pleanála Teanga na Gaeltachta;

- Leithdháileadh breise de €0.58m do Scéimeanna Tacaíochta Teanga na Roinne lasmuigh den Ghaeltacht chun scoláireachtaí Gaeltachta a chur ar fáil do dhaltaí ó scoileanna DEIS agus chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh i ndáil le gréasán d’Ionaid Gaeilge agus Cultúir a fhorbairt ar fud na tíre; 283 Questions - Written Answers - Leithdháileadh breise de €1m chun forbairt a dhéanamh ar infreastruchtúr calafoirt a fhreastalaíonn ar na hOileáin Árainn agus ar Thoraigh; agus,

- Leithdháileadh breise de €0.5m chun seirbhísí riachtanacha iompair a sholáthar chuig na hoileáin.

Rachaidh an infheistíocht mhéadaithe seo de €67.5m don Ghaeilge, don Ghaeltacht agus do na hOileáin in 2019 i bhfeidhm go mór ar phobail Ghaeltachta, go háirithe, mar go bhfuil an chuid is mó den leithdháileadh á tabhairt do chruthú post, forbairt pobail agus pleanáil teanga sa Ghaeltacht, agus, chomh maith leis sin, d’fhorbairt na gcalafort agus na seirbhísí iompair a bhaineann leis na hoileáin.

Táim sásta, mar sin, go bhfuil neart dul chun cinn déanta ag an Rialtas mar a bhaineann sé leis an réimse cúraimí atá orm i mBuiséad 2019 agus táim ag tnúth le tuilleadh dul chun cinn a dhéanamh sna réimsí sin sna blianta atá amach romhainn.

20/11/2018WREE03000Departmental Communications

20/11/2018WREE03100676. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the reason her Department did not respond to the Northern Ireland Warrenpoint Harbour Authority EIA screening consultation for in-lough dumping in Carlingford Lough rather than the current location 22 miles out at sea (details supplied). [47866/18]

20/11/2018WREE03200Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): As Min- ister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, I have a role as a statutory consultee in a variety of legislative contexts which typically govern the making of plans and programmes, the regulation of projects, and the associated environmental assessments of these (where required) across the range of development and land use sectors. In any such capacity, my Department may make submissions or observations to assist the responsible authority in carrying out its functions, including consent functions, in compliance with various legislative and administrative requirements with respect to the conservation, protection and preservation of natural and built heritage.

In relation to the proposal referred to in the Deputy’s question, in September 2016 the De- partment of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Northern Ireland (DAERA-NI) consulted under its Marine Works (Environment Impact Assessment) Regulations 2007 with various bodies in the Republic of Ireland, including my Department, to inform its decision making as to whether an Environmental Impact Assessment was required for the proposal by Warren- point Harbour Authority to create a new disposal site within Carlingford Lough and within the jurisdiction boundaries of the Harbour Authority, to dispose of material dredged from within the Harbour limits.

Whilst my Department endeavours to provide observations or submissions on developments that have been referred for comment it is not always in a position to do so. No inference however should be drawn from this that my Department is satisfied or otherwise with a development, plan or programme, or that natural or built heritage matters are not material considerations, if my Department does not issue observations on a particular proposal. While my Department may or may not provide observations, , I am not the competent authority for proposals such as that was submitted for Carlingford Lough by Warrenpoint Harbour Authority. It is a matter for the competent authority in this regard to assess the environmental impact assessment screening report and ensure the findings are in compliance with the relevant environment impact assessment legislation.

I understand that in the case of the Warrenpoint Harbour proposal DAERA-NI were content 284 20 November 2018 that the proposal did not require a full environmental impact assessment and that the Harbour Authority was obliged to undergo a full site characterisation assessment exercise. I further understand that the placement of dredged material is licensable and that there will be further surveys, assessment and consultation processes. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine would be best placed to advise further on this process.

20/11/2018WREE03300Údarás na Gaeltachta Data

20/11/2018WREE03400677. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the employment positions with Údarás na Gaeltachta; the number of vacant, existing and newly created posts which have been filled or for which recruitment remains ongoing for each of the years 2013 to 2017 and to date in 2018; the job title and location; the way in which the post was advertised; the platform and or publication used for same in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47871/18]

20/11/2018WREE03500Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Seán Kyne): I am informed by Údarás na Gaeltachta that the details requested by the Deputy are as set out in the following table:

Year Existing/Newly Job Title Location Advertised Platform Used Created 2013 NIL

2014 Existing Dlíodóir Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie

2015 Existing Riarthóir/Rúnaí Dún na nGall Externally Udaras.ie Existing Feidhmeannach Fais- Na Forbacha Internally Internal Communications néise & Pleanála Existing Stiúrthóir Fiontraíoch- Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs.ie, ta & Fostaíochta Publicjobs.ie, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc.ie, Irish Times (print)

2016 Existing Bainisteoir Airgeadais Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs.ie, Publicjobs.ie, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc.ie, Irish Times (print) New* Feidhmeannach Caid- Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs.ie, rimh Poiblí Publicjobs.ie, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc.ie, Irish Times (print) New* Feidhmeannach Ac- Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs.ie, mhainní Daonna Publicjobs.ie, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc.ie, Irish Times (print) Existing Feidhmeannach For- An Daingean Externally Udaras.ie bartha Gnó Existing Stiúrthóir Forbartha Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie Réigiúnach Pobail & Pleanáil Teanga Existing Feidhmeannach Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie Maoine & Seirbhísí Teicniúla

285 Questions - Written Answers

Year Existing/Newly Job Title Location Advertised Platform Used Created 2017 Existing Fáilteoir & Riarthóir Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie with a feed through to social media platforms Existing Cléireach Crei- Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie with a diúnaithe feed through to social media platforms Existing Riarthóir Pá & Scé- Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie with a imeanna Fostaíochta feed through to social Pobail media platforms Existing Cléireach Féich- Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie with a iúnaithe feed through to social media platforms Existing Oifigeach Oiliúna & An Daingean Internally Internal Communications Oideachais Existing Cúntóir Maoine Dún na nGall Externally Udaras.ie with a feed through to social media platforms Existing Línitheoir Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie with a feed through to social media platforms New Feidhmeannach Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie with a Pleanála Teanga feed through to social media platforms Existing Feidhmeannach Dún na nGall Internally Internal Communications Maoine & Innealtói- reachta Existing Riarthóir Dlí Na Forbacha Internally Internal Communications Existing Cuntasóir Airgeadais Na Forbacha Internally Internal Communications Existing Príomhfheidhmean- Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs.ie, nach Publicjobs.ie, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc.ie, Irish Times (print) Existing Fáilteoir/Riarthóir Dún na nGall Externally Udaras.ie with a feed through to social media platforms Existing Rúnaí/Riarthóir Ard- Na Forbacha Externally Udaras.ie with a feed Oifig through to social media platforms Existing Feidhmeannach For- An Daingean Externally Udaras.ie with a bartha Gnó feed through to social media platforms

2018 Existing Stiúrthóir Fiontraíoch- Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs. ta & Fostaíochta ie, Publicjobs.ie, Mon- ster, Indeed, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc. ie, Irish Times (print), LinkedIn Existing Feidhmeannach Ac- Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs. mhainní Daonna & ie, Publicjobs.ie, Mon- Forbartha Foirne ster, Indeed, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc. ie, Irish Times (print), LinkedIn Existing Stiúrthóir Forbar- Na Forbacha Externally Sigmar.ie Irish Jobs. tha Réigiúnaí, Pobail ie, Publicjobs.ie, Mon- & Pleanála Teanga ster, Indeed, Irish Times Executive Jobs, Tuairisc. ie, Irish Times (print), LinkedIn

286 20 November 2018 * regrading of existing post.

20/11/2018WREE03600Commemorative Events

20/11/2018WREE03700678. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht her plans for War of Independence and Civil War commemorations in County Wexford; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47923/18]

20/11/2018WREE03800Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): The Government’s approach to the remembrance of all of those who lost their lives during the Independence Struggle, the Civil War and the significant events and themes associated with this period, including those that may be relevant to Wexford, will be informed by the guidance of the Expert Advisory Group on Centenary Commemorations and the core principles set out in its Second Statement, published in October 2017. I acknowledge the very significant work completed by the Advisory Group over the past year in formulating its guidance. I am now considering the recommendations of the Group. I anticipate that the remainder of the period will follow the approach adopted in the first half of the Decade of Centenaries of being respectful, meaningful, proportionate and authentic.

20/11/2018WREE03900Special Areas of Conservation Designation

20/11/2018WREE04000679. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of hectares in each county that are designated special areas of conservation, special protection areas and natural heritage areas by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48007/18]

20/11/2018WREE04100680. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the percentage of land designated as special areas of conservation, special protection areas and natural heritage areas by county in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48008/18]

20/11/2018WREE04200Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): I propose to take Questions Nos. 679 and 680 together.

Ireland is committed to the implementation of the EU Nature Directives. It has identified and protected 439 sites for designation or designated as special areas of conservation and 154 sites as special protection areas. In addition, 148 natural heritage areas have been designated under the Wildlife (Amendment) Act 2000.

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table:

287 Questions - Written Answers

COUNTY Total Ter- Terrestrial Percent Terrestrial Percent Terrestrial Percent Terrestrial Percent restrial Area SAC Area Terrestrial SPA Area Terres- NHA Area Terrestrial SAC/SPA/ Terrestrial (ha) (ha) SAC Area (ha) trial SPA (ha) NHA Area NHA Area SAC/SPA/ Area (ha) NHA Area Kerry 474,870.45 119,222.89 25.11% 46,123.98 9.71% 1,660.26 0.35% 151,292.31 31.86% Kildare 169,408.69 1,722.45 1.02% 30.41 0.02% 260.10 0.15% 2,012.89 1.19% Kilkenny 206,138.29 4,281.71 2.08% 262.09 0.13% 34.82 0.02% 4,315.20 2.09% Laois 171,917.93 6,433.51 3.74% 15,225.27 8.86% 277.70 0.16% 18,541.45 10.79% Leitrim 158,871.88 17,833.85 11.23% 632.21 0.40% 4,396.69 2.77% 22,206.98 13.98% Limerick 268,522.06 6,001.94 2.24% 23,286.96 8.67% 172.44 0.06% 28,485.99 10.61% Longford 108,476.68 5,986.10 5.52% 5,369.42 4.95% 1,037.99 0.96% 7,075.31 6.52% Louth 82,626.59 3,873.49 4.69% 755.30 0.91% 0.00 0.00% 4,256.53 5.15% Mayo 558,678.44 124,326.28 22.25% 46,866.10 8.39% 7,873.36 1.41% 133,939.51 23.97% Meath 234,249.99 2,425.75 1.04% 1,094.27 0.47% 436.01 0.19% 3,424.78 1.46% Monaghan 129,444.74 56.81 0.04% 3,448.74 2.66% 1,130.80 0.87% 3,511.70 2.71% Offaly 199,644.77 6,452.77 3.23% 9,622.80 4.82% 1,414.72 0.71% 13,033.46 6.53% Roscom- 253,753.32 13,599.66 5.36% 9,817.81 3.87% 4,132.91 1.63% 18,131.51 7.15% mon Sligo 181,235.05 25,144.27 13.87% 4,488.40 2.48% 1,591.87 0.88% 28,341.13 15.64% Tipperary 425,286.93 14,514.25 3.41% 18,138.43 4.26% 4,507.42 1.06% 33,574.46 7.89% Waterford 183,942.10 10,314.74 5.61% 2,492.39 1.35% 0.00 0.00% 11,948.07 6.50% Westmeath 183,763.43 9,483.43 5.16% 9,281.51 5.05% 2,789.87 1.52% 13,621.48 7.41% Wexford 235,795.72 6,599.73 2.80% 4,140.61 1.76% 2.39 0.00% 8,723.55 3.70% Wicklow 202,485.43 32,662.12 16.13% 31,263.07 15.44% 0.00 0.00% 37,411.45 18.48% Totals: 6,967,515.91 707,735.45 10.16% 417,713.36 6.00% 58,285.27 0.84% 951,529.41 13.66%

Land may be within more than one designated area category - this has been taken in to account in the Terrestrial SAC/SPA/NHA Area and Percent Terrestrial SAC/SPA/NHA Area columns. SAC/SPA/NHA Area figures represent the total area nominated for designation/designated within each county.

20/11/2018WREE04400Special Areas of Conservation Designation

20/11/2018WREE04500681. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if it is policy to inform landholders if their land is to be designated as a special protection area, special area of conservation or natural heritage area; the other methods by which the attention of the public is drawn to such proposed designations; the number of appeals received by the appeals advisory board since the inception of these designations against designation; the number of these that went to a full oral hearing; the number of cases in which the advice of the board was varied by her; the years in which this occurred; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48009/18]

20/11/2018WREE04600Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): When lands are being proposed for inclusion within a special area of conservation, special protection area or natural heritage area, each landowner is notified in writing of the proposed designation and is sent an information pack on the relevant site. The information pack explains the scientific reasons for the proposed designation, sets out the activities requiring my prior consent, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and includes information on how to appeal against the proposed designation. A map showing the boundaries and extent of the site is also sent to landowners to help them to determine whether or not their land is located within the site proposed for designation.

Notice of the proposed designation is also:

288 20 November 2018 1. published in at least one newspaper with circulation covering the area in which the site is located, in one national newspaper and on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department;

2. broadcast on a radio channel generally available in the area in which the site is located; and

3. provided for display in local Garda stations, local authority offices, public libraries, local offices of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and offices of Teagasc.

My Department also notifies the relevant Ministers and public authorities of the proposed designation of a site.

Formal appeals against the inclusion of lands within a site proposed for designation are heard by the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board.

Following an appeal hearing, the Board makes a recommendation to me, as Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. This recommendation is based on scientific grounds as to whether lands should be included in the site proposed for designation. The recommendation of the Designated Areas Appeals Advisory Board may be accepted in full, in part or rejected.

Details of the number of appeals received by the Board since its inception, the number of appeals heard by the Board and the number of cases in which the recommendation of the Board was accepted in part or rejected by me, as Minister, are outlined in the following table:

No. of Appeals received No. of Appeals heard by No. of cases in which the Years in which the by the Board since its the Board recommendation of the recommendation of the inception. Board was accepted in Board was accepted in part or rejected part or rejected 977 401 0 Not applicable

20/11/2018WREE04700Special Areas of Conservation Designation

20/11/2018WREE04800682. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the number of times the European Commission has approached her Department seeking further designations of special protection areas and special areas of conservation; her response in relation to these requests; the reason for each response; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48010/18]

20/11/2018WREE04900Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): The Irish list of Special Areas of Conservation was reviewed in detail by the European Commission and Member States in 1999, 2002 and 2003 and on each of those occasions the Commission required additional designations of sites or refinements of the designations. A further process of examination of the marine Special Areas of Conservation was carried out in 2009 and 2016. Ireland is now considered sufficient in almost all respects although there is a “scientific reserve” on sufficiency of marine sites for reef habitat and for the bottle-nosed dolphin.

In 2007, the European Court of Justice in case C-418/04 ruled that Ireland was required to designate additional Special Protection Areas, under the EU Birds Directive. This process is largely complete for land and freshwater sites, although there are still some landowner appeals under consideration in a small number of sites.

Ireland is still required by the European Commission to complete an analysis of the requirements (if any) to designate Special Protection Areas in Ireland’s marine territory. Data collection 289 Questions - Written Answers on seabird distribution has been carried out in the past 3 years and this data will be reviewed in 2019 to determine if there are marine areas which meet the criteria for such designation.

20/11/2018WREE05000Special Areas of Conservation Management

20/11/2018WREE05100683. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if there are definitive maps available for the National Parks and Wildlife Service protected sites at Portrane and Rogerstown, County Dublin; if so, if she will provide links to same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48248/18]

20/11/2018WREE05200Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): Roger- stown Estuary is designated as a special area of conservation (Site Code 000208) and a special protection area (Site Code 004015).

It was formally designated by Statutory Instrument as a special area of conservation in 2018 and as a special protection area in 2010. The boundaries of the special area of conservation and special protection area follow the coast along Portrane/Burrow.

The boundaries of all designated sites may be viewed on the Map Viewer on the website of the National Parks and Wildlife Service of my Department at http://webgis.npws.ie/npws- viewer/

More detailed maps are available by contacting the Site Designations Unit, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht. 90 North King Street, Dublin 7, D07 N7CV, [email protected].

20/11/2018WREE05300Maoiniú d’Fhoras na Gaeilge

20/11/2018WREE05400684. D’fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Cultúir, Oidhreachta agus Gaeltachta cén soláthar airgid a cuireadh ar fáil i meastacháin 2018 agus i meastacháin 2019 don Fhoras Teanga, briste síos idir Foras na Gaeilge agus Gníomhaireacht na hUltaise; an bhfuil sí sásta leis an maoiniú atá á chur ar fáil don dá áisíneacht; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [48267/18]

20/11/2018WREE05500Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Seán Kyne): Mar is eol don Teachta, is í an Chomhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas (CATT) a cheadaíonn na buiséid do na Forais Trasteorann uile, An Foras Teanga san áireamh. Mar gheall ar chúinsí polaitiúla i dTuaisceart Éireann, áfach, níorbh fhéidir cruinnithe CATT a eagrú ó lár 2016 agus, dá bhrí sin, níl na buiséid i leith 2017, 2018 agus 2019 ceadaithe go hoifigiúil go fóill. Idir an dá linn, tá sé aontaithe ag na Ranna Airgeadais sa dá dhlínse go bhfeidhmeodh na Forais Trasteorann uile sna blianta 2017 agus 2018 de réir na buiséid a cheadaigh an CATT ina leith don bhliain 2016.

Is mar seo a leanas na buiséid a cheadaigh an CATT don bhForas Teanga i 2016:

- €14,782,911 (£10,348,038) i gcás Fhoras na Gaeilge, á chómhaoiniú 75% ó mo Roinnse agus 25% ón Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart Éireann; agus

- £3,347,048 (€2,342,933) i gcás Ghníomhaireacht na hUltaise, á chómhaoiniú 25% ó mo Roinnse agus 75% ón Roinn Pobal i dTuaisceart Éireann.

Anuas air sin, cuireann mo Roinn maoiniú breise ar fáil d’Fhoras na Gaeilge i ndáil le nithe

290 20 November 2018 imfhálaithe mar a bhaineann le Clár na Leabhar Gaeilge (buiséad €1.061m i 2018) agus Colm- cille (buiséad €118,519 i 2018).

San ollchomhthéacs sin, is é €14.028m an soláthar sna Meastacháin Athbhreithnithe 2018 ó dheas chun freastal ar na búiséid a bheidh ceadaithe ag an gComhairle Aireachta Thuaidh Theas amach anseo don bhForas Teanga, mar aon le maoiniú imfhálaithe i leith Chlár na Leabhar Gaeilge, Cholmcille agus maoiniú aon-uaire a bhain le Bhliain na Gaeilge 2018. Is é €13.323m an soláthar i Meastacháin 2019 do na nithe céanna, seachas Bliain na Gaeilge.

Ní foláir dom a rá freisin go bhfuiltear ag fanacht le treoir ó na Ranna Airgeadais maidir le cur chuige aontaithe do na Foras Trasteorann sa bhliain 2019. Ar ndóigh, ní bheidh soiléiriú ar chúrsaí meastacháin ó thuaidh i gcoitinne ar fáil go ceann tamaill eile ós rud é nach dtosaíonn an bhliain airgeadais ó thuaidh go dtí mí Aibreáin.

20/11/2018WREE05600Departmental Advertising Campaigns

20/11/2018WREE05700685. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if her Department has carried out advertising campaigns to promote policies or programmes being implemented by her Department; the campaign or relevant programme; the cost of advertising in publications, broadcast advertising, outdoor advertising and other consultancy or production costs for each of the past five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48305/18]

20/11/2018WREE05800Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht (Deputy Josepha Madigan): I refer the Deputy to the replies provided to Question No 1072 of 20th March 2018 and Question No 759 of 14 December 2017 and also to the reply given to his Parliamentary Question No. 349 of 11 July 2017, further to which details of advertising costs (All Print Media) for 2017 and 2018 are set out in the tables below.

In 2016, my Department paid €19,680 and €2,070 to Q4PR and Public Jobs respectively to promote awareness of the 2016 European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) campaign for the recruitment of Irish language translators to the institutions of the European Union. Sums of €17,466 and €6,125 are scheduled to be paid this year to D’Arcy Marketing and BigO respectively for a similar campaign in respect of EPSO’s 2018 recruitment competition.

During 2017, my Department spent €16,100 through the Careers Portal (www.careersportal.ie) on a Public Awareness Campaign for the provision of new materials showcasing career and educational opportunities with the Irish language

The Creative Ireland Programme has also undertaken a citizen engagement and public awareness campaign to get people involved in cultural and creative activity. A full breakdown of all costs in 2017 in relation to this can be accessed on the Creative Ireland website at the link below. A breakdown of costs incurred in respect of this programme in 2018 will also be compiled and published in due course. www.creativeireland.gov.ie/sites/default/files/media/file- uploads/2018-01/Creative%20Ireland%20Programme%20End%20of%20Year%20Report%20 %202017.pdf.

Details of advertising costs (all print media) 2017

Advertising Costs - Mediavest Ireland Ltd €21,202 Iris Oifigúil € 3,234 FCR Media Ltd €12,318

291 Questions - Written Answers Details of advertising costs (all print media) 2018

Advertising Costs - Iris Oifigúil € 2,397 Spark Foundry €2,403 Western People Ltd €1,624

Value for money is a critical consideration at all times in assessing whether external firms should be engaged to provide services of this nature.

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