Written Answers Nos. 313-333
313. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the status of the free trade agreement with Vietnam, including the investment protection agreement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52940/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra314. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the reason the overall EU-Vietnam trade agreement has been divided into two parts; if parliamentary scrutiny by the Houses of the Oireachtas of either part of the agreement will be diminished as a result; her views on the human rights and environmental safeguards in place in the agreements; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53083/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 313 and 314 together.
As the Common Commercial Policy is an exclusive competence of the European Union under the EU Treaties the European Commission acts as lead negotiator on behalf of all EU countries regarding trade agreements with non-EU countries.
Vietnam is a member of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EU is working towards achieving a region-to-region Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with ASEAN by first concluding FTAs with individual ASEAN members. The first of these was signed with Singapore in October 2018 while negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and Vietnam were concluded in December 2015.
Following a Court of Justice of the European Union Opinion (2/15) which provided clarity in respect of the areas of EU Commission and Members State competency in the EU-Singapore FTA, the EU Commission proposed a revised approach to Free Trade Agreements, which EU Trade Ministers have agreed. This new trade architecture involves splitting FTAs into separate “Trade” and “Investment” Agreements on a case-by-case basis. In June 2018, the EU and Vietnam agreed to separate the Free Trade Agreement, as originally negotiated, in line with this new trade architecture. The translated texts of the Agreements are currently awaiting examination by Lawyer Linguists, however, there is no confirmed timeline for the completion of this process.
Insofar as ratification is concerned, some EU trade agreements are 'EU-only' meaning that all the policy areas they cover fall under the sole responsibility of the EU institutions. Other agreements may be presented as 'mixed' where they have areas of shared responsibility between the EU and Member States. The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA) covers areas that fall under the exclusive competence of the EU, while the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) covers areas of joint competence shared between the EU and its Member States.
The areas covered in the EU-Vietnam FTA fall under the exclusive competence of the EU such that Member States in Council approve and conclude the Agreement, with ratification by the European Parliament. The EU-Vietnam IPA, on the other hand, is a mixed competence Agreement and, while the Office of the Attorney General will be formally consulted, it is the view of my Department that a vote in Dáil Éireann will be required, in due course, to decide on ratification of the IPA.
The EU-Vietnam FTA can be applied once it has been approved by the Council of the EU and ratified by the European Parliament as well as by Vietnam. The FTA will eliminate over 99% of tariffs on EU exports to Vietnam, 65% of these tariffs will be liberalised at entry into force of the FTA with the remainder phased out over a 10-year period. The FTA also covers non-tariff barriers to trade and other trade related issues such as public procurement, competition, services, investment, intellectual property rights, regulatory issues, and sustainable development. I support the application of the EU-Vietnam FTA so that Irish firms may benefit from the new business opportunities provided for by the Agreement.
Mixed agreements only enter into force once each individual EU Member State has approved it in line with its own national procedures. In this regard, given the request by Belgium for an Opinion (1/17) from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) on the compatibility of the Investment Court System in CETA with the European Treaties, my Department awaits the CJEU opinion on this matter which will inform the Department’s plans for ratification of the EU-Vietnam IPA.
I should also note that one of the most important aspects of the EU's Common Commercial Policy is that, alongside protecting European businesses and consumers, it is promoting the EU's principles and values such as high social and environmental standards. In this regard, the Chapter on Trade and Sustainable Development in the EU-Vietnam FTA aims to promote sustainable development, by focussing on trade and investment related aspects of labour and environmental issues, contains commitments to respect multilateral labour and environmental agreements, and seeks to ensure that labour and environment standards are not lowered in order to attract trade. Furthermore, the FTA involves the establishment of an EU-Vietnam Committee on Trade and Sustainable Development comprised of representatives of both Parties to oversee its implementation.
In February 2018, EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström announced a new 15-point plan to enhance implementation of EU trade and sustainable development chapters. This includes ensuring that countries comply with their commitments through more assertive enforcement; facilitating the monitoring role of civil society; and making EU resources available to support implementation.
315. Deputy Micheál Martin asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation if she is satisfied with the uptake of grants by businesses to tackle the challenge of Brexit. [53190/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and its agencies are providing extensive supports, including grants, to enable companies to prepare for Brexit and succeed into the future.
For 2019, I have allocated an extra €8 million to the enterprise agencies and regulatory bodies under my Department for various Brexit supports and grant schemes.
In terms of the effectiveness of these supports, a recent survey of 2,400 Enterprise Ireland (EI) clients found that 85% of them are taking Brexit-related actions. This is a substantial increase from 38% this time last year, and is a positive indication that companies are undertaking Brexit preparedness actions. I am satisfied that businesses are increasing their preparation efforts for Brexit, and that EI’s suite of grants is helping them to achieve this.
In the first 6 months of this year alone, 43% of the 1,600 most exposed EI client companies received grant aid. It is important to note that each company has individual needs, which is why EI encourages its clients to choose from the full suite of supports that it makes available.
For instance, EI’s Be Prepared Grant offers SME clients a grant of up to €5,000 to assist them in preparing an action plan for economic shocks such as Brexit. 148 Be Prepared Grants have so far been approved with a strong pipeline in place for new applications.
In addition, EI’s Strategic Consultancy Grant can support the cost of hiring Strategic Consultants to assist in the development and/or implementation of strategic initiatives. 920 projects have received funding to date under the scheme.
It is important to note that EI grants are demand-led. EI has undertaken a number of promotional initiatives to raise awareness of their comprehensive range of grants and supports. This includes eleven Brexit Advisory Clinics held throughout the country in 2018.
Representatives from all the enterprise agencies under my remit were present at the Government’s series of six “Getting Ireland Brexit Ready” seminars, which were held recently around the country, and spoke to attendees and informed them of the range of grants and supports available.
Local Enterprise Office (LEO) funding has been increased and is being used to assist micro-enterprises in becoming more competitive and better able to cope with the changing environment in which they are operating. There were 622 Technical Assistance for Micro Enterprise (TAME) Grants approved by the LEO Network from 1 June 2017 – 13 December 2018. These grants help LEO Clients to tackle the challenges of Brexit.
InterTrade Ireland (ITI) is working to minimise the impact of Brexit on north-south trade. In Budget 2019, ITI received an additional €1 million in capital funding. ITI’s Start to Plan vouchers offer 100% financial support up to €2,250 towards professional advice in relation to Brexit matters. This support can assist businesses get advice on specific technical and specialist advice on issues such as movement of labour, goods, services and currency management. So far in 2018 ITI has approved 644 vouchers.
While I am encouraged by the fact that businesses are engaging in high numbers with these and other supports on offer, not everyone is engaging. With Brexit around the corner, I want businesses to know we are here to help. I will continue to engage with businesses to inform them of the grants and supports on offer to tackle the challenge of Brexit.
316. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the grant assistance available to improve competitiveness with improved machinery in the indigenous manufacturing sector in the Dublin and east region; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53403/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraSupporting the competitiveness of Irish enterprise is a core focus of both Enterprise Ireland’s and the Local Enterprise Office’s strategy. One of Enterprise Ireland’s financial supports available to eligible client companies is the Capital Investment Initiative. This initiative assists Enterprise Ireland client companies improve productivity and competitiveness through the acquisition of new capital equipment and technology. The fund provides grant support up to a maximum of €250,000.
Client companies are eligible to apply for funding under this initiative if they:
- Are SMEs (as defined by the Official Journal of the European Commission)
- Are a manufacturing and/or an internationally traded services company
- Have 10 or more full time employees in Ireland at the time of application
- Have been generating sales for at least 5 years
- Have not received approval under the fund in the last three years
- Companies submitting an application must be EBITDA positive (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) in the previous accounting period or; for at least the previous nine months prior to application and can demonstrate sustainable future EBITDA.
In the period 2015 -2017, Enterprise Ireland has paid companies €7.5 million under the Capital Investment Initiative of which €1.2 million was paid to companies from Dublin and East Region (Kildare, Wicklow and Meath).
The LEOs can offer direct grant aid to microenterprises (10 employees or fewer) in the manufacturing and internationally traded services sectors which, over time, have the potential to develop into strong export entities. Subject to certain eligibility criteria, the LEOs can provide financial assistance within three main categories: Feasibility Grants (investigating the potential of a business idea); Priming Grants (to part-fund a start-up); and Business Development Grants for existing businesses that want to expand.
317. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health his views on the development and adoption of a national autism strategy; the actions he is taking to ensure that the specific needs of persons with autism are met by the policies and actions of his Department; and the specific action plans, budgets and timelines in operation to meet these needs. [52714/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed under the National Disability Strategy (NDS) and the accompanying actions on Autism to ensuring that people with autism are empowered by policy and programmes to participate meaningfully as citizens in Irish society. The NDS is driven by this basic but fundamentally important objective and is the most effective combination of legislation, policies, institutional arrangements and services to support and reinforce equal participation for all people with disabilities.
In relation to Health services for people with Autism, there is substantial work underway with the purpose of improving Autism services. Earlier this month, the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, published two reports on autism – a report on the prevalence of autism in Ireland carried out by the Department of Health, and a review by the HSE of the services available for people with autism. The review identifies key priorities for implementation by HSE including:
- The establishment of a Programme Board tasked with implementing the recommendations in the report;
- Development of a Programme of Awareness Raising; and
- Guidance to clinicians and Service Development.
Minister Harris has asked the HSE to proceed with the implementation of the recommendations in their report. This commitment will be reflected in the HSE National Service Plan for 2019 and will form part of an overall Autism Plan to be published next year.
318. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health the way in which his Department is improving services for persons with disabilities and mental health issues in counties Cavan and Monaghan and north County Meath. [52964/18]
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 the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
319. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health his plans to reinstate grant funding to an organisation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53042/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.
320. Deputy Seán Crowe asked the Minister for Health if a child (details supplied) was referred to the school age team in September 2017 and has not received supports; the reason for the delay; the approximate timescale for support for the child; the further length of time the child will have to wait; the number of children awaiting speech and language support in this catchment area; and the average waiting time for a child in need of speech and language therapy in this area. [53085/18]
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 the Deputy's question relates to service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.
321. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Health if persons working for the HSE have a choice of working until they are 70 years of age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53277/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond to you directly on this matter.
322. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Health the status of the timing of the implementation of sections 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53729/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs you will be aware, Parts 2 & 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 contain provisions relating to the regulation of donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR) procedures carried out in the State, including dealing with the rights of children born as a result of those procedures. The enactment of the Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Act 2018 was necessary to correct typographical and technical errors in the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, to enable the subsequent commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act.
Officials in my Department are working towards putting in place a number of important administrative and operational arrangements that are essential for the implementation of Parts 2 & 3. This includes the establishment of the National Donor-Conceived Person Register (the “Register”), the purpose of which is to vindicate the rights of a donor-conceived child to access information on their genetic heritage. This is based on the principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child concerning the right of a child to an identity and internationally regarded as best practice. However, as the Register will contain personal and potentially sensitive information about the various parties to a DAHR procedure, and particularly about the children born as a result of the procedures, robust data protection measures must be put in place prior to the establishment of the Register.
The commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act also requires consent forms relating to the parties to a DAHR procedure (donors and intending parents) to be prescribed by regulations. The Department is liaising with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in relation to the drafting of those regulations.
In addition, the appointment of authorised persons to ensure compliance of DAHR facilities with their obligations under this Act also needs to be finalised. It is my intention that Parts 2 & 3 of the Act will be commenced as soon as possible.
The provisions in Parts 2 & 3 are interconnected with provisions in other areas of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, particularly Part 9 which includes provisions for the registration and re-registration of the birth of a donor-conceived child. As such, officials from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Health and the General Register Office are working together to ensure that the appropriate legislative, regulatory, and operational mechanisms are in place to allow for the earliest possible commencement of all of the relevant legislation that will allow for birth registrations of donor-conceived children.
323. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of adults who have been deemed appropriate for treatment for substance use to date in 2018; and the number who have received treatment within one calendar month in each local health office, LHO, area, in tabular form. [52686/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra324. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of children who have been deemed appropriate for treatment for substance use to date in 2018; and the number who have received treatment within one week in each LHO area, in tabular form. [52687/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra326. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of health service staff being trained on SAOR screening and brief intervention for problem alcohol and substance use. [52689/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra332. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the development of integrated care and referral pathways from pharmacy needle exchange to other agencies. [52695/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra333. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the details of the expansion of other paraphernalia such as foil within the pharmacy needle exchange programme to allow clients the option of smoking rather than injecting. [52696/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 323, 324, 326, 332 and 333 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
325. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the review of services in all community healthcare organisations, CHOs, regarding the person-centred care planning processes of the drugs rehabilitation framework regarding assessment, key working and care planning. [52688/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
327. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the number of new clients who have been granted access to naloxone to date in 2018. [52690/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
328. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if regulations to allow for the introduction of buprenorphine naloxone and buprenorphine products have been agreed and introduced. [52691/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraOn 22 November 2017, I signed the Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone and Medicinal Products containing Buprenorphine authorised for Opioid Substitution Treatment) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 522 of 2017). The Regulations added certain buprenorphine medicinal products to the schedule of products which can be prescribed for opioid substitution treatment.
329. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the working group to progress increased access to buprenorphine naloxone and buprenorphine products. [52692/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn January 2016, the Director General of the HSE submitted the final report of the Opioid Substitution Implementation Group to the Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy. The report recommends the phased increased of access to buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) for groups of patients in specific circumstances, subject to resourcing and the required legislation being enacted.
New Regulations, the Misuse of Drugs (Supervision of Prescription and Supply of Methadone and Medicinal Products containing Buprenorphine authorised for Opioid Substitution Treatment) Regulations 2017 came into effect on 22 November 2017. The purpose of these Regulations is to provide access to certain buprenorphine-based medicinal products for Opioid Substitution Treatment (including buprenorphine/naloxone and buprenorphine only) on the same statutory basis as methadone.
The Department of Health provided additional funding to the HSE in 2018 to expand availability of buprenorphine/naloxone for those not suited to OST.
330. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health if he will report on the HSE training programme for addiction staff, level 2 general practitioners and pharmacists regarding buprenorphine naloxone and buprenorphine products. [52693/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra331. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the increase in addiction residential treatment beds and additional treatment episodes provided to date in 2018. [52694/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra336. Deputy John Curran asked the Minister for Health the average waiting time from referral to assessment for opioid substitution treatment. [52699/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 330, 331 and 336 together.
As these are service matters, they have been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
