Written Answers Nos. 369-388
369. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if hospitals are to be reimbursed for the payment of transitional care or convalescent respite within the nursing home setting in view of the perceived delay in the fair deal process in being granted a long-term bed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10831/19]
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.
370. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an application for a cross-border scheme refund by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [10833/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
371. Deputy Alan Farrell asked the Minister for Health when he expects PrEP to be made available here; the actions that must be completed to allow it to be made available here; the action he plans to take to tackle the number of persons contracting HIV; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10841/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am pleased to advise the Deputy that at the request of the Department of Health and the HSE, the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA) is carrying out a Health Technology Assessment (HTA) of introducing a PrEP programme in Ireland. The aim of the HTA is to establish the clinical and cost effectiveness of providing a PrEP programme in Ireland with a commitment to rolling out a PrEP programme in 2019. The current timeline available is that a final HTA will be sent for approval by the HIQA Board at its May meeting and that the Department of Health will shortly thereafter receive advice formally from HIQA.
The HSE Health Protection Surveillance Centre advises that the weekly HIV notification reports for 2018 are provisional. I remain concerned about these provisional figures that show a rise in HIV infection.
The HIV Annual Report for 2017 from the Centre was published before Christmas. It is the latest annual trend data for HIV in Ireland. The report referred to 492 new diagnoses of HIV in Ireland in 2017, a rate of 10.3 per 100,000 population, representing a slight (2%) decrease between 2016 and 2017.
When those with a previous HIV diagnosis abroad were excluded, the number of new diagnoses decreased by 4% in 2017 compared to 2016.
The HIV Annual Report for 2017 referred to 223,609 HIV tests carried out in 13 laboratories in Ireland, giving a testing rate of 47.0 per 1,000 population. This compares to 40.5 per 1,000 in 2016 with data being provided by an extra laboratory in 2017.
HIV testing is available in Ireland through a variety of services, such as opt-out antenatal and sexual health services, emergency departments, NGO’s, drug and homeless services and primary care.
Over the past 2 years, community HIV testing is expanding, in order to reach those most at risk of HIV and identify those living with undiagnosed HIV. The KnowNow community HIV testing model has expanded since the pilot in 2016, and organisations in Dublin, Cork, Limerick and Galway have been funded to provide community HIV testing to populations at higher risk for HIV, such as Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and migrants.
The HSE Sexual Health and Crisis Pregnancy Programme have a multi-faceted communications approach in response to the rise in HIV notifications. This includes the development and implementation of national campaigns such as Respectprotect on Twitter for young audiences 18-30 years and the Man2Man (.ie) website for MSM.
Finally, the website sexualwellbeing (.ie) was launched in April 2018. This website aims to be the trusted source of information on sexual health and wellbeing in Ireland. The website speaks to all people living in Ireland, regardless of their sexual orientation or age/stage of adult life.
373. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if a review (details supplied) has taken place; the plans of the HSE to publish the review; if so, when same will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10861/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply to the Deputy.
374. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the role of his Department in the implementation of Sláintecare. [9460/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI obtained Government approval in July for the Sláintecare Implementation Strategy to deliver the vision outlined for our health system in the Sláintecare Report produced by the Future Healthcare Committee.
The Implementation Strategy recognises that strong leadership and clear governance will be essential to success and it clearly sets out the implementation and governance structures for Sláintecare. The Minister for Health is accountable to the Oireachtas for implementation and will report regularly on progress. The Cabinet Committee on Health, chaired by the Taoiseach will provide overall strategic direction and will oversee implementation, ensuring leadership at the highest level.
The Sláintecare Programme Implementation Office was established in the Department of Health, and drives the implementation of the Strategy. The office is led by an Executive Director with vast experience of large scale change and is resourced with a team with the appropriate skill mix to deliver the reform programme. The Office is establishing the programme of reform as approved by Government and putting in place the governance arrangements, processes, structures and resources to implement it.
375. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an application for inclusion on the cross-border scheme by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [10884/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly.
376. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10900/19]
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 National Waiting List Management Policy, a standardised approach to managing scheduled care treatment for in-patient, day case and planned procedures, since January 2014, has been developed to ensure that all administrative, managerial and clinical staff follow an agreed national minimum standard for the management and administration of waiting lists for scheduled care. This policy, which has been adopted by the HSE, sets out the processes that hospitals are to implement to manage waiting lists.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.
377. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Health the status of a homecare package application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10905/19]
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.
378. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the way in which he plans to place climate mitigation at the centre of the successor strategy to Food Wise 2025; his views on the main changes and priorities required in the next strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10701/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraFood Wise 2025 is a ten-year strategy agreed by a range of stakeholders, both public and private, and adopted by the Government as an overarching policy for the Irish agri-food sector. It underlines the agri-food sector’s unique and special position within the Irish economy and illustrates the potential for further development.
It is the latest in series of strategies that are renewed every five years and preparations for a new strategy to 2030 are underway. Its development will involve: an analysis of a range of cross-cutting themes and the various sub-sectors of the agri-food industry; a formal public consultation; and the establishment of a committee to develop the strategy.
Without pre-empting the work of the new committee and the eventual content of the 2030 strategy, it is clear that the cross-cutting themes contained in Food Wise (environmental sustainability, market development, competitiveness, innovation, and human capital) will continue to be highly relevant. It is likely that environmental sustainability, and in particular the contribution that agriculture can make to climate action, will need significant consideration and prominence.
In this regard, my Department is currently developing an environmental sustainability roadmap for the agri-food sector to ensure that the future development of agriculture and the land-use sector, including forestry, will be built upon and contribute fairly to Ireland’s climate targets. This roadmap will be published later this year and will form a key element of the 2030 strategy. In parallel, my Department is also working on the development of Ireland’s CAP Strategic Plan, which in line with the EU Commission’s proposals, will recognise that greater environmental and climate ambition is required.
379. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if felling licences have been issued to carry out recent tree felling nationally in both urban and rural areas. [10275/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI am aware of very recent media attention given to this matter and I’m glad to have to opportunity to clarify this issue. The Forestry Act 2014 is quite clear on the requirements to obtain a tree felling licence, prior to commencing certain tree felling operations. This is regardless of whether a tree or trees are on public or private property.
There are a number of exemptions provided for in Section 19 of the Act that mean, in specific circumstances, a tree felling licence is not required. For example, if a tree is located outside of a forest area and within an urban area (as defined by the Forestry Act 2014) then a tree felling licence is not required. Also, if the felling of a tree or trees is being carried out by a public authority in the course of their statutory functions, then a tree felling licence is not required.
There are also exemptions from the requirement to obtain a tree felling licence in rural areas. For example the removal of a tree within 10 metres of a public road and which, in the opinion of the owner (being an opinion formed on reasonable grounds), is dangerous to persons using the public road on account of its age or condition does not require a felling licence.
It is worth noting that it is the responsibility of the landowner or the person felling the tree to ensure that they are acting within the law. None of the exemptions under Section 19 of the Forestry Act 2014 serve to remove any restriction on the felling or removal of trees under (a) the Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2013, (b) the Wildlife Acts 1976 to 2000, and in particular section 40 of the Wildlife Act 1976, or (c) any other enactment.
Tree felling that is carried out by public authorities is a matter for the attention of that authority and outside the remit of my Department. Hedges or overhanging trees between neighbouring houses is a civil matter between the house holders concerned.
At all times, I would advise any land owner, regardless of their location to satisfy themselves of the need to obtain a felling licence and where they are unsure, to seek advice from the Felling Section of Forestry Division, within my Department. I would like to remind land owners that it is a criminal offence to fell trees without a valid tree felling licence, that are not exempted from the requirement and serious financial penalties can result on conviction.
Decisions on forestry licence applications, including tree felling licences, are published three times weekly on my Department's website. Furthermore, a site notice must be erected at the location where tree felling will take place, before operations commence.
380. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he has had discussions with the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation regarding submitting a formal request to the European Commission to increase state aid thresholds as set out in Regulation EU No. 1407/2013 in order to support agri-food enterprises and exporters in the event of a hard no-deal Brexit; if a formal request to adapt Regulation EU No. 1407/2013 will be submitted before 29 March 2019; and if not, the reason therefor. [10248/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI should point out that the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation is the lead Department in relation to the development of Ireland's response to supporting enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with State Aid rules. As regards proposals to temporarily adapt the threshold ceilings under EU Regulation 1407/2013, the general de minimis regulation, this falls within the remit of the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation.
I and my officials have been working very hard for quite some time to sensitise other Member States and the European Commission to the potentially very severe impacts of Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors, and to the likelihood of specific supports being required in order to deal with these impacts. The institutions of the European Union are very well aware of the likelihood of a significant impact of a disorderly Brexit on Ireland’s economy because this has been part of the discussion from the beginning, and indeed this is explicitly recognised in the Commission’s own communication on contingency planning.
Most recently, I held a bilateral meeting with Commissioner Hogan at the end of January to discuss the potential impact of a disorderly Brexit on the Irish agri-food and fisheries sectors. We discussed the unique exposure of these sectors to the threat of a disorderly Brexit, and the challenges that it could present. I stressed the need to be ready to deploy a range of measures to mitigate the potential impacts on farmers and processors, including through traditional market supports and exceptional aid under the CAP's Single Common Market Organisation regulation, as well as increased flexibility under State Aid regulations, which has already been the subject of discussions with the Commission. Commissioner Hogan reiterated the EU’s readiness to respond and support Ireland, and we will remain in contact on these issues as the situation evolves.
As regards state aid limits, my Department operates the State aid rules and regulations governing the agriculture sector, where the state aid limits under the agriculture de minimis regulation are currently set at €15,000 per undertaking over a rolling three year period.
I welcome the announcement by the European Commission, with effect from 14 of March 2019, that the maximum threshold limits under the agriculture de minimis regulation will increase from €15,000 up to €25,000. This will allow for greater flexibility and efficiency, notably in times of crisis and situations demanding a swift response by the public authorities.
I have said that the State will not be found wanting when it comes to supporting the Irish agri-food sector and farmers to deal with the impact of Brexit. The increase in the agriculture de minimis limits is a very important first step in this regard.
Also, my Department, working in close co-operation with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and Enterprise Ireland, has received approval from the EU Commission for an Irish state aid application, allowing an Irish company to receive state aid funding for the diversification of its activities. The potential for this approval to act as a template for assistance for agri-food enterprises and exporter within state aid rules and regulations is currently being examined.
381. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the recent changes at EU level regarding the increase in de minimis aid to primary producers; and if the new threshold of €25,000 can be fully drawn down in year one of a three year period for approved participants in schemes that are applicable. [10249/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the recent revised rules on state aid in the agriculture sector (the so-called de minimis aid), aid of up to €20,000 can be paid on a rolling three year basis i.e. the current fiscal year and the two previous fiscal years. Once a beneficiary has reached this limit they may not receive any further aid in excess of this limit under de minimis rules within the rolling time period.
In order to avoid any potential distortion of competition, each EU country has a maximum national amount which they cannot exceed. Each national ceiling will be set at 1.25% of the country's annual agricultural output over the same three-year period (up from 1% in the current rules). This is an increase in the national ceiling of 25%.
If a country does not spend more than 50% of it's total national aid envelope on one particular agricultural sector, it may increase even further the de minimis aid per farm to €25,000, and the national maximum to 1.5% of the annual output. This represents a 66% increase in the ceiling per farmer and a 50% increase in the national ceiling.
382. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of eligible and ineligible farmers, respectively, enrolled in the basic payments scheme; the number of eligible farmers that have received a 2018 BPS payment by ranges (details supplied), in tabular form; the number that have not received the payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10250/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra383. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of expenditure for persons paid under the 2018 basic payment scheme including greening by payment range (details supplied) by the breakdown format provided in Parliamentary Question No. 465 of 6 February 2018, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10251/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 382 and 383 together.
The details requested by the Deputy are as set out in the following table.
|
RANGE |
Applications |
Eligible Applications |
Applications Paid |
Amount Paid |
|
Between €0 and €4,999.99 |
51,026 |
51,026 |
51,026 |
€139,365,049.00 |
|
Between €5,000 and €9,999.99 |
33,694 |
33,694 |
33,694 |
€240,367,411.00 |
|
Between €10,000 and €19,999.99 |
24,872 |
24,872 |
24,872 |
€348,327,517.00 |
|
Between €20,000 and €29,999.99 |
7,890 |
7,890 |
7,890 |
€190,524,565.00 |
|
Between €30,000 and €39,999.99 |
2,752 |
2,752 |
2,752 |
€94,355,717.20 |
|
Between €40,000 and €49,999.99 |
1,216 |
1,216 |
1,216 |
€53,858,065.50 |
|
Between €50,000 and €59,999.99 |
588 |
588 |
588 |
€31,999,236.50 |
|
Between €60,000 and €69,999.99 |
321 |
321 |
321 |
€20,710,431.90 |
|
Between €70,000 and €79,999.99 |
186 |
186 |
186 |
€13,893,405.70 |
|
Between €80,000 and €89,999.99 |
139 |
139 |
139 |
€11,740,853.60 |
|
Between €90,000 and €99,999.99 |
75 |
75 |
75 |
€7,114,630.15 |
|
Between €100,000 and €109,999.99 |
40 |
40 |
40 |
€4,182,642.37 |
|
Between €110,000 and €119,999.99 |
35 |
35 |
35 |
€4,004,425.64 |
|
Between €120,000 and €129,999.99 |
23 |
23 |
23 |
€2,883,717.45 |
|
Between €130,000 and €139,999.99 |
16 |
16 |
16 |
€2,163,915.45 |
|
Between €140,000 and €149,999.99 |
12 |
12 |
12 |
€1,749,432.87 |
|
Over €150,000 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
€5,404,423.57 |
|
NOT PAID |
7,375* |
343** |
0 |
|
|
TOTAL |
130,290 |
123,258 |
122,915 |
€1,172,645,439.90 |
* Number of applications not currently eligible.
** Number of eligible applications not yet paid. These applications are currently eligible in that they have an allocation of entitlements under the BPS. However, in these cases there is also another outstanding query, which in many cases require further information from the applicant.
384. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of SPS and fisheries control officials that will be operational on 30 March 2019 out of the planned recruitment of 116 staff for SPS and fisheries controls as agreed on 18 September 2018; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10280/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is participating very actively in the Whole-of-Government approach to preparedness and contingency planning for Brexit. The Government has already sanctioned in the region of €4m for the commencement of a phased process for the recruitment of additional staff across a range of skill sets to carry out increased volumes of import controls and export certification arising from Brexit.
These requirements are significant, and arise in relation to the carrying out of documentary, identity and physical checks on imports of animals, plants, and products of animal and plant origin, as set out in EU legislation.
In general, regarding staffing requirements, my Department will use a combination of options including recruitment, redeployment and temporary flexible solutions where appropriate and as necessary. My Department continues to work with our recruitment partners, the Public Appointments Service to engage Veterinary Inspectors, Portal Inspectors, Plant Health Inspectors and Administrative support staff. Mechanisms to temporarily redeploy experienced people within my Department have also been initiated and the engagement of contracted temporary service arrangements is also being progressed.
The final staffing numbers to be engaged in response to Brexit contingencies will depend on the nature of Brexit and the trading relationship with the UK that ensues. Should a hard Brexit be confirmed as the probable contingency to be addressed, my Department will, through the mechanisms I have outlined, have the scope to deploy appropriate levels of Phytosanitary and fishery control officials as may be required. Overall, I remain confident that both the State, and my Department, will be in a position to deliver the services required in terms of both imports and exports at the appropriate time, be that at the end of March or any other point in the future.
The deployment options being used by the Department are intended to be as flexible as possible, taking the inherent unpredictability of the situation and the need to be prepared for multiple contingencies into account.
I expect my Department to have in the region of 230 staff available for redeployment as part of its Brexit Response. This number will comprise new recruits, redeployed staff and people on temporary contracts.
Dublin Port will be staffed on a 24/7 basis. Rosslare ports will operate on the basis of two shifts per day, based on ferry activity.
All of these resource levels will be kept under review and will be adjusted in light of developments up to and post-29 March 2019.
385. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full and part-time staff veterinary officers and inspectors, respectively, employed at the end of December 2018 by Civil Service grade and division; and the number of veterinary staff that will be operational on 30 March 2019, in tabular form. [10281/19]
Amharc ar fhreagra386. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of portal inspectors, plant health inspectors and administrative support staff employed at the end of December 2018 by Civil Service grade and division; and the number of such staff that will be operational on 30 March 2019, in tabular form. [10282/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 385 and 386 together.
There are over 300 veterinary officers in my Department, the vast majority of which are full time officials. Veterinary staff work in a variety of roles within my Department including food safety, animal health and welfare, certification of exports and provision of laboratory services.
The following table disaggregates this figure on a grade-by-grade basis.
|
Grade |
Full Time |
Part Time |
|
Chief Veterinary Officer |
1 |
- |
|
Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer |
1 |
- |
|
Research Officer |
18 |
2 |
|
Senior Research Officer |
13 |
- |
|
Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
9 |
- |
|
Superintending Senior Research Officer |
4 |
- |
|
Superintending Veterinary Inspector |
37 |
- |
|
Veterinary Inspector |
199 |
10 |
|
Wholetime Temporary Veterinary Inspector |
9 |
- |
|
Grand Total |
291 |
12 |
My Department will have in the region of 230 staff available for deployment as part of its Brexit Response in such a hard Brexit context. This number will comprise new recruits, redeployed staff and people on temporary contracts.
All of the aforementioned resource levels will be kept under review and will be adjusted in light of developments up to and post-29 March 2019.
Overall, I remain confident that both the State, and my Department, will be in a position to deliver the services required in terms of both imports and exports at the appropriate time, be that at the end of March or any other point in the future.
387. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding allocated in 2018 and 2019 to the marketing intensification programme of an Bord Bia. [10283/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraA total grant sum is allocated annually to Bord Bia by my Department and voted on by the Oireachtas in conjunction with the estimates process. In the context of Budget 2019, I was pleased to announce the allocation of a further €5.3million to Bord Bia for 2019, bringing its total grant in aid to €46.6 million for 2019, a 40% increase in funding for Bord Bia since 2016.
The detailed allocation of non-pay (operational funds) by Bord Bia contained within its voted grant-in-aid is an operational matter for Bord Bia.
However, Bord Bia's Marketing Intensification Programme (MIP) was introduced as a once-off measure of limited duration (two years), with the total paid over the course of the two programmes in 2016 and 2017 amounting to €1,084,739. The programme provide targeted supports to companies with a high dependency on the UK market in 2016 when, in particular, currency markets were very volatile.
Funding for this programme was provided by my Department, in conjunction with a larger package of additional dedicated Brexit funding I granted to Bord Bia in 2016 and 2017, consequent on the Brexit vote in June 2016.
Additional supports by Bord Bia to client companies exporting to the UK, to address the challenges of Brexit, are now encompassed in the market prioritisation strategy and strategic market promotion and supports, in the UK, other EU and international markets. Funding has been also made available for a two year MSc in Insight and Innovation in NUI Maynooth which was recently launched by Bord Bia.
388. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the location and number of full-time and part-time staff employed in each international an Bord Bia office; and the cost of offices and staffing by each office in each of the years 2016 to 2018, in tabular form. [10284/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for An Bord Bia, I have asked them to respond directly to the Deputy with the information requested.
