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Tuesday, 5 Apr 2022

Written Answers Nos. 884-903

Social Welfare Code

Ceisteanna (884)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

884. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Health if there is a scheme in place to help persons on social welfare who suffer from gluten-related dietary restrictions with the cost of coeliac friendly foods; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18385/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has statutory responsibility for decisions on pricing and reimbursement of medicinal products under the community drug schemes in accordance with the provisions of the Health (Pricing and Supply of Medical Goods) Act 2013.

Therefore, I have asked the HSE to respond to the deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Disability Services

Ceisteanna (885)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

885. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health the timeframe for the publication of the action plan on the Disability Capacity Review which was due in December 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18395/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Following publication of the Disability Capacity Review, a Working Group was set up to develop an Action Plan for Disability Services for the period 2022-2025. This Group, whose membership consisted of senior officials from the Departments of DCEDIY, Social Protection, Housing, Further and Higher Education, Health, and the Health Service Executive, has now completed its work and the draft Action Plan is currently being finalised for approval.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (886)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

886. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the existing level of respite in County Cavan; if it is intended to provide separate centres for children and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18396/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to a service matter I have asked the HSE to respond directly to the Deputy.

Health Services

Ceisteanna (887)

Pauline Tully

Ceist:

887. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Health his plans to expand the existing level of respite in County Monaghan; if it is intended to provide separate centres for children and adults; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18397/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As this question relates to service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond to the Deputy directly, as soon as possible.

Health Services Staff

Ceisteanna (888)

David Cullinane

Ceist:

888. Deputy David Cullinane asked the Minister for Health his views on physician associates; his engagements with other Departments and stakeholders regarding training physician associates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18408/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy will be aware, physician associates are healthcare professionals qualified to practice in collaboration with, and under the supervision of, medical doctors.

In 2015 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland commenced a pilot in Beaumont Hospital, with the recruitment of four qualified physician associates into four specialty surgical units – colorectal, orthopaedic, breast, and vascular – under the supervision of four surgeons in those settings.

Due to the limitation of the pilot being confined to surgical units, and to the fact that for the second year there were just two physician associates involved, it was not possible for the Department to make an informed, evidence based national level determination, regarding the establishment of the grade at that time.

Having sufficient capacity in the health workforce and the appropriate configuration of staff and skill-mix are integral to the delivery of safe and timely health services. The Department is supportive of any initiative which ensures that sufficient professionals are trained, attracted, and retained in the areas where healthcare need is anticipated.

Since the completion of the pilot in Beaumont Hospital, no follow up business case or request to establish the physician associate grade, on a permanent basis, has been received from the HSE by the Department.

Vaccination Programme

Ceisteanna (889, 890)

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

889. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he expects the National Immunisation Advisory Committee to complete its evaluation on the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in first year but who did not receive it and women up to the age of 25 years of age who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18410/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Róisín Shortall

Ceist:

890. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health when he expects HIQA to complete its cost-effectiveness assessment of providing the HPV vaccine to girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in first year but who did not receive it and women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18411/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 889 and 890 together.

The immunisation programme in Ireland is based on the advice of the National Immunisation Advisory Committee (NIAC). The committee's recommendations are based on the prevalence of the relevant disease in Ireland and international best practice in relation to immunisation. It makes recommendations on vaccination policy to my Department. NIAC continues to revise recommendations to allow for the introduction of new vaccines in Ireland and to keep abreast of changes in the patterns of disease. Therefore, the immunisation schedule will continue to be amended over time.

As you are aware, my Department is awaiting guidance from NIAC in relation to the clinical effectiveness of providing the HPV vaccine to:

- girls and boys in secondary school who were eligible to receive HPV vaccine in 1st year but who did not receive it; and

- women up to the age of 25 years who have left secondary school and who did not receive the vaccine when eligible.

Since 2020, NIAC's has been significantly engaged in the evaluation of COVID-19 vaccines and making recommendations on their use in respect of the population living in Ireland. This work is ongoing in the context of the requirement to consider booster vaccination programmes.  Other workstreams under the remit of NIAC include the HPV vaccination programme. I am advised that NIAC hopes to make a recommendation on the HPV mop-up programme as soon as possible. 

If NIAC concludes that there is sufficient evidence to support the provision of HPV vaccine to one or more of the groups set out above, HIQA will undertake a cost-effectiveness assessment on that basis.

Question No. 890 answered with Question No. 889.

Departmental Contracts

Ceisteanna (891)

Mattie McGrath

Ceist:

891. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the cost of consultants to his Department in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022; and if he will provide an outline of the role of each. [18890/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department's total expenditure in the A7 subhead consultancy for the years requested since 2020 is as per the tables attached. Descriptions of the projects are alongside the spend on same. It is the policy in my Department only to engage the services of external consultants where highly specialised skills are not available within the Department and, in particular, when such an approach is felt to be more appropriate and cost-effective.

The attached tables outline the total amount spent on external consultants from 2020 to date. While some contacts are negotiated on the basis of a daily and hourly rate, others are paid a fee on the basis of reaching a number of milestones during the process and in some case producing a report

A7 Subhead

Fishing Industry

Ceisteanna (892, 893, 894)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

892. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota of Irish fishing vessels in Irish territorial waters under the Common Fisheries Policy. [17502/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

893. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota of Irish fishing vessels in the territorial waters of other European Union member states under the Common Fisheries Policy by European Union member state in tabular form. [17503/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

894. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the quota of fishing vessels from European Union member states in Irish territorial waters under the Common Fisheries Policy by European Union member state and species in tabular form. [17504/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 892, 893 and 894 together.

Under the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), EU fishing fleets are given equal access to EU waters and fishing grounds subject to allocated fish quotas. There are derogations to this access rule, including restrictions on access to Member States' coastal waters.

In Ireland’s case, other than Northern Irish vessels under Voisinage Agreement, no EU Member State or Third Country has access to our 0-6 nautical miles zone. Foreign fishing vessels are excluded from the 6-12 nautical miles zone on our North-west Coast, from Lough Foyle to Eris Head, and along the South-west Coast between Mizen Head and Sybil Point. France, the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium have access for specific species in various areas of the 6-12 nautical mile zone along Ireland’s West, East and South coasts. Ireland does not have access to any other Member States’ 6-12 nautical mile zones.

Last year, the European Commission published a proposal to rollover, for another ten years, the provisions relating to the restrictions on access to Member States' 6-12 nautical miles zones, as set out in the CFP Regulation (Regulation (EU) No. 1380/2013). I am seeking an extension of the 6 and 12 nautical miles zones out to 12 and 20 miles, respectively. I believe that there is a strong case to be made to increase the protections for Ireland’s fishing fleets in these waters, particularly against the background of Brexit.

Quotas for the various stocks are allocated for management areas - that is, an ICES (International Council for the Exploration of the Seas) area or a part thereof - and not Member States' Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZ). Generally, most stock areas straddle more than one EEZ area. These stock areas can include Member States' EEZs, third countries' EEZs and international waters.

For example, the Total allowable Catch (TAC) area for the Hake Stock is ICES Areas 6 and 7 which stretches from the north of Scotland south to the north coast of Brittany, and into the English Channel. This area includes parts of the UK EEZ, the Irish EEZ, part of the French EEZ and some international waters. Ireland's quota may be fished in any part of this area. Ireland's main Mackerel quota covers ICES Areas 6 and 7 stretching from north of Scotland to the north coast of Brittany and the full quota may be fished in UK waters of the northern North Sea. The access to the northern North Sea is economically important for our fleet.

The share allocation of stocks between Member States was established as a principle of the first CFP in 1983 and was based on the average catch of each Member State over a period of reference years (track record). The only exception to this relates to the Hague Preferences, based on a special recognition agreement of the underdeveloped nature of the Irish fleet and the heavy control responsibility on us when Ireland joined the EU. The share out of TACs set in more recent years has also been mainly based on track record, the most recent of these of importance to Ireland has been boarfish.

The details of the stocks for which Ireland and other Member States have quota in the relevant management areas are set out in the TAC and Quota Regulation each year.

Question No. 893 answered with Question No. 892.
Question No. 894 answered with Question No. 892.

Common Agricultural Policy

Ceisteanna (895)

Peadar Tóibín

Ceist:

895. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the value of payments under the Common Agricultural Policy; the number of recipients of payments under the Common Agricultural Policy in each of the years 2015 to 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [17505/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The information requested by the Deputy is attached in tabular form, as requested.

CAP Funding

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (896, 898, 899, 900, 901, 929, 930)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

896. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ash dieback RUS applications received by his Department; the number which have been approved; the number of such files that remain to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17558/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

898. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of ash applied for under the reconstitution and underplanting scheme; the area approved; the area remaining to be approved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17560/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

899. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and area of ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme applications that his Department approved in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17561/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

900. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number and area of ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme applications that his Department received in 2021; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17562/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

901. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of ash dieback reconstitution and underplanting scheme approvals that his Department expects to approve in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17563/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

929. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the dates his Department received the ash dieback RUS applications that remain unapproved by month in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17844/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Michael Fitzmaurice

Ceist:

930. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the area of ash dieback RUS approvals his Department expects to approve in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17845/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 896, 898, 899, 900, 901, 929 and 930 together.

I will refer the Deputy to his Dáil question number 860 of 29th March, that since the first finding of ash dieback disease in Ireland, my Department has provided support totalling over €7 million to owners of ash plantations impacted by disease through the Reconstitution Scheme (Ash Dieback) (introduced in 2013) and more recently the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS – Ash dieback) introduced in July 2020.

Applications for RUS are received regularly, and decisions are issued as the assessment of the applications are completed.

The table below shows the total applications received, approved and on hand, including the area, since the commencement of the Scheme up to and including 1 April, 2022.

Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (Ash Dieback)

Total

Hectares

Applications received

592

2, 391

Decisions issued

189

619

Awaiting decision

403

1, 772

A total of 155 applications were decided in 2021 for a total of 492ha. A total of 389 applications were received in 2021, covering 1,628 ha.

The table below shows the breakdown of the applications on hand and the year in which that application was made.

Year received

Number awaiting decision

Hectares

2020

103

428

2021

298

1,341

2022

2

3

Thus, number awaiting a decision is 403 for 1,772 ha

As the Deputy is aware the Forestry Licensing Plan 2022 was published earlier this year and deals with projected licensing output and approvals for support schemes and may be found here gov.ie - Forestry policy and strategy (www.gov.ie).

A key target of the plan is to refocus on the delivery on approvals from the Reconstitution and Underplanting Scheme (RUS) (Ash Dieback). However, the 2022 Plan does not include an annual target as many RUS applications are screened in for Appropriate Assessment and are referred to ecology. Of these, any that propose replacing the ash crop with conifer species currently require planning permission.

My Department continues to engage with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), who are very supportive of the objective of removing the planning permission requirement for these files.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (897)

Jackie Cahill

Ceist:

897. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the total area of ash plantations potentially infected with ash dieback in the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17559/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The damage caused by ash dieback disease is rapidly increasing in Europe and Ireland. It is likely in the coming years to have a catastrophic impact on ash wherever it occurs in the Irish landscape, including in hedgerows and in the wider natural environment.

The total area of grant aided ash is approximately 15,000 hectares. To date approximately 2,000 hectares of this grant aided ash has been cleared under the Departments schemes. The National Forest Inventory (2017), a sample inventory, concluded that in total there was 25,000 hectares of ash (+/- 5,000 hectares).

Such is the presence of the disease, all ash forests in Ireland at this point can be deemed potentially infected by ash dieback to a greater or lesser degree.

Question No. 898 answered with Question No. 896.
Question No. 899 answered with Question No. 896.
Question No. 900 answered with Question No. 896.
Question No. 901 answered with Question No. 896.

Forestry Sector

Ceisteanna (902)

Jennifer Whitmore

Ceist:

902. Deputy Jennifer Whitmore asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine when his Department intends to integrate data on hen harrier winter roosts (details supplied) into databases in order to inform licensing decisions that are compliant with Irish and European Union environmental law; the reason for the delay in doing so to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17565/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Department recognises its responsibilities regarding the conservation of Hen Harrier, and is fully engaged in the development of the Threat Response Plan, led by the National Parks & Wildlife Service, Department of Housing, Local Government & Heritage.

We are supplied a High Likelihood of Nesting Areas (HLNAs) GIS layer from the NPWS, in order to underpin the application of its procedures developed to avoid disruption to breeding Hen Harrier within designated SPAs, arising from certain forestry operations. This GIS layer has in recent years incorporated data from the Hen Harrier EIP Project and its partner, the Golden Eagle Trust, subject to data confidentiality. The HLNA layer is fully integrated into iFORIS and the QGIS system used by Ecologists involved in assessing applications. This HLNA layer does not include information regarding Hen Harrier winter roosts.

The Department does not have data concerning the Hen Harrier winter roosting sites. On a case-by-case basis, where it becomes aware of the presence of a roost site, through referral responses from NPWS, submissions from third parties or other means, the Department attaches appropriate conditions to the licence and / or grant approval, if issued.

Agriculture Schemes

Ceisteanna (903)

Colm Burke

Ceist:

903. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if a farmer qualifies for support under the targeted intervention package for the tillage sector recently announced (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17588/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

As the Deputy is aware, I recently announced the Targeted Intervention Package. This package seeks to incentivise the planting of additional tillage crops for this coming planting season through the Tillage Incentive Scheme. It is proposed to encourage farmers to grow more eligible tillage crops in 2022 versus 2021.

Eligible crops include the cereal crops barley, wheat, oats, rye, oilseed rape, maize, and beet. A payment of €400 per hectare is proposed. The proposed budget for the Scheme is €10 million and is aimed at encouraging an additional 25,000 hectares of the eligible tillage crops.

Specifically in relation to the Deputy's question, I can confirm that under sown cereals are eligible under the scheme. However, farmers must establish the cereal, for example if barley is sown, as the primary crop and must be maintained to a good commercial standard. It is expected that the eligible crops are managed correctly in terms of crop establishment, nutrition, weed and disease control etc. In summary, once the eligible cereal crop is established and maintained properly grass seed may be under sown.

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