Adjournment Debate.

Hospital Services.

Dr. Cowley

I am very grateful for the opportunity to raise this important matter on the Adjournment. There is a limit on the recruitment of whole-time equivalents, WTEs, such that the health board is confined to a certain number of staff and not in a position to go above the ceiling that exists. This is arbitrary and unfair. It is very regrettable to have insufficient staff when the work to be done is a matter of life or death. I ask the Minister of State to consider this issue and lift the embargo.

The embargo has affected many parts of the health service in recent years. This is particularly the case in Mayo, where the failure to recruit four extra staff needed to have an extra shift in the Mayo dialysis unit means that seven people have to travel all the way to Galway to receive essential treatment that they should receive in their own county, even though there is a state-of-the-art dialysis unit in Mayo General Hospital. This problem can only be resolved by lifting the ban on employing nurses. This is a very important and simple resolution and I ask the Minister of State to take it on board. It is not a question of money.

The seven people who have to travel to Galway are all very ill. In explaining the rationale behind my request to lift the embargo, it is important to discuss the background. For many years the people of Mayo have worked very hard to have a dialysis unit in their county because the distance from parts of Mayo, such as Belmullet or Blacksod, to Galway is almost the equivalent of that from Dublin to Galway. It is a long way to have to go for essential services. The campaign to have a dialysis unit in Mayo involved all sorts of activities and led to a state-of-the-art unit with a capacity of 24 patients. It currently has 26 patients and thus it is already exceeding its capacity. Although the number of patients in the unit has doubled in the past year, the number of nurses has remained the same.

Consider the operation of every other dialysis unit. In Beaumont Hospital's dialysis unit, there are four shifts and in that of University College Hospital, Galway, there are three. There are but two in the dialysis unit in Mayo and, therefore, the seven very ill people who need dialysis to stay alive are required to take a round trip to Galway, which, in some cases, amounts to 2,000 miles per week. It takes three and a half hours to get to Galway from one end of Mayo and the same to get back, amounting to seven hours of the day. This is in addition to four hours on a dialysis machine, resulting in a total of 11 hours per day. Elderly people have to make this lengthy trip. Only one third of people receiving dialysis are suitable for a kidney transplant and, therefore, the remaining two thirds must have dialysis for life. They are condemned to making the aforementioned journey, which takes 11 hours per day, three times per week, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, for example. It takes 33 hours of a patient's week to travel to the dialysis unit and back and to receive treatment. That is horrific.

Despite the humanitarian aspect of requiring someone to make such a journey, the cost must also be considered, whether it be the cost to the health board of taxis or that of an ambulance if the patients are ill. One of the patients to which I refer is 74. He lives on the outskirts of Castlebar and is at present in hospital in Galway. He will be discharged tomorrow but will be required to travel from home to Galway three days per week although he is not fit to travel. He is condemned to death unless the Government removes the recruitment embargo and allows four nurses to be hired. I implore the Minister of State to do this.

Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O’Malley)

There is no Government embargo on the recruitment of nurses. The chief executive officer of each individual health board has responsibility for the management of the workforce, including the appropriate staffing mix and the precise grades of staff employed within that board, in line with service plan priorities, subject to the overall employment levels remaining within the authorised ceiling.

The Health Service Employers Agency undertakes a quarterly national survey of nursing resources. The most recent survey reported that the recruitment of additional nurses continued to be a prominent feature of activity, with a net increase nationally of 563 nurses in the system in the year ended 30 June 2004.

My Department wrote to the CEO of the Western Health Board on 21 September approving the provision of funding and authorising the following increases in the employment ceiling to allow for the commissioning of new units in the board's area: University College Hospital, Galway — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of 140 additional posts to allow for the transfer of orthopaedic trauma and the commissioning of intensive care beds; Mayo General Hospital — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of 95 additional posts to allow for the full commissioning of orthopaedics and a further adjustment of seven staff for the unit for the elderly; Portiuncula Hospital, Ballinasloe — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of ten additional staff to allow for the development of a stroke care unit and the commissioning of ICU beds; and Roscommon County Hospital — an adjustment in the employment ceiling of 40 additional staff to expand the emergency department and for a new medical assessment unit.

It is clear from these figures that the Government is committed to the continued development of services in the Western Health Board and that recruitment of nurses and other health service staff remains a priority.

Job Losses.

Mr. Connolly

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for choosing the issue of job losses at Barford Meats Limited in Carrickmacross for debate on the Adjournment. I met worker representatives and the union representing the factory workers, SIPTU, last week regarding the closure of the company, which is to result in the loss of 82 jobs. These losses include seven that took place earlier in the year, in the belief that the company would have an opportunity to restructure itself financially. It was believed that the seven workers would come back within a six month period to a company that had reshaped itself. Ten workers are due to lose their jobs this Friday and 65 workers lost their jobs last Friday week. While those who believed they would regain their jobs were waiting for the scene to improve, matters got worse and the company lost its contract to supply one of its major overseas purchasers, one of the big supermarket chains.

The workers in Carrickmacross have remained very loyal to the company and did without wages when it was going through tough times. Rumours started a month ago that the company was in difficulty and on Wednesday last week the staff demanded answers. They received answers they did not want to hear. The company had been a very good employer in the town for the previous 25 years and many workers had worked for it for in excess of 20 years. Effectively they are not qualified to do any other work and, therefore, will need retraining and support. A task force should be set up by the Minister to achieve this and to ensure the workers find other jobs.

Regrettably, the record of IDA Ireland in creating jobs during the past seven years is not good. Carrickmacross should be sold on the basis that it is accessible to Dublin. The bypass, which is being built ahead of schedule and was not due until next year, makes Carrickmacross accessible from Dublin and Belfast. As the town is situated between two airports, the area should attract new industries. The loss of these jobs will not only have a serious impact on families financially in terms of mortgages and so on, but it will represent a loss of approximately €30,000 per week to a small town like Carrickmacross.

Workers in these circumstances should have some protection, as should employers. If there are early warning systems in place and if companies are prepared to draw attention to problems at an early stage, Government mentoring programmes could be set up. Monaghan, in particular, has many small indigenous industries which have grown significantly, delivering services worldwide. Houses are delivered from County Monaghan to China and throughout the world. Bar furniture is delivered to capital cities throughout Europe and across the United States. These companies, which began on a small basis, are in competition with big companies throughout the world. If they get into trouble it can hit home very quickly. In some instances, these companies can become victims of their own success, and this can happen at an alarmingly fast rate. There should be a mechanism whereby people can indicate they are in trouble.

After 20 years' service, statutory redundancy is all the workers in the company are offered. This would cost the company €500,000 in total. If the workers received statutory redundancy, plus two weeks' pay for each year they worked, it would not be an unreasonable demand for a company that has a sizeable amount of assets. Companies should be asked to sell their assets to ensure the workers who created the wealth are looked after? It is not an unreasonable demand that the workers should receive in excess of the statutory redundancy.

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Mr. M. Ahern)

I thank Deputy Connolly for raising this matter on the Adjournment. I am aware that you, a Cheann Comhairle, have a personal interest in the matter, as has the Minister of State, Deputy Brendan Smith. I believe all the Deputies from Cavan-Monaghan have an interest in the matter. The company was formed in 1984 to produce fresh and frozen meat products. It encountered difficulties during the BSE crisis and the foot and mouth outbreak. The sterling exchange rate has recently exacerbated these problems and, as a result, the company ceased operations on 12 November 2004.

Enterprise Ireland has been working closely with the company over the past 18 months with a view to identifying outside investors who would bring much needed investment to the business. At Enterprise Ireland's urging, a business mentor was appointed in May 2003 to review the financial situation and provide strategic guidance to the company. Resulting from this involvement, the company embarked on a restructuring exercise in September 2004. It was thought at the time that this would facilitate the survival of the business. Enterprise Ireland expects to meet shortly the owner of the company to discuss the future situation. Enterprise Ireland is of the opinion that there may be a number of potential investors interested in acquiring the assets and business of Barford Meats Limited. Enterprise Ireland would work with any new buyer and consider new proposals to develop the business.

I understand that a representative from the FÁS office in Dundalk, together with a representative of the local enterprise service, met unions and management at Barford Meats Limited. Approximately 34 members of the workforce were spoken to and provided with information. A list of the current job vacancies in the area was supplied together with appropriate registration forms. I understand that individual interviews are taking place in the offices of the Department of Social and Family Affairs in Carrickmacross.

Enterprise Ireland continues to work closely with its client companies in Monaghan and the local business community in the county to foster new business development. In 2003, Enterprise Ireland approved almost €3.5 million in support of projects for its client companies in the county and to date in 2004, Enterprise Ireland has approved over €1.7 million.

As part of its role in regional development, the Enterprise Ireland regional office in Dundalk works with other regional organisations and third level institutions to improve the business climate at regional level for clients and to influence the conditions in which growth in the north-east region is established and sustained. The development of community-based enterprise centres is a crucial part of the drive to create new regional enterprise through the provision of infrastructural facilities to support the establishment and expansion of micro-enterprises through local community participation. Enterprise Ireland has supported the development of five community enterprise centres in the county.

Enterprise Ireland is currently involved in a range of initiatives in the county, which include an INTERREG funded cross-Border project specifically for the furniture industry. A number of County Monaghan furniture companies have applied to be accepted on the project. This project will involve eight southern companies and eight Northern Ireland companies participating in a two year programme, looking primarily at the issue of design and innovation.

Enterprise Ireland is also working with the Armagh-Monaghan Digital Corridor Project Committee. The objective of this committee is to develop the Armagh and Monaghan areas into a cluster of information and communication technology related industries. IDA Ireland participates in this initiative, which is geared at encouraging enterprises with a requirement for advanced telecommunications to locate on both sides of the Border where the telecommunications networks, both North and South, can be accessed. IDA Ireland is actively marketing County Monaghan on an ongoing basis as a location for foreign direct investment, through its network of overseas offices, to secure new investment and jobs for the area. IDA Ireland is working closely with local authorities and third level colleges to deliver the best solution. I assure the Deputy that the State agencies will continue to promote Monaghan for new investment and jobs.

Mr. McGinley

Go raibh maith agat, a Cheann Comhairle as deis a thabhairt dom an t-ábhar tábhachtach seo a thógáil ar an Athló. Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire as ucht a bheith i láthair. Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire ar ais go dtí an Dáil an tseachtain seo. Chuir sé isteach go mór orainn an timpist a bhí aige atá seachtain ó shin ach tá lúcháir orainn gur éirigh leis éalú slán. Tá súil orm gur gairid go mbeidh sé i mbarr a shláinte arís.

Tá mé cinnte go bhfuil a fhios ag an Aire go maith an cás fá monarcha Nuvotem. Tá an mhonarcha suite i gCroithlí agus is minic a chuaigh an tAire thar doras ansin agus é ar a gcuairteanna rialta ar Thír Chonaill, agus go speisialta ar Ghaeltachtaí an iar-thuaiscirt. Tá monarcha lonnaithe ansin le breis agus 100 bliain. Tá Nuvotem lonnaithe ansin le 23 bliain, ó 1980.

Buille mór an nuacht seo dos na hoibrithe, agus buille nach raibh siad ag súil leis. Ar 20 Meán Fhomhair dúradh leo go riabh siad á ligint chun bealaigh, go sealadach mar a dúradh ag an am. Tá 11 seachtain imithe ó shin agus tá sé ag cur isteach go mór ar na hoibrithe cad é atá i ndán dóibh. Is beag cumarsáide agus is beag eolais atá le fáil ón gcomhlacht, comhlacht a d'oibrigh siad dó go dícheallach agus go dian ar a shon le blianta anuas.

A lán des na hoibrithe seo, is iad na príomh daoine atá ag saothrú ina gcuid teaghlaigh féin agus tá costaisí agus freagrachtaí orthu maidir le morgáistí agus costais eile. Anois, tá an Nollaig buailte linn agus gan a fhios acu an mbeidh siad ag dul ar ais ag obair nó nach mbeidh. Sin an rud is mó atá ag cur isteach orthu, go bhfuil siad coinnithe ins an dorchadas agus nach bhfuil a fhios acu cad é atá i ndán dóibh. An mbeidh siad ag dul ar ais ag obair nó nach mbeidh?

Tógadh an cheist ag Údarás na Gaeltachta. Thóg mé féin an cheist sa Dáil agus thóg daoine eile í ag an gcomhairle condae. Ach is beag eolais atá faighte agus is beag dul chun cinn atá déanta agus trí mhí imithe.

Nuvotem Crolly is one of the longest established industries in the Donegal Gaeltacht, producing electrical coils and transformers since 1980. It came as a bombshell to the workers on 3 September last that 43 out of a total workforce of 56 were to be laid off until further notice. Many of these workers have given more than 20 years of dedicated and loyal service to the company but have been in a virtual limbo during the past 11 weeks since the decision to have them temporarily laid off.

Since then, it has been almost impossible to get any response from the company. Communications between management and employees are non-existent. This is leading to frustration, anxiety and uncertainty among the workers. The company has two other production centres, one in the Czech Republic and one in India, where production costs are lower than here. However, the Crolly workers have built up tremendous skills and experience over the years and industrial relations in the factory were unblemished and second to none. The employees have foregone a number of wage increases in recent years. The burning question is whether the workers should hold out in the hope of getting their jobs back or seek new employment opportunities. At present they are in the dark.

We are now in the run-up to the Christmas season when there are huge financial demands on parents and families. These 43 workers, many of them the sole breadwinner in their family, are under severe pressure. They need to know what the future holds for them. I ask the Minister, in conjunction with Údarás na Gaeltachta and the management, to break the present impasse. It is intolerable that the situation should be allowed to drift.

Bheinn iontach buíoch don Aire fá aon rud a thig leis le dóchas a thabhairt do na daoine seo iad a chur ar ais ag obair nó malairt fostaíochta a fháil dóibh agus an Nollaig buailte linn.

Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (Éamon Ó Cuív)

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta Mac Fhionnlaoich as ucht na bhfocal deamhéin a bhí aige dom. Mar is eol don Teachta Mac Fhionnlaoich, tá Nuvotem Teo i mbun déantúsaíochta i gCroithlí ó 1979 agus tá an comhlacht ag tairgeadh transfhoirmitheoiri nó Toroidal Transformers don earnáil teileachumarsáide-leictreonaice.

Tá an comhlacht seo, maron le dhá chomhlacht eile, ceann i bPoblacht na Seice agus ceann eile san Ind, agus oifig dhíolacháin sa Ghearmáin, mar chuid den ghrúpa idirnáisiúnta Talema. Is fochuideachta 100% de chuid Nuvotem é an comhlacht i bPoblacht na Seice agus tá mionscairshealbhaíocht 1% ag Nuvotem san Ind. Tá an gnó sa tSeic agus san Ind á bhainistiú ag Nuvotem.

Chuir Nuvotem fostaíocht mhaith ar fáil i nGaeltacht Dhún na nGall, i gceantar Ghaoth Dobhair agus na Rosa, ón am ar bunaíodh é go dtí le gairid. Ní i bhfad tar éis an comhlacht a bhunú bhí an leibhéal fostaíochta os cionn 70 agus d'fhan sé ag an leibhéal sin ar feadh scór bliain, ag sroicheadh buaicphointe de 114 post i lár na nóchaidí.

D'íoc Údarás na Gaeltachta €1.531 milliún i ndeontais leis an gcuideachta thar an thréimhse 1979 go dtí 1995. Níor íocadh aon deontas ó shin. Rinne an t-údarás infheistíocht €780,889 i scaireanna tosaíochta sa chuideachta freisin. Caithfidh mé a threisiú gur scaireanna tosaíochta iad seo gan aon cheart vótála, rud a chiallaíonn nach bhfuil aon chearta ag an údarás ó thaobh bhainistiú nó riaradh na cuideachta ó lá go lá. Is ag gnáthscairshéalbhóirí na cuideachta amháin atá na cearta sin. Rinne an infheistíocht deireanach i scaireanna tosaíochta sa chomhlacht i 1998.

Ag breithniú ar an bhfostaíocht mhaith a cuireadh ar fáil thar na blianta, níl aon amhras ann ach go bhfuarthas luach maith ar infheistíocht an Stáit sa chomhlacht seo.

Maidir leis an staid reatha, ar an gcéad dul síos caithfear a aithint go bhfuil an chuideachta ag feidhmiú in earnáil atá thar a bheith leochaileach sa tír seo i láthair na huaire mar gheall ar an gcoimhlint ghéar ó thairgeóirí atá ag feidhmiú i dtíortha le costais táirgíochta i bhfad níos ísle. Ní amhain go bhfuil an margadh dá tháirge ag laghdú le roinnt blianta anuas ach tá an brabús ag laghdú chomh maith.

Tá 58 fostaithe san iomlán i gcomhlacht Nuvotem faoi láthair idir 15 fostaithe go lánaimseartha ag cur seirbhísí teicniúla, díolacháin agus riaracháin ar fáil don ghrúpa agus 43 fostaithe in obair táirgíochta i gCroithlí. Tá an 15 phost seo mar chuid thábhachtach de riaradh agus bhainistiú an ghrúpa agus is postanna tábhachtacha iad seo don cheantar freisin.

Maidir leis an bhfoireann táirgíochta, áfach, tuigim go bhfuil na daoine seo leagtha as a gcuid oibre le deich seachtain anuas agus tá cúrsaí fostaíochta ag brath ar orduithe a bheith ar fáil don aonad táirgíochta i nDún na nGall. Tuigim chomh maith go bhfuil an chuideachta tar éis glacadh le hiarratas le gairid ó ochtar den fhoireann táirgíochta i leith íocaíochtaí reachtúla iomarcaíochta.

Mar is eol don Teachta, tá coimhlint ghéar in earnáil na déantúsaíochta le roinnt blianta anuas agus tá poist á gcailliúint ar fud na tíre seo dá réir, na ceantair Ghaeltachta san áireamh. Cé nach bhfuil aon smacht ag Údarás na Gaeltachta ar riaradh na cuideachta seo, mar atá soiléirithe agam níos tuisce, bíonn caidreamh rialta ag feidhmeannas an údaráis le bainistíocht Nuvotem chun scrúdú a dhéanamh ar na féidearthachtaí atá ann maidir le hinmharthanacht an chomhlachta a chinntiú.

Tá curtha in iúl ag bainistíocht an chomhlachta don údarás go bhfuil tréan-iarrachtaí ar siúl ag Nuvotem chun orduithe a aimsiú a chuirfidh ar a gcumas táirgeadh a athbhunú sa mhonarcha i gCroithlí. Deir an bhainistíocht chomh maith go bhfuil sí dóchasach orduithe a chuirfidh ar a gcumas é seo a dhéanamh a aimsiú san earrach seo chugainn.

Tugadh figiúirí dom a thaispeáint na difríochtaí idir na scálaí pá sa tSeic agus sa tír seo. Is fadhb í seo agus ní bheadh éinne sa tír seo sásta agus ní bheadh sé dleathach oibre ar an gcineál pá atá i gceist. A fhad is go bhfuil iomaíocht mar sin ar bun, beidh fadhbanna ag an gcineál seo déantúsaíochta. Tá súil agam go bhfaighfear tairgí breise ach caithfimid tuiscint nach bhfuil mórán go díreach gur féidir leis an údarás a dhéanamh ach leanúint ar aghaidh bheith ag plé leis an mbainistíocht agus iarracht a dhéanamh dul i malairt threo go ginearálta sa nGaeltacht agus fostaíochta níos buaine nua aimseartha a aimsiú.

Food Safety Standards.

Mr. O’Dowd

I thank the Chair for selecting this matter for discussion. When I realised what time this would be dealt with I thought that perhaps I would be live on "Oireachtas Report". I do not know whether that is the case, but if it is I say "hello" to all the people watching.

This is a very serious issue. It was the subject of a story in the Drogheda Independent recently on foot of a court case which is proceeding in Dublin. It was also covered in The Sunday Tribune as a lead story last Sunday week and also last Sunday. I understand that there are legal proceedings in train and that the Minister cannot comment on those.

Let me make it clear that I am not asking him to comment. However, I would like him to reassure the public that everything is in order. I have spoken to the Assistant Secretary General of the Department of Agriculture and food, Mr. Tom Moran. I have also met the chief veterinary officer of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland and a senior inspector in the Department of Agriculture and Food. I am satisfied that they are making every effort to clarify the position. There is one final step that must be taken and that is that the Minister for Agriculture and Food must commission an independent report into all of the allegations that have been made. It should be an independent assessment and it should be done as quickly as possible. If that is done it will clarify the issue for everybody concerned.

I thank the Department of Agriculture and Food for meeting me and explaining the intricacies of the situation. My concern and that of the public, notwithstanding everything we have been told, is to have an independent risk assessment of the situation. I urge the Minister to have that carried out immediately.

Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture and Food (Mr. B. Smith)

My Department and two other defendants are currently being sued in the High Court by a company in Drogheda which had been contracted by one of the defendants, but not by my Department, to store tallow derived from specified risk material. The plaintiff alleges that it was unaware of the nature of the tallow put into storage at its premises. The specific allegation to which the Deputy referred is based on a statement made in the course of the case by a former employee of the company. My Department does not accept this allegation. I will not comment on the specifics of the case, other than to state that my Department and the other two defendants are vigorously defending their position in court. I will, however, make some general comments on tallow and any health risks that might or might not be associated with it.

Tallow is a by-product of the meat slaughter industry. Rendering of animal by-products, including tallow, takes place in nine rendering plants in the State, which are all approved by my Department under European Union legislation. The standards applied are set in line with best EU practice, which itself is based on the latest scientific knowledge. The overarching EU BSE controls, including the rendering process criteria and the approved disposal methods for animal by-products are regularly reviewed by the EU scientific steering committee. This committee, which is the main advisory body to the EU Commission on BSE, regularly reports to the Community institutions on developments in this area. The EU Food and Veterinary Office also audits, on an ongoing basis, the implementation of EU legislation by member states.

The rendering process prescribed in EU legislation is essentially a series of moisture and fat reduction steps that transform the by-products into meat, bonemeal and tallow. Meat and bonemeal is a solid dry substance whereas tallow is oil. My Department in line with EU legislation regulates storage, handling, transport and export for destruction of these products.

The role of meat and bonemeal in the development of BSE in animals is well established. It is accepted that the vast majority of BSE cases have been caused by the consumption by cattle of contaminated animal feed. It has never been demonstrated that tallow is a cause of BSE. Any risk that might arise with tallow relates to the presence of protein in that product. From February 1997, Ireland, as part of its national BSE control measures, introduced arrangements for removal and destruction of specified risk materials. Part of this system was the designation of a specific rendering plant to process this material. The resultant SRM meat, bonemeal and tallow could only be sent out of the country for incineration.

Risk assessments carried out on SRM tallow have demonstrated that there is negligible risk associated with it in the event of its being consumed by cattle. In the case of consumption by humans, due primarily to the species barrier any risk potential would be further significantly reduced. Any health risks associated with animal by-products, including tallow, are the subject of regular consultation between my Department and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland. I stress that these products do not go into the human or animal food chain and are disposed of by incineration or co-incineration.

Numerous inaccurate statements have been made recently in regard to BSE. The best approach to dealing with a subject such as BSE is to concentrate on what is known to be sound and agreed scientific fact. I have set out the facts on this and hope what I have said puts the Deputy's mind at ease.

The Dáil adjourned at 11.05 p.m. until10.30 a.m. on Wednesday, 24 November 2004.

Dáil Éireann debate - Tuesday, 23 Nov 2004