Written Answers Nos. 304-324
304. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the number of firms that have applied for each enterprise support measure and scheme since 1 March 2020 in response to Covid-19 provided by her Department and each State agency under her remit; the number of firms that have received assistance to date; the value of supports that have been granted in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10461/20]
View answerIn order to assist businesses to address the challenges posed by COVID-19, the Government has put in place a comprehensive suite of supports for firms of all sizes, which includes the wage subsidy scheme, grants, low-cost loans, write-off of commercial rates and deferred tax liabilities.
These supports are designed to build confidence, to further assist businesses in terms of the management of their companies and to allow them to begin looking to the future and start charting a path forward for weeks and months ahead. For a full list of supports for business please see https://dbei.gov.ie/en/What-We-Do/Supports-for-SMEs/COVID-19-supports/.
The full range of Enterprise Ireland, Local Enterprise Office (LEO) and Údarás na Gaeltachta grant and advisory supports continue to be available to eligible firms to help with strategies to access finance, commence or ramp-up online trading activity, reconfigure business models, cut costs, innovate, diversify markets and supply chains and to improve competitiveness.
The most recent data on the number of firms that have applied for each of the Covid-19 enterprise support measures are available at: https://dbei.gov.ie/en/Publications/Publication-files/Take-up-of-DBEI-COVID-19-Business-Supports.pdf
In that regard, Government will continue to explore funding potential for all enterprises including micro-enterprises as they work through the challenges facing them, including through any mechanisms allowable through the EU’s state aid framework.
The Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme is offered in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and is supported by the InnovFin SME Guarantee facility. The scheme is operated by the SBCI. It currently makes available a fund of up to €200 million to eligible businesses that have been negatively affected by impacts arising from the outbreak of Covid-19 to enable those businesses to innovate, change or adapt in response to the current business environment. Following a further announcement this Scheme is now being significantly expanded. The scheme is open to eligible SMEs and small mid-caps (businesses of up to 499 employees) negatively impacted by Covid-19. Loans under the scheme range from €25,000 to €1.5m and are for periods of up to three years. The maximum interest rate under the scheme is 4% and loans of up to €500,000 are available unsecured.
The Covid-19 Loan, available from Microfinance Ireland (MFI), was introduced as a support to microenterprises to help them access funding arising from the Covid-19 crisis. These loans are available for eligible microenterprises responding to Covid-19-related difficulties, the negative impact of which must be a minimum of 15% of actual or projected income or profit. Loans up to €50,000 are available with terms that include a six months interest free and repayment free moratorium, with the loan to then be repaid over the remaining 30 months of the 36-month loan period. An interest rate to 4.5% applies on the Covid-19 loans provided by MFI. This reduced rate is available to all micro-enterprises where the application is made through the Local Enterprise Network or referred by a bank or Local Development Committees. The new rate for direct applications to MFI is reduced to 5.5%. As these loans are available interest free for the first six months, the net effect is to further reduce the net interest rate payable over the period of the loan.
My Department is encouraging any affected business to take advantage of the LEO COVID-19 supports. The situation is still developing from day to day and the Government continues to respond to these developments in an effort to protect and support Irish businesses. The LEOs will continue to work with existing applicants and recipients of Business Continuity Vouchers (BCV) and their subsequent business continuity plans. The awarding of vouchers under the BCV scheme will naturally taper off in the coming weeks as the Local Enterprise Offices process the outstanding applications.
InterTradeIreland launched two new business supports, these are currently being targeted at companies who are already on one of their programs. E-merge enables companies to engage consultancy support & advice (to the value of £2500/€2800) to help them develop online sales & ecommerce solutions.
Emergency Business Solutions: Fully funded consultancy support & advice (to the value of £2000/€2250) to address key business challenges in areas such as emergency cashflow, loan applications and HR/People.
The COVID-19 outbreak will result in a serious downturn in the Irish, EU and wider global economy. The downturn will be sudden and wide reaching. Businesses, the labour market and household spending will all be negatively impacted. To assist companies to respond to these challenges, and in doing so stabilise and rebuild their business, Enterprise Ireland, on behalf of the Department of Business Enterprise and Innovation has launched a suite of COVID-19 supports; these are:
- Sustaining Enterprise Fund: This €180 million fund will provide support to eligible manufacturing and internationally traded services companies employing 10 or more employees who have been impacted by a 15 per cent or more reduction in actual or projected turnover or profit, and/or have a significant increase in costs as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The objectives of the scheme are to:
- Ensure eligible companies have access to the necessary liquidity; and
- Sustain business so that companies can return to viability and contribute to the recovery of the Irish economy.
The Fund will provide financial assistance in the form of repayable advances of up to a maximum of €800,000 per company.
This fund will provide a €25k to €50k short term working capital injection to eligible smaller companies to support business continuity and strengthen their ability to return to growth and be trading strongly in 3-years’ time.
- COVID 19 – HPSU Fund (SEF – HPSU): This fund is aimed at EI High Potential Start-Up companies who, due to the Covid-19 pandemic are facing delays to projected sales growth and whose fundraising plans are significantly impacted or stalled. Under this fund, HPSUs can apply for co-investment of €50,000 per undertaking in the form of equity or convertible debt instruments.
In addition to this fund Enterprise Ireland has launched the following supports:
- Covid-19 Business Financial Planning Grant: A €5k grant for eligible companies to work with third party consultants to prepare a detailed financial plan with forecasts and assumptions.
- Lean Business Continuity Voucher: A €2.5k voucher for eligible companies to access training or advisory services support related to the continued operation of their business during the current pandemic.
- Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme is a grant for retail companies with greater than 10 employees to develop a more competitive online offer. This competitive call has a budget of €2 million. Successful applicants will receive funding support of up to 80% of project costs, with a maximum grant of €40,000.
- Restart Grant: This grant provides direct grant aid to micro and small businesses. The grant is a contribution towards the cost of re-opening or keeping a business operational and re-connecting with employees and customers.
Funding in respect to the Restart Grant is provided by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and is administered by the 31 Local Authorities.
Enterprise Ireland provides support for new start-ups and existing business through a wide range of initiatives and supports. The awarding of funding by the agency is based on eligibility, evaluation criteria and assessed company need.
I can assure the Deputy that I continue to work with my colleagues across Government to examine further appropriate supports to assist businesses impacted by Covid-19 and will continue to keep the supports provided for enterprise under review.
305. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her views on matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) regarding the return to work safely protocol. [10465/20]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware the Return to Work Safely Protocol was launched on 9th May 2020 in advance of the Phase 1 of the Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business which came into effect on 18th May.
The Protocol sets out in very clear terms for employers and workers the steps that they must take before a workplace reopens, and while it continues to operate. The protocol incorporates current advice about measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in the community as issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). As the advice issued by NPHET continues to evolve, this Protocol and the measures employers and workers need to address in the workplace may also change. The Protocol is, therefore, a living document insofar as details in the Protocol are non-exhaustive and are also subject to change as necessary. The Protocol is generally aimed at worker and public health protection and strong communication and a shared collaborative approach between employers and workers will be key in protecting against the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. Data Protection will play an important role in this success, where employers feel confident that they are meeting their data protection obligations and workers feel their personal data and right to privacy is protected in the workplace. It is intended to provide additional guidance within the Protocol on Data Protection matters to assist employers and employees in meeting requirements.
I would add that matters concerning the organisation and delivery of contact tracing systems is a matter for my colleague the Minister for Health.
306. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health when he expects to sign-off on the Labour Court recommendations which were endorsed by the HSE regarding the completed wage review for chefs’ grade recalibration evaluation in the HSR and is awaiting his decision since 24 February 2020. [9775/20]
View answerMy Department is currently engaging with the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform in relation to the content of this report. Once this engagement is complete, a decision will be made on the outcome of the review.
307. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Health when paediatric occupational therapists and speech and language therapists can reopen their centres and begin operations again; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9809/20]
View answerThe 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.
308. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if his attention was drawn to the report by an organisation (details supplied); his views on whether greater reforms are possible to achieve more sustainable and affordable medicines for patients here; the engagement he or his officials have had on the matter with the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9830/20]
View answer309. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if his attention was drawn to the report by an organisation (details supplied); his views on whether greater reforms are possible to achieve more sustainable and affordable medicines for patients here; the engagement he or his officials have had on the matter with the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9846/20]
View answer348. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a report by an organisation (details supplied); his views on whether greater reforms are possible to achieve more sustainable and affordable medicines for patients; the engagement he or his officials have had on the matter with the organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9863/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 308, 309 and 348 together.
The timely and sustainable access to medicines is a priority for Government. The Oireachtas put in place a robust legal framework, in the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013, to give full statutory powers to the HSE to assess and make decisions on reimbursement of medicines, taking account of a range of objective factors and expert opinion as appropriate. By assessing medicines in this manner, we help ensure that the finite resources of our heath service are used most effectively.
The legislative underpinning of the 2013 Act is backed up by the Framework Agreement on the Supply of Medicines 2016-2020 between the State and the Irish Pharmaceutical Healthcare Association (IPHA). This Agreement contains a number of measures intended to increase sustainable drug access and supply, including setting prices relative to those in other EU member states, reviewing prices to achieve better value for money and formal health technology assessment of new treatments to inform reimbursement decision making.
The Framework Agreement shall continue in force until 31 July 2020, unless continued by mutual agreement of the parties. My Department, the HSE and IPHA are in contact with each other, in the context of these specific provisions of the current Agreement and with a view to progressing the process of discussions on a successor agreement. My officials shall consider all relevant stakeholders as part of the preparatory work of a successor agreement.
310. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Health if an exemption will be made to the requirement for passengers to self-isolate for a passenger that has recently tested negative for Covid-19 by the public health authorities in Germany and the purpose of the trip is to see their children for a few days; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9856/20]
View answerThe public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people.
Information for those who are self-isolating and for people living with those who are self-isolating is published by the HSE on www.hse.ie.
In the absence of a test that definitively shows that a passenger arriving from overseas neither has nor is incubating the virus, the public health advice for passengers is to self-isolate during the 14 days – the duration of possible incubation - after arrival into the State.
By contrast, since 28 May, it is a legal requirement for passengers arriving from overseas to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. The information on the form may be used to assist our contact tracing teams.
My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is developing proposals to strengthen the 14-day self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas. Careful consideration is being given to exemptions to any mandatory regime of quarantine. Any mandatory arrangements would be kept under regular review.
311. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied); the reason Ireland has chosen a different course of action; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9963/20]
View answerThe measures taken are underpinned by a clear public health rationale.
As the number of indigenous cases here declines and Ireland eases some restrictions, the relative importance of the risk of importation of cases from overseas increases. Ultimately, the progress towards suppression of community transmission which has been achieved and which should allow for greater resumption of social and economic life in Ireland could be endangered.
The public health advice for passengers arriving into the State from overseas is to self-isolate for 14 days. Since 28 May it is a legal requirement for passengers arriving from overseas to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form. The information on the form may be used to assist our contact tracing teams.
The issue of imposing mandatory self-isolation for a 14-day period, to be considered as the situation evolves, was mentioned in the Roadmap for Reopening Society & Business.
My Department, in consultation with other relevant Departments including the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport, is developing proposals to strengthen the 14-day self-isolation arrangements for travellers from overseas.
Any mandatory arrangements would be kept under regular review.
312. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if a joint order of PPE from China was agreed with the Northern Ireland Executive in view of a statement by the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland on 27 March 2020; and if so, the details of the order and agreement. [10142/20]
View answer313. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the discussions the Chief Procurement Officer and the Office of Government Procurement had with departments of the Northern Ireland Executive regarding the potential order and purchase of PPE in March and April 2020; if the statement by the Minister for Finance in Northern Ireland on 27 March 2020 that a joint order for PPE from China had been agreed with the Government actually was in place; and if so, the details of same. [10155/20]
View answer400. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if joint orders for PPE have been made with the Northern Ireland Executive since the Covid-19 crisis commenced; if so, when they were agreed; the persons with whom they were agreed; and the cost of same. [10146/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 312, 313 and 400 together.
The Office of Government Procurement (OGP), has a longstanding working relationship with the Construction and Procurement Delivery (CPD) office of the Northern Ireland Department of Finance. Significant engagement had taken place between the OGP and CPD as part of the response to Covid-19, including exploring the option of a joint procurement to meet PPE needs. This joint option was progressed but was not ultimately concluded and both jurisdictions made their own arrangements for PPE supplies. There is ongoing dialogue between the OGP and CPD on Covid-19. A Memorandum of Understanding was formally agreed on 7 April between the Departments of Health in Ireland and Northern Ireland to underpin and strengthen North South co-operation on the public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing on facilitating greater co-operation on areas such as public health messaging, research, programmes of behavioural change, ethics, evidence base/ modelling and public health and non-pharmaceutical measures. Other areas will be considered, such as procurement, where this is of mutual benefit.
314. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the number of disability therapy staff that have been redeployed on Covid-19 work; the number that have returned to their original posts; the timetable for all therapy staff to recommence working with children with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9646/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
315. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the way in which Covid-19 has affected waiting lists for disability services for children; the waiting lists for speech and language therapy, occupational therapy and psychology for disability services children for those waiting less than 12, between 12 to 52 and more than 52 weeks by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9647/20]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
316. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the time frame for moving all persons with disabilities out of congregated settings in view of the fact the time frame in the national policy Time to Move on from Congregated Settings has passed; and when the remaining 2,000 or 2,900 persons will move into homes in the community. [9650/20]
View answerThe Report “Time to Move on from Congregated Settings – A Strategy for Community Inclusion” proposes a new model of support in the community moving people from Congregated settings to the community in line with Government policy. The Report identified around 4000 people (based on 2008 census) with disabilities in Ireland living in congregated settings, defined as a residential setting where people live with ten or more people.
The Programme for Partnership Government contains a commitment to continue to move people with disabilities out of congregated settings, to enable them to live independently and to be included in the community. The objective is to reduce this figure by one-third by 2021 and ultimately, to eliminate all congregated settings.
Time to Move On from Congregated Settings is progressing and continues to demonstrate very positive results for service users who have transitioned to living in homes in community settings. Overall, the population in congregated settings at the year end will be 50% lower than those identified in the original report with less than 2,000 people remaining in congregated settings.
I want to emphasise that the appropriate supports and resources are being put in place to ensure that people are supported as they move out of residential centres. The model of care for individuals will be based on a person centred plan (PCP). The PCP may change over time in line with an individual’s needs and circumstances and the model of service delivery applicable at a particular time.
Any opportunity for residents to live in smaller settings in the community will come after considerable planning and discussion with those residents and their families. It will be on the basis that it will enhance their life, and anyone who moves will continue to access the services they require.
The HSE has prioritised the transition of a further 132 people from congregated settings in 2020 under its Service Plan.
As the HSE is responsible for leading out on the recommendations of "Time to Move on from Congregated Settings - A Strategy for Community Inclusion", I have asked the HSE to reply directly to the Deputy in relation to the questions posed.
317. Deputy Kathleen Funchion asked the Minister for Health when appointments for outpatients are due to resume at the department of psychiatry in St. Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny [9665/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
318. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if a commitment will be given to priority testing for employees in meat plant factories in view of the close proximity of the working conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9672/20]
View answer331. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of inspections of meat plants carried out to date by the infection outbreak control team; the number of different plants inspected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9762/20]
View answer332. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the number of announced and unannounced inspections, respectively of meat plants that have been carried out by the infection outbreak control team. [9763/20]
View answer333. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health if all workers will be tested when a cluster appears in a meat plant; and if workers of such facilities should only return to work when they have been cleared of Covid-19. [9764/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 318 and 331 to 333, inclusive, together.
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
319. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment for an operation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9682/20]
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 response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, and the National Action Plan published on 16 March. The trajectory of the disease means there is now an opportunity for increasing the provision of non-covid care including more routine care.
My Department, the HSE and the National Treatment Purchase Fund are currently working together to estimate the impact of Covid 19 on Scheduled Care waiting lists, in order to be prepared to address any backlog or pent up demand. My Department continues to ensure that the resources available throughout our health system are best utilised at this unique and challenging time.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
320. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if refunds are available for those that were charged for an over the phone consultation with their doctor regarding potential Covid-19 before the decision was made to waive fees for such consultations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9693/20]
View answerRecognising that general practitioner services, in their totality, have a key role in the collective efforts to contain and mitigate the impact on public health during the current COVID-19 public health emergency, a number of measures were put in place to support general practice. These measures included payment of a fee of €30 by the HSE to GPs for the provision of remote consultations to patients who may have contracted COVID-19 infection, including referral for testing if clinically required in line with the latest clinical algorithm. This fee which came into effect on 16 March is payable in respect of all patients, regardless of eligibility status. Refunds are not available for COVID-19 related phone consultations prior to 16 March.
321. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that many persons are experiencing anxiety and stress while waiting for cancer screening services to resume; if a date will be committed to for their earliest resumption; if a guarantee will be given that extra resources will be deployed to ensure that waiting lists for the services are cleared as quickly as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9712/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
322. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns that non-Covid-19 patients are being adversely impacted by the HSE contract with the private hospital sector; if a matter will be investigated regarding the case of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9721/20]
View answerA major part of the Government's Action Plan in response to Covid-19 was to substantially increase the capacity of public healthcare facilities to cope with the anticipated additional demand. In order to urgently ramp up capacity for acute care facilities, an arrangement was agreed with the private hospitals to use their facilities as part of the public system on a temporary basis, to provide essential services. A Heads of Terms of Agreement between the HSE and the Private Hospitals was agreed at the end of March 2020 and all 18 of the acute private hospitals signed up to it. Under the arrangement, all patients in the private hospitals are treated as public patients and their treatment is prioritised based on clinical need. Provision was made under the agreement to allow for continuity of care for patients who were in a private hospital or attending for treatment at the time the Heads of Terms of Agreement were agreed, on the grounds that these patients would be treated as public patients.
The agreement was reviewed at the end of May and the Government decided that the existing arrangement should not be extended beyond the end of June. It has however mandated the HSE to negotiate a new arrangement with private hospitals which would provide the HSE with full access to private hospital capacity in the event of a surge of Covid-19 and separately with ongoing agreed access, to enable the HSE to meet essential and elective care needs
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer all non-urgent elective scheduled care activity, including outpatient clinics. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for COVID-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the World Health Organisation, the measures set out in the Action Plan in Response to Covid-19 and the recommendation of NPHET. The NPHET has now recommended that steps be taken to resume non-urgent scheduled care in the context of the safe care guidelines set out by its Expert Advisory Group.
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.
In relation to the procedure for the person concerned, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
323. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health his views on a matter (details supplied) regarding Kenmare Hospital and Covid-19 patients; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9722/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
324. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if Ireland is in discussions with the UK in terms of making a Covid-19 vaccine available to both jurisdictions if and when trials are successful that would run additionally to an EU agreement for access; if his officials have met with their UK counterparts on this matter; if so, the details of those discussions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9726/20]
View answerLeading experts, scientists and medicine manufacturers around the world, including in Ireland, are working collaboratively on the development of treatments and vaccines to rapidly respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), as at 15th May, there are already eight candidate vaccines in clinical evaluation and 110 in pre-clinical evaluation. No decisions have yet been made on the distribution of an as yet undiscovered vaccine. It is expected that global coordination and agreement on allocating stocks to countries around the world will be the basis for distribution.
