Written Answers Nos. 578-597
578. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health his plans for the development of a universal counselling service free at the point of delivery upon general practitioner referral; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12677/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
579. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for CAMHS initial assessments and first follow-on appointments by number waiting and location of the service [12678/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
580. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure the future of a nursing home (details supplied) by bringing it under the control of the HSE in the interests of creating a more integrated system of elder care that has been shown to be necessary during the course of the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12683/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
581. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the €3 million allocated in budget 2020 for piloting new agri-environmental schemes has been drawn down; the schemes that have been funded; the number of applications and proposals considered; the sectors covered by each proposal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12181/20]
View answerUnder Budget 2020, €3m was allocated to my Department to pilot new agri-environmental schemes to support the Government’s Climate Action Plan objectives in 2020.
A working group has been established to progress the initiative with a particular focus on the use of the European Innovation Fund framework which facilitates locally-led initiatives.
582. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Irish Greyhound Board was permitted to draw down the majority of its allocated funding so soon into the financial year; if the board has requested further funding and-or returned funding to his Department in view of the suspension of the racing season; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11724/20]
View answerBord 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 Horse and Greyhound Racing Fund (the Fund) was established under section 12(1) of the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act 2001 for the purpose of giving support to the horse and greyhound racing industries.
A schedule of instalments from the Fund is agreed each year between my Department and Bord na gCon and the schedule agreed for 2020 is in line with previous years. Instalments from the Fund are paid out in several stages over each year and it is normal practice for payments from the Fund to be weighted towards the first half of the year as the commercial side of Bord na gCon's business is stronger in the second half.
Bord na gCon has indicated it will fully utilise its 2020 allocation and has not requested additional funding.
583. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider reopening the organic farming scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11727/20]
View answerThe Organic Farming Scheme has been one of the most successful schemes under the current Rural Development Plan (2014 - 2020). It will fully utilise the budget of €56m that was allocated to it for the period 2014 to 2020.
The Scheme has more than achieved its targets in terms of new land converted and the maintenance of organic land. Latest figures indicate that there are now some 74,000 hectares under organic production, an increase of nearly 50% on the position at the start of the Programme in 2014.
As there has been a delay in agreeing the EU budget and the new CAP reform regulations, transitional arrangements will be made to provide legal and financial certainty for RDP schemes for 2021. The European Commission has therefore introduced draft transitional Regulations to cover the period between the current RDP which expires this year and the commencement of the next. These transitional regulations which will govern the position of schemes in 2021 have not yet been finalised. It will not possible therefore to consider re-opening the scheme until the transitional provisions are finalised.
584. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a decision has been made on the public procurement procedure under the 2020 rural innovation and development fund for a social farming network; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11737/20]
View answerA request for Tender for the provision of a Social Farming Network was published on 20th February 2020 on the eTenders website with a closing date of 15th April 2020. Following evaluation, the contract has been awarded and is due to be signed shortly.
585. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an areas of natural constraint, ANC, payment for 2019 will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11744/20]
View answerIn order to participate in the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, an individual must apply for the Scheme by ticking the appropriate box when submitting their application for the Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) online.
Where an applicant did not tick the box to apply for the scheme when making their 2019 application, they were presented during the application process with a screen message to advise that they had not ticked the box to apply for the scheme. This message required the applicant to explicitly choose whether they wished to apply or not for the ANC Scheme. The online system required this confirmation to be completed before continuing with the submission of the BPS application.
The named individual did not apply for the 2019 ANC Scheme as part of the BPS application process. The BPS application was submitted online on 3rd April 2019.
Communication has been made with the named individual advising that they may submit an appeal in writing to my Department requesting to be allowed to apply for the 2019 ANC scheme and outlining any relevant information in support of their appeal, along with providing any documentation that may support their appeal.
Should the named individual submit an appeal, this appeal will be reviewed by my Department and a response advising of the outcome of the appeal will issue to the named individual.
586. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an ecology application will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11768/20]
View answerAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was received on behalf of the person named in December 2019. All applications for forestry licences must be carefully assessed by my Department for the potential effects the proposed operations may have on the surrounding landscape and environment. The likely impacts are examined on their own or in combination with other plans or projects in the area. The proposed site is near five designated sites, not all of which may be screened out for the possible impacts of the proposed afforestation on those sites.
A change in the planting along a watercourse was suggested to enhance the riparian habitat. However, the applicant, advised by their registered forester has chosen not to plant this area in broadleaves, citing the high deer population in the area. Therefore, the planting as described in the application will be considered and this work is ongoing.
587. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the assistance being provided to ash tree farmers and providers and the measures to prevent the spread of ash die back disease; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11813/20]
View answerMy Department re-introduced a revised reconstitution scheme for plantations affected by Ash Dieback, known as the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback) or RUS on Wednesday 10th June. The revised Scheme offers significant support on top of the €7m already spent since the first support scheme for Ash Dieback was introduced in 2013. The scheme provides a suite of options that will give owners the opportunity to recover the maximum economic value possible from their affected ash plantations.
This revised scheme represents a change in approach and takes account of the evidence and scientific advice that the eradication of Ash Dieback is no longer feasible. The measures now introduced are instead aimed at reducing disease levels and the rate of spread of the disease.
Plantations can be managed through thinning interventions under the existing Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS), or if forest owners choose to do so, replant the entire site under a reconstitution option. RUS, for the first time, introduces a new silvicultural technique - underplanting - to handling the issue of Ash Dieback in Ireland. This novel approach allows owners to retain just under 40% of their plantation while replanting the spaces created; remaining trees providing shelter for the younger trees as they emerge from competing vegetation. The scheme offers maximum flexibility with all 12 planting options available to landowners where appropriate including agroforestry.
Forest owners affected by Ash Dieback are no longer required to report these occurrences to my Department. This means that notification letters will no longer be issued.
588. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department has a diversity and inclusion policy in place; the measures taken to promote diversity and inclusion from 1 January 2019 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11817/20]
View answerMy Department is committed to promoting and maintaining an inclusive and diverse workplace for all and has a Diversity, Equality and Inclusion policy in place. This policy, which was launched in 2018 embraces, promotes and builds on my Department's core values in the areas of diversity, equality and inclusion for all employees.
My Department is a long-time supporter of facilitating employment opportunities for people with disabilities and has exceeded the 3% minimum employment requirement in each of the last ten years with the level at 3.5% at the end of 2019. My Department supports the AHEAD (Association for Higher Education and Disability) as well as the Willing Able Mentoring (WAM) Programme which aims to promote access to the workplace for graduates with disabilities. Four paid and mentored placements were facilitated in 2019 under the WAM programme. Many former WAM participants have gone on to secure permanent employment.
My Department also participates annually in Job Shadow Day, which is a national project bringing people with disabilities and local employers together for one day to promote equal employment opportunities and highlight the valuable contribution people with disabilities throughout society can and do make at work.
During 2019, in collaboration with the Houses of the Oireachtas, my Department facilitated three trainee placements on the Oireachtas Work Learning Programme (OWL), an applied learning, development and socialisation programme for young adults with an intellectual disability. The Programme aims to support individuals in developing the skills and confidence which is geared towards facilitating them in gaining access paid employment in the open labour market.
My Department continuously focuses on gender balance initiatives and has an active Gender Balance Steering Group in place. This group works closely with Human Resources and other areas of the Department in driving the gender balance function through focus on career opportunities and participation in promotion competitions for all staff, supporting staff with caring responsibilities and work-life balance initiatives. My Department monitors gender pay gap and has seen a 25% decrease in the gap between 2013 and 2018.
An LGBTI+ Staff Network was established in June 2019 and the Network continues to meet on a regular basis. Over 2,000 pieces of LGBTI+-positive merchandise have been distributed throughout my Department's offices as a visible sign of our commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.
As part of the Equality & Diversity strategy, work was undertake during 2019 on procurement of an eLearning course on Equality & Diversity in the Workplace. The eLearning resource has been developed specifically for the Irish Public sector with relevant Irish case studies included, addresses various aspects of equality & diversity in the workplace including unconscious bias, harassment and discrimination. This programme will be available to staff during 2020. All induction programmes for new employees feature a module on Equality and Diversity.
My Department also contributes to the Agri-food Diversity and Inclusion Forum, which promotes Diversity and Inclusion in the Agri-food sector.
It also participates in whole of Government working groups dealing with social measures such as Gender Balance, the provision of services to persons with disabilities, support for the LGBTI+ community and social inclusion work schemes.
589. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a force majeure appeal on a GLAS 2 contract will be accepted in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11853/20]
View answerA request to withdraw two LPIS parcels from the GLAS contract under the provisions of force majeure was received from the person named on 9 June 2020. The position outlined in the request was deemed not to meet the requirements under the provisions of force majeure as set out in the terms and conditions of the scheme.
In this case, as the parcels withdrawn include the applicant’s only tier 1 action, it has resulted in the rejection of the GLAS application. A letter issued to the person named on 15 June 2020 advising them of the position. They were also advised of the option of appealing this decision to the Agriculture Appeals Office.
590. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter raised in correspondence (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11949/20]
View answer593. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an independent beef regulator will be appointed as soon as possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12025/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 590 and 593 together.
The protection of farmers and small-to-medium enterprises involved in the agri food sector is at the heart of the Common Agricultural Policy and in pursuit of that aim, Directive (EU) 2019/633 on Unfair Trading Practices in Business-to-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (UTP Directive), was adopted on 30 April 2019. The UTP Directive aims to improve the position of farmers and small and medium sized businesses in the food supply chain and prohibits certain specific unfair trading practices in the sector, not only beef. The Directive requires the designation of an Enforcement Authority to enforce the rules. The Enforcement Authority can be a new or existing entity.
EU Law requires that the Directive must be transposed into national law by 1 May 2021. As part of the preparations to bring the Directive into law, my Department undertook a stakeholder consultation process in December 2019 which invited submissions from interested parties on the transposition and enforcement of the Directive, including on the form the Enforcement Authority should take. The responses are currently being considered by my Department. The Directive will be transposed in consultation with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) which has responsibility for certain relevant domestic legislation namely the Consumer Protection Act 2007 S.I. 35/2016 (Grocery Goods Undertakings) Regulations 2016. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, under the aegis of DBEI, is the enforcement authority for SI 35/2016. A cross-Departmental working group with my Department and DBEI is in place.
A decision on the designation of the Enforcement Authority will be made in due course.
591. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 760 of 3 June 2020, if he will address a matter regarding the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11952/20]
View answerThe herdowner named had a TB breakdown in 2011 during which a number of calves were identified as reactors. The calves were euthanised on farm with his consent.
As stated previously, my Department has engaged extensively with the herdowner on this issue including through a number of meetings with senior officials. As part of this engagement, the herdowner was provided with my Department’s protocol for the “Removal of Calves from holdings under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Programme” which takes account of the specific situation that occurred on the herdowner’s farm.
I am satisfied that the matter was handled in full compliance with this protocol and was carried out in the best interests of animal health and welfare in the circumstances pertaining to the herd at the time.
A copy of the document mentioned above is attached for the attention of the Deputy.
592. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to protect the rights of hemp farmers to have access to the market for products resulting from the first stage processing of their crops, if not, the details of the scientific evidence that warrants such a position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11996/20]
View answerThe growing of hemp by farmers is subject to specific licence granted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which operates under the auspices of the Department of Health. In addition, the cultivation of hemp (Cannabis genus) is restricted to varieties having less than 0.2% content of the narcotic compound Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). Cannabis (which includes hemp) is listed in schedule 1 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017, as amended, which means it is subject to the strictest level of control.
In 2019, my Department conducted a broad consultation which included relevant bodies/agencies in an examination of growing hemp commercially. The consultation included the Departments of Health, Justice and Law Reform, the Health Products Regulatory Authority, Teagasc and the representative bodies for Hemp at that time. A clear view arising from respondents in the consultation involved in regulation is that the domestic hemp industry should continue to be controlled and regulated by the Department of Health and that the current stringent controls in relation to growing hemp should continue. This strict regulation is in line with the situation in many other countries.
The legislative position is primarily therefore a matter for the HPRA and Department of Health.
594. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the private greyhound tracks being supported by or under the remit of the Irish Greyhound Board; the location of the tracks; the level of funding each private track receives annually; the level of Covid-19 specific funding that the tracks have received; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12031/20]
View answerBord 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.
595. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an independent mediator to resolve ongoing issues between the Irish Greyhound Board and Clonmel greyhound stadium will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12032/20]
View answerBord na gCon (BnG) 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. BnG is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
It is my understanding that Clonmel greyhound stadium is owned by BnG but under formal lease to Davis Road Greyhound Stadium PLC. The operational management of the track is therefore entirely within the remit of the lessee and the issue with regards to mediation, is a matter between BnG and the lessee.
596. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount and value of alcohol beverages imported in 2018 and 2019; the country of origin of these products; the amount of alcoholic beverages exported in 2018 and 2019; the destination countries in respect of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12069/20]
View answerIrish agri-food exports and imports are broken down into categories identified and agreed by my Department and the Central Statistics Office. Products and raw goods are categorised using Combined Nomenclature (CN) codes, a European harmonised system used to classify goods for customs and trade purposes. For agri-food purposes, these categories include items such as forestry and animal hides & skins, along with traditional food and beverage products.
Alcoholic beverages within the beverage category were exported to over 100 countries worldwide, totalling €1.6 billion in 2019. This figure represents an 18% increase on 2018 figures. Ireland’s top 5 destinations for exports in 2019 were the United States (€767m), the United Kingdom (€227m), France (€87m), Canada (€77m), and Germany (€66m).
Alcoholic beverages were imported from over 80 countries worldwide, totalling €673 million in 2019. This figure represents a 7% increase on 2018 figures. Ireland’s top 5 import country’s in 2019 were the United Kingdom (€241m), France (€94m), Chile (€51m), the Netherlands (€48m) and Italy (€39m).
The attached spreadsheet includes details of value and volume of exports and imports of alcoholic beverages for 2018 and 2019 by country of origin and destination.
597. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates and amount of grants and or funding released to the Irish Greyhound Board in the past 20 years to date in 2020. [12117/20]
View answerBord 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 document attached provides details of the dates and amounts of grants and funding received by Bord na gCon, from the Exchequer, in each of the past twenty years and to date in 2020. A payment of €2.1m, representing the final payment for 2020, will be paid to BnG in September.
Grants and Funding released to Bord na gCon 2001 to 2020
|
Year |
Month Paid |
Amount |
Month Paid |
Amount |
Month Paid |
Amount |
Month Paid |
Amount |
Total Yearly Amount (Million €) |
|
2001 |
December |
12,412,452 |
12,412,452 |
||||||
|
2002 |
January |
4,440,000 |
March |
4,440,000 |
August |
4,705,800 |
December |
27,402 |
13,613,202 |
|
2003 |
January |
5,000,000 |
April |
4,000,000 |
July |
3,741,000 |
December |
96,000 |
12,837,000 |
|
2004 |
January |
5,380,000 |
April |
4,160,000 |
July |
3,842,800 |
13,382,800 |
||
|
2005 |
January |
6,000,000 |
May |
4,000,000 |
July |
3,670,000 |
13,670,000 |
||
|
2006 |
February |
6,200,000 |
June |
4,100,000 |
July |
3,712,000 |
14,012,000 |
||
|
2007 |
February |
6,448,000 |
May |
3,964,000 |
June |
4,160,000 |
14,572,000 |
||
|
2008 |
February |
6,641,440 |
March |
4,405,760 |
June |
4,209,800 |
15,257,000 |
||
|
2009 |
January |
843,857 |
April |
9,252,952 |
June |
3,528,791 |
13,625,600 |
||
|
2010 |
February |
6,047,000 |
April |
4,741,000 |
June |
1,064,800 |
11,852,800 |
||
|
2011 |
January |
5,000,000 |
March |
3,500,000 |
June |
1,500,000 |
September |
1,460,000 |
11,460,000 |
|
2012 |
January |
5,000,000 |
March |
3,500,000 |
September |
2,758,000 |
11,258,000 |
||
|
2013 |
February |
5,500,000 |
March |
2,752,000 |
May |
2,752,000 |
11,004,000 |
||
|
2014 |
January |
5,422,000 |
March |
2,711,000 |
May |
2,711,000 |
10,844,000 |
||
|
2015 |
January |
3,400,000 |
March |
3,400,000 |
May |
6,800,000 |
13,600,000 |
||
|
2016 |
January |
600,000 |
February |
7,100,000 |
April |
3,550,000 |
May |
3,550,000 |
14,800,000 |
|
2017 |
January |
8,000,000 |
March |
3,500,000 |
June |
2,250,000 |
September |
2,250,000 |
16,000,000 |
|
2018 |
January |
8,000,000 |
March |
3,500,000 |
June |
2,250,000 |
September |
2,250,000 |
16,000,000 |
|
2019 |
January |
8,400,000 |
March |
4,200,000 |
June |
2,100,000 |
August |
2,100,000 |
16,800,000 |
|
2020 |
January |
8,400,000 |
March |
4,200,000 |
May |
2,100,000 |
September (Final Instalment due) |
2,100,000 |
16,800,000 |
