Written Answers Nos. 413-432
413. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the amount expended by his Department on consultancies in 2023 and to date in 2024; the company engaged; and the nature of the work conducted by the consultancy on his Department’s behalf, in tabular form. [40207/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to inform the Deputy that the information requested, in relation to the amount expended by my Department on consultancies in 2023, and to date in 2024, is set out in the attached table.
This Department seeks to minimise the use of consultants and only engages consultancy firms when particular additional expertise is required for delivery of the services which support the business processes of the Department.
Such services are used in areas where the Department does not have the necessary expertise or internal capacity to deliver the services and where it would not make practical, operational or economic sense to build up this capability within the Department.
A number of these engagements are necessary to satisfy auditing and EU regulatory requirements and where independent evaluation of projects is required. All contracts are negotiated with a view to achieving best value for money and keeping expenditure to a minimum.
414. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 555 of 18 September 2024, if all costs were included or excluded including administration (details supplied). [40226/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraParliamentary Question No 555 of 18 September 2024, provided the total amount paid to Brussels in penalties and fines by the farming and fishing sectors, from 2020 to 2023 and to that point in 2024,
The figures provided were based on the financial corrections framework for CAP funding which excludes administration costs.
415. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of the mackerel quota allocations within the Irish fleet, by boat size; and to provide the percentage of the quota allocated to inshore fishers. [40234/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraManagement of the national mackerel quota is set down in Ministerial Policy, which has been developed and put in place over many years. Amendments to the Mackerel policy in 2010 and 2017 were introduced following a full review and public consultation. It should be noted that the 2017 policy is subject to a legal challenge in the Courts.
Ireland’s national Mackerel Quota for 2024, adjusted to take account of carryover of unused quota from 2023, is 53,522 tonnes.
Mackerel management policy is as follows:-
• An allocation of 400 tonnes for a fishery for under 15 metre vessels fishing for Mackerel by means of hooks and line was set down in Policy in 2010. The uptake in 2023 was 269.52t (67.38%). The 2024 uptake as at 01 October 2024 is 203.25t (50.81%). The catch limit for the month of October is 10 tonnes. The 400 tonnes Hook and Line allocation is taken off the top of the annual national quota before the polyvalent segment/RSW Pelagic segment split (see below).
• A minimum of 2% of the mackerel quota (1,070 tonnes in 2024) in the TAC and Quota Regulation (or 1,000 tonnes, whichever is greater) is deducted annually to be used to swap for demersal (whitefish) stocks with other Member States and the UK. This deduction is made before any share out between segments is undertaken.
• Where Ireland’s mackerel quota in the annual TAC and Quota Regulation is 90,000 tonnes or below, mackerel is shared out on an 87%/13% basis between the Refrigerated Seawater (RSW) Pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment, respectively. The share out is applied after the deduction for contingency, swaps, carry over/deductions (as provided for by EU Regulation) and the allocation set aside for Hook and Line fishery.
• Where Ireland’s mackerel quota in the annual TAC and Quota Regulation is above 90,000 tonnes, the share out is adjusted so that the element in excess of 90,000 tonnes is shared 80%/20% between the RSW Pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment. The balance below 90,000 tonnes will be shared out on an 87%/13% basis between the RSW Pelagic segment and the Polyvalent segment. The share out is applied after the deduction for contingency, swaps, carry over/deductions (as provided for by EU Regulation) and the allocation set aside for Hook and Line fishery for vessels under 15 metres.
The breakdown of the Mackerel quota allocations for 2024 is as follows:-
• 400 tonnes for the Hook and Line Fishery (vessels under 15m length overall).
• 87% of the national annual quota (43,893 tonnes in 2024) is available for the RSW Pelagic segment. This segment comprises of 23 vessels, ranging in size from 27.35 metres to 71 metres.
• 13% of the national annual quota (6,558 tonnes in 2024) is available for the Polyvalent segment. Mackerel Policy provides that 76.50% of the 13% (5,017 tonnes in 2024) is made available to 15 Tier 1 vessels (ranging in size from 24.50 metres to 37.30 metres), and 21% of the 13% (1,377 tonnes in 2024) is made available to 12 Tier 2 vessels (ranging in size from 16.78 metres to 26.63 metres). Access to Tier 1 and Tier 2 catch limits was determined using track record set down in 2010. Tier 1 and Tier 2 vessels receive a catch limit for the period 1 January to 30 November each year.
• The remaining 2.50% of the 13% quota available for polyvalent vessels (164 tonnes in 2024) is made available to under 18 metre vessels (including under 15 metre vessels) fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line. Catch limits are set by monthly Fisheries Management Notice. The catch limit for the month of October is 5 tonnes. This catch limit is open to all polyvalent vessel under 18 metres in length overall fishing for mackerel by means other than hook and line.
In order to amend Mackerel Policy, I as Minister must be satisfied that there is satisfactory evidence of changed circumstances to justify a policy review. If I consider there is a case for review of any aspect of the policy, it would require due process, involving an assessment of all issues arising, including a full public consultation.
There has been, for the past 20 years or so, intensive competition within the industry for a higher share of the mackerel quota. The EU-UK Trade and Co-operation Agreement (TCA) provides for the transfer of 26% of Ireland’s mackerel quota to the UK by 2026. This will only increase demands for a higher share of Ireland’s Mackerel quota from all sectors within the fishing fleet.
There is currently no agreement among the sectors of the fleet for change from the current approach.
416. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to provide a breakdown of registered Irish fishing boats, by size. [40235/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn accordance with section 3 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003, the Register of Sea Fishing Boats is maintained by the Registrar General for Sea Fishing Boats and is publicly available online at: gov.ie - Sea Fisheries Administration (www.gov.ie) . In addition, the EU Commission publishes annual fleet reports including Ireland which are also available online: oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu/fisheries/rules/fishing-fleet-capacvessels ities_en These reports typically identify the number of vessels in a variety of lengths similar to the information sought by the Deputy.
Please see below breakdown by size of the registered as of 4th October 2024. These figures can vary from day to day.
|
Equal to or less than 6m |
623 |
|
Greater than 6m and less than or equal to 10m |
861 |
|
Greater than 10m and less than or equal to 15m |
289 |
|
Greater than 15m and less than or equal to 24m |
78 |
|
Greater than 24m |
97 |
|
Total Registered vessels as of 04/10/2024 |
1948 |
417. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of investing €2 million annually in the augmentative and alternative communication programme. [39877/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to operational matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly.
418. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of recipients in each county that will receive the double payment of foster care allowance announced in Budget 2025, by county, in tabular form. [40153/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this relates to data collated by Tusla, the question has been forwarded to Tusla for direct reply to the Deputy.
419. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of patients on home support waiting lists for a carer at the end of each quarter of each year 2019-2024, inclusive; and the breakdown, by length of wait, in tabular form. [39664/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra420. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people who are receiving less than their full allocation of home support hours at the end of each quarter of each year 2019-2024. [39665/24]
Amharc ar fhreagra422. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of people on disability service waiting lists for each service type, excluding children’s disability network teams, at the end of each quarter of each year 2019-2024, inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39670/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 419, 420 and 422 together.
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
421. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on disability service waiting lists for children’s disability networks teams, by CHO/CDNT at the end of each quarter of each year 2019-2024, inclusive, in tabular form; the average length of wait; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39669/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
423. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of children on waiting lists for an assessment of need for each quarter of each year 2019-2024, inclusive, in tabular form; the number overdue for completion; the number of estimated PTAs waiting for a complete AON, in tabular form as reported in the Roadmap for Service Improvement 2023-2026: Disability Services for Children and Young People [39671/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
424. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated number of additional respite hours that would be delivered by opening three extra full time nine bed respite centres. [39709/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
425. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware of the situation where those who qualified with a four-year BA degree in children’s studies from the University of Galway, are not currently certified to work in the childcare sector; and if he will investigate this matter given the need to increase the numbers of childcare workers in the system. [39754/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Child Care Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016, all staff working directly with children in a pre-school service must hold at least a Level 5 major award in early childhood care and education on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), or a qualification that has been deemed to be equivalent.
My Department has published a list of qualifications that meet the regulatory requirements for working in Early Learning Care in Ireland which are automatically approved for their respective recognised qualification level.
For Higher Educational Institutions seeking to have their Early Learning and Care degree programmes approved for inclusion on the Departments list of recognised qualifications for the Early Learning and Care sector they can submit an application to the Qualifications Advisory Board to have their programme assessed. The Qualifications Advisory Board is tasked with advising the Department whether a programme, once validated as a professional award, can be considered for inclusion on the Departments list of professional qualifications for the Early Learning and Care sector.
It should be noted however, that if an individual who has a qualification that does not appear on the Departments approved list, they can still apply to my Department to have their qualification assessed for approval.
To meet the minimum regulatory standard, a qualification must show that the holder of the qualification has completed studies, including the following three core areas, as part of their childcare qualification:• Child Development 0-6 years• Early Childhood Education - Theory and Practice• Child Health and Welfare 0-6 yearsIn addition, a qualification must provide evidence of supervised practicum/practice placement working in an early learning and care setting with children of 0 to 6 age as part of the studies.
426. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when respite care will be provided for a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39757/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
427. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an application by a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39769/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWhile I try to be helpful at all times in the parliamentary process, the Deputy will be aware that I cannot be involved in individual cases and cannot comment on same.
The legislation underpinning the Payment Scheme - the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme Act 2023 - specifically provides for the explicit independence of the Chief Deciding Officer in administering the application process and making decisions on applications. Therefore, it would be inappropriate for me to engage in the process in relation to the status of individual applications.
There are several applicant supports for the Payment Scheme including the dedicated Payment Scheme website - gov.ie/paymentscheme which hosts an information booklet, questions and answers, and short 'how to' videos on the straightforward application process. A Helpline is also available at +353 1 522 9992. Applicants will be supported throughout the application process with information and advice as and when they may need it.
In addition to all these applicant supports, public representatives can contact the Payment Scheme Office via a dedicated email address paymentschemereps@equality.gov.ie if they are assisting constituents in relation to the Scheme.
Whilst I cannot explicitly comment on this specific application, it is of course possible that delays may emerge during the payment process for different reasons. Important checks must be carried out to ensure that payments reach the intended recipient e.g.banking details must be checked and all documentation such as the legal waiver, account details and PPSN's must be present and verified. In addition, there are different payment clearing requirements of different financial institutions. Where any difficulties emerge in the payment process, the Payment Scheme Office engages with the applicant to resolve those difficulties such that the payment can be processed as quickly as possible. It is ultimately the aim of the Payment Scheme Office to ensure the correct award amount is paid to the correct applicant in as timely a manner as possible.
In this case I suggest that the applicant in question contacts the helpline directly and I am sure she will be assisted appropriately.
428. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the numbers of speech and language therapists employed in counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal for the years 2020 to 2024 inclusive, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39773/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
429. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has received a report from the HSE in respect of data collected in 2023, as provided for under section 13 of the Disability Act 2005; and when he will publish same. [39776/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm that I have received a report for 2023 as provided for under Section 13 of the Disability Act 2005 from the HSE. In terms of publication, this is a matter for the HSE, and it is my understanding that the HSE are currently making arrangements for same.
430. Deputy Ivana Bacik asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to introduce legislation to criminalise the destruction, alteration or failure to preserve institutional records by those who possess them, including those who were involved in the maintenance of mother and baby homes and Magdalene laundries; to provide for further and better provision in respect of the preservation of documents created by institutions, and not on the possession of the State. [39812/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe National Centre for Research and Remembrance, to be located on the site of the former Magdalen Laundry on Sean McDermott Street in Dublin 1, will stand as part of our national institutions. One element of the National Centre will be a research centre and repository of records related to institutional trauma in the 20th century, which will form part of the National Archives (NAI).
Most of the records to be contained in the National Centre will transfer to NAI from a government department or State body who created, received or held the records in the course of their own business functions. A process has commenced across departments to prepare these records for transfer to the National Centre under the provisions of the National Archives Act 1986.
Other organisations and institutions have also been identified such as private/religious institutions and/or individuals that may hold relevant records not subject to the National Archives Act. As part of its ongoing work, NAI is engaging with these institutions and bodies to address how such records could be appropriately made available over time, and accessible for research purposes in the context of the new archive given the complementarity of such holdings.
The issue of further legislative provisions to safeguard privately held records in this State is something which is currently being considered with the support of the Legal and Legislative workstream of the National Centre initiative.
431. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of implementing an authorisation scheme for disability home support. [39844/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
432. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated full-year cost to the Exchequer of investing €27 million into adult day services. [39856/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
