Written Answers Nos. 568-587
568. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reasoning behind the decision not to implement specific recommendations of the ash review; to provide that detail, per recommendation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36836/24]
View answerGovernment approved a comprehensive Action plan on ash dieback in May this year. This Action Plan represents the considered response of my Department to the independent review recommendations, having regard to the requirements under State Aid Regulations, need for fairness, equity and value for money under the public expenditure code, along with national and international deforestation obligations.
Each recommendation of the review group has an associated action or clear response as outlined in detail in the Action Plan, which may be viewed at this link gov.ie/AshDiebacksupport . My Department has paid €13 million on reconstitution schemes to date and this package will amount to €237 million in total. It is a comprehensive response, and one which I am confident will also serve to boost interest and participation in Ireland’s 23-27 Forestry Programme.
As part of the Action Plan, a Taskforce was established with the responsibility of overseeing the implementation of the Plan. This Taskforce comprises officials from my Department and stakeholders including ash forest owners. The role of the Taskforce is to ensure that the Plan is implemented in an effective way, with a coordinated response and resolution of obstacles to implementation. The Taskforce has met twice, discussing each of the recommendations and associated actions and responses. Some useful clarifications have been made and actions agreed to progress the implementation of the Plan.
572. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current number of live studies, reviews and research undertaken or commissioned by his Department; and the date by which each study, review and research is scheduled to be completed, in tabular form. [36904/24]
View answerIt is not possible to provide the information requested by the Deputy in the required time. The information is currently being compiled and I will forward it to the Deputy as soon as it is available.
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Title of current study/review/research project undertaken or commissioned |
Scheduled End Date |
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SFSI Zambia One Health Baseline Study under the Zambia Ireland Sustainable Food Systems Strengthening Programme |
Q4 2024 |
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SFSI Malawi Food Systems Policy Analysis Review |
Q2 2025 |
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SFSI Food Systems Policy Research under the Ireland Vietnam Agri-food Programme |
Q4 2024 |
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Review of the Import Controls Operations Division (ICOPS) in One Health, One Welfare |
Q4 2024 |
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“Determining the Impact of the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) interventions on habitats and biodiversity in Ireland”. Part of Ireland’s CSP Evaluation Plan to effectively monitor and evaluate the CAP, in accordance with the requirements set out by the EU in Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1475. |
2030 |
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“Spending Review 2023: ‘Profiling the beneficiaries of the Organic Farming Scheme 2023-2027”. Part of Ireland’s CSP Evaluation Plan to effectively monitor and evaluate the CAP, in accordance with the requirements set out by the EU in Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1475. |
Q4 2024 |
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"Spending Review 2023: ‘A review of the European Innovation Partnership Scheme 2014-2022”. Part of Ireland’s CSP Evaluation Plan to effectively monitor and evaluate the CAP, in accordance with the requirements set out by the EU in Regulation (EU) 2021/2115 and Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2022/1475.’ |
Q4 2024 |
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Killybegs Southern Quay Extension: Strategic Assessment and Preliminary Business Case |
Q4 2024 |
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Review of the Rates and Charges Order 2012 |
Q4 2024 |
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Review of the Fishery Harbour Centres Act, 1968 |
Q4 2024 |
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The Agricultural Catchments Programme (Phase 5) implemented by Teagasc |
Q4 2027 |
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Farm Survey of slurry and soiled water volumes |
Q1 2025 |
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Assessment of Green Cover Requirements: Implications for farmland Birds (AGRI-Birds): Co-Funded equally with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) (Water Advisory Unit) and the National Parks and Wildlife Service |
Q2 2028 |
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Review of the current herbage evaluation programme |
Q2 2025 |
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Culicoides dispersion model |
Q4 2025 |
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Two host species transmission data analysis and modelling to calculate risk maps for bovine TB during eradication by badger vaccination in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) - (AB) Quantification of local bovine tuberculosis (bTB) transmission in badgers and cattle with and without vaccination of badgers (Meles meles) in the Republic of Ireland (RoI) - (JT) Ecological impact on badger populations of bovine TB vaccination |
Q2 2025 Q1 2025 |
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Development of a working model for predicting and identifying the locations of contaminated farms following a nuclear accident event |
Q4 2025 |
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Spatial structure of farms in Ireland |
Q3 2024 |
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Spatial representation of the specificity of the SICCT test in cattle herds in Ireland |
Q4 2025 |
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Licences provided to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine by the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht in exercise of the powers conferred on him by Sections 9, 23 and 34(3)(d) of the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2012 for the purposes of Badger/Bovine TB Research |
Q4 2025 |
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The epidemiology of Mycoplasma bovis infection in cattle in Ireland |
Q4 2024 |
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Bovine abortion: risk factors, pathogens and diagnostics |
Q4 2027 |
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Bulk tank milk and abattoir surveillance: analysis of antibody testing for BVD, IBR and JD and integration into control and eradication programmes |
Q2 2025 |
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Bayesian Modelling of bTB Transmission Factors in Irish Cattle Herds |
Q4 2025 |
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Estimating the hidden burden of bovine tuberculosis in Ireland - Missed Cattle Infections |
Q1 2025 |
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Quantifying the age-specific risk of bovine tuberculosis in cattle in Ireland; Animal level analysis – age dependent patterns of bTB in cattle (closely related to Modelling TB in calves project) |
Q4 2025 |
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Application of Whole Genome Sequencing to BVD Virus in Ireland to Understand Transmission and Investigate Outbreaks |
Q4 2025 |
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Spatial and temporal Monitoring and analysis of Highly PATHOGENIC Avian Influenza (HPAI) Ireland |
Q4 2025 |
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Estimating the burden of cattle disease in Ireland to inform private and public sector animal health investment policy considerations: A project contributing to the Global Burden of Animal Disease programme |
Q4 2025 |
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Clear TB 2 |
Q4 2024 |
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Creating a surveillance methodology to optimise the national phylogenetic baseline of Mycobacterium bovis in Ireland using a multidisciplinary team approach |
Q2 2025 |
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Development and application of criteria that could be used to guide regional selection as part of an area-based approach to bTB eradication in Ireland |
Q4 2024 |
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Early identification of emerging bTB outbreak clusters in Irish cattle populations |
Q2 2025 |
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Post – quota effects on TB risk in dairy herds in Ireland |
Q2 2025 |
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Insights into Irish mastitis control: describing somatic cell count patterns using anonymised data |
Q1 2025 |
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bTB breakdown trends paper |
Q1 2025 |
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Early warning models for detecting re-emergence of BVD |
Q4 2025 |
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Display TB; Exploring the potential of the use of interactive bovine tuberculosis maps for the farming community |
Q4 2024 |
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An investigation into bTB rates in cattle in County Kilkenny, Ireland 2016 – 2023 |
Q4 2024 |
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Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Sampling Tool |
Q4 2024 |
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Badger Agent Modelling Project UCD |
Q4 2024 |
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ERAD/WUR Two Host Species Transmission Analysis |
Q3 2025 |
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Provision of research Services regarding the Native Irish Honey Bee (Apis mellifera mellifera) |
Q4 2024 |
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Final Impact Evaluation of the EMFF |
Q4 2024 |
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Strategic Review of Labour in the Meat Processing Sector (joint initiative between Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine and Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment) |
Q4 2024 |
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Professor Paddy Wall’s Review of Ireland’s Equine Traceability System |
Q4 2024 |
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RePEAT Project: A Modern Resurvey of Mapped Irish Peatlands to Refine Assessment of Land Use Change and Progress Greenhouse Gas Removal and Emissions Inventories. Acronym: RePEAT. |
Q4 2025 |
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Lead depletion in geochemically exposed sheep |
Q4 2025 |
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Studies on Strep Suis in Irish pigs |
Q4 2026 |
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Quantitative methods for essential elements in serum |
Q4 2024 |
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Quantitative methods for essential elements and metals in various matrices |
Q4 2024 |
573. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the selection criteria in relation to a pilot scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36732/24]
View answerSince 2021 the Government has sought to reinstate the pre-existing on-site health and social care supports to special schools. Between 2021 and 2022 Government provided funding for the reinstatement of 223 posts that had been historically provided. While some services have been reinstated, it is acknowledged that progress has been affected by the shortage of health and social care professionals. The focus of the Special Schools pilot that I jointly launched on August 9th is to provide the effective delivery of enhanced in-school therapy supports to children in selected special schools.
6 schools have been selected for the initial phase of the pilot with 10 others to be added in time. The initial six special schools selected to participate in the pilot were chosen following detailed engagement between officials in my Department, the Department of Education, the HSE and the NCSE, based on where the needs profile of the children identified as greatest from an educational perspective, and where resourcing is not currently available in proportion to these needs.
There are a further 10 schools to be selected in the full Pilot and efforts to bring clarity on that phase are underway, with an expectation that a decision will be made by end of October. A school not being selected in Phase 1 does not preclude selection in other phases. Special schools not included in the initial cohort will be considered for selection.
574. Deputy Darren O'Rourke asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 102 of 29 February 2024, where these facilities are located; what capacity they will have in terms of staff and beds, and so on; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36773/24]
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.
575. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a situation regarding the eviction of refugees (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36038/24]
View answerSince the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February 2022, my Department continues to work as part of the whole-of-Government response with a focus on providing access to emergency temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict who request it, in line with Government policy. This supports them to make longer term independent arrangements if they decide to remain in Ireland for the duration of the Temporary Protection Directive.
My Department made a decision to end its commercial contract for accommodation of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) for the specific property to which the Deputy refers in accordance with contractual terms and conditions agreed with the provider. This was after engagement with the provider by my officials in relation to the compliance issues identified at the property. This engagement included emails with the provider and a visit by an independent inspection company. The relocation of BOTPs from the location to which the Deputy refers is not an eviction.
I am advised by my officials that the property in question is a residential property. It should be noted that my Department does not procure or contract private houses or apartments for a variety of reasons including impact on the private residential market. Therefore, this property can not be regularised.
My Department aims to ensure that our portfolio of accommodation meets the evolving needs of the State’s response to the Ukraine Crisis.
In recent months we have seen decreases in arrivals from Ukraine to Ireland, decreases in those arriving who request accommodation from the State and greater numbers of Ukrainians who choose to move on from State accommodation.
As a result, my Department is currently seeking to consolidate and rationalise its BOTP accommodation portfolio to ensure greater compliance with standards and better value for money.
My Department has decided to prioritise ending contracts with non-compliant providers as part of this consolidation. Compliance issues include but are not limited to:
• The health, safety and wellbeing of Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in state-supported emergency accommodation.
• Overcharging by providers for the provision of their accommodation.
• Unregulated secondary properties that were being utilised by providers.
• Private and residential properties that were being utilised and retained by the Department when further commercial properties were available.
Every effort will be made to keep BOTPs currently resident at the location to which the Deputy refers as local as possible, however, given the number of moves that will take place over the next few months, this is not always possible. Due to the scale involved, the only factors that can be considered when allocating follow-on accommodation are HSE assessed medical needs. It is not possible to take other issues such as employment or school places into account when allocating follow-on accommodation, and people will be encouraged to make their own arrangements if they wish to stay in their current area. All accommodation provided by my Department is temporary, and BOTPs are informed of this when they request accommodation from the State.
Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection are entitled to make their own private arrangements including potentially availing of pledged accommodation if they wish and can avail of some supports to do so. Those wishing to avail of pledged accommodation in any given area should contact the Local Authority in that area or the Irish Red Cross pledge process. The Irish Red Cross can be contacted by email at registerofpledges@redcross.ie or by phoning 1800 50 70 70.
BOTPS may also explore private rented accommodation either through their own means or with the assistance of Rent Supplement, if eligible. Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment administered by the Department of Social Protection to help meet the cost of private rented accommodation. Their local Department of Social Protection office may be able to provide further information relating to Rent Supplement. Contact details for the local offices can be found on gov.ie (Intreo centres and local branch offices).
I would like to take this opportunity to thank accommodation providers for their contribution to Ireland’s response to this humanitarian crisis. Commercial accommodation providers contracted to my Department have played a valuable part in supporting this response.
576. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when appropriate therapeutic support and educational facilities can be offered to a person (details supplied) who, with a number of other people, had to seek alternative placements over the past two years; if their case can be investigated with a view to appropriate resolution in line with their requirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36044/24]
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.
The Deputy will appreciate that education is a matter for the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and as Minister, I have no role.
577. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason a person (details supplied) is waiting for an ASD assessment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36058/24]
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.
578. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of staff available for respite cover at weekends for children with disabilities at a location (details supplied); and the number of children receiving such care, from 2019 to date, in tabular form. [36079/24]
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.
579. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if guidance has been issued from his Department to providers of respite services in relation to including or excluding specific details of respite care in annual contracts with those who are offered respite care; if so, to provide this guidance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36080/24]
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.
580. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the reason annual contracts issued to families of children who are offered weekend respite at a location (details supplied) do not include any details and specifications of their respite time per year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36081/24]
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.
581. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to contact Tusla if the case of a person (details supplied) will be examined and assistance provided; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36125/24]
View answerThe individual case raised by the Deputy has been referred to Tusla for the attention of the appropriate staff.
I am aware that eligibility for the State Pension (Contributory) is an area of genuine concern for foster carers. Last year, my Government colleague, the Minister for Social Protection oversaw the implementation of a series of landmark reforms to the State Pension system as part of the Government's response to the Pensions Commission’s recommendations. I am conscious that a key measure introduced from January 2024 is enhanced State Pension provision for people who have been caring for incapacitated dependents for over 20 years. The Long-Term Carer's Contribution will do this by attributing the equivalent of a paid contribution to long-term carers to cover gaps in their contribution record for State Pension (Contributory) purposes. Therefore, Foster Carers who have cared for an incapacitated dependent or dependents for over 20 years may also benefit from this important change.
The Department of Social Protection also has a number of other schemes in place that may be of benefit to foster carers. Foster carers are entitled to the benefits of PRSI credits, Homemaking Disregards and Homecaring periods where they meet the criteria, in the same way as any parent. Under these schemes, if the foster carer is in receipt of Child Benefit, or the caring periods are confirmed by Tusla, they can register for caring periods for each child under the age of 12. In the case of a child who is over 12, caring periods can be registered where the child requires continuous supervision and regular assistance throughout the day with the activities of daily living.
I can inform the Deputy that officials from my Department and I have met with the Minister for Social Protection, and officials from her Department, to discuss the issue of State Pension eligibility for foster carers on a number of occasions. I can also assure the Deputy that I will continue to work closely with Government colleagues and with relevant stakeholders in order to improve supports for foster carers.
582. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department has a policy, or has issued guidance to staff on the use of artificial intelligence, large language model, natural language processing, generative or otherwise, or products based thereon in the course of their duties; if this has been communicated to staff; if he will publish same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36135/24]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) is guided by the Interim Guidelines for Use of AI in the Public Service published by the Public Service Transformation Delivery Unit in the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform, the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer and by the National Cyber Security Centre on ICT policy and security matters.
Beyond this, DCEDIY does not have a specific policy on the use of artificial intelligence. DCEDIY has recently upgraded its suite of standard office productivity tools to the latest version of these applications, based on the Microsoft 365 platform.
This platform includes additional business intelligence, process automation, app development, and app connectivity products we avail of to develop line of business solutions for the Department. The underlying technology for this platform includes services that are labelled as A.I. DCEDIY does not generate any content using A.I. and does not use A.I. for decision making. DCEDIY does not have any specific costs associated with A.I.; DCEDIY has not consulted with any consultancy firms in respect of the use of A.I.
583. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department, or any agency under his auspices, has ever used any artificial intelligence software in the preparation of response to parliamentary questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation; the details of same if applicable; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36154/24]
View answerI wish to advise that officials in this Department, or any agency under its auspices, are not authorised to use Artificial Intelligence software in the preparation of responses to Parliamentary Questions, or in responses to any correspondence from outside the organisation. This is in line with advice from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) released in June 2023.
584. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans to change the process for certifying the level of vision of a person receiving the blind welfare allowance; if qualifying persons for the blind welfare allowance will continue to be able to confirm their level of vision through an optometrist’s report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36183/24]
View answerThe Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth do not plan to change the process to certify the level of vision for those applying to the Blind Welfare Allowance.
To qualify for Blind Welfare Allowance, the clinical requirement is that an applicant’s best vision must be equal to or less than 6/60 in the better eye or, if the field of vision is limited, the widest diameter of vision must subtend an angle of not greater than 20 degrees.
Persons may qualify for Blind Welfare Allowance if they are getting the Blind Pension from the Department of Social Protection (DSP).
Persons may also qualify for the Blind Welfare Allowance if they can provide certification of their level of vision (see below) and if they:
• Meet the income threshold
• Get an income maintenance payment from the DSP, or an equivalent social security payment from another country
Certification of level of vision
If an applicant does not get the Blind Pension they will need one of the following items to show the HSE your level of vision to qualify for Blind Welfare Allowance:
• A certificate of visual impairment from an ophthalmic surgeon/physician
or
• A letter from Vision Ireland confirming best vision equal to or less than 6/60 in the better eye or if the field of vision is limited, the widest diameter of vision subtending an angle of not greater than 20 degrees
I can again confirm the department has no intentions to change the process to certify the level of vision for those applying to the Blind Welfare Allowance.
585. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the average duration of the assessment of needs process, per report completed under the Disability Act 2005 in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36208/24]
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.
586. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of disabled people who have been transferred from a congregated setting into a community setting in 2020, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of disabled people who died while living in a congregated setting in 2020, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024; the number of disabled people who have been placed in a congregated setting in 2020, 2022, 2023 and to date in 2024, in tabular form. [36210/24]
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.
587. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the findings of the mapping project, undertaken as part of Action A9.4 of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024 -2026, to identify individuals with disabilities aged under 65 years inappropriately living in nursing homes. [36211/24]
View answerThe Government remains committed to the implementation of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024–2026 as the first phase of the implementation of the Disability Capacity Review, as set out in the Programme for Government. €74m has been allocated in 2024 for new development measures which will provide greater investment across a range of disability services and contribute to the progressive realisation of the Action Plan.
At national level, a Monitoring Group has been set up to review progress with the Action Plan twice-yearly. The Minister of State for Disabilities chairs the Monitoring Group and membership includes representatives from relevant stakeholders such as Disabled Persons’ Organisations, provider umbrella bodies, and the National Disability Authority. The focus of its work will be to review progress including identifying any emerging risks or difficulties, in particular those affecting major items in the Action Plan, or where delivery is well off course. Where appropriate and relevant, the Group may make recommendations on how risks or difficulties can be addressed.
Progress on actions will be presented to the Action Plan Monitoring Group when it meets on September 19th, following which a report detailing progress (including in relation to the measures which the Deputy has referenced in her question) will be published. The Monitoring Group will meet again to review further progress on 2024 actions in early 2025.
