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Thursday, 5 Mar 2020

Written Answers Nos. 900-919

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (900)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

900. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of incontinence products distributed under a contract (details supplied) from 1 February 2019 to 31 July 2019. [3833/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (901)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

901. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received about incontinence products supplied under a contract (details supplied) from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2019; and if he will provide a copy of each complaint. [3834/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (902)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

902. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received about the distribution of incontinence products supplied under a contract (details supplied) from 1 February 2018 to 31 January 2019; and if he will provide a copy of each complaint. [3835/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (903)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

903. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received about incontinence products supplied under a contract (details supplied) from 1 February 2019 to 31 July 2019; and if he will provide a copy of each complaint. [3836/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Data

Ceisteanna (904)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

904. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health the number of complaints received about incontinence products supplied under a contract (details supplied) from 1 February 2019 to 31 July 2019; and if he will provide a copy of each complaint. [3837/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (905)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

905. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if direct payments of public money were made by the HSE to the supplier or contractor of a contract (details supplied) between 1 February 2018 and 31 January 2019; and if so, the amounts and frequency of the payments. [3838/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Health Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (906)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

906. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health if direct payments of public money were made by the HSE to the supplier or contractor of a contract (detail supplied) between 1 February 2019 and 31 July 2019; and if so, the amounts and frequency of the payments. [3839/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

HSE Staff Recruitment

Ceisteanna (907)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

907. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Health when a position (details supplied) will be filled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3840/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Home Help Service Data

Ceisteanna (908)

Thomas Pringle

Ceist:

908. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of providing 10,000 hours of HSE-provided home help support in the community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3869/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible

Mental Health Services Expenditure

Ceisteanna (909)

Verona Murphy

Ceist:

909. Deputy Verona Murphy asked the Minister for Health the estimated cost of weekend cover for CAMHS Wexford for two doctors and a secretary travelling from Galway; the estimated travel and accommodation expenses; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3875/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this is a service matter I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.

Healthcare Infrastructure Provision

Ceisteanna (910)

Neasa Hourigan

Ceist:

910. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Health the status of capital funding for a new building on a campus (details supplied); the capital funding allocated to the organisation for 2020; and if the project is no longer allocated funding, the steps which need to be taken to reallocate funding. [3876/20]

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.

Dental Services

Ceisteanna (911)

Michael Moynihan

Ceist:

911. Deputy Michael Moynihan asked the Minister for Health the reason children in the catchment area of Ballincollig, County Cork, are not receiving their second class dental check-up from the HSE; if there has been a change to HSE policy in this area; if the policy remains in place, when the second class check-ups will recommence in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3880/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

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

Hospital Appointments Status

Ceisteanna (912)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

912. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Health if an appointment will be expedited for a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3907/20]

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.

Departmental Schemes

Ceisteanna (913, 949)

Robert Troy

Ceist:

913. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans for a voluntary farm building relocation scheme due to flooding issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3376/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Denis Naughten

Ceist:

949. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 438 of 16 April 2019, when he plans to introduce a voluntary farm building relocation scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3099/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 913 and 949 together.

My Department continues to monitor the situation in relation to the floods, with significant flooding occurring of farmlands but, in general, not of farmyards to date.

A study to determine the feasibility of any future, once-off, targeted scheme for Voluntary Farm Building Relocation is being undertaken. My Department has evaluated a range of at risk farmyards, impacted by flooding, to see if any alternative remedial works can be undertaken to protect farm buildings at risk of flooding and is currently considering this evaluation.

Brexit Supports

Ceisteanna (914)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

914. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of food businesses that applied for working capital under the Brexit loan scheme which opened in March 2018; the number of such businesses that have been sanctioned financing to date; and the value of same. [3904/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme was introduced, in cooperation with the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI), to provide funding support to enable eligible Irish businesses (i.e. SMEs or small mid-caps) to implement the changes necessary to address the challenges posed by Brexit. It provides for loans of €25,000 to €1,500,000 at a maximum interest rate of 4%, ranging from 1 year to 3 years, with unsecured loans up to €500,000. The loans can be used for working capital requirements or to fund innovation, change or adaptation of the business to mitigate the impact of Brexit.

At close of business on 28 February, 995 applications had been received of which 894 are approved, 18 are ineligible and 83 are in progress. A breakdown, including details of food businesses, is set out in the table.

Brexit Loan Scheme at 28.02.2020:

 

Applied

Approved

Sanctioned

Value of Loans Sanctioned

No. of Food Businesses

160

145

38

€9.6m

Total

995

894

238

€49.8m

It should be noted that the approval and sanction processes are separate. Many businesses have applied for sanction in preparation for Brexit but do not go on to apply for a loan.

Future Growth Loan Scheme

Ceisteanna (915)

Charlie McConalogue

Ceist:

915. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of farmers in addition to food businesses who have applied to the future growth loan scheme which opened in March 2019; the number of farmers and such businesses that have been sanctioned financing to date; and the value of same in tabular form. [3905/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Future Growth Loan Scheme was developed by my Department and the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation, in partnership with the Department of Finance and the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI). It is being delivered through participating finance providers nationally to make up to €300 million of investment loans available to eligible Irish businesses, including farmers and the agri-food & seafood sectors.

 The loans are competitively priced (an initial maximum loan interest rate of 4.5% for loans less than €250,000), are for terms of 8-10 years and support strategic long-term investment in a post-Brexit environment. A minimum loan amount of €100,000 applies up to a maximum of €3,000,000 per applicant. However, considering the needs of Irish farmers, I negotiated a specific minimum of €50,000 for them.

 This is a financial product that was previously unavailable in Ireland, hence the involvement of the various public bodies to bring it to market. The unique characteristic of the Scheme is that loans up to €500,000 are unsecured, making it a viable source of finance for young and new entrant farmers, especially the cohort who do not have high levels of security. It also serves smaller-scale farmers, who often do not have the leverage to negotiate for more favourable terms with their banking institution.

 Food companies have identified long-term investment finance of up to ten years as a critical need which is currently unavailable in Ireland. I am happy that the Government have been able to deliver this product and its effects will be felt all along the food production chain from primary producer to processor.

The Scheme has been open for loan eligibility applications through the SBCI website since 17th April 2019.  At close of business on 28th February, 3,132 applications had been received, of which 3,001 are approved, 2 are ineligible and 129 are in progress.  A breakdown, including details of farmers and agri-food businesses, is in the table.

Future Growth Loan Scheme at 28.02.2020

 

Applied

Approved

Sanctioned

Value of Sanctioned Loans

No of Farmers

1,079

1,021

420

€51.6m

No. of Food Businesses

350

335

85

€24.3m

Total

3,132

3,001

1,020

€213.6m

The Scheme has been popular among businesses and farmers and there has been very strong demand for this longer term, lower cost finance. This demand has resulted in a rapid take-up of the Scheme and consequently SBCI have advised that there is limited remaining capacity.

Felling Licences

Ceisteanna (916, 958)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

916. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a series of matters (details supplied) about felling licences and road applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2615/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

958. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when licences and road applications (details supplied) will be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3537/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 916 and 958 together.

A commitment has been given to the development of a sustainable and viable forestry sector in Ireland and some €600m has been invested through the current National Forestry Programme.  Furthermore, the Climate Action Plan 2019 enshrines the importance of the forestry sector to the achievement of national targets not least in the stated aim of planting an average of 8,000 hectares per annum of new afforestation.  Successive Forestry Programmes since 1990 will result in considerable volumes of timber being harvested over the next 15 years and it is essential that the licensing system regulating this harvest is fit for purpose.

I am aware that there are currently delays to issuing forestry licences and I acknowledge that this is causing difficulties for some in the sector.  Notwithstanding the delays in the latter months of  last year, I also note that 2019 was a record year for the issuing of felling licences with over 4,100 licences issuing which was 10% higher than the previous year.  In terms of afforestation licences processed, from January 2018 to the end of December 2019, licences have issued for 4,000ha that are available to plant. 

I am aware also that 2019 was a challenging year for the sector as a result of market conditions for sawn softwood as well as increased competition from European sawmills who have created an over-supply in the UK market.  This has presumably resulted in a proportion of issued licences remaining unused pending an improvement in market conditions.

The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP).  These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others.  These changes are unavoidable and are largely beyond the control of my Department.  As you know, my Department is the forestry licence consent authority and, since 2017, all licence applications are subject to a statutory public notification system. 

Mindful that these new procedures would lead to requests for more Natura Impact Statements (NIS), with additional costs involved for applicants, my Department has opted, in most cases, to produce the Appropriate Assessment Reports and Appropriate Assessment Determination itself, instead of requesting applicants to provide a NIS.  This should be of significant assistance to forestry companies, while it is still open to them to provide an NIS if they wish to do so.  To facilitate this my officials have published a template NIS, with a guidance note and training for forestry professionals will be arranged shortly.

I accept the current changes to procedures are very significant and significant resources have been devoted to introducing a robust and workable system, which meets the legislative requirements.  My Department is now meeting those needs as follows:  

New forestry inspectors and additional administrative staff have been assigned to licensing. More forestry inspectors will be recruited in 2020.

- two new  ecologists are joining the Department ecology team shortly. 

- We have engaged external ecological expertise to help with the backlog of files. Four local ecologists  have also been contracted in this week to provide extra support. This will be complemented by a tender to outsource ecological expertise, which has been published with a closing date of 13 March, 2020.

- Additional administrative staff have  been assigned to the Agriculture Appeals Office to assist with the increased workload of the Forestry Appeals Committee. 

- 3 planning officers have been contracted in to work with the Forestry Appeals Committee.

- A specialist mapping expert has been assigned to forestry issues.

The first appeals on licences, which have been determined under the new Appropriate Assessment procedure (where appeals have been submitted) were fast-tracked with decisions received, the majority of which were in the Department’s favour.

On 7 February, Minister Eoghan Murphy and I signed orders and regulations making provision for the introduction of the single consent system.  This enables the Department to be the sole consenting authority for forest roads including an entrance from a public road, or material widening of an existing entrance.  Applications for forest road works licences, that include such an entrance have been accepted since 14 February.  I understand that applications are being progressed by forestry companies.

In conclusion, let me assure you that our long-term commitment to forestry is unwavering and that every effort is being made to resolve current issues. I acknowledge that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.

Areas of Natural Constraint Scheme

Ceisteanna (917)

Niall Collins

Ceist:

917. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to reverse the reduction to 50% of the value of microchipped donkeys on registered premises as per the rules for stocking density requirements for the 2020 areas of natural constraint scheme; and his further plans to reintroduce the National Parks and Wildlife Service, NPWS, farm plan scheme. [2640/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following consultation with stakeholders in advance of the 2019 Areas of Natural Constraints scheme, it was decided to introduce changes in the scheme stocking requirement in relation to donkeys.

With effect from the 2020 ANC 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 in order to give sufficient lead in time to applicants who may need to amend their stocking patterns.

There are no plans to reverse this decision.

In relation to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Farm Plan Scheme, this scheme comes under the remit of the NPWS, which is part of the Heritage Division of the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The NPWS is now accepting applications to participate in the Farm Plan Scheme 2020. Application forms and additional information on the scheme are available on the website of the NPWS.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (918)

Michael McGrath

Ceist:

918. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a response will issue to a matter raised in correspondence by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2659/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I am aware that there are currently delays to issuing forestry licences and acknowledge that this is causing difficulties for some in the sector.  Notwithstanding the delays in the latter months of  last year, I also note that 2019 was a record year for the issuing of felling licences with over 4,100 licences issuing which was 10% higher than the previous year.  In terms of afforestation licences processed, from January 2018 to the end of December 2019, licences have issued for 4,000ha that are available to plant. 

I am aware also that 2019 was a challenging year for the sector as a result of market conditions for sawn softwood as well as increased competition from European sawmills who have created an over-supply in the UK market.  This has presumably resulted in a proportion of issued licences remaining unused pending an improvement in market conditions.

The current licensing difficulties are as a result of the changes made to internal Appropriate Assessment Procedures (AAP).  These were introduced in response to important Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) decisions and their subsequent interpretation by the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC) and others.  These changes are unavoidable and are largely beyond the control of my Department.  As you know, my Department is the forestry licence consent authority and, since 2017, all licence applications are subject to a statutory public notification system. 

Mindful that these new procedures would lead to requests for more Natura Impact Statements (NIS), with additional costs involved for applicants, my Department has opted, in most cases, to produce the Appropriate Assessment Reports and Appropriate Assessment Determination itself, instead of requesting applicants to provide a NIS.  This should be of significant assistance to forestry companies, while it is still open to them to provide an NIS if they wish to do so.  To facilitate this my officials have published a template NIS, with a guidance note and training for forestry professionals will be arranged shortly.

I accept the current changes to procedures are very significant and significant resources have been devoted to introducing a robust and workable system, which meets the legislative requirements.  My Department is now meeting those needs as follows:  

- New forestry inspectors and additional administrative staff have been assigned to licensing. More forestry inspectors will be recruited in 2020.

- two new  ecologists are joining the Department ecology team shortly. 

- We have engaged external ecological expertise to help with the backlog of files. Four local ecologists  have also been contracted in this week to provide extra support. This will be complemented by a tender to outsource ecological expertise, which has been published with a closing date of 13 March, 2020.

- Additional administrative staff have  been assigned to the Agriculture Appeals Office to assist with the increased workload of the Forestry Appeals Committee. 

- 3 planning officers have been contracted in to work with the Forestry Appeals Committee.

- A specialist mapping expert has been assigned to forestry issues.

The first appeals on licences, which have been determined under the new Appropriate Assessment procedure (where appeals have been submitted) were fast-tracked with decisions received, the majority of which were in the Department’s favour.  

The question of introducing fees for both licences and appeals is under consideration, the latter would require an amendment to the Appeals Act 2001 which would take some time.

In conclusion, let me assure you that our long-term commitment to forestry is unwavering and that every effort is being made to resolve current issues. I acknowledge that the current situation is challenging, but it is a temporary disruption which, when resolved, will make for a better, more sustainable and fit-for-purpose forestry licensing system for many years to come.

Felling Licences Applications

Ceisteanna (919)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

919. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a felling licence application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2663/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The application for a tree felling licence for the person named was acknowledged as complete on 7 February 2020.  At that time, it was advertised on my Department’s website, providing the public with 30 days in which to make a submission.  The application has also been referred to prescribed bodies, including National Parks and Wildlife Service, who have up to eight weeks to respond. 

No decision may issue before the referral periods have elapsed.

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