Written Answers Nos. 203-227
203. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the degree to which school medical examinations continue to take place throughout County Kildare; the extent to which treatment requirements are identified and follow-up arranged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41528/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.
204. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in the case of a person (details supplied); if a precise prognoses and treatment has been determined; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41529/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to you directly as soon as possible.
205. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if a person (details supplied) can be refunded in respect of a cathartic procedure which they underwent at a private hospital or in any way be supplemented by the HSE in view of the fact that they are a medical card holder; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41530/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll persons ordinarily resident in the State are eligible to avail of public healthcare on the basis of either their full (medical card), or limited eligibility, status. However, there are no arrangements for reimbursement of procedures received in a private institution in the State.
For procedures carried out in an institution, private or public, in another EU\EEA Member State a patient may apply for reimbursement under the terms of the Cross-Border Directive. Under the Cross-Border Directive a person who has received treatment in either a public or private institution of another EU\EEA Member State, may seek reimbursement of the lesser of either the cost of such treatment in the Member State where it is received, or the cost that would have applied for the treatment in the public health system of their Member State of Affiliation.
The HSE through the National Contact Point (NCP) provides information for patients on the operation of the CBD on its website and by phone on 056 7784546
206. Deputy Anne Rabbitte asked the Minister for Health the number of child psychologists employed by the HSE by county; if such positions are full-time; the number of vacant positions for child psychologists in each county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41547/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy on this matter.
207. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41567/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is as follows:
|
Title |
Date |
|
Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 |
2015 |
|
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2017 |
2018 |
|
Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Act 2017 |
2018 |
In addition, my Department has responsibility for Part 4 of the Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017 and inputted in relation to Part 4 in the post-enactment report on the Act laid by the Department of Justice and Equality in 2018.
Finally, I wish to advise the Deputy that I have asked my officials to monitor compliance with Dáil Standing Order 164A.
208. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Health the number of acts passed since March 2011 that his Department is responsible for; the date each act was signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41583/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAll information in relation to Acts passed can be found on the Oireachtas website.
The information requested by the Deputy is also provided in the following table.
|
No. |
Date of Enactment |
Title |
|
1 |
8 July 2011 |
Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Act 2011 |
|
2 |
25 July 2011 |
Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2011 |
|
3 |
16 December 2011 |
Health Insurance (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2011 |
|
4 |
21 December 2011 |
Nurses and Midwives Act 2011 |
|
5 |
28 February 2012 |
Health (Provision of General Practitioner Services) Act 2012 |
|
6 |
27 March 2012 |
Clotting Factor Concentrates and Other Biological Products Act 2012 |
|
7 |
2 April 2012 |
Criminal Justice (Female Genital Mutilation) Act 2012 |
|
8 |
26 December 2012 |
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2012 |
|
9 |
26 December 2012 |
Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Act 2012 |
|
10 |
28 March 2013 |
Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) Act 2013 |
|
11 |
28 May 2013 |
Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013 |
|
12 |
4 June 2013 |
Public Health (Tobacco) (Amendment) Act 2013 |
|
13 |
3 July 2013 |
Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2013 |
|
14 |
24 July 2013 |
Health (Amendment) Act 2013 |
|
15 |
30 July 2013 |
Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act 2013 |
|
16 |
18 December 2013 |
Health (Alteration of Criteria for Eligibility) (No. 2) Act 2013 |
|
17 |
25 December 2013 |
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2013 |
|
18 |
24 June 2014 |
Public Health (Sunbeds) Act 2014 |
|
19 |
8 July 2014 |
Health Identifiers Act 2014 |
|
20 |
17 July 2014 |
Health Service Executive (Financial Matters) Act 2014 |
|
21 |
28 July 2014 |
Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2014 |
|
22 |
19 November 2014 |
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2014 |
|
23 |
25 December 2014 |
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2014 |
|
24 |
25 December 2014 |
Protection of Children's Health (Tobacco Smoke in Mechanically Propelled Vehicles) Act 2014* |
|
25 |
10 March 2015 |
Public Health (Standardised Packaging of Tobacco) Act 2015 |
|
26 |
11 March 2015 |
Misuse Of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2015 |
|
27 |
06 April 2015 |
Parts 2&3 of Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 ** |
|
28 |
24 June 2015 |
Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2015 |
|
29 |
24 December 2015 |
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2015 |
|
30 |
24 December 2015 |
Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2015 |
|
31 |
30 December 2015 |
Part 8 of Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015 ** |
|
32 |
26 July 2016 |
Health (Amendment) Act 2016 |
|
33 |
27 July 2016 |
Misuse of Drugs (Amendment) Act 2016 |
|
34 |
26 December 2016 |
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2016 |
|
35 |
16 February 2017 |
Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2017 |
|
36 |
31 March 2017 |
Health (Amendment) Act 2017 |
|
37 |
16 May 2017 |
Misuse of Drugs (Supervised Injecting Facilities) Act 2017 |
|
38 |
23 May 2017 |
Medical Practitioners (Amendment) Act 2017 |
|
39 |
22 November 2017 |
Part 4 of the Civil Liability (Amendment) Act 2017 - Voluntary Open Disclosure ** |
|
40 |
9 December 2017 |
Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Act 2017 |
|
41 |
21 December 2017 |
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2017 |
|
42 |
2 July 2018 |
Mental Health (Amendment) Act 2018* |
|
43 |
17 July 2018 |
Health (General Practitioner Service) Act 2018 |
|
44 |
24 July 2018 |
Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Act 2018 |
|
45 |
18 September 2018 |
Thirty-sixth Amendment of the Constitution Act 2018 |
|
46 |
3 October 2018 |
Mental Health (Renewal Orders) Act 2018 |
|
47 |
17 October 2018 |
Public Health (Alcohol) Act 2018 |
|
48 |
20 November 2018 |
Children’s Health Act 2018 |
|
49 |
20 December 2018 |
Health (Regulation of Termination of Pregnancy) Act 2018 |
|
50 |
24 December 2018 |
Health Insurance (Amendment) Act 2018 |
|
51 |
17 March 2019 |
Part 2 of Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union (Consequential Provisions) Act 2019 (Number 8 of 2019) ** |
|
52 |
23 May 2019 |
Section 13 of Civil Registration Act 2019** |
|
53 |
04 June 2019 |
Health and Social Care Professionals (Amendment) Act 2019 |
|
54 |
05 June 2019 |
Health Service Executive (Governance) Act 2019 |
|
55 |
23 July 2019 |
CervicalCheck Tribunal Act 2019 |
*Origin: Private Members' Bill
**Denotes an Act which the Department had partial responsibility for
209. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health when University Hospital Limerick will be provided with a second MRI scanner; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41600/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
210. Deputy Michael Harty asked the Minister for Health if he will consider providing two modular surgical theatres for University Hospital, Ennis to allow it to expand its day care surgery capacity particularly ENT day care surgery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41601/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service issue, I have asked the HSE to reply to you directly.
211. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the investigation by his Department into environmental concerns at a farm (details supplied) has been concluded; and if so, the outcome of same. [41396/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department did not carry out an investigation into environmental concerns at the farm detailed.
Checks were carried out in relation to digestate under Reg 1069/2009 which includes legislation to protect ‘public and animal health’ rather than ‘environment’.
The outcome of animal health investigations on the farm were satisfactory and are concluded
212. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the fact that planting trees on bogland dries it out leading to greater carbon emissions from the soil than sequestration by the trees; if this fact was taken on board before his announcement that 600,000 trees will be planted on bogland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41401/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraForests play an important role in capturing carbon emissions in our atmosphere and are vital contributors to action on climate change. Currently, Ireland has 11 per cent of forest cover, up from just 1 per cent a century ago, and intends achieving 18 per cent cover by 2050. This proposed venture between Coillte and Bord na Mona will help achieve these targets in line with our commitments under the Climate Action Plan.
My Department published a paper in 2010 through the Council for Forestry Research and Development, COFORD, called “The greenhouse gas balance of peatland forests”. This paper highlighted the dynamics at play with regard to peatlands and peatland forests and their capacity to both emit carbon while also acting as an important carbon sink. This dynamic depends on site conditions, peat type and peatland development stage. Cutaway bogs, for example, which are the peatland type to be planted under the Coillte/Bord na Mona project, are understood to be emitting carbon on an ongoing basis as they already have been drained and as such the peat is subject to ongoing decomposition.
In relation to the woodland types planned as part of the Coillte/Bord na Mona project, it is very difficult to provide an accurate assessment of the potential greenhouse gas balance of these new forests. Applications to begin planting have not yet been submitted to my Department for consent. Coillte and Bord na Mona are currently assessing a number of sites and will prepare an application which will include details of the location and extent of native woodland proposed.
Nevertheless, based on research on the subject of carbon balance, it is reasonable to conclude that Woodland creation will accelerate the restoration of the carbon sink function on these peatland sites through new carbon stocks in biomass, woody debris and litter. The extent to which it does will depend on the relative balance between carbon uptake and loss. The proposed woodland creation on the Bord na Mona lands is one of a suite of land use options, which includes rewetting. Woodland creation as proposed represents a small area of the overall Bord na Mona land holding.
213. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the efforts being made to secure and source existing and new markets for live cattle exports. [41424/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn 2018, total live exports of cattle increased by over 30% compared to 2017, to 246,000 head. This growth trend has continued into 2019, with live exports already totalling 247,000 up until week commencing the 9th September. This is up from 207,000 for the same period in 2018 – a 19% increase. I welcome the recent live cattle shipments to both Turkey and Libya.
Live exports are a critical part of Ireland’s livestock industry. They play a significant role in stimulating price competition and providing an alternative market outlet for farmers. My Department facilitates this trade, recognising its importance to the agri-food sector, while placing a strong emphasis on the welfare of all animals being transported.
I will continue to prioritise efforts to deepen existing markets and gain access to new third country markets. In 2017, my Department reduced the veterinary inspection fee payable on live exports of calves under three months of age to €1.20 per animal, from €4.80. This gave an important boost to the trade in young calves, and brought greater equity in the fees payable for calves, weanlings and adult cattle.
In April, my Department reached agreement with the Egyptian authorities on three proposed health certificates for the export of fattening, slaughter and breeding cattle.
Also in April, agreement was reached in principle with Algeria to move from a joint breeding, slaughter and fattening certificate to three separate certificates. We are awaiting the Algerian authorities’ imprimatur prior to the commencement of the revised trade conditions.
In relation to Turkey, my Department hosted a visit in May by a technical team that included officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and ESK (the Turkish Meat and Milk Board).
With regard to lairage capacity in Cherbourg, my Department worked closely with the French authorities, and earlier this year, the French authorities approved an increase in holding capacity of the Qualivia in Cherbourg. This provided for additional daily capacity for 400 animals, providing increased capacity of some 1, 200 animals per week.
A successful live export trade relies on the cooperation of a multitude of stakeholders. Therefore, the recent establishment of the Irish Livestock Exporters' Association is to be welcomed. This body can represent the industry’s views, not just to my Department, but also to ferry companies, port authorities, lairage operators and other stakeholders.
At its request, I met the new Association in September to discuss a number of industry concerns. I briefed the representative body on the progress made by my Department to source new markets as outlined above and I look forward to further engagement with the group in the future.
214. Deputy Fiona O'Loughlin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of increase in organic production since 2011 and the incentives that are available to encourage same. [41425/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe area of land under organic production has expanded significantly under the current Rural Development Programme, thanks to the suite of supports that have been put in place. Latest figures indicate that there are now some 72,000 hectares under organic production, an increase of nearly 50% on the position at the start of the Programme in 2014.
Production statistics for 2012 compared to 2017 for the following enterprises indicate the increased levels of organic production.
|
Year |
Cattle |
Sheep |
Horticulture |
Cereals |
Dairy |
|
|
2012 |
Production |
41,381 Bovine animals excl. dairy cows |
45,655 incl. 32,890 ewes 1.2% of total sheep flock |
322 ha. |
2,312 ha. |
1,539 cows |
|
2017 |
Production |
50,000 Bovine animals excl. dairy cows |
63,650 incl. 43,806 ewes, 1.9% of total sheep flock |
524 ha |
2,426 ha |
2,912 cows 0.11% of total milk production |
€56 million has been allocated to the Organic Farming Scheme under the current RDP. This scheme provides area-based payments to organic farmers. To reflect growing demand, this scheme was reopened in 2018 to allow for new participants, particularly those in the tillage and dairy sectors.
Under TAMS 2, a dedicated capital investment scheme has been put in place for the sole benefit of organic farmers, providing support for the widest range of equipment and structures of any TAMS scheme. Such investments are eligible for 40% grant assistance, with 60% grant assistance for qualifying young farmers. My Department has also ring-fenced monies for an investment scheme for organic processors. This scheme is wholly state-funded and offers grant aid of up to €500,000 for individual projects. This scheme recognises the importance of innovation and keeping abreast of technological developments. It directs financial assistance toward projects which facilitate the adoption and application of new technologies.
215. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41438/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Agriculture Appeals Office operates independently of my Department. I have been advised that the records of the Agriculture Appeals Office indicate that the person named lodged an appeal on 7 June 2019.
The Appeals Office will be in contact with the person concerned to arrange a date for an oral hearing.
216. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number, date of publication and details of post enactment reports published by his Department since March 2011, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41557/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince March 2011, one post-enactment report has been published by my Department. That report is in respect of the Forestry Act, 2014 and was laid in the Parliamentary Library on 25 September 2018.
217. Deputy Shane Cassells asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of acts passed since March 2011 that his Department is responsible for; the date each act was signed into law; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41573/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has overseen the drafting and enactment of eight Bills in the relevant time period. Information requested on these enactments can be found in the following table.
|
No. |
Title of Enactment |
Date of Enactment |
|
1 |
Welfare of Greyhounds Act 2011 No. 29 |
16th November, 2011 |
|
2 |
Veterinary Practice (Amendment) Act 2012 No. 25 |
18th July, 2012 |
|
3 |
Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 No. 15 |
29th May, 2013 |
|
4 |
Forestry Act 2014 No. 31 |
26th October, 2014 |
|
5 |
Johnstown Castle Agricultural College (Amendment) Act 2014 No. 10 |
22nd June, 2014 |
|
6 |
Horse Racing Ireland Act 2016 No. 2 |
8th February, 2016 |
|
7 |
Sea-Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2019 No. 9 |
4th April, 2019 |
|
8 |
Greyhound Racing Act 2019 No. 15 |
28th May, 2019 |
218. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of approved applicants to the knowledge transfer group scheme in the beef, sheep, dairy, tillage, equine and poultry sectors in tabular form; the number of approved applicants that subsequently withdrew from the scheme; the targeted number of groups formed; the number of groups finalised to date; the number of payments that have issued to each approved applicant in every sector in each year of the knowledge transfer group scheme in this RDP to date; the number of payments that have not issued to each approved applicant in each sector in each year of scheme; the budget allocation for the KTG scheme under the 2014-2020 RDP; the amount of moneys expended to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41594/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe information requested by the Deputy is not readily available and is currently being retrieved. As soon as this process is completed, the information will be provided to the Deputy.
219. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the knowledge transfer group scheme will be continued after year three of the current programme concludes; and if his officials examined using unused funds previously allocated to the scheme to finance the continuation of the programme in 2020 and beyond. [41595/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Knowledge Transfer (KT) Programme, which was funded under the Rural Development Programme(RDP) 2014 -2020, concluded in August 2019, as provided in the Rural Development Programme. Budget 2020 provides for residual payments under this programme. I am fully committed to the future of the Knowledge Transfer Programme however, and will be working in 2020 towards the development of a new programme in due course, within the confines of available resources.
Negotiations in relation to the post-2020 CAP regulations are on-going and these will form the basis for the next iteration of CAP schemes when they are finalised. It is envisaged that knowledge transfer measures will form a key part of the next CAP.
At present, the Department is seeking submissions from stakeholders in relation to the SWOT analysis which will underpin the range of measures to be included in the next CAP.
220. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of sheep farmers that applied to the sheep EID tag subsidy scheme by 30 September deadline by county in tabular form; the process for reviewing applications; and the allocation for the scheme in 2019 and 2020. [41596/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Sheep EID Tag Subsidy Scheme was a one-off scheme introduced in acknowledgement of the additional costs associated with the extension of electronic identification to all sheep.
The scheme subsidised by €1 the cost of each electronic sheep tag purchased (up to a maximum of 100 tags) in the first sheep tag order completed by a keeper between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019. The purchase of a minimum of 10 electronic tags was required for eligibility to the Scheme and the maximum payment per farmer was capped at €100, based on a maximum subsidy of €1 for 100 electronic tags.
Sheep farmers were not required to apply for the scheme as all the information required to determine eligibility and facilitate automatic payment to keepers in respect of eligible orders was available on my Department's Animal Identification and Movement (AIM) database.
Payments under this Scheme are being made in 4 quarterly tranches, in respect of the eligible tag orders processed in the previous 3 months. Three tranches of payments have been made to-date and the final payments in respect of eligible first orders made between 1 July 2019 and 30 September 2019 are due to be made at the end of this month.
While my Department is not aware of any concerns in relation to this Scheme, where individual farmers are not satisfied with the automatic determination of their eligibility for the Scheme or the amount payable to them, they can seek a review by contacting my officials in AIM Division in Backweston. All applications for review will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Where the outcome of such a review is not to the satisfaction of the applicant, the decision can be appealed to the Agricultural Appeals Office.
A total of €2.9 million was allocated to the scheme, of which a total of approximately €2.13 million will be paid to keepers in respect of eligible orders finalised between 1 October 2018 and 30 September 2019.
As the Sheep EID Tag Subsidy Scheme was introduced on a once-off basis and the final date for purchasing eligible tags has now passed, there is no further funding allocation for this purpose.
Sheep EID Tag Subsidy Scheme 2019 - Eligible Tag Orders by County
|
County |
No. of Eligible Orders |
|
Carlow |
611 |
|
Cavan |
785 |
|
Clare |
444 |
|
Cork |
1,296 |
|
Donegal |
4,714 |
|
Dublin |
160 |
|
Galway |
3,419 |
|
Kerry |
1,982 |
|
Kildare |
584 |
|
Kilkenny |
444 |
|
Laois |
379 |
|
Leitrim |
927 |
|
Limerick |
168 |
|
Longford |
362 |
|
Louth |
297 |
|
Mayo |
3,820 |
|
Meath |
913 |
|
Monaghan |
417 |
|
Offaly |
487 |
|
Roscommon |
1,530 |
|
Sligo |
1,385 |
|
Tipperary |
709 |
|
Waterford |
325 |
|
Westmeath |
663 |
|
Wexford |
915 |
|
Wicklow |
1,136 |
|
Total |
28,872 |
221. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount in levies paid by farmers to An Bord Bia in each year over the 2016 to 2018 period and to date in 2019 for livestock slaughtered or exported in tabular form; the monetary breakdown in total levies collected annually for this period for cattle, sheep, pigs and other sector individually; and the individual levy per animal in each sector. [41597/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is an operational matter for Bord Bia who are statutorily independent of my Department, I have requested them to provide the information requested directly to the Deputy.
222. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will provide an overview of the seafood scaling and new market development scheme; the amount of funding that will be allocated to the scheme in 2019 and 2020; and when the applications will open. [41598/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's €240 million European Maritime and Fisheries Fund Operational Programme provides a broad range of supports to foster the sustainable development of our seafood sector.
I am continuing to support businesses, especially the agri-food sector, to prepare for Brexit through a broad range of advisory and financial supports. At a Brexit Preparedness workshop in Cork on 30 September, I announced the opening of the expanded EMFF Seafood Scaling and New Market Development Scheme. The new Seafood Scaling Scheme is being implemented through a partnership between Bord Iascaigh Mhara and Bord Bia and is targeted specifically at seafood enterprises to support them in developing and diversifying their export markets worldwide.
The Scheme supports seafood enterprises to develop new export markets through international seafood trade shows and other customer networking events. The largest support rates will be reserved for seafood enterprises who work together to develop export markets and these groups will be supported for additional activities such as overseas agents and office rental, and for formal participation in trade shows. The Scheme has a budget in 2019 of €680,000. While the budget for 2020 is yet to be established, increased demand for the broadened range of supports is likely to see a higher scheme allocation. The scheme is open for applications and application details are accessible through the BIM website at the following link.
http://www.bim.ie/schemes/seafood-scaling-new-market-development-scheme/
223. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the first meeting of the beef market task force will take place; and the status of the development of a beef market price index model as agreed by stakeholders at talks. [41599/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe first meeting of the Taskforce will take place on 14 October.
As part of the Irish Beef Sector Agreement of 15th September, Bord Bia committed to develop a beef market price index model based on three components - cattle price index, beef market price index (retail and wholesale) and an offal price indicator.
Work on the development of this index is currently underway, and progress on this and all elements of the beef sector agreement will be monitored by the task force. The full text of the Agreement is available on the Department's website.
224. Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment the status of the implementation of SI No. 4 of 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41386/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI signed the European Union (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Peat Extraction) Regulations 2019 (S.I. No. 4 of 2019) on 25 January 2019, with the objective of making the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) the sole competent authority for peat extraction of over 30 hectares in Ireland, and making Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for such activity mandatory. In conjunction with the Planning and Development Act 2000 (Exempted Development) Regulations (S.I. No. 12 of 2019), which were signed by the Minister for Housing Planning and Local Government on the same date, these Regulations exempted large-scale peat extraction from planning permission and made the EPA the single competent authority for monitoring large-scale peat extraction through its Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) licensing process.
It was my intention, in bringing forward S.I. No. 4 of 2019, to put in place a robust, streamlined system of regulation for peat extraction, which would provide both high standards environmental protection and certainty for the sector regarding the applicable regulatory requirements.
However, both sets of Regulations were the subject of a Judicial Review brought by Friends of the Irish Environment in April 2019. On 20 September 2019, the High Court set aside both the above referenced Regulations, on the basis that they were incompatible with EU law and were ultra vires under national law.
The judgment, and potential responses on the part of Government, is being given detailed consideration by my Department and the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government, together with the Attorney General's Office.
225. Deputy Timmy Dooley asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if he will report on the response to an unidentified white skin fungus present in salmonid stocks in counties Louth and Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41392/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraI refer the Deputy to the response to Question No. 368 of Tuesday last, 8 October.
226. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment his views on the inclusion of the Shannon LNG project on the projects of common interest list compiled in Brussels on 4 October 2019; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41393/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland is one of the most dependant countries on fossil fuels. The Climate Action Plan sets out the necessary actions we must take to significantly cut our use of fossil fuels in electricity generation, in transport and in heating. The Government has a fundamental duty to protect Ireland’s energy security. In the next decade we will fully exit from peat and coal for electricity generation and we will go from 30% renewable electricity today to 70% renewable electricity in 2030. In making these critical changes, we must ensure that our energy security is maintained. It is critical to protecting our people, our homes, our farms, our hospitals and our businesses.
In reaching 70% renewable electricity in 2030, the balance will still have to be generated from fossil fuels, and from interconnectors/battery storage in 2030. Back-up supply will be needed in particular when the wind isn’t blowing and when the sun isn’t shining. For example, in a recent 30 day period, 25% of Ireland’s electricity was provided by wind generation. However, over this same period, one day had only 4% of our electricity provided by wind and on another day it provided 62% of our electricity.
This back up supply is likely to be provided by gas. This view was backed in the recent advice of the Climate Change Advisory Council that said the continued exploration for, and recovery of new offshore natural gas reserves can be consistent with a low carbon transition.
However, we will carry out a comprehensive energy security review. It will consider, in a scientific way, how and from where fossil fuels are sourced during a transition to a carbon neutral economy. This review will consider: how we generate electricity when the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining, the role for battery storage and the role for gas powered back up; the role of interconnection (both gas and electricity); and other ways to back up our power supply.
The Shannon LNG project is a private commercial project and any decisions on the future development of this project are matters for the project promoter. This has been designated as a project of common interest by the European Commission for 6 years: in 2013 and again in 2015, and 2017. There has been public consultation carried out by the European Commission when each list was being drawn up, and citizens, organisations and public authorities were invited to submit feedback on the inclusion of projects. The European Commission also carried out a public consultation in drawing up the draft 2019 list.
Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) are key infrastructure projects aimed at completing the European energy market in order to help the EU achieve its energy policy and climate objectives of affordable, secure and sustainable energy for all citizens, as well as the long-term decarbonisation of the economy in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
While Ireland has continued to support the inclusion of the Shannon LNG Project on the 4th PCI list as it enhances our energy security by increasing import route diversity, I have indicated that the government will only consider any future applications for EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding for LNG projects after a security of supply review has been completed and considered by the Government and the Dáil, and only if the projects are consistent with national and EU climate policy objectives.
In that context, Ireland also enquired from the EU Commission whether the implications of importing LNG to the European Union, from conventional and unconventional fracked sources, have been examined in terms of a sustainable, secure and competitive European energy policy. The Commission advised that it had launched a study on methane emissions and agreed with the need to link gas imports to the objective of a climate neutral economy.
227. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment if his attention has been drawn to the fact that planting trees on bogland dries it out leading to greater carbon emissions from the soil than sequestration by the trees; if this fact was taken on board before his announcement that 600,000 trees will be planted on bogland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41402/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe woodland establishment project launched by myself and Minister Creed last week is based on a feasibility study undertaken by experts from Bord na Móna, Coillte, UCD, UL, and Native Woodlands of Ireland, which concluded that based on bogland ecology, native woodland ecology, forestry, and carbon there was potential to initially establish c. 1500 hectares of native woodlands, over three years, with the aim of increasing biodiversity, enhancing the landscape for recreation, and improving the carbon balance of these sites. Bord na Móna’s Ecology and Rehabilitation team are leaders in the area of peatlands rehabilitation. The company’s rehabilitation principles have always been to re-wet peat where possible and to work in tandem with nature. Bord na Móna’s cutaway rehabilitation will mean that a heterogeneous mosaic of habitats will develop on the cutaway.
On some Bord na Móna land it is not appropriate to raise water levels, as adjacent land and neighbours would be affected. It is also not practical or feasible to re-wet areas with significant slopes.
It is natural that native trees will be a part of the Irish cutaway landscape due to the wide variability and environmental conditions across the cutaway. Much of the older Bord na Móna cutaway has already developed extensive bog woodland.
Woodlands would have formed a natural part of raised bog habitats, located around the edge where peat was naturally thinner, but have largely been lost due to turf cutting and reclamation. All these woodland habitats will have significant biodiversity and conservation value and will increase the native woodland cover in Ireland.
To address an evidence-gap in relation to the carbon fluxes from these types of bog woodlands, Bord na Mona has been supporting research into GHG fluxes from different peatland habitats for nearly 20 years. A GHG flux tower has been established at Lullymore to aid UCC, financially supported by Bord na Móna, study the carbon fluxes from a cutaway bog woodland site.
Currently it is understood while that dry peat releases carbon dioxide, growing vegetation on top mitigates this, as the carbon is trapped by the vegetation. It is expected that these types of sites will remain a carbon source but that developing bog woodland will result in a reduction in carbon being emitted.
