Brendan Smith
Ceist:165. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health his plans for capital expenditure in 2018 at a facility (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23977/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraHospitals Expenditure
Ceisteanna (165)
Freagraí scríofa
As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of health care infrastructure projects, the Executive has been requested to reply directly to you with the information requested in relation to Cavan General Hospital.
National Stroke Programme Implementation
Ceisteanna (166)
Louise O'Reilly
Ceist:166. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times officials from the national stroke programme have met with the national steering group or the working group for the implementation plan for the national strategy and policy for neurorehabilitation services; the informal discussions that have taken place regarding the area in which stroke fits into the neurorehabilitation strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23983/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
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.
As the Deputy's question relates to a service issue, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
Mental Health Services
Ceisteanna (167)
Aengus Ó Snodaigh
Ceist:167. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Health the status of the opening of the ten bed unit in the Central Mental Hospital. [23986/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Mental Health Services Provision
Ceisteanna (168)
Martin Heydon
Ceist:168. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the next steps in the development of a mental health unit at Naas General Hospital following its confirmation as part of the National Development Plan 2018-2027; the progress that has been made on this to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23987/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
Forestry Sector
Ceisteanna (169)
Tom Neville
Ceist:169. Deputy Tom Neville asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an offer of compensation can be considered to remove a condition to replant forestry in the case of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23833/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
An application has been received from the person named to fell 0.84ha, which is currently being processed. While it is not possible to pay compensation, it is open to the applicant to plant an alternative area in lieu of the area felled. The proposed alternative planting site must be submitted for approval prior to the issuing of the felling licence.
GLAS Appeals
Ceisteanna (170)
Tony McLoughlin
Ceist:170. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a GLAS appeal by a person (details supplied). [23847/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The above named was approved into GLAS 1 with a contract commencement date of October 1st 2015.
During a 2017 Land Parcel Imagery Review conducted by the Department, a number of ineligible features were identified on the applicant’s 2017 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) application. This issue is currently being processed to finalise the BPS issues which will then allow the GLAS appeal to be processed further.
Departmental Consultations
Ceisteanna (171)
Pearse Doherty
Ceist:171. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a submission has been received from an association (details supplied) in response to the consultation to review the options for more restricted access for large fishing vessels fishing by means of trawls inside the six nautical mile zone; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23875/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The public consultation process on trawling activity within the 6 nautical mile zone began on Monday 30th April 2018 and will run to Monday 11th June 2018. The consultation paper and accompanying reports by the Marine Institute and Bord Iascaigh Mhara are available on the Department's website, along with information on how to participate in the consultation process.
To date, we have not received a submission from the association listed but we welcome all submissions until the closing date.
Animal Carcase Disposal
Ceisteanna (172)
Clare Daly
Ceist:172. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action he has taken regarding breaches of the Disposal of Carcasses (Prohibition) Regulations 2015 (details supplied); the number of cases his Department has knowledge of; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23914/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There have been 3 persons prosecuted for breaches of the Disposal of Carcases (Prohibition) Regulations 2015 (SI 160/2015) to date. A further 4 cases are currently before the Courts and 1 case is in preparation with a view to initiating a prosecution if such a course is supported by the evidence.
Forestry Premium Payments
Ceisteanna (173)
Niamh Smyth
Ceist:173. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a matter (details supplied) will be investigated; if the outstanding payment will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23930/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The area of forestry in question was approved in 1990 under the Western Tree Planting Grant Scheme. The Department have investigated the issue in question and can confirm that the total approved grant for this contract was paid in two parts, with the first payment made in November 1990 and the second – and final – instalment was made in 1998. Under the Western Package Tree Planting Grant Scheme, no annual premium payments were due. Therefore, all payments have been made under this contract and it is considered closed.
Horse Racing Ireland Staff
Ceisteanna (174, 175, 176, 177)
Clare Daly
Ceist:174. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if neither he nor another person authorised formally or informally by him acting on his behalf communicated with the new chairperson of Horse Racing Ireland at any time prior to him making the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23932/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:175. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the new chairperson of Horse Racing Ireland applied to be considered for the position of chairman through the agencies, stateboards.ie or publicjobs.ie; if the person complied with all the requirements set down in the advertisement for the position and was interviewed in a face-to-face meeting at the offices of the Public Appointments Service, Middle Abbey Street, Dublin 1, prior to him making the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23933/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:176. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of males and females, respectively, that expressed an interest in being considered for the position of chairperson of Horse Racing Ireland that applied through the agencies, stateboards.ie and publicjobs.ie; the number of males and females, respectively that were interviewed in a face-to-face meeting at the offices of stateboards.ie or the Public Appointments Service prior to him making the appointment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23934/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraClare Daly
Ceist:177. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of males or females, respectively that expressed an interest in the position of chairperson of Horse Racing Ireland to his Department and that did not apply through the agencies, stateboards.ie and or publicjobs.ie; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23935/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 174 to 177, inclusive, together.
I have been informed by PAS that they received nine applications and that the gender breakdown was seven males and two females. The Assessment Panel examined and assessed the material submitted in the application letters and CVs of all the candidates and agreed that three candidates should be further considered and invited to meet with a subgroup of the panel.
One of the three shortlisted candidates was out of the country and was interviewed via conference call by the members of the subgroup. The same members of the subgroup also interviewed the other two candidates but as these were available to travel to the PAS offices, the meetings were face to face. The same PAS representative was present for each of the three interviews. Of the three candidates, two were considered to meet the published criteria for the position and these two names were put forward to the Minister for consideration for appointment.
In relation to the person appointed, prior to the competition my Department confirmed to him that the appointment would be made through the PAS application process, and one of my officials informed him of the outcome at the end of the process.
I am personally committed to achieving the Government target of 40% gender balance on the Boards of State Bodies. 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.
Common Fisheries Policy
Ceisteanna (178, 179)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:178. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which the Common Fisheries Policy conditions in relation to conservation are being observed to the letter and in spirit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23945/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:179. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the EU fisheries conservation policy is achieving targets in respect of all species; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23947/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 178 and 179 together.
The Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) provides the framework for the long term conservation and sustainability of fish stocks around our shores and is designed to ensure the long term sustainability of fishing throughout EU waters.
Key features of the CFP include setting Total Allowable Catches (TACs) and quotas to deliver maximum sustainable yield (MSY) for all target stocks by 2020 as well as a discards ban (Landing Obligation) that will be fully phased in by 2019. These objectives should ultimately lead to healthier fish stocks, higher quotas for both Irish and EU fishermen and more sustainable fishing patterns.
In the European Union as a whole, 53 stocks will be fished at MSY in 2018 which is an improvement from 44 in 2017. As recently as 2009 the number of stocks at MSY was only 5. The rebuilding of many of our stocks is demonstrated by a 34% increase in our whitefish quotas off the north-west coast and a 64% increase in the Irish Sea compared to 5 years ago - both areas where stocks were depleted.
Scientific information on the state of the fisheries exploited by the Irish fleet is compiled by the Marine Institute and is published in the Stock Book each year. The most recent Stock Book, 2017, contains 74 stocks managed under the CFP in which Ireland has a quota share. Of those 74 stocks, 29 were assessed as being sustainably fished in 2017. This number has grown every year since 2013. This in turn leads to the number of stocks being overfished declining from 22 in 2014 to 17 in 2017. The biomass of stocks, the quantity of mature fish in the sea, has also increased. In 2017 there were 27 stocks in a positive state above biomass trigger points. This is an increase over the preceding year of 22.
Ireland intends to continue to work with all stakeholders, Member States and the Commission to build upon this substantial and tangible progress to achieve the ambitious conservation targets set out in the CFP while supporting the communities that depend on a vibrant fishing industry.
Food Industry Exports
Ceisteanna (180)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:180. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which he continues to encourage new markets for food and food products; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23948/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade. Indeed, this is all the more relevant after the UK’s decision to leave the EU, which presents significant new challenges for the agri-food sector in particular.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, particularly in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region.
In keeping with the priorities outlined in Food Wise 2025, I led a very successful Trade Mission in February 2017 to the Gulf Region. This covered the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. This was followed by an extensive Trade Mission to the US and Mexico in June. Both of these latter markets offer many elements that are very attractive to Irish exporters. The US is the largest food and beverage market in the world and has a population of 324 million people. Around 35 million Americans also claim Irish ancestry. Mexico has a population of 127 million, making it the eleventh-largest country in the world in population terms and the fifteenth-largest economy in the world, with projections that it will move into the top five by 2050.
Later in 2017, during a Trade Mission to Japan and South Korea in November, I was accompanied by 40 representatives of the Irish food sector, as well as by experts from my Department, the CEO of Bord Bia and senior representatives from Enterprise Ireland and Teagasc.
This was a very opportune time to bring a delegation of Ireland’s food leaders to this part of the world, given that the EU has concluded a Free Trade Agreement with South Korea as well as concluding an Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan in December 2017. Japan and South Korea are markets of high potential for beef, pigmeat and sheepmeat exports, and so it is important that we raise the profile of Irish agri-food enterprises that already have access to these markets, and make progress in negotiating access for others.
Following a further Trade Mission to the US and Canada in February, earlier this month I led a Trade Mission to China and Hong Kong. This was an extremely successful mission in the development of our ever-growing partnership with China. For example, being present at one of the World’s largest food trade exhibitions in Shanghai allowed me to reinforce the positive messages about the quality and sustainability of Irish agri-food exports to Asian buyers, and I was also fortunate to secure meetings with three senior Chinese Ministers and three Vice-Ministers over the course of the week. There is a clear ambition on both sides to further build co-operation between Ireland and China on many levels, including trade, and I will continue to do all I can to maximise this potential.
These and the other missions that my Department are planning for the latter half of 2018 will serve to enhance and improve our existing levels of market access in these destinations. It will also promote Ireland’s reputation as a producer of high quality, safe and sustainably produced meat and dairy products.
The destinations are also in keeping with the market prioritisation exercise that was undertaken by Bord Bia at my request. This exercise identified opportunities in new and more mature markets, and will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers as we continue to navigate the very uncertain environment created by Brexit.
My Department will continue to seek out and identify new markets, and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
Brexit Issues
Ceisteanna (181)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:181. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which Irish beef, lamb, poultry and pigmeat are well placed to compete in EU and non-EU markets having particular regard to the impact of Brexit; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23949/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
Brexit has the potential to have a significant impact across all areas of the Irish agri food sector, including the beef, lamb, poultry and pigmeat sectors. These sectors are of critical importance to the Irish economy. Their regional spread means they underpin the socio-economic development of rural Ireland. Farming is an essential part of the social, cultural and economic fabric of the country and it is also part of a wider EU dispensation that values a Common Agriculture Policy built on family farming, food security, high standards of food safety and environmental sustainability. These are values that we hold dear, and so it is critically important when we consider the impact of Brexit that the positive contribution of agriculture to the rural and national economy, and to society in Ireland - and, indeed, elsewhere in the European Union - is to the forefront in our deliberations.
Market diversification is a key component of the Government response to the challenges posed by Brexit, as we seek to reduce our exposure to the UK market and develop alternative markets for our exports. The pursuit and development of new markets for Irish agri-food exports is of course an ongoing and central component of the strategic development of the agri-food sector, as evidenced by its placement right at the centre of Food Wise 2025, the industry’s strategy for development over the coming decade.
Food Wise 2025 outlines the huge potential for growth in agri-food exports to new and emerging markets, including in Asia, Africa and the Gulf region. This is something that I have been following up in a very practical way by leading Trade Missions to these destinations. For example, I have just returned from a Trade Mission to China and Hong Kong where I continued to develop the trade and political relationships that have been given a very significant boost recently through the opening of the Chinese market to beef exports from Ireland. I had very good and productive meetings with a number of Ministers, including my counterpart, the Chinese Minister for Agriculture, as well as supporting the Irish presence at SIAL Shanghai, which is now the largest food fair in the world.
This follows on from successful trade missions to Canada and the USA last February, Japan and Korea in November 2017, the USA and Mexico in June 2017, and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates in February/March 2017. I will also, as part of the ongoing effort to reduce our exposure to the UK market, lead further trade missions in 2018 in order to promote Irish food and drink in key markets.
It is also worth pointing out that the identification of Trade Mission destinations is in keeping with the recent market prioritisation exercise that was completed by Bord Bia, at my request. This exercise identified opportunities in new and more mature markets, and will provide valuable market intelligence both for industry operators and policy makers as we seek to deal with the impacts of Brexit.
My Department will continue to seek out and help to develop new markets, and I am ready to respond as appropriate to other opportunities that may arise.
Food Safety Standards Regulation
Ceisteanna (182, 183)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:182. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the degree to which traceability, quality, husbandry and production requirements continue to be met in respect of all food and food products imported into the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23950/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraBernard Durkan
Ceist:183. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of breaches of EU standards in respect of the agrifood sector that have been identified over the past 12 months and deemed to be in breach of EU standards and traceability guidelines; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23951/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 182 and 183 together.
Food products placed on the marketplace are covered by a range of legislation designed to ensure that products supplied to consumers are of the highest safety standards. My Department plays a part in the enforcement of this legislation along with other Government Departments and State Agencies such as the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI), the Health Service Executive, and Local Authority Veterinary Inspectorate, Marine Institute and the Sea Fisheries Protection Agency. The FSAI is the body responsible for enforcement of regulations governing traceability, labelling and provision of food information to customers.
Primary responsibility under EU law for the safety and traceability of food placed on the market lies with food business operators. The role of National Competent Agencies is to verify compliance with this requirement. This is done via a combination of inspecting establishments and auditing the food safety management systems which operators have in place. These controls are applied at different stages in the food supply chain. Regulation (EC) No. 178 of 2002 sets out the general principles and requirements of EU food law and stipulates that food business operators must, at all stages of production, processing and distribution within their business, ensure food law requirements are satisfied. In regard to traceability, the regulations require that food business operators have what is referred to as the ‘one step forward, one step backward’ traceability system. There are additional requirements for certain fishery and aquaculture products under the Control Regulation (Regulation 1224/2009 and Implementing Regulation 404/2011) from first sale to subsequent stages of production, processing and distribution up to retail.
My Department has a permanent veterinary presence at all its approved slaughter plants. Controls at plants only engaged in secondary processing are carried out at a frequency based on an annual risk assessment. An annual audit of imported products is carried out in each Department-approved plant, including checks on physical identity, labelling and documentary checks.
Extra veterinary checks are carried out on selected consignments of foods imported into DAFM-approved establishments from other EU Member States or from Third Countries outside the EU. These checks include physical checks of product condition, checks of accompanying documentation and checks of labelling and health markings.
The import of products of animal origin from third countries is governed by a comprehensive and robust legislative framework laid down at EU level, controlled by Member States in the first instance, and audited by the European Commission’s Directorate General for Health and Food Safety, to ensure compliance with all of the relevant food safety standards. The legislation imposes health and supervisory requirements designed to ensure that imported products meet standards equivalent to those required for production and trade between Member States. Border Inspection Posts are operated by my Department. Import control procedures on products of animal and fish origin are highly prescriptive and strictly audited by the Directorate to ensure compliance. Inspection finding reports are published on the Directorate General for Health and Food Safety’s website.
I am satisfied that the controls and checks in place and enforced by my Department which included 183 annual meat labelling audits in 2017, ensure that Irish consumers are protected and correctly informed when they purchase and consume food products.
The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) has service contracts in place with the official agencies performing official controls, to verify compliance with the extensive requirements of food labelling legislation, in these establishments. The FSAI reports in detail on the number of inspections and checks carried out, and non-compliance findings.
Fish Producer Organisations
Ceisteanna (184)
Bernard Durkan
Ceist:184. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the extent to which fish processing facilities here remain adequate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23952/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
There are at present 212 land-based approved seafood processors in Ireland and these are largely dispersed around our main fishing ports. The scale of these premises varies greatly from micro enterprises, to medium sized enterprises, to large enterprises.
A range of supports are available to seafood processors through my Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme 2014-20. Depending on the scale of the enterprise, it may apply for supports for capital investment to its local Fisheries Local Action Group or to Bord Iascaigh Mhara. Additional supports are available from BIM for new product development, business planning, market research and route to market structures.