Written Answers Nos. 242-255
242. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the progress to date in advancing the proposed new maternity hospital; the extent to which agreement has been reached to the satisfaction of all parties while meeting any concerns the general public might have; if all outstanding matters have been satisfactorily resolved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59760/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Government is committed to the development of the new National Maternity Hospital (NMH) planned for the St Vincent’s University Hospital Campus at Elm Park, as set out in the Programme for Government.
As the Deputy will be aware, the proposed corporate and clinical governance arrangements for the new National Maternity Hospital were set out in the Mulvey Agreement, which provides for the establishment of a new company - National Maternity Hospital at Elm Park DAC - which will have clinical and operational, as well as financial and budgetary independence in the provision of maternity, gynaecology and neonatal services.
The draft legal framework that has been developed is designed to copperfasten these arrangements and to ensure protection of the State’s investment. Work is ongoing towards the finalisation of the legal arrangements.
I have been clear that I will not bring any proposal to Government unless it affirms that that State’s investment in the new hospital is safeguarded, as well as providing assurances around all legally permissible services being provided in the new NMH. However, as I have stated previously, I will not be making any further comment in relation to this matter until the process has concluded.
243. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which it is expected to cater for the needs of cancer patients or those seeking elective treatment while maintaining progress in the fight against Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59761/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department and the National Cancer Control Programme systematically study the impact of Covid-19 on cancer services through data monitoring and monthly review meetings.
The number of people coming forward with cancer concerns decreased significantly during Covid Wave 1 from March to May 2020. However, the degree of resilience built up in cancer services, through staff commitment, revised treatment guidelines, social distancing and infection prevention and control measures, instilled confidence in people that they could access cancer diagnostics and treatment. Accordingly, we have seen a recovery in the figures since Wave 1:
- the total number of GP e-referrals to cancer Rapid Access Clinics for January-October this year stands at 127% of the activity for the corresponding period in 2019;
- the total number of patients seen across all Rapid Access Clinics for January-September 2021 stands at 99% of the corresponding period in 2019; and
- cancers diagnosed in Rapid Access Clinics from January-September 2021 are at 96% of the comparable 2019 figure.
These figures do not include private hospital activity used to alleviate pressure on cancer treatment services, so the overall figures are higher.
An allocation of €12 million was made this year to ensure that our cancer services continue to recover from the disruption caused by Covid-19. This funding is being used to address backlogs, extend clinic times, provide additional clinics, increase diagnostic capacity and provide locum/temporary support.
In addition, an extra €20 million was allocated for the continued implementation of the National Cancer Strategy in 2021, as well as approximately €15m for new cancer drugs and €10 million for cancer screening. This investment is having a significant impact on access to cancer diagnostics, treatment and supports.
Through Budget 2022, new developments under the National Cancer Strategy will be facilitated by the allocation of a further €20 million. On top of this, an extra €5 million Covid funding is being provided for cancer services in 2022, as well as €15m for new cancer drugs.
It is important that anyone with concerns about cancer visit their GP, who will arrange appropriate follow-up care. Our cancer diagnostic and treatment services are open, and our healthcare staff will provide any necessary care.
244. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Health the extent to which he expects the health services to continue the long battle against Covid-19 based on the current strength and staffing levels; if he is satisfied that all urgent treatments and procedures can continue notwithstanding the threat of Covid-19; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59762/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraCOVID-19 brought a range of challenges to our health service . It is recognised that waiting times for scheduled appointments and procedures have been impacted in the last twenty months as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic and more recently as a result of the ransomware attack. While significant progress was made in reducing waiting times from June 2020 onwards, the surge in Covid-19 cases in the first quarter of 2021 and the associated curtailment of acute hospital services, coupled with the ransomware attack of May 2021 and current fourth wave has impacted waiting times.
Improving waiting times for hospital appointments and procedures remains a commitment of this Government. For 2022 an additional allocation of €250 million, comprised of €200 million to the HSE and €50 million to the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) has been provided in respect of work to reduce hospital and community waiting lists.
In addition, the Department of Health, the HSE and the NTPF are also working on a Multi Annual Waiting List Plan to bring waiting lists in line with Sláintecare targets over the coming years. This process will be overseen by a Ministerial Taskforce, chaired by the Secretary General of the Department of Health and includes representatives from the HSE and National Treatment Purchase Fund. The plan will be informed by the lessons learned from the successful Vaccine Taskforce.
It is also important to note that Emergency Departments have remained open to patients throughout the pandemic and will remain open. Appropriate infection prevention and control measures are in place including dual pathways for Covid and non-Covid patient and the use of PPE.
In addition, the continued provision of cancer care has also been identified as a priority in the National Action Plan on Covid 19 and Cancer services continue to operate in line with guidance issued by the HSE's National Cancer Control Programme (NCCP), incorporating appropriate physical distancing and infection control measures
COVID-19 has also brought a range of challenges to our health service workforce. To continue to meet the ongoing demands caused by the pandemic, as well as to provide necessary resources for the longer-term health care requirements of our population, the health sector workforce is expanding.
The Government is committed to funding the provision of healthcare in order to deliver services in line with Sláintecare objectives. This is underpinned by the provision of funding in Budget 2022 which allows for the continued growth of the health sector workforce up to an estimated 141,491 WTE in 2022. This would be a further increase of 10,855 WTE from the current numbers equating to an increase of 8%.
The National Service Plan for 2022 which will set out the type and volume of services that the HSE will provide next year in respect of its significant budget of over €20.5billion was formally submitted for my approval by the HSE on 23rd November.
As per the legislative provisions, following formal submission by the HSE, I now have 21 days to approve the Plan or request amendments to the Plan.
245. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the level of funding for the development of peat free alternatives for the horticulture sector. [59588/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department operates a programme that provides funding for agri-food research, on a competitive basis, to research performing organisations.
Applications are invited periodically through Research Calls that cover a broad range of agriculture, food and forest related research activities.
Our current call, which closed earlier this year, contains a specific topic entitled: ‘Find alternatives to peat based growing media for horticultural production which are available, affordable and sustainable and meet quality, environmental and productivity requirements'.
Proposals needed to demonstrate how peat based growing media are used in each sector (ornamental and amenity horticulture, vegetable sector, fruit sector, mushroom sector), and the unique characteristics demanded by each formulation of growing media in the Irish context. The results and funding of this research call will be announced this December.
Separately, the Department is funding two sustainability research projects through the EU producer organisation (PO) scheme for fruit and vegetables. The first project is looking at spent mushroom substrate and how this could be potentially used as a peat replacement material within the wider horticulture sector.
This project is also focusing on the benefits of spent mushroom substrate as an organic fertiliser and soil conditioner in tillage farming. The second project is investigating the sustainable replacement of peat in mushroom casing material. €278,951 has been paid on these research projects during the 2019 and 2020 Operational Programme years. Additionally, €553,518 was approved for research in the 2021 Operational Programme year.
A further application for research funding in the 2022 Operational Programme year has been submitted and this request is being considered by officials in my Department.
Lastly, Teagasc has recently funded a research project to support the transition from peat based mushroom casing materials to more sustainable alternatives. The project has a budget of €153,266.
246. Deputy Matt Shanahan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of forestry licences processed for the months of August, September and October 2021, in tabular form; the breakdown including felling, road access and afforestation applications; the percentage that have licences processed to the public and private sector owners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59615/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has issued a total of 3,603 forestry licences so far this year, which is 55% more than was issued for all of 2020 (2,592) albeit last year was a low output year. The table below represents the output for the months requested broken down by tree felling, afforestation and forest road works licences.
The Deputy will note the smaller number of licences issued in August, which was due to an interruption to outputs caused by the requirement to go to a second 30-day public consultation for cases subject to Appropriate Assessment. However, licence output has now returned to expected levels with an average of 116 licences issuing per week over the last 13 weeks to 26th November.
Finally, my Department has issued 813 private forestry licences in the months August to 26th November*, compared to 866 Coillte felling licences. The breakdown of licences issued each month to private/Coillte is in the table below and the percentage of Coillte licences issued of the total.
The Deputy may be aware that my Department publishes the Forestry Licensing Dashboard weekly, which is available on the Department’s website.
247. Deputy Joe Carey asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine If a forestry licence application by a person (details supplied) will be expedited. [59616/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department received an application for a tree felling licence for the person named in April this year. The application has been referred to my Department’s Ecology Unit in order to assess possible effects on surrounding designated sites. A Harvest Plan has been received and once the environmental report is completed, the application will be opened for a 30-day public consultation period. When that consultation has closed, it will be referred back to my Department for further processing.
Subject to all of the above proceeding as standard, I expect that a decision will issue in approximately two to three months.
248. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the status of the implementation of changes to the prescription of veterinary medicine that are due to come into effect in January 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59636/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraLast week, I set out a roadmap for the implementation of the new EU-wide Veterinary Medicinal Regulation 2019/6. While the Regulation will come into effect on 28th January 2022, in response to the concerns of stakeholders, I have decided to defer implementation of one aspect – that anti-parasitic medicines can only be supplied on foot of a veterinary prescription - until 1st June 2022. This will enable all stakeholders make the necessary business and/or infrastructural adjustments that will ensure compliance with the Regulations.
The move has been well received by all stakeholders and I thank all of them for their continued positive engagement in the matter.
While the new National Veterinary Prescription System (NVPS) will be in place as planned for the end of January, its mandatory use will also be delayed until 1st June to allow for a smooth transition to compliance. for this same period.
The new veterinary medicines regulations are focused on ensuring increased availability of veterinary medicines across the EU, as well as addressing the key societal One Health One Welfare challenges of anti-microbial resistance, as well as anti-parasitic resistance.
The roadmap is as follows:
1. The Regulations come into effect on 28th January.
2. The new requirements regarding the prescribing of antimicrobials, including antibiotics, and medicated feed, will come into effect on that date.
3. The requirement to only supply anti-parasitic medicines on foot of a veterinary prescription is deferred for a four-month period – until 1st June 2022. A prescription will not be required for such products until that date.
4. The national mandatory requirement to use the NVPS is deferred until 1st June 2022. Veterinary practitioners can continue to issue paper-based prescriptions in the current format until then.
5. The NVPS will be available for voluntary use by vets from the end of January onwards – to ensure that prescribers and dispensers are familiar with the system when its use becomes compulsory.
6. Prescriptions issued by vets for anti-parasitic medicines after 1st June will be valid for a maximum period of 12-months. Antiparasitic medicines can then be purchased by the farmer from his or her preferred supplier at the appropriate time throughout the period that the prescription is valid.
7. From 1st June 2022, the Regulations will be applied in full.
I have asked my officials to explore the issue of interchangeable anti-parasitics, and more information will be available on this in the coming weeks. I have made these amendments to help farmers, vets, pharmacists and licensed merchants transition to the new regulations.
249. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the amount expended by his Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59696/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe amount expended by my Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form is as follows:
|
Year |
Expenditure* |
|
2017 |
€2,790,840 |
|
2018 |
€2,861,412 |
|
2019 |
€2,655,066 |
|
2020 |
€2,744,297 |
|
2021 (to 29.11.2021) |
€2,728,869 |
*Due to the method of recording data, some vehicular fuel costs have been included in the expenditure amounts above. Costs reimbursed or recouped from other Government Departments sharing facilities have been accounted for.
Some of our buildings are heated by electricity and as such we are unable to provide an accurate split between heating and lighting costs.
250. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of his Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59714/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department has followed the advice of the Health and Safety Authority and the advice contained in the Government’s Work Safely Protocol in relation to ventilation in office buildings.
The Office of Public Works, who are responsible for the management of Government properties, has advised my Department that all our mechanical ventilation systems are operating efficiently and are maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s guidelines.
The importance of ventilation and practical steps to increase ventilation, such as opening windows and ensuring a cross flow of air, has been communicated to staff.
Managers and staff with responsibility for accommodation work in partnership with our Lead Worker Representatives to monitor and ensure that all COVID-19 controls are being implemented.
My Department has implemented the latest Government advice and has requested that staff work from home, unless it is necessary for them to attend the workplace in person. Decreased numbers attending in offices also has a positive impact on ventilation.
The Department has not installed any air cleaning or purification systems in our offices and have no plans to do so in 2022. However, as always, the approach to ventilation throughout the Department will be led by the prevailing public health advice and the advice of the Health and Safety Authority in relation to workplace safety.
251. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the number of towns and villages which have been supported under the town and village renewal scheme and whether she has conducted a review of the effectiveness of this scheme. [59576/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Town and Village Renewal Scheme provides funding to support the revitalisation of our rural towns and villages and make them more attractive places to live, work, socialise and raise a family.
Since the launch of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme in 2016, over €93 million of funding has been approved for more than 1,340 projects in over 800 towns and villages across Ireland. This year's Scheme places particular emphasis on projects supporting remote working and enhancing town centre living. The maximum grant available has increased to €500,000 to permit projects of additional scale to be funded. I will be announcing details of successful applicants under this year's scheme in the coming weeks.
A Focused Policy Assessment of the Town and Village Renewal Scheme has recently been undertaken by staff of the Irish Government Economic and Evaluation Service located in my Department and was published last month. The assessment included a number of recommendations which are being considered by my officials. A copy of the Focused Policy Assessment can be found on the Gov.ie website at the following link: www.gov.ie/en/publication/a0a03-programme-evaluation/
252. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the initiatives and their value which have been supported for rural renewal. [59580/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF) provides investment to support suitable projects in towns and villages with a population of less than 10,000, and outlying areas, which will deliver on the National Strategic Objective of Strengthened Rural Economies and Communities. The funding from the RRDF will also further the aims of Our Rural Future, the Government's 5 year policy for rural development, which highlighted the need to build strongly on existing investment and to strive for even greater ambition to achieve significant and rapid progress on the objective of balanced regional development.
Calls for applications to the Fund are sought under two categories – Category 1 and Category 2. Category 1 relates to large scale ambitious capital projects with all necessary planning and other consents in place and which are ready to proceed. Category 2 provides smaller grant funding to enable the development of project proposals suitable for future calls for Category 1 applications.
Three calls for Category 1 applications have been completed to date, while two calls for applications have been completed in relation to Category 2. Arising from the outcome of these calls, 89 Category 1 projects have been approved for funding of €221 million for projects worth €301 million. 75 Category 2 projects have been approved for funding of €34 million for projects worth €46 million. In total, funding of €255 million has been approved to date for 164 projects worth a total of €347 million.
The third call for Category 2 applications closed in July 2021 and I expect to announce the successful projects in the coming weeks. The fourth call for Category 1 applications will be announced before the end of 2021.
Table 1 below lists the 89 Category 1 projects approved for RRDF funding. Table 2 below lists the 75 Category 2 projects recently approved for RRDF funding.
253. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will extend the completion date for the town and village streetscape enhancement scheme (details supplied). [59651/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI introduced the Streetscape Enhancement Measure this year as part of a commitment in Our Rural Future. The initiative, introduced under the Town & Village Renewal Scheme, is being delivered by Local Authorities and funding of €7 million was allocated at the outset.
Approximately 120 towns and villages the length and breadth of the country are benefitting from the funding. Improving streetscapes by painting buildings in vibrant colours, upgrading and restoring traditional shop-fronts and removing unnecessary clutter from main streets will serve to add colour and vibrancy to our rural towns and villages.
The Deputy may be aware that I have already extended the completion date for works to 31st December and afforded Local Authorities a wide degree of flexibility in delivering the initiative locally. Local Authorities also have the autonomy to allow some works to be completed on projects after 31st December 2021 in circumstances where it has not been possible to conclude works before this date. In particular, this refers to works such as painting/murals which may be impacted by adverse weather conditions or where there are issues with the capacity of contractors locally to deliver within required timeframe.
The Deputy may wish to contact the relevant Local Authority in respect of any individual case he is familiar with.
254. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the amount expended by her Department in each of the past five years to date in 2021 on lighting and heating costs in tabular form. [59709/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department was established in 2017. The costs sought by the Deputy are only available from 2018 due to separation of budget lines and office relocation arising from the Department's establishment.
The table below sets out the amounts paid for gas and electricity by my Department in our offices in Dublin and Ballina for the years 2018 to date.
|
Year |
Electricity |
Gas |
|
2018 |
€32,098.69 |
€9,113.30 |
|
2019 |
€32,985.07 |
€8,408.72 |
|
2020 |
€22,357.95 |
€12,363.49 |
|
2021 |
€17,226.28 |
€11,719.64 |
255. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development the steps she has taken to improve ventilation in the office buildings of her Department; if air cleaning and or purification systems have been installed in 2021; and if not, the plans to install same in 2022. [59727/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department currently has offices in Trinity Point, Dublin 2, and Government Buildings, Ballina, Co. Mayo.
The HVAC system in Trinity Point is mechanically controlled and draws in fresh air from outside to provide ventilation to the offices. The system is operating satisfactorily and no upgrades are currently planned.
The Department's offices in Ballina are ventilated naturally using windows and doors. I understand that the Office of Public Works is currently reviewing ventilation in the Ballina offices and will advise in due course if any additional works are necessary.
