Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1099. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if local authority vets who had been funded by the Food Safety Authority to inspect animals for slaughter in the small abattoirs and butchers have had their contracts terminated; if that responsibility has been transferred to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32409/20]
View answer1402. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to address funding issues of local authority services for inspections of local abattoirs. [33285/20]
View answer1403. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the steps taken to mitigate the economic effects on butcher shops in view of funding issues for local abattoir inspections. [33286/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1099, 1402 and 1403 together.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) is the competent authority with overall responsibility for the enforcement of food safety legislation in Ireland. Responsibility for enforcement of food legislation is managed through service contracts between the FSAI and a number of competent authorities, also known as ‘Official Agencies’. These official agencies include the HSE; Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine; Local Authorities; and Sea-Fisheries Protection Authority.
Local Authorities (LAs), acting on behalf of the FSAI, are responsible for food law enforcement required under EU food law at certain food businesses with the controls carried out by the Local Authority Veterinary Service (LAVS).
The annual funding provided by my Department to the FSAI is inclusive of funding for the LA service contracts. While funded by my Department, the FSAI is independent in the exercise of its functions.
The FSAI and the County & City Management Association (CCMA) have been engaging for some time regarding the funding and effective delivery of the service. The current LA service contracts with the FSAI are due to expire on 30th November 2020 and the Authority has been working closely with all parties to ensure that a system of food safety controls is in place in LA supervised premises from 1st December 2020.
My Department has agreed to provide additional funding, on a once-off basis in 2021, to the FSAI in respect of the LAVS service contracts for 2021, which in turn is being made available to the LAs by the FSAI. This is in recognition of the need to provide more stability to the food business sector that might be impacted. The additional funding is subject to a number of conditions relating to the development of a new model of service delivery and related service matters.
On 28th October 2020, the CCMA responded to the FSAI’s offer of additional funding confirming that the LAs are prepared to extend the current service contracts until 31st December 2021 in accordance with the terms offered by the FSAI. This arrangement will ensure continuity of current agreements with no impact on abattoirs or food businesses while a new service contract model is being developed.
