Thursday, 6 Apr 2017

Written Answers Nos. 261-278

Hospital Appointments Administration

Ceisteanna (261)

Willie Penrose

Ceist:

261. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Health the steps he will take to have a person (detail supplied) immediately admitted to hospital for a knee replacement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17314/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (262)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

262. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card renewal will be effected in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17322/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

Medical Card Applications

Ceisteanna (263)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

263. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health when a medical card will issue in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17330/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The Health Service Executive has been asked to examine this matter and to reply to the Deputy as soon as possible.The Health Service Executive operates the General Medical Services scheme, which includes medical cards and GP visit cards, under the Health Act 1970, as amended. It has established a dedicated contact service for members of the Oireachtas specifically for queries relating to medical cards and GP visit cards, which the Deputy may wish to use for an earlier response. Contact information was issued to Oireachtas members.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (264)

Pat Buckley

Ceist:

264. Deputy Pat Buckley asked the Minister for Health the status of a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17400/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The National Waiting List Management Policy, A standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Respite Care Services Provision

Ceisteanna (265)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

265. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address concerns (details supplied) with regard to respite care for persons with intellectual disabilities in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17403/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister of State at the Department of Health

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their lives. This commitment is outlined in the Programme for Partnership Government, which is guided by two principles: equality of opportunity and improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

The Programme for Partnership Government states that the Government wishes to provide more accessible respite care to facilitate full support for people with a disability.

As the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (266)

Timmy Dooley

Ceist:

266. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Clare will receive an appointment for surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17414/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

Under the Health Act 2004, the Health Service Executive (HSE) is required to manage and deliver, or arrange to be delivered on its behalf, health and personal social services. Section 6 of the HSE Governance Act 2013 bars the Minister for Health from directing the HSE to provide a treatment or a personal service to any individual or to confer eligibility on any individual.

The scheduling of appointments for patients is a matter for the hospital to which the patient has been referred. Should a patient's general practitioner consider that the patient's condition warrants an earlier appointment, he or she should take the matter up with the consultant and the hospital involved. In relation to the specific case raised, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.

Consultancy Contracts Data

Ceisteanna (267)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

267. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Health the name, costs, date of commission, date or expected date of publication and name of the external consultant of all external reports commissioned by his department since March 2011 per annum, in tabular form. [17435/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

The Department does not collect data in a manner which would allow the Deputy’s question to be answered in full. Published reports for the years in question are available on the Department’s website at http://health.gov.ie/publications-research/publications/. Presented in the table below are details from the Department's A7 expenditure for consultant reports commissioned by the Department from March 2011 to December 2015 together with associated costs and publication status.

It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where it is felt to be appropriate and cost-effective, taking account of Government decisions and policy including procurement protocols on the matter. Should the Deputy have a particular report for which details are required please provide details to my office and I will ensure that the matter is investigated further.

Year	Consultants	Report	Status	Cost to Dec 2016
2016	RPS Consulting Engineers Ltd	Report on the findings of the public consultation of the new National Drugs Strategy	Ongoing	€ 11,826
2016	Trutz Haase – Social & Economic Consultant	Provision of a performance Measurement Framework for Drug and Alcohol Task Forces	ongoing	€ 39,360
2016	Stirling University	Research Project to track exposure to alcohol promotion during Euro 2016 for audiences in the UK and Ireland	In progress	€ 0
2016	KPMG	Working Better Together – findings of consultation process on HSE performance/dialogue/performance managemen	Report completed but not published. For Departmental use as part of the Working Better Together organisational development initiative	€ 14,145
2016	Institute of Public Administration	Working Better Together – findings of consultation process on business planning and risk management	Report completed but not published. For Departmental use as part of the Working Better Together organisational development initiative	€ 21,525
2016	Alpha Healthcare Ltd	Working Better Together – findings of Project group consultation and engagement processes	Completed but not published. For Departmental use as part of the Working Better Together organisational development initiative	€ 31,817
2016	The Performance Partnership	Working Better Together Department of Health Learning and Development Strategy including approaches to coaching and mentoring	Completed but not published. For Departmental use as part of the Working Better Together organisational development initiative	€ 24,650
2016	Skills for Health	National evaluation of nursing and midwifery key performance indicators	Completed. Not for publication – to inform policy development	€ 20,122
2016	Research Matters	Report on the Newborn Screening Archive Forum (27 October 2016)	Final Draft in review	€ 12,116
2016	UCC	Research on Teaching of evidence based practice in Ireland	Project Commenced	€ 6,174
2016	Centre for Effectiveness Services	Training and resources in Implementation Science for National Clinical Guidelines	Project Commenced	€ 6,225
2016	UCD	Prevalence of pain and constipation in patients attending Cancer Centres in Ireland: a national survey	Project Commenced	€ 2,000
2016	Milliman	Report on incorporating DRGs into the Irish Risk Equalisation Scheme	Report completed but not published – For Department’s use only	€ 39,497
2016	University College Cork	Baseline research to inform update of NCEC NCG No. 2 and No. 3	Project commenced	€ 4,711
2016	DCU	Development of a framework for patient and public involvement in NCEC’s Clinical effectiveness process	Project commenced	€ 8,000
2015	UCC,UCD, NUIG	Publication of a policy on future community nursing and midwifery, public health nursing and related support grades within the context of health reform	Completed. Not yet published.	€ 24,533
2015	DCU	Patient Engagement in the governance and development of national clinical effectiveness processes	Completed and published on Department’s website	€ 34,743
2015	Prospectus	Consultation and report to inform the development of a policy on Trauma System for Ireland	Delivered. For Departmental use only	€ 23,990
2015	Amarach Research	Alcohol Labelling Research	Report finalised. Not published. For Departmental use only	€ 150,368
2015	NUIG	Suite of Literature Reviews to support National Clinical Guideleines	Ongoing. Extracts will be published within guidelines	€ 159,645
2015	UCC	Clinical Guideline 2 (NEWS Update, NCG No. 1)	Completed and published on Department’s website	€ 22,743
2015	ICF Consulting Services/DKM Economic Consultants	An assessment of the economic costs of smoking in Ireland	Published	€ 49,799
2015	Prospectus	Code of Conduct for Health and Social Service Providers	Report finalised and due for implementation	€ 86,138
2015	UCD	Provision of an Evidence Review to inform Future Specialist and Advanced Nursing Practice	Completed. Not yet published.	€ 11,119
2015	UCD	Clinical Handover Guideline	Completed. Extracts published on Department’s website	€ 86,292
2015	DCU	Management of the Acute Adult Asthma Patient – provision of research	Extracts to be published within clinical guideline	€ 9,973
2015	DCU	Paediatric Early Warning Score – Pre-implementation research	Extracts to be published within clinical guideline	€ 23,978
2015	INDECON Economic Consultants	Analysis of potential measures to encourage the provision of Primary Care facilities	Published	€ 143,485
2015	DKM Economic Consultants	Analysis of potential measures to encourage the provision of Nursing Homes and Community Nursing Unit facilities	Published	€ 144,586
2014	DCU School of Nursing	Report to support the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill mix for nursing	Will be used to inform the final Report on the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix	€ 7,418
2014	DCU School of Nursing	Literature Review and Nursing Workforce Evaluation to Support the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix	Will be used to inform the Report of the Taskforce on Staffing and Skill Mix	€ 19,845
2014	Crowe Horwath	Thematic Analysis of Submissions in response to a Public Consultation on the White Paper for Universal Health Insurance	Published on Department’s website	€ 39,176
2014	NUI Galway	Systematic literature review Maternity Early Warning Score	Extracts published within clinical guideline	€ 23,935
2014	DCU	Systematic literature review Paediatric Early Warning Score	Extracts will be published within clinical guideline	€ 20,095
2014	UCC	Systematic literature review Clinical Practice Guidance	Published on Department’s website	€ 20,712
2014	Sinéad Shannon	Review of the international evidence and literature on selection criteria for the Outcomes Framework	Ongoing	€ 5,000
2013	Prospectus Strategy Consultants	Review of Staffing Resources and Organisational Structure of the Department of Health	Report completed but not published, for Department's use only	€ 72,940
2013	Deloitte and Touche Consultants Ltd	Review of the Nursing Homes Support Scheme	Report Completed in 2014. Work of the review is ongoing	€ 61,800
2013	Matheson Ormsby Prentice	Legal Research and advisory services on the design and implementation of an insurance based health system providing universal coverage in Ireland	Not Published	€ 123,000
2013	Prof Oonagh Walsh	Report on symphysiotomy in Ireland, 1944-1984	Published on Department’s Website	€ 49,500
2013	Ernst & Young	Reports relating to the development of the Programme Management Office (cost includes a range of consultancy services)	Ongoing – internal reports	€ 79,212
2013	Dr Sinead Hanafin & Associates	Review of the Traveller Health Advisory Committee	Finalised	€ 6,150
2013	Prospectus	Overview of the development of the Health & Wellbeing Programme	Finalised	€ 15,156
2013	Research Matters	Provision of Research Management Services	Ongoing	€ 74,490
2013	Institute of Public Health	Analysis re Consultation (Tobacco Products Directive)	Completed - not published	€ 5,000
2013	Professor Hammond	Research on Standardised Packaging- Irish Context	Published	€ 5,000
2013	CJP Consultants	Preparation of report on the efficacy of minimum pricing and other public policies for alcohol.	Published on website	€ 31,488
2013	Advertising Standards Authority of Ireland	Annual Report of the Alcohol Marketing Communications Monitoring Body (AMCMB)	Published	€ 21,115
2012	McGee Pharma International	Labelling of Medicinal Products in both Irish and English	Completed	€ 13,644
2012	Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matheson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors	Further Analysis of Options in relation to the restructuring of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market	Report completed	€ 62,349
2012	Department of Public Expenditure and Reform with the assistance of PwC	Review of the Department of Health's Parliamentary and Legislative Processes	Report completed but not published - for Department's use only	€ 18,020
2012	Department of Public Expenditure and Reform	A survey of experience and qualifications in the Department of Health	Report completed but not published - for Department's use only	None
2012	Michael Collins Associates	Supplementary Report and Addendum on Cost Comparison for the Dolphin Review Group	Completed not published, commercially sensitive	€ 12,423
2012	John Martin	Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group	Published	€ 6,000
2012	Simon Clear	Further assessment of planning issues in relation to proposed sites for the Dolphin Review Group	Published	€ 9,475
2012	The Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, UCC, in conjunction with the Centre for Health Policy and Management, TCD.	The Efficiency Review of the BreastCheck Screening Programme	Published	€ 71,270
2012	Mr Gerard Mullaly	Reforming Chronic Care: Financing and Delivering Integrated Chronic Care	Not published	€ 5,227
2012	Mr Gerard Mullaly	The Integrated Continuing Care System (ICCS): Reforming Elderly Care in Ireland	Not published	€ 7,558
2012	Matheson Ormsby Prentice	Options Appraisal of multi-payer universal health insurance models: Preliminary advice	Not Published	€ 6,150
2012	Department of Health / SIRA Consulting	Report on the baseline measurement of the administrative burden from the Department of Health (as part of a cross Departmental project coordinated by Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation)	Published 2013	€ 14,000
2011	Goodbody Stockbrokers and Matteson Ormsby Prentice Solicitors	Commissioned to undertake are review of the Irish Private Health Insurance Market in Relation to the options which may exist for re-balancing	Report completed	€ 300,080

Consultancy Contracts Expenditure

Ceisteanna (268)

Billy Kelleher

Ceist:

268. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the total allocated budget per annum for hiring external consultancy firms for his Department's campaign for the relocation of the European Medicines Agency; the total costs to date; the names of the firms involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17441/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

As a consequence of the decision of the UK to leave the EU, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) must be relocated to another Member State. The Agency plays a vital role in the protection of the health of 500 million EU citizens through the scientific evaluation and safety monitoring of human and veterinary medicines. The Government believes that Dublin would be a very suitable location for the EMA, particularly in the interests of ensuring continuity and sustainability in the conduct of its business. Such continuity is critical for European citizens and the industries which the EMA regulates. The EMA is also key to maintaining the competitiveness of the European pharmaceutical industry, which is worth approximately €260 billion annually. The relocation of the EMA also represents an opportunity to attract a prestigious EU Agency to Dublin which will directly employ almost 1,000 staff and attract many more high-quality jobs in associated sectors. Its location in Dublin would also stimulate employment in ancillary sectors, including the hospitality and transport industries.

The Government has decided a whole-of-Government approach will be taken to promoting the relocation of the EMA to Dublin. An interdepartmental/interagency working group led by my Department is working to prepare the strongest possible bid. In view of the complexity of this task, the inherently competitive nature of the process by which a decision on the future location for the EMA will be made and the likelihood that the European Council will consider this matter within the coming months, it was determined that external support was needed in respect of key elements of the bid preparation and communications process. In this context my Department recently invited tenders from a number of potential providers, seeking public relations/public affairs and communications support for the period to the end of June 2017. The core requirement is to ensure that the Dublin bid is prepared and presented in a professional and proactive manner which clearly sets out, to all stakeholders, why Dublin is an ideal location for the EMA.

The request-for-tender document indicated that the expected total costs submitted for the tender would be in the range €100,000 to €120,000. While a preferred bidder has been chosen, the tendering process is currently in the 14-day standstill period and no contract has yet been signed. In these circumstances it would not be appropriate to name the preferred bidder at this time.

Disadvantaged Areas Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (269)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

269. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a disadvantaged area payment will be granted to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17150/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application under the 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 26 April 2016.

Processing of the ANC application has recently been finalised and payment will issue to the nominated bank account of the person named shortly.

Young Farmer Capital Investment Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (270)

Sean Fleming

Ceist:

270. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a review in respect of the young farmers capital investment scheme for persons will be completed (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17151/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The applicants in this case are members of a Registered Farm Partnership with effect from the 31 January 2017. As their application for the Young Farmer Scheme in TAMS II predates the start date of the Registered Farm Partnership the applicants have been advised that they may wish to submit their application as a Registered Farm Partnership under the current tranche which closes on 7 April. An official has been in direct contact with the applicants concerned to advise them of the position.

GLAS Payments

Ceisteanna (271)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

271. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a GLAS payment for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17162/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has received full entitlements in respect of the 2015 scheme year.

During the 2016 prepayment checking process an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases.  Department officials have examined this issue and the application is now being further processed for payment in resspect of the 2016 scheme year.

Animal Welfare

Ceisteanna (272)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

272. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to appoint welfare inspectors in each county to enforce the provisions of the Animal Welfare Act 2013. [17176/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department employs over 100 veterinary inspectors in Regional Veterinary offices around the country. These veterinary inspectors are authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act (2013) and their responsibilities include  the enforcement of animal welfare legislation provided for under the Act. Members of the Garda Síochána together with officers of Customs and Excise are also designated as authorised officers under the Act. Veterinary inspectors employed by the Local Authorities can also be appointed to exercise functions under the Act. In addition, the Animal Health and Welfare Act provides for the extension of authorised officer powers to non-governmental organisations (NGO) involved in animal welfare.  In this regard, Service Agreements have been entered into with the ISPCA, the DSPCA and with the Turf Club, with the result that there are now sixteen authorised officers employed by NGO’s operating throughout the country to facilitate enforcement of the Act.  These comprise eight ISPCA Inspectors serving fifteen counties throughout the country, three DSPCA Inspectors (serving the Dublin city and county area) and five officials from the Turf Club.

A feature of the enforcement of the Act is that authorised officers from NGOs at times work alongside officials of my Department and the Local Authority on certain enforcement matters, resulting in a very effective and efficient use of resources.  My Department also provides considerable financial and administrative support to assist the NGO Inspectors in carrying out their work in protecting animal welfare. In this regard, my Department provides funding of €2,480,500 to 137 animal welfare organisations throughout the country. A substantial amount of this funding is allocated to the DSPCA (€290,000) and the ISPCA and its affiliated organisation (in the region of almost €680,000) and this significant level of support is enabling increased enforcement by the NGO authorised officers of animal welfare legislation.

 I am satisfied that adequate resources are being devoted to the implementation of the animal welfare provisions of the Animal Health and Welfare Act.

Forestry Management

Ceisteanna (273)

Joe Carey

Ceist:

273. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are planned changes, either through legislation or otherwise, to the rules regarding the felling of forestry and the replanting obligation in the context of a scenario (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17186/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

A felling licence granted by the Minister provides authority under the Forestry Act to fell trees.  There are currently two types of felling licences – general and limited. 

If a general felling licence is obtained the specific area that is being felled must be reforested. However under a limited felling licence, while the forest owner must plant the same amount of land that is being felled, he may plant at a different location or locations.  A detailed reforestation plan is submitted with every licence application and the forest owner must replant within a specified period of time, in accordance with the conditions attached to the felling licence.

The reforestation plan will include the number and type of trees to be replanted, amongst other considerations.  A landowner can propose to plant the same number of trees, where for example a small number of trees are being removed along with a hedgerow. 

However, where a forest block is being felled, under a Limited Felling Licence, there is a strong likelihood that the applicant will plant a higher number of trees.  If a mature forest block is being felled there may be only 500 trees per hectare present, with the balance of the original stocking removed during previous thinning operations.  The alternative lands being afforested will have 2,500 trees per hectare where conifer trees are being planted or, 3,300 trees per hectare for broadleaves.

Replanting following felling is a legal obligation and therefore failure to replant according to the conditions on a licence may result in legal proceedings against the licence holder.  It should be noted also that if land is sold after felling, the replanting obligation falls to the new landowner.

The aim of the Department is to increase forest cover from 10.5% to 18% by 2046, through the reforestation of existing forest lands and the annual afforestation plan.  Sustainable forest management and, in particular, a robust replanting policy are vital to achieving this long-term aim.  Under the new Forestry Act, which will shortly be commenced, there will be a single licensing system.  The obligation to prepare and comply with a reforestation plan will remain and a replanting order may be sought where a landowner fails to reforest after felling. 

Live Exports

Ceisteanna (274)

Clare Daly

Ceist:

274. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on recent media reports (details supplied) of Irish animals exported to the Middle East being slaughtered in breach of EU regulations; if he will consider banning live exports to these destinations and replace with meat exports; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17215/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Live exports are a vital component of Ireland’s livestock industry and I have no proposals to ban the export of live animals. There are market opportunities for animal exports which are separate from and additional to opportunities for meat and meat product exports. The Deputy can be assured that both I and my Department will make every effort to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can take place in both an economic and sustainable manner, with due regard for the welfare of all animals exported.

In Ireland  we implement strong controls is respect of the welfare of animals being exported. For instance, we have a comprehensive legislative framework in place for the transport of animals by sea, set out in the Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016 (S.I. 356 of 2016). Irish legislative standards for sea transport are higher than those which apply in other EU Member States and are recognised by the EU Commission as being amongst the most effective and stringent legislation in force as regards transport by sea. Only ships approved by my Department can load cattle for export from Ireland.  Cattle being exported are monitored during the prescribed isolation period by Veterinary Inspectors from my Department and by Official Veterinarians from the importing countries. This is in addition to work carried out by Private Veterinary Practitioners who carry out the testing required prior to export to enable certification. Animals are inspected and certified as regards health status and fitness for travel before being loaded and whilst on board livestock vessels departing from Ireland. In addition due regard is taken to weather conditions in respect of long distance transport and at times my Department makes arrangements to have veterinary assessment during transport and at point of arrival.  

I am aware of the reports referred to. Animal welfare standards in Ireland and in Europe are recognised to be amongst the best in the world. We will continue to work closely with the people involved in the live export business, with other EU Member States and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), with a view to improving animal welfare (including slaughter) practices worldwide.

Greyhound Industry

Ceisteanna (275, 276)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

275. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds exported to Pakistan in the years 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17245/17]

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

276. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of greyhounds exported to Argentina in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17246/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 275 and 276 together.

While the export certification process does not differentiate between breeds of dogs, information received to date from the Department's local offices indicates that (i) 3 greyhounds were exported to Argentina in 2013, 33 in 2014, 3 in 2015, and 7 in 2016, with no exports in 2017 to date, and (ii) no greyhounds were exported direct from Ireland to Pakistan during 2016 or to date in 2017. 

Once appropriate animal health and welfare certification requirements are met, dogs, including greyhounds, may be exported internationally.  Exporters are required to comply with the provisions of Council Regulation (EC) No 1 of 2005 on the protection of animals during transport.

Live Exports

Ceisteanna (277)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

277. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of animals exported by type of animal and country of export in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17247/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The figures available to my Department for live exports of animals by type, country of export and year are set out in the table attached.  I would draw the Deputy’s attention to the fact that the figures for dogs, cats, horses and other animals are taken from the EU TRACES database, which began recording animal movements within the EEA in 2015.  Dogs and cats that are taken out of the country as pets are not recorded on TRACES.

Live exports are a vital component of Ireland’s livestock industry and play an important role in ensuring  competition in the market place. Both I and my Department are making every effort to promote and maintain an environment in which live exports can take place in both an economic and sustainable manner, with due regard for the welfare of all animals exported.

Cattle Exports By Country	2014	2015	2016	1 Jan - 25 March 2017
ALBANIA	46	31	0	0
BELGIUM	21,757	606	433	3,936
BULGARIA	0	37	35	0
CZECH REPUBLIC	10	0	41	0
ENGLAND	11,269	6,850	4,175	1,421
FRANCE	5,341	8,553	5,936	654
GERMANY	698	291	65	57
GREECE	1,433	834	1,449	252
HUNGARY	105	51	361	0
ITALY	30,341	26,918	18,612	4,095
KOSOVO (SERBIA)	45	34	66	0
LEBANON	68	0	0	0
LIBYAN ARAB JAMAHIRIYA	20,091	433	2,162	0
MONTENEGRO	0	0	154	0
MOROCCO	753	295	180	0
NETHERLANDS	39,239	43,723	27,035	26,501
NORTHERN IRELAND	55,136	56,430	24,739	6,425
PORTUGAL	150	40	200	0
ROMANIA	193	306	605	163
RWANDA	28	24	39	24
SCOTLAND	1,916	1,186	1,325	0
SLOVAKIA	0	0	531	0
SLOVENIA	0	80	0	0
SPAIN	44,959	30,208	37,006	18,437
TUNISIA	2,417	4,088	0	0
TURKEY	0	0	19,254	791
WALES	5,149	1,467	1,166	0

Sheep Exports By Country	2014	2015	2016	2017
Belgium	11,918	1,664	8,507	DAFM is currently compiling these figures
Germany	7,861	4,439	4,901
France	13,719	17,512	21,142
UK	2,983	3,388	2,094
Italy	7,824	1,893	1,677
NL	743	1,186	7,844
Singapore	1,697	1,857	1,871

Country of Destination	2015	2016	2017 TO 3 APRIL
DOGS & MIXED CONSIGNMENTS
Austria	0	5	0
Belgium	47	47	11
Bermuda	0	1	0
Switzerland	0	12	3
Czech Republic	71	63	0
Germany	234	327	76
Germany (mixed shipment Canis familiaris | Felis catus)	0	11	0
Denmark	12	12	1
Spain	44	66	28
Finland	0	25	0
France	23	15	4
Great Britain	8814	9,638	3,091
Great Britain ( mixed shipment Canis familiaris | Felis catus)	0	16	0
Gibraltar	0	1	0
Greece	1	19	0
Italy	304	443	91
Lithuania	1	0	1
Luxembourg	0	3	0
Malta	3	0	0
Netherlands	17	20	5
Norway	2	50	13
Poland	1	1	1
Portugal	46	69	29
Sweden	570	1,212	274
Slovenia	4	11	0

Country of Destination	2015	2016	2017 TO 3 APRIL
CATS
Austria	1	0	0
Switzerland		3	0
Germany	1	1	0
Spain	2	0	0
France	1	5	0
United Kingdom	25	49	11
Greece	0	1	0
Italy	2	3	0
Sweden	1	0	3

Exports to EEA

March to December 2015	# Of Animals
* FR France	231
* GB United Kingdom	59
AT Austria	34
BE Belgium	134
CH Switzerland	58
CZ Czech Republic	27
DE Germany	568
DK Denmark	89
ES Spain	59
FR France	163
GR Greece	3
HU Hungary	2
IT Italy	504
LU Luxembourg	1
NL Netherlands	177
NO Norway	26
PL Poland	88
PT Portugal	13
RO Romania	1
SE Sweden	291
SK Slovakia	16
* See notes below

March to December 2015	# Of Animals
2016
* FR France	231
* GB United Kingdom	285
* See notes below
AT Austria	60
BE Belgium	350
BG Bulgaria	5
CH Switzerland	148
CZ Czech Republic	75
DE Germany	1594
DK Denmark	200
EE Estonia	6
ES Spain	170
FI Finland	4
FR France	648
GR Greece	3
HU Hungary	12
IT Italy	1110
LU Luxembourg	6
LV Latvia	3
NL Netherlands	1414
NO Norway	66
PL Poland	133
PT Portugal	54
RO Romania	1
SE Sweden	794
SK Slovakia	20
* See notes below

March to December 2015	# Of Animals
1 Jan to 3 April 2017
* FR France	92
* GB United Kingdom	97
AT Austria	9
BE Belgium	35
CH Switzerland	42
CZ Czech Republic	3
DE Germany	264
DK Denmark	7
ES Spain	128
FI Finland	6
HU Hungary	7
IT Italy	104
NL Netherlands	158
NO Norway	5
PL Poland	18
PT Portugal	4
SE Sweden	133
*See notes below

Non-EEA exports

Destination	2014	2015	* 2016	2017 to 5th April
Argentina	1	1	2	0
Australia	10	13	6	0
Bahrain	3	0	0	0
Brazil	0	0	3	0
Canada	0	4	2	7
Chile	4	3	0	0
China	29	28	0	74
Hong Kong	3	3	1	0
India	35	9	0	0
Japan	1	0	0	0
Korea	0	0	1	21
Libya	6	0	0	0
Malaysia	2	1	0	0
Qatar	15	6	9	3
Saudi Arabia	4	3	0	0
Sweden	0	0	5	0
Singapore	25	24	13	7
South Africa	40	3	21	16
Turkey	44	35	0	0
UAE	113	59	16	13
USA	435	531	516	85

* 2016 figures are preliminary and are subject to change.

* A Tripartite Agreement (TPA) between Ireland, United Kingdom and France allows certain categories of horses, that are in compliance with documented higher health standards laid down by Bodies approved by the Member States of the TPA, (Approved TPA Bodies), to be exempted from the requirement for pre-export inspection and official certification when travelling between the three countries. For this reason, the actual exports of horses from Ireland to the UK and France are much greater than reported on the TRACES system.

2015

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
AT Austria	Gallus gallus	12,000
AT Austria	Sus scrofa domesticus	10
BE Belgium	Antilocapra spp.	1
BE Belgium	Ovis aries	1,664
BE Belgium	Sus scrofa domesticus	64
CH Switzerland	Carnivora	1
DE Germany	Carnivora	4
DE Germany	Crassostrea gigas	40,000
DE Germany	Gallus gallus	486,000
DE Germany	Ovis aries	4,789
DE Germany	Perca fluviatilis	960
DE Germany	Sus scrofa domesticus	138
DE Germany	Vicugna spp.	18
ES Spain	Antilocapra spp.	1
ES Spain	Carnivora	14
ES Spain	Haliotis discus hannai	10
ES Spain	Sus scrofa domesticus	1,627
FR France	Crassostrea gigas	5,896,491
FR France	Mytilus edulis	10,000
FR France	Ovis aries	17,100

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
GB United Kingdom	Ailurus	1
GB United Kingdom	Anas spp.	12,400
GB United Kingdom	Ansériformes	1
GB United Kingdom	Antilocapra spp.	15
GB United Kingdom	Apis melifera	87,670
GB United Kingdom	Apis mellifera	48
GB United Kingdom	Ateles	3
GB United Kingdom	Aves	3,686,000
GB United Kingdom	Camelus spp.	1
GB United Kingdom	Capra hircus	247
GB United Kingdom	Carnivora	124
GB United Kingdom	Ceratotherium spp.	1
GB United Kingdom	Crassostrea gigas	168,357
GB United Kingdom	Gallus gallus	47,175,992
GB United Kingdom	Giraffa spp.	1
GB United Kingdom	Macaca	3
GB United Kingdom	Meleagris gallopavo	163,635
GB United Kingdom	Mytilus edulis	1,577,817
GB United Kingdom	Numida meleagris	10,435
GB United Kingdom	Oncorhynchus mykiss	425,104
GB United Kingdom	Otra	5
GB United Kingdom	Ovis aries	2,470
GB United Kingdom	Perca fluviatilis	100
GB United Kingdom	Salmo salar	868,506
GB United Kingdom	Salmo trutta	1,290
GB United Kingdom	Suidae	4,440,022
GB United Kingdom	Sus scrofa domesticus	586,832
GB United Kingdom	Vulpes	2

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
GR Greece	Sus scrofa domesticus	104
HU Hungary	Sus scrofa domesticus	1,470
IT Italy	Ailurus	1
IT Italy	Crassostrea gigas	2,300
IT Italy	Otra	3
IT Italy	Ovis aries	2,043
IT Italy	Sus scrofa domesticus	913
IT Italy	Tapirus spp.	2
NL Netherlands	Aonyx	1
NL Netherlands	Ateles	2
NL Netherlands	Crassostrea gigas	10,205
NL Netherlands	Gallus gallus	896,400
NL Netherlands	Mytilus edulis	244,000
NL Netherlands	Ovis aries	1,186
NO Norway	Antilocapra spp.	24
PL Poland	Gallus gallus	302,400
PT Portugal	Crassostrea gigas	458,180
PT Portugal	Ostrea edulis	5
RO Romania	Sus scrofa domesticus	159
SE Sweden	Antilocapra spp.	4
SE Sweden	Carnivora	61

2016

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
BE Belgium	Carnivora	1
BE Belgium	Ovis aries	8507
BE Belgium	Sus scrofa domesticus	25
DE Germany	Carnivora	7
DE Germany	Cercocebus	1
DE Germany	Crassostrea gigas	80000
DE Germany	Gallus gallus	90000
DE Germany	Ovis aries	4902
DE Germany	Panthera	5
DE Germany	Perca fluviatilis	253905
DE Germany	Sus scrofa domesticus	278
DK Denmark	Galliformes	2
ES Spain	Bison spp.	7
ES Spain	Carnivora	13
ES Spain	Probosciger	2
ES Spain	Sus scrofa domesticus	3610
FI Finland	Antilocapra spp.	2
FI Finland	Otra	2
FI Finland	Panthera	1
FR France	Bovidae | Camelidae | Proboscida	26
FR France	Crassostrea gigas	1688615
FR France	Oryx spp.	1
FR France	Ovis aries	21142
FR France	Panthera	1
FR France	Salmo salar	400000
FR France	Varecia	1

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
GB United Kingdom	Ailurus	1
GB United Kingdom	Antilocapra spp.	23
GB United Kingdom	Apis mellifera	20000
GB United Kingdom	Aves	3316000
GB United Kingdom	Capra hircus	7
GB United Kingdom	Carassius auratus	2
GB United Kingdom	Carnivora	6
GB United Kingdom	Columbiformes	2
GB United Kingdom	Columbiformes | Cuculiformes	4
GB United Kingdom	Columbiformes | Galliformes	11
GB United Kingdom	Crassostrea gigas	92420
GB United Kingdom	Gallus gallus	59595163
GB United Kingdom	Meleagris gallopavo	297500
GB United Kingdom	Mytilus edulis	2455000
GB United Kingdom	Numida meleagris	13375
GB United Kingdom	Oncorhynchus mykiss	3090
GB United Kingdom	Ovis aries	2117
GB United Kingdom	Pecten maximus	250
GB United Kingdom	Phasianus spp.	10500
GB United Kingdom	Salmo salar	6848585
GB United Kingdom	Salmo trutta	2500
GB United Kingdom	Suidae	3976366
GB United Kingdom	Sus scrofa domesticus	544400
GB United Kingdom	Vicugna spp.	1

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
GR Greece	Sus scrofa domesticus	75
HU Hungary	Sus scrofa domesticus	230
IL Israel	Panthera	1
IT Italy	Crassostrea gigas	3000
IT Italy	Ovis aries	1677
IT Italy	Salmo salar	20000
IT Italy	Sus scrofa domesticus	2032
NL Netherlands	Carnivora	6
NL Netherlands	Columbiformes	1
NL Netherlands	Crassostrea gigas	5300
NL Netherlands	Gallus gallus	245600
NL Netherlands	Ovis aries	7844
NO Norway	Otra	2
PL Poland	Aonyx	1
PL Poland	Lynx	3
PL Poland	Prionailurus	3
PT Portugal	Crassostrea gigas	12120
RO Romania	Sus scrofa domesticus	8
SE Sweden	Carnivora	6

2017

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
BE Belgium	Gallus gallus	162000
BE Belgium	Sus scrofa domesticus	8
DE Germany	Crassostrea gigas	20000
DE Germany	Sus scrofa domesticus	414
ES Spain	Sus scrofa domesticus	1441
FR France	Cercocebus	1
FR France	Crassostrea gigas	857581
FR France	Salmo salar	160108
GB United Kingdom	Antilocapra spp.	1
GB United Kingdom	Aves	26000
GB United Kingdom	Capra hircus	1
GB United Kingdom	Carnivora	2
GB United Kingdom	Crassostrea gigas	42600
GB United Kingdom	Gallus gallus	15647473
GB United Kingdom	Meleagris gallopavo	70900
GB United Kingdom	Mytilus edulis	272000
GB United Kingdom	Oncorhynchus mykiss	195
GB United Kingdom	Ovis aries	254
GB United Kingdom	Salmo salar	5652934
GB United Kingdom	Salmo trutta	1000
GB United Kingdom	Sus scrofa domesticus	127730

Destination	Species	# Of Animals
IT Italy	Crassostrea gigas	1100
IT Italy	Sus scrofa domesticus	801
NL Netherlands	Crassostrea gigas	600
PT Portugal	Crassostrea gigas	25200
RO Romania	Sus scrofa domesticus	63

Live Exports

Ceisteanna (278)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

278. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of prosecutions taken against exporters of live animals in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017 for contraventions of regulations governing the transport of live animals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17248/17]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Council Regulation (EC) No. 1/2005 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations lays down the requirements and conditions for the transport of live animals, including bovines, undertaken in connection with an economic activity, and the related operations of handling, loading and unloading.  The Regulation is given effect in national legislation by the European Communities (Animal Transport and Control Post) Regulations 2006. (Statutory Instrument No 675 of 2006). My Department deploys a considerable amount of resources to the process of certifying animals for export and enforcing legislation on the welfare of animals going for export. Sanctions for contraventions include suspension of transporter authorisations and vehicle approvals, modifications of approvals as well as the issuing of Fixed Payment Notices and prosecutions.

The main measures taken by my Department to ensure compliance by operators with the legislation are as follows:

- Trucks are approved and transporters are authorised in accordance with the legislation

- Drivers must undergo training carried out to standards set by my Department and hold valid certificates of competence. 

- Journey Logs must be submitted for approval by my Department in advance of any proposed long journey.

The following lists the number of suspensions issued to transporter vehicles as a result of infringements under the legislation.

Year	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017
Number of suspensions	2	2	2	3	0

The following Fixed Payment Notices (FPN) were issued regarding exports of live animals in the different years.

Year	2015	2016	2017
Number of   FPNs     issued	1	5	1

 

There is also national legislation in place for the carriage of livestock by sea from the state (The Carriage of Livestock by Sea Regulations 2016). These Regulations provide for the inspection and approval of livestock vessels which comply with specified criteria, the loading and care of livestock on vessels, conditions in relation to weather and the submission of voyage reports.