Written Answers Nos. 137-156
137. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the hospital and-or health facility buildings that have been built by a company (details supplied); and the steps he is taking to ensure quality control in relation to same. [47571/18]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive has overall responsibility for the management of health care property, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
138. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he plans to expand specialised hospital supports and increase specialist staff for persons with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome; if not, if resources will be made available for this condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47574/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
139. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to address the issue of the quality of hospital food in respect of its high fat and sugar content and low nutritional value; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47577/18]
View answerThe quality of hospital food is a priority issue and the HSE has been requested to develop a National Hospital Food and Nutrition Policy. Development of this Policy is now at an advanced stage and it is expected to be available for publication by the end of the year.
The development of the Policy included extensive consultation and it will provide guidance on minimum nutrition standards, together with other relevant policies, such as protected meal times, the use of oral nutritional supplements, nutrition screening and referral pathways.
141. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if his Department is part of the public sector energy reporting programme; if so, the percentage of improvement in energy efficiency to date that has been achieved; the way in which this was achieved; if his Department noted a decrease in energy efficiency in view of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for energy efficiency targets; if targets will be met by the 2020 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47593/18]
View answerIn 2009 the Government set a national target for Ireland to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2020. At the same time, a more challenging efficiency target of 33% was set for the public sector to demonstrate leadership on energy efficiency.
The 20% improvement in energy efficiency by the public sector towards its target of 33% by 2020, has been achieved based largely on low-cost behavioural change measures.
The Department of Health has been working with the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Energy, the SEAI and the OPW via the Optimising Power at Work Programme on energy efficiency measures.
In the most recent data available "Health" is shown as having achieved 17% savings to date and “not on track to achieve the target”. However, it should be noted that this relates to the Health Sector as a whole, and not just the Department. The HSE has been working to address energy usage, particularly in Acute Hospitals - which are among the biggest energy users in the Sector. To put this in context, one large-scale project could deliver significant savings that would achieve the target on behalf of the entire sector.
In relation to the Department, it has been participating in the OPW “Optimising Power at Work” scheme since 2007. This is the baseline year. Overall energy consumption in Hawkins House for the period 2017 v 2007 has shown an increase of 7.1%. This is primarily explained by a substantial increase in gas consumption over the year. A 33.3% increase on the base year was evident. This reflects the condition of Hawkins House and the adverse weather conditions over the period.
Electricity consumption continued to perform well, at the end of 2017 a saving of 26% was achieved.
|
Description |
Electricity |
Gas |
Total |
|
Benchmark Year |
1,140,467 |
1,452,118 |
2,592,585 |
|
Previous 12 Months |
839,484 |
1,936,005 |
2,775,549 |
|
% Difference |
-26.4% |
33.3% |
7.1% |
Department continued with a range of initiatives to improve energy performance including:
- Improvements from “turn off” initiative - with a particular focus on all PCs being shut down at 10pm nightly, if they have not already been shut down by the user.
- Monitoring of time clocks on mechanical and electrical systems.
- Monthly energy reporting.
- BMS (Building Maintenance System) Maintenance.
In July 2018, the Department moved to an A rated Building Energy Rating (BER) accommodation in Miesian Plaza and it is expected that this will have a positive impact on the target going forward. This should be most evident by the end of 2019 when the Department can compare full-year data in relevant categories.
142. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health if he is engaging with a union (details supplied) regarding its rejection of the recruitment and retention proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47601/18]
View answerOfficials from my Department and the HSE met with the three nursing unions - the INMO, SIPTU and the PNA - on Friday 9 November on this matter. There was a further meeting with the INMO on 14 November. Following on from that meeting, it is clear that there are different views concerning the interpretation of certain elements in the Public Service Stability Agreement. Consequently, management is referring the matter to the LRA National Oversight Body which is the appropriate mechanism for addressing questions of interpretation in relation to any aspect of the Agreement.
143. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health the mechanism he is planning to put in place to deal with anomalies in pay structures for nurses and midwives relative to other professions working in the health service as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47603/18]
View answerThe Public Service Pay Commission noted that nurses and midwives are seriously aggrieved at what they regard as anomalies in the current pay structures relative to other professions working in the public health service. The Commission went on to say that the Parties to the Public Service Stability Agreement should consider putting arrangements in place, at an appropriate time, and without compromising the stability of the public service pay bill, to allow for the adequacy of current pay arrangements more generally to be fully examined. This is not something which can be addressed in isolation with reference to nurses and midwives or within the health sector. Cost-increasing claims for improvements in pay are precluded under the terms of the Public Service Stability Agreement, 2018 - 2020.
144. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health his plans to address the poor data given to the Public Service Pay Commission, which hindered its work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47605/18]
View answer145. Deputy Barry Cowen asked the Minister for Health his plans to put in place a medium- and long-term national workforce plan based on service need, as recommended by the Public Service Pay Commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47607/18]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.
The Public Service Pay Commission made particular comments around the need for centralised systems to record, monitor and analyse all employee data. Work ongoing within the HSE on the National Integrated Staff Records and Payroll Programme will assist in this regard over time. Work is also underway on the implementation of the National Strategic Health and Social Care Workforce Planning Framework which will support the further development of workforce planning capacity within the health service.
146. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a full medical card will be granted as a matter of urgency in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47616/18]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy
147. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the reason a fourth year mental health nursing course has been terminated in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47620/18]
View answerResponsibility for this matter resides with the Department of Education and Skills and I note that the Deputy has already submitted the question to my colleague, the Minister for Education and Skills.
148. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if there have been discussions with an organisation (details supplied) on the need to improve ambulance services in areas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47638/18]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
149. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied with his Department's inspection system in meat factories; if the grading of cattle in the quality assurance scheme is independently validated; if the calibration of grading equipment is regularly inspected to ensure farmers are receiving the correct grades; if his Department has sufficient inspectors overseeing same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47476/18]
View answerOfficials of my Department carry out inspections at 32 beef slaughtering plants to ensure that Carcase Classification is carried out in accordance with EU Regulations. To date in 2018, over 42,000 carcasses were inspected during approximately 500 inspections. The number of inspections and carcasses inspected significantly exceeds the legal requirement for the minimum number of inspections set down in EU legislation.
During these un-announced inspections the following duties are also performed by the authorised officer:
- Evaluation of standard of dressing (trim) during the production process in real time when possible and on cold carcasses
- Examination of records concerning use of check weights
- Comparison of hot and cold weights
- Scrutiny of labelling particulars
The classification of all carcasses is monitored and independently validated by officers of my Department, regardless of whether the farms concerned are participating in the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Scheme or not.
Any calibration is conducted by the mechanical classification system provider but performance of machine grading is monitored at each inspection to ensure the machines operate within tolerance at all times.
A robust system is therefore in place for monitoring and oversight of carcase classification.
150. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47482/18]
View answerProcessing of 2018 GLAS advance payments commenced this week. I can confirm that the person named has been approved for payment of the 2018 advance and is up to date with all GLAS payments.
151. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 764 of 6 November 2018, if clear sea lice have been found by the Marine Institute on farmed salmon at salmon farms here; the farms in which such clear sea lice have been detected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47556/18]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the control protocols for the management of sea lice are operated by the Marine Institute on behalf of the State. The sea lice management and control protocols and in particular the Pest Management Strategy introduced in 2008 lay down conditions for the compulsory control of sea lice infestation levels on marine salmon farms.
These protocols are more advanced than those operated in other jurisdictions for the following reasons:
- The inspection regime is totally independent of the industry.
- Data obtained as a result of inspection is published and made widely available.
- Treatment trigger levels are set at a low level.
The sea lice monitoring and control programme in Ireland has been acknowledged by the Environment Directorate (DG Environment) of the EU Commission as representing international best practice.
The salmon louse, Lepeoptheirus salmonis, is endemic in the marine environment and is a small crustacean ecto-parasite of salmon. It is found on the skin and fins of the fish and is clearly visible to the naked eye with adult females being approximately the size of a thumbnail.
The Marine Institute prepare a monthly report of sea lice levels obtained during the course of its regular inspections. The report for the month of October 2018 has confirmed that the occurrence of sea lice was below the treatment trigger levels set out in my Department’s sea lice monitoring protocol.
152. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is provision in the new regulations of the Common Agricultural Policy 2014 to 2020 that would preclude him from including farm forestry planted before 2008 as eligible land for single and basic farming payments; and if he will seek to include this as a priority in ongoing discussions at EU level on the next CAP post-2020. [47558/18]
View answerThe provisions allowing for the Basic Payment Scheme on forests established under the current afforestation scheme 2014 -2020 are set out under Article 32(2)b(ii) Regulation (EU) 1307/2013. The rules allow for basic payments to be made on forest land providing the following criteria are satisfied:
1. The land to be afforested was declared on a 2008 SPS application form;
2. The applicant who declared that land on a 2008 SPS application form was paid under the 2008 Single Payment Scheme;
3. The afforested land was eligible for payment in 2008
4. The afforested land meets all the requirements of the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme 2007 -2013.
Discussions on the CAP post 2020 proposals are underway, following their publication on 1 June 2018. As part of these discussions, I am working to ensure that the current rules regarding eligibility of existing forests and the basic payment scheme are maintained. Furthermore I have requested that new forests established under the next CAP are also eligible for this payment.
Therefore it is not my intention to seek provisions allowing for forests planted outside of the criteria set out above to be treated as eligible hectares for the Basic Payment Scheme
153. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if free passports will be rolled out to all rescue dogs rehomed abroad. [47575/18]
View answerUnder EU law, dogs moved to another EU Member State from Ireland must be accompanied by an EU pet passport.
As part of the assistance my Department provides to animal welfare organisations, free pet passports are provided in respect of dogs rehomed abroad by those organisations, subject to terms and conditions. In 2018, 4044 free passports were granted to 18 animal welfare charities for the purposes of rehoming abroad. In 2016 and 2017, 5261 and 5989 free passports respectively were granted.
154. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department is part of the public sector energy reporting programme; if so, the percentage of improvement in energy efficiency to date that has been achieved; the way in which this was achieved; if his Department noted a decrease in energy efficiency in view of the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan for energy efficiency targets; if targets will be met by the 2020 deadline; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47583/18]
View answerMy Department is actively participating in the Public Sector Energy Reporting Programme reporting all of its energy consumption through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland's (SEAI) Monitoring and Reporting online system.
Since 2009, energy efficiency has improved by almost 21% in the Department, towards the 2020 target of 33%. In this time, DAFM has reduced its energy consumption by 19% or over 9M Kwh. This has been achieved mainly by low cost measures such as behavioural changes, better energy management, and lighting retrofits. In order to achieve continuous energy efficiency, additional works throughout DAFM and across the public service are required to reach 2020 and 2030 targets.
My Department is engaged with the OPW on various projects throughout DAFM that will aim to achieve more energy efficiencies and is an active participant in the Office of Public Works (OPW) Optimising Power @ Work campaign.
My officials are working proactively with State Bodies under the remit of my Department and with Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), the OPW, and SEAI to progress both energy efficiency projects and energy management initiatives. My Department has submitted a detailed project pipeline to DCCAE and continues to work with State Bodies to assist them develop their own pipelines of capital projects.
My Department is committed to embedding energy efficiency into the culture of the organisation and continues to progress energy management initiatives across its main locations, including energy awareness days and local building audits. There are ongoing awareness campaigns in all Department locations.
155. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of discussions on increasing the CAP budget and legislative proposals post-2020; and the developments at European Parliament and Council levels on same. [47642/18]
View answerAt the outset, I would point out that in discussing the funding for the CAP post 2020, we should bear in mind that these discussions are taking place as part of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post 2020 proposals, which is a matter for Heads of State and Government.
The retention of a sufficient budget for the CAP is an essential requirement for Ireland. This is further emphasised by future Brexit issues. I have been actively engaging with my European counterparts on this issue. Along with counterparts from France, Spain, Finland, Portugal and Greece, we have called for the restoration of the CAP budget for the 2021 – 2027 period to current levels. Up to 20 Member States have joined this alliance and we will continue to work together in an effort to build consensus on this point. I recognise that to achieve the best outcome, we need to seek common ground with like minded Member States. Ireland will continue to seek to build alliances as the negotiations for the next CAP and its budgetary allocation progress and I will continue to fight for a strong CAP budget.
As regards the CAP legislative proposals themselves, the European Commission’s objective is to have the proposals adopted by the co-legislators in spring 2019, prior to the European Parliament Elections in May that year.
The Austrian Presidency scheduled an intensive programme of Working Party meetings to discuss the CAP proposals during its Presidency. These meetings have been ongoing since July, with up to 20 Working Group meetings having taken place so far. Further meetings are scheduled throughout the remainder of this month and into December. The Presidency is currently working on revisions to reach overall agreement.
In addition, the CAP Post 2020 has been discussed at the Special Committee of Agriculture meetings on a regular basis. CAP post 2020 has also been a standing agenda item at every Agri-Fish Council meeting. I had the opportunity to discuss the CAP proposals at our last meeting on 15 October, which looked at the performance framework and the new greening architecture. The CAP proposals will also be discussed at the next Agri-Fish Council meeting on Monday next, 19 November, with the focus being placed on the increased responsibilities of Paying Agencies and Certification Bodies under the new delivery model, and, the appropriateness of existing market support measures.
From the European Parliament’s perspective, COMAGRI is expected to discuss the three draft reports on the future CAP at Committee level, when they meet on 21 November in Brussels, with the deadline for amendments set for 3 December. It is suggested that the amendments for legal & linguistic revision would be sent by 7 December and then on for translation by 11 December, to be ready in early January 2019. COMAGRI is aiming to vote on the amendments on 18/19 February, while the second session in March 2019 (25-28) has been set as the “deadline” for a plenary vote.
156. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the latest developments regarding the agricultural sustainability support and advisory programme. [47643/18]
View answerThe Agricultural Sustainability Support & Advisory Programme (ASSAP) is an innovative Government/ industry initiative running from 2018 to 2021 and involves a well structured collaborative initiative involving all stakeholders, including the wider community, to facilitate improvements in water quality. The ASSAP involves a resource of 30 Agricultural Sustainability Advisors, 20 of whom are funded by Government and 10 by the Dairy Industry. These Advisors will promote on-farm best practice to farmers in 190 ‘Areas for Action’, which have been identified by the EPA where the status of the water is at risk of regressing. Farmers can avail of this service within the ‘Areas for Action’ on a voluntary basis.
Advisors have now received comprehensive training to ensure a common approach. The process of engagement with both the wider communities and with farmers in these areas is now underway. Community meetings are taking place in the ‘Areas-for-Action’ to update the wider communities on developments in the local areas; 15 such community meetings will take place before the year end. Furthermore farmer focused meetings will take place subsequent to the community meetings providing the opportunity for engagement with farmers in these areas. It is important to note the very strong support from all those involved in farming for the programme; this support is crucial in communicating and informing farmers about the ASSAP programme and facilitating farmer engagement.
