Written Answers Nos. 325-349
325. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the reason the rate of remuneration for nurses on internships has been reduced from €14 in 2019 to €9.48 in 2020 particularly as nurses going on internships in 2020 will face the extra challenges health wise and work wise caused by Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37620/20]
View answerEarlier this year, the Health Care Assistant initiative (whereby student nurses and midwives were offered temporary contracts as Health Care Assistants) began in April 2020 and ceased in August 2020.
This was in response to the Covid-19 outbreak and was only ever intended as a temporary measure to provide additional support of to the national effort, it also offered some protection to the ongoing education of student nurses and midwives as their clinical placements had ceased. Student nurses and midwives who took part in this initiative received payment of the first point of the Health Care Assistant salary scale, €28,493. The rate was also temporarily applied to those 4th year nurses and midwives on paid work placements.
The regular pay for 4th year student nurses on paid internship increased by 2% on 1st October this year. The annualised salary for this group is now €21,749 (or €10.72 per hour) for general nursing and midwifery and €22,229 (€10.96 per hour) for psychiatric nursing.
Noting the additional challenges posed by COVID-19, those 4th year student nurses on paid internship also benefit from the enhanced protections currently in place for all public health service employees covering the areas of occupational health, sick pay and healthcare supports.
326. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of organ transplants in 2020 by type compared to the same period in 2018 and 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37671/20]
View answerOrgan transplant activity was significantly curtailed due to COVID-19. However, the HSE’s Organ Donation and Transplant Ireland (ODTI) worked to ensure that the most time critical and life-saving transplants proceeded, based on careful risk-benefit assessment.
Renal transplant services ceased activity for a period. For liver, lung and heart transplants, donation and transplantation went ahead in some cases, based on clinical assessments.
All transplant programmes are now active, with the renal transplant programme in Beaumont Hospital recommencing on 24th May. All necessary actions are being taken to ensure that organ donation and transplantation services continue in so far as is practically possible. However, due to the risk that Covid-19 presents to transplant patients, reduced service levels are expected for some time yet.
The table below shows the number of organ transplants completed from January to end October for the years 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Transplants Jan-Oct 2018-2020
|
Transplants |
2018 (to 31st October) |
2019 (to 31st October) |
2020 (to 31st October ) |
|
Kidney |
136 |
130 |
98 |
|
Liver |
46 |
52 |
32 |
|
Heart |
15 |
12 |
8 |
|
Lung |
21 |
37 |
14 |
|
Pancreas |
4 |
2 |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Transplants |
222 |
233 |
156 |
327. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures being taken to ensure that the EU cross-border directive on health-care remains in place post-Brexit with particular reference to Northern Ireland and the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37698/20]
View answer328. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the outcome of discussions if any that have been held with the Departments of Health in Northern Ireland and the UK on the EU cross-border directive on health-care post-Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37699/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 327 and 328 together.
Both the Irish and British Governments are committed to maintaining, in so far as possible, the current healthcare arrangements under the Common Travel Area (CTA). Under the CTA, Irish citizens and British citizens who live in, work in, or visit the other state have the right to access publicly funded health services there. The Government is working to ensure that new arrangements through a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK will provide for continued access to reciprocal health services, between Ireland and the UK, including on the island of Ireland, which residents in both jurisdictions currently access.
It is acknowledged however that the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has implications for healthcare arrangements that currently operate under the EU legislative framework, including those arrangements covered by the Cross Border Directive (CBD). With effect from 1 January 2021, the provisions of the CBD will no longer apply to the UK. My officials are giving detailed consideration to a number of policy and legal issues associated with the feasibility of implementing a unilateral CBD type arrangement which will provide that Irish residents can continue to access services provided by private health service providers in the UK post the end of the Transition Period.
329. Deputy Neale Richmond asked the Minister for Health the measures being used to educate, advise and caution in promoting awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37716/20]
View answerLung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Ireland and early diagnosis is crucial. According to the National Cancer Registry Ireland, latest five year survival in people diagnosed at stage 1 is 43.1%. This drops sharply to 9.4% in people diagnosed at stage 3, and to 3% in people diagnosed at stage 4.
Lung cancer has been chosen as the first cancer on which to focus in the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy Recommendation 7 “The National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) and the HSE Health & Wellbeing Directorate, in partnership with the voluntary sector, will develop a rolling programme of targeted multi-media based public awareness and education campaigns, aimed at the early detection of specific cancers and with particular focus on at-risk populations.”
Work commenced on the delivery of this recommendation through review of extensive international research, drawing on a Multi-sector Advisory Group, completing the National Lung Cancer Awareness survey and working with University College Cork to gain further insights with the population at high risk of lung cancer.
A Lung Cancer Awareness Campaign was scheduled to proceed at end April 2020, but this was postponed due to the Covid pandemic. In response to a decline in referrals to cancer diagnostic clinics in April/May as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP) carried out public awareness campaigns, and healthcare professional education on early detection of cancers. This included messages on early signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Following the campaign, an increase in e-referrals in rapid access cancer clinics was reported.
Interventions focused on the early detection of lung cancer recommenced roll out from September 2020, tailored to align with the Covid 19 public health guidance. The following has been delivered:
- launch of new "Think Lung" resources to improve the early detection of lung cancer for use by primary care and community organisations who work with the populations at risk;
- delivery of tailored education sessions on early detection of lung cancer to ICGP and GP trainees; and
- provision of educational material to health care professional and community organisations.
The NCCP has co-operated with the Irish Cancer Society in their Early Detection of Lung Cancer Public Awareness work. The NCCP are also supporting the Marie Keating Foundation in their efforts to develop and deliver an early detection of lung cancer campaign at the end of this month.
330. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the details of locations at which persons may access a free HIV test; the details of waiting lists by location for HIV tests; and if delays in HIV testing related to the demand placed on the healthcare system due to Covid-19. [37723/20]
View answerThe COVID-19 pandemic has led to unprecedented interruptions to normal healthcare activity, with most services affected, including STI clinics and related testing services. Some facilities have been affected by the necessary redeployment of personnel to COVID-19 testing and contact tracing duties. Community HIV testing services have also been affected as many of the testing venues are closed.
HIV testing is included within a standard STI test and is free in public STI clinics. As a result of social distancing requirements, public STI clinics are continuing to face service restrictions as waiting rooms can now only hold a fraction of patients compared to before the pandemic.
Most clinics are operating an appointment only system and priority is being given to those with symptoms or requiring treatment. Generally, those who have symptoms would be seen within a week; waiting lists for asymptomatic testing are likely to vary across clinics and depend on clinic space and capacity.
The HSE provide funding to community NGO partners who work with populations at higher risk of HIV. Free rapid HIV testing is available through community NGO partners HIV Ireland, Sexual Health Centre Cork, Sexual Health West and GOSHH. As many community testing venues are closed due to COVID-19, the NGO partners have adapted their services and are currently providing free rapid HIV testing from their offices or alternative venues. More detail is available on their websites.
In general, work is ongoing with services, stakeholders and community groups in order to provide the best possible information and options to service users under the circumstances. Resources such as www.sexualwellbeing.ie/, https://man2man.ie/ and www.hivireland.ie/ are regularly updated to reflect the realities of current service delivery and to signpost users to the services they need, including currently available HIV testing options.
At a national level, the HSE advise that staff recruitment is ongoing with regard to the dedicated provision of COVID-19 services. It is envisaged that this will enable redeployed staff to return to their respective positions and resume service delivery in due course.
As this is a service matter, I have also asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
331. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts by profession at each public or voluntary hospital as of 1 November or the latest available data point in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37728/20]
View answerI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
332. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of vacant posts by profession in each CHO and LHO as of 1 November or the latest available data point in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37729/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
333. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to make changes to eligibility for medical cards for those with a terminal diagnosis; if so, his plans for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37730/20]
View answerUnder the Health Act 1970, eligibility for a medical card is based primarily on means. The issue of granting medical cards based on having a particular disease or illness was previously examined in 2014 by the HSE Expert Panel on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility. The Group concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. In following the Expert Group’s advice, a person’s means remains the main qualifier for a medical card.
The HSE does have a compassionate system in place for the provision of medical cards when it is informed that a patient is receiving end of life treatment – that is when patients’ unfortunately have a prognosis of less than 12 months. These applications do not require a means assessment nor are they reassessed. There are currently almost 1,800 such medical cards awarded. Separately, terminally ill patients who do not meet the end of life criteria may also qualify for a medical card under the general assessment processes. Every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the Health Act 1970, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and to take full account of the difficult circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness.
Furthermore, since 2015 medical cards are awarded without the need of a financial assessment to all children under 18 years of age with a diagnosis of cancer.
It should also be noted that the Programme for Government ‘Our Shared Future’ contains a commitment to extend discretionary medical cards to those with a terminal illness. A HSE Clinical Advisory Group (CAG) was established in December 2019 to review eligibility for medical cards in cases of terminal illness. The final Report of the CAG was recently submitted to my Department and has been published. The Report notes that there are practical and legal challenges with extending eligibility for medical cards for terminally ill patients within the framework of the current process. However, I wish to assure the Deputy that I am committed to ensuring that terminally ill patients have access to the services they need. In that regard, my Department has devised a work programme which has been initiated and which will look to address the policy and legal findings of the Report and deliver on the Programme for Government commitment.
334. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health if he will examine the delay in proving the results of tests (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37731/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
335. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the proposed capital investment at a hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37735/20]
View answerAs the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly in relation to this matter.
336. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a licence will be granted in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37738/20]
View answerWhile the Department does not comment on individual cases the following information sets out how a clinician may apply to the Minister for a licence to treat a patient with cannabis-based products.
Ministerial Licence under Section 14 of the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977-2016
Cannabis is strictly controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Acts 1977 to 2016, and the Regulations and Orders made thereunder. THC is the principal psychoactive constituent of cannabis. Under the Misuse of Drugs legislation products containing THC are strictly controlled and possession is unlawful except under licence.
Medical practitioners and patients are encouraged to consult the Department of Health website which contains information on medical cannabis, including clinical guidance on the use of medical cannabis and details on how a medical practitioner may apply for a Ministerial licence for medical cannabis.
In line with the Chief Medical Officer's advice, the granting of a licence for cannabis for medical purposes must be premised on an appropriate application being submitted to the Department of Health, which is endorsed by a consultant who is responsible for the management of the patient and who is prepared to monitor the effects of the treatment over time.
It is important to note that the medical decision to prescribe or not prescribe any treatment, including cannabis treatment, for an individual patient is strictly a decision for the treating clinician, in consultation with their patient. The Minister for Health has no role in this clinical decision-making process.
Further information can be found at the following links:
www.gov.ie/en/publication/1a5c4e-applying-to-the-minister-for-health-for-a-medical-cannabis-licence/.
www.gov.ie/en/publication/e35cb4-ministerial-licence-application-process/.
337. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of units similar to St. Louise’s unit at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin that are outside of Dublin; the location of each; the number of children awaiting initial assessment or for Garda investigative purposes; the number of those children waiting longer than three, six and 12 months, respectively; the number of children awaiting therapy; the number waiting longer than three, six and 12 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37739/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
338. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Minister for Health the number of children currently on the waiting list for initial assessment and for Garda investigative purposes in St. Louise’s unit at Children’s Health Ireland, Crumlin; the number of those children waiting longer than three, six and 12 months, respectively; the number of children on the therapy waiting list; the number waiting more than three, six and 12 months, respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37740/20]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
340. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in implementing measures on an all-island basis to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between the Departments of Health, North and South; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37744/20]
View answer341. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the measures agreed at the North-South Ministerial Council meeting on health in October 2020 to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic on an all-island basis; the progress to date in implementing such measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37745/20]
View answer342. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans to utilise the co-operation and working together framework to intensify co-operation on a cross-Border basis in dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37746/20]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 340 to 342, inclusive, together.
There has been significant engagement and cooperation between the Ministers for Health, the Chief Medical Officers, and the Departments of Health in Ireland and Northern Ireland throughout this pandemic.
An MOU on COVID-19 Response and Public Health Cooperation, was formally agreed by the Chief Medical Officers of the Department of Health and the Department of Health in Northern Ireland on 7th of April 2020. The administrations are seeking to adopt similar approaches, where it is appropriate to do so and on the advice of respective Chief Medical Officers. Meetings of the North South Ministerial Council are an important pillar in our regular engagements with NI counterparts on COVID-19.
A meeting of the North South Ministerial Council for Health and Food Safety was held on 2nd of October 2020. The close and productive cooperation that has taken place between Health Ministers, Chief Medical Officers and health administrations North and South to deliver an effective public health response on Covid-19 was welcomed by myself and by Minister Swann. It was agreed that both jurisdictions are committed to continue to exchange views in order to foster a commonality of approach in response to the pandemic and hope to provide a progress update at a future NSMC Health meeting.
Practical implementation of the MoU has seen cooperation on contact tracing apps, critical care, and to discuss the recent outbreak of COVID-19 in Mink in Denmark.
The Cooperation and working together partnership between the Health Service Executive and the Southern and Western health and social care trusts, the health and social care board and the public health agency in Northern Ireland health continue to play a significant role in promoting cross border health and social care cooperation. CAWT continue to deliver projects on a north south basis.
343. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and location of each building or property owned by the marine section of his Department nationwide; the income in rent received for each of the buildings or properties in each of the years, 2000 to 2019 and to date in 2020; and the amount invested in each building and property in the same period in tabular form. [37422/20]
View answerMy Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres (FHCs), located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. My Department became responsible for the Fishery Harbour Centres in October 2007. Please note that Dingle was designated as a Fishery Harbour Centre in May 2007.
The FHCs contain a diverse property portfolio reflecting their role as working fishery harbours and as the location for a broad range of other marine activities. The total number of properties (excluding infrastructure) across the six FHCs was 249 as at 3 February 2020. These properties are profiled in summary by FHC location in Table 1 which is attached.
My Department prepares annual Fishery Harbour Centre Accounts on an Income & Expenditure and Receipts & Payments basis which are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. Table 2 attached gives the overall rental receipts for each of the FHCs for the years 2000 to 2005 and 2008 to 2019 from the FHC Accounts as requested. For the years 2006 and 2007, separate figures for rental receipts were not published in the Accounts and therefore the rental income figure has been provided. In relation to 2020, the table shows the rental monies received as at 31 October 2020.
Due to the commercially sensitive and/or personal nature of the information, it is not possible to provide rental receipt data on an individual customer basis.
Investment in third party leased FHC properties is made as required by the respective tenants occupying those properties. As set out in the covenants of each lease, it is the responsibility of tenants to maintain, amend and keep property and buildings in a good state of repair and condition, and to keep the leasehold area free from defects for the duration of the lease agreement. In the main, Departmental expenditure across the other properties is provided from my Department’s FHC Safety and Maintenance budget on an ongoing basis and is not readily available in the detail requested.
Table 1: Number of Properties in the Six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres
|
Description |
Number of Properties in the Six State-Owned Fishery Harbour Centres |
|||||||
|
Castletownbere FHC |
Dingle FHC |
Dunmore East FHC |
Howth FHC |
Killybegs FHC |
Ros an Mhíl FHC |
Total |
||
|
Leased/Licensed |
30 |
8 |
30 |
58 |
25 |
14 |
165 |
|
|
Potentially available for tender/disposal |
1 |
1 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
6 |
||
|
Vacant Properties |
Unavailable / unsuitable for tender |
2 |
4 |
3 |
2 |
11 |
||
|
Department Use |
18 |
7 |
10 |
11 |
10 |
7 |
63 |
|
|
Sale in Progress* |
4 |
4 |
||||||
|
Total Properties |
48 |
16 |
43 |
75 |
43 |
24 |
249 |
|
*These relate to boundary rectification issues involving small plots of ground which historically formed part of the gardens of privately owned houses outside of the FHC and which are of no operational value to the FHC.
Table 2: Rental Receipts / Income for Properties in the 6 Fishery Harbour Centres 2000 to 2020 (inclusive) as per audited Fishery Harbour Centre Financial Statements
|
Year |
Killybegs |
Castletown'bere |
Ros an Mhíl |
Howth |
Dunmore East |
An Daingean |
Total Rental Receipts |
|
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
€ |
|
|
2000 |
22,714 |
43,610 |
26,019 |
109,060 |
11,233 |
- |
212,636 |
|
2001 |
73,735 |
44,551 |
23,971 |
109,453 |
37,316 |
- |
289,026 |
|
2002 |
27,657 |
133,880 |
12,055 |
305,672 |
27,703 |
- |
506,967 |
|
2003 |
21,051 |
115,853 |
42,763 |
231,751 |
50,155 |
- |
461,573 |
|
2004 |
41,434 |
64,322 |
27,086 |
283,171 |
39,909 |
- |
455,922 |
|
2005 |
77,857 |
91,380 |
(21,296) |
464,020 |
60,484 |
- |
672,445 |
|
2006 * |
238,093 |
183,039 |
29,826 |
717,006 |
81,145 |
- |
1,249,109 |
|
2007 * |
326,928 |
107,290 |
124,763 |
259,286 |
59,103 |
13,800 ** |
891,170 |
|
2008 |
81,312 |
15,050 |
38 |
56,642 |
7,352 |
34,892 |
195,286 |
|
2009 |
371,513 |
274,355 |
39,825 |
536,090 |
52,135 |
1,260 |
1,275,178 |
|
2010 |
225,709 |
243,527 |
37,800 |
473,542 |
81,077 |
37,696 |
1,099,351 |
|
2011 |
229,437 |
230,160 |
71,172 |
425,209 |
53,286 |
47,771 |
1,057,035 |
|
2012 |
268,349 |
270,660 |
134,600 |
549,840 |
59,550 |
25,835 |
1,308,834 |
|
2013 |
192,528 |
205,984 |
16,350 |
445,963 |
78,326 |
32,850 |
972,001 |
|
2014 |
183,989 |
169,128 |
87,950 |
438,719 |
54,508 |
27,000 |
961294 |
|
2015 |
188,783 |
141,716 |
27,100 |
525,644 |
47,864 |
40,350 |
971,457 |
|
2016 |
192,950 |
138,924 |
21,550 |
413,917 |
69,406 |
36,631 |
873,378 |
|
2017 |
181,470 |
267,203 |
39,975 |
501,916 |
55,620 |
37,000 |
1,083,184 |
|
2018 |
129,196 |
196,712 |
19,775 |
624,543 |
119,384 |
37,000 |
1,126,610 |
|
2019 *** |
137,000 |
192,000 |
56,000 |
581,000 |
59,000 |
44,000 |
1,069,000 |
|
2020 (up to 31st October 2020) **** |
131,470 |
188,259 |
13,718 |
393,794 |
48,908 |
26,136 |
802,285 |
* Income figure provided as the Receipts and Payments account had a composite figure for Harbour Dues & Rents
** Accounts for Part year as An Daingean was designated a Fishery Harbour Centre on 14th May 2007
*** Unaudited accounts
**** Extract from accounting system (unaudited)
344. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the outrage in coastal communities at the ongoing access to the Exclusive Economic Zone being granted to super trawlers and factory trawlers to fish there; the way in which the practice meets the stated objectives of the Government and the European Union to maintain a sustainable fishery for coastal communities and to meet the environmental responsibilities of Ireland; and the reason Ireland and the European Union are not following the lead of Australia in banning super trawlers from national waters. [37423/20]
View answerThe Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is a set of rules for managing European fishing fleets and for conserving fish stocks. Under this policy, EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas.
In relation to the access so-called "super trawlers" have to Irish waters, I would point out that all foreign fishing vessels, on the north-west coast, are excluded from Ireland's 12 mile fishing zone, other than for transit purposes. All foreign pelagic fishing vessels are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12 mile fishing zone on the west coast. Irish fishing vessels greater than or equal to 36.58m (120 feet) in length are also precluded from fishing in Ireland's 12 mile zone.
Under Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013 (the CFP basic regulation), changes to fisheries policy involving access or restriction to fishing opportunities or fishing areas come within the sole competence of the EU. Only the European Commission may propose changes and any such proposal must be adopted under the co-decision process by the EU Parliament and EU Council. Member States, in consultation with the Commission, affected Member States and stakeholders are permitted to introduce non-discriminatory measures for the conservation and management of fish stocks within the 12 mile zone subject to compliance with policy and procedures set down in the CFP Regulation.
The monitoring and control of fishing vessels, including super trawlers, within Ireland's Exclusive Fisheries Zone are matters for the Irish control authorities. Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act 2006, all operational issues of this nature concerning sea-fisheries control are, as a matter of law, exclusively for the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA) and the Naval Service and I am expressly precluded from getting involved in operational matters.
345. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress made on the national soils strategy pursuant to the commitment made in the programme for Government; when the strategy will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37473/20]
View answerThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to publish a National Soils Strategy which is subject to ongoing discussion between Departments.
My Department is showing its commitment to soils by introducing a soil sampling programme in 2021, having announced €10m in the budget towards the programme The proposed National Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme will work towards developing a national baseline of soil parameters and focus on soil carbon along with other soil nutrient metrics.
346. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measurement his Department carries out on soil organic carbon in Ireland; the incentives in place for individual farmers to measure soil organic carbon on their own land; the incentives in place for individual farmers to increase the level of soil organic carbon on their land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37474/20]
View answerMy Department considers it critical that we increase our understanding and scientific knowledge of carbon movement in soils i.e. both carbon loss and opportunity for carbon storage. In conjunction with Teagasc, we are increasing our capacity to monitor soil carbon with a view to supporting farmers implement best practices in removing carbon on their farms
The Green Low-carbon Agri-environmental Scheme (GLAS), a co-funded EU/DAFM scheme has two actions in place for individual farmers to increase levels of soil organic carbon. The Catch Crop action is designed to establish a crop that will absorb nutrients and prevent leaching in the autumn/winter period and increase the organic matter and the Minimum Tillage action is designed to improve soil structure and increase soil organic matter.
In addition, the ‘Danú Farming Group’, one of the European Innovation Partnership (EIP) projects is a pilot project with focuses on the principles of Biological Farming. This project aims to educate farmers on implementing the principles of Biological Farming and to develop a transition programme based on understanding of soil structure and chemistry with an emphasis on developing soils with a high level of biological activity.
My Department has also recently launched an EIP for rewetting of farmed organic peatlands with a view to supporting farmers in actions to storing carbon in such soils.
My Department is aware of the importance of soil health and soil organic carbon and a proposed soil sampling programme is under development for 2021. The proposed National Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme will develop a national baseline of soil parameters and focus on soil carbon along with other soil nutrient metrics. This proposal is in the early stages of development and more information will be available to the public over the course of 2021.
347. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the analysis his Department has carried out into the link between soil health and flood mitigation; the measures his Department is taking to improve and promote water retention and infiltration in Irish soils; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37475/20]
View answerMy Department participated on a Natural Water Retention Measures (NMRM) working group made up of all the relevant public bodies to look at natural water retention measures and their benefits for water quality, climate, biodiversity and flooding. It is looking at the types of measures that are suitable for Ireland and will make a series of recommendations for how they might be implemented. This report is being finalised by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
348. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the incentives his Department provides for riparian planting as recommended in the March 2019 report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action; if he will extend existing riparian planting initiatives given the proven environmental benefits of planting the areas beside waterways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37476/20]
View answerMy Department’s afforestation scheme provides support to farmers and other landowners to establish new native woodland which can deliver a range of environmental benefits including the protection and enhancement of water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Up to €6,220 is available under this scheme to cover the cost of establishment; in addition, the Department will pay premiums of up to €680 each year for 15 years.
When these forests are well-sited, designed and managed, they can deliver a range of ‘ecosystem services’ such as the prevention of sediment and nutrient run-off, the protection of banks from erosion, ‘food drop’ of insects and leaf litter into the aquatic ecosystem, the shading and cooling of water, the overall restoration of riparian habitats, and helping floodwater control. Ireland’s approach to using forests to improve water quality is set out in the “Forests & Water Achieving Objectives under Ireland’s River Basin Management Plan-2018-2021”. Through combining tree planting with their other farming activities, farmers can actively create buffer zones to protect water streams from farm pollutants and riparian erosion.
The optimum use of native woodland establishment to protect water quality is described in my Department’s publication ‘Woodland for Water: Creating new native woodlands to protect and enhance Ireland’s waters’. This document promotes the planting of Native woodland along side a permanent undisturbed water setback, 10-25 metres in width uncrossed by new drains & largely unplanted. Planting within the setback planting can comprise of single or small groups of trees of suitable native riparian species, strategically planted & maintained to deliver the ecosystem services described above.
It is worth noting that the total area of native woodlands planted so far in 2020 is the highest on record and is equal to the annual target of 450ha set at the beginning of the Forestry Programme 2014 -2020. In terms of introducing new schemes to further promote native woodland planting and riparian planting in particular, this will be included in the public consultation process that will be carried out for the new Forest Strategy and accompanying Forestry Programme.
349. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the training his Department provides on soil health training for farmers and land managers in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37477/20]
View answerMy Department recognises that within the EU Green Deal, the Farm to Fork and EU Biodiversity strategies there is a very strong focus on soils, in particular healthy soils that display high levels of biological activity in order to ensure healthy and secure food production.
In addition, my Department is showing its commitment to soils by introducing a soil sampling programme in 2021. The proposed National Soil Sampling and Analysis Programme will develop a national baseline of soil parameters and focus on soil carbon along with other soil nutrient metrics.
The Department, through its agency Teagasc, provides ongoing research and advisory support to farmers in relation to training on soil health.
