Wednesday, 16 Dec 2020

Written Answers Nos. 349-369

Covid-19 Pandemic

Questions (349)

Richard O'Donoghue

Question:

349. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Health his views on indemnity cover for Covid-19 vaccines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44008/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

Ireland is currently involved in an EU Procurement Exercise being operated by the European Commission on behalf of member states to procure a portfolio of suitable, safe and effective vaccines, in sufficient quantities, to combat COVID-19.

As part of the exercise, Ireland has already opted into an Advance Purchase Agreement (APA) with AstraZeneca (partnering with Oxford University); Janssen (Johnson & Johnson); BioNTech / Pfizer; CureVac and Moderna.

The content of the Advance Purchase Agreements, including with regard to liability / indemnity, are negotiated with vaccine suppliers by the European Commission and its negotiation team acting on behalf of Member States. Member States may decide to opt in / opt out, but do not have scope to recast the provisions of any APA. Responsibility for claims management will be assigned to the State Claims Agency.

Departmental Budgets

Questions (350)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

350. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the current budgets in his Department for social media advertising for 2021; and the campaigns behind each budget line in tabular form. [44024/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The Department of Health has one item of social media advertising planned for 2021. This is the continuation of the KEEP WELL campaign into 2021 and the spend on that is estimated as 8439.70 across Facebook and Instagram. This will be used to promote 4 x 20 sec campaign videos.

The Department has no other specific budgets outlined for social media spend for 2021 as yet. This might be more appropriately referred to the Health Service Executive.

Initiator	Campaign	Media Buyer	Description	Activity Dates	Amount
Healthy Ireland	KEEP WELL	PHD Media	Social	Jan-21	8439.7

The Department has no other specific budgets outlined for social media spend for 2021 as yet. This might be more appropriately referred to the Health Service Executive.

Health Services

Questions (351)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

351. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health the HSE therapy services that have been noted and scheduled for delay; and the counties in which delays for such services are scheduled in the case of a rise in the R-nought. [44035/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Maternity Services

Questions (352, 355)

Seán Sherlock

Question:

352. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his views on the campaign to lift restrictions in maternity hospitals for birth partners and expectant fathers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44070/20]

Seán Sherlock

Question:

355. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health if he will meet with campaign members seeking the lifting of restrictions in maternity hospitals along with senior HSE officials. [44079/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I propose to take Questions Nos. 352 and 355 together.

I acknowledge that the visitor restrictions in our maternity hospitals, which were introduced because of Covid-19, are particularly difficult for expectant women and their partners. However, the restrictions, while very regrettable, are considered necessary to protect the safety of patients, the wellbeing of staff and the operability of our maternity services.

The National Women & Infants Health Programme has assured the Department that midwifery and obstetrical front-line staff are acutely aware of the important support provided by partners at the time of birth and that they wish to facilitate this support as far as possible.

The Health Protection Surveillance Centre has issued guidance regarding attendance at hospitals during the pandemic, which includes attendance at maternity hospitals. The guidance advises that restrictions on partner visiting; accompanying persons in labour; or parents visiting neonatal intensive care units, should be based on a documented risk assessment that is regularly reviewed. I am advised that any such decisions are informed by this guidance and with due regard to local circumstances, including infrastructure, local rates of community infection and infection rates in members of staff.

The Deputy may wish to note that the HSE has now re-classified partners as an ‘essential companion’ for the purpose of fetal anomaly or anatomy scans. The Department has been advised that the HSE has issued updated guidance to maternity hospitals, and the expectation is that commencing this week, partners’ attendance at fetal anomaly or anatomy scans will be facilitated, where possible, having regard to overall patient and staff safety.

However, it is important to emphasise that if a case of Covid-19 is linked to a maternity unit, Public Health teams will undertake a public health risk assessment, and it may be necessary to re-introduce restrictions.

Any requests for meetings should be forwarded, in the normal way, to my Diary Secretary.

Question No. 353 answered with Question No. 285.

HSE Staff

Questions (354)

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

354. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if a lump sum from a pension will be expedited in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44077/20]

Written answers

Minister for Health

The HSE Employee Superannuation Scheme provides for the payment of a death gratuity to the legal personal representative if a member dies while serving. The personal representative is known as the executor where there is a will or the administrator where there is no will or no executor appointed. On production of probate or letters of administration, a death gratuity is payable to the legal personal representative. This is a requirement of the pension scheme.

In the meantime, while probate is being processed, should the individual concerned require funds for funeral expenses, the HSE has discretion to released monies from the deceased person's gratuity entitlement. Any amount released would be deducted from the final gratuity payable.

If the person concerned requires this facility, he/she may make enquiries with the HSE for the release of funds. This request may be made to the HSE Pensions Unit at [e-mail].

Question No. 355 answered with Question No. 352.

Nursing Home Accommodation

Questions (356)

Fergus O'Dowd

Question:

356. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Health if he will include in any proposed inquiry into the deaths at a nursing home (details supplied) in 2020 a specific term of reference to establish all the facts surrounding the decision by the HSE to become involved in the running and management of the home; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44082/20]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health

My Department is continuing to reflect on next steps and in this regard all relevant options available to me as Minister are being considered. The issue raised by the Deputy below will be taken into account as appropriate within this context.

Animal Welfare

Questions (357)

Paul Donnelly

Question:

357. Deputy Paul Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the provisions in place for animal welfare charities that are not eligible to apply for funding given their donations have dropped considerably. [43909/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

All registered animal welfare charities were eligible to apply for funding this year, and any new applicants are welcome to apply in 2021.

I will shortly announce record ex-gratia funding awards to animal welfare organisations throughout the country involved in protecting and caring for animals.

This support will make a great difference to the lives of Irish animals.

EU Regulations

Questions (358)

Mattie McGrath

Question:

358. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location in the EU Court of Auditors report of 22 December 2006 in which it states that the consolidation process of 150,000 ha as implemented by his Department was entirely in accordance with EU regulations and has been endorsed as such. [43729/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The EU Court of Auditors report of 22 December 2006, to which the Deputy refers, was an initial letter of findings following an audit. It is normal for mention to be made of possible liabilities in the C&AG report for each year. In this case, the contingent liability was some €60m.

During an audit, it is customary that there are many initial findings at the beginning of the auditing process. These initial findings are then subject to further discussion. Some of these findings remain and others are found to be non-issues; the consolidation process within Ireland under the Single Payment Scheme was one such item.

GLAS Issues

Questions (359)

Michael Ring

Question:

359. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will issue on a GLAS 3 appeal by a person (details supplied) in view of the fact that the matter has been ongoing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43730/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named has requested a review of the Department’s decision regarding the transfer of a GLAS 3 contract.

The review in this case is currently being carried out and the Department will inform the applicant directly, in writing, of the outcome once the review has been completed.

Basic Payment Scheme

Questions (360)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

360. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there was an overclaim assessed against a farmer (details supplied) in County Galway in either 2018, 2019 or 2020; if he will provides details of the overclaim assessed and the penalty applied; the amount of this that has been recouped to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43732/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the 2019 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS), a commonage parcel declared by the person named on their BPS application was subject to a ground inspection on 2nd, 7th and 9th August 2019. A re-inspection of the parcel took place on 23rd August 2019. The inspection process determined that there was no agricultural activity or evidence of livestock activity on the parcel on any of the dates visited and the maximum eligible area of the parcel was thus reduced to zero. As a result, an over claim was assessed on the BPS application and the relevant BPS penalties were applied.

Upon request, a review of this finding was carried by my officials. This review upheld the original decision that there was no agricultural activity on the commonage parcel. The relevant reductions and penalties, amounting to €4,402.14, in relation to the BPS payment of the person named have now been fully recouped. Any further impacts in relation to payment under other area based schemes such as GLAS and the Areas of Natural Constraint scheme are currently being processed by my Department.

An appeal on the inspection outcome of this commonage parcel has been lodged with the Agriculture Appeals Office. My Department will be notified of the outcome of this upon completion of the formal appeals process.

Harbour Fees

Questions (361)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

361. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 888 of 15 September 2020, if will provide an update on the long-awaited review of harbour charges for fishermen; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43733/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department owns, manages and maintains the six State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl. The Fishery Harbour Centres (Rates and Charges) Order 2012 (214 of 2012), which came into effect on 1st July 2012, sets out the fee schedule for the use of the facilities at each of the six Fishery Harbour Centres.

An internal review of the 2012 order has been completed and a draft updated order is in the process of being finalised. It is intended to undertake a public consultation process prior to the introduction of the updated Rates and Charges Order.

Control of Horses

Questions (362)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

362. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of horses seized and-or impounded for trespass and for non-compliance with chipping law and regulation by county in each of the years 2015 to 2019 and to date in 2020, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43741/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may take a range of actions in relation to equines including prohibiting horses in certain areas, the issuing of licences and the seizure of horses in contravention of the Act. These powers can be used in respect of straying horses, which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission, including public land. Local authorities may also prosecute offenders.

My Department provides financial support to assist local authorities with these seizures - figures with respect to the number of animals involved are outlined below. Detailed information about reasons for the seizures rest with the local authorities.

City/County Council	No. of Horses Seized 2015	No. Horses Seized 2016	No. Horses Seized 2017	No. Horses Seized 2018	No. Horses Seized 2019	No. of Horses Seized 2020 to end of quarter 3
Carlow Co. Council	69	76	24	13	20	0
Cavan Co. Council	25	4	1	5	2	0
Clare Co. Council	47	11	18	14	47	23
Cork Co. Council	155	91	87	63	75	30
Cork City Council	54	47	39	33	23	12
Donegal Co. Council	10	19	13	7	4	0
Dublin City Council	145	193	120	183	90	25
South Dublin Co. Council	231	266	227	147	83	47
Dunlaoghaire/Rathdown Co Council	25	29	7	13	15	22
Fingal Co. Council	145	161	155	86	41	23
Galway City Council	81	64	34	35	15	11
Galway Co. Council	94	40	40	66	70	30
Kerry Co. Council	24	28	12	22	16	13
Kildare Co. Council	273	155	145	91	103	26
Kilkenny Co. Council	75	52	21	21	18	58
Laois Co. Council	111	66	49	64	35	44
Leitrim Co. Council	26	16	10	8	10	4
Limerick City and County	343	209	166	206	109	101
Longford Co. Council	41	19	21	13	11	21
Louth Co. Council	43	23	38	37	11	6
Mayo Co. Council	0	0	7	1	0	1
Meath Co. Council	40	80	57	25	19	1
Monaghan Co. Council	35	29	11	5	2	0
Offaly Co. Council	101	66	60	16	13	5
Roscommon Co. Council	0	0	0	0	0	0
Sligo Co. Council	14	19	6	9	4	6
Tipperary County	152	129	97	105	88	59
Waterford City & Council	39	32	18	28	31	7
Westmeath Co. Council	61	50	36	37	19	11
Wexford Co. Council	86	89	39	50	33	18
Wicklow Co. Council	138	65	45	57	43	27
Totals	2,683	2,128	1,603	1,460	1,050	631

Fishing Communities

Questions (363)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

363. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the establishment of a multi-agency forum (details supplied) will be supported to address the challenges facing small fishermen in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43744/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The South West Regional Inshore Fisheries Forum (RIFF) covers the coastal zone of Cork and Kerry and is part of a network of six multi-stakeholder Regional Forums around the Irish coast. These Regional Forums, along with the National Inshore Fisheries Forum (NIFF), are consultative bodies, established in 2014, to foster industry-led development of proposals for the management of non-quota stocks within six nautical miles of the Irish shore.

Last year, the NIFF finalised the Strategy for the Irish Inshore Fisheries Sector 2019-2023, the first industry-led blueprint for how the sector could develop in coming years. Each of the RIFFs, including the South West, fed into this process. BIM is leading implementation of the strategy in partnership with the NIFF. An implementation group, which includes State and industry representatives, has identified priority actions under the strategy and is monitoring and driving implementation progress. The strategy is available online at the Inshore Fisheries Forum website, http://inshoreforums.ie/.

Last week, I was pleased to have my first meeting with the NIFF, along with representatives from the Marine Institute, the SFPA and BIM. Industry representatives outlined the challenges facing the inshore sector this year. The Programme for Government strongly commits to supporting the inshore community and the wider seafood sector in achieving its potential and I look forward to working with the NIFF on how we can do this together.

Control of Horses

Questions (364)

Maurice Quinlivan

Question:

364. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions since January 2013 in respect of the failure of owners to chip their horses, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43759/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Enforcement of equine identification legislation is largely undertaken by authorised officers across the Regional Offices of my Department who liaise with authorised officers in the Local Authorities and other organisations as required.

While SI 62 of 2016 (as amended) provides for the prosecution of keepers who have unidentified equines in their care, it also provides for the issuing of compliance notices. My Department's policy is to adopt a fair and proportional approach in dealing with breaches of equine identification legislation. In this regard, authorised officers engage with keepers to ensure that they understand their responsibilities and, where potential breaches of the legislation are identified, they generally provide an opportunity for non-compliant keepers to rectify the position within a specified timeframe.

There have been no prosecutions since January 2013 with regard to the failure of owners to chip their horses.

Seirbhísí trí Ghaeilge

Questions (365, 366, 367)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

365. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara cad iad na pleananna atá ag a Roinn chun seirbhísí faoina riar a chur ar fáil trí Ghaeilge, chun cur le líon na seirbhísí atá ar fáil trí Ghaeilge faoina riar, agus chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn, le linn 2021. [43882/20]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

366. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara sonrú a dhéanamh ar gach post atá sainaitheanta mar phost a bhfuil riachtanas Gaeilge leis ina Roinn faoi láthair, líon na bhfostaithe ina Roinn a bhfuil cumas sa Ghaeilge acu, agus líon iomlán na bhfostaithe ina Roinn. [43883/20]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

367. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh den Aire Talmhaíochta, Bia agus Mara sainiú a dhéanamh ar na fadhbanna is práinní i leith seirbhísí faoi riar a Roinne a sholáthar trí Ghaeilge sna ceantair Ghaeltachta, agus cad atá beartaithe aige chun iad a réiteach. [43884/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Tá sé i gceist agam ceisteanna parlaiminte 365, 366 agus 367 a fhreagairt in éineacht.

Tá mo Roinn i mbun an phróisis le Scéim Teanga nua Gaeilge a thabhairt chun críche faoi láthair agus foilseofar go gairid í. Féachfar lena chinntiú inár mbeartas earcaíochta, a mhéid is féidir, go mbeidh gach ball foirne in oifigí i gceantair Ghaeltachta in ann gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge. Beidh riachtanais i dtaobh na Gaeilge agus an Bhéarla, riachtanais a bheidh ar chomhchéim, i gceist le haon chomórtas a bhaineann le poist a bheidh lonnaithe in oifig atá suite i gceantar Gaeltachta. Ach, mar thoradh ar chineál speisialaithe ról áirithe, d’fhéadfadh sé nach mbeifear in ann post i gceantar Gaeltachta a líonadh más rud é nach ndéanann aon chainteoir Gaeilge cuí-cháilithe iarratas ar an bpost. Féachfaidh mo Roinn lena chinntiú go ndéanfar cruinnithe a reáchtáiltear sa Ghaeltacht a sheoladh i nGaeilge agus cuirfear aistriúchán comhuaineach go Béarla ar fáil, de réir mar is cuí.

Tá sé cinn de phoist sa Roinn sannta faoi láthair ina bpoist ina bhfuil inniúlacht sa Ghaeilge de dhíth ina leith agus tá na poist sin lonnaithe den chuid is mó i gceantair Ghaeltachta. 3,745 ball foirne atá sa Roinn faoi láthair agus is ionann sin agus 3,610 coibhéis lánaimseartha agus tá rogha de 24 ball foirne againn atá ábalta gnó a dhéanamh trí Ghaeilge más gá.

Foilsíonn an Roinn Cuntais Iniúchta nó Ráitis Airgeadais agus aon cháipéis eile ina leagtar amach tograí polasaí i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla faoi láthair. De bhreis ar a hoibleagáidí faoi Alt 10 d’Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla, 2003, maidir le doiciméid áirithe a fhoilsiú go comhuaineach sa dá theanga oifigiúla, foilseoidh an Roinn doiciméid chorparáideacha eile i nGaeilge agus i mBéarla araon, amhail an Chairt Chustaiméara agus an Plean Gníomhaíochta Custaiméara, an Chairt um Chearta le haghaidh Feirmeoirí agus leabhrán Scéimeanna agus Seirbhísí. Foilsíonn an Roinn 100% de phreaseisiúintí na Roinne go dátheangach.

Tá láithreán gréasáin na Roinne, chomh maith le láithreáin aon Roinn déag eile go dtí seo, aistrithe chuig an ardán gov.ie www.gov.ie/agriculture. Cuireann an t-ardán seo ar chumas lucht spéise cáipéisí i nGaeilge nó i mBéarla a fheiceáil. Cuirfidh sin go mór leis an méid eolais atá foilsithe go dátheangach. Fostófar aistritheoir i mí Eanáir chun na scéimeanna agus seirbhísí go léir a chuireann an Roinn ar fáil a aistriú. Déanfar Téarmaí agus Coinníollacha scéimeanna éagsúla a aistriú chomh maith.

Leanfaidh mo Roinn de dheimhin a dhéanamh de gur féidir le custaiméirí a iarrann gnó a dhéanamh i nGaeilge sin a dhéanamh. Tá socruithe oiriúnacha ann a fhágann gur féidir leis an bhfoireann lasc-chláir agus fáiltithe daoine den phobal a chur i dteagmháil, a luaithe is féidir, le hoifigeach a bhfuil Gaeilge aige/aici. Cuireann mo Roinn deis ar fáil do bhaill foirne freisin a bheith páirteach i gcúrsaí Gaeilge.

Chun comhlíonadh na Rialachán a éascú, a mhéid a bhaineann siad le comharthaíocht, cuirfidh mo Roinn aistriúchán Gaeilge ar raon téarmaí úsáideacha ar fáil le haghaidh comharthaí sealadacha a d’fhéadfadh a bheith ag teastáil ó bhaill foirne lena gcur ar taispeáint ina n-oifigí.

Críochnaíodh an Dara Céim do Bhille na dTeangacha Oifigiúla (Leasú) 2019 sa Dáil ar 8 Deireadh Fómhair. Is é príomhchuspóir an Bhille ná Acht na dTeangacha Oifigiúla 2003 a leasú ionas go mbeifear in ann feabhas a chur ar sholáthar seirbhísí phoiblí trí Ghaeilge agus líon na gcainteoirí Gaeilge a earcaítear sa tseirbhís phoiblí a mheadú. Tá tacaíocht an Rialtais faighte roinnt leasuithe a mholadh a láidróidh an Bille. Tá an Rialtas tiomanta an Bhille a bhrú ar aghaidh a luaithe agus is féidir. Beidh Céim an Choiste ag tosú ar an 20 Eanáir.

Ceadaíonn an Bille Coiste Comhairleach reachtúil um Sheirbhísí Gaeilge a bhunú d’fhonn soláthar sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge a mhéadú agus a fheabhsú. Bunófar an Coiste Comhairleach tráth nach ndéanaí ná sé mhí tar éis an Bhille a bheith achtaithe. Leagtar amach feidhmeanna an Choiste Chomhairligh sa Bhille, lena n-áirítear Plean Náisiúnta a fhoilsiú ar mhaithe le soláthar seirbhísí poiblí trí mheán na Gaeilge a mhéadú. Beidh an Plean Náisiúnta ullmhaithe agus curtha faoi bhráid an Aire tráth nach ndéanaí ná dhá bhliain tar éis a bhunaithe. Déanfar tuairisciú rialta ar an dul chun cinn trí tuairisc gach dara bliain ón Choiste Chomhairligh, a bheidh le cur chuig an Aire, an Coimisinéir Teanga agus le leagan os comhair na Tithe. Tabharfaidh sé seo leibhéal trédhearcacht d’obair an stáit chun soláthar sheirbhísí poiblí trí Ghaeilge a mhéadú agus a fheabhsú.

Bord Bia

Questions (368, 369)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

368. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the specific data belonging to a farmer that are shared under the Bord Bia sustainable beef and lamb assurance scheme; the person or body with which the data are shared based on the consent given by the farmer in the producer declaration form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44012/20]

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

369. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is an option for a farmer under the Bord Bia sustainable beef and lamb assurance scheme to remove their consent for data sharing; if not, if it is mandatory for participation in the scheme in the event of a farmer removing their consent for the sharing of their data; if Bord Bia can remove them from the scheme despite them having met the standards of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44013/20]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 368 and 369 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that all issues relating to the Bord Bia Quality Assurance Schemes are operational matters for Bord Bia and he should contact them directly in that regard.

However, I understand that all details of scheme membership are set out in advance to any prospective member of the Sustainable Beef and Lamb Assurance Scheme (SBLAS) and that the sharing of particular data by the producer is a definitive condition of membership of the scheme. The application form sets out all the relevant details.

Any removal of a producer from a Bord Bia scheme will be in accordance with the scheme rules.

Bord Bia has a Helpdesk available for farmers participating in Quality Assurance schemes to help them to prepared for their Bord Bia audit. Enquiries on any specific individual’s concerns about consent or any related legal issues should be raised directly with Bord Bia.