Written Answers Nos. 459-473
460. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the number of epilepsy specialist nurse posts; the number of these which are unfilled; the location of each post; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25413/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
462. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of the implementation of each of the recommendations included in the report of the sub-group community operations, which is part of the HSE’s Valproate Response Project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25415/21]
View answerThe recommendations in the report referred to by the Deputy are largely operational matters for the Health Service Executive (HSE); as such, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly as soon as possible.
463. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Health the details of the information his Department collates as per circular 20/2019 (details supplied); the date this report was issued; the location on his Departmental website on which it can be found; and the progress in relation to green procurement that has been made to date. [25434/21]
View answerThe Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and the Office of Government Procurement developed a template to facilitate the monitoring and reporting of Green Public Procurement (GPP) by government departments. This template includes details relating to contracts issued over €25,000 by priority sector which have incorporated GPP. My Department has completed and submitted this template to the EPA.
As per Circular 20/2019, GPP details will be included in our 2020 Annual Report that will be published on my Department's website later this year.
464. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which his Department or the HSE have examined the use of air purification units in buildings or vehicles in line with the lifting of Covid-19 restrictions; if any examination has been carried out into the effectiveness of such units and the way they might best be deployed to assist in the defeat of Covid-19 as persons return to work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25479/21]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, a national Work Safely Protocol (previously the Return to Work Protocol) has been developed as a collaborative effort, led by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, and involving primarily the Health and Safety Authority (HSA), with significant input by public health from the Health Service Executive (HSE). The Protocol sets out the minimum measures required in every place of work to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to facilitate the re-opening of workplaces following temporary closures and the ongoing safe operation of those workplaces.
Revisions to the protocol are being finalised and will include enhanced detail on ventilation including guidance on assessing ventilation in the workplace and general advice in relation to mechanical ventilation. I understand the updated Work Safely Protocol will be published shortly.
The Deputy’s attention is also drawn to the Health Protection and Surveillance Centre’s (HPSC) ‘Guidance on non-healthcare building ventilation during COVID-19: V2.0’, last updated on 22 January 2021, and noted by the NPHET for COVID-19 on 21 January, in advance of its publication:
https://www.hpsc.ie/a-z/respiratory/coronavirus/novelcoronavirus/guidance/infectionpreventionandcontrolguidance/buildingsandfacilitiesguidance/
465. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to a pharmaceutical trial at the Rotunda Hospital involving a drug called dilipan-S that is being contested as unethical by birth activists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25482/21]
View answerBefore conducting a clinical trial of an unauthorised medicine in Ireland, the trial sponsor is required to secure regulatory approval from the Health Products Regulatory Authority, as well as ethical approval from a recognised ethics committee. I am not familiar with the particular trial in question; however, I have asked officials in my Department to write to the hospital concerned to seek clarification and follow up directly with the Deputy.
467. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will provide clarification on a matter in relation to the second Covid-19 vaccine for certain groups (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25488/21]
View answerIreland’s COVID-19 vaccination programme strategy is to distribute all available vaccine as quickly as is operationally possible, prioritising those who are most vulnerable to COVID-19.
The programme is based on the principles of safety, effectiveness and fairness, with the objective of reducing severe illness, hospitalisations and deaths from COVID-19 infection.
The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The Committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. The NIAC review all data relating to COVID-19 vaccines on a rolling basis.
Following the recommendation for use of vaccines against COVID-19 by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and authorisation for use by the European Commission, the National Immunisation Advisory Committee develops guidance for their use in Ireland which is contained in the Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland. These guidelines are continuously updated and includes guidance on all new vaccines as they are approved for use in Ireland.
You can read the guidelines at:
https://www.hse.ie/eng/health/immunisation/hcpinfo/guidelines/covid19.pdf
Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) is authorised as a two-dose course 4-12 weeks apart.
Those who have received a first dose of Vaxzevria:
- aged 50 and older should receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled. A shorter interval of 4 - <12 weeks may be used in exceptional circumstance
- aged under 50 years with a very high risk or high risk medical condition should receive their second dose 12 weeks later as scheduled
- aged under 50 years without a very high risk or high risk medical condition should have their second dose scheduled at 16 weeks, pending the availability of further evidence to permit better assessment of the benefits and risks. However, there may be others aged under 50 years who, fully informed of the very rare risk and symptoms of TTS, wish to receive their second dose after 12 weeks and they should be facilitated where feasible.
468. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to promote the cultivation of hemp in order to meet Ireland’s carbon sequestering targets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25354/21]
View answerI am aware of the many processing possibilities that hemp possesses such as fibre, fuel and food production as well as the reported carbon sequestration potential of the crop.
While there has been significant research carried out on the cultivation of hemp in Ireland, mainly by Teagasc at its Oakpark Research Centre, this research has focused on the use of hemp as a source of fibre and as an energy crop. The efficiency of hemp as a carbon sequestration tool to be employed on Irish farms has not therefore been confirmed through Irish-based research which is a key requirement needed to inform agricultural policy.
Notwithstanding this, all options to enhance the carbon sequestration activities of the agricultural sector are currently under consideration by the Department as part of our national efforts to combat the effects of climate change.
It should be noted that the growing of hemp, which is included as an eligible crop under the Basic Payment Scheme, is subject to specific licence granted by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA), which operates under the auspices of the Department of Health and is restricted to certain varieties due to the presence the narcotic compound Delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
The Deputy will be aware that there is a commitment contained in the current Programme for Government (PFG) to “fully explore the potential for growing fibre crops such as hemp, considering whether these crops have a viable market”. The Department will shortly commence that consultative process by engaging with the relevant stakeholders.
469. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when payment will be made in relation to outstanding moneys owed under GLAS3 to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25241/21]
View answerThe person named was approved into GLAS 3 and has received payments for scheme years 2017 – 2020.
The participant was selected for an on-farm inspection in 2020 and subsequently requested a review of the inspection findings. The findings were amended following a Regional Inspector review.
Balancing payments are due in respect of monies recouped by the Department following this inspection. It is expected these payments will be processed shortly.
GLAS payments are continuing on a weekly basis as applications pass all validation checks.
470. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on the role hill farmers have to play in the management of uplands; his views on whether the management of the rewilding of uplands by hill farmers should take precedence over their ability to farm for produce; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25276/21]
View answerThe role of hill farmers is central to the management of the uplands and I, as Minister, wholeheartedly support our upland hill farmers.
Several European Innovation Partnerships which are funded by the Department (Hen Harrier, SUAS, Blackstairs Farming Future, North Connemara Locally Led Agri scheme, Sustainable Agricultural Plan for MacGillycuddy reeks, Inishowen Uplands Farmers project) are focused on piloting the cooperative locally-led approach to the management of these valuable and sensitive areas. The learning from these EIPs will be core to ensuring farmers are rewarded for their role and can continue to manage these resource rich areas.
The Department will continue to support the appropriate management of the uplands and the important role of hill farmers in this regard.
471. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans and associated timelines to allow spectators to attend horse racing meetings during 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25332/21]
View answerHorse Racing Ireland (HRI) is a commercial state body established under the Horse and Greyhound Racing Act, 2001, and is responsible for the overall administration, promotion and development of the horse racing industry.
The Government has indicated its intention to consider proposals for later in the year on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for arts, culture, sport and live entertainment (indoor and outdoor). This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
The Department will continue to liaise with all sectors under its remit including Horse Racing Ireland bearing in mind the pre-eminence of the protection of public health.
472. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans and associated timelines to allow spectators to attend greyhound racing meetings during 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25333/21]
View answerRásaíocht Con Éireann 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The Government has indicated its intention to consider proposals for later in the year on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for arts, culture, sport and live entertainment (indoor and outdoor). This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
The Department will continue to liaise with all sectors under its remit including Rásaíocht Con Éireann bearing in mind the pre-eminence of the protection of public health.
473. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans and associated timelines to allow spectators to attend show jumping events during 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25334/21]
View answerThe Government has indicated its intention to consider proposals for later in the year on the holding of a limited number of pilot live events for arts, culture, sport and live entertainment (indoor and outdoor). This is to inform the safe reopening of these activities and events when the public health situation allows.
My Department will continue to liaise with all sectors under its remit including Horse Sport Ireland bearing in mind the importance of the protection of public health.
