Written Answers Nos. 764-783
764. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the number of times the obesity policy implementation oversight group has met to date in 2020; the work programme for the group for the remainder of 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31703/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra‘A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Government’s Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. It covers a ten year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy.
An Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group (OPIOG) was established in October 2017. On establishment the Obesity Policy Implementation Oversight Group identified key early areas for action and established two sub-groups, one on Healthy Eating and one on Reformulation.
Due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the business of the Department of Health and upon the work of many of its members, the OPIOG has only met once in 2020 to date. This meeting was held remotely on 24th September and the meeting was updated on the progress of the work of the two sub-groups.
The sub-group on Healthy Eating has as a priority output the development of Healthy Eating Guidelines for 1-4 year-olds. The Guidelines and associated resources, including a new Children’s Food Pyramid, were approved by the OPIOG at its meeting and were launched by Minister Donnelly, Minister O’Gorman and myself on 1st. October 2020. This work is now being followed by the development of nutrition standards for Early Learning and Care settings.
The sub-group on Reformulation has as its priority the setting of targets for food and drink reformulation and a “roadmap” for reformulation action to achieve those targets. The draft roadmap is at an advanced stage, and the submission of a report with the targets and roadmap is expected before the end of 2020.
As the work of the two existing sub-groups is coming to a conclusion, it is expected that the focus will move to other priority areas to continue the work of the OPIOG into the future. It is hoped to hold a further meeting of the OPIOG before the end of 2020.
765. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health when the progress report on A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31704/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra766. Deputy Louise O'Reilly asked the Minister for Health the status of the evaluation of A Healthy Weight for Ireland, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan that is being prepared by the Health Research Board Centre for Diet and Health Research, University College Cork; when it will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31705/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 765 and 766 together.
A Healthy Weight for Ireland’, the Obesity Policy and Action Plan (OPAP), was launched in September 2016 under the auspices of the Healthy Ireland agenda. The OPAP covers a 10-year period up to 2025 and aims to reverse obesity trends, prevent health complications and reduce the overall burden for individuals, families, the health system, and the wider society and economy. The Plan recognises that obesity is a complex, multi-faceted problem and needs a multi-pronged solution, with every sector of society playing its part. The OPAP is based on the best available evidence in the Irish and international literature, and is informed by established international models and frameworks.
Completion of the progress report of each recommendation of the OPAP was delayed due to the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on Departmental business. However, it is now in the final stages of design and proofing and is expected to be completed and published within the next few weeks.
The evaluation of the OPAP being carried out by the Health Research Board Centre for Health and Diet Research is at an advanced stage, and it is expected that this will be published in late 2020 or early 2021.
767. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health the stage of implementation for each of the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Health Report on Foetal Anti-Convulsant Syndrome, May 2018. [31707/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraValproate-containing medicines (also known as sodium valproate or valproic acid) are approved in Ireland under the brand name Epilim, for the treatment of epilepsy and bipolar disorder. Based on the totality of available scientific data on this drug, it is known that children exposed in utero are at a high risk of serious developmental disorders (in up to 30-40% of cases) and congenital malformations (in approximately 10% of cases).
To prevent exposure during pregnancy, there is a robust regulatory framework for the licensed use of Epilim in women of childbearing potential. This regulatory framework was strengthened following participation by the Health Products Regulatory Authority (HPRA) in two EU-wide reviews in 2014 and 2017.
After the European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued new recommendations on the use of sodium valproate in early 2018, the HPRA collaborated with national stakeholders, including patient representatives and healthcare professionals, to implement the new valproate risk-minimisation measures in Ireland. These measures included changes to the product information for patients and healthcare professionals; a visual warning on the packaging of valproate medicines; updated educational materials to reflect the new measures and provide age-appropriate advice; and a patient alert card to be attached to the packaging so that pharmacists can go through it with the patient when valproate is dispensed.
To support the actions taken by the HPRA, the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland directed pharmacists that they must inform women of child-bearing age of the potential risk of abnormal pregnancy outcomes when supplying any medicine containing valproate. This includes providing counselling and including a Package Leaflet and Alert Card with each supply of these medicines.
To address the more operational aspects of this issue, a HSE Valproate Response Project was established in May 2018 under the remit of the HSE Office of the Chief Clinical Officer. The Project Team was able to provide expert support to individuals and families with concerns about previous exposure to valproate and the possible impact on their children. The HSE team has also worked to improve the structures in place to support families affected by foetal valproate syndrome. A specialist dedicated genetics clinic has been established in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin, to support diagnosis, and the HSE is working to improve access to genetic testing.
The HSE’s medium- to long-term response to the valproate issue is focused on the establishment of a Programme for Women’s Health in Epilepsy within one of the Regional Epilepsy Centres, which will co-ordinate this national response. This means that all women taking valproate will have yearly follow-up, sign a valproate agreement form, be kept up-to-date with developments and signposted to other services, including the diagnostic service for those potentially exposed during pregnancy.
With regard to the Joint Committee's recommendation regarding the establishment of an independent inquiry into the use of valproate medicines in Ireland, there are no plans to hold such an inquiry at present.
768. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the acute and community hospitals which have dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31738/20]
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.
769. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the number of dedicated spaces for breastfeeding and expressing breast milk in workplaces assigned to his Department in percentage and absolute terms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31739/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Health operates a breastfeeding supportive workplace policy in compliance with Section 9 of the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004. In line with this, the Department has one designated private room on its premises which provides appropriate comfortable seating, storage, refrigeration, washing and other facilities for those employees who are breastfeeding and/or expressing breast milk. Employees who wish to use the room for this purpose are provided with secure and private access to use the facility as and when required.
770. Deputy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor asked the Minister for Health when a person (details supplied) will access a doctor; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31757/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn the event that a GMS patient changes address and requires to change GP, the patient should submit a completed change of doctor form to the Medical Cards Client Registration Unit, PO Box 11745, Dublin 11. Change of doctor forms are available from all HSE Local Health Offices or from the HSE's website at https://www2.hse.ie/services/medical-cards/change-your-medical-card-details.html.
Where a GMS patient experiences difficulty in finding a GP to accept him/her as a patient, the HSE has the power to assign that person to a GP's GMS patient list where the person has unsuccessfully applied to at least three GPs in the area who hold GMS contracts.
People who do not hold a medical card or GP visit card access GP services on a private basis and can make inquiries directly to any GP practice they wish to register with. As private contractors, it is a matter for each individual GP to decide whether to accept additional private patients. In some instances, GP practices have a full list of patients and cannot take on new patients. If this happens, patients should contact other GP practices in their area. While I have no role in relation to such matters, I would expect clinicians to consider the importance of patients having access to a GP service close to home when deciding whether or not to accept private patients.
771. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Health the amount spent on advertising including social media, broadcast, publications, online advertising, consultancy and production costs for the Be on Call for Ireland campaign. [31765/20]
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.
772. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Health the number of consultants by specialist posts that are vacant in each hospital of RCSI Hospital Group as of 9 October 2020; the length of time each post has been vacant; and the position regarding the filling of each consultant post in tabular form. [31767/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy, as soon as possible.
773. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the date on which increased funding for the BEEP scheme will be provided in view of the fact that the scheme in oversubscribed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31039/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe final funding requirement for the 2020 BEEP-S scheme will not be known until after the closing date for the completion of measures under the scheme, which is 1st November, and any decisions arising will be taken after that date. Payments under the scheme are scheduled to be made in early December.
774. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay with payments of the farming TAMS scheme payments; when the funds needed for these payments will be released; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31099/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTranche 18 of TAMS II closed on 20 August 2020. Under this tranche 3,448 new applications were received. These applications, together with those rolled over from tranche 17, bring the total number to be considered to 4,645.
The process is that these applications must pass the initial administrative checks required and are all then subject to the ranking and selection process. Ranking and selection is the process of ranking each application in each tranche using the pre-defined criteria. The processing of all these applications is underway and ranking and selection will be completed in the coming weeks after which the eligible applications selected for approval are further processed.
The indicative allocation for the TAMS II scheme over the course of the Rural Development Programme is €395 million. To date, €246 million has been paid across all the available schemes and a further €130m in approvals have yet to be claimed by applicants. A significant level of payments continue to issue with average weekly payments exceeding €1.4 million.
775. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there is funding available for the maintenance of an oak plantation that is 150 years old and has significant environmental benefits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31004/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe aim of the Department's Native Woodland Conservation Scheme (NWS) is to support the appropriate restoration of existing native woodlands in order to promote Ireland’s native woodland resource and associated biodiversity. NWS creates opportunities for implementing traditional forms of woodland management that form part of our countryside heritage, including coppicing. Other important benefits include landscape enhancement and cohesion, the strengthening of the cultural and historical heritage associated with Ireland’s native woodlands, and the provision of local amenities and opportunities for woodland interpretation and environmental education. The grant available under NWS is €5,000/ha and an annual premium of €350/ha is also payable for 7 years.
Applicants must engage a forester listed as a NWS Forester on the Forest Service List of Registered Foresters (as indicated by the entry ‘Yes’ in the ‘NWS’ column - see www.agriculture.gov.ie/forestservice/forestservicegeneralinformation/ ).
The scheme document can be found at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/grantandpremiumschemes/2016/NativeWoodlandConservationSchemeSept15050117.pdf.
Financial support for the oak woodland may also be available under the Department’s Seed Stand and Seed Orchard Scheme. This Scheme is aimed at improving the management and conservation of registered broadleaf and conifer seed stands included on the 'National List of Basic Material' so as to increase the frequency, quality and volume of commercial seed production and collection. Grant-aided seed stands must produce seed, as verified by the Department, at least once during the 7 year contract period, or evidence must be provided that due to climatic conditions seeding has not occurred at a level to justify collection. Funding available under this scheme is €725/ha.
Applicants seeking support under the Seed Stand and Seed Orchard Scheme must engage a forester listed on the Forest Service List of Registered Foresters The scheme document can be found at https://www.agriculture.gov.ie/media/migration/forestry/grantandpremiumschemes/2016/SeedStandSeedOrchardScheme150818.pdf.
776. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when a decision will be made on a forestry application lodged by a person (details supplied) in County Mayo; the reason for the delay in making a decision on the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31005/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Afforestation Grant and Premium Scheme was submitted on behalf of the person named in November, 2018. The application was referred to An Taisce and to the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS). The NPWS replied that the site was adjacent to the Mumtrasna Mountain complex and comprised of blanket bog.
It was ascertained on inspection that an ecological assessment would be required, and a site survey was to be carried out. To enable this site survey, a request for further information issued on 17th August, 2020 to the applicant and their registered forester. The information sought was a land types assessment of the site and a habitat survey.
No further assessment of the application can be carried until this information is received.
777. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a grant will be made available to farmers for solar panels to slated farm buildings; if these farmers will be paid for contributing to the national grid in such circumstances; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31023/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are a wide range of investment items available under the suite of seven measures available under TAMS II.
The list of investment items eligible for grant aid under TAMS II was extended in April 2019 to include on-farm solar PV and battery storage facilities. Under current EU regulations it is a requirement that all TAMS II investments must be for on farm capital investments. All items must be for on farm use only.
The TAMS II measures therefore do not extend to fund any investment item that would be used to generate excess electricity. Wider issues around micro-generation of electricity are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamonn Ryan T.D.
778. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of a national food ombudsman as per the commitment in the programme for Government (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31027/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Programme for Government includes a commitment to:
Ensure fairness, equity, and transparency in the food chain by establishing a new authority called the National Food Ombudsman (NFO) to enforce the Unfair Trading Practices Directive. This new authority will enforce EU-wide rules on prohibited unfair trading practices in the food supply chain and will have powers to enforce this Directive, penalising those who breach regulations. The NFO will have a specific role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland.
My Department will be drafting the legislation needed to establish the Office of the National Food Ombudsman in 2021, and the 2021 Budget includes an initial provision of €1 million to assist with start up costs.
779. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if grant aid will be provided for low emission slurry spreaders; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31028/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraLow emission slurry spreaders are grant aided under the Low Emissions Slurry Spreading (LESS) measure of TAMS II. To date interest in this measure has been very strong with over 4,500 farmers approved to purchase machinery. The investment ceiling under the LESS Scheme is not subject to the overall TAMS II investment ceiling.
In relation to payments, 1,900 applicants have already been paid over €19.8m under the LESS Scheme. In addition, a further 620 Young Farmers have invested in this equipment bringing the total spend under TAMS II on LESS to date to €31.3m. The adoption of dribble bar, shallow injection and trailing shoe technology is making an important contribution in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the Irish livestock sector.
780. Deputy Danny Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he will consider the introduction of a farm safety scheme with increased funding for health and safety equipment under TAMS; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31030/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe indicative allocation for the TAMS II scheme over the course of the Rural Development Programme is €395 million.
There are a wide range of farm safety related investments available which are grant-aided under the suite of seven TAMS measures. These are included under the Animal Welfare, Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme, Organic Capital Investment Scheme, Tillage Capital Investment Scheme and the Young Farmers Capital Investment Scheme. Grant aid of approximately €5.9 million has been spent on specific Farm safety investments in TAMS II since the scheme opened in 2015.
In addition ‘Health and Safety’ guidelines are included in all ‘Building Specifications,’ drawn up by the Department for the construction of agricultural buildings and structures. The guidelines give advice on best practice and legislation. All animal housing and slurry storage facilities constructed under TAMS II include a range of health and safety related elements that create a safer working environment on farms. Approximately €57 million has been spent on animal housing under the Animal Welfare Safety and Nutrient Storage Scheme since 2016 under TAMS II.
Further to the significant investment being put into farm safety through the TAMS II schemes, my Department is to launch a call under the locally led Innovation Partnership model (EIPs) specifically related to farm safety. This will see the provision of €1m in funding supporting a competitive, ‘locally-led’ call for farm safety initiatives. I see this as a significant step to driving a culture change amongst farmers and I look forward to seeing positive proposals to drive the culture change.
781. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the percentage of sows in the intensive pig sector here that die prematurely or have to be put down prematurely due to sickness or other causes. [31032/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra782. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason sows are prematurely euthanised; and the percentage for each reason stated. [31033/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra783. Deputy Joe O'Brien asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason sows die prematurely; if statistical data is recorded and kept by his Department on these premature deaths; and the measures being put in place to prevent premature death in sows in the intensive system. [31034/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 781 to 783, inclusive, together.
All persons keeping animals for farming purposed are legally obliged under both EU and Irish national legislation to ensure that those animals are kept in such a way that they are not caused any unnecessary pain suffering or injury. The legislation specifies, for example, that animals kept in intensive systems must be inspected at least once a day and that sick or injured animals must be cared for properly and if necessary, isolated in suitable accommodation.
Officials from my Department carry out inspections on pig farms to ensure compliance with these and other animal welfare requirements. Euthanasia is usually applied on a pig farm where an individual animal is sick or injured, where treatment is not successful or is not likely to be successful and where there is a perceived risk of the animal suffering unnecessarily.
Specific data of the number of sows that die or are euthanised on individual farms is not available.
