Written Answers Nos. 488-511
488. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the number of operations or procedures by clinical specialty that were scheduled but cancelled at Mayo General Hospital since the beginning of 2016. [29850/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
489. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the total cost of civil, architectural and structural design in respect of the new 75 bed ward block at University Hospital Galway; if the design is substantially identical to a project at another hospital; and if the fact that a pre-existing design was replicated resulted in cost savings. [29851/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
490. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the current status of a cost-benefit analysis commissioned in respect of a new emergency department at University Hospital Galway; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29852/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
491. Deputy Hildegarde Naughton asked the Minister for Health the current bed capacity of Merlin Park Hospital; the complete range of specialties and services offered at the hospital; and his views on whether the hospital has infrastructural capacity to accommodate additional services. [29853/16]
View answerIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
492. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) from County Donegal who, having been admitted to Galway University Hospital, can expect to be scheduled for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29862/16]
View answerUnder 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.
496. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when rehabilitative care might be offered in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29884/16]
View answerIn relation to the specific query raised by the Deputy, as this is a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
497. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration has been given by his Department to reviving the sugar beet industry and specifically the construction of a bio-refinery in the south east; if any feasibility study has been carried out into same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29655/16]
View answerI would like to give the Deputy some background to this issue. Prior to the last CAP reform negotiations, two separate groups had conducted feasibility studies into the possibility of establishing a new sugar/bioethanol processing facility in the country. The figures published by the interested groups who are investigating the possibility of building a new facility, indicated that the overall capital costs involved could range from €250million to €400million, depending on what type of facility would be constructed.
Both groups are aware that any venture to develop a combined sugar/bioethanol production facility in Ireland, would have to be a viable commercial proposition, and supported by a business case which is sufficiently robust to attract the funding from investors for the very substantial capital investment required. An agreement was reached as part of the overall CAP reform package, negotiated during the Irish Presidency in June 2013, to abolish all sugar quotas by 30 September 2017. This agreement removes, with effect from 1 October 2017, the current EU quota barrier for operators in Ireland or other Member States, wishing to re-establish a sugar beet processing industry.
At the time, this agreement was welcomed by those parties who are interested in seeking to re-establish a sugar industry here. It is now up to any commercial interests who wish to establish a sugar plant to move the project forward and to garner sufficient commercial and financial support to turn their plans into a viable reality. The Programme for a Partnership Government makes clear that “State enterprise bodies will be asked to examine any substantial business plans related to rebuilding the industry with a view to considering appropriate State supports”.
I can confirm that officials in my Department have met with the interested parties a number of times since 2011 to hear from them how the projects are developing and to provide any assistance and advice that has been sought by the interested parties. The location of a new facility is entirely a matter for the interested parties.
498. Deputy Michael D'Arcy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) who is a participant in the GLAS scheme from County Wexford will be paid their premium for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29249/16]
View answerAn application from the person named under Tranche 1 of GLAS was received in my Department on the 23 May 2015 and the person named was approved into the Scheme with effect from 1 October 2015.
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, must be completed before any payment can issue.
The application of the person named has successfully completed the latest GLAS prepayment validation checks in respect of the 2015 scheme year. Subject to the application passing the remaining checks currently being carried out the 2015 part-year payment for the person named will be sent for payment shortly.
499. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide the latest information at hand on updating the sheep census; the number of flock owners that have provided data; the estimate for outstanding owner data; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29288/16]
View answerThe most recent sheep census carried out by my Department was conducted in December 2015. The report of that census shows that 40,099 registered flock owners provided data by completing and returning their 2015 census form and that 4,354 registered flock owners did not return a census form. Of the 40,099 flock owners who submitted a census, 35,254 had sheep in December 2015. The total number of sheep declared in the census was 3,760,425 which comprised 2,503,011 breeding ewes, 84,931 rams and 1,172,483 other sheep.
500. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a person's (details supplied) area aid payment. [29323/16]
View answerAn application under the 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 9 May 2016. This application has now been fully processed and the Area of Natural Constraints payment has been sent for payment.
Advance payments under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme will commence, to cleared cases, from 17 October 2016.
501. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a person's (details supplied) disadvantage payment. [29325/16]
View answerAn application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints Schemes was received from the person named on 11 May 2016. Processing of this application has been completed and payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
502. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the current position with respect to TRPs on the hen harrier; when he expects to be in a position to conclusively deal with the issue of forestry applications in hen harrier SPAs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29339/16]
View answerThe development of the Hen Harrier Threat Response Plan is being led by the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (DAHRRGA) with input from other key Departments including my Department. In July 2014 the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs established an inter-Departmental Steering Group, incorporating representatives from key Departments to assist in the development of the Plan. A Stakeholder Consultative Committee has also been established to assist in drafting the Threat Response Plan; this group is chaired by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and includes representatives from the forestry, agriculture and wind farm sectors. The Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine is represented on both the Steering Group and the Stakeholder Consultative Committee.
The Inter-Departmental Steering Group has now met on eight occasions. The main issues regarding land uses (Wind farming, Forestry and Agriculture) and the recovery of the Hen Harrier population have been investigated and discussed by the Steering Group and with the Stakeholder Consultative Committee. We understand from DAHRRGA that officials at that Department will meet bilaterally and as a group with the key Departments over the coming weeks to finalise a draft of the Threat Response Plan, which will then undergo a public consultation and screening for Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment. We understand that this draft will be ready by year end and will address the issue of afforestation in Hen Harrier SPAs and other matters.
503. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that an outstanding ANC payment due to a registered farm partnership (details supplied) will be paid out immediately; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29353/16]
View answerAn application under the 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 13 May 2016. This application has now been fully processed and the Area of Natural Constraints payment has been sent for payment.
504. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a 2015 BPS application for a person (details supplied) in County Mayo. [29365/16]
View answerAn application under the 2015 Basic Payment Scheme was received from the person named on 26 June 2015, thus incurring a 100% late penalty.
On foot of the information received I have asked my officials to review this case.
An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named to clarify the position with regard to the review process.
505. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Donegal will receive their single farm payment for 2015 and 2016; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29368/16]
View answerApplications under the 2015 and 2016 Basic Payment Schemes were received in my Department from the person named on 8 April 2015 and 29 April 2016, respectively.
In order to qualify for an automatic right to an allocation of entitlements under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015, it was necessary to have been entitled to a direct payment (Single Payment Scheme, Grassland Sheep Scheme or Beef Data Programme) in 2013.
As the person named did not receive a direct payment in 2013 no Basic Payment Scheme entitlements could be allocated to him in 2015. Consequently, no payment is due to him under the Basic Payment Scheme in 2015 or 2016.
506. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a person's (details supplied) 2015 area aid payment. [29385/16]
View answerPayment under the 2015 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme issued to the nominated bank account of the person named in October 2015.
An application under the 2016 ANC Scheme was received from the person named on 23 March 2016. Payment under the ANC Scheme has not issued to the person named as, at this stage, the holding concerned has not satisfied the Scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements.
Under the 2016 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to meet a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Sheep farmers are also required to comply with EU Regulation 21/2004 and return an annual count of the sheep numbers on their holding using the annual Sheep Census return. Examination of my Department's records confirm that the Sheep Census return in respect of this holding was not returned within the permitted time period and this has resulted in no payment issuing under the ANC scheme. An official from my Department has been in direct contact with the person named and further documentation in relation to this issue is to be forwarded to my Department. Upon receipt of this documentation the application will be further reviewed.
507. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an area aid payment application by a person (details supplied). [29416/16]
View answerAn application under the 2016 Basic Payment/Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme was received in my Department from the person named on 11 May 2016. During processing of this application, overclaims were disclosed in respect of three land parcels declared. This matter has now been resolved and the Area of Natural Constraints payment is in the course of issuing directly to his nominated bank account.
Advance payments under the 2016 Basic Payment Scheme will commence, to cleared cases, from 17 October 2016.
508. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures being taken to protect the Irish mushroom industry in the wake of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29419/16]
View answerI am aware of the impact that the devaluation of Sterling is having on mushroom producers and grower margins. The mushroom sector, like many other exporting sectors, is particularly at risk because of the high dependency on the UK market.
I am monitoring the situation regarding Sterling volatility closely and my own Department has a dedicated unit considering the impact of Brexit. Additionally Bord Bia is working closely with the sector on market intelligence, UK consumer research and quality assurance. They recently held a currency and negotiation workshop specifically targeted at the sector which I understand was very well received by the mushroom industry. In the coming weeks the CEO of an Bord Bia and I will be meeting senior executives from the UK retailers to further highlight the difficulties producers are currently facing.
I would also draw attention to support being provided to the industry through National and EU Schemes.
Under the National Development Plan (NDP) 2007 – 2013 my Department implemented the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector. During this period my Department paid out €4,039,629 in grant payments to mushroom growers which supported €10.1 million in investment.
To ensure ongoing support for the sector, my Department extended, under EU sanction, the Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector to run until 31 December 2019. In 2014 and 2015 a total of €1,635,190 grant aid was paid to mushroom growers. The grant aid paid supported some €4.1 million in investment by these growers.
Under the 2016 Scheme of Investment Aid for the Development of the Commercial Horticulture Sector, my Department issued approvals in the amount of €1.33 million in aid to growers in the mushroom sector, supporting €3.3 million in proposed investment.
The EU Producer Organisation Scheme is a vital support for mushroom growers, with 65% of Irish growers in a producer organisation at present. This scheme provides an important mechanism for growers to achieve greater bargaining power in the marketplace by becoming part of a larger supply base. Between 2005 and 2015, a total of €39.8 million was paid to mushroom producer organisations as part of the EU Producer Organisation scheme.
509. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review and assist a person affected by TB (details supplied); the procedures in place to prevent TB recurring consistently; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29425/16]
View answerUnder the On Farm Market Valuation (OFMV) Scheme, valuations are carried out by independent Valuers from a panel established by the Department. The system provides for an initial valuation of reactor animals to be removed under the scheme with an appeals process that provides for a second valuation to be conducted, by a different Valuer, where the first one is rejected by either the Herdowner or the Department. In cases where this appeal valuation is rejected by either party the case may be referred to an independent Arbitration Panel for final ruling, subject to compliance with criteria applicable.
In the case in question, the herd was restricted on 27 August 2016 following the identification of 9 reactors. The initial valuation was carried out on 5 September. This valuation was rejected by the Department on 8 September. However documentation from the herdowner accepting the initial valuation was only received on 16 September and this delayed the appeal valuation process. The appeal valuation was completed on 22 September 2016 and was accepted by my Department on 29 September.
Documentation from the herdowner rejecting the appeal valuation was only received on 6 October which is outside the permitted delay of 14 days from the date of the valuation of 22 September. In view of this, the case cannot proceed to arbitration. My Department will make arrangements to pay compensation due under the On Farm Market Valuation Scheme, in line with the appeal valuation and subject to general scheme criteria. Payment can only be processed after the animals are removed and on receipt of the relevant documentation from the herdowner. In line with normal practice, the post mortem results will determine whether the in-calf or not-in-calf values are to be paid, where relevant.
The herdowner concerned may also be eligible for grants under the Income Supplement scheme. These grants are payable, subject to other criteria, in cases where the breakdown results in the removal of more than 10% of animals from the herd and where depopulation is not deemed appropriate.
Under animal health and welfare legislation, the Department is prohibited from moving animals within 4 weeks of calving. This has resulted in a delay in the removal of the animals but it is expected that the reactors will be removed on 11 October.
My Department will continue to work closely with the person named to identify, confine and eradicate any residual TB infection in his herd. Measures to be taken to achieve this aim may include blood testing the remaining animals in his herd.
510. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which compensation paid to vegetable farmers whose crops were destroyed by the cold snap of late 2009 and early 2010 was in accordance with EU state aid rules; if he will now apply the same criteria to tillage farmers on the south coast of Cork, who suffered winter barley crop losses in late 2015 and early 2016 as a result of the storm belt which in turn created a sea mist that facilitated a salt drift to blow inland and do untold damage to the tillage crops of the farmers; and if his attention has been drawn to the fact that these same farmers have taken a double hit in that after replanting their crops they had to endure a salvaging operation in order to harvest same. [29435/16]
View answerI fully acknowledge and accept that there are ongoing difficulties being experienced by the farming community not least by our tillage farmers. In this connection I hosted a meeting of all Tillage sector stakeholders which took place on Wednesday last where during our discussions we evaluated the current situation in the light of present challenges and addressed emerging opportunities.
I confirmed at the meeting that my Department has received over 132,000 applications this year from farmers under the Direct Aid Schemes, which are funded or partially funded by the EU. The Schemes involved include the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), the Areas of Natural Scheme, GLAS and AEOS which are worth in excess of €1.5 billion annually.
I have directed my officials to prioritise processing of all farm payments this year. In relation to the BPS and Greening Payments, I am pleased to confirm that advance payment is scheduled for 17 October, next the earliest possible date by which payments can commence under the governing EU Regulations and that the necessary preparations are being made to maximise the number of payments on that date. While the standard provision is for a 50% advance, the Commission has made legal provision for a 70% advance again this year. The second instalment of payments will commence on 1 December.
Processing of the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme payments is on schedule and payments commenced during the third week in September with almost 65,000 applicants being paid a total of €140.9 million. This was an increase on the 57,000 applicants paid €117 million in the first phase in 2015. It is expected that approx 96,500 will fulfil the scheme eligibility requirements this year. To date almost 80,000 applicants have been paid a total of €172 million. As is normal at this juncture, many farmers are not yet eligible for payment as they have not yet fulfilled the necessary stocking requirements under the ANC scheme but will do so before the end of the year. Payments are continuing on a twice weekly basis to ensure prompt payments to applicants as they fulfil the scheme stocking requirements.
I also confirmed at the meeting last week, the Government’s ongoing commitment to the sector, both at farm and processing level which is fully reflected in the Food Wise 2025 blueprint for the industry. In particular, I highlighted the opportunities to increase the focus on adding value to what is a quality product.
511. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied ) will have to wait until November 2016 to receive payment under the organics programme 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29439/16]
View answerThe person-named was a participant in both the Agri-Environment Options Scheme (AEOS) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS) in 2015. Under AEOS, the 'Establishment and Maintenance of Habitats' action was being claimed. However, this cannot be paid on the same parcel as OFS, as it constitutes double funding.
The person named has since re-digitised the parcel and has created two separate parcels. My Department will now carry out a full recalculation of all OFS payments in respect of 2015 and any payments due will be processed in full. This will be completed in December.
