Wednesday, 14 Oct 2020

Written Answers Nos. 279-293

Covid-19 Tests

Ceisteanna (279)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

279. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Health the locations in which laboratory testing of Covid-19 samples are taking place in the State; the number of tests analysed by each laboratory in September 2020; if laboratories are using qualified scientists with medical scientific qualifications to do this analysis; if so, the reason other suitably qualified scientists are not employed for this work; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30539/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

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

Hospital Waiting Lists

Ceisteanna (280)

Louise O'Reilly

Ceist:

280. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of persons waiting to see a consultant cardiologist in each of the hospital groups by hospital in each group; the average waiting time to see the consultant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30554/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Health

It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic the HSE had to take measures to defer most scheduled care activity in March, April, and May of this year. This was to ensure patient safety and that all appropriate resources were made available for Covid-19 related activity and time-critical essential work. This decision was in line with the advice issued by the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) in accordance with the advice of the World Health Organisation.

The resumption of services from June onwards has allowed for increased activity, with the HSE utilising innovative methods including telemedicine to facilitate patient appointments. Patient safety remains at the forefront of service resumption. To ensure services are re-introduced in a safe, clinically-aligned and prioritised way, hospitals are following HSE clinical guidelines and protocols which has resulted in reduced capacity and activity.

The HSE continues to optimise productivity through alternative work practices such the use of alternative settings including private hospitals, community facilities and alternative outpatient settings.

The National Treatment Purchase Fund has also recommenced arranging treatment in both private and public hospitals for clinically suitable patients who have been waiting for long periods on public hospital waiting lists.

The data requested by the Deputy concerning cardiology wait times is outlined in the attached document. The NTPF have advised my Department that the average wait time to see a cardiology consultant is 276 days.

Cardiology

Forestry Management

Ceisteanna (281)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

281. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine his plans to re-establish bridle paths through forests owned by Coillte; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30417/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.

I have therefore passed the question raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.

Harbours and Piers

Ceisteanna (282)

Paul Kehoe

Ceist:

282. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the grants or funding available for the repair of piers and slipways; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30544/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

My Department owns, operates and maintains six designated State-owned Fishery Harbour Centres, located at Castletownbere, Dingle, Dunmore East, Howth, Killybegs and Ros An Mhíl under statute. In addition, my Department also has responsibility for the upkeep and maintenance of North Harbour at Cape Clear, as well as the maintenance of a small number of specific piers, lights and beacons throughout Ireland, in accordance with the Marine Works (Ireland) Act 1902, and piers, lights and beacons constructed under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board.

The responsibility for the development and maintenance of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways rests with each Local Authority in the first instance and their parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter.

However, as part of its annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, my Department provides limited funding to assist coastal Local Authorities in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of piers, harbours and slipways in their ownership. Between 2010 and 2019, €28.2 million in funding has been provided by my Department under this scheme.

In February of this year, coastal Local Authorities were invited to submit prioritised lists of projects for consideration to be included in the annual capital programme. In total, 164 preliminary applications for funding were received, seeking a funding contribution of €9.6m.

All applications for funding made by Local Authorities in respect of qualifying projects were then assessed, taking into account compliance with the criteria of the scheme, the priority attached to each project by the relevant Local Authority, the funding available, and the need to ensure a broad geographical spread of projects.

Under this year’s programme, funding of €3.1m has been approved to assist 10 coastal Local Authorities undertake and complete 58 development and repair projects on harbours and slipways owned by them. The maximum eligible project cost under this year’s scheme is €200,000, with my Department contributing 75% of funding and the relevant Local Authority providing 25%. The package provides funding for maintenance and repair works in addition to supporting the ongoing development and enhancement of harbour facilities, including some marine leisure developments.

Basic Payment Scheme

Ceisteanna (283)

Niamh Smyth

Ceist:

283. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; the options open to the person; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30476/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The details supplied relate to a person who submitted a 2020 Basic Payment Scheme application on 30 September 2020.

This BPS application was deemed to be 100% late as it was submitted after the closing date of 15 May 2020. Last week, the person named submitted an appeal letter in relation to this late application. This is currently being reviewed and the Department will be in contact with the person concerned in relation to details of this appeal.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (284)

Marian Harkin

Ceist:

284. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the fee that will be payable in the case of person who objects to a forestry licence application; if no decision has been made on the fee, the date on which this decision will be made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30481/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The Forestry (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2020 was enacted on 2nd October, 2020 and commenced in full on 6th October, 2020. To give effect to the Act, two secondary pieces of legislation were introduced namely the Forestry Appeals Committee Regulations, 2020 and the Forestry (Amendment) Regulations, 2020.

The Forestry (Amendment) Regulations introduce both application and submission fees, which have been set at €20. Persons making an application for a forestry licence and those who wish to make a submission on a forestry licence application must pay the fee. The fee is payable to my Department on application or when making a submission.

The Forestry Appeals Committee Regulations set out a fee of €200 for an appeal against a decision on a forestry licence application. This fee is payable directly to the Forestry Appeals Committee, which is operationally independent of my Department.

Forestry Data

Ceisteanna (285)

Richard Boyd Barrett

Ceist:

285. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of Coillte planting that is coniferous; the percentage that is broadleaf; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30484/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Coillte CGA was established as a private commercial company under the Forestry Act, 1988 and day-to-day operational matters, such as the management of their forest estate, are the responsibility of the company.

I have therefore passed the questions raised to Coillte for response and direct reply to the Deputy.

Immigrant Investor Programme

Ceisteanna (286)

Bríd Smith

Ceist:

286. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine further to Parliamentary Question No. 323 of 8 October 2020, the reason he has not provided a copy of the submission as requested; and if he is not in a position to do same, the reason. [30492/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I understand that the requested document was forwarded to the Deputy earlier this week.

Animal Slaughtering

Ceisteanna (287, 288)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

287. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of lambs and sheep killed in meat factories here with tags with a chip number of either 08261 region UK1-Northern Ireland or 08260 region UK0-United Kingdom in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; the plants that the animals were slaughtered in; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30494/20]

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

288. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the food business operators, FBOs, in which lambs and sheep were processed in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30495/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I propose to take Questions Nos. 287 and 288 together.

The recording of sheep movements in Ireland is governed by Council Regulation (EU) 21/2004, as transposed into national legislation via S.I. 309 of 2011, as amended.

However, the intra EU movement of animals (including sheep from Northern Ireland and the United Kingdom) is recorded on the Trade Control and Expert System (TRACES), which is the EU-wide online management tool for all sanitary and phytosanitary requirements on intra-EU trade and importation of animals, semen and embryo, food, feed and plants. Therefore, all imports and exports of live sheep for the purposes of slaughter, breeding and fattening between Ireland and the United Kingdom, are recorded on TRACES.

The following data was extracted from TRACES:

- A total of 280,369 sheep were imported from Northern Ireland up to the 01 September 2020

- A total of 461,507 sheep were imported from Northern Ireland in 2019.

- In 2018, 521,693 sheep were imported in total from the United Kingdom. The imported sheep numbers from Northern Ireland were not available for 2018, but the vast majority of British sheep imports recorded on the TRACES system typically originate from Northern Ireland each year.

Information requested at FBO level cannot be provided due to commercial sensitivity.

Animal Slaughtering

Ceisteanna (289)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

289. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of slaughter tags for lambs sold in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020, by county; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30496/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

The rules regarding the identification of sheep changed with effect from 1 June 2019 when electronic identification was extended to all sheep.

Up to 31 May 2019, all lambs slaughtered under the age of 12 months could be identified with either a single conventional slaughter tag (white) or a single conventional mart tag (yellow). After that date, electronic identification was a requirement for all sheep.

From 1 June 2019, single conventional tags were no longer a valid means of identification for sheep. Single electronic slaughter tags are permitted only for lambs under 12 months of age moving directly to slaughter from the holding of origin. All other sheep, including lambs slaughtered under 12 months of age but moved other than directly to slaughter (e.g. via another holding or through a mart etc.) must be identified with a full electronic tag set (i.e. one conventional tag in the left ear and a corresponding electronic tag in the right ear).

In transitioning to the new identification rules effective from 1 June 2019, the sale of single conventional tags was discontinued after 30 September 2018.

The specific information requested is provided in the two Tables attached. The first Table details the number of conventional mart and slaughter tags issued in 2018 up to 1 October, after which date such tags ceased to issue. The second Table details the number of single electronic sheep slaughter tags sold from 1 October 2018 to 30 September 2020.

It should be noted that single electronic tags are applicable only to lambs moving directly to slaughter from the holding of their origin at under 12 months of age.

Sales of conventional mart and slaughter sheep

Sales of single electronic sheep tags by county

Animal Slaughtering

Ceisteanna (290)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

290. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of lambs sold to factories by farmers in each of the years 2018, 2019 and to date in 2020 that killed out at over 22 kg carcase weight; the factory locations in which the lambs were killed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30497/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Current price reporting for sheep to my Department is based on the slaughter of ovines between the weight ranges of 13-21.5 Kgs. The Department does not collect price slaughter data below 13kg or above 21.5Kg.

The national average price €/100Kgs for the week commencing 28 of September was €489.72kg, which is a 20.4% increase from a price of €406.78 for the same week in 2019.

Ministerial Advisers

Ceisteanna (291)

Michael Collins

Ceist:

291. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the details of each ministerial adviser, including the specific rate of pay payable to each adviser to him and each Minister of State in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30510/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

On the commencement of every Dáil, the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform issues guidelines setting out the arrangements for the staffing of Ministerial Offices. The appointment of Special Advisors is subject to section 11 of the Public Service Management Act 1997.

I can confirm that neither Minister Heydon nor myself have appointed any advisers yet.

In accordance with Section 11 of the Act, Minister of State Hackett has appointed two special advisers dealing with Press and Policy respectively. Arrangements are in train for these appointments to be approved by Government.

The current salary for Ministerial Advisers is: Special Adviser (Principal Officer), salary range: €89,072 - €109,547.

Additional information relating to the appointment of advisers is provided to the Oireachtas upon their appointment.

Forestry Grants

Ceisteanna (292)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

292. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the decision on a forestry application by a person (details supplied); the reason forestry was not approved on the land; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30524/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

An application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was submitted on behalf of the person named by his Registered Forester under the reference number given. The application area originally comprised 15.01ha.

A Forestry District Inspector of my Department inspected the site and indicated that some changes to the application were required due to aquatic setbacks and areas of Marl/Calcerous soils. These types of soils will not support a productive crop. These changes were made by the applicant’s Registered Forester and the area was reduced to 3.91ha.

An afforestation licence for 3.91ha was approved in April 2019.

Fishing Licences

Ceisteanna (293)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

293. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if licences for fishing vessels that are due to expire or expired in September 2020 will be extended to the end of 2020 due to the lack of fishing opportunity in 2020 due to Covid-19 and collapsed markets; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30526/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

Section 3 of the Fisheries (Amendment) Act 2003 transferred the functions of sea-fishing boat licensing from the Minister to the Licensing Authority for Sea-fishing Boats. The Licensing Authority operates on an independent basis subject to criteria set out in that Act and Ministerial Policy Directives. The Licensing Authority is the Registrar General of Fishing Boats, an official of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine or, under the superintendence of the Registrar General, the Deputy Registrar General of Fishing Boats. All applications for sea-fishing boat licences are considered by the Licensing Authority.

I am advised by the Registrar General that to receive a Sea Fishing Boat Licence, all vessels must have valid fishing vessel safety certification. Fishing vessel safety certification is solely a matter for the Marine Survey Office (MSO) which is an office of the Department of Transport. Vessels that are in the 15-24 metre category must hold a valid Fishing Vessel Safety Certificate issued by the Marine Survey Office while vessels in the greater than or equal to 24 metre category must hold a valid Certificate of Compliance issued by the Marine Survey Office (MSO). The Licensing Authority does not have any power to issue or extend Fishing Vessel Safety Certificates.

Qualifying sea fishing vessels in both the 15-24 metre category and in the greater than or equal to 24 metre category whose fishing vessel safety certification was valid as of 30/09/2020 were automatically issued a new sea-fishing boat licence in September 2020. Qualifying Vessels <15 metre in length had their licences renewed automatically in June 2020.

Updated fishing vessel safety certification details received from the Marine Survey Office that result in a vessel becoming compliant for a new licence are promptly processed upon receipt by the Licensing Authority.