Written Answers Nos. 535-558
535. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the reasoning behind the decision to remove a pain relief medication (details supplied) from the medical card scheme; if he will reconsider this decision in view of the effectiveness of this product for chronic pain sufferers and the high price of the medication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39893/17]
View answerMedicines play a vital role in improving the overall health of Irish patients. Securing access to existing and new and innovative medicines, is a key objective of the Irish health service. However, the challenge is to deliver this objective in an affordable and sustainable manner. The medicines bill for the community drugs schemes – primarily the GMS, Long Term Illness, Drugs Payment as well as the High Tech Arrangement – including fees and ingredient costs, is forecast at just over €1.7 billion in 2017. To ensure that patients receive the highest quality care, it is essential that these resources invested in medicines are used efficiently and effectively. This requires an integrated approach to secure best value for money for all treatments, to deliver greater efficiencies across the supply chain and also to promote the use of the most cost-effective treatments.
In 2013, the HSE established the Medicines Management Programme (MMP). It is headed by the National Medicines Information Centre (NMIC) and the National Centre for Pharmacoeconomics (NCPE) in collaboration with the HSE-Primary Care Reimbursement Service (HSE-PCRS) and provides sustained national leadership relating to issues such as the quality of the medicines management process, access to medicines and overall expenditure on medicines.
The Medicines Management Programme has undertaken a number of initiatives aimed at enhancing evidence-based and cost-effective prescribing nationally and the review of Versatis is an example of this.
Versatis 5% medicated plaster is licensed for the symptomatic relief of neuropathic pain associated with previous herpes zoster (shingles) infection, known as post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), in adults.
Following a review by the MMP of the evidence available to support the use of Versatis, the HSE has introduced a new system for the reimbursement of Versatis from 1 September 2017. This process will support the appropriate use of this medication while ensuring those with an indication of post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN) continue to have access to this treatment.
The product has been reimbursed under the community drugs schemes in Ireland since 2010. Initially, the projected budget impact was low due to the specific licensed indication. However, total expenditure has increased significantly, from €9.4 million in 2012 to over €30 million in 2016, due primarily to off-licence use i.e. prescribing Versatis as a general treatment for pain not associated with shingles. Currently, there are over 25,000 patients in receipt of this item. The MMP prescribing and cost guidance report highlighted that the clinical evidence to support the use of Versatis 5% medicated plaster for PHN is limited due to lack of comparative data and its value is uncertain for all other types of pain.
The NCPE estimated that, in Ireland, between 5-10% of the prescribing of this product is for the licensed indication of PHN.
All patients who currently receive antivirals for shingles, or patients who are prescribed antivirals for the treatment of shingles by their GP in the future, will automatically be approved for Versatis for a period of three months. No action is required by the GP in this instance and the patient’s pharmacy will be notified in real time of the patient’s approval status.
All patients who are currently initiated on Versatis have been identified and automatically registered on the HSE-PCRS system for a period of three months and will continue to receive the treatment from their pharmacy until 30 November 2017.
From 1 December 2017, non-shingles patients will no longer be dispensed Versatis under the community drugs schemes. The HSE has produced patient information leaflets and advised GPs on treatment alternatives.
In exceptional circumstances, the product may be dispensed for unlicensed indications. In such circumstance, the GP will be required to make an application for reimbursement for unlicensed indications for new and existing patients through the online system.
Where the application is under exceptional circumstances, the application will be reviewed by the MMP before a decision is made and communicated to the GP.
Full details of the review of Versatis are available on the HSE website at
http://hse.ie/eng/about/Who/clinical/natclinprog/medicinemanagementprogramme/yourmedicines/lidocaine-plaster/lidocaine-medicated-plaster.html
As this is a matter for the HSE, I have no role in this decision in relation to individual treatments. However, I fully support the objectives of the HSE Medicines Management Programme.
536. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the €40 million towards community supports for persons with dementia which is being proposed by an organisation (details supplied) is included in budget 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39902/17]
View answerThe level of funding available for my Department is being considered as part of the national Estimates and budgetary process for 2018 which is currently under way. Pending completion of this process it is not appropriate for me to comment further at this stage.
537. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS appeal by a person (details supplied); when a decision will be expected on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39160/17]
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.
In 2016 the person named withdrew the action that had elevated his GLAS application to Tier 2 for approval into the scheme. In accordance with the scheme terms and conditions, as this was the only Tier 2 action, the non-delivery of the action has resulted in the rejection of the GLAS application.
It is understood that the person named lodged an appeal with the Agriculture Appeals Office and that the person named was informed in writing on 1 August 2017 of the decision of that office.
538. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions being taken by his Department to encourage a reduction in the use of antimicrobials in animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39257/17]
View answerAntimicrobials are one of the most important medical advances of the past 100 years and have become essential for the treatment of bacterial disease in both the human and animal populations. They are also important tools for the protection of animal welfare.
However, antimicrobials are increasingly under threat from the rise of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). AMR (the ability of micro-organisms to survive in the presence of an antimicrobial agent that in the past was sufficient to kill the micro-organism) is a global public health concern and threatens the very foundations of modern medicine. A UK review on Anti-microbial resistance conducted in 2014 estimates that currently some 700,000 human deaths (50,000 in the USA and Europe) are associated with AMR bacteria annually.
Given the seriousness and cross-sectoral threat posed by AMR, it is necessary for a ‘whole of Government’ or ‘One Health’ approach to tackling the problem across the human health, animal health and environmental sectors. My Department and the Department of Health jointly established a high level National Interdepartmental AMR Consultative Committee in 2015 and this Committee has provided guidance in relation to the development of Ireland’s first National Action Plan on AMR. The overall goal of the National Action Plan on AMR is to ensure, for as long as possible, the availability of effective antimicrobial treatment options for both the human and animal populations, with safe medicines that are quality-assured, used in a responsible way, and accessible to all who need them. The Plan is a comprehensive roadmap, aimed at protecting the efficacy of antimicrobials. It sets out strategic interventions and activities to address AMR and prioritises areas for action in a phased manner, including addressing the prudent use of antibiotics across all sectors.
539. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend membership of the EU monitoring committee for the rural development programme to an organisation (details supplied). [39280/17]
View answer552. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will extend membership of the monitoring committee for the rural development programme 2014 to 2020 to an association (details supplied) in view of the fact that the matter has been under consideration for over seven months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39723/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 552 together.
The Monitoring Committee for Ireland's Rural Development Programme is already established and was set up in July 2015 in accordance with Article 47 of (EU) Regulation 1303/2015. This is to cover the period for the current RDP which runs from 2014-2020.
My Department has already had some correspondence with named organisation on this matter and I am scheduled to meet with this organisation next week.
540. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision on an AEOS 3 contract in respect of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if a ground inspection will be carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39310/17]
View answerThe decision on this case was reviewed by the Department's Regional Inspector. He upheld the original decision and informed the herdowner of this by letter dated 28 August 2017.
The letter also pointed out that the person named has the option to appeal the review decision to the independent Agricultural Appeals Office if they so wish.
541. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will put in place a grant package for fencing materials further to the announcement that farmers are required to have lands fenced off at locations in which cattle are drinking at rivers by 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39315/17]
View answerThe current proposals are part of the Experts Review Group's recommendations for amendments to the current Nitrates regulations. These regulations will not be finalised until the end of the year following a period of public consultation, appropriate assessment and finally negotiation with the European Commission. I will await the outcome of this process before considering next steps.
542. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to have a grant system in place similar to targeted agricultural modernisation schemes, TAMS, for drinking facilities from rivers via a water pump or drinking bowl system (details supplied); if this grant system will be in place before these requirements come into effect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39316/17]
View answerThe recommendation that farms with grassland stocking rates of above 170kg of Nitrogen (N) per hectare per year from livestock manure be required to fence watercourses 1.5m from the top of the river bank arises from the review of the Ireland's Nitrates Action Programme.
The proposed deadline for the implementation of this recommendation by the affected farmers is 1 January 2021 which will give farmers time to plan for such fencing and provide alternative drinking sources as required.
The provision of additional investment items under TAMS may be considered. This consideration must take into account investments already grant aided and any available budget.
543. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to introduce long-term, low-cost loan measures to assist agribusinesses to improve competitiveness due to the particular challenges that will arise from Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39347/17]
View answer544. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist the beef sector due to difficulties that have arisen from the decline in the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39349/17]
View answer545. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to assist the mushroom sector due to difficulties that have arisen from the decline in the value of sterling; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39350/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 543 to 545, inclusive, together.
I fully recognise the enormous challenges Brexit poses for the agrifood and fisheries sectors which, given their reliance on the UK market for exports, are experiencing severe difficulties on foot of the fall in the value of sterling against the euro.
With Government support, I and my Department, and its agencies, have introduced measures to help mitigate the exchange rate effects, primarily through the introduction earlier this year of a new €150 million low-cost loan scheme for primary producers. We have also introduced new agri-taxation measures, increased funding under the Rural Development Programme and Seafood Development Programme, and allocated significant additional resources to Bord Bia to provide Brexit-related supports to affected companies and to progress its market diversification activities.
My Department is keeping the market situation under close review and I will be considering what further measures may be required in the light of developments.
546. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of mushroom farmers and businesses that have been approved to participate in the special agriloan scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39351/17]
View answerThe last summary of the Agriculture Cashflow Support Scheme provided to my Department by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) showed that, up to the end of June, there were 3,672 loan drawdowns amounting to a total of €117,308,197 (or 78% of the total). This is an average loan amount of €31,947. Some 59% of the loans are for terms of 4 years or more. A breakdown by sector, which shows 11 loans to the horticulture sector totalling €878,500, is as follows:
|
Sector |
Totals € |
% of funds |
No. of Loans |
Average Loan size |
|
Dairy |
49,893,145 |
43% |
1,358 |
36,740 |
|
Beef |
48,653,826 |
41% |
1,788 |
27,211 |
|
Sheep |
2,597,000 |
2% |
127 |
20,449 |
|
Pigs |
1,509,000 |
1% |
18 |
83,833 |
|
Tillage |
7,739,465 |
7% |
168 |
46,068 |
|
Horticulture |
878,500 |
1% |
11 |
79,864 |
|
Other |
6,037,261 |
5% |
202 |
29,887 |
|
Total |
117,308,197 |
100% |
3,672 |
31,947 |
The participating banks have advised that all of the remaining €150m is committed and is in the process of being drawn down. More detailed figures and analysis, including detail on sub-sectors such as mushroom growing, will be available once the Scheme has been fully drawn down and all reporting is finalised.
547. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 292 and 293 of 13 April 2017, the status of an application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39361/17]
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.
The 85% advance payment for 2016 has been processed and payment has issued to the person named. Following this payment it appeared that details of one GLAS parcel declared as Low Input Permanent Pasture was not included in the payment calculation
Department officials are actively working to reinstate this action on the online system with a view to issuing any outstanding balance due to the person named.
548. Deputy Pat Breen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39435/17]
View answerA GLAS 3 application for the person named was received on the GLAS online system on the 15 December 2016. On the basis of the actions applied for the application was ranked but did not meet the minimum score of 16.5 required for entry into the scheme.
The agricultural advisor for the applicant requested a review of the decision to GLAS Division on 7 July 2017. The original decision remained unchanged following this review, the outcome of which was notified by letter dated 27 July 2017. This decision letter also outlined the right to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
549. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount the payment increase per hectare would be per proposals (details supplied), in tabular form. [39455/17]
View answerBased on the figures outlined in the Deputy's question, the relevant increases in payments per hectare would be as follows:
|
Additional Funding – Millions |
Increase per hectare for first 10 hectares of Mountain Type lands |
|
€2.5 |
€8.80 |
|
€5 |
€17.60 |
|
€7.5 |
€26.39 |
|
€10 |
€35.19 |
|
€12.5 |
€43.99 |
|
€15 |
€52.79 |
|
€17.5 |
€61.58 |
|
€20 |
€70.38 |
550. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the estimated amount the payment increase per hectare would be per proposals (details supplied), in tabular form. [39456/17]
View answerBased on the figures outlined in the Deputy's question, the relevant increases in payments per hectare would be as follows:
|
Proposed Additional Funding – Millions |
Increase per hectare for first 10 hectares of More Severely Handicapped lands |
|
€2.5 |
€4.51 |
|
€5 |
€9.03 |
|
€7.5 |
€13.54 |
|
€10 |
€18.05 |
|
€12.5 |
€22.56 |
|
€15 |
€27.08 |
|
€17.5 |
€31.59 |
|
€20 |
€36.10 |
551. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the remaining 15% of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39591/17]
View answerThe above named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016.
An 85% advance payment for 2016 has been paid.
Balancing payments amounting to 15% are issuing on an ongoing basis. A Farm Nutrient Management Plan (NMP) must be submitted on behalf of each GLAS 1 and 2 participant to the dedicated online system before these or any future GLAS payment can issue. This is one of the four core requirements of the scheme for all participants. The requirement to submit a plan is clearly set out in the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.
A NMP has not been received on behalf of the above named. The balancing payment cannot issue until NMP has been submitted.
553. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans following the end of the consultation process for the review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001; the way in which he will assure the independence of an appeals process that involves his Department in deciding on an appeal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39725/17]
View answerThe Programme for Partnership Government provided for a review of the Agriculture Appeals Act 2001, to ensure the independence and efficiency of the office in dealing with appeals from farmers. In fulfilment of this undertaking, I have established a Review Committee to carry out the review and furnish its Report to me by the end of this year. This will include recommendations as regards the legislation governing, and the future operation of, the Agriculture Appeals Office. Following receipt of the Report, I will consider its findings and/or recommendations.
In order to ensure that the review is as comprehensive as possible, consultation will take place with relevant stakeholders. In this regard, notices inviting written submissions for consideration by the Committee have been placed in the relevant national newspapers. The closing date for receipt of submissions to the Committee is 5.30 p.m. on Friday, 6 October 2017.
554. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS payment (details supplied) will be issued; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39743/17]
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.
During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. My officials are actively working to resolve the issue with a view to further processing the application for the 2016 payment as soon as possible.
555. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department's flood damage relief measures support scheme for flood-damaged farms in north-east County Donegal includes damage to farm roads, tillage crops destroyed, potato crops destroyed, second cut silage destroyed, loss of grazing and the replacement of fencing destroyed by the floods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39757/17]
View answerAs the Deputy may know, I visited the Inishowen Peninsula with my colleague the Minister of State, Deputy Joe McHugh, following the exceptional rainfall of August 22 last to see at first hand some of the very significant problems that a number of farmers faced as a result. I committed during my visit to supporting these farmers, and my Department in conjunction with other State Agencies moved swiftly to offer practical solutions to those affected.
In the immediate aftermath of the flood, I prioritised the availability of support by means of the Animal Welfare Helpline which gives guidance on protecting animal welfare and safety in addition to responding to urgent requirements for emergency feed provision. Staff from my Department and from Teagasc were in the area; Teagasc provided advice to affected farmers in dealing with the immediate challenges that arose.
It is clear that the principal and most widespread impacts of the floods on farms in the Inishowen Peninsula centred on damage to land, fencing, fodder and livestock. To address these pressing issues in the most effective manner, I introduced a targeted measure of assistance.
Support under this measure will apply to losses of livestock, conserved fodder (Hay or Silage) and as a contribution towards the clean-up cost of agricultural lands, including repair to fences, damaged by debris washed up by the floods. The measure will be subject to the provisions of EU de-minimis state aid rules in the agriculture sector and only losses not covered by insurance will be eligible for consideration.
While it is not possible to address all of the problems the unprecedented rainfall caused on farms in Inishowen, this measure will address the principal impacts on those farmers most affected.
Application forms are now available on my Department's website or from the Direct Payments Unit (Flood Damage Relief Measure), Government Offices, Old Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise, County Laois. There is also a dedicated helpline and email address, (057) 8674456 and floodreliefscheme@agriculture.gov.ie to support those farmers who wish to make an application.
The closing date for applications is Friday 29 September to allow for prompt processing of requests for support.
556. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for the publication of a report (details supplied) into harness racing here in view of the fact that the report was due to be published in April 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39835/17]
View answerThe Indecon report to review the Irish Harness Racing sector in Ireland is being examined by officials within my Department and its recommendations are under active consideration. It will be published in due course.
557. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an application for a grant by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39841/17]
View answerThe person concerned applied for a grant under the Dairy Equipment Scheme of TAMS II. Equipment was purchased prior to approval being issued in contravention of the Terms and Conditions of the Scheme.
The position has been reviewed in the local office and the original decision has been upheld. The person named has been advised of their right to appeal this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
558. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an application for an aquaculture licence by a person (details supplied) will be approved; the progress made with the application to date; if the National Parks and Wildlife Service has been consulted on the matter; the remaining steps left in the process of approval; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39843/17]
View answerMy Department has received new and renewal aquaculture applications from the person referred to by the Deputy. These applications are in respect of sites located within the Slyne Head Peninsula Special Area of Conservation (SAC).
Slyne Head Peninsula has been designated by the National Parks and Wildlife Service as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive. All applications in such areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
An Appropriate Assessment report has now been completed by the Marine Institute in respect of Slyne Head. My Department is currently examining the general licensing issues that arise for consideration as a result of the Appropriate Assessment report.
While the Appropriate Assessment is carried out on a bay-wide basis, each licence application within the bay must be assessed individually. Factors to be considered include location within the bay, species, scale and intensity of production, potential visual impact, etc. All applications, in compliance with the requirements of the applicable legislation, are advertised in order to facilitate public consultation, and submissions or observations received must be considered as part of the licence determination process.
Every effort is being made to expedite the determination of aquaculture licence applications in this bay having regard to all the complexities involved.
