Written Answers Nos. 143-150
143. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the extent to which he expects to be in a position to produce a flood alleviation, defence and prevention plan, in the short term, to deal with possible flood issues arising next winter and over the longer term; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18776/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraLocal flooding issues are matters for the local authority concerned to investigate and address in the first instance and it is open to them to carry out flood mitigation works using their own resources.
The Office of Public Works (OPW) operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. Local Authorities may apply to the OPW for funding having regard to cost benefit eligibility criteria. Application forms are available on the OPW’s website under Flood Risk Management and decisions are made having regard to the overall availability of funding for flood risk management and are assessed on a case by case basis. This administrative Scheme’s eligibility criteria, including cost benefit requirements, are published on the OPW website; www.opw.ie.
Good progress is being made on the Catchment Flood Risk Assessment and Management (CFRAM) Programme, which is being undertaken by engineering consultants on behalf of the OPW working in partnership with the local authorities. The Programme involves the production of predictive flood partnership with the local authorities. The Programme involves the production of predictive flood mapping for each Area for Further Assessment (AFA), the development of preliminary flood risk management options and the production of flood risk management plans.
The draft flood mapping is now being finalised following completion of the national statutory public consultation on 23rd December 2015. Work on the development of preliminary options to address flood risk is underway. Following finalisation of the mapping and the identification of flood risk management options, the final output from this important project will be integrated Flood Risk Management Plans containing specific measures to address in a comprehensive and sustainable way the significant flood risks identified. The draft Plans are scheduled to be made available for public consultation from mid-2016. Following the public consultation process the finalised Plans will include a prioritised list of measures, both structural and non-structural, to address flood risk in an environmentally sustainable and cost effective manner.
The Government recently announced increased levels of investment in the area of flood relief as part of the overall Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021 and this investment programme will allow for consideration of measures arising from the Flood Risk Management Plans.
144. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding flooding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18768/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe River Flesk, which flows through the area mentioned, does not form part of any Arterial Drainage Scheme which would fall under the remit of the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the 1945 Arterial Drainage Act. The OPW therefore has no responsibility for the maintenance of this river or any bridges crossing it.
Local flooding issues are a matter, in the first instance, for each Local Authority to investigate and address, and Kerry County Council may carry out flood mitigation works using its own resources. The Office of Public Works operates a Minor Flood Mitigation Works and Coastal Protection Scheme. This administrative Scheme's eligibility criteria, including a requirement that any measures are cost beneficial are published on the OPW website, www.opw.ie. It is open to the Council to submit a funding application under the Scheme. Any application received will be considered in accordance with the overall availability of resources for flood risk management and the scheme's eligibility criteria.
145. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if and when she will designate the Curragh Plains a natural heritage area as requested by Kildare County Council. [18643/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has prioritised the designations required by the EU Nature Directives. While the Curragh was included on a list of proposed Natural Heritage Areas in the 1990s and a review of this network is foreseen, this will not take place in the immediate future, having regard to the available resources.
146. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht if she will continue to provide supports to an Údarás na Gaeltachta client company (details supplied) following the company having had its certified approval to deliver industry specific training withdrawn; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18751/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraI understand from Údarás na Gaeltachta that the company referred to by the Deputy has been a valued client and tenant of an tÚdarás since 2009. Údarás na Gaeltachta is aware of the present difficulties that the company has in relation to certification of its core industry specific training courses. I am informed that the management of the company has kept in regular contact with an tÚdarás as the company continues to seek a resolution and that an tÚdarás will endeavour to provide whatever assistance possible, within its existing schemes and rules and regulations, to the company, on an ongoing basis.
I have also been informed that an tÚdarás is hopeful a resolution can be found through an early certification audit and that its client, through a successful audit, can sustain and develop its business in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
147. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health why a person (details supplied) has not received the home care help that his Department authorised in April 2016. [18656/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
148. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health to expedite an order for specialised footwear for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18566/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the particular issue raised relates to an individual case, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to you. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days, please contact my Private Office and they will follow up the matter with them.
149. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the case of a person (details supplied) who has medical difficulties; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18573/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service 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 scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly. If you have not received a reply from the HSE within 15 working days please contact my Private Office and my officials will follow the matter up.
150. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his plans to lift a ban on blood donations from gay men and to bring Ireland into line with Northern Ireland, which lifted a lifetime ban in June 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18576/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraHaving reviewed the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) report regarding a change in deferral policies for blood donation by men who have sex with men, I am accepting their recommendation to reduce the current lifelong ban from donating blood to a one-year deferral, and also to defer those with a history of a sexually transmitted infection for five years after that infection. The change to a one-year deferral, when implemented, will bring Ireland in to line with a similar deferral policy to commence in September this year in Northern Ireland and similar policies which are in place in a number of other European countries and elsewhere.
I have asked the IBTS to continue to engage with my officials on the development of a robust plan to support the implementation of this change in blood donation policy and to communicate the policy change, its rationale and its implications, clearly to all potential blood donors, recipients of blood products and the general public. I will announce a date for implementation of the amended policy once the implementation plan is agreed.
