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[Deputy Michael Healy-Rae.] Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers his plans regarding crawfish (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8466/12] Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney): In order to protect the reproductive potential of the crawfish stock, Council Regulation No. 850/98 sets a minimum landing size of 95mm. The Regulation allows Member States to take measures for the conservation and management of stocks that go beyond the minimum requirements set by the Regulation. When the minimum landing size for crawfish specified in the Regulation was reduced in 2001 in an amending Regulation from 110mm to 95mm, this reduced size was considered by Ireland to offer inadequate protection to the reproductive potential of the stock. There were industry calls at the time for the higher minimum size to be restored in national law and this was done. In June 2011, I asked BIM to carry out a review of the technical conservation measures (TCMs) currently in place for the crawfish stock. The review was to be conducted in conjunction with the Marine Institute and in consultation with crawfish fishermen and their representatives. In the terms of reference for that review, I specified that the review should have regard to the negative and declining state of the crawfish stock, undesirable by-catch of non-target and possibly protected species from the use of nets by some fishermen in fishing for crawfish, the apparent market preference for smaller crawfish and the range of TCMs for crawfish used internationally. I asked BIM, in framing its recommendations, to ensure that its proposals provided at least the equivalent or a higher level of protection to the reproductive potential of the stock, as provided by the present measures, and that a high level of compliance would be assured within available resources. I received a draft report from BIM last month and I am expecting the final report in the near future. I intend to publish the report shortly and will make arrangements for a copy to be sent to the Deputy. I do not accept that Ireland’s minimum landing size is in any way anti competitive or discriminatory. While the minimum landing size for crawfish specified in EU Regulations is 95mm, it should be noted that there is a wide range of different minimum landing sizes in force across Europe. Each Member State must take account of the characteristics of its own stock, including varying factors such as age at maturity. In those circumstances harmonised arrangements are not always practical or desirable. Grant Payments 595. Deputy John O’Mahony asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Mayo will receive their REP scheme 4 payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8478/12] Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine (Deputy Simon Coveney): The person named commenced REPS in January 2010 and received payments for the first year of their contract. Under the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System, has to be completed before any payment can issue in respect of 2011. Following an inspection, a discrepancy was discovered in respect of one parcel of land that requires digitisation and verification of its area. This is currently being done with the intention of an early resolution and to enable payment in respect of 2011 to issue. 604
Questions— 14 February 2012. Written Answers Family Support Services 596. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if, in view of the Children’s Rights Alliance’s overall positive C+ grade to Government in its report card 2012, she will ensure that budget 2013 ring-fences the funding and staff complement required to ensure that the new child and family support agency will be able to deliver on its statutory obligations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7751/12] Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform published the Comprehensive Expenditure Report 2012-2014 on 5th December last. The sections relating to my Department in this document clearly highlight that the transfer of services to the new Child and Family Support Agency fully informed the strategic approach taken by my Department. This report states that: “The Department used the CRE process to inform its new structures and priorities based upon streamlined and effective use of limited resources which maximise policy outcomes and service delivery.” My Department’s input to the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process was fully aligned with the Government’s reform objectives for children’s services and encompassed the child protection and welfare services currently operated by the HSE and intended to transfer to the new Agency. In addition, the Government’s public service reform announcements on 17th November signalled my decision to merge the Family Support Agency into the Child and Family Support Agency following the latter’s establishment. Once again, this is consistent with the approach taken by my Department in the Comprehensive Review of Expenditure process of considering new, more effective ways to use resources to achieve the Government’s key objective to improve services for children and families. A dedicated new budget sub-head had been established for the first time in the HSE Vote, in preparation for the planned establishment of the Child and Family Support Agency in 2013. A provision of €568m has been made for 2012. A process is currently underway in conjunction with the HSE to further review and refine the detailed components of this sub-head. The provision for the first time of a dedicated budget for children and families within the HSE Vote will pave the way for the establishment of the new Agency in 2013. This dedicated budget will be managed by the National Director of Children and Family Services and his staff in support of the process of operational improvement in child protection and welfare services which he is leading. Central to this reform is the delivery of transparent and accountable management and budgeting. The Government’s reform of child welfare and protection services is also being assisted by the Task Force on the Child and family Support Agency which I established in September. The Task Force, which has very considerable expertise, met for the eleventh time earlier this month and also has a number of sub-groups undertaking particular aspects of its work. The Task Force is chaired by Ms Maureen Lynott and it also includes the National Director of Children and Family Services, Mr Gordon Jeyes, and the Secretary General of my Department. The Task Force has been asked to advise on the appropriate service responsibilities for the Agency during the course of its work from amongst those within the HSE that relate to children and family services, or from within the relevant operational responsibilities of my Department or its agencies. The allocation of financial and human resources for the new Agency will largely be determined by the services for which it will have responsibility; in terms of both direct provision and commissioning. The Task Force has been asked to review the existing budgets, staffing and other corporate supports in respect of the services transferring. Further, the Task Force has been asked to assess and propose, within the resources available for the transferring services, a plan for resource and staffing configuration which takes full account of the overall 605
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Written Answers. - Parliamentary Debates - Houses of the Oireachtas

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