Written Answers Nos. 410-429
410. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of rent his Department has received from commercial units based within Howth fisheries harbour centre in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [20655/24]
View answerPursuant to the Fishery Harbour Centres Act 1968, my Department is responsible for the six Fishery Harbour Centres located at Killybegs, Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, An Daingean and Ros an Mhíl.
All income generated by the Fishery Harbour Centres is lodged into the Fishery Harbour Centres Fund under statute. My Department prepares annual Fishery Harbour Centres Financial Statements which are required to be audited and certified by the Comptroller and Auditor General prior to being laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas.
The table provides the amount received for rent from commercial units based within Howth Fishery Harbour Centre in the years of 2023 and to date in 2024.
The figure provided in respect of 2023 is from provisional uncertified Financial Statements; and the yearly audit has not yet been completed by the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General. Similarly, the figure provided for 2024 for the year to date is also provisional.
|
Rent received 2023 Howth FHC |
Rent received to date 2024 Howth FHC |
|
€633,115 |
€231,095 |
411. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he was aware of recent price increases in horse passport registration fees by Horse Sport Ireland; if he has any role in setting prices for foal passports; if he can reverse the decision of the HSI; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20664/24]
View answerFollowing a competitive procurement process carried out in 2022, Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) was awarded the contract from 2023 to deliver studbook services for the Irish Sport Horse, Irish Draught, Irish Sport Pony, Irish Cob and Irish Partbred Cob breeds.
The contract requires HSI to operate breeding programmes for these breeds in accordance with the rules of the EU Animal Breeding Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2016/1012). The contract does not provide any public funding to HSI for delivering this service. It provides the right to administer the stud books which includes the right to charge fees to clients who wish to avail of their stud book services.
Fees charged by breed societies, including HSI, for the services they provide are a matter for the individual breed societies. My Department does not have a role in setting these prices.
412. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024 and Question No. 1046 of 20 March 2024; if he will publish the respective bid tenders received in the public interest from bidders in the marketing of the Irish sport horse industry contract awarded in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20665/24]
View answerThe contract for the provision of Marketing Services to the sport horse sector (as referred to Parliamentary Question No. 157 of 6 March 2024 and Question No. 1046 of 20 March 2024) was awarded to the Irish Horse Board following a competitive tendering process carried out by my Department in accordance with Public Procurement Guidelines. Two organisations submitted tenders. In accordance with clause 2.16 'Freedom of Information', my officials consulted with the two tenderers regarding the confidentiality or commercial sensitivity of their submissions and the release of this information as requested. Both parties have provided redacted versions of their submissions which are attached.
413. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 168 of 6 March 2024, and 1052 of 20 March 2024, if he will confirm the nature and terms of an exit agreement entered into by Horse Sport Ireland in January 2022 with a named individual (details supplied); confirm if his Department paid the costs of such an exit agreement; to provide the full costs of such exit agreement, referred to as “goodbye money”; provide the breakdown of any associated other costs to conclude the agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20666/24]
View answerOperational matters are determined by the Board and the CEO of the named organisation. I am informed by the named organisation that during 2021 and up to January 2022, a Human Resources matter was under active management by the then Board of the named organisation. I am further advised that the matter was brought to a resolution in January 2022 at a total cost of €455,154.
I am advised by the named organisation that the then Board approved the settlement that included payments to the former employee including a termination payment, payment in lieu of notice, outstanding annual leave, and a 12-month restrictive clause that expired in March 2023. This element collectively totalled €256,114. The settlement also included payment of employee legal costs of €55,350 and €143,690 of legal and professional fees incurred by the employing organisation.
The cost was borne by my Department within the original budgetary provision made available to the named organisation.
414. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to name the management and delivery team members named in each tender submission received by his Department in April 2022 from bidders seeking the marketing contracts from his Department for the marketing of the horse sport industry (details supplied); to provide the names and qualifications of each member of the teams involved in each bid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20667/24]
View answerFollowing a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of marketing services for the Sport Horse Sector.
A procurement process for the provision of the marketing services for the Sport Horse Sector was carried out by my Department in 2022 in accordance with national and EU procurement guidelines.
I informed the Deputy in my previous responses that under GDPR, I am unable to provide him with personal details and release the information as requested.
However, I can inform him that two bids were submitted in response to the public procurement process in respect of the provision of marketing services for the Sport Horse Sector. The tender documentation specified criteria including that bidders must include at least one member or contractor with a qualification in Marketing, Business Studies, or Business Management or other relevant disciplines at Diploma/ Certificate/Degree level.
I can confirm both bidders met this criterion.
415. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department or any entity funded by his Department has developed a marketing plan for the promotion of the Irish horse sport industry; if such a plan exists, the duration of the plan; those consulted in the formulation of the plan by his Department or third parties; and if he will publish such a plan on the Department website; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20668/24]
View answerFollowing a competitive procurement process carried out in 2022, the Irish Horse Board (IHB) was awarded the contract from 2023 to deliver marketing services for the Irish Sport Horse Sector in Ireland. The contract was issued for a term of one year with the right to extend the term for a period or periods of up to one year with a maximum of three such extensions.
As part of the procurement process, tenderers were required to provide a draft short term marketing plan with their submission for the sport horse sector for all relevant sport horse breeds to market and promote all aspects of the Irish sport horse nationally and internationally. The plans identified proposed initiatives, target markets, strategies, budgets and marketing channels in order to reach targeted goals.
In accordance with the contract with the successful tenderer, the IHB, formulated a final marketing plan which was agreed with my Department. This marketing plan was for a term of one year in line with the initial contact duration.
My officials met IHB on five occasions throughout 2023 via webex or in person as part of of the oversight in delivering the marketing plan to the Irish Sport Horse sector. Through these engagements, the IHB provided overviews of their interactions with stakeholders including recognised breed societies, auction houses, Failte Ireland, Enterprise Ireland, show organisers and breeders.
Following completion of year one and an extension of the contract for a further year, a second marketing plan was provided by IHB and agreed with my officials to the end of 2024. The first review meeting is to be held with officials later this month.
It is not intended to publish these marketing plans on my Department's website. However, my officials have received a copy of their industry report for 2023 and this will be made available on our website in due course.
416. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Irish Horse Board since 1 January 2023 in either employment or contract for service roles; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20669/24]
View answerThe Irish Horse Board is a Limited Co-operative Society and the employment details of staff, their roles, qualifications and salary bands are a matter for their Board and the CEO of that organisation.
417. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of individuals retained by the Horse Sport Ireland on 1 January 2022 in either employment or contract for service roles in the marketing of the Irish horse sport industry; the roles and qualifications of each person; the salary band associated with each role; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20670/24]
View answerHorse Sport Ireland is a Company Limited by Guarantee and the employment details of staff, their roles, qualifications and salary bands are a matter for the Board and the CEO of that organisation.
418. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, to confirm the names of panel members involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, equine breeding services and studbook tenders offer by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20671/24]
View answerFollowing a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and following communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services, National Breeding Services and Studbook Services for the Sport Horse Sector. Procurement processes for the provision of the above named Services for the Sport Horse Sector was carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.
An independent evaluation panel, chaired by a Principal Officer from my Department, assessed the applications received for the three named tenders.
419. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, the recorded or registered conflicts of interests declared by each panel member and official involved in reviewing the equine marketing tender, breeding services and studbook tenders received by his Department in February 2022 in tabular format; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20672/24]
View answerFollowing a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services, National Breeding Services and Studbook Services for the Sport Horse Sector. Procurement processes for the provision of the above named Services for the Sport Horse Sector were carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.
All members of the evaluation team and my officials, which carried out the compliance checks, completed confidentiality/conflict of interest declaration forms. None of those involved registered any conflict of interest which would impair their impartial and objective performance in their duties in the procurement process.
420. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 157 of 6 March 2024 and 1043 and 1044 of 20 March 2024, with respect to evaluation of three tenders for marketing services for the horse sport industry, national equine breeding services and studbook operations for the Irish Sport Horse and Irish Draught Studbooks, the steps he took to ensure that he was “satisfied that all panel members of the evaluation team were impartial and independent in the context of procurement procedure”; if he reassured himself that no panel member applied personally or professionally to the incumbent the Horse Sport Ireland for funding in any of the five years prior to tender evaluation; if he reassured himself that no panel member or their extended family members registered or owned horses registered with the incumbent; if he reassured himself that no panel member or officials involved in any of the review stages held personal relationships with any prospective bidder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20673/24]
View answerFollowing a complaint that was lodged with the EU Commission in March 2018, and following communications between my Department and the Commission, it was agreed that a public procurement process would take place in 2022 in respect of certain services including the provision of Marketing Services, National Breeding Services and Studbook Services for the Sport Horse Sector. Procurement processes for the provision of the above named Services for the Sport Horse Sector was carried out by my Department in accordance with National and EU Procurement Guidelines.
I am satisfied that all members which completed the compliance check and those that formed the independent evaluation team were impartial and independent and each person completed confidentiality/conflict of interest declaration forms.
421. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if donkeys are worth anything when it comes to stocking densities and fulfilling requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20854/24]
View answerIn terms of donkeys having a value in relation to the various schemes and in particular in relation to the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, donkeys are eligible for inclusion in the calculation to meet the stocking density requirement of the Scheme at a rate of 0.8 livestock unit each. In addition, they must be owned by the applicant who holds a valid passport for the donkey registered in the name of the applicant. All donkeys must be maintained on the applicants holding.
It is important to note that since the 2020 scheme year, only 50% of the overall stocking density requirement can be fulfilled using donkeys. Applicants are required to use other types of livestock (cattle, sheep, goats, horses, deer) to fulfil the other 50% stocking density requirement.
422. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress his Department is achieving in reducing the waiting list for assessment of needs for children on the HSE waiting list; if he could detail the waiting time remaining for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20718/24]
View answerAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
423. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on the work of the early learning and childcare stakeholder forum, particularly their work on issues around staff recruitment and retention within the childcare sector; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20108/24]
View answerThe Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum (ELCSF) is the main consultation mechanism between the ELC Division of my Department and the stakeholders in the ELC sector.
The high level objectives of the ELCSF are to support evidence based decision making and policy making, informed by the sector; to give stakeholders the opportunity to develop, and deliver on, a shared vision with my Department; and to give stakeholders the opportunity to raise issues with me and officials in my Department and to contribute to the design of solutions.
The membership of the ELCSF is made up of stakeholder groups representing children, families, providers educators and practitioners, academics and other groups with an interest in ELC. State bodies and agencies involved in the regulation or delivery of ELC services, or the development or delivery of polices which impact on ELC are also be members of the Forum.
The ELCSF met 6 times in 2022 and 6 times in 2023.
Subgroups of the ELCSF are formed as appropriate. At present, there is a Core Funding Financial Returns Sub-Group, an Administrative and Regulatory Simplification Advisory Group and a Workforce Recruitment and Retention Sub-Group.
The Recruitment and Retention Sub-Group provides an opportunity for information-sharing and discussion between my Department and key stakeholders on current recruitment and retention challenges in the sector and for the advantages and disadvantages of possible measures that might be introduced to improve workforce recruitment and retention.
The Sub-Group has met on 2 occasions, most recently on 7 February, with the next planned meeting set for the 20th May.
424. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will respond to matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if he will consider allowing for childcare assistants who are undergoing training to be included in staff-children ratios, provided they are under the supervision of fully qualified childcare staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20188/24]
View answerIn setting regulatory requirements, the primary consideration must be children’s health, safety and well-being.
The adult-to-child ratios for Early Learning and Care (ELC) services are set out in Schedule 6 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016 with School age childcare (SAC) services' adult-to-child ratios are set out in Regulation 9 of the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) (Registration of School Age Services) Regulations 2018. The ratios are the minimum number of adults required to supervise, care for and work directly with the children in the service.
These adult-child ratios as set out in the regulations are among the more favourable in Europe according to the most recent (2019) edition of the Eurydice / European Commission report on 'Key Data on Early Childhood Education and Care in Europe'.
There are no plans at present to revise the minimum adult-to-child ratio for ELC or SAC services.
I acknowledge that many early learning and care (ELC) and school-age childcare (SAC) services report staffing challenges in relation to recruitment and retention. In general, staffing pressures in the sector are caused not by insufficient supply of qualified personnel, but by high levels of staff turnover.
Providers of ELC and SAC are private businesses. As the State does not employ staff in ELC and SAC services, neither I nor my Department can set wage levels or determine working conditions for staff in the sector.
However, there is now, through the independent Joint Labour Committee (JLC) process, a formal mechanism established by which employer and employee representatives can negotiate terms and conditions of employment including minimum pay rates for different roles in ELC and SAC services.
In line with commitments in First 5, in December 2021, I launched Nurturing Skills: The Workforce Plan for Early Learning and Care (ELC) and School-Age Childcare (SAC), 2022-2028. Nurturing Skills aims to strengthen the ongoing process of professionalisation for those working in ELC and SAC and to raise the profile of careers in the sector. It includes a career framework and commitments to support early years educators to upskill and develop their careers. It also includes commitments to strengthen continuing professional development for staff working in the sector.
Pillar 4 of Nurturing Skills includes a commitment to examine the development of a range of entry routes into the sector, including apprenticeships or other work-based learning, and access programmes in further education and higher education.
In December last year, I established a sub-group of the Early Learning and Childcare Stakeholder Forum to discuss issues of recruitment and retention with stakeholders in the sector. This group is continues to meet in 2024.
In addition, my Department, will again facilitated an accelerated process for assessment of equivalence for students to meet entry level qualification requirements to work in the sector from early May this year. This measure will help services with short-term staffing challenges over the summer period.
425. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when he intends to introduce the Heads of Bill to legislate for working mothers who get cancer in pregnancy, or postpartum, and are subsequently forced to use up their maternity leave while getting treated for and recovering from a cancer diagnosis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20191/24]
View answer475. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if, in relation to amendments to the Maternity Protection Act 2004 allowing for the postponement of maternity leave in the case of a cancer diagnosis, he still supports his public commitment to this policy; what actions he is taking to ensure this legislation passes through the relevant stages of the Oireachtas during the term of this Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20897/24]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 425 and 475 together.
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave. All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children.
In October I announced plans to introduce legislation to allow women undergoing treatment for cancer or other serious illnesses postpone their maternity leave.
It is planned to bring this forward together with a number of amendments arising out of my Department’s review of Ireland’s equality legislation. My officials are finalising these proposals and I intend to bring them to Cabinet for approval in the coming weeks.
426. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of submissions from the respective stakeholders which have been received to date in respect of the draft regulations for the child-minding sector; if he is aware that some providers fear a very legalistic compliance approach from Tusla that might not appreciate the essence of care within a home setting compared to a business setting; and how he intends to proceed in finalising and introducing the new regime. [20251/24]
View answerThe National Action Plan for Childminding 2021-2028 commits to the introduction of regulations that are proportionate and appropriate to the home and family setting, to respect the unique way in which childminders work. It also commits to providing supports to childminders to help them meet regulatory requirements.
The draft childminding regulations were developed through an inclusive process that involved childminders and Childminding Ireland as active members of the Steering Group and four Advisory Groups on the National Action Plan for Childminding.
I launched the public consultation on the draft childminding regulations on 8 February. To date there have been 669 online surveys submitted and a further 99 written submissions. In addition, 52 focus groups have been held at local level, for childminders and parents, as well as a consultation event for national stakeholder organisations. An independent company has been contracted to undertake the analysis of the submissions and of other elements of the consultation process, and to present a report of their findings. On receipt of the report on findings, the Steering Group on the National Action Plan for Childminding will consider any changes that need to be made to the draft regulations, and their proposals will then come to me for review and consideration.
I have also been talking to childminders in my own constituency and have held meetings with others and I am aware of their concerns regarding the introduction of regulations.
In addition, Tusla are the statutory regulator and my officials are working closely with them to ensure that the proposed Regulation 25 - "The Agency shall have regard to the home-based nature and family setting of a childminding service when inspecting a service" - is implemented and that Tusla’s compliance and regulatory approach is appropriate and proportionate to the home setting.
The Bill to amend the Child Care Act 1991 to enable the regulation and support of childminders is currently being drafted with a view to the introduction of the childminding-specific regulations in the autumn. The proposed amendments to the primary legislation, as set out in the Heads of Bill and General Scheme, include a proposed transition period of three years. In line with the National Action Plan for Childminding, this phased approach is intended to give childminders the time to prepare for and meet the new regulation and registration requirements that will be put in place.
427. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons who were in IPAS-provided accommodation at the end of March 2024; the number that were persons in respect of whom the IPAS has been informed that they have been refused international protection and leave to remain but have not received a deportation order. [20272/24]
View answerThe information requested is currently being compiled and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is to hand.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is working to have a response ready shortly.
428. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of international protection applicants who were awaiting an offer of IPAS-provided accommodation at the end of March 2024. [20273/24]
View answerDue to a number of well-documented factors, the Department of Integration has not been in a position to offer IPAS accommodation to every International Protection Applicant since 04 December 2023.
As at 28 March 2024, 1,529 adult males were awaiting an offer of accommodation.
IPAS releases statistics in relation to IP Applicants not offered accommodation. These figures are updated on Tuesday and Friday on gov.ie (see the link below)
www.gov.ie/en/publication/ec5f2-statistics-on-international-protection-applicants-not-offered-accommodation/
429. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of employees within his Department and bodies under the aegis of his Department who are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations; to outline, in tabular form, the length of time these employees have been under suspension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20309/24]
View answerI can advise the Deputy that no employees of my Department are currently suspended on full pay pending disciplinary investigations.
My officials have asked the bodies under the aegis of my Department to respond directly to you on this matter in relation to staff of their own organisations.
