Written Answers Nos. 225 - 238
225. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his views on the recent comments by the HSE chief executive that €9 billion is required in capital expenditure for the health services over the next ten years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2408/17]
View answerThe Director General said that €9 billion was an estimated requirement, along with a transitional budget to fund the changes needed in the health service model to meet current and future demands, especially in the context of an aging population and increases in chronic disease.
My Department will examine the approach used by the HSE to determine the figure, in the context of future planning, the challenge of meeting current and future demand, the commitments in the Programme for Partnership Government and the recommendations arising from the deliberations of the Committee on the Future of Healthcare. During 2017, my Department is also undertaking a Bed Capacity Review and a review of the wider capital programme as part of the mid-term review to be conducted by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform.
226. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the current waiting time for an appointment with an occupational therapist with Occupational Therapy Services Mayo PCCC. [2467/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
227. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of children under 18 years of age on the waiting list for occupational therapy in County Mayo, in tabular form; and the number of children who have been waiting between zero and three months, three and six months, six and nine months, nine and 18 months and more than 18 months. [2468/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
228. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health the number of occupational therapists employed in the public health system in County Mayo. [2469/17]
View answer229. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Health if there are vacancies for occupational therapists in County Mayo [2470/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 228 and 229 together.
I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
230. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a day care centre run by the HSE for persons with a disability (details supplied) which is involved in training of greyhounds for hare coursing; if it is HSE funding that is being used for this and to bring the centre's attendees to hare coursing meetings; and his views on whether hare coursing is a suitable leisure activity to be funded in this way for the persons that use the centre. [2475/17]
View answerThe 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.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
231. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of the Finglas primary care centre project (details supplied). [2481/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
232. Deputy Noel Rock asked the Minister for Health the status of the roll-out of new primary care centres across the country; and the place of Finglas in this prioritisation. [2482/17]
View answerAs this question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply.
233. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the sale of an asset (details supplied) further to recent media reports; if he has satisfied himself with the guiding price for the sale; if other options were considered beyond the sale of the asset in order that it can be put to an alternative public use; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2484/17]
View answerAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
234. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the bilateral meetings he has had with his European counterparts outside of EU Council meetings since the UK referendum to leave the EU took place in which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was discussed, including the name of each European Government ministerial counterpart, the meeting location and the date of each meeting, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2520/17]
View answerAn extensive programme of engagement with all other EU Governments and the EU institutions, including the Commission’s Brexit Negotiations Task Force, is under way. This engagement is being intensified in 2017. The Taoiseach and Ministers will continue to meet and engage with their EU counterparts over coming weeks to emphasise Ireland’s concerns and to ensure that they are fully reflected in the EU position once negotiations commence.
This activity is reinforced by extensive engagement at diplomatic and official level. The Government is acutely aware of the potential risks and challenges for Ireland and will remain fully engaged as the negotiations proceed. An important part of our preparations for the Brexit negotiations is ensuring that our particular concerns are heard and understood across Europe, and engagement with our EU partners and with the EU institutions is therefore critical.
Of course, Ireland will be part of the EU 27 team and looks forward to working with our fellow Member States in delivering the best possible result for Ireland and for the EU. In line with the agreement at EU level, there have been and will be no negotiations with the UK until Article 50 has been triggered.
Since the UK referendum, the Minister for Health has held meetings with his counterparts at which the issue of Brexit and the unique challenges faced by the island of Ireland was raised. This information is being compiled and will be forwarded to the Deputy as soon as possible.
235. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2231/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process issues were identified with the Commonage action. Department officials are examining these issues with a view to resolving and further processing the application for 2016 payment at the earliest opportunity.
236. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grants that will be made available from his Department for the construction or renovation of farm buildings in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2233/17]
View answerThe TAMS II Schemes provide grants for the construction of a variety of farm structures. The full range of investment measures are detailed on the Department's website. Applications for the TAMS II Schemes can be made online and funding will be made available over the course of 2017 for approved applications. TAMS II Schemes are funded under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020.
In addition, the GLAS Traditional Farm Building Scheme is administered by the Heritage Council on behalf of my Department. A budget of €1 million has been provided for projects under this scheme in 2017. Unfortunately applications for 2017 are now closed. It is intended to re-open it later in the year for applicants to apply for projects to be undertaken in 2018.
237. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the very small proportion of State funds allocated to the greyhound industry every year spent on greyhound welfare and rehoming; the steps he will take to ensure that the Irish Greyhound Board increases this proportion in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2272/17]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial State body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
Bord na gCon recognises that the welfare of the greyhounds is paramount and it adopts the best identified practices to ensure that the highest welfare standards are achieved. During 2016 circa €1.8m was spent by Bord na gCon in support of Regulatory and Welfare efforts. Bord na gCon will continue to enhance all aspects of greyhound welfare and ensure that the highest standards of performance and consistency are delivered when formulating strategy and appropriate policies.
As reported on the Bord na gCon website www.igb.ie, Bord na gCon, through its Welfare Officers, conducted in excess of 500 kennel inspections during 2016 and imposed 23 sanctions.
The Irish Retired Greyhound Trust, (which is jointly funded by Bord na gCon and contributions from owners), is primarily focused on the preparation of greyhounds for rehoming including transportation, to the various European and U.S. Rehoming Agencies along with providing assistance to Private Greyhound Rehoming Agencies
During 2015 and 2016 the Trust was successful in securing homes for 1,675 retired greyhounds, (694 were rehomed through agencies assisted by the Irish Greyhound Welfare Trust).
Where any breaches of welfare standards are identified under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Bord na gCon takes stringent actions and prosecutions ensue in accordance with the Act.
238. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to deal with avian influenza; if consideration is being given to the implementation of additional preventative measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2279/17]
View answerThe H5N8 strain of avian influenza has been responsible for over 500 of outbreaks of disease in poultry and 430 mortality events in wild birds in Europe since the end of October 2016. There is a risk that H5N8 could spread to poultry or other birds here in Ireland mainly as a result of the movement of wild migratory birds.
On the 23 December last, my Department announced regulations under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 requiring flock keepers to confine all poultry and captive birds in their possession or under their control in a secure building to which wild birds, or other animals do not have access, and to apply specific bio-security measures. This followed the confirmation of H5N8 in a wild bird in Wales, and is the first time such action has been taken by this Department. The requirement to keep birds confined remains in place until further notice but it will be kept under review. It is likely that this will be for a maximum of 12 weeks, in order to prevent any impact on the marketing status for free-range and organic reared poultry.
Bird gatherings (shows, exhibitions and races) are permitted under general licence, subject to prior notification and certain bio security conditions.
Subsequent to the confirmation of avian influenza subtype H5N8 in wild birds in Wexford last December, the disease has been confirmed in wild birds in Galway and in Tipperary earlier this month. These cases serve to confirm that infection in wild birds is likely well established in Ireland and that poultry flocks across the country are at risk from introduction of the virus. With this developing knowledge, I would re-emphasise the requirement to confine poultry and other birds, and to apply strict bio-security measures to prevent the introduction of avian influenza. Poultry flock owners should remain vigilant for any signs of disease in their flocks, and report any disease suspicion to their nearest Department Veterinary Office.
The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has confirmed that although the H5N8 subtype can cause serious disease in poultry and other birds, no human infections with this virus have been reported world-wide and therefore risk to humans is considered to be very low.
The Department continues to review all aspects of its contingency arrangements in light of any emerging veterinary or scientific information and will take measures that are considered appropriate, if necessary.
