Éamon Ó Cuív
Question:454. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health when the minimum pricing provisions of the Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53386/18]
View answerAlcohol Pricing
Questions (454)
Written answers
It is necessary to seek a revised Government Decision to implement minimum unit pricing of alcohol products as the original Decision envisaged implementation simultaneously with Northern Ireland. I intend to seek that revised Decision in early 2019.
Cancer Services Provision
Questions (455)
Brendan Griffin
Question:455. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a decision has been made by the national cancer control programme to allocate funding for a pigmented lesion clinic outreach in service in a hospital in the South/South West hospital group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53389/18]
View answerWritten answers
A pigmented lesion clinic is available to people in the South/South West Hospital Group at the South Infirmary Hospital in Cork.
Funding for 2019 has been sought for a range of cancer services linked to the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy 2017-2026. Allocations will be finalised in the near future in line with the final amounts made available to the HSE in the National Service Plan 2019.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (456)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:456. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53406/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Services for People with Disabilities
Questions (457)
Brendan Smith
Question:457. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to provide improved health services through the establishment of new facilities and the employment of additional personnel (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53411/18]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.
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.
Palliative Care Facilities
Questions (458)
Tom Neville
Question:458. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 417 of 27 November 2018, if the HSE is considering options for the opening of the additional four beds at a centre (details supplied). [53422/18]
View answerWritten answers
While Milford has continuously offered excellent palliative care for 40 years, it was recognised that the previous hospice unit no longer met best practice in maintaining the dignity and privacy of patients and their families. A new hospice building was designed to meet changing needs in palliative care and I am confident that the new building will meet the palliative care needs of the people of Limerick, Clare and North Tipperary for a long time to come.
Over the last five years, the Government has increased the number of specialist palliative care beds across the country by 50%. We are proud of this achievement, but recognise that many people do not have access to a specialist palliative care unit in their region. National palliative care policy seeks to ensure that there is a hospice serving every region in the country. Although good progress has been made on national policy recommendations, it is acknowledged that there are regions which still do not have access to specialist palliative inpatient care beds.
The HSE has been requested to consider options for opening the additional four beds in 2019 having regard to the provision of palliative care services across the country within the overall envelope of resources available.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (459)
Willie Penrose
Question:459. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to ensure that a person (details supplied) who has a severe degree of debilitation is immediately provided with an outpatient appointment at the Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore, County Offaly; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53426/18]
View answerWritten answers
Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
The National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
Health Services Data
Questions (460)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:460. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO 1; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [53467/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Data
Questions (461)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:461. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO 2; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [53468/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Data
Questions (462)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:462. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO 3; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [53469/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Data
Questions (463)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:463. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO 8; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [53470/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Health Services Data
Questions (464)
Margaret Murphy O'Mahony
Question:464. Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony asked the Minister for Health the number of children waiting for assessment by early intervention teams in each LHO area in CHO 9; and the number waiting zero to three, three to six, six to nine, nine to 12, 12 to 18, 18 to 24 and more than 24 months, respectively. [53471/18]
View answerWritten answers
The 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.
Medical Card Data
Questions (465)
Aindrias Moynihan
Question:465. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the waiting period for applications for medical cards; the number of medical cards issued in north west County Cork in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53479/18]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply to the Deputy.
Afforestation Programme
Questions (466, 467)
Bernard Durkan
Question:466. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the potential for strategic afforestation to maximise carbon sequestration has been examined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53455/18]
View answerBernard Durkan
Question:467. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if consideration can be given to the planting of species of trees with a high-carbon sequestration capacity in view of the fact that some species can absorb up to four times the amount of carbon of others; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53456/18]
View answerWritten answers
I propose to take Questions Nos. 466 and 467 together.
The Forestry Programme 2014-2020 is the strategic driver of afforestation in Ireland, which is a key component of Ireland's climate action response under the National Mitigation Plan. The Forestry Programme, with a budget of €500m, aims to increase afforestation levels in Ireland over its lifetime by offering landowners a choice of 12 Grant and Premium Categories (GPCs) under a voluntary scheme.
The National Forest Inventory (NFI) published a couple of months ago shows that the national forest estate is still expanding and has now reached 11% of the total land area, with a wide variety of forest types present. The total forest area has increased from 697,842 hectares (ha) in 2006 to 770,020 ha in 2017. The national forest estate is an important and expanding store of carbon, at 312 million tonnes. Based on the NFI data, Ireland’s forests have removed an average of 3.8 Mt of carbon dioxide equivalents per year from the atmosphere over the period 2007 to 2016. This carbon resource has proven to be of pivotal significance in Ireland achieving its Kyoto target under the first commitment period of 2008-2012.
It is worth noting that the Irish climate is ideally suited to growing trees and Irish forests have high rates of carbon sequestration. Ireland’s forest policy is based on the principles of sustainable forest management and the balancing of environmental, economic, and social benefits of forests. This includes the promotion of a variety of tree species for afforestation. Although restrictions are in place around the type of land that can be planted and broadleaf species must be established on at least 15% of the grant-aided area, landowners can choose from a list of over thirty approved tree species. Afforestation of all types, sustainable forest management and the use of harvested wood products all have important roles to play in climate action irrespective of the species used.
This Government is very committed to new afforestation and have set aside a budget of €105m in 2019 to help fund new plantings and meet our stated targets under the National Forestry Programme.
Fishing Industry
Questions (468)
Brendan Griffin
Question:468. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52716/18]
View answerWritten answers
Sprat is a short-lived species and an important prey fish for many marine species therefore it is a vital species to the ocean food chain as well as an important source of income for inshore fishermen.
Sprat in Irish waters is not a species subject to fishing quotas or Total Allowable Catches established under EU regulation. Scientifically, relatively little is known about the sprat species. The International Council of the Exploration of the Seas (ICES) considers sprat to be a data limited stock which means that more detailed data is required in order to form a full understanding of the state of the stock.
Available scientific information is that sprat in Ireland spawn from January to June with a fishery normally taking place from October to Christmas. This is a fortuitous situation, allowing some degree of reproductive output as the fishery takes place after the fish have been able to spawn.
The Marine Institute, in cooperation with the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, have participated in a three-year research project which was partially funded by Industry, in order to address the lack of accurate information in respect of the sprat stocks in waters around Ireland. The aim of this project was to develop an accurate and detailed understanding of the stock structure of sprat around Ireland and the data collected will also contribute to the ICES assessment of the vulnerability or otherwise of sprat in the waters around Ireland. This project commenced in 2015 and is due to be completed in 2019.
In addition to this research project, the Marine Institute, in close cooperation with Industry, participated in a number of observer trips in the sprat fishery in 2017 and 2018 the purpose of which was twofold:
- To obtain biological information on the resource itself and on any other fishery bycatch, i.e. herring, juvenile mackerel, etc.
- To obtain information on any bycatch this fishery might have of protected, endangered and threatened species, under the European maritime and fisheries fund (EMFF) marine biodiversity scheme such as marine mammals, seabirds and listed fish species.
A risk assessment of fisheries interactions in Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) including for Harbour Seals in Kenmare Bay by the Marine Institute, noted that the risk posed by pelagic fishing on harbour seals through by-catch and disturbance of haul out locations was low.
The Observer programme greatly increased the number of trips on board vessels fishing Sprat from about 2 trips per season to 15 trips in 2017. In 2018, sampling effort (7 trips) was focused on the south coast as the northwest had been well covered the previous year. Bycatch information from these data is preliminary and will be analysed once sufficient sampling over area and season has been achieved. The reason for fewer observer trips in 2018 is that the programme was concentrated in the South west where trips are logistically more difficult due to greater diversity of vessels and ports as well as longer trips.
A public consultation process to examine the arrangements for trawling inside the six nautical mile zone and inside the baselines ended on 11 June 2018.
Over 900 responses were received in relation to the public consultation and these have been carefully examined. Taking into account the submissions received and having undertaken further analysis I plan to announce my decision relating to any possible measures shortly.
Fisheries Protection
Questions (469)
Seán Fleming
Question:469. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the locally led scheme and its operation; his plans for the future expansion of the scheme; the reason a species (details supplied) was excluded from the scheme; if he will engage with local stakeholders to formulate a scheme for the management and protection of the species in the district; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52735/18]
View answerWritten answers
The Pearl Mussel Project is a locally led innovative results-based scheme funded under the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) measure which forms part of the current Irish Rural Development Programme (RDP). The design and management of the project are the responsibility of the project team, who will work closely with my Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht and local farming communities as the new programme is rolled-out.
NPWS advised my Department on the catchments to be included in the programme, and the project will be rolled out in eight catchments to conserve freshwater pearl mussel and support overall environmental health. These eight catchments were chosen on the basis that they contain the top eight Margaritifera populations in the country. This is based on a prioritisation process that identified those populations that are closest to favourable conservation status. These eight populations contain approximately 9.58 million mussels, which is 80% of the total national population.
This is a pilot EIP under the present RDP and no decision on any future expansion will be made until the results of the current scheme are evaluated at the end of the project period.
Pension Provisions
Questions (470)
Michael Lowry
Question:470. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a new pension scheme for workers of companies (details supplied) that was agreed with management and unions of the Coillte-owned facility earlier in 2018 will be finalised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52750/18]
View answerWritten answers
Coillte are required, under Section 44 of the Forestry Act 1988, to submit schemes for the granting of pensions, gratuities and other allowances on resignation, retirement or death in respect of members of its staff, to me for approval with the concurrence of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. I can confirm that a draft pension scheme for employees of the first named facility was accordingly submitted. This is currently under consideration after which I expect a consent request will be finalised in early 2019, subject to the scheme proposal being in order.
Sheepmeat Sector
Questions (471)
Jackie Cahill
Question:471. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep imported from Northern Ireland and the UK, respectively, in each of the past 24 months, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52856/18]
View answerWritten answers
The intra EU movement of animals is recorded on the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), which is the EU-wide online management tool for all sanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, semen and embryo, food, feed and plants. Movements are recorded at the level of Member State only on TRACES.
The attached table details the sheep imports from both Northern Ireland and the rest of the United Kingdom on a monthly basis for the past 24 months as requested by the Deputy.
It should be noted that figures for any given period are usually not recorded definitely for up to a period of three months due to the nature of animal movements and may be subject to revision for the purposes of completeness.
Table 1: Sheep Imports from Northern Ireland and UK 2017 & 2018
|
2017 |
Imports from Northern Ireland |
United Kingdom Excluding Northern Ireland |
2018 |
Imports from Northern Ireland |
United Kingdom Excluding Northern Ireland |
|
January |
45,536 |
5 |
January |
56,501 |
2,308 |
|
February |
41,536 |
1 |
February |
41,249 |
1,014 |
|
March |
39,142 |
375 |
March |
40,908 |
344 |
|
April |
30,011 |
450 |
April |
32,997 |
441 |
|
May |
26,351 |
0 |
May |
27,661 |
0 |
|
June |
28,417 |
5 |
June |
30,395 |
5 |
|
July |
38,559 |
894 |
July |
40,194 |
2,086 |
|
August |
45,087 |
32 |
August |
48,230 |
684 |
|
September |
47,645 |
791 |
September |
43,691 |
1,307 |
|
October |
48,365 |
738 |
October |
53,395 |
1,498 |
|
November |
56,134 |
753 |
November |
49,702 |
2,061 |
|
December |
44,768 |
1881 |
December* |
21,427 |
955 |
|
Yearly |
491,551 |
5,925 |
486,350 |
12,703 |
|
|
Total |
497,476 |
499,053 |
*Figures for 2018 are to 14th of December only.
Beef Imports
Questions (472)
Peter Burke
Question:472. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will carry out further investigations into a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52870/18]
View answerWritten answers
Carcase classification and carcase presentation controls in slaughter plants are carried out by a dedicated team of specialist staff in the Beef Carcase Classification Section within my Department.
To date in 2018 there have been 521 inspections carried out by inspectors across 32 slaughter plants and 44,332 carcasses have been inspected. A total of 19 carcases were fined for non compliance with the EU reference carcase trimming specification which is 0.05% of the number inspected. Under legislation (SI 363/2010), non-compliance with the carcase trim specification attracts a maximum on the spot fine of €200 per carcase.
Regarding further investigations in factories, additional monitoring of carcase presentation by my Department’s veterinary public health inspection staff (VPHIS) is currently being implemented. This will provide further assurance to stakeholders that the appropriate dressing specification is being applied. These staff will provide a supporting role for the Beef Carcase Classification staff.
Up-skilling of my Department’s VPHIS staff has occurred at regional seminars and local training of officers is being provided. Furthermore information seminars were held for both industry and farm representative bodies regarding the enhanced controls. Phased roll-out is happening at a number of plants currently with full roll-out from January 1st 2019.
Meat Industry Ireland has agreed that from the 1st January 2019, processors will introduce a payment to the farmer supplier to reflect any loss in each case where my Department applied a trim fine on a particular carcase. Such payment will be identified on the payment remittance docket, so that farmers will be aware of the penalty. In addition my Department has had a number of seminars for factory personnel to ensure the rules around trim are clearly understood and properly executed, and these have been well attended.
In addition, my department will publish the names of plants in which on the spot fines have been applied with effect from 1st January 2019. I also intend to publish the names of plants in which such trim fines were levied in 2018 and 2016 before year end, subject to the completion of a number of formalities.
Brexit Staff
Questions (473)
Lisa Chambers
Question:473. Deputy Lisa Chambers asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of plans to hire inspectors as a result of Brexit; the number expected to be hired; the number expected to be fully trained and in place by 29 March 2019; the date by which all hires will be in place; his plans to expedite this process as a result of the decision by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom to defer the vote on the withdrawal agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52894/18]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is working closely with colleagues across the Public Sector as part of the whole of Government approach to preparations for Brexit.
A dedicated Brexit Unit has already been established within my Department and my officials are engaged in an on-going exercise to identify further resource and business needs arising from Brexit.
Deployment of resources is now underway and will include resources for relevant projects that will underpin Brexit responses. The key purpose of these resources is to support the logistics and preparations during the negotiation process.
My Department will continuously assess resource requirements as the negotiations progress and as the position becomes clearer.