Written Answers Nos. 423-441
423. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 1004 to 1006, inclusive, of 26 July 2017 and 94 of 15 November 2017, if he will clarify which of the statements is correct; his policy for hospitals' (details supplied) long-stay accommodation beds; if previous records on this issue will be corrected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49389/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe State's Capital Programme “Building on Recovery: Infrastructure and Capital Investment Plan 2016-2021” which was published on 30 September 2015 included an investment programme in health infrastructure. Based on this, the HSE prepared its programme of investment in public nursing home facilities.
The programme which was announced on 26 January 2016 included the development of a new 130 bed centre, centrally located in Letterkenny to ensure that bed capacity in the region, which includes Ramelton, Lifford and Stranorlar is secured on a sustainable basis.
As I confirmed in my recent Parliamentary reply to the Deputy that since this announcement in 2016, and following discussions with public representatives, Health Forum members and local community groups, local HSE management in CHO 1 agreed to review overall requirements for the area. This included an assessment of the current and future needs for both short and long term beds and an assessment of the adequacy of the three existing facilities referred to by the Deputy. I understand that the review has been completed and a report is to be submitted to the HSE’s National Social Care Division in the first instance, and then the HSE’s National Capital Property Steering Group.
424. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of elective discharges in each public and-or voluntary hospital in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of which were private and the number of which were public, by hospital, by year, in tabular form. [49401/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
425. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the number of elective discharges in each speciality as per the NTPF definitions of speciality in each of the years 2014 to 2016 and to date in 2017; the number of which were private and the number of which were public, by hospital, by year, in tabular form. [49402/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly.
426. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if there is a common outpatient waiting list as per the consultants contract 2008. [49403/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe HIQA Report and Recommendations on Patient Referrals from General Practice to Outpatient and Radiology Services, including the National Standard for Patient Referral Information published in 2011 makes a number of recommendation in relation to Secondary Care Referral Management Systems, including that GP should address referrals in the first instance to a central point within a hospital, then to the relevant specialty/service, followed by named consultant if relevant. The approach is supported in the report by international evidence.
With regard to the Consultant Contract 2008, a key objective of the Contract is to improve access for public patients to public hospital care. Under the Consultant's Contract 2008 and HSE guidance issued from the National Director of Acute Hospitals in September 2009 a common waiting list for treatment, diagnostic investigations, tests and procedures on an outpatient basis in public hospitals is identified. In addition, under HSE policy, private outpatients may not attend public outpatient consultant-led clinics.
Finally, under the HSE National Framework for operation and management of Outpatient Departments published in 2013, referrals for outpatient appointments to a named consultant should be treated as general to the specialty involved, unless it is more appropriate for a particular patient to be managed by a specific consultant.
427. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health the revenue raised from charges for private patients in public beds; the number of procedures in each hospital which has treated private patients in public beds; and the number of applications for payment by the insurer that were submitted by each hospital for such procedures carried out by public and-or voluntary hospital, in each of the years 2013 to 2016 and to date in 2017, in tabular form. [49404/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThis question has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
428. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for a herd number by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48683/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application to register a herd number in the name of the above was received in the Regional Veterinary Office in Tralee on 10 November and an inspection was carried out on 13 November. Further documentation is required before a herd number can issue and the applicant has agreed to furnish the documents to the Regional Veterinary Office.
429. Deputy Dara Calleary asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the shortage of fodder in western counties including in County Mayo; the steps he is taking to deal with same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48689/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraIt is clear that Weather conditions over much of this Autumn have been challenging for farmers and created difficulties for farmers particularly in the Western regions and on heavier land types.
Grass growth rates this year 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. My Department continues to monitor the situation.
The European Commission agreed to my request for an advance payment of the 2017 Basic Payment Scheme. This has been prompted by the 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. Issuing of these payments commenced after the 15th October 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 already 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. My Department will continue to closely monitor the situation.
430. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason a person (details supplied) has not received a herd number after they lodged the relevant application and documentation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48712/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for a herd number was received from the person named in the Regional Veterinary Office on 15 March 2017. Contact could not be made at the time with the applicant to arrange a farm inspection to check compliance with the requirements for the granting of a herd number. This inspection has recently been carried out and the facilities on the farm currently do not meet the requirements. My Department has been in contact with the applicant and a further inspection will be arranged when the facilities meet the requirements.
431. Deputy Stephen S. Donnelly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the preparations made in his Department in the event of no agreement being reached between the United Kingdom and the European Union on the terms of the UK's exit from the EU; if such preparations involve the drawing up of detailed and specific contingency plans in the event of a hard Brexit and a trade regime based on WTO tariffs; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48769/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade with special responsibility for Brexit, Minister Coveney has responsibility for coordinating the whole-of-Government response to Brexit. In this capacity, he is working closely with his colleagues across Government to address the many challenges resulting from Brexit. This cooperation also involves the relevant State Agencies.
Work at Cabinet level is being prepared through cross-Departmental coordination structures. These represent a frequent and active channel through which all relevant Departments are providing their research, analysis and overall policy input to the Government’s wider response to Brexit, including its priorities for the ongoing Article 50 negotiations between the EU and the UK.
As the outcome of the negotiations is not yet known, an important focus of the planning and preparation being undertaken through these structures is on deepening the Government’s analysis and understanding of the exact consequences of a range of different possible scenarios. This represents an intensification of efforts to build on the Government‘s contingency planning.
In line with this whole-of-Government work, my Department has conducted a range of analysis and research activities in relation to Brexit. This work is ongoing, and is primarily concerned with the implications of Brexit for agri-food trade with the UK across different sectors.
For example, both internally and in consultation with the relevant stakeholders through the Brexit Stakeholder Consultative Committee and the All-Island Civic Dialogue process, my Department has established the extent of sectoral reliance on the UK market, the potential implications of Brexit for each sector and the possible responses to the challenges presented. It has also been analysing the potential practical impact on the day-to-day functioning of trade flows, as well as potential WTO tariffs that might be applied to Ireland's agri-food exports to the UK in the event of a 'hard' Brexit.
The agencies reporting to my Department have also undertaken important research in relation to Brexit, with Teagasc publishing reports on, for example, the potential implications for the Irish agri-food sector in overall terms and on the implications for family farm incomes, and Bord Bia conducting important work through its Brexit Barometer.
In addition, my Department is in contact with the relevant agencies and with other Departments to co-ordinate further research on the implications of Brexit for the agri-food industry.
432. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the cost of providing external coaching and-or training services for staff development in his Department over the past five years and to date in 2017, by cost per year, in tabular form; the company that delivered the training courses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48798/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested is being compiled and will be forwarded directly to the Deputy.
433. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if recent reports are correct that the 2018 intervention for skimmed milk powder will be via tender at prices below current regulation level of €16.98 per tonne; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48863/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, there has been significant recourse to intervention for skimmed milk powder (SMP) across the EU since September 2015. There are now approximately 363,000 tonnes of SMP in public intervention stocks. The use of intervention during a turbulent period for the dairy sector provided a welcome safety net for producers in Ireland and across the EU. Whilst the overall dairy sector is now in a much better place, particularly at the farm gate, this intervention stock is now effectively overhanging the EU SMP market.
The Commission’s concern, as expressed by Commissioner Hogan on a number of occasions, is to avoid further stock piling of SMP next year. The current Commission proposal is to reset the volume limit for intervention buying in at a fixed price to zero, from the existing limit of 109,000 tonnes. Buying into intervention could continue, but on the basis of a tendering route. The Commission have indicated that such provisions will be implemented via the legislative route of normal implementing acts, whereby the Commission, whilst consulting with Member States, can act independently of the views expressed.
In assessing the Commission proposal, I recognise that the current situation in respect of existing stocks should not be allowed to persist indefinitely. However, the issue of current stocks cannot be disentangled from the issue of managing SMP intervention in 2018 and beyond. The issues involved, with respect to both market management and sentiment in the sector, are complex and require ongoing careful management.
My Department has and will continue to engage with the Commission, and with other Member States, and with national stakeholders on these proposals:
- The Commission has been asked to set out an overall strategy in respect of dealing with the related issues of current stocks and management of SMP intervention in 2018 in tandem.
- In freeing up stocks, we will continue to request that the Commission do so in a prudent way, which does not send signals to the market that could affect overall sentiment in the sector.
- Ireland’s preference is that the proposed measure be specified as for 2018 only, to avoid setting a precedent for the longer term. It is important that the Commission remain vigilant in monitoring the market situation, and has contingencies in place in the event of market volatility re-emerging.
434. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of all contracts for GLAS 1, 2 and 3 persons; the year that contracts commenced and will end for GLAS 1, 2 and 3 persons, in tabular form; if it is possible to extend existing contracts; and if so, if it forms part of the normal RDP amendment approval process at EU level. [48911/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll GLAS contracts run for a minimum period of five years as set out as follows.
|
|
Start Date |
End Date |
Number |
|
GLAS1 |
01/10/2015 |
31/12/2020 |
23693 |
|
GLAS1 |
01/01/2016 |
31/12/2020 |
1595 |
|
GLAS2 |
01/01/2016 |
31/12/2020 |
11262 |
|
GLAS3 |
01/01/2017 |
31/12/2021 |
13325 |
While the governing regulations allow for extension of contracts in specific circumstances all GLAS contracts run until the end of the current programming period and all available funding under the RDP is fully committed.
435. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to protect Irish fishing interests at EU level; the latest discussions; and if he will report on bilateral discussions on same. [48912/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe fishing industry is a key priority for this Government and my officials and I are constantly engaged in protecting and enhancing the interests of that industry across a wide range of issues at all levels within the EU.
Obviously a key issue is Brexit and the potential implications arising from that but there are also a host of other issues of concern and interest to the Irish fishing industry with which we are constantly engaged. For example, last week alone my officials were part of EU delegations at international fisheries negotiations in London and Morocco, safeguarding Irish interests in important pelagic and tuna fisheries respectively. This week and next there will be high level meetings with the Commission as part of the preparation for the December Fisheries Council.
Our full time Fisheries Attache, part of the Agriculture and Fisheries team in the Permanent Representation in Brussels, represents our interests on a day to day basis in both formal meetings of the Council Working Party on Fisheries as well as with the Commission, the European Parliament and other relevant bodies operating at EU level.
Apart from Brexit, which, as the Deputy is well aware, is the single most important issue facing the industry, there are a host of other ongoing important discussions such as those around new technical measures, regionalisation of fisheries management, the implementation of the Landing Obligation and of course the TAC & Quota negotiations for 2018.
All of these are complex areas but with real impacts for the fishing industry. My aim in all of these negotiations is always, in consultation with the stakeholders, to ensure that we have a profitable and sustainable fishing industry that will continue to benefit our coastal communities.
I can assure the Deputy that my direct engagement and that of my officials with the issues concerning fisheries at EU level is as comprehensive as it is constant.
436. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if market access for Irish meat and dairy product is contingent on agreement at EU level as opposed to bilaterally with Japan and Korea in view of the fact that the EU has trade agreements in place with these countries; the process at EU level by which the share of EU quotas will be allocated to member states. [48913/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraMarket access for meat and dairy products can be made by the EU for either all, or a number of, Member States such as in the case of meat access to Canada. However, most often this market access is agreed bilaterally between the Department and its equivalent competent authority in a Third Country. This was the case in relation to Ireland gaining beef access to the USA in 2015, the first Member State to do so.
Market access to Japan and South Korea for Irish meat products is currently being negotiated bilaterally. These negotiations are not contingent on any EU-level agreements. The recent Free Trade Agreements with South Korea and Japan relate to tariffs imposed on trade. Quotas are not broken down by Member States. Rather, there is a tariff-rate quota for the entire EU.
Ireland gained market access to Japan for beef at the end of 2013. Current trade consists mainly of frozen beef offal, tongues in particular. In 2016, more than 1,300 tonnes of bovine meat valued at €7.5 million was exported. Ireland also has pigmeat access to Japan and in 2016, a total of 4,750 tonnes was exported, at a value of €14.2 million.
My Department has recently started bilateral negotiations in relation to getting sheepmeat access to Japan. Japanese imports of Irish dairy produce exceeded €14.8 million in 2016 and DAFM has recently agreed, with the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Fisheries, bilateral export certificates for the export of dairy products from Ireland to Japan. We are one of four EU member states at an advanced stage of negotiations to gain beef access to South Korea. (The others being Denmark, Netherlands and France). I was very pleased to use the recent Trade Mission as an opportunity to seek to advance progress on beef access on a bilateral basis for Ireland, as part of my meetings with Ministers there.
Dairy exports to South Korea amounted to €3.3 million last year. Both Japan and South Korea have been identified as key strategic markets for future growth in dairy produce.
437. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget allocation and actual expenditure on the imported fodder transport scheme in 2013; the number of persons who participated in the scheme, by county, in tabular form; the operation of the scheme and the maximum grant aid permitted per person; if state aid rules apply to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Imported Fodder Transport Scheme 2013 was implemented to reduce the cost to farmers of imported forage (hay, silage, haylage). The aid was targeted at the cost of transport into the country, thus reducing the cost to farmers of a bale of hay by approximately one third.
In view of the prevailing circumstances the quickest and most effective method of ensuring the supply of fodder to those in need was to implement the scheme through the co-operatives, marts and other approved agencies. This served to ensure necessary supplies to the individual farmers and primary producers who were the actual beneficiaries of the scheme.
The scheme was initially designed to cover fodder imports from 15 April 2013 to 3 May 2013 but in view of the continuing demand the scheme was extended to the end of May 2013. The scheme was initially funded at €2 million but this was subsequently increased to €2.8 million.
A total of 76 agencies participated in the scheme which involved their facilitating the import and supply of fodder to farmers who had applied for the scheme and then advising the Department of amount and value of fodder supplied to these farmers. The Department then reimbursed transport costs to the agencies which in turn passed these funds to the individual claimants.
Payments under the scheme were subject to state aid de minimis rules. A total of €2,554,372 issued to 16,120 beneficiaries under the scheme. The county breakdown of these payments is outlined in the table.
|
COUNTY |
NO OF BENEFICIARIES |
TOTAL € |
|
Carlow |
1 |
100 |
|
Cavan |
398 |
61,428.16 |
|
Clare |
1,202 |
89438 |
|
Cork |
3,005 |
672,432.65 |
|
Donegal |
1,049 |
181,923.8 |
|
Dublin |
4 |
830.06 |
|
Galway |
1,452 |
151,432.31 |
|
Kerry |
2,071 |
378,063.92 |
|
Kildare |
24 |
8,604.64 |
|
Kilkenny |
112 |
17,315.62 |
|
Laois |
55 |
18,999.44 |
|
Leitrim |
769 |
71,070.54 |
|
Limerick |
1,437 |
314,616.64 |
|
Longford |
108 |
7,004.1 |
|
Louth |
10 |
8,006.16 |
|
Mayo |
1,197 |
85,947.32 |
|
Meath |
98 |
65,171.93 |
|
Monaghan |
457 |
111,669.16 |
|
Offaly |
177 |
18,913.07 |
|
Roscommon |
868 |
70,937.62 |
|
Sligo |
585 |
49,877.96 |
|
Tipperary |
844 |
125,401.18 |
|
Waterford |
47 |
7,448.64 |
|
Westmeath |
146 |
34,606.16 |
|
Wexford |
2 |
1,106.02 |
|
Wicklow |
2 |
2,027.12 |
|
TOTAL |
16,120 |
2,554,372.22 |
438. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the budget allocation and actual expenditure on the scheme of assistance for persons who suffered fodder losses as a result of the severe flooding in 2016; the operation of the scheme and the maximum grant aid permitted per person; if state aid rules apply to this scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48915/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe 2016 Fodder Aid Scheme was implemented in January 2016 in response to damage to fodder supplies arising from the period of protracted flooding in December, 2015 and January, 2016. The aim of the scheme was to compensate farmers in approved cases for the direct replacement cost in instances where genuine damage to silage, hay, concentrates or straw has been caused by the flooding.
The scheme opened on 7 January 2016 with a closing date of 22 January 2016. A total of 391 applications were received under the scheme of which 330 were paid a total of €660,619. All payments were subject to state aid de minimis rules.
439. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his views on plans by the European Commission to limit the amount of skimmed milk powder that it buys in public intervention in 2018; his further views on a tender system that is planned for the intervention process in 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48916/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, there has been significant recourse to intervention for skimmed milk powder (SMP) across the EU since September 2015. There are now approximately 363,000 tonnes of SMP in public intervention stocks. The use of intervention during a turbulent period for the dairy sector provided a welcome safety net for producers in Ireland and across the EU. Whilst the overall dairy sector is now in a much better place, particularly at the farm gate, this intervention stock is now effectively overhanging the EU SMP market.
The Commission’s concern, as expressed by Commissioner Hogan on a number of occasions, is to avoid further stockpiling of SMP next year. The current Commission proposal is to reset the volume limit for intervention buying in at a fixed price to zero, from the existing limit of 109,000 tonnes. Buying into intervention could continue, but on the basis of a tendering route. The Commission have indicated that such provisions will be implemented via the legislative route of normal implementing acts, whereby the Commission, whilst consulting with Member States, can act independently of the views expressed.
In assessing the Commission proposal, I recognise that the current situation in respect of existing stocks should not be allowed to persist indefinitely. However, the issue of current stocks cannot be disentangled from the issue of managing SMP intervention in 2018 and beyond. The issues involved, with respect to both market management and sentiment in the sector, are complex and require ongoing careful management.
My Department has and will continue to engage with the Commission, and with other Member States, and with national stakeholders on these proposals:
- The Commission has been asked to set out an overall strategy in respect of dealing with the related issues of current stocks and management of SMP intervention in 2018 in tandem.
- In freeing up stocks, we will continue to request that the Commission do so in a prudent way, which does not send signals to the market that could affect overall sentiment in the sector.
- Ireland’s preference is that the proposed measure be specified as for 2018 only, to avoid setting a precedent for the longer term. It is important that the Commission remain vigilant in monitoring the market situation, and has contingencies in place in the event of market volatility re-emerging.
440. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the farmers' charter between his Department and farming organisations has agreed on payment dates for RDP schemes in 2017 and 2018; and if yes, the dates agreed upon. [48917/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Farmers' Charter of Rights is effectively an agreement between farm representative organisations and my Department. It sets down, inter alia, agreed target timelines for delivery of payments in respect of the schemes, including RDP schemes, operated by my Department.
The current Charter will remain in place until 2020 coinciding with the lifetime of the current Pillar I and Pillar II schemes.
The Farmers' Charter of Rights, and the agreed targets contained therein, is available in the customer service area of my Department's website. The target payment timeframes are set out in the charter.
The operation of a number of schemes covered by this Charter is governed by EU/National legislation while others are governed by national law only. The very ambitious targets that my Department strives to achieve under the Charter - targets which compare extremely favourably with the payment timeframes of our EU counterparts - cannot legally supersede national or EU law. The Charter cannot grant rights which would affect or change the operation of those laws in so far as they apply to the Schemes in question.
441. Deputy Pat Deering asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on an appeal by the agriculture appeals office for a person (detailed supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48923/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe independent Agriculture Appeals Office has confirmed that, in December 2016, a review of the Appeals Officer's decision was requested. Such reviews must be undertaken to determine if there was an error in the Appeals Officer's decision and require a detailed assessment of the case in full compliance with the legal requirements. A number of requests for review of appeal decisions were received prior to the request concerned. Cases are generally dealt with in order of receipt. Every effort is being made to complete the review of the case concerned.
