Wednesday, 9 Mar 2022

Written Answers Nos. 228-246

Healthcare Policy

Questions (230)

Carol Nolan

Question:

230. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Health if his attention or that of his Department has been drawn to the World Health Assembly adopted decision of 1 December 2021 titled, The World Together: Establishment of an intergovernmental negotiating body to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; if his attention or that of his Department has further been drawn to the fact that the Second Special Session of the World Health Assembly adopted a decision to establish an Intergovernmental negotiating body under Rule 41 of its Rules and Procedures and that under paragraph 1(1) the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body will draft and negotiate a WHO convention agreement or other international instrument on pandemic prevention and response with a view to adoption under Article 19 or under other provisions of the WHO constitution as may be deemed appropriate; his views on this adopted decision of 1 December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13450/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As I outlined in my address to the World Health Assembly Special Session in November last year, Ireland strongly supports a multilateral approach to global health issues with the WHO in a central leadership role.

The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that the global status quo in terms of pandemic preparedness and response is not acceptable. Therefore, Ireland supports the WHO led process to negotiate a binding legal instrument on pandemic preparedness and response.

The EU is a leading proponent of this process and Ireland, along with a majority of EU Member States, is part of the Group of Friends of the Treaty. Officials in my Department, working with Ireland's Permanent Representation to the UN in Geneva, are engaging with the Intergovernmental Negotiating Body.

Disabilities Assessments

Questions (231)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

231. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health when assessment of needs applications submitted in September 2020 will be processed for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13460/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Anne Rabbitte)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Hospital Services

Questions (232)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

232. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the services that were provided from Clifden District Hospital between 2010 and 2019; the services being provided now; his plans to increase the services at the hospital to avoid persons having to go to Galway city for services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13521/22]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Health (Deputy Mary Butler)

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Service Executive

Questions (233)

Brendan Griffin

Question:

233. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if a HSE pension or lump sum is payable to a permanent multi-task attendant (details supplied) in County Kerry on retirement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13526/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this operational matter.

Primary Care Centres

Questions (234)

Louise O'Reilly

Question:

234. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health if he will provide details of the work that has been carried out to date on the development of a primary care centre for Swords given the recent passing of a motion at Fingal County Council to collaborate with the HSE on provision of land for this project; if the site has been designated; if so, the exact location of this site; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13527/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services

Questions (235)

Holly Cairns

Question:

235. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure the resumption of chiropody services for public patients in Bantry, County Cork. [13542/22]

Written answers

Minister for Health

As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible. 

Farm Costs

Questions (236)

Michael McNamara

Question:

236. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider providing financial or other assistance to farmers whose farming enterprises require the purchase of fertiliser given the unprecedented increase in fertiliser prices over recent months; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13138/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I am seriously concerned about the current situation in relation to the cost and availability of fertilisers. 

There is no sign of fertiliser prices easing in the short to medium term as prices are being driven by a number of factors including global demand, energy prices and availability.  Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has led to significant hikes in energy prices and significant concerns around supply chain disruption.

I raised concerns in relation to the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on agri-food supply chains, and especially on input costs at the extraordinary informal meeting of European Union Agriculture Ministers held on 2nd  March.  I underlined the need for market support and the need to maintain supply chains and to ensure an effective and functioning Single Market. Commissioner Wojciechowski is aware of concerns and is considering the issue of necessary supports under the CMO Regulation.

I launched the 2022 Soils, Nutrients and Fertiliser Campaign at Teagasc’s Ballyhaise College on 26th January in response to the unprecedented fertiliser price levels.  This is a credible roadmap that will help alleviate the short term price pressure while helping farmers reduce their dependency on chemical fertiliser in the longer-term.

At a meeting of farm organisations on 8th March, I established a National Fodder and Food Security Committee to explore all options to minimise the impact on farms and plan in the short to medium term.

My Department continues to closely monitor the evolving situation and I am working to how can I support farmers.

Agriculture Industry

Questions (237)

Matt Carthy

Question:

237. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of grain by type produced in the State in each of the years 2012 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the amount by type imported in the State in each of the years 2012 to 2021 and to date in 2022; the amount imported of which is GMO; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13177/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Table 1 provides Central Statistics Office (CSO) data on wheat, oats and barley produced in Ireland for the years 2012 to 2020.  CSO production data for 2021 is not currently available but is expected at the end of April 2022. 

Table 2 provides full year data on imports of wheat, oats and barley for the years 2012 to 2021 and the to date figures in 2022.  This import data is based on returns provided by feed business operators to my Department in accordance with animal feed regulations. 

There were no imports of GMO wheat, GMO barley or GMO oats in the period 2013 to date in 2022. Data in relation to 2012 is not available.   

Statistics

Agriculture Industry

Questions (238)

Matt Carthy

Question:

238. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the technical specifications that inform the traceability of input feed in food production; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13179/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Ensuring the safety of feed is a critically important function of my Department. Regulation (EC) 178/2002 lays down the general principles and requirements for food and feed law and this Regulation defines traceability as the ability to trace and follow feed through all stages of production, processing and distribution.

Responsibility for ensuring compliance with this Regulation, other feed legislation, traceability requirements and, in particular, the safety of feed placed on the market rests with Feed Business Operators (FBOs).

To complement and support this principle, my Department is actively engaged in a comprehensive annual inspection programme at all levels of the feed chain to monitor the safe handling, production and use of animal feed. In this programme, the inspection, sampling and analysis of official feed samples are selected on the basis of a risk assessment and, in particular, on the basis of the experience gained from previous inspections, audits and analysis of samples.

The risk-based selection process aims to ensure that resources are targeted towards the higher risk operators, products and activities while including a random element to ensure that all operators, activities and products are considered.

The official control programme covers all FBOs, including those involved in import, transport, storage, manufacture, retail and final use of animal feeds. Verification of FBOs'  traceability systems is an important component of the official inspection programme.

Teagasc Activities

Questions (239)

Matt Carthy

Question:

239. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if funding has been allocated to complete a review of the Teagasc Marginal Abatement Cost Curve per action 3030 of the Climate Action Plan – Annex of Actions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13180/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Greenhouse Gas Marginal Abatement Cost Curve (GHG MACC) for Irish Agriculture quantifies the opportunities for abatement of agricultural greenhouse gases, as well as the associated costs/benefits and visualises the abatement potential of greenhouse gas mitigation measures, and the relative costs associated with each of these measures.

The last major revision of the GHG MACC was published by Teagasc in March 2019. 

A condition of the grant-in-aid provided by my Department to Teagasc for its Programme of Activities 2021 is a commitment that Teagasc provides my Department with an Exchequer-Costs-Inclusive version of the Marginal Abatement Cost Curve factoring in the Exchequer costs associated with each option.

In addition to the review of the existing Marginal Abatement Cost Curve, funding of €2,198,002 has been granted under the Department's 2021 Competitive Research Call to the project 'Land-Use, Agriculture and Bioenergy Measures for the Abatement of Climate Change (LAB MACC)'. 

This new project will build on the previous Marginal Abatement Cost Curve and quantify mitigation associated with a range of new measures that reduce nitrous oxide emissions, enhance carbon sinks via land-use and displace fossil fuel emissions via closed farm nutrient loops using enhanced production of bio-based products.

Animal Breeding

Questions (240, 241, 242)

Matt Carthy

Question:

240. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the rate at which the foal levy is currently calculated; if he has considered the reform of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13184/22]

Matt Carthy

Question:

241. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the manner in which the foal levy is distributed; the way it is ensured this efficacy is achieved in its dispersal; the amount raised by year in each of the years 2007 to 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13185/22]

Matt Carthy

Question:

242. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the oversight his Department has of the foal levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13186/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 240, 241 and 242 together.

The Thoroughbred Foal Levy (The Levy) was introduced in March 2000.  It is a statutory levy on all thoroughbred foals registered in Ireland in the General Stud Book through Weatherbys Ireland. The scheme is administered by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) and provides a secure financial footing for the breeding industry and essential support structures.  

The Levy rate payable relates to the nomination fee of the foal’s sire and varies between €35 and €650 (Table 1 attached). According to HRI, the compliance rate for 2021 for registered foals was in excess of 99%. In 2020, 48% of foals were charged €100 or less, 34% of foals between €150 to €300 and 18% of foals between €350 and €650.

Table 1 Thoroughbred Foal Levy Bands

Nomination Fee Range	Foal Levy Rate Band	Levy Per Foal
€0 to €1,000	A Rate	€35
€1,001 to €2,500	B Rate	€50
€2,501 to €5,000	C Rate	€100
€5,001 to €7,500	D Rate	€150
€7,501 to €10,000	E Rate	€200
€10,001 to €12,500	F Rate	€250
€12,501 to €15,000	G Rate	€300
€15,001 to €17,500	H Rate	€350
€17,501 to €22,500	I Rate	€450
€22,501 to €30,000	J Rate	€600
€30,001 +	K Rate	€650
Pay Band Foreign	Foreign Rate	€250

The HRI Levy Committee makes recommendations to the Board of HRI, following consultation with breeders, in relation to re-investment of the Levy funds. The final decision on grant amounts and beneficiaries rests with the HRI Board. The Levy Committee comprises representatives of HRI, The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders Association (ITBA) and the Irish Farmers Association (IFA).

The three principal beneficiaries from the foal levy are the Irish Equine Centre (IEC), Irish Thoroughbred Marketing (ITM) and ITBA. IEC provides specialised facilities for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of equine diseases and for research and education.

The services provided underpin the health status of the thoroughbred and, thereby, protect Ireland's disease-free status. ITM (a not for profit trading subsidiary of HRI) promotes Ireland as the premier country in which to breed, buy and race thoroughbreds. The ITBA is the representative body of breeders in Ireland. The association's aims are to promote and protect the interests of breeders of thoroughbred bloodstock.

The details of the amount raised from The Levy for each from 2007 to date in 2022 are contained in the attached Table 2.   

Table 2 Thoroughbred Foal Levy Collection 2007-2022

Year	Amount Collected (million)
2007	€2.194
2008	€2.511
2009	€2.166
2010	€1.644
2011	€1.602
2012	€1.430
2013	€1.561
2014	€1.501
2015	€1.794
2016	€1.855
2017	€2.142
2018	€2.037
2019	€2.027
2020	€2.097
2021	€2.261
2022 to date	€.110

As part of the oversight of HRI by my Department, liaison meetings between officials of my Department, and executives of HRI are held biannually.  The operation of The Levy is a standing item at all such meetings. In addition, The Levy financial information is included in HRI's annual financial statements which are audited by the Controller and Auditor General (C&AG).

I currently have no plans to change the current methodology of the operation of The Levy. 

Agriculture Industry

Questions (243)

Matt Carthy

Question:

243. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided to the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland for loans that could be availed of by farmers to date; the amount of credit loaned; the amount of repayments received by year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13188/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department, in partnership with the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment and the Department of Finance, has worked with the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) to deliver a number of loan schemes that support SMEs in Ireland, including farmers, fishers and SME food businesses.

Public funds provided for these schemes mainly relate to the provision of guarantees, with the lending institutions providing the actual finance for the loans. Details of the various schemes are below, including funding provided to SBCI and the loan approval amounts. The vast majority of repayments are on schedule, with low default rates to date, also set out below.

Scheme	Year	Value	Funding from DAFM to SBCI	Loan Approvals to Date	Comment
Brexit Impact Loan Scheme	2021	€330 million	€5.5 million	238 loans to farmers to the value of €19.2m. 29 loans to food businesses to the value of €5.3m.	Up to 40% available to the agri-food sector, including farmers, fishers and food businesses.   0% default rate to date.
COVID-19 Credit Guarantee Scheme	2020 to date	€2billion	-	1,357 loans to farmers to the value of €64m.   48 loans to fishers to the value of €3.4m.	No upfront funding requirement; DAFM is responsible for defaults from the primary sector in arrears.   0.14% default rate to date.
Future Growth Loan Scheme	2019 to date	€800 million	€14.178 million	1,281 loans to farmers to the value of €151.3m   30 loans to fishers to the value of €11.6m   278 loans to food businesses to the value of €70.4m.	Almost at capacity.   A further €49.1m was paid by DAFM to the European Investment Fund (EIF).   0.01% default rate to date.
SBCI Working Capital Scheme (encompassing the Brexit Loan Scheme and the Covid-19 Working Capital Scheme)	2018 to 2021	€337.5 million	€11.7 million	Brexit Loan Scheme: 48 loans to the value of €11m to food businesses.   COVID-19 WCS: 168 loans to the value of €14.6m to food businesses.	This Scheme is now closed for application following the launch of the BILS; any unused funding transfers.   0.72% default rate to date.
Agriculture Cashflow Support Loan Scheme	2017	€145 million	€25 million	€145m to farmers.	Closed in 2017.   0.42% default rate to date.

Food Waste

Questions (244)

Matt Carthy

Question:

244. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his proposals to reduce the amount of waste associated with food packaging and food waste; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13189/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) works closely with the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC), the Environmental Protection Agency, and other relevant state agencies, to pursue ambitious food waste reductions and other measures that contribute towards a sustainable food chain in the agri-food sector including food waste and loss inside the farm gate,

Food Vision 2030, the stakeholder led strategy for the sustainable development of the sector, sets out a number of actions to reduce food loss and food packaging including working with stakeholders to develop a National Food Waste Prevention Roadmap, which is currently under public consultation led by DECC, as well as actions involving reducing packaging, pursuing more sustainable packaging and undertaking research on the extent of food loss at the primary production stage.  

The existing work streams in my Department and its agencies with regard to reducing food waste and food packaging, include the following: 

- Funding supports for initiatives to promote the reduction of food waste generated by food businesses, retailer/wholesalers or suppliers in rural areas is provided under the Department’s Rural Innovation and Development Fund.

- In relation to fisheries, the discards ban or Landing Obligation is a key element of the Common Fisheries Policy, which was phased in over a number of years and has been fully implemented since 2019.  This policy requires that catches of fish must be landed and may not be discarded at sea.   

- In relation to the Bioeconomy, my Department co-chairs the high-level Bioeconomy Implementation Group, along with  DECC.  One of its key actions is to examine ways of turning biowaste, nutrients, food processing residues and discards into valuable resources, by establishing the conditions required for their commercial development and viability. Using the bio-economy approach, unavoidable waste can be recycled and valorised. Additionally, advances in recycling polymer and bio-based packaging offer solutions for more sustainable food packaging. Bioeconomy funding opportunities are provided through the relevant national research funders including my Department.  

- Support for research into food shelf life, packaging and related issues is provided to food businesses through the Prepared Consumer Food Centre at Teagasc, Ashtown, which is funded by my Department;

- There are also initiatives by Bord Bia under the Origin Green programme, which encourage food businesses to set targets to reduce food waste.

I am committed to ensuring a reduction in our food waste and supporting measures to reduce food packaging. By reducing food waste, we help to reduce green house gas emissions and we also show our farmers, fishers and other food producers that we value their work and the safe and nutritious food they work all year round to provide.

Common Agricultural Policy

Questions (245)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Question:

245. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of livestock units that will be attributed to a mountain, cross-bred and lowland ewe and similarly with rams in the forthcoming CAP; the reason for the change; the implications this will have for the number of sheep a sheep farmer would require per hectare to adhere to the stocking density under the areas of natural constraints scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13190/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department submitted Ireland's draft CAP Strategic Plan to the European Commission on 31st December 2021. The schemes to be introduced under the CAP Strategic Plan (CSP), including the Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) scheme, are still subject to review and approval by the European Commission.

It is proposed that Ireland would implement the Eurostat coefficients under the CAP Strategic Plan, which sets sheep at 0.10 livestock unit. I have also decided that the minimum stocking requirement for the ANC schemes (and other schemes in the CSP) would be set at 0.10 livestock units per hectare. 

The new proposed minimum stocking rate of 0.10 LU/ha maintains the link with 1 Ewe per hectare (1 Ewe = 0.10 LU) as it is in the current CAP.

The change to the livestock unit coefficients for sheep will not result in any change to the number of sheep required on a holding to meet the minimum stocking requirement. 

As is the case in the existing scheme, this rate will apply to all sheep irrespective of the breed held by the applicant.  

Departmental Funding

Questions (246)

Carol Nolan

Question:

246. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of the independent non-governmental organisations, including organisations with charitable status, non-profit organisations, religious bodies including churches, social enterprises, clubs, societies that his Department has supported with financial assistance from 1 January 2020 to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13253/22]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the attached table.

Non-governmental organisations