Written Answers Nos. 1288-1307
1288. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the private patient stretch targets for each hospital for each of the past three years; the actual income achieved in each case; the number and percentage of private patients which this represents in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38991/17]
View answerThis matter has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
1289. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the arrangements in place to ensure compliance with the terms of public hospital consultant contracts in respect of public and private work; the number of cases in each of the past ten years where the limit on private work was breached; the number and value of all financial sanctions imposed; the actual amount of moneys recouped in this regard; his views on the effectiveness of these arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38992/17]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly on this matter.
1290. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reason generic manufacturers are not involved in negotiations on medicines pricing agreements; if he will give consideration to drafting a national medicines strategy in order to achieve greater cost effectiveness for the State and consumers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38997/17]
View answerThe scope of the Framework Agreement on the Supply and Pricing of Medicines (IPHA Agreement) is defined as applying to any patent protected medicinal product and any off-patent medicinal products which have not been declared interchangeable by the HPRA. The price of generic and interchangeable medicines are set by reference to the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.
Ensuring the rational and cost effective use of medicine is a key priority and my officials are currently examining a range of policy options in this area. The drafting of a national medicines strategy, as referenced by the Deputy, will be considered as part of this process.
Engagement and consultation with all stakeholders, including manufacturers, will form a key part of this work.
1291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 708 of 28 February 2017, if the recruitment restrictions within the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which resulted in the establishment of a not-for-profit company, limited by guarantee, still exist; when he expects these restrictions to be lifted; the future of a not-for-profit company (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36865/17]
View answerThe moratorium on recruitment ceased for State bodies under the aegis of this Department in the latter part of 2015 and the Marine Institute has discretion over staffing levels via a delegated sanction process, within an overall pay framework, since that time.
It should be noted that the Marine Institute may, in accordance with section 4 (3) (c) of the Marine Institute Act 1991, enter into joint ventures so as to undertake or further the application of marine research and this company is such a joint venture.
The future of the company concerned is an operational matter for the Marine Institute and I have requested the Institute to reply directly to the Deputy on that aspect.
1292. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 709 of 28 February 2017, the sources and amounts of funding to a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2016 inclusive, and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36866/17]
View answerMy Department has provided no direct funding to this company in the years specified (2010-16 and to date in 2017). It should be noted that the Marine Institute may, in accordance with section 4 (3) (c) of the Marine Institute Act 1991, enter into joint ventures so as to undertake or further the application of marine research and this company is such a joint venture.
The sources and amounts of funding to this company in the years specified (2010-16 and to date in 2017) is an operational matter for the Marine Institute and I have requested the Marine Institute to respond directly to the Deputy on this specific request.
1293. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide financial assistance to a stadium (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36869/17]
View answerBord na gCon is a commercial state body, established in 1958 under the Greyhound industry Act 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and improve and develop the greyhound industry.
The granting of financial assistance to any stadium is a matter for consideration by the Board of Bord na gCon. I understand that Longford Greyhound Stadium are in receipt of annual operating grants of €40,000 along with grant assistance towards operating costs, specifically Veterinary fees. The Board recently received a request for additional financial assistance from the supporters club of Longford Greyhound Stadium, which is scheduled for Board consideration at their next board meeting.
1294. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of employees at decentralised offices (details supplied); his plans to reduce the level of services administered from that office; if so, the number of employees affected; if this proposal will result in a freeze or embargo on other staff wishing to transfer to that location from other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36776/17]
View answerThere are currently 207 staff headquartered in my Department’s office in Cavan. My Department is fully committed to maintaining the Cavan office and has no plans to reduce services from this office.
Following the recent transfer of my Department’s payroll function from the Cavan office to the Payroll Shared Service Centre, new work has been allocated to this office and assigned to the staff that previously carried out the payroll function.
My Department is committed to participating in the new mobility initiative that is expected to be operational in the Autumn. This initiative is being developed as part of the Civil Service Renewal Plan and will facilitate mobility and transfers of staff across the Civil Service. My Department’s Cavan office will be included in this mobility initiative.
1295. Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the record for a person (details supplied) cannot be recognised in each of the years 2006 to 2016 inclusive, and to date in 2017 under the Dundalk cockle Natura permits policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36838/17]
View answerThe qualifying criteria for eligibility for a fisheries Natura permit to fish for cockles in Dundalk Bay is set down in the Dundalk Cockle Natura Permits Policy 2016-2020. This policy is available at the website www.fishingnet.ie, the Government's commercial sea-fishing network portal.
Under the heading “Cockle dredge fishery”, point 2 of the policy states: "Permits will normally be issued in the first instance to ‘priority group 1’ – i.e. those vessels that have already established track record with the Department in the years 2009-2013 or vessels that have acquired the capacity of a vessel with such established track record. No new applications to establish track record will be accepted."
The person whose details are supplied was granted a fisheries Natura permit for the 2017 Dundalk cockle fishery for the vessel Bee-Jay which has established track record.
1296. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 709 of 28 February 2017, the details of the EU projects and the income supplied by his Department to a company (details supplied) in each of the years 2010 to 2016 inclusive, and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36867/17]
View answerMy Department has provided no direct funding to this company in the years specified (2010-16). Details of the EU projects which the company may be involved with, are an operational matter for the Marine Institute. I have requested the Marine Institute to respond directly to the Deputy on this specific request.
1297. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 709 of 28 February 2017, the details of the contract between a company (details supplied) and the Marine Institute; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36868/17]
View answerThis is an operational matter for the Marine Institute. I have requested the Marine Institute to respond directly to the Deputy in relation to the specific information requested.
1298. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the options open to a person (details supplied) in County Wexford who cannot obtain entitlements for farming activities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36871/17]
View answerEU Regulation 1307/2013 provided for the establishment of the Basic Payment Scheme National Reserve to facilitate the allocation of payment entitlements to the two priority categories of young farmer and new entrant to farming.
The person named submitted an application to my Department under the ‘new entrant’ category of the 2015 National Reserve. One of the eligibility criteria for applicants under the ‘new entrant’ category of the 2015 National Reserve was that the applicant must have commenced their present agricultural activity in the 2013 calendar year or later. As the person named had commenced his present agricultural activity in 2001 he was deemed ineligible under the ‘new entrant’ category of the National Reserve and was notified of this decision in writing on 14 March 2016.
The 'young farmer' category of the National Reserve is confined to farmers at or under 40 years of age therefore the person named was not eligible for consideration under this category.
Farmers who do not hold entitlements have the option to purchase or lease payment entitlements. Payment under the Basic Payment Scheme is made on the basis of one entitlement per eligible hectare of land declared.
1299. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action which has been taken by his Department to resolve the issues at Howth harbour highlighted by the Committee of Public Accounts, PAC, in 2015; if the vacant and unused buildings listed at that time are now in use or leased; if he will list the vacant buildings noted in 2015 and provide the status of each one; if the site at Howth HFC was subdivided into smaller units; if so, if details of the tendering process will be provided setting out the number of bidders and the rents and lease agreed; if all issues identified by the Committee of Public Accounts, PAC, at Howth have now been resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36901/17]
View answerMy Department owns, manages and maintains six designated Fishery Harbour Centres under Statute. The recommendations in the Public Accounts Committee Report on those Fishery Harbour Centres which was published in June 2015 have been accepted by my Department and have been and continue to be implemented, subject to necessary legal and statutory consent procedures.
In regard to the specific queries relating to properties in Howth Fishery Harbour Centre, one of the six designated Fishery Harbour Centres, the position regarding vacant properties/sites since the publication of the Public Accounts Committee Report in June 2015 is as follows.
The large vacant site referred to was subdivided into three, one of which was successfully tendered by open public competition in 2015. A further building on the West Pier was also successfully tendered at that time.
Regarding the tender process, there were 6 applications received for the West Pier building, the rent is €5,600 per annum and the lease is for a term of 35 years. The subdivided site received 2 applications for the tender, the rent is €6,045 per annum and the lease is for a term of 35 years.
Currently there are 6 vacant sites in Howth:
1. The two further remaining sub-divided sites referred to above - one is being amalgamated with another larger site to provide for purpose built units for small businesses as deemed appropriate; the second subdivided site is potentially available for tender pending the resolution of an encroachment issue, which is being actively pursued.
2. A vacant property “Mariners Hall” requires significant repairs and upgrade before it can again be considered for tender. My Department is awaiting a planning decision in this regard before works can commence.
3. There are three small vacant stores built into the East Pier which are not suitable for occupation. The structures themselves are very old and in poor condition, they are not serviced by utilities and due to their location in the harbour are not generally accessible by vehicle. The East Pier is also subject to wave overtopping in stormy weather which is a major Health and Safety concern.
In addition there are properties within Howth Fishery Harbour Centre which may appear vacant, these properties are either legally occupied or in a limited number of cases subject to legal proceedings.
1300. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of political staff employed in his Department, including parliamentary assistants, secretarial assistants, special advisers, drivers and other relevant positions; the number of civil or public service staff seconded to work in his Department or constituency offices; the salaries and job titles of each such person; the duty or role of each, in each of the years 2015 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36946/17]
View answerThe breakdown of staff as requested is outlined in the following table. The information provided for 2016 (June and December) reflects the change of Government.
|
Political Staff |
Dec-15 |
Jun-16 |
|
Driver |
6 |
2 |
|
Personal Assistant Min/Min State |
3 |
0 |
|
Personal Secretary Min/Min State |
3 |
0 |
|
Special Advisor |
2 |
1 |
|
Civil/Public Service Staff (Seconded) |
||
|
Constituency Office |
||
|
Higher Executive Officer |
1 |
0 |
The current salary scales for these grades are:
PPC Scale
Drivers €35,700.00
Per Asst. Min/Min State €47,016.00 - €60,011.00
Higher Executive Officer €47,081.00 - €59,294.00
Special Advisor (Principal Officer) €79,401.00 - €91,624.00
Non PPC Scale
Drivers €33,965.00
Per Asst. Min/Min State €44,715.00 - €57,060.00
Personal Sec Min/Min State €25,416.00- €48,756.00
Higher Executive Officer €44,816.00 - €56,415.00
Duties of individuals are agreed between officers and their line manager on an ongoing basis.
1301. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36968/17]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid in full for the 2015 scheme year.
The 85% payment for 2016 has been processed and payment has issued to the person named.
All GLAS 1 participants are required to submit a Farm Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) before the 2016 15% payment can be made. When the NMP on behalf of the person named is submitted the balancing payment checks can be completed.
1302. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of women and men, respectively, employed in his Department, in tabular form. [37066/17]
View answerMy Department is committed to being a modern, diverse and inclusive organisation that reflects and is capable of serving 21st century Irish society.
We currently employ a total of 3,186 staff members. The breakdown of male and female staff members is given in the following tables.
|
Female |
Male |
Total |
|
1472 |
1714 |
3186 |
|
Female |
Male |
|
46.20% |
53.80% |
By monitoring trends and publishing data, we are continuously raising awareness of the need for Gender Balance. We are developing our HR expertise and methodologies in order to monitor trends and to provide relevant information to staff, the Management Board and our Gender Balance Steering Group. Our aim is to identify and address any possible barriers to equal opportunities in the Department.
1303. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of men and women, respectively, in his Department who hold posts (details supplied). [37077/17]
View answerMy Department has 184 staff who hold posts at Secretary General, Assistant Secretary, Principal and Assistant Principal level. The current gender breakdown for these grades is as follows:
Assistant Principal (AP) - 63 Women and 73 Men
Principal Officer (PO) - 15 Women and 24 Men
Assistant Secretary (A. Sec) - 2 Women and 6 Men
Secretary General - 1 Man
However, due to the nature of the work carried out within my Department, our business needs are complex and require a variety of specialised skills. In addition to the general administrative grades, a number of professional, scientific and technical staff also work in my Department and undertake different roles. The diverse mandate of DAFM and the requirement for specialised roles require a broad range of staff with many different skill sets. Some of these roles are highly specialised, making grade comparisons difficult. Salary, competencies and role requirements are the main issues considered when assessing approximate equivalence. There are specialised professional and technical staff operating at equivalent levels to AP, PO and Assistant Secretary across my Department.
1304. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the oversight and regulation of the capture of wallabies here (details supplied) and for the slaughtering of these animals for their meat; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37096/17]
View answerAll slaughter plants whose meat is destined for human consumption must meet the standards set out in EU and national regulations relating to food safety.
Large scale slaughter plants and all plants involved in equine slaughter operate under the supervision of my Department, while smaller scale abattoirs are supervised by the Local Authority Veterinary Service, under service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI).
I understand that the food business operator concerned in this instance operates under the supervision of South Dublin County Council. The legislation also requires that a person engaged in wild game hunting activity be registered, and in addition the hunter requires permission from the landowner and a current firearms licence for the firearm in use.
1305. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a company (details supplied) will have a dominant or a monopoly position in the slaughtering of organic beef cattle here when a merger goes through; the guidelines for fair competition in such a case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37101/17]
View answerI am very much aware of the importance of competition in the beef sector. It is crucial to have a robust and transparent legal basis for the evaluation of proposals for mergers and acquisitions.
There is a well established infrastructure, at EU level, and at National level through the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, for the oversight of competition issues and for handling allegations of anti-competitive practices or the abuse of a dominant market position.
I note that the merger referred to by the Deputy was notified to the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission 05/09/2017 who will carry out the appropriate investigation into the proposed merger.
1306. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an oyster licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37139/17]
View answerThe applications for two aquaculture licences referred to by the Deputy are in respect of two sites located in Castlemaine Harbour, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds Directive (Natura 2000 site).
All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is engaged in a comprehensive programme of gathering the necessary baseline data appropriate to the Conservation Objectives of ‘Natura’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. This is followed by data analysis and the setting of appropriate Conservation Objectives by the NPWS. Once this process is complete all new, renewal and review aquaculture applications can be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
The Appropriate Assessment of Castlemaine Harbour has been completed and the relevant licensing determinations have been made based on applications to hand at the time of the assessment.
The specific applications referred by the Deputy were submitted to my Department subsequent to the carrying out of the Appropriate Assessment process for this harbour. Accordingly, it was not possible to assess these applications against the designated Conservation Objectives for the harbour.
The optimum method for appropriately assessing applications by individual operators, who were not included in the initial overall assessment procedure, is under active consideration by my Department. The process must comply with best scientific practice and be achieved in a manner which will be acceptable to the national authorities and to the EU Commission.
In the meantime, the assessment procedures agreed with the EU Commission require Appropriate Assessments in respect of aquaculture activities to be carried out by the national authorities and unilateral departure from these arrangements is not possible.
Every effort is being made to expedite the conclusion of this matter as soon as possible.
1307. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the active and specific steps his Department is taking to stop the illegal trade of greyhounds and the cruelty involved in this in response to recent increases in that practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37212/17]
View answerThe welfare of greyhounds is regulated through the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 and the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The Animal Health and Welfare Act applies to all animals, whether kept for commercial, domestic, sport, show or other purposes and contains robust measures against the ill-treatment of animals. The Act also provides for increased levels of penalties.
Bord na gCon, which is the State body responsible for the governance, regulation and development of the greyhound industry in Ireland and the wellbeing of greyhounds, has developed a Code of Practice in relation to the welfare of greyhounds which sets out specific standards that all individuals engaged in the care and management of registered greyhounds are expected to meet. The Code emphasises that owners and keepers must take full responsibility for the physical and social well-being of greyhounds in line with best welfare practice.
Where any breaches of welfare requirements are identified under the Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011, Bord na gCon takes stringent actions and prosecutions ensue in accordance with the Act. A new Greyhound Industry Bill is currently being introduced and the General Scheme of that Bill gives Bord na gCon a very clear role in relation to the welfare of greyhounds including the use of its funds to enhance the welfare of greyhounds and improved investigatory powers in relation to greyhound welfare.
The vast majority of dogs that are moved from Ireland go to the UK. Trade within the EU of dogs, including greyhounds, is governed by EU law. Dogs moved to another EU Member State from Ireland must be accompanied by an EU pet passport and a health certificate issued by a Department veterinarian, be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination.
The premises exporting dogs must be registered with my Department in advance of the export. Before travel, dogs must undergo a clinical examination by an authorised veterinarian, who must verify that the animals show no obvious signs of disease and are fit to be transported. These procedures, including vaccination, ensure that only healthy dogs, over the age of 15 weeks, are allowed to be exported.
Exporters must also comply with national and EU law on the protection of animals during transport, while the transport of animals by air is also governed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations.
Bord na gCon has stated that it does not support the export of greyhounds to destinations which do not conform with the standards in the Animal Health and Welfare Act, the Welfare of Greyhounds Act or Bord na gCon’s Code of Practice and standards. I fully endorse this view.
Finally I should add that my Department continues to work closely with animal welfare charities on all aspects of animal welfare. Officials of my Department have also met with the welfare members of the International Greyhound Forum, which includes the Dogs Trust and the ISPCA, to consider issues surrounding the export of greyhounds.
