Michael Moynihan
Question:290. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine how the agrifood sector has been strengthened and developed since 27 June 2020. [54396/23]
View answerAgriculture Industry
Questions (290)
Written answers
Over the past three and a half years the country, and the agrifood sector in particular, has faced three significant challenges: the closure of the hospitality and food service sector for long periods worldwide during COVID-19; the disruption to trade with our nearest and most important agrifood trading partner as a result of Brexit; and the significant increases in input costs, especially fertiliser and feed, as a result of the illegal Russian invasion of Ukraine. Despite these disruptions, the agrifood sector has continued to strengthen, demonstrating its resilience.
2022 saw record agrifood exports valued at €19 billion, up 32% in value from €14.3 billion in 2020. Agrifood exports account for 9% of all the merchandised goods exported from Ireland. The Irish agrifood sector is globally orientated, with approximately 90% of Irish beef, sheepmeat and dairy produce exported each year. In 2022, we exported more than one billion euros in value of each of the following: fresh or chilled Irish beef, natural butter, cheese and Irish whiskey.
Preliminary Central Statistics Office (CSO) results indicate that in 2022, the agrifood sector accounted for 6.7% of GNI*, up from 6.2% in 2021 and 6.4% in 2020. CSO data also indicates the value of output at producer prices or farm gate prices rose from €8.4 billion in 2020 to €12.3 billion in 2022, an increase of 47%. At the same time the overall income or operating surplus in agriculture increased from €3.2 billion to €4.7 billion, an increase of 50%. These increases in agriculture income came at a time when fertiliser prices more than doubled in price, energy costs increased by almost 70% and animal feed cost increased by over 50%.
On the policy side, Food Vision 2030, our shared stakeholder-led strategy for agrifood, developed for the sector by the sector and launched in 2021, has the potential to transform our agriculture, food, forestry and marine sectors. Food Vision 2030 aims for Ireland to be “A World Leader in Sustainable Food Systems”. In demonstrating the Irish agrifood sector meets the highest standards of sustainability – economic, environmental, and social – this will also provide the basis for the future competitive advantage of the sector. By adopting an integrated food systems approach, Ireland will seek to become a global leader of innovation for sustainable food and agriculture systems, producing safe, nutritious, and high-value food that tastes great, while protecting and enhancing our natural and cultural resources and contributing to vibrant rural and coastal communities and the national economy.
The Irish CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023-2027 has the highest ever available budget of €9.8 billion, and more than 60% of that (just under €6 billion) is targeted at supporting farm incomes. The CAP objectives aim to improve the economic, environmental and social sustainability of the agricultural sector, and we have seen in this period a real shift in focus towards supporting farmers for practices that benefit the climate, environment and biodiversity. In Ireland’s case, a significant element of our CAP funding is targeted towards delivering on environmental and climate objectives. At EU level we have the second highest amount of CAP funding dedicated to environmental action, almost 70% of the Pillar 2 Rural Development funding, including a new agri-environment scheme, ACRES, and a five-fold increase in funding for Organic Farming.
In addition, I should mention the signing into law of the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain Bill 2022, in July 2023, will bring increased fairness and transparency to the agricultural and food supply chain. The independent Office will be known as An Rialálaí Agraibhia will have a particular regard to farmers, fishers and small food businesses and I am delighted that it will come into operation next week.
The economic performance of the agrifood sector continues to strengthen and through the new CSP and our ambitious policy objectives, I will continue to lead the development of the agrifood in collaboration with the sector.
Disability Services
Questions (291)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:291. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth about an application for a children's disability services grant (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54249/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
Disability Services
Questions (292)
Michael Lowry
Question:292. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether a valid application has been received through the strengthening children’s disability services scheme (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54264/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this question refers to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive (HSE) to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible. As the Deputy may be aware, the industrial action that commenced on Friday 6th October, by management and administrative grades in Fórsa Trade Union in the HSE, will impact on the response times to Parliamentary Questions and Representations.
Mother and Baby Homes
Questions (293)
Seán Canney
Question:293. Deputy Seán Canney asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the necessary resources can be made available to survivors of mother and baby homes to trace their records; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54253/23]
View answerWritten answers
Enacted and commenced in 2022, the Birth Information and Tracing Act enshrines in law the right to identity information for all those who are adopted, nursed out, boarded out, subject to an illegal birth registration, or resided in a mother and baby or county home institution as a child. It also allows for access to information by a child of a relevant person where their parent has died, and for access by the next of kin of children who died in an institution.
The Act established a statutory tracing service, and a Contact Preference Register in addition to providing for the release of vital identity information. The tracing service facilitates contact and/or the sharing of information. The Act also introduced a wide range of new bespoke measures to address issues arising for people affected by illegal birth registration. A broad spectrum of counselling and support is available, on request, to persons affected. All of these services are free of charge for those eligible.
To date the Adoption Authority of Ireland and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency have received over 10,000 applications for information and have currently completed over 8,000 cases. The Adoption Authority of Ireland have successfully identified 255 matches on the Contact Preference Register, which facilitates the sharing of information between genetic relations, and, where it is desired, facilitates direct contact.
Additional supports and resources have been provided to both organisations in order to run these services, which have been in operation under the Birth Information and Tracing Act 2022 for over a year.
It should be noted that, specifically in relation to the Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme, there will be no requirement for applicants to supply records documenting the time they spent in a Mother and Baby Institution when they are submitting an application. Applicants will need to include the name of the institution(s), as well as the date they entered and exited the institution(s) (or an estimate, if these dates are not known). The Payment Scheme Office will then establish the time an applicant spent in an institution by conducting a record check on the applicant’s behalf. In a small number of cases records may be requested from an applicant. Where this is necessary, staff of the Payment Scheme Office will contact the applicant to request these records.
Departmental Policies
Questions (294)
Alan Dillon
Question:294. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the main policy achievements of his Department in 2023; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54287/23]
View answerWritten answers
My officials are collating the required information and a response will issue shortly.
Direct Provision System
Questions (295)
Alan Dillon
Question:295. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 540 of 28 November 2023, if he will provide a breakdown of each of the nine locations providing emergency and permanent accommodation in County Mayo; the type of accommodation facilities in the emergency settings; and a breakdown of the number at each location. [54304/23]
View answerWritten answers
I thank the Deputy for his question. This information will be provided directly to the Deputy in the coming days.
Ukraine War
Questions (296)
Alan Dillon
Question:296. Deputy Alan Dillon asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will provide an update on an offer of commercial accommodation for a person (details supplied); when this will be processed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54309/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, as part of the Whole of Government response the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to support over 101,300 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing the war in Ukraine, over 80% of whom have sought State supported accommodation.
Overseeing provision of accommodation on this scale during this timeframe for all those who require it remains immensely challenging. Due to the urgent need to source accommodation, the Department has contracted in excess of 59,000 beds to accommodate Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) in more than 980 mainly commercial settings including hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs, hostels, commercial self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.
With regard to the offer to which the Deputy refers, I am advised by my officials that they are liaising directly with your constituent and correspondence was sent on 27th November requesting further documentation. Until the same is received, the offer cannot be progressed by the appropriate team.
My Department continues to assess and review all suitable accommodation offers received on an ongoing basis as to their suitability to meet the needs of BOTPs.
White Papers
Questions (297)
Holly Cairns
Question:297. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the implementation of the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision; and the estimated timeframe for ending direct provision. [54315/23]
View answerWritten answers
Since January 2022 there has been a substantial increase in the number of new International Protection arrivals with more than 26,600 up to 5th December 2023. These figures are notably in addition to the significant numbers coming to Ireland who have fled the war in Ukraine. Over 100,000 Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection orders have been granted to date, with over 74,000 requiring accommodation. The State is under pressure to provide accommodation for the volumes being experienced.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper to end Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service was based needed to be re-examined, as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. This review process is currently ongoing. In terms of next steps, a cabinet memo will be going to government in the coming weeks setting out a revised implementation approach including new time lines. There will be new ambition in terms of increasing the state owned permanent accommodation capacity to meet increasing needs.
Notwithstanding the acute accommodation pressures faced by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in accommodating International Protection applicants, significant work has continued to deliver on the commitments made in the White Paper under the three core strands – Accommodation, Integration and Supports.
Accommodation
• Increasing the state owned accommodation capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings and advancing the planning process for the construction of purpose built centres.
• Work has also been carried out to deliver some accommodation in the community with thirty-seven properties purchased to date. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been commissioned to operationalise these properties, and will be prioritised to accommodate vulnerable IP applicants. The properties will be delivered on a phased basis over the next number of months.
• A dedicated unit for victims of trafficking (VOT) in accordance with White Paper recommendations has been established. The VOT unit is staffed and the first residents moved into the unit earlier this month.
• The Department is progressing the introduction of independent monitoring of IPAS centres by HIQA, providing greater confidence on the standards being applied in existing IP accommodation. HIQA's role will apply to all ‘permanent’ centres contracted by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS). All IPAS accommodation centres are already subject to regular unannounced inspections both by officials in IPAS and by an independent inspectorate company. Planning is near completion on this process, and HIQA has conducted pilot inspections in a small number of IPAS centres.
With regards to Integration
• Government has granted International Protection applicants the right to work after six months, the right to apply for a driving licence, and access to bank accounts.
• A new local integration model has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Authority (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The model centres on a new national network of Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs), funded by my Department, to be located in each local authority, to better help International Protection applicants engage with existing local services. Recruitment by Local Authorities is currently underway and a Working Group, chaired by the LGMA, has been established to develop the detailed functions of the LAITs.
• An International Protection Integration Fund was launched in 2022, which aims to enable community based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection applicants at local and national level. Over €2.8m in funding have been awarded to 137 organisations since the fund was launched in 2022. This year 71 projects have been awarded €1,220,776 in funding. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, charities, faith-based groups, schools and cultural organisations. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.
In terms of Supports Services,
• A vulnerability assessment process has been available to all IP applicant arrivals since February 2021. This process is enabling my Department to identify IP applicants with specified needs and to refer such persons, as necessary, to the HSE where those needs involve mental or physical health issues.
• A new fund has been established to further support the work of the Children and Young People’s Services Committees. The White Paper places a focus and emphasis on family, child welfare and child protection and includes a commitment to expand the work of Children and Young People’s Services Committees to enable their engagement with families in IPAS accommodation. The particular challenges faced by families in International Protection requires a specific focus. In this context, I made over €1.3m available to CYPSCs for 2023 to support them in further developing, enhancing and expanding the provision of their support services to families in IPAS accommodation. This supported a range of initiatives including projects aimed at Community Integration, Supports for Parents, Emergency Accommodation and Mental Health. This has enabled families and children in International Protection to engage with their local community through for music and sports programmes, well-being programmes and cultural community exchange events. Following the success of this year, I have allocated an increased amount of €1.5m to provide this service in 2024.
• A customer service team was established within my Department in 2021 which runs clinics, often in cooperation with NGO partners, for applicants in newly established centres or in centres with higher than average complaints rates.
• NGOs have been contracted to provide in-centre supports to IP applicants. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), for instance, has been contracted to provide orientation and social supports to IP applicants at the Citywest Transit Hub and to link them with mainstream services.
• The REALT network of language supports for Ukrainian children has been extended to provide support to children in International Protection in terms of securing school places and additional supports. The primary role of the REALT is to build on existing regional education support structures and the initial focus will be on assisting families in securing school places. REALT will also support schools in the area to meet the needs of these children as they emerge, to advise and support the Department in developing new capacity where required, and to co-ordinate the provision of education services to schools and families across their defined area. This work involves working with the families, school principals and communities to locate school places, providing relevant information as well as signposting to supports across the system.
• Under the European Social Fund 2021-2027 funding has been allocated the DCEDIY to recruit dedicated practitioners to support families living in IPAS accommodation. Adopting a multi-agency, multidisciplinary approach, these practitioners will provide a standardised pathway for family support within each of the 17 Tusla areas. Supports will vary depending on the needs of each individual family but may consist of delivering individualised parenting programmes and family support clinics or facilitating the integration of families by building connections with Family Resource Centres in the locality.
The implementation of the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants is and will continue to be a key priority for my Department. As highlighted, work is progressing in key areas, and this will have a positive impact on the system and improve the lives of those living in international protection accommodation.
White Papers
Questions (298)
Holly Cairns
Question:298. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number and grade of staff assigned to implementing the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision, by year from 2021 to date, in tabular form. [54316/23]
View answerWritten answers
Staffing White Paper International Protection Support Service Transition Team
|
Year |
No of Staff |
|
End 2021 |
5 |
|
End 2022 |
7 |
|
Current 2023 |
9 |
Ukraine War
Questions (299)
Seán Sherlock
Question:299. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if an application has been made or is being considered being made for accommodation for international protection applicants and those availing of the temporary protection for people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine (details supplied). [54336/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland has responded to the largest displacement of people on the European continent since the Second World War. Since February 2022, as part of the Whole of Government response the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has worked extensively to support approximately 101,000 people who have sought temporary protection in Ireland in fleeing, over 80% of whom have sought State supported accommodation.
My Department is focused on providing immediate, temporary accommodation to people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. This has involved entering into arrangements with over 990 providers including hotels, guest houses and B&Bs, religious properties, with additional capacity operated by voluntary bodies and local authority emergency facilities.
I am advised that my Department has not considered the property to which the Deputy refers.
International Protection
Questions (300)
John Brady
Question:300. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to clarify whether it is intended that the new International Protection child payment of €140 per month, or €32.11 per week, announced in Budget 2024, will be paid in addition to the existing daily expense allowance for children of €29.80, or will it just replace that; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54361/23]
View answerWritten answers
Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes over 74,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.
The State has a legal obligation to assess the claims of those who seek IP, and in that time, to provide accommodation and supports in line with the Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), to those that require it.
As part of the Budget process, €4.7m was secured to provide for an International Protection Child Payment in 2024.
A business case for sanction on the establishment of the IPCP has now been prepared and submitted to the Department of Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform in line with the rules and procedures governing public spending.
As part of the development of the White Paper, agreement was reached in principal that the Department of Social Protection would administer the IPCP. My officials are currently engaged in discussions to agree the particulars of this arrangement.
Social Welfare Eligibility
Questions (301)
Jim O'Callaghan
Question:301. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 332 of 21 November 2023, answered by the Minister for Social Protection, given the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has policy and legal responsibility for maternity leave, if he will consider broadening the eligibility for the State maternity benefit in order to ensure that PhD candidates can receive the benefit. [54444/23]
View answerWritten answers
The Maternity Protection Act 1994 and the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 provide a pregnant employee with six months of paid maternity leave and an additional 16 weeks of unpaid leave, alongside other entitlements such as breastfeeding breaks. These entitlements do not, however, apply to those who do not meet the definition of employee under the Acts.
All forms of family leave are kept under review to ensure that they are effective in supporting families and children. I recently announced my intention to bring forward proposals to allow for deferral of maternity leave where a mother falls ill during this period, in response to the issues raised by the Irish Cancer Society. The Government is also very committed to ensuring that Members of the Oireachtas can avail of maternity leave and I have indicated my intention to bring forward legislative proposals to provide for this.
However, other than the above and mindful of significant new leave entitlements brought forward this year through the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023, there are no plans to modify entitlements to maternity leave further at this time.
Hospital Procedures
Questions (302)
Bernard Durkan
Question:302. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if he will reconsider the application/request for assistance towards hospitalisation/treatment for cataracts in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54418/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this refers to an individual case, I have referred this matter to the HSE for their attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
Health Services
Questions (303)
Michael Healy-Rae
Question:303. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if respite will be arranged for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54229/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
As the Deputy may be aware, management and administrative grade staff in the Fórsa union in the HSE commenced industrial action on Friday, 6 October. As a consequence of this industrial action, members in these grades are not engaging with political forums or processes. As a result, the question asked by the Deputy may be delayed in receiving a response directly from the HSE.
Hospital Services
Questions (304)
Pearse Doherty
Question:304. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Health if ophthalmology patients with age-related macular degeneration living in Donegal and travelling to Sligo for regular eye injections can have such injections at Letterkenny University Hospital; if not, if this is being considered; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54247/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this Parliamentary Question relates to an operational issue, it is a matter for the HSE. However, members of the Oireachtas are advised that the HSE is currently not in a position to answer PQs due to industrial action. It is hoped that normal services will resume soon. In the meantime, this Department will continue to refer PQs to HSE for their direct reply as soon as possible.
Hospital Appointments Status
Questions (305)
Pa Daly
Question:305. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an appointment for a surgical procedure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54251/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.
Health Services Staff
Questions (306)
David Cullinane
Question:306. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the details of the new adaptation programme offered to overseas applicants by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [54265/23]
View answerWritten answers
As this question relates to an operational matter of the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland (NMBI), I have referred the question to the NMBI for its attention and direct response to the Deputy.