Written Answers Nos. 197-210
197. Deputy Noel Harrington asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding a rural environment protection scheme 4 payment in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20684/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named commenced REPS 4 in December 2007 and received payments for the first five years of their contract. REPS 4 is a measure under the current 2007-13 Rural Development Programme and is subject to EU Regulations which require detailed administrative checks on all applications to be completed before any payments can issue. These checks have now been completed in this case and the 75% Year 6 payment amounting to €7,048.35 issued for payment on 25 April 2013. The remaining 25% Year 6 balancing payment will issue shortly.
198. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will seek an advance in the single farm payment for farmers who are struggling with the fodder crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20738/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am acutely aware of the difficulties being experienced by some farmers as a result of recent unseasonable weather, with difficult conditions experienced on farms last summer having been compounded by an extended winter.
In light of the difficulties experienced by farmers in sourcing fodder supplies, last week I announced the allocation of €1 million to fund the Imported Fodder Transport Scheme, which is designed to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage) from outside the island of Ireland. I am pleased to note that since the introduction of this Scheme that significant quantities of fodder have been imported and are reaching those in most need. However, in view of the continuing need, I have now decided to extend this Scheme for a further week until Friday, 10 May. I have also clarified that maize silage is included in the Scheme when further quantities of fodder are imported. I also commend the efforts being made by the farming community and organizations themselves and also the active approach being adopted by the Dairy Co-ops to help alleviate the situation.
In terms of EU payments, it will be recalled that my successful approach to Commissioner Ciolos for agreement to making an advance payment of the 2012 Single Farm Payment was prompted by the very wet weather experienced throughout last summer. Mindful of ongoing difficulties, I have decided that a formal request should again be made to the EU Commission seeking agreement to pay an advance from 16 October of the 2013 Single Farm Payment which, at almost 2 months ahead of the standard timeline, is the earliest potential payment date. Payments under the Disadvantaged Areas Scheme are scheduled to begin issuing in September 2013.
The Department has an emergency animal welfare helpline in operation and calls are being referred to the Co-operatives and or to the Department’s veterinary personnel as appropriate. Department Veterinary Inspectors continue to be actively engaged in providing emergency assistance under the Department’s early warning system to farmers whose animals are currently experiencing serious welfare issues and where the farmer him/herself is unable to cope with the situation.
I am, of course, keeping this ongoing situation under constant review.
199. Deputy Áine Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine in view of the requirement to make sufficient lands available for the hen harriers, farmers activities are restricted for forestry and wind turbines, if Coillte could by cooperation with local farmers and agreeing crop rotations make more farmers land available for commercial activities.; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20795/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a number of Special Protection Areas (SPA) designated for the protection of the hen harrier where restrictions apply to planting and other developments. Any future afforestation within the SPA must take into account the results of recent Hen Harrier breeding and distribution surveys, the availability of suitable habitat, existing forest cover, age profile of existing forests, and the effects of other cumulative developments on hen harrier populations e.g. wind farms.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is in the process of developing a Threat Response Plan (TRP) for the conservation of Hen harriers. Forestry will form a significant element of the plan, particularly in relation to overall forest restructuring. My Department is working with NPWS in the development of the TRP which will determine the circumstances in which afforestation, if any, might be accommodated in Hen harrier SPAs without impacting on the conservation of the species.
Coillte Teoranta was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forestry estate, are the responsibility of the company.
200. Deputy Paul J. Connaughton asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) in County Galway is not entitled to a hardship grant in view of the fact that their herd is locked up since February; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20801/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Hardship Grant Scheme, assistance is available from my Department to eligible herdowners who are restricted under the TB and Brucellosis Eradication Scheme. The scheme is designed to alleviate the additional feed costs incurred by eligible owner(s) whose holdings are restricted during the period from the 1 November to 30 April, payments are subject to the schemes criteria.
The holding in question was restricted under the TB & Brucellosis Eradication Scheme on 21 February 2013, following the disclosure of 3 reactor animals in the herd. However an essential condition for eligibility is that the holding of the applicant applying continues to be restricted following a full herd Reactor Re-test. In this instance the Reactor Re-test is due to be carried out after the closing date of the scheme i.e. 30 April. The date for the Reactor retest is determined by the date of removal of the previous reactors from the herd, and cannot be brought forward. While a Hardship application was received in the local District Veterinary Office on the 27 February 2013, the herdowner has been advised by the DVO that he is not eligible for the Hardship Grant as his reactor retest will not have been completed before the closing date of the scheme.
However, I announced last week a comprehensive package of measures aimed at addressing the fodder shortage crisis, including a €1m fund to contribute to the transport costs of importing fodder to the country, which will reduce the cost of purchasing fodder for farmers by approximately a third, in the days ahead. In addition, the co-ops have agreed to my request to substantially increase the volume of fodder being imported into the country over the short to medium term. The co-ops have also agreed to consider the introduction of interest free credit, within limits, to farmers for the purchase of fertiliser, limited to the month of May. The person in question should contact his local co-op to determine whether he can qualify for assistance under these arrangements.
I should also explain that emergency assistance is also available under the Farm Animal Welfare Advisory Council’s early warning system to ensure that there is no reason for any farmer to see their animals starve. I have also asked the advisory service to prioritise advice to farmers in the period ahead and to focus on the optimum use of fertiliser in generating feed for the national herd. In addition, outstanding scheme payments are being processed with urgency.
201. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 204 of 7 March 2012, the progress that has been made on the issue of a licence for mussel farming in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20802/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs previously advised the application referred to is in respect of a site located within Kenmare Bay which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive (Natura 2000 site).
All applications in ‘Natura’ areas are required to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of environmental compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. My Department, in conjunction with the Marine Institute and the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) of the Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht is engaged in a comprehensive programme to gather the necessary baseline data appropriate to the conservation objectives of ‘Natura’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. Analysis of the data, together with the setting of appropriate conservation objectives by the NPWS, will enable all new, renewal and review applications to be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives. This work represents a significant financial, administrative and scientific investment by the State in resolving this issue. The Appropriate Assessment of aquaculture applications is being dealt with on a bay-by-bay basis.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service has now completed Conservation Objectives in respect of Kenmare Bay which will enable the commencement of the Appropriate Assessment process by the Marine Institute in accordance with the programme of measures agreed with the EU Commission.
Addressing the issue of aquaculture licensing in Natura 2000 areas is a key priority for my Department and you can be assured that every effort is being made to expedite the determination of this aquaculture licence application having regard to all the complexities involved.
202. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of James Connolly Hospital, Dublin, management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive's 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20516/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra203. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in St. Vincent's Hospital, Dublin, during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease and active foot disease; if they were seen within the timeframe set out in the Health Service Executive's model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20517/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra204. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of St. Vincent's Hospital's management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive's 2011 Model of Care for the Diabetic Foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20518/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra205. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of St. James' Hospital's management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive's 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20519/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra206. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in St. James' Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease and active foot disease; if they were seen within the timeframe set out in the Health Service Executive's model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20520/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra207. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of AMNCH Hospital Tallaght's management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive's 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20521/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra208. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in AMNCH Hospital Tallaght's during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease and active foot disease; if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive's model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20522/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra209. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in the Mater Hospital, Dublin, during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease and active foot disease; if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive's model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20523/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra210. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in University College Hospital, Galway, during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20524/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra224. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in James Connolly Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20539/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra225. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in Waterford Regional Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot [20540/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra226. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an evaluation of the performance of the Mater Hospital’s management of diabetic foot disease against the management standards for the condition, set down in the Health Service Executive’s 2011 model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20541/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra227. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in Cork University Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot [20542/13]
Amharc ar fhreagra228. Deputy Ciarán Lynch asked the Minister for Health the number of patients with diabetes that were seen in Limerick Regional Hospital during 2012 suffering from moderate foot disease, high risk foot disease, active foot disease and if they were seen within the timelines set out in the Health Service Executive’s model of care for the diabetic foot; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20543/13]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 202 to 210, inclusive, and 224 to 228, inclusive, together.
The National Clinical Programme for Diabetes, which includes the care of children and adolescents with diabetes and which has been established within the HSE's Clinical Strategy and Programmes Directorate, aims to define the way clinical services for diabetes should be delivered, resourced and measured. A clinician has been appointed to lead on the development of the programme. One of the objectives of the National Clinical Programme for Diabetes is to develop a footcare screening and treatment service to prevent foot ulceration and subsequent lower limb amputation. In relation to the specific queries raised by the Deputy, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy in this matter.
