Written Answers Nos. 160-180
160. Deputy Martin Ferris asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will receive an appointment in the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital, Cork; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48542/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
161. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the funding provided in 2017 for disability services; the projected expenditure by the end of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48547/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
Funding of €1.69 billion was allocated by the Health Service Executive (HSE) for disability services in 2017. The details of projected expenditure by year end is a matter for the Executive. Accordingly I have referred the Deputy's question to the HSE and have asked that it reply directly to the Deputy on the matter raised.
162. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the funding provided in his Department's Estimates for disability services in 2018; the additional services to be provided with this financial allocation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48548/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 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.
As recently announced by the Government, the overall health budget for 2018 is almost €15.3 billion. The allocation for disability services for 2018 will be over €1.76 billion. The Health Service Executive is currently in the process of finalising its National Service Plan for 2018, in consultation with officials from my Department. Detailed Operational Plans for the coming year for each of the Executive’s service areas, including disability services, will stem from this process. Pending the conclusion of this process, I am not in a position to comment on the exact quantum of services that will be available in 2018.
163. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the gender balance on each of the State boards under his remit, in tabular form. [48566/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 16 of the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform's Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards states that compliance with the Government Decision of 23 July 2014 on Gender Balance on State Boards is an essential requirement for all State Boards. This requirement is for a minimum of 40% of both men and women appointed as Ministerial representatives to all State Boards. My Department in conjunction with the Public Appointments Service (PAS) currently seeks expressions of interest for membership of boards as vacancies arise, where I, as Minister for Health, have nominating rights under relevant legislation. In considering applications made through PAS due regard is given to Government policy on gender balance on State Boards.
I also appoint members on the nomination of various bodies, again in accordance with the relevant legislation. The external body is requested, where practical, to nominate both a male and female nominee. In so far as possible when making appointments to State Boards, I endeavour to ensure an appropriate balance between men and women.
The information requested by the Deputy is set out in the following table.
|
Statutory Board |
Total Serving Membership |
% Female |
% Male |
|
Beaumont Hospital Board |
10 |
30% |
70% |
|
Consultative Council on Hepatitis C |
6 |
50% |
50% |
|
Dental Council |
18 |
22% |
78% |
|
Dietitians Registration Board |
12 |
75% |
25% |
|
Dublin Dental Hospital Board |
11 |
45% |
55% |
|
Food Safety Authority Of Ireland |
10 |
40% |
60% |
|
Health and Social Care Professionals Council |
25 |
52% |
48% |
|
Health Information and Quality Authority |
10 |
70% |
30% |
|
Health Insurance Authority |
5 |
40% |
60% |
|
Health Products Regulatory Authority (Formerly IMB) |
9 |
44% |
56% |
|
Health Research Board |
10 |
30% |
70% |
|
Irish Blood Transfusion Service |
11 |
55% |
45% |
|
Leopardstown Park Hospital Board |
7 |
57% |
43% |
|
Medical Council |
25 |
52% |
48% |
|
Medical Scientists Registration Board |
13 |
69% |
31% |
|
Mental Health Commission |
13 |
46% |
54% |
|
National Cancer Registry Board |
7 |
43% |
57% |
|
National Haemophilia Council |
11 |
55% |
45% |
|
National Treatment Purchase Fund Board |
9 |
33% |
67% |
|
Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland |
22 |
50% |
50% |
|
Occupational Therapists Registration Board |
11 |
64% |
36% |
|
Optical Registration Board |
13 |
38% |
62% |
|
Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland Council |
20 |
50% |
50% |
|
Physiotherapists Registration Board |
8 |
63% |
38% |
|
Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council |
17 |
18% |
82% |
|
Psychologists Registration Board |
13 |
69% |
31% |
|
Radiographers Registration Board |
12 |
75% |
25% |
|
Social Care Workers Registration Board |
13 |
31% |
69% |
|
Social Worker's Registration Board |
13 |
46% |
54% |
|
Speech and Language Therapists Registration Board |
10 |
80% |
20% |
|
St. James's Hospital Board |
11 |
27% |
73% |
|
Tallaght Hospital Board |
11 |
36% |
64% |
|
Voluntary Health Insurance Board |
11 |
27% |
73% |
|
Totals |
407 |
48% |
52% |
164. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) in County Louth will receive a hospital appointment. [48615/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
165. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the status of an application for a medical card in the case of a person (detail supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48652/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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 directly.
166. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48450/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has in recent years received a number of complaints in relation to the organisation named. In addition I am aware of significant social media commentary in respect of the organisation. I would emphasise that all complaints received by the Department are investigated thoroughly.
The Department has had occasion to require the owner take corrective action where its inspectors had reason to believe that the welfare of animals may have been compromised.
The Department will continue to keep the organisation under review and on-going announced and unannounced inspections are carried out.
167. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of veterinary inspections at clubs (details supplied) in 2015, 2016 and to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47710/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the provisions of the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958, the regulation of coursing is chiefly a matter for the Irish Coursing Club (ICC) subject to the general control and direction of Bord na gCon (BnG).
A Monitoring Committee on Coursing is in place, comprising of officials from my Department, the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and the ICC to monitor developments in coursing and in that regard the situation is kept under constant review to ensure that coursing is run in a well controlled and responsible manner in the interests of both hares and greyhounds.
Although veterinary inspectors from my Department conduct inspections at 10% of coursing clubs each season, I understand that no veterinary inspections were carried out by my officials at the coursing clubs named during that time frame.
168. Deputy Pat Casey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of fishing boats that transferred tonnage to other boats in each of the years 2007 to 2014 while they were out of commission due to essential maintenance and repairs or due to illness of persons; the length of time each boat was out of commission; the reason the boat was out of commission; the fishing sector tonnage that was transferred, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48464/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Registrar General of Fishing Boats, who is an official of my Department, is legally charged with maintaining a Fishing Boat Register and with the proper management of the capacity (i.e. gross tonnes and kilowatts) of Irish sea-fishing boats. He is empowered to enter a sea-fishing boat in the Register or remove it from the Register
Capacity is not an asset owned by the Department or by the Licensing Authority for Sea Fishing Boats. It is a privately owned tradable asset that, with certain exceptions, may be sold, traded or realised as a financial asset on the tonnage market.
Under EU law and National policy, the entry of new capacity into the fleet must be compensated by the previous withdrawal of at least the same amount of capacity whereby licence applicants provide replacement capacity at a ratio of 1:1 under fleet segmentation rules.
In order for capacity to be traded or transferred to a replacement vessel, it must be off-register from a de-registered vessel. Off-register capacity is traded by individuals and companies by way of private contract and the Licensing Authority/Registrar General only has an approval role in this regard. Vessels which are out of commission short-term due to essential maintenance and repairs or due to illness of persons are not required to be de-registered and the capacity of such vessels does not automatically become off-register and is not tradable or transferrable. For the capacity of such vessels to become tradable or transferrable, the only criterion that applies is that vessels must be de-registered and their capacity becomes off-register. Consequently the Registrar General does not maintain or hold information or statistical data on the length of time and reason why boats are out of commission.
The following table contains statistical information on the fleet capacity levels for the years 2007 to 2014.
|
Year |
Fleet Capacity (i.e. On-Register) 31 December |
No. Vessels (Excluding Aquaculture Vessels) |
|
2007 |
66,620 GT 196,888 kW |
1,903 |
|
2008 |
65,076 GT181,030 KW |
1,951 |
|
2009 |
63,858 GT181,088 KW |
2,016 |
|
2010 |
64,581 GT185,392 KW |
2,046 |
|
2011 |
59,566 GT182,325 KW |
2,071 |
|
2012 |
60,342 GT186,544 KW |
2,113 |
|
2013 |
59,515 GT181,641 KW |
2,050 |
|
2014 |
58,908 GT179,659 KW |
2,014 |
169. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision can be expected on an afforestation licence application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48470/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme, on behalf of the person named, was received on 10th October, 2017. This application was completed on 30th October and advertised on my Department's website on 1st November.
As part of the public consultation process, members of the public have 30 days from the date of publication on my Department's website to make a submission on an afforestation application. Any submissions received will form part of the review of the application.
Once this review is completed, there will be a decision on the application which will be communicated to the applicant and their registered forester.
170. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if persons remove vegetation the reason that they must replant same (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48477/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2009 hedgerows, trees in a line, drains and ditches were designated as landscape features, deeming them eligible for payment under the Direct Payments Schemes and as a result of the designation they cannot be removed and must be retained and maintained. However in exceptional circumstances, landscape features may be removed only if a replacement hedge, line of trees, drain is planted/dug in advance of the removal and is of similar length to the feature removed. You can only replace like with like, for example if a hedge is removed a hedge must be replanted at another location on the holding and the species used must be traditional to the area and the replacement landscape feature cannot be for amenity purposes, e.g. around farmyard or driveway.
Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in a cross compliance sanction being applied under Good Agricultural and Environmental Conditions (GAEC) 7. The Explanatory Handbook for Cross Compliance Requirements detailing all of the requirements for cross compliance issued to all farmers in November 2016.
171. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to set up a task force comprising farming organisations (details supplied) and officials from his Department for farmers who are facing into a difficult winter and spring due to volatile weather conditions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48503/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is clear that weather conditions have been challenging this Autumn creating difficulties for farmers in the Western and heavier land types.
Grass growth rates through the autumn have been ahead of last year. However the poor weather resulted in cattle being housed earlier than normal in places, particularly on the heavier soils; it also affected late cut silage making operations.
It appears that there are supplies of fodder in the form of silage and hay available across the country for those farmers who may require to supplement their own fodder supply. However, I have asked Teagasc to work locally in areas with fodder difficulties, to support good budgeting of fodder supplies on farms for the winter ahead.
The European Commission agreed to my request for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme. This has been prompted by the protracted inclement weather conditions and also market difficulties caused by currency fluctuations. This means an increase from 50% to 70% in the rate for the BPS to those applicants whose applications were confirmed fully clear. These payments were recently issued, and balancing payments will be made with effect from early December. There will also be an increase permitted to the advance for Pillar II Rural Development schemes.
These payments and the payments under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme, have injected over €800 million into the Irish rural economy. These payments are providing a very welcome boost for Irish farm families and will help to finance fodder purchase where necessary.
Taking account of this, there are no plans at this time to establish a task force. My Department will continue to closely monitor the situation.
172. Deputy Patrick O'Donovan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if new restrictions have been introduced on the transport of livestock within the State; if so, the reason therefor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48523/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe legislation governing the transport of livestock within Ireland is set down by Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97.
This regulation requires that those transporting livestock for economic benefit on a journey of 65km or greater must hold a certificate of competence, for transporting livestock specifically, and also be in possession of valid Type 1 transport authorisation.
This current situation remains unchanged.
173. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 412 of 17 October 2017, when a GLAS balancing payment will issue to a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48534/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe person named was approved into GLAS 2 with a contract commencement date of 1 January 2016 and has been paid the 85% advance payment for 2016.
During the processing of the 15% 2016 balance payment an issue presented on the computerised crosscheck of Department databases. Department officials continue to work actively to resolve this issue with a view to releasing the outstanding payment as soon as possible.
174. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a planner will be appointed to commonage ground (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48541/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe land parcels in question were originally part of one large commonage that has since been subdivided and each parcel is now regarded as a commonage in its own right.
The Department has agreed with an organisation that they will appoint planners to unassigned commonages and final details of the Advisors concerned are awaited.
175. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the gender balance on each of the State boards under his remit, in tabular form. [48556/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are twelve State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. The information sought by the Deputy is outlined in the following table.
I am personally committed to achieving the Government target of 40% gender balance on the Boards of State Bodies. In 2016 I wrote to the Chief Executives of some agri-business companies asking them to support women within their companies who express an interest in being appointed to the Boards of State Bodies and to encourage those who may not as yet have considered putting themselves forward to do so.
In relation to six of the State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, some of the board appointments are made by me on the basis of nominations from third-party organisations for specified vacancies as set out in legislation. These State Bodies are the Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board, Bord Bia, Horse Racing Ireland, National Milk Agency, Teagasc and the Veterinary Council of Ireland. I actively encourage the relevant nominating organisations to be pro-active in encouraging women within their membership to consider putting themselves forward for nomination for appointment to the Board of the State Body to which the organisation makes a nomination.
I will continue to take every opportunity to achieve gender balance on the Boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department.
|
Gender Breakdown |
|||
|
State Body |
Current Number of Members Including the Chairperson |
Current Male Members |
Current Female Members |
|
Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Bord Bia |
14 |
10 |
4 |
|
Bord Iascaigh Mhara |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Bord na gCon |
6 |
5 |
1 |
|
Coillte |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
Horse Racing Ireland |
14 |
11 |
3 |
|
Irish National Stud |
7 |
5 |
2 |
|
Marine Institute |
8 |
7 |
1 |
|
National Milk Agency |
14 |
14 |
0 |
|
Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (Executive Board) |
3 |
2 |
1 |
|
Teagasc |
11 |
9 |
2 |
|
Veterinary Council of Ireland |
19 |
13 |
6 |
177. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of farmers in County Cavan paid the single farm payment to date in 2017; the timeframe for the remainder to be issued; when it is proposed to commence payment of the balance of the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48586/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayments under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme began issuing, on target, on 16 October. To date 96.2% of applicants in County Cavan have received their advance payment. Payments continue to issue on a regular basis, as individual cases are confirmed eligible for payment.
Balancing payments under the Basic Payment Scheme are scheduled to commence in early December 2017. I would encourage all farmers to respond to any correspondence received from my Department regarding eligibility requirements.
178. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of farmers in County Monaghan paid the single farm payment to date in 2017; the timeframe for the remainder to be issued; when it is proposed to commence payment of the balance of the single farm payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48587/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPayments under the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme began issuing, on target, on 16 October. To date 98.7% of applicants in County Monaghan have received their advance payment. Payments continue to issue on a regular basis, as individual cases are confirmed eligible for payment.
Balancing payments under the Basic Payment Scheme are scheduled to commence in early December 2017. I would encourage all farmers to respond to any correspondence received from my Department regarding eligibility requirements.
179. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of farmers in County Cavan paid the areas of natural constraint payment to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48588/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 ANC payments commenced on 19 September and to date some 87,600 applicants have been paid in excess of €189 million. Of the 4,755 applicants in County Cavan, some 4,280 or 90% have been paid €8.9 million to date.
Payment are continuing on a rolling basis as more farmers satisfy the scheme eligibility criteria and stocking rate requirements. I would encourage all farmers to respond to any correspondence received from my Department regarding eligibility requirements and stocking density.
180. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of farmers in County Monaghan paid the areas of natural constraint payment to date in 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48589/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2017 ANC payments commenced on 19 September and as of last Friday, some 87,600 applicants have been paid in excess of €189 million. Of the 4,004 applicants in County Monaghan some 3,621 or 90.4% have been paid €6.95 million.
Payments are continuing on a rolling basis as more farmers satisfy the scheme eligibility criteria and stocking rate requirements. I would encourage all farmers to respond to any correspondence received from my Department regarding eligibility requirements and stocking density.
