Written Answers Nos. 338-357
338. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Health the details of the Covid-19 vaccine booster programme; if consideration is being given to a shortening of the timeline between a person getting the second vaccine and their eligibility for the booster vaccine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56747/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
On 15 November the NIAC recommended that a booster of an mRNA vaccine be offered to persons aged 16-59 years with underlying conditions, all residents in Long Term Healthcare Facilities and persons aged 50-59 years.
The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months or longer following completion of the primary course of any two-dose Covid-19 vaccine. A minimum interval of five months may be used when necessary for operational reasons. Recipients of Covid-19 vaccine Janssen should receive an mRNA booster dose after an interval of three months.
The NIAC has previously recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 60 years and older and healthcare workers. The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months (or at least five months) following the last dose of any authorised Covid-19 vaccine.
The NIAC will continue to examine emerging evidence regarding booster vaccines for others in the population where there is evidence of waning immunity and reduced effectiveness, and will make further recommendations if required.
339. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Health when the portal will open for Irish citizens who have received a vaccine outside of the European Union and the UK to request an EU Digital COVID Certificate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56748/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe EU Digital COVID Certificate is a document which is issued to help facilitate enable the safe and free international movement of people across the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic. The EU Digital COVID Certificate Regulation allows for Digital COVID Certificates to be provided to Union citizens vaccinated in a third country provided that the Member State has been provided with reliable proof of vaccination.
From the 18 November the EU Digital COVID Certificate Third Country portal is accessible to all eligible Irish passport holders vaccinated outside of the EU.
This portal will accept applications from individuals vaccinated in a third country, outside of the EU Member States and countries which have been awarded an equivalence decision, who are 18 years of age and older, hold a valid Irish passport, and a reliable proof of vaccination for a vaccine type currently authorised for use in Ireland.
340. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Health the status of the Covid-19 vaccination booster programme; the timelines for delivery for all cohorts in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The NIAC makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practices in relation to immunisation.
On 15 November, the NIAC recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine be offered to persons aged 16-59 years with underlying conditions, all residents in Long Term Healthcare Facilities and persons aged 50-59 years. The Chief Medical Officer has endorsed the latest NIAC recommendations and written to the HSE requesting they be operationalised as soon as possible.
The NIAC has previously recommended that a booster dose of an mRNA vaccine (irrespective of whether the primary vaccination course was of an mRNA or adenoviral vector) be offered to those aged 60 years and older and healthcare workers. The booster dose should be given after an interval of six months (or at least five months) following the last dose of any authorised Covid-19 vaccine. I have accepted this advice and the HSE has made the necessary arrangements to operationalise these recommendations with the booster rollout now underway.
The HSE has operational responsibility for the rollout of the Covid 19 booster vaccination programme. As this is an operational matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly as soon as possible.
341. 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. [56767/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder 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.
In relation to the particular query raised, as this is a service matter, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.
342. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health when the updated HSPC guidelines regarding ventilation in respect of Covid-19 will be published. [56769/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy is advised that updated HPSC guidance building ventilation during COVID-19 will be published on the HPSC's website on 18th November 2021.
Relevant page: Buildings and Facilities Guidance - Health Protection Surveillance Centre (hpsc.ie)
343. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 832 of 19 October 2021, if he will provide as had been requested the number of Covid-19 vaccines that have been procured for Ireland including both vaccines administered and vaccines available for administration; the number procured by vaccine type, that is, manufacturing company; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56815/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraIreland has entered into seven Advance Purchase Agreements (APAs), subject to regulatory approval, for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccine from a range of manufacturers. Four vaccines have been authorised by the European Medicines Agency to date; Comirnaty (Pfizer/BioNTech), Spikevax (Moderna), Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca) and Janssen.
As of 15 November, over 7.7 million doses of the four approved vaccines have been administered since the programme commenced in December, including more than 340,000 booster doses administered to date. More than 92.% of the eligible population have now received a vaccine dose with in excess of 90% having been fully vaccinated.
The table beneath provides an overview of the quantity of vaccines by manufacturer administered in the vaccination programme.
Overview of Covid-19 Vaccine Administered by Supplier (In Millions) as of 15 November.
|
Vaccine |
Doses Administered |
|
Pfizer/BioNTech |
5.4 |
|
Moderna |
0.57 |
|
AstraZeneca |
1.2 |
|
Janssen |
.23 |
|
Total |
7.4 |
The procurement approach taken by the EU, on behalf of Member States, is to ensure that Member States have access to sufficient quantities of safe and efficacious vaccines across a range of technologies. Participation in the EU procurement process has served to ensure that Ireland has adequate supply of vaccines to meet the needs of its national programme including the rollout of booster doses. From the range of contracts that Ireland has entered into, some of the vaccines have yet to be granted regulatory approval, and final dose quantities and delivery schedules for these have yet to be confirmed. Ireland's existing contractual commitments for currently authorised vaccines are being used and will underpin the continued rollout of the booster programme over the coming months.
344. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health if he will give consideration to issuing public health advice in relation to vitamin d supplementation in view of recent findings (details supplied) regarding the importance of vitamin d in protecting against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56816/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWith regard to Vitamin D supplementation in the population, the Deputy is advised that the existing guidance on vitamin D was updated in November 2020 and advises that in addition to following a healthy diet, adults aged 65 years and older to take a 15 microgram (600 IU) daily supplement for bone and muscle health?.
Available to read here: www.gov.ie/en/press-release/7d595-new-advice-on-vitamin-d-supplement-for-people-aged-65-years-and-older/
Developments in relation to potential interventions are kept under frequent review, and a HIQA evidence synthesis paper on? potential interventions for COVID-19, including vitamin D, prepared for the NPHET, was discussed at its meeting on 26th May 2021.
Available to read here: www.hiqa.ie/sites/default/files/2021-08/Advice-to-NPHET_Interventions-to-prevent-COVID-19.pdf
The NPHET minutes of 26th May are available to read here: www.gov.ie/en/collection/691330-national-public-health-emergency-team-covid-19-coronavirus/#april-june-2021
The Department notes that while numerous studies have been published suggesting an association in relation to the role of vitamin D status and vitamin D supplementation in COVID-19, that the quality of this evidence is low and subject to many confounding factors.
The NPHET has agreed that there is insufficient high-quality evidence with respect to vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, and noted that ongoing developments, particularly Randomised Control Trials, in this area be monitored by the NPHET with guidance reviewed accordingly.
The NPHET agreed that efforts should be made to increase awareness of existing guidance. Adults spending increased time indoors or those who are housebound or in long-term residential care or have dark skin pigmentation are also recommended to take a daily vitamin D supplement.
These recommendations for the use of vitamin D have been incorporated into wider messaging, and additionally are being communicated across the health service, including nursing homes and social care settings, as necessary. The Department of Health issued a communication to the HSE and Nursing Homes Ireland to encourage implementation of guidance on vitamin D in nursing homes in February 2021. Additional communication is planned for November 2021.
The Government will continue to look to the NPHET to provide recommendations with regard to Vitamin D and COVID-19.
345. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health the status of plans to provide a primary care centre for Finglas; the timescale involved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56817/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs 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.
346. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when the promised food ombudsman will be appointed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56651/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Deputy will be aware of the commitment in the Programme for Government to establish a new office of National Food Ombudsman, or equivalent, which will enforce the Unfair Trading Practices (UTP) Directive and will also have a role in analysing and reporting on price and market data in Ireland. The establishment of such an Office requires primary legislation.
I am happy to advise the Deputy that, in April this year, ahead of the deadline of 1st May 2021, I signed Statutory Instrument No. 198 of 2021 to transpose the UTP Directive directly into Irish law. This was done as an interim measure as it was not possible to enact the primary legislation establishing the Office of National Food Ombudsman, or equivalent, before the May transposition deadline.
Also as an interim measure, I established the UTP Enforcement Authority in my Department pending the finalisation of the primary legislation being prepared to establish the new Office.
This Enforcement Authority has been assigned all of the necessary legal powers to investigate complaints from suppliers, including primary producers, to carry out investigations on its own initiative and to initiate legal proceedings for breaches of the Unfair Trading Practices defined in the Directive.
With regard to the establishment of the new Office of Food Ombudsman or equivalent, the General Scheme of the Bill for the primary legislation is currently being prepared.
As part of those preparations, consideration is being given to the submissions made in response to the public consultation held by the Department earlier this year, as well as to whether the provisions of the UTP Directive need to be extended and to the price and market analysis function of the office.
Once the primary legislation is finalised and the new Office is established, the process for appointing the Head of the Office will be commenced and the Enforcement Authority functions will transfer to the new Office in line with the commitment in the Programme for Government. In the meantime, it is open to suppliers to engage with the Enforcement Authority on any concerns they may have in relation to unfair trading practices.
I am fully committed to ensuring that the Programme for Government commitment is implemented as quickly as possible and I am pleased to say that, as announced in the details of Budget 2022, an indicative €4 million has been provided in the estimates for the establishment of the new Office.
I believe that the Regulations I introduced in April are a significant step in progressing towards a more even playing field for our agricultural and food suppliers, providing them with a service that they can avail of with regard to unfair trading practices.
347. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if the case of a person (details supplied) is being expedited. [56707/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAn application for the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash Dieback) was received on behalf of the person named and acknowledged in December 2020. An initial letter was issued to the applicant and his Registered Forester in January seeking a harvest plan as the intention was to essentially clear fell and replant the site. A response to this request was received in February.
My Department received clarification from Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage in early May, on the requirement for obtaining a grant of planning or an exemption for certain RUS sites. A letter issued to the applicant and his Registered Forester on 6th May, requesting detail of a grant of planning or an exemption from the local authority. The letter noted that the removal of, in this case, 11.95ha of broadleaves was not an exempted development and not sub-threshold.
As no response to this request has been received, the application cannot be processed further.
348. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the outlook for the fishing industry and for fish processors in the coming six months given the new control plan in relation to weighing fish has not yet been approved by the European Commission and is not likely to be approved for some time; the steps he plans taking to mitigate the negative effects this will have on the fishing industry including alternative supports for the industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56728/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra352. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the reason for the delay in the completion of control plan for fisheries landings (details supplied); the actions that are being taken to expedite the matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56756/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 348 and 352 together.
This is an operational fisheries control matter and such matters are exclusively ones that come within the remit of the Sea Fisheries Protection Authority (SFPA). Under the Sea Fisheries and Maritime Jurisdiction Act, 2006, all operational issues of this nature are exclusively for the SFPA and the Naval Service. As Minister, I am precluded from getting involved in operational control matters such as this.
The standard position, under the Common Fisheries Policy, is that fish must be weighed on the pier. Member States can apply for a derogation to weigh the fish away from the pier and that application must be accompanied by a Control Plan providing necessary levels of assurance to the Commission if they are to decide to grant the derogation. It is at the discretion of the Commission whether or not they grant the derogation.
The EU Commission decision to revoke Ireland’s Control plan in respect of weighing states that operators did not have in place a “weighing system fit for purpose”, as provided for under point 5 of the control plan and the audit identified manipulation of weighing systems. Moreover, although aware of those shortcomings, Ireland did not take appropriate measures to address such non-compliance, in particular by withdrawing the permission to weigh after transport as foreseen in point 8 of the control plan. Consequently, the control plan does not minimise the risk of systematic manipulation of weighing pelagic catches in Ireland and the under-declaration of catches by operators.
The SFPA submitted a revised draft Control Plan to the EU Commission for review and approval on 22nd September 2021. A new draft plan must be accepted by the Commission and formally adopted by it under its legislation – an EU Commission Decision. Subsequently, the SFPA have advised that it has had comprehensive engagement with DG Mare on the plan. The SFPA advised that it has met industry representatives recently and updated them on the discussions with DG Mare.
During Commissioner Virginius Sinkevicius visit to Killybegs recently, representatives of the fishing industry set out the challenges facing the industry in the absence of a control plan that would allow weighing of fish in factories. In my discussions with the Commissioner, during this visit, I asked him to give as much priority as possible to the Commission’s examination of Ireland’s draft control plan given the real challenges currently being faced by the industry. The Commissioner and his officials have been made fully aware of the considerations around the timing of any control plan approval, given the commencement of the pelagic fishing season in January 2022.
I will keep the lines of communication open with Commissioner Sinkevicius over the coming weeks so that he understands the challenges that would practically arise if a new Control plan is not in place for the beginning of the 2022 pelagic season.
349. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he plans to classify donkeys as heritage animals in view of their historic role in Irish society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56733/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine's Genetic Resources Grant Aid Scheme has been in place since 1996. The Scheme has an annual call for projects aimed at supporting the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources for food and agriculture.
Projects are evaluated by an advisory committee, representing broad national stakeholder interests. Over the years, funding has been provided to a diverse range of projects, including conservation initiatives.
Whilst, at the present time, I am not aware of any projects which involve the classification of donkeys as a native breed, applications and expressions of interest are welcomed from all individuals, groups and bodies to submit projects for the further development of genetic resources conservation in Ireland. Projects applications for the 2022 grant scheme call will be accepted up until Friday 17th December 2021.
Details and contact details are available at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/5d767-genetic-resources-grant-aid-scheme/
Completed applications can be sent either by email to geneticresources2020@agriculture.gov.ie
350. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if there are plans to provide funding towards urgent works that are needed for the oyster pier (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56738/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Oysterbed Pier is owned by Kerry County Council and responsibility for its maintenance and development rests with that Local Authority in the first instance and its parent Department, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage thereafter.
My Department provides funding to assist the coastal Local Authorities, including Kerry County Council, in carrying out small scale projects for the development and repair of Local Authority owned piers, harbours and slipways under the annual Fishery Harbour and Coastal Infrastructure Development Programme, subject to available Exchequer funding and overall national priorities. Between the years 2010-2020, Kerry County Council has received funding of €1.9m under this programme.
In May, I was pleased to announce a 35% increase in the funding being made available to Local Authorities from the 2021 Programme, with Kerry County Council securing funding of over €200,000 to support three projects.
Recently, I received the final report of the Seafood Sector Task Force that I established in March of this year. The Taskforce examined the impacts on the fishing sector and coastal communities of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and the United Kingdom. The Taskforce has recommended an initiative for the development of publicly owned marine infrastructure and I have asked my Department to urgently examine the report.
Should any application be submitted by Kerry County Council in relation to Oysterbed Pier under any future programme, it will be given due consideration, taking into account the terms and conditions of the scheme, the priority attached by the Council and available Exchequer funding.
351. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department will commit to providing a written plan for the next 12 months that commits to baseline levels of licensing and inroads into the backlog in forestry licences; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56749/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, both myself and Minister Hackett, who has overall responsibility for the sector, have committed to dealing with the backlog in licensing through the Project Woodland initiative launched earlier this year.
We have invested heavily in resources and operational efficiencies in order to improve output and this is having the desired effect with licence output averaging 113 licences per week in each of the last eight weeks to 12th November.
We are aiming also to have a better mix of licences within that output as I am particularly concerned that afforestation is not enjoying the benefits of other types of licensing.
We hope to sustain and improve on this output and the Department will be producing an updated projection for the issuing of forestry licences in 2022 by end-2021 for communication to all stakeholders.
353. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the proposals there are to intensify co-operation with international forestry organisations in relation to research projects which could be carried out in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56768/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) supports a broad range of research, development, and innovation activities to develop the efficiency, sustainability and profitability of the forest sector in Ireland.
Our research programmes provide for the participation of eligible research performing organisations in forestry research including through international collaboration.
In particular, DAFM supports research under the European Research Area Networks (ERA-NETs), which are an established, structured and strategic process where Member States agree, on a voluntary basis and in a partnership to support international collaborative research.
The objective of the current ERA-NET co-fund Action ‘ForestValue – Innovating forest-based bioeconomy’ is to promote increased innovation and competitiveness of the forest-based sector in Europe. Sustainability and modernisation of forestry systems and downstream value chains including innovative business concepts and production technologies will be needed to develop the forestry sector and the European bioeconomy, of which forestry accounts for a large share.
The “ForestValue ” consortium, of which my Department is a member, consists of 30 partners from different regions as well as second and third countries. One hundred and two research proposals sought funding. Following peer review and the ranking of proposals by a panel of international experts, the Call Steering Committee selected 17 proposals which were recommended for funding.
In addition, my Department, through its national competitive funding programme, also provides collaborative opportunities through direct co-funding with the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, Northern Ireland and inclusion of other international partners on a self-funding basis.
354. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if his Department records figures pertaining to the number of greyhounds referred to foster centres included on the panel of service providers since the introduction of the Rásaíocht Con Éireann traceability system in January 2021; and if so, if he will provide these figures. [56818/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraRásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) 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. RCÉ is a body corporate and a separate legal entity to the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine.
The question raised by the Deputy is an operational matter for RCÉ and, therefore, the question has been referred to the body for direct reply.
355. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of further information requests issued in relation to forestry licence applications in each of the years 2015 to 2020 and to date in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56819/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department does not routinely keep records of the number of further information requests that issue on forestry licence applications.
Statistics are available for a specific triage exercise recently carried out on a cohort of tree felling licence applications awaiting assessment by an ecologist. This resulted in a batch of further information requests issuing at the end of June, on 420 applications. As approximately half of these requests remained unanswered, 234 (of the initial 420) were issued with reminders week ending 5th November.
This work has resulted in over 800 private tree felling licences issuing since the beginning of June.
356. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if funding is available from her Department to support local authorities in hosting fireworks displays at Halloween and on New Year’s Eve. [56667/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI can confirm to the Deputy that my Department does not provide funding to Local Authorities to host firework displays at Halloween or New Year’s Eve.
357. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development when the proposed changes to the Community Services Programme will be announced following on from the review carried out by a company (details supplied); the mechanism by which existing community groups and Community Service Programme companies can have an input into the ongoing consultation process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56730/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department's Community Services Programme (CSP) currently supports over 420 community organisations to provide local services through a social enterprise model.
In 2020, an independent review of the Community Services Programme was undertaken by Indecon International Economic Consultants, on behalf of my Department. The final report was published on 30 September 2020 and was accompanied by a High Level Action Plan outlining the timeline for the phased implementation for the restructuring of the programme.
My Department and Pobal, who administer the programme on behalf of my Department, are currently working on the restructuring of the programme in conjunction with a Consultative Group, whose membership is secured from key sectoral stakeholders including CSP supported organisations, national organisations, community representatives and social enterprise representatives.
It was initially anticipated that the work on the restructuring of the programme would have completed by the end of 2021/early 2022. However, due to the Covid 19 pandemic, my Department was required to refocus its priorities in order to develop a number of support schemes for community and voluntary organisations, charities and social enterprises, including the Stability Fund and the CSP Support Fund, to help organisations who required additional assistance during the crisis period. On 15th November last, I was pleased to announce the approval of a further €1m extension of the CSP Support Fund, to provide further assistance to those organisations most in need.
Pending the transition to the new restructured programme, the scheme is closed to new applications through the expression of interest process. However, there are a number of organisations with plans currently under consideration, and if approved, they will be supported under the programme from January to April 2022 onwards. In addition, it is anticipated that the Programme will open calls to address identified gaps in service delivery in 2022.
