Róisín Shortall
Question:306. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the patient consent model proposed for the national electronic patient summary. [22950/20]
View answerPatient Files
Questions (306)
Written answers
The consent model proposed for the electronic patient summary has not yet been developed. It will form a critically important part of the patient summary care programme. It will need to strike the right balance between patient preferences and the needs of clinicians in various healthcare settings. HIQA will be asked to assist in the development of the consent model. Experience from other countries in relation to consent models for electronic health records has been already studied extensively and will help inform decisions in Ireland.
Questions Nos. 307 and 308 answered with Question No. 249.
Timber Supply
Questions (309)
Seán Sherlock
Question:309. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a biotic threat potential may be posed by the proposal to import de-barked timber from central Europe, in particular due to the presence the spruce bark beetle in mainland Europe. [22999/20]
View answerWritten answers
My Department is currently dealing with a number of queries concerning importation of logs from Germany.
The Department regards this trade as a potential high risk pathway for the introduction of Ips typographus and other damaging bark beetles into Ireland. Ireland’s natural protection as an island and recognition of both its pest free status and, as a special protected zone under EU plant law, has helped to ensure so far, that this beetle and many others have been kept out of the country. However, experience continues to demonstrate that bark beetles can be found even under a very small piece of bark on a log in a consignment of any size which is why we need to be vigilant.
Regarding the import requirements, debarking is not an acceptable import standard and it should not be confused with the “bark-free” requirement. The “bark-free” requirement means exactly what it states – that is the logs must be 100% free of bark.
Bark-free wood is Wood from which all bark , except ingrown bark around knots and bark pockets between rings of annual growth, has been removed [ISPM 15, 2002; revised CPM, 2008]
Any prospective importer is reminded to engage fully with the Department for guidance on import requirements and for Departmental inspection arrangements.
It is entirely the importer’s responsibility to ensure the import meets the standards required and the Department will closely inspect consignments on arrival at quayside to verify these standards are satisfied. Because of the potential risk involved, meticulous inspection of consignments is required and non-compliant loads i.e. loads that include any logs with any bark, will not be allowed to discharge. Importers should give this careful consideration when planning and costing a proposed import of logs declared as bark-free.
Covid-19 Pandemic Supports
Questions (310)
Martin Browne
Question:310. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands if supports are available for local resource centres and community halls which have not had significant room hire income for most of 2020 due to Covid-19. [22795/20]
View answerWritten answers
Family Resource Centres and Community Facilities are funded from a range of different sources across different Government Departments and agencies. For example, the Family Resource Centre Programme, which supports Family Resource Centres (FRCs) throughout the country is administered by Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
Some of the supports provided by my Department are outlined below.
Funding is provided to over 400 community organisations under the Community Services Programme (CSP) some of which are operating community centres or resource centres. My Department also developed a 2020 Support Fund which provided an additional once off payment to CSP organisations to cover a 12 week period from 26th March 2020.
The 2020 Community Enhancement Programme with funding of €2m which provides small capital grants to community organisations was launched in June. Separately, under the July stimulus package the Department launched a €5m fund for repairs or upgrades to community centres and community buildings. Details are available on the following link:
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/2af76-minister-joe-obrien-announces-details-of-5m-funding-for-community-centres-community-facilities/
In addition, in 2020 my Department announced a package of supports for Community and Voluntary Organisations, Charities and Social Enterprises, which included a Stability Fund of up to €35m. Some community centres and family resource centres have been funded if they met all eligibility criteria.
Funding is also provided to rural community groups through the LEADER Programme, and this may be relevant to these organisations. Details can be found at https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/216837-the-rural-development-and-regional-affairs-division/
While recognising that the social recovery of Ireland post COVID-19 will require a whole of Government approach, my Department will continue to work with relevant stakeholders, including Local Authorities and Local Development Companies, to determine how best this can be achieved and will continue to work to support community organisations across the country.
LEADER Programmes
Questions (311)
Niamh Smyth
Question:311. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Community and Rural Development and the Islands when a group (details supplied) can expect further allocations for LEADER funding to advance expression of interest applications on file; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22716/20]
View answerWritten answers
LEADER is a multi-annual programme with a budget of €250 million over the period 2014-2020. €225 million of this budget was allocated at the outset of the programme to Local Action Groups (LAGs) who deliver the programme and approve projects at local level. This allocation covers both core project expenditure and the administration costs of the LAG.
The balance of €25 million in the LEADER budget is provided for thematic projects allocated at national level once the projects have been approved by the LAGs in the first instance.
The LAG in Co. Cavan is the Cavan Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) in partnership with Cavan County Council and Breffni Integrated CLG. The total amount of funding allocated to the LAG in Cavan for the duration of the LEADER Programme is in excess of €8.5 million.
So far, the LAG in Cavan has allocated over 82%, or €5.62 million, of its core project budget to 95 applicants. This leaves a further €1.22 million available to be allocated to successful project applicants before the end of 2020.
No additional funding is available for allocation to the LAGs for core project expenditure under the current LEADER programme. However, LAGs can still apply for funding through the national thematic LEADER Food Initiative. This funding stream may be an appropriate source for some of the expressions of interest held by the group referred to by the Deputy. Further details of the Food Initiative are included in the LEADER Operating Guidelines which are available to all LAGs.