Written Answers Nos. 644-663
644. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the number of public short stay beds available on 1 January 2020, 1 January 2021 and 1 October 2021 by service type; the average number available on any one day in 2020 and 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49797/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
645. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if approval will be given to the reopening of the daycare centre in Clonakilty Community Hospital (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49803/21]
View answer646. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health when the respite care centre at Clonakilty Community Hospital will be reopened; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49804/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 645 and 646 together.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
647. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been brought to a recent academic study (details supplied) which has concluded that continued effort is needed around the awareness and implementation of the sodium valproate pregnancy prevention programme; his plans to address the findings of this study; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49856/21]
View answerSodium valproate, sold under the brand name Epilim, is an approved medication for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder in Ireland; for some patients suffering from these conditions, in particular epilepsy, it may be the only effective or tolerated treatment option. Based on the totality of available scientific data on this drug, it is now known that children exposed in utero are at a high risk of serious developmental disorders (up to 30-40% of cases) and congenital malformations (in approximately 10% of cases).
To help prevent exposure during pregnancy, there is a robust regulatory framework for the licensed use of Epilim in women of childbearing potential. This regulatory framework was strengthened in Ireland and the EU following two reviews conducted by the European Medicines Agency in 2014 and 2017.
Details of a proposed stakeholder group to address the ongoing concerns of women of childbearing potential in Ireland who are being prescribed valproate-containing medicines is currently under consideration by Department of Health officials.
648. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if he will investigate and advise on reports that the Primary Care Reimbursement Service is not paying rural general practitioners for the service they provide on Saturday mornings; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49857/21]
View answerUnder the General Medical Services (GMS) contract, GPs are reimbursed for a range of services they provide to medical card and GP visit card holders on behalf of the Health Service Executive. GPs are remunerated for these services primarily on a capitation basis, with a range of additional support payments and fees for specific items of service.
Under the GMS contract, GPs are required to be available for consultation by eligible persons at his/her approved surgery or surgeries and for domiciliary visiting for a total of 40 hours each week on five days or more in the week, by agreement with the Health Service Executive.
As the payment of GPs under the GMS contract is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
650. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of children and young persons on waiting lists for an assessment of need in each HSE region. [49868/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Question No. 651 answered with Question No. 638.
652. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of women registered as farmers by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49092/21]
View answerGender equality is a cross-cutting objective of the new Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) 2023-2027 and a priority for my Department. I continue to engage extensively with stakeholders on the future of CAP, including on supports to promote gender equality.
In addition, the recently published Food Vision 2030 recognises the importance of gender balance to the long-term sustainability of the agri-food sector, and includes actions to promote and improve gender balance at all levels, including at senior management and board level. It is available via the following link gov.ie - Food Vision 2030 – A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems (www.gov.ie)
The table below details the number of females with an active herd owner role registered with my Department. This is based on those customer records where gender is recorded and includes registrations where the woman has an active herd owner role either on her own or in a joint venture. It should be noted that gender is not recorded on customer records where a herd owner belongs to a company and therefore this data excludes women who are farming in a company arrangement.
|
County |
No. of Female Farmers |
|
Carlow |
404 |
|
Cavan |
771 |
|
Clare |
1,156 |
|
Cork |
2,942 |
|
Donegal |
1,633 |
|
Dublin |
490 |
|
Galway |
2,323 |
|
Kerry |
1,356 |
|
Kildare |
831 |
|
Kilkenny |
644 |
|
Laois |
514 |
|
Leitrim |
767 |
|
Limerick |
1,058 |
|
Longford |
452 |
|
Louth |
371 |
|
Mayo |
2,280 |
|
Meath |
1,033 |
|
Monaghan |
618 |
|
Offaly |
507 |
|
Roscommon |
975 |
|
Sligo |
858 |
|
Tipperary |
1,438 |
|
Waterford |
610 |
|
Westmeath |
645 |
|
Wexford |
1,080 |
|
Wicklow |
751 |
|
TOTAL |
26,507 |
653. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the average payment per hectare including greening paid to women farmers by county in each of the years 2016 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49093/21]
View answerThe information requested by the Deputy is currently being prepared and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy when it is availalbe.
654. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he plans to take to deal with ash dieback in trees across the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49223/21]
View answerThe Department has had a reconstitution scheme for Ash Dieback available for a number of years. The existing scheme, the Reconstitution Ash Dieback Scheme closed to new applications from 12th April 2018.
At the same time, the 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.
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.
Last June, the Department carried out an assessment of the response to the Scheme. One question that had arisen is the availability of management options for plantations greater than 25 years of age.
After careful consideration I revised these management options and would like to note, 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.
To date (1st October), the Department has received 386 applications for 1,557.85ha, of which decisions have issued on 125 apps for 431.57ha.
655. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which projects that fall within the aegis of his Department and are within the revised National Development Plan are at an advanced stage at present or are in course thereof; the extent to which preliminary work has taken place or on-site works are in hand or proposed; the expected delivery date of each; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49247/21]
View answerThe National Development Plan (NDP) 2018-2027 allows the Department to map out the development of the agri-food sector as we emerge from the pandemic and continue to deal with the challenges posed by Brexit.
Ireland’s Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2014-2020 has been extended to 2022 and will provide €1.5bn of support to rural communities in Ireland over its remaining lifetime.
Our CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) for the period 2023-2027 will underpin the sustainable development of Ireland’s farming and food sector. I expect that the On-farm Capital Investment Scheme under Ireland’s 2023-2027 CSP will aid farmers looking to invest in capital projects on their farms.
Major development projects in Castletownbere, Howth and Killybegs have commenced and, while all have been delayed somewhat due to COVID-19 restrictions, they are expected to be completed in early 2022. Preparatory work is ongoing for other projects including a major dredging project in Howth which is currently at planning stage.
Overall, a capital investment programme of up to €180 million across all six Fishery Harbour Centres, at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Dingle, Ros an Mhíl and Killybegs, encompassing ongoing safety and maintenance and necessary new developments is envisaged for commencement up to 2025.
A publicly funded capital programme for afforestation beyond the lifetime of the current Forestry Programme will be provided for under this NDP which will help achieve the afforestation targets in the Climate Action Plan.
Public capital investments in the agri-food sector will seek to support the sustainable development of the sector in accordance with the ambition in the Food Vision 2030. These objectives will be aided by the EU Common Agricultural and Common Fisheries Policies operating after 2020 which are expected to focus on these sectors in a way that delivers enhanced economic, environmental and social sustainability, with a particular emphasis on climate change mitigation and adaptation actions.
656. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of afforestation planted in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49265/21]
View answerForestry licences have a validity period of three years from the date of issue.
The final decision to plant trees, when a site is approved, rests with the landowner and the Scheme is voluntary. At present, there is 5,700ha available to plant, with a valid approval to do so. I would encourage any landowner with a valid approval to go ahead and plant.
The Department provides various forestry statistics, in its pages on the Government of Ireland website, including the areas of afforestation. In 2020, the Department paid for 2,433ha of newly established afforestation.
657. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to deal with the rising tide of animal cruelty; the number of cases that have been prosecuted on indictment for animal cruelty; the number of sentences of imprisonment that have been imposed for the mistreatment of animals in the past five years; the average fine imposed upon conviction in the past 12 months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49343/21]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine has always been clear and consistent, and the Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare, committing to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013.
Trends from the number and nature of animal welfare complaints received by my Department, and indicators from on farm welfare inspections, do not support the assertion that there is a 'rising 'tide' in incidents of animal cruelty.
Neglect of, or causing unnecessary suffering to animals, is not acceptable and where instances of abuse, cruelty or neglect of animals are encountered, evidence is gathered and where appropriate those responsible are prosecuted through the Courts.
In addition to continued and vigorous enforcement of the law, the Department is committed to a policy of education and awareness-building in order to prevent animal welfare issues arising. Significant animal welfare related measures have been advanced recently within the scope of our national Animal Welfare Strategy 2021-2025, Working Together for Animal Welfare. The Strategy is backed by resources and expertise within the Department and involves dialogue and cooperation with other Government Departments and Agencies, with stakeholders and with civil society. Furthermore, I established a dedicated Animal Welfare Division within my Department earlier this year to drive the initiatives outlined in the strategy.
To cite just a few examples: in December 2020, I announced record funding of €3.2 million to animal welfare organisations - an increase of over 10% on 2019. The Programme for Government includes an undertaking to double our funding on animal welfare in line with policy priorities, and I am fully committed to this undertaking.
The Control of Horses Act 1996 is under review and the Department continues to support several urban horse projects nationwide, bringing education on all aspects of equine welfare to people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council has been re-launched, and a new Advisory Council on Companion Animal Welfare has been established and will convene this month.
The Department continues to enforce the law in this important area along with An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, and authorised officers from the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Offences under the Act may be prosecuted in the District Court by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, local authorities and member of An Garda Síochána. Matters tried on indictment are the remit of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in the normal manner and I refer the Deputy to the DPP for number of prosecutions on indictment.
At the suit of the Minister, in the past five years, eleven persons have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment which were suspended in nine cases. The Probation Act was applied in eight instances.
The average fine imposed for persons prosecuted over the past 12 months was approximately €1,640.
658. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of whole-time equivalent persons assigned to wildlife management within the district veterinary office in Waterford tasked to manage all aspects of the TB eradication scheme, in particular the management of wild badger numbers; the changes plus or minus within that recruitment resource number over the past five years; his views on whether the scheme is adequately resourced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49375/21]
View answerThe Department is committed to ensuring that a skilled and motivated workforce is in place to meet its priority business needs and utilises workforce planning to identify and address these needs for all our locations.
Technical staff assigned to Regional Veterinary offices carry out a range of functions, among which include the oversight and management of the wildlife programme. The assignment of staff to various duties varies from time to time reflecting changing business needs, seasonal variations in activities and disease situations. Whilst business activity is not always confined to staff head-quartered in specific locations, the table below seeks to represent the estimated Full Time Equivalent (FTE) assignment of technical staff based in Waterford to wildlife management in the past number of years.
|
2017 |
2018 |
2019 |
2020 |
2021 |
|
|
No. of FTE |
2.2 |
2.2 |
1.8 |
1.5 |
1 |
Arising from the recent departure of a number of technical staff from the Waterford, the Department is currently recruiting officers for the area where immediate priority will be given to TB eradication programme, including the wildlife programme.
659. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the veterinary resources that are made available by his Department to the managing of the TB eradication scheme which manages badger monitoring, vaccination and culling operations to inhibit the spread of the disease; if these are resourced personnel Department employees or in the service outsourced; the level of badger culling activity per year that has taken place in the country by badger number over the past five years up to the present month; the percentage of overall badger population that this represents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49376/21]
View answerResources are applied to the Wildlife Programme in two ways; Technical agricultural officers oversee the surveying for badger setts in terms of finding those setts and determining the level of activity at those sites. They also oversee the capturing of badgers by contract staff for both badger culling and vaccination.
Veterinary Inspectors anaesthetise and vaccinate badgers in the vaccination zones. There are currently 41.5 FTE technical DAFM staff dedicated to wildlife duties. There are 134 outsourced contract staff engaged in surveying or capture activity on a full time or part time basis currently. The veterinary vaccination needs are serviced by the Regional Veterinary Office DAFM Veterinary Inspectorate of 133 FTEs as part of their duties.
The numbers relating to the Deputy's question on culling are contained in the table below.
|
Year |
Number of badgers culled |
|
2021 to date |
4,036 |
|
2020 |
4,803 |
|
2019 |
5,254 |
|
2018 |
5,589 |
|
2017 |
5,818 |
|
2016 |
6,162 |
A recent scientific paper estimated the current badger population at 63,188
DAFM is currently committed to reducing badger culling in favour of badger vaccination which is more sustainable in the long term for both ecological and disease reasons, in line with the Programme for Government commitment Badger culling has been demonstrated to be an effective in reducing the burden of bovine TB on Irish family farms for over 20 years.
This is possible because badger vaccination has been demonstrated to be effective in reducing badger-to-badger TB transmission and not to be inferior to badger culling when introduced to areas with low badger densities and reduced prevalence of TB.
The current policy is to vaccinate badgers to prevent disease outbreaks and to cull badgers where necessary in response to outbreaks in areas where epidemiological investigations have demonstrated the link between badgers and TB breakdowns on cattle farms. Areas where badger culling may previously have taken place are being incorporated into the badger vaccination programme on an ongoing basis but only when any underlying disease spread to cattle from wildlife has been suppressed. This approach is consistent with peer-reviewed scientific modelling studies relating to the UK and Ireland Currently badger vaccination zones cover 19,079 Km2 .
660. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of cattle slaughtered from controlled finishing units in September 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49398/21]
View answerControlled Finishing Units as part of the TB Eradication Programme are subject to enhanced biosecurity measures and can only sell direct to slaughter.
Kill numbers (rounded) at EU approved slaughter plants originating in Controlled Finishing Units in September 2021 will only be available in the latter half of October 2021.
The figures are published on the Department's section of the gov.ie website on a monthly basis. The figures for a previous month only become available midway through the following month. See link below for the current figures available to date in 2021.
www.gov.ie/en/collection/f55f2-bovine-birth-and-movements-monthly-reports/#kill-numbers-at-eu-approved-slaughter-plants-originating-in-controlled-finishing-units
661. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quantities of chilled and frozen beef imported from Poland in 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49472/21]
View answerBelow are the data from the CSO outlining the quantities of chilled and frozen beef imported from Poland in 2020 and for the period of Jan- July 2021. For context, in 2020 Ireland exported 550,000 tonnes of beef primarily to the UK and EU markets.
Jan - July 2021
|
Country |
Tonnes |
|
|
Poland |
Chilled |
96 |
|
Frozen |
83 |
Jan - Dec 2020
|
Country |
Tonnes |
|
|
Poland |
Chilled |
604 |
|
Frozen |
150 |
662. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when persons (details supplied) in County Kerry will receive their 2021 area of natural constrains payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49483/21]
View answerAn application for participation in the 2021 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme was received from the persons named on 11th May 2021.
Following the completion of all the relevant administration checks by the Department, advance payment under the 2021 ANC scheme to the persons named has been processed and will be lodged to their nominated bank account shortly.
663. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if salmon farm licences that have ceased to operate at sites for a continuous period of more than two years will be revoked; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49502/21]
View answerSection 69 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 1997 (Revised) sets out inter alia, the circumstances in which an aquaculture licence may be revoked including where aquaculture has ceased for a continuous period of 2 years. The Deputy should be aware however, that Section 69 of the relevant legislation also provides for the non-revocation of such an aquaculture licence in circumstances where the Minister, in accordance with the provisions of this legislation considers it appropriate.
