Written Answers Nos. 3333-3355
3333. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an appointment for the GUM or STD clinic in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork. [41371/21]
View answer3334. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting for an appointment for the GUM or STD clinic in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork for less than 1, 1 to 2, 2 to 4 weeks and 1 to 2, 3 to 4, 4 to 6, and over 6 months, respectively. [41372/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3333 and 3334 together.
With regard to the detailed information sought by the Deputy, as this relates to operational issues, these Parliamentary Questions are 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.
I can say, however, that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to an unprecedented interruption to normal healthcare activity in 2020/2021, affecting the provision of all healthcare services, including public sexually transmitted infection (STI) clinics.
Over the last year, public STI services have re-configured services, establishing online booking systems and providing virtual appointments, in order to support service provision in line with social distancing and infection prevention control requirements resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Public STI clinics have prioritised those with symptoms and who require treatment, in order to treat active infections and minimise onward transmission. The Gay Men's Health Service (GMHS) website and other resources such as www.man2man.ie and www.sexualwellbeing.ie are regularly updated to reflect current service delivery and to signpost users to the HSE list of approved STI and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services.
The HSE is continuing to progress a number of initiatives that aim to reduce the level of HIV and STIs nationally and improve access to services for those in need as follows:
- The promotion of safer sex messages to the public via a range of social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
- During the pandemic, the public has been advised about STI clinic restrictions and encouraged to consider safer sexual practices to reduce the risk of HIV and STI transmission.
- Guidance has been issued around sex and COVID-19 which advised the public to limit numbers of partners to reduce transmission of HIV/STIs as well as COVID-19 during the pandemic.
- Those who are symptomatic are advised to contact a clinic directly for an emergency appointment.
- Condoms are freely available to NGO partners and service providers via the National Condom Distribution (NCDS) service.
- A number of NGOs have established postal services to make condoms and lubricant accessible to service-users throughout the pandemic while venues were closed.
- Free rapid HIV testing is available in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Limerick through community NGO partners HIV Ireland, Sexual Health Centre Cork, Sexual Health West and GOSHH (Gender.Orientation.Sexual Health.HIV). NGO partners have adapted their services and are currently providing free rapid HIV testing from their offices or alternative venues.
- STI/HIV testing is currently available through a HSE home STI testing pilot project in Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare, Cork and Kerry (funded by the Sláintecare Integration Fund).
3335. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the reason children with additional needs living in the Dublin Central and North Dublin area are experiencing significant delays in receiving disability services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy and psychology. [41375/21]
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.
3336. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the length of time disability reconfiguration processes have been going on in the areas covered by CHO9 and CHO7; the reason for such delays given the reconfiguration process began long before the public health emergency began in 2020; and the timelines as to when services will resume. [41376/21]
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.
3337. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive disability services recommended as a result of an assessment of needs completed in 2018. [41377/21]
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.
3338. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if undocumented persons or those without a PPS number can access abortion services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41378/21]
View answer3339. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if persons from Northern Ireland are able to access abortion services without a PPS number; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41379/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3338 and 3339 together.
Sections 26 to 28 of the Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 provide universal access to termination of pregnancy services for people who are ordinarily resident in the State (i.e., services are provided free of charge).
Women – from both within and outside the State - may also access the service on a private (i.e., fee-paying) basis, should they so choose.
The Annual Report on Notifications, published under section 20 (3) of the Act, provides information on the county or place of residence of the woman accessing termination of pregnancy. In 2020, the data showed that Northern Ireland was the place of residence notified in 36 cases, while 8 notifications recorded the place of residence as another location outside of Ireland.
3340. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health if it is possible for undocumented persons and those without a PPS number to access the maternity and infant scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41380/21]
View answerThe Maternity and Infant Care Scheme provides an agreed programme of care to expectant mothers ordinarily resident in Ireland. This combined medical service is provided by the family GP and a hospital obstetrician and includes a schedule of alternating examinations at the GP’s practice and a maternity unit/hospital, as well as two post-natal visits to the GP.
As 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.
3341. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the costs received by each public hospital against the costs incurred by each public hospital in contracting external debt collection agencies to pursue unpaid statutory charges in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41397/21]
View answerPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail in relation to how outstanding charges are collected from patients by individual service areas within the HSE 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.
3342. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Health the costs received versus incurred by the HSE in contracting debt collection agencies to pursue unpaid statutory charges by each year from 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41398/21]
View answerPatient charges are a key element of the overall funding envelope of the Irish health system and are taken into account when agreeing the Annual Estimates and the subsequent preparation of the annual National Service Plan.
These charges typically include:
- Out-patient charges;
- Emergency Department charges;
- In-patient charges; and
- Long-term stay charges.
There are cohorts of people who are exempt from these charges, including, but not limited to persons with full eligibility, women receiving services in respect of motherhood, children up to the age of six weeks, children suffering from diseases prescribed under section 52 (2) of the Act, and persons receiving services for the diagnosis or treatment of infectious diseases.
In addition, patients who opt for private in-patient services in public hospitals are liable for a range of private accommodation charges. There are no exemptions from these charges.
Non collection of debts owed directly impacts on the affordability of services provided by the Health Service Executive in any year. It is therefore incumbent on the HSE to take all reasonable steps to pursue amounts owed for services delivered. Debt collection agencies are engaged when normal billing arrangements have been unsuccessful.
The operational detail in relation to how outstanding charges are collected from patients by individual service areas within the HSE 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.
3345. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Health if the HSE has plans to expand services at its facility at Patrick Street, Dún Laoghaire; the details of any plans to deal with substance abuse in this part of CHO6; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41416/21]
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.
3346. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the actions he is taking to address illegal gorse fires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41095/21]
View answerWildfire is an easily preventable threat to our beautiful hills and bogs and the habitats and livelihoods they sustain. Everyone must play their part in protecting our landscapes and support the communities they sustain. We must also support our emergency services and ensure they are not needlessly diverted by illegal fires.
There is an inherent natural risk of fire in our uplands and on bogs from spring and into this time of year, due to the condition of vegetation in these areas. Upland grasses, heather and gorse are highly flammable when the weather is dry. In the right conditions, any ignition, for any reason, can give rise to wildfires. Both landowners and the wider public, whether they are at work or enjoying the countryside, should be mindful of the significant risks of fire at this time of year and be aware of the damage to land and habitats caused by illegal burning and other accidental and unintentional ignitions. The Department conducts activities annually to monitor and reduce wildfire incidence and outcomes.
The burning of vegetation is controlled by the Wildlife Acts. It is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn, from 1st March to 31st August in any year, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). This Department has no role regarding prosecutions or enforcement.
The Department has issued reminders to all landowners in relation to illegal burning of agricultural lands, and any land found to have been burned illegally can be deemed ineligible across certain area-based schemes. The Department monitors fire activity and risk throughout the main risk period between March and September, using a variety of means at our disposal, including satellite detections and ground inspections.
The Department has also undertaken awareness measures aimed at reducing the level of illegal ignitions, particularly on farmland, and in ensuring that affected sectors are fully prepared for fire outbreaks where these occur. This includes the provision of Fire Danger Rating Notices to relevant sectors and Departments to ensure that the correct level of preparedness is maintained throughout the fire season. The Department also encourages the safe use of fire by land managers during the open burning season and provides guidance for doing so.
It is important to note that wildfire ignitions occur from a variety of sources, not just agriculture, and many recent fires have occurred on lands with no associated agricultural activity, including lands used for turf cutting, and public lands with open access used by the public for recreation. Fires associated with illegal dumping on bogland are a particular problem. In 2020, some of the largest and most problematic fires occurred resulting from recreational land user activities.
The farming community has a central role to play in the control of fire in our landscapes through the management of land, and the reduction and maintenance of fire prone vegetation (such purple moor grass, heather, and gorse/whin) as potential fuels in high fire risk areas. To this end, the Department supports locally led schemes under the EIP-AGRI measure that in turn support the implementation of fire management activities on the ground including vegetation management activities. Projects of this type are now in place in many of the main fire risk locations in Ireland, including the Blackstairs Mountains, Wicklow Mountains, McGillicuddy Reeks, Inishowen Peninsula, Connemara, and within the Hen Harrier Project.
The Hen Harrier project is a results-based project, supported by the Department, covering key habitats across different counties. The project has recently developed and implemented a number of specific fire management measures including upland grazing management and support, the development of ponds in high risk areas that can provide water for aerial fire-fighting operations, and the safe use of fire as a land management tool by landowners. The project also liaises directly with relevant local fire services in areas where it operates. All the upland projects involve fire management education and awareness building activities directly with landowners through project agricultural advisors and direct inputs from local fire and rescue services and experts from my Department and Teagasc.
The Department activated its Fire Danger Rating System back in March for the fire season ahead and to date this year seven such Fire Danger Notices have been issued, ahead of risk weather phases. I would advise Forest owners and managers to check and update their fire plans and other relevant contingencies such as insurance, firebreaks, access and water points, and private helicopter contracts etc., so as to be prepared well in advance of high fire risk phases. Rural dwellers should also assess wildfire risks to their homes and properties and prepare accordingly. Guidance for this is available from the Office of Emergency Planning “Be Summer Ready” awareness campaign www.gov.ie/summerready.
There has been a very significant increase in the use of outdoor amenities and recreation sites by the public since the onset of Covid-19. This is a very welcome development, however forest visitors are reminded not to light fires or use barbecues, to behave responsibly, observe relevant local bye-laws, observe correct physical distancing practice and to park considerately so as not to impede access of emergency vehicles to incidents.
There is a very firm link in recent years between serious wildfire ignitions and illegal dumping and burning of domestic waste in many areas, and malicious burning at forest amenity sites and turf bogs open to the public. The Department asks all countryside users to be vigilant, to report any suspicious activity to An Garda Síochána, and to report any uncontrolled or unattended fires immediately to the Fire and Emergency Services via 112/999 service. We all have our part to play in protecting our countryside from uncontrolled fires.
Fire warnings can be accessed at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/642e6-forestry/ and www.teagasc.ie/crops/forestry/forest-fire-risk/
3347. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to ensure that the agreement between an organisation (details supplied) and the Beef Taskforce is enforced regarding opt-out clauses on insurance levies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39068/21]
View answerAction item 31 of the Beef Sector Agreement 2019 states that farmers can opt out of the insurance scheme for animals delivered to factories.
This facility has been confirmed as being in place by the relevant parties.
Any individual farmer who requires further clarity on this matter or wishes to opt out of the insurance scheme, should contact their processor in order to do so. Requests for clarifications where necessary should be brought to the attention of Meat Industry Ireland who signed up to this and other commitments on behalf of, and in agreement with, their members.
It should be noted that this requirement and all other terms of the agreement relating to processors relate to MII members only. A list of membership is available on the MII website.
3348. Deputy Joe McHugh asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider a scheme to support farming families with MICA in their farm buildings in view of the Department of Education leading on a response to MICA in school buildings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39088/21]
View answerThe issue of MICA in farm buildings has not been raised with my Department. In relation to capital investment works grant aided under TAMS II, all concrete blockwork purchased for TAMS grant aided projects require that “all blocks used shall be produced in a plant certified to EN 771-3:2011 and shall be CE marked” as provided for in Department Specification S101.
Walls in farm buildings and facilities and generally comprise either mass concrete, concrete blockwork or precast concrete. However, the vast majority of walls are the mass concrete version, with few comprised of concrete blockwork; farmers usually favour the use of mass concrete walls as do building contractors.
The standard EN 771-3:2011 referred to above does not explicitly refer to mica. Statutory Instrument No. 288 of 1949 sets a 1% at total limit for impurities such as pyrite and mica in concrete blocks. All manufacturers of concrete blockworks are required to abide by this limit.
3349. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry felling licences issued each month from August 2020 to date in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39100/21]
View answerTo date this year (23rd July), 1,209 tree felling licences have issued, which is 34% up on the number of licences issued to the same date last year.
The Department compiles a range of forestry-related statistics, which includes monthly reports of forestry licences issued, which are available on the Department’s pages of the Government of Ireland website, gov.ie. The number of tree felling licences issued from August 2020 to date is given in the table below.
|
2020-2021 |
Tree felling licences issued |
|
August |
118 |
|
September |
86 |
|
October |
229 |
|
November |
183 |
|
December |
182 |
|
January |
267 |
|
February |
158 |
|
March |
109 |
|
April |
83 |
|
May |
173 |
|
June |
317 |
|
To 23rd July |
104 |
|
Total |
2,009 |
3350. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department determined the proposed area crop to be greater than 25 years old; when the forest became greater than 25 years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39133/21]
View answer3351. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department determined the proposed area and crop to be greater than 25 years old in relation to an ash dieback scheme application (details supplied); when the forest became greater than 25 years old; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39146/21]
View answer3352. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department changed or modified or in any way deviated from its process for calculating the age of a forest in an instance (details supplied) from the previous ash dieback reconstitution scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39147/21]
View answer3353. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which the current ash dieback reconstitution and replanting scheme was launched (details supplied); the date that owners of ash plantations could lodge an application for the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39148/21]
View answer3354. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date in which the previous ash dieback reconstitution and replanting scheme was closed off to applicants whose ash forests are fatally affected by ash dieback; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39150/21]
View answer3355. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of days between the date his Department closed off the previous ash dieback reconstitution scheme and the date the present ash dieback RUS scheme was launched and open for applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39151/21]
View answer3356. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way his Department catered for forest owners with forests that exceeded 25 years of age in the timeframe between the closing off of applications on the previous ash dieback reconstitution scheme and the opening of the existing ash dieback RUS scheme for those owners that want to reconstitute the area with a different species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39152/21]
View answer3357. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of Ash in the country that exceeded 25 years of age in the timeframe between the closing off of applications on the previous ash dieback reconstitution and replanting scheme and the opening of the existing ash dieback RUS scheme on a per county basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39153/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 3350 to 3357, inclusive, together.
The Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme closed to new applications from 12th April 2018. At the same time, my Department began a review of the national response to Ash Dieback Disease as it was increasingly evident from experience and the latest scientific advice that eradication of Ash Dieback disease was no longer feasible. Pending completion of the review, the Department moved away from a mandatory sanitation requirement approach while continuing annual premium payments to affected forest owners. While the main scheme was closed to new applications, Circular 6 of 2018 advised that any applications received after the date of the circular would be brought forward to the new scheme. The Woodland Improvement Scheme (WIS) also remained available to plantation owners.
The focus of the review was on the policy approach and associated support schemes, considering the move away from Ash Dieback eradication and bringing ash plantation management into focus. The review included further consideration of damage level evaluation together with inclusion of a broader range of silvicultural and management options. This new approach was circulated for stakeholder consultation in December 2019 and a total of 18 submissions were received in reply.
All submissions were carefully considered, and meetings held with stakeholders to finalise a revised scheme document. The Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback) was announced on the 10th June 2020 and applications could be submitted from the 22nd June 2020.
To date, the Department has received 339 applications for RUS for 1,364ha, of which 83 have been approved for 280ha.
The objectives of the scheme are to encourage the active management of ash plantations, to promote the vigorous growth of ash through thinning and, where appropriate in young plantations and in cases of high disease infection, to support the removal of the affected ash crop and replacement with alternative species. The Scheme also aims to build resilience and diversity into plantations and possibly identify tolerant or resistant individuals. The scheme provides a suite of options that will give owners the opportunity to recover the maximum economic value possible from their affected ash plantations.
As the Scheme has been in operation for a year, it is timely to assess the response to the Scheme. One question which has arisen is the availability of management options for plantations greater than 25 years of age. After careful consideration I have now revised these management options as set out in Circular 12/2021 of 23rd July 2021, which is published on gov.ie. All ash plantations which exceed 7m top height with a medium level of stem infection are now eligible for under-planting and with high level stem infection are now eligible for reconstitution. This change brings sites over 25 year of age into the Scheme. In addition we will now review any applications that have been received since 22nd June, 2020 and have been refused as they were over 25 years of age, and a fresh decision will issue. This will include a review of the application of the person named whose application was outside the 25 years threshold.
The age of a forest is described as the number of growing seasons since initial planting or natural regeneration, in accordance with the definition provided in my Department’s latest Ireland’s National Forest Inventory from 2017. Statistics provided in this inventory indicate that nearly half of the stocked forest estate in Ireland is less than 20 years of age with a higher proportion of broadleaves in young forests due to higher levels of broadleaf afforestation over recent decades and natural regeneration. Approximately 70,000 ha of Ireland’s total broadleaf forests are over 30 years of age. The statistics do not provide a breakdown of broadleaf species per age class.
