Written Answers Nos. 544-568
544. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Health if consideration has been given to applying the vaccine bonus whereby a person is considered fully vaccinated four weeks after their first dose of a vaccine (details supplied) as part of the exemptions from mandatory hotel quarantine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29925/21]
View answerMandatory hotel quarantine has been introduced as one element of Ireland’s public health measures to combat the transmission of COVID-19 variants of concern.
The Health Act 1947, as amended, provides that all persons arriving in Ireland from a designated state, or having travelled through a designated state in the previous 14 days, are required to undergo mandatory quarantine in a designated facility unless they are an exempted traveller under the Act. All applicable travellers must reserve and pay for a place in mandatory hotel quarantine.
The Act identifies those who are exempt from mandatory hotel quarantine, and a full list of exemptions can be accessed on www.gov.ie/quarantine.
As of 17th April, passengers who are fully vaccinated and have the documents to confirm this are no longer required to complete mandatory hotel quarantine on arrival in Ireland. Dependents, including children, will also be exempted from the requirement to complete mandatory hotel quarantine in this instance.
Please note that the 4 EMA approved vaccines currently accepted have specific definitions for when a person would be considered fully vaccinated.
A person is not considered fully vaccinated until 15 days after they receive their second dose of the Astra Zeneca vaccine.
Passengers who are fully vaccinated and exempt from hotel quarantine are still subject to other travel restrictions, such as the need to provide a negative pre-departure PCR test and complete a period of self-quarantine at home or wherever specified in their passenger locator form.
Neither I as Minister for Health nor my Department have any role in decisions relating to whether individual persons must enter mandatory quarantine or whether individual persons are exempted travellers. All such decisions are to be determined in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
545. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amounts paid out in TAPS funding to nursing homes since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic by county. [29931/21]
View answerThe Temporary Assistance Payment Scheme (TAPS) for nursing homes was established in April 2020 to provide financial assistance to contribute towards the costs incurred by private nursing homes in acting to suppress and manage COVID-19. The Government made up to €92.5m available under TAPS in 2020. A further €42m was made available for 2021 under the extension of the Scheme until the end of June.
As of 2 July 2021, the HSE reported to the Department that €109.2m had been paid out under TAPS.
The Scheme has fulfilled its temporary purpose of providing financial support to nursing homes to address COVID-19. Although the risk is greatly reduced, it has not been completely eliminated, therefore the outbreak assistance element of the Scheme will continue to be available to nursing homes until the end of 2021. Availability of outbreak assistance is subject to the overall sanctioned amount of €42m for 2021.
The substantial package of non-financial supports outlined below will continue to be provided for the time being:
- Provision of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The continued supply of PPE is a key support mechanism and will be provided in line with clinical and public health recommendations;
- The COVID-19 Response Teams established to support Public Health Outbreak teams covering all residential services as well as home support settings. All stakeholders, including the COVID-19 Nursing Homes Expert Panel, have highlighted the significant contribution these new teams have made to supporting nursing homes throughout the pandemic;
- The HSE Temporary Accommodation Scheme;
- HSE training and development resources, including the opening up of HSELanD to private and voluntary providers.
- IPC support and advice;
- The substantial suite of publicly available guidance developed to support the sector.
These measures and supports reflect a significant investment by the State to support nursing homes and other services and measures, such as the COVID-19 Response Teams, and are a clear signal of the work that is ongoing to integrate the wider health system.
547. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the reason numerous applications made by a nursing home (details supplied) for TAPS have been unsuccessful. [29933/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
548. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to reduce the 16-week delay for those aged between 60 and 69 in getting their second dose of a vaccine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29934/21]
View answerOn June 4 I announced a shorter interval between doses for the Vaxzevria® (AstraZeneca) vaccine. This follows updated recommendations from the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC), which have been endorsed by the Chief Medical Officer. NIAC has concluded that those of any age (without any previous COVID-19 infection), who have received their first dose of Vaxzevria® should receive their second dose 8-12 weeks later.
The HSE recently received updated advice from NIAC in relation to reducing the dosing interval for the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine from 12 weeks to 8. Extensive planning has been required to put in place a programme that will now see the remaining, people over the age of 60 years of age, in receipt of the AstraZeneca vaccine fully immunised through the administration of this second dose by the middle to end of July.
549. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason the long-term illness scheme for mental illness medications is extended only to persons under 16 years of age; and the supports available to persons over 16 years of age to pay for related medication. [29935/21]
View answerThe Long Term Illness Scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975 specifying the conditions covered by the scheme.
The conditions covered are: acute leukaemia; mental handicap; cerebral palsy; mental illness (in a person under 16); cystic fibrosis; multiple sclerosis; diabetes insipidus; muscular dystrophies; diabetes mellitus; parkinsonism; epilepsy; phenylketonuria; haemophilia; spina bifida; hydrocephalus; and conditions arising from the use of Thalidomide. Under the scheme, patients receive drugs, medicines, and medical and surgical appliances directly related to the treatment of their illness, free of charge.
There are no plans to extend the list of conditions covered by the scheme at this time. However, a review of the current eligibility framework, including the basis for existing hospital and medication charges, will be carried out under commitments given in the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy.
For people who are not eligible for the LTI Scheme, there are other arrangements which protect them from excessive medicine costs.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme, no individual or family pays more than €114 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The scheme significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Those who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be entitled to a medical card. In the assessment process, the HSE can take into account medical costs incurred by an individual or a family. Those who are not eligible for a medical card may still be able to avail of a GP visit card, which covers the cost of GP consultations.
Tax relief is also available on the cost of medical expenses. This includes medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%, and further information is available at www.revenue.ie.
551. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the amount his Department spends each year using the storage facilities operated by a company (details supplied) [29985/21]
View answerMy Department does not use storage facilities operated by Iron Mountain. My Department's previous contract with Iron Mountain ceased in 2006.
552. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Health the hospitals here that have a contract with a company (details supplied). [29986/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
553. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the procedures provided to patients who are covered under the general medical scheme for the treatment of heart valve disease; the proportion of such patients treated using transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30245/21]
View answerPersons with full eligibility (medical card under the General Medical Scheme) are entitled to free hospital services. However, procedures carried out in a hospital setting including surgical aortic valve replacement or a specialist cardiac intervention such as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) are based on clinical need and on a priority basis, as opposed to a person's eligibility /General Medical Scheme status.
As this Parliamentary Question also refers to the HSE position this part of the questions is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
554. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of private patients treated in public hospitals for heart valve disease; the proportion of patients treated using transcatheter aortic valve implantation versus surgical aortic valve replacement procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30246/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems.
The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
555. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health if his Department or the HSE have taken a position on the HIQA recommendation contained in its health technology assessment of trans catheter aortic valve implementation in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis at low and intermediate risk of surgical complications published in November 2019; if these recommendations will be adopted and implemented; and if not, the rationale in each case; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30247/21]
View answerTranscatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) is a specialist cardiac intervention and is covered by the National Review of Specialist Cardiac Services which is ongoing. The Review commenced in January 2018 with Professor Phillip Nolan as Chair of the Steering Group. This Review aims to achieve optimal patient outcomes at population level with particular emphasis on the safety, quality and sustainability of the services that patients receive by establishing the need for an optimal configuration of a national adult cardiac service. This aligns with the Sláintecare reform programme.
While substantial progress has been made on the Review, the COVID-19 Pandemic has impacted on the progress of the review, as the Chair has played a key role in the national COVID-19 response, both as a member of the NPHET and Chair of the Irish Epidemiological Modelling Advisory Group. However, it is intended that the Review will continue and work is now underway to progress this to completion over the coming months. The HIQA Health Technology Assessment report is an important resource in this regard.
As this Parliamentary Question also refers to the HSE position this part of the questions is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
556. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health if it will be ensured that those who suffered narcolepsy after receiving the pandemrix vaccine will receive appropriate compensation without taking court cases. [22869/21]
View answerThe State Claims Agency (SCA) has a statutory remit to manage personal injury claims on behalf of Delegated State Authorities including the Health Service Executive. The management of cases taken by persons who allege they developed Narcolepsy and/or Cataplexy as a result of receiving the H1N1 vaccine, Pandemrix, is delegated to SCA and, as such, the Government has no role in determining how these cases are conducted.
I understand, however, that the SCA has established a Scheme of Settlement in relation to this litigation whereby plaintiffs have the facility of resolving their claims through a formal mediation process with an ultimate right of appeal to a retired superior court judge. I am informed that the Scheme is functioning well and a number of cases have been successfully resolved. Other cases are in the process of resolution by the Scheme.
557. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health his plans to ensure a general practitioner service is provided in Fettercairn, Tallaght, Dublin 24. [28317/21]
View answerAs this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently unable to access the information to answer Parliamentary Questions due to the recent cyber-attack, which has required a temporary shut-down of HSE IT systems. The disruption to service is on-going, and the HSE is working hard to restore its IT capacity and resume normal services. Members of the Oireachtas will be advised as soon as the HSE is again in a position to provide responses to PQs and are encouraged to resubmit their Parliamentary Questions at that point.
558. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of afforestation licences his Department will issue for July 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35791/21]
View answerThe weekly statistics issued by the Department show clearly that there has been an increase in forestry licence output from mid-May with an average of 95 licences having been issued each week for the last six weeks. Last month was the highest month of the year so far with 411 licences issuing. It is not possible to say at this stage how many afforestation licences will issue in July.
I would like to assure the Deputy that, along with my colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett who has overall responsibility for forestry, I remain committed to issuing 4,500 forestry licences this year, which is an increase of 75% on 2020, albeit that last year was a low output year.
To the end June, 1,758 licences have already issued, with 105 licences issued last week. In accordance with the trend perceived, it is anticipated that the second half of the year will be higher than the first half for licences issued and that the 4,500 target will be met by year-end. The 4,500 licences issued will comprise of Afforestation, Forest Road and Felling licences.
Project Woodland, which was launched in February this year, has been set up with the objective of reviewing and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the forestry licensing system, as well as the creation of a shared national vision for forestry and the development of a new Forest Strategy.
Two working groups in particular are looking at the licensing situation. Working Group 1 is tasked with looking at the backlog. This Group has examined in detail the cases on hand and is producing specific recommendations for improving output, including a definition of the backlog, which will be brought to the Project Board for consideration. Working Group 4 is concentrating on licensing process improvement. A business analyst has commenced work on an end-to-end process review. In addition, proposals for a pre-application process and a planning grant are under development and will be submitted to the Project Board shortly. The Group is also actively considering how best to conduct a regulatory review of the licensing system.
I believe that the framework now in place under Project Woodland will deliver on its objectives and I am hopeful that this will provide encouragement to farmers and landowners to go into forestry, or to realise the planting licences they have already received, and to avail of the attractive premiums available under the Department’s Schemes.
559. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the measures in place to ensure land eligibility inspectors follow correct procedures when carrying out inspections; the reason there are cases in which it is the inspector's word against the farmer's word; if measures will be put in place to prevent this happening; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35792/21]
View answer560. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if presumption of truth applies to farmers in inspections by his Department; if the word of an inspector supersedes that of the farmer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35794/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 559 and 560 together.
The EU regulations governing the Direct Payment Schemes and Rural Development measures require the Department to conduct inspections to ensure compliance with land eligibility requirements. These requirements are detailed in EU Regulation and in the Scheme Terms and Conditions. Furthermore there are comprehensive procedures for the conduct of land eligibility inspections.
All Department's inspecting officers are well trained. All inspections are subject to internal and external audit to ensure consistency of approach and correct application of procedure.
Measures to assist farmers during the inspection process are prescribed both in EU regulations and in the Farmers' Charter. These include the right to advance notice of an inspection (except in certain cases where giving advance notice would limit the effectiveness of the inspection), the right to be represented at the inspection, the right to comment on the inspection report or notice of findings on the day of inspection when counter-signing the inspection report, access to a Review System and Appeals Process as well as the Department's Customer Complaints Process. These processes are designed to give the farmer an opportunity to submit any relevant comments or information relevant to the inspection.
If an applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of an eligibility inspection or disagree with the outcome of the inspection, they may, following receipt of the interim notification submit any additional information in writing to the local District Superintendent. The final inspection findings are then outlined in a final notification letter having taken into consideration any comments submitted by the applicant. The applicant may then seek a review of the decision to the District Inspector for their region. This process and the relevant contact details will be outlined in the final notification issued to the applicant.
In the event that the applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of a review, the decision can be appealed to the independent Agriculture Appeals Office, within three months of the date of review decision letter.
If the applicant feels that their case has been dealt with unfairly by the Agriculture Appeals Office, they can raise the matter with the Office of the Ombudsman, 18 Lower Leeson St., Dublin 2.
Separately, the farmer may use the Department’s customer complaints procedure if s/he is unhappy with the service provided by the Department. Full details are available on the Department’s website.
561. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the progress that has been made on the feasibility study on wool; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35809/21]
View answerThe Deputy is aware that following the allocation of €100,000 for the review of the potential demand in international markets for wool-based products such as insulation and fertilisers, I initiated a consultation process to determine the terms of reference for such a review. Details of the proposed Terms of Reference to implement this review were published on the Department's website www.agriculture.gov.ie on 11th March 2021 as follows:
- the identification of market opportunities domestically and internationally for wool based products;
- carrying out economic feasibility and cost benefit analysis on proposed market opportunities;
- determining mechanisms that could be used to support industry initiatives; and
- identification of potential research projects applicable to supporting the identified market opportunities.
Interested parties were invited to submit comments on the proposed Terms of Reference and/or submissions on the potential market opportunities for wool products on the domestic and international markets. The closing date for submissions was 2nd April 2021.
The submissions received are currently being reviewed with a view to finalising the terms of reference. The time frame for the completion of the review including a tendering process for selection of external expertise, consultation with stakeholders and publication of the report is end of November 2021. The recommendations from this review will help to focus the development of a robust policy roadmap for the Irish wool industry.
562. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of afforestation licences in the past three years that were approved by his Department within a month; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35810/21]
View answerAll Afforestation licence applications are subject to a 30-day public consultation period. The Department is not in a position to make a decision on any licence until these 30 days have passed and consideration has been given to any submissions received.
563. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of afforestation licences that were approved by his Department within a month which did not progress to planting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35811/21]
View answerIt is not possible to approve a forestry licence within one month of receipt of application as there is a mandatory 30-day consultation for every application received.
I would like to emphasise that following receipt of an afforestation licence, it is entirely up to applicants whether they wish to realise the licence granted. This conversion rate remains disappointingly low as there is approximately 4,000 unused hectares available to forestry companies to plant.
I continue to encourage all applicants to do so and to avail of the generous premiums available for afforestation. The Department has engaged with sectoral representatives to consider whether anything else can be done to improve the conversion from approval to planting.
564. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the Assistant Secretary of his Department (details supplied) indicated at the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Agriculture and the Marine on 27 May 2021 that a request by an organisation to become a member of the CAP Post-2020 Consultative Committee was still being considered, despite the Minister of State in his Department stating in a letter on 24 May 2021 that there was no need to broaden membership of the committee; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35812/21]
View answerI would like to assure the Deputy that both my colleague Minister of State Pippa Hackett and I have given careful consideration to the request for participation in the CAP Consultative Committee by the organisation named. We met the organisation bilaterally just this week at which this issue was discussed. As the Deputy is aware, the EU negotiations on the Common Agriculture Policy concluded recently. Each Member State is now finalising its proposed CAP Strategic Plan and must lodge this with the European Commission no later than 1st January 2022.
Our CAP Consultative Committee has been meeting for over two years now and the request from the body named was only recently received. We are of course open to bilateral direct engagement and the Department has offered direct engagement on this matter including presentations on latest developments. We have also invited the organisation named to submit their proposals on how tree-planting can play a larger role in our CAP schemes and we look forward to constructive discussions with them on this.
565. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way forestry has been discussed or considered during recent CAP negotiations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35813/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, at the June Agri-Fish Council, Agriculture Ministers accepted the provisional deal agreed between the Council Presidency and the European Parliament on 25th June.
The new CAP Regulations aim to increase the environmental and climate ambition of Member States. This provides opportunities to support tree planting and farm forestry, as part of a sustainable farming model, and such options are being explored. Forestry is critical to the overall agriculture eco-system. Forestry can provide a complementary and supplementary activity to other schemes being implemented on farms, and officials are examining how to ensure that there is integration between the CAP Strategic Plan and the next Forestry Programme.
The current Forestry Programme 2014-2020 (extended to end 2022) is entirely exchequer-funded and received State Aid approval from the European Commission. Due to the long-term nature of forestry, the best option to continue to deliver the forestry programme is to do so entirely separately from the CAP Strategic Plan, subject to new State Aid rules rather than the requirements of the CAP Strategic Plan Regulations.
Various stakeholder organisations, representing a variety of interest groups, have representation on both the CAP post-2020 Consultative Committee and the Forestry Policy Group to further enhance coherence between both policy areas. These include:
- Irish Farmers Association (IFA)
- Agricultural Consultants Association
- Teagasc
- Environmental Protection Agency
- Environmental Pillar
- An Taisce
- Bird Watch Ireland
- Irish Rural Link
There is regular engagement between the Department and the Forestry Sector through the Forestry Policy Group, the newly established Project Woodland, and the various COFORD working groups. This engagement will continue as the CAP Strategic Plan is developed over the coming months.
566. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to conduct a needs analysis from the forest industry including forest owners for a frost reconstitution scheme following damage to young plantations by this uninsurable event; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35819/21]
View answerThe Department is aware of a request from the forestry sector for a reconstitution scheme in response to frost damage on young plantations for woodland owners affected by frost events experienced in 2019 and 2020. Surveys for frost damage in affected forests have been conducted by the Department. We are continuing to analyse the business case for such a scheme.
However, the timing of any such scheme must be examined in the context of resource implications given the current challenges faced in terms of forestry licences. The licensing system and the implementation of Project Woodland is our absolute priority and all efforts are focussed on maximising the number of afforestation, felling and forest road licences issued. Our commitment to issue 4,500 new licences this year requires full deployment of all available resources to achieve such a challenging target.
567. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the afforestation grant and premium is not payable on areas of natural constraints; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35820/21]
View answerLands classified as Areas of Natural Constraint are eligible to receive grants and premiums under the Department’s Afforestation Scheme, provided that the areas in question are in compliance with the relevant environmental and silvicultural requirements.
The Department has issued a Land Types for Afforestation Document in October 2017 which sets out the criteria for eligibility of land under the Afforestation Scheme.
568. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the timeline the CAP Consultative Committee is working to in completing the CAP Strategic Plan; the progress of the Committee to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35823/21]
View answerThe CAP Consultative Committee was established in May 2019, and has met on 19 occasions. It is envisaged that the Committee will continue to meet until Ireland finalises development of its CAP Strategic Plan.
Originally the CAP Strategic Plan was to be submitted to the European Commission by the start of 2020, with the new CAP commencing in 2021. Delays in agreeing the CAP Regulations at EU level resulted in a two year transition period being agreed. As a result, the new CAP is now proposed to commence in January 2023, and the current deadline for submission of the CAP Strategic Plan is 1st January 2022.
Political agreement on the CAP Regulations has recently been achieved at EU level. The legislative texts are not yet fully finalised or formally endorsed as there are still certain technical details to be resolved.
To date, the CAP Consultative Committee has been focussed on the specific objectives for the next CAP, as well as the draft SWOT analysis and Needs Assessment that will form part of the CAP Strategic Plan. There has also been a strong focus on how various elements of the new CAP will combine to achieve environmental improvements. In addition, the Committee has considered the legislative proposals relating to the distribution of direct payments. More recently, the Committee has started to consider the draft interventions proposed for inclusion in the CAP Strategic Plan.
