Written Answers Nos. 679-700
679. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the additional provision made for mental health in budget 2022; the additional services this will provide in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54635/21]
View answerBudget 2022 saw another record budget allocation for mental health services of €1.149 billion. An additional €47 million has been added to the Mental Health Services budget, comprising €24 million for new developments, €10 million for mental health initiatives in response to Covid and €13 million for existing level of service.
Separately, another €10 million is being made available in 2021, aimed at supporting the mental health sector.
The €24 million is being prioritised for the continued development of mental health services, including out of hours supports, CAMHS and mental health clinical programmes. It provides for the recruitment of 350 whole time equivalent staff. Mental health services for older people will also be developed, in line with the model of care for specialist mental health services for older people that will be piloted next year.
€6 million will be used to continue to enhance the capacity of community mental health teams, with a particular emphasis on CAMHS, while there will be €1.4 million in new funding for crisis resolution services. Another €1.15 million will be allocated to continue the roll out of specialist eating disorder teams in CHOs 1, 3, 5 and 6. Other initiatives include recovery focused supports, including peer supports, employment supports and recovery colleges.
The details of the initiatives to be funded will be finalised in the context of agreeing the HSE National Service Plan 2022.
680. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health his views on the 4,905 children who were referred to CAMHS in 2020 but deemed inappropriate; the reasons they did not receive treatment; the referral pathway for these children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54637/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
681. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a report on the 4,905 children who were referred to CAMHS in 2020 but deemed inappropriate by the number in each CHO area. [54638/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
682. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the steps being taken to ensure compliance with the Covid-19 regulations for pubs and restaurants; the number of compliance checks and enforcement actions taken to date; the number of staff deployed to ensure compliance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54642/21]
View answerThe Health Service Executive (HSE) and the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) were both identified as relevant bodies under the Health Act 1947 (Sections 31AB and 31AD) (Covid-19) (Operation of certain indoor premises) Regulations 2021 and are collaborating closely in relation to compliance activity.
I have been advised by the HSE that, in relation to the Indoor Dining Regulations and the expanded scope of premises under the Regulations, the HSE will ensure that Compliance Officers (COs) will be in place to conduct the necessary checks across the hospitality sector, including the night-time economy.
Over 300 HSE Environmental Health Officers are/were designated as COs under the Indoor Dining Regulations. This was to ensure COs were authorised and available in all counties.
The HSE is continuing to carry out COVID19 checks, using existing resources and on a risk prioritisation basis. Responsibility for compliance with this legislation rests in the first place with the business operator who must ensure that they are aware of their legal obligations and are fulfilling them. This includes the checking of EU Digital COVID Certificates across the hospitality sector before patrons enter business premises and verifying that the holder in each case is the person to whom the certificate refers.
HSE designated officers have been continuing to support, educate and encourage businesses and the public in the achievement of compliance with this important public health intervention.
Where additional measures or non-compliances have been identified, appropriate follow up and engagement is undertaken by the HSE’s COs to ensure compliance.
Where persistent non-compliance is observed, formal enforcement action is initiated by the HSE. This has resulted to date in the serving of 2 Written Directions and 1 Compliance Notice by the HSE and the granting of 1 Emergency Cessation Order by the District Court. The latter relates to a business operator in Galway.
HSE data available up to 8 November 2021 shows that 12,747 compliance checks have been undertaken by the HSE. Of these compliance checks, 3,204 related to operators who had chosen not to provide indoor hospitality facilities, whilst a further 1,592 related to business which it transpired were either not trading or were not accessible at the time of the visit.
In total, to date 7,951 compliance checks have been completed in businesses offering indoor dining under these regulations. Of these 7,951 checks:
- 70% (5,555) were found to be in compliance;
- 4% (293) were found to be non-compliant;
- 26% (2,103) were found to require additional compliance measures.
In businesses where additional measures were found to be required, HSE designated COs continue to actively engage and follow-up with business operators to ensure full compliance.
I have been advised by my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that up to 5 November 2021, the Health and Safety Authority (HSA) has undertaken 707 Compliance Checks in businesses under the Regulations.
Of the compliance checks completed:
- 96% of indoor operators were found to be in compliance;
- 4% of indoor operators were found to be in non-compliance;
- 15% of indoor operators required additional compliance measures;
- Enforcement action was taken in 2% of cases.
In addition to the above, preliminary figures for compliance checks done on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November indicate that there were approximately 45 checks completed.
The focus of the Compliance Checks is on supporting the relevant indoor operators to understand their responsibilities of ensuring only permitted persons who have provided a proof of immunity dine or drink indoors. Where additional measures or non-compliances were identified, appropriate follow up and engagement is being undertaken by the HSA’s COs.
The HSA has twelve COs who are all deployed in carrying out compliance checks during the week and at weekends. The HSA is looking to increase the number of Compliance Officers carry out compliance checks outside of normal working hours (After 18:00 PM Thursday & Fridays and on weekends Saturday & Sundays).
Where a person has a concern that the requirements of the regulations are not being complied with, they may communicate this via the HSELive helpline on 1800 700 700 (7 days a week).
683. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Health the number of authorised officers in each CHO nationwide in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54675/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
685. Deputy Chris Andrews asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) will be given a date for their pacemaker operation to take place. [54756/21]
View answerUnder the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
686. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Health the reason there are currently only three neurology nurse specialists at a hospital (details supplied); and his plans to increase the number of neurology nurse specialists at the hospital. [54757/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
687. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the date on which St. Vincent's Healthcare Group sought an operating licence from his Department for the proposed maternity hospital; if this licence is a condition of the lease on offer to Government of the land on which the new facility is to be built; if he will now publish both the lease and the licence; and, if not, the reason therefor. [54763/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, 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). The Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.
The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements and to ensure protection of the State’s investment. Under the draft legal framework the new hospital will be built on a site leased by the State from SVHG. The draft framework also provides for an Operating Licence to be issued by the HSE to NMH at Elm Park DAC and SVHG to facilitate the provision of health services in the new building.
Work is ongoing to finalise the legal arrangements. However, as I have clarified previously, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until this process has concluded.
688. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if the new draft constitution of St. Vincent's Healthcare Group which has been approved by the Charities Regulator and by the Revenue Commissioners has been submitted to his Department; if so, the date on which it was submitted; if this constitution forms part of the legal framework under discussion with his Department; and if the draft constitution will constrain the clinical guidance of the new hospital. [54764/21]
View answerI understand that the draft Constitution of SVHG has been published on the SVHG website.
The proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) were set out in the Mulvey Agreement. In regard to the question of any constraint on the clinical guidance of the new hospital, the Mulvey Agreement provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.
The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements and to ensure protection of the State’s investment. Work is ongoing towards the finalisation of the legal arrangements.
I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it affirms that the State’s investment in the new hospital is safeguarded, as well as providing assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. However, as I have stated previously, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until the process has concluded.
689. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if St. Vincent's Healthcare Group is a section 38 or a section 39 organisation; if St. Vincent's University Hospital and St. Michael's Hospital, Dún Laoghaire are currently funded under section 38 or section 39; if the funding arrangements that currently apply are to continue into the future; and, if not, the arrangements that are envisaged including with reference to the planned new maternity hospital. [54765/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
690. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the stage at which the preliminary business case in preparation by the national maternity hospital project board for the proposed new maternity hospital is; if the updated business case has been resubmitted to his Department; if, in line with the current public spending code, his Department has taken the view that the national maternity hospital business case needs to be presented three times, firstly for approval in principle, secondly for pre-tender approval and finally for approval to proceed; and the point in the process at which the national maternity hospital business case is to be submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform for review. [54766/21]
View answerThe Public Spending Code (PSC) is designed to ensure that investment decisions are underpinned by a clear policy rationale, and that costs are well understood. In 2019, the PSC was updated and introduced a new project lifecycle, tightening the arrangements for capital investment project decision-making, and clarifying the roles of the parties involved including the responsibilities for Sponsoring Agencies and Approving Authorities.
All capital development proposals must progress through several approval stages, in line with the new lifecycle approach of the updated PSC, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.
The specific requirements that must be included in a business case at the various stages of the PSC are detailed at www.gov.ie/en/publication/public-spending-code/
Whilst the National Maternity Hospital relocation project pre-dates the updated PSC requirements, the PSC requires that projects at appraisal stage are reviewed in line with, and must conform to, the requirements of the updated PSC and undergo the same level of scrutiny as new investment proposals.
The Project Board is undertaking additional work to ensure full compliance with all elements required under the updated PSC and by the National Investment Office in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform (D/PER).
An updated business case in line with the updated PSC has not been submitted to this Department. It is anticipated that an updated business will be submitted to the Department, as Approving Authority, for review and, if Departmental review is successful, to D/PER for technical review in due course.
Once the business case has been received, it will be subject to review in line with the requirements under Decision Gates 1 and 2 of the PSC. This approach is consistent with projects across other areas of Government, where projects pre-date the development of the updated PSC.
691. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of recruitment agencies with which the HSE has entered contracts; the names of such agencies; the dates on which the HSE entered into each contract; the cost of each contract to date; and the projected total cost of each contract. [54779/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
692. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the number of agency staff and workers working for the HSE at present. [54780/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
693. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will instruct the HSE to publish the Brandon report without further delay in deference to the families concerned and in the interests of accountability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54781/21]
View answerThe HSE commissioned the National Independent Review Panel to carry out a review of a residential service for adults with a disability. The review report, the Brandon Report, focuses on matters of a sensitive nature, and how they were managed.
The HSE has advised me that there is no ongoing risk to service users and that there is a commitment to the implementation of the specific recommendations arising from the report. This is in addition to making substantial changes to the wider Disability services in the area concerned and nationally in line with National Policy.
The Board has also advised that it is focused on ensuring that all of the recommendations of the report are promptly and appropriately actioned by the HSE. Actions are being taken to seek assurances requested by me and will be reported to me once concluded.
I have on a number of occasions asked the HSE to publish the report in full. To date, the HSE has informed me of its intention to publish only the Executive Summary. I will continue to engage with the HSE and its Board on the matter. I am also seeking legal advice on the matter.
The HSE informs me that An Garda Síochána has requested it not to publish any report at this time, and until it has completed its process.
I met with a number of families impacted by the findings of the Brandon Report in what were very open, heartfelt, and sobering exchanges. It is important to note that the HSE’s publication plan will require briefings to families in the first instance and the provision of appropriate supports.
It is imperative that the report leads to learning, with ensuing meaningful and tangible change. We must ensure there cannot be such serious safeguarding failures in other settings.
694. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when the final Sláintecare contract will be published; his views on whether the letter of 27 October 2021 from HSE national human resources regarding the implementation of the Sláintecare contract is acceptable and reasonable in view of the fact that this contract does not yet exist; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54782/21]
View answerCurrently a process concerning the proposed Sláintecare Consultant Contract is in train between officials from my Department, the HSE and the consultants' representative bodies (the IMO and IHCA) under an agreed independent chair. With these talks ongoing, it would inappropriate for me to publicly pre-empt any potential outcome in relation to a specific publication date for the Contract. When the implementation date of the new Sláintecare Contract is set, the new contract will apply to all consultant appointment offers from that date. The HSE, in its circular issued on 27th October, simply clarified the position.
695. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date an afforestation grant and premium scheme application was made by a person (details supplied); the outcome of this application; if the application was approved; if not, the reason for its refusal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53967/21]
View answerAn afforestation licence was issued in April, 2021 to the applicant and this decision was appealed to the independent Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC).
The FAC operates independently of my Department. I have been informed that the FAC received four valid appeals against the decision of my Department to approve this afforestation application and heard the appeals on 14 September 2021. The FAC has since issued a decision on 26 October 2021 to allow the appeal and set aside the original decision of my Department which means the original licence is cancelled.
Once the decision of the FAC was received, my Department issued a letter to the licensee on 29th October, 2021 advising that on foot of the FAC decision the licence was cancelled. It is open to the applicant to reapply for the same site if they so wish taking into account the findings of the appeal hearing.
The FAC has issued its decision to the parties to the appeal and has published its decision on the FAC’s section of the Agriculture Appeals Office website, the decision letter can be viewed at the following link: www.agriappeals.gov.ie/media/agriappeals/content/facdecisions/2021/october/29102021/CN83087011121.pdf. The reasons for the appeal decision by the FAC are set out in the decision letter.
696. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 296 of 20 October 2021, the details of the metrics contained in the performance management and development system; the outputs from this project management and development system for all the staff of the Forest Service of his Department in each of the years 2018 to 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53975/21]
View answerThe Performance Management and Development System (PMDS) is a Civil Service wide tool.
The outputs from this process are individual to each staff member, as this is an internal performance management tool, used by managers to set goals, monitor performance and address performance issues.
697. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of the backlog in forestry licences, that is, the number of licence applications in the system at the end of August 2021 that were classed as private as compared with those submitted in the name of Coillte (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53976/21]
View answerOn 27 August (last Friday in August), the number of forestry licence applications on hand was 6,041, which was broken down between private applications (including Coillte roads) at 3,838 and Coillte tree felling at 2,203.
Not all these licences could be considered to be in backlog, as there is a public consultation process to be taken account of and time needed to assess properly all relevant environmental and other considerations associated with a forestry operation.
The proposal from Working Group 1 under Project Woodlands is to define the backlog as the number of files with my Department for over 120 days, which was 5,195 on 27th August last, broken down between 2,978 private applications and 2,217 Coillte files.
My Department has made progress since then and the total on hand is now (as of 29 October) 5,342, which is a net reduction of just under 700 since end-August. The number of files with my Department over 120 days is 4,555, broken down between 2,742 private applications and 1,813 Coillte files.
698. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the challenges being faced by the hunt and equine sector arising from their difficulty in getting insurance cover; the steps he proposes to take to address this challenge; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54067/21]
View answerInsurance is not a matter for the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Marine. I have been informed however by Horse Sport Ireland (HSI) of the significant insurance issues arising within the sport horse industry. In 2020, Horse Sport Ireland convened an Insurance Working Group to consider the issues facing the organisation and their wider affiliate family in the context of insurance indemnity and premium cost.
All elements of the sport horse sector are affected, equine business owners, affiliate organisations and equestrian enthusiasts. Horse Sport Ireland have looked to provide a solution for members with the exit of a well-known provider to the leisure/recreation side of the industry. This departure from Ireland was compounded by Brexit, with many insured now without cover. The HSI Initiative is yet to be launched with on-going discussions with a global provider. HSI have advised that this is only one small step however to assist the sector with a great reluctance of underwriters to provide cover due to the rising cost of legal claims.
I am advised that the insurance landscape is volatile across a range of sectors, including the sport horse sector. Horse Sport Ireland have engaged through the Irish Federation of Sport and the Insurance Reform Alliance conveying their affiliate's concerns and raising the costs in respect of insurance.
I will continue to engage with Horse Sport Ireland regarding this live and difficult situation facing stakeholders.
699. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address concerns that Bord Bia is due to pay annual rent of €1.5 million for its new offices at 140 Pembroke Road, Dublin 4; if he will seek information from Bord Bia on the alternative office spaces that were explored before settling on 140 Pembroke Road; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54096/21]
View answerI advise the Deputy that all matters to do with acquisition and disposal of leases are statutorily a reserved function of the Board of An Bord Bia which, under Section 6(2) of the Bord Bia Act, has the power, with my consent, to acquire, hold and dispose of property.
I am satisfied that An Bord Bia, in its acquisition of a new lease, has complied fully with the process and all applicable corporate governance requirements relevant to them as a State Body, as laid out in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
That process included an assessment by An Bord Bia of other possible locations, taking particular account of the requirement that public bodies can only buy or lease buildings with an A3 BER energy rating.
700. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which microgeneration of electricity might be used by the agri-food producing sector to mitigate against carbon emissions; the availability of models whereby this might be successfully done; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54180/21]
View answerMicrogeneration has an important role to play in empowering and driving engagement and participation of not only farmers but communities and domestic households in the generation of renewable electricity as part of the energy transition.
The importance of microgeneration in mitigating against carbon emissions has been reflected in the inclusion of targets for this area in the recently released Climate Action Plan 2021 - Securing Our Future. This Plan sets out actions to introduce a Microgeneration Support Scheme (MSS) which supports deployment of an expected 260 MW of new micro (50 kW) to support the deployment of rooftop and ground-mounted solar PV.
Microgeneration at farm level should be seen in the first instance as a cost saving measure which will also assist in lowering the carbon footprint of Irish farms. It can then also provide an additional income stream and a diversification opportunity.
To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage on Irish farms, grant aid is provided through my Department under the Targeted Agricultural Modernisation Scheme (TAMS II).
This scheme continues to support our farmers in maximising their contribution to the displacement of energy demand through the installation of mainly roof-top Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms across the country.
