Written Answers Nos. 211-230
211. Deputy Steven Matthews asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to shortfalls of the booster vaccine supply in pharmacies in parts of north County Wicklow (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62337/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
212. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health his views on the assessment of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control on 2 December 2021 in the context of the Covid-19 Omicron variant, given the increasing number of cases and clusters in the EU/EEA without a travel history or contact with travel-related cases, it is likely that within the coming weeks the effectiveness of travel-related measures will significantly decrease and countries should prepare for a rapid and measured de-escalation of such measures. [62380/21]
View answerAt present, additional requirements apply to passengers travelling to Ireland. These requirements have been introduced on a temporary basis as part of our response to the emergence of the Omicron variant. Travel requirements are kept under regular review based on the evolving international epidemiological situation and as understanding of the Omicron variant develops. The spread of the Omicron variant continues to be discussed at EU level including at the Health Security Committee. Full information on the requirements for travel to Ireland are published at www.gov.ie/travel.
213. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the number of deaths from Covid-19 in 2020 and to date in 2021; the number of deaths in each year involving underlying conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62382/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
214. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if a hostel for disabled persons (details supplied) in County Cork will be reopened to pre-Covid-19 service levels; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62389/21]
View answerAs the Deputy's question relates to a service matter, I am referring the question for response to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.
215. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of Covid-19 vaccine information campaigns specifically for migrant communities; the organisation responsible for conducting the campaigns; the communities included in the campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62390/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
216. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a specific information campaign for migrant families will be conducted following approval of the Covid-19 vaccine for children aged five and over; if so, the organisation responsible for producing and running said campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62391/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
217. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health if he is satisfied that adequate arrangements are in place and being implemented in relation to necessary restrictions on persons arriving to this country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62392/21]
View answerThe requirements for travel are kept under regular review based on the evolving international epidemiological situation. At present, and as part of our response to the emergence of the Omicron variant, passengers travelling to Ireland from overseas require a valid test result (subject to limited exemptions). Passengers are also required to complete a COVID-19 Passenger Locator form. More stringent measures apply to people with a recent travel history to one of seven countries considered high-risk due to the Omicron variant. A legal requirement applies to carriers to check that passengers have completed a PLF and have a valid test result prior to boarding. A passenger may be denied boarding if they do not have a required document or an exemption. Compliance checks are also conducted by immigration officers on arrival. Full details on international travel policy and the types of tests accepted are published at www.gov.ie/travel.
218. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health the status of ongoing issues with consultants in University Hospital Kerry (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62394/21]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have referred it to the HSE for direct reply.
219. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting a long time for a single farm payment. [62026/21]
View answerEU Regulations governing the administration of these schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including in some cases remote sensing (i.e. satellite) inspections, be completed before any payments issue.
The application of the person named was selected for a 2021 remote sensing eligibility inspection. This inspection has now been completed and the results have been processed to finalisation. Payments due under the Basic Payment Scheme will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named.
220. Deputy Mary Butler asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address matters raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied) in relation to small organic farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62090/21]
View answerI am cognisant of the fact that there is substantial diversity in the types and scale of enterprises in the Irish beef sector, and it is in consideration of this that a range of supports are being put in place in the context of the incoming CAP in addition to the Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme which will also pay participants €150 on the first 10 cows in the herd. These include Eco Schemes, Dairy Calf Welfare scheme for farmers rearing beef calves from the dairy herd and substantial increases to supports for organic systems as well as all of the other supports available to farmers generally.
The purpose of the proposed Suckler Carbon Efficiency Scheme is to support improvements in economic and environmental efficiency through the use of genetics, genomics and performance metrics. Given that the use of genomics is a fundamental element underpinning the scheme, it is not possible for any participants in this scheme to be exempt from that measure, nor is it possible to provide target deadlines based on enterprise type or scale.
221. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if at a cross-compliance inspection of a sheep flock, there is an allowance for sheep to be sent to the factory after weaning; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62121/21]
View answerCross compliance Ovine inspections include checks on the Ovine Flock Register (OFR) and verification of the completion and accuracy of the Annual Census. The OFR should contain a complete record of all events occurring to the sheep flock, it should be kept up to date by recording all movement events within seven days of the event occurring.
This register must be retained for three years after the flock owner/keeper has ceased keeping sheep on the holding.
The record must include details of movements to the factory. In addition, all sheep keepers must carry out an annual Census which is an accurate inventory of their sheep. Both the OFR and the Census are checked at cross compliance inspections.
222. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if ewe numbers are under the quota required, if hogget replacements which are on the farm are allowed for the calculations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62122/21]
View answerThe Sheep Welfare Scheme (SWS) Terms and Conditions requires each applicant to maintain the requisite number of breeding ewes in line with their SWS reference number for that scheme year. In all cases, where an applicant is approved into the scheme on the basis of a particular reference number of breeding ewes, this number of ewes must be retained and made available for inspection where required for that scheme year. Replacement hoggets are allowed for the calculation of the reference number once they are 12 months of age or older.
223. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, in the case of a mountain sheep flock, there is an allowance for ewes that would have been left on the mountain as it is not practicable to get all the ewes down in a short period of time; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62123/21]
View answerEvery reasonable effort is made to minimise any disruption associated with the inspection process. With regard to hill flocks, additional arrangements can be made with the flock holder to accommodate the normal management practices of hill flocks while ensuring that the inspections are carried out in a timely manner as required for payment purposes.
The Scheme Terms and Conditions require that where an applicant is approved into the Schemes on the basis of a particular reference number of breeding ewes, this number of ewes must be retained and made available for inspection where required for that Scheme year.
224. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of grants that have been paid out on solar panels under TAMS; his plans to increase the rate of grant to 60%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62125/21]
View answerThere are a wide variety of items available under the suite of seven measures under TAMS. Solar energy for on-farm use is grant aided under the Animal Welfare Nutrient Storage and Safety Scheme, Young Farmers Capitals Investment Scheme, the Organic Capital Investment Scheme and the Pig and Poultry Scheme measures under TAMS. The solar PV systems grant aided under TAMS includes Solar PV Panels and Solar PV Rechargeable Batteries.
To date, total expenditure under the seven measures of TAMS, including transitional expenditure, has exceeded €325million with commitments of an additional €145million made to scheme participants who have yet to draw down those grants. Some 45,595 applications have been approved under the scheme.
To date, my Department has provided grant-aid to 100 applicants in excess of €777,319 for the installation of solar panels, and the associated inverters, controllers and battery packs. There are approximately a further 70 applications of €530,000 in funding that is committed for solar projects but has not yet being claimed. No changes to the TAMS eligibility and technical criteria involved are being proposed at this time.
The On-Farm Capital investment scheme, as is the case with all proposals under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), is in the process of development and is subject to the formal approval of the European Commission. The public consultation on the Environmental Assessment of the draft CAP Strategic Plan 2023-2027 closed on 8th December 2021, and I will be reviewing the proposal in advance of the submission of the proposal to the Commission by 1st January 2022.
225. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the main policy achievements and initiatives undertaken by his Department during 2021; and his main priorities for 2022. [62188/21]
View answerIn 2021, my Department produced a new Statement of Strategy for the period from 2021-2024 which sets out the initiatives to be progressed in the coming years under five main goals:
Goal 1: To promote and safeguard public, animal and plant health and animal welfare for the benefit of consumers, producers, the economy and wider society
Goal 2: Provide income and targeted supports to farmers and others in the agri-food sector to underpin the rural economy and optimise environmental sustainability
Goal 3: Provide the optimum policy framework for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector
Goal 4: Deliver a sustainable, competitive, and innovative seafood sector, driven by a skilled workforce, delivering value added products in line with consumer demand
Goal 5: Maintain and develop strategic, operational, regulatory, and technical capacity and capability to deliver excellent services to our customers
Currently, an update on progress on a 75-point Action Plan for 2021 is being compiled which will outline progress across the full range of my Department’s responsibilities.
Some of the main policy achievements and initiatives undertaken by my Department in 2021 include the publication of the new Food Vision 2030 Strategy; the establishment of an Interim Enforcement Authority under the Unfair Trading Practices Directive; the delivery of an effective response to the requirement for new import controls arising from Brexit; the establishment of a Seafood Sector Taskforce and the delivery of prompt actions based on recommendations contained in its interim report; as well as progress made on the implementation of Project Woodland .
My Department has supported the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications on the development of the Climate Action Plan 2021. In addition, following an extensive consultation with farmers and their representatives at marts throughout the country, as well as through bilateral engagements, a new CAP Strategic Plan will be submitted to the European Commission by year-end, taking account of the feedback from the sector and the objectives of the EU Farm to Fork and Biodiversity Strategies through increased Pillar II payments.
The Department has also progressed a busy programme of priority legislation. All of this is all in addition to the usual schemes and services that my Department delivers on an annual basis.
The priorities for my Department in 2022 include the actions to be progressed under Food Vision 2030 and the Climate Action Plan 2021 as well as the development of systems to deliver new schemes under the new CAP Strategic Plan.
Along with Minister of State Pippa Hackett, I will drive the further implementation of the recommendations of the McKinnon Report through Project Woodland to address challenges in the Forestry sector; and to effectively respond to export certification requirements arising from Brexit that may be introduced during the year.
I am progressing legislation around the establishment of National Food Ombudsman/Regulator which will bring much-needed transparency to the supply chain. I will also finalise legislation to prohibit fur farming in Ireland.
Along with my Department colleague, Minister of State Martin Heydon, I will lead a number of trade missions to ensure that global customers are aware of the top-class food our farmers and processors produce.
Work is also ongoing on further recommendations of the Seafood Sector Taskforce and this will continue in 2022.
My priorities for 2022 remain protecting farmers' and fishers' incomes while ensuring that agriculture continues to play its part in tackling climate change whilst making sure that farmers are being recognised for the huge efforts they are already making in this space.
226. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an up-to-date register exists in Ireland of registered germinal product establishments including canine semen and has been established as per EU regulations; and if so, the location in which the public can access the register. [62273/21]
View answerUnder Regulation (EU) 429/2016, my Department provides an up to date register of all approved germinal product establishments for the bovine, equine, porcine, ovine and caprine species this can be found at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e9382-list-of-approved-establishments-in-veterinary-fields-and-approved-laboratories-in-accordance-with-council-directive-200873ec/
Whilst my Department provides the recording of health certification for the export of Canine semen, approval for Canine germinal product establishments is not required by Regulation 2020/686.
227. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is a registered list of veterinarians for the purposes of carrying out the necessary requirements under Article 39 of the EU Regulations 2020/686; and if the list of veterinarians is available to the public. [62274/21]
View answerAs the Deputy is probably aware, Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/686 relates to germinal products, specifically the approval of germinal product establishments and the traceability and animal health requirements for movements within the Union of germinal products of certain kept terrestrial animals.
Article 39 of that regulation relates to rules concerning animal health certification for those products as they relate to dogs and cats, terrestrial animals other than bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine or equine animals kept at confined establishments and animals of the family Camelidae or Cervidae.
Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine official veterinarians who are also registered with the Veterinary Council of Ireland, may sign an animal health certificate for movements between Member States of consignments of germinal products in respect of these groupings.
228. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way the requirements under Article 36 of the EU Regulations 2020/686 are monitored; and the protections and training requirements that exist to ensure that the artificial insemination and or extraction of semen of canines other than greyhounds is carried out by a qualified person. [62275/21]
View answerUnder Regulation (EU) 429/2016, my Department provides an up to date register of all approved germinal product establishments for the bovine, equine, porcine, ovine and caprine species this can be found at the following link on the public website: www.gov.ie/en/collection/e9382-list-of-approved-establishments-in-veterinary-fields-and-approved-laboratories-in-accordance-with-council-directive-200873ec/
Whilst my Department provides for the export health certification of canine semen and the recording of health certification for the export of Canine semen, Regulation 2020/686 does not require approval for Canine germinal product establishments.
Official export health certification, where required, is provided by Department veterinary inspectors. Department staff carry out regular checks as part of official regulatory controls related to official certification.
Training requirements for registered veterinarians is a matter for the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
229. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if it is a legal requirement for canine fertility clinics to have an on-site veterinarian; if his Department maintains a list of canine fertility clinics; and the inspection mechanism in place for ensuring high animal welfare standards. [62276/21]
View answerUnder the Veterinary Practice Act 2005, the practice of veterinary medicine meaning includes diagnosing disease, injury, pain, deformity, defect or state of health of an anima, identifying and carrying out treatment, whether surgical or medical in nature, of any such matters and performing a surgical procedure on an animal.
It is an offence (with a few limited exceptions) for anyone other than a registered veterinary practitioner to undertake such activities. Furthermore, the practice of veterinary medicine must only be undertaken from a premises for which a certificate of suitability has been issued by the Veterinary Council of Ireland
The Veterinary Council of Ireland is the statutory body that regulates the practice of veterinary medicine in the State - it maintains a register of veterinary practitioners, veterinary nurses and veterinary premises for which a certificate of suitability has been issued.
The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine does not maintain a list of canine fertility clinics. Regulation (EU) 2020/686 does not require approval for canine germinal product establishments. Where the practice of veterinary medicine takes place in any such clinics, this must be carried out by registered veterinary practitioners.
230. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that there is an impending shortage of fertiliser due to the increased cost of the supply and availability of same for farmers in spring 2022; if his Department is putting measures in place to introduce a rescue package to assist farmers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62285/21]
View answerI am very aware of the significant increase in fertiliser prices over the last year, particularly in recent months and I know this will be a challenge for many farmers in 2022.
The fertiliser market is largely driven by global supply and demand and, while there are a number of factors influencing fertiliser price, the major driving factors for the increase in prices are increased global demand due to strong growth in agricultural commodity prices, rising production costs due to increased raw material and energy costs, protectionism by global players and issues with supply for certain fertiliser products.
At the November Agriculture and Fisheries Council, I raised the increasing challenge faced by farmers due to the rising costs of inputs. I called on the EU Commission to consider all options to ease the pressure on farmers at this time, including the question of whether the imposition of anti-dumping duties on fertiliser imports continues to be appropriate and for this matter to be examined as a priority.
I recently wrote to the EU Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski asking him to finalise the Commission’s examination of the tariffs.
In line with the Farm to Fork Strategy, the Climate Action Plan commits to more targeted and reduced use of chemical nitrogen fertiliser while maintaining the same level of grass production through a number of measures including improved soil fertility and greater use of clover and multi-species swards.
I have introduced a number of initiatives to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser including a new initiative to support the planting of multi-species swards and a pilot Soil Sampling Programme. Additionally, I have tasked Teagasc with developing a roadmap for farmers to reduce the use of chemical fertilisers on farms.
We will continue to support farmers reduce their dependence on fertiliser and my officials will closely monitor the fertiliser market and how it develops in the weeks and months ahead.
