Written Answers Nos. 1406-1425
1406. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Health his views on children with ASD being sent to mainstream schools that are not suited for their needs and demands; the process that parents must engage in to address the issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22690/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAdmission Policy for ASD classes and Special Schools are a matter for the Department of Education and Skills to whom I understand the Deputy has tabled a similar question.
1407. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will the review the advice on spectators attending sporting events with a view to revising the permitted number upwards; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22698/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, following a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 18 August, 2020 the Government decided to implement a number of enhanced public health measures in an effort to stop the spread of COVID-19.
These measures were introduced in response to an increase in the number of cases in recent weeks, with multiple outbreaks across workplaces, households, and in sports clubs. Internationally we have also seen a significant acceleration in the spread of COVID-19.
The measures introduced were required to protect the vulnerable in our communities, enable schools to reopen and support the resumption of health services.
The Health Act 1947 (Section 31A – Temporary Restrictions) (Covid-19) (No. 4) Regulations provide that a person shall not organise a sporting event unless they take all reasonable steps to ensure that the event is attended only by necessary persons. This includes competitors, coaches and parents or guardian of competitors aged under 18. Sporting events can therefore continue to take place but only behind closed doors. These Regulations remain in place until 14th September 2020.
The measures in place including those around spectators not attending sporting events and the public health advice is kept under continuing review by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET). As I am sure the Deputy can appreciate, the evidence relating to the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the decisions necessary to protect everybody living in Ireland from its effects is constantly evolving.
It is not possible to say what circumstances will apply in the future due to the nature of the virus that has caused this global pandemic and the concerns that remain about the very serious threats to health that can be caused by this virus.
It’s really important to remember now, as things open up further, that personal responsibility and judgement are more important than ever. Continuing to adhere to public health advice will determine whether we continue to move forward to the remaining phases.
The latest public health advice on these matters is available at the following link and is updated on a regular basis:
https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-health/
https://www2.hse.ie/coronavirus/
1408. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the backlog in the number of persons awaiting a needs assessment for more than 12 months in CH07; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22699/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1409. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the backlog in the number of persons awaiting a speech and language appointment in CH07; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22700/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1410. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Health if he will address the backlog in the number of persons awaiting an early intervention by therapy appointment in County Kildare and west County Wicklow; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22701/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government, Our Shared Future, recognises the need to improve services for both children and adults with disabilities through better implementation and by working together across Government in a better way.
The Government commits to prioritising early diagnosis and access to services for children and ensuring that the most effective interventions are provided for each child, to guarantee the best outcomes.
As this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
1411. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Health the number of special advisers that will be hired by his Department. [22773/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Public Expenditure and Reform has issued guidelines to each Government Department setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisers is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.
The appointment of individual Special Advisers is a matter for each Government Minister subject to the terms set out in the aforementioned guidelines, although the appointments are also subject to formal Government approval. At this stage, no Special Advisers have been formally appointed to my Department by the Government.
However, the Deputy may wish to note that I have assigned one person to work with me as Special Adviser and another person to work with me as a Press and Communications Adviser and these persons will be formally appointed by the Government in the near future.
1412. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if legislation is planned to further protect animals and pets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21090/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe framework for addressing the Government’s policy of promoting the optimum level of animal welfare, including pets, in Ireland is provided by the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. The Act is a practical tool that provides modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal welfare. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to strengthen the Act and to enforce its provisions. The Act aims at a balance between the rights of an individual and the role of the State services to act for the public policy objective of ensuring the optimum level of animal welfare.
My Department keeps the Act under review given developments in the area of animal welfare and the law and having regard to the practical lessons learnt from operating the Act. Indeed, my Department is currently working on proposals to amend the Act to give effect to the commitment in the programme for Government for the ordered end to fur farming. This opportunity will also be used to bring forward any desired adjustments to the Act.
Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area as does An Garda Síochána, the Customs service, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. My Department works closely with these bodies and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved for their work in the field of animal welfare.
My Department dedicates a substantial level of resources and funding to animal welfare. This follows from last year when the largest ever allocation of funding from my Department of €2.906m was made to 106 animal welfare bodies, a number of which undertake work with urban horses. The Programme for Government also contains a commitment to double the grant aid to animal welfare organisations over a two year period.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.
The dedicated e-mail address and Helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of cruelty and neglect are:
Helpline Phone No: Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
I and my Ministerial team are committed to this policy of education and building awareness, financial support and the continued and vigorous application of the law relating to animal welfare.
1413. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if an application for a PCS number (details supplied) will be expedited; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22007/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBiocidal products may only be marketed and used in Ireland once they are registered with my Department and are entered on the “Product Register” in accordance with Regulation 20 of Statutory Instrument 427 of 2013. Each individual trade name must be registered as a separate biocidal product and will have its own unique PCS registration number or IE/BPA registration number. Currently there are in excess of 1,300 biocidal products registered in Ireland for use as general disinfectants.
On August 26th the Pesticide Registration and Control Division (PRCD) in my Department received an application for registration of a biocidal product from the company named for use as a general disinfectant. I can confirm that the application will be placed in the biocidal products application system for processing and PRCD will contact the applicant in due course. All applications are processed in chronological order. Since March of this year, PRCD have received over 600 new product applications, double the normal application rate for biocidal products, of which the vast majority are for hand sanitising and disinfectant products.
You will appreciate, therefore, that processing times for these applications are running longer than usual. Additional staff resources are being allocated to this area of activity.
1414. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of successful applications to the BEEPs scheme to date; the amount received by each individual; and the county each farm was located in tabular form. [21106/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe objective of the Beef Environmental Efficiency Programme - Suckler (BEEP-S) is to further increase economic and environmental efficiency in the suckler herd through better quality data on herd performance, supporting decision making on farm and support of best practice in welfare management. Payments under the BEEP-S will be made in the last quarter of 2020.
The following table provides applications under the Scheme by county.
|
County |
Applicants |
|
Carlow |
337 |
|
Cavan |
1,389 |
|
Clare |
2,195 |
|
Cork |
1,803 |
|
Donegal |
1,504 |
|
Dublin |
63 |
|
Galway |
3,003 |
|
Kerry |
1,263 |
|
Kildare |
312 |
|
Kilkenny |
636 |
|
Laois |
633 |
|
Leitrim |
1,088 |
|
Limerick |
772 |
|
Longford |
876 |
|
Louth |
213 |
|
Mayo |
2,654 |
|
Meath |
629 |
|
Monaghan |
998 |
|
Offaly |
605 |
|
Roscommon |
1,721 |
|
Sligo |
1,077 |
|
Tipperary |
1,114 |
|
Waterford |
309 |
|
Westmeath |
892 |
|
Wexford |
597 |
|
Wicklow |
405 |
|
TOTAL |
27,088 |
1415. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the €50 million beef support scheme. [21148/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Beef Finisher Payment (BFP) scheme is a one off, exchequer funded grant aid scheme under the Covid 19 State Aid Temporary Framework. The objective of the BFP is to provide support for beef finishing farms in Ireland which have been severely impacted by the economic effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. The scheme is open to all beef farmers who presented animals for slaughter in the period 1st February 2020 to 12th June 2020 inclusive and fulfil the requirements set out in the Terms and Conditions of the scheme.
The on-line application system has been available since the 20th of August and will close at midnight on the 9th of September. The application process is very simple and straightforward with my Department introducing flexibility that reflects the reality of these extraordinary times. The scheme has been well publicised in the agri-media with my Department posting advertisements in local and national print and digital media. In addition there has been an ongoing targeted SMS text campaign to farmers who are otherwise eligible for a payment but who have not applied. To date, there have been 25,195 applications received.
1416. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if all materials, briefings, reports and correspondence relating to his consideration of the introduction of fees for forestry licences will be provided. [21229/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government makes commitments for the forestry sector in Ireland. These include the alignment of the licensing and appeals processes with other similar processes. This exercise is already underway with the recent publication of the draft Heads of Bill to amend the Agriculture Appeals Act.
In due course, submissions received during the public consultation will be published on my Department's website after my officials have had the opportunity to fully review them. This process is currently underway. Subject to any amendments, the draft Bill will go before the Houses of the Oireachtas for consideration.
1417. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a TAMS application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21421/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTAMS II is a demand-led scheme and, due to the level of applications received in the most recent tranches, not all applications received under each tranche can be immediately approved. As provided for under the Scheme terms and conditions, a proportion of applications have been rolled over for future consideration based on a ranking and selection process.
The person named submitted an application under the Dairy Equipment Scheme on 24 March 2020. The selection cut off mark under the Tranche for this measure was 46.27. The application did not reach this point as the application scored 41.02.
It is open to unsuccessful applicants to withdraw an application and submit a new application. The applicant in this case has availed of this option and submitted a new application on 27 August 2020 under Tranche 19 which will be considered in due course.
1418. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of an appeal application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21423/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department issued an afforestation licence to the person named in November, 2019. This was subsequently appealed to the Forestry Appeals Committee (FAC).
The FAC is operationally independent of my Department and I cannot make enquiries on an individual appeal. The FAC will be in touch directly with the person named to schedule an appeal hearing.
1419. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the position regarding pair trawling (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21428/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy’s question relates to a case that is subject to ongoing legal proceedings. As the judgment in this case is unapproved and the Judge has yet to make the final order, it is sub judice.
Accordingly, I am not in a position to comment at this time.
1420. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding oyster licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21445/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has been advised by the Marine Institute (MI) that oyster production in the Cromane production area of Castlemaine Harbour, Co. Kerry was subject to a temporary closure for a short period from 3 July to 13 August for the harvesting and placing of oysters onto the market for human consumption, due to the presence of a group of naturally occurring toxins which result in the human illness Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP).
These toxins were detected in oysters from Cromane during routine surveillance testing by the MI, which tests shellfish and water samples from all aquaculture producing areas around the Irish coastline on a weekly basis to ensure they are safe for consumption and protect the consumer. From 13 August, the whole Castlemaine production area was assigned an open status for the harvesting of mussels and oysters.
Prior, during and after the closure period, the MI was in regular contact with the shellfish producers in the area and had extensive communications, including a specific webinar on 20 July, with the shellfish industry, regulatory competent authorities and all the relevant stakeholders. On-going weekly test results from toxin testing in the shellfish programme are publicly available on the MI website, and the MI laboratories continue to provide rigorous on-going monitoring to ensure concentrations are below regulatory levels and are compliant, providing continuous support to the Irish aquaculture industry, enhancing the reputation of Irish shellfish, both at home and internationally, whilst ensuring that consumer safety remains of paramount importance.
1421. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his attention has been drawn to the prevalence of animal cruelty toward horses in urban areas; and the steps he is taking to ensure the enforcement of horse welfare regulations in these areas. [21496/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is committed to taking action to prevent unnecessary suffering to, and neglect of, all animals, including horses kept in urban areas. The Programme for Government places a positive emphasis on animal welfare and specifically commits to the continued robust enforcement of the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This Act provides a modern framework for applying standards in the area of animal health and welfare and replaced a number of enactments dating back over a century. The Act was passed, after a lengthy and constructive debate in both Houses of the Oireachtas, and came into operation on 6 March 2014.
I am committed to the policy that animal welfare standards are vigorously applied in a fair and even-handed manner. Those responsible for causing unnecessary suffering to animals or being negligent regarding animal welfare will continue to be sanctioned where appropriate, up to and including prosecution through the Courts should the evidence so warrant. This policy applies to horses kept in urban areas as well as to other animals.
Neglect of or causing unnecessary suffering to animals is not acceptable in our society. My Department continues to enforce the law in this important area as does An Garda Síochána, the Customs service of the Revenue Commissioners, the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. My Department works closely with these bodies and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all involved for their work in the field of animal welfare.
My Department has prosecuted eleven persons under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013 for offences involving horses; a further 4 cases remain before the Courts. This does not include cases initiated by other prosecuting authorities in respect of which my Department does not have information.
Over 170 equines have been seized by officers based in my Department’s network of regional offices in the past 4 years.
My Department dedicates a substantial level of resources and funding to animal welfare. This follows from last year when the largest ever allocation of funding from my Department of €2.906m was made to 106 animal welfare bodies, a number of which undertake work with urban horses. The Programme for Government contains a commitment to double the grant aid to animal welfare organisations.
In addition, my Department continues to support a number of urban horse projects nationwide, bringing education on all aspects of equine welfare to disadvantaged areas. In the context of preventing over-breeding and consequential welfare problems, my Department provides financial assistance to the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal to operate castration clinics and facilitate education programmes. These initiatives highlight the importance of appropriate welfare education and increase awareness among the community at large.
In recent years, my Department has funded four courses relating to equine welfare targeted at horse owners. My Department also takes part in the Dublin Region Horse Welfare Working Group with local authorities and relevant non-Government organisations.
Under the Control of Horses Act 1996, local authorities may make bye-laws relating to the keeping of horses. Local authorities may take a range of other actions in relation to equines including the seizure and disposal of straying horses which includes horses put on land without the owner’s permission.
The Chief Executive of a local authority may appoint authorised officers under the Animal Health and Welfare Act 2013. This action opens for local authorities a further range of options that may be utilised in the interest of public safety and the related welfare of animals.
My Department operates a confidential animal welfare helpline through which members of the public can report incidents of animal cruelty or neglect for investigation.
The dedicated e-mail address and Helpline in place for reporting suspected cases of cruelty and neglect are:
Helpline Phone No: Call Save - 0761 064408, phone - 01 607 2379.
Email address - animalwelfare@agriculture.gov.ie.
I am committed to this policy of education and building awareness, financial support and the continued and vigorous application of animal welfare legislation in respect of all animals, including urban horses.
1422. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a series of matters regarding to shellfish fishermen (details supplied) in Cromane Bay, County Kerry will be addressed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21512/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Farmers Association is the principal industry representative body for the aquaculture sector. My officials have met with the IFA's aquaculture executive and its chairman on a number of occasions to discuss their request for financial support for the aquaculture sector in relation to the impacts on the sector of the Covid-19 Pandemic. On 15 May 2020, the IFA submitted a written case for financial supports and this case was discussed with them at a meeting on 22 May. A revised case was subsequently submitted on 28 May. My officials asked Bord Iascaigh Mhara to analyse the submission, in the context of the universal supports being made available by Government for businesses and for employees affected by the Pandemic. That BIM analysis is ongoing.
In relation to the biotoxin event, bivalve molluscs such as mussels and oysters are filter feeders and feed on phytoplankton which can, when environmental conditions contrive, comprise blooms of species that produce toxins. These naturally-occurring toxins do not harm the shellfish but can cause illness in humans, when contaminated shellfish are subsequently eaten. I am advised by the Marine Institute that prolonged blooms had prevailed over the summer months leading to restrictions affecting harvesting at Castlemaine Harbour for food safety reasons, but that recently these restrictions have been lifted. Monitoring continues to track the harmful algal blooms so that producers have access to the up-to-date conditions for harvesting and that consumers can be assured of the safety of Irish shellfish.
1423. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a forestry planting application by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21599/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was received from the person named in October 2019. The application is currently being assessed.
The proposed site for afforestation is near to eight designated sites and as such, any potential impacts the proposed forestry operation may have on these sites, must be considered. The file has, therefore, been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit.
To assist with the assessment of the application, the person named may provide a Natura Impact Statement (NIS). A NIS must be prepared by a suitably qualified person, and if it is decided to supply a NIS, my Department will provide guidance on what areas the NIS must focus.
The provision of a NIS can greatly reduce the time required to fully assess the application.
1424. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will review correspondence (details supplied) on a forestry model; his plans in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21612/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department’s policy is to increase species diversity within the national forest estate. To this end increasing afforestation levels across all 12 planting categories that make up the Afforestation Scheme is supported. All categories within the scheme itself must include a minimum mandatory planting of 15% broadleaves. These broadleaves can also be planted along the forest edge to soften the visual effect of the main forest crop and also to provide an additional habitat.
Areas of Biodiversity Enhancement (ABE) are also created as part of new planting. These comprise open spaces, retained habitat and widely spaced native trees. Their function is to conserve and encourage the development of diverse habitats, native flora, fauna, and biodiversity, to protect archaeological monuments and to facilitate an enhanced forest design. New plantations are encouraged to plant up to 15% ABE and most plantations achieve this level.
Native woodlands attract the highest payment rates within the afforestation scheme and are perhaps the most complex and biodiverse habitats in the country. As well as representing reservoirs of biodiversity, these deliver other important ecosystem services, such as water and soil protection, wider habitat linkage and carbon sequestration. Two of the grant and premium categories (GPCs) in the current afforestation scheme, are specifically targeted at native woodland establishment. The mid-term review of the Forestry Programme, completed in 2018, increased the rates for these planting categories in order to encourage more landowners to plant native trees. The premium is now paid each year for fifteen years at a rate of €665 per hectare.
Finally, a new “Woodland Environmental Fund” or WEF has been created by my Department to attract additional finance for the establishment of native forests. This initiative provides an access point for businesses to further incentivise landowners to plant native trees. The WEF is proving very successful with a number of businesses already sign up others preparing to join.
Issues in relation to UNESCO sites, for example, are factored into the decision making process for every licence application.
1425. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the breakdown of salaries, expenses and so forth paid to members of the Irish Greyhound Board; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21622/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraBord 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.
A breakdown of fees and expenses for 2019 is outlined in the following table:
|
Board Members |
Fees 2019 € |
Expenses 2019* |
|
Frank Nyhan Chairman |
12,600 |
7,741 |
|
Billy O’Dwyer(term completed 26 March 2019) |
2,025 |
4,937 |
|
Mattie Murphy(term completed 7June 2019) |
3,530 |
6,345 |
|
Pat Creed |
8,100 |
3,298 |
|
Colm Gaynor(term completed 26 November 2019) |
11,550 |
5,028 |
|
Wayne McCarthyAppointed 26 March 2019 |
6,199 |
2,620 |
|
Gary Brown(26th March 19- 6 February 2020) |
6,199 |
702 |
|
Aileen LennonAppointed 20 May 2019 |
5,035 |
1,270 |
|
Brian McNeiceAppointed 21 November 2019 |
0 |
0 |
|
Total |
55,238 |
31,941 |
* Board Members fees and expenses may include periods other than 2019.
