Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Tuesday, 15 Oct 2019

Written Answers Nos. 452-476

Medicinal Products Expenditure

Ceisteanna (452)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

452. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Health if the savings from the best value biologic process will be reinvested into the drugs budget for 2020; and, if so, the amount of savings that will be reinvested into the drugs budget for 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42176/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Funding is provided to the HSE for health services in accordance with the Letter of Determination which sets out the approved level of overall HSE expenditure for the year in question. It is the responsibility of the HSE to manage the entire budget and prepare and implement the National Service Plan which must, under legislation, set out the type and volume of health and personal social services, to be provided during the year in question within the funding allocated.

It is for the HSE to determine what healthcare services, products, and interventions would best maximise health gain for patients and the public within the resources available to them, including savings that would accrue from implementing new initiatives.

Hospital Appointments Delays

Ceisteanna (453)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

453. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if a hospital appointment for a person (details supplied) will be expedited; the length of time this person is waiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42177/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under 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.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (454)

Seán Haughey

Ceist:

454. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Health if an assessment of needs has been carried out in respect of a child (details supplied); if he is entitled to services and therapies by the early intervention team; the primary care services in place for the child; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42180/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (455)

Maurice Quinlivan

Ceist:

455. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Health the reason the recruitment for the post of a clinical nurse specialist for neurology in University Hospital Limerick has stalled; if this issue will be rectified immediately recognising the importance of the position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42181/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (456)

Jan O'Sullivan

Ceist:

456. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Health if funding is in place and if the recruitment process has commenced for the position of a clinical nurse specialist in neurology in University Hospital Limerick; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42224/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the Health Service Executive for attention and direct reply to the Deputy.

HSE Planning

Ceisteanna (457)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

457. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Health if a dental clinic (details supplied) in Celbridge, County Kildare, is part of the HSE capital plan; and the timeline for the reopening of the clinic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42225/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The HSE is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects and has advised that the progression of this project to tender stage is being considered for inclusion in the Capital Plan for 2020.

The Health Service Executive will develop a Capital Plan for 2020 having regard to the available funding, the number of large national capital projects currently underway, and the cashflow requirements and priorities attaching to each project. All projects are considered as part of this process. Projects that are currently in construction and are contractually committed will not be affected. Once the HSE has finalised its Capital Plan for 2020, it will then be submitted to me for consideration.

It is important to recognise that all capital development proposals must progress through a number of approval stages, in line with the Public Spending Code, including detailed appraisal, planning, design and procurement, before a firm timeline or funding requirement can be established.

The delivery of capital projects is a dynamic process and is subject to the successful completion of the various approval stages, which can impact on the timeline for delivery of the project and the reopening of the clinic.

Health Care Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (458)

Brendan Ryan

Ceist:

458. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 351 of 17 September 2019, the steps the HSE has taken to ensure that tender documents are being prepared to enable the new endoscopy unit and other services at Naas General Hospital, Naas, County Kildare, to proceed to tender in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42264/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Health Service Executive is responsible for the delivery of public healthcare infrastructure projects, I have asked the HSE to respond to you directly in relation to this matter.

Services for People with Disabilities

Ceisteanna (459)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

459. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be scheduled for a person (details supplied). [42267/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Dental Services Provision

Ceisteanna (460)

Brendan Griffin

Ceist:

460. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Health if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding dental care for under sixes; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42270/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Public Dental Service (PDS) of the HSE provides dental services to special needs patients and children under 16. It provides pain-emergency treatment to all children under 16 years of age and routine dental examinations and care for school children at key stages of development. I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy's query concerning dental services in Co Laois.

Smile agus Sláinte, the new National Oral Health Policy includes proposals for the introduction of packages of care for children from birth to 16 years of age, with children under 6 being prioritised in 2020. These packages of care will be delivered by contracted local dental practices and will facilitate many more children to access care. This should address any shortcomings in the current approach which targets children in certain classes.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (461)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

461. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide access to the HPV vaccine for all teenage boys in secondary schools; if a programme will be introduced to provide the vaccine to boys that missed out in their first year of school; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42271/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC) made a recommendation that the HPV vaccine should be given to boys. On foot of NIAC’s recommendation, my Department asked the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) to undertake a health technology assessment (HTA) to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness of extending the current immunisation programme, which offers HPV vaccination to all girls in their first year of second level education (generally 12 to 13 year olds), to a programme that also offers the vaccination to boys in their first year of secondary school.

HIQA completed the HTA in December 2018, recommending that the HPV immunisation programme be extended to include boys. A policy decision was made to extend the HPV immunisation programme to include boys starting in September 2019 with the introduction of a 9-valent HPV vaccine. However, the HIQA report published in December 2018 did not recommend an HPV catch-up programme for older boys for several reasons:

- Vaccinating boys in the first year of secondary school provides the best possible protection against HPV infection;

- Boys are already benefitting from the indirect herd protection provided by the girls' HPV vaccination programme which started in 2010.

The ages at which vaccines are recommended in the immunisation schedule are chosen by NIAC in order to give each child the best possible protection against vaccine preventable diseases. As the HPV vaccine is preventative it is intended to be administered, if possible, before a person becomes sexually active, that is, before a person is first exposed to HPV infection. Therefore, the gender neutral HPV vaccination programme targets all girls and boys in first year of secondary school to provide maximum coverage. All vaccines administered through the School Immunisation Programme are provided free of charge.

My Department will continue to be guided by NIAC's recommendations on any emerging evidence on this issue in the future.

HSE Properties

Ceisteanna (462)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

462. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Health the specific planned use of a building (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42325/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for attention and direct reply to the Deputy

Medical Card Eligibility

Ceisteanna (463)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

463. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health if an examination has been carried out to review the medical card guidelines for persons with spinal injuries who want to work but see the potential loss of the medical card as a significant disincentive to taking up employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42328/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the provisions of the Health Act 1970 (as amended), eligibility for health services in Ireland is based primarily on residency and means. The Act provides that persons who are unable, without undue hardship, to arrange GP services for themselves and family can qualify for full eligibility (a medical card). The HSE assesses applicants and awards medical cards in accordance with the Health Act 1970 (as amended) and the HSE Medical Card and GP Visit Card National Assessment Guidelines.

The HSE's Expert Group on Medical Need and Medical Card Eligibility examined the issue of awarding medical cards on the basis of illness and concluded that it was not feasible, desirable, nor ethically justifiable to list medical conditions in priority order for medical card eligibility. The Expert Group also concluded that a person’s means should remain the main qualifier for a medical card. This position remains unchanged.

Nevertheless, every effort is made by the HSE, within the framework of the legislation, to support applicants in applying for a medical card and, in particular, to take full account of the difficult circumstances in the case of applicants who may be in excess of the income guidelines. The HSE may exercise discretion and grant a medical card, even though an applicant exceeds the income threshold where they face difficult financial circumstances, such as extra costs arising from an illness.

Health Services Funding

Ceisteanna (464)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

464. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the funding allocated to support services for stroke survivors in the community in CHO 9 in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019, in tabular form. [42334/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí 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 service matters, I have arranged for the question to be referred to the Health Service Executive (HSE) for direct reply to the Deputy.

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (465)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

465. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Health the waiting times for scans at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin 9, in each of the years 2017, 2018 and to date in 2019. [42335/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the HSE to respond to the Deputy directly.

Agriculture Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (466)

Eamon Scanlon

Ceist:

466. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the length of time it takes to complete a remote sensing eligibility inspection with respect to the basic payment areas of natural constraint schemes; the length of time following finalisation payments due will issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41627/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

EU regulations governing the administration of the Basic Payment Scheme, the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme and other area-based schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including Ground or Remote Sensing (Satellite) inspections where applicable, are fully completed to ensure eligibility with the various schemes requirements before any payments issue. There are certain minimum numbers of inspections that must take place annually under the various schemes.

The method of selecting cases for inspection is set down in EU regulations and is undertaken by means of a risk analysis process with cases being selected on a risk and random basis. All cases to be selected for inspection must be eligible beneficiaries under the various schemes. Therefore the selection of cases for inspection, while commencing after the closing date for receipt of applications, i.e. 15th May, is an on-going process so as to ensure this specific regulatory requirement is adhered to.

My Department accepted late applications up to 9th June 2019, with a penalty deduction. Furthermore, as amendments to applications could be accepted by my Department up to 9th June, and allowing for the Preliminary Checks process whereby applicants could amend their application further up to 19th June as a result of issues notified to them by my Department, the details of the land to be subject to the inspection process cannot be finally established until these periods have elapsed.

The process of a Remote Sensing inspection involves a comprehensive review of the satellite imagery received at two stages during the year, and also the assessment of additional imagery, where required, to ensure that the actual claimed area in the application form corresponds to the area farmed by the applicant, that the crop types are as claimed and that ineligible land or features are not included for payment purposes. The governing regulations further prescribe that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available imagery, a field visit must be undertaken to verify the position on the ground.

Some 6,840 applicants have been selected for a Remote Sensing inspection in respect of the various 2019 area-based schemes. As of 14th October, my Department had received inspections results in respect of 71% of these cases for final processing. Of these cases, over 90% have been finalised and advanced to payment stage processing, which ensures that any non-inspection related scheme criteria have been met. For example, an applicant under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme must meet scheme specific criteria relating to stocking density and stock retention periods before payment can issue.

Where an over-declaration in area, at scheme level, is identified as part of the inspection process, officials in my Department contact the applicant concerned giving them the opportunity to accept the inspection findings or to submit comments for examination. Currently, 9% of cases for which inspection results have been received are at this stage of the process and will be finalised when the applicant contacts my Department.

My Department continues to finalise the outcome of Remote Sensing inspections on a daily basis to ensure that payments due are issued as quickly as possible.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Data

Ceisteanna (467)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

467. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applicants awaiting areas of natural constraint scheme payments. [41658/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Under the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme, some 103,822 applicants hold eligible designated lands. The ANC Scheme is subject to a range of eligibility and compliance criteria, for example, stocking density requirements, and payment cannot issue to herd owners until they have met the relevant criteria. Not all these applicants will be due to receive payments. For example, many will make on-farm decisions in relation to their stocking rates over the course of the year which will impact on their eligibility for payment. Some will only become eligible for payment later in the year.

Payments under the 2019 ANC scheme commenced on schedule in the week commencing of the 16th of September, with payments totalling €168.5m issuing to 79,000 farmers. This is an increase of 2,000 farmers over the number paid at the same point in 2018.

Twice weekly payment runs are currently taking place to ensure that cases that become clear for payment are paid as quickly as possible. To-date, over 85,000 farmers have now received payments totalling €181.9m under the 2019 ANC scheme.

I would remind farmers who have been contacted by the Department with queries to reply as quickly as possible so that the processing of their applications can be completed.

Farm Inspections

Ceisteanna (468)

Brian Stanley

Ceist:

468. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of applications selected for the remote sensing inspections or satellite inspections; and the length of time the process will take. [41659/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

EU regulations governing the administration of the Basic Payment Scheme, the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme and other area-based schemes require that full and comprehensive administrative checks, including Ground or Remote Sensing (Satellite) inspections where applicable, are fully completed to ensure eligibility with the various schemes requirements before any payments issue. There are certain minimum numbers of inspections that must take place annually under the various schemes.

The method of selecting cases for inspection is set down in EU regulations and is undertaken by means of a risk analysis process with cases being selected on a risk and random basis. All cases to be selected for inspection must be eligible beneficiaries under the various schemes. Therefore the selection of cases for inspection, while commencing after the closing date for receipt of applications, i.e. 15th May, is an on-going process so as to ensure this specific regulatory requirement is adhered to.

My Department accepted late applications up to 9th June 2019, with a penalty deduction. Furthermore, as amendments to applications could be accepted by my Department up to 9th June, and allowing for the Preliminary Checks process whereby applicants could amend their application further up to 19th June as a result of issues notified to them by my Department, the details of the land to be subject to the inspection process cannot be finally established until these periods have elapsed.

The process of a Remote Sensing inspection involves a comprehensive review of the satellite imagery received at two stages during the year, and also the assessment of additional imagery, where required, to ensure that the actual claimed area in the application form corresponds to the area farmed by the applicant, that the crop types are as claimed and that ineligible land or features are not included for payment purposes. The governing regulations further prescribe that where it is not possible to make an accurate determination on the eligibility of a parcel or parcels of land by means of an assessment of the available imagery, a field visit must be undertaken to verify the position on the ground.

Some 6,840 applicants have been selected for a Remote Sensing inspection in respect of the various 2019 area-based schemes. As of 14th October, my Department had received inspections results in respect of 71% of these cases for final processing. Of these cases, over 90% have been finalised and advanced to payment stage processing, which ensures that any non-inspection related scheme criteria have been met. For example, an applicant under the Areas of Natural Constraints Scheme must meet scheme specific criteria relating to stocking density and stock retention periods before payment can issue.

Where an over-declaration in area, at scheme level, is identified as part of the inspection process, officials in my Department contact the applicant concerned giving them the opportunity to accept the inspection findings or to submit comments for examination. Currently, 9% of cases for which inspection results have been received are at this stage of the process and will be finalised when the applicant contacts my Department.

My Department continues to finalise the outcome of Remote Sensing inspections on a daily basis to ensure that payments due are issued as quickly as possible.

Bord na gCon

Ceisteanna (469)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

469. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to review the status of Bord na gCon as a commercial semi-State body; the original rationale for awarding the body this status; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41718/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Bord na gCon is a commercial state body, established under the Greyhound Industry Act, 1958 chiefly to control greyhound racing and to improve and develop the greyhound industry. Bord na gCon is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.

The passing of the Greyhound Racing Ireland Act 2019 will improve the governance of Bord na gCon, strengthen regulatory controls in the industry, modernise sanctions and improve integrity with a view to building a reputation for excellence in the sector.

Bord na gCon has made significant changes to its care and welfare plan, which places the welfare of the greyhound at the centre of the industry. Actions proposed under the plan include the introduction of a traceability system, now provided for in statute under the Greyhound Racing Act 2019, an extended racing life for greyhounds, strategic partnerships with organisations solely dedicated to the welfare of greyhounds and an increased focus on re-homing.

A confidential phone line has been set up by Bord na gCon to enable reports of welfare breaches for investigation by the relevant agency. A Greyhound Care Fund has been established funded by a percentage from sponsorship and admission fees effective from September and, in addition, from a percentage of the Tote income from November.

I am confident that Bord na gCon is rebuilding the industry within a modern framework with the welfare of the racing greyhound at its core, and as such, I have no plans to review the status of Bord na gCon as a commercially semi-state body.

Planning Issues

Ceisteanna (470)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

470. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding single consent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41719/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Section 4 of the Planning and Development Act 2000, as amended, provides for the general overarching provisions in respect of exempted development i.e. development works not requiring planning permission. Supplementary more detailed provisions in relation to exempted development are provided for in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, as amended.

Currently, the construction of forest roads and ancillary works is exempt from the planning system except where such works involve the provision of an entrance from a public road. In such instances, planning permission is required for such public road entrances. Section 8 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018, which is not yet commenced, amended section 4 to provide that the construction of forest roads and ancillary works is exempt from the planning system, except where such works involves the provision of a forest entrance on a national road.

When this Section in the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 is commenced, new forest entrances on public roads (other than national roads) will no longer require planning permission, but be subject to my Department’s consent system for the control of forestry activities as provided for in the Forestry Act 2014. The commencement of this section is dependent on necessary supporting regulations, including an amendment to the exempted development provisions in the Planning and Development Regulations 2001 to be made by the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government. In addition, relevant amendments to the Forestry Regulations 2017 need to be made by my Department. It is my intention to commence this new provision as soon as Section 8 of the Planning and Development (Amendment) Act 2018 will have been commenced. My understanding is that the relevant officials in the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government are currently in the process of obtaining final legal advice that is required for the Commencement Order to be established. I cannot introduce the relevant amendment to the Forestry Regulations 2017 until the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government finalise their legislative provisions.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme Payments

Ceisteanna (471)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

471. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter in the case of a person (details supplied) regarding a scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41721/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The named individual applied for the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme on 1 April 2019.

I am pleased to confirm that payment for the 2019 ANC Scheme has issued to the named individual.

As regards the position of donkeys and the eligibility criteria of the ANC scheme, applicants must maintain 0.15 Livestock Units (LU) per eligible forage hectare for 7 consecutive months and maintain an average of 0.15 LU over the 12 months of the scheme. Donkeys have traditionally been accepted as eligible animals under the scheme along with cattle, sheep, goats and deer. Horses are also accepted but are subject to additional criteria and must be held on a premises registered as an Equine Breeding Enterprise.

Following consultation with relevant stakeholders, it has been decided to introduce changes in the scheme stocking requirement in relation to donkeys. From the 2020 scheme year, only 50% of an applicant’s stocking density can be fulfilled using donkeys and the balance must be fulfilled using other eligible animals.

This change was highlighted in the Terms and Conditions document of the 2019 ANC scheme, which issued in March 2019, in order to give sufficient lead in time to applicants who may need to amend their stocking patterns.

TAMS Eligibility

Ceisteanna (472)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

472. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant aid will be made available under TAMS for farmers who construct underpasses for health and safety reasons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41740/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

There are a huge variety of items available under the suite of seven measures under TAMS II. The financial allocation in respect of TAMS for the full Rural Development Programme period will be in the region of €395m. To date, total expenditure, including transitional expenditure, has reached €170m and payments continue to issue at the average rate of €1.4m per week.

23,800 applications have been approved under the scheme. The position is that all outstanding approvals issued represent potential outstanding liabilities for my Department and we must have a budget in place to pay these claims. As a result, it is not possible to consider adding additional items including cattle underpasses to the comprehensive list of investment items already available under TAMS II.

Agriculture Scheme Applications

Ceisteanna (473)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

473. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of payments for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41781/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

An application under the 2019 Basic Payment Scheme (BPS) and Areas of Natural Constraints (ANC) Scheme from the person named was received in my Department on 10th May 2019.

Processing of the ANC application has recently been completed and payment will issue shortly to the nominated bank account of the person named. Advance payments under the 2019 BPS are due to commence on the 16th October, which is the earliest date allowed under EU regulations.

Departmental Staff Data

Ceisteanna (474)

Catherine Murphy

Ceist:

474. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of full-time and part-time civil servants his Department has recruited by grade in each of the years 2014 to 2018 and to date in 2019; the number of full-time and part-time civil servants his Department has lost due to retirement by grade in the same period; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41810/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The attached table shows details of staff recruitments and staff retirements for my Department for the years in question.

The recruitments and retirement figures included in this table are defined in accordance with Civil Service norms. Officers appointed to positions through internal promotion competitions and those who remain within the Department (even if they are appointed on foot of an Interdepartmental or Open Competition) are not considered to be recruits.

2018/2019Departmental Staff

State Bodies Funding

Ceisteanna (475)

Willie O'Dea

Ceist:

475. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount of funding provided to each State agency under the remit of his Department in 2018 and 2019, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41870/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is set out as follows:

Agency

Capital Allocation 2018 €

Current Allocation 2018 €

Total Allocation 2018 €

Bord Bia

0

41,266,000

41,266,000

Bord Iascaigh Mhara

13,100,000

23,625,000

36,725,000

National Milk Agency

0

0

0

Teagasc

5,150,000

129,432,000

134,582,000

Marine Institute

10,000,000

22,465,000

32,465,000

Horse Racing Ireland

11,500,000

52,500,000

64,000,000

Bord na gCon

44,000

15,956,000

16,000,000

Irish National Stud

0

0

0

Sea Fisheries Protection Authority

750,000

12,526,000

13,276,000

Aquaculture Licensing Appeals Board

0

100,000

100,000

Coillte

0

0

0

Veterinary Council of Ireland

0

0

0

In addition to these amounts, Teagasc was also allocated funding for specific capital projects in 2018 and 2019, namely the Restoration of Johnstown Castle (€2.5m and €0.5m) the Prepared Consumer Food Centre (€5m and €5m).

EU Directives

Ceisteanna (476)

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

476. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will establish a dedicated sectoral regulator to enforce the EU directive on unfair trading practices in the agricultural and food supply chain; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41049/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Directive (EU) 2019/633 on Unfair Trading Practices in Business-to-Business Relationships in the Agricultural and Food Supply Chain (UTP Directive), came into force on 30 April 2019. EU Law requires that the Directive must be transposed into national law by 1 May 2021 and will apply in national law no later than from 1 November 2021

The UTP Directive requires the establishment of an Enforcement Authority, which can be a new or existing authority, to discharge the duties of the UTP Directive.

A working group established between officials from my Department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI) in April this year continues to work to explore the policy, resource and operational implications of transposing and enforcing the Directive. This working group is finalising a stakeholder consultation process which will invite submissions from interested parties on the transposition and enforcement of the EU Directive, including on the form the Enforcement Authority should take. This consultation will be launched shortly.

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