Written Answers Nos. 284-297
284. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for an audiology appointment in primary care; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [30016/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
285. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for a dietetics appointment in primary care; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [30017/18]
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.
286. Deputy John Brassil asked the Minister for Health the number of persons in each CHO waiting for an oral health appointment in primary care; and the number waiting zero to 12, 12 to 26, 26 to 52 and more than 52 weeks, respectively. [30018/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
287. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the procedures in place to ensure the health and safety of horses at race meetings in periods of high temperatures; if his attention has been drawn to welfare incidents related to heat stress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29717/18]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
Horse Racing Ireland inform me that the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have been working with relevant racecourse management, blue cross, trainers and their staff to ensure that the effects of the current warm weather on horses are managed. There are measures in place to monitor the situation and to act if heat stress is a possibility. While heat stress can occur at any time the authorities are being particularly vigilant during this warm spell. Proper provision of water by the racecourse, veterinary supervision from arrival and the knowledge and experience of stable staff and trainers all contribute to reducing the risk of an issue occurring.
The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board have confirmed that there has been no increase in the number of horses treated for 'heat stress' during the current warm weather.
288. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [29797/18]
View answerThe applicant has failed to submit the required nutrient management plan (NMP), one of the core obligations for GLAS participants. This plan must be submitted to allow for the issuing of further payments, including the 2017 balancing payment.
289. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the TAMS regulations that were in place at the time a person (details supplied) submitted the application will be applied. [29800/18]
View answerAn application under the Young Farmer's Capital Investment Scheme was received from the Farm Partnership referred to on 23 June 2016. Approval to commence works issued on 5 December 2016. A payment claim was submitted on 10 April 2018. An inspection of the completed investments was recently carried out. This claim is currently being examined and the applicant will be advised of the outcome shortly.
The Terms and Conditions of the scheme which are applied to a payment claim are those that are in force when the application for approval is received.
290. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the deaths and injuries of greyhounds at tracks here and in Northern Ireland for the period from January 2018 to date. [29811/18]
View answerBord na gCon (BnG) is a commercial State Body established under the Greyhound Industry Act 1958, chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry.
Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy, in as far as it relates to this jurisdiction, is an operational matter for BnG.
I will request officials in my Department to refer the question to BnG for direct reply to the Deputy.
The Irish Coursing Club controls and regulates greyhound racing in Northern Ireland.
291. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 187 of 25 April 2018 and 20 June 2018, the cause of the horse deaths, that is, injury, heatstroke, heart failure, respiratory failure and so on; the names of the horses; the dates on which the horses died; if the horses died or were destroyed; and the method of euthanasia. [29812/18]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial State Body responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry. The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for HRI.
I will request officials in my Department to refer the question to Horse Racing Ireland for direct reply to the Deputy.
292. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the training his Department and agencies under its aegis will receive on GDPR legislation; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29839/18]
View answerMy Department has had a dedicated Data Protection Unit in place since November 2015, which has been promoting Data Protection and GDPR awareness since its inception. This Unit has been actively informing staff of their obligations under GDPR using our internal communications systems, circulating easy-read guides, Frequently Asked Questions and updates via email, a poster campaign and targeted Data Protection talks.
A GDPR project group has been in place since May 2017, led by a Management Board sponsor, and with representation from key stakeholders across the Department. This group meets regularly and has examined the GDPR text with a view to its implementation in my Department. The Legal Services and Information Technology teams are both key partners in the work of this Project Group. A risk-based approach has been adopted and is focusing on those areas within the Department which process a high volume of personal data.
Training for all staff in the area of Data Protection has been ongoing since 2016. My Department’s Learning and Development Unit has provided courses in Data Protection & GDPR in 2016, 2017 and in 2018 to date. Further Data Protection training will be provided throughout 2018. An online Data Protection package for staff is currently being deployed.
In addition, and as part of my department’s obligations under GDPR, a dedicated Data Protection Officer (DPO) has also been appointed. This officer is an active member of an inter-departmental working group in the area of GPDR. Central training for DPO’s is under consideration and the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform (as the Contracting Authority) has issued a request for tenders in relation to the award of a contract for the provision of service to deliver training for Data Protection Officers within the civil service and bodies across the public sector. I understand that this procurement process will be completed shortly.
My Department has been certified for the ISO 27001/2013 Information Security standard since 2016 for all areas involved in EU scheme payments.
293. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of companies that have completed the Brexit barometer to date since it was launched, by companies larger than SME size, SME size, medium size and micro size, respectively, in tabular form. [29911/18]
View answerBord Bia launched its original Brexit Barometer in March 2017, and its 2018 version of the Barometer last month.
I hope that companies right across the agrifood sector will continue to use the Barometer and associated tools to help them assess their Brexit readiness and develop contingency plans and mitigating actions to minimise the impact of Brexit on their activities.
As completion of the Brexit barometer is an operational matter for Bord Bia, my Department has asked Bord Bia to contact the Deputy directly with the relevant information.
294. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the latest annual progress report on Ireland’s integrated marine plan Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth for 2017; the targeted actions that have been completed on time to date; and the actions that have not been completed by deadlines to date in tabular form. [29912/18]
View answerI announced the publication of the annual Progress Report on Ireland’s Integrated Marine Plan - Harnessing Our Ocean Wealth, at the recent 'Our Ocean Wealth Summit' held in Galway on 28 & 29 June 2018.
This report, which has strong cross-Government and agency collaboration, provides a wealth of information - spanning business development, sustainability and protection and conservation of marine ecosystems. The report provides an account of the work undertaken in 2017 to implement actions outlined in the Marine Plan and lists the main achievements and further Government measures being proposed to support the sustainable development of Ireland’s immense marine resource.
Development of Ireland’s ‘blue economy’ continues to grow at a fast pace and is being driven by strong performances in the aquaculture, sea fisheries, shipping and marine tourism industries as well as continued growth in the emerging ocean industries. The work of our cross-Departmental high level Marine Coordination Group (MCG,) which I chair, continues to drive forward the Government’s marine strategy in a very effective manner.
A full copy of the report, which provides extensive details of all the progress on actions in 2017, as well as the focus and expectations for 2018 is available at: https://www.ouroceanwealth.ie/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/Publications/2018/HarnessingOurOceanWealthReviewOfProgress2017.pdf.
295. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking at EU level and in discussions with his US counterpart to ensure increased tariffs are not applied to whiskey exports to the US in view of the fact that a large percentage of exports go to the USA and the industry provides employment in rural areas. [29913/18]
View answerTrade policy issues are a matter for the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in the first instance. Equally, the import tariffs applied by the US are a matter for its authorities.
Nonetheless, I am aware that the current trade tensions between the US and the European Union are a matter of concern, given the importance of the US market to the Irish food and drink industry, with exports totalling €1.5 billion in 2017. This figure includes Irish Whiskey valued at €576 million and Irish Cream Liqueur valued at €327 million.
Ireland has raised its concerns in relation to Irish whiskey at EU level, including at the recent Informal Trade Policy Committee meeting. Along with other member states, Ireland has acknowledged that there is a need for an EU response to US tariffs, but asked that it be proportionate and balanced.
I believe, ultimately, that a negotiated settlement is the only way to address this current dispute, and that we continue to see the benefits of free trade for manufacturers and consumers, both in the USA and the EU.
296. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport regarding the proposal by industry to have an all-Ireland whiskey trail to increase rural tourism and associated employment opportunities. [29914/18]
View answerI launched the Irish Whiskey Tourism Strategy, published by the Irish Whiskey Association (IWA), in December 2016. This aims to treble to 1.9 million the number of visitors to visitor centres in distilleries by 2025.
As part of this vision, the Strategy provides for the development of an all island Whiskey trail and tourism infrastructure around distilleries. Food tourism is an important and growing segment of Ireland's overall tourism offering, identified in Food Wise 2025 as a significant growth opportunity for both the food and tourism sectors. I understand that, following an initial approach to the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sports, the IWA met with Fáilte Ireland, the National Tourism Development Authority, in order to progress its whiskey trail proposal.
My Department works closely with the IWA on all aspects of the development of the sector and is monitoring progress on this important aspect of the on-going development of the Irish Whiskey industry.
297. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a breed (details supplied) of native cattle will be included in rare breeds for the GLAS scheme; his views on the proposal; and if approval is required at EU level for same. [29915/18]
View answerThe terms and conditions of the GLAS scheme were agreed and published when the scheme was developed in 2015. The scheme is now fully subscribed and closed to new entrants. It is therefore not possible at this point to amendment the scheme to include an extra breed within the Rare Breeds action. There are no further tranches of the GLAS scheme planned.
