Written Answers Nos. 372-391
372. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of persons with diabetes over 18 years of age attending the University Limerick Hospitals Group's adult diabetes service who are using insulin pump therapy to manage their condition; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47392/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
373. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the number of funding applications for persons with diabetes over 21 years of age that were rejected by the long-term illness scheme and the primary care reimbursement service for the FreeStyle Libre glucose monitoring system; and the number of those rejections that are now being funded for devices (details supplied) through the PCRS in each of the years 2018 to 2020 and to date in 2021, in tabular form. [47393/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
374. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health when the current application process for the HSE insulin pumps tendering contract will be completed; when the new list of insulin pumps will be sent to the community drug schemes; the locations patients will have access to it; the estimated timeline of the process from product review to inclusion on the PCRS; the expert group that reviews the insulin pumps; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47395/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
375. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if his Department has received a pre-budget submission from an organisation (details supplied); if consideration will be given to the submission in the context of Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47435/21]
View answerThe implementation of the National Cancer Strategy is a Programme for Government commitment, and is part of the implementation of Sláintecare. We have seen significant progress on the implementation of the Strategy over the past four years, with clear evidence-based policy direction from my Department and strong implementation by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme.
As part of Budget 2021, an extra €20m was allocated for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy this year. Additional funding of €12m was also allocated this year for the restoration of cancer services to 95% of 2019 (pre-Covid) levels. This funding is being used to support hospitals in addressing backlogs, extending clinic times, providing additional clinics, increasing diagnostic capacity and providing locum/temporary support.
It is important that our focus remains on the implementation of the National Cancer Strategy across the areas of prevention, diagnosis, treatment and patient supports, as well as on supporting cancer services to progress against the background of Covid-19, and the impact of the ransomware attack on the health service in May 2021.
Decisions on the funding of cancer services next year will be made in the context of Budget 2022. The Irish Cancer Society has presented a pre-budget submission and I can assure you that their views will be taken into account in the Service Planning process for next year.
376. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the total sum spent on, by or through or allocated to the National Treatment Purchase Fund since its inception by year to date; the number of procedures it facilitated in each year to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47439/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is being collated by Department officials and a deferred reply will be submitted within ten working days
377. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of patients who are not receiving their allocated numbers of hours of home care support; the number of hours they are short for the months January to September 2021 in the CHO1 area in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47445/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
378. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of homecare service hours being provided to HSE patients in CHO1 by private agency staff; the cost associated with same each month from January to September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47446/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
379. Deputy Martin Kenny asked the Minister for Health the number of vacancies in home care supports services in CHO1 as of 1 September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47447/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
380. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he has a strategy for the early diagnosis and control of diabetes; the age levels at which such a strategy might be adopted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47456/21]
View answerThe National Framework for the Integrated Prevention and Management of Chronic Disease in Ireland 2020-2025, sets out a national framework for an integrated approach to the prevention and management of chronic disease in Ireland over the coming years. The framework was developed in relation to four major chronic diseases including type 2 diabetes.
The Model of Integrated Care for Patients with Type 2 Diabetes recommends screening for diabetes in asymptomatic patients who are at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Early identification of patients and initiation of treatment can reduce the development of complications of diabetes.
Early detection of chronic disease requires clinical suspicion combined with case finding. The Chronic Disease Management Programme, introduced by the 2019 GP GMS Agreement, includes an opportunistic case finding programme to identify eligible patients at high risk of chronic disease (cardiovascular disease, COPD, asthma and/or diabetes). Patients identified as having a chronic disease are included in the structured treatment programme. Patients at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease or diabetes are provided with an annual preventive consultation.
A number of programmes and strategies support diabetes prevention for the wider population, including the Making Every Contact Count Programme through which health professionals encourage patients to make healthier lifestyle choices during routine contacts to help prevent and manage chronic diseases, and Healthy Ireland’s A Healthy Weight for Ireland: Obesity Policy and Action Plan which recognises obesity as a significant risk factor for type 2 diabetes.
Other relevant programmes focus on children’s health and early intervention, such as the Healthy Ireland Smart Start, the HSE’s National Healthy Childhood Programme, and the provision of free GP for all children under six which includes two periodic wellness checks that focus on health and wellbeing and disease prevention.
381. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the number of persons diagnosed with various forms of diabetes in Ireland; the number and treatment; the extent to which the disease can be removed as a major threat to health; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47457/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
382. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding that has gone from the carbon tax 2021 to the REPS-2 programme to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47241/21]
View answerThe Department was allocated €23m of carbon tax funding in Budget 2021. This funding was allocated to pilot projects to prepare for the new programme to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a greener and more sustainable way. An amount of €20m was provided for the new REAP project, a results-based agri-environment pilot project that aims to test the feasibility of scaling up lessons learned from the current Rural Development Programme. This project rewards farmers for good agricultural practices and includes a results-based payment system with higher rates paid to those achieving higher environmental outcomes. This two-year pilot project was approved by the European Commission in May 2021, and payments will commence later in 2021.
The remaining €3m, which is the capital element of the allocation, is being utilised to increase the knowledge base and baseline data for climate and environment, identifying our carbon rich soils through a peat mapping project, a soil moisture monitoring network, and the monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions on farmed lands.
I am committed to bringing a scheme that will support farmers and help the environment.
383. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will ensure that live exports from Ireland only go to countries with the highest of animal welfare standards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47264/21]
View answerThe vast majority of animals exported from Ireland travel to the EU, which is governed by the same animal welfare legislation as Ireland. A small percentage (less than 3% of bovines to date in 2021) are exported to non-EU countries. Ireland does not set the standards for animal welfare in third country markets, which are set by that country's government.
The Department, however, in cooperation with our EU partners, works closely with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) with a view to improving animal welfare practices worldwide. The OIE is the global standard setting body relating to animal health and animal welfare. It is through this forum that we influence standards in other countries.
Ireland has been a member of the OIE European Platform Steering Committee on Animal Welfare since its creation in 2013 and has offered technical inputs for the development of the OIE Platform action plans. To support these activities, Ireland has also provided financial supports in recent years.
All live export shipments from Ireland are conducted in full compliance with legislative requirements. All proposed journeys must be notified to the Regional Veterinary Office in advance, and veterinary certification will only be provided where the journey complies with all animal transport and animal welfare regulations.
The export of animals is a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry. It plays a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its critical importance to the agri-sector, while ensuring that live animal exports meet the highest welfare standards.
384. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to ensure that regulations will not be introduced here that will make it more difficult for farmers to obtain medical remedies by forcing them to seek prescriptions from vets which will cost the farmer more and impact on local co-ops that currently sell these items; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47315/21]
View answerIn line with findings from a 2019 Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) Expert Task Force Report, antiparasitic veterinary medicines no longer meet exemption criteria in EU law which permits them to be supplied without a veterinary prescription. Therefore, from 28th January 2022 antiparasitic veterinary medicines will require a veterinary prescription before they can be supplied.
All current suppliers of antiparasitic veterinary medicines will continue to be legally permitted to supply these medicines post January 2022. The Department is actively working with all stakeholders to sustain a competitive market for the supply of these products. The ambition is to ensure Irish farmers are empowered to purchase medicines from their supplier of choice. Initiatives such as the development of a National Veterinary Prescribing System (NVPS) will help deliver on this ambition. The NVPS will result in a prescription being made available to a farmer by choice of email or text. Farmers can then engage with Licensed Merchants, veterinary pharmacists or their veterinary practitioner in getting their prescription dispensed.
385. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will set out in specific details his plans to allocate revenue generated from the carbon tax to farmers; the timeline for this distribution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47316/21]
View answerThe allocation of carbon tax funding over the coming years will be a matter for the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and the Government to determine through the annual budgetary estimates process. I will be engaging with the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to ensure that the Programme for Government commitment of €1.5bn of additional funding to encourage and incentivise farmers to farm in a more environmentally sustainable way is made available over the period 2020-2030. This funding will be additional to funding under the Common Agricultural Policy. The specific use of these additional funds will be detailed in the Government’s implementation programme for the new Common Agricultural Policy 2023 – 2027, and in subsequent plans to 2030.
386. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will intervene with the Minister for Finance to ensure the extension of stamp duty relief and stock relief for young farmers in Budget 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47339/21]
View answerWhile taxation policy is primarily the responsibility of my colleague the Minister for Finance, I work closely with him to ensure that it is consistent with the Government's priorities for the agri-food and marine sector.
Two taxation measures, Stamp Duty Relief for Young Trained Farmers and Stock Relief, are due to expire on 31st December 2021. My Department has been consulted by the Department of Finance in the course of their review of these important measures in preparation for Budget 2022.
387. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the inclusion of drone purchase in the TAMS programme to assist eligible farmers in herd and flock management, in land management and in farm security; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47352/21]
View answerThere are a wide variety of items available under the suite of seven measures under TAMS. However, funding for drone purchase to assist eligible farmers in herd and flock management, in land management and in farm security is not included. To date, total expenditure under the seven measures of the TAMS, including transitional expenditure, has reached in excess of €311m with commitments of an additional €145m made to scheme participants who have yet to draw down those grants.
Some 44,273 applications have been approved under the scheme. All outstanding approvals issued represent potential outstanding liabilities for the Department and we must have a budget in place to pay these claims. As a result, it is not possible to consider adding additional items such as drones to the comprehensive list of investment items already available under TAMS.
Work on the preparation of the overall draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 (CSP) has intensified in the Department. Development of the plan involves a number of stages, including SWOT analysis, needs assessment, intervention design, financial allocations, target setting (including monitoring) and governance systems. The draft CSP is also subject to an ex-ante evaluation, Strategic Environmental Assessment and Appropriate Assessment including a public consultation on the draft CSP and draft Environmental Report.
The Department has recently completed a five-week public consultation on the proposed draft interventions for the CSP 2023-2027 with over 1,000 responses received. Department officials are currently considering these proposals as the CSP is developed. I am currently consulting with farmers and other stakeholders on the content of the CSP at a series of mart meetings. I will continue to engage with farmers and all stakeholders as we develop our CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027.
388. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a matter (details supplied) regarding governance of semi-State organisations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47364/21]
View answerCoillte is operationally independent of my Department and the management of their forest estate is a matter for the company.
I have therefore forwarded this issue to Coillte for their attention and any direct follow-up with the individual concerned.
389. Deputy Kieran O'Donnell asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a felling licence application by a person (details supplied); if the licence will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47367/21]
View answerThe Department recently completed the initial ecological assessment on a tree felling licence application for the person named. The application was then made opened for public consultation. That 30 days consultation has now closed and the application has been reassigned to the Department’s Ecology Unit.
The ecological assessment will now be completed, and the application will be returned for final review, recommendations and decision. I expect a decision to issue shortly.
390. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he will take immediately to protect fish stock in Ireland’s inshore waters following the recent ruling in the Court of Appeal on the ban on large trawlers fishing in inshore waters; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47372/21]
View answerIn December 2018, the Minister announced that vessels over 18m will be excluded from trawling in inshore waters inside the six nautical mile zone from 1st January 2020. A transition period of three years for vessels over 18m targeting sprat was allowed to enable adjustment for these vessels, as the sprat fishery is concentrated in this area. Policy Directive 1 of 2019 was introduced in March 2019 to give effect to the changes.
A Judicial Review was taken by two applicant fishers challenging the validity of the Policy Directive. On 6th October 2020, the High Court judgment held that the Policy Directive was made in breach of fair procedures and is void and/or of no legal effect. The Minister appealed the decision to the Court of Appeal and a full hearing took place on 22nd June last. Judgment on the case is reserved.
The Minister also sought an extension on the stay on the order of the High Court, which was granted by the Court of Appeal on 19th March last, reinstating the Policy Directive. On 23rd September last, the Court of Appeal refused the Minister's application to continue the stay.
As the matter is sub judice, I cannot comment further until the matter can be resolved before the Courts.
391. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if any of the mini-woodland planting under the new agri-environmental Hares Corner project requires an afforestation licence; if there is specific forestry profession input into the various silvicultural practices involved in the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47383/21]
View answerThe Hares Corner project is operationally independent of my Department and is run by the Hares Corner project team. €71,760 has been allocated by my Department to this project under the RDP.
None of the mini-woodland planting in the Hare's Corner Project will require an afforestation license as the areas to be planted will essentially be small field corners or extensions of hedgerows etc. None will exceed, and most will be much less than, 0.1ha in size - the current permissible limit for woodland planting without a license. The project group will be guided at all times by inputs from a registered professional forester who is also a member of the Operational Group of the project.
