Written Answers Nos. 183-202
183. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health his views on the education available for users of the HPV vaccine; his further views on whether full information should be made available to all persons before they avail of the service (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15661/19]
View answer185. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the reason the Health Products Regulatory Authority, HPRA, is not reporting the figures of adverse effects of the HPV vaccine to the public (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15663/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 183 and 185 together.
The Health Service Executive is committed to providing accurate information to parents about diseases, the vaccines to prevent them and potential side effects to allow them to choose whether or not to give consent to vaccination.
It is not the case that parents are being denied the information on the Patient Information Leaflet. The HSE's National Immunisation Office has developed a comprehensive range of materials for parents, schools and medical practitioners as part of the immunisation programme.
All the information provided to parents about vaccination takes account of the available licensed documentation for each vaccine, the Summary of Product Characteristics and Patient Information Leaflet. The HSE parent information leaflet refers parents to the website (www.hpv.ie) where links to additional information including the licensing documentation, the Summary of Products Characteristics and the Patient Information Leaflet for each vaccine can be found.
The information is presented in clear and simple language which has been approved by the National Adult Literacy Agency, ensuring that it can be understood by all adults. Like other countries providing school immunisation programmes, the Patient Information Leaflet was replaced by an information leaflet which provides the same information on the potential side effects of the vaccine in a manner that meets the needs of those with reading difficulties.
Prior to all school immunisations, parents receive an information pack in a sealed package with an information leaflet, consent form and cover letter. The information packs for all immunisations are standardised nationally. The information booklets include information on all the known potential side effects that can occur after each vaccination (as was the case with the HPV vaccine, Gardasil). Parents are also given contact details for their local immunisation office and advised to speak to a member of the school immunisation team or their GP if they have any further questions.
The Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) is responsible for monitoring the safety and quality of all medicines including vaccines that are licensed in Ireland. The HPRA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) continually monitor adverse events to vaccination. All medicines, including vaccines, are subject to on-going review and evaluation of all available data from a range of sources, including systematic scientific literature review, to consider any impact that their data may have on the overall assessment of the benefits and risks of a medicinal product. HPV is one of the most closely studied and monitored medicinal products. Considering the totality of available information, the benefits of the HPV vaccines continue to outweigh their risks. Reports received by the HPRA have been consistent with the expected pattern of short term adverse side effects for the vaccine, as described in the product information.
The HPRA has a dedicated section on their website for information in relation to the HPV Schools Immunisation Programme. The HPRA updates this section in relation to reports of suspected adverse reactions relating to the HPV vaccine approximately bi-annually, with the last update covering the period to 31/12/2018. All reports are considered as ‘serious’ if they meet the regulatory definition of a ‘serious’ adverse reaction, which includes any circumstances where patients require intervention (e.g. review by their GP) and/or treatment for their symptoms.
184. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if assistance is available for young women who were affected by the HPV vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15662/19]
View answerAs this question relates to a service issue, I have referred it to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
186. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount spent on inspectors from his Department at an event (details supplied). [15614/19]
View answerMy Department arranged for a number of staff to be on duty at the Banagher Horse Fair last September in order to support other State agencies and to provide advice on equine welfare, equine registration and identification matters.
The cost of the exercise for my Department amounted to €2,200.
187. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers enrolled in the AEOS scheme whose contracts ended in 2018, by county, in tabular form; if he will consider permitting them to apply to the GLAS scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15568/19]
View answer190. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers enrolled in the AEOS scheme whose contracts ceased by 31 December 2018, by county, in tabular form; if they will be permitted to apply to join GLAS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15678/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 187 and 190 together.
The number of farmers that completed their AEOS3 contracts in 2018 is 2,138. This was the final year of the AEOS scheme.
All AEOS participants were given the option of joining the GLAS scheme should they have wished to do so. The GLAS scheme is now fully subscribed with GLAS 3 participants in their third year of participation in the five year GLAS scheme.
|
County |
Number of AEOS participants in 2018 |
|
Carlow |
8 |
|
Cavan |
74 |
|
Clare |
120 |
|
Cork |
87 |
|
Donegal |
299 |
|
Dublin |
3 |
|
Galway |
353 |
|
Kerry |
165 |
|
Kildare |
5 |
|
Kilkenny |
19 |
|
Laois |
17 |
|
Leitrim |
14 |
|
Limerick |
151 |
|
Longford |
52 |
|
Louth |
18 |
|
Mayo |
345 |
|
Meath |
23 |
|
Monaghan |
44 |
|
Offaly |
22 |
|
Roscommon |
131 |
|
Sligo |
86 |
|
Tipperary |
34 |
|
Waterford |
16 |
|
Westmeath |
29 |
|
Wexford |
10 |
|
Wicklow |
13 |
|
Total |
2,138 |
188. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a GLAS 3 payment will issue to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15593/19]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 3 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2017.
An issue arose in relation to one of the claims for the Hen Harrier action which has delayed the processing of the payment. The case is being examined and a solution is expected shortly. Once this case clears validations, the 2017 Advance payment will be made. GLAS payments are continuing to issue on a weekly basis.
189. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers participating in the GLAS scheme who have planted land with wild bird cover that previously had designated ANC land that are no longer eligible under the terms and conditions of the 2019 ANC scheme (details supplied). [15677/19]
View answerFrom 2019, eligible areas under the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme must be designated using a set of bio-physical criteria such as excess soil moisture, limited soil drainage, unfavourable texture and stoniness, shallow rooting depth, steep slope. Under the EU regulations requiring this process to be carried out, Member States had to also undertake a fine-tuning exercise, based on objective criteria.
This fine-tuning exercise served to identify areas which were deemed to have met the thresholds for the biophysical criteria but in which the “significant natural constraints” had been overcome by investments, economic activity, normal land productivity, production methods or farming systems. Areas that were fine-tuned, were no longer eligible for payment under the 2019 ANC Scheme unless they met subsequent criteria to qualify as Areas of Specific Constraint. In Ireland this fine-tuning process was undertaken by reference to stocking density levels and levels of arable land.
Wild Bird Cover remains eligible for payment under the 2019 ANC scheme. However, such areas have been correctly classified as arable land for the purposes of the fine-tuning exercise. My Department’s records indicate that only one townland has been fine-tuned out due to the inclusion of Wild Bird Cover leading to the fine-tuning thresholds being exceeded.
191. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota regime in operation since 2009 pertaining to US and Canadian hormone free beef exports annually to the EU, in terms of tonnage and value from each country; and the amount of the annual quota that has been used each year by each country, in tabular form. [15679/19]
View answerIn 2009, the European Union and the United States concluded an agreement, revised in 2014, which provided for an interim solution to their long-standing WTO dispute regarding the use of certain growth-promoting hormones in beef production.
Under the agreement, a 45,000-tonnes quota of non-hormone produced beef is open by the EU to qualifying suppliers, which include the United States.
The annual use of quota over the period in question, as per information from the European Commission covering the period 2009 to 2019, is in the table, and is correct to the 3 March 2019. The detail on the specific country breakdown and monetary value of these imports is not available.
|
Quota period |
Quantity used (tonnes) |
Quantity available (tonnes) |
% of use |
|
2009-2010 |
9,823 |
20,000 |
49% |
|
2010-2011 |
19,141 |
20,000 |
96% |
|
2011-2012 |
20,000 |
20,000 |
100% |
|
2012-2013 |
32,322 |
45,975 |
70% |
|
2013-2014 |
41,167 |
48,200 |
85% |
|
2014-2015 |
47,399 |
48,200 |
98% |
|
2015-2016 |
48,003 |
48,200 |
99,6% |
|
2016-2017 |
48,200 |
48,200 |
100% |
|
2017-2018 |
45,175 |
45,711 |
99% |
|
2018-2019* |
33,344 |
45,000 |
74% |
192. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the position regarding compensation packages for holders of eel fishing licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15514/19]
View answerI refer to the reply to Question No. 574 of 12 February 2019.
I am advised by Inland Fisheries Ireland (IFI) that payments have, so far, issued to 90 applicants who have communicated, in writing, formal acceptance of the offer and confirmation of an undertaking to adhere to the conditions of the scheme and their individual letter of offer. Payments will issue to other eligible applicants as soon as they make the required returns to IFI.
The closing date for appeals under the scheme was Friday 22 February. The Independent Appeals Panel established within my Department has met to consider all appeals received and letters in relation to the outcome of appeals have been issuing to appellants since last week.
193. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his plans to ensure that schools and other educational institutions in the amber area will be given priority when the national broadband contract has been signed and is rolled out in view of the fact that information and communications technology grants are being provided for information technology upgrades but in many instances no broadband can be accessed in schools in County Sligo; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15549/19]
View answerThrough the 2012 Schools 100Mbps Project all 780+ post primary schools in Ireland now have access to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) high speed broadband. The aim of this project was to ensure that all second level students can enhance their learning experience through digital. The National Broadband Plan (NBP) aims to ensure high speed broadband access to all premises in Ireland, regardless of location. This is being achieved through a combination of commercial investment and a State led intervention.
The NBP has been a catalyst in encouraging investment by the telecoms sector. In 2012, less than 700,000, or 30% of all 2.4 million Irish premises had access to high speed broadband. Today, 74% of premises can access high speed broadband.
The AMBER areas of my Department’s High Speed Broadband Map are the target areas for the NBP State intervention. The procurement process to appoint a bidder for the State intervention network is now at the final stage. I will bring a recommendation to Government in relation to the NBP in the coming weeks.
In the event of a contract award my Department will engage with the bidder on the most appropriate deployment which will enable all premises in the intervention area to gain access to a high speed broadband service.
While premises are awaiting the wider deployment, specific premises have been selected for early connection in co-operation with Department of Rural and Community Development, Broadband Connection Points (BCPs) have been identified by local authority broadband officers in every county, including Sligo. These will be prioritised for connection in the first year of deployment and include locations such as schools, community centres and sports clubs. BCPs will provide free public Wi-Fi access to communities awaiting the deployment of the State intervention network.
For those premises currently awaiting access to high speed broadband, practical initiatives will continue to be addressed through the work of the Mobile Phone and Broadband Taskforce to address obstacles and improve connectivity in respect of existing and future mobile phone and broadband services.
Under this Taskforce, engagement between telecommunications operators and local authorities through Local Authority Broadband Officers is continuing. These Broadband Officers are acting as single points of contact in local authorities for their communities. The appointment of these officers is already reaping rewards in terms of ensuring a much greater degree of consistency in engagements.
194. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the number of occasions he has consented to the advancing of additional funds in order for Sport Ireland to perform its duties in the past three years in the context of the Sport Ireland Act 2015; the amount approved; the reason they were requested; the persons or bodies they were to be advanced to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15607/19]
View answerIn each of the last three years, in line with normal financial procedures and with the consent of the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, I approved additional funding for Sport Ireland by way of a transfer of savings which arose in other subheads in my Department's Vote. In addition, in 2018 additional funding was provided to Sport Ireland as part of a supplementary estimate voted by the Dáil in December 2018.
In all cases, the funding was allocated to Sport Ireland. The purpose of the additional funding is outlined below.
In 2016, additional current funding of €1.5m was provided towards the payment of legal bills in a legal case in which Sport Ireland was the defendant. A further €25,000 was provided to allow Sport Ireland to assist Paralympics Ireland in addressing a funding shortfall arising from the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio.
In 2017, additional capital funding of €6.2m was provided for the development of Phase 2 of the National Indoor Arena at the Sport Ireland National Sports Campus. Additional current funding of €1m was provided towards the payment of legal bills in a legal case in which Sport Ireland was the defendant and a further €155,000 was provided to meet some staffing related costs.
In 2018, additional funding of €2.6m was provided to Sport Ireland as part of a supplementary estimate voted by the Dáil. Of this amount, €1.5m was provided for high performance sport and was allocated by Sport Ireland to a range of National Governing Bodies to assist athletes’ preparations for major competitions including the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Tokyo and key World Championship events. The balance of €1.12m was provided towards other commitments and programme costs, including the Irish Open Golf, Paralympics Ireland funding, the anti-doping programme and the women in sport programme.
A further €1.3m was provided in 2018 from savings which arose elsewhere in my Department's Vote in order to ease current expenditure pressures by Sport Ireland in 2019, including support for National Governing Bodies’ high performance programmes, participation programmes, field sport programmes and events.
195. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when the oral hearings for the N6 Galway city ring road will take place; the timeframe for commencement and completion of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15619/19]
View answerAs Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, I have responsibility for overall policy and funding in relation to the national roads programme. Under the Roads Acts 1993-2015, the planning, design and construction of individual national roads is a matter for Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in conjunction with the local authorities concerned. This includes the various processes and procedures required to progress the Scheme to construction stage.
Noting the above position, I have referred your question to TII for a direct reply. Please advise my private office if you do not receive a reply within 10 working days.
196. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if the issue of taxi drivers being victims of violence in the course of their work has been given consideration; the measures he has considered to protect taxi drivers; if legislation such as an Act will be introduced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15577/19]
View answerI am keenly aware of the utmost importance of ensuring the safety of small public service vehicle (SPSV) drivers. However, I should explain that matters of a criminal nature, as well as enforcement in relation to those, are for my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality. As assault is a criminal matter, it can only be investigated by members of An Garda Síochána.
The regulation of the SPSV industry, including the regulation of passenger behaviour, is a matter for the National Transport Authority (NTA) under the provisions of the Taxi Regulation Act 2013 and I currently have no proposals for amending that legislation in this regard. Given your reference to signage, and in line with the NTA's power in this regard, I have forwarded your correspondence to the Authority for further consideration and direct reply if appropriate.
197. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the reason tourism policy is not actively promoting Ireland West Airport Knock to transatlantic carriers, particularly in view of the fact that west and north-west local authorities have committed funding to the airport for ten years; the plans in place to build international market awareness and access to Ireland West Airport Knock; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15635/19]
View answerThe Government’s Tourism Policy Statement “People, Place and Policy – Growing Tourism to 2025” is centred on Ireland achieving its full potential as a destination for overseas tourism.
In 2016, 2017 and 2018 €1m was made available through Tourism Ireland's Regional Co-operative Market Access Scheme for co-operative marketing activity to encourage new access and maximise the potential of existing services to the regions. This exchequer funding is supported by contributions from regional tourism stakeholders, including local authorities, as well air and sea carriers. I was pleased to be able to increase this allocation to €1.25 million in Budget 2019. Ireland West Airport Knock has been one of the regional airports to benefit from this fund.
Building international tourism market awareness of Ireland West Airport Knock is an operational matter for the board and management of Tourism Ireland. Accordingly, I have referred this part of the Deputy's question to Tourism Ireland for direct reply. Please contact my private office if you have not received a reply within ten working days.
198. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a policy instrument to convince transatlantic carriers to invest in routes to Ireland West Airport Knock and drive access from key tourism markets into the western seaboard will be introduced; the amount in State grants provided to the airport in each of the years 2015 to 2018, and to date in 2019; the amount provided for capital expenditure and infrastructure spending from 2019 to date; the forecasted funding for 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15636/19]
View answerThe decision to operate a route is an operational matter for the airlines themselves and is generally based on the commercial viability of the routes in question. There is no policy instrument available to the Department to persuade transatlantic carriers to invest in specific routes to specific airports and the Department does not have any input into this decision making process.
However, the Government does support the development of air connectivity through funding to Tourism Ireland for cooperative marketing activity. Cooperative campaigns with partners facilitate increased marketing effort and help promote the destination more widely. They assist in driving demand for new and existing inbound air and sea services and leverage commercial investment in marketing Irish tourism, thereby sustaining the island’s vital route network.
The funding provided through Tourism Ireland is supported by contributions from regional tourism stakeholders (airports and ports) and matched by air and sea carriers resulting in new access and the maximisation in potential of existing services to the regions. This optimises Ireland’s Ancient East, Wild Atlantic Way and more recently Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands’ initiatives.
Supporting both seasonal and regional growth will again be the focus for Tourism Ireland in 2019, with the aim of increasing visitor numbers in the shoulder season. This will be underscored by a commitment to focus co-operative partnership activities on the January-April and October-December periods for Great Britain and the North American and European markets.
As the Deputy is aware, the Regional Airports Programme provides grant aid for safety and security related projects and activities at Ireland's regional airports. The amounts provided to Ireland West Airport Knock under this Programme in the years 2015 to 2018 are as follows:
2015 – €1,162,971.00
2016 – €2,933,419.30
2017 – €3,199,355.14
2018 – €4,176,104.70
Grant funding to the airports under the Regional Airports Programme is provided at different times of the year depending on the schemes involved. In 2019, a total of €21.7m is being provided to the Programme and, of this amount, over €10 million is available for capital investment projects such as the runway overlay project at Ireland West Airport Knock.
Funding applications from the regional airports in respect of capital projects for 2019 have been received by my Department. These applications are being assessed to ensure full compliance with the conditions of the grant schemes under the Regional Airports Programme as well as with EU State Aid Rules. I expect to announce the associated capital grant allocations for each airport in due course. Claims in respect of operational expenses are submitted to the Department later in the year and payments are usually made to the airports in early December.
199. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the operational cost of the information, administrative and tracing service delivered by Tusla and the Adoption Authority of Ireland in relation to adoptees from historical and domestic adoptions. [15539/19]
View answerAs the Deputy's question refers to operational matters, it has been referred to both Tusla and the Adoption Authority for direct reply. Each agency will respond individually to the Deputy.
200. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number and percentage of adoptees who have a sibling that was also placed for adoption. [15540/19]
View answerThis data is not collected. The Deputy may be interested to know that a range of other data in relation to adoption in Ireland is available in the Annual Reports of the Adoption Authority of Ireland, which are available on its website.
201. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the annual cost to date of the Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation, in tabular form; the anticipated cost upon completion; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15575/19]
View answerThe Commission of Investigation into Mother and Baby Homes and certain related Matters was established by Government on 17th February 2015 (S.I. No. 57 of 2015). In establishing the Commission, the Government noted that the investigation and associated additional demands on the Department of Children and Youth Affairs were estimated to cost, to completion, were in the order of €21.5m, exclusive of third party legal costs. Due to the nature of the live investigative process, it is not possible to anticipate the final cost.
Since it's establishment expenditure of approximately €8.4m has been incurred (to end March 2019) to support salaries, fees and other operational costs relating to the work of the independent Commission and its engagement with former residents and other witnesses.
|
Year |
Commission Expenditure |
|
2019 |
€0.55m |
|
2018 |
€2.25m |
|
2017 |
€2.1m |
|
2016 |
€2m |
|
2015 |
€1.5m |
In addition, my Department has also directly incurred costs of approximately €1.9m to end March 2019 in supporting this work and responding to its interim reports. This includes the processes I have commenced to complement the Commission's work by facilitating former residents of these institutions to directly engage on the issues of concern to them and their families.
202. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if Meath County Council will be assisted in its efforts to acquire a location (details supplied) for community use as a public library; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15516/19]
View answerThe provision of premises and facilities in the public library service, including the acquisition of property, is primarily a matter for local authorities in their capacity as library authorities under the Local Government Act 2001. Accordingly, the acquisition of property for a new library in Bettystown is first and foremost a matter for Meath County Council, and it would be inappropriate for my Department to engage with any prospective vendor or financial institution.
My Department funds a Libraries Capital Programme that will invest some €29m in 19 projects, as well as the My Open Library service, between 2016 and 2022. While the programme is currently fully committed, funding for new library projects is considered as additional funds become available. Moreover, applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through the Department's Four Stage Capital Works Management process. To date, no application has been received from Meath County Council in respect of a library development in Bettystown.
Meath County Council may also submit library development proposals as elements of broader regeneration proposals under the Rural and Urban Regeneration and Development Funds. The first call for proposals for these funds closed at the end of September and further calls are expected to issue in April 2019.
