Written Answers Nos. 1521-1540
1521. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a copy of the design, layout and plans for the footprint of the development at St. Anthony’s unit, Clonmel to this Deputy and the Hospital Palliative Care Tipperary Group; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13971/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
1522. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will support the 'Izzy' stickers initiative in public maternity healthcare settings (details supplied). [14005/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1523. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 683 of 28 February 2023, if he will provide details on the number of people on waiting lists for adult ADHD assessment in CHO4; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14006/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
1524. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on the period poverty initiatives being rolled out across 26 local authorities, as committed to in the women's health action plan; the number of local authorities taking part in the scheme to date in 2023; the way in which the scheme is being evaluated; and the steps that are being taken to address the prioritised groups as outlined in the plan, including women experiencing homelessness, women living with addiction, Traveller and Roma women, and women experiencing consistent poverty. [14007/23]
View answerFollowing the publication of a Plan International Survey in 2018, which found that 10% of teenage girls were significantly impacted by period poverty, Private Members’ Motions on the topic were passed in both Houses of the Oireachtas and a sub-committee of the National Strategy for Women and Girls Strategy Committee was set up to consider the issue.
The resulting Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper was published in February, 2021 and can be accessed at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/264f4-period-poverty-in-ireland-discussion-paper-period-poverty-sub-committee-national-strategy-for-women-and-girls-20172020-february-2021/
Government has agreed that the recommendations of the Period Poverty in Ireland Discussion Paper be taken into account and that cross-Government, inter-Departmental, inter-agency and societal support for implementation measures should be sought, including from voluntary and private sector organisations that provide services funded by the State, as well as from public service providers.The Department of Health has established an inter-Departmental Period Poverty Implementation Group ("IG"), with representation from most Government Departments, to achieve cross sectoral input and to co-ordinate oversight of implementation measures recommended by the Discussion Paper. The Group has now met on four occasions, most recently in December 2022. Various bilateral meetings have also been held between officials of this Department, other Government Departments, State agencies and NGOs and representatives of the Scottish Government.
The purpose of the IG is to implement the recommendations of the Discussion Paper; to improve access to period products for those who may need them, and to widen the knowledge base regarding the incidence and impacts of period poverty in Ireland. In terms of implementation, the most urgent focus is on supporting those most in need (e.g., the homeless, those living with addiction, minorities including Travellers, Roma and refugees and those experiencing consistent poverty). Funding of €710,000 was allocated for this in Budget 2022; an additional €100,000 was allocated in 2023, with a split of €300,000 allocated to the HSE and €514,000 to the Department of Health.
The Department of Health and the HSE are progressing implementation of a period dignity support programme through HSE Social Inclusion, with a focus on Travellers and Roma; this commenced with a pilot programme in Community Health Organisation 5 (CHO5, based in the South-East) in 2022.
Following initial positive results, the HSE extended similar supports to other CHOs in the second half of 2022, with additional funding in 2023. Depending on numbers of Travellers and Roma in each CHO, some are also widening provision out to other vulnerable groups, working with community organisations and facilities.
The Department have also funded 26 Local Authorities and 16 NGOs directly in 2022, including family resource centres and charities working with people experiencing homelessness, addiction and/or consistent poverty, to progress period dignity projects.
Requests for 2022 reporting and expressions of interest for 2023 were issued in January and are currently being processed by the Department. All local authorities have been asked if they would like to participate in both 2022 and 2023.
1525. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the obligations of the HSE to conduct inspections of private residences and/or rented accommodation where the environment is considered a hazard and dangerous due to mould and damp or rodent infestation. [14008/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1526. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to engage with persons impacted by data breaches due to cyber-attacks on HSE systems. [14010/23]
View answerThe HSE are managing this process. Where there is evidence that data associated with an individual was accessed as part of the criminally motivated cyber attack on the HSE in May 2021, those people are being contacted individually and offered the opportunity to review what data was accessed and engage with the HSE team. A similar process is underway at Mercy University Hospital, as a voluntary hospital in Cork.
1527. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health if he will ensure that the adults being treated for serious mental health conditions would be eligible for the long-term illness card. [14011/23]
View answerThe Long-Term Illness (LTI) scheme was established under Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970 (as amended). Regulations were made in 1971, 1973 and 1975, prescribing 16 illnesses covered by the scheme.
The first of these regulations, Statutory Instrument No. 277 of 1971, put a limitation on Section 59(3) of the Health Act 1970, in respect of the provision of medicines to those suffering from mental illness:
"Arrangements for the supply of drugs and medicines to persons suffering from mental illness in pursuance of section 59 (3) of the Act shall be made only in respect of persons under the age of 16 years."
There have been no recent changes to the legislation underpinning the LTI scheme. However, my Department is currently examining all of the issues around the scope of the Scheme.
It is also important to remember that the LTI scheme exists within a wider eligibility framework.
This Government has put a significant focus on improving access to and the affordability of healthcare services, advancing substantial policy, legislation and investment to deliver expanded eligibility.
In 2022, a range of measures were delivered including the abolition of public inpatient charges for children, reductions in the Drug Payment Scheme threshold to €80 per month, and the introduction of free contraception for women aged 17-25.
The significant investment in Budget 2023 will facilitate better access to affordable, high-quality healthcare for people at a time when the cost-of-living crisis is impacting on everyone.
In 2023 this will mean:
- an expansion of GP care without charges to people earning no more than the median household income.
- all public inpatient hospital charges will be abolished.
- an extension of free contraception to 26-year-old women since 1 Jan 2023, and further extension to 27-30 years old women from 1 September 2023.
These measures continue to create a health and social care service that offers affordable access to quality healthcare.
In addition, people who cannot, without undue hardship, arrange for the provision of medical services for themselves and their dependants may be eligible for a medical card.
In accordance with the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for a medical card is determined by the HSE. Medical card eligibility is primarily based on an assessment of means and is not granted on the basis of any particular condition.
In certain circumstances the HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income guidelines, where he or she faces difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from illness. In circumstances where an applicant is still over the income limit for a medical card, they are then assessed for a GP visit card, which entitles the applicant to GP visits without charge.
Under the Drug Payment Scheme (DPS), no individual or family pays more than €80 a month towards the cost of approved prescribed medicines. The DPS is not means tested and is available to anyone ordinarily resident in Ireland. The DPS significantly reduces the cost burden for families and individuals with ongoing expenditure on medicines.
Individuals may also be entitled to claim tax relief on the cost of their medical expenses, including medicines prescribed by a doctor, dentist, or consultant. Relief is at the standard tax rate of 20%.
1528. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant otolaryngologist attached to each hospital part of the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [14032/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1529. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the locations of recruitment fairs in the UK that staff from hospitals within the Dublin Midlands Hospital Group were present in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [14033/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive (nationalhr@hse.ie) to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1530. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of WTE consultant urologists attached to Naas General Hospital in 2021, 2022 and to-date in 2023, in tabular form. [14035/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to reply to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1531. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if funding will be approved for the recruitment of additional whole-time equivalent clinical nurse specialist in neurofibromatosis at CHI Tallaght. [14036/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1532. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health the number of resuscitation suites in the accident and emergency department at St. Vincent's University Hospital and Tallaght University Hospital, in tabular form. [14037/23]
View answerAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1533. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason the 60% grant is not available to farmers to purchase a domestic wind turbine (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13856/23]
View answerTAMS 3 is a demand led scheme and is limited by budgetary constraints. My Department examined all the options for maximising the production of the renewable energy on farms and decided that grant aiding the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage represented the best value for money as well as the best return on investment for both farmers and the State.
1534. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of times funding was moved across budget lines within his Department in a process known as virement; the name and purpose of the fund the money was taken from; the name and purpose of the fund the money was transferred to; the dates upon which he approved of such transfers, since he took office; if the Department of Public Expenditure was consulted prior to the transfer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12262/23]
View answerVirement transfers only take place with the prior written approval of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform (DPENDR). On receipt of DPENDR sanction, funds can be transferred from a subhead (or subheads) where savings have been identified to a subhead (or subheads) with projected additional expenditure needs.
All of my Department's virements made in the years 2020 and 2021 received DPENDR sanction prior to the transfers being carried out and are included on the enclosed list. No virements were required in 2022.
1535. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if, under the new Tams 3, solar capital investment scheme, farmers can export back to the grid for an agreed price; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12333/23]
View answer1554. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will clarify the situation regarding surplus electricity produced from solar panels under a TAMS grant and how customers will be credited and paid for surplus electricity to the national grid where such a surplus is exported to the grid; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12871/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1535 and 1554 together.
To help encourage on-farm renewable technology uptake and usage, grant aid is provided through TAMS to assist farmers in maximising their contribution to the production of renewable energy through the installation of Solar PV technology along with battery storage on Irish farms.
The objective of the TAMS scheme is to enable farmers to consume solar PV generated electricity onsite to meet their farm electricity demand, including the dwelling house. In this context, it is permissible for excess electricity generated to spill over on to the grid and for the farmer to receive remuneration for the quantity that spills over.
This spill over of generated electricity is paid for under the Clean Export Guarantee (CEG), which is available to all renewable generators including farmers. The price for the spill over electricity is set by the energy provider under the Clean Export Guarantee.
TAMS is an On-Farm Investment Scheme which is co-funded by the EU. Under the current EU regulations and under the new CAP Strategic Plan, it is required that the electricity generated annually from the installed solar PV system does not exceed the annual electricity demand on the farmyard including the dwelling house.
As part of the TAMS application, an ‘On Farm Solar PV Survey’ must be completed and submitted with the application to quantify the holdings annual electricity demand and the planned electricity supply from the proposed development. An application may be rejected or amended if the applicant cannot demonstrate that the electricity produced annually from the solar panels is not in excess of the annual electricity demand of the applicant’s agricultural holding. The maximum size of panel eligible for grant aid currently is 62kW. An applicant can install additional panels but at their own cost.
The Solar PV installer must be listed on the Department’s register of installers.
Currently grant aid for solar investments in TAMS is for the purposes of farm consumption. If the applicant wishes to apply for non-TAMS support (e.g. SEAI) for a larger area of panels, the TAMS 3 unit must be a separate independent system if this additional support is being sought. If no additional non-TAMS support is sought, then the additional panels can be part of the TAMS system.
The electricity consumption of the dwelling house can be included on the solar survey as part of the holding for sizing the Solar PV installation. The dwelling house must be occupied by the herd owner or family member and situated on the holding. Only one dwelling house can be included on the Solar survey.
1536. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if clarification will be provided on a matter (details supplied) in relation to the cutting of bogs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12402/23]
View answerThe Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine does not have a role in the regulation of cutting of bogs. The Regulation on supply and peat extraction falls under planning regulations and is covered by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Cutting of Bogs above certain size thresholds may also require licensing by the EPA.
1537. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has acted on the concerns submitted to his office by an individual (details supplied) regarding numerous websites that have listed dogs for sale or adoption, in contravention of the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or supply of pet animals) Regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12430/23]
View answerMy Department cannot comment on individual cases but investigates every complaint made and works to achieve full compliance with the regulations In relation to the sale of pets, concern for the safety and welfare of pet animals was one of the primary reasons behind the introduction by my Department of the Animal Health and Welfare (Sale or Supply of Pet Animals) Regulations 2019 (S.I. 681/2019).
These Regulations put into law certain requirements for sellers and suppliers of pet animals, including the minimum age for the sale of certain mammals; record-keeping; registration with the Department; and the provision of specific information about the pet in advertisements. The Regulations were welcomed by welfare organisations and are a support to those thinking of purchasing pet animals.
Under these regulations, anyone who sells or supplies six or more pet animals in a year must register with my Department.
Dog Breeding Establishments are excluded from this requirement under these regulations as they are already subject to registration with the Department of Rural and Community Development.
1538. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to monitor and act on any environmental issues concerning the operation of a fish farm (details supplied). [12456/23]
View answerAll marine finfish licences are subject to the terms and conditions of marine finfish protocols. These protocols include sea lice monitoring and control, water column monitoring and benthic monitoring.
All Marine Finfish Protocols are available for viewing on my Department’s website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/fcd20-aquaculture-foreshore-management/#marine-finfish-protocols. Monitoring of compliance with these protocols is carried out by my Department, with assistance from the Marine Institute.
The terms and conditions of the aquaculture licence for the site referred to by the Deputy also contains specific reference to these protocols.
1539. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide funding for farmers and landowners to employ the services of a tree specialist to help them review the health of road-facing trees and to deal with issues where identified. [12457/23]
View answerThe care and management of trees adjacent to roads is the responsibility of the landowner on whose land the roadside trees are growing. It is advisable that landowners make themselves aware of the full legal extent of their land ownership and of any obligations arising from this.
My Department does not offer funding for the removal of roadside trees, but has recently published guidance on the subject of roadside trees (“A Guide for Landowners to Managing Roadside Trees”) and this can be accessed at the Department website.
1540. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide a schedule of the meetings that he or the Ministers of State in his Department have had with an organisation (details supplied) in 2021, 2022 and to date in 2023; the subject matter of the meetings, the officials present from his Department and the persons present from the organisation; and if the meetings were online, in person and or by phone. [12495/23]
View answerThe following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 42A
I have had numerous meetings directly with IBEC and some of its constituent members since taking office on a wide variety of topics. Minister McConalogue meetings involving IBEC
*07/10/2020 Meeting with IBEC including Ministers of State
*8/3/21 IBEC North West REC Meeting Virtual
Various TDS and Committee members
*10/5/21 IBEC, Meat Industry Ireland, Meat Industry Ireland Virtual
IBEC officials and Department officials
*3/6/21 Forestry Industry Ireland(IBEC Member) Virtual
IBEC officials and Department officials
*16/6/21 IBEC /Drinks Ireland in person
IBEC officials and Department officials
*1/7/2021 Forestry Industry Ireland(IBEC Member) Virtual
IBEC officials and Department officials
*1/10/21 Ibec North West REC Meeting Virtual
The IBEC North-West Regional Executive Committee.
TDs in Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim
*26/10/21 IBEC members Hybrid meeting
*26/5/22 poultry working group meeting
Food and drink Ireland Ibec and Department officials
*16/9/22 Ibec North West REC Meeting Virtual
The Ibec North-West Regional Executive Committee.
TDs in Donegal, Sligo & Leitrim
*8/11/22 Board Bia/Ibec In person meeting
Industry reps and Department officials
*25/11/2022 Forestry Industry Ireland (IBEC Member) in person
Industry reps and Department officials
*06/12/2022
Drinks Ireland (IBEC Members) in person
Industry reps and Department officials
*2/2/2023 Forestry Industry Ireland (IBEC Member) Virtual
Industry reps and Department officials
*9/2/23 IBEC- Beef Sustainability Report Launch In person
Industry reps and Department officials
*30/3/23 Forestry Industry Ireland (IBEC Member) Virtual
Industry reps and Department officials
