Written Answers Nos. 155-180
155. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 267 of 10 July 2019, if a date for a meeting as promised will be provided (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49273/19]
View answerA meeting with senior officials in my department was offered to the representative group in question and this was rejected. While I make every effort to meet with as many stakeholders as possible, it is not always possible to commit to every meeting request. It is normal and productive practice for my officials to meet with interest groups on my behalf and it is regrettable that the offer of a meeting was refused in this instance. I would suggest that the group would reconsider the offer of a meeting in order to give them an opportunity to raise their concerns at departmental level at the earliest time possible.
156. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 345 of 5 February 2019, 201 of 19 June 2019, 497 of 9 July 2019 and 344 of 24 September 2019, the position regarding the staff breastfeeding in the workplace policy for HSE staff; if the policy has been signed off on by the HSE leadership team; the reason for the time delay; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49276/19]
View answerAs the question refers to service matters, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy
157. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff hired and-or engaged by the HSE in the past five years to date; the cost per year of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49284/19]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
158. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Labre Park Traveller halting site is one of the few Traveller communities that is not covered by a primary health care team (details supplied); if he will take steps to ensure that the funding of a primary health care team for Travellers living in Labre Park and the wider Ballyfermot and Dublin 10 area is included in the HSE 2020 budget; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49285/19]
View answer163. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Health the reason there is no primary healthcare team for the Traveller community in Dublin 10 and specifically for the Labre Park halting site; if the possibility of providing a team will be investigated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49321/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 158 and 163 together.
The Department of Health, via the HSE, provides in excess of €10m, to support a range of targeted initiatives, programmes and supports to improve the health status of Travellers. These include:
- primary healthcare projects, counselling services, family support programmes and men's health projects;
- Traveller Health units and related staff;
- mental health promotion and suicide prevention services provided in a culturally sensitive manner, to reduce the stigma associated with mental health;
- Mental Health Service Coordinator for Travellers posts responsible for driving, managing and supporting the implementation of agreed improvement programmes and projects for Travellers.
Furthermore, the HSE employs a number of Public Health Nurses and related staff towards addressing priority health needs of members of the Traveller community.
The Department will allocate €17 billion to the HSE for the delivery of health services in 2020. The details of these services will be set out in the HSE National Service Plan for 2020. The plan will include specific measures to improve Traveller health, including a Traveller health action plan.
As the Deputy’s question refers to a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
159. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff hired and-or engaged by his Department in the past five years to date; the cost per year of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49299/19]
View answerThe Department of Health has not hired or engaged any agency staff in the past five years to date.
160. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49317/19]
View answerUnder 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.
161. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the cost of fighting a case (details supplied) over the past number of years; his plans to make each person who suffered narcolepsy having been administered the pandemrix influenza vaccine go to court against the State; his further plans and timeframe to address the outstanding cases in a manner in which such persons will not have to go through the courts, such as a no-fault compensation scheme. [49318/19]
View answerI am pleased that the mediation process was successful in the recent case relating to the administration of the Pandemrix vaccine during the 2009 H1N1 influenza pandemic and that the parties have been able to come to a resolution without the necessity to continue with legal proceedings.
In October 2013, the Government approved (S180/46/01/0005B) the delegation to the State Claims Agency (SCA) of the management of claims in relation to individuals alleging the development of narcolepsy resulting from the administration of the pandemic vaccine. The management of the cases transferred to the SCA when the National Treasury Management Agency (Delegation of Claims Management Functions) (Amendment) Order 2013 (S.I. no 405 of 2013) was signed by the then Taoiseach on 15 October 2013. As such, I have no role as regards the conduct of this or future cases, including as regards the issue of costs relating to them.
However, the Programme for a Partnership Government includes a commitment to “put in place a scheme, on a no-fault basis, that will respond to the needs of people with disability arising from vaccination" and work is progressing with regard to this. An Expert Group was established in June of last year, under Judge Meenan, to examine the law in relation to personal injuries arising in the healthcare context and to explore alternative mechanisms by which claims could be managed more effectively, particularly from the perspective of the person on whose behalf a claim has been made. A report from this Expert Group is expected in the coming weeks, the recommendations of which will be taken into account as part of the development of any possible vaccine compensation scheme.
In addition, the Health Research Board recently completed a review of the evidence on vaccine injury redress programmes in other jurisdictions and this report will also be considered in conjunction with the Expert Group’s recommendations.
162. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49319/19]
View answerUnder 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.
164. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of an appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49322/19]
View answerUnder 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.
166. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health his plans to retain the services of a paediatric pain specialist (details supplied) at Our Lady's Children’s Hospital, Crumlin, who may leave the service at the end of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49354/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Children's Health Ireland to respond to you directly, as soon as possible.
167. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the position in regard to the extension of the mental health facilities at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49355/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
168. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to plans to demolish a building (details supplied) in County Cork; and his views on whether appropriate measures were taken in the decision. [49360/19]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the management of the healthcare property estate, I have asked the HSE to respond directly to you in relation to this matter.
169. Deputy John McGuinness asked the Minister for Health the status of an application by a person (details supplied) under the treatment abroad scheme; the reason emails to the HSE PAD section of 1 and 6 November 2019 regarding the matter have not received a response; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49371/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
170. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49379/19]
View answerUnder 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.
171. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Health the position regarding State funding of the national platform for self-advocates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49401/19]
View answerThe National Platform of Self-Advocates is an advocacy service for people with intellectual disabilities which was established and is run by people with intellectual disabilities.
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. The Department of Health does not fund organisations directly while the HSE can only fund organisations for the purpose of providing health services on its behalf.
As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
172. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the staffing restrictions and embargo on the recruitment of clinical psychologists in the CHO 2 area in view of the ongoing waiting lists for treatment and assessment in CAMHS, early intervention services, adult mental health services and the ASD services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49403/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
173. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of clinical psychologists employed in the CHO 2 area; the number of clinical psychologists recruited by the HSE in 2018 and to date in 2019 by county in the CHO 2 area in tabular form; his plans to recruit additional clinical psychologists to address the ongoing waiting lists in CAMHS, early intervention services, adult mental health services and the ASD services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49405/19]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
174. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the Departments that have been obliged by court orders to provide discovery in respect of the action initiated by an association (details supplied); the number that have done so; if a review of the data necessary to achieve delivery of the required discovery documentation has commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49442/19]
View answerThere are a number of cases concerning thalidomide before the High Court at present, which are being managed by the State Claims Agency on behalf of the Irish State.
The State Defendants in the proceedings are the Minister for Health and Children, Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, the Attorney General and Ireland. An order for discovery was sought by the Plaintiff and was made by the High Court on 10 April, 2019. That order has neither been perfected nor served upon the State and accordingly the time for compliance with discovery obligations has not commenced to run.
An application is pending before the Court to vary the discovery ordered and this has not as yet been determined. Review of the data necessary to comply with the discovery order in the context of proceedings is ongoing and is necessarily the subject of legal advice and privilege. Accordingly, it is inappropriate for me to give further comment or detail in respect of the process until discovery has concluded and the proceedings resolved.
No State Defendant has been determined to be non-compliant with the discovery order in these proceedings.
175. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment for a person (details supplied) will be scheduled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49444/19]
View answerUnder 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.
176. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the initiatives to support paludiculture which will be financed under the climate action plan 2019. [49422/19]
View answerMy Department recognises wetlands and peat soils as an important carbon pool in the Irish landscape. Reducing emissions by water table manipulation has the potential to significantly reduce GHG emissions from these soils and is a means to positively contribute to our climate change mitigation ambitions. This is an important part of Agriculture's contribution to the emission reductions and is set out in the All of Government Climate Action Plan released in June 2019.
The Climate Action Plan targets at least 40,000 hectares of carbon rich soils (peatlands) under agricultural management to maintain low management intensity as part of our commitment. There is great potential for paludiculture to take advantage of this and generate sustainable production benefits without diminishing their environmental functions. The assessment of potential options for land use management of rewetted organic soils and research on the potential for productive use of rewetted peatlands, including paludiculture, are key actions within the Climate Action Plan for the better management of peatlands ands soils.
Balancing between reducing our own footprint and committing to carbon removal through sequestration, be it afforestation or management of farmed peatlands, etc., is critical. This is the reason for the €3 million that has been assigned to my Department to carry out pilot projects in respect of carbon removal, which will include at its forefront a pilot measure on farmed peatland management.
Furthermore, Bord na Móna are also focusing on peatlands rehabilitation. The company’s rehabilitation principles have always been to re-wet peat where possible and to work in tandem with nature. Bord na Móna’s cutaway rehabilitation will mean that a heterogeneous mosaic of habitats will develop on the cutaway.
Bord na Móna has already rehabilitated 15,000 hectares of peatland and is developing new plans that will involve the enhanced rehabilitation of a greater area of peatland by 2025. Bord na Móna has recently announced a €1.6 billion investment plan which includes an accelerated peatland rehabilitation programme and while these activities will take place on non-agricultural soils my Department will be eager to learn from the knowledge gained by Bord na Móna's efforts in this area.
177. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to support the development of a biomass industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48914/19]
View answerThrough the All-of-Government Climate Action Plan, my Department is working closely with other Government Departments to ensure Ireland's transition to a low carbon economy and society. While agriculture contributes to the increasing concentration of greenhouse gases, the sector also has the means to be part of the alleviation process and has a key role to play in transitioning to a competitive, low carbon, climate resilient and environmentally sustainable economy by 2050.
Ireland's long-term policy vision for the agriculture and land use sector is 'an approach to carbon neutrality which does not compromise the capacity for sustainable food production'.
While carbon neutrality is yet to be fully defined our policy approach is based on three principles:
- Reducing agriculture emissions;
- Increasing carbon sequestration; and
- The displacement and substitution of fossil fuel and energy intensive materials.
Indigenous renewable energy plays a vital role in our domestic fuel mix and will become even more important in the context of reducing our reliance on imported fuels and in meeting our challenging renewable energy targets for 2020 and 2030 and decarbonising our energy systems by 2050.
Ireland has a 16% target for renewable energy by 2020 and the production of indigenous biomass has a crucial role to play in helping us meet this renewable energy target and my Department has a key role to play in the supply of biomass materials in this regard.
Through the National Forestry Programme, my Department is committed to increasing the supply of biomass from Ireland’s forests. In 2018, 40% of the wood fibre used in the Republic of Ireland was used for energy generation, mainly within the forest products sector, up from 34% a couple of years ago. This represents over 1.5 million cubic metres of wood fibre and includes, roundwood, sawmill and residues such as bark, sawdust and woodchip. The new Support Scheme for Renewable Heat is creating additional demand for biomass particular since the second phase was launched during the summer which will provide operational support for biomass boilers.
According to the All Ireland Roundwood Forecast 2016 – 2035, output from Irish forests is expected to double over the coming decades to around 8 million cubic metres. Most of this increased production will come from private forest owners. In fact, during 2018, total timber production from private forest owners exceeded 1 million cubic metres for the first time. In order to address the barriers that exist in mobilising this resource, my Department supports a number of targeted measures including the construction of forest roads to provide access to the timber, knowledge transfer groups to assist forest owners in managing their forests and grants for second thinning of broadleaves which provides an important source of local firewood.
The Department previously operated a bioenergy scheme to facilitate the establishment of energy crops (including willow and miscanthus) for use in renewable energy production. However, due to a low uptake, the scheme was suspended from 2016 and there are currently no plans to re-introduce support. Ongoing support for the production of biomass will continue to be provided under the Forestry Programme 2014-2020 which funds private afforestation and includes a specific “forestry for fibre” scheme.
My Department continues to consider all opportunities for further developments in the area of biomass in the context of the next Forestry Programme and the next CAP Strategic programme, which is currently being developed.
178. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of native woodland trees to be planted on former bogland in each of the years 2019 to 2022, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42320/19]
View answer179. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of native woodland trees to be planted outside of former bogland in each of the years 2019 to 2022, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42321/19]
View answer180. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of native woodland trees planted in each of the years 2007 to 2018, inclusive, by county in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42319/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 178 to 180, inclusive, together.
Under the current Forestry Programme 2014 -2020, the planting of native woodlands is supported through a grant of €6,200 per hectare and 15 year premiums of €680 per hectare. Interest in planting has increased year-on-year since the commencement of the programme in 2015.
In order to further encourage the planting of native woodlands, my Department has launched a Woodland Environmental Fund (WEF) initiative. This provides an opportunity for businesses to partner with the Government and Irish landowners to support the national effort to plant additional native trees. The WEF involves an additional once off top up payment of €1,000 per hectare paid by the business to the landowner. There has been a positive reaction from the business community to this scheme, with An Post and Accenture already signed up and other businesses submitting formal expressions of interest in participating in the scheme. My colleague Minister Doyle, will be addressing a gathering of interested businesses on 28 November 2019 to further promote the planting of native woodland under the WEF.
Furthermore, last month, my colleague Richard Bruton TD, Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment and I announced that Coillte Nature and Bord na Móna are collaborating on a new project which will see bogs that are no longer being used for peat production, transformed into rich native woodlands.
This initiative will see approximately 3 million native trees being established, mainly through the direct seeding method, across 1,500 hectares of Bord na Móna land over the next 3 years. The focus will be on growing a mix of native Irish trees such as Downy Birch, Scots Pine, Alder and other broadleaves (Hazel and Holly etc.). The Bord na Móna lands identified for the project are in counties Offaly, Laois, Westmeath and Tipperary. Teams from Coillte Nature and Bord na Móna will work together to provide the management, forestry, nursery and technical expertise to establish and maintain the woodlands.
A target of 450 hectares of native woodland is set for each year under the current Forestry Progamme 2014 -2020. This would equate to an estimated 1,485,000 trees. Targets for 2021 and 2022 will be set under the new Forestry Programme.
In terms of the number of trees planted in each of the years 2007 to 2018, an estimate is shown in the table at the link, using the average figure of 3,300 stems per hectare for native woodlands. The figures from 2015 onwards are based on native woodland establishment under GPCs 9 and 10 under the current National Forestry Programme. There are also native and broadleaf trees planed as part of a mixed plantation.
