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Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Written Answers Nos. 885-909

Health Services Funding

Questions (885)

Colm Burke

Question:

885. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the breakdown of the ten-year timeframe projections of his Department and the Health Service Executive regarding nursing home and residential care, including the expected increase in service user numbers and the estimated costings arising; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5423/20]

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Written answers

The Government recognises that our ageing population will require the delivery of significant additional long-stay and step-down facilities. A comprehensive programme of investment in public nursing homes over the period 2016-2021 is well underway. The programme is aimed at maintaining the existing level of public bed provision and will also provide some additional capacity.

The National Development Plan provides capital funding over the next ten years for additional capacity requirements including 4,500 additional short-term and long-term beds across the public system in Community Nursing Units and other step-down facilities, as identified by the Health Service Capacity Review (2018).

Long-term residential care is often the most appropriate care option where an older person’s needs are complex. However, the care model for the older population requires further progress towards supporting older people to remain living independently at home for longer. This is a key tenet of Sláintecare and the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy. In this regard the Department is advancing work in relation to improved community supports, particularly in the context of the development of a Statutory Home Support Scheme and the further exploration of measures such as those outlined in the policy framework Housing Options for Our Ageing Population jointly developed by the Departments of Health and Housing, Planning and Local Government.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (886)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

886. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the cost basis for the agreement with the private hospital sector; and the way in which the figure of €115 million per month was arrived at. [5432/20]

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Written answers

The Government published the National Action Plan in Response to Covid-19, on March 16. In anticipation of the projected surge in Covid-19 cases and the expected impact on the health care system a major part of the Action Plan was to urgently ramp up capacity for acute hospital care facilities. A critical element of the strategy was to put in place an arrangement with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system, to provide essential additional acute hospital services for the duration of the emergency. The terms of the arrangement reflected the expected Covid-19 pandemic at time of signing, and therefore is for a 3-month period, with an option for the HSE to extend it for a further month, and by mutual agreement thereafter.

Under the agreement payment to the private hospitals will be on a cost only Open Book model whereby the hospitals will be reimbursed only for the operating costs properly incurred during the period. The costs that will be covered will be limited to normal costs of operating the hospital. The final cost will be verified by independent firms of accountants appointed by the HSE and the private hospitals and there will be an arbitration mechanism in place in the event of any disagreement. Under the Heads of terms private hospitals are funded to 80% of their estimated monthly costs in advance. The private hospitals combined submitted estimates for April which totalled €115m, therefore €90.2m in total was advanced to them for that month. A balancing payment will be made or funding clawed back depending on the outcome of the cost verification process.

Since the purpose of the arrangement is to provide additional capacity to deal with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic for which there is no definitive time horizon it is not possible to indicate a precise cost estimate attaching to the arrangement. The cost only open book model is therefore the most effective way of ensuring the arrangement provided the additional capacity necessary and that it is value for money for the State.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (887)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

887. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the consideration he has given to permanently retaining private hospitals in public use in order to accelerate progress towards a single-tier health service in line with Sláintecare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5434/20]

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Written answers

The arrangement between the HSE and the private hospitals, which enables the HSE to have 100% access to the private hospital’s capacity, is one of the emergency measures which were set out in the Government’s Action Plan in Response to Covid-19. As such the arrangement is a temporary one. The arrangement is for a 3-month period, with an option for the HSE to extend it for a further month. Any extension of the arrangement beyond that would have to be agreed by the HSE and the private hospitals concerned. Any discussions regarding an extension would have to be considered in the context of the evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic and the most effective use of resources in tackling it. Therefore, while there is an option to extend the arrangement, it is not intended that it would be permanent.

Healthcare Policy

Questions (888)

Róisín Shortall

Question:

888. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of negotiations with hospital consultants regarding public use of private hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5435/20]

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Written answers

I, officials of my Department and HSE management have engaged with the consultants representative bodies concerning public use of the private hospitals and related matters.

The contract being offered, a TYPE A 'Public Only' contract, was finalised last month and has been made available to consultants who had been working in the private hospitals. The most recent data submitted to my Department shows that 320 consultants have signed up to the contract to date with a further 61 identified as being likely to, subject to clarifications around a small number of outstanding issues.

Most recently, I had a meeting with the IHCA and a number of the private hospital consultants last Friday at which a number of the remaining issues were discussed with a view to optimising arrangements to support the delivery and continuity of care for all patients as public patients.

Hospital Services

Questions (889)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

889. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5455/20]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.

Infectious Diseases Data

Questions (890)

Jim O'Callaghan

Question:

890. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health if statistical data on the incidence of bronchitis in April 2020 is or may become available; and if so, the details of same. [5458/20]

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Written answers

I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.

Medical Aids and Appliances Provision

Questions (891)

Stephen Donnelly

Question:

891. Deputy Stephen Donnelly asked the Minister for Health if financial support can be provided to a person (details supplied) in a case in which due to alopecia, expensive wigs are required for more than one member of a household and in which that household does not have the financial resources to buy the wigs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5466/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services

Questions (892)

Verona Murphy

Question:

892. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the reason Arden House, County Wexford, is not opened; the opening date; if the staffing numbers will meet the standards as set down by the WHO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5471/20]

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Written answers

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Tobacco Control Measures

Questions (893)

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

893. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the status of the ban on menthol cigarettes; when the measure will be implemented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5473/20]

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Written answers

The sale of menthol flavoured tobacco will be prohibited from 20 May 2020. This measure was provided for in the European Union (Manufacture, Presentation and Sale of Tobacco and Related Products) Regulations 2016 which transposed EU Directive 2014/40/EU on the manufacture, presentation and sale of tobacco and related products ('the Tobacco Products Directive').

Hospitals Expenditure

Questions (894)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

894. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the amount paid for public relations advice since January 2020 in each hospital group; and the services paid for each month in tabular form. [5479/20]

View answer

Written answers

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Nursing Staff Remuneration

Questions (895)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

895. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding payments to nurses. [5480/20]

View answer

Written answers

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.

Departmental Offices

Questions (896)

Peter Burke

Question:

896. Deputy Peter Burke asked the Minister for Health if there are vacancies in the offices of his Department at a location (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5490/20]

View answer

Written answers

I understand that the HSE advertise vacancies that arise on their website at this link

https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/jobs/

As such, your constituent may wish to review the website, where he can use the job search option to ascertain whether there are any posts available within the category of employment that he is interested in.

Drug Treatment Programmes

Questions (897)

Niall Collins

Question:

897. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5512/20]

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Written answers

The National Drugs Strategy, ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery, A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017-2025’, promotes a more compassionate and humane approach to people who use drugs, with drug use treated first and foremost as a public health issue, rather than as a criminal justice issue.

One of the actions within this Strategy (3.1.35) was to establish a Working Group to consider the approaches taken in other jurisdictions to the possession of drugs for personal use with a view to making recommendations on policy options. The Working Group’s report was published in August 2019.

The role of the Working Group was to investigate, in detail, alternative approaches to dealing with the possession of drugs for personal use in Ireland. Research was conducted on behalf of the Working Group on alternative approaches taken in other jurisdictions, including Portugal and Colorado. Decriminalisation was also considered by this group, however it was concluded that decriminalising drug use would reduce our ability to help those who needed it. It could lead to de facto legalisation of drugs. To inform its deliberations, a public consultation was undertaken in 2018 which comprised of an online questionnaire, focus groups and an open policy debate. There were over 20,000 responses to the online questionnaire. This report also noted the growing dangers associated with cannabis use because of increased THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) levels, and stated the importance of all sectors working together to inform the public about the harms associated with cannabis use and all other illicit drugs.

The report of the Working Group can be found at: https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/7ccdec-the-working-group-to-consider-alternative-approaches-to-the-possessi/

Following consideration of the report of the Working Group, the Minister for Health, the Minster for Justice and Equality and I announced the adoption of a health-led approach to the possession of drugs for personal use. There are two components to this new Health Diversion Approach whereby a person in possession of drugs, determined by An Garda Síochána to be for personal use, on the first occasion would be referred by An Garda Síochána on a mandatory basis to the Health Service Executive for a health screening and brief intervention. On the second occasion, An Garda Síochána would have discretion to issue an Adult Caution.

The Health Diversion Approach seeks to connect drug users with health services and to support them on their path to recovery. It will also give individuals the opportunity to avoid a criminal conviction. A small implementation, monitoring and evaluation group has been set up to progress the Health Diversion Approach.

I acknowledge the very real dangers we are facing as a society in terms of cannabis use. Cannabis use by adolescents, in particular, is worrying as it poses risks of dependence and developing psychotic illness. We cannot be complacent about the risk to health posed by cannabis use. While we pursue our important public health approach to drug use in Ireland, there are no plans to legalise cannabis or any other illicit drugs.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (898)

Frank Feighan

Question:

898. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the potential closure of the Longford greyhound racetrack by the Irish Greyhound Board; if his attention has been further drawn to the importance of the facility to racegoers and dog trainers in the north-west region; the efforts his Department can take to help ensure the track remains open; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5048/20]

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Written answers

Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon and therefore the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Departmental Expenditure

Questions (899)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

899. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended on access to online and hard copy media publications in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020; the breakdown of online and hard copy subscriptions including the publications that his Department subscribes to; if consideration has been given to using a banded set of IP addresses for online subscriptions rather than individual accounts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3999/20]

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Written answers

My Department purchases newspapers and periodicals in compliance with procurement guidelines and it avails of Office of Government Procurement framework agreements. Digital format is always encouraged and, when feasible and cost effective, access is authenticated via IP recognition. All expenditure is monitored on an ongoing basis to ensure that value for money is being achieved.

The total expenditure by my Department on access to online and hard copy media publications in 2017 was €59,075, €63,387 in 2018, €72,166 in 2019 and the total in 2020 to date is €8,542.

The breakdown of online and hard copy subscriptions is set out in the following table.

Title

Hardcopy, Online or Both

Accountancy Ireland

Hardcopy

Agra Facts

Online

Analysing Agriculture

Online

Business and Finance

Both

Daily Mail

Hardcopy

Dairy Industry Newsletter

Both

Data Protection Ireland

Both

Ends Europe

Online

Farmers Guardian

Both

Farmers Weekly

Both

Financial Times

Hardcopy

Fishing News

Hardcopy

Forestry Journal

Both

Harvard Business Review

Both

Holstein International

Hardcopy

Horticulture Connected

Both

Industrial Relations News

Both

Inshore Ireland

Hardcopy

Intrafish

Both

Irish Examiner

Both

Irish Farmers Journal

Both

Irish Independent

Both

Irish Mail on Sunday

Hardcopy

Irish Skipper

Hardcopy

Irish Times

Both

Kantar Media

Online

Marine Times

Hardcopy

New Scientist

Online

Poultry World

Hardcopy

Sporting Press

Hardcopy

Sunday Business Post

Both

Sunday Independent

Hardcopy

Sunday Times

Both

The Bar Review of Ireland

Hardcopy

The Currency

Online

The Economist

Both

The Field

Hardcopy

The Grocer

Both

The Star

Hardcopy

The Vegetable Farmer

Both

Timber Trades Journal

Online

Truehawk Media

Online

Departmental Data

Questions (900)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

900. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the top ten websites visited by officials and political staff annually in each of the years 2017 to 2019 and to date in 2020 via hardware provided to them by his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4015/20]

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Written answers

My Department uses web filtering technologies to control access to websites. For operational reasons. the information is kept on the filtering infrastructure for a limited time and is available only from 27th May 2019.

The list below is based on number of requests made to the websites but it is not possible to distinguish between automated and user generated requests as the opening of a webpage will lead to multiple requests to multiple sites.

2019

2020

www.google.com

www.google.com

www.google.ie

www.google.ie

www.bing.com

www.bing.com

www.breakingnews.ie

www.irishtimes.com

www.irishtimes.com

www.msn.com

www.rte.ie

www.rte.ie

www.msn.com

www.youtube.com

www.youtube.com

www.boards.ie

www.amazon.co.uk

www.365online.com

www.facebook.com

www.breakingnews.ie

Felling Licences

Questions (901, 907)

Carol Nolan

Question:

901. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions taken to date to resolve the ongoing issue relating to delays in the processing of felling licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4050/20]

View answer

James Browne

Question:

907. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding forestry licences; the issues facing forestry licence applicants; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4113/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 901 and 907 together.

I am aware that there are currently delays to issuing forestry licences and I acknowledge that this is causing difficulties for some in the sector. The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP). These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others. These changes are unavoidable and are largely beyond the control of my Department. As you know, my Department is the forestry licence consent authority and, since 2017, all licence applications are subject to a statutory public notification system.

The situation with regard to felling licences has significantly improved since the start of 2020. Since January, 649 felling licences were issued up to 8th May. These licences cover over 5,900 ha and a volume in excess of 1.6 million m3. My Department continues to issue new felling licences at an average rate of approximately 100,000 m3 per week.

In terms of afforestation licences, from January 2018 to the end of December 2019, licences have been issued for 4,000 ha that are available to plant. Again, since January 2020, 230 afforestation licences for 1,700 ha and 141 forest road licence for 50.7 km have issued.

I accept the current changes to procedures are very significant and significant resources have been devoted to introducing a robust and workable system, which meets the legislative requirements. My Department is now meeting those needs as follows:

- New forestry inspectors and additional administrative staff have been assigned to licensing. More forestry inspectors will be recruited in 2020.

- Two new ecologists have joined the Department ecology team, with four more to be appointed shortly.

- We have engaged external ecological expertise to help with the backlog of files. Four local ecologists have also been contract to provide extra support. Further, an ecology contract with 5 new ecologists is due to be signed very soon.

- Additional administrative staff have been assigned to the Agriculture Appeals Office to assist with the increased workload of the Forestry Appeals Committee.

- Three planning officers have been contracted in to work with the Forestry Appeals Committee.

- A specialist mapping expert has been assigned to forestry issues.

In conclusion, let me assure you that our long-term commitment to forestry is unwavering and that every effort is being made to resolve current issues. I acknowledge that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.

Organic Farming Scheme

Questions (902)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

902. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a payment will be received under the organic farming scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4051/20]

View answer

Written answers

The person named is a participant in both the Green, Low Carbon, Agri-Environment Scheme (GLAS) and the Organic Farming Scheme (OFS). Farmers are permitted to participate in both schemes but certain actions on land parcels in GLAS do not permit a payment on the same land parcel in OFS.

The land parcel mentioned above formed part of the GLAS contract for the person named and the applicant has received a payment each year from 2016 - 2019. The action that the farmer chose on this land parcel, in their GLAS application, does not therefore permit an OFS payment.

The 2019 balancing OFS payment issued to the person named recently.

Fisheries Protection

Questions (903)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

903. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority, SFPA, inspections on the fishing fleet will be examined in view of the SFPA report which states that 83% of Irish boats were inspected compared with 4% of Spanish boats; and the reason for the perceived ongoing policy on the part of the SFPA to inspect more Irish fishing boats than foreign-owned boats. [4058/20]

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Written answers

The monitoring and control of fishing vessels within Ireland’s Exclusive Fisheries Zone are law enforcement matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning law enforcement of sea fisheries law are, as a matter of Statute law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service. I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational law enforcement matters such as this.

I have referred the Deputy's request to the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority for attention and direct reply.

Greyhound Industry

Questions (904)

Johnny Mythen

Question:

904. Deputy Johnny Mythen asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the decision by the Irish Greyhound Board to close the Enniscorthy track; and if an analysis was carried out of the decision regarding the loss of same to local employment, tourism, infrastructure, commerce, charities, clubs and organisations which rely solely on nights at the dogs to fund their organisations. [4059/20]

View answer

Written answers

Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for Bord na gCon and therefore the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.

Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme

Questions (905)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

905. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter regarding the TAMS application process in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4062/20]

View answer

Written answers

The applicant in question was approved under the TAMS II Dairy Equipment Scheme for the purchase of a robotic milking machine. Upon examination of the claim for payment, it was noted that the receipt was in the name of a leasing company.

As per the terms and conditions of the scheme, third party financing of an investment by lease or hire purchase is not allowed, the claim was therefore deemed ineligible for grant aid. This application has exhausted the applicants investment ceiling and the applicant is ineligible to apply for further investments under TAMS II.

Live Exports

Questions (906)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

906. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the protocol and regulations a ship must pass to be permitted to carry livestock for live export will be clarified; the number of inspections undertaken; the person or body that carries out the inspections; his views on whether it is more difficult for a ship to secure approval to carry livestock out of Ireland than it is from other EU member states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4081/20]

View answer

Written answers

Inspections and approval certificates for vessels for the transport of live exports from Ireland are processed in accordance with Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on Animal Transport, Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016, (S.I. 356 of 2016) and the European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006 (S.I. 675 of 2006).

My Department receives regular requests from marine vessel owners and managers of shipping companies to arrange inspection of vessels for the transport of live animals from Ireland. The first step in the process is that the applicant will submit all requested documents for an initial review of the vessel's documents by a marine surveyor. If the vessel is deemed suitable on paper, then a physical inspection by a Marine Surveyor and a Veterinary Inspector will be arranged.

Vessels are also subject to stringent checks by expert veterinary officials prior to loading. Stability calculations are undertaken for every voyage and clear instructions on acceptable weather conditions are issued prior to allowing the vessels to depart.

Ireland sets a high standard relating to the approval of ships for livestock transport. This approach helps to contribute to maintaining Ireland’s reputation as an exporter of livestock of the highest health status.

The Deputy can be assured that my Department will continue to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can continue in both an economic and sustainable manner, with strong emphasis on the welfare of all animals being exported.

Question No. 907 answered with Question No. 901.

Nitrates Usage

Questions (908)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

908. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on a director’s review of a decision on an appeal by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4119/20]

View answer

Written answers

The Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department.

I have been advised by the Agriculture Appeals Office that a comprehensive review of the case was undertaken by the Director of Agriculture Appeals. The review has been finalised and a letter has issued to the person named advising of the outcome.

Agriculture Scheme Eligibility

Questions (909)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

909. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the large number of reviews of land eligibility in respect of agriculture schemes on the Aran Islands, County Galway, will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4131/20]

View answer

Written answers

In accordance with the requirements set out under the EU regulations, my Department receives and reviews new land imagery on a rolling basis. This process includes the review of imagery received in relation to land held in the entire country, including the Aran Islands. In each case, the imagery is reviewed and amendments are made to the land details should any ineligible features be identified.

Applicants are informed where such amendments are made and are given the option of seeking a review. All such reviews sought by applicants relating to lands held on the Aran Islands have now been completed.

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