​QUESTION NO:  105

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 28/06/2017  

 
 To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new site for a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) Hedgestown N.S. Balbriggan
  
REPLY.


My Department issued comments to the Board of Management on 7th February and has requested confirmation from the Board that the new school site has been finalized between the Patron body and the land owner. My Department has recently been in contact with the BOM who has advised that the site agreement is nearing completion, the BOM, as client cannot provide a definitive date as to when the process will be complete. 

Upon receipt of this confirmation my Department will then revert to the Board of Management with regard to further progression of the project. 

​QUESTION NOS:  1036, 1210 & 1211

DÁIL QUESTIONS addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health (Catherine Byrne T.D.)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 20/06/2017  

 
 *  755.  To ask the Minister for Health the reason the publication of the national drugs and alcohol strategy has been delayed; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                           - Darragh O'Brien T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 20th June, 2017.

*  926.  To ask the Minister for Health the extent to which additional resources will be allocated for alcohol treatment and rehabilitation in the new national drug strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                           - Darragh O'Brien T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 20th June, 2017.

*  927.  To ask the Minister for Health the resources which will be allocated to community action on alcohol in the new national drug strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                           - Darragh O'Brien T.D.

For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 20th June, 2017.
 
    
REPLY.
The Government is committed to putting a new drugs strategy in place this year. 
The Strategy will be based on a health-led approach to the drug problem and build on progress achieved under previous drug strategies.  A Steering Committee has been established to advise me on a new strategy with a view to developing an integrated public health approach to substance misuse, which is defined as the harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and illegal drugs.  
The Steering Committee last met on 25 May to discuss some outstanding issues.  I understand that the final report will be submitted to me shortly. I hope to be in a position to bring my proposals to Government on the new Strategy thereafter.  It would not be appropriate for me to comment on resources until the Strategy has been approved by Government.

​QUESTION NO:  1094

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister of State at the Department of Health (Finian McGrath T.D.)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 20/06/2017  

 
 *  To ask the Minister for Health the reason the recent request for additional funding for a group (details supplied) which would provide key services not delivered by the HSE has been ignored; when a decision will issue on this additional funding application; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                          Darragh O'Brien T.D.

Details Supplied: Dyspraxia/DCD Ireland,

  
REPLY.
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.  

The particular issue raised by the Deputy is a service matter for the HSE.  Accordingly I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

​QUESTION NO:  1596

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Michael Creed)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 20/06/2017  

 
 To ask the Minister for Agriculture; Food and the Marine the position regarding the opening up of the Taiwanese market for pork and beef; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  
REPLY.


My Department is working on expanding market access for beef, sheepmeat, pigmeat, poultry and cooked meats across a range of markets and is also working to simplify certification procedures in a number of markets to which we already have access. The priorities of the industry are assessed through the form of quarterly meetings with relevant stakeholders.

In terms of beef market access, 2016 saw some considerable successes including the extension of our beef market access to the USA to include Beef Intended for Grinding (BIFG) as well as the opening of the Canadian & New Zealand beef markets and the re-opening of the Israeli beef market. Significant steps were also taken in terms of beef market access to China, South Korea and Vietnam in conjunction with the Trade Mission there. 2017 has already seen the re-opening of the Egyptian market to Irish beef and beef exports have now commenced. It has also seen the extension of our beef market access to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to include a range of minced and processed beef products, as part of my Trade Mission there. 

 Although Ireland remains committed to the One China policy, this does not prevent trade links with Taiwan. However, to date, we have not sought market access for either beef or pigmeat to Taiwan. 

​Dáil Question
No: 1813

To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when sporting clubs and organisations will be advised whether or not their capital sports grants applications have been successful; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
- Darragh O'Brien.

*    For WRITTEN answer on Tuesday, 20th June, 2017.

Ref No:   26647/17


Answered by the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport
Shane Ross

REPLY


All of the 2,320 applications received under the 2017 Sports Capital Programme are being assessed by officials in my Department.  Given the number of applications received and the detailed information submitted, it will take a number of months to complete the assessment process.  It is expected that an announcement regarding allocations will be made in September.

​QUESTION NO:  1910

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Dr. Katherine Zappone)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on Tuesday, 20th June, 2017.  

 
 *  To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the amount of mainstream funding from her department and other government departments that is invested in youth programmes in the north County Dublin area; the projects that are being funded through this expenditure; the allocation for each; and if she will make a statement on the matter.

                                                                                          Darragh O'Brien T.D.

  
REPLY.
My Department administers a range of funding schemes and programmes to support the provision of youth services to young people throughout the country including those from disadvantaged communities. The funding schemes support national and local youth work involving approximately 1,400 youth work staff in youth services and communities throughout the country. 

I am pleased to confirm that I have allocated an extra €5.5m in current funding to support the provision of youth services in 2017. This will bring the total youth funding by my Department to €57.4m, an increase of 10% over last year's allocation. The additional funding is being used for programmes that target disadvantaged young people and to assist national youth organisations in their work to support local voluntary youth services. 

In 2017, an amount of €319,998 was allocated for the projects and services in North County Dublin. Balbriggan Youth Service has been allocated €86,803 while Swords / Baldoyle Youth Service has been allocated €233,195.

​QUESTION NO:  198

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Tánaiste and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 20/06/2017  

 
 To ask the Minister for Jobs; Enterprise and Innovation if consideration has been given or analysis undertaken with regard to expanding Enterprise Ireland's worldwide office network in view of the impact that Brexit will have on the economy; if consideration has been given to or an analysis undertaken of expanding Enterprise Ireland's office network further into eastern Europe; if it has considered Slovakia in particular; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
  
REPLY.


In Budget 2017, additional funding was provided to Enterprise Ireland (EI) to recruit 39 new staff, located in Ireland and overseas to support clients to maintain existing markets and to diversify into new markets.

 

EI has an established process for working with companies as they identify opportunities and begin to enter new markets. Enterprise Ireland’s overseas structure, through its network of 32 overseas offices and its extended Pathfinder (Trade Consultant) network, provides client companies with the appropriate support in markets where there are identified opportunities matched by client capability and client demand. 

 

In addition to Incubation and Hot-Desking Facilities, Enterprise Ireland’s client companies can access market knowledge on a sectoral basis, introductions to buyers/suppliers/partners in-market and market intelligence such as competitor analysis, identification of professional services etc. 

 

The activities of Enterprise Ireland’s overseas network are supported by the Market Research Centre and Strategic Marketing Unit based in Dublin along with a range of financial and capability developments supports aimed at helping client companies to compete and win sales in overseas markets. 

 

As part of its Strategy 2017-2020, EI aims to help Irish exporters increase exports into the Eurozone by 50% by 2020. The Eurozone will now be the first market for Enterprise Ireland backed exporters and EI will highlight priority sectors and encourage growth targets in areas like construction, engineering and the life sciences/medtech sectors.

 

There are three Enterprise Ireland offices serving Central and Eastern European markets, based in Warsaw, Prague and Budapest. EI has and will continue to have a strong policy of maintaining a flexible approach to the deployment of resources across international markets in line with changing market opportunities.  This is reflected in the Agency’s ability to open and close offices and to move resources across markets as required.  In all cases, Enterprise Ireland’s focus is on those markets that offer realisable commercial potential for our clients be it in the short, medium or long term.  

​QUESTION NO:  434

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 20/06/2017  

 
 To ask the Minister for Education and Skills when the next phase of a school building for a school (details supplied) will commence; the status of this project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) Lusk Community College, Lusk, County Dublin
  
REPLY.


The project referred to by the Deputy was authorised to proceed to tender in October 2016. 

However, as the pre-qualification of contractors had first been conducted by the design team in April 2015 the design team, concerned about the possibility of legal challenges, asked the Office of Government Procurement for advice on this matter. The advice was that it would be prudent to run the pre-qualification again. 

The Design Team has rerun the pre-qualification of suitable contractors and the project is now out to tender. Tenders are due back in mid July.   

Subject to no issues arising it is anticipated that construction will commence in late 2017 and the project is scheduled to take approximately 18 months to complete.  

​QUESTION NO:  435

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 20/06/2017  

 
 To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new site for a school (details supplied) as announced in November 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. (Details Supplied) Gaeilscoil Ros Eo, Rush, Co Dublin.
  
REPLY.


As the Deputy is aware the building project for the school in question is included on my Department's capital programme.

Officials in my Department have worked closely with officials from the relevant Local Authority under the Memorandum of Understanding in relation to the acquisition of a suitable permanent location for the school. A suitable site has been identified and my officials are working to advance its acquisition. 

Due to commercial sensitivities relating to site acquisitions generally I am not in a position to provide further details at this time.

​QUESTION NO:  436

DÁIL QUESTION addressed to the Minister for Education and Skills (Deputy Richard Bruton)
by Deputy Darragh O'Brien
for WRITTEN ANSWER on 20/06/2017  

 
 To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the status of the provision of a new secondary school for the Malahide and Portmarnock areas of County Dublin as announced in November 2015; if he has identified locations for these proposed schools; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
  
REPLY.


The Patron of the new Malahide/Portmarnock post-primary school (Educate Together) has decided for operational reasons that it is in the best interests of the school to postpone its opening to September 2018.  My Department has been working in close co-operation with Educate Together to facilitate the opening of the school and will continue to do so with a view to its opening in suitable interim accommodation in September 2018. 

Where a requirement for additional post-primary schools has been identified, details including proposed timelines related to the opening of the schools are made known by a Ministerial announcement. However, patrons may decide for different operational reasons in a particular year that it is in the best interests of a new post-primary school to defer its opening.  In some cases there may be a timing issue, where many parents will have already committed to other second level schools in the area ahead of the announcement of the new school.