Written Answers Nos. 263-277
263. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health when Ireland will fully implement the WHO Code of Marketing for breastfeeding; the efforts which have been made to date to address ethical concerns regarding the advertisement of formula milk for babies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45729/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
264. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health his views on the fact that the HSE board of members rejected the proposed governance structure of the new national maternity hospital for fear it will give control of the facility to a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45731/21]
View answerThe Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government. Significant progress has been made on the capital project, with planning permission for the hospital secured in 2017 and, in 2018, the awarding of the contract for substantial enabling works.
As I have made clear previously, I am committed to ensure that there is no religious ethos brought to bear in the provision of public maternity and gynaecology services which would restrict the provision of all legally permissible services in the new hospital. I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it achieves this, and in addition, safeguards the State’s investment in the new hospital.
The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which was finalised in 2016 following an extensive mediation process between the NMH and St. Vincent’s Healthcare Group (SVHG). A draft legal framework has been developed to copperfasten the clinical and operational independence of the new hospital, and to ensure the protection of the State’s investment. The draft legal arrangements have of course been, and continue to be, the subject of very detailed consideration by the HSE Board, as would be expected. Work is ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements, as part of which I have engaged further with stakeholders. However, as I have clarified previously, I will not be making any further comment on the nature of this engagement until the process has concluded.
266. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Health the number of the 24 lactation consultant posts that have been filled: the locations in which they have been made; if these positions have been filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45745/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
267. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide clarification on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45280/21]
View answerThe person named submitted an application for the 2021 Areas of Natural Constraints scheme on 15th March 2021.
In order to qualify for payment under the scheme, an applicant must first satisfy a number of criteria in relation to their stocking levels. Applicants must satisfy a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare (the equivalent of one ewe per hectare) for seven consecutive months, as well as maintaining an annual average stocking density of 0.15 livestock units per eligible forage hectare for the 2021 calendar year.
While at the commencement of the issuing of 2021 ANC advance payments, the person named had not yet satisfied the stocking criteria set out above, I am pleased to confirm that they have since satisfied these requirements. The application has now been processed and payment will be lodged to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.
268. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department’s IT infrastructure is monitored for security breaches on a 24/7 basis; the guidance provided from Government on same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45304/21]
View answerThe Department implements a security-by-design and defence-in-depth approach to cyber security and has attained the industry security standard ISO27001 certification since 2019.
For operational and security reasons, the Department has been advised by the National Cyber Security Centre not to disclose details of the Department's cyber security arrangements. It is not considered appropriate to disclose particular arrangements in place in relation to IT security tools and services.
269. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken by his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within his Department who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; his plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45361/21]
View answer270. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps taken by agencies under the remit of his Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within these agencies who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; if there are plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45378/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 269 and 270 together.
I propose to take these PQs together which deal with the issue of remote working at Departmental and Agency level respectively.
Throughout the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, Government Departments and agencies have operated in line with the Government’s public health guidance to work from home, where it was possible to do so. To facilitate this, my Department equipped the staff who could conduct their duties remotely with IT hardware and software, including laptops, phones and software licences. Many staff in various locations around the country, for example in meat plants, laboratories, IT support, Border Inspection Posts and Fishery Harbour Centres were deemed essential workers and continued to work from their normal place of employment to support these essential services.
The Department made provision for over 4,000 people (includes contracted staff) to have remotely working capabilities, while all staff have access to appropriate videoconferencing services.
As we emerge from the COVID-19 crisis, the Department is facilitating a meaningful transition back to the normal place of work, particularly for staff who have been working from home for the majority of the period in question. This involves a gradual phased return of staff to the workplace and will be done in accordance with prevailing public health advice. This transition phase will involve for many staff a blend of remote working and attendance in the workplace.
A central policy framework for blended working in the civil service will be finalised in conjunction with employee representatives in the course of the coming months. This framework will inform the development of organisation-level blended working policies, tailored to the specific requirements of each Department/Office, whilst ensuring a consistency of approach across key policy areas.
Following the transition phase out of the current COVID-19 related arrangements, it is intended that the Department will introduce a blended working policy in April 2022, in line with the timeframe agreed by Government. The purpose of this Departmental policy will be to facilitate an element of remote working, in tandem with attendance at the workplace, within a formalised structure which supports the business needs of the Department. Staff will be entitled to apply for blended working, and all applications will be considered bearing in mind the suitability of the applicant and the role for blended working arrangements, as well as the needs of the relevant team and business area.
Work is ongoing on the development of the policy and this will continue to involve significant and appropriate consultation with key stakeholders, including staff, unions and management, prior to agreement, publication and implementation. Engagement with the state agencies under the aegis of my Department has been ongoing, with a view to facilitating a broad consistency of approach, and this engagement will be maintained
The information sought by the Deputy in relation to the support from the twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department on the implementation of the national remote work strategy, Making Remote Work, is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves, and I have referred the question to them for direct reply.
271. Deputy Marc MacSharry asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Leitrim will receive a decision on their application for a tree felling licence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45612/21]
View answerAn application for a tree felling licence, for the person named was received in February 2021. I understand the application was initially forwarded to the Department’s Archaeology Unit and an archaeologist’s report has been finalised. This application will now be processed by the Forestry District Inspector this week.
If any further information required, my Department will make contact directly with the applicant.
272. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degrees and qualifications his Department accepts in order to exempt persons from having to complete a green certificate to meet the requirements of a qualified farmer for the purposes of all of his Department and Revenue Commissioners schemes. [45700/21]
View answerFor the purposes of meeting educational eligibility criteria for Trained Farmer status to qualify for Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine supports and Revenue exemptions, persons are required to hold an approved/ eligible qualification.
The current qualification listings can be found in Revenue Leaflet SD2B- Stamp Duty Exemption – Transfers of Land to Young Trained Farmers. Awards in the fields of agriculture, horticulture, equine and forestry are deemed equal status in terms eligibility for Trained Farmer status.
273. Deputy Imelda Munster asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if her Department’s IT infrastructure is monitored for security breaches on a 24/7 basis; the guidance provided from Government on same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45317/21]
View answerMy Department's ICT managed service is provided by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform through the Office of the Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO).
The OGCIO's IT Infrastructure has a breadth of infrastructure monitoring in place and provides a 24/7 service. However, for operational security reasons, neither the OGCIO nor my Department is in a position to provide further details of its cyber security systems as it would be inappropriate to disclose information that may in any way assist those with malicious intent.
Guidance from Government in relation to ICT security is a matter for the National Cyber Security Centre.
274. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she has plans to introduce a further tranche of community enhancement programme funding given that community centres are incurring additional expense as they move towards reopening within the public health restrictions of the day; the amounts paid to each local authority under the previous tranche of community enhancement programme funding announced in May 2021; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45357/21]
View answerThe Community Enhancement Programme (CEP) was first launched by my Department in 2018. The Programme provides funding to community groups and organisations across Ireland, with a focus on areas of disadvantage. Funding is provided to each Local Authority area, and the programme is administered by the Local Community Development Committees (LCDC) on the basis of local need.
Between 2018 and the end of 2020 the CEP funded over 8,000 projects across the country.
I launched the 2021 CEP on the 10th May with an allocation of €4.5m. The key theme was to support groups as they reopen facilities which were closed due to COVID-19. The 2021 CEP is now closed to applicants and depending on the Local Authority area, LCDCs have either assessed applications for funding or are assessing applications at present.
While there are currently no plans for another tranche of the CEP in 2021, I will consider allocating additional funding from other funding lines within my Department to support community centres and community groups as they move towards reopening.
The Funds allocated to each LCDC area for the 2021 CEP launched on 10th May is set out in the table below.
|
LCDC |
2021 CEP |
|
Carlow |
€134,206 |
|
Cavan |
€134,757 |
|
Clare |
€139,257 |
|
Cork City |
€153,703 |
|
Cork |
€156,299 |
|
Donegal |
€159,461 |
|
Dublin City |
€212,306 |
|
Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown |
€142,108 |
|
Fingal |
€150,521 |
|
Galway City |
€132,455 |
|
Galway County |
€143,401 |
|
Kerry |
€142,409 |
|
Kildare |
€148,013 |
|
Kilkenny |
€136,319 |
|
Laois |
€136,524 |
|
Leitrim |
€129,223 |
|
Limerick |
€152,942 |
|
Longford |
€132,385 |
|
Louth |
€145,542 |
|
Mayo |
€145,203 |
|
Meath |
€142,893 |
|
Monaghan |
€132,571 |
|
Offaly |
€138,550 |
|
Roscommon |
€133,301 |
|
Sligo |
€134,084 |
|
South Dublin |
€169,399 |
|
Tipperary |
€149,690 |
|
Waterford |
€144,499 |
|
Westmeath |
€136,571 |
|
Wexford |
€150,065 |
|
Wicklow |
€141,343 |
|
Total |
€4,500,000 |
275. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps taken by her Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within her Department who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; her plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45374/21]
View answerThe civil service has developed a comprehensive Blended Working Policy Framework which is currently being discussed with employee representatives and which will guide Civil Service employers on how to roll out the measures required in order to put blended working in place on a permanent basis and develop their own Blended Working policies.
The Department, like other civil service employers, has plans to transition staff back to the office in late September 2021, on a staggered basis. It is intended that our enduring Blending Working policy will come into effect in April 2022. Currently, 100% of my Department's staff have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely and this has been in place since March 2020 since the onset of the pandemic, and is established through the Office of Government Chief Information Officer (OGCIO) under the Office of Government Procurement Framework (OGP).
276. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps taken by agencies under the remit of her Department to support the implementation of the national remote work strategy Making Remote Work; the approximate number or percentage of staff within these agencies who have access to cloud services for remote videoconferencing and the capacity to work remotely; if there are plans to increase this percentage; the framework under which procurement for this is managed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45391/21]
View answerThe agencies under the remit of my Department are Pobal, Water Safety Ireland, the Western Development Commission and the Charities Regulatory Authority. All are independent legal entities, each with a Board of Management responsible for managing their own corporate affairs and staffing issues , including access to ICT supports, procurement and remote working arrangements.
277. D'fhiafraigh Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív den Aire Forbartha Tuaithe agus Pobail an bhfuil i gceist ag oifigigh na Roinne casadh le coiste (sonraí tugtha) go luath le forbairt na cé in Inis Meáin a phlé; agus an ndéanfaidh sí ráiteas ina thaobh. [45427/21]
View answerMar is eol don Teachta, is iad Comhairle Contae na Gaillimhe atá freagrach as céim a trí d’fhorbairt an Chaladh Mhóir ar Inis Meáin. Tá oifigigh mo Roinne i dteagmháil rialta leis an gComhairle Contae chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh ar an togra.
I mí Iúil thaistil grúpa chuig ionad an NMCI (National Marine College of Ireland) i gCorcaigh, áit ar tugadh taispeántas den ionsamhlú mara atá dá fhorbairt acu. Tuigim go raibh ionadaí ón gcoiste atá luaite ag an Teachta ina measc.
Tar éis seisiúin aiseolais, aontaíodh go ndéanfadh an NMCI tuilleadh forbairt ar an ionsamhlú, chun torthaí níos cuimsitheach a fháil, agus nuair atá sé sin déanta, seolfar cuireadh eile chuig na hionadaithe cuí. Is féidir liom a dheimhniú go bhfuil mo chuid oifigigh ar fáil chun bualadh le hionadaithe ón gcoiste ag aon am atá feiliúnach dhóibh.
