Written Answers Nos 236-262
236. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a nationwide growth in the supply and usage of the drug fentanyl, an opioid believed to be 100 times more potent than heroin; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23886/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraFentanyl is a synthetic opioid and has legitimate medical use in anaesthesia and analgesia. Fentanyls are extremely potent and even the smallest amount of the substance can cause overdose and death. Fentanyl may also be absorbed through the skin. The effects of the drug may be indistinguishable from Heroin, meaning that Heroin users may be at risk of unwittingly consuming this substance.
The Misuse of Drugs Regulations 2017, made under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977 to 2016, are the primary legislative instrument regulating the import, export, manufacture, production, prescribing, supply, possession and administration of controlled drugs. The Regulations categorise controlled drug substances into five schedules (ranging from the most tightly controlled in Schedule 1 to the least tightly controlled in Schedule 5). Under the Regulations Fentanyl is a Schedule 2 substance.
I am informed that the Health Service Executive (HSE) last issued an alert for Fentanyl on 28 July 2016, arising from a number of drug-related deaths in Dublin and Cork. The HSE has not issued any further alerts since then, as there is no evidence to suggest this substance is currently in circulation in this jurisdiction. However, the HSE remain vigilant for the possibility of Fentanyl entering circulation in Ireland.
237. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the reason home help hours in the HSE's Dublin west area have remained unchanged in the past 12 months in view of the Government's commitment to increasing home help hours; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23888/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for direct reply.
238. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the reason the funding allocation for drug task forces has remained at the same reduced level for the past four years in view of an ever increasing demand for these services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23894/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn line with the National Drugs Strategy, the Government is committed to continuing support for initiatives to tackle the drug problem. In the 2017 budget, an additional €3m has been provided for a number of measures aimed at improving the health outcomes of those affected by addiction issues. The increased funding will support the development of a pilot supervised injection facility in Dublin city centre, the wider availability of alternative opiate substitution treatments for those who are not suited to methadone, improved services for under 18s and more detoxification beds.
Drug and Alcohol Task Forces play a key role in assessing the extent and nature of the drug problem in their areas and in coordinating action at local level, so that there is a targeted response to the problem of substance misuse in local communities. Every effort has been made to protect the budgets of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in recent years. In excess of €27.6m has been allocated to the Task Forces for community-based drugs initiatives this year, the same amount provided in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
The Department of Health has commissioned external consultants to develop a performance measurement framework to assist in measuring the effectiveness of Drug and Alcohol Task Forces. The framework will provide a mechanism to target funding allocations on the basis of objective criteria, having regard to the drugs situation in the Task Force catchment areas and other demographic factors. It will also inform the question of how best to align Drug and Alcohol Task Forces in order to address locally identified needs. I understand the findings of the consultants report have been considered by the steering group in the context of the development of the new National Drugs Strategy.
The funding available to address substance misuse will be kept under review in the context of the overall resources available to the health services and the most effective utilisation of those resources.
239. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding psychiatric nursing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23898/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, this question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.
242. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a person (details supplied) in County Sligo will receive a GLAS payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23631/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of 1 October 2015 and has been paid in respect of the 2015 scheme year.
The 85% advance payment for 2016 was paid to the person named in December 2016. The balancing payments for 2016 will be processed in due course according to the regulatory requirements.
243. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if plans can be put in place to increase the distances for planting forestry from residential homes in view of the recent gorse fires; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23673/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is conscious of the implications of planting near private residences, which is taken into account at the pre-approval stage of forestry applications. My Department’s publication Environmental Requirements for Afforestation (2016) provides guidance on establishing plantations in accordance with good forest practice, with reference to environmental considerations. A set-back distance from dwelling houses and associated buildings of 60 metres, or 30 metres with the written consent of the dwelling owner is a requirement of the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme.
The setback minimum distance of 30 metres is in line with established international norms for defensible space around structures, and as such the standard 60 metres forest setback as standard should be more than adequate to protect homes and structures in Irish conditions.
It should be noted that where structures have been damaged in the recent past, this has been in situations where other non-forest vegetation has been permitted to encroach on the defensible space, or where structures have been developed adjacent to pre-existing forest plantations without planning for the necessary separation distance. These situations are outside of the control or remit of my Department.
It is essential that all rural residents assess the risks of fire to their homes regularly and treat hazardous vegetation to reduce this risk. It is most important that access to homes is kept clear and that high risk features such as heating oil tanks and gas storage units are located away from any potential fire hazard.
While the prescribed 60 metres set-back will suffice in most cases, the Department may require a greater set-back or indeed the exclusion of sections of a proposed site, if deemed necessary on landscape grounds.
In recent years, my Department has developed considerable technical expertise around fire management, in conjunction with international fire management organisations and partners. The Forest Service monitors fire risk daily throughout the main fire risk period and provides Fire Danger Notices that ensure that forest managers and owners are aware of prevailing fire risks and can take appropriate preventative actions.
Applicants, Registered Foresters and other land owners must take into account the long-term implications of managing large open areas adjoining properties and the potential fire hazards associated with scrub encroachment. Forestry is not a fire risk in itself. Reports note that the majority of the recent fires appear to have been started deliberately and illegally on heather or gorse, which quickly spread to engulf forestry.
The burning of vegetation is controlled by the Wildlife Acts and it is an offence under Section 40 of the Wildlife Act, 1976 (amended by Section 46 of the Wildlife Act, 2000) to burn from 1st March to 31st August in any year, any vegetation growing on any land not then cultivated. Individuals who are found to burn vegetation within that prohibited period are liable to prosecution by An Garda Síochána or by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). My Department has no role in regard to prosecutions. Land found to have been burned during the specified closed season for burning is considered automatically ineligible under the various support schemes.
244. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications received under AEOS; the number of approvals issued; the payment claims lodged and the number of cases approved for payment by county in 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form; the number of persons who have been approved for AEOS who have yet to receive payment in 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23674/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the EU Regulations governing the Scheme and other area-based payment schemes, a comprehensive administrative check, including cross-checks with the Land Parcel Identification System must take place before payments can be made. As 2016 is the final year for AEOS 2 participants re-checks on payments made for all scheme years must be completed before final payment can be processed. This process is on-going with payments being made as cases are finalised.
|
County |
Totals |
Paid |
Awaiting Payment |
|
Carlow |
49 |
43 |
6 |
|
Cavan |
244 |
208 |
36 |
|
Clare |
556 |
484 |
72 |
|
Cork |
428 |
366 |
62 |
|
Donegal |
1360 |
1,190 |
170 |
|
Dublin |
9 |
9 |
0 |
|
Galway |
1245 |
1,081 |
164 |
|
Kerry |
568 |
490 |
78 |
|
Kildare |
39 |
32 |
7 |
|
Kilkenny |
109 |
93 |
16 |
|
Laois |
80 |
59 |
21 |
|
Leitrim |
430 |
381 |
49 |
|
Limerick |
224 |
183 |
41 |
|
Longford |
89 |
74 |
15 |
|
Louth |
41 |
32 |
9 |
|
Mayo |
1399 |
1,262 |
137 |
|
Meath |
83 |
74 |
9 |
|
Monaghan |
151 |
115 |
36 |
|
Offaly |
110 |
96 |
14 |
|
Roscommon |
478 |
428 |
50 |
|
Sligo |
335 |
298 |
37 |
|
Tipperary |
245 |
189 |
56 |
|
Waterford |
82 |
71 |
11 |
|
Westmeath |
122 |
92 |
30 |
|
Wexford |
84 |
57 |
27 |
|
Wicklow |
80 |
67 |
13 |
|
Totals |
8640 |
7,474 |
1166 |
245. Deputy Catherine Martin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason Coillte has stopped afforesting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23695/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraCoillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.
The matter was, however, raised with Coillte who advise that the company does not qualify for the afforestation grants and premium payments that are available to the private forest sector under the Forestry Programme, which are an incentive for other landowners to afforest their land. Coillte added that, notwithstanding this ineligibility, the company continues to look for options to establish new forests where it makes commercial sense to do so and is actively considering the role it can play in facilitating the overall growth of the national forest estate. The company further advise that it has recently taken steps to play a role in the private forestry sector through the launch of its Coillte Premium Partners initiative, which is aimed at strengthening the broader industry and on increasing the mobilisation of the private timber resource.
246. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) did not receive an ANC payment for 2016 in view of the fact that there was sufficient stock on the farm to qualify; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23768/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application under 2016 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme was received from the person named on 9 May 2016.
Under the 2016 ANC Scheme, eligible applicants are required to have met a minimum stocking density of 0.15 livestock units for a retention period of seven consecutive months and to maintain an annual average of 0.15 livestock units calculated over the twelve months of the scheme year. Payment under the ANC scheme has not issued in this case as the holding concerned has not satisfied the scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements.
The Terms and Conditions of the 2016 ANC Scheme sets out that, equines in order to be considered as qualifying livestock, must be registered in accordance with EU Regulation 504/2008. Processing of the application under 2016 scheme year identified that of the three equines submitted, only one was eligible for consideration and therefore as the holding concerned had not satisfied the scheme’s minimum stocking density requirements as outlined in the Terms and Conditions, the eligibility criteria for payment have not been met.
The person named was notified of this finding on 24 October 2016 and advised to contact the ANC section with any further observations. To date no further correspondence has been received from the person named.
247. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when an aquaculture licence will be granted to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23789/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe application for an aquaculture licence referred to by the Deputy is in respect of a site located in Castlemaine Harbour, which is designated as a Special Area of Conservation under the EU Habitats Directive and a Special Protection Area under the EU Birds 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) is engaged in a comprehensive programme of gathering the necessary baseline data appropriate to the Conservation Objectives of ‘Natura’ areas. This data collection programme is substantially complete. This is followed by data analysis and the setting of appropriate Conservation Objectives by the NPWS. Once this process is complete all new, renewal and review aquaculture applications can be appropriately assessed for the purpose of ensuring compliance with the EU Birds and Habitats Directives.
The Appropriate Assessment of Castlemaine Harbour has been completed and the relevant licensing determinations have been made based on applications to hand at the time of the assessment.
The specific application referred by the Deputy was submitted to my Department subsequent to the carrying out of the Appropriate Assessment process for this harbour. Accordingly, it was not possible to assess this application against the designated Conservation Objectives for the harbour.
The optimum method for appropriately assessing applications by individual operators, who were not included in the initial overall assessment procedure, is under active consideration by my Department. The process must comply with best scientific practice and be achieved in a manner which will be acceptable to the national authorities and to the EU Commission.
In the meantime, the assessment procedures agreed with the EU Commission require Appropriate Assessments in respect of aquaculture activities to be carried out by the national authorities and unilateral departure from these arrangements is not possible.
Every effort is being made to expedite the conclusion of this matter as soon as possible.
248. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 221 of 11 May 2017, the number of applications for payment that failed to meet these requirements in each respective year; the number of persons who subsequently became eligible for payment in each year; the amount of moneys that remain unused from each specific year in which the ceiling has not been utilised in full; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23794/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being complied. It will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as it is finalised.
249. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 235 of 11 May 2017, when the rural development programme in question was submitted and subsequently published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23795/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland’s Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 was formally submitted to the EU Commission for approval on 3 July, 2014. There followed a period during which Commission observations were dealt with and the final approved version of the Programme was published on 28 May 2015.
250. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 238 of 11 May 2017, the percentage that the greening payment comprises of the total value of entitlements activated in each county based on 2016 data under the 2016 greening scheme in pillar 1 in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23796/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is currently being complied. It will be forwarded to the Deputy directly as soon as it is finalised.
251. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of persons in 2016 who received a greening payment by county in tabular form. [23797/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs requested please see below the number of persons in 2016 that received a greening payment by county in tabular form.
|
County |
Number Paid |
|
CARLOW |
1606 |
|
CAVAN |
4736 |
|
CLARE |
5991 |
|
CORK |
12828 |
|
DONEGAL |
8278 |
|
DUBLIN |
628 |
|
GALWAY |
11848 |
|
KERRY |
7624 |
|
KILDARE |
2057 |
|
KILKENNY |
3386 |
|
LAOIS |
2917 |
|
LEITRIM |
3374 |
|
LIMERICK |
4998 |
|
LONGFORD |
2341 |
|
LOUTH |
1505 |
|
MAYO |
11315 |
|
MEATH |
3752 |
|
MONAGHAN |
3988 |
|
OFFALY |
3031 |
|
ROSCOMMON |
5612 |
|
SLIGO |
3905 |
|
TIPPERARY |
6855 |
|
WATERFORD |
2389 |
|
WESTMEATH |
2945 |
|
WEXFORD |
4031 |
|
WICKLOW |
2131 |
|
Total |
124071 |
252. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding the mackerel review; the number of submissions received; the number of meetings he has had with industry stakeholders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy may be aware, I received a request from the Irish South and West Fish Producer Organisation to allocate the increase over 2016 of Ireland’s mackerel quota for 2017 entirely to the Polyvalent Segment on a 1 year pilot basis in exchange for the recipient vessels forgoing demersal fishing in order to gauge the impact on the demersal vessels.
This matter has generated a lot of discussion in the industry and I have received many representations on the matter. Having carefully considered the matter, I decided that, without prejudice, there is a case for a review of the policy on allocations between the RSW Pelagic segment and the polyvalent segment of the fleet, taking account of request by the IS&WFO. In that regard, I decided that I am restricting consideration to the increased quota for Ireland in 2017 over that in 2016.
It is important to note that I have not made any decision at this time to change the allocations between the segments in respect of this part of the quota. All relevant issues will be carefully evaluated and subject to a full consultation with stakeholders before I decide if any amendment to the policy is justified for the proper and effective management of the mackerel fishery.
The public consultation process concluded on 28th February 2017 and 353 submissions were received. All submissions are currently being evaluated.
To support transparency in this process, all views received on the Consultation Document are now publicly available on the Department’s website. Following the closure of the formal consultation process, any meeting that may be held with stakeholders will be open to all interested stakeholders that have engaged in the public consultation.
I can inform the Deputy that on 21st February 2017 I attended by invitation the Annual General Meeting of the Irish Fish Processors and Exports Association (IFPEA) at which the above matter was among a number of issues discussed. A report of that meeting is available to view on the website of my Department.
253. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of cheddar imports from Northern Ireland to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23799/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra254. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of cheddar exports to Northern Ireland to date in 2017. [23800/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra255. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of liquid milk exports to Northern Ireland to date in 2017. [23801/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra256. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of liquid milk imports from Northern Ireland to date in 2017. [23802/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra257. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of dairy ingredient exports to Northern Ireland to date in 2017. [23803/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra258. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of dairy ingredient imports from Northern Ireland to date in 2017. [23804/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra259. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of dairy ingredient exports to the UK excluding Northern Ireland to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23805/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra260. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of dairy ingredient imports from the UK excluding Northern Ireland to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23806/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra261. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of cheddar exports to the UK excluding Northern Ireland to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23807/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra262. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the volume and value of cheddar imports from the UK excluding Northern Ireland to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23808/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 253 to 262, inclusive, together.
The Deputy has requested various details in respect of dairy trade between Ireland and Britain/Northern Ireland, across a range of product categories, for the year 2017 to date. The CSO, this week on Tuesday 16th May, released provisional trade data for the period January to March 2017 inclusive. This is set out in the attached table.
For cheese, a percentage estimate is included in respect of cheddar as a proportion of the total cheese category. It should be noted that the data as compiled is based on CSO preliminary estimates which will be subject to periodic revision based on updated trade statistics.
|
GREAT BRITAIN & NORTHERN IRELAND DAIRY TRADE - JAN to MARCH 2017 |
|||||||||
|
GEOGRAPHIC ENTITY |
GREAT BRITAIN |
NORTHERN IRELAND |
|||||||
|
TRADE FLOW |
Exports |
Imports |
Exports |
Imports |
|||||
|
PRODUCT CATEGORY |
€ |
Tonnes |
€ |
Tonnes |
€ |
Tonnes |
€ |
Tonnes |
|
|
Milk |
1.3 |
1,455 |
3.8 |
8,586 |
3.5 |
13,658 |
48.0 |
154,388 |
|
|
Cream |
2.3 |
868 |
0.1 |
58 |
1.7 |
1,092 |
1.3 |
695 |
|
|
SMP |
3.5 |
1,800 |
5.1 |
5,265 |
0.1 |
20 |
0.01 |
6 |
|
|
WMP |
2.0 |
992 |
1.5 |
1,199 |
1.0 |
481 |
0.3 |
539 |
|
|
Yoghurt |
4.8 |
1,595 |
6.8 |
4,210 |
0.4 |
112 |
0.2 |
230 |
|
|
Buttermilk |
1.7 |
1,268 |
4.1 |
2,337 |
0.3 |
159 |
0.5 |
2,190 |
|
|
Ice Cream |
1.8 |
870 |
5.3 |
3,452 |
0.5 |
344 |
0.1 |
76 |
|
|
Whey |
3.9 |
3,576 |
2.1 |
2,070 |
0.2 |
228 |
0.3 |
1,380 |
|
|
Butter |
42.2 |
10,808 |
5.8 |
1,921 |
6.0 |
1,533 |
0.2 |
96 |
|
|
Cheese |
79.6 |
23,049 |
29.6 |
7,394 |
0.5 |
142 |
0.1 |
36 |
|
|
OF WHICH Cheddar % (est) |
55.7% |
63.7% |
35.6% |
42.2% |
47.9% |
51.6% |
41.4% |
48.3% |
|
|
IF |
38.6 |
9,378 |
1.6 |
307 |
0.03 |
45 |
0.01 |
2 |
|
|
FFMP |
4.5 |
1,943 |
2.8 |
602 |
0.7 |
349 |
0.03 |
9 |
|
|
Caseines & Caseinates |
4.1 |
660 |
0.05 |
23 |
0.001 |
0.1 |
_ |
_ |
|
|
TOTAL TRADE |
191.0 |
58,616 |
69.9 |
38,280 |
15.0 |
18,188 |
51.2 |
159,680 |
|
