Written Answers Nos. 438-457
438. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of engagement that his Department has had to date with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the protection of intellectual property rights within the research and development and innovation sectors; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38794/22]
View answer439. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on whether intellectual property rights should be protected especially in the development of innovative medicinal products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38795/22]
View answer440. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science the level of interaction that he has had with industry representatives about trade-related intellectual property rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38796/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 438 to 440, inclusive, together.
My Department works closely with other government departments including the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. This is reflected in the governance structures established under Impact 2030: Ireland’s Research and Innovation Strategy.
The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment develops intellectual property policy, prepares legislation and provides an intellectual property regime which reflects the international law environment and best practice.
A competitive IP protection regime supports the creation of proprietary knowledge and simultaneously encourages its exploitation by rewarding the knowledge creators. A fit-for-purpose IP regime acts therefore as an important driver of innovation, leading to economic and employment growth.
Optimising the transfer of knowledge from our public research system to enterprise has been central to our strategy for science and innovation for many years. We have built up capacity within the public research system to engage with industry on issues relating to intellectual property, and we have assisted industry – and SMEs in particular – to absorb research outputs and to engage with the academic research community.
A well-functioning intellectual property framework is key to providing companies that are researching and developing new medicinal products with the certainty that if a medicine makes it to the market, it can be protected, for a specific period time, from being copied or used by another party without the permission of the rightsholder.
The national IP Protocol, published by Knowledge Transfer Ireland, sets out the Government’s policies to encourage industry to benefit from publicly-funded research and describes the practical arrangements for this to happen. It serves to encourage innovation from Irish research and the commercialisation of all forms of intellectual property arising from the publicly-funded research sector.
Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) are one of the principal means through which companies, creators and inventors generate returns on their investment in research, innovation and creativity. IPRs are a crucial incentive for the development of new and innovative medicinal products, enabling the research and development necessary for the creation of many of today’s medicines and provide the incentive to encourage companies to continue to invest in the development of new treatments, medicinal products, and vaccines.
As Intellectual Property rights fall under the responsibility of the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment, my Department and I have regular engagement with our colleagues there on a wide range of issues, including intellectual property rights when necessary.
441. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application by a person (details supplied) which was submitted in May 2020. [38153/22]
View answerThe application for naturalisation from the person referred to by the Deputy, continues to be processed with a view to establishing whether the applicant meets the statutory conditions for the granting of naturalisation and will be submitted to me for decision in due course.
The granting of Irish citizenship through naturalisation is a privilege and an honour which confers certain rights and entitlements not only within the State but also at European Union level and it is important that appropriate procedures are in place to preserve the integrity of the process.
It is recognised that all applicants for citizenship would wish to have a decision on their application without delay. However, the nature of the naturalisation process is such that, for a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time.
I am deeply conscious of how important the granting of naturalisation is to those who apply for it and my Department continued to accept and process citizenship applications throughout the pandemic and during all levels of public health restrictions.
For a broad range of reasons, some cases will take longer than others to process. In some instances, completing the necessary checks can take a considerable period of time. Regrettably, the current average processing time for naturalisation applications is approximately 23 months.
In addition, the combined impact of the 2019 High Court judgment in the Jones case and the necessary health restrictions arising from the pandemic, has unfortunately resulted in the processing time for standard applications increasing.
However, my Department is taking a number of steps to speed up the processing of applications and a number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
In 2021, my Department issued 11,512 citizenship decisions, which is the highest number of decisions made since 2015, and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date. Approximately 8,000 decisions have been made so far this year.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at: INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
442. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Justice if the cost of the additional Garda presence at Dublin Airport on the weekend beginning 4 June 2022 to supervise the security queues through departures has been reimbursed to the Exchequer; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38154/22]
View answerAs outlined to the Deputy previously, the management of security screening queues through Dublin Airport is an operational matter for the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). The Airport Police Service (APS), an operational unit of DAA, which is authorised by the Minister of Transport under the Air Navigation Acts, has responsibility for general policing and aviation security duties at the State airports in Dublin and Cork.
Neither I nor the Garda Commissioner have any role in, or responsibility for, security screening in departures areas of the State airports.
I have been advised by the Garda authorities, therefore, that the question of reimbursement does not arise, as Gardaí from Dublin Airport station were carrying out their statutory functions and duties in accordance An Garda Síochána’s mission of 'Keeping People Safe'. No Gardaí were involved in security screening - the role of Gardaí was focused on public safety and public reassurance.
443. Deputy Joe Flaherty asked the Minister for Justice the status of an application for the regularisation of long-term undocumented migrants' scheme by a person (details supplied). [38189/22]
View answerThe application from the person referred to by the Deputy was received by the Undocumented Unit of my Department on 16 February 2022 and continues to be processed at this time. Due to the large number of applications on hand it is not possible to provide a definitive timeframe for a decision to issue.
In order to be fair to all applicants, applications are processed in order of the date on which they are received. Processing times may vary depending on the complexity of the application, whether it is a single or family application, the supporting documentation and the vetting process with An Garda Síochána. Applications where there is an existing deportation order in place will also require additional processing.
Each application received is assessed individually in accordance with the published criteria, available on my Department's immigration website at: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Undocumented-Policy-Scheme-January-2022.pdf.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility at INISOireachtasMail@justice.ie, which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Question process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in the cases where the response is, in the Deputy's view, inadequate or too long awaited.
444. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Justice if she will expedite a decision on a visa application for entry to Ireland made by a person (details supplied). [38205/22]
View answerThe person referred to by the Deputy created an online Long Stay visa application on 2 April 2022. The supporting documentation was received on 18 April 2022 in the Karachi visa office. This visa application was received in the Dublin Visa Office for further processing on 20 May 2022. I am advised that a decision on this application has now been made and the person referred to will be contacted by the Visa Office shortly in this regard.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility (inisoireachtasmail@justice.ie), which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
445. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice the total number of community gardaí posts nationally broken down by division; and the total number of such posts currently filled broken down by division. [38241/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, in accordance with the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the general management and administration of the Garda organisation. This includes the deployment of Garda members throughout the State. As Minister, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am however assured that Garda management keeps the distribution of resources under continual review in the context of policing priorities and crime trends, to ensure their optimal use. I also understand that the allocation of resources and numbers required locally for Community Policing is solely the responsibility of the Divisional Officer.
The table below, provided to me by the Garda authorities, outlines the community policing strengths as of 30 June 2022.
|
Divisions: |
Insp |
Sergeant |
Garda |
Total |
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
1 |
1 |
13 |
15 |
|
Clare |
1 |
1 |
6 |
8 |
|
Cork City |
0 |
3 |
37 |
40 |
|
Cork North |
0 |
0 |
7 |
7 |
|
Cork West |
0 |
0 |
4 |
4 |
|
DMR EAST |
0 |
2 |
27 |
29 |
|
DMR NORTH |
0 |
7 |
60 |
67 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
3 |
5 |
41 |
49 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
1 |
7 |
45 |
53 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
2 |
6 |
38 |
46 |
|
DMR WEST |
0 |
8 |
52 |
60 |
|
Donegal |
0 |
7 |
55 |
62 |
|
Galway |
0 |
2 |
22 |
24 |
|
Kerry |
0 |
1 |
9 |
10 |
|
Kildare |
0 |
0 |
9 |
9 |
|
Kilkenny/Carlow |
0 |
12 |
90 |
102 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
0 |
1 |
12 |
13 |
|
Limerick |
0 |
3 |
29 |
32 |
|
Louth |
0 |
2 |
23 |
25 |
|
Mayo |
0 |
2 |
9 |
11 |
|
Meath |
0 |
2 |
5 |
7 |
|
Roscommon/Longford |
0 |
3 |
8 |
11 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
0 |
2 |
8 |
10 |
|
Tipperary |
0 |
4 |
28 |
32 |
|
Waterford |
0 |
2 |
22 |
24 |
|
Westmeath |
0 |
2 |
6 |
8 |
|
Wexford |
0 |
0 |
13 |
13 |
|
Wicklow |
0 |
1 |
6 |
7 |
|
Total |
8 |
86 |
684 |
778 |
To date, the official categorisation as a Community Garda has simply referred to those who are exclusively assigned to building relationships with local communities and civil society, including giving talks to schools, community groups and others.
It is important to note, however, that community policing is at the heart of An Garda Síochána and that all Gardaí have a role to play in community policing in the course of carrying out their duties.
Indeed, this is fundamental to the new Garda Operating Model recommended by the Commission on the Future of Policing in Ireland and currently being rolled out under 'A Policing Service for Our Future', the Government's implementation plan for the Commission's recommendations.
446. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the salary of four roles within her Department (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38300/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that following the application of the 1 July 2022 FEMPI pay restoration for certain civil service grades, the salary of the Secretary General of my Department will be €223,529.
The pay scales for the Assistant Secretaries in my Department, effective from 1 February 2022, are set out in Circular 4-2022, a copy of which is available on the Gov.ie website at www.gov.ie/en/circular/ef515-application-of-1st-february-2022-pay-adjustments/.
The salary of the Minister in my Department is €82,730, and that of the Minister of State is €40,464. These officeholder salaries are in addition to the TD salary paid separately by the Houses of the Oireachtas.
447. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Justice the procedure for the nomination of prison officers who may have distinguished themselves through their actions to be considered for a merit award; and the nominating person or body for a merit award; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38355/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that merit awards in the Irish Prison Service recognise acts of bravery, outstanding heroism which are considered to be beyond the normal expectation of staff, taking their experience and training into account. Under the Merit Award Scheme, a member of staff can be nominated for a Brian Stack Medal for Bravery, a Distinguished Services Medal or a Commendation depending on the actions taken.
The Brain Stack Medal is awarded by the Minister for Justice, the Distinguished Services Medal is awarded by the Director General and the Commendation is awarded by the Governor of the prison.
The current procedure for the nomination of prison officers for merit awards is outlined in the Prison Service Staff Recognition Policy that has been in place since 1 June 2013. When the policy was introduced, nominations for historical cases were considered, however the current situation is that applications must be made no more than one year after the incident.
The procedure begins with the completion of a nomination form which outlines the basic details of the incident and the particular actions of the nominated staff member that warrant consideration under the award scheme. These forms are available to all staff on the Prison Service intranet portal PRISM, from the Governor of the prison or from Corporate Services Directorate.
All nominations should be sent to the Local Staff Recognition Committee for the institution for consideration. This committee comprises of management representatives, staff association members and other staff of that prison or business support centre. The role of these committees is to investigate and gather information in relation to the incident and verify the facts of the matter before making a recommendation to the Prison Service National Staff Recognition Committee (National Committee).
As part of the process the Governor of the prison or the business support centre also confirms that they know of no reason why the nomination form cannot go forward for consideration to the National Committee.
The National Committee consider the nominations and supporting information. This Committee makes the decision in relation to nominations for Commendation awards itself and makes recommendations to the Director General in relation to the nomination for award of a Brian Stack Medal or a Distinguished Services Medal.
The Director General makes a decision based on the recommendation of the National Committee and on any other information available. All decisions are communicated to the local staff recognition committee.
In the event that a review is sought, the Irish Prison Service Staff Recognition Policy provides for a formal review by the Director of Human Resources.
448. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice the actions that her Department and bodies under the aegis of her Department are taking to increase recruitment of members of the LGBTQIA+ communities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38413/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Public Appointments Service (PAS), as the centralised provider of recruitment and selection services for the civil service, manage a majority of recruitment competitions pertaining to vacancies in my Department or in bodies under the aegis of my Department.
I am aware that PAS have an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy 2021-2023, which is available on www.publicjobs.ie and which acknowledges the value and importance of attracting and welcoming a workforce that is responsive, accessible, resilient and reflective of the communities it serves. My Department shares this value and is committed to building and maintaining an inclusive workplace environment, which enables, supports and encourages contributions from all members of staff. To that end, I am committed to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion are embedded in my Department’s internal policies and procedures.
As the Deputy may be aware, my Department launched its first Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy in March 2022. The Strategy aims to strengthen the Department’s capabilities to promote equality, embrace diversity and foster inclusion, not only in our daily interactions and activities as colleagues, but also in the design and delivery of the services that we provide to the public.
The EDI Strategy prioritises three main areas of focus for strategic impact:
- achieve better policy outcomes and improve the accessibility and quality of our services;
- support the development of a skilled and diverse workforce which is reflective of the diversity within our population / country;
- build and embed a workplace culture which facilitates, supports and encourages contributions from all.
Each of these strategic outcomes are underpinned by a number of actions which the Department will implement over the life of the EDI Strategy. These actions will be integrated into our business plans including adding appropriate indicators and monitored along with other organisation goals and strategic priorities. For example, as part of our objective to support the development of a skilled and diverse workforce, training on a range of EDI related areas such as disability awareness, intercultural relations, managing inclusivity will be rolled out and embedded in training programmes and induction.
We live in a diverse and welcoming country and our values and processes should reflect this.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department will proactively collaborate with PAS and other key stakeholders on recruitment & retention initiatives that support our EDI agenda, including by working to ensure eligible candidates from all communities in Ireland today, including members of the LGBTQIA+ community, are supported and encouraged to apply for any applicable competitions as they may arise.
449. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Justice the fees paid to persons (details supplied) in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38423/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme is a vital element of the criminal justice system.
The Criminal Justice (Legal Aid) Act 1962, which is the primary legislation covering the operation of the Criminal Legal Aid Scheme, provides that free legal aid may be granted, in certain circumstances, for the defence of persons of insufficient means in criminal proceedings. Under the 1962 Act, the courts, through the judiciary, are responsible for the granting of legal aid. Under the Constitution, the State is obliged to provide an accused person with the means to obtain appropriate legal representation.
Criminal Legal Aid is demand led and the fees and expenses due to the legal practitioners are paid in accordance with the terms and conditions of the schemes.
The fees paid to Senior Counsel and Junior Counsel in each of the last four years for criminal legal aid is set out in the following table.
|
Year |
Junior Counsel |
Senior Counsel |
|
2021 |
17,421,734 |
10,485,389 |
|
2020 |
13,829,488 |
9,408,319 |
|
2019 |
13,900,466 |
9,787,599 |
|
2018 |
13,140,588 |
11,433,768 |
450. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the number of committal assessments conducted by healthcare staff in Irish prisons; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38510/22]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Prison Service that, upon committal, all prisoners undergo a committal assessment. This is conducted by the Healthcare staff, covers a wide range of health issues and is specifically designed to provide the Prison Service with a full understanding of an individual’s health, medical and mental health needs.
The nursing committal assessment takes places on the day of committal and prisoners also receive a doctor assessment at the next available clinic which will usually be the morning after committal. The doctor will undertake a full clinical assessment, diagnose as appropriate and plan treatment for all medical conditions, prescribe as appropriate and refer to hospitals for urgent specialist treatment.
Prisoners will also meet with the Integrated Sentence Management team to discuss any lifestyle issues or social care requirements which the prisoner feels may be relevant to their time in custody.
In 2021, 6,133 committal assessments were conducted and, to the end of June 2022, a total of 3,672 committal assessments were conducted. It is important to note that the 2022 figures are currently provisional figures and may be subject to adjustment pending publication of the Irish Prison Service Annual Report for 2022.
451. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Justice the engagement that she has had with the Department of Education on the national strategy on domestic and gender-based violence; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38704/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, I recently published Zero Tolerance: the Third National Strategy to combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV).
The goal of our third national strategy is clear: zero tolerance of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it.
Reflecting the Government’s commitment to make this the most ambitious Strategy to date, and in particular to make a real impact on the provision of refuge units and other associated support services, will require additional expenditure. The Strategy also places significant emphasis on working with all of society to combat the underlying assumptions and attitudes that can lead to violence against women. This includes working in an appropriate way with younger people, including in the context of the education system
The implementation plan published alongside the Strategy is for actions to be progressed between now and the end of next year, at which point the next implementation plan will be published. The implementation plan sets out how each of the aims of the Strategy will be achieved, which Departments and agencies are responsible for them, and the timeframe for delivery, so that it is targeted, ambitious and deliverable.
There was regular constructive engagement between officials from my Department and the Department of Education during the drafting process for both the Strategy and the implementation plan. I also met with Minister Foley in May to discuss the Strategy and the important actions that the Department of Education will take forward.
The Department of Education has had and will continue to have a vital role to play in the development and implementation of the Strategy, particularly in relation to teacher education; raising awareness of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence issues; anti-bullying policy and updating the curriculum for Relationships and Sexuality Education in Primary and Post-Primary schools.
452. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice her views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which her Department owns and public bodies and agencies under her remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38723/22]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Office of Public Works (OPW) is the State’s building portfolio manager and adviser. The OPW provides this service to my Department with regard to both State owned and leased properties occupied by bodies within my remit.
Buildings which are occupied by my Department and which provide front-facing services have accessible facilities for customers. These would be based on expected usage of services and buildings would be configured and designed to meet the needs of these users including those with disabilities. Unfortunately, I am not in a position to advise the Deputy in relation to the capacity or the suitability of the existing buildings to support additional usage outside the existing business and customer needs.
453. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38741/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has noted the role of the Disability Consultative Committee as a valuable forum for engagement. In the development of its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, my Department consulted with stakeholders from several disability stakeholder groups. The feedback has played a significant role in informing and strengthening the development of its EDI strategy.
As part of its work regarding awareness raising campaigns, the Department convened a working group on Campaign Evaluation and Measurement. The group has reviewed several frameworks to shape campaign planning and is developing a guide for colleagues based on this work. The Department’s Access Officer has been asked to input to a checklist document for campaign planning to ensure that accessibility issues are considered at an early stage.
The checklist document requires that any campaign team consult with Internal and External stakeholders in a way that reflects the Department’s responsibilities and commitments to:
- Inclusive stakeholder groups
- Accessible outreach.
- Language inclusivity.
- Offering opportunities for all to be heard.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the agencies, bodies and offices under the remit of my Department in relation to implementation of action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
I wish to advise the Deputy that many of the agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department have informed me that they actively engage with staff who have disabilities to ensure that their working environment and specific needs are addressed.
Additionally, as part of the Courts Service Modernisation Programme, engagements with a wide variety of stakeholder groups is ongoing, including with bodies that represent people with disabilities.
In line with strategic objective 4 of the Garda Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021, the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit (GNDIU) established a Garda National Diversity Forum to monitor and review the implementation of the strategy and also to act as a critical friend. The Forum is made up of 15 representatives of communities and key stakeholders from across the entire diversity spectrum and also includes, as invited guests, the Policing Authority. The Irish Criminal Justice Disability Network (ICJDN) is also represented on the Garda National Diversity Forum.
While the monitoring function of the Forum is to ensure An Garda Síochána carry out the commitments in the strategy, the Forum also provides a link to minority communities and are a voice for concerns within those communities.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) have advised me that they have engaged with the National Advocacy Service to provide assistance and improved accessibility to its services. I understand GSOC also attend National Disability Authority conferences in order to be engaged and up to date on legislation and best practice.
I am informed that the Data Protection Commission (DPC) is on track to meet of all its commitments under the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, and that the DPC is committed to engagement with people with disabilities and has had engagement in public consultation, e.g. the DPC's consultation on Children's Rights, where they identified and engaged with relevant groups.
I am also advised that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) seek engagements with persons with disabilities through their research and consultation work on an ongoing basis, and are still working through their statutory reporting agenda with that in mind where feasible.
The Legal Aid Board has assured me that they are committed to ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to legal advice. The Legal Aid Board has appointed an Access Officer in accordance with the Disability Act and the Access Officer is responsible for providing or arranging for, and coordinating assistance and guidance, to persons with disabilities accessing services provided by the Board. The Board also has in place Disability Liaison Officers (DLO) whose role is to assist and support staff with disabilities by providing necessary information, appropriate contacts, guidance, suggestions and advice.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Legal Aid Board established an External Consultative Panel a number of years ago. The purpose of this panel is to provide a forum to enable the Board to keep stakeholders informed and updated on relevant developments in the areas in which the Board has an interest and to facilitate stakeholders to provide feedback and assistance to the Board on the Board’s services from the perspective and informed position of the stakeholder. The Citizens Information Board (CIB) has a representative on the Panel. The CIB has a mandate to advocate for people with disabilities and supports that National Advocacy Service (NAS) for people with disabilities. In January 2022 representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland also joined the Panel.
454. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if his Department’s white paper on Enterprise Policy will be taken into account as part of Ireland’s position in respect of the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38312/22]
View answer456. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Department of Taoiseach and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to formulating a Government position on the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy. [38786/22]
View answer457. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he intends to set up a cross-Departmental working group to consider the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy and its implications for biopharmaceutical innovation in Ireland. [38787/22]
View answer500. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he intends to set up a cross-Departmental working group to consider the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38282/22]
View answer501. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he intends to launch a public consultation for industry and interested stakeholders to assist in developing Ireland’s position in relation to the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38283/22]
View answer503. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health his views on whether the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy could place at risk certain intellectual property rights, including those for orphan and paediatric medicines; if such a move could damage jobs, competitiveness and the development of new medicines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38285/22]
View answer505. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health his views on whether there is a role for Ireland, along with other economically advanced, similar-sized countries in supporting the protection of innovation in the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy in order that Ireland remains competitive for new investments and raise standards of care; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38287/22]
View answer567. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he will outline the Government’s position on the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy as the European Commission finalises its proposal for December 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38788/22]
View answer568. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health the last time the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy was discussed at an EPSCO Meeting; if Ireland contributed to that discussion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38789/22]
View answer569. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Department of An Taoiseach in relation to formulating a Government position on the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38790/22]
View answer570. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to formulating a position on the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38791/22]
View answer571. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health if he has engaged with the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in relation to formulating a Government position on the European Union Pharmaceutical Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38792/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 454, 456, 457, 500, 501, 503, 505, 567, 568, 569, 570 and 571 together.
The Pharmaceutical Strategy for Europe, published on 25 November 2020 is the second major building block of the new EU Health Union, and is fundamentally about ensuring safe, affordable medicines for all citizens and patients.
The strategy has four key aims that are focussed on
- ensuring access to affordable therapies for patients, and addressing unmet medical needs (in the areas of antimicrobial resistance and rare diseases, for example)supporting competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of the EU’s pharmaceutical industry and the development of high quality, safe, effective and greener medicines
- enhancing crisis preparedness and response mechanisms, establishing diversified and secure supply chains and addressing medicines shortages
- ensuring a strong EU voice in the world, by promoting a high level of quality, efficacy and safety standards
The Strategy identifies challenges and lays down high-level policy objectives to mitigate these, setting these out in a multi-year vision under a number of different work streams. It is also cognisant of the challenges that were highlighted and intensified at the early stages of the pandemic and seeks to learn from these experiences, including access to medicines.
Significant progress has been made to date on the delivery of actions laid out in the Implementation Plan, with some of the mechanisms of delivery addressing more than one of the desired actions. (55 outlined actions both legislative and non-legislative which will operationally realise the objectives of the strategy). These include revision of the General Pharmaceutical, Orphan and Paediatric legislation work to define/set criteria for unmet need, creation of the Health Emergency Response Authority, Structured Dialogue Initiative, and Clinical Trials Regulation.
A status report on the implementation actions is expected to be tabled at the next Pharmaceutical Committee meeting due to be held in October 2022.
Strategic considerations relating to issues around availability, accessibility and affordability of medicines, medicines shortages, the enhanced use of digitalisation in the context of its role and potential in facilitating market access, are of importance.
The Department of Health has established a Cross Departmental/Agency Group with key Stakeholders with differing perspectives so as to be best equipped and informed to react holistically from a national perspective as the implementation of the strategy progresses. Representatives from the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment are members of this group. The Group has already held two meetings with a third one planned for early Autumn.
At a European level the Department of Health also attends Directorate General Sante meetings where Pharmaceutical Strategy Priorities are discussed with other Member States. Ireland is actively involved at these meetings ensuring Ireland’s views are expressed.
Finally, insofar as the White Paper on Enterprise is concerned, at the request of the Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise Trade and Employment, the Government agreed in March this year to the development of this White Paper which is being led by the Department of Enterprise Trade and Employment. The White Paper will set out set out an ambitious medium- to long-term direction for enterprise policy in response to challenges, opportunities and new drivers of growth catalysed by the Covid-19 pandemic, new economic and geopolitical realities, and an increased urgency to accelerate the decarbonisation of industry. In so doing, the White Paper will articulate what needs to be done differently to realise this vision and to set out clearly the risks to be faced - such as energy, skills availability, technological change, etc. - and the policy choices and trade-offs that will arise in order to maintain high-quality jobs, to protect the elements which make Ireland’s economy globally attractive for investment and to ensure a competitive Irish economy into the future. The Tanaiste announced his Department’s public consultation on the White Paper on 3rd July and details are at www.enterprise.gov.ie Public consultation on the preparation of the White Paper on Enterprise - DETE
455. Deputy David Stanton asked the Minister for Health when restrictions on travel from South Africa to Ireland due to Covid-19 were first put in place; when they were lifted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38449/22]
View answerBetween 28 May 2020 and 6 March 2022, regulations providing for public health measures applying in general to international travel were in effect. The following sets out mandatory requirements made under the Health Act and applying to travel from South Africa.
From 9th January 2021, S.I. No. 3 of 2021 placed obligations on passengers arriving from South Africa relating to pre-departure testing. From 16 January, this requirement was extended under to travel from all overseas countries.
From 6th February 2021, S.I. No. 44 of 2021 placed obligations on passengers travelling from Category 2 states (which included South Africa) relating to pre-departure testing and self-quarantine on arrival.
The Health (Amendment) Act 2021 was enacted on 7th March and provided for a system of mandatory quarantine at designated facilities for passengers travelling to the State from countries designated by the Minister for Health, on the advice of the CMO and following consultation with other relevant Ministers. The designation of South Africa was revoked by Ministerial order on 27th August 2021.
From 29 November 2021, S.I. No. 639 of 2021 placed a restriction on travel to the State within 14 days of having been in a ‘scheduled states’ (7 countries including South Africa). Exemptions to this restriction were provided for Irish, UK, EU citizens, and third country nationals with rights to residency, diplomats and transport workers. S.I. No. 639 of 2021 also made provision for testing and self-quarantine obligations applying to travellers who had been in a scheduled state and who were not subject to the restriction on travel. These measures were lifted on 22 December 2021.
